thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Court overturns Boston Marathon bomber’s death sentence

A federal appeals court Friday threw out Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ’ s death sentence in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing , saying the judge who oversaw the case did not adequately screen jurors for potential biases .
A three-judge panel of the 1st U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a new penalty-phase trial on whether the 27-year-old Tsarnaev should be executed for the attack that killed three people and wounded more than 260 others .
“ But make no mistake : Dzhokhar will spend his remaining days locked up in prison , with the only matter remaining being whether he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O. Rogeriee Thompson wrote in the ruling , more than six months after arguments were heard in the case .
An attorney for Tsarnaev said they are grateful for the court ’ s “ straightforward and fair decision : if the government wishes to put someone to death , it must make its case to a fairly selected jury that is provided all relevant information.
” “ It is now up to the government to determine whether to put the victims and Boston through a second trial , or to allow closure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life without the possibility of release , ” David Patton said in an email .
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Boston said they were reviewing the opinion and had no immediate comment .
Prosecutors could ask the full appeals court to hear the case or go straight to the U.S. Supreme Court .
The mother of Krystle Campbell , the 29-year-old killed in the attack , expressed outrage at the court ’ s decision .
“ I just don ’ t understand it , ” Patricia Campbell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just terrible that he ’ s allowed to live his life .
It ’ s unfair .
He didn ’ t wake up one morning and decide to do what he did .
He planned it out .
He did a vicious , ugly thing.
” Former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority officer Dic Donohue , who was severely injured in a gunfight with the brothers , said the ruling was not surprising to him .
“ And in any case , he won ’ t be getting out and hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was captured , ” he tweeted .
Tsarnaev ’ s lawyers acknowledged at the beginning of his trial that he and his older brother , Tamerlan Tsarnaev , set off the two bombs at the marathon finish line .
But they argued that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is less culpable than his brother , who they said was the mastermind behind the attack .
Tamerlan Tsarnaev died in a gun battle with police a few days after the April 15 , 2013 , bombing .
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is now behind bars at a high-security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tsarnaev was convicted on 30 charges , including conspiracy and use of a weapon of mass destruction .
The 1st Circuit upheld all but a few of the convictions .
Prosecutors told jurors that the men carried out the attack to punish the United States for its wars in Muslim countries .
In the boat where Tsarnaev was found hiding , he had scrawled a confession that referred to the wars and wrote , among other things , “ Stop killing our innocent people and we will stop.
” Tsarnaev ’ s attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial , but said in a brief filed with the court that the “ first fundamental error ” was the judge ’ s refusal to move the case out of Boston .
They also pointed to social media posts from two jurors suggesting they harboured strong opinions even before the 2015 trial started .
One juror had said in Twitter posts that that she was “ locked down ” with her family during the manhunt and retweeted another post calling Tsarnaev a “ piece of garbage , ” but later told the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or been asked to shelter in place , the defence said .
On the day of Tsarnaev ’ s sentencing , the juror changed her Facebook profile picture to an image that said “ BOSTON STRONG , ” a rallying cry used in the wake of the bombing , the attorneys said .
Tsarnaev ’ s lawyers pushed several times to move the trial out of the city where the bombs exploded , arguing the intense media scrutiny and number of people touched by the attack in Boston would taint the jury pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Toole refused , saying he believed a fair and impartial jury could be found in the city .
The 1st Circuit said the “ pervasive ” media coverage featuring “ bone-chilling still shots and videos ” of the bombing and dayslong manhunt required the judge to run a jury selection process “ sufficient to identify prejudice.
” But O ’ Toole fell short , the judges found .
The judges said O ’ Toole deemed jurors who had already formed the opinion that Tsarnaev was guilty qualified “ because they answered ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could decide this high-profile case based on the evidence.
” Yet he didn ’ t sufficiently dig into what jurors had read or heard about the case , it said .
“ By not having the jurors identify what it was they already thought they knew about the case , the judge made it too difficult for himself and the parties to determine both the nature of any taint ( e.g.
, whether the juror knew something prejudicial not to be conceded at trial ) and the possible remedies for the taint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed that the death sentence should be tossed .
In a concurring opinion , Judge Juan Torruella wrote that the case should never have been tried in Boston .
“ If this case did not present a sufficient basis for a change of venue , there are no set of circumstances that will meet this standard , at least not in the First Circuit , ” he wrote .
President Donald Trump weighed in on the ruling during an address to supporters on the tarmac of Tampa International Airport .
“ I see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal that killed so many people during the Boston Marathon , ” Trump said .
“ They just sent this conviction for the death penalty back to the lower courts so they ’ ll argue about that for a long time .
It ’ s ridiculous .
”

Alanna Durkin Richer - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--California officials report first virus death of a child

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California health officials reported the state ’ s first coronavirus death of a child on Friday as the statewide tally of fatalities surpassed 9,000 , saying the victim was a teenager who had other health conditions .
The teenager ’ s death occurred in the Central Valley , but officials at the state Department of Public Health released no other details , citing privacy rules .
The Central Valley is the state ’ s major agricultural region and recently has become one of California ’ s hot spots for the virus .
It ’ s extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
As of mid-July , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 228 children had died of the disease in the U.S. , less than 0.2 % of the nation ’ s deaths at the time .
In California , more than 9,000 people have now died from the virus , and three-quarters were 65 and older .
Only about 9 % of California ’ s nearly half-million confirmed virus cases are children , and very few have suffered conditions serious enough for hospitalization , according to state data .
Scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t seem to be as seriously affected by the virus as adults .
In March , Los Angeles County officials said a 17-year-old boy died of the virus .
At the time it was believed to be the first death of a child , but days later local health officials walked back the initial finding , saying it was possible he died from something else .
County health officials said the case would need to be evaluated by the Centers for Disease Control .
Rex Parris , the mayor of Lancaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died from septic shock after being admitted to the hospital with respiratory issues .
How likely children are to contract and spread the virus is a key question as leaders in California and elsewhere determine if and how to safely reopen schools this fall .
Most California counties are now on a state monitoring list because of rising virus cases and and may not reopen schools for in-person instruction until they are off the list for 14 days .
Statewide , 96 deaths were reported in the last day , according to figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the thousands each day , but the curve appears to be flattening .
The average number of new cases per day over the past week was 8,322 , compared to 9,881 in the previous week .
The average percentage of people testing positive dropped to 6.5 % over the past seven days , compared to 7.2 % over 14 days .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom pledged more support for the Central Valley on Monday , including $ 52 million in federal money for eight counties to improve testing and find places for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t do so at home .
The eight counties , including Fresno and Kern , home to major cities , had positive test rates between 11 % and 18 % at the beginning of the week .
For many people , the coronavirus causes no symptoms and for others only mild or moderate illness , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause more severe illness , including @ @ @ @ @ @

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--2020-07-31--Midair collision kills state legislator, 6 others in Alaska

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - Seven people , including an Alaska state lawmaker , died Friday when two small airplanes collided in midair near the airport in Soldotna , a small community on Alaska ’ s Kenai Peninsula .
Alaska State Troopers said state Rep. Gary Knopp , 67 , of Kenai was the sole occupant of one plane .
The other plane was flown by a local pilot , and carried a guide from Kansas and four people from South Carolina .
“ This is an unfathomable tragedy for multiple families today , ” Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner agencies have worked together diligently at the scene and have reached out to next of kin to notify them of this heartbreaking incident.
” The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the fatal accident , which occurred just before 8:30 a.m. Rita Geller , who works at a golf course near the airport , said she started running when she heard the planes hit , and watched one fall to the ground , “ I ran to more of a clearing and basically saw it explode , ” she told the Anchorage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things were flying off of it .
I didn ’ t see the second plane , but I saw a lot of debris flying around .
It was horrific .
It was just like 9-11.
” Troopers say six of the seven people were pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident .
The seventh person died while being transported to a hospital .
Besides Knopp , troopers identified the other six people killed as pilot Gregory Bell , 57 , of Soldotna ; guide David Rogers , 40 , of Kansas ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hulsey , 25 ; Mackay Hulsey , 24 , and Kirstin Wright , 23 , all of South Carolina .
Bell was one of the owners of High Adventure Air Charter in Soldotna , which offers bear viewing adventures , fishing and hunting trips and glacier tours , according to its website .
A person who answered the at the charter business Friday afternoon said the company had no comment .
“ We live in a small , tight community here in the Central Peninsula .
When I heard the horrific sounds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred very close to my home , I knew there was a high probability it involved someone we knew well , ” state Sen. Peter Micciche said in a statement .
“ I have known Gary Knopp and Greg Bell for most of my life .
Gary has served the Kenai Peninsula community for decades .
I have flown with Greg and never felt to be in better , more safety-focused hands while in the air .
We are reeling from the loss to our community , ” he said .
Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be lowered to half-staff and to remain in that position of honour for Knopp until sunset Monday .
“ The first lady and I wish to express our heartfelt condolences to Rep. Knopp ’ s family as they mourn his untimely passing , ” Dunleavy said in a statement .
“ Throughout his 42 years on the Kenai Peninsula , Gary became well known as an avid outdoorsman , a skilled pilot , and a dedicated public servant .
His presence will no doubt be missed by those he faithfully served.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was shocked and devastated upon hearing of Knopp ’ s death .
“ Gary was a one-of-a-kind leader and a true Alaskan who worked tirelessly for his district in the Legislature .
He will be missed by many.
” Senate President Cathy Giessel , a Republican from Anchorage , called it “ a heart-breaking tragedy .
More than a legislator , Gary Knopp was a husband , father , son , brother , grandfather , and friend .
He will be tremendously missed.
” The Federal Aviation Administration initially said the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DHC-2 Beaver and a twin-engine Piper Aztec , However , the FAA later said it did not believe the second plane was a Piper Aztec , but it had not yet confirmed the make and model of the airplane involved .
The NTSB later tweeted the second plane was a Piper PA-12 .
The two planes collided approximately 2 miles northeast of the Soldotna Airport , the FAA statement said after crash .
The FAA sent two investigators to the crash site , which is about 150 miles ( 241 kilometres ) southwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , left the House GOP caucus and served in a coalition of Democrats , independents and GOP lawmakers that comprised the House Majority .
That left the remaining House Republicans in the minority .
Knopp faced two Republican challengers in the Aug. 18 primary .
A message sent to the state Division of Elections to see if Knopp ’ s name would remain on the ballot was not immediately returned .
Knopp was first elected to the state House in 2016 , and served for years before that on the Kenai Peninsula Borough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Montana , and moved to Alaska in 1979 .
He eventually settled in Kenai and worked as a general contractor .
His hobbies included flying , diving , hunting , golfing “ and enjoying life in general at home on the Peninsula , ” according to his legislative biography .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Joe Biden’s search for a running mate enters final stretch

