thetorontostar--2020-10-18--UN arms embargoes on Iran expire despite US objections

TEHRAN , Iran - A decade-long U.N. arms embargo on Iran that barred it from purchasing foreign weapons like tanks and fighter jets expired Sunday as planned under its nuclear deal with world powers , despite objections from the United States , which insists the ban remains in place .
While Iran says it plans no “ buying spree , “ it can now in theory purchase weapons to upgrade military armaments dating back to before its 1979 Islamic Revolution and sell its own locally produced gear abroad .
In practice , however , Iran ’ s economy remains crippled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations may avoid arms deals with Tehran for fear of American financial retaliation .
The Trump administration has warned that any sales of weapons to Iran or exports from Iran will be penalized .
The Islamic Republic heralded the end of the arms embargo as “ a momentous day for the international community ... in defiance of the U.S. regime ’ s effort.
“ The Trump administration , meanwhile , says the expiration is moot since it reimposed all U.N. sanctions on Iran , including the arms embargo , via a clause in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , a claim ignored by the rest of the world .
“ Today ’ s normalization of Iran ’ s defenceco-operation with the world is a win for the cause of multilateralism and peace and security in our region , ” Iran ’ s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo flatly rejected the expiration .
“ The United States is prepared to use its domestic authorities to sanction any individual or entity that materially contributes to the supply , sale , or transfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as those wto ho provide technical training , financial support and services , and other assistance related to these arms , ” he said in a statement .
“ For the past 10 years , countries have refrained from selling weapons to Iran under various U.N. measures , ” Pompeo said .
“ Any country that now challenges this prohibition will be very clearly choosing to fuel conflict and tension over promoting peace and security.
” Russia ’ s deputy U.N. ambassador , Dmitry Polyansky , responded to Pompeo with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East peace by not provoking Iran .
“ And please change words ‘ sanctions ’ and ‘ punishment ’ in your vocabulary to ‘ dialogue ’ and ‘ engagement ’ .
That would help a lot !
Make US respected again !
” , he added .
Sunday ’ s expiration of the arms embargo was , in fact , the proximate cause for the U.S. decision last month to move forward with the so-called “ snapback ” of international sanctions in Iran .
The Americans tried unsuccessfully to get the U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered a humiliating defeat when only one country on the 15-member panel supported it .
In response , the administration announced that it had invoked “ snapback ” — a mechanism provided for in the Security Council resolution that enshrined the nuclear deal that allows any participant in the accord to restore U.N. sanctions if they determine Iran is not complying with its terms .
The rest of the council , however , rejected U.S. standing to trigger snapback , saying it had lost its right to do so when Trump pulled our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned Iran from buying major foreign weapon systems in 2010 amid tensions over its nuclear program .
An earlier embargo targeted Iranian arms exports .
The U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency predicted in 2019 that if the embargo ended , Iran likely would try to purchase Russian Su-30 fighter jets , Yak-130 trainer aircraft and T-90 tanks .
Tehran also may try to buy Russia ’ s S-400 anti-aircraft missile system and its Bastian coastal defence missile system , the DIA said .
China also could sell Iran arms .
Iran long has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arabia and the United Arab Emirates , which have purchased billions of dollars of advanced American weaponry .
In response , Tehran turned toward developing locally made ballistic missiles .
Iran has blasted Gulf Arab purchases of U.S.-made defence equipment as “ regrettably lucrative weapon deals ” with some of those arms used in the ongoing war in Yemen .
That conflict pits a Saudi-led coalition backing the country ’ s internationally recognized government against rebel forces backed by Iran .
The U.N. arms embargoes , however , did not stop Iran from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballistic missiles to Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels .
While Tehran denies arming the Houthis , Western governments and weapons experts repeatedly have linked Iranian arms to the rebels .
Six Gulf Arab nations that backed the extension of the arms embargoes noted arms shipments to Yemen in their objection to the resumption of any weapon sales to Iran .
They also mentioned in a letter to the U.N. Security Council that Iran mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane in January and its navy accidentally killed 19 of its own sailors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.N. also linked Iran to a 2019 attack on Saudi Arabia ’ s main crude oil refinery , though Tehran denies any links and Yemen ’ s rebel Houthis claimed responsibility .
Sunday also marked the end of U.N. travel bans on a number of Iranian military and paramilitary Revolutionary Guard members .
Tensions between Iran and the U.S. reached fever pitch at the start of the year , when an American drone killed a top Iranian general in Baghdad .
Tehran retaliated with a ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran has steadily broken limits of the nuclear deal in an attempt to pressure Europe at salvaging the accord .
In recent months , provocations on both sides have slowed as President Donald Trump faces a re-election campaign against former Vice-President Joe Biden .
Biden has said he ’ s willing to offer Iran “ a credible path back to diplomacy ” if Tehran returns to “ strict compliance ” with the deal .
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai , United Arab Emirates , and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--China’s economy accelerates as virus recovery gains strength

BEIJING - China ’ s economic growth accelerated to 4.9 % over a year earlier in the latest quarter as @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic gathered strength .
China , where the outbreak began in December , became @ @ @ @ @ return to growth with a 3.2 % expansion in the quarter ending in June .
@ @ @ @ @ the year ’ s first quarter .
The ruling Communist Party began easing anti-disease controls @ @ @ @ @ and offices in March after declaring the virus under control but has kept monitoring and @ @ @ @ @ .
China has reported 4,634 coronavirus deaths and 85,685 confirmed cases , as well as @ @ @ @

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thetorontostar--2020-10-18--UN hopes meeting will raise $1 billion for key Sahel nations

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The U.N. humanitarian chief is hoping a major ministerial meeting Tuesday will not only raise $ 1 billion for the three countries at the epicenter of a humanitarian crisis in Africa ’ s Sahel region but also spur leaders to address the underlying causes , including increasing conflict and insecurity , weak governance and a lack of development .
Undersecretary-General Mark Lowcock said in an interview with The Associated Press that the troubling situation in Burkina Faso , Mali and Niger is a symptom “ of failure to deal with all of those causes of problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and climate change .
As a result , he said , “ we have a record number of people , more than 13 million , needing humanitarian assistance across the border areas of Burkina Faso , Mali and Niger , and most of them are children.
” The virtual ministerial meeting Tuesday -- hosted by Denmark , Germany , the European Union and the United Nations -- is aimed at spotlighting one of the world ’ s fastest growing humanitarian crises , so as to increase aid funding and put a stronger focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is timely because things are deteriorating at an alarming rate , ” he said .
“ Otherwise problems will compound and there ’ ll be a lot of loss of life.
” According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , which Lowcock heads , the $ 1.4 billion humanitarian appeal for the three countries is only 39 % funded for 2020 .
An estimated 7.4 million people are facing crisis levels of food insecurity during the current lean season , three time more than a year ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s people who don ’ t know how they will put food on the table for their family that day or the next day , and who have got acute malnutrition problems in the family , ” Lowcock said in Thursday ’ s interview .
Compared to the average of the last five years , acute food insecurity has increased by a staggering 514 % in Burkina Faso , 130 % in Mali and 144 % in Niger , his agency said .
“ What I hope is through this conference , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get up to about a billion dollars for 2020 , ” Lowcock said .
“ That will certainly enable us to keep the situation under control and contain the worst difficulties .
The question then is , are we going to sustain that into 2021-2022 ?
” He said the problems of the central Sahel will take time to address and one aim of Tuesday ’ s meeting is to “ get recognition that the wider world needs to engage for the long term in this region ” and that leaders must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people and dealing with the underlying problems.
” Lowcock said governments in the Sahel need to assert control over their territory , noting that “ large areas are now under control of extremist groups.
” But he stressed that this must be done in a way that doesn ’ t compound the problem , saying there are “ too many cases of military intervention being excessively violent , or not protecting people in this region at the moment.
” Lowcock said the Sahel is the only region in the world where all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting worse .
He called for more girls to go to school and stay there , a reduction in infant and maternal mortality , and improvements in clean water availability .
Lowcock said there must also be a recognition that traditional livelihoods in the Sahel -- subsistence agriculture and nomadic livestock grazing -- “ will not support the number of people there will be in the region in the decades ahead , not least because of climate change.
” As an example , he pointed to the evaporation of major environmental assets like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ shriveled puddle.
” More than 100 countries have moved from largely subsistence-based rural agriculture economies over the past few hundred years to economies developed in relation to cities , so there are models for Sahel countries to use in dealing with these problems , “ but at the moment , they ’ re not being taken up in an effective way , ” he said .
Lowcock said he fears that in Burkina Faso , Mali and Niger as well as three other Sahel countries — Cameroon , Chad and northeast Nigeria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tipping point ” where “ it starts to get dramatically more difficult to deal with the underlying causes.
” “ It ’ s a bit like a snowball rolling down the hill , ” he said , pointing to a twentyfold increase in the number of displaced people between 2018 and 2020 from 70,000 to 1.5 million in Burkina Faso , Mali and Niger while this year has seen the worst floods ever recorded in the region and the highest number of people in need of humanitarian assistance .
He also noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on aid workers this year and extremist groups have expanded their areas of operation .
There must be a recognition that extremist groups have an agenda that “ is inimical to the interests or livelihoods of ordinary people in the places they control , ” he said .
“ These are not problems that can be solved in the short term , but until you face up to them , recognize what you ’ re dealing with , and start talking about what the solutions can be , obviously you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ So you don ’ t get to choose where you have to start the journey , but you do have to take the first steps .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--New York shuts down Hasidic wedding that could have had 10,000 guests

NEW YORK—New York state health officials have taken extraordinary steps to shut down an ultra-Orthodox wedding planned for Monday that could have had brought up to 10,000 guests to Brooklyn , near one of New York City ’ s coronavirus hot spots .
The state health commissioner personally intervened to have sheriff ’ s deputies deliver the order to the Hasidic synagogue Friday , warning that it must follow health protocols , including limiting gatherings to fewer than 50 people .
On Sunday , the synagogue , Congregation Yetev Lev D ’ Satmar , accused state officials of “ unwarranted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grandson of Zalman Leib Teitelbaum , the synagogue ’ s rabbi , was to be married .
The congregation said the ceremony and meal would have been restricted to “ close family members , ” while the public would have been invited to participate only “ for a short period of time.
” The wedding will continue , the synagogue said , but will be limited to a smaller group of family members .
“ It ’ s sad that nobody verified our plans before attacking us , ” Chaim Jacobowitz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The state health commissioner , Dr. Howard Zucker , took the rare step of personally issuing what is known as a Section 16 order , which can carry a daily fine of $ 10,000 ( U.S. ) if violated .
The state has issued dozens of Section 16 orders during the pandemic .
Zucker moved quickly in issuing it because of concerns that the state ’ s normal first course of action , which involves a cease and desist letter and a hearing , would have been too late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a person familiar with the state ’ s actions .
State officials obtained an invitation to the wedding late last week and confirmed that some guests would be travelling there from hot spots within the state .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Sunday that a large wedding was too risky and could have resulted in a so-called superspreader event .
State officials said they determined that the wedding , which was scheduled to take place in the Williamsburg neighbourhood , could have had up to 10,000 people in attendance .
“ My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , ” Cuomo said at a news conference Sunday .
“ Next year , have a big wedding .
Invite me , and I ’ ll come.
” The episode highlighted the brewing tensions between the governor and the Hasidic community as state health officials try to control surging coronavirus cases in some neighbourhoods in Brooklyn and Queens and in counties north of New York City .
Some Orthodox voices , including a growing faction of raucous young men , have accused the government of targeting them because of their faith and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor ordered new shutdown restrictions in areas where cases were spiking .
Orthodox Jewish leaders announced a large community prayer scheduled for Tuesday in response to the shutdown of the wedding and the broader restrictions .
The event , which will take place via phone , is not a protest , the leaders said .
Cuomo said Sunday that the state ’ s efforts to control outbreaks had reduced the positivity rate in the targeted neighbourhoods , which he had divided into zones .
As of Saturday , the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the governor said , considerably lower than other states .
But the rate is 3.19 per cent in the areas with the highest infection rates , or “ red zones , ” which include neighbourhoods near Williamsburg .
The synagogue itself is not in a hot spot .
“ We are so aggressive every time we see the virus pop up — we run and hit it down , ” Cuomo said about the state ’ s strategy for controlling outbreaks .
“ It ’ s exhausting but it ’ s effective.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distrust of scientific messaging and secular authority , a dedication to communal life and dense living conditions — have fuelled the rise in the ultra-Orthodox community in the city .
While New York state has one of the lowest rates of new cases , health officials are worried about another spike in the colder months , when people largely stay indoors and can more easily spread the virus in confined spaces .
Cuomo noted Sunday that even relatively small events , such as a Sweet 16 party held on Long Island last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The birthday party had more than 80 guests — above the 50-person maximum — and led to at least 37 cases and many more people forced into quarantine .
In a similar episode , the Sheriff ’ s Office in New York City said that early Sunday morning , deputies broke up an illegal party of more than 215 people at a banquet hall in the Ozone Park area of Queens .
Those attending were dancing and not social distancing or wearing masks , authorities said .
Officials on Sunday announced seven more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total to more than 26,440 people .
“ We had the worst problem on the globe at one point , ” Cuomo said .
“ The numbers are all moving in the right direction .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Officials: 1 hospitalized in stabbing at Seattle-area temple

RENTON , Wash. - One person was hospitalized and others suffered minor injuries when a fight broke out among dozens @ @ @ @ @ near Seattle on Sunday , according to authorities .
One patient was taken to a @ @ @ @ @ the brawl at Gurudwara Singh Sabha in Renton , a Valley Medical Center spokesman told @ @ @ @ @ it did not expect to receive any more patients connected to the fight , KING-TV @ @ @ @ @ officers responded to a “ violent incident ” involving about 50 people at the temple @ @ @ @ @ said Sunday evening that the investigation remained ongoing .
The cause of the fight was @ @ @ @ @ video posted on social media showed a group of men gathered outside of the temple @ @ @ @ @ fire department personnel .
One man had what appeared to be blood on his white @ @ @ @ @ to have a minor injury near his eye , while two other men were bleeding @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--No more victims in Virginia explosion that hurt five, officials say

HARRISONBURG , Va. - Fire officials have determined there are no additional victims from a weekend explosion and fire that @ @ @ @ @ , the city of Harrisonburg announced Sunday night .
Two people were flown to University @ @ @ @ @ centre in serious condition after the explosion and fire rocked a strip mall Saturday morning @ @ @ @ @ message left Sunday with the medical centre was not immediately returned .
The three other @ @ @ @ @ “ The Harrisonburg Fire Department has completed its secondary search of the Miller Circle fire @ @ @ @ @ that there are no additional individuals on site who were harmed by the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ ” the city tweeted Sunday .
The blast was so strong that some residents reported @ @ @ @ @ businesses were forced to close due to damage , TV station WHSV reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ the cause is ongoing .
Officials said Saturday it would likely take several days .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Many homes likely lost in north-central Colorado fires

BOULDER , Colo. - Nearly 3,000 people were forced to flee from a fast-moving fire in north-central Colorado and authorities believe a large number of homes were destroyed .
The CalWood Fire started around noon Saturday near the Cal-Wood Education Center , which is about 17 miles ( 27 kilometres ) from downtown Boulder .
It was pushed by strong winds .
The National Center for Atmospheric Research ’ s Mesa lab recorded gusts of 59 mph ( 95 kph ) on Saturday .
More than 1,600 residences and nearly 3,000 people were under evacuation orders , including the small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Based on the path of the fire , officials believe it is likely that many homes were lost , Mike Wagner , the Boulder County sheriff ’ s division chief , said Sunday .
Wagner said damage assessment teams haven ’ t been able to get into the area to determine how many homes were lost .
A news photographer for the Daily Camera later captured several images of what appeared to be burned homes .
Courtney Walsh was one of those who lost her home , she told The Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 30-minute warning to gather up her children , animals and some belongings before sheriff ’ s deputies urged her to leave the house on Saturday afternoon .
“ We were just waiting and waiting , and you know there is Twitter and live feeds , ” she said Sunday .
“ Then we saw a picture from the National Weather Service , and it focused on our house burning .
So then we knew .
“ There were baby books that I didn ’ t grab , and I ’ m regretting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting tears .
“ Those are the one thing I always thought , ‘ I have to grab those if anything happens , ’ and I just didn ’ t .
I froze.
” Shannon Kiss said smoke from the CalWood fire started seeping into her condo near Gunbarrel on Friday night , so she and her 14-year-old daughter taped up the doors and placed towels and blankets on the floor .
“ We went outside and the ash was hitting our face , ” she told The Associated Press on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt almost like a windy rain , but it was ash hitting our face.
” On Saturday , they prepared to evacuate .
“ We saw the huge , billowing smoke coming from the foothills , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve seen ( fires ) in the distance in the mountains , but never a populated area .
Never this close.
” But by Saturday evening , it was clear the fire wouldn ’ t force them from their home .
The fire had burned nearly 14 square miles ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but more humid weather was expected to help fire crews .
“ Everyone is thrilled with the weather this morning , ” Jennifer Bray , spokesperson with the Boulder County Emergency Operations Center told The Denver Post on Sunday .
“ And hoping that will be a big help in their efforts today.
” The plan for Sunday was for aerial crews to hit the fire “ as hard as they can ” before winds picked up later in the day , Wagner said .
A fire that started Sunday on private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) northwest of Boulder and grew to just over one-third of a square mile ( 1 square kilometre ) led to the evacuation of at least 145 homes , including the small town of Ward , which has about 150 residents , Boulder County officials said .
Meanwhile , the Cameron Peak fire , which started in mid-August and is burning west of Fort Collins , has grown to 318 square miles ( 823 square kilometres ) and was 62 % contained on Sunday .
More than 1,500 firefighters are working the blaze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colorado history .
A spot fire east of the main Cameron Peak fire burned homes overnight Friday and into Saturday , Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith said in a Facebook post Sunday morning .
He said homes were lost in The Retreat in Glen Haven , but did not say how many .
The sheriff ’ s office will assess the damage and notify homeowners .
Winds were expected to be lighter on Sunday and some precipitation was in the forecast allowing fire crews to more aggressively fight the fire , fire information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist Sophia Tulp in Atlanta contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Refugees who assisted the U.S. military find the door to America slammed shut

