thetorontostar--2020-10-23--The Latest: Mexico’s Chihuahua border state back in lockdown

MEXICO CITY — Mexico ’ s northern border state of Chihuahua returned to the highest level of alert and lockdown Friday after coronavirus cases jumped there and hospitals began to fill up .
The Chihuahua state government declared the return to the “ red ” level of alert Friday , which closes down most non-essential services and encourages people to stay at home .
The Health Department said the state ’ s hospital beds were now 69 % occupied , and that only about 23 % of intensive care beds were open .
The department said steps were being taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said that three other northern states — Durango , Coahuila and Nuevo Leon — were at risk of returning to maximum alert unless infections were brought under control .
Nationwide , 19 of Mexico ’ s 32 states will be at high alert starting Monday , 11 will be at medium alert and one state was considered at moderate risk level .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — WHO says Northern hemisphere at ‘ critical juncture ’ with rising cases , deaths — UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight coronavirus .
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is frustrated leaders of 20 major industrialized countries didn ’ t do it in March as he proposed .
— Schools from New Jersey to California have been hit with teacher and staff layoffs .
Urban areas lacking the property wealth of suburban communities are especially vulnerable to budget cuts , with many schools hoping for a new round of federal money .
— An online Japanese-language text messaging service for suicide prevention has grown to 500 volunteers since March .
Follow all of AP ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : BOISE , Idaho — A hospital in southern Idaho says it can no longer accept any children because it is overwhelmed with coronavirus patients .
St. Luke ’ s Magic Valley Medical Center announced Friday afternoon that anyone needing treatment who is under the age of 18 will be sent to a hospital in Boise — 128 miles ( 206 kilometres ) away .
The hospital will still admit newborns and neonatal intensive care unit patients , however .
The hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States that are running out of space and reeling from a surge in COVID-19 patients .
One out of every four patients at the Idaho facility is a COVID-19 patient , and hospital leaders spent the week warning Idaho Gov .
Brad Little and local public health officials that the state ’ s healthcare system would soon be swamped until steps are taken to stem the virus ’ spread .
Still , neither the governor nor the regional public health department has issued a mask mandate .
ROME — Protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. to 5 a.m. regional curfew and by the local governor ’ s vow to put the region under lockdown to try to tame surging COVID-19 infections , clashed with police on Friday night .
The demonstrators , who Italian media said numbered several hundred , headed toward the Campania region ’ s headquarters near the southern Italian city ’ s Mediterranean waterfront .
RAI state TV said local merchants joined the protest , hours after Gov .
Vincenzo De Luca told citizens in a televised speech that he was “ moving toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Demonstrators threw rocks and smoke bombs , and police officers responded with tear gas , Italian media said .
“ You close us down , you pay us , ” was one of the shouted slogans , the Italian news agency ANSA said .
Unemployment in the south runs double or even higher than in the productive north , and the country ’ s economy , already sluggish before the pandemic struck in late winter , risks being crippled by another lockdown like the nationwide one the central government placed the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 outbreak .
Several people were detained in Naples , the Lapresse news agency said .
HONOLULU -- Hawaii had about 60,000 travellers arrive in the islands in the first week of its pre-travel coronavirus testing program .
That ’ s a state effort to get the tourism-based economy moving again .
Lt. Gov .
Josh Green said Thursday that nearly 60,000 returning residents , military members , essential workers , tourists and others had been tested since Oct. 15 .
The vast majority tested negative and were allowed to skip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state accepts only negative nucleic acid amplification tests from certain entities .
Other travellers came to Hawaii without being tested at all .
Nearly 7,300 people were ordered to quarantine upon arrival .
UNITED NATIONS — The president of the United Nations General Assembly has expressed concern that New York Mayor Bill de Blasio rejected a meeting with him to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of the 193-member world organization .
Volker Bozkir said in a statement that the United Nations “ has been proud to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the last century ” and is “ happy to generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and tens of thousands of jobs in New York City.
” But the Turkish politician said he was disappointed at the mayor ’ s refusal to meet him .
His spokesman , Brenden Varma , told reporters that Bozkir reached out about two weeks ago to ask for an appointment with the mayor .
But the assembly president received a response a few days ago declining the request , he said .
Penny Abeywardena , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs , responded to the assembly president ’ s statement without mentioning the mayor ’ s decision not to meet Bozkir .
She pointed to de Blasio ’ s “ excellent relationship ” with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and “ deeply collaborative relationship with Mr. Bozkir ’ s predecessors , ” and said the city looks forward “ to continuing our partnership with the United Nations.
” NEW YORK — The number of people hospitalized in New York because of the coronavirus has climbed back over 1,000 .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of Thursday .
That ’ s more than double the number that were hospitalized month ago , and the first time since late June that the state has seen that many in hospitals with the virus .
At the pandemic ’ s peak in April , nearly 19,000 people were hospitalized .
Statewide , 1,637 people tested positive with the virus on Thursday , on par with where levels have been for the month .
IOWA CITY , Iowa — Iowa has among the nation ’ s highest coronavirus infection and death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most counties , federal health experts say .
Iowa had 238 new cases and 2.8 deaths per 100,000 people last week , about double the national per capita average between Oct. 10 and Oct. 16 , the White House Coronavirus Task Force reported .
The task force report of Oct. 18 was released Friday by the Iowa Department of Public Health .
The grim statistics came as Iowa ’ s hospitals faced a surge of coronavirus patients .
The number hospitalized hit a record 536 , according to data released Thursday .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 99 counties are experiencing high or moderate levels of virus transmission .
The report recommends “ mask wearing , physical distancing , hand hygiene , avoiding crowds in public and social gatherings in private and ensuring flu immunizations.
” The state reported a one-day record of 31 deaths on Wednesday and 38 more in the two days since for a total of 1,617 .
PARIS — France has surpassed 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic , becoming the second country in Western Europe after Spain to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced 42,032 new cases on Friday , bringing the total to 1.04 million cases .
Health experts say the actual numbers are likely higher because of a lack of testing , asymptomatic cases and reporting issues .
French President Emmanuel Macron called on citizens to respect a nightly curfew and other measures to fight the rapid spread of the coronavirus .
Macron says cases are “ very strongly accelerating , ” with coronavirus patients occupying more than 42 % of ICU beds nationally and 64 % in the Paris region .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 6 a.m. in 46 regions and Polynesia .
France has more than 34,200 deaths , the fourth-highest death toll in Europe behind Britain , Italy and Spain .
LONDON — Bars , restaurants and most shops have closed across Wales in a lockdown to curb surging coronavirus cases .
The Cardiff-based government has imposed the U.K. ’ s strictest lockdown for 17 days starting Friday night .
Most businesses will close , high school students will be taught online and people will avoid non-essential journeys .
The U.K. has Europe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 44,500 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths .
There have been 1,756 deaths in Wales , which has a population of about 3 million .
LA GUAIRA , Venezuela — Some Venezuelans headed back to the beach on Friday after the government relaxed measures aimed at containing the coronavirus .
It ’ s been seven months since tourists went to the La Ultima beach in the Caribbean town of La Guaira , outside the capital of Caracas .
Vendors again peddled drinks and snacks to sunbathers .
Umbrellas waved above the sand .
Restaurants , flower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ice cream parlours also opened along the seaside boulevard , with social distancing rules in place .
President Nicolás Maduro this week announced a broad reopening of most private businesses , parks and beaches around the country , saying the curve of new infections has flattened and “ is steadily descending.
” Open-air concerts , amusement parks and drive-ins return as well .
But Venezuela ’ s airports remain closed to international travel and officials haven ’ t said when they plan to resume operations .
The government has reported 88,416 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — The head of the World Health Organization warns that countries in the Northern hemisphere are at a “ critical juncture ” with rising cases and deaths .
“ The next few months are going to be very tough and some countries are on a dangerous track , ” said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a press briefing on Friday .
“ Many countries are seeing an exponential increase in cases , ” and he called for immediate action .
Maria Van Kerkhove , WHO ’ s technical lead on coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 445,000 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours ; nearly half of those were from Europe .
She says in many cities across Europe , “ the capacity for ICU is going to be reached in the coming weeks.
” .
SOFIA , Bulgaria — Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov will go into self-isolation after contact with an official who tested positive for the coronavirus .
Borissov was informed Friday that deputy construction minister Nikolay Nankov had tested positive earlier in the day .
Borissov says he was in contact with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test done Friday was negative .
Before these events on Friday , Borissov had met with visiting U.S .
Under Secretary of State Keith J. Krach .
Bulgaria hit record levels on Friday with 1,595 new infections .
The Balkan nation of 7 million people has recorded 34,930 confirmed cases and 1,064 deaths .
MADRID — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appealed to Spaniards to pull together and defeat the coronavirus , warning : “ The situation is serious.
” Sánchez , in a televised address to the nation Friday , acknowledged public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he added : “ We have to step up the fight.
” This week , Spain became the first European country to surpass 1 million confirmed cases .
Sánchez says the actual number could be more than 3 million because of gaps in testing .
The current pressure on the health system , including hospitalizations , is not as acute as it was in the spring , he says .
Even so , he asked for the public ’ s co-operation , discipline and unity during the winter months .
WARSAW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has announced the entire country will become a “ red zone ” of strict anti-COVID-19 restrictions starting Saturday , just short of a lockdown .
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki appealed Friday to Poles to strictly observe the restrictions in order to protect lives .
The appeal came as the nation of 38 million hit another daily record of new registered infections — over 13,600 and 153 deaths .
The measures , expanded from local red zones , include wearing masks at all times outdoors and switching all primary schools to remote learning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ social contacts and the number of passengers on public transport .
In other measures , restaurants and other eateries can provide takeout only for another two weeks and gatherings can not exceed five people , except for professional activity .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Mexican border state of Chihuahua returns to lockdown

MEXICO CITY - Mexico ’ s northern border state of Chihuahua returned to the highest level of alert and lockdown Friday after coronavirus cases jumped there and hospitals began to fill up .
The Chihuahua state government declared the return to the “ red ” level of alert Friday , which closes down most non-essential services and encourages people to stay at home .
The Health Department said the state ’ s hospital beds were now 69 % occupied , and that only about 23 % of intensive care beds were open .
The department said steps were being taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said that three other northern states — Durango , Coahuila and Nuevo Leon — were at risk of returning to maximum alert unless infections were brought under control .
Nationwide , 19 of Mexico ’ s 32 states will be at high alert starting Monday , 11 will be at medium alert and one state was considered at moderate risk level .
Mexico as a whole has seen 880,775 test-confirmed cases , up 6,604 from the previous day ’ s count , and 88,312 confirmed deaths , up by 418 .
Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if those who were suspected of having the disease but didn ’ t get a test are included , the case estimate rises to just over one million , and deaths amount to over 100,000 .
Mexico ’ s Assistant Health Secretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell said that authorities were investigating whether U.S. pharmaceutical company Gilead may have violated Mexican laws after letters were sent to doctors touting its drug remdesivir , which has not been approved in Mexico as a treatment for COVID-19 .

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thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Judge: Michigan agency can evaluate Great Lakes tunnel plan

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. - The Michigan Public Service Commission has some authority over Enbridge ’ s plans to build an oil pipeline tunnel beneath the channel that connects two of the Great Lakes , a state administrative law judge ruled Friday .
The agency can evaluate the need for the project and whether it would be designed , constructed and operated safely , Judge Dennis W. Mack said .
But the commission should not delve into broader issues such as how the pipeline contributes to climate change , he added .
The split decision suggests the commission , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telecommunications and natural gas services , might play a pivotal role in determining whether the project goes forward .
Enbridge also needs permits from the Michigan Department of Environment , Great Lakes and Energy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers .
“ We look forward to working with the Michigan Public Service Commission as the PSC gives ample opportunity for all Michiganders to be heard — while preventing the process from being misused to promote issues unrelated to the project , “ company spokesman Ryan Duffy said .
Environmental groups fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s finding that the commission could weigh the project ’ s safety but also expressed disappointment that he limited the inquiry .
“ We believe Enbridge should be held directly accountable ... for climate impacts and compliance with Michigan ’ s environmental laws , ” said David Holtz , spokesman for Oil & Water Don ’ t Mix .
“ However , Enbridge ’ s attempt to avoid a thorough review of its controversial proposed oil tunnel has been dealt a major setback by this ruling.
” The Canadian energy transport company operates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 million gallons ( 87 million litres ) of crude oil and natural gas liquids used in propane .
It runs between Superior , Wisconsin , and Sarnia , Ontario , crossing parts of northern Michigan .
A more than 4-mile ( 6.4-kilometre ) section divides into two pipes that run along the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac , which links Lake Michigan and Lake Huron .
Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer has joined environmentalists and native tribes in calling for shutdown of the 67-year-old line , saying the underwater segment is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that it ’ s in good condition but has proposed running a new section of pipe through a $ 500 million tunnel that would be drilled beneath the straits .
The public service commission has a say over the company ’ s plan because it would need to approve relocating Line 5 .
Enbridge argued that the commission ’ s scope was limited to the pipeline itself , not the proposed tunnel , which would be overseen by the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority , established in 2018 .
But in his ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tunnel were “ inextricably connected.
“ While the commission would not decide whether to approve the tunnel , it would question whether the pipeline relocation would serve a public need , is designed and routed reasonably , and would “ satisfy applicable safety and engineering standards , ” he noted .
Mack agreed with Enbridge that the commission shouldn ’ t consider whether the entire 645-mile ( 1,038-kilometre ) pipeline needs to continue operating , as environmental groups and tribes wanted .
It ’ s appropriate for the commission to consider whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Environmental Policy Act , relying on state and federal agency experts , Mack said .
But he said there was no legal basis for making global warming caused by fossil fuels transported through the pipeline a factor in the commission ’ s decision .
Environmentalists said they would appeal that part of his ruling .
“ There is no getting around the fact that building a new oil tunnel to operate for up to 99 years would exacerbate climate change , “ said Kate Madigan of the Michigan Climate Action Network .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Asteroid samples escaping from jammed NASA spacecraft

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. - A NASA spacecraft is stuffed with so much asteroid rubble from this week ’ s grab that it ’ s jammed open and precious particles are drifting away in space , scientists said Friday .
Scientists announced the news three days after the spacecraft named Osiris-Rex briefly touched asteroid Bennu , NASA ’ s first attempt at such a mission .
The mission ’ s lead scientist , Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona , said Tuesday ’ s operation 200 million miles away collected far more material than expected for return to Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sample container on the end of the robot arm penetrated so deeply into the asteroid and with such force , however , that rocks got sucked in and became wedged around the rim of the lid .
Scientists estimate the sampler pressed as much as 19 inches ( 48 centimetres ) into the rough , crumbly , black terrain .
“ We ’ re almost a victim of our own success here , ” Lauretta said at a hastily arranged news conference .
Lauretta said there is nothing flight controllers can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bits of Bennu from escaping , other than to get the samples into their return capsule as soon as possible .
So , the flight team was scrambling to put the sample container into the capsule as early as Tuesday — much sooner than originally planned — for the long trip home .
“ Time is of the essence , ” said Thomas Zurbuchen , chief of NASA ’ s science missions .
This is NASA ’ s first asteroid sample-return mission .
Bennu was chosen because its carbon-rich material is believed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar system .
Getting pieces from this cosmic time capsule could help scientists better understand how the planets formed billions of years ago and how life originated on Earth .
Scientists were stunned — and then dismayed — on Thursday when they saw the pictures coming from Osiris-Rex following its wildly successful touch-and-go at Bennu two days earlier .
A cloud of asteroid particles could be seen swirling around the spacecraft as it backed away from Bennu .
The situation appeared to stabilize , according to Lauretta , once the robot arm was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impossible to know exactly how much had already been lost .
The requirement for the $ 800 million-plus mission was to bring back a minimum 2 ounces ( 60 grams ) .
Regardless of what ’ s on board , Osiris-Rex will still leave the vicinity of the asteroid in March — that ’ s the earliest possible departure given the relative locations of Earth and Bennu .
The samples won ’ t make it back until 2023 , seven years after the spacecraft rocketed away from Cape Canaveral .
Osiris-Rex will keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orbit it again , as it waits for its scheduled departure .
Because of the sudden turn of events , scientists won ’ t know how much the sample capsule holds until it ’ s back on Earth .
They initially planned to spin the spacecraft to measure the contents , but that manoeuvr was cancelled since it could spill even more debris .
“ I think we ’ re going to have to wait until we get home to know precisely how much we have , ” Lauretta told reporters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hard .
...
But the good news is we see a lot of material.
” Japan , meanwhile , is awaiting its second batch of samples taken from a different asteroid , due back in December .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Trump says virus spike ‘gone’ in Texas while El Paso surges

President Donald Trump downplayed the toll of the coronavirus during Thursday ’ s final debate with Joe Biden , and specifically mentioned tamping down the surge in Texas .
“ There was a very big spike in Texas , it ’ s now gone , ” Trump said .
But in the border city of El Paso , COVID-19 is the worst it ’ s been since the pandemic began .
Health officials in the El Paso-area reported 969 new coronavirus cases Friday , leading to more than 10,000 active cases in the region as figures soared over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 107 over Thursday , bringing the total to 678 total , with 195 of those people in intensive care .
At least 571 people in the area have died since the pandemic began .
Local officials have tightened virus restrictions , cutting back capacity at non-essential businesses to 50 % , stopping visitations at facilities that care for the elderly , and banning home gatherings — the first major county in Texas to scale back since Gov .
Greg Abbott loosened rules in September .
The virus is taking a toll on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one , according to Salvador Perches , CEO of Perches Funeral Homes , which does business in El Paso and neighbouring Juarez , Mexico .
Families are asking for bodies to be transferred across the border as the death tolls rise in the U.S. and Mexico , Perches added , noting that he has added a refrigeration unit inside one of his chapels to accommodate the growing number of bodies .
Over the last two to three weeks , Perches said he has seen an increase in requests for funeral services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also untreated health conditions and suicides because of depression from isolation and job loss .
“ People can ’ t celebrate their loves ones , we can ’ t mourn , “ Perches said .
Dr. Hector Ocaranza , the city and county health authority , called the situation critical .
An additional 500 medical personnel plus medical equipment sent by Abbott helps , but he said it is necessary for El Paso residents to “ realize we are in a dire situation ” and take personal responsibility to stop the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has continued , ” Ocaranza said , noting that other Texas metropolitan areas aren ’ t seeing the same surge .
“ El Paso , we are in a different situation and we continue to see the rise.
” El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said because the county is isolated from other metropolitan areas , it is easy for the rest of the Texas to be blind to El Paso .
He added that they have reached out to neighbouring cities in Texas and New Mexico in addition to co-ordinating with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who recently tested positive for COVID-19 , to mitigate the spread together .
Samaniego said he will work with state leaders to revisit increasing restrictions in the county in two weeks if the latest restrictions don ’ t help as much as they hope .
COVID-19 ’ s resurgence throughout the U.S. is again pushing some hospitals to the limit , and the nation is approaching a record for the number of new daily coronavirus cases .
The seven-day rolling average for new daily COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpassed 61,140 Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The record was reached July 22 when the rolling average was 67,293 in the midst of a summer outbreak driven largely by surges of the virus in Florida , Arizona , California and Texas .
More than 17,000 people have died in Texas since the start of the pandemic .
Cecilia Sobalvarro , 57 , lives in El Paso and said it was difficult for her to not be with her brother and nephews when her sister-in-law died of cancer on Monday .
“ Us not being able to be there for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone , it is heart-wrenching and it takes a toll on you because we want to be there for her , “ Sobalvarro added .
“ But of course we couldn ’ t .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Top Trump adviser wants more nations to field asylum claims

SAN DIEGO - One of President Donald Trump ’ s top priorities on immigration if he wins a second term would be to use agreements with Central American governments as models to get countries around the world to field asylum claims from people seeking refuge in the United States , a top adviser said Friday .
Stephen Miller , a key architect of Trump ’ s immigration policies , said the agreements would help stop “ asylum fraud , asylum shopping and asylum abuse on a global scale.
” Miller , in an interview with The Associated Press , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctuary ” jurisdictions that limit co-operation with federal immigration authorities , saying the administration would use its “ full power , resources and authority.
” He vowed more efforts toward legal immigration “ based on merit.
” The “ Asylum Cooperative Agreements “ that the administration struck in 2019 have allowed for asylum seekers from El Salvador and Honduras to be flown to Guatemala for an opportunity to seek asylum , denying them a chance to apply in the U.S. From November to March , when the coronavirus pandemic halted flights to Guatemala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El Salvadorans flown there sought asylum .
Nearly all went home in what became known as “ deportation with a layover.
” Like many of Trump ’ s policies that have dramatically transformed the U.S. immigration system , the bilateral agreements are being challenged in court .
Critics note asylum-seekers are sent to countries with high levels of violence and poverty and little infrastructure to handle asylum claims .
The coronavirus struck before flights began to Honduras and El Salvador , putting those launches on hold .
Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their 2020 campaigns , despite a spirited exchange during Thursday ’ s debate that was prompted by news that court-appointed lawyers have been unable to find parents of 545 children who were separated from their families early in the Trump administration .
Trump has yet to outline second-term immigration priorities in detail , though he has openly toyed with trying to repeal a constitutional right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States .
Biden has pledged to undo many , but not all , of Trump ’ s policies .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unclear how much appetite Biden would have to tackle all that Trump has done .
Biden campaign spokesman Mike Gwin , reacting to Miller ’ s comments , highlighted how far apart the candidates are on immigration .
“ We are going to win this election so that people like Stephen Miller don ’ t get the chance to write more xenophobic policies that dishonour our American values , ” Gwin said .
“ Unlike Trump , Vice-President Biden knows that immigrants make America stronger and helped build this country , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they continue to play the vital role they ’ ve held for our entire history : enriching our communities , bolstering our economy , and serving our nation in uniform.
” Biden will introduce legislation within his first 100 days to provide a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally , bring back the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to shield young people from deportation and “ restore America ’ s historic commitment ” to refuges and asylum-seekers , Gwin said .
Biden , on his campaign website , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration struck with Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador last year but says he will end “ detrimental “ policies , including a cornerstone Trump effort to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court .
Administration officials have discussed adding countries from Africa and Asia to create a global web of accords resembling those with Central American governments .
Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador were under heavy U.S. pressure to acquiesce last year , with Trump threatening at times to cut off international aid .
Such agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send large numbers of asylum-seekers to the United States , such as Cameroon or China .
Trump , who made immigration a signature issue in his 2016 campaign , has introduced a flurry of regulations in recent months that are expected to be finalized soon after incorporating public feedback .
They are largely about restricting asylum .
Administration officials are also looking at ways to do away with a lottery to award H-1B visas to highly skilled workers , many in the technology industry , replacing it with another selection method .
H-1B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Miller said the administration would continue its efforts to redefine criteria for legal immigration , which are now largely based on family ties .
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Wilmington , Del.
, contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Mexico ruling party works out leadership dispute on 3rd try

MEXICO CITY - The Morena party of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador finally chose a leader Friday after two failed , acrimonious attempts .
A poll of party members gave a comfortable margin of victory to congressional leader Mario Delgado , a centrist seen as more obedient to the president .
The results of an earlier poll that showed a tie had been hotly disputed by Porfirio Muñoz Ledo , an 87-year-old political warhorse who has been critical at times of López Obrador .
Later Friday , Muñoz Ledo said the polls , and previous ones , were “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say specifically whether he would accept the verdict .
The inter-party dispute had been a thorn in the side of López Obrador , who needs to protect his party ’ s tenuous grip on congress in 2021 mid-term elections .
López Obrador cobbled together the National Regeneration Movement — known to all in Mexico as Morena — from breakaway members from other parties in 2014 .
It ’ s members include leftists and independents and centrists .
The young party lacks formal organization in many of Mexico ’ s 32 states , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the question of whether Morena , in its present form , will outlast the presidency of its creator , who is constitutionally barred from reelection .
The only good news for Morena is that the two main opposition parties — the Institutional Revolutionary Party , or PRI , and the conservative National Action Party , are arguably in worse shape .
The PRI ruled Mexico uninterrupted from from 1929 to 2000 , and still has the most governorships , 11 .
But its brief return to the presidency in 2012-2018 was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PRI now seems cowed and rudderless .
López Obrador has proved himself a master at the kind of politics — charismatic leadership , ardent nationalism and governmental handout programs — the PRI once specialized in .
National Action , a conservative party that offers the clearest alternative to López Obrador , is still distrusted by many due to two lacklustre terms in the presidency from 2000 to 2012 .
Some party factions have been drawn into counterproductive demonstrations of rage against the president .
Delgado , 58 , is seen as a skilled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of López Obrador ’ s potential successors , Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard .
Muñoz Ledo has jumped from one party to another throughout a career that began as a student leader in the mid-1950s and established him in Mexican history as the first opposition party leader of Congress in 1997 .
He has been willing to criticize López Obrador ’ s heavy-handed approach to catching and deporting Central American migrants who try to cross Mexico to reach the United States .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--FBI joins investigation into fatal Illinois police shooting

WAUKEGAN , Ill. - The FBI will join Illinois State Police in investigating a police shooting in suburban Chicago that killed a Black man who was a passenger in a vehicle and wounded the Black female driver , a prosecutor announced Friday .
Lake County State ’ s Attorney Michael Nerheim said he asked the U.S. Justice Department to review the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Marcellis Stinnette , 19 , and the wounding of his girlfriend , Tafara Williams , this week in Waukegan .
“ I am confident in the work being done by the Illinois State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI , ” Nerheim said in a statement .
” As I have said before , once the investigation is concluded , all the evidence will be reviewed and a final decision will be made with respect to any potential charges.
” Waukegan police have said the pair were in a vehicle that fled a traffic stop late Tuesday and that the vehicle was later spotted by another officer .
Police said that as the second officer approached , the vehicle started moving in reverse and the officer opened fire .
No weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer who shot the couple is Hispanic and a five-year veteran of the Waukegan Police Department .
The officer who conducted the original traffic stop is white , police said .
During a Thursday demonstration , Clyde McLemore , head of the Lake County chapter of Black Lives Matter , called for a federal investigation .
Activists and relatives of the couple also have demanded the release of police video of the shooting , which authorities say has been turned over to investigators .
Activist Chris Blanks said the video is particularly important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the version Clifftina Johnson said her wounded daughter , Williams , shared with her appear to contradict each other .
Johnson said her daughter told her that Williams and her boyfriend had done nothing to provoke the officer .
Nerheim urged calm while the investigation takes place and pledged transparency .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Tens of thousands arrive in Hawaii with pre-travel testing

HONOLULU - Hawaii had about 60,000 travellers arrive in the islands in the first week of its pre-travel coronavirus testing program , a state effort to get the tourism-based economy moving again amid the pandemic .
Lt. Gov .
Josh Green , a Democrat , said at a news conference Thursday that 58,611 people had been screened since the Oct. 15 launch .
Of those visitors — including returning residents , military members , essential workers , tourists and others — 49,791 tested negative for the coronavirus and were allowed to skip the previously required two weeks of quarantine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ result within 72 hours of their flight to Hawaii are eligible .
Test results from one of the state ’ s “ trusted partners ” — a group of clinics , pharmacies and airlines — must be uploaded to a government website upon arrival .
Some people came to Hawaii with the wrong kind of test .
The state accepts only negative nucleic acid amplification tests .
Other travellers chose to come to Hawaii without being tested at all .
Nearly 7,300 people on the first week ’ s flights were ordered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most populated island and home of Waikiki Beach , police issued about 8,400 warnings and 885 citations for people not wearing masks or other coronavirus-related violations since Oct. 15 , the first day of the testing program .
Associated Press writer Jennifer Sinco Kelleher contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Appeals court stays Wisconsin limits on gatherings

MADISON , Wis. - A Wisconsin appeals court on Friday temporarily blocked Gov .
Tony Evers ’ restrictions on indoor public gatherings pending appeal , dealing the Democratic governor a setback in his efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The ruling from the 3rd District Court of Appeals follows Evers ’ administration issuing an emergency order on Oct. 6 .
The directive limited indoor public gatherings to 25 % of a building or room ’ s capacity or 10 people in places without an occupancy limit .
The order also came as COVID-19 cases surged in Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the worst in the nation in daily new cases per capita and hospitals are near capacity .
But the powerful Tavern League of Wisconsin argued the capacity limits amount to a “ de facto closure ” order for bars and restaurants and sued to strike down the order .
The capacity limits have been on a seesaw ever since , with a Sawyer County judge blocking the order Oct. 14 , only to have a Barron County judge reinstate it five days later .
A three-judge panel of the appellate court wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likelihood of success ” with the appeal to grant the stay .
The Mix Up bar in Amery and Pro-Life Wisconsin , in appealing the capacity limits , argued that they prevent Pro-Life Wisconsin from holding indoor fundraisers and Evers should gone through the Legislature to issue an administrative rule enacting the limits .
The decision is another setback for Evers as he tries to find ways to slow the spread of the virus .
Conservative justices on the state Supreme Court struck down his stay-at-home order in May in a ruling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands as the virus surges .
Republican lawmakers are also suing to end the governor ’ s statewide mask mandate , arguing that Evers exceeded his authority .
State health officials reported Friday that nearly 4,400 more Wisconsin residents have contracted COVID-19 as the disease continues to surge unchecked across the state .
The daily record is 4,591 cases , set on Tuesday .
DHS reported 42 more people have died , bringing the death toll to 1,745 .
The Wisconsin Hospital Association reported 1,243 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Two patients were in a field hospital at the state fairgrounds in West Allis as of Friday .
Meanwhile , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos ’ chief-of-staff , Jenny Toftness , contracted the virus after attending a retirement party for a state capitol staffer in September .
Vos ’ spokeswoman , Kit Beyer , said Toftness quarantined herself when she learned she had been exposed and has fully recovered .
Vos himself hasn ’ t been in close contact with Toftness recently and has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This story has been updated to correct that Republican lawmakers are not part of the gathering restrictions lawsuit .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Washington state discovers first ‘murder hornet’ nest in US

SPOKANE , Wash. - Scientists in Washington state have discovered the first nest of so-called murder hornets in the United States and plan to wipe it out Saturday to protect native honeybees , officials said .
Workers with the state Agriculture Department spent weeks searching , trapping and using dental floss to tie tracking devices to Asian giant hornets , which can deliver painful stings to people and spit venom but are the biggest threat to honeybees that farmers depend on to pollinate crops .
“ Ladies and gentlemen , we did it , “ agency spokeswoman Karla Salp said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed plans Friday to destroy the nest found in Blaine , a city north of Seattle .
The nest is about the size of a basketball and contains an estimated 100 to 200 hornets , according to scientists , who suspected it was in the area ever since the invasive insects began appearing late last year .
Officials have said it ’ s not known how they arrived in North America .
Despite their nickname and the hype that has stirred fears in an already bleak year , the world ’ s largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people a year in Asian countries , and experts say it is probably far less .
Meanwhile , hornets , wasps and bees typically found in the United States kill an average of 62 people a year , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said .
The real threat from Asian giant hornets — which are 2 inches ( 5 centimetres ) long — is their devastating attacks on honeybees , which are already under siege from problems like mites , diseases , pesticides and loss of food .
A small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire honeybee hive in hours , and they have already destroyed six or seven hives in Washington state , officials said .
The nest was found after an Agriculture Department worker trapped two of the hornets Wednesday .
Two more were captured Thursday , the agency said .
Using dental floss , “ entomologists were able to attach radio trackers to three hornets , the second of which led them to the discovery of the nest “ Thursday , agriculture officials said .
It was about 300 yards ( 274 metres ) from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree on private property , officials said .
Dozens of the hornets were seen buzzing in and out of the tree about 7 or 8 feet ( 2 metres ) above the ground .
The owner is letting the state eradicate the nest and remove the tree .
The plan Saturday is to fill the cavity with foam and cover it with plastic wrap to prevent the hornets from escaping , said Sven-Erik Spichiger , an entomologist for the Agriculture Department .
Then a tube will be inserted to vacuum up the hornets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection chamber , he said .
Workers will wear thick protective suits that can prevent the 6-millimeter-long stingers of the hornets from hurting workers , Spichiger said .
They also will wear face shields because the trapped hornets can spit a painful venom into their eyes .
“ We extract them alive , “ he said .
“ We will kill them.
” The tree will then be cut down to extract newborn hornets and learn if any queens have left the hive already , he said .
Officials suspect more nests may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ searching .
“ It ’ s still a very small population , and we are actively hunting them , ’ ’ Spichiger said .
Scientists for the department have been searching for nests since the first Asian giant hornets were caught earlier this year .
The first confirmed detection of the hornet in the U.S. was in December 2019 near Blaine and the first live hornet was trapped this July .
Just over 20 have been caught so far , all in Whatcom County .
The invasive insect is normally found in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vietnam and other Asian countries .
Washington state and the Canadian province of British Columbia are the only places the hornets have been found on the continent .

Nicholas K. Geranios - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Kushner friend charged with cyberstalking during divorce

NEW YORK - A friend of President Donald Trump ’ s son-in-law Jared Kushner who was once offered a low-level @ @ @ @ @ been charged with cyberstalking during a heated divorce .
Federal prosecutors in New York City @ @ @ @ @ of sending threatening messages to several people in a pattern of harassment amid his divorce @ @ @ @ @ , who works in the cryptocurrency industry , was once the editor of a Kushner-owned @ @ @ @ @ Observer .
Kurson ’ s lawyer , Marc Mukasey , said in a statement : @ @ @ @ @ hardly worthy of a federal criminal prosecution .
Ken will get past it.
” Kurson @ @ @ @ @ bond at his initial court appearance on Friday in a virtual hearing before a judge @ @ @ @ @ .
The investigation arose from a background check after the Trump administration offered Kurson a @ @ @ @ @ board of the National Endowment for the Humanities .


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Dutch hospital airlifts patients to Germany amid virus surge

ALMERE , Netherlands - A bright yellow helicopter rose into a blue sky Friday carrying a COVID-19 patient from the Netherlands to a German intensive care unit , the first such international airlift since the pandemic first threatened to swamp Dutch hospitals in the spring .
The clatter of the helicopter ’ s rotors as it lifted off from a parking lot behind a hospital 30 kilometres ( 20 miles ) east of Amsterdam was a noisy reminder of how the coronavirus is again gripping Europe and straining health care systems that struggled for equipment and staff during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the continent , an absence of noise will underscore the virus ’ resurgence .
More than two-thirds of the people living in France were to be subject to a nightly curfew starting at midnight Friday , hours after health authorities announced that the country had joined Spain in surpassing 1 million confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic .
“ The epidemic is very strongly accelerating , ” French President Emmanuel Macron said after visiting a hospital near Paris .
France became the second country in Western Europe and the seventh world-wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after reporting 42,032 new daily cases .
Of the 445,000 confirmed cases the World Health Organization had recorded in the past 24 hours , nearly half were in Europe , Maria Van Kerkhove , WHO ’ s technical lead on COVID-19 , said .
Experts say the real numbers of infections are probably much higher than the ones governments are reporting because of a lack of wide testing early on and the fact that some people don ’ t develop symptoms .
The head of the World Health Organization warned Friday that countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ critical juncture ” as cases and deaths continue to rise .
“ The next few months are going to be very tough and some countries are on a dangerous track , ” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a media briefing from Geneva .
Curfews to rein in nightlife and other opportunities for the virus to spread are some of the increasingly drastic measures European nations are enforcing to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew taking effect for at least six weeks in 38 regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government imposing the same restrictions in Paris and other French cities last week .
The extension means that 46 million of France ’ s 67 million people will be under curfews that prohibit them from being out and about during those hours except for limited reasons , such as walking a dog , travelling to and from work and catching a train or flight .
In Italy , where the governors of the three regions that include Rome , Milan and Naples declared overnight curfews early in the week , the capital moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shorter for young people who tend to hang out in trendy piazzas , carousing for hours without masks as they sip cocktails and knock down beers .
Protesters in Naples , angry over the just-imposed 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. regional curfew and by the local governor ’ s vow to put the region under lockdown to try to tame surging COVID-19 infections , clashed with police on Friday night .
RAI state TV said local merchants joined the protest , hours after Gov .
Vincenzo De Luca told citizens in a televised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing everything down ” except essential services .
Demonstrators threw rocks and smoke bombs , and police officers responded with tear gas , Italian media said .
Rome ’ s populist Five-Star Movement mayor , Virginia Raggi , signed an ordinance putting off limits , until Nov. 13 , several gathering spots highly popular for night-time drinking starting at 9 p.m .
The crackdown covers landmark nocturnal hangouts including Campo de ’ Fiori , a vast expanse in the heart of Rome that doubles as an open-air food market during the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tiber River that is usually packed in the evening with rowdy drinkers .
A 4 1/2-hour nightly curfew is to come into effect Saturday night in the Greek capital , Athens , and the country ’ s second largest city of Thessaloniki , as well as several other areas deemed to have high infection rates .
In Spain , Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly appealed for the country to pull together to defeat the new coronavirus .
“ We have to step up the fight , ” he said in a televised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the first European country to surpass 1 million officially recorded COVID-19 cases .
Sánchez admitted , though , that the true figure could be more than 3 million , due to gaps in testing and other reasons .
Restrictions on European daily life even extended to cancelling the one-day fall session of the 31-seat parliament on the Arctic island of Greenland after a member of the assembly ’ s financial committee was in contact with a person who had tested positive .
Worldwide , the virus has infected more than 41 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a count by Johns Hopkins University .
The true numbers are far higher due to gaps in testing and reporting cases .
The Dutch airlift to a hospital in the German city of Muenster came amid soaring rates of infection in the Netherlands , where the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases has risen over the past two weeks from 24.58 new cases per 100,000 people on Oct. 7 to 47.74 new cases per 100,000 on Oct. 21 .
Flevohospital spokesman Peter Pels said flying patients across an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals in the region around Almere said their intensive care units couldn ’ t take them .
The hospital was transferring two patients to Germany on Friday .
“ We actually prefer not to move patients because it is very drastic , also for family , ” he said .
“ But to keep the quality and safety of care at a good level , unfortunately it is necessary to move patients.
” Numbers have been spiking in neighbouring Germany as well , with the country ’ s disease control centre saying Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last 24-hour period , just shy of the record 11,278 mark set the day before .
The nationwide infection rate over the last seven days rose to 60.3 cases per 100,000 residents , up from 56.2 the day before .
At the same time , the country has more than 8,100 intensive care beds free at the moment , with about 21,500 occupied , according to the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine .
There ’ s also a reserve of around 12,700 beds that can be activated within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first phase of the pandemic , in the last week of March and first two weeks of April , Germany took in a total of 232 intensive care patients from Italy , France and the Netherlands .
Germany is now also in talks to take in people from the Czech Republic .
In that hard-hit country , the health minister was under pressure to resign Friday after a media report that he broke strict government restrictions and visited a Prague restaurant for a meeting , just hours after announcing tightened virus restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a medical aircraft from the region of Lyon , in the east of the country , to other hospitals in towns less affected by the virus in western France , something that hadn ’ t happened since the spring .
“ In many cities across Europe , the capacity for ICU is going to be reached in the coming weeks .
And that ’ s a worrying situation as we ’ re in October , ” WHO ’ s Van Kerkhove said , noting the flu season is about to begin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The worry we have are the numbers of individuals requiring hospitalization.
” Mike Corder reported from The Hague .
Associated Press reporters from across Europe contributed to this story .

Peter Dejong And Mike Corder - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--Brazil approves import of Chinese shot that Bolsonaro nixed

SAO PAULO - Brazil ’ s health regulator has authorized the import from China of a potential vaccine against the coronavirus , just days after President Jair Bolsonaro insisted he wouldn ’ t allow doses to be shipped from the Asian nation .
The health regulator , Anvisa , said in a statement Friday that Sao Paulo state ’ s Butantan Institute can import 6 million doses of the CoronaVac shot that Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac is developing .
The potential vaccine can not be administered to Brazilians as it isn ’ t yet approved locally , the statement said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion when he publicly rejected the CoronaVac shot , saying Brazilians would not be used as guinea pigs .
The declaration followed news that his health minister , Eduardo Pazuello , had agreed to purchase CoronaVac doses produced locally by the Butantan Institute .
On Wednesday , the executive secretary of Brazil ’ s Health Ministry said in a televised statement that there had been a misunderstanding .
“ There is no intention to buy vaccines from China , ” said Antonio Elcio Franco , who added there will be only “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute .
Brazil ’ s presidential palace didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment about Anvisa ’ s authorization of imported vials .
Its authorization comes after the Butantan Institute ’ s director , Dimas Covas , told newspaper Folha de S.Paulo that Anvisa was withholding permission to import inputs from Sinovac in order to produce the vaccine in Brazil .
Anvisa said in a separate statement earlier Friday that it had analyzed the request and found some discrepancies .
Bolsonaro has often expressed mistrust of China , particularly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has softened his rhetoric somewhat in office .
“ From China , we will not buy .
I don ’ t believe it transmits enough safety to the population , because of its origin .
That ’ s our thinking , ” he said in an interview with radio station Jovem Pan on Thursday night .
“ With certainty , other vaccines that are being studied could be scientifically proven.
” In June , Brazil ’ s government announced a deal with Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to purchase 100 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Christiana Sciaudone - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-23--‘Honour the ancestors’: Harris appeals directly to Black men

ATLANTA - Democratic vice-presidential hopeful Kamala Harris made a direct appeal to Black men Friday , defending her record as a prosecutor , blasting President Donald Trump as “ racist ” and vouching for Joe Biden as a man capable of addressing systemic racism and leading a diverse country .
“ I ’ m not going to tell anybody , including Black men , that they ’ re supposed to vote for us .
We need to earn that vote , ” Harris told a roundtable of Black men in one of several stops across Atlanta , the Democratic base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The California senator warned that Trump wants to “ turn 20 % of Black men in favour of him , ” a mark that could tilt a range of battleground states in the South and Upper Midwest to the president .
But Harris , the first Black woman on a major party ’ s national ticket , said Trump ’ s pitch is rooted in “ spinning ” and misrepresenting her record and the Democratic ticket ’ s proposals .
“ Joe Biden has the ability to say the words ‘ Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fella , ” Harris told a group of students from Atlanta ’ s historically Black college campuses .
Still , Harris faced new questions Friday about her record as a prosecutor .
She cast herself as a change agent in a “ flawed ” structure and promised that a Biden White House would understand that “ Black boys and Black men have to be seen through the prism of life ” and that “ these systems have failed them.
” Her Georgia itinerary — small events with Black audiences , a stop at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s HBCU campuses and a drive-in rally at Morehouse College , whose alumni include Martin Luther King Jr. — highlighted how critical the Biden campaign sees Harris in its efforts to urge Black turnout .
“ We ’ re not going to let anyone mess with our right to vote , ” she said at Morehouse , calling voting a way “ to honour the ancestors.
” The drop-off in Black votes from President Barack Obama ’ s reelection in 2012 to the 2016 election was a critical factor in Trump managing narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan and Pennsylvania , a trio of Great Lakes states that gave the president his Electoral College majority .
Higher Black turnout also could push North Carolina , Georgia and Florida into the Democratic column .
Harris visited Georgia a day after the final presidential debate , which Trump used to claim that “ nobody has done what I ’ ve done ” for Black Americans , “ with the exception of Abraham Lincoln — possible exception.
” The president blamed Biden for the mass incarceration of “ young Black men ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Biden was a senator representing Delaware .
Biden touted his support of civil rights measures over the years and said Trump “ pours fuel on every single racist fire.
” But it was Harris in Atlanta who confronted the issue of race with a personal pitch that neither of the white men at the top of the ballot can muster .
Citing her time as a local district attorney and state attorney general , Harris said she learned that the “ war on drugs was , by every measure , a failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest.
” She said Biden would push to decriminalize marijuana and expunge existing convictions from records — though the former vice-president has opposed legalizing it altogether .
She promised sweeping programs to expand health care access , capital for small businesses and educational opportunities for struggling communities , all matters aimed at racial disparities .
Among the friendly audiences , though , Atlanta rapper and producer Jermaine Dupri told Harris that “ you put a lot of Black brothers away in your past ” and asked her to explain her record .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rough side of the mountain , as we say in church , ” Harris told him , framing her career choice as a conscious decision to change a “ flawed ” system from within .
She rattled off several efforts , describing a reentry program that she said steered young men arrested or convicted of nonviolent drug offences into jobs .
“ They referred to my program as a ‘ hug a thug ’ program , ” she said .
Harris acknowledged she didn ’ t “ change the whole system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It suggests Black people shouldn ’ t be prosecutors .
...
It suggests that you don ’ t love your community , or you don ’ t want to reform the system if you decide to go in it.
” She told the group of Black men that Trump is “ spinning ” her record and Biden ’ s to obscure his own priorities on race and ethnicity , from his “ birtherism ” lies about Obama ’ s birthplace to his insults of certain political opponents and entire nations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the theme that the first Black man to be president of the United States was illegitimately there ” and referred “ to countries on the continent as ‘ shithole ’ countries ” and “ refused to condemn white supremacists.
” At Morehouse , she mused about sometimes being asked whether Trump is racist .
“ Yes , ” Harris said .
“ It ’ s not like it ’ s some random one-off.
” Biden , she added , would be a president “ who acknowledges systemic racism , who acknowledges the history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulpit and that microphone in a way that speaks truth ... and brings our country together .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--UK-US trade pact opposed with Trump, cows and pigs as props

LONDON - Demonstrators dressed as chickens , a cow and President Donald Trump gathered Saturday in London to protest a @ @ @ @ @ activists say will lower food safety standards .
Some 50 people assembled near the Houses @ @ @ @ @ ongoing negotiations for the trade deal , which the U.K. government is counting on to @ @ @ @ @ ’ s departure from the European Union .
Demonstrators are worried the agreement will relax @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. One protester wore an oversized Trump head and carried a giant syringe to @ @ @ @ @ with hormones could be sold in the U.K .
Critics are also worried about the @ @ @ @ @ chlorine , a practice they suggest covers up poor animal husbandry practices .
Another demonstrator @ @ @ @ @ Daisy .
Asked whether she was uneasy about the possible lowering of food standards , @ @ @ @ @ “ Moo .
’ ’


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Official: Bombing in Kabul kills ten, including children

KABUL - Afghanistan ’ s interior ministry says a bombing outside an educational centre in the capital , Kabul , @ @ @ @ @ people and wounded eight others , including schoolchildren .
The interior ministry spokesman Tariq Arian @ @ @ @ @ details about the explosion .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Earlier Saturday a roadside bomb killed nine people in eastern Afghanistan after it struck a @ @ @ @ @ a local official said .
Ghazni province police spokesman Ahmad Khan Sirat said that a @ @ @ @ @ policemen , after it struck their vehicle that was making its way to the victims @ @ @ @ @ Sirat added that the bombings had wounded several others , and that the attacks were @ @ @ @ @ immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks .
The provincial police spokesman claimed the Taliban had @ @ @ @ @ upsurge in violence between Taliban and Afghan forces comes as representatives of the two warring @ @ @ @ @ in Doha to end the decades-long war in Afghanistan .


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--‘All talk, no action’ defence likely in Michigan kidnap case

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. - When members of a Michigan paramilitary group were accused a decade ago of scheming to overthrow the U.S. government , their defence was based largely on one claim : We were all talk , no action .
It worked so well that a federal judge took the rare step of dismissing most charges against the extremist group known as Hutaree , without giving the jury a say .
A defence lawyer in that case now represents Ty Garbin , one of six men accused of conspiring to kidnap Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
Again , attorney Mark Satawa contends his client had no intention to carry out the alleged plan , whatever he might have said in recorded or online conversations .
“ Saying things like ‘ I hate the governor , the governor is tyrannical ’ ... is not illegal , even if you ’ re holding a gun and running around the woods when you do it , “ Satawa told The Associated Press .
The “ big talk ” argument likely will be a primary theme for the defence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month .
The verdict may turn on whether the judge or jury are convinced the plot was serious , say trial lawyers not involved with the matter .
Yet they caution that unique factors pose challenges and uncertainties for both sides — particularly as the matter unfolds against the backdrop of a pandemic , economic upheaval and a yawning political divide in the U.S. “ The defence lawyers are going to have their work cut out for them finding fair and impartial jurors who haven ’ t predetermined the outcome before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rataj , another member of the defence team for the Hutaree , who were acquitted in 2012 .
“ On its face it looks terrible , “ Rataj said , referring to police and news reports about the kidnap plot allegations .
A crucial difference between the Hutaree case and this one is that the Hutaree extremists were charged with sedition — rebellion against the government .
In the alleged plot against Whitmer , six men , led by Adam Fox of the Michigan III % ers , are charged in federal court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific allegation .
Authorities say members of a second anti-government organization also participated in the abduction scheme .
Eight other men are believed to be members or associates of a group called the Wolverine Watchmen and are charged in state court with counts including providing material support for terrorist acts .
Some of the Wolverine Watchmen are accused of planning and training for other violent crimes , including storming the Michigan Capitol building .
To win a conviction on the federal charges , prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took at least one step toward carrying out the plan .
The preliminary hearing showed the prosecution would use text messages and conversations secretly recorded by informants as evidence .
The plotters cased Whitmer ’ s northern Michigan vacation home in August and September and one purchased a Taser , while others agreed to buy explosives and tactical gear , FBI agent Richard Trask testified .
Defence attorneys grilled Trask about missing details , such as how the kidnapping would be done and where Whitmer would be taken .
They questioned whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They argued that inflammatory comments and even live-fire training exercises were constitutionally protected .
Magistrate Judge Sally Berens ruled there was enough to send the case to a grand jury , which could issue indictments .
“ The government isn ’ t required to show that the conspirators signed on a dotted line or had a five-step plan for exactly how it was to go , ” she said .
“ They ’ re required to show unity of purpose.
” But the defence likely will portray the plot as more fantasy than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former federal prosecutor .
“ The tricky thing about conspiracy cases is ... when you have multiple parties , whether they have the same motives and agree on a common plan , “ said Smietanka , who also has been a defence lawyer .
“ What exactly did they agree to , and how ?
” Defence attorneys probably also will focus on the informants and raise the idea of entrapment , he said .
While polls show many Michigan residents support Whitmer ’ s strict handling of the coronavirus outbreak , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including people who rallied at the state capitol .
The jury pool in a kidnapping trial would be drawn from western Michigan , which leans Republican .
“ Some of them may be sympathetic to these guys , “ Rataj said .
“ They may not like the governor .
They might be the kind of folks who think she exceeded her power.
” Prosecutors will try to weed out potential jurors who might be biased against Whitmer or the government in general , or skeptical about the pandemic , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the lookout for those who might be turned off by anti-government paramilitary activities .
“ A federal judge is going to give you a lot of leeway in asking jurors about their sympathies and thinking ” in the hope of getting an impartial panel , said Terry Dillon , another former federal prosecutor .
But at a time of bitter partisanship and overheated political rhetoric , he said , a claim that “ this was loose talk , I was frustrated , I was just mouthing off , I never in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be enough to raise doubts .
“ All you need is one to hang a jury , “ Dillon said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Reid says Biden should end Senate filibuster after 3 weeks

WASHINGTON - Former Senate leader Harry Reid says if Democrats win the presidency and the Senate , Joe Biden should take “ no more than three weeks ” to test bipartisanship before ending the filibuster so Democrats can overcome what they call Republican obstruction and pass bills .
The retired Nevada Democrat told The Associated Press in an interview that he understands Biden wants to work with Republicans , as the former vice-president and Delaware senator has in the past .
But Reid said there is just too much that needs to be done in the country for to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades old-Senate practice of requiring 60 votes to advance legislation .
“ Biden — who wants always to get along with people — I understand that , ” Reid said by telephone from Nevada .
“ We should give the Republicans a little bit of time , to see if they ’ re going to work with him , ” he said .
“ But the time ’ s going to come when he ’ s going to have to move in and get rid of the filibuster.
” Asked how long Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules , Reid said : “ No more than three weeks.
” The 80-year-old Reid , who retired in 2017 , has been among the most high-level political voices in favour of ending the 60-vote threshold for legislation .
Critics of the filibuster argue it has outlived its purpose in the partisan era and only serves to grind business to a halt .
From afar , the onetime majority leader has made his views known before but rarely has he suggested a deadline for action .
It is both a warning sign and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda with a potentially new power dynamic in Washington after the election .
The 100-member Senate , where Republicans now hold a 53-47 edge , is expected to remain narrowly divided after the Nov. 3 election , regardless of which party wins control , making the 60-vote tally tough to reach .
Reid said if Biden thinks he can cut bipartisan deals with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky , the GOP leader , as they did in earlier years , “ more power to him.
” But Reid warned that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ Joe ought to be very careful.
“ This is well-travelled terrain for the long-serving former senator , who helped sparked today ’ s procedural battles by partially ending the filibuster when Democrats had the majority .
The rules change that Reid engineered allowed Democrats to confirm President Barack Obama ’ s administrative and most federal judicial nominees despite Republicans roadblocks .
When Republicans took control , McConnell pushed it to the next level with President Donald Trump , eliminating the filibuster for Supreme Court picks — a daring move that stunned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is breaking the Senate , but Trump has been able to seat two Supreme Court justices on majority-only votes , and the Senate is poised to confirm a third , Amy Coney Barrett , on Monday .
The filibuster has been in place since the early 20th century , but is absent from the Constitution .
Its supporters say it keeps the Senate from becoming just another version of the House , with majority rule .
The higher vote threshold forces the parties to slow down and find bipartisan compromise .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recipe for legislative paralysis , empowering a minority of senators to thwart popular public opinion .
They note it has been used to stall some of the nation ’ s most landmark laws , notably civil rights legislation .
Obama has since joined the effort for change .
During the funeral this year for Rep. John Lewis , a civil rights leader , Obama announced his support for ending the filibuster , calling it a Jim Crow-era relic that was used to stall voting advances for Black people .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was majority leader during Obama ’ s first term and helped pass the Affordable Care Act and other landmark legislation .
“ Once he did that , of course I let him know I appreciated it.
” Reid ’ s influence continues to be felt across Democratic political landscape , in ways large and small .
He talks often to Biden and regularly keeps in touch with others , including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York— and even some Republicans .
Reid suggests that Democrats are unwilling to sit by and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want to get something done , “ he said , mentioning climate change and renewable energy investment as an example .
” There ’ s so much more to do and we can ’ t do it if it takes 60 votes to get it done .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Attack, then pandemic: Pittsburgh Jewish congregations cope

Two years ago , the three congregations sharing space at Pittsburgh ’ s Tree of Life synagogue relocated after an anti-Semitic gunman killed 11 worshippers .
Last March , the congregations dispersed from their new locations due to the coronavirus pandemic and switched to virtual services .
On Tuesday , as they again mourn those killed on Oct. 27 , 2018 , they ’ ll also celebrate the resilience that has enabled them to persevere .
Maggie Feinstein of the 10.27 Healing Partnership , which has been supporting those affected by the attack , was impressed by how the congregations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They started phone chains , thought about ways to reach their vulnerable population , ” she said .
“ I found it incredibly inspiring that these three congregations , when crisis hit , knew how to pull together as a community and not leave anybody behind.
” The centerpiece of the commemorations is an online ceremony Tuesday evening that includes a performance by world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo-Ma of a piece by Jewish composer Ernest Bloch .
And a day of community service is being organized for Sunday by the Pittsburgh branch of Repair the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include a blood drive , food distribution and cleanups of Jewish cemeteries .
Coinciding with the commemoration will be publication of an anthology of essays by Pittsburgh-area writers , reflecting on how the attack impacted them and their community .
Co-editor Beth Kissileff is the wife of Rabbi Jonathan Perlman , who took shelter in a supply closet with three members of his New Light congregation during the attack .
One of them , 87-year-old Melvin Wax , who was deaf , as a result left the closet before it was safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commemorations were planned by a group that included the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh , the Jewish Community Center and members of the three congregations .
One of the group ’ s co-chairs lost her brother in the shooting ; the other lost her mother .
Organizers have strived to offer emotional support .
One-on-one counselling will be offered virtually , and there ’ s a tent set up near the synagogue where people can access in-person support from humans and comfort dogs in a socially distanced environment .
Planning committee member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Federation , said the pandemic posed challenges .
“ Once you can ’ t do everything in-person , there aren ’ t as many opportunities for healing , ” she said .
“ Last year we had chaplains , therapists helping people face-to-face .
That can ’ t happen this year.
” Of the three congregations based in the synagogue in 2018 , only Tree of Life , the host , plans to return when the building reopens after renovation .
There ’ s no timeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has hired consultants to help with logistics and wants to accommodate other organizations and activities .
Nearby Chatham University and the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh are expected to share some of the reconfigured space .
There also will be a memorial to those killed in the attack .
Before the pandemic , Tree of Life was holding services at Rodef Shalom , a historic temple completed in 1907 .
But since March , in-person worship and group activities have been halted in favour of virtual gatherings .
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said his appearances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his living room , have gained a loyal following , including a woman in Australia who joins Tuesday classes in which he discusses prayers offered the preceding Friday .
“ During the pandemic , people are seeking community , ” he said .
“ We try in any way to help them find solace and hope and inspiration.
” A second congregation , Dor Hadash , also had been worshipping at Rodef Shalom and plans to return there once the pandemic eases enough to allow in-person services , according to its president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has remained politically active , engaging issues such as racial justice and gun violence .
The third , New Light , had been at the Beth Shalom synagogue in the same Squirrel Hill neighbourhood where the attack occurred .
Congregation co-president Stephen Cohen said the arrangement has worked well and New Light plans to remain there long-term .
Of the three , only New Light has resumed in-person services , but Cohen said most members , many of whom are over 70 , remain wary and participate via Zoom .
The 15 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sit at least 6 feet apart .
“ Before March we were beginning to recreate our community , and then on March 23 it all falls apart , ” Cohen said , referring to the imposition of a stay-at-home order .
“ We have adapted as best we can.
“ The idea for the anthology arose from conversations among New Light members , encouraged by Kissileff , an author and essayist .
She recruited as co-editor Eric Lidji , a Pittsburgh-based historian who has overseen efforts to preserve documentation of the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 other writers , journalists , academics and rabbis to contribute to the anthology , “ Bound in the Bond of Life.
” The entries include poetry , oral history and an essay by Carnegie Mellon University historian Laura Zittrain Eisenberg about the memorials that sprung up outside the synagogue after the attack and items left there — flowers , candles , a guitar , a pair of sneakers .
Kissileff and Lidji included three non-Jews among the contributors : Peter Smith , religion writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ; Tony Norman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Pittsburgh-based New York Times correspondent .
“ I wanted to acknowledge this didn ’ t just affect the Jewish community , ” Kissileff said .
In his essay , “ I Read Somewhere That Pittsburgh is Stronger Than Hate , ” Norman , who is Black , evoked other mass shootings such as the 2015 attack by a racist gunman that killed nine Black people gathered for Bible study at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston , South Carolina .
“ We know that there ’ s hate in Pittsburgh , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tree of Life massacre showed us , there is also considerable pushback to evil .
While much of the nation was still in shock , the seeds of an extraordinary response took root in a city often divided by race and class.
” Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Head of Sudan’s largest party slams Trump and Israel deal

CAIRO - Sudan ’ s former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi on Saturday slammed an announcement by President Donald Trump that Sudan would start normalizing ties with Israel .
Al-Mahdi , who is the country ’ s last democratically elected premier and heads the country ’ s largest political party , said he withdrew from a government-organized religious conference on Saturday in the capital , Khartoum , in protest against Friday ’ s announcement .
“ This statement contradicts the Sudanese national law .. and contributes to the elimination of the peace project in the Middle East and to preparing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” al-Mahdi said in a letter to the conference .
He said the agreement with Israel would jeopardize the authority of Sudan ’ s transitional government , a fragile coalition of civilian and military leaders .
Sudan is on a thorny path to democracy after a popular uprising last year led the military to overthrow the longtime autocrat , Omar al-Bashir .
The transitional government has promised elections as soon as 2022 .
Al-Mahdi , who heads the National Umma Party , was overthrown in a 1989 Islamist-backed coup that brought al-Bashir to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-democracy movement that led the protests against al-Bashir .
Al-Mahdi accused Trump of being racist against Muslims and Black people , and described Israel as an “ apartheid state.
” Sudan has been the third Arab state to move toward normalizing its relations with Israel among a series of Washington-brokered deals in the run-up to the U.S. presidential elections .
The Trump administration engineered diplomatic pacts between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in August — the first since Jordan recognized Israel in the 1990s and Egypt in the 1970s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference after the 1967 Mideast war where eight Arab countries approved the “ three no ’ s ” : no peace with Israel , no recognition of Israel , and no negotiations with Israel .
Sudan ’ s recognition of Israel comes after the North African nation agreed to put $ 335 million in an escrow account to be used to compensate American victims of terror attacks .
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok thanked Trump for signing the executive order to remove Sudan from the terrorism list and said in a statement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ timely manner.
” The removal of the terror designation opens the door for Sudan ’ s transitional government to get international loans and aid needed to revive its battered economy and rescue the country ’ s transition to democracy .
The government has been struggling to revive Sudan ’ s battered economy amid a huge budget deficit and widespread shortages of essential goods , including fuel , bread and medicine .
Sudan ’ s acting Foreign Minister Omar Qamar al-Din said the ratification of the normalization deal was up to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be formed .
He said on Friday the deal ends the state of hostility with Israel , and it will lead to diplomatic , political , economic and investment connections if approved , according to the state-run SUNA news agency .
“ If ratified , the benefits for Sudan will be enormous , ” he was quoted as saying by SUNA .
Earlier this month , Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo , deputy head of the Sudanese sovereign council , told a local television station that Sudan would benefit from the normalization .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed country and the whole world is working with it , ” he said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Another famous piece damaged on Berlin’s Museum Island

BERLIN - A famous piece of art was vandalized at one of Berlin ’ s most famous museums only days after authorities revealed that more than 60 other art works on the city ’ s Museum Island were smeared with an oily liquid , German news agency dpa reported Saturday .
A huge granite bowl in front of the Altes Museum , which is part of the German capital ’ s museum complex , was smeared by an unknown perpetrator or perpetrators , dpa reported .
Museum Island is a UNESCO world heritage site in the heart of Berlin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist attractions , “ It can no longer be denied : culture is being attacked , ” Hermann Parzinger , the president of the cultural organization that oversees the Museum Island complex , said .
“ ” The prominent and world-famous granite bowl in front of Altes Museum was smeared in the most horrible way.
“ It was not immediately clear if the bowl was smeared with the same oily liquid as the other art pieces that were damaged early this month .
The other targeted exhibits at the Museum Island complex were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had watched hours of surveillance camera footage but not found any obvious sign of anyone applying the liquid .
Museum experts have said the motive remains a mystery and there appeared to be no thematic link between the targeted works .
They expressed optimism that the apparently random damage can be repaired .


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Guinean president wins a 3rd term, electoral commission says

CONAKRY , Guinea - Guinea ’ s President Alpha Conde has won a third term with 59.49 % of the vote , the National Independent Electoral Commission declared Saturday .
Some people went to the streets to protest immediately after the announcement .
Such demonstrations have occurred for months after the government changed the constitution through a national referendum , allowing Conde to extend his decade in power .
Opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo received 33.50 % of the vote , the electoral commission said .
Voter turnout was almost 80 % .
Political tensions around the election in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after Diallo claimed victory ahead of the official results .
Celebrations by his supporters were suppressed when security forces fired tear gas to disperse them .
At least nine people have been killed since the election , according to the government .
The violence sparked international condemnation by the U.S. and others .
“ Today is a sad day for African democracy , ” said Sally Bilaly Sow , a Guinean blogger and activist living abroad .
The government should take into account the will of the people who have a desire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , internet and international calls were cut off across the West African nation in anticipation of the election results , according to locals and international observers in the capital , Conakry .
This was the third time that Conde matched-up against Diallo .
Before the election , observers raised concerns that an electoral dispute could reignite ethnic tensions between Guinea ’ s largest ethnic groups .


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Four years in, Trump has plenty of unfinished business

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump swept into office nearly four years ago as an outsider who promised to get things done quickly on behalf of the American people through sheer force of will and unrivaled knowledge about the art of the deal .
He has checked off some items on his to-do list .
Trump pushed through the most significant overhaul of the U.S. tax system since President Ronald Reagan .
Trump , as he said he would , tilted the Supreme Court further to the right with confirmation of two conservative justices and likely a third , Amy Coney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His promise to get tough on illegal immigration has resulted in a surge in migrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border .
But Trump has also faced the same hard truth that each of his White House predecessors learned : Governing is rarely easy .
A look at some of the president ’ s unfinished business as he asks voters for a second term in the White House : Trump has managed to undermine President Barack Obama ’ s health care law , but has fallen far short of his promise to repeal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has managed to dismantle parts of the law .
Enrollment periods have been shortened , some subsidies were ended and the individual mandate -- the fine for people without health insurance -- has been eliminated .
Trump says he ’ s still focused on replacing the with something “ much better and much less expensive.
” He said in an interview with CBS ’ “ 60 Minutes ” that “ it will be so good ” if the Supreme Court puts an end to “ Obamacare ” when the justices hear challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of uninsured Americans has risen under Trump ’ s watch .
According to Census Bureau data released last month , nearly 30 million people in the U.S. lacked coverage at some point during 2019 , about 1 million more than in the previous year .
Trump has made only modest progress toward meeting his 2016 pledge to bring home all troops from what he calls America ’ s “ endless wars.
” When Trump took over the White House , the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan stood at about 8,400 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Within a year , the number of troops in Afghanistan climbed to about 15,000 .
Trump approved commanders ’ requests for additional troops to reverse setbacks in the training of Afghan forces , fight an increasingly dangerous Islamic State group and put enough pressure on the Taliban to force it to the peace table .
In February , the U.S. and the Taliban signed an agreement that calls for the eventual complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan .
With an eye toward the election , Trump has accelerated his push to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. troops could be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year .
Pentagon officials said the number of troops in Afghanistan will drop to 4,500 in November .
But defence officials insist there are no plans to have all troops home from Afghanistan by the end of the year .
U.S. officials also say there currently is no approved plan to reduce the number to 2,500 by early next year .
The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity .
In Iraq , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from about 5,000 to roughly 3,000 , although officials say the number fluctuates higher as units rotate in and out .
During his 2016 primary run , Trump sought to mark his ground as a hard-line immigration enforcer who would build “ a great , great wall on our southern border.
” “ And I will make Mexico pay for that wall , ” Trump said as he launched his run for the White House in June 2015 .
“ Mark my words.
” Nearly four years later , Trump still has work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been completed has been paid by U.S. taxpayers despite promises otherwise .
The president ’ s administration has promised to build 450 miles by the end of this year and has so far built 371 .
Trump has replaced hundreds of miles of old , worn-out barriers , meant only to stop cars , with tall , 30-foot fencing that is much harder to get over and impedes wildlife from crossing the border .
Conservationists in Arizona , where a bulk of the building has taken place , say the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding ecosystems .
Mexico has steadfastly refused to pay for the border wall , though Trump earlier this year suggested that the wall is being paid , in part , by remittances from Mexican immigrants working in the U.S. To date , the money is coming from the U.S. Treasury , meaning today ’ s taxpayers and the future ones who will inherit the federal debt .
To the extent any people who came into the U.S. illegally are kicking in for the wall , it ’ s because they ’ re working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also freed up $ 3.6 billion for the wall last year by diverting money from military construction projects as well as $ 2.5 billion from approved counterdrug spending .
Early in his presidency , Trump expressed confidence that his administration could broker a long-term peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians .
“ We will get it done , ” Trump declared in May 2017 .
He put his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner in charge .
Trump moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s evangelical Christian supporters in the U.S. but angered Palestinian leaders .
He scored a big win in recent weeks with the U.S. nudging Bahrain , Sudan and the United Arab Emirates — three Arab states — to normalize relations with Israel .
The normalization of relations between Israel and the three Arab nations is certainly an important achievement .
But the agreements between nations that have never been in direct conflict don ’ t meaningfully move the ball in achieving the large and long elusive goal of achieving peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House ’ s multiple attempts to designate an “ infrastructure week ” — each effort quickly eclipsed by other issues — have become something of a running punchline in the administration .
In his 2016 victory speech , Trump said he would rebuild the nation ’ s highways , bridges , tunnels , airports , schools and hospitals , making American infrastructure “ second to none ” and putting millions to work in the process .
Nearly four years later , Trump ’ s soaring rhetoric has failed to produce legislation .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , to pursue a $ 2 trillion infrastructure plan .
This March , he resurrected the idea for a “ VERY BIG & BOLD ” plan for infrastructure spending to help jolt the staggering economy after the coronavirus pandemic hit .
While Pelosi and Schumer again threw their support behind big infrastructure spending , Senate Republicans have bristled at deficit spending , and Trump ’ s sales pitch has gone nowhere with his own party .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said his federal income taxes were “ under a routine audit ” but promised they would be released as soon as the IRS finished .
Four years later , Trump says the IRS still hasn ’ t completed its work , and the president has yet to fulfil his promise to release his tax returns .
No law prevents Trump from making his tax filings public while under audit .
Questions about Trump ’ s tax returns — and his broader financial situation — have only grown following revelations that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in debt .
That sort of debt load , ethics experts say , raises concerns he could be manipulated to sway U.S. policy by those to whom he ’ s indebted .
The New York Times reported last month that Trump ’ s debt includes more than $ 300 million in loans that will come due in the next four years .
Trump dismisses his debt load as a “ peanut ” compared with his assets .
The president is the only post-Watergate president not to release his tax returns .
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Calvin Woodward and Astrid Galvan contributed to this report .

Aamer Madhani And Deb Riechmann - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--Istanbul’s opposition mayor tests positive for COVID-19

ANKARA , Turkey - The mayor of Istanbul has tested positive for COVID-19 , a spokesman for the Turkish city said Saturday .
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has received treatment at a hospital and his condition is good , spokesman Murat Ongun tweeted .
Istanbul , a city of 16 million people , has recorded 40 % of Turkey ’ s total reported coronavirus cases , according to Health Minister Fahrettin Koca .
Imamoglu , who represents the opposition Republican People ’ s Party , or CHP , became one of Turkey ’ s most recognizable politicians after winning office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a series of victories for the CHP in major cities , including capital Ankara .
The mayor and other opposition figures have criticized the Turkish government ’ s approach to tackling the virus , including its decision to publish data only on patients displaying COVID-19 symptoms rather than including asymptomatic individuals .
The country on Friday reported 2,165 new confirmed cases in people with symptoms , the highest daily number since restrictions to combat the outbreak were imposed in May .
The new cases brought Turkey ’ s total known cases to @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-24--After 200 years, Virginia to let judges decide sentences

It ’ s a centuries-old sentencing system in Virginia that calls for juries to decide punishment for criminal defendants , and often leads to stiffer sentences than what judges give or prosecutors offer in plea deals .
This sentencing structure has been in place for 224 years , but under a bill recently approved by the state legislature , Virginia is expected to turn sentencing over to judges , joining the vast majority of states around the country .
Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam , a strong supporter of criminal justice reform , is expected to sign the bill into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a special legislative session focused on criminal justice and police reform .
Supporters of the change said giving judges the sentencing responsibility will result in fairer sentences , but prosecutors predicted it will result in more jury trials and therefore require additional judges , court clerks and public defenders .
The bill ’ s sponsor , Democratic Sen. Joe Morrissey from Richmond , said that under the current system , many people charged with crimes in Virginia are so fearful of getting a severe sentence from a jury that they often accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer sentence than they would typically get from a judge .
Unlike judges , juries in Virginia are not given state sentencing guidelines that would tell them what a typical sentence would be for a particular crime , and they tend to hand out stiffer sentences .
In fiscal year 2019 , sentences handed down by juries went above sentencing guidelines 37 % of the time , and in 2018 , juries exceeded sentencing guidelines nearly 50 % of the time , according to annual reports by the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a normal sentence is , ” Morrissey said .
“ That ’ s why it is important to have a judge sentencing who has the guidelines and can put it into context.
” But prosecutors said turning sentencing over to judges will result in more defendants going to trial instead of accepting a plea deals , adding strain to a judicial system already struggling with a large backload of cases caused by the postponement of jury trials during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Prosecutors believe the state will end up needing more judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support staff to handle longer trial dockets .
Jeff Haislip , president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth ’ s Attorneys , said prosecutors are also concerned that the goal of the bill appears to be to get more lenient sentences for defendants .
“ In jurisdictions where you have multiple jury trials lined up , if the goal is to get the defendant a better deal , that may not be in the best interests of public safety , “ Haislip said .
Republican Sen. Mark Obenshain voted against the legislation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurors .
“ We are saying we don ’ t trust the people in our communities to make judgments about the appropriate punishment for criminal behaviour .
We have entrusted that to our friends and neighbours.
“ Taking that away , he said , ” is the wrong policy choice.
” Only six states — Virginia , Arkansas , Kentucky , Missouri , Oklahoma and Texas — use juries to sentence defendants in non-capital felony cases .
The Virginia legislation would turn over sentencing to judges except when a defendant requests sentencing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of jury trials will not increase significantly because prosecutors — knowing that judges generally give out lighter sentences than juries — will begin to offer reasonable sentences as part of plea deals .
He said he believes the change will save the state millions of dollars in the long run because fewer inmates will receive excessive sentences and the average length of incarceration will go down , meaning lower prison costs .
The change would become effective in July 2021 .
Northam ’ s spokeswoman , Alena Yarmosky , said Northam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform ” and is in the process of reviewing the legislation .
“ The lives of Virginians that are affected by this is immeasurable , ” said Morrissey .
“ It ’ s not just defendants who are sentenced to an excessive sentence .
It ’ s also their families.
“