thetorontostar--2020-10-12--The Latest: Barrett Supreme Court confirmation hearing opens

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett ( all times local ) : The hearing room was largely empty Monday and some senators tuned in virtually , citing the coronavirus .
President Donald Trump nominated Barrett just two weeks ago to fill the seat of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Sept. 18 .
Trump and Republicans want Barrett on the bench in time for Election Day , Nov. 3 .
The hearing comes as three GOP senators have tested positive for the coronavirus , including two on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptom-free .
The positive tests came after Trump ’ s Sept. 26 Rose Garden event announcing Barrett ’ s nomination .
Trump fell ill with COVID-19 about 10 days ago .
Barrett , a conservative , would shift the balance on the court significantly right , from 5-4 in favour of conservatives to 6-3 .
Democrats worry she would vote to rule the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional .
They ’ re also concerned about her record on abortion .
She was confirmed to the federal appeals court in 2017 .
Before that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notre Dame and was once a clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT ’ S HAPPENING IN THE SUPREME COURT CONFIRMATION HEARINGS : The Republican-controlled Senate is charging ahead on President Donald Trump ’ s pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and cement a conservative court majority before Election Day .
— Graham , Harris , Feinstein among the senators to watch at Barrett ’ s hearings


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--The crowded, competitive world of anti-Trump GOP groups

WASHINGTON—Last month , Greg Schott , a lifelong Republican disgusted by President Donald Trump , decided it was time to speak out in a meaningful way .
Schott , who sold his business software company to Salesforce in 2018 for a reported $ 6.5 billion ( U.S. ) , decided to spend $ 1 million of his own money to start a new group , Reclaim Our Party , a super PAC targeting right-leaning independents and soft Republicans and telling them it was OK to vote against Trump .
The two biggest groups that dominate the anti-Trump Republican landscape , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , have both become multimillion-dollar operations that conduct their own sophisticated data research and polling .
Then there ’ s the Bravery Project , led by Joe Walsh , a former Republican congressman from Illinois ; Stand Up Republic , which recently introduced a spinoff , Christians Against Trumpism & Political Extremism ; the Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform , known as REPAIR and led by two former top Trump administration officials ; and 43 Alumni for Joe Biden , which consists of alumni from President George W. Bush ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forget about the short-lived Right Side PAC , founded by Anthony Scaramucci , the former White House communications director , and Matthew Borges , a former chairperson of the Ohio Republican Party .
The group formed in June with the mission of turning out Republican voters for Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee , in battleground states , but it shut down after Borges was arrested on federal corruption charges .
Scaramucci has since given the money to the Lincoln Project and teamed up with REPAIR .
The crowded , competitive space of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways , a product of the fact that not having a party means not having any clear leader .
Groups with similar missions engage in little coordination or sharing of resources .
The groups ’ leaders say this is all fine , and organic .
Schott ’ s competitors in the conservative anti-Trump space say there is little downside to another player spending $ 1 million on advertising critical of the president .
But what is less clear is whether more coordination among the anti-Trump Republicans — who harbour deep worries about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were re-elected , and are eager to be seen as having been on the right side of history if Biden wins — would better serve the collective project to unseat the president .
“ The Never Trump movement is having a moment , ” said Lucy Caldwell , a Republican strategist who served as an adviser for Walsh ’ s failed Republican primary challenge to Trump this year .
“ But on the whole , the last four years have been a lot of throwing spaghetti against the wall and seeing what sticks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the kitchen.
” Caldwell said a lack of coordination had meant “ a lot of duplicative efforts in areas like digital , paid and earned media , with virtually no significant or co-ordinated effort in areas like field , or building a killer data set that everyone is making use of and enhancing.
” The fact that the groups operate as islands of resistance is , perhaps , underscored best by the set-up of the Lincoln Project , where almost the entire staff has spent the pandemic in a COVID-tested pod in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refer to as “ Mountain West , ” where employees work and live together .
Steve Schmidt , a founder of the Lincoln Project , said some of the smaller political action committees might seem like “ vanity exercises.
” But the groups , he said , “ are all disaggregated , they ’ re all organic , and they ’ re all conviction-based and necessary to show defiance and opposition to a president and political class that ’ s completely enabled him.
” Sarah Longwell , a founder of Republican Voters Against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups helped create a broader narrative about opposition to the president .
“ People want to be counted , people want to be on the record saying they , in this moment , stood up against Trump , ” she said .
“ That ’ s why you see this .
It ’ s a discredit to Trump that there are so many groups.
” The various anti-Trump Republican groups have also , at times , been in competition for the people who can bring the most attention to the cause .
Scaramucci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PAC with George Conway , a prominent conservative lawyer who has become an outspoken and popular Trump critic .
Conway , who had also worked closely with Longwell on setting up another anti-Trump group he started called Checks and Balances , ended up joining the Lincoln Project instead .
The result is a disparate landscape of groups doing complementary , but sometimes overlapping , work in trying to peel away Trump voters .
People in the movement said this was partly because the groups have slightly different goals .
Republican Voters Against Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters explaining why they ’ re reluctantly voting for Biden in November , with the aim of creating a permission structure for white , college-educated Republican voters in the suburbs to follow suit .
The Lincoln Project ’ s buzziest ads are designed for the proverbial “ audience of one ” — Trump — and aim to play on the president ’ s own preoccupations .
For instance , Rick Wilson , a founder of the Lincoln Project , claims partial credit for the president ’ s decision in July to demote his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the group ran an ad highlighting his lavish lifestyle .
“ He was a fairly immovable force in the campaign until we started beating the drum that he was driving a Ferrari and Land Rovers and he bought a $ 2.5 million house , ” Wilson said .
Schmidt said the goal of the ads — the group has spent or reserved $ 16.9 million of television time this year , according to campaign finance records — boiled down to buying time for Biden by making the president waste news cycles defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the loyalty of the people he surrounds himself with .
The Lincoln Project ads have been dismissed by some as “ anti-Trump porn , ” more concerned with going viral than moving voters .
And the group has drawn criticism from other Republican critics of Trump for targeting lawmakers in the party who have supported him .
After Schmidt on Twitter compared Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , to “ the type of man who would have gladly held Castro ’ s coat if it helped him rise , just a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt Lewis , accused Schmidt of acting “ just as bad as Trump ” and sounding “ just like him.
” But the group ’ s founders said they had also recently spent more money on an initiative targeting Puerto Rican voters in Florida , and planned to spend millions targeting Black male voters in Philadelphia , a bloc that Biden needs to turn out for him .
Caldwell said some of the tensions within the coalition stemmed from its players ’ having different hopes for the future of the party , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more obvious when they find their next acts , post-election.
” The Biden campaign , meanwhile , has continued with its own outreach to Republicans .
The campaign introduced “ Republicans for Biden ” during the Republican National Convention , and has featured Republican voters in its own ads .
The campaign ’ s national security , political , surrogate , paid media and field teams are all doing dedicated outreach to soft Republican and independent voters , an official said .
Despite all of the options , Schott still decided to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with anyone else .
“ To me , it ’ s just having another voice , ” he said .
“ It ’ s saying , ‘ Here ’ s yet another group of Republicans that are saying it ’ s OK to vote against Donald Trump.
’ More voices saying it is better .
”

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thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Iran has highest daily virus death toll, new patient count

TEHRAN , Iran - For the second day in a row , Iran shattered its single-day record for new deaths and infections from the coronavirus , with 272 people confirmed dead among more than 4,200 new cases on Monday .
Like in many other countries , the spiraling outbreak in Iran reflects the government ’ s contradictory virus response .
This month , as the daily recorded death toll reached the triple digits , authorities announced tighter restrictions for the hard-hit capital of Tehran .
Recently reopened universities and schools , as well as libraries , mosques , cinemas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday , the government mandated that all Tehran residents wear face masks outdoors and in public places , warning violators would be fined .
Cabinet spokesman Ali Rabiei promised those who tested positive would be closely tracked .
And yet enforcement in the country of 80 million remains a challenge .
Those who disobey face fines of just 500,000 riyals , or $ 1.60 , roughly the price of a burger downtown .
Many residents , tired of staying home , now ignore the rules about masks and social distancing to pack the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As residents defy coronavirus precautions and the government resists a lockdown amid a worsening economic crisis , Iran ’ s caseload is skyrocketing .
Early in the pandemic , Iran emerged as a global epicenter of the virus and saw the worst outbreak in the Middle East , with more than 500,000 confirmed cases .
It has recorded over 28,800 deaths and 409,000 recoveries .
Initially , leaders played down the virus ’ s risks and , as hospitals filled up , the reported figures fueled skepticism among international experts who suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections and deaths .
Authorities have since admitted that outbreak is significantly bigger than reported , with a recent parliamentary report putting the number of infections at “ eight to 10 times ” higher than the official numbers .
Iran appeared to curb the spread of the virus somewhat in May with movement restrictions , only to see it return as the country reopened to boost economic activity the next month .
Early in the outbreak , religious considerations also played a role in the Shiite theocracy as authorities declined for weeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kiss the tombs ’ protective bars .
Over recent weeks , Iran has seen daily death tolls spike to their highest-ever levels .
The country has struggled to balance provincial lockdowns to stop the virus ’ s spread with the fear of stalling out an economy already suffering under U.S. sanctions after America ’ s unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers .
As in the White House , where President Donald Trump and a growing circle of his aides and staff recently tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest levels of Iran ’ s government .
Among those recently infected is the head of the country ’ s atomic energy organization and the country ’ s vice-president in charge of budget and planning .
A number of Cabinet ministers also have tested positive , as well as top officials including senior Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri and Vice-President Massoumeh Ebtekar .
The head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who had urged the public not to overreact about its spread was among the first officials to contract the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in Iran at the same time the government was trying to shore up support for the country ’ s parliamentary elections , which saw the lowest voter turnout since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that brought its clerical leadership to power .
As the death toll reached new heights , the nation ’ s currency plunged to its lowest level ever on Sunday , following the Trump administration ’ s decision on Thursday to blacklist 18 Iranian banks that had so far escaped the bulk of re-imposed U.S. sanctions .
Associated Press writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emirates , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Global watchdog proposes tax overhaul for Big Tech

LONDON - A global economic watchdog on Monday proposed an overhaul of international tax rules to make sure big tech companies pay their dues , and warned that failure to adopt it would make the economic recovery from COVID-19 harder .
The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development , which advises the world ’ s top economies , said its global tax overhaul framework will be presented to Group of 20 finance ministers meeting this week and could be implemented by mid-2021 if an agreement is reached .
The group estimated the measures could raise an extra $ 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The OECD has been trying to find a compromise among more than 135 countries on digital taxes , spurred by longstanding demands from France and other European Union nations for U.S. digital giants like Amazon and Google to pay their fair share .
The U.S. , however , has resisted .
France ’ s plan for its own tax on digital business has angered U.S. President Donald Trump , who threatened taxes on French imports , but both sides are holding off until after the U.S. election to give time for negotiations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the new tax rules , the OECD warned that there ’ s a risk of a global trade war triggered by many individual countries launching their own digital services taxes to help their economic recovery from the pandemic .
The result is that global economic growth cut be cut by more than 1 % annually .
“ The last thing you want is , at this time of COVID-19 , to have to deal at the same time with further trade tensions , “ OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said in an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blueprints seek to reduce gaps and mismatches in tax rules between countries that are exploited by companies to avoid paying tax .
They lay out new rules on where taxes should be paid , with the aim of making “ digitally-intensive or consumer facing ” multinational corporations pay taxes even in places where they do business remotely .
The new rules also call for countries to adopt a minimum tax rate , “ in order to stop treaty shopping and companies going around finding venues that will treat them better , ” Gurria @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Anti-India clashes after troops kill 2 rebels in Kashmir

SRINAGAR , India - Anti-India clashes erupted in the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Monday following the killing of two suspected rebels in a gunfight with government forces .
Police and paramilitary soldiers on a tip launched a counterinsurgency operation in a neighbourhood in Srinagar overnight , leading to an exchange of gunfire between trapped militants and troops early Monday , police said in a statement .
Two suspected militants were killed in the fighting , police said .
Residents said troops set a civilian house on fire during the fighting .
Police said one of the dead was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region since earlier this year and was responsible for at least two deadly attacks on paramilitary soldiers in Srinagar .
There was no independent confirmation of the police claim .
As the fighting ended , scores of people , chanting slogans such as “ Go India , go back ” and “ We want freedom , ” threw stones at government forces .
Troops retaliated by firing tear gas and shotgun pellets .
No one was immediately reported injured in the clashes .
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirety .
Most Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory , either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country .
India calls the Kashmir militancy Pakistan-sponsored terrorism .
Pakistan denies the charge , and most Kashmiris call it a legitimate freedom struggle .
Tens of thousands of civilians , rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--NYC virus lockdown protest leader arrested on riot charge

NEW YORK - A leader of protests against new coronavirus restrictions in several New York neighbourhoods has been arrested on charges of inciting to riot and unlawful imprisonment for allegedly instigating an assault on a journalist , police said .
The New York City Police Department said Heshy Tischler was taken into custody Sunday evening in connection with the Oct. 7 assault on Jacob Kornbluh , a reporter for Jewish Insider .
Tischler , a City Council candidate and a self-described activist in the Orthodox Jewish neighbourhood of Borough Park , Brooklyn , said Friday on social media that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
He has since been charged after allegedly instigating the attack on Kornbluh , who is also an Orthodox Jew and has angered some in the community for his reporting on anti-lockdown protests .
Several dozen men gathered outside Kornbluh ’ s apartment late Sunday to protest Tischler ’ s arrest .
It wasn ’ t clear if Tischler had an attorney to represent him .
Large protests erupted in Borough Park last week after Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced new restrictions on schools , businesses and houses of worship in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The majority of the areas facing lockdowns are home to large Orthodox Jewish populations , and religious leaders have complained of being singled out .
The spike in cases coincided with the back-to-back Jewish holidays in late September .
Cuomo said Sunday that the so-called cluster areas contain 2.8 % of the state ’ s population , yet have had 17.6 % of all positive confirmed cases reported this past week .
The Democratic governor urged people living in those areas to abide by the restrictions even though the new rules ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hebrew teachings , participation in a religious ceremony can be excused for matter of health and life and safety , ” Cuomo said Sunday .
“ Leviticus , love your neighbours , yourself , and the point here is to save a life and not to endanger others , not to endanger others in the same congregation , not to endanger others in the same community , and that ’ s what is happening with these large congregations .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Federal judge upholds Minnesota’s extended ballot counting

MINNEAPOLIS - A federal judge has upheld a state court agreement that extends Minnesota ’ s deadline for counting absentee ballots by seven days .
Republicans had asked U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel to block the seven-day extension that Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon agreed to in state court after a citizens ’ rights group cited concerns about voter safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
But Brasel ruled late Sunday night that the plaintiffs in the case — a pair of Republicans serving as electors in the presidential election — don ’ t have standing and denied their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ballots had to be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day — but a consent decree in the state case allowed ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted if they were received within the following seven days .
Brasel ’ s decision to keep the extension intact comes just days after a federal appeals court blocked a similar extension in Wisconsin — a win for Republicans who have fought attempts to expand voting across the country .
The Minnesota plaintiffs had pointed to that ruling to bolster their case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots to be received by Election Day , while others accept them days or even weeks later if they are postmarked by Election Day .
Tens of millions of Americans are likely to vote by mail this year because of concerns about coronavirus exposure at polling places .
The federal lawsuit in Minnesota was filed by Republican state Rep. Eric Lucero and GOP activist James Carson , who both would participate in the Electoral College if President Donald Trump carries Minnesota .
Their lawsuit , backed by the conservative-leaning Honest Elections Project , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that establishes Nov. 3 as the date of the 2020 election .
Attorneys for the state said the extension should stay in place , arguing that blocking it would create confusion and likely disenfranchise voters who are relying on instructions they have already received about deadlines for returning ballots by mail .
Brasel rejected a variety of claims from the plaintiffs in ruling against their request to stop the extended counting , including their assertion that it would dilute the value of their own votes by counting “ unlawful ” ballots after Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the consent decree created chaos and uncertainty , ruling that information about the new absentee process had been clearly communicated to voters .
“ In reality , the Electors are in danger of creating confusion rather ( than ) avoiding ” it , Brasel wrote .
Trump narrowly missed winning Minnesota in 2016 and had vowed in 2020 to become the first Republican to capture the state since Richard Nixon in 1972 .
But recent polls have showed Joe Biden leading , and Trump ’ s campaign has scaled back some TV @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Global shares rise with US stimulus, virus cases in focus

TOKYO - Global shares mostly rose on Monday as investors weighed the prospects of more U.S. economic stimulus and rising coronavirus cases across the world .
U.S. shares were set for a steady outset to the week , with Dow futures rising 0.1 % and S & P 500 futures up nearly 0.6 % .
France ’ s CAC 40 rose 0.8 % to 4,985 , while Germany ’ s DAX rose 0.6 % at 13,126 .
Britain ’ s FTSE 100 added 0.1 % to 6,024 after European Union officials say they finally are seeing progress in trade talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led advances in Asia .
Hong Kong ’ s Hang Seng jumped 2.2 % to 24,649.68 , while the Shanghai Composite added 2.6 % to 3,358.46 .
But elsewhere , investors growing wary over upcoming earnings reports have been cashing in recent gains , helping pull Japanese shares lower .
Tokyo ’ s benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost 0.3 % to finish at 23,558.69 .
Big exporters logged some of the largest losses , with Toyota Motor Corp. falling 0.8 % and Honda Motor Co. shedding 1.8 % .
Other Asian benchmarks rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.5 % to 2,403.73 .
Australia ’ s S & P/ASX 200 gained 0.5 % to 6,132.00 .
Shares also rose in Taiwan , India and Southeast Asia .
Market sentiment improved last week as negotiations continued in Washington on delivering more aid to the ailing U.S. economy .
Signs as of late Sunday were not promising , however .
A new White House coronavirus aid proposal got bad reviews from both ends of the political spectrum .
On Friday the White House increased its offer to $ 1.8 trillion , up from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican aide familiar with the plan .
Pelosi ’ s most recent public proposal was about $ 2.2 trillion , though that included a business tax increase that Republicans won ’ t go for .
Worries persist that Congress and the White House won ’ t deliver more support for the economy as it reels from the impact of the pandemic and concerns that stock prices simply got too high during the summer .
Other major challenges remain , chief among them the still-spreading coronavirus pandemic , highlighted by President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading , US .
benchmark crude lost 59 cents to $ 40.01 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It lost 59 cents to $ 40.60 per barrel on Friday .
The U.S. dollar fell to 105.44 Japanese yen from 105.53 yen last Friday .
The euro slipped to $ 1.1802 , from $ 1.1824 .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Belarus ramps up crackdown on protests, detains over 700

KYIV , Ukraine - Over 700 people were detained in Belarus during mass protests against reelection of the country ’ s authoritarian leader , in the harshest crackdown in weeks on proteters .
The Belarusian Interior Ministry reported Monday that a total of 713 people were detained during rallies across the country a day before , and 570 of them remained in custody waiting to face a court .
The protests demanding the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko spanned several cities on Sunday , with the largest crowds gathering in the capital , Minsk .
The Viasna human rights centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Minsk rally .
Police quickly moved to disperse the protest with water cannons , stun grenades and truncheons , preventing groups of people in different parts of the city from merging into one large gathering .
Dozens of people sustained injuries in what human rights advocates said was the harshest dispersal of a Sunday demonstration since August .
Mass protests have rocked Belarus since Aug. 9 , when the results of the presidential election handed Lukashenko a victory with 80 % of the vote and his main challenger Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to recognize the results of the vote , saying it was manipulated .
The largest rallies have been held on Sundays and have drawn up to 200,000 people .
In the first days of the protests , Belarusian authorities cracked down brutally on protesters , with police detaining thousands and injuring scores with truncheons , rubber bullets and stun grenades .
The violent response to the rallies prompted international outrage .
The European Union and the United States slapped dozens of Belarusian officials with sanctions for their role in the alleged vote-rigging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t target Lukashenko , who has run the country for 26 years with an iron fist .
The government has since scaled back on the violence but has maintained the pressure , detaining hundreds of protesters and prosecuting top activists .
Prominent members of the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , formed to push for a transition of power , have been arrested or forced to leave the country .
Over 40 journalists were detained over the weekend , 25 of them in Minsk , the Belarusian Association of Journalists said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of administrative arrest for disobeying police officers .
Many had their equipment seized .
“ The authorities are trying to prevent coverage of the protests by beating up and detaining journalists , withdrawing their accreditation and creating catastrophic working conditions , ” Andrei Bastunets , head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists , told The Associated Press .
Earlier this month Belarusian authorities rescinded the accreditation of all journalists working for foreign news outlets and said they must apply for new credentials , which some foreign outlets received last week .
In September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credentials of the most popular Belarusian news site that has been extensively covering the protests .
Tsikhanouskaya , who is currently in exile in Lithuania after leaving Belarus under pressure from the authorities , urged the EU to expand sanctions against Lukashenko and his allies , in comments to the AP Monday “ Yesterday we have seen the escalation of violence on the part of the authorities .
Once again , hundreds of people are detained , beaten up , injured and crippled .
Despite the peaceful nature of the protests , repressions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko and his associates need to be added to the sanctions list along with law enforcement officers who take part in crackdown on protesters , she added .
“ I call on our European partners to act quickly and decisively , ” Tsikhanouskaya said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--5th night of Wisconsin police shooting protest more peaceful

WAUWATOSA , Wis. - Demonstrators protested for a fifth night in a Milwaukee suburb following a prosecutor ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ officer who fatally shot a Black teenager .
About two dozen demonstrators remained at a @ @ @ @ @ night past the 7 p.m. curfew .
Police warned the protesters several times that they @ @ @ @ @ left the area , but the few who remained were arrested , WTMJ-TV reported .
@ @ @ @ @ District Attorney John Chisholm cleared Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah , who is also Black @ @ @ @ @ fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alvin Cole outside Mayfair Mall .
The gathering Sunday was much @ @ @ @ @ week in Wauwatosa , where demonstrators clashed with police who used tear gas and rubber @ @ @ @ @ .
City Hall was expected to open Monday after it was closed for three days @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Chinese foreign minister begins SE Asian tour in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia - China and Cambodia signed a free trade agreement on Monday as China ’ s foreign minister visited Phnom Penh as part of a four-nation Southeast Asian tour .
China ’ s foreign ministry announced that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will make official visits this week to Cambodia , Malaysia , Laos and Thailand , along with a transit visit to Singapore .
Cambodia is Beijing ’ s most loyal ally in the region , and its economic growth has depended on aid and investment from China .
The two nations also have an ideological affinity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties over concerns about human rights .
Wang ’ s tour comes as China and the United States are contending for influence in Southeast Asia .
Historically , the U.S. has been the more popular partner , but Beijing has made great inroads as China ’ s growing wealth and confidence allow it to woo allies with no human rights strings attached .
In Cambodia ’ s case , this has won Beijing a supportive Cambodian voice in international and regional forums .
There is also strong suspicion , mainly from Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use a strategic naval base in its territory on the Gulf of Thailand .
Cambodian and Chinese officials deny there is any such deal .
The signing of the Cambodia-China free trade agreement was witnessed by Wang and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen , who held a meeting earlier .
Details of the agreement were not released , but Commerce Ministry spokesperson Seang Thay said China would give tariff-free status covering about 98 % of its imports from Cambodia , while up to 90 % of China ’ s exports to Cambodia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 390 Cambodian exports are covered , mostly from the agriculture sector .
China is Cambodia ’ s main market for rice , mangoes and bananas .
The pact ’ s significance is as much symbolic as practical , since it is being framed as a sort of replacement for preferential tariff terms the European Union withdrew from Cambodia because of what it called “ serious and systematic concerns related to human rights.
” The E.U .
withdrew duty-free privileges amounting to about one-fifth of the 1 billion euros ( $ 1.2 billion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe each year .
Hun Sen has acknowledged that Cambodia ’ s economy would be affected by the move , but said the country could manage and he would not bend to Western pressure .
China also agreed to provide $ 140 million in new aid for Cambodia for urgent development , including infrastructure .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Far-right EU lawmaker in Greek court for criminal trial

ATHENS , Greece - A member of the European Parliament appeared in a Greek court Monday after being convicted last week of being a leading member of a criminal organization along with other members of the extreme-right Golden Dawn party .
Ioannis Lagos , who faces up to 15 years in prison , travelled from Brussels to Athens to attend the sentencing hearings .
He made a formal request for the three judges trying the case to be replaced .
“ I believe that there is a prevailing bias against the defendants and that the judges involved in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political establishment , ” Lagos told the court .
Lagos and 17 other former Greek parliament members from Golden Dawn were convicted last week of leading a criminal organization , or simple membership , and face sentences of between five and 15 years in prison .
Thirty-nine other Golden Dawn members and associates were also convicted of numerous offences , from murder and violent assaults against immigrants to perjury .
Presiding judge Maria Lepenioti said mitigating circumstances would be granted to four former lawmakers and 10 other convicted members on grounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of prior convictions .
Leniency was not recognized for Lagos or six other former parliament members considered to be leaders of the organization .
The government hailed the trial as a victory for the country ’ s democratic institutions .
“ This landmark trial is coming to an end .
It demonstrated that our society and the justice system have prevailed , ” government spokesman Stelios Petsas said .
“ Our democracy and our country ’ s institutions are strong.
” Golden Dawn was founded as a Neo-Nazi group in the 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent financial crisis , gaining parliamentary representation between 2012 and 2019 .
The five-year trial was launched following the 2013 murder of rap singer and left-wing activist Pavlos Fyssas , who was stabbed to death by a Golden Dawn supporter .
Hundreds of protesters , many from left-wing groups and labour unions , gathered outside the court and chanted “ Smash the fascists in every neighbourhood.
” “ All of us that are gathered here for the Nazis to be jailed with the biggest possible sentences , ” pensioner Leonidas Rendzakis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP .
Police banned a rally planned by supporters of Golden Dawn and detained several party supporters who appeared outside the court .
Sentences are expected to be announced later Monday unless the judges are replaced .
___ Raphael Kominis and Iliana Mier in Athens contributed .

Derek Gatopoulos And Fanis Karabatsakis - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Gunman wounds policeman in Croatia before killing himself

ZAGREB , Croatia - A gunman on Monday shot and wounded a police officer outside the Croatian government headquarters in the capital , Zagreb , before killing himself , police said .
The shooting happened around 8 a.m. at Trg Svetog Marka , or St. Mark ’ s Square , which hosts the Croatian parliament building and other other important state institutions .
Police said another officer at the scene fired at the attacker who fled after the shooting and later committed suicide nearby .
They said he was a 22-year-old Croatian citizen not previously known to the police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ message on Facebook after the shooting saying there has been “ enough fraud ” and “ trampling of human values.
” Reports said he was from the central town of Kutina and he was described as “ decent ” by acquaintances .
The 31-year-old officer underwent surgery and his condition is stable , said the police .
He had four wounds , to his torso and one arm , but no vital organs were hit , doctors said .
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said an investigation is underway to determine whether the shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We do not know enough at this moment , ” Plenkovic told reporters .
He said the attacker walked to the square , which is open to the public despite hosting top state institutions .
“ We have a culture of openness , ” said Plenkovic .
“ This brings us to a new situation and rethinking of security.
” Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said the only way to fully secure the square is to close it to the public .
Bozinovic said “ that would mean no freedom of movement.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an automatic weapon .
The Index news portal said he took the weapon from his father who fought in a war in Croatia in the 1990s .
In a statement , Croatian President Zoran Milanovic urged better weapons control in Croatia .
He said the gun used in the incident is a military one and should not be part of “ private collections.
“ Police sealed off the area around the square and all planned activities by the government or other state institutions at the square were cancelled .
A helicopter could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gec in Belgrade , Serbia , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Japan vows to boost missile defence after North Korea parade

TOKYO - Japan vowed Monday to bolster its missile deterrence capability to respond to threats by North Korean weapons that are becoming “ more diverse and complex , ” as displayed during a military parade held by the North over the weekend .
North Korea , marking the 75th anniversary of its ruling party on Saturday , paraded a variety of weapons systems , unveiling what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile that is larger than any of the North ’ s known ICBMs .
It also displayed what was likely an upgraded version of a missile that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts say the weapons could have been mock-ups of missiles under development , the exhibits appear to signify North Korea ’ s continuous upgrading of its weapons capabilities during stalled nuclear diplomacy with the U.S. “ In order to respond to threats that are diversifying and complex , we will firmly work to strengthen our comprehensive missile deterrence capability , ” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a regular news conference Monday .
“ We understand that some of those missiles are said to make it difficult for us to respond with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details on Japan ’ s analysis of the missiles displayed by North Korea .
He said only that Japan would continue to co-operate with the U.S. and other concerned countries to protect the Japanese people .
Under the nearly eight-year tenure of hawkish former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , Japan expanded its military ’ s international role under the Japan-U.S. alliance , amid growing threats from North Korea and China .
Tokyo has repeatedly called the two countries threats to its regional security , and is currently studying a major change to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility of developing a first-strike capability on enemy bases to defend against imminent attacks .
Abe ’ s successor , Yoshihide Suga , and his government are expected to compile a new missile plan later this year .
North Korea followed the military parade with a mass gymnastics show Sunday night at Pyongyang ’ s May Day Stadium .
Images and video from the North ’ s state media showed Kim waving toward the stands filled with masked spectators before watching the show , which was performed by thousands of people in unison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seoul , South Korea , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--UK cities chafe at new restrictions in 3-level lockdown plan

LONDON - The British government is set to announce new restrictions Monday on business and socializing in major northern England cities with high infection rates .
But pubs , restaurants and other businesses are pushing back , arguing that they are not to blame for a resurgent outbreak .
Local authorities in hard-hit cities including Liverpool and Manchester are seeking financial support for businesses that are ordered to close , and details of an exit strategy from local lockdowns .
After falling in the summer , coronavirus cases are on the rise in the U.K. as winter approaches , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases .
Under the new measures , areas of England will be placed in “ tiers , ” classing them as at medium , high or very high risk , and placed under restrictions of varying severity .
Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram said his city was to be placed in the highest category .
“ We were told we were going into Tier 3 — no ifs , no buts , ” he said .
Rotheram , mayor of the greater Liverpool region in northwest England , said local officials have not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Conservative government what the exact restrictions will be .
Johnson is due to give more details in the House of Commons later .
Businesses including gyms and pubs are expected to be shut , but restaurants are lobbying to be allowed to remain open .
Rotheram said cities also wanted to know what the exit strategy would be from the measures , which are set to be reviewed after a month .
The U.K. has experienced Europe ’ s deadliest outbreak , with an official death toll of 42,825 .
Health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the outbreak , with strong action needed to prevent hospitals being overwhelmed at a time of year when they are already at their busiest with flu and other winter illnesses .
Stephen Powis , medical director of the National Health Service in England , said there are currently more people hospitalized with the virus than there were when the country went into lockdown in March .
He said three temporary COVID-19 hospitals in northern England that were mothballed when the outbreak receded over the summer were being readied to admit patients once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s deputy chief medical officer , Jonathan Van-Tam , said Monday that while northern England has the highest infection rates , cases are on the rise across the country .
“ The epidemic this time has clearly picked up pace in the north of England earlier than it did in the first wave and that almost certainly relates to the fact the disease levels in the north , and certainly in the northwest , never dropped as far in the summer as they did in the south , “ Van-Tam told a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ This is a nationwide phenomenon now.
” Liverpool has one of the country ’ s highest levels of infection , with more than 600 cases per 100,000 people .
Bar and restaurant owners have questioned whether they are major sources of transmission , and say the government has not shared the evidence to back up the claim .
Manchester City Council leader Richard Leese said data from the city ’ s public health officials “ seems to demonstrate that there is not a particular connection between bars and restaurants and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , professor of outbreak medicine at the University of Liverpool and a member of the government ’ s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies , said “ most of the outbreaks are happening within and between households and then after that , it ’ s in the retail and hospitality sector.
” “ Alcohol and people ’ s behaviour are well known to be factors that result in relaxation of one ’ s adherence to regulations , let ’ s put it politely , ” Semple told the BBC .
“ And so I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The government has announced a support package to pay two-thirds of the salaries of employees of companies that are told to close , but many in the pub and restaurant sector say that is not enough to save already struggling businesses .
England is already under national restrictions including a 10 p.m. curfew on pubs and restaurants and a ban on more than six people gathering .
Some areas have tougher measures , such as a ban on households mixing .
The rest of the U.K. is under similar , and sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s two biggest cities , Glasgow and Edinburgh , pubs have been closed for 16 days to suppress the outbreak .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Pope warmly greets Cardinal Pell after sex abuse trial

ROME - Pope Francis met Monday with Cardinal George Pell , warmly welcoming him for a private audience in the Apostolic Palace after the cardinal ’ s sex abuse conviction and acquittal in Australia .
The Vatican released a brief video clip of the meeting , a clear sign both the pope and Pell wanted the reception to be seen widely .
In it , Francis is heard saying “ Good to see you “ and “ more than a year ” — an apparent reference to the time Pell spent in prison .
Neither man was wearing a protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections in the Lazio region surrounding the Vatican , and despite the Vatican ’ s own admission Monday that four Swiss Guards had tested positive .
Pell returned to Rome on Sept. 30 for the first time since 2017 to find a swirling financial corruption scandal implicating a half-dozen Holy See employees , including one of his Vatican nemeses , Cardinal Angelo Becciu .
Pell , brought in by Francis in 2014 to bring accountability and transparency to the Vatican ’ s opaque finances , was convicted but ultimately absolved by Australia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two choirboys in St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral in Melbourne while he was archbishop in the 1990s .
He has long maintained his innocence and suggested , without evidence , that his prosecution was linked to his efforts to clean up the Vatican ’ s finances .
For seven years , Becciu largely controlled the secretariat of state ’ s multi-million-euro asset portfolio and donations from the faithful .
Francis sacked Becciu last month amid allegations he embezzled Holy See money .
He has denied wrongdoing .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Baseball’s first fans of 2020 see Dodgers-Braves NLCS opener

ARLINGTON , Texas - Scott McIlroy reached out with his left hand as a batting practice home run clanged off a railing and hit him in the palm , the ball popping in the air before settling back into his grip as he held a cellphone in his right hand .
Count the Texas resident and Los Angeles Dodgers fan among the first in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season to catch a pre-game souvenir — and among the first ticket buyers to see live baseball in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night .
Major League Baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game at Globe Life Field for the series between the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves and plans a similar allotment at the same ballpark when it hosts the first neutral-site World Series starting Oct. 20 .
McIlroy got a call from a friend knowing the longtime Dodgers fan would want to make the two-hour drive to the Dallas area .
The announced attendance was 10,700 , not including those who didn ’ t pay .
Ticket prices ranged from $ 40 to $ 250 for the NLCS , and $ 75-450 for the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 75 % of fans appeared compliant with the requirement to wear masks except when “ actively ” eating or drinking .
Some weren ’ t covering their nose or mouth .
“ We were wondering what the mixture of fans would be , ” McIlroy said .
“ In this new age of what we ’ re going through , we were just curious .
When we came in , we saw a lot of Dodger blue out there.
” There were plenty of Braves logos , too , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acuña Jr. stepped in as Atlanta ’ s leadoff hitter against Walker Buehler .
It was the first MLB game of any kind with fans since March 12 , when five Grapefruit League games in Florida were completed as the novel coronavirus caused the shutdown of spring training there and in Arizona .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott said in June that professional and college stadiums would be allowed to operate at 50 % capacity , and MLB decided to sell tickets starting with the NLCS following a regular season in which attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NFL ’ s Dallas Cowboys have sold about 31 % capacity at nearby AT & T Stadium , drawing 25,147 for Sunday ’ s win over the New York Giants .
No tickets are being sold for the American League Championship Series between Houston and Tampa Bay at San Diego ’ s Petco Park .
The previous time fans attended a Major League Baseball game that counted , it also was in Texas : Game 7 of the 2019 World Series in Houston , a sellout of 43,326 when the Washington Nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This time , seats were sold in groups of four at the new , 40,518-seat retractable roof stadium , with the empty seats between ticketed sections secured by zip ties to prevent people from sitting in them .
“ It was kind of a novel thing because of the new field and there have never been fans in it , ” said Jeff Wood , a Braves fan who drove about four hours from Little Rock , Arkansas .
“ And with this whole COVID thing , I kind of thought about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In March , Claudia Magallanes , her husband and two sons drove nine hours from Carlsbad , New Mexico , to catch spring training games in Arizona .
They never saw any because of the shutdown .
When they realized fans would be allowed for the NLCS , they remembered deciding against going to World Series games in Los Angeles a couple of years ago .
It was an easy call to see their first LA post-season game , even though Claudia Magallanes was headed to the airport Tuesday morning for a previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday morning he gives me the news , and I ’ m like , ‘ Yea , yes.
’ So we ’ re all for it , ” said Claudia Magallanes , who said these four tickets were paid in part by the money they got back from the cancelled spring training games .
“ I tell him two years ago I still regret that we didn ’ t buy the tickets.
” Justin Farris of the Dallas suburb of Plano had his Texas Rangers cap on , with two sons wearing Rangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were on their way in to the new ballpark fans didn ’ t get to see during what was supposed to be its inaugural season .
“ Wanted to see it before anybody does , ” said Farris , who said he would root for the Dodgers because of Dallas native Clayton Kershaw .
“ And it ’ s going to be cleaner .
It ’ s the cleanest it ’ s ever going to be.
” Eli Dills has season tickets for the Braves and lives a couple of hours north of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t miss any home playoff games the past two years , so he had to talk his boss into giving him the day off .
Dills was headed back home — and to work — after Game 1 , but the 21-year-old Walmart manager was already thinking about the World Series .
“ I ’ m going to be down here no doubt , ” Dills said .
“ I ’ m going to tell my boss , ‘ Hey , man , you can come with me .
’ ”


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Senate Democrats’ fundraising success puts GOP on defensive

WASHINGTON - Buoyed by massive fundraising success , Democratic Senate candidates are mounting a push in Republican states that few would have thought possible just a few months ago , placing continued GOP control of the chamber at risk .
In South Carolina , Sen. Lindsey Graham ’ s challenger , Democrat Jaime Harrison , shattered fundraising records when he announced on Sunday a $ 57 million haul for the quarter that ended in September .
MJ Hegar in Texas reported raising over $ 13 million during the same period for her race against Republican Sen. John Cornyn .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong fundraising numbers against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
In Mississippi , Mike Espy reported raising $ 4 million in his rematch against Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith .
The windfall speaks to the energy coursing through a restive Democratic base that hopes not only to oust President Donald Trump , but also to flip control of the Senate , where Republicans have a 53-47 majority .
That will be key for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to enact his agenda , if he wins .
But the flood of money flowing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not at all clear the recipients will have time to spend it .
That may inadvertently short low-profile states and candidates who may not engender the same fervour from party activists and could use an infusion of resources .
And since much of it is coming from donors outside their states , it ’ s an imperfect measure of the candidates ’ chances — especially in red states .
“ For Jaime Harrison and Amy McGrath , money can buy you a lot of TV advertising , ” said Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser .
“ But they are never going to have enough money to buy another 2 million liberal voters in South Carolina and Kentucky.
” The cautionary tale for these candidates is Texas Rep. Beto O ’ Rourke , who in 2018 raised a record-breaking $ 80 million for his losing Senate campaign against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz , who was widely reviled by liberal activists and donors .
O ’ Rourke was criticized for being too stingy with his cash , only reluctantly aiding other Democrats , though he eventually donated large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s a position Harrison could soon find himself in .
Public polling shows he ’ s locked in a tight race against Graham , a staunch defender of Trump ’ s who is leading Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett this week .
Barrett is the conservative appellate court judge Trump picked to replace liberal justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
In the days after Ginsburg ’ s death last month , over $ 100 million flooded in through ActBlue , Democrats ’ fundraising platform , with Harrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s campaign manager , Zack Carroll , said the plan is to use “ every dollar donated ” for ads , digital organizing and communication .
But with TV largely saturated , there are limited avenues for him to productively spend such a massive sum of money with just three weeks left before the election .
“ I don ’ t think Jaime Harrison can spend $ 57 million in the next couple weeks .
But that ’ s not his fault , ” said Jefrey Pollock , a Democratic pollster who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At some point they ’ ll start sending that money to other places or spending down-ballot.
” The same could apply for McGrath , who is fighting an uphill battle against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky .
She has yet to release her most recent fundraising figures , which must be made public by Thursday , but had pulled in $ 47 million this cycle as of July 1 .
Democrats dismiss such concerns and say there ’ s no such thing as too much money .
Plus , they argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has warped perceptions about what is needed .
“ All of these challengers are doing well , and it ’ s hard to find a spot where Democrats are struggling at this point , ” said Stewart Boss , a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee .
The money to Democrats has heightened a sense of dread among Republicans .
They ’ ve watched as developments this year — including a global pandemic , a faltering economy and the president ’ s diagnosis of COVID-19 — have expanded the map of competitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictable races where Democrats are mostly outspending Republicans , including Iowa , Michigan , Maine , North Carolina , Georgia and Arizona .
In Montana , the estimated $ 131 million that will be spent on advertising in the Senate race between Republican Sen. Steve Daines and outgoing Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock translates to about $ 122 for every state resident .
But money is also trickling down to once unthinkable states , including Kansas , Alaska and Mississippi , forcing Republican outside groups to spend money playing defence , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senate Leadership Fund , a super PAC with ties to McConnell , is projected to spend about $ 14 million in Kansas to boost Republican Rep. Roger Marshall , who is being outspent nearly 4-to-1 by Republican-turned-Democrat Barbara Bollier .
In Alaska , the group has gone up with $ 1 million in advertising boosting first-term Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan , who was being outspent by his independent challenger Al Gross .
In Texas , though , Hegar is slated to be outspent by Cornyn , barring another infusion of advertising dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that ’ s not great news for Republicans , ” said Holmes , the McConnell adviser .
“ There ’ s just an awful lot of combinations the Democrats could have to take the majority.
“ For Democrats , the torrent of resources is allowing them to get creative .
Harrison is not only inundating TV with advertising , but in conjunction with the state party , he ’ s also run digital ads calling a third-party candidate on the ballot “ too conservative ” for South Carolina , even though Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is no longer campaigning .
The ploy is aimed at depriving Graham of some votes from conservatives .
In Maine , where vulnerable Republican moderate Sen. Susan Collins is being challenged by Democrat Sara Gideon , the state Democratic Party has paid for “ Trump Collins 2020 ” yard signs in their push to link Collins to the president .
The race has similarly shattered state spending records , with an influx of cash from both sides that ’ s expected to reach at least $ 106 million .
Then there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her campaign has paid for slickly produced “ Swamp Turtle “ cartoon ads that portray McConnell as a denizen of the entrenched Washington interests that Trump ran against in 2016 .
“ Amy McGrath is just lighting money on fire , “ Matt Jones , a Kentucky radio host who briefly considered jumping in the race as a Democrat , tweeted in response .
Associated Press writers David Eggert in Lansing , Mich. , and Meg Kinnard in Columbia , S.C. , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--The Latest: Texas governor says surge team sent to El Paso

AUSTIN , Texas -- An ongoing wave of COVID-19 cases in the El Paso area prompted Gov .
Greg Abbott to announce Monday that a surge team of medical professionals would be dispatched to the area .
The 75 doctors , nurses and respiratory therapists being dispatched will be accompanied by a supply of extra personal protective equipment to support efforts by El Paso hospitals to meet the surge of coronavirus infections .
The team will be in addition to the 169 professionals the state previously sent to the area .
As of Monday , 313 people were hospitalized with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Culberson counties of West Texas .
The state estimated that active COVID-19 cases in El Paso County alone soared from almost 4,000 on Oct. 1 to just over 6,000 Monday .
Seven cases were fatal during that period .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — As pandemic presses on , waves of grief follow its path HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : FRANKFORT , Ky. -- Kentucky ’ s governor said Monday that he kept up a busy work schedule despite being confined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being around someone who later tested positive for COVID-19 .
Gov .
Andy Beshear said he will follow the advice of state public health officials in determining how long he and his family remain quarantined at the mansion .
His next COVID test is expected to be Tuesday and then Friday , he said .
He added he tested negative last week .
“ I ’ ve asked them ( health officials ) to treat me like anybody else out there , ” the Democratic said .
“ So I ’ m going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines.
” Beshear said he had one of his busiest Mondays in a while , and that the biggest challenge of working in quarantine — away from his staff -- was all the time he spent “ staring at a screen.
” “ I ’ m working , ” he said .
“ I ’ m just having to do it like many other families are having to do — remotely with sometimes my kids bouncing in and out , or a vacuum cleaner going.
” In his virtual briefing , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus cases on a Monday since the pandemic began .
He said that offers more evidence that the outbreak continues its recent escalation in the Bluegrass State .
LAWRENCE , Kansas — Even as Kansas recorded another record spike in COVID-19 cases , Lawrence health officials were hit with a lawsuit over an emergency health order that limits bar hours in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus .
Rita “ Peach ” Madl , the owner of The Sandbar , a bar near the University of Kansas campus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring establishments with liquor licenses to stop serving alcohol by 11 p.m. and shut their doors to in-person clientele by midnight .
A previous order required establishments to stop selling alcohol even earlier , The Kansas City Star reports .
The Kansas Justice Institute , which helped file the lawsuit Friday , issued a news release Monday claiming the county order “ disregards constitutional rights such as due process and equal protection.
” George Diepenbrock , a spokesman for the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health , said the agency would not have any comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit came as the state saw an average of 736 new cases for the seven days ending Monday , or 9.8 % higher than the previous record of 671 set for the seven days ending Friday .
Since Friday , the state added 2,055 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases , an increase of 3.1 % , to bring the total for the pandemic to 67,862 .
The number of COVID-19-related deaths increased by eight to 771 .
NEW YORK — Drugmaker Pfizer has again modified the protocol for its late-stage study of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time to include more young participants .
The company said Monday that it ’ s received permission from the Food and Drug Administration to include adolescents aged 12 through 15 in its global COVID-19 vaccine study .
New York-based Pfizer originally planned for 30,000 participants , but in September expanded that to 44,000 people .
That increase was made to boost diversity in the trial population , specifically by including 16- and 17-year-old teens , as well as stable patients with some common chronic infections : hepatitis B , hepatitis C and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes significant numbers of Hispanic , Black , Asian and Native American participants , plus many people aged 56 through 85 .
The diversity is aimed at providing information on how safe and effective the experimental vaccine is in people of different ages and backgrounds .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s White House doctor says Trump has tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days using a newer rapid test from Abbott laboratories .
The assessment from Navy Cmdr .
Sean Conley comes as Trump is travelling to Sanford , Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since becoming infected with the coronavirus .
Conley had said in a written memo released over the weekend that Trump is no longer at risk of spreading the virus to others .
Conley says in a fresh update released Monday that Trump tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days using a newer 15-minute test .
He did not say when Trump was tested .
Trump announced Oct. 2 that he had tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus .
He was admitted to Walter Reed military hospital that night and released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump addressed scores of supporters who crowded onto the White House lawn from a balcony .
PITTSFIELD , Maine — The Maine company that makes specialized swabs for coronavirus testing is ready to open a third manufacturing plant .
Guilford-based Puritan had already opened one factory in Pittsfield to expand production , and on Monday announced it ’ s now taking over the former San Antonio Shoemakers factory in Pittsfield for a third manufacturing location .
The project will produce 50 million swabs per month and is funded by a $ 51.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Susan Collins in August .
Construction company Cianbro is partnering on the project .
Puritan is one of only two companies that produce the specialized swabs that are needed as testing ramps up during the coronavirus pandemic .
The other manufacturing facility is in Italy .
The Trump administration already provided $ 75.5 million through the Defence Production Act for the first Pittsfield facility that opened this summer .
It ’ s expected to be producing 90 million swabs by mid-November .
Together the two Pittsfield sites will account for hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Iowa surpassed 100,000 confirmed coronavirus cases Monday and remained the fourth-highest state for rate of infection , the mayor of Des Moines expressed concern that President Donald Trump ’ s rally this week at the city ’ s airport could become a super-spreader event .
The state averaged 1,300 new cases per day over the past four days , and during that time there were an additional 46 deaths .
As of Monday morning , Iowa had reported 100,052 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,464 deaths from the disease since the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Iowa Air National Guard hangar at the Des Moines International Airport .
He acknowledged Oct. 2 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 , and he now plans to resume campaigning despite skepticism about whether he could spread the virus .
Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie told The Des Moines Register on Sunday that he ’ s worried that Trump ’ s visit could become a super-spreader event .
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Mark Smith said the state should not be hosting the event .
“ In no way , shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our Republican leaders allow for this event to happen .
Iowans need a President who will put the health and safety of the country above their own ego , ” he said in a statement .
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said the event will be in an open door airplane hangar with temperature checks and masks .
BOSTON — Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker has unveiled a new $ 171 million initiative that he said will help tenants and landlords cope with the fiscal challenges of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that the goal of the initiative is to keep tenants in their homes and ease the ongoing expenses of landlords once the state ’ s pause on evictions and foreclosures expires on Saturday .
About $ 100 million will go to expand the capacity of the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program to provide relief to renters and landlords struggling because of the pandemic .
Another $ 49 million will go to rapid rehousing programs for tenants who are evicted and at risk of homelessness .
Other funds will help provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eviction process and support mediation programs to help tenants and landlords resolve cases outside of court .
Landlords have called the pandemic eviction ban unconstitutional , arguing that it restricted their free speech and their ability to acquire compensation for unlawful land taking .
Meanwhile , housing advocates have called for passage of a comprehensive eviction prevention measure intended to help stabilize renters , homeowners and small landlords for a year .
When the state moratorium expires Saturday , a moratorium established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through December for qualified tenants .
CARSON CITY , Nev. — Nevada COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said Monday that he had tested positive for the virus on October 6 after developing symptoms over the prior weekend .
Staff working in the governor ’ s office began working from home following his diagnosis .
Those who had come into contact with Cage were also tested , including Gov .
Steve Sisolak , who tested negative .
Officials also reported 569 new confirmed cases and 3 new deaths on Monday .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they were in early September , before Sisolak relaxed restrictions on gatherings and before a state task force loosened thresholds for “ high risk ” counties .
HUNTINGTON , W.Va. — Officials at a West Virginia health system have said the network is again banning visitors from its hospitals as community spread of the coronavirus increases in the region .
News outlets reported that Mountain Health Network announced Monday that most visitors will not be allowed in its medical centres , including at St. Mary ’ s in Huntington , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials say essential caregivers will be allowed for patients in labour and delivery , in the pediatrics unit and in the neonatal units .
A statement from the system also said patients nearing the end of their life also will be allowed limited visitors .
At urgent care centres and emergency rooms , only one patient will be allowed in an exam room , though a parent or guardian can accompany minors .
The policy was first enacted in March as the virus began to spread , but it was lifted in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitation .
As of Monday , at least 385 people had died from COVID-19 in West Virginia , with the state reporting more than 4,500 current active cases .
State data said Cabell County , the site of several of Mountain Health hospitals , had among the highest total case counts with 1,020 .
PRAGUE — The Czech Republic is imposing a new series of restrictive measures in response to a record surge in coronavirus infections .
Amid the spike , the number of deaths has surpassed 1,000 people .
Prime Minister Andrej @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs will be closed starting on Wednesday , while drinking alcohol is banned at public places .
Babis also says all schools will be closed at least until Nov. 2 , with the exception of schools remaining open for the children of doctors , nurses and rescue workers .
The government has also limited the number of people who can gather to six and made it mandatory to wear face masks at outdoor public transport stops .
There was a new record high of 8,618 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday , marking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new record for single-day coronavirus infections .
As a result , new restrictive measures have been implemented since Monday , including closures of all theatres , cinemas , zoos , museums , art galleries , fitness centres and public swimming pools .
Also , all sports indoor activities are banned .
Outdoors , only up to 20 people are allowed to participate in sport activities .
Government data shows the Czech Republic has had 119,007 confirmed cases with 1,045 deaths , on Monday .
Of them , 256 people died last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ local officials on Monday urged southeastern Connecticut residents to get tested for COVID-19 , noting a continued spike in cases in New London and elsewhere .
They also called on people to be careful around friends , family members and co-workers .
Dr. Deidre Gifford is the acting commissioner of the Department of Public Health .
She said contract tracers have found that people have become infected after taking off their masks in the car while carpooling , spending time with family members or in workplace lunch rooms .
She urged anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in contact with someone who has tested positive to quarantine for 14 days .
Stephen Mansfield is the director of health at the Ledge Light Health District .
He said more than 700 tests were conducted in New London over the weekend .
Free testing also began Monday in neighbouring Groton .
JEFFERSON CITY , Mo .
— A state official in Missouri said Monday , two days after a “ database extract error ” incorrectly showed a massive one-day increase in coronavirus cases in Missouri , the problem remains unresolved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Senior Services reported more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases , which would be nearly 3,000 more than the previous record for a single day .
But on Sunday , the health department said that number was wrong , blaming the process of migrating data into a new system .
“ The team is continuing to work through the issues today .
We ’ re still working to pinpoint the cause as it ’ s a new issue related to the automated ( rather than manual ) entry of data , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
Because the system is being fixed , the state had not updated any data on Monday , including the number of new cases , deaths and hospitalizations .
In late September , the state began using a new dashboard for tracking COVID-19 that provides additional data , including per capita cases by jurisdiction , rankings of counties by infection rates , and comparing Missouri to other states on several metrics .


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Defiant Trump defends virus record in 1st post-COVID rally

SANFORD , Fla. - Defiant as ever about the coronavirus , President Donald Trump on Monday turned his first campaign rally since contracting COVID-19 into a full-throated defence of his handling of the pandemic that has killed 215,000 Americans , joking that he was healthy enough to plunge into the crowd and give voters “ a big fat kiss.
“ There was no social distancing and mask-wearing was spotty among the thousands who came to see Trump ’ s return to Florida .
He held forth for an hour , trying to get his struggling campaign back on track with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though he was hospitalized battling the virus only a week ago , Trump ’ s message on COVID-19 was unaltered since his diagnosis : a dubious assessment that the pandemic was just about a thing of the past .
Hundreds of people in the U.S. continue to die of the virus every day .
“ Under my leadership , we ’ re delivering a safe vaccine and a rapid recovery like no one can even believe , “ Trump insisted .
“ If you look at our upward path , no country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recovered.
” His voice was perhaps a touch scratchy but otherwise , Trump was , well , Trump .
Boisterous and bellicose , he thanked the audience for their well-wishes and declared he was no longer contagious as he embarked on a frenetic final stretch of the campaign .
Trump insisted that , after being given experimental medication and other VIP treatment , he felt great and was glad he no longer needs to be concerned about infection because he ’ s now “ immune.
” “ I feel so powerful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs of lingering infection .
“ I ’ ll walk into that audience .
I ’ ll walk in there , I ’ ll kiss everyone in that audience .
I ’ ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women ... everybody .
I ’ ll just give ya a big fat kiss.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious-disease expert , said Monday on CNN that those who recover from COVID-19 are likely to be immune for a limited period of time , but there are cases emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
Despite Trump ’ s battle with a deadly disease , it was striking how little had changed .
Threats to smooch audience members aside , the rally felt like so many others during the pitched general election battle against Democrat Joe Biden .
Trump returned to his many usual attack lines , slamming Democrats as “ engaged and unhinged and out for vengeance , “ and hyping “ tremendous progress ” on virus therapeutics .
He promised the third-quarter economy would be “ record-setting ” and claimed that , if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” will resume , while Biden would delay the vaccine and destroy the economy with a “ draconian ” lockdown .
And when he was done , with his new exit song , The Village People ’ s “ YMCA , ” blaring over the loudspeakers , the president did what has become his trademark dance , pumping his fists somewhat in time to the beat as the crowd roared .
But he kept his distance from the audience .
With three weeks to go before the election , Trump is pushing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground state polling as he continues to spread misinformation about a virus that he spent months downplaying .
That includes in Florida , which is seen as crucial to his reelection chances .
Trump narrowly beat his 2016 rival , Democrat Hillary Clinton , in the state by just over 112,000 votes .
Some recent polls have suggested a close race in the state , while others have put Democrat Joe Biden ahead .
Underscoring the importance of Florida , Trump will be back in the state Friday for another rally , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanford rally was his first stop in a busy week that will include events in Pennsylvania , Iowa , North Carolina , Georgia and Wisconsin .
The robust schedule highlights the urgency he is facing to recover from a series of self-inflicted setbacks that have rattled his base of support and triggered alarm among Republicans who fear the White House is on the verge of being lost to Biden .
And it comes amid still-unanswered questions about the impact so much travel so soon could have on the 74-year-old president ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpredictable , and there can be long-term complications .
After Air Force One lifted off from Joint Base Andrews , the president ’ s doctor released an update on his health that said Trump had tested negative for the virus — and had done so on consecutive days .
His doctor , Navy Cmdr .
Scott Conley , said the tests , taking in conjunction with other data , including viral load , have led him to conclude that Trump was not contagious .
For days , the White House had sidestepped questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conley over the weekend said that the president met Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for safely discontinuing isolation and that by “ currently recognized standards , ” Trump was no longer considered a transmission risk .
There was no evidence of any new health precautions , although more passengers than usual on Air Force One , including U.S. Secret Service agents and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , were seen wearing masks on board .
Trump ’ s decision to so quickly return to the campaign trail drew criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump comes to Sanford today bringing nothing but reckless behaviour , divisive rhetoric , and fear mongering , “ Biden said in a statement .
“ But , equally dangerous is what he fails to bring : no plan to get this virus that has taken the lives of over 15,000 Floridians under control.
” Trump continued to mock Biden for his efforts to encourage social distancing at his campaign events , deriding as “ crazy ” the circles Biden ’ s campaign uses to delineate individual space .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming , “ Trump said at another point .
Lemire reported from New York .
Associated Press writer Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg , Fla. , contributed to this report .

Jill Colvin And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--California orders GOP to remove unofficial ballot boxes

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California ’ s chief elections official on Monday ordered Republicans to remove unofficial ballot drop boxes from churches , gun shops and other locations and Attorney General Xavier Becerra warned those behind the “ vote tampering “ could face prosecution .
Republican refused , saying they are taking advantage of California ’ s liberal ballot collection law that allows anyone to collect ballots from voters and deliver them to county election offices .
“ As of right now , we ’ re going to continue our ballot harvesting program , ” California Republican Party spokesman Hector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and concerns about health safety at polling places , California for the first time mailed ballots for the Nov. 3 election to all active registered voters — more than 21 million people .
The ballots come with pre-paid envelopes for voters to mail back , free of charge .
State law also allows county election officers to set up drop boxes throughout the county where people can drop off their ballots in person .
The secure boxes can sometimes weigh more than 600 pounds and are monitored frequently by local election officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at churches , gas stations and gun shops in at least three California counties .
Some are identified as “ secure ballot dropoff location , ” while others say “ approved and bought by the GOP.
” The party declined to say precisely how many boxes have been distributed and where they all have been placed .
Secretary of State Alex Padilla , a Democrat , said state law only allows county election officials to set up official ballot drop boxes , with rules for how often the ballots are retrieved .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections , making them vulnerable to tampering .
Padilla had his chief legal counsel send Republicans a letter on Monday ordering them to remove those boxes by Thursday .
He also ordered them to provide the state with the names , addresses and birthdays of all voters who have already dropped off ballots .
Attorney General Xavier Becerra , also a Democrat , went further , threatening to prosecute “ anyone who knowingly engages in the tampering or misuse of a vote.
” “ We hope that the message goes out loud and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improperly solicit , obtain , and manage a citizen ’ s vote that they are subject to prosecution , ” Becerra said .
“ I ’ m trying to be careful with how I say this , but the reports we are hearing are disturbing.
” Padilla declined to speculate on why Republicans would be collecting votes via unofficial drop boxes .
“ Our interest is in protecting the integrity of this election , ” he said .
Barajas said the party ’ s drop boxes just provide voters with “ another opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news release , the California Republican Party said state law does not specifically ban them from collecting ballots in a box .
They say the law only prevents tampering or forging ballots and that people collecting the ballots can not be paid for doing it .
“ It appears Republicans are well within their right to collect ballots in this manner .
It ’ s just that Democrats don ’ t like it , ” Republican state Sen. Melissa Melendez posted to her official Twitter account .
The controversy surfaced during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the boxes in Fresno , Los Angeles and Orange counties , all areas with highly competitive U.S. House races .
Democrats have blasted the use of the unofficial boxes and say they fear Republicans could use them to gather and discard ballots .
In California , state law says voters who can ’ t return their ballots themselves can ask anyone else to do it for them .
Previously , people who returned a ballot for someone else also had to sign it and list their relationship to the voter .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that requirement .
In Orange County , which is home to 3 million people between Los Angeles and San Diego , a regional field director for the state GOP posed for a photo with one of the boxes .
The image posted to social media showed him wearing a face covering supporting the congressional campaign of Michelle Steel , a Republican county supervisor .
Steel is challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Harley Rouda for his seat representing a coastal district .
Rouda flipped the seat two years ago from longtime Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelley said official drop boxes are clearly recognizable and carry official county elections logo .
He said it wasn ’ t clear how many voters had used unofficial boxes but after receiving reports about them , he notified the state and district attorney ’ s office , which is investigating .
Rachel Potucek , a spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Orange County , said she didn ’ t know what Republicans planned to do with the ballots they collected and worried they could target Democratic areas with boxes to suppress votes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ boxes at a church in the Los Angeles County community of Castaic and at various locations in Fresno County in California ’ s farm-rich Central Valley .
Fresno County Republicans said they will remove the boxes and ballots will be turned in to county election officials , which was always the plan , the Sacramento Bee reported .

Amy Taxin And Adam Beam - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--McConnell, McGrath spar over federal response to coronavirus

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s opponent accused him of failing the country with the lack of another coronavirus relief package , while the Republican incumbent described himself as a powerful advocate for Kentucky in a hard-hitting televised debate Monday evening .
In their first , and potentially only debate of the campaign , McConnell and Democratic challenger Amy McGrath sparred over the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis , the Supreme Court nomination fight and the Republican incumbent ’ s decadeslong record .
McGrath , a retired Marine combat pilot , was aggressive in blaming the senator for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of federal relief for a pandemic-battered economy , calling it a “ dereliction of duty.
” McConnell blamed congressional Democrats for the stalemated negotiations .
McConnell touted his top Senate leadership post and his ability to deliver federal money as valuable assets for Kentucky that would be lost if he leaves the Senate .
McGrath said the Republican incumbent has failed to tackle the state ’ s chronic economic and health problems .
The exchange turned personal as McConnell responded to the barrage from McGrath and her repeated references crediting her Marine career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solver .
“ I think her entire campaign is : she ’ s a Marine , she ’ s a mom and I ’ ve been there ( the Senate ) too long , ” McConnell said .
McGrath responded : “ Senator , you ’ ve been there for 36 years .
How ’ s it looking , Kentucky ?
” She pointed to the state ’ s stubbornly high cancer and diabetes rates along with lack of broadband access and well-paying jobs in some parts of the state .
McConnell countered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars in federal money that McGrath couldn ’ t replicate if she replaces him and takes her place as a freshman on the “ back bench ” in the Senate .
“ I allow Kentucky to punch above its weight , ” McConnell said .
“ What does it mean to Kentucky over the last term ?
My last term $ 17.5 billion for the commonwealth that would not have been there had I not been the majority leader of the Senate.
” The debate offered McGrath her best chance for a breakthrough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky ’ s political landscape and has consistently led in polling as he seeks a seventh term .
In-person early voting begins Tuesday , and many Kentuckians are filling out absentee ballots .
The debate comes at a crucial time for McConnell , who is running his own race while also focused on keeping his job as majority leader as the GOP struggles to retain control of the Senate .
When asked about the federal response to the coronavirus outbreak , McGrath gave President Donald Trump and Congress an “ F , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ His one job is to help America through this crisis right now in passing legislation to keep our economy afloat so that people can make ends meet , ” she said .
“ And instead of doing that , he is trying to ram through a Supreme Court nominee right now , instead of negotiating , which is what he should have been doing all summer long to make that happen.
” For his part , McConnell said he offered another coronavirus relief bill about a month ago that stalled when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think they don ’ t want a solution prior to the election , ” he said of congressional Democrats .
Trying to put the blame back on McConnell , McGrath said : “ If you want to call yourself a leader , you got to get things done .
Those of us who served in the Marines , we don ’ t just point fingers at the other side , we get the job done.
” McConnell noted that he shepherded an economic rescue package totalling more than $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against the pandemic .
McGrath responded : “ That legislation was passed back in March , and here we are this coronavirus is still happening.
” The Kentucky rivals also delved into the Supreme Court nomination battle under way in Washington .
The nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , presented her approach to the law as conservative and fair on Monday at the start of the confirmation hearings , while angry Democrats , powerless to stop her , cast her as a threat to Americans ’ health care coverage during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on filling a Supreme Court vacancy so close to the election , and criticized what she saw as McConnell ’ s inconsistency on the matter .
Four years ago , McConnell blocked then-President Barack Obama ’ s choice of Judge Merrick Garland to fill another Supreme Court vacancy in a presidential election year .
“ Look , four years ago , Senator McConnell said by the McConnell rule during an election year , ‘ We don ’ t vote on a nominee , let the people decide , ’ ” McGrath said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 22 days to an election , we should let the people decide.
” McConnell , who is leading the fast-track confirmation process for Barrett , called her an “ extraordinary nominee ” and an “ accomplished scholar.
” The hourlong debate was aired on Gray Television ’ s Kentucky-based stations .
It came near the end of a big-spending campaign that has been waged in distance , with the two sparring in hard-hitting TV ads .
The rivals debated at WKYT , and the Lexington station took a number of precautions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the midst of another spike of COVID-19 cases .

Bruce Schreiner And Piper Hudspeth Blackburn - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--The Latest: Trump tells Fla. supporters he feels ‘powerful’

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the 2020 presidential race ( all times local ) : President Donald Trump has returned to the campaign trail , holding his first rally since he contracted the coronavirus .
Trump took the stage Monday in Sanford , Florida , and declared he was in good health , saying he felt “ powerful ” and he felt well enough — and contagion-free enough — to dive into the crowd “ to kiss the guys and the beautiful women.
” The president was sidelined from the campaign trail for more than ten days after he tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Questions about his health persist , but his doctor said Monday that the president had tested negative twice for the virus and was cleared to travel .
The rally in Florida , a must-win state for Trump , kicks off an aggressive week of travel for the president , which also includes stops in Pennsylvania , Iowa and North Carolina .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT ’ S HAPPENING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE : President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail after an 11-day absence while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a rally in Florida .
Democrat Joe Biden , meanwhile , campaigned in Ohio on Monday .
— Trump ’ s task : Resetting campaign that GOP fears is slipping — 2020 Watch : Is it too late for Trump to turn things around ?
— Vision 2020 : How soon will we know the US election outcome ?
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : The Minnesota Department of Health is reporting 14 new confirmed coronavirus cases among people who attended recent presidential campaign rallies and other political events in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s infectious disease director , on Monday told reporters the number of confirmed cases linked with President Donald Trump ’ s outdoor rally in Bemidji on Sept. 18 had risen to 16 , up from nine as of Friday , including four people who attended a protest against the rally .
Three cases have been reported among people who attended Trump ’ s outdoor rally in Duluth on Sept. 30 .
Three people tested positive after attending a rally Sept. 24 with Vice-President Mike Pence in a Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the Duluth rally cases .
Two individual cases have been reported among people who attended Joe Biden campaign events in Duluth on Sept. 16 and Brooklyn Park on Sept. 22 .
President Donald Trump ’ s White House doctor says Trump has tested negative for COVID-19 “ on consecutive days ” using a newer rapid test from Abbott Laboratories .
The assessment from Navy Cmdr .
Sean Conley comes as Trump is travelling to Sanford , Florida , to headline his first campaign rally since becoming infected with the coronavirus .
Conley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend that Trump was no longer at risk of spreading the virus to others .
Conley says in a fresh update released Monday that Trump tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days using a newer 15-minute test .
He did not say when Trump was tested .
Trump announced Oct. 2 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
He was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that night and released on Oct. 5 .
His Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , also announced Monday that he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the latest in a series of negative tests for Biden since he was on stage Sept. 29 for a debate against Trump , who later tested positive for the virus .
Joe Biden is blasting President Donald Trump and Republicans for fast-tracking a Supreme Court nomination while negotiations plod along on a new coronavirus economic relief package .
The Democratic presidential nominee said at a drive-in rally in Toledo , Ohio , on Monday that Trump “ turned his back on you ” during the pandemic and its economic fallout .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Judiciary Committee holds confirmation hearings for Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett .
Republicans want to confirm Barrett before Election Day , on Nov. 3 .
Biden questioned why Republicans have time for Supreme Court hearings but not time to come to an agreement with House Democrats on another economic relief package to help individuals , businesses and city and state governments .
Trump has alternately called off COVID-19 relief talks , then pushed for a deal .
Late last week , the White House boosted its offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell said it was unlikely Congress could pass a bill before the election and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the White House offer didn ’ t include enough money .
Joe Biden is in Toledo , Ohio , but his travelling press pool is not .
The Democratic presidential nominee travels with two planes , a departure from most recent major party nominees .
The campaign attributes the setup to COVID-19 protocols .
One of the Biden campaign planes is for the candidate , his staff and Secret Service detail .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and videographers who cover his campaign , along with one senior Biden aide and a Secret Service agent .
But on Monday morning , the press plane had a malfunction and remained grounded in Wilmington , Delaware .
Because Biden ’ s plane always takes off first , the candidate was on his way to Ohio .
There still will be some media in attendance in Toledo .
The Biden campaign has said the press pool should be reunited with Biden for a second Ohio event in Cincinnati later Monday .
President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flies with him on Air Force One .
But when he was a candidate in 2016 , Trump also relegated the press to its own plane , while he travelled on the Trump Organization ’ s Boeing 757 dubbed “ Trump Force One .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-12--Lawyer: Denver security guard acted in self-defence

DENVER - An armed security guard for a television station who is suspected of fatally shooting a man following an altercation after opposing protests was acting in self-defence when he opened fire , a lawyer representing his family said Monday .
Matthew Dolloff , 30 , was being held in jail for investigation of first-degree murder following Saturday afternoon ’ s shooting near Civic Center Park as protesters filed out of the park following the demonstrations — a “ Patriot Muster ” and a “ BLM-Antifa Soup Drive ” counterprotest .
Doug Richards , who said he is representing Dolloff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was shot reached into his shirt which made Dolloff fear for his safety , leading him to shoot .
He said images of the scene from The Denver Post , which first reported his comments , show that Dolloff put his body between the man and the reporter from KUSA-TV he was working to protect .
“ He was doing what he was supposed to be doing there , ” Richards said .
Police have said two guns and a Mace can were found at the crime scene but declined on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened , including who the guns belonged to , because they do not want to harm the ongoing investigation , department spokesperson Jay Casillas said .
The document laying out the reasons for Dolloff ’ s arrest remains sealed .
Authorities have not identified the man who was killed , but his son told The Denver Post it was his father , Lee Keltner , a 49-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who operated a hat-making business in the Denver area .
Denver officials say Dolloff did not have a license to work as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating how he was allowed to work anyway .
Under rules adopted by Denver in 2018 , both security companies and the guards they employ must have city licenses .
Guards must undergo 16 hours of training and an FBI background check to get a license and complete eight hours more training to renew their license each year , said Eric Escudero , a spokesman for the city ’ s Excise and Licenses Department .
Guards that carry firearms must also be screened by police , he said .
Companies that employ guards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or revoked and face fines .
Individual guards who do not have licenses can be punished with a $ 999 fine and up to one year in jail .
Dolloff did have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Colorado issued by his local sheriff ’ s office but it was suspended Monday because of the allegations against him .
Elbert County Sheriff Tim Norton said he will decide whether Dolloff will get the five-year permit back based on what happens in the criminal case .
According to state business records , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a farm that raises animals including turkeys , sheep and goats in Elizabeth , a town outside the Denver metro area .
No one answered the phone at the farm on Monday and a message left for another person listed in business filings was not returned .
KUSA-TV said Sunday that it has been hiring private security to accompany its staff at protests for a number of months .
It said Dolloff had been hired through the Pinkerton security company .
However , in a statement , Pinkerton said Dolloff was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company did not reveal the name of the contract company Dolloff worked for .
“ Pinkerton is fully co-operating with law enforcement authorities in their investigation of this matter , ” it said .
Network news crews have taken security for years , especially overseas , said Dan Shelley , executive director of the Radio-Television-Digital News Association .
In recent years , it ’ s become more common for television news crews amid increasingly corrosive political and ideological rhetoric , he said .
“ It ’ s very unfortunate because journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make friends , they are around to serve their communities by seeking and reporting the truth , ” he said .
In some markets , like the San Francisco Bay Area , it ’ s become fairly routine , said Al Tompkins with the Poynter Institute for Media Studies .
A private security guard there was shot and wounded when a crew on assignment was robbed of their camera outside a library in February 2019 .
Typically , security guards are unobtrusive and step in simply to defuse situations , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , the intensity of doing the job of journalism keeps you from being as aware as you need to be in order to stay safe , ” Tompkins said .
“ They ’ re going in there with one main goal , and that is to avoid problems.
” The story has been corrected to say that the shooting happened near Civic Center Park , not in it .

Colleen Slevin And Lindsay Whitehurst - The Associated Press