thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Major Hurricane Epsilon: Tropical storm warning for Bermuda

MIAMI - Epsilon rapidly gained major hurricane strength on Wednesday afternoon and is expected to skirt east of Bermuda in the coming day , the U.S. National Hurricane Center says .
The Category 3 storm is packing top sustained winds of 115 mph ( 185 kph ) and Bermuda remains under a tropical storm warning .
Epsilon gained 50 mph ( 80 kph ) in wind speed in just 24 hours , officially qualifying as a rapidly intensifying storm .
It is the seventh storm this season to power up this quickly .
The Miami-based hurricane centre said Epsilon was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ( 510 kilometres ) southeast of Bermuda , and was moving to the west-northwest at 10 mph ( 17 kph ) .
Forecasters said Epsilon should make its closest approach to Bermuda by Thursday afternoon or evening .
Gradual weakening of the storm is expected to begin on Thursday and continue into the weekend .
Over the past couple decades , meteorologists have been increasingly worried about storms that blow up from nothing to a whopper , just like Epsilon .
Forecasters created an official threshold for this dangerous rapid intensification — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kph ) in wind speed in just 24 hours .
Forecasters said tropical storm conditions would soon begin on Bermuda and continue intermittently through late Thursday .
Epsilon is expected to make its closest approach to the island on Thursday afternoon or evening , according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center .
Large swells generated by Epsilon are already affecting Bermuda , the Bahamas , the Greater Antilles , and the Leeward Islands , and are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the coast of New England and Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This year ’ s hurricane season has had so many storms that the Hurricane Center has turned to the Greek alphabet for storm names after running out of official names .
Epsilon also represents a record for the earliest 26th named storm , arriving more than a month before a storm on Nov. 22 in 2005 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Court ruling could block thousands of Iowa ballot requests

IOWA CITY , Iowa - A split Iowa Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a new Republican-backed law that could bar county elections commissioners from mailing absentee ballots to thousands of people who omitted information on their applications .
The 4-3 ruling means that voters who want to cast mail-in ballots in the Nov. 3 election must complete their absentee ballot applications before Saturday ’ s deadline in order to qualify .
Auditors will not be allowed to use the state ’ s voter registration system to fix any deficient applications , as they have done in prior elections .
Voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the ruling will “ likely cause thousands of voters to not receive their ballot in time to use it “ and others will face increased health risks from voting in person during the pandemic .
Those affected would still be able to vote early at the auditor ’ s office and satellite locations or on Election Day .
The ruling marks another legal victory for Republicans and President Trump ’ s reelection campaign in Iowa , where his race against Democrat Joe Biden and a key Senate contest are expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature passed the law in June after the primary saw record turnout with heavy mail-in voting , which was promoted as a way to keep people from contracting coronavirus at crowded polling places .
The law specified that auditors can not use government databases to fill in blanks on absentee ballot request forms and must contact voters by email , phone and mail to provide the information .
Auditors say that task is time-consuming and not always successful .
Under Iowa ’ s voter identification law , those applying for absentee ballots must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number or their voter pin number , which few people know .
Auditors say some requesters leave that field blank , or make other mistakes or omissions on the forms , which also ask for addresses and birth dates .
Critics contend the law adds several days of processing incomplete requests and that thousands of them could be left without absentee ballots .
The League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa and Majority Forward , a group supporting Senate Democrats , filed a lawsuit in July claiming the law was an unconstitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could prevent some people from participating this year .
Trump ’ s campaign and Republican groups intervened , arguing the law was necessary to protect election integrity .
A judge in Johnson County sided with them last month , upholding the law .
The Supreme Court agreed last week to review the decision .
On the same day , the court upheld a directive from Secretary of State Paul Pate , a Republican , that invalidated tens of thousands of absentee ballot applications that had been sent to voters in three counties with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the majority opinion Wednesday , four justices agreed with Republicans that the law was a way to “ protect the integrity and security of the absentee ballot system “ by requiring requesters to provide information verifying their identities .
“ We are not persuaded the statute imposes a significant burden on absentee voters .
It is not a direct burden on voting itself , “ wrote the majority , which included Justices Edward Mansfield , Thomas Waterman , Christopher McDonald and Matthew McDermott .
They argued that the rate of absentee ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county auditors is “ extremely low , “ about 13,000 statewide as of Friday out of more than 842,000 requests .
Most of those unfilled are in Johnson and Woodbury counties , two of the three that had to invalidate pre-filled requests mailed to registered voters .
It is of “ little significance ” that the law was not passed in response to any instances of absentee ballot fraud since its burdens are so minimal , the majority argued .
In a dissent joined by two colleagues , Justice Dana Oxley said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come before Saturday ’ s deadline and those missing information will go unfulfilled .
She added that absentee voting by mail has become critically important as Iowa for weeks has suffered among the nation ’ s highest rates of coronavirus infection .
Putting a “ significant burden ” on that option without any documented voter fraud or election integrity concerns is unconstitutional , she argued .
As of Wednesday , more than 600,000 people had returned absentee ballots through the mail or in person for the election .
Oxley said county auditors have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be overwhelmed in coming days .
“ The majority ’ s position rests on the calm before the storm , “ she wrote .

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thetorontostar--2020-10-21--U.S. says Iran, Russia have attempted to interfere in election

A top U.S. intelligence official warned that Iran and Russia are attempting to interfere with the presidential election , with Iran already spreading false information to American voters .
“ We have confirmed that some voter registration information has been obtained by Iran , and separately by Russia , ” director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe said at a hastily called news conference Wednesday evening in Washington .
“ This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to convey misinformation.
” “ We ask every American to do their part to defend against those who wish us harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allow these efforts to have their intended effect.
” The voter information obtained was publicly available , and no hacking was involved , according to a U.S. official who asked not to be identified discussing the sensitive matter .
Iran has been sending threatening emails to Democratic voters that purport to be from the right-wing Proud Boys group , according to the official .
Ratcliffe , who was joined by FBI director Christopher Wray , said Iran intended to harm President Donald Trump ’ s re-election effort .
“ We have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intimidate voters , incite social unrest and damage President Trump , ” he said .
Before becoming intelligence chief , Ratcliffe was a Republican congressman from Texas who fervently supported Trump ’ s claim that he was the victim of a “ witch hunt ” by “ deep state ” opponents who sought to link him to Russian interference in 2016 .
Iran views Trump as an arch-enemy since he quit the multinational nuclear accord with the Islamic Republic , expanded economic sanctions and ordered the killing of one of its top generals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc , said in a statement that the episode “ marks a fundamental shift in our understanding of Iran ’ s willingness to interfere in the democratic process.
” U.S. stock futures dropped on the news , with S & P 500 Index contracts down 0.7 per cent at 9:30 a.m. Hong Kong time , while the dollar edged higher .
Local media in Florida first reported on Tuesday that Democratic voters were receiving hate mail threatening violence in messages that claimed to be from the Proud Boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump or else !
” in the subject line .
Although voter registration material is available publicly , the emails falsely asserted that they had the voters ’ personal information because local election systems had been compromised by hackers .
“ You will vote for Trump on election day or we will come after you .
Change your party affiliation to Republican to let us know you received our message and will comply , ” read one of the emails reviewed by the cyber research firm Proofpoint .
“ I would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a joint statement , Marco Rubio of Florida , the Republican chair of the Senate intelligence committee , and Mark Warner of Virginia , the panel ’ s top Democrat , said , “ Our adversaries abroad seek to sow chaos and undermine voters ’ belief in our democratic institutions , including the election systems and infrastructure that we rely on to record and properly report expressions of the voters ’ will.
” Just before Ratcliffe and Wray announced the threat to the Nov. 3 election , the Washington Post reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Trump has faulted Wray for not providing fuel for the president ’ s contention that anti-Trump bias drove the FBI ’ s investigation into whether anyone involved in his 2016 campaign colluded in Russia ’ s interference .
Although Ratcliffe made only passing reference to Russia in Wednesday ’ s announcement , the U.S. intelligence community reported in August that “ Russia is using a range of measures to primarily denigrate ” former vice-president Joe Biden , Trump ’ s Democratic opponent , and “ Kremlin-linked actors are also seeking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media.
” The intelligence assessment also said that “ Iran seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions , President Trump , and to divide the country in advance of the 2020 elections.
” In September , Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. found social media accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency — the Kremlin-linked troll farm that used a co-ordinated operation on social media in an effort to help the Trump campaign in 2016 — that were attempting to build an audience on the American left ahead of the 2020 vote .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iran had attempted to hack into political targets ahead of the Nov. 3 election .
Ratcliffe ’ s announcement came the same week that U.S. charged six current and former members of Russia ’ s military intelligence unity for a series of destructive cyberattacks in recent years .