WASHINGTON - As Joe Biden nears the announcement of his vice-presidential choice , the top contenders and their advocates are making final appeals .
The campaign hasn ’ t finalized a date for naming a running mate , but three people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the plans said a public announcement likely wouldn ’ t happen before the week of Aug. 10 .
That ’ s one week before Democrats will hold their convention to officially nominate Biden as their presidential nominee .
Biden said in May that he hoped to name his pick around Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would “ have a choice in the first week of August.
” He notably stopped short of saying when he would announce that choice .
Running mates are often announced on the eve of a convention .
As he prepares to make his choice , a committee established to vet possible running mates has provided Biden with briefing materials .
Biden will likely soon begin one-on-one conversations with those under consideration , which could be the most consequential part of the process for a presidential candidate who values personal connections .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , California Rep. Karen Bass and Obama national security adviser Susan Rice .
The deliberations remain fluid , however , and the campaign has reviewed nearly a dozen possible running mates .
“ For Joe Biden , this is crunch time .
After all the vetting , all the investigations into the prospective nominees , it ’ s now up to Joe .
It ’ s personal , ” said former New Mexico Gov .
Bill Richardson , who was vetted for vice-president in 2008 .
“ It ’ s now about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comment for this story .
The selection amounts to the most significant choice Biden has confronted in his nearly five-decade political career .
He has pledged to select a woman and is facing calls to choose the first Black woman to compete on a presidential ticket .
Given the historic significance of the moment , some are urging Biden not to let the announcement linger too long .
“ My sense is that the VP himself , having been through this process , is aware of and mindful of not letting people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Democratic strategist Karen Finney .
“ There certainly seems to be a bit of a media frenzy , and I think we have to be aware that at a point , it becomes unfair to the candidates being considered.
“ As a decision looms , the camps are jockeying for position .
Harris ’ allies mobilized this week after Politico reported that the co-chair of the vetting committee , former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd , was concerned about Harris ’ tough debate stage performance and that she hasn ’ t expressed regret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders initiated a call with the vetting team to emphasize that Harris has strong support among labour and political leaders in her home state .
The call was organized by Lt. Gov .
Eleni Kounalakis and included the mayors of Oakland , Long Beach and Stockton and former Gov .
Gray Davis .
“ A group of us really felt we needed to organize and speak out and correct the record because she has tremendous support , ” Kounalakis said .
Beyond emphasizing their strong relationships with Harris , they also pushed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be a loyal partner .
Dodd said “ very supportive ” things about Harris , Kounalakis said , though she did not give specifics .
Biden has sought feedback on his pick from former President Barack Obama , who has provided advice but has insisted the choice is his to make , according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversations .
Biden allies say his wife , Jill , and sister , Valerie Biden Owens , are likely to play a key role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biden ’ s biggest political decisions throughout his career .
Jill has held online campaign events and fundraisers with virtually all the potential contenders in recent weeks , as has Biden himself , effectively offering the contenders a try-out opportunity with the presumptive Democratic nominee .
On Thursday night , Bass joined Biden for a virtual fundraiser that raked in $ 2.2 million .
She has also taken steps to build her national profile , including providing interviews to multiple outlets over the past week .
On Friday night , Biden held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has also been considered as a running mate .
Biden said the event raised more than $ 1.7 million from over 50,000 grassroots donors .
That ’ s about a quarter of the $ 6 million the Massachusetts senator brought in during her first online fundraiser for the former vice-president last month that appealed to higher-dollar donors .
“ We ’ ve known each other a long time .
Her fearless work for a just America has transformed lives and inspired millions , including me , “ Biden said .
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her.
” Warren said , “ This is a time of unprecedented crisis.
” “ But I wake up every single day with a heart full of hope and here is why : Vice-President Biden is meeting the moment , ” she added .
The two talked for nearly an hour but did not mention the vice-presidential selection process .
Some Biden donors have already begun to plan prospective fundraising events ahead of the formal announcement .
Biden ’ s team expects his running mate to contribute immediately to his fundraising operation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the most formidable traditional fundraiser , while Warren ’ s ability to attract small-dollar donations from the party ’ s progressive base is also viewed as a major asset .
Associated Press writers Julie Pace and Will Weissert in Washington , Steve Peoples and Jonathan Lemire in New York , Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento , Calif. , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Delayed election results? Maybe, but not because of fraud

WASHINGTON - A shift to mail voting is increasing the chances that Americans will not know the winner of November ’ s presidential race on election night .
But that doesn ’ t mean the results will be flawed or fraudulent , despite President Donald Trump ’ s continued insistence Friday .
Trump , seeking to undermine the results of an election he could lose , is stepping up demands that the winner of the Nov. 3 contest be known that night .
He is also sowing doubt that election results can be trusted as states look to expand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t know the election result for weeks , months , maybe years after , “ Trump told reporters Friday .
“ Maybe you ’ ll never know the election result .
And that ’ s what I ’ m concerned with .
It ’ ll be fixed .
It ’ ll be rigged.
” The president has repeatedly raised unsubstantiated fears of fraud involving mail-in voting , which is expected to be more widely used in the November election out of concern for safety given the COVID-19 election .
On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show Trump in political peril in his race against Democrat Joe Biden , he went even further , floating the idea of delaying the election until it could be conducted in person .
Then on Friday — after facing bipartisan criticism — Trump inched away from calling for a delay and insisted “ nobody wants that date more than me.
“ “ I wish we would move it up , OK ?
“ Trump said .
“ Move it up.
” Trump pivoted from the prospect of a delayed election after fellow Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also virtually impossible for Trump on his own ; the date — the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in every fourth year — is enshrined in federal law and would require an act of Congress to change .
What is more likely to be delayed is the result .
State election officials in some key battleground states have warned that it might take days to count the votes given what they expect will be a surge of ballots sent by mail .
In an election as close as 2016 ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states could keep news organizations from calling a winner .
“ It may be several days before we know the outcome of the election , ” said Jocelyn Benson , Michigan ’ s Democratic secretary of state , said in May .
“ We have to prepare for that now and accept that reality.
” Delayed results are common in a few states where elections are already conducted largely by mail .
But a presidential election hasn ’ t been left in limbo since 2000 , when ballot irregularities in Florida led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For some election experts and Democrats , the prospect of similar uncertainty is especially worrisome this year , given Trump ’ s frequent declarations that mail-in voting is fraudulent and a “ threat ” to his reelection .
The president has also refused to commit to accepting the results of the election , saying it ’ s too soon to make an ironclad guarantee .
Biden first suggested during an April fundraiser that Trump “ is going to try to kick back the election somehow , come up with some rationale why it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said last month that Trump might try to “ indirectly steal ” the election by vocally opposing mail-in ballots .
On Friday , during a virtual fundraiser with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Biden reminded donors of his earlier prediction .
“ Remember , this president went so far to say what I warned he would say four months ago : He thinks maybe we should delay the election .
Be prepared .
This is going to be a tough road , so vote .
Vote early .
Convince your friends to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look for a safer alternative to in-person voting , election officials from both parties have promoted mail-in and absentee voting options .
Requests for mail ballots have surged in the primaries .
Many states expect to be scrambling to process millions more in November .
While each state runs its own process , those mail ballots can take longer to count .
In some states , the ballots can be accepted several days after Election Day , as long as they are postmarked before polls closed .
And while some states count the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — notably the critical battlegrounds of Michigan and Pennsylvania — have laws that forbid processing mail ballots until Election Day , guaranteeing the count will extend well past that night .
That doesn ’ t mean The Associated Press and other news organizations won ’ t call a winner .
The AP regularly calls races before the official vote count is complete , using models based on partial results , past races and extensive polling .
But in particularly tight contests , the AP and other news organizations may hold off on declaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national roller coaster ride as the votes are counted .
In Arizona in 2018 , for example , Republican Martha McSally was narrowly winning the initial tally of in-person votes and mail ballots that had arrived days before Election Day .
More than a week later , after election officials were able to tally all the mail votes that arrived on Election Day , Democrat Kyrsten Sinema won the senatorial race by more than 2 percentage points .
Arizona has since changed its procedures to try to speed up the vote count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lansing , Mich. , and Marc Levy in Harrisburg , Pa. , contributed to this report .

