thetorontostar--2020-10-02--LA police call for calm, condemn spasm of gun violence

LOS ANGELES - Police Chief Michel Moore called for calm in the streets Friday after what he called a spasm of gun violence in South Los Angeles killed four and wounded 19 wounded in the past six days as the city has recorded nearly 40 more homicides so far this year than last year .
“ This is a pace of shooting and violence that we ’ ve not seen in years , ” Moore said as he and community leaders condemned the crimes .
“ I fear , given the velocity , where is the lid on this ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 59 square-mile ( 152 square-kilometre ) area that comprises 12 % of the city ’ s population but now accounts for 39 % of the homicides and 45 % of the shootings , Deputy Chief Regina Scott said .
The city as a whole has recorded 39 more killings and 101 more shootings to date compared with last year .
Shootings in the area once known as South Central have claimed victims over a wide range of ages , but they have been particularly cruel to “ our very young and our very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims have been under age 18 , and nine of them were under 10 .
A 14-year-old youth football player was among those gunned down in the past week .
A young man who wants to become a police officer was ambushed in his car at a traffic light and wounded when he was shot in a case of mistaken identity .
Some victims were gang members .
But people were picked off in cross walks and struck by gunfire in their homes .
A 79-year-old woman was shot standing beside her car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her 58-year-old daughter were struck by gunfire inside their home .
Moore blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for fueling the violence because of the economic turmoil it has caused while also giving people few outlets for social contact .
He was accompanied by a group that included two city councilmembers , clergy and other leaders who called on community members to lay down their arms , come together and not be afraid to speak out if they have witnessed a crime .
“ We have so many of our young people that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bishop Grover Durham of the Good Citizen Deeds Foundation said .
“ This has got to stop .
...
This is a call for a cease fire.
“ Moore , who has had his department ’ s budget modestly trimmed as a result of the defund police movement , urged the City Council to continue to invest in the department .
City Councilmember Joe Buscaino , a former police officer , said trust remained high between the community and LAPD , but he said officers need help to do their jobs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take only the LAPD to help .
It ’ s going to take you the community , ” he said .
“ Come forward if you have information on these knuckleheads who are terrorizing our community.
” Scott , whose son and grandson live in the area , said that in addition to the four people killed since Sunday , 19 were shot and 11 were fired at but not struck .
A week ago , she met with mothers of murder victims and heard “ countless stories “ of children no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she lamented , “ I ’ m adding four mamas to that number .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Surge in new GOP voters puts pressure on Florida Democrats

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. - Democrats have outnumbered Republicans in the crucial battleground of Florida for years , but have had little to show for it — walking away from the election box mostly empty-handed after failing to capitalize on their sizeable voter registration advantage .
Republicans have significantly cut into that lead in recent months , putting even more pressure on Democrats to turn out the vote in November — an uncertain proposition amid the coronavirus outbreak and for a political party that has long been on the losing side of razor-close , high-profile contests in the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in new voter registrations is especially worrisome among Democrats hoping to thwart President Donald Trump ’ s bid for a second term and who bemoan their party ’ s inconsistent outreach to Hispanic voters and lacklustre efforts to further expand its base .
“ We ’ ve always had that registration advantage , and I think it ’ s definitely concerning what the Republicans have done , ” said state Sen. Annette Taddeo .
“ I do believe that the Democrats really need to invest year after year on ground operations , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A registration cushion is especially important for Democrats because of their lower propensity in casting ballots .
Republicans continue to win , even if they have fewer voters , because they have been far more successful in turning out their ranks .
When Barack Obama won the state in 2008 , he beat Republican Sen. John McCain by fewer than 205,000 votes in Florida — a far narrower gap than the nearly 700,000 voter-registration advantage Democrats had over Republicans at the time .
That advantage has dwindled over the years , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters rose from 2.1 million in 2008 to almost 3.7 million today .
Four years ago , when Trump prevailed over Hillary Clinton by a percentage point , Democrats had a 330,000 voter-registration advantage over Republicans .
As of August , Republicans have cut that lead almost in half and could further narrow the gap before Monday ’ s voter registration deadline .
“ Enthusiasm is at an all-time high for the president and his agenda , ” said Susie Wiles , who is leading the charge for Trump in Florida , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the campaign goes door-to-door and talks to real people on the ground in Florida , “ she said , ” we find it easy to register people as Republicans in this state.
” Wiles voiced bewilderment that Democrats — who chose to conduct their ground game through phone banks , social media and mailers — have not challenged Republicans out in the field .
“ They didn ’ t show up , and that is what explains our voter registration numbers , ” Wiles said .
In recent months , there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida was a priority for the Biden campaign , as the campaign focused on winning back Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin for Democrats .
Without Florida , Trump ’ s path to a second term becomes exceedingly narrow .
As the campaign ramped up this year , Democrats had beefed up party staffing for an all-out blitz to register more voters and drive out the vote .
But the coronavirus outbreak scuttled the party ’ s voter registration drive , sidelining the operation into the virtual realm .
A voter registration drive launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who came within 32,400 votes of being the first Democrat to occupy the governor ’ s mansion in nearly two decades — fizzled after his political standing imploded because of troubles in his personal life .
With just days to go before Monday ’ s voter registration deadline , both parties are making a final push to grow their voter rolls .
Democrats are being aided by surrogates , including unions and voter advocacy groups that target communities of colour .
Billionaire Mike Bloomberg , who failed in his bid for the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida to reach more voters for Biden .
During a call with reporters earlier this week , Biden ’ s Florida campaign director , Jackie Lee , called the Republican surge “ smoke and mirrors.
” “ The reality is that Democrats have out-registered Republicans on the whole for this entire cycle and we ’ re still up , ” she said .
The state Democratic Party also argues that its focus on mail-in ballots is far more important because absentee voters are more likely to cast their ballots .
“ Not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage , we now have a vote by mail advantage , “ said Terrie Rizzo , the chair of the Florida Democratic Party , “ and we ’ ve already seen remarkable Democratic return rates.
” But relying on an advantage in mail voting is risky in a year where norms are being upended by the pandemic , according to Dan Smith , a data guru who chairs the Political Science Department at the University of Florida .
“ Voting by mail is a completely different process , one that is alien to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requesting a ballot means you ’ re going to vote is very risky .
”

Bobby Caina Calvan - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Amid pandemic challenges, houses of worship show resiliency

The coronavirus pandemic has posed daunting challenges for houses of worship across the U.S. , often entailing large financial losses and suspension of in-person services .
It also has sparked moments of gratitude , wonder and inspiration .
In the Chicago suburb of Cary , Lutheran pastor Sarah Wilson recorded a sermon aboard a small plane piloted by a congregation member .
The video that went online showed a high-up view of idyllic landscapes .
“ It was very spiritual , ” Wilson said .
In New York , Episcopal priest Steven Paulikas heard from someone in France who watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved your sermon , ” was the message .
“ It ’ s a new experience for me , ” said Paulikas , of All Saints ’ Episcopal Church in Brooklyn .
“ People I ’ ve never met before , from different states and countries , are joining us online.
” Such positive experiences are not uncommon .
Clerics nationwide say they and their congregations responded to the pandemic and resulting lockdowns with creativity , resiliency and invigorated community spirit .
Financially , there ’ s no simple summary of how houses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pandemic .
Revenue at Wilson ’ s church , St. Barnabas , has been stable even as it resorted to drive-in parking lot services .
Paulikas says giving is up 19 % at All Saints ’ .
But in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago , offerings fell more than 75 % early in the pandemic and remain down 25 % , according to chief operating officer Betsy Bohlen , resulting in layoffs , furloughs and some asset sales .
Social service outreach remains vigorous , however .
Bohlen said $ 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency fund .
The archdiocese , with over 2 million parishioners , has resumed in-person services with attendance limited to 20 % capacity .
There are similar challenges in the Archdiocese of Washington , D.C. , where in-person attendance is roughly a quarter of pre-pandemic levels and offertory revenue is down about 10 % after plunging 30 % early in the outbreak .
Its vicar general , the Rev .
Daniel Carson , said there have been personnel cuts and departments been asked to trim budgets by 10 % .
Live-streaming services has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Carson said , but he hopes parishioners still yearn for in-person worship and Holy Communion .
At Friendship Baptist Church , a mostly African American congregation in Baltimore , pastor Alvin Gwynn Sr. has held in-person services throughout the pandemic , but attendance hasn ’ t risen much above 80 people — a small fraction of normal .
Giving by congregation members is about 60 % of normal , enough to keep food-pantry programs running .
Ryan Radke , digital outreach co-ordinator for the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been mixed for the district ’ s 215 congregations from Pennsylvania to South Carolina .
Some churches are closing , but those were already threatened before the coronavirus , Radke said .
Others are sharing resources as COVID-19 strains their ministries .
Some smaller churches have attracted large , far-flung online audiences — one drew over 1,000 to a recent virtual service , Radke said .
A United Methodist church in College Station , Texas , home to Texas A & M University , launched online services for students after they left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tuning in from as far away as Utah and Michigan , regional Bishop Scott Jones said , with some even joining the church .
Similarly , online services by Valley Beth Shalom , a synagogue in Encino , California , have attracted new members from Israel , England and Brazil .
“ We can ’ t gather the same way anymore , not in homes , not in schools and especially not in temples , ” Rabbi Noah Farkas said via email .
“ Our community is gathering , just in very different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past into the future.
“ The Southern Baptist Convention is the nation ’ s largest Protestant denomination with roughly 47,000 churches .
Executive committee president Ronnie Floyd said offerings fell more than 20 % at some churches early on , but finances are now stabilizing .
In September the committee reported that annual payments from SBC churches to fund missions , seminaries and administration were down less than 3 % from last year , less than some leaders had feared , Though there are no overall attendance figures , some SBC churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove Baptist Church in Owensboro , Kentucky .
Its Sunday attendance rose from about 320 in June to over 470 in September .
New pastor Jonathan Bonar took charge in July and rankled some worshippers by asking everyone to wear masks at services .
He defused the friction by organizing a best-mask competition for congregants .
In the United Methodist Church ’ s Mountain Sky region , covering Colorado , Utah , Wyoming and Montana , many pastors serve towns without reliable internet service , according to Bishop Karen Oliveto .
One in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch with older congregants by sending them handwritten notes .
“ This is the church ’ s moment , ” Oliveto said .
“ It ’ s pushed the church to leave the building — they ’ re coming alive in their communities.
” Scott Jones , UMC bishop for 58 counties in eastern Texas , said one short-term challenge is avoiding singing as in-person services resume .
“ Methodists love to sing hymns , but we ’ re being taught that it ’ s one of the most dangerous ways to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s a real loss.
” Longer-term , Jones sees a possibility of profound changes in how pastors approach their ministries and wonders how the now-large online cohort will respond when in-church worship is fully restored .
“ People have gotten used to watching services from their home in their pyjamas with a cup of coffee , ” he said .
“ Some are asking , ’ Why do I need to go back to church ?
’ But there also are a lot of people eager to see their Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again.
” The Rev .
Walter Kim , president of the National Association of Evangelicals , is raising similar questions , such as whether people who converted to a faith after tuning in to online services will stick by their decisions .
Citing a recent survey , Kim said some evangelical online worshippers are sticking firmly with their pre-pandemic churches , others are “ church shopping ” after seeing alternatives and still others have stopped participating altogether .
Collectively , pastors characterized the pandemic as both a source of anguish and a motive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t going away anytime soon , ” pastor Wilson said in her mid-flight sermon .
“ This is life here and now , a gift from God.
” Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Italy’s Salvini faces possible charges for blocking migrants

MILAN - Italy ’ s right-wing leader , Matteo Salvini , appeared Saturday before a court in Sicily that will decide whether he will face trial for blocking 131 migrants for several days on a coast guard ship in 2019 when he was interior minister .
The hearing was adjourned until Nov. 20 , when Premier Giuseppe Conte has been summoned as a witness .
The court also has called Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio , who was vice-premier at the time of the standoff , as well as the current interior minister and the former defence and transport ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the public spotlight since being ousted as a minister , has turned the preliminary hearing into a political rally of sorts , staging days of events in a piazza in Catania to rail against Conte ’ s government .
The Senate voted in February to lift Salvini ’ s parliamentary immunity , paving the way for a possible trial on charges of kidnapping and abuse of power .
The Gregoretti was stuck at sea for days in July 2019 until a judge approved its landing in Augusta , Sicily .
The Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second case , in which he is accused of refusing to allow 164 migrants off a rescue ship in Sicily .
A preliminary hearing in that case is pending .
During his 14 months as interior minister , Salvini repeatedly denied ships carrying rescued migrants access to ports .
The policy resulted in numerous standoffs , leaving migrants stuck at sea for many weeks before European countries could identify a willing port or courts intervened .
Salvini says he wants to face charges in both cases to clear his name .
Yet he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that was brought while he was still minister , winning protection from prosecution for not allowing 190 migrants off another coast guard ship in August 2018 .
Salvini remains the head of Italy ’ s most popular party , even if it has shed about 10 percentage points in opinion polls since the 2018 elections .
The slide began when he lost his Cabinet post in a failed bid to topple the Italian government in August 2019 .
Instead , the 5-Star Movement formed a new coalition with the centre-left Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--An abundance of risk, not caution, before Trump’s diagnosis

WASHINGTON - Standing well apart on the debate stage , President Donald Trump and his Democratic opponent Joe Biden looked out at an odd sight — one section of the room dutifully in masks , the other section flagrantly without .
The mostly bare-faced contingent was made up of Trump ’ s VIP guests , who had flouted the rules by removing their masks once inside the hall despite the best efforts of the debate ’ s health advisers from the Cleveland Clinic to keep everyone safe .
It was a conspicuous act of rebellion , reflecting divisions writ large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls the “ invisible enemy ” was spreading — before the debate , during it , after it , or some combination — and now it has spread to him .
No one knows how , when or from whom Trump became infected .
Nor is it established who , if anyone , has contracted the disease from him .
But to retrace some of his steps over the last week is to see risk at multiple turns and an abundance of opportunity for infection .
This was the case day after day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before his positive diagnosis , as he took a contingent to New Jersey for a fundraiser with the White House knowing he ’ d been close to someone sick with COVID-19 .
The result is that one of the most protected people on the planet has caught a disease that has killed more than 1 million people worldwide , more than 200,000 of them in the United States .
A look at the days leading up to it : After a spirited send-off from the White House grounds , Trump and members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raucous debate .
Adviser Hope Hicks was among them .
Everyone admitted to the hall had been tested in advance by his or her own team and come up negative , the Cleveland Clinic said in a statement .
“ We had requirements to maintain a safe environment that align with CDC guidelines — including social distancing , hand sanitizing , temperature checks and masking.
” Such steps do not rule out the possibility that someone could have had a coronavirus infection that was not yet detectable by tests .
The virus can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncover it .
And Trump ’ s adult children and senior staff stripped off their masks for the duration of the debate , violating the rules .
Moderator Chris Wallace , seated on stage , noted that when Biden ’ s VIP guests , including his wife , Jill , walked in , they were wearing masks and kept them on throughout the debate .
“ I don ’ t wear a mask like him , ” Trump said of Biden mockingly in the debate .
“ Every time you see him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He could be speaking 200 feet away from him and he shows up with the biggest mask I ’ ve ever seen.
” Said Biden : “ He ’ s been totally irresponsible the way in which he has handled the social distancing and people wearing masks , basically encouraged them not to .
He ’ s a fool on this.
” Trump and his team returned late to Washington , with much more on tap for the week and the election now just a month away .
People around Trump are tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her test in the morning , along with the others to be travelling with him for the day .
Her results were negative .
She joined others aboard Marine One for the 15-minute or so flight to Air Force One waiting for them at Joint Base Andrews .
Marine One is a single-cabin chopper , normally seating 10 , a noisy aircraft with no partitions except between the president and the cockpit .
Once at Andrews , it was on to Minnesota for a fundraiser followed by an outdoor rally in Duluth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported feeling unwell .
It was blustery and cold in Duluth with a bit of a mist .
As usual , few in the crowd wore masks .
They heard Trump make his dubious promise of a vaccine by the end of the year and congratulate himself for doing a great job .
“ On November 3rd , Minnesota will decide whether we end this pandemic , defeat the virus , and return to record prosperity , “ he said .
” Either way , we ’ re returning .
Either way.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than usual , 45 minutes instead of the usual one to two hours .
After his remarks , he mingled on stage briefly , pumping his fist to the beat of the Village People and waving to folks in the crowd .
He did not speak to reporters before boarding Air Force One nor come back to speak with them on the flight .
Hicks kept apart from others on the big plane coming back and did not take the crowded Marine One back to the White House once at Andrews .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attended the debate and has tested positive for COVID-19 .
On Thursday morning , Hicks got another test .
This time it was positive .
The results came not long before the president was set to lift off in Marine One for a fundraiser at his golf club in Bedminster , New Jersey .
Hicks ’ diagnosis affirmed that Trump had been in close proximity to someone infected with the virus .
That ’ s when you should quarantine , according to public-health guidelines .
But Trump went ahead with the trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had also been around Hicks were not immediately told about her positive test .
The White House worked furiously to swap out staff who had been in close contact with Hicks and replace them with others .
Spokesman Judd Deere was swapped in at the last minute , without being told why .
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not make the trip .
White House officials said they began learning of Hicks ’ positive test after Trump boarded Marine One to start his journey to New Jersey .
Comedian Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Associated Press by phone that “ it was meticulously run , from the Secret Service to COVID testing to masking.
” “ I ’ ve never seen him more on top of his game — warm , funny , vulnerable , ” Piscopo said .
“ Like we say in New Jersey , he ’ s an animal .
He ’ s going to be fine , and I mean that in a good way.
” This chain of events does not establish how or where Trump got the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sickness — anywhere from a few days to two weeks — he could have contracted it on any number of occasions from a variety of people .
Attention is increasingly focused on the week-old Rose Garden event where Trump announced Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court choice , a gathering where four attendees — Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and University of Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins — were later diagnosed with the disease .
Or it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that night , his event with a few lawmakers and Lordstown , Ohio , truck executives Monday — or his routine interactions anytime in the incubation period .
Many hours later , Trump confirmed Hicks had tested positive and told Fox News he and his wife had been tested and were prepared to quarantine if necessary .
At 12:54 a.m. , Trump tweeted : “ Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 .
We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately .
We will get through this TOGETHER !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first lady , who also has COVID-19 .
Well wishes came in from around the world and from across the political divide , some of them with an I-told-you-so undertone .
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pronounced the news “ tragic , it ’ s very sad , ” but also unsurprising given actions by Trump that were “ sort of a brazen invitation for this to happen.
” Biden kept to a simple statement saying “ We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the president protected from the virus , White House officials defended their current protocols as well thought out .
And masks still won ’ t be required on the White House grounds for all West Wing employees .
“ Wearing a mask , ” said one official , “ is a personal choice.
” Associated Press writers Thalia Beaty in New York and Zeke Miller and Kevin Freking in Washington contributed to this report .

