thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Sudan, rebel alliance reach deal in ongoing peace efforts

JUBA , South Sudan - Sudan ’ s transitional authorities and a rebel alliance signed a peace deal on Monday following months of tortuous negotiations aimed at ending the country ’ s decades-long civil wars , but other powerful armed groups have thus far declined to join them .
The deal was reached between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front , a coalition of several armed groups .
Leaders signed the agreement in South Sudan ’ s capital , Juba , where talks have been held since late last year .
Negotiating an end to the rebellions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crucial goal for the transitional government , which assumed power after a popular uprising led the military to overthrow President Omar al-Bashir in April 2019 .
Authorities hope to revive the country ’ s battered economy through slashing military spending , which takes up much of the national budget .
Sudan is currently ruled by a military-civilian government , with elections possible in late 2022 .
A cease-fire between government forces and the rebels has been in place since al-Bashir ’ s ouster .
The televised ceremony was attended by South Sudan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained independence from Sudan in 2011 following decades of civil war .
The head of Sudan ’ s sovereign council , Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan , and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also attended the signing .
Jonas Horner , senior Sudan analyst at the International Crisis Group , a Brussels-based think-tank , called the agreement a “ hugely significant sign of progress for Sudan ’ s transition.
” “ But it is also far from comprehensive and only represents a first step towards peace , while significant hurdles remain in the way of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International financial and diplomatic support , or even pressure if needed , will be imperative to make sure the parties implement the agreement.
” The deal would grant self-rule for the provinces of Blue Nile , South Kordofan and West Kordofan , according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press .
Rebel forces would be integrated into Sudan ’ s armed forces .
Hamdok , the prime minister , took to Twitter to hail the deal as a “ start of the peace path .
A peace that requires strong and firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the agreement as a “ milestone ” in achieving peace in Sudan .
Kiir vowed to “ continue standing with the Sudanese to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement , ” according to his advisor and mediator Tut Qalwak .
The SRF is part of the pro-democracy movement that led the uprising against al-Bashir , but the rebels didn ’ t fully support the military-civilian power-sharing deal .
That deal includes a six-month deadline for achieving peace , which runs out in February .
Sudan ’ s largest single rebel group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu , was involved in the talks but has yet to reach a deal with the government .
Al-Hilu has called for a secular state with no role of religion in lawmaking , the disbanding of al-Bashir ’ s militias and the revamping of the country ’ s military .
The group has said if its demands are not met , it would call for self-determination in areas it controls in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan provinces .
Another major rebel group , the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army , which is led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government and has not taken part in the talks .

Maura Ajak And Samy Magdy - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Couple, twin teenage children found dead in Ohio home

SHAKER HEIGHTS , Ohio - A couple and their twin teenage children were found dead in their home after authorities @ @ @ @ @ welfare check at the residence in a Cleveland suburb , authorities said .
Shaker Heights @ @ @ @ @ around 2:20 p.m. Sunday and soon found Regina Tobin , 58 ; John Tobin , @ @ @ @ @ Graham Tobin , both 15 .
Further details on how and when the deaths may @ @ @ @ @ disclosed .
Authorities did not say who asked for the welfare check or why it @ @ @ @ @ there was no forced entry into the home and no other injuries were reported .

State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada
Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Uncertainty dominates presidential campaign’s final stretch

NEW YORK - Within President Donald Trump ’ s campaign , some privately feared the worst heading into the national conventions .
They worried a strong showing by Democrat Joe Biden , combined with an underwhelming performance by Trump , would lock in the certainty of a blowout loss that would essentially end the election by September .
But as the candidates move beyond trouble-free conventions and into the final phase of the 2020 election season , both sides acknowledge the contest is tightening .
And after months of running an almost entirely virtual campaign because of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase of in-person events to help blunt any Trump gains .
“ This campaign has always known that it ’ s going to be a close race , it ’ s going to be a tough race , ” Biden ’ s senior adviser Anita Dunn said , noting that no Democratic presidential candidate since 1964 has earned more than 52.9 % of the vote .
She added : “ It ’ s a polarized nation and we expect this kind of tightening.
” That leaves Democrats and Republicans preparing for a 64-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be one of the most turbulent and chaotic periods in modern American history .
Each side cast the other as an existential threat to America ’ s future as they offered voters starkly different versions of reality over the last two weeks of carefully scripted conventions .
Democrats attacked Trump as an incompetent racist with autocratic tendencies who is failing to protect the nation from the pandemic as he actively undermines democracy .
Republicans largely ignored the pandemic while attacking Joe Biden as a senile lifetime politician controlled by his party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting suburban voters from mobs of protesters .
“ America doesn ’ t feel like one country with all the chaos and division , ” former Democratic presidential contender Pete Buttigieg said in an interview .
“ We should be ready for literally anything in the next couple months , ” he said .
“ 2020 isn ’ t done serving up shocks and surprises.
” Rarely have such dire variables loomed over the closing weeks of an election .
A pandemic that has already killed 180,000 Americans shows little sign of slowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million onto the unemployment rolls with tens of thousands of businesses feared permanently closed .
Continued police violence against unarmed Black people has sparked sweeping civil rights protests and new incidents of protest-related violence on the streets .
There are the natural disasters : A hurricane pummeled the Gulf Coast last week , massive forest fires are burning California , and powerful derecho winds slammed Iowa ’ s farming industry .
And what worries government watchdogs the most : Trump is openly undermining the integrity of the election by raising unfounded concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at polling places during the pandemic .
Amid the chaos , Miles Taylor , a lifetime Republican who previously served as chief of staff inside the Trump administration ’ s Department of Homeland Security , warned there is nothing that the Republican president will not do or say to defeat Biden .
“ Put nothing past Donald Trump , ” Taylor told The Associated Press .
“ He will do anything to win .
If that means climbing over other people , climbing over his own people , or climbing over U.S. law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are right to be concerned.
” Among the many crises shaping the fall campaign , racial tensions have emerged as a critical factor that could decide Trump ’ s fate .
Trump ’ s campaign believes it is benefiting from sometimes violent protests in Wisconsin that followed a white police officer shooting Jacob Black , a Black Man , seven times , leaving him paralyzed .
The president has repeatedly cast protesters as angry mobs that threaten America ’ s suburbs , an argument with racist undertones aimed at strengthening Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
As part of his “ law and order ” message , Trump has consistently sided with police over their African American victims .
He plans to visit the site of the latest violent clash , Kenosha , Wisconsin , on Tuesday .
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King III likened Trump ’ s rhetoric on race — and his party ’ s efforts to make it more difficult to vote this fall — to the efforts of Republican leaders like Richard Nixon prior to the passage of the Civil Rights Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if 2020 America will have as much tolerance for the message that resonated a half century ago .
“ It ’ s just straight racism , ” King said of Trump ’ s rhetoric and record .
“ The hands of the clock are going backwards.
” Meanwhile , the candidates are unleashing dramatically different campaigns upon voters as they navigate the pandemic .
After almost completely avoiding campaign travel since early March , Biden will resume in-person campaigning on Monday in Pennsylvania .
He ’ ll make subsequent appearances in battleground states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dunn confirmed , noting that some states have strict limits on public gatherings .
Biden himself has cited plans to campaign in at least four states : Arizona , Michigan , Minnesota and Pennsylvania , although the specific schedule remains a work in progress .
He is expected to rely on smaller events in which attendees would adhere to strict social distancing measures and wear masks .
“ You saw all those people at the White House the other night without masks , ” Dunn said .
“ You ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden event.
” Biden ’ s team is not currently planning to resume in-person canvassing efforts , usually the lifeblood of campaigns , in which armies of paid staff and volunteers talk face-to-face with prospective supporters at their doorsteps .
The campaign instead has more than 2,000 paid staff and many more volunteers making phone calls and messaging voters .
On the other side , Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said the GOP has been actively courting voters in person for weeks and would continue to do so , despite the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve now ramped up to about 2 million volunteers that have been activated .
We ’ re knocking a million doors a week , ” McDaniel told The Associated Press .
“ Biden has chosen to forego that .
They ’ re knocking zero doors a week.
” Trump plans to begin a breakneck campaign schedule featuring larger events in the coming days and weeks .
He ’ s grown fond of rallies inside airport hangars , which are arguably safer from a health perspective given they are partially open-air ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his crowds by pulling up in Air Force One .
The president will continue to highlight the civil unrest in response to police brutality in Wisconsin and elsewhere , according to Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien , who described the Republican message against their Democratic challenger this way : “ We ’ ll match the president ’ s leadership and record against Joe Biden , who is a weak puppet of the extreme left , afraid to stand up to anti-police rioters , and bowing to radicals to raise taxes and drag the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowed about Biden ’ s decision to resume campaigning , believing it demonstrates concern about a tightening race that could lead to public stumbles from the gaff-prone former vice-president .
They also pointed to Biden ’ s plans to campaign in Minnesota , describing it as evidence of a narrowing race even in a state Trump lost four years ago .
The president ’ s position is improving throughout the Midwest , aides believe , although Minnesota and Michigan remain much steeper climbs than Wisconsin , Ohio or , further east , Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can afford to lose Michigan and Pennsylvania , so long as he carries Wisconsin and the rest of his 2016 states — including one Maine congressional district .
Meanwhile , Biden is betting he can keep his party ’ s many disparate factions united behind his White House bid .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who competed against Biden in the Democratic primary , hosted a series of online events over the weekend designed to refocus his party ’ s final-weeks message on health care and income inequality .
“ That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think other Democrats have got to talk about that also , ” Sanders said in an interview .
The Vermont senator ’ s weekend appearances mark the beginning of what he described as a more active role designed to highlight progressive priorities .
“ This is not only the most important election in our lifetimes , it is the most important election in modern American history , ” Sanders said .
“ Our job right now is to elect Biden .
And the day after he is inaugurated we are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we implement the most progressive agenda in modern American history .
”