Nicholas Riccardi And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Justice Department schedules 2 additional federal executions

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department scheduled two additional federal executions on Friday , an announcement that comes weeks after it fought off last-minute legal challenges and successfully resumed federal executions following a 17-year pause .
The executions of Christopher Andre Vialva and William Emmett LeCroy are both scheduled to be carried out in late September .
The government carried out three executions in July , and two other executions had been set previously for August .
Vialva , 40 , was convicted along with a co-defendant in the 1999 kidnapping and killing of an Iowa couple at Fort Hood in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use a payphone in Killeen , Texas , and agreed to give Vialva and two others a ride , authorities said .
Vialva pulled out a gun , forced the couple into the trunk and drove around for several hours , stopping at ATMs to withdraw cash and attempting to pawn the woman ’ s wedding ring , according to prosecutors .
The victims , Todd and Stacie Bagley , were both shot in head and placed in trunk of their car , which then was set afire .
Vialva -- who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to be executed since the federal government resumed the death penalty this year -- is scheduled to be executed on Sept. 24 .
A co-defendant in the case , Brandon Bernard , also received death sentence , though his execution date has not yet been scheduled .
LeCroy , 50 , of Georgia , was convicted of raping and killing Joann Lee Tiesler , a 30-year-old nurse , in 2001 and then stealing her car .
Prosecutors said he broke into her home and attacked her when she came home from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her back before he strangled her with an electrical cord and raped her .
They said he then slit Tiesler ’ s throat and stabbed her repeatedly in the back .
At the time , one of LeCroy ’ s lawyers argued he should face state charges and not be tried in federal court under the federal carjacking statute .
LeCroy ’ s lawyers said he had no intention of stealing the car when he was burglarizing Tiesler ’ s home .
He was arrested at the U.S.-Canada border and was previously convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aggravated assault and child sex abuse charges .
LeCroy is scheduled to be executed on September 26 .
The resumption of federal executions by lethal injection at a prison in Terre Haute , Indiana , started on July 14 , with the execution of former white supremacist Daniel Lewis Lee .
Two others , Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken , were executed later the same week .
Anti-death penalty groups say President Donald Trump is pushing for executions prior to the November election in a cynical bid to burnish a reputation a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the executions , particularly those of men convicted of brutal killings of children , as bringing long-delayed justice for victims and their families .
There are currently 58 men and one woman on federal death row , all of them in Terre Haute .
At least until this year , the federal government has not been prolific executioner compared to states .
Combined , states have executed thousands of people over decades .
But just 37 were executed for federal crimes between 1927 and 2003 , according to the Death Penalty Information Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1963 , including Julius and Ethel Rosenberg — put to death in 1953 for passing nuclear secrets to the Soviets .
No federal executions were carried out from 1963 to 2001 .
And only three happened from 2001 to 2003 .
Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh was among them .
The Justice Department announced an Aug. 26 execution date for the only Native American on federal death row , Lezmond Mitchell , earlier this week .
Officials had previously set Keith Dwayne Nelson ’ s execution for the same week in August .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a woman and her 9-year-old granddaughter .
Nelson was convicted of kidnapping a 10-year-old girl while she was rollerblading near her Kansas home , raping her in a forest , then strangling her .

Michael Balsamo And Michael Tarm - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Change laws that shield police, Missouri prosecutor says

CLAYTON , Mo .
- After a third review failed to uncover enough evidence to charge the officer who fatally shot Black 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri , some prosecutors and civil rights leaders agree it ’ s time to focus on changing the laws that shield police .
In an interview Friday with The Associated Press , St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said legislators need to take a hard look at laws that offer protection against prosecution for police officers that regular citizens aren ’ t afforded , pushing a message that has gained strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s death by Minneapolis police launched a national reckoning over racial injustice and police brutality .
“ We see those types of laws throughout the country , and it is something that handcuffs prosecutors in numerous ways when you are going about prosecuting officers who have committed unlawful use of force or police shootings , ” Bell said .
Bell , St. Louis County ’ s first Black prosecuting attorney , was elected in 2018 as a reformist , and he has implemented sweeping changes that have reduced the jail population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sought to help offenders rehabilitate themselves .
He also established an independent unit to investigate officer-involved shootings , a division that spent five months looking at the 2014 death of Brown , who was shot by white Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson .
The shooting spurred months of unrest and helped solidify the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement .
In the end , the progressive prosecutor came to the same result as his old-school , tough-on-crime predecessor , Bob McCulloch , as well as the U.S. Justice Department : Wilson didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reasonable doubt ” under Missouri law .
Bell stressed that the investigation didn ’ t exonerate Wilson , who who resigned in November 2014 .
Wilson and Brown became involved in a heated confrontation on Aug. 9 , 2014 .
Wilson said that Brown came at him menacingly and that he killed him in self-defence .
“ The question of whether we can prove a case at trial is different than clearing him of any and all wrongdoing , ” Bell said .
“ There are so many points at which Darren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and if he had , Michael Brown might still be alive.
” Civil rights leaders said the case shows that state laws need to be changed .
“ I can ’ t be disappointed any longer in a system that has always performed with callousness against Black people and Black bodies , no matter who ’ s in charge , ” said Brittany Packnett Cunningham , a Ferguson protester and educator who is now a national voice in the Black Lives Matter movement .
Scott Roberts , senior director of Criminal Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bell ’ s decision not to charge Wilson “ reinforces the importance of making the systemic changes necessary to end overpolicing and the structural racism built to protect police officers from accountability.
” Brown was among several young Black men whose deaths at the hands of police in 2014 spurred 24 states to pass law enforcement reform .
An Associated Press analysis in June found that only about one-third of those states addressed use of force .
But many states and dozens of cities and counties are taking a closer look at use-of-force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , died May 25 after a white Minneapolis officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes as he pleaded for air .
In Missouri , no new laws are on the horizon .
Republican Gov .
Mike Parson convened a special session this week to address violent crime — both St. Louis and Kansas City are seeing surges in killings and gun violence — but he rejected calls to include police reform measures .
Bell knows that many people were disappointed that he didn ’ t bring charges in Brown ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be the “ litmus test ” for progress .
He noted that reforms he ’ s implemented mean families of those involved in police violence are now getting support .
Also , the county ’ s jail population has fallen by 30 % , with thousands of people instead directed to programs such as drug or alcohol treatment .
“ That ’ s a win , ” Bell said .
“ Those are individuals who instead of being locked up for low-level , nonviolent crimes are able to stay at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Single parents are able to keep their children.
” He plans additional reforms , including a policy of recording all grand jury sessions in homicide cases .
His predecessor typically didn ’ t record those sessions but made an exception in the investigation of Brown ’ s death , Bell said .
“ There are some protections that Darren Wilson received that no other defendant received , and the grand jury process would be an example of that , “ Bell said .
“ He was invited to come into the grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was able to tell his story without that hard questioning that we would expect from a prosecutor in any case like this , and that ’ s what the grand jury was able to see.
” Bell ’ s decision angered some .
Not prosecuting Wilson was “ like a stab in the back ” to those who supported his candidacy , said Tiffany Cabán , a national political organizer for the Working Families Party , who joined the political party last November to help recruit and elect progressive-minded prosecutors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t electing heroes or saviours .
We work to elect candidates that run on solid platforms , do the least amount of harm and are willing to be held accountable when they fall short , ” said Cabán , who ran for district attorney in last year ’ s Democratic primary in Queens County , New York .
She narrowly lost to Queens Borough President Melinda Katz .
Cabán also noted that in the years since prosecutor candidates began running and winning elections on promises to hold police officers accountable for misconduct and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noticeably shifted toward diversion programs rather than jail for nonviolent offenders .
However , she said , “ those who rightfully remain deeply distrustful of a system that rarely has their interests at heart have another example to point to in Wesley Bell.
” In November , voters in at least two dozen states will decide local prosecutors and sheriff races .
Bell said voters should consider candidates who have proposed reforms that will have the largest effect on people of colour and those who have been systemically disenfranchised .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , “ Bell said .
“ The litmus test can ’ t be one or two individual cases .
It has to be a big picture .
”

Jim Salter And Aaron Morrison - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Trump visiting Florida during a pandemic, hurricane threat

