thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Prosecutor recommends suspended sentences for Golden Dawn

ATHENS , Greece - A prosecutor on Monday recommended that all former lawmakers of Greece ’ s extreme right Golden Dawn party who have been convicted and sentenced to prison for leading or participating in a criminal organization should be allowed to remain free until their appeal has been heard .
Prosecutor Adamantia Economou argued that none of the former lawmakers was a flight risk or at risk of re-offending while they remain out of jail , and said most had a clean criminal record until their current conviction .
She argued their sentences should be suspended , with conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed .
An appeal can take several years .
“ The immediate execution of the sentences will cause irreparable damage as the procedure to the appeals court will be a long one , “ the prosecutor said .
“ They have all the conditions for their sentences to be suspended with conditions .
The accused have not tried to avoid their arrest.
” A final decision on whether the sentences will be suspended pending appeal is to be made by the panel of judges trying the case following summations by defence lawyers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday morning .
The lengthy sentencing procedure caps a marathon , politically charged five-year trial that involved 68 defendants , dozens of lawyers and encompassed four cases , including the 2013 fatal stabbing of left-wing Greek rap singer Pavlos Fyssas and physical attacks on Egyptian fishermen and left-wing activists .
Party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and another five leading former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences last week after being convicted of running the party like a criminal organization .
A sixth was sentenced to 10 years , while 11 other former lawmakers were convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received sentences of between five and seven years .
The lawmakers spent 18 months in jail when the trial first began , and were released due to the limit of pre-trial detention being reached .
A total of 57 party members and associates were convicted on Oct. 7 , mostly for involvement in violent attacks and participating in a criminal organization .
Golden Dawn was founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s and spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political scene .
But it rose to prominence during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning parliamentary seats in four separate elections and becoming Greece ’ s third-largest political party .
Its popularity began to wane during the trial , and it failed to win any parliamentary seats in 2019 general elections .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Early in-person voting begins in key swing state of Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. - Florida begins in-person early voting in much of the state Monday as the Trump campaign tries to cut into an early advantage Democrats have posted in mail-in votes in the key swing state .
With its 29 electoral votes , Florida is crucial to both candidates but especially so for President Donald Trump , who moved his official residence to his Palm Beach estate Mar-a-Lago from New York last year .
A Florida loss would make it nearly impossible for Trump to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to retain the White House over former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , counties can offer up to two weeks of early voting and many do , including Miami-Dade , Broward , Palm Beach and other population centres .
Large counties offer multiple sites and all counties allow those who have received mail-in ballots to drop them off .
The latest a county can start early voting is Saturday .
About 2.5 million mail-in ballots have already been cast , with Democrats returning 1.2 million and Republicans about 755,000 as of Sunday .
Non-affiliated voters and third-party members make up the rest .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2.7 million cast in 2016 when Republicans had a 70,000-vote margin on returns .
Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the state by about 113,000 votes .
No Republican has won the presidency without winning Florida since Calvin Coolidge in 1924 .
Florida Republicans have said they aren ’ t worried about the mail-in gap , believing any advantage Biden gets will be swamped by Trump supporters casting in-person ballots starting this week and on Election Day .
They believe Democrats are “ cannibalizing ” their own votes — moving in-person voters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They point to their increased voter registration , which narrowed the Democrats ’ lead to 134,000 , down 327,000 four years ago .
Long lines have plagued early voting sites in Georgia and other states , but Florida county elections supervisors have said they expect lines to move smoothly .
Some elections in Florida have been won on the thinnest of margins , becoming the centre of intense focus during recounts of ballots — including the 2000 presidential race between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore .
The recount drew a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended with U.S. Supreme Court halting further recounting , deciding the race for Bush .
Elections officials are predicting that between mail-in ballots and early voting , about 70 % of the ballots expected will be cast before Election Day .
The state allows those ballots to be processed , but the actual count remains secret until after the polls close Nov. 3 .
Counties must end early voting by Nov. 1 .
Mail-in ballots , with few exceptions , must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 3 .

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thetorontostar--2020-10-19--China accuses Canada of condoning alleged anti-China remarks

BEIJING - China said Monday that it has complained to Canada for allegedly condoning anti-China comments that appeared in Canadian media following controversial remarks made by the Chinese ambassador .
Ties between the countries are at their lowest point in years amid China ’ s outrage over Canada ’ s detention of a top executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei .
Last week , China ’ s ambassador to Canada , Cong Peiwu , branded pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong as violent criminals and said if Canada grants them asylum it would amount to interference in China ’ s internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really cares about the stability and the prosperity in Hong Kong , and really cares about the good health and safety of those 300,000 Canadian passport-holders in Hong Kong , and the large number of Canadian companies operating in Hong Kong SAR , you should support those efforts to fight violent crimes , ” Cong said in a video news conference from the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa .
Cong was asked whether his remarks amounted to a threat , to which he replied , “ That is your interpretation.
” On Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Cong to either apologize or leave Canada .
“ It ’ s not enough for the Trudeau government to publicly scold Cong , “ the paper said .
“ If he won ’ t apologize and retract his threats , boot him back to Beijing.
” Cherie Wong , the executive director of Alliance Canada Hong Kong , a group that advocates for Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy movement , called Cong ’ s comment a “ direct threat ” to all Canadians .
“ It should not be lost on Canadians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could be next .
Ambassador Cong suggested so himself , ” Wong said .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian did not identify specific comments that he said resulted from a deliberate misinterpretation of Cong ’ s remarks , but said Canadian leaders “ did not verify , but also condoned the anti-China comments spreading across the nation and made groundless accusations against China.
” “ We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to it and have lodged solemn complaints with the Canadian side , “ Zhao told reporters Monday at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong and mainland Chinese governments swelled last year , and Beijing clamped down on expressions of anti-government sentiment in the city with a new national security law that took effect June 30 .
The law outlaws subversive , secessionist and terrorist activity , as well as collusion with foreign powers to interfere in the city ’ s internal affairs .
The U.S. , Britain and Canada accuse China of infringing on the city ’ s freedoms .
Cong also flatly rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ’ s assertion that China is engaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men in retaliation for the arrest of a Chinese Huawei executive on an American extradition warrant .
The executive , Meng Wanzhou , is living under house arrest in Vancouver while her case wends through a British Columbia court .
In December 2018 , China imprisoned two Canadian men , Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor , and charged them with undermining China ’ s national security .
Convicted Canadian drug smuggler Robert Schellenberg was also sentenced to death in a sudden retrial shortly after Meng ’ s arrest .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Border closure can’t keep grandparents from Canadian wedding

ST. STEPHEN , N.B .
- With the border closed , a Canadian couple still found a way for their grandparents from Maine to see their waterfront wedding .
It involved a boat used for hauling lobster traps , naturally .
Alex Leckie and Lindsay Clowes were married on a wharf in St. Stephen , New Brunswick , while the bride ’ s grandparents and a few other relatives from Calais , Maine , watched from a boat in the St. Croix river that divides the countries .
Other families and friends watched from Maine .
“ It was happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of seeing family and friends on both sides of the border .
The idea for the wedding was hatched after the couple had to cancel a summer wedding in Nova Scotia because of the closed border and travel restrictions .
The St. Stephen wedding allowed families on both sides of the border to participate .
Clowes grew up in Calais , Maine , and attended school in St. Stephen , New Brunswick .
“ To sum it up , my wife came up with the hashtag , # loveisnotcancelled , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is mother of the bride .
Bernardini and his wife , from Calais , were able to cross the border and quarantine in Canada before the wedding because both hold dual citizenships .
But it took some Maine ingenuity for other family members to be able to see the wedding .
That involved using the 19-foot skiff used for hauling lobster traps that belonged to Bernardini ’ s father .
The bride ’ s grandparents , a great-aunt , and an aunt and uncle were in the boat , while other Mainers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the couple has purchased a camper that they ’ ve using for day trips in the Canadian Maritimes .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--NY mulls travel rules as neighbouring states hit threshold

