thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Spain’s top court rules to remove Catalan chief from office

MADRID - Spain ’ s Supreme Court barred Monday Catalonia ’ s regional president from his office for refusing to remove a banner that called for the release of imprisoned separatist leaders and was displayed on a public building ahead of the 2019 general election .
The ruling that Quim Torra disobeyed Spain ’ s electoral law triggers a new period of uncertainty in the northeastern Spanish region .
According to the existing regulations , Torra ’ s deputy should take over as president-in-charge until a new election is held .
Pro-secession activists reacted by calling for protests later on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In their ruling , the panel of judges unanimously agreed to confirm last year ’ s decision by a lower court to ban Torra from holding any public office for 18 months and fine him 30,000 euros ( $ 35,000 ) .
Torra , a staunch separatist who became the head of Catalonia ’ s government following the 2017 push for the region ’ s independence from Spain , had previously criticized the case as an act of repression against the democratic mandate of voters in the region .
He had remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal but Monday ’ s decision must be implemented even if the case is taken to the European Court of Human Rights , as pledged by Torra ’ s defence team .
The banner at the centre of the case referred to a dozen former Catalan Cabinet members , lawmakers and activists who were imprisoned or fled Spain following a declaration of independence in October 2017 .
The court on Friday said that Torra had “ stubbornly ” disobeyed the country ’ s electoral board by refusing to take it down from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters .
In hearings , Torra and his defence lawyers had argued that he was defending the higher cause of political and human rights .
But the Supreme Court judges said that the electoral board ’ s order didn ’ t violate Torra ’ s right to free speech and only limited what he could do in his role as an elected official .
Torra , who has in the past encouraged acts of civil disobedience in response to Spanish judicial rulings , didn ’ t react immediately to the ruling .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Slave sale block set to be displayed in museum, with context

FREDERICKSBURG , Va. - A 176-year-old stone block that was used for slave auctions in Virginia will go on display at the Fredericksburg Area Museum , with signs explaining the context of recent protests against racial injustice that left it covered in graffiti .
The knee-high stone block sat for nearly two centuries in downtown Fredericksburg until the city removed it recently .
Now it ’ s on loan to the museum , which will put in on display by mid-November , with the graffiti still intact , The Free Lance-Star reported Sunday .
Sara Poore , the museum ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have the option to see the actual stone or just an image of it , and there will be “ clear signage that indicates the tone of the graffiti.
” “ We will also discuss the recent events and the impact the stone has/had on the conversation , ” Poore said .
“ It is our goal to use the stone as a springboard for community conversations.
” The city pulled the 800-pound ( 363-kilogram ) marker from the ground in June after its removal was delayed for months by lawsuits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sprayed with graffiti and chants of “ move the block ” erupted during local demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , city officials said .
A local chapter of the NAACP called for the stone ’ s removal in 2017 , saying it was a relic of “ a time of hatred and degradation ” that should not be displayed along a main thoroughfare .

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thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Norway’s aging king leaves Oslo hospital

COPENHAGEN - Norway ’ s 83-year-old King Harald V left the main hospital in Oslo on Monday , four days @ @ @ @ @ breathing difficulties , the Norwegian palace said .
In brief statement , the royal household @ @ @ @ @ the investigation ” and that the monarch is on sick leave until Oct. 4 .
@ @ @ @ @ .
Crown Prince Haakon has stepped in and taken over his father ’ s duties @ @ @ @ @ upon the death of his father King Olav on Jan. 17 , 1991 .
The @ @ @ @ @ king since the 14th century , he married a commoner as a prince and won @ @ @ @ @ by leading the mourning in 2011 for the victims of mass killer Anders Behring Breivik @ @ @ @ @ Harald was briefly admitted to Rikshospitalet , the capital ’ s university hospital , after @ @ @ @ @ illness was found , but the monarch was on sick leave for two weeks .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--3 countries to assess new info about 1994 ferry sinking

STOCKHOLM - The governments of Sweden , Finland and Estonia said Monday they will jointly assess what that they called “ new significant information ” in connection with one of Europe ’ s deadliest peacetime maritime disasters , the sinking of a ferry in the Baltic Sea in 1994 that killed 852 people .
A television documentary aired to coincide with the 26th anniversary of the sinking of the M/S Estonia includes video images from the wreck site showing a hole in the hull measuring 4 metres ( 13 feet ) on the starboard side .
However , the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final conclusions ” of a 1997 report that concluded that the ferry sank after the bow door locks failed in a storm .
It flatly rejected the theory of a hole , which has long been the focus of speculation about a possible explosion on board .
“ It can not be ruled out that the damage was important for the sinking process , ” Joergen Amdahl , professor of marine technology in Trondheim , said in the five-episode documentary to be aired Monday .
Margus Kurm , the former head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a television interview that the ship most likely sank after a collision with a submarine .
“ Considering that the hole is below the water line and considering no one has ever mentioned that another ship could have sunk Estonia and none of the survivors have said they saw a ship close to Estonia , the most likely cause is ( the ferry ) collided with a submarine , ” Kurm told Estonian television .
He ruled out that a fishing boat could have created the hole , telling the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something big enough to pierce the hull.
” Ann Linde , Pekka Haavisto and Urmas Reinsalu — the foreign ministers of Sweden , Finland and Estonia — said in a joint statement that they ” have agreed that verification of the new information presented in the documentary will be made in accordance and full respect ” of a 1995 agreement to protect the wreck as a final place of rest for victims of the disaster .
Some 758 bodies remain entombed on the car ferry , which rests on the seabed 80 metres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The wreck is considered a graveyard , which gives the area protection under the law , and the agreement criminalized activities that would disturb it .
However , Finnish and Swedish coast guards can not stop any diving endeavour because the wreck lies in international waters .
Last year , the production team behind the documentary sent an underwater robot to film the wreck .
Jessica Linnman , head of communications for Discovery Sweden , said “ the film crew found that it was journalistically justified to dive to the wreck using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of great public interest and this was the only way for the production to determine if the official statement available today is credible , or if there are circumstances that have not been revealed to the public , ” she said .
Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen , Denmark , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Coronavirus outbreak on cruise ship sailing in Greece

ATHENS , Greece - Greek authorities say 12 crew members of a Maltese-flagged cruise ship on a Greek island tour with more than 1,500 people on board have tested positive to the coronavirus and have been isolated on board .
The Mein Schiff 6 , operated by TUI Cruises , began its trip in Heraklion on the southern Greek island of Crete on Sunday night , with 922 passengers and 666 crew members on board , Greece ’ s Shipping Ministry said Monday .
It had been due to sail to Piraeus , the country ’ s main port near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later to the western island of Corfu .
Sample tests for the coronavirus were carried out on 150 of the crewmembers , the ministry said , and 12 of them were found to be positive .
The passengers had undergone coronavirus tests before boarding and were not part of the sample testing .
Those who tested positive for COVID-19 had been isolated on board , and the cruise ship was headed to Piraeus .
Greek health authorities said the ship was expected to arrive on Tuesday , and a National Public Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 12 positive cases , as well as anyone else deemed necessary by the ship ’ s crew and on-board doctor .
The health authority said all 12 of those who had tested positive were asymptomatic and with a “ low viral load .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Kentucky lawmaker: ‘Rioting’ needs a new legal definition

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - A state lawmaker said she will propose changing Kentucky ’ s legal definition of rioting after Democratic state Rep. Attica Scott was charged with the felony while participating in Louisville protests for racial justice .
Kentucky state Rep. Lisa Willner , a Louisville Democrat , said she plans to file a new bill request Monday that would redefine the criminal charge , news outlets reported .
Willner announced the move Sunday during a news conference at Jefferson Square Park , the hub of protests during months of demonstrations in the city .
Scott , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested and charged Thursday night with first-degree rioting , unlawful assembly and failure to disperse .
Police said Scott was in a group that disobeyed orders to disperse , and that members of the group damaged buildings and set fire to a library .
Scott has called the charges “ ludicrous ” and said she would never be involved in setting fire to a library .
She said she was arrested by officers who surrounded her as she walked with her daughter to the sanctuary of a church .
Kentucky law defines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five or more people “ which by tumultuous and violent conduct creates grave danger of damage or injury to property or persons or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other government function.
” The law defines first-degree rioting as knowingly participating in a riot that causes injury to a person who is not rioting , or causes substantial property damage .
Scott said she and her daughter had joined protesters gathered downtown Thursday evening and they were driving to a church that offered refuge to people who would otherwise be caught on the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocked their route , so they parked and walked to the church instead .
Officers then converged on them to make arrests before the curfew took effect , Scott said .
“ LMPD swarmed us , ” Scott said .
“ They started yelling , ‘ Circle ‘ em , circle ‘ em.
’ They wouldn ’ t let us leave to go back to our vehicle .
And they wouldn ’ t let us literally cross the street to get to the church and sanctuary.
” Willner said what happened to Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not happen again .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Asia Today: Australian hot spot, South Korea hit new lows

Australia ’ s coronavirus hot spot , Victoria state , on Monday recorded its lowest number of new infections in more than three months as the nation ’ s second-largest city , Melbourne , further eased its lockdown restrictions .
The easing of restrictions in Melbourne , the state capital , will allow most children to return to school from mid-October and send more than 125,000 people back to work .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters that his state was “ so close to being able to take a really big step ... towards that COVID-normal , ” after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest 24-hour period , the lowest number since June 12 .
“ We are so , so close , and what ’ s important now is that everyone keeps following the rules , keeps doing the right thing , keeps making that profound and critical contribution to these numbers getting low and staying low , ” Andrews said .
The state also recorded three deaths on Monday , Andrews said .
Melbourne and surrounding parts of rural Victoria were placed under strict lockdown measures on Aug. 2 , shuttering schools and non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibiting public gatherings .
The 9 p.m.- 5.a.m curfew was lifted from Monday , although residents still can not travel more than 5 kilometres ( 3 miles ) from home .
Public gatherings of up to five people from a maximum of two households will be allowed , and daycare centres for children will also reopen .
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region : — Myanmar health authorities reported 743 new cases of the coronavirus , bringing the country ’ s total over the 10,000 mark .
The state-owned Global New Light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Ministry announced a total of 10,734 cases , including 226 deaths .
There were 28 new deaths recorded Sunday .
The surge in new cases and deaths began last month with an outbreak in the western state of Rakhine .
Last week , Myanmar ’ s biggest city , Yangon , imposed a tightened lockdown which generally bans residents from travelling outside their officially designated wards .
There is also a ban on leaving Yangon .
Employees of most businesses must work from home and many factories are closed .
There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks , gasoline stations and food production .
Authorities say there is a pressing need to increase the capacity of quarantine centres and hospitals and to upgrade hospital staffing and equipment .
— South Korea has reported 50 new cases of the coronavirus , its lowest daily increase in nearly 50 days , a possible effect of strengthened social distancing measures that were employed to slow a major outbreak surrounding the capital region .
Monday ’ s increase reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency was the lowest since Aug. 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 cases a day from mid-August to early September , a resurgence that forced officials to tighten social distancing restrictions in the Seoul area and elsewhere .
Officials have called for vigilance ahead of the Chuseok harvest festival that begins Wednesday .
They are pleading for people to stay home during a holiday when South Koreans typically travel to visit relatives , and nightclubs , bars and other establishments deemed “ high-risk ” will be shut in Seoul during the holiday period .
— India ’ s confirmed coronavirus tally reached 6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States in number of reported cases since the pandemic began .
The Health Ministry on Monday reported 82,170 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , driving the overall tally to 6,074,703 .
At least 1,039 deaths were also recorded in the same period , taking total fatalities up to 95,542 since the pandemic began .
New infections in India are currently being reported faster than anywhere else in the world .
The world ’ s second-most populous country is expected to become the pandemic ’ s worst-hit country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where more than 7 million infections have been reported .
— Thailand ’ s agency for fighting COVID-19 says a state of emergency first declared in March will be extended for another month to help control the disease .
The spokesman for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration said Monday that although Thailand has been successful in limiting the spread of the virus , risks are still high because of new outbreaks in other countries , especially Myanmar , which borders 10 Thai provinces .
The Cabinet is virtually certain to approve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Some critics say the government has used the state of emergency against political activists who have held anti-government rallies .
Despite concerns about the virus coming from abroad , the centre also announced it has approved proposals to allow more groups of foreign visitors into the country , including athletes and holders of non-immigrant visas , especially for business-related purposes , who have at least 500,000 baht ( $ 15,770 ) in their bank accounts .
Thailand on Monday reported 22 new coronavirus cases , bringing the total to 3,545 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases were people quarantined after arriving from abroad .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--2020 Watch: How much do debates matter this year?

NEW YORK - Presidential politics move fast .
What we ’ re watching heading into a new week on the 2020 campaign : The race is tightening somewhat in some states , but Joe Biden is maintaining a remarkably stable lead over President Donald Trump in most national polls five weeks before Election Day as early voting intensifies .
Still , the Republican president has at least two major opportunities to improve his standing this week .
First , Trump and his allies are poised to dominate the national conversation as they escalate their push to confirm Supreme Court nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formally introduced to America on Saturday .
Trump ’ s team is betting that the evolving confirmation fight will help unify Republicans behind his candidacy and shift the national conversation away from his struggle to control the pandemic .
Second , the first general election debate gives Trump a prime-time opening to test Biden ’ s physical and mental strength once and for all .
Trump and Biden face off Tuesday night in Cleveland , a highly anticipated affair expected to feature a sharp contrast in policy and personality .
Biden is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on past performance , Trump won ’ t make it easy to take the high road .
The president is quickly running out of time to shake up the race .
He needs a very good week .
How much do debates matter in 2020 ?
The expectations game was raging over the weekend , but on the eve of the first general election debate , it ’ s worth pondering the significance of the first debate-stage meeting between Trump and Biden .
If recent history is any guide , the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the election .
Remember former President Barack Obama ’ s opening dud in 2012 ?
Or what about the consensus that Hillary Clinton bested Trump four years ago ?
At the same time , Trump and his team have so effectively lowered expectations for Biden by questioning his mental and physical health for much of the last year that the 77-year-old former vice-president might be judged the winner if he can simply have an average night for 90 minutes .
The stakes may actually be higher for the president , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynamics of the race .
Biden talked a tough game when asked about his debate strategy over the weekend , but those close to the campaign tell us he ’ s being advised to avoid too much direct confrontation or fact checking with the tough-talking Republican president .
Democrats believe that Trump is at his best when he ’ s playing in the mud , and they want Biden to rise above the insults and disinformation to present a clear contrast to voters .
Such a disciplined strategy is far easier said than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lost his cool with voters on the campaign trail at times and generally struggled with staying on message when given a long leash .
Despite the concerns of his advisers , Biden sounded like he was spoiling for a fight on MSNBC over the weekend .
He compared Trump to a Nazi and argued that “ the people know the president is a liar ” and later added : “ He doesn ’ t know how to debate the facts because he ’ s not that smart.
” The Democratic base no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump , but the former vice-president may win the long game here by playing it safe .
While some may not take him literally , Trump ’ s team is the first to point out that the president has followed through with several campaign trail promises over the last four years .
Therefore , it could be dangerous to shrug off his repeated refusals to agree to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose .
This is not the kind of question you ’ d expect a president to be asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself as a global model of democracy .
But here we are .
It doesn ’ t matter much how many Republicans on Capitol Hill or White House aides try to downplay Trump ’ s comments so long as the man with the world ’ s most powerful megaphone continues to cast doubt on a pillar of democracy .
We ’ ve already seen evidence of the president ’ s supporters seizing on his rhetoric to commit acts of violence .
This is dangerous territory .
Will SCOTUS help or hurt the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week that the Supreme Court debate would help energize the conservative base and win over “ fence sitters ” who otherwise might not vote .
So far , we ’ ve seen no evidence that the nascent confirmation fight is making any difference in the president ’ s political standing .
But the Trump campaign is investing $ 10 million in a digital ad campaign featuring the court battle while encouraging battleground state voters to cast ballots .
At the same time , Republicans are hosting a series of local events across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s confirmation .
Our recent reporting in critical swing states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina revealed that the Supreme Court simply isn ’ t a top issue for most voters , especially as the death toll from the pandemic continues to mount .
That could limit the political upside or downside for Trump ’ s GOP even as the confirmation battle intensifies .
For millions of Americans , Election Day has already arrived .
State election officials have already issued more than 3 million absentee or mail ballots in Arizona , nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.1 million in Wisconsin , according to data collected by The Associated Press .
Early voting is going on in several other states as well , including Minnesota , North Carolina and Virginia .
As expected , Democrats have a significant advantage in the number of ballots issued so far in most states .
It ’ s too early to read too much into the numbers , except to remember that everything that happens from here on out has the potential to move votes in real time .
It ’ s on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides a look at the week ahead in the 2020 election .
AP ’ s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early , by mail or absentee from each state : https : //interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--India’s confirmed coronavirus tally reaches 6 million cases

NEW DELHI - India ’ s confirmed coronavirus tally reached 6 million on Monday , keeping the country second to the United States in number of reported cases .
The Health Ministry reported 82,170 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours , driving the overall total to 6,074,703 .
At least 1,039 deaths were recorded in the same period , taking total fatalities up to 95,542 .
New infections in India are currently being reported faster than anywhere else in the world .
The world ’ s second-most populous country is expected to become the pandemic ’ s worst-hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , where more than 7.1 million infections have been reported .
In the past week , nearly one in every three new infections reported in the world and one in every five reported coronavirus deaths were in India , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
While most of India ’ s deaths remain concentrated in its large cities , smaller urban centres across the country ’ s vast landscape are also reporting a surge in infections .
Yet even as infections mount , India has the highest number of recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry on Monday said more than 5 million people have recovered from COVID-19 , giving the country a recovery rate of 82.5 % .
Health experts have warned about the potential for the virus to spread during the upcoming religious festival season , which is marked by huge gatherings of people in temples and shopping districts .
Another potential risk is an election next month in eastern Bihar state , where about 72 million people will cast votes over three days .
But even as infections soar , most Indian states have completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an economy that is suffering its worst slump in decades after India imposed a draconian lockdown in late March .
The lockdown forced India ’ s 1.4 billion people to stay indoors , closed businesses and triggered an exodus of millions of informal workers who lost their jobs in the cities .
Many made grueling journeys back to their hometowns on foot .
Along with the resumption of economic activity has come a noticeable disregard of social distancing measures in public places .
Many people can be seen with their masks lowered over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
“ People are not able to understand the situation we are in and are ignoring the rules and roaming about , ” said Jarif Ahmed , a New Delhi resident .
The federal government , however , has been urging Indians to remain on guard .
“ We are far from having achieved any kind of herd immunity , which necessitates that all of us should continue following COVID-appropriate behaviour , ” Vardhan said on Twitter .
___ Associated Press videojournalist Shonal Ganguly contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Greek police accuse 33 people of helping migrant smuggling

ATHENS , Greece - Greek police are accusing 35 people — all foreign nationals and all but two of them members of non-governmental organizations — of a variety of serious crimes for allegedly facilitating the clandestine arrival of migrants on the Greek island of Lesbos from Turkey .
Police announced Monday they had opened a felony case file against 33 members of four NGOs and two “ third country nationals ” on suspicion of crimes including espionage , violation of state secrets , creation of and participation in a criminal organization and violations of the migration law .
Neither the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those involved were made public .
Police said the investigation began several months ago and included Greece ’ s intelligence service and anti-terror police , and is still continuing .
Any formal charges against the individuals would be brought by a prosecutor .
According to the police statement , the 35 “ under the guise of humanitarian action , provided confidential information ... to refugee flows from Turkey via closed groups and internet applications.
” The information included when and where on the Turkish coast migrant boats were preparing to depart for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their direction , the number of people on board , where they were to arrive on shore , and what the situation was in the migrant camp of Moria on Lesbos , police said .
Moria burned down earlier this month in fires Greek authorities have said were deliberately set .
Police said the investigation indicated that the group had facilitated the transfer to Lesbos “ of a large number of third country nationals , on at least 32 occasions ” either carried out or attempted .
Thousands of migrants and refugees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby Turkish coast each year , with Lesbos being one of the main destinations .
The destruction of the island ’ s notoriously squalid and overcrowded Moria camp left more than 12,000 people in need of emergency shelter .
Authorities have built a new camp , consisting of large family tents , on a former shooting range on the island ’ s coast .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Russia’s Navalny visited by German chancellor in hospital

MOSCOW - Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Monday confirmed reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited him in a Berlin hospital where he was being treated for what German authorities determined was nerve agent poisoning .
“ There was a meeting , but one shouldn ’ t call it secret , ” Navalny said in a tweet , referring to media reports alleging that Merkel made a secret visit to the Charite hospital where he spent 32 days .
“ Rather , ( it was ) a private visit and a conversation with the family .
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me in the hospital , ” the politician wrote .
German magazine Der Spiegel reported Sunday evening , without citing sources , that Merkel had made a secret visit to Navalny when he was at the Charite hospital in Berlin .
It didn ’ t specify when the visit happened , but Navalny was discharged from the hospital last week .
Merkel ’ s spokesman , Steffen Seibert , confirmed to reporters on Monday that the meeting took place but disputed that it was “ secret.
” “ It was a personal meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ It was a meeting with a person who fell sick after a nerve agent attack and who is being treated in Germany.
” Seibert said the meeting took place last week but declined to say when exactly or whether another one was planned .
He reiterated that the presence of a nerve agent in Navalny ’ s system was determined “ without doubt ” by labs in Germany , France and Sweden .
Navalny spent 32 days in the hospital , 24 of them in intensive care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficiently for him to be discharged .
He will remain in Germany for the time being to continue his rehabilitation , his team said .
Navalny , a politician and corruption investigator who is Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s fiercest critic , was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on Aug. 20 on a domestic flight in Russia .
He spent those two days in a coma in a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk , where Russian doctors said they found no trace of any poisoning .
German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poisoned with the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok — findings corroborated by labs in France and Sweden .
The nerve agent used in the attack was the same class of poison that Britain said was used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury , England , in 2018 .
Merkel called the poisoning an attempted murder and she and other world leaders have demanded that Russia fully investigate the case .
Navalny ’ s allies accused the Kremlin of involvement in the poisoning , charges that Russian officials have denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an investigation , saying that Germany needs to share medical data in the case or compare notes with Russian doctors .
Germany has noted that Russian doctors have their own samples from Navalny since he was in their care for 48 hours .
Germany has also enlisted the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for technical assistance .
The agency has collected independent samples from Navalny for testing but results have not yet been announced .
The Russian delegation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons sent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ comprehensive information on the so-called Navalny case , ” including “ test results , biological materials and other clinical samples ” to be provided within 10 days .
Germany confirmed receiving the note , but reiterated that “ Russia already has everything necessary to be able to conduct investigations itself.
” Asked about Russia ’ s reported request for diplomats to speak to Navalny , Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebahr said Monday that Germany had processed the request according to the usual procedures .
“ Mr .
Navalny is free to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Navalny is recovering from the suspected assassination attempt faster than expected , his close ally and top strategist Leonid Volkov said Sunday .
“ He is doing much better , I would say unexpectedly better , ” Leonid Volkov , Navalny ’ s chief of staff , told German broadcaster RTL .
“ I think the recovery is really faster than expected , and of course this is good news that makes us very happy.
” Geir Moulson and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Romanian villagers re-elect mayor despite his COVID-19 death

BUCHAREST , Romania - After handing Ion Aliman victory in the election for their local mayor , residents of a small village in southern Romania went to his grave to light candles for him .
Aliman was reelected in a landslide for an unprecedented third term as mayor of the village of Deveselu despite having died from COVID-19 complications 10 days prior to the country ’ s municipal elections .
His death came too late to remove his name from Sunday ’ s ballot , but the news of his passing spread fast through the village , home to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have celebrated his 57th birthday on election day .
To honour the man they admired , hundreds of Deveselu villagers went to the polling stations Sunday and voted for Aliman anyway .
After preliminary election results showed late Sunday that Aliman had won 1,057 out of the 1,600 votes cast in Deveselu , a large group of villagers visited his grave to light candles and pay their respects .
A video shared widely on social media showed people with flashlights and candles gathered around Aliman ’ s grave , some of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ We will make you proud , we know that from somewhere up there you are watching.
” Aliman was a member of the left-leaning Social Democrat Party , known as PSD , and so is his deputy , Nicolae Dobre , who told a local TV station , Digi24 , that “ none of the other contenders got the same trust from the voters.
” Asked if he voted for Aliman , Dobre said : “ I sure did.
” The election victory in Deveselu was a bit of sweet news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PSD as partial preliminary results showed Monday that they had lost the most closely watched contest — the one for the mayor of the capital , Bucharest .
The PSD all but conceded the election loss by its incumbent major to the candidate backed by the centre-right National Liberal party , or NLP , which has controlled Romania ’ s minority government since last fall .
The PSD had been in power until its government lost a confidence vote in the parliament amid massive popular protests at home and heavy criticism from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and widespread graft .
About 19 million registered voters in Romania on Sunday chose local officials , council presidents and mayors to fill more than 43,000 positions across the nation .
The elections were seen as a preview of how the next general election will unfold .
According to partial preliminary results the PSD is unlikely to regain power in the Dec. 6 parliamentary vote .
But they did secure a resounding victory in Deveselu .

Andreea Alexandru - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--China fires back at US over environment, South China Sea

BEIJING - U.S.-China friction flared again Monday , with Beijing firing back at accusations by Washington that it is a leading cause of global environmental damage and has reneged on its promise not to militarize the South China Sea .
A document issued last week by the State Department cited China ’ s record on issues from greenhouse gas emissions to air and water and soil pollution , illegal logging and wildlife trafficking .
“ While the Chinese people have suffered the worst environmental impacts of its actions , Beijing also threatens the global economy and global health by unsustainably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disregard for the environment , “ the document said .
Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus followed that with a statement Sunday saying China has “ pursued a reckless and provocative militarization ” of disputed outposts in the South China Sea ’ s Spratly Islands , adding that China ’ s ruling Communist Party “ does not honour its words or commitments.
” Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded Monday by asking why the United States was withdrawing from the Paris agreement on climate change , calling the U.S. the “ biggest destroyer of international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military actions have made it “ the biggest threat to the peace and stability of the South China Sea.
” The trading of accusations comes amid disputes over trade , technology , Hong Kong and Taiwan , spying accusations against Chinese diplomats and Beijing ’ s assertions of territorial claims in the South China Sea and elsewhere that have driven the bilateral relationship to its lowest point in decades .
The State Department ’ s attack on China ’ s environmental record follows China ’ s announcement to the United Nations General Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 , a pledge that won applause from environmentalists .
The State Department cited China as “ the largest emitter of greenhouse gases ; the largest source of marine debris ; the worst perpetrators of illegal , unreported , and unregulated fishing ; and the world ’ s largest consumer of trafficked wildlife and timber products .
“ It singled out leader Xi Jinping ’ s signature “ Belt and Road “ global infrastructure building initiative as lacking “ clear environmental guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and said China is saddling host countries with environmental burdens and leading them away from sustainable development .
“ Tragically , the Chinese Communist Party represses civil society and a free press , slowing changes that would benefit its citizens and people all over the world , “ the State Department document said .
Wang defended China ’ s record on reducing pollution , touting China ’ s promotion of new energy vehicles and creation of new forest cover .
The U.S. is the “ greatest danger to the global environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily briefing .
“ We advise the U.S. side to stop political manipulation and malicious slander , and to do more practical work and less trouble for the global environment.
” In her statement , Ortagus cited Xi ’ s pledge during a 2015 visit to the White House that “ China does not intend to pursue militarization ” of the Spratly Islands .
China ’ s deployment of anti-ship cruise missiles and advanced surveillance capabilities on the islands , some of them man-made , and the construction of fighter jet hangars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outposts as “ platforms of coercion to assert control over waters to which Beijing has no lawful maritime claim , “ Ortagus said .
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea for itself and Wang said it was entitled to proceed as it saw fit on the islands , especially when it came to exercising its right to self-defence .
Infrastructure on the islands also benefits the world , he said .
“ The international community and regional countries must be highly vigilant and resolutely oppose the sinister plot of some U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China Sea and East Asia , “ Wang said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Pakistan arrests opposition leader ahead of planned protests