TAMPA , Fla. - President Donald Trump took a Friday swing through Florida , a state critical to his reelection prospects and bracketed by two storms — one now bringing daily records on COVID-19 deaths and the other swirling just to the south in the form of Hurricane Isaias .
Trump delivered a campaign speech with Florida sheriffs that continued his effort to pin a surge in crime in some of the nation ’ s largest cities on their Democratic mayors as he has threatened to send federal law enforcement to protect what he describes as besieged communities .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ’ s death sentence for the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing because of potential juror bias , Trump attacked Democratic rival Joe Biden for his shifting position on capital punishment .
The former vice-president , who supported the death penalty through much of his long political career , last year called for eliminating the death penalty on the federal level and incentivizing states to do the same .
“ They protect criminals and Biden opposes the death penalty , even for cop killers and child murderers , “ Trump told hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him speak at the sheriffs ’ event on the Tampa International Airport tarmac .
“ I see in Boston , where you have the animal that killed so many people during the Boston Marathon , they just sent this conviction for the death penalty back to the lower courts .
...
It ’ s ridiculous.
” With the White House and Democrats at loggerheads over a new round of financial relief to bolster a coronavirus-battered economy , Trump is attempting to use a “ law-and-order ” theme to electrify his base and win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months of protests centred on police brutality and racial injustice .
Before departing Washington , Trump again falsely claimed that Biden supports defunding the police .
He met at the White House with members of the National Association of Police Organizations Leadership , an organization that endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 but is backing Trump ’ s reelection bid .
“ Your choice is me or somebody that has no clue what they ’ re doing , “ Trump told them .
In Florida , Trump also participated in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the state ’ s preparedness for Hurricane Isaias , which was centred in the Bahamas on Friday and expected to move near South Florida on Saturday .
“ It ’ s a pretty big storm , “ said Trump , who asked Floridians to be cautious .
“ I don ’ t know if it ’ s going to be a hurricane or not , but it ’ s a storm .
It ’ s significant.
” The president addressed a range of issues at the event about the hurricane and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care plan .
Florida reported 257 new coronavirus deaths on Friday , the highest daily count so far and the fourth record day in a row .
As a candidate for the White House , Trump promised that he would “ immediately ” replace President Barack Obama ’ s health care law with a plan of his own that would provide “ insurance for everybody , “ but he has yet to reveal his plan .
Trump said during an exchange with reporters that he was preparing to unveil his plan “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Sunday .
The president , however , has previously suggested a forthcoming replacement plan without delivering .
Trump also spoke to supporters at a fundraiser that was closed to reporters before heading back to Washington on Friday evening .
Florida is considered essential for the president ’ s reelection prospects .
He won the state with a 1.2 % margin in 2016 , but most polls have shown him trailing Biden .
Asked if the rising COVID-19 death toll could diminish his chances in the state , Trump told reporters that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He noted the large crowd of supporters who stood along his motorcade route during his visit Friday and unspecified polls as evidence of his position .
Democratic supporters of Biden in Florida criticized Trump for coming to the state to fundraise during such a critical time for the state and nation .
Nowhere does the pandemic threaten Trump ’ s political future more than Florida , where Democrats have been railing against the Republican president ’ s inability to control the health threat in a state packed with older people .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is outrageous , and here he is , Donald Trump , visiting Florida to raise money and pretending like it doesn ’ t even exist , that we don ’ t have a problem , with an impending storm coming our way to top it all off , ” said Democratic state Sen. Annette Taddeo of Miami , a Biden supporter .
“ As if 2020 couldn ’ t get any worse for Floridians.
” Democrats working to defeat Trump are on one hand giddy about the president ’ s weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other are predicting the race will tighten significantly before Election Day .
While Trump may be struggling three months before the election , his campaign points to its organizational advantages and suggests that the pandemic outlook is improving .
Trump has already reserved $ 36 million in fall advertising in Florida alone , which is by far his largest advertising investment in any general election battleground state .
Nick Trainer , the campaign ’ s director of battleground strategy , predicted that the coronavirus situation would ultimately become an asset for Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leadership on coronavirus has put us in a strong position to protect vulnerable Americans and rebuild our economy , ” he said .
“ Where we ’ re at today isn ’ t where we ’ ll be in November.
” Madhani reported from Chicago .
Associated Press writers Darlene Superville and Alexandra Jaffe in Washington and Steve Peoples in New York contributed to this report .

Kevin Freking And Aamer Madhani - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Deadline extended for tribes to seek broadband licenses

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. - The Federal Communications Commission is giving tribes another month to apply for a band of wireless spectrum that would help them establish or expand internet access on their land — far less time than what tribes had sought .
Tribes pushed to be first in line to apply for licenses for the mid-band spectrum that is largely unassigned across the western United States and can be used for fixed or mobile internet service .
The licenses once were reserved for educational institutions .
The tribal priority window opened in February and was set to close Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sept. 2 .
Tribes and tribal organizations had asked the FCC to push the deadline to February , or at least 90 days out as tribes struggle to respond to the coronavirus .
Many tribal government offices remain closed with employees working remotely .
“ I don ’ t believe it ’ s a huge ask , ” said Loris Taylor , president and chief executive of Native Public Media .
“ This is something the FCC has done before , they ’ ve granted extensions and have provided exceptions in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the 30-day extension “ strikes an appropriate balance ” in giving tribes more time to apply but not delaying licenses to those that already applied .
“ In light of the simplified application process as well as the extensive outreach done by commission staff , a lengthy extension of the deadline is unnecessary , as evidenced by the large number of applications we ’ ve already received , ” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai .
The FCC has estimated that about one-third of people living on tribal lands don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the figure is twice as high .
“ This is about Native children and distance learning .
This is about Native communities and telemedicine , “ said Matthew Rantanen , director of technology for the Southern California Tribal Chairmen ’ s Association .
“ This is about the health and safety and life of tribal members.
” Nearly 230 tribes or tribal entities have submitted applications for the 2.5 GHz spectrum .
Some have been granted temporary authority , including the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota , the Navajo Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pueblo in New Mexico .
In its request , the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe said it was preparing for students to do more remote learning in the fall and planned to use the temporary license to connect about 40 homes to the tribe ’ s network .
The National Congress of American Indians was among those asking the FCC to give tribes more time to apply because of the coronavirus pandemic , saying hundreds could miss out on the opportunity .
The group urged the FCC on Friday to reconsider its decision .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to file for licenses during this window is necessary and critical , “ the group said .
The spectrum remaining after the tribal window closes will be auctioned off for commercial use .
Telecommunications company T-Mobile said it didn ’ t object to an extension of the tribal priority window for up to 90 days but wanted assurance that a public auction would happen next year .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Students return to campus amid virus growth in some states

RALEIGH , N.C. - The first wave of college students returning to their dorms aren ’ t finding the typical mobs of students and parents .
What they found Friday were strict safety protocols and some heightened anxiety amid a global pandemic where virus infections are growing in dozens of states .
North Carolina State University staggered the return of its students over 10 days and welcomed the first 900 students to campus , where they were greeted Friday by socially distant volunteers donning masks and face shields .
The rite of passage was a well-organized , but low-key affair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was wheeled and beds were hauled .
“ It ’ s just odd not seeing anybody .
You expect it to be hustle and bustle and all that around , but there was nothing .
It was pretty empty , ” said Dominick DePaola , an incoming freshman from Charlotte , North Carolina .
Across the country , students are jumping through additional hoops by getting tests , navigating travel quarantines , and abiding by strict rules .
Elon University in North Carolina , mailed testing kits to all 7,000 students ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maine ’ s Colby College will be testing students before they arrive and then three times a week for the first two weeks on campus .
They ’ ll be tested twice a week after that , until the semester ends .
The University of Rhode Island is scaling back campus housing to abide by distancing requirements , causing a scramble for some students .
At N.C. State , the university usually houses 10,000 students but will have 6,700 on its Raleigh campus this fall , said Chancellor Randy Woodson .
And those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of all at once over a single weekend as they normally would .
“ Just like the rest of the world , we have to figure out how to carry on , ” said Betsy Flanagan , who was sending her freshman son , Arch , off to college .
“ This virus isn ’ t going away and it ’ s going to be with us for quite a while , so we all have to figure out how to safely exist and that includes continuing to educate our future.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the welcome mat Friday for students and their families , only to temporarily pull it away .
Over an eight-day stretch , students at West Virginia State University , a small historically black college , were given staggered , two-hour time slots to unload belongings into their residence halls , then were sent home until the start of the fall semester on Aug. 10 .
“ I don ’ t have anything to worry about , ” said Jihad Shockley , a sophomore resident assistant from Columbus , Ohio , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s basketball team .
“ It ’ s like , if you get it , quarantine for two weeks ( and ) hope for the best .
I guess I ’ m not really too scared about it.
” Nationwide , it appears that the second surge of confirmed virus cases appears to be levelling off .
But scientists warn that trend is driven by four big , hard-hit places — Arizona , California , Florida and Texas — and that cases are rising in more than two dozen other states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk , and move on .
Freshman Nicholas Cecil , of Hilliard , Ohio , missed his senior season of baseball and his high school prom , called off due to the virus .
He ’ s ready to put that behind him at West Virginia State University , where he ’ s on the baseball team .
“ Honestly , it ’ s a new chapter in my life , ” Cecil said .
“ It ’ s meeting new people , getting out , and playing baseball at a high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first step to being an adult .
You ’ re living more so on your own.
” In North Carolina , students were happy to be on campus , even if it was a bit subdued , compared to the normal , frenetic move-in process .
“ Because of corona , I didn ’ t really have too many expectations , ” said Ann Grace Jacocks , an incoming freshman from Fayetteville , North Carolina .
“ A lot of classes are going to be online , so that ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m ready to go , ” said Arch Flanagan , an incoming freshman .
Raby reported from Institute , West Virginia .
Associated Press writer David Sharp contributed from Portland , Maine .

