thetorontostar--2020-10-14--The Latest: Trump says he ‘made the right choice with Amy’

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the 2020 presidential race ( all times local ) : President Donald Trump says he doesn ’ t mind running against former Vice-President Joe Biden , but he wouldn ’ t want to run against his Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett .
Speaking to supporters in Iowa on Wednesday , Trump got some of his biggest cheers when he brought up her confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee .
He joked , “ Please promise me , Amy , you ’ ll never run.
” Trump calls Barrett a “ great intellect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is getting , particularly from Democrats , and “ she handles it like nothing.
” Trump says he hasn ’ t spoken with Barrett for a few days , “ and I just want to say we made the right choice with Amy.
” If Barrett is confirmed , which is expected , she would replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died last month .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT ’ S HAPPENING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE : President Donald Trump is being forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON : Former President Barack Obama says his administration ’ s inability to eliminate racial bias in the criminal justice system may have left some Americans “ skeptical about what the government can do.
” Obama was asked on an episode of “ Pod Save America ” released Wednesday night about what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote in next month ’ s presidential election — especially young people and minorities .
“ Some of them may have been frustrated about my failure to have completely transformed the criminal justice system to eliminate racial bias , ” Obama responded .
“ Part of that is because 90 % of criminal sentencing typically is taking place at the state rather than the federal level.
” Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has vowed to address institutional racism in the criminal justice system during his first 100 days in office .
Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said government can ’ t solve some of the nation ’ s most ingrained problems “ overnight.
” Still , Obama said that ’ s no reason not to cast a ballot .
“ The idea that you ’ d give away your power because you ’ re not getting 100 % when you could get 30 % , 40 % , 50 % better , that doesn ’ t make any sense , ” he said .
A Michigan congressman says he tested positive for the coronavirus before he was scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state with Vice-President Mike Pence .
Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga said on Twitter on Wednesday that he took a rapid test and was isolating while awaiting results from a second test to confirm the results .
Pence spoke for about an hour outdoors at Lacks Enterprises in Cascade Township , near Grand Rapids .
Peter Meijer , a Republican running for Congress , greeted and introduced Pence .
Pence says , “ The road to victory runs right through Michigan.
” President Donald Trump is expected to announce that he will present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a renowned wrestler and coach from Iowa .
Trump ’ s decision to award one of the nation ’ s highest civilian honours to Gable comes during a tight race in a state in which Gable is a sports legend .
He was a champion wrestler at Iowa State University , and as a coach , led the University of Iowa to 15 NCAA team titles .
He also won the gold medal in the 1972 Olympics .
Trump told the local ABC station in Des Moines on Wednesday that he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today or shortly thereafter.
” Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , also tweeted that congratulations were in order for Gable .
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to people who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America , or to its culture or other significant endeavours .
Trump has presented the award to several athletes during his nearly four years in office .
Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign rally at the Des Moines International Airport on Wednesday .
President Donald Trump is describing the choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ choice between the socialist nightmare and the American dream.
” Trump is promising a COVID-19 vaccine before the end of the year and claiming that if “ the left wins power ” they will shut down the economy and prolong the pandemic .
Trump was speaking Wednesday to economists from Washington , New York , Pittsburgh and elsewhere in a video address from the White House .
The pitch is comparable to the message Trump is delivering at rallies as the election campaign enters its final three weeks .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for those at lower risk of severe illness to the novel coronavirus to return to more normal economic activity .
He says lockdowns are needlessly destroying lives .
He says he ’ ll push for more infrastructure investment in a second term , though Republicans and Democrats have struggled over how to pay for better roads , bridges and mass transit .
He says he ’ ll continue to push for tax cuts while Democrats want to raise taxes .
In lieu of a formal debate , President Donald Trump has agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 “ high degree of confidence ” the president is “ not shedding infectious virus.
” Trump tested positive for the coronavirus Oct. 2 .
He spent three days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ABC News town hall Thursday in Philadelphia .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Precautions urged for holiday parties as COVID-19 cases rise in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. - Illinois ’ public health director urged residents Wednesday to celebrate the holidays with limited activities and greater precautions because of the persistence of COVID-19 .
Dr. Ngoze Ezike said people who are sick should not attend celebrations at all .
Her cautionary note came as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced that the percentage of COVID-19 tests coming back positive has risen all across the state .
The statewide positivity rate is now 4.2 per cent .
Officials announced 2,862 new cases of the highly contagious illness Wednesday and 49 additional deaths .
COVID-19 has now claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois .
Ezike suggested that holiday celebrations be planned carefully , from modes of travel to dinner-table seating arrangements .
“ COVID-19 has changed the way we work , live , and play , and will now change how we plan to celebrate the holidays , ” Ezike said .
“ While the safest way to celebrate is with members of your household and connecting with others virtually , we know , for many , the holidays are all about family and friends.
“ She said air travel could mean sitting close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for gas and rest , so people should consider options carefully and wear masks .
Meanwhile , more than 100 graduate business students at the University of Chicago were under quarantine after an off-campus gathering was identified as a likely source of an outbreak .
The university ’ s Booth School of Business will shift to online classes and close its downtown and Hyde Park campuses for two weeks .
“ It takes only one incident like this to put many others at risk , “ the school said in an email .

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thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Judge: North Carolina must strengthen absentee witness rule

RALEIGH , N.C. - A federal judge ordered North Carolina on Wednesday to ensure that absentee ballots have a witness signature in a mixed ruling that allows voters to fix other minor problems without casting a new ballot from scratch .
Judge William Osteen issued an injunction requiring state officials to revise a directive issued Sept. 22 that let voters to fix a lack of a witness signature by returning an affidavit , but without starting a new ballot over and having it witnessed again .
However , he said he would permit that kind of fix for small errors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a signature in the wrong place .
Osteen , who was presiding over three elections-related lawsuits , struck a middle ground between voting rights advocates concerned about restrictive absentee rules during the pandemic and Republican leaders who wanted more procedures returned to previous , stricter versions .
He also declined to alter an extended deadline for county boards to accept absentee ballots after Election Day as long as they are postmarked by Nov. 3 .
Osteen complained in his order Wednesday that the State Board of Elections ’ late September rule update would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a witness at all .
He said that conflicts with a ruling he issued in August upholding the overall witness requirement in state law but requiring that voters be given due process to fix , or cure , minor ballot errors .
“ This court upheld the witness requirement — to claim a cure which eliminates that witness requirement is ‘ consistent with ’ this court ’ s order is a gross mischaracterization , ” he wrote .
Ballots with incomplete witness info and other errors have been in limbo since at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructions from the state board to take no further action on such problems pending court rulings .
As of Wednesday , nearly 506,000 absentee ballots had been accepted , while another 13,000 have been set aside for a range of deficiencies .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how many of them lacked a witness signature .
Asked when the state board could issue new guidance to counties , spokesman Pat Gannon said attorneys were reviewing the judge ’ s order Wednesday night .
A lawyer for voting rights advocates who had filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleased with Osteen ’ s ruling .
“ Today was a win for our clients and for all North Carolina voters who need to correct a problematic mail-in ballot , “ said Allison Riggs , interim executive director of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice .
A higher court could still weigh in .
The state elections board had already asked the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to intervene at an earlier stage of the case .
The Republican leader of the state Senate said he was willing to take the fight all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week in court , Osteen expressed concerns that the updated procedure would essentially eliminate the witness requirement and could open the door to ballot fraud .
He suggested that someone could skip having a witness entirely but then have their vote counted anyway by sending an affidavit to county officials .
State and national Republican leaders including President Donald Trump ’ s campaign argued in two federal lawsuits that the late September changes would usurp legislators ’ power to set election rules that is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fixing witness problems would dilute the votes of those who followed the original , stricter instructions .
The Republican lawsuits had also sought to undo other rule changes , including one allowing county boards nine days — instead of three — to accept ballots that arrive after Election Day .
Osteen said that while he believed that change , in addition to the witness information procedure updated in late September , could result in unequal treatment of voters , he was limited by a legal principles that restrict how much courts can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an election .
North Carolina state Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore , who were fighting the state board ’ s rule changes in court , issued statements applauding Osteen ’ s ruling .
Still , Berger said he believes that the judge could have gone further and said he wouldn ’ t rule out taking the case as far as the the U.S. Supreme Court .
“ Judge Osteen concluded in no uncertain terms that the N.C. State Board of Elections violated the U.S. Constitution and North Carolina law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been cast , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--First lady: Son Barron had coronavirus, but no symptoms