Steve Peoples, Zeke Miller And Jonathan Lemire - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--German president condemns far-right protest in Berlin

BERLIN - Germany ’ s president on Monday condemned an attempt by far-right protesters to storm the country ’ s parliament building over the weekend , accusing other demonstrators who watched on of complicity with the extremists .
Hundreds of people who were part of a broader demonstration against the country ’ s pandemic restrictions breached a security barrier outside the Reichstag building late Saturday before being intercepted by police and removed .
From the steps of the building , some waved the flag of the German Reich of 1871-1918 — a favourite of the far-right in a country where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other extremist banners .
The Reichstag building was burned a month after the Nazis came to power in 1933 , many believe by the Nazis themselves , and the arson attack was used as an excuse to impose a crackdown on civil liberties .
Today it houses Germany ’ s parliament , and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the images of the weekend protest “ rightfully frightened and outraged many people.
” “ The violent riots on Saturday again made clear that right-wing extremism has deep roots in our society , ” Steinmeier said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who stood alone against the protesters until reinforcements arrived .
“ It is a serious danger and it is an important and ongoing task to uncover networks in the early stages in order to effectively combat it.
” Though tens of thousands of people opposed to wearing masks and other measures intended to slow the spread of the coronavirus took part in the daylong demonstration on Saturday , countrywide they are very much a minority .
Opinion polls show only one German in 10 rejects the country ’ s current prevention measures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public transport , in stores and in some public buildings such as libraries and schools .
Steinmeier defended the right of those protesting the coronavirus measures to demonstrate , but admonished them not to allow themselves to be co-opted by the extreme right with a different agenda .
“ My understanding ends where demonstrators allow themselves to be harnessed to the carts of the enemies of democracy and the political agitators , ” he said .
“ Those who seek co-operation with right-wing extremists on the street , but also those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , xenophobes and anti-Semites , those who don ’ t clearly and actively separate themselves from them , make common cause with them.
” Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s spokesman , Steffen Seibert , decried what he called “ disgraceful pictures at the Reichstag that are not acceptable — anti-democrats trying to encroach on the steps of our democratic parliament.
” He thanked police , as well as “ the overwhelming majority of the 83 million people in this country — all those who are behaving sensibly , cautiously and considerately in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t always easy.
” Seibert also condemned a weekend incident in Bergisch Gladbach , near Cologne , in which Health Minister Jens Spahn was yelled at and , his ministry says , spat at by protesters against virus restrictions .
Video showed Spahn appearing to offer to talk to demonstrators before giving up and getting in his car .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--3 found dead in Dallas after man says he killed wife, kids

Dallas police officers found the bodies of three people in an apartment Monday after a man called an alarm company @ @ @ @ @ his wife and two children , police said .
Deputy Chief Reuben Ramirez says James @ @ @ @ @ taken into custody by officers who arrived at the scene .
He was booked into @ @ @ @ @ a capital murder charge without bond pending an appearance before a magistrate .
Public records @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the three people who were killed had been shot .
No further @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Embattled Nebraska candidate vows to stay in Senate race

OMAHA , Neb .
- Embattled Nebraska U.S. Senate hopeful Chris Janicek doubled down Monday on his refusal to bow out of the race , despite relentless pressure from the state Democratic Party after he admitted to sending sexually offensive text messages about a campaign employee .
Janicek reaffirmed his pledge to stay in the race during a press conference at his Omaha cupcake bakery .
The Democratic nominee has until 5 p.m. Tuesday to request that state officials remove his name from the ballot , but he made clear that he has no plans to do so .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he was caught sending sexually offensive messages about a campaign employee in a group text with other staffers .
The female contract staffer was accidentally included in the message and filed a complaint with the party .
Janicek has said he apologized to the woman in a phone call , in person , and in writing , and that she accepted his apology .
The woman has disputed Janicek ’ s account , saying she doesn ’ t accept his apology and maintains that he should drop out of the race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was inappropriate .
It was disgusting .
It was meant to go to one person , ” Janicek said .
“ I apologized immediately for it , over and over , ad nauseam .
The text message should never have been sent.
” Janicek is challenging Republican Sen. Ben Sasse , who is seeking a second term .
Janicek accepted the Democratic nomination in May after winning a seven-candidate primary race , but the odds of winning in November were against him in GOP-dominated Nebraska even before his party withdrew its support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the press conference , noting that its membership has fallen to just 29 % of the state ’ s registered voters .
He said party officials met with him privately after his campaign employee filed the complaint and offered to let him drop out quietly , saying that he could cite health concerns as the reason .
Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said that claim was untrue , and that the meeting with Janicek included eight party officers and their lawyer .
After the scandal broke , the state party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alisha Shelton , an Omaha mental health practitioner who ran unsuccessfully against Janicek in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary .
Party leaders voted to endorse Shelton as a replacement nominee , but state law prevents them from removing Janicek ’ s name from the ballot without his consent .
And because of Nebraska ’ s “ sore loser ” law , Shelton can ’ t run as a write-in candidate because she lost to Janicek in the primary .
The state party then voted to back former Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional District for one term .
Ashford wasn ’ t a candidate in the Democratic Senate primary and thus would have been able to run as a write-in candidate .
But days after the endorsement , he reversed course and announced that he wouldn ’ t run for the Senate seat .
In a statement Monday , party officials said they would support a nominee “ whose values represent our party , “ no matter what Janicek decides .
Janicek “ is shameful and has no support of the Democratic Party , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that voters across Nebraska have a strong choice in order to defeat Ben Sasse , ” she said .
Shelton said the party deserves a nominee “ with a moral compass , “ who will listen to voters .
“ Leaders are always willing to do the right thing , even if it is hard , ” she said .
“ I am sad that Chris is not leading .
Fellow Nebraskans are pleading with him to exit the race.
” Janicek ran for Senate once before , in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he chose to run after having a heart attack in 2015 and getting slapped with more than $ 100,000 in medical bills that his insurance only partially covered .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--New focus for campaign: Will Biden or Trump keep you safer?

PITTSBURGH - The battle over who can keep Americans safe after recent deadly protests has emerged as the sharpest dividing line for the presidential campaign ’ s final weeks , with Joe Biden on Monday condemning the violence and President Donald Trump defending a supporter accused of fatally shooting two men .
While the president blamed Biden , his Democratic foe , for siding with “ anarchists , ” Biden , in his most direct attacks yet , accused Trump of causing the divisions that have ignited the violence .
He delivered an uncharacteristically blistering speech and distanced himself from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of Trump : “ He doesn ’ t want to shed light , he wants to generate heat , and he ’ s stoking violence in our cities .
He can ’ t stop the violence because for years he ’ s fomented it.
” Trump blames radical troublemakers whom he says are stirred up and backed by Biden .
But when he was asked about one of his own supporters who was charged with killing two men during the mayhem in Kenosha , Wisconsin , he declined to denounce the killings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting in self-defence .
After a confrontation in which he fatally shot one man , police say , Rittenhouse fell while being chased by people trying to disarm him .
“ That was an interesting situation , “ said Trump .
“ He was trying to get away from them , I guess , it looks like , and he fell .
And then they very violently attacked him .
...
He was in very big trouble .
He would have been — you probably would ’ ve been killed.
” Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add to tensions in Kenosha when he visits Tuesday .
He ’ s going despite pleas from Wisconsin ’ s Democratic governor to stay away for fears of sparking further tumult .
In Kenosha , the National Guard has been deployed to quell demonstrations in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake , a Black man .
Trump said his appearance could “ increase enthusiasm ” in Wisconsin , which is a hotly contested battleground state in the presidential race .
Biden saw Trump ’ s impact far differently , accusing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s values .
In a statement after Trump ’ s news conference comments , he said : “ Today , I travelled to Pittsburgh to explain how the president was making America less safe — on COVID , on the economy , on crime , on racism , on violence — and reiterated my clear message that violence is not the answer to any of these problems .
... “ Tonight , the president declined to rebuke violence .
He wouldn ’ t even repudiate one of his supporters who is charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
He is too weak , too scared of the hatred he has stirred to put an end to it.
” In Pittsburgh , the former vice-president also tried to refocus the race on what has been its defining theme — Trump ’ s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic that has left more than 180,000 Americans dead — after a multi-day onslaught by the president ’ s team to make the campaign about the violence rattling American cities .
Biden himself has largely remained near his home in Delaware to prevent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped out in a new phase of his campaign on Monday , making a speech in Pittsburgh and a brief stop at a local firehouse .
Trump and his campaign team believe that the more the national discourse is about anything other than the virus , the better it is for the president .
They have seized upon the recent unrest in Portland , Oregon — where a Trump supporter was shot and killed — and Kenosha , leaning hard into a defence of law and order while suggesting that Biden is powerless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were his lofty appeals about the “ soul of the nation , ” a staple of his usual stump speech , replaced by an urgent call for action and and his fierce accusation that Trump was a “ toxic presence in this nation for four years ” who was “ poisoning the values this nation has always held dear , poisoning our very democracy.
” The president and his team continued to hammer away on what they believe is a powerful electoral argument , contending that Biden is in thrall to leftist forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could send worried suburban and senior voters back to Trump ’ s column .
“ Just watched what Biden had to say , ” Trump tweeted soon after the former vice-president concluded his remarks in Pittsburgh .
“ To me , he ’ s blaming the Police far more than he ’ s blaming the Rioters , Anarchists , Agitators , and Looters , which he could never blame or he would lose the Radical Left Bernie supports !
” Biden has been pushed by worried Democrats — including some voices inside his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence head-on and at greater length , though he had previously condemned it .
With Trump pounding the issue in his convention speech , which was then followed by more bloodshed over the weekend , many in Biden ’ s party , still shell-shocked by 2016 , urged the former vice-president to get ahead of the rare issue that has broken through the national focus on the pandemic .
But Biden didn ’ t just play defence , he went on the attack .
Following up his Democratic convention address , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s name , Biden on Monday invoked Trump ’ s name 32 times , directly assailing the president in remarks that seemed intended to silence worries in his party and the Beltway ’ s chattering class .
He pulled no punches about the violence .
“ It ’ s lawlessness , plain and simple .
And those who do it should be prosecuted , ” Biden said .
And he leaned on his own 47-year career in politics to defend himself against Republican attacks .
“ You know me .
You know my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family ’ s story .
Ask yourself : Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters ?
Really ?
” He declared that even as Trump is “ trying to scare America , ” what ’ s really causing the nation ’ s fear is Trump ’ s own failures .
“ You want to talk about fear ?
They ’ re afraid they ’ re going to get COVID , they ’ re afraid they ’ re going to get sick and die , ” Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to distract from the pandemic , and at times he seemed to receive slight positive bumps in support when touting the possible economic recovery .
But other attempts to change the narrative with cultural wedge issues fell flat , including a defence of Confederate monuments , and polling suggested that Trump was far out of step with the Black Lives Matter movement , which enjoyed wide public support .
Though a law and order push backfired when the president cleared Lafayette Square , near the White House , of peaceful protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized on the violence as a means to drive up Biden ’ s negatives and bring home disenchanted suburban voters .
The former vice-president ’ s speech Monday appeared to jump-start the general election campaign a week ahead of its normal Labor Day kickoff , as both Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris , will begin venturing out despite the pandemic .
Biden , who may make his own visit to Wisconsin this week , has missed the glad-handing of a traditional campaign and managed to have a brief moment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pittsburgh firefighters .
The setting for Biden ’ s speech was no accident : Pennsylvania , his native state , is a vital battleground with both candidates competing for its working-class voters .
Trump , whose campaign is focusing on the state ’ s rural counties , eked out a 44,000-vote win in 2016 but Biden , who is running strong in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia suburbs , also made certain Monday to make a pitch on an issue of local interest .
“ I am not banning fracking , no matter how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Jaffe reported from Washington .
Lemire reported from New York .