ALBANY , N.Y. - New York may have to consider changes to its quarantine rules for out-of-state travellers now that two of its closest neighbours , Connecticut and New Jersey , are on the brink of getting added to the list of places subject to the restrictions .
The three states announced earlier this year that they would jointly require people travelling from states with higher rates of transmission to isolate themselves for 14 days after their arrival .
About three dozen states are now on New York ’ s must-quarantine list .
Both Connecticut and New Jersey were poised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threshold of targeting states averaging 10 or more new cases per day , per 100,000 residents , over a 7-day period .
The latest data shows Connecticut and New Jersey hit that threshold Monday , with 11.2 new cases per 100,000 residents and 10.3 respectively .
Massachusetts is at 9.9 cases per 100,000 residents , while New York is at seven per 100,000 , twice what it was at the end of August .
But he said travel restrictions might be unenforceable among the three states given so much cross-border commuting to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy .
“ So , it ’ s complicated and we ’ re working with them , but we don ’ t have any final conclusion yet but for a practical matters , you can ’ t do border control with New Jersey and Connecticut , “ he said .
Meanwhile , Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont told reporters Monday he ’ s talking with New Jersey and New York about weakening the rules , though said no date has been set for any change .
Right now , states can also land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tests came up positive on average over the past week .
Lamont said under a tweaked advisory , states would face quarantine restrictions if they have at least a 5 % positivity rate and hit the existing threshold for new cases .
He estimated that ’ d apply to 33 states instead of over 40 and be “ more manageable.
” When asked what would happen if Connecticut meets a weakened standard , Lamont echoed Cuomo and said it ’ d be hard to restrict travel to and from New York .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , ” he said .
Infections are also on the rise in Pennsylvania , including in northern communities bordering New York ’ s Southern Tier .
New York is opening rapid testing sites in the region , where infections and hospitalizations have seen an uptick .
Cuomo spokesman Peter Ajemian said Lamont was speaking for Connecticut but said New York is reviewing its metrics “ and should have more info tomorrow.
” New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy said he hasn ’ t spoken directly with Cuomo on the advisory .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frankly , ” the Democrat said .
Cuomo said his administration is working with local officials on possible adjustments to his order designating parts of New York City and suburban communities as hot spots where schools and nonessential businesses are closed .
The latest data suggests that efforts to rein in COVID-19 outbreaks in so-called “ red zones ” are working , Cuomo said .
By Wednesday the state may be able to adjust both the list of places subject to the restrictions and which metrics hot spots would have to hit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better , you can rewrite the size of the zones , ” Cuomo said .
Red zones accounted for one in 10 of the state ’ s new coronavirus cases Sunday , down from about one in 5 in late September .
Still , there are signs of elevated infection in parts of Brooklyn , Rockland County and Orange County , officials said .
Over the weekend , health officials issued an order barring a public gathering outside a wedding scheduled to happen Monday in Brooklyn , claiming it could have become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It falls under an ordinance carrying a potential fine of $ 10,000 .
The synagogue hosting the wedding for an influential rabbi ’ s son in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn , Congregation Yetev Lev D ’ Satmar , said in a statement that it had only planned a brief public reception with social distancing protocols in place .
The statement said a smaller family-only wedding would go forward , but added , “ It ’ s sad that nobody verified our plans before attacking us.
” Members of the public who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged to listen in instead on the synagogue ’ s phone conference system .
However , a WABC-TV reporter tweeted video Monday night showing dozens of people standing outside .
He said some of them were seen entering or leaving the building and some were not wearing masks .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a briefing Monday it was “ very helpful ” that wedding organizers opted for a smaller service .
He said everyone in the city ’ s restricted red and orange zones — which do not include that part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dig deeper ” with social distancing , mask wearing and other practices .
“ We can get out of this in just a few weeks if everyone does what they need to do .
We want those restrictions off , to say the least … but we ’ ve got to bring the numbers down , ” the Democrat said .
AP Writers Mike Catalini in Trenton , N.J. , Mike Hill in Albany , N.Y. , and Tom Hays in New York contributed reporting .

Marina Villeneuve - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--California won’t allow virus vaccines without state approval

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California won ’ t allow any distribution of coronavirus vaccines in the nation ’ s most populous state until it is reviewed by the state ’ s own panel of experts , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Monday .
Vaccinations for the pandemic “ will move at the speed of trust , ” said Newsom , a Democrat , and the state wants its own independent review no matter who wins the presidential election next month .
“ Of course we won ’ t take anyone ’ s word for it , ” Newsom said as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review any rollout of vaccines by the federal government or vaccine developers .
The board members hail from top California universities and medical providers , along with state and local public health officials .
The pledge raises the possibility that California residents might not receive a vaccine as distribution begins in other states , though the governor said widespread vaccinations are unrealistic until sometime next year .
While there is always a risk that the vaccine could be delayed only in California , Dr. Jeffrey Klausner , a professor of epidemiology at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Newsom named a renowned group that should be able to quickly make credible decisions .
“ I wouldn ’ t interpret this as a delay in distribution .
I would interpret this as an effort to make sure that distribution is equitable and timely , ” he said .
“ The people in this group are among the most reputable public health advocates in the state.
” As such , its finding that a particular vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was suitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide .
“ It would be a mistake not to be aware of the way that the CDC and the FDA have been pressured by the White House , no matter who ’ s in the White House , ” said David Magnus , director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics , so “ it might be prudent for a state to make sure everything ’ s kosher.
” He ’ s less worried that there will be disagreement between the federal and state panels now that no vaccine release is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Magnus noted that it has not been uncommon for presidents to muzzle scientists in other areas , for instance climate change or other environmental policies , thus setting up regular lawsuits with states like California .
At most , 45 million doses will be available nationwide before the end of this year from the two most advanced vaccines , Newsom said .
Each person must receive two doses , three weeks apart .
If California were to receive 12 % of the doses , commensurate with its percentage of the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million doses , or enough to treat 2.7 million of the state ’ s nearly 40 million residents .
Most would go to front-line medical workers and first responders , he said , then to the most vulnerable in the population .
“ Politicizing the efficacy of a vaccine is shameful , ” Sen. Melissa Melendez tweeted .
Newsom is “ suggesting we can ’ t trust the FDA ( but ) Of course , we ’ ll continue trusting the FDA for every other drug whose distribution doesn ’ t threaten his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin Kiley , who has a court hearing this week challenging the governor ’ s authority to impose virus restrictions .
Newsom said the distribution and record-keeping logistics alone are massive , including a requirement that the vaccines be kept in continuous cold storage until they are administered .
One of the two leading vaccines requires “ ultra cold ” storage — think dry ice — of minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit ( minus 70 degrees Celsius ) .
The other needs a minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit ( minus 20 degrees Celsius ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention its early plans for how it would handle and distribute the vaccine , and in return received nearly $ 29 million to continue its planning efforts .
California is one of five jurisdictions doing what Newsom called “ micro-planning ” for mass distributions , which he predicted could come as soon as next spring , is more likely next summer , but could be as late as next fall .
The advisory group should be empowered not only to sign off on the safety of a vaccine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on whether vaccines should be mandatory in some instances , and to guide a complicated distribution process that will likely require readiness by every clinic , pharmacy and health department .
It ’ s possible that might make it necessary to “ activate the National Guard or some other type of human resource pool to make sure the vaccine can be distributed quickly and effectively , ” Klausner said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Trump says Sudan to be removed from terrorism list

CAIRO - President Donald Trump on Monday said Sudan will be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism if it follows through on its pledge to pay $ 335 million to American terror victims and their families , but some hurt in the attacks weren ’ t happy with the deal .
The move would open the door for the African country to get international loans and aid needed to revive its battered economy and rescue the country ’ s transition to democracy .
The announcement , just two weeks ahead of the U.S. presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get other Arab countries , such as Sudan , to join the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain ’ s recent recognition of Israel .
Delisting Sudan from the state sponsors blacklist is a key incentive for the Sudanese government to normalize relations with Israel .
Trump ’ s announcement came after Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin travelled to Bahrain to cement the Gulf state ’ s recognition of the Jewish state .
Trump tweeted : “ GREAT news !
New government of Sudan , which is making great progress , agreed to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and families .
Once deposited , I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list .
At long last , JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan !
“ Sudan has agreed to pay compensation for victims of the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania , attacks conducted by Osama bin Laden ’ s al-Qaida network while bin Laden was living in Sudan .
Gen. Abdel-Farrah Burhan , head of Sudan ’ s ruling sovereign council , welcomed Trump ’ s announcement as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tweet the removal would come “ in recognition of the historic change that has taken place in Sudan.
” Sudan is on a fragile path to democracy after a popular uprising last year led the military to overthrow autocratic leader Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 .
A military-civilian government now rules the country , with elections possible in late 2022 .
In an address to the nation , Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said getting off the list would help his government benefit from debt relief and access foreign loans and investments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s gateway to economic recovery .
The country has more than $ 60 billion in foreign debt , he said .
“ It ’ s a long way , “ he said .
“ It needs serious planning and hard work to achieve the maximum benefit of this opportunity.
” Once the compensation money has been deposited , Trump is to sign an order removing Sudan from the terrorism list , on which it has languished under heavy American sanctions for 27 years .
Congress is then expected to act to restore Sudan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively stop future compensation claims from being filed against it in U.S. courts .
Meanwhile , Sudan is to begin the process of normalizing relations with Israel , possibly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joining a congratulatory phone call between Trump and Hamdok .
The designation of Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism dates back to the 1990s , when Sudan briefly hosted bin Laden and other wanted militants .
Sudan was also believed to have served as a pipeline for Iran to supply weapons to Palestinian militants in the Gaza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism ” designation is one of the U.S. government ’ s most effective sanctions tools and bars virtually all non-humanitarian U.S. transactions with countries on it .
It was created in 1979 to punish nations that fund or otherwise support terrorist acts .
With Sudan ’ s removal , only Iran , North Korea and Syria will remain on the list .
Some victims denounced he settlement ; others urged Congress to pass legislation needed to implement the agreement .
More than 500 of the 700 victims of the 1998 bombings at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s settlement offer , partly because it would award more money to Americans than Africans who worked there .
The letter said the plan offers compensation dependent on a victim ’ s nation of birth , rather than the severity of injuries .
“ This scheme would pay nothing at all to nearly a third of the embassy victims and categorizes naturalized U.S. citizens as non-Americans , ” the letter said .
“ It sets the value of the life of a U.S. embassy employee born in Africa at only 8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack Quinn , counsel for the 9-11 families that sued Sudan , also expressed displeasure at the announcement .
“ The 9-11 families are counting on Congress to reject Sudan ’ s plea that our pending lawsuits be wiped out , and they insist it do nothing that would undermine them , ” Quinn said .
However , Edith Bartley , spokesperson for the families of the Americans killed in the embassy bombing in Nairobi , Kenya , thanked the State Department and the new government in Sudan for securing compensation for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the compensation will fulfil a longstanding commitment to the victims first made by President George W. Bush , honoured by President Barack Obama and now affirmed by Trump .
“ We urge Congress to immediately pass the legislation that is needed to implement the agreement , and begin the payment process , ” she said .
“ Congress can not let this agreement fall victim to legislative gridlock and bickering .
The victims , and our regional allies who wish to have Sudan emerge as a economically viable supporter of regional peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swiftly in support of this effort.
” Jonathan Schanzer at the Washington-based Foundation for Defence of Democracies said removing Sudan from the terrorism list is an important achievement because Khartoum has helped fight Sunni extremists for nearly two decades and has worked to remove Iranian influence from Sudan since 2012 .
“ In this way , the country has addressed the reasons for its original listing as a state sponsor of terrorism , ” he said .
Schanzer , a former terrorism finance analyst at the Treasury Department , said now that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important for the Trump administration to prioritize a normalization agreement .
“ The stars are aligned for such a deal , ” he said .
“ It just needs a push.
“ Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--California’s feared surge of virus cases hasn’t happened

