thetorontostar--2020-09-08--Trump expands ban on new offshore drilling sites in Atlantic

JUPITER , Fla. - President Donald Trump expanded a ban on new offshore drilling Tuesday , an election-year reversal likely to appeal to voters in Florida and other coastal states .
Two years ago , Trump had taken steps to vastly expand offshore drilling from coast to coast .
“ This protects your beautiful gulf and your beautiful ocean , and it will for a long time to come , ” Trump said as he announced the expanded drilling ban during an appearance at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse .
The president signed a memorandum instructing the interior secretary to prohibit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coasts , and off the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina for a period of 10 years — from July 1 , 2022 , to June 20 , 2032 .
The existing moratorium covers the Gulf of Mexico , and Trump said the new one would also cover the Atlantic coast — a significant political concern in coastal states like Florida .
Trump used the event to portray himself as an environmental steward and contrast his record against that of Democrat Joe Biden .
But the Trump administration has overturned or weakened numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality and lands essential for imperiled species .
The trip comes as Trump steps up his travel to battleground states eight week before the election .
From Florida , he headed for a campaign rally in North Carolina , another must-win for his reelection , before returning to the White House late Tuesday .
Trump used the North Carolina stop to campaign against the state ’ s restrictive coronavirus guidelines , as he openly flouted the 50-person cap on outdoor events with a rally of thousands of supporters standing shoulder-to-shoulder on an airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , ” Trump said , baselessly claiming that Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper and others were trying to hamstring their economies with restrictions to hurt his reelection .
“ It ’ s a shame what ’ s going on , and I ’ ll tell you what , on Nov. 4 , every one of those states will be open .
They ’ re doing it for political reasons.
” Back in Florida , Trump used the taxpayer-funded event to lambaste his opponent with claims that Biden would “ destroy America ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ free pass to the world ’ s worst foreign polluters.
” Biden has called for eliminating carbon emissions from power plants by 2035 and modernizing the electric grid .
Both moves would curtail fossil fuel demand .
His plan also includes significant direct public spending and tax subsidies for other energy sources , which Biden ’ s campaign says would spur new jobs even as traditional energy jobs wane .
Biden calls out China as the world ’ s biggest coal polluter and says he ’ d hinge all future trade deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supports an international alliance to help other nations afford low-carbon development and pitches a global moratorium on Arctic offshore drilling .
The announcement could open Trump to charges of an election-year flip-flop given that in January 2018 he acted to vastly expand offshore drilling from the Atlantic to the Arctic oceans and he has supported efforts to boost American energy production to lessen reliance on foreign sources .
“ Just months ago , Donald Trump was planning to allow oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida , ” Biden tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , he conveniently says that he changed his mind .
Unbelievable .
You don ’ t have to guess where I stand : I oppose new offshore drilling.
” Trump offered himself as the greatest environmental president since Theodore Roosevelt .
“ Who would have thought ?
Trump is the great environmentalist , ” the president said .
“ You hear that ?
That ’ s good , and I am .
I am .
I believe strongly in it.
“ But Trump has rolled back numerous regulations designed to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to auto fuel standards to clean water .
He withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord , a global agreement to address the emission of heat-trapping greenhouse gases .
The environment has also been the primary target of Trump ’ s push to eliminate regulations , eliminating or weakening dozens of rules that protect the air and water , along with lands essential for imperiled species while reversing Obama-era initiatives to fight climate change .
Trump replaced Obama ’ s Clean Power Plan aimed at slashing greenhouse gas pollution from electric plants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under Trump , the Environmental Protection Agency stripped federal protection from millions of acres of streams and wetlands .
He lifted restrictions on oil and gas exploration in sensitive areas and shortened environmental reviews of construction projects such as highways and pipelines .
South Carolina Gov .
Henry McMaster , a longtime Trump ally who has opposed the administration ’ s drilling exploration expansion plans , applauded Tuesday ’ s announcement as “ good news ” but warned “ we must remain vigilant in the conservation and preservation of our coastline.
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moratorium with Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , who greeted Trump at the airport in West Palm Beach and attended the Jupiter event .
About 200 people attended .
Few wore face coverings or practiced social distancing .
Jaclyn Lopez , Florida director for the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund , said Floridians will remember it was Trump who previously proposed opening the state to drilling in the first place .
“ Voters shouldn ’ t be duped by this cheap , last-minute manoeuvr , “ Lopez said in an emailed statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to make up for the aggressive efforts to expand dirty offshore drilling since Trump ’ s been in office.
” Energy industry groups said the decision was the “ wrong approach ” for the times .
“ Offshore access is critical for growing U.S. energy leadership and providing affordable energy for American families , ” said Lem Smith , vice-president of upstream policy at the American Petroleum Institute , in an emailed statement .
The ban “ puts at risk hundreds of thousands of new jobs , U.S. energy security advancements and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , ” he added .
Superville reported from Washington .
Associated Press writer John Flesher in Traverse City , Michigan , Meg Kinnard in Charleston , South , Kevin Freking in Washington and Cathy Bussewitz in New York contributed to this report .

Zeke Miller And Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Richmond bans guns on public property during protests

RICHMOND , Va. - Virginia ’ s capital city has adopted a law banning guns on public property during protests and other events .
The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the ordinance , which is aimed at preventing violent confrontations during demonstrations against racial inequality that have continued to take place across the country and have elsewhere resulted in fatalities , The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported .
The law bans the carrying of guns on public property at any event or at any public area by an event , including on streets , sidewalks and in alleys , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permitted by the city , the newspaper said .
Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith expressed support for the move ahead of the vote Tuesday , and referenced the killing of two protesters in Kenosha , Wisconsin , as well as the fatal shooting of a right-wing supporter in Portland , Oregon , by a suspect who was later killed by police .
“ Sooner or later , we are going to have different groups with different opinions who square off with each other , ” the newspaper quoted Smith as saying .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can use to increase safety in all of Richmond.
” Some council members expressed concern about enforcement of the law and some community members who spoke at the special meeting questioned whether the ban would violate their Second Amendment rights .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Former AP newsperson Ali Kotarumalos dies in Indonesia

JAKARTA , Indonesia - Ali Kotarumalos , a journalist who reported on major news events in Indonesia for The Associated Press for more than three decades , has died .
He was 68 .
He died Wednesday at a Jakarta hospital from lung cancer , which he had battled for three years .
Kotarumalos joined AP ’ s Jakarta Bureau as a news staffer in 1982 .
He covered the fall of President Suharto and Indonesia ’ s transition to democracy in 1998 .
He reported on disasters such as plane crashes and the powerful Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 230,000 people in a dozen countries , most of them in Indonesia .
He also covered terrorist attacks , as well as conflicts in Maluku and East Timor in which thousands were killed .
“ Those were such busy news years in Indonesia and there were so many times when I absolutely could not have done my job without Ali , “ said former AP Jakarta Bureau Chief Robin McDowell .
” If there was an earthquake , plane crash , terrorist attack , ferry sinking anywhere in Indonesia , at any time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the confirmation.
” Margie Mason , another former bureau chief , said Kotarumalos “ was always on top of breaking news , often waking up to disaster alerts on his phone and filing earthquake stories in the middle of the night to put AP ahead of the competition .
He was also a very kind man , and everybody loved him .
He will be greatly missed.
” Kotarumalos retired in 2019 after 37 years with AP .
He is survived by his wife , two daughters , one son and two @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Inmate charged in slaying of deputy in Detroit jail

DETROIT - An inmate has been charged in the slaying of a Wayne County sheriff ’ s deputy at a @ @ @ @ @ Deandre Williams , 28 , of Detroit , was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday on @ @ @ @ @ , murder of a police officer , felony murder , unarmed robbery and escaping jail @ @ @ @ @ the county prosecutor ’ s office .
The sheriff ’ s office has said Cpl @ @ @ @ @ , was checking cell doors on Sept. 2 when he was attacked as he walked @ @ @ @ @ locked .
Searcy , who joined the sheriff ’ s office in 2002 , was @ @ @ @ @ and died later at a hospital .
Prosecutors said Williams was being held at the @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities have said the attack was being reviewed to determine if sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Greece: Fire sweeps through refugee camp on virus lockdown

ATHENS , Greece - A major fire swept through a notoriously overcrowded refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos early Wednesday , burning through container housing and leaving thousands of people in need of emergency shelter .
Complicating matters , the Moria camp was under a coronavirus lockdown from an outbreak there when flames gutted much of it overnight .
Authorities scrambled to find a way to house now-homeless camp residents without creating more risk of the virus spreading .
“ The combination of migration and the pandemic in these conditions is creating an exceptionally demanding situation , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civil protection authorities declared a four-month state of emergency for public health reasons on Lesbos .
Koumoutsakos said it appeared the blaze broke out “ as the result of the discontent ” of some of Moria ’ s residents over lockdown measures imposed after a Somali man who returned to the camp after being granted asylum tested positive for the virus this month .
About three dozen COVID-19 cases were detected during subsequent broad testing of the camp population .
“ I recognize the difficult circumstances , “ Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” However , nothing can become an excuse for violent reaction to health checks .
And , more so , for unrest of this extent .
The prime minister added : “ The situation in Moria can not continue because it constitutes simultaneously a question of public health , humanity and national security.
” In dramatic night-time scenes , camp inhabitants fled fires that broke out at multiple points and were fanned by gale-force winds , gutting much of the facility and surrounding hillside olive groves .
Protests also broke out involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There were no reports of injuries .
Aid agencies have long warned of dire living conditions at Moria , where more than 12,500 have been living in and around a facility built to house just over 2,750 .
The camp has become a symbol of what critics have said is the European Union ’ s failure to humanely handle the migration and refugee situation .
Under a 2016 deal between the EU and Turkey designed to stem the flow of hundreds of thousands of Europe-bound migrants and refugees , those arriving on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish coast are held there pending either deportation back to Turkey or the acceptance of their asylum claims .
Although the deal dramatically reduced the number of arrivals , delays in processing asylum claims and the continued arrivals of hundreds of asylum seekers led island camps to quickly exceed their capacity .
Successive Greek governments have called on other European countries to share the burden of housing asylum-seekers .
Regional fire chief Konstantinos Theofilopoulos told Greek public broadcaster ERT that the fire started in more than three places in quick succession , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from battling the flames .
Before dawn , riot police set up cordons along a highway near the camp to restrict the movements of the camp ’ s residents .
Migration minister Koumoutsakos said initial reports indicated there had been no loss of life in the blaze .
He said the more than 400 unaccompanied children and teenagers who had been living in the camp were now in hotels or other safe areas on the island .
New temporary accommodation would be set up for residents left homeless by the fire , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , necessarily , obviously not all together , ” he said .
Greece is not the only country dealing with the migration challenges in the time of COVID-19 .
In Spain ’ s Canary Islands , authorities are scrambling to build new migrant centres after an increase of arrivals turned the western Atlantic route into this year ’ s deadliest for migrants trying to reach Europe from Africa by sea .
But the facilities won ’ t be ready for months , leaving hundreds sleeping in tents .
Nearly 4,000 people arrived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 and the end of August , up from 584 in the same period of 2019 .
More than 250 have died , according to the International Organization for Migration .
In Moria , protests against living conditions and fires have broken out in the past , but Wednesday ’ s was by far the largest blaze .
European authorities , who have often come under criticism for not doing enough to ease the migration burden on countries at Europe ’ s southern borders such as Greece , Italy and Spain , offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johansson said she had “ already agreed to finance the immediate transfer and accommodation on the mainland of the remaining 400 unaccompanied children and teenagers ” who had been living in the camp .
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas described what occurred in Moria as “ a humanitarian catastrophe.
“ “ In co-operation with the EU Commission and other EU member states willing to help , we need to sort out as quickly as possible how we can support Greece , “ Maas said .
” This includes the distribution of refugees among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take them.
” Germany currently holds the EU ’ s rotating presidency .
A spokesman for German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Berlin was in talks with the Greek government over what assistance Germany could provide .
Pressed on whether Seehofer would reconsider his objection to individual German states or cities taking in refugees voluntarily , spokesman Steve Alter said it was important first to see what was needed urgently and the current situation “ is no reason to call into question our current legal order.
” Dutch Development Cooperation Minister Sigrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in emergency aid ( about $ 1.2 million ) for Greece to help the country provide accommodation , housing and care to migrants .
“ We are in solidarity with the refugees and migrants and with the Greeks , ” Kaag said .
Greece ’ s interior and migration ministers , along with the head of the country ’ s public health organization flew to Lesbos following an emergency meeting convened Wednesday morning by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis .
The commander of Greece ’ s intelligence service , the civil protection head and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the meeting .
The United Nations ’ refugee agency said it had deployed its staff on the ground and offered assistance to Greek authorities .
European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas , who is responsible for migration matters , tweeted he had been in touch with Mitsotakis and “ assured him that the European Commission is ready to assist Greece immediately at all levels at this difficult time.
” Migrant arrivals in Europe have declined consistently since their peak in 2015 , when more than 1 million people entered irregularly , primarily from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. refugee agency about 50,000 migrants have arrived in southern Europe so far this year , including 20,000 in Italy , 15,000 in Spain and 12,000 in Greece .
___ Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin , Aritz Parra in Madrid and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed .
___ Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Elena Becatoros And Derek Gatopoulos - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--‘It’s going horribly’: College towns fret about census count

PHOENIX - Betsy Landin was listed by her parents on the 2020 census as living at her family ’ s home in Phoenix when she really should have been counted in the college town of Tempe , where she studies finance at Arizona State University .
Also missing from Tempe ’ s tally was Arizona State political science major Betzabel Ayala , whose mother counted her on the family ’ s census form in Phoenix because she was living at home after coronavirus lockdowns led to a nationwide exodus from college towns last spring .
In yet another example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , hundreds of thousands of U.S. college students who normally live off campus in non-university housing are being counted for the 2020 census at their parents ’ homes or other locations when they were supposed to be counted where they go to school .
The confusion has enormous implications for college towns , which may face severe shortfalls in federal dollars and a dilution of political power .
“ We really didn ’ t have any instruction or guidance at school about how to fill out the census , ” Landin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Census Bureau sought the help of college administrators in getting rosters for off-campus students who left town , but only half of the schools co-operated .
Many universities were reluctant to participate because of privacy concerns and because off-campus students at many schools are not obligated to provide information about where they live .
And a significant chunk of the information provided by the schools is missing important information , such as birthdates , according to a report last month by the bureau ’ s watchdog agency .
From Tempe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gainesville , Florida , the looming undercount could harm college towns across the country .
In some places with major universities , students make up as much as three-quarters of the population .
“ The potential undercount of students during this pandemic will have negative financial impacts for the city for years , ” said Ken Jones , Tempe ’ s deputy city manager and chief financial officer .
The timing for counting off-campus students couldn ’ t have been worse : Not long after the 2020 census began for most people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus , and many schools switched to online classes , leading to an exodus from college towns .
The Census Bureau says college students should be counted where they would have been on April 1 — at school — if not for the outbreak .
The undercount problem involves only students living off campus in non-university housing ; the Census Bureau relies on records supplied by colleges to count students living in dorms or university apartments .
Still , off-campus students make up about 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , according to Dudley Poston , a demographer at Texas A & M University .
“ College students overwhelm the demography of places with large universities , ” Poston said .
“ This could be a costly setback for university towns.
“ In State College , Pennsylvania , home to Penn State University , the percentage of students who answered the 2020 census either online , by mail or by phone in a downtown neighbourhood populated with apartments for thousands of off-campus students was 25 % , compared with 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Douglas Shontz , a city spokesman .
With less than a month left until the census ends , the city has placed signs and banners all over downtown State College , encouraging students to answer the questionnaire that helps determine the distribution of $ 1.5 trillion in federal spending and how many congressional seats each state gets .
The city also spent $ 5,000 mailing out postcard reminders about the census to students who returned for the fall semester to off-campus apartments or fraternity and sorority houses .
“ We are kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the right thing , “ Shontz said .
In Athens , Ohio , home to Ohio University , the mayor estimates each student missed accounts for at least $ 1,400 a year in lost funding for the community .
If last spring ’ s graduating class of 3,500 students isn ’ t counted , that could translate into $ 49 million in lost federal funding over the decade , said Mayor Steve Patterson .
The question of where to count off-campus college students in any once-a-decade census can be confusing enough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children should be tallied with them when they should be counted where the students do most of their sleeping .
After college students began moving back home because of the outbreak , the Census Bureau had to shelve plans to send door-knockers to neighbourhoods around campuses starting in April .
Now that the disruption has extended into the fall , hopes of finding and counting students before the census is completed have dwindled further .
Some college towns are considering drastic measures , like asking for another count of their communities , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill for a “ special census , ” which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars .
Ames , Iowa , home to Iowa State University , has 67,000 residents .
Officials are worried that if the 2020 census misses the more than 15,000 students who live off-campus , it could put the city ’ s population count below 50,000 .
Dipping below that threshold would cost Ames millions of dollars in federal funding annually for low-to-middle-income housing and transportation projects , making a special census more appealing , said Gloria Betcher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council .
“ From our perspective , this is like watching an accident in the long term , ” Betcher said .
“ We are watching these cars approaching each other and seeing that they ’ re going to crash .
It ’ s not surprising to us , but it is surprising that nothing is being done to stop the accident.
” Mike Schneider reported from Orlando , Fla. , and Anita Snow reported from Phoenix Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/MikeSchneiderAP and Anita Snow at https : //twitter.com/asnowreports @

Mike Schneider And Anita Snow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Ethiopian region votes, defying federal government and PM

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia - People began voting in Ethiopia ’ s northern Tigray region on Wednesday in a local election defying the federal government and increasing political tensions in Africa ’ s second most populous country .
Tigray officials have warned that an intervention by the federal government would amount to a “ declaration of war.
” They have objected to the postponement of the national election , once set for August , because of the coronavirus pandemic and the extension of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ’ s time in office .
Over the weekend , Ethiopia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s election unconstitutional .
Ethiopia ’ s leader has ruled out a military intervention , but there are fears any punitive measures by the federal government could further escalate tensions .
The standoff with the northern region is the latest challenge to the administration of Abiy , who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year in part for introducing political reforms .
He took office in early 2018 .
The Tigray region ’ s ruling party , the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front , was the dominant one in Ethiopia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal because only the National Election Board can conduct elections in Ethiopia , ” Abiy said in an interview with the state broadcaster , EBC , on Tuesday evening .
“ TPLF ’ s rule over the region is extended until the upcoming election .
If the party doesn ’ t take part in the general election , it won ’ t be acceptable .
“ These types of small gatherings won ’ t be a headache for us , ” Abiy added .
Some 2.7 million people in the Tigray region were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2,600 polling stations , regional election officials said .
They are electing members of the regional parliament , which in turn will choose the region ’ s cabinet and administrators .
“ I am here because I want to exercise my self-governance rights , ” said one voter , Tekeste Girmay , adding that the authorities “ will have a big role in preventing coronavirus from spreading.
” Ethiopia in recent weeks saw a sharp rise in confirmed cases .
A regional broadcaster , Tigray TV , showed voters lining up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regional capital , Mekelle , told The Associated Press there was tight security in the city and surrounding areas .
Bikes and auto rickshaws were banned from the city as of Tuesday evening .
On Monday , Ethiopian security officials removed reporters from a plane heading to the region , confiscating their I.D.s , cameras and other equipment .
Separately , a non-governmental organization told the AP they were barred from observing the election “ for no sufficient reason.
” The group , Seb Hidri , said the Tigray People ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--In 3 big states, Biden looks to rebuild Democrats’ Blue Wall

LANSING , Mich. - In 2016 , Donald Trump tore down Democrats ’ “ blue wall , ” winning the White House with surprise victories in Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
This year , Joe Biden is trying to rebuild .
The Democratic presidential nominee ’ s first pandemic-era campaign trips beyond his home in Delaware are taking him to all three states , an indication of how closely Biden ’ s electoral prospects are tied to his ability to flip those political battlegrounds .
Last week , Biden travelled to Wisconsin and was followed quickly by running mate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events there on Labor Day .
On Wednesday , Biden heads to Michigan to tout a plan for boosting U.S. manufacturing .
He also has two stops scheduled this week in Pennsylvania .
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 wins any of them — but particularly any two , with some of the other states that are in play — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win the Electoral College , ” said veteran Democratic strategist Joe Trippi .
“ It makes tremendous sense to make those three states the base foundation of any strategy to win .
If Biden wins all three , it ’ s over.
” Biden ’ s aides believe his focus on the economy and Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic will resonate with key voters nationwide but particularly in states like Michigan , which took one of the sharpest hits nationally from the pandemic .
The unemployment rate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
The statewide rate has since recovered to 8.7 % , but Michigan has nearly 414,500 fewer jobs than it did when Trump was inaugurated .
Trump supporters say he has fulfilled his promise of creating jobs and was temporarily sidetracked by the pandemic .
But the jobs numbers show that hiring at factories across the Midwest — including in Michigan , Ohio and Wisconsin — began to stall and then decline in the summer of 2019 .
The Biden campaign sees an opening there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , the president failed some of his most loyal blue-collar backers .
Trump won Michigan by the narrowest margin of any state in 2016 — fewer than 11,000 votes — and Democrats made huge gains there in the midterms , winning every major statewide office and a handful of federal seats as well .
Polls conducted earlier in the summer suggested a Biden advantage there .
Polls conducted in Michigan throughout the 2016 campaign showed Hillary Clinton with a lead before Trump went on to win .
On Wednesday , Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new plan focused on boosting American manufacturing .
Biden would establish a tax penalty for companies that send jobs overseas , and provide a tax credit for those that create jobs in the U.S. Biden would also create a “ Made in America ” office within the White House Office of Management and Budget to ensure government projects use resources made in the U.S. Democrats believe Biden has a particular appeal to the white working-class voters in Michigan , as well as in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania , that swung to Republicans in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a narrow race in 2020 .
They also see reasons for optimism in Democratic 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 voters in key states — will help Biden make up some of the ground Clinton lost in 2016 .
Democratic operatives in Michigan say it seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Clinton ’ s defeat .
“ The campaign ’ s taking it more seriously from the start than national Democrats did four years ago , ” said Amy Chapman , who worked as Barack Obama ’ s 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key battleground 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 all three states , according to the ad tracking 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump is slightly outspending Biden in upcoming ad reservations in Pennsylvania , while Biden is slightly outspending the president on air in Michigan .
Trump ’ s campaign also plans to blanket the Midwest in the crucial final stretch .
Vice-President Mike Pence campaigned in northern Michigan last month and presidential daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump visited General Motors in Warren , Michigan , last week .
Wisconsin has seen a flurry of activity in recent weeks as well , with visits from Trump and Pence over the past month .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday at a Sept. 11 memorial in Shanksville , the site of the 2001 crash of United Flight 93 .
Trump and Pence are both expected back in the state in September , and female Trump family members , including Ivanka Trump , are visiting Philadelphia ’ s heavily populated suburbs to appeal to women there .
Republicans also argue that a robust , in-person field operation in the Midwestern battlegrounds gives them an advantage over Democrats , who are still doing most of their organizing online out of concern for public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re door-knocking all over the place , our local candidates are door-knocking and the Trump campaign volunteers are door-knocking , ” said Elizabeth Preate-Havey , GOP chairwoman in Montgomery County , Pennsylvania ’ s third-most populous county .
Jaffe reported from Wilmington , Delaware .
Associated Press writers Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania ; Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines , Iowa ; and Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report .

Alexandra Jaffe And David Eggert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--More than 100 UK lawmakers condemn China over Uighurs abuse

LONDON - More than 100 British lawmakers signed a letter to the Chinese ambassador Wednesday condemning what they described as “ a systematic and calculated programme of ethnic cleansing against the Uighur people ” in China ’ s far western Xinjiang region .
“ When the world is presented with such overwhelming evidence of gross human rights abuses , nobody can turn a blind eye , ” said the cross-party letter , which was signed by 130 lawmakers .
“ We as Parliamentarians in the United Kingdom write to express our absolute condemnation of this oppression and call for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reports of forced population control and mass detention of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang , as well as video apparently showing a large number of blindfolded and shaven men waiting to be loaded onto trains .
The lawmakers said the video — which was recently shown to Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming during a BBC interview — bore “ chilling ” similarities to footage of Nazi concentration camps .
Chinese officials have repeatedly derided allegations of genocide , forced sterilization and the mass detention of nearly 1 million Uighurs in Xinjiang as lies fabricated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Uighurs are treated equally and that the Chinese government always protects the legitimate rights of ethnic minorities .
Asked Wednesday about whether he would take action on the issue , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain raises such concerns “ directly with the Chinese authorities and we ’ ll continue to do so in the G-20 , at the U.N. and in every other context .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--UN protection back for threatened Nobel-winning Congo doctor

JOHANNESBURG - United Nations peacekeepers on Wednesday returned to provide protection for a Nobel Peace Prize-winning Congolese doctor who has faced death threats , after alarmed supporters urged the U.N. to reinstate the security following months without it .
“ They will be there as long as necessary , ” a spokesman with the peacekeeping mission , Mathias Gillmann , told The Associated Press .
He said the U.N. mission is working with Congolese authorities on finding a new security arrangement with the country ’ s national police , as the mission faces an expected reduction in Congo .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hospital earlier this year amid the coronavirus pandemic .
They have trained Congolese security forces for such protection work in the future .
On Tuesday , the U.N. noted that Congo ’ s government has pledged to protect the doctor and that the U.N could not provide protection indefinitely .
The spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general , Stephane Dujarric , told reporters that “ the personal security of Congolese personalities is a responsibility of the national authorities.
” The death threats against Mukwege , famous for his work with survivors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congo , have drawn condemnation from U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet , Amnesty International and others .
Hundreds of people reportedly marched in support of Mukwege in recent days in Congo ’ s eastern city of Bukavu , where his hospital is located .
Mukwege has had U.N. protection over the years since he survived an assassination attempt in 2012 while returning to his home .
Those denouncing the latest death threats have not said where they originated , but a statement from Physicians for Human Rights last month said Mukwege has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ” after a security adviser to the president in neighbouring Rwanda , Gen. James Kabarebe , “ denounced Dr. Mukwege on Rwandan state television.
” Mukwege has received death threats via text message , and he and his family have received threats on social media , the statement said .
“ I have received various hate mail and members of my family have been intimidated and threatened , ” Mukwege said in a separate statement posted by the Panzi Foundation .
Mukwege has long been outspoken about the need for accountability for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in eastern Congo that have killed thousands of people , and he seeks the implementation of recommendations in a years-old U.N. human rights report mapping abuses in the region between 1993 and 2003 .
Eastern Congo remains one of the world ’ s most unstable regions , with millions of civilians displaced or living under the threat of attack .
In his Nobel speech in 2018 , Mukwege repeated his call to act on the U.N. report , asking , “ What is the world waiting for ?
... Let us have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perpetrators of the crimes against humanity to prevent them from continuing to plague the region.
” In late July he tweeted about a new massacre in eastern Congo , saying that as long as the U.N. mapping report is “ ignored ” such killings will continue .
Rwanda ’ s government in the past has objected to suggestions that its forces had any involvement in the unrest in eastern Congo shortly before and after the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 in which some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed .
Rwandan President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday said of the U.N. mapping report , “ I don ’ t know what that nonsense is about.
” He asserted that “ people are starting the narrative at the time of their choosing.
” He didn ’ t mention Mukwege in the interview .
Rwanda ’ s state-run newspaper , The New Times , on Sunday published an unsigned commentary criticizing Mukwege and the U.N. report and dismissing suggestions that Rwanda or Kabarebe was behind the death threats as “ unfounded allegations.
” The commentary alleged a “ defamation campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his allies had “ staged ” the threats themselves , asserting that they see the instability in eastern Congo as “ the essential milk cow on which to build careers and get rich.
” In a statement to the AP , the director of policy for Physicians for Human Rights , Susannah Sirkin , had said the organization was “ dismayed by the inadequate , slow , and bureaucratic response to date by the United Nations in light of the serious threats against our esteemed colleague ...
The U.N. needs to step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a permanent and around-the-clock ( peacekeeping ) unit on-site at Panzi Hospital.
” Amnesty International in a statement this month also called on Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi to follow up on his pledges of protection for Mukwege and investigations into the threats .
In comments to European Union lawmakers late last month , Mukwege called for assistance for other human rights defenders who do not benefit from the same public profile that he has .
“ It ’ s very important to create an alert system so that even those human rights defenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , doing marvellous work ensuring that their people do not suffer atrocities , can be protected as well , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Government agreed, Montenegro to keep pro-Western course.

PODGORICA , Montenegro - The leaders of the three main opposition groups in Montenegro signed a coalition agreement Wednesday to form the next government and sought to alleviate fears that they would steer the small Balkan state off its pro-Western course and back toward traditional allies Serbia and Russia .
The agreement says that Montenegro will abide by all international obligations undertaken by the previous government , including strengthening ties with NATO and speeding up “ all necessary reforms ” for membership of the European Union .
Although Montenegro ’ s long-ruling Democratic Party of Socialists won the most votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition of the three opposition parties together narrowly won the most seats in the 81-seat parliament , enough for them to form the next government .
“ This is a proof that the new democratic government will be pro-European , pro-Western and pro-Montenegrin , ” said the leader of the “ Peace is Our Nation ” group , Aleksa Becic , after the signing of the coalition agreement .
“ There will be no change , just the strengthening of the country ’ s foreign policy path , ” Becic said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new government will be economic development and the fight against endemic corruption which has been one of the main burdens of previous governments .
Tensions soared in the deeply divided nation days after the vote when thousands of opposition party supporters staged boisterous victory celebrations throughout the country .
Participants waved Serbian flags and chanted derogatory slogans against Montenegro President Milo Djukanovic , despite appeals by opposition party leaders to refrain from provocations .
Djukanovic , who heads the outgoing DPS party , has accused Serbian leaders and their powerful state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was held after months of protests by supporters of the Serbian Orthodox Church upset over a property rights dispute in Montenegro .
Djukanovic , who has ruled Montenegro for 30 years either as president or prime minister , has been a key Western ally in pushing the volatile Balkans toward a more pro-Western orientation .
Djukanovic defied Russia in 2017 to lead his country into NATO after gaining independence from much larger Serbia in 2006 .
He has three more years in power before the next presidential election .
AP writer Dusan Stojanovic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serbia


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Explosive wildfires across California stoked by fierce winds

SHAVER LAKE , Calif. - Wildfires raged unchecked throughout California Wednesday , and gusty winds could drive flames into new ferocity , authorities warned .
Diablo winds in the north and Santa Ana winds in the south were forecast into Wednesday at a time when existing wildfires already have grown explosively .
On Tuesday , 14 firefighters were forced to deploy emergency shelters as flames overtook them and destroyed the Nacimiento Station , a fire station in the Los Padres National Forest on the state ’ s central coast , the U.S. Forest Service said .
They suffered from burns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flown to a hospital in Fresno , where one was in critical condition .
In the past two days , helicopters were used to rescue hundreds of people stranded in the burning Sierra National Forest , where the Creek Fire has destroyed 365 buildings , including at least 45 homes , and 5,000 structures were threatened , fire officials said .
Flames threatened the foothill community of Auberry between Shaver Lake and Fresno .
In Southern California , fires burned in Los Angeles , San Bernardino and San Diego counties , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region ’ s notorious Santa Anas .
The hot , dry winds could reach 50 mph at times , forecasters said .
People in a half-dozen foothill communities east of Los Angeles were being told to stay alert because of a fire in the Angeles National Forest .
“ The combination of gusty winds , very dry air , and dry vegetation will create critical fire danger , “ the National Weather Service warned .
The U.S. Forest Service on Monday decided to close all eight national forests in the southern half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than 14,000 firefighters are battling fires .
Two of the three largest blazes in state history are burning in the San Francisco Bay Area , though they are largely contained after burning three weeks .
California has already set a record with nearly 2.3 million acres ( 930,800 hectares ) burned this year — surpassing a record set just two years ago — and the worst part of the wildfire season is only beginning .
“ It ’ s extraordinary , the challenge that we ’ ve faced so far this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The threat of winds tearing down power lines or hurling debris into them and sparking a wildfire prompted Pacific Gas & Electric , the state ’ s largest utility , to shut off power to 172,000 customers over the weekend .
More outages were expected Wednesday , with power not expected to be completely restored until Wednesday night .
To the south , Southern California Edison warned roughly 55,000 customer accounts may lose power while San Diego Gas & Electric said 16,700 customers are at risk of a preemptive outage .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dozens of campers and hikers were stranded at the Vermilion Valley Resort after the only road in — a narrow route snaking along a steep cliff — was closed Sunday because of the Creek Fire .
Well before dawn Tuesday , the sound of helicopter blades chopping through the air awoke Katelyn Mueller , bringing relief after two anxious nights camping in the smoke .
“ It was probably the one time you ’ re excited to hear a helicopter , ” Mueller said .
“ You could almost feel a sigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The use of military helicopters to rescue a large number of civilians for a second day — 164 before dawn Tuesday and 214 people from a wooded camping area on Saturday — is rare , if not unprecedented .
“ This is emblematic of how fast that fire was moving , plus the physical geography of that environment with one road in and one road out , “ said Char Miller , a professor of environmental analysis at Pomona College who has written extensively about wildfires .
“ Unless you wanted an absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast.
” Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger wildfires in America to global warming from the burning of coal , oil and gas , especially because climate change has made California much drier , making plants more flammable .
“ The frequency of extreme wild fire weather has doubled in California over the past four decades , with the main driver being the effect of rising temperature on dry fuels , meaning that the fuel loads are now frequently at record or near-record levels when ignition occurs and when strong winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noah Diffenbaugh said in an email .
Melley reported from Los Angeles .
Associated Press writers Christopher Weber , Frank Baker and John Antczak in Los Angeles , Olga Rodriguez and Juliet Williams in San Francisco and Seth Borenstein in Washington contributed .

Marcio Jose Sanchez And Brian Melley - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--The Latest: United Arab Emirates has 883 new virus cases

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates —The United Arab Emirates has recorded 883 new coronavirus cases , the country ’ s biggest daily jump since late May .
The figures bring the total number of recorded infections to 75,981 and 393 confirmed deaths .
This come as students return to schools for in-person instruction and tourists trickle back to the skyscraper-studded city of Dubai .
The UAE has pushed an aggressive testing campaign , with 85,917 virus tests conducted in the past day .
The country ’ s climbing infections have raised concerns that authorities could reinstate lockdowns in parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — COVID-19 vaccine latest flashpoint in White House campaign .
Trump repeatedly says a vaccine could be available before the election .
— The British government tries to tighten its grip on the coronavirus in England , banning gatherings of more than six people and l aunching a new public information campaign .
— As Indonesia cases soar , medical workers bear the burden , leading to concerns about the long-term impact on the nation ’ s fragile healthcare system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HAPPENING : VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has arrived at his weekly general audience wearing a face mask and used hand sanitizer before appealing for the faithful to look out for the health of others as well as themselves during the coronavirus pandemic .
Francis took off the mask as his car pulled into the San Damaso courtyard inside the Apostolic Palace , where last week he resumed his weekly Wednesday public audiences after a nearly six-month COVID-19 shutdown .
While chairs were spaced out in the courtyard , the limited crowd massed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some lowered their masks to call out to him .
During his remarks , Francis lamented that “ partisan interests ” were emerging in which some nations and groups are seeking to keep vaccines for themselves , or to further their political or economic interests .
He said : “ The coronavirus is showing us that each person ’ s true good is a common good and , vice versa , the common good is a true good for the person .
Health , in addition to being an individual good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy society is one that takes care of everyone ’ s health.
” LONDON — British Health Secretary Matt Hancock says new limits on social gatherings in England to six people are set to stay in place for the “ foreseeable future , ” potentially until or even through Christmas .
Hancock said the new limit for both indoor and outdoor gatherings , which will come into force and be enforceable by law from Monday , will provide “ more clarity ” to people and should help keep a lid on a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear message is crucial in containing pandemic .
Though there are exemptions , such as for schools , workplaces and “ life events ” like funerals and weddings , the government is clearly hoping that the new limits will be easily understood and followed .
Unlike the previous set of guidlines , people could be fined for not following the rules — 100 pounds ( $ 130 ) for a first offence , up to a potential 3,200 pounds .
PRAGUE — The Czech Republic has been facing a steep rise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people tested positive in one day surpassing 1,000 for the first time .
The day-to-day increase in the country reached a record of 1,164 on Tuesday , the Health Ministry said .
The previous record was less than 800 on Friday .
The spike has come a week after the start of the new school year with dozens of schools partially or completely closed due to pandemic .
Health authorities in Prague have already imposed new restrictive measures .
Starting on Wednesday , it is mandatory again to wear face masks in stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and night clubs have to be closed from midnight till 6 a.m .
The Czech Republic has reported 29,877 cases since the pandemic began , with 441 deaths .
NEW DELHI — India has added another 89,706 coronavirus cases to the second-highest reported tally in the world , and the government is saying schools will reopen later this month for senior students after more than five months closed .
According to the Health Ministry , India ’ s total caseload on Wednesday reached 4.37 million .
The ministry also reported 1,115 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatalities up to 73,890 .
India has the second-most reported cases in the world and the third-most reported deaths behind the United States and Brazil .
More than 1 million people have tested positive for the coronavirus in India in less than two weeks .
Testing has been ramped up to more than 1 million daily , with cumulative testing exceeding 50 million .
The Health Ministry on Tuesday announced partial reopening of schools from Sept. 21 for students of 9-12th grades for taking teachers ’ guidance .
Online learning will still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marble Taj Mahal in the northern city of Agra will also reopen Sept. 21 with access restricted to 5,000 tourists daily to prevent overcrowding .
PEORIA , Ill. — Bradley University in central Illinois is requiring its entire student body to quarantine for two weeks because of clusters of COVID-19 on campus and is reverting to remote learning , officials announced Tuesday .
Officials of the private university said they have linked a spike of the coronavirus to off-campus gatherings .
The Peoria university is requiring students to limit nonessential interactions , stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take classes remotely beginning Tuesday .
The university said it has tallied about 50 COVID-19 cases so far , adding emergency measures are needed to respond to the outbreak without disrupting academic progress .
“ Although it may seem extreme , this move to temporary remote learning and a two-week , all-student quarantine allows us to focus on the continuity of the educational experience for all of our students while giving us time to gather data on the full extent of the spread of the virus and assess the best way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Stephen Standifird said in a message to students .
While about 4,600 undergraduates were enrolled at Bradley last year , it wasn ’ t immediately known how many are enrolled this fall .
SEOUL , South Korea __ The number of new coronavirus infections in South Korea has stayed below 200 for the 7th straight day , amid elevated social distancing rules .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday the 156 cases added in the past 24 hours took the country ’ s tally to 21,588 with 344 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new cases were locally transmitted patients in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , which has been at the centre of a viral resurgence since early August .
Authorities in the Seoul area have recently ordered the shutdown of churches , night establishments and after-school academics while allowing restaurants to provide only takeouts and deliveries after 9 p.m. South Korea on Monday reported 119 new cases in its lowest daily jump in more than three weeks .
Its daily jump once surpassed 400 in late August .
HONOLULU -- Honolulu Mayor Kirk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s stay-at-home order for two weeks to control the coronavirus .
The stay-at-home order will be kept in place through Sept. 24 .
But the mayor says he will modify the rules to allow solo activity at beaches , parks and trails .
Individuals will be able to run , sit or eat by themselves in these public places beginning Thursday .
Caldwell says he extended the order because the number of new COVID-19 cases hadn ’ t declined as much as he wanted .
He says he wants to discuss how @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Norwegian lawmaker nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

COPENHAGEN - A far-right Norwegian lawmaker said Wednesday that he has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the Middle East .
Christian Tybring-Gjedde , a member of the Norwegian Parliament for the far-right Progress Party , said Trump should be considered because of his work “ for a peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel which opens up for possible peace in the Middle East.
” Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed last month to a historic deal normalizing relations and are scheduled to sign it at a White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No matter how Trump acts at home and what he says at press conferences , he has absolutely a chance at getting the Nobel Peace Prize , ” Tybring-Gjedde , told The Associated Press .
He said he nominated Trump on Wednesday for the 2021 prize , adding that “ Donald Trump meets the criteria.
” Nominations must be sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee by Feb. 1 , meaning the deadline to nominate people for this year ’ s peace prize has passed .
Tybring-Gjedde was one of two Norwegian lawmakers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 for his efforts to bring reconciliation between North and South Korea .
Any lawmaker serving in a national legislature can nominate someone for the Nobel Peace Prize .
Former U.S. President Barack Obama was awarded the prize in 2009 only months into his first term , a move many felt was premature .
The Norwegian committee said it honoured Obama for his commitment to “ seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.
” Last year , Trump predicted that he would win the Nobel Prize “ for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out fairly , which they don ’ t. ” The Norwegian Nobel Committee doesn ’ t publicly comment on nominees .
Under its rules , the information is required to be kept secret for 50 years .
“ It is now to hope that the Nobel Committee is able to consider what Trump has achieved internationally and that it does not stumble in established prejudice against the U.S. President , ” Tybring-Gjedde said in a Facebook post .
However , he said he doesn ’ t agree with all of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big Trump supporter , ” he said .
The process of considering candidates and awarding the Nobel Peace Prize is done in Norway , in contrast to the other Nobel Prizes , which are awarded in neighbouring Sweden .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Iranian director calls Venice premiere ‘like a new life’

VENICE , Italy - Restricted travel , quarantine and positive COVID-19 tests meant that Majid Majidi ’ s appearance at the Venice Film Festival for Iranian drama “ Sun Children ” ( Khorshid ) was an achievement in itself .
The film follows the story of Ali and his three friends on the streets of Tehran , as they try to find hidden treasure , digging a tunnel underneath a local charity school for street kids and child labourers .
“ It was difficult to come here , “ the director told Associated Press on Monday .
“ This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new life.
” For 14-year-old lead Rouhollah Zamanisaghselou , in his first ever acting role , the coronavirus put a stop to his moment in the spotlight , after he tested positive and was unable to travel to Italy as planned .
“ I told him when he was working hard digging in that tunnel that this film will become famous in the world and you will forget the pains .
Then ( when he tested positive for the virus ) he told me : ‘ Mr .
Majidi what should I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain.
“ Zamanisaghselou and many of the cast members were child labourers themselves when they were interviewed for the movie .
Majidi explains that the casting process was extremely difficult but rich with talent .
“ I actually interviewed two to three thousand kids and there was a lot of intelligence and potential kids in those groups , ” he said , adding that their backgrounds meant they had a lot of depth .
“ Because of the tough times they have been through , they are much more receptive and kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s why they learn faster and better , “ Majidi said .
” This was a huge encouragement and inspiration for them to become artists and actors , they couldn ’ t even dream of such a thing before .
This made them focus very closely and know that this is a very important moment.
” Zamanisaghselou ’ s Afghan co-star Shamila Shirzad , who has worked in Tehran since the age of 5 , did make it to the festival and onto the red carpet Sunday .
Majidi thinks that although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a great experience for her to “ rediscover life and know that she can succeed if she studies and works hard .
“ She has had very difficult experiences in her life ” he said .
“ But this kid fought back despite all those difficulties.
” “ Now that she is here I can see how well she sees everything , and she knows that this is just temporary , and I see the worry in her eyes that she has to go back to her previous life , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , with the help of some NGO she can focus on studying only , and doesn ’ t have to work anymore.
” And this is really the message of the movie .
“ I beg all people is to help the children discover their real treasures and build themselves and the society , ” Majidi said , who has noted there are an estimated 152 million children working to support their families .
“ International organizations are waging a desperate fight to support these young people who are subjected to abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education .
‘ Sun Children ’ demonstrates the abilities and humanity of these children , ’ ” Majid wrote in his director ’ s statment .
“ Sun Children ” is one of 18 films competing for the Golden Lion at this year ’ s Venice Film Festival .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Fendi taps Dior designer Kim Jones to replace Karl Lagerfeld

Rome fashion house Fendi announced Wednesday that Kim Jones is taking over from the late Karl Lagerfeld as creative director of haute couture , ready-to-wear and fur collections .
Jones will take on the Fendi duties while staying on as artistic director of Dior Homme , another house in the Paris-based luxury goods empire of LVMH chief Bernard Arnault .
He joins the third-generation Silvia Venturini Fendi , who will continue in charge of creating Fendi accessories and menswear collections .
The British-born Jones fills the void left by the 2019 death of Lagerfeld , who had joined Fendi in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief since 1977 .
Jones ’ first Fendi collection will be ready-to-wear shown during the fall-winter 2021-2022 fashion week in February .
It ’ s the second major fashion partnership announced in recent months , after news that Raf Simons would join Miuccia Prada as co-creative director of Prada .
Their first joint women ’ s spring-summer 2021 collection will be shown in Milan later this month .
Arnault , chief executive of Fendi parent company LVMH , praised Jones for having proven he could “ adapt to the codes and heritage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great modernity and audacity.
” Jones , who joined Louis Vuitton in 2011 and moved to Dior Homme seven years later , said working at Fendi and Dior together was a “ huge privilege.
” Fendi said she was looking forward to taking the Rome house “ to the next level with him .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--New UN report says rebels in Yemen recruited teenage girls

GENEVA - U.N.-backed experts have found evidence that rebels in Yemen recruited nearly three dozen teenage girls — some said to be survivors of sexual violence — as spies , medics , guards and members of an all-female force , according to a report released Wednesday .
The findings came in the third and latest report by the “ group of eminent experts ” commissioned by the Human Rights Council to investigate alleged rights violations by all sides in the war since September 2014 .
The devastating conflict in the Arab world ’ s poorest country has spawned what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest humanitarian crisis .
“ The parties to the conflict continue to show no regard for international law or the lives , dignity , and rights of the people of Yemen , while third states have helped perpetuate the conflict by continuing to supply the parties with weapons , ” said the report .
The report , based on more than 400 accounts and focusing mainly on a period from July 2019 to June this year , highlighted how a generation of Yemen ’ s children have been “ immeasurably damaged through child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their most basic human rights , including education.
” Overall , the group documented 259 cases of children who had been recruited and used in hostilities by several sides .
It said the Iran-backed rebels , known as Houthis , recruited boys as young as 7 years old from schools , poor urban areas and detention centres through monetary incentives , abduction , recruitment by peers and indoctrination .
“ The group also received credible reports regarding Houthi recruitment of 34 girls ( ages 13-17 ) , between June 2015 and June 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other children , guards , medics , and members of the Zainabiyat , ” the report said , referring to the female force created by the rebels — an unusual phenomenon in an ultra-conservative society such as Yemen .
“ Twelve of these girls allegedly survived sexual violence and/or a forced and early marriage directly linked to their recruitment , ” the report said .
For a second year in a row , the three U.N.-backed experts were denied access to Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition , which is allied with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came despite repeated requests , said the report , which is to be considered by the 47-member-state rights council that starts its autumn session next Monday .
Overall , the experts insisted , there are “ no clean hands ” in the conflict , which has involved rights abuses and violations , including arbitrary killings and detention , rape and sexual violence , torture and other “ cruel , inhuman or degrading treatment ” — all possibly involving war crimes .
The experts also faulted the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes , saying the coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilian casualties at times .
“ Yemen remains a tortured land , with its people ravaged in ways that should shock the conscience of humanity , ” said Kamel Jendoubi , who chairs the expert panel .
“ The international community has a responsibility to put an end to this pandemic of impunity , and should not turn a blind eye to the gross violations that have been committed in Yemen .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Dog’s bark saved Alabama family as fire swept through home

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. - A dog has been credited with saving an Alabama family ’ s lives after his bark awakened them to a fire that was sweeping through their rental home early Tuesday morning .
The dog , Ralph , “ doesn ’ t usually make a sound at night , ” said Derek Walker , who lived in the Birmingham home with his wife and two children , according to AL.com .
So when Walker heard a “ different kind of bark ” coming from Ralph , a 4-year-old Great Dane , he got up to investigate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire outside the family ’ s kitchen window .
The blaze had started on a grill and spread to the home , according to Robert Lawson , a battalion chief with the North Shelby Fire Department .
“ I just started screaming ‘ fire ’ to get everybody up , “ Walker said .
“ My wife got up and she got our daughter and got her out.
” After getting their daughter out of the house , his wife went into the home again to get their son .
He had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of smoke .
“ The fire was right outside his wall , ” Walker said .
“ He wasn ’ t awake because he sleeps covered with his blanket.
” Walker stepped inside the house to get Ralph , who was in his kennel , and the family ’ s two miniature pigs .
The hero , Ralph , made it out alive .
One of the pigs also got out but the other , Pearl , died .
The home has suffered heavy fire damage and most of the family ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are thankful for the furry member of the family .
“ Without Ralph , I don ’ t think we would have made it , ?
Walker said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--GOP attacks Harris amid battle for Catholic voters’ support

WASHINGTON - Soon after Joe Biden tapped Kamala Harris as his running mate , some conservatives began trying to portray her as anti-Catholic — a line of attack that President Donald Trump ’ s campaign continues to amplify as Democrats court Roman Catholic voters .
The charge stems in part from questions Harris posed in 2018 to a federal judicial nominee about his membership in the Knights of Columbus , a lay Catholic fraternal organization .
Harris asked the nominee if he agreed with the anti-abortion views of the group ’ s leader , views that broadly align with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans at the time , with one senator authoring a resolution to affirm the constitutional ban on religious tests for federal officials and state that membership in the Catholic group is not “ disqualifying.
” Now that Harris is Biden ’ s running mate , conservatives are replaying the moment to try to chip at the pro-abortion-rights Democratic ticket ’ s appeals to religious voters .
As Biden ’ s campaign launched its Catholic voter outreach effort last week , the Trump campaign blasted Harris ’ questioning as “ anti-Catholic bigotry ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ clashes strongly with Catholic pro-life beliefs.
” It used similar language to refer to Harris alongside an online ad it rolled out last month .
The criticism of Harris , who attends a progressive Black Baptist church — and by extension , criticism of Biden — is a sign that Republicans see his leftward shift on abortion as a vulnerability with some devout swing voters who might otherwise be lukewarm on Trump , particularly Catholics and evangelicals .
It also plays upon the fact that Harris ’ approach to religious outreach is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose lifelong Catholic faith is a touchstone of his political identity .
“ We hope that Biden and Kamala Harris talk a lot about these issues , ” said Richard Mouw , president emeritus at Fuller Theological Seminary , who signed a July letter from Christian leaders urging Democrats to take a friendlier stance toward abortion critics .
“ Because even though some of us disagree about Biden ’ s policies related to these positions , we think he understands us.
” Mouw praised Harris ’ selection , adding that he hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ready to “ keep talking ” and “ keep listening ” to evangelicals and conservative Catholics disillusioned with Trump .
The attacks on Harris also play on a broader question being raised by some Christian voters , not all of them conservatives , about how strongly Biden would push to end longstanding limits on federal funding of abortion .
Biden came out against those limits last year during the early months of his campaign , after years of supporting them .
Chris Crawford , a Catholic anti-abortion advocate who voted for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while GOP attacks on Biden ’ s faith are unlikely to gain traction , “ the attack that he won ’ t govern in line with ( his faith ’ s ) values has a chance of sticking.
” Crawford urged Biden to “ find common ground on abortion that separates him from his party ’ s extreme stance.
” Stephen Schneck , a self-described “ pro-life Catholic ” and member of the Catholics for Biden group that kicked off last week , said he is “ hopeful ” for action from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas related to prenatal health and women ’ s health and care for young children.
” Harris ’ questioning of the judicial nominee was largely in line with standard practice for vetting nominations , Schneck said .
Natalia Imperatori-Lee , a religious studies professor at Manhattan College , said the Biden campaign can also make a case to Catholic voters that goes beyond the debate over abortion ’ s legality .
In 2017 the number of U.S. abortions fell to its lowest level since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision , a trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contraception under the Affordable Care Act passed during the Obama administration .
“ A lot of Catholics share the goal of wanting to see lower future abortions , and fewer of them think the road to that is repeal of Roe , ” Imperatori-Lee said .
She added that political debate about “ centre-right Catholics ” can often omit that they are largely white , while Latino and Black Catholics lean distinctly leftward .
Indeed , Harris ’ presence on the ticket could pay off with Black Catholics , less-conservative Catholic women and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy proposals .
One sign of Harris ’ potential to appeal to those Catholic voting blocs came last month when Catholic News Service quoted a Black staffer at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops describing herself as “ so elated ” by Biden ’ s choice of running mate .
While that staffer spoke in a personal rather than professional capacity , the appearance of pro-Harris sentiment created by the comment drew a public clarification from the bishops ’ conference , which asserted its neutrality by noting that employees do not speak on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vatican newspaper L ’ Osservatore Romano has covered Harris prominently and favourably since she was picked by Biden .
Pope Francis ’ differences with Trump on a range of issues from immigration to climate change are well known , though the president ’ s anti-abortion stance is in line with the Catholic church ’ s views .
Harris , for her part , is adopting Biden ’ s listen-first approach to religious outreach , meeting with 100 leaders from multiple Christian denominations the first Saturday after joining the ticket , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith director .
Harris told the leaders that “ she is going to be fighting for values important to them , ” Dickson said .
Associated Press reporters Amanda Seitz and Nicole Winfield contributed to this report .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--Trump deliberately played down risks of coronavirus to the public, writes Bob Woodward

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump talked in private about the “ deadly ” coronavirus last February , even as he was declaring to America it was no worse than the flu and insisting it was under control , according to a new book by journalist Bob Woodward .
Trump said Wednesday he was just being a “ cheerleader ” for the nation and trying to keep everyone calm .
His public rhetoric , Trump told Woodward in March , was part of a strategy to deliberately minimize the danger .
“ I wanted to always play it down , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like playing it down because I don ’ t want to create a panic.
” Trump , according to the book , acknowledged being alarmed by the virus , even as he was telling the nation that it would swiftly disappear .
Coming less than eight weeks before Election Day , the revelations in the book — accompanied by recordings Woodward made of his interviews with Trump — provide an unwelcome return of public attention to the president ’ s handling of the pandemic that has so far killed about 190,000 Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumption of normal activity and trying to project strength and control to bolster his political position in his campaign against Democrat Joe Biden .
In a Feb. 7 call with Woodward , Trump said of the virus : “ You just breathe the air and that ’ s how it ’ s passed .
And so that ’ s a very tricky one .
That ’ s a very delicate one .
It ’ s also more deadly than even your strenuous flus.
” “ This is deadly stuff , ” the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , Trump struck a far rosier tone in an interview with Fox Business : “ I think the virus is going to be — it ’ s going to be fine.
” Biden said Wednesday the book shows Trump “ lied to the American people .
He knowingly and willingly lied about the threat it posed to the country for months.
” “ While a deadly disease ripped through our nation , he failed to do his job — on purpose .
It was a life or death betrayal of the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign event in Michigan .
Biden ’ s campaign pounced , releasing an ad late Wednesday featuring the audiotapes of Trump ’ s remarks .
“ And Trump knew all along , ” the ad ’ s narrator says .
Speaking Wednesday at the White House , Trump acknowledged he downplayed the virus , insisting he was trying to buck up the nation and suggesting he was trying to avoid “ gouging ” on prices of needed supplies .
“ The fact is I ’ m a cheerleader for this country .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want people to be frightened .
I don ’ t want to create panic , as you say , ” Trump told reporters .
“ Certainly , I ’ m not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy .
We want to show confidence .
We want to show strength.
” Yet Trump ’ s public comments suggested he was steering people to ignore the reality of the coming storm .
Woodward ’ s account details dire warnings from top Trump national security officials to the president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 could be as bad as the devastating influenza pandemic of 1918 .
On Feb. 25 , just weeks before much of the country was forced to shut down because of the pandemic , Trump declared the virus “ very well under control in our country.
” Though he restricted travel from China in January , Trump did not begin to devote extensive federal resources to procuring vital personal protective equipment , including face masks , or expand the production of ventilators until March .
In fact , U.S. officials recommended against widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a shortage of protective masks required by front-line medical workers .
Trump aides and allies said at the time that he was aiming to prop up the economy with his rosy take on the virus throughout February , even as his administration took few concrete steps to prepare for the coming pandemic .
The Washington Post , where Woodward serves as associate editor , reported excerpts of the book , “ Rage ” on Wednesday , as did CNN .
The book also covers race relations , diplomacy with North Korea and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arisen during the past two years .
The book is based in part on 18 interviews that Woodward conducted with Trump between December and July .
“ Trump never did seem willing to fully mobilize the federal government and continually seemed to push problems off on the states , ” Woodward writes of the pandemic .
“ There was no real management theory of the case or how to organize a massive enterprise to deal with one of the most complex emergencies the United States had ever faced.
” White House press secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president has never lied to the American public on COVID .
The president was expressing calm , and his actions reflect that.
“ She said Trump ’ s actions show that he took COVID-19 seriously .
She noted that the president put in place travel restrictions with China on Jan. 31 and said that some Democrats had criticized the move .
In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , said Trump never “ distorted ” what Fauci had told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to , you know , make sure that the country doesn ’ t get down and out about things , but I don ’ t recall anything that was any gross distortion in things that I spoke to him about , ” Fauci said .
McEnany insisted “ the president never downplayed the virus , “ though Trump himself told Woodward he was “ playing it down because I don ’ t want to create a panic.
” “ There is damning truth that President Trump lied and people died , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
Schumer said that when he thinks about how many people in his state died , “ It just makes me angry.
” He added , “ How many people would be alive today if he just told Americans the truth ?
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said the president ’ s comments to Woodward showed weakness and a disdain for science .
“ What he was actually saying is , ‘ I don ’ t want anybody to think anything like this happened on my watch so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any more attention to it , ’ ” Pelosi said on MSNBC .
Woodward ’ s book is his second on the Trump White House .
The first , published in 2018 , portrayed Trump in an unflattering light , and the president fumed at staff that he was not interviewed for it , according to former White House officials and Republicans close to the White House .
They were not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations and discussed the matter on condition of anonymity .
Trump was convinced that if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have led to a more favourable depiction in the book , according to the officials .
Trump had always held Woodward in high regard — he considered the journalist as the biggest star in the field — and told aides he must be interviewed if Woodward were to write again , the officials said .
Several Republican senators at the Capitol declined to comment on the new book , telling reporters they hadn ’ t yet read it , even when informed of key passages about the virus .
“ I just can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it , ” said Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio .
“ Could we all have done things differently ?
Yes , including Congress .
We were all a little slow to recognize the severity , ” Portman said .
Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire in New York , Alexandra Jaffe in Warren , Michigan , and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report .

Kevin Freking And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--University apologizes for setting up segregated online sites

DEARBORN , Mich. - The University of Michigan-Dearborn issued an apology Wednesday for creating segregated online student “ cafes , ” one for white people and another for people of colour , that it says were intended to promote discussions about race and diversity .
A statement by the university near Detroit came after two virtual “ cafe ” events were held Tuesday , with one advertised as a “ non-POC Cafe ” for non-people of colour to ” gather and discuss their experience as students on campus and as non-POC in the world.
” The other , dubbed “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indigenous and People of Color , and described as a space for “ marginalized racial/ethnic/cultural communities to gather and to relate with one another to discuss their experience as students on campus ’ ’ and in the world .
Abed Ayoub , legal and policy director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee , said he understood the intention but “ it could have been done better , obviously.
” Ayoub said such spaces are created for students of colour who have experienced racism to safely share their experiences .
He added it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the experiences of students of colour in these discussions .
“ It seemed that opportunity was missed intentionally , ” said Ayoub , a UM-Dearborn graduate .
“ We know this is a mistake but hope they move forward.
” In it ’ s statement , UM-Dearborn apologized for referring to the online gatherings as “ cafes , “ saying they weren ’ t intended to be exclusive or exclusionary for individuals of a certain race .
The use of “ cafe ” was the cause of much confusion as people online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , physical cafes to serve students , said Vice-Chancellor Ken Kettenbeil , adding the sessions were one-time events , but he anticipates the dialogue will continue .
“ The terms used to describe these virtual events and the descriptions themselves were not clear and not reflective of the university ’ s commitment to diversity , equity and inclusion , ” the university ’ s statement said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-09--The Latest: S Korea’s coronavirus resurgence seems to slow

SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea ’ s new coronavirus cases have stayed below 200 for an eighth straight day , suggesting the recent viral resurgence is slowing amid stringent social distancing rules .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it recorded 155 additional cases over the past 24 hours , taking the national tally to 21,743 , with 346 deaths .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at restaurants .
The elevated social distancing rules in the Seoul area are to expire Sunday , and the government is to announce whether to extend them .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — Coronavirus infections increase again at University of Georgia — Dr. Fauci sticks with projection of coronavirus vaccine in 2021 — A new book reveals Trump seemed to understand the severity of the coronavirus threat even as he told the nation it was no worse than seasonal flu .
— The National Institutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s suspension of its coronavirus vaccine study shows there will be “ no compromises ” on safety .
— Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s use of emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic has reached the Michigan Supreme Court .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , however , are encouraging online parties , meals at outdoor restaurants , Halloween-themed art installations at outdoor museums and decorating homes and yards .
LIBERTY , Mo .
— Kansas officials say meatpacking plants and jails continue to be the main sites of active coronavirus clusters in the state .
Wednesday ’ s report from the Kansas Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time officials publicized specific active coronavirus clusters .
The state identified 117 active clusters involving 5,099 cases , 192 hospitalizations and 63 deaths .
The information was released hours after several large Kansas business groups released a letter to Gov .
Laura Kelly asking her not to identify specific clusters , saying it could harm businesses as they try to recover from the pandemic .
The letter said that “ we are unsure what the benefit of this disclosure offers , other than a public shaming of businesses where an outbreak occurs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissioner says she is concerned the volume of absentee mail ballots expected for the Nov. 3 election amid the coronavirus pandemic could delay tabulation of results by two to six days — even if mail balloting isn ’ t expanded as Gov .
John Bel Edwards wants .
Sherri Wharton Hadskey made the comment Wednesday during testimony in a federal lawsuit by voting rights advocates who are challenging a proposal by Louisiana ’ s secretary of state to allow mail balloting by people who test positive for the virus .
The lawsuit says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe voting procedures during the pandemic and will force people to choose between staying healthy and casting a ballot in person .
Edwards also wants a more expansive plan .
Louisville , Ky. -- Kentucky ’ s governor says the state has now recorded just over 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 .
Gov .
Andy Beshear reported an additional 667 new cases Wednesday , raising raises Kentucky ’ s overall confirmed case count to nearly 54,000 .
The state ’ s death toll from the virus stands at 1,013 .
Beshear says : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve done well , but lives are on the line , and too many have been lost .
We absolutely have to do better.
” RICHMOND , Va. — Officials in Virginia say a regional jail is on lockdown after approximately 70 % of its inmates recently tested positive for the coronavirus .
Pamunkey Regional Jail superintendent James Willett said Wednesday that there have been no deaths or hospitalizations as a result of the positive tests , according a report by the Richmond Times-Dispatch .
Willett says it was learned Monday that 124 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 20 of the 129 staff members tested were positive for the virus .
He says the “ vast majority ” of those who tested positive showed either mild symptoms or no symptoms .
NASHVILLE , Tenn. — Tennessee reported on Wednesday that 756 students and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus at schools across the state , with more than half the districts reporting .
The Tennessee Department of Education said data on cases across all districts was supposed to be released Tuesday but was delayed because of technical difficulties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from all districts by Sept. 22 .
The cases reported Wednesday include 514 students and 242 staff .
The state had initially waffled on whether it would release any data , with officials saying they were concerned about student privacy .
To address those concerns , schools with fewer than 50 students will not be included .
Schools with fewer than five positive students or employees will be listed as having active cases but without specific numbers .
NASHVILLE , Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Correction on Wednesday released the results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of mid-afternoon , the state was reporting 408 positive cases across 12 facilities with 142 tests still pending .
The targeted testing covered inmates who were determined to have come in contact with another person who tested positive and inmates who were recently outside the facility for a work assignment or medical appointment .
Privately run South Central Correctional Facility in Wayne County was reporting 1,161 cases Wednesday after testing all inmates recently .
According to data compiled by The Associated Press , those cases helped propel the county to number 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caseload .
The prison is one of four in Tennessee operated by CoreCivic .
Results of targeted testing at the other three CoreCivic facilities was still pending on Wednesday .
COLUMBIA , S.C. — School district officials in South Carolina said Wednesday that a third grade teacher who was last in her classroom less than two weeks ago has died from COVID-19 .
Richland School District 2 spokeswoman Libby Roof said in a news release that 28-year-old Demetria “ Demi ” Bannister was diagnosed with the virus on Friday and died Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher starting her fifth year of teaching at Windsor Elementary School in Columbia .
Bannister was at the school on Aug. 28 , which was a week of teacher workdays before the school year began .
She is the first teacher death reported in South Carolina since the school year started .
South Carolina reported just 250 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday , the lowest since June 3 .
But only 1,744 virus tests were reported , as the rate of positive cases remains above the 10 % level which worried health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still concerns them because it means the virus is still spreading , especially through people who show no symptoms .
Health officials are watching the numbers closely with a combination of Labor Day weekend events and parties and going back to school .
All school systems had to start the school year by Tuesday , and most districts are allowing students to attend classes in person at least one day a week .
RICHMOND , Va. — Officials at a regional jail in Virginia announced Wednesday that the jail is on lockdown after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that Pamunkey Regional Jail Superintendent James Willett said there have been no deaths or hospitalizations as a result of the positive tests .
Willett said it was learned on Monday that 124 of the 178 offenders tested were positive and 20 of the 129 staff members tested were positive for the virus .
Willett also said the “ vast majority ” of those who tested positive showed either mild symptoms or no symptoms .
PARIS — French health authorities said Wednesday that cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second time in five days since the end of France ’ s lockdown in April with more than 8,500 new cases reported in 24 hours .
The 8,577 new COVID-19 cases was slightly below last Friday ’ s count of 8,975 cases .
Increased testing could partially account for higher numbers in recent weeks , and French authorities are now making testing easier by doing away with a doctor ’ s prescription for a COVID-19 test in favour of an online form to fill out .
But relaxed social distancing measures since summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many are also seen as contributors .
Hospitals nevertheless are currently not seeing the strain for beds experienced at the height of infections with a slow but steady increase in hospitalizations , now at just over 5,000 and nearly 600 in ICUs .
Nearly 30,800 people have died in France since the start of the pandemic , among the highest rates in Europe .
NEW YORK — Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced New York City restaurants can resume indoor dining on Sept. 30 at 25 % capacity with temperature checks for customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have temperature checks at the door and one member of each party must provide information for contact tracing , if necessary .
Customers can ’ t sit at bars , but can have drinks for table service , and restaurants must close at midnight .
Tables must e 6 feet apart and customers must wear masks while not at the table .
“ This may not look like the indoor dining that we all know and love , but it is progress for restaurant workers and all New Yorkers , ” says Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hardest-hit businesses when New York City emerged as a pandemic hotspot in March .
Thousands of city restaurants have been serving food outdoors this summer , but the industry has been pushing for indoor service heading into the cooler weather of fall .
ATLANTA — The University of Georgia is reporting more than 1,400 new coronavirus cases in the past week .
The numbers , reported Thursday , push the 39,000-student university close to 2,600 total infections in the past four weeks , according to the school .
The university ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges in Georgia publicly reporting numbers .
The surge is in Athens-Clarke County , which hosts the university campus .
Clarke County is 23rd among U.S. counties for the most new cases per capita in the past 14 days , according to figures kept by The Associated Press .
A rising positivity rate suggests things could be getting worse , with 8 % of tests coming back positive last week , compared to 5 % the week before .
The growing outbreak at the university comes as case numbers across Georgia continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations humanitarian chief says the indirect consequences of the coronavirus pandemic are difficult for the most fragile countries .
Mark Lowcock told the U.N. Security Council “ the indirect effects of the crisis will be higher poverty , lower life expectancy , more starvation , less education and more child death.
” He says the main indirect effects are economic -- weakening commodity prices , declining remittances , disruptions to trade and lock down measures making it harder for people to survive , especially day labourers and many women .
Lowcock says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the most fragile countries , who are vulnerable to killer diseases such as measles , malaria , tuberculosis and HIV/AIDs .
ROCHESTER HILLS , Mich. — Gyms are back open in Michigan after nearly six months .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s announcement took effect on Wednesday .
It allows for the reopening of fitness centres in a swath of the state that is home to 93 % of Michigan ’ s population .
Gyms statewide face 25 % capacity limits , and face coverings are required , including during exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surreal ” to once again open the doors of the three Burn Fitness gyms she owns in Detroit ’ s suburbs .
In Rochester Hills , personal trainers led one-on-ones and in-person workouts while other trainers conducted classes via videoconference .