thetorontostar--2020-08-23--Fans clash with Paris riot police after PSG loses final

PARIS - Dozens of disgruntled Paris Saint-Germain fans clashed with French riot police on the Champs-Élysées on Sunday after their team lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in Lisbon .
Hundreds of other supporters trudged away from the famed avenue in Paris following the 1-0 defeat , which ended PSG ’ s bid to join Marseille as the only French club to win Europe ’ s elite soccer competition .
Close to the Champs-Élysées , a dozen riot police in full gear burst into a bar to aggressively remove people , because some were not wearing masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing amid coronavirus concerns .
Over in western Paris , there were also incidents when riot police used tear gas to disperse fans gathered outside the club ’ s stadium .
PSG beamed the match on two giant screens at its Parc des Princes stadium , with 5,000 fans allowed inside in keeping with the maximum allowed for soccer games in France .
But only minutes before kickoff , at 9 p.m. local time , hundreds of fans were still queuing and frustrations soon escalated because they could not see the biggest game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PSG was trying to end decades of gloating from bitter rival Marseille — still the only French club to have won the competition in 1993 .
Despite huge backing from Qatari investors QSI , including more than $ 500 million spent on Neymar , Kylian Mbappé and Angel Di Maria , PSG has never won the competition .
The defeat was met with huge celebrations in Marseille , where fans cheered and let off flares and fireworks .
Extra security measures had been put in place for Sunday evening with 3,000 police deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent large numbers gathering outside Parc des Princes .
Around 2,000 masks were made available to fans arriving on the Champs-Élysées without them .
Bars and cafés were monitored to ensure people respected virus prevention measures , with people risking a fine for not wearing a mask .
In a bid to keep the numbers down , 17 subway and commuter train stations were shut at night and three ring road entry points into Paris closed off .
The avenue was reserved for only pedestrians from the start of the match with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in place by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin following chaotic scenes on Tuesday , when thousands of fans poured onto the Champs-Élysées to celebrate PSG reaching the final — many without face masks and with no social distancing .
Police arrested 36 people Tuesday after groups of fans at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe broke off into scattered violence and shop windows were smashed .
The Interior Ministry encouraged people to watch the game at home rather than going out .
“ Make the most of the moment with peace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couch , “ the ministry said .
” Protect yourself , protect others .
Everyone behind PSG.
” Accompanying the message was a photo of feet propped up on a table , in front of a screen , along with the words : “ To be sure to have a good seat , watch the match at home !
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-23--A smaller but louder and loaded crowd of pro-Trumpers the shape of American protest today

MILWAUKEE—The largest street demonstration of last week ’ s Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee was shouted down , for a while , by a handful of pro-Trump men shouting insults through a bigger loudspeaker and carrying an assault rifle — a microcosm of how politics across the U.S. often seems to play out these days .
This was in Red Arrow Park last Thursday — the demonstrators prefer to call it Dontre Hamilton Park , in honour of a young , mentally ill Black man who was shot dead by a police officer there in 2014 .
An organizer with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me that the group ’ s message originally focused on defeating Donald Trump while holding the Democratic Party ’ s feet to the fire on a list of key issues — climate change , immigration and economic inequality , among others — but had decided after George Floyd ’ s death to focus on racial justice in policing .
As the marchers gathered in the park , they carried banners bearing the names and faces of Wisconsin residents who had been killed by police : Alvin Cole , Jonathan Tubby , Joel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these men gathered in front the press and about a hundred early-arriving demonstrators to tell the stories of their lost sons .
Just as the first of them began to speak — no amplification had been set up , they were just using their voices — a loud shouting came from a booming megaphone across the park .
“ What are you going to do when President Trump wins again ?
If you hate America , you should leave it !
” The voice was coming from the opposite edge of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where six men carrying anti-abortion and homophobic signs stood .
“ You ’ re a bunch of atheists , homos , lesbians !
” the man shouted .
He was loud enough that you could not hear the voices of the family members speaking just a dozen feet away .
Jose Acevedo appeared to be near tears talking about the pain of his son ’ s death this spring .
The loud pro-Trump voice was shouting about “ Black on Black crime ” and how abortion kills more Black Americans than police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump and police .
He was shouting about Fidel Castro .
This went on as various grieving family members came up to speak .
Cassandra Tucker , whose son Isaiah was shot and killed by police in nearby Oshkosh , WI in 2017 , raised her voice to be heard .
“ I loved my son , so yes I ’ m asking for justice .
And if you watched footage of your child dying , you would ask for justice too.
” Eventually a handful of the demonstrators went over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman in a long , patterned blue , yellow , and red dress took a megaphone to shout back at them .
“ You ’ re a Jezebel !
A Jezebel !
Get away from me , Jezebel !
Read the bible and repent !
” the pro-Trump guy shouted again and again , as she shouted at him from inches away to leave .
An older man in combat clothes carrying an assault rifle repeatedly attempted to block the woman from following the man with the megaphone .
A few of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own bodies to block the gun-toting guy ’ s path .
He pushed them away as they shouted in his face .
When police arrived , they ordered the DNC March protesters to go back to the other side of the park .
“ It ’ s big enough for both protests.
” The officer said openly carrying a gun is legal in Wisconsin .
Shortly afterwards , more police came , including some on horseback .
There was a short , ultimately uneventful confrontation between mounted officers and demonstrators .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now several hundred people — marched peacefully through the streets and past the mostly-empty convention centre that served as convention headquarters .
But the scene in the park seemed to sum up something about American politics right now .
An angry minority was able to effectively shout down a grieving majority by being louder and armed .
The demonstrators had arrived to air particular policy concerns stemming from their own lives , while the pro-Trump conter-demonstration appeared only intent on disrupting them , and insulting them , and demonizing them .
And when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentially called it even and wound up in a confrontation with the larger group of policy demonstrators .
A similar dynamic played out , more violently , when pro-Trump demonstrators showed up in Portland over the weekend and physically attacked and pepper-sprayed Black Lives Matter protesters — before dispersing and leaving police to clash with the racial justice protesters .
But it plays out on the national stage in the U.S. too , more broadly .
Americans often appear not to be having the same argument .
One side is merely trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules often help them .
This plays out in how Trump floods the zone with dishonest , demonizing claims about his electoral opponents .
In how the electoral college system has allowed the Republicans to win three of the past five presidential elections , though Democrats got the most votes in four of those .
In how keeping people from voting , especially some of those in cities , has become virtually an open strategy for one party .
How do you have a political debate in an environment like that ?
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of demonstrators just waited it out and marched on , well into the night , chanting at a mostly empty convention hall , and their neighbours , vocally critical of Democrats but afraid of Trump .

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-08-23--Missing Fort Hood soldier complained of ‘abusive sexual contact’ before disappearance

A 23-year-old Fort Hood soldier who was last seen on Aug. 17 claimed he had been sexually abused in a mysterious disappearance echoing that of 20-year-old Pfc .
Vanessa Guillen .
Sgt .
Elder Fernandes was last seen Monday when his staff sergeant dropped him off at home in Killeen , his family told police .
Fort Hood officials said Saturday that they do not suspect foul play and believe he “ left on his own accord.
” “ We remain fully committed to finding him and ensuring his well being , ” the Texas Army base said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fernandes had reported “ abusive sexual contact ” before he disappeared and that an open investigation was ongoing .
“ The chain of command takes all allegations of sexual harassment and assault seriously , ” Fort Hood LTC Chris Brautigam told KTRK .
Fernandes had been working with a sexual assault response co-ordinator to make sure was aware of his “ reporting , care and victim advocacy options , ” Brautigam said .
“ The unit also facilitated his transfer from a unit who has recently deployed to a different unit within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and ensure there were no opportunities for reprisals , ” he told KTRK .
In April , another soldier , Guillen , disappeared from Fort Hood after telling her family that she was being sexually harassed by a sergeant on base .
Her dismembered remains were found buried along the Leon River in late June .
Her alleged killer , 20-year-old soldier Aaron David Robinson , died by suicide after police made contact with him in July .
Fernandes is a chemical , biological , radiological and nuclear specialist assigned to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is listed at five feet four inches tall , weighs about 60 kilograms and was last seen wearing black army shorts and T-shirt with red athletic shoes , according to police .
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Killeen Police Department at 254-526-TIPS ( 8477 ) , www.bellcountycrimestoppers.com , the Fort Hood CID Office at 254-287-2722 , the Fort Hood MP desk at 254-287-4001 or a local police department .


thetorontostar--2020-08-23--In recordings, Trump’s sister says he ‘has no principles’