Calvin Woodward And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Asia Today: Victoria premier concerned over mall outbreak

MELBOURNE , Australia - The COVID-19 figures in Australia ’ s Victoria state continued to show improvement on Saturday but officials are concerned about an outbreak at the country ’ s largest shopping centre .
Victoria reported three more COVID-19 deaths and eight more cases .
The figures take the state toll to 805 and the national death count to 893 .
Melbourne ’ s latest 14-day average stood at 12 cases , and there have been 11 cases with an unknown source in the past two weeks up to Wednesday .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said a recent outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shopping Centre showed why it was unsafe to ease restrictions .
A cluster of cases at the 550-store shopping centre grew to 11 and includes a family .
“ If we were to open up now , just as our modeling tells us ... it will be many hundreds of cases , ” Andrews said .
Melbourne ’ s strict lockdown rules continue to be eased , and an overnight curfew ended last week .
In other developments from the Asia-Pacific region : — India crossed 100,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 10 % of the global fatalities and behind only the United States and Brazil .
The Health Ministry reported another 1,069 fatalities in the past 24 hours , driving the death toll to 100,842 .
It also raised the country ’ s confirmed caseload to more than 6.4 million with 79,476 new infections .
The grim milestone comes at the heels of a growing crisis for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist government that has been criticized over the handling of the virus and doing very little to alleviate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The overall fatalities are most certainly an undercount , experts say , as deaths may have been attributed to other causes , especially in the early days when testing was abysmally low for a country with a population of 1.4 billion .
India ’ s poor track record to register mortality data even before the pandemic has further amplified questions over the country ’ s actual death toll .
— Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message of sympathy to U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump following their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message said : “ My wife , Peng Liyuan , and I express our sympathies to you and your wife and wish you a fast recovery.
” Chinese-U.S. relations have tumbled to their lowest point in decades amid disputes over trade , technology , security , Beijing ’ s tightening of control over Hong Kong and complaints about abuses in China ’ s Muslim northwestern region of Xinjiang .
Trump has blamed China , where the coronavirus outbreak began in December , of mishandling the outbreak and allowing it to spread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tally has remained in double digits for a third straight day , as authorities called for vigilance during one of the country ’ s biggest holidays .
The 75 cases added in the past 24 hours took the country ’ s total to 24,027 with 420 deaths .
South Korea ’ s caseload has been waning following a spike in new infections between early August and mid-September .
Stringent social distancing was credited with slowing the outbreak .
But worries about a rebound in cases have grown again as South Korea celebrated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost certainly increased public mobility .
— Three close aides to Nepal ’ s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Oli ’ s political adviser Bishnu Rimal , press adviser Surya Thapa and foreign affairs adviser Rajan Bhattarai announced on social media separately about their test reports on Saturday .
These three were the closest officials who worked with Oli mostly out of his official residence in Kathmandu .
They are also the highest-level officials to test positive for the virus in Nepal .
It was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any tests recently .
Nepal has so far 84,570 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 528 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Alumni at Barrett’s undergrad school sign letter of concern

MEMPHIS , Tenn. - U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett graduated in 1994 with honours from Rhodes College in Memphis , Tennessee .
But more than 1,500 alumni of the small liberal arts school have made it known they are not proud of their ties to the conservative lawyer and judge .
Barrett graduated magna cum laude with an undergraduate degree in English .
She was a member of the Honor Council and named the Student Hall of Fame .
After her next stop at Notre Dame ’ s law school , Barrett built a career of “ professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Marjorie Hass , in a statement issued after President Donald Trump nominated Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
The statement was dated Sept. 22 .
Soon after , Rhodes alumni Rob Marus and Katherine Morgan Breslin wrote a letter criticizing Barrett ’ s stances on abortion law , the LBGTQ community and the Affordable Care Act .
Signed by 1,513 alumni and posted online , the letter says the alumni are “ firmly and passionately opposed to her nomination , “ declaring Barrett fails to represent their views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firmly and passionately opposed to Rhodes administrators ’ attempts to embrace Amy Coney Barrett as an alumna of our beloved alma mater , ” the letter said .
“ We oppose this embrace because we believe both her record and the process that has produced her nomination are diametrically opposed to the values of truth , loyalty , and service that we learned at Rhodes.
” Barrett ’ s nomination to replace Ginsburg , an abortion rights supporter and liberal icon who died Sept. 18 , swiftly elicited praise from Republicans and conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Opposing sides rained down statements for or against appointing Barrett , currently a Chicago-based federal appeals court judge .
Before Barrett ’ s time , the school with the stately campus and a total enrolment of about 2,000 students already had a Supreme Court connection .
Abe Fortas , class of 1930 , became a justice , and Rhodes graduates have clerked for justices and serve as federal judges , Hass said .
Rhodes also has hosted on-campus talks by sitting Justice Stephen Breyer and the late Justice Antonin Scalia .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of academic excellence , ” Hass ’ statement said .
Barrett ’ s abortion views are a particular point of contention .
Barrett voted at least twice on abortion issues as an appellate judge , both times joining dissenting opinions to decisions that favoured abortion rights .
The Rhodes alumni letter was signed by students who graduated as far back as 1959 , and some who knew Barrett and were in her graduating class .
It expresses concerns that she might vote to overturn or “ seriously curtail ” Roe v. Wade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared abortion a constitutional right .
The letter accuses her of sidestepping questions about how she would rule if the abortion case were challenged before the Supreme Court .
And it claims she has deflected questions about her stance toward the LGBTQ community and her alleged association with an anti-LBGTQ group .
“ Amy Coney Barrett has repeatedly shaded the truth about her own views and past associations , ” the letter said .
It added that Barrett “ has demonstrated a judicial philosophy and record that fails to serve and protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those in the criminal justice system , and individuals reliant on the Affordable Care Act.
” In a subsequent statement following the alumni ’ s letter , Hass encouraged “ all members of the Rhodes community to rise to this moment with courage and to speak , act , and vote in the service of justice.
” “ I hope that your letter — as well as the support , dissent , and attention it has generated — serves as a spur for robust engagement with the political process , ” Hass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter and public remarks praising Barrett ’ s “ exceptional record of academic achievement “ at Rhodes .
“ The college will continue to speak of her with respect and friendship , ” Hass wrote .
Later , she added , she was “ happy to re-affirm my own commitment and the commitment of the college to stand against bigotry and for the rights of minority and marginalized students and alumni.
” Barrett had no public comments on the letter .
Trump said during Tuesday ’ s debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s views on Roe v. Wade and didn ’ t discuss them with her when they met at the White House three days after Ginsburg ’ s death .
Marus , co-author of the alumni letter , told The Associated Press the letter ’ s signees were upset and concerned the college ’ s reputation could be diminished in the eyes of potential and current students who disagree with Barrett and Trump .
He called her views “ antediluvian , “ adding some alumni are terrified of any lifetime appointment for Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was time to speak out , ” said Marus .
“ We never thought we ’ d change how the Senate voted on her .
What we wanted to affect was public perception of Rhodes , the education we received there .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Madrid starts partial virus lockdown amid political dispute

Madrid awoke Saturday to its first day under a partial lockdown , with police controlling travel in and out of the Spanish capital as the city and its suburbs have become Europe ’ s biggest hot spot in the second wave of the coronavirus .
Spain ’ s national government ordered two weeks of new restrictions that started at 10 p.m. Friday ( 2000 GMT ) despite reluctance from regional officials .
The measures prohibit all nonessential trips in and out of the capital and nine of its suburbs — affecting around 4.8 million people .
Restaurants must close at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and both must limit occupancy to 50 % of their capacity .
Spain ’ s Socialist prime minister , Pedro Sánchez , said the steps were “ critical ” to stopping virus outbreaks and preventing a repeat of the horrific scenes of March and April , when hospitals were overrun with dying patients .
“ Union is the best vaccine against COVID , ” Sánchez said Saturday .
Even though the measures are light compared with the home confinement mandated across Spain during the first wave of the virus , they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s left-wing coalition government and the Madrid administration run by a right-wing rival .
The Madrid government led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the conservative Popular Party said it would enforce the Spanish government ’ s orders but it also has challenged them in the National Court Ayuso and her regional ministers have said the restrictions will cause “ chaos , ” hurt an already weakened economy and violate their jurisdiction as regional authorities .
Ayuso ’ s message has reached at least some residents who see the issue as having more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think we have gone to the extremes , ” said Ángel Davila , a 52-year-old engineer at Atocha train station .
“ I think that the measures they have put in place aren ’ t correct .
They are not based , according to what I have studied , on medical information .
It is a political thing now more than anything else.
” Health experts , however , have been urging Madrid to take stronger action for weeks , but Madrid ’ s health chief Enrique Ruiz Escudero argues they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered compliance after Madrid refused to accept a set of health metrics to dictate when cities with populations of 100,000 of more need to adopt heavier restrictions to curb the virus .
The measures were approved by a majority of regional health authorities from Spain ’ s 19 regions and autonomous cities , with Madrid in the minority against them .
The government orders only allow people to cross the municipal borders to commute for work , for a medical appointment , legal errands , or appointments with a governmental administration .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain areas , and limited social gatherings to a maximum of six people , but the infections kept rising .
Madrid is leading the resurgence of the virus in Spain , which has Europe ’ s highest cumulative caseload — 770,000 since the onset of the pandemic .
The capital had a two-week infection rate of 695 cases per 100,000 residents Thursday , more than twice the national average of 274 cases and seven times the European average , which stood at 94 per 100,000 residents last week , according to the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over 32,000 people have died from the virus in Spain , according to the Health Ministry .
The true death count is likely to be much higher given the lack of testing during the first weeks of the pandemic .

