thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Constraints gone, GOP ramps up effort to monitor voting

WASHINGTON - Since 1937 , the state of Pennsylvania has had strict rules about who can stand in polling stations and challenge the eligibility of voters .
The restrictions are meant to limit the use of “ poll monitors ” long sent by both parties to look out for voting mishaps but at times used to intimidate voters .
In June , the Republican National Committee and the Trump campaign sued to ease those rules , saying they imposed arbitrary limits on the party ’ s ability to keep tabs on the voting process no matter where it occurs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of election law is just one piece of the party ’ s sweeping plan to expand poll monitoring this election year .
Thanks to a federal court ruling that freed the party from restrictions , the GOP is mounting a broad effort to keep a close watch on who casts ballots .
The GOP is recruiting 50,000 monitors , typically party activists and specially appointed volunteers , across 15 battleground states .
Meanwhile , the party has filed , or intervened in , lawsuits challenging election rules across the country , including cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Florida over laws related to absentee ballots and voting by mail .
Republicans say they are focused on preventing the fraud they have long maintained , without evidence , is rampant in U.S. elections .
Democrats and voting rights groups fear the planned influx of poll watchers under the imprimatur of the RNC is a veiled effort to suppress Democratic turnout , particularly in minority communities .
The issue is especially contentious for two parties already clashing over how to protect the right to vote during a pandemic .
As election officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots , both parties are gearing up for the possibility of protracted legal battles over how those votes are tallied , giving new weight to the question of who can monitor the count .
“ By and large , these kinds of ballot security operations , especially in a heated partisan and polarizing environment and with the emotions surrounding elections — they risk crossing lines , causing disruptions , ” said Wendy Weiser , who directs the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice .
Republicans say the monitors they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow state laws .
The real reason Democrats are objecting is because Republicans know that “ the playing field has been levelled , ” said RNC spokesperson Mandi Merritt .
“ We can do what Democrats and other Republican groups have been able to do for decades , “ Merritt said in a statement .
“ This is about getting more people to vote , certainly not less.
” Democrats say they , too , have spent millions of dollars building up staff .
They say the goal on their side is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat what they say is a misinformation campaign aimed at suppressing turnout .
Former Vice-President Joe Biden told those attending a July fundraiser that his campaign has 600 attorneys and 10,000 volunteers ready to ensure voters can cast ballots .
Traditionally , poll watchers monitor polling locations and can alert campaigns and party lawyers about perceived irregularities , including people being unfairly blocked from voting , identification laws not being followed or poor signage .
In some states , citizen observers can lodge challenges against individual voters , kicking ballots to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted provisionally until the complaint is settled .
In 2020 , when as many as half of ballots may be cast by mail , poll watching may extend to mail balloting , where boards that include observers from both parties often review individual ballots to determine whether they should be counted .
The Pennsylvania lawsuit seeks to overturn state law that says poll watchers may serve only in the counties where they live .
Republicans are asking a judge to allow monitors to be present any place votes are cast , including any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned .
Even before the coronavirus reconfigured the election , both parties were bracing for a titanic battle over voting in courts and at the polls .
Intensifying the conflict was a judge ’ s 2018 decision to lift a consent decree , in place for nearly 40 years , that required the RNC to have court approval for organized poll monitoring activities , such as interrogating prospective voters about their qualifications before they cast ballots or deputizing civilians as law enforcement officials .
“ There is no modern precedent for what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who represents Democrats in voting rights lawsuits across the country .
The 1982 agreement resolved a lawsuit that accused the RNC and the New Jersey Republican State Committee of voter intimidation tactics in that state ’ s gubernatorial election one year earlier .
Those included the hiring of off-duty law enforcement officers to patrol polling places in minority communities .
Newly freed from the decree , the RNC can now centralize what individual parties and campaigns and the states had to perform .
“ For 40 years , the Republican Party has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind its back , ” Justin Clark , now a senior counsel to Trump ’ s campaign , told a conservative conference in March .
Democrats are concerned an organized poll-watching force could engage in the type of activity that produced the consent decree in the first place .
The agreement was modified several times after Democrats raised new allegations that it had been violated , including in 1990 after the North Carolina State Republican Party sent postcards to Black voters warning them that submitting false information to a federal election official was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clues as to how their poll watchers might be deployed .
The monitors will ideally both watch the setup of election systems , where Clark said the bulk of errors occur , and eyeball Election Day activity for possible fraud .
Rather than solely focusing in Democratic bastions , they ’ ll also spread out to smaller cities , such as Eau Claire , Wisconsin , where Trump will try to run up robust margins .
“ What we ’ re going to be able to do if we can recruit the bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s where our voters are , ” Clark told a Republican lawyers group in Wisconsin in November , according to a recording posted online by the Democratic group American Bridge .
“ Traditionally it ’ s always been Republicans suppressing votes in places , but let ’ s start protecting our voters .
We know where they are now.
” Another Republican operative , Josh Helton , speaking at the March conservative conference , recalled organizing 2,000 volunteers to watch polling places in Philadelphia in 2016 .
“ Just having a presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably 80 % of the bad behaviour that is going to happen , ” Helton said .
“ If people are left unattended and unchaperoned in some of these areas where there is no Republican presence whatsoever , then they ’ re going to cheat.
” Democrats , for their part , have hired voter protection staffers in 19 states , created an online tool to warn voters they may be purged from registration systems , and launched toll-free numbers where voters could report problems .
“ We have a really robust operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s voter protection director .
“ We have a ton of interest .
My inbox is filled with people who want to help us protect the right to vote .
”

Eric Tucker And Nicholas Riccardi - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--3 face years in Burundi prison for stone-throwing at leader

NAIROBI , Kenya - Three people have been sentenced to 30 years in prison in Burundi after being accused of throwing stones at the president ’ s convoy .
The sentence has caused an outcry , but the governor says he thinks there will be “ changes in this affair ” in the coming days .
The two young men and a woman were working at a gas station in Kayanza province on Wednesday when the convoy passed .
They were arrested later that day , sources told The Associated Press .
At their trial on Sunday , the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At first , they were accused of undermining public security and the prosecutor asked for a prison term of seven and a half years .
But the court changed the charge to “ complicity in an attack against the head of state ” and gave them 30 years instead .
Many Burundians have called it a shame to accuse “ simple peasants ” of trying to kill the president .
The Kayanza governor , Col. Remy Cishahayo , told the AP he didn ’ t interfere in the case .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a chance their charge could be renamed again , so they might be sentenced anew .
“ Let ’ s wait and see what can happen during this week , I think there will be changes in this affair , “ Cishahayo said .
“ I will never accept wrongdoers in my province ...
But also I have to make sure that the rights of all citizens are fully respected.
” President Evariste Ndayishimiye took office in June after winning the May election and being sworn in early following the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights groups have urged the new president to leave the repressive ways of his predecessor behind .

Eloge Willy Kaneza - The Associated Press

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thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Student dead in shooting at Southern Arkansas University

MAGNOLIA , Ark .
- A Southern Arkansas University student was killed another wounded in an early Tuesday shooting in @ @ @ @ @ the school said .
“ The incident is under investigation , but we know one @ @ @ @ @ injured ” in the shooting at the campus in Magnolia , about 110 miles ( @ @ @ @ @ Little Rock , according to a statement on the SAU website .
University police have @ @ @ @ @ statement said .
Additional details about the circumstances of the shooting weren ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ been released .
Classes and late registration at the campus will continue as scheduled , @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Coronavirus breaks out again in New Zealand after 102 days

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that authorities have found four cases of the coronavirus in one Auckland household from an unknown source , the first reported cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days .
Ardern said Auckland , the nation ’ s largest city , will be moved to Alert Level 3 from midday Wednesday through midnight Friday , meaning that people will be asked to stay at home , while bars and many other businesses will be closed .
“ These three days will give us time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure we have widespread contact tracing so we can find out more about how this case arose and make decisions about how to respond to it once we have further information , ” Ardern said at a hastily called news conference late Tuesday .
“ I know that this information will be very difficult to receive , ” Ardern said .
“ We had all hoped not to find ourselves in this position again .
But we had also prepared for it .
And as a team , we have also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Auckland will be banned unless people live there and are travelling home .
She said the rest of the country will be raised to Level 2 through Friday , meaning that mass gatherings will be limited to 100 attendees and people would need to socially distance themselves from each other .
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the infections were confirmed after a person in their 50s went to their doctor on Monday with symptoms and was swabbed twice , testing positive both times .
Six other people in the person ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three more positive results .
“ Importantly , the person has no history of overseas travel , ” Bloomfield said , adding that the source of the infections remains unknown .
Until Tuesday , the only known cases of the virus in New Zealand were 22 travellers who had recently returned from abroad and were being held in quarantine at the border .
The country has been praised globally for its virus response .
New Zealand initially got rid of the virus by imposing a strict lockdown in late March when only about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
That stopped its spread .
Life had returned to normal for many people in the South Pacific nation of 5 million , as they attended rugby games at packed stadiums and sat down in bars and restaurants without fear of getting infected .
But some had warned that the country had become complacent .
New Zealanders have never routinely worn masks , but authorities have been urging people to buy them just in case .
The outbreak comes less than six weeks before New Zealanders are due to go to the @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Minnesota’s Omar holds off well-funded primary challenger

MINNEAPOLIS - Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota on Tuesday survived a stiff Democratic primary challenge from a well-funded opponent who tried to make an issue of her national celebrity .
Omar , seeking her second term in November , defeated Antone Melton-Meaux , an attorney and mediator who raised millions in anti-Omar money .
Melton-Meaux used the cash to paper the district and flood airwaves with his “ Focused on the Fifth ” message that portrayed Omar , a member of “ The Squad ” of four progressive female members of Congress , as out of touch with the Minneapolis-area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress , building on a national profile that started when the onetime refugee from Somalia was elected to the Minnesota Legislature just two years earlier .
Her aggressive advocacy on liberal issues , and her eagerness to take on Donald Trump , made her even more prominent .
Omar rejected Melton-Meaux ’ s attacks , saying they were funded by interests who wanted to get her out of Congress because she ’ s effective .
She also downplayed Melton-Meaux ’ s prodigious fundraising before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will always beat organized money.
” Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and Republican challenger Jason Lewis easily won their primaries in the only statewide races on the ballot .
Elsewhere , in western Minnesota ’ s conservative 7th District , former state Sen. Michelle Fischbach won a three-way Republican race for the right to challenge Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson .
Peterson , chairman of the House Agriculture Committee , is one of the GOP ’ s top targets to flip a House seat in November .
After entering Congress with fanfare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel and money that even some fellow Democrats called anti-Semitic , and found herself apologizing .
She also came under scrutiny when her marriage fell apart and she married her political consultant months after denying they were having an affair .
Republicans also raised questions about continuing payments to her new husband ’ s firm , though experts said they aren ’ t necessarily improper .
In the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis , police reform also emerged as an issue .
Omar supported a push by a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s police department with something new .
Melton-Meaux did not support that but did support shifting some funding away from police to more social service-oriented programs .
Both touched on the issue in personal ways , with Omar saying she wanted her son to grow up safely .
Melton-Meaux , who is also Black , told a personal story of being detained while at the University of Virginia by police seeking an assault suspect reported to have run into his apartment building .
Progressive Democrats gained confidence in Omar ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week by fellow “ Squad ” member Rashida Tlaib in Michigan and by Cori Bush , a Black Lives Matter activist , in a St. Louis-area congressional primary .
Progressives also claimed momentum from the renewed focus on racial and economic justice after Floyd ’ s death .
Catherine Thornton , 36 , a General Mills researcher who lives in southwest Minneapolis , said Tuesday that she voted for Melton-Meaux .
“ I have a lot of respect for Ms. Omar , but I personally don ’ t align with just her focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt like Mr. Melton-Meaux would have more focus on our district and the people of our district ’ s needs.
” Wendy Helgeson , 57 , a consultant , backed Omar two years ago , even installing a lawn sign in her yard , and said she was “ awfully proud of her being the first Black Muslim woman that we elected.
” But she said she was concerned about campaign payments to Omar ’ s husband ’ s firm as well as her national presence , and found it easy to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been her friend for 12 years .
“ I admire her as a woman , ” Helgeson said of Omar .
“ As a candidate , ehhh ...
I have some reservations.
” John Hildebrand , a 47-year-old teacher in Minneapolis who voted for Omar , said her national profile is an advantage .
“ I think just her presence encourages other Muslims and Somalis to run for office and to seek to be represented , ” he said .
“ I think she just engages people in the political system more and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a parks worker who is Black and described himself as a leftist , also backed Omar .
He ’ s concerned about climate change , Medicare for all and getting money out of politics , and he sees her as an ally .
“ It ’ s more time for radical change than like small — I don ’ t think we have time for incremental change anymore , ” Smith said .
Doug Glass contributed .
Ibrahim is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

Steve Karnowski And Mohamed Ibrahim - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Asia Today: Victoria adds 21 deaths, curfew breakers fined

MELBOURNE , Australia - The Australian state of Victoria on Wednesday reported a record 21 virus deaths and 410 new cases from an outbreak in the city of Melbourne that has prompted a strict lockdown .
State Premier Daniel Andrews said 16 of the deaths were linked to aged-care facilities .
The number of new cases in Victoria is down from the peak , giving authorities some hope the outbreak is waning .
Meanwhile , three Melbourne vloggers were fined after posting social media videos showing them breaching nighttime curfews for a McDonald ’ s run , the Australian Broadcasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since deleted , showed the students walking through alleys , dodging police officers and dancing inside the restaurant , ABC said .
And the state of New South Wales on Wednesday reported 18 new cases , including two connected with a private school cluster in Sydney .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — South Korea reported 54 new cases of COVID-19 as health authorities scramble to stem transmissions amid increased social and leisure activities .
The figures announced by South Korea ’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention brought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 305 deaths .
The KCDC says 35 of the new cases were local transmissions , all but three of them reported from the Seoul area .
The other 19 cases were linked to international arrivals .
Health authorities see those as less threatening to the community since people arriving from abroad face mandatory tests and two-week quarantines .
— China ’ s new domestic coronavirus cases fell into the single digits on Wednesday , while Hong Kong saw another 102 cases .
The National Health Commission said all nine new cases were found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose capital Urumqi has been at the centre of China ’ s latest major outbreak .
Another 25 cases were brought by Chinese travellers arriving from abroad .
China has largely contained the local spread of the pandemic that is believed to have originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year before spreading worldwide .
Hong Kong , a densely populated semi-autonomous southern Chinese city , also recorded another six deaths to bring its total to 58 among 4,181 cases .
Authorities have ordered mask wearing in public settings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing measures in a bid to stem its latest outbreak .
— Health authorities in New Zealand were scrambling to trace the source of a new outbreak as the nation ’ s largest city went back into lockdown .
The four cases reported from one Auckland household are New Zealand ’ s first locally transmitted cases in 102 days .
The 22 others were in mandatory quarantine after travelling abroad .
Two of the infected people had travelled to the tourist city of Rotorua last weekend while suffering symptoms , and authorities were @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Big Ten, Pac-12 pull plug on fall football amid pandemic

A crumbling college football season took a massive hit Tuesday when the Big Ten and Pac-12 , two historic and powerful conferences , succumbed to the pandemic and cancelled their fall football seasons .
Five months almost to the day after the first spikes in coronavirus cases in the U.S. led to the cancellation of the NCAA basketball tournaments , the still raging pandemic is tearing down another American sports institution : fall Saturdays filled with college football .
“ This was an extremely difficult and painful decision that we know will have important impacts on our student-athletes , coaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said .
“ We know nothing will ease that.
” Despite pleas from players , coaches and President Donald Trump in recent days to play on , 40 % of major college football teams have now decided to punt on a fall season , a decision that will cost schools tens of millions of dollars and upends traditions dating back a century .
Both conferences cited the risk of trying to keep players from contracting and spreading the coronavirus when the programs are not operating in a bubble like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also cited the broader state of the pandemic in the United States , which has had more than 5 million cases of COVID-19 .
“ Every life is critical , ” first-year Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren told the AP .
“ We wanted to make sure we continually , not only in our words but in our actions , do put the health and safety and wellness of our student-athletes first.
” Two smaller conferences , the Mid-American and Mountain West , had already announced the uncertain move to spring football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ten and Pac-12 , with hundred million-dollar television contracts and historic programs , shook the foundation of college sports .
The Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference released statements expressing cautious optimism .
The Big 12 was conspicuously quiet , at least publicly .
Outside the Power Five conferences , the American Athletic Conference , Conference USA and Sun Belt made no immediate moves .
“ Everyone is going to make their independent decisions and I certainly respect our colleagues , ” Scott said .
“ We try to be very collaborative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But at the end of the day , our presidents and chancellors looked at what was in best interest of Pac-12 student-athletes based on the advice and frankly what ’ s going on in our communities.
” The Big Ten said it was postponing all fall sports and hoping to make them up in the second semester .
An hour later , the Pac-12 , the Big Ten ’ s Rose Bowl partner , said all sports would be paused until Jan. 1 , including basketball .
Players around the country were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media with the hashtag # WeWanttoPlay .
Ohio State star quarterback Justin Fields was among those trying to present a unified front and save their season .
After the announcement , Fields simply posted to Twitter : “ smh , ” short for shaking my head .
“ Our lives are changing forever right before our eyes , ” Arizona offensive lineman Donovan Laie tweeted .
Less than a week ago , the Big Ten — which includes perennial powers such as Ohio State , Michigan , Nebraska and Penn State — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hoped would help it navigate a fall season filled with potential COVID-19 disruptions .
Even after the Big Ten made its call , there were diverging thoughts about how it should have proceeded .
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said he would have liked to have pushed back the season from Sept. 5 to maybe early October .
“ Wish we could have had a little bit more time to evaluate , but we certainly understand this was the time we had to pull the plug , ” Smith told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebraska ’ s president , athletic director and coach was more stern : “ We are very disappointed in the decision by the Big Ten Conference to postpone the fall football season , as we have been and continue to be ready to play.
“ Nebraska coach Scott Frost and Ohio State coach Ryan Day had both suggested Monday that if the Big Ten did not play their schools might look elsewhere for games .
“ We have 14 schools in the Big Ten right now and I expect to have 14 schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In the Pac-12 , where Southern California , Oregon , Washington and Stanford have won championships in recent years , there seemed to more consensus .
“ We feel good about our decision , ” Oregon President Michael Schill said .
“ We would have made this decision independent of the Big Ten .
We respect the institutions in the Big Ten .
Many of them have the same values we have .
We ’ re pleased they are joining us.
” The cost of losing football will be devastating to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 50 million to most of its members in 2018 , but most of that came from media rights deals and a conference TV network powered by football .
Maybe some can be recouped in the spring , but there are bills to pay now .
Wisconsin of the Big Ten has estimated $ 100 million in losses with no football at all .
Michigan said it could be in the red more than that .
“ We do have a reserve that will take us so far , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some layoffs , ” Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said .
“ There will be some of our units that won ’ t be working .
Those are things we have a plan for .
Those are very difficult decisions to make.
” Over the last month , conferences had been reworking schedules in the hopes of being able to buy time and play a season .
The Big Ten was the first to settle on conference-only play , in early July , and all the Power Five conferences eventually switched to either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea behind it was to create flexibility to deal with the possibility of having to cancel or reschedule games because of COVID-19 outbreaks , like the ones that have hit Major League Baseball .
It also created an every-conference-for-itself atmosphere that could now lead to two college football seasons — one in the fall and one in the spring .
Or maybe none at all .
Follow Ralph D. Russo at https : //twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http : //www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Greene, who made racist videos, wins GOP nod in Georgia