Chris Strohm - Bloomberg,Kartikay Mehrotra,Alyza Sebenius


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Many thorny global situations hinge on US election outcome

LONDON - Four years after Donald Trump ’ s election reframed how many nations interacted with the United States , the way that the world ’ s foremost superpower moves forward after its presidential election stands to impact many geopolitical pressure points — whether the victor turns out to be Trump or his Democratic challenger , former Vice-President Joe Biden .
From Iran to Cuba , from China to Israel , American involvement and influence on the international stage has evolved sharply since Trump took office in 2017 .
He swept away agreements with some nations , alienated longstanding allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said didn ’ t serve the interests of the United States .
Though the international community has sometimes criticized Trump ’ s ‘ ’ America First ?
tenure , underscored by the president ’ s approach to the coronavirus pandemic , there were already places , issues and conflicts where the United States ’ involvement wasn ’ t always appreciated — under his predecessor , Barack Obama and other recent American leaders .
Before the pandemic struck , in the beginning of 2020 , the most serious global concern was whether Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ruinous war that would inflame the Middle East .
While that has ebbed , many around the world are watching closely to see what happens next — and who will be living in the White House three months from today .
Here ’ s a look at some key issues whose direction will be , in part , steered by who wins the U.S. presidency .
The Nobel Peace Prize , won by Obama while in office , was something Trump had hankered for himself .
But the honour went this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was a resounding endorsement of a multilateral effort — the United Nations ’ main message — during a pandemic that has caused serious food insecurity as it engulfs the world .
‘ ’ We are sending a signal to this type of nationalism where the responsibility for global affairs is not being faced , ” Nobel committee head Berit Reiss-Andersen said .
In the pandemic era , Trump has lambasted the World Health Organization and largely rejected multilateralism , as have likeminded leaders such as Brazil ’ s Jair Bolsonaro and Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Trump , both downplayed the coronavirus and were infected by it themselves .
With the United States still in the virus ’ vise and more than 220,000 dead , a rebound hitting Europe and sustained infections in India , Iran and beyond , these remain precarious days .
Containing the virus , making a vaccine available and the international co-ordination around it — with the United States as a major player — will be central to whether the world can see a light at the end of a dark tunnel .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has ended a post-Cold War period in which Washington was the sole superpower .
Trump has made efforts to maintain relations with Vladimir Putin ’ s Russia despite his own intelligence agencies ’ confirmation of Moscow ’ s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election , which sought to aid him , and allegations that Russia secretly offered bounties for American deaths in Afghanistan .
Biden has said that he is putting Russia and other foreign governments “ on notice ” that he would act aggressively as president to counter any interference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a focus of Trump ’ s criticism in recent months .
He has imposed punitive tariffs , made racist comments about the origins of the virus in Wuhan and taken action over cybersecurity issues .
But whether Trump or Biden is in office for the next four years , Washington ’ s relations with Beijing seem set to continue their thorniness as China increasingly flexes internationally .
Trump has made a point of moving away from the Obama administration ’ s and world powers ’ Iran nuclear pact .
He called it the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrew , which delighted Israel and Saudi Arabia but dismayed others .
Then the U.S. killed Iran ’ s most senior military figure , Gen. Qassem Soleimani , in Baghdad .
Iran responded with a ballistic missile strike on Iraqi bases housing American troops .
The administration ’ s decision to blacklist Iran ’ s financial sector , part of wide-ranging sanctions , signals the American direction during a second Trump term .
Biden , who was vice-president to the more multilateral Obama , could re-engage with allies who have actively opposed Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran itself .
When it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , Trump ’ s self-proclaimed “ deal of the century ” did not sit well for the Palestinians when it was released earlier this year .
It effectively green-lighted Israeli annexation in the occupied West Bank , ending notions of the two-state solution and upending decades of official U.S. policy with regards to settlements .
Because of this , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is one leader who will be watching these elections closely .
Under Trump , U.S. relations with the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bumps .
Many Europeans and their governments remain deeply wedded to such multilateral blocs .
Biden , heir to a foreign policy tradition more in line with other U.S. leaders since World War II , has said he would take a more conciliatory approach to longtime allies .
Trump had hoped his jaw-dropping outreach to North Korea ’ s Kim Jong Un would be his signature foreign policy legacy .
But the summits were huge on spectacle and produced no tangible results while giving Kim some of the status he craved .
Little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort in recent months , and if previous policy is any indication , Biden would not court further summits .
Trump has bemoaned America ’ s ’ ’ endless wars ?
and vowed to end them .
But the U.S. military was blindsided by his latest claim that all U.S. troops will be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year .
Trump ’ s comments unsettled the U.S. military and diplomats , some of whom say that putting a definitive date on troop withdrawal could impede a peace deal between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says troops must be withdrawn responsibly and that a residual force should remain to combat extremism .
Trump has also demanded U.S. troops are pulled out of ally Germany , where they have been based for decades , pushing the Pentagon into a plan that will cost billions of dollars and take years to complete .
A U.S. troop cut in South Korea has also been floated .
Trump has criticized allies who he says are not contributing as much as the United States .
Little indicates that Biden would see things the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s deputy director for global news co-ordination and has helped direct international coverage for the AP for 17 years .
Follow him on Twitter at https : //twitter.com/tamerfakahany


thetorontostar--2020-10-21--Officer may face charges in killing of autistic Palestinian

JERUSALEM - Israeli prosecutors on Wednesday recommended charging a police officer with reckless manslaughter in the deadly shooting of an autistic Palestinian man in Jerusalem ’ s Old City earlier this year .
The decision came nearly five months after the shooting of Eyad Hallaq .
Hallaq ’ s family , which had criticized the slow pace of the investigation and prosecutors ’ claim that security cameras in the area had malfunctioned , condemned Wednesday ’ s decision .
They said prosecutors should have filed much tougher charges .
The Israeli Justice Ministry said the officer , who was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manslaughter , pending a hearing in which he can dispute the charges .
Such hearings are standard procedure before indictments are filed .
If convicted , the officer could face up to 12 years in prison .
His commander , who was also at the scene of the shooting , was not charged .
Hallaq ’ s family said the ministry ’ s decision was unacceptable .
“ There is sufficient evidence to bring charges of premeditated murder against the two policemen , ” said their lawyer , Jad Qadamani .
“ Eyad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are considering the next step now.
” Hallaq , who was 32 , was fatally shot just inside the Old City ’ s Lion ’ s Gate on May 30 as he was on his way to the special-needs institution that he attended .
The area is a frequent site of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces , and the Old City ’ s narrow streets are lined with hundreds of security cameras that are monitored by police .
But as the investigation proceeded over the summer , prosecutors claimed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had worked and there was no footage of the incident .
According to accounts at the time , Hallaq was shot after failing to heed calls to stop and running away .
Two members of Israel ’ s paramilitary Border Police then chased Hallaq into a nook and shot him as he cowered next to a garbage bin .
In Wednesday ’ s statement , the Justice Ministry said that after the officer shot Hallaq the first time , he shouted at him in Arabic “ don ’ t move.
” Another officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pistol.
” The wounded Hallaq pointed to a woman whom he knew and muttered something .
The officer then turned to the woman and asked her in Arabic , “ Where is the gun ?
” She replied , “ What gun ?
” At that point , the officer under investigation fired again at Hallaq .
The woman mentioned in the statement appears to be Hallaq ’ s teacher , who was with him that morning .
At the time of the shooting , she told an Israeli TV station that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was “ disabled.
” The ministry said the recommendation to prosecute was made after considering eyewitness accounts and other evidence .
“ All the circumstances of the incident were considered , including the fact that the deceased did not pose any threat to the police officers or the civilians at the scene , and that the police officer fired a shot not in accordance with police orders , that were well known to him , and didn ’ t adopt more proportionate alternatives that were at his disposal , ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed concerns the killing would be whitewashed , especially after the alleged camera malfunction .
In cases of attacks against Israeli security forces , police often quickly release security-camera footage to the public .
Palestinians and human rights groups say Israel has a poor record of prosecuting cases of police violence against Palestinians .
The shooting of Hallaq drew comparisons to the death of George Floyd in the U.S. and prompted a series of small demonstrations against police violence .
The uproar crossed Israeli-Palestinian lines and drew Jewish protesters as well , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Watchdog says Lebanon probe into port blast flawed

BEIRUT - A leading international human rights group on Thursday said a Lebanon-led probe into the devastating port explosion in Beirut this summer has been marred by political meddling and lack of judicial independence , resulting in failure to yield credible results two months later .
Human Rights Watch called for a United Nations-led inquiry into the causes of the blast to determine responsibility .
The New York-based watchdog called on international supporters of Lebanon , lead by France , meeting next week to press the Lebanese authorities to accept an independent probe .
The massive Aug. 4 blast killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6,000 when some 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate , a highly explosive chemical , detonated at Beirut ’ s port .
It also devastated several neighbourhoods , shattering thousands of residential , historic and other buildings .
“ Everyone in Beirut has had their life turned upside down by the catastrophic explosion that devastated half the city , and they deserve justice for the disaster inflicted on them , ” said Aya Majzoub , Lebanon researcher at HRW .
“ The Lebanese authorities ’ failings over the past two months have shown that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the people of Lebanon to get the answers and the justice that they deserve .
“ It is still not known what ignited the chemicals , which were stored at the facility for six years .
Local media say that 25 people have been detained and 30 charged in the explosion , mostly port and customs officials .
Majzoub said authorities are pretending to carry out a credible investigation — pointing to fundamental weakness and flaws in the process she called “ opaque.
” The probe began with political wrangling over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military threats to jail leakers and raised concerns over whether the panel appointed along sectarian lines could be fully impartial .
HRW said the role of foreign investigators was unclear , calling on France and the United States to clarify their mandate and “ make public any attempts to obstruct justice.
” Earlier this month , the judge investigating the explosion received a report from the FBI about the bureau ’ s own probe , but no details have emerged from it .
The French and British have yet to present their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency in sharing evidence or charges , while no senior official was named in the probe .
Reports showed government officials at the highest level were informed of the dangerous chemicals in the port .
HRW said the focus on administrative port and customs officials raises concerns that politicians suspected of being implicated in the blast may escape accountability .
There were also concerns of possible tampering with the crime scene , following the eruption of two fires at the port since the explosion in September .
Families of the dead and survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council for an international investigation , but Lebanese officials rejected such calls as a “ waste of time .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Transcripts: Epstein’s ex-girlfriend combative and defensive

NEW YORK - Transcripts released Thursday show financier Jeffrey Epstein ’ s ex-girlfriend was combative and defensive under tough questioning four years ago about her ex-boyfriend ’ s interactions with underage girls .
In the transcripts , Ghislaine Maxwell repeatedly denied hiring anyone under the age of 18 for Epstein .
“ I never saw any inappropriate underage activities with Jeffrey ever , ” she said .
Manhattan U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska had ordered the transcripts of seven hours of depositions of Maxwell released by 9 a.m. Thursday .
Preska allowed release of the transcripts after rejecting arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews for a defamation lawsuit brought against Maxwell by an Epstein victim several years ago would jeopardize a fair criminal trial for her next July .
Maxwell , 58 , has been held without bail since her July arrest on charges that she procured three underage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse between 1994 and 1997 .
She has pleaded not guilty .
The 2016 transcripts were among over 2,000 pages of documents that began to be released last year after a federal appeals court began the unsealing of documents from the since-settled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuffre .
She said Maxwell recruited her at age 17 to be sexually abused by Epstein and Maxwell from 1999 to 2002 .
Giuffre has accused Epstein of arranging for her to have sexual encounters with numerous wealthy and influential men , including Britain ’ s Prince Andrew .
He and the other men have denied her allegations .
In the transcripts , Maxwell repeatedly derided Giuffre , saying : “ She has lied repeatedly.
” She said she “ never instructed Virginia to have sex with anybody ever.
” Asked if she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform sexual massages , Maxwell said : “ It ’ s absurd and her entire story is one giant tissue of lies.
” The Miami Herald , whose reporting in 2018 brought fresh scrutiny to Epstein ’ s crimes , had argued in seeking the unsealing that Maxwell ’ s fear of embarrassment shouldn ’ t stop the public from learning of “ the sexual abuse of young girls at the hands of the wealthy and powerful.
” Epstein was 66 in August 2019 when he killed himself in a federal jail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trafficking charges .

Jim Mustian And Larry Neumeister - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--GOP-led Senate panel advances Barrett despite Dems’ boycott

WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Thursday to advance Amy Coney Barrett ’ s Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate as Republicans powered past Democrats ’ boycott of the session .
Democratic senators refused to show up in protest of the GOP ’ s rush to install President Donald Trump ’ s nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Never has the Senate confirmed a Supreme Court nominee so close to a presidential election .
The Republicans , who hold the majority , voted in favour of Barrett , a conservative judge .
Senators plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedural actions ahead of a final confirmation vote expected Monday .
“ Barrett deserves to be on the Supreme Court and she will be confirmed , ” said Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the committee chairman .
Democrats , he said , “ made a choice not to participate.
” Instead , Democrats arranged for posters to be placed at their spots of constituents they said had been helped by the Affordable Care Act .
The 48-year-old federal judge ’ s ascent to the high court would lock a 6-3 conservative majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump ’ s Republican allies in the Senate are counting on Barrett ’ s ascent to improve their standing with voters .
The court could open a new era of rulings on the Affordable Care Act , abortion access and even the results of the presidential election .
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced the planned boycott in a speech late Wednesday on the Senate floor .
“ We should not be moving forward on this nomination , ” Schumer said , calling Barrett ’ s views “ so far out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats have been trying unsuccessfully to stall the process until after the Nov. 3 election , so the winner of the presidency could name the new nominee .
“ These are all such violations of American norms , values , decency and honour , ” Schumer said .
With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate , Trump ’ s pick for the court is almost certain to be confirmed .
All Democrats are expected to oppose Barrett ’ s confirmation .
Boycotting Thursday ’ s Judiciary panel session was forcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules to keep the confirmation on track .
Those rules say at least two members of the minority party , Democrats , would need to be present to constitute a quorum for doing business .
Mike Davis , a former top aide on the panel who now advises Senate Republicans , said the committee was well within its normal practice to hold the vote , even with Democrats skipping it .
He said the longstanding practice has been to allow business to go forward if all members of the majority , Republicans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic aide granted anonymity to discuss the proceedings said never before have the rules been brushed past for a Supreme Court confirmation .
Barrett , an appellate court judge from Indiana , appeared for three days before the panel last week , batting back Democrats ’ questions .
She was asked about her approach to legal questions surrounding abortion access , gay marriage and the nation ’ s tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power .
Trump has said he wants a judge seated in time to hear any potential disputes arising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett declined to say if she would recuse herself from such cases .
Many judicial nominees decline to discuss their views on various issues , saying they will consider the cases as they come .
Barrett took a similar approach , drawing deep skepticism from Democrats because she had previously spoken out against abortion and past rulings on the Affordable Care Act .
The court is set to hear a challenge to the health care law on Nov. 10 , one week after the presidential election , and Trump has said he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as others have to uphold the Obama-era Affordable Care Act .
Barrett released dozens of answers this week to additional questions senators had posed , but her responses were similar as she declined to weigh in on whether the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion ruling is a so-called “ super precedent ” of the court or whether the president could unilaterally change the date set in law for the election .
Two Republican senators on the panel , Mike Lee and Thom Tillis , tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the Rose Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee .
The panel established remote operations during the coronavirus pandemic .
Those two senators have since returned to in-person sessions , saying their doctors cleared them from quarantine .
Two other Republicans , Sens .
Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski , have objected to the quick vote , but they are not on the panel .
Senate Majority Leader McConnell has defended Barrett as “ exceptionally qualified ” as well as his own decision to push her nomination forward , even after he refused to consider Barack Obama ’ s nominee in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a presidential election , with Obama in his second and final term .
On Wednesday , McConnell criticized a story from The Associated Press that delved into Barrett ’ s role on the board of trustees of a Christian school with anti-gay policies toward student families and staff .
McConnell noted that Barrett had already disclosed her work with the school to the Senate and “ has taken the same oath of impartiality as every other federal judge , and has affirmed over and over that her legal judgment is independent from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Barrett ’ s Catholic faith , calling her a role model for conservative and religious women .

