thetorontostar--2020-09-21--The Latest: Trump boasts about how many court picks he’s had

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ( all times local ) : President Donald Trump is boasting on the campaign trail about his reshaping of the federal judiciary days after the death of liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Trump was holding rallies in Vandalia and Swanton , Ohio , on Monday .
He said the nation was mourning the death of the 87-year-old Ginsburg and he pointed out that more than 200 judges have been appointed to the federal bench during his term .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last a long time , ” Trump said of Supreme Court appointments .
“ We ’ ve had three .
It ’ s blowing their minds.
” Trump says he ’ s considering five women for the lifetime appointment to the nation ’ s highest court .
He said he plans to announce his decision Friday or Saturday .
Trump appointed Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court .
Trump got to appoint Gorsuch in 2017 after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused in 2016 to hold a hearing on President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antonin Scalia , saying it was an election year .
Scalia died 237 days before the 2016 election .
Ginsburg died 46 days before the 2020 election .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT VACANCY — President Donald Trump says he expects to announce his pick for the Supreme Court on Friday or Saturday .
— Kamala Harris is poised to become a leading figure in the Democratic opposition to Trump ’ s Supreme Court pick .
— The body of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
A Republican senator in a tough reelection race will consider President Donald Trump ’ s nominee to the Supreme Court .
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner joined other Republicans on Monday in pledging to consider Trump ’ s nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Gardner says he will vote to confirm Trump ’ s pick if the person “ will protect our Constitution , not legislate from the bench , and uphold the law.
” Gardner was silent on whether the vote should take place before or after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gardner opposed considering President Barack Obama ’ s Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland , in part because the Senate and White House were controlled by different parties .
“ Our next election is too soon and the stakes are too high , ” he said then .
Antoni Scalia , the justice whom Garland was set to replace , died 237 days before the 2016 election .
Ginsburg died 46 days before the 2020 election .
Gardner is facing former Democratic Gov .
John Hickenlooper in November .
Sen. Chuck Grassley will support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this year despite his stand in 2016 that a new justice shouldn ’ t be confirmed in a presidential election year .
Grassley says in a statement that “ the Constitution gives the Senate that authority , and the American people ’ s voices in the most recent election couldn ’ t be clearer.
” As the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2016 , Grassley and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold a hearing for President Barack Obama ’ s nominee , Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Justice Antonin Scalia .
They said the new president should decide on Scalia ’ s replacement .
Since then , Grassley has said that if he were the chairman in 2020 , he would not take up a new nomination .
But he said if there were a new chairman , that person would have to make that call .
Current Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , and McConnell have said the situation is different this year because Republicans hold both the Senate and the presidency .
Grassley is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While there was ambiguity about the American people ’ s will for the direction of the Supreme Court in 2016 under a divided government , there is no such ambiguity in 2020.
” President Donald Trump has met with Amy Coney Barrett at the White House as he evaluates prospective nominees to succeed the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
A person familiar with the vetting process but not authorized to discuss it confirmed the Monday meeting to The Associated Press .
Later , Trump told reporters at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with potential nominees over the last two days and held out the possibility of also meeting with Barbara Lagoa when he travels to Florida this week .
Some aides have touted the political advantages of Lagoa being Hispanic and hailing from Florida .
Barrett , a devout Roman Catholic , is hailed by religious conservatives and others on the right as an ideological heir to conservative Antonin Scalia , the late Supreme Court justice for whom she clerked .
Trump says five women are under consideration .
Barrett is emerging as an early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House seemed to be waning Monday amid some conservatives ’ concerns that she did not have a proven record as a conservative jurist , according to the person familiar with the vetting process .
President Donald Trump says five women are being carefully vetted to become his nominee for the Supreme Court to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Trump spoke to reporters on the South Lawn on Monday before travelling to Ohio .
Trump says he ’ ll make a selection decision probably on Friday or Saturday .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time to evaluate the nominee and hold a vote before the Nov. 3 election .
He says that it would send a message of “ solidarity ” and that “ I have an obligation to do this.
” Democrats have said that GOP lawmakers should follow the precedent they set in 2016 when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to act on President Barack Obama ’ s nomination of Merrick Garland to succeed the late Justice Antonin Scalia , saying it was an election year .
The 2020 election is 43 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican senators in their position “ because of a certain ideology ” and it would be bad for them politically to wait in taking the vote .
West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin , the only Democrat who voted to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh , says he ’ s siding with lawmakers in his own party who say the Senate shouldn ’ t vote on a Supreme Court nominee before the Nov. 3 election .
Manchin says the process shouldn ’ t be rushed , “ and it is simply irresponsible to rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any new candidate for the bench.
” He is not saying whether he thinks the next president should make the pick , as most of his Democratic colleagues have said .
In 2016 , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to hold a hearing or a vote on Merrick Garland , then-President Barack Obama ’ s pick for the court , saying the Senate shouldn ’ t vote so close to a presidential election .
“ For Mitch McConnell and my Republican colleagues to rush through this process after refusing to even meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypocrisy in its highest form , ” Manchin said .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says the GOP effort to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by the end of the year is a “ craven ” move that flips the Republicans ’ own logic on its head .
Schumer spoke Monday just after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell promised that the Senate would vote “ this year ” on Ginsburg ’ s replacement to the high court .
The New York Democrat noted that in 2016 , Senate Republicans blocked President Barack Obama ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grounds that it was too close to Election Day .
But now , President Donald Trump and McConnell are thundering toward confirming Ginsburg ’ s replacement .
McConnell says it ’ s because in 2016 , there was a divided government .
Now , Republicans control the presidency and the Senate .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will vote “ this year ” to confirm President Donald Trump ’ s nominee to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , but he is not saying whether there will be a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says there is “ overwhelming precedent ” for the Senate to act quickly on a nomination .
The average time to confirm a nominee in recent years is more than two months , but some nominees , including Ginsburg , were confirmed much faster than that .
“ The Senate has more than sufficient time to process a nomination , ” McConnell says .
“ History and precedent make that perfectly clear.
” Democrats have called on the GOP-led Senate to let the next president decide , as McConnell delayed a vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election in 2016 .
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham says he believes his role in the confirmation process for a new Supreme Court justice will likely bolster his reelection bid .
At an event for a congressional candidate Monday , Graham said in North Charleston , South Carolina , that he feels his defence of Brett Kavanaugh during a contentious 2018 Supreme Court confirmation hearing has given him conservative bona fides that will help boost him to reelection in a tight race with Democrat Jaime Harrison .
“ I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lightning , but lightning has struck again , ” Graham said of the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the pivotal role that he will play in the process to replace her .
As chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee , Graham will shepherd the confirmation process .
In 2016 , when Antonin Scalia died , Graham supported a move by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to refuse a confirmation hearing for President Barack Obama ’ s nominee .
They said then that it wouldn ’ t be right to confirm a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died 237 days before the 2016 election .
House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff says President Donald Trump has reached a “ new low ” for suggesting Democrats were behind a report that the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said she did not want to be replaced until a new president is inaugurated .
NPR reported Friday that Ginsburg dictated a statement in her final days that said : “ My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.
” Ginsburg dictated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to NPR ’ s Nina Totenberg , who has covered the Supreme Court for decades but is also a longtime personal friend of the late justice .
On “ Fox & Friends ” on Monday , Trump claimed without evidence : “ I don ’ t know that she said that , or was that written out by Adam Schiff and Schumer and Pelosi , ” referring also to Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Schiff later tweeted : “ No , I didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish to a nation she served so well , and spent her whole life making a more perfect union .
But I am going to fight like hell to make it come true .
No confirmation before inauguration.
” The body of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will lie in repose at the Supreme Court this week , with arrangements to allow for public viewing despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Ginsburg ’ s casket will be on public view Wednesday and Thursday under the portico at the top of the iconic steps in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take place at the court on Wednesday morning .
House Speaker Nancy Pelsosi announced that Ginsburg will lie in state in the Capitol ’ s Statuary Hall on Friday .
That ceremony will be open only to invited guests , Pelosi said .
Ginsburg will be buried next week at Arlington National Cemetery in a private service , the court said .
Congress made similar arrangements for a public viewing outside the Capitol after Rep. John Lewis ’ death in July .
President Donald Trump says he ’ s narrowed his list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to four or five candidates .
In a Monday interview with “ Fox & Friends , ” the president confirmed that among the top contenders are Indiana ’ s Amy Coney Barrett and Florida ’ s Barbara Lagoa , both appellate court judges he appointed .
Trump also indicated that Allison Jones Rushing , a 38-year-old appellate judge from North Carolina , is also on the short-list .
Trump has promised to nominate a woman for the high court , adding that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold sway on the nation ’ s jurisprudence for potentially four or five decades .
Trump says he ’ ll aim to announce his pick on Friday or Saturday , after funeral services for Ginsburg conclude .
Trump adds : “ I think that would be good for the Republican Party and I think it would be good for everybody to get it over with.
” President Donald Trump says he expects to announce his pick for the Supreme Court on Friday or Saturday , after funeral services for Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday that he had a list of five finalists , “ probably four , ” and that he is pushing for a confirmation vote before Election Day .
Trump disparaged reports that Ginsburg had told her granddaughter it was her wish that a replacement justice not be confirmed until the inauguration of a new president .
Trump said he thought his Democratic political foes were behind the report , including Rep. Adam Schiff , who led the House impeachment probe , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she said that , or was that written out by Adam Schiff and Schumer and Pelosi , ” Trump said .
“ I would be more inclined to the second ...
But that sounds like a Schumer deal or maybe a Pelosi or Shifty Schiff.
” his nickname for the California congressman .
Trump frequently disparages Schiff , without evidence as being behind a conspiracy against him .


