thetorontostar--2020-10-13--In Louisville, calls for racial justice arrive at the polls

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - Frustrated by what she felt was inadequate justice for her daughter ’ s fatal shooting , Breonna Taylor ’ s mother on Tuesday joined an effort to take the fight to the ballot box .
“ Vote because she can ’ t , “ Tamika Palmer implored demonstrators gathered for a “ Protest to Power ” caravan to the polls on the first day of early voting in Kentucky .
Clutching an absentee ballot in her hand and flanked by family members and local activists , she joined a parade of cars , trucks and buses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ End in an effort to get out the vote in the state ’ s largest city .
Organized by the Louisville Urban League , Kentucky NAACP , and many other other activist organizations , the caravan was greeted by cheers at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage , one of four polling places open to voters nearly three weeks before Election Day .
Louisville has been rocked by protests over the death of Taylor , a Black woman who was shot multiple times by police during a botched drug raid in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put her name on the lips of celebrities and activists nationwide , demonstrations continued after a grand jury indicted one officer on wanton endangerment charges in September for the shooting .
But no officers were charged in connection with her death .
Anticipating a record turnout on Nov. 3 , election officials throughout the country have encouraged voters to cast their ballots early .
Sadiqa Reynolds , the president and chief executive officer of Louisville Urban League , repeated that call , urging demonstrators to see voting as a way to force tangible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one that really matters , ” she added .
“ We should never find ourselves in the situation we find ourselves in today , where people who road ( on ) our backs into office , disregard our voices.
” After the original plan by Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw contained only eight polling places , bipartisan backlash led to an expansion .
The county added 12 more locations to spread out voting locations through the county of roughly 600,000 .
The expansion to the heritage centre made it easier for voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Crawford , 62 and a lifelong resident of Louisville , took in the scene on Tuesday afternoon with pride .
Though he had cast his vote relatively quickly , he stayed for the caravan ’ s festive atmosphere , amplified by loud dance music and food trucks .
He liked to see the demonstrators at the polls , he said , because voting is the best way to bring about reform .
“ This is what I call a healthy turnout , ” Crawford said .
“ That ’ s the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have to go out here and burn ( things ) up.
” Not all voters shared the same measure of optimism .
Jasmine Sutton worried that her absentee ballot had yet to arrive .
In Kentucky , absentee ballots need to be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 9 to be counted , but Sutton doubted that mailing her ballot would get it in by the deadline .
Instead , she ’ s committed to sliding it in at the drop-off box at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do the same .
“ If they really want to make a difference , they would come vote , ” she said .
“ If they ’ re not out here for a reason , they don ’ t care.
” Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

Piper Hudspeth Blackburn - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Barrett back on Capitol Hill for senators’ final questions

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday for a third day of confirmation hearings as senators dig deeper into the conservative judge ’ s outlook on abortion , health care and a potentially disputed presidential election — the Democrats running out of time to stop Republicans pushing her quick confirmation .
Wednesday ’ s session is set to be Barrett ’ s last before the Senate Judiciary Committee .
She has been batting away questions in long and lively exchanges , insisting she would bring no personal agenda to the court but decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination by President Donald Trump to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has ground other legislative business to a halt as Republicans excited by the prospect of locking in a 6-3 conservative court majority race to confirm her over Democratic objections before Election Day .
“ We ’ re going to fill this vacancy , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the committee chairman , said late Tuesday after a nearly 12-hour session .
Graham said he appreciated that Trump had nominated a judge “ who ’ s unabashedly pro-life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody who understands the difference between their personal views and judging.
” Barrett ’ s nomination has been the focus at a Capitol mostly shut down by COVID-19 protocols , frustrating Democrats who are virtually powerless to stop a judge from confirmation .
They warn she will be seated on the court in time to cast a vote to undo the Affordable Care Act next month , causing millions of Americans to lose coverage during a pandemic .
“ People are fed up , ” said Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , criticizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the country suffers from the pandemic and Congress squabbles over approving additional economic aid .
The 48-year-old appellate court judge declared her conservative views in often colloquial language , but she refused many specifics Tuesday .
She aligns with the late Justice Antonin Scalia , a conservative mentor , and declined to say whether she would recuse herself from any election-related cases involving Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ Judges can ’ t just wake up one day and say I have an agenda — I like guns , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hate abortion — and walk in like a royal queen and impose their will on the world , ” Barrett told the committee during its second day of hearings .
“ It ’ s not the law of Amy , ” she said .
“ It ’ s the law of the American people.
” Trump seemed pleased with her performance .
“ I think Amy ’ s doing incredibly well , ” he said at the White House departing for a campaign rally .
Trump has said he wants a justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heated campaign against Biden , but Barrett testified she has not spoken to Trump or his team about election cases .
Pressed by Democrats , she skipped past questions about ensuring the date of the election or preventing voter intimidation , both set in federal law , and the peaceful transfer of presidential power .
She declined to commit to recusing herself from any post-election cases without first consulting the other justices .
“ I can ’ t offer an opinion on recusal without short-circuiting that entire process , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Democrat on the panel , all but implored the nominee to be more specific about how she would handle landmark abortion cases , including Roe v. Wade and the follow-up Pennsylvania case Planned Parenthood v. Casey , which confirmed it in large part .
“ It ’ s distressing not to get a good answer , ” the U.S. senator from California told the judge .
Barrett was unmoved .
“ I don ’ t have an agenda to try to overrule Casey , ” she said .
“ I have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and decide cases as they come.
” She later declined to characterize the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion as a “ super-precedent ” that must not be overturned .
Democrats had no such reticence .
“ Let ’ s not make any mistake about it , ” said California Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democratic vice-presidential nominee , appearing remotely due to COVID concerns .
Allowing Trump to fill the seat with Barrett “ poses a threat to safe and legal abortion in our country , “ Harris said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Republican allies , is pushing Barrett ’ s nomination to a quick vote before Nov. 3 , and ahead of the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act , which the Supreme Court is to hear a week after the election .
Democrats warn that she would be a vote to undo the “ Obamacare ” law .
“ I ’ m not hostile to the ACA , ” Barrett told the senators .
The judge , accompanied by her family , described herself as taking a conservative , originalist approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she told the senators that while she admires Scalia , she would bring her own approach .
“ You would not be getting Justice Scalia , you would be getting Justice Barrett , ” she declared .
Overall , Barrett ’ s conservative views are at odds with the late Ginsburg , a liberal icon .
She would be Trump ’ s third justice .
Underscoring the Republicans ’ confidence , Graham set an initial committee vote on the nomination for Thursday , the last day of hearings , which would allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the month .
Protesters rallied outside the Senate building , unable to come inside the hearing room .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick , Matthew Daly and Jessica Gresko in Washington , and Elana Schor in New York contributed to this report .

Lisa Mascaro, Mark Sherman And Laurie Kellman - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Vatican trial for sex abuse in pope’s youth seminary opens

VATICAN CITY - For the first time , a clergy sex abuse trial opened Wednesday in the Vatican ’ s criminal tribunal , with one priest accused of molesting an altar boy in the Vatican ’ s youth seminary and another priest accused of covering it up .
The case concerns the closed world of the St. Pius X youth seminary , a palazzo inside the Vatican walls just across the street from where Pope Francis lives and the criminal tribunal itself .
The seminary , which is run by a Como , Italy-based association of priests , serves as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 , who serve as altar boys at papal Masses in St. Peter ’ s Basilica .
According to the indictment read aloud Wednesday , the Rev .
Gabriele Martinelli , 28 , is accused of abusing his authority as a more senior seminarian to force a younger seminarian into “ carnal acts ” of sodomy and masturbation , using violence and threats , from 2007-2012 .
The former seminary rector , the Rev .
Enrico Radice , is charged with having helped Martinelli avoid investigators by telling the Como bishop that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling Vatican prosecutors that he knew of no sexual misconduct in the seminary .
Both men appeared in the courtroom Wednesday , wearing masks as part of the Vatican ’ s anti-coronavirus restrictions , and huddled with their lawyers after the brief , eight-minute hearing .
Neither has responded publicly to the accusations .
The next hearing was scheduled for Oct. 27 , when both defendants are expected to take the stand .
The charges suggested that Radice ’ s alleged coverup went beyond what was previously known and put into question Martinelli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday that Radice not only helped Martinelli evade investigators in the years prior to becoming a priest , but also falsified a letter from the Como bishop announcing Martinelli ’ s imminent ordination .
The scandal is particularly grave because the abuse allegedly occurred within Vatican City itself , and the allegations were known since at least 2012 but were covered up by the Vatican and other church authorities until the victim and his roommate went public in 2017 .
Their stories greatly undermined Pope Francis ’ pledges of “ zero tolerance ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his own backyard and had gone unpunished for years .
Eventually though , Francis waived the statute of limitations in the case and signed off on a new policy for Vatican City requiring such crimes to be reported to Vatican prosecutors .
The key whistleblower in the case , Kamil Jarzembowski , said he wrote Francis and other church authorities several letters over the years detailing what he had seen as the roommate of the alleged victim , but never received a reply : He reported seeing his roommate repeatedly molested by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their dorm room .
He has said the molestation began when both were minors and continued after Martinelli turned 18 .
“ It was terrifying seeing these things because at the time I was 15 .
I had never even seen two people having sex and yet I was forced to watch these things inside the Vatican , ” Jarzembowski told The Associated Press on Wednesday .
The Polish-born Jarzembowski , once a devout altar boy , was kicked out of the seminary after he reported the misconduct to the archpriest of St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has since lost his faith entirely in the church and God .
“ Psychologically it was pretty tough to take because I came to the Vatican to serve the church .
I was a believer , ” he said .
“ And yet at night I was forced to look at these scenes , with the blackmail that if I talked I would suffer consequences.
” Usually , if it investigates sexual abuse at all , the Catholic Church prosecutes accused priests according to the canon law , the church ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum penalty of defrocking .
In this case , because the alleged crimes occurred within the confines of Vatican City , the city state ’ s criminal prosecutors also have jurisdiction and decided to charge the two priests in what is believed to be the first trial of its kind in the Vatican tribunal .
The case though is emblematic of the inherent conflicts of interest in the canon law system , where Jarzembowski ’ s allegations were initially quashed after bishops declared them unfounded .
Bishops and religious superiors are tasked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have an inherent conflict of interest in favour of the accused priests since they often have invested time and money in the priests ’ training and need them to fill Mass schedules and perform pastoral work .
In this case , the charges against Radice suggest that he wanted see Martinelli ordained a priest at all cost , despite the allegations against him .
Both men are affiliated with a small Como-based association , the Opera Don Folchi , which runs the youth seminary and needs a constant supply of new young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group has lashed out at the allegations against Martinelli and its seminary as “ mud , ” a “ violent attack on the church ” and nothing more than “ calumny and falsifications .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Alabama city takes step to move Confederate monument

FLORENCE , Ala. - An Alabama city has taken a step toward removing a Confederate monument following weeks of pressure .
The Florence City Council voted Tuesday to ask the state for permission to move the memorial from outside the Lauderdale County Courthouse , WHNT-TV reported .
Other places have sought similar state waivers , which are required because of a law that imposes a $ 25,000 fine for disturbing such memorials .
The city also asked county commissioners to relocate the monument as soon as possible .
Dedicated in 1903 during a ceremony that included an overtly racist speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ descendants .
It went up at a time many whites were advocating the “ lost cause ” version of history that played down slavery as a cause for the Civil War and emphasized the nobility of Confederate fighters .
Demonstrators organized by a racial justice group , Project Say Something , have been protesting the monument for weeks during a national reckoning over race that followed the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota .
The monument , which features a Confederate statute atop a stone pedestal , would be moved to the @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Large fire near Houston burns apartments under construction

KATY , Texas - A large fire that could be seen for miles in southeastern Texas burned an apartment complex @ @ @ @ @ Houston .
The fire began about 6:30 a.m. at the complex near Katy that local @ @ @ @ @ .
The Harris County Emergency Services District fire department did not immediately return a phone @ @ @ @ @ there were any injuries or if there was a possible cause of the fire .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--The Latest: Barrett faces more questions from Senate panel

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ( all times local ) : Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is back before the Senate Judiciary Committee to face more questions from senators at her confirmation hearing .
Tuesday ’ s session lasted nearly 12 hours .
Barrett declined to voice an opinion on potential election-related litigation involving President Donald Trump or presidential transition of power .
She also said she didn ’ t view the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that affirmed the right to abortion as an inviolable “ super-precedent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the Obama-era Affordable Care Act , which provides health care for more than 20 million people and comes before the court next month , Barrett says she doesn ’ t recall seeing Trump ’ s statements that he planned to nominate justices who would repeal the law .
The committee is scheduled to take a preliminary vote on her nomination on Thursday .
The GOP-controlled Senate is expected to confirm her before Election Day .
Barrett would replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , shifting the court ’ s 5-4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BARRETT HEARINGS : Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett is back on Capitol Hill for Day Three of her confirmation hearings .
Senators are digging deeper into her outlook on abortion , health care and a potentially disputed presidential election .
— Takeaways : Barrett is reticent as Democrats focus on health care .
— Barrett hearing turns to discussion of few high court cases .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Thai democracy protesters march despite police, rival groups

BANGKOK - Thai activists hoping to keep up the momentum in their campaign for democratic change launched a third major rally in Bangkok on Wednesday , amid concerns about a possible confrontation with police or rival groups supporting the government .
Despite a massive security presence and harassment from counter-demonstrators , thousands of protesters proceeded with a planned march from Bangkok ’ s Democracy Monument toward Government House , the offices of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha .
“ Prime minister , get out !
” they chanted .
Before leaving Democracy Monument , several small clashes broke out between protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and threw plastic bottles as police tried to keep them apart .
There was speculation that the counter-protesters were organized by the authorities , with videos on social media showing municipal trucks carrying groups to the site .
The protesters negotiated their way past two police checkpoints but were blocked at a third , and it was unclear what they would do next .
The protesters ’ announced plan is to surround Government House for at least a night .
The protest got off to a rocky start after organizers issued a post-midnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democracy Monument at 8 a.m. to assure they could secure the venue for the rally ’ s scheduled 2 p.m. start .
The area was blanketed with police , stationed in an organized manner but wearing yellow sports shirts instead of standard uniforms .
Yellow shirts are a symbol of devotion to the monarchy , and are strongly associated with conservative politics .
The situation had already been complicated by King Maha Vajiralongkorn ’ s duties , which include a scheduled drive past the protest venue to attend a royal ceremony .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a possibility that they could at a minimum show public disrespect for the crown .
It was not clear whether they were still on the king ’ s route after their march .
The king made a similar drive past the area on Tuesday after police cleared tents set up near the monument and arrested 21 people on minor charges .
Historically , attempts to bring democratic reform to Thailand have eventually been reversed by military coups .
“ We have to fight , ” said university student Kanokwan Kawkaew , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t fight , we will lose again.
” Wednesday ’ s protest was held on the anniversary of a key date in a 1973 popular uprising that led to the toppling of a military dictatorship .
The crowds at the previous two rallies , held on weekends , were significant , with an estimated 20,000 people attending a Sept. 19 event .
But turnout appeared to be lower for this rally , launched on a weekday amid daily rain .
Deputy police spokesman Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen estimated the crowd at 5,500 at 4:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of their demands for reforms to Thailand ’ s constitutional monarchy , which they claim does not properly operate in a democratic framework .
That demand has caused a huge controversy , because the royal institution has long been considered sacrosanct and a pillar of Thai identity .
It is also protected by a lese majeste law that mandates three to 15 years in prison for defaming the monarchy .
Conservative royalist Thais accuse them of seeking to end the monarchy , an allegation they deny .
Several royalist groups ’ efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the turnout of counter-demonstrators was much larger Wednesday .
The protest movement was launched in March by university students but quickly put on hold as Thailand was gripped by surges in coronavirus cases .
It came back in July , when the threat from the virus eased , and since then has again been spearheaded by students and publicized on social media .
The movement ’ s original core demands were new elections , changes in the constitution to make it more democratic , and an end to intimidation of activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prayuth , who as army commander led a 2014 coup that toppled an elected government , was returned to power unfairly in last year ’ s general election because the laws had been changed to favour a pro-military party .
Protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule is undemocratic .

Tassanee Vejpongsa - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--US wholesale prices up 0.4% in September as food costs surge

WASHINGTON - U.S. wholesale prices jumped 0.4 % in September as food costs rose by the largest amount since May @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday that the September increase in its producer price index , which measures inflation before @ @ @ @ @ followed a 0.3 % rise in August and a 0.6 % surge in July which @ @ @ @ @ gain since late 2018 .
The 0.4 % September rise was bigger than economists had @ @ @ @ @ 1.2 % increase in food costs , the sharpest rise since a 5.6 % spike @ @ @ @ @ shutdowns at food processing plants triggered shortages .
For September energy prices fell for a @ @ @ @ @ % after a 0.1 % dip in August .
The government had reported Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ was up 0.2 % in September , just half the August gain , even though @ @ @ @ @ jumped by the largest amount in more than a half-century .

Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Egyptian actor Mahmoud Yassin dies at age 79

CAIRO - Mahmoud Yassin , an Egyptian actor and pillar of the country ’ s film industry during the second half of the 20th century , has died .
He was 79 .
Yassin had suffered age-related health problems in recent years and was pronounced dead in Cairo early Wednesday , according to his family .
His son Amr Mahmoud Yassin , also an actor , said his father ’ s funeral would take place Thursday .
“ He was not only a great star , but also a great father , ” he wrote in an Instagram post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s most lauded movie stars and filmmakers during a career that first took off in the 1960s , including Faten Hamama , Shadia and Soad Hosni .
He went on to play leading roles 1970s and 1980s , decades when critics say some of Egypt ’ s best movies were produced .
Yassin had over 150 films to his name , with diverse roles ranging from romantic to serious , and from emotionally disturbed to upbeat and patriotic .
His films included several based on stories by renowned Egyptian novelists , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ihsan Abdel Quddous .
Egypt ’ s Culture Minister Inas Abdel-Dayem mourned Yassin ’ s passing and offered condolences to his family and fans .
“ The creative field has lost one of its icons and a golden star who sincerely expressed the issues of society in his works , which have left enduring marks in the history of acting , ” she said in a statement .
Born in 1941 in the Mediterranean province of Port Said , Yassin studied law at Cairo ’ s Ain Shams University .
He embarked on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he joined the country ’ s national theatre in 1963 .
He starred in several films during what was regarded as the “ golden age ” of Egyptian cinema — a time roughly stretching from the 1940s to the 1970s .
He is widely known for his patriotic roles in films portraying the 1967 and 1973 Middle East wars , such as “ The Bullet is Still in My Pocket , ” and “ Ascent to the Abyss , ” a film that portrayed Heba Selim , who worked for the Mossad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Egypt .
His famous roles included films like “ Where Is My Mind ” with Soad Hosni , “ We Do Not Sow Thorns ” with Shadia , and “ Mouths and Rabbits ” with Faten Hamama .
He also starred in a handful of TV dramas .
In the 21st century , he appeared in the 2007 action film of “ The Island , ” and the 2012 comedy “ Grandpa , My Darling.
” He was also an Ambassador Against Hunger for the U.N. World Food Program , visiting war-torn areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yassin is survived by his wife , the actress Shahira , their daughter Rania and son Amr .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Kyrgyz president appoints prime minister after days of chaos

MOSCOW - Kyrgyzstan ’ s president on Wednesday appointed a politician pushing for his resignation as the new prime minister in a bid to end the political crisis engulfing the Central Asian country after a disputed parliamentary election triggered mass protests earlier this month .
President Sooronbai Jeenbekov signed a decree appointing politician Sadyr Zhaparov as the new prime minister just a day after refusing to do so over concerns of whether he was legitimately nominated to the post by the country ’ s parliament .
Zhaparov , a former lawmaker who was freed from jail during last week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the president was ready to resign .
Zhaparov was quoted by Kyrgyz media as saying at a news conference Wednesday that he will continue pushing for Jeenbekov ’ s resignation , which was “ the people ’ s demand.
” Several hundreds of his supporters gathered in Bishkek on Wednesday , despite the state of emergency and a ban on rallies , and demanded that Jeenbekov step down .
Jeenbekov so far hasn ’ t commented on the demands to resign .
According to his office , he met with Zhaparov and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed that he is always ready for a dialogue ... for the sake of stability and development of the county.
” The parliament nominated Zhaparov as the new prime minister once again on Wednesday , after a similar vote on Saturday , which was challenged by some lawmakers .
They said the legislators didn ’ t have a quorum to make the decision .
In light of the accusations , Jeenbekov refused to sign the decree confirming Zhaparov ’ s appointment and asked the parliament to hold another vote .
“ In order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , all our decisions need to be legitimate and not be questioned , ” Jeenbekov said Tuesday at a meeting with Zhaparov .
Kyrgyzstan , a country of 6.5 million people located on the border with China , plunged into chaos last week after mass protests erupted the day after a parliamentary election appeared to show parties connected to the ruling elite winning .
Protesters stormed and seized government buildings , looting some offices , and the Central Election Commission responded by nullifying the Oct. 4 balloting .
As the unrest continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new government and oust Jeenbekov , who faced calls from protesters to resign .
Jeenbekov said he may consider stepping down after the political situation in the country stabilizes , and declared a state of emergency in the country ’ s capital , Bishkek , in a bid to end the turmoil .
Authorities deployed troops to Bishkek over the weekend and introduced a curfew .
The move eased tensions in the city , where residents feared a wave of looting that accompanied previous uprisings and began forming vigilante groups to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were shut last week have reopened for business .
The turmoil marks the third time in 15 years that demonstrators have moved to oust a government in Kyrgyzstan , one of the poorest nations to emerge from the former Soviet Union .
As in the uprisings that ousted Kyrgyz presidents in 2005 and 2010 , the current protests have been driven by clan rivalries that shape the country ’ s politics .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Uganda police raid offices of presidential hopeful Bobi Wine

KAMPALA , Uganda - Armed police on Wednesday “ besieged ” the campaign headquarters of Bobi Wine , a pop star and politician who is seeking Uganda ’ s presidency in elections set for 2021 , an opposition figure said .
Police confiscated items such as security cameras and supplies of red berets that are symbols of Wine ’ s popular campaign , David Lewis Rubongoya , an official with Wine ’ s party who is at the scene in the Ugandan capital , Kampala , told The Associated Press .
“ They have taken away everything , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu , was meeting with other leaders of his National Unity Platform party when the police swooped in and cordoned off the area , he said .
Wine and other party officials have not been arrested , he said .
But in a Twitter post Wine reported that “ comrades had been injured ” after police “ raided ” his headquarters and seized documents and other items .
A police spokesman did not immediately respond to questions , but authorities frequently accuse Wine and others in the opposition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wine , who has been arrested many times in recent years , has captured the imagination of many Ugandans with his persistent calls for President Yoweri Museveni to retire .
Museveni , 76 , has ruled Uganda since taking power by force in 1986 .
Critics accuse him of relying on the armed forces to stay in power .
He is able to seek another term after the legislature voted to remove constitutional age limits on the presidency .
Museveni accuses Wine of encouraging young people to riot and has charged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misguided group being used by some foreigners to destabilize “ this East African country that has never witnessed a peaceful transfer of power since independence from British colonial rule in 1962 .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--China’s Xi promises changes to promote tech centre Shenzhen

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping on Wednesday promised new steps to promote development of China ’ s biggest tech centre , Shenzhen , amid a feud with Washington that has disrupted access to U.S. technology and is fueling ambitions to create Chinese suppliers .
In a speech marking the 40th anniversary of the former fishing village adjacent to Hong Kong being declared the first area for the ruling Communist Party to allow free enterprise , Xi promised to ease regulations to encourage new industries .
Xi called for “ the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation ” and “ optimizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitions to become a global competitor in fields from telecoms and bio-tech to electric cars and renewable energy .
Companies in Shenzhen including Huawei Technologies Ltd. , a maker of smartphones and switching equipment that is China ’ s first global tech brand , play a key role in those plans .
That has made them targets of U.S. complaints they might be security threats or erode American industrial dominance .
The party leadership is issuing more than 60 policy changes or new guidelines , Xi said in the speech in Shenzhen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He gave no details but said Shenzhen would have “ more autonomy in important areas.
” The audience , all of whom wore masks , included Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei and Zhong Nanshan , a prominent scientist who in January became the first to publicly confirm human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus .
Shenzhen is symbolically important in Chinese politics as part of a 1992 tour by retired supreme leader Deng Xiaoping .
He called on the leadership to revive his “ reform and opening up ” strategy following the political chill that set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests .
Then-President Jiang Zemin eventually sided with Deng and committed to market-oriented changes that helped to ignite decades of explosive economic growth .
China ’ s efforts to create its own tech competitors have added to tensions that prompted President Donald Trump to hike import duties on Chinese goods in 2018 .
Washington has blocked Huawei ’ s access to American components and technology .
That threatens to cripple its sales of smartphones and switching equipment .
Trump issued an order in August that declared WeChat , a popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant , Tencent Holding Ltd. , a threat to national security .
Economists warn other Chinese technology producers might be disrupted by U.S. curbs on access to American components and services such as Google ’ s Android smartphone operating system .
That has added urgency to the party ’ s work on nurturing Chinese creators of processor chips and other high-tech components , an effort that is focused on Shenzhen and a handful of other tech centres .
Shenzhen grew from a village of 30,000 people in 1980 to about 13 million .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 400 billion ) last year was larger than that of South Africa , a country of 58 million people .
Shenzhen is cited as the region ’ s economic engine in government plans to integrate and develop cities at the mouth of Guangdong Province ’ s Pearl River .
That has stirred unease in Hong Kong that the territory ’ s status as a business hub might erode .
Downtown is a forest of office towers to rival Manhattan or neighbouring Hong Kong .
The Ping An Finance Center is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metres ( 1,965 feet ) .
The city also is home to one of the mainland ’ s two stock exchanges .
Despite its wealth and a population nearly double that of New York City , Shenzhen has the air of a leafy but uneventful business park .
Parking lots of major tech and finance companies are filled with executives ’ European and Japanese luxury cars late into the night .
But parents complain there are too few schools for all the city ’ s children , few parks and too little for @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Sudan inflation hits new record in September as prices spike

CAIRO - Sudan ’ s annual inflation has hit a new record peak as prices of bread and other staples keep surging , according to official figures released on Tuesday .
The country ’ s Central Agency for Statistics said the annual inflation in September rose to 212.29 % from 166.83 % in August .
The high record was driven by hikes in prices of bread and vegetables , and the jump in transportation fares , it said .
Inflation has been rising in Sudan since before the military ’ s overthrow of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has suffered from decades of U.S. sanctions and mismanagement under al-Bashir who had ruled the country since the 1989 Islamist-backed military coup .
The transitional government is struggling to revive the economy amid a huge budget deficit and widespread shortages of essential goods , including fuel , bread and medicine .
Sudan has close to $ 60 billion in foreign debt , and debt relief and access to foreign loans are widely seen as its gateway to economic recovery .
But access to foreign loans is linked to the removal of sanctions related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. as a state sponsor of terror .
President Donald Trump ’ s administration has linked the removal from the list to normalizing relations with Israel , an issue that has divided the county ’ s fragile interim government .
The International Monetary Fund last month signed off on the government ’ s economic reform program , which could eventually allow Sudan to get debt relief and move ahead with rebuilding the battered economy .
The reform program includes a gradual lifting of energy subsidies , which eat up 36 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national currency has plunged dramatically .
The Sudanese pound has been selling for more than 250 to the dollar on the black market , with the official rate remaining at 57 Sudanese pounds to $ 1 .
The coronavirus pandemic and recent seasonal flash floods have added to the calamity .
Authorities in September declared an economic emergency , said the country was a natural disaster area and imposed a three-month state of emergency .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Germany to give $662 million in aid to Holocaust survivors

