thetorontostar--2020-09-19--GOP senators confront past comments on Supreme Court vote

WASHINGTON - Republican senators weighing what to do about the vacancy on the Supreme Court are facing questions about their own past comments amid complaints by Democrats that their views have shifted with changing political reality .
President Donald Trump has urged the GOP-run Senate to consider “ without delay ” his upcoming nomination to fill the seat vacated by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Friday .
The move comes just six weeks before the election .
A look at what key Republican senators were saying in the past — and what they are saying now — about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during an election year .
McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , vowed in a statement Friday night , hours after Ginsburg ’ s death , to call a floor vote on Trump ’ s nominee , although he did not specify a date .
McConnell , who sets the calendar in the Senate , has made judicial appointments a top priority .
McConnell ’ s statement on the latest vacancy stands in stark contrast to the position he took in 2016 , when he refused to consider President Barack Obama ’ s choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election .
McConnell blocked hearings for Merrick Garland , a federal appeals court judge , saying the choice should be left to voters in an election year .
Democrats said Republicans should follow the precedent they set in 2016 by not considering a Supreme Court choice in the run-up to an election , but McConnell ’ s comments make it clear he has no intention of doing so .
“ Americans re-elected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal judiciary .
Once again , we will keep our promise , ’ ’ McConnell said .
Graham , who will oversee the vetting of the nomination as chairman , tweeted Saturday that he will support Trump “ in any effort to move forward regarding the recent vacancy created by the passing of Justice Ginsburg.
” Graham ’ s comment contradicts his statements in 2018 and 2016 that a Supreme Court nominee should not be considered in an election year .
“ If an opening comes in the last year of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary process has started , we ’ ll wait to the next election , ’ ’ Graham said in 2018 at an event hosted by The Atlantic magazine .
Reminded that he was speaking on the record , Graham said : “ Yeah .
Hold the tape.
?
Two years earlier , in the midst of the Garland battle , Graham was even more emphatic , urging listeners at a Senate Judiciary meeting to “ use my words against me .
If there ’ s a Republican president ( elected ) in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year of the first term , you can say Lindsey Graham said , ‘ Let ’ s let the next president , whoever it might be , make that nomination.
’ ” Despite those comments , Graham said Saturday that he supports moving forward on a new nomination because Democrats had changed the Senate rules to confirm more circuit court judges during Obama ’ s tenure , and because Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer “ and his friends in the liberal media conspired to destroy the life of Brett Kavanaugh and hold that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrowly confirmed to the Supreme Court in 2018 after a bitter , partisan fight in which Graham played a key role to advance Kavanaugh .
Collins , a Maine Republican who is considered a moderate , said Saturday that “ in fairness to the American people , ” the Senate should not vote on a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court until after the election and that the nomination “ should be made by the president who is elected on November 3rd.
” Collins voted in favour of Kavanaugh in 2018 — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her reelection campaign .
Liberal groups have targeted Collins over her support for Kavanaugh , and she trails her Democratic opponent in publicly released opinion polls .
Her statement seems to leave open the possibility of supporting Trump ’ s nominee in the “ lame duck ” session after the election if Trump wins a second term .
Grassley , an Iowa Republican , drew condemnation from Democrats in 2016 when , as Judiciary chairman , he blocked confirmation hearings for Garland , who was nominated to the high court after Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the time , Grassley cited “ the Biden Rule ” in holding up the process .
The informal “ rule ” — never adopted by the Senate in any formal sense — stemmed from a speech given by then-Sen. Joe Biden in 1992 that the Senate should not fill a Supreme Court vacancy until after the presidential election .
Biden , who served as Obama ’ s vice-president , is now the Democratic nominee for president .
More recently , Grassley told reporters in July that if Trump nominates a replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , he would not recommend holding a hearing on that nominee .
Grassley issued a statement Friday night praising Ginsburg but did not comment on whether Trump should move forward with a replacement .
Ernst , an Iowa Republican up for reelection this year , serves on the Judiciary panel .
She said in July that in the event of a Supreme Court vacancy , the Senate should hold hearings on Trump ’ s nominee , even if he loses the presidential election in November .
Ernst ’ s campaign sent out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our Conservative values and constitutional rights are now on the line .
The next Supreme Court nominee will shape major decisions for decades to come.
” Ernst issued a statement later Friday saying the email “ never should have gone out.
” “ Though I never saw it , it was sent out under my name and I take responsibility for it , ” Ernst said .
“ Tonight , my prayers are with the family of Justice Ginsburg.
” Murkowski , an Alaska Republican who opposed Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death that she “ would not vote to confirm ” her replacement before the next president is inaugurated .
Her comments to Alaska Public Radio on Friday also occurred before McConnell said the Senate will vote on Trump ’ s nominee to replace Ginsburg .
Murkowski ’ s comment appeared to put her at odds with McConnell , who will need at least 50 votes to push a Trump nominee through the Senate , plus a tie-breaking vote by Vice-President Mike Pence .
Murkowski , like Collins , issued a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her but did not mention whether she ’ d favour voting on a Trump pick to replace her .
Tillis , a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Judiciary panel , was among several GOP senators in tough reelection battles to join Trump in calling for a swift vote on a Supreme Court nominee .
Arizona Sen. Martha McSally and Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler — both were appointed to their seats — also called for a quick vote .
“ There is a clear choice on the future of the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will nominate and I will support , and the liberal activist Joe Biden will nominate and Cal Cunningham will support , who will legislate radical , left-wing policies from the bench , ” Tillis said on Twitter , referring to his Democratic opponent , former state Sen. Cal Cunningham .
In 2016 , Tillis opposed giving Merrick Garland a hearing , saying “ the voice of the American people should be weighted heavily ” in filling a Supreme Court vacancy , adding that the nomination “ would be best left to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah Republican who was the sole GOP senator to vote in favour of Trump ’ s impeachment , issued a statement Friday praising Ginsburg , but did not comment on whether he would support a vote on Trump ’ s nominee .
His spokeswoman called reports that Romney would insist on delaying the vote until after Inauguration Day “ grossly false.
” Romney has never faced a vote on a Supreme Court nominee as a senator .


thetorontostar--2020-09-19--The Latest: French economy minister among 13K new infections

PARIS — Coronavirus infections tipped the scales again in France on Saturday with nearly 13,500 new infections in 24 hours .
Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire is among them .
He announced Friday in a tweet that he had tested positive with no symptoms and was working during self-isolation .
The high-profile Le Maire is the fourth French minister to test positive since March .
It was the second day in a row that new COVID-19 cases in France were above 13,000 .
The French health agency said Friday ’ s big jump was the result of one hospital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting numerous cases .
It wasn ’ t clear whether that kind of add-on effect was at play on Saturday .
For health authorities , it is clear that France needs to worry about the spread of the coronavirus , with over 1,000 clusters detected .
There have been 31,274 deaths since the start of the pandemic — among the highest death tolls in Europe — and 26 deaths in the last 24 hours .
In Paris , the Prefecture de Police warned in a tweet that there will be no more tolerance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter the virus aren ’ t respected , like standing at counters or failing to respect social distancing .
Police “ are intensifying ” checks that can lead to closing establishments , it said .
In one Paris district , 13 establishments were formally notified that they risk being shut down and 16 others were fined , the prefecture tweeted .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — 2 more college football games postponed because of coronavirus — Director of the University of Colorado ’ s football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders after a team practice involved 108 people on a mountain hike .
— Some Romanian families protest mandatory use of masks in school .
Like other countries in Europe , the number of virus cases has spiked in recent days in Romania .
— The official Oktoberfest is cancelled in Munich , so 50 of the German city ’ s beer halls are hosting their own , smaller parties conforming to coronavirus guidelines .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : WATERBURY , Conn. — Connecticut U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be quarantining after one of her aides tested positive for the coronavirus .
The first-term Democratic congresswoman , who represents much of western Connecticut , said in a Twitter post Saturday that she did not have any symptoms and was awaiting an appointment to get tested .
“ I have been in close contact with the staffer ( who tested positive ) and I have worked in both my CT and D.C. offices over the last week , ” Hayes said .
“ All of my staff has been notified and directed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine until I have the test and receive the results.
” Hayes says all of her staff in Connecticut and Washington will be working remotely until further notice .
PHOENIX — Arizona health officials on Saturday reported 610 additional coronavirus cases and 16 deaths , increasing the statewide totals to 213,551 confirmed cases and 5,467 deaths .
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press , the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Arizona rose over the past two weeks , from 575 new cases on Sept. 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed the state Department of Health Service ’ s recent changing of its case-counting methodology to adopt an updated national standard that includes “ probable ” results from less-accurate antigen testing .
The counting change resulted in big bulges of additional cases Thursday and Friday as the department updated its records to include more than 1,300 probable cases from September and previous months .
Meanwhile , the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths dropped during the past two weeks , going from 32 deaths on Sept. 4 to 23 deaths on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israelis held a beach demonstration against a new lockdown prompted by a surge in coronavirus cases .
The protesters Saturday relied on a loophole in the national closure ’ s guidelines that allows people to travel beyond the one square kilometre limit if they are to participate in a demonstration .
The three-week nationwide lockdown began Friday as Israel celebrates Rosh Hashana , the Jewish new year .
The demonstrators gathered on the beach of the central city of Tel Aviv , wearing swimsuits , raising black and pink flags connoting various protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who has been the target of weekly protests during the summer for his corruption charges and failure to handle the pandemic .
Israel has largely contained the virus in the spring , but the abrupt reopening of the economy in May worsened the outbreak .
The protests against Netanyahu also were fueled by business owners who say the government failed to offer proper compensation in the first lockdown .
The government decided to impose a second lockdown because health authorities are recording thousands of cases a day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,200 .
The total number of confirmed cases is 14,978 and 331 deaths .
Authorities say a second monk from the same Mt .
Athos monastery , St. Paul ’ s , has tested positive .
Both monks were tested outside the Mt .
Athos monastic community .
Doctors say the second became ill inside the community .
The monastery , which has about 30 monks , is not allowing visitors .
ROME — The Italian health ministry reported another 1,638 new cases of coronavirus and 24 deaths .
The deaths brought Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , second highest in Europe after Britain .
The health ministry says the new cases were based on a record 103,223 tests .
While countries such as Germany have been processing more than double that number in recent days , Italy has been limited at around 100,000 tests .
Public health officials said in their weekly monitoring report that Italy ’ s seven-week uptick in cases represented a “ slow and progressive worsening of the outbreak.
” However , it ’ s not as bad as in other European countries where new daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police in London have clashed with protesters at a rally organized by opponents of restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus .
Scuffles broke out Saturday as police moved in to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who gathered in central London ’ s Trafalgar Square .
Some of the protesters formed blockades to stop officers from making arrests , and traffic was brought to a halt in the busy area .
The rally included dozens of people holding banners and placards and chanting “ freedom.
” Britain recently imposed a ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people this week in a bid to tackle a steep rise in coronavirus cases .
Britain has 338,420 confirmed cases and 41,821 deaths , the fifth-highest death toll in the world , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
ROME — Pope Francis is urging political leaders make sure coronavirus vaccines are available to the poorest nations .
He says in many parts of the world , there is a “ pharmacological marginalization ” of those without access to health care .
Francis met Saturday with members of an Italian aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies and distributes them to clinics and centres helping the neediest .
Francis says far too many people die in parts of the world for lack of drugs widely available elsewhere , and political leaders must take their plight into account .
“ I repeat , it would be sad if in distributing the vaccine , priority was given to the wealthiest , or if a vaccine becomes the property of this or that nation and not for everyone , ” the pope said .
Francis has previously called for universal access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City ’ s mayor says he is confident the city will meet a revised timeline to bring public school students back to classrooms within the next two weeks .
De Blasio recently delayed the reopening plan for the nation ’ s largest school district for the second time since it was announced in July , citing a shortage of staff and supplies .
Unions representing the city ’ s teachers said it wouldn ’ t have been safe to open all the school sites next week .
Under the revised timeline , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person learning starting Sept. 29 , while middle and high school students will do the same Oct. 1 .
The unions had pressed for more staff and additional protective equipment to protect against the virus .
De Blasio promised to hire 2,500 more teachers in addition to the 2,000 additional teachers he had previously announced .
BOULDER , Colo. – The director of the University of Colorado ’ s football operations was cited for violating coronavirus-related public health orders after a team practice involved 108 people on a mountain hike .
Bryan McGinnis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , city spokeswoman Sarah Huntley says .
Many were not wearing masks or social distancing .
The group also violated a city requirement that groups of 25 or more people get a permit to use open space and mountain park land owned by the city , Huntley says .
Public health orders limit groups to 10 people to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
CU Athletic Director Rick George says all student-athletes are frequently tested for coronavirus and all players who took part in the hike had recently tested negative .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases since classes began about a month ago .
University officials have expressed regret and say they ’ re taking steps to avoid similar occurrences .
NEW YORK — Two more college football games on Saturday have been postponed because of the coronavirus .
Baylor ’ s season opener against Houston and Florida Atlantic ’ s opener against Georgia Southern have been affected by positive tests .
Baylor says its unable to meet the Big 12 roster threshold of a minimum of 53 players available to play .
There ’ s now been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of virus issues since Aug. 26 .
The pandemic has impacted college basketball , with the start date delayed until Nov. 25 .
The marquee basketball tournament on Maui has been moved to North Carolina .
Meanwhile , the Pac-12 is considering getting back into fall football .
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for massive upgrades of school technology around the country .
Merkel said Saturday during her weekly video podcast that teachers were left scrambling to teach courses virtually when schools closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s outbreak .
She says that underscored how important digital media and other tools are but also exposed widespread infrastructure failings .
The German leader said : “ That is why we have to push ahead with the digitization of schools at full speed .
We need this as an indispensable addition to face-to-face teaching.
” Merkel says the government is committing 6 billion euros ( $ 7.1 billion ) to support the development of digital learning and infrastructure in schools .
She says all schools need high-speed internet access as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providing digital lessons .
Germany ’ s schools have reopened and students have returned to in-class learning , but officials have cautioned that the country needs to be better prepared in case virus case numbers spike again .
NEW DELHI —India has maintained its surge in coronavirus cases , adding 93,337 new confirmed infections in the past 24 hours .
The Health Ministry on Saturday raised the nation ’ s caseload to more than 5.3 million out of the nearly 1.4 billion people .
It said 1,247 more people died in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The country has over a million active cases with about 80 % recovery rate .
India has been reporting the highest single-day rise in the world every day for more than five weeks .
It ’ s expected to become the pandemic ’ s worst-hit country within weeks , surpassing the United States .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government has faced scathing criticism from opposition lawmakers in India ’ s Parliament for its handling of the pandemic amid a contracting economy leaving millions jobless .
More than 10 million migrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starvation , poured out of cities and headed back to villages when Modi ordered the nationwide lockdown on March 24 .
The migration was one key reason that the virus spread to the far reaches of the country while the lockdown caused severe economic pain .
The economy contracted nearly 24 % in the second quarter , the worst among the world ’ s top economies .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-19--Homes burned as winds push California fire into desert floor

JUNIPER HILLS , Calif. - Strong winds pushed a wildfire burning for nearly two weeks in mountains northeast of Los Angeles onto the desert floor and spread it rapidly in several directions , causing it to explode in size and destroy homes , officials said Saturday .
Meanwhile , officials were investigating the death of a firefighter on the lines of another Southern California wildfire that erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby ’ s gender .
The death occurred Thursday in San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120 kilometres ) east of Los Angeles , the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement .
In northern Los Angeles County , erratic winds pushed the Bobcat Fire onto the Mojave Desert community of Juniper Hills on Friday after churning all the way across the San Gabriel Mountains .
The winds and thick smoke over the area grounded water-dropping aircraft most of the day .
Meanwhile , crews on the ground shifted from attacking the blaze to protecting homes because they were “ outflanked ” by the flames , fire spokeswoman Kerry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 20,000 acres to 142 square miles ( 368 square kilometres ) .
Some residents in Juniper Hills fled as blowing embers sparked spot fires , hitting some homes but sparing others .
Bridget Lensing feared her family ’ s house was lost on Friday after seeing on Twitter that a neighbour ’ s house three doors down went up in flames .
The house stood when she made her way back Saturday afternoon .
“ Everything around us is gone , “ she said .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 50 miles ( 80 kilometres ) northeast of downtown LA .
A crew will assess damages once the area is cleared of danger , said fire spokesman Sky Cornell .
No injuries were reported .
He said crews will take advantage of slightly cooler temperatures to make headway on Saturday .
However , winds were expected to remain strong with possible gusts of up to 25 mph .
Throughout the Northwest , firefighters welcomed cooler weather and rain , as well as much-improved air quality and visibility that would allow some to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the south side of the Bobcat Fire , firefighters continued to protect Mount Wilson , which overlooks greater Los Angeles and has a historic observatory founded more than a century ago and numerous broadcast antennas serving Southern California .
The fire that started Sept. 6 had already doubled in size over the last week .
It is 15 % contained .
Officials said the fire has been challenging because it is burning in areas that have not burned in decades , and because the firestorms across California have limited resources .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The name of the firefighter killed in the nearby El Dorado Fire was being withheld until family members are notified .
The body was escorted down the mountain in a procession of first-responder vehicles .
No other information was released about the circumstances of the death .
A statement from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , or Cal Fire , said it was the 26th death involving wildfires besieging the state .
A new blaze sparked by a vehicle that caught fire was growing in wilderness outside Palm Springs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nearly a month in Sequoia National Forest roared to life again Friday and prompted evacuation orders for the central California mountain communities of Silver City and Mineral King .
More than 7,900 wildfires have burned more than 5,468 square miles ( 14,164 square kilometres ) in California this year , including many since a mid-August barrage of dry lightning ignited parched vegetation .
The El Dorado Fire has burned more than 34 square miles ( 89 square kilometres ) and was 59 % contained , with 10 buildings destroyed and six damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the El Dorado Fire was ignited Sept. 5 when a couple , their young children and someone there to record video staged the baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains .
The device was set off in a field and quickly ignited dry grass .
The couple frantically tried to use bottled water to extinguish the flames and called 911 .
Authorities have not released the identities of the couple , who could face criminal charges and be held liable for the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer John Antczak in Los Angeles and Daisy Nguyen in San Francisco contributed to this report .

Marcio Jose Sanchez And Christopher Weber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-19--Carpenters wow public with medieval techniques at Notre Dame

PARIS - With precision and boundless energy , a team of carpenters used medieval techniques to raise up — by hand — a three-ton oak truss Saturday in front of Notre Dame Cathedral , a replica of the wooden structures that were consumed in the landmark ’ s devastating April 2019 fire that also toppled its spire .
The demonstration to mark European Heritage Days gave the hundreds of people a first-hand look at the rustic methods used 800 years ago to build the triangular frames in the nave of Notre Dame de Paris .
It also showed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original form was the right one , said Gen. Jean-Louis Georgelin , who heads the cathedral ’ s reconstruction .
“ It shows … firstly that we made the right choice in choosing to rebuild the carpentry identically , in oak from France , ” Georgelin said in an interview .
“ Secondly , it shows us the ... method by which we will rebuild the framework , truss after truss.
” A debate over whether the new spire should have a futuristic design or whether the trusses should be made of fireproof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was destroyed in a 1972 fire , ended with the decision in July to respect Notre Dame ’ s original design and materials .
A total of 25 trusses are to be installed at an unknown date in the cathedral nave .
Philippe Gourmain , a forestry expert working on the cathedral project , said the carpentry phase will not come before 2022 .
“ The problem of Notre Dame is not a carpentry problem .
We have the wood .
We know how to do it , ” Gourmain said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stone.
” Some stones — which support the carpentry — were damaged by the fire and “ it ’ s not so easy now ” to find similar stone , he said .
French President Emmanuel Macron wants the cathedral reopened in 2024 in time for the Paris Olympic Games , a deadline that many experts have called unrealistic .
For the moment , the delicate task of dismantling melted scaffolding , which was originally erected to refurbish the now-toppled spire , continues .
That job , started in early June , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaring cathedral vaults are also being cleared of debris by 35 specialists on ropes .
The organ with its 8,000 pipes was removed for repair in early August .
It is not yet known what technique will be used to create and install the wooden trusses .
The truss mounted for the weekend display is a replica of truss No .
7 , more advanced that the first six trusses , which were “ more primitive , ” said Florian Carpentier , site manager for the team from Carpenters Without Borders team that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut the logs for the wooden frame .
With rope cables and a rustic pulley system , the carpenters slowly pulled the truss they built in July from the ground where it was laid out .
“ It ’ s a moment to see , ancestral techniques that last .
There is the present and the past and it links us to our roots , ” said Romain Greif , an architect who came with his family to watch the display .
“ It ’ s an event.
” In a final touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replica was raised on high , a carpenter shinnied up the wooden beams — to cheers — to tie an oak branch to the top of the triangular structure , a symbol of prosperity and a salute to the workers , a tradition still honoured in numerous European countries .


thetorontostar--2020-09-19--Virus measures targeted by protesters despite case spikes

LONDON - Demonstrators took the streets of London , Tel Aviv and other cities on Saturday to protest coronavirus restrictions , decrying how the measures have affected daily life even with infection rates rising in many places and the global death toll approaching 1 million .
In the U.K. , the latest official estimates released Friday showed that new infections and coronavirus hospital admissions have been doubling every seven to eight days .
Britain has Europe ’ s highest death toll since the start of the pandemic , with 41,821 confirmed virus-related deaths .
The government recently banned social gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes that it would help reverse a steep rise in COVID-19 cases and suggested that tougher restrictions could be coming .
Saturday ’ s protest in Trafalgar Square , which was themed “ Resist and Act for Freedom , ” ended in clashes between demonstrators and London police , as officers tried to disperse hundreds of people holding banners and placards scrawled with anti-restriction messages such as “ This is now Tyranny.
” London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that the city may add curfews , force pubs to close earlier and ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s sharp rise in new cases .
“ I am extremely concerned by the latest evidence I ’ ve seen today from public health experts about the accelerating speed at which COVID-19 is now spreading here in London , ” Khan said Friday .
“ It is increasingly likely that , in London , additional measures will soon be required to slow the spread of the virus.
” In Israel , meanwhile , authorities ordered a full lockdown that began Friday and coincided with the Jewish High Holidays , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayer services .
Demonstrators in swimsuits gathered on a beach in Tel Aviv and waved black and pink flags connoting various protest movements .
In Australia , about 100 protesters gathered in the Melbourne beachside suburb of Elwood on Saturday before being scattered by police .
Police in the region have tried to dissuade lockdown opponents from protesting , but the rallies have become routine .
The Victoria police said in a news release that “ the behaviour of these selfish few who choose to blatantly ignore the directions will not be tolerated.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bucharest , several hundred people protested against virus restrictions , including the mandatory use of masks in schools .
About 2.8 million children in Romania began the school year Monday and schools took various precautions to try and prevent outbreaks .
Romania is among the countries that has had a new spike in confirmed cases , including a national daily record of 1,713 cases earlier in the week and 1,333 more on Saturday .
In all , Romania has had 111,550 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4,402 deaths from the disease since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bucharest ’ s University Square drew parallels between the protective measures against the pandemic and Nazi regimes .
One of the speakers compared the measures to the torture of dissidents during communism .
The virulent language and comparisons echoed that of conservative protesters at rallies in dozens of U.S. cities earlier in the pandemic , including some who successfully pressured governors and local officials into lifting restrictions on businesses and social activities .
Experts have said some state authorities gave up on the restrictions too quickly , allowing the virus to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country that didn ’ t experience the full force of the pandemic early in the year .
As of Saturday , Johns Hopkins University reported nearly 200,000 deaths in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic and 6.7 million confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S .

Sylvia Hui And Vadim Ghirda - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-19--AP source: Envelope addressed to White House contained ricin

WASHINGTON - Federal officials intercepted an envelope addressed to the White House that contained the poison ricin , a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Saturday .
The letter was intercepted at a government facility that screens mail addressed to the White House and President Donald Trump , the official said .
A preliminary investigation indicated it tested positive for ricin , a poison found naturally in castor beans , the official said .
The official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Federal investigators were working to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The FBI , the Secret Service and the U.S .
Postal Inspection Service were leading the investigation .
In a statement , the FBI said agents were working to investigate “ a suspicious letter received at a U.S. government mail facility ” and that there is “ no known threat to public safety.
” A Navy veteran was arrested in 2018 and confessed to sending envelopes to Trump and members of his administration that contained the substance from which ricin is derived .
Authorities said the man , William Clyde Allen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ castor beans to the president , FBI Director Christopher Wray , along with then-Defence Secretary Jim Mattis , then-CIA Director Gina Haspel , Adm. John Richardson , who at the time was the Navy ’ s top officer , and then-Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson .
The letters were intercepted , and no one was hurt .
In 2014 , a Mississippi man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after sending letters dusted with ricin to President Barack Obama and other officials .


thetorontostar--2020-09-19--Pompeo finishes Latin America tour with focus on Venezuela

BOGOTA - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday wrapped up a tour of four South American countries — three of them neighbours of Venezuela , whose socialist government is under intense U.S. pressure .
After a meeting with Colombian President Iván Duque on Saturday , the two vowed to deepen ties — including U.S. investment in the country ’ s struggling economy — and Pompeo praised Colombia ’ s tough stance against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro .
Pompeo said Colombia ’ s backing of opposition leader Juan Guaido “ and the democratic transition for a sovereign Venezuela free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , from Iran , is incredibly valued .
“ You are a true leader for the region and the dignity of all of its people , ” he said at a news conference .
In a separate statement , Pompeo announced an additional $ 348 million in aid for Venezuelans , including the some 5 million who have left the crisis-wracked nation .
His office said that new funding now brings the total amount of U.S. humanitarian and development assistance toward the Venezuela crisis to more than $ 1.2 billion since 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region comes as the U.S. presidential election nears , with Florida — which has hosted an expanding Venezuelan diaspora — a key battleground .
Duque highlighted a report by the U.N. ’ s top human rights body accusing Maduro ’ s government of crimes against humanity , including torture and killings carried by security forces .
“ The situation there is unsustainable , ” he said .
Shoring up support for the Trump administration ’ s Venezuela policy was a key focus of the trip , which including stops in Guyana and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a presidential election to replace Maduro .
He also stopped in Suriname , like Guyana a budding oil exporter .
Colombia has been flooded with migrants fleeing Venezuela ’ s increasing economic crisis while accusing its neighbour of backing armed groups on Colombian soil .
The COVID-19 pandemic , meanwhile , has left millions in Colombia out of work , with unemployment recently soaring to 20 % during the nation ’ s long lockdown .
Though virus cases were initially slow to rise , Colombia now has the world ’ s sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is hoping to attract more U.S. investment to Colombia and he hailed a U.S. government initiative aimed at enhanging private sector investment in infrastructure .


thetorontostar--2020-09-19--Pandemic retools diplomacy as world leaders gather virtually

TANZANIA , Tanzania - With COVID-19 still careening across the planet , the annual gathering of its leaders in New York will be replaced this year by a global patchwork of prerecorded speeches , another piece of upheaval in a deeply divided world turned topsy-turvy by a pandemic with no endpoint in sight .
As U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put it : “ The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis unlike any in our lifetimes , and so this year ’ s General Assembly session will be unlike any other , too.
” This is the first time in the 75-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be no in-person meeting .
Gone will be the accompanying traffic jams , street closures for VIP motorcades , stepped-up security to protect leaders and noisy crowds in the halls of the sprawling United Nations complex overlooking New York ’ s East River .
Only one diplomat from each of the U.N. ’ s 193 member nations will be allowed into the vast General Assembly hall .
All will be socially distanced and masked .
Guterres said the virtual meeting will see speeches from “ the largest number of heads of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the latest speakers list .
World leaders are not barred from coming to speak in person .
But presidents , prime ministers , monarchs and ministers travel with large entourages and at a time of pandemic and quarantine requirements , including in New York City , the General Assembly members agreed that crowds needed to be avoided .
They recommended that leaders each deliver a 15-minute pre-recorded speech , to be shown in the assembly hall and introduced by the ambassador or a diplomat from the country .
Turkish diplomat and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one-year presidency of the General Assembly on Tuesday , said 10 leaders wanted to come to the U.N. to speak including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
He lamented that they aren ’ t able to because of US quarantine requirements .
This leaves U.S. President Donald Trump as the one leader who could travel to New York .
Even though reports say he will not be appearing in person , the metal barricades police always put in place for a presidential visit went up Friday along First Avenue outside the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a commemoration of the U.N. ’ s 75th anniversary , including statements from world leaders and formal adoption of a declaration approved by all 193 member nations .
It recalls the U.N. ’ s successes and failures and calls for “ greater action ” to build a post-pandemic world that is more equal , works together and protects the planet .
The United Nations was born out of the horrors of World War II with a mission to save succeeding generations from the scourge of conflict .
The declaration says the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved hundreds of thousands of lives through humanitarian action .
But it points to a world “ plagued by growing inequality , poverty , hunger , armed conflicts , terrorism , insecurity , climate change , and pandemics.
” “ The stakes could not be higher , “ Guterres told a news conference Wednesday .
He pointed to an “ out-of-control ” pandemic that has claimed nearly a million lives and stressed the need for a deeply divided world to unite not only to defeat the coronavirus and ensure that “ a people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all people but to make a collective push for peace .
Monday ’ s anniversary commemoration will be followed by Tuesday ’ s opening of the virtual high-level meeting , starting with Guterres ’ in-person speech on the state of the world in which he said he will repeat his March 23 call for a global cease-fire , this time by the end of the year .
“ Today , from Afghanistan to Sudan , we see hopeful new steps toward peace , ” the U.N. chief said .
“ In Syria , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or standstills in the fighting can create space for diplomacy .
In Yemen , we are pressing for a cease-fire , confidence building measures and resumption of the political process.
” Guterres will be followed by addresses Tuesday from Brazil ’ s President Jair Bolsonaro , Trump , leaders from Turkey , China , Cuba , Russia , Jordan , Iran , France and dozens of others through Sept. 26 .
The speeches conclude on the morning of Sept. 29 after a two-day break .
Usually , hundreds of side events take place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are only a few meetings , including ones on digital co-operation , climate action , biodiversity and accelerating the pandemic ’ s end .
Two meetings commemorate the 25th anniversary of the U.N. women ’ s conference in Beijing and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons .
Guterres , the General Assembly ’ s Bozkir and many U.N. diplomats say the key issue for world leaders today is how to build a post-pandemic world that is more peaceful and united and focuses on eradicating extreme poverty , preserving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2030 .
Even before the pandemic , Guterres said , the world “ was veering off course ” and losing the battle against climate change .
He cited the northern hemisphere ’ s hottest summer ever , with ongoing wildfires .
“ The world is burning , and recovery is our chance to get on track and tame the flames , “ he said .
As in recent years past , a major theme in speeches is expected to be multilateralism — the kind of co-operation that Guterres stressed is required for recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panacea to all the problems in the world , ” Bozkir said .
He warned that unilateralism will only strengthen the COVID-19 crisis , saying that “ no state can combat this pandemic alone.
” France ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière said the high-level week “ will be an opportunity to reflect on the current COVID-19 crisis , and to reaffirm the crucial role of the United Nations and of multilateral co-operation , which are badly needed in these times.
” While the high-level meeting of world leaders often faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of visible results , much of its business takes place in one-on-one meetings and at lunches , dinners and small gatherings — and for U.N. officials and diplomats that will be the real missing ingredient this year .
“ We will miss that contact , that personal contact , that I believe is very important for diplomacy to be effective , ” Guterres said , pointing to several unnamed situations where problems had no solutions but he was able to sit with both sides and discuss a way forward .
But even without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months of almost entirely virtual meetings , “ I think with all the high-level meetings and summits , we ’ re going to show that the U.N. is back.
“ “ Many people were thinking , ` Where is the U.N. ?
, ’ “ he said .
“ So now we will say , ` Here is the U.N. ’ ” Longtime international correspondent Edith M. Lederer has been chief U.N. correspondent for The Associated Press since 1998 .


thetorontostar--2020-09-19--Deadly ricin may have been sent to White House from Canada

WASHINGTON — Letters sent in recent days to the White House and to local law enforcement agencies in Texas contained the lethal substance ricin , and investigators are trying to determine whether other envelopes with the toxin were sent through the postal system , a law enforcement official briefed on the matter said Saturday .
Investigators believe that the letters were sent from Canada and have identified a woman as a suspect , the official said .
The letter to the White House , which was addressed to President Donald Trump , was intercepted , as were the letters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office in Texas .
The envelope to the White House was caught at the final off-site processing facility where mail is screened before being sent to the White House mailroom , according to a second law enforcement official .
The Postal Service irradiates mail that is addressed to the White House and other federal agencies in the Washington area , and the mail is sorted in a facility that samples the air for suspicious substances .
The Joint Terrorism Task Force in Washington is leading the investigation , with assistance from New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
Canadian law enforcement has been called in to assist the FBI .
“ Initial information from the investigation suggests that the letter originated in Canada , ” RCMP spokesman Dan Brien confirmed in an email on Saturday .
So far , investigators have found no links between the ricin letters and any international terrorist groups , but the investigation is in its early stages , and nothing has yet been ruled out , one senior official said .
Ricin , which is part of the waste produced when castor oil is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The FBI and our U.S. Secret Service and U.S .
Postal Inspection Service partners are investigating a suspicious letter received at a U.S. government mail facility , ” the FBI said in a statement .
“ At this time , there is no known threat to public safety.
” Officials declined to discuss what evidence they had that pointed them to the suspect .
Gathering evidence will be a painstaking process .
As part of the investigation , for example , agents may need to identify the sorting facility that handled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sorting facility and see if there is video of the suspect posting the letters in the hours before they were collected by postal workers .
This is not the first time that U.S. officials have been targeted in ricin attacks .
In 2018 , William Clyde Allen , a Navy veteran , was charged in a seven-count federal indictment for trying to send envelopes with ricin to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ; the chief of naval operations , Adm. John M. Richardson ; the FBI director , Christopher A. Wray ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of the Air Force , Heather Wilson .
Officials determined that Allen had sent castor beans rather than ricin .
His case is still pending .
In 2013 , a Mississippi man sent letters containing ricin to President Barack Obama and a Republican senator in an attempt to frame a rival .
The letters were intercepted at sorting facilities .
A year later , Shannon Richardson , an actress , was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for mailing letters laced with ricin in May 2013 to multiple people , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York at the time .
-with files from The Canadian Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Cops in a Tesla? Michigan city goes electric for detectives

HOLLAND , Mich. - A police department in western Michigan will be solving crimes with a Tesla .
Detectives at @ @ @ @ @ Safety will be driving a $ 49,000 Tesla Model 3 after the city compared it @ @ @ @ @ the Chevrolet Bolt , which both cost much less .
The cost of the Tesla @ @ @ @ @ , enabling the car to travel about 300 miles on a full charge , the @ @ @ @ @ car will mostly be used to drive to crime scenes or conduct interviews , city @ @ @ @ @ .
He said test drives , warranty and resale value put the Model 3 ahead @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Yes , there ’ s a higher front end cost on this , @ @ @ @ @ is generally pretty significant , ” Mayor Nathan Bocks said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Buffett inducted into Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame

PASCAGOULA , Miss .
- Jimmy Buffett , Mac McAnally and the late B.B .
King are among the latest @ @ @ @ @ Hall of Fame .
This year ’ s ceremony was held online instead of in-person @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , WLOX-TV reported .
During the Thursday event , Pascagoula Mayor Steve Demetropoulos @ @ @ @ @ born in the city on the Mississippi Gulf Coast .
“ It ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ birth place of America ’ s music .
Well , Jimmy Buffett is America ’ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Buffett is famous for hits including “ Margaritaville ” and “ Changes in @ @ @ @ @ “ In a recorded message , Buffett said : “ It ’ s a long @ @ @ @ @ and my early days growing up in Mississippi certainly had an impact on the way @ @ @ @ @ I wrote about .
So , thank you Mississippi for that.
” The Mississippi Songwriters @ @ @ @ @ Fame .


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--GOP hopeful Supreme Court battle will help shift election

WASHINGTON - Four years ago , the allure of conservative Supreme Court appointments helped persuade skeptical Republicans to support Donald Trump for president .
Two years ago , a contentious clash over Trump ’ s choice of Brett Kavanaugh for the court was credited with bolstering GOP gains in the Senate in an otherwise bad midterm election .
And now , just 44 days before Trump ’ s reelection will be decided , Republicans are again looking to a Supreme Court nomination fight to unite a deeply fractured party as it faces the very real possibility of losing the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall .
GOP leaders are optimistic they can pull it off .
In the turbulent Trump era , nothing has motivated the Republican Party ’ s disparate factions to come home quite like the prospect of a lifetime appointment to the nation ’ s highest court .
“ This can be an important galvanizing force for President Trump , ” said Leonard Leo , co-chairman of the conservative Federalist Society who has advised the Trump administration on its first two confirmations — for Neil Gorsuch and Kavanaugh .
The emerging nomination debate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bader Ginsburg threatens to reshuffle voter priorities in the closing weeks of an election that had been squarely focused on another set of generational issues : the pandemic , economic devastation and deep civil unrest .
Trump , backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , is pledging to replace the liberal Ginsburg with a conservative jurist , promising on Saturday evening that he will announce his nominee “ very soon.
” Plans are in motion for a swift nomination and confirmation .
Lest there be any questions about the political implications , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a matter of days .
Those close to the president are encouraging him to announce his pick before the first presidential debate against Democratic challenger Joe Biden on Sept. 29 .
Biden said the winner of the Nov. 3 election should choose the next justice .
Biden ’ s team is skeptical that the Supreme Court clash will fundamentally change the contours of a race Trump was trailing so close to Election Day .
Indeed , five states are already voting .
In fact , Democrats say it could motivate voters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate breaks the norms with an unprecedented confirmation at a time when Americans are deciding crucial elections .
“ Everything Americans value is at stake , ” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told fellow Democratic senators on a conference call Saturday , according to a person who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private call and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Biden is not planning to release a full list of potential court nominees , according to a top aide , because it would further politicize the process .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Biden ’ s team suggests that the court fight will heighten the focus on issues that were already at stake in the election : health care , environmental protections , gender equity and abortion .
Health care , in particular , has been a top voter concern this pandemic-year election , Democrats say .
They will argue that protections for Americans with preexisting conditions are essentially on the ballot as the Supreme Court will hear the administration ’ s argument to strike down President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the election .
The Affordable Care Act includes such protections and the court is expected to render a verdict next year .
“ Make it real , ” said Hillary Clinton , urging Democrats to take the fight to the polls , in an interview on MSNBC .
Republicans say voters , particularly those the party needs to win back , are motivated by the chance to name a conservative judge — so much so that it could take some states off the map for Democrats .
The focus on the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common issue in an election season with so many distractions , said Leo of the Federalist Society .
“ Going as far back as 2000 , poll after poll shows that the Supreme Court is an issue that resonates strongly with Republican and conservative voters , and importantly even with low-propensity voters from those groups , ” he said .
Republicans were especially optimistic that the court battle would boost their chances of holding the Senate , particularly in Republican-leaning states such as Montana , Iowa , Kansas , Georgia and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats need to pick up three seats to claim the Senate majority if Biden wins and four if he doesn ’ t .
Key GOP senators who face tough reelection contests in such states where Trump is popular quickly linked themselves to his push for a swift vote , embracing the prospect of another conservative on the bench .
Among them : Martha McSally in Arizona , Thom Tillis in North Carolina and Lindsey Graham in South Carolina .
Yet other Republicans in more contested battleground states , including Sen. Cory Gardner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell ’ s advice to keep their “ powder dry.
” One key Republican , Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , became the first after Ginsburg ’ s death to object to the speedy pace , saying “ in fairness to the American people , ” the Senate should not vote before the election so the candidate elected on Nov. 3 can decide .
As he left the White House for Saturday evening ’ s rally in North Carolina , Trump signalled his displeasure with Collins — and a potential warning to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her , ” he said .
Democratic challengers and outside allies seized on what they called “ hypocrisy “ of Republicans refusing to consider Obama ’ s nominee before the 2016 election , unearthing past statements from many of the same senators now pushing ahead for Trump .
The Democrats raised more than $ 71 million in the hours after Ginsburg ’ s death .
Many Republicans are hopeful the Supreme Court fight will supersede many conservative voters ’ concerns about Trump ’ s inconsistent leadership and divisive rhetoric .
But voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented hardships that will not simply disappear in the coming weeks .
Conservative activist Tim Phillips , president of the group Americans for Prosperity , is doubtful that the court fight will change many votes .
He spent much of Saturday canvassing suburban neighbourhoods around Kansas City as part of his organization ’ s massive push to boost down-ballot Republicans in November .
When conservative activists gathered in the morning , the Supreme Court was a prime topic of conversation that “ strengthened their resolve to get out and work , ” Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on voters ’ doors , “ it didn ’ t even come up.
” “ I just think given the magnitude of the crises — plural — facing swing voters , this is just not going to be a crucial factor in their final decision , ” Phillips said .
At the Cambria County Republican Party headquarters in western Pennsylvania , the vacancy wasn ’ t a major topic of conversation as people swung by on Saturday to pick up yard signs and campaign swag .
Lisa Holgash , a 49-year-old Trump supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” if Trump were able to appoint another Supreme Court Justice .
But she said she was concerned about the idea of Republicans pushing through a nominee so quickly ahead of the election , especially after Republicans denied Obama a final pick in his last year .
“ It ’ s not that far now to the election , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t think it should be rushed.
“ ___ Peoples reported from New York .
Associated Press writers Alexandra Jaffe in Wilmington , Delaware , Jill Colvin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superville in Washington contributed to this report .

Steve Peoples And Lisa Mascaro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--The Latest: German protesters decry virus restrictions

DUESSELDORF , Germany — Hundreds of people demonstrated in downtown Duesseldorf Sunday against government coronavirus restrictions and in support of a host of other causes .
People waved signs with slogans like “ end to panic , corona pandemic is a lie ” and “ corona rebels ” as songs decrying coronavirus restrictions were played .
They chanted “ free Julian Assange ” along with one speaker , and formed a “ W ” -- symbolizing “ we all ” -- with their hands , which they raised over their heads as the theme to Chariots of Fire played .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside from on journalists covering the rally , and a few children mingled among the crowd .
Before breaking away to walk along a route through the western city , the crowd swayed to Louis Armstrong ’ s “ What a Wonderful World ” and a man in a Superman costume sang along .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK — Sweden seems to be avoiding second wave of infections hitting other European nations — The director of the University of Colorado ’ s football operations cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team practice involved 108 people on a mountain hike .
— Police in London clashed with protesters at a rally against coronavirus restrictions , even as the mayor warned that it was “ increasingly likely ” that the British capital would soon need to introduce tighter rules to curb a sharp rise in infections .
— The official Oktoberfest is cancelled in Munich , so 50 of the German city ’ s beer halls are hosting their own , smaller parties conforming to coronavirus guidelines .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madrid against the handling of the coronavirus pandemic by the city ’ s regional head , who has placed new restrictions on neighbourhoods with the highest contagion rates .
Wearing face masks and trying to maintain social distancing , protestors clapped in unison while shouting for regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso to step down .
The protesters gathered at noon Sunday around the city , making it difficult to estimate the size of the protest .
In the Vallecas neighbourhood , protesters chanted “ For everyone or no one !
” in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday for some of the poorest areas of Madrid where local authorities say the virus is spreading the fastest .
The restrictions affect around 860,000 people who won ’ t be able to leave their neighbourhoods except for work , study or a medical appointment .
Parks in the area are closed and shops and restaurants have to limit occupancy to 50 % , Spain is struggling to contain a second wave of the virus , which has killed at least 30,400 people according to the Spanish Health Ministry .
Madrid ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national average , which already leads European contagion charts .
LONDON — Britain ’ s government will fine people who refuse an order to self-isolate up to 10,000 pounds ( $ 13,000 ) as the country sees a sharp surge in coronavirus infections .
The new rule obliges people to self-isolate if they test positive for the coronavirus or are traced as a close contact .
The rule comes into effect on Sept. 28 .
The government will help those on lower incomes who face a loss of earnings as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 500 pounds ( $ 633 ) .
The latest figures show that new daily coronavirus cases for Britain have risen to 4,422 , the highest since early May .
An official estimate also shows that new infections and hospital admissions are doubling every seven to eight days in the U.K .
The Conservative government is widely expected to impose further restrictions after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that Britain is seeing a second wave of infections , following the trend elsewhere in Europe .
London ’ s mayor has also said tighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British capital .
NEW DELHI — India has registered 92,605 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours and is expected to surpass the United States as the pandemic ’ s worst-hit country within weeks .
The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported 1,133 additional deaths for a total of 86,752 .
Sunday ’ s surge raised the country ’ s virus tally to over 5.4 million .
India , however , also has the highest number of recovered patients in the world , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Its recovery rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 % of the active cases are concentrated in five of India ’ s 28 states — Maharashtra , Karnataka , Andhra Pradesh , Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government has faced scathing criticism for its handling of the pandemic amid a contracting economy that left millions jobless .
MELBOURNE , Australia — Australia ’ s second-largest city , Melbourne , has moved close to easing severe lockdown restrictions after recording only 14 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday .
It was the second day in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were also five deaths recorded Sunday .
Melbourne ’ s lockdown restrictions are due to be eased next weekend when child care centres will be allowed to reopen and gatherings of up to five people from two different households will be permitted .
But that depends on the rolling 14-day average of new cases being below 50 .
It now stands at 36.2 .
Victoria state Health Minister Jenny Mikakos praised residents for adhering to lockdown rules , saying , “ The huge sacrifices made by Victorians are saving many lives.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described an unexpected fall in Australia ’ s unemployment rate to 9.3 % — down 14 percentage points from its peak during the pandemic — as “ pleasant encouragement.
” The figures show about 400,000 Australians recently have returned to work .
SEOUL , South Korea __ South Korea ’ s new coronavirus tally has fallen below 100 for the first time in more than a month .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Sunday that the newly counted 82 cases took the country ’ s total to 22,975 with 383 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven by the fact that authorities conduct fewer tests on weekends .
But even before Sunday , South Korea ’ s daily tally has held in the 100s for more than two weeks , down from 400 in late August .
Health officials say the downward trend is a result of stringent social distancing rules imposed on the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area .
Those rules were recently relaxed .
The government is urging the public not to lower their guard as small-scale clusters are still being reported .
TOKYO — Train stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people travelling over the “ Silver Week ” holiday weekend , in a sign of recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The surge in domestic travel is in contrast to previous holidays , when pressure was high for people living in urban congested areas to stay home and avoid areas with fewer infections .
The new daily cases in Tokyo have recently fluctuated around 200 , but Japan does not have widespread testing and many cases are likely going undetected .
Baseball games , stores and theatres are open again with social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks .
A study by mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo showed crowd size at a domestic terminal at Tokyo ’ s main Haneda airport , as well as train stations and shopping districts nationwide .
Japan , with about 1,500 deaths related to COVID-19 , has banned almost all overseas visitors and requires quarantine and virus checks for returning Japanese .
The Silver Week includes this weekend and two national holidays , Respect for the Aged Day and the Autumn Equinox .
PARIS — Coronavirus infections tipped the scales again in France on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours .
Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire is among them .
He announced Friday in a tweet that he had tested positive with no symptoms and was working during self-isolation .
The high-profile Le Maire is the fourth French minister to test positive since March .
It was the second day in a row that new COVID-19 cases in France were above 13,000 .
The French health agency said Friday ’ s big jump was the result of one hospital in the Essonne region south of Paris belatedly reporting numerous cases .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of add-on effect was at play on Saturday .
For health authorities , it is clear that France needs to worry about the spread of the coronavirus , with over 1,000 clusters detected .
There have been 31,274 deaths since the start of the pandemic — among the highest death tolls in Europe — and 26 deaths in the last 24 hours .
In Paris , the Prefecture de Police warned in a tweet that there will be no more tolerance for bars and restaurants where rules to counter the virus aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or failing to respect social distancing .
Police “ are intensifying ” checks that can lead to closing establishments , it said .
In one Paris district , 13 establishments were formally notified that they risk being shut down and 16 others were fined , the prefecture tweeted .
WATERBURY , Conn. — Connecticut U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes says she and all of her staff will be quarantining after one of her aides tested positive for the coronavirus .
The first-term Democratic congresswoman , who represents much of western Connecticut , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have any symptoms and was awaiting an appointment to get tested .
“ I have been in close contact with the staffer ( who tested positive ) and I have worked in both my CT and D.C. offices over the last week , ” Hayes said .
“ All of my staff has been notified and directed to quarantine and get tested .
I will quarantine until I have the test and receive the results.
” Hayes says all of her staff in Connecticut and Washington will be working remotely until further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday reported 610 additional coronavirus cases and 16 deaths , increasing the statewide totals to 213,551 confirmed cases and 5,467 deaths .
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press , the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Arizona rose over the past two weeks , from 575 new cases on Sept. 4 to 774 on Friday .
The increase followed the state Department of Health Service ’ s recent changing of its case-counting methodology to adopt an updated national standard that includes “ probable ” results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change resulted in big bulges of additional cases Thursday and Friday as the department updated its records to include more than 1,300 probable cases from September and previous months .
Meanwhile , the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths dropped during the past two weeks , going from 32 deaths on Sept. 4 to 23 deaths on Friday .
TEL AVIV , Israel — Dozens of Israelis held a beach demonstration against a new lockdown prompted by a surge in coronavirus cases .
The protesters Saturday relied on a loophole in the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to travel beyond the one square kilometre limit if they are to participate in a demonstration .
The three-week nationwide lockdown began Friday as Israel celebrates Rosh Hashana , the Jewish new year .
The demonstrators gathered on the beach of the central city of Tel Aviv , wearing swimsuits , raising black and pink flags connoting various protest movements .
Some protesters carried pictures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who has been the target of weekly protests during the summer for his corruption charges and failure to handle the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring , but the abrupt reopening of the economy in May worsened the outbreak .
The protests against Netanyahu also were fueled by business owners who say the government failed to offer proper compensation in the first lockdown .
The government decided to impose a second lockdown because health authorities are recording thousands of cases a day , with a confirmed death toll of about 1,200 .


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Efforts afoot to save South’s disappearing grasslands

NASHVILLE - In the early 2000s , a harvest of pine trees on Tennessee ’ s Cumberland Plateau led to a remarkable discovery .
Once sunlight hit the ground , the seeds and rootstock of native grasses and wildflowers that had lain dormant for decades began to spring to life .
The area was originally part of vast patchwork of Southern grasslands that today hang on only in tiny remnants , many times in rights-of-way next to roads or under power lines .
They have often been an afterthought in conservation , if they were even thought of at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Tennessee , where the pine trees were cleared , wildlife officials now maintain about 4,000 acres of grassland in the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area with controlled low-temperature burns .
Along with the native plants , grassland loving animals have returned , including ground-nesting birds and rabbits .
Meanwhile , the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative is working to restore thousands of acres of other grasslands while also developing a seed bank , discovering new species and leading volunteers to search for remnants .
Across much of the South , at least 90 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the initiative estimates .
Despite their diminished range , Southern grasslands are still home to an incredible diversity of plants and animals -- greater than the surrounding forests , which are often a top priority for conservation .
One researcher documented over 90 species of bees on a single 50-acre remnant ( 20 hectares ) preserved under power lines in Mississippi ’ s Black Belt .
Taken as a whole , the remaining Black Belt prairie is home to more than 1,000 species of moths .
Part of the reason grasslands are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t recognize them as anything special , said Theo Witsell , an ecologist who cofounded the conservation initiative in 2018 .
“ You can have an ancient grassland , thousands of years old , preserved in some little hay meadow that was never planted , ” he said .
“ They ’ re isolated and unrecognized unless you know plants.
” Grasslands come in various forms — wetland bogs , rocky barrens , lush prairies , even woodlands — anywhere the tree cover is sparse enough to allow grasses , flowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s why the longleaf pine savanna that once stretched more than 140,000 square miles ( 364,000 square kilometres ) from Virginia to Texas can properly be considered a grassland although its dominant visual feature is a tree .
Famed naturalist E.O .
Wilson has written that the southern grassland biome is “ probably the richest terrestrial biome in all of North America.
” It is also one of the most highly endangered .
With habitat loss , many animals have all but disappeared from the landscape , including the monarch butterfly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the loss is ongoing .
Tracking down remnants to preserve native grasslands sometimes requires as much detective work as botanical knowledge .
Tools the initiative ’ s scientists employ include old maps with clues in place names like Prairie Creek .
There are also old land surveys with boundaries marked by rock piles where no large trees were available as landmarks .
And they have a team of volunteers scouring more than 4,000 miles of old roadsides in search of native plants .
Initiative co-founder Dwayne Estes is a botany and ecology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it ’ s based .
He recently paid a visit to 900 acres ( 364 hectares ) of former farmland in Nashville he ’ s surveying for the city ’ s parks department with the goal of restoring about a third to native grasslands .
Asked what type of grassland it was , Estes said there ’ s no name because it was never formally described in scientific literature .
Like many Southern grasslands , it was lost before it could be recorded .
“ Nearly every single thing around us has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he pointed to a few sun-loving native plants such as MacGregor ’ s wild rye and a gnarled chinkapin oak , saying they offer clues about the land hundreds of years ago .
Much of the land the initiative hopes to restore lies in private hands .
And Estes said knowing the cultural as well as botanical history helps him when talking to farmers about conservation .
He can tell them a story about what once grew there , and relate that to what people lived there and where they chose to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the private landowners wooed are former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist , a Tennessee Republican , and his wife Tracy , who own a 900-acre ( 364 hectares ) farm in New Castle , Virginia .
Tracy Frist raises grass-fed cattle on the abundant native grasses .
A Virginia Tech graduate student is studying the grasses ’ nutritional value and its effect on the cattle and the meat they yield .
Tracy Frist said .
And Estes is helping the Frists understand how to best manage their land through grazing and controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a butterfly corridor with milkweed for migrating monarchs and a wetland with a large beaver pond .
“ I didn ’ t know the diversity and history of the grasses or appreciate how important they are to migration and also biodiversity , ” Tracy Frist said .
Even for scientists , native grasslands still hold surprises .
“ In the last six years I ’ ve described 25 new species of grasshopper , ” said JoVonn Hill , interim director of the Mississippi Entomological Museum and professor at Mississippi State University .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Tennessee cedar glade near the city of Lebanon .
“ That ’ s an area that ’ s been well studied by botanists since the 1800s , ” Hill said .
“ But literally my first step , I stepped out of the car , and I saw a grasshopper jump up that looked like one I ’ d never seen before .
“ Right here in the Southeast we have species we haven ’ t found yet .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Chicago museum to receive emergency grant during pandemic

CHICAGO - The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago has been named among 12 art museums nationwide to receive money through an emergency grant program aimed at helping institutions struggling during the coronavirus pandemic .
Officials with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation , based in New York , said the “ Art Museum Futures Fund ” will have nearly $ 24 million to be distributed to mid-sized art museums .
Museums have been hit hard during the pandemic as social distancing measures have forced closures and revenue loss .
The American Alliance of Museums estimated U.S. museums are collectively losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nearly one-third won ’ t reopen with help .
The awards from the fund range from $ 600,000 to $ 5.5 million .
“ Cultural organizations like these small and mid-sized art museums are essential to the vibrancy of their communities and they are experiencing unprecedented financial vulnerability as a result of the pandemic , ” Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement .
“ We are determined to safeguard these institutions at this time of national crisis , and we believe firmly in their mission to protect and preserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their communities.
” Earlier this year the Mellon Foundation formed similar a “ Literary Arts Emergency Fund ” with nonprofits .


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Thai protesters install plaque symbolizing democracy

BANGKOK - Anti-government demonstrators occupying a historic field in the Thai capital on Sunday installed a plaque symbolizing the country ’ s transition to democracy to replace the original one that was mysteriously ripped out and stolen three years ago , as they vowed to press on with calls for new elections and reform of the monarchy .
The mass student-led rally that began Saturday was the largest in a series of protests this year , with thousands camping overnight at Sanam Luang field near the Grand Palace in Bangkok .
A group of activists drilled a hole in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Buddhist rituals , laid down a round brass plaque in cement to commemorate the 1932 revolution that changed Thailand from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy .
“ At the dawn of Sept. 20 , here is where the people proclaim that this country belongs to the people , ” read part of the inscription on the plaque .
In April 2017 , the original plaque vanished from Bangkok ’ s Royal Plaza and was replaced by one praising the monarchy .
“ The nation does not belong to only one person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ student leader Parit “ Penguin ” Chirawak told the crowd .
“ Therefore , I would like to ask holy spirits to stay with us and bless the people ’ s victory.
” Another activist , Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul , said their demands do not propose getting rid of the monarchy .
“ They are proposals with good intentions to make the institution of the monarchy remain graciously above the people under democratic rule , ” Panusaya said .
Still , such calls took the nation by surprise .
Protesters ’ demands seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , establish tighter controls on palace finances and allow open discussion of the monarchy .
Their boldness was unprecedented , as the monarchy is considered sacrosanct in Thailand , with a harsh law that mandates a three- to 15-year prison term for defaming it .
The protesters later attempted to march toward the Grand Palace to hand over a petition seeking royal reforms to the head of the Privy Council , the king ’ s advisers , but were blocked by police barricades .
One of them , Panusaya , was allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the king .
It was received by a police official , who promised to forward it to the council .
Just before the rally ended , Parit called for a general strike on Oct. 14 , the anniversary of a popular student uprising in 1973 that ended a military dictatorship after dozens were killed by police .
He also urged people to withdraw their funds and close their accounts at Siam Commercial Bank , in which the king is the biggest shareholder .
Calls for comment to the bank , also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate communications executives went unanswered or did not connect .
Parit also called for another protest Thursday outside parliament to follow up on the protesters ’ demands .
Organizers had predicted that as many as 50,000 people would take part in the weekend protest , but Associated Press reporters estimated that around 20,000 were present by Saturday evening .
Tyrell Haberkorn , a Thai studies scholar at the University of Wisconsin-Madison , said that by holding their protest at Sanam Luang , a longtime “ site of recreation and protest for the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the monarchy , ” the protesters “ have won a significant victory.
” “ Their resounding message is that Sanam Luang , and the country , belong to the people , ” he said in an email .
The crowd were a disparate batch .
They included an LGBTQ contingent waving iconic rainbow banners while red flags sprouted across the area , representing Thailand ’ s Red Shirt political movement , which battled the country ’ s military in Bangkok ’ s streets 10 years ago .
There were skits and music , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing the government of incompetence , corruption in the military and failing to protect women ’ s rights .
At least 8,000 police officers were reportedly deployed for the event .
“ The people who came here today came here peacefully and are really calling for democracy , ” said Panupong Jadnok , one of the protest leaders .
Their core demands were the dissolution of parliament with fresh elections , a new constitution and an end to intimidation of political activists .
They believe that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha , who as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an elected government , was returned to power unfairly in last year ’ s general election because the laws had been changed to favour a pro-military party .
Protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule is undemocratic .
The students are too young to have been caught up in the sometimes violent partisan battles that roiled Thailand a decade ago , said Kevin Hewison , a University of North Carolina professor emeritus and a veteran Thai studies scholar .
“ What the regime and its supporters see is relatively well-off kids turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ he said .
The appearance of the Red Shirts , while boosting the protest numbers , links the new movement to mostly poor rural Thais , supporters of former populist billionaire Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , who was ousted in a 2006 coup .
Thaksin was opposed by the country ’ s traditional royalist establishment .
The sometimes violent struggle between Thaksin ’ s supporters and the conservative foes left Thai society polarized .
Thaksin , who now lives in exile , noted on Twitter on Saturday that it was the anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rhetorical question of how the nation had fared since then .
“ If we had a good government , a democratic government , our politics , our education and our healthcare system would be better than this , “ said protester Amorn Panurang .
” This is our dream .
And we hope that our dream will come true.
” Arrests for earlier actions on charges including sedition have failed to faze the young activists .
They had been denied permission to enter the Thammasat University campus and Sanam Luang on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities retreated , even though police warned them that they were breaking the law .

Tassanee Vejpongsa - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Baltimore Museum of Art reimagines safe museum experience

BALTIMORE - With every face mask , bottle of hand sanitizer and pair of disposable gloves it acquires , the Baltimore Museum of Art is moving one more socially distanced step closer to reopening fully to the public , six months after locking its doors as the coronavirus pandemic descended on Maryland .
The state ’ s largest museum began welcoming visitors Sept. 16 , though the capacity was limited and galleries will reopen in phases .
The reopening is the final step in a planning process that began in April to ensure the safety of museum visitors and employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached diligently , but with trepidation .
Despite the exhaustive planning , success is not guaranteed .
A Baltimore Sun reporter permitted to attend two remote planning sessions caught a glimpse of the innumerable decisions required for reopening a museum , from regulating the flow of visitors through the artist Katherina Grosse ’ s large-scale fabric room installation to determining whether informational handouts normally left in galleries could potentially transmit COVID-19 .
“ It feels slightly daunting to have to set a date and say , ’ Now the museum is entirely open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s chief innovation officer , said during a July 9 planning session .
“ We have all these ideas , but we don ’ t know what will work and what won ’ t. ” Reopening the BMA in the midst of a pandemic meant that art historians and other staff members put down their scholarly treatises and began grappling instead with the intricacies of ultraviolet lighting and high-efficiency air filters — both newly installed throughout the BMA ’ s galleries .
It meant the museum ’ s security guards field-tested seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfortable enough to wear for up to eight hours .
It included removing half of the hangers in the museum cloakroom to ensure that guests ’ coats don ’ t touch .
It involved spending $ 40,000 to buy supplies , including 10,000 face masks , 4,000 pairs of disposable gloves and 6,250 alcohol wipes .
It required stockpiling 48 gallons of hand sanitizer and 42 gallons of spray sanitizer .
That ’ s just enough supplies to last the museum about six months , according to estimates by Daniel Bleemke , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no certainty that enough visitors will return to the museum to make restocking necessary .
Museums outside Maryland that reopened earlier this summer have recorded attendance 10 % to 30 % of pre-pandemic levels , according to Elizabeth Merritt , founding director of the Center for the Future of Museums , which helps institutions adapt to social and cultural changes .
Baltimore ’ s three additional art museums also scheduled reopening dates in September : the Walters Art Museum ( Sept 16 ) , The American Visionary Art Museum ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture ( Sept .
10. )
.
“ It ’ s unbelievably important that we do this well , ” the BMA ’ s director , Christopher Bedford , said .
The pandemic has proved so unpredictable that it ’ s been next to impossible for museum administrators to devise a blueprint for a successful reopening .
The American Association of Museums , the Washington-based advocacy group that runs the centre , has tried repeatedly — and without success — to track museum reopenings nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country while receding in others , Merritt said the list changes so quickly that it ’ s almost instantly out of date .
For example , California museums closed in March , reopened in June , and were closed again by the governor in July .
Regionally , just one of the Smithsonian Institution ’ s 19 museums , The National Air and Space Museum ’ s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in western Virginia , is welcoming visitors .
Several major New York museums began greeting guests in late August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen until Oct. 3 .
The pandemic may have closed some institutions permanently .
According to a survey conducted this summer by the museum association , one-third of museums nationwide aren ’ t confident they have sufficient financial resources to survive .
“ There is a real concern that many museums will go out of business , ” Merritt said .
Even museums like the BMA that have weathered the crisis must make fundamental changes to their visitors ’ experience .
The BMA will reopen in three phases .
The museum ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-Impressionist masterpieces , will be available to the public in the second phase which could begin as soon as Sept. 23 .
The staggered approach will allow museum staff to evaluate the new procedures and tweak those that don ’ t work .
“ Are the signs for the bathroom adequate ?
” Martin asked rhetorically .
“ Do we need to make adjustments in the way we ’ re helping people navigate the galleries ?
” Initially , the BMA will admit up to 350 visitors per day or 25 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 525 museumgoers by Sept. 30 as more galleries open .
Visitors are urged to reserve free , timed-entry tickets by going to visiting the BMA ’ s website at artbma.org .
Masks will be required throughout the museum and groups limited to five people .
Most museums that are reopening are implementing similar changes , Merritt said .
While she doesn ’ t argue that the new social distancing regulations are unnecessary , Merritt fears they could undo decades of efforts to make America ’ s cultural warehouses more accessible to historically underserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museums are being forced to make represents a pivot from the ‘ Walk in , let ’ s go to the museum experience , ’ she said .
“ Now , you have to plan ahead , figure out how to book advance tickets and stand in line .
Not everyone has internet access .
We ’ ve been trying for years to take down barriers to equitable access for people who aren ’ t mainstream visitors .
Now , we ’ re putting barriers back up.
” That ’ s why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its tickets for walk-up guests .
And it ’ s why the staff decided against imposing a one-way traffic flow through the galleries .
“ We didn ’ t want to interrupt people ’ s free exploration of the museum , ” Martin said .
“ We didn ’ t want to do anything that could interfere with our visitors engaging with the artworks.
” Merritt said the past six months might have been the longest period in American history when citizens have been cut off from the nation ’ s cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt that deprivation keenly .
For instance , Kira Wisniewski , 36 , of Mount Vernon can ’ t wait to walk through a museum again .
Before the pandemic , she visited the BMA monthly .
On her most recent visit — the day before the pandemic abruptly closed cultural attractions statewide — Wisniewski was so struck by the Baltimore artist Jo Smail ’ s powerful abstract artworks that she wrote down a text fragment embedded in one collage : “ How do we survive horror without laughter ?
” Wisniewski has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the past six months .
“ Before the pandemic , I didn ’ t recognize how important it is to me to see art in person , ” she said , “ It ’ s a very nurturing experience that I took for granted , and I have really missed it .
”

Carole McCauley, The Baltimore Sun - AP Member


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Georgia’s Fulton County works to avoid another vote debacle

ATLANTA - Twice delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic , Georgia ’ s primary election earlier this year was marred by dysfunction : Hourslong wait times at polling places .
Absentee ballots that never arrived .
Votes cast after midnight .
The problems were most acute in Fulton County , which includes most of Atlanta and is a Democratic stronghold in a traditionally red state .
State leaders launched investigations while election officials in the most populous county said they did the best they could in unprecedented circumstances .
Now , election officials say they ’ re making changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia emerges as a potential presidential battleground , turnout is expected to set records and the coronavirus continues to rage .
With nearly 790,000 active voters , Fulton County accounts for about 11 % of the state ’ s electorate .
Voting problems in and around Atlanta in recent elections have become a national flash point because they disproportionately affect Black residents , who comprise just over half the city ’ s population .
The day after the primary , the front page of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution blared , “ COMPLETE MELTDOWN ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing masks , in a long line outside an Atlanta polling place .
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger , a Republican , said the election went well overall but promised investigations into the election ’ s handling in Fulton and neighbouring DeKalb County .
The Republican speaker of the Georgia House said Fulton was particularly troubling as he called for an investigation of the primary process .
Voting rights activists and academics noted that predominantly Black communities saw some of the longest lines , which they said is especially worrisome given the history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black votes .
“ I ’ m not necessarily accusing folks of intentionally trying to disenfranchise Black voters .
But if the outcome is that Blacks are bearing the disproportionate brunt of the decisions , then it is racial and it has to be adjusted , ” Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie said .
LaTosha Brown , co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund , said she waited with voters who finally cast their ballots at 12:37 a.m. the next day .
“ I think it is a combination of the failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and voter suppression that is alive and rampant in this state , “ she said , adding that long lines and other problems can lead to voter apathy .
The night of the primary , Fulton County elections director Rick Barron spoke frankly with reporters about challenges his staff faced .
He said the pandemic was the root of many of the problems .
It caused poll workers to drop out , complicated poll worker training on a new election system and led to a significant number of polling places having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential exposure to the virus , the secretary of state encouraged people to vote by mail and sent absentee ballot applications to active voters .
But then the head of Fulton County ’ s absentee ballot section tested positive for COVID-19 in early April and another staffer died from the disease , causing the office to close for several days just as absentee ballot applications began to pour in .
Technical glitches slowed the processing of applications received by email .
The county struggled to catch up , but some voters never received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person .
A report released last week by a legislative panel found that most of the problems stemmed from the coronavirus , first-time statewide use of new voting equipment and the increase in absentee voting .
Investigations by the secretary of state ’ s office found that Fulton County failed to process some absentee ballot applications and that poll workers were inadequately trained , among other problems .
Amanda Clark Palmer , an attorney for the county , acknowledged the problems but said the county ’ s election officials and workers demonstrated “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not deserve to be vilified , and yet that is how they feel right now being the only county that has been called to account before this board for the June 9 election , ” she told the state election board earlier this month .
To be sure , problems during the primary were not limited to Fulton County .
Judges ordered polling sites in 20 of Georgia ’ s 159 counties to stay open past the 7 p.m. deadline because of late openings or other issues .
But Fulton seemed less able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Chris Harvey , the secretary of state ’ s elections director .
“ We weren ’ t trying to vilify anybody , but we also aren ’ t going to spare people ’ s feelings because the election in November is just too important , ” he said .
Harvey is predicting record turnout this fall , with a projected 1.5 million absentee voters , 2 million early in-person voters and 2 million to 3 million in-person voters on Election Day .
Barron , Fulton County ’ s elections director , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary and improve .
Because of the coronavirus , the county had just eight early voting locations during the primary .
It plans to have 30 during the entire three weeks of early voting before the general election , as well as two mobile voting precincts that will move around the county .
Unlike Election Day , when voters must use assigned polling places , Fulton County voters can cast ballots at any early voting location , including State Farm Arena , home of the Atlanta Hawks .
It was the first NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site , an effort supported by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and his organization More Than a Vote , which aims to boost Black turnout .
About 100 people will staff three call centres to answer questions from voters or poll workers , who sometimes had trouble reaching the county during the primary .
Every polling place will have a technician to troubleshoot equipment problems .
The county plans to hire about 2,900 poll workers , including hundreds who will be on standby in case some back out .
An important change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote or drop off a ballot .
Fulton County will add 91 polling locations , bringing the total from 164 in June to 255 in November .
The number of absentee ballot drop boxes will double to about 40 , so that roughly 93 % of county residents will live within 3 miles of one .
A new online portal to request absentee ballots set up by the secretary of state is making that process more efficient .
It ’ s just one step state election officials are taking to help make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and elsewhere , Harvey said .
“ It ’ s about making sure that on Nov. 4 the only thing people are talking about are the results , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-20--Indian lawmakers pass farm bills amid uproar in Parliament

NEW DELHI - Amid an uproar in Parliament , Indian lawmakers on Sunday approved a pair of controversial agriculture bills that the government says will boost growth in the farming sector through private investments .
The two bills were approved even though most opposition parties and some allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi called them anti-farmer .
The legislation is aimed at reforming India ’ s deeply stressed farming sector and will give farmers freedom to market their produce , Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said while tabling the proposed laws in the upper house of Parliament .
The bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the farm trade and making farming market-oriented , the government has said .
The upper house passed two out of three bills , amid a war of words between ruling lawmakers and those opposing the legislation .
The third bill , intended to be part of the farm liberalization plan , could not be taken up because the upper house adjourned for the day amid chaotic scenes , with opposition lawmakers tearing documents and shouting slogans against the bills .
The lower house had approved all three bills on Thursday .
The passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India ’ s ceremonial president , a formality before becoming law .
On Thursday , Shiromani Akali Dal party lawmaker Harsimrat Kaur resigned as minister for food processing in protest against the bills .
The party is one of the Modi government ’ s most trusted allies .
Tomar sought to allay critics of the legislation by saying that the government ’ s market intervention policy to procure agriculture crops from farmers will continue .
The policy insures farmers against any sharp fall in prices of their agricultural produce .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , calling the legislation “ black law ” and “ pro-corporate.
” Rahul Gandhi , a top leader of the main opposition Congress party , said in a tweet Sunday that Modi “ is making farmers ‘ slaves ’ of the capitalists , which the country will never allow to succeed.
” The government has projected that its massive support plans in the agriculture sector will double farmers ’ income by 2022 .
The critics say the bills create an undemocratic mechanism by which bureaucrats become arbitrators to settle any contract disputes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil courts .
They also say that in the absence of better infrastructure like climate-controlled storage facilities , proper roads and reliable irrigation and power supply , removing middlemen will not be helpful to the farming sector .
Participating in the Parliament debate , former Prime Minister H.D .
Deve Gowda , now a lawmaker , asked Modi to explain the short- and long-term impact of the bills on farmers .
“ The prime minister should explain why there ’ s a hurry to pass the bills amid the pandemic , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will help in achieving the government ’ s goal of doubling farmers ’ income , ” he added .
Farmers have long been seen as the heart and soul of India , where agriculture supports more than half of the country ’ s 1.4 billion people .
But they ’ ve also seen their economic clout diminish over the last three decades .
Once accounting for a third of India ’ s gross domestic product , farmers now account for only 15 % of the country ’ s $ 2.9 trillion economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaining about being ignored , hold frequent protests to demand better crop prices , more loan waivers and even water delivery systems to guarantee irrigation during dry spells .
Sometimes they stage sit-ins or dump truckloads of vegetables onto highways to disrupt traffic .
Several protests by farmers were reported against the bills in northern India on Sunday .
More than half of India ’ s farmers are in debt , with 20,638 killing themselves in 2018 and 2019 , according to India ’ s National Crime Records Bureau .
Many factors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including poor crop yields , financial devastation or debt , and a lack of community support .