Bryan Anderson And John Raby - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Gay officer who settled suit will resign from diversity unit

CLAYTON , Mo .
- A gay St. Louis County police lieutenant who settled a discrimination lawsuit against the police department for $ 10.25 million said Friday he is resigning from his job as commander of the department ’ s new diversity and inclusion unit .
Keith Wildhaber , who is white , said he was the victim of racism in a Facebook post , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
He alleged in his suit that he was passed over for promotion 23 times and was told to “ tone down ” his “ gayness.
“ Jurors awarded him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he and the county settled for the lower amount in February .
“ The dog whispers of a gay , white guy being unable to lead Diversity and Inclusion were loud and clear , ” he wrote .
“ Systemic racism is alive and well .
I tried to ignore the background noise , but I ’ m not battling ESOP and the activists for another 3 years .
This afternoon , I notified the department of my decision to transfer back to Patrol.
” Wildhaber couldn ’ t immediately be reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wildhaber had been appointed as commander of the newly created unit in late 2019 by then-Chief Jon Belmar , weeks after a St. Louis County jury found the department had discriminated and retaliated against him because of his sexuality .
But Wildhaber ’ s appointment had been criticized by the Ethical Society of Police , a group that represents minority officers to address racial discrimination , whose leaders called for a more diverse group of employees to be included in the unit .
The group said in mid-July that it wanted proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transformative change in racial diversity , inclusion and equity.
” In the Facebook post , Wildhaber wrote that he was qualified to lead the unit and had been enrolled in a national certification program that was postponed until September because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Police spokeswoman Tracy Panus said in an email that the department ’ s personnel issues “ will be handling internally , per Department policy.
” Sgt .
Heather Taylor , president of Ethical Society of Police , said the department should “ hire someone that is actually qualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside who doesn ’ t have any affiliation to anyone and are given the authority to make decisions that are not overruled by the police board.
“


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--US officials seek limits on “habitat” for imperiled species

BILLINGS , Mont .
- The Trump administration is moving to restrict what land and water areas can be declared as “ habitat ” for imperiled plants and animals — potentially excluding locations that species could use in the future as climate change upends ecosystems .
An administration proposal obtained in advance by The Associated Press and publicly released Friday would for the first time define “ habitat ” for purposes of enforcing the Endangered Species Act , the landmark law that has dictated species protections efforts in the U.S. since 1973 .
A final decision is expected by year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for how lands are managed and how far the government must go in protecting plants and animals that could be sliding toward extinction .
Democratic lawmakers and wildlife advocates said the proposal ignores shifting threats to wildlife and plants due to climate change and habitat loss .
It follows other steps under Trump to scale back or alter endangered species rules , including lifting blanket protections for animals newly listed as threatened and setting cost estimates for saving species .
Legal observers said the Republican administration ’ s two-sentence definition of habitat would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as critical to a species ’ survival .
Its declaration that habitat includes areas with “ existing attributes “ appears to rule out land or water needing restoration work or sites that could become suitable in the future as climate change forces species to relocate , said J.B. Ruhl with Vanderbilt University Law School .
“ To me , they are clearly trying to rule out restoration and climate change , ” Ruhl said .
He added that a court would likely agree that the government ’ s definition was reasonable , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good policy for dealing with climate change .
Jonathan Wood with the Pacific Legal Foundation , which represents landowners opposed to having species protections forced upon them , said the government ’ s proposal would rightly restrict what areas could be designated as habitat .
He said that would force the government to concentrate on sites more suitable for conservation work , instead of infringing on private property rights .
Others warned that it would seriously hobble restoration efforts , by confining struggling species to small patches of pristine land and blocking restoration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The northern spotted owl of the Pacific Northwest , which depends on old growth forests , offers a prime example , said Noah Greenwald with the Center for Biological Diversity .
Much of the bird ’ s historic habitat was logged .
“ But it will become old growth forest again one day if we protect it .
So does that not count as habitat ?
” Greenwald asked .
“ If we want to recover species , we have to restore them to more larger portions of their historic range , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service comes in response to a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving a highly endangered Southern frog — the dusky gopher frog .
Trump administration officials said the proposal would apply to relatively few cases and provide “ more consistency “ and “ more transparency ” for private landowners , companies and states .
They would not specify what types of land or how much could be excluded under the definition , or give immediate details on which species could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held that an area must be ‘ habitat ’ in order to be designated as ‘ critical habitat ’ , and we are now seeking public comment on how best to define that overarching term , ” said wildlife service assistant director Gary Frazer .
In the gopher frog case , a unanimous court said the government had to decide what constitutes suitable habitat for the 3 1/2-inch-long ( 8.9-centimetre-long ) frogs before it could designate some of those areas as “ critical habitat ” for the species , which survives in just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute arose after the Fish and Wildlife Service designated 1,500-acres ( 607-hectares ) of land and ponds in neighbouring Louisiana as critical habitat for the frog even though none lived there .
Attorneys for the landowner , timber company Weyerhaeuser Co. , called that an unjust land grab .
But environmentalists said designating the land as critical was necessary to keeping the frog from disappearing .
The proposed definition says habitat includes “ places that a species depend upon to carry out one or more life processes , ” such as breeding or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place prior to the dispute over the gopher frog , the government might have been forced to limit its critical habitat designation to the ponds only , and not the surrounding land , said Wood .
“ It gives a standard which we ’ ve been lacking for the past 45 years to guide critical habitat designations , ” he said .
“ You won ’ t have the free-roaming critical habitat designations like you would have in the Weyerhaeuser case.
” The Trump administration ultimately withdrew the Louisiana critical habitat designation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grijalva , a Democrat , said if the Friday ’ s proposal had been in place decades ago , iconic species such as the bald eagle would not have recovered widely , and instead would be limited to scattered patches of land .
“ The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to help endangered species flourish and expand back into their former habitat.
” said Grijalva , chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Law firm representing Fort Hood soldier in fatal shooting

AUSTIN , Texas - A Dallas law firm said it is representing a soldier stationed at Fort Hood who fatally shot an armed demonstrator at an Austin rally against police violence last weekend .
The law firm Broden & Mickelsen said Thursday night that it is representing Sgt .
Daniel Perry , who is on active duty with the U.S. Army .
Perry has not been charged , and Austin police have not named him as a suspect in their investigation .
Police asked the public for tips and video Thursday to help in their investigation of the killing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot July 25 as demonstrators marched through downtown Austin .
He was taken to a hospital , where he was later pronounced dead .
The law firm said Perry was in Austin that night driving for a ride-share company .
Perry dropped off a client off and was waiting for his next rider when he turned right onto a street and encountered the protest that he didn ’ t know was happening , according to a statement from attorney Clint Broden .
“ When Sgt .
Perry turned on the Congress Avenue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the law firm ’ s statement said .
“ An individual carrying an assault rifle , now known to be Garrett Foster , quickly approached the car and then motioned with the assault rifle for Mr. Perry to lower his window.
” Perry initially thought Foster worked in law enforcement and put his window down , the law firm said .
But then Foster raised his weapon toward Perry , according to the law firm , and Perry realized Foster was not a police officer .
The statement said several witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried a handgun in his car , fired at Foster in self defence , Broden said .
Someone in the crowd then fired at Perry ’ s vehicle , so Perry drove to away and called the police .
Perry is co-operating with the police investigation , Broden said , and offered sympathy to Foster ’ s family on his client ’ s behalf .
“ Sgt .
Perry is devastated by what happened , ” Broden said .
Austin police did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday .
A day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be releasing or confirming the identity of the person who shot Foster , citing an ongoing investigation .
U.S. Army officials confirmed that Perry is on active duty and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood .
“ The unit continues to co-operate with the Austin Police Department in their ongoing investigation , ” Army officials said Friday in a statement .
Perry is a decorated soldier from North Texas who has served in the military for eight years , Broden said .
Police said witnesses told them a disturbance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
The vehicle stopped as protesters crossed the street and Foster , who was holding an AK-47 type assault rifle , approached the driver ’ s side window .
He was shot from inside the vehicle .
Witness Michael Capochiano said the car sped through the protesters before it apparently hit an orange barrier and stopped , told the Austin American-Statesman .
In video that was streamed live on Facebook , a car can be heard honking before several shots ring out and protesters start screaming and scattering .
Police can then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street .
Austin police say they have interviewed the person who shot Foster and have the gun used in the confrontation secured as evidence .
Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--US astronauts pack up for rare splashdown in SpaceX capsule

CAPE CANAVERAL , Fla. - Two U.S. astronauts about to make the first splashdown return in 45 years said Friday they ’ ll have seasick bags ready to use if needed .
SpaceX and NASA plan to bring Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken back Sunday afternoon in the company ’ s Dragon capsule , aiming for the Gulf of Mexico just off the Florida Panhandle .
Flight controllers are keeping close watch on Hurricane Isaias , expected to stick to Florida ’ s east coast .
Hurley said if he and Behnken get sick while bobbing in the waves awaiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time for a crew .
Astronauts returning in the early 1970s from Skylab , NASA ’ s first space station , did not feel well following splashdown , Hurley noted .
Feeling sick “ is the way it is with a water landing , ” he said during the crew ’ s final news conference from the International Space Station .
This will be SpaceX ’ s first splashdown with astronauts on board , ending a two-month test flight that began May 30 at NASA ’ s Kennedy Space Center — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. in nearly a decade .
The capsule has been docked at the space station since May 31 , allowing Hurley and Behnken to chip in with spacewalks and experiments .
Hurley said the emergency and other equipment has checked out well aboard Dragon , dubbed Endeavour .
Launch and rendezvous went flawlessly , “ so we expect nothing different for the splashdown , ” he said .
Their departure leaves three on board , one American and two Russians .
After splashdown , it will take an hour or so before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a SpaceX recovery ship , where the hatch will be opened and the astronauts will get out .
Flight surgeons will be among the dozens of the recovery team members .
The plan is for the Dragon to undock from the space station on Saturday , a day before splashdown .
The prime target is off the coast of Panama City , halfway between Tallahassee and Pensacola .
“ We won ’ t leave the space station without some good landing opportunities in front of us , good splashdown weather , ” Behnken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up here longer .
There ’ s more chow and I know the space station program ’ s got more work that we can do.
” Like launch , the ride back will be essentially automated , with the crew and flight controllers intervening only if necessary .
Behnken has an extra reason to bring this Dragon back in good shape .
Following refurbishment , the capsule will fly again next spring with a crew of four — including his wife , NASA astronaut Megan McArthur .
SpaceX ’ s next astronaut flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Behnken said even before his launch , they had an inkling she would be assigned to a SpaceX flight .
NASA announced the news this week .
“ And of course , I ’ ll have a lot of tips for her , ” he said .
NASA turned to SpaceX and Boeing for U.S.-based crew transport after the space shuttles retired in 2011 .
Russian rockets were the only way for astronauts to get to the space station until SpaceX became the first private company to launch humans into orbit two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew flight isn ’ t expected until next year .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Truck smashes into bus in north Sudan, killing at least 13