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s older sister , a former federal judge , is heard sharply criticizing her brother in a series of recordings , at one point saying of the president , “ He has no principles.
” Maryanne Trump Barry was secretly recorded by her niece , Mary Trump , who recently released a book denouncing the president , “ Too Much and Never Enough : How My Family Created the World ’ s Most Dangerous Man.
” Mary Trump said Saturday she made the recordings in 2018 and 2019 .
In one recording , Barry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2018 interview with her brother on Fox News in which he suggested that he would put her on the border to oversee cases of immigrant children separated from their parents .
“ His base , I mean my God , if you were a religious person , you want to help people .
Not do this , ” Barry says .
At another point she says : “ His goddamned tweet and lying , oh my God.
“ She adds : “ I ’ m talking too freely , but you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of preparation .
The lying .
Holy shit.
” Barry can also be heard saying that she guesses that her brother has never read her opinions on immigration cases .
“ What has he read ?
” Mary Trump asks her aunt .
The recordings were first reported by The Washington Post .
The Associated Press then obtained the recordings .
The recordings came to light just a day after the late Robert Trump , brother to Maryanne and the president , was memorialized in a service at the White House .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recordings .
“ Every day it ’ s something else , who cares .
I miss my brother , and I ’ ll continue to work hard for the American people , ” Trump said in a statement .
“ Not everyone agrees , but the results are obvious .
Our country will soon be stronger than ever before.
” In the weeks since the release of Mary Trump ’ s tell-all book about her uncle , she has been questioned about the source of some of its information .
Nowhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded conversations with her aunt .
On Saturday , Mary Trump revealed that she had covertly taped 15 hours of face-to-face conversations with Barry .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Sunday it was “ really a sad day ” when a family member secretly tapes 15 hours of a conversation with somebody , “ obviously to promote an agenda.
” Meadows said he had not met Maryanne Trump Barry but had hoped to see her at her brother ’ s funeral , where he said the president ’ s tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
And Meadows , speaking on “ Fox News Sunday , ” dismissed the idea that the president was not well prepared , claiming Trump “ reads so much that it causes me to have to read many times well into the night to catch up with him.
” The president has frequently spoken highly of his sister ; the recordings are the first time a family member , outside of Mary Trump , has been critical of him .
“ Mary realized members of her family had lied in prior depositions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for Mary Trump .
He added : “ Anticipating litigation , she felt it prudent to tape conversations in order to protect herself.
” The recordings illuminate the tension between the president and his sister .
At one point Barry says to her niece : “ It ’ s the phoniness of it all .
It ’ s the phoniness and this cruelty .
Donald is cruel.
” Mary Trump ’ s book was filled with attacks on her uncle , including the assertion — he denied it — that he paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he sought to transfer into the University of Pennsylvania .
In one recording , the federal judge says that a Joe Shapiro took the test for Trump .
The president was friends with a person at Penn named Joe Shapiro , who is deceased .
Shapiro ’ s widow and sister told have said he never took a test for anybody .
Bastardi said of Mary Trump : “ She never expected to learn much of what she heard , including the president ’ s sister , federal judge Maryanne Trump Barry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone to take an SAT exam for him .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Big California wildfires burn on as death toll reaches 7

SCOTTS VALLEY , Calif. - Three massive wildfires chewed through parched Northern California landscape as firefighters raced to dig breaks and make other preparations ahead of a frightening weather system packing high winds and more of the lightning that sparked the huge blazes .
There were hundreds of other wildfires burning Sunday across the state and nearly 250,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings .
The death toll from the fires reached 7 after authorities battling a big fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco announced the discovery of the body of a 70-year-old man in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He had been reported missing and police had to use a helicopter to reach the area of about 40 off-the-grid homes at the end of a windy , steep dirt road north of the city of Santa Cruz .
The area was under an evacuation order and Santa Cruz Sheriff ’ s Department Chief Deputy Chris Clark said the discovery of the man ’ s body served as a reminder of how important it was for residents to evacuate from fire danger zones .
“ This is one of the darkest periods we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
California over the last week has been hit by 650 wildfires across the state , many sparked by more than 12,000 lighting strikes recorded since Aug. , 15 .
There are 14,000 firefighters .
2,400 engines and 95 aircraft battling the fires .
The Santa Cruz fire is one of three “ complexes , ” or groups of fires , burning on all sides of the San Francisco Bay Area.. All were started by lightning .
Fire crew made slow progress battling the blazes over the weekend , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm weather and little wind .
But the National Weather Service issued a “ red flag ” warning through Monday afternoon for the drought-stricken area , meaning extremely dangerous fire conditions including high temperatures , low humidity , lightning and wind gusts up to 65 mph ( 105 kph ) that officials said “ may result in dangerous and unpredictable fire behaviour.
” A fire in wine country north of San Francisco and another southeast of the city have within a week have grown to be two of the three largest fires in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 500 square miles ( 1,295 square kilometres ) .
The wind countryfire has been the most deadly and destructive blaze , accounting for five deaths and 845 destroyed homes and other buildings .
Three of the victims were in a home that was under an evacuation order .
Officials surveying maps at command centres are astonished by the sheer size of the fires , said Cal Fire spokesman Brice Bennett .
“ You could overlay half of one of these fires and it covers the entire city of San Francisco , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an 11-day-old blaze held steady at just under 50 square miles ( 106 square kilometres ) near Lake Hughes in northern Los Angeles County mountains .
Rough terrain , hot weather and the potential for thunderstorms with lightning strikes challenged firefighters on Sunday .
Authorities said their firefighting effort in Santa Cruz was hindered by people who refused to evacuate and those who were using the chaos to loot .
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said 100 officers were patrolling and anyone not authorized to be in an evacuation zone would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re hearing from the community is that there ’ s a lot of looting going on , ” Hart said .
He and county District Attorney Jeff Rosell expressed anger at what Rosell called the “ absolutely soulless ” of criminals victimizing people already victimized by the fire .
Among them was a fire commander who was robbed when he left his fire vehicle to help direct operations .
Someone entered the vehicle and stole personal items , including a wallet and “ drained his bank account , ” said Chief Mark Brunton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection .
Holly Hansen , who fled the wine country fire , was among evacuees from the community of Angwin allowed Sunday to return home for one hour to retrieve belongings .
She and her three dogs waited five hours in her SUV for their turn .
Among the items she took with her were photos of her pets .
“ It ’ s horrible , I lived in Sonoma during the ( 2017 ) Tubbs Fire , so this is time No .
2 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to think about what to take , ” she said .
“ I think it ’ s a very raw human base emotion to have fear of fire and losing everything .
It ’ s frightening.
” Baker reported from Los Angeles .
Associated Press journalists Christopher Weber and Aron Ranen contributed , respectively , from Los Angeles and Angwin , California .

Martha Mendoza And Frank Baker - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Georgia officer is fired after TikTok videos show his arrest of Black woman

A police officer in Georgia was fired as of Friday after videos on TikTok that drew millions of views showed him using a Taser in the arrest of a Black woman , the authorities said .
The Police Department in Gwinnett County , which is about 20 miles northeast of Atlanta , said it had begun its investigation into the officer , Michael Oxford , before the video spread widely on TikTok .
Investigators examined whether Oxford , who is white , used de-escalation techniques and whether he violated departmental policy on Aug. 18 when he arrested the woman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ core values is courtesy , ” the department said in a statement .
“ We strive to conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes mutual respect with the community and our peers .
The investigation in this case has shown that Officer Oxford violated our policy and did not meet our core values.
” It was the latest in a series of episodes that have reverberated across the country as racial unrest continues to brew after the death of George Floyd in May .
Efforts to reach Oxford and Smith were not successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began after the police said they received a “ property damage call.
” When Oxford arrived , he said he was told that a bottle had been thrown at a car , according to a police report .
What happened was caught on surveillance video , and he was directed to a house where someone had been seen on the video picking up the bottle before the police arrived , the report said .
When Oxford got to the house , he saw a woman who matched the description of the person in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottle before the police arrived , he wrote .
He attempted to speak to her but could not because Smith and others were yelling at him , the report said .
“ I ’ m not going anywhere , ” Smith tells the officer in one of several videos posted on TikTok .
Oxford told her she could go to jail for obstructing his investigation .
In one of the videos , Smith responded : “ It doesn ’ t matter .
You ’ re on our property .
We did not call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere.
” The videos do not show what happened immediately leading up to Smith ’ s arrest , and it was not clear who had recorded them .
The officer told Smith she was under arrest , pulled at her and used a Taser as she fought being handcuffed .
Smith fell to the ground onto a patch of bushes near the porch where she had been standing , the report said .
In a second video , Smith could be heard saying , “ Call the police , Momma.
” Oxford , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of her wrists .
“ Don ’ t touch me , ” Smith says .
She waves her arm away from Oxford , who continues his effort to handcuff her .
Onlookers are heard yelling for him to stop .
“ You ’ re on her neck , ” a person off camera says .
“ Do you not understand what you ’ re doing ?
” Oxford tells Smith to stop resisting .
In a third video , Smith is sitting upright and struggling with Oxford who says “ Give me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of a video , another white officer arrives and helps to handcuff Smith .
Although Oxford was fired , the department did say there was probable cause to arrest Smith for obstruction of a law enforcement officer and that his use of force was within the department ’ s policy .
Smith was taken to the Gwinnett County Jail , where she was released early Wednesday morning .
The status of the charges against her and whether she had a lawyer were unclear Sunday .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Mali junta wants to hold off on elections until 2023

BAMAKO , Mali - The military junta that overthrew Mali ’ s president wants to put off new elections for three years , an official said Monday , as the international community pressed for an immediate return to civilian rule .
A spokesman for the military rulers , though , said no decision had made on the timeline .
The coup leaders want to prepare a new constitution before holding any vote , said an official in the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to journalists .
The junta ’ s proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional mediators and former colonizer France : It ’ s more than double the time it took to hold a vote after a similar coup in 2012 , and would allow the soldiers who overthrew a democratically elected president to remain in power for years .
A mediation team from the 15-nation regional bloc known as ECOWAS has been pressing the junta to hand over power to a civilian transitional government .
Initially , they called for ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to be reinstalled as president , but that prospect has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mali for the coup d ’ etat .
Discussions resumed again Monday between the West African delegation and the military junta .
“ I would like to reaffirm to the Malian people , in accordance with our first declaration , no decision on the transition will be made without prior consultation with the political class , civil society and trade unions , ” said Ismael Wague , spokesman for the junta .
The official taking part in the talks over the weekend indicated there had been some movement toward releasing Keita , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s prime minister since the coup a week ago .
Among the options is allowing him to stay at his residence in Bamako under surveillance instead of at the military barracks in Kati , he said .
African countries and the wider international community have expressed alarm over the coup d ’ etat , which deposed Keita three years before his final term was due to end .
Mali has been fighting against Islamic extremists with heavy international support for more than seven years , and jihadists have previously used power vacuums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The high-level regional delegation , led by Nigeria ’ s former president , Goodluck Jonathan , held talks with the junta , including Col. Assimi Goita , who has declared himself the group ’ s leader .
The regional delegation also has met with Keita and the other detained officials .
After the brief meetings , few details were given , but Jonathan did say that Keita was doing well .
Hours after Keita was detained at his home last week , he announced his resignation on state broadcaster ORTM saying he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shed for him to stay in power .
The next day , soldiers took to the airwaves calling themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People .
Keita won the country ’ s 2013 election in a landslide , only to see his popularity plummet after his 2018 reelection as the Malian army faced punishing losses from jihadist attacks .
Then after dozens of legislative elections were disputed this spring , demonstrators began taking to the streets calling for his resignation .
He offered concessions and regional mediators intervened , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept nothing short of his departure .
Mali ’ s opposition coalition , the M5-RFP , welcomed the ouster of Keita but they insisted they remained “ deeply attached to democracy .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Greece plans military exercise amid dispute with Turkey

ATHENS , Greece - Greece said Monday that its navy and air force will conduct military exercises in an area of the eastern Mediterranean where Turkey is prospecting for oil and gas as the neighbouring countries remain locked in a dispute over offshore energy rights .
The three-day , live-fire exercises will start Tuesday southeast of the Greek island of Crete , officials in Athens said .
Germany , meanwhile , is stepping up a diplomatic effort to try to prevent the regional tensions from escalating further .
Turkey has a research ship escorted by warships surveying for oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that the work would continue through Aug. 27 .
The Turkish government disputes Greece ’ s claim to exclusive rights in the waters where the research vessel is working , arguing that islands should not be included in calculating sea boundaries between countries .
The United States and the European Union so far have broadly backed Greece in the dispute , but EU countries remain split over a request from Greece to impose sanctions on Turkey .
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas plans to be in Athens and Ankara on Tuesday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tensions .
Talks between senior Greek and Turkish officials started in July before Turkey broke them off several weeks later .
“ From our standpoint , direct dialogue and steps from both sides to deescalate the situation are needed to find a solution to ( reduce ) tensions .
That ’ s why the foreign minister is travelling there , ” German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger told reporters in Berlin .
“ We are taking the tensions there very seriously and we have the big concern that these tensions , — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU and Turkey , that if these tensions continue to grow a further escalation could have even more grave consequences , ” Burger said .
Germany , which currently holds the EU ’ s rotating presidency , is among member nations considered reluctant to impose sanctions on Turkey before diplomatic efforts are fully pursued .
EU foreign ministers are expected to discussed the crisis in the eastern Mediterranean at an informal meeting in Berlin later this week .
___ Grieshaber reported from Berlin ___ Follow Gatopoulos at https : //twitter.com/dgatopoulos and Grieshaber at @ @ @

Derek Gatopoulos And Kirsten Grieshaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--As 2 storms menace Gulf Coast, residents brace for deluge

NEW ORLEANS - As two powerful storms menaced the Gulf Coast Monday , forecasters feared Marco would drive sea water onto the shore and unleash torrential rains just two days before Laura lashes the same region with potentially more powerful storm surge and hurricane-force winds .
Forecasters raised the ominous possibility that warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico could super-charge Laura into a powerful hurricane .
Laura ’ s centre was remaining just off Cuba ’ s shore , and was not expected to weaken over land before entering the gulf .
“ Laura will be moving over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream and Loop Current located over the southeastern Gulf , which could trigger a brief period of rapid intensification , ” the National Hurricane Center wrote in a Monday morning update .
That ’ s a recipe for damaging , hurricane-force winds of more than 110 mph ( 177 kph ) as Laura approaches the U.S. coast , forecasters said .
“ There is definitely a possibility that it could be a little bit stronger and be a Category 3 , “ said meteorologist Benjamin Schott , who runs the National Weather Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was centred about 85 miles ( 135 kilometres ) south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and heading northwest at 10 mph ( 17 kph ) Monday morning .
Forecasters expected it to remain just offshore Tuesday as it weakens and dissipates , leaving a flooded coastline as it sets the stage for Laura .
Laura was centred just south of central Cuba on Monday morning , drenching most of the island with rain and tropical storm force winds .
It ’ s top sustained winds were 65 mph ( 100 kph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could bring a combined total of 2 feet ( 0.6 metres ) of rain to parts of Louisiana and several feet of potentially deadly storm surge , forecasters said .
“ Basically that would be 10-feet plus along the southwest Louisiana coast line ” in a reasonable worst-case scenario , Schott said .
That surge also could push water up to 30 miles ( 48 kilometres ) up the rivers , he said .
The two-storm combination could bring a history-making onslaught of life-threatening winds and flooding along the coast , stretching from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It also comes as Louisiana continues its struggle to curb coronavirus infections as the disease remains prevalent throughout the state .
Emergencies were declared in Louisiana and Mississippi as well .
“ The virus is not concerned that we have hurricanes coming , and so it ’ s not going to take any time off and neither can we , “ Gov .
John Bel Edwards said at a Sunday briefing .
“ And it ’ s going to make things a little more difficult , but we have to be mindful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief of the United Houma Nation , was concerned about the group ’ s 17,000 members , spread out over six parishes along the Louisiana Gulf Coast .
“ I ’ m very concerned for my people , ” he said .
“ We know our people are going to get hit .
We just don ’ t know who yet.
” Creppel has been in contact with the Red Cross in order to get supplies brought in to those in need once the storms pass , and the nation ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls from people with questions or needing help .
The double punch of two storms comes just days before the August 29 anniversary of 2009 ’ s Hurricane Katrina , something that isn ’ t far from Creppel ’ s mind .
He took part in a ceremony Saturday at the Superdome in New Orleans that included Native American singing and prayers to commemorate the storm ’ s 15th anniversary .
Sarah Manowitz , responsible for four bars in the city ’ s French Quarter , saw too it that windows have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battened down her own house and filled her tub with water .
She ’ s remaining on site , counting on a “ community of people ” that looks out for each other during storms .
“ We ’ re all going to help each other share food , share whatever supplies , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Back to life: COVID-19 lung transplant survivor tells her story

During six weeks on life support at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago , Ramirez said , she had terrifying nightmares that she couldn ’ t distinguish from reality .
“ Most of them involve me drowning , ” she said .
“ I attribute that to me not being able to breathe , and struggling to breathe.
” On June 5 , Ramirez , 28 , became the first known COVID-19 patient in the U.S. to undergo a double lung transplant .
She is strong enough now to begin sharing the story of her ordeal .
Before the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration law firm in Chicago .
She enjoyed walking her dogs and running 5K races .
Ramirez had been working from home since mid-March , hardly leaving the house , so she has no idea how she contracted the coronavirus .
In late April , she started experiencing chronic spasms , diarrhea , loss of taste and smell , and a slight fever .
“ I felt very fatigued , ” Ramirez said .
“ I wasn ’ t able to walk long distances without falling over .
And that ’ s when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room.
” From the ER to a ventilator The staff at Northwestern checked her vitals and found her oxygen levels were extremely low .
She was given 10 minutes to explain her situation over the phone to her mother in North Carolina and appoint her to make medical decisions on her behalf .
Ramirez knew she was about to be placed on a ventilator , but she didn ’ t understand exactly what that meant .
“ In Spanish , the word ‘ ventilator ’ — ventilador — is ‘ fan , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re just gon na blow some air into me and I ’ ll be OK. Maybe have a three-day stay , and then I ’ ll be right out.
’ So I wasn ’ t very worried , ” Ramirez said .
In fact , she would spend the next six weeks heavily sedated on that ventilator and another machine — known as ECMO , or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — pumping and oxygenating her blood outside of her body .
One theory about why Ramirez became so sick is that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with steroids , drugs that can suppress the immune system .
By early June , Ramirez was at risk of further decline .
She began showing signs that her kidneys and liver were starting to fail , with no improvement in her lung function .
Her family was told she might not make it through the night , so her mother and sisters caught the first flight from North Carolina to Chicago to say goodbye .
When they arrived , the doctors told Ramirez ’ s mother , Nohemi Romero , that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ramirez was a candidate for a double lung transplant , they said , although the procedure had never been done on a COVID patient in the U.S .
Her mother agreed , and within 48 hours of being listed for transplant , a donor was found and the successful procedure was performed on June 5 .
At a recent news conference held by Northwestern Memorial , Romero shared in Spanish that there were no words to describe the pain of not being by her daughter ’ s side as she struggled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went well , and for giving her the strength to make it through .
“ Most patients are quite sick going into ( a ) lung transplant , ” Bharat said in an interview in June .
“ But she was so sick .
In fact , I can say without hesitation , the sickest patient I ever transplanted.
” Bharat said most COVID-19 patients will not be candidates for transplants because of their age and other health conditions that decrease the likelihood of success .
And early research shows that up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illness and are likely to recover on their own .
But for some , like Ramirez , Bharat said , a transplant can be a life-saving option of last resort .
When Ramirez woke up after the operation , she was disoriented , could barely move her body and couldn ’ t speak .
“ I just felt like a vegetable .
It was frustrating , but at the time I didn ’ t have the cognitive ability to process what was going on , ” Ramirez said .
She recalled being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her in the hospital , not understanding that visitors weren ’ t allowed because of the pandemic .
Her family had sent photos to post by her hospital bed , and Ramirez said she couldn ’ t recognize anyone in the pictures .
“ I was actually sort of upset about it , ( thinking , ) ‘ Who are these strangers and why are their pictures in my room ?
’ ” Ramirez said .
“ It was weeks later , actually , that I took a second look and realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my grandmother .
That ’ s my mom and my siblings .
And that ’ s me.
” After a few weeks , Ramirez said , she finally understood what happened to her .
When COVID-19 restrictions loosened at the hospital in mid-June , her mother was finally able to visit .
“ The first thing I did was just tear up , ” Ramirez said .
“ I was overjoyed to see her.
” After weeks of in-patient rehabilitation , Ramirez was discharged home .
She ’ s now receiving in-home nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy , and she ’ s working on finding a psychologist .
Ramirez eagerly looks forward to being able to spend more time with her family , her boyfriend and her dogs and serving the immigrant community through her legal work .
But for now , her days are consumed by rehab .
Her doctors say it will be at least a year before she can function independently and be as active as before .
Ramirez is slowly regaining strength and learning how to breathe with her new lungs .
She takes more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , including medicines to prevent her body from rejecting the new lungs .
She also takes anxiety meds and antidepressants to help her cope with daily nightmares and panic attacks .
The long-term physical and mental health tolls on Ramirez and other COVID-19 survivors remain largely unknown , since the virus is so new .
While most people who contract the virus are left seemingly unscathed , for some patients , like Ramirez , the road to recovery is full of uncertainty , said Dr. Mady Hornig , a physician-scientist at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some patients can experience post-intensive care syndrome , or PICS , which can consist of depression , memory issues and other cognitive and mental health problems , Hornig said .
Under normal circumstances , ICU visits from loved ones are encouraged , she said , because the human interaction can be protective .
“ That type of contact would normally keep people oriented ... so that it doesn ’ t become as traumatic , ” Hornig said .
COVID-19 has disproportionately harmed Latino communities , as Latinos are overrepresented in jobs that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower rates of health insurance and other social protections .
Ramirez has health insurance , although that hasn ’ t spared her from tens and thousands of dollars ’ worth of medical bills .
And even though she still ended up getting COVID-19 , she counts herself lucky for having a job that allowed her to work from home when the pandemic struck .
Many Latino workers don ’ t have that luxury , she said , so they ’ re forced to risk their lives doing low-wage jobs deemed essential at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a breast cancer survivor , making her particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 .
She had been working at a meat packing plant in North Carolina , for a company that Ramirez said has had hundreds of COVID-19 cases among employees .
So Ramirez is relieved to have her mom in Chicago , helping take care of her .
“ I ’ m glad this is taking her away from her position , ” Ramirez said .
Friends and family in North Carolina have been fundraising to help pay her medical bills , selling raffle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on her behalf .
Ramirez is also applying for financial assistance from the hospital .
Her experience with COVID-19 has not changed who she is as a person , she said , and she looks forward to living her life to the fullest .
If she ever gets the chance to speak with the family of the person whose lungs she now has , she said , she will thank them “ for raising such a healthy child and a caring person ( who ) was kind enough to become an organ donor.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ same , but that doesn ’ t mean she won ’ t try .
She laughs as she explains how she asked her surgeon to take her skydiving someday .
“ Dr .
Bharat actually used to work at a skydiving company when he was younger , ” Ramirez said .
“ And so he promised me that , hopefully within a year , he could get me there.
” And she has every intention of holding him to that promise .

Christine Herman - Side Effects Public Media


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Former Virginia Lt. Gov. John H. Hager dies at 83

RICHMOND , Va. - John H. Hager , a former Virginia lieutenant governor who served from 1998 to 2002 , has died at the age of 83 .
Gov .
Ralph Northam ordered state flags to be flown at half staff for 10 days in Hager ’ s honour following his death Sunday , according to a statement from the governor .
The Republican and former tobacco executive presided over a state Senate that was under GOP control for the first time in more than a century , The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported .
He later served as the top state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks , became an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Education under President George W. Bush and was briefly was chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia .
Hager , originally from North Carolina , survived contracting polio as an adult and made campaign stops in a wheelchair , news outlets said .
He was known to be an avid wheelchair racer .
Warner said in a statement that Hager was able to overcome challenges to serve Virginia .
“ John was a great Virginian , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his personal life , was able to persevere and give back to his community , “ the former Democratic governor said .
Northam said Hager “ devoted his life to public service.
“ “ Anyone who worked in Virginia politics quickly learned that John was everywhere , and no one outworked him , “ Northam said .
” He earned victory and knew defeat , and he kept going .
John held fast to his principles , and he knew when to reach across the aisle to compromise .
Our country misses @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Protests erupt after Wisconsin police shoot Black man

KENOSHA , Wis. - Police in the southeastern Wisconsin city of Kenosha shot and wounded a Black man , apparently in the back , after responding to a call about a domestic dispute , setting off a night of protests and unrest in which officers fired tear gas and demonstrators apparently hurled objects and set fire to parked cars .
The shooting happened at around 5 p.m. Sunday and was captured on cellphone video that was posted online .
In that clip , which was taken from across the street , the Black man , who was later referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him .
As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV , an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned .
Seven shots can be heard , though it isn ’ t clear how many struck Blake or how many of the three officers who were at the scene fired shots .
During the shooting , a Black woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and jumping up and down .
Blake was taken to a Milwaukee hospital and was in serious condition , the police department said in a news release in which it didn ’ t refer to him by name .
The three officers were placed on administrative leave , as is standard practice in any officer-involved shooting .
The shooting sparked unrest in the city of roughly 100,000 people , which is along Lake Michigan and between Milwaukee and Chicago .
By late Sunday , multiple vehicles were set ablaze and windows were smashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with law enforcement .
Officers in riot gear stood in lines and SWAT vehicles remained on the streets to move people away from city buildings despite the declaration of an overnight curfew .
Tear gas was used to disperse groups of people , according to reporters at the scene .
Gov .
Tony Evers issued a statement late Sunday condemning the shooting of the man , whom he identified as Blake , saying in a statement that “ while we do not have all of the details yet , what we know for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.
” The Wisconsin Department of Justice , which is investigating the shooting , did not release any details about the officers who were involved except to say they had been placed on administrative leave .
Following the shooting , social media posts showed neighbours gathering in the surrounding streets and shouting at police .
Some could be heard chanting “ no justice , no peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objects at officers and damage police vehicles .
Laquisha Booker , who is Blake ’ s partner , told NBC ’ s Milwaukee affiliate , WTMJ-TV , that her and Blake ’ s three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him .
“ That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him .
With the kids in the back screaming .
Screaming , ” Booker said .
Later Sunday , in a scene that mirrored the widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , Breonna Taylor and other Black people , marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building , which houses the police and county sheriff ’ s departments .
Authorities mostly blocked off the building , and some officers were positioned on the roof as protesters marched beside lines of honking cars as they made their way to the building .
Outside the station , protesters clashed with officers dressed in riot gear , including plastic face masks , who occasionally used their shields and batons to push people back .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been damaged , authorities said .
Evers , meanwhile , indicated that he intends to take further action over the shooting .
“ I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy , equally important is our action , “ the Democratic governor said .
” In the coming days , we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Portland cops tear gas protesters attacking precinct station

PORTLAND , Ore. - Police in Portland used tear gas early Monday to scatter demonstrators who marched on a precinct station in another night of violence — hurling rocks , bottles , commercial-grade fireworks at officers and setting fires in the streets .
The protests have gripped Oregon ’ s largest city for months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and demonstrators in Portland Sunday night who marched to the precinct from a park chanted the name Jacob Blake .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers identified him as the man who appeared to be Black who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer in Kenosha on Sunday .
Some of the Portland protesters in a group of about 200 lit a dumpster on fire and used it as a shield as they approached the police precinct station , police said in a statement .
They threw things at officers , hitting some who were posted on the precinct station ’ s roof , and lit one of the building ’ s awnings on fire , the statement said .
Some protesters were arrested but the statement did not say how many .
One officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit with piece of ceramic , the statement said .
The violence that started Sunday night and lasted into the predawn hours of Monday came a day after protesters targeted another law enforcement building in Portalnd .
The protesters apparently had plans Saturday night to march from a park to the building , news outlets reported .
But a standoff between marchers and officers took place on a bridge along the way — and the demonstrators retreated .
Protesters appear to have returned to the park and then took cars to the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bottles and other objects , police said .
That unrest followed rival protests Saturday afternoon in downtown Portland .
Federal authorities forced demonstrators away from a plaza near a federal building as dueling demonstrations by right-wing and left-wing protesters turned violent .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Taliban negotiators visit Pakistan to talk Afghan peace push

ISLAMABAD - A Taliban political team arrived in Pakistan on Monday as efforts appear to be ramping up to get negotiations underway between the Afghan government and the insurgents .
The start of the talks , envisaged under a U.S.-Taliban peace agreement signed in February , was hampered by a series of delays that have frustrated Washington .
Some had expected the negotiations to begin earlier this month .
The Taliban delegation , led by their political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar , will discuss with Pakistan ’ s leaders the “ recent developments in Afghanistan ’ s peace process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and facilitation of people ’ s movement and trade between the two neighbouring countries , ” tweeted Suhail Shaheen , the spokesman for the Taliban political office .
Islamabad is thought to wield influence over the Taliban , though there is mistrust on the part of some within the movement toward Pakistan .
Pakistan ’ s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters he would meet with the Taliban delegation on Tuesday .
Islamabad ’ s role is only to “ facilitate the peace process , “ and it ’ s up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ The majority of Afghans believe the only way forward is through reconciliation but the decision to reconcile has to be taken by Afghans themselves , ” Qureshi said .
The visit comes a day after the Taliban chief announced a powerful negotiating team that includes nearly half of the Taliban leadership council and has the power to set agendas , decide strategy and even sign agreements with the Kabul government .
That Taliban team is headed by Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai .
Earlier , Pakistan approved several orders to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlawed groups , including the Taliban .
The sanctions restrict travel , freeze assets , limit fundraising and outlaw weapons sales .
At the time , Shaheen told The Associated Press the restrictions could hurt the peace process .
The U.N. has allowed travel for the purpose of peace negotiations , but only for a limited number of Taliban figures .
Islamabad has had an uneasy relationship with Baradar , who spent eight years in jail in Pakistan until his release in 2018 .
He and Washington ’ s peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 29 .
The deal has been touted as Afghanistan ’ s best chance at peace in four decades .
The deal also sets conditions — linked to Taliban commitments to fight terrorism — for the U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan , which would end the longest-ever U.S. military engagement .
U.S. troops have begun withdrawing and by November , fewer than 5,000 American soldiers are expected to still be in Afghanistan , down from 13,000 when the deal was signed .
The Kabul government and the Taliban are deadlocked over outstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free 22 Afghan commandos they hold captive while the Taliban demand the release of a final 320 Taliban prisoners held in Afghan jails .
The release of the remaining prisoners was approved by a traditional Afghan council , or Loya Jirga , called by President Ashraf Ghani earlier this month .
The council approved the immediate release of the prisoners but later the government announced the Taliban were still holding Afghan soldiers and halted the process .
Abdullah Abdullah , a former presidential candidate who has long been at odds with Ghani , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban prisoners .
He said the jirga was the final arbiter .
“ We are calling for the completion of the prisoner exchange , & immediate beginning of the intra-Afghan talks to put an end to agony of a nation , ” Abdullah , who heads the High Council for National Reconciliation , the body charged with engaging the Taliban , tweeted Monday .
It is not clear how Pakistan could break the impasse .
Both Kabul and Washington would want to see a reduction in violence going into the talks .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attack U.S. and NATO troops but have been staging near-daily attacks on Afghan government forces .
They say a permanent cease-fire will be part of the negotiations once they begin .
Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Postal chief returns to Congress facing uproar over delays

WASHINGTON - Facing a backlash over operational changes that have resulted in mail delays , the nation ’ s new postmaster general is returning to Congress to testify before a House panel that has sharply criticized him .
The hearing Monday comes after the House approved legislation Saturday to reverse the changes in U.S .
Postal Services operations and send $ 25 billion to shore up the agency ahead of the November election , when a surge in mail-in ballots is expected .
Louis DeJoy testified Friday in the Senate that his “ No .
1 priority ” is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , the postmaster general , a political ally of President Donald Trump , said he would not restore the cuts to mailboxes and sorting equipment that have already been made .
He could not provide senators with a plan for handling the ballot crush for the election .
Rep. Carolyn Maloney , D-N.Y. , the chair of the Oversight Committee and author of the House bill , said DeJoy was using the Postal Service ’ s longstanding fiscal problems as an excuse “ to justify sweeping and damaging changes to Postal Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results : national headlines about delays of days and weeks , veterans desperately waiting for their medications , sorting machines being ripped out and thrown in dumpsters.
” Maloney ’ s committee on Saturday released internal Postal Service documents warning about steep declines and delays in a range of mail services since early July , shortly after DeJoy took the helm .
Delays have occurred in first-class and marketing mail , periodicals and Priority Mail , the agency says in an Aug. 12 briefing prepared by Postal Service staff for DeJoy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ delays we have all heard about are actually far worse than previously reported — and they are across the board , ’ ’ Maloney said .
DeJoy acknowledged at the Senate hearing there has been a “ dip ” in service , but disputed reports of widespread problems .
In a statement Sunday , the Postal Service said it greatly appreciates House efforts to assist the agency , but remains concerned that some of the bill ’ s requirements , “ while well meaning , will constrain the ability of the Postal Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency , reduce costs and ultimately improve service to the American people.
’ ’ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recalled lawmakers to Washington for a rare Saturday session over objections from Republicans , who dismissed it as a stunt .
Trump urged a no vote , railing on Twitter against mail-in ballots expected to surge in the COVID-19 crisis .
He has said he wants to block extra funds to the Postal Service .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows dismissed the bill as “ going nowhere , ” while Pelosi urged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The public is demanding action on this now , ” Pelosi said Sunday .
“ I can ’ t see how the Senate can avoid it unless they do so to their peril.
” Meadows called the House bill a “ political statement , ” stressing that Trump would consider additional money only as part of a broader coronavirus relief package .
“ That bill was not a serious bill , ” Meadows said .
“ And my conversations with a lot of the Democrats on Capitol Hill ... is , if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this president is willing to put forth money and reforms.
” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , complained that the Democrats ’ legislation would not make the Postal Service fiscally sustainable , nor would it make other reforms to the agency ’ s bylaws , such as removing a costly requirement that the Postal Service prepay decades of retirees ’ health benefits .
“ Their plan isn ’ t about ballots , it ’ s about bailouts , ?
McCarthy said of Democrats .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion postal rescue as part of the next COVID-19 relief package .
“ Senate Republicans are committed to making sure the Postal Service remains well equipped to fulfil its important duties .
But the president has already made it clear he will not sign the speaker ’ s partisan stunt into law , ’ ’ McConnell said after passage of the House bill .
“ The Senate will absolutely not pass stand-alone legislation for the Postal Service while American families continue to go without more relief ’ ’ from the coronavirus crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals to deal with the pandemic “ bare leaves , ” saying they don ’ t address children facing food insecurity , people grappling with evictions , coronavirus testing and treatment or money for state and local governments .
Still , there were signs of bipartisan support for the Postal Service , one of the most popular government agencies with an approval rating above 90 % .
Twenty-six House Republicans broke with Trump and GOP leaders to back the House bill , which passed 257-150 .
A bill co-sponsored by Sens .
Susan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Calif. , would provide the Postal Service with up to $ 25 billion to cover revenue losses or operational expenses resulting from COVID-19 .
The bill has at least 22 co-sponsors , including no fewer than nine Republicans .
Three of the co-sponsors — Collins , Montana ’ s Steve Daines and Colorado ’ s Cory Gardner — are among the GOP ’ s most vulnerable incumbents in the fall election .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Sunday he had secured agreement with a new election committee created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Governors to issue a report in two weeks on the service ’ s plans to address an expected surge of mail-in ballots .
Under the agreement with the committee ’ s Democratic chairman , Lee Moak , the committee would also provide weekly briefings for top Senate Democrats .
The six-member Board of Governors , all of whom are Trump appointees , announced the bipartisan committee Friday to oversee mail voting .
“ Congress will use that report to ensure that the Postal Service has every resource it needs to protect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board accountable , ” Schumer said .

Matthew Daly, Lisa Mascaro And Hope Yen - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Russian dissident under police protection at German hospital

BERLIN - Russian dissident Alexei Navalny remains in critical but stable condition in a Berlin hospital where he is being treated after a suspected poisoning , with special protective details on hand to ensure his safety , German officials said Monday .
Berlin police and federal agents were posted at the downtown Charité hospital where the 44-year-old is undergoing treatment following his arrival in Germany on Saturday after Chancellor Angela Merkel personally offered the country ’ s assistance .
“ It was obvious that after his arrival , protective precautions had to be taken , ” her spokesman , Steffen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , this is a patient who , with a certain degree of probability , was poisoned.
” He wouldn ’ t comment on Navalny ’ s condition , but earlier in the day , Dirk Wiese , the German government ’ s co-ordinator for Eastern European affairs , told public broadcaster ZDF he was “ currently critical , but stable.
” “ He is now receiving the best possible treatment , ” Wiese said .
Navalny ’ s supporters believe that tea he drank was laced with poison — and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a delay in transferring him to Germany .
Russian doctors have said , however , that tests have shown no traces of poison in his system .
The Kremlin hasn ’ t yet commented on the allegation .
Navalny ’ s team last week submitted a request in Russia to launch a criminal probe , but as of Monday , Russia ’ s Investigative Committee still has not opened a case , Navalny ’ s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said .
Ilya Yashin , an opposition politician in Moscow and a close ally of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged Russia ’ s law enforcement to investigate “ an attempt at a life of a public figure ” and to look into the possible involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin .
“ It is Putin who benefits from these endless assaults , ” Yashin said .
Navalny was flown to Germany on Saturday from Siberia after much wrangling over whether he was was stable enough to be transported .
After his arrival , hospital spokeswoman Manuela Zingl said he would be undergoing extensive diagnostic tests and that doctors wouldn ’ t comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were able to evaluate the results .
On Sunday , Navalny ’ s wife , Yulia Navalnaya , and aide Leonid Volkov visited the Russian opposition leader in the hospital , but didn ’ t speak to reporters .
Navalny , a politician and corruption investigator who is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s fiercest critics , fell ill on a flight back to Moscow from Siberia on Thursday and was taken to the hospital in the city of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing .
Russian doctors on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substances in his system .
“ If we had found poisoning confirmed by something , it would have been much easier for us , ” said Anatoly Kalinichecnko , deputy chief doctor of the Omsk Ambulance Hospital No .
1 , where Navalny was treated .
“ But we received a final conclusion from two laboratories that no toxic chemicals that can be considered poisons or by-products of poisons , were found.
” The hospital ’ s chief doctor , Alexander Murkhavsky , rejected allegations made by Navalny ’ s team that doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Russia ’ s security services .
“ We were treating the patient , and we saved him , “ Murakhovsky said Monday .
“ There wasn ’ t and couldn ’ t be any influence on the patient ’ s treatment.
” He wasn ’ t able to identify men in plainclothes spotted in the hospital last week who the politician ’ s allies said were law enforcement and security service agents .
“ I can ’ t say who they were , ” Murakhovsky said .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything about security service operatives being present at the hospital .
“ We in the presidential administration can hardly be interested in who is present in the office of a chief doctor in a hospital in Omsk , ” Peskov said on Friday .
Like many other opposition politicians in Russia , Navalny has been frequently detained by law enforcement and harassed by pro-Kremlin groups .
In 2017 , he was attacked by several men who threw antiseptic in his face , damaging an eye .
Last year , Navalny was rushed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving a sentence on charges of violating protest regulations .
His team also suspected poisoning then .
Doctors said he had a severe allergic reaction and sent him back to detention the following day .
Daria Litvinova reported from Moscow .
Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report .

David Rising And Daria Litvinova - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Storm Marco closes in on Louisiana as Laura buffets Cuba

PORT-AU-PRINCE , Haiti - After a day as a hurricane , Tropical Storm Marco brought a surge of high water to the Louisiana coast on Monday , setting the stage for Tropical Storm Laura to enter the Gulf of Mexico and move toward the same stretch of U.S. coast later in the week , most likely as a hurricane .
People along the Gulf Coast braced for a history-making onslaught from the twin storms , with many evacuees recalling the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , when catastrophic flooding breached the levees in New Orleans and as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know is there ’ s going to be storm surge from Marco , we know that that water is not going to recede hardly at all before Laura hits , and so we ’ ve not seen this before and that ’ s why people need to be paying particular attention , ” Gov .
John Bel Edwards warned at a Sunday briefing .
Marco had grown into a hurricane early Sunday , and while its top winds dropped to 50 mph on Monday morning , the National Hurricane Center cautioned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dangerous winds along the Gulf Coast .
Marco was centred about 85 miles ( 135 kilometres ) south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River Monday morning , moving northwest at 10 mph ( 17 kph ) .
Forecasters said it would likely remain just off the Louisiana coast through Tuesday .
Laura ’ s centre was skirting Cuba ’ s southern coast on Monday after causing the deaths of at least 11 people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti , while knocking out power and causing flooding in the two nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It had top sustained winds of 65 mph ( 100 kmh ) and its eye was forecast to remain over water , bringing tropical storm conditions to much of Cuba before moving into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday , where it was expected to strengthen into a hurricane before approaching the Louisiana coast on Wednesday .
Haitian civil protection officials said they had received reports a 10-year-old girl was killed when a tree fell on a home in the southern coastal town of Anse-a-Pitres , on the border with the Dominican Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least eight other people died and two were missing .
In the Dominican Republic , relatives told reporters a collapsed wall killed a mother and her young son .
Hundreds of thousands were without power in the Dominican Republic amid heavy flooding in both countries .
Despite Marco ’ s weakening , a storm surge warning remained in place from Morgan City , Louisiana , to Ocean Springs , Mississippi .
A tropical storm warning included Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana , and metropolitan New Orleans .
A storm surge of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecast for parts of coastal Louisiana and Mississippi .
Associated Press writers Freida Frisaro in Miami and Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Delegates ready to renominate Trump at Charlotte convention

CHARLOTTE , N.C. - Republicans are ready to formally nominate President Donald Trump for reelection at a scaled-down convention kickoff in Charlotte that begins a weeklong effort to convince the American people that the president deserves a second term .
Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , delegates will hold an in-person rollcall vote Monday in a Charlotte Convention Center ballroom before attention turns to prime-time programming .
Many of the usual trappings are present — the signs designating each state , the gift bags with Republican swag — but chairs on the ballroom floor have been arranged with lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be worn .
It ’ s a sharp contrast to the approach of Democrats , who created a roll call via video montage from states across the country to avoid a large-scale gathering last week at their well-received virtual convention .
The GOP convention is a crucial moment for Trump , who is trailing in national and battleground state polls and under intense pressure to turn the race around .
Aides hope the convention will give them a chance to recast the story of Trump ’ s presidency and shift the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to a choice between his vision for America ’ s future and the one presented by Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ This is a kickoff to many weeks of this heading into Election Day , “ RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday .
” I don ’ t think we ’ re going to slow down.
” Trump , for his part , said he was hoping to set an optimistic tone .
“ I think we ’ re going to see something that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s what I ’ d like it to be , “ he said in an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News Channel .
For both sides , it ’ s an unconventional convention year .
The parties ’ election year gatherings are typically massive events , drawing thousands of delegates , party leaders , donors , journalists and political junkies for a week of speeches , parties and after-parties that inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into the local economy and deliver a multiday infomercial for the nominee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as much as Trump has resisted .
Just 336 delegates — six from each of the 50 states , the District of Columbia and U.S. territories — have been invited to cast proxy votes on behalf of the more than 2,500 regular delegates .
And stringent safety measures have been put in place guided by a 42-page health and safety plan developed by a hired doctor .
Attendees were asked to practice enhanced social distancing and get tested prior to travel , fill out a pre-travel health questionnaire and participate in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also being tested onsite , have been asked to maintain a 6-foot ( 1.8-meter ) distance from other people and to use face coverings as a condition of participation — though many attendees were seen openly flouting those rules Monday morning .
The RNC has also committed to contacting every participant five , 14 and 21 days after the event to check on potential symptoms .
The event had been met with protests , and police have made several arrests .
After the Charlotte kickoff , most of the GOP convention will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and around the White House , as well as by video .
It will feature remarks from a long list of well-known Trump supporters , including members of the Trump family , conservative firebrands and everyday Americans who campaign officials say have been helped by Trump ’ s policies .
First lady Melania Trump will speak Tuesday from the Rose Garden , Vice-President Mike Pence will appear from Fort McHenry in Baltimore on Wednesday and Trump will deliver his marquee acceptance speech on Thursday from the South Lawn before a crowd of supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigning yet again .
But first comes the “ official business “ in Charlotte , which the party selected in 2018 to host the convention .
The location has been the subject of a dizzying back-and-forth after Trump in June angrily dumped the city because it refused to guarantee the event could be held free from restrictions meant to prevent the spread of the virus , including mask-wearing and social distancing .
After a search , party officials chose a new venue , Jacksonville in the crucial state of Florida , which at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But as cases in Florida ballooned , Trump announced unexpectedly last month that he was scrapping those plans , too , and instead would hold most of the festivities in Washington .
“ It ’ s a different world , ” Trump told reporters .
“ To have a big convention is not the right time.
“ With the pandemic still raging and the economy in tatters , Trump has a major task at hand .
The Democrats ’ convention was “ masterfully choreographed , “ said Douglas Brinkley , a presidential historian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden is on Republicans to replicate the Democratic effort , “ Brinkley said .
Besides needing a message that might attract new voters , he said , Republicans must also find a way to draw in viewers because the president is already so over-exposed .
“ They ’ re going to have a hard time garnering attention because we ’ ve lived with Trump for so long , “ Brinkley said .
He expressed surprised that Trump hadn ’ t tried to grab headlines by , for instance , replacing Pence on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody ’ s attention and shake things up , ” he said .
Otherwise , “ there ’ s a kind of flatness .
‘ Oh , Pence is speaking next week.
’ ” Besides the formal nomination roll call , the party will also approve a handful of new resolutions , including one that backs Columbus Day as a federal holiday and one that labels the Southern Poverty Law Center , which catalogues the country ’ s hate groups , as a “ radical organization.
” Another bemoans “ cancel culture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into erasing of history , encouraging lawlessness , muting citizens , and violating free exchange of ideas , thoughts , and speech.
” But they will not vote on a 2020 platform , after a unanimous vote to forego one this year .
“ RESOLVED , That the Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the President ’ s America-first agenda , ” a resolution instead reads , in part .
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--74 days, 1 mile later, giant Tennessee turtle returns home

