thetorontostar--2020-10-20--AP-NORC/USAFacts poll: US trust in COVID-19 information down

Americans have lost trust across the board in the people and institutions informing them about the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic , according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and USAFacts .
The poll finds that the percentage of people saying they trust COVID-19 information from their state or local governments , the news media , social media and their friends and family has dropped significantly compared to similar questions in April .
A large chunk of Americans say they find it hard to know if coronavirus information is accurate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ information from President Donald Trump a great deal or quite a bit , down from 23 % in April .
And 64 % now say they trust Trump only a little or not at all on COVID-19 .
Only social media , at 72 % , is less trusted .
Even though Paula Randolph opposes the Republican president , she said she trusted the White House on coronavirus information when the pandemic started .
“ Because of the history of the presidency of the United States , it was no matter what , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ said Randolph , a 49-year-old disabled woman in Dixon , Missouri .
“ It became a circus , and I no longer trust it.
” She even remembers the day she lost trust in the White House on the coronavirus : April 30 .
Trump , who by that point had been promoting an anti-malaria drug unproven on COVID-19 , had a press conference on the pandemic that day , calling his response to the virus “ really spectacular.
” The family doctor ranks highest when it comes to whom Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 53 % saying they trust their health provider a great deal or quite a bit .
After their doctors , 36 % said they have high trust in federal health officials at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration , 26 % in state or local governments , 18 % in news media , 17 % in family and friends , 16 % in Trump , 12 % in search engines and just 6 % in social media .
Experts in health , science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons for the drop in trust : fear , politics and the public watching science messily forming in real time .
“ The fact that trust dropped in all categories , including health care providers and family and friends , speaks to a really worried society that doesn ’ t feel safe , ” said David Ropeik , a retired Harvard instructor on risk communication .
The World Health Organization calls the flood of good and bad information on the coronavirus an “ infodemic.
” Thirty per cent of Americans say it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While 48 % said they can tell the difference between coronavirus fact and opinion , fewer , 35 % , say it ’ s easy to know if that information is true .
About as many , 36 % , find that difficult , with the remainder saying it ’ s neither easy nor difficult .
Joycelyn Mire , a 71-year-old retired medical financial manager in Louisiana , said she doesn ’ t trust doctors and definitely not the news media for coronavirus information .
But she does trust Trump because “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of all , the Trump supporter said she trusts her own research .
Even as Colorado State University student Jack Hermanson ’ s trust in Trump and federal agencies like the CDC went down , he said he had to trust someone .
So he relies on what leaders at school and work tell him .
“ The root of a lot of this is fear , ” said Lisa Gualtieri , a professor of health and community medicine at Tufts University Medical School .
America is watching in real time as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being made , said Kathleen Hall Jamieson , a University of Pennsylvania communications professor .
She said that Trump added to the confusion by hyping the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat the virus , even as reputable scientists , mainstream media and studies call it unproven .
“ The public now has multiple cues that say , ‘ Gee , the science seems to be really confusing at this end .
I ’ m not sure who to trust here , ’ ” Jamieson said .
Because of what she perceives as political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the CDC to trusting individual scientists , such as top federal infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci .
While Democrats worry that pressure on science agencies makes them less trustworthy , Republicans distrust them , saying they ’ re trying to make Trump look bad , said Jennifer Mercieca , a Texas A & M communications professor .
Mitch Spencer , a 59-year-old from Iowa who is retired from the post office and the military , said over the past several months he had “ less trust in the government and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political independent and self-described moderate , Spencer said he watched Fauci say one thing and Trump ’ s team say something else .
He trusts Fauci , not Trump , saying the president lies frequently .
The poll found that 37 % of Republicans and 87 % of Democrats say they trust the president only a little or not at all on the pandemic .
Spencer said it ’ s harder to find information on whether his grandchild should return to school or if a vaccine is safe than whether to wear masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans said it was very or somewhat easy to find the information they need on vaccine safety and 39 % on safety of reopening school , the poll showed .
The AP-NORC/USAFacts poll of 1,121 adults was conducted Sept. 15-25 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points .

Seth Borenstein And Hannah Fingerhut - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--European nations mixed in their response to virus spikes

Countries across Europe are battling coronavirus infection spikes with new lockdowns , curfews , face mask orders and virus tracking smart phone apps .
In a small sign of success , Spain ’ s government said it won ’ t extend a state of emergency in the Madrid region when it expires Saturday , but will look to more local measures .
But as the second wave of the global pandemic sweeps across the continent , local and national governments also are facing swelling opposition to the new measures .
In The Hague , bar and restaurant owners launched a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close their doors for at least four weeks .
Bar owners in Berlin instigated a similar case last week .
An outcry in Portugal has forced authorities to back away from a plan to make a tracing app mandatory nationwide .
Amid the public frustration , some countries are dangling a festive carrot in front of virus-weary populations , saying that tough action now could clear the way for an easing of measures before Christmas .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel invoked the holiday period over the weekend and other countries are following suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What winter will be like , what our Christmas will be like , will be decided in these coming days and weeks.
” Health Minister Salvador Illa said Tuesday the government won ’ t extend the state of emergency in the Madrid region when it expires Saturday , but it may begin introducing curfews at COVID-19 hotspots around the country .
Illa said the partial lockdown in the Madrid area in recent weeks had helped put a lid on community transmission that made it one of Europe ’ s most significant coronavirus clusters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madrid ’ s number of cases is still high .
The region has reported more than 29,000 cases over the past two weeks , though its tally on Tuesday was 354 new cases in 24 hours -- Spain ’ s fourth-highest rate .
Illa said he is assessing with Spain ’ s regional governments the possibility of agreeing on targeted curfews , as the country approaches the milestone of 1 million officially recorded cases .
“ I want to be very clear , ” Illa said .
“ Some very hard weeks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tough new lockdown .
From midnight Wednesday , non-essential shops must close , restaurants will be limited to takeout , people must stay within five kilometres ( three miles ) of their homes and visits to other households are banned .
It ’ s a near-return to the severe restrictions imposed by the government in March , although schools , construction sites and manufacturing industries will remain open .
Martin said that if people complied with the restrictions , which will be in place until Dec. 1 , the country would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaningful way.
” Ireland , which has a population of almost 5 million , has recorded 1,852 coronavirus deaths .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s government is resisting a recommendation from its scientific advisory committee for a short “ circuit-breaker ” lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
Instead , it has adopted a three-tier system for England , with areas classed as medium , high of very high risk .
In the top tier , pubs have to close and people are barred from mixing with members of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liverpool and Lancashire regions of northwest England have been placed in the highest tier .
Nearby Greater Manchester , with a population of almost 3 million , has been holding out for more support for workers and businesses affected by the restrictions .
The other nations of the U.K. control their own health policies and are taking slightly different approaches .
A lawyer representing more than 60 bars and restaurants warned a court in The Hague that the Dutch hospitality industry faces “ a tidal wave of bankruptcies ” caused by a lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least four weeks .
Lawyer Simon van Zijll called the closure order , part of a “ partial lockdown ” imposed last week “ random and disproportionate ” as he urged a judge in a summary procedure to allow bars and restaurants to reopen .
Government lawyer Reimer Veldhuis rejected the claim that the four-week closure for bars and restaurants was arbitrary , saying it was part of a broader package of carefully considered measures that affects many other sections of society .
The Netherlands has one of Europe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of the virus .
The national government wanted to make its COVID-19 tracing app mandatory , but a broad outcry has forced it to back down from the plan which was widely criticized as unworkable and unconstitutional .
Prime Minister Antonio Costa said in a television interview late Monday that the widely contested move , which was due to go to a vote later this week in parliament , required further debate .
Parliament is expected on Friday to make the wearing of face masks mandatory outdoors .
The country recorded its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday as 38 patients succumbed to the illness , pushing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities to 1,211 .
The central government in Budapest has cancelled most events planned for the Oct. 23 national holiday and called on local municipalities to follow suit .
The festive period in Hungary already has taken a hit — the Christmas Fair in the capital , one of the largest and most visited in central and eastern Europe , has also been cancelled .
Facing a record surge of infections , the Czech Republic is returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic in the spring .
Health Minister Roman Prymula said that face masks will be again mandatory outdoors from Wednesday .
“ The colder the weather is , the more important it is to have a face mask outdoors , ” Prymula said .
AP journalists across Europe contributed to this report .
Follow all of AP ’ s coronavirus pandemic coverage at https : //apnews.com/hub/virus-outbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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thetorontostar--2020-10-20--US home construction up 1.9% in September to 1.4 million

WASHINGTON - U.S. home construction rose a solid 1.9 % in September after having fallen in the previous month , as home building continues as one of the bright spots of the economy .
The increase last month pushed home construction to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.42 million homes and apartments after a 6.7 % drop in August , the Commerce Department reported Tuesday .
Applications for building permits , a good barometer of future activity , rose an even stronger 5.2 % to 1.55 million units .
After a plunge in the spring due to pandemic-related lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as demand for homes with more space has grown and mortgage-rates have stayed at ultra-low levels .
Construction of single-family homes in September surged by 7.8 % , offsetting a 14.7 % drop in the smaller apartment sector .
Single-family construction is now at its highest level since 2007 .
Construction was up in every region of the country except the Midwest which registered a 32.7 % plunge .
Construction surged 66.7 % in the Northeast with smaller gains of 6.2 % in the South and 1.4 % in the West .
Economists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the months ahead .
“ Strong demand , low inventory and a record level of homebuilder confidence continue to support new home construction , ” wrote Nancy Vanden Houten of Oxford Economics .
The National Association of Homebuilders reported Monday that its survey of builder confidence climbed to a new record high of 85 in October , up from a September reading of 83 .