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - Near the end of September , with coronavirus cases falling and more schools and businesses reopening , Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s administration urged restraint , citing a statistical model that predicted a startling 89 % increase in virus hospitalizations in the next month .
That hasn ’ t happened .
Instead , state data shows hospitalizations have fallen by about 15 % since that warning while the weekly average number of new cases continues to decline even as other more populous states like Florida , Ohio and Illinois see increases .
California ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change what Newsom calls his “ slow ” and “ stubborn ” approach to reopening the world ’ s fifth-largest economy .
He again cautioned people against “ being overly exuberant ” about those coronavirus numbers , pointing to a “ decline in the rate of decline ” of hospitalizations .
While California ’ s 14-day average of hospitalizations is down , the 7-day average is up ever so slightly to 2,241 patients .
The number peaked in July at more than 7,100 .
“ Boy , what more of a reminder do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to plateau ?
” Newsom said Monday during his weekly news conference .
Dr. Mark Ghaly , California ’ s top public health official , said Monday the state ’ s hospitalizations have declined in part because of the state is testing more people , allowing public health officials to trace positive cases and put people into “ supportive isolation.
” But Brad Pollock , associate dean of public health sciences at the University of California , Davis , School of Medicine , said this shows models that try to predict how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great.
” “ We don ’ t have a model that accurately predicts what ’ s going to happen next , “ he said .
Hospitalizations are trending younger in Los Angeles County , where people 18 to 29 now account for about 10 % of all coronavirus-related hospitalizations compared with 5 % in mid-May .
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said it was one of the troubling trends in the nation ’ s most populous county with about 10 million residents .
Collectively , people 18 to 49 now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases in the county .
“ If you were to add teenagers in the mix — these are oftentimes young people who may be out socializing — individuals between the ages of 12 and 50 account for fully 68 % , ” she said .
Newsom ’ s go-slow approach has frustrated the state ’ s tourism industry , which is trying to recover after seven months of shutdown .
As of last week , the state has lifted its most severe restrictions on all but 10 of the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Tuesday .
Earlier this month , the Newsom administration for the first time said it was OK for up to three households to gather but only if it is outdoors and people remain socially distanced .
But Newsom still has not allowed for large public gatherings or theme parks to reopen , even with modifications .
The Walt Disney Co. has criticized the state for delaying reopening rules for theme parks , saying it contributed to the company ’ s decision to lay off 28,000 workers at its parks in California and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees have changed their stance , sending Newsom a letter on Monday urging him to allow theme parks to reopen .
The unions , representing about 10,000 Disneyland workers , told Newsom in June it was unsafe to open theme parks .
But they now say Disney has a testing program and measures in place for personal protective equipment and ventilation .
“ We are confident that with these protocols set in place , Disneyland will be able to fully reopen safely , ” said Andrea Zinder , president of UFCW 324 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for theme parks on Tuesday , hinting he might have different rules for different types of theme parks .
“ I hope one recognizes our stubbornness on a health-first , data driven decision making process is done with our eyes wide open on what ’ s happening now around the world , ” Newsom said .
“ We have to maintain that vigilance so we can avoid any further increase in transmission.
” Much of the U.S. is seeing an uptick in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations , with the Midwest seeing some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hardest hit in the spring , and the tri-state region of New York , Connecticut and New Jersey instituted rules requiring travellers from states with a high-rate of coronavirus spread to quarantine for two weeks upon entering .
Monday , Newsom said he was not considering similar rules for travellers to California .
But he added : “ We always maintain an openness to those considerations.
” “ We have done better than other states , ” Newsom said , adding the percentage of positive tests in California for the coronavirus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weekly rate is 2.4 % .
“ We had to be tough and we ’ ve had to be vigilant and we had to be mindful of the changing dynamics of this pandemic , “ he said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--High court allows 3-day extension for Pennsylvania ballots

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court will allow Pennsylvania to count mailed-in ballots received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election , rejecting a Republican plea in the presidential battleground state .
The justices divided 4-4 on Monday , an outcome that upholds a state Supreme Court ruling that required county election officials to receive and count mailed-in ballots that arrive up until Nov. 6 , even if they don ’ t have a clear postmark , as long as there is not proof it was mailed after the polls closed .
Republicans , including President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension , arguing that it violates federal law that sets Election Day as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November and that such a decision constitutionally belongs to lawmakers , not the courts .
The state Republican Party chairman , Lawrence Tabas , said the party disagrees with the decision and , noting the 4-4 decision , “ it only underscores the importance of having a full Supreme Court as soon as possible.
” “ To be clear , the Supreme Court decided not to grant a stay — which does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court would withstand a legal challenge to their judicial overreach should the court hear the case , “ Tabas said .
Nancy Patton Mills , chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party , accused Republicans of trying to sow confusion and disenfranchise eligible voters .
“ This is a significant victory for Pennsylvania voters , ” Mills said in a statement .
The Democratic majority on the state ’ s high court had cited warnings that postal service delays could invalidate huge numbers of ballots and surging demand for mail-in ballots during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used previously by the state ’ s courts , to extend election deadlines during a disaster emergency .
Chief Justice John Roberts joined with the three liberal justices to reject Pennsylvania Republicans ’ call for the court to block the state court ruling .
Justices Samuel Alito , Neil Gorsuch , Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas would have required the state to stop accepting absentee ballots when the polls close on Nov. 3 .
There were no opinions accompanying the order , so it is impossible to say what motivated either group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reluctant to allow court-ordered changes to voting rules close to an election .
The court also is weighing a similar issue from Wisconsin .
But in that case , the ruling being challenged comes from a federal appeals court and it ’ s the Democrats who are asking the justices to step in .
Most states make Election Day the deadline , but 18 states — half of which backed Trump in the 2016 election — have a post-Election Day deadline .
“ With nearly a million votes already cast in Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to meddle in our already-working system , ” Pennsylvania ’ s attorney general , Democrat Josh Shapiro , said in a statement .
On a separate track , Republicans in the statehouse have pressed Gov .
Tom Wolf , a Democrat , to agree to 11th-hour legislation to eliminate or limit the three days under the court ’ s order .
The case is one of many partisan battles being fought in the state Legislature and the courts , primarily over mail-in voting in Pennsylvania , amid concerns that a presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a drawn-out vote count in the battleground state .
In Pennsylvania , the state Democratic Party and a liberal group , the Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans , had sought an extension of the Election Day deadline to count mailed ballots .
With about 2.8 million mail-in ballots requested and approximately 900,000 returned , Democratic-registered voters are requesting mail ballots at a nearly 3-to-1 ratio over Republicans .
In its Sept. 17 ruling , the divided state Supreme Court said ballots must be postmarked by the time polls close and be received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Nov. 6 , three days after the Nov. 3 election .
It also said that ballots lacking a clear postmark could be counted unless there was evidence that they were mailed after the polls closed .

