thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Jimmy Kimmel, Sammy Hagar react to death of Eddie Van Halen

Reaction to the death of guitar rock god Eddie Van Halen , who passed away Tuesday at age 65 after battling cancer .
“ Heartbroken and speechless .
My love to the family , “ tweeted Sammy Hagar .
“ Sad to hear Eddie Van Halen has passed away .
A guitar innovator with a fierce spirit of musical and technical exploration .
Prayers and thoughts with his family and friends , “ Yusuf/Cat Stevens tweeted .
“ Rest in peace guitar legend Eddie Van Halen .
Broken heart We will miss you , “ tweeted Billy Idol .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life were spent chatting with Eddie Van Halen .
A great musician , yes - also a funny and lovely guy who will be missed terribly .
Sending love to Janie , Wolf , Alex & all those who loved him , “ Jimmy Kimmel tweeted .
“ My heart is broken .
Eddie was not only a Guitar God , but a genuinely beautiful soul .
Rest in peace , Eddie !
, “ Gene Simmons tweeted .
“ I ’ m so grateful Wolfie and I were able to hold you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see you in our next life , “ Van Halen ’ s ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli wrote on Instagram .
“ Crushed .
So ( expletive ) crushed .
RIP Eddie Van Halen .
You changed our world .
You were the Mozart of rock guitar .
Travel safe rockstar , “ tweeted Nikki Sixx .
“ Oh NO !
Speechless .
A trailblazer and someone who always gave everything to his music .
A good soul .
I remember first seeing him playing at the Starwood in 1976 and he WAS Eddie Van @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My condolences to Wolfie and the family , “ Paul Stanley tweeted .
“ I ’ m just devastated to hear the news of the passing of my dear friend Eddie Van Halen .
He fought a long and hard battle with his cancer right to the very end .
Eddie was one of a very special kind of person , a really great friend .
Rest In Peace my dear friend till we meet again , “ Black Sabbath ’ s Tony Iommi tweeted .
“ Guitars are gently weeping everywhere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ songwriter Diane Warren tweeted .
“ Apex talent .
An unparalleled titan in the annals of rock n roll .
One of the greatest musicians in the history of mankind .
Rest In Peace , King Edward , “ Tom Morello tweeted .
“ It wouldn ’ t be an hour of the day or a day of the week in the year 2020 if we didn ’ t at least get 22 simultaneous pieces of awful every few minutes .
RIP # VanHalen , “ actor Josh Gad tweeted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were a tremendous influence on both Vinnie & Dime & Pantera .
Hopefully they are all rocking out together now , “ heavy metal band Pantera tweeted .
“ I lost my mom to cancer at 66.. too damn young .
Eddie Van Halen was 65.. too damn young .
Another lifetime of memories ahead of them should have been made .
This hurts my heart .
My mom and I would drive around in her car and blast Panama.. we both loved Van Halen music , “ comedian Dane Cook tweeted .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Sri Lanka widens curfew, bans gatherings as virus surges

COLOMBO , Sri Lanka - Authorities in Sri Lanka on Wednesday widened a curfew and warned of legal action against those evading treatment for COVID-19 after reporting a growing cluster centred around a garment factory in the capital ’ s suburbs .
The number of confirmed cases has risen to 1,022 , while more than 1,500 people have been asked to quarantine at their homes , health authorities said .
The Indian Ocean island nation had just reported its first community infection in two months on Sunday .
All of the infected people are co-workers of the first patient , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which includes the capital , Colombo .
Hundreds of people — both factory workers and residents — waited in lines Tuesday at makeshift medical centres to be tested for the coronavirus in the small town of Minuwangoda , about 50 kilometres ( 30 miles ) north of Colombo , where the factory is located .
Some who had tested positive were refusing to go to state-run treatment centres even after the government provided them with transport , Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said .
Wanniarachchi warned in a statement that legal action will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who evade treatment .
Violators of the law could face a fine and imprisonment of up to three months .
On Wednesday , police said they captured a COVID patient who fled from a hospital on the outskirts of Colombo and returned him to the hospital .
Separately , the health ministry ordered a halt to public gatherings such as exhibitions , parties , conferences , indoor and outdoor events , carnivals , musical shows and processions .
Police also widened the curfew in suburbs of Colombo where many of the patients live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , universities and imposed restrictions on public transport .
Chief epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said the new cluster poses a greater risk of spreading the virus in society compared to Sri Lanka ’ s previous clusters .
The government had long touted that it had prevented community spread of the virus because all previously known cases were connected to 31 clusters and only two remained active .
The new cluster at the garment factory is the biggest reported in Sri Lanka .
The previous biggest cluster was centred at a navy base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk is high with the new cluster because employees at the factory worked close together and also went home every day and mingled with others in society .
“ Therefore , if people do not support us , we will find it difficult to control this , ” Samaraweera said .
Local media reported that police and health workers were visiting the homes of factory workers on leave and were testing them as well .
The country has reported 4,252 cases , including 13 deaths .
Of the total patients , 3,274 @ @ @

Bharatha Mallawarachi - The Associated Press

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--2020-10-07--Kuwait’s National Guard minister picked as next crown prince

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - Kuwait ’ s deputy chief of the National Guard , who spent years in the oil-rich country ’ s security services , was nominated as crown prince on Wednesday , the Kuwaiti state news agency reported .
The nomination makes Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah the possible heir apparent to the new emir , 83-year-old Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah , who was propelled to power following the death of his half-brother .
Although Sheikh Nawaf had a full year to choose a successor , he picked Sheikh Meshal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has gripped Kuwaiti social media .
Before Sheikh Meshal can be officially named crown prince , lawmakers must approve the choice during their final session on Thursday , ahead of the formation of a new government — a rare vote for the region ’ s Arab monarchies in which the question of succession is typically decided behind palace doors .
Following the session , Kuwait ’ s parliament will dissolve itself ahead of elections tentatively set for late November .
At age 80 , the low-profile Sheikh Meshal , half-brother of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the seventh son to ascend from the same branch of the royal family , is widely seen as a conventional and safe choice .
While his health status remains unclear , he recently underwent a kidney transplant , according to a Washington Institute for Near-East Policy article from May 2018 .
Given his career building up the interior ministry for over a decade , very little is known about his policy preferences .
Unlike other top contenders for the post , he has steered clear of the country ’ s tumultuous politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feuds over corruption allegations .
Bader al-Saif , an assistant professor of history at Kuwait University , described the British-educated minister as a rare senior member of the royal family and political old guard who remains untainted by the country ’ s corruption scandals .
“ He ’ s an insider and an outsider at the same time , ” said al-Saif , noting that the country ’ s National Guard remains a respected institution above the political fray .
“ The unchecked corruption requires introducing a name that is fresh , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheikh Meshal is no newcomer to Kuwaiti government .
He was a close confidant of Sheikh Sabah throughout his tenure , accompanying him on official diplomatic visits as well as to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minnesota , where the emir received medical treatment after surgery and later died .
His selection delays any generational change in Kuwait , reinforcing the contrast with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates , now in effect led by powerful young princes .
Under the late Sheikh Sabah , who commanded great respect as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political and sectarian lines , Kuwait managed to pursue independent foreign policies despite the pressures of more belligerent regional heavyweights .
“ Change will happen in an orderly , gradual way , ” said al-Saif .
“ This is the Kuwaiti way.
” The choice of Sheikh Meshal is also a sign that Kuwait will look inward in the years ahead .
A worsening coronavirus outbreak , escalating tensions between the parliament and Cabinet and plunging oil prices have sharpened attention on Kuwait ’ s domestic grievances .
Parliamentary gridlock has blocked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise $ 65 billion and mitigate the country ’ s looming liquidity crisis , and calls are growing for political reform .
Also Wednesday , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Kuwait City , becoming the the latest political figure to pay his respects to Sheikh Sabah , following visits from Saudi , Emirati , Qatari and other Arab officials .
Erdogan ’ s meeting with the new ruling emir further underscores the late Sheikh Sabah ’ s ability to navigate between regional political rivalries , with Saudi Arabia and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qatar .
Erdogan later headed for Qatar to meet with its ruling emir .
Turkey has backed the tiny Gulf state in the face of a years-long blockade by its neighbours over its support for Islamists .
Ankara and Doha are also on the same side in Libya ’ s spiraling proxy war , backing the U.N.-supported government in Tripoli .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Trump calls his illness a ‘blessing from God’

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that catching the coronavirus was “ a blessing from God ” and portrayed as a miracle cure the unproven therapeutic drug he was given after testing positive last week for the virus .
Trump said he planned to make the antibody cocktail being developed by the drug maker Regeneron , which does not yet have government approval , free to anyone who needs it .
He did not explain how he would do it .
The president ’ s statement , in a video released early Wednesday evening by the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political damage he has suffered after months of trying to minimize the effects of a pandemic that has killed more than 211,000 Americans .
In remarks he made while he was at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where he was taken by helicopter on Friday night , and then when he returned to the White House on Monday , Trump did his best to play down the virus ’ s effects , telling Americans , “ Don ’ t be afraid of it , ” and saying that he felt “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the video released Wednesday night Trump , whose skin appeared darkened by makeup and who appeared to struggle to get air at times , seemed to be saying that he had discovered , without evidence , a new drug that suddenly made him feel better and could do the same for everyone else with COVID-19 .
“ I call that a cure , ” said Trump , adding that everyone should have access to the not-yet-approved drug for “ free ” and that he would make sure it was in every hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received more than $ 500 million ( U.S. ) from the federal government to develop and manufacture its experimental treatment as part of “ Operation Warp Speed , ” the federal effort to come up with viable vaccines and treatments for the virus , in order to help distribute it once it is available .
“ I think this was a blessing from God that I caught it , ” Trump said , apparently referring to the fact that he had learned about the benefits of the drug as a result of becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump tacitly acknowledged another appearance problem — that he has received the kind of intensive and costly medical care for coronavirus that is not available to any member of the general public .
In an interview on Wednesday , Dr. George Yancopoulos , Regeneron ’ s president and chief scientific officer , said it was possible that Trump responded to the treatment and that the level of virus had declined .
“ That ’ s a logical conclusion , ” Yancopoulos said .
“ Based on his symptomology , that has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump can definitively say whether the treatment worked because any drug must be proved in large clinical trials that compare the outcomes of people who got the product with those who received a placebo .
Those trials have not yet been completed .
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong , an infectious disease specialist at UCSF Health in San Francisco , said in his opinion there was “ 1 million per cent no ” chance that the Regeneron treatment could have cured Trump in 24 hours , as the president claimed .
Another explanation , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiencing the effects of the steroid dexamethasone , which he has been receiving since Saturday , which is known to reduce fever and can create feelings of well-being and euphoria in patients .
“ This is all in keeping with the dexamethasone speaking , ” Chin-Hong said .
The president has been desperate to announce some kind of definitive treatment , or a vaccine , ahead of the Nov. 3 election , in which nearly all polls show him trailing Joe Biden , the Democratic nominee , nationally , and in key states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a type of miracle cure for the virus for months , initially seizing on hydroxychloroquine as an answer before health experts raised concerns about its use .
But his disdain for those experts has been consistent with his general refusal to believe in science , a refusal that led The New England Journal of Medicine , in an editorial published on Wednesday , to say the Trump administration had responded so poorly to the coronavirus pandemic that it had “ taken a crisis and turned it into a tragedy.
” The journal did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the only possible inference , other scientists noted .
The New England Journal of Medicine ’ s editors join those of another influential journal , Scientific American , who last month endorsed Biden .
The Regeneron antibody cocktail is not the only drug that Trump was prescribed .
He has also been taking the antiviral drug remdesivir , as well as the steroid dexamethasone , which the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health recommend only for people who have severe or critical cases of COVID-19 .
Doctors have declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he fights off the virus .
Most people with COVID-19 eventually recover , and medical experts have also said that Trump is most likely still battling it .
Outside medical experts have said that the next week will be pivotal because many patients who do poorly take a turn for the worse in the second week after symptoms arise .
With the federal assistance , Regeneron has said it can produce up to 300,000 doses of the treatment , which is expected to be provided to Americans free of charge .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — another is being developed by Eli Lilly — that seek to give people powerful antibodies in the hopes of boosting their immune response .
But although both companies have reported promising early results , clinical trials are still underway .
Although Trump credited the Regeneron treatment with having improved his illness , there is no way to know if a drug is safe and if it works without testing it in large groups of people , some who receive the drug , and some who get a placebo .
Regeneron and Eli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available before the end of the year .
Some medical experts have seen the therapies as a sort of bridge until vaccines are available — the infusion of antibodies could be given to people who have been exposed to the virus in order to prevent infection , as well as to people who are still early in the course of the disease .
In his video , Trump suggested that the treatments could soon be authorized for emergency use .
“ We have to get them done , we have to get them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is a potentially risky move because it could allow the treatments to become widely used before they have been proven .
Broader access to the drugs could then jeopardize enrolment in clinical trials , because people may be reluctant to participate if there is a chance they could receive a placebo .
The president also used the video as another opportunity to push for the emergency approval of a vaccine before the election , even though the Food and Drug Administration has issued guidelines to companies that would mean meeting such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we should have it before the election , but frankly , the politics gets involved , and that ’ s OK , ” he said .
A handful of vaccine makers are testing their candidates in large clinical trials and have said they could have an answer before the end of the year , but they have also made an unusual pledge to not bring their vaccines to market before they are thoroughly vetted .
Monoclonal antibodies like the ones that Regeneron is developing are difficult and expensive to manufacture , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies will be able to make enough to meet global demand if they are proven to work .
In August , the company announced it was teaming up with a larger company , Roche , to ramp up production .
The video was not the only way Trump tried on Wednesday to put the best spin on his illness .
In mid afternoon he resumed working in the Oval Office , defying the aides who had hoped he would remain in his private quarters in the White House or a work space specially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sick .
The president had made clear that was his intention from the time he returned from the hospital on Monday .
The presence of a Marine guard outside the office shortly after 3 p.m. signalled that he had gotten his wish , flouting the safeguards sought by his aides at a time when a wave of infections has left the White House thinned out of staff .
Melania Trump , the first lady , has remained in the White House residence since last week when it was announced that she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official said that Trump had entered the Oval Office by walking along the colonnade outside , meaning there was a smaller amount of viral load he would have been shedding indoors .
Only two aides were said to be with him — Mark Meadows , the White House Chief of staff , and Dan Scavino , a deputy chief of staff — and wearing personal protective equipment like masks and gloves .
An “ isolation cart ” filled with such equipment was put next the indoor entrance to the Oval Office .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physician , Dr. Sean Conley , whose reports on the president have been unfailingly upbeat , released a memo saying that Trump began the day saying , “ I feel great !
” and that he had been symptom-free for more than 24 hours and fever-free for more than four days .
Conley said the president ’ s oxygen and respiratory levels were normal and stable , and that blood drawn from him two days earlier showed the presence of antibodies for the coronavirus .
Medical experts and Regeneron itself later said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than that Trump had received a large dose of the experimental antibody cocktail .

Maggie Haberman - The New York Times,Katie Thomas


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Pandemic takes centre stage as Mike Pence, Kamala Harris square off in vice presidential debate

WASHINGTON— “ Stop playing politics with people ’ s lives , ” Vice-President Mike Pence said early in Wednesday ’ s vice-presidential candidate ’ s debate , accusing his opponent Kamala Harris of undermining confidence in a vaccine .
Then he claimed U.S. President Donald Trump has always been truthful with the American people , and pressed by moderator Susan Page about the misleading information the White House had given concerning Trump ’ s health , Pence said , “ The transparency will continue.
” Many might have been left shaking their heads .
Like the portrayal Pence gave of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus from the beginning .
It has killed 210,000 people in the United States .
It has infected the president , and more than 30 of those around him .
And counting .
“ Whatever the vice-president is claiming the administration has done , clearly it hasn ’ t worked , ” Harris said .
She invoked the people who ’ d suffered and died , the children who couldn ’ t see grandparents for fear of killing them .
“ The American people have witnessed the greatest failure by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Harris said .
“ The American people have suffered too much because of the incompetence of this administration.
” The vice-presidential candidates met at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City , separated on stage by a few metres of distance and Plexiglas shields added as a precaution against COVID-19 .
The shields looked slight on the big stage , and didn ’ t appear as though they ’ d provide much protection against the dispersal of aerosols , but they were a persistent reminder of one of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late stages of the campaign .
And a reminder of the higher-than-usual stakes of this debate .
Trump is an active COVID patient , and both presidential candidates are in their 70s amid a pandemic that preys especially on senior citizens .
The two vice-presidential nominees on stage stand a greater than usual chance of ascending to the top job .
Even absent an emergency , Wednesday night may have been a preview of a potential 2024 presidential race in which it ’ s a strong possibility neither Trump ( who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term ) nor Biden ( who is 77 and would by 2024 be the oldest president ever to have served ) will be running .
Moderator Susan Page , the Washignton Bureau Chief of USA Today , asked many specific , direct questions of the candidates , which they almost always disregarded to go to prepared talking points — pointedly so in the case of Pence who , despite her pleas , refused to answer a question about whether he ’ d spoken to Trump about succession due to health problems and instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided a flashback to last week ’ s presidential debate when he — more calmly than Trump had , but persistently — interrupted Harris early in the debate .
“ Mr .
vice president , I ’ m speaking .
I ’ m speaking , ” Harris said at one point when Pence cut her off , staring at him pointedly .
He continued to interrupt to make his point and she laughed .
“ If you don ’ t mind letting me finish .
We can have a conversation , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched attacks on Biden on the economy — the ground he and Trump would prefer to fight on .
“ Joe Biden and Kamala Harris want to raise taxes ” he said .
“ They want to bury our economy under a $ 2 trillion green New Deal ...
They want to abolish fossil fuels , and ban fracking , which would cost hundreds of thousands of American jobs all across the Heartland .
And Joe Biden wants to go back to the economic surrender to China , ” Pence said .
Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing in the world by taking the word of dictators over that of our allies .
“ President Trump doesn ’ t understand what it means to be honest , ” Harris said .
The debate , scheduled to last 90 minutes , was ongoing as the Star went to press , but other likely topics to be covered included the civil unrest over racism and police violence and the Trump administration ’ s response and the Supreme Court , especially as Trump pushes to fill the seat recently vacated by the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Tech worker pleads guilty in death of Utah college student

SALT LAKE CITY - A tech worker pleaded guilty on Wednesday to strangling a Utah college student whose disappearance over a year ago sparked a search that ended with the discovery of her charred remains in his backyard .
Ayoola A. Ajayi acknowledged he planned the death of 23-year-old Mackenzie Lueck , whom he met on a dating app and arranged to meet in a park .
After they returned to his home , he bound and strangled her , then burned and hid her body while police and loved ones searched for her , his lawyer said in court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and desecration of a corpse in an agreement with prosecutors that removed the possibility of the death penalty .
Prosecutors dropped charges of aggravated kidnapping and obstructing justice .
Ajayi also pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a different woman he met on a dating app .
He is expected to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole .
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said the guilty pleas allow Lueck ’ s parents to begin to get closure and a “ measure of justice.
“ Gill said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been remembered as a bubbly , nurturing person who belonged to a sorority and was a part-time senior at the University of Utah studying kinesiology and pre-nursing .
She went missing in June 2019 , after returning from a trip home to El Segundo , California , for her grandmother ’ s funeral .
Lueck had met Ajayi , 32 , on the site Seeking Arrangement , which bills itself as a way for wealthy “ sugar daddies ” to meet women known as “ sugar babies , ” his lawyer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in a park , prosecutors have said .
Her phone was turned off a minute after the last text and never turned back on .
Ajayi planned the slaying before the meeting at the park and turned off the video in his home-security system before he left to meet her , his lawyer Neal Hamilton said .
When they returned to his Salt Lake City home , Ajayi tied her up and began to choke her .
She tried to stop him , after which he put a belt around her neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strangled her , the attorney said .
Ajayi then burned her body and buried it in his backyard , Hamilton said .
After detectives came to his door to question him , he dug her up and buried her in a shallow grave in a canyon nearly 100 miles ( 161 kilometres ) north of Salt Lake City .
The search for Lueck went on for nearly two weeks before some of her remains were discovered in Ajayi ’ s backyard and he was arrested .
He later revealed the location of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found with her arms bound behind her .
A native of Nigeria , Ajayi held a green card that allows him to legally work and live in the U.S. , prosecutors have said .
He was an information technology worker who had stints with high-profile companies and was briefly in the Army National Guard .
Authorities have not discussed a motive for the killing .
Ajayi said little at Wednesday ’ s hearing and occasionally hung his head .
He was wearing an orange jail jumpsuit , glasses and blue surgical mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced Oct. 23 .
Ajayi also pleaded guilty to sexually abusing another woman he met on a dating app in 2018 .
They went to his house for dinner , and the abuse happened while they were watching television , he acknowledged .
He pleaded guilty to forcible sexual abuse in that case .
As part of the plea agreement , prosecutors dismissed 19 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor related to child pornography allegedly discovered on his devices during the investigation into Lueck ’ s death .
This story has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to murder and one other charge , not multiple , in the death of the student .

Lindsay Whitehurst - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--The Latest: Pence blames Obama admin for hostage’s death

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the 2020 presidential election ( all times local ) : Vice-President Mike Pence says hesitation on behalf of the Obama administration is to blame for the death of a humanitarian worker killed and abused by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .
Relatives of Kayla Mueller were among Pence ’ s guests at Wednesday night ’ s debate with California Sen. Kamala Harris in Salt Lake City .
During the debate , Pence said that , when Joe Biden was vice-president , the Obama administration “ hesitated ” in moving on al-Baghdadi , and when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been moved to another location .
Mueller was kidnapped and held for 18 months before her death was announced in early 2015 .
Pence said Mueller ’ s family believes that , if President Donald Trump had been in office , “ Kayla would be alive today.
“ Al-Baghdadi was killed during a special forces raid in Syria in 2019 .
Speaking to Mueller ’ s family , Harris said , “ What happened to her was awful and it should have never happened.
” HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PRESIDENTIAL RACE : President Donald Trump is recovering from the coronavirus at the White House .
Democrat Joe Biden is holding two virtual fundraisers .
The candidates ’ running mates , meanwhile , met in a vice-presidential debate Wednesday night in Salt Lake City .
— Pence-Harris debate to unfold as Trump recovers from virus — Trump , out of sight , tweets up storm , says he ‘ feels great ’ HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : The vice-presidential debate is much more cordial than last week ’ s raucous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrat Kamala Harris acknowledged Vice-President Mike Pence ’ s phone call to her the day she accepted the Democratic vice-presidential nomination , while Pence acknowledged the well wishes from his Democratic rivals toward President Donald Trump after the president was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week .
Harris is the first Black woman on a major party ticket .
Pence congratulated her Wednesday night on her historic nomination .
California Sen. Kamala Harris is hammering Vice-President Mike Pence over health care , saying that the Trump administration is “ coming for you ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Citing the Trump administration ’ s support for a challenge to the Affordable Care Act before the Supreme Court , Harris says during Wednesday night ’ s vice-presidential debate that the Trump administration is “ coming for you ” if you have a preexisting condition , if you “ love someone who has a preexisting condition ” or if you are younger than 26 years old and covered by their parents ’ health care plan .
In response , Pence says that “ Obamacare was a disaster ” and that he and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preexisting conditions , though the Trump administration hasn ’ t yet released such a plan .
California Sen. Kamala Harris says a lack of information on President Donald Trump ’ s outstanding debts raises concerns about possible motives for his decisions in the nation ’ s top office .
The Democratic vice-presidential nominee said Wednesday during a candidate debate in Salt Lake City that “ it ’ d be really good to know who the president of the United States , the commander and chief , owes money to.
” Harris referenced reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid $ 750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 and is carrying a total of $ 421 million in loans and debt .
Vice-President Mike Pence shook his head as she spoke .
Trump has fiercely guarded his tax filings and is the only president in modern times not to make them public .
Harris pivoted to taxes during a question on whether the American people deserved to have information on their president ’ s health , to which she and Pence both answered in the affirmative .
Neither Vice-President Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether they have had a conversation with their party ’ s presidential nominee about safeguards or procedures should either man become disabled .
President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden would be the oldest president ever , if elected .
Pence instead used his two minutes to attack Harris ’ doubt in Trump ’ s timeframe for a coronavirus vaccine .
His answer came in part off Trump ’ s recent coronavirus diagnosis .
For her part , Harris used her time to discuss her late mother ’ s status as an immigrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket .
Though neither seem to suggest it ’ s important to discuss conversations with their running mates , both seem to agree it ’ s important for the American people to have details of the president ’ s health .
Sen. Kamala Harris is leaving it as an open question whether she would take a COVID-19 vaccine if one is approved while President Donald Trump is in office .
The topic came up early in Wednesday ’ s vice-presidential debate .
Harris was asked if Americans should take the vaccine and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors “ tells us that we should take it , I ’ ll be the first in line to take it , absolutely .
But if Donald Trump tells us that we should take it , I ’ m not taking it.
” Vice-President Mike Pence says there will be a vaccine produced in record time .
He says , “ I just ask you , stop playing politics with people ’ s lives.
” He says that undermining confidence in a vaccine is unacceptable .
Former Food and Drug Administration officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being rushed out for political reasons could derail efforts to vaccinate millions of Americans .
The coronavirus pandemic was the first topic at the vice-presidential debate .
In Salt Lake City on Wednesday , separated from Vice-President Mike Pence by plexiglass barriers , California Sen. Kamala Harris called the Trump administration ’ s response to the growing pandemic “ the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.
” Speaking directly to the camera , as Democratic nominee Joe Biden did in his first debate with President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was happening , and they didn ’ t tell you.
” In response , Vice-President Mike Pence commended Trump ’ s decision to shut off travel from China , saying the decision “ bought us invaluable time ” to co-ordinate the country ’ s response to the pandemic .
But Trump ’ s move only cut off some travel from China , and tens of thousands were still allowed to pour into the country .
More than 210,000 Americans have died during the pandemic .
Trump is recovering at the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence and Democrat Kamala Harris are facing off in their only vice-presidential debate .
The candidates are separated by plexiglass barriers in an auditorium where any guest who refuses to wear a face mask will be removed .
Wednesday ’ s prime-time meeting is a chance for voters to decide whether Pence or Harris is ready to assume the duties of the presidency .
It ’ s hardly a theoretical question : President Donald Trump is 74 and recovering from the coronavirus , and Joe Biden is 77 .
Harris is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate stage .
The night offers her a prime opportunity to energize would-be voters who have shown only modest excitement about Biden .
Pence is looking to boost the Republican ticket , which is trailing in polls .
Republican Mike Pence will press the Trump campaign ’ s “ law and order ” message at the vice-presidential debate against Democrat Kamala Harris .
Pence ’ s guests in the debate hall Wednesday night will include Ann Marie Dorn , the widow of retired St. Louis police captain David Dorn , who was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent night of protests .
President Donald Trump and his campaign have seized on the scattered violence that has broken out amid otherwise largely peaceful protests demanding racial justice .
Trump has wrongly claimed that such violence has been condoned by his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , and has warned it will continue if Biden wins in November .
Ann Marie Dorn also spoke at the Republican National Convention .
Pence will also be joined by the parents of Kayla Mueller , a humanitarian aid worker who was taken captive and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women will attend Wednesday ’ s vice-presidential debate in Salt Lake City as guests of Democrat Kamala Harris .
Angela Romero is a state representative who also works in local government in Salt Lake City , overseeing the Division for Youth and Family programs .
The campaign says Romero is focused on supporting families and local businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
Deborah Gatrell is a veteran and teacher who is running for a seat on the Salt Lake County Council .
She is a Blackhawk pilot who served in the Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East .
The campaign says the two women represent the hard-working Americans that a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration would fight for .
President Donald Trump ’ s campaign is dialing back on advertising in Midwestern states that secured his first term in office .
Data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG shows Trump ’ s campaign has cancelled about $ 3.3 million in advertising planned for Iowa and Ohio this week .
But details provided from Democratic advertising trackers reveal the phenomenon is more widespread .
The data shows Trump is running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Michigan , where Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is spending $ 2.9 million .
In Wisconsin , Trump is spending $ 229,000 compared to Biden ’ s $ 2.5 million .
And in Minnesota , a longtime Democratic stronghold where Trump hoped to make inroads , Biden is outspending him $ 1 million to Trump ’ s $ 289,000 this week .
The ad decisions by Trump ’ s campaign are puzzling .
He amassed a massive campaign bank account after his election , but Biden has outraised him in recent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the campaign ’ s exorbitant spending on things unrelated to winning , including lavish payments to campaign consultants and surrogates .
President Donald Trump has returned to the Oval Office for the first time since he was diagnosed and hospitalized with COVID-19 .
Spokesperson Brian Morgenstern confirmed that the president returned to the Oval Office on Wednesday .
He has been convalescing in the White House residence since he returned from a three-night hospital stay on Monday evening .
Trump is likely still contagious with the virus .
A Marine was posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president was in the Oval Office .
White House officials say they have put additional safeguards in place to protect staff who may interact with the president , including requiring full personal protective equipment .
Morgenstern says Trump is being briefed on stimulus talks and a potentially devastating hurricane heading toward the Gulf Coast .
Vice-President Mike Pence will be joined in the debate hall by several special guests , including the parents of Kayla Mueller , the humanitarian aid worker who was killed by Islamic State militants .
Their presence Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump , including the killing of the group ’ s leader , Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi , in contrast to the approach taken by the Obama administration , which Mueller ’ s parents have criticized .
Carl and Marsha Mueller were featured in Trump ’ s State of the Union address earlier this year and spoke at the Republican National convention .
In their speech , they asserted that , had Trump “ been president when Kayla was captured , she would be here today.
” The 26-year-old Mueller was taken captive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Without Borders hospital in Aleppo , Syria .
The debate comes the same day that two Islamic State militants — dubbed part of the “ the Beatles ” because of their British accents —- were brought from Britain to the U.S. to face charges in connection with the deaths of American hostages , including Kayla Mueller .
Kamala Harris has again tested negative for the coronavirus .
The campaign reported her results on Wednesday , less than 12 hours before she is scheduled to debate Vice-President Mike Pence .
She took the test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , according to the White House .
Harris and Pence will appear on stage at the University of Utah for a 90-minute debate .
Both candidates will have plexiglass around them as an additional precaution .
That was requested by the Biden-Harris campaign , and Pence ’ s team objected .
Harris also tested negative for the virus on Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Trump hails experimental treatment for his virus recovery

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Wednesday credited an experimental drug treatment with helping his recovery from COVID-19 and suggested his diagnosis could be a “ blessing in disguise “ in the nation ’ s battle against the pandemic .
But there is no way for the president or his doctors to know whether the drug had any effect .
In a new White House video posted Wednesday evening , Trump said his illness had shed light on an experimental antibody cocktail that he tied to his improved condition .
Seemingly sensitive to the fact that his treatment course has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received by average Americans , he promised to swiftly get the drug approved for broader use — and distribute it for free — even though he does not have the power to order that himself .
“ I want everybody to be given the same treatment as your president , because I feel great , ” Trump said in a video from the Rose Garden .
“ I feel , like , perfect.
” Still , questions continue to swirl about the trajectory of Trump ’ s recovery and when he might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including campaigning , less than four weeks before Election Day .
The video marked Trump ’ s first appearance before a camera — albeit a White House-operated one —in nearly two days .
The White House has released only limited details about his condition and treatment , leading to questions about what lies ahead for Trump .
Trump received an experimental antiviral cocktail made by Regeneron through a “ compassionate use ” exemption , a recognition of the above-and-beyond standard of care he receives as president .
The safety and effectiveness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And there is no way for the president or his doctors to know that the drug had any effect .
Most people recover from COVID-19 .
It ’ s not the first time the president has trumpeted an unproven treatment .
He spent months painting the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a miracle treatment for the virus — taking a preventative course himself — even though experts have said it is not effective against COVID-19 .
Trump hailed the Regeneron cocktail even as drugmaker Eli Lilly moves forward with its own similar treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drug Administration on Wednesday to allow emergency use of its experimental antibody based on early results suggesting it reduces symptoms .
There is no timetable for the FDA to make a decision , though the agency has moved on such applications within weeks .
Lilly says it could supply as many as 1 million doses of its therapy in the final quarter of 2020 , with 100,000 available in October .
Regeneron confirms it has also applied for emergency authorization , and said Wednesday it has enough doses for approximately 50,000 patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months .
The company said this advance production would allow the treatment to be distributed “ immediately ” if it were authorized by the FDA .
In the video , Trump continued to play down the threat of the virus , promising those who are ill that they ’ re going to “ get better fast , just like I did.
” More than 200,000 people in the U.S. and more than a million worldwide have died from the disease .
Trump posted the video on Twitter not long after aides said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office for briefings on Hurricane Delta , which is bearing down on the U.S. Gulf Coast , and on economic stimulus prospects —- despite still being contagious two days after he was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Aides insisted that only limited staff were around him and that he entered the office from the outside to limit exposure .
With national and battleground public opinion polls showing he faces an uphill fight to winning a second term , Trump spent much of his day on Twitter , throwing broadsides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up piecemeal economic aid proposals after nixing negotiations on a broader assistance package .
Trump ’ s doctor reported that the president continued to make progress in his recovery .
Dr. Sean Conley , the White House physician , said Trump had begun the day by declaring , “ I feel great !
” Conley added in a memo that Trump had been symptom-free for over 24 hours , and that his oxygen saturation level and respiratory rate were normal .
The memo also said a blood test Monday showed Trump had coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he had been given an experimental drug on Friday containing these .
Regeneron says it ’ s not possible for this type of blood test to distinguish between antibodies Trump ’ s body may be making and those supplied by the company ’ s drug .
Most likely , the ones detected in the Monday test are from the drug , the company said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says individuals can discontinue isolation 10 days after symptom onset .
While reports of reinfection are rare , the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 continue to wear a mask , stay distanced and follow other precautions .
Access to Trump for White House aides has been extremely limited since his discharge .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and senior adviser Dan Scavino were among those with the president in the Oval Office , according to officials .
Those meeting with Trump are required to wear full personal protective gear to minimize their risk .
Trump could have received his briefings elsewhere in the complex , but the president believed it was important that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
The president has also begun pondering a resumption of travel and is considering hitting the road next week before the scheduled Oct. 15 presidential debate in Miami .
White House officials are confident that Trump will be healthy enough to take part in the debate , and are exploring the prospect of travel earlier depending on the course of his recovery .
One option the campaign is weighing involves visits to Pennsylvania Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Florida .
Another would be for the president to restart travel with the debate and hold a campaign event the following day , according to a campaign official who was not authorized to comment publicly .
Elsewhere in the government , the virus is threatening the top ranks of the U.S. military .
The assistant commandant of the Marine Corps , Gen. Gary L. Thomas , tested positive for the coronavirus , days after he and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were in a Pentagon meeting with a Coast Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the service confirmed Wednesday .
Thomas attended a meeting of the Joint Chiefs on Friday .
The nation ’ s top military leaders — including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Gen. Mark Milley , and the vice chairman , Gen. John Hyten — are in quarantine after exposure at that meeting to Adm. Charles W. Ray , the vice commandant of the Coast Guard , who has since tested positive .
Amid the national public health crisis , a personal one , and warning flares from leading economists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump pushed out about 60 tweets by early evening praising supporters and eviscerating his opponents .
While Trump continues to minimize the threat of the virus , more aides have been testing positive — including one of his closest advisers , Stephen Miller , who was diagnosed Tuesday .
All told , more than a dozen White House staffers have tested positive .
Nonetheless , Trump pushed out video of South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem speaking of her decision to resist COVID-19 restrictions in her state .
He also thanked a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though a sea of COVID infested water to vote for President Trump on November 3rd.
“ Associated Press writers Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee and Lauran Neergaard , Zeke Miller , Lolita C. Baldor and Jonathan Lemire in Washington contributed to this report .

Aamer Madhani, Jill Colvin And Matthew Perrone - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Former de Blasio aide Maya Wiley announces run for NYC mayor

NEW YORK - Maya Wiley , a civil rights lawyer , former aide to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and MSNBC legal analyst , is announcing her candidacy to succeed de Blasio in 2021 .
“ I want to build a New York where no matter who you are or what you look like , how you identify or who you love , whether you have a big bank account or none at all , whether you live in public housing or luxury condos , you can live a life with dignity and opportunity in this city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Wednesday .
Wiley , 56 , is a former chairperson of New York City ’ s police oversight agency and former counsel to the mayor who has also taught at The New School .
She announced in July that she was leaving her position as a contributor to MSNBC and NBC to explore a run for mayor .
If elected , Wiley would be the city ’ s first woman mayor and second Black mayor .
She will join what is likely to be a crowded Democratic primary in the race to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the city charter from seeking a third term .
Other announced candidates include City Comptroller Scott Stringer and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--VP Debate Takeaways: Pandemic looms over a more civil fight

WASHINGTON - In normal times , vice-presidential debates don ’ t matter much .
But in an election year as wild as 2020 , everything is magnified .
Vice-President Mike Pence on Wednesday faced considerable pressure to boost coronavirus-stricken President Donald Trump ’ s flagging reelection hopes as he trails in national and battleground state polls .
California Sen. Kamala Harris stepped on stage having to balance her role as Joe Biden ’ s validator with her own historic presence as the first Black woman on a major party national ticket .
The candidates were separated by plexiglass out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases emanating from the White House .
Here are key early takeaways from the only vice-presidential debate ahead of the Nov. 3 Election Day .
Millions of Americans were aghast when Trump derailed the first presidential debate with incessant interruptions and a cascade of falsehoods , while Biden answered by calling the Republican incumbent a “ clown ” who needed to “ shut up.
” The opening of Wednesday ’ s undercard matchup made clear that Pence and Harris were set for a much different encounter – an actual debate .
To be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some modest interruptions and violations of the debate clock .
But the dynamics represented a rare 2020 return to some semblance of normal presidential politics .
Pence ’ s even temperament has been a signature of his political career and he has often served as a kind of translator for Trump ’ s bombast .
Harris had a long career as a prosecutor , comfortable arguing her case under pressure .
Both played to type .
In tone and content , their debate was like an alternate universe from the one Americans saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump campaign has wanted voters to focus on anything but the pandemic that has killed more than 210,000 people across the country and infected at least 7.5 million more .
But that subject dominated from the outset , with Trump and a growing list of White House aides , campaign staff and allies now sidelined with COVID-19 .
Harris immediately put Pence on the defensive , calling Trump ’ s pandemic response “ the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.
” Trump and Pence “ still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
Pence shot back that much of Biden ’ s proposed coronavirus response is action the federal government already is taking .
More clearly than Trump perhaps ever has done , Pence expressed sympathy for all those affected by the pandemic , and he accused Harris of “ playing politics with people ’ s lives.
” In fact , Biden ’ s plan does have elements that Trump ’ s doesn ’ t .
Biden has called for the president to issue a mask mandate on federal property and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same .
He has called for using other federal spending and regulatory power .
But Harris skipped those details .
Harris was cautious about approaching the historic nature of her candidacy .
She referenced thinking about her mother , an immigrant from India , on the day Biden invited her to join the Democratic ticket .
But she stuck mostly to the talking points that any potential Democratic candidate could have offered .
Pence , on the other hand , embraced the opportunity to be magnanimous .
“ I also want to congratulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your nomination , ” Pence told Harris .
“ I never expected to be on that stage four years ago so I know the feeling.
” It was a grace note from Pence , something not heard from his boss the week before .
The fundamental cultural divide between the major U.S. political parties was on plain display , far more than when Trump and Biden stood onstage together .
Pence is a 61-year-old white man from small-town Indiana , and he embraces conservative cultural values , often citing his evangelical Christian faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he remains the most stabilizing link between the president and the pre-Trump Republican Party .
Harris , a 55-year-old Black and Asian American woman , hails from the same generation as Pence .
But she ’ s the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants .
She attended newly integrated Oakland public schools and then an historically black college before ascending the California political ladder to the U.S. Senate and now a national ticket .
For a party that gets most of its votes from women and much of its energy from non-whites and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more personal link than the 77-year-old Biden .
To be sure , the race is about the men at the top of the tickets .
But when it comes to understanding the two parties ’ core identities , the running mate picks offered a clear picture .
Both Pence and Harris used audience guests to make statements .
Whether that resonates with most voters is another question .
Pence hammered the president ’ s “ law and order ” message with two guests .
Flora Westbrooks ’ Minneapolis hair salon was burned down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death at the hands of police .
And Ann Marie Dorn is the widow of a retired St. Louis police captain who was shot to death on June 2 after a violent night of protests there .
Also joining Pence were the parents of Kayla Mueller , a humanitarian aid worker who was captured and killed by Islamic State militants in Syria .
Their presence was meant to highlight Trump ’ s efforts to stamp out the group and bring captives home .
Harris picked two Utah women the campaign says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would fight for : state representative Angela Romero , who has been working to support families and businesses affected by pandemic , and Deborah Gatrell , a veteran and teacher running for a seat on the Salt Lake County Council .
But in this debate , unlike the first presidential one , all the guests wore masks as required by the Commission on Presidential Debates .
The penalty , after the Trump family flouted the guidelines by removing their masks a week ago , was being removed from the debate hall .

Bill Barrow And Jill Colvin - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Ex-officer charged in George Floyd’s death freed on $1M bond

MINNEAPOLIS - The former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd posted bail Wednesday and was released from jail , leading Minnesota ’ s governor to activate the National Guard to help keep the peace in the event of protests .
According to court documents , Derek Chauvin posted a $ 1 million bond and was released from the state ’ s facility in Oak Park Heights , where he had been detained .
Hennepin County jail records show he was released shortly before 11:30 a.m. Floyd , a Black man in handcuffs , died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white , pressed his knee against Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes as Floyd said he couldn ’ t breathe .
Floyd ’ s death was captured in widely seen bystander video that set off protests around the world .
Chauvin and three other officers were fired .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter ; Thomas Lane , J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter .
Upon news of Chauvin ’ s release , Gov .
Tim Walz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement .
Walz said the Guard was mobilizing 100 soldiers and providing equipment and facilities “ out of an abundance of caution “ in light of public safety concerns .
Walz said 100 state troopers and 75 Department of Natural Resources conservation officers were also mobilized to help local authorities .
As darkness fell Wednesday evening , hundreds of people took to the streets in south Minneapolis where protests were centred in the days after George Floyd ’ s death .
They marched several blocks and blocked an intersection for a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice , No Peace — Prosecute the Police.
” Floyd family attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci released a statement saying Chauvin ’ s release “ is a painful reminder “ that the family is far from getting justice .
“ The system of due process worked for Chauvin and afforded him his freedom while he awaits trial .
In contrast , George Floyd was denied due process , when his life was ended over a $ 20 bill .
There was no charge , no arrest , no hearing , no bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
Floyd ’ s aunt , Angela Harrelson , told FOX-9 that she was still trying to process the news .
“ It ’ s something that I ’ m not happy with .
I ’ m not pleased with it .
But I know I have to accept it because this is what the judge allowed to happen .
...
I know our family is not happy with this decision , “ Harrelson said .
It was not immediately clear where Chauvin got the money to pay his bond .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to pay 10 % , in this case $ 100,000 , to the bail bond company .
Then , the company and the defendant work out an arrangement for collateral to back all or part of the rest of the bond amount , said Mike Brandt , a criminal defence attorney who is not connected to the case .
A message left with the company that posted the bond , Allegheny Casualty Company , was not immediately returned .
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association , which has a legal defence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for bail , a spokeswoman said .
Bob Kroll , president of the Minneapolis Police Officers Federation , said his union was not involved .
The website GiveSendGo.com , which says it is a free Christian crowdfunding site , has a Derek Chauvin Bail Fund that says it was created by his family .
According to the site , as of midday Wednesday that fund raised $ 4,198 of its $ 125,000 goal , with donations from more than 35 people .
A posting on the site dated Sept. 12 said it took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the high-profile nature of the case .
Chauvin had the option of posting bail for $ 1.25 million without conditions or $ 1 million with conditions .
Under the conditions of his release , he must attend all court appearances , can not have any direct or indirect contact — including social media contact — with any members of Floyd ’ s family , can not work in law enforcement or security , and must not possess any firearms or ammunition .
Chauvin ’ s wife , Kellie Chauvin , filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
The records in that case have since been sealed and Kellie Chauvin ’ s divorce attorney didn ’ t immediately reply to a message seeking comment .
In July , the Chauvins were charged with multiple felony counts of tax evasion for allegedly failing to report income from various jobs , including more than $ 95,000 from Derek Chauvin ’ s off-duty security work .
The criminal complaints in that case allege that from 2014 through 2019 , the Chauvins underreported their joint income by $ 464,433 and owe the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fees .
The tax evasion case also listed other assets , including the couple ’ s second home in Florida and a $ 100,000 BMW .
The Chauvin home in the St. Paul suburb of Oakdale was sold on Aug. 28 for $ 279,000 , which was $ 26,000 less than the price it was listed at a month after Floyd ’ s death , according to online real estate records .
It was not clear where Chauvin was staying after his release , but one of the conditions of his bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission .
The other three officers charged in Floyd ’ s death had previously posted bond amounts of $ 750,000 and have been free pending trial .
Currently , all four men are scheduled to face trial together in March , but the judge is weighing a request to have them tried separately .
Corrects to show that Derek Chauvin was released from jail , not prison .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Police release details of Breonna Taylor investigation

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - Police files released Wednesday show contacts between Breonna Taylor and a man she dated previously who was suspected of drug dealing , but raise new questions about what led narcotics investigators to the raid of her home that resulted in her death in a burst of police gunfire .
Lt. Dale Massey , a member of the Louisville Metro Police Department SWAT team that arrived on the scene , described the execution of the warrant as an “ egregious act.
” He told investigators he and other SWAT members felt that after seeing what had occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer that “ something really bad happened.
” Massey ’ s comments were included in extensive testimony and other evidence that shed light on the internal Louisville police review of Taylor ’ s death .
Protesters in Louisville and elsewhere around the country have demanded accountability for her killing .
The police files contain conflicting information about when the contacts ended between Taylor and her ex-boyfriend , Jamarcus Glover .
In a recorded jailhouse conversation on the day she died , Glover said he and Taylor had not “ been around each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ain ’ t got nothing going on with Bre no more , ” he told a woman whose name was redacted from the report .
Other evidence suggests Taylor and Glover were together in the same vehicle a month before her March 13 death .
On Feb. 13 , the evidence shows , a pole camera showed Glover driving a car registered to Taylor .
He pulled up in front of a residence and went inside .
A few minutes later , Taylor got out of the passenger side of the car , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then got back in the vehicle .
Glover soon left the home , got back in the car and drove off .
Taylor , a 26-year-old Louisville emergency medical technician studying to become a nurse , was shot multiple times after being roused from sleep by police at her door .
The warrant was approved as part of a narcotics investigation .
No drugs were found at her home .
The case has fueled nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism .
When police came through the door using a battering ram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker , fired once .
Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar said the release of the files was “ long overdue.
“ “ We think the public is going to understand even more so why we ’ re so frustrated with how this investigation went down and why there was no criminal accountability , ” he said by phone .
As for the investigative accounts regarding Taylor and Glover , he said : “ You don ’ t see anything in these files that denotes any sort of connection between the two of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
So it still begs the question , what made them decide ... to go hit this ( Taylor ’ s ) house.
“ Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said it was important to release the police investigation files as quickly as possible , after making “ necessary redactions.
“ Much of the information in the files was included in records from the grand jury proceedings released last week , he said .
“ I urge all to be sensitive that these files contain information and images that are traumatic and painful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The files included investigative letters , interview transcripts , officers ’ body camera videos , audio and video files of interviews , crime scene unit reports and search warrants .
Some items were redacted , blurred or withheld for privacy or legal reasons .
Photos and videos of Taylor were “ blurred out of respect , ” police said .
Audio of personal conversations that officers had while their body cameras were activated were redacted .
Those conversations “ had nothing to do with the scene or case , ” police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the raid that resulted in Taylor ’ s death were revealed in 15 hours of audio recordings released recently .
They contained testimony and recorded interviews presented last month to the Kentucky grand jury that decided not to charge any Louisville police officers in Taylor ’ s killing .
Taylor ’ s name came up in a drug case at least in part because she had posted bail a few times from 2017 to January 2020 for Glover and another defendant , Darreal Forest , in amounts that went as high as $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Officer Brett Hankison , who has since been fired , was the only officer indicted by the grand jury , which charged him with wanton endangerment for shooting into another home with people inside .
He has pleaded not guilty .
On Wednesday , Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed a motion in Jefferson Circuit Court asking it to dismiss a request by an anonymous grand juror to speak publicly about the panel ’ s handling of the case .
Cameron said in a statement from his spokeswoman that he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing thoughts ” of his office ’ s handling of the case .
“ However , I have concerns with a grand juror seeking to make anonymous and unlimited disclosures about the grand jury proceedings .
The grand jury process is secretive for a reason , to protect the safety and anonymity of all the grand jurors , witnesses , and innocent persons involved.
“ Associated Press Writers Alanna Durkin Richer and Maryclaire Dale contributed to this report .
Hudspeth Blackburn is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

Bruce Schreiner, Rebecca Reynolds Yonker And Piper Hudspeth Blackburn - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Appellate judges let 2020 census continue through October

ORLANDO , Fla. - A panel of three appellate judges on Wednesday upheld a lower court order allowing the 2020 head count of every U.S. resident to continue through October .
But the panel struck down a provision that had suspended a year-end deadline for submitting figures used to decide how many congressional seats each state gets .
The ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel in San Francisco upheld part of U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh ’ s preliminary injunction last month , and rejected part of it .
Koh ’ s preliminary injunction suspended a Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a Dec. 31 deadline for submitting numbers used to determine how many congressional seats each state gets — a process known as apportionment .
Because of those actions , the deadlines reverted back to a previous Census Bureau plan that had field operations ending Oct. 31 and the reporting of apportionment figures at the end of April .
By issuing the injunction , Koh sided with a coalition of civil rights groups and local governments which had sued the Trump administration , arguing minorities and others in hard-to-count communities would be missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of October .
But Trump administration attorneys had argued the Census Bureau was obligated to meet the congressionally mandated requirement to turn in apportionment numbers by Dec. 31 .
Koh also struck down an Oct. 5 end date that the Commerce Department , which oversees the Census Bureau , had pushed after the injunction , saying it violated her order .
Hours after Wednesday ’ s ruling , the Trump administration asked the U.S , Supreme Court to put an immediate hold on the injunction while it appeals .
Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court that the appellate court ’ s ruling will still force the Census Bureau to violate the Dec. 31 deadline .
He added the decision also conflicts with the district judge ’ s rationale for issuing the injunction , calling it “ an unprecedented intrusion “ into the Trump administration ’ s ability to conduct the census .
“ Because courts are not equipped to manage census operations , it is not surprising that the district court erred in its assessment of how accurate the census will be , “ Wall said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule praised the decision .
“ The courts keep speaking even if the Trump administration is not listening , ” said Julie Menin , who heads New York City ’ s census outreach efforts .
“ The Trump administration has lost time and time again in their attempts to interfere with the 2020 Census , and we welcome the Ninth Circuit ’ s decision , which preserves a fair and accurate census timeline.
” Responding to the pandemic , the Census Bureau in April proposed extending the deadline for finishing the count from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of October and pushing the apportionment deadline from Dec. 31 to next April .
The proposal to extend the apportionment deadline passed the Democratic-controlled House , but the Republican-controlled Senate didn ’ t take up the request .
Then , during the summer , bureau officials shortened the count schedule by a month so that it would finish at the end of September .
The Republicans ’ inaction coincided with a memorandum President Donald Trump issued , which was later ruled unlawful by a panel of three district judges in New York , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the apportionment count people in the country illegally .
The Trump administration is appealing that case to the Supreme Court .
By sticking to the Dec. 31 deadline , the apportionment count would be under the control of the Trump administration no matter who wins the presidential election next month .
While allowing the head count to continue through October leaves less time to crunch the numbers before the Dec. 31 deadline , Trump administration officials and outside advisory groups had said that the Census Bureau would be unable to meet that deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appellate judges said .
Any harm caused by shortening the time for data processing after the count was outweighed by the harm that would come from ending the count early , they wrote .
The appellate judges also noted that just because the Dec. 31 deadline can ’ t be met practically doesn ’ t mean the court should require the Census Bureau to miss it .
“ Perhaps the Bureau will find that with an extraordinary effort or changes in processing capacity , it is able to meet its deadline , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Commerce may seek and receive a deadline extension from Congress .
Or perhaps the Bureau will miss the deadline , as statement after statement by everyone from agency officials to the President has stated it would , due to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic.
” The census determines how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets and how $ 1.5 trillion in federal funding is distributed each year .
As of Tuesday , 99.7 % of households nationwide had been counted , a figure that surpassed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Census Bureau .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Affidavit: Man fatally shot by Texas cop offered handshake

DALLAS - A Black man who was fatally shot by a white police officer in a small East Texas city had offered a handshake to the officer , asking if he was “ doing good , ” as the officer arrived at a convenience store to check out a report of a fight , according to a court document released Wednesday .
Wolfe City police Officer Shaun Lucas has been charged with murder in the weekend death of 31-year-old Jonathan Price , whose funeral will be held Saturday at the high school football field in the city of about 1,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) northeast of Dallas .
According to the affidavit , written by a Texas Ranger , the entire interaction between the two on Oct. 3 was captured on a body camera .
That footage has not been released .
The affidavit said that when Lucas arrived at the convenience store because of a “ possible fight ” he was greeted by Price , who asked the officer “ you doing good ” several times and extended his hand in a handshake gesture .
Price apologized for broken glass on the ground , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wrap me up.
” The affidavit says Lucas thought Price was intoxicated and tried to detain him .
Price said “ I can ’ t be detained ” as Lucas grabbed at his arm and used verbal commands .
When Lucas produced a stun gun , Price began to walk away .
After Lucas deployed the stun gun , which wasn ’ t fully effective , Price walked toward him and appeared to reach out to grab the end of the stun gun , the affidavit said .
The affidavit said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Price in the upper torso .
Price was later pronounced dead at a hospital .
In a statement Monday announcing that Lucas had been charged , the Texas Rangers said that Price “ resisted in a non-threatening posture and began walking away , ” and that the officer ’ s actions weren ’ t “ reasonable.
” Lucas ’ attorney , John Snider , has said that the officer “ only discharged his weapon in accordance with Texas law when he was confronted with an aggressive assailant who was attempting to take his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Dallas attorney representing Price ’ s family , has said on Facebook that he was told Price raised his hands and tried to explain what was going on when the officer arrived .
Merritt wrote that after the stun gun was deployed Price ’ s “ body convulsed from the electrical current , they ‘ perceived a threat ’ and shot him to death.
’ ” Police haven ’ t released any details about the reported fight that brought Lucas to the convenience store , but Price ’ s family and friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intervened in a domestic disturbance .
His family and friends said Price , a Wolfe City employee , was well-known in the community .
Price , who had played football for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene , was a personal trainer and body builder with dreams of starting his own fitness centre .
Tony Coleman , an Oklahoma City attorney who grew up in Wolfe City , said the community always comes together when someone dies but that the death of Price — known for his bright smile and enthusiasm for fitness — “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that that it ’ s never been touched before.
” Coleman , who is representing Price ’ s family along with Merritt , said there haven ’ t been race-related problems in the tight-knit community .
“ I have as many white friends as I do Black friends , “ said Coleman , who is Black .
“ In fact I probably have more white friends than Black because the disparity of the population is that great.
” According to the U.S. Census Bureau , 71 % of its residents are white , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Hispanic .
“ We all spent the night at each other ’ s houses , we come to the aid of one another when the need for aid arises , ” Coleman said .
Lucas , 22 , had been with the Wolfe City Police Department for a little less than six months when the shooting took place , according to records from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement .
His prior law enforcement experience had been working as a jailer with the Hunt County Sheriff ’ s Office for about five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this guy was , ” Coleman said .
“ For the community , they feel betrayed in a sense .
That ’ s the feeling that I ’ ve gotten from everyone because this was somebody who was supposed to serve and protect the community , not to kill us .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--‘The military’s #MeToo moment:’ Fort Hood victims speak out

AUSTIN , Texas - Maria Valentine says she was just months into her training at Fort Hood , a U.S. Army base in Texas , in 2006 when a sergeant with a history of alleged harassment toward other soldiers wrote her up after she complained that she didn ’ t want him touching her during body mass measurements .
She said authorities promised the disciplinary report would be wiped from her record if she didn ’ t make a formal complaint .
Valentine ’ s decision not to file one would haunt her years later when she learned another woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Valentine is one of five women — two active duty soldiers , two veterans and one civilian — who spoke to The Associated Press about experiencing harassment , assault or rape by soldiers at Fort Hood , the other four since 2014 .
Current and former soldiers have taken to social media with their own accounts of sexual assault and harassment at the base following the disappearance and slaying this year of Spc .
Vanessa Guillen , whose family members say was sexually harassed by the soldier who eventually killed her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Valentine said after learning about Guillen ’ s story .
“ That was the environment .
I live with the regret that I did not go through with the complaint.
” Maj. Gabriela Thompson , a Fort Hood spokeswoman , told the AP she had no information about Valentine ’ s allegation .
Members of Congress launched an investigation of Fort Hood in September after Sgt .
Elder Fernandes was found dead on Aug. 25 hanging from a tree in Temple , Texas , months after reporting sexual harassment .
Guillen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base to have died this year , including five homicides and six suicides , according to Army data .
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy says that based on Fort Hood ’ s average of 129 violent crimes between 2015 and 2019 , it has one of the highest violent crime rates among Army installations .
The Associated Press typically doesn ’ t publish the names of sex abuse victims , but two women who said they were sexually assaulted by soldiers at Fort Hood decided to speak on the record to describe what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
Many victims have become connected by sharing their experiences using the hashtag # IAMVANESSAGUILLEN .
Among them is Deborah Urquidez , who told the AP she was raped by the same sergeant , Staff Sgt .
Roberto Jimenez , Valentine said harassed her more than a decade earlier .
Urquidez said her relationship with Jimenez in 2014 began consensually , but that later he raped her while a friend desperately tried to break into the room to stop him .
Then came months of stalking , threatening messages and a lengthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found not guilty , according to court documents obtained by the AP .
Urquidez was given a temporary military protective order against the sergeant for an “ alleged sexual assault.
” The Department of Veterans Affairs considers her permanently disabled after she reported the rape and the trauma , which included multiple suicide attempts , according to documents obtained by the AP .
“ There was never justice for me , ” Urquidez said .
“ In any other world , what more evidence do you need ?
” Jimenez later filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Fort Hood spokesperson said the Army ’ s Criminal Investigation Command investigated and the accused was acquitted of all charges following a military court martial in 2017 .
He remains on active duty at Fort Bliss .
Officials from Fort Bliss did not provide comment from Jimenez .
But Fort Bliss said the base holds the same standards against sexual harassment and sexual assault as the U.S. Army and takes all reports seriously and investigates them quickly .
Kaitlyn Buxton , a civilian , said her partner , Brandon Espindola , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times and raped her in 2018 at their off-base apartment in Killeen .
On one occasion at the barracks , he pinned her down and repeatedly punched her in the face while she screamed for help , Buxton said .
A Fort Hood officer went with his wife to their apartment during one altercation after Buxton called for help .
Buxton said members of Espindola ’ s chain of command saw her body bruised on more than one occasion .
The Killeen Police Department eventually granted Buxton a protective order and charged Espindola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by strangulation , but records show he bonded out and the case was closed .
Buxton said military police have taken no action on a separate case she filed in 2018 , which was briefly closed and then reopened this past August .
Espindola has since been discharged from the Army on unrelated matters .
“ The whole process has been a constant victimization , ” Buxton said .
“ No matter what I do , my voice is not being heard.
” Sean Timmons , Espindola ’ s attorney , said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations and charges and believes they are fabricated.
” The Killeen Police Department did not respond to a request for comment .
A Fort Hood spokesperson said they had no information on this allegation .
According to a federal complaint , the soldier who killed Guillen , Aaron Robinson , died by suicide in July when confronted by police .
Natalie Khawam , who represents the Guillen family , told the AP that Guillen shared with family members that a soldier of superior rank walked in and watched her when she was showering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to file a report .
McCarthy said though it is believed Guillen faced other kinds of harassment at Fort Hood , officials have found no report or evidence that she was sexually harassed .
Since then , an independent inquiry of command climate has been ordered at the Texas base , in addition to the ongoing investigation into the command response to Guillen ’ s disappearance and death .
In a press conference the morning after Fernandes ’ body was found , Lupe Guillen , the younger sister of Vanessa Guillen , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister did not report the harassment she experienced .
“ How many more must die at Fort Hood for them to be held accountable ?
” Lupe Guillen said .
“ How many more have to be sexually harassed ?
” Rep. Jackie Speier , a California Democrat who is among the members of Congress investigating Fort Hood , coauthored the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act .
It aims to expand measures aimed at preventing sexual assault and harassment involving U.S. military personnel , including codifying sexual harassment as a crime in military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecute sexual assault and harassment out of the chain of command .
“ The voices of those survivors have never been louder or more clear , ” Speier said .
“ This is the military ’ s ‘ # MeToo moment.
” This story has been corrected to show the military title of the soldier accused of killing Vanessa Guillen .
Aaron Robinson was a soldier , not an officer .
Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--North Korea may show new missiles at weekend military parade

SEOUL , Korea , Republic Of - For months , North Korea has been relatively uncombative , as leader Kim Jong Un grapples with the coronavirus pandemic , natural disasters and the deepening economic pain under years of tough U.S.-led sanctions .
But ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of his ruling party this weekend , speculation has risen that Kim may hold a massive military parade and unveil newly developed , powerful missiles .
The goal , experts say , would be to bolster internal unity and draw U.S. attention amid deadlocked nuclear diplomacy between the countries .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy is in trouble ... so Kim Jong Un would want to mobilize his people and stress a self-reliant policy to quell their complaints and draw their loyalty , ” Nam Sung-wook , a professor at Korea University in South Korea .
“ To do so , he would need new weapons , powerful weapons that would send a message to the entire world.
” Recent satellite images showed thousands of troops assembling in formation along with vehicles in an apparent rehearsal at an airfield on the outskirts of Pyongyang , where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korean Defence Minister Suh Wook told lawmakers Wednesday that North Korea is expected to unveil unspecified “ strategic weapons ” during a military parade marking the Oct. 10 anniversary .
North Korea typically celebrates major state anniversaries with big military parades during years that end in zero and five .
But it has sometimes made those parades less provocative when it was seeking better relations with the outside world .
During a parade marking the 70th birthday of its socialist government in September 2018 , Kim didn ’ t speak and avoided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the event came three months after he held his first summit with President Donald Trump in Singapore on the future of his nuclear arsenal .
In celebrations marking his late grandfather ’ s birthday in 2012 and 2017 , Kim still paraded his intercontinental ballistic missiles in a display of military might as he raised the stakes in the standoff with the United States .
Kim met Trump two more times , but their nuclear diplomacy has been stalled for more than a year because of disputes over exchanging sanctions relief and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his intent to strengthen his nuclear deterrent and achieve a “ frontal breakthrough ” against U.S.-led economic pressure .
But the North ’ s broken economy was further ravaged by border closures amid the coronavirus pandemic , which significantly reduced its trade with China , its major ally and economic lifeline .
The heavy floods and strong typhoons that battered the North ’ s major farming regions this summer will certainly worsen the country ’ s chronic food shortages , outside observers say .
“ It ’ s clear that the North is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country could be approaching a point where it leads to instability in exchange rates and market prices , which would make people ’ s everyday lives harder and thus create a political burden for Kim , ” Lim Soo-ho , an analyst at Seoul ’ s Institute for National Security Strategy , said .
The National Assembly Budget Office in Seoul , a South Korean parliamentary research arm , said in a recent report that North Korea ’ s imports from China declined by nearly 67 % and its exports to China about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
The report said China accounted for more than 95 % of North Korea ’ s external trade last year .
North Korea has steadfastly argued it hasn ’ t had a single coronavirus case , a claim widely disputed by foreign experts .
The South Korean and U.S. militaries said Kim ordered troops to shoot smugglers and others illegally crossing its border as part of anti-virus measures .
Last month , North Korean soldiers fatally shot a South Korean found in its waters , an incident that prompted Kim to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing show to his people on the 75th anniversary .
Can he say his economy is doing well , his people are being fed well or his government is overcoming the coronavirus ?
” said Kim Yeol Soo , an analyst with South Korea ’ s Korea Institute for Military Affairs .
“ So he will stage a parade to unite his people who are demoralized.
” The new weapons systems that North Korea could unveil this weekend could be a new solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile , a missile with multiple warheads , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sophisticated missile launcher , Kim Yeol Soo said .
It ’ s unclear whether Kim would make a public speech during the event at Pyongyang ’ s Kim Il Sung Square .
If he does , there won ’ t be much for Kim to say other than calling for his people to stay united and resilient in the fight to overcome national hardship .
“ Kim is trying to manage relations with the United States so that they don ’ t get worse , but he isn ’ t in an ideal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue a new external message toward rivals right now , ” said Moon Seong Mook , a retired South Korean army brigadier general who participated in inter-Korean military talks .
Moon said North Korea may conduct a mid-range SLBM test around the anniversary as such a missile won ’ t pose a direct threat to the U.S. homeland .
But other experts say North Korea will likely perform major weapons tests after the U.S. presidential election in November to boost its leverage in possible new negotiations with the U.S. , whoever wins the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a missile now won ’ t benefit them because they want Trump to be reelected , ” Nam said .
“ But after the election , whether it ’ s Trump or ( Democratic candidate Joe ) Biden , they ’ d want to send a message : ‘ Don ’ t forget me .
We need your sincere attention and a summit .
’ ”

Hyung-Jin Kim And Kim Tong-Hyung - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-07--Republicans see ‘grim’ Senate map and edge away from Trump

WASHINGTON - Vulnerable Republicans are increasingly taking careful , but clear , steps to distance themselves from President Donald Trump , one sign of a new wave of GOP anxiety that the president ’ s crisis-to-crisis reelection bid could bring down Senate candidates across the country .
In key races from Arizona to Texas , Kansas and Maine , Republican senators long afraid of the president ’ s power to strike back at his critics are starting to break with the president — particularly over his handling of the pandemic — in the final stretch of the election .
GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erosion of support over a brutal 10-day stretch for Trump , starting with his seething debate performance when he did not clearly denounce a white supremacist group through his hospitalization with COVID-19 and attempts to downplay the virus ’ s danger .
Even the somewhat subtle moves away from Trump are notable .
For years , Republican lawmakers have been loath to criticize the president — and have gone to great lengths to dodge questions — fearful of angering Trump supporters they need to win .
But with control of the Senate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shifting quickly to do what ’ s necessary to save their seats .
“ The Senate map is looking exceedingly grim , ” said one major GOP donor , Dan Eberhart .
Republican prospects for holding its 53-47 majority have been darkening for months .
But recent upheaval at the White House has accelerated the trend , according to conversations with a half-dozen GOP strategists and campaign advisers , some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose internal deliberations .
The strategists noted the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacancy with conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett has not swung voters toward the GOP as hoped .
Several noted internal polls suggested Republican-leaning , undecided voters were particularly turned off by the president ’ s debate performance and his conduct since being diagnosed with the coronavirus .
It wasn ’ t clear that these voters would cast a ballot for Democrat Joe Biden , but they might stay home out of what one strategist described as a feeling of Trump fatigue .
Public polling shows Trump trailing Biden nationally but typically by smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think a lot of Republicans are worried that this is a jailbreak moment , and people who have been sitting on the fence looking for a rationale to stick with the president are instead abandoning the ship , ” said Rory Cooper , a Republican strategist and frequent Trump critic .
To be sure , Trump has a history of political resilience .
Wednesday marked the four year anniversary of the release of the “ Access Hollywood ” tape , in which Trump boasted of sexually assaulting women .
Republicans quickly abandoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunk , but he still won weeks later .
Trump ’ s behaviour this week hasn ’ t prompted that sort of GOP rebuke .
But Republicans expressed clear frustration with Trump ’ s erratic approach to negotiations on a stimulus bill aimed at mitigating the economic toll of the pandemic .
Trump abruptly called off talks , then tried to restart them Wednesday , causing the stock market to plummet and then somewhat recover .
On Monday , as he returned from the hospital , a still-contagious Trump paused for a photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mask and later tweeted that people should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans .
“ I couldn ’ t help but think that sent the wrong signal , ” said Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , whose tight race is among a handful that could cost Republicans control of the Senate .
“ I did not think that it set a good example at all.
” Collins began airing an ad this week that urges voters to vote for her “ no matter who you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , another endangered Republican , Sen. Martha McSally , struggled when asked whether she was proud to serve under the president during her Air Force career .
“ I ’ m proud that I ’ m fighting for Arizonans on things like cutting your taxes , ” McSally replied during a debate against Mark Kelly , one of multiple Democrats who have bested their Republican incumbents in fundraising .
Democrats have long considered Maine and Arizona , along with Colorado and North Carolina , top targets in their effort to gain the four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( It ’ s only three if Biden wins the White House . )
But the race for Senate majority has been widening into reliably Republican states , now including Iowa , Alaska , Kansas and Montana .
In North Carolina , meanwhile , Democrat Cal Cunningham ’ s recent sexting scandal has complicated his drive against Republican incumbent Thom Tillis .
Trump won the state by 14 percentage points in 2016 .
Still , a major Republican political committee aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell began spending nearly $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week attacking Graham ’ s Democratic opponent , Jaime Harrison .
Donors have not given up on trying to hold the Senate .
As Trump ’ s fundraising has plateaued in recent months , it has spiked for Republican outside groups that are supporting House and Senate candidates .
The massive influx of new money for House and Senate committee will enable them to flood competitive races with advertising that embraces conventional Republican themes .
( The South Carolina TV ad by the Senate Leadership Fund shows pictures of Senate Minority Leader Chuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , “ Liberal Jaime Harrison is their guy , not ours.
” ) The intention is to extend a lifeline to candidates who otherwise would have relied on the president ’ s political operation for support , according to two Republican strategists with direct knowledge of the House and Senate campaign plans .
Still , there ’ s little doubt Republican senators ’ fortunes are linked to the president and his volatile political instincts .
In the highly partisan environment , ticket-splitting — voting for one party for president and another for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare .
In 2016 , Republican Senate candidates lost in every state Trump lost and won where Trump won .
One GOP adviser said most Republican candidates are not running ahead of Trump in polling their states .
And when his support drops , their support usually does , too .
Even in red states , Republicans are starting to make clear they aren ’ t following Trump when it comes to the pandemic .
Sen. John Cornyn told the Houston Chronicle editorial board on Monday that Trump “ let his guard down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reminder to ” exercise self-discipline.
” In another GOP bastion , Republican Senate nominee Roger Marshall borrowed Trump ’ s slogan for a “ Keep Kansas Great ” bus tour on Tuesday , but not his health advice .
“ Of course , I think everyone should respect the virus , ” said Marshall , a doctor .
“ I ’ m really encouraging everyone to wear a mask when they can , to keep their physical distance , wash their hands , all those types of things.
” Marshall was quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
As he spoke , he was briefly interrupted by a woman who appeared to be a opponent of wearing masks , yelling , “ Stop telling people that !
” Associated Press writers David Sharp in Portland , Maine , John Hanna in Topeka , Kan. , Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix , and Brian Slodysko in Washington contributed to this report .

Laurie Kellman And Alan Fram - The Associated Press