CAIRO - A speeding truck trying to overtake a car crashed into a passenger bus on a highway in northern Sudan on Friday , killing 13 people and injuring 15 , authorities .
Sudanese police said the accident happened near the village of Dongola on the Nile River , around 500 miles north of the capital , Khartoum .
Streets were slick as heavy rains and gale force winds pummeled much of the country , causing severe flooding in some towns .
Images circulating online showed the two big vehicles crumpled and overturned by the roadside .
Both drivers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among those killed , officials said .
The 15 injured were taken to a hospital , where some were reported in critical condition .
Automobile accidents are common in Sudan , often the result of badly maintained roads and poor enforcement of traffic laws .
The World Health Organization has said that road accidents killed more than 10,000 people in Sudan in 2018 .
In May , a fiery head-on collision between a truck packed with passengers and a tractor-trailer killed 57 people and left more than 20 injured on a highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--6 teams idle: Manfred, union talk as MLB grapples with virus

MIAMI - With six teams idled Friday by the COVID-19 pandemic , Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke to union leader Tony Clark about the importance of players following the sport ’ s coronavirus protocols .
Manfred and Clark talked about what needs to be done to finish the season , a person familiar with the conversation said .
The person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation .
The conversation between Manfred and Clark , first reported by ESPN , comes amid growing evidence that the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball .
“ Some things aren ’ t looking too good right now , but we have to play up to that point .
Players are seeing what can happen , “ Houston manager Dusty Baker said .
“ The rest now is up to us and the virus , ” he said .
Concerns have been expressed about lax behaviour by players on the field — such as spitting or high-fives — and off .
The scrambled schedule has also heightened doubts about whether the owners ’ desire to play is realistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message .
They sent a memo .
Just be more diligent , wear a mask in the dugout when you ’ re not playing , what we ’ ve thought to be the rules all along , “ Arizona catcher Stephen Vogt said .
“ So it ’ s just like every other rule that MLB has for players — now it ’ s going to be enforced , so to speak .
Just strongly encouraging.
” “ Everything gets a little bit lax when you get in the game because the habits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our whole life takes over .
When one of your teammates gets a big hit , you want to high-five them .
You want to celebrate the way you ’ ve always done , “ he said .
“ And the last thing I want to do when I ’ m trying to play and do my job is be worried about COVID , but that ’ s the times were in right now.
” The latest game to be postponed was Milwaukee ’ s home opener against St. Louis , called off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardinals players tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ TV Show suggestions please , ” tweeted Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty , one of an increasing number of players who found themselves with unexpected free time as the postponements mounted .
The Cardinals said in a statement they learned Thursday night about positive tests from samples collected Wednesday .
Players and staff were instructed to isolate in their hotel rooms .
“ The team is currently conducting rapid testing of the entire travelling party , has implemented contact tracing , and will continue to self-isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardinals and Brewers still hoped to play Saturday night , and to make up Friday ’ s game with a pair of seven-inning games Sunday under a newly approved MLB plan for doubleheaders .
Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said baseball is braced for curveballs , especially this year .
“ We ’ re all committed , I believe – and I ’ ve talked to a number of players today – to finishing the season , ” Attanasio said .
“ Insofar as we can continue to provide some enjoyment for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something we ’ re all committed to doing .
...
If we ’ re not smart and safe , then we ’ ll fail .
But we ’ re doing everything we can not to fail.
’ ’ Two weekend series — Nationals at Marlins , and Blue Jays at Phillies — were called off earlier .
The Marlins were hit with a virus outbreak in Philadelphia that infected at least 20 members of their travelling party , and both Miami and the Phillies are sidelined for at least a week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore Orioles have also been scrambled a week into a season that had already been delayed and curtailed because of the pandemic , and now may be in jeopardy .
“ That ’ s a concern of mine , ” said Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon , who was out with the virus earlier .
“ I speak for the entire Rockies team — we want to go out and play .
...
Anything that pops up negatively , in terms of this virus situation , could hinder that .
So yeah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather not see any more positive cases.
” The six idled teams Friday represented 20 % of MLB .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a person that thought that this would be seamless , ” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said .
“ We are being as safe as we possibly can , but we also understand that this virus is very strong and doesn ’ t have borders.
” For the week ending Thursday , MLB said there were 29 positive tests , a rate of 0.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were eight positive tests for the 29 other teams , only two involved major league players .
The Marlins received another positive test result , a person familiar with the situation said , and at least 18 of their players have been infected .
The person , who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made , said none of the Marlins has shown serious symptoms .
But officials were concerned that the latest positive test result came five days after the team was last together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The person said the infected Marlins left Philadelphia in sleeper buses Friday for an 18-hour trip to Miami , where they will remain together in quarantine .
The rest of the team will spend the weekend in isolation in Philadelphia , where the Marlins have been stranded since their outbreak began .
It ’ s uncertain when or where they will next play .
The Phillies have also been idle since Sunday .
One Phils coach and two clubhouse workers tested positive this week , but the team received no positive results Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going , as did some businesses .
In Milwaukee , J & B ’ s Blue Ribbon Bar and Grill was hoping for one of its biggest crowds since the pandemic began , with customers watching the home opener as it was played down the street .
Co-owner Jon Bliesner took news of the postponement hard .
AP Sports Writers Jay Cohen in Chicago , Pat Graham in Denver , Ian Harrison in Toronto , Steve Megargee in Milwaukee , David Brandt in Phoenix , Joe Reedy in Anaheim , California , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker in New York contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--Supreme Court won’t halt challenged border wall projects

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court declined by a 5-4 vote Friday to halt the Trump administration ’ s construction of portions of the border wall with Mexico following a recent lower court ruling that the administration improperly diverted money to the project .
The court ’ s four liberal justices dissented , saying they would have prohibited construction while a court challenge continues , after a federal appeals court ruled in June that the administration had illegally sidestepped Congress in transferring the Defence Department funds .
“ The Court ’ s decision to let construction continue nevertheless I fear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a final judgment , ” Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in a brief dissent for the four liberals .
Friday ’ s order means the court is not likely even to consider the substance of the issue until after the November election , while work on the wall continues .
Last summer , at an earlier stage in the case , the justices also split 5-4 along ideological lines to allow the administration to begin construction using $ 2.5 billion in Defence Department funds .
That allowed President Donald Trump to make progress on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his race for a second term .
The administration wanted to use the money to replace a total of 129 miles ( 208 kilometres ) of rundown or outdated fencing in New Mexico , Arizona and California .
As of mid-July , 92 miles ( 148 kilometres ) have been completed according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection .
Following the latest appeals court ruling , the wall ’ s challengers returned to the high court to ask that construction be halted .
The Trump administration opposed the request and said it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court to hear arguments in the case .
The case has its origins in the 35-day partial government shutdown that started in December of 2018 .
Trump ended the shutdown after Congress gave him approximately $ 1.4 billion in border wall funding , but that was far less than the $ 5.7 billion he was seeking .
Trump then declared a national emergency to take cash from other government accounts to use to construct sections of wall .
At the time , the money Trump identified included $ 2.5 billion in Defence Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction funds and $ 600 million from the Treasury Department ’ s asset forfeiture fund .
The case before the Supreme Court involved just the $ 2.5 billion in Defence Department funds .
The American Civil Liberties Union , which sued the Trump administration on behalf of Sierra Club and Southern Border Communities Coalition , has said it will seek to tear down sections of the wall that were built with the money .
“ Every lower court to consider the question has ruled President Trump ’ s border wall illegal , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not decide the case .
We ’ ll be back before the Supreme Court soon to put a stop to Trump ’ s xenophobic border wall once and for all , “ Dror Ladin , staff attorney with the ACLU ’ s National Security Project , said in a statement following the court ’ s order Friday .
The Supreme Court is on break for the summer but does act on certain pressing items .
It will begin hearing cases again in October .


thetorontostar--2020-07-31--DC releases police footage from 2018 deaths of 3 Black men