Mark Sherman And Marc Levy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--10 residents dead amid virus outbreak at Kansas nursing home

TOPEKA , Kan. - A coronavirus outbreak has killed 10 residents in a nursing home in a northwestern Kansas county that proportionally already had the nation ’ s largest increase in cases over two weeks .
The health department in Norton County reported Monday night that all 62 residents and an unspecified number of employees at the Andbe Home in Norton had tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
The agency also said one Andbe Home resident was hospitalized , while the remaining 51 were being treated at the home .
“ Steps are being taken to prevent any further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms and not allowing outside visitors into the facility , ” the county health department said in a statement Monday evening .
The outbreak at the nursing home came after the state Department of Health and Environment last week reported more than 100 cases at the state ’ s prison in Norton over the two weeks ending Wednesday .
Kansas is seeing an average of more than 700 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases a day , its largest numbers since the pandemic reached the state in early March .
But northwestern Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks , and Norton County had the largest number of new cases per 100,000 residents of any county in the U.S. for the two weeks ending Sunday , according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University .
The Kansas health department said that cases in Norton County rose from 46 two weeks ago to 340 as of Monday in Norton County .
With about 5,400 residents , that was an increase of 5,484 cases per 100,000 residents , according to the state ’ s figures .
But the state released its report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andbe Home residents had tested positive for coronavirus and before local officials reported 10 deaths at the home .
The 15 counties in the state ’ s northwest corner together had 987 new coronavirus cases during the past two weeks , an increase of nearly 49 % , to bring the total to 3,024 , according to state health department data .
With 80,000 people living in the region , the increase was 1,226 cases for every 100,000 residents , more than three times the state ’ s figure .
Two other northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also were among the top 20 counties in the nation for the largest proportional increases in cases for the two weeks ending Sunday , based on Johns Hopkins data .
The state health department reported Monday that Kansas had 2,113 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday , an increase of 3 % that brought the pandemic total to 72,968 .
The department also reported 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths , bringing the total to 872 before the nursing home deaths in Norton were reported .
Kansas had an average of 729 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending Monday after first exceeding 700 cases a day for the seven days ending Oct. 12 .
The record is 743 cases for the seven days ending Wednesday .
The state on Monday also reported its first COVID-19-related staff death at one of its four hospitals for the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled .
The Department for Aging and Disability Services , which oversees the hospitals , said an employee at the state ’ s mental hospital in Larned in southwestern Kansas died last week but said the staffer had not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The department did not identify the staffer .
In Olathe in the Kansas City area , a middle school classroom assistant died from COVID-19-related complications , KCTV reported .
Mission Trail Middle School ’ s principal said in an email to parents that the staffer had been sick for several weeks and had not been in the building since Sept. 24 .
Meanwhile , Gov .
Laura Kelly and Wichita State University officials celebrated the opening of a new laboratory that can run 32,000 coronavirus testing specimens a week .
Kansas has averaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past month , according to data from the state health department .
Kelly said the high-capacity lab will help the state identify coronavirus hot spots so that its residents can avoid them .
“ We can help provide certainty that our schools and our businesses can stay open safely , ” Kelly said in a statement .
Also contributing was Andy Tsubasa Field in Topeka , Kan .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--The Latest: Trump plans to debate Biden despite rule changes

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the 2020 presidential campaign ( all times local ) : President Donald Trump plans to attend Thursday ’ s debate with Democratic nominee Joe Biden despite rule changes — opposed by his campaign — that are meant to foster more ordered discussions .
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien says Trump “ is committed to debating Joe Biden regardless of last minute rule changes from the biased commission in their latest attempt to provide advantage to their favoured candidate.
” The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced Monday that the second and final debate between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the other delivers his two-minute remarks at the outset of each of the six debate topics .
The remainder of each 15-minute block will be open discussion , without any muting , the commission said .
The move is meant to prevent a repeat of the inaugural debate three weeks ago when the two candidates , but mostly Trump , interrupted each other repeatedly .
The Biden campaign did not immediately comment on the new rule .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE : President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend in California and Nevada .
His Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , was in Wilmington , Delaware , on Monday .
— Some states allow ballots of folks who voted early but die before Election Day .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON : President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden will have their microphones cut off in Thursday ’ s debate while their rival delivers their opening two-minute answer to each of the debate topics .
The 90-minute debate is divided into six 15-minute segments , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uninterrupted remarks before proceeding to an open debate .
The open discussion portion of the debate will not feature a mute button , but interruptions by either candidate will count toward their time in the second and final debate Thursday .
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced the rule changes Monday , three weeks after a chaotic opening faceoff between the two presidential contenders that featured frequent interruptions — most by Trump .
The commission has faced pressure from the Trump campaign to avoid changing the rules , while Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate .
In a statement , the commission said it “ had determined that it is appropriate to adopt measures intended to promote adherence to agreed upon rules and inappropriate to make changes to those rules.
” President Donald Trump is promoting his efforts to combat rising drug prices .
Trump told supporters in Tucson , Arizona , on Monday that for years , people complained about rising drug prices , but nobody did anything until he was in the White House .
He is predicting that drug prices are going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken actions to reduce patient costs for some drugs , such as insulin , but the steps have been less ambitious than those in a bill from Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , that the House passed last year .
Trump ’ s plan to mail millions of seniors a $ 200 prescription savings card has hit legal and budget roadblocks , making it unlikely the government can carry it out before Election Day .
Democratic lawmakers have raised questions about whether the administration has the authority to unilaterally order billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats say are political reasons .
President Donald Trump is deploying a new attack line against Joe Biden , saying his Democratic presidential opponent “ wants to listen to Dr. Fauci.
” Biden says that ’ s correct .
Trump made the comment Monday at a campaign rally in Prescott , Arizona , after criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci during a conference call with campaign staff .
Trump told the staff that Fauci is an “ idiot ” and a “ disaster.
” Fauci is the nation ’ s top infectious-disease expert and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus task force .
The doctor is both respected and popular , and Trump ’ s rejection of scientific advice on the pandemic has already drawn bipartisan condemnation .
Biden ’ s campaign says Trump is using staunch opposition to science as his “ closing argument ” as Election Day looms .
Responding on Twitter to Trump ’ s accusation that Biden wants to listen to Fauci , Biden wrote , “ ... yes.
” Fauci said on a “ 60 Minutes ” episode that aired Sunday that he and his family have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over coronavirus restrictions .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign says President Donald Trump is using staunch opposition to science as his “ closing argument ” as Election Day looms .
During a campaign conference call on Monday , Trump called Dr. Anthony Fauci “ a disaster ” and other top infectious-disease scientists “ idiots.
” The president blamed them for what he argued was the nation ’ s mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden , the Democratic presidential nominee , did not answer questions on Trump ’ s comments as he left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware on Monday .
But his campaign released a statement noting that the pandemic has now killed nearly 220,000 Americans , seen more than 8 million confirmed coronavirus cases nationwide and cost millions of jobs .
“ Trump ’ s closing message in the final days of the 2020 race is to publicly mock Joe Biden for trusting science , ” Biden ’ s campaign said in statement .
“ Trump is mocking Biden for listening to science .
Science .
The best tool we have to keep Americans safe , while Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put more lives at risk.
” Joe Biden is taping a television interview , the only thing on his light , pre-debate public schedule this week .
The Democratic nominee ’ s motorcade rolled shortly after noon on Monday from his home in Wilmington , Delaware , to the Queen , a downtown theatre where his campaign has built a makeshift studio and stage for its candidate to hold virtual events , as well as some speeches and press conferences in person .
Biden was taping an interview with “ 60 Minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on CBS next weekend .
Biden ’ s travelling press pool caught a glimpse of him entering the theatre , but he did not answer questions .
Biden has nothing else on his public schedule this week except Thursday night ’ s debate in Nashville , Tennessee .
His campaign says he plans to use the bulk of the remaining time preparing for the second and final time he is scheduled to face off with President Donald Trump before Election Day on Nov. 3 .
Kamala Harris has returned to the campaign trail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her team tested positive for the coronavirus .
Harris kicked off her return at a car rally in Orlando on Monday to mark the first day of early voting in Florida , a critical swing state .
She ’ ll later campaign in Jacksonville .
The Democratic ticket is largely forgoing traditional campaign rallies because of the risk of spreading the virus .
But Harris was energized as she bounded onto the outdoor stage in Orlando , dancing and shouting greetings to the crowd as they honked their horns in support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of outlining President Donald Trump ’ s failures in tackling the pandemic and urging people to cast their ballots early .
She told the crowd : “ You will be the first to put our country back on the right track.
” Harris halted travel Thursday after her communications director and a member of the flight crew for her travel tested positive for the virus .
The campaign said Harris did not need to quarantine under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines , but she paused travel for four days .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Melania Trump plans to make her first public appearance since recovering from the coronavirus disease , joining President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally .
It was not immediately clear if the first lady also planned to address Trump supporters in Erie .
Tuesday ’ s rally in Pennsylvania will be the first campaign trail appearance for Mrs. Trump since she spoke briefly at a June 2019 event in Orlando , Florida , where the president launched his reelection effort .
She addressed the Republican National Convention in August from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she has recovered from a bout with COVID-19 that included headaches , body aches and fatigue .
She also revealed that the couple ’ s 14-year-old son , Barron , had contracted the virus , never had symptoms and has since tested negative .
Mrs. Trump ’ s spokeswoman says she also plans to attend Thursday ’ s presidential debate in Nashville , Tennessee .
President Donald Trump says people are tired of hearing from Dr. Anthony Fauci “ and all these idiots ” about the coronavirus .
Trump has made no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert .
Speaking Monday to campaign staffers , Trump called Fauci a “ disaster ” but said he ’ d create bigger issues for himself if he fired the doctor .
Fauci is head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is a member of the White House coronavirus task force .
Trump has needled Fauci over his advice on wearing face masks .
Nearly 220,000 Americans have died from the disease the virus causes .
President Donald Trump is bucking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day , amid worrisome public and private polling .
On a conference call Monday , Trump says , “ We ’ re going to win .
I wouldn ’ t have told you that maybe two or three weeks ago.
” Addressing stories about declining morale at his campaign , Trump said he ’ s never been more confident in his chances , “ Today is the best single day that I ’ ve felt on either campaign.
” He added : “ We have never been in as strong a position as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffers to ignore news reports about the state of the race .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Deadline looms, but COVID relief deal may be far off

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reported some progress in advance of a Tuesday deadline for reaching a pre-election deal with President Donald Trump on a new coronavirus relief package , but the same core problems bedeviling the effort remain in place despite optimistic talk from the president and his team .
Pelosi negotiated for nearly an hour Monday with Trump ’ s top emissary , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , and her office said they are continuing to narrow their differences .
“ Finally , they have come to the table and we ’ re going to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on MSNBC Monday evening .
She said the two sides would take stock on Tuesday , which she has staked out as the deadline if a deal is to be reached before the election .
“ Let ’ s make a judgment .
We may not like this , we may not like that but let ’ s see on balance if we can go forward , “ Pelosi said .
But with time nearly up for Congress and the White House to deliver aid to Americans before the election , the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
It ’ s a key consideration for Trump , who has talked up the prospect of another package as he asks voters for a second term , and for Democrats hopeful that their nominee , Joe Biden , is on the cusp of winning the White House in November .
“ Nancy Pelosi at this moment does not want to do anything that ’ s going to affect the election , “ Trump said during a campaign swing in Arizona .
The dynamic has created a tricky position for Pelosi , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP opposition to a potential deal of almost $ 2 trillion has left all sides staring at the very real potential of the negotiations failing .
Pelosi is angling for the best deal she can get — maybe that ’ s now , maybe it ’ s later .
It ’ s a risk she ’ s willing to take .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , meanwhile , is pushing ahead with votes this week on GOP measures that stand little chance of advancing .
Trump has upped his offer to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ the Republicans will come along ” if a deal is reached .
His chief of staff and communications director took to Fox News to offer optimistic takes .
But Republicans have spent months talking about a smaller aid package and the top GOP vote-counter , Sen. John Thune , said Monday that “ it would be hard ” to find the necessary Republican support for passage of any agreement in that range .
Without an agreement at least in principle by Tuesday , Pelosi says it ’ ll be too late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And if history is any guide , prospects for a deal in the lame-duck session after the election could be dim .
If Trump loses , Congress is likely to stagger through a nonproductive session comparable to the abbreviated session after the decisive 2008 Obama-Biden victory or the 2016 session that punted most of its leftovers to the Trump administration .
That scenario would push virus aid into 2021 .
“ If we delay this until the Biden administration we ’ re talking about three , four , five months .
The American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Max Rose , D-N.Y. , a freshman facing a difficult race in Trump-friendly Staten Island , said on CNN .
“ With each passing day without action the American people will be suffering more.
” Pelosi calls the $ 1.8 trillion administration offer inadequate , saying that while the overall Trump offer has gone up , the details on a virus testing plan , aid to state and local governments , and tax cuts for the working poor still aren ’ t to her satisfaction .
At the same time , Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing a virus proposal that at $ 650 billion or so is only about one-third the size of the measure that Pelosi and Mnuchin are negotiating .
But the Senate GOP bill has failed once before , and Trump himself says it ’ s too puny .
A debate slated for Wednesday on the Senate Republican plan promises to bring a hefty dose of posturing and political gamesmanship , but little more .
It will follow a procedural tally Tuesday on a stand-alone renewal of bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program business subsidies that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to succeed .
Pelosi has faced carping from some Democrats for playing hardball at the risk of going home empty-handed , but that criticism has been largely muted since McConnell keeps stiff-arming the negotiations .
“ The bigger issue is McConnell , “ said Rep. Ro Khanna , D-Calif. , who raised eyebrows earlier this month in publicly advising Pelosi to endorse Mnuchin ’ s $ 1.8 trillion topline .
“ I mean , the President has said , ‘ Oh , I can get McConnell on board.
’ Well , why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get him on board ?
” he said on SiriusXM Urban View on Monday .
The last coronavirus relief package , the $ 1.8 trillion bipartisan CARES Act , passed in March by an overwhelming margin as the economy went into lockdown amid fear and uncertainty about the virus .
Since then , Trump and many of his GOP allies have focused on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded help .
The moment is challenging for Pelosi as well .
For months she has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 2 trillion stuffed with Obama-era stimulus ideas .
Even though the Senate and White House are both in GOP hands — and will be at least into January — she has sharply rebuffed anyone who suggests that Democrats should take a smaller deal now rather than risk going home empty-handed until next year .
“ If Congress doesn ’ t act the next administration is going to inherit a real mess , ” said Harvard economist Jason Furman , a former top Obama adviser .
“ Economic problems tend to feed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic camp that prefers imperfect stimulus now rather than a larger package in four months or so .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--UN: Central African Republic on way to successful elections

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The U.N. envoy for Central African Republic said Monday the country “ is very definitely on its way to holding successful elections ” in late December but the political situation is still tense .
Mankeur Ndiaye told the U.N. Security Council that some regions remain “ fragile , ” and several candidates have raised doubts about last year ’ s peace agreement between the government and 14 armed groups .
Ndiaye said the Dec. 27 presidential and legislative elections are taking place at “ a crucial moment , ” saying Central Africans have “ a unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratically and pursue stabilization of the country.
“ The mineral-rich Central African Republic has faced deadly inter-religious and inter-communal fighting since 2013 , when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in the capital , Bangui .
Mostly Christian anti-Balaka militias fought back , resulting in the killing of thousands and the displacement of thousands .
The country saw a period of relative peace in late 2015 and 2016 , but violence intensified and spread afterward , and since the signing of the peace agreement in February 2019 intermittent serious incidents of violence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ndiaye said “ noteworthy progress has been achieved , particularly in terms of political reform , restoring state authority and transitional justice.
” An electoral code was adopted and on Oct. 14 the national electoral authority released a computerized roster of 1.86 million people who can vote , 46 % of them women , he said .
Smail Chergui , the African Union ’ s commissioner for peace and security , said that represents 97 % of the voting population , but he said the government must explain its statement that cited “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election.
” According to the U.N. refugee agency , there are 598,000 refugees from Central African Republic , mainly in neighbouring countries .
France ’ s U.N. ambassador , Nicolas De Riviere , was cautious , saying the country “ continues to confront major challenges ” and “ in spite of reform of the electoral code , preparation of the election is running late and this could endanger the holding of the elections.
” As for challenges , in addition to the coronavirus pandemic , he warned that the humanitarian situation is continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and human rights are being violated .
The latter includes “ alarming “ violations of the rights of children , sexual and gender-based violence , and attacks on civilians , security forces , and humanitarian and medical personnel , he said .
Koen Vervaeke , the European Union ’ s managing director for Africa , urged Central African Republic ’ s government and political actors to “ do everything to ensure transparency of the media , ” expressing concern at the “ disinformation campaign “ during the election period .
He noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the budget for preparing the elections as well as expertise .
Ndiaye said there are 16 candidate for president , including three women and the incumbent , Faustin-Archange Touadera .
“ Some candidates have already cast doubt on the peace agreement and are even proposing to renegotiate it if they would be elected , ” he said , and the main opposition coalition is contesting the legality of legislative reforms adopted by the electoral code .
“ However , the tensions have not compromised our ability to organize elections in the constitutional timeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to do more to encourage all candidates to adhere to a good conduct code and to ensure the peacefulness of the election.
” He said local elections , which have not been held since 1988 , are scheduled for next year and also “ are vital in order for grassroots democracy to take place for local governance .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Large earthquake off Alaska prompts tsunami fears, fleeing

JUNEAU , Alaska - A magnitude 7.5 earthquake prompted a tsunami warning Monday for a nearly thousand-mile stretch of Alaska ’ s southern coast , with waves over 2 feet at the nearest community as the threat subsided .
The quake was centred near Sand Point , a city of about 900 people off the Alaska Peninsula where wave levels late Monday topped 2 feet ( 0.61 metres ) , according to the National Tsunami Warning Center .
The warning was downgraded to an advisory just over two hours after the quake hit .
“ It was a pretty good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , co-manager of Marine View Bed and Breakfast in Sand Point .
“ You could see the water kind of shaking and shimmering during the quake .
Our truck was swaying big time.
” Adams didn ’ t take any photos or video : “ It just kind of happened all of a sudden.
” The quake struck in the North Pacific Ocean just before 1 p.m .
It was centred about 67 miles ( 118 kilometres ) southeast of Sand Point , according to the Alaska Earthquake Center .
The community is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southwest of Anchorage .
The quake was recorded at a depth of 19 miles ( 30 kilometres ) .
The National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer , Alaska , said the tsunami warning — and later advisory — was in effect for roughly 950 miles ( 1,529 kilometres ) , from 40 miles ( 64 kilometres ) southeast of Homer to Unimak Pass , about 80 miles ( 129 km ) northeast of Unalaska .
The quake was felt widely in communities along the southern coast , including Sand Point , Chignik , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Alaska Earthquake Center , which said a magnitude 5.2 aftershock was reported 11 minutes later , centred roughly in the same area .
Patrick Mayer , superintendent of the Aleutians East Borough School District , said parents picked up their children from Sand Point School , which also served an evacuation point .
The earthquake was felt to varying degrees at the other four schools in the district , the closest of which is 90 miles away , he said .
Mayer said a school bus was dispatched to a fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school since it ’ s on high ground .
The workers were to wear masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus , he said , in a community where there have been only “ limited cases.
” Public safety officials in King Cove urged residents to remain vigilant after the warning was downgraded and to stay off the beach and out of harbours and marinas .
Waves by late afternoon in King Cove were less than 2 feet ( 0.61 metres ) , according to the National Tsunami Warning Center .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported to have been a magnitude of 7.4 , but was revised to a 7.5 , said Paul Caruso , a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey .
He said an earthquake of this size , in this area , is not a surprise .
“ This is an area where the Pacific Plate is subducting underneath the North American Plate .
And because of that , the Pacific Plate actually goes underneath the North American Plate , where it melts , ” Caruso said , noting that ’ s why there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we commonly have large , magnitude 7 earthquakes in that area.
” Rita Tungul , front desk assistant at the Grand Aleutian Hotel in Unalaska , said she felt some shaking but it wasn ’ t strong .
Her coworker didn ’ t feel the quake at all , she said .
Connie Newton , owner of the Bearfoot Inn , a grocery store , liquor store and small hotel in Cold Bay , said the temblor it felt like someone drove into her building with a truck .
Still , nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she suffered no damage because she earthquake-proofed her stores by installing 2-inch ( 5-cm ) risers around the outside of her shelves .
Associated Press journalists Jennifer Sinco Kelleher , Audrey McAvoy and Caleb Jones in Honolulu and Mark Thiessen in Anchorage contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Argentina hits 1 million cases as virus slams Latin America

USHUAIA , Argentina - At the edge of Argentina in a city known as “ The End of the World , ” many thought they might be spared from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic .
Sitting far from the South American nation ’ s bustling capital , health workers in Ushuaia were initially able to contain a small outbreak among foreigners hoping to catch boats to the Antarctic at the start of the crisis .
But as Argentina passed 1 million virus cases Monday , it is now smaller cities like Ushuaia that are seeing some of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quadruple the number of beds for COVID-19 patients over the last month .
At least 60 % of those tested recently are coming back positive for the virus .
“ We were the example of the country , ” said Dr. Carlos Guglielmi , director of the Ushuaia Regional Hospital .
“ Evidently someone arrived with the coronavirus.
” Across Latin America , three other nations are expected to reach the 1 million case milestone in the coming weeks — Colombia , Mexico and Peru .
The grim mark comes as Latin America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s highest daily case counts .
And though some nations have seen important declines , overall there has been little relief , with cases dropping in one municipality only to escalate in another .
The trajectory is showing that the pandemic is likely to leave no corner of Latin America unscathed .
“ The second wave is arriving without ever having finished the first , ” said Dr. Luis Jorge Hernández , a public health professor at the University of the Andes in Colombia .
Argentina has seen cases spiral despite instituting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns .
Colombia ’ s major cities have seen a dip , but smaller areas like the department of Caldas in the coffee region are only now reaching a peak .
Peru ’ s overall numbers have dropped , but officials recently reported 12 regions are spiking back up .
Mexico , likewise , has seen a rise in a quarter of all states over the last week .
The result is that rather than a second virus wave like that being seen in Europe , epidemiologists anticipate a more sustained , plateau-like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting out of the first wave , ” said Dr. Marcos Espinal , director of the Pan American Health Organization ’ s Department of Communicable Diseases .
“ A great part of the population remains exposed and community transmission continues.
” The virus ’ cruel path through Latin America is a consequence of weak public health systems , social factors like poverty and poor government decisions early on that resulted in flawed or limited testing and little contact tracing .
Today the region is home to half the 10 countries with the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially registered low virus case numbers but now has one of the highest rates of new daily infections per capita , according to Our World in Data , a non-profit online scientific publication based at the University of Oxford .
It is on par with several European countries that are experiencing a resurgence of the virus .
Dr. Adolfo Rubinstein , a former Argentine health minister , said the nation depended too heavily on lockdowns as its primary means of controlling the virus , failing to purchase enough tests in the initial months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is appearing is also shifting .
Initially , up to 90 % of the confirmed cases were in metropolitan Buenos Aires .
Today , 65 % of Argentina ’ s cases are in its provinces and even faraway places like Ushuaia , authorities said .
“ Now it is everywhere in the country , ” Rubinstein said .
Dr. Carissa F. Etienne , director of the Americas branch of the World Health Organization , warned recently that the coronavirus is appearing in places that were previously not affected , with high numbers popping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In many countries , the pandemic has also moved to less populated areas , ” she said .
That can be seen not just in Argentina but in Colombia as well .
The city of Manizales in a region known for its coffee farms now registers 440.98 cases per 100,000 residents , far higher than the nationwide average of 284.09 per 100,000 , according to the Ministry of Health .
Officials say the slower rise in cases allowed them to expand ICU capacity .
“ Here we didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hernández said .
“ We had a plateau.
” Throughout the region , testing remains a hurdle .
In Peru , officials have relied heavily on antibody tests to identify cases — even though the tests are not designed to make a diagnosis because they can only detect proteins that develop a week or more after infection .
Argentina ’ s testing is still far below that of neighbouring countries ; on Sunday , just 13,890 were tested , compared to 31,988 the same day in Colombia .
The high percentage coming back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still likely missing vast numbers of infections .
Brazil reached 1 million cases in June and now is up to 5.2 million for the pandemic .
“ These are huge undercounts of what is really going on in terms of numbers , ” said Felicia Knaul , director of the Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas at the University of Miami .
“ We need more consistent mask use — but we have to couple that with testing and tracing — or else the numbers are going to rise tremendously.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce from the Buenos AIres region may be responsible for the rise in cases since mid-September .
The city famous as a departure point for cruises to the Antarctic had been a model for the nation .
Closed off air travel and a halt on tourism left it virus free for months .
But that false sense of comfort may have led people to relax on basic pandemic norms like hand washing and social distancing .
The Tierra del Fuego province , which has a population of about 150,000 , now has over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxious residents line up in their cars for drive-thru testing .
A sports centre that had been empty is now set up to take care of patients .
One month ago , the regional hospital was treating just seven COVID-19 patients ; now it has 28 , occupying all of its bed set aside for adults with the illness .
“ The failure in Argentina was the low amount of testing , ” Guglielmi said .
José Bongiovanni , a lawyer in Ushuaia , said a worry that seemed distant now feels close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world was never easy , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a lot less easy in a moment like this.
” Associated Press journalist Nicolas Deluca reported this story in Ushuaia , AP writer Almudena Calatrava reported from Buenos Aires , and AP writer Christine Armario reported from Bogota , Colombia .

Nicolas Deluca,Almudena Calatrava,Christine Armario - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--‘Missing piece’ of historic Bay Area land to open to public

MARTINEZ , Calif. - The National Park Service has acquired an historic farm in the San Francisco Bay Area that will allow public access to thousands of acres of land crucial to saving wildlife such as the red-legged frog and the golden eagle , according to a newspaper report Monday .
Often referred to as the “ missing piece , ” Almond Ranch in Martinez connects the Contra Costa County section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail , a 550 miles ( 885 kilometre ) loop with stunning views that circumnavigates the entire Bay Area , the San Francisco Chronicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bought Almond Ranch in Martinez after a massive $ 4 million fundraising effort , the newspaper said .
“ It ’ s a massive wildlife corridor and now that corridor will remain unfragmented in perpetuity so wildlife can roam free , ” said Linus Eukel , Executive Director of the John Muir Land Trust , in a statement .
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Dianne Feinstein took part in a live webcast this weekend celebrating the announcement .
The property will in part become an expansion of the John Muir National Historic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Parks ’ ” 14-room Italianate Victorian mansion is located .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Poll worker fired for turning away voters with BLM shirts

MEMPHIS , Tenn. - A poll worker in Memphis , Tennessee , has been fired after turning away early voters who were wearing “ Black Lives Matter ” and “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” shirts , an elections official said Monday .
The worker was fired Friday after officials received a call from a witness at the Dave Wells Community Center in Memphis , Shelby County Election Commission spokeswoman Suzanne Thompson said .
Tennessee law does not allow voters to wear items bearing the name of a candidate or a political party in a polling place .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ Black Lives Matter , ” Thompson said .
The number of voters who were told to leave was not immediately known , but Thompson said it was only a few .
The poll worker thought the statements were tied to the Democratic Party , Thompson said .
“ That was pretty bad , ” she said .
“ They were not supposed to be turned away.
” Early voter turnout ahead of the Nov. 3 election has been strong in Memphis and throughout Tennessee .
Early voting ends Oct. 29 in @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Woman missing for 2 weeks found safe in Zion National Park

SPRINGDALE , Utah - A California woman who was missing for about two weeks in Zion National Park in Utah has been found and left the park with her family who had feared the worst , authorities said .
Holly Suzanne Courtier , 38 , of Los Angeles , was found Sunday by search and rescue crews in a thickly vegetated area along the Virgin River after park rangers received a tip that she had been seen in the park , Zion National Park officials said in a news release Monday .
They didn ’ t say anything about her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began searching for Courtier after she didn ’ t show up for her scheduled pickup in the park by a private shuttle on Oct. 6 , authorities said .
The park and nearby town of Springdale were filled with missing person signs featuring pictures of Courtier and the clothes she was wearing .
Her sister , Jillian Courtier-Oliver , told ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America “ that her sister is recovering after being found with bruises all over her body and losing weight .
Courtier-Oliver said she had started losing hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known for its towering red rock cliffs that has several hikes that take people along narrow trails with steep drops nearby .
“ It wasn ’ t until two days ago I actually said , ‘ I ’ m starting to lose hope , ’ ” she said .
“ They had a lot of cadaver dogs out , and I knew what they were looking for was a body , not a person .
It was the first time I actually started losing hope .
And I went with up with so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find her.
” The park released a statement attributed to the family .
“ We would like to thank the rangers and search teams who relentlessly looked for her day and night and never gave up hope .
We are also so grateful to the countless volunteers who were generous with their time , resources and support , ” her family said in statement .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Pentagon estimates cost of new nuclear missiles at $95.8B

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has raised to $ 95.8 billion the estimated cost of fielding a new fleet of land-based nuclear missiles to replace the Minuteman 3 arsenal that has operated continuously for 50 years , officials said Monday .
The estimate is up about $ 10 billion from four years ago .
The weapons , known as intercontinental ballistic missiles , or ICBMs , are intended as part of a near-total replacement of the American nuclear force over the next few decades at a total cost of more than $ 1.2 trillion .
Some , including former Defence Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security can be ensured without ICBMs , but the Pentagon says they are vital to deterring war .
The Trump administration affirmed its commitment to fielding a new generation of ICBMs in a 2018 review of nuclear policy .
“ The ICBM force is highly survivable against any but a large-scale nuclear attack , ” the review concluded .
“ To destroy U.S. ICBMs on the ground , an adversary would need to launch a precisely co-ordinated attack with hundreds of high-yield and accurate warheads .
This is an insurmountable challenge for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exception of Russia.
” The current fleet of 400 deployed Minuteman missiles , each armed with a single nuclear warhead , is based in underground silos in Montana , North Dakota , Colorado , Wyoming and Nebraska .
Their numbers are governed in part by the 2010 New START treaty with Russia , which is due to expire in February .
Russia wants to extend the treaty but the Trump administration has set conditions not accepted by Moscow .
The U.S. also is building a new fleet of ballistic missile submarines to replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new long-range nuclear-capable bomber to replace the B-2 stealth aircraft ; a next-generation air-launched nuclear cruise missile ; and a new nuclear command and communications system .
It also is working on updated warheads , including an ICBM warhead replacement for an estimated $ 14.8 billion .
The nuclear modernization program was launched by the Obama administration and has been continued by President Donald Trump .
Democrat Joe Biden has said that if elected in November he would consider finding ways to scale back the program .
The Pentagon ’ s $ 95.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first reported by Bloomberg News .
The Pentagon provided the estimate to Congress last month but had , until Monday , refused to release it publicly .
Last month the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $ 13.3 billion contract for engineering and manufacturing development of the new missiles .
The total “ lifecycle ” cost , including operating and sustaining the missiles over their expected lifetime into the 2070s , is set at $ 263.9 billion .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Donald Trump rode conspiracy theories right into the White House. Can they keep him there?

WASHINGTON—Down in the polls two weeks before the U.S. election , President Donald Trump is running flat-out , sometimes appearing at multiple rallies a day .
It isn ’ t yet clear if this is his farewell tour , but he ’ s sure playing all of his greatest hits .
In Michigan on Saturday , he falsely claimed 50,000 ballots were found in a river as part of a plot to fix the election against him .
In Flordia on Friday , he said Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is the head of a “ crime family.
” During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to denounce the QAnon theory that the government is run by a secret cabal of satanic pedophiles .
He also refused to apologize for spreading another conspiracy theory — that former president Barack Obama had faked the killing of Osama bin Laden and killed an elite Navy Seal team to cover it up .
In Arizona on Monday , he criticized Attorney General Bill Barr for not arresting Biden .
In Georgia on Friday , he chanted , “ Lock up the Bidens , lock up Hillary.
” In Michigan , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” If this is the end , he ’ ll have gone out like he came in : trumpeting wild-eyed conspiracy theories and making imperious calls to imprison his political opponents .
Trump ’ s career as a politician essentially began when he became the face of the baseless and racist “ birther ” movement , which claimed Obama was not born in the United States , and was secretly a Muslim .
In 2016 , Trump ’ s victory was partly attributed to how he spun a cloud of vague criminal accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton ’ s use of private email for government business — a minor administrative offence since committed by members of his own administration , including his daughter .
Neither theory had much substance , but both served their purpose for Trump : winning support from those wanting to believe things no credible politician would say , and casting enough of a cloud over Clinton to swing undecided voters in his favour .
As president , he ’ s kept at it .
“ Advisers say he continues to privately harbour a handful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , ” the New York Times reported in 2017 .
These included that the “ Access Hollywood ” tape he ’ d admitted was legitimate might have been faked , and that the 2016 election was rigged to cost him a popular vote victory .
More recently , he ’ s spread a baseless theory that mail-in voting is rigged against him in this election , and he ’ s repeatedly suggested Obama “ spied ” on his campaign — a vast conspiracy that led to his impeachment , as he tells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general ’ s review of the Russia investigation has found it was justified , and found no evidence of spying . )
Which brings us back to the story he ’ s currently chanting , about Joe Biden , Biden ’ s son Hunter , and Ukraine .
Trump ’ s demand that the president of Ukraine provide dirt on the Bidens led to Trump ’ s impeachment on charges that he ’ d used his office to further his personal political interests .
Now , that dirt has finally emerged , brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rudy Giuliani to the New York Post .
Surely enough , it has become a late-campaign election cry for Trump .
Much of the story Giuliani brought to the Post is murky .
It starts with a laptop computer allegedly brought to a repair shop by Hunter Biden , the contents of which were copied and turned over to Giuliani .
Those contents allegedly included a so-called “ smoking gun ” email in which a Ukrainian businessman thanks Hunter Biden for an introduction to his father .
Among the story ’ s many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been inconsistent in interviews ; no one has been allowed to examine the emails for metadata that could help prove their provenance ; the allegations appear consistent with a Russian disinformation campaign described by U.S. officials during Trump ’ s impeachment trial ; U.S. intelligence had reportedly warned of an attempt by Russian spies to feed Giuliani false information ; and the U.S. government has named one of Guiliani ’ s associates in digging up information about the Bidens as an “ active Russian agent.
” Beyond that , the dots don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s already known that Hunter Biden suffered addiction problems and traded on his father ’ s name for corporate directorships overseas ( he ’ s called that “ poor judgment ” ) .
What hasn ’ t been proven is that Joe Biden did anything wrong .
The new “ smoking gun ” suggests a meeting was arranged , but Biden ’ s campaign says no record of such a meeting exists .
Further , the allegation pushed by Trump from the beginning is that Hunter Biden ’ s relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call for the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor to shield the company from investigation .
But the entire U.S. government and much of the international community was calling for that corrupt prosecutor to be removed — Biden was mouthing official U.S. policy — and there was no investigation into Burisma being conducted .
During the impeachment trial , it was established that the firing made it more likely Burisma would be investigated , not less .
A Republican congressional investigation of this released last month found no wrongdoing by Joe Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ private text conversations in which Hunter Biden laments his misjudgments and addiction problems , and his father offers caring and supportive words of encouragement .
Strange material for controversy .
But Trump is no stranger to strange material .
And his own history of conspiracy mongering shows there needn ’ t be any fire to justify blowing a lot of smoke while chanting for the arsonist to be locked up .
Trump has good reason to think that the more conspiracy theories circulate , the better .
So from old and convoluted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy to give them a stage — or , as the case may be in these final weeks of the campaign , a whole lot of stages .
Just look at the rallies : if it makes people happy to chant that his opponents should be locked up , he ’ s happy to chant along .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Tropical Storm Epsilon strengthens in the central Atlantic

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Epsilon strengthened Monday morning in the central Atlantic , the latest in what has been a @ @ @ @ @ The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph ( 75 kph ) , up @ @ @ @ @ hours earlier .
Additional strengthening was expected and Epsilon was forecast to be at or @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , the U.S. National Hurricane Center said .
The storm was centred Monday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) southeast of Bermuda and was stationary .
A slow northward motion is expected @ @ @ @ @ said , adding the storm was then expected to take a more northwestward track as @ @ @ @ @ .
This year ’ s hurricane season has had so many storms that the Hurricane @ @ @ @ @ Greek alphabet for storm names after running out of official names .
Epsilon also represents @ @ @ @ @ 26th named storm , beating out Nov. 22 in 2005 , according to Colorado State @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-19--Lawyers: Trump had to speak about rape claim to show fitness

NEW YORK - President Donald Trump was addressing matters relating to his fitness for office when he claimed that a woman who said he raped her in a department store was lying and was politically motivated , Justice Department lawyers said Monday .
The lawyers argued in papers in Manhattan federal court that the president should be replaced as the defendant in E. Jean Carroll ’ s defamation lawsuit by the Justice Department because he was acting in an official capacity when he made his statements .
They said he was entitled to refute Carroll ’ s claims because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s fitness for office and a response was necessary for the president to effectively govern.
“ The lawyers had made similar arguments before and were replying to written arguments submitted to a judge by lawyers for Carroll , a media figure who hosted an advice show in the mid-1990s when she says she was attacked .
On Monday , they wrote that every court that has considered the issue has found that the United States can substitute itself as the defendant when a defamation lawsuit against a federal elected official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter of concern or interest to the official ’ s constituents .
“ This is even clearer with respect to the defendant here — the President of the United States — and under the circumstances here , where the President addressed matters relating to his fitness for office as part of an official White House response to press inquiries , ” they wrote .
Earlier this month , Carroll ’ s attorneys argued the opposite , saying Trump can ’ t insult their client and then cite his job as reason to remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a world gone mad could it somehow be presidential , not personal , for Trump to slander a woman who he sexually assaulted , ” they said .
Carroll has said Trump raped her in a department store dressing room a quarter century ago after they randomly crossed paths and engaged in conversation as each recognized the other ’ s measure of fame .
Her lawyers argued that defamatory attacks by the president included assertions that Carroll had falsely accused other men of rape , that she lied about him to advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that he had never met her even though they ’ d been photographed together .
The lawyers noted that Trump also had said : “ She ’ s not my type.
” They said the Justice Department tried to step in as defendant in part to delay progression of the case , including Carroll ’ s effort to get a DNA sample from Trump to see if it matches male genetic material on a dress she says she wore the day of the alleged attack .
Oral arguments in the case are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis A. Kaplan .
The Associated Press does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--NATO to set up new space centre amid China, Russia concerns

KESTER , BELGIUM—To a few of the locals , the top-secret , fenced-off installation on the hill is known as “ the radar station.
” Some folks claim to have seen mysterious Russians in the area .
Over the years , rumours have swirled that it might be a base for U.S. nuclear warheads .
It ’ s easy to see how the rumours start .
The site is visually striking .
Four huge white Kevlar balls sit like giant spherical spacecraft in a compound in the middle of open farm country 25 kilometres west of Belgium ’ s capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ground Station is both safer and more sophisticated than local lore might suggest .
It ’ s central to space communications at NATO — the biggest and most modern of four such stations the military alliance runs .
Around 2,000 satellites orbit the earth , over half operated by NATO countries , ensuring everything from mobile phone and banking services to weather forecasts .
NATO commanders in places like Afghanistan or Kosovo rely on some of them to navigate , communicate , share intelligence and detect missile launches .
This week , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under a new orbit , when NATO announces that it is creating a space centre to help manage satellite communications and key parts of its military operations around the world .
In December , NATO leaders declared space to be the alliance ’ s “ fifth domain ” of operations , after land , sea , air and cyberspace .
Over two days of talks starting Thursday , NATO defence ministers will green light a new space centre at the alliance ’ s Air Command in Ramstein , Germany .
“ This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support to NATO operations , sharing information and co-ordinating our activities , ” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said before the meeting .
It ’ s part of the alliance ’ s efforts to keep ahead in a fast moving and hi-tech sector , particularly amid concern about what member countries say is increasingly aggressive behaviour in space by China and Russia .
Around 80 countries have satellites and private companies are moving in too .
In the 1980s , just a fraction of NATO ’ s communications was via satellite .
Today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent .
During the Cold War , NATO had more than 20 stations , but new technologies mean the world ’ s biggest security organization can double its coverage with a fifth of that number .
At Kester , behind a double security fence , massive steel gates and bulletproof glass in a facility that can withstand a terror attack or any attempt to jam communications , four satellite dishes ensconced in Kevlar domes connect NATO ’ s civilian and military headquarters in Belgium to their operations around the world .
From their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them 16 metres in diameter — beam information and imagery down across Europe and over Africa into space above the equator where satellites owned by allies like the United States , Britain , France and Italy orbit .
NATO itself doesn ’ t own any satellites .
Around the globe , commanders in ships , aircraft and mobile or static headquarters decrypt the data to gather orders , pictures and intelligence , prepare missions , or move troops and military equipment .
From Kester , new lines of communication can be set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Much of the facility is encased in thick steel plates , including the ducts where cables run , to withstand any attack by electromagnetic pulses — high bursts of energy that can knock out electrical power grids or destroy electronic circuit boards and components .
But NATO allies are increasingly concerned about other kinds of attacks using anti-satellite weapons miles above the earth which could wreak havoc below and leave dangerous debris adrift in space .
“ Some nations — including Russia and China — are developing anti-satellite systems which could blind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous debris in orbit .
We must increase our understanding of the challenges in space and our ability to address them , ” Stoltenberg said .
For the moment , the military alliance insists that its “ approach will remain defensive and fully in line with international law.
” And despite the strides being made in the “ fifth domain , ” Stoltenberg has repeatedly said over the last year that “ NATO has no intention to put weapons in space .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--Probe ordered of VMI after Post’s report on racist incidents

LEXINGTON , Va. - State officials have ordered an investigation into the Virginia Military Institute following a report in The Washington Post that described Black cadets and alumni facing “ relentless racism.
“ Gov .
Ralph Northam co-wrote a letter Monday to the state-supported school ’ s Board of Visitors expressing “ deep concerns about the clear and appalling culture of ongoing structural racism “ at VMI .
The letter said the state will fund an independent probe into the school ’ s culture , policies , practices and equity in disciplinary procedures , the Post reported .
The action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story that described an “ atmosphere of hostility and cultural insensitivity ” at the nation ’ s oldest state-supported military college .
The story described incidents such as lynching threats and a white professor reminiscing in class about her father ’ s Ku Klux Klan membership .
The Roanoke Times also reported on Black alumni speaking out about racism at the school months ago .
VMI spokesman Col. William “ Bill ” Wyatt told The Associated Press that the school welcomes the review and will co-operate with it .
He said the letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ clear and appalling culture of ongoing structural racism ” is “ just not true.
” Wyatt said a response was in the works to the officials ’ letter , and he said he would provide a copy when it was available .
Monday ’ s letter was signed by Northam , who is a VMI graduate ; Lt. Gov .
Justin Fairfax ; Attorney General Mark Herring and top legislative leaders .


thetorontostar--2020-10-20--UK, Manchester still at odds over tough virus restrictions

LONDON - The British government and officials in Manchester , England ’ s second-largest city , were still talking Tuesday after a noon deadline passed for the city to agree to tighter coronavirus measures .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who is struggling to impose his plan for localized restrictions on restive regions , spoke by phone to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham on Tuesday afternoon , Johnson ’ s office said .
The prime minister is expected to give an update on coronavirus restrictions later at a news conference .
Johnson ’ s government is resisting a recommendation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ circuit-breaker ” lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus .
Instead it has adopted a three-tier system for England , with areas classed as medium , high or very high virus risk .
In the top tier , pubs have to close and people are barred from mixing with members of other households .
So far only the Liverpool and Lancashire regions of northwest England have been placed in Tier 3 , the highest level .
Nearby Greater Manchester , with a population of almost 3 million , has been holding out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the restrictions .
“ We ’ re trying to respond to a pandemic on the cheap , that ’ s how it feels , “ Burnham said .
Burnham said if Johnson ’ s Conservative government imposed the measures on the city , “ we would obviously have to accept that decision.
“ “ But I would say to them at this point , are they sure that that is a wise thing to do ?
” he told Sky News .
Authorities across the U.K. are imposing new restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise throughout all age groups , filling hospital beds and intensive care wards .
Britain has Europe ’ s deadliest coronavirus outbreak , with more than 43,800 confirmed deaths .
Under the U.K. ’ s system of devolved government , the regional administrations in Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales control health policy in their areas and the U.K. government makes the rules for England .
In Scotland , pubs and other leisure facilities are closed and sports and live events are banned in the biggest cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland has closed schools for two weeks , banned most social gatherings and shut down many businesses including bars and restaurants for a month .
Wales has gone the furthest , announcing a two-week “ firebreak ” lockdown starting Friday that will close all non-essential businesses and ban most trips outside the home .
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said he was opting for a short , sharp shock over a longer period of less stringent restrictions .
“ The advice to us -- partly because of the impact on people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could keep this period of time as short as you could , that would help to mitigate that impact , ” Drakeford told the BBC .
Follow all of AP ’ s pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak