thetorontostar--2020-10-24--1 million could lose power as California winds whip up

SAN FRANCISCO - Northern California officials urged residents to leave homes in the hills , secure backyard furniture and other loose items and have an evacuation plan ready ahead of powerful winds that could lead to widespread electricity outages and leave more than 1 million people in the dark .
Pacific Gas & Electric said it could black out customers starting Sunday in 38 counties to prevent the chance of sparking wildfires as bone-dry , windy weather returns to the region .
In the San Francisco Bay Area , customers in every county except for San Francisco could see their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were expected to begin as early as Sunday morning and last into Tuesday , affecting 466,000 homes and businesses , or more than 1 million residents , assuming between two and three people per home or business customer .
The winds that could potentially be the strongest the region has seen in 20 years could topple trees and power lines or other equipment that in recent years have been blamed for igniting massive and deadly blazes in central and Northern California , officials said .
East of San Francisco , the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Sunday afternoon , especially if they would have trouble getting out quickly during a fire .
In neighbouring Oakland , at least 10 parks will close Sunday and Monday .
Cities throughout the region planned to open emergency operations centres and add additional police officers and firefighters to patrol high-risk areas .
Officials were also encouraging people to have their cellphones fully charged or if they have a landline , to connect an old-fashioned phone and not one that depends on electricity .
“ I would ask all of the people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan ahead of time and do the planning with their neighbours , with their families and within their own households so that if they are asked to evacuate they ’ re ready and not just then starting to figure it out , ” Oakland Assistant Fire Chief Robert Lipp said .
While about one-third of the affected customers will be in the Bay Area , cuts are predicted to encompass parts of the Sacramento Valley , the northern and central Sierra Nevada , the Santa Cruz Mountains , the Central Coast and parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest fires this year have occurred since August but California ’ s most intense fire weather normally comes in the fall .
Eight of the 10 deadliest blazes in state history have occurred in October or November .
In November 2018 , a blaze ignited by PG & E equipment destroyed much of the town of Paradise in Butte County and killed 85 people .
The projected shutoffs included 19,000 customers in parts of that county .
A blaze in the Oakland hills in October 1991 killed 25 people .
The National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many areas , predicting winds of 35 mph ( 56 kph ) or higher in San Francisco and lower elevations and up to 70 mph ( 113 kph ) in mountains .
The concern is that any spark could be blown into flames sweeping through tinder-dry brush and forestland .
It said the conditions could equal those during devastating fires in California ’ s wine country in 2017 and last year ’ s Kincade Fire .
Fire officials said PG & E transmission lines sparked the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County last October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused nearly 100,000 people to flee .
“ Given that vegetation is now at or near record dryness levels — much as it was prior to the North Bay firestorm in October 2017 — this is a very concerning forecast , ” Daniel Swain , climate scientist with UCLA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research , wrote in a blog post .
The public safety power shutoff would be the fifth this year , including one that began Wednesday and that ended late Friday .
At Silverado Ace Hardware store in Calistoga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cords , flashlights , batteries , gas cans and other items , said Kathleen Collins , the store ’ s assistant manager .
The Napa County town of 5,000 people has been affected by many of the power outages this year .
But in the previous outage , the PG & E brought in temporary generators to provide electricity .
“ The generators are are still set up out there , so I ’ m hoping they ’ re going to keep our power up , ” Collins said .
She said losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people are having to live without electricity for days at time in a region that has been affected by several wildfires in recent years .
“ There ’ s not much we can do about it , “ Collins said .
” We ’ ve already been devastated so much by these fires .
Being without power seems the only solution right now.
” Southern California , which enjoyed several days of cool temperatures and higher humidity , will see the return of warm , dry Santa Ana winds .
A fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from late Sunday through Tuesday .
Relative humidity levels will plummet , and winds could top 55 mph in valleys , with gusts of 75 mph possible in mountain areas .
Scientists say climate change has made California much drier , meaning trees and other plants are more flammable .
More 8,600 wildfires have scorched well over 6,400 square miles ( 16,576 square kilometres ) and destroyed about 9,200 buildings in California this year .
There have been 31 deaths .
All of the huge fires have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 6,000 firefighters remain committed to 19 blazes , including a dozen major incidents , Cal Fire said .
Many of this year ’ s devastating fires were started by thousands of dry lightning strikes .
But some of the fires remain under investigation for potential electrical causes .
This story has been corrected to show the utility may , not will , cut power to over 1 million people .

Olga R. Rodriguez And Christopher Weber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--North Carolina church ordered to close due to virus outbreak

CHARLOTTE , N.C. - A North Carolina health official on Saturday ordered a large church to close its doors temporarily because of concerns it is helping spread the coronavirus by disregarding social distancing measures .
Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris ordered the United House of Prayer for All People to close all of its buildings and said the church has not co-operated with efforts to stem the virus ’ s spread , the Charlotte Observer reported .
Harris said at least three deaths and more than 121 confirmed cases of the virus have been linked to the church , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month .
The county said the church has continued to hold large gatherings despite recommendations not to do so and has failed to implement social distancing measures .
The church did not immediately return a request for comment .
The church had planned a weeklong revival that was set to last through the end of the month , but the “ abatement of an imminent hazard ” order announced Saturday will remain in effect until midnight Nov. 5 , the newspaper reported .
On Friday , North Carolina set a new record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
The Washington , D.C.-based church was founded a century ago in Massachusetts .

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thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Car leaves roadway, strikes 3 Notre Dame students, killing 2

SOUTH BEND , Ind .
- A vehicle left a roadway in the northern Indiana city of South Bend early Saturday and struck three University of Notre Dame students , killing two of them , the school ’ s president said .
South Bend police said the vehicle hit three pedestrians before crashing into a house just after 4 a.m .
The driver remained at the scene and was co-operating with investigators , police said .
The Rev .
John Jenkins , the president of the University of Notre Dame , said that first-year students Valeria Espinel , 19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lara Rojas , 19 , from Santa Cruz de la Sierra , Bolivia , were killed .
A sophomore was hospitalized , he said in a news release .
“ On behalf of the entire Notre Dame community , I express our deepest condolences and pray that our students ’ families and friends may find God ’ s grace and solace after so shattering a loss , ” Jenkins said .
“ We also pray for a full recovery of our student who remains hospitalized as a result of the accident.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have sidewalks and the Stadium Club Apartments — home to several Notre Dame upperclassmen and graduate students — is located nearby , the South Bend Tribune reported .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Afghanistan claims killing an al-Qaida leader wanted by FBI

KABUL - Afghanistan claimed Sunday it killed a top al-Qaida propagandist on an FBI most-wanted list during an operation in the country ’ s east , showing the militant group ’ s continued presence there as U.S. forces work to withdraw from America ’ s longest-running war amid continued bloodshed .
The reported death of Husam Abd al-Rauf , also known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhsin al-Masri , follows weeks of violence , including a suicide bombing by the Islamic State group Saturday at an education centre near Kabul that killed 24 people .
Meanwhile , the Afghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as peace talks in Qatar between the two sides take place for the first time .
The violence and al-Rauf ’ s reported killing threaten the face-to-face peace talks and risk plunging this nation beset by decades of war into further instability .
They also complicate America ’ s efforts to withdraw , 19 years after it led an invasion targeting the Taliban for hosting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 attacks .
Details over the raid that led to al-Rauf ’ s alleged death remained murky hours after Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Directorate of Security , claimed on Twitter to have killed him in Ghazni province .
The agency released a photograph late Sunday afternoon it described as al-Rauf ’ s corpse , which resembled FBI images of the militant leader .
Al-Qaida did not immediately acknowledge al-Rauf ’ s reported death .
The FBI , the U.S. military ’ s Central Command and NATO did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
The Afghan raid happened last week in Kunsaf , a village in Ghazni province ’ s Andar district some 150 kilometres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two government officials said .
Amanullah Kamrani , the deputy head of Ghazni ’ s provincial council , told The Associated Press that Afghan special forces led by the intelligence agency raided Kunsaf , which he described as being under Taliban control .
On the village ’ s outskirts , they stormed an isolated home and killed seven suspected militants in a firefight , including al-Rauf , Kamrani said .
Neither Kamrani nor the intelligence agency offered details on how authorities identified al-Rauf , nor how they came to suspect he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghazni , said Afghan forces killed six suspected militants in the raid , without acknowledging al-Rauf had been killed .
Kamrani alleged , without providing evidence , that the Taliban had been offering shelter and protection to al-Rauf .
The Taliban told the AP on Sunday they are investigating the incident .
If the Taliban had provided protection for al-Rauf that would violate the terms of its Feb. 29 deal with the U.S. that jump-started the Afghan peace talks .
That deal saw the Taliban agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals threatening the security of the United States and its allies , ” which includes al-Qaida .
The Afghan presidential palace issued a statement Sunday saying al-Rauf had been killed and warning it “ proved that the threat of terrorism and the Taliban ’ s links to terrorist networks are still in place.
” “ The Taliban should prove to the people , the government of Afghanistan and the international community that they are ending their links with terrorist groups , including al-Qaida , ” the statement said .
They “ should stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dignified and sustainable peace in the country.
” Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York filed a warrant for al-Rauf ’ s arrest in December 2018 , accusing him of providing support to a foreign terrorist organization and being part of a conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens .
The FBI put him on the bureau ’ s “ Most Wanted Terrorists ” list , which now includes 27 others .
The red-headed al-Rauf , believed to be born in 1958 , is an Egyptian national .
An al-Qaida-issued biography said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet Union in 1986 .
He has served for years as al-Qaida ’ s media chief , offering audio statements and written articles backing the militant group .
After years of remaining silent following the acknowledgement of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar ’ s death , al-Rauf reemerged in 2018 in an audio statement in which he mocked President Donald Trump and those who preceded him the White House .
“ I name him ‘ Donald T-Rambo ’ who tries to copy the famous American fictional character ‘ Rambo , ’ who , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to liberate the entire Afghanistan from the Soviet Union , ” al-Rauf said , according to the SITE Intelligence Group .
The Afghan presidential palace described al-Rauf as “ al-Qaida ’ s leader for the Indian subcontinent.
” The National Directorate of Security referred to al-Rauf as having a close relationship with both bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri , an Egyptian now leading al-Qaida .
It said he lived for years in hideouts in both Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan .
Meanwhile Sunday , authorities raised the death toll in Saturday ’ s suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The suicide bomber , who was stopped by guards from entering the centre , killed 24 and wounded 57 — many of them young students .
The Islamic State group ’ s local affiliate claimed credit for the attack in a heavily Shiite neighbourhood of western Kabul ’ s Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood , saying one of its fighters used a suicide bomb vest in the assault .
The Sunni extremists of the Islamic State group view Shiites as heretics and have repeatedly targeted them in attacks in Afghanistan , even after losing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of Iraq and Syria .
Mourners later gathered on a dusty hillside to bury the youths killed by the bombing .
An Afghan flag whipped in the wind above their heads as they prayed for , buried and quietly remembered those lost .
“ They had no guns on hand , “ said one mourner named Azizullah , who like many Afghans uses one name .
” They wanted to study and have a bright future for themselves and the country.
” Gambrell reported from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .

Rahim Faiez, Tameem Akhgar And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Electoral College education: How Americans elect their president

WASHINGTON—Canadians know well that they do not directly elect the prime minister — in our parliamentary system we elect Members of Parliament and the leader of the party with the most MPs usually becomes prime minister .
In the U.S. , Americans elect their legislators separately and they do directly vote for presidential candidates every four years .
But as the world learned in the 2000 election of George W. Bush and the 2016 election of Donald Trump , becoming president is not as simple as winning the most votes in the election .
The president is not the winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the winner of a different vote in the Electoral College .
For those trying to figure out how the system works , here are the answers to some of the basic questions .
What is the Electoral College ?
In the U.S. , the federal election for president is not actually one election , it is 51 separate elections — one in each state and in the District of Columbia .
On election day , citizens cast votes , and the overall result is called the “ popular vote.
” After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , each state ( and DC ) sends a certain number of electors to vote in the Electoral College to choose the president .
The number of electors each state sends varies , roughly according to population , with the total adding up to 538 total members of the Electoral College .
To become president , a candidate needs a majority of these votes — 270 votes or more .
How does it work ?
Almost all states now award all of their Electoral College votes to the winner of the popular vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest state , has 55 electoral votes : whoever wins the election in California gets all of them , no matter whether they win 51 per cent of the vote in California or 90 per cent .
The same is true of tiny Vermont ’ s three electoral College Votes .
( There are two exceptions : Maine divides its Electoral College votes into two districts , and Nebraska divides its into three districts . )
That winner-take-all system in how states allocate their Electoral College votes is the reason election coverage — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is focused on “ winning states.
” The election becomes a contest to win the popular vote in enough states to add up to 270 Electoral College votes .
California has the most Electoral College votes , but since the Democratic candidate almost always wins the election there by a large margin , those Electoral College votes are not really up for grabs in the election , and so the candidates from both parties barely campaign there .
The same has long been true , on the opposite side of the ledger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College votes being reliably Republican since the 1960s .
These are often called “ Red States ” ( reliably Republican ) or “ Blue States ” ( reliably Democrat ) .
The states where election popular votes are close — and where it ’ s not certain which party will win — are often referred to as “ swing states ” because the result swings back and forth between parties in different elections .
Almost all of the major parties ’ campaign money and efforts are spent trying to win in this handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ path to victory ” look at the Electoral Votes of the states they are assured of winning and then look at which swing states they need to add to that total in order to reach 270 Electoral College votes .
Generally they then focus their efforts on the states most likely to push them over the top based on the number of votes and their place in public opinion polls .
How often do presidents win the Electoral College while losing the popular vote ?
For a long time , the answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the system in the U.S. until the turn of the millennium — more than 200 years — it happened a total of three times ( 1824 , 1876 , 1888 ) .
But it has happened twice out of the five elections in the past 20 years : George Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore in 2000 by half a percentage point , and Donald Trump lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in 2016 by 2.1 per cent of the vote .
Experts suggest this year again that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote ( the statisticians at FiveThirtyEight.com estimate there ’ s a four er cent chance ) but still has a far better shot at winning the Electoral College ( estimated by FiveThirtyEight at a 12 per cent chance ) .
What are the key swing states this year ?
The states that could swing vary depending on the polls , and recently those polls suggest it ’ s possible even reliably safe Republican states such as Texas and Georgia could be won by the Democrats this year .
But campaigns often focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ tipping point ” that would push one candidate or another over the top .
Experts such as the analysts who run FiveThirtyEight.com suggest this year Pennsylvania is the most likely “ tipping point ” swing state , with Florida , Wisconsin , Minnesota , Michigan , Arizona , North Carolina , Ohio , New Hampshire , Iowa and Nevada also close enough and important enough to warrant close attention .
Both the Biden and Trump campaigns have been visiting most of the states on that list , but they have made an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania in the past two weeks or more — a reliable indication of where those whose careers are on the line think the fight is right now .
What happens if there ’ s an Electoral College tie ?
This actually happened once , in 1800 , when in a slightly different version of the system Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied .
As those who ’ ve seen the musical Hamilton sort-of know , what they did then was have the House of Representatives vote — by state delegation rather than absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to produce a majority .
On the 36th vote , some Burr supporters abstained and Jefferson won , and under that system Burr became vice-president .
The rules were modified after that by the 12th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution somewhat , and they apply to any situation where no candidate has an Electoral College majority , not just a tie .
Essentially the House of Representatives gets to choose from among the top three candidates in the Electoral College , if none has a majority .
The House votes — by state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select the winner .
In 1824 , this happened , and the House chose John Quincy Adams , who had lost both the popular vote and the Electoral College vote , to Andrew Jackson when Jackson failed to get a majority in the Electoral College among a field of four candidates .
Such a vote in the House would take place in January , so it would be the newly-elected House of Representatives voting , not the outgoing “ lame duck ” congress .
However , rules of procedure for the vote could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outgoing congressional session , which a 1981 Atlantic article suggested could offer plenty of room for monkey business if a party was losing its advantage and wanted to make it harder to seat the president of an opposing party .
However , this is not likely the most pressing concern about the possibility of a disputed election outcome .
The website FiveThirtyEight.com rates the likelihood of the election resulting in no Electoral College majority at less than one per cent .
Does the Electoral College system give either party an advantage ?
Experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a built-in advantage for one party in the current system , though most suggest in the current political climate the Republicans have an Electoral College advantage that makes them much more likely to win the presidency while losing the popular vote ( indeed , the two recent cases of that happening have been Republican presidents ) .
The advantage comes from a few factors : the Electoral College votes give an advantage to smaller states ( the number of votes is based on the number of members they have in the House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Vox wrote , the “ plus two ” part “ effectively triples the voting power of the smallest states.
” Republicans are most popular among rural populations , which dominate smaller states , and Democrats are most popular in big cities , which are prominent in the largest states .
FiveThirtyEight ’ s Nate Silver estimates this advantage means that in scenarios where Joe Biden wins the popular vote by two to three percentage points , the Electoral College will still be won by Trump in half of cases .
To have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of winning the Electoral College , according to Silver , Biden would need to win the popular vote by more than five per cent .
That all sounds complicated , and kind of undemocratic .
Do Americans like it ?
A Pew Research survey this year said a strong majority — 58 per cent — of Americans would prefer to change the constitution to just give the victory to the winner of the popular vote .
But as Canadians who ’ ve followed the debates about first-past-the-post voting in Canada know , changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that happens just because most people want it .
Justin Trudeau won an election promising to end first-past-the-post and then walked away from the change .
In the U.S. , there are defenders , especially Republicans , who say that the disproportionate power given to small states in both the Electoral College and the U.S. Senate is a feature of the system , not a bug , because it ensures the concerns of small areas aren ’ t trampled by the giant , rich populations in the big coastal cities .
Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College in the past but since he won as a result of it , he has now said it is “ better for the U.S.A. ” In any event , a constitutional amendment anytime soon is unlikely .
There ’ s a movement to change the college without an amendment however , called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact : the idea is that if enough states to represent an Electoral College majority agree that they will award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote , then in effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would mean those states would disregard the specific vote results in their own state — an agreement they ’ d only make if enough other states joined them to ensure the legitimate popular vote winner carried the Electoral College .
So far 15 states — plus the District of Columbia — have passed legislation agreeing to do so once enough states join to surpass 270 Electoral College votes .
Those states represent 196 Electoral College Votes , so the campaign is on to have the legislation passed in states representing an additional 74 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s gon na win the election this year ?
Sorry , this Electoral College 101 primer doesn ’ t come with a crystal ball .
But a variety of expert election forecasters offer their Electoral College guesses , debates , and reasoning at publications including FiveThirtyEight.com , The Economist , and the New York Times .
Anyone who thinks they know who is likely to win which states can see how moving different states from the red column to the blue one changes the outcome and create their own forecast on a variety @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Asia Today: Melbourne holds off on easing amid new outbreak

MELBOURNE , Australia - A COVID-19 outbreak in the north of Melbourne has led health authorities in Australia ’ s Victoria state to hold off on any further easing of restrictions in the beleaguered city .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews withheld any announcement on an easing on Sunday as the state awaits results on 3,000 people who were tested in the city ’ s north in the past 24 hours .
He described it as a “ cautious pause ” - not a setback - to rule out there wasn ’ t widespread community transmission linked to the cluster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of masks and no travelling beyond 25 kilometres ( 15 miles ) from home .
At the start of the second wave of cases two months ago , Andrews instituted an overnight curfew and shut down most businesses .
“ I know it is frustrating , ” Andrews said .
“ I know people are keen to have a long and detailed list of changes to the rules .
It is not appropriate for us to do that now.
” ?
Victoria reported seven new coronavirus cases on Sunday , with six linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 people across 11 households .
No additional deaths kept the state toll at 817 and the national toll at 905 .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — Schools and kindergartens have been suspended and communities are on lockdown in Kashgar , a city in China ’ s northwest Xinjiang region , after more than 130 asymptomatic cases of the coronavirus were discovered .
One case was found on Saturday .
On Sunday , local health authorities announced that there were an additional 137 asymptomatic people who tested positive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that over 308,000 people have been tested for the virus .
Police in Kashgar also issued a notice on their social media account urging locals to “ not believe rumours and not spread rumours.
” In addition , China reported 15 other new cases of the virus on Sunday , all of them imported , bringing the country ’ s total to 85,790 , which does not include the Kashgar cases .
The death toll from the outbreak in China remained at 4,634 , according to the National Health Commission .
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of passenger trains and widened the curfew as COVID-19 cases related to a new cluster at a garment factory continue to surge .
The Railway Department cancelled at least 16 trains — mostly ran through busy office hours — after the number of commuters declined due to the curfew imposed in many parts of the country .
More than a dozen villages are isolated in densely populated Western province , which includes capital Colombo .
Authorities last week closed the island ’ s main fish market on Colombo ’ s outskirts after 49 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By Sunday , the number of cases from the fish market went up to nearly 900 .
Authorities say the outbreak is linked to a cluster in a garment factory early this month , which has grown to 4,052 cases , more than half the country ’ s total of 7,521 .
During the last 24 hours , 368 new cases have been detected .
In a bid to contain the spread , health authorities also closed three fishery harbours and many fish stalls around the country .
Several thousand people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and key public offices are closed and gatherings banned .
The death toll rose to 15 on Saturday .
— India ’ s daily coronavirus cases have dropped to nearly 50,000 , maintaining a downturn over the last few weeks .
0The Health Ministry says 50,129 new cases have taken the overall tally to nearly 7.9 million on Sunday .
It also reported 578 deaths in the past 24 hours , raising total fatalities to 118,534 .
The ministry also said India ’ s active coronavirus cases were below 700,000 across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 .
India is second to the United States with the largest outbreak of the coronavirus .
Last month , India hit a peak of nearly 100,000 cases in a single day , but since then daily cases have fallen by about half and deaths by about a third .
Some experts say the decline in cases suggests that the virus may have finally reached a plateau but others question the testing methods .
India is relying heavily on antigen tests , which are faster but less accurate than traditional RT-PCR tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Thousands rally in Iraq to mark one year of protests

BAGHDAD - Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Sunday to mark one year since mass anti-government demonstrations swept Baghdad and Iraq ’ s south , sparking calls to end to rampant corruption .
Protesters marched in the capital and several southern cities including Najaf , Nasiriyah and Basra to renew demands proclaimed a year ago to bring an end to corruption by politicians .
Mustafa Hussein , in his 20s , participated in the demonstrations last year and returned to Baghdad ’ s Tahrir Square on Sunday .
He said little had changed .
“ Our demands that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ martyrs are still on the lists of officials without implementation , ” he said .
More than 500 people were killed during the months-long movement that began last year , many of them protesters shot by Iraqi security forces who used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse crowds .
In some cases , tear gas cannisters struck the heads of demonstrators , killing them instantly .
By February , the protests had petered out in the wake of coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions , prompting activists to call off mass marches and sit-ins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Command , which oversees security forces in the capital , kept many hundreds more demonstrators from entering the city on Sunday from the provinces of Babylon and Diwanieh .
In Baghdad ’ s Tahrir Square , which has been the epicenter of the protest movement , Iraqi youth carried banners with portraits of those killed by Iraqi security forces .
The protesters erected tents and created their version of utopia replete with food vendors , cinemas and bookshops .
“ Today we mark the memory of the October Revolution , especially those fallen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a graduate of economics .
“ Our demands are against corrupt parties in power and against the failed parliament.
“ In October of last year , tens of thousands of Iraqis — mostly young people — marched in Baghdad and cities in the south to decry government graft , unemployment and poor services .
Demonstrators took over public squares in Baghdad and camped out for months , refusing to leave until their demands were met .
The movement had early successes .
Pressure from demonstrators lead to the resignation of Adil Abdul-Mahdi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the premiership after months of political deadlock and after two previous candidates failed to garner enough support among elites .
Al-Kadhimi has presented himself a champion of the protesters ’ demands , appointing long-time activists among his close group of advisors .
He promised that early elections , a key demand of protesters , would be held next June .
Despite crackdowns from militias and the government , protesters say their movement is still alive .
“ We have only this revolution to achieve our goals , ” Ahmed said .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be lost .
”

Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Pope names 13 new cardinals, includes WDC Archbishop Gregory

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Sunday named 13 new cardinals , including Washington D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory , who would become the first Black U.S. prelate to earn the coveted red hat .
In a surprise announcement from his studio window to faithful standing below in St. Peter ’ s Square , Francis said the churchmen would be elevated to a cardinal ’ s rank in a ceremony on Nov. 28 .
Other new cardinals include an Italian who is the long-time papal preacher at the Vatican , the Rev .
Raniero Cantalamessa , a Franciscan friar ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; the Capiz , Philippines , Archbishop Jose Feurte Advincula , and the Santiago , Chile , Archbishop Celestino Aos Braco .
Another Franciscan who was tapped is Friar Mauro Gambetti , in charge of the Sacred Convent in Assisi .
The pope , when elected in 2013 , chose St. Francis of Assisi as his namesake saint .
Earlier this month , the pontiff journeyed to that hill town in Umbria to sign an encyclical , or important church teaching document , about brotherhood .
In a reflection of the pope ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Francis also named the former director of the Rome Catholic charity , Caritas , the Rev .
Enrico Feroci , to be a cardinal .
Wilton , 73 , was picked by Francis to lead the prestigious diocese in the U.S. capital last year .
The prelate has his pulse on factions in the U.S. Catholic Church , which has both strong conservative and liberal veins since he served three times as the head of the U.S. Conference of Bishops .
Nine of the new cardinals are younger than 80 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a secret conclave .
Some cardinals head powerful Vatican offices , and pontiffs frequently turn to cardinals for advice .
No details were immediately given by the Vatican about the concistory , as the formal ceremony to make the churchmen cardinals is known , especially in view of travel restrictions involving many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic .
As he has in other groups of cardinals he tapped in his papacy , Francis in this selection reflected the global nature of the Catholic Church and his flock of 1.2 billion Catholics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Monsignor Mario Grech ; Monsignor Marcello Semeraro , an Italian serving as prefect of the Vatican office which runs the saint-making process ; Bishop Cornelius Sim , a Brunei native who serves as apostolic vicar of Brunei ; the Italian archbishop of Siena and nearby towns in Tuscany , Augusto Lojudice ; the retired bishop of San Cristobal de las Casas , Mexico , Monsignor Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel ; and an Italian former Vatican diplomat , Archbishop Silvano Tomasi .
Churchmen over 80 who are named cardinals are chosen to honour their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those in this batch too old to vote in a conclave are Cantalamessa , Tomasi , Feroci and Arizmendi Esquivel .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Malaysia’s king rejects PM’s proposal to declare emergency

KUALA LUMPUR , Malaysia - Malaysia ’ s king on Sunday rejected a proposal by embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to declare a state of emergency to fight a new outbreak of the coronavirus .
The plan by Muhyiddin , which involves suspending Parliament , has sparked national outrage , with critics slamming the move as an undemocratic means for him to hang on to power amid challenges to his leadership .
The palace said in a statement that Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah “ is of the opinion that there is currently no need for His Majesty to declare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or any part of Malaysia.
“ Muhyiddin met with the monarch on Friday to seek royal assent but hasn ’ t made any public comment .
The palace ’ s statement came after the king conferred with other royal households earlier Sunday to discuss the prime minister ’ s proposal .
Sultan Abdullah said the government has handled the pandemic well and believes that Muhyiddin is capable of implementing measures to cope with the crisis .
But the monarch called for a halt to “ all politicking “ that could disrupt the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declare a state of emergency that allows the country to be governed through ordinances that can not be challenged in court .
Muhyiddin took power in March after instigating the cause of the former reformist alliance , but his government is shaky , with only a two-seat majority in Parliament .
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has alleged that he has the support of a majority of lawmakers to topple Muhyiddin , but hasn ’ t managed to secure the monarch ’ s support .
Still , Muhyiddin faces a key test early next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek approval for its 2021 budget in Parliament .
If he is unable to pass the bill , pressure will build for him to resign or call new elections .
A state of emergency could allow him to delay that vote and consolidate support .
The king said there was “ no need for MPs to continue with irresponsible actions that can affect the stability of the government.
“ He stressed that the budget is crucial in the fight against COVID-19 and to restore the economy , and urged Malaysians to unite to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malaysia ’ s coronavirus cases doubled to more than 26,000 in just three weeks following a new outbreak , mainly in Sabah state on Borneo island .
Politicians from both sides of the divide as well as the Bar Council , the medical association and other groups have said there is no need for an emergency decree because there are sufficient laws to curb public movement and impose penalties to curb the virus .
Some also have warned that declaring an emergency could plunge the country into a dictatorship and ruin the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as saying that Muhyiddin wanted an “ economic emergency ” to merely suspend Parliament , without any curfew .
The last time emergency laws were invoked nationally was in 1969 during deadly racial riots .
Muhyiddin withdrew his party from Anwar ’ s reformist alliance that won 2018 elections and joined with the opposition to form a Malay-centric government in March .
Then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned in protest , saying he wouldn ’ t work with the corruption-tainted opposition that he ousted in 2018 polls .
Apart from Anwar , Muhyiddin also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ruling coalition , which is angry about being sidelined despite being the biggest party .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Tropical Storm Zeta forecast to intensify into hurricane

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Zeta formed early Sunday off the coast of Cuba , becoming the earliest named 27th Atlantic storm recorded in an already historic hurricane season .
The system was centred about 290 miles ( 470 kilometres ) south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba , forecasters with the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a 8 a.m. EDT advisory .
The storm was nearly stationary .
The tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph ( 65 kph ) , forecasters said .
Zeta is expected to intensify into a hurricane by Tuesday .
The system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the north-northwest later Sunday , skirting past Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday before entering the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday .
Early Sunday , the government of Mexico issued a hurricane watch for the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos , including Cozumel .
A tropical storm warning was in effect for Pinar del Rio , Cuba .
Zeta broke the record of the previous earliest 27th Atlantic named storm that formed Nov. 29 , 2005 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
This year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hurricane centre has turned to the Greek alphabet after running out of official names .
Forecasters said Zeta could bring 4 to 8 inches ( 10 to 20 centimetres ) of rain to parts of the Caribbean , Mexico , southern Florida and the Florida Keys through Wednesday .
Isolated totals up to 12 inches ( 30 centimetres ) were possible .
Additionally , Hurricane Epsilon was moving quickly through the northern portion of the Atlantic Ocean .
Forecasters said it would become a post-tropical cyclone later Sunday .
Large ocean swells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surf and rip current conditions along U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Thai protesters rally ahead of parliamentary debate

BANGKOK - Thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered in Thailand ’ s capital again on Sunday , seeking to keep up pressure on the government a day ahead of a special session of Parliament called to try to ease political tensions .
The rally took place at the busy Rajprasong intersection , in the heart of Bangkok ’ s shopping district .
Few protesters turned out in the first hour of the rally , but their numbers later swelled to several thousand , who listened to rude denunciations of the government in chants , speeches and even songs .
The rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prayuth Chan-ocha ignored the protesters ’ deadline to step down .
The protesters ’ core demands also include a more democratic constitution and reforms to the monarchy .
Public criticism of the monarchy is unprecedented is a country where the royal institution has been considered sacrosanct .
The demonstrators charge that Prayuth , who led a coup in 2014 as the army chief , was returned to power unfairly in last year ’ s general election because laws had been changed to favour a pro-military party .
The protesters also say that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule , is undemocratic .
Prayuth ’ s government last week called the Parliamentary session , expected to last two days , to seek to defuse weeks of almost daily protests .
“ The only way to a lasting solution for all sides that is fair for those on the streets as well as for the many millions who choose not to go on the streets is to discuss and resolve these differences through the parliamentary process , ” he said last week .
Prayuth also lifted a state of emergency that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protest rallies illegal .
The protesters were not impressed by his efforts to appease them , declaring them insincere .
They noted on social media that the points of discussion submitted by the government for debate dealt not with their concerns but were thinly disguised criticisms of the protests themselves .
They concern the risk of the coronavirus spreading at rallies , the alleged interference with a royal motorcade by a small crowd earlier this month , and illegal gatherings and the destruction of images of the royal family .
Protest organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the German Embassy in central Bangkok , far from the Parliament complex on the outskirts of the city .
The apparent rationale for the march is to bring attention to the protesters ’ contention that King Maha Vajiralongkorn spends much of his time in Germany .
Protesters ’ criticism of the royal institution has irked conservative Thais because it traditionally has been treated as sacrosanct .
Self-proclaimed “ defenders of the monarchy ” mobilized last week online and in rallies in several cities , in many cases led by local civil servants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Bangkok broke into violence when a few attendees attacked anti-government student activists .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Israeli government approves Bahrain normalization deal

JERUSALEM - The Israeli Cabinet approved the normalization deal with the Arab Gulf state of Bahrain on Sunday , a week after the two countries agreed to establish formal diplomatic ties .
The deal next requires ratification by the Knesset , Israel ’ s 120-seat parliament .
A date for that vote has not yet been set .
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s office said the government ministers green-lit “ preparation of peaceful , diplomatic and friendly relations between the state of Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
” Sunday ’ s vote was largely a formality after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic relations in the wake of signing a U.S.-brokered agreement in September .
The two countries had long harboured close , clandestine security co-operation over a shared enmity of regional rival Iran .
The United Arab Emirates , which signed a separate deal with Israel in September , and Bahrain are now the third and fourth Arab states to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel .
Egypt and Jordan signed peace treaties with Israel in 1979 and 1994 , respectively .
The U.S. says Sudan is also taking steps to start normalizing relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Israeli delegation would be heading to Bahrain “ to discuss co-operation in many fields , including immigration , which we are discussing.
” Palestinians have criticized the agreements as a betrayal that erodes longstanding consensus in the Arab world that relations with Israel should only come after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Trumpeter swan cygnets released in Yellowstone National Park

BILLINGS , Mont .
- Yellowstone National Park may be well-known for its role in rebuilding populations of large mammals like grizzly bears , wolves and bison , yet trumpeter swans have a similar story of dogged recovery that is not as well known .
“ They were reduced to only a few individuals and have made a big comeback , yet they are still struggling in Yellowstone and the Tetons , ” Evan Shields , a Montana State University graduate student who is studying the birds , told The Billings Gazette .
The reasons for the decline of trumpeters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in tourists who may disturb nesting parents , leaving eggs vulnerable to predators ; drought and climate change that has reduced the number or quality of wetlands and their food supply ; and predation .
Although he had previously worked with compelling species like mountain lions and wolves in Yellowstone , Shields sees the swans as “ awfully charismatic birds.
” After all , they are big — weighing more than 20 pounds and with wings spanning 8 feet .
That makes them the largest wild waterfowl on the continent .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 25 years , and will mate for life .
In an attempt to understand why the birds are struggling to survive and reproduce in the park , since 2018 Shields has been talking to park scientists , collecting and collating existing data in search of answers .
He hopes to publish his findings next spring .
On Sept. 19 , staff from the park , Wyoming Wetlands Society and the Ricketts Conservation Foundation released eight young swans , called cygnets , at Alum Creek in the Hayden Valley .
Such releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since then , more than 40 birds have been freed .
“ This release is part of an ongoing restoration project to increase territorial pairs of swans which have undergone a decades-long decline in the park , ” according to a park press release .
“ Researchers are collecting population data such as nest success , number of territorial pairs , and the number of cygnets produced each year .
This data may help determine the reasons for the decline .
“ Recent releases and other restoration efforts have bolstered the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pairs , including natural reproduction in some years , ” the park ’ s staff said .
Similar cygnet releases have taken place in the Madison , Bitterroot and Blackfoot valleys in Montana , as well as the Jackson region in Wyoming .
The idea of releasing young birds is that they will imprint on the area and return to nest .
Trumpeters won ’ t breed until they are 4 years old .
Because the park tags the cygnets on the leg , to make the identification less visible to tourists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assess how many of the cygnets stick around or return .
Without parents to help them through the winter , survival for the big birds is difficult .
They are a target for predators , from eagles to coyotes .
Wyoming has recorded deaths of 30 to 40 swans in a year , some killed by flying into power lines .
Lead poisoning , caused by eating lead shotgun pellets which were long ago banned for waterfowl hunting , is also a cause of death .
Occasionally they are shot by poachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pond between Belgrade and Manhattan in February .
The Yellowstone swans are part of what ’ s known as the Rocky Mountain Population , which stretches all the way north to Alaska .
By 1900 , they had been eliminated from most of their historical range in the United States and Canada , according to the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service .
Habitat conservation , hunting regulations , winter feeding and reintroduction efforts built the population back up from a few hundred birds to 35,000 nationwide , as of 2016 .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winters on ice-free waters in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem , which is spread across the states of Montana , Wyoming and Idaho .
Only a portion of those birds remain in the GYE to nest in the spring .
Yellowstone ’ s known population of trumpeter swans peaked at 72 in 1961 and fell to only four birds in 2009 and 2010 .
In 2019 , 27 swans were counted , 21 of which were adults .
The fragmented trumpeter population in the GYE is known to be connected to other swan populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Shields said .
Researchers have discovered new insights into mammal , fish and bird migrations in recent years thanks to smaller , lighter tracking devices , some of which are solar powered .
Fitting Yellowstone ’ s trumpeters with such GPS monitors to see where they go and when could someday add to the database about the big birds .
The devices are expensive , however .
The release of cygnets in September is part of a public/private partnership between the National Park Service , Wyoming Wetlands Society , Ricketts Conservation Foundation @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Spain PM works on new state of emergency to curb outbreak

BARCELONA , Spain - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a Cabinet meeting Sunday to prepare a new state of emergency to stem surging coronavirus infections , a move that could impose curfews and other restrictions across the country .
Sánchez ’ s government said Saturday night that a majority of Spain ’ s regional leaders have agreed to a new state of emergency and the meeting Sunday was to study its terms .
The state of emergency gives the national government extraordinary powers , including the ability to temporarily restrict basic freedoms guaranteed in Spain ’ s Constitution such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain ’ s government has already declared two state of emergencies during the pandemic .
The first was declared in March to apply a strict home confinement across the nation , close stores and recruit private industry for the national public health fight .
It was lifted in June after reigning in the contagion rate and saving hospitals from collapse .
The second went into effect for two weeks in Madrid to force the capital ’ s reluctant regional leaders to impose travel limits on residents to slow down an outbreak in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasted until Saturday .
Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa has said his agency and regional health officials are studying how to apply nightly curfews , perhaps like the 9 p.m. ones already in place in France ’ s major cities .
The state of emergency would make it easier for authorities to take swift action , avoiding having to get many of the restrictions approved by a judge .
Some judges have rejected efforts to limit movement in certain regions , causing confusion among the public .
Government officials on all levels are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and industry shutdown , given the weakened state of Spain ’ s economy , which has plunged into a recession and seen its unemployment rolls skyrocket in recent months .
Spain this week became the first European country to surpass 1 million officially recorded COVID-19 cases .
But Sánchez admitted Friday in a nationally televised address that the true figure could be more than 3 million , due to gaps in testing and other factors .
Spain on Friday reported almost 20,000 new daily cases and 231 more deaths , taking the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 34,752 .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--At least 14 civilians killed by booby traps in Egypt’s Sinai

EL-ARISH , Egypt - More than a dozen civilians , including women and children , were killed in Egypt ’ s restive northern Sinai Peninsula over the past two weeks from explosive devices laid down in their homes by militants , security and medical officials said Sunday .
Islamic State militants in July attacked several villages in the town of Bir al-Abd , forcing people to flee their homes .
The military then secured the villages in August and allowed residents to return to their homes a few weeks later , the officials said .
The militants , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that killed at least 14 people , including six from the same family late on Saturday , officials said .
The causalities included women and children .
At least ten others have been wounded since Oct. 12 and were taken to the town ’ s hospital for treatment , they said .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media .
Bir al-Abd was the site of a horrific extremist attack on a mosque in 2017 that killed over 300 worshippers , some of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The tribes of North Sinai have been heavily targeted by militants who view their veneration of Muslim saints and shrines as heretical , forcing a mass exodus of residents from the impoverished area that has long been underdeveloped by the government .
Violence and instability there intensified after the military overthrew the country ’ s Islamist president in 2013 amid nationwide protests against the Muslim Brotherhood group ’ s divisive rule .
Extremist militants have since carried out scores of attacks , mainly targeting security forces and minority Christians .
The conflict has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with journalists and outside observers barred from the area .
The conflict has so far not expanded into the southern end of the peninsula where popular Red Sea tourist resorts are located .
In February 2018 , the military launched a massive operation in Sinai that also encompassed parts of the Nile Delta and deserts along the country ’ s western border with Libya .
Since then , the pace of Islamic State attacks in Sinai ’ s north has diminished .

By Ashraf Sweilam - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Polish women protest new abortion restriction in churches

WARSAW , Poland - Women ’ s rights activists in Poland staged protests during Sunday church services in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation against a tightening of the nation ’ s already restrictive abortion law .
In the fourth straight day of protests , activists held up banners during Masses in some churches , according to Polish media and posts on social media .
A young woman in one Warsaw church stood near the altar with a sign that said “ Let ’ s pray for the right to abortion.
” The actions on Sunday follow a ruling on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared that aborting fetuses with congenital defects is unconstitutional .
Poland already had one of Europe ’ s most restrictive abortion laws , and the ruling will result in a near-complete ban on abortion .
Women ’ s Strike , the organizer of the protests , argues that forcing women to give birth to badly deformed fetuses will result in unnecessary physical and mental suffering .
In Otwock , a town near Warsaw , a banner with the slogan “ Women ’ s Hell ” was hung on a church fence .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnant woman intended for hanging outside churches , according to media reports , though it was not immediately clear how many were hung .
A right wing news portal , Do Rzeczy , called it a “ scandalous protests by feminists.
” Thursday ’ s ruling came as Poland ’ s nationalist conservative ruling party has politicized the courts — including the constitutional court — and used discriminatory language against LGBT people .
Last week , the president swore in a new education minister who has said that LGBT people are not equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued in support of corporal punishment and said women ’ s key purpose in life is to have children .
Health Ministry figures show that 1,110 legal abortions were carried out in Poland in 2019 , mostly because of fetal defects .
The only other legal cases remaining for abortion are rape or incest or if the pregnancy threatens the woman ’ s life or health .
Women ’ s Strike says it is planning further actions in the coming days , including blockades of cities on Monday , a nationwide strike by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--The Latest: New US virus cases top 83,700 for 2nd day in row

BALTIMORE — A day after the U.S. set a daily record for new confirmed coronavirus infections , it came very close to doing it again .
Data published by Johns Hopkins University shows that 83,718 new cases in the U.S. were reported Saturday , nearly matching the 83,757 infections reported Friday .
Before that , the most cases reported in the United States on a single day had been 77,362 on July 16 .
Close to 8.6 million Americans have contracted the coronavirus since the pandemic began , and about 225,000 have died .
Both statistics are the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.8 million infections but in recent weeks its daily number have been declining .
U.S. health officials have feared the surge of infections to come with colder weather and people spending more time indoors , especially as many flout guidelines to protect themselves and others such as mask-wearing and social distancing .
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington currently forecasts that the country ’ s COVID-19 death toll could exceed 318,000 by Jan. 1 .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars are being walloped by new virus curfews and restrictions — Spain gets ready to impose a new state of emergency to tamp down surging virus infections — Police in England will try to stop people from leaving Wales , which has started a 17-day lockdown to slow a surging rate of coronavirus infections .
Follow all of AP ’ s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : ROME — For at least the next month , most people outdoors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s gyms , cinemas and movie theatres will be closed , ski slopes are off-limits to all but competitive skiers and cafes and restaurants must shut down in the early evenings .
The latest restrictions came via a decree signed Sunday by Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte , who ruled against another severe lockdown despite Italy ’ s current surge in COVID-19 infections .
In several regions of the country , mask-wearing outdoors was already mandatory .
A day earlier , Italy surpassed the half-million mark in the number of confirmed coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first country to be stricken in Europe .
The last two days have seen daily new caseloads creep close to 20,000 .
Italy has the second-most confirmed virus deaths in Europe after Britain , with 37,210 dead .
A security guard noticed the attack on the Robert Koch Institute in the German capital and was able to quickly extinguished the flames .
Nobody was injured , but one window was destroyed .
Criminal police has taken over the investigation on suspicion that the attack may have been politically motivated .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Germany ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
It publishes daily new infection figures and also advises the government and the public on how to keep the pandemic from getting out of control .
While most Germans support the country ’ s handling of the pandemic , some have tried to downplay the dangers of the virus .
On Sunday , the institute reported 11,176 new daily infections , almost double the number reported a week ago Sunday .
Another 29 people died of COVID , bringing Germany ’ s overall death toll to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s daily coronavirus cases have dropped to nearly 50,000 , maintaining a downturn over the last few weeks .
The Health Ministry says 50,129 new cases have taken the overall tally to nearly 7.9 million on Sunday .
It also reported 578 deaths in the past 24 hours , raising total fatalities to 118,534 .
The ministry also said India ’ s active coronavirus cases were below 700,000 across the country and almost 7.1 million people had recovered from COVID-19 .
India is second to the United States with the largest outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit a peak of nearly 100,000 cases in a single day , but since then daily cases have fallen by about half and deaths by about a third .
Some experts say the decline in cases suggests that the virus may have finally reached a plateau but others question the testing methods .
India is relying heavily on antigen tests , which are faster but less accurate than traditional RT-PCR tests .
MELBOURNE , Australia — A COVID-19 outbreak in the north of Melbourne has led health authorities in Australia ’ s Victoria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easing of restrictions in the beleaguered city .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews withheld any announcement on an easing on Sunday as the state awaits results on 3,000 people who were tested in the city ’ s north in the past 24 hours .
He described it as a “ cautious pause ” - not a setback - to rule out there wasn ’ t widespread community transmission linked to the cluster .
Among the current restrictions are mandatory wearing of masks and no travelling beyond 25 kilometres ( 15 miles ) from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of cases two months ago , Andrews instituted an overnight curfew and shut down most businesses .
“ I know it is frustrating , ” Andrews said .
“ I know people are keen to have a long and detailed list of changes to the rules .
It is not appropriate for us to do that now.
” ?
Victoria reported seven new coronavirus cases on Sunday , with six linked to the latest outbreak , which involves 39 people across 11 households .
No additional deaths kept the state toll at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
COLOMBO , Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan authorities have terminated a number of passenger trains and widened the curfew as COVID-19 cases related to a new cluster at a garment factory continue to surge .
The Railway Department cancelled at least 16 trains — mostly ran through busy office hours — after the number of commuters declined due to the curfew imposed in many parts of the country .
More than a dozen villages are isolated in densely populated Western province , which includes capital Colombo .
Authorities last week closed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Colombo ’ s outskirts after 49 traders tested positive for the coronavirus .
By Sunday , the number of cases from the fish market went up to nearly 900 .
Authorities say the outbreak is linked to a cluster in a garment factory early this month , which has grown to 4,052 cases , more than half the country ’ s total of 7,521 .
During the last 24 hours , 368 new cases have been detected .
In a bid to contain the spread , health authorities also closed three fishery harbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
BOGOTA , Colombia — Colombia reached 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday , its health ministry says , becoming the second country in Latin America to report that number in less than a week .
The nation of 50 million saw cases peak in August and has seen a decline since but still continues to register around 8,000 new infections a day .
Eight countries now have more than 1 million confirmed cases , and three are in Latin America .
Argentina hit 1 million confirmed cases on Monday .
Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus cases , with more than 5 million , and passed 1 million infections back in June .
Peru and Mexico are expected to reach 1 million cases each in the coming weeks .
LANSING , Mich. — Michigan has reported more than 3,000 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus — the highest daily count yet during the pandemic .
The 3,338 new COVID-19 cases reported Saturday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services surpassed the state ’ s previous single-day record of 2,030 new cases set on Oct. 15 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of 1,953 from early April .
The state agency also reported Saturday 35 more deaths from COVID-19 , raising Michigan ’ s pandemic toll to 7,182 deaths .
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun , Michigan ’ s chief medical executive , said that it ’ s “ now more important than ever that people take this seriously.
” She urged Michigan residents to wear a face mask every time they are around someone outside of their own household , to practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings .
EL PASO , Texas — The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of El Paso continued Saturday with a record 1,216 new cases , nearly 20 % of the state ’ s 6,125 new cases , according to city-county health officials .
There have been 3,346 cases in the city during the past three days , according to city-county health reports .
El Paso has reported 38,554 total cases since the pandemic began in March .
“ Today ’ s spike is part of an unfortunate national surge that we have been planning and preparing for , ” public health director Angela Mora said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community to help us by doing their part and staying home , if and when possible , for the next two weeks in order to stop the rapid the spread of the virus.
” Gov .
Greg Abbott has sent medical equipment and about 500 medical personnel to the region to help fight the virus .
There have been more than 858,000 reported cases in Texas and nearly 17,500 deaths , 81 reported Saturday , since the pandemic ’ s start .
COLUMBIA , Tenn. — A Tennessee hospital is suspending all elective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 , The Daily Herald of Columbia , Tennessee , reported .
As of Friday evening , Columbia ’ s Maury Regional Medical Center was treating 50 COVID-19 inpatients , 20 of whom were in the medical centre ’ s 26-bed intensive care unit .
In response , the hospital said Friday it is suspending elective surgical procedures that require an overnight stay for two weeks , beginning on Monday .
“ The time has long passed for our community to take this virus seriously , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regional Health .
On Thursday , the Tennessee Department of Health reported that statewide hospitalizations had reached a new record of 1,300 patients with COVID-19 and had an ICU bed availability of just 11 % .
Martin Chaney , Maury Regional ’ s chief medical officer , said small home gatherings have become the emerging threat .
“ In our homes , we all let our guard down , ” Chaney said .
“ You think it is safe to not socially distance , and you take your masks off .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Maury Regional has consistently seen a surge in cases about two weeks after each major holiday .
Tennessee recorded 2,574 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday and 24 new deaths , bringing the total number of deaths in the state to 3,100 .
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis met with the Spanish prime minister at the Vatican , but neither man wore a mask during the public part of their meeting .
That ’ s despite 13 Swiss Guards and someone staying at the same Vatican City guest house where Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wore a mask when he arrived in a Vatican courtyard , but everyone sat unmasked immediately before and after his closed-door talks with Francis .
Spain this week became the first country in Western Europe with more than 1 million confirmed virus cases .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Hundreds march in Taiwan to support 12 arrested Hong Kongers

TAIPEI , Taiwan - Hundreds of people marched in Taiwan ’ s capital on Sunday to demand the release of 12 Hong Kong anti-government protesters who were arrested by mainland Chinese authorities in August .
The 12 were allegedly travelling illegally by boat to Taiwan when Chinese authorities detained them .
They are now facing formal charges for illegal border crossings in Shenzhen , a southern Chinese city that borders Hong Kong , a semi-autonomous Chinese territory .
On Friday , Saturday and Sunday , people demonstrated in at least a dozen cities across the world — from New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in support of those who were arrested , in a campaign called # save12hkyouths .
Prominent Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law helped launch the campaign on social media .
In the crowd in Taipei on Sunday were activists from several Taiwanese organizations , as well as other residents of the self-ruled democratic island and many Hong Kongers .
With many dressed in black and wearing face masks , they marched through the city , shouting “ Glory to Hong Kong.
” Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen ’ s government over her refusal to accept its demand that she recognize the island as a part of China to be unified with the mainland eventually under the same “ one country , two systems ” policy enacted in Hong Kong .
Tsai ’ s election last January to a second , four-year term came after the repression of last year ’ s pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong solidified public opinion in Taiwan against moves toward accepting rule by Beijing .
Tsang Cheung-kui , who moved from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was important to him as a Hong Konger to demonstrate .
“ Those of us Hong Kongers in Taiwan want to come support them , “ he said .
“ It ’ s very obvious , Hong Kong is no longer Hong Kong .
But we haven ’ t given up on Hong Kong.
” Unlike in 2019 , when Tsang took part in Hong Kong ’ s anti-government protests to demand protections for the city ’ s democratic freedoms , the message this time was different .
“ A lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindset that we want the world to know Hong Kong is no longer the same , ” Tsang said .
“ Don ’ t think that Hong Kong is like before where there was democracy , freedom and rule of law .
Now this is completely nonexistent.
” Jeff Hou , a Taiwanese resident who brought his 13-year-old son to the rally , said it was important to march for democratic freedoms .
“ As long as it has to do with democracy , we should come stand out here , “ he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to us Taiwanese.
” Emma , a 27-year-old protester who declined to give her full name for reasons of safety , said she was concerned about the fate of the 12 who were arrested .
“ I ’ m doubtful of whether they were arrested legally , and whether rights are being upheld after being arrested , “ she said .
” I wanted to come to this march in support of them.
” Many Hong Kong residents have been looking into moving to Taiwan since China pushed through a wide-ranging national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those arrested in August range in age from 16 to 33 .
Their families are now campaigning to use their own lawyers instead of the court-appointed ones from the Chinese side .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Upset in Seychelles presidential election as incumbent loses

NAIROBI , Kenya - The Seychelles presidential election has seen an upset , with the electoral commission on Sunday declaring longtime opposition contender Wavel Ramkalawan the winner over incumbent Danny Faure .
The ruling party has been knocked from power for the first time since 1977 .
Opposition leader Ramkalawan , a 59-year-old priest who has largely devoted himself to politics , received 54 % of the vote in the Indian Ocean island nation while Faure received 43 % , the commission chair Danny Lucas said , calling the race “ hotly contested.
“ “ Mr .
Faure and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not mean the end of one ’ s contribution to one ’ s motherland , ” Ramkalawan , a six-time presidential candidate , said shortly after the announcement .
He promised a consultative approach and “ no interference by the executive ” in the work of the country ’ s various institutions .
Faure accepted his loss and added “ I wish you all the best , ” the Seychelles News Agency reported .
The outgoing president promised to continue living in the country and said he would be available to dispense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be sworn in Monday .
Ramkalawan ’ s party also won more than a two-third ’ s majority of National Assembly seats , the news agency reported .
The voting turnout was roughly 75 % in the archipelago nation of just under 100,000 people whose tourism-heavy economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
The United States and other nations quickly congratulated citizens of the Seychelles for the peaceful election , with the U.S. calling the vote “ orderly and free.
” The U.S. congratulated Ramkalawan , saying that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become a truly democratic nation.
” The country ’ s history includes a stretch of one-party rule , a coup in 1977 and a coup attempt in 1981 .
Faure , who has been outspoken on the dangers of climate change and the need to protect island nations like his own , assumed the presidency in 2016 after longtime President James Michel stepped down after the ruling United Seychelles party lost parliamentary elections to an opposition coalition .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Egyptians vote in second day of parliamentary elections

CAIRO - Egyptians on Sunday trickled into polling stations on the second day of voting for the country ’ s parliamentary election amid a slight uptick in daily recorded coronavirus cases .
The first stage of the vote for the lower chamber of parliament began a day earlier in 14 of Egypt ’ s 27 provinces , including Giza and the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria .
The second stage the vote is scheduled on Nov. 7-8 in the country ’ s 13 other provinces , including the capital Cairo and the Sinai Peninsula .
The voting concludes with runoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce a toothless House of Representatives packed with supporters of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi that further rubber-stamps his policies , leaving the former military general with almost unchecked powers .
A total of 568 seats in the lower chamber are up for grabs , with more than 4,000 candidates running as individuals competing for half of the seats .
Prominent , wealthy government-affiliated power brokers have an advantage .
The other half of elected seats in the chamber are reserved for the more than 1,100 candidates running on four party lists .
El-Sissi will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total number of seats in the lower chamber to 596 .
Some 63 million voters are eligible to vote in the Arab world ’ s most population nation .
The new chamber is expected to hold its inaugural session shortly after final results are announced in December .
The election is taking place as Egypt faces a slight increase in coronavirus cases , with authorities warning that a second wave of the pandemic lies ahead .
Face masks are mandatory at polling centres , which were disinfected before and during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged Egyptians to take part in the vote in order to show a high turnout and lend legitimacy to the election .
Only 14.23 % of voters participated in the Senate election in August for the upper chamber , an advisory body with no powers , which was restored following a referendum last year .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Observers say Tanzania’s presidential vote is already flawed

NAIROBI , Kenya - Tanzania ’ s opposition faces a new obstacle in its quest to unseat President John Magufuli in Wednesday ’ s election : It says the government has made it difficult to accredit thousands of opposition electoral observers who want to ensure the vote is fair .
“ Without them , fraud can occur easily , “ Zitto Kabwe with the ACT Wazalendo party , a major player in an opposition coalition , told The Associated Press .
He warned that the issue could lead to violence , saying his party won ’ t allow polling stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that ’ s why it ’ s an explosive issue.
” At stake is one of Africa ’ s most populous and peaceful countries and , at least before the COVID-19 pandemic , one of its fastest-growing economies .
The populist Magufuli has been criticized for severely stifling dissent since his 2015 election win , notably barring opposition parties from holding most public gatherings .
The president leads the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party that has held power for decades , and the opposition ’ s best chance of an election win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that hasn ’ t been easy .
The two leading opposition parties , ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA , finally overcame differences in ideology and ambition and last week to unite behind Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA , who this year returned from exile .
He had fled to Belgium after a 2017 assassination attempt in which he was shot 16 times .
Kabwe called Lissu the most popular candidate among the 15 presidential hopefuls , citing the crowds that have attended his rallies and discussions with fellow Tanzanians .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free and fair , it ’ s going the Lissu way , ” Kabwe said .
“ However , the playing field is not favourable to the opposition .
There are a lot electoral gimmicks and the like.
“ Lissu was banned from campaigning for a week earlier this month by authorities .
The National Electoral Commission , whose members are appointed by Magufuli , said the suspension was punishment for making what was deemed seditious statements .
Lissu was accused of claiming that Magufuli had convened a meeting with election officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfairly disqualified from running .
And the CHADEMA leader , Freeman Mbowe , was attacked by unknown assailants in June after he accused the government of covering up the extent of Tanzania ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
Magufuli has drawn international attention for declaring victory over the virus , mainly through prayer , while the government stopped publicly updating its infection numbers in April .
A Tanzanian government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations that authorities have disrupted opposition campaigning and electoral observation .
Efforts to unite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of the teamwork ahead of the 2015 vote .
This time around , other significant political parties like the Civic United Front and NCCR-Mageuzi aren ’ t joining an alliance , in part because of internal disputes .
Magufuli won the 2015 election with 58 % of the vote while the opposition alliance candidate , Edward Lowassa , took 40 % .
“ This comfortable margin of victory nevertheless constituted CCM ’ s poorest showing in the modern era , ” said Tanzania Elections Watch , a regional initiative of prominent personalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many opposition leaders , including Lowassa , joined the ruling party .
Within a year of riding into the presidency on popular calls for reforms to tackle corruption , Magufuli consolidated power .
He has weakened Tanzania ’ s courts with his appointments , the U.S. Department of Defence ’ s Africa Center for Strategic Studies wrote last month .
And last year the government withdrew the right of citizens to petition the African Court on Human and Peoples ’ Rights and the East African Court of Justice — both based in Tanzania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s administration has curtailed the work of media and civil society , limiting freedom of assembly and expression .
Speaking publicly on any topic that the administration has deemed sensitive can lead to a media outlet ’ s deregistration or a critic ’ s imprisonment .
Earlier this year the government indefinitely banned the country ’ s second-largest newspaper , Tanzania Daima , owned by opposition leader Mbowe , accusing it of breaching the law and professional ethics , without citing specific examples .
Coverage of Wednesday ’ s election will be restricted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international radio and television broadcasters to have licensed local partners to get the regulatory body ’ s permission to air content , Amnesty International has said .
Meanwhile , some high-profile international election observers won ’ t be watching the vote .
“ Unlike 2010 and 2015 , the national authorities have not invited the EU to do it , ” said Emilio Rossetti with the European Union delegation to Tanzania .
Other groups , including the Catholic church , have been denied accreditation , said Abubakar Zein Abubakar , a former legislator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislative Assembly : “ Those who seem to be independent have been denied the opportunity.
“ “ This is going to be an election without observers , ” opposition leader Kabwe told an online event last month .
“ As we have seen , the election has already been stolen before the voting day.
” According to Tanzania ’ s election authority , more than 29 million voters have registered to vote on Wednesday .
Maria Matembe , a prominent Ugandan lawyer with Tanzania Elections Watch , warned that while Tanzania in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reports of pre-election violence and hate speech this time around have heightened tensions .
The U.S. ambassador to Tanzania , Donald J. Wright , in a statement Friday said the U.S. has heard reports of Tanzanian government and security agents disrupting candidates ’ ability to campaign freely .
“ As we get closer to election day , the pace and severity of these disruptions is quickening and deepening , ” he wrote .
“ We have seen political violence , restrictions on media and a candidate certification process that , by all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling party.
“ The ambassador said there ’ s still time to restore credibility to the election by allowing independent observers , ensuring that polling station results are posted publicly and giving parties ’ observers copies of tally sheets at the end of vote counting .
Frederick Ssempebwa , who co-chairs Tanzania Elections Watch , said Wednesday ’ s vote will be flawed if it ’ s held under the current conditions .
“ It will not be free and fair even if the opposition wins , “ Ssempebwa said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Ukraine’s local elections test leader and his young party

KYIV , Ukraine - Ukrainians were voting Sunday in local elections that are considered a test for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy , a former comedian who took office last year vowing to bring peace , uproot endemic corruption and shore up a worsening economy .
Zelenskiy was elected president by a landslide in April 2019 after campaigning on promises to end fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in the country ’ s east .
Despite his lack of prior political experience , he quickly cemented his grip on power by calling a parliamentary election that resulted in his party winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 , has seen his popularity dwindle steadily as living standards have continued to plummet , corruption has remained widespread and international efforts to negotiate a settlement to the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine have failed to yield tangible progress .
While the president ’ s approval ratings are dropping , other political groups regrouped and worked to mount a challenge to his Servant of the People party , which was named after a popular TV series in which Zelenskiy played a school teacher who unexpectedly becomes president .
Opinion surveys have indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will likely perform poorly in Sunday ’ s local races for mayors and municipal councils across the country .
Servant of the People ’ s approval ratings were hovering around 16 % heading into the election .
During Ukraine ’ s July 2019 parliamentary election , the party came out on top with 43 % support .
“ The time is working against the government , because a miracle promised by Zelenskiy never happened , and Ukrainians felt that they can ’ t live like in a TV series and have to further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 58-year-old sales clerk said .
The parties of former President Petro Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko are expected to win most of the mayoral and council seats in the western part of the country .
A pro-Russia party , Opposition Platform for Life , is positioned to make a strong showing in the mostly Russian-speaking east and south of Ukraine .
Balloting will not be held in areas of eastern Ukraine that are controlled by Russia-backed separatists .
In a move widely seen as an attempt by Zelenskiy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coupled the local elections with a survey asking voters for their views on issues that include legalizing cannabis for medical use , introducing life sentences for corruption convictions and creating a free economic zone in the country ’ s east .
“ Zelenskiy is well aware of a sharp drop in the government ’ s approval ratings and is trying to fix the situation by trying to attract the young and liberal voters to the polls with the question about cannabis , ” said Vadim Karasev , an independent political expert based in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help shape the government ’ s agenda but many voters shrugged it off as irrelevant .
“ Most Ukrainians may need cannabis to forget about the main problem — broad poverty , ” Ihor Dryhailo , 48 , an engineer in Kyiv who voted for Zelenskiy last year but expressed disappointment with his performance as president .
“ The government ’ s words differ from its deeds , and it has been unable to stop a majority of Ukrainians from sliding into poverty.
” Observers predicted political pressure will continue to mount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with political rivals likely to press for an early parliamentary vote .
“ The local elections will set the stage for an attack on Zelenskiy from all sides , ” said Volodymyr Fesenko , the director of Penta Center , an independent think-tank .
“ The right-wing and the left-wing forces will rock the boat and try to provoke a new political crisis , seeking to at least challenge the parliament majority.
“ Zelenskiy also faces growing pressure from a one-time ally .
Billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskyi , who owned the TV station that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hoped to have the 2016 nationalization of his PrivatBank reversed , but Zelenskiy has refused to overturn the decision .
“ In retaliation , Kolomoyskyi began to methodically ruin Zelenskiy ’ s majority in parliament , fielding several new parties , “ political expert Karasev said .
Karasev observed that recent decentralization efforts that gave broad authority to local mayors and councils would make the outcome of Sunday ’ s local elections particularly significant .
“ The results of the local elections could come as a cold shower for Zelenskiy , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled by the oligarchs and the strengthening regional elites , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Turkey extends controversial Mediterranean gas exploration

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkey announced late Saturday that it is extending by one week a gas exploration mission in @ @ @ @ @ caused tensions with Greece .
In a fresh notice to shipping in the area , @ @ @ @ @ seismic survey vessel , accompanied by two support ships , will operate in the area @ @ @ @ @ of Rhodes until Nov. 4 .
An earlier notice had said the ships would be @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Oct. 27 .
Ankara had dispatched the Oruc Reis along with several warships @ @ @ @ @ claimed by Greece and Cyprus , sparking a dispute that threatened a military confrontation between @ @ @ @ @ mission drew condemnation from the European Union .
The vessel was withdrawn for maintenance earlier @ @ @ @ @ solution was sought , but it was later redeployed to the region with two support @ @ @ @ @ the past has dispatched exploratory missions for oil and gas reserves in waters that Cyprus @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Typhoon displaces thousands, floods villages in Philippines

MANILA , Philippines - A fast-moving typhoon forced thousands of villagers to flee to safety in provinces south of the Philippine capital Monday , flooding rural villages and ripping off roofs , officials said .
There were no immediate reports of casualties from Typhoon Molave , but authorities reported at least one person was missing and seven others were rescued after their yacht sank off Batangas province south of Manila .
The typhoon has sustained winds of 125 kilometres ( 77 miles ) per hour and gusts of up to 180 kph ( 112 miles ) per hour and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mph ) .
Molave is expected to start blowing out of the country into the South China Sea on Monday , government forecasters said .
At least 25,000 villagers were displaced with about 20,000 taking shelter in schools and government buildings which were turned into evacuation centres , according to the Office of Civil Defence .
“ Villagers are now asking to be rescued because of the sudden wind which blew away roofs , ” Humerlito Dolor , governor of Oriental Mindoro province , told DZMM radio .
Dolor said pounding rains overnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fierce winds toppled trees and power posts early on Monday , knocking off power .
Authorities were clearing roads of fallen trees and debris in some towns after the typhoon passed , he said .
More than 1,800 cargo truck drivers , workers and passengers were stranded in ports after the coast guard barred ships and ferry boats from venturing into rough seas .
About 20 typhoons and storms annually batter the Philippines , and the Southeast Asian archipelago is seismically active , with earthquakes and volcanic eruptions , making it one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Florida police chief piloting plane killed in crash

DUNNELLON , Fla. - A Florida police chief died Sunday morning when the plane he was piloting crashed into an open field , authorities said .
Marion County Fire Rescue said the plane crashed around 11:30 a.m. in an open field , not far from the Marion County Airport .
Graham was the only person on board .
A Marion County Sheriff ’ s Office spokesperson said no one else was injured .
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a tweet that it was investigating the crash .
Guinn said Graham was “ fascinated ” with flying and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Graham became chief in January 2012 .
He was placed on paid administrative leave after being accused of racial discrimination , sexual harassment , hostile treatment and retaliation against three officers in 2016 , but was reinstated and cleared the following year .
Recently , Graham was on a vocal presence in Ocala during the Black Lives Matter protests after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
He condemned Floyd ’ s killing and told the crowd they could contact him personally “ if they believe one of his officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocala Star-Banner reported .
Guinn said Ocala Deputy Chief Mike Balken will be named interim police chief .
“ ( Graham ’ s ) leadership was responsible for changing the direction of the department , ” Guinn said .
“ I couldn ’ t have asked for anybody better .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Jews For Trump car parade stirs protests, fights in New York

NEW YORK - Skirmishes broke out between supporters and opponents of President Donald Trump as a Jews For Trump convoy of hundreds of cars draped with American flags and Trump 2020 banners rolled slowly through Manhattan and Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon .
The caravan travelled from Coney Island to the Trump Tower in Manhattan before heading to a rally in a Brooklyn park .
Videos shared on Twitter showed several protesters pelting the vehicles with eggs or stones , snatching flags and shouting insults .
In one video showing physical fights between several people , police officers detain an unidentified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go.
” Another video showed a small group of people throwing objects from a Brooklyn highway overpass at vehicles bedecked with Trump flags .
Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani briefly greeted supporters from the passenger seat of a car driving near Trump Tower during the parade , videos show .
New York City police said seven people were taken into custody in connection with physical confrontations in Times Square .
Charges were pending Sunday night .
According to the Jews For Trump website , Sunday ’ s rally was intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zone community , ” a reference to the coronavirus hot spots designated by New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo as areas where schools and nonessential businesses must close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
The rally follows weeks of tensions in Brooklyn ’ s Orthodox Jewish neighbourhoods over the coronavirus restrictions .
Heshy Tischler , a City Council candidate and leader of Brooklyn protests against the restrictions , promoted Sunday ’ s car parade on Twitter .
Boris Epshteyn , an adviser to the Trump campaign and co-chair of Jewish Voices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Brooklyn ’ s Marine Park at the end of the car parade .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--Australia protests Qatar airport’s exams of women passengers

CANBERRA , Australia - Australia on Monday condemned Qatar authorities ’ treatment of women passengers on a flight to Sydney who were subjected to internal examinations after a newborn baby was found abandoned at a Doha airport .
The women , including 13 Australians , were examined at Hamad International Airport on Oct. 2 after Qatar Airways Flight 908 to Sydney was delayed .
Australia ’ s foreign affairs department described the treatment of the women as inappropriate and beyond circumstances in which they could give free and informed consent .
“ This is a grossly , grossly disturbing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Foreign Minister Marise Payne told reporters .
“ It ’ s not something that I ’ ve ever heard of occurring in my life , in any context .
We have made our views very clear to the Qatari authorities on this matter.
” Australia would await a report from the Qatari government before “ we will determine the next steps , ” Payne said .
She said the incident had been reported to Australian Federal Police , but did not explain which action police might take .
Police did not immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamad International Airport management said the baby was safe and being cared for by medical and social workers .
Medical professionals were concerned for the mother ’ s health after the infant was found and had requested she be located , the airport said in a statement .
“ Individuals who had access to a specific area of the airport where the newborn infant was found were asked to assist in the query , ” the statement added .
The women were examined in an ambulance parked on the tarmac , Seven Network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was returning home to Australia on the flight , said women were taken from the plane regardless of their age .
“ When the women came back , many of them or probably all of them were upset .
One of them was in tears , a younger woman , and people couldn ’ t believe what had happened , ” Babeck said .
“ They told me they had to take their underwear off or their clothes from the bottom and then it was inspected whether they had given birth , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 14-day hotel quarantines in Sydney as part of coronavirus measures .
State-owned Qatar Airways told Guardian Australia it had not been contacted by any of the passengers on the flight and said it could not comment .
“ We appreciate the concerns and distress expressed to you by the Australian passengers who you have spoken to and will be investigating these matters with relevant authorities and officials , ” a spokeswoman said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-25--FBI investigating fire set in Boston ballot drop box

A fire was set Sunday in a Boston ballot drop box holding more than 120 ballots in what Massachusetts election officials said appears to have been a “ deliberate attack , ” now under investigation by the FBI .
The fire that was set around 4 a.m. in a ballot drop box outside the Boston Public Library downtown , Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin ’ s office said .
There were 122 ballots inside the box when it was emptied Sunday morning , and 87 of them were still legible and able to be processed , Galvin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last been emptied around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday .
In a joint statement , Galvin and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called it a “ disgrace to democracy , a disrespect to the voters fulfilling their civic duty , and a crime.
” “ Our first and foremost priority is maintaining the integrity of our elections process and ensuring transparency and trust with our voters , and any effort to undermine or tamper with that process must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law , ” they said in the emailed statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be intimidated by this bad act , and remain committed to making their voices heard in this and every election.
” Boston Police said an arson investigation is underway and released surveillance images of a person near the ballot box at that time , urging the public to help identify the individual .
Officers called to the scene saw smoke coming out of the box before firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by filling the box with water , police said .
The FBI said in a statement announcing their investigation that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices to help maintain the integrity of the election process in Massachusetts by aggressively enforcing federal election laws.
” Voters can go online to see whether their ballot was processed .
Those who used that dropbox between Saturday afternoon and 4 a.m. Sunday and can ’ t confirm the status of their ballot online should contact the Boston Elections Department immediately , officials said .
Voters whose ballots were affected can either vote in person or by a replacement ballot that will be mailed to them , officials said .
If those voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ their original ballot will be hand-counted to the extent possible , ” Galvin ’ s office said .

Alanna Durkin Richer - The Associated Press