WASHINGTON - Under pressure from the D.C. Council , Washington ’ s Metropolitan Police Department on Friday released long-sought body camera and security footage from the 2018 deaths of three young Black men in 2018 .
The release was compelled by an emergency police reform bill that Mayor Muriel Bowser criticized as rushed .
“ The council has determined that this is the statute , that ’ s the law of the land and we ’ re going to abide by it , ” said MPD Chief Peter Newsham .
The videos relate to the deaths of three men that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Marqueese Alston , 22 , who was shot by police during a foot chase on June 12 , 2018 ; D ’ Quan Young , 24 , who was shot by an off-duty officer in civilian clothes on May 9 , 2018 ; and Jeffrey Price , 22 , who died on May 4 , 2018 , after his motorbike collided with an MPD cruiser .
The Young and Alston shootings were reviewed by the U.S. attorney ’ s office for the District of Columbia , which declined to prosecute either case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MPD ’ s Use of Force Review Board .
Price ’ s death was ruled an accident .
The Price family is suing the MPD for wrongful death .
Newsham , citing the lawsuit , declined to discuss the case in detail , but he called it “ preventable ” and “ a tragic accident where a young man lost his life.
” Bowser has found herself caught between the MPD and a reformist City Council , with a resurgent street activist movement pressuring all sides .
For weeks , an activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staged noisy protests outside the homes of Bowser , the council members and Newsham .
Earlier this month , Bowser tried but failed to fend off council-mandated cuts to police funding in the new budget .
The council unanimously passed the emergency reform bill on June 9 after a wave of nationwide protests over police brutality .
With public opinion shifting toward police reform , the new bill bans the use of chokeholds and prohibits the use of tear gas or rubber bullets to disperse crowds .
It also compels the speedy release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for officers involved in a serious use of force against civilians .
Bowser criticized the process as haphazard with little public input .
On Friday , she acknowledged that the council had addressed some of her objections , including clarifying that family members of the victims could block certain footage from being released .
But she said she remains concerned about the council “ rushing to make changes to the law without adequate public input.
“ The local Black Lives Matter chapter fought back against Bowser ’ s claim of insufficient input , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chapter ’ s Twitter feed said Friday there have been “ tons of hearings ” over the years on the issue of releasing police body camera footage .
All three videos are available on the MPD ’ s YouTube page .
Some contain graphic footage of the injuries and aftermath .
Both shooting-related videos begin with an MPD statement that the department “ recognizes the sanctity of human life , and that any loss of life is a tragic outcome for a family and a community.
” The videos also contain detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its favour , using a freeze frame and graphics to highlight a handgun in Alston ’ s hand just before the shooting began .
Price was being pursued by police when a cruiser ran a stop sign to block his path .
The released video emphasizes that he was speeding in a stolen motorbike in the opposite lane .
The Young video presents the department ’ s stance that the off-duty officer was on his way to a cookout when Young crossed the street to confront him and “ brandished a handgun.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement calling the videos “ hand picked , heavily narrated clips ” that don ’ t reveal much .
April Goggans , a core organizer with the local chapter , said , “ It is clear that more footage exists and that all of DC should be in the streets demanding to know why MPD has hand picked these short , edited clips .
It feels like more of the same purposefully evasive game Mayor Bowser and Chief Newsham have been playing around transparency and accountability.
“ The officer who killed Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a body camera , so the city provided footage from a security camera at a nearby public recreation centre and body camera footage from the first officers to respond to the scene .
Kevin Donahue , the deputy mayor for public safety , called it “ our attempt to show this is what we have , “ and added , “ We did the best we could , trying to take the spirit of the law and apply it to that.
” Bowser and Donahue both described the videos as frequently inconclusive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be like watching a TV show , where it ’ s all clear footage coming from different angles .
In fact , what it is is a camera that ’ s on an officer ’ s chest , that sometimes doesn ’ t show anything , ” Bowser said .
“ But at the end , somebody died , and that is hard and painful to watch , but it also shows the very difficult positions that our officers face .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--China condemns Germany’s Hong Kong extradition suspension

BERLIN—China has condemned Germany ’ s decision to suspend its extradition agreement with Hong Kong , accusing Berlin of a “ serious breach of international law.
” Germany ’ s foreign minister announced the suspension Friday following the disqualification of 12 pro-democracy candidates from legislative elections and a subsequent decision to postpone the elections .
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam cited a worsening coronavirus outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory in postponing the vote .
The Chinese Embassy in Berlin expressed “ strong indignation and firm opposition to the wrong remarks of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas ” in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Australia , Canada , New Zealand , the United Kingdom and the United States also have suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong last month after the central government in Beijing imposed a new national security law on the city .
The move raised fears that Hong Kong ’ s freedoms and local autonomy are being taken away .
Germany ’ s Maas described the election decisions as “ a further infringement of the rights of Hong Kong ’ s citizens.
” The Chinese Embassy said the actions were justified and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two systems ” framework under which Hong Kong , a former British colony , was handed over to Chinese control in 1997 .
“ The German side ’ s erroneous remarks on Hong Kong and the suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong are a serious breach of international law and basic norms governing international relations and gross violation of China ’ s internal affairs , ” the embassy statement said .
“ We firmly oppose them and reserve the right to react further .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--France starts testing travellers from 16 nations for virus

PARIS - Travellers entering France from 16 countries where the coronavirus is circulating widely are having to undergo virus tests upon arrival at French airports and ports .
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced last month that the tests would be required starting Aug. 1 for the arriving passengers France is allowing in from the listed countries unless they present proof of a negative test done within 72 hours of their departure .
Those who test positive in France as of Saturday must quarantine for 14 days .
France is not permitting general travel to and from the 16 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil .
The testing requirement therefore only applies to people entering under limited circumstances - “ French citizens who live in these countries or citizens of these countries with an established residence in France , ” Castex has said .
Daniel Court was tested at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport after coming in from the French Riviera city of Nice .
He acknowledged not loving the experience .
“ It ’ s very fast , but I have to say that it ’ s not very pleasant .
It is surprising .
But we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Another passenger who got tested after landing at Paris ’ main airport , Nadia Vusik of Belarus , said she thought the new policy made sense .
“ It is definitely necessary , and I am happy that in France it is possible to do right here .
It ’ s very convenient.
” Health authorities have said that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has jumped on the French mainland in recent weeks .
The government previously made mask-wearing mandatory in all indoor public spaces .
The French government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown after the one that brought the country to a standstill for nearly two months between March and May .


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--Biden eyes major foreign policy shifts if he wins

WASHINGTON - Should former Vice-President Joe Biden win the White House in November , America will likely be in for a foreign policy about-face as Biden reverses , dismantles or severely curtails many of President Donald Trump ’ s most significant and boldest actions .
From the Middle East to Asia , Latin America to Africa and , particularly , Europe , and on issues including trade , terrorism , arms control and immigration , the presumptive Democratic nominee and his advisers have vowed to unleash a tsunami of change in how the U.S. handles itself in the international arena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect Biden to re-engage with traditional allies .
Where the iconoclastic Trump has used blunt threats and insults to press his case , Biden , a former senator , would be more inclined to seek common ground .
Historically , U.S. foreign policy hasn ’ t changed drastically as the presidency shifted between Democratic and Republican administrations .
Allies and adversaries stayed the same and a non-partisan diplomatic corps pursued American interests .
That changed with Trump .
Under his “ America First ” policy , he viewed both allies and the foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warmly of adversaries like North Korea ’ s Kim Jong Un and Russia ’ s Vladimir Putin .
But Trump found it hard to make swift changes .
Academics often say that American foreign policy is like an aircraft carrier : easy to order a wholesale change of direction from the bridge but far more difficult and time-consuming to alter course .
Trump saw that when he was unable to extricate the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal for more than year .
His well-publicized withdrawals from the Paris Climate Accord and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become final until after the Nov. 3 election , if ever .
His decision to redeploy thousands of troops from Germany could take years .
Trump ’ s initial problems may have reflected a lack of governmental experience by both him and his top advisers .
That created a steep learning curve that was complicated by their intense distrust of national security institutions .
Biden , with his Senate and White House experience , may be better positioned to deliver on change swiftly .
Biden told reporters Tuesday in Delaware that he knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I understand the national security and intelligence issues , ” he said .
“ That ’ s what I ’ ve done my whole life .
Trump has no notion of it .
None.
” Biden ’ s campaign also has assembled an experienced team of foreign policy advisers : Jake Sullivan served as deputy assistant to President Barack Obama and policy planning director at the State Department .
Nicholas Burns had high-level foreign policy positions under Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton .
Tony Blinken was deputy secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama .
Susan Rice , national security adviser and U.N. ambassador under Obama , is a finalist for vice-president .
If she isn ’ t selected , she could become a key adviser if Biden wins .
The Trump campaign casts Biden ’ s foreign policy experience as a weakness .
“ Joe Biden ’ s record of appeasement and globalism would be detrimental for American foreign policy and national security , and after decades of the status quo , President Trump has made it clear that the United States will no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world , “ deputy press secretary Ken Farnaso said in a statement .
For decades , the first and often only foreign policy shift that new presidents of both parties directed on their first day in office , and Trump was no exception , was abortion-related .
Like clockwork , Republicans enacted the so-called “ Mexico City ” language — known by opponents as the “ global gag rule ” — to prohibit the use of U.S. foreign assistance for abortion-related services .
Democrats rescinded it and should Biden win , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he ’ s also pledged to demolish other Trump policies on Day One .
They include reversing Trump ’ s ban on immigration from mainly Muslim countries , restoring U.S. funding and membership to the WHO and halting efforts to oppose the Paris Climate Accord .
He ’ s promised to call top NATO leaders and declare of U.S. foreign policy , “ We ’ re back ” while convening a summit of major heads of state in his first year .
One area that will require more nuance is China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his foreign policy agenda and on which he has painted Biden as weak .
After previously boasting of warm ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping , Trump has relentlessly attacked China , blaming it for the coronavirus outbreak that threatens his reelection prospects .
Biden has been slower to directly criticize Trump ’ s recent actions against China , but his campaign questions whether the president will eventually undermine his administration ’ s tough actions of late by personally striking softer tones toward Beijing “ The administration has a history of talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ said Jeff Prescott , a campaign foreign policy adviser , Biden also has said he would immediately restore daily press briefings at the White House , State Department and Pentagon , events once deemed critical to communicate U.S. policy that the Trump administration has all but abandoned .
Biden and his surrogates say they intend to act quickly on the following : - Middle East : Restore assistance to the Palestinian Authority that the Trump administration has eliminated as well as to agencies that support Palestinian refugees .
Biden hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognition of Jerusalem as Israel ’ s capital or return the embassy to Tel Aviv .
- United Nations : Restore U.S. membership in U.N. agencies such as the U.N. Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization and possibly the U.N. Human Rights Commission .
- Europe : Tone down rhetoric Trump has used to berate and insult European allies .
Biden can be expected to try to warm relations among NATO partners .
- Africa : Try to raise America ’ s profile on the continent , which has become a new battleground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Revert to a traditional U.S. stance supporting the presence of American troops in Japan and South Korea .
Biden has also criticized Trump ’ s personal relationship with Kim .
- Latin America : Cancel Trump administration agreements that sent asylum-seeking immigrants to Mexico and other countries while they await court dates and halt all new construction of the southern border wall .
Biden also wants to restart Obama-era engagement with Cuba .
Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report .

Matthew Lee And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--Thousands protest in Berlin against coronavirus restrictions

BERLIN - Thousands of protesters against German coronavirus restrictions converged Saturday in Berlin for a demonstration proclaiming “ the end of the pandemic ” has arrived just as authorities voice increasing concern about an upturn in new infections .
A crowd of people whistling and cheering , and with few masks in sight , marched through downtown Berlin from the Brandenburg Gate ahead of a rally on a wide boulevard that runs through the city ’ s Tiergarten park .
Protesters held up home-made placards featuring slogans that included “ Corona , false alarm , ” “ We are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Natural defence instead of vaccination “ and “ End the corona panic — bring fundamental rights back.
” They chanted , “ We ’ re here and we ’ re loud , because we are being robbed of our freedom.
” The demonstration , entitled “ The end of the pandemic -- freedom day , ” was planned for weeks and drew people from various parts of Germany .
Police used bullhorns to chide participants to keep to distancing rules and to wear masks .
Previous protests against anti-virus restrictions in Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theorists and right-wing populists .
Germany ’ s management of the pandemic has been viewed as relatively successful .
The country ’ s death toll — just over 9,150 out of more than 210,670 confirmed virus cases as of Saturday - is lower than in comparable nations .
The German government has been easing lockdown measures since late April but social-distancing rules remain in place , as does a requirement to wear masks on public transit and in shops .
Officials have warned against complacency as the number of new cases crept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Germans this week to observe the distancing and mask rules and , amid concern about residents bringing home infections from summer trips abroad , introduced free tests for people entering the country .
Germany ’ s national disease control centre registered 955 new cases on Friday , a high figure by recent standards that underlined the upward trend .


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--Flash flooding in Afghanistan kills 16, many of them children

KABUL—Flash flooding in eastern Afghanistan killed at least 16 people after heavy rains swept parts of a mountainous area , @ @ @ @ @ .
Heavy floods hit the Khewa district , said Attaullah Khogyani , spokesman for the @ @ @ @ @ He added that four others were wounded in the incident .
The majority of the @ @ @ @ @ Khogyani .
He added that a team has been sent to the area to help @ @ @ @ @ foul weather .
The flash floods damaged dozens of homes , the spokesman added .
@ @ @ @ @ in eastern Afghanistan leading to floods that can leave hundreds of people dead and many @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--Emirati nuclear plant successfully starts up first reactor

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - A nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates successfully started up its first @ @ @ @ @ .
The Barakah nuclear power plant in the Emirates ’ far western desert near the @ @ @ @ @ what scientists called its “ first criticality ” on Friday .
That ’ s when @ @ @ @ @ the reactor is self-sustaining .
The nuclear reactor ultimately will generate electricity and be connected @ @ @ @ @ power grid .
The $ 20 billion Barakah nuclear power plant was built by the @ @ @ @ @ South Korea .
It ’ s the first nuclear power plant on the Arabian Peninsula @ @ @ @ @ the Emirates ’ nuclear program for agreeing never to acquire enrichment or reprocessing capabilities , @ @ @ @ @ able to make weapons-grade uranium .
The U.S. says that ’ s a model agreement @ @ @ @ @ power while also encouraging the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons .


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--Iran says it detains leader of California-based exile group

TEHRAN , Iran - Iran on Saturday said it had detained a leader of a little-known California-based opposition group for allegedly planning a 2008 attack on a mosque that killed 14 people and wounded over 200 others .
Iran ’ s Intelligence Ministry also alleged Jamshid Sharmahd of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran planned other attacks around the Islamic Republic amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the U.S. over its collapsing 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
It remains unclear how Sharmahd , whom Iran accused of running the opposition group ’ s Tondar militant wing , ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment sent by email to the Glendora-based Kingdom Assembly of Iran were not immediately answered and a telephone number for the group no longer worked .
Iranian state television broadcast a report on Sharmahd ’ s arrest , linking him to the 2008 bombing of the Hosseynieh Seyed al-Shohada Mosque in Shiraz .
It also said his group was behind a 2010 bombing at Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ’ s mausoleum in Tehran that wounded several people .
The report also alleged without providing evidence that Tondar , or “ Thunder ” in Farsi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and planned to use cyanide bombs at Tehran ’ s annual book fair .
The Kingdom Assembly of Iran , known in Farsi as Anjoman-e Padeshahi-e Iran , and Tondar seek to restore Iran ’ s monarchy , which ended when the fatally ill Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi fled the country in 1979 just before its Islamic Revolution .
The group ’ s founder disappeared in the mid-2000s .
Authorities did not elaborate on how they apprehended Sharmahd , though Iranian intelligence operatives in the past have used family members and other tricks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendly countries to be captured .
An alleged Iranian government operative who allegedly tried to hire a hitman to kill Sharmahd disappeared in 2010 before facing trial in California , likely having returned to Iran .
While overshadowed by other exiled opposition groups , Iran reportedly brought up the Kingdom Assembly multiple times while negotiating the terms of the 2015 deal , which saw Tehran limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions .
A statement attributed to Tondar claimed the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it later said it wasn ’ t responsible .
Suspicion long has fallen on Israel for a string of assassinations targeting scientists amid concerns about Iran ’ s nuclear program , which the West fears could be used to develop a nuclear bomb .
Iran long has maintained its program is for peaceful purposes .
Sharmahd ’ s reported arrest comes as tensions remain inflamed by President Donald Trump ’ s 2018 decision to unilaterally withdraw America from the nuclear deal .
A series of incidents last year were capped by a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian general in Baghdad .
Iran responded by launching a ballistic missile attack on U.S. soldiers in Iraq that injured dozens .

Amir Vahdat And Jon Gambrell - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-01--Cambodian labour leader arrested for political comments

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia—A prominent Cambodian labour union leader who is a longtime government critic has been arrested on a charge of inciting social unrest because of his comments about a politically sensitive matter concerning the country ’ s borders .
Rong Chhun , president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions , was arrested Friday night at his home and taken Saturday to Phnom Penh Municipal Court , where he was formally charged with “ incitement to commit felony ” for statements alleged to be provocative .
If tried and found guilty , he could face up to two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national election committee of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party before it was dissolved by court order in November 2017 , ahead of the 2018 general election .
The court ’ s action was generally seen as intended to ensure victory for Prime Minister Hun Sen ’ s ruling Cambodian Peoples Party .
On Wednesday , Rong Chhun led several dozen factory workers to present a petition at Hun Sen ’ s residence asking him to help with their welfare after their factory was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week to U.S. government-supported Radio Free Asia in which he spoke about meeting farmers in eastern Cambodia who complained about their land being infringed upon by neighbouring Vietnam .
The issue of Vietnam encroaching on Cambodian territory is a highly sensitive one with domestic political significance in Cambodia because of widespread historical antagonism toward the country ’ s larger neighbour to the east .
Hun Sen ’ s government maintains close relations with Vietnam , leading his political foes to accuse him of failing to protect Cambodian land .
Several prominent opposition figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years for making such allegations .
Police spokesperson Gen. Chhay Kim Khouen said Rong Chhun was arrested at the request of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court after he gave false information related to the border issue with Vietnam .
Earlier Friday , the Joint Boundary Commission of Cambodia rejected allegations made in the Radio Free Asia program that Vietnam had infringed on Cambodian territory .
A statement issued in the name of the Cambodia National Rescue Party , whose leaders are mostly in exile , said the arrest was contrary to international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expression and political activity guaranteed under Cambodia ’ s constitution .
The statement appealed to the government for Rong Chhun ’ s release and called on the international community to help secure his freedom .