thetorontostar--2020-10-20--The Latest: Calif. school fined for defying pandemic order

SAN FRANCISCO — A California private school has been ordered to pay $ 15,000 for defying a judge ’ s order to close classrooms and stop in-person teaching .
Tuesday ’ s decision in Fresno County Superior Court ends a nearly three-month legal battle that pitted county and state officials against Immanuel Schools , which is a private K-12 Christian school in California ’ s Central Valley .
It may be the first judgment of its kind against a California school for violating health orders aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — AP-NORC poll : Two-thirds of Americans don ’ t trust Trump much on virus — Federal judge considers challenge to CDC order halting evictions of certain renters through the end of year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
— British PM Johnson imposing strict coronavirus restrictions on Greater Manchester , England ’ s second-largest urban area , after talks fail on financial support .
— World Series opens Tuesday night with Major League Baseball relieved to reach the championship of a pandemic-delayed season .
Follow all of AP ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : BOISE , Idaho — Idaho is seeing its largest coronavirus spike since the pandemic began , with the number of new cases increasing 46.5 % over the past two weeks .
That has some health care experts urging Gov .
Brad Little to take additional action to slow the spread of the virus .
Dr. Bart Hill with the St. Luke ’ s Regional Health System says Idaho ’ s current approach hasn ’ t worked to change the trajectory of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are meeting with the governor to encourage additional steps like statewide information campaigns targeting teens and young adults .
The governor has said the responsibility for efforts to slow the virus falls on individuals .
He urges people to wear masks , practice social distancing and wash their hands .
DENVER — Colorado ’ s governor says he won ’ t impose new statewide restrictions for addressing what he calls an alarming acceleration of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations .
Gov .
Jared Polis said Tuesday that he will instead encourage the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing , social distancing , getting tested , self-quarantining and other behaviours to stem the virus ’ s spread .
Polis says roughly 80 % of the pandemic fight comes down to personal decisions .
He also says local health agencies are best suited to deal with any rising cases among their residents .
The state reported 1,208 new confirmed cases Tuesday and 417 hospitalizations .
SEATTLE — Washington state Gov .
Jay Inslee is requiring colleges and universities to provide quarantine facilities for all students if they are exposed to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions for higher education campuses as the University of Washington struggles to contain an outbreak in its fraternities and sororities .
There also have been outbreaks in Whitman County , home of Washington State University .
The new guidelines require colleges to provide isolation and quarantine facilities for Greek system houses , communal off-campus homes , students living in dorms and other personnel if they don ’ t have a place to go .
Colleges without dorms or residential facilities will have to devise plans for addressing student and staff needs for isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
ANN Arbour , Mich. — Students at the University of Michigan are being ordered to stay in place for two weeks after a surge of coronavirus cases driven by social gatherings on and off campus .
Local health officials said Tuesday that the surge is overwhelming their ability to confront the pandemic .
Officials say coronavirus cases related to the university represent 61 % of the total in Washtenaw County , compared to just 2 % in August .
More than 1,000 students have been infected since the start of fall term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are mostly held online .
Undergraduate students can attend in-person classes and also leave their residences for exercise , work , food , medical appointments , voting and religious services .
In response to the order , university President Mark Schlissel says even more undergraduate classes will shift to remote instruction .
Students who want to leave campus housing for the balance of the term could receive a refund or credit .
NEW YORK — A new study shows that older workers are facing higher unemployment than midcareer workers amid the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the New School university in New York City found that workers 55 and older lost jobs sooner , were rehired slower and continue to face higher job losses than their counterparts ages 35 to 54 .
The researchers say that from April through September , the older workers ’ unemployment rate was 9.7 % compared to 8.6 % for midcareer workers .
That ’ s based on a six-month rolling average .
The study says the rate was far worse for older workers who are black , female or lack college degrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report shows that since the coronavirus pandemic began , the U.S. has seen 300,000 more deaths than it usually would .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking how many deaths have been reported and comparing them with counts seen in other years .
Usually , between the beginning of February and the end of September , about 1.9 million deaths are reported .
This year , it ’ s closer to 2.2 million – a 14.5 % increase .
The CDC says the coronavirus was involved in about two-thirds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it ’ s likely the virus was a factor in many other deaths too .
For example , someone with heart attack symptoms may have hesitated to go to a hospital that was busy with coronavirus patients .
The largest segment of the excess deaths , about 95,000 , were in elderly people ages 75 to 84 .
That was 21.5 % more than in a normal year .
But the biggest relative increase , 26.5 % , was in people ages 25 to 44 .
Deaths in people younger than 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for different racial and ethnic groups , but the largest increase – 54 % – was among Hispanic Americans .
AUGUSTA , Maine — Maine ’ s Democratic Gov .
Janet Mills said Tuesday she was “ disappointed ” that Vice-President Mike Pence , a Republican , held a campaign rally in Hermon that appeared to exceed the state ’ s attendance limit for outdoor gatherings .
Pence held the event on Monday to tout President Donald Trump ’ s reelection bid and promote Maine Republicans .
The state limits outdoor gatherings to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Savage said there were between 1,500 and 2,000 people in attendance .
Savage was dismissive of criticism of the event Monday : “ I guess we ’ ll have to call it a ‘ peaceful protest.
’ Gov .
Mills and her pals should be fine then , ” Savage said in an email .
ATLANTA — The CDC is strongly recommending passengers on planes , trains and buses wear masks , but it ’ s stopping short of requiring it .
The CDC says the coronavirus is still being transmitted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travellers are often in close contact with others , sometimes for several hours .
Masks are necessary because travellers may be unable to stay 6 feet apart on planes and buses , CDC says .
It says masks should be worn by all passengers and workers on planes , ferries , trains , subways , buses , taxis and ride-sharing vehicles .
That includes in airports and at subway and bus stations .
All leading U.S. airlines require passengers other than small children to wear masks during flights , but enforcement can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to require masks .
The CDC says it was offering the new recommendations to support state and local health officials and transportation operators who have imposed their own mask rules .
PHOENIX — Arizona reported more than 1,000 daily coronavirus cases for the second time in a week .
The state Department of Health Services reported 1,040 cases Tuesday and seven more deaths , increasing the statewide totals to 232,937 cases and 5,837 deaths .
The state ’ s rolling average of daily new cases rose over the past two weeks from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 835.3 on Oct. 19 , according to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press .
The rolling average of daily deaths dropped from 12 per day to 10 during the same period .
The rolling average of Arizona ’ s positivity rate rose from 6.6 % to 8.9 % .
Arizona was a national hotspot in July and July .
OKLAHOMA CITY — The number of people hospitalized in Oklahoma with the coronavirus reached a record high 821 .
The number reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 793 recorded on Friday .
Gov .
Kevin Stitt plans to discuss hospital capacity in the state .
The health department reported an additional 1,475 cases and 18 deaths .
There ’ s been a total of 109,548 confirmed cases and 1,191 deaths in Oklahoma .
SARAJEVO , Bosnia-Herzegovina — Bosnian officials say social restrictions might become unavoidable if the population flouts current restrictions , including mask mandates and a ban on large indoor gatherings .
“ It would be very difficult to adequately respond to continued sudden spikes in infections because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Goran Cerkez , the assistant health minister in the larger of the country ’ s two autonomous parts .
Over the past seven days , there ’ s been an average of 506 cases per day registered in Bosnia , an increase of more than 40 % from the average a week earlier .
At the same time , several hospitals around the country say their COVID-19 wings are filling up .
The impoverished Balkan nation of 3.5 million record 728 infections on Tuesday , increasing to 35,400 confirmed cases .
Bosnia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 .
LONDON — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he ’ ll impose the highest level of coronavirus restrictions on the Greater Manchester region , after no deal was reached on a financial package .
Johnson says action was needed to protect the lives of Manchester ’ s residents and the region ’ s health care system .
The Tier 3 measures mean pubs and businesses must close and people in England ’ s second-largest city are banned from socializing with other households .
Leaders of the Greater Manchester region have resisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local businesses forced to close would need more financial support from the government .
Mayor Andy Burnham says he asked for an aid package , but the government walked away from the talks .
MADRID — Spain is poised to become the first country in Europe to surpass the milestone of 1 million officially recorded cases of the new coronavirus .
The Spanish Health Ministry reported Tuesday that authorities have recorded nearly 14,000 new cases , taking the total to 988,322 .
At the current rate of infection , Spain is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts say the true number of infections is probably much higher .
That ’ s because insufficient testing , asymptomatic cases and other issues mean official counts fail to capture the real scale of the outbreak .
Spain has confirmed 34,210 deaths from the coronavirus .
COLUMBUS , Ohio — The number of people hospitalized in Ohio because of the coronavirus has reached 1,154 , the department of health reported .
The agency says that ’ s the highest since July , with 158 on ventilators .
Republican Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay socially distanced .
The Health Department reported 1,837 confirmed virus cases on Monday , above the 21-day case average of 1,515 .
A record 2,178 cases reported on Oct. 15 .
Ohio has reported more than 183,000 confirmed cases and 5,075 deaths .
WASHINGTON — A new poll finds Americans ’ trust in the people and institutions giving them information about the coronavirus has fallen across the board .
Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they don ’ t trust President Donald Trump much or at all for accurate coronavirus information .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USAFacts and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
The poll finds that the percentage of people saying they trust COVID-19 information from their state or local governments , the news media , social media and their friends and family has dropped significantly compared to similar questions in April .
After Trump , the poll shows only social media has higher distrust levels .
The poll also shows a large chunk of Americans find it hard to know if COVID-19 information is accurate .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Frat suspended, probe launched into possible LSU hazing