Jonathan Lemire, Alexandra Jaffe And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Facebook threatens to block news distribution in Australia

Facebook threatened to block Australian publishers and individuals from sharing news stories on its platform in reaction to an Australian measure that could require it to compensate media organizations for its use of their stories .
The social network said the Australian move would force it to pay arbitrary and theoretically unlimited sums for information that makes up only a small fraction of its service .
The measure would force Facebook to choose between “ either removing news entirely or accepting a system that lets publishers charge us for as much content as they want at a price with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s managing director for Australia and New Zealand , Will Easton , wrote in a blog post .
“ No business can operate that way.
” Campbell Brown , a former NBC and CNN anchor who now serves as Facebook ’ s vice-president of global news partnerships , said the cutoff threat “ has nothing to do with our ongoing global commitment to journalism.
” Brown ’ s post , which cited a variety of individual Facebook programs intended to support news organizations , was titled “ Our Continued Commitment to Journalism.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter that cast the proposed Australian law as a potential threat to individual privacy and a burden that would degrade the quality of its search and YouTube video services , but did not threaten a cutoff .
“ Mark Zuckerberg is happy to let Facebook be a tool to spread misinformation and fake news , but is apparently fine with Facebook dropping real news altogether , ” John Stanton , co-founder of the Save Journalism Project , said in a statement .
“ Regulators need to reign in the tech giants ’ total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s too late .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Sheriffs reject governor’s plan to curb Portland violence

PORTLAND , Ore. - Sheriffs from two counties in the suburbs of Portland , Oregon , on Monday emphatically rejected a plan by the state ’ s governor for their deputies to help patrol the city following last weekend ’ s deadly shooting of a right-wing supporter of President Donald Trump .
Their decision threw into doubt a plan announced a day earlier by Gov .
Kate Brown to keep the peace in Portland by adding nearby sheriffs deputies and Oregon State Police troopers as the liberal city struggles to regain its footing in the glare of the national spotlight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the security plan for Portland after the fatal shooting of Aaron Danielson , 39 , on Saturday as Black Lives Matter protesters clashed with Trump supporters who drove in a caravan through the city .
No one has been arrested in the case .
The rejection by the two sheriffs , elected as nonpartisans , increases uncertainty about Portland ’ s future just as Trump puts the chaos in Portland in his campaign crosshairs as part of his law and order re-election campaign theme .
Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts said inundating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work because Portland ’ s newly elected district attorney has dismissed charges against hundreds of protesters arrested for non-violent , low-level crimes .
Roberts and Washington County Sheriff Pat Garrett also said the liability for their deputies would be too great amid worries deputies could be sued for actions they take outside their home jurisdictions .
“ The same offenders are arrested night after night , only to be released by the court and not charged with a crime by the DA ’ s Office , “ Roberts said .
” The next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangering the lives of law enforcement and the community all over again.
” Brown ’ s chief-of-staff , Charles Boyle , said Roberts did agree that deputies from Clackamas County could help by handling some calls normally taken by state police while its troopers are dispatched to Portland .
Trump has made Portland and its Democratic leadership a frequent target and he demanded that local and state leaders call in the National Guard after Saturday ’ s fatal shooting .
“ Portland is a mess , and it has been for many years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t clean it up , we will go in and do it for them !
” Trump tweeted Monday , a day after tweeting that the mayor was a “ fool ” and a “ weak and pathetic Democrat mayor.
” Brown has so far declined to send the National Guard to Portland but instead announced the planned coalition of law enforcement agencies late Sunday .
In a statement , she said right-wing groups like Patriot Prayer had come to Portland “ looking for a fight “ and vowed to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come together — elected officials , community leaders , all of us — to stop the cycle of violence , ” she said .
Some Black community leaders were also upset with the proposal to put more officers on the streets .
Portland police have been criticized for using tear gas and for being overly aggressive .
“ If you ’ re just there , the odds of getting arrested at this point are almost so high as to the point of being guaranteed , ” said Shanice Clarke , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a frequent protester .
The Portland police also drew criticism Monday for not doing more to keep the dueling groups apart and for letting the situation get out of control .
Police Chief Chuck Lovell defended his officers , saying the clashes between protesters and Trump supporters were spread out over many city blocks and that the shooting took just seconds .
“ While it ’ s easy to cast blame on paramilitary and alt-right groups on the one side , or anti-fascist and Black Lives Matter groups on the other , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Eric Ward , executive director of the non-profit Western States Center , which helps marginalized communities organize social justice campaigns around the West .
“ In Portland , law enforcement has regularly failed to keep our city ’ s streets safe.
“ State police also took over patrols in Portland in July following two weeks of massive demonstrations against the presence of federal agents in the city .
Danielson , the man who was killed , was a supporter of Patriot Prayer , a right-wing group based in Washington state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2017 , its supporters have periodically come to Portland to hold rallies for Trump , ratcheting up tensions long before the national outrage over the police killing of George Floyd .
Many of the Black Lives Matter protests in Portland have ended with vandalism to federal and city property , including the federal courthouse and City Hall .
In July , Trump sent more than 100 federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security to safeguard federal property — a move that instead reinvigorated the protests .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Strong typhoon sweeping over Japan’s southernmost islands

TOKYO - A powerful typhoon was blowing over Japan ’ s southernmost islands early Tuesday on course for Japan ’ @ @ @ @ @ later the Korean Peninsula .
Warnings issued for the area around Okinawa , home to @ @ @ @ @ strong gusts could cause some homes to collapse and extremely high tides were a risk @ @ @ @ @ Meteorological Agency said Typhoon Maysak was expected to later make landfall on Kyushu , Japan @ @ @ @ @ , bringing strong winds and rain , then hit South Korea by Thursday .
Maysak @ @ @ @ @ ( 100 mph ) maximum winds at its centre at daybreak , JMA said .
@ @ @ @ @ slightly as it headed toward Kyushu .
A typhoon that hit the Korean Peninsula last @ @ @ @ @ in both Koreas .
Japan ’ s southern islands are often been hit by mudslides @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Visitation to begin again at federal prisons in October

WASHINGTON - The federal Bureau of Prisons will begin allowing inmates to have visitors again in October , almost seven months after visits were suspended at the 122 federal prisons across the U.S. , according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press .
The visitation plan — detailed in a memo to senior bureau officials on Monday — instructed wardens to “ immediately begin developing local procedures to reinstate social visiting.
” Social visiting is scheduled to begin no later than Oct. 3 , though physical contact will be prohibited , according to the memo .
Inmates and visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and visitors would have their temperatures taken and would be questioned about whether they have shown any coronavirus-related symptoms .
The Bureau of Prisons had suspended all visitation in March as part of its coronavirus response plan .
For months , the agency has struggled with a ballooning number of coronavirus cases among inmates .
As of Monday , more than 12,500 inmates and 1,583 staff members had tested positive for the virus .
The agency said 10,607 inmates and 922 of the staff members had recovered .
A total of 118 inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bureau of Prisons plan that began in March , there have been no social visits at any bureau facilities , but inmates were eligible to receive extra minutes of phone time per month .
Legal visits were also suspended , though officials said accommodations could be made on a case-by-case basis .
The new procedures call for tables , chairs and other high-touch surfaces to be disinfected between visits and for visiting times to be moved around to account for social distancing and other factors .
Under the guidelines , all inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least twice a month , the memo said .
Plastic glass barriers will be in place to prevent visitors and inmates from having any physical contact , and if the barrier isn ’ t in place , there will be a requirement that they remain 6 feet apart , the memo said .
Follow Balsamo and Sisak on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1 and www.twitter.com/MikeSisak .

Michael Balsamo And Michael R. Sisak - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Planes, pizza and Cher: Biden resumes campaign travel

PITTSBURGH - Joe Biden opened the first week of the general-election campaign with a morning flight to a must-win battleground state where he delivered a blistering speech against his rival , President Donald Trump .
He dropped off pizzas at a local firehouse , took photos with first-responders and swung by a private fundraiser headlined by Cher before catching a return flight home .
For a moment , traditional campaigning — complete with chartered airplanes , unannounced visits and sometimes awkward celebrity moments — returned to America .
But Biden ’ s Monday trip to Pittsburgh , his first substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal .
Local rules designed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus meant that voters in this swath of western Pennsylvania who could decide the election couldn ’ t watch Biden deliver his speech in-person .
Some Biden staffers had to leave to prevent overcrowding in the room .
And the fundraiser was held virtually , with Biden joining from the same building as the speech .
Cher , appearing virtually , said of Trump , “ The guy is really an idiot.
“ With both parties ’ conventions over and the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing offered a preview of how Biden will likely spend his days before the election : day trips to critical states where he participates in carefully controlled events and does little of the glad-handing that he is known for .
Biden ’ s campaign insists it is listening to science by keeping him away from crowds and wearing a mask in public , in contrast with Trump , who packed people onto the White House ’ s South Lawn last week for his speech accepting the Republican Party ’ s nomination for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his more reserved approach will appeal to voters seeking to move past the tumult of the Trump era .
But he ’ s competing against a president who eagerly harnesses the power of incumbency to advance his political prospects .
Trump routinely flies around the country on official business that often feels like campaign events with large crowds — usually gleefully flaunting social distancing and mask-wearing rules — gathering at the airport to cheer him .
The president will travel to Kenosha , Wisconsin , on Tuesday after some protests there became violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Jacob Blake , a Black man , by a white police officer .
Trump told reporters on Monday that the trip could “ increase enthusiasm ” in the state , which is another battleground .
The president is fond of accusing Biden of “ hiding ” in the basement of his Delaware home , where he ’ s built a studio to conduct virtual campaign events .
It ’ s not a fully accurate description because Biden has travelled about once a week since Memorial Day , delivering speeches and interacting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But until Monday , those trips were to places in Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania that were a short drive from his home .
When Biden landed in Pittsburgh , only a group of campaign reporters — consigned to their own small plane that flew ahead of Biden ’ s — was there to greet him .
He didn ’ t answer any questions .
Biden first went to a onetime shuttered factory that has been converted into a sustainable energy centre and is now part of Carnegie Mellon University .
He lashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large , concrete-floored room with ceilings that soared more than three stories .
Yet masked reporters were assigned to individual social distancing circles set on the floor and , because of their ranks and those of the Secret Service , some of Biden ’ s staff members slipped out before his speech — ensuring that not more than 25 people were present .
“ Donald Trump looks at this violence and sees a political lifeline , ” said Biden , blaming the president for fanning tensions that have seen some protests against institutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a nod to Pennsylvania ’ s heavily energy dependent economy , Biden declared : “ I ’ m not for banning fracking — no matter how many times Donald Trump lies about me.
” In the parking lot outside , well-wishers swelled to more than 100 , even after Biden ’ s speech concluded .
Some waved Biden signs and chanted “ We want Joe !
“ despite not being close enough for him to hear them .
Biden later made a quick stop at the firehouse , joking of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried my staff was going to keep them.
“ He chatted with first-responders and posed for a group picture .
But Biden also was interrupted by a man who said he was a retired fire fighter and used a perch atop a truck parked across the street and a bullhorn to pester the Democratic candidate .
“ You finally got out of your basement , ” the man declared .
“ You ’ re not going to win Pennsylvania.
” Biden , who was wearing a black face mask , pulled it down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadpan , “ Don ’ t jump !
“ Moments later , Biden was flying back to Delaware , where , again , only the same small group of reporters was there to greet him .
Biden left the plane wordlessly .
He ’ s considering a trip to Wisconsin soon and will hit a series of other battleground states — but not likely until after Labor Day .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Venezuela’s Maduro pardons dozens of political opponents

CARACAS , Venezuela - The Venezuelan government said Monday that it had pardoned more than 100 people , including dozens of political opponents who are in prison , have taken refuge in foreign embassies in Caracas or fled the country .
The move comes ahead of congressional elections set for Dec. 6 that the coalition led by U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaidó says it is boycotting because conditions for the vote are not fair .
The names listed in the pardon don ’ t include prominent opposition leaders such as Leopoldo López , who remains inside a foreign ambassador ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Borges , a powerful opposition lawmaker who is in neighbouring Colombia .
Relatives of some people on the list who were detained in a Caracas-area prisons rushed to its gates following the government ’ s announcement .
The Caracas-based prisoner rights group Foro Penal said 50 of those to be pardoned were what the opposition considers politically motivated .
Roughly two dozen are lawmakers in the National Assembly .
Minister of Communications Jorge Rodríguez listed 110 people being pardoned , although the terms of the announced amnesty were not clear .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process of reconciliation for national unity so that political issues are settled by peaceful means and by electoral means , ” Rodríguez said .
Maduro ’ s government framed the presidential decree as a goodwill gesture to boost participation in the upcoming election .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear whether jailed political actors would walk free and those seeking refuge in foreign embassies would step out the gates without fearing reprisals .
Geoff Ramsey , a Washington D.C.-based Venezuela researcher at the Washington Office on Latin America , said this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Maduro government and moderate sectors in the opposition , which don ’ t include Guaidó .
The fact they are openly negotiating in defiance of the U.S. government and Guaidó shows that a growing part of Venezuela ’ s opposition has become frustrated with Venezuela ’ s political stalemate , he said .
“ They ’ re more interested in pursuing incremental agreements rather than insisting that Maduro has to go before anything meaningful can be negotiated , ” Ramsey said .
“ The big question is whether this will go beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fair elections.
” Venezuela is gripped by an economic and political crisis that has sent more than 5 million fleeing in recent years , escaping scarcities of basic goods and soaring inflation that has left many struggling in poverty .
Guaidó for over a year has led a campaign backed by the United States and dozens of other countries to oust Maduro , who remains in power with backing from the military and international allies like Russia , China , Cuba , Turkey and Iran .
The announcement of the pardons came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmaker Juan Requesens , who was jailed for two years and accused of taking part in a failed attempt to attack President Nicolás Maduro with two drones that exploded during an outdoor military ceremony .
Among the lawmakers listed in Maduro ’ s pardon decree is Freddy Guevara , who has lived in the Chilean ambassador ’ s residence in Caracas for nearly three years .
Two jailed lawmakers in the list are Renzo Prieto and Gilber Caro , while José Guerra , Tomás Guanipa , Mariela Magallanes and Américo de Grazia live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat of being arrested on accusations they want to overthrow Maduro .
“ Maduro is not our president and I am no criminal , ” De Grazia , who lives in Italy , said on Twitter , addressing Maduro .
“ If you wish to contribute to Venezuela ’ s peace , pardon the country from this autocracy.
” However , Leocenis García , a congressional candidate campaigning for a seat in the National Assembly in the upcoming elections , said he believes that Maduro ’ s government doesn ’ t have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially if there ’ s a groundswell of participation from opposition parties .
García leads ProCitizens , a small political party that is opposed to Maduro but not part of the opposition coalition led by Guaidó and Guaidó ’ s mentor Leopoldo López .
“ I agree that we need as much participation as possible from our political parties , ” García said .
“ The path of violence that the Popular Will Party of Leopoldo López sold to Washington is over , and now we have an electoral path , which is @ @ @ @

Scott Smith And Jorge Rueda - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Trump goes mostly dark in TV advertising fight with Biden

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has pulled most of his advertising from TV over the past week , ceding the airwaves to Democratic rival Joe Biden , who is currently outspending him by more than 10-to-1 , advertising data shows .
Though Trump has an outsized ability to command national attention , it is unusual for a White House contender to go mostly dark on TV the week after their presidential convention .
The election is just over two months away and early voting will begin in September in some states .
The move comes as Trump ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it has taken it in .
And after Biden drastically narrowed what was once an overwhelming cash advantage enjoyed by the president , campaign officials have acknowledged they were trying to conserve money .
That ’ s allowed Biden an opportunity to communicate an unfiltered message to voters without competing advertising .
During the month of August , Biden doubled what Trump spent , dropping about $ 80 million in states that included key battlegrounds such as Wisconsin , Florida , Pennsylvania and Michigan , according to data from the ad tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending targeted some of those states , but it was also directed to places like Iowa and Montana , which he won handily in 2016 .
This week he is spending about $ 1.6 million to Biden ’ s $ 18.3 million .
Most of Trump ’ s ads are placed on Fox News Channel and CNN , as well as a smattering that will run in New Mexico and Washington , D.C. , the data shows .
Trump spokesman Jason Miller said Monday that the campaign will be going back up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Kantar/CMAG shows it does not have an increase in advertising booked until Sept. 8 .
“ We have over $ 200 million worth of TV ads that are reserved ( from ) Labor Day until Election Day , ” Miller said .
“ We ’ re speaking with voters in states as they ’ re starting to come online.
” The lack of advertising to drive home his message comes as Trump has sought shift the focus of the race from his handling of the coronavirus and the resulting economic collapse to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” after recent unrest in some cities , including Portland , Oregon , and Kenosha , Wisconsin .
Nationwide , protests against police brutality have largely been peaceful , though there has been some violence , looting and property destruction , particularly in Portland .
A man affiliated with the right-wing group Patriot Prayer died in that city after he was shot Saturday amid skirmishes between Trump backers who led a car caravan through the city and Black Lives Matter protesters who had gathered for another night of demonstrations .
In Kenosha , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting three people , killing two , during recent protests after a white officer shot Jacob Blake , a Black man , multiple times .
Trump will travel to Kenosha on Tuesday to address the unrest .
While the data shows his campaign is not currently running TV ads there , ones it has placed on Facebook that target the state have focused on the protests .
A handful of those ads seek to tie Democrats to activists who have called for defunding the police in response to law enforcement brutality .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their minds , ” urges Trump supporters to come together “ to send a united message that we demand law and order.
” Biden has said he is against defunding the police and in a speech Monday decried the violence while blaming Trump for stoking division .
“ He doesn ’ t want to shed light , he wants to generate heat , and he ’ s stoking violence in our cities , “ Biden said .
” He can ’ t stop the violence because for years he ’ s fomented it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Detroit turns island park into COVID-19 memorial garden

DETROIT - A Detroit island park was transformed Monday into a drive-thru COVID-19 victims memorial as policy makers across the U.S. moved forward with plans to reopen schools and public spaces .
Hearses led processions around Belle Isle Park in the Detroit River , where more than 900 large photos of local coronavirus victims provided by relatives were turned into posters and staked into the ground .
As the death toll continued to rise around the world , officials announced plans to bring children back to school in Rhode Island , allow diners back inside New Jersey restaurants and let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadium .
New COVID-19 cases were linked to travellers on vacation in Europe and the head of the World Health Organization cautioned against opening societies too quickly .
Nearly 1,000 inmates at a Tennessee prison tested positive .
More than 847,000 people worldwide have perished from the virus and more than 25.3 million have contracted it , according to Johns Hopkins University — figures experts say understate the true toll due to limited testing , missed mild cases and other factors .
The pictures in the Detroit park showed those who died of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his college graduation ; Daniel Aldape catching a fish ; Shirley Frank with an Elvis impersonator ; and Veronica Davis crossing the finish line at a race .
They had “ dreams and plans and a story , ” Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said at the park .
“ They weren ’ t finished yet.
” Detroit ’ s director of arts and culture , Rochelle Riley , said officials hope the memorial will “ wake people up to the devastating effect of the pandemic ” and also “ bring some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have the funerals they deserved.
” Dr. Anthony Fauci , the U.S. government ’ s top infectious disease expert , said Labor Day weekend will be key in determining whether the U.S. gets a “ running start ” at containing the coronavirus this fall .
Fauci said Monday he has a “ great deal of faith in the American people ” to wash their hands , practice social distancing , wear masks , avoid crowds , and congregate outside during the weekend celebrations .
He said it ’ s important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those seen after the Memorial Day and July 4th holidays .
President Donald Trump ’ s new pandemic adviser , Dr. Scott Atlas said he believes college football should be played this year even though many universities have cancelled all fall sports .
Atlas , appearing with Republican Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis Monday in Tallahassee , said stadiums have plenty of room for distancing .
“ The communities of college towns depend on these activities , ” Atlas said .
Iowa State said it will allow about 25,000 season-ticket holders to attend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 12 , despite rising COVID-19 numbers in Iowa .
Iowa State Athletic director Jamie Pollard told fans in a letter that they will be required to wear face coverings and that tailgating will be banned .
Pollard asked that fans respect others ’ wishes for distancing .
The decision came as Iowa continues to struggle with the virus spreading in several counties .
In Rhode Island , all but two public school districts have been given the go-ahead to resume in-person classes when schools reopen in two weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Falls did not meet metrics required for reopening .
The two cities have had the state ’ s highest coronavirus infection rates .
Gov .
Gina Raimondo said reopening schools is not risk-free but that she expects children will return to the classroom .
In Northern California , California State University , Chico has switched to online the limited number of in-person classes it was offering .
The move came after at least 30 people tested positive for the coronavirus three days after the fall semester started .
University President Gayle Hutchinson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the weekend .
In New Jersey , indoor dining with limited capacity will resume at restaurants Friday , Gov .
Phil Murphy announced .
Restaurants will be allowed 25 % capacity under the new rules , which includes maintaining social distancing between tables .
The United Nations chief said the pandemic has deepened inequality between men and women and reversed “ decades of limited and fragile progress on gender equality and women ’ s rights.
” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during a virtual town hall meeting on Monday that 70 to 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but only 30 per cent have decision-making roles , He also said the pandemic has also impacted physical and mental health , education , and employment .
“ Today , millions of teenage girls around the world are out of school , and there are alarming reports of an increase in teenage pregnancies in some countries , ” he said .
“ We know from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa that when teenage girls leave school , they may never return.
” Nearly 1,000 inmates at a Tennessee prison have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials tested 1,410 inmates at South Central Correctional Facility late last week after several inmates and staff began showed symptons , the Tennessee Department of Correction said in a statement .
As of late Monday afternoon , 974 of the inmates had tested positive while another 189 results were pending for the prisoners housed at the lockup run by private prison company Corecivic , the statement said .
The federal Bureau of Prisons will begin allowing inmates to have visitors again in October , nearly seven months after visits were suspended at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press .
The visitation plan — detailed in a memo to senior bureau officials on Monday — instructed wardens to “ immediately begin developing local procedures to reinstate social visiting.
” Social visiting is scheduled to begin no later than Oct. 3 .
Physical contact will be prohibited , according to the memo .
Inmates and visitors would be required to wear face coverings and visitors would have their temperatures taken and would be questioned about whether they have shown any coronavirus-related symptoms .
British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to a flight that brought U.K. tourists back from Greece .
All people who were aboard have been told to isolate themselves for two weeks .
Public Health Wales said it was contacting nearly 200 people who were on the Tui flight from the Greek island of Zante to Cardiff , Wales , last Tuesday .
Gwen Lowe of Public Health Wales said 30 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed over the last week among people who returned from Zante on several flights and that the number is expected to rise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sardinia had experienced a handful or fewer cases for weeks .
But with clusters of infections linked to crowded discos or holiday-goers ’ parties on the Mediterranean island , Sardinia registered 79 new infections on Monday .
Associated Press journalists from around the globe contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Mexico City’s 2nd oldest church burns amid homeless takeover

MEXICO CITY - Authorities promised Monday to erect a barricade around Mexico City ’ s second oldest church after a @ @ @ @ @ , choir , an organ and stained glass .
One homeless person was rescued from @ @ @ @ @ Veracruz church and the Archdiocese of Mexico noted the church had been broken into by @ @ @ @ @ ” in the week before the Saturday night blaze .
City authorities said Monday the @ @ @ @ @ declared off-limits , but would have more protection and get a restoration .
The structure @ @ @ @ @ though construction continued in the 1700s .
The first church on the same site was @ @ @ @ @ Cortes .
Church services had been cancelled there after it suffered damage in the 7.1 @ @ @ @ @ parts are currently shored up by wooden supports that apparently helped feed the blaze .
@ @ @ @ @ in Mexico City ’ s historic downtown , and amid the coronavirus pandemic many homeless @ @ @ @ @ cash handouts and temporary work they depended on .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--US wildlife officials aim to remove wolf protections in 2020

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. - The Trump administration plans to lift endangered species protections for gray wolves across most of the nation by the end of the year , the director of the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday .
“ We ’ re working hard to have this done by the end of the year and I ’ d say it ’ s very imminent , ” Aurelia Skipwith told The Associated Press in a phone interview Monday .
The administration also is pushing ahead with a rollback of protections for migratory birds despite a recent setback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Fish and Wildlife Service last year proposed dropping the wolf from the endangered list in the lower 48 states , exempting a small population of Mexican wolves in the Southwest .
It was the latest of numerous attempts to return management authority to the states — moves that courts have repeatedly rejected after opponents filed lawsuits .
Shot , trapped and poisoned to near extinction in the last century , wolves in recent decades rebounded in the western Great Lakes region and portions of the West , the total population exceeding 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangered list in Montana , Idaho , Wyoming and portions of Oregon , Utah and Washington state .
A federal judge in 2014 restored protection for the animals in Michigan , Minnesota and Wisconsin , a decision upheld by an appeals court in 2017 .
Skipwith , echoing the Fish and Wildlife Service ’ s long-held policy , told the AP the wolf has “ biologically recovered ” and that its removal from the list would demonstrate the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act .
But the Humane Society of the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still vulnerable .
Dropping protections across the Lower 48 would doom any chances of their spreading to other states where they could thrive if humans allowed it , they say .
A final decision had been expected last spring , but the service is taking extra time to review the science behind its position and issues raised in court rulings , Skipwith said .
“ We just want to be sure we ’ re covering all the bases , ” she said .
“ When groups want to come in and sue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes away resources from species that need them.
” She added that the agency doesn ’ t believe much suitable habitat remains beyond areas that wolves currently occupy , a claim that environmental groups and some biologists dispute .
“ We don ’ t anticipate them expanding , regardless of that federal protection , ” Skipwith said , declining to take a position on a November ballot initiative that would restore wolves to Colorado .
“ If that ’ s the approach that Colorado wants to take , that ’ s their prerogative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency also is proceeding with changes in how it enforces a century-old law protecting most American wild bird species , despite warnings that billions of birds could die as a result .
A U.S. judge in New York this month invalidated the administration ’ s use of a legal memo to justify its position that accidental but foreseeable killing of birds should not be criminally prosecuted .
The administration had argued that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act applies only to the intentional killing of birds and not “ incidental ” killings during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developers and other industries .
National Audubon Society chief conservation officer Sarah Greenberger criticized the agency for pressing ahead with a rule change that would cement the policy into a regulation that could be harder to overturn .
“ There was never a good reason to weaken the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the administration should have taken its recent loss in court as an opportunity to abandon its bird-killing policy , “ Greenberger said .
Skipwith said the Fish and Wildlife Service was still evaluating the judge ’ s decision and planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the year .
The agency remains committed to “ making sure we ’ re not criminalizing these unintentional actions ” while stepping up efforts to protect migratory birds , she said .

John Flesher And Matthew Brown - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Appeals court keeps Flynn case alive, won’t order dismissal

WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court in Washington declined Monday to order the dismissal of the Michael Flynn prosecution , permitting a judge to scrutinize the Justice Department ’ s request to dismiss its case against President Donald Trump ’ s former national security adviser .
The decision keeps the case at least temporarily alive and rebuffs efforts by both Flynn ’ s lawyers and the Justice Department to force the prosecution to be dropped without further inquiry from the judge , who has for months declined to dismiss it .
The ruling is the latest development in a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns over the last year and prompted a separation of powers tussle involving a veteran federal judge and the Trump administration .
In a separate ruling Monday , a three-judge panel of the same appeals court again threw out a lawsuit by House Democrats to compel former White House counsel Don McGahn to appear before a congressional committee .
The Flynn conflict arose in May when the Justice Department moved to dismiss the prosecution despite Flynn ’ s own guilty plea to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan , who had upbraided Flynn for his behaviour at a 2018 court appearance , signalled his skepticism at the government ’ s unusual motion .
He refused to dismiss the case and instead scheduled a hearing and appointed a retired federal judge to argue against the Justice Department ’ s position .
That former judge , John Gleeson , challenged the motives behind the department ’ s dismissal request and called it a “ gross abuse ” of prosecutorial power .
Flynn ’ s lawyers sought to bypass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would have required the case ’ s immediate dismissal .
They argued that Sullivan had overstepped his bounds by scrutinizing a dismissal request that both sides , the defence and the Justice Department , were in agreement about and that the case was effectively moot once prosecutors decided to abandon it .
At issue before the court was whether Sullivan could be forced to grant the Justice Department ’ s dismissal request without even holding a hearing into the basis for the motion .
“ We have no trouble answering that question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an unsigned opinion for the eight judges in the majority .
The judges also rejected defence efforts to have the case reassigned to a different judge .
In a concurring opinion , U.S. District Judge Thomas Griffith wrote that the court ’ s opinion did not concern the merits of the Justice Department ’ s prosecution of Flynn or even its decision to abandon the case .
Rather , he said the question before the judges was a much more simple one .
“ Today we reach the unexceptional yet important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay its hand and allow the district court to finish its work rather than hear a challenge to a decision not yet made , ” Griffith said .
“ That is a policy the federal courts have followed since the beginning of the Republic.
” He said it was very possible that Sullivan could wind up granting the Justice Department ’ s dismissal request and that it would in fact be “ highly unusual if it did not , given the Executive ’ s constitutional prerogative to direct and control prosecutions and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases prosecutors want dropped .
Two judges , Neomi Rao and Karen LeCraft Henderson , each wrote dissenting opinions arguing that Sullivan had usurped his authority by keeping alive a case the Justice Department sought to have dismissed .
Both judges were part of a 2-1 ruling in June that ordered Sullivan to dismiss the case .
“ In Flynn ’ s case , the prosecution no longer has a prosecutor , ” Rao wrote .
“ Yet the case continues with district court proceedings aimed at uncovering the internal deliberations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential harms of such a judicial intrusion into the Executive Branch , but takes a wait-and-see approach , hoping and hinting that the district judge will not take the actions he clearly states he will take .
Flynn was questioned by the FBI just days after Trump ’ s inauguration about his conversations with the then-Russian ambassador to the U.S. pertaining to sanctions that had just been imposed by the Obama administration for Russian election interference .
The private conversation alarmed law enforcement and intelligence officials who were already investigating whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sway the presidential election in Trump ’ s favour .
Officials were also concerned by the White House ’ s public insistence that Flynn and the diplomat had not discussed sanctions .
Flynn ’ s guilty plea to lying to the FBI became a signature prosecution in special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into ties between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia .
He also agreed to co-operate with the authorities in hopes of receiving a lighter sentence .
But as Flynn awaited sentencing , Attorney General William Barr appointed a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of the Flynn case and later endorsed that prosecutor ’ s recommendation that the case be dismissed .
In May , the Justice Department said it had concluded that the FBI had an insufficient basis to question Flynn about his conversations with the diplomat , which Barr has said were appropriate for an incoming national security adviser to have had , and that statements made during the interview were not material to the FBI ’ s underlying counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaign .
Law enforcement officials who were involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press writer Mark Sherman in Washington contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Ailing Kenosha on edge as Trump visit looms amid tensions

KENOSHA , Wis. - Some residents in Kenosha fear a planned visit by President Donald Trump after unrest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake may stir more emotions and cause more violence and destruction in the southeastern Wisconsin city after several days of peace .
The city ’ s mayor , and the state ’ s governor , also said they believed Trump ’ s visit comes at a bad time .
But others welcomed the president ’ s trip , scheduled for Tuesday , when he will tour damage and meet with law enforcement .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officer who shot Blake to be fired and face attempted murder charges , and more than a week after authorities say a 17-year-old from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters .
Asked Monday whether he feared Trump ’ s visit could stir more violence , Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said : “ We ’ ll find out tomorrow , won ’ t we ?
” The tension began Aug. 23 after a video showed a Kenosha police officer shooting Blake , a Black man , in the back while responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All last week , Black Lives Matter protesters held events to call for changes to policing .
Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers called a special session of the Legislature for Monday to take up a host of police reform measures , but Republicans took no immediate action .
Authorities said they had resources in place to protect the bedroom community between Chicago and Milwaukee , including more than 1,500 National Guard members .
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said more than 200 people have been arrested since the protests began .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside Kenosha , he said .
Many arrests were for curfew violations , and included possible charges for burglary , possession of illegal drugs and carrying concealed weapons without a permit , officials said .
The Kenosha Police Department has said more than 20 firearms were seized .
Beth also said that “ outside agitators ” have used social media or made phone calls to churches and businesses to scare people and spread false rumours .
“ I want the people of Kenosha to know there ’ s a huge amount of resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Family members say Blake , 29 , is paralyzed , and a lawyer said most of his colon and small intestines were removed .
His family led a large peaceful protest Saturday , just before Trump announced his plans to visit .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Monday that Trump has no immediate plans to meet with Blake ’ s family when he ’ s in Kenosha .
Trump told reporters Monday that he spoke with the Blake family pastor about speaking with the family , who insisted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call .
“ I thought it would be better not to do anything where there ’ re lawyers involved , ” Trump said .
“ They wanted me to speak but they wanted to have lawyers involved and I thought that was inappropriate , so I didn ’ t do that.
” The White House later confirmed that Trump spoke with The Rev .
James E. Ward , Jr. , founder and lead pastor of Skokie , Illinois-based INSIGHT Church .
The Associated Press left and email and voicemail seeking comment Monday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney for Blake ’ s family , told CNN that Blake ’ s mother “ was ready to receive the phone call , but for some reason the call never came , and we now understand why.
” “ I don ’ t know why the president wouldn ’ t want the family to have their lawyers on the phone , ” Crump said .
“ He seems to have lawyers with him when he talks to people.
” “ We don ’ t need more pain and division from a president set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our city , ” said uncle Justin Blake in a statement .
“ We need justice and relief for our vibrant community.
” On Sunday , Evers sent Trump a letter urging him not to come , saying the visit “ will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together.
” But Kenosha County Board supervisors urged him not to cancel .
“ Kenoshans are hurting and looking for leadership , and your leadership in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated by those devastated by the violence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisors said .
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian reiterated Monday that he believes Trump ’ s visit is coming at the wrong time .
“ I think that Kenosha , at this present time , needs peace and needs to heal and needs people to allow us to do that , ” he said .
Trump showed no signs of backing down , tweeting about the unrest in Kenosha and saying , ” I will see you on Tuesday !
” Diana Kreye , a 60-year-old resident of nearby Brighton , said Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t like that this has all become political , ” said Kreye , an undecided voter .
Angel Tirado , 42 , however , thinks Trump ’ s visit could help .
“ I hope he says something that can calm us all down , ” said Tirado .
“ Maybe he ’ ll bring us together.
” Others doubt the president had any intention of closing divisions and pointed to his recent tweets and history of making racist comments .
“ He ’ s not coming down here to heal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a retiree and Kenosha resident who expects thousands of people to show up to protest Trump .
“ He ’ s coming to Kenosha to start more trouble .
I don ’ t care what he says.
” “ He has done nothing over the last three years to bring people together , ” said Raymond Roberts , 38 , a data scientist and Afghanistan War veteran .
“ This is a bellwether county in a bellwether state .
It ’ s all about his reelection.
” Trump has throughout the summer sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by violence and lawlessness , despite the fact that most of the demonstrations against racial injustice have been peaceful .
Still , Trump is likely to find some support in a county he won in 2016 by fewer than 250 votes .
Oscar Escobar , 41 , a Kenosha resident who owns a moving company and co-owns a bar and grill , said he doesn ’ t align with either Democrats or Republicans .
He said it ’ s good that Trump plans to visit .
“ I think it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he cares about what ’ s happening here in Kenosha and not turning his back on us and just leaving us alone , ” Escobar said .
AP reporters Jennifer Peltz in Kenosha ; Scott Bauer in Madison , Wisconsin ; Don Babwin in Chicago ; and Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed .
Associated Press writer Russell Contreras is a member of the AP ’ s Race and Ethnicity Team .
Follow Contreras on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/russcontreras

Russell Contreras - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--George Floyd? Donald Trump? Hero statue nominations are in

Americans ’ suggestions of suitable statues for President Donald Trump ’ s planned National Garden of American Heroes are in , and they ’ re more activist , less white and far more Indigenous than the president ’ s nominees .
Well , for the most part , anyway .
The administration also is leaving open the possibility of a statue of Trump himself in the Trump-created statue park after receiving what it said were “ multiple nominations “ of the president .
Trump ordered up the statue park during a Fourth of July speech at Mount Rushmore , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60-day deadline to get the idea going .
He also mused in a tweet that it would be a “ good idea ” to carve his own face into that memorial .
The task force charged with executing Trump ’ s vision – with all of the publicly listed members white — says it sent out thousands of requests to state and local officials for suggestions , both for possible sites around the country and for heroes to honour .
Its findings are due to be given to Trump by Tuesday .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the list the Trump administration came up with , which mandated inclusion of a few dozen mainstream and conservative figures , from John Adams to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia .
Frederick Douglass , Harriet Tubman and a few other Black leaders made the Trump administration ’ s hero list , but not anyone known for their Native American , Hispanic or Asian heritage .
Suggestions from many Republican governors , by contrast , were heavy with civil rights leaders , while many local officials pushed for a broader definition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hero .
When Denver-area Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas got the solicitation for nominations , “ For me and my fellow commissioners , it was immediately a unanimous decision.
“ They urged the task force to consider a statue to Kendrick Castillo , an 18-year-old high school senior shot to death last year while lunging at a gunman in his British literature class .
Eight people were wounded in the attack in suburban Denver by two student gunmen at STEM School Highlands Ranch .
“ A person of distinguished courage .
Bravery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a phone interview , reciting the dictionary definitions of a hero .
“ Gosh darn it , if Kendrick Castillo isn ’ t a hero , I don ’ t know who is.
” Lehigh County , Pennsylvania , Commissioner Amy Zanelli , meanwhile , suggested George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and other Black Americans whose killings by police sparked massive street protests .
The summer protests also spun off a debate over statues around the country honouring slave-holders and Confederates .
Trump deployed federal forces to protect those monuments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a law-and-order issue as he seeks reelection .
Floyd and the others “ have shaped the future of America by finally bringing the systemic racial injustices present in our policing to the forefront of politics , ” Zanelli wrote .
Most governors , including almost every Democrat , dismissed the Trump administration ’ s request for suggestions , according to the Interior Department ’ s website on Friday afternoon .
It ’ s the latest example of governors ignoring White House requests — ranging from statues , to school openings to nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I haven ’ t given it a moment ’ s thought , ” Kansas Gov .
Laura Kelly told The Associated Press .
“ I have other things to do.
” Some were highly critical of the effort .
“ We did not respond because it ’ s purely a political stunt , ” said Mike Faulk , spokesman for Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee .
“ We would encourage the White House to spend their time on the response to the coronavirus , ” said Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration said it received “ robust , bipartisan responses ” from around the country .
“ It ’ s a shame that some governors are unwilling to celebrate and recognize the significant achievements of their own residents who have heroically impacted our nation ’ s history , ” Interior Department spokesman Ben Goldey said .
The list of heroes submitted by Republican governors included some obvious choices — civil rights hero Rosa Parks ; Thurgood Marshall , the first African American Supreme Court justice ; and Sacagawea , the Lewis and Clark expedition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for their lack of inclusion in Trump ’ s list .
“ We have so much history in Montana and our country , ” said Yellowstone County Commissioner John Ostlund , a Republican , talking about his board ’ s decision to nominate revered Crow Tribe leaders as well as cowboys , famous explorers and others .
“ It was a conscious decision to include all sides of our history .
All of the history ...
I don ’ t want to erase anything , ” Ostlund said .
Favourite sons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the cut — a National Rifle Association president , Harry Truman ’ s vice-president , air conditioner inventor Willis Carrier .
Asked about what it said were many nominations for a statue of Trump , Goldey , the Interior spokesman , pointed to Commissioner Steve Smith of Custer County , Idaho .
Smith in a letter praised “ the President ’ s willingness to fight back with history and important individuals that have shaped this country into the blessings it is.
” The four federal agency heads that Trump specifically named to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked if that was appropriate for a diverse country , Goldey responded , “ Your question is completely offensive.
” Goldey stressed the task force would not be making the final cut for heroes .
He repeatedly declined to say who would be , however , including if it would be Trump making the pick .
Experts in memorials said the process appeared rushed .
“ The people who determine these things need to be representative of a broad constituency , “ said Harriet F. Senie with City College of New York , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Usually these things are years in planning and there are national committees , advisory committees.
” The selection so far , “ it sounds like hodge-podge lodge , ” Senie said .
“ Seriously.
“ Jim Grossman , executive director of the American Historical Association , said “ it would be a mistake “ to honour Trump or any living person .
For public monuments , “ that ’ s a nonpartisan rule that pertains to anybody , regardless of where they are on the political spectrum .
And I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Knickmeyer reported from Oklahoma City , Suderman from Richmond , Virginia , and Anderson from Denver .
Associated Press writers Matthew Brown in Billings , Montana ; Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania ; and John Hanna in Topeka , Kansas , contributed to this report .

Ellen Knickmeyer, Alan Suderman And Jim Anderson - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Guilty plea in Hawaii woman’s lobbying of Trump officials

HONOLULU - An American consultant pleaded guilty Monday in an illicit lobbying effort to get the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multibillion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund , and to arrange for the return of a Chinese dissident living in the U.S. Federal prosecutors say Nickie Mali Lum Davis failed to disclose to the federal government that the lobbying effort was done on behalf of a fugitive Malaysian financier who has been charged in the U.S. with conspiring to launder billions of dollars from the fund .
Davis , 45 , pleaded guilty to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Agents Registration Act , which requires individuals enlisted by foreign entities to lobby the U.S. government to register that work with the Justice Department .
Davis said that she knew the government contacts she made would require registration but she “ wilfully failed to register.
” The charge arises from the complicated saga of 1MDB , a Malaysian wealth fund that was established more than a decade ago to accelerate the country ’ s economic development but that prosecutors say was actually treated as a piggy bank by associates of former Malaysian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allege that at least $ 4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by Najib ’ s associates to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels , a luxury yacht , artwork , jewelry and other extravagances .
Najib was sentenced in Malaysia last month to 12 years in prison .
The effort to wipe away legal troubles for the Malaysian financier who prosecutors say helped orchestrate the pilfering was ultimately unsuccessful .
The Justice Department in 2018 charged Jho Low , who remains at large , in connection with the alleged money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement to recover more than $ 700 million in assets that officials say are traceable to the looted funds .
Low denies any wrongdoing and did not admit any guilt or liability as part of the settlement .
The latest case accuses Davis of working with a politically connected fundraiser with close ties to President Donald Trump to press the Justice Department to abandon forfeiture claims seeking the recovery of assets purchased with laundered proceeds .
Davis faces up to five years in prison and a $ 10,000 fine when she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is co-operating with the U.S. government .
As part of a plea agreement where prosecutors agree not to pursue additional charges against her , she must forfeit $ 3 million in proceeds from the offence .
She pleaded guilty via video from Los Angeles during a hearing in Honolulu , where she is charged .
When the judge asked if she lives in Beverly Hills , her attorneys said she lives in California and has a home in Hawaii .
U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi said she isn ’ t allowed to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
Abbe David Lowell , one of her defence attorneys , said Davis needs to travel internationally for business and to meet with her attorneys and prosecutors in Washington , D.C. Kobayashi said that wouldn ’ t be possible without her permission .
Details of Davis ’ travel must be provided in advance , the judge said .
“ The government wants her to travel all over the world because she ’ s co-operating — that ’ s their kuleana , ” she said , using the Hawaiian word that can mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility is the safety of the community and ensuring that Davis doesn ’ t disappear , she said .
Kobayashi said she won ’ t grant Davis special treatment because of her wealth .
Lowell said his client isn ’ t a flight risk , noting Davis has a 6-year-old daughter in Los Angeles .
Kobayashi disagreed , saying Davis has the resources to flee , along with the motivation of a serious charge that will likely involve some prison time .
“ She has a high risk of non-appearance , ” Kobayashi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report from Washington .

Jennifer Sinco Kelleher - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Judge: Gay couple’s child born in England is a US citizen

ATLANTA - A federal judge in Atlanta has ruled that the daughter of a married gay couple in Georgia who was born via surrogate in England has been an American citizen since birth , and ordered the State Department to issue a U.S. passport for her .
U.S. District Judge Michael Brown wrote in an order issued Thursday that the girl is not required to be biologically related to both of her U.S. citizen parents to be eligible for citizenship .
“ We are so relieved that the court has recognized our daughter , Simone , as the U.S. citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was born , “ Mize said in a statement .
” When we brought Simone into this world , as married , same-sex parents , we never anticipated our own government would disrespect our family and refuse to recognize our daughter as a U.S. citizen.
” The State Department , which has appealed similar orders in other cases , is aware of the ruling and is reviewing it with the Department of Justice , according to an an agency spokesperson .
Derek Mize and Jonathan Gregg filed a lawsuit in July 2019 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Simone as a U.S. citizen .
Simone was born in July 2018 , three years after the couple got married .
Both Mize and Gregg are U.S. citizens and are listed as her parents on the birth certificate , but the State Department treated her as if she was born outside of marriage , since only one of them has a biological connection to her , and that triggered additional conditions for the recognition of citizenship .
The State Department ’ s policy treats married same-sex couples as if their marriages do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ married straight couples in violation of the law and the Constitution , the lawsuit said .
Mize was born and raised in Mississippi , while Gregg was born in London to a U.S. citizen mother and British father and was raised in London with dual citizenship .
The couple met in 2014 in New York , married in 2015 and moved to Georgia in 2017 .
A close friend in England agreed to be their surrogate and both men were present for Simone ’ s birth .
The family travelled home to Decatur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months later .
It was when they tried to get a Social Security Number to claim her as a dependent when filing their taxes in 2019 that they ran into problems .
Since she ’ s the child of two men and not biologically related to both , the State Department had treated her as if she was born “ out of wedlock.
” And because Gregg , the biological parent , hadn ’ t lived in the U.S. for five years prior to Simone ’ s birth , the State Department determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is the second federal court this summer to rule against the State Department ’ s policy to treat children of married , same-sex parents as children ‘ born out of wedlock ’ and not entitled to birthright U.S. citizenship , “ said lawyer Omar Gonzalez-Pagan with Lambda Legal , which filed the lawsuit .
“ It is time for the federal government to stop defending this unlawful and unconstitutional policy .
No family should have to face the fear and uncertainty of having their child ’ s citizenship status be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whose group advocates for LGBTQ rights .
Last week ’ s ruling comes on the heels of a similar ruling in favour of a married gay couple in Maryland , Roee Kiviti and Adiel Kiviti , whose daughter was born via surrogate in Canada .
The judge in that case also rejected the State Department ’ s argument that the girl was born out of wedlock because one of her parents isn ’ t her biological parent .
The State Department on Aug. 13 appealed that ruling to the 4th U.S .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge in California ruled in February 2019 that a son of a gay married couple has been a U.S. citizen since his birth .
The judge concluded that the Immigration and Nationality Act doesn ’ t require a child born during the parents ’ marriage to demonstrate a biological relationship with both married parents .
The State Department has appealed that ruling to the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany commented on the Georgia surrogacy court ruling on Monday .
“ That pertained to surrogacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sexual orientation of the parents , “ McEnany said .
“ And this — this administration , president will proudly stand on a record of achievement like leading a global initiative to end the criminalization of homosexuality throughout the world , launching a plan to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 , and easing a ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-31--Pilots, crew bail out of Navy plane before crash in Virginia

BLOXOM , Va. - The U.S. Navy said one of its aircraft crashed Monday afternoon on Virginia ’ s Eastern @ @ @ @ @ pilots and two crew members onboard were able to safely bail out .
The E-2C @ @ @ @ @ vicinity of Wallops Island about 3:50 p.m. Monday during a training flight , Cmdr .
@ @ @ @ @ affairs officer with Naval Air Force Atlantic , said in a statement .
The cause @ @ @ @ @ investigation , according to Cragg , whose statement said reports indicate no structures or personnel @ @ @ @ @ or injured .
The plane was assigned to the Airborne Command & Control Squadron 120 @ @ @ @ @ Station Norfolk , Cragg said .


thetorontostar--2020-09-01--Oil companies accused of wanting to dump plastics in Africa

NAIROBI , Kenya - The oil industry has asked the United States to pressure Kenya to change its world-leading stance against the plastic waste that litters Africa , according to environmentalists who fear the continent will be used as a dumping ground .
The request from the American Chemistry Council , whose members include major oil companies , to the Office of the United States Trade Representative came as the U.S and Kenya negotiate what would be the first U.S. bilateral trade deal with a country in sub-Saharan Africa .
That deal is expected to be a model for others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta ’ s White House visit with President Donald Trump this year — a rarity for an African leader during this administration .
Kenya three years ago imposed what was praised as the world ’ s strictest ban on the use , manufacturing and import of plastic bags , part of growing efforts around the world to limit a major source of plastic waste .
Environmentalists fear Kenya is now under pressure not only to weaken its resolve but to become a key transit point for plastic waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 letter from the American Chemistry Council ’ s director for international trade , Ed Brzytwa , seen by The Associated Press , urges the U.S. and Kenya to prohibit the imposition of domestic limits on “ production or consumption of chemicals and plastic ” and on their cross-border trade .
“ We anticipate that Kenya could serve in the future as a hub for supplying U.S.-made chemicals and plastics to other markets in Africa , ” the letter says .
It was first obtained by Unearthed , an affiliate of the Greenpeace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request in a public commenting session in June .
China ’ s ban on imports of most plastic waste in 2018 has forced companies to seek new places to send it , but other countries including African ones increasingly are saying they don ’ t want it , either .
Plastic waste meant for recycling has piled up in dumps in Kenyan cities .
Meanwhile , oil companies are under pressure as more countries , notably Kenya , aim to shift away from fossil fuels for their energy needs .
The American Chemistry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said “ it is well understood that a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Kenya will not override Kenya ’ s domestic approach to managing plastic waste or undermine its international commitments under the Basel Convention , “ a global agreement which as of January will make it much more difficult to ship plastic waste to poorer countries .
Nearly 190 countries have agreed to it , but not the U.S .
The council added : “ In fact , ACC never mentioned Kenya ’ s approach to single use plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Office of the United States Trade Representative did not respond to a request for comment .
A U.S. summary of negotiating objectives issued in May included this : “ Establish rules that will ensure that Kenya does not waive or derogate from the protections afforded in environmental laws for the purpose of encouraging trade or investment.
” Kenya ’ s government via multiple ministries did not comment .
But Kenyan trade minister Betty Maina in comments published Tuesday by the local Star newspaper said Kenya will negotiate with the U.S. “ guided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kenya banned plastic bags in 2017 , inspiring similar bans in other African countries whose streets , waterways and even trees have long been choked with the tattered bags .
The idea that Kenya ’ s government might weaken or do away with its ban under pressure from the U.S. or oil industry has upset the country ’ s vibrant environmental community , which rallied support that also led to this year ’ s ban on other single-use plastics such as bottles in national parks , beaches and other protected areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict limits on plastics , including 2017 plastic bag ban !
It ’ s a NO !
” tweeted James Wakibia , who pushed hard for Kenya ’ s plastic bag ban .
He is now campaigning for all East African countries to ban “ all unnecessary single-use plastic.
” Griffins Ochieng , who leads the Center for Environmental Justice and Development in Kenya , said any attempt to change the laws on plastics would be hazardous .
“ Africa is looking like a new dumping ground , we are not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If true , it would be outrageous and unconscionable , ” Inger Andersen , the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program , based in Kenya , tweeted .
“ We ?
?
@ UNEP ?
?
are so proud of our host nation # Kenya ’ s strong lead on reducing plastic waste and forcing a shift away from single use plastic.
” Bans on single-use plastics are growing worldwide .
A global review by UNEP in mid-2018 said 127 countries had adopted some form of regulation regulating plastic bags @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africa — 37 — than in any other region , the U.N. said , adding that Kenya ’ s penalties for violations included up to four years in jail and a fine of up to $ 38,000 .
Kenya put the U.S. trade talks on hold earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic , and they were finally launched in July .
The American Chemistry Council said it did not know whether the Office of the United States Trade Representative had taken its recommendations into consideration .

Cara Anna And Tom Odula - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-09-01--Police detain alleged IS commander in Turkey

ANKARA , Turkey - Turkish police have detained an alleged top commander of the Islamic State group in Turkey , as well as 11 suspected collaborators , Turkish officials said Tuesday .
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu identified the suspect as Mahmut Ozden and described him as the “ so-called emir ” of the militant group in Turkey .
Police seized the suspect ’ s computer and other “ digital material ” which revealed that the group took orders from “ Iraq or Syria ” and planned to kidnap Turkish politicians and to take them to Syria .
The group also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Soylu told reporters that information obtained from an IS militant who was detained in a raid in Istanbul last month while reportedly planning to conduct a “ sensational ” attack in the city , led to Ozden ’ s arrest .
Operations against the group are ongoing , Soylu added .
Police in Istanbul later announced that 11 people linked to Ozden were detained in raids and that they were under orders to carry out attacks in several Turkish provinces .
Police said Ozden was detained in an operation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before a court on Tuesday which ordered his formal arrest and imprisonment pending charges .
Turkey has suffered a string of attacks by Islamic State militants over the past five years , including an attack at an Istanbul nightclub during New Year celebrations in the early hours of 2017 .
The attack killed 39 people , most of them foreigners .
Last month , police in northwestern Bursa province also detained a suspected IS militant who was allegedly planning an attack on a police station .