Iain Sullivan And Joseph Wilson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Trump at military hospital; new cases among allies emerge

WASHINGTON - A feverish and fatigued President Donald Trump was spending the weekend at a military hospital for treatment of COVID-19 , as new cases emerged among some of his top advisers and allies .
Attention focused in particular on last Saturday ’ s White House event introducing Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , with several attendees announcing they had tested positive for the virus .
Among them : former White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway , the president of the University of Notre Dame , and at least two Republican lawmakers — Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s nomination was held outdoors , attendees sat closely together and few wore masks .
Some also mingled at a smaller event inside the White House .
The White House said Trump ’ s expected stay of “ a few days ” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was precautionary and he would continue to work from the hospital ’ s presidential suite , which is equipped to allow him to keep up his official duties .
The White House physician said he was being treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after taking another experimental drug at the White House .
The decision for the president to leave the White House for the hospital capped a day of whipsaw events in Washington Friday .
The president , who has spent months playing down the threat of the virus , was forced to cancel all campaign events a month before the election as he fought a virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans and is hitting others in his orbit as well .
Trump walked out of the White House on Friday evening wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters but did not speak before boarding Marine One .
Members of the aircrew , Secret Service agents and White House staff wore face coverings to protect themselves from the president onboard the helicopter .
In a video taped before leaving for Walter Reed , Trump said , “ I think I ’ m doing very well , but we ’ re going to make sure that things work out.
” He remained fully president , all authority intact .
“ Going welI , I think !
Thank you to all .
LOVE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first tweet from the hospital Friday night .
Trump first revealed that he had tested positive in a tweet about 1 a.m. Friday — hours after he returned from a Thursday afternoon political fundraiser .
He had gone ahead to the event , saying nothing to the crowd though knowing he had been exposed to an aide with the disease that has infected millions in America and killed more than 1 million people worldwide .
First lady Melania Trump also tested positive and has said she has mild symptoms .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
Also testing positive : Trump ’ s campaign manager , Bill Stepien .
Campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said Stepien received a diagnosis Friday and is experiencing “ mild flu-like symptoms.
” Stepien , who joined Trump at Tuesday ’ s first presidential debate , plans to quarantine until he recovers .
Trump ’ s diagnosis came during an already turbulent period in Washington and around the world , with the U.S. gripped in a heated presidential election and the pandemic taking a heavy human and economic toll .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his next debate with Democrat Joe Biden , scheduled for Oct. 15 , is now in question .
Trump has been trying all year — and as recently as Wednesday — to convince the American public that the worst of the pandemic is past , and he has consistently played down concerns about being personally vulnerable .
He has mostly refused to abide by basic public health guidelines — including those issued by his own administration — such as wearing face coverings in public and practicing social distancing .
Until he tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rallies that drew thousands of often maskless supporters .
“ I felt no vulnerability whatsoever , ” he told reporters back in May .
With the election coming up in a month , he is urging states and cities to “ reopen ” and reduce or eliminate shutdown rules despite continuing virus outbreaks .
The White House tried to maintain an atmosphere of business-as-usual on Friday .
“ President Trump remains in good spirts , has mild symptoms , and has been working throughout the day , ” said press secretary Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caution , and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts , the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.
” The president ’ s physician said in a memo that Trump received a dose of an experimental antibody combination by Regeneron that is in clinical trials .
Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley said Trump “ remains fatigued but in good spirits ” and that a team of experts was evaluating both the president and first lady in regard to next steps .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that said Trump is “ doing very well ” and is “ not requiring any supplemental oxygen.
“ But he said that , “ in consultation with specialists we have elected to initiate remdesivir therapy , ” an antiviral medication .
“ He has completed his first dose and is resting comfortably , ” the doctor wrote .
The first lady , who is 50 , has a “ mild cough and headache , ” Conley reported , and the remainder of the first family , including the Trumps ’ son Barron , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative .
Trump is 74 years old and clinically obese , putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide .
Both Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have tested negative , their campaign said .
Vice-President Mike Pence tested negative for the virus Friday morning and “ remains in good health , ” his spokesman said .
Pence was to resume his campaign schedule after his test .
Barrett , who was with Trump and many others on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with lawmakers , also tested negative , the White House said .
It was confirmed that she had a mild case of COVID earlier this year and has now recovered .
Many White House and senior administration officials were undergoing tests , , but the full scale of the outbreak around the president may not be known for some time as it can take days for an infection to be detectable by a test .
Officials with the White House Medical Unit were tracing the president ’ s contacts .
Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a flashpoint in his race against Biden , who spent much of the summer off the campaign trail and at his home in Delaware , citing concern about the virus .
Biden has since resumed a more active campaign schedule , but with small , socially distanced crowds .
He also regularly wears a mask in public , something Trump mocked him for at Tuesday night ’ s debate .
“ I don ’ t wear masks like him , “ Trump said .
“ Every time you see him , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be speaking 200 feet away from me , and he shows up with the biggest mask I ’ ve ever seen .
”

Zeke Miller, Jill Colvin And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--WHO calls on Turkey to follow its COVID-19 reporting guides

ISTANBUL - The World Health Organization ’ s office in Turkey has reiterated its call for reporting COVID-19 data in line with WHO guidances to “ harmonize data collection and response measures.
” WHO ’ s statement comes days after Turkey ’ s health minister revealed that the daily COVID-19 figures published by the ministry since July 29 reflected only patients with symptoms , excluding asymptomatic positive cases .
Critics have questioned the veracity of the case and death toll numbers Turkey has reported during the pandemic .
The WHO statement commended Turkey on its increased testing capacity and contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey has been isolating all COVID-19 positive cases , regardless of their symptoms.
” It added that the WHO has been consulting with members , including Turkey , to improve reporting and data collection .
The WHO defines confirmed cases as “ a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection , irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.
” But on Thursday , Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters : “ We are talking about people with symptoms .
We are giving this as the daily number of patients.
“ The latest official numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8,325 deaths from COVID-19 since March .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--The Latest: WHO ask Turkey for consistent virus reporting

ISTANBUL — The World Health Organization ’ s office in Turkey has reiterated its call for reporting coronavirus data in line with WHO guidance to “ harmonize data collection and response measures.
” The statement comes days after Turkey ’ s health minister revealed the daily coronavirus figures published by the ministry reflected only patients with symptoms , excluding asymptomatic positive cases .
The WHO defines confirmed cases as : “ A person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection , irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms.
” The WHO statement commended Turkey on its increased testing capacity and contact tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been isolating all COVID-19 positive cases , regardless of their symptoms.
” It added the agency has been consulting with members , including Turkey , to improve reporting and data collection .
Critics question the veracity of case and death toll numbers Turkey has reported during the pandemic .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — Cavalier White House approach to COVID catches up to Trump — Madrid starts first day under a partial lockdown with police controlling travel in and out of the Spanish capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
— South Africa and India are asking the World Trade Organization to waive some provisions in the international agreements t hat regulate intellectual property rights to speed up efforts to prevent , treat and contain the COVID-19 pandemic .
— The Nobel Prizes show how slow , basic science pays off , even though everyone wants quick fixes to global problems .
The Nobels , with new winners announced next week , often concentrate on unheralded and methodical basic science .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : PRAGUE — Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a steep rise , setting a new record high for the second straight day .
The country ’ s Health Ministry says the day-to-day increase in new confirmed COVID-19 cases was 3,793 on Friday , 300 more than the previous day .
The country had a total of 78,051 reported cases since the beginning of the pandemic and 699 deaths .
Currently , 42,320 are ill with the virus , with 1,134 hospitalized and 221 in serious condition .
The recent surge has prompted several hospitals to postpone non-urgent operations to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has declared a state of emergency starting Monday with new restrictive measures .
Health Minister Roman Prymula predicted the number of people infected in one day could be higher than 8,000 later in October .
MELBOURNE , Australia — The COVID-19 figures in Australia ’ s Victoria state continue to show improvement but officials are concerned about an outbreak at the country ’ s largest shopping centre .
Victoria reported three more COVID-19 deaths and eight more cases on Saturday .
The figures take the state toll to 805 and the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s latest 14-day average stood at 12 cases , and there have been 11 cases with an unknown source in the past two weeks up to Wednesday .
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews says a recent outbreak linked to southeast Melbourne ’ s Chadstone Shopping Centre showed why it was unsafe to ease restrictions .
Melbourne ’ s strict lockdown rules continue to be eased , and an overnight curfew ended last week .
WASHINGTON — Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus , raising questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed .
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday they had tested positive for the virus .
Both attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump , who has tested positive and is hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Lee , who didn ’ t wear a mask at the White House event , said he had “ symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.
” Tillis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has no symptoms .
Both said they will quarantine for 10 days — ending just before Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings begin on Oct. 12 .
The positive tests come as Senate Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Barrett in the few weeks they have before the Nov. 3 election .
SEOUL , South Korea — South Korea ’ s new coronavirus daily tally has remained in two digits for a third straight day as authorities called for public vigilance during one of the country ’ s biggest holidays .
The Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 75 virus cases added in the past 24 hours took the country ’ s total to 24,027 and 420 deaths .
South Korea ’ s caseload has recently displayed a downward trajectory following a spike in new infections between early August and mid-September .
Stringent social distancing rules were credited with slowing the outbreak .
But worries about a rebound in new cases have grown again as South Korea is on the traditional autumn “ Chuseok ” holidays this week that would certainly increase public mobility .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Venice remains dry as flood barriers pass 1st emergency

MILAN - Controversial and long-delayed underwater barriers passed their first emergency with flying colours on Saturday , protecting the Italian lagoon city of Venice from a tide that peaked at 125 centimetres ( 49 inches ) , a level that would normally inundate more than a third of the city .
Instead , St. Mark ’ s Square , one of the lowest points in the city , remained dry as tourists criss-crossed the space , ignoring the raised walkways put in place each fall against the notorious high tides .
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro ’ s voice broke in emotion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised barriers , saying with understatement : “ We are satisfied.
” He later toasted the success standing on dry ground in Pellestrina , a lagoon island that is often one of the first to flood .
It took about 100 technicians about an hour and a quarter to get all 78 barriers into place , said Giuseppe Fiengo , the government commissioner put in charge of the colossal project following a corruption scandal .
“ It is a great moment .
This is thanks to everyone in the technical area who worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time under these conditions , ’ ’ Fiengo said by telephone .
He said in the future a single team of 18 people should be able to raise the barriers .
Authorities accelerated deployment of the system after the lagoon city was inundated with the worst tides in 53 years last November .
An increased frequency of high water brought on by climate change has added urgency to the completion of the project .
While the 78 barriers have all been installed , some infrastructure is still being completed .
Eventually , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 110 centimetres ( 43 inches ) are forecast , but while work is still underway the project ’ s special commissioners have set a threshold of 130 centimetres , which was the forecast .
In view of the forecast , port authorities had banned shipping traffic through the three access points where the barriers are installed , until 4:30 p.m .
The system of movable underwater barriers , dubbed Moses , has been beset by corruption , cost overruns and delays .
Projected at 1.8 billion euros ( $ 2 billion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the project has so far cost 5.5 billion euros and is running more than a decade behind schedule .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--‘Best Germany yet’ marks 30th anniversary of reunification

BERLIN - Germany marked the 30th anniversary of its reunification on Saturday , drawing a generally positive picture of the progress made in knitting together east and west .
The country ’ s president declared that today ’ s is “ the best Germany there has ever been ” and proposed a new memorial to the “ peaceful revolutionaries ” who helped end communist rule .
Germany was reunited on Oct. 3 , 1990 , after four decades of Cold War division .
East Germany joined the western federal republic less than a year after the east ’ s communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — opened the Berlin Wall and the rest of the highly fortified border between the two states on Nov. 9 , 1989 .
While much progress has been made since then , economic and other differences between the west and the less-prosperous east still persist .
A long-lasting trend of more people leaving the east than moving there has finally halted in recent years .
Pensions in the east are nearing the level of those in the west , though wages are lower .
And Germany ’ s biggest companies are still headquartered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been most noticeable over recent years in the east , where the far-right Alternative for Germany party is particularly strong .
The coronavirus pandemic meant that celebrations were relatively low-key — as Chancellor Angela Merkel put it this week , “ quieter than the occasion would actually deserve.
” President Frank-Walter Steinmeier led the main ceremony at a hall in Potsdam , just outside Berlin , with 230 guests — about one-fifth of the audience originally planned .
Germany is “ rightly proud ” on the anniversary of reunification , “ and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that , ” Steinmeier said .
He summed up mixed feelings about the progress of the past three decades by saying that “ we are not nearly as far along as we should be , but at the same time we are much further along than we think.
” Eastern cities such as Leipzig and Rostock are now economically stronger than parts of the western Ruhr industrial region , Steinmeier said , and there are “ more and more eastern success stories.
” Steinmeier contrasted reunification in 1990 , preceded by peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the emergence of the unified German state nearly 150 years ago — “ brutally forced , with iron and blood , after wars with our neighbours , based on Prussian dominance , on militarism and nationalism.
” He said Saturday ’ s anniversary is a reminder of the value of “ an international order which is so strongly contested today , unfortunately in western societies too.
” “ We are living today in the best Germany there has ever been , ” the president said .
“ Let ’ s thank all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocated creating a memorial to the “ peaceful revolutionaries ” of East Germany whose efforts brought the communist dictatorship to an end .
That would add to existing memorials at remnants of the Berlin Wall and former facilities run by the Stasi , East Germany ’ s secret police , and to an already-planned unity memorial in Berlin .
Germany could use “ a place that reminds us that East Germans took their fate in their own hands and liberated themselves , “ Steinmeier said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Azerbaijan president criticizes mediators; fighting rages on

BAKU , Azerbaijan - Heavy fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued Saturday in their conflict over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh , while Azerbaijan ’ s president criticized the international mediators who have tried for decades to resolve the dispute .
Fighting that started Sept. 27 is the worst to afflict Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas since the 1994 end of a war that left the region in Azerbaijan under the control of ethnic Armenian local forces backed by Armenia .
Shushan Stepanian , a spokeswoman for the Armenian Defence Ministry , told The Associated Press that “ intensive fighting is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and claimed that Armenian forces had shot down three planes .
Azerbaijan ’ s defence ministry did not respond to the claim of planes being shot down , but said Armenian forces had shelled civilian territory within Azerbaijan , including the city of Terter .
Nagorno-Karabakh officials have said more than 150 servicemen on their side have been killed so far .
Azerbaijani authorities haven ’ t given details on their military casualties but said 19 civilians have been killed and 55 more wounded .
Nagorno-Karabakh was a designated autonomous region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It claimed independence from Azerbaijan in 1991 , about three months before the Soviet Union ’ s collapse .
Full-scale war that broke out in 1992 killed an estimated 30,000 people .
By the time it ended in 1994 , Armenian forces not only held Nagorno-Karabakh itself but substantial areas outside the territory ’ s formal borders .
Several United Nations Security Council resolutions have called for withdrawal from those areas , which the Armenian forces have disregarded .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a television interview that the forces must withdraw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the interview with al-Jazeera , a transcript of which was distributed Saturday by the presidential press office , Aliyev criticized the so-called Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , which has tried to mediate a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute .
One of the reasons behind the current fighting is that “ the mediators do not insist or exert pressure to start implementing the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council , ” he said .
“ We have no time to wait another 30 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Aliyev said .
Associated Press writers Avet Demourian in Yerevan , Armenia , and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Judge rebuffs bid to ease pandemic limits at private schools

SANTA FE , N.M. - A federal judge has turned down an initial request to ease pandemic-related occupancy limits for in-person instruction at private schools in New Mexico , in a setback for a lawsuit supported by the U.S. Justice Department .
In a Friday order , U.S. District Court Judge William Johnson cast doubt on the complaint from the father of a seventh grade prep school student in Albuquerque who has only engaged in online learning during the pandemic due to provisions of a statewide public health order .
Plaintiffs say the health order unfairly limits in-person learning at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room capacity , while public schools can apply to reopen under separate guidelines at 50 % .
To date , only a portion of elementary schools have been cleared to restart in-person instruction .
Johnson rejected a preliminary injunction request and noted that some private schools have managed to reboot in-person instruction by expanding into areas such as gymnasiums and cafeterias , while all 7-12 grade public schools are still cut off from in-person learning .
But he said private school students would have a better argument concerning equal protection rights and likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools proceed with returning to classrooms at 50 % occupancy .
“ The court has difficulty understanding how ( state ’ s ) regulatory plan could survive a scenario whereby private schools remain limited to in-person instruction at 25 % capacity while public and charter schools are allowed to move to in-person instruction at 50 % capacity , ” he wrote .
The U.S. Justice Department filed a statement of interest in support of plaintiff Douglas Peterson and his daughter , a student at Albuquerque Academy .
President Donald Trump and his education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal funding away from public schools that decline to reopen and toward parents who wish to send their children to private schools or for home schooling , learning pods or other options that have arisen during the coronavirus pandemic .
Private schools in New Mexico enrol about 22,000 students — or nearly 7 % of school-aged children .
The administration of Democratic Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham argued at a court hearing in September that private schools already occupy a privileged position with minimal state oversight .
The lawsuit also denounced as unfair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open at 100 % capacity , but Judge Johnson said childcare for toddlers doesn ’ t work online and has to take place in a physical setting .
In rejecting the request for a preliminary injunction , Johnson was skeptical of claims that New Mexico was infringing on rights of association and assembly , noting that the seventh grader in question can meet with classmates online or at another location .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Over several days and events, the coronavirus swirled around Donald Trump