thetorontostar--2020-09-21--Biggest unknown with Beta is how much rain it will bring

HOUSTON - As Tropical Storm Beta neared the Texas coast Monday , the biggest unknown was how much rainfall it could produce in areas that have already seen their share of damaging weather during a busy hurricane season .
Beta ’ s winds were weakening as it got closer to making landfall sometime Monday evening and the storm was not expected to strengthen into a hurricane .
But its path along the Texas coast over the next couple of days once it gets inland could produce bands of showers with heavy rainfall , forecasters said .
Rain from Beta was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area .
“ This still is probably the most uncertain part of the forecast , ” Dan Reilly , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in the Houston-Galveston office , said about rainfall from Beta .
Earlier predictions of up to 20 inches ( 51 centimetres ) in some areas were downgraded Monday to up to 15 inches ( 38 centimetres ) .
Texas coastal counties were most likely to see 4 to 6 inches ( 10 to 15 centimetres ) with 2 to 4 inches ( 5 to 10 centimetres ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and officials reassured residents Beta was not expected to be another Hurricane Harvey or Tropical Storm Imelda .
Harvey in 2017 dumped more than 50 inches ( 127 centimetres ) of rain on Houston , causing $ 125 billion in damage in Texas .
Imelda , which hit Southeast Texas last year , was one of the wettest cyclones on record .
Beta ’ s maximum sustained winds were 45 mph ( 75 kph ) as of Monday evening .
The storm was moving northwest at 5 mph ( 8 kph ) at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was about 20 miles ( 30 kilometres ) southeast of Port O ’ Connor , Texas .
Storm surge up to 4 feet ( 1.2 metres ) was forecast from Port Aransas to Sabine Pass in Texas .
After Beta makes landfall , it is expected to move northeast along the coast and head into Louisiana sometime mid-week , forecasters said .
Flash flooding was possible in Arkansas and Mississippi as the system moves farther inland .
In Galveston , an island city southeast of Houston , there was already some street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a popular fishing pier collapsed due to strong waves .
Farther south on the Texas coast , Maria Serrano Culpepper along with her two daughters and dogs left their home in Magnolia Beach on Sunday night as Beta was predicted to make landfall in nearby Matagorda Bay .
Culpepper said she didn ’ t want to be trapped in her home , three blocks from the beach , with wind , rain and possibly no electricity .
She and her family evacuated to a friend ’ s home in nearby Victoria .
Culpepper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s on stilts 13 feet ( 4 metres ) off the ground and was built to withstand strong storms .
“ I ’ m feeling OK now .
I had two nights without sleeping because I was worried about ( Beta ) being a Category 1 hurricane .
I calmed down when the storm lost power , ” said Culpepper , who works as an engineer at a nearby chemical plant .
On Monday , Gov .
Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 29 Texas counties ahead of Beta ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional storm names on Friday , forcing the use of the Greek alphabet for only the second time since the 1950s .
Beta is forecast to dump heavy rain on the southwestern corner of Louisiana three weeks after the same area got pounded by Hurricane Laura .
The rainfall and storm surge prompted Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards to declare a state of emergency .
In Lake Charles , Mayor Nic Hunter worried that Beta ’ s rainfall could set back efforts in his community to recover after Laura , which damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 30,000 structures .
Hunter said the worry of another storm was “ an emotional and mental toll for a lot of our citizens.
” Beta would be the ninth named storm to make landfall in the continental U.S. this year .
That would tie a record set in 1916 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
Parts of the Alabama coast and Florida Panhandle were still reeling from Hurricane Sally , which roared ashore Wednesday , causing at least two deaths .
Two Boston-based disaster modeling firms figured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privately insured losses from wind and storm surge .
Karen Clark & Company estimated losses at $ 2 billion , while AIR Worldwide said they were between $ 1 and $ 3 billion .
The estimates don ’ t include uninsured losses , the National Flood Insurance Program claims or damage to offshore property , like oil rigs .
Hurricane Teddy was about 250 miles ( 400 kilometres ) northeast of Bermuda Monday evening as it heads toward Nova Scotia .
It had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph ( 145 kph ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 42 kph ) and away from the wealthy British territory , according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami .
It was expected to weaken and become a strong post-tropical cyclone before reaching Nova Scotia on Wednesday .
The Bermuda government closed all air and sea ports , schools and government offices for the second time in a week .
Hurricane Paulette made landfall in Bermuda on Sept. 14 , knocking down trees and leaving thousands without power .
Associated Press reporters Seth Borenstein in Kensington , Maryland , and Janet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-21--Indian couple run street-side classes for poor students

NEW DELHI - On a quiet road in India ’ s capital , tucked away on a wide , red-bricked sidewalk , kids set adrift by the country ’ s COVID-19 lockdown are being tutored .
The children , ages 4 to 14 , carry book bags more than 2 kilometres ( a mile ) from their thatched-roof huts on the banks of the Yamuna River to this impromptu , roadside classroom .
There , they receive free lessons in math , science , English and physical education , taught by a former Indian diplomat and his wife .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maid , who lives on bank of the river , complained that with schools shut , children in her impoverished community were running amok and wasting time .
“ If they stayed at home doing nothing , they ’ d become drifters , ” said Dolly Sharma , who works at Veena ’ s high-rise apartment , which overlooks the lush riverbank .
Veena , a singer and grandmother of three , and her husband , Virendra Gupta , decided to go out to the street and teach the kids so they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They don ’ t have access to internet , their schools are shut and they don ’ t have any means to learn , ” said Veena , who bought books , pencils , notebooks and other teaching materials , and set up the small , open-air classroom under the shade of a leafy banyan tree .
India ’ s stringent lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 shut schools across the country in late March .
Most remain closed as the number of cases has surged past 5 million , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
While many private schools switched to digital learning and online classes , children in most government-run schools either don ’ t have that option or don ’ t have the means to purchase digital learning tools like laptops and smartphones .
“ There is only one mobile phone in my family and it is usually with my father .
I can ’ t study online , ” said Nitin Mishra , a ninth grader in Virendra ’ s math class .
Mishra ’ s mother works as a part-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find employment as India ’ s economy has been hit hard by the pandemic .
The street-side classes have grown as dozens of children showed keen interest .
Now the Guptas — with help from their driver , Heera — teach three different groups three times a week , morning and evening .
After class , the children are treated to homemade lemonade and cookies prepared by Veena .
The Guptas say teaching the kids makes them feel closer to their grandchildren , who live abroad .
“ My father would make me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s curriculum in advance , ” said Virendra , who served as Indian ambassador to several countries including South Africa .
“ That really boosted my confidence and made me interested in schoolwork .
And that is what I am trying to do with these children , so when their school reopens , they are slightly ahead of their class.
” Veena said she hopes to recruit more volunteers to teach the street-side classes .
“ It is not about the money that people can contribute and give , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They should take out little bit of their time , an hour or so , if not every day , every alternate day , and come and help these children.
” While nonstop news about the effects of the coronavirus has become commonplace , so , too , have tales of kindness .
“ One Good Thing ” is a series of AP stories focusing on glimmers of joy and benevolence in a dark time .
Read the series at https : //apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing


thetorontostar--2020-09-21--Mueller’s team should have done more to investigate Trump-Russia links, insider says

WASHINGTON—The team led by special counsel Robert Mueller failed to do everything it could to determine what happened in the 2016 election , shying away from steps like subpoenaing U.S. President Donald Trump and scrutinizing his finances out of fear he would fire them , one of Mueller ’ s top lieutenants argued in the first insider account of the inquiry .
“ Had we used all available tools to uncover the truth , undeterred by the onslaught of the president ’ s unique powers to undermine our efforts ?
” wrote the former prosecutor , Andrew Weissmann , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know the hard answer to that simple question : We could have done more.
” The team took elaborate steps to protect its files of evidence from the risk that the Justice Department might destroy them if Trump fired them and worked to keep reporters and the public from learning what they were up to , Weissmann wrote in “ Where Law Ends : Inside the Mueller Investigation , ” which Random House will publish next week .
While he speaks reverently of Mueller , he also says his boss ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shepherding the politically charged investigation .
He saw Mueller and his deputy , Aaron M. Zebley , as overly cautious .
Weissmann also defended against accusations by the president and his allies that he and other investigators were politically biased “ angry Democrats ” ; Weissmann said his personal views had no bearing on the crimes that Russian operatives and Trump aides committed .
And he elevates particular details — for example , emphasizing that the same business account that sent hush payments to an adult film star who alleged an extramarital affair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to a Russian oligarch.
” The president has denied the affair ; his former lawyer Michael Cohen controlled the account .
Mueller transferred the Cohen matter to prosecutors in New York .
Previously a mafia and Enron prosecutor and then a lawyer at the FBI for Mueller , who was the bureau ’ s director for 12 years , Weissmann ran one of three major units for the special counsel ’ s office .
His “ Team M ” prosecuted Trump ’ s former campaign chair Paul Manafort for numerous financial crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and learn whatever he knew about any Trump campaign links to Russia .
Manafort had worked for pro-Russian interests in Ukraine , and the investigation uncovered ties by his business partner , Konstantin Kilimnik , to Russian intelligence .
The book builds toward investigators ’ discovery that Manafort had shared internal campaign polling data with Kilimnik , who flew to the United States to meet with Manafort during the campaign , asking whether Trump would permit a peace plan for Russia to essentially take over all of eastern Ukraine .
But while admitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangle of a potential pardon from Trump — refused to co-operate further .
Investigators did not obtain any final puzzle pieces and lacked the evidence to charge anyone in the campaign with a criminal conspiracy involving Russia ’ s covert electoral assistance .
“ It would seem to require significant audacity — or else , leverage — for another nation to even put such a request before a presidential candidate , ” Weissmann wrote of Kilimnik ’ s request .
“ This made what we didn ’ t know , and still don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monumentally disconcerting : Namely , why would Trump ever agree to this ?
Why would Trump ever agree to this Russian proposal if the candidate were not getting something from Russia in return ?
” Weissmann explained the significance of Manafort ’ s interactions with Kilimnik — also a major focus of a recent bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report , which explicitly labelled Kilimnik a Russian intelligence agent — more clearly than the Mueller report did .
Mueller had strictly forbidden leaks , and the special counsel team took extraordinary care to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
They kept window blind slats tilted at an angle to keep out prying eyes , shutting out natural light .
They concocted an “ almost comically elaborate and surreal ” plan to sneak in “ through the many hidden arteries of the courthouse ” to obtain a grand jury indictment without tipping off reporters .
And worried about the possibility that Trump would fire them and the Justice Department would then seal off or destroy their evidence , the Mueller team members packed their numerous applications to judges for search warrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation — ensuring they backed up their work beyond the reach of the executive branch .
Ty Cobb , a lawyer for Trump , also privately promised to be a “ canary in the coal mine ” and provide a heads up if Trump was going to fire the special counsel team , according to Weissmann .
Cobb did not respond to a request for comment .
The investigation played out against the backdrop of regular vilification of the Mueller team by Trump and his allies like Fox News ’ Sean Hannity — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with Manafort cooking up a “ smear campaign ” over text messages .
Weissmann , a major target , wrote that such “ ad hominem ” insinuations of bias appealed to emotion rather than reason .
“ I am a registered Democrat , ” he wrote .
“ Does this make Paul Manafort or any of the other 32 people our office charged any less guilty ?
Did Russia not attack our democracy and disrupt our election with its self-described online information warfare operation ?
Which facts that we alleged in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those we indicted , including Manafort , would plead guilty — did our attackers believe were invented as a result of our alleged bias as ‘ angry Democrats ’ ?
” Trump ’ s allies have recently pointed with alarm to documents showing that cellphones issued to Mueller ’ s team were erased during the investigation ; Weissmann twice entered an incorrect passcode too often , triggering a security measure that erased his phone .
In an interview , he portrayed the concerns as a “ tempest in a teapot ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other such data from phones were backed up .
He called on the Justice Department to release information about the special counsel ’ s data backup system .
Weissmann also wrote that he is not “ anti-Trump ” but rather “ pro the rule of law.
” Still , the distinction is less than clear in a book that also portrays Trump as a liar and a dangerous demagogue trying “ to peel the world around him away from the rule of law — away from reason itself — and mould it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Weissmann was equally scathing about Attorney General William Barr , calling him an enabler and likening his misleading letter last spring about the then-still-secret Mueller report as a betrayal and “ gut punch.
” Weissmann also criticized colleagues , portraying the special counsel team as divided between aggressive investigators like him , FBI special agent Omer Meisel and prosecutor Jeannie Rhee — who headed “ Team R , ” which investigated Russian issues other than those centred on Manafort — and far more risk-averse law enforcement officials like Zebley who pulled punches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mueller team issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank for information about Manafort ’ s income in Ukraine .
Deutsche Bank had also lent large sums to the Trump Organization , and the White House somehow found out about the still-secret subpoenas — though not their focus .
The White House demanded to know what investigators were doing , and Mueller authorized Zebley to tell the White House that they had not been seeking Trump ’ s financial information .
“ At that point , any financial investigation of Trump was put on hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , we backed down — the issue was simply too incendiary ; the risk , too severe.
” The book provides many other examples of concessions large and small .
Investigators did not try to question Trump ’ s daughter Ivanka — who had spoken in the lobby to a delegation of Russians who came to Trump Tower in June 2016 to meet with campaign leaders who had been promised that they were offering dirt on Hillary Clinton from the Russian government .
They “ feared that hauling her in for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antagonistic right-wing press — look how they ’ re roughing up the president ’ s daughter — and risk enraging Trump , provoking him to shut down the special counsel ’ s office once and for all , ” he wrote .
Similarly , they did not subpoena the Trump Organization for emails about its efforts to develop a Trump-branded building in Moscow , which were active deep into the 2016 campaign .
And they did not immunize Trump ’ s son Donald Trump Jr. , a step that would have prevented him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment to avoid testifying about matters like the Trump Tower meeting .
Bound by grand-jury secrecy rules , Weissmann did not come out and say whether Donald Trump Jr. was threatened with or actually issued a subpoena and used his right against self-incrimination to repel it .
Weissmann laid much of the blame for what he saw as a pattern of timidity on Zebley , portraying him as a primary decision-maker .
“ Repeatedly during our 22 months in operation , we would reach some critical juncture in our investigation only to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular action because it risked aggravating the president beyond some undefined breaking point.
” Weissmann acknowledged , but did not clearly address , concerns that the aging Mueller had lost a step , both declaring that he was capable of making the tough decisions despite “ speculative concerns ” about his health but also describing him in one scene as looking drained and worn down by his years of gruelling public service .
While Zebley obtained Mueller ’ s sanction for many of his cautious directives , in one striking episode , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have unilaterally agreed — without Mueller ’ s knowledge — to a request by the office of the deputy attorney general overseeing them , Rod J. Rosenstein , not to co-ordinate with state prosecutors “ as it would undermine the president ’ s pardon power.
” Two other former officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity , disputed the account .
Rosenstein did not decline any request to share information with state prosecutors , a person familiar with his thinking wrote in an email .
Another person familiar with how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosenstein ’ s office denied that there had been any agreement about sharing evidence with or withholding it from state prosecutors , and said Zebley had consulted with Mueller on every material decision .
On the failure to subpoena Trump , Mueller was determined to avoid “ any public disagreements ” with Rosenstein , Weissmann wrote .
Because the special counsel regulations required telling Congress about any instance in which Rosenstein overruled him , Mueller never actually proposed subpoenaing Trump , instead coyly asking what Rosenstein ’ s reaction would be .
Rosenstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Weissmann said in an interview , the caution was more justified early on to avoid provoking Trump into firing them before they could get going .
But he and Rhee , among others , believed the office should have been willing to be more aggressive later on , after they had learned much of what Russia had done and had already used indictments to drag it into public view .
“ We would have subpoenaed the president after he refused our accommodations , even if that risked us being fired , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t sit right .
We were left feeling like we had let down the American public , who were counting on us to give it our all .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-21--White minister who supported Montgomery bus boycott dies

MONTGOMERY , Ala. - The Rev .
Robert Graetz , the only white minister to support the Montgomery bus boycott and who became the target of scorn and bombings for doing so , died Sunday .
He was 92 .
Graetz died of complications of Parkinson ’ s disease at his home in Montgomery surrounded by his wife , family and friends , said Kenneth Mullinax , a friend and family spokesman .
Graetz was the minister of the majority-Black Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church in Montgomery .
Graetz was the only local white clergyman to support the boycott .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassment , threats and bombings as a result .
Sparked by the December 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks , the planned one-day boycott of Montgomery City Lines became a 381-day protest of the segregated bus system that ended with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregated public buses were unconstitutional .
The parsonage where the Graetzes lived was twice targeted by bombs , once when they were away and again in 1957 , not long after the boycott ended , in a wave of attacks on civil rights leaders and churches .
Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rev .
Ralph Abernathy were also bombed that night .
The Graetzes were at home with their children at the time , including a nine-day-old baby at the time .
One bomb blew out the windows of the home .
A second , a massive package of 11 sticks of dynamite wrapped around a small box of TNT , was at the parsonage earlier that night but failed to explode .
In his book , “ A White Preacher ’ s Message on Race and Reconciliation , ” Graetz described how during those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his children in which he encouraged them to duck behind the sofa if they were told to hide because of a strange noise outside .
Despite the scorn , violence and threats he and his wife faced , Graetz wrote they would not change a thing if we were given the opportunity .
“ The privilege of standing up for righteousness and justice and love is greater than any other reward we might have received , ” Graetz wrote .
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said Graetz “ lived what he preached.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife Jeannie stood against hate and put their lives in danger because the cause , of their all black congregation and the community itself was just , ” Reed said .
Tafeni English , the director of the Montgomery-based Southern Poverty Law Center called Graetz a “ remarkable civil rights and social justice leader.
” “ Rev .
Graetz was a kind and gentle soul , who along with his revered wife , Jeannie , dedicated his life to creating Dr. King ’ s vision of the Beloved Community , ” English said @


thetorontostar--2020-09-21--Storm heading northward toward Japan packing winds, downpour

TOKYO - A tropical storm developing in the Pacific Ocean , was slowly sweeping toward Japan on Tuesday , threatening @ @ @ @ @ with heavy rainfall and harsh winds .
Tropical Storm Dolphin had sustained winds of up @ @ @ @ @ as of Tuesday morning .
Heavy rainfall have set off mudslides and flooding in wide @ @ @ @ @ and the Japan Meteorological Agency warned even weak storms can wreak havoc .
Dolphin is @ @ @ @ @ , wind and rain on a projected course over southern Honshu , including the major @ @ @ @ @ areas in central Japan , by Wednesday .
It will then move northeast over Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ and nearby areas in northern Japan later in the week , the agency said .
@ @ @ @ @ parts of Japan and the Korean Peninsula were slammed by Typhoon Haishen , which damaged @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-21--Police release footage after officers shoot 13-year-old boy

SALT LAKE CITY - A 13-year-old Utah boy with autism was shot by police after his mother asked for help getting him hospital mental-health treatment and officers agreed to talk with him , police footage released Monday showed .
The videos show Salt Lake City officers chasing him down an alley after they arrive at his home , then yelling at him to get on the ground .
The boy collapses after a series of shots ring out , moaning , “ I don ’ t feel good .
I don ’ t feel good.
” He survived but suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family ’ s attorney has said .
His mother , Golda Barton , had warned police that her son said earlier that day , Sept. 4 , that he had a gun and had threatened to shoot her male coworker and break windows in the house , the video showed .
But she told officers she thought it was a BB gun or pellet gun .
There were no indications he was armed .
She wanted him to be hospitalized for help with his mental health issues .
Officers said they would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have access to a real gun , the videos show .
Barton told officers the boy was “ triggered ” by seeing police .
“ He sees the badge and he automatically thinks you are going to kill him or he has to defend himself in some way , ” she said .
“ He freaks out.
” The video was made public under a Salt Lake City ordinance requiring the release of video from police shootings within 10 business days .
The shooting has raised new questions about how police deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for police reform .
It came hours before new deescalation tactics were due to take effect for Salt Lake City police , which is also co-operating with an independent investigation of the shooting .
In one video , two officers can be heard discussing whether or not to approach the boy because they were concerned that the incident would result in a shooting .
“ Especially when he hates cops , it ’ s probably gon na end in a shooting , ” one officer said .
As officers approach the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the backyard .
The officers start to run after the boy — yelling at him to stop and get on the ground .
When they catch up to the boy , they ask him to get on the ground again .
The boy ignores their commands and continues walking before a series of shots ring out .
The videos don ’ t seem to show the boy holding any weapon and police don ’ t mention any in a report also released Monday .
Barton has said she told dispatchers her son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help from a crisis-intervention officer .
On the 911 call recording , she said she has called the cops before on her son and that he has previously run away from officers .
“ My biggest fear is that , I don ’ t know I just don ’ t want him to die , ” Barton said .
“ But the times they ’ ve came he has been gone like he ’ ll take off and go running .
That ’ s why I don ’ t want to go there…I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him.
” She added : “ That ’ s why we need a mental health worker , ” she said .
“ It ’ s super important.
” The Salt Lake City officers who arrived had some mental-health training but were not specialists in crisis intervention .
Linden , who the family wants to be referred to only by his first name , “ was lucky to be alive , ” his attorney Zach Weyher said .
Two weeks later , he remains hospitalized .
“ Whatever happened , it was a 13-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were called for a mental-health call , not a criminal act , ” Weyher said .
“ A child is laying in a hospital bed ... there has to be a better response.
” The mayor of Salt Lake City , Erin Mendenhall , said at a news conference Monday that as a mother of a 14-year-old boy she was profoundly upset by the shooting .
She called for a quick but thorough investigation about what happened .
“ I am profoundly heartbroken and frustrated , ” she said .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for his mother and for families and individuals who have acute mental health needs.
” Eppolito is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

Sophia Eppolito And Lindsay Whitehurst - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-21--DA seeking Trump’s taxes cites ‘mountain’ of allegations

NEW YORK - The Manhattan district attorney ’ s office told a federal appeals court Monday that its quest to gain access to President Donald Trump ’ s tax returns is supported by “ a mountainous record “ of public allegations of misconduct .
The president and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. have been battling for more than a year over a subpoena sent to Trump ’ s accounting firm , Mazars USA , seeking eight year ’ s worth of his tax documents .
Attorneys for Trump have argued that Vance , a Democrat , is just trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad investigation that has no legal basis .
In a filing with the 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , lawyers for Vance again declined to reveal exactly why Trump is under investigation , citing grand jury secrecy rules .
But they cited multiple news reports in which Trump or his companies have been accused of overstating the value of his assets when dealing with potential business partners and lenders while minimizing the value of those same assets for tax purposes .
“ Any investigation into the types of potential financial improprieties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review , not only of tax returns , but source documents , working papers , and communications of the sort identified in the Mazars Subpoena , to evaluate the accuracy and good faith of the positions taken in the filings , as well as the roles of various employees and other potential witnesses , ” they wrote .
Trump has called Vance ’ s investigation “ a fishing expedition ” and “ a continuation of the witch hunt — the greatest witch hunt in history.
” The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissing his argument that presidents are immune from state criminal inquiries as long as they are in office .
Trump ’ s legal team then tried a different approach , saying the subpoena seeking his returns was issued in bad faith .
That argument was also rejected by a federal judge last month .
Trump appealed .
Even if the appeals court decides in Vance ’ s favour , it is unlikely that Trump ’ s returns will then become public before the election .
Any material produced as a result of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jury secrecy rules .


thetorontostar--2020-09-21--The Latest:  Connecticut forms advisory groups on vaccines

HARTFORD , Conn. -- Connecticut is forming an advisory group to validate the safety of any coronavirus vaccines and how to distribute them to the public , Gov .
Ned Lamont said Monday .
Lamont said the goals are to make sure the vaccines are not harmful , the public can have confidence in them and they are distributed with priority going to certain populations such as nursing homes , first responders , schools and colleges while supplies are limited at first .
Lamont cited comments by Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be widely available by April .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — Analysis : U.S. to hit 200,000 dead ; Trump sees no need for regret — New Zealand to begin lifting all remaining coronavirus restrictions HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : HARRISBURG , Pa. -- Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill that would give school districts the sole ability to make decisions on sports , including whether and how many spectators to allow .
Lawmakers are planning to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Legislation that cleared the House and Senate would have empower schools to make their own rules about the number of spectators permitted at games .
Wolf says his gathering limits of no more than 25 people indoors and 250 people outdoors should apply to youth sports to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
WASHINGTON — The White House is urging U.S. governors to put politics aside and help the Trump administration promote future coronavirus vaccines as safe and effective .
Vice-President Mike Pence urged governors Monday to use their bully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be safe to take after a rigorous vetting process by the Food and Drug Administration .
“ What we don ’ t want is people undermining confidence in the process , ” Pence said in a private call with governors , the audio of which was obtained by The Associated Press .
Trump has escalated his promise for a coronavirus vaccine before Election Day .
But Democrats , independents and even some Republicans do not trust the Trump administration to produce a safe and effective vaccine on such an aggressive timeline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of a heated election season , but stressed that no corners would be cut in approving a vaccine and said his request for support was apolitical .
“ I ’ m leaving the politics outside of the room here , ” Pence said .
ANKARA , Turkey — Turkey ’ s president , who has long called for a reform of the United Nations , said the world body has failed in its response to the coronavirus pandemic .
In a televised address following a Cabinet meeting , Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the existence ” of the pandemic and had failed to “ make its presence felt ” for nations requiring help to fight infections .
“ The UN , which has fallen flat concerning crises from Syria to Yemen , as well as developments in fragile regions of Africa and South America , has also flunked during the pandemic , ” he said .
His comments came as world leaders mark the 75th anniversary of UN General Assembly this week .
HARTFORD , Conn. — Spring break at Connecticut ’ s four state universities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the state were closed Monday because of the coronavirus .
State officials said they were cancelling spring break next March to help ensure health and safety at Central Connecticut State University , Southern Connecticut State University , Western Connecticut State University and Eastern Connecticut State University .
Several public schools in Connecticut were closed Monday because of positive coronavirus tests , including in Hartford , Bridgeport and Weston .
Connecticut Congresswoman Jahana Hayes said Monday that she developed a fever since testing positive for the virus over the weekend , and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — Idaho school districts vary widely when it comes to letting the public know about coronavirus cases in classrooms .
An investigation by the Idaho Statesman reveals that school districts across southwestern Idaho have wide-ranging levels of transparency when it comes to the number of COVID-19 cases in local schools .
Some notify the public of each case in each school , while others only provide that information at the district level .
Others don ’ t track coronavirus cases at all , instead relying on the local health department to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requests to districts across the Treasure Valley asking for the number of COVID-19 cases and related quarantines in each school .
The newspaper did not ask for any personally identifiable information .
Officials with the West Ada School District — the largest in Idaho — claimed federal privacy laws prevented them from sharing coronavirus case counts with the public .
But guidance from two federal agencies says the laws cited by West Ada do not prohibit schools from providing statistics .
ROME — Italy added Paris and other parts of France to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted another 1,350 coronavirus infections of its own .
Another 17 people died in the past day , bringing Italy ’ s official toll to 35,724 , the second-highest in Europe after Britain .
The ordinance signed Monday by Health Minister Roberto Speranza requires proof of negativity or tests on arrival from anyone coming from Paris , Provence , Corsica or several other French regions .
Infections in France reached a new record-high this weekend with over 13,000 new cases in 24 hours .
France and Spain lead the European Union with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two weeks .
Italy , the onetime European epicenter of the outbreak , already requires tests-on-arrival or a negative tests in the previous 72 hours for anyone coming from Spain , Croatia , Malta or Greece .
Speranza said the data from other parts of Europe must not be underestimated , given the efforts Italians made during a three-month spring lockdown to tame the virus : “ Italy today is better off than other countries , but we still need to be prudent to not render the sacrifices we made in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization and partners said countries comprising more than 60 % of the world ’ s population have signed up to its international initiative to buy coronavirus vaccines , but said they still need billions of dollars to pay for the shots .
At a press briefing on Monday , WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Covax facility , which it is heading along with vaccines alliance GAVI and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations , will help bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control .
“ The fastest route to ending the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to ensure some people are vaccinated in all countries , not that all people are vaccinated in some countries , ” Tedros said .
Tedros said Covax was aiming to provide 2 billion doses of vaccine available by the end of next year , although rich countries have reserved more than half of the world ’ s global capacity to produce such shots .
Numerous countries that have signed their own bilateral deals with vaccine makers have declined to participate or to use the facility to secure their own vaccines , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the United States .
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan , WHO ’ s chief scientist , said the agency is hoping that any vaccine used globally might be at least 70 % effective , but that a vaccine with 50 % efficacy would also be considered .
MADRID — Spain is recording 31,428 new coronavirus cases since data was last updated on Friday , bringing the total tally of confirmed infections to 671,468 , official health ministry data showed Monday .
Nearly four out of ten new cases were in Madrid , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading faster .
A quarter of the region ’ s hospitals are currently treating COVID-19 patients , while the national share stood at nearly 10 % of hospital capacity .
“ Right now is primary care that is treating most of the mild cases but we are starting to notice the pressure in hospitals , ” said Fernando Simón , the head of Spain ’ s health emergency co-ordinationcentre .
ATHENS , Greece — Greek authorities have announced a new record high for daily confirmed COVID-19 infections , which hit 453 over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of these was from a pre-existing outbreak on a camp for asylum-seekers on the eastern island of Lesbos .
Health officials also recorded another six deaths Monday , bringing the total toll in the country of about 10 million to 344 .
The total recorded infections are now around 15,600 .
The new infections include 184 among migrants and refugees moved to a new camp on Lesbos after the overcrowded Moria facility that housed about 12,500 people was burnt down .
Greek authorities say the fire was started by residents angry at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were recorded at Moria .
People left homeless after the fire refused for days to move to the new camp at Kara Tepe , triggering fears that the virus would spread unchecked on the island .
More than 7,000 people are now at Kara Tepe , and all were tested for COVID-19 upon entry .
Officials say 243 were found positive , most without symptoms , and 184 of these infections were recorded over the past 24 hours .
LONDON — Britain ’ s chief medical officers have raised the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus is in general circulation and transmission is high .
The chief medical officers of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland say cases are rising “ rapidly and probably exponentially.
” They say they are acting on the advice of the Joint Biosecurity Center and raising the level from three to four , the second-highest rung .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce further curbs to slow the spread of the virus on Tuesday .
ROME — Italians have turned out in droves to vote in regional elections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parliamentarians by a third , despite the coronavirus and strict hygiene protocols at all polls .
Turnout at the close of voting Monday indicated that in some regions nearly 60 % -75 % of eligible voters cast ballots , including those who voted from home or hospitals because they were sick with COVID-19 or quarantining .
An army of volunteers , wearing head-to-toe protective equipment , made house calls to ensure even virus-affected Italians could cast their ballots .
Those who made it to polling centres had to follow strict protocols on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly given precedence in lines and hand sanitizer ubiquitous .
Voters were choosing new regional administrators in seven regions as well as mayors in 1,000 towns and cities .
Italians also voted on a referendum to reduce the number of national lawmakers in the lower house from 630 to 400 and those in the Senate from 315 to 200 .
COPENHAGEN , Denmark — The Norwegian capital of Oslo on Monday banned crowds of more than 10 people in private homes after a spike in cases and “ strongly urged ” people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transportations amid strike among bus drivers .
“ The situation in Oslo is serious .
This development must be stopped , and we have to do it now , ” mayor Raymond Johansen said .
A strike that broke out Sunday among more than 8,000 Oslo bus drivers that sent commuters to take the tram instead had health officials worrying .
“ It is obvious that if 300,000 people who should have taken the bus , take the tram instead during rush hour , it will increase the risk of infection significantly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the health in the city told Norwegian broadcaster NRK .
Oslo has nearly 700,000 inhabitants , and there have been recorded more than 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants .
PARIS — French health authorities have started opening new testing centres in the Paris region to try to reduce queues and delays as the number of virus infections is steadily increasing in the country .
In total , 20 new testing centres were scheduled to open in the French capital and its suburbs this week .
The facilities will reserve certain hours to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients with a medical prescription , those who have been in close contact with a person infected and medical staff .
In Paris on Monday , some testing centres were warning people results could take up to seven or ten days .
French health minister Olivier Veran said getting the results within 24 hours has been set as a goal for priority patients .
YANGON , Myanmar — Myanmar ’ s biggest city , Yangon , on Monday began its first day under a tightened lockdown , with initial enforcement measures appearing lax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed under greater restrictions as the government attempts to stem a rising number of coronavirus cases and deaths that originated last month with an outbreak in the western state of Rakhine .
The new restrictions allow banks and financial services , fuel refilling stations , food businesses and cold storehouses , pharmaceutical and medical equipment businesses , drinking water businesses and factories producing daily hygiene products to stay open .
But many other businesses and shops were operating as usual on Monday .
Office buildings and towers were closed to comply with instructions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must work from home .
City residents are not supposed to travel outside their officially designated wards , but checkpoints are operating in only a few areas heavily affected by the virus , and street vendors could be seen moving freely in and out of the different wards .
YPSILANTI , Mich. — Eastern Michigan University will test campus wastewater for the COVID-19 virus and other signs of infectious diseases .
The testing , part of the school ’ s return-to-campus plan , is intended to track the presence of the coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complexes .
The monitoring might provide early detection of asymptomatic cases of the virus , according to the school .
“ The results of the tests will help us pinpoint any concerning trends and expand individual testing among specific populations as necessary , ” EMU President James Smith said .
Researchers and health officials have said they can track the course of a community outbreak of the coronavirus by studying the waste flushed from its bathrooms .
Tests have shown that wastewater contains infectious biomarkers that can signal the growth or reduction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a university campus .
EMU in Ypsilanti is working with Michigan-based Aquasight on the testing .


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Alaska absentee ballots sent with incorrect candidate name

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - The Alaska Division of Elections listed the wrong Democratic candidate on 135 absentee ballots emailed to Alaska residents who are overseas , officials said .
The ballots incorrectly listed Adam Lees as the Democratic candidate for House District 28 in Anchorage , The Anchorage Daily News reported Monday .
Lees was replaced on the ballot by Anchorage Assembly member Suzanne LaFrance , a registered nonpartisan voter who was named the Democratic nominee after Lees won the Democratic primary and withdrew in her favour Aug. 31 .
LaFrance was notified by a voter who shared a photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elections division , she said .
“ Although staff updated the templates for the mailed ballots , the ballots sent through email to be printed out and mailed in were not properly updated with candidate LaFrance ’ s name , ” Fenumiai said in a written statement .
Fenumiai notified the vendor managing the online ballot distribution , which recalled the emails sent with the wrong ballot , she said .
“ We will identify those voters that opened the email , contact them , and ensure they get a corrected ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Fenumiai said .
LaFrance faces Republican James Kaufman and independent candidate Benjamin Fletcher for the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Jennifer Johnston , who lost to Kaufman in the Republican primary .
Adolph Garcia is a registered write-in candidate but does not appear on the ballot .
The state sent several thousand absentee ballots by mail to overseas voters Friday ahead of a federally imposed deadline .
The state emails blank ballots to voters who request “ electronic transmission.
” Those voters complete the ballot on computers before printing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska Democratic Party Director Lindsay Kavanaugh said she was not surprised by the error .
“ There is a pattern of repeated mistakes , lack of transparency , and lack of voter education from the Division of Elections and Lt .
Governor Kevin Meyer , ” Kavanaugh said in a written statement .
The mistaken ballots were issued in the same week that an emergency lawsuit unsuccessfully challenged the state ’ s ballot design , which three federal and state candidates said was biased against Libertarians and independents .


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Blast rocks Hezbollah stronghold in south Lebanon

BEIRUT - An explosion shook a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon on Tuesday , but the cause was not immediately @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday in the southern village of Ein Qana , above the port city of Sidon @ @ @ @ @ over the village .
An official with the Shiite militant group Hezbollah confirmed there was @ @ @ @ @ give further details .
Members of the group imposed a security cordon around the area @


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Petition for restraining order alleges unlawful use of force by L.A. Sheriff’s Department at protest

Petition for restraining order alleges unlawful use of force by L.A. Sheriff’s Department at protests

LOS ANGELES—Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit are seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction to limit the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s use of nonlethal force at protests , claiming it has employed rubber bullets , tear gas and other chemical agents indiscriminately against peaceful protestors , journalists and legal observers in violation of the Constitution .
The petition , filed Monday in U.S. District Court , focuses on protests in recent weeks against police brutality and the shooting of Dijon Kizzee , who was killed by sheriff ’ s deputies Aug. 31 in Westmont after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while riding his bike .
The incident has spurred daily protests in front of the South L.A. sheriff ’ s station .
In court documents , a group of 13 plaintiffs — including protestors injured at marches against police violence over the summer — claim that the department has been improperly using force to disperse crowds without giving those present sufficient warning and time to obey orders .
“ Instead of deploying these weapons in a defensive manner to protect themselves and others , the LASD has been deliberately using less-lethal munitions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fashion against people engaged in lawful activities , including journalists and legal observers , ” a memorandum filed with the petition states .
The Sheriff ’ s Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
A spokesman previously said that deputies used less-lethal force in response to protesters who threw rocks and bottles at officials .
“ Deputies have not used less-lethal options simply because protesters refused to leave , ” said Lt. John Satterfield in response to allegations of unprovoked use of force earlier this month .
The application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 27 that claims the department engaged in “ dangerous , retaliatory abuses , ” including unlawful arrests and excessive use of force , at protests in May and June against the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and 18-year-old Andres Guardado in Gardena .
On Sunday , community organizers and family members of those killed by deputies stood outside the South L.A. sheriff ’ s station to announce another protest in the area next weekend .
“ We ’ ll be quiet , we ’ ll shut up , as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sequarier McCoy , an aunt of Kizzee , as she called for Sheriff Alex Villanueva to resign .
The petition for a restraining order seeks to stop the department from indiscriminately using nonlethal projectiles such as rubber bullets and pepper balls to disperse and control crowds unless there is a specific and immediate safety threat .
It states that before such force is used the department should declare an unlawful assembly and provide clear notice of dispersal orders .
The filing also seeks to stop indiscriminate use of chemical agents such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds without adequate warning .
It says that the weapons should only be used after other efforts to contain crowds have failed .
A memorandum submitted with the petition states that on Aug. 25 , deputies fired rubber bullets , pepper balls and tear gas into a crowd after about 100 demonstrators marched peacefully in downtown L.A. to protest the police killing of Anthony McClain in Pasadena .
It alleges that officials used force without warning or dispersal orders and that two legal observers from the National Lawyers Guild were targeted with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputies to move across the street .
In another incident on Sept. 5 , 250 to 300 people went to the South L.A. sheriff ’ s station to protest the killing of Kizzee , 29 .
The filing describes people “ milling around ” listening to speeches when deputies began firing into the crowd with rubber bullets , pepper balls , flash bangs and tear gas grenades .
“ Again , no warning or dispersal order had been given , and even as people retreated and ran away from the location , LASD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with rubber bullets , ” the memorandum states .
On Sept. 7 , 75 to 100 people gathered near the same station .
The plaintiffs claim that at about 10 p.m. , deputies began shooting projectiles , tear gas , and other munitions at protestors without warning .
During the incident , a 19-year-old woman was shot in the right ankle with a black stinger grenade and struck at least three times in the back and once in her right calf with a rubber bullet , making standing difficult , the filing states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is they ’ re using less-lethal projectiles — rubber bullets , pepper balls , stinger grenades — to disperse people , ” said Jorge Gonzalez , one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit .
“ Those are supposed to be used only when there ’ s an assault on the officers.
” Plaintiffs also claim that deputies have targeted demonstrators .
In the memorandum , they describe how on Sept. 9 , a man returning from picking up a first aid kit and other supplies for protesters found the tires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw deputies slash the tires , the filing states .
As he was about to seek help for his vehicle , four Sheriff ’ s Department vehicles arrived and detained him as they searched his truck without permission , the plaintiffs allege .
They said officials admitted to detaining him because he was bringing supplies to demonstrators .
The request for a restraining order comes after several county supervisors and members of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission called for Villanueva to resign last week .
Some have expressed concern about the sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have held that he has refused to share information with Inspector General Max Huntsman , who has accused the department of not co-operating with his investigations of the department for possible violations of freedom of the press .
Villanueva has told the Los Angeles Times that he is not concerned by some officials ’ lack of confidence in him and plans to continue serving .


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Russian diplomat hits sanctions at UN amid tension with West

MOSCOW - Russia ’ s foreign minister complained about countries using sanctions to meddle in the domestic affairs of other nations , telling the U.N. General Assembly that such penalties hamper an effective worldwide response to issues such as the coronavirus pandemic , climate change , military conflicts and international terrorism .
In a speech delivered when it was early Tuesday in Moscow but still Monday in New York , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the attempts by some countries to “ meddle in the domestic affairs of other states , using unilateral sanctions ” interfere with addressing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We believe that this is largely attributed to the fact that some countries are not willing to account for the legitimate interests of other states , “ Lavrov said in a speech on behalf of the Collective Security Treaty Organization , which consists of Russia , Belarus , Armenia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan .
“ They are seeking to impose concepts and standards like the ‘ rules-based world order ’ while attempting to meddle in the domestic affairs of other states , using unilateral sanctions in violation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intolerance and hatred , “ the minister charged .
Lavrov ’ s speech came amid tensions between Russia and the West over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny , who is being treated in Berlin for what German authorities said was a nerve agent poisoning , and as the European Union ponders imposing sanctions over Belarus ’ disputed presidential election and crackdowns on protesters .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Navalny ’ s poisoning an attempted murder that was intended to silence Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s most prominent foe .
Merkel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rethink the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project , which would bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea .
Russia also drew international criticism for approving a COVID-19 vaccine after testing it on just several dozen people .
Putin , who is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly later Tuesday , touted the vaccine on national television and said that one of his adult daughters had already been inoculated .
However , both Russian and Western experts insisted that further studies were necessary to determine its effectiveness and safety .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for unity and urged countries to reaffirm their commitment to the U.N. charter and international law , saying that “ the world is tired of dividing lines , of separating states into friends and foes.
” “ We once again , like in 1945 , need to cast the differences aside and unite in the name of solving common problems , backed by equal dialogue and mutual respect for ( each other ’ s ) interests , ” the Russian minister concluded .
European Union foreign ministers failed to agree Monday on imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud or of playing a part in a six-week security crackdown .
However , EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said there was “ clear will to adopt those sanctions .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--The Latest: Ex-judges urge Senate to delay vote on justice

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Ginsburg ( all times local ) : Ten former federal judges , including former FBI Director William Webster , are asking Senate leaders to withhold consideration of a Supreme Court nominee until after Inauguration Day .
The ex-judges , appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents , say the judicial confirmation process has become “ dangerously politicized.
’ ’ They warn that injecting a bitter Supreme Court confirmation fight “ into this noxious mix ” could “ unalterably change and diminish the public ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ The legitimacy of the Supreme Court “ is not something that can be recovered if it is lost , ’ ’ the judges wrote in a letter to Senate leaders from both parties .
“ It is up to you to demonstrate the same restraint demanded of our judiciary.
’ ’ In addition to Webster , who was a district and appeals court judge before heading the FBI and CIA , the letter is signed by nine other former judges .
They include appeals courts judges H. Lee Sarokin of New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ann Claire Williams of Illinois .
Republican Sen. Martha McSally , who is running in a special election in Arizona , says re-electing her is key not only to keeping the GOP in control of the Senate but also to ensuring that President Donald Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee is confirmed .
If her Democratic opponent , Mark Kelly , wins , he could take office as early as Nov. 30 .
This would shrink the GOP ’ s Senate majority as it works to confirm Trump ’ s nominee .
Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McSally , who was appointed to the seat held by John McCain when he died in 2018 .
McSally said Tuesday on “ Fox & Friends “ that , “ We ’ re at ground zero here in Arizona .
She said Kelly ” came out and said he would be with ( Senate Minority Leader Chuck ) Schumer to delay and get some liberal activist judge on the bench .
So the stakes have just gone up in our race , in particular .
We ’ re a dead heat right now.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current Senate should vote on Trump ’ s nominee without delay .
Currently , Republicans hold 53 seats in the 100-member chamber .
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham says Republicans have the votes to confirm President Donald Trump ’ s Supreme Court pick before the Nov. 3 presidential election .
Graham , R-S.C. , said late Monday on Fox News that he wouldn ’ t be intimidated by Democrats , who vehemently oppose any confirmation vote until a new president is inaugurated .
In 2016 , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama ’ s nominee , Judge Merrick Garland during an election year .
Two years later , Democrats fought unsuccessfully to halt the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh over allegations that he ’ d committed sexual assault while in high school — allegations Kavanaugh denied .
“ They tried to destroy Brett Kavanagh so they could fill the seat , ” Graham told Fox News , adding : “ It didn ’ t work with Kavanaugh .
We ’ ve got the votes to confirm Justice Ginsburg ’ s replacement before the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the committee .
We ’ re going to report the nomination out of the committee to the floor of the United States Senate so we can vote before the election.
” Graham , who subsequently took over the Judiciary chairmanship from Sen. Charles Grassley , said , “ After Kavanaugh everything changed with me .
They ’ re not going to intimidate me , Mitch McConnell or anybody else.
” “ We ’ re going to have a process that you ’ ll be proud of , ” Graham said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by every Republican in the Judiciary Committee .
We ’ ve got the votes to confirm the justice on the floor of the Senate before the election and that ’ s what ’ s coming.
” Republicans outnumber Democrats in the Senate , 53-47 and can confirm a justice by a simple majority .


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Greece: Prosecutors told to put anti-maskers on trial

ATHENS , Greece - Judicial authorities in Greece received instructions Tuesday to pursue the prosecution of anti-mask activists with fast-tracked trials and penalties for convictions of up to a year in prison .
The instructions issued by a Supreme Court prosecutor described activists who oppose government orders to wear masks to curb the coronavirus as a threat to public health and public order .
While Greece ’ s COVID-19 infection rate remains lower than in most other European Union member nations , the country has seen a sharp increase in confirmed cases since early August .
The total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including 344 deaths .
Anti-mask groups have recently stepped up activity online and staged small street protests .
Since schools reopened last week , they have focused their criticism on the requirement for students to wear masks in class .
Supreme Court prosecutor Vassilis Pliotas said the actions of anti-mask campaigners had caused “ understandable concern among law-abiding citizens.
” He described the groups as “ minor but persistent.
” Pliotas said online posts and other actions merit prosecution for the crime of agitating to break the law , an offence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarely led to imprisonment .
Anti-mask groups argue that medical advice on the effectiveness of masks has been inconsistent and that public health measures introduced by the government are broadly undemocratic .
The government says it is relying on the advice of leading Greek and international experts and that lawmakers approved its framework of virus-related restrictions .


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Huge California wildfire threatening more than 1,000 homes

LOS ANGELES - A wildfire scorching its way through brush and timber from the mountains to the desert northeast of Los Angeles threatened more than 1,000 homes on Tuesday as crews across the West battled dozens of other major blazes .
The Bobcat Fire was advancing at a mile or two an hour at times and continued to threaten the Mojave Desert town of Pearblossom after burning into the Antelope Valley foothill area , on the other side of the San Gabriel Mountains from Los Angeles .
The blaze that began Sept. 6 destroyed or damaged at least 29 homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Juniper Hills area , with the toll rising to perhaps 85 when damage assessment teams can complete their work this week , authorities said .
“ That fire came over the hill so hard and fast that I turned around and I barely got my eight dogs and my two parrots out , ” Poindexter told ABC7 .
“ You can see everything is ash.
” Firefighters also battled flareups near Mount Wilson , which overlooks greater Los Angeles and has a historic observatory founded more than a century ago and numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire was fueled by vegetation that hadn ’ t burned in decades and pushed by erratic winds over the weekend , although they had died down by Monday , and were expected to remain light through Tuesday .
Near Mount Wilson , firefighters set more than a mile of fires designed to burn out the blaze ’ s fuel and act as a brake on its advance .
However , with the fire only 13 % contained , firefighters weren ’ t taking anything for granted .
Officials revised the containment number down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ ve got a fire here that is bigger than the city of Denver , and it did it in two weeks , ” said Sky Cornell with the Los Angeles County Fire Department .
About 1,100 homes and some 4,000 residents remained under evacuation orders , fire officials said Monday evening .
Evacuation warnings — meaning residents should be prepared to flee if ordered — remained in effect for the L.A. suburb of Pasadena , home of the Rose Bowl and the annual Rose Parade , and Wrightwood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County ski resorts .
The blaze was one of more than two dozen major wildfires burning across California , including five of the largest in state history .
More than 5,600 square miles ( 14,500 square kilometres ) have been charred , an area larger than the state of Connecticut , and at least 23,00 people remain evacuated statewide , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said .
Early estimates are that 6,400 buildings have been destroyed across the state , but Newsom said “ by no stretch of the imagination do we think this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ongoing , he said .
Numerous studies in recent years have linked bigger U.S. wildfires to global warming from the burning of coal , oil and gas , especially because climate change has made California much drier .
A drier California means plants are more flammable .
Nearly 19,000 firefighters in California are currently battling 27 major blazes , Newsom said .
At least 7,900 wildfires have erupted in the state this year , many during a mid-August barrage of dry lightning that ignited parched vegetation .
Twenty-six people have been killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a firefighter at another Southern California wildfire that erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby ’ s gender .
Charles Morton , 39 , died on Sept. 17 while battling the El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino National Forest about 75 miles ( 120 kilometres ) east of Los Angeles .
Morton , was a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a squad boss with the Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew of the San Bernardino National Forest .
“ Charlie was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his squad and his crew at the toughest times , ” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen .
“ Charlie is survived by his wife and daughter , his parents , two brothers , cousins , and friends .
He ’ s loved and will be missed .
May he rest easy in heaven with his baby boy , ” Morton ’ s family said in a statement .
In Wyoming , officials warned that “ a high probability for fire growth “ exists for a blaze burning toward cabins and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a major source of water for the state ’ s capital city , Cheyenne .
The Mullen Fire in the Medicine Bow National Forest is burning in heavily forested , rugged terrain that would usually be busy now with hunters at the start of elk hunting season .
And in Colorado , one of the state ’ s largest wildfires continued to grow slowly , with firefighters benefiting as the flames spread into flatter ground Monday .
Still , the Cameron Peak Fire near Red Feather Lakes had covered 162.7 square miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 15 % contained .
At higher elevations , it devoured many lodgepole pine trees killed by a beetle infestation .
More than 9,000 firefighters continue to battle large wildfires across Oregon and Washington , where thousands of residences have been destroyed , the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service said .

Christopher Weber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Justice Dept.: 179 arrested in darknet opioid takedown

WASHINGTON - Law enforcement officials arrested 179 people and seized more than $ 6.5 million in a worldwide crackdown on opioid trafficking on the darknet , the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday .
The operation , which mainly occurred in the U.S. and in Europe , comes more than a year after officials took down the “ Wall Street Market , ” which was believed to be one of the largest illegal online marketplaces on the darknet .
The darknet is a part of the internet hosted within an encrypted network and accessible only through specialized anonymity-providing tools , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the initiative , law enforcement officials seized over $ 6.5 million in cash and virtual currency , in addition to 500 kilograms of drugs , the Justice Department said .
About 275 kilograms of drugs , including fentanyl , heroin , cocaine , ecstasy and other opioids , had been seized in the U.S .
The arrests include 121 made in the U.S. , two in Canada , 42 in Germany , eight in the Netherlands , four in the United Kingdom , three in Australia and one in Sweden .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and investigators were still working to identify other individuals behind darknet accounts .
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said the takedown showed “ there will be no safe haven for drug dealing in cyberspace .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Tropical Storm Beta stalls along Texas coast, brings floods

HOUSTON - Tropical Storm Beta stalled out Tuesday along the Texas coast , flooding streets in Houston and Galveston hours after making landfall amid an unusually busy hurricane season .
The storm made landfall late Monday just north of Port O ’ Connor , Texas , and has the distinction of being the first time a storm named for a Greek letter made landfall in the continental United States .
Forecasters ran out of traditional storm names last week , forcing the use of the Greek alphabet for only the second time since the 1950s .
Early Tuesday , Beta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east-southeast of Victoria , Texas , with maximum winds of 40 mph ( 64 kph ) , the U.S. National Hurricane Center said .
The storm was moving toward the northwest near 3 mph ( 4 kilometres ) and is expected to stall inland over Texas through Wednesday .
“ We currently have both storm surge and rainfall going on right now , ” said National Weather Service meteorologist Amaryllis Cotto in Galveston , Texas .
Cotto said 6-12 inches ( 15-30 centimetres ) of rain has fallen in the area , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 45 centimetres ) .
Dangerous flash flooding is expected through Wednesday , Cotto said .
Beta was the ninth named storm that made landfall in the continental U.S. this year .
That tied a record set in 1916 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
Beta was expected to linger over Texas then eventually move over Louisiana , Arkansas and Mississippi later in the week , bringing the risk of flash flooding .
Forecasters warned of heavy rainfall Tuesday on the middle and upper Texas coast , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 12 inches of rain ( 15 to 30 centimetres ) was expected , with some isolated areas of up to 20 inches ( 51 centimetres ) , forecasters said .
However , forecasters and officials reassured residents Beta was not expected to be another Hurricane Harvey or Tropical Storm Imelda .
Harvey in 2017 dumped more than 50 inches ( 127 centimetres ) of rain on Houston , causing $ 125 billion in damage in Texas .
Imelda , which hit Southeast Texas last year , was one of the wettest cyclones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 feet ( 1.2 metres ) was possible in the Galveston and Beaumont areas through Wednesday morning , forecasters said .
In Galveston , an island city southeast of Houston , there was already some street flooding Monday from rising tides and part of a popular fishing pier collapsed due to strong waves .
Farther south on the Texas coast , Maria Serrano Culpepper along with her two daughters and dogs left their home in Magnolia Beach near Matagorda Bay on Sunday night .
Culpepper said she didn ’ t want to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the beach , with wind , rain and possibly no electricity .
She and her family evacuated to a friend ’ s home in nearby Victoria .
Culpepper said her home should be fine as it ’ s on stilts 13 feet ( 4 metres ) off the ground and was built to withstand strong storms .
“ I ’ m feeling OK now .
I had two nights without sleeping because I was worried about ( Beta ) being a Category 1 hurricane .
I calmed down when the storm lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works as an engineer at a nearby chemical plant .
On Monday , Gov .
Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 29 Texas counties ahead of Beta ’ s arrival .
Beta is forecast to dump heavy rain on the southwestern corner of Louisiana three weeks after the same area got pounded by Hurricane Laura .
The rainfall and storm surge prompted Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards to declare a state of emergency .
In Lake Charles , Mayor Nic Hunter worried about Beta ’ s rainfall could set back efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura , which damaged about 95 % of the city ’ s 30,000 structures .
Hunter said the worry of another storm was “ an emotional and mental toll for a lot of our citizens.
” Parts of the Alabama coast and Florida Panhandle were still reeling from Hurricane Sally , which roared ashore Wednesday , causing at least two deaths .
Meanwhile , Hurricane Teddy continued its path toward Canada , with a predicted landfall in Nova Scotia early Wednesday before moving into Newfoundland on Wednesday night , forecasters said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rip currents along the U.S. East Coast , and tropical storm conditions were expected to begin in Nova Scotia by Tuesday afternoon , the National Hurricane Center said .
Teddy was about 365 miles ( 590 kilometres ) south of Halifax , Nova Scotia , early Tuesday with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph ( 165 kph ) .
Teddy was expected to weaken later Tuesday and Wednesday but forecasters said it would likely be a strong , post-tropical cyclone when it moves in and over Nova Scotia .
Associated Press reporters Seth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Janet McConnaughey and Rebecca Santana in New Orleans and Julie Walker in New York City contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Virus scales down December Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony

COPENHAGEN - The award ceremony for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize , traditionally held at the Oslo city hall on Dec. 10 , will instead be held in scaled-down form at the city ’ s university because of the coronavirus outbreak .
“ It is a strange and challenging year in many ways .
We experience the same thing as many others , namely that things must be done in a new way , ” Olav Njoelstad , the director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute , the body that oversees the Nobel Peace Prize , told Norway broadcaster NRK on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — physics , chemistry , physiology or medicine and literature as well as the economic prize — will be awarded in Stockholm , Sweden , on the same day .
Organizers also have scheduled smaller ceremonies because of the pandemic .
Since 1901 , the prizes have been presented at ceremonies on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel ’ s death .
The peace award has been handed out in Oslo — according to Nobel ’ s will — while the rest have been handed out in Stockholm .
From 1947 to 1990 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the auditorium of the University of Oslo .
Thirty years ago , the event moved to the city hall that could seat roughly 1,000 guests , among them Norwegian royals .
This year , 100 guests are planned .
The name of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize winner will be revealed on Oct. 9 , while the other prizes will be announced between Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 .
There are 318 nominations for the 2020 peace prize — 211 are individuals and 107 are organizations and groups .
The Nobel institution does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 50 years .
However , those who nominate — a select group of people and organizations , including national lawmakers , heads of state and certain international institutions — can publicly announce their nominations .
Among this year ’ s nominees is Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg .
There is some uncertainty about whether winners will be able to travel to Sweden because of the pandemic , and a digital award ceremony is being considered .
“ As the infection situation is now , I think it is most likely that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be physically present .
That is what we are planning for , ” Njoelstad told NRK .
“ We are looking into the possibility of having a video link to a meeting room in the award winner ’ s home country .
It may also be relevant to have a representative of the Nobel Committee present there to present the Peace Prize.
” In Sweden , instead of the usual festive prize ceremony at the Stockholm City Hall , recipients will appear in a televised broadcast with the presentations of the awards interspersed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home countries , Lars Heikensten , the executive director of the Nobel Foundation , told Sweden ’ s TT news agency .
“ We tie everything together in a joint broadcast , with a studio in the City Hall .
Each prize winner can be at the Swedish embassy or at their university , ” Heikensten was quoted as saying .
The traditional banquet and concert held after the Nobel award ceremonies in both Oslo and Stockholm have been cancelled .
The musical tribute in Oslo to the Nobel peace laureate was first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big names from the entertainment industry .
Lionel Richie , Bon Jovi , Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige are among the performers who have hosted the event .


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Kansas City police ID 1-year-old killed in triple shooting

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
- Authorities have identified a child killed in a triple shooting in Kansas City as a 1-year-old boy , making him the city ’ s youngest homicide victim this year , police said .
Tyron Payton was in the back seat of a car with three other adults when someone opened fire on their vehicle Monday afternoon , police said .
The driver of the bullet-riddled car sped to a local fire station to ask for help , authorities said .
Firefighters and medics tended to Tyron and an unidentified man and woman who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three were taken to a hospital , where the boy later died .
The child ’ s death is the 148th homicide this year in Kansas City .
At this time last year , 114 homicides had been recorded .
The Kansas City Star , which keeps data on homicides in the city , reported that 13 people who were 18 or younger have died in homicides this year , with Tyron being the youngest .
All 13 died in shootings .
Federal agents have been sent to Kansas City and a handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight gun violence , part of a program called Operation Legend .
The program is named after a 4-year-old Kansas City boy LeGend Taliferro , who was shot and killed while sleeping in his father ’ s apartment on June 29 .
The federal task force had made more than 1,000 arrests in cities where it has been deployed since early July , U.S. Attorney General William Barr said last month .
The task force has sent more than 1,000 agents from several federal law enforcement agencies to cities that have high crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said a preliminary investigation showed that the vehicle was stopped in front of a home when someone fired numerous shots into it from outside , hitting the child and two adults .
A police spokesman on the scene said there was another adult in car who was not shot .
In a tweet , the city ’ s police department said they were “ stunned at this callousness and violence ” and that they would not rest until finding out who was responsible for the shooting .
Kansas City Mayor Quinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the shooting Monday , lamented the violence .
Police said in a news release that detectives were “ making headway identifying persons of interest ” in the shooting , but asked that anyone with any information about the shooting contact detectives .
“ We need your leads , we need to make sure this stops , ” Lucas said .
“ One way we make sure it stops is that those who do these sorts of things are held accountable .
Because when you look at the shot up vehicle , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no regard for the life of anybody .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--World powers take the stage, virtually, at UN debate

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The U.N. ’ s first virtual meeting of world leaders started Tuesday with pre-recorded speeches from some of the planet ’ s biggest powers , kept at home by the coronavirus pandemic that will likely be a dominant theme at their video gathering this year .
Among those speaking Tuesday are U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , whose countries have reported the highest and second-highest coronavirus death tolls , respectively .
Also on deck are President Xi Jinping of China , where the virus originated , and President Vladimir Putin of Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its rapid vaccine development .
After Monday ’ s introductory session marking the U.N. ’ s 75th anniversary , the meeting ’ s central event — speeches from each of its 193 member nations — start Tuesday .
They traditionally serve as a platform for countries to tout accomplishments , seek support , stoke rivalries and express views on global priorities .
This year , the platform is online , and there is a pressing new priority in the pandemic that has killed over 960,000 people worldwide .
“ When we met in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one could have imagined that 2020 would arrange such a powerful crash test for our world , “ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy remarked in his video speech for Monday ’ s anniversary commemoration .
By custom , Brazil speaks first and the U.S. second as the host country in the annual meeting ’ s “ general debate , ” which is generally less a dialogue than a series of declarations .
The coronavirus has inflicted heavy tolls on both countries , close to 200,000 people in the U.S. and over 136,000 in Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins University .
Both Bolsonaro and Trump have been at odds , at least at times , with governors and health experts over the pandemic and have emphasized the economic consequences of shutdowns .
Both also are contending with plenty of other issues that command world attention , including Bolsonaro ’ s plans to develop the Amazon and Trump ’ s 2018 decision to pull the U.S. out of Iran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers .
Washington took a further step this weekend with a unilateral , and disputed , declaration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 nuclear deal had been restored , setting up a likely showdown at the assembly — where Iran ’ s speech is also scheduled Tuesday .
So is Turkey ’ s , a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the U.N. has “ flunked during the pandemic.
” The virus was first detected in Wuhan , China , late last year .
After building field hospitals and imposing a draconian 76-day lockdown to battle the virus there , China has said of late that it is seeing relatively few cases , mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , the world ’ s most populous nation , has reported over 4,700 deaths .
Russia , where the death toll is over 19,000 , last month became the first country to approve a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus .
Russian President Vladimir Putin trumpeted the development , saying one of his adult daughters had already been inoculated .
But international health experts have expressed caution about the vaccine ’ s effectiveness and safety because of the small study sample and other limitations .
A record number of heads of states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual meeting , rather than sending ministers or diplomats .
That ’ s a good thing , “ but the idea that prime ministers and presidents are going to be sitting at home with a bucket of popcorn watching each other ’ s televised speeches is a bit silly , ” said Richard Gowan , who oversees U.N. issues for Crisis Group , a Brussels-based think-tank .
Still , German U.N .
Ambassador Christoph Heusgen sees the assembly as a chance for a global meeting of minds when it ’ s needed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital format , UNGA-75 is an opportunity — especially in the face of international conflicts and dramatic challenges such as climate change or COVID-19 , ” he said .

Jennifer Peltz And Edith M. Lederer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-22--Suspicious package at German parliament a false alarm

BERLIN - A suspicious package that arrived Tuesday morning in the mail room of Germany ’ s parliament building turned @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The package was an advertisement that was flagged by Bundestag security after @ @ @ @ @ it while scanning the mail , the dpa news agency reported .