WASHINGTON - Melania Trump said Wednesday that her and the president ’ s teenage son , Barron , tested positive for the coronavirus not long after his parents , but had no symptoms .
She made the revelation in a lengthy note chronicling her personal experience with COVID-19 , including being hit with a “ roller coaster ” of symptoms that she treated naturally with vitamins and healthy food .
Mrs. Trump said she is now negative and hopes to resume her duties soon .
After she and President Donald Trump tested positive earlier this month , the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barron later tested positive for the virus but had no symptoms , she said Wednesday , adding that he has since tested negative again .
The president , speaking at a campaign rally Wednesday night in Iowa , was cavalier about Barron ’ s infection , saying , “ He had it for such a short period of time , I don ’ t even think he knew that he had it.
” “ Barron is just fine , ” Trump added , using his son ’ s quick recovery as part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It happens .
People have it and it goes .
Get the kids back to school .
We ’ ve got to get the kids back to school.
” Mrs. Trump shared that after she and her husband first received their positive results , “ naturally , my mind went immediately to our son.
” She said she was relieved when he tested negative at first , but kept thinking about what would happen in the days to come .
“ My fear came true when he was tested again and it came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a statement released to social media .
Sounding a bit like the president , the first lady said she was “ glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together.
” President Trump has called his bout with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , a “ blessing in disguise.
” He was hospitalized for three days and treated with various therapies and drugs , including steroids , supplemental oxygen and an experimental antibody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why Barron ’ s positive diagnosis was not made public earlier , but she has fiercely protected the ninth-grader ’ s privacy .
As for her own trials with the disease , the first lady said she was “ fortunate ” to have had minimal symptoms , “ though they hit me all at once and it seemed to be a roller coaster of symptoms in the days after.
” She described body aches , a cough and headaches and said she felt extremely tired most of the time .
To treat it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more natural route in terms of medicine , opting more for vitamins and healthy food , “ she said .
The first lady praised the care provided by Navy Cmdr .
Sean Conley , the White House physician , and his team , and said it was an “ unfamiliar feeling ” to be the patient .
“ It was me being taken care of now , and getting first-hand experience with all that COVID-19 can do , “ she said .
The disease has killed more than 216,000 people in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the latest count from Johns Hopkins University .
Democrat Joe Biden has made President Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic an issue in the presidential campaign .
Most coronavirus patients suffer mild to moderate symptoms and recover quickly , typically anywhere from two to six weeks , according to the World Health Organization , though older , sicker patients tend to take longer to get well .
Mrs. Trump acknowledged her family was “ fortunate ” to have received “ the kind of care that we did.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick , or if you have a loved one who is sick — I am thinking of you and will be thinking of you every day .
”

Darlene Superville - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Cells at San Diego Zoo lead to cloning of endangered horse

SAN DIEGO - Little Kurt looks like any other baby horse as he frolics playfully in his pen .
He isn ’ t afraid to kick or head-butt an intruder who gets in his way and , when he ’ s hungry , dashes over to his mother for milk .
But 2-month-old Kurt differs from every other baby horse of his kind in one distinct way : He ’ s a clone .
The rare , endangered Przewalski ’ s horse was created from cells taken from a stallion that had sat frozen at the San Diego Zoo for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an egg from a domestic horse .
With the egg ’ s nucleus removed , ensuring Kurt would be basically all Przewalski ’ s horse , they were implanted in the mare who would become his mom on Aug. 6 .
The result , officials say , was the world ’ s first cloned Przewalski ’ s horse .
Scientists have cloned nearly two dozen kinds of mammals , including dogs , cats , pigs , cows and polo ponies .
In 2018 , researchers in China created monkeys for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sheep .
The zoo sees Kurt ’ s birth as a milestone in efforts to restore the population of the horse also known as the Asiatic Wild Horse or Mongolian Wild Horse .
The small , stocky animals ( they stand only about 4 to 5 feet tall at the withers ) are believed extinct in the wild and number only about 2,000 in zoos and wildlife habitats .
Their limited gene pool puts them at a reproductive disadvantage .
“ This colt is expected to be one of the most genetically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob Wiese , chief life sciences officer at San Diego Zoo Global , which operates the zoo , said in a statement .
“ We are hopeful that he will bring back genetic variation important for the future of the Przewalski ’ s horse population.
” Although only 2 months old , Kurt ’ s birth was made possible in 1980 when cells were taken from a 5-year-old stallion and put in deep freeze at San Diego ’ s Frozen Zoo facility .
His father died in 1998 .
Kurt was named for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in founding the Frozen Zoo with its extensive research program and cell cultures .
“ A central tenet of the Frozen Zoo , when it was established by Dr. Benirschke , was that it would be used for purposes not possible at the time , ” said Oliver Ryder , director of genetics at San Diego Zoo Global .
The zoo worked in collaboration with the California conservation group Revive & Restore and the Texas-based company ViaGen Equine in creating Kurt .
He was born at a veterinary facility in Texas where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mother for most likely another year .
Eventually he ’ ll be integrated into the zoo ’ s Przewalski ’ s horse population , where it ’ s hoped someday he ’ ll become a father himself .
Przewalski ’ s horses take their official name from Russian explorer Nikolai Przewalski , who found a skull and hide of one and shared it with a Russian museum .
At one time they ranged throughout Europe and Asia , according to the Smithsonian ’ s National Zoo and Biology Conservation Institute .
Encroaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Europe and east to parts of Asia like the Gobi Desert .
Outside of zoos , they exist today only in reintroduction sites in Mongolia , China , and Kazakhstan .
According to the Smithsonian , they are the only true wild horses left in the world .
The institute maintains wild horse herds in North America and Australia don ’ t count because they are the ancestors of escaped domesticated horses .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Month after mass shooting, Rochester seeks answers, suspects

ROCHESTER , N.Y. - It ’ s the big question looming over one of this year ’ s bloodiest mass shootings : Who opened fire at a crowded house party in Rochester , New York , on the last weekend of summer , killing two teenagers and wounding 14 other people ?
Nearly a month a fter gunshots rang out just after midnight on Sept. 19 , there have been no arrests , no rewards offered and little word from authorities on where the investigation stands .
If the police have suspects in mind , they haven ’ t said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who lost loved ones or were wounded themselves .
“ I ’ m sure they ’ ll figure something out , but I don ’ t really know what information they have or anything else — what evidence they found on the scene , “ said Emar Bouie , a 23-year-old recent college graduate who still struggles with movement in the arm where he was shot .
Rochester , a post-industrial city of about 206,000 people on the shores of Lake Ontario , is still reeling from the revelation last month that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Prude , in March by pressing him into the ground until he stopped breathing .
City officials stoked outrage by staying quiet about the death for months .
Prude ’ s death exacerbated residents ’ mistrust of the police department .
The shooting — which ended the lives of Jaquayla Young and Jarvis Alexander , both 19 — has only added to the city ’ s collective pain .
“ In terms of the city healing , we ’ re not there yet , ” said Marlowe Washington , the pastor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re nowhere near any form of healing and I don ’ t know how we ’ re going to get there yet.
” A police spokesperson , Jacqueline Shuman , said the shooting investigation is progressing and that detectives “ are still in the process of sorting through the voluminous evidence.
” Shuman said the police department is working on the case with the county ’ s crime lab and prosecutors , as well as federal agencies including the U.S. attorney ’ s office and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local police trace guns .
The party was supposed to be a small gathering , but people from two other nearby parties went there in the early morning and an argument broke out .
Three or four people opened fire , and police found more than 40 bullet casings at the scene .
The wounded and the dead were all between the ages of 17 and 23 .
Young , who was attending Monroe Community College , was captain of her high school ’ s cheerleading team and a member of the track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alfred University , was on his high school ’ s football and track teams and won a state championship in the 4x100-meter relay .
“ What happened to my son is just devastating .
It doesn ’ t even seem real at this point , “ said Alexander ’ s father , James Alexander .
“ He touched the heart of so many people and that ’ s really what I ’ m trying to absorb right now .
Because his legacy is just amazing.
” Since the shooting , the city has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s indictment on state campaign finance fraud charges , related to her last reelection campaign .
The city council recently issued subpoenas in its investigation into Prude ’ s death .
Protesters have continued to demonstrate in the city ’ s streets .
On Wednesday , there was another big development : Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan , who retired from the police department in 2009 as a lieutenant , took over as the city ’ s interim police chief .
In addition to the Herculean chore of reforming a force with a tattered reputation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solving a shooting that has been described in local media as one of the most violent crimes in the city ’ s history .
Speaking at her swearing-in ceremony , she told residents : “ We rise and fall together.
” Washington , in a telephone interview , called on the police department to be more transparent about the investigation and suggested that the city offer a reward to give reluctant witnesses an extra incentive to come forward .
“ We need the city to step this up more to say we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this will not be a cold or pre-cold case .
We are going to up the ante , ” Washington said .
James Alexander said he ’ s been so focused on mourning his son and supporting his family that he hasn ’ t had time to dwell on the investigation .
“ There ’ s a lot of disaster and turmoil going on in the city of Rochester and something needs to be done about it , but as far as what ’ s going on in the police department and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the law , ” said Alexander .
“ I have no objections to the way they do their job.
” Bouie said he too has faith — and patience .
“ They ’ ll figure out something , whether it takes a year from now , ” he said .
This story has been corrected to place Rochester on the shores of Lake Ontario , not Lake Erie .
On Twitter , follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Carolyn Thompson at twitter.com/apbuf

Michael R. Sisak And Carolyn Thompson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Mother on trial for deaths of 2 babies says she blacked out

COLUMBIA , S.C. - A South Carolina mother on trial for placing two of her newborns in trash bags and throwing them away about a year apart told investigators she blacked out from the pain of delivering the second child alone , waking up 15 minutes later and finding the boy ’ s face blue .
Alyssa Dayvault did not show up for her trial this week on two counts of homicide by child abuse , but the case is moving forward at the Horry County courthouse with her lawyers putting on a defence .
Prosecutors on Wednesday played a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police who were called after Dayvault showed up at the hospital with an infection caused when she did not deliver the placenta along with the baby boy in December 2018 .
Dayvault told investigators in the recording she hid the pregnancy from both her longtime boyfriend and her mother .
She said she delivered the baby alone in her North Myrtle Beach home .
And after passing out from the pain and discovering the unconscious baby , she put him in a trash bag and threw him away , the recording showed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
In November 2017 , she said , she also gave birth alone , this time to a girl , and threw her body away after the baby had her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck , the court heard .
She hid the pregnancy that time too , and there were no complications so no one knew .
She did not go into details about that birth in the body camera video , which was shown Wednesday during the first day of testimony .
Dayvault first denied having a baby when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressed her , she started crying in the video .
They asked her why she threw the babies away and she started crying .
“ Ï wasn ’ t thinking .
I wasn ’ t .
I was too scared , “ said Dayvault , barely understandable through her tears .
“ This isn ’ t a murder trial , “ prosecutor Josh Holford said in his opening statement Wednesday .
“ We don ’ t have enough evidence to prove the defendant intentionally killed her babies .
We are not saying she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holford said , prosecutors would prove Dayvault showed “ extreme indifference for human life “ because she sought no care from anyone for her newborns .
“ She didn ’ t drop that baby girl off at the fire station .
She didn ’ t put the baby girl up for adoption .
She didn ’ t ask her mother to take care of the baby girl .
She simply threw this baby out with the trash , “ Holford said .
Public defender Sharde Crawford told jurors she doesn ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about the babies at all .
Crawford said there would be several unanswered questions when testimony was finished , including “ what evidence has the state shown that will prove to you the cause of death ?
” Court ended early Wednesday because the prosecution ’ s final witness was a doctor who was seeing patients and couldn ’ t get to court until Thursday .
The judge suggested the jury could get the case before the end of the day Thursday .
Dayvault faces up to life in prison if convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been to court this week , from jury selection Monday to the first day of testimony Wednesday .
Her lawyers planned a full defence even without here there .
An arrest warrant against her has been issued .
If Dayvault is found guilty , the judge will seal her sentence until she is found and brought to court .
The trial was being livestreamed from the Horry County courthouse .
This story is corrected by deleting a reference to Dayvault ’ s boyfriend not wanting children .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Barrett deflects senators’ questions on climate change

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett refused to say whether she accepts the science of climate change , saying she lacks the expertise to know for sure and calling it a topic too controversial to get into .
On Wednesday , pressed at her confirmation hearing by Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California , Barrett framed acknowledgment of manmade climate change as a matter of policy , not science .
Barrett said Harris , the Democrats ’ vice-presidential nominee as well as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee , was trying to get her to state an opinion “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , and I will not do that.
” Barrett was responding to a series of questions from Harris , including whether she thinks the novel coronavirus is infectious , whether smoking causes cancer and whether “ climate change is happening and it ’ s threatening the air we breathe and the water we drink.
” The federal appeals court judge responded that she does think coronavirus is infectious and smoking causes cancer .
She rebuffed Harris on the climate change question , however , for seeking to “ solicit an opinion ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially one that is politically controversial.
” The exchange occurred during the committee ’ s hearing on Barrett ’ s nomination to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court .
Scientists say climate change is a matter of established fact and that the damage is mostly caused by people burning oil , gas and coal .
Climate experts , including federal scientists in the Trump administration , say increasingly fierce wildfires , hurricanes and other natural disasters point to the urgency of global warming .
Acknowledging and dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Donald Trump , an ardent booster of the coal , oil and and gas industries , routinely questions and mocks the science of climate change , while Democratic rival Joe Biden is proposing an ambitious $ 2 trillion plan to wean Americans off fossil fuels to slow global warming .
The Trump administration has rolled back major Obama-era efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions from cars and trucks and power plants .
Many of the administration ’ s environmental and public health rollbacks are likely to wind up before the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy , a Louisiana Republican and another member of the committee considering Barrett ’ s Supreme Court confirmation , also asked Barrett what she thinks about a series of issues , including climate change .
“ And you have some opinions on climate change that you ’ ve thought about ?
” Kennedy asked .
“ I ’ m certainly not a scientist , ” Barrett replied , using a frequent refrain of more conservative Republicans on the matter .
“ I would not say that I have firm views on it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of past administrations rebuked Barrett for demurring .
“ SORRY , HER VIEWS ON CLIMATE ARE RELEVANT TO ALL LIVING BEINGS , ” wrote Leah Stokes , a climate researcher at the University of California at Santa Barbara .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Jury finds Nebraska woman guilty of dismembering Tinder date

LEXINGTON , Neb .
- A jury found a woman guilty Wednesday of the killing another woman who disappeared after a Tinder date and whose dismembered remains were later found in trash bags along rural Nebraska roads .
Jurors took less than four hours to find Bailey Boswell , 26 , guilty of first-degree murder , conspiracy to commit murder and improper disposal of human remains in the 2017 killing of 24-year-old Sydney Loofe of Lincoln , the Omaha World-Herald reported .
Boswell ’ s defence had argued she was forced by her boyfriend to go along with the killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boswell acted in tandem with Aubrey Trail , 54 , to meet and kill Loofe .
Boswell could become the first woman sent to death row in Nebraska when she ’ s sentenced at a later date .
Trail was found guilty last year and also faces a possible death penalty .
Investigators say Boswell arranged a date with Loofe , a Lincoln store clerk , through the dating app Tinder for Nov. 15 , 2017 — the same day officials say Loofe was killed .
Loofe was reported missing by her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her remains weren ’ t found until Dec. 4 , when her dismembered body was found stuffed into garbage bags that had been dumped in a field near Edgar , about 90 miles ( 145 kilometres ) southwest of Lincoln .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend recounts her shooting by police

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - The boyfriend of Breonna Taylor said the hail of bullets coming at them from police the night she was killed in her Louisville , Kentucky , apartment sounded like a war .
Kenneth Walker said he tried to pull Taylor down to the floor amid the gunfire but “ she was just scared , she didn ’ t get down.
” “ I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever heard so many gunshots like all at the same time , ” Walker told “ CBS This Morning ” in his first televised interview since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been to war but I assume that ’ s what war probably sounds like.
” He said the loss of Taylor , an emergency medical worker , is especially hard because she “ took care of a lot of people.
” “ There ’ s a lot of people who need her bad right now , including me , ” Walker said in the interview , which aired Wednesday .
They were in bed watching a movie early on March 13 when police serving a narcotics warrant knocked down the door .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but didn ’ t hear police identify themselves , so he thought it was an intruder .
“ I ’ m a million per cent sure that nobody identified themselves , ” Walker said in the CBS interview .
“ That ’ s why I grabbed the gun .
Didn ’ t have a clue ” they were police , he said .
Walker fired a single shot toward the door , striking a police officer in the leg .
That officer and two others returned 32 shots .
Taylor was hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Walker wasn ’ t hurt , but he was initially arrested for attempted murder of a police officer .
That charge was dropped in May .
Last month , a grand jury in Louisville declined to charge any of the officers in Taylor ’ s death .
One officer was charged with wanton endangerment for firing bullets that went through Taylor ’ s apartment and penetrated a neighbour ’ s home .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Takeaways: Pardon power, silent mics on Barrett’s final day