BATON ROUGE , La .
- A fraternity chapter at Louisiana State University has been suspended and a Baton Rouge prosecutor said Tuesday that police are investigating a possible case of illegal hazing .
The developments surrounding the suspension of the Phi Kappa Psi chapter were announced a day after an LSU student was hospitalized .
Details have not been released though Baton Rouge news outlets report District Attorney Hillar Moore said police are looking into a possible hazing incident that led to the hospitalization .
Moore said the case appears similar to that of Max Gruver , an LSU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night of coerced drinking at a fraternity house .
Phi Delta Theta is banned from the LSU campus until at least 2033 because of the events leading to Gruver ’ s death .
“ This case looks unbelievably similar to the Gruver case .
There are a lot of parallels , with one exception : Everyone who has been questioned so far is co-operating with the investigation , ” Moore told the news outlets .
Gruver , from the Atlanta suburb of Roswell , Georgia , had been at LSU for a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
Matthew Naquin of Fair Oaks Ranch , Texas , was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced in November 2019 to five years in prison in connection with the Gruver case , but a judge suspended all but 2 1/2 years .
In the latest incident , Moore said officials are interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence to determine whether the circumstances meet the criminal definition of hazing that was enacted by the Legislature following Gruver ’ s death .
That law makes hazing that kills someone a felony , requires schools to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fines on organizations that knowingly allow hazing .

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thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Police: Officers fatally shoot armed robbery suspect

Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said during a news conference that two officers confronted Dominique Mulkey , 26 , minutes after he left a Dollar General store .
Employees at the store had attempted to stop Mulkey from stuffing items into a trash bag until he pulled out a gun , police said .
Mulkey then continued to place merchandise into the bag and left .
The workers called 911 , and the responding officers spotted Mulkey about five blocks from the store .
Body camera video showed the officers draw their weapons and order Mulkey to get on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
The vide shows Mulkey turning instead toward the officers , who open fire .
Officers immediately began first aid , officials said .
Mulkey was taken to a nearby hospital , where he died .
Investigators didn ’ t believe Mulkey had fired his weapon , according to authorities .
Police didn ’ t immediately say whether both officers or just one struck Mulkey .
Officials didn ’ t immediately identify the officers or their races .
Both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--French militant group, mosque to close after teacher slaying

PARIS - France ’ s president on Tuesday named a domestic militant Islamist group as “ directly implicated ” in last week ’ s gruesome street beheading in a Paris suburb of a teacher who had shown his class caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad .
Emmanuel Macron said the group will be ordered dissolved Wednesday , when a mosque that relayed a denunciation of the teacher is also to shut .
A terror investigation is under way into the killing by an 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee , who was later shot dead by police .
The killer has been identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judicial official said early Wednesday that seven people detained in an investigation into the grisly slaying , including two minors , were to go before an investigating magistrate later in the day for eventual preliminary charges .
The seven were among 16 people , including five adolescents , initially detained for questioning .
Nine are being released .
The official was not authorized to be quoted by name .
Investigators are trying to learn how the killer , who lived in the Normandy town of Evreux , set up his encounter with Paty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beheading was premeditated .
Speaking after a meeting with regional officials working to counter radical Islamists , Macron added that other associations and individuals are on the radar to be shut or silenced .
Meanwhile , more than 1,000 people gathered in drizzly rain to honour Samuel Paty where he was beheaded Friday as he left school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine , northwest of Paris .
Bouquets of flowers were piled in front of the school .
Paty had shown caricatures of the prophet of Islam to his class earlier this month for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civics course led to parental complaints and threats .
Speaking in the Seine-St.-Denis region , northeast of Paris , Macron reiterated Tuesday that he wants “ tangible results ” to combat “ an ideology of destruction of the ( French ) Republic.
” Macron said a group called the Collective Cheikh Yassine will be ordered dissolved at Wednesday ’ s Cabinet meeting .
Named after a slain leader of the Palestinian Hamas , the group was founded in the early 2000s by a man who is among those detained for questioning .
Macron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group was “ directly implicated ” in the attack .
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said later on BFMTV that the person in question helped disseminate the virulent message of a student ’ s father against the teacher in what increasingly appeared to be a case turning in part on a spiraling fever on social media among some Muslim individuals or groups .
The beheading resonated far beyond France with the grand imam of Al-Azhar , the Sunni Muslim seat of learning in Cairo , dissociating himself and all Muslims from the attack in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interfaith prayer service Tuesday in Rome .
Calling the beheading “ sinful and criminal , ” he also said that intellectual integrity is compromised by “ insulting religions and abusing sacred symbols under the slogan of freedom of expression.
” Macron has asked for quick , concrete action in the case .
The French president is waging war on what he calls “ separatism , ” referring to Islamist extremism that authorities say has created a parallel world in the country that counters French values .
A mosque in the northeast Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months starting Wednesday night .
A sign posted by the regional prefecture at the mosque entrance said the house of worship would be closed for six months — with a six-month prison sentence for violators .
The Pantin mosque is being punished for relaying the angry father ’ s message on social media that called for mobilization against the teacher .
The father quoted his 13-year-old daughter as saying the teacher had asked Muslims to leave the classroom — a version that was contested by Paty himself , according to press reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had an imam following the Salafist path , a rigorous interpretation of the Muslim holy book .
Pantin was also the home of an 18-year-old Pakistani refugee who three weeks earlier attacked and injured two people with a meat cleaver .
A national memorial event will be held Wednesday evening to pay tribute to Paty in the courtyard of Sorbonne university , a centuries-old symbol of the “ spirit of Enlightenment ” and “ a forum to express ideas and freedoms , ” the French presidency said .
Associated Press journalists Nicolas Garriga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--San Francisco police arrest man in assault on Trump backer

San Francisco police have made an arrest in the weekend assault of a Trump supporter and free speech rally organizer who lost two front teeth , officials said Monday .
San Francisco police said they arrested Adroa Anderson , 35 , of Watsonville in Oakland on Sunday .
He was booked into the San Francisco jail on charges of mayhem with a hate crime enhancement .
The organizer of Saturday ’ s event in downtown San Francisco , Philip Anderson of Team Save America , posted photos to social media of his bloody mouth with a front tooth missing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters attacked him “ for no reason.
” Several hundred counter-protesters surged into the area for the 1 p.m. event , overwhelming the handful of conservative activists .
Counter-protesters threw glass bottles , filled plastic bottles , metal cans and eggs , said police .
The event was quickly cancelled as a public safety hazard .
Three San Francisco officers were injured when they were assaulted with pepper spray and caustic chemicals .
Team Save America organized the rally to protest Twitter , which it said squelches conservative speech .
Members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Again ” Trump campaign hats and carried pro-police “ Thin Blue Line ” flags and U.S. flags .
It was not immediately known if Adroa Anderson had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Environmental groups sue over Portland tear gas use