ATLANTA - Marjorie Taylor Greene , a businesswoman who has expressed support for the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon and been criticized for a series of racist comments , has won the Republican nomination for Georgia ’ s 14th Congressional District .
Greene beat neurosurgeon John Cowan in a primary runoff for the open seat on Tuesday in the deep-red district in northwest Georgia , despite several GOP officials denouncing her campaign after videos surfaced in which she expresses racist , anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim views .
“ WE WON !
Thank you for your support !
Save America .
Stop Socialism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A video posted to her Twitter account of her victory party showed a room full of supporters gathered closely together .
Few , if any , wore face masks to protect against the coronavirus .
In a victory speech posted to social media , Greene said she decided to enter politics because the country is heading in the wrong direction .
“ So the Republican establishment was against me .
The DC swamp has been against me .
And the lying fake news media hates my guts , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of honour.
” She has amassed tens of thousands of followers on social media , where she often posts videos of herself speaking directly to the camera .
Those videos have helped propel her popularity with her base , while also drawing strong condemnation from some future would-be colleagues in Congress .
In a series of videos unearthed just after Greene placed first in the initial June 9 Republican primary , she complains of an “ Islamic invasion ” into government offices , claims Black and Hispanic men are held back by “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushes an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that billionaire philanthropist George Soros , who is Jewish , collaborated with the Nazis .
Several high-profile Republicans then spoke out against her .
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana quickly threw his support behind Cowan , while Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia rescinded an endorsement of Greene .
Greene addressed criticism of her comments on Twitter .
“ The Fake News Media , the DC Swamp , and their radical leftist allies see me as a very serious threat .
I will not let them whip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , without distancing herself from her earlier remarks .
Greene also is part of a growing list of candidates who have expressed support for QAnon , the far-right U.S. conspiracy theory popular among some supporters of President Donald Trump .
She has positioned herself as a staunch Trump supporter and emphasizes a strongly pro-gun , pro-border wall and anti-abortion message .
She has also connected with voters through an intensive effort to travel the district and meet people on the ground .
Larry Silker , a 72-year-old retiree , cast a ballot for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ location in Dallas , Georgia .
“ She seems to be a go-getter , you know .
She ’ s out seeing everybody that she can , and I think that ’ s nice , ” Silker said .
Asked whether he had seen criticism of Greene ’ s remarks , Silker said : “ Well yeah , you know , you see it .
But do you put faith in it ?
You just have to weigh it out.
” Voter Pamela Reardon said she supports Greene because she connects with people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a defender of the Second Amendment and “ a true Christian.
” “ I got behind her because of her honesty , ” she said .
“ She ’ s not going to be bought by anybody .
I could tell that her heart was pure.
” Reardon is familiar with criticism of Greene ’ s social media posts and videos but says “ she ’ s never said anything racist like they say she has , ” and blamed attacks by her opponent ’ s campaign .
The district stretches from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural northwest corner of the state .
Greene will face Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal in November .
Republican Rep. Tom Graves , who did not seek reelection , last won the seat with over 76 % of the vote in 2018 .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--The Latest: Omar holds off well-funded primary challenger

WASHINGTON - The Latest on Tuesday ’ s elections ( all times local ) : Marjorie Taylor Greene has won the Republican nomination for Georgia ’ s 14th Congressional District .
She ’ s a businesswoman who has expressed support for the far-right conspiracy theory QAnon and has been criticized for a series of racist comments .
Greene beat neurosurgeon John Cowan in a primary runoff for the open seat on Tuesday .
That ’ s despite several GOP officials denouncing her campaign after videos surfaced in which she expresses racist , anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim views .
She has responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake news media ” and “ the DC swamp.
” Her victory comes in a deep-red area in northwest Georgia .
Greene will face Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal in November .
Republican Rep. Tom Graves , who did not seek reelection , last won the seat with over 76 % of the vote in 2018 .
Former Rep. Jason Lewis has won Minnesota ’ s five-way Republican primary for Senate .
Lewis , a one-term congressman and former conservative radio host , had the name recognition and money to easily beat several challengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a mostly virtual campaign aimed at taking down Democratic Sen. Tina Smith .
He has been an outspoken critic of the state ’ s coronavirus restrictions , and he has worked to tie Smith to what he calls “ heavy-handed lockdown measures.
” Smith is seeking election to her first full term since being appointed to replace Al Franken after Franken was caught up in sexual misconduct allegations .
She won the Democratic primary Tuesday .
The fall campaign is shaping up as a referendum on President Donald Trump , who came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is making an extra push to win the state this time .
Democratic Sen. Tina Smith has won the Democratic primary in Minnesota as she seeks to win her first full term in the seat once held by Al Franken .
Smith faced four little-known opponents on Tuesday .
She was appointed to the seat in early 2018 after Franken resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations .
She won an election later that year to finish the remainder of his term .
Smith is a former lieutenant governor .
Jason Lewis , a one-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show host , was the favourite among Republicans seeking to challenge her in November .
He is a staunch Trump supporter .
The fall campaign is shaping up as a referendum on President Donald Trump , who came close to carrying Minnesota in 2016 and is making an extra push to win the state this time .
Smith says she has a record of working across party lines to get things done despite being in the minority in the GOP-controlled Senate .
Zuckerman will go up against incumbent Republican Gov .
Phil Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Zuckerman defeated former Vermont Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe and two lesser-known candidates to win the party ’ s gubernatorial nomination .
The 48-year-old Zuckerman , a Hinesburg farmer , says he was motivated to run by what he calls “ the imperative nature of the climate crisis.
” Zuckerman says he thinks Scott is “ a really admirable person , ” but he hasn ’ t been really visionary on how to address these issues .
Scott cruised to the Republican Party ’ s nomination to seek his third , two-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vermont Gov .
Phil Scott has won the Republican nomination to seek his third , two-year term as the state ’ s top elected official .
Scott defeated four little-known Republican challengers on Tuesday to win his party ’ s nomination to run in the November election .
He didn ’ t hire staff or actively campaign during the primary , citing the coronavirus .
When announcing his reelection plans in May , Scott said , “ Facing , fighting and defeating this virus — and rebuilding a stronger , more resilient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the Democratic side , there ’ s a competitive race for the nomination between Lt. Gov .
David Zuckerman and former Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe , who has never run for office .
There are also two lesser-known Democratic candidates .
Vermont and New Hampshire are the only two states in the country where governors serve two-year terms .
Biden defeated Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Tuesday ’ s ballot .
Sanders and Gabbard dropped out of the race months ago but didn ’ t ask the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remove their names from the ballot .
Biden visited Connecticut in October , when he appeared at a fundraiser hosted by Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont and his wife , Annie , at their home in Greenwich .
Biden was expected to visit the state in March for another fundraising event at a private home , but that was scrapped because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Biden is set to be formally nominated as the Democratic presidential nominee at next week ’ s Democratic National Convention .
On Tuesday , he announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mate .
In 2016 , Connecticut went for Democrat Hillary Clinton over the Republican Trump by about 13 percentage points .
Trump on Tuesday defeated California real estate developer and perennial candidate Rocky De La Fuente .
Former Massachusetts Gov .
William Weld and former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh were also in the race at one point but later withdrew .
Connecticut Republican Party chair J.R. Romano had criticized Secretary of the State Denise Merrill for holding a GOP primary , saying it was a waste of money for communities because Trump faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was following state law .
De La Fuente was endorsed by the Alliance and Reform parties and has appeared on the ballot in at least a half dozen states as a Republican .
He is the onetime owner of more than two dozen car dealerships .
In 2016 , Connecticut went for Democrat Hillary Clinton over the Republican Trump by about 13 percentage points .
A Republican congressional candidate in Connecticut has abruptly ended his campaign on the day of his primary election following his arrest on a domestic assault charge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested late Monday and dropped out of the race because of “ the severity of the accusations.
“ The party had endorsed Gilmer over his primary opponent .
Wethersfield police say Gilmer was charged on a warrant with first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation and posted a $ 5,000 bond .
In a statement obtained by the Hartford Courant , Gilmer said , “ I can not in good conscience move forward in this campaign while I am simultaneously forced to clear my name .
And clear my name I will.
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was competing against Justin Anderson , of East Haddam , a lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut Army National Guard who served two combat tours in Afghanistan .
The winner of the race in November will face U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney , a Democrat who is favoured to win reelection to represent a district spanning eastern Connecticut .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--The Latest: Australian state reports record 21 virus deaths

SYDNEY , Australia — The Australian state of Victoria on Wednesday reported a record 21 virus deaths and 410 new cases from an outbreak in the city of Melbourne which has prompted authorities to impose a strict lockdown .
State Premier Daniel Andrews said 16 of the deaths were linked to aged-care facilities .
The number of new cases in Victoria is down from the peak , giving authorities some hope the outbreak is waning .
Meanwhile , three Melbourne vloggers were each fined more than $ 1,000 after posting a video to Chinese social media showing them breaching nighttime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run , the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported .
The five-minute video , since deleted , showed the international students walking through alleys , dodging police officers and dancing inside a McDonald ’ s restaurant at 2:30 a.m. Sunday , the ABC said .
Victoria police confirmed each of the students was fined 1,652 Australian dollars ( $ 1,178 ) .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK : — Transit systems around the world are requiring riders to wear masks and encouraging people to socially distance .
Experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people talk or cough , so the best prevention is a mask and staying 6 feet apart .
— Kids give their opinion on whether they should go back to school in-person or online .
They join parents , teachers , public health experts and President Donald Trump , who have weighed in on the topic .
HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : SEOUL , South Korea -- South Korea has reported 54 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 as health authorities scramble to stem transmissions amid increased social and leisure activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wednesday brought the national caseload to 14,714 infections , including 305 deaths .
The KCDC says 35 of the new cases were local transmissions , all but three of them reported from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area , which has been at the centre of a virus resurgence since late May .
The other 19 cases were linked to international arrivals .
Health authorities have said imported cases are less threatening as they mandate tests and enforce two-week quarantines on all people arriving from abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infections , bringing the country ’ s total confirmed cases so far to 492,522 .
At that rate Mexico will reach a half million confirmed cases soon , but given the extremely low rate of testing — less than 1.1 million tests in a country of almost 130 million inhabitants — the number would like be a vast undercount .
For the most part , only people with considerable symptoms are tested in Mexico .
RALEIGH , N.C. — North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper has won another legal victory defending his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a judge rejected Lt. Gov .
Dan Forest ’ s demand that they be blocked by declaring his lawsuit as unlikely to succeed .
The Republican lieutenant governor sued Cooper last month , alleging the Democrat ’ s orders limiting business activities and mass gatherings and mandating face coverings were unlawful because he failed to first get support from the Council of State .
The 10-member council includes both of them , Attorney General Josh Stein and other statewide elected officials .
Cooper ’ s state attorneys argued that the governor acted properly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that don ’ t require the concurrence of the council .
Cooper and Forest are running for governor this fall .
Forest said in a news release that since the judge ruled “ Cooper has 100 % of the power during a declared emergency , ” then the governor also “ has 100 % of the responsibility ” for the results , including permanent business closings .
Cooper has said Forest ’ s legal actions , if successful , could worsen case and hospitalization numbers that have recently stabilized or improved .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with health and safety measures to save lives , ” spokesperson Dory MacMillan wrote in an email .
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said he plans to tell a visiting group from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that long delays in getting coronavirus test results have been “ very problematic ” and to press them for a strategic approach to deploying a vaccine once it is available .
Long waits across the country for the results of coronavirus tests renders them virtually useless in helping to contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials say .
The group is doing a site visit in Philadelphia through Thursday , part of a tour of a handful of cities around the country , Farley said .
Farley said he views the visit as a way to show what the city has been doing in terms of prevention , contact tracing and social distancing efforts .
JACKSON , MISS .
- Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves said college football is “ essential ” Tuesday , a day after President Donald Trump tweeted in support of colleges moving forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
“ What do opponents of football think , these kids will end up in a bubble without it ?
You can get COVID anywhere , ” Reeves tweeted Tuesday afternoon .
“ There are forces who want to cancel everything to avoid risk at all societal costs .
It ’ s foolish .
We have to balance risk & costs.
” Two of college football ’ s five power conferences , Big Ten and Pac-12 , announced Tuesday that teams won ’ t play football this fall because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision , saying that in Mississippi , officials have been working with big football schools like Mississippi State and the University of Mississippi to design a season that does not compromise the safety of players or fans .
“ I personally believe that we can play college football , I don ’ t think you can do it in a stadium with a hundred thousand people in it - that certainly doesn ’ t make sense , ” he said at a press conference .
President Trump has adamantly said that he supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , he tweeted , “ Play College Football.
” Reeves said many of these players have been practicing for months over the summer and have built careers on football .
Some have college scholarships riding on athletics .
“ There is risk in all of life .
There are things we can do to manage it without destroying society , ” he said .
TALLAHASSEE , Fla. — Gov .
Ron DeSantis wants college football to be played in Florida this fall despite the coronavirus outbreak .
Speaking Tuesday at Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the sport can be played safely .
The players are tested weekly and are told not to socialize with outsiders .
He said if the season is cancelled , the players won ’ t have that discipline and will be more likely to catch the virus .
His push came shortly after the state announced 277 more deaths from the virus .
That is a one-day record , but likely includes deaths from the weekend and earlier and is not a pure 24-hour total .
DeSantis ’ football push happened hours before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference to postpone its season to the spring , something the smaller Mid-American and the Mountain West conferences already had done .
The Pac-12 also postponed its season , but the South ’ s two primary conferences , the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast , are planning to play .
SAN DIEGO -- California ’ s second-largest school district announced stricter reopening guidelines than the state , and officials say it will be months before students can return to campus .
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the San Diego Unified School District will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven community outbreaks over a week-long period .
That requirement is on top of the California state measure that requires counties have a case rate of 100 or fewer cases per 100,000 people for two weeks before allowing public or private schools to reopen .
San Diego County had 105 cases per 100,000 people Tuesday and 24 community outbreaks over the week-long period .
MIAMI — The Pan American Health Organization has expressed reservations over reports that institutions in the region were negotiating to manufacture and distribute a new COVID-19 vaccine announced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard , extensive safety and efficacy trials .
The organization ’ s deputy director , Jarbas Barbosa , said in an online news conference Tuesday from Washington that any vaccine should be carefully evaluated to ensure the product is safe and effective .
In Brazil , Parana state ’ s government said it is negotiating with the Russian Embassy to participate in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine , and will be holding a technical meeting Wednesday with Russia ’ s ambassador .
Nicaragua earlier announced plans to produce a Russian vaccine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife of President Daniel Ortega , again said the country was in contact with Russian institutions to produce and even export a COVID-19 vaccine .
Barbosa said the vaccine has not yet gone through all the steps needed so that it could be recommended by the World Health Organization or the Pan American Health Organization .
He said global health officials were talking with Russian officials to review their data and clinical trials .
“ Only after that review , having access in a transparent way to those data and all the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position , ” he said .
CONCORD , N.H. — New Hampshire Gov .
Chris Sununu has issued an executive order requiring masks to be worn at scheduled gatherings of more than 100 people .
Sununu , a Republican , had resisted calls to mandate the use of face coverings to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .
With Tuesday ’ s order , all six New England states have some kind of mask mandate .
In general , they are far more restrictive than New Hampshire and require masks to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t possible .
The order will be tested later this month at the annual Laconia Motorcycle Week , which typically attracts thousands of people to the state .
Sununu recently formed a task force on ensuring safety at the event , which is set for Aug. 22-30 .
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin Stitt , the first governor in the nation to test positive for the coronavirus , says he has donated plasma to help other virus patients recover .
Stitt says he made the donation recently at an Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plasma is being researched as a potential treatment for the virus .
Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith was infected with the virus and she says she ’ s donated plasma .
Oklahoma has reported 44,728 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 618 deaths .
ROSEMONT , Ill. — The Big Ten Conference won ’ t be playing football this fall because of concerns about COVID-19 .
Conference officials made the announcement Tuesday .
The conference includes historic programs such as Ohio State , Michigan , Nebraska and Penn State .
Six days ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hoped would help navigate a fall season with potential COVID-19 disruptions .
JUNEAU , Alaska — A crew member on an Alaska state ferry has tested positive for the coronavirus , which caused a cancellation of the service in Southeast Alaska .
The Alaska Marine Highway System says the planned run of the ferry M/V LeConte in Lynn Canal near Juneau was cancelled Sunday after the diagnosis was obtained .
The ferry system says the crew member recently returned home after a two-week rotation on the LeConte .
The remainder of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to travel until the early Sunday , leading to the decision to postpone the sailing to Haines and Skagway until Wednesday .
IOWA CITY , Iowa — Three of the eight drive-through coronavirus testing sites in Iowa were damaged from Monday ’ s windstorm and are temporarily closed .
Gov .
Kim Reynolds says the closure of the sites in Cedar Rapids , Marshalltown and Davenport has temporarily reduced access to testing in those areas , just as students and educators prepare to return to public schools .
Reynolds says six elderly coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were evacuated during the storm .
She says the state hoped to reopen the Test Iowa sites quickly , and those needing tests could also seek out other options .
The governor says she doesn ’ t believe test samples were destroyed during the storm .
Iowa has more than 49,200 confirmed coronavirus cases and 939 deaths .
ATLANTA — A Georgia school district has quarantined more than 800 students because of possible exposure to the coronavirus since it resumed in-person teaching last week .
Data updated Tuesday by the Cherokee County School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantined 42 staff members since the start of the year on Aug. 3 .
The district serves more than 42,000 students .
A district spokeswoman says the district anticipated the possibility of positive tests among students and staff and put a system in place to quickly contact trace and mandate quarantines .
Other Atlanta-area school districts scrapped in-person learning amid a spike in cases of COVID-19 in Georgia .
DOVER , Del .
— Delaware officials are using $ 40 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to help people struggling to make their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Officials announced Monday that they are reopening the Delaware Housing Assistance Program , which provides financial assistance for renters affected by COVID-19 .
The program was initially launched in March but halted in April following an overwhelming number of applications .
Under the revised program , up to $ 5,000 will be available for those with a maximum household income post-pandemic at or below 60 per cent of the area median .
Applications must now be submitted by landlords or property owners on behalf of tenants , and payments will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Delaware State Housing Authority also is providing emergency assistance of up to $ 5,000 to homeowners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program , which was established several years ago .
Funding for the housing assistance is being split equally between the state and New Castle County using Coronavirus Relief Funds received from the federal government .
JACKSON , Miss .
— Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves says the state can not afford $ 100 per week the state is being asked to pay to bolster unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Republican governor is praising President Donald Trump for proposing that states provide the money .
The federal government ’ s $ 600-a-week jobless benefit supplement recently expired .
That prompted Trump on Saturday to bypass the nation ’ s lawmakers and claim the authority to replace the expired benefit with a lower amount , with the federal government paying $ 300 a week and the states paying $ 100 a week .
Critics question the validity of the order .
Reeves says Mississippi had $ 706 million in its unemployment trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the fund had $ 489 million .
That included $ 181 million that came from the federal government through a coronavirus relief act .
Mississippi is currently spending about $ 22 million a week from its unemployment trust fund , and the Trump proposal would double the state ’ s weekly expense , Reeves says .
He adds that would drain Mississippi ’ s unemployment trust fund in about 10 weeks .
The state has reported 68,293 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,944 deaths .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--MLB: Astros coach receives 20-game suspension, Laureano six