WASHINGTON - Health care again played a starring role in Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ’ s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee as Democrats sought to highlight an issue they want voters to consider on Election Day .
During Wednesday ’ s hearing , Barrett maintained her view that it would be inappropriate to comment on the national health care law or other cases that may come before her as a justice .
She also declined to say whether a president can pardon himself .
Republicans appeared undeterred and likely successful in their effort to have Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks away .
Takeaways from Day 3 of the hearing : Democrats noted that Trump has made clear he wishes to undo the Affordable Care Act , saying Trump and Senate Republicans are rushing to confirm Barrett so she can be seated in time to hear a case next month challenging that ‘ Obamacare ’ law .
Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , said there ’ s an “ orange cloud ” hanging over Barrett ’ s nomination — a political jab at Trump ’ s tan and a reference to the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
Barrett told senators she is not “ hostile ” to the law and promised to consider all arguments .
Republicans played down the threat to the health law posed by the court case .
“ This hearing has been more about Obamacare than it has you , ’ ’ the committee chairman , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , told Barrett .
He added : “ Obamacare is on the ballot ’ ’ next month .
Republicans object to the health law because “ it was written and passed on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
” Most big changes in society have more buy-in ( from the public and the two political parties ) than that .
You ’ re talking about one-fifth of the American economy.
’ ’ Still , Graham and other Republicans stressed that even if parts of the law were struck down , important aspects such as coverage for preexisting conditions could still be preserved , under a concept known as severability .
“ The doctrine of severability presumes — and its goal is — to preserve ( key parts of ) the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Graham said .
Barrett agreed , saying , “ The presumption is always in favour of severability.
’ ’ Republicans have introduced bills to protect Americans with preexisting conditions and bring down drug prices , said Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa .
“ And if we act , ( voters ) don ’ t have to worry about you doing away with preexisting conditions in some future case down the road , ’ ’ he told Barrett .
NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW On another issue where Trump ’ s views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say whether a president can pardon himself .
But she said she agrees no one is above the law .
Under questioning from Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt. , Barrett said the question of a self-pardon has never come before the court .
“ That question may or may not arise , but it is one that calls for a legal analysis of what the scope of the pardon power is , ’ ’ Barrett said .
She said offering an opinion now ” would be opining on an open question ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can offer a view.
’ ’ Multiple investigations are looking into Trump ’ s taxes , his businesses and his associates , and he has said he has “ an absolute right ” to pardon himself .
While declining to address whether Trump would be able to pardon himself , Barrett said she agreed with Leahy ’ s assertion that “ no one is above the law.
” For the second straight day , Barrett repeatedly declined to give her personal views , or to preview how she might rule , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Like other Supreme Court nominees , Barrett said she was prohibited from expressing those opinions by the “ canons of judicial conduct.
” In addition to a possible presidential self-pardon and whether to overturn the health law , Barrett said she could not give an opinion on whether she would withdraw from any election-related litigation involving Trump .
He said when he nominated her that he wanted the full nine justices in place before any possible election decisions .
Barrett also said she can ’ t express a view on climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter of public policy.
” Under questioning from Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , the party ’ s vice-presidential nominee , Barrett called climate change “ politically controversial , ” adding that discussion of the issue is “ inconsistent with the judicial role as I have explained.
’ ’ Scientists say climate change is caused by people burning fossil fuels such as coal , oil and natural gas and is worsening sharply .
Parched lands in the American West are getting drier and suffering deadly wildfires , while the much wetter East keeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events .
Climate change is magnifying both extremes .
Graham opened Wednesday ’ s hearing by proclaiming Barrett ’ s expected confirmation a historic victory for conservative women .
Like “ conservatives of colour , ’ ’ conservative women , he said , are often “ marginalized ” in public life .
“ This hearing , to me , is an opportunity to not punch through a glass ceiling but a reinforced concrete barrier around conservative women , ’ ’ Graham told Barrett .
“ You are going to shatter that barrier.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been more proud of a nominee ” than he is of Barrett , a federal appeals court judge from Indiana .
“ This is the first time in American history that we ’ ve nominated a woman who is unashamedly pro-life and embraces her faith without apology , and she is going to the court .
This is history being made , folks.
’ ’ Barrett has declined to say how she would rule on a challenge to the Roe v. Wade decision that established abortion rights , but she has made clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2006 letter objecting to “ abortion on demand.
” Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, asked Barrett whether she would acknowledge that her confirmation would mean a shift to the right on the Supreme Court that would have “ profound ” implications .
Coons referred to an interview that Barrett gave where she spoke of a balance shift if Merrick Garland , a federal appeals court judge nominated in 2016 by President Barack Obama , were elevated to the high court .
Obama picked Garland after Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s death , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garland a hearing , citing the presidential election that was months away that year .
Barrett told Coons she was referring in the interview to Garland ’ s judicial approach , not his more liberal views .
Unlike the conservative Scalia , Garland was not an originalist , which refers to a way of interpreting the Constitution that focuses on the text and Founding Fathers ’ intentions in resolving legal disputes .
“ It would be away from one balance and toward another in terms of how judges think about the text , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an originalist .
Coons noted that Barrett , who claims Scalia as her mentor , would replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who was not an originalist and was the court ’ s liberal leader .
Barrett ’ s confirmation would shift the court ’ s previous 5-4 conservative majority to 6-3 .
Americans need to better understand the originalist philosophy , Coons said , “ because I think it means our entire modern understanding of certain constitutional commitments around liberty , privacy and equality under the law could , in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even 18th century understandings in a way unrecognizable to most Americans.
’ ’ The hearing paused twice Wednesday because of audio problems in the Dirksen Senate Office Building .
The sound in the hearing room cut out a little before 2 p.m. and was off for 40 minutes .
It cut out again after the hearing resumed , this time for about 15 minutes .
The problem happened the first time just after Sen. Richard Blumenthal , D-Conn. , asked Barrett whether she had gotten some rest after a long day of questioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass of wine .
I ’ ll tell you , I needed that at the end of the day , ” she said .
On that point , “ You have a right to remain silent , ’ ’ Blumenthal told Barrett .
Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-14--Hackers target Puerto Rico firefighting department servers

SAN JUAN , Puerto Rico - Puerto Rico ’ s firefighting department said Wednesday that its database was hacked by @ @ @ @ @ in an act of alleged extortion .
The department ’ s director , Alberto Cruz @ @ @ @ @ the situation has not affected its ability to respond to emergencies .
Police said the @ @ @ @ @ it that hackers had encrypted its servers and wouldn ’ t release them until they @ @ @ @ @ contacted police and have not paid the money , officials said .
The investigation is @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--COVID spike arrives late, hits hard in rural Kansas county

TOPEKA , Kan. - As rural northwestern Kansas communities endured some of the state ’ s biggest spikes in COVID-19 cases last week , a county sheriff who was among those testing positive found himself struggling to breathe and landed in a hospital room more than an hour from home .
The pandemic arrived late , but it ’ s now stressing Gove County , which has had to send patients , including Sheriff Allan Weber , to hospitals in other towns .
The county ’ s 22-bed medical centre only has a handful of beds dedicated to coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most serious cases around the clock .
Most of the 30-plus residents in the local nursing home tested positive , and six have died since late September .
Besides the sheriff , the county ’ s emergency management director , the hospital CEO and more than 50 medical staff have tested positive .
Even so , some leaders are reluctant to stir up ill will by talking about how often friends and neighbours wear masks or questioning how officials responded .
“ The hospital has a sales tax initiative that ’ s on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to upset anybody , ” said David Caudill , chief executive officer of the Gove County Medical Center , who tested positive for the virus .
The medical centre includes the community hospital and the nursing home .
Gove County is perhaps best known for an isolated stand of chalk pyramids that can tower 60 feet ( 18 metres ) above the prairie , and some if its 2,600 residents live closer to Denver than the Kansas capital of Topeka .
President Donald Trump is popular in the county , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate this summer after getting heat from some local residents and amid the president ’ s criticism of such policies .
Funerals and weddings went on .
So did a homecoming football game between its two high schools , eight players to a side , on the last Friday in September , though people were encouraged to wear masks .
The sheriff , who has since been released from the hospital , was fielding calls last week from the Hays Medical Center .
A pulse oximeter began beeping , indicating that his oxygen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took deep breaths .
“ It ’ ll quit here in a minute , ” he said .
Weber has been hospitalized in the past for asthma attacks , but the coronavirus symptoms were more pronounced .
“ You got body aches and headaches .
The tightness in my chest is different.
” The state health department said coronavirus cases in Gove County doubled during the two weeks ending Wednesday , from 37 to 75 , and that spike was proportionally among the largest in Kansas .
But locally , officials and doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — 140 , with 88 in the past two weeks and almost all of them since Sept. 1 .
There have been seven coronavirus-related deaths — again , proportionally among the highest in the state .
“ We have community spread to the point that we have not been able to pin down the root cause of any of our cases for the past month , ” said Dr. Scott Rempel , the county ’ s health officer , one of five physicians in Gove County .
The county commission imposed a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of cases had been reported , but repealed it 11 days later .
Rempel said it was “ heartbreaking , from a public health perspective.
” In Quinter , the county ’ s largest town with about 1,000 residents , public schools are holding in-person classes and requiring the 300 students and staff to wear masks .
Students eat their lunches outdoors under tents , and the district has bought heaters and plans to use its bus barn if the winter weather gets too cold .
Superintendent Kurt Brown is careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to comment on rules elsewhere in the state .
“ Every conversation surrounding this is a difficult conversation , ” Brown said .
Gary Kraus , the superintendent in the neighbouring Grainfield and Wheatland school districts , said classes are small enough to accommodate social distancing with some changes in scheduling for the high school .
He said the districts thought about imposing mask requirements as school was preparing to start , but “ I didn ’ t want to fight that political battle “ because “ it ’ s so stressful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 politicized in an election year , Kansas ’ Democratic governor and the Republican-controlled Legislature have been at odds for months .
More than two-thirds of Gove County ’ s voters are registered Republicans , and Trump carried the county with nearly 85 % of the vote in 2016 .
In Grainfield , home to about 240 people , Terry Cox doesn ’ t wear a mask in his farm supply store , nor do most of his customers .
Now that it ’ s so close to home , he sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regular flu.
” His store ’ s bookkeeper and his sister-in-law have tested positive , and his brother , who lives two counties away , was hospitalized .
Cox wears a mask when shopping in Quinter , though .
Quinter resident Judy Wolf , a cook at a senior centre , said media outlets reporting on the pandemic need to “ quit making a mountain out of a molehill.
“ “ Everybody ’ s going to get it and go on with your lives , ” she said .
“ The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with other health issues.
” Doug Gruenbacher , another Gove County doctor , contracted the coronavirus in September and recovered along with his physician-wife , Shelly .
He said county residents have concerns about personal liberties and “ not wanting to be told what to do ” prevalent across rural America .
“ That ’ s part of the reason of why we love it here , because of that spirit and because of that independence , ” he said .
“ But unfortunately , it ’ s something that also contributes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re having right now.
” Andy Tsubasa Field 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 .
Follow Andy Tsubasa Field on Twitter : https : //twitter.com/AndyTsubasaF and John Hanna at https : //twitter.com/apjdhanna

Andy Tsubasa Field And John Hanna - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Senate Judiciary sets Oct. 22 vote on Barrett’s nomination

WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee convened on Thursday and set an Oct. 22 vote on Amy Coney Barrett ’ s Supreme Court nomination as Republicans race to confirm President Donald Trump ’ s pick before the Nov. 3 election .
The session is without Barrett after two long days of public testimony in which she stressed that she would be her own judge and sought to create distance between herself and past positions critical of abortion , the Affordable Care Act and other issues .
Her confirmation to take the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged .
Sen , Lindsey Graham pushed past Democratic objections to set the panel ’ s Oct. 22 vote on recommending her confirmation even before final witnesses testify before and against her nomination .
The committee set the vote for next week .
In the minority , Democrats acknowledge there is little they can do stop them from locking a conservative majority on the court for years to come .
The shift would cement a 6-3 conservative majority on the court and would be the most pronounced ideological change in 30 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals court judge .
Facing almost 20 hours of questions from senators , the 48-year-old judge was careful not to take on the president who nominated her and sought to separate herself from writings on controversial subjects when she was an academic .
She skipped past Democrats ’ pressing questions about ensuring the date of next month ’ s election or preventing voter intimidation , both set in federal law , and the peaceful transfer of presidential power .
She also refused to express her view on whether the president can pardon himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I can offer a view , “ she said in response to a question Wednesday from Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont .
Democrats raised those questions because President Donald Trump has done so himself .
When it came to major issues that are likely to come before the court , including abortion and health care , Barrett repeatedly promised to keep an open mind and said neither Trump nor anyone else in the White House had tried to influence her views .
“ No one has elicited from me any commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nominees typically resist offering any more information than they have to , especially when the president ’ s party controls the Senate , as it does now .
But Barrett wouldn ’ t engage on topics that seemed easy to swat away , including that only Congress can change the date that the election takes place .
She said she is not on a “ mission to destroy the Affordable Care Act , ” though she has been critical of the two Supreme Court decisions that preserved key parts of the Obama-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the court when it hears the latest Republican-led challenge on Nov. 10 .
Barrett is the most open opponent of abortion nominated to the Supreme Court in decades , and Democrats fear that her ascension could be a tipping point that threatens abortion rights .
There was no hiding her views in at least three letters and ads she signed over 15 years and her membership in Notre Dame ’ s Faculty for Life .
So Republican senators embraced her stance , proudly stating that she was , in Graham ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative who is making history as a role model for other women .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, said there “ is nothing wrong with confirming a devout pro-life Christian.
” Barrett refused to say whether the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion rights was correctly decided , though she signed an open letter seven years ago that called the decision “ infamous.
” Democrats pressed repeatedly on the judge ’ s approach to health care , abortion , racial equity and voting rights , but conceded they were unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you are on the court , ” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse , D-R.I. , began one question in which he asked her to keep an open mind on the high court bench .
Barrett readily agreed to do so .
In an exchange with Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif. , Barrett resisted the invitation to explicitly endorse or reject the late Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s comments about perpetuating “ racial entitlement ” in a key voting rights case .
“ When I said that Justice Scalia ’ s philosophy is mine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean to say that every sentence that came out of Justice Scalia ’ s mouth or every sentence that he wrote is one that I would agree with , ” Barrett said .
She called the Voting Rights Act a “ triumph in the civil rights movement , ” without discussing the specifics of the earlier challenge to it .
The court will hear another challenge to the law early next year .
One of the more dramatic moments came late Wednesday when Barrett told California Sen. Kamala Harris , the Democratic vice-presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say whether racial discrimination in voting still exists nor express a view on climate change .
Harris asked if she agreed with Chief Justice John Roberts , who wrote in a 2013 voting rights case that “ voting discrimination still exists ; no one doubts that.
” Barrett said she would “ not comment on what any justice said in an opinion.
” Asked whether “ climate change is happening , ” Barrett said she wouldn ’ t engage because it is “ a very contentious matter of public debate.
” Barrett did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus is infectious and that smoking causes cancer .
Along with trying to undo the health care law , Trump has publicly stated he wants a justice seated for any disputes arising from the election , and particularly the surge of mail-in ballots expected during the pandemic as voters prefer to vote by mail .
Barrett testified she has not spoken to Trump or his team about election cases , and declined to commit to recusing herself from any post-election cases .
She did describe what the role of the court would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Certainly the court would not see itself -- and would not be -- electing the president .
It would be applying laws that are designed to protect the election and protect the right to vote , ” Barrett said .
In 2000 , the court ’ s decision in Bush v. Gore brought a Florida recount to a halt , effectively deciding the election in George W. Bush ’ s favour .
Barrett was on Bush ’ s legal team in 2000 , in a minor role .
Associated Press writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jessica Gresko in Washington , and Elana Schor in New York contributed to this report .

Mark Sherman, Lisa Mascaro And Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--India rejects China criticism of development of border area

NEW DELHI - India on Thursday rejected criticism from China of its infrastructure building in border areas which Beijing has described as a root cause of surging tensions between the two countries .
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anuag Srivastava said the Indian government has focused on improving infrastructure in border areas “ to facilitate the economic development of these areas and also to meet India ’ s strategic and security requirements.
” India has been building roads in the mountainous area , and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday helped inaugurate 44 bridges in areas bordering China and Pakistan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement of Indian troops to the border with China , including in eastern Ladakh , where tens of thousands of Indian and Chinese soldiers are facing each other in a monthslong standoff .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday that China opposes the building of infrastructure with a military purpose in disputed border areas .
“ For a while , the Indian side has been stepping up infrastructure building and military deployment along the border with China .
This is the root cause of tensions , ’ ’ he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions that will complicate the situation .
The high-altitude standoff along the eastern section of what ’ s known as the Line of Actual Control — a loose demarcation — risks dramatically altering the already fraught relationship between the nuclear-armed neighbours .
The faceoff began in early May with a fierce brawl , and exploded into hand-to-hand combat with clubs , stones and fists on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead .
China is believed to also have had casualties , but has given no numbers .
The Asian giants have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory and of firing shots for the first time in 45 years .
They have held several rounds of talks on disengagement of troops and de-escalation of tensions , without any breakthrough .


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Escaped Kentucky inmate captured in southern Indiana

HANOVER , Ind .
- An inmate who escaped from a Kentucky jail last month by climbing through a hole @ @ @ @ @ been captured in southern Indiana , authorities said .
Anthony Martinez , 30 , was @ @ @ @ @ area near Hanover , Madison police said .
When he was located , he fled @ @ @ @ @ shot with a stun gun and captured near a church .
He ’ s now @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Marshals .
State and federal investigators from Indiana came close to catching Martinez @ @ @ @ @ Scott County , but he fled on foot into an area of thick brush and @ @ @ @ @ , who was arrested in February on robbery charges involving multiple banks , escaped Sept. @ @ @ @ @ Corrections after apparently climbing through a hole in a fourth-floor window and then using a @ @ @ @ @ to lower himself to the ground .


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Kyrgyzstan’s president says he’s quitting to avoid bloodshed

MOSCOW - Kyrgyzstan ’ s embattled president said Thursday he was resigning following protests over a disputed parliamentary election , the third time in 15 years that a leader of the Central Asian country has been ousted by a popular uprising .
Protesters in the capital of Bishkek celebrated the decision by President Sooronbai Jeenbekov , but it ’ s not clear if it will quell the unrest that has gripped the country since last week .
The demonstrators quickly demanded that parliament be dissolved and that its speaker , who is next in the order of succession , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure to step down from the protests and some opposition politicians including the new prime minister , had dismissed calls to resign only a day earlier .
But in a statement released by his office , he said that he feared violence if he stayed in power , noting that protesters were facing off against the police and the military .
“ In this case , blood will be shed .
It is inevitable , ” the statement said .
“ I don ’ t want to go down in history as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own citizens.
” Jeenbekov said the situation in Bishkek “ remains tense ” and that he didn ’ t want to escalate those tensions .
He urged opposition politicians to get their supporters off the streets and “ bring peaceful life back to the people.
” Parliament must officially approve his resignation , and Speaker Kanat Isayev , who was appointed earlier this week , told local media it would meet Friday to consider it .
Raising the possibility of further political turmoil , Isayev told the Kyrgyz news outlet 24.kg that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to take over the presidency since the current parliamentary term is about to end .
The country of 6.5 people on the border with China was plunged into chaos following an Oct. 4 parliamentary election whose results a victory for pro-government parties .
The opposition said the balloting was tainted by vote-buying and other irregularities .
Protesters then took over government buildings , looting some offices , and the Central Election Commission nullified the election .
The opposition then announced plans to oust Jeenbekov and form a new government .
Jeenbekov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days after the vote , using the infighting among protest leaders to dig in .
He introduced a state of emergency in Bishkek , which was endorsed Tuesday by parliament , and authorities deployed troops to the capital and introduced a curfew .
The move eased tensions in the city , where residents feared the violence and vandalism that accompanied previous uprisings and had been forming vigilante groups to protect their property .
Stores and banks that were closed last week have reopened .
To try to halt the unrest , Jeenbekov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zhaparov as prime minister .
The former lawmaker was freed from jail by demonstrators last week .
Jeenbekov also approved Zhaparov ’ s new Cabinet .
Zhaparov has repeatedly demanded Jeenbekov ’ s resignation and promised his supporters to push for it — but Jeenbekov said he would stay in the job until the political situation had stabilized .
Hundreds of Zhaparov ’ s supporters rallied in the capital Wednesday , threatening to storm the presidential residence if Jeenbekov did not step down .
Zhaparov had promised to meet with the president Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that took place .
As in the uprisings that ousted presidents in 2005 and 2010 , the current unrest has been driven by clan rivalries that shape the country ’ s politics .
Kyrgyzstan , one of the poorest countries to emerge from the former Soviet Union , is a member of Russia-dominated economic and security alliances , hosts a Russian air base and depends on Moscow ’ s economic support .
It formerly was the site of a U.S. air base that was used in the war in Afghanistan .
Kremlin spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain pause ” in providing support to Kyrgyzstan “ makes sense ” because “ there is no government as such , as far as we see .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Pandemic driving children back to work, jeopardizing gains

JOTOLCHEN , Mexico - The coronavirus pandemic is threatening the future of a generation of the world ’ s children , depriving them of schooling and sending them to work .
Across the developing world , two decades of gains against child labour are eroding .
With classrooms shuttered and parents losing their jobs , children are trading their ABC ’ s for the D of drudgery : Reading , writing and times tables are giving way to sweat , blisters and fading hopes for a better life .
Instead of going to school , children in Kenya are grinding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of children in India have poured into farm fields and factories .
Across Latin America , kids are making bricks , building furniture and clearing brush , once after-school jobs that are now full-time work .
These children and adolescents are earning pennies or at best a few dollars a day to help put food on the table .
“ Child labour becomes a survival mechanism for many families.
” says Astrid Hollander , UNICEF ’ s head of education in Mexico .
Governments are still analyzing how many students have dropped out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school closures affecting nearly 1.5 billion children around the world , UNICEF estimates the numbers could be in the millions .
Experts say the longer their education is put on hold , the less likely children will return to school .
The ramifications , especially for those already lagging , can be lifelong -- narrowed job opportunities , lower potential earnings and greater likelihood of poverty and early pregnancy .
“ The repercussions could be felt in economies and societies for decades to come , ” Henrietta Fore , executive director of UNICEF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warned in August .
For at least 463 million children whose schools closed , there is no possibility of remote learning .
It is , she said , a “ global education emergency.
” The same week the UNICEF report was issued , a new school year started for nearly 30 million students in Mexico .
In remote places where distance learning is not feasible , teachers deliver workbooks to villages and then arrange to retrieve them later .
Joel Hernández , director of a school in Jotolchén , in the mountains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to pick up the workbooks recently and only about 20 % of students had completed the work .
Neither 11-year-old Andrés Gomez nor his siblings had done it .
Until March , when the school closed , Andrés spent his days there learning to speak , read and write Spanish -- his native language is Tzotzil .
After the bell he would follow his dad into the amber mine for a couple of hours .
Now each morning he goes to work inside that a dark , hand-carved tunnel which lacks supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lashed to his head he whips a heavy hammer back and forth over his shoulder driving a steel spike into the rock .
He can ’ t stand up .
He crouches on the flakes of rock he chips away , each blow followed by a quiet grunt .
The hope is to find a piece of amber for which a middleman might pay him $ 1 to $ 5 .
The bit of petrified sap would likely end up sold as jewelry to tourists .
“ What I want to learn is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Andrés could take advantage of online or televised learning , but like many others he has no access to technology ; there is no computer or television in his family ’ s two-room home , just an old stereo .
“ If Dad is going to the fields , to the coffee grove , to the mine , the child is not going to stay at home with nothing to do , ” Hernández says .
“ For them , to sit around watching television , if they have it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven children in Andrés ’ family , four of school age .
An 8-year-old sister helps her pregnant mother do laundry and cook food ; Andrés and an older brother work in the mine with their father Miners pay a monthly rent to the landowner to dig for amber , a payment that comes due whether they find any or not .
When Andrés is not mining he helps an uncle with livestock , cutting firewood and clearing brush .
In his spare time he reverts to the boy he is , shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I learned the vowels , the teacher taught , we copied and then I went to the mine , ” he says .
His school , a single room with posters of vocabulary and historical figures on the walls and messages still on the chalkboard , sits vacant .
Mexican law prohibits children younger than 14 from working .
Children under 16 can ’ t do hazardous or unhealthy work .
But children commonly work around school to help their families get by .
Mexican education officials recently said that enrolment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 10 % , but teachers warn that many students enrolled out of habit , but aren ’ t participating .
“ Some kids will probably drop out , maybe not in elementary school , but those who finished sixth grade this year , ” Hernández says .
“ Those probably won ’ t continue on to middle school.
” In El Alto , a suburb perched above Bolivia ’ s capital of La Paz , five siblings between the ages of 6 and 14 years old are bundled in hats and coats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their parents work all in their family ’ s small carpentry workshop .
The youngest , 6-year-old Mariana Geovana , would have started kindergarten this year ; instead , she smooths miniature furniture with scraps of sandpaper .
Jonatan , 14 , the most experienced , uses the electric saw to cut lengths of wood for doll-size beds and full-size chests of drawers .
“ I ’ m frustrated not being able to go to school , ” he says .
“ You learn talking with your classmates and your teachers.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school year in August because it said there was no way to provide an equitable education to the country ’ s nearly 3 million students .
In a country where informal employment makes up 70 % of the economy , the closure of schools immediately put more kids to work .
“ We have seen new children and adolescents selling in the street , ” says Patricia Velasco , manager of a municipal program for at-risk people in the capital La Paz .
“ They ’ ve been pushed to generate income.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children at work -- and sending the older kids out into the streets to sell their pieces -- Hector Delgado , 54 , knows what is at stake .
“ For the students the closure of the school year is a catastrophe .
They ’ re not going to make up the time and I strive for them to be more than carpenters.
” But Delgado , head of the local Artisans Council in El Alto , said the family had burned through their savings and now didn ’ t have money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business .
He and his wife , María Luisa , are doing what they can to ensure their children don ’ t fall behind .
Under their mother ’ s watchful eye , the children work through schoolbooks they were given in February at the start of the school year .
Each morning in the workshop , she has them take time to study .
The family ’ s commitment to education is most apparent in an adjacent room .
There , eldest son Cristian , 21 , continues his management classes online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earth bricks produced by the rustic brickyards of the small town of Tobatí , 43 miles ( 70 km ) from Asunción , are used to construct buildings across Paraguay .
Large open kilns made from those very same mud bricks stand next to almost every home ; row upon row of identical bricks dry in the open air .
With the help of his 10-year-old son , Hugo Godoy shovels mounds of clay and sandy earth , preparing to make the next day ’ s bricks .
As he leans on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit with two infants by the house -- Godoy ’ s grandchildren .
His son does more than help at home ; since schools stopped operating in March , Godoy had also been sending him to work at a nearby larger factory .
“ I spoke to the owner and said that if he gave him light work — moving the raw materials and things like that — then I ’ d let him go , ” Godoy said , speaking in his native Guarani language .
“ There are lots of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sons , who is 15 , is working full time at the same factory , earning around $ 10 a day loading bricks onto tall trucks .
Before the pandemic he worked just part time .
“ I don ’ t put the older ones to work here at home : I tell them to go and find some way to help with our situation , ” Godoy said .
In Paraguay , children from 12 to 14 can carry out only “ light tasks ” in family enterprises , while adolescents of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not appear on a list of the 26 “ worst forms of child labour ” -- as long as it does not interfere with their schooling .
Members of brickmaking families said school closures -- scheduled to last at least until December -- have led to many children and adolescents working longer hours .
And these new schedules have made it difficult to complete their virtual schoolwork .
Godoy said he had discovered that his son had missed exams , and “ After that , I told him to let me know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t have to go to work those days .
Whatever happens , we ’ ll find a way to manage and make ends meet , I told him.
” Paraguay ’ s government set up virtual classrooms for distance learning , but families cited a number of associated costs , including cellphone data plans as well as printing and copying for their children ’ s class work .
A UNICEF report said that 22 % of students were participating in the virtual classrooms while 52 % were trying to keep up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know lots of cases of 15-year-olds who have been doing well at school but haven ’ t been able to afford the costs , ” said Godoy .
“ They stop studying and start working.
” At a quarry in Nairobi , Florence Mumbua works alongside her children , ages 7 , 10 and 12 .
Mumbua lost her cleaning job at a private school when the pandemic hit , and the family doesn ’ t have the resources for the children to learn online .
So together they crush rock , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have to work with them because they need to eat and yet I make little money .
When we work as a team , we can make enough money for our lunch , breakfast and dinner , ” Mumbua said .
Child labour is illegal in Kenya .
But so is child prostitution , and it too has thrived since school closed .
Mary Mugure , a former sex worker turned activist through her Night Nurse organization , says up to 1,000 schoolgirls have become sex workers in the three Nairobi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
The youngest , she said , was 11 .
In India , Dhananjay Tingal fears that millions more children will “ fall back into trafficking , child labour and child marriage because the economic crisis is looming large.
” As executive director of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan -- a children ’ s rights group whose founder , Kailash Satyarthi , won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 -- Tingal has watched with horror as child labour grows in a country that already has one of the world ’ s worst records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March pummeled the Indian economy and pushed millions of people into poverty , forcing many poor families to put their children to work to make ends meet .
When the economy opened , tens and thousands of children took jobs in farms and factories .
“ This is a serious problem , ” he said .
Experts say in the past , most students who have missed class because of crises like the Ebola epidemic returned when schools reopened .
But the longer the crisis drags on , the less likely they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researcher at the Autonomous University of Chiapas , Mexico , said that even more than before , the pandemic has turned education into a luxury .
“ Many parents opt for ‘ you ’ re going to work to help me at home because right now we really need it.
’ ” In Nuevo Yibeljoj , another community in the mountains of Chiapas , 12-year-old Samuel Vázquez watches closely as his father , Agustín , writes syllables on scraps of paper and sticks them to the wall .
He sits in a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed as a desk as his father kneels between them .
They had just returned from working in the fields , something the brothers used to do only on weekends .
Since schools closed in March , they ’ ve worked weekdays , weeding and helping with the crops .
Samuel enjoys farm work and one day wants to grow coffee and fruit trees like his father , but he misses school .
He ’ s a good student and helps his younger siblings .
“ I like addition a lot and reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortunate that his father makes time to help them study , though he himself has only an elementary school education .
“ I try , but it ’ s not the same as a teacher , because I ’ m a farmer , ” says Agustín , 52 .
He has 12 children , four of whom are school age .
He was sick with COVID-19 and recovered .
What worries him is the future .
“ We aren ’ t afraid of the coronavirus , ” he says .
“ What worries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being lost.
” Valdez reported from El Alto , Bolivia and Costa reported from Tobati , Paraguay .
AP writers Tom Odula in Nairobi , Kenya and Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi , India and Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed to this report .

MaríA Verza, Carlos Valdez And William Costa - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Minnesota town residents oppose church listed as hate group

MURDOCK , Minn. - Residents packed a town hall in a tiny western Minnesota community to voice opposition to plans by a controversial Nordic heritage church that has been identified as a white supremacist group .
The Asatru Folk Assembly bought an abandoned Lutheran church in the Swift County town of Murdock and wants a permit to turn it into a Midwest regional gathering hall .
Nearly 50 people in the town of 275 filled the hall for a special City Council meeting Wednesday night , wearing masks and sitting 6 feet ( 1.8 metres ) apart to help prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed the AFA ’ s permit request .
AFA board member Allen Turnage told the crowd the church would not admit a Black person “ because they ’ re not of northern European descent.
” The AFA is among groups that seek to practice a pre-Christian , European spirituality and , according to a statement on its website , it ’ s pro-white .
The Southern Poverty Law Center has added the AFA to its list of hate groups .
Murdock resident Pete Kennedy said he doesn ’ t want his hometown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota , the Star Tribune reported .
The council plans to vote on the church ’ s permit at a Nov. 4 meeting .
Turnage said the AFA has about 500 members nationwide , and 20 or so in and around Minnesota .


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--After Americans freed, Yemen sides swap prisoners

SANAA , Yemen - Yemen ’ s warring sides on Thursday kicked off a long-awaited prisoner exchange , a day after the country ’ s Iran-backed rebels freed two Americans and released the remains of a third who had died in captivity .
The exchange is part is part of a U.N.-brokered deal between the rebel Houthis and a Saudi-backed coalition backing Yemen ’ s internationally recognized government in the yearslong civil war .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if the swap was related to the freeing of the Americans the previous day but the timing of the events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab world ’ s poorest country erupted in 2014 , when the Houthis seized the capital , Sanaa , and much of the country ’ s north .
The Saudi-led coalition , backed by the U.S. , launched a military intervention months later to restore Yemeni President Abed Rabu Mansour Hadi ’ s government to power .
A rebel-run satellite TV channel broadcast the start of the swap as three planes carrying freed Houthi prisoners touched down in Sanaa .
Another two planes took off from Sanaa , one carrying freed Yemeni government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four Sudanese who had fought alongside government forces , the Houthis ’ Al-Masirah TV said .
The planes headed to Seyun airport in southern Yemen and Abha airport in Saudi Arabia .
Last month , the U.N. announced that the Houthis and the government side had agreed to exchange more than 1,000 prisoners , marking the first phase of a prisoner-release plan reached earlier this year .
The swap was being co-ordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen .
Hundreds of Houthi politicians and military commanders lined up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red carpet was rolled out and a military band played .
As they disembarked , the released rebels , all dressed in white robes , raised their clenched fists chanting “ God is Great , ” and “ Death to America and Israel.
” Later Thursday , the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV aired live footage of freed Yemeni government prisoners disembarking from their plane in Seyun airport in the eastern province of Hadramawt , which is controlled by forces loyal to Yemen ’ s Saudi-backed government .
So far , a total of 360 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 110 are still expected to arrive later today , Abdel Qader Mortada , the head of the Houthi Committee for Prisoners Affairs told reporters .
The exchange is expected to last through Friday with the release of another 200 Houthi rebels and 150 government prisoners , Mortada added at a news conference .
The prisoner-swap deal was seen as a breakthrough during 2018 U.N.-brokered peace talks in Sweden .
Both parties agreed then to several confidence-building measures , including a cease-fire in the strategic port city of Hodeida .
Implementation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid ongoing military offensives and distrust between the two sides .
The Houthis ’ Information Minister Daif Allah al-Shamy hailed the swap as “ a huge step.
” “ Today , it is not only the prisoners ’ families that feel happy , but all Yemenis , ” he said .
“ As for those who were not included in this swap , remain assured that we have plenty of tools for further exchanges.
” Occasional releases of dozens of prisoners over the past two years have served as gestures of good faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the U.N. has described as the war ’ s “ first official large-scale ” exchange .
The two sides committed earlier this year to swap over 1,400 detainees .
On Wednesday , the Houthis freed U.S. citizens Sandra Loli and Mikael Gidada and released the remains of Bilal Fateen , the White House and officials in the region said .
That development was apparently the result of mediation by Oman , which has acted as a mediator in the Mideast .
Kieran Ramsey , director of the administration ’ s hostage recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon be on their way back to the United States .
Kash Patel , a deputy assistant to President Donald Trump who worked on the deal , told The Wall Street Journal that Loli had been held by the Houthis for about three years and Gidada was held captive for about a year .
The Houthis , who did not comment on the release of the Americans , said about 240 rebels returned to Sanaa on two Omani flights .
Among the returnees were wounded rebels who travelled to Muscat during peace talks @ @ @ @ @ @

Ahmed Al-Haj And Noha Elhennawy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Chinese company offers coronavirus vaccine to students

TAIPEI , Taiwan - A Chinese drug developer is offering an experimental coronavirus vaccine to students going abroad in a strategy health experts say raises safety and ethical concerns .
China National Biotech Group has two vaccine candidates out of five from Chinese developers that are in the final stages of clinical trials .
They are part of a global race to develop a vaccine that , if they are successful , offers the fledgling Chinese industry the potential for prestige and worldwide sales .
CNBG ’ s vaccine has been given to medical workers and employees of Chinese companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people in high-risk categories .
Now , CNBG says it will provide the vaccine for free to Chinese students who study abroad .
More than 168,000 people signed up to receive the vaccine via an online survey and more than 91,000 are being considered , CNBG said on its website .
That page had been removed by Tuesday .
A student who is due to go to Britain said she signed up via the online link after classmates said they received the vaccine .
The student , who would give only her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started to hear in September that the vaccine was available to people such as her .
She said other students said she might need to travel to Beijing , the national capital , or Wuhan , where the outbreak emerged in December , to receive the vaccine .
The ruling Communist Party declared victory over the outbreak in March following anti-virus measures that isolated cities with a total of 60 million people .
The country has reported 4,634 deaths and 85,622 confirmed cases .
If the vaccine works , it might help protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , where the pandemic is still raging , medical experts said .
But they said developers need to make clear it is unproven and keep track of what happens to people who receive it .
If the vaccine doesn ’ t work , then “ this is giving people a false sense of security , ” said Sridhar Venkatapuram , a specialist in bioethics at King ’ s College London ’ s Global Health Institute .
Chinese developers have announced plans to test vaccines in Indonesia , Morocco and other countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Papua New Guinea turned back a flight carrying 180 Chinese mine workers in August after they received a vaccine in a possible unauthorized trial .
The Papuan government demanded an explanation from Beijing .
“ The manufacturer has an obligation to obtain follow-up information ” from people who receive a vaccine , K. Arnold Chan , a National Taiwan University expert on drug regulation , said in an email .
Failing to do that “ is irresponsible and not compliant with international standards , ” he wrote .
It was unclear whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine under the same emergency authorization .
The agency that oversees drug and vaccine approvals , the National Medical Products Administration , did not respond to questions sent by fax .
CNBG did not respond to a request for comment .
A business news website named Star Market Daily reported Monday that anyone could sign up on CNBG ’ s webpage to receive the vaccine .
It said students who plan to study overseas would get priority .
“ Currently , it seems Chinese students going abroad have a strong desire to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was quoted as saying by a state-owned newspaper , the Paper , based on the survey results in September .
However , a separate report by the Health Times , another state-owned newspaper , cited unidentified sources in the company as denying anyone could sign up to receive a vaccine in Beijing or Wuhan .
The final stage of clinical trials , conducted on larger groups , is used to find any rare side effects and study the effectiveness of a treatment .
The first and second stage trials are meant to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CNBC has given the vaccine to 350,000 people outside its clinical trials , a company executive said in September .
The trials have about 40,000 people enrolled .
More than 600,000 Chinese students studied abroad before the pandemic , according to Ministry of Education figures .
They make up a large share of the foreign student body in the United States , Britain , Australia and some other countries .
Western universities are “ not protecting their students , ” Venkatapuram said .
“ The company is basically offering its citizens protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essence is what any country would ideally be doing .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Rights group suspects Russia, Syria war crimes in Idlib

BEIRUT - A leading human rights group said Thursday that a yearlong military campaign by Syrian and Russian forces that repeatedly attacked civilian targets in the last rebel stronghold in northwestern Syria constituted apparent war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity .
Human Rights Watch released a 167-page report titled “ Targeting Life in Idlib , ” in which the group names 10 senior Syrian and Russian civilian and military officials — including Russian President Vladimir Putin , Syrian President Bashar Assad as well as defence ministers and top generals — who may be implicated in war crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They knew or should have known about the abuses and took no effective steps to stop them or punish those responsible , ” Human Rights Watch said in its report , which covered attacks on Idlib province between April 2019 and March .
The monthslong Russian-backed Syrian offensive killed and wounded thousands and displaced nearly a million people .
The offensive stopped in March , when Turkey and Russia agreed on a cease-fire .
Turkey is a main backer of Syrian rebels while Russia has joined Syrian government forces in the battles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign in which government forces captured scores of villages and towns , dozens of “ unlawful air and ground strikes ” hit hospitals , schools , and markets killing hundreds of civilians .
The attacks seriously impaired the rights to health , education , food , water , and shelter , triggering mass displacement , HRW said .
“ The repeated unlawful attacks appear part of a deliberate military strategy to destroy civilian infrastructure and force out the population , making it easier for the Syrian government to retake control , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Watch .
Human Rights Watch documented 46 air and ground attacks , including the use of cluster munitions , that directly hit or damaged civilian targets in violation of the laws of war .
The strikes killed at least 224 civilians and wounded 561 , HRW said adding that they were only a fraction of the total attacks during that time in Idlib and surrounding areas .
It said the documented strike concentrated on four urban areas , including the provincial capital , also called Idlib , as well as the towns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Numan damaging 12 health care facilities and 10 schools , forcing them to shut down , in some cases permanently .


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--Over 5,600 Afghan families displaced by fighting in south

LASHKAR GAH , Afghanistan - Renewed fighting in southern Afghanistan ’ s Helmand province between Taliban insurgents and government forces has forced more than 5,600 families to flee their homes , local officials said Thursday .
Omar Zwak , the provincial governor ’ s spokesman , said Afghan security forces were fighting to regain areas lost to the Taliban over the weekend , while the local government was scrambling to provide food and shelter to the growing number of civilians coming from nearby districts to the provincial capital , Lashkar Gah .
Ajab Gul , 25 , and his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
“ The Taliban have taken over our village and both sides in the battle are using light and heavy weapons , so how could we stay there ?
” he said .
Afghanistan ’ s refugee department estimates an average family has seven members , meaning nearly 40,000 people have likely been displaced , said Mohammad Ramen Ibrahimi , the department ’ s provincial director .
The Taliban control roughly 80 % of Helmand province , and over the past year have waged several attacks on Lashkar Gah , only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose control is largely restricted to district centres .
Last week , the Taliban launched co-ordinated attacks in different parts of Helmand province , Zwak said .
He claimed that government forces had retaken much of the territory lost over the weekend , but operations were still ongoing in other parts of the province .
However , several internally displaced persons who had fled to Lashkar Gah told The Associated Press that the Taliban were in control of most of their districts — Marjah , Nad Ali and Nawa .
They said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced them to leave their homes and property .
Most internally displaced persons were staying with relatives in Lashkar Gah , said Ibrahimi .
His refugee department was providing food and shelter to those with nowhere to stay , but he said more people were coming to the city each day .
Zwak , the governor ’ s spokesman , said discussions were underway between the central government , charity organizations and local businessmen to help those in need .
In Kabul , Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other government officials attended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died Tuesday night when two Afghan army helicopters collided in Helmand .

Abdul Khaliq And Rahim Faiez - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--‘Bad Hombres’ film uses baseball to show the game of borders

RIO RANCHO , N.M. - People have always crossed borders to play baseball , and the sport routinely reaches across borders to fans .
But rarely do players have to cross a border almost every day to participate in a game they love while dodging the tensions and rhetoric around this imaginary line .
And that ’ s what members of the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos , a binational professional baseball team with home stadiums in Nuevo Laredo , Mexico , and Laredo , Texas , have to do .
A new Showtime sports documentary follows this AAA Mexican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sides of the border amid the tension around immigration , divisive politics , and environmental concerns .
“ Bad Hombres ” centres around the 2019 season of the Tecolotes as players chase dreams and a championship while avoiding drug cartel members who have lookouts in every city .
Players often cross the border by foot to each game with equipment in tow .
They must also endure a militarized Mexico tank patrolling the parking lot of its Nuevo Laredo stadium in the midst of cartel battles .
The team has to wear U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games sponsored by the federal agency .
Meanwhile , President Donald Trump ’ s heated rhetoric about a border wall and promises to “ close the border ” threaten the team ’ s season .
Immigrants fleeing violence in Central America land in both towns .
For two cities long connected by economies and families , the Tecolotes serve as a welcome uniter — even just for nine innings .
Second baseman Juan Martinez of Los Angeles watches the turmoil while also trying to concentrate on hitting a low-and-away slider to the opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 , embarks on one of the best seasons of his career but must contemplate whether he should take a high school coaching job back in Del Rio , Texas , to be close to his young family .
Cather Cristian Mejia of Sinaloa , Mexico , takes calls from his mom , who pleads with him to stay inside during road games to avoid the violence in the street .
Of course , the faith of the season comes down to the last series against a rival .
Former Associated Press journalist-turned-filmmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea for the project after seeing a reference about the team in a 2018 New Yorker story about singer Alejandro Escovedo .
The team gave him access to players during the 2019 season while Glazer also documented the news around the border .
“ I wanted to take viewers on this immersive journey so they could see what I saw , ” Glazer said .
“ I didn ’ t want to change any minds but I wanted to share the truth.
” The documentary is scheduled to premiere Friday at 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a member of The Associated Press ’ Race and Ethnicity Team .
Follow him on Twitter at : http : //twitter.com/russcontreras

Russell Contreras - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-15--France warns Turkey of EU sanctions over ‘provocations’

ANKARA , Turkey - France warned Turkey on Thursday that it could face European Union sanctions for its “ provocations , ” after Ankara redeployed its search vessel on a new energy exploration mission in the eastern Mediterranean .
Speaking in Paris after a meeting of the French-German-Polish ‘ Weimar Triangle , ’ French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reiterated the EU stance that unless Turkey shows “ respect for the integrity of Greece and Cyprus ” then the December European Council will consider initiating sanctions .
“ We are forced to note that there are permanent acts of provocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not bearable , and therefore we really wish that Turkey clarifies its positions and returns to a spirit of dialogue , ” he said .
Turkey redeployed its search vessel , Oruc Reis , near the Greek island of Kastellorizo , reigniting tensions between Greece and Turkey over sea boundaries and energy drilling rights , and putting the future of the planned resumption of talks between Athens and Ankara to resolve disputes into doubt .
Those talks were last held in 2016 .
Those tensions had flared up over the summer , triggering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic rivals and NATO allies .
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he understood Greece ’ s unwillingness to engage in dialogue due to Turkey ’ s decision to again dispatch its ship .
Given Berlin ’ s efforts to mediate between the parties “ the behaviour by Turkey to conduct another provocation , resulting in the already agreed process of dialogue not taking place , is more than annoying , including for us in our role as intermediary , ” Maas said .
Maas said he continues to believe the conflict can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naval ships , and stressed Germany ’ s hope that there might be progress next week .
“ And if there isn ’ t , then the European Union will have to face the question of how to deal with this and what consequences this will have , ” Maas said .
Both Turkey and Greece have this week accused each other of engaging in “ provocations , “ including plans to hold military drills in the Aegean Sea later this month to coincide with the other country ’ s national public holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations by Greece that Ankara refused an overflight permit to a plane carrying Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias , forcing the aircraft to remain in the air for 20 minutes .
Greek state broadcaster ERT reported that the plane carrying Dendias back from a visit to Baghdad the previous day was kept circling over Mosul for 20 minutes because Turkish authorities weren ’ t granting it permission to fly through Turkish airspace back to Greece .
Turkey ’ s Foreign Ministry denied any deliberate move to hold up the plane before entering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t provided the required flight plan .
According to the Turkish ministry , the plane that took Dendias to Iraq broke down there , and the Greek government then allocated a second plane , which took off without the required flight plan .
“ When the aforementioned aircraft arrived at our airspace , the plan was urgently requested from the Iraqi authorities , and after the plan was received , the flight was carried out safely , ” the ministry said .
Asked about the incident during a regular briefing , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Athens had lodged a complaint over the incident .
“ It is one more provocation , in the continued provocations by the Turkish side , ” Petsas said .
“ But I would like to remain on the fact that various explanations were given , also from the Turkish side , and we hope that this phenomenon and this incident is never repeated in the future .
”

Suzan Fraser And Frank Jordans - The Associated Press