thetorontostar--2020-09-15--US industrial production up modest 0.4% in August

WASHINGTON - U.S. industrial production slowed to a modest increase of 0.4 % in August , far weaker than the @ @ @ @ @ previous months when factories were coming back to life .
The slight increase reported Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ gains of 3.5 % in July and 6.1 % in June , when the industrial @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began to rebound .
For August , manufacturing rose 1 % but mining , @ @ @ @ @ exploration , fell 2.5 % .
Production at the nation ’ s utilities was off @ @ @

Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Vietnam sentences 7 for human smuggling to Britain

HANOI , Vietnam - A court in central Vietnam on Monday sentenced seven people to up to 7 1/2 years in prison for smuggling a woman who later died in a truck together with 38 other people as they were being transported into Britain , state media reported Tuesday .
According to the Thanh Nien newspaper , the six men and one woman were found guilty of “ organizing and brokering “ illegal immigration by the Ha Tinh provincial court in central Vietnam .
Nguyen Quoc Thanh , Nguyen Thi Thuy Hoa and Tran Dinh Truong received jail sentences ranging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the other defendants received probation for orchestrating the smuggling of 26-year-old Pham Thi Tra My into England , the newspaper reported .
They were accused of receiving $ 21,000 to take the woman from her hometown in Ha Tinh province to China , where they used a false passport to travel to France before loading her into a container truck to enter Britain last October .
From the sealed container , My sent a string of texts to her mother in Vietnam saying “ I can ’ t breathe , ” typing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passing out .
The authorities identified the rest of the victims , including 10 in their teens , as Vietnamese nationals who left the country to find better opportunities in the West .
“ My brother died in a horrible way .
And I hope others will learn from this , ” said Hoang Thi Lanh , sister of 18-year-old Hoang Van Tiep , one of the victims .
The case drew international attention and has forced Vietnam to step up its controls against human smuggling .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Longtime San Francisco benefactor Ann Getty dies at 79

SAN FRANCISCO - Ann Getty , a longtime benefactor of the arts and culture in San Francisco who married into the storied Getty family , died Monday .
She was 79 .
She died of a heart attack , her husband Gordon Getty said .
A native of Wheatland , California , Ann Getty and her husband Gordon Getty , an oil heir and billionaire philanthropist , were a regular presence of San Francisco ’ s upper-crust society events .
The designer and philanthropist dedicated her life to the fields of anthropology , publishing , interior design , and early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ Generosity , in friendship and philanthropy , was a hallmark of Mrs. Getty , who opened the family home to numerous fundraisers supporting a range of nonprofits , ” the family said .
Ann and Gordon Getty were also close to California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , helping to pay for his outings as a youngster and later became regular donors to his political campaigns .
Newsom ’ s late father , William Newsom , became a close friend of Gordon Getty after the two attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The son of billionaire oil magnate J. Paul Getty , Gordon Getty helped finance Gavin Newsom ’ s first wine shop in 1992 , which later grew into a successful business line .
Besides running a design business , Ann Getty founded a San Francisco preschool and helped raise funds for numerous nonprofits , including the University of California , San Francisco , the San Francisco Symphony , Benioff Children ’ s Hospitals , the San Francisco Conservatory of Music , the San Francisco Opera , the Leakey Foundation and the Napa Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world attending numerous music and arts festivals , Mrs. Getty was a great San Franciscan who treasured spending time with her extended family , whether attending opening night at the San Francisco Symphony or the San Francisco Giants season home opener at Oracle Park , ” her family said .
J. Paul Getty was at one time the world ’ s richest man .
In 1973 , his eldest grandson , Jean Paul III was kidnapped by Italian gangsters and held for $ 3.2 million ransom .
The family paid after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an Italian newspaper .
The elder Newsom managed Gordon Getty ’ s family trust and helped deliver the ransom money after the kidnapping .
Ann Getty is survived by her husband , their sons , Peter , John , and William Getty ; grandchildren Ivy Getty ; Nicholas , Alexander , and Veronica Getty ; and Ava and Dexter Getty .

Olga R. Rodriguez - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--VIRUS DIARY: Alone, craving change, but above all grateful

PHOENIX - For what feels like the first time in my life I ’ m craving change , longing for something different .
But the start of each month aches like I ’ m repeatedly waking up and reliving the same nightmares from the previous month .
The headlines read another business shut down , another family member gone too soon , another Black person taken , another celebrity lost .
All the while another day goes by and it still feels like we are in March — for the seventh time .
Who could have predicted that “ after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as far away as before ?
It is especially hard on those who immerse themselves endlessly in today ’ s events .
But it is not without purpose and definitely not without reflection .
I see the calendar changing , but it is hard to see time passing .
And despite it all , I ’ m grateful .
We made it through half a year in a pandemic .
Can you believe it ?
Some of you may have picked up a new hobby , read books , finally finished that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
Me ?
All of the above .
I live alone in a studio no more than 700 square feet ( 65 square meters ) in downtown Phoenix .
It has given me nothing but time to myself .
I ’ m grateful for the opportunity to wake up every day , grateful I have a routine to adhere to — and , most importantly , grateful for time .
Today I stopped and smelled the roses .
And by roses , I mean what I thought would be fresh air from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an uncomfortable whoosh of hot wind and a warm kiss from the sun .
It ’ s almost fall .
Every year I decorate for the seasons .
This year was especially important to remind myself that time is passing .
I ’ m bringing out the haystacks and the scarecrows .
It ’ s a little early for pumpkins — but why not ?
I open up my planner , light my leaf-scented candle and pour a mug of hot chocolate .
This is the season when I map out my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in higher education conditions do to you .
But this time , instead of planning , which has made my work-from-home life a little less spontaneous , I ’ ve decided to just embrace time .
It is exhausting thinking about what could have been this year .
Multiple vacations , concerts and weddings are all crossed out of my planner .
Instead , I ’ m thinking about what this year has taught me so far , about myself and who I want to be .
I decided to leave my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press for more than a year now .
I ’ ve written about 2,000 stories .
I ’ m a working woman at 25 years old , and I ’ m nothing but grateful .
I know people who were laid off from their jobs , threatened with payments they weren ’ t sure how to make , sick with COVID-19 , grieving the loss of a friend or family member and harassed because of the colour of their skin .
This year has been tough on everyone , and right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to wake up .
It ’ s not a luxury that everyone has been given this year .
This moment seems endless .
But as I look at my fall decorations , I ’ m reminded that time continues and we should be grateful , knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel .
Virus Diary , an occasional feature , showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world .
Follow Phoenix-based AP West Desk news associate Cheyanne Mumphrey on Twitter at https @ @

Cheyanne Mumphrey - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--UN enlists slew of celebrities for film on global issues

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The United Nations has enlisted a slew of celebrities including multi-Grammy winner Beyoncé , actor Don Cheadle and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai for a film promoting actions to tackle the world ’ s biggest issues from the COVID-19 pandemic to poverty and inequality .
The 30-minute film entitled “ Nations United : Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times ” is set for broadcast globally , and will premiere on the UN YouTube channel on Sept. 19 at 09:00 EDT ( 13:00 GMT ) , the U.N. announced Monday .
The U.N. said the film sets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better world as the coronavirus pandemic threatens global progress to end extreme poverty , achieve gender equality , promote human rights , tackle injustice and address climate change .
The film “ will take audiences on a dynamic exploration of the times we live in , the multiple tipping points our planet faces , and the interventions that could transform our world over the next 10 years , ” the United Nations said .
It features a performance from Grammy-nominated singer Burna Boy , and a new version of a previous U.N. performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education campaigner and U.N. Messenger of Peace Malala Yousafzai , U.N. goodwill ambassadors Cheadle and actress Michelle Yeoh , and UNESCO special peace envoy Forest Whitaker .
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed also appear in the film .
And the U.N. said Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts will host a radio broadcast and podcast version of the show .
“ Nations United : Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times ” is produced by 72 Films and writer and director Richard Curtis .
He is an advocate for U.N. global goals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment and improve living conditions for all people by 2030 .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Florence Howe, co-founder of Feminist Press, dead at 91

NEW YORK - Florence Howe , an activist , educator and major contributor to American literature and culture who as co-founder of the Feminist Press helped revive such acclaimed and influential works as Charlotte Perkins Gilman ’ s “ The Yellow Wall-Paper ” and Rebecca Harding Davis ’ “ Life in the Iron Mills , ” has died .
Howe died Saturday in Manhattan , according to the Feminist Press .
She was 91 and in recent years had been treated for Parkinson ’ s disease .
“ Florence Howe was a visionary with extraordinary literary taste , an ear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on feminism and social justice , ” Linda Villarosa , chair of the Feminist Press board , said in a statement .
“ Like me , people across several generations can thank Florence for opening our eyes , uplifting our voices , mentoring us as writers and scholars , and training us to step into her shoes.
” A native of New York City and a civil rights activist in the 1960s , Howe and her then-husband Paul Lauter founded the non-profit publisher in 1970 , and dedicated themselves to introducing readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ literature , by women of the past and present .
The Feminist Press would prove an invaluable resource and ally for the emerging Second Wave feminist movement , and for the emerging field of women ’ s studies , which Howe also helped promote though chairing a Modern Language Association committee on women in education .
“ A decade ago , it ( women ’ s studies ) had no name .
A few academics around the country labeled a segment of their freshman composition courses ‘ growing up female ’ or taught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender , ’ ” Howe , who had taught at Goucher College among other schools , wrote in a 1976 essay in The New York Times .
“ The teaching of women ’ s studies has several goals : to raise the consciousness of students about sexism in the curriculum and in the wider society ; to compensate for the omission of women from the curriculum ; to encourage research , and to recover the lost or neglected history and culture of women.
” One of the Feminist Press ’ most notable releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published in 1892 and narrated by a woman confined by her husband because of “ temporary nervous depression , ” Gilman ’ s story became the Feminist Press ’ most popular book , selling hundreds of thousands of copies .
Another prominent release , “ Life in the Iron Mills , ” was first published anonymously in 1861 and brought to Howe ’ s attention by her friend Tillie Olsen .
“ I met Tillie in the early 1970s and she handed me a dog-eared copy of ‘ Life in the Iron Mills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said to me , ‘ Read it , but don ’ t read it at night.
’ And , of course , I read it at night .
I could not go to sleep .
First of all , it makes you cry .
Secondly , I kept thinking if this was lost forever , there must be more lost forever , ” Howe told The Associated Press in 1995 .
Other notable Feminist Press releases included Agnes Smedley ’ s working class novel “ Daughter of Earth , ” Paule Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Brown Girl , Brownstones , ” and , with financial support from Toni Morrison , a volume of Zora Neale Hurston ’ s work that Alice Walker edited .
Howe also reissued Olsen ’ s “ Silences , ” a landmark study of the books that didn ’ t get written by women and the working class ; feminist poetry collections originating everywhere from Vietnam to Italy , and poems , prison letters and other writings by the Russian dissidents Pussy Riot .
Writing in The New York Times in 1985 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joseph Duffey called the Feminist Press “ an editing and publishing enterprise that has , perhaps more than any other institution , helped to recover and make available a legacy of writing by and about women in American history and scholarship.
” Howe was born Florence Rosenfeld , and later took the last name of Ed Howe , another former husband .
She was long interested in literature and in social justice , whether studying English at Hunter College and at Smith College or volunteering to register Black voters in Mississippi during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howe started the Feminist Press , now based at the City University of New York , by accident .
She had been living in Baltimore in 1970 , and teaching at Goucher , and had an idea for a series of essays by contemporary writers about notable women in history .
As Howe told the AP , she was turned down by three publishers because they thought the project would never make money .
She then asked for support from a local feminist organization , Baltimore Women ’ s Liberation , which mistakenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Howe was inundated that summer with letters , and contributions to “ The Feminist Press.
” “ There were little checks — one dollar , two dollars , about a hundred dollars in all , “ Howe said .
” I just simmered and simmered until sometime in October I mimeographed a long piece of paper saying the Feminist Press doesn ’ t exist , that this was a fantasy of Baltimore Women ’ s Liberation .
“ I sent copies to all the people who had sent letters , with or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t exist , but it may exist if a certain number of people , 20 , come to a meeting and at least 12 agree to meet monthly .
About 30 turned up .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--MPR reporter quits over handling of sex misconduct reporting

ST. PAUL , Minn. - An arts reporter at Minnesota Public Radio News announced her resignation Monday , accusing management of dragging their feet on a potential story about a male employee at a sister station accused of sexual misconduct .
“ My editors have failed to move forward on the story ” after months of reporting , Marianne Combs said in a resignation letter she posted on Twitter .
She did not name the man facing the accusations .
“ I gathered testimony from eight women who say that he sexually manipulated and psychologically abused them , ” Combs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and describe a man who preyed on younger , sexually inexperienced women.
” MPR President Duchesne Drew said in a Monday statement to The Associated Press the editors decided the story was not ready to run because it does not meet the company ’ s journalistic standards .
Editors were surprised by Combs ’ resignation and expected that she was continuing to work on the story , Drew said .
Combs said MPR News ’ legal team cleared her story , but the editors refused to air it because of concern “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would invite a lawsuit.
” Combs was named journalist of the year by the Society of Professional Journalists in June for her coverage of sexual abuse cases at Children ’ s Theatre Company in Minneapolis .
In 2018 , MPR severed ties with Garrison Keillor , longtime host of “ A Prairie Home Companion , ” after he was accused of sexual harassment .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Belarusian opposition condemns Russia for backing Lukashenko

MOSCOW - The Kremlin said Tuesday that a $ 1.5 billion loan it offered to Belarus carried no political conditions , despite claims by the Belarusian opposition that Russia is trying to shore up the nation ’ s authoritarian ruler amid post-election protests .
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the loan when he hosted his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko for more than four hours of talks Monday in Sochi on Russia ’ s Black Sea coast .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the loan wasn ’ t contingent on any political moves .
“ Like any loan , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about any other conditions , ” he told reporters during a conference call Tuesday .
Protesters in Belarus have dismissed Lukashenko ’ s re-election for a sixth term in the Aug. 9 presidential vote as rigged , and massive demonstrations have entered their sixth week .
The United States and the European Union have both criticized the election as neither free nor fair and urged the Belarusian leader to engage in talks with the opposition , a demand he has rejected .
The Western pressure has left Lukashenko to rely exclusively on assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement with Belarus envisaging close political , economic and military ties .
Putin quickly congratulated Lukashenko on his re-election and promised to send Russian police to Belarus if protests there turn violent .
Peskov said after Monday ’ s talks that Russia would now pull back from the border a law enforcement contingent set aside for possible deployment to Belarus .
Despite the close co-operation , the two neighbours often engaged in acrimonious disputes in the past , with Lukashenko denouncing what he described as Kremlin pressure on Belarus to abandon its independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko on Monday showered Putin with praise for helping Belarus and emphasizing the need to counter what he described as hostile plans by NATO .
He offered to intensify joint military drills , noting that “ the recent developments have shown that we need to stand closer to our older brother.
” Putin emphasized that Russian paratroopers sent to Belarus for joint drills will leave the country after the exercise .
Peskov said the leaders did not discuss the possibility of basing Russian troops in Belarus .
The Coordination Council that the Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a new election criticized Russia for backing Lukashenko .
“ Support for the actions of Belarus ’ law enforcement agencies , for the policy of repression instead of dialogue , will undoubtedly have a serious negative impact on bilateral relations , ” it said in a statement .
Pavel Latushko , a former culture minister and ambassador to France who was forced to leave Belarus after joining the Coordination Council , said the Kremlin is making a mistake by trying to shore up Lukashenko .
“ It ’ s a wrong strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outgoing government that will be wasted , ” Latushko told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Poland .
“ Russia offers funds to Lukashenko , but it can ’ t put money in every Belarusian ’ s pocket .
The economic situation will deteriorate and the public discontent will only grow.
” Latushko charged that despite backing Lukashenko for now , the Kremlin may already have started a search for his replacement .
“ Russia is implementing a strategy to downgrade the outgoing president to help shape broad public consensus for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Most observers noted that Russia would stand by Lukashenko until it could find a viable alternative .
“ If Belarusian officials and the broad public feel that Russia dropped its support for Lukashenko , it would quickly finish his regime , ” said Artem Shraibman , an independent Minsk-based analyst .
“ The Kremlin doesn ’ t want him to fall until it has other reliable partners in the Belarusian elite or the opposition.
” Follow all AP stories about the turmoil in Belarus at https : //apnews.com/Belarus .

Vladimir Isachenkov And Yuras Karmanau - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Netflix’s ‘Cuties’ becomes target of politicized backlash

The backlash to the French independent film “ Mignonnes , ” or “ Cuties , ” started before it had even been released because of a poster that went viral for its provocative depiction of its young female actors .
But the spotlight has only intensified since the film became available on Netflix last week and it has become the target of heightened politicized outrage from members of Congress , including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas , and others online calling for subscribers to # CancelNetflix .
At the heart of the backlash is the idea that “ Cuties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls , which , ironically , is what the movie itself is criticizing too .
The campaign against the film , which includes calls for the Department of Justice to investigate it and hundreds of thousands calling for subscribers to cancel their Netflix accounts , is riddled with inaccuracies due in part to the fact that some critics have not seen the film ( one claims that there is child nudity when there is not ) .
Netflix said in a statement that it is a , “ social commentary against the sexualization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Maïmouna Doucouré , “ Cuties ” is about an 11-year-old Senegalese immigrant named Amy ( Fathia Youssouf ) who is living in an impoverished Paris suburb with her observant Muslim family .
She becomes fascinated with a clique of rebellious girls at her middle school who choreograph dance routines and wear crop tops and heels .
They talk about Kim Kardashian and diets , practice “ twerking ” and giggle about boys and sex-related things that they don ’ t yet understand .
Netflix acquired “ Cuties ” out of the Sundance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was favourably reviewed and won an award for its direction .
It is the kind of film ( foreign-language and with no stars from a first-time director ) that would otherwise have gone under the radar .
But because Netflix ’ s promotional materials caught the attention of the internet and even led to an apology from the streaming giant and the removal of the posters , “ Cuties ” was thrust onto the national stage .
Late last week , Republicans Cruz and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s production and distribution .
Cruz in his letter to Attorney General William Barr asked that they , “ determine whether Netflix , its executives , or the individuals involved in the filming and production of ‘ Cuties ’ violated any federal laws against the production and distribution of child pornography.
” On Sunday in an interview on the Fox News Channel , Cruz elaborated that Netflix is “ making money by selling the sexual exploitation of young kids.
” Cruz and others have made it a sticking point that Netflix has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama and Michelle Obama , although neither have any association with “ Cuties.
” Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado tweeted that he and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona also want DOJ to investigate .
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley , a Republican , also sent a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings asking for the film to be removed from the platform while he awaits answers about how the film was made and marketed .
The criticism is not just from Republicans .
Democratic Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii , in a Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ porn ” and included a photo of the recalled poster and wrote that it will “ certainly whet the appetite of pedophiles & help fuel the child sex trafficking trade.
” “ Netflix , you are now complicit , ” Gabbard continued .
Melissa Henson , program director for the Parents Television Council , said that it “ normalizes the sexualization of little girls , ” and over 640,000 accounts have signed a Change.org petition calling on users to cancel their Netflix accounts over the film .
But this time Netflix is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ award-winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we ’ d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie , ” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement .
Some film critics have also weighed in on the controversy and highlighted the merits of the film .
“ It would have been easy for Doucouré to use a broad brush to paint the different extremes of Amy ’ s experience ( ‘ stifling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but she ’ s not exactly making ‘ Footloose ’ here , ” New York Magazine film critic Bilge Ebiri wrote .
“ ’ Cuties ’ is not a blunt screed or a finger-wagging cautionary tale in either direction — which is one reason why anyone watching the film looking for clear messages about right and wrong is bound to be disappointed , maybe even outraged.
” Doucouré was inspired to make the film partly because she observed some 11-year-old girls dancing “ like we ’ re used to seeing in video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wanted to investigate why such young girls were mimicking such adult behavoir .
“ Our girls see that the more a woman is overly sexualized on social media , the more she is successful .
Children just imitate what they see , trying to achieve the same result without understanding the meaning , “ Doucouré said .
” It is dangerous.
” Her protagonist , Amy , is at the crossroads of conflicting messaging from her family , French Western culture and the “ hyper-real fiction of social media , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the film “ without judging this child.
” According to Lauren Aronson , a representative for Cruz who said he has not seen the film , the intent of the filmmaker is not the point .
“ There should be absolutely no place for the filming and distribution of these scenes , ” Aronson wrote .
But Doucouré believes that her film is a worthy call to action .
And her messaging seems to have the same goal as those bemoaning its existence .
“ We must all come together to figure out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a director , as an artist , I am doing my part with this film , ” she said .
“ Politicians , the education system , parents and children must come together to fix what ’ s gone wrong .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Report: Death penalty cases show history of racial disparity

WASHINGTON - Black people have been overrepresented on death rows across the United States and killers of Black people are less likely to face the death penalty than people who kill white people , a new report found .
The report from the Death Penalty Information Center is a history lesson in how lynchings and executions have been used in America and how discrimination bleeds into the entire criminal justice system .
It traces a line from lynchings of old — killings outside the law — where Black people were killed in an effort to assert social control during slavery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually translated into state-ordered executions .
It comes as the U.S. grapples with criminal justice and police reform following George Floyd ’ s death and the deaths of other Black people at the hands of police and in the wake of mass protest .
Across the country , 30 states have the death penalty but executions occur mostly in Southern states .
And the federal government this year began carrying out executions again after a 17-year hiatus despite waning public support for the death penalty .
The centre , a think-tank that studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that capital punishment must be included in the discussion of the past .
“ I think what the data tells us and what history tells us is that they ’ re all part of the same phenomenon .
The death penalty is inextricably linked to our history of slavery , of lynching , and Jim Crow segregation , and we wanted to put what is happening today in its appropriate context , ” said Robert Dunham , who leads the Death Penalty Information Center .
The report found that throughout the modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overrepresented on death row — in 2019 , 52 % of the death row inmates were Black , but that number has dropped to 42 % this year , when approximately 60 % of the population is white .
But it also showed that the killers of white people were more likely than the killers of Black people to face the death penalty , and cases with white victims were more likely to be investigated .
Since the death penalty resumed in 1977 , 295 Black defendants were executed for killing a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were executed for the killing of a Black victim even though Black people are disproportionately the victims of crime .
“ If you ’ re thinking about Black victims of crime , they are more likely to be the victims of homicide , but we ’ ve created this system where Black victims of crime are less likely to get the services they need , the clearance rate for those crimes is much lower , ” said Ngozi Ndulue , author of the study .
“ Instead what we have is what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst ’ being executed , and that means in many cases the person killed was white.
“ The report also details several case studies in which race may be playing a role today , including a man named Pervis Payne , accused of the 1987 stabbing deaths of Charisse Christopher and her 2-year-old daughter , Lacie Jo .
Payne told police he was at Christopher ’ s apartment building in Millington , Tennessee , to meet his girlfriend when he saw a man in bloody clothes run past him .
Payne , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found and tried to help the victims , who were white , but panicked when he saw a white policeman and ran away .
Payne is sentenced to die Dec. 3 , but he has asked a judge to order DNA testing .
At the time of his trial , DNA testing of evidence was unavailable , and no testing has ever been done in his case .
A request for DNA testing , in 2006 , was refused based on a Tennessee Supreme Court ruling that has since been overturned .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on him as a suspect , although nothing in his history suggested he would commit such a crime .
He was a minister ’ s son who never caused problems either as a child or a teenager .
But prosecutors alleged Payne was high on cocaine and looking for sex when he killed Christopher and her daughter in a “ drug-induced frenzy.
” The town of Millington is in Shelby County , which has the most death sentences and lynchings of any county in the state .
The report also takes aim at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executions .
The first set were all white men , a move critics argue was a political calculation to avoid uproar .
The federal death penalty suffers the same racial bias , according to the report .
Of the 57 people on federal death row , 34 are people of colour , including 26 Black men , some convicted by all-white juries , the report found .
Christopher Vialva , the first Black inmate on federal death row set to die this year , is scheduled to be executed next week .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Hurricane Sally slows, gathering a deluge for the Gulf Coast

WAVELAND , Miss .
- Hurricane Sally , a plodding storm with winds of 85 mph ( 137 kph ) , crept toward the northern Gulf Coast early Tuesday as forecasters warned of potentially deadly storm surges and flash floods with up to 2 feet ( .61 metres ) of rain and the possibility of tornadoes .
Forecasters stressed “ significant ” uncertainty as to where the storm ’ s eye would make landfall .
But they kept nudging the predicted track eastward , easing fears in New Orleans , which was once in Sally ’ s crosshairs .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mouth of the Pearl River at the Louisiana-Mississippi line to Navarre , Florida , and forecasters said Sally should reach land near the Alabama-Mississippi state line by late Tuesday or early Wednesday .
Stacy Stewart , a senior specialist with the National Hurricane Center , said Tuesday that people should continue to take the storm seriously since “ devastating ” rainfall is expected in large areas .
People could drown in the flooding , he said .
“ This is going to be historic flooding along with the historic rainfall , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near rivers , small streams and creeks , they need to evacuate and go somewhere else.
” In Gulfport , Mississippi , twin hurricane warning flags popped in the wind Tuesday morning at a marina and the sea had risen enough to cover an area normally used for bonfires in the sand .
Most boat slips at the marina were empty , and many businesses in town were closed , metal storm shutters or plywood covering the windows .
The storm was moving at only 2 mph ( 4 kph ) Tuesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) south-southeast of Biloxi , Mississippi , and 65 miles ( 105 kilometres ) east of the mouth of the Mississippi River .
Forecasters expect Sally to turn northward Tuesday afternoon , moving near the coast of southeastern Louisiana later in the day , and then travel slowly north-northeastward through Wednesday , remaining a Category 1 hurricane , with top winds of 85 mph ( 137 kph ) , until it comes ashore .
After making landfall , Sally was forecast to cause flash floods and minor to moderate river flooding across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northern Georgia and the western Carolinas through the rest of the week .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis declared an emergency in the Panhandle ’ s westernmost counties , which were being pummeled by rain from Sally ’ s outer bands early Tuesday .
The threat of heavy rain and storm surge was exacerbated by the storm ’ s slow movement .
President Donald Trump issued emergency declarations for parts of Louisiana , Mississippi and Alabama on Monday , and tweeted that residents should listen to state and local leaders .
Alabama Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the National Weather Service in Mobile , Alabama , warned of the increasing likelihood of “ dangerous and potentially historic flooding , ” with waters rising as much as 9 feet ( 2.7 metres ) above ground in parts of the Mobile metro area .
Ivey urged residents Tuesday to stay vigilant and heed any emergency warnings .
It all seemed a distant threat Monday afternoon in Waveland , Mississippi , as a shirtless , barefooted Trevor Claunch , of nearby Bay St. Louis , got in some last-minute beach time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Claunch marveled at how the Gulf waters had already crept over swaths of sandy shore and infiltrated bike paths and parking lots .
“ Without any rain , and it ’ s already all the way up — I honestly want to stick around and see where it goes , “ said Claunch .
But he wasn ’ t taking any chances .
“ We ’ re going to go inland , ” he said .
Sally achieved hurricane strength Monday and quickly intensified to a Category 2 storm with 100 mph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum sustained winds dwindled to a Category 1 by early Tuesday , and forecasters did not predict further strengthening .
While the threat to Louisiana appeared to be easing , flood control authorities remained on guard , closing gates along networks of waterways that could be pushed over their banks by the possible surge from the Gulf .
The southwestern part of the state was pummeled by Hurricane Laura on Aug. 27 and an estimated 2,000 evacuees from that storm were sheltered in New Orleans , mostly in hotels .
Monday marked only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , that five tropical cyclones swirled simultaneously in the Atlantic basin .
The last time that happened was in 1971 .
None of the others were expected to threaten the U.S. this week , if at all , and one was downgraded to a low pressure trough Monday evening .
The extraordinarily busy hurricane season — like the catastrophic wildfire season on the West Coast — has focused attention on the role of climate change .
Scientists say global warming is making the strongest of hurricanes , those with wind speeds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also , warmer air holds more moisture , making storms rainier , and rising seas from global warming make storm surges higher and more damaging .
In addition , scientists have been seeing tropical storms and hurricanes slow down once they hit the United States by about 17 % since 1900 , and that gives them the opportunity to unload more rain over one place , as 2017 ’ s Hurricane Harvey did in Houston .
People along the coast appeared to be taking the storm seriously even as it remained offshore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Mississippi Gaming Commission .
Motorists filled a convenience store parking lot in Ocean Springs , Mississippi , as they topped off gas tanks and stocked up on ice , beer and snacks .
“ It ’ s second nature to us .
It would have already been done but I had to work , ” Zale Stratakos said as she helped her mother , Kimberly Stratakos , fill three plastic gasoline cans .
Martin reported from Marietta , Georgia .
Associated Press reporters Jay Reeves in Gulfport , Mississippi ; Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Seth Borenstein in Kensington , Maryland ; Emily Wagster Pettus and Leah Willingham , in Jackson , Mississippi ; and Kim Chandler in Montgomery , Alabama , contributed to this report .

Stacey Plaisance And Jeff Martin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--World isn’t meeting biodiversity goals, UN report finds

A decade-long global effort to save Earth ’ s disappearing species and declining ecosystems has mostly stumbled , with fragile habitats like coral reefs and tropical forests in more trouble than ever , researchers said in a report Tuesday .
In 2010 , more than 150 countries agreed to goals to protect nature , but the new United Nations scorecard found that the world has largely failed to meet 20 different targets to safeguard species and ecosystems .
Six of those 20 goals were “ partially achieved , ” and the rest were not .
If this were a school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has flunked , said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema , executive secretary of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity , which released the report .
The U.N. team and report authors said the study is not meant to stoke despair , but to galvanize governments to take stronger actions over the next decade to protect the diversity of life .
“ Some progress has been made , but inadequate progress .
A lot still needs to be done , ” Mrema said .
“ The key is to get the political will and the commitment.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was not involved in the new report , said it ’ s good that countries are getting together to examine their biodiversity goals but some of the targets are nebulous .
Reducing “ everything on the planet to single scores ” obscures the fact that the picture may look different in different places , he said .
For years , conservation activists have used the polar bear as a poster child for species in trouble — especially those threatened by climate change , which the report connects to biodiversity loss .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world should think about a different poster animal : humans .
“ A lot of things civilizations depend on are certainly threatened , ” he said .
The report was originally slated to be released at a U.N. conference to set biodiversity targets for the next decade , but the event in Kunming , China , was postponed until next year due to the pandemic .
Last week , the World Wide Fund for Nature released new research detailing how monitored populations of mammals , birds , amphibians , reptiles and fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , between 1970 and 2016 .
“ With pandemic deaths surging and wildfires raging across the entire West Coast , never have the consequences of our misuse and abuse of the natural world been more clear , ” said Julia Baum , a biologist at Canada ’ s University of Victoria who wasn ’ t part of the report .
As countries prepare to restart their economies after combating the coronavirus , there ’ s an opportunity to do better — or much worse — for the planet , Cooper said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but others are investing in a green recovery , “ he said .
One of the challenges in meeting global biodiversity targets is a mismatch between countries with abundant natural assets — such as large tracts of intact tropical forests — and those with money to enforce protections .
“ The biodiversity hotspots tend to be in poorer countries , ” and wealthy countries need to be willing to provide financial or practical support to help other nations , Cooper said .
Dalhousie University marine biologist Boris Worm , who also wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the world is at a crossroads .
“ We still have the chance to save most of the world ’ s endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems , ” Worm said .
“ Now we face a historic choice to either seize this opportunity , and rebuild what has been lost , or to let the world ’ s species slide further into oblivion.
” He said it ’ s striking that Earth ’ s biodiversity took millions of years to evolve , “ yet we could destroy much of it in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for generations to come.
” Follow Larson on Twitter at @ larsonchristina and Borenstein at @ borenbears .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Christina Larson And Seth Borenstein - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Zimbabwe government abuses critics, allege rights groups

HARARE , Zimbabwe - Godfrey Kurauone , a Zimbabwean opposition official , sang a protest song at the funeral of a party member in July .
For that , and other political charges , he spent 42 days in jail before the prosecution dropped one charge , and acquitted him of another charge of blocking traffic .
Hopewell Chin ’ ono , an investigative journalist who used his Twitter account to expose alleged government corruption , was held in the notorious Chikurubi maximum security prison for nearly six weeks before being granted bail on charges of inciting violence for tweeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Internationally acclaimed author and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga spent a night in detention for standing by a Harare road and holding up a placard that said “ We Want Better .
Reform Our Institutions.
” From tweeting to Whatsapp texting , singing in public or marching in the streets , those who speak out against President Emmerson Mnangagwa ’ s government are finding themselves in trouble .
Some have been abducted and tortured , according to human rights groups .
Zimbabwe ’ s deteriorating economy and reports of alleged corruption involving the procurement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peoples ’ anger at a government that promised reform and prosperity when it took power in 2017 .
It appears the government is using restrictions imposed to combat the coronavirus to suppress political criticism , say human rights defenders .
“ While the government lockdown has been extended indefinitely , human rights violations have steadily increased , suggesting that the government is using COVID-19 as a cover for violating fundamental freedoms and attacking perceived opponents , ” said the local human rights group Zimrights in a joint statement with the International Federation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights groups and some analysts accuse Mnangagwa of abusing the rights of critics , using tactics as harsh as his predecessor , the late Robert Mugabe .
Mnangagwa and his officials deny the charges , saying they have carried out democratic reforms and they are justified in taking measures against people who are seeking to illegally overthrow the government .
Dozens of people — including lawyers , journalists , nurses , doctors , opposition members of parliament , and human rights activists — have been arrested and charged with violating COVID-19 lockdown rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on social media .
ZimRights , a local organization , says it has recorded 820 “ human rights violations ” such as arbitrary arrests , assaults by state agents , attacks on journalists , abductions , “ gunshot assaults ” and dog bites between the end of March when the lockdown was introduced and August 9 .
“ These cases reveal a trend of human rights violations consisting of acts aiming to morally exhaust , silence , punish , impoverish , sometimes physically injure the targeted individuals , and exposing them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arbitrarily detained in prisons , ” said Zimrights in a joint statement with the International Federation for Human Rights .
It ’ s not even safe to criticize the president in bars , on public transport or on social media , according to the lawyers ’ group , which said it has represented about 60 people charged with insulting the president since Mnangagwa took over following a coup that deposed Mugabe in 2017 .
They include Milton Murairwa , a 31-year old police officer .
He posted that “ ED and his team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group for police family members .
Mnangagwa is popularly known by his initials ED .
Now the police officer faces up to a year in jail or a fine if convicted on charges of “ undermining the authority of or insulting ” the president .
“ We are seeing an increasingly worrying trend where authorities are abusing the law to persecute people perceived to hold views different to those of the establishment , ” said Kumbirai Mafunda , spokesman for Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights , which is providing lawyers to many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , “ are using pre-trial detention as a form of punishment , ” pointing to cases where those arrested are denied bail for lengthy periods .
Other government critics have faced insulting verbal attacks .
The ruling party spokesman Patrick Chinamasa called the U.S ambassador Brian Nichols “ a thug.
” The country ’ s Catholic bishops were branded “ evil ” by the information minister , while the president challenged them to form their own party after they issued a pastoral letter accusing the government of political and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the region ’ s economic powerhouse , would help to find a resolution are vanishing after a delegation from the ruling African National Congress party came to Zimbabwe but only met ruling party officials and not the opposition and or civic organizations .
Zimbabwe ’ s government and the ruling party are not relenting .
Mnangagwa told party officials over the weekend that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe needing intervention and that the South Africans would not meet the opposition and NGOs .
Chinamasa , the ruling party spokesman , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not be like children playing with fire .
It will be very dangerous for them.
” He accused the main opposition MDC Alliance party of training “ renegades ” overseas “ to come and cause mayhem and violence.
” “ It ’ s all part of tactics to wipe us out .
We are being treated like a banned organization , we can ’ t even hold meetings without risking arrest , ” he told The Associated Press , calling on neighbouring countries to “ help solve our crisis.
” Some activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a street protest wearing replicas of red and white striped prison sweaters in August .
Others are wearing the sweaters and posting pictures on social media .
Chin ’ ono , the journalist , walked out of Chikurubi Maximum Prison wearing his prison jersey when he was released on bail early September .
“ It was a symbolism that yes , I might be out of Chikurubi but the current government has created a giant prison for all of us , ” he told the AP .
“ Instead of being intimidated we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making them ours .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--EU: Greece-Turkey crisis talks might include other nations

ATHENS , Greece - Third countries might be invited to talks aimed at easing a dispute between Greece and Turkey over energy rights that has brought warships to the eastern Mediterranean , a top European Union official said Tuesday .
Greece and Turkey have been involved in a standoff at sea for weeks over maritime boundaries between Turkey ’ s coast , the ethnically divided island nation of Cyprus and several Greek islands .
A Turkish research ship that has been operating in the area over which Greece claims exclusive rights has returned to port for maintenance , giving EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece and Turkey .
EU member countries are also mulling sanctions against Turkey over its exploration .
European Council President Charles Michel said while visiting Athens that he was hopeful a commitment for talks would be made soon and that a negotiating process involving several countries could help facilitate an agreement .
“ We are discussing the idea of a multilateral conference because , beyond bilateral dialogue , there is probably the need to bring the different countries to the table in order to deal with the different issues , ” Michel said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which currently holds the EU ’ s rotating presidency and launched an effort in July to broker direct Greek-Turkish negotiations , is a likely candidate to participate if the discussions are broadened .
NATO has also organized contacts between Greek and Turkish military officials in hopes of preventing the use of force in the disputed area of the eastern Mediterranean .
The two countries have sent warships as part of an armed forces buildup that has included multiple military exercises .
The European Union ’ s top foreign affairs official , Josep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations with Turkey were at a “ watershed moment in history .
And the ball will go one side or the other , depending what is going to happen in the next days .
“ Tension has been continuing to rise over the summer .
I have spent the last few months , including this summer , trying to facilitate the de-escalation efforts , ” Borrell said in Brussels .
“ But the least I can say is that more efforts are needed — the softest way of saying that the situation has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that the return of the research vessel to port was a step in the right direction.
“ Domestically , Borrell said , Turkey “ is seriously backsliding away from European Union values and reforms.
” Specifically , he said , the country had not delivered on promises to strengthen the independence of the judiciary .
“ We perceive a worrying backsliding in the area of rule of law and fundamental freedoms that continues to raise our concerns , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Libya east-based force: 7 militants, foreign fighters killed

CAIRO - Libya ’ s east-based army claimed on Tuesday that its troops killed at least seven Islamic State militants , including foreign fighters , in a raid on their hideout in the country ’ s south .
The statement from the self-styled Libyan Arab Armed Forces said a six-hour firefight overnight with the militants took place in a neighbourhood of the city of Sabha , 650 kilometres ( 400 miles ) south of the capital , Tripoli .
The force , led by commander Khalifa Hifter , said the dead include three militants from Saudi Arabia , an Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hifter ’ s troops shared graphic photos of the dead , along with their alleged passports to show their identities .
The troops also detained two women , a Libyan and an Egyptian , in the raid .
A pro-Hifter news website , al-Marsad , reported that three of Hifter ’ s forces were also killed .
Libya is divided between two rival administrations , based in the country ’ s east and west , with an array of fighters and militias , backed by various foreign powers allied with each side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that toppled longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi , IS and other extremists had managed to gain a foothold in the country , benefiting from Libya ’ s remote stretches near the borders with Egypt , Sudan , Chad , Algeria , Niger and Tunisia .
Hifter , who was instrumental in pushing back IS and who is aligned with the east-based administration , attempted a power grab last year , with a military offensive launched in April 2019 aimed at capturing Tripoli .
But the west-based Libyan forces and militias allied with the U.N.-supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey ’ s military help and Hifter ’ s campaign collapsed in June .
Fighting has died down in recent weeks amid intensive international efforts , including from the United States , to establish a lasting cease-fire and avert a showdown between the rival sides over the strategic city of Sirte , the gateway for vital oil facilities .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--St. Louis matches homicide total for all of last year

ST. LOUIS - A teenage girl shot to death in St. Louis has become the city ’ s 194th homicide @ @ @ @ @ the total for all of 2019 with 3 1/2 months still to go in the @ @ @ @ @ a call around 6 p.m. Monday in the Riverview neighbourhood in far northern St. Louis @ @ @ @ @ from a gunshot wound .
She died later at a hospital .
Police have not @ @ @ @ @ name or age but say she is a minor .
Homicides and non-fatal shootings have @ @ @ @ @ June 1 , despite several efforts aimed at curbing violence .
St. Louis has had @ @ @ @ @ s highest per capita homicide rates for several years .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Diplomats: Roadside bombing targets British convoy in  Iraq

BAGHDAD - A roadside bombing targeted British diplomatic vehicles in Baghdad on Tuesday , the British Embassy and Iraqi officials said .
There were no injuries but the attack is fueling concerns of armed groups outside of the state ’ s control .
The attack targeted an embassy convoy on a Baghdad highway close to the Umm al-Tabool Mosque , the British Embassy and Iraqi security officials said .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing .
The roads and the area of the attack , between the airport and the heavily fortified Green Zone , are often used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media .
The Green Zone is home to the seat of Iraq ’ s government and also many foreign embassies , including the British and the U.S. “ The safety and security of our staff is of paramount importance and we are in close touch with the Iraqi authorities , ” said a statement from teh British Embassy .
The attack is the first in months to target a diplomatic convoy and comes amid near daily rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi army bases hosting U.S. troops .
Rocket attacks have rarely lead to significant losses .
Tuesday ’ s bombing is the third attack in the last 24 hours against foreign missions .
Two rockets were fired at the Green Zone late on Monday but caused to casualties ; one was intercepted by the U.S. embassy ’ s C-RAM defence system , two Iraqi security officials said , speaking on condition of anonymity under regulations .
Earlier on Monday , a roadside bomb targeted an convoy of vehicles carrying equipment for Americans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south of Baghdad .
The rocket attacks surged at an alarming pace when Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi travelled to the U.S. last month to conclude strategic talks .
They have put pressure on his administration , which has promised to reign in armed groups acting outside of state authority .
The recent attacks come as al-Kadhimi introduced sweeping administrative changes , including naming a new governor of Iraq ’ s Central Bank , which provoked criticism from some political blocs .
Associated Press writer Murtada Faraj in Baghdad contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Group pushes changes to Confederate imagery at Georgia park

STONE MOUNTAIN , Ga. - An activist group has presented its plans for changes to Confederate imagery at Georgia ’ s popular Stone Mountain Park , including a suggestion that it stop maintaining a colossal sculpture of Confederate leaders .
Members of the Stone Mountain Action Coalition spoke Monday at a meeting with board members of the association responsible for the park , the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported .
“ We don ’ t believe that taking a piecemeal , token kind of approach to adding little trinkets here and there is going to be good enough to really resolve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people see it , ” said Ryan Gravel , a coalition co-chair .
The group is also proposing that officials remove the Confederate flags at the base of the mountain , change the names of streets and other park features with Confederate affiliations and refocus the park on themes such as racial reconciliation and justice , the newspaper reported .
“ We ’ re open to some changes , ” Stone Mountain Memorial Association board chairman Ray Stallings Smith said .
“ But our changes are probably gon na be a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because again , we are constrained by state law.
” The association was created in 1958 by an act of the Georgia Legislature and is charged with “ the proper development , management , preservation , and protection of Stone Mountain as a Confederate Memorial and public recreation area , ” according to its website .
The sculpture of Gen. Robert E. Lee , Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Gen. Thomas J .
“ Stonewall ” Jackson that is carved into the mountain ’ s northern face is the largest Confederate monument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia law .
The park , a gathering spot in the past for white supremacists , today markets itself as a family theme park rather than a shrine to the “ Lost Cause ” mythology that romanticizes the Confederacy as chivalrous defenders of states ’ rights .
It ’ s a popular recreation spot for many families on the east side of Atlanta , with hiking trails , a golf course , boat rentals and other attractions .
But its Confederate imagery has faced renewed scrutiny amid recent protests against racial injustice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues and monuments to American slave owners in the South .


thetorontostar--2020-09-15--Many in Alaska mailed primary ballots later than recommended

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Many Alaska voters are mailing absentee ballots later than a one-week deadline recommended by the U.S .
Postal Service , based on an analysis of recent primary voting .
A comparison of the past three statewide primaries by The Anchorage Daily News found that the state ’ s Aug. 18 primary ballots did not arrive unusually late at the Alaska Division of Elections , the newspaper reported Monday .
But late ballot mailing by Alaska voters could affect the result of voting in November , when an even higher number of absentee votes are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in last month ’ s primary .
The Postal Service recommends a deadline of a week because ballots typically travel by first-class mail and the majority arrives between two and five days after being sent , Postal Service documents said .
More ballots arrive at the Alaska Division of Elections after the primary election day than in the three weeks before , indicating many Alaskans are mailing ballots just days before the election , according to absentee voter files from the previous three primary elections .
Mailing ballots after the recommended date increases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law requires them to be postmarked by Election Day .
Most postmarking takes place in Anchorage , a day or more away by mail from most of the state .
Late postmarks are the second highest reason why the elections division rejects absentee ballots .
In one example , North Pole Republican Sen. John Coghill lost his recent primary race by 14 votes .
There were 30 mailed votes in his district rejected by the elections division for various reasons .
Handwritten dates on ballot envelopes show some of the rejected ballots were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postmarks from the day after the election .
The election division left those votes unopened in accordance with state law .
“ I think people are going to have to be alerted that if they ’ re going to have to vote absentee in Fairbanks , they ’ re going to have to get things in a day ahead of the deadline , ” Coghill said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--‘Cheer’ star Jerry Harris arrested on child porn charges

CHICAGO - Jerry Harris , the star of the Netflix documentary series “ Cheer , ” was arrested Thursday and charged with producing child pornography , three days after twin boys filed a lawsuit alleging he sent them sexually explicit photos of himself and cornered one of them in a bathroom and begged for oral sex .
According to the complaint , Harris admitted during an interview after FBI agents raided his home in the Chicago suburb of Naperville on Monday that he had asked one of the teens to send him photographs and videos of his penis and buttocks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he repeatedly asked the teen , identified only as Minor 1 , between December 2018 and March of this year for such photographs and videos .
Further , Harris admitted to requesting and receiving on Snapchat child pornography from “ at least between 10 to 15 other individuals he knew were minors , “ according to the complaint .
Harris , who was taken into custody on Thursday , will remain in jail until at least Monday after a judge ordered him to return for a detention hearing on Monday morning .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that both of her sons had spoken to the FBI , and the lawsuit alleges that she also reported the allegations to Fort Worth police , the FBI and others .
The complaint contends that the mother contacted authorities after she saw messages from Harris on one of her son ’ s cellphones .
Prosecutors said they recovered several text messages between Harris and the boys , as well as Harris ’ admission that he had solicited pornographic images and videos from the boys and had sent explicit images of himself .
Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the show that followed the cheerleading team from Navarro College in Corsicana , Texas , as it sought a national title .
Harris did not respond for comment from USA Today , and attempts by The Associated Press to find a phone number for Harris have not been successful .
In interviews with USA Today at their Texas home , the boys — who are now 14 years old — described a pattern of harassment both online and at cheer competitions , which began when they were 13 and Harris was 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year .
Besides accusing Harris of sexual misconduct , the lawsuit alleges that cheer organizations failed to protect the boys .
The organizations named in the lawsuit are U.S. All Star Federation , which governs competitive cheerleading ; Varsity Spirit , which puts on competitions ; and the Cheer Athletics , a chain of gyms .
A Varsity official in Aug. 1 letters to police in Florida and Texas said the organization had learned of “ inappropriate sexual conduct ” allegations against Harris , USA TODAY reported .
Cheer Athletics owner Angela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been affiliated with the gym since March 1 .
Rogers told the newspaper that she learned of the allegations against him in mid-May and reported them to police .
“ Cheer ” was an instant success when it was released in January , and Harris drew fans for his upbeat attitude and his encouraging “ mat talk.
” Earlier this year , he interviewed celebrities on the red carpet at the Academy Awards for “ The Ellen DeGeneres Show .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--House condemns racism against Asian Americans amid pandemic

WASHINGTON - The House voted Thursday to condemn racism against Asian Americans tied to the coronavirus outbreak , approving a Democratic resolution on a mostly party-line vote .
Republicans called the legislation an election-year effort to criticize President Donald Trump and “ woke culture on steroids.
” The resolution , approved 243-164 , calls on all public officials to condemn anti-Asian sentiment and to investigate hate crimes after a rise in aggression and violence from those blaming people of Asian descent for the pandemic .
The measure does not name Trump but notes inflammatory terms used by him and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ “ Wuhan Virus , ” and “ Kung flu ” — and says they have perpetuated an anti-Asian stigma .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that “ at the same time that the coronavirus pandemic is broken out , so too has a disturbing epidemic of hate and discrimination ” against Asian Americans and Asian immigrants , including physical and verbal attacks and vandalized businesses .
She blamed Trump for trying to divert attention from Russia ’ s meddling in elections to demonize China .
“ The president is fueling racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asian immigrants , ” Takano said .
Trump has often used the term “ kung flu ” on the campaign trail as he has tried to turn focus to the virus ’ s origins in China amid criticism of his response to the pandemic .
Republicans said Trump was turning his ire toward China ’ s government and not Asian Americans .
Trump in March insisted that Asian Americans were “ amazing people ” and not at fault for spreading the virus .
Several House Republicans spoke against the resolution .
Ohio Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another opportunity to attack the president.
” Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs called it “ woke culture on steroids.
” Republican leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , said it was “ ridiculous ” and a “ waste of time ” as the House was about to adjourn for the week and Democrats and the White House have so far failed to agree on additional coronavirus relief .
“ At the heart of this resolution is the absurd notion that referring to the virus as a Wuhan virus or the China virus is the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which I will tell you no one on this side of the aisle supports , ” McCarthy said .
Still , 14 Republicans voted with Democrats in favour of the resolution , many of whom are retiring or in competitive races in November : Indiana Rep. Susan Brooks , Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick , Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez , Washington Rep. Jamie Herrera Butler , Texas Rep. Will Hurd , New York Rep. John Katko , Texas Rep. Michael McCaul , New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith , Ohio Rep. Steve Stivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ann Wagner , Oregon Rep. Greg Walden , Florida Rep. Daniel Webster and Georgia Rep. Robert Woodall .
Anti-discrimination groups have reported hundreds of actions against Asian Americans , especially in the early days of the outbreak .
Even before cities began shutting down all restaurants to stop the spread of the virus , Chinese restaurant owners were experiencing steep declines in business because of racial stigma .
Asked in March why he called the coronavirus the “ Chinese virus , ” Trump told reporters at the White House that he doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s not racist at all , ” Trump said , adding that he calls it the “ Chinese virus ” because he wants to be accurate .

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--Trump heats up culture war in appeal to Wisconsin voters

MOSINEE , Wis. - President Donald Trump stepped up his rhetoric Thursday on cultural issues , aiming to boost enthusiasm among rural Wisconsin voters as he tries to repeat his path to victory four years ago .
Making his fifth visit to the pivotal battleground state this year , Trump views success in the state ’ s less-populated counties as critical to another term .
He held a rally Thursday evening in Mosinee , in central Wisconsin , an area of the state that shifted dramatically toward Republicans in 2016 , enabling Trump to overcome even greater deficits in urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has increasingly used his public appearances to elevate cultural issues important to his generally whiter and older base , as he hinges his campaign on turning out his core supporters rather than focusing on winning over a narrow slice of undecided voters .
In Mosinee , he called for a statute to ban burning the American flag in protest — a freedom protected by the Supreme Court — and criticized sports players and leagues for allowing demonstrations against racial inequality .
“ We have enough politics , right , “ he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t watch me.
” He added of protests in sports , “ People don ’ t want to see it and the ratings are down.
” Earlier Thursday , in a speech at the National Archives to commemorate Constitution Day , he derided The New York Times ’ “ 1619 Project , ” which aimed to recognize the often overlooked consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans .
“ For many years now , the radicals have mistaken Americans ’ silence for weakness .
But they are wrong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no more powerful force than a parent ’ s love for their children — and patriotic moms and dads are going to demand that their children are no longer fed hateful lies about this country.
” Trump told supporters in Wisconsin : “ We ’ re launching a new pro-American lesson plan for students called 1776 Commission .
We ’ re going to teach our children the truth about America.
” Trump ’ s last visit to Wisconsin came on Sept. 1 , when he met with law enforcement and toured damage from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man hit seven times in the back during an attempted arrest .
Trump has sought to use the unrest after the August shooting of Blake and the May police killing of George Floyd to tout a “ law and order “ message and to paint an apocalyptic vision of violence if Democrat Joe Biden wins on Nov. 3 .
“ I saved the suburbs , “ Trump said Thursday of his call for federal law enforcement and national guard troops to confront protesters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ great job in Kenosha.
“ Trump also took a victory lap two days after he presided over Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates recognizing Israel in a White House ceremony .
“ I got nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize .
That ’ s a big deal , “ Trump said , adding , “ I should ’ ve gotten nominated seven times.
” His supporters chanted “ Nobel Peace Prize ” in response .
Trump won Marathon County , which includes Mosinee , by more than 12,000 votes in 2016 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by which 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney won the area .
Trump ’ s team is wagering the 2020 contest on a similar performance in the county and the dozens of others like it across battleground states .
Trump ’ s path to 270 Electoral College votes may well hinge on Wisconsin , and his campaign is investing tens of millions of dollars on advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts in the state .
Trump ’ s event took place largely outside an aircraft hangar at the Mosinee airport , his campaign ’ s preferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though Trump has been willing to host large events indoors as well , sometimes in violation of state and federal distancing guidelines .
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin was set to join Trump on Air Force One but ended up under quarantine Thursday after learning he was exposed to someone earlier in the week who subsequently tested positive for the virus .
Johnson tested negative on Wednesday night ahead of his anticipated trip with Trump , his office said .
Associated Press writers Darlene Superville and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--FBI director says antifa is an ideology, not an organization

WASHINGTON - FBI Director Chris Wray told lawmakers Thursday that antifa is an ideology , not an organization , delivering testimony that puts him at odds with President Donald Trump , who has said he would designate it a terror group .
Hours after the hearing , Trump took to Twitter to chastise his FBI director for his statements on antifa and on Russian election interference , two themes that dominated a congressional hearing on threats to the American homeland .
Referring to antifa , the president wrote : “ And I look at them as a bunch of well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the Comey/Mueller inspired FBI is simply unable , or unwilling , to find their funding source , and allows them to get away with “ murder ” .
LAW & ORDER !
” The Twitter barbs thrust Wray again into a spotlight that he has spent three years trying to avoid after his predecessor , James Comey , became entangled in politics before being ultimately fired .
Though Wray said as recently as Thursday that the FBI made unacceptable mistakes during its investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wray over the pace of fixing those problems and continues to regard his intelligence community with suspicion because of the Russia probe .
Wray did not dispute in his testimony Thursday that antifa activists were a serious concern , saying that antifa was a “ real thing ” and that the FBI had undertaken “ any number of properly predicated investigations into what we would describe as violent anarchist extremists , ” including into individuals who identify with antifa .
But , he said , “ It ’ s not a group or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement or an ideology.
” That characterization contradicts the depiction from Trump , who in June singled out antifa — short for “ anti-fascists ” and an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups — as responsible for the violence that followed George Floyd ’ s death .
Trump tweeted that the U.S. would be designating antifa as a terrorist organization , even though such designations are historically reserved for foreign groups and antifa lacks the hierarchical structure of formal organizations .
The hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee — established after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of international terrorism — focused almost entirely on domestic matters , including violence by white supremacists as well as anti-government extremists .
The topics underscored the shift of attention by law enforcement at a time of intense divisions and polarization inside the country .
But one area where foreign threats were addressed was in the presidential election and Russia ’ s attempts to interfere in the campaign .
Wray sought to make clear the scope of the threats the country faces while resisting lawmakers ’ attempts to steer him into politically charged statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left or the right posed the bigger threat , he pivoted instead to an answer about how solo actors , or so-called “ lone wolves , ” with easy access to weapons were a primary concern .
“ We don ’ t really think of threats in terms of left , right , at the FBI .
We ’ re focused on the violence , not the ideology , ” he said later .
The FBI director said racially motivated violent extremists , such as white supremacists , have been responsible for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years .
But this year the most lethal violence has come from anti-government activists , such as anarchists and militia-types , Wray said .
Wray also affirmed the intelligence community ’ s assessment of Russian interference in the November election , which he said was taking the form of foreign influence campaigns aimed at sowing discord and swaying public opinion as well as efforts to denigrate Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
He said that the U.S. had not yet seen targeting of election infrastructure like in 2016 , but efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity are a serious concern , he said .
“ What concerns me the most is the steady drumbeat of misinformation and sort of amplification of smaller cyber intrusions , ” Wray said .
“ I worry that they will contribute over time to a lack of confidence of American voters and citizens in the validity of their vote.
“ “ I think that would be a perception , ” Wray added , “ not a reality .
I think Americans can and should have confidence in our election system and certainly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will take on a feeling of futility because of all of the noise and confusion that ’ s generated.
“ Trump has resisted the idea of Russian interference aimed at benefiting his campaign and has been eager , along with other administration officials , to talk about intelligence officials ’ assessment that China prefers that Trump lose to Biden .
He responded on that front Thursday evening , tweeting : “ But Chris , you don ’ t see any activity from China , even though it is a FAR greater threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They will both , plus others , be able to interfere in our 2020 Election with our totally vulnerable Unsolicited ( Counterfeit ? )
Ballot Scam .
Check it out !
” Though intelligence officials said in a statement last month that China prefers that Trump lose , they appeared to stop short of accusing Beijing of directly interfering in the election in hopes of swaying the outcome .

Eric Tucker And Ben Fox - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--‘Forrest Gump’ author Winston Groom dead at 77

FAIRHOPE , Ala. - Winston Groom , whose novel “ Forrest Gump ” was made into a six-Oscar winning 1994 movie that became a soaring pop cultural phenomenon , has died at age 77 .
Mayor Karin Wilson of Fairhope , Alabama , said in a message posted on social media that Groom had died in that south Alabama town .
The death was confirmed by a local funeral home , which said arrangements were pending .
“ It is with great sadness that I share the passing of our dear friend Winston Groom , “ Wilson wrote on Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an iconic author.
” “ Forrest Gump ” was the improbable tale of a slow-witted man who was a participant or witness to key points of 20th Century history — from Alabama segregationist Gov .
George Wallace ’ s “ stand at the schoolhouse door , “ to meetings with presidents .
Stars including Tom Hanks gained in popularity through the acclaim the movie and their performances received .
Groom was a 1965 graduate of the University of Alabama , according to the university , which said it was saddened by the passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey also issued a statement that Groom will forever be remembered for his classic work .
“ Saddened to learn that Alabama has lost one of our most gifted writers .
While he will be remembered for creating Forrest Gump , Winston Groom was a talented journalist & noted author of American history .
Our hearts & prayers are extended to his family , “ Ivey said in a message posted online .


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--The Latest: China has uptick in imported coronavirus cases

BEIJING — China says imported coronavirus cases surged to 32 over the previous 24 hours .
Thirteen of the newly confirmed cases reported Friday were in the northern province of Shaanxi , whose capital Xi ’ an is a major industrial centre .
The eastern financial and business hub of Shanghai reported 12 .
China has gone more than a month without reporting any cases of locally transmitted coronavirus cases within its borders .
But it remains highly vigilant for cases brought in from outside the country .
It has suspended issuing new visas and anyone arriving from abroad is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools , businesses , transport and public services have largely resumed normal operations under social distancing , mask wearing and location tracking requirements .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — The U.S. House has voted to condemn racism against Asian Americans tied to the coronavirus outbreak .
— Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week to 860,000 , a historically high figure that reflects economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak .
— Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider took to social media to condemn anti-maskers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store while blaring the group ’ s hit “ We ’ re Not Gon na Take It.
” HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea ’ s daily coronavirus tally has stayed in the 100s for a 16th consecutive day as authorities struggle to contain small-scale , sporadic local infections .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Friday that the 126 confirmed cased added in the past 24 hours took the country ’ s total to 22,783 , with 377 deaths .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , which has been at the centre of a viral resurgence in South Korea since early last month .
South Korea ’ s caseload has been slowing recently , prompting authorities to relax elevated social distancing rules in the Seoul area .
But the country ’ s daily jump remains in triple digits as cluster transmissions linked to churches , schools and elsewhere and some untraceable cases have been continuously detected .
SACRAMENTO , Calif. — California companies must pay workers compensation benefits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and they must warn employees of any potential exposure to the virus under two laws that Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed Thursday .
Business groups have criticized the measures as “ unworkable.
” The law on informing employees requires that businesses tell workers whenever they they have been exposed to someone who has either tested positive , been ordered to isolate or died because of the virus .
Companies must do so within one business day of learning of the exposures or they can face fines issued by the Division of Occupational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public schools will start combining stay-at-home and in-class instruction during the second school quarter , which starts Oct. 12 .
The teachers union is vowing to fight the plan announced Thursday .
Most Hawaii schools have been uing distance learning since the start of the school year in August , seeking to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
The new guidelines suggest schools adopt in-person instruction or learning from home depending on the number of positive coronavirus cases on each island over a 14-day period .
It provides thresholds that would trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawaii State Teachers Association is calling the plan “ dangerous ” and says the union will ask the Board of Education to require remote learning at least until Jan. 4 .
LAS VEGAS — Bars in and around Las Vegas can reopen at midnight Sunday with limited capacity , while requiring customers to use facial coverings and obey social distance rules .
Nevada ’ s coronavirus response task force decided Thursday that drinking establishments also can reopen in remote Elko County .
The moves relieved a hot-button issue and relaxed the last of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Sisolak re-imposed more than two months ago to limit gatherings where alcohol is served in the state ’ s coronavirus pandemic hot spot areas .
Taverns , bars , breweries , distilleries and wineries were allowed to reopen earlier this week in the Reno area .
TORONTO — Canada ’ s largest province will fine people who hold social gatherings in defiance of new limits .
Ontario reported 293 newly confirmed coronavirus cases Thursday , and Ontario Premier Doug Ford blames such gatherings for spiking COVID-19 numbers in Toronto , Ottawa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday in those three areas , only 10 people will be allowed to gather indoors — down from the current limit of 25 .
The number for outdoor gatherings will drop to 25 from 100 .
The penalty for organizers of events that violate the limits will be 10,000 Canadian dollars , or about $ 7,600 U.S. People attending the gatherings will be fined 750 Canadian dollars .
Ford says the new limits will not apply for restaurants , movie theatres or weddings held at banquet halls , where he says public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia has surpassed 300,000 confirmed coronavirus infections amid indications a decline in new cases may be levelling out .
As of Thursday , Georgia is close to 301,000 confirmed virus cases , with 6,474 deaths from COVID-19 .
Authorities say Georgia ’ s numbers remain mostly headed in the right direction , although the seven-day rolling average of new cases has drifted up for several days .
Georgia ranks 12th among U.S. states in most new cases per capita in the past 14 days , according to data kept by The Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to have hit a levelling point ” in the recent downward trend , adding that “ we need more time to know.
” OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt has reiterated that he will not issue a statewide mask mandate despite a recommendation from the White House Coronavirus Task Force .
The governor noted Thursday that he has argued all along that an order requiring the use of face masks is unenforceable and adds : “ I ’ m not going to mandate something that I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports individual cities in the state that have issued mask-wearing mandates , which include Oklahoma City , Tulsa and Norman .
The governor also encourages people to wear masks .
The Oklahoma State Department of Health on Thursday reported 73,318 total confirmed virus cases and 930 deaths due to COVID-19 .
That was an increase of 1,034 cases and six more deaths for the previous 24 hours .
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is warning that authorities “ may have no choice ” but to enact even tighter measures as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a months-long rise in coronavirus cases .
In a televised address late Thursday , Netanyahu predicts that other countries will also be forced to impose new closures to contain the pandemic .
Israel ’ s government is imposing widespread restrictions starting Friday , with many businesses closed and people largely confined to their homes .
A similar lockdown in the spring largely contained the outbreak , but the daily case numbers grew rapidly after the economy was reopened in May .
Israel has reported more than 172,000 cases since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Gov .
Gary Herbert is considering a statewide mask mandate to fight a recent surge of virus cases in the state .
The governor said Thursday that he is alarmed by the increase , much of it in Utah County .
An infectious disease specialist says the surge was probably driven by high school and colleges resuming in-person learning .
Dr. Eddie Stenehjem of the Intermountain Healthcare says that could lead to increased hospitalizations for older people in coming weeks .
Over the past two weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah coronavirus cases has increased about 54 % .
KANSAS CITY — Ten football fans who attended the Kansas City Chiefs game together last week have been told to quarantine after one of them tested positive for a coronavirus infection .
Kansas City health officials said Thursday that the person tested positive a day after the group watched the game from their box in Arrowhead Stadium ’ s lower level .
The Chiefs say in a statement that the people involved were wearing masks when they entered the stadium as required .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to identify those sitting with the infected person , service staff who might have had contact with the person , and others near the person when he or she entered the stadium .
The Chiefs opened the NFL season last week against the Houston Texans with only 22 % capacity — about 17,000 fans — at Arrowhead .
Fans were required to wear masks and social distance and other safety precautions were in place .
MOSCOW — Moscow ’ s mayor is urging employers to support employees working from home as coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital on Thursday recorded 730 new cases , an increase of about 15 % from early September .
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on state television the rise is apparently due to increased testing and the percentage of positives remains stable at about 1.5 % .
He recommends “ all heads of enterprises , regardless of the form of organization , if it is possible , and this is not seriously damaging to the work of the organization , continue to organize remote work.
” Nationwide , Russia has recorded more than 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will meet with Madrid ’ s regional authorities to discuss the surging coronavirus .
Sánchez sent the letter on Thursday to Madrid regional leader Isabel Díaz Ayuso , who replied on Twitter that she ’ s happy to meet with the prime minister .
Díaz Ayuso has been one of the biggest critics of the Sánchez ’ s handling of the national crisis .
But since the national government lifted a state of emergency that had reined in a devastating first wave of the virus in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dealt with new outbreaks .
Spain is leading Europe with 287 infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the past 14 days .
France is next with 166 per capita .
Spain ’ s health ministry reported Thursday that Madrid has confirmed 43,900 new cases in the last 14 days .
Catalonia follows with 12,100 cases .
LONDON — The U.K. government says travellers from Singapore and Thailand won ’ t need to quarantine for two weeks because of a lower coronavirus infection risk .
The government says Slovenia and Guadeloupe travellers must quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increase in confirmed cases .
The weekly changes have proven controversial , causing problems for hundreds of thousands of British travellers during the summer , prompting a dash home to avoid quarantine .
The U.K. continues its sharp increase in new confirmed cases , with 3,395 reported Thursday .
On Wednesday , it was 3,991 cases .
The seven-day average is nearly double the level of two weeks ago .
AUSTIN , Texas — Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott is easing some coronavirus restrictions in Texas but says bars will remain shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail shops can expand to 75 % capacity starting next week .
Texas has nearly 14,500 confirmed deaths , the vast majority occurring after the state embarked on an aggressive reopening in May .
The outlook has steadily improved in the past month as hospitalizations have fallen and the infection rate has dropped into single digits .
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations chief says there are more than 2,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in conflict-torn Yemen .
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says a high-level meeting on Yemen on Thursday that the estimate takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s facilities.
” He said more than five years of war has reversed development in Africa ’ s poorest country “ by decades , ” left state institutions at “ the verge of collapse.
” He said despite initial expressions of support by the warring parties to his call on March 23 for a global cease-fire to deal with the pandemic , “ the conflict continues unabated ” and “ in recent weeks , conflict has unfortunately escalated.
” Yemen ’ s conflict has killed more than 100,000 people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ displaced and two-thirds of the population relies on food aid .


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--Police: Portland killing suspect pointed gun at officers

OLYMPIA , Wash. - A man suspected of killing a right-wing protester in Portland , Oregon , pointed a handgun at officers before he was shot to death by members of a federal task force trying to arrest him , authorities said Thursday .
Michael Forest Reinoehl had a .380-calibre handgun when he was killed on Sept. 3 near Lacey , Washington , according to the Thurston County Sheriff ’ s Office , the lead agency investigating the shooting .
A spent shell casing was found in his vehicle , and an AR-15 style .22-calibre rifle was on the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The serial number on the rifle had been removed .
Ballistics tests were being done to determine if the handgun he was carrying was the same weapon used in the Aug. 29 fatal shooting of Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson in Portland .
Members of the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force , headed by the U.S .
Marshals Service , were executing a warrant for Reinoehl ’ s arrest on second-degree murder and illegal gun charges in connection with the killing of Danielson .
Four of those officers shot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Danielson , 39 , a supporter of President Donald Trump and the far-right Patriot Prayer group , was shot and killed Aug. 29 after dueling protests in Portland .
Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock ruled out the possibility that Reinoehl had shot himself .


thetorontostar--2020-09-17--At town hall, Biden blasts Trump’s ‘criminal’ virus response

MOOSIC , Pa. - Joe Biden on Thursday went after President Donald Trump again and again over his handling of COVID-19 , calling Trump ’ s downplaying of the pandemic “ criminal ” and his administration “ totally irresponsible.
“ “ You ’ ve got to level with the American people — shoot from the shoulder .
There ’ s not been a time they ’ ve not been able to step up .
The president should step down , ” the Democratic presidential nominee said to applause from a CNN drive-in town hall crowd in Moosic , outside his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s admission that he publicly played down the impact of the virus while aware of its severity , Biden declared : “ He knew it and did nothing .
It ’ s close to criminal.
“ Later , Biden decried Americans ’ loss of basic “ freedoms “ as the U.S. has struggled to contain the pandemic , like the ability to go to a ballgame or walk around their neighbourhoods .
“ I never , ever thought I would see just such a thoroughly , totally irresponsible administration , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the coronavirus and a potential vaccine in the town hall from moderator Anderson Cooper and audience members .
The pandemic was not just the main topic of the night — it was the cause of the unusual format of the event : a drive-in with 35 cars outside PNC Field .
The cars were parked around the stage , each with small groups of people standing outside them or leaning or sitting on the hoods to watch Cooper and Biden onstage .
The network erected blue and red spotlights over the dirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier to see , and each parking space was marked off with white chalk in large rectangles to ensure that each group stayed more than 6 feet ( 1.8 metres ) apart .
The town hall marked the first time that Biden had faced live , unscripted questions from voters since winning the nomination .
Trump participated in a town hall Tuesday in an auditorium in Philadelphia .
The appearances have been seen as tuneups before the three presidential debates , the first set for Sept. 29 .
Biden ’ s uneven debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his initial struggles in polls and the early primary vote , and Trump has pushed unfounded conspiracy theories about Biden taking performance-enhancing drugs and has raised questions about Biden ’ s mental acuity .
Biden , meanwhile , has promised to be a “ fact-checker on the stage ” with Trump but has said he doesn ’ t want to get drawn into a “ brawl ” with the Republican .
On Thursday , Biden said he was beginning to prepare for the upcoming debate by reviewing Trump ’ s remarks and preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his stance on the Green New Deal , the sweeping proposal from progressives in Congress that calls for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the economy by 2030 .
Biden ’ s proposal doesn ’ t go as far , but it does aim to reduce emissions to zero by 2050 and has a goal of achieving an entirely carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 .
Biden interrupted a questioner who suggested his climate plan embraces the Green New Deal to insist , “ No , it doesn ’ t , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he supports the proposal , he said , “ I don ’ t think it ’ s too much.
” Still , Biden added , “ I have my own deal , ” which he noted the Democratic Party has incorporated as part of its platform .
Biden also weighed in on foreign policy issues , promising to reduce America ’ s military footprint abroad and saying that any attempt to interfere with the election by a foreign power is a “ violation of our sovereignty.
” He promised that if he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Russia interfered in the election , “ they ’ ll pay a price for it , and it ’ ll be an economic price.
” Biden described Russia as an “ opponent , ” but declined to use the same word when asked about China .
He instead called the nation a “ competitor ” and pledging to improve trade policy with China .
Trump signalled he ’ d been watching the town hall before he took the stage for a rally in Misonee , Wisconsin , on Thursday night .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there tonight getting softball questions from Anderson Cooper .
They don ’ t ask me questions like that , ” Trump told the crowd gathered at the airport .
“ They ’ ve got cars ... it ’ s the weirdest thing I ’ ve ever seen.
” Trump ’ s ABC town hall was held inside a half-empty auditorium , with attendees socially distanced and wearing masks .
The format of Biden ’ s event was a stark reminder of the issue that ’ s been a central focus of Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , affecting Americans ’ lives in ways large and small , and that stronger leadership in White House could have eased the crisis .
More than 195,000 Americans have died of the coronavirus — by far the highest death toll in the world .
Earlier in the day , Biden joined Senate Democrats for a conference call lunch and told allies that he is taking nothing for granted in the race for the White House and the down-ballot effort to wrest the Senate ’ s majority control from Republicans .
He fielded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about his strategy win back the chamber and defeat Trump .
“ He just said , ‘ You know what we ’ re up against .
You know why this is so important , ’ ” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow , D-Mich. West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin said he encouraged Biden to remind workers how much he has been on their side during his many years in government .
“ I ’ ve said , ‘ Joe , people need to know that you recognize the dignity of the work , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Manchin told reporters .
“ They need to know that you fought for their pensions , you fought for their health care ... and you ’ re not gon na leave them behind.
” Biden ’ s campaign team has come under scrutiny in recent days over its outreach efforts , particularly for what some see as short shrift with Latino voters .
At the same time , Democrats have mixed views over the party ’ s get-out-the-vote effort that largely bypasses traditional door-knocking to avoid health risks during the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported from Washington .
Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Darlene Superville in Misonee , Wis. , contributed to this report .

Alexandra Jaffe And Will Weissert - The Associated Press