OAKLAND , Calif. - Houston Astros hitting coach Álex Cintrón received a 20-game suspension and a fine Tuesday for his role in a benches-clearing brawl at Oakland , while Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano was given a six-game suspension and a fine .
Cintrón ’ s suspension is the longest for an on-field transgression in 15 years , since Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers received 20 games for his altercation with two cameramen in 2005 .
“ I accept MLB ’ s suspension and will learn from this , “ Cintrón said in a statement .
” Although I never referenced Ramon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inappropriate .
I apologize for my part in Sunday ’ s unfortunate incident .
As coaches , we are held to a higher standard and should be an example to the players .
Hopefully , other coaches will learn from my mistake so that this never happens again in the future.
” Laureano appealed , so his discipline didn ’ t begin Tuesday night in Oakland ’ s game against the Angels .
He was in the lineup batting second and playing centre field at Angel Stadium .
Laureano was hit by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the seventh inning of Oakland ’ s 7-2 victory Sunday .
He began exchanging words with a gesturing Cintrón then left first base , threw down his batting helmet and began sprinting toward the 41-year-old Cintrón .
Astros catcher Dustin Garneau tackled Laureano before the A ’ s outfielder got to the hitting coach .
Laureano is a former Astros player and the rival clubs have been the top two in the AL West the past two years .
A ’ s pitcher Mike Fiers , another former Houston player , revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Athletic .
Laureano was hit for the third time in the weekend series swept by Oakland — the fifth time the A ’ s were hit in all while the Astros didn ’ t get plunked once — and he pointed at Castellanos .
Players rushed out of both dugouts .
Laureano was ejected by plate umpire Ted Barrett , and the umpiring crew could easily be heard yelling at the players to “ get back to the dugout !
” through a ballpark with no fans .
“ I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threw the book at us big time .
But what can you do ?
” said Astros manager Dusty Baker , who had already been ejected by the time the brawl occurred and didn ’ t see it on TV .
“ The ruling is the ruling .
I talked to the powers that be in the commissioner ’ s office this afternoon and we had a good conversation .
So ... we have to deal with it and hopefully this brings our guys even closer together .
He was a big part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lost the AL wild-card game each of the past two seasons after winning 97 games both years to place second in the AL West behind three-time reigning division champion Houston , which won a World Series in 2017 and an AL pennant last season .
Laureano began Tuesday batting .259 with three homers and 10 RBIs as the A ’ s regular centre fielder and No .
2 hitter .
“ It ’ s just something we have to deal with , ” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said of the suspension .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions , and whatever I think about them doesn ’ t really matter anyway , so I think the best thing to do is try to get it behind us as quickly as we can.
” Melvin wasn ’ t sure how he would potentially structure his outfield and lineup without Laureano for several games .
“ You can ’ t replace him , “ Melvin said .
“ You just have to play short.
” The Dodgers and Astros had their own dustup when Los Angeles visited Houston last month .
LA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Astros when the sign-stealing scam was happening .
In announcing the punishments , MLB said Cintrón ’ s discipline was “ for his role in inciting and escalating the conflict between the two clubs.
” Given the coronavirus pandemic , baseball has established strict guidelines about avoiding brawls .
“ The explanation was that he ’ s a coach and especially with the COVID situation out here ... in essence they ’ re not going to stand for it , ” Baker said .
“ Basically , somebody had to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re going through.
” A former infielder from Puerto Rico , Cintrón played parts of nine major league seasons with Arizona , the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore and Washington .
He won ’ t be eligible to coach again until Sept. 2 , when the Astros are scheduled to host Texas .
“ Cintron said what he did was wrong , and he apologized for it , ” Baker said .
“ It still doesn ’ t take the fact away that it happened.
” AP Sports Writers Krisite Rieken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Cartel member arrested in 2018 YouTube commentator killing

MEXICO CITY - Prosecutors in southern Mexico said Tuesday they have arrested an alleged lieutenant of a drug gang for the 2018 murder of a YouTube commentator in Acapulco .
The Guerrero state prosecutors office said the suspect had once been the second in command of the Independent Cartel of Acapulco .
The office identified the man only by his first names , Edgar Saúl , in keeping with anti-incrimination rules .
The victim , Leslie Ann Pamela Montenegro , was known by her YouTube persona as “ Nana Pelucas.
” Before her death , she had been threatened by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its commentary on local events in the resort city .
She was shot to death by men who walked into a restaurant she ran near Acapulco ’ s tourist zone .
Montenegro used a big wig and glasses to deliver chatty , comic commentary and criticisms , some concerning the local government .
It is not the first time bloggers and other people who post on social media have been targeted by drug gangs in Mexico , for allegedly revealing information about their activities .
In 2011 , a woman who used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found decapitated by a drug cartel in the border city of Nuevo Laredo .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Memorial set in Houston for slain Texas soldier

HOUSTON - A memorial for a slain Texas soldier has been scheduled more than three months after she was killed by a fellow soldier at Fort Hood , an attorney for the family announced Tuesday .
The service is set for Friday at the same field on which Vanessa Guillen once played soccer as a high school athlete , Guillen family attorney Natalie Khawam said in a news release .
The Catholic service will run from noon to 8 p.m. at Cesar E. Chavez High School in Houston .
It will be open to the public and will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hood on April 22 , and Army officials confirmed July 6 that her remains had been found .
Investigators said she was bludgeoned to death on base by a fellow soldier , who later killed himself , according to a federal complaint .
Civilian Cecily Aguilar , 22 , is charged with a federal count of conspiracy to destroy evidence in helping dispose of the body .
She has pleaded not guilty and is being held at the Bell County Jail .
Guillen ’ s death is under investigation by Army officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent review of the command climate at Fort Hood following Guillen ’ s slaying .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--The Latest: Sarah Palin offers running mate advice to Harris