WASHINGTON—Marine One , its engines roaring , was waiting on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday afternoon when U.S. President Donald Trump walked out of the Oval Office , offering a brief wave but skipping his usual verbal combat with reporters .
As the copter lifted off and banked toward the Washington Monument , his aides were scrambling .
Hope Hicks , his closest confidante in the West Wing , was supposed to have been on board , but she had just tested positive for the coronavirus after falling ill the evening before while travelling with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides who had been in close contact with Hicks were quickly pulled from the president ’ s trip to New Jersey , where he planned to schmooze with at least 200 campaign donors .
During Trump ’ s 14-minute flight to Joint Base Andrews , the home of Air Force One , the White House had a choice to make , officials said : Cancel the president ’ s trip or shrug off the threat and move forward as planned — even though Trump had been in frequent contact with Hicks during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would have been most contagious .
The decision to go ahead with the trip was emblematic of Trump ’ s approach to the raging pandemic since the beginning .
Rather than embrace caution and model behaviour urged by the nation ’ s leading health experts , Trump and his mostly mask-free entourage headed north to New Jersey without any public disclosure that he and his aides had been exposed to the coronavirus .
The choice to do so , White House officials , advisers and other people who have crossed paths with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just one in a series of decisions by the White House that compounded the risks for Trump , his aides and the many people who came into contact with them over an especially busy week in Washington and on the campaign trail .
It is not clear exactly when Trump was infected or by whom , and the White House remained secretive about the circumstances Friday , declining to provide any account of who made the decision for the president to go to New Jersey or of how Hicks ’ illness was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day ’ s end , there was little doubt that the virus had been circulating in proximity to Trump for the past week , even as he disparaged mask wearing and campaigned in person in front of crowds that were not socially distanced .
The chairwoman of the Republican National Committee , Ronna McDaniel , received a positive test Wednesday afternoon after accompanying the president to events late last week .
Sen. Mike Lee , who went mask-free to the Rose Garden event Saturday where Trump introduced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had tested positive .
So did three other guests at the event : Sen. Thom Tillis , Kellyanne Conway , a former White House counsellor , and the president of the University of Notre Dame , the Rev .
John Jenkins .
When Hicks felt ill during the trip to Minneapolis on Wednesday evening — a day after she accompanied Trump to Cleveland for the first presidential debate , where he spent 90 minutes in an often-angry confrontation with former Vice President Joe Biden — she flew back to Washington with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least three members of the White House press corps also tested positive Friday .
To keep himself and his staff safe , Trump had relied heavily on regular use of a rapid test that was never intended for that type of screening and can miss as many as one in three or four cases .
On Thursday afternoon , Trump , presumably already infected himself , mingled with supporters for several hours at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster , New Jersey , first for a Round-Table discussion indoors and then a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One attendee said the president seemed lethargic and not his usual self , though others described him as apparently healthy and engaged as he answered questions outdoors , well-separated from his guests .
In the early hours of Friday morning , reality would finally catch up to Trump .
After months of wishing that the virus would “ disappear , like a miracle ” and insisting that the country was “ rounding the corner ” in its fight against the pandemic , the president announced that he and Melania Trump , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus that had infected more than 7 million Americans on his watch , killing more than 200,000 .
Now the White House itself is a hot spot of sorts , the centre of a contact tracing effort that extends to the upper reaches of American politics and government .
“ Learning more about when President Trump and others with whom he had contact last tested negative and first tested positive will help understand this outbreak and limit the risk of further spread , ” said Thomas Frieden , former director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is a reminder that COVID-19 is an ongoing threat to our country and can happen to anyone.
” Last Friday , McDaniel , the Republican National Committee chairwoman , mingled with Trump at a glitzy fundraiser at the Trump International Hotel in Washington , along with the committee ’ s leadership team .
The president seemed to be in good cheer and good health .
He had reason to be happy .
The next afternoon , he gathered Republican lawmakers and members of conservative interest groups in the Rose Garden to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court , giving him the chance to cement the court ’ s conservative majority for a generation .
McDaniel was not there , having travelled to her home in Michigan .
It would be a few days before she began to feel ill and then tested positive for the virus .
But the newly renovated Rose Garden was packed with Trump ’ s supporters , including at least eight Republican senators , few of them wearing masks .
Barrett , who is said to have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had earlier met with the president in the Oval Office without wearing a mask .
She stood next to Trump as he made the announcement , her seven children and husband in the audience .
The president also mingled with his guests indoors , including a reception in the Diplomatic Room , where few people , if any , were wearing masks .
Not present that day was Hicks .
Later that evening , after a quick flight to Middletown , Pennsylvania , for a campaign rally , Trump lashed out at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and the enthusiastic crowd .
Flanked by huge television screens that read , in all capital letters , “ Fill the seat , ” he crowed about Barrett and boasted about beating Biden in the coming debate .
A White House reporter on the flight would later test positive for the virus .
Back at the White House on Sunday , Trump and Hicks huddled with a handful of other aides and advisers , none of whom wore masks , for debate preparation in the Map Room .
The group sat around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat between Stephen Miller , the president ’ s speech writer and top domestic policy adviser , and Chris Christie , the former Governor of New Jersey , who led the preparations .
Rudy Giuliani , Trump ’ s personal lawyer and the former mayor of New York , joined one of the sessions , which lasted several hours , and sat in the vacant seat .
Trump faced Christie , and there was a television screen over the president ’ s left shoulder on which they played video clips for him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved the session into the Oval Office .
Hicks sat on the couch .
And Tuesday , they gathered again for a few hours in the Map Room , prepping the president for the debate that evening .
Before the debate , White House officials who had been in close touch with Trump and Hicks headed to Capitol Hill to introduce Barrett to senators .
Vice President Mike Pence , Mark Meadows , the White House Chief of staff , and Pat Cipollone , the White House counsel , posed for photos in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell of Kentucky , the majority leader .
The lawmakers and White House officials posed without masks .
Wearing a dark suit and striped tie , Trump , accompanied by Melania Trump , left for the debate Tuesday afternoon to cheers of “ U-S-A !
U-S-A !
” from supporters gathered on the South Lawn .
About two hours later , Air Force One landed in Cleveland .
Hicks travelled with the president , as did Rep. Jim Jordan , R-Ohio , a close ally of the president .
At the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hall wearing masks but quickly took them off even as Biden ’ s family and friends kept them on .
During his relentless attacks on Biden , the president mocked him for wearing a mask .
“ He could be speaking 200 feet away , ” Trump said , “ and he shows up with the biggest mask I ’ ve ever seen.
” Trump ’ s campaign manager , Bill Stepien , who accompanied him to the debate and was with him during debate-prep sessions over the previous three days , tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , as McDaniel received her positive test results , Trump met in the Oval Office with Meadows , his chief of staff , and Steven Mnuchin , the Treasury secretary , to discuss the stalled negotiations with Democrats on a compromise stimulus bill .
“ I had just come from the Oval Office and reviewed with Mark Meadows and the president , so all three of us were very clear in what we wanted to do , ” Mnuchin told reporters later that afternoon as he met with Speaker Nancy Pelosi of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill .
On Wednesday evening , the entire Republican congressional delegation from Minnesota — Reps. Pete Stauber , Jim Hagedorn and Tom Emmer , chairman of House Republicans ’ campaign arm — flew with Trump to another campaign rally .
In a photo they later posted on Twitter , none were wearing masks on the plane .
Trump did a fundraiser in Minneapolis attended by Gov .
Kristi Noem of South Dakota and big donors like Todd Ricketts , a part owner of the Chicago Cubs and a fundraising chairman for the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now worried about whether they might have been exposed to the virus .
The president then went on to a rally in Duluth .
He spoke at the airport there , attacking Biden ’ s debate performance and delivering an unusually acerbic attack against Somalian refugees and Rep. Ilhan Omar , a refugee from Somalia herself .
But he finished the event in just 45 minutes , significantly shorter than his usual , rambling rally speeches .
And on the flight back to Washington , Trump fell asleep at one point , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even before Trump nodded off , Hicks was beginning to experience symptoms of the virus .
Having told colleagues that she felt ill around the start of the rally that evening , Hicks was isolated in another part of the plane , away from the president and other members of the White House staff .
For reasons that remain unclear , the White House appears not to have tested Hicks for the virus Wednesday night on the plane or when she landed in Washington .
The Trip Goes On On Thursday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling ill , with symptoms consistent with longtime allergies , according to his office .
Around the same time , Hicks was tested , though the White House declined to say whether she came to the West Wing to do so .
Kayleigh McEnany , the White House press secretary , held an especially testy exchange with reporters in the briefing room , clashing over whether Trump had adequately condemned white supremacists .
She made no mention that Hicks or Trump felt ill .
Soon , however , Hicks received the bad news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted the rush to pull two other White House staff members , including McEnany , off the Air Force One manifest for the trip to New Jersey .
On Friday , Meadows declined to provide any details of the decision to make the trip .
McEnany said the trip was “ deemed safe ” by White House , noting only that Trump was outside and socially distanced himself during the event in New Jersey .
Nearly 20 donors who gave as much as $ 250,000 each to attend an indoor round table with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bigger group at his golf club in Bedminster were required to take rapid coronavirus tests before entering .
For the larger event , guests gathered under a slightly overcast sky , sitting at large tables with four to eight people each on the pavilion patio .
Rik Mehta , the Republican candidate challenging Sen. Cory Booker , said that many people wore masks and that organizers took their temperature twice .
“ I was more than 40 feet easy from the president and people are asking me if I ’ m going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m going to get tested , ” he said later .
“ Why would I do that ?
It was an outdoor event , not a covered event .
Why would I get tested ?
” Charlie Kolean , 25 , flew from Dallas to attend the fundraiser and was tested before entering the VIP section .
Kolean said he posed for a photo with the president , both unmasked , while standing 6 feet away .
He praised the safety protocol but said he was nevertheless self-quarantining in Dallas while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid coronavirus test .
“ I want to have no second thought in my mind whatsoever that I don ’ t have it , ” Kolean said .
The White House did not announce that Hicks had tested positive before the news leaked out Thursday evening .
Hours later , Trump turned to Twitter to announce : “ Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 .
We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately .
We will get through this TOGETHER !
” The four Republican lawmakers who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all rushed to get tested even as the House physician advised them that they could continue their work in the chamber as usual — wearing masks and distanced — because they were not deemed to have been in “ close contact ” with the president .
They all later tested negative .
On Friday evening , Trump posted a video of himself on Twitter , saying “ I think I ’ m doing very well.
” By then he had flown off again on Marine One , this time to Walter Reed National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where aides said he planned to stay for several days — a grim reminder of the pervasive place the virus occupies in American life .
He arrived wearing a mask .
Saturday , Sept. 26 : President Donald Trump introduced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court pick .
Four attendees , Sen. Mike Lee , Sen. Thom Tillis , former White House counsellor Kellyanne Conway and the Rev .
John Jenkins , tested positive days later .
Trump also held a rally in Middletown , Pennsylvania .
Sunday , Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sterling , Virginia , Trump held a news conference at the White House and a reception for Gold Star families attended by his wife , Melania , and Vice President Mike Pence and his wife , Karen .
Monday , Sept. 28 : Trump met on the South Lawn with workers from the Lordstown Motors plant in Ohio , then held an event in the Rose Garden to announce a new virus testing strategy .
“ I say it all the time , we are rounding the corner.
” Tuesday , Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump mocked Biden for frequently wearing a mask .
When Biden said experts advocated using them , Trump responded , “ They ’ ve also said the opposite.
” Wednesday , Sept. 30 : Hope Hicks began feeling ill after travelling with Trump to a rally in Duluth , Minnesota , and a fundraiser in Shorewood , Minnesota .
She was isolated aboard Air Force One on the trip back to Washington .
Thursday , Oct. 1 : Trump held a fundraiser in Bedminster , New Jersey , saying , “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” At 10:44 p.m. , at the White House , he confirmed on Twitter that Hicks , a close personal adviser , had tested positive .
Friday , Oct. 2 : At about 1 a.m. , Trump announced on Twitter that he and his wife , Melania , had tested positive .
Late in the day , he was taken to Walter Reed Hospital for several days .
His campaign cancelled all in-person events .

Michael D. Shear Maggie Haberman - The New York Times,Kenneth P. Vogel


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis imperils quick Supreme Court confirmation timeline

WASHINGTON—A coronavirus outbreak that infected U.S. President Donald Trump and spread to the Senate threw a fresh element of uncertainty Friday into the politically fraught fight over installing Judge Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court before Election Day , as Republicans vowed to press ahead and Democrats insisted on a pause .
Pulling off a complex confirmation that touches all three branches of government in the four weeks remaining before the election always promised to be a daunting task for Republicans in the middle of a pandemic .
But by Friday evening , with the White House and Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Judiciary Committee , Sens .
Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , among those announcing they had tested positive for the virus , it was clear that the challenge had grown steeper .
Top Republicans insisted they would move ahead at an uncommonly swift pace to hold hearings on Barrett ’ s nomination by Oct. 12 , send her nomination to the full Senate by Oct. 22 and confirm her as soon as Oct. 26 , eight days before Election Day — even if it meant breaking Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by video conference .
But the latest outbreak raised the possibility that Republicans could lose their slim majority in the Judiciary Committee or on the Senate floor .
It gave Democrats , who were already objecting to Trump ’ s push to install a new Supreme Court justice so close to the election , a new reason to call for a delay .
Seeing a potential opening , top Democrats called for the Senate to pause and assess the scope of the outbreak .
They declared that a fully virtual hearing for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s highest court would be unacceptable .
“ It ’ s critical that Chairman Graham put the health of senators , the nominee and staff first — and ensure a full and fair hearing that is not rushed , not truncated and not virtual , ” Sens .
Chuck Schumer of New York , the minority leader , and Dianne Feinstein of California , the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee , said in a joint statement .
“ Otherwise , this already illegitimate process will become a dangerous one.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his positive test result , Schumer renewed his call for delay , writing on Twitter that going forward with hearings would be “ irresponsible and dangerous.
” “ There is absolutely no good reason to do so , ” he said .
But Sen. Lindsey Graham , chair of the panel , vowed he would stick to his schedule , and Sen. Mitch McConnell , the majority leader , said he intended to move the nomination as soon as the committee approved it .
“ Just finished a great phone call with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
“ He ’ s in good spirits and we talked business — especially how impressed Senators are with the qualifications of Judge Barrett .
Full steam ahead with the fair , thorough , timely process that the nominee , the Court , & the country deserve.
” Republican officials said they had no doubt that senators would find a way to muscle through the nomination over Democrats ’ protests .
But Republicans can not afford to have many members sidelined by illness , which could provide Democrats an opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , have already raised objections to moving ahead before the election , reducing the wiggle room in the 53-47 Republican majority .
McConnell has insisted throughout the pandemic that the Senate continue to meet in person , but he conceded Friday that keeping Republican senators healthy was crucial to the fate of the nomination .
“ I think every precaution needs to be taken because we don ’ t anticipate any Democratic support at all , either in committee or the full Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an all-hands-on-deck mindset , ” he said in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt .
The posturing around the court fight played out as government officials at the White House and on Capitol Hill spent Friday racing to trace those who had come in contact with known carriers of the virus to determine how far it had spread .
Trump was in proximity to Barrett when he announced her nomination in the Rose Garden a week ago at a well-attended celebration where few masks or other precautions were evident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rev .
John Jenkins , the president of the University of Notre Dame , and Kellyanne Conway , a former White House counsellor , said Friday that they had also tested positive .
Lee and Tillis were among at least eight Republican senators present at the White House event , where some guests also gathered indoors and where video captured Lee hugging other attendees without a mask .
Tillis wore a mask .
Both men are on the Judiciary Committee and met with Barrett on Capitol Hill this week indoors , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen others .
Tillis ’ office released a photograph of the senator and the nominee bumping elbows .
Both senators said they felt fine but would isolate for 10 days , placing them on track to re-emerge on the day Graham intends to begin Barrett ’ s hearing .
Other lawmakers who had been in proximity to Trump or his aides said they were getting tested .
Among them were Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Sen. Rick Scott , and Sen. Kelly Loeffler , who all announced they had tested negative .
Republican members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who flew with the president on Air Force One from Washington to a campaign rally in Duluth , also said they were being tested .
Rep. Jim Jordan flew to the presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday on Air Force One with the president and Hope Hicks , a close aide to Trump who tested positive Thursday .
Jordan announced Friday that he had tested negative .
Concerns about the outbreak appeared to lead to a change in Congress ’ s much-maligned approach to testing the thousands of people who stream in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many of them flying in from around the country .
The Office of the Attending Physician informed lawmakers Friday that same-day testing would now be offered in the Capitol to lawmakers who showed possible coronavirus symptoms or had been exposed to someone who had tested positive .
Staff members who came into contact with someone who tested positive could also get tests , the office said .
The announcement came after Schumer had expressed deepened anxiety about the health outlook in the Capitol after Trump ’ s positive test .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and contact-tracing program for senators , staff and all who work in the Capitol complex , ” Schumer said .
“ We simply can not allow the administration ’ s cavalier attitude to adversely affect this branch of government .
It is imperative that all results be made public in order to contain a possible outbreak and so we can determine the need for senators and staff to quarantine or self-isolate.
” Fresh fears about the spread of the virus only stiffened resistance to Barrett ’ s nomination among Democrats , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confirm a Supreme Court justice so close to the election after having blocked President Barack Obama from filling a vacancy nine months before Election Day in 2016 .
But with Trump ’ s reelection in doubt and their party in danger of losing its Senate majority , Republicans are even more eager to confirm the nominee quickly .
They have insisted they are justified in moving ahead with the nomination because Trump was elected in 2016 and Republicans gained seats in the Senate in 2018 , an argument that would be undercut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisers were pushing to scrap plans to keep the Senate in session next week , hoping to reduce the risk of more Republican senators becoming infected .
But adjourning may not be in McConnell ’ s control .
He had been in favour of allowing senators to go home , but Democrats trying to inflict pain on Republicans for their rush to fill the Supreme Court seat refused to go along , using parliamentary tactics to prevent it .
As for Barrett , two officials with knowledge of her medical history said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered this year , potentially providing some immunity for her .
But it was not yet clear whether she would continue her courtesy meetings with senators in person next week .
She tested negative for the virus Friday , officials said .

Carl Hulse - The New York Times,Nicholas Fandos


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Head of Thai zoos shot dead amid missing wildlife scandal

BANGKOK - The head of Thailand ’ s state zoological agency was shot dead Saturday as he was pursuing an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of rare animals from a zoo in a southern province .
Police Capt .
Komalpan Srithep said that Suriya Saengpong , the director-general of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand , was shot several times in the offices of the Songkhla Zoo .
Srithep said the suspected gunman , a senior official at the zoo , fled the scene of the shooting and killed himself in his living quarters .
The motive for the killings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the suspected gunman was one of four senior zoo officials being investigated .
Missing animals from Songkhla Zoo became headline news in Thailand this past week when leaked documents showed that Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-archa was dissatisfied with an initial probe into the disappearance of a rare albino barking deer from there in February .
Songkhla Zoo director Chalermvudh Kasetsomboon had reported that he had obtained photos that indicated the deer was eaten by a Burmese python , but his assertion was received with skepticism .
The online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaked documents , said there were suspicions that the missing deer , along with other animals , was sold to or stolen by wildlife traffickers .
Varawut then ordered a a new investigation , which Suriya travelled to Songkhla from Bangkok to launch Saturday .
The illegal trade in wildlife generates about $ 25 billion in criminal income each year , according to TRAFFIC , an international conservation group that monitors such activities , It is believed to be the world ’ s fourth most lucrative criminal activity after trafficking in drugs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not rare in Thailand , though it is unusual for a senior official to be killed as a result of a workplace dispute .
In February in northeastern Thailand , a Thai Army soldier who believed he had been cheated by his commanding colonel in a property transaction shot dead the officer and then went on a shooting rampage that left 31 people dead , including himself .

Busaba Sivasomboon - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--8 charged in French cryptocurrency scheme to finance jihadis

PARIS - France ’ s anti-terrorism prosecutor ’ s office said Saturday that eight people have been charged for their alleged involvement in a complex scheme financing Islamic extremists in Syria through the use of cryptocurrencies .
Two suspects have been handed preliminary charges of financing terrorism and terrorist conspiracy in a judicial investigation opened Saturday .
The same preliminary charges have been given to another suspect in a related case .
Five other people who have been charged with financing terrorism will be sent to trial by the end of the year , the statement said .
The prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 30 people around the country in the case .
Most were released without charges .
Earlier this week , a statement from the anti-terrorism prosecutor ’ s office said search warrants are out for the two main figures in the scheme , French jihadis who have likely been in northwestern Syria since 2013 and are suspected of creating “ the architecture of this network of terrorism financing.
” The scheme was initially uncovered by a team within the French Economy Ministry that traces fiscal fraud , money laundering and terror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation targeted a financing network that has been active since 2019 .
It was based mainly on the purchase in France of cryptocurrency coupons , details of which were transferred by secure messaging to jihadis in Syria , who could then retrieve the money through cryptocurrency platforms .
Hundreds of thousands of euros are thought to have been supplied via the network , benefiting members of al-Qaida still hiding out in Syria and also jihadis of the Islamic State group .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Cal Cunningham admits to sending sexual texts to strategist

RALEIGH , N.C. - Cal Cunningham , the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate for North Carolina , admitted to sending sexual text messages to a California strategist who is not his wife , but he said he will not drop out of the race .
Cunningham apologized late Friday in a statement reported by multiple news outlets .
The text messages , sent to public relations strategist Arlene Guzman Todd , were first revealed by NationalLife.com .
“ I have hurt my family , disappointed my friends , and am deeply sorry .
The first step in repairing those relationships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , “ Cunningham said in the statement .
Screengrabs of the messages show Cunningham told Guzman Todd , “ Would make my day to roll over and kiss you about now , ” to which she replies , “ You ’ re so sweet .
I would enjoy that.
” Another shows Guzman Todd tell Cunningham , “ the only thing I want on my to do list is you , ” to which Cunningham replies , “ Sounds so hot and so fun !
” It ’ s unclear when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point Cunningham says he ’ s “ Nervous about the next 100 days , ” which could be a reference to the Senate election .
One hundred days before the election would be July 26 , the News & Observer reported .
Cunningham is married with two children .
Guzman Todd is also married , according to the NationalLife.com report .
“ I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign , and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people of our state , “ Cunningham said in the statement .
Earlier Friday , Cunningham ’ s opponent , Republican Sen. Thom Tillis , confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 but has no symptoms .
Cunningham tweeted that he wished Tillis a “ quick recovery .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--China’s Xi Jinping sends sympathy message to Trump over infection

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of sympathy Saturday to U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady @ @ @ @ @ diagnosis , state TV reported .
“ My wife , Peng Liyuan , and I @ @ @ @ @ and your wife and wish you a fast recovery , ” state TV on its @ @ @ @ @ saying .
Chinese-U.S. relations have tumbled to their lowest point in decades amid disputes over @ @ @ @ @ , Beijing ’ s tightening of control over Hong Kong and complaints about abuses in @ @ @ @ @ region of Xinjiang .
Trump has blamed China , where the coronavirus outbreak began in @ @ @ @ @ outbreak and allowing it to spread .


thetorontostar--2020-10-03--Virus spreads on panel handling Supreme Court nomination

WASHINGTON - Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus , raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett and whether additional senators may have been exposed .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the confirmation process was going “ full steam ahead.
” North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee both said Friday that they had tested positive for the virus .
Both had attended a ceremony for Barrett at the White House on Sept. 25 with President Donald Trump , who announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was later hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
Lee , who did not wear a mask at the White House event , said he had “ symptoms consistent with longtime allergies.
“ Tillis , who did wear a mask during the public portion of the event , said he had “ mild symptoms.
” Both said they would quarantine for 10 days — ending just before Barrett ’ s confirmation hearings begin on Oct. 12 .
The positive tests come as Senate Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Barrett in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 election .
There is little cushion in the schedule set out by Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham and McConnell , who want to put a third Trump nominee on the court immediately in case they lose any of their power in the election .
Democrats , many of whom have been critical of Barrett , seized on the virus announcements to call for a delay in the hearings .
“ We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID , and there may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chuck Schumer .
“ I wish my colleagues well .
It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing , and there is absolutely no good reason to do so.
” Several other members of the Judiciary panel attended the White House ceremony , including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley , Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse , Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo .
Blackburn said she tested negative after the event .
Crapo said he “ recently ” had a negative test and a spokeswoman said he would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be arranged .
A spokeswoman for Hawley said he was being tested Saturday , and the senator tweeted later that his coronavirus test came back negative .
Sasse tested negative , but said in a statement that he would work remotely from his home state and undergo further testing due to his “ close interaction with multiple infected individuals , ” his office said .
He said he planned to to return to Washington in time for the confirmation hearing .
Graham was not at the White House on Saturday but sees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had taken a test after interacting with Lee and it was negative .
A spokeswoman for another GOP member of the committee , Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , said Saturday that he had also interacted with Lee and had also tested negative .
Still , Cruz ’ s office said he is remaining at home until the hearings out of an abundance of caution .
Confirmation hearings for Barrett , who would replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , are scheduled to last for four days .
McConnell on Saturday announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action for the next two weeks but that the hearings would proceed .
At an event in Kentucky on Friday , he said he thought remote hearings could work if some senators couldn ’ t attend .
Graham also suggested the possibility of remote hearings , saying on Twitter that “ any senator who wants to participate virtually will be allowed to do so.
” In a statement Saturday , Graham said there would be “ no change ” in the hearings even if Senate floor votes were delayed .
It is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no action on the floor .
Senators can not vote virtually , however , so Republicans would need a full slate of committee members to approve the nomination shortly after the hearings and all of their senators on the floor for a final confirmation vote , which they hope will happen the last week of October .
After interacting with Sen. Lee , in consultation with the attending physician , Sen. Cruz is remaining at home out of an abundance of caution .
He feels healthy , hasn ’ t exhibited any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In accordance with medical advice he will return to the Senate for the Supreme Court nomination hearings.
” Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , also announced Saturday that he tested positive for the virus and would not return until he was cleared by his doctor .
He is not on the Judiciary panel , but his presence would likely be needed for a floor vote .
Tillis is in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Cal Cunningham , and the two debated Thursday evening .
On Twitter , Cunningham said he wished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also get tested .
Barrett , who was with Trump and many others on Saturday and met with Lee , Tillis and other members of the Judiciary panel this week , tested negative , the White House said Friday .
It was confirmed that she had a mild case of COVID earlier this year and has now recovered .
Trump , who has consistently downplayed the virus and often discouraged the use of masks , was flown to Walter Reed on Friday evening after experiencing symptoms .
The president tweeted Saturday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the next 48 hours would be critical in terms of his care .
Associated Press writers Matthew Daly in Washington and Meg Kinnard in Columbia , South Carolina , contributed to this report .

Mary Clare Jalonick - The Associated Press