Lisa Mascaro And Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Viewers’ Guide: After chaotic debate, Trump, Biden try again

After meeting last month in perhaps the most chaotic debate in modern history , President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , will take the stage Thursday to give it another go .
The bar to improve upon their last prime-time meeting is low : Their first debate was punctuated by frequent interruptions , mostly from Trump , leaving the two men talking over each other and Biden eventually telling the president to “ shut up.
” A planned second debate didn ’ t happen after the Republican president was diagnosed with the coronavirus and refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trump instead participated in dueling town halls on competing television networks .
Thursday ’ s debate , starting at 9 p.m. EDT , from Nashville , Tennessee , marks the candidates ’ second and final face-to-face meeting , with Election Day less than two weeks away .
After viewers of the last presidential debate bemoaned the moderator ’ s inability to cut off the candidates ’ microphones , the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates responded with an announcement this week that each candidate ’ s microphone will be turned off while his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial question on each debate topic .
After those initial replies , the microphones will stay on during open discussion , leaving it likely there will still be lots of crosstalk during rebuttals .
Since the last debate , Trump was diagnosed with and hospitalized for COVID-19 .
The Republican has cast the virus and his own infection in positive terms , resumed holding large campaign rallies and attacked the government ’ s top infectious-disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci .
Biden , who has portrayed the Trump administration ’ s response as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more cautious approach .
He regularly wears a mask , holds small in-person campaign events and releases his COVID-19 test results , which have been negative .
Look for them to focus on personal choices as much as their differing policy plans .
The president for months has been making accusations of corruption against Biden and has lately intensified his focus on unverified claims about Biden ’ s son Hunter .
During the last debate , the president did not shy away from bringing up Biden ’ s family , targeting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of substance misuse , and attacked Biden ’ s intelligence .
Biden aides anticipate Trump will again level searing personal attacks during the debate .
The Democrat is expected to try to redirect to his core argument that Trump is unfit for the job .
Following a summer marked by protests across the country over racial injustice , Trump has repeatedly portrayed himself as a greater champion for Black Americans than Biden is while emphasizing a law-and-order theme .
But during the last debate , Trump gave a reluctant answer when asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he refused to outright condemn a far-right fascist group , instead telling them to “ stand back and stand by.
” Biden , who frequently acknowledges systemic racism , has accused the president of encouraging a rise of white supremacy and armed militias and cites Trump ’ s comments that there were “ very fine people ” on both sides of a 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , as the impetus for his presidential run .
Look for the Democrat to continue hitting those themes while Trump casts Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Americans to prison with a 1994 crime law when Biden was a senator .
Look for Trump to continue promoting his “ America First ” policies , which have pulled the U.S. out of multilateral agreements that he maintains were not in the country ’ s interests .
He ’ s also likely to highlight construction of more than 200 miles ( 320 kilometres ) of his promised wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and recently brokered deals normalizing relations between Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates and Israel .
Biden has accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Expect him to focus on Trump ’ s efforts to sustain a relationship with Vladimir Putin ’ s Russia despite warnings from U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and allegations that Russia offered secret bounties for American deaths in Afghanistan .
Immigration isn ’ t among the featured topics expected during the debate , but look to whether Biden seeks to raise the issue on the heels of a report this week that court-appointed lawyers have been unable to find the parents of 545 children separated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration .
Biden has repeatedly slammed Trump ’ s immigration policies , something that Trump featured prominently in his 2016 campaign .
The debate will be moderated by NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker .
Welker will be the first Black woman to serve as the moderator of a presidential debate since Carole Simpson in 1992 .
The debate be divided into six 15-minute segments , each on a topic selected by Welker : “ Fighting COVID-19 , ” “ American Families , ” “ Race in America , ” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ Leadership.
” Trump and Biden will each have his microphone cut off while his rival delivers an opening two-minute answer to each of the six debate topics , the commission announced .
The mute button won ’ t figure into the open discussion portion of the debate .
The 90-minute debate will start at 9 p.m. EDT and will be aired on major networks and cable news channels including ABC , CBS , CNN , Fox , Fox News Channel , Fox Business Network , PBS , NBC , MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the networks will offer a way to watch the debate live online , through their apps and accounts on YouTube and other social media channels .
Associated Press writer Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report .

Michelle L. Price - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Some Alaska phones beyond danger received tsunami warning

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Some Alaska residents received tsunami warnings on their cellphones following an earthquake earlier this week , including customers in the Anchorage area who were outside the potential danger zone .
There was no concern over a tsunami reaching Anchorage , more than 500 miles ( 805 kilometres ) from the site where the magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit communities along the Alaska Peninsula coastline Monday , The Anchorage Daily News reported .
The cellphone warnings told people to move to high ground or inland away from coastal areas .
Overlapping boundaries within the chain of the emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up on some Anchorage phones , said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Tsunami Warning Coordinator Dave Snider .
“ Basically , the wireless alert zones don ’ t necessarily match with the weather service alert zones , which don ’ t match with state and federal alert zones , ” Snider said .
“ And when you mash it all together , especially in that one spot , you get alerts going to many more people than are intended.
” The alert system pushing out emergency notifications to smartphones is complicated , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Security and Emergency Management .
The initial warning is generated by the National Weather Service and then passed to the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System platform operated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
The information is then shared with cellphone providers .
Notifications are generated based on location and providers will ping users within a certain boundary or area in relation to a specific cellphone tower .
Some GCI customers likely received the emergency alert because the company has a cellphone tower near Anchorage that reaches customers along the Kenai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The alert Monday was intended to reach people on the Kenai Peninsula and any phones connecting to that tower would have received the warning .
The tsunami alert system is a “ constantly evolving process , ” Snider said .
“ Tsunamis don ’ t happen often enough , like winter weather , for us to practice and rehearse and know what we ’ re dealing with , like when we get our snow tires on , ” Snider said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Funnel cakes to go: Drive-thru fair draws thousands in SC

COLUMBIA , S.C. - Organizers say thousands of people turned out to peer at agricultural exhibits from their car windows and grab to-go funnel cakes at a drive-thru fair in South Carolina .
The more than 150-year-old South Carolina State Fair couldn ’ t go off as normal this year because of the coronavirus pandemic , so organizers devised a drive-thru version that was held Tuesday and Wednesday in Columbia .
Fair Manager Nancy Smith says in a news release that more than 10,000 people came through in cars on the first day , and one person arrived at 4:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first person in line .
There weren ’ t any rides .
But the fair website says drive-thru exhibits included old fire trucks , livestock and a calliope .
Drive-thru food stands sold fair food including funnel cakes and corn dogs , and workers wearing face masks handed orders to people in their cars .
“ Safety has always been our first priority , and we are so thrilled to see how our patrons have embraced the changes while still showing tremendous support for the fair , ” Smith said .
Follow AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Alaska transportation department impounding roadside signs

JUNEAU , Alaska - The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is enforcing a law preventing signs from being posted along state roads , including many campaign signs .
The department said impounding signs that have been posted is not politically motivated , but rather an attempt to follow the statute against allowing signs in any area designated a right of way , KTOO Public Media reported Tuesday .
Right of way refers to land along state roads controlled by the transportation department , although often owned by someone else .
Right of way is reserved for public uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ditches and stop signs .
State law allows signs to be posted on private property , but bans most signs within 660 feet ( 201 metres ) of a state right of way .
The transportation department was previously obligated to give a written notice of 30 days to owners before removing signs .
An Anchorage Superior Court judge ordered the department in 2018 to stop enforcing certain parts of the law over free speech concerns .
The revision also gave the department the power to remove signs without notice .
“ Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty sharp in that they would put the big signs up 30 days before the election , ” said Michael Schuler , a regional transportation department manager .
The state is “ completely equal opportunity ” and remains nonpolitical in its sign removal decisions , Schuler said .
“ If there are signs that say , you know , ‘ Welcome home grandma from the hospital , you survived stage 4 cancer , ’ and it ’ s on a mailbox ?
It ’ s coming off , ’ cause that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schuler shared photos of recently impounded signs for the campaigns of Republicans , Democrats and independents in local , state and national races .
The state could lose federal funding for failing to enforce the sign law , Schuler said .
Transportation officials understand members of the public can be confused about the location of right-of-way areas and where signs are allowed because “ it ’ s not always so straightforward , ” Schuler said .
“ There are very few places that we can just say , ‘ Yeah , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , you know , each side of centerline , all the way to the end of the road , ’ “ Schuler said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Plot thickens over origins of pope’s civil union endorsement

VATICAN CITY - Question swirled Thursday about the origins of Pope Francis ’ bombshell comments endorsing same-sex civil unions , with all evidence suggesting he made them in a 2019 interview that was never broadcast in its entirety .
The Vatican refused to comment on whether it cut the remarks from its own broadcast or pressured the Mexican broadcaster that conducted the interview to follow suit .
And it didn ’ t respond to questions about why it allowed the comments to be aired now in the documentary “ Francesco , ” which premiered Wednesday .
In the movie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Festival , Francis said gay people have the right to be in a family since they are “ children of God.
” “ You can ’ t kick someone out of a family , nor make their life miserable for this , ” the pope said .
“ What we have to have is a civil union law ; that way they are legally covered.
” Those comments caused a firestorm , thrilling progressives and alarming conservatives , given official Vatican teaching prohibits any such endorsement of homosexual unions .
While serving as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages .
However , he had never come out publicly in favour of legal protections for civil unions as pope , and no pontiff before him had , either .
One of Francis ’ top communications advisers , the Rev .
Antonio Spadaro , insisted the pope ’ s comments were old news , saying they were made during a May 2019 interview with Mexican broadcaster Televisa .
“ There ’ s nothing new because it ’ s a part of that interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he exited the premiere .
“ It seems strange that you don ’ t remember.
” But Televisa didn ’ t air those comments when it broadcast the interview — nor did the Vatican when it put out its recordings of it .
The broadcaster has not commented on the intrigue .
The Vatican frequently edits the pope in official transcripts and videos , especially when he speaks on sensitive issues .
It wasn ’ t clear if the Vatican also insisted on having the final cut as a condition for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is why the explosive comment was never aired — and if the Vatican forgot that it remained available on a recording in the Vatican archives , which were opened to filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky .
Televisa has not confirmed that the comments were made during its interview , but the scene of the documentary is identical to the Televisa interview , including the yellow background , a chair in the corner and slightly off-centre placement of the chain of Francis ’ pectoral cross .
The official 2019 Vatican News transcript of that interview , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , contains no such comment on the need for legal protections for civil unions .
The official edit does include his comments on the need for gay people to feel they are part of a family , as he has said previously .
Further muddying the waters is the fact that Afineevsky , when pressed by reporters late Wednesday , insisted the pope made the comments to him directly , through a translator , but declined to say when .
When The Associated Press interviewed Afineevsky on Oct. 14 , the director was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Francis ’ comments were going to grab headlines .
Afineevsky dodged the question about the origin of the quote and seemed to not appreciate its significance .
But he said that he hoped journalists would take more away from the film .
“ If journalists will be focusing on this movie only on that , then it will be a pity , “ he said .
” But I think that ’ s one of the issues that our world needs to understand , that we ’ re all equal.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paolo Ruffini , refused to speak to reporters who attended an award ceremony Thursday in the Vatican gardens for Afineevsky , and the director himself kept his distance .
The Catholic Church teaches that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect but that homosexual acts are “ intrinsically disordered.
” A 2003 document from the Vatican ’ s doctrine office stated the church ’ s respect for gay people “ can not lead in any way to approval of homosexual behaviour or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.
” Doing so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only condone “ deviant behaviour , ” but create an equivalence to marriage , which the church holds is an indissoluble union between man and woman .
That document was signed by the then-prefect of the office , Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger , the future Pope Benedict XVI and Francis ’ predecessor .
Afineevsky , who is gay , had expressed surprise after the premiere that the pope ’ s comments had created such a stir , saying Francis wasn ’ t trying to change doctrine but was merely expressing his belief gay people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Thursday , he declined to take any further questions and sought to put attention on the main issues dealt with in the film : climate change , refugees and poverty .
“ I am so proud that finally ‘ Francesco ’ is on its way to the road to change hearts and minds , “ he said at the prize ceremony in the Vatican gardens .
“ Finally , I am happy that I can bring voices from the Rohingya refugees , refugees from Syria , the voices of victims of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from different corners of the world .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Canadian-born James Randi, dazzling magician and skeptic, dies at 92

James Randi , a magician who later challenged spoon benders , mind readers and faith healers with such voracity that he became regarded as the country ’ s foremost skeptic , has died , his foundation announced .
He was 92 .
The James Randi Educational Foundation confirmed the death , saying simply that its Canadian-born founder succumbed to “ age-related causes ” on Tuesday .
Entertainer , genius , debunker , atheist — Randi was them all .
He began gaining attention not long after dropping out of high school to join the carnival .
As the Amazing Randi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submerged in water and from a straitjacket as he dangled over Niagara Falls .
Magical as his feats seemed , Randi concluded his shows around the globe with a simple statement , insisting no otherworldly powers were at play .
“ Everything you have seen here is tricks , ” he would say .
“ There is nothing supernatural involved.
” The magician ’ s transparency gave a glimpse of what would become his longest-running act , as the country ’ s skeptic-in-chief .
In that role , his first widely seen exploit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 1972 episode of “ The Tonight Show , ” he helped Johnny Carson set up Uri Geller , the Israeli performer who claimed to bend spoons with his mind .
Randi ensured the spoons and other props were kept from Geller ’ s hands until showtime to prevent any tampering .
The result was an agonizing 22 minutes in which Geller was unable to perform any tricks .
Randi had bushy white eyebrows and beard , a bald head , and gold-rimmed glasses , and bounced his 5-foot-6 ( 1.6 metre ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
He sought to disprove not just those who read palms and minds , but chiropractors , homeopaths and others he saw as predators seeking innocent people ’ s money .
Randi targeted those he saw as frauds with a tenacity and dedication he admitted was an obsession .
His efforts were reminiscent of those of his great predecessor Harry Houdini , who devoted large portions of his time to debunking spiritualists and their seances .
“ I see people being swindled every day by medical quackery , frauds of every sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who claim to be able to find lost children or to help them invest their money , ” Randi told The Associated Press in 1998 .
“ I know they are being swindled because I know the methods being used.
” Once , awaiting the chance to sift through the trash of a faith healer , Randi spent days in his car , eating Twinkies and drinking Pepsi .
“ I suffer from this obsession that I have something important to do , ” he explained in a 2007 interview with The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Randi : He once showed the messages television faith healer Peter Popoff claimed to be getting from God about his audience were actually coming from his wife through an earpiece .
But the vast majority of those he aimed to show were frauds were lesser known , lured to prove their abilities by the James Randi Educational Foundation .
Through that organization , Randi was guardian of a $ 1 million prize he promised to give anyone who could prove either their own supernatural powers or the presence of a supernatural being .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t believe the money even existed , but Randi had the bank documentation .
No one ever came close to collecting .
Randi gave up the day-to-day operation of his foundation in 2009 and retired in 2015 .
Born Randall James Hamilton Zwinge in Toronto on Aug. 7 , 1928 , Randi ?
known by everyone simply by that surname ?
had a nagging desire to question from a young age .
Academically , he said he was bored in school and teachers acknowledged he was prodigy far ahead of his peers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or went to college but in 1986 was awarded a prestigious MacArthur fellowship , often known simply as a “ genius grant.
” He spoke with certainty .
While he said he never really questioned his beliefs , he acknowledged there was always a chance he was wrong .
“ I am probably right .
But I ’ m always only probably right , ” he said .
“ Absolutes are very hard to find.
” For all the analysis Randi put into seemingly everything , he still found delight in observing magic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a film that was just fantasy .
He talked about the crushing feelings of watching a friend die and spoke of the magic of love .
In 2010 , he announced he was gay .
In 2013 , he married his longtime partner , Deyvi Pena , at a ceremony in Washington , D.C .
He was the subject of a 2014 documentary , “ An Honest Liar.
” Penn Jillette , a magician in the mould of Randi , mourned his friend on Twitter on Wednesday night , writing : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would not be Penn & Teller .
It ’ s really that simple.
” Randi said he couldn ’ t help feeling angry that his targets always seemed to perform escape acts of their own , continuing to win new followers and earn checks he said were cashed at reality ’ s expense .
He wanted to see frauds punished , but he recognized most people wanted to believe .
“ The true believers , ” he said , “ will not pay any attention to evidence that does not show that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was frustrating to Randi and fueled an underlying anger toward those he labeled frauds .
When he let his displeasure slip out , though , it often was mixed with wit , as when asked about his final wishes and how he ’ d like his ashes disposed .
“ My best friend is instructed to throw them in Uri Geller ’ s eyes , ” he said .
“ I ’ d like him to get an eyeful of my ashes .
I think that would be appropriate.
” The day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--US jobless claims drop to 787,000, but layoffs remain high

WASHINGTON - The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 787,000 , a sign that job losses may have eased slightly but are still running at historically high levels .
With confirmed infections having neared 60,000 in the past week , the highest level since July , many consumers have been unable or reluctant to shop , travel , dine out or congregate in crowds — a trend that has led some employers to keep cutting jobs .
Several states , such as Ohio and Idaho , are reporting a record number of hospitalizations from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor Department said the number of people who are continuing to receive unemployment benefits tumbled by 1 million to 8.4 million .
The decline shows that some of the unemployed are being recalled to their old jobs or are finding new ones .
But it also indicates that many jobless Americans have used up their state unemployment aid — which typically expires after six months — and have transitioned to a federal extended benefits program that lasts an additional three months .
Many jobless recipients are now receiving only regular state unemployment payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 has ended in nearly all states .
And a $ 600-a-week federal benefit expired over the summer .
The still-elevated number of jobless claims underscores that a full recovery from the pandemic recession remains far off .
Job growth has slowed for three straight months , leaving the economy still 10.7 million jobs short of its pre-pandemic level .
The unemployment rate remains high at 7.9 % .
And some major companies keep announcing layoffs .
Aramark , a food services contractor that provides concessions at sports stadiums , said Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver , most of whom worked at Coors Field , home of the Colorado Rockies .
The company is also cutting 550 jobs in Kansas City .
Most major league baseball games this season were played with limited or no crowds , thereby reducing the need for concession workers Amtrak said at a congressional hearing Wednesday that it would have to cut 2,400 jobs unless Congress approves emergency aid as part of another stimulus bill .
Yet negotiations in Congress over another round of financial aid have largely stalled , with little prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are continuing to negotiate .
But Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has warned the White House against agreeing to a large package that would be opposed by most Senate Republicans Unless Congress can agree on a significant new rescue aid program , most economists expect growth to slow in the final three months of the year from a rapid rebound in the July-September quarter .
That would mean a more prolonged recovery of the jobs and output that the economy lost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend aid would also deepen the hardship for many of the jobless , who are struggling to pay bills with unemployment checks that , on average , replace just one-third of their prior earnings .
Nearly one in six renters -- 11.8 million people -- are behind on their rent payments , according to an analysis of Census data by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .
The number of people whose state benefits have expired and are now receiving aid for an additional 13 weeks from a federal extended benefit program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million , the government said .
An additional 345,000 people applied for jobless aid under a separate program that made the self-employed , contractors and gig workers eligible for unemployment benefits for the first time .
Those figures aren ’ t adjusted for seasonal trends , so they are reported separately .
Both the extended aid and the jobless aid for contractors and gig workers will expire by year ’ s end .
Millions of unemployed people would then be left without any benefits at all .
An exception is in states with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can receive 13 more weeks of state aid .

Christopher Rugaber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Spanish lawmakers squash far-right’s attempt to oust PM

MADRID - Spanish lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected a no-confidence motion called by the far-right Vox party against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his left-wing coalition over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
The motion was rejected by 298 votes and backed only by the 52 lawmakers of Vox , which last year became the third-largest force in the 350-seat parliament .
Spain has reported 1 million confirmed infections — the highest number in Western Europe — and at least 34,000 deaths from COVID-19 , although experts say the number is much higher since many cases were missed because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opposition leader Pablo Casado announced earlier Thursday that the 88 lawmakers of his conservative Popular Party ( PP ) would vote against Vox ’ s motion , and lambasted the far-right party for “ wasting everybody ’ s time ” with the debate as the country grapples with a resurgence of the virus .
“ This motion is one more lie from Vox for Sánchez to remain in Moncloa , ” Casado said in reference to the palace where the prime minister ’ s office is located .
“ Don ’ t mislead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote against rather than abstaining , Casado cleared up the main question in the run-up to Thursday ’ s vote in the fragmented Congress of Deputies .
The Popular Party has been very critical of Sánchez ’ s minority government , but Vox ’ s recent rise has come at the expense of Spain ’ s traditional right-wing .
Many analysts had seen Vox ’ s motion as both an attempt to erode the Socialist-led coalition and a direct challenge to Casado , forcing the opposition leader to take a public stance on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vox leader Santiago Abascal responded by saying that Casado ’ s position was showing PP ’ s true colours .
“ It seems that today you have removed your mask and you have joined the brutal caricaturizing of Vox , ” Abascal said .
Casado ’ s move will also cause political ripples in some of the PP-controlled regions under agreements with a centre-right party , Citizens , but with Vox ’ s support .
Among the immediate effects , Sánchez ’ s coalition offered to end the stalemate in negotiations with PP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body , while Vox announced that it would halt negotiations to pass a new budget in Andalusia , the southern and most populous of the country ’ s regions .
One by one , parties from the left and right had lined up since Wednesday against the far-right ’ s skepticism of the European Union and its promotion of Spanish nationalism and for taking positions against illegal migration or laws that protect women from abuse .
Pablo Iglesias , leader of the far-left United We Can party , which is part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech distancing his party from Vox was “ brilliant , ” but came too late .
“ You gave oxygen to the monster and the monster is now devouring you , ” Iglesias said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Greek court imprisons far-right Golden Dawn party leadership

ATHENS , Greece - A Greek court ruled Thursday to imprison the leadership of extreme right-wing Golden Dawn following their convictions for running the party like a criminal organization , but granted suspended sentences to five of the party ’ s 18 former lawmakers who were convicted of lesser charges .
The ruling by a three-judge panel came after two weeks of summations by defence lawyers following the prosecutor ’ s recommendation that all former Golden Dawn lawmakers be allowed to remain free pending appeal .
The appeals process could take several years .
The judges rejected a request to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michaloliakos and other former lawmakers who were convicted of leading a criminal organization .
Michaloliakos and another five former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences , while a sixth was sentenced to 10 years .
The party , founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s , rose to prominence during Greece ’ s financial crisis and was blamed for planning multiple hate crimes , including brutal street attacks on immigrants and left-wing activists .
Eleven former Golden Dawn lawmakers convicted of simple participation received sentences of between five and seven years .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of participation , including Michaloliakos ’ wife , Eleni Zaroulia , could remain free until their appeals are heard .
Conditions of their their release include bans on leaving the country , the payment of 20,000 euros ( $ 23,700 ) bail each and the appearance at their local police station twice a month .
Seven more people convicted in the case who are not former Greek lawmakers also received suspended sentences pending appeal .
“ I am proud to be going to jail for my ideas .
Some people at some time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Michaloliakos told reporters outside his Athens home after the court decision was announced .
“ We will be vindicated by history and by the Greek people.
” The sentencing decisions end a marathon , politically charged five-year trial involving 68 defendants , dozens of lawyers and encompassing 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 .
Fyssa ’ s killer , Giorgos Roupakias , was also ordered to begin serving his life sentence .
Fyssa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became an emblematic figure in the fight against Golden Dawn and attended all court sessions in the past five years , was there for the trial ’ s conclusion .
“ It is not just vindication for Pavlos , but for all of us who are here , ” she said .
“ Today is a day of victory and a day of justice .
It is a day on which we might be crying , but we are crying with joy , ” said Thanasis Kampagiannis , who represented the Egyptian fishermen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were beaten , stabbed or even murdered by the Nazi organization are vindicated.
” 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 .
Others ordered jailed include former party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris , who has since left Golden Dawn and founded his own political party , and current European Parliament member Ioannis Lagos , who also left Golden Dawn and currently lives in Brussels .
The defendants were not obliged to be in court for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued for any of those ordered imprisoned who do not turn themselves in voluntarily .
One of the former lawmakers , Giorgos Germenis , proclaimed his innocence as he went to surrender to authorities .
“ This is a political prosecution , ” he said , adding he had hope in the appeals process .
Golden Dawn spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political scene before rising to prominence during the country ’ s 2010-2018 financial crisis , winning parliament seats in four separate elections and becoming Greece ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wane during the long trial , and it failed to win any parliament seats in the 2019 general election .
Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed to this report .

Fanis Karabatsakis And Elena Becatoros - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--UK boosts business aid amid pressure to ease virus impact

LONDON - U.K. Treasury chief Rishi Sunak is increasing subsidies for bars , pubs and restaurants hammered by strict new measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 , amid criticism that the government has failed to protect small businesses and workers from the economic hardship caused by the pandemic .
The new funding is aimed at businesses that are struggling to attract customers because of restrictions on social interactions , even if the government doesn ’ t order them to close .
It comes just a month after Sunak unveiled his previous “ job protection “ plan , which business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave them an incentive to lay off workers rather than keep them on the payroll .
“ There are difficult days and weeks ahead , but we will get through this together , ?
Sunak told the House of Commons on Thursday .
“ People are not on their own .
We have an economic plan that will protect the jobs and livelihoods of the British people wherever they live and whatever their situation.
” Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s government is banking on a three-tiered , regional strategy to control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown that it says would devastate the economy .
Cities in northern England , where infection rates are highest , have resisted efforts to move them into the highest level of restrictions because they say government promises of financial support aren ’ t enough to protect businesses and individuals .
Britain is facing Europe ’ s deadliest coronavirus outbreak , with almost 44,000 confirmed deaths .
After the pandemic eased during the summer months , infection rates , hospitalizations and deaths are now rising across the country .
In the highest-risk areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close , people are barred from mixing with members of other households and travel in and out of the area is discouraged .
Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales have implemented their own control measures under the U.K. ’ s system of devolved authority .
Hospitality businesses are under particular pressure because the measures severely limit social gatherings , even under the lower levels of restrictions imposed on areas with less severe outbreaks .
That reduces the number of people who go out for dinner or to meet up with friends , reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers .
But most had not been able to take advantage of the previous government aid program , which was focused on businesses that were ordered to close under the highest level of restrictions .
The opposition Labour Party ’ s spokeswoman on fiscal issues , Anneliese Dodds , described Sunak ’ s plans as “ a patchwork of poor ideas rushed out at the last minute.
” She demanded to know how many jobs had been lost because Sunak had not come up with plans sooner , when the earlier restrictions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who have already lost their jobs , seen their businesses slip through their fingers in those areas which have not had that support until now ?
” she asked .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--The Latest: Biden won’t rule out studying court packing

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the presidential campaign ( all times local ) : Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden won ’ t rule out studying the addition of members to the U.S. Supreme Court as part of a commission he plans to name to look at court reforms if he ’ s elected .
During an interview with CBS ’ s “ 60 Minutes “ recorded Monday but not yet aired , Biden was asked by anchor Norah O ’ Donnell if the commission would study whether to pack the court .
Biden says the commission ’ s charge would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said last week he was “ not a fan ” of the idea of adding justices to the court to balance it ideologically .
He said he would answer the question of whether he planned to support it before the final presidential debate , scheduled for Thursday in Nashville , Tennessee .
Questions of whether Biden would support court-packing have emerged since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s death on Sept. 18 and the Republican-controlled Senate ’ s move forward with Judiciary Committee hearings on President Donald Trump ’ s nominee , Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE : After last month ’ s chaotic debate , President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , will take the stage Thursday to give it another go .
— Face to face : Trump and Biden to meet for final debate — Viewers ’ Guide : After chaotic 1st debate , Trump , Biden try again — US officials link Iran to emails meant to intimidate voters — GOP ’ s Romney , long a Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump — AP-NORC/USAFacts poll : Many in US distrust campaign info


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Pakistan court adjourns Daniel Pearl murder case for 4 weeks

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan ’ s top court on Thursday adjourned for four weeks the hearing of an appeal from the family of American journalist Daniel Pearl against the acquittal of a British-born Pakistani man convicted over the 2002 beheading of the Wall Street Journal reporter .
The key suspect in Pearl ’ s slaying , Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh , and three other accomplices were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the plot .
But a lower Pakistani court in April acquitted him , a move that stunned the U.S. government , Pearl ’ s family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now being appealed separately by the government and Pearl ’ s family , a process that under Pakistani law could take years .
The government has opposed Sheikh ’ s release , saying it would endanger the public .
He is to remain in custody until the appeals are resolved .
Thursday ’ s adjournment came due to the absence from court of government lawyer Farooq Naek , who was unwell , and following the request of Sheikh ’ s defence lawyer .
Faisal Siddiqi , who is representing Pearl ’ s family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four week adjournment , saying he had asked for an expeditious handling of the case .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Rights group slams Egypt’s execution of 49 this month

CAIRO - A leading international human rights group on Thursday condemned Egypt ’ s execution of 49 people so far this month — some arrested during a deadly crackdown on a mass protest in 2013 — and urged authorities in Cairo to grant fair retrials to those on the death row .
Between Oct. 3 and 13 , Egypt executed a total of 47 men and two women , according to statement issued by Human Rights Watch .
The group said 15 of those executed had been convicted of involvement in political violence that followed the military overthrow in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected president , Mohamed Morsi .
“ Egypt ’ s mass executions of scores of people in a matter of days is outrageous , ” said Joe Stork , deputy Middle East and North Africa director for HRW .
“ The systematic absence of fair trials in Egypt , especially in political cases , makes every death sentence a violation of the right to life.
” An Egyptian government media officer could not immediately be reached for comment on the report .
Morsi hailed from the ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since his ouster , authorities banned the group and rounded up most of its leaders , including the ex-president .
Morsi collapsed in court last year — a death that human rights activists said was evidence of the “ inhumane living conditions ” at Egyptian prisons .
The New York-based rights group said 13 of this month ’ s executions took place in Cairo ’ s notorious supermax facility known as “ Scorpion , ” following clashes last month inside the death row ward that left four policemen and four inmates dead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ four prisoners , who had been sentenced to death in separate terror-related cases , were killed during an escape attempt .
However , the Human Rights Watch statement cited an anonymous human rights lawyer who challenged the government ’ s account after having spoken with relatives of two of the inmates .
The lawyer said the four prisoners ambushed and fatally stabbed the guards during a routine inspection .
Other inmates later saw security forces enter the cell and gunshots were heard .
“ Egypt has had a pattern of judicial and suspicious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or civilians in recent years , ” the HRW statement said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--AP Photos: Spain reaches 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases

MADRID - Spain this week became the first country in western Europe to record more than 1 million confirmed infections , as it struggles to contain a resurgence of the new coronavirus .
The country of 47 million is among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic , with more than 34,000 deaths attributed to the disease .
After being brought under control during a nationwide lockdown in the spring , the virus started spreading again a couple of months after restrictions were lifted and people started to move around and socialize again .
By September , hospitals in Madrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Spain recorded the highest numbers of new infections in the 27-country European Union .
Confirmed cases rose beyond the 1 million mark on Wednesday , when nearly 17,000 new infections were added .
Experts say the real number is probably much higher because insufficient testing , asymptomatic cases and other issues impede authorities from capturing the true scale of the outbreak .
Like elsewhere in Europe , the resurgence has prompted authorities to impose restrictions on travel and social gatherings .
Curfews are being considered in some of the most affected areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The northern region of Navarra has prohibited non-essential travel from and to the region .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Russian spymaster says Belarus protests fueled from abroad

MOSCOW - Russia ’ s foreign intelligence chief said Thursday during a visit to Belarus that the 2 1/2 months of protests since the country ’ s presidential election have been fomented from abroad .
Belarus has been rocked by massive demonstrations against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s reelection to a sixth term in an Aug. 9 vote that the opposition argues was rigged .
Lukashenko , who has ruled the ex-Soviet nation with an iron fist for more than 26 years , has accused the United States and its allies of fueling the protests .
Sergei Naryshkin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence Service , echoed the Belarusian leader ’ s claims during a visit to the capital , Minsk .
Belarus is a former Soviet republic that maintains close economic ties with Moscow .
“ We are seeing a desire to try to change the existing order , the existing political system , by unconstitutional means , ” Naryshkin said after a meeting with Lukashenko .
“ The outside influence is quite obvious.
” Naryshkin hailed a constitutional amendment process proposed by Lukashenko , saying that it would “ give answers to many questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The opposition has rejected the reform as an attempt by Lukashenko to buy time and remain in office while assuaging public anger .
The United States and the European Union have rejected the August election as neither free nor fair and introduced sanctions against top Belarusian officials accused of vote manipulation and a crackdown on peaceful protesters .
The EU has warned it was ready to sanction Lukashenko himself if he fails to enter talks with the opposition .
The president has ignored demands to negotiate and relied instead on political and economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sponsor .
On Thursday , the EU awarded its top human rights prize to the Belarus opposition movement and its leader , Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , who was Lukashenko ’ s main challenger in the presidential election .
A basis for the opposition ’ s claim of a rigged election is the official results showed Tsikhanouskaya receiving 10 % of the vote to Lukashenko ’ s 80 % .
A 38-year old former English teacher with no previous political experience , Tsikhanouskaya joined the race after her husband was jailed in Belarus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
Tsikhanouskaya , who moved to Lithuania after the election under pressure from Belarusian authorities , put forward an ultimatum to Lukashenko : announce his resignation by Oct. 25 or face a nationwide strike .

Vladimir Isachenkov - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Thailand cancels emergency decree in bid to calm protests

BANGKOK - Thailand ’ s government on Thursday cancelled a state of emergency it had declared last week for Bangkok in a gesture offered by the embattled prime minister to cool student-led protests seeking democracy reforms .
The decree had banned public gatherings of more than four people and allowed censorship of the media , among other provisions .
It was challenged in court by an opposition party and a group of university students .
The revocation of the emergency decree , effective at noon Thursday , declared that the situation had been mitigated and could now be dealt with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chan-ocha went on national television on Wednesday night to appeal to the protesters to reduce political tensions and promised to lift the emergency measure .
“ I will make the first move to deescalate this situation , ” he said .
“ I am currently preparing to lift the state of severe emergency in Bangkok and will do so promptly if there are no violent incidents.
” As he was speaking , protesters marched near Government House , his office , to demand he step down .
They also asked for the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection with earlier protests .
They said that if their demands were not met , they would return in three days .
Although the protesters pushed their way through police lines , neither side resorted to violence .
There were no large demonstrations on Thursday , as some protesters said they were taking a rest day .
Wednesday had marked the eighth straight day of rallies .
The protesters are pressing for a more democratic constitution and reforms to the monarchy .
The implicit criticism of the royal institution has stirred controversy because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a pillar of national identity .
On Wednesday , royalists held rallies in several cities , in many cases led by civil servants , in what they said was defence of the monarchy .
At a small rally in Bangkok , there were fights between anti-government protesters and palace supporters .
Friday could see the royalists turn out again , as it is Chulalongkorn Day , a public holiday honouring one of the country ’ s most revered kings .
Prayuth , in the taped speech , pleaded with his countrymen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government on Tuesday approved a request to recall Parliament to deal with the political crisis in a special session from next Monday to Wednesday .
The appeal for a solution in Parliament was unlikely to win over protesters , as some of their core complaints are that the constitution and the political structure it created are undemocratic , in part because it was written after a 2014 military coup .
Prayuth himself led that coup , which toppled an elected government during political unrest that featured widespread street protests .
The cancellation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bangkok Civil Court was preparing to rule on motions to revoke the decree on the basis that it illegally abridged freedom of assembly .
The opposition Pheu Thai party had been one of the complainants , and the head of its team at the court said Thursday that he was not impressed that Prayuth had lifted the decree .
“ He ’ s really doing it to protect himself .
Why ?
Because if he didn ’ t lift the emergency decree today , and the court ordered the temporary protection of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders and announcement relating to this were illegal , ” said lawmaker Cholanan Srikaew .
Separately , the official committee supervising the fight against the coronavirus said the government is renewing for the seventh time a national state of emergency that had been imposed in March to contain the disease .
It gives provincial governors powers to restrict gatherings , movement and media reports .
Authorities on Wednesday suffered a legal setback when a judge barred them from implementing orders banning several media outlets because they failed to follow proper procedures .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protests , citing what they called “ distorted information ” that could cause unrest and confusion .
In Geneva , the U.N. ’ s human rights office issued a statement saying that its experts urged Thailand ’ s government to honour the rights of peaceful assembly and free speech .
“ The Thai people should be allowed to freely speak their mind and share their political views , both online and offline , without prosecution , ” it said .
This story has been corrected to show that opposition lawmaker Cholanan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-22--Taliban rockets kill 4 civilians in northern Afghanistan

KABUL - At least four civilians were killed in their homes by militant rocket fire in northern Afghanistan on Thursday , the country ’ s Ministry of Defence said .
The ministry statement blamed the Taliban for the firing , which it said wounded another 14 civilians and destroyed several houses in the Sharin Tagab district of Faryab province .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack .
A recent increase in violence nationwide comes as Afghan government representatives and the Taliban are holding peace talks in Qatar , where the Taliban have for years maintained a political office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. deal signed with the insurgents in February , are meant to end Afghanistan ’ s grueling 19-year war and are seen as the country ’ s best chance at peace .
The Trump administration has pledged to pull out American forces from Afghanistan , but U.S. officials have stressed that the Taliban have still not met requirements to reduce violence against Afghans , a key element of the U.S. withdrawal plan .
The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan , Zalmay Khalilzad , warned earlier this week that the “ distressingly high ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace talks .
His comments came as days of renewed fighting have plagued the southern Helmand province , a longtime Taliban stronghold .
The Taliban last Friday agreed to halt their attacks on condition that the U.S. stop its airstrikes in the area .
In Helmand , two civilians and three police officers were killed late Wednesday when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah , said the governor ’ s spokesman Omer Zwak .
No one claimed responsibility for the bombing .
Elsewhere , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defence claimed at least 12 Taliban insurgents were killed in a strike conducted by Afghan warplanes on Wednesday afternoon .
However , local officials said all 12 of those killed were civilians , and that the airstrike targeted a mosque .
The officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters , said 16 others were wounded .
The Ministry of Defence said it was investigating the allegations of civilian casualties in the airstrike .
On Tuesday , at least 36 Afghan police were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in northern Afghanistan — the deadliest attack since the long-delayed peace talks began last month .
On Sunday , a suicide car bombing killed at least 13 people and wounded around 120 others in the western Ghor province .
Although no one claimed responsibility for the bombing , suspicion immediately fell on the Taliban .