thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Chasm grows between Trump and government coronavirus experts

WASHINGTON - In the early days of the coronavirus crisis , President Donald Trump was flanked in the White House briefing room by a team of public health experts in a seeming portrait of unity to confront the disease that was ravaging the globe .
But as the crisis has spread to all reaches of the country , with escalating deaths and little sense of endgame , a chasm has widened between the president and the experts .
The result : daily delivery of a mixed message to the public at a moment when coherence is most needed .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States has no rival in its response to the pandemic .
They point to the fact that the U.S. has administered more virus tests than any other nation and that the percentage of deaths among those infected is among the lowest .
“ Right now , I think it ’ s under control , ” Trump said during an interview with Axios .
He added , “ We have done a great job.
” But the surge in infections , hospitalizations and deaths tells a different story .
And it suggests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the federal government ’ s own medical and public health experts .
The U.S. death toll , which now stands at 155,000 , is expected to accelerate .
The latest composite forecast from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects an average of nearly 1,000 deaths per day through Aug. 22 .
Dr. Deborah Birx , White House coronavirus task force co-ordinator , warned this week that the virus has become “ extraordinarily widespread.
“ Trump didn ’ t like that .
He dismissed her comment as “ pathetic ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who had earlier criticized Birx .
Adm. Brett Giroir , the assistant secretary of Health and Human Services who has avoided contradicting the president throughout the crisis , said on Sunday it was time to “ move on ” from the debate over hydroxychloroquine , a drug Trump continues to promote as a COVID-19 treatment even though there is no clear evidence it is effective .
Dr. Robert Redfield , head of the CDC , last week acknowledged during an ABC News interview that the initial federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s not a separation from the president , it ’ s a cavernous gap , ” said Lawrence Gostin , a public health expert at Georgetown University .
“ What we ’ re seeing is that scientists will no longer be cowed by the White House.
” Until recently , the medical experts on the White House coronavirus task force have walked a tightrope .
They have been pressing to deliver the best science to the public while trying to avoid appearing to directly contradict Trump — in hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The effort has played out , at moments , as an awkward dance .
For months now , the West Wing has controlled the media schedule of Dr. Anthony Fauci , who drew the ire of the president and his advisers in the early days of the pandemic because of the outsized media attention he received and his perceived willingness to contradict the president , according to three White House officials and Republicans close to the West Wing not authorized to speak publicly about private conversations .
Fauci , the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struck a far more cautious tone than Trump or any other member of the task force about the nation ’ s move to “ reopen , ” provoking the frustration of a president who sees a resurgent economy as key to winning another four years in office .
Birx , until recently , had largely stayed on the president ’ s good side , though her rosy depictions of the pandemic fight drew recent skepticism from Democrats and other public health officials .
But Trump also shredded Birx privately as well as in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ striking a more optimistic tone about states that are doing well and for saying she had “ tremendous respect ” for Trump ’ s rival Pelosi , the officials said .
Throughout the pandemic , some government public health officials have privately expressed worry to West Wing staffers that they are fearful of contradicting the president even as they try to focus on the data and the science behind the administration ’ s response to the virus , officials said .
But publicly , there has been a concerted effort to appear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking with one voice .
Redfield disputed on Monday that the health officials were looking to distance themselves from the president .
“ I don ’ t think that ’ s an accurate characterization , ” Redfield said in an interview .
He added , ” I think we communicate freely and directly as we see the outbreak as members of the task force.
” On Monday , Trump seemed to walk back from his criticism that Birx was “ taking the bait ” from Pelosi and said that he had great respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration was spurred by his administration not receiving proper credit for testing so many people or for pushing to replenish the stockpile of ventilators early in the crisis .
On Tuesday , he boasted that the U.S. has increased testing capacity by 32,000 % since March 12 and has “ far and away the most testing capacity in the world.
” Trump in early March declared “ anybody that needs a test gets a test.
“ Yet , in many parts of the country , it can still take a week or longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His positive self-evaluation gives short shrift to the fact that the U.S. has the world ’ s fourth highest per capita virus death rate , according to Johns Hopkins University ’ s coronavirus resource centre .
In the Axios interview , Trump insisted that the appropriate statistic to judge the virus response is the ratio of deaths to cases .
By that metric , the U.S. ranks 14th among the 20 countries most affected by COVID-19 .
Chile , India , Argentina , Russia , South Africa and Bangladesh all have lower rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Johns Hopkins-compiled data .
“ It ’ s not a bragging right that over 3 % in your country that ’ s infected is dying , ” Georgetown University ’ s Gostin said .
Trump ’ s undercutting of his health advisers makes it all but impossible for the federal government to speak with a single , authoritative voice at a time of national crisis , critics say .
“ It ’ s a very dangerous place for the country to be , ” said Kathleen Sebelius , health and human services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The reason I say it is very dangerous , is that we continue to have a White House that has made a public health crisis in this country into a debate about whether people like Donald Trump or not .
We have never seen a situation like this before , and we are paying the price.
” Associated Press writer Mike Stobbe in New York contributed reporting .

Aamer Madhani, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--AP Explains: Kashmir on edge 1 year after major Indian shift

SRINAGAR , India - Indian-controlled Kashmir has remained on edge in the year since New Delhi scrapped the disputed region ’ s semi-autonomy and imposed a near-total clampdown .
While deeply unpopular in Muslim-majority Kashmir , the sudden move last August resonated in much of India , where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was cheered by supporters for fulfilling a long-held Hindu nationalist pledge to scrap the restive region ’ s special privileges and assimilate Kashmir into the rest of the country .
Since then , the Indian government has imposed overarching restrictions , ranging from curfews to communication blackouts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a climate of fear .
Here is an overview : On Aug. 5 , 2019 , the Modi government passed legislation in Parliament that stripped Jammu and Kashmir ’ s statehood , scrapped its separate constitution and removed inherited protections on land and jobs .
The region was also split into two federal territories — Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir .
To forestall any public revolt , the region was flooded with soldiers manning roadblocks of razor wire .
Phone lines and internet connections were switched off and residents were under a 24-hour curfew for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown for months .
Indian authorities detained and arrested thousands of young people as well as pro-freedom Kashmir leaders and pro-India politicians .
Officials began the work of integrating Kashmir into the rest of India with a slew of administrative changes enacted without any public input .
Many Muslim ethnic Kashmiris viewed the changes as an annexation , while members of minority Hindu and Buddhist communities initially welcomed the move but later expressed fear of losing land and jobs in the pristine Himalayan region .
A domicile law rolled out in May makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lived in the region for at least 15 years or has studied for seven years and taken certain exams to become a permanent resident of Jammu-Kashmir .
New residency documents are required for all .
Many ethnic Kashmiris see the move as an attempt to use settlers to engineer a demographic change in India ’ s only Muslim-majority region .
In July , the government also eased rules for Indian soldiers to acquire land in Kashmir and build “ strategic ” settlements .
Pro-India Kashmiri political parties slammed the move , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ major land grab ” to “ turn the entire region into a military establishment.
” India ’ s security restrictions choked business across the region .
With the addition of further nationwide restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic , many businesses have been abandoned .
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries estimated a $ 5.3 billion hit to the economy and about half a million jobs lost since last August .
A cutting of internet access followed by sharp limits on speed has affected education , entrepreneurship and healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not apply for exams and educational opportunities .
Students struggled to study online with slow internet connections , which often were cut completely during gunbattles between rebels and Indian soldiers .
As India partially lifted the restrictions , fighting between rebels and government forces intensified , especially during the coronavirus pandemic , as India stepped up counterinsurgency operations .
Militants also continued their attacks on government forces and alleged informants .
“ The sheer scale of daily violence goes contrary to the statements made by India ’ s prime minister that Aug. 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Parvez Imroz , a local human rights lawyer .
In April , authorities introduced a new policy of not identifying militants killed in gunbattles and secretly burying their bodies far from their family homes to prevent typically large funerals .
India ’ s decision to take direct control over Ladakh , also claimed in part by China , may have exacerbated border tensions between the two countries .
Meanwhile , Pakistan has sharply criticized India ’ s unilateral actions in Kashmir , which it also claims , sending their tortured relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kashmir is surrounded by three nuclear weapon states with huge conventional capabilities , Indian unilateralism in Kashmir is creating a deadly situation , ” said U.S.-based Kashmiri political anthropologist Mohammed Junaid .
In a document issued ahead of the Aug. 5 anniversary , India ’ s government said the revocation of Kashmir ’ s special status has resulted in a wide range of accomplishments allowing the people of the region “ to realize their full developmental possibilities in peace and security.
” It said , without providing much detail , that it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided affordable health care , boosted agricultural revenues and accelerated infrastructural development .
The Modi government has maintained that the changes are for the public good and national security to stop threats from Pakistan and “ anti-national elements.
” In the last year , thousands of people have been detained and allegations of torture and ransom kidnappings have been rampant .
The Jammu-Kashmir High Court Bar Association said in a June 25 letter that out of 600 habeas corpus petitions — requests to courts to review whether a detention is lawful — “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been decided.
” With so many people locked up , Kashmir ’ s decades-long protests calling for independence from India have shifted from the streets to social media .
For months , authorities blocked popular social media sites such as YouTube and WhatsApp , and charged several people under India ’ s anti-terror law for social media posts .
Kashmir ’ s press has also faced major difficulties .
Many journalists in the region were intimated , harassed , summoned to police stations and sometimes arrested .
The administration also implemented a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting .
The government says the new media policy is aimed at “ creating a sustained narrative on the functioning of the government in media ” and empowers the government to decide “ anti-national ” news .
The policy came into effect in June .
The changes have deepened anger and frustration among ordinary people , intensifying anti-India sentiment in the region .
They have also energized the Kashmiri diaspora around the world .
“ This has been the most hurtful and humiliating year in our lives , ” said Javaid Ahmed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kashmir ’ s main city , Srinagar .

Aijaz Hussain And Sheikh Saaliq - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Massive Beirut blast kills more than 70, injures thousands

BEIRUT - A massive explosion rocked Beirut on Tuesday , flattening much of the city 's port , damaging buildings across the capital and sending a giant mushroom cloud into the sky .
More than 70 people were killed and 3,000 injured , with bodies buried in the rubble , officials said .
Hours after the blast , ambulances were still carrying away the wounded and officials said Beirut ’ s hospitals were full .
Army helicopters helped battle fires raging at the port .
Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi told a local TV station that it appeared the blast was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in a warehouse at the dock ever since it was confiscated from a cargo ship in 2014 .
Witnesses reported seeing an orange cloud like that which appears when toxic nitrogen dioxide gas is released after an explosion involving nitrates .
Videos showed what appeared to be a fire erupting nearby just before , and local TV stations reported that a fireworks warehouse was involved .
The fire appeared to spread to a nearby building , triggering the more massive explosion , sending up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave.Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a televised statement , “ Facts on this dangerous depot , which has existed since 2014 or the past six years , will be announced.
” “ What happened today will not come to pass without accountability , ” Diab said .
“ Those responsible will pay a price for this catastrophe.
” he said .
“ This is a promise to the martyrs and wounded people .
This is a national commitment.
” Diab announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michel Aoun had instructed the military to aid in the response and called an emergency meeting of the Supreme Defense Council on Tuesday evening , which declared Beirut a disaster area .
A former Montrealer is among those who died in the blast .
Nizar Najarian lived many years in Montreal .
The businessman had recently returned to his home country to get involved in politics .
Aref Salem , a Montreal city councillor , confirmed Najarian 's passing .
Salem , a friend of the victim , said his wife and two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His wife left two weeks ago for a visit and his two children will leave tomorrow for the funeral , '' Salem said in an interview .
`` He was an extremely dedicated man who believed in certain values and he believed in change , '' Salem said .
`` He had accepted a job in an insecure country , far from his family , because he was a man who had values , but he ended up giving his life for those values . ''
The country 's national news agency reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian Kataeb party , was in his office at party headquarters about one kilometre from the blast site .
An Israeli government official said Israel “ had nothing to do ” with the blast .
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media .
Israeli officials usually do not comment on “ foreign reports.
” The blast struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake , according to Germany ’ s geosciences centre GFZ , and it was heard and felt as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ( 180 miles ) across the Mediterranean .
“ It was a real horror show .
I haven ’ t seen anything like that since the days of the ( civil ) war , ” said Marwan Ramadan , who was about 500 metres ( yards ) from the port and was knocked off his feet by the force of the explosion .
Health Minister Hassan Hamad said the preliminary toll was more than 70 dead and 3,000 wounded .
Emergency teams streamed in from across Lebanon to help , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the capital .
Hamad added that hospitals were barely coping and offers of aid were pouring in from Arab states and friends of Lebanon .
President Donald Trump said the U.S. “ stands ready to assist Lebanon , '' and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo extended his “ deepest condolences.
” “ Our team in Beirut has reported to me the extensive damage to a city and a people that I hold dear , an additional challenge in a time of already deep crisis , ” Pompeo said in a written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champagne tweeted out that Canada was `` ready to assist however we can . ''
Israel offered emergency assistance through international intermediaries , its Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
Iran , Hezbollah ’ s patron , also said it was ready to help .
“ Stay strong , Lebanon , ” its foreign minister , Javad Zarif , said in a tweet .
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet on Tuesday that France is in the process of sending aid .
`` France is side by side with Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` French aid and resources are currently on their way . ''
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also offered any support his country could offer for Beirut .
`` The pictures and videos from Beirut tonight are shocking , '' Johnson wrote on Twitter .
`` All of my thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in this terrible incident .
`` The UK is ready to provide support in any way we can , including to those British nationals affected . ''
Some of those injured lay on the ground at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene said .
A civil defence official said there were still bodies inside the port , many of them under debris .
Witnesses reported seeing a strange orange-colored cloud over the site after the explosion .
Orange clouds of toxic nitrogen dioxide gas often accompany an explosion involving nitrates .
Charbel Haj , who works at the port , said it started as small explosions like firecrackers .
Then , he said , he was thrown off his feet by the huge blast .
His clothes were torn .
Miles from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balconies were knocked down and windows shattered .
Streets were covered with glass and bricks and lined with wrecked cars .
Motorcyclists picked their way through traffic , carrying the injured .
Outside one hospital , Omar Kinno sat on the pavement , holding back tears .
Kinno , a Syrian , said one of his sisters was killed when the blast rocked their apartment near the port , and another sister ’ s neck was broken .
His injured mother and father were taken to a hospital but he didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls trying to track them down .
“ I have no idea what happened to my parents .
I am totally lost , ” he said .
One woman covered in blood from the waist up walked down a trashed street while talking furiously on her phone .
On another street , a woman with a bloodied face looked distraught , staggering through traffic with two friends at her side .
The blast came at a time when Lebanon ’ s economy is facing collapse , hit both by a financial crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while the worth of their savings has evaporated as the currency has plunged in value against the dollar .
The result has thrown many into poverty .
It also occurred amid rising tensions between Israel and the militant Hezbollah group along Lebanon ’ s southern border .
The explosion was reminiscent of massive blasts during Lebanon ’ s civil war and took place only three days before a U.N.-backed tribunal was set to give its verdict in the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a truck bombing more than 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ton of explosives , was felt miles away , just like Tuesday ’ s explosion .
Several of Beirut ’ s hospitals were damaged in the blast .
Roum Hospital put out a call for people to bring it spare generators to keep its electricity going as it evacuated patients because of heavy damage .
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon , UNIFIL , said one of its ships in the port was damaged and a number of its peacekeepers were injured , some seriously .
Outside the St. George University Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with various injuries arrived in ambulances , in cars and on foot .
The explosion had caused major damage inside the building and knocked out the electricity at the hospital .
Dozens of injured were being treated on the spot on the street outside , on stretchers and wheelchairs .
“ This is a catastrophe we have on our hands , ” said one doctor , speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to make press statements .
Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Josef Federman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Canadian Press .


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Powerful Colombian ex-president ordered under house arrest

BOGOTA - Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe will be placed under house arrest while the Supreme Court advances a witness tampering investigation against him in a titanic blow to one of the nation ’ s most enduring but controversial political leaders .
The high court ’ s unanimous decision published late Tuesday states magistrates found “ possible risks ” of obstruction of justice while they continue probing accusations the ex-president had a role in bribing potential witnesses against him .
“ He will fulfil his detention from his residence , ” said Hector Javier Alarcón , president of the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And from there he can continue his defence with all the guarantees of due process of law.
” The news touched off a firestorm in Colombia , where Uribe remains a domineering voice in the nation ’ s highly divisive politics .
Critics and civil rights groups praised the Supreme Court for continuing to pursue the accusations against him in a country where the powerful routinely escape punishment for wrongdoing .
“ The court is showing that everyone – even the most powerful – is equal before the law , ” said José @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Watch .
Meanwhile , the ex-president ’ s supporters - including President Iván Duque - decried the court for what they denounced as a political decision .
Uribe has not yet been charged and denies the accusations .
“ It hurts , as a Colombian , that many who have wounded the country with barbarities defend themselves in freedom , ” Duque said .
“ And that an exemplary public servant who has held the highest position of the state can not .
” Uribe served as president from 2002 to 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of continuing conflict with the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia .
His political legacy remains highly polarizing , with some Colombians crediting him for weakening leftist rebels and turning the tide in the country ’ s long civil conflict , and others decrying his iron-fisted approach .
Some of the nation ’ s most grave human rights abuses took place during his mandate .
Throughout his career , Uribe has been dogged by allegations of ties to drug cartels and paramilitaries .
The civil aviation agency he led in the early 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug traffickers .
Declassified State Department cables from a decade earlier show U.S. officials were told the up-and-coming politician had ties to cartels .
The current probe stems from accusations made by Sen. Iván Cepeda , who contends that Uribe was a founding member of a paramilitary group in his home province during the decades-long civil conflict involving government forces , leftist rebels and right-wing bands that left hundreds of thousands dead , displaced or missing .
Uribe accused Cepeda of slander , but the Supreme Court dismissed the case , instead opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purportedly trying to bribe and sway witnesses who could testify against him .
“ This causes me profound sadness , for my wife , for my family , ” Uribe said on Twitter .
“ And for Colombians who still believe I ’ ve done something good for the homeland.
” The case has divided the South American nations and set off demonstrations both in favour and against Uribe prior to the pandemic .
Political analysts have been watching it as an important test of Colombia ’ s justice system , which throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political and military leaders accountable .
“ This really does mean that nobody is untouchable , ” said Adam Isacson , an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America .
“ And that people can try to hold the untouchable accountable without actually being killed.
” Though he left the presidency a decade ago , Uribe has continued to exert his influence over the nation ’ s politics and was instrumental in launching Duque , a young , relatively inexperienced congressman , into the presidency in 2018 .
He led the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colombians voted against a historic peace accord with leftist rebels that was later modified and adopted .
The Supreme Court magistrates said in a statement that the house arrest order is based on “ a great quantity of evidentiary material ” including testimonies and intercepted phone calls that indicate his “ presumed participation ” in bribing witnesses and procedural fraud .
The alleged actions happened after the investigation began .
“ I think this is a decision that will help us consolidate democracy in Colombia , ” Cepeda said Tuesday .
“ Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As news of the detention spread , about 50 vehicles circled around capital city Bogota , with drivers honking horns , waving Colombian flags and crying out in support of Uribe .
Some banged pots and pans from their homes .
Downtown , several dozen people gathered to cheer the Supreme Court ’ s decision .
The latest development in the years-long probe comes as Colombia inches toward its expected first peak during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The country has now confirmed nearly 335,000 cases and 11,315 deaths .
That makes the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total number of coronavirus infections .
“ The level of polarization in the country is just going to increase significantly , ” said Sergio Guzman , director of Colombia Risk Analysis .
“ Colombia during the pandemic has had a cause to unite around – and this is going to rip us apart.
” Associated Press photographer Fernando Vergara contributed to this report .

Christine Armario - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Reports: Chicago schools to announce all-remote learning

Chicago Public Schools is expected to announce Wednesday that it will start the school year with all-remote learning in response to coronavirus concerns , according to published reports .
The Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune , citing unnamed sources , said the announcement will be made ahead of a deadline Friday when parents were to decide on whether they wanted to start the year learning from home or a hybrid plan of remote and classroom learning .
The newspapers earlier Tuesday reported that the Chicago Teachers Union may convene its House of Delegates next week to consider a plan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the public schools do not institute an all-remote learning plan for the start of the school year .
Chicago teachers walked off the job for 11 days in October , winning a 16 % raise during a five-year contract and funding to add social workers and nurses to the city ’ s schools .
Messages left by The Associated Press with Chicago school officials were not immediately returned .
The decision would come as school districts around the country are deciding how to teach children during the pandemic .
The Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later this month for in-person learning .
School officials say it would not be safe for students to do so while the coronavirus continues to spread .
The New York City Department of Education has yet to come up with a plan to reopen its schools .
Jim Malatras , an aide to Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , said Sunday the district has come up an outline to reopen the city ’ s schools , but not a plan .


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Alaska mine project

JUNEAU , Alaska - President Donald Trump ’ s eldest son agreed Tuesday with calls to block a proposed copper and gold mine near the headwaters of a major U.S. salmon fishery in southwest Alaska .
Donald Trump Jr. responded to a tweet by Nick Ayers , a former aide to Vice-President Mike Pence and a senior adviser to the Trump campaign .
Ayers , in his tweet , said he hoped the president would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to block the proposed Pebble Mine .
Trump Jr. , in response , said : “ As a sportsman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area I agree 100 % .
The headwaters of Bristol Bay and the surrounding fishery are too unique and fragile to take any chances with.
” This comes as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers weighs a key permitting decision for the project , which is being pursued by the Pebble Limited Partnership .
The Pebble partnership is owned by Canada-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. An environmental review released by the corps last month stated that under normal operations , the alternatives it looked at “ would not be expected to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in long-term changes to the health of the commercial fisheries in Bristol Bay.
” The review shows that Trump Jr. and Ayers are wrong , the Pebble partnership said in a statement , adding it is confident the corps will issue a final decision “ in the next few months .
We do not believe that the President will interfere with this statutory process.
” The EPA has said the Bristol Bay watershed supports the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world and contains significant mineral resources .
Under the Obama administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region , though those restrictions were never finalized .
The EPA retains the option to invoke that so-called veto process again if it elects to do so .
Pebble argued the proposed restrictions were unfair and said it should have a chance to have the project vetted through the permitting process .
Critics of the Pebble project have said the corps ’ review is deficient and complained of what they say has become a politicized process .
Alannah Hurley , executive director of United Tribes of Bristol Bay , which opposes Pebble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. ’ s tweet .
“ As shocking as it is , at the same time , to us , it ’ s really a confirmation that Bristol Bay is valued by the nation , and people from every side of the political spectrum ... can agree on the fact that this place needs to be protected from Pebble Mine , ” she said .


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Ex-Google exec sent to prison for stealing robocar secrets

SAN RAMON , Calif. - A former Google engineer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading to guilty to stealing trade secrets before joining Uber ’ s effort to build robotic vehicles for its ride-hailing service .
The sentence handed down Tuesday by U.S. District Judge William Alsup came more than four months after former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski reached a plea agreement with the federal prosecutors who brought a criminal case against him last August .
Levandowski , who helped steer Google ’ s self-driving car project before landing at Uber , was also ordered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had taken the unusual step of recommending the Justice Department open a criminal investigation into Levandowski while presiding over a high-profile civil trial between Uber and Waymo , a spinoff from a self-driving car project that Google began in 2007 after hiring Levandowski to be part of its team .
Levandowski eventually became disillusioned with Google and left the company in early 2016 to start his own self-driving truck company , called Otto , which Uber eventually bought for $ 680 million .
Before leaving Google , though , Levandowski downloaded a trove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , resulting in him being facing 33 counts of intellectual property theft .
He wound up pleading guilty to once count , culminating in Tuesday ’ s sentencing .
The accusations turned Levandowski , once highly regarded for his early inroads into self-driving cars , into a notorious figure “ almost synonymous with greed run amok in Silicon Valley , “ his own lawyers acknowledged in court documents filed last week .
The lawyers argued Levandowski deserved some leniency because there was never any evidence that he used Google ’ s trade secrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division .
He lost that job in 2017 while asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when Uber was still defending itself against Waymo ’ s civil lawsuit .
Uber settled its case with Waymo for $ 245 million a few days into a trial that featured its former CEO , Travis Kalanick , speaking about some of his discussions with Levandowski about the ride-hailing service ’ s desire to win the race to build self-driving cars .
Levandowski , 40 , faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 months in prison , Alsup fined him $ 95,000 and order him to pay Waymo $ 756,499 to reimburse the company for the costs it incurred in helping the government with its investigation .
It appears uncertain whether Levandowski will be able to afford to make the payments .
He filed for bankruptcy earlier this year after another court upheld a arbitration ruling requiring him to pay Google $ 179 million , most of which consisted of a bonus he received for his work on self-driving cars .
In its victim statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ misconduct was enormously disruptive and harmful to Waymo , constituted a betrayal , and the financial effects would likely have been even more severe had it gone undetected.
” In documents arguing why Levandowski deserved prison time , U.S. Attorney David Anderson called his theft a “ brazen and shocking ” act that seemed driven by ego as much as greed .
“ Levandowski ’ s actions suggest he wanted to be seen as the singular inventor of the self-driving car , the way Alexander Graham Bell is credited with inventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Australian leader says US-China war no longer inconceivable

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia ’ s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday his government held a less dramatic view of U.S.-China strategic tensions than a predecessor who warned of a potential “ hot war ” before U.S. presidential elections in November .
Former prime minister and China scholar Kevin Rudd wrote in the Foreign Affairs journal this week that the risk of armed conflict between the United States and China in the next three months was “ especially high.
” Morrison said his administration had expressed similar views in a defence policy update last month when he announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion ) in new warfare capability spending , including longer-range missiles .
“ Our defence update expresses it differently and certainly not as dramatically as Kevin , ” Morrison told the Aspen Security Forum in an online address from the Australian capital Canberra .
“ But in our own defence update , we ’ ve acknowledged that what was previously inconceivable and not considered even possible or likely in terms of those types of outcomes is not considered in those contexts anymore , ” he added .
Morrison disagreed with many in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new Cold War with China .
Morrison said the “ circumstances are quite different.
” He had no answers for how China ’ s push for power in the South China Sea , on the Indian border and in Hong Kong should be handled .
“ I ’ m an optimist , Australians are indefatigable optimists about these things , ” Morrison said .
“ We have to take an optimistic attitude but not an unrealistic or naïve attitude .
We ’ ve got to set out and wed ourselves to the objectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or containment of any one state , it ’ s about the productive and strategic balance that can be achieved , ” he added .
Australia and the Unites States share a bilateral security treaty as well as an alliance with India and Japan through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue , which China views with distrust .
Australia ’ s relations with China , its most important trading partner , has plumbed new lows in part because of Australian calls for an independent investigation into the origins of and responses to the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Xi Jinping since the pair spoke on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Japan in June last year .
Australia has extended an open invitation for further talks .
“ I don ’ t get hung up on these things , to be honest , ” Morrison said .
“ What matters is that the trading relationship , the economic relationship is able to be pursued .
That is occurring .
It has its frustrations from time to time .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Missouri votes on Medicaid expansion; Parson, Galloway win

COLUMBIA , Mo .
- Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson has won the Republican primary for a full term and will face Democratic state Auditor Nicole Galloway in November .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story appears below : Missouri voters decided Tuesday whether the state expands Medicaid health care coverage to thousands more low-income adults after years of resistance from Republican lawmakers .
Polls have closed throughout the state on the vote on health care , which was paired with with Missouri ’ s primary elections , came as confirmed coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the virus appear to have driven a record number of people to cast absentee ballots in Missouri ’ s largest jurisdiction of St. Louis County , said county election director Eric Fey .
Election officials said coronavirus concerns also led to a somewhat larger number of cancellations and no-shows among poll workers in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas , though substitutes were dispatched to fill the gaps .
Missouri ’ s Republican-led Legislature has repeatedly rejected Medicaid expansion proposals over the past decade , prompting supporters to turn to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebraska , Oklahoma and Utah have all expanded Medicaid through ballot questions following inaction by state lawmakers , according to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation .
Oklahoma became the 37th state to expand eligibility for Medicaid under the federal law last month .
Missouri ’ s Medicaid program currently does not cover most adults without children , and its income eligibility threshold for parents is one of the lowest in the nation at about one-fifth of the poverty level .
Jim Roberts , 62 , an employee in the Clay County Prosecutor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who voted for Medicaid expansion Tuesday .
He said it is important to consider the needs of others , particularly when so many have health concerns because of the pandemic or insurance worries due to the economic downturn .
“ I believe the economy is going to bounce back strongly but not anytime soon , ” Roberts said .
“ Jesus said ‘ The poor will be with you always , ’ but we still need to address the concerns of those who are less fortunate.
” Bonnie Ciro , 73 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted against the proposal because she doesn ’ t trust politicians to use the money , and she doesn ’ t want to pay higher taxes .
“ It ’ s too much money , ” Ciro said .
“ I think it ’ s a scam , I don ’ t trust what they say .
( Politicians ) tell you one thing and then do another thing with these kinds of programs.
” The ballot proposal would expand eligibility under the terms of the 2010 federal health care law signed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher-than-usual federal funding share for states that expand Medicaid coverage to adults earning up to 138 % of the federal poverty level , about $ 17,600 for an individual or $ 30,000 for a family of three .
Democratic Auditor Nicole Galloway ’ s office estimated that expanding Medicaid could cost the state at least $ 200 million or save as much as $ 1 billion annually by 2026 .
Republican opponents cite the potential costs as reason to oppose the ballot initiative .
“ Amendment 2 will be a knockout blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be cut or eliminated to pay for the health care of able-bodied adults , ” state House Budget Chairman Cody Smith said .
By proposing a constitutional amendment instead of a new law , Missouri supporters have ensured that lawmakers will be unable to change it without going back to voters .
Backers include the Missouri Hospital Association and groups with particular sway over Republicans , such as the Missouri Catholic Conference and Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry .
Republican Gov .
Mike Parson , who opposes Medicaid expansion and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May moved the vote on the proposal up from the Nov. 3 general election to Tuesday ’ s primary .
Parson said the earlier vote will give the state more time to financially prepare for Medicaid expansion , if it passes .
He said his decision was not about politics .
Galloway is trying to unseat Parson .
Her campaign has said Parson switched the day of the vote on Medicaid because fewer people typically vote in August compared to November , possibly giving opponents a better chance of defeating the measure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Voter turnout during the 2016 presidential general election in Missouri was almost three times higher than turnout for that year ’ s August primary .
Even in 2018 , a record year for turnout during a primary , roughly 1 million more voters turned up at the polls in November compared to August .
Local election authorities have projected a statewide voter turnout of nearly 37 % Tuesday .
Voters also picked the Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress and other statewide offices , and state legislative seats .
St. Louis Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been lauded by some civil rights activists and criticized by President Donald Trump and other leading Republicans , faced a challenge from former homicide prosecutor Mary Pat Carl .
Associated Press writers Margaret Stafford in Liberty , Missouri , and David A. Lieb in Jefferson City , Missouri , contributed to this report .

Summer Ballentine - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--With renewed US backing, Guaidó pushes anti-Maduro fight

CARACAS , Venezuela - The challenge in ousting President Nicolás Maduro has only increased , Juan Guaidó said Tuesday as the Trump administration vowed its continued recognition of the opposition leader as the nation ’ s interim president , even if his coalition loses control of congress — its last major stronghold .
Major parties in the opposition led by Guaidó have announced plans to boycott upcoming congressional elections , accusing Maduro ’ s government of hijacking the process .
Their decision not to participate throws into question their legitimacy after their terms end in early January .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Venezuela testifying in Washington said nothing Maduro does will alter the position held by the U.S. and dozens of other nations about Venezuela ’ s legitimate leadership .
“ In our view the constitutional president of Venezuela today and after Jan. 5 , 2021 , is Juan Guaidó , ” Trump ’ s special representative to Venezuela , Elliott Abrams , told the U.S. Senate ’ s Committee on Foreign Relations in a hearing .
“ ( Maduro ) will not change the legal status for many countries around the world — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s government has scheduled a Dec. 6 election for a new National Assembly , which is now controlled by the opposition .
As the body ’ s leader , Guaidó last year claimed the nation ’ s presidency , arguing that Maduro ’ s reelection had been fraudulent , in part because top opposition figures were banned from running .
Speaking with The Associated Press in Caracas in a virtual interview , Guaidó said boycotting the congressional elections is justified because the conditions set by Maduro ’ s government eroded the electoral process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposition also rejected “ Look , we ’ re fighting here for democracy , ” Guaidó said , calling Maduro an “ authoritarian dictator ” responsible for “ genocide ” and “ trafficking ” in gold and drugs at Venezuela ’ s expense .
“ The fight we ’ re waging in Venezuela rises from the legitimacy of our constitution.
” The opposition leader said he hasn ’ t talked to the campaign of Trump ’ s rival , Joe Biden , and the Venezuelan opposition leader offered no new strategy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sanctions to further isolate Maduro .
The U.S. is among more than 50 nations that have recognized Guaidó as interim leader , saying Venezuela ’ s presidency is vacant because Maduro ’ s rule is illegitimate .
However , 18 months since Guaidó took the leadership in the campaign to force the president out , Maduro remains in control with backing from key international allies like Russia , China , Cuba and Iran .
He also is supported by Venezuela ’ s military .
U.S. lawmakers questioning Abrams gave scathing criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Venezuela cast off Maduro ’ s authoritative government and return the once-wealthy oil nation to democratic rule .
“ Our Venezuela policy over the last year and a half has been an unmitigated disaster , ” said Sen. Chris Murphy , a Democrat from Connecticut .
“ If we aren ’ t honest about that , then we can ’ t self-correct.
” Murphy said the rushed U.S. policy has allowed Maduro to label Guaidó an “ American patsy ” while hardening Russian and Cuban backing of Maduro .
Guaidó said he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan support in the United States and the international community to overthrow Maduro .
An estimated 5 million Venezuelans have fled shortages of gasoline , food and a broken healthcare system that is showing signs of buckling as the new coronavirus surges .
Despite the critics on the Trump administration ’ s handling of Venezuela , Abrams said it is possible to create change in the crisis-stricken South American nation .
“ The best thing to do would be a bipartisan expression that this policy is not going to change , ” Abrams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and criminal prosecutions .
“ We ’ re going to stay with it , so this is going to keep on going year after year until this regime is replaced .
”

Scott Smith And Fabiola SáNchez - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Houston officer fatally shoots armed assault suspect on bus

HOUSTON - A Houston police officer shot and killed an armed assault suspect on a transit bus Tuesday after the man beat a security guard and fled with her gun , police said .
The episode began about 2 p.m. when a man attacked a security guard outside a downtown business and fled with her handgun , Police Chief Art Acevedo said .
Meanwhile , a Houston port police sergeant had just dropped off his personal vehicle for servicing and was walking to a nearby bus stop when the guard told him of the attack , Acevedo said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sergeant that he had seen the beating and saw the suspect flee on foot and board a nearby transit bus .
The bus , which already had the driver and three passengers aboard , was evacuated immediately , leaving the suspect alone .
The sergeant boarded the bus , confronted the man and ordered him to show his hands .
Instead , the man reached for the gun and was shot dead , Acevedo said .
No one else was injured .
The officer , who is an 18-year veteran of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a radio or body camera .
However , the bus had a security camera that was expected to have captured the shooting , Acevedo said .
The officer has been placed on administrative duties pending an investigation .


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--A glance at Sri Lanka and its parliamentary elections

COLOMBO , Sri Lanka - Sri Lankans vote in parliamentary elections Wednesday that are expected to strengthen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ’ s grip on power .
His party has campaigned for a strong government that will enable Rajapaksa to fulfil his presidential election pledges .
Parts of the party are also calling for a two-thirds majority in Parliament so it can amend the constitution to restore presidential powers curbed by a 2015 constitutional change .
The opposition party has focused on providing relief to those undergoing economic hardships because of the pandemic .
Some information on Sri Lanka and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island separated from India by the Palk Strait , has 22 million people .
About 75 % are from the Sinhala ethnic group , who are mostly Buddhists .
Tamils , who are mainly Hindus , comprise about 15 % of the population , while 9 % are Muslims .
Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages .
Buddhism , Hinduism , Islam and Christianity are the main religions .
Sri Lanka ’ s main earnings of foreign exchange come from remittances from overseas workers , the tourism industry and tea exports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a 26-year civil war with minority ethnic Tamil rebels in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed or disappeared .
The Marxist rebels fought to create a socialist state , saying rural youth were deprived of their rightful place in society and faced discrimination in economic , educational and employment opportunities .
The Tamil rebels fought to create an independent state in the country ’ s north and east , accusing the Sinhala-controlled state of systemic marginalization .
The country has enjoyed relative peace since government forces defeated the Tamil Tiger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decade of peace since the end of the civil war was shattered by attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019 .
Some 269 people were killed when attackers from local Islamic extremist groups blew themselves up in three churches and three tourist hotels .
Rajapaksa cast himself as the only leader able to keep Sri Lanka secure after the attacks serious intelligence lapses and discord in the then-government .
More than 16 million people are eligible to vote to elect 196 out of a total of 225 lawmakers .
The others will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of votes received by each party or independent group .
A total of 7,452 candidates from 54 political parties and independent groups are contesting the election in 22 districts .
The main contenders include Mahinda Rajapaksa , a charismatic former president and the current president ’ s older brother , who is seeking reelection as prime minister .
The 2015 constitutional changes strengthened the post of prime minister , which places Mahinda in a strong position to help his brother .
Rajapaksa ’ s main rival is Sajith Premadasa , son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was assassinated by separatist rebels in 1993 .
Premadasa leads a political party that broke away from the opposition United National Party , the country ’ s largest party .
The polling will take place with coronavirus health measures in place , including social distancing , and voters are asked to bring their own pens to mark their ballots .
Special booths have been set up for voters who are under quarantine .
The election was originally scheduled for April 25 , but was postponed twice because of the pandemic .
Sri Lanka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus with 2,823 cases , including 11 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-08-04--Virgin Atlantic airline files for US bankruptcy protection

NEW YORK - Virgin Atlantic , the airline founded by British businessman Richard Branson , filed Tuesday for relief from creditors as the virus pandemic hammers the airline industry .
The airline made the filing in U.S. federal bankruptcy court in New York after a proceeding in the United Kingdom .
A spokeswoman for Virgin Atlantic cast the Chapter 15 bankruptcy filing as part of a court process to carry out a restructuring plan that the airline announced last month .
The process is supported by a majority of the airline ’ s creditors , and the company hopes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Virgin Atlantic ’ s move follows bankruptcy filings in the U.S. by Latin America ’ s two biggest airlines , Latam and Avianca , and by Mexico ’ s Aeromexico since the start of the pandemic .
Virgin ’ s sister airline Virgin Australia filed for protection from creditors in its home country in April .
Airlines have been slammed by the coronavirus outbreak that has led to travel restrictions and left many people afraid to fly .
The International Air Transport Association , a trade group for global airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 84 billion this year and revenue will drop by half from 2019 levels .
Branson had appealed to the British government for financial help .
Virgin Atlantic said last month that it raised 1.2 billion pounds ( $ 1.8 billion ) from private sources including Branson to shore up its battered finances .
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines , which owns 49 % of the airline , agreed to defer payments it was owed , and hedge fund Davidson Kempner agreed to lend Virgin Atlantic 170 million pounds .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Amsterdam, Rotterdam order use of masks in busy streets

AMSTERDAM - The Netherlands ’ two most populous cities began ordering people to wear face masks in busy streets Wednesday amid rising coronavirus infection rates , but many people in the Dutch capital ’ s famous red-light district still did not wear them .
Police in Rotterdam said a number of people opposed to the mask order staged a protest in the downtown area where masks became obligatory .
Amsterdam ordered masks to be worn in the red-light district and busy shopping streets and markets .
Many visitors to the narrow lanes and canal-side roads of the historic neighbourhood ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the new measure .
Municipality workers stood at the entrance to one downtown Amsterdam shopping street wearing signs saying in Dutch and English that masks were required and handing them out to people who didn ’ t have one .
The Dutch capital ’ s local health authority said around 5 % of people who got a test over the last week were positive , more than double the 2 % from the previous week .
Among clusters being tracked in the city was one at a strip club in the red-light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 staff have tested positive , according to a statement from the health authority .
The owner voluntarily closed the club .
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said she understood people ’ s wish to socialize again at home , at weddings or in bars after weeks of tough restrictions aimed at reining in the spread of the coronavirus .
“ But the numbers show that the coronavirus is spreading at these kinds of locations , ” she said .
“ It is striking that young people in particular are now becoming infected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city and region.
” The mask orders came into force a day after the Dutch public health institute reported a near-doubling in confirmed infections in a week to 2,588 , with a quarter of the people who tested positive aged in their 20s .
Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands have been on the rise since many restrictions that had successfully reined in the disease were lifted July 1 .
The Dutch COVID-19 death toll stands at 6,150 confirmed deaths .
The true toll is likely higher because not all who were suspected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte scheduled a press conference for Thursday to discuss the rising infections .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Treasury ramps up auctions as borrowing, virus surges

WASHINGTON - The Treasury Department will ramp up the size of the bonds and other securities it auctions across-the-board in the face of the unprecedented borrowing needs of the the U.S. government as cases of COVID-19 surge in parts of the country .
Treasury officials said Wednesday that the billions of dollars in auction increases include a $ 2 billion increase in the three-year note , a $ 9 billion increase in its 10-year note and a $ 7 billion increase in its 30-year bond .
Those three securities will be auctioned next week as part of the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant part of its borrowing needs each quarter .
The Treasury laid out plans to increase the size of other securities and to keep increasing those sizes over the next few months .
“ Treasury continues to face unprecedented borrowing needs as a result of the federal government ’ s response to the COVID-19 outbreak , ” said Brian Smith , deputy assistant secretary for federal finance .
The increases announced Wednesday include an $ 8 billion boost to the new 20-year bond to a total of $ 25 billion in August .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bond , which had last been issued in 1986 .
Treasury announced on Monday that it projects government borrowing of $ 947 in the current quarter that runs through September , which would be a record for this three-month period , but down from the all-time high of $ 2.75 trillion of borrowing last quarter .
The Treasury expects borrowing will hit $ 1.22 trillion in the October-December quarter .
The estimate for this quarter and the next include $ 1 trillion in expected borrowing to finance another economic relief package .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said the $ 1 billion estimate would be adjusted based on the final size of the legislation that Congress approves .

Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Penguin poop spotted from space reveals hidden colonies

BERLIN - British scientists say there are more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica than previously thought based on evidence of bird droppings spotted from space .
A study published Wednesday by scientists at the British Antarctic Survey counted 61 emperor penguin colonies dotted around the southernmost continent , 11 more than the number previously confirmed .
Scientists used images from Europe ’ s Sentinel-2 satellite mission to look for smudges on the ice that indicated large amounts of guano , or penguin poop .
The majestic emperor penguin breeds in remote areas where temperatures can drop as low as minus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fahrenheit ) .
Researchers have long relied on aerial photographs and satellites to spot colonies of the flightless marine birds .
Peter Fretwell , a British Antarctic Survey geographer and the study ’ s lead author , called the latest count “ good news ” but noted that the newly spotted colonies were small .
“ ( They ) only take the overall population count up by 5-10 % to just over half a million penguins or around 265,500 – 278,500 breeding pairs , ” he said .
Emperor penguins are vulnerable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur because of man-made global warming .
Some researchers suggest the number of colonies could drop by more than 30 % by the end of the century .
Some of the newly discovered colonies are located far offshore , on sea ice that has formed around grounded icebergs and which is particularly at risk of disappearing .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--The Latest: Netherlands, Gulf states sending aid to Lebanon

BEIRUT - The Latest on the explosion in Beirut ( all times local ) : A government minister says the Netherlands is sending a search and rescue team made up of police , firefighters , trauma doctors and nurses to help find survivors and victims of the huge blast in Beirut .
Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sigrid Kaag told Dutch public broadcaster NPO Radio 1 the 67-strong team is leaving Wednesday evening “ and will start work immediately.
” Kaag said one or two people were seriously wounded at the Netherlands ’ Embassy and others suffered minor injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devastating explosion .
Kaag previously served as a United Nations under-secretary general in Lebanon and says she has friends there who are injured or have lost a home .
Gulf Arab states have offered various forms of support for Lebanon , though any sustained financial assistance is complicated by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group ’ s presence in government and on the ground .
Saudi-funded medical teams were dispatched from north Lebanon to Beirut to care for and to help transport the wounded on Tuesday , while a specialized team from a Saudi-funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Lebanese capital , according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency .
Kuwait and Qatar dispatched airplanes full of medical cargo .
Qatari officials told The Associated Press that cargo from Doha included two large air-conditioned tents , kits for 1,000 beds , generators and diesel tanks , 50 ventilators , emergency medical supplies like first aid kits , gauze and needles , and medicine .
A search and rescue team was also being sent to support .
Meanwhile , urgent medical and humanitarian supplies were being sent from the International Humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turkish authorities say six Turkish citizens are among thousands of people injured in the massive explosion in Beirut that killed at least 100 people .
Turkey ’ s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that one Turkish national was in surgery and the others were lightly injured .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the phone with Lebanese President Michel Auon late Tuesday and tweeted his condolences .
Erdogan ’ s communications director , Fahrettin Altun , tweeted : “ All our government agencies are ready to help the Lebanese people.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Greek diplomatic officials say one Greek woman appears to be among the dead and two other Greek women are injured .
Authorities say Greece has sent a search and rescue team to Beirut and will send more aid if needed .
Cyprus ’ foreign minister says two police helicopters are on their way to the Lebanese capital with 10 emergency response personnel and eight sniffer dogs to help locate survivors in the rubble of buildings destroyed in Tuesday ’ s massive blast .
Cyprus is approximately 120 miles ( 180 kilometres ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was heard and felt by many on the east Mediterranean island nation .
Minister Nikos Christodoulides told The Associated Press that Cyprus will also dispatch additional rescue crews , paramedics , non-perishable food items , aluminum and glass that Lebanese authorities have requested .
Cyprus will also send chartered flights to Lebanon to repatriate Cypriot citizens wishing to return home .
Indonesian peacekeepers have been contributing in the evacuation of victims of the explosion in Beirut .
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a statement that the Garuda Contingent , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Lebanon , is helping in the aftermath .
Of the 1,447 Indonesian citizens registered as living in Lebanon , 1,234 are part of the UNIFIL mission , while 213 others are civilians .
One Indonesian national was injured in the explosion .
French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Lebanon on Thursday to offer support after a massive explosion in Beirut killed at least 100 people and injured more than 4,000 .
Macron ’ s office tells The Associated Press that the French leader will meet with Lebanese political leaders .
Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries retain close political and economic ties .
France is also sending several tons of aid and emergency workers .
Australia says it will donate 2 million Australian dollars ( $ 1.4 million ) in humanitarian support to Lebanon to help Beirut recover from Tuesday ’ s massive explosion .
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne says in a statement the money will go to the World Food Program and the Red Cross to help ensure food , medical care and essential items are provided to those affected .
She says Australia and Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community ties , and more than 230,000 Australians have Lebanese heritage .
An Australian was killed and the Australian Embassy in Lebanon was damaged in the explosion .
The European Union is activating its civil protection system to round up emergency workers and equipment from across the 27-nation bloc to help Beirut after Tuesday ’ s devastating explosion .
The EU commission says the plan is to urgently dispatch over 100 firefighters with vehicles , sniffer dogs and equipment designed to find people trapped in urban areas .
The Czech Republic , France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Netherlands are taking part and others are expected to join .
The EU ’ s satellite mapping system will help Lebanese authorities to establish the extent of the damage .
Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarcic says the EU “ shares the shock and sadness “ of Beirut residents and stands ready to provide extra help .
Separately , Iraq ’ s Health Ministry spokesman says Baghdad will send six trucks of urgent medical supplies and an emergency medical team .
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has offered condolences to Lebanon ’ s Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement from his office .
Germany says it is ready to send a team of 47 search-and-rescue experts to Beirut after the enormous explosion in the city ’ s port on Tuesday killed at least 100 people and injured thousands .
Germany also says its embassy was damaged in the blast but diplomats have reactivated an old building and are able to work .
Interior Ministry spokesman Bjoern Gruenewaelder says Germany ’ s THW technical assistance agency will send a team on Wednesday to assist the embassy .
Gruenewaelder says Berlin is waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search-and-rescue team .
France is sending two planes with aid .
French emergency workers include members of a special unit with chemical and other technological expertise trained to intervene in damaged industrial sites .
Among their tasks will be to identify specific risks for products stored in the area and other risks resulting from the explosion , national civil security spokesman Michael Bernier says .
The 55 French workers also include disaster response experts , emergency nurses , doctors and firefighters .
The flag is flying at half-staff outside a United Nations-backed tribunal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce verdicts this week in the trial of four Hezbollah members charged with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri .
Special Tribunal for Lebanon spokeswoman Wajed Ramadam says the flag is at half-staff “ to honour those who lost their lives , who were wounded and who are still missing as a result of the explosion in Beirut yesterday.
” The tribunal will announce verdicts Friday in the long-running trial in absentia of four defendants charged in the Feb. 14 , 2005 , truck bombing that killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people .
International troops serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon are among those injured by the massive explosion that hit Beirut ’ s port on Tuesday .
Bangladesh ’ s military says at least 21 Bangladesh Navy members of the multinational force in Beirut were injured .
The military ’ s Inter-Service Public Relations Office says one of the injured is in critical condition and had been admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center .
Bangladesh Navy members have been working in Lebanon with the U.N. force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms and ammunition .
Separately , Italy ’ s defence minister , Lorenzo Guerini , says one soldier assigned to Italy ’ s contingent in Lebanon is injured .
Guerini also offers the help of Italian forces serving in the U.N. mission .
Italy is the second largest contributor to the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon after Indonesia , with 1,021 troops deployed .
Pope Francis has offered prayers for the victims , their families , and for Lebanon after the enormous explosion in Beirut ’ s port on Tuesday .
At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pontiff appealed that ‘ ’ through the dedication of all the social , political and religious elements , ’ ’ Lebanon “ might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and , with the help of the international community , overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing.
’ ’ International aid is heading to Beirut , with Poland sending a team of about 50 firefighters , including 39 rescuers with 4 dogs and a chemical rescue module .
A Greek military transport plane is heading to Lebanon with a search and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sniffer dog , while Cyprus says it will be sending help .
Russia ’ s emergency officials say the country will send five planeloads of aid to Beirut after an explosion in the Lebanese capital ’ s port killed at least 100 people and injured thousands on Tuesday .
Russia ’ s Ministry for Emergency Situations will send rescuers , medical workers , a makeshift hospital and a lab for coronavirus testing to Lebanon .
France , Jordan and other countries also say aid is on the way .
International aid in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is heading to Lebanon a day after a massive explosion devastated Beirut ’ s port , killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands .
France says it is sending two planes with dozens of emergency workers , a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid .
French President Emmanuel Macron ’ s office says the aid should allow for the treatment of some 500 victims .
French peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon , a former French protectorate , have been helping since the explosions , Macron ’ s office said .
Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary personnel will be dispatched , according to the Royal Court .
Egypt has opened a field hospital in Beirut to receive the wounded .
Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek says Lebanon has accepted an offer to send a team of 37 rescuers with sniffer dogs to Beirut .
Denmark says it is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon , and Greece says it is ready to help Lebanese authorities “ with all means at its disposal.
” Prime Minister Hassan Diab , in a short televised speech , has appealed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend help to the small nation , saying : “ We are witnessing a real catastrophe.
” He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beirut ’ s port will pay the price , without commenting on the cause .
Diab ’ s speech came the morning after the blast killed at least 100 people and wounded thousands .
Smoke was still rising from the port Wednesday morning .
Major downtown streets were littered with debris and damaged vehicles , and building facades were blown out .
Lebanese Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 were wounded , and said the toll could rise further .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--US trade deficit drops in June on record rise in exports

WASHINGTON - The U.S. trade deficit fell in June for the first time since February as exports posted a record increase , rising twice as fast as imports .
The Commerce Department said Wednesday that the gap between the value of what the United States buys and what it sells abroad fell 7.5 % to $ 50.7 billion in June from $ 54.8 billion in May .
Exports shot up an unprecedented 9.4 % to $ 158.3 billion .
Imports rose 4.7 % to $ 208.9 billion .
Global commerce has been hammered by the coronavirus pandemic .
Compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exports plus imorts — plunged 21.9 % in June to $ 367.2 billion .
But two-way trade rebounded from May to June , rising 6.7 % on a surge in both exports and imports of cars and auto parts .
“ The latest trade figures confirm that both exports and imports began rebounding in June , and we expect a continued recovery over the coming months as production catches up with the recovery in consumption , ” said Michael Pearce , senior U.S. economist at Capital Economics .
The politically sensitive deficit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 % to $ 26.7 billion in June .
In June , the United States ran a $ 72.2 billion deficit with the rest of the world in the trade goods such as aircraft and appliance .
But it ran a $ 21.5 billion surplus in the trade of services such as banking and education .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Survey: US companies cut back sharply on hiring in July

WASHINGTON - U.S. businesses sharply reduced hiring last month , suggesting that resurgent COVID-19 infections slowed the economic recovery as many states closed parts of their economies again and consumers remained cautious about spending .
U.S. firms added just 167,000 jobs in July , payroll processor ADP said Wednesday , far below June ’ s gain of 4.3 million and May ’ s increase of 3.3 million .
July ’ s limited hiring means the economy still has 13 million fewer jobs than it did in February , according to ADP , before the viral outbreak intensified .
ADP ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recovery is stalling and will likely fuel concerns that the government ’ s jobs report , to be released Friday , will show a similar slowdown .
Economists expect the government to report that employers added 1.8 million jobs , according to a survey by data provider FactSet .
That would typically be considered a huge gain , but in this case it would be somewhat disappointing after hiring reached 4.8 million in June , and 2.7 million in May .
Hiring collapsed among companies of all sizes and in nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes restaurants , bars and hotels added just 38,000 jobs last month , after gaining more than 3 million in May and June combined .
The are other signs the coronavirus surge in July has dealt a setback to the economy and job market : The number of people applying for unemployment benefits has increased for the past two weeks , after falling steadily for three months .
Credit and debit card data indicates that consumer spending levelled off last month .
And hiring by small businesses also flattened in July , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a company that provides scheduling software to small businesses .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Mourners honour Nobel laureate and peace advocate John Hume

LONDON - Mourners remembered activist John Hume on Wednesday , celebrating the visionary politician who devoted his life to peace and forged the agreement that ended violence in his native Northern Ireland .
Only close family , friends and a smattering of politicians mourned the Catholic leader at his funeral at St. Eugene ’ s Cathedral in Londonderry , also known as Derry , as the COVID-19 pandemic ’ s social distancing rules kept numbers low .
But Pope Francis , the Dalai Lama and U2 singer Bono were among those offering tributes to the man seen as the architect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace agreement .
“ Even in the darkest moments , when people would have been forgiven for having no hope , John made peace visible for others , ’ ’ Father Paul Farren said .
“ His vision revealed what could be , and with time and determination and single-mindedness and stubbornness he convinced others that peace could be a reality.
’ ’ Hume , who died Monday at age 83 , shared the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize with the Protestant leader of the Ulster Unionist Party , David Trimble .
Their efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region for three decades and left more than 3,500 people dead .
Starting out as a civil rights activist , Hume fought for equal rights in what was then a Protestant-ruled state .
But he condemned the Irish Republican Army because he detested violence and said injustice did not merit the taking of even one human life .
Although he advocated for a united Ireland , Hume believed change could not come to Northern Ireland without the consent of its Protestant majority .
He also realized that better relations needed to be forged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland and between London and Dublin .
Hume created a broad agenda for the discussions , arguing they must be driven by close co-operation between the British and Irish governments .
Neutral figures like U.S. mediator George Mitchell oversaw the process , with decisions having to be ratified by public referendums in both parts of Ireland .
In other words , the people had to be part of the answer .
“ We were looking for revolution and found it in parish halls with tea and biscuits and late-night meetings under fluorescence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bono said .
“ We were looking for a negotiator who understood that no one wins unless everyone wins and that peace is the only victory ... We were looking for a great leader and found a great servant .
We found John Hume.
’ ’ Under normal circumstances , Hume ’ s funeral would have been mobbed .
Though the pandemic made that impossible , the family took the opportunity of international attention to stress that if Hume had the opportunity , he ’ d discuss our “ common humanity , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect and deepen democracy , to value education , and to place non-violence at the absolute centre.
’ ’ Amid the sadness , there were lighthearted moments .
His son , John Hume Jr. , pointed out that his father had a few weaknesses .
“ He also kept the Irish chocolate industry in healthy profits for many years .
Yorkies , Crunchies , Creme Eggs , Double Deckers , Wispas , you name it , he loved them all , ’ ’ he said .
“ We often found it odd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win a Nobel Prize could seriously believe that Crunchies were less fattening because they are full of air .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Choctaw Indians bear brunt of virus outbreak in Mississippi

PHILADELPHIA , Miss .
- When Sharon Taylor died of coronavirus , her family — standing apart , wearing masks — sang her favourite hymns at her graveside , next to a tiny headstone for her stillborn daughter , buried 26 years ago .
Fresh flowers marked row after row of new graves .
Holy Rosary is one of the only cemeteries in this Choctaw Indian family ’ s community , and it ’ s running out of space — a sign of the virus ’ s massive toll on the Choctaw people .
As confirmed coronavirus cases skyrocket in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federally recognized American Indian tribe has been devastated .
COVID-19 has ripped through Choctaw families , many of whom live together in multigenerational homes .
Almost 10 % of the tribe ’ s roughly 11,000 members have tested positive for the virus .
More than 75 have died .
The once-flourishing Choctaw economy is stagnant , as the tribal government put in place tighter restrictions than those imposed by the state .
July brought a glimmer of hope , with some numbers dropping among Choctaws , but health officials worry that with cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reprieve is only temporary .
On Friday , Mississippi recorded its highest single-day coronavirus-related fatality count , 52 .
As a community health technician , Taylor , 53 , took the virus seriously from the start .
She answered calls from tribe members with symptoms and delivered medicine .
In June , she fell ill herself .
Kristina Taylor , 18 , one of Sharon ’ s five children , learned just before her mother was admitted to the hospital that she ’ d been named valedictorian of the tribal high school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — in some of their last moments together , Kristina showed her mom the speech she ’ d prepared for graduation and the Choctaw beadwork her sister used to decorate her cap .
“ We were just in tears .
Usually , if I started crying , she started crying too , “ she said .
“ She always had that faith in me , that I could do it , even when I doubted myself .
She knew I could do it before I did.
” That day , Sharon Taylor took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy Rosary .
It was always special : a place to mark important events , to be together , to visit the grave of baby Kerri .
Other relatives are buried there , too , and it ’ s where Sharon wanted her final resting place .
But the Rev .
Bob Goodyear says there ’ s not much more room to expand , in part because of another pandemic .
The Spanish flu of 1918 took lives so quickly residents didn ’ t even have time to put up markers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field on cemetery grounds .
“ I pray it doesn ’ t come to that this time , ” said Goodyear , whose Catholic church has always buried Choctaws , regardless of faith .
The tribe recently voted to establish a community cemetery nearby , which will ease the burden , said Goodyear , who isn ’ t a Choctaw but has ministered in the reservation community for decades .
Dr. Thomas Dobbs , the state health officer , said that like other Native American communities , coronavirus deaths among the Mississippi Band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying conditions such as diabetes , cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure , present in more than 80 % of deadly Mississippi cases .
The reservation hospital , where Taylor worked , can ’ t handle severe coronavirus cases .
They ’ re sent to facilities elsewhere in the state - Taylor died 80 miles ( 129 kilometres ) from home , in Jackson .
In Neshoba County , named for the Choctaw word for wolf , more than 25 % of residents live under the poverty line .
It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clay and rolling pine-filled hills .
The Golden Moon Casino on Highway 16 , with a glittering moon on its roof , serves as a welcome to Choctaw land .
From there , the reservation spreads out over 35,000 acres ( 14,164 hectares ) .
Choctaw Indians used to live across millions of acres in southeastern Mississippi but were forced off the land .
Under an 1830 treaty , the Choctaws were to move to Oklahoma .
Those who remained in Mississippi endured segregation , racism and poverty .
In the 1990s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong tribal economy .
They own a family-style resort with a water park and two casinos ; the tribe is a leading employer in eastern Mississippi .
But the tribal government has been more conservative in reopening efforts during the pandemic than Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves and other Mississippi officials .
The tribe passed a mask requirement July 1 , but Reeves refused to implement one statewide , until Tuesday .
Choctaw casinos remain closed , more than two months after the state allowed casinos to reopen .
About 2,000 employees are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The annual Choctaw Indian Fair , which draws thousands , was cancelled .
The tribe has long been a target of hate , members say , and the virus has only made things worse .
On social media , people blame Choctaws for high case numbers .
Choctaw employees have been harassed at their jobs ; others are called names in stores .
“ We ’ ve heard so many bad things about ourselves and our people — the first thing people turn to is blame and hate , ” said Marsha Berry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group that delivers food and other necessities to people self-isolating .
Anita Johnson lives near the funeral home that has handled arrangements for all the Choctaws lost to the virus .
Each time a funeral procession passes her house , her family stops what they ’ re doing to pray .
“ It seemed like in Choctaw families , that ’ s all that was in front of us : You ’ re going to get sick , you ’ re going to get the fever , you ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you ’ re going to die , “ she said .
When Sharon Taylor died , her family couldn ’ t grieve as Choctaws normally would .
Because of the chief ’ s ban , there was no bonfire for the occasion , no wake with people dropping by for days to pay respects and drop off meals .
Instead , at her graveside , her family shared stories of the woman who valued their tight-knit family and community above all else , who never missed a gathering and always had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hymns she loved , the ones she ’ d sung to her kids , and then her grandkids .
Her 25-year-old daughter , Kristi , is pregnant , and she ’ d like to name her baby girl for Sharon .
“ She was always looking out for other people , ” Kristina Taylor said .
“ Now , she ’ s watching over us.
” Leah Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Tropic storm Isaias whips up eastern US, killing at least 7

WINDSOR , N.C. - At least seven people were killed as Tropical Storm Isaias battered the U.S. East Coast with rain and fierce winds after making landfall as a hurricane in North Carolina .
Millions of people were without power on Wednesday after felled trees downed power lines .
The sound of generators and chainsaws punctuated the sunrise in New Jersey , where more than 1 million homes and businesses were without electricity .
NJ Transit train service remained suspended while crews cleared about 150 trees and repair signals and overhead wires .
Regional rail service was also suspended in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sent an unsecured construction barge into a bridge .
Inspectors were checking for damage .
Interstate 676 , which crosses the bridge , was also closed in both directions .
Patrick Foye , chairman of New York ’ s Metropolitan Transportation Authority , said more than 2,000 trees fell across the system ’ s train and bus network .
“ This storm caused severe damage , ” Foye said Wednesday .
“ Not since Superstorm Sandy has our system experienced this type of wind.
” Two people died when Isaias spun off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobile home park .
Another person died in Pennsylvania when their vehicle was overtaken by water and swept downstream .
Three others were killed by falling trees toppled by the storm in Maryland , Connecticut and New York City , and a seventh person died in Delaware when a tree branch fell on them , authorities said .
Isaias sustained top winds of up to 65 mph ( 105 kph ) more than 18 hours after coming ashore , but it was down to 45 mph max winds as of late Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isaias toggled between hurricane and tropical storm strength as it churned toward the East Coast .
Fueled by warm ocean waters , the storm got a late burst of strength as a rejuvenated hurricane with top sustained winds of 85 mph ( 136 km/h ) before coming ashore late Monday near Ocean Isle Beach , North Carolina .
Its tropical storm status was sustained , but weakened , as it headed north into Canada on Tuesday night .
Before making landfall late Monday , Isaias killed two people in the Caribbean and battered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service in Virginia , Maryland , Delaware and New Jersey .
Power outages also spread as trees fell , with more than 3.7 million customers losing electricity across multiple states as of late Tuesday , according to PowerOutage.US , which tracks utility reports .
New York City ’ s power utility said it saw more outages from Isaias than from any storm except Superstorm Sandy in 2012 .
In Doylestown , Pennsylvania , officials said four children were treated for minor injuries after high winds partially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre .
Also in the Philadelphia suburbs , rescue workers in Delaware County were searching for a young person who fell or jumped into the fast-moving water of a swollen creek , said Timothy Boyce , the county emergency services director .
Some of the worst damageseemed to be east and north of where the hurricane ’ s eye struck land in North Carolina .
“ Fortunately , this storm was fast-moving and has already left our state , ” Gov .
Roy Cooper said Tuesday .
Morgan reported from North Myrtle Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include science writer Seth Borenstein in Kensington , Maryland ; Gerry Broome in Southport , North Carolina ; Jonathan Drew in Durham , North Carolina ; Michelle Liu in Columbia , South Carolina ; Michael Kunzelman in College Park , Maryland ; Bruce Shipkowski in Toms River , New Jersey ; Shawn Marsh in Trenton , New Jersey ; and Michael Sisak in New York .
Bryan Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercovered issues .
”

Bryan Anderson And Sarah Blake Morgan - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Turkey announces inspections, measures to curb COVID-19 rise

ISTANBUL - Turkey ’ s interior ministry announced new measures Wednesday to curb the spread of COVID-19 as daily confirmed cases peaked back above 1,000 .
In a circular , the interior ministry said its units would conduct “ one-on-one monitoring ” for people who have been required to self-quarantine , especially in the first seven days of isolation .
The ministry warned it would not accept any violations of the obligation to wear masks and maintain social distancing iat gatherings such as weddings or circumcision ceremonies , on pain of fines and temporary closures .
It said gatherings after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precautions , businesses and transport services that meet safety requirements would be awarded a “ safe space ” logo after three inspections , the ministry said .
The ministry also said contact tracers would be assisted by law enforcement in urban and some rural areas , or by teachers and imams elsewhere .
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu tweeted that a wide-ranging inspection would take place across Turkey on Thursday .
Latest statistics show nearly 235,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections and 5,765 fatalities in Turkey .
Daily cases had dropped below 1,000 before Turkey began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the economy , especially tourism , but went up to an average of 1,360 after mid-June .
The cases had decreased to an average of 945 for the past three weeks but climbed back up to 1,083 Tuesday .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Trump considering giving convention speech from White House

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he ’ s considering delivering his Republican convention acceptance speech from the White House in a move that would mark an unprecedented use of public property for partisan political purposes .
Trump also called for the first formal presidential debate , scheduled for Sept. 29 , to be moved up on the calendar because early voting will have already begun in some states .
“ Well , we ’ re thinking about it , ” Trump said when the hosts of Fox News Channel ’ s “ Fox & Friends ” asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepting his party ’ s presidential nomination from the White House lawn .
Trump said doing so would be “ easiest from the standpoint of security “ and the least expensive option because he wouldn ’ t have to leave the building .
“ It ’ s a beautiful setting .
I think it ’ s a great place , ” Trump said of the White House during a wide-ranging telephone interview .
Trump had planned to deliver the speech in Jacksonville , Florida , after moving some elements of the Republican National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of health restrictions the state ’ s Democratic governor put in place because of the coronavirus .
But Trump recently cancelled the Florida portions of the convention because of the resurgence of coronavirus in that state , essentially limiting his options with the clock ticking .
The Republican convention is scheduled for Aug. 24-27 , with Trump ’ s speech capping the final night .
Trump said in the Fox News interview that the convention will be a mix of virtual events and live speeches , including his remarks and a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Post had reported that Republican officials were considering using the White House South Lawn to stage Trump ’ s acceptance speech .
Trump said it ’ s among the options being considered but appeared to lean heavily into the idea of using it .
Presidents typically seek to hold their nominating conventions in a state seen as crucial to their chances of winning the election , but this year ’ s coronavirus outbreak has forced candidates to drastically change the way they campaign .
Presidents historically have treated the White House as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown disregard for many norms and customs of the presidency .
On the subject of debates , Trump said he ’ d favour more than just the three formal debates against likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden that are being planned by the Commission on Presidential Debates .
He also argued for moving up the first debate , now currently scheduled for Sept. 29 in Cleveland , because some states will begin early voting in the beginning of September .

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Ukraine’s leader asks Belarus to transfer detained Russians

KYIV , Ukraine - Ukraine ’ s president asked the leader of Belarus on Wednesday to hand over some Russian security contractors detained on terrorism charges who also are accused of fighting alongside Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine .
“ I hope that all those suspected in terrorist activities on Ukrainian territory will be handed over to us for prosecution in accordance with the existing international norms , ” according to a readout of a phone call between President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released by the Ukrainian president ’ s office .
Belarusian authorities detained 33 contractors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week and accused them of of plotting terror attacks in advance of the presidential election in Belarus this weekend .
Officials in Kyiv said Friday they would ask Belarus to transfer 28 of the detainees , nine of whom also have Ukrainian citizenship .
In Ukraine , they would face a criminal probe on the charges of involvement in a terrorist group for fighting on the side of the rebels in eastern Ukraine , the Prosecutor General ’ s office said .
The government in Minsk claimed the detained contractors worked for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin , a Russian businessman who was indicted in the United States for meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
Wagner has allegedly deployed hundreds of military contractors to eastern Ukraine , Syria and Libya .
The allegations against the Russians represent an unprecedented escalation of tensions between Russia and neighbouring Belarus , traditionally close allies , as Lukashenko seeks a sixth term in Sunday ’ s election amid mass opposition rallies .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Virginia’s Kings Dominion theme park won’t reopen this year

DOSWELL , Va. - A Virginia theme park that is one of the state ’ s biggest tourist attractions and @ @ @ @ @ this year because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Richmond-Times Dispatch reported Tuesday that Kings @ @ @ @ @ remain closed for the rest of 2020 .
It ’ s the first time since @ @ @ @ @ opening that visitors won ’ t ride the Dominator or reach the top a 323-foot @ @ @ @ @ .
Tony Johnson , the park ’ s vice-president and general manager , cited Virginia @ @ @ @ @ restriction of limiting the park to only 1,000 guests .
Kings Dominion said in late @ @ @ @ @ was not economically sustainable .
The park employs up to 4,000 seasonal employees each year @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s top employers .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Bulgaria: PM Borissov offers to step down to save government

SOFIA , Bulgaria - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday offered to step down if that would keep his @ @ @ @ @ .
Borissov told a caucus of his centre-right GERB party that he would discuss the @ @ @ @ @ the two nationalist parties that are his junior partners in the governing coalition .
The @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s chief prosecutor have been the key demands of month-long street protests across @ @ @ @ @ mostly young protesters accuse those in power of links to the mafia , refusing to @ @ @ @ @ judiciary , and suppressing freedom of speech .
Borissov has been in power since 2009 @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to end next March .
In Sofia , protesters have permanently blocked several key @ @ @ @ @ traffic jams .
They have set up tents and say they intend to remain there @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , one of the protesters , who went on hunger strike five days @ @ @ @ @ hospital on Wednesday in critical condition .


thetorontostar--2020-08-05--Sri Lanka parliamentary election expected to back Rajapaksas

COLOMBO , Sri Lanka - Sri Lankans voted Wednesday to elect a new Parliament that is expected to give strong support to the powerful and popular Rajapaksa brothers .
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected last November after projecting himself as the only leader who could secure the country after the Islamic State-inspired bombings of churches and hotels on Easter Sunday that killed 269 people .
His older brother , charismatic former President Mahinda Rajapaksa , is seeking a majority of the 225 seats in Parliament to return as prime minister .
At least four members of the family were running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the Rajapaksas ’ party could add to their political dynasty .
Police spokesman Priyantha Weerasuriya said the voting , which ended at 5 p.m. , was largely peaceful and that police officers were escorting the ballot boxes to the counting centres .
Counting starts Thursday and the final results are expected Friday .
More than 16 million people were eligible to vote to elect 196 lawmakers , with the rest being named from a national list according to the number of votes received by each party or independent group .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was twice postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Sri Lanka has largely contained the spread of the virus with 2,834 confirmed cases including 11 deaths .
Health measures were put in place at polling booths with social distancing .
Voters were asked to bring their own pens to mark their ballots , or use disinfected pens provided at voting stations .