WASHINGTON—The certificate of appreciation that Hanadi Al Haidari ’ s family received for providing shelter , food and translation services for the U.S. military still looks brand-new , without even a crease .
She keeps it next to her Iraqi passport in her new home in Denver .
The document is both proof of the risk the family took to assist American soldiers and a reminder of a promise unkept .
Al Haidari ’ s brother , Ahmed , whose work as a translator for the troops allowed his family to apply for a priority refugee visa to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East , struggling to support his nine-year-old son .
“ He just wants the basic rights of a normal person , ” Al Haidari said , adding that she did not blame any specific official or government for the delay in approval for her brother ’ s resettlement .
But she was also quick to note that her family ’ s displacement was rooted in the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the ensuing upheaval .
“ We wanted to come here because we don ’ t have a home , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a country anymore.
” The Trump administration had reserved 4,000 slots for Iraqi refugees who had helped American troops , contractors or news media or who are members of a persecuted minority group in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 .
It ultimately admitted only 161 Iraqis — or four per cent — to the United States , the lowest percentage of the four categories of refugees the administration authorized for resettlement last year .
While the coronavirus pandemic caused refugee flights to be cancelled for months , immigration lawyers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s initial refugee bans and expanded vetting of those fleeing persecution .
Of the 5,000 slots reserved for victims of religious persecution , 4,859 were filled — a reflection , perhaps , of the administration ’ s political priorities .
Al Haidari ’ s hopes for her family ’ s reunion dimmed further last month when Trump told Congress he planned to cut the cap on refugees for a fourth straight year .
The number of refugees admitted depends on the administration and world events , but the ceiling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the lowest in the program ’ s four decadelong history .
During the Obama administration , the cap was at least 70,000 a year .
The announcement came as Trump fell back on the kind of anti-immigration messaging that has been a staple of his campaigns , tarring refugees as threats to public safety and the economy , despite multiple studies debunking such generalizations .
He also used the issue to attack his Democratic opponent , former vice-president Joe Biden , who has proposed raising refugee admissions to 125,000 .
But families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political targets .
Veterans and active-duty service members fear that the exclusion of those who assisted the military from resettlement is the real threat to national security because such co-operation will be harder to come by in future conflicts .
More than 9,800 Iraqis were welcomed to the United States in 2016 , according to State Department data .
By the 2019 fiscal year , that was down to 465 .
“ If the message is sent that those who stepped up to help American service members were left behind , forgotten , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to significantly reduce the likelihood of people stepping forward in the future in other countries to help U.S. service members with their missions , ” said Allen Vaught , a former captain in the Army who served in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 .
Vaught has helped two Iraqis and their families resettle in Texas , his home state , where he served in the legislature from 2007 to 2011 .
Two other translators who helped his squad were executed , Vaught said .
He has spent years lobbying for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt in 2014 to escape retaliation from Iraqi militia groups .
At least 110,000 Iraqis are waiting to be approved as refugees based on their assistance to U.S. authorities , according to resettlement organizations .
“ Anyone who worked with U.S. forces had a scarlet letter , ” Vaught said .
“ They had a mark on their head .
And the way they killed them was gruesome .
One of my translators was burned alive .
We ’ ve got a lot of things to make right.
” The administration tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only by reducing the overall cap on admissions but also by empowering local governments to block resettlement in their communities , a move that has been halted while opponents litigate it in the courts .
Those seeking refuge in the United States have long had to undergo multiple interviews with immigration officers and organizations contracted by the Department of State to obtain approval to travel to the United States .
In Iraq , those interviews were slowed last year by the withdrawal of non-essential employees from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refugees and their families .
Applicants from 11 countries — most of them with Muslim majorities — have to wait for their social media accounts to be vetted , exacerbating delays .
Their relatives , including children , have been subjected to additional security screenings .
And refugees have been asked to provide phone numbers and addresses dating back 10 years instead of five — no easy task for a family that may have been searching for a permanent residence for years , according to a report published this month by the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It creates a really convenient feedback loop if you actually don ’ t want to admit refugees , ” said Becca Heller , the group ’ s executive director .
The Department of State ’ s press office said in a statement that the agency needed to conduct the additional security screenings to ensure that those being allowed to resettle in the country had been properly vetted .
Vaught ’ s former translator , now in Egypt , is caught in that loop , waiting to clear security checks even after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States in 2017 .
The translator earned the support of the troops he helped .
In an interview , he asked to be identified as Sam , the nickname Vaught ’ s team gave him .
“ I believe it is too dangerous for him to work in Fallujah any longer , ” an army officer wrote in a 2004 memo requesting that the army relocate Sam .
“ He has been loyal and trustworthy and deserves our appreciation.
” That same year , a militia group fired more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bomb at his home , according to written testimony he provided in a lawsuit against the administration ’ s expanded vetting .
He decided he needed to get away from his wife and two daughters for their safety .
After bouncing from home to home in Iraq , he escaped in 2014 to Egypt , where he hoped to complete the refugee process .
Sam said he still feared for his family ’ s safety .
“ Even death is better than the situation I ’ m in , ” he said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my integrity with all of this.
” Another path to the United States for Iraqis and Afghans who assisted the military is to apply for a special immigration visa , but that program has also faced extensive delays .
Despite a congressional mandate that the State and Homeland Security departments process the visas within nine months , more than 8,000 applicants have been stalled longer than that , according to IRAP , which is fighting the delays in court .
Sibghatullah Nooristani , an Afghan translator for the U.S. military , requested a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave Afghanistan in 2013 .
As the delays mounted , he eventually reached out on Facebook to someone he had worked with in the military , Marc Silvestri .
Silvestri , 42 , had served in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 and promised to help .
He could not believe the process was taking so long , as Nooristani ’ s family faced death threats for helping U.S. troops .
Silvestri contacted members of Congress and community members in Revere , Mass.
, to build support for Nooristani ’ s case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Airport in June , a group of police officers , members of the Revere City Council and Silvestri ’ s family were there to greet him .
“ Our government has left so many of them behind , ” said Silvestri , director of veteran services for Revere .
“ These people have actually served your country already .
Let ’ s give these guys a shot.
” Nooristani is fearful for his brother-in-law , who remains overseas .
It is the same concern that has made Hanadi Al Haidari ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passing each security screening , Al Haidari , her parents and her brother were separately approved to travel to the United States .
Al Haidari arrived first in 2016 , and her parents two weeks later .
She said immigration officials told the family her brother would be cleared to travel in the coming weeks .
Then Trump signed his initial ban on refugees , and her brother has been caught in the bureaucracy of expanded vetting .
Al Haidari said her mother remained glued to television news , listening for new policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son to come to the United States .
Al Haidari has taken on multiple jobs to care for her ailing parents in her four years in the United States .
She has balanced 10-hour triage shifts at a nearby emergency room and methadone clinic while studying for a pharmacist exam , sending extra money to her brother overseas when she can .
“ The only thing I want from life now is to see my brother here , ” Al Haidari said .
She often spends her free time volunteering at the local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived refugees .
Her language skills initially made her a constant presence there .
But as Trump has shrivelled the refugee program , there is hardly anyone left to help .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Singapore man granted asylum in US faces child porn charges

CHICAGO - A blogger from Singapore who was granted asylum to stay in the U.S. faces child pornography charges , according to prosecutors .
Amos Yee appeared Friday in court in Chicago on solicitation and possession of child pornography , according to the Chicago Sun-Times .
He was being held on $ 1 million bail .
If the 20-year-old is convicted , he could lose his asylum status .
He was taken into custody Thursday at his Chicago home .
In 2016 , Yee was detained at O ’ Hare International Airport after fleeing Singapore .
His online posts mocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in jail .
He was granted asylum i n September 2017 .
Prosecutors alleged he exchanged messages with a 14-year-old Texas girl last year that included nude photos .
He also allegedly used his now-defunct YouTube channel to advocate for pedophilia , according to prosecutors .
In court , Yee ’ s assistant public defender called him an “ internet troll ” who ’ s “ all over the internet saying fantastic things.
” Yee made several attempts to defend himself during the hearing , prompting his assistant public defender to tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ according to the newspaper .
Yee has been banned from using the internet while awaiting trial .
His next court date was set for Nov. 5 .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Longtime Minnesota sports columnist Sid Hartman dies at 100

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota sports columnist and radio personality Sid Hartman , an old-school home team booster who once ran the NBA ’ s Minneapolis Lakers and achieved nearly as much celebrity as some of the athletes he covered , died Sunday .
He was 100 .
Hartman , whose first newspaper column was published in 1945 , died surrounded by his family , Star Tribune sports editor Chris Carr said .
“ It ’ s a sad day , ” Carr told The Associated Press .
“ He is the Star Tribune in many ways , at least in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing life that even at 100 and a half years old , he passes away and we still can ’ t believe it.
” He kept up his age-defying pace even after his 100th birthday party on March 15 was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Hartman continued to write three columns per week for the Star Tribune as a centenarian , four during football season , and served as co-host of a Sunday morning radio show on WCCO-AM in Minneapolis .
“ I have followed the advice that if you love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day in your life , ” Hartman wrote in his column published on his 100th birthday .
“ Even at 100 , I can say I still love what I do.
” Hartman grew up poor on Minneapolis ’ tough north side , the son of a Russian immigrant father and Latvian mother who at age 9 began selling newspapers on downtown street corners .
He dropped out of high school in the 10th grade for a news run , picking up papers and leaving them in drop boxes .
In 1944 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an internship on the sports desk at the old Minneapolis Times .
A year later , he was in print with a roundup of news and notes , a style he continued throughout his career .
Hartman always called himself a reporter , not a writer .
After the Times folded in 1948 , Hartman went to work at the Minneapolis Tribune covering his beloved University of Minnesota .
Former Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant recalled attending the university after World War II and running into Hartman on Hartman ’ s first day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife became friends with Hartman , and when Grant announced his first retirement as Vikings coach in 1984 , he shared the scoop only with Hartman .
“ They ’ d say ‘ off-the-record , ’ and to Sid that was off-the-record .
He never broke a confidence , with anybody I ever knew , ” Grant once said .
Hartman was an unapologetic throwback to the days when the wall between sportswriters and the teams and players they covered was not as defined .
Colleagues referred to “ Sid ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and no one else .
“ It was kind of the Wild West , and Sid was the top gunfighter , ” said Dave Mona , Hartman ’ s “ Sports Huddle ” co-host since the WCCO-AM radio program debuted in 1981 .
Often because of the favourable coverage he gave to local sports teams , Hartman was granted unparalleled behind-the-scenes access to players , coaches and executives .
He was given free rein to roam where he wanted , when he wanted .
Hartman was instrumental in helping lure pro teams to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” ( co-written with fellow Star Tribune sports columnist Patrick Reusse ) , Hartman wrote that in 1947 he offered $ 15,000 to the owner of the Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League for the franchise , then went to Detroit to deliver the check .
The team became the Minneapolis Lakers , and Hartman was the de facto general manager .
Led by big man George Mikan , the Lakers won the NBL championship in their first season and five NBA championships .
Hartman left the Lakers operation in 1957 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles in 1960 .
He did all that while continuing his newspaper work , a blatant conflict-of-interest by today ’ s standards but an accepted practice in those days .
Yet he always tried to outwork other reporters for scoops .
He was a familiar sight at most games and news conferences , lugging a large , clunky , outdated tape recorder and a thick , black book stuffed with pages of phone numbers .
From George Steinbrenner to Bob Knight to Pete Carroll , Hartman ’ s rolodex has long been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hartman ’ s distinctive gruff , slurred speech and malaprops made him a favourite of listeners , media colleagues and the players and coaches he covered to imitate .
On the radio , Hartman would sometime hang up on or chastise callers — “ geniuses , ” as Hartman called them — who voiced opinions he disagreed with .
Despite his reputation as a curmudgeon , Hartman was routinely approached by fans for autographs and always obliged them .
In 2010 , to mark his 90th birthday , a statute showing Hartman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversized tape recorder and with a Star Tribune tucked under his arm was unveiled on a corner outside Target Center , the home of the NBA ’ s Minnesota Timberwolves .
“ Part of my job was to bring him into the ’ 80s .
Sometimes he came fairly easily and sometimes he didn ’ t , ” said former Star Tribune editor Tim McGuire .
“ He always was too much of a booster , and he loved his Gophers .
But he was always a newsman.
” Hartman also was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he thought cut into expenditures for men ’ s sports at University of Minnesota .
“ It ’ s archaic , ” former Star Tribune sports editor Glen Crevier said of Hartman ’ s attitude in 2009 , “ but at least he doesn ’ t write negatively about them anymore .
He just avoids them.
” Hartman ’ s son , Chad , followed his father into sports reporting , as play-by-play announcer for the Timberwolves and a local talk show host .
When his 100th birthday column was published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ byline count at 21,149 .
Baenen retired from the AP in September after a 42-year career with the company .
Associated Press writers Dave Campbell in Minneapolis and Dave Kolpack in Bismarck , N.D. , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Baby born after pregnant mom fatally shot dies 4 days later

CHICAGO - A newborn boy delivered after his mother was fatally shot last week in Chicago has died , authorities @ @ @ @ @ said the baby died Saturday .
He was 4 days old .
He was delivered @ @ @ @ @ his mother , 35-year-old Stacey Jones , was shot twice in the back while standing @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s South Side .
She was eight months pregnant and pronounced dead at @ @ @ @ @ other two children were sleeping inside the home and were unharmed , according to the @ @ @ @ @ to Chicago from Tennessee two years ago and had accepted a position as a Cook @ @ @ @ @ father , Tommy Baker , said .
“ You took something from my family , @ @ @ @ @ my heart , my firstborn , the sweetest little thing , “ Baker told the @ @ @ @ @ s a loss that I ’ ll never get over.
” No charges have been @ @ @ @ @ interest was questioned last week and released without charges .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Cruise ship rescues 24 people from boat off Florida coast

MIAMI - A Carnival Cruise Line ship rescued two dozen people , including two children , from a sinking boat @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) off the Florida coast , the cruise line reported Saturday .
It was @ @ @ @ @ smaller boat came under distress , but its passengers were taken on board the Carnival @ @ @ @ @ taking on water .
They were given life jackets , food , water and blankets @ @ @ @ @ the passengers were later transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard .
The cruise ship was @ @ @ @ @ off the coast of Palm Beach when it came upon the struggling boat , whose @ @ @ @ @ , cruise line officials said .
They were evaluated and quarantined from the crew .
@ @ @ @ @ t yet in service and had no guests on board when it came to the @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Long lines as Missouri medical marijuana dispensaries open

ST. LOUIS - Missouri ’ s first licensed marijuana dispensaries opened this weekend in the St. Louis area with long lines .
The two dispensaries run by N ’ Bliss opened Saturday in Ellisville and Manchester .
Another dispensary is expected to open Monday in the Kansas City area nearly two years after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment to allow the sale of medical marijuana .
To buy the drug , people need approval from a doctor and a state medical marijuana card .
Prices are expected to be high initially because the supply is limited in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charging $ 125 for an eighth of an ounce of marijuana when it opened Saturday .
Kim Haller said she stood in line Saturday because she has long been frustrated with the high cost of medications and injections she uses to treat her multiple sclerosis .
Recently , Haller said she had been buying marijuana from a licensed caregiver .
“ It helps with my spasticity , which means my muscles don ’ t move like I like them to , and sleep , ” Haller , 54 , of St. Peters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the Kansas City area , Brenda Dougherty said she hopes to be one of Fresh Green ’ s first customers when it opens this week in Lee ’ s Summit .
The 57-year-old from Warrensburg said she believes marijuana will help relieve her chronic pain condition .
“ I don ’ t want to take any more pills , ” she said .
“ I know this will help .
To be quite honest , I have tried it and , yes , it does help.
” The Missouri Department of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s 192 approved dispensaries to be open by the end of the year .
“ Missouri patients have always been our North Star as we work to implement the state ’ s medical marijuana program , ” Dr. Randall Williams , department director , said in a news release .
“ We greatly appreciate how hard everyone has worked so that patients can begin accessing a safe and well-regulated program .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Israel, Bahrain sign deal establishing formal ties

JERUSALEM - Israel and Bahrain on Sunday agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations , making the small Gulf country the fourth Arab state to normalize ties with Israel .
The U.S.-brokered agreement capped a one-day visit by a high-level delegation of American and Israeli officials to Bahrain .
Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates at a festive White House ceremony last month marking the “ Abraham Accords , ” a pair of U.S.-brokered diplomatic pacts with Israel .
While the UAE ’ s deal with Israel formally established ties , the agreement with Bahrain was less detailed and included a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s visit appeared to complete that task , clearing the way for the countries to open embassies and exchange ambassadors in the coming months .
“ It was indeed an historic visit , to start opening relations between both countries , to have fruitful bilateral relations in both fields , ” said Bahrain ’ s foreign minister , Abdullatif al-Zayani , at the signing ceremony .
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s national security adviser , Meir Ben-Shabbat , led the delegations .
“ Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing closer ties between the countries , ” Ben-Shabbat said .
“ We were accepted with open arms , with warmth and cordiality.
” “ This is an important step in stability in the region , in bring prosperity to all the people in the region and in the countries , ” added Mnuchin .
Israel ’ s agreements with the UAE and Bahrain have marked diplomatic victories for the Trump administration and for Netanyahu .
But they have come under heavy criticism from the Palestinians , who have long counted on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should come only after the Palestinians achieve an independent state of their own .
The agreements reflect a shifting Middle East , in which shared concerns about Iran and business opportunities have overshadowed the Palestinian issue .
The Palestinians have severed ties with the White House , accusing it of being unfairly biased toward Israel .
U.S. officials have in turn cultivated ties between Israel and Arab states , hoping to increase pressure on the Palestinians to reduce past demands in peace talks .
Bahraini civil society groups and opposition figures , already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have also spoken out against normalization with Israel .
Israel ’ s commercial El Al flight 973 — a nod to the international dialing code for Bahrain — flew through Saudi Arabia ’ s airspace en route to Manama .
Although Saudi Arabia has not normalized ties with Israel , it has signalled tacit support for the moves by its Gulf neighbours , which reflect shared concerns about Iran .
The El Al flight landed at Bahrain International Airport on Sunday afternoon .
The kingdom ’ s state-owned television channels did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s state-run news agency later published pictures of the arrival , acknowledging the Israeli officials were there to sign documents “ establishing diplomatic relations between the kingdom of Bahrain and the state of Israel , in addition to a number of memoranda of understanding in the areas of joint co-operation.
” In a rare recording , the Islamic State group condemned the move toward normalization with Israel , identifying the UAE and Bahrain and also accusing Saudi Arabia of showing “ subservience to crusaders ” and Jews .
“ Here now , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking freely in your streets and countries , feeling safe and secure with approval from your tyrants and supported by your edicts , ” said the group ’ s spokesman , Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi .
He also called for attacks to undermine the Saudi economy .
It was the first recording by al-Qurayshi in about a year .
Egypt and Jordan are the only other two Arab states to sign diplomatic treaties with Israel , in 1979 and 1994 , respectively .
Other Arab countries could follow suit , with analysts and insiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possibilities .
The trip to Bahrain on Sunday also came as U.N. arms embargoes on Iran expired despite American objections .
Bahrain , like several other Gulf Arab nations , views Iran as the most serious threat to its security in the Persian Gulf .
The Israeli delegation was slated to fly back to Tel Aviv later Sunday , while the Americans will head to the UAE before flying to Israel on Tuesday .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--PG&E lacked basic training before California blackouts

SAN FRANCISCO - When Pacific Gas & Electric cut power to large swaths of wildfire-prone Northern California last fall , few of the emergency personnel managing the blackouts for the nation ’ s largest utility had learned the fundamentals of managing an emergency in their home state .
The utility entered 2019 planning to “ de-energize ” its aging electric grid during autumn windstorms , so that downed lines couldn ’ t spark a blaze .
Yet among the hundreds of people who handled the blackouts from PG & E ’ s emergency operations centre , only a handful had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that California has used for a generation , The Associated Press found .
Predictably enough , the October 2019 outages brought chaos from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Sierra Nevada , as more than 2 million people lost power .
Computers went dark , phones stopped working as did gas pumps , elevators , traffic lights , water pumps , stoves , medical devices — the list seemed endless .
Fast forward to this fall .
PG & E ’ s catchphrase for the blackouts is “ smaller , shorter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three power shutoffs so far have indeed been smoother .
That improvement reflects more than just infrastructure upgrades and a year to finetune .
Chastened by its failures and required by state regulators , PG & E sought the training it had neglected .
As its name suggests , the Standardized Emergency Management System helps institutions as different as a massive utility and a rural county enter a public disaster with a built-in plan .
The blueprint covers a range of issues , including how to share information and how to structure emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common vocabulary -- an important tool given the collision of jargon and acronyms when jurisdictions converge .
Responding to a disaster requires improvisation , much like a jazz band performance , said Chris Godley , director of emergency management in fire-besieged Sonoma County .
An untrained PG & E last year was like having a stranger come to the show with their instrument , “ walk onto the stage and just jump into the middle of the song.
” That might work if the new player has skills .
When it came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
Others likened the dynamic to a team that shows up without knowing the rules of the game , or an aircraft pilot who doesn ’ t communicate with air traffic control .
The revelation of just how unprepared the utility was comes as PG & E tries to repair damage done by a decade of criminal recklessness and coverups that culminated in wildfires which killed more than 140 people and destroyed nearly 28,000 homes and other buildings .
PG & E spent 17 months in bankruptcy court hashing out $ 25.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastation it wreaked .
Hoping to avoid even more calamity , PG & E embraced training , turning to state experts for online sessions that introduce the Standardized Emergency Management System .
During 2020 , about 90 % of the 676 workers in its emergency centres have completed the required initial training , the utility told AP in a statement .
“ We ’ ve already seen the value of this transition , ” according to the statement , “ and expect to continue evolving our maturity as we move through the remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management System grew from a catastrophic 1991 fire that raged through the Oakland hills , across the bay from PG & E ’ s San Francisco headquarters .
Paralyzed by inadequate planning , first responders from dozens of jurisdictions fought confusion , broken or overloaded communication channels , and bottlenecks on narrow streets as they tried to tame the flames .
More than 3,000 homes burned and 25 people were killed .
Breakdowns in the response were for California what 9-11 would be a decade later for emergency communications systems -- a catalyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet instead of learning California ’ s long-established language and customs , when PG & E started contemplating in 2018 how to handle intentional blackouts it developed its own emergency management curriculum , one tailored to the utility industry .
That contrasted with training requirements at California ’ s two next largest utilities -- Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric .
San Diego Gas & Electric considers the Standardized Emergency Management System “ absolutely foundational ” during intentional blackouts , said Augie Ghio , a former firefighter who is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management .
“ Everyone has been trained in it , so there is no confusion when we pull the trigger , ” Ghio said .
PG & E has described San Diego Gas & Electric as its role model for managing planned outages .
Yet in an answer PG & E gave in January as part of legal discovery amid a state investigation into the 2019 blackouts , the utility described its standards like this : “ While PG & E typically staffs certain EOC ( emergency operations centre ) roles with individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently no positions within the EOC organization structure that require prior emergency management experience , qualifications , or certification.
” In its statement to AP , the utility said “ several ” emergency management specialists and leaders had -- on their own -- studied the Standardized Emergency Management System prior to this year .
Asked for a specific number , PG & E did not answer .
PG & E ’ s ignorance of basic protocols was “ hugely significant ” last year , according to a top official at the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation .
“ Everybody was basically acting as co-pilots to them because they couldn ’ t manage it , ” said Rachel Peterson , acting executive director of the California Public Utilities Commission .
“ The lawyers were playing a big role , which is not what you want in an emergency.
” While the commission ’ s investigation may stretch into next year , according to recently filed documents , state officials immediately concluded that PG & E needed to ensure all its emergency personnel were trained .
The fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure of common sense , ” said Megan Somogyi , an attorney representing a coalition of local governments which have pressed state regulators to hold PG & E accountable .
Somogyi likened the complexity of managing intentional outages to launching an astronaut .
In this case , without consulting experts who have done it many times before .
“ You ’ re not going to use any of NASA ’ s research , or their launch pad , ” she said .
“ You are going to build a rocket in your backyard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pritchard reported from Los Angeles .
Contact him at https : //twitter.com/lalanewsman .

Michael Liedtke And Justin Pritchard - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--Over 50,000 march in Belarus against authoritarian leader

KYIV , Ukraine - Tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Belarus ’ capital on Sunday , demanding the ouster of the country ’ s authoritarian leader who won his sixth term in office in an election widely seen as rigged .
More than 50,000 people took part in the rally in Minsk , according to the Viasna human rights centre .
Demonstrators carried banners mocking President Alexander Lukashenko , who has run the country for 26 years , and chanted “ Go away !
” Mass protests have rocked Belarus since the Aug. 9 presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the vote .
His main challenger , Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , got 10 % .
She and her supporters refused to recognize the results , saying the outcome of the vote was manipulated .
Authorities tried to quell the unrest with mass detentions and police dispersing crowds with truncheons , stun grenades and water cannons .
On Monday , the country ’ s Interior Ministry threatened to use firearms against the protesters “ if need be , ” saying that the rallies “ have become organized and extremely radical.
” However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is the first march since the authorities threatened to use firearms .
But even that didn ’ t stop the protest , which transforms into different forms , but doesn ’ t die down , ” Viasna leader Ales Bialiatski said .
Tsikhanouskaya , who is currently in exile in Lithuania after leaving the country in fear for her safety , threatened on Tuesday to call a nationwide strike unless Lukashenko announces his resignation , releases political prisoners and stops the crackdown on protesters .
“ If our demands aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire country will peacefully take to the streets , ” Tsikhanouskaya said in a statement .
“ On Oct. 26 , a national strike of all enterprises will begin , all roads will be blocked , sales in state-owned stores will collapse.
“ Protestors on Sunday marched down one of Minsk ’ s main avenues , where plants and factories are located , and chanted “ Strike !
” and “ The workers are with the people.
” The city centre was blocked off by water cannons and armoured vehicles , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the streets .
Several subway stations were closed , and mobile internet wasn ’ t working in the area of the march .
“ Lukashenko understands that if there hadn ’ t been all these artificial obstacles , the entire Minsk would have come out ( to rally ) , ” said Valery Karbalevich , an independent political analyst in Minsk .
“ Despite the threats of using firearms and intimidation by the KGB ( Belarus ’ State Security Committee ) , people take to the streets — the protests are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political crisis in Belarus is in full swing , “ Karbalevich said .
“ Let ’ s continue to express our demands peacefully and persistently — it is yielding results , “ she said , adding that authorities have released Ilya Salei , the lawyer of Tsikhanouskaya ’ s top associate , Maria Kolesnikova , from detention .
Kolesnikova was jailed last month on charges of undermining state security that could bring a five-year prison term if she ’ s convicted .
Salei was detained in September as well in relation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the protests on Sunday took place in several big cities , including Brest , Grodno , Gomel and Vitebsk .
Scores of demonstrators have been detained across the country : the list of detained protesters released by the Viasna centre on Sunday evening had over 150 names on it .


thetorontostar--2020-10-18--2nd-tier soccer game postponed in Spain after positive tests

MADRID - The Spanish second-division soccer match between Alcorcón and Ponferradina was postponed on Sunday after four coronavirus cases for @ @ @ @ @ Spanish league said those who tested positive — players and staff members — were asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ positive cases were detected on Saturday .
The game was called off a few hours @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
It was the first match postponed because of the coronavirus this season @ @ @ @ @ divisions of Spanish soccer .
Alcorcón , sitting 18th in the 22-team second tier , @ @ @ @ @ ineligible players in a league game against Zaragoza .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--New tropical depression forms over central Atlantic

MIAMI - A new tropical depression formed Monday morning over the central Atlantic , the latest in a very active @ @ @ @ @ has maximum sustained winds near 35 mph ( 55 kph ) .
But the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ strengthening is expected and the depression could become a tropical storm later in the day @ @ @ @ @ hurricane strength by Thursday .
The depression is centred about 720 miles ( 1,155 kilometres @ @ @ @ @ If the depression becomes a tropical storm , it would be named Epsilon .
This @ @ @ @ @ has had so many storms that the Hurricane Center has turned to the Greek alphabet @ @ @ @ @ out of official names .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Greece finalizes plan to build wall on border with Turkey

ATHENS , Greece - Greece ’ s government says it has finalized plans to extend a wall along its northeast border with Turkey , over concerns that migrants may try to stage mass crossings into the European Union country .
Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Monday that 26 kilometres ( 16 miles ) of wall would be added to an existing 10-kilometre ( six-mile ) section in a 63-million-euro ( $ 74 million ) project due to be completed by the end of April .
A standoff occurred at the border earlier this year after Turkey said it would no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU , and tens of thousands tried to cross into Greece .
The two countries are also at odds over energy rights in the eastern Mediterranean in a dispute that has triggered a dangerous military buildup in the region and fears of conflict .
Four Greek construction companies have been selected to build the new wall and upgrade the existing section of fencing , running along or close to the Evros River , which forms much of the border between the two countries .
The wall will be made using galvanized square steel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece ’ s public order ministry .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the border region on Saturday after a test installation of a section of the new wall .
The number of migrants and refugees travelling from Turkey to Greece fell sharply this year during the pandemic and after the border standoff prompted tougher border policing .
Turkey has accused Greece of illegally pushing back migrants reaching its islands in the eastern Aegean Sea , a charge that Athens denies .
Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees worldwide , at nearly 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the U.N .
Refugee Agency .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Police: Suspect accused of wounding officer is fatally shot

EAST RIDGE , Tenn. - Police fatally shot a suspect accused of shooting a Tennessee officer during a traffic stop @ @ @ @ @ Ridge Police Corporal Terry Prescott was wounded Sunday afternoon after stopping a red Dodge Challenger @ @ @ @ @ a CVS pharmacy , police told news outlets .
Police Chief Stan Allen said the @ @ @ @ @ Christopher J. Kitts , 43 , jumped out of the Challenger , fired several shots @ @ @ @ @ car and then drove away .
Prescott was taken to a hospital and listed in @ @ @ @ @ State Patrol later located the deserted Challenger across the state line in a subdivision in @ @ @ @ @ agencies conducted an extensive air and ground search and found Kitts , who engaged officers @ @ @ @ @ he was shot , East Ridge Police said Monday morning in a statement on Facebook @ @ @ @ @ at the scene .
Police did not say where Kitts was shot , but the @ @ @ @ @ enforcement actions inside Georgia would likely come from Catoosa County officials .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--UK festival curator accuses UAE minister of sex assault

LONDON - The chair of Britain ’ s Hay literary festival said Sunday the event will not return to Abu Dhabi after one of the festival ’ s curators alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the tolerance minister of the United Arab Emirates while working with him .
Lawyers for the minister later denied her account .
Caitlin McNamara alleged she was attacked in February by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan , a member of Abu Dhabi ’ s ruling family , the Sunday Times reported .
The Times said McNamara , who had travelled to the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ literary festival there , claimed she was assaulted by the sheikh when they met at a remote island villa .
British lawyers for Sheikh Nahyan denied McNamara ’ s account , saying he was “ surprised and saddened by this allegation.
” The Foreign Ministry of the UAE , a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula also home to Dubai , said it does not comment on personal matters .
When asked about the case , Britain ’ s Metropolitan Police confirmed that a woman contacted the force on July 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said an initial statement has been taken from her .
The Associated Press does not usually name sexual assault victims , but McNamara agreed to be identified by the Sunday Times , which ran her picture on the front page .
Hay Festival chair Caroline Michel said her colleagues are committed to supporting McNamara in seeking legal action and said the festival will not return to Abu Dhabi while the sheikh remains in his post .
“ What happened to our friend and colleague Caitlin McNamara in Abu Dhabi last February was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trust and position , “ Michel said in a statement .
“ Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan made a mockery of his ministerial responsibilities and tragically undermined his government ’ s attempt to work with Hay Festival to promote free speech and female empowerment , ” she added .
The sheikh ’ s ministry paid for the four-day festival in Abu Dhabi , which took place in late February and featured several famous authors .
Sheikh Nahyan has received international attention as the Emirates hosted Pope Francis and moves toward normalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this Muslim-ruled nation .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Liam Neeson’s ‘Honest Thief’ notches No. 1 at box office

LOS ANGELES - Liam Neeson ’ s thriller “ Honest Thief ” stole the top spot at the box office @ @ @ @ @ of moviegoing .
The Open Roads Films movie brought in $ 3.7 million in North @ @ @ @ @ U.S. debut .
The film , starring Neeson as a notorious bank robber who turns @ @ @ @ @ crossed by two FBI agents , opened in Canada last week .
The film also @ @ @ @ @ Miami , Chicago , San Diego and Atlanta , according to the studio .
“ @ @ @ @ @ The War with Grandpa , ” which claimed No .
1 last week .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ comedy starring Robert De Niro earned $ 2.5 million .
It has garnered $ 7.3 @ @ @ @ @ timespan .
Christopher Nolan ’ s “ Tenet ” came in third with $ 1.6 @ @ @ @ @ John David Washington and Robert Pattinson has totalled $ 50.6 million in the U.S .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--‘Clouds’ by teen who died of cancer hits No. 1 on iTunes

MINNEAPOLIS - Seven years after his death to cancer at age 18 , a Minnesota singer-songwriter has returned to the top of the iTunes chart with his inspirational tune “ Clouds.
” The Star Tribune reports that “ Clouds ” by Zach Sobiech took over iTunes ’ No .
1 slot from Justin Bieber on Sunday , two days after the Hollywood movie of the same name based on Sobiech ’ s life premiered on Disney+ .
The ranking is based on downloads of the song .
The profits which will add to the $ 2 million already raised for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foundation .
The single first climbed to the top of iTunes in 2013 , shortly after the Stillwater-area teenager ’ s death .
He had been diagnosed with bone cancer four years earlier .
By that point , the YouTube video that led to the song ’ s ascent had been viewed 4 million times .
It ’ s up over 15 million now .
The song also went to No .
26 on Billboard ’ s Hot 100 chart and No .
3 on the rock singles chart .
The movie is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Little Higher ” by Zach ’ s mother , Laura Sobiech .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Lithuanians with COVID-19, self-isolating vote in drive-ins

VILNIUS , Lithuania - Lithuanians started voting Monday in the second round of a national election , with some of them casting ballots from their cars in special drive-in polling stations amid a local spike in COVID-19 .
Voters arrived alone in their vehicles as instructed , wore face masks and dropped their votes into ballot boxes .
There are four such drive-in stations in Lithuania .
Only those in isolation and on an official list can vote that way until Thursday .
All other registered voters can cast their ballots in the runoff at regular polling stations on Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I only wish they would have done this from the very start and many more could have voted in the first round , ” said Jonas , a former teacher who declined to give his last name .
The opposition conservative Homeland Union party claimed victory in the first round of the election , which was held on Oct. 11 , while the Farmers and Greens Union , which forms the backbone of the current governing coalition , came in second .
Analysts believe Homeland Union will be successful in the runoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition in the 141-seat assembly .
Under Lithuania ’ s election system , the remaining 68 lawmakers will be elected in a proportional vote in the second round .
So far , Lithuania has recorded 7,726 coronavirus cases and 113 deaths .
Earlier this year , Czechs citizens also cast their ballots from their cars , a measure forced by the coronavirus pandemic , in one of the 156 drive-in temporary voting stations across the country for those quarantined because of COVID-19 infections .
Follow all of AP ’ s pandemic coverage at @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Copenhagen lord mayor resigns after sexual harassment cases

Copenhagen ’ s lord mayor is stepping down after 11 years in the job and and as deputy leader of Denmark ’ s governing Social Democratic Party following admissions that he sexually harassed women during social gatherings .
“ I have decided to resign as mayor so that my party has plenty of time to find my replacement ahead of the next local elections , ” Frank Jensen said .
Jensen has publicly apologized for his behaviour , which is reported to have occurred over the past 30 years .
He said alcohol was often involved .
The next municipal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 2021 .
Jensen , 59 , a former justice minister , said the pressure had become too great in recent days .
On Sunday , he had got the backing of the party in Copenhagen and told a news conference that he wanted to continue as mayor .
But later in the day , Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen , the leader of the Social Democrats , said : “ It is obvious that we in the Social Democrats have problems .
That needs to change now.
” Jensen told a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down was his own and he was not pressured to resign .
Frederiksen said on Facebook that it was “ the correct decision.
” In August , a popular female television host told an award ceremony that during a Christmas party 12 years earlier , an man whom she didn ’ t name had made sexual suggestions to her and added that he could destroy her career .
Since then , scores of examples of sexual harassment have surfaced in Denmark in all walks of life , including in politics .
Jensen has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The position has been held by his party since 1938 .
The lord mayor is the political head of a administrative system presided over by six other mayors .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Pakistan police arrest son-in-law of exiled former premier

KARACHI , Pakistan - Pakistani police arrested the son-in-law of the country ’ s exiled former Nawaz Sharif on Monday after he led a crowd in chanting against the military at the tomb of the country ’ s founder .
The arrest of Mohammad Safdar comes as Sharif ’ s Pakistan Muslim League party has joined a series of nationwide protests against the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan .
His arrest drew condemnation from the opposition , which said authorities wanted to target Sharif ’ s family .
Police detained Safdar at a Karachi hotel room where he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who addressed a large anti-government rally Sunday .
Safdar on Sunday had visited the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah , who led independence movement to get a separate homeland from Britain in 1947 when united India was divided into two countries : India and Pakistan .
Jinnah remains a revered figure in Muslim-majority Pakistan , with his tomb often drawing politicians and leaders .
While at the tomb , Safdar led a crowd in chanting : “ Give respect to the vote !
” That slogan is viewed in Pakistan as criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled the country of 220 million people — directly or indirectly — for most of its history .
Chanting political slogans at Jinnah ’ s tomb is widely considered taboo .
Police say they arrested Safdar , himself a member of the Pakistan Muslim League party , after receiving a complaint from a citizen alleging he was harassed .
Hours after Safdar ’ s arrest , his politician wife Maryam Safdar told a news conference that police forcibly entered her room to take her husband away .
She alleged Karachi police were being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to suppress their voice , implying the military had a hand in her husband ’ s arrest .
She added opposition parties will continue their protests until Khan is removed from power .
The 70-year-old Sharif who has had a long uneasy relationship with the military , served as Pakistan ’ s prime minister three times .
A court in 2017 ousted him from power over corruption allegations .
Sharif has been staying in London since November after being allowed to receive medical treatment abroad .
Several opposition leaders have faced criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Khan , a former cricketer , grows .
Associated Press writer Asim Tanveer in Multan , Pakistan , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Some states allow ballots if voters die before Election Day

ATLANTA - At 90 years old and living through a global pandemic , Hannah Carson knows time may be short .
She wasted no time returning her absentee ballot for this year ’ s election .
As soon as it arrived at her senior living community , she filled it out and sent it back to her local election office in Charlotte , North Carolina .
If something were to happen and she doesn ’ t make it to Election Day , Carson said she hopes her ballot will remain valid .
“ I should think I should count , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , ” she said .
In North Carolina , a ballot cast by someone who subsequently dies can be set aside if a challenge is filed before Election Day with the county board of elections .
Questions over whether ballots will count if someone votes early but dies before Election Day are especially pressing this year , amid a coronavirus outbreak that has been especially perilous for older Americans .
People 85 years and older represent nearly one in three deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. As an election looms , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus are on the minds of the elderly and their family members .
Seventeen states prohibit counting ballots cast by someone who subsequently dies before the election , but 10 states specifically allow it .
The law is silent in the rest of the country , according to research by the National Conference of State Legislatures .
Even though a law might require such ballots to be rejected , it ’ s likely that some could still count depending on when the person dies and when election officials find out about the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot of a person who dies in that situation can ’ t be counted , but it is a hard law to follow , ” said Wendy Underhill , head of elections for the National Conference of State Legislatures .
When someone dies close to an election , it takes time for death records to be updated , and there is a narrow window between when a ballot is cast and counted .
Colorado in 2016 had between 15 and 20 instances of voters who cast a ballot by mail and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted .
In Michigan ’ s primary earlier this year , 864 ballots were rejected because the voters died before the election even though they were alive when they filled them out .
The president ’ s son Donald Trump Jr. tweeted a link to a story about the dead voters in Michigan that was later debunked for misrepresenting the issue .
With President Trump making unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud , the question of whether ballots will count if early voters die soon after could be a source of further conspiracies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptionally rare .
There are numerous safeguards built into the system to ensure that only voters eligible to vote can do so and that they cast only one ballot .
Election officials say that when fraud does happen , people are caught and prosecuted .
“ There have been umpteen examples of some group claiming a whole bunch of people casting ballots after they died , ” said Justin Levitt , an election law expert who has studied voter fraud in depth .
“ These things don ’ t pan out.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are based on poor information or a faulty analysis that fails to account for the many people who share the same name and birthdate , Levitt said .
In an exceptionally small number of cases , there is fraud .
Levitt said this typically involves someone wanting to honour the wishes of a loved one who recently died and either knowingly or not commits a crime by filling out that ballot .
An election judge from southern Illinois was charged in 2016 with voter fraud after she filled out a ballot for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have wanted Trump to be president .
In California , it ’ s an issue of fairness to count ballots cast by people who then die before Election Day , Secretary of State Alex Padilla said .
He said it ’ s just as conceivable that someone who votes early in-person also dies before Election Day , and there is no way to identify and reject that ballot .
“ The ‘ dead voters ’ is used as a false narrative , a pretext for changes in some states to how they register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows otherwise , ” Padilla said .
Wisconsin , which like North Carolina is a presidential battleground this year , is among the states that prohibit a ballot from being counted if the voter dies after submitting it .
Every month , the state ’ s election commission receives records of county death certificates , and those records are run against the statewide voter registration system .
Any potential matches are flagged to the local clerk where the voter is registered , and the clerk is responsible for verifying the match by looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voter ’ s status , said Reid Magney , Wisconsin Election Commission spokesman .
But that also has its limits .
“ There ’ s no way to check every absentee ballot to make sure the voter hasn ’ t died since it was issued , ” Magney said .
Iowa ’ s election office also receives death records and processes them as they are received , including on Election Day .
If a person dies after requesting or returning an absentee ballot , the ballot is voided and not counted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s secretary of state .
“ Voters have to be eligible electors on Election Day , ” Hall said .
“ Even though Iowa had 29 days of absentee voting , there is still only one Election Day.
” AP ’ s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early , by mail or absentee from each state : https : //interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/ .

Christina A. Cassidy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--IMF: Nearly all Mideast economies hit by pandemic recession

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - The coronavirus pandemic has pushed nearly all Mideast nations into the throes of an economic recession this year , yet some rebound is expected as all but two — Lebanon and Oman — are anticipated to see some level of economic growth next year , according to a report published Monday by the International Monetary Fund .
This comes as the IMF estimates that the global economy will shrink 4.4 % this year , marking the worst annual plunge since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
Well before the coronavirus swept across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling with issues ranging from lower oil prices and sluggish economic growth to corruption and high unemployment .
The IMF projects the Lebanese economy will see one of the region ’ s sharpest economic contractions this year at 25 % .
The pandemic has only pushed the country further to the brink after a wave of anti-government anger before the virus struck .
Lebanese demonstrators were protesting government corruption , foreign exchange shortages , hyperinflation , constant electricity cuts and increasing poverty .
The currency has dropped by 70 % compared to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to afford basic goods .
A devastating explosion at Beirut ’ s main port in August killed at least 180 people , injured more than 6,000 and destroyed entire neighbourhoods .
The blast left hundreds of thousands of people homeless .
While Mideast nations have seen fewer confirmed cases and deaths from the virus than countries in Europe and the U.S. , the region still faces challenges in containing the disease .
“ Risks of a worse-than-projected scenario loom large , particularly given recent surges in COVID-19 infections in many countries around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IMF warned .
Iran , for example , recorded its highest daily death tolls from the virus last week .
Its economy shrank by 6.5 % last year and is projected to contract by another 5 % this year .
The IMF , however , expects Iran ’ s economy to rebound with 3.2 % growth next year , based in part on the government ’ s future capacity to manage the virus , which it thus far as has struggled to do .
“ Iran was among the first countries to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now in the third wave of the pandemic , and this was on top of an economy that has been underperforming because of ( U.S. ) sanctions , ” Jihad Azour , director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the IMF , told The Associated Press .
Meanwhile , wealthy Mideast oil exporters are expected to see their economies contract by 6.6 % in 2020 , the IMF said .
Gulf Arab states , however , are expected to see average economic growth of 2.3 % next year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on assumptions that the price of oil averages $ 41.69 a barrel in 2020 and will rise to $ 46.70 a barrel in 2021 .
The IMF revised its gloomy estimate of Saudi Arabia ’ s economic contraction down from 6.8 % to 5.4 % .
As one of the world ’ s largest oil producers and top 20 largest economies , the kingdom took the bold step this year of trying to shore up more revenue by tripling value-added tax to 15 % and increasing customs duties .
Egypt was the sole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth of 3.5 % this year after more than 5 % growth annually for past two years as lower energy prices help it as an oil importer .
Still , Egypt faces challenges with its massive population and as tourism revenues remain sluggish .
The IMF , known for its bullish stance on taxes and subsidy cuts , has largely suspended its calls for belt-tightening austerity measures as people struggle under the weight of lockdowns and job losses .
The IMF said “ in general , tax increases would be more effective after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely be a drag on the recovery and invite larger fiscal costs in the future.
” The international lender is calling on countries to focus their immediate priorities on ensuring adequate resources for health care and correctly targeting support programs to the most-vulnerable people .
Meanwhile , other Mideast oil exporters like the United Arab Emirates , home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi , will see an economic contraction of more than 6 % this year , while Oman ’ s economy is projected to shrink by 10 % .
Iraq faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IMF said .
The World Bank estimates the pandemic has thrown between 88 million and 114 million people into extreme poverty , which is defined as living on less than $ 1.90 a day .
According to the International Labor Organization , working hours in Arab states declined by 1.8 % during the first quarter of 2020 , equivalent to about 1 million full-time jobs .
That number jumped to 10.3 % in the second quarter , equivalent to about 6 million full-time jobs .
While Mideast states have rushed to provide various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the pandemic , the impact from the virus has been acutely felt by many of the millions of low-wage labourers who hail mostly from South Asia and reside in the region .
Their families back home rely on their salaries for survival .
Azour said Gulf Arab states alone provide 18 % of global remittances .
He said these countries should use the moment “ to modernize labour laws ” by providing support to all labourers in their countries .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Belgium fears virus “tsunami” as virus cases keep soaring

BRUSSELS - Bars and restaurants across Belgium shut down for a month and a night-time curfew took effect Monday as health authorities warned of a possible “ tsunami “ of new virus cases in the hard-hit nation that host the European Union ’ s headquarters .
The new measures aim to limit social interactions to slow down the exponential growth of the pandemic in the nation of 11.5 million people .
The new surge of coronavirus cases has already prompted several hospitals to delay nonessential operations to focus on treating COVID-19 cases .
“ We are really very close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vandenbroucke told broadcaster RTL .
According to AP figures based on data collected by Johns Hopkins University , Belgium recorded an average of 73.95 daily cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days , the second-worst record in the EU behind the Czech Republic .
Yves Van Laethem , the COVID-19 crisis centre spokesman , said Monday that 7,876 daily new cases were diagnosed on average over the past seven days , up 79 % compared with the previous week .
Van Laethem said the epidemiological situation could be even worse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
To fight the spread of the disease , Belgium ’ s curfew will be enforced from midnight until 5 a.m. , at least for a month .
Alcohol sales will be banned after 8 p.m. , while the number of people that residents can see socially outside their households will be reduced from three to just one all month .
People have been ordered to work from home wherever possible .
Thousands of students have been affected as several universities have demanded that only one seat in five in lecture halls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupied .
As of Monday , 2,485 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Belgium , including 412 in intensive care .
Authorities have warned that intensive care units will hit their capacity of 2,000 beds by mid-November if new cases continue to soar at the same pace .
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the situation in Belgium now is more serious than it was in March when the country implemented a national lockdown .
“ We have three times as many people in intensive care in hospitals .
So the situation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deteriorate , “ De Croo told RTL .
With the extra restrictions , many restaurant and bar owners fear they might have to pull the plug for good .
The sector contains more than 57,000 businesses and employs 120,000 people in Belgium .
Henrique Martins , the chef at the Gout et Saveur restaurant in Brussels , says he will rely on state subsidies and takeout sales to survive .
“ It ’ s pretty catastrophic , we ’ ll see and try to hold on , “ he told The Associated @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Iran again breaks its single-day record for virus deaths

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran recorded its worst day of new deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , with 337 confirmed dead on Monday .
The grim milestone represents a significant spike from the previous single-day death toll record of 279 .
The Health Ministry also announced 4,251 new infections , pushing the total count to 534,630 .
Fatalities have soared in recent weeks , as authorities struggle to contain the virus ’ s spread months into the pandemic .
Health officials say the capital , Tehran , has run out of intensive care beds .
The Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global epicenter of the virus and has since seen the worst outbreak in the Middle East , with a death toll that topped 30,000 this week .
The government has resisted a total lockdown to salvage its devastated economy , already weakened by unprecedented U.S. sanctions .
As the death toll skyrockets , eclipsing the previous highs recorded in the spring amid the worst of its outbreak , authorities have started to tighten restrictions .
The government ordered shut recently reopened schools and universities , as well as museums , libraries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tehran earlier this month , and imposed a mask mandate outdoors .
Underscoring authorities ’ contradictory response , the current spike comes just weeks after schools nationwide welcomed back its 15 million students for in-person instruction .
The virus has also sickened senior Iranian officials , including an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and most recently the country ’ s atomic energy agency and its vice-president in charge of budget and planning .
The timing of the pandemic has proved particularly difficult for Iran ’ s economy .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from Tehran ’ s nuclear accord with world powers .
The nation ’ s currency plunged to its lowest-ever level last week following the U.S. administration ’ s decision last week to blacklist Iranian banks that had so far escaped the bulk of re-imposed American sanctions .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--UN hosts Libyan military leaders in hopes of end to conflict

GENEVA - Military leaders from Libya ’ s warring sides met Monday in Geneva in hopes of a U.N.-brokered breakthrough that could pave the way for a “ complete and permanent cease-fire ” in the conflict-ridden North African country .
The meeting that began Monday marks the fourth round of talks involving the Joint Military Commission under the watch of the head of the United Nations support mission for Libya , former U.S. State Department official Stephanie Williams .
U.N. organizers say the round is expected to run through Saturday , and Williams ’ mission “ hopes that the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outstanding issues in order to achieve a complete and permanent cease-fire across Libya.
” The meetings make up the security aspect of three-track talks , also involving political and economic tracks , that are aimed to lift Libya out of its grueling conflict that has ground on nearly ever since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 .
Speaking at the start of the talks , Williams told the two sides that their success in these talks would have a positive effect on the political and economic tracks of the ongoing U.N.-brokered talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams , who met on Friday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow , said encouraging separate meetings were held with the two delegations in the past two days .
The Geneva-based military talks came ahead of an upcoming political forum in Tunisia in November .
That forum aims to “ generate consensus on a unified governance framework and arrangements that will lead to the holding of national elections , ” the U.N. mission said .
Last month , the two sides reached preliminary agreements to exchange prisoners and open up air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s divided territory .
This breakthrough also accompanied with the resumption of oil production after monthslong blockade by powerful tribes allied with army commander Khalifa Hifter .
Hifter ’ s forces launched an offensive in April 2019 to try and capture Tripoli , the seat of the U.N.-supported government in the west .
But his campaign collapsed in June .
Fighting has since died down amid international pressure on both sides to avert an attack on the strategic city of Sirte , the gateway to Libya ’ s major oil export terminals .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--India army apprehends Chinese soldier amid military standoff

SRINAGAR , India - The Indian army said it apprehended a Chinese soldier Monday in the remote Ladakh region , where the two countries are locked in a monthslong military standoff along their disputed mountain border .
The soldier , Cpl .
Wang Ya Long from China ’ s People ’ s Liberation Army , was apprehended inside Indian-controlled Ladakh ’ s Demchok area and was to be released soon , the army said in a statement .
It said the soldier “ had strayed ” across the de facto border along the eastern section of what ’ s known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loose demarcation separating Indian- and Chinese-controlled areas .
“ As per established protocols , he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul–Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities , ” the statement said .
China did not immediately comment on the soldier ’ s apprehension .
The high-altitude standoff between the Asian giants began in early May with a fierce brawl , and exploded into hand-to-hand combat with clubs , stones and fists on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead .
China is believed to also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any details .
China detained at least 10 Indian soldiers , including four officers , following the deadly brawl .
They were returned three days later after intense military and diplomatic negotiations .
The Indian army statement Monday said the Indian side had received an inquiry from China ’ s military “ about the whereabouts of the missing soldier.
” The soldier “ has been provided medical assistance including oxygen , food and warm clothes to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions , ” the statement said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of thousands of soldiers backed by artillery , tanks and fighter jets and are bracing for a harsh winter in the cold-desert region , where temperatures can fall to minus 50 degrees Celsius ( minus 58 Fahrenheit ) .
The nuclear-armed rivals have accused each other of crossing into rival territory and of firing shots for the first time in 45 years .
The sides have held several rounds of talks by military , diplomatic and political officials , including negotiations between their foreign ministers and defence ministers in Moscow last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the talks seem to have calmed the situation along the border , with no new military aggression reported for over a month now .
The fiercely contested Line of Actual Control separates Chinese-held and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India ’ s eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh , which China claims in its entirety .
It is broken in parts where the Himalayan nations of Nepal and Bhutan border China .
India claims the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin plateau as part of the Ladakh region .
According to India , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ) long , while China says it is considerably shorter .
The line divides the areas of physical control rather than territorial claims .
Relations between the two countries have often been strained , partly due to their undemarcated border .
They fought a border war in 1962 that spilled into Ladakh and ended in an uneasy truce .
Since then , troops have guarded the undefined border and occasionally brawled .
They have agreed not to attack each other with firearms .
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory and separated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ending Indian-administered Kashmir ’ s semi-autonomous status .
It also vowed to take back the Aksai Chin plateau .
China was among the first countries to strongly condemn the move , raising it at international forums including the U.N. Security Council .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--US envoy warns new violence threatens Afghan peace process

KABUL - The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan warned Monday that “ distressingly high ” levels of violence threaten to derail ongoing peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban .
Zalmay Khalilzad ’ s comments come as renewed fighting for days has plagued Afghanistan ’ s southern Helmand province , a longtime Taliban stronghold .
The Taliban this Friday agreed to halt its attacks on condition of the U.S. stopping its airstrikes in the area .
But then came a suicide car bombing Sunday that killed at least 13 people and wounded around 120 others in Afghanistan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one claimed responsibility for the bombing , suspicion immediately fell on the Taliban .
“ Violence has stalked Afghans for far too long .
It has robbed far too many Afghans of their loved ones , ” Khalilzad wrote on Twitter .
“ The tragedy in Ghor today is the most recent example.
” He added : “ The belief that says violence must escalate to win concessions at the negotiating table is very risky .
Such an approach can undermine the peace process and repeats past miscalculations by Afghan leaders.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tweets .
However , it issued a statement Sunday over the U.S. airstrikes targeting Helmand province .
The Taliban warned that “ all responsibility and consequences from continuation of such actions shall fall squarely on the shoulders of the American side.
” Omer Zwak , a spokesman for Helmand ’ s provincial governor , said Monday there were still gun battles in a few areas of the province ’ s Nad Ali and Nawa districts .
The Afghan air force separately conducted limited airstrikes to support Afghan forces trying to retake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting has overwhelmed the only emergency hospital in Lashkar Gah , Helmand ’ s provincial capital , said Marco Puntin , the program co-ordinator at EMERGENCY , an aid group working there .
He said doctors faced those wounded from six-consecutive nights of fighting .
“ Most of the patients we are currently admitting to the hospital are victims of bomb attacks and therefore suffer complicated injuries , which require complex surgery and a long hospital stay , ” Puntin said in statement .
“ Civilians are paying the price for this offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit by mortars , rockets and grenades.
” The peace talks in Qatar between the Taliban and Afghan government negotiators began in September , but after a ceremonious start they became bogged down , mainly in the minutiae of Islamic jurisprudence .
This current round of negotiations come after a deal in February between the U.S. and the Taliban that seeks to end America ’ s longest war .
Despite the challenges , the ongoing talks represent the most-serious effort yet at ending decades of war in Afghanistan that followed the 2001 U.S.-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which then was hosting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden who planned the Sept. 11 attacks .