PORTLAND , Ore. - Night after night in Portland , tear gas and other crowd control devices have enveloped protesters and bystanders in airborne chemicals that settle on the ground , later to be washed into storm drains .
Amid allegations that human health and the environment are suffering the consequences , five environmental groups represented by the ACLU of Oregon and others sued the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday .
The federal lawsuit alleges the U.S. government violated federal environmental law by deploying “ an unprecedented amount of dangerous chemical weapons ” without assessing their environmental impacts beforehand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policy Act .
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from federal authorities .
With the city experiencing some of the most sustained Black Lives Matter protests in the country , efforts by local officials and researchers are underway to determine whether , and how , people and the environment are being affected .
Cyanide and heavy metals such as chromium and zinc were found by Portland ’ s Bureau of Environmental Services at much higher levels in stormwater catch basins alongside a protest site than elsewhere in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month .
City officials said most contaminant levels in stormwater taken from a collection point 700 feet from the Willamette River , which bisects Portland , were lower than samples from a protest site several blocks further from the waterway .
“ While pollutant levels that enter the Willamette River are thankfully low , the city is concerned about any and all additional pollution loads , ” Environmental Services Director Mike Jordan said in September .
Oregon ’ s Department of Environmental Quality noted that “ the repeated deployment of tear gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of certain contaminants ” in stormwater drains .
But spokeswoman Susan Mills said the concentrations found in stormwater catch basins “ are not likely high enough to cause immediate impacts to the environment.
” Environmentalists , though , are troubled that the drainage systems around the federal courthouse and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building — both sites of protests that have seen heavy tear gas use — channel stormwater directly into the Willamette .
On a recent afternoon , activist Juniper Simonis stood knee-deep in the river with a mesh colander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rubber buckshot pellet .
Then Simonis , an environmental consultant who has “ These Gams Kill Fascists ” tattooed across both legs , found a larger pellet that likely came from a type of grenade that often contains tear gas .
Simonis also showed a reporter two dozen components of tear gas projectiles and pepper balls that Simonis says came from the river and storm runoff system .
The objects raise questions about the presence of invisible chemicals and heavy metals from the crowd control devices , said Travis Williams , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suing the federal government .
“ It would seem that those pieces of hardware and the pellets ... could be indicative of the contaminants making it to the river as well , ” Williams said .
The lawsuit says “ the presence of chemicals , sediment , and munitions debris ... in the Willamette River waters can cause negative effects to recreationalists , as well as wildlife.
” It asks the court to stop the use of tear gas and other munitions until the DHS analyzes their health and environmental impacts and makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a right to a safe and healthy community .
Environmental hazards and police violence disproportionately deny that right to Black , Indigenous , Latinx and other people of colour , ” said Kelly Simon , interim legal director with the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon .
The city report said high levels of cyanide , hexavalent chromium and barium in sediment in catch basins near the courthouse indicate there may be an accumulation from chemical munitions .
And Andrew Whelton , associate professor of environmental and ecological engineering at Purdue University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If contaminants accumulate in sediment , they may leach out over time or ... may be released into the water column , ” Whelton said in an email .
Lori Pillsbury , a lab administrator at the state environment department , recently told an Oregon House panel “ some of the products and the propellants associated with tear gas use can be detrimental to water quality and aquatic life.
” People are likely being exposed to substances at much higher concentrations than what was found in catch basins , said Sven-Eric Jordt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s School of Medicine .
He said air samples should be taken during protests .
But state officials said air-quality monitors aren ’ t located nearby and don ’ t measure tear gas exposure .
Medical experts say there are few studies on health effects of tear gas .
To try to fill the information gap , two surveys are being done , including by one of the nation ’ s largest healthcare groups .
The Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research , in Portland , launched its survey after people reported health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sometimes for weeks , said principal investigator Britta Torgrimson-Ojerio .
“ These reports included symptoms for which there is almost no peer-reviewed evidence , including menstrual cycle changes , prolonged headaches , and gastrointestinal issues such as lack of appetite , diarrhea , and nausea , ” said Torgrimson-Ojerio .
Another survey , by Planned Parenthood North Central States and the University of Minnesota , is “ very exploratory ” and could also help determine what future studies need to be done , said Asha Hassan , lead researcher .
Among obstacles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is lack of disclosure .
There also is a lack of oversight by federal agencies , according to a previous AP investigation .
The amounts of ingredients the crowd control agents contain are considered trade secrets , Portland officials said .
And the devices don ’ t always list the substances created when they ’ re deployed .
For example , safety data sheets for HC ( hexachloroethane ) smoke grenades — which have been deployed in Portland — don ’ t list zinc chloride , although it ’ s a known component @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulted in fatalities and injuries to unprotected soldiers , according to a U.S. Army report .
A European Union agency says it “ is very toxic to aquatic life.
” Figuring out precisely what tear gas components are in the environment is also a challenge .
Pillsbury said she can ’ t draw a direct connection between substances found at high levels in catch basins and crowd control munitions “ because these contaminants are associated with many daily activities and urban runoff .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Feds say US colleges ‘massively’ underreport foreign funding

A scathing report from the Trump administration on Tuesday concluded that top U.S. universities have “ massively underreported ” funding they accept from China , Russia and other nations described as “ foreign adversaries.
” The Education Department released the report amid its effort to enforce a 1986 law requiring U.S. universities to disclose gifts and contracts of $ 250,000 or more from foreign sources .
After going decades with little federal oversight , the law has become a priority for the Trump administration amid concerns over economic espionage and trade secret theft from abroad .
The department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has opened at 12 schools , including Harvard , Yale , Stanford and Georgetown universities .
Federal officials began investigating the schools amid suspicion that they had failed to report millions of dollars in gifts and contracts from sources in China , Russia , Saudi Arabia and Qatar .
According to early findings in the report , most of the 12 schools have had financial dealings with Huawei , the Chinese tech giant that some U.S. officials say is a threat to national security , and at least one had ties directly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals with the Russian government and institutions in Saudi Arabia and Qatar .
The report did not identify which universities were connected to those entities .
Since coming under federal scrutiny , the 12 schools disclosed a combined $ 6.5 billion in foreign funding that was previously unreported , the department said .
The Association of American Universities , which represents research universities , said the report is “ less a serious security assessment than it is a partisan and politically driven attack on America ’ s leading research universities.
” “ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about threats , it has consistently failed to respond to repeated requests for clarity , transparency , and guidelines , ” the group said in a statement .
Some universities had previously acknowledged errors in reporting and sought to correct them .
Yale said it failed to submit foreign funding reports for the years 2014 to 2017 but later corrected the omission .
The department said its review is ongoing and that it is still gathering information from universities .
In announcing the report , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said her agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have “ significant foreign entanglement.
“ ” For decades enforcement was lax , but not anymore , “ she said .
“ We took action to make sure the public is afforded the transparency the law requires.
” The report echoes warnings from federal authorities who say that competing nations are increasingly targeting U.S. colleges to steal research and technology .
It cites recent cases of Chinese nationals accused of working or studying at American colleges while also working for the Chinese government .
The department said its review is only meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the appropriateness of specific financial ties .
Still , it says the agency plans to wok with the Justice Department on any “ potential enforcement against specific institutions.
” Rep. Virginia Foxx , R-N.C. , ranking member of the House Education and Labor Committee , applauded the Education Department for pressing for transparency .
“ For too long , adversarial foreign actors , including China , have utilized whatever means at their disposal to influence American higher education with little to no repercussion , “ she said .
“ If we want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must require greater transparency and accountability of foreign money in our colleges and universities.
” It ’ s not unusual for U.S. colleges to accept foreign funding for research projects or exchange programs , but federal reporting requirements have long been treated as an honour system .
For years , little was done to verify the regular reports colleges submit to the federal government detailing foreign gifts and contracts of $ 250,000 or more .
That began to change last year , however , after a bipartisan report in Congress raised alarms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It found that 70 % of schools that house a Confucius Institute — a Chinese language program funded by the Chinese government — failed to disclose its financial ties to the Education Department .
In response to that finding , DeVos began ordering broader investigations into universities ’ foreign funding .
The department ’ s new report finds that the nation ’ s largest and richest universities have “ aggressively pursued and accepted foreign money.
” It concluded that colleges have “ massively underreported ” the resulting funding while also hiding details about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names of donors from abroad .
It cites Stanford as an example , saying the school anonymizes the names of foreign donors , including Chinese sources that have donated more than $ 64 million since 2010 .
The agency criticized Yale and Case Western Reserve universities for going years without reporting foreign donations , even as both were “ rapidly expanding their foreign operations and relationships.
” Universities have pushed back against criticism , saying they sought to follow the law but were given little federal guidance .
Many also oppose new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disclose greater detail about their ties to foreign companies and governments .
Some worry that the new rules will deter foreign donors who want to remain anonymous .
The department dismissed those concerns on Tuesday , along with complaints that the new rules are too burdensome .
“ Institutions manage to track every cent owed and paid by their students ; there is no doubt they can – and indeed do – track funds coming from foreign sources , including those adversarial to American interests , ” the report said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Missouri city removes disputed Confederate general marker

JEFFERSON CITY , Mo .
- The City Council in Missouri ’ s capital city has approved removing a Civil War marker dedicated to a Confederate general amid a dispute about the accuracy of its description .
Jefferson City Council members voted 8-2 Monday to remove the marker dedicated to Confederate Gen. Sterling Price .
The marker said Price intended to attack Jefferson City on Oct. 7 , 1864 , but decided against the plan and spared the city , The Jefferson City News-Tribune reported .
Critics questioned that version of events , saying no historical records support it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1933 by a chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy , which had ties to the Ku Klux Klan .
City workers moved the marker on Tuesday , Jefferson City Operations Division Director Britt Smith said .
It will be kept in storage until a decision is made on its future .
“ We felt it best to act quickly because there actually had been some actions around the stone that may have been somebody trying to remove part of the plaque , so we thought it was best to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Council member Ron Fitzwater had proposed the marker remain in place but with additional context added .
The council rejected that proposal on Monday .
Fitzwater said Monday he does not support the United Daughters of the Confederacy but that keeping the marker and adding additional context would be a compromise .
“ I think this amendment gives us an opportunity to bring some healing to the community , allow us to address this very serious issue , put some education out and all walk away feeling we ’ ve had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fitzwater said .
Councilman Jon Hensley said the marker was placed with the intention of being misleading about history .
He also argued the council needed to listen to people who are offended by the marker ’ s ties to the Confederacy , especially the city ’ s Black residents .
“ You have this attachment to admitted propaganda in historical clothing , and then you have people telling us about deeply rooted , generations-long hurt that — since childhood for them — this marker has represented , ” Hensley said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how you can put those things on an equal footing .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--N.C. insurance magnate begins serving federal prison term

RALEIGH , N.C. - A North Carolina insurance magnate and prolific political donor has started serving a federal prison sentence for corruption-related convictions .
Greg E. Lindberg was in custody on Tuesday at a minimum-security prison in Montgomery , Alabama , according to Scott Taylor , a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons .
A judge on Monday denied a second request by Lindberg ’ s lawyers to delay his Tuesday reporting date .
Lindberg , 50 , was sentenced in August to more than seven years in prison after being convicted of attempting to bribe North Carolina ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for his insurance business .
Lindberg is appealing his convictions .
Lindberg had given more than $ 5 million to state and federal candidates and committees since 2016 , favouring Republicans but also giving to Democrats .
John D. Gray , a consultant for Lindberg ’ s company , was convicted of charges similar to Lindberg ’ s .
But Gray , 70 , didn ’ t have to report to a West Virginia federal prison on Tuesday as initially required to begin his 2 1/2-year sentence .
U.S. District Judge Max @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request to delay his starting date until Jan. 1 , citing the defendant ’ s age and history of heart-related issues as elevating his risk for health complications should he contract COVID-19 in prison .
Cogburn rejected Lindberg ’ s contention that he was also at an increased risk for virus-related complications .
Lindberg later asked to remain at home until just after the birth of his child in early December , but the judge denied that request , too .
Lindberg , the sole owner of the company now known as Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he unveiled a biographical self-help book describing what a news release called “ the lessons he learned ” from encountering adversity .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--US spacecraft touches asteroid surface for rare rubble grab

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. - A NASA spacecraft descended to an asteroid Tuesday and , dodging boulders the size of buildings , momentarily touched the surface to collect a handful of cosmic rubble for return to Earth .
It was a first for the United States — only Japan has scored asteroid samples .
“ Touchdown declared , ” a flight controller announced to cheers and applause .
“ Sampling is in progress.
” Confirmation came from the Osiris-Rex spacecraft as it made contact with the surface of the asteroid Bennu more than 200 million miles away .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much , if much of anything , was grabbed and whether another try will be needed .
If successful , Osiris-Rex will return the samples in 2023 .
“ I can ’ t believe we actually pulled this off , ” said lead scientist Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona .
“ The spacecraft did everything it was supposed to do.
” Osiris-Rex took 4 1/2 hours to make its way down from its tight orbit around Bennu , following commands sent well in advance by ground controllers near Denver .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the spacecraft to land — the asteroid is just 1,670 feet ( 510 metres ) across .
As a result , it had to reach out with its 11-foot ( 3.4-meter ) robot arm and attempt to grab at least 2 ounces ( 60 grams ) of Bennu .
The University of Arizona ’ s Heather Enos , deputy scientist for the mission , described it as “ kissing the surface with a short touch-and-go measured in just seconds.
” At Mission Control for spacecraft builder Lockheed Martin , controllers on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ royal blue polo shirts and black masks with the mission patch .
The coronavirus pandemic had resulted in a two-month delay .
Tuesday ’ s operation was considered the most harrowing part of the mission , which began with a launch from Cape Canaveral back in 2016 .
A van-sized spacecraft with an Egyptian-inspired name , Osiris-Rex aimed for a spot equivalent to a few parking spaces on Earth in the middle of the asteroid ’ s Nightingale Crater .
After nearly two years orbiting the boulder-packed Bennu , the spacecraft found this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particles small enough to be swallowed up .
After determining that the coast was clear , Osiris-Rex closed in the final few yards ( meters ) for the sampling .
The spacecraft was programmed to shoot out pressurized nitrogen gas to stir up the surface , then suck up any loose pebbles or dust , before backing away .
By the time flight controllers heard back from Osiris-Rex , the action already happened 18 1/2 minutes earlier , the time it takes radio signals to travel each way between Bennu and Earth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and planned to provide an update Wednesday .
“ We ’ re going to be looking at a whole series of images as we descended down to the surface , made contact , fired that gas bottle , and I really want to know how that surface responded , “ Lauretta said .
“ We haven ’ t done this before , so this is new territory for us.
” Scientists want at least 2 ounces ( 60 grams ) and , ideally , closer to 4 pounds ( 2 kilograms ) of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon-rich material — thought to contain the building blocks of our solar system .
Pictures taken during the operation will give team members a general idea of the amount of loot ; they will put the spacecraft through a series of spins Saturday for a more accurate measure .
NASA ’ s science mission chief , Thomas Zurbuchen , likened Bennu to the Rosetta Stone : “ something that ’ s out there and tells the history of our entire Earth , of the solar system , during the last billions of years.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which swings by Earth every six years , has a slight chance of smacking Earth late in the next century .
It won ’ t be a show-stopping life-ender .
But the more scientists know about the paths and properties of potentially hazardous space rocks like this one , the safer we ’ ll all be .
Osiris-Rex could make two more touch-and-go manoeuvrs if Tuesday ’ s sample comes up short .
Regardless of how many tries it takes , the samples won ’ t return to Earth until 2023 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sample capsule will parachute into the Utah desert .
“ That will be another big day for us .
But this is absolutely the major event of the mission right now , ” NASA scientist Lucy Lim said .
Japan expects samples from its second asteroid mission — in the milligrams at most — to land in the Australian desert in December .
NASA , meanwhile , plans to launch three more asteroid missions in the next two years , all one-way trips .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Grand juror speaks after judge ruling in Breonna Taylor case

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - A grand juror who won a court fight to speak publicly about the Breonna Taylor investigation took issue Tuesday with statements by Kentucky ’ s attorney general and said the jury was not given the option to consider charges connected to Taylor ’ s shooting death by police .
The anonymous grand juror had filed suit to speak publicly after Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced last month that no officers would be directly charged in the March shooting death of Taylor during a narcotics raid .
The grand jury charged one officer with endangering her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning a judge ’ s permission to break silence in the case , the grand juror , who was not identified , said that only wanton endangerment charges were offered to them to consider against one officer .
The grand jury asked questions about bringing other charges against the officers , “ and the grand jury was told there would be none because the prosecutors didn ’ t feel they could make them stick , ” the grand juror said .
Cameron had opposed in court allowing grand jurors to speak about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not appeal the judge ’ s ruling .
Grand juries are typically secret meetings , though earlier this month the audio recordings of the proceedings in the Taylor case were released publicly .
Cameron announced the results of the grand jury investigation in a widely viewed news conference on Sept. 23 .
At that announcement , he said prosecutors “ walked the grand jury through every homicide offence.
” He also said “ the grand jury agreed ” that the officers who shot Taylor were justified in returning fire after they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s boyfriend .
Walker ’ s lone gunshot struck one of the officers in the leg .
The anonymous grand juror challenged Cameron ’ s comments , saying the panel “ didn ’ t agree that certain actions were justified , ” and grand jurors “ did not have homicide charges explained to them.
” The grand juror ’ s attorney , Kevin Glowgower , said his client ’ s chief complaint was the way in which the results were “ portrayed to the public as to who made what decisions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand juror had no further plans to speak about the proceedings beyond Tuesday ’ s statement , Glowgower said .
Ben Crump , an attorney for Taylor ’ s family , said Cameron “ took the decision out of the grand jury ’ s hands ” and said the grand juror ’ s statement was “ confirmation of Cameron ’ s dereliction of duties.
” Cameron has acknowledged his prosecutors did not introduce any homicide charges against two officers who shot Taylor , and said it was because they were justified in returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameron said Tuesday that it was his decision “ to ask for an indictment that could be proven under Kentucky law.
” “ Indictments obtained in the absence of sufficient proof under the law do not stand up and are not fundamentally fair to any one , ” Cameron said in a statement released Tuesday night .
In the ruling allowing the grand jurors to speak , Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Annie O ’ Connell wrote that it “ is a rare and extraordinary example of a case where , at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for preserving grand jury secrecy are null.
” Taylor , a Black emergency medical technician , was shot multiple times after Walker fired once at white officers executing a narcotics warrant .
Walker said he didn ’ t know it was police and thought it was an intruder .
The warrant was approved as part of a narcotics investigation .
No drugs were found at her home .
The case has fueled nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Mexico: Wedding resulted in 100 infected with coronavirus

MEXICO CITY - More than 100 people are believed to have been infected by the coronavirus at a wedding early this month in the northern Mexico border city of Mexicali , authorities said .
About 300 people attended the Oct. 3 nuptials of a soap opera actor and the daughter of a businessman , Alonso Oscar Pérez Rico , the health secretary of Baja California state said Monday .
Pérez Rico told local media that there were apparently no masks or temperature checks at the event and that the organizers also did not have permission to hold an event of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said authorities are investigating whether anyone attended the wedding knowing they had COVID-19 or were infected by the virus .
In some states in Mexico , knowingly infecting someone with a disease is a crime .
Photos published in local media show wedding guests dancing together without masks .
Mexicali has seen almost half of Baja California state ’ s 21,800 coronavirus cases .
Nationwide , Mexico has recorded almost 1 million confirmed cases and about 86,300 deaths .
Officials fear more infections could be sparked by upcoming celebrations , especially the Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when families visit relatives ’ graves .
Some local authorities have said they will discourage or limit such gatherings .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Judge OKs release of Ghislaine Maxwell transcripts

NEW YORK - Transcripts of interviews lawyers conducted with the ex-girlfriend of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein must be released by Thursday morning , a judge said Tuesday .
U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska ’ s order allows the public release of transcripts of two days of depositions in 2016 of British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and related documents , along with the deposition transcript of an anonymous accuser .
The judge briefly permitted the immediate release of the transcripts but reversed herself after an attorney for Maxwell made a late plea to delay the release .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Maxwell had not had decided whether to further appeal an appellate ruling .
Preska gave lawyers on each side until 9 a.m. Thursday to confer and release the transcripts .
The 2nd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan had ruled Monday that Preska properly decided that the public had a right to access documents from legal proceedings and that transcripts should be unsealed because arguments by Maxwell ’ s lawyers were meritless .
The depositions were taken as part of a lawsuit brought against Maxwell by Virginia Roberts Giuffre .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the abuse of Giuffre before she was an adult .
The lawsuit was eventually settled .
Lawyers for Maxwell , 58 , had argued that the documents reflecting seven hours of interviews over two days should remain sealed , in part to protect her right to a fair trial in July on charges that she helped Epstein traffic and sexually abuse teenage girls in the 1990s .
They noted that portions of the transcripts relate to perjury charges in the indictment she faces .
She has pleaded not guilty .
Maxwell has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
If convicted , she could face up to 35 years in prison .
Meanwhile , prosecutors filed papers late Tuesday to insist that 40 pages of materials and 40 pictures related to women abused by Epstein after the period addressed in the indictment should not be released to defence lawyers until eight weeks before trial .
“ The premature revelation of this information would give the defendant the opportunity to interfere with the Government ’ s investigation before it is complete .
Such information could allow her to contact and intimidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation , or alert other targets of the investigation , ” prosecutors wrote .
Maxwell ’ s lawyers have argued that the materials could be important to her defence and should be turned over sooner .
But prosecutors said showing the Maxwell was not part of the abuse of some women could not be used to argue she did not join the abuse of minors from 1994 to 1997 .
“ The Government has not charged Maxwell with being Jeffrey Epstein ’ s ‘ madam ’ and ‘ principal facilitator of his abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s arrest came a year after Epstein , 66 , was arrested and charged with sex trafficking .
He killed himself in August 2019 at a federal jail in Manhattan where he was awaiting trial without bail .
In 2008 in Florida , Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting and procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution .
He spent 13 months in jail , paid settlements to victims and remained a registered sex offender .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Officer could be suspended for wearing Trump mask in uniform

MIAMI - A Miami police officer could face suspension after he was photographed wearing a mask promoting President Donald Trump inside an early voting site while wearing his uniform .
Miami-Dade County Democratic Chairman Steve Simeonidis tweeted Tuesday a photo of the officer , saying it was taken inside a polling place at the county government centre .
It shows the officer wearing a blue , white and red Trump 2020 mask containing a phrase with a curse word .
“ This is city funded voter intimidation , ” Simeonidis tweeted , calling for the officer ’ s suspension .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference Tuesday to address the situation .
He said the officer was in line to vote , and the mask violated department and polling place policy because it promoted a political candidate .
He said the officer would be disciplined and said a suspension was a possibility .
“ There were people claiming it was voter intimidation , ” Suarez said .
“ Officers have a responsibility … to protect our residents and they have to do that in an impartial manner and they can ’ t be making political statements or making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniform.
” Suarez said officers are allowed to vote while in uniform .
“ Had he not been voting it would have been a much more serious situation , ” the mayor added .
Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina issued a statement Tuesday calling the behaviour “ unacceptable ” and a violation of departmental policy .
He said the action was being “ addressed immediately.
” It was unknown whether the officer was on duty at the time , Suarez said .
Tommy Reyes , president of the officer ’ s union , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have free-speech rights under the U.S. Constitution , and state law allows officers to vote in uniform .
Reyes also pointed out that the union , Fraternal Order of Police , has endorsed Trump ’ s re-election bid at the national level .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--UN judge orders Rwandan genocide suspect sent to The Hague

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - An 87-year-old Rwandan genocide suspect being held in France will be sent temporarily to a United Nations court in the Netherlands for a medical assessment amid concerns about his health and the coronavirus pandemic , a judge ruled Wednesday .
Félicien Kabuga , one of the most wanted fugitives in Rwanda ’ s 1994 genocide , was arrested outside Paris in May after 25 years on the run .
He faces charges of genocide and crimes against humanity for allegedly equipping militias that killed more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus who tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the genocide .
A court in Paris approved Kabuga ’ s extradition to the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in Arusha , Tanzania .
But his French lawyer , citing fears that Kabuga could contract COVID-19 in Tanzania and other health issues , argued that the suspect should instead be sent to the Hague detention unit of the mechanism .
The mechanism , which deals with cases remaining from now-closed U.N. tribunals that prosecuted atrocities committed during the Balkan wars of the 1990s and the Rwandan genocide , has branches in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written ruling , mechanism judge Iain Bonomy said he concluded based on medical documentation that “ transfer to the Hague Branch of the Mechanism will pose far less risk to Kabuga than transfer to Arusha.
” In The Hague , Kabuga ’ s health will be assessed to establish if he is fit enough to be flown at a later date to Arusha to stand trial there .
It was not immediately clear when Kabuga would be transferred to The Hague .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--French militant group dissolved after teacher’s beheading

PARIS - The French government issued an order Wednesday to dissolve a domestic militant Islamic group after the beheading last week near Paris of a teacher who had shown students caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad .
Government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said the Collective Cheikh Yassine group was formally banned during a Cabinet meeting because it was “ implicated , linked to Friday ’ s attack ” and it was used to promote anti-republican hate speech .
Other groups will be dissolved “ in the coming weeks ” for similar reasons , Attal said .
He also confirmed that the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburb of Pantin to close for six months .
A terror investigation is under way into teacher Samuel Paty ’ s slaying .
Authorities have identified the killer as Abdoullakh Anzorov.
, an 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee who was later shot dead by police .
A judicial official said that seven people who were detained as part of an investigation into the grisly slaying , including two minors , were to go before an investigating magistrate later Wednesday for eventual preliminary charges .
The seven were among 16 people , including five adolescents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being released .
The official was not authorized to be quoted by name .
Named after a slain leader of the Palestinian Hamas , Collective Cheikh Yassine was founded in the early 2000s by a man who is among the individuals detained for questioning in the teacher ’ s killing .
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on French news broadcaster BFMTV that the person in question helped disseminate a message that called for mobilization against the teacher .
The message , prepared by a student ’ s father , was part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning in part on a spiraling fever on social media among some Muslim individuals or groups .
The Pantin mosque is being punished for relaying the angry father ’ s message on social media .
The father quoted his 13-year-old daughter as saying the teacher had asked Muslims to leave the classroom — a version that was contested by Paty himself , according to media reports .
Authorities say the mosque has long had an imam following the Salafist path , a rigorous interpretation of the Muslim holy book .
On Tuesday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paty where he was beheaded as he left school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine , northwest of Paris .
A national memorial event is scheduled to be held Wednesday evening in the courtyard of the Sorbonne university .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Stampede kills 11 Afghans seeking visas to leave country

KABUL - At least 11 women were trampled to death when a stampede broke out Wednesday among thousands of Afghans waiting in a soccer stadium to get visas to leave the country , officials said .
Attaullah Khogyani , the spokesman for the governor of the eastern Nangarhar province , said another 13 people , mostly women , were injured at the stadium , where they were trying to get visas to enter neighbouring Pakistan .
He said most of those who died were elderly people from across Afghanistan .
Separately , at least 36 Afghan police were killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan , officials said .
It was the deadliest attack since the Taliban and the Afghan government began holding long-delayed peace talks last month , part of a process launched under a deal signed between the United States and the insurgents in February .
The talks are seen as the country ’ s best chance for peace after decades of war .
Rahim Danish , director of the main hospital in northern Takhar province , confirmed receiving 36 bodies and said another eight security forces were wounded .
An Afghan security official said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ambushed .
The official , who was not authorized to brief media on the event and so spoke on condition of anonymity , said several police Humvees were set ablaze .
Jawad Hijri , a spokesman for the provincial government , said the deputy police chief was among those killed .
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani , speaking to Parliament , asked “ why are the Taliban killing Afghans ?
“ He said the Taliban still believe in a “ false narrative of conquest “ following a spate of recent attacks , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nangarhar was closed for almost eight months due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Anticipating a large crowd , officials decided to use the stadium and assigned 320 staffers to help manage the process , Khogyani said .
The Pakistani Embassy in Kabul said it has issued more than 19,000 visas in the past week alone after Islamabad approved a friendlier visa policy and reopened the border in September following months of closure .
Millions of Afghans have fled to Pakistan to escape war and economic hardship , while thousands travel back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive health care .
Also on Wednesday , the U.S. government watchdog known as SIGAR , which monitors the billions of dollars Washington spends in war-ravaged Afghanistan , released a new report .
It said that as of December 2019 , Congress had appropriated nearly $ 134 billion since 2002 for Afghanistan reconstruction .
Of that amount , SIGAR has reviewed approximately $ 63 billion and concluded that approximately $ 19 billion , or 30 % , was lost to waste , fraud and abuse .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Florida’s Pinellas County is one to watch on election night