LAHORE , Pakistan - Pakistan ’ s anti-graft body arrested an opposition leader Monday over his alleged involvement in a money laundering case after a court rejected bail for him , a move coming just before planned protests next month by his party seeking to force Prime Minister Imran Khan ’ s resignation .
Shahbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League party was arrested at court following the bail denial , said Faisal Raza Bukhari , a lawyer for the National Accountability Bureau .
The anti-graft body now will question Sharif at their jail , Bukhari said .
The Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being politically motivated .
It comes a week after Shahbaz Sharif ’ s brother , Nawaz Sharif , who served thrice as Pakistan ’ s prime minister , broke a nearly yearlong silence from exile in London , vowing to oust Khan from office through the protests .
Nawaz Sharif accused Khan of only reaching power with the military ’ s help .
Khan ’ s government has dismissed Sharif ’ s allegation , saying the opposition is only united because they fear ongoing corruption cases targeting them .
Pakistan ’ s military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people — directly or indirectly — for most of its history .
Pakistanis went to the polls in 2008 after a military dictator Pervez Musharraf stepped down and voted for the party of former President Asif Ali Zardari , who also was indicted Monday by another court in separate corruption case .
Zardari is currently on bail and is regularly attending court hearings against him .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Trump campaign sues to block mail-in ballot rule changes

RALEIGH , N.C. - President Donald Trump ’ s campaign committee and the Republican National Committee sued Saturday to block North Carolina election officials from enforcing rule changes that could boost the number of ballots counted in the presidential battleground state .
The Republicans ’ lawsuit claims a new system adopted by the State Board of Elections will allow for absentee ballots to be cast late and without proper witness verification , “ which invites fraud , coercion , theft , and otherwise illegitimate voting.
” The elections board on Tuesday issued new guidance allowing mail-in absentee ballots with deficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter to fill out a new blank ballot for November ’ s general election .
The change means absentee voters who don ’ t provide complete information on their envelope about a witness who saw them fill out the ballot won ’ t have to complete a new ballot and locate another witness .
A voter will just have to turn in an affidavit confirming they filled out the original ballot .
North Carolina is one of eight states with witness and or notary public requirements for absentee ballots , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Assembly leaders announced late Saturday they had also filed a similar lawsuit in federal court against board members .
They asked a judge to block enforcement of the board ’ s absentee ballot alterations , which they contend would wrest away from the legislature its constitutional job to set the rules for federal elections .
The national Republicans ’ federal lawsuit claims the state elections board made a partisan “ backroom deal ” that undermines state lawmakers ’ “ carefully-considered , balanced structure of election laws.
” The suit claims the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says a ballot may only be accepted if it has a witness signature on it .
“ While touted as allowing greater access to voters during the current pandemic — an objective already addressed in recent months by the General Assembly — the actual effect is to undermine protections that help ensure the upcoming election will be not only safe and accessible but secure , fair , and credible , ” the suit says .
The lawsuit filed by the Trump campaign and the RNC also accuses the board of trying to override @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on or before Election Day can be counted if they are received within nine days of the election instead of the three days prescribed by law .
The state elections board and its chairman , Damon Circosta , are among the defendants named in the lawsuit .
The plaintiffs also include two Republican congressmen from North Carolina , U.S. Reps. Greg Murphy and Dan Bishop .
Circosta didn ’ t immediately respond Saturday evening to text messages seeking a response to the lawsuits .
Later Saturday , Board spokesperson Patrick Gannon said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina and other states expect a major surge in absentee voting for the Nov. 3 election amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
More than 1 million voters in North Carolina already had requested an absentee ballot as of Sept. 24 and that nearly 240,000 completed ballots had already been returned , the lawsuit says .
The state elections board ’ s new guidance to county boards means residents won ’ t be forced to start over from scratch in casting votes if a witness fails to sign or provide an address on the envelope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that the ballot now won ’ t be considered “ spoiled , ” and the voter will be sent an affidavit to sign to rectify the problem .
Issues with deficient witness information on mail-in ballots have disproportionately affected Black voters .
Black residents account for 16 per cent of overall ballots returned , yet their ballots account for about 43 per cent of those classified as having incomplete witness information , according to state elections data .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Police: Shooting outside Detroit strip club leaves 6 wounded

DETROIT - A shooting early Monday outside a Detroit strip club has left six people wounded , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ the club on the city ’ s west side shortly before 2 a.m. when at @ @ @ @ @ , police said , citing preliminary information about the investigation .
Details about what led @ @ @ @ @ under investigation , police said .
No arrests were immediately reported .
Those shot were @ @ @ @ @ said .
Five were taken by medics to the hospital and another was transported by @ @ @ @ @ were listed in critical condition , police said , and two men and a woman @ @ @ @ @ The condition of another woman who was shot wasn ’ t immediately known by police @


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Lawyer: Russian suspect denies involvement in downing MH17

THE HAGUE , Netherlands - One of the suspects charged in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 denies any involvement and wants to speak in court to explain his version of events , his lawyer said Monday as the trial in absentia of three Russians and a Ukrainian resumed in a Dutch courtroom .
Sabine ten Doesschate , one of the Dutch lawyers representing Russian suspect Oleg Pulatov , told judges that he insists he had nothing to do with the downing of the Boeing 777 jet and murder of all 298 passengers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 17 , 2014 .
Prosecutors say the plane was shot down by a Buk missile fired from territory in conflict-hit Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia rebels .
They alleged the missile was trucked into Ukraine from a Russian base and the launcher was sent back after the plane was shot down .
“ Our client has told us that he was not engaged in ordering , guarding , transporting and hiding of a Buk missile ... instructing the crew thereof , firing or ordering to fire a Buk missile and/or downing MH17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that Pulatov “ does not have personal knowledge of how and why MH17 was downed .
So our client does not know what did indeed happen .
What he does know is that he observed no Buk missile and that he and the ones under his command were not engaged in a Buk missile at or about July 17 , 2014.
” She added that Pulatov wants to address the court in person , but that the defence team advised him against travelling to the Netherlands as it would lead to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Together with our client , we will try to establish a time and manner in which he can tell his story , ” Ten Doesschate said .
She told judges that defence discussions with Pulatov mean that his lawyers will submit in writing new requests for investigations which can be discussed in court in November .
Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis said he was “ unpleasantly surprised ” by the delay — the defence investigation requests had been expected to be discussed at Monday ’ s hearing .
He adjourned the hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow judges .
After a years-long international investigation , prosecutors last year named four suspects in the downing of flight MH17 : Russians Igor Girkin , Sergey Dubinskiy and Pulatov as well as Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko .
None of them has appeared for the trial , which started in March and is still at a preliminary stage .
Only Pulatov is represented at the trial by lawyers .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Uber gets back London license after winning court challenge

LONDON - Uber can keep operating in London after the ride-hailing company won a court appeal on Monday against the refusal by transit regulators to renew its license .
The U.S. company had challenged Transport for London ’ s decision in late 2019 not to renew its private hire vehicle ( PHV ) operating license over safety concerns involving imposter drivers .
“ Despite their historical faillings , I find them , now , to be a fit and proper person to hold a London PHV operator ’ s license , ” Deputy Chief Magistrate Tanweer Ikram wrote in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to hear from lawyers for both sides before deciding how long Uber ’ s license should be and under what conditions it should operate .
Uber was allowed to continue operating while the appeal was underway .
The decision came after a four-day hearing at Westminster Magistrates ’ Court earlier this month .
Transport for London had decided in 2019 to reject Uber ’ s application for a new license , citing several breaches that placed passengers at risk .
The regulator noted , among other things , that unauthorized drivers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by uploading their photos to other driver accounts .
The magistrate said he took into account Uber ’ s efforts to improve oversight and didn ’ t find any evidence of a “ cover up ” of the driver photo fraud problem .
TFL had already revoked Uber ’ s license once before , in 2017 , but a court later granted it a license lasting 15 months , which TFL then extended for two more months in late 2019 , but with 20 added conditions .
The legal victory in a lucrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggles to turn a profit .
The company posted a $ 1.8 billion loss in the latest quarter , raising doubts that it can meet its goal of becoming profitable by 2021 .
This version corrects in sixth paragraph that TFL ’ s rejection came in 2019 , not two years ago .
Fixes spelling of magistrate ’ s name to Tanweer , not Tanweek .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--New US citizen refugees excited for first presidential vote

PHOENIX - They came fleeing war and persecution in countries like Myanmar , Eritrea and Iraq , handpicked by the United States for resettlement under longstanding humanitarian traditions .
Now , tens of thousands of refugees welcomed into the U.S. during the Obama administration are American citizens , voting the first time in what could be the most consequential presidential contest of their lifetimes .
With some states already sending out early ballots , the first-time voters from Arizona to Florida are excited but mindful of their responsibility in helping to choose the country ’ s next leader .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very resettlement program they benefitted from and that President Donald Trump has hollowed out and could halt altogether in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 .
“ Most refugees come to this county escaping political systems where the government is not their friend , ” said Hans Van de Weerd , vice-president of resettlement for the International Rescue Committee , a top agency that brings refugees to the U.S. “ To have their voices be heard is very powerful.
” Republican and Democratic administrations resettled an average 95,000 refugees annually over four decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to a cap of 18,000 .
Only about half that number have come in this year amid the coronavirus pandemic .
That downward trend seems likely to continue if Trump is reelected ; his Democratic challenger Joe Biden has promised to pump the annual refugee goal to 125,000 .
There are no voter registration figures for refugees , but the National Partnership for New Americans predicted that 860,000 immigrants of all kinds would gain that right this year by becoming citizens even in the face of barriers like an 83 % increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 1,170 .
Through its citizenship classes , the International Rescue Committee has helped around 6,000 refugees and other newcomers become Americans each of the last few years .
Other groups have also helped refugees become naturalized .
Department of Homeland Security figures in recent years have shown refugees and asylum-seekers are the immigrants most likely to gain citizenship , with a naturalization rate of over 70 % during their first decade in the country .
Refugees can apply for citizenship after five years as permanent residents .
Once they become Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So many want to vote this time , ” said Basma Alawee , a refugee herself and an organizer for the Florida Immigrant Coalition who has been holding webinars helping other refugees prepare for Election Day .
Born in Iraq and now a U.S. citizen living in Jacksonville , Florida , Alawee said she also plans to cast her first presidential ballot Nov. 3 .
Here are a few other refugees around the United States voting for the first time : BILAL ALOBAIDI recalls elections in Iraq under Saddam Hussein when only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballot .
The only possible choices were “ yes ” or “ no.
” “ And if you said ‘ no , ’ something bad could happen to you , ” said Alobaidi , who arrived in the U.S. in December 2013 .
He was resettled in Phoenix , a desert city with sweltering weather like that of his hometown Mosul , and was naturalized last year .
A former social worker with the International Organization for Migration , Alobaidi now works for the International Rescue Committee , helping other refugees in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alobaidi said he looks forward to voting for the candidate he chooses .
“ This is the first time I will practice democracy , ” he said .
“ I can ’ t wait.
” BAWI UK was a small child when his parents fled Myanmar , leaving him and his siblings to be cared for by their maternal grandmother .
UK said the family suffered discrimination as Christians in a predominantly Buddhist nation .
The military government was also trying to forcibly conscript his father .
“ To run for office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rent a house , you had to be Buddhist , ” said UK , a social work student at Rhode Island College and a youth leader at the Refugee Dream Center , an advocacy organization in Providence .
NADA AL-RUBAYE said she never voted in her native Iraq , which she fled after her oldest son and several other family members were killed in the country ’ s widespread violence .
The Baghdad-born artist and another son spent a few years in Turkey , but in 2013 were settled in Phoenix .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she now paints landscapes featuring the red rock outcroppings of her adopted Arizona and sells her paintings and jewelry online .
“ I am so excited !
“ she said about the upcoming election , flashing a broad smile .
“ It ’ s so important for a person to feel like they belong to a country.
” HABTOM GEZHEY fled Eritrea after being conscripted to serve an indefinite number of years in the military .
Gezhey initially lived in a refugee camp in neighbouring Ethiopia before being resettled in Florida in 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the U.S. , Gezhey lives in Jacksonville with his wife , Eyerusalem , whom he met at the camp , and their two young children .
“ I ’ m ready to vote , ” said Gezhey .
“ We had no election in Eritrea , no Constitution.
“ JAD “ JAY ” JAWAD was 17 when his family sought refuge in the U.S. from death threats and conflict in Iraq .
The Saddam Hussein government had targeted Jawad ’ s father as a manager at a hotel frequented by the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where they all became U.S. citizens .
Jawad now runs a popular crepe restaurant in an upscale mall .
He and his wife , also an American citizen born in Iraq , are expecting a baby next spring .
“ When we left Baghdad , there was no democracy , ” he said .
“ Here , you can be part of the change.
” LIAN KUAL never cast a ballot in Myanmar , where elections were criticized as fraudulent during decades of military rule .
In 2008 , Kual initially fled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 was resettled in Salt Lake City , where he works on the overnight shift stocking shelves at Walmart .
He was naturalized this year .
“ I feel so free to be part of the United States of America , ” he said .
“ I already registered ( to vote ) at the DMV , and now I ’ m waiting for my ballot .
It ’ s a really big deal .
”


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Cyberattack hobbles major hospital chain’s US facilities

WASHINGTON - Computer systems across a major hospital chain with facilities across the nation were down Monday due to what the company termed an unspecified technology “ security issue.
” Doctors and nurses had to rely on paper .
Universal Health Services Inc. , which operates more than 250 hospitals and other clinical facilities in the U.S. , said in a short statement p osted to its website Monday that its network was offline and doctors and nurses were resorting to “ back-up processes ” including paper records .
The Fortune 500 company , with 90,000 employees , said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and effectively ” and no patient or employee data appeared to have been “ accessed , copied or misused.
” The company also has hospitals in the United Kingdom , but its operations in that country were not affected , a spokeswoman said Monday night .
UHS provided no details about the incident , but people posting to an online Reddit forum who identified themselves as employees said the chain ’ s network was hit by ransomware overnight Sunday .
The posts echoed the alarm of a clinician at a UHS facility in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press a mad scramble , including anxiety over determining which patients might be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 .
John Riggi , senior cybersecurity adviser to the American Hospital Association , called it a “ suspected ransomware attack , “ adding that criminals have been increasingly targeting the networks of health care institutions during the coronavirus pandemic .
Ransomware is a growing scourge in which hackers infect networks with malicious code that scrambles data and then demand payment to restore services .
Increasingly , ransomware purveyors are downloading data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ servers , using it for extortion .
Earlier this month , the first known fatality related to ransomware occurred in Duesseldorf , Germany , after an attack caused IT systems to fail and a critically ill patient needing urgent admission died after she had to be taken to another city for treatment .
UHS itself may not be a household name , but its hospitals are part of communities from Washington , D.C. , to Fremont , California , and Orlando , Florida , to Anchorage , Alaska .
Some of its facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions and substance abuse problems .
The company , based in King of Prussia , Pennsylvania , did not immediately respond to emails seeking additional details , such as whether patients had to be diverted to other hospitals .
The Washington clinician described a high-anxiety scramble to handle the loss of computers and some phones starting Sunday .
The person , involved in direct patient care , was not authorized to speak publicly and described the chaotic situation on condition of anonymity .
The loss of computer access meant that medical staff could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scans , medication lists , and other critical pieces of information doctors rely on to make decisions .
Phone problems complicated the situation , making it harder to communicate with nurses .
“ These things could be life or death , ” the clinician said .
The facility has a “ downtime protocol , ” in which everything is supposed to be done with paper and pencil , the staffer added , “ but no one was expecting to have to use it.
” Lab orders had to be hand-delivered .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine whether or not patients had been exposed to the coronavirus .
The clinician said no harm came to any of the 20 or so patients they attended to .
However , anxiety reigned during the entire shift .
Handing off a patient to another department , always a delicate task because of the potential for miscommunication , became especially nerve-wracking .
“ We are most concerned with ransomware attacks which have the potential to disrupt patient care operations and risk patient safety , “ said Riggi , the cybersecurity adviser to hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any hospital or health system is a threat-to-life crime and should be responded to and pursued as such by the government.
” Ransomware attacks have crippled everything from major cities to school districts , and federal officials are concerned they could be used to disrupt the current presidential election .
Last week , a major supplier of software services to state , county and local governments , Tyler Technologies , was hit .
In the U.S. alone , 764 healthcare providers were victimized last year by ransomware , according to data compiled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall cost of ransomware attacks in the U.S. to $ 9 billion a year in terms of recovery and lost productivity .
The only way to effectively recover , for those unwilling to pay ransoms , is through diligent daily system data backups .
In an apparently unrelated cyberattack affecting a U.S. medical facility , Nebraska Medicine hospital in Omaha suffered an outage last week that led to the postponement of appointments for patients with elective procedures or other non-critical health concerns , The Omaha World-Herald reported .
The hospital said emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were diverted to other hospitals .
It said no records were deleted or destroyed thanks to the system ’ s back-up and recovery processes .
The statement did not include any further information about the attack .

Frank Bajak And Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--New California law prompted by crash that killed Kobe Bryant

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Monday approved legislation prompted by the helicopter crash that killed Kobe @ @ @ @ @ that makes it a crime for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people @ @ @ @ @ accident or crime .
Reports surfaced after the Jan. 26 crash that killed Bryant , @ @ @ @ @ others that graphic photos of the victims were being shared .
Eight deputies were accused @ @ @ @ @ photos of the scene , Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said then , adding @ @ @ @ @ images deleted .
He said the department has a policy against taking and sharing crime @ @ @ @ @ did not apply to accident scenes .
The measure that will take effect Jan. 1 @ @ @ @ @ fines up to $ 1,000 per offence to take such photos for anything other than @ @ @ @ @ .
Bryant ’ s widow , Vanessa Bryant , has sued the department over the @ @


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Asia Today: South Korea’s daily virus cases at another low

SEOUL , Korea , Republic Of - South Korea ’ s daily coronavirus increase was the lowest in about 50 days Tuesday as new infections trend lower .
Many experts have warned , however , that the virus could spread again after this week ’ s traditional Chuseok autumn holidays , when people usually travel to visit their relatives .
Health authorities have urged people to refrain from travelling this year because of the risk of spreading the virus .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said the 38 cases added in the last 24 hours took the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
South Korea had seen a viral resurgence , mostly in the densely populated Seoul area since early last month .
But its caseload has recently begun slowing after authorities enforced stringent social distancing rules .
The anti-disease agency says 17 of the new cases were reported in the Seoul area .
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region : — The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus passed 1 million , nine months into a crisis that has devastated the economy , tested world leaders ’ resolve , pitted science against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way they live , learn and work .
The bleak milestone recorded by Johns Hopkins University is almost certainly a vast undercount because of testing and counting issues , and the number continues to grow , with about 5,000 deaths reported daily .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Democrats try to stick to health care in Supreme Court fight

WASHINGTON - Democrats are confronting the limits of their power as they fight against the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett with a strategy aimed at avoiding costly mistakes that could hurt the party ’ s candidates in November .
Unable to block President Donald Trump ’ s pick on their own , they are arguing to voters that Barrett ’ s nomination threatens the protections of the Affordable Care Act — a focus that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has embraced and many Democrats see as a winning message .
The court will hear a case challenging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care law just after the election , adding to the urgency of the issue .
Hours after Trump named the Indiana-based federal judge as his pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Sept. 18 , Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said a vote to confirm Barrett would be “ a dagger aimed at the heart of the health care protections Americans so desperately need and want.
” But there will also be ample opportunities for Democrats to move off-message as partisans on both sides infuse the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics .
Some in the left wing of the Democratic Party are pushing for senators to boycott the hearings or commit to adding more justices to the court if Biden wins the presidential election .
That has fueled concerns in the party about placing too much emphasis on procedural tactics that only delay votes by hours or days — even as precious time ticks away in the few remaining weeks before the Nov. 3 election .
Religion , in particular , could be a minefield .
Democrats worry that Barrett has tied her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements and decisions , and California Sen. Dianne Feinstein , the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee , still faces criticism three years later for her comments during Barrett ’ s 2017 confirmation hearing .
At the time , Feinstein joined Republicans on the panel in asking Barrett about her faith , but then went further by telling the then-professor that “ when you read your speeches , the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.
” Republicans now use those comments against Democrats .
“ The constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , but I don ’ t expect that to stop the Democrats , ” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , a member of the committee , said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday as he promotes his new book on the Supreme Court .
He described Feinstein ’ s words as “ snidely put ” and said that Democrats had suggested Barrett ’ s views render her ineligible for office .
Asked about Feinstein ’ s earlier comments , Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware , another committee member , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at issue here.
” He then pivoted to health care .
“ It is appropriate for us to question her statements , her opinions , her actions as a professor and judge , but not to go into questions of doctrine or faith personally , ” Coons said on “ Face the Nation ” on CBS .
“ That ’ s where I ’ ll be focusing my questions : on the Affordable Care Act and on what she has said publicly about her views on its constitutionality.
” Democrats see health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Barrett ’ s confirmation will bolster Trump ’ s re-election .
More Americans now favour the ACA than have opposed it over the last few years , according to polls , and Democrats believe the coronavirus pandemic will only solidify that support .
They intend to model their strategy on their successful 2017 fight against Trump and congressional Republicans who tried and failed to repeal the legislation .
Schumer , Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have been in touch and have agreed that health care is a strong focus , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private discussions who spoke on the condition of anonymity .
One likely prominent messenger on the issue is the Democratic vice-presidential nominee , California Sen. Kamala Harris , who sits on the judiciary panel and is expected to participate in the confirmation hearings that are scheduled to begin Oct 12 , less than a month before Election Day .
On Monday , Harris told voters in North Carolina that without the health care law , birth control coverage could be eliminated and pregnancy could be considered a preexisting condition .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not give in , ” Harris said of the Supreme Court fight .
In focusing on health care , Democrats would be taking a different posture than in the last Supreme Court confirmation fight , when they argued that then-nominee Brett Kavanaugh was not fit to be a justice .
Democrats on the committee questioned his character and temperament after a public allegation of a teenage sexual assault by professor Christine Blasey Ford .
Kavanaugh denied the allegation and was confirmed shortly afterward , and Republicans retained the Senate majority in that year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ familiar with the planning , they plan to use plain language to communicate to voters how Barrett ’ s nomination could matter to them .
They will also tie the health care issue to the pandemic and to abortion rights , the aides said .
And while some on the left would like to see Democrats boycott the hearings , Democrats on the Judiciary Committee are unlikely to do so .
Some Democrats have said they won ’ t meet with Barrett , who will visit the Senate for the first time Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell and eight other Republican senators ahead of the hearings .
Regarding the hearings , “ I ’ ll be there to do my job , ” Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said Sunday on ABC ’ s “ This Week.
” “ Because I want to ask her point-blank , as I ’ m sure others will , whether or not her position is that we should end the Affordable Care Act providing health insurance for 20 million Americans and protections for Americans from one coast to the other from pre-existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy health insurance.
” Associated Press writers Bill Barrow in Atlanta , Kathleen Ronayne in Raleigh , N.C. , and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report .

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--A viral march across the planet, tracked by a map in motion

On a Thursday night in early January , the disease that would become known as COVID-19 claimed its first victim , a 61-year-old man who succumbed to the newly identified coronavirus in the city of Wuhan , in the People ’ s Republic of China .
Nine months later , the pandemic took its millionth life .
And while the vagaries of record-keeping mean we may never know who that victim was , the fact remains : COVID has killed a million people .
Tens of millions of things undone .
Daughters and sons unborn , works of genius uncreated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Entire residential complexes filled with older people — ravaged .
Human contribution melted away , with no way of ever knowing or chronicling what was lost .
Accounting for what ’ s missing when people die is never an easy task ; now it is one multiplied by an entire million .
A new Associated Press interactive map of the coronavirus ’ spread — represented by the lives it has claimed — blends data and geography in a way that forces us to see what has happened to the world .
And what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many things in the world , it started small .
At first , the map shows only one splash of colour : China , the place where the coronavirus silently began its march .
As it began to move around , the map evolved .
Month by month , week by week , day by day , the coronavirus spread .
Pandemic was declared .
Hospitals girded .
Cities and countries , shut down .
The world changed so fast that its people could barely keep up .
How did something so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upend the routines and activities of huge chunks of human civilization ?
We all have watched it , lived through it , but the visual is striking .
From a world largely unsullied by the virus to one merely touched by it to an entire planet feeling its effects .
Choose a place to pause .
Each juncture offers a window into that moment .
— March 18 , 2020 .
China still leads the world in deaths .
In the United States , President Donald Trump has just declared a state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 191 people .
The wide belief among Americans : This can still be contained .
— April 6 , 2020 .
Italy is being ravaged ; 16,523 have been lost .
China has dropped out of the top five when it comes to deaths .
The United States is second by now at 14,199 dead .
— May 22 , 2020 .
The United States has shot ahead of the rest of the world and sits on the cusp of 100,000 dead — 99,166 .
It , like the United Kingdom ( 35,440 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain ( 28626 ) and France ( 28,292 ) , is rendered in a darker forest green , along with Brazil .
The march is accelerating .
— July 26 , 2020 .
In the heart of the summer , the United States remains the country with the most dead : 147,656 .
Brazil , whose president has just tested positive for coronavirus , is second at 87,004 .
Darker greens are starting to fill the map , including in India .
In China , blamed by Trump for the virus in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light after strict and protracted containment measures .
— Sept. 27 , 2020 .
This past Sunday .
India is third in the world with 95,542 deaths .
The United States , still No .
1 and criticized for its haphazard efforts at containment , has just passed the 200,000 mark .
Brazil sits at 141,741 , with no apparent detrimental political effect on its leader .
Russia is now darker green .
Africa , Australia and much of Asia are lighter , though swaths of Southeast Asia are showing higher death rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an invisible virus that upended the world .
It tells of first responses and fear and decisions good and bad .
Stories of valiant women and men who tried to stop it , and were sometimes claimed by their efforts .
It tells stories of leaders who measured up and leaders who didn ’ t .
And how simple human touch ended up killing .
Most of all , it tells of the 1 million dead and gone .
These are the stories of the human beings who , had they been able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things we ’ d all remember — or might have done things just as important that only a few people they loved would remember .
The map contains their stories , too , and even amid the elegant lines of the map and the illuminating contours of the data they should not be forgotten .
Ted Anthony , director of digital innovation for The Associated Press , oversees the news organization ’ s coverage of the pandemic ’ s ripple effect on society .
Follow him on Twitter at http : //www.twitter.com/anthonyted


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Veterinarians refuse CDC request to deport bulldog puppies

CHICAGO - Veterinarians caring for 15 bulldog puppies rescued from a warehouse at Chicago ’ s O ’ Hare International Airport on Monday refused to send the dogs back to the Middle East country from which they came .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week ordered the animals back to Jordan .
However , the Chicago French Bulldog Rescue , which has been taking care of the animals since August , refused , saying they are concerned the dogs might be mistreated again .
“ Out of ongoing concern by Chicago French Bulldog Rescue for the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a warehouse at O ’ Hare International Airport , I have informed all relevant agencies of the government and Royal Jordanian Airlines earlier today that the rescue will not be turning over the 15 French bulldog puppies to anyone , ” R. Tamara de Silva , an attorney representing the rescue group , said in a statement .
Officials say the dogs were shipped to the United States from Russia with forged papers to get around limits on the number of dogs any one person can import .
Chicago police say a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an employee at the O ’ Hare cargo warehouse last month .
Officers found 16 French bulldogs delivered by Royal Jordanian Airlines in small cages , covered in feces and urine , without water or food , and one dead dog .
One dog died later .
The puppies were denied entry into the U.S. after a CDC representative judged they were below the age requirement of four months , Chicago French Bulldog Rescue spokeswoman Mary Scheffke said .
The bulldogs have received proper vaccinations and are able to be quarantined , Scheffke @ @

ATLANTA (AP) — Putting 19 people on trial at the same time is a difficult assignment for any prosecutor — whether or not one of those defendan…


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Collins, Gideon clash over Supreme Court, pandemic in debate

PORTLAND , Maine - Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic challenger Sara Gideon clashed Monday over the Supreme Court and the response to the pandemic during their second debate in the closely watched Senate race .
Gideon , the Maine House speaker , accused the four-term Collins of failing to use her seniority to show results for the people of Maine , especially when additional help is needed during the pandemic .
Collins said the Paycheck Protection Program she authored saved hundreds of thousands of jobs while noting that the Maine Legislature adjourned during the pandemic .
“ She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t lifted a finger to do anything about the coronavirus .
She promised to provide aid to small businesses but did not do so , “ Collins said .
Independent Max Linn denounced both of them , calling both of them “ weak women ” who were beholden to their parties .
Also in the debate was another independent , educator Lisa Savage .
Collins is facing the toughest campaign of her career as she seeks a fifth term in Washington .
Democrats , meanwhile , view unseating Collins as key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The importance of the race is underscored by the millions of dollars pouring into Maine , making it the most expensive political race in state history .
Monday night was the first time the four candidates shared the stage since the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , and the debate opened with a question about the highly politicized Supreme Court nomination process .
Gideon accused Collins of rubber-stamping 181 of President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominees , saying “ that has pushed the Supreme Court far to the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Supreme Court is about to take up the Affordable Care Act and potentially take health care away in the middle of a pandemic .
Collins said Gideon has refused to rule out “ packing the court ” and noted that she has opposed some of Trump ’ s judicial nominees .
Both Gideon and Collins agree on one thing : Both think the current vacancy on the court shouldn ’ t be filled until after the election .
Linn tried to steal the show as he has done in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by pulling out scissors and cutting up surgical masks , saying that people shouldn ’ t be forced by the government to wear them during the pandemic .
Savage , for her part , said she was the only candidate who wasn ’ t a millionaire and once again stressed the importance of ranked voting .
She said people can vote for her and her values of “ Medicare for All , ” “ Green New Deal ” and demilitarization without fear of her being a spoiler .
The candidate will be selected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which voters can rank candidates in order of preference on the ballot .
It incorporates extra voting rounds , last-place finisher eliminations and reallocation of votes to ensure a majority winner .
Both Democrats and Republicans have so far spent or allocated more than $ 98 million on the Collins-Gideon race , with Democrats having a modest edge , according to the ad tracking company Kantar/CMAG .
The debate took place in Presque Isle , near Collins ’ hometown of Caribou .
WAGM-TV in Presque Isle and WABI-TV in Bangor were sponsors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned before Election Day .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--US official: 2020 census to end Oct. 5 despite court order

ORLANDO , Fla. - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross says the 2020 census will end Oct. 5 , despite a federal judge ’ s ruling last week allowing the head count of every U.S. resident to continue through the end of October , according to a tweet posted by the Census Bureau on Monday .
The tweet said the ability for people to self-respond to the census questionnaire and the door-knocking phase when census takers go to homes that haven ’ t yet responded are targeted to end Oct. 5 .
The announcement came as a virtual hearing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a follow-up to U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh ’ s preliminary injunction .
The injunction issued last week suspended the Census Bureau ’ s deadline for ending the head count on Sept. 30 , which automatically reverted back to an older Census Bureau plan in which the timeline for ending field operations was Oct. 31 .
The new Oct. 5 deadline doesn ’ t necessarily violate the judge ’ s order because the injunction just suspended the Sept. 30 deadline for field operations , as well as a Dec. 31 deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures used for determining how many congressional seats each state gets in a process known as apportionment .
The census also is used to determine how to distribute $ 1.5 trillion in federal spending annually .
Koh asked federal government attorneys during Monday ’ s hearing to provide documents on how the new decision to end the head count on Oct. 5 was made .
When a federal government lawyer suggested that the decision-making was a moving target without any records , the judge asked , “ A one sentence tweet ?
Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish decision-making ?
A one sentence tweet ?
“ Given the judge ’ s preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order she had previously issued prohibiting the Census Bureau from winding down 2020 census operations , the decision was made that the Sept. 30 deadline was no longer viable , said August Flentje , special counsel to the assistant U.S. Attorney General .
“ It ’ s day to day adjustments and assessments , “ Flentje said .
Koh said in her ruling last Thursday that the shortened schedule ordered by President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaccurate results that would last a decade .
She sided with civil rights groups and local governments that had sued the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Commerce , which oversees the statistical agency , arguing that minorities and others in hard-to-count communities would be missed if the counting ends this month .
Attorneys for the federal government said they were appealing the decision .
During hearings , federal government attorneys argued that the head count needed to end Sept. 30 in order to meet a Dec. 31 deadline for handing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s statement was noteworthy in that it was solely attributed to the commerce secretary , while previous announcements about census schedule changes had been made either by Census Bureau director Steven Dillingham or both men jointly .
“ It is time that the Trump Administration stopped working to politicize and jeopardize the 2020 Census , “ said U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney , a Democrat from New York , who chairs the House Committee on Oversight and Reform , which has oversight over the Census Bureau .
The decision by the Commerce Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Associated Press that they were being pressured to meet the Sept. 30 deadline , even after Koh issued her injunction .
In upstate New York , a census supervisor told her census takers Friday that the Buffalo office was operating with Sept. 30 as the end date , according to a text obtained by AP .
“ 5 days left ( no matter what the court status ) , ” the text said .
In northern California , a manager told supervisors working under him on Sunday , “ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 days left , ” according to an email obtained by AP .
In that same region , a different manager told the census supervisors working underneath her Monday that they needed to complete 99 % of households in the the Santa Rosa region by Wednesday , including 12,000 households yet to be counted in Mendocino County .
In the conference call , area manager Nicole Terrazas pleaded with her supervisors to ask their census takers to head to Mendocino County , even though that part of California is under threat of wildfires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we can get .
We only have three days to do it , ” said Terrazas on a call that an AP reporter listened in on .
When a census supervisor asked why they were being pressured with the Sept. 30 deadline when Koh ’ s preliminary injunction prohibits the count from ending at the end of this month , Terrazas called the judge ’ s order “ something completely different.
” Other census takers and supervisors , including one from Texas , have sent emails to Koh ’ s court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are slated to shut down Sept. 30 .
In response to the pandemic , the Census Bureau last April pushed back the deadline for ending the 2020 census from the end of July to the end of October .
The bureau also asked Congress to let it turn in numbers used for apportionment from the end of December to the end of April .
The deadline extension passed the Democratic-controlled House but it stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate after President Donald Trump issued a memorandum seeking to exclude people in the country illegally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A panel of three judges in New York said earlier this month that the memorandum was unlawful .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Mexico ups COVID-19 ‘estimate’ to 89,612 deaths

MEXICO CITY - Mexico upped its “ estimated ” COVID-19 deaths to 89,612 on Monday , and boosted estimates of its total number of cases to 870,699 , almost 137,000 more than it previously recognized .
Even with the new estimated death toll , Mexico is still in fourth place world wide behind India , which has 95,542 deaths .
But in the case of infections , the new estimates would boost Mexico from eighth place in total cases , to fifth place , behind Russia with about 1.15 million cases .
Mexico has about 76,600 test-confirmed deaths and 733,717 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are significant undercounts , because the country does so little testing : only about 1.6 million tests have been done so far .
In a nation of almost 130 million , that means that only about one in 80 Mexicans has ever had a test .
About 40 % of all tests are positive , because only people with significant symptoms are tested .
Mexico had previously published “ estimated ” figures based on tests still awaiting results , which sometimes takes weeks .
But the new estimates released Monday by the Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by adding two new groups : those who never were tested but had symptoms , and those who had tests which could not be analyzed because the samples were not handled properly .
The new figures also include a proportion of pending results .
Officials revealed Sunday that almost 96,000 test swabs — equal to about 5 % of all tests in Mexico — had to be thrown out because they never reached a lab , arrived too late or were not preserved in the right conditions to be tested .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico ’ s death toll , because to date the Mexican government has avoided adjusting its death toll upward to account for people who died at home or weren ’ t tested .
Some parts of the country like Mexico City have begun conducting their own recalculations , finding “ excess deaths ” likely caused by coronavirus were at least double official figures .
The issue is a significant one in Mexico , because President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has frequently compared Mexico ’ s death rates to those of other countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his administration isn ’ t doing a bad job at handling the pandemic .
But those appear to be unsound comparisons , because many other countries have attempted to adjust official figures to account for spikes in deaths that coincide with virus outbreaks .
Mexico ’ s top coronavirus official said Sunday that definitive data on the country ’ s death toll from COVID-19 won ’ t be available for “ a couple of years.
” “ When will the final statistics on deaths from COVID-19 be ready ?
Certainly , a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , ” Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell said , adding that work would be left to the country ’ s statistics institute .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Mexico says drug cartels prey on mining companies

MEXICO CITY - Mexico launched a special government guard force for mining operations Monday , admitting that drug cartels have preyed on the companies , many of which are foreign .
The first 118 mine guards graduated Monday from a special training course .
They are equipped with assault rifles .
Public Safety Secretary Alfonso Durazo said “ this will help resolve the attacks by organized crime in this sector of the economy.
” Reports have long abounded that foreign gold and silver mines were being forced to make extortion payments to drug gangs .
In past years , gangs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly from the mines .
In 2015 , an organized crime gang robbed almost 10 pounds ( 4.5 kilograms ) of gold-silver mix from employees at a large silver and gold mine in northern Mexico .
The Fresnillo mining company said the robbery occurred near its Herradura mine in the border state of Sonora .
The company said armed men pulled over a company truck and stole the metals .
It said none of its employees were injured .
The company said the robbery was carried out by “ organized crime , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refer to drug cartels .
In the western state of Michoacan , the Knights Templar cartel and La Familia gang got involved in exporting shipments of iron ore between 2010 and 2014 .
In 2018 , Canada ’ s Pan American Silver Corp. temporarily cut back some operations at its mine in northern Mexico due to safety concerns .
The company said employees have had security incidents on roads leading to the mine in a remote part of Chihuahua state , a region plagued by drug cartels .
At one point employees were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave because of threats by armed groups and some employees were evacuated on private planes .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Sheriff: Vest saves Florida officer shot serving a warrant

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. - A Florida officer and veteran member of a SWAT team was shot multiple times while serving a warrant Monday , but his bullet-resistant vest saved his life , officials said .
Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said during a news conference that the officer was already home and recovering by Monday evening , the Florida-Times Union reported .
“ He was shot in the vest .
So , the vest saved his life today without a doubt , ” Williams said .
Williams didn ’ t immediately identify the officer , saying only that he was part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enforcement Administration agents serve a high-risk warrant at a home around 8 a.m. Monday .
After identifying themselves as law enforcement with a loudspeaker , the officers and agents approached the house .
Officials said gunshots came from inside the house and hit the officer , who returned fire .
Williams said the officer ’ s injuries were minor and that his identity would be released on Tuesday .
No one else was reported hurt .
Police detained a man and woman , Williams said , adding charges are expected to be filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing the ongoing investigation .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Seattle-area Amazon employee charged with insider trading

SEATTLE - The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit Monday against an Amazon finance manager accused of leaking confidential company information to family members , allowing them to make nearly $ 1.4 million by trading based on insider tips .
Laksha Bohra , a former manager in Amazon ’ s tax division who lives in Bothell , Washington ; her husband , Viky Bohra ; and father-in-law Gotham Bohra have agreed to pay back the stock gains , as well as another $ 1.2 million in penalties and interest , The Seattle Times reported .
The U.S. attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney ’ s office declined to comment to the newspaper about the fact that no other family members were criminally charged .
“ Vik Bohra deeply regrets this conduct , accepts full responsibility , and intends to promptly repay the funds , ” lawyer Peter Offenbecher said in a statement .
An attorney for Laksha Bohra declined to comment .
Gotham Bohra could not be reached .
Laksha Bohra , the SEC ’ s civil complaint alleged , ignored reminders from Amazon not to divulge confidential financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company ’ s securities based on her knowledge about the company ’ s financial position .
Between 2016 and 2018 , Viky and Gotham Bohra “ regularly ” traded in Amazon securities based on confidential insider information from Laksha Bohra , the complaint said .
While vacationing in Europe in 2018 , for example , Laksha Bohra logged into Amazon ’ s network to view the company ’ s preliminary first-quarter earnings statements .
The same day , Viky and Gotham Bohra purchased options to buy Amazon shares at a specified price , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the earnings report — by 3.6 % in one day , netting the Bohras nearly $ 600,000 in profit on the stock trades .
Amazon declined to respond to questions about how it prevents insider trading , or whether officials were aware of the alleged acts by Laksha Bohra when the company suspended her employment in October 2018 .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Texas grand jury: No action against killer of church shooter

FORT WORTH , Texas - A grand jury in Texas decided Monday to take no action against a man who fatally shot an armed man who killed two people at a Fort Worth-area church in late December , prosecutors said .
Jack Wilson , a firearms instructor who trained a volunteer security team at the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement , fatally shot Keith Thomas Kinnunen during a Dec. 29 service after he shot and killed 67-year-old Richard White , another security volunteer , and 64-year-old Anton “ Tony ” Wallace , a server .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrambled for cover .
The gunman was heading to the front of the sanctuary as Wilson searched for a clear line of fire .
His single shot quickly ended the attack .
Prosecutors said there were about 260 people in the church at the time .
Tim Rodgers , a prosecutor with the Tarrant County district attorney ’ s office , said Monday that Texas law allows a person witnessing someone placing others at risk of serious injury or death to act with deadly force to protect others .
“ Mr .
Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibly and , as a result , he was justified under the law in his actions , ” Rodgers said .
“ Based upon the grand jury ’ s decision , the law enforcement investigation and our review of the case are complete .
We believe the grand jury made the right decision.
” After the shooting , Gov .
Greg Abbott gave Wilson Texas ’ highest civilian honour : the Governor ’ s Medal of Courage .


thetorontostar--2020-09-28--Trump and Biden get evites as Al Smith Dinner goes virtual

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump is expected to be in virtual attendance Thursday as New York City ’ s annual Al Smith Dinner moves mostly online because of the coronavirus pandemic , organizers said .
Trump has accepted an invitation to return to the dinner for the first time in four years .
Organizers said they anticipate his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , will attend as well .
But Biden ’ s campaign hasn ’ t confirmed he will attend the event .
The white-tie Al Smith Dinner , which raises funds for Catholic Charities , is usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third Thursday in October .
A scaled down , in-person event for 50 people at a public garden in the Bronx was scrapped after state officials raised virus safety concerns .
This year ’ s virtual dinner will originate from multiple locations , with Cardinal Timothy Dolan presiding from the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture in Manhattan and opera singer Nadine Sierra performing the National Anthem from St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral .
The event is named for former New York Gov .
Alfred E. Smith , a Democrat and the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a major party in 1928 .
He was handily defeated by Herbert Hoover .
John F. Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic elected president when he defeated Richard Nixon in 1960 .
Biden would be the second if he defeats Trump .
Organizers say this year ’ s Al Smith Dinner will be dedicated to essential workers who helped save lives and keep the city running during the worst of the pandemic .
Typically , when then event is held in an election year , it ’ s meant to promote collegiality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizers said .
Trump last attended the dinner in 2016 , when he drew jeers for attacking Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton as “ corrupt ” and accusing her of “ pretending not to hate Catholics.
” At that event , Trump and Clinton were seated in the same row , with just Dolan between them .
Last year ’ s keynote speaker , U.S. Secretary of Defence James Mattis , joked about Trump calling him “ the world ’ s most overrated general.
” “ I ’ m honoured to be considered that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meryl Streep an overrated actress , ” Mattis said .
“ So I guess I ’ m the Meryl Streep of generals , and frankly that sounds pretty good to me .
”