ASHLAND CITY , Tenn. - A 150-pound ( 68-kilogram ) tortoise who escaped from a Tennessee home has been returned after 74 days , managing to make it less than a mile during his slow and steady journey .
Though the African Sulcata Tortoise named Soloman crawled away from his Ashland City enclosure more than two months ago , he was discovered just an eighth of a mile ( 1.2 kilometres ) away from home last week , his owner , Lynn Cole , told WKRN-TV on Friday .
Cole said a man and his son spotted Solomon grazing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned him within minutes .
He didn ’ t seem to make it far , but Cole said the true extent of the 15-year-old tortoise ’ s trek remains a mystery .
“ I guess that we will never know the full details of Solomon ’ s great adventure and how he managed to elude us all for so long , “ Cole told the news outlet .
“ No matter his travelled course or intent , thanks to the gentleman and his son who happened to be driving by at that moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , as such , so much joy has been returned to our family.
” Cole said Solomon is a beloved pet who has been with their family since birth .
The owners said they would pay his rescuers a reward for returning him home .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Bail denied again to Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono

HARARE , Zimbabwe - A Zimbabwean journalist who has been held in prison for more than a month has been denied bail for the third time , while police continue arresting government critics .
Journalist Hopewell Chin ’ ono should remain in jail , a Harare magistrate ruled Monday .
Chin ’ ono is awaiting trial for allegedly encouraging people to participate in an anti-government demonstration planned for July 31 , but which was foiled by police and military .
He has been in custody since his arrest on July 20 .
His trial date has not yet been set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a routine remand hearing in September .
“ I will be strong .
I am fine , ” said Chin ’ ono from inside a prison van as he arrived at court Monday .
Roslyn Hanzi , one of his lawyers , said prison authorities have barred the lead lawyer in the case , Beatrice Mtetwa , from visiting or consulting with Chin ’ ono , who is being held at Chikurubi , a maximum security prison known for its harsh conditions and which is usually reserved for hardcore criminals and government critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a prominent human rights advocate , should step down as Chin ’ ono ’ s lawyer , accusing her of being responsible for comments posted on a Facebook page , although she denied that she has any control over the page .
“ They are essentially stripping Hopewell Chin ’ ono of his right to legal representation at all levels , ” said Hanzi .
Hanzi said arrests of critics of President Emmerson Mnangagwa ’ s government and the ruling ZANU-PF party , which intensified in July , have continued “ unabated.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing cases of lawyers , nurses , journalists and politicians who are among scores arrested for criticizing the government , assisting activists or demanding better working conditions , according to lawyers .
The latest arrests include that of Job Sikhala , a member of parliament for the main opposition MDC Alliance party who had been in hiding for weeks after being accused of mobilizing anti-government protests .
Another opposition legislator , Prince Dubeko Dube , has been charged with inciting violence after he gave employees of a supermarket two face masks marked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Greece, Bulgaria hail deal targeting Russia gas dominance

ATHENS , Greece - Greece and Bulgaria sought to reduce their reliance on Russian gas with the signing Monday of an agreement that will allow Bulgaria to participate in a planned liquefied natural gas terminal in northeastern Greece .
The project , which has strong support from the United States , is aimed at boosting energy diversification in southeastern Europe , a region largely reliant on Russian natural gas .
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Bulgarian counterpart , Boiko Borisov , were present for the signing of the agreement under which Bulgaria ’ s state-controlled Bulgartransgaz will acquire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , Gastrade , that is developing the LNG terminal outside the Greek city of Alexandroupolis .
“ This large investment will help our ultimate goal of turning our easternmost port into a global energy hub , ” Mitsotakis said .
“ The benefits are also geopolitical : A new axis of diversification of natural gas routes is being created not only for Bulgaria but also for central Europe which will no longer have a single source of energy.
” Bulgarian participation in the venture is tied to a separate pipeline project that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northward .
Monday ’ s ceremony was also attended by the U.S. ambassador to Greece , Geoffrey Pyatt .
The terminal at Alexandroupolis is due to start operating in 2022 .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway to leave White House

WASHINGTON - Kellyanne Conway , one of President Donald Trump ’ s most influential and longest serving advisers , announced Sunday that she would be leaving the White House at the end of the month .
Conway , Trump ’ s campaign manager during the stretch run of the 2016 race , was the first woman to successfully steer a White House bid , then became a senior counsellor to the president .
She informed Trump of her decision in the Oval Office .
Conway cited a need to spend time with her four children in a resignation letter she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George , had become an outspoken Trump critic and her family a subject of Washington ’ s rumour mill .
“ We disagree about plenty but we are united on what matters most : the kids , ” she wrote .
“ For now , and for my beloved children , it will be less drama , more mama.
” She is still slated to speak at the Republican National Convention this week .
Her husband , an attorney who renounced Trump after the 2016 campaign , had become a member of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans devoted to defeating Trump .
The politically adversarial marriage generated much speculation in the Beltway and online .
George Conway also announced Sunday that he was taking a leave of absence from both Twitter and the Lincoln Project .
Mark Meadows , Trump ’ s chief of staff , said Monday that her departure leaves a “ big hole ” at the White House .
“ This is all about making priority for family , ” Meadows told “ CBS This Morning.
” “ That ’ s what this president is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about.
” Her departure comes at an inopportune time for Trump , who faces a deficit in the polls as the Republican National Convention begins on Monday .
Asked on CBS whether her departure signals a fear Trump might lose , Meadows called the question “ cynical.
” “ Anybody who knows Kellyanne Conway knows that she has never shied away from a fight , ” Meadows said .
“ To suggest that is just not based on the facts.
” Kellyanne Conway worked for years as a Republican pollster and operative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2016 Republican primary .
She moved over to the Trump campaign and that August became campaign manager as Stephen Bannon became campaign chairman ; Bannon was indicted two days ago for fraud .
Conway cited a need to help her children ?
s remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic as a need to step away from her position .
She had remained a trusted voice within the West Wing and spearheaded several initiatives , including on combating opioid abuse .
She was also known for her robust defence of the president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuttals while once extolling the virtues of “ alternative facts ” to support her case .
Conway was also an informal adviser to the president ’ s reelection effort but resisted moving over to the campaign .
Her exit was first reported by The Washington Post .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--The Latest: WHO says plasma therapy still ‘experimental’

GENEVA — The World Health Organization says using plasma from the recovered to treat COVID-19 is still considered an “ experimental ” therapy and that the preliminary results showing it may work are still “ inconclusive.
” President Donald Trump on Sunday approved an emergency authorization of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients .
WHO ’ s chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said convalescent plasma therapy has been used in the last century to treat numerous infectious diseases , with varying levels of success .
Swaminathan says WHO still considers convalescent plasma therapy to be experimental and said it should continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the treatment is difficult to standardize , since people produce different levels of antibodies and the plasma must be collected individually from recovered patients .
Swaminathan says that the studies have been small and provided “ low-quality evidence.
” She says countries can “ do an emergency listing if they feel the benefits outweigh the risks ” but that that ’ s “ usually done when you ’ re waiting for the more definitive evidence.
” Dr. Bruce Aylward , a senior adviser to WHO ’ s director-general , said that convalescent plasma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from a mild fever and chills to more severe lung-related injuries .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — Biden says he ’ d shut down U.S. economy if scientists recommended — Emails show businesses held sway over reopening plans in U.S. states HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : MADRID — Catalonia ’ s president has announced a ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people and widespread testing of half a million students in Spain ’ s northeastern region .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torra on Monday aim to curb a wave of new coronavirus infections ahead of the re-opening of schools in mid-September , which officials and experts fear could become a vector for more contagion .
Torra said that the next three weeks are crucial in fighting not only the current incidence of the pandemic but how it will evolve in autumn and winter .
“ We have to give everything in the coming three weeks , because yes or yes this country has to get to work and yes or yes schools need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a new conference .
Catalonia reported 1,776 new infections on Monday , with nearly 700 people currently in hospitals and 134 of them in intensive care units .
Spain as a whole leads Europe ’ s charts with more than 386,000 total reported infections since February .
BERLIN — The Bavarian town of Rosenheim , near the border with Austria , says it is banning more than five people from different households from meeting in public to counter a spike in coronavirus infections .
Authorities said Monday that the number of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national threshold in Germany of 50 cases per 100,000 people .
Officials also banned private events with more than 50 people indoors or 100 outdoors .
Germany has seen a steady rise in new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks .
On Saturday the number of new cases topped 2,000 .
On Sunday , when fewer labs report results , the number of newly registered infections fell to 782 .
VILNIUS , Lithuania — The Baltic country of Lithuania is as of Monday ordering a 14-day isolation for travellers from Germany because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Germany was added to the Lithuanian Health Ministry ’ s list of coronavirus-affected countries because the COVID-19 infection rate on Friday reached 16.5 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks .
Anyone entering Lithuania must self-isolate if they return from countries with rates above 16 per 100,000 people and must also get tested if they return from countries with rates above 25 .
Health officials said that besides Lithuania , where the rate stands at 12.8 , seven EU member countries currently have less than 16 cases per 100,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Estonia , Finland , Hungary and Latvia .
Lithuania has seen 2,635 confirmed cases and 84 deaths .
TOKYO — The Japanese government spokesman has defended the nation ’ s GoTo campaign , which encourages travel within Japan by offering discounts at hotels and inns .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Monday that the government-backed campaign was a success , having been used by 2 million people in the last month .
He said only 10 cases of COVID-19 were found at hotels and other lodging during that monthlong campaign , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign discount .
The tourism business in Japan supports 9 million jobs , Suga said , adding : “ Its importance to the economy can ’ t be emphasized enough.
” The campaign has come under fire as a risk for spreading the virus .
Japan , which has already sunk into recession , has confirmed more than 1,100 deaths and 62,000 coronavirus cases so far .
Daily cases are rising gradually to about 1,000 people lately .
CHRISTCHURCH , New Zealand — New Zealand ’ s prime minister says the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days as authorities try to stamp out an outbreak of the coronavirus .
The two-week lockdown of the country ’ s largest city was due to end Wednesday but will now continue through Sunday .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday that authorities need to be sure they have found the perimeter of the outbreak and they ’ re not seeing too many cases crop up that they haven ’ t found through contact tracing .
New Zealand went 102 days without any community transmission of the virus before the cluster of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ardern said the rest of the country would continue for now with some restrictions under Alert Level 2 , and it would become mandatory from next week to wear masks on public transport under level 2 .
Health authorities on Monday reported nine new virus cases .
NEW DELHI — India has registered 61,408 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , driving the country ’ s reported virus tally past 3.1 million .
The Health Ministry on Monday also reported 836 deaths in the past 24 hours , taking total fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording at least 60,000 new infections per day for the last two weeks .
Western Maharashtra state and three southern states of Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the country ’ s worst-hit regions .
New hot spots also continue to feed surges in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar states in India ’ s north .
Meanwhile , India ’ s recovery rate has reached nearly 75 % as more than 2.3 million people affected by the virus have been discharged from hospitals , according to the Health Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the world after the United States and Brazil , and its fatalities are the fourth-highest in the world .
The country of 1.4 billion people has been slowly opening up to heal the economy , though areas identified as most affected by the virus remain under lockdown .
SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea counted its 11th straight day of triple-digit daily jumps in coronavirus cases as officials tighten social distancing restrictions nationwide to combat what they describe as the biggest crisis since the pandemic began .
The 266 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention Monday came after three consecutive days of over-300 increases , although infection numbers tend to be lower at the start of the week due to the lesser number of tests in weekends .
The KCDC said 202 of the new cases came from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , home to half of the country ’ s 51 million people , where health workers have struggled to track transmissions linked to various sources , including churches , restaurants , schools and workers .
Infections were also reported in major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Daejeon and Sejong .
KCDC director Jeong Eun-kyeong said it ’ s likely the country will continue to report huge infection numbers in coming days as health workers scramble to trace and test contacts of virus carriers .
The country since Sunday has banned larger gatherings , shut down nightspots and churches and removed fans from professional sports nationwide .
IOWA CITY , Iowa — A young child died due to complications from coronavirus in June , the first confirmed death of a minor in Iowa during the pandemic , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Iowa Department of Public Health said the state medical examiner ’ s office concluded its case investigation Aug. 6 into the death of the child , who was under the age of 5 .
But the death wasn ’ t reported in the state ’ s statistics until Saturday , more than two weeks later .
“ The child ’ s death was publicly reported this weekend after ensuring the individual ’ s identity would remain protected and notifying the family , ” the department said in a statement .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity of this child , while the family grieves this devastating loss .
Again , we send our sincerest condolences.
” The confirmation of the state ’ s first child death comes one day before dozens of school districts are prepared to begin the school year on Monday — a development that has many educators and parents already on edge .
Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds has ordered schools to reopen for at least 50 per cent in-person instruction , despite a pandemic that has already killed 1,036 people and seen infections soar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Australia ’ s hard-hit Victoria state on Monday recorded its lowest tally of new coronavirus cases in eight weeks with the state capital Melbourne half way through a six-week lockdown .
Victoria reported 116 new cases and 15 deaths .
That is the lowest daily tall of new cases since 87 were reported on July 5 .
The daily count has been as high as 725 news cases in early August .
The state recorded 208 new cases on Sunday and 182 on Saturday .
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton had predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 this week .
He added although the daily case numbers had been “ jumping around , ” he expected they were on a downward trajectory .
But health authorities have warned that the daily tally would need to fall to single digits or low double digits before the Melbourne lockdown was relaxed .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump says the Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 patients .
Trump , announcing the decision Sunday at the White House , called convalescent plasma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FDA ’ s action will expand access to the treatment , which is already being used .
The treatment involves transferring antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients to patients suffering from the disease .
The announcement follows days of suggestions by White House officials of politically motivated delays by the FDA in approving a vaccine and treatments for the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Trump made the announcement on the eve of the Republican National Convention that will nominate him to run against Democrat Joe Biden .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Pompeo hopeful other Arab states to forge ties with Israel

JERUSALEM - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped other Arab countries would also establish diplomatic relations with Israel as he kicked off a Mideast tour on Monday to press the momentum of the Trump administration ’ s Arab-Israeli peace push .
Pompeo spoke during a joint statement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem , the first stop on a multi-country tour of the region following the Aug. 13 announcement of the historic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , brokered by Washington , to establish diplomatic ties .
“ I am hopeful that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this , “ Pompeo said .
“ The opportunity for them to work alongside , to recognize the state of Israel and to work alongside them will not only increase Middle East stability , but it will improve the lives for the people of their own countries as well.
” The Israel-UAE agreement delivered a key foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians .
Both Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the U.S. demand for the restoration of U.N. sanctions against Iran .
The Trump administration has been pushing at the Security Council to have so-called “ snapback ” sanctions imposed on Iran over what Washington says is Iran ’ s violation of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
“ We are determined to use every tool that we have to ensure they can ’ t get access to high-end weapon systems , ” Pompeo said .
“ The rest of the world should join us.
“ Earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAE announced the deal to establish full diplomatic relations , which also requires Israel to freeze its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank sought by the Palestinians as part of their future state .
Netanyahu called the agreement “ a boon to peace and regional stability ” that “ heralds a new era where we could have other nations join.
” He restated that the agreement does not include Israel ’ s acceptance of the sale of sophisticated weaponry to the Emirates .
Pompeo said the U.S. was committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge ” and would be reviewing arms deals with the UAE .
Later in the trip , Pompeo was to meet with Netanyahu ’ s partner in the government and Defence Minister Benny Gantz , as well as Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi .
After his Israel stop Pompeo was also slated to visit Sudan , the UAE and Bahrain , with additional stops in the Gulf possible , the State Department had said .
In Sudan , the secretary of state said he would push for “ deepening the Sudan-Israel relationship.
” British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Jerusalem on Monday for meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in an effort “ to press for renewed dialogue ” and a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict .
Ahead of Pompeo ’ s arrival , the Israeli military said it struck militant targets in the Gaza Strip early on Monday , in response to incendiary balloons launched into Israel the day before .
It was the latest exchange as tensions between the two sides intensified in recent weeks .
The army said it bombed “ military posts and an underground infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militant group that rules Gaza .
There were no immediate reports of any casualties .
Militants affiliated with Hamas have launched scores of incendiary balloons into southern Israel in recent weeks in a bid to pressure Israel to ease the blockade imposed since Hamas took control of the territory in 2007 .
On Friday , Palestinian militants launched 12 rockets at Israel , nine of which were intercepted , in the largest outbreak of violence in recent months .
Israel has responded to the balloons and sporadic rocket fire with airstrikes targeting militant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three wars and numerous smaller skirmishes in the past 13 years .
Last week Egyptian mediators tried to ease tensions and bolster the informal truce between Israel and Hamas that has largely held since the 2014 war in Gaza .