BERLIN - Germany has agreed to provide more than a half billion euros to aid Holocaust survivors struggling under the burdens of the coronavirus pandemic , the organization that negotiates compensation with the German government said Wednesday .
The payments will be going to approximately 240,000 survivors around the world , primarily in Israel , North America , the former Soviet Union and Western Europe , over the next two years , according to the New York-based Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany , also referred to as the Claims Conference .
With the end of World War II @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holocaust survivors are all elderly , and because many were deprived of proper nutrition when they were young today they suffer from numerous medical issues .
In addition , many live isolated lives having lost their entire families and also have psychological issues because of their persecution under the Nazis .
“ There ’ s this kind of standard response for survivors , that ‘ we ’ ve been through worse , I ’ ve been through worse and if I survived the Holocaust , through the deprivation of food and what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll get through this , ’ ” said Greg Schneider , executive vice-president of the Claims Conference , in a telephone interview from New York with The Associated Press .
“ But if you probe deeper you understand the depths of trauma that still resides within people.
” Many are also on the poverty line , and the additional costs of masks and other protective gear , delivery groceries and other pandemic-related expenses has been crushing for many , Schneider said .
“ You ’ re teetering between making it every month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide between food , medicine and rent.
” The new funds are targeted to Jews who aren ’ t receiving pensions already from Germany , primarily people who fled the Nazis and ended up in Russia and elsewhere to hide during the war .
Schneider said about 50 % of Holocaust survivors in the U.S. live in Brooklyn and were particularly hard-hit when New York was the centre of the American outbreak , but now numbers are looking worse in Israel and other places .
Each of those survivors will receive two payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next two years , for an overall commitment of approximately 564 million euros ( $ 662 million ) to some of the poorest survivors alive today .
The funds come on top of an emergency $ 4.3 million the Claims Conference distributed in the spring to agencies providing care for survivors .
In addition to the coronavirus-related funds , Germany agreed in the recently concluded round of annual negotiations to increase funding for social welfare services for survivors by 30.5 million euros ( $ 36 million ) , to a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for 2021 , the Claims Conference said .
Germany ’ s Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment on the latest round of negotiations .
The money is used for services including funding in-home care for more than 83,000 Holocaust survivors and assisting more than 70,000 with other vital services , including food , medicine , transportation to doctors and programs to alleviate social isolation .
As a result of negotiations with the Claims Conference since 1952 , the German government has paid more than $ 80 billion in Holocaust reparations .
Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations also includes working with Germany to expand the number of people eligible for compensation .
This year , the German government agreed to recognize 27 “ open ghettos ” in Bulgaria and Romania , enabling survivors who were in those places to receive compensation payments .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Dems, GOP stretch for hard-to-get districts in House races

CHARLOTTESVILLE , Va. - In a rustic Virginia district that bounced its Republican congressman after he officiated a same-sex wedding , the battle to replace him pits a self-described “ biblical conservative ” backed by President Donald Trump against a Black doctor who worked in Barack Obama ’ s White House .
The district , which stretches from Washington ’ s far suburbs to the North Carolina line , has elected just one Democrat for a single two-year term this century .
Trump carried it by 11 percentage points in 2016 .
Yet Democrats are spending money to go after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good and Democrat Cameron Webb will answer whether a Black candidate with an expertise in health care can prevail in a traditionally conservative area during a pandemic and a time of racial reckoning .
It ’ s also an example of how both parties are pursuing a handful of districts that might seem a reach .
Democrats are contesting over a dozen seats from New York ’ s Long Island to Alaska where Trump won by at least 10 percentage points , usually a daunting margin .
Republicans have fewer viable targets but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Florida and central California where Trump lost badly four years ago .
Marking the efforts ’ seriousness , at least one side ’ s outside groups are spending $ 1 million or more in most of these races .
The expenditures come during an election when the question isn ’ t whether Democrats will keep their House majority but how large it will be .
Democrats have more opportunities because of the suburbs ’ continuing flight from Trump , GOP retirements and primaries that produced some weaker candidates , and a fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The political environment is tough , so it ’ s forcing us to shore up key defensive seats , ” said Dan Conston , president of the Congressional Leadership Fund , a big-spending political committee aligned with House GOP leaders .
But he said strong candidate recruitment “ has created great pick-up opportunities for us to win back seats in surprising places.
” The paramount factor is Trump , whose unpopularity is wounding numerous GOP congressional contenders .
Trump compounded his problems with his fuming debate performance against Democratic rival Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the perils of a virus that ’ s killed over 215,000 Americans .
“ Strategists on both sides see a very real potential for a total blood bath on Election Day for Republicans , for the president , ” said Brendan Buck , who advised former House Speaker Paul Ryan , R-Wis. , explaining Democrats ’ spending in difficult races .
“ If there ’ s a wave , you don ’ t want to leave any opportunity behind.
“ “ We ’ re on offence this cycle , and we didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Lucinda Guinn , executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , the party ’ s House political arm .
In Virginia , Good snatched the GOP nomination from Rep. Denver Riggleman last spring , winning a drive-through convention at a church forced by the pandemic and giving Democrats an opening .
Riggleman , a mainstream conservative , had angered some voters by officiating at the wedding of two male aides .
Democrats consider Good , a born-again Christian and former athletics official at nearby evangelical Liberty University , too conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that backs scientist candidates is on track to spend $ 2 million for ads supporting Webb , according to the ad-tracking firm Kantar/CMAG .
House Democrats ’ campaign organization may spend another $ 1 million and has produced its first spot attacking him .
Webb , 37 , also has a law degree and worked on health and criminal justice policy as a White House fellow under Obama and Trump .
He ’ s cast himself as a pragmatist , saying in an interview , “ My view on any issue is rooted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us ?
” Good , 54 , has made religion his campaign centerpiece .
Ads by him and the Congressional Leadership Fund accuse Webb of favouring defunding the police , which Webb has said he opposes .
The leadership fund has mapped spending $ 750,000 for Good , while the House GOP political committee has spent over $ 300,000 .
On a recent afternoon in Charlottesville , a liberal enclave that ’ s home to the University of Virginia — and where a young counter-protester was killed during a 2017 white nationalists ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 64 , said she ’ d voted for Webb because of his moderate stances .
“ The party doesn ’ t represent me now at all , ” she said .
Farmer and convenience store owner Charlie Mitchell praised Good ’ s support for gun rights and his lengthy marriage .
He said Democrats favour “ getting rid of the police , “ adding , “ I don ’ t see how any sensible person could vote for one of them.
” Virginia isn ’ t the only place where the parties see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm has spent over $ 500,000 in a Trump-friendly western Colorado district after restaurant owner Lauren Boebert upset Rep. Scott Tipton in a GOP primary .
Boebert has voiced support for QAnon conspiracy theories , though she ’ s since backtracked .
In districts Trump carried decisively , Democrats hope to defeat GOP incumbents outside Austin , Texas ; New York ; Phoenix ; St. Louis ; and even Little Rock , Arkansas .
They think their funding advantage could help defeat 24-term GOP Rep. Don Young in Alaska , while GOP retirements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and near Indianapolis .
“ Trump has created the environment , and I think Democrats have capitalized on that , ” said Molly Murphy , a Democratic strategist .
“ It ’ s chess ” aimed at forcing Republicans to spend money in some races , said GOP consultant Jon McHenry .
Republicans are mounting strong challenges against Democratic freshmen in two districts Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton carried by 16 points in 2016 .
In south Florida , Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell faces Republican Carlos Gimenez , the Cuban-born mayor of Miami-Dade County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s strong appeal to Cuban voters .
Around Fresno , California , Democratic Rep. TJ Cox is matched against the well-financed Republican incumbent he defeated in 2018 , David Valadao .
In both races , each side ’ s outside groups are spending millions .
Republicans hope Trump ’ s appeal to white working-class voters will finally oust 12-term Democratic Rep. Ron Kind in a Wisconsin district that Trump carried modestly .
Kind won by 19 percentage points in 2018 and has a huge fundraising edge .
The Congressional Leadership Fund says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help GOP challenger Derrick Van Orden , a retired Navy SEAL .

Alan Fram And Sarah Rankin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Lebanon, Israel begin indirect talks over maritime border

NAQOURA , Lebanon - Lebanon and Israel began indirect talks Wednesday over their disputed maritime border , with American officials mediating the talks that both sides insist are purely technical and not a sign of any normalization of ties .
The U.S. has been mediating the issue for about a decade , but only earlier this month was a breakthrough reached on an agreement for a framework for U.S.-mediated talks .
The development comes against the backdrop of Lebanon ’ s spiraling economic crisis , the worst in its modern history , and following a wave of U.S. sanctions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allied with the militant Hezbollah group .
Israel , the United States , as well as some other Western and Arab countries consider the Iran-allied Hezbollah a terrorist organization .
Beirut hopes that oil and gas discoveries in its territorial waters will help it overcome the crisis and pay back its massive debt that stands at 170 % of the GDP , making it one of the highest in the world .
Israel already has developed a natural gas industry elsewhere in its economic waters , producing enough gas for domestic consumption and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S.-mediated talks began at a U.N. post along the border known as Ras Naqoura on the edge of the Lebanese border town of Naqoura .
The Lebanese delegation will speak through U.N. and U.S. officials to the Israelis .
The meeting took place in an outdoor camp setting because of the coronavirus .
Lebanon and Israel have been hit hard by the virus , and both have reported thousands of new cases in recent days .
Lebanon ’ s state news agency said the first session ended around noon and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 28 .
Israel and Lebanon have no diplomatic relations and are technically in a state of war .
They each claim about 860 square kilometres ( 330 square miles ) of the Mediterranean Sea as being within their own exclusive economic zones .
A joint statement released by the U.S. State Department and Jan Kubis , the U.N. special co-ordinator for Lebanon , said Israel and Lebanon had started talks aimed at reaching consensus on a common maritime boundary .
“ During this initial meeting , the representatives held productive talks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , ” said the brief statement .
The head of the Lebanese delegation , Brig .
Gen. Bassam Yassin , said Wednesday ’ s meeting “ is the first step of a thousand-mile journey ” in comments during the meeting , according to a text released the Lebanese army .
Yassin said Beirut hopes that the talks will be concluded within a “ reasonable period , ” adding that the negotiations will be based on international law , the 1949 Lebanon Israel Armistice Agreement , and the 1923 Paulet–Newcombe Agreement between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the British mandate of Palestine and the French mandate of Lebanon .
A senior official with Israel ’ s energy ministry said : “ We have no illusions .
Our aim is not to create here some kind of normalization or some kind of peace process.
“ The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media .
“ Our aim is very strict and limited and therefore hopefully achievable , ” they added .
Lebanon ’ s outgoing Foreign Minister Charbel Wehbi said Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they expect because we have nothing to lose.
” He added that if Lebanon ’ s economy collapses , “ there is no interest in making concessions.
” It is unclear how long the talks will last but Lebanon began offshore drilling earlier this year and hopes to start drilling for gas in the disputed area in the coming months .
Lebanon has divided its expanse of waters into 10 blocs , of which three are in the area under dispute with Israel .
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Middle East , and American Ambassador John Desrocher , who will serve as the U.S. mediator for these negotiations , attended Wednesday ’ s meeting .
The Israeli delegation was led by the director-general of the Energy Ministry , Udi Adiri .
The Lebanese team had met Lebanon ’ s President Michel Aoun on Tuesday , who stressed the talks “ are technical negotiations that only deal with marking the maritime border.
” Hezbollah said last week the talks do not indicate a reconciliation with Israel .
The Hezbollah bloc in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ national sovereignty ” is the job of the Lebanese state .
Hezbollah ’ s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech two years ago that if asked by the government , his group is ready to use its arsenal , consisting of tens of thousands of rockets and missiles , to defend Lebanon ’ s economic rights .
Early Wednesday , Hezbollah and its Shiite ally , the Amal group of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri , released a joint statement expressing reservations that the Lebanese team includes civilians , and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it only includes members of the military .
Ras Naqoura already hosts monthly tripartite , indirect Israel-Lebanon meetings over violations along the land border .
Israel and Lebanon also held indirect negotiations in the 1990s , when Arab states and Israel worked on peace agreements .
The Palestinians and Jordan signed agreements with Israel at the time but Lebanon and Syria did not .
Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem .

Bilal Hussein, Bassem Mroue And Josef Federman - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--The Latest: Trump to face voters’ questions in NBC town hall

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the 2020 presidential race ( all times local ) : In lieu of a formal debate , President Donald Trump has agreed to answer voters ’ questions during a town hall program sponsored by NBC News on Thursday night .
The event will be held outdoors at the Perez Art Museum in Miami .
NBC News says it has a statement from National Institutes of Health clinical director Dr. Clifford Lane indicating he and White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci have reviewed Trump ’ s medical data and concluded with a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ not shedding infectious virus.
” Trump tested positive for the coronavirus Oct. 2 .
He spent three days at the Walter Reed military hospital .
He resumed public appearances over the weekend and resumed campaign travel Monday .
A formal matchup between the Republican president and Democrat Joe Biden that was scheduled for Thursday in Miami by the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debate was cancelled .
The commission shifted the format from a town hall to a virtual meeting , and Trump declined to participate .
Biden is participating in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT ’ S HAPPENING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE : President Donald Trump is being forced to play Electoral College defence with a trip to Iowa , a state he won handily in 2016 but where Democrat Joe Biden is making a late push .
Biden doesn ’ t have any public campaign events scheduled Wednesday .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Pennsylvania becomes a battleground over election security

HARRISBURG , Pa. - For anxiety over voting and ballot counting in this year ’ s presidential election , it ’ s hard to top Pennsylvania .
Election officials in Philadelphia , home to one-fifth of the state ’ s Democratic voters , have been sued by President Donald Trump ’ s campaign , blasted by the president as overseeing a place “ where bad things happen ” and forced to explain security measures after a theft from a warehouse full of election equipment .
Add to that an investigation into military ballots that were mistakenly discarded in one swing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capitol over the processing of what is expected to be an avalanche of mailed-in ballots and an 11th hour attempt by Republican lawmakers to create an election integrity commission .
One of the most hotly contested presidential battleground states is trying to conduct a pandemic election in a hyper-partisan environment where every move related to the voting process faces scrutiny from both sides .
State and local election officials say they are doing all they can to make sure Pennsylvania doesn ’ t end up like Florida two decades ago , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Supreme Court .
“ For years , we have trusted our election officials to be reliable and nonpartisan .
Why should we suddenly not trust them ?
” said Eileen Olmsted with the League of Women Voters in Pennsylvania .
“ A lot of this is based on the perception of voter fraud , which there is absolutely no evidence of.
” In many ways , Pennsylvania election officials are in the same position as their colleagues across the country , with the pandemic forcing them to alter their normal procedures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems this year and facing lawsuits over election procedures .
But the stakes are higher in Pennsylvania than in most other states .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , a Pennsylvania native , has visited it more than any other state since Sept. 1 , and TV spending is higher than in any other state except Florida , according to the political ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG .
Republicans have signalled that the battle for who wins Pennsylvania ’ s 20 electoral votes could extend past Election Day amid challenges to individual ballots .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidents that are likely to happen in every election be blown up to mean there is something fundamentally wrong with Pennsylvania election administration and we can ’ t trust the Department of State or the counties to give us an accurate count , ” said Suzanne Almeida with Common Cause Pennsylvania .
“ There are any number of reasons why that ’ s not true.
” The biggest challenge could simply be verifying and counting the crush of mail-in ballots , with some 3 million voters expected to request them .
That would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years ago .
As of Tuesday , more than 2.6 million registered voters had already applied for mail-in ballots .
The Republican-controlled state Legislature has so far refused to allow local election offices to start processing those ballots before Election Day .
That all but ensures the vote count will continue for days , if not weeks , and perhaps delay a final result in the presidential election .
Yet for all the accusations , investigations and political fear-mongering , many voters so far say they have had a problem-free experience registering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glimmer of hope that perhaps Pennsylvania will avoid the national spotlight for the wrong reasons on Election Day .
Elzena Hall changed her registration from independent to Democrat and cast her ballot last week at a satellite election office in Philadelphia .
“ Switching and registering and voting ... it was like so easy , ” said Hall , 48 , who was given a T-shirt saying she had voted early .
Susan Stirling , a university academic adviser , had always planned to vote in-person on Election Day because she was concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But she had Monday off , so she decided to cast her ballot early at one of the city ’ s election centres .
“ It went really quickly and smoothly , ” she said .
Whether that continues could hinge on several legal cases that remain unresolved .
With voting already underway , judges could still decide fundamental questions about running the election and which ballots get counted .
One lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court involves a state court order to allow late-arriving mail-in ballots to be counted for up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another involves the Trump campaign ’ s effort to limit the use of drop boxes .
“ A huge concern I have is the confusion that outstanding litigation causes with election officials and voters , ” said Witold J. Walczak , the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania .
“ Confusion does not promote safe , accessible and secure elections.
” The answer seems obvious to Katy Parr , a 30-year-old pursuing a master ’ s degree at the University of Pennsylvania : Just make voting easier .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of five states to conduct elections almost entirely by mail .
Parr said she was bewildered by the fight over drop boxes , which are used extensively in Colorado .
“ It blows my mind how much of a fight it was here to have them , ” said Parr , who cast her ballot at an election office in Philadelphia this week .
Republicans and the Trump campaign say they are only trying to protect the integrity of the election .
“ His position was we have to have an election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote is counted and counted the right way , ” said Bernadette Comfort , Trump ’ s state campaign chair .
Democrats use the same argument to criticize moves by Republicans .
That includes lawmakers ’ attempt to create a GOP-controlled legislative panel to investigate how the election is being conducted .
Democrats called it an attempt to “ steal “ the election .
They also want the Republican-dominated legislature to repeal a requirement that mail-in ballots be rejected if voters fail to use a so-called secrecy envelope on the outside .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envelopes could trigger “ electoral chaos ” in November with potentially 100,000 or more ballots getting rejected across the state .
“ What ( Trump ) has encouraged people to engage in is the only type of voter fraud that ’ s actually real , and that ’ s voter suppression , ” said Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta , of Philadelphia .
Against this backdrop , election officials are trying to prepare knowing that something is bound to go wrong with some aspect of the election system .
Nick Custodio , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , recalled a time two years ago when an election judge who was scheduled to open a polling place fell and broke her hip the morning of the election .
“ The polling place didn ’ t open on time because this poor woman was sitting in the snow , ” Custodio said .
“ Elections are put on by human beings .
We ’ re in a situation where it ’ s gotten worse over the last few years , where anything happens is assumed to be malicious or some outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at night , Custodio said : “ The sheer enormity of it.
” Cassidy reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press writer Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia contributed to this report .
AP ’ s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early , by mail or absentee from each state : https : //interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/

Marc Levy And Christina A. Cassidy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Iran virus death toll hits record high, 3rd time in week

TEHRAN , Iran - For the third time in a week , Iran on Wednesday marked its highest single-day record for new deaths and infections from the coronavirus , with 279 people killed and 4,830 new patients .
Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari made the announcement as Iran struggles with the worst outbreak in the Middle East , with more than 513,000 confirmed cases .
It has seen over 29,300 deaths and 414,800 recoveries since announcing its first cases in February .
Iran has a population of more than 83 million .
In recent weeks , Iran has seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels , sparking increasing concern even as government officials continue to resist a total lockdown for fear of cratering the economy , which has been hard-hit by U.S. sanctions .
On Wednesday , Iran announced a travel ban to and from five major cities , including the capital of Tehran and the holy city of Mashhad , to prevent the virus ’ s spread .
Kianoush Jahanpour , a Health Ministry spokesman , told state TV that the travel ban aims to reduce risks ahead of a religious holiday on Saturday .
Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the plan , police will stop vehicles from entering the five cities if their license plates don ’ t match the city they ’ re entering .
Many Iranians travel to Mashhad , some 900 kilometres ( 560 miles ) northeast of Tehran , to visit the tomb of Imam Reza , Iran ’ s holiest Shia site .
The coronavirus has spread to some of the highest levels of Iran ’ s government , many of whom are older men .
Among those recently infected is the head of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iran ’ s vice-president in charge of budget and planning also tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday .
Also on Wednesday , the United Arab Emirates reported a record number of coronavirus cases for the second consecutive day , with 1,431 new infections .
The caseload brings the total number in the country over 110,000 , including 450 fatalities .
Recorded infections have soared again over recent weeks , as authorities have relaxed restrictions and resumed schools for in-person instruction .
Dubai , the region ’ s business hub , recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While coming amid an aggressive testing campaign , the upward trend has raised fears that authorities could reinstate lockdowns in parts of the country that rely heavily on tourism and recreation .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Worker suspended for flying Trump flag from government truck

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. - A Florida municipal worker was suspended without pay for flying a flag supporting President Donald Trump ’ s re-election from his government truck .
Palm Beach County suspended construction project specialist Randall Williams for five days for violating its rules against engaging in political activity during work hours .
“ During a heated political season such as the one we find ourselves in now , it is imperative to remember that political activities must be done outside of working hours , ” County Engineer David Ricks wrote in a staff memo Friday announcing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 61 , driving his county truck with a Trump flag attached to the driver ’ s window last week and took a photo , The Palm Beach Post reports .
The photo was forwarded to the county , which identified Williams .
Trump ’ s official residence , Mar-a-Lago , is in Palm Beach County .
Williams does not have a listed phone number and could not be reached for comment Wednesday .
He could appeal his suspension .
The resident who spotted the truck told the Post in an email that Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate , but not by using a taxpayer-funded truck .
“ Showing your political party , you can do it in your home , whatever , it ’ s your right , ” Laurent Lesage said .
“ But on a county vehicle , I think it ’ s trying to do some provocation .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--AP Explains: Trump seizes on dubious Biden-Ukraine story

WASHINGTON - Looking to undermine rival Joe Biden 20 days before the election , President Donald Trump ’ s campaign has seized on a tabloid story offering bizarre twists to a familiar line of attack : Biden ’ s relationship with Ukraine .
But the story in the New York Post raises more questions than answers , including about the authenticity of an email at the centre of the story .
The origins of the story also trace back to Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who has repeatedly pushed unfounded claims about Biden and his son , Hunter Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are legitimate , they don ’ t validate Trump and Giuliani ’ s claims that Biden ’ s actions were influenced by his son ’ s business dealings in Ukraine .
A look at the development : HOW DID BIDEN ’ S SON BECOME A CAMPAIGN ISSUE ?
Hunter Biden joined the board of the Ukrainian gas company Burisma in 2014 , around the time his father , then U.S. vice-president , was helping conduct the Obama administration ’ s foreign policy with Ukraine .
Senate Republicans said in a recent report that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest , but they did not present evidence that the hiring influenced U.S. policies .
Trump and his supporters , meanwhile , have advanced a widely discredited theory that Biden pushed for the firing of Ukraine ’ s top prosecutor to protect his son and Burisma from investigation .
Biden did indeed press for the prosecutor ’ s firing , but that ’ s because he was reflecting the official position of not only the Obama administration but many Western countries and because the prosecutor was perceived as soft on corruption .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ SAY ?
The main email highlighted by the Post is an April 2015 message that it said was sent to Hunter Biden by Vadym Pozharskyi , an adviser to Burisma ’ s board .
In it , he thanks the younger Biden “ for inviting me to DC and giving an opportunity to meet your father and spent ( sic ) some time together .
It ’ s realty ( sic ) an honour and pleasure.
“ The wording makes it unclear if he actually met Joe Biden .
The Biden campaign said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s schedules from the time and that no meeting as described by the newspaper took place .
HOW DID THE POST OBTAIN THE EMAILS ?
It ’ s a tangled saga .
The Post says it received a copy of a hard drive containing the messages on Sunday from Giuliani , who has pushed the unfounded idea that Ukraine was trying to interfere with the 2016 election and that the younger Biden may have enriched himself by selling his access to his father .
The Post says the emails were part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a laptop that was dropped off at a computer repair shop in Delaware in April 2019 .
It says the customer , whom the owner could not definitively identify as Hunter Biden , never paid for the service or retrieved it , and says the owner made a copy of the hard drive that he provided to Giuliani ’ s lawyer .
The owner of the Wilmington shop declined to comment Wednesday to The Associated Press , saying he didn ’ t feel like talking .
The newspaper says the owner alerted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that agents took possession of them .
That could not immediately be confirmed , and the FBI declined to comment Wednesday .
Asked via text by an AP reporter how long he had the hard drive , Giuliani replied , in part : “ You ’ re interested in the wrong thing .
This time the truth will not be defeated by process .
I ’ ve got a lot more to go.
“ ARE THE NEW EMAILS AUTHENTIC ?
The actual origins of the emails are unclear .
And disinformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that raise doubts about their authenticity , including questions about whether the laptop actually belongs to Hunter Biden , said Nina Jankowicz , a fellow at the nonpartisan Wilson Center in Washington .
The Biden campaign didn ’ t address that issue Wednesday and Hunter Biden ’ s lawyer did not return an email seeking comment from the AP .
Another potential alarm is the involvement of another Trump associate , Steve Bannon , who the Post says first alerted it to the existence of the hard drive and who along with Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative on Ukraine .
“ We should view it as a Trump campaign product , ” Jankowicz said .
Thomas Rid , a political scientist and disinformation expert at Johns Hopkins University ’ s School of Advanced International Studies , said it was not clear to him yet whether the emails were hacked or forged but said they “ could be either or both.
” “ It ’ s a common feature in these operations that you combine generic content , accurate content , with forged content , “ Rid said .
IF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BIDEN ?
The suggestion that Joe Biden might have met with a Burisma representative is consequential , because he has repeatedly insisted that he never discussed his son ’ s business with him .
But the emails provide no details on whether Pozharskyi and Biden actually met and , if so , what they discussed .
If Biden did meet with Pozharskyi , he was not the only U.S. official who may have done so .
Pozharskyi was part of a Burisma delegation that lobbied congressional officials in 2014 in an attempt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corruption risk .
HOW DID SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES RESPOND TO THE STORY ?
Companies like Twitter and Facebook , already under pressure to police their platforms ahead of the election , quickly flagged the article and moved to restrict its accessibility online — an action decried by Trump and his supporters , including congressional Republicans .
Facebook spokesman Andy Stone announced on Twitter that the company was working to reduce the distribution of the article on its platform .
On Wednesday afternoon , Twitter began banning its users from sharing links to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it violated the company ’ s policy that prohibits hacked content .
Twitter , whose chief executive tweeted later in the evening that it was “ unacceptable “ that the company had not provided more context around its action , said the images in the article include personal and private information in violation of its rules , and said it considered material included in the article to be a violation of its hacked materials policy .
With less than three weeks until Election Day and polls showing him trailing Biden , Trump appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opponent ’ s family to energize his base .
But in an election dominated by concerns about the coronavirus pandemic , it ’ s less certain Trump ’ s strategy will appeal to the voters he needs to win back , including moderate Republicans and suburban women .
Trump ’ s called for a full accounting of Biden ’ s conversations with Hunter and with Pozharskyi .
Trump said in an interview with Newsmax that the Post had caught Biden “ cold ” with “ serious ” allegations .
At a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led with the Post story and called Biden “ a corrupt politician who shouldn ’ t even be allowed to run for the presidency.
” Biden ’ s campaign , meanwhile , pointed to the recent Republican-led Senate investigation that found no evidence of wrongdoing on Biden ’ s part with regard to Ukraine .
It also pointedly noted the involvement of Giuliani , saying his “ discredited conspiracy theories and alliance with figures connected to Russian intelligence have been widely reported.
” Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz in Chicago , Jonathan Lemire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , Barbara Ortutay in Oakland , Calif. , and Bill Barrow in Wilmington , Del.
, contributed to this report .

Eric Tucker And Stephen Braun - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Vision 2020: Will mailed-in ballots be delivered on time?

Can you trust the U.S .
Postal Service to deliver your ballot on time ?
If you plan on voting by mail , election officials say it ’ s best to do it as early as possible so your ballot gets to its destination well before Election Day , which is Nov. 3 .
Postal officials have repeatedly said the agency has more than enough capacity to handle the surge of ballots this fall , and its leaders have committed to prioritizing election mail .
But on-time delivery rates vary widely depending on where you live , and the service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals to deliver all first-class mail within five days .
On top of that , each state has different rules on whether it accepts mail ballots that arrive after Election Day .
Some policies are the subject of court cases and could change before Nov. 3 , so voters should check with their local election officials if they ’ re unsure .
All that is to say , the earlier you mail your ballot , the better .
It has been a tumultuous few months for the Postal Service .
This summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis DeJoy , a major donor to the GOP and President Donald Trump , set in motion a series of controversial policy changes that have delayed deliveries nationwide .
Then , not too long after DeJoy took over , Trump openly admitted he was starving the Postal Service of coronavirus relief money to make it harder for the agency to process ballots .
The combination of Trump ’ s remarks and DeJoy ’ s policies have led to a lot of distrust in the agency and fears about political manipulation .
The Postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple states over the policy changes and has been handed a series of bruising court decisions blocking them .
One judge in Washington state called them “ a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service ” before the election .
The Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that had slowed mail service nationwide , settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock .
The changes had included reduced retail hours , removal of collection boxes and mail sorting machines , closure or consolidation of mail processing facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for timely mail delivery , and banning or restricting overtime .
The agreement also requires the Postal Service to prioritize election mail .
So , if you ’ re worried about voting by mail , what should you do ?
Consider early voting options in your state , check if your area has ballot drop boxes or go to the polls on Election Day .
Otherwise , return your ballot early and don ’ t wait until the last few days .
Vision 2020 is a new series from the AP dedicated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the 2020 U.S. presidential election .
Submit your questions at : Vision2020 @ AP.org .
AP ’ s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early , by mail or absentee from each state : https : //interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020 .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Lemur missing after break-in at San Francisco Zoo

SAN FRANCISCO - Someone broke into the San Francisco Zoo overnight and stole a ring-tailed lemur , police said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ named Maki was discovered missing shortly before the zoo opened to visitors .
Investigators found @ @ @ @ @ to the lemur enclosure and processed the scene for evidence .
They ’ re seeking @ @ @ @ @ explaining that Maki is an endangered animal that requires specialized care .
A photo of @ @ @ @ @ circulated .
Maki was born at the zoo in 1999 and has an offspring in @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Chan said .
The outdoor lemur habitat , considered the largest of its kind @ @ @ @ @ seven different lemur species native to Madagascar , according to the zoo ’ s website @ @ @ @ @ the lemurs from several vantage points : from across a surrounding pond , looking eye @ @ @ @ @ the trees or gazing down below from an elevated boardwalk , ” the website says @


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Iowa Supreme Court sides with GOP over absentee ballot forms

IOWA CITY , Iowa - Iowa ’ s highest court upheld a state directive Wednesday that was used to invalidate tens of thousands of absentee ballot requests mailed to voters pre-filled with their personal information .
The Iowa Supreme Court issued its ruling in favour of U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s campaign and Republican groups as Trump held an evening rally in Des Moines .
The court rejected a Democratic challenge that argued the directive issued by Republican Secretary of State Paul Pate was unconstitutional .
Pate instructed county elections commissioners in July that all absentee ballot request forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to ensure uniformity statewide .
Auditors in three counties defied Pate ’ s guidance and mailed forms to thousands of voters with their names , addresses , dates of birth and voter pin numbers already filled in .
Voters just had to review , sign and return the forms , which the three auditors said were intended to make voting by mail as easy as possible during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Trump campaign and GOP groups filed lawsuits to invalidate those forms , saying auditors overstepped their authority .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invalidating about 70,000 applications that had been returned by voters and issuing injunctions blocking the counties from processing any others .
Affected individuals had to fill out new blank applications to request absentee ballots or vote another way .
Democratic groups argued in a separate lawsuit that Pate did not have the authority to issue the directive , and a Polk County judge agreed .
The Iowa Supreme Court put that decision on hold last week after Republicans and Pate appealed and threw it out Wednesday .
Justices agreed with the GOP that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collateral attack ” on the other court injunctions that invalidated the pre-filled forms , and would create more confusion if allowed to stand .
They rejected Democrats ’ claims that Pate ’ s directive undermined the constitutional right to vote , noting that anyone affected can take advantage of Iowa ’ s expansive early voting and election day opportunities .
“ In this proceeding , we are not persuaded that the obligation to provide a few items of personal information on an absentee ballot application is unconstitutional , thereby forcing us to rewrite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month before the election , “ the court wrote in an unsigned opinion .
Pate praised the ruling , saying the court “ reaffirmed a commitment to election integrity.
” “ None of this voter confusion would have happened if not for the irresponsible and unlawful actions of the auditors in Johnson , Linn and Woodbury counties , “ he said .
Separately , the court voted 5-2 to grant a Democratic request to review the constitutionality of a new Republican-backed law that blocks county auditors from using voter registration databases to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot request forms .
Unlike prior elections , the law requires auditors to contact those individuals by phone , email and mail to fill in missing information themselves .
Democrats and a Latino civil rights organization argue the law could leave thousands of requesters who can not be reached in time without access to absentee ballots .
Republicans say the law is a safeguard against fraud .
The court ordered the parties to file final briefs by Friday afternoon , signalling a decision could come before the Oct. 24 deadline to request a @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Facing new fire threat, PG&E cuts power to tens of thousands

SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas & Electric began turning off power to more than 50,000 Northern California customers Wednesday evening as dry , windy conditions renewed the threat of fire in a season already marked by deadly , devastating blazes .
The utility announced that it had begun cutting power to up to 33,000 customers , with about another 20,000 to follow in a few hours .
The shutoffs will affect portions of nearly two dozen counties , mostly in the Sierras and San Francisco Bay Area , and could last 48 hours .
Preemptive electricity cuts are a strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by power lines that have been damaged or knocked down amid high winds .
PG & E equipment sparked several massive blazes that destroyed tens of thousands of homes and killed more than 100 people since 2017 .
“ These are challenging times .
Not only are we right in the peak of the wildfire season ... many of us are working from home , schooling from home as well .
We recognize that hardships are introduced when we shut off power , ” said Mark Quinlan , PG & E ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our last resort option.
” The figure represents about 1 % of PG & E ’ s 5.1 million customers .
The nation ’ s largest utility said last month that it is using smarter and shorter power shutoffs after receiving widespread criticism from the public and regulators last year when it turned off electricity to 2 million people to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires .
A second shutoff for around 700 customers was expected Thursday afternoon in far northern counties as winds were expected to arrive there .
The National Weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire danger through Friday morning in many areas .
Hundreds of firefighters from across the state were being deployed to Northern California because of the weather , with bone-dry humidity and winds possibly hitting 55 mph ( 88.5 kph ) with gusts to 70 mph ( 112.7 kph ) possible in the Bay Area .
PG & E senior meteorologist Scott Strenfel said the forecast calls for two “ back-to-back “ periods when so-called Diablo winds sweep the region .
In addition to high winds , they bring very dry air “ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” leaving it tinder-dry and vulnerable to burning .
Several of the counties falling under the PG & E shutoffs already were hit by massive wildfires .
The Glass Fire that ravaged the Northern California wine country of Napa and Sonoma counties was surrounded Wednesday after destroying more than 1,500 homes and other buildings .
Farther north , the Zogg Fire in Shasta and Tehama counties was fully contained .
Four people died in that blaze .
More than 8,500 wildfires have burned more than 6,400 square miles ( 16,000 square kilometres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , most since mid-August .
Thirty-one people have died , and more than 9,200 buildings have been destroyed .
Most of the huge fires that erupted over the past eight weeks are now fully or significantly contained and skies once stained orange by heavy smoke are blue again .
But the gains made by thousands of firefighters assigned to the blazes that have scorched more than 4.1 million acres this year could be hampered if new fires ignite , said Daniel Berlant , assistant deputy director with the California Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cal Fire .
“ If a new fire breaks out , that fire will be able to grow very quickly under these conditions , ” Berlant said .
Denise Bethune lost her home of 12 years last month after a blaze razed her tiny foothills community of Berry Creek , about 160 miles ( 260 kilometres ) northeast of San Francisco in rural Butte County .
The night before , PG & E cut off power and she and her husband couldn ’ t use their well to get water and hose down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple sclerosis , said cutting power is a double-edged sword because it can help prevent fires from starting but it causes other issues .
“ Whenever there is a power outage , my main concern is the heat because I can ’ t handle it without air conditioning due to my medical needs , “ she said .
Since being displaced , Bethune , her husband and three dogs have been living in a trailer they parked on her son ’ s orchard near the city of Chico that has its own power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aging equipment has sparked several major fires in recent years , including a 2018 blaze that destroyed much of the town of Paradise and killed 85 people .
The utility pleaded guilty in June to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter — one death was ruled a suicide — and paid $ 25.5 billion in settlements to cover the losses from that and other recent power line-sparked catastrophes .
Numerous studies have linked bigger wildfires in America to climate change from the burning of coal , oil and gas .
Scientists have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meaning trees and other plants are more flammable .
Experts say nine out 10 wildfires are caused by people either accidentally or deliberately .

Olga R. Rodriguez - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Mexico experts find 2,000 ruin sites near Maya train route

MEXICO CITY - Experts in Mexico said Wednesday they have detected more than 2,000 pre-Hispanic ruins or clusters of artefacts along the proposed route of the president ’ s controversial “ Maya Train ” project on the Yucatan peninsula .
The discovery of sites using LiDAR elevation mapping technology could slow down the already disputed project , which opponents contend also threatens indigenous communities and water supplies .
The laser elevation data showed a total of 2,187 “ archaeological monuments ” along 277 miles ( 366 kilometres ) of the proposed route , about one-quarter of the total planned track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of some of the sites , but some are new .
The term “ monuments ” can mean many things , ranging from the remains of a pre-Hispanic Maya home , or carved stones , all the way up to remains of temple platforms .
It was not clear how many of each type of artefact was detected , but Mexico ’ s National Institute of Anthropology and History said at least 91 were large-scale structures like plazas , pyramid or temple platforms .
Mayan houses were generally relatively insubstantial , with stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which little remains .
The institute said in a statement that the builders of the train would have to take “ specific measures ” to avoid damaging the artefacts , but did not say whether that meant parts would have to be re-routed .
In July , President Andrés Manuel López Obrador inaugurated the start of construction on the “ Maya Train , “ a pet project of his that would run some 950 miles ( about 1,500 kilometres ) in a rough loop around Yucatan .
The train is intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interior , with largely indigenous populations and ruin sites , in a bid to stimulate economic development around its 15 stations .
The government says it will cost as much as $ 6.8 billion , but others say it will be much more .
Critics say López Obrador rammed through the project without adequate study of its effects on the environment , underground sinkhole caves known as cenotes , and ruin sites .
Some stretches of the route already have tracks , and the institute said some artefacts had already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But other stretches are to push through sensitive jungle terrain , though they will parallel existing roads or transmission lines .
Even where an old railway line exists , the project would imply updating tracks and building new stations .
Some Mayan communities have filled court challenges against the project , arguing that it will cause environmental damage .
They also say they were not adequately consulted about it or they will not share in its benefits .
LiDAR , which stands for Light Detection and Ranging , involves shooting a pulsed laser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , detailed image of the surface , even through dense vegetation .
The Mayas formed a sprawling empire of city-states across the Yucatan and Central America between 2,000 B.C .
and A.D. 900 , and their descendants still live on the peninsula .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Thai police disperse protesters outside PM’s office

BANGKOK - Thai police early Thursday dispersed a group of pro-democracy protesters who camped out overnight outside the office of the prime minister to demand his resignation , leading him to implement a “ severe ” state of emergency in the capital area .
An Associated Press journalist saw riot police advance from multiple locations to force out a few hundred protesters who remained outside Government House , the seat of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha .
Protesters were seen taken away into police trucks .
The police operation came after Prayuth declared a severe state of emergency in the Bangkok @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protests .
Thailand is technically still under a state of emergency as part of coronavirus restrictions .
Before the police dispersal , a large number of protesters had already left the area after one of the their leaders announced the end of the rally at Government House though a few hundred stayed on .
Protesters also announced that the rally would move to a different location in the capital Thursday afternoon , but deputy police spokesperson Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen warned them not to do so .
Police said they arrested more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency .
They have not been officially charged .
Among them were protest leaders Arnon Nampha , Parit ( Penguin ) Chiwarak and Prasiddhi Grudharochana .
“ Those who are calling for a protest later at Rajaprasong are clearly breaking the law .
Those who attend will be breaking the law .
You can not say that they are not aware of the order .
We are making it clear , ” Kissana said at a news conference .
The latest rally started on Wednesday with thousands of protesters marching from Bangkok ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was the third major gathering by activists who want to keep up the momentum in their campaign for democratic change .
The protesters have drawn attention because of their demands for reforms to Thailand ’ s constitutional monarchy , which they claim does not properly operate in a democratic framework .
That demand has caused a huge controversy because the royal institution has long been considered sacrosanct and a pillar of Thai identity .
It is also protected by a lese majeste law that mandates three to 15 years in prison for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuse them of seeking to end the monarchy , an allegation they deny .
Before leaving Democracy Monument , several small clashes broke out between protesters and their opponents , who traded punches and threw plastic bottles as police tried to keep them apart .
The situation was complicated by King Maha Vajiralongkorn ’ s scheduled drive past the protest venue to attend a royal ceremony .
The protesters said they would make way but there was a possibility that they could at a minimum show public disrespect for the crown .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seen on nearby streets but their occupants could not be confirmed .
Unverified video and photos on social media showed what was purported to be protesters gesturing and shouting close to the vehicles , which would be unprecedented for Thailand , where the royal family has traditionally been revered .
The king made a similar drive past the area on Tuesday after police cleared tents set up near the monument and arrested 21 people on minor charges .
The protest movement was launched in March by university students but quickly put on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in coronavirus cases .
It came back in July , when the threat from the virus eased , and since then has again been spearheaded by students and publicized on social media .
The movement ’ s original core demands were new elections , changes in the constitution to make it more democratic , and an end to intimidation of activists .
The protesters charge that Prayuth , who as army commander led a 2014 coup that toppled an elected government , was returned to power unfairly in last year ’ s general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favour a pro-military party .
Protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule is undemocratic .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Jones: Tuberville charity filings raise questions

MONTGOMERY , Ala. - U.S. Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama on Wednesday criticized Republican challenger Tommy Tuberville ’ s financial record after reports emerged that the former college football coach ’ s non-profit only gave a fraction of its money to charity while it spent tens of thousands of dollars to stage annual golf tournaments .
The Associated Press and The New York Times reported this week that the Tommy Tuberville Foundation , an organization he formed to support veterans , spent one-third or less of its money on charitable activities .
Jones , who is widely considered the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his analysis indicated that only about 18 % of the foundation ’ s money went to veterans while the foundation hosted an annual golf tournament and owned a truck .
“ Now this is a candidate that is supposed to be there for veterans .
...
I know this , ” Jones said .
“ His foundation has not been good for veterans , but it ’ s been good for somebody.
” “ Tommy Tuberville and his buddies can go play golf together and he charges money for it and they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of money for the golf tournament , ” Jones said .
The American Democracy Legal Fund sent a letter Tuesday to the Internal Revenue Service asking for an investigation into the charity ’ s 990 tax forms .
Tuberville ’ s campaign has defended the work of the foundation .
“ The national news media is manufacturing fake narratives and working hand-in-glove with the Doug Jones campaign to try to salvage his failing candidacy and divert attention away from his pro-abortion , anti-gun , and open border Senate voting record , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager said in a statement .
Jones is fighting to defend the Alabama Senate seat he won in a special election three years ago .
Republicans have made recapturing the seat a priority in 2020 .
Tuberville , the former head football coach at Auburn University , is endorsed by President Donald Trump .
Tuberville this week criticized Jones ’ response to Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
Jones has said he believes that filling the Supreme Court vacancy should wait until after the presidential election is decided .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Jones has opposed everything most Alabamians support and supported everything most Alabamians oppose , ” Tuberville said in a statement .
Jones said he was “ flattered ” by a Politico piece speculating that he could be Joe Biden ’ s attorney general if Biden defeats Trump in November .
Jones and Biden are longtime friends and Biden spoke at the Jones ’ campaign kickoff in 2017 .
Jones said he has not had a conversation with Biden about the possibility , but sidestepped the question on whether he would be interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would much rather have my voice in the United States Senate right now , ” Jones said .