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. - Latricia Robinson donned a surgical mask and marched into the Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections office on a recent day to drop off her ballot , one of more than 135,000 people in the Florida county to vote early so far this election season .
The 48-year-old St. Petersburg resident said the pandemic , racial tension and the harsh overall tenor of politics all weighed heavily on her this year .
“ This is the first time I ’ ve seen the world in such an uproar , ” she said after voting for Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re in chaos , and that ’ s not the way to go.
“ As the campaign enters its final two weeks , Florida has again emerged as a critical state , and Pinellas , one of the largest counties in the state , is one of those places likely to track the final outcome .
“ It is certainly a barometer of the broader trends , ” said Daniel Smith , a political science professor at the University of Florida .
” It ’ s a dynamic county .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the returns.
” Perched on the western tip of Florida ’ s famed Interstate 4 corridor , Pinellas is hard to categorize as its voters straddle the liberal-conservative divide .
Democrat Barack Obama won the county twice , but then voters turned to Republican Donald Trump , by a mere 5,500 votes , and Pinellas was the largest of only four counties in the state to switch from Obama to Trump .
“ It shifted further to the right than the state as a whole did , ” said political analyst Kyle Kondik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did it ?
In 2018 , Pinellas voted for Democrats Andrew Gillum for governor and Bill Nelson for senate .
Both lost .
Part of the reason it ’ s so hard to capture the mood of the electorate here is because it ’ s really three distinct regions in one .
Pinellas is a peninsula , sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay , and is the most densely populated county in the state .
There are just over 713,000 registered voters , with slightly more Democrats registered than Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a close third .
Its largest city — St. Petersburg — is in the south .
It ’ s home to a vibrant and historic Black community , one that ’ s traditionally voted for Democrats .
In recent years , the city has also become something of a hipster haven , with a proliferation of breweries , indie street markets selling kombucha and younger folks moving to modern condos located in the picturesque downtown .
Generally , the city is seen as a liberal stronghold , with an LGBTQ flag that flies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mayor who often criticizes Republican Gov .
Ron DeSantis .
In mid-county , there ’ s sprawl and suburban families .
Many commute to either St. Petersburg or across the bay to Tampa .
They ’ re concerned about taxes , health care and schools .
The northern part of the county is no less crowded , and there are lots of families there , too .
But there are also large communities of older voters , and they tend to be more conservative and worried about issues like Social Security .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of barrier island communities and sugar sand beaches .
Those voters lean wealthy and conservative .
“ The only segment of that area that ’ s truly up for grabs is the central core , ” said Darryl Paulson , a professor emeritus of government at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg .
Pinellas hasn ’ t changed much in terms of total population over the years .
It ’ s hovered around a million residents for two decades unlike the robust growth seen in Miami , Tampa and Orlando .
Pinellas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same pace as other large counties .
Its Black population has stayed mostly the same .
The pandemic — and its associated economic implications — is probably the top issue of most voters this year , especially among Democrats , who hold a slight advantage in terms of registered voters , Paulson said .
“ Pinellas has been hit harder by the virus than other counties in other states , ” he said .
“ Democrats are keeping focus on that issue .
The whole state of Florida ’ s economy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no different in Pinellas.
” About 23,000 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in the county , according to state statistics , and there have been just under 800 deaths , the majority of them elderly people .
Those statistics were fresh on the minds of a trio of older friends walking into the county ’ s supervisor of elections office on a recent day to drop off ballots .
“ Look at the mess the country ’ s in , ” said 73-year-old Lee Whipple .
“ We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leading the country.
” All three said they were terrified of the coronavirus , and they cast ballots for Biden .
But some Republicans in Pinellas think Trump ’ s done a great job with the pandemic and believe there are many who will support him .
“ There was nothing in the Democrats ’ eyes that he could have done right , ” said Alexis Selby , a 32-year-old St. Petersburg investment real estate agent .
“ Had he shut the whole country down , they would ’ ve faulted him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better now than it was four years ago .
Even with this crazy pandemic , I think this country is better off.
” Selby says she wears Trump-branded campaign apparel around the city and gets a lot of support .
“ There ’ s a huge silent majority coming out of the woodwork , ” she said .
Down-ballot candidates for state House seats say voters they ’ ve spoken with talk nonstop about the pandemic , but also say that they might split the ticket when voting for president and other seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to displaying their love for their candidate .
Republicans hide their love for Trump for fear of getting a brick through their window , ” observed Matt Tito , a Republican statehouse candidate in St. Petersburg .
“ I can ’ t predict which way it will go.
“ Tito noticed that he ’ s seen a lot of newer , younger voters in Pinellas this year and isn ’ t entirely sure how that will ultimately affect the results .
There ’ s one thing everyone can agree on : Keep an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it just might pick the presidential winner as it reflects the nation ’ s deeply divided mood .
An earlier version of this report had an incorrect spelling of Matt Tito ’ s name .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--NATO chief rules out rushed, early exit from Afghanistan

BRUSSELS - As rising violence threatens to derail Afghan peace talks , the head of NATO said Wednesday that the military alliance will not leave Afghanistan until security conditions allow , even as some U.S. troops might be hoping to be back home in time for Christmas .
“ We will make a decision together , co-ordinate our efforts based on the principle ‘ in together , adjust together , and when the time is right , when the conditions are met , then we will leave together , ’ but not before , ” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 7 that “ we should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas.
” The U.S. armed forces were blindsided by the claim , as were NATO allies .
NATO has led international security efforts in Afghanistan since 2003 ; two years after a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban movement for harbouring former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden .
Around 12,000 troops from 38 countries are now working in Afghanistan to train , mentor and assist the national security forces .
Americans often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops participating in the mission , dubbed Resolute Support .
Around 8,000 U.S. troops were involved as recently as August .
NATO allies and their partners rely on U.S. air power , transport , logistics and medical assistance to operate .
It ’ s unlikely that the mission could function without significant U.S. help .
Diplomats and military officers are concerned that setting a definitive date on any troop withdrawal from Afghanistan could hamper efforts to secure a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government .
Confusion about troops movements in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and NATO ’ s biggest and most challenging operation ever is also an extremely sensitive issue for the military personnel involved and their families .
Last week , Trump ’ s national security adviser said the number of U.S. troops would shrink to 2,500 early next year .
He suggested that Trump ’ s tweet that all forces should be home by Christmas was more a wish than reality .
U.S. commanders say the plan is to reduce the U.S. presence to 4.500 by November .
NATO diplomats expect troops to still be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of next year .
On Monday , the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan warned that “ distressingly high ” levels of violence , notably in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand province .
threaten to derail peace talks being held in the Qatari capital , Doha , “ The Taliban must live up to their commitments , significantly reduce the levels of violence , and pave the way for a ceasefire .
They must break all ties with al-Qaeda and other international terrorist groups .
And they must negotiate in good faith , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks “ offer the best chance for peace in a generation .
They must preserve the gains made at such high price over the last two decades , including for women and girls .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Danish sub killer denies he had help in prison break attempt

COPENHAGEN - A Danish man convicted of murdering a Swedish journalist on his homemade submarine was remanded to custody Wednesday after he confessed to threatening several people as he attempted to break out of a suburban Copenhagen prison .
Prosecutors said Peter Madsen threatened a psychologist and a warden on his way out of the Herstedvester prison and allegedly pointed an object that looked like a gun at the driver of a van once he was outside the facility .
He also told the police officers who handcuffed him when he was recaptured that he would detonate an explosives belt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prosecutors said .
Madsen ’ s attempt to escape from the prison on Tuesday was brief ; he was recaptured after about five minutes .
Prison personnel who followed him saw that he had jumped into a passing white van and informed police , who arrested one of Denmark ’ s most notorious criminals around 500 metres ( less than a half-mile ) from the prison where he is serving a life sentence .
Madsen , 49 , was convicted in 2018 for the murder of Kim Wall , a 30-year-old Swedish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submarine in 2017 with the promise of an interview .
He dismembered Wall ’ s body and dumped it at sea .
He now faces preliminary charges of attempted prison escape and making threats .
Preliminary charges are one step short of formal charges and allow police to hold Mardsen for two weeks while they investigate .
During a custody hearing at Glostrup City Court , Madsen answered “ yes ” when a judge asks if he confessed to the new charges .
Prosecutors alleged that one or more other people helped Mardsen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anders Larsen said Mardsen denies that anyone else was involved .
Police said after Madsen was apprehended that he used an object that resembled a firearm and an imitation explosives belt when trying to escape .
Under Danish law , Madsen can not get additional prison time for the escape attempt .
But the terms of his incarceration can become stricter ; for example , he could be cut off from contacts with other inmates and have his visits to a workshop and prison library reduced .
Madsen has denied murdering Wall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submarine , but Madsen has confessed to throwing her body parts into the Baltic Sea .
He lost an appeal in 2018 Life sentences in Denmark usually mean 16 years in prison , but convicts are reassessed to determine whether they would pose a danger to society if released and can be kept longer .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Thailand’s leader urges protesters to give up confrontation

BANGKOK - Thailand ’ s prime minister on Wednesday pleaded with his countrymen to resolve their political differences through Parliament , as student-led protests seeking to bring his government down continued for an eighth straight day .
“ The only way to a lasting solution for all sides that is fair for those on the streets as well as for the many millions who choose not to go on the streets is to discuss and resolve these differences through the parliamentary process , ” Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said , according to an English-language text released of a taped speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily in a movement that calls for Prayuth to step down , for a more democratic constitution and for reforms to the monarchy — a revered institution traditionally treated as sacrosanct in Thailand .
The government on Tuesday approved a request to recall Parliament for a special session on Oct. 26-27 to deal with the political pressures from the protests .
Prayuth offered a concession to protesters , saying he would promptly lift the state of emergency he declared in Bangkok last week “ if there are no violent incidents.
” Withdrawing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters ’ demands .
But there was a fresh opportunity for clashes , as shortly before the speech was aired , protesters began marching to Government House , the prime minister ’ s offices .
Police blocked the streets around the area .
“ While I can listen to and acknowledge the demands of protesters , I can not run the country based on protester or mob demands , ” Prayuth said .
He said some protesters had staged “ brutal attacks ” against police at a rally last Friday , but acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be breaking the law , were still peaceful , well-meaning people who are genuine in their desire for a better society and a better nation.
” Prayuth decried the violence , but also said the use of water cannons by riot police to break up Friday ’ s rally was not a way “ to get to a better society.
” He ended his remarks with a plea : “ Let us respect the law and parliamentary democracy , and let our views be presented through our representatives in Parliament.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many top protest leaders have been detained and the state of emergency bans public gatherings of more than four people .
Even the forcible dispersion of Friday ’ s rally failed to faze protesters , who appeared in equal or greater numbers on subsequent days .
From Friday through Tuesday , police did not confront the protesters directly , instead trying to disrupt their gatherings with shutdowns of Bangkok ’ s mass transit systems and by seeking to block their online organizing activities .
The calls for reform of the monarchy have galled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their presence online and held a small rally Wednesday in Bangkok where some violence broke out , There were bigger royalist rallies in several other provinces .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Cop may face charges in killing of autistic Palestinian

JERUSALEM - Israeli prosecutors on Wednesday recommended charging a police officer with reckless killing in the deadly shooting of an autistic Palestinian man in Jerusalem ’ s Old City earlier this year .
The decision came nearly five months after the shooting of Eyad Hallaq .
Hallaq ’ s family , which had criticized the slow pace of the investigation and prosecutors ’ claim that security cameras in the area had malfunctioned , condemned Wednesday ’ s decision .
They said prosecutors should have filed much tougher charges .
The Israeli Justice Ministry said the officer , who was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing , pending a hearing in which he can dispute the charges .
Such hearings are standard procedure before indictments are filed .
If convicted , the officer could face up to 12 years in prison .
His commander , who was also at the scene of the shooting , was not charged .
Hallaq ’ s family said the ministry ’ s decision was unacceptable .
“ There is sufficient evidence to bring charges of premeditated murder against the two policemen , ” said their lawyer , Jad Qadamani .
“ Eyad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are considering the next step now.
” Hallaq , who was 32 , was fatally shot just inside the Old City ’ s Lion ’ s Gate on May 30 as he was on his way to the special-needs institution that he attended .
The area is a frequent site of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces , and the Old City ’ s narrow streets are lined with hundreds of security cameras that are monitored by police .
But as the investigation proceeded over the summer , prosecutors claimed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had worked and there was no footage of the incident .
According to accounts at the time , Hallaq was shot after failing to heed calls to stop and running away .
Two members of Israel ’ s paramilitary Border Police then chased Hallaq into a nook and shot him as he cowered next to a garbage bin .
In Wednesday ’ s statement , the Justice Ministry said that after the officer shot Hallaq the first time , he shouted at him in Arabic “ don ’ t move.
” Another officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pistol.
” The wounded Hallaq pointed to a woman whom he knew and muttered something .
The officer then turned to the woman and asked her in Arabic , “ Where is the gun ?
” She replied , “ What gun ?
” At that point , the officer under investigation fired again at Hallaq .
The woman mentioned in the statement appears to be Hallaq ’ s teacher , who was with him that morning .
At the time of the shooting , she told an Israeli TV station that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was “ disabled.
” The ministry said the recommendation to prosecute was made after considering eyewitness accounts and other evidence .
“ All the circumstances of the incident were considered , including the fact that the deceased did not pose any threat to the police officers or the civilians at the scene , and that the police officer fired a shot not in accordance with police orders , that were well known to him , and didn ’ t adopt more proportionate alternatives that were at his disposal , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed concerns the killing would be whitewashed , especially after the alleged camera malfunction .
In cases of attacks against Israeli security forces , police often quickly release security-camera footage to the public .
Palestinians and human rights groups say Israel has a poor record of prosecuting cases of police violence against Palestinians .
The shooting of Hallaq drew comparisons to the death of George Floyd in the U.S. and prompted a series of small demonstrations against police violence .
The uproar crossed Israeli-Palestinian lines and drew Jewish protesters as well , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Spain court acquits Catalan police for role in secession bid

MADRID - A Madrid court on Wednesday acquitted the heads of Catalonia ’ s regional police of charges of sedition and disobedience for what state prosecutors had argued was their alleged role in the northeast region ’ s 2017 secession attempt .
Spain ’ s National Court ruled in a 2-1 decision that police chief Josep Lluis Trapero , officer Teresa Laplana , and political heads Pere Soler and César Puig hadn ’ t supported the illegal secession referendum organized against court orders by Catalonia ’ s government prior to its unsuccessful declaration of independence .
State prosecutors had accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold the Oct. 1 referendum and for their alleged reticence to help national police forces during protests by separatists .
Prosecutors had asked for prison sentences of 10 years for Trapero , Soler and Puig , and four years for Laplana .
Prosecutors accused Trapero and his civilian bosses of having intentionally allowed voting to occur despite court orders to impede the referendum , leaving fellow national police forces to bear the brunt of the operation to stop the vote .
The Oct. 1 , 2017 referendum was marred by hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Civil Guard officers and voters when the police tried to confiscate ballot boxes .
The court , however , said “ there is not one piece of incriminatory evidence demonstrating the agreement of the accused in acting as an instrument of the separatist movement.
” The ruling can be appealed .
Last year , Spain ’ s Supreme Court condemned 12 separatist politicians and activist leaders on charges of sedition and the misuse of public funds for leading the secession bid .
Nine were found guilty of sedition and given prison sentences @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--AP-NORC/USAFacts poll: Many in US distrust campaign info

In a presidential election year that has thrown the country ’ s divisions into stark relief , Americans can agree on this : Misinformation about government and politics is a major problem .
A new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Opinion Research and USAFacts finds that while voters say it ’ s pretty easy to find accurate information about voting , they have a harder time knowing whether there ’ s any factual basis for the information they ’ re getting from and about the candidates .
“ The misinformation , it ’ s just blossomed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ said nurse Liana Price , 34 , of Tampa Bay , Florida , who supports Democrat Joe Biden in the contest against President Donald Trump and worries misinformation about the election could sway voters .
“ You try to explain and provide facts and actual research , but people don ’ t believe it.
” Among the poll ’ s findings : More than 8 in 10 rated the spread of misinformation about government a “ major problem.
“ The deluge in political misinformation and conspiracy theories has fueled distrust in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections , democracy and the nation itself , according to Cindy Otis , a former CIA officer , author and disinformation expert .
“ We are living today in the biggest period of false information in history , and we Americans are largely doing it to ourselves , “ Otis said last week during a hearing focused on election-related misinformation .
“ Americans are losing trust in what they read and see online .
We are desperate for information , but certain groups feel they can not trust the traditional institutions upon which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the candidates and their campaigns are themselves seen as not credible by many Americans , with less than a third of Americans saying campaign messages from either Biden or Trump are often or always based on facts .
Roughly half of respondents said Trump ’ s campaign messages are rarely or never based in fact , while about 4 in 10 respondents say that of Biden ’ s campaign .
Not surprisingly , Democrats and Republicans disagree about which candidate has the bigger problem with the facts .
But Trump scores lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly a quarter of Republicans saying his campaign messages are rarely or never based in fact compared with only about 1 in 10 Democrats who say the same about Biden .
While partisan disagreement is nothing new , the battles used to be more about policies or ideas rather than disagreements about fundamental facts or whether the other side is even telling the truth .
“ I ’ ve voted for 40 years , and I ’ ve never seen it like this , ” said 60-year-old Kevin Wollersheim , of St. Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
“ There are no alternative facts .
There ’ s the truth , and the truth is important.
” “ People don ’ t trust what they hear like they used to , ” she said .
When Americans do try to verify news about the campaign , internet searches are the preferred way , the survey found , with 35 % saying they turn to the web to see if news about the contest is true .
Traditional news sources fared worse : 13 % said they turn to cable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news networks and only 3 % went with newspapers or online news sites , reflecting a broader loss of trust in news organizations .
“ I think somewhere between 95 and 98 % of the press are what I would call deep state liars , ” said 75-year-old Trump supporter Colleen McDonald , of San Diego .
“ They make stuff up .
I wouldn ’ t believe anything that they said.
” Social media received similarly poor marks , with only 5 % saying it ’ s where they go to verify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , social media remains a leading source of news for many , with 37 % saying they get news from platforms like Facebook or Twitter at least once a day .
“ Social media is a cesspool , ” said Jeff Kemble , 50 , a self-described liberal from Massachusetts who supports Biden .
“ The only information you get is the information you go looking for .
And that certainly doesn ’ t mean it ’ s true.
“ One silver lining in the poll ?
At least 6 in 10 Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factual information about registering to vote and casting their ballot .
That ’ s especially good news during a pandemic year election in which many voters will vote by mail for the first time .
Eric Amundsen , 31 , of Manhattan , said he ’ s pleased to see social media platforms like Facebook promote resources and information about voting .
It helps to repair the company ’ s reputation , he said , after its role in spreading such misinformation .
He said he hopes the fact that so many Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by misinformation means they will act to address the problem — on Election Day and beyond .
“ Maybe I ’ m too optimistic , ” he said .
“ But I think maybe people are just tired of the noise.
” The AP-NORC/USAFacts poll of 1,121 adults was conducted Sept. 15-25 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points .
AP ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts about voting early , by mail or absentee from each state : https : //interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Japan sticks to nuke fuel cycle despite plutonium stockpile

