More than one million people in the United States have been asked to evacuate ahead of what could potentially be one of the most catastrophic storms to hit the country’s East Coast region in decades.

Carrying winds of up to 220 km/h as a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Florence is expected to strengthen and possibly become a Category 5 storm on Tuesday.

It is forecast to make landfall in the southeastern states of North or South Carolina on Thursday. 

“This is one of the worst storms to hit the East Coast in many years,” President Donald Trump warned on Twitter. “Please be prepared, be careful and be SAFE!”

My people just informed me that this is one of the worst storms to hit the East Coast in many years. Also, looking like a direct hit on North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Please be prepared, be careful and be SAFE!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 10, 2018

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered as many as one million residents of the state’s entire eastern coastline to leave their homes starting at noon on Tuesday.

“This is a very dangerous hurricane,” McMaster said, adding that the evacuation order for coastal counties was “mandatory, not voluntary”.

“We do not want to risk one South Carolina life in this hurricane,” the governor told reporters. “We’re liable to have a whole lot of flooding.”

Schools in 26 of the state’s 46 counties were to close from Tuesday.

Emergency declaration

The governor of neighbouring North Carolina also ordered an evacuation of the Outer Banks, barrier islands that are a popular tourist destination, and parts of coastal Dare County, while a state of emergency was declared in Virginia.

Trump has approved emergency declarations for both coastal states, a standard move allowing the release of federal funds and equipment to aid in protection and recovery efforts.

The US president said he had spoken with governors of the threatened states, adding that the “federal government stands by, ready to assist 24/7”.

Don’t concentrate on the exact forecast track of Hurricane #Florence. Significant effects will extend outside the cone, and will arrive at the coast sooner than the eye. For more information about impacts at your specific location, go to https://t.co/SiZo8ozBbn pic.twitter.com/EXWr4Cb4NC

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 10, 2018

Hurricane Florence has the potential to bring catastrophic flooding to areas of the eastern US already soaked by heavy rain. 

On its current track, Florence is expected to slam South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia the hardest.

“Don’t concentrate on the exact forecast track of Hurricane Florence. Significant effects will extend outside the cone, and will arrive at the coast sooner than the eye,” the National Hurricane Centre warned.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s office predicted “catastrophic inland flooding, high winds and possible widespread power outages,” cautioning that the deadliest risk would come from flooding.

The US Navy said it was preparing to send about 30 ships stationed in Virginia out to sea.

Longtime CBS head Les Moonves has been let go from the company, and Stephen Colbert didn’t mince his words on The Late Show on Monday.

“It’s never a good sign when you’re the subject of a Ronan Farrow double-dip,” Colbert said, referring to the new batch of accusations directed at Moonves before being fired.

The late show host seemed pleased at Moonves’ dismissal, slyly adding that he’s “gone… for at least nine months until he does his set at the Comedy Cellar.“

In the meantime, Colbert, like the rest of us, is still wondering about the anonymous person who wrote that anti-Trump op-ed the other week. Couldn’t be an old, conservative guy, could it?

NEW YORK – Bob Woodward titled his new book “Fear,” the word Donald Trump once told the journalist described “real power.” But the author had other possibilities in his pocket: “Crazytown,” a quote he attributes to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, or maybe the phrase that Kelly’s predecessor, Reince Priebus, used to describe the Trump administration: “Zoo Without Walls.”

All the names suggest the portrait Woodward paints of a White House in chaos, led by an erratic president whose own top aides maneuver to prevent him from taking steps they worry could be catastrophic. 

The book, being published Tuesday by Simon and Schuster, already has gotten the president’s attention. “The Woodward book is a Joke – just another assault against me, in a barrage of assaults, using now disproven unnamed and anonymous sources,” he declared in one of a string of derisive tweets Monday. “Many have already come forward to say the quotes by them, like the book, are fiction.” 

Indeed, Kelly has denied that he called Trump “an idiot,” and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has denied that, after a particularly contentious National Security Council meeting, he said the president had the understanding of “a fifth- or sixth-grader.” 

Woodward dismissed their written statements as unpersuasive. “That’s just the Washington denial machine,” he said Monday, a familiar formula designed to protect their jobs and preserve their relations with their boss. “I think people kind of get it.”

There is a certain symmetry to Woodward’s career. He came to fame at age 29, breaking crucial early stories on the Watergate break-in with Washington Post colleague Carl Bernstein. The scandal would force President Richard Nixon to resign. Now, at age 75,  Woodward is pursuing another embattled president, this one leading a tumultuous administration and awaiting the judgment of a special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. 

The youthful reporter who was portrayed by Robert Redford in the movie “All the President’s Men” now has a craggy face and a slight stoop. But Woodward found himself reprising the reporting tactics he deployed at the start of his career, before he was the nation’s most famous investigative reporter and the author now of 19 books.

“I became lazy,” he said. “I mean, over the years, I wasn’t going to people’s homes without an appointment,” knocking on the door and asking them to talk. That’s what he found himself doing again. “What the hell am I showing up at somebody’s house at 11 o’clock at night?” he sometimes wondered. Then he would remember the lessons from his mentor, legendary editor Ben Bradlee. “His message was always ‘Suck it up’ and ‘What have you got for me tomorrow?”

Woodward’s reporting has some critics. For one thing, he talked to sources on “deep background,” meaning he could cite their accounts but not attribute the information to them by name. That makes it harder for readers to assess just what to believe, and it makes it possible for sources to say one thing anonymously and something else for public consumption. 

What Woodward got were details of what he dubbed “an administrative coup d’etat,” with senior aides removing papers from the president’s desk to prevent him from seeing them or signing them. He depicts national security aides rattled by the president’s contempt for the international infrastructure in security and trade that had been built since World War II.

More: Bob Woodward book, ‘Fear: Trump in the White House’ — The 5 most explosive claims

Since details of the book leaked, some see those aides as protecting the country. Others warn they are undermining the Constitution by defying the decisions of the duly elected president.

Woodward insisted he doesn’t take a side in that debate. “Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? I just want to find out what happened,” he said. “Now it’s the political system’s turn, isn’t it?” He noted that during Watergate it was Congress that launched the Senate Watergate Committee and moved toward adopting articles of impeachment against Nixon, prompting him to resign.

But Woodward added this: “I think people better wake up to the nature of the war on truth and its consequence.”

When Trump phoned the journalist in early August, after his manuscript had been completed, Woodward told him why he had wanted to write the book. “As you know and are living, we are at a pivot point in history,” he said.

“Right,” the president responded.

There apparently is a robust market for the book. Even before the publication date Tuesday, thanks to pre-orders “Fear” was the No. 1 bestseller in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. Simon & Schuster already had ordered a seventh printing that will bring the total number of hardcovers to 1 million copies. The high interest “says people are worried,” Woodward said.

 

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The country watched in horror as hijacked airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pa.

Many Americans remember exactly where they were during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. 

The country watched in horror as hijacked airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  The attack killed 2,996 people, making it the deadliest foreign attack ever on U.S. soil.

Another 10,000 first responders and others who were in the World Trade Center area have been diagnosed with cancer. And more than 2,000 deaths have been attributed to 9/11 illnesses. 

The attacks prompted a new focus by the government on fighting terrorism and a host of new security measures in different parts of everyday American life. 

Each anniversary brings a resurgence of memories from that fateful day, but the heartbreaking visuals are particularly striking. Here are the most memorable photos from the September 11 attacks.

 

When Amir Khan hit the canvas and bounced back up before the count of three in Saturday’s win over Samuel Vargas, it was a moment that encapsulated a career of highs and lows.

The 31-year-old’s subsequent points win was seen by some as progress, or at the very least rounds in the bank towards his comeback after 23 months away from the sport.

Yet for others, the lesson from the bout was that 13 years as a professional have taken their toll on the former super-lightweight world champion, who now has some tough questions to answer about his future.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live’s boxing podcast, analyst Steve Bunce asked if Khan now needed “protecting from himself”.

BBC boxing commentator Mike Costello agreed that he did, while Bunce added: “I don’t want to see Khan fight again.”

Fear trumps poise

Khan, who did not compete between May 2016 and April 2018, ultimately won comfortably in Birmingham. It was the first time he had fought for 12 rounds since 2015 and, although he floored Vargas twice, his own knockdown brought painful reminders of the past.

Bunce: Khan boxed very well at times. When he got clipped he went down heavily and got up too quickly. He was saved by the bell. One more clip anywhere on the temple before the round is up and that fight is over.

I think he fights on fear and I think since a couple of savage defeats he has had against the likes of Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Breidis Prescott, he has fought on fear since then. I don’t see a relaxed Khan and that’s why I fear for him.

Costello: When you see him jumping up when his shorts hit the canvas, it is kind of in keeping with the tempo of everything he does. Against Vargas there were times when he would release a barrage of punches, sometimes 10 punches long.

But there didn’t seem to be rhyme and reason behind them. I watched the 2004 Olympic final back and at 17 Khan had that poise, he was measured, cutting off the ring and not chasing his opponent. I wonder where that has gone over the years.

‘Call time, he has nothing to prove’

Khan’s win was his second under American trainer Joe Goossen and the Briton now wants to chase eight-weight world champion Manny Pacquiao, while there is also talk of an all-British match-up with Kell Brook.

Bunce: I don’t want to see Khan fight again. I think he will get knocked out and hurt. But of course he will fight again, there’s money and a movement to see him again. In fact some of the pundits have come out, it’s like propaganda saying he needs to fight Kell Brook.

I just think he has reached that time where he will be in good fights – may win one or two – but they will become scrappier and harder and the damage will increase.

He has reached the wall, he has been at the top level a long time. He was going to junior Olympics at 15 or 16 years of age. He fought around 40 times the year he got his silver at the Olympics. The kid has nothing to prove. I just don’t want him getting hurt.

Costello: I don’t want to denigrate what trainers do but there comes a moment when a boxer has to take responsibility. We have spoken with Joe Goossen and he said he wanted to make Amir better at close range.

Amir spoke to me about the danger of moving away from close-quarter exchanges with your hands down. What did he do on Saturday night? Move away with his left hand by his trunks and so left a gap, down he goes.

After 14 years in the pro ranks, if he is still not covering up when he should be, I’m not sure. The best boxers make decisions about when to take aim and when to take cover. Khan, for me, has always been confused and Saturday was the same.

‘Khan is in tier three at 147lbs’

Hours after Khan’s win over Vargas, Shawn Porter claimed the vacant WBC world title to complete a stellar quartet of champions at welterweight. But while Khan hopes to topple one of them eventually, many fans have called for him to face Brook, who was critical of his rival’s display.

Costello: The 12 rounds may have given him some advantage over Brook, who has only had a couple of rounds this year. This was a fight I have said I wanted to see. But after Saturday, I don’t have that same feeling.

Khan for me now resides in the third tier of welterweights. At the top end would be WBO world champion Terence Crawford and IBF title-holder Errol Spence.

There has to be room for WBA champ Keith Thurman but he’s had two successive injuries. Maybe Pacquiao is clinging to the top tier. Then beneath them you’d have the Danny Garcias and Shawn Porters before the third tier where you get Khan.

Bunce: Khan is like one of those old fight posters where it says a boxer “always comes to fight” or sells them as “never in a dull fight”. Those would be under Khan’s name permanently

Would I put him in with Garcia? I’m not happy. With Pacquiao? Probably not. But if they are going to chase the money, you can’t criticise them, it’s their prerogative.

I still think Khan v Brook is a terrific fight, though I’m not saying I want to see it.

With all the perks of Amazon’s smart home devices, the Echo Look adds a camera that acts as a personal stylist. It’s slim design and interchangeable mounts help the Echo Look blend seamlessly with your decor. Alix Aspe has all the details on the latest Amazon device on this week’s episode of Power Up.

Bolton Wanderers could be put into administration on Tuesday morning, according to club owner Ken Anderson.

Anderson said he offered to repay creditors BluMarble Capital Ltd a £4m loan plus interest but that the offer had been rejected.

The club could be deducted 12 points for going into administration. They are currently eighth in the Championship with 11 points after six games.

“I feel sure that they will live to regret their actions,” Anderson said.

Bolton took out a loan with BluMarble in 2015 and according to the Bolton News there is a funding gap for the next 12 months of up to £13m.

Anderson added: “[BluMarble] will now need to fund the club administration going forward, which will take a minimum of three months and will automatically put the club in a two-year transfer embargo and a minimum immediate points deduction of 12 points.

“In my opinion, their actions will substantially reduce the value of the club in respect of any future sale and will make it far more difficult to find a future investor/buyer.”

Eritrea and Djibouti signed a new peace agreement on September 6, effectively ending a decade-long conflict between the two countries.

The peace initiative came sooner than many had thought – signaling a new dawn in relations among nations in the conflict-prone Horn of Africa.

Omar Mahmood, a researcher with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), said the restoration of ties is a welcome development.

“Resolving the border concerns paves the way for not just the resumption of Eritrea’s relationship with Djibouti, but its wider integration into the Horn of Africa, as this was one of the key lingering disputes preventing that,” Omar said. 

“It is a bit unclear in terms of what the economic dividends for both may be. Eritrea has started to pursue a similar strategy to Djibouti in which it is capitalising on its strategic coastline by hosting foreign military bases and developing its port infrastructure,” he added.

The resumption of harmonious relations between Eritrea and Djibouti comes months after Ethiopia ended the 20-year war with Eritrea.

Martin Plaut, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, is calling for sustained agreements.

“After so many years there must be a residue of distrust. Shaking hands is one thing, laying a firm foundation for ending confrontation is another,” Plaut said.

Rapprochement

Eritrea and Djibouti have been at odds over a border dispute since June 2008 that led to military clashes that killed a dozen Djiboutian troops.

The Dumeira Mountain and Dumeira Island – border lines along the Red Sea – had separated both countries as they battled for territorial control.

Repeated clashes over the disputed territory raised fears the conflict could engulf the entire Horn of Africa region.

Eritrea, one of the world’s most closed-off nations, accused Djibouti of launching unprovoked attacks.

Asmara also accused Ethiopia of supporting Djibouti in the dispute.

It was hit with a UN arms embargo in 2009 for allegedly providing assistance to fighters in Somalia and for failing to pull troops out of disputed territory with Djibouti.

The region was mired in a bitter conflict, making their borders unsafe.

“If this – and the Eritrea-Ethiopia border resolution – are built on and the underlying problems eliminated then the people of the Horn of Africa will be much closer to peace,” Plaut said.

New dawn

Ethiopia reopened its embassy in Eritrea last week after a 20-year hiatus in a further sign of improving relations between the neighbours who signed a peace accord earlier this year.

In July, Eritrea reopened its embassy in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and named an ambassador to represent it.

The presidents of Eritrea and Somalia signed an agreement in July to restore their countries’ relations after years of animosity.

“Following the resolution of its border dispute with Ethiopia, and the state visits by the leaders of Somalia and South Sudan, Eritrea is now primed to be re-admitted into the regional organisation IGAD. The issue with Djibouti was one of the lingering major concerns that needed to be addressed,” Mahmood said.

The UN has hailed the normalisation of relations between Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.

“The agreement reached among the four ministers to work together to restore peace and stability in the region is a positive example for the Horn and beyond,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.

Eritrea has asked the UN to lifts its sanctions, pointing to the region’s latest diplomatic shifts.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has also called for the lifting of sanctions on Eritrea, imposed over the country’s alleged support for the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab armed group.