WASHINGTON - The Latest on Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden ’ s selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate ( all times local ) : Former Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin is congratulating Kamala Harris on the historic nature of being selected as Joe Biden ’ s running mate — and offering some advice on how best to fill the role .
“ Congrats , ” Palin wrote in an Instagram post .
“ Climb upon Geraldine Ferraro ’ s and my shoulders , and from the most amazing view in your life consider lessons we learned.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was John McCain ’ s running mate in 2008 .
Democrat Ferraro ran with Walter Mondale in 1984 .
Harris is the first Black woman to run for vice-president on a major-party ticket .
Palin ’ s post included a series of tips for Harris , including “ trust no one new , ” “ fight mightily to keep your own team with you , ” “ don ’ t get muzzled ” and “ don ’ t forget the women who came before you.
” She also warned Harris that “ yahoos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own self-centred agenda “ and urged Harris to ” stay connected with America as you smile and ignore deceptive ‘ handlers ’ trying to change you.
” McCain and Palin were defeated in 2008 by Barack Obama and his running mate , Biden .
President Donald Trump says he ’ s “ a little surprised ” that his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , has selected Kamala Harris as his running mate .
Trump told reporters at a White House briefing that Harris “ was very disrespectful to Joe Biden ” during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hard to pick somebody that ’ s that disrespectful.
” He ’ s also noting that Harris ” did very poorly ” when she ran for the nomination — she dropped out in December — and says , “ That ’ s like a poll.
” Trump is trying to paint Harris as too far left , saying she wants to raise taxes , slash funds for the militarily and ban fracking .
He ’ s also noting her tough questioning of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate confirmation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was my No .
1 draft pick and we ’ ll see how she works out.
” Biden ’ s campaign announced his decision to pick Harris as his running mate earlier Tuesday .
Trump last month had said she would be “ a fine choice.
” Vice-President Mike Pence is welcoming his Democratic rival to the race after former vice-president Joe Biden named California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate .
Speaking in Arizona , the Republican used the opportunity to attack the Biden-Harris ticket .
“ As you all know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been overtaken by the radical left , ” Pence said .
“ So given their promises of higher taxes , open borders , socialized medicine and abortion on demand , it ’ s no surprise that he chose Senator Harris.
” Pence plugged the Oct. 7 vice-presidential debate , scheduled to take place in Utah .
“ So my message to the Democratic nominee for vice-president : Congratulations .
I ’ ll see you in Salt Lake City !
” Former Vice-President Joe Biden says he picked Sen. Kamala Harris as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ready to lead ” and “ understands the pain that so many people in our nation are suffering.
” Biden says in an email to supporters that Harris can be the partner to help him deliver on his promises to make sustainable changes to the country , which he characterizes as damaged by President Donald Trump .
Referencing his time as vice-president to Barack Obama , Biden says his pick of Harris reflects a “ governing decision ” rather than a political one , noting that they would inherit “ a nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Biden says he and Harris would be holding a fundraiser Wednesday “ so she can get a chance to talk to some of the grassroots supporters who have powered this campaign.
” Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth says she has “ never been more confident ” that Joe Biden is the leader the country needs after he announced Kamala Harris as his running mate .
Duckworth was among the women the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee considered as his vice-presidential nominee .
She said on Twitter she will work hard to elect Biden and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state attorney general .
“ I ’ m all in for the Biden-Harris ticket and hope you will join me in helping ensure that he and Kamala are able to defeat Donald Trump and restore the soul of America this November , ” Duckworth says .
Former President Barack Obama is hailing his former vice-president ’ s running mate selection , saying , “ Joe Biden nailed this decision.
” “ By choosing Senator Kamala Harris as America ’ s next vice-president , he ’ s underscored his own judgment and character , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ” ideal partner to help him tackle the very real challenges America faces right now and in the years ahead.
” Climate activist Al Gore is praising Joe Biden ’ s choice of running mate as a victory for those who care about combating the climate crisis .
Gore said in a tweet that Kamala Harris “ has made climate and environmental justice a top priority ” in her political career , and he said she ’ d be a “ strong advocate in the White House.
” Gore is a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once served as a Tennessee senator alongside Biden .
Gore already has endorsed Biden and has since worked with him on his climate plans .
Biden stops short of embracing some of the progressives ’ most aggressive timelines for eliminating carbon pollution from the U.S. economy , but Gore has praised Biden ’ s climate agenda as ambitious and necessary .
And Gore says proposals to overhaul the energy grid and retrofit existing infrastructure and buildings will create millions of new jobs .
In her first public statement since Joe Biden named her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Kamala Harris says she ’ s “ honoured ” to join the Democrats ’ presumptive presidential nominee on the party ’ s November ticket .
Harris said on Twitter that Biden “ can unify the American people because he ’ s spent his life fighting for us.
” She said Biden would build a country that “ lives up to our ideals.
” Her brief statement did not address the historic nature of her nomination .
Harris is the first Black woman to join a major party ticket in U.S. history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the office if Biden defeats President Donald Trump .
The 55-year-old senator and the 77-year-old former vice-president are slated to appear together for the first time as a ticket Wednesday afternoon in Biden ’ s hometown of Wilmington , Delaware .
They will be formally nominated next week as part of Democrats ’ virtual convention .
Harris will accept her nomination Wednesday .
Biden will accept his nomination Thursday .
Georgia voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams is congratulating Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris after Joe Biden announced the California senator as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams tweeted that she spoke “ at length ” with the 77-year-old Biden over the weekend and again Tuesday .
The presumptive presidential nominee called several women he considered for the ticket to let them know they were not his final choice .
Abrams praised Biden ’ s “ focus on reaching out to every corner of our country ” and pledged to work for “ Team # BidenHarris ” through November .
The 46-year-old Abrams remains a rising Democratic star , though her next move in the party remains unclear .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor that would have made her the first Black woman elected to lead a U.S. state .
She is considering another run for governor in 2022 .
She has also formed a voting rights group that is working with the Biden campaign and other Democratic allies to help educate voters and prepare them to vote amid the coronavrius pandemic .
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn says Joe Biden ’ s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate will energize voters ahead of the general election fight against President Donald Trump .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get people to turn out the vote , ” Clyburn told MSNBC Tuesday .
Clyburn ’ s backing helped boost Biden across the South Carolina primary finish line , propelling him into victories in later nominating contests .
Clyburn says he and other Democrats will devote themselves to working toward Biden ’ s victory in the November election , saying , “ We are dedicating this entire election year to my late friend , John R. Lewis , “ the civil rights icon who died last month .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fellow Californian Kamala Harris after Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden selected the senator as his running mate .
Garcetti is one of Biden ’ s campaign co-chairs and a co-chair of the search committee that helped Biden navigate his options before making Harris the first Black woman to join a U.S. major party national ticket .
The mayor notes in a statement that he and Harris “ have been friends for many years , ” recalling their work together on then-Sen. Barack Obama ’ s presidential campaign in 2008 .
Obama went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate .
Garcetti calls Harris a “ true ally ” for people “ who have needed a voice within the corridors of power.
” Should Biden win in November and Harris take office as vice-president , Garcetti would be eyed as a potential successor for her Senate seat .
In a statement , Trump adviser Katrina Pierson says Harris “ will abandon her own morals , as well as try to bury her record as a prosecutor , in order to appease the anti-police extremists controlling the Democrat Party.
” Pierson says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s radical manifesto , calling for trillions of dollars in new taxes and backing Bernie Sanders ’ government takeover of healthcare.
” Pierson calls Harris “ proof that Joe Biden is an empty shell being filled with the extreme agenda of the radicals on the left.
” For weeks , Trump ’ s campaign promised an aggressive response against whomever was selected by Biden as his running mate .
Says Pierson , “ At the ballot box , Americans will resoundingly reject the abysmal failures of Biden-Harris in favour of the America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice-President Mike Pence.
” Joe Biden has chosen California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate .
It ’ s a move that fulfills the wish of Democrats clamouring to see a woman of colour on a major party ’ s presidential ticket for the first time in history .
The 55-year-old Harris was elected to the Senate in 2016 after serving as California ’ s attorney general .
Harris competed against Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination but left the race before voting began as she struggled to raise money .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential campaign came at the expense of Biden , when she slammed his past opposition to school busing .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Texas court holds jury trial in traffic crime case over Zoom

DALLAS - The jurors appeared on screen from their living rooms , bedrooms and home offices .
Juror 11 took notes as a sheriff ’ s deputy testified about giving a speeding ticket .
Juror 18 occasionally looked away as a white cat scampered across her couch .
They gathered on a video conference call Tuesday in what Texas court officials said is a national first — a virtual jury trial in a criminal case .
“ You ’ re here today for jury duty in a different way , ” Judge Nicholas Chu said at the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty by Zoom.
” The Travis County misdemeanour traffic case is the latest experiment in how to resume jury proceedings in a criminal justice system that ’ s been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic .
It was greeted by lawyers and legal experts as a low-risk step forward , but one that could imperil defendants ’ rights .
Nationwide , the virus has put many court cases on indefinite hold and left some defendants in jail longer , possibly exposing them to outbreaks .
It has forced judges to hold hearings via video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold oral arguments by phone for the first time in its history .
In Texas , fewer than 10 jury trials have been held since state courts resumed in-person proceedings in June , according to Megan LaVoie , a spokeswoman for the state judicial branch .
She said Tuesday ’ s case was picked as the first criminal jury trial to be held virtually in the U.S. because both sides agreed and it was “ ready to go.
” The trial of Calli Kornblau , an Austin-area nurse charged with speeding in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on YouTube .
At some points , there were more than 1,000 people tuned in to hear testimony about traffic rules and the workings of police laser speed readers .
Chu cautioned the jurors that the unusual setting made their work no less serious , warned them against using Google to search about the case and forbade them from posting about it on social media .
He asked for their patience with technological “ hiccups ” and apologized for the proceeding taking much longer than expected .
Soon before 5 p.m. , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sent to a private virtual room where they could look at the evidence and deliberate .
They took about 30 minutes to return a guilty verdict .
Kornblau was given a deferred adjudication , and ordered to pay a $ 50 fine and court costs .
Her case comes after another Texas court held an experimental civil jury trial in May .
Defence attorneys have raised constitutional and logistical concerns about e-court for criminal cases , saying they already struggle to speak privately with their clients during routine hearings held remotely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strike a tricky balance ; they must advance cases to give people speedy trials and prevent an overwhelming backlog while preserving defendants ’ rights .
Whether trial by Zoom can achieve this equilibrium is unclear .
Daniel Medwed , a professor at Northeastern University School of Law , said one concern is that video won ’ t allow jurors to assess witness ’ credibility through demeanour and body language .
Another is that it falls short of the constitutional guarantee that defendants can confront witnesses .
There are also questions about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nature of jury deliberation .
And a conviction through such a trial might run into trouble on appeal , said Laurie Levenson , a professor at Loyola Law School and former federal prosecutor .
“ It ’ s a grand experiment , ” said Levenson .
“ Whether or not it will comply with the Constitution still remains to be seen .
”