TOKYO - Japan ’ s government said Wednesday it will pursue its nuclear fuel recycling program that would involve extracting plutonium from spent fuel , despite international concerns about the country ’ s already huge plutonium stockpile and lack of prospects for effectively consuming it as nuclear fuel .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato , at a meeting with the governor of Aomori prefecture , home to Japan ’ s pending nuclear fuel reprocessing plant , reaffirmed that new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga ’ s government will pursue the country ’ s nuclear energy policy .
“ The government will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel cycle programs , “ Kato said .
He said Japan will make effort to reduce volume and toxicity of high-level nuclear waste , and extract plutonium from spent fuel from a resource conservation point of view .
But critics say continuation of spent fuel reprocessing only adds to Japan ’ s already large plutonium stockpile .
Japan also lacks a final repository for high-level nuclear waste .
Wednesday ’ s meeting came after the Nuclear Regulation Authority granted a safety approval this past summer for the Rokkasho fuel reprocessing plant , operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in northern Japan , for a planned launch in 2022 .
The authority also gave a preliminary permit for the Rokkasho MOX fuel production plant , also planned for completion in 2022 .
Japan now has 45.5 tons of separated plutonium — 8.9 tons at home , and 36.6 tons in Britain and France , where spent fuel from Japanese nuclear plants has been reprocessed and stored because Japan lacks a plant to produce MOX fuel containing plutonium at home .
The amount is enough to make about 6,000 atomic bombs .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the stockpile is hardly decreasing due to difficulties in achieving a full nuclear fuel recycling program and slow restarts of reactors amid setbacks from the 2011 Fukushima disaster .
Japan reprocesses spent fuel , instead of disposing it as waste , to extract plutonium and uranium to make MOX fuel for reuse , while the U.S. discontinued the costly and challenging program .
Allowed under international safeguard rules , Japan is the only non-nuclear weapons state that separates plutonium for peaceful purposes , though the same technology can make atomic bombs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plutonium and to put a cap on the amount of extraction from spent fuel .
The Rokkasho plant operator rules out any proliferation risks , citing tight safeguards and close monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Sudanese return to streets over dire living conditions

CAIRO - Sudanese protesters took to the streets in the capital and across the country on Wednesday over dire living conditions and a deadly crackdown on demonstrators in the east earlier this month .
The protests came on the anniversary of a 1964 uprising that ended six years of military rule .
Sudan is currently ruled by a joint civilian-military government , following the popular uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir last year .
The demonstrations came a week after at least 15 people were killed and dozens were wounded in tribal clashes and a government crackdown against protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out after Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok earlier this month sacked Saleh Ammar , governor of the eastern Kassala province .
Footage circulating online showed protesters marching Wednesday in Khartoum and its twin city , Omdurman , as well as in other cities across the country .
Protesters set tires ablaze in some areas in the capital .
There were no immediate reports of violence .
Security forces blocked off major roads , bridges and streets leading to the presidential palace and the military ’ s headquarters in Khartoum ahead of the demonstrations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ city centre was in complete lockdown .
The “ million-man march ” was called by the so-called Resistance Committees , which were instrumental in the protests against al-Bashir and the generals who removed him from office and briefly held power .
Other political parties and professional unions took part in the demonstrations .
The protesters are calling for the formation of a legislative body , which is supposed to happen as part of a power-sharing agreement they reached with the military last year .
They also demand results from an independent investigation into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the deadly break-up of the main Khartoum protest camp in June 2019 .
The probe was supposed to have been completed by February , but investigators asked for an extension in part due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The transitional government has been struggling to revive Sudan ’ s battered economy amid a huge budget deficit and widespread shortages of essential goods , including fuel , bread and medicine .
Annual inflation soared past 200 % last month as prices of bread and other staples surged , according to official figures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades of U.S. sanctions and mismanagement under al-Bashir , who had ruled the country since a 1989 Islamist-backed military coup .
The country has more than $ 60 billion in foreign debt , and debt relief and access to foreign loans are widely seen as its gateway to economic recovery .
But access to foreign loans is linked to the removal of sanctions related to the country ’ s listing by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terror .
President Donald Trump recently said Sudan will be removed from the blacklist if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay $ 335 million to American terror victims and their families .
Sudanese officials welcomed Trump ’ s announcement which is widely seen as a key incentive for the east African country to normalize relations with Israel .
The terror designation dates back to the 1990s , when Sudan briefly hosted Osama bin Laden and other wanted militants .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Australian law enforcement examine Vatican money trail

CANBERRA , Australia - A range of Australian law enforcement and corruption agencies are examining a reported transfer of money from the Vatican that Italian media have speculated might be linked to the overturned convictions of Cardinal George Pell for child sex abuse .
The national financial crime intelligence agency , two police forces and a public sector corruption watchdog have been drawn into the Vatican scandal , although details of what has piqued their interest in Australia remained scant on Wednesday .
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera speculated in recent weeks that Vatican investigators were looking into whether Pell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ousted Cardinal Angelo Becciu , wired 700,000 euros ( $ 823,000 ) in Vatican money to a bank account in Australia , and whether that money was tied to Pell ’ s sex abuse trial .
The Australian intelligence agency responsible for detecting international financial crime , AUSTRAC , revealed to an Australian Senate committee on Tuesday it had “ looked into the matter , ” without elaborating .
AUSTRAC chief executive Nicole Rose told the committee her agency had “ provided information ” to Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
AUSTRAC on Wednesday declined to elaborate on that information .
Australian Federal Police said it was “ undertaking a review of the relevant information.
” A “ review ” of evidence is a preliminary step toward an official criminal investigation .
Federal Police also said in a statement they had “ referred aspects of this matter ” to the Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission , an anti-graft agency that investigates the state public sector , including police .
The commission said in statement : “ For legal and operational reasons we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Victoria Police media did not respond on Wednesday when asked how it was acting on the AUSTRAC information .
Pell was convicted by a lower court of allegations he molested two choirboys in St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral in Melbourne while he was archbishop in the 1990s , but was ultimately absolved by Australia ’ s High Court .
Pell was brought in by Pope Francis to bring accountability and transparency to the Vatican ’ s opaque finances in 2014 .
The Italian newspaper speculated that Becciu might have “ bought ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get Pell out of the Vatican .
Becciu and Pell were known to have clashed over the Australian ’ s financial clean-up efforts at the Holy See .
The accuser , who can not be identified , has denied the allegation .
The newspaper report had no sourcing , attributions or detail and appeared more an effort to discredit Becciu and distract attention from the shortcomings of the Vatican prosecutors ’ primary investigation into a London real estate venture .
Pell returned to the Vatican this month for a meeting with Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Becciu was fired over allegations that he wired 100,000 euros ( $ 118,000 ) in Vatican funds to a charity headed by his brother .
Becciu has denied wrongdoing .
Becciu ’ s lawyer Fabio Viglione said his client had “ never interfered with it in any way whatsoever.
” “ Given the apparent will of some news organizations to falsely depict an alleged , albeit non-existent , activity to taint the evidence of Cardinal Pell ’ s trial , Cardinal Becciu will promptly resort to the Judicial Authorities to protect and defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Viglione said in a statement .
Pell ’ s lawyer Robert Richter has previously called for an investigation of media allegations of a Vatican money trail to Australia and the potential for bribery .
Richter did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday .