thetorontostar--2020-08-24--The Latest: ACLU: New Mexico not protecting inmates’ health

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. — The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and a group of criminal defence lawyers are claiming in a lawsuit that state officials aren ’ t doing enough to protect the health of inmates amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The complaint filed Monday alleges that the government is refusing to enforce its own mandates for social distancing , heightened hygiene practices and quarantine measures .
It cites violations of the state constitution , suggesting that prison conditions “ have become so intolerable as to constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
” While the lawsuit lists several inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediate relief aimed at protecting the constitutional rights of all inmates in state custody .
Corrections officials did not comment directly on the pending litigation but said there have been just over 500 confirmed cases among state inmates since the pandemic began , with 11,765 tests being done so far .
Only 25 cases remain active , according to the department ’ s count .
Corrections Department spokesman Eric Harrison said the agency already has released 143 eligible inmates who were classified as high health risks and that measures have been put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison facilities to curb spread .
That includes quarantining new inmates and continued testing among inmates and staff .
The weekly hygienic supply for every inmate also has been doubled .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — Scientists say Hong Kong man got coronavirus a second time — WHO says children aged 6-to-11 should wear masks at times , too — Biden says he ’ d shut down U.S. economy if scientists recommended — Emails show businesses held sway over reopening plans in U.S. states HERE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MELBOURNE , Australia — Australian hot spot Victoria state has recorded an increase in new coronavirus cases , although health authorities are confident infections are continuing to trend down .
Victoria ’ s Health Department on Tuesday reported 148 new COVID-19 infections in the latest 24-hour period and eight deaths .
Victoria reported 116 new cases and 15 deaths on Tuesday .
That was the lowest daily tally of new cases since 87 were reported on July 5 .
The daily count has been as high as 725 news cases in early August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way through a six-week lockdown .
CONCORD , N.H. -- Mental health officials say children are a particular concern during the coronavirus pandemic both as patients and as offspring of providers working from home .
The pandemic has exacerbated existing workforce challenges in behavioural health , Cynthia Whitaker , interim president of Greater Nashua Mental Health , said during an online discussion organized by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan , D-N.H. She and others said many providers are juggling their jobs with overseeing their children ’ s remote educations .
“ We have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the fall of , ’ Can I actually effectively do my job , talking to someone who ’ s had a traumatic event , while in the next room my child can ’ t get on Zoom for math class ?
’ ” said Rebecca Throop , vice-president of community relations at Seacoast Mental Health Center .
Referrals to mental health centres for children have dropped during the pandemic , Throop said , because teachers haven ’ t been assessing children .
And parents often aren ’ t equipped , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children in emergency services for intakes , the severity we ’ re seeing has skyrocketed , ” she said .
“ Parents are waiting until there ’ s a crisis and then they bring their kids in , when it ’ s so obvious you can ’ t ignore it.
” JACKSON , MISS .
— An entire fourth grade class in Mississippi is in quarantine after a student and more than half of a school ’ s fourth grade teachers tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
As students in Mississippi return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most new cases per capita in the past 14 days , according to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press .
The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Mississippi has risen over the past two weeks from 20.71 % on Aug. 9 to 40.83 % on Aug. 23 .
TOPEKA , Kan. — Kansas no longer has any counties free of reported coronavirus cases after another weekend surge pushed its total number for the pandemic past 38,000 .
The state Department of Health and Environment said Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases since Friday , an increase of 4.2 % .
The total since the pandemic began is 38,401 .
The health department reported another seven COVID-19-related deaths , to bring the total to 426 .
Johns Hopkins University ’ s count is 427 deaths .
All 105 of the state ’ s counties have had a confirmed or probable case , according to the health department .
Rawlins and Wallace counties in northwest Kansas had remained the only two without a reported case for more than a month before the department said Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rawlins County has about 2,500 residents and Wallace County , about 1,500 .
COLUMBIA , SOUTH CAROLINA __ All employees at Clemson University who make more than $ 50,000 a year will be required to take at least one day off this year without pay as the school deals with lost revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic .
University officials said Monday the more an employee makes , the more furlough days they will have to take .
The unpaid days off move closer to five for employees making at least $ 100,000 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest paid employees with salaries of at least $ 400,000 — including Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney and university President Jim Clements — have agreed to take a 10 % pay cut .
The unpaid days off will start Sept. 1 and affect more than 3,000 Clemson University employees , about half of the school ’ s payroll .
Clemson estimates it will lose up to $ 180 million between losing fans at football games , losing fees and tuition from the spring and fall semesters and having to buy protective equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety .
“ That ’ s a sobering number ” in the college ’ s $ 1.4 billion budget , said Tony Wagner , Clemson ’ s executive vice-president for finance and operations .
The University of South Carolina is requiring 10 furlough days for employees who make more than $ 118,000 and 20 unpaid days off for employees making more than $ 200,000 annually .
It ’ s highest paid sports coaches also took a 10 % cut .
The spread of COVID-19 continues to slow in South Carolina , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in just two of the past 14 days .
The state had at least 1,000 new virus cases each day in July and into early August , according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control .
ATLANTIC CITY , N.J. -- The coronavirus outbreak sent Atlantic City ’ s casinos plunging to a $ 112 million second quarter gross operating loss as the gambling houses remained closed for the entire three-month period , according to figures released Monday by state gambling regulators .
That compares with an operating profit of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter of last year .
Only one of the nine casinos — the Golden Nugget — reported an operating profit for the quarter , and that was helped by the market-leading internet gambling operation .
The casino made $ 3.1 million , down nearly 69 % from a year earlier when it made over $ 10 million .
New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy ordered the casinos closed on March 16 , and did not allow them to begin reopening until July 2 .
That more than covers the entire second quarter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
The casinos offered online gambling and sports betting during the quarter , which provided them some revenue during the period their physical buildings were shuttered .
The nine casinos collectively reported $ 121.4 million in net revenue , down nearly 85 % from the second quarter of 2019 .
TUSCALOOSA , Alabama — The mayor of Tuscaloosa announced Monday that the city is closing bars for the next two weeks after University of Alabama officials described an “ unacceptable ” rise in COVID-19 cases that could derail plans to continue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the closures along with the end of bar service at restaurants during a news conference with campus officials , who requested the action .
Maddox said an unchecked spread of the virus threatens both the health care system and the local economy if students are sent home for the semester to do remote learning .
“ The truth is that fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy , ” Maddox said .
The university did not immediately release case numbers , but school officials said there has been a rapid rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The university on Friday had announced a moratorium on student gatherings both on and off campus .
MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins will allow up to 13,000 socially distancing fans to attend their home opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 20 , a decision that divided political leaders and upset the visiting coach .
The same plan will be followed for the University of Miami ’ s home opener against UAB at the Dolphins ’ stadium on Sept. 10 .
Crowd size will be about 20 % of the stadium ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Groups of spectators will be spaced 6 feet apart .
Fifteen of the NFL ’ s 32 teams have ruled out spectators to start the season .
The Dolphins are one of at least eight teams hoping to have a limited number of spectators , and many teams haven ’ t announced plans .
At a news conference , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez applauded the Dolphins ’ plan and safety upgrades .
DeSantis said the state ’ s virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But South Florida remains a hot spot , and not all reaction to the Dolphins ’ plan was favourable .
ATHENS , Greece — Greek state school teachers angry at government plans to reopen schools next month have called a protest march in central Athens Tuesday with a string of demands – several of which the education ministry had addressed hours earlier .
The main high school teachers ’ union said Monday it wanted fewer pupils per class , as well as extra teachers and classrooms to make that possible .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , extra staff hirings and seminars on COVID-19 health measures — three things which the government had already said it would do .
The teachers ’ union also demanded free and repeated tests for all school staff , the implementation of “ all necessary measures to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers , ” extra state education funding and a ban on virtual learning using a live link with real classrooms for children unable to attend class .
Hours earlier , the education ministry announced schools would reopen full time on Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed necessary – with use of masks obligatory for schoolchildren and teachers .
MIAMI — Florida ’ s coronavirus spread appears to be waning , with several key metrics on the decline .
State-provided statistics on Monday showed that the number of people being treated for COVID-19 in Florida hospitals stood at 4,655 late morning Monday — less than half of the peaks above 9,500 a month ago .
A total of 72 new deaths were reported Monday , bringing the seven day average to 123 — the lowest rate in a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases over the past week has declined to a level not seen since late June .
Because of the declining cases , Gov .
Ron DeSantis and South Florida officials announced that the Miami Dolphins football team will allow up to 13,000 socially distancing fans to attend their home opener against Buffalo on Sept. 20 .
MADRID — Fearing an even sharper surge in coronavirus infections with the opening of the school year in September , some Spanish regions moved Monday to impose new measures against the spread of the pandemic , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , when Spain ’ s Ministry of Health reported figures for the previous three days , the country added more than 19,000 new cases to its epidemic tally of more than 400,000 since the beginning of the pandemic .
The figure is the highest in Europe .
Dr. Fernando Simón , the epidemiology expert in charge of Spain ’ s response to COVID-19 , stopped short of describing the situation as that of a second wave , but admitted that contagion with no clear source of infection is now widespread across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of community transmission in all Spain , but in some regions is more than in others , ” Simón said at a press conference .
“ The return to school is an opportunity for an easier transmission of the virus.
” The Health Ministry said that 2,060 of the new cases were diagnosed in the past 24 hours , with 34 new fatalities bringing the total death toll of 28,838 .
The figures are considered incomplete due to insufficient testing at the beginning of the pandemic , while daily data is often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of information reported by Spanish regions .
The Catalonia region announced Monday that it was extending a ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people to the region ’ s 7.6 million inhabitants .
Murcia , in the country ’ s southern coast and with 1.5 million residents , restricted gatherings to a maximum of six people .
MEXICO CITY — Millions of Mexican school children returned to classes , but not schools , on Monday as the government attempted to start a new school year despite the challenges of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instruction broadcast on television channels and radio programming in Indigenous languages is meant to keep students from missing out in a country already defined by deep inequalities .
As other countries around the world have already discovered , there is no perfect replacement for in-person classes .
The Mexican government enlisted the country ’ s largest private television companies to dedicate channels to school programming around the clock .
Education officials developed schedules giving students at each level multiple opportunities to watch their classes .
Education Secretary Esteban Moctezuma said officials decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a far greater penetration that the internet .
Still , questions abound about how families , especially those with multiple children , will juggle the classes along with jobs that could force both parents out of the home — often taking their children along with them .
NEW YORK — Museums across New York and gyms in some parts of the state outside of New York City can reopen starting Monday as coronavirus restrictions are cautiously eased .
Under guidelines announced by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , museums will face restrictions including timed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City museums that will open over the next few weeks include the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Aug. 29 and the American Museum of Natural History on Sept. 9 .
Cuomo said gyms and fitness centres could open at 33 % capacity starting Monday , but New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city ’ s gyms would stay closed until at least Sept. 2 .
Cultural institutions and gyms across the state have been closed since March when nonessential businesses were forced to shut down to stop the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the epicenter of the U.S. ’ s outbreak during the spring but has so far succeeded in staving off a second wave of infections .
State health officials have reported an infection rate below 1 % every day for more than two weeks .