Martin Crutsinger - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Postal carrier accused of stealing mail-in ballot in Miami

MIAMI - A U.S .
Postal Service carrier is accused of stealing a Miami-Dade County mail-in ballot , 10 gift cards and four prepaid debit cards earlier this month , federal authorities said .
A federal complaint filed by the U.S .
Postal Service Office of Inspector General said that between Oct. 5 and 16 , Crystal Nicole Myrie “ embezzled letters , postal cards and mail which came into her possession intended to be carried or delivered by her , “ the Miami Herald reported .
The mail-in ballot had been sent to a resident by the Miami-Dade Supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the complaint said .
Myrie made her first appearance in federal court on Monday .
An attorney for Myrie was not listed on the court docket , and it wasn ’ t immediately clear whether she entered a plea .
On Friday , two postal inspector agents questioned Myrie , who admitted to stealing several prepaid debit cards that were supposed to be delivered to a customer on her route and using them at retail stores , the newspaper reported .
After the interview , the investigators told Myrie she would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Herald reported .
She told them the ID was in her car in the parking lot .
They asked if there was mail or any other items in her car and at first she told them no .
She then changed her answer to yes .
“ Upon approaching the vehicle , ( one agent ) observed , in plain view through a rear window , several postal service satchels containing white envelopes in the back seat of Myrie ’ s personal vehicle , ” according to the complaint .
“ Myrie is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal vehicle.
” The two postal inspector agents searched her car and found “ undelivered mail for the zip code serviced by Myrie ” in Miami Beach , the complaint said .
They also found 36 political flyers and 150 other pieces of mail in her vehicle , the newspaper reported .
“ By stealing ( the victim ’ s ) vote-by-mail ballot , Myrie deprived ( the victim ) of her right to vote , ” the complaint said .
Myrie “ admitted that she has been stealing mail sporadically ( on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the complaint said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--EU takes action against Malta, Cyprus for ‘golden passports’

BRUSSELS - The European Commission launched infringements procedures Tuesday against Cyprus and Malta over their “ golden passport ” programs , in which wealthy people can acquire EU citizenship in exchange for an investment .
The EU ’ s executive said the lucrative schemes are in violation of EU law and undermine the “ essence of EU citizenship.
“ Cyprus recently announced that it was ending its program amid allegations that a top state official and a veteran lawmaker were trying to bypass strict vetting rules .
Cyprus says it will end its program from Nov. 1 , though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue processing current applications .
The Cypriot program was introduced in the wake of a 2013 financial crisis that brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy and forced it to accept a financial rescue program from creditors .
Like a similar program in Malta , it has attracted many foreigner investors because a passport from those EU countries automatically grants the holder access to the entire 27-nation European Union .
Around 4,000 Cypriot passports have been issued to investors under the program , generating more than 7 billion euros ( $ 8.25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program was among the topics investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia had reported on before she was blown up by a car bomb while driving in 2017 .
“ The schemes remain in place for the time being , in both member states concerned and could be replaced by similar investment schemes “ said EU Commission spokesman Christian Wigand .
“ Malta has in fact informed the Commission that it envisages a prolongation of citizenship foreign investment.
” The commission set a two-month deadline for both countries to reply to letters of formal notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter to the Court of Justice .
Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International welcomed the commission ’ s decision , saying the scheme served “ corrupt interests , not the common good.
“ In a report last year , the commission also criticized Bulgaria for offering passports in exchange for money to investors without any real connections to the country .
Wigand said the commission has also sent a letter to Bulgarian authorities asking them to phase out their citizenship scheme and provide detailed information about the program within a month .
Transparency International asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schemes across the bloc , mentioning Portugal and Austria in particular , to determine whether they are legal .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Justice Dept. to file landmark antitrust case against Google

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is expected to file a lawsuit Tuesday alleging that Google has been abusing its dominance in online search to stifle competition and harm consumers , a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press .
The litigation marks the government ’ s most significant act to protect competition since its groundbreaking case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago .
The suit could be an opening salvo ahead of other major government antitrust actions , given ongoing investigations of major tech companies including Apple , Amazon and Facebook at both the Justice Department and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumer advocates have long accused Google , whose corporate parent Alphabet Inc. has a market value just over $ 1 trillion , of abusing its dominance in online search and advertising to stifle competition and boost its profits .
Critics contend that multibillion-dollar fines and mandated changes in Google ’ s practices imposed by European regulators in recent years weren ’ t severe enough and that structural changes are needed for Google to change its conduct .
The case is expected to be filed in federal court in Washington , D.C. , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominance in online search to stifle competition and harm consumers , the person familiar with the matter told the AP .
It will also allege that Google uses billions of dollars collected from advertisers to pay phone manufacturers to ensure Google is the default search engine on browsers , the person said .
The person could not discuss the matter publicly before a formal announcement expected later Tuesday morning and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity .
The Trump administration has long had Google in its sights .
A top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years ago that the White House was considering whether Google searches should be subject to government regulation .
Trump has often criticized Google , recycling unfounded claims by conservatives that the search giant is biased against conservatives and suppresses their viewpoints , interferes with U.S. elections and prefers working with the Chinese military over the Pentagon .
Google controls about 90 % of global web searches .
The company has been bracing for the government ’ s action and is expected to fiercely oppose any attempt to force it to spin off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , based in Mountain View , California , has long denied the claims of unfair competition .
Google argues that although its businesses are large , they are useful and beneficial to consumers .
It maintains that its services face ample competition and have unleashed innovations that help people manage their lives .
Most of Google ’ s services are offered for free in exchange for personal information that helps it sell its ads .
Google insists that it holds no special power forcing people to use its free services or preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report from a House Judiciary subcommittee , following a year-long investigation into Big Tech ’ s market dominance , concluded that Google has monopoly power in the market for search .
It said the company established its position in several markets through acquisition , snapping up successful technologies that other businesses had developed — buying an estimated 260 companies in 20 years .
The argument for reining in Google has gathered force as the company stretched far beyond its 1998 roots as a search engine governed by the motto “ Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grown into a diversified goliath with online tentacles that scoop up personal data from billions of people via services ranging from search , video and maps to smartphone software .
That data helps feed the advertising machine that has turned Google into a behemoth .
The company owns the leading web browser in Chrome , the world ’ s largest smartphone operating system in Android , the top video site in YouTube and the most popular digital mapping system .
Some critics have singled out YouTube and Android as among Google businesses that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only two weeks to Election Day , the Trump Justice Department is taking bold legal action against Google on an issue of rare bipartisan agreement .
Republicans and Democrats have accelerated their criticism of Big Tech in recent months , although sometimes for different reasons .
It ’ s unclear what the status of the government ’ s suit against Google would be if a Joe Biden administration were to take over next year .
The Justice Department sought support for its suit from states across the country that share concerns about Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 50 U.S. states and territories , led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , announced a year ago they were investigating Google ’ s business practices , citing “ potential monopolistic behaviour.
” AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke contributed to this report from San Ramon , California .
Follow Balsamo and Gordon on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1 and https : //twitter.com/mgordonap .

Michael Balsamo And Marcy Gordon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Tribes make new move to shut down Dakota Access Pipeline

BISMARCK , N.D. - Native American tribes opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline once again have asked a federal judge to stop the flow of oil while the legal battle over the line ’ s future plays out .
The Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes succeeded on their first attempt , only to have an appeals court overturn U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ’ s shutdown order earlier this year .
Now , they ’ re asking the judge to clarify his earlier ruling to satisfy the appellate judges and then to again order the line to cease operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tribes argue that potential harm to their water supply outweighs any economic impacts of shutting down the line , which has been moving North Dakota oil to Illinois for more than three years .
“ The Tribes are irreparably harmed by the ongoing operation of the pipeline , through the exposure to catastrophic risk , through the ongoing trauma of the government ’ s refusal to comply with the law , and through undermining the Tribes ’ sovereign governmental role to protect their members and respond to potential disasters , ” attorneys Jan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday filing .
Tribes fear a spill into the Missouri River just north of the Standing Rock Reservation would pollute their water supply .
Pipeline operator Energy Transfer and the Army Corps of Engineers both maintain the pipeline is safe .
Prolonged protests in 2016 and 2017 drew thousands of people to camps near the river crossing and resulted in hundreds of arrests .
U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Danielle Nichols declined to comment Monday on the tribes ’ filing .
The Corps and Energy Transfer have until Nov. 20 to file a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseeing the four-year-old lawsuit filed by the tribes , ordered an extensive environmental study last spring because he felt previous , less-extensive environmental analysis by the Corps left lingering questions .
Boasberg in July revoked the easement that allows for the river crossing and ordered the pipeline shut down until its environmental soundness was proven .
A federal appeals court allowed oil to keep flowing , however , ruling that Boasberg hadn ’ t justified a shutdown .
That same appeals court is now determining whether to uphold his decision regarding the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an injunction to shut down the pipeline while the legal fight plays out .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Emirati officials pay first Israel visit after forging ties

JERUSALEM - A delegation of senior Emirati officials visited Israel on Tuesday for the first time since the two countries agreed to normalize relations , where they signed a slew of bilateral agreements meant to solidify their new ties .
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin accompanied Emirati Finance Minister Obaid Humaid al-Tayer and other senior officials from the United Arab Emirates and the U.S. on the Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted al-Tayer and Mnuchin at Israel ’ s Ben-Gurion international airport before signing a series of bilateral agreements between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aviation , visa exemption and science and innovation deals .
“ Today we are making history .
We are making history in a way that will stand for generations , ” Netanyahu said at a ceremony stage in a tent on the tarmac .
“ We will remember this day , a glorious day of peace.
” The ceremony was closed to the media , and the Emirati delegation was to hold all meetings at the airport , apparently over coronavirus concerns .
Al-Tayer said that the Emirates sought to establish legal frameworks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both our economies and our people.
” Israel and the UAE announced in August they had agreed to normalize ties under a U.S.-brokered deal , and signed accords on the White House lawn in September .
In the weeks since , the two countries have signed a raft of business , banking and intergovernmental agreements , along with an end to a longstanding boycott by the UAE against Israel .
One of those agreements announced Tuesday aims to ship oil from the Persian Gulf to Europe through one of Israel ’ s key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Europe Asia Pipeline Company , said it signed an initial deal in Abu Dhabi with an Israeli-Emirati joint venture , MED-RED Land Bridge .
The deal is to ship oil from the UAE and other “ eastern markets ” to Israel through the pipeline that runs from Israel ’ s southern seaport of Eilat to a terminal in Ashkelon on the Mediterranean Sea .
“ The Abraham Accords establish direct economic ties between two of the Middle East ’ s most thriving and advanced economies , ” Mnuchin said at the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foundation for economic growth , opportunity , innovation and prosperity .
With greater economic prosperity comes stronger security.
” At the ceremony , the U.S. , UAE and Israel announced the establishment of the Abraham Fund , which aims to raise $ 3 billion in private funding for “ development initiatives to promote regional economic co-operation and prosperity in the Middle East and beyond.
” Neighbouring Gulf monarchy Bahrain also recently signed an agreement to normalize relations with Israel .
The UAE and Bahrain are the third and fourth Arab states to establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed peace treaties with Israel in 1979 and 1994 , respectively .
Mnuchin flew with Israeli officials to Bahrain earlier this week for the signing of bilateral agreements between Israel and the Gulf monarchy .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Myanmar polls body defends cancelled voting in insecure areas

YANGON , Myanmar - Myanmar ’ s election supervisory body on Tuesday defended its decision to cancel voting in several areas of the country in next month ’ s general election , saying it could not be free and fair because of ongoing conflicts with armed ethnic rebel groups .
The Union Election Commission announced last week that it was cancelling polling for the Nov. 8 election in parts of the states of Rakhine , Kachin , Kayin , Mon and Shan , as well as the Bago region , all of which are troubled by various levels of unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee conditions to hold free and fair elections and that is why the election is cancelled , ” the UEC said in a statement Friday .
“ We have got the recommendations from the respective sub-commissions to cancel the elections in those specific areas , ” he told reporters .
“ Also , we can consider holding the elections again in some of them by the recommendations of those sub-commissions.
” The most serious fighting is in the western state of Rakhine , where the Arakan Army , a well-armed and well-trained guerrilla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethnic minority , has posed a huge security challenge for government forces .
On Monday , the Arakan Army acknowledged kidnapping three election candidates from the ruling National League for Democracy party last week .
More than 1.1 million eligible voters in Rakhine state are losing their opportunity to participate in the election because of the cancelled voting .
Especially in Rakhine , critics have charged , cancelling voting could work to the advantage of the National League for Democracy by denying the likelihood that a Rakhine nationalist party would win the seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now already in a civil war zone and at the same time they have lost their opportunity ( to vote ) , so it ’ s like the armed resistance would be growing more than normal political practices , ” said Dr. Khin Zaw Win , a Yangon-based political activist .
He and other critics charge that the election commission lacks transparency .
Saw Zin Maung Soe , founder of C.A.N.-Myanmar , a local election observation group and an adviser at the LGBTI-Inclusive Election Observation Mission of Myanmar , said it failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to a lack of trust .
“ The UEC ’ s performance right now seems like it makes an unfair playing field for all of us and the political parties , “ he said .
“ We are concerned for the credibility of the UEC and the winner of this election.
” Several other controversies have arisen .
The election commission has said the polls will be held on the planned date despite a coronavirus surge that is sweeping through parts of Myanmar .
The National League for Democracy has said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen other parties urged that it be postponed .
The country ’ s leader , State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi , was filmed by state TV on Tuesday conducting a demonstration of how to vote .
The Union Democratic Party , one of the parties with the most candidates contesting the election , was dissolved after its leader was revealed in Myanmar media to be a businessman who escaped more than two decades ago from a prison where he had been held after being convicted of economic crimes .
The UDP had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections and its chances of winning any this time were considered slim .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Italy probes why women’s names mark aborted fetuses’ graves

ROME - Italian prosecutors and the government ’ s privacy watchdog are investigating how the names of women who miscarried or had abortions ended up on crosses over graves for the fetuses in a Rome cemetery .
Rights groups have denounced the grave markings as a gross violation of the women ’ s privacy , which is protected by the 1978 law that legalized abortion in Italy .
While regulations require burial of a fetus after 20 weeks , women who have complained said they never knowingly consented to the burials , much less to having their names put on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light last month when a woman wrote on Facebook about happening upon her name on a cross in Rome ’ s Flaminio Cemetery — has reverberated in this largely Roman Catholic country at a time when women say finding a doctor to perform an abortion has become increasingly difficult and that they face poor treatment when they do .
Women ’ s rights group Differenza Donna says it has so far identified over 1,000 such graves in the Roman cemetery in overgrown plots .
The crosses are crude wooden or iron slats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with filthy stuffed animals or toys that have been left to the elements .
“ As if what I went through was not enough , I discovered that at the Flaminio Cemetery there is a tomb with my name on it , ” said one of the women , Francesca , whose name appears on a grave .
She said she had an abortion in September 2019 after a scan showed her baby would not survive a malformed heart and aorta and that her own life would be at risk if she carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , without my consent , collected the fetus , buried it at the cemetery and put over it a cross with my name and family name on it , ” said Francesca , who spoke on condition that her last name not be used because she said she feared retaliation from anti-abortion activists .
Differenza Donna has filed a formal complaint with Rome prosecutors , providing testimony from some of the women who asked the rights group for help .
“ By displaying names and family names of the women on the crosses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial aspect of the law ... which is the right to privacy and confidentiality for women who voluntarily interrupt the pregnancy , ” said the president of Differenza Donna , Elisa Ercoli .
Additionally , some of the women weren ’ t Christian or religious believers , meaning the crosses violated their freedom of conscience and religion , she said .
Parliamentarians have demanded explanations from the public entities implicated , and Italy ’ s government-appointed guarantor of privacy opened an investigation .
Former Health Minister Livia Turco has led the charge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , a cross is a symbol of love , ” Turco said .
“ That a cross could be used as a violent gesture toward a woman who experienced a laceration and profound suffering is a blasphemy that humiliates women and deforms the sense of the cross.
” It is unclear who is to blame , and there are indications the scandal may have more bureaucratic than ideological roots .
To answer the question requires untangling a knot of regulations and agencies with sometimes overlapping responsibilities : The public hospital that performs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system and the AMA garbage collection agency are all pointing fingers at one another .
AMA operates Rome ’ s cemeteries and is known for its dysfunction .
In addition , seemingly contradictory rules appear to be at play .
While Italy ’ s national abortion law guarantees the woman ’ s privacy , a 1939 regulation for the mortuary police requires the burial of fetuses aborted after the 20th week .
AMA has cited yet another regulation that requires all graves to be identified .
Yet other Italian cemeteries have plots dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s names .
AMA declined to comment further to The Associated Press .
Dr. Giovanna Scassellati , chief gynecologist at the induced abortion ward of the San Camillo hospital in Rome , said when women come in to terminate a pregnancy , they are given the option of arranging burial themselves , or having the hospital arrange for it .
“ The story of the fetuses is very serious , but our hospital can ’ t be blamed for it , “ she said .
“ We did not play any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public entities such as AMA , private , Catholic volunteer groups that oppose abortion have entered into agreements with hospitals around Italy to perform the burials , though it is unclear if one was involved in the Flaminio scandal .
The “ Defend Life with Mary Association , ” a Catholic non-profit , is one such group .
But the group ’ s vice-president , Emiliano Ferri , denied that it ever identified women on a grave for a fetus .
Instead , each tomb carries a number that is registered with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could eventually find a grave through that authority .
“ How do we work ?
First of all in complete respect of privacy , not regarding us but in regards to the privacy of those women who aborted , ” Ferri said .
That said , he acknowledges the religious motivation for his work , which also involves burying younger fetuses if parents request it .
The cemetery scandal has erupted as women in Italy are increasingly reporting that they face discrimination and unsympathetic treatment in the public hospitals that perform the procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Espresso has been gathering in a series of reports on what it calls the “ torture ” that some women undergo .
Even finding a doctor willing to perform the procedure has become difficult : According to health ministry statistics , 68 % of Italian gynecologists identify themselves as conscientious objectors and refuse to perform abortions .
“ It took me almost 10 days to find a non-objector doctor that would take me in a hospital , and once I entered ... everything went wrong , ” said Francesca .
She said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she endured the criticism of medical staff during seven hours of labour for having the procedure .
Such late-term abortions are legal if the women ’ s life is at risk .
“ Nobody gave me assistance , ” she said .

Riccardo Antoniucci And Nicole Winfield - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Duterte: Hold me responsible for killings in drug crackdown

MANILA , Philippines - The Philippine president has said he accepts responsibility for the thousands of killings committed during police operations in his crackdown on drugs , adding that he was even ready to go to jail .
President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s televised remarks Monday night were typical of his bluster — and tempered by the fact that he has pulled his country out of the International Criminal Court , where a prosecutor is considering complaints related to the leader ’ s bloody campaign .
The remarks were also a clear acknowledgement that Duterte could face a deluge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug suspects have been reported by police since he took office in mid-2016 , but rights watchdogs suspect the death toll is far larger .
“ If there ’ s killing there , I ’ m saying I ’ m the one ... you can hold me responsible for anything , any death that has occurred in the execution of the drug war , ” Duterte said .
“ If you get killed , it ’ s because I ’ m enraged by drugs , ” said the president known for his coarse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve my country by going to jail , gladly.
” He said , however , that drug killings that did not happen during police operations should not be blamed on him , alleging that those may have been committed by gangs .
Duterte has made a crackdown on drugs a centerpiece of his presidency .
At the height of the campaign — which has often targeted petty dealers and users along with a handful of the biggest druglords — images of suspects sprawled dead and bloodied in the streets were frequently broadcast in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front pages of newspapers .
Tens of thousands of arrests in the initial years of the crackdown worsened congestion in what were already among the world ’ s most overcrowded jails .
U.N. human rights experts and Western governments led by the United States have raised alarm over the killings , enraging Duterte , who once told former U.S. President Barack Obama to “ go to hell.
” There have been widespread suspicions that police engage in extrajudicial killings in the crackdown , allegations that they and Duterte deny .
In 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murdering a 17-year-old student after witnesses and a security video disproved their claim that the suspect was shot after violently resisting , a common reason cited by police officers after drug suspects are killed .
At least two complaints for crimes against humanity and mass murder in connection with Duterte ’ s campaign are being examined by an ICC prosecutor , who will determine whether there is enough evidence to open a full-scale investigation .
When the complaints were made , Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the world tribunal two years ago in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a major setback in the country ’ s battle against impunity .
The ICC prosecutor has said the examination into the drug killings would continue despite the Philippine withdrawal .
Duterte reiterated his defiance of the court ’ s probe Monday by asking , when did “ drugs become humanity ?
” Instead , he framed the drug menace as a national security threat , as he has in the past , comparing it to the communist insurgency that the government has tried to quell for more than a half-century .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on and if no decisive action is taken against them , it will endanger the security of the state , ” said Duterte , a former government prosecutor .
“ When you save your country from the perdition of the people like the NPAs and drugs , you are doing a sacred duty , ” he said , referring to communist New People ’ s Army insurgents .
Police have reported at least 5,856 drug suspects have been killed in raids and more than 256,000 others arrested since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities of considerably under reporting the deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Memorial march to be held near Paris to honour slain teacher

PARIS - A memorial march will be held Tuesday evening near Paris in homage to the history teacher who was beheaded last week , while French police said 16 people remain in custody as part of the investigation into the attack .
Local elected officials , teachers and parent ’ s associations called on people to dress in white for the march at 6:30 p.m. ( 1630 GMT ; 12:30 p.m. EDT ) in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine , northwest of Paris , which will take place near the high school where Samuel Paty was teaching .
Paty was beheaded on Friday by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was later shot dead by police .
Police officials said Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam ’ s Prophet Muhammad with his class , leading to threats .
France ’ s lawmakers will also gather for a ceremony and a minute of silence on Tuesday at the National Assembly .
A French judicial official said on condition of anonymity because he wasn ’ t authorized to disclose information on an ongoing investigation that 16 people , including family members of the attacker , were in police custody Tuesday .
Judicial authorities have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected terrorist motive .
Meanwhile , Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the closure of a mosque which had posted a message on social media denouncing the teacher ’ s course about the caricatures .
Darmanin said on Monday evening that he had ordered the closure of the mosque in Pantin , a suburb northeast of Paris , for six months .
Speaking on French television TF1 , Darmanin said that the mosque ’ s leader “ relayed the message which consisted in saying that this teacher should be intimidated ” and mentioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously said authorities were also looking into about 50 associations suspected of encouraging hate speech and the issue will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday .
A national memorial event will be held Wednesday evening to pay tribute to Paty in the courtyard of La Sorbonne university in Paris .
The centuries-old site is a symbol of knowledge and education and of the “ spirit of Enlightenment ” since it has always been “ a forum to express ideas and freedoms , ” the French presidency said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--More than 1,300 inmates escape from prison in eastern Congo

BENI , Congo - More than 1,300 inmates have escaped from the central prison of Beni in eastern Congo after an attack by rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces , the town ’ s mayor said Tuesday .
Mayor Modeste Bakwanamaha told The Associated Press that one inmate had died in the attack on Kangbayi prison .
“ We call on the population to report any suspicious person who may be an escaped prisoner , “ he said .
The mayor said that 20 of the escaped prisoners had already returned , preferring incarceration to life with the rebels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were taken by force .
They say they had to escape from their abductors , the ADF , because they did not want to live as enemies in the bush , ” said Bakwanamaha .
News of the Kangbayi jailbreak angered locals , who feared the mass escape could further exacerbate violence in the area .
“ It is a danger to the community of Beni , “ said resident Sadi Amundala .
“ We would like our government to improve the conditions of life in prisons and also strengthen the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The escape comes three years after another attack on the Kangbayi prison in which about 100 inmates had fled and dozens were killed .
The Allied Democratic Forces rebel group , known as the ADF , originated in Uganda and has long been a threat in eastern Congo .
The Islamic State group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the prison attack , in an announcement on its Amaq news agency .
The IS group has recently claimed some attacks carried out by ADF rebels but the exact relationship between the two groups @ @ @ @

Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Protest arrests show regular Americans, not urban antifa

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump portrays the hundreds of people arrested nationwide in protests against racial injustice as violent urban left-wing radicals .
But an Associated Press review of thousands of pages of court documents tell a different story .
Very few of those charged appear to be affiliated with highly organized extremist groups , and many are young suburban adults from the very neighbourhoods Trump vows to protect from the violence in his reelection push to win support from the suburbs .
Attorney General William Barr has urged his prosecutors to bring federal charges on protesters who cause violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges could apply .
And the Department of Justice has pushed for detention even as prisons across the U.S. were releasing high-risk inmates because of COVID-19 and prosecutors had been told to consider the risks of incarceration during a pandemic when seeking detention .
Defence attorneys and civil rights activists are questioning why the Department of Justice has taken on cases to begin with .
They say most belong in state court , where defendants typically get much lighter sentences .
And they argue federal authorities appear to be cracking down on protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is highly unusual , and without precedent in recent American history , ” said Ron Kuby , a longtime attorney who isn ’ t involved in the cases but has represented scores of clients over the years in protest-related incidents .
“ Almost all of the conduct that ’ s being charged is conduct that , when it occurs , is prosecuted at the state and local level.
” In one case in Utah , where a police car was burned , federal prosecutors had to defend why they were bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was appropriate because the patrol car was used in interstate commerce .
Not to say there hasn ’ t been violence .
Other police cars have been set on fire .
Officers have been injured and blinded .
Windows have been smashed , stores looted , businesses destroyed .
Some of those facing charges undoubtedly share far-left and anti-government views .
Far-right protesters also have been arrested and charged .
Some defendants have driven to protests from out of state .
Some have criminal records and were illegally carrying weapons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an opportunity to steal or create havoc .
But many have had no previous run-ins with the law and no apparent ties to antifa , the umbrella term for leftist militant groups that Trump has said he wants to declare a terrorist organization .
Even though most of the demonstrations have been peaceful , Trump has made “ law and order ” a major part of his reelection campaign , casting the protests as lawless and violent in mostly Democratic cities he says have done nothing to stymie the mayhem .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he says , the federal government has to step in .
“ I know about antifa , and I know about the radical left , and I know how violent they are and how vicious they are , and I know how they are burning down cities run by Democrats , ” Trump said at an NBC town hall .
In dozens of cases , the government has pushed to keep the protesters behind bars while they await their trials amid the COVID-19 pandemic , which has killed more than 220,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 16,000 positive cases in the federal prison system , according to a tracker compiled by the AP and The Marshall Project .
In some cases , prosecutors have gone so far as appealing judge ’ s orders to release defendants .
Pre-trial detention generally is reserved only for people who are clearly dangers to the community or a risk of fleeing .
In Texas , Magistrate Judge Andrew Austin repeatedly challenged the prosecutor to explain why Cyril Lartigue , who authorities say was caught on camera making a Molotov cocktail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his trial .
Lartigue , of Cedar Park , described his actions that night as a “ flash of stupidity , ” prosecutors said .
The 25-year-old lives with his parents in the Austin suburb and had never been in trouble with the law before and wasn ’ t a member of a violent group .
The judge said there are lot of people “ who do something stupid that ’ s dangerous that we don ’ t even consider detaining.
” “ I ’ m frustrated because I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge said .
“ I have defendants in here with significant criminal histories that the government agrees to release.
“ “ We have no evidence of him — at least that ’ s been given to me — being a radical or a member of a group that advocates violence toward the police or others .
We ’ ve got no criminal history .
… What evidence is there that he ’ s a danger to society ?
” the judge asked .
The judge allowed Lartigue to stay out of jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold radical or anti-government beliefs , prosecutors have provided little evidence of any affiliations they have with organized extremist groups .
In one arrest in Erie , Pennsylvania , community members raised more than $ 2,500 to help with bail for a 29-year-old Black man who was arrested after they said white people had come from out of town and spray painted a parking lot .
In thousands of pages of court documents , the only apparent mention of antifa is in a Boston case in which authorities said a FBI Gang Task @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity associated with the protests ” when a man fired at him and other officers .
Authorities have not claimed that the man accused of firing the shots is a member of antifa .
Others have social media leftist ties ; a Seattle man who expressed anarchist beliefs on social media is accused of sending a message through a Portland citizen communication portal threatening to blow up a police precinct .
Several of the defendants are not from the Democratic-led cities that Trump has likened to “ war zones “ but from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have “ saved.
” Of the 93 people arrested on federal criminal charges in Portland , 18 defendants are from out of state , the Justice Department said .
This has contributed to a blame game that has been a subplot throughout the protests .
Leaders in Minneapolis and Detroit have decried people from out of state and suburbanites for coming into their cities and causing havoc .
Trump in turn has blamed the cities for not doing their part .
“ Don ’ t come down to Detroit and tear the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s putting another knee on the neck of Black folk because we got to live here , ” the Rev .
Wendell Anthony of the NAACP said in May .
More than 40 % of those facing federal charges are white .
More than two-thirds are under the age of 30 , and most are men .
More than a quarter have been charged with arson .
More than a dozen are accused of civil disorder , and others are charged with burglary and failing to comply with a federal order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , from Portland , Oregon , to Minneapolis , Boston and New York .
Attorneys for those facing federal charges either declined to comment or didn ’ t respond to messages from the AP .
Brian Bartels , a 20-year-old suburban Pittsburgh man who is described by prosecutors as a “ self-identified left-wing anarchist , “ was flanked by his parents when he turned himself in to authorities .
Bartels , who lives at his parents ’ house , spray painted an “ A ” on a police cruiser before jumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ windshield during a protest in the city , prosecutors said .
He pleaded guilty in September .
One defendant who was arrested during a protest in the central Massachusetts city of Worcester told authorities he was “ with the anarchist group.
” Vincent Eovacious , 18 , who is accused of possessing several Molotov cocktails , told authorities that he had been “ waiting for an opportunity , ” according to court documents .
But tucked into the protest-related cases are accusations of far-right extremism and racism as well .
John Malcolm Bareswill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a prayer vigil for George Floyd , called the church and threatened to burn it to the ground , using racial slurs in a phone call overheard by children , prosecutors said .
Bareswill , 63 , of Virginia Beach , faces 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to making a telephonic threat .
Two Missouri militia members who authorities say travelled to Kenosha , Wisconsin , to see Trump ’ s visit in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake were arrested at a hotel in September with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court documents .
An attorney for one of the men , Michael Karmo , said he is “ charged criminally for conduct that many Americans would consider patriotic , ” as authorities have alleged his motive was to assist overwhelmed law enforcement .
Three of the men arrested are far-right extremists , members of the “ Boogaloo ” movement plotting to overthrow the government and had been stockpiling military-grade weapons and hunting around for the right public event to unleash violence for weeks before Floyd ’ s death , according to court documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening businesses in Nevada as the coronavirus pandemic raged , they settled on a Floyd-related protest led by Black Lives Matter .
Angry it had not turned violent , they brought carloads of explosives , military-grade weapons , to a meet-up about 2 miles ( 3.2 kilometres ) from the protest site and pumped gasoline into tanks .
FBI agents arrested them before they could act , according to a criminal complaint .
FBI Director Christopher Wray recently told a congressional panel that extremists driven by white supremacist or anti-government ideologies have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. over the past few years .
He said that antifa is more of an ideology or a movement than an organization , though the FBI has terrorism investigations of “ violent anarchist extremists , any number of whom self identify with the antifa movement.
” But the handling of the federal protest cases is vastly different from other recent times of unrest .
“ Look at Travyon ( Martin ) verdicts , Eric Garner verdicts , ” Kuby said , talking about high-profile cases in which Black people were killed but no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tremendous amount of anger and unrest and activity that was objectively unlawful , “ he said .
“ There were objections about law enforcement being militarized , but you didn ’ t see following the quelling of those demonstrations any significant federal law enforcement involvement .
”

Alanna Durkin Richer, Colleen Long And Michael Balsamo - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Thai Cabinet approves Parliament session to debate protests

BANGKOK - Thailand ’ s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a request to recall Parliament for a special session to deal with the political pressures from ongoing anti-government protests .
The Cabinet at its weekly meeting approved the request , which calls for a non-voting session on Oct. 26-27 .
The request for the session came from House Speaker Chuan Leekpai , who said Monday that both government and opposition parties supported it .
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha had already said earlier that he supports the move .
There is a deadlock between the government and the student-led protesters , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitution to be amended to make it more democratic , and reforms to the monarchy to have it conform to democratic norms .
The protesters charge that Prayuth , an army commander who led a 2014 coup , was returned to power unfairly in last year ’ s general election because laws had been changed to favour a pro-military party .
The protesters say a constitution written and passed under military rule is undemocratic .
But their more recent demand for checks and balances on the monarchy has deeply angered conservative Thais — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monarchy is considered sacrosanct and tough laws protecting it from insult mean its role is not usually discussed openly .
It has also raised the risk of confrontation in a country where calls for political change have a history of being met with military intervention or even violence .
The government has sought to weaken the protesters ’ resolve over the past week by arresting their leaders , declaring a state of emergency for Bangkok that makes all rallies illegal , and trying to physically impede their gatherings , including by closing mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police backed by water cannons were sent in to break up a rally in Bangkok on Friday , it drew widespread criticism for the use of force and failed to discourage the protesters , who have continued to gather in large numbers every day .
Protests have also spread to other provinces .
Tuesday marked the seventh straight day of protests , though they were much smaller in scale than previous rallies , with organizers telling supporters on social media that it was a rest day .
Small groups of demonstrators gathered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area .
Two detained top protest leaders were released Tuesday , but were immediately rearrested on other charges , said their lawyer , Noraseth Nanongtoom .
He said they would seek their release on bail when they are brought to court on Wednesday .
The two , Panusaya “ Rung ” Sithijirawattanakul and Parit “ Penguin ” Chiwarak , were initially taken into custody during an attempted overnight rally outside the prime minister ’ s offices on the night of Oct. 14 .
Parliament in September made its first attempt at dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was scheduled to vote on six proposed constitutional amendments .
But the vote was cancelled at the last minute as Parliament voted instead to set up a committee to further consider such proposals .
constitutional changes require a joint vote of the House and the Senate , but it was clear that the proposals lacked enough support in the Senate , whose members are not elected and are generally very conservative and hostile to the protesters .
Police announced Monday that they were seeking to impose censorship on media reporting of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distorted information ” that could cause unrest and confusion in society .
They said they sought to block access to the online sites of four Thai news organizations and one activist group that broadcast live coverage of the protests .
They also proposed a ban on over-the-air digital television coverage of one broadcaster , Voice TV .
Phuchphong Nodthaisong , a senior official from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society , announced Tuesday that a court , at the government ’ s behest , had ordered that Voice TV stop broadcasting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was founded by the son of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , who was ousted in a 2006 military coup , has been sympathetic to the protest movement in its coverage .
The government also said it would try to block use of the Telegram messaging app by protest groups , who announced Sunday that they would use it for organizing because they feared they might be blocked on other platforms , such as Facebook .
Telegram channels of the protest groups were still accessible on Tuesday .

Busaba Sivasomboon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Polish court ruling to determine fate of human rights office

WARSAW , Poland - Poland ’ s constitutional court is considering a ruling that will determine the fate of one of the last state bodies that has kept its independence from the populist right-wing government .
The constitutional court , which was scheduled to issue a ruling Tuesday affecting the Human Rights Commissioner ’ s office , said it had to postpone its session because of the illness of one judge .
A new date was not yet set .
Since the populist party , Law and Justice , won power in 2015 , it has taken control of almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , conservative stamp on museums and cultural institutes and turning state media into a propaganda arm of government .
Most controversially , it has put its loyalists at the helm of top courts and judicial bodies , in some cases violating the law to do so .
The European Union has repeatedly warned that Poland ’ s erosion of judicial independence represents a serious setback to the rule of law in the country .
To date , however , the human rights commissioner , or ombudsman , a top civil servant whose role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their civil rights , has acted with independence .
Adam Bodnar , a human rights lawyer , was nominated shortly before Law and Justice took office in 2015 .
He has used his role to defend a wide range of groups , including farmers and tenants who have seen their rights violated and people with disabilities deprived of benefits .
He has also challenged some of the ruling party ’ s changes to the judiciary as well as anti-LGBT language that he considers a violation of constitutional protections against discrimination .
Bodnar told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has sought to do his job impartially , and noted that many times he has defended Law and Justice policies that have sought to reduce income inequalities and help families .
“ I am proud that in these five years I have managed to show that rights belong to everybody in this country , “ he said .
” And that the role of this institution is to be close to the people and to protect them in all different circumstances.
“ Yet the fact that he has criticized government policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights has made him anathema to the government .
Bodnar ’ s five-year term formally ended on Sept. 9 , but he remains in his job because political divisions have blocked the appointment of a successor .
The ombudsman must be chosen by both the lower house of parliament , where the Law and Justice-led right-wing coalition has a majority , and the Senate , where the opposition has a razor-thin majority .
The lower house has so far refused to consider the only proposed candidate , Zuzanna Rudzinska-Bluszcz , a lawyer who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is supported by about 1,000 civil rights and other non-governmental organizations .
Meanwhile , ruling party lawmakers have asked the constitutional Tribunal to overthrow the law that allows Bodnar to remain until a successor is chosen .
The court — filled with ruling party appointees — is considered likely to issue a ruling forcing Bodnar out when it eventually rules .
If it does , that would open the way for a new procedure allowing Law and Justice to take control of the office , bypassing the need for the Senate ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting ombudsman who could remain in place for years .
European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova , in charge of values and transparency , tweeted Tuesday that the EU is “ closely following ” the matter .
“ It ’ s of paramount importance to ensure that the institution defending citizens ’ rights remains independent and its effective operation is preserved , ” Jourova said .
Bodnar said his biggest fear is that the institution could “ redefine rights ” in a way that would offer less protection to vulnerable groups .
Laurent Pech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middlesex University in London who has been a sharp critic of the judicial changes in Poland , said that “ the unconstitutional capture of the Polish Ombudsman ’ s office ” would complete “ Poland ’ s slow-motion constitutional coup d ’ etat .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Rare white sea turtle found on South Carolina beach

KIAWAH ISLAND , S.C. - Volunteers checking sea turtle nests on a South Carolina beach came upon a rare sight @ @ @ @ @ hatchling crawling across the sand .
The town of Kiawah Island posted on its Facebook @ @ @ @ @ Turtle Patrol found a lone white baby sea turtle on Sunday .
Photos show a @ @ @ @ @ a creamy white colour rather than the more typical gray or green of a sea @ @ @ @ @ the hatchling is believed to have a genetic condition called leucism , which causes animals @ @ @ @ @ The condition is described as extremely rare , but it ’ s unclear exactly how @ @ @ @ @ in the wild .
The Olive Ridley Project , a sea turtle conservation group , @ @ @ @ @ typically have a hard time surviving because of a lack of camouflage .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Report: Tax records show Trump tried to land China projects

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump spent a decade unsuccessfully pursuing projects in China , operating an office there during his first run for president and forging a partnership with a major government-controlled company , The New York Times reported Tuesday .
China is one of only three foreign nations — the others are Britain and Ireland — where Trump maintains a bank account , according to a Times analysis of the president ’ s tax records .
The foreign accounts do not show up on Trump ’ s public financial disclosures , where he must list personal assets , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chinese account is controlled by Trump International Hotels Management LLC , which the tax records show paid $ 188,561 in taxes in China while pursuing licensing deals there from 2013 to 2015 .
In response to questions from The Times , Alan Garten , a lawyer for the Trump Organization , said the company had “ opened an account with a Chinese bank having offices in the United States in order to pay the local taxes ” associated with efforts to do business there .
He said the company had opened the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to explore the potential for hotel deals in Asia.
” “ No deals , transactions or other business activities ever materialized and , since 2015 , the office has remained inactive , ” Garten said .
“ Though the bank account remains open , it has never been used for any other purpose.
” Garten would not identify the bank in China where the account is held .
China continues to be an issue in the 2020 presidential campaign , from the president ’ s trade war to his barbs over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign has tried to portray former Vice-President Joe Biden as misreading the dangers posed by China ’ s growing power .
Trump has also sought to tar his opponent with overblown or unsubstantiated assertions about Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings there while his father was in office .
As for the former vice-president , his public financial disclosures , along with the income tax returns he voluntarily released , show no income or business dealings of his own in China .
However , there is ample evidence of Trump ’ s efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , where he explored hotel and tower projects in Moscow without success , Trump has long sought a licensing deal in China .
His efforts go at least as far back as 2006 , when he filed trademark applications in Hong Kong and the mainland .
Many Chinese government approvals came after he became president .
In 2008 , Trump pursued an office tower project in Guangzhou that never got off the ground .
But his efforts accelerated in 2012 with the opening of a Shanghai office , and tax records show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , THC China Development LLC , claimed $ 84,000 in deductions that year for travel costs , legal fees and office expenses .
The Times said Trump ’ s tax records show that he has invested at least $ 192,000 in five small companies created specifically to pursue projects in China over the years .
Those companies claimed at least $ 97,400 in business expenses since 2010 , including some minor payments for taxes and accounting fees as recently as 2018 , the Times reported .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--How Trump plowed through $1 billion, losing cash advantage

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s sprawling political operation has raised well over $ 1 billion since he took the White House in 2017 — and set a lot of it on fire .
Trump bought a $ 10 million Super Bowl ad when he didn ’ t yet have a challenger .
He tapped his political organization to cover exorbitant legal fees related to his impeachment .
Aides made flashy displays of their newfound wealth — including a fleet of luxury vehicles purchased by Brad Parscale , his former campaign manager .
Meanwhile , a web of limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in spending from disclosure , records show .
Now , just two weeks out from the election , some campaign aides privately acknowledge they are facing difficult spending decisions at a time when Democratic nominee Joe Biden has flooded the airwaves with advertising .
That has put Trump in the position of needing to do more of his signature rallies as a substitute during the coronavirus pandemic while relying on an unproven theory that he can turn out supporters who are infrequent voters at historic levels .
“ They spent their money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign staff and vanity ads , ” said Mike Murphy , a veteran Republican consultant who advised John McCain and Jeb Bush and is an outspoken Trump critic .
“ You could literally have 10 monkeys with flamethrowers go after the money , and they wouldn ’ t have burned through it as stupidly.
” For Trump , it ’ s a familiar , if not welcome , position .
In 2016 , he was vastly outraised by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton but still pulled off a come-from-behind win .
This time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a massive cash advantage to negatively define Biden and to defend his own record .
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien insisted money was no issue .
“ We have more than sufficient air cover , almost three times as much as 2016 , ” he told reporters Monday .
Biden , Stepien added , was “ putting it all on TV , ” as he eschewed most door-knocking because of the pandemic , while Trump has roughly 2,000 field staffers across the country knocking on doors and making calls for his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sort of tipping , could go either way , ” Trump told campaign staffers Monday , “ I have an ability to go to those states and rally .
Biden has no ability .
I go to a rally , we have 25,000 people .
He goes to a rally , and he has four people.
” While a half-dozen pro-Trump outside groups are coming to the president ’ s aid , Biden and his Democratic allies are on pace to dump $ 142 million into ads in the closing days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2-to-1 , according to data from the ad tracking firm CMAG/Kantar .
On Monday , the firm Medium Buying reported Trump was cancelling ad buys in Wisconsin ; Minnesota , which Trump had hoped to flip ; and Ohio , which went for Trump in 2016 but now appears to be a tight contest .
It ’ s a reversal from May , when Biden ’ s campaign was strapped for cash and Parscale ominously compared the Trump campaign to a “ Death Star ” that was about to “ start pressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad campaign they unrolled over the next three months cost over $ 176 million but did little to dent Biden ’ s lead in public opinion polling .
Trump is now in a position that ’ s virtually unthinkable for an incumbent president , said Travis Ridout , co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project , which tracks advertising spending .
“ Advertising obviously isn ’ t everything .
But we do think ads matter for a couple percentage points in a presidential race .
And it ’ s just not a good sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
A review of expenditures by Trump ’ s campaign , as well as the Republican National Committee , lays bare some of the profligate spending .
Since 2017 , more than $ 39 million has been paid to firms controlled by Parscale , who was ousted as campaign manager over the summer .
An additional $ 319.4 million was paid to American Made Media Consultants , a Delaware limited liability company , whose owners are not publicly disclosed .
Campaigns typically reveal in mandatory disclosures who their primary vendors are .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s firms , as well as American Made Media Consultants , Trump satisfied the basic disclosure requirements without detailing the ultimate recipients .
Other questionable expenditures by Trump and the RNC that are included in campaign finance disclosures : — Nearly $ 100,000 spent on copies of Donald Trump Jr. ’ s book “ Triggered , ” which helped propel it to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list .
— Over $ 7.4 million spent at Trump-branevada nded properties since 2017 .
— At least $ 35.9 million spent on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in legal and “ compliance ” fees .
In addition to tapping the RNC and his campaign to pay legal costs during his impeachment proceedings , Trump has also relied on his political operation to cover legal costs for some aides .
— At least $ 15.1 million spent on the Republican National Convention .
The event was supposed to be in Charlotte , North Carolina , but Trump relocated it to Jacksonville , Florida , after a dispute with North Carolina ’ s Democratic governor over coronavirus safety measures .
The Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly online convention taking its place .
Disclosures show the RNC still spent $ 1 million at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island , near Jacksonville .
— $ 912,000 spent on ads that ran on the personal Facebook pages of Parscale and Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson .
— A $ 250,000 ad run during Game 7 of the 2019 World Series , which came after Trump was booed by spectators when he attended Game 5 .
— At least $ 218,000 for Trump surrogates to travel aboard private jets provided by campaign donors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ads in the Washington , D.C. , media market , an overwhelmingly Democratic area where Trump has little chance of winning but where he is a regular TV watcher .
There are signs Trump ’ s grassroots fundraising operation has slowed , too .
Once a driving force , the campaign is now spending about 77 cents for every dollar it raises , typically through online ads asking supporters to chip in a few dollars .
Between July and September , it cost the campaign $ 181 million to raise $ 235 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a considerable break from earlier in the year , when it raked in hundreds of millions while spending far less .
Some of Trump ’ s wealthy supporters are also exploring their options .
Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson and his wife , Miriam , recently donated $ 75 million to Preserve America , a new pro-Trump super political action committee that is not controlled by Trump World political operatives .
One of the reasons the group was founded in August is because there is deep distrust among some GOP donors that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wisely , according to a Republican strategist with direct knowledge of the matter .
The strategist spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive discussions with donors .
Dan Eberhart , who has given over $ 190,000 to Trump ’ s election efforts , said many Republican donors are now focused on keeping control of the Senate in GOP hands — not Trump ’ s chances of winning .
“ The Senate majority is the most important objective right now , ” he said .
“ It ’ s the bulwark against so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do.
“ Associated Press writer Andrew Milligan in New York contributed to this report .

Brian Slodysko And Zeke Miller - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--In debate countdown, Trump holds rally, Biden does prep

ERIE , Pa. - President Donald Trump pushed into arguably the most important state on the electoral map on Tuesday , opting for a rally in Pennsylvania instead of formal debate practice two days ahead of the final presidential debate that may be his last , best chance to alter the trajectory of the 2020 campaign .
Democrat Joe Biden took the opposite approach , holing up for debate prep in the leadup to Thursday ’ s faceoff in Nashville .
But Trump , trailing in polls in most battleground states , continued his travel blitz in the race ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign has wanted to be his closing message .
“ This is an election between a Trump super recovery and a Biden depression .
You will have a depression the likes of which you have never seen , ” the president said in Erie .
“ If you want depression , doom and despair , vote for Sleepy Joe .
And boredom.
“ But the president ’ s pitch that he should lead the rebuilding of an economy ravaged by the pandemic has been overshadowed by a series of fights .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert and a venerable TV newsmagazine while suggesting that the nation was tired of talking about a virus that has killed more than 220,000 Americans .
Before leaving the White House , Trump taped part of an interview with CBS ’ “ 60 Minutes ” that apparently ended acrimoniously .
On Twitter , the president declared his interview with Lesley Stahl to be “ FAKE and BIASED , ” and he threatened to release a White House edit of it before its Sunday airtime .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is increasingly relying on his signature campaign rallies to deliver a closing message to voters and maximize turnout among his GOP base .
His trip Tuesday to Pennsylvania was one of what is expected to be several to the state in the next two weeks .
“ If we win Pennsylvania , we win the whole thing , “ Trump said in Erie .
Erie County , which includes the aging industrial city in the state ’ s northwest corner , went for President Barack Obama by 5 percentage points in 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
That swing , fueled by Trump ’ s success with white , working-class , non-college-educated voters , was replicated in small cities and towns and rural areas and helped him overcome Hillary Clinton ’ s victories in the state ’ s big cities .
But Trump will likely need to run up the score by more this time around as his prospects have slipped since 2016 in vote-rich suburban Philadelphia , where he underperformed by past Republican measures .
This raises the stakes for his campaign ’ s more aggressive outreach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the industrial north .
His aides worry that his opponent is uniquely situated to prevent that , as Biden not only hails from Scranton , but has built his political persona as a representative of the middle and working classes .
Trump , who spoke for less than an hour , showed the crowd a video of various Biden comments on fracking in a bid to portray Biden as opposed to the process .
The issue is critical in a state that is the second leading producer of natural gas in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he would ban new gas and oil permits , including for fracking , on federal lands only .
The vast majority of oil and gas does not come from federal lands .
Three weeks of wrangling over the debate format and structure appeared to have subsided Tuesday after the Commission on Presidential Debates unveiled a rules change meant to reduce the chaotic interruptions that plagued the first Trump-Biden encounter last month .
This time , Trump and Biden will each have his microphone cut off while his rival delivers an opening two-minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topics , the commission announced .
The mute button won ’ t figure in the open discussion portion of the debate .
Trump was to have been joined in Erie by first lady Melania Trump , in what was to be her first public appearance since she and the president were sickened with COVID-19 .
But her chief of staff , Stephanie Grisham , said Tuesday that Mrs. Trump has a lingering cough and would not accompany the president .
As Trump was on the road , Biden was huddling at his lakeside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior adviser Ron Klain , who is in charge of debate preparation .
Also on hand : a group of aides that the campaign has purposely kept small to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
Biden , who taped his own interview with “ 60 Minutes ” on Monday at a theatre near his home , had no public events Tuesday or Wednesday and wasn ’ t scheduled to travel — except to the debate itself — on Thursday .
His running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , was out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a late boost from former President Barack Obama , who was to host an event Wednesday in Philadelphia .
Biden is now tested about every two days for the coronavirus and has never been found to be positive .
He suggested before last week ’ s planned second debate in Miami that the proceedings shouldn ’ t happen if Trump was still testing positive for COVID-19 after contracting the virus earlier in the month .
The candidates instead held dueling town halls on separate networks after the commission said the debate should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trump rejected the idea .
Biden has been tightlipped about his preparation for the Nashville debate , saying only that he has focused on watching Trump ’ s past statements on key issues .
Biden ’ s advisers see the final debate as a chance to discuss foreign policy , which they see as one of their candidate ’ s strengths .
Biden has praised the Trump administration for helping to broker deals that the Gulf states of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed recognizing Israel , but otherwise has accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign relations more volatile at most points around the globe .
The debate comes as Trump is again defending his handling of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 220,000 Americans and attacking his Democratic rival for pledging to heed the advice of scientific experts .
Trump insisted Tuesday that he gets along with Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease specialist , while also complaining on “ Fox & Friends ” that the doctor , who has clashed with him at times over the coronavirus , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day earlier , Trump said on a call with campaign aides that “ People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots , “ adding of the doctor : “ Every time he goes on television , there ’ s always a bomb .
But there ’ s a bigger bomb if you fire him .
But Fauci ’ s a disaster.
” ___ Weissert reported from Wilmington , Delaware .
Miller reported from Washington .
AP writers Jill Colvin , Kevin Freking and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report @

Zeke Miller, Will Weissert And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--An electric Hummer? Battery-powered trucks head to showrooms

DETROIT - Seven auto companies have plans to roll out new battery-powered pickup trucks over the next two years , aiming to cash in on a popular and lucrative market for expensive vehicles .
General Motors is among them , and on Tuesday its GMC brand introduced a new electric Hummer pickup , with a high-end version due in showrooms sometime in the fall of next year .
The Hummer will be joined by crosstown rival Ford ’ s electric F-150 , Tesla ’ s Cybertruck and pickups from four startup companies .
All intend to start producing them between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2022 .
Prices announced thus far show they range from roughly $ 40,000 for a base Cybertruck to a loaded off-road Hummer “ Edition 1 ” that will start at more than $ 112,000 .
GM , Ford , Tesla , Bollinger Motors , Nikola , Rivian and Lordstown Motors all want a piece of what is now a petroleum-powered market dominated by Ford ’ s F-Series trucks , as well as GM ’ s Chevrolet Silverado and Fiat Chrysler ’ s Ram pickup .
Last year , U.S. consumers bought more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ford ’ s F-Series for decades has been the nation ’ s top-selling vehicle , and the company sold close to 900,000 in 2019 .
This year , with sales depressed by the coronavirus , pickup sales have been a beacon of strength for automakers , which are trying to make up for production lost when factories were forced to close earlier in the year .
Big pickups now start around $ 30,000 , but can run over $ 90,000 when loaded with options .
The average light-duty full-size pickup cost nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks averaged over $ 62,000 , according to Edmunds.com , which provides content to The Associated Press .
Experts say that since buyers are willing to pay more for trucks , it ’ s likely they ’ ll also be willing to shell out the cost of electric batteries and motors , which now are more expensive than gas or diesel trucks .
But the automakers are taking a risk , and it remains to be seen what the actual selling prices will be , says Eric Ibara , director of residual vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the underlying demand for electric trucks ?
We don ’ t know .
It ’ s somewhat of a risky venture for the established truck manufacturers like Ford and GM and Ram , ” he said .
It ’ s likely the Detroit automakers are defending their turf from Tesla ’ s Cybertruck , fearing that Tesla might take sales from pickups much like it did in the luxury car market , Ibara said .
“ They don ’ t want to see their grip on full-size trucks end up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even with the large number of electric trucks coming , Ibara sees SUVs as the big market for consumers .
But the electric trucks also could appeal to businesses , which could unload gasoline costs in favour of cheaper electricity in many places .
They also could take advantage of the big batteries by using the trucks to power tools on job sites instead of a generator .
Most of the trucks will be able to travel more than 250 miles ( 400 kilometres ) on a single charge , with the Hummer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) in early testing .
Luis Venegas , owner of LG Landscaping in Richfield , Minnesota , said he may consider an electric truck in the future , but for now he loves his Ford heavy-duty diesel to carry equipment for his small business .
He worries that if he goes electric , there won ’ t be a charging station nearby if he needs it .
“ A diesel you can fill up anywhere , ” he said .
The Hummer will be a bit pricey at first with lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generate 1,000 horsepower for towing and hauling .
The truck can go from zero to 60 mph ( 97 kilometres per hour ) in about three seconds .
It also has a “ crab walk ” feature that lets the front and rear wheels steer at the same angle at low speeds so it can move diagonally around obstacles .
Less-expensive versions will be rolled out until 2024 , when the EV2 arrives starting at just under $ 80,000 .
Ed Williamson , owner of a GMC dealership in Miami , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Before the Hummer brand went out of business about a decade ago , Williamson had one of the top-selling dealerships in the nation .
“ It ’ s because this ZIP code has mucho machismo , ” he said .
The new electric Hummer should appeal to those seeking to stand apart from others , Williamson said .
It also could appeal to businesses wanting to get noticed .
“ I think it ’ s wonderful that they ’ ve taken this vehicle that was the icon of anti-green , if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Trump taunts Lesley Stahl of ‘60 Minutes’ after cutting off interview

U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cut off an interview with “ 60 Minutes ” star Lesley Stahl at the White House on Tuesday and then taunted her on Twitter , posting a short behind-the-scenes video of her at the taping and noting that she had not been wearing a mask in the clip .
Trump then threatened to post his interview with Stahl ahead of its intended broadcast time Sunday evening , calling it “ FAKE and BIASED.
” The spectacle of a president , two weeks from election day , picking a fight with the nation ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump grew irritated with Stahl ’ s questions , according to two people familiar with the circumstances of the taping .
One person briefed on what took place said that Trump had spent more than 45 minutes filming with Stahl and her CBS News crew , and that the taping had not wrapped up when the president ’ s aides had expected it to .
So Trump cut the interview short and then declined to participate in a “ walk and talk ” segment with Stahl and Vice-President Mike Pence , the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s approach did not sit well with the president .
Hours later , Trump said on Twitter that he was considering posting the interview with Stahl “ PRIOR TO AIRTIME !
” He described it as a “ terrible Electoral Intrusion ” and suggested that his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , had been treated less harshly by journalistic interlocutors .
Trump also posted a six-second video clip of Stahl at the White House , writing : “ Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes not wearing a mask in the White House after her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come.
” In fact , Stahl had worn a mask at the White House up until the start of her taping with Trump , including when she first greeted the president , according to a person familiar with the interview .
The video posted on Trump ’ s Twitter feed showed Stahl immediately after the interview ended , as she conferred with two of her CBS producers , both of whom were wearing masks .
The CBS crew was tested for the coronavirus before entering the White House on Tuesday , the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the 2016 election , including his first televised interview after winning the presidency .
She also filmed with Trump at the White House in October 2018 .
Stahl was hospitalized with the coronavirus in the spring and has since recovered .
The president and Pence were participating in a “ 60 Minutes ” episode set to air Sunday evening .
The episode is also expected to feature interviews with Biden and his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris of California .
Biden taped his interview with the “ CBS Evening News ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has not yet tweeted about it .

Michael M. Grynbaum - The New York Times,Maggie Haberman