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--DNA links Arkansas man to 1996 Alaska  strangulation death

ANCHORAGE , Alaska - A DNA match has solved the strangulation murder of a teenager in southeast Alaska , a case that was cold for 24 years and saw another man acquitted of the crime after confessing , Alaska State Troopers said Tuesday .
DNA obtained from Steve Branch , 66 , of Austin , Arkansas , at an autopsy matched that of a sample left at the scene where Jessica Baggen , 17 , was sexually assaulted and killed in Sitka in 1996 , troopers said .
Troopers interviewed Branch at his Arkansas home on Aug. 3 , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide a DNA sample .
A half-hour after troopers left , they said he killed himself .
A warrant was obtained to collect DNA at the autopsy , which came back Monday as a positive match to the sample collected at the crime scene .
“ While Branch will never face a jury of his peers in this case , we can finally say that Jessica ’ s case is solved , ” Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Amanda Price said at a news conference .
Baggen disappeared on May 4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birthday .
She vanished in the early morning hours while walking home from her sister ’ s residence .
Two days later , her body was found buried in a hollowed-out area under a fallen tree in a wooded area near the campus of the former Sheldon Jackson College , troopers said .
Within days a man confessed .
Troopers said while there was circumstantial evidence , no physical evidence connected the man to the case .
He was found not guilty of all charges .
Over the years , DNA comparisons have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hoping to give the case new life , a DNA sample was uploaded to a public genealogy database in February 2019 .
By the end of last year , Branch emerged as a new suspect , troopers said .
About the same time Baggen was killed , the investigation found that Branch was arrested in the sexual assault of another teenager in Sitka .
He was later acquitted at trial .
In 2010 , he moved to Arkansas .
Earlier this year , police in Sitka obtained discarded DNA from one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis in May determined Branch was most likely the source of the DNA found on Baggen ’ s clothing and body , leading troopers to visit Branch in Arkansas .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--1000s of Korean labourers still lost after WWII, Cold War end

SEOUL , Korea , Republic Of - Shin Yun-sun describes her life as a maze of dead ends .
The South Korean has spent many of her 75 years pestering government officials , digging into records and searching burial grounds on a desolate Russian island , desperately searching for traces of a father she never met .
Shin wants to bring back the remains of her presumed-dead father for her ailing 92-year-old mother , Baek Bong-rye .
Japan ’ s colonial government conscripted Shin ’ s father for forced labour from their farming village in September 1943 , when Baek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75th anniversary of the end of the war nears , the thousands of conscripted Korean men who vanished on Sakhalin Island are a largely forgotten legacy of Japan ’ s brutal rule of the Korean Peninsula , which ended with Tokyo ’ s Aug. 15 , 1945 , surrender .
Shin vows to never stop searching for her father but fears time is running out .
“ Family members ( of Sakhalin labourers ) are dying every day , and I can ’ t even put into words how impatient I feel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at her Seoul home .
It ’ s unclear what happened to many of the forced Korean conscripts on Sakhalin .
They disappeared during extreme tumult .
WWII ended with the Korean Peninsula divided into a Soviet-backed north and U.S.-backed south , and the devastating 1950-53 Korean War followed .
In the ensuing decades , Cold War animosities saw the rival Koreas regularly threatening each other with war .
About 400 aging relatives like Shin hope to bring back the remains of the missing workers , seeking closure after years of emotional misery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcibly mobilized around 30,000 Koreans as workers during the late 1930s and 1940s on what was then called Karafuto , or the Japanese-occupied southern half of Sakhalin , near the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido .
They endured grueling labour in coal mines and logging and construction sites as part of Imperial Japan ’ s wartime economy , which became heavily dependent on conscripted Korean labour when Japanese men were sent to war fronts .
Families thought their loved ones would return when Japan ’ s surrender in WWII cemented the Soviet Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet authorities repatriated thousands of Japanese nationals from Sakhalin .
But they refused to send back the Koreans , who had become stateless after the war , apparently to meet labour shortages in the island ’ s coal mines and elsewhere .
Moscow ’ s attitude hardened further after Communist ally North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950 ; most of the Korean labourers in Sakhalin had come from the South .
South Korea and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1990 and about 4,000 Koreans have returned from Sakhalin since .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their relatives long before then have seen little progress .
“ The Soviet Union detained him , prevented him from going home and exploited his labour , ” Shin said about her father , who , according to Russian records , worked at a logging site at least until the end of 1951 .
“ ( The Russian government ) should at least find and send back his remains.
” Last year , Shin and other relatives submitted petitions to a United Nations group for help locating 25 Sakhalin Koreans .
The U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to search for 10 of them first , said Ethan Hee-Seok Shin , a legal advocate from the Seoul-based Transitional Justice Working Group who has helped with the petitions .
While Soviet authorities offered the Korean workers Soviet or North Korean citizenship beginning in the 1950s , many chose to remain stateless in hopes of eventually returning to South Korea .
When some Korean workers protested for a return to South Korea in 1976 , Soviet officials responded by sending 40 of them and their families to North Korea , a move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990s , it was also difficult for South Koreans to campaign for repatriation because people with family connections in communist countries were often stigmatized amid broad anti-communist sentiment .
Shin said it has only been the last two decades when relatives felt comfortable talking openly about their missing fathers .
This meant their plight got less attention than other atrocities tied to Japan ’ s colonial rule of Korea , including military sexual slavery and labour conscriptions to mainland Japan , said Bang Il-kwon , a scholar at Seoul ’ s Hankuk University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member , Lee Gwang-nam , 76 , bears a striking resemblance to his missing father , who was conscripted on the same day as Shin ’ s father from their hometown of Imsil .
Lee is eager to end a “ lifelong wait ” by his 93-year-old mother , who wants to be buried with her husband when she dies .
Lee received a letter from an ethnic Korean in Sakhalin in 1990 who claimed of hearing that his father had died , sometime in the late 1960s .
He still has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t until 2011 when a South Korean government commission investigating colonial-era forced mobilization arranged joint efforts with Russia to identify and return the remains of the Koreans in Sakhalin who died before the 1990s .
After spending years examining dozens of the island ’ s poorly kept cemeteries , where stone or wooden markers were often missing , damaged or indistinguishable , South Korean researchers concluded in 2015 that at least 5,000 graves belonged to Korean forced labourers .
But the efforts lost momentum after Seoul ’ s previous conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mandate after 2015 .
There ’ s been little talk about reviving the activities under the liberal government of President Moon Jae-in , which has clashed with Japan over other wartime grievances but also wants engagement with North Korea .
Bang , who travelled extensively to Sakhalin in past years while helping with the South Korean searches , said the findings remain partial because Russia has refused to allow extensive access to past records of foreign residents , which it protests over privacy safeguards .
Chung Su-jin can ’ t remember the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1942 .
He does remember the packed truck that drove away with his father and other labour conscripts from their village in Uiseong .
Chung ’ s grandfather scurried across a river in hopes of seeing his son one last time , but the workers were already gone .
Chung ’ s family , which was already poor , struggled desperately in his father ’ s absence .
Chung said he worked as a farmhand for other households from the age of 6 , so that he could eat and help support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two younger siblings .
“ All I inherited was poverty , ” said Chung , who at 83 still cleans buildings to make ends meet .
While Seoul has said it hopes to reach a new agreement with Moscow that would expand efforts to find and return the remains , Lee Sang-won , an official from Seoul ’ s Ministry of the Interior and Safety , admits nothing has been fleshed out yet .
“ Who knows how long it will be before my mother is gone , too ?
” she said @


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--New Zealand scrambles to find source of new virus infections