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--2 bodies found, 2 missing after explosion in Texas port

CORPUS CHRISTI , Texas - The bodies of two missing crew members of a dredging boat were found Saturday following an explosion a day earlier in the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas , according to the U.S. Coast Guard .
Two other crew members of the dredging vessel Waymon L Boyd remain missing and the search for them continues , Coast Guard Capt .
Jason Gunning said during a Saturday afternoon news conference .
The explosion happened at about 8 a.m. Friday when the vessel struck a submerged pipeline , according to the Coast Guard , and Port of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propane pipeline .
“ Our thoughts and prayers go out to the impacted crewmen and their families , ” Sean Strawbridge , CEO , Port of Corpus Christi , said Saturday .
“ A full investigation is underway ; however , search and rescue efforts are our first priority .
It will not be clear for some time the cause of this accident , and any definitive statements to the contrary would be premature , “ Strawbridge added .
The Waymon L Boyd is owned by Houston-based marine construction contractor Orion Marine Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. Coast Guard and other responders in their efforts to recover our missing crewmen , ” Orion CEO Mark Stauffer said in the statement .
The fire onboard the vessel was first extinguished Friday afternoon , but sparked again and was finally put out at approximately 10 p.m. Friday , shortly before the vessel broke apart and sunk , the Coast Guard said .
The vessel carried a maximum of about 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel , said Brent Koza , the regional manager for the Texas General Land Office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have identified and are preparing for that as our worst case discharge scenario , ” and diesel is being recovered from the channel and around environmentally sensitive areas , Koza said .
Brooke West , spokeswoman with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality , said air quality tests have found no air pollution and testing of the waterway is planned .
“ TCEQ will collect water samples from the ship channel near the site of the incident ... this is still an active emergency response event , ” West said .

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thetorontostar--2020-08-24--Wisconsin sports teams speak out after police shooting

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin ’ s three major professional sports teams wasted no time speaking out after the police shooting of a Black man sparked violent protests in the Milwaukee suburb of Kenosha .
A video that went viral on Sunday showed 29-year-old Jacob Blake getting shot , apparently in the back , as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat inside the vehicle .
Blake was hospitalized and in serious condition Monday .
“ A Black man was shot and his life is in peril , and it frankly shouldn ’ t be , ” Milwaukee Brewers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ Black Lives Matter ” T-shirt before his team ’ s game Monday with the Cincinnati Reds .
“ We ’ ve got a systemic problem that we need to address , and we all need to educate ourselves .
Whether you agree or disagree with what I ’ m saying , I think it ’ s important that we continue to think , we continue to pursue policy change , we continue to act , because there ’ s violence happening that just absolutely should not be happening .
We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Brewers issued a statement calling the video “ deeply disturbing ” and noting that “ once again , we are faced with images of a horrific incident that show what appear to be inexplicable and excessive force inflicted upon a Black individual.
” The NFL ’ s Green Bay Packers and NBA ’ s Milwaukee Bucks also issued statements offering support for Blake and his family .
While conducting a Zoom session with reporters after Monday ’ s practice , Packers coach Matt LaFleur discussed the emotions he experienced while watching the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you watch something like that , it ’ s just so disgusting , ” LaFleur said .
“ It ’ s disturbing .
I watched it once , and I just don ’ t even know what to think .
I know I don ’ t know all the facts around the case , but it ’ s just a series .
It keeps happening over , and over , and over again , and it blows my mind that we ’ re sitting here in 2020 , and we can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know , I ’ m just kind of at a loss for words.
” The statements offered the latest example of how professional sports teams taking stands on social justice and race issues since the May 25 death of George Floyd and the circulation of a video that showed a Minneapolis police officer pressing a knee into Floyd ’ s neck while other police stood by .
After Floyd ’ s death , the Bucks held a protest march in downtown Milwaukee that drew an announced crowd of 7,500 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal lawsuit pending against the city of Milwaukee , saying he was targeted because he was Black and that his civil rights were violated in January 2018 when officers used a stun gun on him after a parking violation .
“ We need to have change , ” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before this team ’ s 121-106 Game 3 first-round playoff victory over the Orlando Magic at Lake Buena Vista , Florida .
“ We need to be better.
” Bucks forward Khris Middleton discussed the video after the game and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many people outraged.
” “ The man was shot seven times a point-blank range in the back , ” Middleton said .
“ I mean , it doesn ’ t get any sicker than that .
I think people are starting to see why Black people ... are so afraid of police , because at any time , no matter what type of position or no matter what they did right or wrong , their first act is to shoot us .
I think that ’ s a very scary situation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect us.
” In Green Bay , LaFleur said he talked to some of his players to get their perspective on the situation and try to “ float around some ideas on how we can make a difference and use our platform , because things have to change.
” LaFleur added that “ we can ’ t stand for this any longer.
” “ I ’ m not going to comment directly on the video until more facts come out but obviously it ’ s something where as a non-police officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us , ( the ) natural question is when is lethal force necessary , ” Packers quarterback and two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers said .
“ Again , I think that goes to a systematic problem that needs to be addressed at some point .
There ’ s antiquated laws that are prejudicial against people of colour in this state .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-24--4 people missing after pipeline explosion at port in Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI , Texas - A dredging vessel at a Texas port hit a propane pipeline Friday , sparking an explosion that sent six people to the hospital and left four others missing , authorities said .
The explosion happened at about 8 a.m. in the Port of Corpus Christi when the dredging vessel Waymon L Boyd struck a submerged pipeline , Coast Guard Lt. Marina Lawrence said .
The Port of Corpus Christi said in a statement that it was a propane pipeline .
Initial reports indicated about 18 workers were in the area at the time , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official , Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales .
Four of those people were missing , six were taken to hospitals and eight were uninjured , she said .
Of the six injured , five were airlifted to a San Antonio hospital for severe burns while another was expected to be discharged Friday , said Sean Strawbridge , CEO of the Port of Corpus Christi .
Corpus Christi Fire Department Chief Robert Rocha said that upon arrival , firefighters “ encountered heavy fire and smoke conditions.
” By late Friday morning , the supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rocha said .
The fire was extinguished Friday afternoon , Strawbridge said .
Gov .
Greg Abbott issued a statement saying that the state was working closely with authorities in the area .
The National Transportation Safety Board also said it is investigating .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller: US home prices rise 3.5% in June

WASHINGTON - U.S. home prices rose at a slightly slower pace in June , but the U.S. housing market continued to show resilience in the face of the coronvavirus pandemic .
The S & P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index rose 3.5 % in June from a year earlier , down from May ’ s 3.6 % increase and slightly below economists ’ expectations .
Phoenix led the way with a 9 % increase followed by Seattle ( up 6.5 % ) and Tampa ( up 5.9 % ) .
But prices rose at all 19 cities measured for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluded prices from the Detroit metropolitan area index because of delays related to pandemic at the recording office in Wayne County , which includes Detroit .
The housing market has shown signs of strength despite the virus-related disruption ot the economy .
The National Association of Realtors reported last week that sales of existing U.S. home shot up by a record 24.7 % in July , the second straight month of accelerating sales .
The back-to-back increases have helped stabilize the home buying market , which all but froze this spring when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In another good sign for the housing industry , the Commerce Department reported last week that construction of new U.S. homes surged 22.6 % last month as homebuilders bounced back from a lull induced by the coronavirus pandemic .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Belarusian authorities crank up pressure on opposition

MINSK , Belarus - Authorities in Belarus on Tuesday steadily cranked up the pressure on protesters pushing for the resignation of the country ’ s authoritarian leader , jailing several opposition activists , summoning others for questioning and selectively ordering demonstrators to appear in court .
Courts in Minsk were considering charges against two members of a council that opposition activists established last week to negotiate a transition of power following President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s winning a sixth term in an election that critics contend was rigged .
Lukashenko has firmly rebuffed offers of dialogue from the Coordination Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Aug. 9 vote that extended his 26-year rule .
While courts considered charges against two council members detained Monday , Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova , another member , former Belarusian culture minister and diplomat Pavel Latushko , was summoned for questioning over his role in the opposition body .
“ They are trying to push me out of the country , ” Latushko told reporters .
“ I have been threatened with arrest and prison violence , but I ’ m not planning to leave Belarus.
” Belarus ’ most famous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2015 Nobel Prize in literature , also received a summons after joining the council .
Lukashenko has dismissed the thousands of protesters who have been demonstrating for over two weeks as as Western puppets and threatened the council members with criminal charges for attempting to create what he described as a parallel government .
Prosecutors opened a criminal inquiry on charges of undermining national security , an allegation rejected by the council .
“ The Coordination Council isn ’ t attempting to take power , ” Latushko told reporters after being questioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to find a solution for the political crisis.
” The protests in Belarus erupted after official results handed Lukashenko a sixth term with 80 % of the vote .
They were galvanized by a brutal crackdown in the initial days after the election , when police detained nearly 7,000 people .
Hundreds were injured when officers fiercely dispersed peaceful protesters with rubber bullets , stun grenades and clubs .
At least three people died .
The bodies of two opposition supporters also were found hanged in forests .
Police declared that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has contested the claim .
The police crackdown fueled public anger , helping swell the number of protesters that reached an unprecedented peak of about 200,000 for two consecutive Sundays .
The huge crowds forced the government to back off and allow the demonstrations to go largely unhindered for the past two weeks .
In another challenge to Lukashenko , thousands of workers at major industrial plants across Belarus have gone on strike to demand his resignation .
In a show of defiance , the 65-year-old president toted an assault rifle as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday while protesters rallied nearby .
Following Lukashenko ’ s directives last week to get tougher on protesters , police started beefing up their presence on the streets and cordoning off some areas in the Belarusian capital .
They detained at least five protesters in Minsk and another five elsewhere in the country on Monday after days of inaction , a signal that the authorities might resort to force again to end the protests .
The Interior Ministry said Tuesday that it issued 39 court summons to protesters the previous day .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tsikhanouskaya , the main opposition challenger in the Aug. 9 vote , reaffirmed her push for a new presidential election in a speech to European Union delivered via video-link from Vilnius , the capital of Lithuania .
Tsikhanouskaya , a 37-year-old former English teacher who moved to Lithuania a day after the vote under official pressure , said she was ready for dialogue with Lukashenko ’ s government .
“ The intimidation will not work , “ she said .
“ We will not relent .
We demand to respect our basic rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We demand to stop violence and intimidation by the authorities.
” Associated Press writers Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Portland protesters set fire to building, police arrest 25

PORTLAND , Ore. - Protesters in Portland repeatedly set fire late Monday night to a police union headquarters building and were repelled by officers spraying tear gas , officials said .
Twenty three people were arrested amid clashes that stretched into Tuesday morning .
The protesters in a group of about 300 people hurled rocks and bottles at officers and set three fires to the sides of the building and one to an awning , police said in a statement .
All were put out .
One demonstrator climbed atop the building ’ s roof to unfurl a banner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Portland has been gripped by nightly protests for months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Demonstrations , often violent , have targeted police buildings and federal buildings .
Before dawn Monday , police used tear gas to scatter demonstrators who hurled rocks , bottles and commercial-grade fireworks at officers and set fires in the streets as they marched on a precinct station in another night of violence .
Twenty-three people were arrested .
During that demonstration , a group of about 200 lit a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shield as they approached the precinct station , police said .
They threw objects at officers , hitting some positioned on the station ’ s roof , and lit an awning on fire .
One officer was left with a wrist injury after he was hit with a piece of ceramic .
The FBI said Monday that a threat last week that prompted the closure of a federal courthouse and other federal buildings did not appear to be credible .
Among the buildings closed was the Mark O. Hatfield U.S .
Courthouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly clashed in July with federal agents .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Jacob Blake’s dad says son left paralyzed by police shooting

KENOSHA , Wis. - The father of Jacob Blake , a Black man who was shot by police in Kenosha , Wisconsin , says his son was left paralyzed from the waist down .
Blake ’ s father told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was told his son was shot eight times during the Sunday evening confrontation with police , which was captured on cellphone video and led to two nights of unrest in the city between Milwaukee and Chicago .
The father , who is also named Jacob Blake and who was driving from Charlotte , North Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the newspaper that he learned Sunday night that officers had shot his son eight times and that he saw the now-viral video of it online a few minutes later that appears to show police shoot his son in the back .
He said his son now has “ eight holes ” in his body and is paralyzed from the waist down , though doctors don ’ t know if the paralysis will be permanent .
Anger over the shooting spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of protesters who defied a curfew , threw bottles and shot fireworks at law enforcement guarding the courthouse .
The southeastern Wisconsin city became the nation ’ s latest flashpoint in a summer of racial unrest after cellphone footage of police shooting Blake as he leaned into his SUV — apparently while three of his children were sitting in the vehicle — circulated widely on social media .
The 29-year-old was hospitalized in serious condition .
The shooting drew condemnation from Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers , who also called out 125 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after protesters set cars on fire , smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear the previous night .
Police first fired tear gas Monday about 30 minutes after the 8 p.m. curfew took effect to disperse protesters who chanted , “ No justice , no peace ” as they confronted a line of officers who wore protective gear and stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the courthouse entrance .
But hundreds of people stuck around , screaming at police and lighting fires , including to a garbage truck near the courthouse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference with Kenosha Mayor John Antarmian , originally to be held in a park , was moved inside the city ’ s public safety building .
Hundreds of protesters rushed to the building and a door was snapped off its hinges before police in riot gear pepper-sprayed the crowd , which included a photographer from The Associated Press .
Police in the former auto manufacturing centre of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago said they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute when they encountered Blake on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was armed or why police opened fire , they released no details on the dispute , and they did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene .
The man who said he made the cellphone video , 22-year-old Raysean White , said he saw Blake scuffling with three officers and heard them yell , “ Drop the knife !
Drop the knife !
“ before the gunfire erupted .
He said he didn ’ t see a knife in Blake ’ s hands .
The governor said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a knife or other weapon , but that the case is still being investigated by the state Justice Department .
The officers were placed on administrative leave , which is standard practice in a shooting by police .
Authorities released no details about the officers and did not immediately respond to requests for their service records .
Evers was quick to condemn the bloodshed , saying that while not all details were known , “ what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.
” Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said the officers “ must be held accountable.
” “ This morning , the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force , ” he said , just over two months before Election Day in a country already roiled by the recent deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta and Breonna Taylor in Louisville , Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our nation.
“ Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment , reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin , a key presidential battleground state .
Wisconsin GOP members also decried the violent protests , echoing the law-and-order theme that President Donald Trump has been using in his reelection campaign .
“ As always , the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident , ” Pete Deates , president of the Kenosha police union , said in a statement .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wholly irresponsible.
” The shooting happened around 5 p.m. Sunday and was captured from across the street on the video posted online .
Kenosha police do not have body cameras but do have body microphones .
In the footage , Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him .
As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV , an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard , though it isn ’ t clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired .
White , who said he made the video , said that before the gunfire , he looked out his window and saw six or seven women shouting at each other on the sidewalk .
A few moments later , Blake drove up in his SUV and told his son , who was standing nearby , to get in the vehicle , according to White .
White said Blake did not say anything to the women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few minutes , and when he came back , saw three officers wrestling with Blake .
One punched Blake in the ribs , and another used a stun gun on him , White said .
He said Blake got free and started walking away as officers yelled about a knife .
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump , representing Blake ’ s family , said Blake was “ simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident.
” Police did not immediately confirm either man ’ s account @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Booker , told NBC ’ s Milwaukee affiliate , WTMJ-TV , that the couple ’ s three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him .
“ That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him .
With the kids in the back screaming .
Screaming , ” Booker said .
Blake ’ s father told the Sun-Times that his son also has three other kids .
Blake ’ s grandfather , Jacob Blake Sr. , was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago area who helped organize a march and spoke in support of a comprehensive housing law in Evanston , Illinois , days after the 1968 slaying of the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. Rachel Noerdlinger , publicist for the National Action Network , told The Associated Press that the Rev .
Al Sharpton spoke Monday to Blake ’ s father , who called the civil rights leader for his support .
Blake ’ s father will speak at Sharpton ’ s March on Washington commemoration on Friday , Noerdlinger said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Movement for Black Lives , a coalition of more than 150 Black-led organizations that make up the broader Black Lives Matter movement , said the shooting was yet another example of why activists have called for defunding police departments .
“ There ’ s no amount of training or reform that can teach a police officer that it ’ s wrong to shoot a Black man in the back seven times while his children watch , ” Lewis said in a statement first shared with the AP .
Online court records indicate Kenosha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with sexual assault , trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse .
An arrest warrant was issued the following day .
The records contain no further details and do not list an attorney for Blake .
It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting .
Crump , who has also represented the Floyd and Taylor families , said Blake ’ s family has asked that demonstrations in response to his shooting remain peaceful .
“ They don ’ t believe violence to be the solution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 years , Kenosha was an auto manufacturing centre , but it has now largely been transformed into a bedroom community for Milwaukee and Chicago .
The city is about 67 % white , 11.5 % Black and 17.6 % Hispanic , according to 2019 Census data .
Both the mayor and police chief are white .
About 17 % of the population lives in poverty .
Webber reported from Fenton , Michigan .
Associated Press reporters Scott Bauer and Todd Richmond in Madison , Wisconsin , Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis , Aaron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Householder in Kenosha contributed .

Mike Householder And Tammy Webber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Kayaker reunites author with message in a bottle from 1985

MILTON , Del .
- A kayaker who discovered a message in a bottle floating in a Delaware river was able to reunite the letter with the woman who wrote it 35 years ago .
Brad Wachsmuth thought the bottle bobbing in the water about 2 miles ( 3 kilometres ) offshore of the Broadkill River was a piece of trash when he spotted it Aug. 8 , just a few days after Tropical Storm Isaias swept through the area , WBOC-TV reported .
“ As we usually do as kayakers , we try to pick up trash out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told the station this week .
But Wachsmuth ’ s friend noticed there was something inside , and the two fished out the letter written by Cathi Riddle and her cousin , Stacey Wells , dated 35 years ago — Aug. 1 , 1985 .
It described their family pets and asked potential future readers if they had any of their own , among other childhood musings .
Wachsmuth brought the letter to the Milton Historical Society and a curator reached out to family and put the two in touch , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just miles away in Milton , and Wachsmuth was able to return the letter to her Thursday .
He said he was surprised it ended up in the same waters after decades of storms and tides , but Riddle suggested that maybe , it was fate .
“ My cousin and I were staying at the beach and we decided to write the letter and send it out and see how far it went , ” Riddle told the station .
“ It didn ’ t travel very far , but perhaps it @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--WHAT TO WATCH: Melania, Pompeo and Trump at GOP convention

LAS VEGAS - Tuesday ’ s program at the Republican National Convention is likely to wade into familiar waters , with a lineup expected to speak on divisive issues like abortion and “ cancel culture , ” while lambasting Democratic rival Joe Biden and the Democrats ’ progressive wing .
Unlike Democrats , who shifted their convention to an all-virtual affair , Republicans kept a scaled-down , in-person gathering in Charlotte , North Carolina .
Several hundred delegates gathered there Monday voted to renominate President Donald Trump , but there are no in-person meetings for delegates scheduled the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the convention Tuesday : Trump appeared frequently during the first day of his party ’ s convention .
While he is expected to make an appearance during prime-time Tuesday night , details haven ’ t been released .
With Biden ’ s proposals already cast as “ socialist ” and “ radical , “ the president is likely to revive those criticisms in any remarks .
First lady Melania Trump is set to give the marquee address from the Rose Garden .
She has focused on anti-bullying initiatives during her tenure in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the convention ’ s most positive addresses .
Her speech at the 2016 GOP convention , the night she introduced herself to voters , was well-received but was later found to have included lines that were very close to what former first lady Michelle Obama said in her 2008 speech at the Democratic convention .
A speechwriter for the Trump Organization took the blame .
The program includes Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , another Republican who is being closely watched for signs of future political aspirations .
His decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s top diplomat has drawn condemnation from some for breaking decades of precedent keeping secretaries of state from partaking in overtly partisan politics .
The State Department counters that Pompeo will be speaking in his personal capacity , not as a U.S. official .
Pompeo is expected to praise the Trump administration ’ s foreign policy record , including the recent U.S.-brokered deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates , in an address recorded while he ’ s in Jerusalem on government business .
The theme for the evening is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speakers planning to highlight Trump ’ s policies on trade , abortion and the opioid crisis .
Two of the president ’ s children , Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump , are scheduled , along with Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul , Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds , Florida Lt. Gov .
Jeanette Nuñez , former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Navajo Nation Vice-President Myron Lizer .
Other speakers include anti-abortion activist Abby Johnson ; Maine lobsterman Jason Joyce ; Mary Ann Mendoza , an Arizona woman whose police officer son was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country illegally ; and Nicholas Sandmann , a Kentucky teenager who gained attention last year for a widely shared video of his interaction with a Native American man , Nathan Phillips , during demonstrations in Washington .
Sandmann and Phillips later said they were trying to defuse tensions among conflicting groups at the Lincoln Memorial .
Unlike Trump , who planned events to counter the Democratic convention , the Biden campaign has not scheduled its candidate to make appearances during the GOP gathering .
The Biden campaign says his running mate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making some public appearances this week .
She ’ s expected to make the case for the Democratic ticket and against Trump ’ s reelection .
The program starts at 8:30 p.m .
ET ( a half-hour earlier than the DNC convention ) and runs through 11 p.m .
ET .
It ’ s available on the GOP convention ’ s social media channels and AT & T U-VERSE , Direct TV , Twitch , Youtube and Amazon Prime TV .
CNN , C-SPAN , MSNBC and PBS will air the full prime-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Channel and NBC will air the final hour , from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m .

Michelle L. Price - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Suffrage anniversary commemorations highlight racial divide

HARTFORD , Conn. - As the U.S. marks the 100th anniversary of women ’ s suffrage , many event organizers , mindful that the 19th Amendment originally benefited mostly white women , have been careful to present it as a commemoration , not a celebration .
The amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on Aug. 18 , 1920 , but many women of colour were prevented from casting ballots for decades afterward because of poll taxes , literacy tests , overt racism , intimidation , and laws that prevented the grandchildren of slaves from voting .
Much of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Act of 1965 .
From exhibits inside the Arizona Capitol Museum to a gathering on the North Carolina Statehouse lawn , many commemorations , including those that moved online because of the coronavirus pandemic , have highlighted a more nuanced history of the American women ’ s suffrage movement alongside the traditional tributes to well-known suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton .
The 100th anniversary has arrived during a year of nationwide protests against racial inequality that have forced the United States to once again reckon with its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the stories are complicated and I think it ’ s important , as we have an opportunity to reflect and to celebrate , that we also are honest about how we didn ’ t meet all of our aspirations , ” said Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea , a Democrat born and raised in Puerto Rico who has helped to organize her state ’ s suffrage commemoration efforts .
“ It ’ s important to have these conversations so we can do a better job of going forward.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online exhibit titled “ The Work Must Be Done : Women of Color and the Right to Vote.
” It highlights Black women from Connecticut who fought for suffrage rights as well as other issues , such as anti-discrimination , anti-lynching , labour reforms and access to education .
“ We have really been wanting to make sure we talk about the complicated history of these issues in our country , ” said Arizona Assistant Secretary of State Allie Bones , whose office came up with a program after working with about 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which were “ very focused on not calling it a celebration , but ... a commemoration.
” The complicated nature of the suffrage movement came full circle last week when Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden chose California U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate , making her the first Black woman on a major party ticket .
In an appearance with Biden last week , Harris said she was “ mindful of all the heroic and ambitious women before me whose sacrifice , determination and resilience makes my presence here today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as well-known as the white suffragists , Black women played both prominent and smaller roles in the movement .
Sojourner Truth , an emancipated slave , who died in 1883 , is considered one of the first known Black suffragists .
She travelled throughout the U.S. speaking at women ’ s rights conventions and suffrage events , including at the Akron , Ohio , women ’ s convention in 1851 where she was credited with giving a powerful speech that ’ s been remembered as “ Ain ’ t I a Woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have questioned the wording .
Through the years , there were many prominent Black abolitionists and suffragists who worked in their own women ’ s clubs and suffrage organizations and sometimes side-by-side with white suffragists , often working for both voting rights and civil rights .
The young founding members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority participated in the 1913 suffrage march in Washington in their first public act .
The Howard University students took great personal risk and were not being welcomed by some white suffragists who ultimately insisted the Black women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Cheryl A. Hickmon , national first vice-president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority , Inc. “ They felt that it was their obligation , if you will , even though it was unsafe to march with the other women and show their dissension and feelings , ” said Hickmon , whose organization has been working with organizers of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial that ’ s being constructed in southern Fairfax County , Virginia , and includes an overview of the entire movement , including Black suffragists .
The 100th anniversary marks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relationship between white and Black women in the women ’ s rights movement , said Johnnetta Betsch Cole , a former college president and anthropologist who is currently the national chair of the National Council of Negro Women , an organization that was founded in 1935 to advocate for women ’ s rights .
“ There is more acknowledgement of the complexities of the strains , of the racism in the suffrage movement than ever , ever before , ” Betch Cole said .
“ Unfortunately , one can be victimized in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around and victimize others on another basis.
” In June , protesters in Iowa demanded that Iowa State University remove the name of suffragist and alumna Carrie Chapman Catt from a building because of white supremacist and anti-immigrant statements attributed to her .
Doris Kelley , a former Democratic Iowa House representative who chairs the state ’ s 19th Amendment Centennial Commemoration , said it ’ s important to remember the historical context that suffragists navigated while acknowledging the movement ’ s complexities .
The logo of Iowa ’ s centennial commemoration “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelley said , is a nod to that unfinished history .
In North Carolina , Janice Jones Schroeder , a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina , said she was impressed that organizers of the state ’ s suffrage anniversary activities thought to include her in a commemoration event last September on the lawn of the Statehouse .
“ At that time , American Indians were not even considered citizens of the United States , ” she said .
While the Snyder Act of 1924 admitted Native Americans born in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was left up to the states to decide who had the right to vote , and it took more than 40 years for all 50 states to agree to grant them voting rights .
Schroeder said there are still challenges today for tribal members who want to vote , including voter ID laws , long distances to register to vote on some reservations , lack of access to mail and socioeconomic disparities .
Women of colour in African American , Latino and other communities face similar barriers , making the anniversary of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the more relevant a century later in a high-stakes election year .
“ I look at politics now , ” said Schroeder , “ and I think , ‘ Do we still have a voice ?
’

Susan Haigh And Suman Naishadham - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Rule Britannia! BBC to play song without lyrics at concert

LONDON - The BBC has ditched the lyrics of “ Rule Britannia !
” for its traditional end-of-summer concert amid a debate about the song ’ s celebration of the British Empire at a time when critics are reevaluating the nation ’ s colonial past .
Britain ’ s publicly funded broadcaster said late Monday that the final night of its Proms concert series would feature instrumental versions of “ Rule Britannia !
” and another patriotic mainstay , “ Land of Hope and Glory , ” instead of traditional singalongs .
The BBC said it changed this year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musical forces ’ ’ and because there would be no live audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
But critics accused the broadcaster of caving in to political correctness and pressure from social justice campaigners .
`` The BBC will allow the tune to be played but not sung , thereby offending all shades of opinion all the time , ’ ’ music critic and author Norman Lebrecht wrote in a blog post after the BBC announced the program for the Sept. 12 concert .
`` There is no excuse for such cowardice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roll.
’ ’ The controversy arose Sunday when the Sunday Times newspaper reported that the BBC was considering scrapping the songs amid concerns about their `` perceived association with colonialism and slavery.
’ ’ Dalia Stasevska , the 35-year-old Finn who will conduct the concert , had pushed to modernize the event and reduce the `` patriotic elements , ’ ’ the newspaper said , without citing a source for the information .
The BBC on Monday rejected the `` unjustified personal attacks ’ ’ on Stasevska and said the company had chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artists involved .
`` The Proms will reinvent the Last Night in this extraordinary year so that it respects the traditions and spirit of the event whilst adapting to very different circumstances at this moment in time , ?
the BBC said .
A classical musical festival held at the Royal Albert Hall every summer , the Proms has always featured a triumphant emotional singalong on its final day .
It is a flag-waving fixture on the calendar and is seen as an expression of national pride in Britain .
After the Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Downing Street office said he believed in tackling the “ substance ” not the “ symbols ” of problems .
His culture secretary , Oliver Dowden , also leapt to the defence of the songs .
” Share concerns of many about their potential removal and have raised this with BBC , ’ ’ Dowden wrote on Twitter .
“ Confident forward-looking nations don ’ t erase their history , they add to it .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Africa now free of wild poliovirus, but polio threat remains

JOHANNESBURG - Health authorities on Tuesday are expected to declare the African continent free of the wild poliovirus after decades of effort , though cases of vaccine-derived polio are still sparking outbreaks of the paralyzing disease in more than a dozen countries .
The declaration would leave Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan as the only countries thought to still have the wild poliovirus , with vaccination efforts against the highly infectious , water-borne disease complicated by insecurity and attacks on health workers .
The announcement by the African Regional Certification Commission for Polio Eradication comes after no cases have been reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 75,000 children a year across Africa .
Health authorities see the declaration as a rare glint of good news in Africa amid the coronavirus pandemic , an Ebola outbreak in western Congo and the persistent deadly challenges of malaria , HIV and tuberculosis .
The World Health Organization says it is just the second time a virus has been eradicated in Africa , after the elimination of smallpox four decades ago .
But sometimes patchy surveillance across the vast continent of 1.3 billion people raises the possibility that scattered cases of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The final push to combat the wild poliovirus focused largely on northern Nigeria , where the Boko Haram Islamic extremist group has carried out a deadly insurgency for more than a decade .
Health workers at times carried out vaccinations on the margins of the insecurity , putting their lives at risk .
Africa ’ s last reported case of the wild poliovirus was in Nigeria in 2016 .
The country a year earlier had been removed from the global list of polio-endemic nations , a step toward being declared polio-free , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the north — a stark example of the difficulties in combating the disease .
This new declaration doesn ’ t mean Africa is polio-free .
Cases remain of the so-called vaccine-derived polio virus , which is a rare mutated form of the weakened but live virus contained in the oral polio vaccine .
That mutated virus can spark crippling polio outbreaks , and 16 African countries are currently experiencing one : Angola , Benin , Burkina Faso , Cameroon , Central African Republic , Chad , Ivory Coast , Congo , Ethiopia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Niger , Nigeria , Togo and Zambia .
Health authorities have warned that the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted vaccination work in many countries across Africa , leaving more children vulnerable to infection .
In April , WHO and its partners reluctantly recommended a temporary halt to mass polio immunization campaigns , recognizing the move could lead to a resurgence of the disease .
In May , they reported that 46 campaigns to vaccinate children against polio had been suspended in 38 countries , mostly in Africa , as a result of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 % of children being immunized , typically in mass campaigns involving millions of health workers that would break social distancing guidelines needed to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
Health officials had initially aimed to wipe out polio by 2000 , a deadline repeatedly pushed back and missed .
Even now in northeastern Nigeria , thousands of children remain out of reach of health workers carrying out vaccinations .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Greta Thunberg returns to school in Sweden after year off

STOCKHOLM - After a year off school to campaign on pressing for tougher action on curbing climate change , Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg says she ’ s returning to class .
“ My gap year from school is over , and it feels so great to finally be back in school again !
” the 17-year-old said Monday on Instagram next to a photo of herself with a schoolbag on her back and her hands resting on bicycle handles .
In Sweden , high school-level classes are returning to classes this week .
It wasn ’ t clear which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot to fame after starting her solo protests outside Sweden ’ s parliament in Stockholm two years ago on Aug. 20 , 2018 .
Students around the world soon began following her lead , staging regular large protests , and Thunberg was invited to speak to political and business leaders at U.N. conferences and the annual World Economic Forum in Davos .
Last week , she and other young activists held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding the climate .
But the coronavirus outbreak has prevented the Fridays for Future movement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent months , dampening its public profile .
Thunberg was named Time magazine ’ s youngest Person of the Year , and was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize , which she didn ’ t get .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--The Latest: Spanish PM offers military for contact tracing

MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has offered officials running the country ’ s 17 regions help from the military to conduct coronavirus contact tracing .
He has pledged to declare regional emergency orders if the expansion of the pandemic continues , facilitating regional officials ’ ability to issue lockdowns and restrict mobility .
Sánchez says the infection rate is “ preoccupying ” but called it “ far from the situation in mid-March , ” when the government imposed a state of emergency .
Spain is grappling to control transmission of the virus , with a new wave hitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the school year .
Sánchez encouraged Spaniards to download a contact-tracing mobile app that the government is rolling out .
More than 400,000 people have been infected since the onset of the epidemic and at least 28,872 have died from the coronavirus .
However , the figure doesn ’ t capture many who died without being tested .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — WHO says reports of Hong Kong man infected twice by coronavirus — AstraZeneca says its testing new antibody-based drug — The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to treat other patients is still considered an experimental therapy .
— A Florida judge temporarily blocked Gov .
Ron DeSantis from forcing public schools to reopen classrooms , saying the state ’ s order “ disregards safety.
” — Revved by Sturgis Rally , the city is conducting mass coronavirus testing for its 7,000 residents .
Health departments in at least six states are trying to track outbreaks from the 10-day rally .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports indefinitely due to the coronavirus .
Administrators say the decision was made for the safety of athletes , staff and fans .
MPS athletics director Bobbie Kelsey says district officials understand “ the disappointment and frustration ” with the delay in the start of sports , but say the district “ must always make responsible decisions when it comes to the health of our athletes and fans.
” Milwaukee Public Schools officials say the district will consider how low- to high-contact sports affect athletes but says it will not operate sports until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KONG — Hong Kong will ease some social distancing measures later this week , allowing beauty salons and cinemas to reopen and relaxing an evening dine-in ban , as daily coronavirus infections in the city dwindled .
Restaurants now banned from providing dine-in services after 6 p.m. will be allowed to serve customers until 9 p.m. starting Friday .
Businesses such as cinemas , beauty salons and some outdoor sports venues will be allowed to reopen , and residents will no longer be required to wear masks when exercising outdoors or while in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal , it is not possible for us to wait until there are no more local cases before relaxing the social distancing measures , ” Sophia Chan , Hong Kong ’ s health minister said in a news conference on Tuesday .
The semi-autonomous southern Chinese city had seen a surge in coronavirus infections in July , leading the government to implement its toughest social-distancing measures yet , which included limiting public gatherings to two people .
Since then infections have gradually dwindled , with the city reporting just nine infections as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a month that cases have fallen to single-digits .
Hong Kong has recorded 4,692 infections , with 77 deaths .
Hong Kong will implement voluntary , universal community testing for up to two weeks from Sept. 1 to detect asymptomatic patients .
BERLIN — The World Health Organization says reports that a Hong Kong man became infected twice with the coronavirus provide important information for scientists studying immunity and developing a vaccine .
A spokeswoman for the U.N. health agency said Tuesday that the unpublished study from Hong Kong offers the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus that causes COVID-19 is possible , but cautioned that the number of such cases is likely very small .
Margaret Harris noted that the case in Hong Kong was just one in 23 million lab-confirmed coronavirus infections worldwide so far .
“ We will probably see other documented cases , but it seems to be not a regular event , ” she told reporters .
“ We would have seen many more cases.
” Harris said the case would help researchers understand how the human body builds up immunity to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same as the immune protection that a vaccine provides , ” she added , noting that part of the development of vaccines involves ensuring that they confer immunity .
“ With the vaccine , you ideally want stronger immunity , ” Harris said .
“ That ’ s one of the things you ’ re looking for when you ’ re studying what sort of immunity your candidate vaccine stimulates.
” LONDON -- High school students in Scotland will have to wear face coverings in corridors and other communal areas from Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure on the other constituents of the United Kingdom , including England , to follow suit .
The country ’ s education secretary , John Swinney , said the Scottish government is giving “ obligatory guidance ” to students aged 12 and above to wear face coverings when moving around schools .
He also told the BBC that individual exemptions could be granted for health reasons and that masks should be worn on school buses .
Within the U.K. , Scottish schools reopened first , followed by those in Northern Ireland .
Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen in September .
The British government , which runs schools in England , has said there are no plans to review the guidance on face coverings in school , arguing that it would ” obstruct communication between teachers and pupils.
” Scotland has often led the way during the pandemic on the wider use of face coverings .
It , for example , mandated their use in shops after they reopened weeks before England .
LONDON — AstraZeneca says it has begun testing a new antibody-based drug for the treatment and prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the trial would assess the safety and tolerability of a drug known as AZD7442 , which combines two monoclonal antibodies , or immune system proteins that are created in the laboratory and seek to mimic natural antibodies .
AZD7442 was developed by Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville , Tennessee .
The trial , which involves 48 adults in the U.K. , is the first time AZD7442 has been tested on humans .
If it proves safe , the drug will move on to further trials to determine whether it is effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This combination of antibodies , coupled to our proprietary half-life extension technology , has the potential to improve both the effectiveness and durability of use in addition to reducing the likelihood of viral resistance , ” said Mene Pangalos , executive vice-president of biopharmaceutical research at AstraZeneca .
The treatment is based on antibodies from people who recovered from COVID-19 .
BERLIN — Germany is warning against travel to the Paris region and part of southeastern France as coronavirus infections rebound .
The warning against nonessential travel issued by the foreign ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s national disease control centre added the Ile-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Cote d ’ Azur regions to a growing list of “ risk areas.
” The list currently includes most of the world outside the European Union .
Inside the EU , it now includes all of Spain apart from the Canary Islands , parts of Croatia , Bulgaria , Romania and Belgium , and the two French regions .
Luxembourg was recently dropped from the list .
People arriving in Germany from “ risk areas ” are required to undergo virus tests and self-quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — India has reported more than 60,000 new infections in the last 24 hours , taking the country ’ s total to 3.17 million .
The Health Ministry on Tuesday also reported 848 deaths in the past 24 hours , taking total fatalities up to 58,390 .
Meanwhile , India ’ s recovery rate has reached nearly 76 % as more than 2.4 million people affected by the virus have been discharged from hospitals .
The Health Ministry said that 66,550 patients — the highest in a day — recovered from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Ministry said the country ’ s COVID-19 tests per million has risen sharply to 26,016 as cumulative tests surged to nearly 36 million .
In June , India began using cheaper , faster but less accurate tests to scale up testing .
Authorities have rationed the use of the more precise molecular tests that detect the genetic code of the virus .
Nearly a third of the tests India is using now are the less accurate ones that screen for antigens , or viral proteins .
They require frequent retesting , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NATIONS — The United Nations chief says the tourist industry has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic , with $ 320 billion lost in exports in the first five months of the year and over 120 million jobs at risk .
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a policy briefing and video address released Tuesday that tourism is the third-largest export sector , behind fuels and chemicals , and accounted for 7 % of trade last year .
“ It employs one in every 10 people on Earth and provides livelihoods to hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It boosts economies .
… It allows people to experience some of the world ’ s cultural and natural riches and brings people closer to each other , highlighting our common humanity.
” But the U.N. chief said that in the first five months of 2020 , because of the coronavirus pandemic , international tourist arrivals decreased by more than half .
Guterres said the tourism impact of COVID-19 has been a “ major shock ” for richer developed nations “ but for developing countries , it is an emergency , particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African countries.
” Tourism for some of those countries represents over 20 % of their GDP , he said .
SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea is closing schools and switching back to remote learning in the greater capital area as the country counted its 12th straight day of triple-digit daily increases in coronavirus cases .
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said Tuesday that at least 193 students and teachers were found infected over the past two weeks in the Seoul metropolitan region , where a viral surge has threatened to erase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea ’ s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 280 new cases of COVID-19 , pushing the 12-day total to 3,175 .
The country ’ s caseload is now at 17,945 , including 310 deaths .
Yoo said most children at kindergartens , elementary , middle and high schools will receive online classes at least until Sept. 11 .
High-school seniors will continue to go to school so their studies are not disrupted ahead of the crucial national college exams .
The country delayed the start of the school year for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southeast in spring before proceeding with phased reopenings beginning in May .
BEIJING — Beijing universities are preparing to administer virus tests to students returning to the city ’ s campuses .
The cost of testing all 600,000 students will be born by the universities themselves , according to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission .
University classes are scheduled to begin Sept. 9 .
Roughly 75 per cent of Chinese students in lower grades returned to class as of last month , many on staggered schedules .
The rest are expected to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China ’ s National Health Commission on Tuesday reported no new local infections for a ninth straight day and said 14 new cases were found in travellers arriving from abroad .
The northwestern city of Urumqi , the centre of China ’ s most recent major outbreak , was relaxing restrictions on some residential compounds after several days of no new local infections .
MELBOURNE , Australia — Australian hot spot Victoria state has recorded an increase in new coronavirus cases , although health authorities are confident infections are continuing to trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday reported 148 new COVID-19 infections in the latest 24-hour period and eight deaths .
Victoria reported 116 new cases and 15 deaths on Tuesday .
That was the lowest daily tally of new cases since 87 were reported on July 5 .
The daily count has been as high as 725 news cases in early August .
State capital Melbourne is around half way through a six-week lockdown .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Tuscaloosa closes bars after rise in university virus cases

The mayor of Tuscaloosa announced Monday that the city is closing bars for the next two weeks after University of Alabama officials described an “ unacceptable “ rise in COVID-19 cases that could derail plans to continue the semester on campus .
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox announced the closures along with the end of bar service at restaurants during a news conference with campus officials .
Maddox said university officials requested the action .
Maddox said an unchecked spread of the virus threatens both the health care system and the local economy if students are sent home for the semester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth is that fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy , ” Maddox said .
The university did not immediately release case numbers , but school officials said there has been a rapid rise in cases , particularly among fraternities and sororities .
The university on Friday had announced a moratorium on student gatherings both on and off campus .
“ Although are initial re-entry test was encouraging , the rise in COVID cases that we ’ ve seen in recent days is unacceptable and if unchecked threatens our ability to complete the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama President Stuart Bell said at the news conference .
The university had earlier announced that initial results from a testing program found few students returning to campus were positive for COVID-19 .
Dr. Ricky Friend , dean of college of community health sciences , said subsequent testing last week has found more cases .
“ During that time , we encountered many students who have been exposed since returning to campus , particularly in the Greek system , ” Friend said .
While the daily average of new COVID-19 cases has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed concern about images of large crowds waiting outside off-campus bars .
The university on Friday announced a 14-day moratorium on all in-person student events outside of classroom instruction .
Social gatherings are prohibited both on and off campus and the common areas of dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses are closed , according to the new guidelines .
Visitors are not being allowed in dormitories and sorority and fraternity houses .
Bell wrote that violations of health and safety protocols , both on and off campus , are subject to harsh disciplinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the university .
Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey praised the mayor and university officials for acting swiftly .
“ They have made tough decisions , and I appreciate Mayor Walt Maddox and The University of Alabama leadership for tackling a serious problem as quickly as possible , “ Ivey said .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--China’s FM visits Italy, first foreign trip since pandemic

ROME - Prominent Hong Kong democracy activist Nathan Law called on the Italian government to take a tough stand against China ’ s security measures in Hong Kong when Italy ’ s foreign minister meets Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart .
Standing outside of Italy ’ s Foreign Ministry with an Italian parliamentary delegation , Law said Italy ’ s position on China ’ s recent actions in Hong Kong should be in line with the European Union ’ s stance .
‘ ’ I don ’ t understand why the Italian government is not following that direction , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luigi Di Maio was meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister ’ s Wang Li at the start of Wang ’ s five-nation European tour , which also includes stops in France , Germany , the Netherlands and Norway .
It is Wang ’ s first foreign trip since the coronavirus outbreak in China that turned into a global pandemic .
The visiting diplomat ’ s top agenda item in Rome is expected to be pushing Europeans to guarantee market access to telecom giant Huawei and broader efforts to keep European country ’ s quiet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s side in its tariff war with Washington .
Law complained that the meeting was announced on short-notice and that the contents remained secret , making it difficult to properly prepare .
He delivered a letter asking Di Maio to address ‘ ’ the Hong Kong problems and human rights violations ’ ’ during the meeting .
’ ’ We need to work together to form a strong alliance to go against the authoritarian nature of China , ?
he said , adding that the the silencing of a Chinese whistle-blower during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage wrought by authoritarian actions .
Italy last year was the first major democracy to sign an agreement to join China ’ s “ Belt and Road ” initiative .
The program includes major infrastructure investments to create a conduit for trade and China ’ s construction industry .
Both the United States and Italy ’ s European partners see it as a threat as China seeks to project its power .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Beyond November: At GOP convention, there’s a 2024 subplot

WASHINGTON - Republicans this week are focused squarely on their convention ’ s star , President Donald Trump , and securing his reelection in November .
But there ’ s also plenty of angling for what — or who — comes next .
Beyond the speeches , the spin and the stagecraft , the Republican National Convention is casting light on the early manoeuvring that is already underway to determine the future of the party after Trump and who will emerge as its 2024 nominee .
“ There ’ s a lot happening behind the scenes already , “ said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 2016 campaign of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio .
Still , he said the contest won ’ t begin in earnest until after November , when the electorate decides whether Trump will go down in history as a one-term fluke or the founder of a new Republican Party .
The convention lineup includes a long list of potential future candidates , most notably Nikki Haley , the former South Carolina governor and ambassador to the United Nations , who spoke Monday night , and Vice-President Mike Pence , who will speak Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Tom Cotton , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Donald Trump Jr .
Many are expecting a 2024 repeat of 2016 , which drew a massive field of senators , governors and former party officials — along with a reality TV star few took seriously at the time .
This time , “ Mike Pence and Nikki Haley are , by far , the two greatest fan favourites out there , ” says Scott Walker , the former governor of Wisconsin and himself a 2016 candidate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but nobody else is even close in that stratosphere.
” Much will depend on whether Trump secures a second term .
If he loses , it could open the door to critics like Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a moderate who voiced alarm at Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus and recently wrote a book and launched a new national advocacy group promoting “ bipartisan , common-sense solutions.
” On the other end of the spectrum is Pence , who has spent years serving as Trump ’ s most loyal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the former Indiana governor ’ s political future will hinge on whether Trump wins in November , and they have been laser-focused on that goal .
Pence has embarked on an aggressive campaign schedule that has included 73 trips to more than two dozen states since October .
And he has been holding calls with conservative groups like the Susan B. Anthony List and Heritage Foundation , in addition to sitting for a whopping 152 regional interviews .
If Trump does win in November , it is unclear how another four years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether he has the charisma or star power to carry the president ’ s base on his own .
One donor has quipped that Pence carries all of Trump ’ s baggage without carrying many of Trump ’ s supporters .
Pence in a Fox News interview sidestepped a question about whether he ’ s weighing a 2024 White House run .
“ All my focus is getting this president reelected for four more years , ” Pence said .
At the same time , buzz has been growing about Haley , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration with her reputation intact and arguably lifted .
Since her departure , she has been trying to keep a careful balance , maintaining some independence from the president while not directly drawing his ire .
In her convention speech Monday night , Haley gave an unabashed endorsement of the president while spending time introducing herself to viewers .
“ I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants .
They came to America and settled in a small Southern town , ” she said .
“ My father wore a turban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was a brown girl in a black and white world.
” That background could make for a compelling candidate at a moment when the American electorate is getting younger and more diverse .
Haley also would be able to make the case to voters that she has the needed background as a chief executive and on national security .
“ Regardless of the outcome of the election , conservatives and Republicans are going to regard Nikki Haley as one of the most talented messengers for the cause anywhere across the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a spokesperson for Haley when she was South Carolina governor .
Since stepping down as U.N. ambassador , Haley has been a frequent presence on the stump for incumbent Republican Senate candidates in battleground states .
Among those she ’ s campaigned for : Iowa ’ s Joni Ernst , North Carolina ’ s Thom Tillis and Colorado ’ s Cory Gardner .
“ This opportunity has given her a chance to make a lot of friends , ” said Godfrey .
“ Those friends are activists in early primary states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country that she can call on going forward for whatever she may want to do.
” That ’ s the kind of work would-be candidates have been doing behind the scenes : building relationships , getting to know donors , conservatives and early-state leaders , and trying to build their national profiles .
But whether the president wins or loses , Trump will loom large , having transformed the party from the mould of Ronald Reagan and the Bush family to a nationalist , populist movement fueled by white resentment .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Machine to four years ago and pick up the policies of four years ago .
You also can ’ t say you ’ re just going to do the opposite of what Trump does , “ said James Carafano , a national security analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation .
Historian Douglas Brinkley said he sees little chance of Trump moving out of the spotlight whenever he vacates the office .
“ Donald Trump will never go gentle into the night , “ he said .
“ Just because he loses doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the Trump phenomenon in American politics .
And it will be very hard for a Republican to get the nomination without Trump ’ s endorsement in 2024 , ” unless , he said , Trump winds up so mired in legal trouble that he becomes a pariah .
Washington , for its part , is preparing for another round of intrigue .
“ Maybe the public isn ’ t ready for it , but certainly junkies in both the media and politics are ready , “ said Walker .
“ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , but they ’ re excited.
” Madhani reported from Chicago .
Associated Press writer Steve Peoples in New York contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin And Aamer Madhani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Iran dismisses demands beyond nuke deal as IAEA head visits

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran won ’ t accept any additional demands beyond its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal , the country ’ s top nuclear official declared Tuesday as the chief of the U.N. nuclear watchdog made his first visit to Iran .
Rafael Grossi , the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Iran on Monday to press for access to sites where the Islamic Republic is suspected of having stored or used undeclared nuclear material .
Grossi took over the IAEA after the sudden death of its late director-general Yukiya Amano last year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is pushing to “ snapback ” U.N. sanctions on Iran for allegedly violating the nuclear deal with world powers .
The IAEA repeatedly found Iran in compliance with the agreement until last year , when Tehran began breaking the deal ’ s limits on nuclear enrichment in response to heavy U.S. sanctions following President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing America from the accord .
Iran now no longer follows any of its limits , but continues to allow IAEA inspectors and surveillance at nuclear sites in the country .
Ali Akbar Salehi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iran , spoke during a joint press conference in Tehran with Grossi .
“ Definitely Iran will not accept demands beyond ( its ) nuclear commitments .
We do act based on our own national interests , ” Salehi said , according to the state-run IRNA news agency .
Grossi faced a series of questions from local Iranian journalists implicitly criticizing the IAEA , especially over him pushing Iran for access to possible nuclear sites thought to be from the early 2000s , before Iran signed the 2015 nuclear deal with world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no legal basis to inspect the sites .
“ We have encountered a couple of points we need still to find agreement , ” he said , calling IAEA ’ s relations with Iran “ intense.
” “ We have , with Iran , a large number of questions which we are working together , ” Grossi said .
“ This is going to continue.
” However , Salehi also declared a “ new chapter “ has begun between Iran and the IAEA , saying he had “ constructive ” talks with Grossi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a joint statement about their further co-operation .
On Sunday , Iran said the IAEA was seeking access and inspection at two “ places ” near the capital , Tehran , and the central Iranian city of Isfahan .
Last year , the U.N. agency said that of the two sites that Iran has blocked access to , one was partially demolished in 2004 .
At the other , the agency said it observed activities “ consistent with efforts to sanitize ” the facility from July 2019 onward .
A third site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ extensive sanitization and levelling ” in 2003 and 2004 and there would be no verification value in inspecting it .
Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--Laura, now a hurricane, takes aim at U.S. Gulf Coast

NEW ORLEANS - Laura became a hurricane Tuesday shortly after entering the warm and deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico , gathering strength on a path to hit the U.S. coastline as a major storm that could unleash a surge of seawater higher than a basketball hoop and swamp entire towns .
The National Hurricane Center projected that Laura will become a Category 3 hurricane before landfall , with winds of around 115 mph ( 185 kph ) , capable of devastating damage .
“ The main point is that we ’ re going to have a significant hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Ed Rappaport said Tuesday .
The decapitating cross winds that killed Marco are not present , so there is little to keep Laura from turbocharging .
Nearly all the computer simulations that forecasters rely on show rapid strengthening at some point in the next couple of days .
“ The waters are warm enough everywhere there to support a major hurricane , Category 3 or even higher .
The waters are very warm where the storm is now and will be for the entire path up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Laura passed Cuba after killing at least 11 people in the Dominican Republic and Haiti , where it knocked out power and caused flooding in the two nations that share the island of Hispaniola .
The deaths reportedly included a 10-year-old girl whose home was hit by a tree and a mother and young son who were crushed by a collapsing wall .
Now forecasters are turning their attention the Gulf Coast , where up to 11 feet ( 3.4 metres ) of sea water — storm surge — could inundate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Morgan City , Louisiana , the hurricane centre said .
“ We ’ re talking about something that ’ s on the order of 10 feet and that ’ s going to penetrate well inland , ” Rappaport said .
On top of that , up to 15 inches ( 38 centimetres ) of rain could fall in some spots in Louisiana , said Donald Jones , a National Weather Service meteorologist in Lake Charles , Louisiana — in the bullseye of Laura ’ s projected path .
“ Whatever happens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roll with the punches , ” said Capt .
Brad Boudreaux , who operates a fishing guide service in Hackberry , Louisiana , near the Texas line .
The silver lining for U.S. coastal residents is that an earlier storm — Marco — greatly weakened and became a remnant just off Louisiana ’ s shore on Tuesday .
Satellite images showed a disorganized cluster of clouds .
It was relegated to what meteorologists call “ a naked swirl , ” Jones said .
The crew of a hurricane hunter plane confirmed that Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 mph winds ( 120 kmh ) shortly after passing between the western tip of Cuba and Mexico ’ s Yucatan Peninsula .
It was 625 miles ( 1005 kilometres ) southeast of Lake Charles , Louisiana , heading west northwest at 17 mph ( 28 kmh ) .
The hurricane centre warned people not to focus on the details of the official forecast , since “ storm surge , wind , and rainfall hazards will extend well away from Laura ’ s centre along the Gulf Coast.
” In Port Arthur Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuation order for the city ’ s more than 54,000 residents starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday .
People planning on entering official shelters can bring just one bag of personal belongings each , and must “ have a mask ” to reduce the spread of coronavirus , the order said .
“ If you decide to stay , you ’ re staying on your own , ” Bartie said .
Officials in Houston asked residents to prepare supplies in case they lose power for a few days or need to evacuate homes along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Louisiana and Mississippi , and shelters opened with cots set farther apart , among other measures designed to curb infections .
Laura ’ s unwelcome arrival comes just days before the Aug. 29 anniversary of Hurricane Katrina , which breached the levees in New Orleans , flattened much of the Mississippi coast and killed as many as 1,800 people in 2005 .
Hurricane Rita then struck southwest Louisiana that Sept. 24 as a Category 3 storm .
Now southwest Louisiana again faces the threat of being hit by a major hurricane , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ron Leleux .
“ Finally we ran out of luck in 2005 with Rita , ” Leleux said from his home in Sulphur , where he served as mayor from 2002-2010 .
“ When something like this comes up , I think people go back and it brings back a lot of bad memories.
“ In the southwest corner of Louisiana , Capt .
Tommy Adams , a local fishing guide , was prepared for anything but said “ you never know what ’ s going to happen .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inland just to be on the safe side , probably about an hour north , just to be on the safe side , ” said Adams , who also lives in Sulphur .
In Waveland , Mississippi , a coastal town devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2015 , Jeremy Burke said “ our biggest threat down here is the storm surge.
” When Katrina struck , “ the wind did do damage , but the thing that put the nail in the coffin was the storm surge , ” said Burke , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis .
Many residents in Waveland are staying in place as Laura bears down on the coast , but they also have their cars and trucks gassed up in case the forecast grows more ominous , Burke said .
“ People are prepared to possibly go at the drop of a hat , ” he said .
“ We never take a storm for granted .
We might have dodged a bullet with Marco , and obviously some people along the Gulf Coast are not going to be as blessed as us.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press contributors include Seth Borenstein in Kensington , Maryland , Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge ; Kevin McGill in New Orleans ; Jay Reeves in Birmingham , Alabama ; Evens Sanon in Port-au-Prince , Haiti , and Juan Lozano in Houston .

Rebecca Santana And Jeff Martin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-25--AP-NORC poll: Many in US shoring up finances amid downturn

WASHINGTON - It ’ s the paradox of a pandemic that has crushed the U.S. economy : 12.9 million people have lost a job and a dangerous rash of businesses has closed , yet the personal finances of many Americans have remained strong — and in some ways have even improved .
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 45 % of Americans say they ’ re setting aside more money than usual .
Twenty-six per cent are paying down debt faster than they were before the coronavirus pandemic .
In total , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve either saved more or paid down debt since the outbreak began .
The findings highlight the unique nature of the current crisis .
Nearly $ 3 trillion in government aid in the form of direct payments , expanded jobless benefits and forgivable payroll loans helped cushion against the fastest economic downturn in American history .
Meanwhile , health fears and mandated closures prompted many Americans to spend less on restaurant meals , clothing and travel .
About two-thirds say they ’ re spending less than usual during the pandemic .
Since February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion jump in money kept in checking accounts — a 56 % increase tracked by the Federal Reserve .
While the greater savings helps to keep families more financially secure , it may also limit the scope of any recovery in a country that relies on consumer spending for growth .
Kent Sullivan , a landscape painter from Orlando , Florida , has been making extra mortgage payments .
The 68-year-old and his wife received $ 1,200 in direct government payments and hope to own their home free and clear within 18 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments , ” he said .
“ As an artist , it ’ s feast or famine .
You never know if you ’ re going to get a big commission or if the gallery does well.
” The findings shed light on a persistent riddle of a global pandemic in which a weakened economy has somehow spared most U.S. families from the worst of the financial toll .
Just 37 % call the national economy good , down from 67 % in January .
But at the same time , 63 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , largely in line with what it was before the pandemic began more than six months ago .
People ’ s positive feelings about their own finances might also be helping President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection this November against former Vice-President Joe Biden .
About half of Americans , 47 % , approve of how Trump is handling the economy .
That ’ s significantly higher than his overall favourable rating of 35 % .
“ He ’ s a businessman , not a politician , ” said Sally Gansz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He ’ ll get jobs back — he did it before.
” But while the initial burst of aid helped Americans , Trump — who touted his ability as a dealmaker in real estate — could not reach an agreement with Democrats to keep the money flowing after many of the benefits expired this month .
Alan Vervaeke , 59 , from Gilford , New Hampshire , said the Trump administration ’ s failure to contain COVID-19 has forced the government to take on debt , rather than investing in infrastructure and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The American economy is going to come back , but I don ’ t think it ’ s going to be as robust , ” said Vervaeke , a military veteran who manages software engineers .
“ We need an actual statesman who can create opportunities for average Americans , instead of politicians making a lot of promises they may never keep.
” About a quarter of Americans say they ’ ve been unable to pay at least one bill because of the pandemic , including 14 % who ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage payment , 14 % who have been unable to pay a credit card bill and 21 % who have been unable to pay another type of bill .
Seventeen per cent have been unable to pay multiple types of bills .
The downturn has also exposed the depth of inequality in the United States .
About half of Black Americans and roughly 4 in 10 Hispanic Americans say they ’ ve been unable to pay a bill , compared with about 2 in 10 white Americans .
And 66 % of Hispanic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income loss , compared with 50 % of Black Americans and 44 % of white Americans .
Overall , about half of Americans say they ’ ve experienced at least one form of household income loss .
That includes 23 % who say they ’ ve experienced a household layoff , 34 % who say someone in the household has been scheduled for fewer hours , 22 % who ’ ve taken unpaid time off and 25 % who ’ ve had their wages or salaries reduced .
People in households that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are about as likely as those who have not to say they ’ ve been spending less , saving more and paying down debt , though they are also more likely to say they ’ ve been unable to pay at least one type of bill .
Overall , 48 % of those who say someone in their household has been laid off have been unable to pay at least one type of bill , compared with 19 % of those who have not .
Those who say they ’ ve spent less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than those who have not to say they ’ re putting more into savings ( 58 % to 21 % ) and paying down debt faster than usual ( 32 % to 15 % ) .
Those savings might help sustain the economy if the downturn worsens or might propel growth if the coronavirus fades and people become more comfortable with venturing out .
Brynn Alexander , 36 , is cautiously optimistic .
“ It ’ s better than it was in March , a little bit better , ” said Alexander , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , who serves in Army at Fort Benning , Georgia .
“ A lot of my friends are getting back to work.
” The AP-NORC poll of 1,075 adults was conducted Aug. 17-19 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points .

Josh Boak And Emily Swanson - The Associated Press