thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Collins votes against Barrett, heads home to save Senate job

PORTLAND , Maine - When Republican Sen. Susan Collins had to vote on a Supreme Court justice in 2018 , she deliberated under the spotlight for weeks , building suspense that ended with a dramatic floor speech .
When she announced her support for President Donald Trump ’ s nominee , she triggered an onslaught of Democratic anger .
On Monday , Collins cast her vote against Trump ’ s pick without any speech and quickly headed home to Maine to try to save her political career .
Collins ’ contrasting moves on the Supreme Court nominations of Brett Kavanaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a senator trying to find middle ground in an election in which the battle lines appear starker than ever .
Her vote in favour of Kavanaugh rallied Democrats against her and angered some moderate supporters , while her vote against Barrett may not do much to win them back .
Throughout the campaign , the four-term senator has had to fight off accusations that her years in Washington have changed her and that she puts Trump , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the GOP over the interests of regular Mainers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to my community , to serve others and to act with integrity .
That ’ s what I ’ ve always done , ” Collins told The Associated Press .
“ I certainly have not changed.
” But Maine and American politics are changing .
The state known for its fierce independent spirit as much as its lighthouses and lobsters is becoming less so , and Democrats , not independents , now comprise the biggest voting bloc .
Throw in a well-funded opponent , along with a polarizing president , and the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finds herself battling for her political survival .
Collins ’ Democratic rival , Sara Gideon , the speaker of the Maine House , called the senator ’ s vote against Barrett “ nothing more than a political calculation.
” Collins ’ spokesperson fired back by accusing Gideon of making “ a craven political calculation seven months ago when she shut down the Legislature to focus on her campaign.
” Polls show an extremely close race despite more than $ 120 million allocated for ads by the candidates and their allies .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of a handful that could decide which party controls the Senate .
Losing the fundraising battle , Collins is focusing on her message that she ’ s an experienced , bipartisan senator who ’ s in line to become chair of the appropriations committee , which directs all federal spending .
That would be in stark contrast , she said , to a “ rookie ” senator .
Gideon is using the latest battle over a Supreme Court nominee to remind voters that Collins backed most of Trump ’ s judicial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the judiciary .
She ’ s also attacking Collins ’ vote for Trump ’ s tax cuts that she says favoured the rich over working-class Mainers .
Gideon said for all of Collins ’ talk about seniority , she doesn ’ t have much influence in her caucus , as demonstrated in her inability to stop the vote on Barrett .
Collins , who has never missed a vote , said she voted against Barrett out of fairness to Democrats , who were denied an election-year vote on then-President Barack Obama ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t seem like her seniority has much influence in her caucus , or that ability to bring things home for Mainers , ” Gideon said .
Collins easily won her last election , and it was just a couple of years ago that the senator was cheered when Cyndi Lauper welcomed her onstage during a concert on the Bangor riverfront , a year before the Kavanaugh vote galvanized Democrats .
“ This woman is a hero .
And she ’ s my hero .
And she ’ s a Republican , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked Collins to the centre of the stage .
Lauper praised her for her work with LGBTQ homeless youth .
But things have changed since then .
The Human Rights Campaign , which had endorsed Collins in three previous elections , now endorses Gideon .
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund , which was neutral in Collins ’ 2014 race , is backing Gideon .
Collins , 67 , insists she ’ s the same centrist who ’ s willing to work with members of either party .
She also points to the millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , and her Paycheck Protection Program that helped more than 250,000 Mainers during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Susan Collins is exactly the same person she was when she was first elected .
Certainly , the national discourse has changed tremendously , ” said Kevin Raye , former chief of staff for retired Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe .
On the campaign trail , Gideon , 48 , is known for her socially distanced “ Supper with Sara ” events held under a tent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus tour across the state .
Jeff Corey , president of Days Jewelers , met Collins during a visit to Waterville and said Collins ’ experience , pragmatism and bipartisanship make her the best candidate to serve the interests of Mainers .
“ Look , the American people right now are looking for collaboration with our leaders , finding common ground and getting things done , ” he said , noting that the Lugar Center at Georgetown University has ranked Collins as the most bipartisan senator .
Among Democrats , Collins doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump , even though she has been critical of his handling of the pandemic , his attempt to strike down the Affordable Care Act , the diversion of funding for the border wall and the removal of protesters from Lafayette Square for a photo op .
Critics say she hasn ’ t been forceful enough in her denunciations of Trump .
Collins has declined to say whom she ’ ll vote for on Election Day .
She wrote in a candidate in 2016 rather than vote for Trump .
James Bennett , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gideon , said it ’ s time for a change .
“ I ’ d thought of her as being an independent thinker until the last four years .
She ’ s not thinking for herself .
She ’ s just following the party line , ” said Bennett , a retired defence contractor from Camden .
The race will be decided by ranked choice voting , providing a new layer of uncertainty .
Under the election system , voters will get to rank all four candidates — including two independents , progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order of preference .
If no one wins a majority of first-place votes , then the last-place candidates are eliminated and those voters ’ second choices are reallocated until a majority winner emerges .
Collins is trying to avoid the same fate as her mentor , the late Sen. Margaret Chase Smith .
Smith was the first woman to serve in both chambers of Congress , and she made a name for herself with her “ Declaration of Conscience ” speech decrying McCarthyism in 1950 .
Smith was a formidable politician , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1972 amid accusations that she was out of touch .
Unlike Smith , Collins has raised money , kept a strong organization in the state and campaigned hard .
But the patch of middle ground occupied by moderates has become smaller and smaller , said Jack Pitney , a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in California .
“ She sticks to the middle of the road .
Unfortunately , the middle of the road is filled with roadkill , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Governor bans indoor dining in Chicago as virus cases surge

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. - Surging COVID-19 cases in Chicago prompted Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday to ban indoor dining and bar services and limit the number of people gathering in one place .
However , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she isn ’ t sure Pritzker ’ s new restrictions are targeting the right people and worries that they will adversely affect the city ’ s economy .
The rules taking effect Friday will force diners and bar patrons outdoors and shut down service at 11 p.m. in the nation ’ s third-largest city .
No more than 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fewer if that number would exceed 25 % of room capacity .
“ We can ’ t ignore what is happening around us , because without action , this could look worse than anything we saw in the spring , ” Pritzker said , referring to the start of the pandemic , when health care resources were pushed to the limit because of the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases .
Chicago , which comprises Region 11 of the state ’ s 11 COVID-19 monitoring regions , joins six other regions subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigations.
” A day earlier , Pritzker imposed the restrictions on Region 10 , Cook County outside of Chicago and Lake County to the north .
Lightfoot told PBS NewsHour that the greatest challenge the city faces is getting people to follow necessary health protocols at home , where social settings vary and are more difficult to regulate .
“ If the governor ’ s order goes into effect , it ’ s really effectively shutting down a significant portion of our economy at a time when those same businesses are really hanging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ So we ’ re going to continue our engagement of the governor of his team , but it ’ s not looking good.
” After a summer of declining case numbers — Illinois fared better than many other states , particularly in the South and West — they began climbing again in August and jumped precipitously this month .
There were 4,000 new infections and 46 additional deaths Tuesday , bringing total cases to 382,985 with 9,568 deaths .
There were 2,758 hospitalized , an 86 % increase from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients at 595 and the 241 on ventilators represented increases in the 70 % range .
Other regions which hit the mitigation bar did so when positive rates of COVD-19 test results topped 8 % for three consecutive days .
Dr. Ngozi Ezike , the state public health director , said the latest additions , Cook County on Monday and Chicago on Tuesday , have seen the troubling rise in numbers of sick people requiring inpatient treatment as well as a jump in positive test results .
“ Based on current trends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability and overwhelming our health care systems , “ Ezike said .
Earlier Tuesday , Dr. Allison Arwady , commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health , predicted the action taken by the governor , pointing out that while COVID-19 is not as prevalent in Chicago as during the pandemic ’ s early days in March , the number of confirmed cases is doubling every nine days .
“ COVID is widespread here in Chicago , and we need you to double down on the things that you know work , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you can , if there are interactions you ’ re having that are not essential , back off on those .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Mexican president pledges to ban outsourcing of jobs

MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed Tuesday a blanket ban on sub-contracting or outsourcing of jobs by private companies , saying the practice has been abused to avoid paying employees ’ the benefits they are due by law .
The president said he would send the proposal to congress at a later date , but the plan already drew criticism from business groups that claim the change would further harm Mexico ’ s economy precisely when it is still reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
Companies in Mexico often contract out jobs like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary agencies or outside firms , to avoid the expense of having to advertise for and hire employees , or to increase their workforce for short periods of time .
Such employees frequently work at a company ’ s facilities , but are paid by another firm .
López Obrador cited abuses Tuesday in calling for the ban , including the case of one outsourcing firm accused of fraud .
The firm “ had listed 200,000 employees , to release companies from the responsibility for paying them properly , to avoid paying them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November or December to avoid paying them annual bonuses and then to rehire them in January or February , ” López Obrador said .
“ I am going to write a bill to do away with this mechanism , ” he continued .
“ We have to clean things up , we can not be accomplices to corruption or coverups.
” Mexico ’ s Employers ’ Federation , a business group , said in a statement that it opposed fraudulent uses of outsourcing like the one cited by the president , but said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grave impact on the already seriously deteriorated ( economic ) situation , and would mean the loss of a considerable number of legitimate and properly paid jobs.
” “ We oppose any legal reform that prohibits labour subcontracting that complies with all legal standards , ” the group said .
While Mexico ’ s minimum wage is a woefully low $ 5.50 per day — well under $ 1 per hour — benefits are proportionally slightly more generous , leaving some companies a financial incentive to avoid them .
Mexico legally requires companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans and annual year-end bonuses and profit-sharing , where applicable .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--In Georgia, Joe Biden delivers a closing pitch to a state where ‘everything is at stake’

ATLANTA—On Tuesday , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden began to deliver his closing message .
He chose to send it from Georgia .
The location alone is a message of hope , that in this campaign something has shifted and this gateway to the Deep South may support him .
“ The insidious virus .
Economic anguish .
Systemic discrimination .
Any one of them could have rocked a nation .
We ’ ve been hit by all three at once.
” he said .
“ Our politics has for far too long been mean , bitter , and divisive.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ga. , population 452 .
Once , Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt made his home away from the White House there , but it ’ s not a natural environment for a Democrat in the 21st century .
According to the campaign press pool , those along the road leading to Biden ’ s address who were waving Trump signs and flags outnumbered Biden supporters roughly two to one .
But the candidate was there with a peaceful message .
“ I want to talk about the need to heal our nation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road , in Atlanta , where Biden would hold a drive-in rally later in the day , the experience of 2020 seemed to call out for healing .
A walk around the block of State Farm Arena , where one of the city ’ s biggest early voting centres is hosted , showed the scars and evidence of a year of pain .
A sign commemorating the death of Georgia congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis quoting him saying : “ The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fence still up around the CNN headquarters after protests erupted when a police officer shot Rayshard Brooks in the back as he ran away in June .
There ’ s a free COVID testing clinic being conducted beneath awnings on one side of the building .
And there is another sign of a more recent and encouraging 2020 phenomenon : lots of people voting early .
“ My existence is at stake in this election , ” Morehouse College student Kawika Smith said outside the voting station .
“ The mere fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he pleases , can restrict people from coming to this country just based on their faith or just based on their race .
The funding of police officers is at stake .
My education is at stake .
Everything is at stake right now .
Democracy is at stake.
” That was a common sentiment among voters in Atlanta : that this election is urgent for them .
Clearly , this largest city in Georgia , the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr. and home to his ministry , and the headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empire and CNN ’ s news network is key to Biden ’ s hopes of winning the state .
And he does hope to win it .
Sending Kamala Harris to campaign in Texas this week is a small bet on a long-shot .
Georgia is one Democrats think is actually winnable .
Rising Democratic star Stacey Abrams came close to winning the race for governor here in 2018 .
FiveThirtyEight calls Georgia a toss-up state — with Biden winning 51 per cent of their simulations based on an average of polls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia on Monday .
Donald Trump was here in nearby Macon for a rally just over a week ago , and his son Donald Jr. hosted another one there on Friday and visited Atlanta too .
This state , Republican since the 1990s , is a 2020 battleground .
“ I believe when you use your power , the power of the vote , we will change the course of this country , right here in Georgia , ” Biden said in Atlanta to a crowd sitting in , and on top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the honking horns , rang out in Atlanta when Biden criticized Trump ’ s response to George Floyd ’ s death and the protest movement it inspired , according to the pool report .
“ The names of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake will not soon be forgotten .
Not by me .
Not by us .
Not by this country .
They ’ re going to inspire a new wave of justice in America , ” he said .
Voter Saily Perez said the Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated her vote for Biden .
“ I think this will be a turning point for our nation .
Are we really moving towards being more progressive ?
Or are we still stuck in our old ways ?
” Brianne Wingate said that after casting her ballot , she was feeling anxious .
“ I feel like there ’ s so much at stake right now .
I ’ m an attorney .
So , you know , my attention is on the Supreme Court — it just makes the stakes higher.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states across the country , you hear a different sentiment if you travel outside the big cities to the smaller towns and rural areas .
There , people remain devoted to Trump .
Many supporters at Donald Trump Jr. ’ s recent rally told a local CBS affiliate they had attended his father ’ s event too .
“ The energy is fantastic .
Like , they ’ re just vibrant .
They ’ re the leaders for us , ” Mary Ann Luckett told the station of the Trump family .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Atlanta is giant .
It ’ s a division that will define this election , here in Georgia and across the country .
A division Biden promised again Tuesday to try to heal , first in the small town where Roosevelt was said to come to heal his ailing body .
“ This place , Warm Springs , is a reminder that though broken , each of us can be healed .
That as a people and a country , we can overcome a devastating virus .
That we can heal a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m running as a proud Democrat .
But I will govern as an American president .
I will work with Democrats and Republicans and I will work as hard for those who don ’ t support me as for those who do .
That ’ s the job of a president .
It ’ s a duty of care for everyone .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--NY discourages travel to Massachusetts, adds CA to advisory

ALBANY , N.Y. - New York ’ s governor on Tuesday urged residents to avoid nonessential travel to neighbouring Massachusetts , and added California to the state ’ s COVID-19 advisory list .
Residents from states on New York ’ s list must self-quarantine for 14 days .
Only seven states , including New York , have reported an average of fewer than 10 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days .
The rest of the nation exceeds that threshold and qualifies for inclusion on New York ’ s travel advisory , which started as a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey .
Massachusetts is the latest of New York ’ s neighbours to exceed the threshold , joining New Jersey , Connecticut and Pennsylvania .
Massachusetts ’ average has reached 15.1 .
But New York is not adding neighbouring states to its official advisory list .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is instead urging New Yorkers to avoid travelling to the states for now , and says it ’ s not practical to enforce quarantine rules given the region ’ s interconnected nature .
New York has averaged 8.9 new cases per 100,000 residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state ’ s online data dashboard .
New York reported nearly 2,000 positive cases Monday , for a total of more than 38,600 positives so far this month .
That ’ s up from about 24,500 new positives in September and 19,700 in August .

Marina Villeneuve - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Texas council outlaws social worker bias against clients

AUSTIN , Texas - A Texas council on Tuesday rescinded action that would have allowed social workers to turn away clients on the basis of their disability , sexual orientation or gender identity .
By a unanimous vote , the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council restored protections of those clients who had been stripped from state social workers ’ code of conduct during a joint meeting Oct. 12 with the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners .
The previous vote , which came at Gov .
Greg Abbott ’ s direction , drew a backlash from social worker and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers applauded Tuesday ’ s vote , saying it “ was the right decision ” and “ would not have happened without the collective strength and unity of voices from social workers across the state and nation , countless advocacy groups , federal and state legislators , and all others voicing their grave concern against the changes.
” State Sen. José Menéndez , a San Antonio Democrat , also praised their decision .
“ It is courageous to do the right thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said in a statement .
He added that he appreciated the vote “ to stand on the right side of history.
” Messages to the council ’ s spokeswoman and Abbott ’ s office were not immediately returned .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--NXIVM guru gets 120 years in prison in sex-slaves case

NEW YORK - Disgraced self-improvement guru Keith Raniere , whose NXIVM followers included millionaires and Hollywood actors , was sentenced to 120 years on Tuesday for turning some adherents into sex slaves branded with his initials and sexually abusing a 15-year-old .
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis called Raniere “ ruthless and unyielding ” in crimes that were “ particularly egregious ” because he targeted girls and young women in the sex-trafficking conspiracy that resulted in Raniere ’ s conviction last year .
He handed down the unusually stiff sentence in Brooklyn federal court after hearing 15 victims call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightmares and anguish they ’ ll confront the rest of their lives .
As he announced the sentence , Garaufis noted that Raniere labeled some of the victims ’ claims lies .
The judge told a woman who Raniere ordered to be kept in a room for two years when she was 18 : “ What happened to you is not your fault.
“ He said that went for the other victims too .
Raniere , who looked at victims as they spoke in the courtroom , maintained his defiant tone , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that his organization led to a place where “ there is so much anger and so much pain.
“ “ I do believe I am innocent of the charges .
...
It is true I am not remorseful of the crimes I do not believe I committed at all , “ Raniere said .
Prosecutors had sought life in prison , while a defence lawyer told the judge Raniere should face 20 years behind bars .
The sentencing was the culmination of several years of revelations about Raniere ’ s program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for invitation-only self-improvement courses at its headquarters near Albany , New York , along with branches in Mexico and Canada .
Adherents endured humiliation and pledged obedience to Raniere as part of his teachings .
NXIVM has been the subject of two TV documentary series this year , HBO ’ s “ The Vow , ” and the Starz series “ Seduced : Inside the NXIVM Cult.
” Prosecutors said Raniere , 60 , led what amounted to a criminal enterprise , inducing shame and guilt to influence and control co-conspirators who helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Raniere was convicted on charges including racketeering , alien smuggling , sex trafficking , extortion and obstruction of justice .
After victims spoke for 2 1/2 hours , the judge grew impatient and a bit angry when defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo sought to portray his client ’ s organization as “ doing good ” for women before things turned bad for some .
The judge said Raniere groomed a 13-year-old girl so that “ two years later he ’ s having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
“ At another point , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to argue victims were not always factually correct .
“ You ’ re starting to tire me out here , “ the judge said .
“ It ’ s pretty clear he took advantage of people sexually.
” Earlier , India Oxenberg , the daughter of “ Dynasty ” actor Catherine Oxenberg , called Raniere an “ entitled little princess ” and a sexual predator and lamented that she “ may have to spend the rest of my life with Keith Raneire ’ s initials seared into me.
” Another victim said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a plastic surgeon .
Other victims labeled him a liar , a parasite , a terrorist , a sociopath , a racist , a sadist and “ a toddler with too much power and zero accountability.
“ And the woman who was sexually abused beginning at age 15 said Raniere groomed her by telling her she was mature for her age .
“ It is false .
I was a child , “ she said .
She said that when Raniere saw blood running down her arm after a botched suicide attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking her : “ Do you know how bad that could have been for me if you killed yourself ?
” The likelihood of leniency had seemed to dissipate with the recent sentencing of Clare Bronfman , 41 , an heir to the Seagram ’ s liquor fortune , for her role in NXIVM , which has been described by some ex-members as a cult .
Bronfman was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison .
Prosecutors had only sought five years .
Ex-followers told the judge that Bronfman for years had used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defectors .
Reniere ’ s followers called him “ Vanguard.
” To honour him , the group formed a secret sorority comprised of female “ slaves ” who were branded with his initials and ordered to have sex with him , the prosecutors said .
Women were also pressured into giving up embarrassing information about themselves that could be used against them if they left the group .
Along with Bronfman , Raniere ’ s teachings won him the devotion of Hollywood actors , including Allison Mack of TV ’ s “ Smallville.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges in the case and is awaiting sentencing .
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanya Hajjar told the judge only a life sentence would protect the public because Raniere otherwise “ would be committing crimes today , tomorrow and in the future.
“ Outside court afterward , Barbara Boucher , who described herself as the first whistleblower of Raniere ’ s scam when she left the group 11 years ago , said the sentencing left her “ enormously relieved.
“ “ I loved Keith for many years .
I really thought he was my soulmate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her role in helping to build the organization when she first viewed it as a kind of Camelot where people could be empowered to be more loving and compassionate and live better lives .
“ A lot of people today in this room will carry their wounds with them for life .
You don ’ t recover fully from something like this .
It ’ s deep , “ she said .
Still , the once-successful financial planner sees a future .
“ This is a 20-year book and this is the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave here today , that book is closing , “ Boucher said .

Larry Neumeister And Tom Hays - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--National Park Service names superintendent for Yosemite

YOSEMITE VILLAGE , Calif. - The National Park Service announced Tuesday it has selected park service veteran Cicely Muldoon as the new permanent superintendent of Yosemite National Park in California .
Muldoon is a 35-year veteran of the National Park Service and has been acting superintendent since January .
Before that , she was superintendent at Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California ’ s Marin County for nearly 10 years .
Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls , according to its website , but it is also home to granite peaks and domes , broad meadows and groves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attracts more than 4 million visitors a year and employs 1,200 people .
“ A childhood visit to Yosemite introduced me to national parks .
It captured my imagination and my heart then , and still does , “ she said , adding it ’ s “ the honour of my career ” to join the Yosemite team .
A previous superintendent , Don Neubacher , retired abruptly in 2016 following allegations by employees that he created a hostile workplace by allowing bullying , harassment and other misconduct .
Muldoon holds a bachelor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of California , Davis .
She starts her new role Nov. 8 .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--UN cancels in-person meetings after report of 5 COVID cases

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The United Nations on Tuesday cancelled all in-person meetings for this week after a U.N. member nation reported five cases of COVID-19 among its staff .
General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir sent a letter to the 193 U.N. member nations initially announcing a cancellation of Tuesday meetings on the advice of the U.N. Medical Unit in order to carry out contact tracing .
He then followed up with a second letter in the evening saying Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recommended that in-house meetings be suspended for the rest of the week “ to allow for a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for full contact tracing to be completed.
” Bozkir said after consulting with the chairs of the assembly ’ s six main committees , “ and in light of the need to safeguard public health , ” he was cancelling all in-person meetings this week .
He did not identify the country but diplomats , speaking on condition of anonymity because there had not been a public announcement , said it was the African nation of Niger , which is not only a member of the General Assembly but is serving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Niger ’ s U.N. ambassador , Abdou Abarry , has a staff of 17 , according to the latest U.N. directory .
The Security Council held a scheduled virtual meeting on Libya on Tuesday .
It cancelled an open meeting at U.N. headquarters Wednesday to vote on a resolution to extend the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo , but it is going ahead with virtual meetings on other issues Wednesday , Guterres , in a letter to Bozkir , said he recommended the additional halt to meetings at U.N. headquarters “ out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical advice ... to mitigate any risks to the health and safety of delegates and staff.
” Earlier Tuesday , assembly spokesman Brenden Varma told reporters : “ We expect the contact tracing to be done quickly and efficiently.
” He said in-house meetings of three General Assembly committees -- on disarmament , special political and decolonization issues , and legal matters -- were postponed Tuesday , but other virtual meetings went ahead .
Most U.N. staff have been working from home .
Guterres gradually increased the number allowed in the building to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said for the past two to three weeks between 1,300 and 1,400 people have swiped their passes to enter the building every day .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Both newspapers in Utah’s capital to cease daily publication

Salt Lake City will go from two daily printed newspapers to none after both of its major publications cut print days to once a week in unusual moves for a large city that could portend more struggles for the country ’ s newspaper industry .
The 170-year-old Deseret News in the state capital said Tuesday it will stop publishing daily starting next year , a disclosure that came a day after the Salt Lake Tribune made a similar announcement .
It ’ s an unusually deep cutback in print days , even in an era of steeply declining revenue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To go from seven to one just like that and to have it done by both papers in the same city shows us how deep the reckoning is for the American newspaper industry going into 2021 , ” said Doctor , who writes the Newsonomics blog .
The newspaper industry has been in crisis , with The Associated Press finding in 2019 that some 1,400 cities and towns across the U.S. had lost a newspaper over the past 15 years .
Much of that has come in smaller markets , though papers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also cut print days less deeply .
Youngstown , Ohio , became the largest U.S. city without a daily newspaper last year — before the nation ’ s economy was thrown into turmoil by the pandemic .
In Salt Lake City , both newspapers will continue to publish breaking stories online every day .
The Salt Lake Tribune , which won the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting in 2017 , is not cutting newsroom staff .
There were some journalist layoffs at the Deseret News .
The two publications have a joint-operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both papers will offer a weekly print publication .
The Deseret News will also have a monthly magazine .
Deseret News Editor Doug Wilks said in an op-ed that the publication owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will continue its “ national leadership role as the watchdog of the family and of faith in the public square.
” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall tweeted that it ’ s a significant change for the city .
“ It ’ s hard to believe we ’ ll no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she wrote .
“ Local journalism is essential to democracy ...
I look forward to reading online , but I ’ ll miss both papers dearly.
” The Deseret News will lay off six journalists and give severance packages to 18 staffers in visual editing and sales departments .
About 160 people associated with the two newspapers ’ joint print operations will also be laid off .
The Deseret News is named after the territory ’ s early title .
The newspaper was born three years after pioneers arrived in 1847 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its digital offerings for a decade , appealing to church members and others outside the state , and now 70 % of its digital users come from outside the state , said Jeff Simpson , its president and publisher .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Virus pushes twin cities El Paso and Juarez to the brink

A record surge in coronavirus cases is pushing hospitals to the brink in the border cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez , confronting health officials in Texas and Mexico with twin disasters in the tightly knit metropolitan area of 3 million people .
Health officials are blaming the spike on family gatherings , multiple generations living in the same household and younger people going out to shop or conduct business .
The crisis — part of a deadly comeback by the virus across nearly the entire U.S. — has created one of the most desperate hot spots in North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two cities are economically , geographically and culturally , with lots of people routinely going back and forth across the border to shop or visit with family .
“ We are like Siamese cities , ” said Juarez resident Roberto Melgoza Ramos , whose son recovered from a bout of COVID-19 after taking a cocktail of homemade remedies and prescription drugs .
“ You can ’ t cut El Paso without cutting Juarez , and you can ’ t cut Juarez without cutting El Paso.
” In other developments Tuesday , Illinois Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned indoor dining and drinking in Chicago in one of the biggest retreats yet in the face of the latest surge .
And Wisconsin ’ s governor pleaded with residents to voluntarily stay home as the state shattered records for daily cases and deaths .
Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers issued a stay-at-home order in March , but the conservative-leaning state Supreme Court struck it down two months later .
In El Paso , authorities have instructed residents to stay home for two weeks and imposed a 10 p.m. curfew , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a convention centre .
Also , the University Medical Center of El Paso erected heated isolation tents to treat coronavirus patients .
As of Tuesday , Ryan Mielke , director of public affairs , said the hospital had 195 COVID-19 patients , compared with fewer than three dozen less than a month ago , and “ it continues to grow by the day , by the hour.
” In Juarez , the Mexican government is sending mobile hospitals , ventilators and doctors , nurses and respiratory specialists .
A hospital is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local university to help with the overflow .
Juarez has reported more than 12,000 infections and over 1,100 deaths , but the real numbers are believed to be far higher , because COVID-19 testing is extremely limited .
El Paso County recorded about 1,400 new cases Tuesday , just short of the previous day ’ s record of 1,443 .
The county had 853 patients hospitalized for the virus on Monday , up from 786 a day earlier .
Even the mayor of Juarez hasn ’ t been spared .
Armando Cabada was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recovered , but then landed in the hospital last week with inflamed lungs .
Last week , Chihuahua , which includes Juarez , became the only state in Mexico to return to its highest level health alert , or red , under which most nonessential services are shut down and people are encouraged to stay home .
A curfew is also in effect in Juarez , but it has proved difficult to enforce in the sprawling city that is home to hundreds of factories that manufacture appliances , auto parts and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mexico agreed months ago to restrict cross-border traffic to essential activity , but there has been little evidence Mexico has blocked anyone from entering .
Other Mexican border cities have complained about people entering from U.S. cities that are suffering from virus outbreaks .
Dr. Hector Ocaranza , the city and county health authority in El Paso , said the heavily Latino city ’ s family-based culture has been a contributing factor in the spread .
People under 40 are going to work and participating in other activities , then checking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , he said .
Those hospitalized are mostly over 60 , but young adults make up nearly half of the total case count , Ocaranza said .
Last week , the mayor of Juarez sent a letter to Mexico ’ s foreign affairs secretary asking him to prohibit foreigners , especially Americans , out of concern that “ indiscriminate crossings are contributing very actively to the spread of the virus.
” Mexico has reported at least 89,100 deaths from the virus , though authorities estimate 50,000 more probably died of it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of national mourning for victims of COVID-19 coinciding with the Day of the Dead ceremonies starting this weekend .
In the U.S. , the deadly autumn surge that health officials have been warning about for months has been blamed in part on Americans tired of wearing masks and practicing social distancing , as well as the onset of cold weather that is forcing people indoors , where the virus can spread more easily .
The average number of new cases per day in the U.S. has soared more than 40 % over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49,000 to about 70,000 .
Deaths per day have climbed from about 700 to almost 800 .
Cases are on the rise in every state but Hawaii , and deaths are up in 34 states .
The states now seeing the highest rates of newly confirmed infections are mostly in the Midwest and the Plains .
The virus has killed more than 225,000 people in the U.S. and infected over 8.7 million , by far the highest totals in the world , according to figures kept by Johns Hopkins University .
In Newark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is requiring nonessential businesses to shutter by 8 p.m. as the rate of confirmed cases of the virus reaches levels not seen since the spring .
He also ordered restaurants to curtail indoor dining and mandated that beauty salons , nail salons and barber shops open by appointment only .
Health clubs must close for sanitizing every 30 minutes .
Milwaukee is reducing the maximum number of people allowed at indoor events to 10 , and to 25 for outdoor gatherings .
Authorities also restricted restaurant and bar occupancy to 25 % for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city-approved COVID-19 safety plan .
Dance floors are prohibited .
Wisconsin in just the past seven days registered 64 deaths and more than 5,000 confirmed cases .
In St. Louis , hospitals are filling up with coronavirus patients at an alarming rate , while about 250 miles across the state , Kansas City recorded its highest number of COVID-19 deaths over a one-week period , with more than 80 people dying .
St. Louis-area hospital officials are begging people to take precautions to slow the spread of the virus .
“ Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your family member , if you get sick , ” said Dr. Alex Garza , who heads the metropolitan area ’ s task force .
“ Will there be a hospital to be able to care for you ?
Will they have space for your family member ?
Will the doctors , and the nurses and the techs be on top of their game , or will they be exhausted and fatigued ?
” Pane reported from Boise , Idaho .
Freelance journalist Guadalupe Peñuelas Sanchez reported from Juarez .
AP journalists from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Lisa Marie Pane And Acacia Coronado - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Tennessee school bus carrying children crashes; 2 killed

DECATUR , Tenn. - A school bus carrying children crashed Tuesday in Tennessee , killing two people and injuring others @ @ @ @ @ crash involved a utility service vehicle and happened on state Highway 58 in Meigs County @ @ @ @ @ Lt. Bill Miller of the Tennessee Highway Patrol .
Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn sent @ @ @ @ @ for those lives that were lost ” but did not give specifics .
Some people @ @ @ @ @ taken to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga for treatment , said spokeswoman Allyson Cole .
She @ @ @ @ @ people were being treated .
Amanda Pritchett , director of schools , told WTVC-TV that @ @ @ @ @ pick up any uninjured children .
It was not clear how many people were aboard @ @ @ @ @ details of what happened were immediately released .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Biden faces challenges in quickly combating the pandemic

WILIMINGTON , Del .
- If Joe Biden wins next week ’ s election , he says he ’ ll immediately call Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious-disease expert .
He ’ ll work with governors and local officials to institute a nationwide mask-wearing mandate and ask Congress to pass a sweeping spending bill by the end of January to address the coronavirus and its fallout .
That alone would mark a significant shift from President Donald Trump , who has feuded with scientists , struggled to broker a new stimulus deal and reacted to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisting the country is “ rounding the turn.
” But Biden would still face significant political challenges in combating the worst public health crisis in a century .
He will encounter the limits of federal powers when it comes to mask requirements and is sure to face resistance from Republicans who may buck additional spending .
“ There are no magic wands , ” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein , vice dean for public health practice at Johns Hopkins University and former Maryland state health department chief who recently briefed Biden on reopening schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not like there ’ s an election , and then the virus beats a hasty retreat.
” Biden ’ s handling of the coronavirus is taking on new urgency as cases spike around the country .
Average deaths per day nationwide are up 10 % over the past two weeks , from 721 to nearly 794 as of Sunday , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Confirmed infections per day are rising in 47 states , and deaths are up in 34 .
Meanwhile , a fresh outbreak of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence ’ s staff has revived concerns about the impact of the virus on the government .
The early days of a Biden administration would be consumed by a pandemic response .
“ I ’ m here to tell you we can and will get control of this virus , ” Biden said Tuesday during a campaign stop in Georgia .
“ As president , I will never wave the white flag of surrender.
” A $ 3 trillion spending package that cleared the Democratic-controlled House has stalled in the Senate , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has called the Senate GOP “ so damn stupid ” for not passing that measure , but has failed to propose a single comprehensive package of his own .
Instead , he has said Congress should approve $ 30 billion to help schools reopen and has proposed a $ 700 billion economic plan .
But that plan isn ’ t solely focused on the coronavirus and includes provisions to boost industries like manufacturing to create jobs and help revive the economy when the pandemic begins to subside .
Biden also wants to declare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and access potentially billions more dollars in Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster response aid .
He ’ d seek a national system for tracing the exposure path for those diagnosed with the virus — part of a larger public health corps that Biden suggests might function like the civilian-led conservation corps that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created during the New Deal .
And he ’ s vowed to increase testing capacity in every state until the U.S. is screening daily the 7.5 million people it currently tests per week , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden ’ s plans seem to be contingent on winning over allies and rivals alike , which may be challenging in the aftermath of a bitter election .
He has called for a rule requiring masks in public for everyone , something the federal government doesn ’ t actually have the power to implement .
Instead , Biden says he ’ ll impose such a mandate for all federal buildings and on federally funded , interstate transit .
Some Republican governors , including in states like North Dakota where virus cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask requirements .
Biden says he ’ ll lobby them nonetheless , and , if they refuse , he said Friday that he ’ ll go around them by contacting “ mayors and county executives to get local masking requirements in place nationwide.
” Biden has offered a more cohesive plan for other major challenges facing the U.S.
He ’ s proposed , for instance , spending $ 2 trillion to combat climate change by boosting investment in clean energy and stopping all climate-damaging emissions from the U.S. economy by 2050 .
Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , against a pandemic that is rapidly changing .
In devising its pandemic-fighting plans , Biden ’ s campaign consulted with experts including Vivek Murthy , who served as surgeon general under President Barack Obama , and David Kessler , former head of the Food and Drug Administration , along with members of Congress , governors , mayors and other local officials — some of them Republican .
But Biden hasn ’ t said whether he ’ d endorse large-scale shutdowns of the nation ’ s economy , if things get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country did in March .
His team hasn ’ t offered details on its timeline for bringing the virus under control or on what success would look like , but has vowed to combat the pandemic in a way the Trump administration has failed to do .
“ I think we have to make it work , ” said Stef Feldman , the Biden campaign ’ s policy director , who noted that the former vice-president has conceded that the task “ isn ’ t going to be easy or happen overnight.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels confident that the administration , with leadership that is not waving a white flag like President Trump , can , in partnership with the American people , take control of this virus and get our lives back , ” Feldman said .
At the start of the pandemic , Biden and other Democrats criticized Trump for not more quickly moving to use the Defence Production Act to step up national production of ventilators and other medical and protective equipment .
While the Trump administration later employed the measure in some cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more frequently , including to encourage banks to extend loans to small businesses hurt by the virus .
The Biden campaign also stresses that he will make a point of empowering career public health experts and “ listening to the science.
” Kavita Patel , a physician and health policy expert who worked in Obama ’ s White House , said that will be instrumental in making the governmental response to the pandemic more effective .
“ Do not discount what it means for the morale to put credible and collaborative leadership at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patel added that , even if Congress can ’ t approve emergency relief by the end of January — just 11 days after Biden would be inaugurated — the new president could still use the Office of Management and Budget to free up funds immediately , while taking unilateral steps like tapping federal stockpiles for urgently needed supplies .
“ I am optimistic that he could do some things that would put a dent in this , ” she said , noting that efforts “ being done piecemeal and patchwork in different parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Biden actually federalizing completely.
” None of that will mean stopping the virus cold , though .
“ Even strategy and a great set of ideas , ” Patel said , “ can ’ t take it from , say , 100,000 cases a day down to 10,000 immediately .
”

Will Weissert And Alexandra Jaffe - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--GOP leaders want 3 officials to resign over false ad plot

WICHITA , Kan. - A growing number of GOP leaders in Kansas are calling for the resignation of three elected officials who were recorded planning a coverup of their role in a plot to smear the Democratic mayor of the state ’ s largest city .
The controversy stems from an ad that falsely suggested Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple was accused of sexual harassment when he served in the Kansas Legislature .
The ad was published on YouTube during the mayoral election last year , The Wichita Eagle reports .
The calls for the resignation of Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member James Clendenin and state Rep. Michael Capps have increased following the release of a pair of recordings made last November .
In one of them , which was released Monday , Capps is heard threatening to bring down the entire party if county Republican leadership were to carry through with a call for him to resign after his role in the Whipple smear was revealed .
The party released the statement anyway , but Capps remained in office .
The three GOP officials have repeatedly denied and downplayed their parts in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for comment from The Associated Press or The Eagle , which has been reporting on the smear video for more than a year .
“ What I heard on the recording represents the very worst of politics and shows they have abused the positions entrusted to them by Kansas voters , ” Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Estes said in a Facebook post on Monday night .
Also Monday , Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett said that he is investigating whether the three can be ousted from their elected positions .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is up for reelection .
The Sedgwick County Republican Party , the majority on the Sedgwick County Commission and the Wichita Chamber of Commerce also are demanding resignations .
Pressure began to mount last week after the first recording was released .
In it , the three can be heard plotting to frame Sedgwick County Republican Party Chairman Dalton Glasscock for the Whipple smear video .
The recording was made on Nov. 3 , 2019 , which is the very day Capps went on a radio show and publicly accused Glasscock of approving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a violation of campaign-finance laws because Glasscock worked as a media consultant on the campaign of then-mayor Jeff Longwell .
Longwell said in an email Saturday night that the ad did nothing to help him .
“ I could make the argument that because of the media and speculation of who was involved that I was hurt by the fabricated video and had nothing to do with any of it , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--South Dakota medical groups promote masks, countering Noem

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
- South Dakota ’ s largest medical organizations on Tuesday launched a joint effort to promote mask-wearing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as the state suffers through one of the nation ’ s worst outbreaks , a move that countered Gov .
Kristi Noem ’ s position of casting doubt on the efficacy of wearing face coverings in public .
As the number of cases , hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 have multiplied in recent weeks , the Republican governor has tried to downplay the severity of the virus , highlighting that most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Noem , who has staked out a reputation on refusing to issue any mandates to stem the virus ’ spread , has repeatedly countered recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to wear masks in public settings .
Shortly after the Department of Health reported that the number of hospitalizations from COVID-19 broke records for the third straight day on Tuesday , people who represent doctors , nurses , hospitals , school administrators and businesses huddled to promote mask-wearing , social distancing and handwashing .
They warned the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their ability to care for COVID-19 patients .
“ Masking is a simple act that each one of us can participate in and it can save lives , ” said Dr. Benjamin Aaker , the president of the South Dakota State Medical Association .
“ If you mask , that life could be your mother , father , your friend , or even your own.
” Noem ’ s spokesman Ian Fury noted that the governor does not oppose all mask-wearing , but is trying to promote a “ nuanced ” approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is appropriate to wear masks around people with symptoms of COVID-19 or in hospitals .
But she has not encouraged people to wear face coverings in public , as recommended by the CDC .
October has already become the state ’ s deadliest during the pandemic , with 152 people dying .
Health officials have tallied 375 total deaths from COVID-19 .
The groups calling for mask-wearing detailed the upheaval caused by virus infections — from school administrators struggling to conduct contact tracing to businesses worried about the economic impact of widespread outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen the greatest surge in cases in recent weeks .
Roughly one out of every three inmates statewide have an active infection .
The state has reported the nation ’ s second-highest number of new cases per capita over the last two weeks , according to Johns Hopkins researchers .
There were 1,226 new cases per 100,000 people , meaning that one in roughly every 82 people tested positive .
The Department of Health reported 989 new cases on Tuesday .
The rise in hospitalizations has forced the state ’ s two largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health — to alter the logistics of some elective procedures to free up space for the influx of COVID-19 patients .
There were 395 people hospitalized by COVID-19 statewide , according to the Department of Health .
About 34 % of general-care hospital beds and 38 % of Intensive Care Units statewide remained available on Tuesday .
Health care providers will hit an unmanageable load of patients if the virus continues to grow , Aaker warned , leading to a shortage of medical resources .
“ There ’ s a possibility that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
This story has been corrected to delete a reference to Noem refusing to issue federal mandates .
She has resisted issuing statewide mandates .


thetorontostar--2020-10-27--Peru’s Machu Picchu reopening Sunday after pandemic closure

MACHU PICCHU , Peru - Except workers repairing roads and signs , Peru ’ s majestic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is eerily empty ahead of its reopening Sunday after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The long closure of Peru ’ s No .
1 tourist draw , which has hammered the local economy , marks the second time it has been shut down since it opened its doors to tourism in 1948 .
The first time was in 2010 when torrential and prolonged rains forced it to close .
The stone complex built in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day starting Sunday , the director of Machu Picchu archaeological park , José Bastante , told The Associated Press during an exclusive visit to the near-empty ruin ahead of its reopening .
“ We have a limited 30 % admission capacity in compliance with biosafety measures and protocols , ” Bastante said while supervising final preparations to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site .
The site is accustomed to receiving 3,000 tourists a day , though it recently passed regulations limiting visitors to 2,244 visitors a day to protect the ruins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in the 15th century a maximum of 410 people lived in the citadel on the limits of the Andes mountains and the Amazon .
Before entering , visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be required to wear masks and stand at least 2 metres apart .
Groups , including a guide , can not be larger than eight people , and children under 12 will not be allowed .
To avoid crowding , visitors will travel on four circuits .
Tour operators are offering packages costing $ 250 to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have cost at least $ 750 .
Peru ’ s tourism revenues have been frozen since it decreed a general lockdown March 16 to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
So far , 34,197 people have died from COVID-19 in the country .
Machu Picchu is Peru ’ s tourism jewel and in 2018 drew 1.5 million visitors .
The citadel was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 metres ( 8,170 feet ) .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--VW recalls Jettas to fix fuel leaks that can cause fires

DETROIT - Volkswagen is recalling more than 218,000 Jetta sedans in the U.S. to fix a fuel leak problem that @ @ @ @ @ recall covers certain cars from the 2016 through 2018 model years .
Volkswagen says in @ @ @ @ @ safety regulators that bolts holding some high-pressure tubing can come loose over time , allowing @ @ @ @ @ the risk of a fire .
The German automaker hasn ’ t figured out yet @ @ @ @ @ fix the problem , but it expects to start notifying owners around Dec. 20 .
@ @ @ @ @ built from June 18 , 2015 to Dec. 9 , 2017 .
Documents posted by @ @ @ @ @ Safety Administration don ’ t say if there have been any fires , but they @ @ @ @ @ claims .
The documents say owners could smell a fuel odor or see fuel leaking @ @ @ @ @ Messages were left Wednesday seeking comment from Volkswagen about what owners should do if they @ @ @ @ @ the vehicles should be parked outdoors .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--New deaths as fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh keeps flaring

YEREVAN , Armenia - Deadly fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh showed no signs of abating Wednesday despite a U.S.-brokered cease-fire that took force just two days ago and has so far failed to halt the flare-up of a decades-old conflict .
Nagorno-Karabakh officials said Azerbaijani forces hit Stepanakert , the region ’ s capital , and the nearby town of Shushi with Smerch long-range multiple rocket systems , a devastating Soviet-designed weapon intended to ravage wide areas with explosives and cluster munitions .
One civilian was killed in Shushi and two more were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armenian Unified Infocenter also reported that Azerbaijani forces targeted a maternity hospital in Stepanakert .
The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry rejected all the accusations and in turn accused Armenian forces of using the Smerch multiple rocket system to fire at the Azerbaijani towns of Terter and Barda .
The strike on Barda killed more than 20 people and wounded 60 , Azerbaijani officials said .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev promised on Twitter a “ befitting response ” for the strike .
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ended in 1994 .
By then , Armenian forces not only held Nagorno-Karabakh itself but also captured substantial areas outside the territory ’ s borders .
The latest fighting , which began Sept. 27 , has involved heavy artillery , rockets and drones , in the largest escalation of hostilities over the separatist region in the quarter-century since the war ended .
Hundreds , and possibly thousands of people , have been killed in the fighting .
The deadly clashes continued for over a month despite numerous calls for peace and three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest truce began Monday , after talks facilitated by the United States , and came after two failed attempts by Russia to broker a lasting truce .
All three cease-fire agreements were immediately challenged by reports of violations from both sides .
According to Nagorno-Karabakh officials , 1,068 of their troops and 39 civilians have been killed in the clashes so far , while 122 civilians have been wounded .
Azerbaijani authorities haven ’ t disclosed their military losses , but say the fighting has killed 69 civilians and wounded 322 .
Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Moscow ’ s information , the death toll from the fighting was nearing 5,000 , significantly higher than what both sides report .
Russia , the United States and France have co-chaired the so-called Minsk Group set up by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to mediate the conflict , but their attempts to negotiate a political settlement have stalled .
Aliyev has repeatedly criticized the Minsk Group for not producing any progress in three decades and insisted that Azerbaijan has the right to reclaim its territory by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Minsk Group ’ s co-chairs are set to meet with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Geneva on Thursday , but prospects for progress appear dim .
Turkey , which has thrown its weight behind Azerbaijan in the conflict , has sought to take a more prominent role in the peace talks — something Armenia has vehemently opposed .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his ruling party ’ s legislators Wednesday that during a phone conversation with Putin the day before , he proposed that Ankara and Moscow work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their influence on the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders .
“ If you want , we can solve this issue together , ” Erdogan said , recounting his conversation with Putin .
“ You hold talks with ( Armenian Prime Minister Nikol ) Pashinian , and let me hold discussions with my brother Ilham ( Aliyev ) .
Let ’ s bring this issue to a sweet end.
“ Erdogan did not relay Putin ’ s response to his suggestion .
The proposal was not mentioned in the Kremlin ’ s readout of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday that only Armenia and Azerbaijan can decide on whether to involve Turkey in peace talks or not .
Russia , which has a military base in Armenia and a security agreement to protect its ally , has been involved in a delicate diplomatic game while trying to also maintain good ties with Azerbaijan and avoid a showdown with Turkey .
Associated Press writers Daria Litvinova in Moscow , Aida Sultanova in London and Suzan Fraser in Ankara , Turkey contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--School bus driver, 7-year-old girl killed in Tennessee crash

DECATUR , Tenn. - A school bus driver was killed along with a 7-year-old girl after a utility vehicle swerved into their lane .
The bus , carrying 22 children , slammed head-on into the vehicle ’ s side , the Tennessee Highway Patrol said .
Five children were airlifted to a regional hospital and two were taken by ambulance after Tuesday ’ s crash on state Highway 58 in Meigs County in eastern Tennessee , Lt. Bill Miller said .
Authorities said the oncoming utility vehicle veered off the road and then over-corrected , swerving and skidding sideways just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bus driver , a woman , had no opportunity to stop , the highway patrol said .
One student , a boy , was in critical condition and undergoing surgery as of late Tuesday night .
No names were released pending notification of family .
M.J. Vaughn , 13 , told WSMV-TV that he was on the bus and heard the vehicle ’ s brakes screech before the crash .
“ All it was was just a big bang .
Everybody was just screaming .
There was people laying on the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lt. Miller shared his condolences to “ this community and to the family of the school bus driver and the family of the 7-year-old.
” He spoke to a Tuesday evening news conference at Meigs South Elementary School in Decatur , according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press .
Tennessee Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn said in a statement that she and the entire staff at the Tennessee Department of Education are “ deeply saddened.
” The driver of the utility vehicle , from Service Electric , was being treated for minor injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been filed in the crash .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Tanzania votes but ‘widespread irregularities’ are claimed

DODOMA , Tanzania - Long lines of voters in Tanzania went to the polls on Wednesday for a presidential election that the opposition warned is compromised by manipulation , deadly violence and a massive internet slowdown in a country once praised as a beacon of peace in Africa .
Results declared by the electoral commission can not be challenged in court , bringing urgency to efforts to monitor the vote , but opposition figures said observers were turned away from scores of polling stations .
Some major independent observers like the European Union were not invited or barred .
Leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irregularities ” including ballot box-stuffing , tweeting that “ if this continues , mass democratic action will be the only option to protect the integrity of the election.
” The survivor of an assassination attempt in 2017 , Lissu returned this year to challenge populist President John Magufuli , who seeks a second five-year term .
Others reported intimidation .
“ My life is in danger , ” the chairman of a top opposition party , Freeman Mbowe of CHADEMA , tweeted early Wednesday , asserting that “ heavily armed gangsters ” protected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two of his security guards .
The electoral commission chair , Semistocles Kaijage , in a statement immediately after the polls closed said allegations of irregularities , including fake ballots , circulating on social media were not true .
The commission had not received any formal notification of alleged fraud , he said .
The East African nation has become a human rights crisis as diplomats , the United Nations and others say the government under Magufuli has severely stifled media , civil society and opposition voices .
He also has been accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it defeated through prayer .
“ We must continue to maintain peace , ” the president said after voting , showing off his inked finger .
Magufuli , nicknamed “ the bulldozer , ” has made his name in part by targeting corruption and strengthening one of Africa ’ s fastest-growing economies .
Opposition challenger Lissu urged people to go into the streets to protest if election results are announced Thursday without being counted properly .
Whoever receives the most votes wins , with no second round .
Counting began immediately after polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three days .
The opposition faces a major challenge in trying to unseat the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party , in power since independence in 1961 , as 15 presidential candidates sought a win , splitting support .
More than 29 million people registered to vote .
Internet services slowed on Wednesday .
Few in foreign media received approval to report on the ground .
“ Everyone has the duty to protect the legitimacy of this general election , ” The Citizen newspaper said .
Deadly violence erupted ahead of the vote as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ACT Wazalendo , accused police of shooting dead nine people in the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar .
CHADEMA accused ruling party supporters of shooting dead two people at a rally Tuesday in a town in the northeast .
The ruling party did not respond to requests for comment .
One voter in Zanzibar , Yahya Khamis , said it was doubtful the vote would be free or fair .
“ To our surprise we have been given only four ballot papers while we ’ re required to vote for five candidates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mohammed , noted that “ we ’ re very much secured today on our safety.
” Police and military presence remained heavy .
Tanzania Elections Watch , a regional initiative of prominent personalities , has noted hate speech and intimidation of candidates and said the election will be flawed if held under current conditions .
In a statement Wednesday it warned that actions by security forces have created a “ climate of fear , “ and it said it was “ alarmed by the clampdown on communication channels , including suspension of bulk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media sites , and slowing down of Internet communication .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Turkey threatens new military operation into Syria

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened Wednesday to launch a new military operation in northern Syria if Kurdish militants are not cleared from areas along its border with Syria .
In an address to his ruling party ’ s legislators in parliament , the Turkish leader also said a Russian airstrike that targeted Turkey-backed Syrian rebels in Idlib earlier this week was an indication that Moscow was not looking for a lasting peace in the region .
“ If all of the terrorists aren ’ t removed ... as it has been promised to us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a legitimate reason to intervene at any moment we feel the need to , ” Erdogan said .
His comments came days after a suspected Kurdish militant — whom officials said had infiltrated into Turkey from Syria — blew himself up in a town in the border province of Hatay , following a police chase .
Security officials killed a second militant .
In his first remarks on Monday ’ s airstrike that killed dozens of fighters , Erdogan said : “ Russia ’ s attack targeting the Syrian National Army forces ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasting peace and calm is not wanted in the region.
” The strike was the deadliest in Idlib since a Turkish-Russian-brokered truce there came into effect in March .
It occurred as relations between Russia and Turkey show increasing signs of strain over Ankara ’ s military involvement in Syria , the Caucasus Mountains and in Libya , where Moscow also has interests .
In Syria , Russia is a main supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad ’ s government .
Turkey has carried out three major forays into Syria since 2016 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State group from the border area .
Last year , it sent troops into northeastern Syria to expel Syrian Kurdish fighters it considers to be terrorists from the area and to create a “ safe-zone ” where it hoped to resettle refugees .
Turkey halted the offensive following separate deals with the United States and Russia that promised the withdrawal of the Kurdish fighters .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Love blossoms amid pandemic, TikTok turmoil for two creators

NEW YORK - With love and pranks , Ian Paget and Chris Olsen are among millions of U.S. newbies looking to soak up social media stardom on TikTok .
The Los Angeles boyfriends have amassed a steady stream of fans , with more than 4 million followers laughing and encouraging them in comments on their goofy dance videos , heartfelt vlogs , and affirmations during a tumultuous time for the world and for the popular platform .
While Paget and Olsen , along with millions of other creators , aren ’ t breakout stars like dancer Charli D ’ Amelio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cranberry juice and long board ) , they symbolize something else on TikTok .
Their care for each other shines through for a range of supporters , from middle-age moms to LGBTQ youth struggling to come out .
And they ’ ve grabbed their chunk of success after meeting last year and moving in together just a few months ago to wait out the coronavirus crisis as their new love blossomed .
Paget , 33 , is an actor thrown out of work by the pandemic .
Olsen , 22 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Paget is the wildly articulate one who ’ s endlessly surprised by Olsen , the deadpan trickster .
They ’ ve made more of the platform than the average TikToker , sharing their coming-out stories and milestones , their daily lives and kisses , along with some tears and rough times , like Olsen ’ s hard-fought victory over alcohol .
You ’ ll find no maskless “ Karens ” on their account , @ olsennchris , or police confrontations , natural disasters or bullying neighbours .
What you ’ ll discover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two gay dads to many of their “ bloomers , ” as they ’ ve nicknamed their tribe .
And they often do it with shirts off and sculpted six-packs on display .
“ We ’ re going to make the most of it and enjoy doing what we do , ” Paget told The Associated Press .
Added Olsen : “ We ’ re letting people into our lives .
It ’ s something new that people hadn ’ t seen , especially from two gay men.
” Adorable uncles would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones at that .
They recently chatted on Instagram about the need to vote with Rep. Katie Porter , the California Democrat who loves her white boards .
For the record , Olsen and Paget don ’ t have kids or plans to marry any time soon , to the chagrin of some diehard followers .
Other fans fret that TikTok will pull them apart .
They make it clear to their audience that they ’ re still getting to know each other after celebrating their first anniversary in September .
In 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active users in the U.S. By this August , more than 100 million Americans were on the platform , according to legal documents filed by the company .
Globally , it went from about 55 million users at the start of 2018 to nearly 700 million this July .
Olsen and Paget arrived on TikTok in April , considering it a fun distraction in lockdown .
By July , they were gaining about 120,000 new followers a day , with their count now at more than 4.3 million and climbing .
After President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , the pair added YouTube about two months ago and hit 100,000 in a month .
With admirers following them over from TikTok , they have more than 134,000 YouTube subscribers ( find them at Chris & Ian ) and continue to draw more .
Their audience is a bit surprising , Olsen said .
It ’ s mostly women and girls in a range of ages and ethnicities .
The couple ’ s support and advice for LGBTQ young people has landed on grateful ears , reflected in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos .
“ I thought when we started it as two gay men , maybe our following was going to be mostly gay people , ” Olsen said .
” Part of it is that we are not playing into our gayness , in a way .
Not that there ’ s anything to play into .
We are just being ourselves .
That just is .
With our comfortability with each other , it ’ s kind of just showing people these are people that you know.
” Paget is in it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ art and theatre of it all .
His stream-of-consciousness reactions to Olsen ’ s pranks ( stock-in-trade on TikTok ) just might make him one of the planet ’ s most patient people .
After Olsen flicked his hand away to gauge his reaction in one video , Paget thought-travelled to homophobic hydrangeas that can ’ t focus on their blooming because they ’ re filled with hate , leading to one of the catchphrases — “ focus on your blooming ” — that adorn the thousands of dollars in merch they sell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I want to say and be real .
There was no pretense .
That ’ s how I talk .
This is how I passionately convey what I ’ m feeling in a sometimes loving and sometimes emphatic way , ” Paget said .
His at times edited reactions have led some fans to wonder whether scripts are involved , especially as Olsen continues to ensnare Paget with crazy couples challenges that have him fake sniping at his loved one or hopping in his boyfriend ’ s shower , clothes and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges later ?
“ Certain ones , yes .
Sometimes I get a morning briefing , ” he admits .
Whether dancing , vlogging or pranking , they ’ re a pandemic success story no matter where the coronavirus and TikTok lead them .
“ Ian and I found each other at a perfect time in each other ’ s lives , I think , ” Olsen said .
“ There was an instant attraction.
” And they found TikTok at the perfect time as well .
Now , they ’ re soaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meal prep service Hello Fresh , and companies are dropping into their comments in search of collaborations .
“ TikTok really found its way into everyone ’ s life during the pandemic , “ Paget said .
” It was like a medicine everyone needed .
The way Instagram makes you compare yourself in a sort of perfect world , TikTok was not that .
TikTok is like silly , fun , quirk , enjoy , imperfection , support .
There ’ s a lot of rooting for the stranger who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio .
It just came at the right time and brought people a lot of joy .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Japan PM says plan to release Fukushima water coming soon

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday that his government is working on the final details of a plan to release massive amounts of radioactive water being stored at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant , a decision that has been delayed by protests .
More than nine years after the disaster , the government still hasn ’ t made clear what it will do with the water at the plant , though a release into the ocean has been largely speculated on in recent years .
“ We can not put off our decision forever without making a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session Wednesday , saying the plant is running out of storage space .
“ Based on discussions and expertise we ’ ve had , we will further deepen our discussion and responsibly make a decision at an appropriate time.
” A government panel in February issued a report recommending releasing the water into the ocean as the most realistic plan .
The government and the plant operator , Tokyo Electric Power Co. , or TEPCO , say all radioactive materials but tritium can be safely removed , and that tritium is largely harmless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.2 million tons of the water stored in 1,000 huge tanks that occupy a large amount of space at the plant .
TEPCO says that it will run out of space in the summer of 2022 and that the tanks hamper the decommissioning process .
Suga did not give a timeline , though a decision is expected in weeks , if not months .
An actual release would be about two years away because TEPCO still has to set up a facility for a release and have it authorized by the Nuclear Regulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release of the water will take decades .
The plant suffered a triple meltdown in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami and is undergoing decades-long decommissioning .
The contaminated water , a mixture of injected cooling water and groundwater that flows into the reactor area , has accumulated since the accident .
The government and TEPCO say water treatment systems can remove all but water-soluble tritium , though currently 70 % of the water contains other radioactive materials exceeding allowable limits .
TEPCO says it can meet the safety standard by running the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before releasing it .
Suga visited the Fukushima plant last month and said he hoped to make a decision as soon as possible .
Government officials said they need more time to discuss ways to mitigate reputational damage to the local industries and gain public understanding .
Fishermen especially have opposed a release , saying their already badly hurt business would die .
Their local and national representatives visited Tokyo last week to protest to environment and agriculture ministers .
On Wednesday , Japanese officials from the foreign and industry ministries provided an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates on the water situation .
Nuclear officials inside and outside of Japan have said a controlled release of the water into the ocean is the only realistic way of getting rid of the water safely .
Nuclear Regulation Authority chairman Toyoshi Fuketa recently said that tritium below allowable limits is routinely released from nuclear plants around the world .
He said he is not concerned about safety , but understands psychological and reputational concerns about the water associated with the Fukushima disaster .
He said careful monitoring of the water samples is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some scientists say the long-term environmental impact from radioactive water is unknown and could pose higher risks than explained .
Ken Buesseler , a marine biologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution , said in a recent article that not only tritium but how other isotopes affect marine life should be carefully examined .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Dissolved Thai party leaders decry possible legal charges

BANGKOK - Leaders of a popular Thai political party dissolved by the courts eight months ago warned Wednesday that a reported plan to charge them with a crime could inflame the country ’ s current political crisis .
Executives of the former Future Forward Party were responding to Thai media reports that the state Election Commission has decided to file charges with police alleging that they violated the Political Parties Act by accepting a large loan from party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit .
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul , who had been the party ’ s secretary-general , said at a news conference that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed , would not stop the former executives from promoting progressive causes .
The party ’ s reformist positions and popularity had been an irritant to the government and the conservative forces in Thai society that back the administration .
It had won the third-highest number of seats in last year ’ s general election .
If the case proceeds to court , Thanathorn could be jailed for up to five years and fined 100,000 baht ( $ 3,200 ) for making a loan over the legal limit , while his 15 executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and be fined 1 million baht ( $ 32,000 ) for accepting it .
The commission has refused to confirm or deny the reports , which were attributed to an unnamed source .
The commission ’ s reported decision came as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha faces a political crisis due to ongoing student-led pro-democracy protests .
The protesters want Prayuth to step down , a more democratic constitution and reforms to the monarchy , which they believe is too powerful .
Some supporters of the government allege that Thanathorn , a millionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to stage the protests .
The former party executives deny this , and it is generally believed that the students are acting on their own accord .
The protest movement ’ s roots are in a February ruling by the constitutional Court ordering the dissolution of the Future Forward Party because of the loan .
The court also imposed a 10-year ban on the party ’ s executive members holding political office .
Student pro-democracy protests sprung up around the country which over the past few months have evolved into a popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent weeks .
“ If the directors of this plot think that by dissolving the Future Forward Party , by banning our political rights , they will put out the fire before it spreads , they are wrong .
In fact , they are fanning the fire , ” Piyabutr said at the news conference .
He said many analysts agree that the party ’ s dissolution eight months ago was one of the causes of dissatisfaction among young people .

Tassanee Vejpongsa - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--South Africa’s president in quarantine as virus cases rise

JOHANNESBURG - South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has announced he has gone into quarantine after coming into contact with a dinner guest who has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Ramaphosa came into contact with a guest at a dinner of 35 people in Johannesburg last weekend , the president ’ s spokesman said Wednesday .
The dinner was to raise funds to support South Africa ’ s schools .
“ The event adhered stringently to COVID-19 protocols and directives on screening , social distancing and the wearing of masks , “ acting spokesman Tyrone Seale said .
“ As was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president himself removed his mask only when dining and addressing the guests.
” Ramaphosa is not showing any symptoms and is working at home , he said .
The guest who tested positive is getting medical care , he said .
Ramaphosa learned of his possible exposure Tuesday night , after he had unveiled a statue at Johannesburg ’ s O.R .
Tambo International airport and later answered questions from parliament in an online briefing .
Ramaphosa ’ s quarantine comes as South Africa is experiencing a rise COVID-19 cases .
The 7-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa has risen over the past two weeks from 2.72 new cases per 100,000 people on Oct. 13 to 2.78 new cases per 100,000 people on Oct. 27 .
South Africa reported 1,092 new infections and 48 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours .
However , South Africa ’ s 7-day rolling average of daily deaths has decreased over the past two weeks , going from 0.22 deaths per 100,000 people on Oct. 13 to 0.10 deaths per 100,000 people on Oct. 27 .
With nearly 718,000 cumulative confirmed cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of all the more than 1.7 million cases reported by Africa ’ s 54 countries , representing a population of 1.3 billion people .
Answering questions in parliamentary Tuesday , Ramaphosa said his government is closely watching the slow resurgence of COVID-19 , after the country passed its first peak of cases and deaths in late July .
He said his government was not considering imposing another hard lockdown over fears of a second wave of infections .
To slow the spread of COVID-19 , South Africa imposed one of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , shutting down nearly all economic activity , including bans on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes .
The sweeping restrictions succeeded in slowing the spread of the disease , but at a high economic cost , causing unemployment to rise to 42 % .
Ramaphosa urged all South Africans to continue wearing masks and washing their hands .
Last weekend police closed down several nightclubs in Johannesburg that were operating after the regulated curfew closure time of midnight , and where patrons were reportedly not wearing masks or keeping a social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Town were traced back to a popular nightclub where it is believed patrons were not adhering to COVID-19 safety measures , according to reports in local media .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Lawsuit demands California museum forfeit Thai artifacts

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. government is demanding a San Francisco museum give up claims to two religious relics allegedly stolen from Thailand , the U.S. attorney ’ s office announced Tuesday .
A civil complaint filed Monday in federal court seeks the forfeiture of two 1,500-pound hand-carved sandstone lintels the government contends were looted from ancient temples in Thailand .
The lawsuit says the items illegally made their way to a private collector in the United States and were donated to the city- and county-owned collection of the Asian Art Museum .
Thailand began investigating after the Thai consulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on display when he visited the museum in 2016 , according to the suit .
“ Returning a nation ’ s cultural antiquities promotes goodwill with foreign governments and citizens , while significantly protecting the world ’ s cultural history and knowledge of past civilizations , ” said a statement from Tatum King , special agent in charge with Homeland Security Investigations in San Francisco .
“ The theft and trafficking of cultural artifacts is a tradition as old as the cultures they represent.
” The museum said one lintel is from Nong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The other is from Khao Lon Temple and dates to 975-1025 AD .
The museum says one item was bought by noted collector Avery Brundage and the other by the museum , with Brundage as a go-between , in the 1960s from sellers in London and Paris .
The museum said that its own study found no evidence that the lintels were looted but also didn ’ t turn up any copies of required export documents required under Thai law , so it took them off public display and was planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the museum had been negotiating with both the Department of Homeland Security and Thai officials since 2017 , said Robert Mintz , the museum ’ s deputy director .
The lengthy process of permanently removing the items from the museum ’ s collection had been expected to be completed this spring but now ” the lintels won ’ t go anywhere until the legal process is complete , ” he said .
“ We ’ re surprised by this filing and we ’ re disappointed that it seems to throw up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing negotiations.
” he added .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Daniel Menaker, award-winning author and editor, dead at 79

NEW YORK - Daniel Menaker , an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction and a longtime editor at The New Yorker and Random House who worked with Alice Munro , Salman Rushdie , Colum McCann and many others , has died at age 79 .
Menaker ’ s son , podcaster Will Menaker , announced on Twitter that he died Monday of pancreatic cancer , with his wife , the writer and editor Katherine Bouton ; and his two children at his bed side .
“ He was me , and I am him in so many ways , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him terribly , but am struck with a profound feeling that I am the luckiest man alive for having been his son.
” Daniel Menaker was the author of several books , including the memoir “ My Mistake ” and the comic psychological novel “ The Treatment , ” adapted into a 2007 movie starring Chris Eigeman and Ian Holm .
He was also known for the O. Henry Award-winning title story of his collection “ The Old Left , “ which draws on his early childhood in Greenwich Village and his “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly spied on Trotsky in Mexico , where the exiled Russian revolutionary was eventually assassinated , on behalf of the Communist Party ; an uncle was named for Friedrich Engels .
In conversation , Menaker was often genial and self-effacing , but he would acknowledge competitive and boastful sides and was haunted by a family tragedy he helped bring on .
In 1967 , during a family game of touch football , he encouraged his older and only brother Mike to play defence , even though Mike was troubled by bad knees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after surgery when he developed septicemia .
“ Somewhere in my hideous id , I killed him , “ Menaker wrote in his memoir .
“ I vanquished him from the field , and spoils are all mine.
” Menaker was an undergraduate at Swarthmore and received a master ’ s degree at Johns Hopkins University .
He taught at private school and worked as an editorial assistant at the Prentice Hall publishing house before joining The New Yorker as a fact checker in 1969 .
He remained for more than 25 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , handling work by Munro , Pauline Kael and George Saunders among others .
He was also published in the magazine , starting with a story in which he imagines his brother returning from the dead , “ Grief.
” In his memoir , he remembered being pushed out of the magazine in the mid-1990s by then-editor Tina Brown and handed off to her husband , Harry Evans , who was running Random House and made Menaker a senior editor .
Over the next decade , his authors included Rushdie and such future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also took on one of publishing ’ s more unusual assignments — the manuscript for the novel about Bill Clinton ’ s 1992 presidential run “ Primary Colors , ” which he edited without knowing who wrote it .
The 1996 bestseller was released anonymously , although the author was eventually revealed to be journalist Joe Klein .
“ It reinforced the education I got at Swarthmore , which was very much explicative .
You didn ’ t care who wrote a poem , you just read it , ” Menaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m not sure that ‘ Primary Colors ’ is a great work of art .
I do know that it ’ s an awfully good novel , and it was a pleasure to have all the author complications cut away .
So that was a sort of purist , graduate-school approach to something that was a commercial publication , but it was great fun.
” He was forced out from Random House in 2007 — his salary was too high , his profits too low , he would recall — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultant for Barnes & Noble and on the faculty for the creative writing program at SUNY : Stony Brook University .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Virus cases spike at Milan’s La Scala, Naples’ San Carlo

MILAN - The number of performers at Milan ’ s famed La Scala opera house who have tested positive for the coronavirus has risen to 21 , even as the theatre was forced to close due to new government restrictions aimed at curbing the virus ’ resurgence .
La Scala spokesman Paolo Besana confirmed Tuesday that 18 members of the world-class chorus and three woodwind players in the orchestra have the virus .
That comes after two singers , including tenor Francesco Meli , tested positive , ahead of planned concert performances last week of Giuseppe Verdi ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 12 positive cases had been reported at the San Carlo Theater in Naples , affecting management , the orchestra , chorus and dance troupe .
The new peak in virus cases in Italy has been centred in Milan , Lombardy ’ s capital , throwing into doubt La Scala ’ s celebrated Dec. 7 gala season opener .
La Scala had launched a limited series of concerts and ballets in September with just 700 audience members instead of the usual 2,000 , with operatic concerts and ballet galas instead of fully staged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full staging in November , but the government decree has shut down theatres through Nov. 24 .
The theatre has not released the suspected source of contagion .
But the infections underline the delicacy of staging singing performances during which voices are necessarily projected , risking the spread of contagion .
Italy , the birthplace of opera , resumed classical music performances this summer after a severe 10-week lockdown , with strict distancing rules between orchestra members and limiting the number of singers on stage .
The government closed down all theatres this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conductor Riccardo Muti , who appealed to Premier Giuseppe Conte to “ revive the theatre and musical activity to provide spiritual food , without which society is brutalized.
’ ’ Muti had been scheduled to conduct at Naples ’ San Carlo theatre next month .


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--If Trump wanted people to avoid ‘60 Minutes,’ it didn’t work

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump can still be a potent television draw , although in the case of “ 60 Minutes ” this past week , it probably wasn ’ t what he intended .
The 17.4 million people who watched the CBS newsmagazine , featuring interviews with Trump and Democratic opponent Joe Biden , was the show ’ s biggest audience in more than two years , the Nielsen company said .
This was despite an angry president releasing an unedited version of his talk with Lesley Stahl on Facebook three days in advance because he didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 Minutes ” had been averaging 10.3 million viewers so far this season , clearly some people wanted to see the broadcast after hearing about the controversy , or saw the full tape and were curious about how CBS edited it .
Stahl made one reference to the dispute in her introduction , saying “ we had prepared to talk about the many issues and questions facing the president , but in what has become an all-too-public dust-up , the conversation was cut short.
” It was the biggest “ 60 Minutes ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another episode that Trump surely didn ’ t want people to see since it featured an interview with adult film star Stormy Daniels .
She alleged she had an affair with Trump , who denied it .
With the election near , Nielsen had more superlatives for cable news .
Fox News Channel ’ s Tucker Carlson recorded the most-watched month ever for a cable news program .
October has also represented the most-watched month in prime time for both CNN and MSNBC .
Behind the World Series , Fox was the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaging 8.2 million viewers .
NBC had 5.8 million viewers , ABC had 4.6 million , CBS had 4.4 million , Ion Television had 1.2 million , Univision had 1.1 million , Telemundo had 1 million and the CW had 620,000 .
Fox News Channel led the cable networks , averaging 5.16 million viewers in prime time .
MSNBC had 2.65 million , CNN had 2.4 million , ESPN had 2.14 million and Hallmark had 1.19 million .
ABC ’ s “ World News Tonight ” led the evening news ratings race with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC ’ s “ Nightly News ” had 7.2 million viewers and the “ CBS Evening News ” had 5.3 million .
For the week of Oct. 19-25 , the 20 most popular programs , their networks and viewerships :


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--GSK says Q3  earnings fall 14.4% amid COVID-19 disruption

LONDON - Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline says third-quarter earnings fell 14.4 % as disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic reduced sales of @ @ @ @ @ healthcare products .
The company said Wednesday that pretax profit dropped to 1.67 billion pounds @ @ @ @ @ from 1.95 billion pounds in the same period last year .
Net income fell 19.8 @ @ @ @ @ .
Vaccine sales dropped 12 % as a decline in adult wellness visits cut demand @ @ @ @ @ shingles vaccine , the company said .
The pandemic also cut new patient prescriptions for @ @ @ @ @ leading to a 7 % decline in pharmaceutical sales .
Sales of over-the-counter products dropped @ @ @ @ @ visited pharmacies .
GSK says the “ pandemic has impacted group performance , particularly in @ @ @ @ @ the first nine months of 2020.
“ However , it said that it has seen @ @ @ @ @ rates , including adult immunization rates in the United States returning to prior year levels @ @ @ @ @ the quarter .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-28--Chrissy Teigen delivers heartfelt essay on miscarriage

LOS ANGELES - Chrissy Teigen wrote a heartfelt message about the recent loss of her third child with husband John Legend .
Teigen delivered the essay in a Medium post Tuesday .
It was her first public response since she and Legend announced the loss of their son , Jack , in a heart-wrenching social media post with several photos on Sept. 30 .
In Tuesday ’ s post , Teigen wrote that her doctors diagnosed her with a partial placental abruption .
She announced her pregnancy with their child in August .
“ I had always had placenta problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to deliver Miles a month early because his stomach wasn ’ t getting enough food from my placenta .
But this was my first abruption.
” The 34-year-old Teigen said she received bags of blood transfusions at the hospital , but that failed to help support the fluid around her son .
After a couple nights , she said she knew it was time to say “ goodbye.
” “ He just wouldn ’ t survive this , and if it went on any longer , I might not either , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take and post photos of the process was met with some support and criticism .
She said Legend was “ very hesitant ” to take the photos , but she felt the need to share their story .
“ I can not express how little I care that you hate the photos , ” she wrote .
“ How little I care that it ’ s something you wouldn ’ t have done .
I lived it , I chose to do it , and more than anything , these photos aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have lived this or are curious enough to wonder what something like this is like .
These photos are only for the people who need them .
The thoughts of others do not matter to me.
” Teigen urged people to share their stories and “ please be kind to those pouring their hearts out .
”