thetorontostar--2020-09-05--No payoff: Summer without fairs leaves farm kids heartbroken

TOLEDO , Ohio - Well before the sun rises and then again after school , Arrissa Swails feeds and waters her goats , fancy chickens and three dairy cows .
There ’ s another trip to the barn at night to hustle the chickens into their coop .
It ’ s a daily routine that typically takes the high school senior at least three hours .
This week , she ’ d be parading her livestock at the Hancock County Fair , hoping to win a grand champion ribbon during her last turn in the show ring .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or anyone else , another tradition wiped away from the 2020 calendar by the coronavirus .
“ I bawled my eyes out , ” she said about the fair ’ s first cancellation since World War II .
“ Honestly , it means everything to me .
It ’ s definitely weird this year without it.
” Not many county or state fairs in the U.S. are continuing on without major changes , about 80 % have been called off or drastically scaled down by eliminating carnival rides , concerts and tractor pulls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fairs and Expositions .
Some are only allowing youth livestock competitions and auctions or opening for “ fair food drive-thrus.
” The losses have been monumental — the association estimates the total is nearing $ 4 billion for fair organizations .
And that ’ s not counting the revenue for ride and concession operators and volunteer organizations that raise money by selling milkshakes and corn dogs .
To make up some of the difference , a group of Republicans and Democrats in Congress are backing legislation introduced in July that would direct $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation .
But for those who have spent the past year feeding , cleaning and working with their animals in hopes of winning a blue ribbon and maybe some money for college , there is no replacing the missed experiences of the fair .
“ I just love walking the goats in , they ’ re so happy in the show ring , ” said Swails , who has been in 4-H the past eight years .
“ We have this one , she looks forward to the fair , she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just like at home , she stays with her animals during fair week from morning until late at night .
Hanging out in the barns , camping at the fairgrounds and competing in the judging allowed her to come out of her shell at a young age and meet many new people , said the 18-year-old who lives near the village of Jenera in northwestern Ohio .
“ This was my last chance , ” she said .
In rural America , the county fair remains a cherished institution with agriculture its centerpiece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2 % of the nation ’ s population .
“ I call it the farmers ’ family reunion , ” said Jacki Johnson , who has spent 41 years volunteering as a 4-H adviser in Hancock County , one of Ohio ’ s top crop-producing regions .
It was hardly a surprise , though , when fair organizers decided in mid-July to scrap this year ’ s event for only the second time since it began in 1938 .
The decision came just a few weeks after the county ’ s fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80,000 because the pandemic caused some businesses to limit their donations and forced the cancellations of other money-making events at the fairgrounds .
“ It ’ s so frustrating to see the sadness on the kids ’ faces , ” Johnson said .
Volunteers in the county did manage to pull together a makeshift livestock competition and alternative auction .
But not everyone participated for a number of reasons , including because some had already sold their animals months ago when it became apparent there would be no fair .
Eric Davis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of Johnson ’ s 4-H club , was bummed he didn ’ t get to take this year ’ s batch of chickens to the fair because he said they ’ re the best he ’ s had in six years .
Still , he understands why holding a fair this year with crowds “ wouldn ’ t be a good look ” and that it wouldn ’ t be the same no matter what .
“ It ’ s a shame .
You do all that and there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to be a fair next year , ” he said .
Eleven-year-old Payne Steffan has plenty more fairs ahead too , but he ’ s still sad he won ’ t get to show off his ducks or get to impress the judges with how much he knows .
“ When you get to take them in the ring , you really get to know if your bird is any good , ” he said .
His mom , Brynne Steffan , maybe even more disappointed .
She grew up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never missed one , not even last year when she was pregnant and due on opening day .
She and her family managed to get to the fair each day and then on the final day — Labor Day — “ we packed up , got our ducks out , and went to the hospital and had a baby.
“


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Quarantine a small price to pay for Australian in Venice

VENICE , Italy - Roderick MacKay had to get government approval to leave Australia , spent two weeks in preventive coronavirus quarantine in Rome and will be locked up in a hotel back in Australia for another two weeks upon his return .
But the 33-year-old director says it ’ s a small price to pay to get his first feature film , “ The Furnace , ” to the Venice Film Festival — especially after it took six years to make .
“ The Furnace ” explores a forgotten aspect of the 19th century west Australian gold rush , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India , Afghanistan and Persia — Iran ’ s former name — were brought in by the British colonizers to help open up the Outback , many essentially working as indentured labourers .
“ The Furnace ” follows the story of a young Afghan cameleer played by Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek , who is led astray from his friendship with local Aboriginal people by a shifty gold prospector .
“ It ’ s shining a light on a little known chapter of our history and representing community groups who have not really been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” MacKay told The Associated Press .
“ And so I think on the basis of that , that was really the thing that compelled me to come here and do my bit to represent the film.
” That was no easy feat given the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown of MacKay ’ s hometown of Perth , in western Australia , as well as Italy ’ s restrictions on travellers coming from outside Europe .
MacKay had to get federal government approval to leave the country , and successfully made the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only Australian official selection at Venice , where it is screening in the Horizons section for new talent .
“ It turns out , we ’ re kind of representing the country , ” he said .
“ So luckily , or thankfully , they considered that to be a worthy enough cause.
” Upon arrival in Italy , MacKay quarantined at a Rome apartment for two weeks , people-watching from the rooftop terrace , preparing for the festival and watching movies , including Ridley Scott ’ s “ Gladiator ” to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone ” of Rome .
Now at Venice , he is overwhelmed : MacKay had only previously made two short films before “ The Furnace , ” which he conceived of when researching the western Australian gold rush in 2014 .
“ It ’ s taken me six years to get this project off the ground .
So a month in quarantine , really in the scheme of things , is kind of a small blip in the time that I ’ ve taken from my life to realize this project , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retraces his steps back to Perth , where a government-appointed hotel quarantine awaits him .
“ Not ideal , but we understand that it ’ s necessary in these times , ” he said .
“ And hey , perhaps it ’ ll be a nice sort of two-week window to just process everything that we ’ ve been up to here in this extraordinary time.
” The festival , the first major in-person cinema showcase after COVID-19 locked down the film industry , wraps up on Sept. 12 .
In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing for the Golden Lion in the main selection .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Pandemic slows 2nd year of bank shooting survivor’s crusade

CINCINNATI - While Whitney Austin has made impressive gains in her recovery from 12 close-range gunshots , progress in the former bank executive ’ s new life ’ s mission has been slowed by the pandemic .
Frustrated over increases in gun violence in recent months and lack of movement on gun ownership reform legislation , she remains active and dedicated to helping achieve change .
Her Whitney/Strong Foundation will stage a second annual benefit gala this month , although virtually this time , with a combination of shooting survivors and artists .
Austin , meanwhile , can celebrate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months ago and having a right arm that is finally metal-free , and as a result , ache-free .
And that she survived the Sept. 6 , 2018 , Fifth Third Bank shooting that claimed three other lives and wounded another person .
“ I still see all my scars ; it ’ s impossible to forget that it happened to me , ” said Austin , who still lacks full movement in her right arm and retains some numbness in her left thumb and elsewhere .
“ But most of what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s totally things I can live with.
” She has made public recorded interviews with the Cincinnati Police officers who rescued her , killing the gunman in a hail of gunfire and getting her to medical aid quickly , this month .
Now 39 , she called for first responders to save her for her children , now 7 and 9 .
“ I got what I wanted out of that moment , ” she said in a recent AP interview .
“ I got to come back home to my children and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I somehow miraculously found a way to professionally live a life of purpose as a way to give back.
” She still avoids viewing news footage of gun violence , and the sound of fireworks can upset her .
After coming so near death , the deadly coronavirus can be unsettling .
“ COVID is such a weird thing ; even someone who has survived a mass shooting is not immune to COVID , ” she said , explaining she worries about her family ’ s health safety .
She also is saddened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisville and former workplace town of Cincinnati endure increased homicides during the pandemic .
Louisville has been one of the centres of U.S. racial injustice protests , after the police shooting of Breonna Taylor during a no-knock raid this year .
One of her foundation supporters , a gun violence victim , had been treated by Taylor , a medical worker .
Pandemic precautions have prevented much of the face-to-face lobbying the former vice-president at Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank had been doing on gun reforms .
But she ’ s encouraged that Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Strong Ohio package he introduced in the aftermath of an Aug. 4 , 2019 , mass shooting that killed nine people in Dayton , Ohio .
“ I ’ m working with the governor ’ s office as an instigator , ” she said .
“ I had been doing that and I will continue to push to get this done.
” DeWine , a Republican , emphasized his ongoing support for legislation like the Strong Ohio bill while preserving Second Amendment rights .
“ Whitney ’ s bravery is admirable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her steadfast support of this legislation and all of her tireless work to prevent gun violence , ” DeWine said in a statement .
“ I look forward to continuing our work with the legislature to both shield citizens from danger and safeguard constitutional rights.
” Austin echoed the governor ’ s sentiment that her efforts aren ’ t against gun ownership , but for reducing gun violence including accidental shootings .
Her organization works with gun sportspeople and helps train people in gun safety , suicide prevention , and first aid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get thousands of gun locks distributed .
Because the second shooting anniversary falls on Labor Day weekend and Kentucky Derby day , the “ A Night For Life ” foundation benefit will be Sept. 25 .
A Fifth Third Bank spokeswoman said the company isn ’ t planning an official ceremony this weekend .
“ We anticipate that employees will commemorate the solemn anniversary in ways that are meaningful to them , ” Laura Trujillo said by email .
Austin said on Sunday , she will reflect on gunshot victims , survivors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayers will be with everyone.
” Associated Press reporter Farnoush Amiri in Columbus contributed to this report .
Follow Dan Sewell at https : //www.twitter.com/dansewell .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Thanks, but no: Small businesses shun payroll tax deferral

NEW YORK - As employees of small businesses get their first September paychecks , they ’ re probably receiving their usual amount — company owners are still withholding money for Social Security despite a presidential order allowing the tax to be deferred .
The order President Donald Trump signed Aug. 8 allows employers to stop withholding the 6.2 % payroll tax from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 .
Employees must make under $ 4,000 every two weeks to qualify .
Trump said the order was aimed at putting more money into Americans ’ pockets during the coronavirus outbreak .
Small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The tax must still be paid between Jan. 1 and April 30 of next year , which means employees could take an unwanted financial hit or companies might ultimately have to pay the government if staffers leave .
Attorney John Strohmeyer is having the payroll for his Houston firm processed as per usual .
“ It doesn ’ t make much sense .
I ’ m not getting a tax break as an employee or employer .
The money is still due by April 30 of next year , ” Strohmeyer says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his human resources consulting firm for advice about tax deferral ask whether it ’ s a good benefit for employees .
But they ’ re not inclined to implement the plan .
“ If the employee doesn ’ t pay the money back , you ’ re on the hook for it .
Till that changes , it just doesn ’ t make sense to give somebody a few more months of money , ” says Starkman , CEO of Engage PEO , based in Hollywood , Florida .
Owners also have questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t answered in the guidelines the IRS issued last week .
The three-page document is silent on how the money is to be collected after Jan. 1 , leaving owners wondering if they would have to deduct it paycheque by paycheque or whether staffers would need to come up with a lump sum .
Owners also don ’ t know if they ’ d have to poll staffers individually to see who wants or doesn ’ t want their taxes deferred .
While many companies use payroll processors or human resources consultants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary tax deferral is still another layer of work for owners who are focused on running their companies during a pandemic .
Strohmeyer says business owners would prefer to focus on changes that affect the long-term running of their companies .
“ This is a four-month delay .
Why would you upset your business ?
” Owners already see the possibility of a bureaucratic headache in tax deferral , says Karen Kerrigan , president of the advocacy group Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council .
“ The vast majority of small businesses will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that it puts owners or managers in an awkward position of collecting funds or deducting funds from employees ’ paychecks in the future , and these could be substantial amounts , ” she says .
Owners are finding that employees aren ’ t eager to defer their taxes .
Attorney Arash Hashemi ’ s sole staffer is looking down the road to paying the tax in 2021 and “ she ’ s afraid that will hurt her pocket more than it will help , ” he says .
Hashemi , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also saying “ no , thanks.
” “ I already have so many obligations to the government , not only federal but state and local .
I don ’ t want to make one more burden for the business , ” he says .
Michael Kipness has surveyed his five staffers and found that “ they ’ re very concerned about having to pay this back later.
” His financial advisers tell him that the IRS guidance about the tax deferral is confusing .
“ We will continue to withhold it , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , ” says Kipness , CEO of Wizard Race and Sports , a company that gives sports gamblers analyses of races and games .
Payroll processor ADP is ready to adjust its computer systems to stop withholding the tax if companies request it , says Pete Isberg , the company ’ s vice-president for government affairs .
But so far , there ’ s little interest , Isberg says .
“ A lot of businesses are looking at this and saying , ‘ I don ’ t think so , ’ ” @ @ @

Joyce M. Rosenberg - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--AP FACT CHECK: Trump on McCain; Biden’s stretch on virus

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said he never called John McCain a loser — he did — and denigrated the record of the late Republican senator on veterans affairs despite routinely appropriating one of McCain ’ s crowning achievements on that front as his own . )
Trump distorted events in Kenosha , Wisconsin , over the past week and his own hand in them before a furor over his reported comments on fallen soldiers diverted his rhetoric .
Democratic rival Joe Biden claimed to have been the first person to have called for the use of emergency production powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
TRUMP : “ I was never a big fan of John McCain , disagreed with him on many things including ridiculous endless wars and the lack of success he had in dealing with the VA and our great Vets.
” — part of a series of tweets Thursday .
THE FACTS : He ’ s ignoring McCain ’ s singular successes on behalf of fellow veterans .
McCain was a leading force in the Senate behind the law that gave veterans an option to go outside the Department of Veterans Affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care at public expense under certain conditions .
President Barack Obama signed the VA Choice legislation into law .
Ignoring that reality , Trump persistently claims that he brought Choice into law when no one else could .
Trump signed a law in 2018 that expanded the options for using the Choice program established by Obama , McCain and other lawmakers .
The 2018 law is named after three lawmakers who were veterans of war .
All of them now are dead .
They are Rep. Samuel R. Johnson , R-Texas , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and McCain , R-Ariz. TRUMP : “ Also , I never called John a loser and swear on whatever , or whoever , I was asked to swear on , that I never called our great fallen soldiers anything other than HEROES.
” — tweet Thursday .
In addition , The Associated Press has confirmed many of the comments Trump was reported by The Atlantic to have made disparaging fallen or captured U.S. service members , such as his description of the American dead in a military graveyard as “ losers.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative forum in Iowa in 2015 that his view of McCain changed when McCain lost the 2008 presidential election to Obama .
“ He lost , so I never liked him as much after that , ‘ cause I don ’ t like losers , ” he said .
Trump went on to dismiss McCain ’ s war service : “ He ’ s not a war hero .
He ’ s a war hero because he was captured .
I like people that weren ’ t captured.
” Trump in 2015 also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCain a “ loser.
” BIDEN : “ When it got up to March , I kept saying , ‘ Look , you ’ ve got to invoke , ’ and you remember , I think I was the first — I may be mistaken — person calling for the Defence Production Act.
” — comment after a news conference Wednesday .
THE FACTS : He is correct about being mistaken .
Biden issued a statement March 18 saying he was issuing a call for Trump to invoke the Defence Production Act to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic production of any critical medical equipment required to respond to this crisis — such as the production of ventilators and associated training to operate.
” His call came the same day Trump signed an order to use his authority under the act .
Five days earlier a group of Democrats in Congress wrote to Trump asking him to use powers under the act , a step that Trump officials and others had been discussing publicly for several weeks .
TRUMP , on Wisconsin officials and the National Guard : “ Once they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , control of it , things went really well.
” — remarks in Kenosha on Tuesday .
TRUMP : “ One of the reasons I ’ m making the trip today and going to Wisconsin is we ’ ve had such a big success in shutting down what would be , right now , a city — that would ’ ve been Kenosha — a city that would ’ ve been burnt to the ground by now .
... And it all stopped immediately upon the National Guard ’ s arrival.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE FACTS : Not true .
He had nothing to do with the deployment of the National Guard in Wisconsin .
The federal government never “ took control of it.
” Gov .
Tony Evers , D-Wis. , activated the state ’ s National Guard the day after a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake , sparking protests and violence over police actions and racism .
When National Guard forces from three other states came in to help , it was because the governor had asked for that help from fellow governors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Guard troops from Arizona , Michigan and Alabama were operating under the control of those states and Wisconsin , “ not in a federal status.
” National Guards answer to governors and sometimes state legislatures , not Washington .
The federal government sent deputy marshals from the U.S .
Marshals Service and agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives , about 200 in all .
The restoration of order was primarily in the hands of National Guard units and local law enforcement .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Wisconsin were in Kenosha along with 500 National Guard troops from the other three states , said Wisconsin National Guard Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp .
TRUMP , asked if would condemn the actions of Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old charged in the shooting deaths of two men during Kenosha protests : “ You saw the same tape as I saw .
And he was trying to get away from them , I guess ; it looks like .
And he fell , and then they very violently attacked him .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at right now and it ’ s under investigation .
But I guess he was in very big trouble .
He would have been — I — he probably would have been killed.
” — news conference Monday .
THE FACTS : His implication that Rittenhouse only shot the men after he tripped and they attacked him is wrong .
The first fatal shooting happened before Rittenhouse ran away and fell .
Trump did not say whom he meant by “ they ” — the two men he shot or others in pursuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence of someone who opposed racial justice protesters , who authorities say was illegally carrying a semi-automatic rifle and who prosecutors accuse of committing intentional homicide .
According to the criminal complaint released by prosecutors , victim Joseph Rosenbaum was shot and killed first , after following Rittenhouse into a parking lot , where Rosenbaum threw a plastic bag at the gunman and tried to take the weapon from him .
The medical examiner found that Rosenbaum was shot in the groin and back — which fractured his pelvis and perforated his right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand .
He also suffered a superficial wound to his left thigh and a graze wound to his forehead .
Rittenhouse then ran down the street and was chased by several people trying to stop him and shouting that he just shot someone , according to the criminal complaint and cellphone video footage .
He tripped and fell .
Anthony Huber , who was carrying a skateboard , was shot in the chest after apparently trying to wrest the gun from Rittenhouse , the complaint said .
A third man was shot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he acted to defend himself .
ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR on fraud in the vote-by-mail process : “ Elections that have been held with mail have found substantial fraud and coercion.
” — CNN on Wednesday .
THE FACTS : Actually , multiple studies have debunked the notion of pervasive voter fraud in general and in the vote-by-mail process .
The five states that relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic — Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Washington and Utah — have said they have necessary safeguards in place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign actors from co-opting the vote .
More states intend to rely more heavily on mail-in voting this fall because of the pandemic .
The attorney general cited a report from more than a decade ago from a commission led by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker that said vote-by-mail was vulnerable to fraud .
But the commission pointed out in a statement in May that it had found little evidence of fraud in states such as Oregon that had sufficient safeguards .
Barr also said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a hostile foreign actor could produce bogus ballots for the election .
But senior U.S. officials said on a conference call with reporters last month that they had no intelligence to suggest that was happening .
BIDEN : “ Donald Trump may be the only president in modern history to leave office with fewer jobs than when he took office.
” — Wilmington , Delaware , speech Friday .
THE FACTS : Maybe yes , maybe no .
Not since Depression-era Herbert Hoover has a president left office with a record of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This could happen to Trump because of the pandemic , but he could also end up with a small gain .
In August there were 4.7 million fewer jobs than there were when Trump was inaugurated in January 2017 .
But if he leaves office in five months , and if the economy adds more than 1 million jobs each month , as happened in July and August , he could end up in the black .
There are signs , though , that the gains are slowing as businesses have recalled many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off from restaurants , bars , retailers and other businesses .
So Biden ’ s prediction could come true .
Associated Press writers Will Weissert , Eric Tucker , Josh Boak and Christopher Rugaber contributed to this report .
EDITOR ’ S NOTE — A look at the veracity of claims by political figures .

Calvin Woodward And Hope Yen - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Taliban return to Doha setting stage for Afghan peace talks

ISLAMABAD - Taliban officials say a senior delegation returned early Saturday to Qatar , paving the way for the start of peace talks with the Afghan government that are expected to take place in the tiny Gulf state .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media .
The negotiations are the second , critical part to a peace deal the U.S. signed with the Taliban in February in Doha .
The Taliban delegation ’ s arrival in Qatar , where the group keeps its political office , came as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for delays in starting talks .
In a tweet on Saturday , the spokesman for Kabul ’ s High Council for National Reconciliation , Faraidoon Khwazoon , said the government was ready to start direct negotiations .
“ The process of releasing the prisoners is over and there is no excuse for delaying the talks , but the Taliban are still not ready to take part in the talks , ” he said , without further elaboration .
Until its February deal with the U.S. , the Taliban refused to directly negotiate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up pressure on Afghans on both sides of the conflict to open up negotiations over what a post-war Afghanistan might look like , how rights of women and minorities would be protected , and how the tens of thousands of armed Taliban and government-allied militias are disarmed and re-integrated .
The U.S. Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien had a long call with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last week .
American officials have also pressed neighbouring Pakistan to get the Taliban to the table .
Relentless delays over the exchange of prisoners —5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Taliban — have hindered efforts to get intra-Afghan talks started .
In late August , a delegation led by the Taliban ’ s political office head and the chief negotiator of the February deal with the United States , Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar came to Pakistan .
While little was revealed about the details of his meetings with Pakistani officials , it is believed he was pressed to get started with intra-Afghan talks .
With many of the Taliban leadership council living in Pakistan , Islamabad has been pressed by Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward .
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly said he wants peace talks started and that a military solution for Afghanistan is an impossibility .
Pakistani officials reportedly met a second time with Baradar on Friday before his return to Doha again pressing for a swift start to Afghan peace talks , it is believed .
U.S. and Afghan officials have both said they want to see a reduction in violence in the conflict going into talks with the Taliban , but the militant group maintains that a cease-fire would only be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington ’ s February agreement with the Taliban was reached to allow the exit of American troops after nearly 20 years at war in keeping with a promise President Donald Trump made during the 2016 U.S. election campaign .
The withdrawal , which has already begun , is not dependent on the success of the Afghan negotiations but rather on commitments made by the Taliban to fight terrorist groups and ensure Afghanistan can not be used to attack America or its allies .
Associated Press Writer Rahim Faiez in Kabul , Afghanistan , @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Environment activists blockade UK newspaper printing plants

LONDON - Police arrested more than 70 environmental activists who blockaded two British printing plants , disrupting the distribution of several national newspapers on Saturday .
The group Extinction Rebellion said it targeted printworks at Broxbourne , north of London , and Knowsley in northwest England , that are owned by Rupert Murdoch ’ s News Corp .
Dozens of protesters locked themselves to trucks and bamboo scaffolding to block the road outside the plants .
The facilities print Murdoch-owned papers The Sun and The Times , as well as the Daily Telegraph , the Daily Mail and the Financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupting the newspapers “ to expose the failure of these corporations to accurately report on the climate and ecological emergency , and their consistent manipulation of the truth to suit their own personal and political agendas.
” Police said they had arrested 42 people by Saturday morning at the Broxbourne plant .
Another 30 people were arrested in Knowsley .
Extinction Rebellion said all remaining protesters ended their demonstration at 11 a.m. Newsprinters , which operates the printing plants , said the protest was an “ attack on all of the free press.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter that “ a free press is vital in holding the government and other powerful institutions to account “ and that it ” is completely unacceptable to seek to limit the public ’ s access to news in this way.
“ Journalism groups also criticized the disruption .
Ian Murray , executive director of the Society of Editors , said peaceful protest was a right , but “ it is not acceptable for those who wish only their voices to be heard to attempt to silence others.
” Extinction Rebellion has blocked roads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday as part of two weeks of civil disobedience to press for stronger action against climate change .
Hundreds of people have been arrested .
Last year , more than 1,700 arrests were made during Extinction Rebellion ’ s 10-day “ Autumn Uprising , ” which disrupted traffic and business activity in several parts of the U.K .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--The Latest: Judge: Stop detaining immigrant kids in hotels

HOUSTON — A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop detaining unaccompanied immigrant children in hotels .
That allows for expelling them without the chance to seek refuge in the United States , a new policy the government has enacted during the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee ruled Friday the use of hotels violates a two-decade-old settlement governing the treatment of immigrant children in custody .
She ordered border agencies to stop placing children in hotels by Sept. 15 and to remove children from hotels as soon as possible .
At least 577 unaccompanied children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been held in hotels , sometimes for weeks , according to government data .
That ’ s instead of sending them to shelters operated by the Department of Health and Human Services , where minors receive legal services , education , and the chance to be placed with relatives living in the U.S. Those facilities are licensed by the states where they are located .
More than 13,000 beds in HHS facilities are currently empty .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — Czech Republic has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India ’ s coronavirus caseload has surpassed 4 million , deepening misery in the country ’ s vast hinterlands .
— Police in Australia ’ s hardest-hit Victoria state made several arrests among a crowd of about 300 people protesting the lockdown in Melbourne .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis will visit Assisi next month , in his first visit outside Rome since the coronavirus pandemic .
He ’ ll journey to Assisi , the birthplace in the central Italian region of Umbria of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an authoritative papal letter to clergy and faithful worldwide , the Vatican said Saturday .
The encyclical is expected to stress the value of brotherly relations during and after the pandemic , a theme Francis evoked repeatedly during the pandemic .
Francis has stressed the coronavirus reveals the fragility of existence and the importance of helping one other , especially the poor .
Italy was put under lockdown in early March when it became the first country in Europe to feel the full brunt of the coronavirus .
PRAGUE — The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to surge in the Czech Republic , surpassing 700 for the first time .
The Health Ministry says the day-to-day increase reached a record of 798 new confirmed cases on Friday .
The announcement comes after the country registered over 600 cases the previous two days , also records at the time .
Health authorities have already imposed new restrictive measures in the Czech capital , reacting to the spike .
Starting on Wednesday , it is mandatory again to wear face masks in stores and shopping malls .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be closed from midnight to 6 a.m .
The Czech Republic has 27,249 cases and 429 deaths .
MEXICO CITY — The coronavirus pandemic has hit Mexico so hard that the governments of several states ran out of death certificates .
Officials said Friday the federal forms started running out about 15 to 20 days ago in at least three states — Baja California , the State of Mexico and Mexico City .
Authorities say a million new forms have been printed and are being distributed .
The certificates are printed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem in the past .
Mexico has suffered the fourth-highest level of COVID-19 deaths in the world .
On Friday , the number of confirmed cases rose by 6,196 to 623,090 , while deaths rose by 522 to 66,851 .
Cases in Mexico now appear to have plateaued and are no longer decreasing .
SEOUL , South Korea -- South Korea has reported 168 new cases of the coronavirus , the third consecutive day the daily jump came below 200 in a possible sign the country is starting to see the effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released Saturday brought the national caseload to 21,010 , including 333 deaths .
Officials say 115 of the new cases were in the Seoul metropolitan area , home to half of the country ’ s 51 million population .
Infections were also reported in other big cities , including Bunsan , Gwangju , Daejeon and Daegu .
Authorities have decided to extend for another week tougher social distancing restrictions in the Seoul area , saying the viral spread is still at risky levels .
Restaurants are allowed to provide only takeout and home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs and after-school academies are closed .
Officials have also shut down churches and nightspots and shifted most schools back to remote learning nationwide .
NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana athletic and education officials are cautiously planning for high school football games to begin in October , while Gov .
John Bel Edwards is expressing hope he will be able to ease some restrictions on businesses next week .
State officials , leaders of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and lawmakers discussed plans for resuming football at a meeting Friday amid positive trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Later in the day , Edwards made no commitment to ease restrictions that have limited public gatherings and restaurant seating while shutting down bars since July .
But , noting that current restrictions expire next Friday , he said he hopes he will be able to move to less restrictive regulations .
He didn ’ t give any details on what looser rules might allow .
SANTA FE , N.M. — New Mexico officials say enrolment in Medicaid has increased by nearly 7 % in the state since the outset of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more families entering into poverty .
In a briefing Friday for state legislators , Human Services Secretary David Scrase praised federal legislation that increases the federal matching rate for Medicaid health care and allows the state to quickly extend no-cost coronavirus testing to the poor and undocumented immigrants .
At the same time , he says the current 6.2 % boost in federal matching funds is inadequate to keep up with rebounding demand for medical services under Medicaid and could end abruptly at the discretion of federal health regulators .
WASHINGTON — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ remain vigilant ” about the coronavirus over the Labor Day weekend .
Trump said at a White House briefing Friday that “ we need everybody to be careful ” and to “ apply common sense ” in their interactions with one another .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , said this week that several Midwestern states that have seen jumps in coronavirus caseloads should be especially vigilant during the holiday weekend .
They are North Dakota , South Dakota , Arkansas , Iowa , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases of COVID-19 have followed the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays .
Trump is eager to put the pandemic in the past , but he tells Americans to “ let ’ s just try to get through this one weekend .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--‘World’s loneliest elephant’ okayed to quit zoo for new life

ISLAMABAD - An elephant who has become a cause celebre for animal rights activists around the world will be allowed to leave his Pakistani zoo and transferred to better conditions , the animal welfare group helping with the case said Saturday .
Dubbed the ‘ world ’ s loneliest elephant ’ by his supporters , Kaavan has languished at a zoo in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad for more than 35 years .
Martin Bauer , a spokesman for Four Paws , said the elephant has been finally given medical approval to travel , most likely to Cambodia , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The overweight elephant Kaavan underwent a full medical examination at the zoo on Friday , said Bauer .
In May , Pakistan ’ s High Court ordered the Marghazar Zoo closed because of its abysmal conditions blamed on systemic negligence .
Rescuing Kaavan from the zoo ’ s dire conditions attracted the attention of animal activists around the world , and celebrities including U.S. singer Cher , who lobbied for his relocation .
“ Unfortunately , the rescue comes too late for two lions that died during an attempted transfer at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set a fire in their enclosure to force them into their transport crates , ” Bauer said in a statement released on Saturday .
He said Four Paws was invited by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board to safely transfer the remaining animals in the zoo .
Kaavan has until now been forced to live a solitary life in a small enclosure .
Friday ’ s medical examination showed the elephant was overweight , even as he showed signs of malnutrition .
His nails were cracked and overgrown apparently from years of living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his feet .
“ Following the checks , which confirmed Kaavan is strong enough , steps will now be taken to finalize his relocation to an animal sanctuary potentially in Cambodia , ” Bauer said .
His recovery will be a long one , said Bauer , adding that Kaavan ’ s wounds are more than just physical .
He also suffers behavioural issues .
Kaavan , who lost his partner in 2012 , has battled loneliness as well as poor living conditions .
Both have taken their toll , said Bauer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stereotypical behaviour , which means he shakes his head back and forth for hours .
This is mainly because he is simply bored , ” said Bauer .
The Four Paws team that carried out Kaavan ’ s physical included wildlife veterinarians and experts .
It wasn ’ t immediately known when Kaavan would be able to travel .
Rights activists have lobbied for his relocation since 2016 .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Typhoon Haishen approaches Japan packing powerful winds

TOKYO - A powerful typhoon , the second in a week , was barrelling toward the Okinawa islands in southern Japan on Saturday , prompting warnings about torrential rainfall and fierce wind gusts .
Weather officials have cautioned about Typhoon Haishen for the last several days , urging people to brace for what could be a record storm and be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water .
The Japan Meteorological Agency said Haishen , packing sustained winds of up to 180 kilometres ( 112 miles ) per hour early Saturday , was on course to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main southern island of Kyushu .
But the pouring rain , high tides and winds will hit before the typhoon , the agency said .
Haishen , or “ sea god ” in Chinese , was moving northward at 15 kph ( 9 mph ) from out at sea , south of Minami Daito , an island to the south of Japan .
The projected course has Haishen hitting the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday .
Meteorological agency official Yoshihisa Nakamoto said he was concerned about people staying home , instead of fleeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You should not avoid getting out because of such fears , “ he told reporters , stressing that local communities will have social distancing measures in place at evacuation locales .
Earlier in the week , Typhoon Maysak battered southern Japan , injuring dozens of people and cutting power to thousands of homes .
A cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand capsized off the coast of Japan .
Two people , both Filipino , were rescued Friday and one body was recovered .
Rescuers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area .
The search has been temporarily halted because of Typhoon Haishen , according to the Philippine government .
The two rescued Filipinos have spoken with their families , the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Ex-FBI agent: Attacks from Trump ‘outrageous’ and ‘cruel’

WASHINGTON - Peter Strzok spent his FBI career hunting Russian and Chinese spies , but after news broke of derogatory text messages he had sent about President Donald Trump , he came to feel like he was the one being hunted .
There were menacing phone calls and messages from strangers , and anxious peeks out window shades before his family would leave the house .
FBI security experts advised him of best practices — walk around your car before entering , watch for unfamiliar vehicles in your neighbourhood — more commonly associated with mob targets looking to elude detection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to and including by the president himself , which are full of lies and mischaracterizations and just crude and cruel , is horrible , “ Strzok told The Associated Press in an interview .
“ There ’ s no way around it.
” A new book by Strzok traces his arc from veteran counterintelligence agent to the man who came to embody Trump ’ s public scorn of FBI and his characterization of its Russia investigation as a “ witch hunt.
” The texts cost Strzok his job and drew vitriol from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Strzok isn ’ t a hero .
His anti-Trump texts on a government phone to an FBI lawyer gave Trump and his supporters a major opening to undercut the bureau ’ s credibility right as it was conducting one of the most consequential investigations in its history .
Trump ’ s attacks have continued even as two inspector general reports found no evidence Strzok ’ s work in the investigations were tainted by political bias and multiple probes have affirmed the Russia probe ’ s validity .
Strzok expresses measured regret for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Threat of Donald J. Trump , ” due out Tuesday .
“ I deeply regret casually commenting about the things I observed in the headlines and behind the scenes , and I regret how effectively my words were weaponized to harm the Bureau and buttress absurd conspiracy theories about our vital work , ” Strzok writes .
Before becoming a virtual household name , Strzok spent two decades at the FBI toiling in relative anonymity on sensational spy cases .
He helped uncover Russian sleeper agents inside the U.S. , worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into whether Hillary Clinton mishandled classified information .
( She did , he writes , but not in a way meriting prosecution ) .
After the Clinton case concluded in July 2016 , Strzok opened an investigation into whether the campaign of her Republican opponent was co-ordinating with Russia , conceiving the “ Crossfire Hurricane ” codename he says proved prescient .
In the interview , Strzok said he wanted his book to lend insight into the Clinton probe , Russian election interference and , “ first and foremost , the counterintelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ To do that , ” he added , “ I wanted to show the reader what happened but also why they should believe me.
” As the investigation progressed , Strzok came to regard the Trump administration ’ s actions regarding Russia as “ highly suspicious ” and the president as compromised by Russia , including because of financial dealings in Moscow about which Strzok says Trump repeatedly lied .
Those concerns deepened after Trump fired James Comey as FBI director and bragged to a Russian diplomat that “ great pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating whether Trump himself was under Russia ’ s sway , finding “ too much smoke ” to not look for fire , Strzok writes .
“ And the closer we got to the Oval Office , the stronger the smell seemed to become , “ he said .
Special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation revealed significant contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia but found insufficient evidence of a criminal conspiracy .
Strzok documents pivotal moments during the investigation , recounting for instance how then-national security adviser Michael Flynn “ baldly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his Russian contacts even though Flynn had not shown customary signs of deceit agents are trained to look for .
Though Trump supporters contend the interview was designed to get Flynn to lie , Strzok says the FBI actually gave him multiple prompts to refresh his memory .
While Attorney General William Barr has said the interview was done without a legitimate purpose , Strzok says it was necessary to better understand the Trump orbit ’ s ties to Russia and Flynn ’ s own “ hidden negotiation with a foreign power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Barr ’ s request to dismiss the case is pending .
In another episode , he says then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein asked him to remain behind after a meeting and pressed him skeptically about a perjury investigation into Attorney General Jeff Sessions for statements made at his confirmation hearing .
Sessions was never charged .
Rosenstein declined to comment .
Strzok ’ s stint on Mueller ’ s team was short-lived , upended in the summer of 2017 by the inspector general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ d exchanged during the campaign with an FBI lawyer with whom he had had an extramarital relationship .
He was summoned to meet with Mueller , who in a “ soft voice ” told Strzok he was being removed .
Transferred into the more bureaucratic Human Resources Division , Strzok says Deputy Director David Bowdich reassured him the situation could be worse , including if Trump had gotten hold of the texts .
That ’ s exactly what happened two months later when news broke about the texts and the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own count , Strzok says , Trump has attacked him since then more than 100 times in tweets .
The text message leak is part of a lawsuit from Strzok , who also conveys discontent at how his career ended .
After Trump accused Strzok of treason , Strzok appealed to the FBI for a statement condemning the remarks , but got none .
The FBI scrambled to remove his access to categories of classified information so Director Chris Wray could inform lawmakers the next day .
Senior leadership overturned a lower-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strzok is teaching at Georgetown University and watching from the outside for election interference from Russia , which he warns had information it did not use in 2016 .
“ I can ’ t talk in a lot of detail about that , “ he added , ” but I do think they returned those arrows to their quiver and made them better for this year .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Sudan declares state of emergency over deadly floods

CAIRO - Sudanese authorities declared their country a natural disaster area and imposed a three-month state of emergency across the country after rising floodwaters and heavy rainfall killed around 100 people and inundated over 100,000 houses since late July .
The announcement was made late Friday following a meeting of the country ’ s Defence and Security Council which is headed by a top government official , Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan .
Flooding caused by seasonal heavy rainfall , mostly in neighbouring Ethiopia , led the Nile River to rise about 17.5 metres late in August , the highest level it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Sudanese Irrigation Ministry .
The ministry said water levels of the Blue Nile are higher than the 1988 flood levels that destroyed tens of thousands of homes in several parts of Sudan and displaced over one million people .
Labour and Social Development Minister Lina al-Sheikh said the flooding had killed some 100 people , as well as injured at least 46 people and affected more than 500,000 people across the country .
More than 100,000 houses across the country were totally or partly collapsed , she said .
The U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to get worse over the coming weeks , as above-average rains are forecast until the end of September .
The capital of Khartoum was hit hard in the past two weeks .
Residents in several districts of the city were seen erecting barricades and other shields as water from the Nile swept through several neighbourhoods , in footage circulating online .
The military deployed troops to help evacuate people and build barricades in Khartoum as well as distribute food , after flooding there cut roads and swept away houses and belongings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , or OCHA , said access to clean water , which is critical amid the coronavirus pandemic , has also been reduced , with the floods knocking out or contaminating some 2,000 water sources .
OCHA said last week that the flooding also damaged at least 43 schools and 2,671 health facilities across the country , and that large swaths of agricultural land across the country were also flooded in the middle of the harvest season .
The U.N. refugee agency , or UNHCR , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displaced people were affected , particularly in North Darfur province , where 15 people have died and a further 23 have gone missing .
OCHA urged wider support from the international community , as a $ 1.6 billion humanitarian plan for Sudan is less than 44 % funded and aid stocks have been “ depleted rapidly.
” Seasonal rains and flooding last year left a total of 78 people dead in 16 of Sudan ’ s 18 provinces , between July and August , according to the U.N .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Pope set to make first trip since pandemic to saint’s town

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is next month set to make what would be his first visit outside Rome since Italy was put under lockdown in early March when it became the first country in Europe to feel the full brunt of the coronavirus pandemic .
The pope is to journey to Assisi , the birthplace in the central Italian region of Umbria of his namesake saint , to sign an authoritative papal letter to clergy and faithful worldwide — a document known as an encyclical , the Vatican said Saturday .
The encyclical is expected to stress the value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , a theme Francis evoked repeatedly during the pandemic .
Encyclicals lay out a pontiff ’ s views on important issues and usually shape Catholic teaching and policy in the years to come .
“ Because of the health situation , it ’ s the desire of the Holy Father that the visit be carried out privately , without any participation by the faithful , “ a reference to rank-and-file Catholics , the Vatican said .
The encyclical will be entitled in Italian “ ’ Fratelli tutti ’ sulla fraternita ’ e @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version ’ s title wasn ’ t given , but it roughly translates to “ ’ Brothers all ’ on brotherhood and social friendship.
” “ Brothers all , ” is a saying of St. Francis that the pope has cited in the past .
Francis has repeatedly stressed how the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically revealed how fragile existence can be and how vitally important it is for people to unite in helping each other , with special attention to the poor .
Francis ’ last trip away from Rome was to the southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February of this year , just as the COVID-19 outbreak was erupting in northern Italy .
A couple of weeks later , the Italian government banned travel between regions and even towns until late spring , when the spread of the coronavirus in the country began to slow .
This year seems set to become the first year in decades that a pope hasn ’ t made a pilgrimage abroad .
Francis will celebrate Mass near St. Francis ’ tomb , which is under the lower level of the Basilica of St. Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the church celebrates the saint ’ s annual feast day .
“ It is with great joy and in prayer that we welcome and await the private visit of Pope Francis , ” said the Rev .
Mauro Gambetti , an official of the Franciscan Sacred Convent in Assisi .
The one-day trip will “ highlight the importance of and the need for brotherhood , “ he said in a statement .
Francis issued his last encyclical , “ Praised Be , ” 2015 .
In the landmark document , Francis exhorted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protecting the natural environment .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Asia Today: Australian police make arrests at rallies

MELBOURNE , Australia — Police in Australia ’ s hardest-hit state of Victoria made several arrests among a crowd of about 300 people protesting the lockdown in Melbourne , as the country ’ s death toll rose to 748 .
Victoria reported 11 more deaths and 76 new infections .
The Melbourne restrictions , including a night curfew , were put in place in an attempt to reduce a huge spike in infections and deaths .
Police earlier urged people to adhere to restrictions on community movement .
But four men were arrested and charged with incitement over the so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several Melbourne locations .
Police , many of them on horseback , later made a number of arrests among protesters , some of them for not wearing masks .
Government officials are expected to announce on Sunday how and when Melbourne and regional Victoria will come out of respective stages of lockdowns .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — India ’ s coronavirus cases crossed 4 million on Saturday , closing in on Brazil ’ s total as the second-highest in the world .
The 86,432 cases added in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total to 4,023,179 .
Brazil has confirmed 4,091,801 infections , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The Health Ministry on Saturday also reported 1,089 deaths for a total of 69,561 .
Most of the cases are in western Maharashtra state and the four southern states of Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh , Telangana and Karnataka .
But new surges are being recorded in the country ’ s vast hinterlands .
— A province in southern Thailand has reinstituted strict controls , including a two-week self-quarantine on arrivals from outside , as concerns heighten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Chamroen Thipphayaphongthada issued an order covering the month of September that also calls for people arriving from high-risk areas to report to the authorities , for face masks to be worn in public areas and for halting activities with a high risk of spreading infection .
Phangnga , a popular tourist destination on the Andaman Sea , is the first province to reimpose restrictions launched in March but gradually lifted .
Worries have increased because health authorities on Friday announced the first locally transmitted case of coronavirus since May 24 , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
— South Korea has reported 168 new cases of the coronavirus , the third consecutive day the daily jump came below 200 , possibly suggesting the country is starting to see the effects of social distancing restrictions .
The figures brought the national caseload to 21,010 , including 333 deaths .
Most of the new cases came from the Seoul metropolitan area , where health workers have struggled to track transmissions emerging from churches , restaurants , schools and offices .
Infections were also reported in other big cities , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was the epicenter of the previous major outbreak in February and March .
Government officials have decided to extend elevated distancing restrictions in the Seoul area for another week , saying that the speed of viral spread is still at risky levels .
Through next Sunday , restaurants are required to provide only takeouts and deliveries after 9 p.m. Gyms , billiard clubs and after-school academies remain closed .
Authorities have also shut down churches and nightspots and shifted most schools back to remote learning nationwide .
— China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections , all acquired abroad , and no deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Gas pipeline blast kills 16 praying at Bangladesh mosque

DHAKA , Bangladesh - An underground gas pipeline near a mosque exploded during evening prayers outside Bangladesh ’ s capital , leaving 16 Muslim worshipers dead and dozens injured with critical burns , officials said Saturday .
The blast occurred Friday night as people were finishing their prayers at Baitus Salat Jame Mosque at Narayanganj , local police chief Zayedul Alam said .
By Saturday afternoon , 16 people , including a 7-year-old boy , had succumbed to their injuries .
Doctors at a burn unit of a state-run hospital were treating at least 37 people with burns on up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Samanta Lal Sen , a co-ordinator of the unit .
TV stations reported that because of the impact of the blast , at least six air conditioners also exploded inside the mosque .
Firefighters were investigating the cause of the explosion .
Abdullah Al Arefin , assistant director of the Fire Service and Civil Defence , said that officials suspected that gas had accumulated inside the mosque from a leak in the underground pipeline , and that it had gone unnoticed .
“ The gas could not go out as the windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air conditioners , ” he said .
Faulty installation of gas lines are often reported by Bangladeshi media , while unplanned road-digging work often leads to disasters in the country , which is seeking rapid industrial expansion and economic development .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--India coronavirus caseload crosses 4M, stretching resources

NEW DELHI - India ’ s coronavirus caseload surpassed 4 million on Saturday , deepening misery in the country ’ s vast hinterlands , where surges have crippled the underfunded health care system .
Initially , the virus ravaged India ’ s sprawling and densely populated cities .
It has since stretched to almost every state , spreading through villages and small towns .
With a population of nearly 1.4 billion , India ’ s massive caseload isn ’ t surprising experts .
The country ’ s delayed response to the virus forced the government to implement a strict lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months , the economy remained shuttered , buying time for health workers to prepare for the worst .
But with the cost of the restrictions also rising , authorities saw no choice but to reopen businesses and everyday activities .
Most of India ’ s cases are in western Maharashtra state and the four southern states of Tamil Nadu , Andhra Pradesh , Telangana and Karnataka .
But new surges are popping up elsewhere .
The 86,432 cases added in the past 24 hours pushed India ’ s total to 4,023,179 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. has had 6,200,186 cases , according to Johns Hopkins University .
India ’ s Health Ministry on Saturday also reported 1,089 deaths for a total of 69,561 .
Even as testing in India has increased to over a million a day , a growing reliance on screening for antigens or viral proteins is creating more problems .
These tests are cheaper and yield faster results but aren ’ t as accurate .
The danger is that the tests may falsely clear many who are infected with the virus .
In Uttar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state with a limited health care system , the situation is already grim .
With a total 253,175 cases and 3,762 deaths , the heartland state is staring at an inevitable surge and with the shortage of hospital beds and other health infrastructure .
Sujata Prakash , a nurse in the state capital , Lucknow , recently tested positive for the coronavirus .
But the hospital ward where she worked diligently refused her admission because there was no empty bed .
She waited for over 24 hours outside the surgical ward , sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was allotted one .
“ The government can shower flower petals on the hospitals in the name of corona warriors , but can ’ t the administration provide a bed when the same warrior needs one ?
” said Prakash ’ s husband , Vivek Kumar .
Others haven ’ t been so lucky .
When journalist Amrit Mohan Dubey fell sick this past week , his friends called the local administration for an ambulance .
It arrived two hours late and by the time Dubey was taken to the hospital , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time , we could have saved Amrit , ” said Zafar Irshad , a colleague of the journalist .
In rural Maharashtra , the worst-affected state with 863,062 cases and 25,964 deaths , doctors said measures like wearing masks and washing hands had now largely been abandoned .
“ There is a behavioural fatigue now setting in , ” said Dr. S.P .
Kalantri , the director of a hospital in the village of Sevagram .
He said that the past few weeks had driven home the point that the virus had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its villages .
“ The worst is yet to come , ” said Kalantri .
“ There is no light at the end of the tunnel.
” Associated Press writer Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow , India , contributed to this report .

Sheikh Saaliq And Aniruddha Ghosal - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Indian, Chinese defence ministers meet amid border tensions

NEW DELHI - The defence ministers from India and China have met in the Russian capital as the two sides try to lower tensions along their disputed border in the eastern Ladakh region , where a June clash killed 20 Indian soldiers .
At the meeting Friday with China ’ s Gen. Wei Fenghe , India ’ s Rajnath Singh said that “ the current situation should be handled responsibly and neither side should take any further action that could either complicate the situation or escalate matters in the border areas , ” the Indian defence ministry said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of large number of Chinese troops , their aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of existing bilateral agreements , according to the statement .
It was the first high-level direct contact between the two sides since the standoff erupted months ago in the Karakorum mountains .
The foreign ministers and other officials of the two countries have been speaking over the phone since the standoff started in May .
The ministers met on the sidelines of a gathering of the defence chiefs of the Shanghai Cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India , Pakistan , Russia , Kazakhstan , Krgyzstan , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan .
India ’ s External Affairs Ministry said the meeting took place at the Chinese defence minister ’ s request .
“ Peace and security in the region demands a climate of trust , non-aggression , peaceful resolution of differences and respect for international rules , ” Singh said at the meeting .
Wei told Singh the sides should “ cool down ” the situation and “ maintain peace and tranquility , ” the Chinese Ministry of Defence said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for the tensions “ lies completely with India.
” “ Not one inch of Chinese territory can be lost , ” the Ministry of Defence said .
India ’ s Defence Ministry said in a tweet that Singh conveyed to his Chinese counterpart that “ the two sides should continue their discussions , including through diplomatic and military channels , to ensure complete disengagement and de-escalation and full restoration of peace and tranquility along the LAC ( Line of Actual Control ) at the earliest.
” The tweet came as local Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth straight day Saturday at a border post to iron out differences in the Chushul area in Ladakh , where new flash points emerged last week , said a top military officer , who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters .
He did not provide any details .
The disputed 3,500-kilometre ( 2,175-mile ) border between the world ’ s two most populous countries stretches from the Ladakh region in the north to the Indian state of Sikkim .
The latest standoff is over portions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s highest landing strip and a glacier that feeds one of the largest irrigation systems in the world .
Both sides accuse the other of provocative behaviour including crossing into each other ’ s territory this week , and both have vowed to protect their territorial integrity .
India ’ s army chief , Gen. M.M .
Naravane , visited the region Thursday and Friday and met with soldiers deployed in difficult terrain above 4,300 metres ( 14,000 feet ) , the Indian Ministry of Defence said .
India said its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military last weekend .
China accused Indian troops of crossing established lines of control .
The two nations fought a border war in 1962 that spilled into Ladakh and ended in an uneasy truce .
Since then , troops have guarded the undefined border area , occasionally brawling .
They have agreed not to attack each other with firearms .
Rival soldiers brawled in May and June with clubs , stones and their fists , leaving 20 Indian soldiers dead .
China reported no casualties .
Both sides have pledged to safeguard their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standoff , which has dramatically changed the India-China relationship .
Several rounds of military and diplomatic talks on the crisis have been unsuccessful .
This story has been corrected to remove the reference to Chinese casualties .
Associated Press writer Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar , India , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Former Cook Islands leader dies from virus in New Zealand

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - Joe Williams may have been 85 years old , but when the coronavirus struck this year , the Auckland doctor worked extra hard to warn his Pacific Island patients of its dangers .
His friend suggested he take a vacation , but Williams was having none of it .
“ That ’ s the trouble with young people — they ’ re always thinking about time off , ” Williams jokingly told Dr. Api Talemaitoga , the 60-year-old recalled .
“ I ’ ll be all right , don ’ t worry about me.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month and died from it Friday night , friends and family said .
Known to many affectionately as Papa Joe , Williams was a medical leader who served a brief stint as prime minister of the Cook Islands .
Williams was born in the Cook Islands and split his time living there and in New Zealand .
He graduated from Otago Medical School and later completed a master ’ s degree in public health at the University of Hawaii .
He was recognized by the World Health Organization for his work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tropical disease lymphatic filariasis , commonly known as elephantiasis .
In Auckland , he started a clinic that grew to serve over 15,000 patients , many of them Pacific Islanders who travelled from all over to see him .
Williams became the patron of the Pasifika Medical Association , a group that would have yearly conferences either in New Zealand or in the islands and would often attract about 300 people .
“ I have this vision of him at breakfast and dinner walking around talking to everybody , “ Talemaitoga said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger Pasifika doctors coming through , finding out who they were and what they were specializing in .
He was a real fatherly figure.
” He loved talking so much that a planned five-minute speech would sometimes take an hour .
Nephew Kiki Maoate , a surgeon and president of the Pasifika Medical Association , said he eventually gave up trying to get his uncle off the stage .
“ Along with everything else he did , he was a great orator , ” Maoate said .
“ He acknowledged people and really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got involved in politics in 1964 , serving as New Zealand ’ s representative to the Cook Islands .
With a population of just under 10,000 , the Cooks is self-governing but in free association with New Zealand .
Williams later served various political roles in the Cooks , including prime minister for several months in 1999 .
“ It was a real rock-and-roll time in Cook Island politics , ” with frequent leadership changes , Maoate said .
In 2011 , Williams was awarded a New Zealand honour , the Queens Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islands community .
Last month , Auckland had its first community transmission of the coronavirus in more than three months , and it spread in the Pacific Island community .
Maoate said he called his uncle a couple of days before he was admitted to the hospital and thought he sounded very tired .
He said Williams seemed to be making progress in fighting the disease but then it suddenly took him .
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Williams was a dedicated and passionate man .
“ As a doctor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr. Williams made a serious mark on the communities he served , “ Peters said .
” He will be greatly missed in both New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
” Williams is survived by his wife , Jill ; children Richard , Karina , Joanna and Jamie ; and a number of grandchildren .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--BLM rallies, memorial for man killed in Portland shooting

PORTLAND , Ore. - As unrest continues in Portland amid 100 straight days of protests , authorities released additional court documents late Friday detailing the moments before the slaying of a right-wing protester last weekend .
The documents included shots of security footage that showed the suspect , Michael Forest Reinoehl , ducked into a parking garage and reached toward a pocket or pouch at his waist before emerging to follow the victim , Patriot Prayer supporter Aaron “ Jay ” Danielson .
Danielson was holding bear spray and an expandable baton and had a loaded Glock handgun in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the documents .
On Saturday afternoon hundreds of people gathered in a park just north of Portland in Vancouver , Washington , for a memorial service for Danielson .
People waved American flags and listened to music .
Demonstrations in Portland started in late May after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
They have often been marked by vandalism and violence .
Black Lives Matter rallies were taking place in the city Saturday evening and night .
Authorities have said they believe Reinoehl , who was fatally shot by law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killed Danielson .
Witnesses told police that just before they heard gunshots someone said something like , “ wan na go , ” which is frequently a challenge to a fight .
Danielson was shot in the chest and died at the scene .
The court documents were filed to support second-degree murder charges against Reinoehl , who was a supporter of antifa — shorthand for anti-fascists and an umbrella description for the far-left-leaning militant groups that resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations and other events .
In a videotaped interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice News , Reinoehl came close to admitting he shot Danielson , a supporter of a right-wing group called Patriot Prayer , on Aug. 29 after a caravan of President Donald Trump backers drove their pickup trucks through downtown Portland .
He claimed it was in self-defence because he thought he and a friend were about to be stabbed .
“ I hate to say it , but I see a civil war right around the corner , ” Reinoehl , with a partially covered tattoo of a raised fist on the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the interview .
Late Friday and early Saturday morning protests continued in Portland , with police declaring an unlawful assembly and arresting 27 people .
A few hundred demonstrators had met at Kenton Park Friday before making their way to the Portland Police Association building , where officers warned protesters to stay off the streets and private property .
Those who refused could be subject to citation , arrest , the use of tear gas , crowd-control agents or impact munitions , police said .
Around midnight , police ran down the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knocking people down and arresting those who they say were not following orders — as some people were being detained , they were pinned to the ground and blood could be seen marking the pavement .
Law enforcement officers used smoke devices and shot impact munitions and stun grenades while trying to get the crowd to disperse , The Oregonian reported .
The Portland Police Bureau issued a statement Saturday morning , saying some officers reported that rocks , a full beverage can and water bottles had been thrown at them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlawful assembly .
Police said at one woman who was detained was bleeding from an abrasion on her head , and she was treated by medics at the scene before being transported by an ambulance .
The Portland Police Bureau said she jumped out of the ambulance and ran away before it left the scene , however .
Most of those arrested were arrested on suspicion of interfering with a peace officer or disorderly conduct , police said .
Oregon State Police troopers assisted local police at the protest .
State police frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , when they withdrew .
Their return on Friday came days after Gov .
Kate Brown announced the move .
This story has been corrected to reflect that Michael Forest Reinoehl was killed by law enforcement officers , not federal agents .

Jaimie Ding And Aron Ranen - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--‘Be 4 You Go, See Elmo’: Chicago tombstone maker endures

CHICAGO - Elmo ’ s has been making tombstones on the South Side of Chicago for more than half a century , hand-carving grave markers for the bereaved families of everyone from local celebrities to victims of the gang violence that has become a hallmark of that part of the city .
“ Be 4 You Go , See Elmo , ” the catchphrase coined by Elmo ’ s Tombstone Service ’ s original owner , Robert Williams , still graces the small shop ’ s awning .
The line underneath , “ Tombstones made while you wait , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the door of the Black-owned business .
Like its counterparts throughout the state , Elmo ’ s had to close briefly early on during the coronavirus pandemic — deemed nonessential despite the high numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Chicago , particularly on the South Side .
The pandemic has slowed funerals and cemetery operations , but it ’ s current owner , Hosea Knox , said Friday that Elmo ’ s should be fine .
“ It ’ s going really well , I have sold more expensive stones this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , noting that it was too soon to tell whether the uptick in business was due to the pandemic .
Knox ’ s industrial arts education at Grambling College — now Grambling State University — led him to work for Williams more than four decades ago .
Knox and his wife , Bobbie , bought the business from Williams in 1987 .
“ It was an opportunity to stop working for someone else , ” Knox said .
Knox , 81 , lost his wife to cancer in 2012 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , IN GOD ’ S HANDS ” on her blue pearl granite stone , and Bobbie remains listed on his business cards .
The process of transcribing begins as a collaboration between the deceased ’ s family and Knox .
Once lettering and design are agreed upon , Knox and assistant Leon Brown begin transforming a standard stone into a piece of memorial art .
An average stone can cost $ 700 to $ 2,000 .
Knox and Brown take pride in distinguishing themselves from the modern “ computerized laser ” cut , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ skin ” cut that will fade over time .
“ It is just like a photograph , it is not cut in there deep , ” Knox said , “ When I cut a stone , it is down in there and will withstand the weather.
” The South Side has seen more than its share of tragedy , including its many gang-related shootings and now the pandemic .
Roebuck “ Pops ” Staples , patriarch of The Staples Singers , brought the family to Knox ’ s shop to select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Staples was buried in the Oak Woods Cemetery along with journalist/activist Ida B .
Wells , nuclear scientist Enrico Fermi , Olympic champion Jesse Owens and Chicago Mayor Harold Washington .
Knox has thought about his own stone .
“ I will have to eventually do it , my name , birthday , deceased date , and I might put a little thing that says , ‘ Elmo ’ s Tombstone Service ’ on the bottom .
”

Charles Rex Arbogast - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Cohen memoir casts him as ‘star witness’ against Trump

NEW YORK - Michael Cohen ’ s tell-all memoir makes the case that President Donald Trump is “ guilty of the same crimes ” that landed his former fixer in federal prison , offering a blow-by-blow account of Trump ’ s alleged role in a hush money scandal that once overshadowed his presidency .
Of all the crises Cohen confronted working for Trump , none proved as vexing as the porn actress Stormy Daniels and her claims of an extramarital affair with Trump , Cohen writes in “ Disloyal : The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his later protestations , green-lighted the $ 130,000 payment to silence Daniels ahead of the 2016 election , reasoning he would “ have to pay ” his wife a far greater sum if the affair ever became known , Cohen writes , adding the president later reimbursed him with “ fake legal fees.
” “ It never pays to settle these things , but many , many friends have advised me to pay , ” Trump said , according to Cohen .
“ If it comes out , I ’ m not sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But I bet they ’ d think it ’ s cool that I slept with a porn star.
” “ He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales , ” White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern said in a statement .
“ It ’ s unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump.
” The Associated Press obtained an early copy of the book , which is scheduled to be released on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to campaign finance violations and other crimes , including lying to Congress , calls himself the “ star witness ” of a hush-money conspiracy that still could culminate in charges for Trump after he leaves office .
He described his new book as a “ fundamental piece of evidence ” of the president ’ s guilt .
Cohen ’ s allegations — his most detailed to date — are part of an unsparing and deeply personal put-down of Trump .
Cohen assails Trump as an “ organized crime don ” and “ master @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw much of himself in a man he once considered a father figure .
“ I care for Donald Trump , even to this day , “ Cohen writes , “ and I had and still have a lot of affection for him.
” Cohen remains at a loss to explain his unswerving allegiance to a cutthroat businessman who abandoned him at the most vulnerable point in his life .
He likens his fealty to Trump to a mental illness and said he thought of himself as acting like a drug user in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed to ( my family ) that I wouldn ’ t listen to anyone , not even the people who loved me most , as I gradually gave up control of my mind to Trump , ” Cohen writes .
“ I confess I never really did understand why pleasing Trump meant so much to me , ” Cohen adds .
“ To this day I don ’ t have the full answer.
” Cohen says he stayed loyal to Trump for so long , despite the dirty work and volatile personality , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his celebrity and power .
“ I was the canary in the coal mine for the millions of Americans who are still mesmerized by the power of Trump , ” Cohen writes .
The memoir offers an introspective — and at times self-loathing — apology for the role Cohen played in Trump ’ s political ascent .
He urged Trump for years to run for president but now laments that his election “ led the nation and maybe even the world to the brink of disaster.
” “ I thought Trump was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charisma to attract all kinds of voters , “ he writes .
But the real reason he wanted Trump in the White House , Cohen concedes , ” was because I wanted the power that he would bring to me.
” But Cohen expresses little to no remorse for his federal crimes , saying he was “ railroaded ” by the government and pleaded guilty after prosecutors threatened to indict his wife .
Cohen writes that Trump ’ s three oldest children came to Cohen ’ s office after Trump ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to people coming to the U.S. from Mexico as rapists and murderers .
Cohen says they asked him to convince their father to drop out of the race , arguing his rhetoric was “ killing the company.
” Cohen says Trump was undeterred and unconcerned with any harm to his businesses .
“ Plus , I will never get the Hispanic vote , ” Trump said , according to Cohen .
“ Like the blacks , they ’ re too stupid to vote for Trump .
They ’ re not my people.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment of women throughout the book .
He describes the married Trump ogling contestants at his Miss Universe pageant and boasting he could “ have all of them ” if he wanted .
He also claimed to have seen Trump corner and forcibly kiss women at his office .
In a far more personal episode , Cohen writes of Trump leering at Cohen ’ s then-15-year-old daughter at Trump ’ s New Jersey golf club in 2012 .
Cohen writes that when he told Trump that it was his daughter , Trump replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot ?
” Beyond his dealings with Trump , Cohen waxes nostalgic about experiences he says informed his fierce loyalty and attack-dog persona .
The Long Island native , a Holocaust survivor ’ s son , writes of rubbing shoulders with mobsters at his uncle ’ s club , where he worked as a teen .
After witnessing a poolside shooting , he says he felt a duty to keep quiet .
A few days later , he writes , a tough-looking fellow handed him an envelope stuffed with $ 500 cash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his memoir even as he serves his federal sentence in home confinement .
A judge ruled this summer that authorities had retaliated against him , sending him back to prison in upstate New York after he was furloughed because of the coronavirus pandemic , for publishing the book ahead of the November election .
Cohen was released to home confinement in July and the government lifted a ban on him speaking publicly .
“ This story is all I have left for my wife , my children and the country I love so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press writer Hillel Italie contributed to this report .
On Twitter , follow Jim Mustian at twitter.com/jimmustian and Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak

Jim Mustian And Michael R. Sisak - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Tropical Storm Julio forms in Pacific off southwest Mexico

MEXICO CITY - Tropical Storm Julio formed Saturday in the Pacific off Mexico ’ s southwestern coast , and forecasters @ @ @ @ @ remain offshore and gain little strength over the next few days .
The U.S. National @ @ @ @ @ had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph ( 65 kph ) late in the afternoon @ @ @ @ @ 130 miles ( 215 kilometres ) south-southwest of the Mexican tourist town of Zihuatanejo and @ @ @ @ @ 20 mph ( 31 kph ) .
The centre said Julio was predicted to stay @ @ @ @ @ to Mexico ’ s coast and would likely dissipate by Tuesday .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Authentic wins Kentucky Derby; Baffert notches 6th victory

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - Bob Baffert endured the lowest of lows and highest of highs within minutes in the Kentucky Derby .
He was bummed before the horses left the paddock after Thousand Words reared up and fell on its side , getting disqualified and injuring Baffert ’ s assistant trainer .
That emotion was quickly replaced by Authentic ’ s front-running victory that gave Baffert a record-tying sixth Derby win .
Then Baffert found himself down again , literally , getting knocked to the grass by a skittish Authentic in the winner ’ s circle .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Authentic kicked away from heavy favourite Tiz the Law in the stretch on Saturday , winning the 146th Derby by 1 1/4 lengths without the usual crowd of 150,000 on hand at Churchill Downs for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The bay colt ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.61 under John Velazquez , who won his third Derby .
“ I ’ ve had some great Derby rides , but what that guy did , ” Baffert said , gesturing toward Velazquez , who stood socially distanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Johnny V. gave him an incredible ride.
” Baffert tied Ben Jones ( 1938-52 ) for the most wins by a trainer .
His other victories came in 1997 , 1998 , 2002 , 2015 with eventual Triple Crown winner Justify and 2018 .
“ Bob , he ’ s got the magic touch , ” said Jack Knowlton of Sackatoga Stable , owner of Tiz the Law .
“ He had this horse ready at the right time and he beat us .
Hopefully , we ’ ll get some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll turn the table on him.
” Sent off at 3-5 as the biggest Derby favourite in 31 years and part of a smaller field than usual , Tiz the Law stalked Authentic on the outside before challenging at the top of the stretch .
But Authentic found another gear and pulled away from the Belmont winner , who came in 4 for 4 this year .
“ Yes !
Yes !
” Baffert shouted in the paddock , where he watched on the video screen .
Thousand Words acted up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before post time .
Baffert said his assistant , Jim Barnes , broke his arm trying to get the saddle on the unruly colt .
Thousand Words wasn ’ t injured , according to the on-call veterinarian .
In the winner ’ s circle , the long ribbons hanging off the garland of red roses kept hitting Authentic ’ s hind leg , agitating him , and in turn he knocked the white-haired trainer to the ground .
“ He spun around and he was like a bowling ball .
He just spun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The turf course is pretty soft here , so it wasn ’ t too bad .
I was probably more embarrassed than anything when I hit the ground.
” It ’ s been that kind of year for Baffert .
The Hall of Fame trainer was loaded with promising 3-year-olds early on .
Then Nadal got hurt and had to be retired and Charlatan went on the shelf with a minor injury .
Authentic had issues , so Baffert gave him an extended break .
In between , Charlatan and another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug tests in Arkansas .
Baffert is appealing his resulting 15-day suspension .
The trainer mourned the death of Arrogate , North America ’ s all-time earnings leader , this summer .
“ It ’ s been a roller-coaster year , but thankfully it ’ s the love of the horses that keeps me going , ” said Baffert , his voice breaking .
“ They ’ re the best therapy a human can have .
I love being around them.
” Baffert was especially pleased to help deliver a first-time Derby victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 86-year-old founder of Public Storage , races as Spendthrift Farm and co-owns Thousand Words .
Also part of Authentic ’ s ownership is MyRaceHorse Stable , whose 4,600 participants include Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler and former Olympic skier Bode Miller .
They paid about $ 206 each for a share .
Authentic paid $ 18.80 , $ 6 and $ 5 at 8-1 odds .
Tiz the Law returned $ 3.40 and $ 3.20 .
Mr. Big News was another two lengths back in third and paid $ 16.80 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already won the Belmont , the kickoff to the reconfigured Triple Crown that was run in June at a shorter distance .
He followed that up with an easy win in the Travers , setting himself up as the dominant horse heading into the Derby .
But Velazquez hustled Authentic out of the far outside post and to the lead .
Tiz the Law took up not far behind , positioning himself to pounce in his usual style .
But he couldn ’ t get past Authentic .
“ Tiz has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today he ran into one he couldn ’ t get by , ” Knowlton said .
” Credit Authentic .
He came from the far outside and managed to get to the lead and just ran a great race .
No shame on our part.
” Following Baffert ’ s instructions , Velazquez used a left-handed whip in the stretch to keep the skittish Authentic ’ s mind on business .
The colt needs ear plugs when he runs .
“ He ’ s a little flighty , ” Baffert said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he ’ s a little high-strung.
” Without fashionably dressed fans sipping mint juleps and waiting in line at the betting windows , this Derby was unlike any other .
Jockeys chirping at their horses and whips striking flesh in the stretch drive — sounds typically drowned out by raucous fans — echoed across the swath of empty seats under the Twin Spires .
Bugler Steve Buttleman played “ My Old Kentucky Home ” in place of the absent University of Louisville marching band .
The song was preceded by a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
Protesters converged outside Churchill Downs demanding justice for Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old Black woman shot dead in her home in March when police burst in to serve a search warrant in the middle of the night .
The demonstrators were peaceful as they circled the historic track .
They chanted “ No justice , no Derby !
” and carried signs imploring people to say Taylor ’ s name .
Police watched in riot gear with clubs , some on horses and some with armoured military vehicles .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounding my chest because I just won six , ” Baffert said , “ but I feel for everybody in the city.
” Velazquez was one of several jockeys in the race who wore black bands with the phrase “ Equality for all.
” The field of 15 horses was the smallest since 1998 .
Max Player was fourth , followed by Storm the Court , Enforceable , Ny Traffic and Necker Island , Major Fed , Sole Volante , Winning Impression , Money Moves , Attachment Rate and South Bend .


thetorontostar--2020-09-05--Typhoon Haishen unleashes rain, strong winds in south Japan

TOKYO - The second powerful typhoon to slam Japan in a week unleashed fierce winds and rain on southern islands on Sunday , blowing off rooftops and leaving homes without power as it edged northward into an area vulnerable to flooding and mudslides .
Weather officials warned that rainfall from what could be a record storm would be as fierce as a bucket of water poured over your head .
Warnings have been issued , days in advance , for people to be ready to take shelter and stock up on food and water .
Several rivers on the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of overflowing , officials said .
The Japan Meteorological Agency said Typhoon Haishen , which means “ sea god ” in Chinese , was packing sustained winds of up to 180 kilometres ( 112 miles ) per hour as it battered Okinawa and the southern Kyushu island of Amami Oshima early Sunday .
Alerts for strong winds , waves , high tides , rainfall and lightning were issued for Amami Oshima alongside evacuation orders .
Haishen was not only powerful — equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane — but also large in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency .
Haishen ’ s course is similar to Typhoon Maysak that lashed southern Japan last week , injuring dozens of people and cutting power to thousands of homes .
A cargo ship carrying 43 crew members and 5,800 cows from New Zealand capsized off the coast of Japan .
Two people were rescued , and one body recovered .
The search has been halted because of Haishen .
Haishen ’ s projected course has it hitting the Korean Peninsula later in the week .