WELLINGTON , New Zealand - Health authorities in New Zealand were scrambling Wednesday to trace the source of a new outbreak of the coronavirus as the nation ’ s largest city went back into lockdown .
Authorities have found four cases of the virus in one Auckland household from an unknown source , the first reported cases of local transmission in the country in 102 days .
The news came as an unpleasant surprise to many and raised questions about whether the nation ’ s general election would go ahead as planned next month .
Authorities said two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the tourist city of Rotorua last weekend while suffering symptoms , and they were now trying to track their movements .
“ We are working with urgency to find out what places the family may have visited while in Rotorua over the weekend , “ Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said .
“ But the important thing is here , people in Rotorua and indeed around the country should be vigilant about their health and seek advice if they have symptoms.
” Auckland was moved to Alert Level 3 at midday Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through midnight Friday .
That means that non-essential workers are required to stay home , while bars , restaurants and most businesses will be closed .
The rest of the country was moved to Alert Level 2 , meaning that mass gatherings are limited to 100 attendees and people are required to socially distance themselves .
Bloomfield said they would use genome sequencing as part of their effort to find the source of the new outbreak .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she had worked quickly to impose the Auckland lockdown measures after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are taking a rapid response to break the chain of transmission through contact tracing , testing , and the gathering of information , ” she said .
Ardern said Aucklanders were also “ strongly encouraged ” but not mandated to wear masks , and that authorities were releasing 5 million masks from a central supply .
New Zealanders have not widely worn masks before , although authorities have been urging people to buy them or fashion them from scarves or bandannas just in case .
The nation ’ s parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a general election on Sept. 19 as lawmakers hit the campaign trail .
But Ardern said she was delaying the dissolution until at least Monday in case lawmakers needed to meet at short notice .
She said she was also seeking advice about options for the election .
Under New Zealand law , the government could delay the election for up to about two months .
The main candidates have already cancelled most of their planned campaign events for the rest of the week .
The outbreak was found after a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday with symptoms and was swabbed twice , testing positive both times .
Six other people in the man ’ s household were then tested , with three more testing positive .
The case has health authorities scratching their heads , as the man had not recently travelled overseas and had no immediately apparent connection with infections contained at the border .
Until Tuesday , the only known cases of the virus in New Zealand were 22 travellers held in quarantine after returning from abroad .
New Zealand has been praised globally for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching 100 days without any known community transmission .
The South Pacific nation of 5 million initially got rid of the virus by imposing a strict lockdown in late March when only about 100 people had tested positive for the disease , stopping its spread .
Life had returned to normal for many people as they attended rugby games at packed stadiums and sat down in bars and restaurants without fear of getting infected .
But some had warned that the country had become complacent .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--More arrests after brawl during Colorado pro-police rally

FORT COLLINS , Colo. - Two more people were arrested Tuesday in connection with a brawl that broke out during a pro-police rally in northern Colorado over the weekend .
A 39-year-old from Gill and a 57-year-old from Kersey were arrested for misdemeanour disorderly conduct , police in Fort Collins said .
Their names have not been released .
While counter-demonstrators saw some of the pro-police rallygoers as the instigators in Saturday ’ s melee , Fort Collins police chief Jeff Swoboda on Monday stood by his statement that there were aggressors on both sides , the Coloradoan reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were armed with weapons , including sidearms , brass knuckles , pepper spray and fireworks .
“ You ’ ll see , when arrest information comes out , ( that ) this was a destination for people looking to get into a fight for some , ” he said , noting that most of the people involved in the fight were not from the city , home to Colorado State University .
Video footage showed members of the pro-law enforcement crowd walking toward counter-protesters who are backing away .
Swoboda criticized those claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting .
“ Simply throwing on an ‘ I support the police ’ T-shirt , but then acting like a person with no regard for the law or safety of other people — that is not support , we do not want your support and we do not need your support , ” he said .
Several people were arrested and cited shortly after the brawl broke out , and investigators say they were aligned with both sides .
Three people were arrested for disorderly conduct , including one who faces an additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second person who faces a charge of resisting arrest .
A fourth person was cited for criminal tampering .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Colombia sanctions 5 soldiers in murder of ex-guerrilla

BOGOTA - Colombian authorities are taking disciplinary action against five soldiers for their roles in the violent death of a former guerrilla whose murder has become one of the most notorious crimes during the nation ’ s peace process .
The attorney general ’ s office announced Tuesday that former Commander Jorge Armando Pérez will be barred from holding any public position for 20 years after being identified as the mastermind behind Dimar Torres ’ death .
The sanction is on top of criminal homicide charges Pérez and four others are facing .
A former member of the Revolutionary Armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April 2019 in the Norte de Santander department bordering Venezuela .
Soldiers tried to hide his body , but villagers eventually found his remains .
The case sparked outrage in a country where soldiers killed several thousand civilians over a decade ago during the height of the military ’ s offensive and counted them as rebels to inflate combat deaths and obtain bonuses .
Then-Defence Minister Guillermo Botero stirred additional anger by initially backing soldier accounts that Torres had been killed during a fight .
Ex-combatants have been killed in alarming numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accord ending Latin America ’ s longest-running conflict .
According to the U.N. Verification Mission in Colombia , 31 former guerrillas have been killed thus far in 2020 and 204 total since the agreement with rebels was reached .
Most of the deaths are taking place in conflict-ridden parts of the country where armed groups compete over drug routes .
Some of the rebels have been killed after rejected attempts by dissident guerrillas to recruit them .
Earlier this year , just 23 people had been sentenced in 228 violent crimes against ex-combatants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torres ’ death to find and kill the person responsible for the death of soldier Pablo Emilio Borja .
The soldiers claimed Torres was a member of another guerrilla group , the National Liberation Army , though in fact he was working as a civilian in agriculture as part of the peace deal .
According to investigators , Daniel Eduardo Gómez shot Torres in the face and back .
He then got help from several other soldiers in hiding his body in the woods .
Gómez has been sentenced to 20 years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father , Jose Manuel Torres , testified at a truth commission hearing earlier this year , describing how he boarded plane for the first time in his life after his son ’ s death to try and find justice for his son with authorities in Bogota .
“ The pain of losing a son is very deep , ” he said .
According to the U.N. , crimes against ex-combatants , social leaders and human rights defenders have continued during the pandemic , which some illegal armed groups have used to strengthen their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak presence .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--U.S. judge: Cities cannot fine people for living outside

GRANTS PASS , Ore. - An Oregon city has joined Boise , Idaho , in eliciting a precedent-setting court ruling that could change how cities nationwide cite and fine people living outside .
A U.S. judge decided last month that Grants Pass , Oregon , violated its homeless residents ’ Eighth Amendment rights by excluding them from parks without due process and citing them for sleeping outside , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
The ruling builds on the landmark 2018 Martin v. City of Boise case that said cities can not make it illegal for people to sleep or rest outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pass City Attorney Mark Bartholomew said the city plans to appeal .
The U.S. Supreme Court last year refused to hear the Martin case , forcing cities to rethink how their policies and law enforcement officials handle growing populations of people without housing .
In Grants Pass , people have been complaining for years to the Oregon Law Center office that their ability to rest was made impossible by local ordinances .
Debra Blake was one of them .
She lost her job and then her housing about 10 years ago and lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 , Blake was lying in her sleeping bag in a park when she was cited for illegal camping and prohibited conduct .
The same day she was cited for criminal trespass on city property .
The fines with those tickets totalled $ 885 and she was also excluded from the parks .
The city has said Blake owes $ 5,000 in stacked up fines and fees .
She is one of several people who joined the case , many with similar debts .
U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark D. Clarke wrote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us not forget that homeless individuals are citizens just as much as those fortunate enough to have a secure living space , ” he said .
Many cities and counties were thrown by the Boise case , which has been widely interpreted as saying that it is unconstitutional to arrest people for what are called “ sit-lie laws ” -- resting and sleeping in public -- if the jurisdiction does not provide adequate shelter or affordable housing .
The Boise case was based in part on the Eighth Amendment -- that arresting homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unusual punishment .
Clarke went further in the Grants Pass case , saying the city ’ s policies amount to excessive fines for doing something that all humans must do -- sleeping , staying dry , staying warm , sitting down -- only applied to a small group of humans .
“ Those activities are just unavoidable and tied up in the status of being unhoused , ” said Ed Johson , head of the Oregon Law Center .
Johnson said the decision still leaves room for cities and counties to regulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope what cities take from it they have a wide range of tools at their disposal , but the tools are not punishing people in their community who have no choice but to be living outside , ” Johnson said .
The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty joined the Oregon Law Center in taking Grants Pass to court .
Tristia Bauman , senior attorney , said she hopes the Boise and Grants Pass cases push cities to rethink how they invest in dealing with homelessness now that criminal and civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied .
This story has been corrected to reflect that the ruling was made last month , not last week .


thetorontostar--2020-08-11--Suit: LA officer fondled dead woman, showed video to others

LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles police officer accused of fondling a dead woman was sued Tuesday by her family , court documents show .
The lawsuit accuses Officer David Rojas of fondling Elizabeth Baggett ’ s breasts and “ feeling her nipples , without limitation , ” as well as showing the body camera video of it to others .
The lawsuit alleges invasion of privacy , intentional infliction of emotional distress , negligence , mishandling of human remains and other offences .
“ I am infuriated that this man had so little respect for another human being , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mother , Janet Baggett , said at a news conference announcing the lawsuit .
“ I personally wake in sweats from the nightmares that haunt me about the events of Elizabeth ’ s death , ” Baggett said .
Rojas , who has been on the force for four years , remains employed by the Los Angeles Police Department .
But he has been suspended , LAPD spokesman Officer Mike Chan said .
The department did not have a comment on the lawsuit , which does not name the agency as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s breast while he was alone in the room with the corpse on Oct. 20 .
He and his partner had responded to the home where she died .
Rojas had allegedly disabled his LAPD body camera , but the act was caught on video when he turned it back on because the devices have two-minute buffering periods to capture what happens right before they are activated , according to a person briefed on the incident who previously spoke to The Associated Press .
The person wasn ’ t authorized to publicly discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on condition of anonymity .
Rojas was charged in January with having sexual contact with human remains without authority .
He has pleaded not guilty and faces up to three years in state prison if convicted .
He is out on bond and scheduled to return to court Sept. 15 , online records show .
The Los Angeles Police Protective League , the union that represents rank-and-file officers , has declined to pay for Rojas ’ legal bills .
The officer ’ s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday .