thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Justice Dept. push into Trump case could prompt dismissal

WASHINGTON - Attorney General William Barr on Wednesday defended the Justice Department ’ s move to intervene in a defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump , even as experts were skeptical of the federal government ’ s effort to protect the president in a seemingly private dispute .
The Justice Department ’ s action is “ a normal application of the law .
The law is clear .
It is done frequently , “ Barr said at an unrelated news conference in Chicago .
He added , “ The little tempest that is going on is largely because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But experts said it ’ s far from clear that the conduct at issue — whether Trump defamed E. Jean Carroll , a writer who accused him of raping her at a New York luxury department store in the 1990s — has anything to do with the scope of his White House duties .
The department ’ s move is likely to have an ancillary benefit for Trump in delaying the case , but administration lawyers have a tough task at hand trying to argue that the president was acting in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s allegations last year , experts say .
“ I wouldn ’ t make such an argument , and if a president approached me to do it , I would say , ‘ Don ’ t , ’ ” said Stuart Gerson , who led the Justice Department ’ s Civil Division in President George H.W .
Bush ’ s administration when Barr was attorney general for the first time .
“ The president gets sued all the time and is defended by the government , ” Gerson added , “ but those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with actions in his official capacity as the president .
This isn ’ t anything like that.
” The Justice Department ’ s action is consistent with the expansive view of executive authority it has taken under Barr and with its practice of taking legal positions benefiting the president ’ s personal interests , including asking the Supreme Court just last month to allow him to block critics from his Twitter account .
It is likely to deepen concerns from critics that the department is functioning as a private law firm for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his personal lawyer , which Barr has adamantly denied .
In the Carroll case , the stakes are especially significant since a move to transfer the lawsuit from state to federal court could not only delay it but also lead to its dismissal since federal courts have not historically permitted defamation claims against federal employees for actions taken in their official capacity .
On Wednesday , Barr described the intervention as “ somewhat routine “ and said the normal process was followed in this case .
He told NBC News in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department ’ s Civil Division was going to become involved and that he thought it was “ fine ” but did not have to personally sign off on it .
He cited the Westfall Act , which enables the Justice Department to be substituted as a defendant when federal employees are sued in state court for actions within the scope of their official duties , and for the case to be transferred to federal court , where recovery of damages may be more difficult .
For instance : The defence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clips a car on a daily delivery route could be taken over by the federal government since the collision involved the mailman ’ s official duties .
He pointed to the Justice Department ’ s involvement more than a decade ago in the case of Rep. Cass Ballenger , R-N.C. , who was sued for defamation by an American Muslim civil rights group .
A judge in 2005 dismissed the case , ruling that Ballenger made the comments in his official capacity .
Legal experts say it ’ s certainly not unusual for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a state lawsuit against a federal employee , as the department is trying to do here .
But that doesn ’ t resolve the question of whether the president was acting in the scope of his official duties when he is alleged to have defamed Carroll , nor is it clear that the same lawsuit protections covering federal employees under the Westfall Act also extend to the president , said Stephen Vladeck , a University of Texas law professor .
“ If it ’ s so clear and obvious and normal a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long ” to get involved , he said .
“ If it was as routine as the attorney general wants us to believe , they would have filed the certification ( to take over the case in federal court ) the day after the lawsuit was filed.
” Despite the “ suspicious ” timing , Vladeck said , the actual arguments the department is advancing are not frivolous and are “ not open and shut in either direction.
” The department contends Trump was acting in his official capacity when he denied Carroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking to or responding to inquiries from the press , much as the elected officials in the cases cited above were speaking to the press or making other public statements at the time of their challenged actions.
” James Pfander , a Northwestern University professor , said Trump might consider it a win just getting the case moved from state to federal court , “ where things might slow down and a judge more sympathetic to the president ’ s claims might be presiding.
” Vladeck agreed , saying “ Trump wins even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s abrupt intervention two months before the election slows the case down just as Trump was about “ to be required to produce documents , provide a DNA sample , and sit for a deposition , ” according to a statement from Carroll ’ s attorney , Roberta Kaplan , who called the government ’ s argument “ shocking.
” For Trump , “ the best case scenario is this move leads to the dismissal of the lawsuit , “ Vladeck said .
“ The worst case scenario is Trump is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is today.
” Associated Press writer Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--3 dead as wildfire explodes in Northern California

Three people have died in a Northern California wildfire that has forced thousands from their homes , authorities said Wednesday .
Two people were found dead in one location and a third person was discovered elsewhere , Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea announced .
He didn ’ t provide details but California Highway Patrol Officer Ben Draper tells the Bay Area News Group that one person was found in a car and apparently had been trying to escape the flames .
The fire northeast of San Francisco is threatening several communities .
Stoked by high winds , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and parched foothills .
Hundreds of homes and other buildings are believed to have been damaged or destroyed , fire officials said at an evening news conference .
The fire even threatened the town of Paradise that was devastated just two years ago by the deadliest blaze in state history , causing a panic that led to a traffic jam as residents tried to escape .
The North Complex fire was one of more than two dozen in the state , including three of the five largest ever as wildfires burned across parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
Forecasters said some weather relief was in sight that could help firefighters overwhelmed by the blazes .
In Washington , more acres burned in a single day than firefighters usually see all year .
Fires also forced people to flee homes in Oregon and Idaho .
A blast of polar air helped slow wildfires in Colorado and Montana .
Since the middle of August , fires in California have killed eight people , destroyed more than 3,600 structures , burned old growth redwoods , charred chaparral and forced evacuations in communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and along the Sierra Nevada .

Terence Chea And Brian Melley - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-09-09--A Mexican newspaper says a reporter slain, decapitated

MEXICO CITY - A newspaper reporter in Mexico ’ s Gulf coast state of Veracruz was murdered and decapitated , his paper reported Wednesday .
The newspaper El Mundo in the city of Cordoba said the body of reporter Julio Valdivia was found near his motorcycle on railroad tracks in the town of Motzorongo .
Valdivia , who covered a rural zone near the border with Oaxaca state that has long been plagued by gang violence , was at least the sixth journalist to be killed in Mexico this year .
The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the “ terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call ” for authorities to identify those responsible .
In August , an independent journalist died in police custody in a Mexican border city .
Juan Nelcio Espinoza had been arrested while covering a confrontation in the city of Piedras Negras , across from Eagle Pass , Texas .
Espinoza was reporting for his web page “ El Valedor TV , ” and was taken by police to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
Authorities in the northern border state of Coahuila told local media that Espinoza and another man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with polic , and that Espinoza choked to death .
More than 140 journalists have been killed in Mexico over the past 20 years .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Officials: Man shot after encountering fugitive in Georgia

DALTON , Ga. - A man has been shot in northwest Georgia after encountering a Texas fugitive wanted in the recent shooting of a local sheriff ’ s deputy , authorities said Wednesday evening .
Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood told reporters that investigators believe Dalton Potter , 29 , is inside a rural perimeter that authorities have set up northwest of the town of Resaca .
Chitwood said the civilian who was shot was hospitalized in stable condition .
“ We probably have over 100 officers , we ’ ve set up a strong perimeter , we still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the air , we ’ ve got K-9s on the ground tracking in the woods , ” Chitwood said , noting that it was getting dark outside .
Noah Cloer identified his father , Eddie Cloer , as the victim of the Wednesday evening shooting .
Eddie Cloer was feeding animals in his yard when Potter attacked , shooting him in the arm and grazing his head , Noah Cloer told WTVC .
Eddie Cloer was able to fire back and Potter fled .
Investigators have said Potter fired multiple shots at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hackney around midnight Monday morning during a traffic stop in Dalton .
Hackney was struck , but his ballistic vest saved him , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement .
Authorities described Potter as “ armed and dangerous.
” Hackney and another deputy returned fire , but Potter drove away south on Interstate 75 .
He wrecked the truck and escaped into the woods on foot , the GBI said .
Officials revealed Wednesday that Potter was hauling explosives in a stolen trailer at the time .
The stolen trailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I-75 , near the Whitfield-Gordon county line , the GBI said .
The GBI ’ s bomb disposal unit will get rid of the explosives , the agency said .
Potter is wanted in Georgia on five counts of aggravated assault .
He is also wanted in Leakey , Texas on charges of larceny and theft of over $ 2500 .
A second Texas man , Jonathan Hosmer , 47 , was arrested Tuesday .
Hosmer was spotted on surveillance footage leaving the truck crash .
Hosmer was also wanted in Texas on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been arrested and charged in Georgia with possession of methamphetamine , bringing stolen property into the state , possession of a firearm by a convicted felon , and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony .
Resaca is about 75 miles ( 120 kilometres ) northwest of Atlanta .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--High alert: Deadly Northwest fires burn hundreds of homes

ESTACADA , Ore. - Deadly windblown wildfires raging across the Pacific Northwest destroyed hundreds of homes in Oregon , the governor said Wednesday , warning it could be the greatest loss of life and property from wildfire in state history .
The blazes from the top of the state to the California border caused highway closures and smoky skies and had firefighers struggling to contain and douse flames fanned by 50 mph ( 80 kph ) wind gusts .
Officials in some western Oregon communities gave residents “ go now ” orders to evacuate , meaning they had minutes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a large swath of Washington state and Oregon that rarely experiences such intense wildfire activity because of the Pacific Northwest ’ s cool and wet climate .
Flames trapped firefighters and civilians behind fire lines in Oregon and levelled an entire small town in eastern Washington .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown warned that the devastation could be overwhelming from the fires that exploded Monday during a late-summer wind storm .
“ Everyone must be on high alert , ” Brown said .
The blazes were thought to be extremely destructive around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the state capital of Salem .
“ This could be the greatest loss of human life and property due to wildfire in our state ’ s history , ” the governor said .
At least three people were killed in Oregon fires and a small child died in blazes in Washington state .
Brown said some communities were substantially damaged , with “ hundreds of homes lost.
” The precise extent of damage was unclear because so many of the fire zones were too dangerous to survey , said Oregon Deputy State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frankly , we are not even able to get into these areas , “ she said .
In Washington , a 1-year-old boy died after his family was apparently overrun by flames while trying to flee a wildfire in the northeastern part of the state , Okanogan County Sheriff Tony Hawley said Wednesday .
The child ’ s injured parents were discovered in the area of the Cold Springs Fire , which is burning in Okanogan and Douglas counties , Hawley said .
They were transported to a Seattle hospital with third-degree burns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandmother died in a wildfire near Lyons , Oregon .
Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast confirmed two fatalities but had no other details .
He said they would likely “ not be the only ones.
” Lyons is in Marion County .
The Mail Tribune in Medford reported that Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler confirmed at least one death and a criminal investigation at the origin point of a wildfire that started near Ashland in southern Oregon .
“ We are still in the early stages , ” Sickler told the newspaper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Another wildfire hit Lincoln City , on the Oregon coast , where residents were being evacuated to a community college to the south .
“ The fire is in the city , ” said Casey Miller , spokesman for Lincoln County Emergency Management .
He said some buildings had been burned but had no details .
The department imposed mandatory evacuation for the northern half of the city of roughly 10,000 residents , which stretches alongside U.S. Highway 101 , The Pacific Northwest scenes of lines of vehicles clogging roads to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s terrifying wildfire drama , where residents have fled fires raging unchecked throughout the state .
But Northwest officials said they did not recall so many destructive fires at once in the areas where they were burning .
Sheriff ’ s deputies , travelling with chain saws in their patrol cars to cut fallen trees blocking roads , went door to door in rural communities 40 miles ( 64 kilometres ) south of Portland , telling people to evacuate .
Since Tuesday , as many as 16,000 people have been told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winds are so incredible and are spreading so fast , we don ’ t have a lot of time , “ said Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts .
“ I ’ ve been through hell and high water but nothing like this .
I ’ ve been shot down and shot at but this — last night , I ’ m still not over it , ” said Lloyd Dean Holland , a Vietnam veteran who barely escaped his home in Estacada on Tuesday night .
Holland said Oregon State Police had warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the fire seemed far away and he decided to stay .
Around 10 pm , he said , his landlord came pounding on the door screaming at him to go .
Fires were burning in seven Oregon counties and rural and suburban homes miles away from Portland were under preliminary orders to prepare for possible evacuations .
Three prisons were evacuated late Tuesday and Brown called the state ’ s blazes unprecedented .
The Northwest is no stranger to wildfires , but most of the biggest ones until now have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region — where the weather is considerably hotter and drier and the vegetation more fire-prone than it is in the region ’ s western portion .
Fires in 2017 and 2018 crested the top of the Cascade Mountains — the long spine that divides dry eastern Oregon from the lush western part of the state — but never before spread into the valleys below , said Doug Grafe , chief of Fire Protection at the Oregon Department of Forestry .
“ We do not have a context for this amount of fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fire crews were focusing on trying to keep people out of harm ’ s way and preventing houses from burning on Wednesday , with officials saying that containing the fires was a secondary priority .
After a 30-minute tour of the fire area south of Seattle in Sumner , Washington , Gov .
Jay Inslee said the blaze is “ just one example of probably the most catastrophic fires we ’ ve had in the history of the state.
” He said that in the last couple of days , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 80 % of the small eastern Washington farming town of Malden was levelled by flames from a fast-moving fire on Monday .
In Sumner helicopters flew over a ridge , dropping water on smouldering areas .
Bud Backer , fire chief for East Pierce Fire & Rescue , told Inslee that the recent winds were “ like a blowtorch.
” Bonney Lake Police Chief Bryan Jeter said that about 2,500 homes in the area were given evacuation orders .
In Oregon , at least four major fires were burning in Clackamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a bedroom community of Portland .
The entire county of nearly 420,000 people was put on notice to be ready to evacuate late Tuesday amid winds gusting up to 30 mph ( 48 kph ) .
Another major fire in southern Oregon prompted evacuation orders in much of Medford , a city of about 80,000 residents near the California border .
And several huge blazes burning in Marion County , southeast of the state ’ s capitol city of Salem , merged overnight — turning the sky blood red in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported from Salem , Oregon .
Associated Press writers Andrew Selsky in Salem , Rachel La Corte in Sumner , Washington , Nick Geranios in Spokane , Washington , and Lisa Baumann in Seattle contributed to this report .

Gillian Flaccus And Sara Cline - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--DeSean Jackson educating himself after anti-semitic posts

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson says he ’ s been educating himself after facing backlash for sharing anti-Semitic posts on social media in July .
“ The aftermath of everything has been a long process , ” Jackson said Wednesday , speaking to reporters for the first time since the incident .
“ I ’ ve been just using the time to educate myself and really just man up to the actions I took and just educate and learn from it.
” Jackson initially posted a screenshot of a quote widely attributed to Adolf Hitler , saying in part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In another post , Jackson showed support for Louis Farrakhan , the Nation of Islam leader who is known for anti-Semitic rhetoric .
He apologized in a video on Instagram .
“ Over the past few months I kind of had to reflect on just life , ” Jackson said four days before the Eagles visit the Washington Football Team .
“ People make mistakes in life , and it was a mistake I made and I had to own up to it as a man , which I did , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to educate and I ’ m learning from something I didn ’ t really know too much about.
” Jackson has agreed to join New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman on a trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington , D.C. Edelman promised he ’ d go with Jackson to the nearby National Museum of African American History and Culture .
Jackson also accepted an offer from a Holocaust survivor to visit the site of a concentration camp in Poland .
“ I thought the social media posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner Jeffrey Lurie said last week .
“ I ’ ve known DeSean for a long time .
He has , I think , really understood the ramifications of that appalling post .
So far , everything that we ’ ve asked him to do to both educate himself and to learn and take action , he ’ s done completely .
So , I would hope that would continue.
” Jackson , a three-time Pro Bowl pick , is in his second stint in Philadelphia , returning last season to the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2008 draft .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - The United States will pull thousands of troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan by November , the top American commander for the Middle East said Wednesday , as President Donald Trump tries to make good on his campaign promise to get America out of “ endless wars.
“ During a visit to Iraq , Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie , the commander of U.S. Central Command , said the reduction in Iraq — from about 5,200 troops to about 3,000 — reflects the Trump administration ’ s confidence in the ability of U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces to handle the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Later , McKenzie said troop levels in Afghanistan would drop to 4,500 by November .
He made the statement in a telephone call with a small group of reporters , according to officials at his Central Command office .
“ We ’ re on a glide slope to be at 4,500 by the November time frame — October , late October , November time frame , ” he said , according to a transcript made available by his office .
He said the path to 4,500 would be determined in part by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment out of the country .
The U.S. presidential election is Nov. 3 .
“ At 4,500 we ’ re still going to be able to accomplish the core tasks that we want to accomplish , ” he said .
“ And we ’ ve shown more than ample goodwill and our willingness to demonstrate that we don ’ t want to be an occupying force in this country .
But we do have strategic interests , vital interests , that compel us to be certain that these entities , such as al-Qaida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests there to attack the United States.
” The U.S. had reduced its presence in Afghanistan to 8,600 in June and was known to plan further reductions , although McKenzie had not previously cited a projected number .
He gave no exact date for reaching the 4,500 level ; he said a specific date has been targeted but he would not reveal it .
The moves come as Trump faces criticism for allegedly denigrating American war dead as “ losers ” and “ suckers.
“ He has denied the allegation , first reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which surfaced at a time of heightened tension in his relationship with the military .
Trump added to the perception of a growing split with Pentagon leaders when he said on Monday that they want to fight wars to boost the profits of defence companies .
Trump has been trying to make the case that he has fulfilled the promises he made four years ago as he campaigns for a second term .
Trump ’ s Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , was asked Wednesday if he agreed with Trump ’ s move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do , “ Biden responded , ” as long as there ’ s a plan to figure out how he ’ s going to deal with ISIS.
” U.S. forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001 when they invaded in response to the 9-11 attacks planned by al-Qaida , the militant group that enjoy refuge while the Taliban ruled Afghanistan .
The U.S.-led invasion quickly toppled the Taliban from power , but the ensuing conflict dragged on far longer than expected .
U.S. troops invaded Iraq in 2003 and left in 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State group overran large parts of Iraq .
In June , McKenzie announced that the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan had dropped to 8,600 , the level that the U.S. agreed to in a February peace with the the Taliban that also calls on the U.S. to withdraw entirely by next spring .
McKenzie said in recent weeks that he had doubts about a full withdrawal because of questions about the Taliban ’ s continued relationship with al-Qaida and high levels of violence in Afghanistan .
On Wednesday he spoke confidently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlook for stability there .
“ In recognition of the great progress the Iraqi forces have made and in consultation and co-ordination with the government of Iraq and our coalition partners , the United States has decided to reduce our troop presence in Iraq from about 5,200 to 3,000 troops during the month of September , “ McKenzie said during his Iraq visit , according to an excerpt of his remarks provided by his office .
McKenzie said the remaining U.S. troops would continue advising and assisting Iraqi security forces as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic State group , sometimes called ISIS .
“ The U.S. decision is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to the ultimate goal , which is an Iraqi security force that is capable of preventing an ISIS resurgence and of securing Iraq ’ s sovereignty without external assistance , ” McKenzie said .
“ The journey has been difficult , the sacrifice has been great , but the progress has been significant.
” Although Trump has talked of withdrawing completely from Iraq , Pentagon officials have cautioned that a U.S. troop presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resurgence and to help the Iraqi government limit the political and military influence of Iran , which supports militias operating inside Iraq .
Trump aides have faulted the Obama administration for having pulled out of Iraq too soon in 2011 but say the time is now right .
“ This is a president , when he says I ’ m going to end endless wars , it ’ s not a slogan like it ’ s been for Democrats and past presidents , ” Kayleigh McEnany , the White House press secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiked between the U.S. and Iraq in January after a U.S. drone strike near the Baghdad airport killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis .
Angry Iraqi lawmakers , spurred on by Shiite political factions , passed a nonbinding resolution to oust all U.S.-led coalition forces from the country .
In response to the Soleimani killing , Iran on Jan. 8 launched a ballistic missile attack on al-Asad air base in Iraq , which resulted in traumatic brain injuries to more than 100 American troops .
Two months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites in retaliation , targeting Iranian-backed Shiite militia members believed responsible for the January rocket attack .

Robert Burns And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Judge: US park hasn’t shown enough done to inform of fire

NASHVILLE - U.S. park officials have failed to show enough was done to keep the public updated as a deadly wildfire spread from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2016 , a judge ruled .
The decision Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer in Knoxville keeps lawsuits by survivors of the blaze on track for a potential trial , though the U.S. Justice Department can still appeal .
Greer denied the government ’ s motion to dismiss the case , writing that officials didn ’ t provide sufficient evidence to show they met the notification obligations under their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 people and caused an estimated $ 2 billion in losses , including about 2,500 buildings that were damaged or destroyed .
Earlier , a different judge declined an initial motion to dismiss the case after the Justice Department argued that citizens don ’ t have the legal right to challenge how government workers chose to handle the fire , because those decisions are “ discretionary.
” That judge ruled the National Park Service ’ s own plan made warning residents and leaders mandatory , not discretionary .
The case was reassigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s argument that even if the park ’ s plan included required actions , park officials met those requirements , and the case should be dismissed .
Greer , in turn , ruled the government “ has not entered into the record any evidence that could satisfy the requirement to notify Park Neighbors , Park visitors , and local residents of ‘ all planned and unplanned fire management activities that have the potential to impact them.
’ ” The decision drew praise from a lead attorney in the lawsuit .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision , ” plaintiffs attorney Ted Leopold said in a statement .
“ We can now focus on moving forward in this important litigation and working hard to bring justice to the Gatlinburg community.
” The judge wrote that though officials cited the news releases and an e-blast they distributed , they didn ’ t say where exactly those notices were sent .
The judge also said the park didn ’ t meet the standard by posting information on websites and social media accounts .
And finally , the judge wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in communications cited between the park ’ s leadership and city of Gatlinburg officials .
The fire began as less than half an acre in a remote section of the park .
Ultimately , hurricane-force winds blew embers from the park into Gatlinburg and the gusts downed power lines , sparking more fires .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Massive smoke clouds from wildfires darken San Francisco sky

SAN FRANCISCO - Hazy clouds of smoke from dozens of wildfires darkened the sky to an eerie orange glow over much of the West Coast on Wednesday , keeping street lights illuminated during the day and putting residents on edge .
The California Highway Patrol urged drivers to turn on their headlights and slow down .
Social media was filled with photos of the unusual sky , and many people complained that their cellphone cameras weren ’ t accurately capturing the golden hues .
“ It ’ s really just strange and ominous outside , it feels like I should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aamir Vaid , who cancelled plans to have lunch in downtown San Francisco because of the dark sky .
While satellites show a towering band of smoke hovering along the coast , there was little scent of smoke and the air quality index did not reach unhealthy levels .
That ’ s because fog drifting from the Pacific Ocean was sandwiched between the smoke and ground .
And smoke particles above the marine layer were acting like a filter , scattering blue light and only allowing yellow , orange and red light to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a spokesman for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District .
The smoke blocked out so much sunlight that a forecast for temperatures to climb to 90 degrees ( 32 Celsius ) instead dipped to the 60s ( 15.5 Celsius ) as though “ we ’ re in perpetual morning without the sun to help us warm up , ” said Drew Peterson , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service ’ s Bay Area office .
Some of the smoke settled in San Francisco Bay and formed a 15-mile ( 24-kilometre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , the U.S. Coast Guard said .
Borrmann said the conditions were expected to linger until Friday .
By then , the district expects to issue its 25th consecutive Spare The Air alert requiring residents to cut pollution — the longest stretch since the program began in 1991 .
The alerts began Aug. 18 after thousands of lightning strikes ignited three massive wildfires to the north , south and east of San Francisco .
The previous streak was 14 days of alerts in 2018 when the Bay Area was choked by smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Paradise and killed 85 people .
This time , strong winds from the north and northeast pushed smoke from devastating wildfires in the Sierra Nevada foothills and in Oregon and Washington state into lower elevations .
A fire that exploded in size Tuesday and prompted evacuation orders for some 20,000 people in Oroville sent the air quality index in Sacramento to a hazardous reading at one point .
Poor visibility because of the dark sky also prevented California ’ s largest utility , Pacific Gas & Electric , from doing some aerial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 167,000 customers , spokesman Jeff Smith said .
The power was deliberately cut Monday to try to prevent power lines from sparking wildfires in windy weather .
Air quality warnings also were issued throughout the Pacific Northwest , and people in communities from southern Oregon to north of Seattle have seen blood-red skies and choking smoke .
“ It was scary .
Especially as red as the sky was , ” said Patricia Fouts , who evacuated from a senior living centre because of a massive fire east of Salem , Oregon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely keep pushing the smoke across the U.S. West , worsening air quality , said Roger Gass , another weather service meteorologist .
In Denver , a thick blanket of haze covered the skyline , obstructing mountain views typically visible from the city .
Scott Landes , chief air quality meteorologist for Colorado ’ s health department , said a cold front improved air quality but the state may start getting a new wave of smoke over the weekend because of drier , warmer temperatures .
In Phoenix , the sky was finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , keeping wildfire smoke west and southwest of Arizona .
Reno , Nevada , also saw blue for the first time in days after air quality reached a hazardous level a day earlier , prompting the Washoe County School District to cancel all in-classroom lessons .
“ Everybody wants to know , when is this going to get better , “ Gass said .
” We have to remember , as long as the fires keep burning , they ’ re going to continue to produce smoke.
” Associated Press writers Chris Grygiel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Janie Har and Olga Rodriguez in San Francisco , Patty Nieberg in Denver and Scott Sonner in Reno , Nevada , and Tom Tait in Las Vegas contributed to this story .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Forecast calls for Hawaii tax revenue to drop 11%

HONOLULU - Hawaii tax revenue — severely depleted because of the coronavirus pandemic — will likely decline 11 % this fiscal year if tourists begin to return to the islands by mid-November , an advisory panel for the governor and lawmakers said Wednesday .
The estimate from the Council on Revenues assumes a 14-day quarantine requirement for travellers will be lifted in time for the Thanksgiving and year-end holidays .
Instead , travellers could be required to take a COVID-19 test before boarding flights to the islands .
Carl Bonham , a University of Hawaii economics professor who sits on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicting about 1.8 million tourists will come to the islands this fiscal year , which runs July 1 to June 30 , 2021 .
That ’ s sharply lower than the 10 million travellers a year before the pandemic .
Travel dropped to near-zero when Hawaii imposed the 14-day quarantine rule in late March .
The state planned to eliminate the quarantine and institute a pretravel testing program in August , but it ’ s repeatedly delayed the change , blaming a surge in community spread of the virus and a shortage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
The council ’ s revenue forecast was a slight improvement over its previous prediction of a revenue decline of 12 % .
The estimate would have been worse if the state hadn ’ t shifted its income tax filing deadline from April to July because of the pandemic .
The new deadline moved some $ 300 million in income tax payments from last fiscal year into the current year .
Income tax collections have been relatively strong , partly because of generous unemployment insurance benefits provided by the federal government through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help small businesses keep employees on their payrolls .
The council predicted revenue will rebound 8.5 % next fiscal year , which is lower than the 12 % increase it predicted in May .
Council member Kristi Maynard said one reason for the smaller gain was the state only having one income tax collection bump , in contrast to the unusual situation this fiscal year .
Council vice chairwoman Marilyn Niwao said she expected growth to be held back next year because the state ’ s economy is unlikely to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s also heard predictions that airlines and hotels don ’ t expect tourism to recover until 2023 .
Hawaii law requires policymakers to consider the council ’ s estimates when drafting state budgets and doling out funds .
Its seven members are appointed by the governor , House speaker and Senate president .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Trump releases list of 20 new possible Supreme Court picks

WASHINGTON - Hoping to replicate a strategy long seen as key to his appeal among conservative voters , President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he is adding 20 names to a list of Supreme Court candidates he ’ s pledged to choose from if he has future vacancies to fill .
The list includes a trio of conservative Republican senators : Ted Cruz of Texas , Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Josh Hawley of Missouri — all buzzed-about potential 2024 Republican presidential candidates — as well as Christopher Landau , the current ambassador to Mexico , and Noel Francisco , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s top Supreme Court lawyer .
“ Every one of these individuals will ensure equal justice , equal treatment and equal rights for citizens of every race , colour , religion and creed , “ Trump said as he made his announcement at the White House .
Trump tried to cast the list in contrast with judges who could be nominated if his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , wins in November , warning Biden would select “ radical justices ” who would “ fundamentally transform America without a single vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never outlined his list of potential picks and the Senate must confirm any nominee .
The release , less than two months before the election , is aimed at repeating the strategy that Trump employed during his 2016 campaign , when he released a similar list of could-be judges in a bid to win over conservative and evangelical voters who had doubts about his conservative bonafides .
The list includes a number of people who have worked for Trump ’ s administration , including Gregory Katsas , whom Trump nominated to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Columbia Circuit .
Before that , Katsas served as a legal adviser on some of the president ’ s most contentious policies , including his executive orders restricting travel for citizens of predominantly Muslim countries and his decision to end a program protecting some young immigrants from deportation .
Francisco , the former solicitor general of the United States , also defended Trump ’ s travel ban , his unsuccessful push to add a citizenship question to the U.S. census and the decision to wind down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people from deportation .
He also argued that a landmark civil rights law didn ’ t protect gay , lesbian and transgender people from employment discrimination , a position the court ruled against 6-3 earlier this year .
Also on the list is Daniel Cameron , the Kentucky Attorney General who is currently deciding whether to criminally charge three Louisville police officers in the March shooting death of Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician who was killed when officers entered her apartment with a no-knock warrant during a drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was “ honoured ” Trump had asked him to consider the role and “ will always heed the call of service to our nation.
“ “ It ’ s time for Roe v. Wade to go , ” he added , referring to the court ’ s landmark 1973 abortion rights decision .
Hawley , however , said he had already made clear to the president and his staff on multiple occasions that he had “ no interest “ in the role .
The high court is currently divided 5-4 between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no current vacancy on the court , Ruth Bader Ginsburg , 87 , has been undergoing cancer treatment , and three others members of the court are in their 70s and 80s .
Trump has already remade the federal bench for a generation , with the Republican Senate confirming more than 200 of his judicial nominees .
And any vacancy in the highest court would give November ’ s winner — be it Trump or Biden — the ability to shape its future for decades to come .
Trump has stressed that power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person who wins could have “ anywhere from two to four , to maybe even five ” Supreme Court justices to pick , though that would require an extraordinary level of turnover .
Trump released two lists with a total of 21 names of potential Supreme Court nominees during his previous presidential campaign and added another five names in 2017 after becoming president .
Trump ’ s two nominees to the court , Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh , were both drawn from the list .
Even in a race reshaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over race , Trump ’ s frequently references the appointments in campaign speeches and continues to highlight the brutal fight around Kavanaugh ’ s nomination as he tries to replicate the excitement it generated on the right and make the race an us-vs.-them battle over American values and cancel culture .
“ Did you ever see anything like that ?
“ Trump told a rally crowd last month in New Hampshire .
For the president ’ s allies , the list —- which Trump finalized Wednesday — is seen as a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as remind voters of what ’ s at stake come November .
“ I think it ’ s very important way for the president to reaffirm his commitment to an issue that many conservatives and Republicans see as a priority , “ said Leonard Leo , the longtime executive vice-president of the conservative Federalist Society who helped with the Kavanaugh and Gorsuch confirmations .
“ This a great way to remind people of the legacy he ’ s already established for himself in this area.
” Trump ’ s rival for the presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to nominate a Black woman to the high court if given the chance .
Biden , too , has said he ’ s working on a list of potential nominees , but the campaign has given no indication that it will release names before the election .
Democrats believe doing so would unnecessarily distract from Biden ’ s focus on Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic and the economy , while also giving the president and his allies fresh targets to attack .
Trump , however , insisted that presidential candidates “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whom they ’ d consider because , aside from “ matters of war and peace , the nomination of a Supreme Court justice is the most important decision an American president can make.
“ Any list may be meaningless , however .
Either man ’ s ability to add to the court depends on having a majority in the Senate , which confirms nominees .
Republicans currently hold 53 seats in the chamber to Democrats ’ 45 , with two independents who caucus with the Democrats , but Democrats could reclaim the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s oldest members are Justice Ginsburg and Justice Stephen Breyer , 82 , both liberals , and Justice Clarence Thomas , 72 , and Justice Samuel Alito , 70 , two conservatives .
Ginsburg made news this summer when she announced she is being treated for a recurrence of cancer but has no plans to step down as long as she can still do the job .
Trump and the White House have been careful not to appear too eager for Ginsburg to retire , but Trump has said he would “ absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacancy arise during the remainder of his term .
While all presidents tend to look for the same characteristics in potential Supreme Court picks , including stellar legal credentials , nearly half of those named by Trump Wednesday are non-judges .
Of the 11 judges on the list , 10 were nominated by Trump to their current posts .
Women represent less than a third .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller in Washington and Jonathan Lemire in New York contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin And Jessica Gresko - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--3 killed in plane crash were Tennessee Air National Guard

MCMINNVILLE , Tenn. - Three people killed in a small plane crash near a Tennessee airport were Air National Guard members , officials said Wednesday .
The Federal Aviation Administration said the three were aboard a single-engine Piper PA-28 airplane that crashed Tuesday near Warren County Memorial Airport in McMinnville , southeast of Nashville .
Killed in the crash were Lt. Col. Shelli Huether , Capt .
Jessica Wright , and Senior Master Sgt .
Scott Bumpus , the guard said in a news release .
They were members of the 118th Intelligence , Surveillance , and Reconnaissance Group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 118th Intelligence Support Squadron , and Wright was assistant director of operations for the same unit , said Maj. Danielle Parton , a spokeswoman for the 118th Wing .
Bumpus was chief of current operations for the 236th Intelligence Squadron , Parton said .
All three lived in Middle Tennessee .
They had a scheduled day off and were planning to have some fun , Parton said .
The plane took off from the airport and crashed in a nearby field , National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson said .
A witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be trying to return to the airport when it crashed .
It was not immediately clear who was flying the plane , Parton said .
“ Words can not begin to explain the shock , grief , pain and dismay we feel having lost three remarkable members of our Guard family , ” said Col. Todd Wiles , commander of the 118th Wing .
“ All three were dedicated to the service of our nation.
“ Warren County Sheriff Tommy Myers told the Southern Standard earlier that the crash victims were members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in town .
Jerry Wiser was mowing his field when he heard a loud crash behind him .
“ When I turned around there was a plane sitting right behind me , “ he said .
Wiser and another person nearby called authorities and rushed to the smoking wreckage to try to help , he said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--NY doctor charged in serial sexual assaults on patients

NEW YORK - A former New York gynecologist accused of sexually abusing dozens of patients , including the wife of former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang , was charged Wednesday with attacking girls and women for nearly two decades using the cover of medical examinations .
Prosecutors described the doctor , Robert A. Hadden , 62 , as a “ predator in a white coat , ” accusing him of singling out young and unsuspecting victims , including a young girl he ’ d delivered at birth .
The federal charges will be the second time Hadden is prosecuted over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his medical license in a 2016 plea deal with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. that didn ’ t require him to serve any jail time .
Outrage over that light punishment built as the # MeToo movement gained momentum and more women told their stories publicly , including Evelyn Yang , who earlier this year told CNN that Hadden assaulted her in 2012 , including when she was seven months pregnant .
Hadden was arrested at his home in Englewood , New Jersey , a community 10 miles outside Manhattan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing Wednesday evening to six counts of inducing others to travel to engage in illegal sex acts and was ordered released on $ 1 million bail over the objections of a prosecutor who said he should be held as a threat to flee .
One of the women who says she was abused by Hadden spoke at the hearing , and unsuccessfully urged the judge to hold him pending trial .
“ I don ’ t think he deserves any opportunity to prevent justice in whatever means he could potentially do that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has injured many , many , many women and he has to be held accountable for that.
” The Associated Press generally withholds the names of sexual abuse victims from stories unless they have decided to tell their stories publicly , which Chambers and Evelyn Yang have done .
Wednesday ’ s charges represented the second recent instance when federal prosecutors in Manhattan sought to revive a concluded sex abuse prosecution criticized as lenient .
Financier Jeffrey Epstein faced federal sex trafficking charges last year after a Florida state prosecution and accompanying federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He then killed himself in a federal jail .
Audrey Strauss , the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan , said Hadden , had “ inappropriately touched , squeezed and even licked his victims ” and subjected a young girl he ’ d delivered as a baby “ to the same sort of sexual abuse he inflicted on his adult victims.
“ “ He used the cover of conducting medical examinations to engage in sexual abuse that he passed off as normal and medically necessary , ” Strauss said .
“ His conduct was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indictment said Hadden sexually abused dozens of patients , including multiple minors , at his medical offices and Manhattan hospitals from 1993 through at least 2012 while he worked as a medical doctor at Columbia University and at New York Presbyterian Hospital .
The indictment detailed what it described as the abuse of one minor female and five adult women who travelled from out of state to see Hadden .
It said Hadden invited his victims to meet with him alone in his office , where he frequently raised “ inappropriate and irrelevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their own sexual activities .
Strauss and William F. Sweeney Jr. , the head of New York ’ s FBI office , urged victims who had not reported their abuse to call the FBI .
Sweeney called the alleged crimes “ just outrageous ” and said Hadden manipulated dozens of women including several minors who had “ no understanding of what to expect , what was normal and what was not.
” After Hadden ’ s arrest , Andrew Yang tweeted : “ So proud of @ EvelynYang - this guy belongs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who supported her.
” Previously , Evelyn Yang had called Hadden ’ s earlier punishment under the state plea deal , under which he admitted to forcible touching and one count of a criminal sex act , a “ slap on the wrist.
” Hadden faces a civil lawsuit brought by more than two dozen accusers who say he groped and molested them .
Danny Frost , a spokesman for Vance , said state prosecutors provided “ substantial assistance ” leading to federal indictment .
The Manhattan District Attorney ’ s Office is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” investigation into “ potential failures by Dr. Hadden ’ s employer and hospital to disclose additional incidents of abuse to our office and to regulators when required.
” Marissa Hoechstetter , another Hadden accuser , has said Vance ’ s office misled her about the statute of limitations in Hadden ’ s case and was already negotiating the plea deal when she was still talking to prosecutors about testifying at a potential trial .
The federal indictment Wednesday “ only puts into high relief the betrayal I and his other victims experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I hope that through the course of this , the world will finally see the full extent of Hadden ’ s decades of sexual abuse and the institutional cowardice that protected and enabled him for so long , ” Hoechstetter said in a statement to The Associated Press .
“ He and his enablers must be held accountable if we are to make change in a system that harms those it is meant to protect.
” Vance has defended his office ’ s handling of the case , saying his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenge of prosecuting powerful men.
” “ Because a conviction is never a guaranteed outcome in a criminal trial , our primary concern was holding him accountable and making sure he could never do this again – which is why we insisted on a felony conviction and permanent surrender of his medical license , ” Vance said in a statement .
Associated Press Writer Tom Hays contributed to this story .

Larry Neumeister And Jim Mustian - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Congress questions sale of US residence in Israel to Adelson

WASHINGTON - The State Department has informally confirmed to Congress that Republican super-donor Sheldon Adelson is the buyer of the U.S. ambassador ’ s official residence in Israel , a congressional aide told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
Lawmakers in the House and Senate are now looking into whether the deal complied with regulations .
The U.S. Embassy in Israel announced the deal this week -- a sale that is meant to cement President Donald Trump ’ s controversial move of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem .
But the embassy refused to identify the buyer or disclose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compound in the upscale Tel Aviv suburb of Herzliya .
The Trump administration appears to have been in a rush to sell the property ahead of the November presidential election , both as a gesture to Trump ’ s pro-Israel evangelical Christian base , and to complicate any attempts to move the embassy back to Tel Aviv if he is not re-elected .
The Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden , has called the Trump administration ’ s decision to move the embassy “ short-sighted and frivolous , ” but he has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tel Aviv if elected president in November .
The U.S. Embassy has only said the buyer submitted the “ highest and best offer.
” Under the deal , Ambassador David Friedman , a driving force in the move of the embassy , will continue living at the estate until the spring of 2021 , with the U.S. government leasing the property until then .
The Israeli business newspaper Globes has identified the buyer as Adelson , a strong supporter of both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .
It said the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it the most expensive residential real-estate transaction in Israeli history .
Representatives for Adelson , a billionaire casino magnate , did not respond to messages seeking comment .
A congressional aide said the State Department has confirmed public reports of the sale to Adelson .
The aide said the “ biggest question ” now is how much rent will be paid by U.S. taxpayers while Friedman remains at the property .
The aide spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private information .
The House Foreign Affairs Committee has submitted several requests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sale followed regulations , the aide said .
Among the questions : whether a real-estate broker was used and an independent appraisal of the property was conducted .
The panel also wants to know whether the agent had any political ties .
Federal regulations often provide wide discretion for such arrangements and it ’ s unclear if the rental agreement violates any regulations , the aide said .
But if the rent being charged is above or below market rate , it would raise concerns , the aide said .
Senators from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a briefing from the State Department , according to a Senate Democratic aide , who requested anonymity to discuss the situation .
The State Department has said the buyer was selected solely on the basis of having submitted the highest and best offer .
The selected buyer and the unsuccessful bidders have been notified , the department said .
However , the State Department also said it is not at liberty to comment on the details related to contracts underway with private entities .
The Trump administration moved the embassy from Tel Aviv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognizing Jerusalem as Israel ’ s capital .
The move is one of several steps the administration has taken in favour of Israel , and led the Palestinians to cut off ties with the White House .
Nearly all foreign delegations have their embassies in Tel Aviv because of Jerusalem ’ s contested status .
The Palestinians seek east Jerusalem , captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war , as the capital of a future state .
Israel ’ s annexation of east Jerusalem , home to the city ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognized .
Federman reported from Jerusalem .
Associated Press Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report .

Lisa Mascaro And Josef Federman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Farmers, troops skirmish over water in northern Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Wednesday he would ask the Attorney General ’ s Office to investigate a clash between hundreds of farmers and National Guard troops at a dam in the northern state of Chihuahua and a subsequent incident that left two people dead .
It was the latest flashpoint in a months-long conflict over the Mexican government ’ s attempts to pay off its water debt with the United States over objections of local farmers .
The circumstances of the two deaths were unclear .
The National Guard , which is largely made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it had arrested three people with tear gas projectiles and a gun magazine Tuesday night .
It said that when guardsmen tried to transport the three to the town of Delicias they were intercepted and fired on from several vehicles .
The troops returned fire , and later found one person dead and one wounded in a vehicle .
The second person died later at a hospital .
Javier Corral , the governor of Chihuahua state , said in a statement that the Guard was to blame and had “ attacked ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman , who had participated in the protests earlier Tuesday .
“ On their way back ( from the protests ) they were attacked by the National Guard , according to several witness accounts , ” Corral said .
“ We energetically condemn these acts , as we condemn the use of violence , ” said Corral , adding “ this act will not go unpunished , ” and calling on federal prosecutors to investigate .
Video from the clash Tuesday showed stick and rock wielding protesters skirmishing with guardsmen in riot gear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The guardsmen eventually pulled back and the protesters succeeded in closing the valves in the Boquilla dam to keep water from escaping the reservoir .
Assistant Public Safety Secretary Ricardo Mejia said the protesters had been passing out wooden sticks and gasoline bombs in soft drink bottles .
He did not comment on the governor ’ s accusations .
“ It ’ s very unfortunate what happened yesterday , ” López Obrador said at his morning news conference .
“ The National Guard prudently left to avoid a confrontation.
” Mexico has fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must send north from its dams under a 1944 treaty , and time is running out to make up the shortfall by the Oct. 24 deadline .
In late July , demonstrators in Chihuahua burned several government vehicles , blocked railway tracks and set afire a government office and highway tollbooths to protest the release of water from local dams to pay the U.S. López Obrador has advocated paying the debt , noting that Mexico receives four times more water under the treaty from the Colorado River than it contributes in the Rio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pays its water contributions regularly on an annual basis .
López Obrador claims Mexico has enough water in dams to supply local farmers and repay its debt , which built up over a number of years .
The issue is a difficult one for the president , who said he fears the U.S. government could impose tariffs on Mexican products or close border crossings in retaliation .
Mejia said that “ it would be very serious to have to renegotiate a treaty that is so favourable for our country.
” López Obrador has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition politicians for their own motives .
The conservative opposition National Action Party has been involved in encouraging the protests , but Mejia said instigators also came from at least two other parties .
The expansion of water-hungry crops has meant that Mexico has used 71 % of the northward-flowing Conchos River , while under the treaty it should use only 62 % of the water , letting the rest flow into the Rio Bravo , also known as the Rio Grande , on the border .
The amounts are determined over five-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
In the past , Mexico has delayed payments , hoping that periodic tropical storms from the Gulf of Mexico would create occasional windfalls of water .
But while Hurricane Hanna made landfall in Texas in July , the storm ’ s rains did not reach far enough inland to fill dams in Chihuahua .
The U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission , which oversees compliance with the treaty , said in a statement that “ what happened at Boquilla Dam is unfortunate for everyone involved.
” According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acre-feet ( 392.6 million cubic meters ) to the United States that must be paid by Oct. 24 .
That leave almost an entire year ’ s normal water contribution to be paid in about a month and a half .
The water commission said that “ at this point , it would be premature to say what would happen if Mexico ends the current cycle with a shortfall.
” Blanca Jimenez , the director of Mexico ’ s National Water Commission , said , “ We are currently negotiating with the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle correctly.
” López Obrador has said he would personally appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump for “ understanding ” if it proved impossible to pay the debt .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Texas man sentenced to 5 years in prison for 2018 bombing

BEAUMONT , Texas - A federal judge has sentenced a Beaumont man to five years in prison following his conviction for planting bombs in the Southeast Texas city two years ago .
Jonathan Matthew Torres , 42 , pleaded guilty last year to possession of an unregistered destructive device and was later found guilty at trial of use of an explosive to cause property damage .
Judge Thad Heartfield sentenced him Tuesday .
Torres was accused of leaving a bomb outside a Starbucks and another at a city church .
The first device was found in April 2018 inside a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went off at an Episcopal church the next month , causing damage but not hurting anyone .
Authorities arrested Torres , a military veteran , later that month .
In March 2018 two people were killed when Austin , some 250 miles ( 400 kilometres ) northwest of Beaumont , was terrorized for three weeks by a series of package bombs .
The 23-year-old suspected in the Austin bombings blew himself up as authorities closed in .
After the first bomb was found in Beaumont , prosecutors said , Torres sent local police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly read , “ DO YOU WANT BMT TO BECOME ANOTHER AUSTIN ... ”


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Biden aims to rebuild ‘blue wall’ in Michigan visit

WARREN , Mich. - Joe Biden travelled to suburban Detroit on Wednesday to make a direct appeal to blue-collar workers who might have voted Republican four years ago but now regret it — attempting to rebuild the once fabled Democratic “ blue wall ” that crumbled and helped catapult Donald Trump to the White House .
The former vice-president ’ s first coronavirus-era campaign trips beyond his home in Delaware have been to Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and Michigan , an indication of how closely Biden ’ s electoral prospects are tied to winning back those formerly reliably Democratic states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reward U.S. companies that invest in domestic manufacturing while imposing penalties on those that send jobs to other countries .
He spoke outside a United Auto Workers regional office in Warren , flanked by an array of U.S.-made cars including Fords , Jeeps and Chevrolets .
“ I ’ m not looking to punish American businesses but there ’ s a better way , ” Biden said .
“ Make it in Michigan .
Make it in America .
Invest in our communities and the workers in places like Warren.
” He noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed last year despite Trump ’ s pledges to protect Michigan jobs , adding , “ I bet the workers around here weren ’ t all that comforted by Trump ’ s empty promises.
” “ Under Donald Trump , Michigan lost auto jobs even before COVID hit , “ Biden said .
“ And what about offshoring ?
Has Trump delivered on stopping companies from shipping American jobs overseas ?
You already know the answer .
Of course not.
” Later Wednesday , Biden visited a clothing shop in a predominantly Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he went to Wisconsin and was followed quickly by running mate Kamala Harris , who held Labor Day events there .
Biden hit Pennsylvania during the holiday and will be back on Friday .
Trump is countering with his own trip to Michigan on Thursday and flies to Pennsylvania himself the following day .
Though the Biden campaign often emphasizes that it sees multiple ways to secure the 270 Electoral College votes it needs to win in November , the quickest path runs through Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
“ If Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any two , with some of the other states that are in play — it ’ s pretty impossible for Trump to win the Electoral College , ” said veteran Democratic strategist Joe Trippi .
Biden ’ s aides believe his focus on the economy and Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus will resonate with key voters nationwide but particularly in states like Michigan , which took one of the sharpest hits nationally from the pandemic .
The state ’ s unemployment rate spiked at 24 % in April , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since recovered to 8.7 % , but Michigan has nearly 414,500 fewer jobs than it did when Trump was inaugurated .
Previewing the president ’ s own Michigan trip , the Trump campaign looked to paint Biden as deferential on China .
Trump ’ s allies have long credited his hawkish stance toward Beijing in 2016 as helping him win the industrial Midwest , which suffered job losses overseas that Trump blamed on Obama-era trade policies .
“ Biden ’ s record in Washington speaks for itself : he has bowed down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Michigan Republican Rep Jack Bergman .
Trump aides have frequently repeated claims about Biden ’ s ties to China , but that ’ s proven problematic in light of Trump ’ s own kind words for that country earlier this year at the start of the pandemic .
They also have also ignored the Obama-Biden administration ’ s efforts to save the American automotive industry , based in Michigan , after 2008 ’ s recession .
Biden stressed the Obama White House ’ s efforts to revive the auto industry 12 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ failed our economy and our country.
” He also promised to create a “ Made in America ” office within the White House Office of Management and Budget to ensure government projects use resources made domestically .
Trump supporters maintain that the president fulfilled his job creation promises and was only temporarily sidetracked by the pandemic .
But hiring at factories across the Midwest — including in Michigan , Ohio and Wisconsin — actually began to stall and then decline in the summer of 2019 .
Trump won Michigan by the narrowest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer than 11,000 votes — and Democrats made huge gains there in the midterms , winning every major statewide office and a handful of congressional seats as well .
Indeed , Democrats see reasons for optimism in the party ’ s gains during the 2018 midterms in all three states , which were powered in part by an exodus of suburban women from the GOP .
And they believe that a stronger emphasis on minority turnout — with Harris , the first African-American woman on a major ticket , focused heavily on Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden make up some of the ground Clinton lost in 2016 .
After his speech in Warren , Biden stopped by a Three Thirteen clothing store in Detroit , posed for pictures and picked up a handful of shirts stenciled with “ Detroit made me , ” which he suggested he ’ d buy for his grandchildren .
Michigan Democratic Rep. Brenda Lawrence was among those on-hand .
“ The campaign ’ s taking it more seriously from the start than national Democrats did four years ago , ” said Amy Chapman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan state director in 2008 .
“ They started doing advertising earlier than they did last cycle — last cycle they were only up at the very end — and the ads show what Biden would do , as well as showing a contrast with Trump.
” The Biden campaign is heavily outspending the Trump campaign on-air in all three states .
Since Biden became the presumptive Democratic nominee in early April , his campaign has spent about $ 59.8 million to the Trump campaign ’ s nearly $ 26.8 million across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm Kantar/CMAG .
The difference is starkest in Michigan , where the Biden campaign has spent $ 17.2 million to Trump ’ s $ 6.7 million .
For future spending , however , the two come about even , with Biden reserving $ 33.5 million on air and Trump reserving $ 32.7 million across all three states .
Trump and Biden will both be in Pennsylvania on Friday at a Sept. 11 memorial in Shanksville , the site of the 2001 crash of United Flight 93 .
Weissert reported from Washington .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan ; Jonathan Lemire in New York ; Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania ; Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines , Iowa ; and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report .

Alexandra Jaffe And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--Macron urges tough EU stance against Turkish ‘provocations’

PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron urged fellow European leaders Thursday to stand up to the Turkish government and what he called “ unacceptable ” provocations as Turkey seeks to expand its energy resources and influence in the eastern Mediterranean .
Leaders of European Union countries that border the Mediterranean Sea were holding an emergency summit in Corsica amid fears of an open conflict with Turkey stemming from mounting tensions over offshore oil and gas drilling .
Turkish leaders have lashed out at France and the EU for siding with Greece and Cyprus in the dispute .
“ Turkey is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Macron told reporters ahead of the island summit .
“ We Europeans need to be clear and firm “ with the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about its “ inadmissible behaviour , ” he said .
Macron didn ’ t elaborate on what specific actions he wants European countries to take , but said they should lay out “ red lines ” with Turkey and try to restart dialogue .
“ We Mediterraneans need to live in peace , “ the French leader said .
“ Our goal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalation should not mean passiveness or acceptance , ” he added .
“ It is up to Turkey to clarify its intentions.
” Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air forces to assert competing claims over energy exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
Turkish survey vessels and drill ships continue to prospect for gas in waters where Greece and Cyprus claim exclusive economic rights .
France is carrying out military patrols in the region in a show of support for Greece and Cyprus , and the EU is mulling new sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions , Turkish and Greek military officials met Wednesday at NATO headquarters , as part of ongoing meetings aimed at reducing the risk of armed conflict .
Greece and Turkey both are NATO members .
Turkey ’ s Foreign Ministry characterized Macron ’ s statement as “ arrogant ” and in line with the “ old colonial reflexes.
” It accused the French president of stoking tensions and putting the “ greater interests ” of Europe at risk .
“ It is not for Macron to determine the maritime jurisdiction of any country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the Turkish ministry said in a statement .
The spokesman for Turkey ’ s ruling party criticized Macron ’ s “ threatening language.
” “ We have trouble with colonial minds like yours , Mr. Macron , ” Justice and Development Party spokesman Omer Celik said on Twitter .
Speaking Thursday to EU lawmakers , Greek European Affairs Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis appealed for support from European partners , saying the tensions over energy rights “ constitute by themselves a grave threat to our common security architecture.
” He said that Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major destabilizing factor in the wider area , ” citing Turkish government actions in Libya , Syria and beyond .
He said that Greece would not provoke conflict but wouldn ’ t just sit back waiting for European help to arrive : “ At the end of the day , we will defend ourselves , even alone.
” At the Corsica summit , France wants the European leaders to push for resuming German mediation in the eastern Mediterranean dispute .
Russia also offered this week to mediate .
The leaders also plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mediterranean and their relation to Turkey .
But the other countries at the Corsica summit have different priorities .
Italy , Spain and Malta are notably more concerned about migrant boats arriving from North Africa to their shores .
Portugal .
meanwhile , has little stake in the tensions around the eastern Mediterranean .
France and Greece hope the seven countries can come up with a united southern European front ahead of a full EU summit later this month focused on the bloc ’ s strategy toward Turkey .
EU Council President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cyprus and Malta next week for talks with leaders .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--India, Japan call for strong partnership in post-COVID world

NEW DELHI - Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Indian counterpart agreed on Thursday that a strong partnership between their nations will be critical in charting the course for the global community in the post-coronavirus world , an Indian official said .
Abe , who is stepping down because of a chronic health problem , and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed an agreement between the armies of the two countries that will give them access to each other ’ s bases for supplies and services .
“ They concurred that the agreement will further enhance the depth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region , ” Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said in a statement .
In a telephone call , the two leaders also reviewed the status of an India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership program , including a high-speed rail project that is to link the Indian cities of Mumbai and Ahmedabad .
In December , Abe cancelled a meeting with Modi in the northeastern state of Assam , where street protests erupted over a new Indian law that grants citizenship based on religion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to Assam and Manipur states to discuss security and economic ties with Modi as part of annual exchange of visits by the two leaders .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--Tennessee officials searching for tiger spotted by deputy

KNOXVILLE , Tenn. - Authorities were searching Thursday morning for a tiger in East Tennessee .
A deputy spotted the @ @ @ @ @ industrial park , the Knox County Sheriff ’ s Office said in a statement on @ @ @ @ @ including animal control , the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and representatives with the rescue organization @ @ @ @ @ the search , the statement said .
There were unconfirmed tiger sightings reported overnight in @ @ @ @ @ county , and the search was continuing Thursday morning , dispatchers told news outlets .
@ @ @ @ @ said all of its tigers are accounted for , and the zoo has not been @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--EU Parliament suspends Suu Kyi from Sakharov Prize community

BRUSSELS - The European Parliament on Thursday suspended Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi from the group of former winners of its top human rights prize because of her “ failure to act and her acceptance “ of the oppression of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic group .
A long-time political prisoner before she came to power , Suu Kyi was once admired for her non-violent struggle against Myanmar ’ s military rule and she won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize .
But in recent years , she has been rejected internationally for Myanmar ’ s oppression of the Rohingya .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bangladesh to escape the army ’ s brutal counterinsurgency campaign in 2017 .
“ The decision ( ... ) to exclude Aung San Suu Kyi formally from all activities of the community of Sakharov Prize laureates is a response to her failure to act and her acceptance of the ongoing crimes against the Rohingya community in Myanmar , “ the EU Parliament said in a statement .
Suu Kyi won the Sakharov Prize in 1990 but was only able to collect it 23 years later .
She is currently Myanmar ’ s state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
She looks set to keep her position after the Nov. 8 general election , with her National League for Democracy party widely expected to again win the most seats .
As state counsellor , Suu Kyi does not oversee the military , but she has repeatedly denied accusations that the army committed genocide against the Rohingya .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--US wholesale prices rise 0.3% in August as food costs drop

WASHINGTON - U.S. wholesale prices rose 0.3 % in August , just half the July gain , as food and @ @ @ @ @ Labor Department said Thursday that the August advance in the producer price index — which @ @ @ @ @ consumers — followed a 0.6 % surge in July which was the biggest monthly gain @ @ @ @ @ to moderate wholesale prices in August was a 0.4 % drop in food costs , @ @ @ @ @ a big jump in May caused by supply bottlenecks related to coronavirus cases at meat @ @ @ @ @ edged down 0.1 % in August after sizable gains in the previous three months .
@ @ @ @ @ in August was an indication that inflation is remaining at low levels which will allow @ @ @ @ @ its benchmark policy rate low for the foreseeable future .

Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--The Latest: India vaccine clinical trials halted for safety

NEW DELHI , India — Clinical trials for AstraZeneca ’ s coronavirus vaccine candidate have been halted in India , said Serum Institute of India on Thursday .
Serum Institute of India is the world ’ s largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume and has said it will mass-produce the vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford .
On Tuesday , AstraZeneca had said in a statement that a potentially unexplained illness in a recipient had triggered a “ standard review process ” and that late-stage studies were put temporarily on hold .
Serum Institute of India , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were continuing .
But after official communication from Indian regulators , the company paused their trials on Thursday .
“ We are reviewing the situation and pausing India trials untill AstraZeneca restarts the trials , ” said the company in a statement .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — India has record spike of 95K new virus cases , infections spread outside cities — With the coronavirus pandemic raging and Jewish High Holy days approaching , Benjamin Netanyahu is caught between his ultra-Orthodox partners and need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — The coronavirus pandemic is reshaping how the U.S. is observing the anniversary of 9-11 .
The terror attacks ’ 19th anniversary will be marked Friday by dueling ceremonies at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza and a corner nearby in New York .
— Vaccine by Nov. 3 ?
Halted study suggests no and NIH chief pledges science will decide if and when any vaccine is good enough for widespread use .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : BERLIN — The German government has issued travel warnings for Prague , Geneva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romania because of the high number of new coronavirus infections .
The Foreign Ministry say the French regions of Nouvelle-Aquitaine , Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes , Occitanie and Corsica were affected , while in Croatia the warning concerned the regions of Dubrovnik-Neretva and Pozega-Slovonia .
The decision to issue travel warnings means people arriving in Germany from there will have to take a coronavirus test and go into quarantine for 14 days or until they have a negative test result .
Germany has seen its own case numbers rise in recent weeks .
The country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered 1,892 additional cases and three deaths in the past 24 hours .
Germany , a country of 83 million , has confirmed 255,366 cases since the start of the outbreak and 9,341 deaths .
LONDON — The epidemiologist whose modelling heavily influenced the British government to impose a lockdown in March has warned that fresh restrictions may have to be re-imposed in coming weeks to deal with a rise in new coronavirus cases .
Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London said he was “ encouraged ” that the government is banning social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , noting that “ one of the mistakes ” in the early days of the pandemic this year was an overly “ cautious ” approach .
Still , he told BBC radio that “ all the analysis ” suggested there would be an “ uptick in deaths in the coming weeks , so now is the time to respond.
” The U.K. has seen Europe ’ s deadliest virus outbreak , with around 41,600 deaths .
Ferguson added that if the transmission rates don ’ t fall markedly so the epidemic starts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to clamp down in other areas.
” PARIS — France is extending temporary virus-related unemployment benefits until next summer , amid prolonged economic fallout from lockdown .
Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne said Thursday on BFM television that the government will continue paying up to 84 % of salaries for workers at struggling companies .
She said the idea is “ so that companies can keep jobs and skills ” while they restructure or retrain people .
France ’ s government has already spent tens of billions of euros on this temporary unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown in spring to try to avoid mass joblessness .
Most companies have resumed activity but the economy is still struggling , and the government announced a 100 billion euro ( $ 118 billion ) stimulus plan last week .
France ’ s virus infections have been rising again in recent weeks , following summer holidays and then a return to work and school en masse .
The Marseille region is a new hotspot , with doctors warning that intensive care units dedicated to COVID-19 patients are filling fast .
PRAGUE — The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing in interior spaces amid a steep rise in new coronavirus cases .
Starting Thursday , people across the country need to cover their face in all public places , including stores , shopping malls , post offices and others but also in private companies where employees can not keep a distance of 2 metres ( yards ) from one another .
Students will have to have masks in all shared spaces of elementary and high schools .
The daily increase in cases surpassed 1,160 for the second straight day on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 since the pandemic began with 44 deaths .
NEW DELHI — India has recorded another one day record increase in new coronavirus infections , logging 95,735 new cases .
According to the Health Ministry , India ’ s number of recorded infections since the pandemic began reached 4,465,863 on Thursday , while total fatalities rose to 75,062 after another 1,172 deaths in the past 24 hours .
The ministry said the surge in new infections is due to ramping of daily testing , with more than 1 million tests now being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery rate from the illness is now 77.7 % .
Experts caution that India ’ s outbreak is entering a more dangerous phase as the virus spreads to smaller towns and villages .
With the economy contracting by a record 23.9 % in the April-June quarter leaving millions jobless , the Indian government is continuing with relaxing lockdown restrictions that were imposed in late March .
SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea ’ s new coronavirus cases have stayed below 200 for an eighth straight day , suggesting the recent viral resurgence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it recorded 155 additional cases over the past 24 hours , taking the national tally of recorded cases to 21,743 , with 346 deaths since the pandemic began .
South Korea had seen a spike in new infections since early August , mostly in the greater Seoul area .
Authorities in the Seoul region have subsequently ordered the shutdown of churches , nightspots and fitness centres and restricted dining at restaurants .
The elevated social distancing rules in the Seoul area are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to announce whether to extend them .
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Country health officials have walked back some Halloween rules just a day after issuing orders that would have restricted trick-or-treating and other Halloween traditions because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The county Department of Health initially said Tuesday that trick-or-treating , haunted houses and Halloween parades would be banned because those activities make it difficult to maintain social distancing .
The new guidelines issued Wednesday stop short of prohibiting kids from going door to door to collect candy .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meals at outdoor restaurants , Halloween-themed art installations at outdoor museums and decorating homes and yards .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--European Central Bank’s stimulus train to keep on rolling

FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank left its key stimulus policies unchanged on Thursday , with almost a trillion euros ( dollars ) still in the pipeline to bolster the eurozone economy ’ s rebound from the severe coronavirus recession .
ECB President Christine Lagarde said the economy had shown “ a strong rebound in activity ” since the lockdowns eased but remained “ well below ” pre-virus levels .
She said high uncertainty about the path of the economy ’ s recovery meant that “ ample monetary stimulus remains necessary ” and repeated intentions to keep the ECB ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through mid-2021 .
The comments may be a prelude to even more stimulus later this year as the ECB and global counterparts like the U.S. Federal Reserve make clear their determination to maintain their massive support to the economy to limit the damage from the virus outbreak .
The bank ’ s governing council made the decision Thursday to keep benchmark interest rates , the size of its bond-buying stimulus programs and its outlook unchanged .
Many analyst think that the ECB will add to its pandemic emergency bond purchase stimulus at its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new inflation and growth forecasts .
The economy of the 19 euro currency countries plunged 11.8 % in the April-June quarter .
Activity is picking up quickly but isn ’ t expected to regain pre-virus levels before 2022 .
The bank is pumping 1.35 trillion euros ( $ 1.6 trillion ) in newly printed money into the economy through purchases of government and corporate bonds , on top of 20 billion euros in monthly bond purchases from a stimulus effort launched before the outbreak .
Those measures come on top of cheap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lend to businesses , and a negative rate penalty of 0.5 % on deposits left overnight by commercial banks as an incentive for them to lend the money rather than let it pile up at the central bank .
The ECB stimulus effort comes as the Fed has shifted its 2 % interest rate target to an average , meaning that it could maintain stimulus for a longer period by letting inflation run higher than the target .
Both central banks have struggled to raise inflation to their goals .
The ECB saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August with an annual figure of 0.2 % , far from the bank ’ s goal of below but close to 2 % .
ECB officials have stressed that while they are taking action to help the economy , the key factor in the recovery will be getting the virus under control .
And that has raised cause for worry .
After some initial success in reversing large outbreaks in Spain , Italy and France , and after Germany ’ s success in containing a disastrous first wave , cases have started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer vacations and as some restrictions have been eased .
European governments have made big economic efforts at the national level , paying companies to keep workers on and extending loans .
That has kept unemployment in the eurozone down at 7.9 % , thought the rate is likely to rise after those programs expire .
At the EU level , governments have agreed to fund a 750 billion-euro recovery fund supported by common borrowing .
The money would be spent from 2021 on projects aimed at supporting growth , digitalization and transforming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dioxide , the main greenhouse gas blamed by scientists for climate change .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--New wildfire threatens homes in seaside resort near Athens

ATHENS , Greece - A new wildfire on Thursday near Athens led to more home evacuations a day after a different blaze near the Greek capital forced thousands of residents to leave their dwellings .
The fire service said about 100 firefighters assisted by three water-dropping helicopters were trying to extinguish the blaze burning through low vegetation among scattered homes in the seaside resort of Artemis .
Residents were asked to leave their homes as strong winds whipped on the flames .
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries .
Another big fire broke out in a forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire service said .
But the fire service said a major blaze south of Athens near the town of Anavyssos had been brought under control .
The fire forced thousands of home evacuations on Wednesday as a front headed for the town .
Wildfires are common during Greece ’ s hot , arid summers , gradually stripping away the country ’ s forest cover .
In 2018 , a blaze at the seaside resort of Mati east of Athens raged out of control , killing 102 people .
Large sections of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ravaged in 2007 by forest fires that killed more than 70 people .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--US layoffs remain elevated as 884,000 seek jobless aid

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits was unchanged last week at 884,000 , a sign that layoffs are stuck at a historically high level six months after the viral pandemic flattened the economy .
The latest figure released by the Labor Department Thursday still far exceeds the number who sought benefits in any week on record before this year .
The job market is improving fitfully as portions of the economy have reopened and companies are recalling some workers they had temporarily laid off .
Employers have so far added back about half the record 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
But hiring has slowed since June , and a rising number of laid-off workers say they regard their job loss as permanent .
The recovery of those jobs will likely take longer to achieve .
Jobless people typically find it harder to find work at a new company or in a new industry than to return to a previous employer .
The government also said Thursday that 13.4 million people are continuing to receive traditional jobless benefits , up from 13.3 million the previous week .
The increase suggests that hiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offset still-widespread layoffs .
Hiring will likely remain restrained as long as Americans are unable or reluctant to resume their normal habits of shopping , travelling , dining out and engaging in other commerce .
The rate of reported infections has dropped over the past several weeks but remains well above where it was during the spring .
Most analysts say the economy won ’ t likely be able to sustain a recovery until a vaccine is widely available .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its latest snapshot Thursday of the pace of layoffs , which have remained elevated but have been declining as some sectors of the economy have rebounded in the months since the viral pandemic erupted .
The number of people who are seeking unemployment benefits each week still exceeds the number who did so in any week on record before the virus triggered a recession in early spring .
The government ’ s August jobs report showed that the economy had recovered about half the 22 million jobs that were lost to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hotels , restaurants , airlines and entertainment venues , are struggling .
And millions of Americans are facing unemployment with diminished benefits .
The rate of confirmed viral infections has dropped over the past several weeks but remains well above where it was in the spring .
Many analysts say the economy won ’ t likely be able to sustain a recovery until a vaccine is available .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--Pakistan detains 12 after gang rape of woman on highway

LAHORE , Pakistan - Pakistani police Thursday detained 12 people for questioning after two armed men allegedly gang raped a @ @ @ @ @ children after her car went out on a deserted highway , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ overnight incident near the eastern city of Lahore in which the men also stole cash @ @ @ @ @ before fleeing .
None of the 12 was thought to be an assailant , police @ @ @ @ @ drew widespread condemnation on social media with some activists demanding those involved be hanged in @ @ @ @ @ a spokesperson in the eastern Punjab province , said raids were being conducted to trace @ @ @ @ @ Gang rape is rare in Pakistan , although sexual harassment and violence against women is @ @ @ @ @ women are killed in Pakistan each year in so-called “ honour killings ” for allegedly @ @ @ @ @ and marriage .


thetorontostar--2020-09-10--Huge fire breaks out at Beirut port a month after explosion

BEIRUT - A huge fire broke out Thursday at the Port of Beirut , the site of last month ’ s catastrophic explosion that killed nearly 200 people and devastated parts of the capital .
The new fire nearly 40 days after the blast triggered widespread panic among traumatized residents of the area .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear what caused the fire at the facility , which was decimated by the Aug. 4 explosion when nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate detonated .
The blast triggered a shock wave that blew out windows , doors and walls miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the island of Cyprus .
A column of thick black smoke billowed from the port at midday Thursday , with orange flames leaping from the ground .
Smoke covered the capital and firefighters and ambulances rushed to the scene .
Army helicopters were taking part in efforts to extinguish the fire .
“ We opened all windows and are in the corridor right now , ” said Dana Awad , a mother of two girls in a Beirut neighbourhood .
“ I am still feeling the earth shake .
Living a flashback.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that preceded the Aug. 4 explosion .
The Lebanese army said the fire started at a warehouse where oil and tires are placed in the duty free zone , adding that efforts to battle the fire were ongoing .
Panicked residents — still struggling to get over last month ’ s catastrophic explosion — cracked open windows and called and texted each other to warn them of the new danger .
Local TV stations said companies that have offices near the port asked their employees to leave the area .
A video circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away in fear as soon as the fire broke out , a chilling reminder of last month ’ s blast that killed dozens of port employees and 10 firefighters .
Lebanese troops closed the major road that passes near the port rerouting traffic to other areas .
The Aug. 4 explosion killed more than 190 people , injured around 6,500 and damaged thousands of buildings in the Lebanese capital .
The explosion , the single most destructive blast in Lebanon ’ s history , is blamed on government negligence and mismanagement .
Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s fire that it could be an attempt to remove evidence of last month ’ s explosion from the scene .
Some hid in bathrooms , others dropped what they were doing and rushed home .
The panic was compounded by the trauma from the Aug. 4 explosion and the fear that more chemicals could be in the wreckage of the port .
Earlier this month , the Lebanese army said it discovered more than 4 tons of ammonium nitrate in four containers stored near the port that it said were “ dealt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast , French and Italian chemical experts working amid the remains of the port identified more than 20 containers carrying dangerous chemicals .
The army later said that these containers were moved and stored safely in locations away from the port .
State-run National News Agency said the fire was at a warehouse where tires are placed .
It added that firefighters are dealing with the blaze .
Beirut Gov .
Marwan Abboud and authorities called on people to stay away from roads leading to the port to allow fire engines to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voice of Lebanon radio the fire started in a warehouse where barrels of cooking oil were placed and later spread nearby to where tires were piled .
“ It is too early to now if it is the result of heat or some other mistake , ” al-Qaissi said adding that the black smoke was from burning tires .
It was the second fire at the port this week .
On Tuesday , a small fire erupted , also creating some panic , that was quickly extinguished .

Zeina Karam And Hassan Ammar - The Associated Press