thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Florida sheriff arrested following sex scandal investigation

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. - A Florida sheriff facing a primary contest within days was arrested Thursday following a sex scandal investigation at his previous job , authorities said .
Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels turned himself in to the jail in nearby Jacksonville on a felony charge of tampering with evidence and three misdemeanour counts of giving false information to law enforcement , the Florida Times-Union reported .
He was expected to be released without bond after being processed .
Daniels previously worked as the Jacksonville Sheriff ’ s Office jails director .
He was elected sheriff of Clay County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed an internal investigation last year into a corrections officer who had been Daniels ’ mistress while he was her supervisor .
Officials said Daniels had tried to get the woman arrested in May 2019 on stalking allegations , and investigators told prosecutors there wasn ’ t enough evidence .
The woman resigned while under investigation for misconduct claims .
Daniels ’ attorney Matt Kachergus told the Times-Union that the timing of the arrest seems suspicious in light of a primary election scheduled for Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where he faces six Republican challengers .
“ It would appear that the timing of this is designed to influence the outcome of that election , ” Kachergus said , adding he only learned two days ago that prosecutors planned to file charges .
To avoid a conflict of interest , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis assigned the case to the State Attorney ’ s Office in Ocala , which does not handle Clay County or Jacksonville cases .
The governor has the authority to suspend local elected officials charged with felonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday night .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--State police exit Portland after 2 weeks of protest duty

PORTLAND , Ore. - Oregon State Police are leaving Portland after a two-week assignment to help protect a federal courthouse that ’ s been a target of protesters during months of conflict in Oregon ’ s largest city .
The state police are “ continually reassessing our resources and the needs of our partner agencies and at this time we are inclined to move those resources back to counties where prosecution of criminal conduct is still a priority , ” Capt .
Timothy R. Fox told television stations .
“ Last night was our last night in Portland.
” Nights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O. Hatfield U.S .
Courthouse previously prompted President Donald Trump to dispatch U.S. agents to guard the building in July , which reinvigorated Black Lives Matter demonstrations and often ended in violent clashes .
The U.S. agents started drawing down in late July under an agreement between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Democratic Gov .
Kate Brown that included state troopers taking their place for two weeks .
Earlier this week , newly elected Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt decided not to prosecute people arrested for non-violent misdemeanours .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been arrested .
So far , fewer than 50 are being prosecuted .
Schmidt has said the new policy recognizes the outrage and frustration over a history of racial injustice that has led to the protests as well as practical realities of the court system , which is running months behind in processing cases because of COVID-19 .
Demonstrators returned to the courthouse Wednesday night and clashes continued into the early morning hours Thursday as some people threw objects as well as set off fireworks and police used tear gas on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were arrested and one officer suffered a hand wound described as serious .
It wasn ’ t clear what the departure of the state police will mean at the federal courthouse as demonstrations continue against police violence and systemic racism .
Fox said state police will reassess if Portland police need assistance .

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Postal Code


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Cook County prosecutors announce charges in week’s looting

CHICAGO - Cook County ’ s state ’ s attorney ’ s office on Thursday announced 42 people have been charged with felonies in connection with the looting of stores along the city ’ s premier retail street that occurred earlier this week .
Prosecutors said among the charges filed include one for attempted murder and 28 for burglary and looting , in addition to aggravated battery , resisting a police officer , theft and criminal damage to property .
“ I am committed to keeping our communities safe and continuing to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cook County , ” State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx said in a statement .
Foxx , who is up for reelection later this year , has been criticized as being too lenient after the looting earlier this summer during the fallout from the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
Earlier this week , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Foxx should make sure there will be consequences for Monday ’ s widespread looting .
“ Our expectation is that this is going to be treated with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Period , ” Lightfoot said .
Foxx pushed back , insisting her office approved charges for the vast majority of looting-related felony arrests resulting from June ’ s violence and looting .
Hundreds of people descended on downtown Chicago early Monday following a police shooting on the city ’ s South Side that wounded a 20-year-old man .
Vandals smashed windows of dozens of businesses and made off with merchandise , cash machines and anything else they could carry , according to authorities .
Police said officers shot Latrell Allen after he fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with attempted murder .
The state ’ s attorney office didn ’ t make clear if tthe charge against Allen is the attempted murder charge it announced Thursday .
The city has imposed a curfew in the central business district that is in place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. that will be in effect until Monday .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Mail-in ballots sent to Trump, First Lady in Florida

PALM BEACH , Fla. - President Donald Trump has requested a mail-in ballot for Florida ’ s Tuesday primary election , despite weeks of criticizing the practice .
Ballots were mailed on Wednesday to both the president and First lady Melania Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort , which Trump lists as his legal address , according to online Palm Beach County elections records .
Both previously voted by mail for the presidential preference primary in March , according to records .
Following multiple claims that mail-in voting was unsafe and vulnerable to fraud , Trump changed his mind about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida .
“ Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting , in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure , Tried and True , ” Trump tweeted last Tuesday .
“ Florida ’ s Voting system has been cleaned up ( we defeated Democrats attempts at change ) , so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail !
” Meanwhile , Trump ’ s campaign and the GOP are suing Nevada over its new vote-by-mail law .
Nevada officials joined several states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Two states , California and Vermont , moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies .
Five other states have relied on mail-in ballots since even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person , but there is no evidence to support Trump ’ s assertion that voting by mail leads to widespread fraud .
Florida voters must request a mail-in ballot in order to receive one .
Statewide in-person early voting began Saturday in Florida while the state continues to grapple with a high number of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatalities and at least 550,000 known virus cases since the pandemic began .
Voters are mainly choosing party nominees for Congress and the state Legislature .
While both parties have pushed voters to cast ballots by mail in recent elections , this year there ’ s been a stronger push during the pandemic .
More than 4.2 million Florida voters have requested a vote-by-mail ballot , and nearly 1.5 million had been returned by Saturday morning , according to a Department of State website .
That compares to nearly 1.3 million cast in @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Critics say Trump is 'sabotaging' the post office before the election by denying USPS funding for ma

Critics say Trump is 'sabotaging' the post office before the election by denying USPS funding for mail-in voting

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump frankly acknowledged Thursday that he ’ s starving the U.S .
Postal Service of money in order to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots , which he worries could cost him the election .
In an interview on Fox Business Network , Trump explicitly noted two funding provisions that Democrats are seeking in a relief package that has stalled on Capitol Hill .
Without the additional money , he said , the Postal Service won ’ t have the resources to handle a flood of ballots from voters who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
“ If we don ’ t make a deal , that means they don ’ t get the money , ” Trump told host Maria Bartiromo .
“ That means they can ’ t have universal mail-in voting ; they just can ’ t have it.
” Trump ’ s statements , including the false claim that Democrats are seeking universal mail-in voting , come as he is searching for a strategy to gain an advantage in his November matchup against Joe Biden .
He ’ s pairing the tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an increasingly robust mail-in-voting legal fight in states that could decide the election .
In Iowa , which Trump won handily in 2016 but is more competitive this year , his campaign joined a lawsuit Wednesday against two Democratic-leaning counties in an effort to invalidate tens of thousands of voters ’ absentee ballot applications .
That followed legal manoeuvrs in battleground Pennsylvania , where the campaign hopes to force changes to how the state collects and counts mail-in ballots .
And in Nevada , Trump is challenging a law sending ballots to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits .
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rebuffed Republicans who challenged an agreement in Rhode Island allowing residents to vote by mail through November ’ s general election without getting signatures from two witnesses or a notary .
For Democrats , Trump ’ s new remarks were a clear admission that the president is attempting to restrict voting rights .
Biden said it was “ Pure Trump .
He doesn ’ t want an election.
” Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said it was “ voter suppression to undermine the safest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and force Americans to risk their lives to vote.
” Negotiations over a big new virus relief package have all but ended , with the White House and congressional leaders far apart on the size , scope and approach for shoring up households , reopening schools and launching a national strategy to contain the coronavirus .
While there is some common ground over $ 100 billion for schools and new funds for virus testing , Democrats also want other emergency funds that Trump rejects .
“ They want $ 3.5 billion for something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s election money , basically , ” Trump said during Thursday ’ s call-in interview .
Democrats have pushed for a total of $ 10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on the COVID-19 response bill .
That figure , which would include money to help with election mail , is down from a $ 25 billion plan in a House-passed coronavirus measure .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has said that the agency is in a financially untenable position , but he maintains it can handle this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major donor to Trump and other Republicans , DeJoy is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee .
“ Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic , the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards , and we will do so , “ he told the Postal Service ’ s governing board last week .
Memos obtained by The Associated Press show that Postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and halt late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to ensure mail arrives on time , measures that postal workers and union officials say are delaying service .
Additional records detail cuts to hours at post offices , including reductions on Saturdays and during lunch hours .
Democrats , and a handful of Republicans , have sent DeJoy several letters asking him to reverse his changes and criticizing what they say is a lack of openness by the agency .
Late Wednesday , Senate Democrats again wrote DeJoy , this time saying postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opt for pricier first-class postage for mail-in ballots to be prioritized .
“ Instead of taking steps to increase your agency ’ s ability to deliver for the American people , you are implementing policy changes that make matters worse , and the Postal Service is reportedly considering changes that would increase costs for states at a time when millions of Americans are relying on voting by mail to exercise their right to vote , ” the Democrats wrote .
Separately , in a letter last month , the Postal Service warned Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency might not be able to deliver ballots in time to be counted under the state ’ s deadlines for casting mail-in votes .
Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said in a statement that “ certain deadlines concerning mail-in ballots , may be incompatible with the Postal Service ’ s delivery standards , ” especially if election officials don ’ t pay more for first-class postage .
“ To the extent that states choose to use the mail as part of their elections , they should do so in a manner that realistically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
In a memo to staff Thursday , DeJoy said his policies have brought “ unintended consequences that impacted our overall service levels , ” but added that the Postal Service “ must make a number of significant changes which will not be easy , but which are necessary.
“ “ This will increase our performance for the election and upcoming peak season and maintain the high level of public trust we have earned for dedication and commitment to our customers throughout our history , ” DeJoy wrote , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judy Beard , legislative and political director for the American Postal Workers Union , said postal workers are up to the task of delivering mail-in ballots this year .
“ We definitely know that the president is absolutely wrong concerning vote-by-mail , ” she said .
Rep. Gerry Connolly , D-Va. , chair of the House subcommittee on government operations , said Trump is acknowledging that he wants to hold up funding for the U.S .
Postal Service to hinder Americans from voting .
“ The president admits his motive for holding USPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want Americans to vote by mail , ” Connolly said in a statement Thursday .
“ Why ?
It hurts his electoral chances .
He ’ s putting self-preservation ahead of public safety , for an election he deserves to lose.
” Trump has requested a mail-in ballot for Florida ’ s primary election Tuesday .
Ballots were mailed Wednesday to both the president and first lady Melania Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort , which Trump lists as his legal address , according to online Palm Beach County elections records .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary in March , according to records .
Izaguirre reported from Charleston , West Virginia .
The Associated Press produced this coverage with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York .

Deb Riechmann And Anthony Izaguirre - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--North Korea lifts lockdown in city, rejects flood, virus aid

SEOUL , Korea , Republic Of - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown in a major city near the border with South Korea where thousands had been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries , state media said Friday .
But Kim during a ruling party meeting on Thursday also insisted the North will keep its borders shut and rejected any outside help as the country carries out an aggressive anti-virus campaign and rebuilds thousands of houses , roads and bridges damaged by heavy rain and floods in recent weeks .
Pyongyang ’ s official Korean Central News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryong as Cabinet premier following an evaluation of the Cabinet ’ s performance in economic affairs and appointed Kim Tok Hun as his successor .
Entering the last year of an ambitious five-year national development plan , Kim Jong Un in December declared a “ frontal breakthrough ” against international sanctions while urging his nation to stay resilient in a struggle for economic self-reliance .
But experts say the COVID-19 crisis likely thwarted some of Kim ’ s major economic goals by forcing the country into a lockdown that shut the border with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally and economic lifeline — and potentially hampered his ability to mobilize people for labour .
During Thursday ’ s meeting , Kim said it was clear after three weeks that the virus situation in Kaesong was stable and expressed gratitude to residents for co-operating with the lockdown , the KCNA said .
In late July , Kim ordered a total lockdown of Kaesong and had the nation shift into a “ maximum emergency system ” after the North claimed of finding a person with COVID-19 symptoms .
The North ’ s state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korean who had earlier fled to the South before slipping back into Kaesong .
But South Korean health authorities say the 24-year-old hadn ’ t tested positive in South Korea and never had contact with any known virus carrier .
North Korea later said the person ’ s test results were inconclusive and still maintains it is virus-free , a status widely doubted by outsiders .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Longtime president of Vermont’s Sugarbush is retiring

WARREN , Vt. - The longtime president of Vermont ’ s Sugarbush ski resort is retiring , the resort announced @ @ @ @ @ that Win Smith , the current president and chief operating officer of Sugarbush , will @ @ @ @ @ the current leadership team .
Smith will be replaced as president on Sept. 1 by @ @ @ @ @ vice-president of mountain operations and recreational services .
“ John knows this mountain , its @ @ @ @ @ through and through , and I could not be more excited for and confident in @ @ @ @ @ Smith said in a statement distributed by the resort .
Smith owned Sugarbush from 2001 @ @ @ @ @ when the resort was sold to the Alterra Mountain Company .
Hammond says he believes @ @ @ @ @ is in a strong position to continue to improve upon the guest experience .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Twin beams of light won’t shine during 9-11 tribute in NYC

NEW YORK - Twin beams of light representing the World Trade Center towers won ’ t be beamed into the sky during this year ’ s memorial of the 9-11 terror attacks in New York City because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic , organizers of the annual ceremony said Thursday .
Michael Frazier , a spokesman for National September 11 Memorial & Museum , said organizers were concerned about the health risks to workers who would set up the display .
“ The world ’ s beloved twin beams of light regrettably will not shine over Lower Manhattan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Frazier said in a statement .
The Memorial & Museum is planning an alternative display that will include spires and facades of buildings in Manhattan being illuminated in blue , he said .
Last month , organizers also cited the pandemic in cancelling one of the most poignant parts of previous memorials — the personal messages spoken by families of victims .
They said recorded name readings from the museum ’ s “ In Memoriam ” exhibition will be used instead of having relatives read the names in person .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slammed into the World Trade Center , the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11 , 2001 .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Crews try to tame California wildfire as heat wave arrives

LOS ANGELES - Crews scrambled to protect homes from a huge wildfire that prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles , and officials warned the blaze could flare up again Thursday as a blistering heat wave descended on California .
The fire exploded in size within hours after it broke out in dense forest on Wednesday afternoon , sending up a towering plume visible for hundreds of miles around .
Flames raced across ridges and steep slopes , including in some areas that had not burned since 1968 , fire officials said .
By Thursday morning , the blaze had consumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres ) of timber and brush .
There was no containment .
Light winds and scattered thundershowers early in the day helped firefighters tame the flames somewhat .
But as the cloud cover cleared and temperatures spiked Thursday afternoon , officials prepared for a repeat of the ferocious fire activity seen a day earlier .
“ This will be a major fire for several days , ” said Chief Robert Garcia with the U.S. Forest Service .
About 100 rural homes were evacuated in the Lake Hughes area of the Angeles National Forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) north of downtown Los Angeles .
Preliminary damage assessments found that at least three structures burned , but authorities warned the toll would likely be higher .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if any residences were damaged , but a photograph for The Associated Press showed what may have been a house on fire .
The fire came down the hill and across the street , “ engulfing on both sides , ” he told KABC-TV .
Reynolds and others retreated “ and then it just kind of rolled in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking everything as it kind of went down.
” Evacuation centres were designated for residents and animals , but because of COVID-19 concerns , people were told to stay in their cars in the parking lots .
The cause of the blaze , dubbed the Lake Fire , is under investigation .
It ’ s one of several wildfires burning in the region .
Several new fires erupted Thursday .
The largest was near the Los Angeles suburb of Azusa .
It burned nearly 4 square miles ( 10.13 square kilometres ) of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , some evacuations were ordered .
Another blaze came dangerously close to some homes in Corona , east of Los Angeles , and another fire in eastern Sacramento County burned about 500 acres ( 202 hectares ) before firefighters stopped its forward spread .
The heat wave was expected to last through the weekend , bringing triple-digit temperatures and extreme fire danger to large parts of California .

Christopher Weber - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--AP FACT CHECK: Trump payroll tax cut is Social Security risk

BALTIMORE - President Donald Trump ’ s proposed payroll tax cut is a threat to Social Security no matter how he casts it .
During a news conference Wednesday , he insisted he could eliminate the tax if he were reelected , and do it without undercutting retirement benefits or greatly adding to the deficit .
He said economic growth would offset the revenue losses .
That claim has little basis in reality .
He also pointed to a manufacturing boom during the coronavirus pandemic but there isn ’ t one .
A look at some of his economic claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year , the assumption that I win , I ’ m going to terminate the payroll tax ... We ’ ll be paying into Social Security through the General Fund.
“ THE FACTS : Trump , in effect , has proposed a dramatic restructuring of how Social Security is financed by not relying on the payroll tax as a dedicated source , but instead by tapping the general fund .
Trump campaign officials stressed that the general fund consists of assets and liabilities that finance government operations and could do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is nicknamed “ America ’ s Checkbook ” on the Treasury Department ’ s website .
The risk is that the loss of a dedicated funding source could destabilize an anti-poverty program that provides payments to roughly 65 million Americans .
It also could force people to cut back on the spending that drives growth so they can save for their own retirement and health care needs if they believe the government backstop is in jeopardy .
A 12.4 % payroll tax split between employers and workers funds Social Security , while a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These taxes raised $ 1.24 trillion last year , according to the Congressional Budget Office .
Over a 10-year period , Trump ’ s idea would blow a $ 16.1 trillion hole in a U.S. budget that is already laden with rising debt loads .
Trump last week announced a payroll tax deferral through the end of the year , part of a series of moves to bypass Congress after talks on a broader coronavirus relief bill have stalled .
He says he will eliminate the tax with the help of Congress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonstarter .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Thursday suggested to reporters that Trump misspoke when he said he would eliminate the payroll tax if reelected .
She said the president would only push to make the payroll tax deferrals permanent .
Trump on Wednesday said at least four times that he would end the payroll tax .
The president added that the tax would be eliminated after the “ beginning of the new year , ” while the deferral only applies to the closing months of 2020 .
Trump said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ number that ’ s bigger than any of the numbers we talked about.
” A typical family would get back $ 5,000 or more , Trump said .
That average is so large that it suggests Trump either wants to eliminate the payroll tax or he did not understand his administration ’ s own policies .
TRUMP , asked how the general fund can sustain the payments : “ We ’ re going to have tremendous growth .
... You will see growth like you have not seen in a long time.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely that economic growth would be enough to offset the loss of the payroll tax .
Indeed , Trump suggested that his 2017 income tax cuts would propel economic growth as high as 6 % annually .
That never happened .
Growth reached 3 % in 2018 , then slumped to 2.2 % and the U.S. economy crumbled into recession this year because of the coronavirus .
TRUMP : “ The manufacturing sector is booming and the production index is at the highest reading since October of ‘ 18 , which was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The pandemic crushed U.S. factories and the damage persists .
There is no boom .
Even after three months of job gains , the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the manufacturing sector has 740,000 fewer jobs than before the outbreak .
All the factory hiring gains under Trump have disappeared .
There were 257,000 more manufacturing jobs on the day Trump became president than now .
More important , the jobs recovery has shown signs of stalling .
Just 26,000 factory jobs were added in July , down from 357,000 added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been recovering .
Yet after increases in production in June , the Federal Reserve said U.S. factory output was running 11.1 % below pre-pandemic levels .
Trump cited one component of an index composed by the Institute for Supply Management that indicates factory production grew in July as well .
It was the best reading since August of 2018 , not October as claimed by the president .
But that same report showed that manufacturers are also cutting back on employment , suggesting that a boom has yet to begin .
Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this report .
EDITOR ’ S NOTE — A look at the veracity of claims by political figures .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Cohen’s book foreword: Trump ‘wouldn’t mind if I was dead’

NEW YORK - Michael Cohen ’ s memoir about President Donald Trump will be released Sept. 8 by Skyhorse Publishing , which confirmed the news Thursday to The Associated Press .
The book is called “ Disloyal : The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump.
” “ ‘ Disloyal ’ is the most devastating business and political horror story of the century , ” according to a Skyhorse statement shared with the AP .
“ It is a story that you haven ’ t read in newspapers , or on social media , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that only someone who worked for Trump around the clock for a decade — not a few months or even a couple of years — could know.
” Earlier in the day , Cohen had released the book ’ s foreword , writing of his estranged former boss , “ He wouldn ’ t mind if I was dead.
” He did not list a publisher for the book and , as of midday Thursday , it was not listed on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com .
Cohen is completing the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home after pleading guilty to campaign finance charges and lying to Congress .
He was released from prison in May amid coronavirus fears , only to be returned in July after making it known that he planned to publish “ Disloyal.
” The U.S. government dropped its effort to silence Cohen late last month after an agreement was reached between government lawyers and Cohen attorney Danya Perry that lifted a ban on Cohen speaking publicly .
Cohen ’ s charges stemmed from his efforts to arrange payouts during the 2016 presidential race to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model Karen McDougal from speaking out about their alleged extramarital affairs with Trump , who has denied the affairs .
He has said that Trump directed him to make the payments .
Skyhorse has a history of taking on books by controversial public figures , including a memoir this spring by Woody Allen that had been dropped by Hachette Book Group .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Navajo man loses latest bid to delay federal execution

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. - The only Native American on federal death row lost a bid Thursday to push back his execution date .
Unless Lezmond Mitchell gets relief from another court or is granted clemency , he will be put to death on Aug. 26 at the federal prison in Indiana where he is being held .
Mitchell ’ s attorneys sought a delay from the U.S. District Court in Arizona where he was sentenced in the 2001 slayings of a 63-year-old fellow Navajo tribal member and her 9-year-old granddaughter .
They argued the execution must be performed under Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys didn ’ t identify any procedures in Arizona statutes or criminal rules that conflict with the federal protocol when it comes to how Mitchell , who is 38 , would die .
“ The court therefore concludes that the government ’ s planned method of execution is not inconsistent with the salient provisions of Arizona law , ” Campbell wrote .
Campbell disagreed with the U.S. Justice Department that the requests from Mitchell to strike his execution warrant and delay capital punishment were untimely and that a federal law entrusts all details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department didn ’ t respond to a request for comment Thursday .
Mitchell ’ s attorneys filed a notice of appeal to the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals .
That court granted him a reprieve from execution last year as he sought to interview jurors in his case about potential racial bias .
The court ultimately ruled against him and declined to maintain a stay of execution .
It ’ s expected to expire next week .
Mitchell ’ s attorneys plan to take that case to the U.S. Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clemency , backed by the Navajo Nation and the tribe ’ s longstanding opposition to putting its citizens to death .
Tribes have long been able to decide on capital punishment for a set of major crimes committed by Native Americans on tribal land .
The Navajo Nation said no to executing Lezmond Mitchell , despite the grisly nature of the killings .
Mitchell was sentenced to death on a charge of carjacking resulting in death — a crime that carries the possibility of a death sentence regardless of where it happens .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Trump’s suggestion to eliminate payroll tax doesn’t add up

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump ’ s push to cut Social Security payroll taxes for the rest of the year — and even arguing for a permanent cut — would do little to bolster the coronavirus-battered economy in the short term and could destabilize long-term funding for benefits that millions of Americans depend on .
Trump this week said that he could eliminate the tax if he is reelected without undercutting the retirement program or greatly adding to the deficit , arguing that economic growth would offset the revenue losses .
“ At the end of the year , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m going to terminate the payroll tax , which is another thing that some of the great economists would like to see done , ” Trump told reporters on Wednesday , adding that “ tremendous growth ” in the U.S. will cover the costs of Social Security .
“ We ’ ll be paying into Social Security through the general fund.
” But aides to the president on Thursday sought to walk back Trump ’ s comments .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump meant to say he would seek forgiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already ordered deferred for the rest of the year .
Employers are pressing the Trump administration to walk back even more parts of the plan .
They want Treasury to make it voluntary , letting companies decide if they want to offer their workers the option of deferring payroll taxes .
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says it has “ serious concerns ” whether the tax deferral would be workable .
In comments Wednesday to reporters , Trump said at least four times that he would end the payroll tax .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminated after the “ beginning of the New Year , ” while the deferral only applies to the closing months of 2020 .
Trump said his planned payroll tax reduction would be a “ number that ’ s bigger than any of the numbers we talked about.
” A typical family would get back $ 5,000 or more , Trump said , an average economists said would not be achieved .
When pressed Wednesday about how the U.S. government would then pay for Social Security after the payroll tax is “ permanently ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his previous comments .
Instead , he insisted that economic growth would surge to cover the mammoth expense that would exceed $ 1 trillion .
The 12.4 % payroll tax split between employers and workers funds Social Security .
The tax raised roughly $ 1 trillion last year , according to U.S. government data .
Over a 10-year period , Trump ’ s idea could slice $ 13 trillion from U.S. budget that is already laden with rising debt loads .
It is highly unlikely that economic growth would be enough to offset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indeed , Trump suggested that his 2017 income tax cuts would propel economic growth as high as 6 % annually .
That never happened .
“ If you permanently roll it back , how are you going to fund Social Security ?
” said Diane Swonk , chief economist at Grant Thornton .
“ The numbers just don ’ t add up.
” Some economists also questioned the utility of even a short-term payroll tax cut — something Trump has been pushing for months despite facing opposition among some fellow Republicans — would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax cuts are among the least effective ways to promote growth during a recession , said Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody Analytics .
The money is going to people who are working — not the unemployed — and is most likely to be saved rather than pushed back into the economy , he said .
Deferral of the payroll tax , if it ’ s not forgiven at the end of the year , amounts to a four-month , interest free loan for workers who are still collecting a paycheque and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claw back money retroactively .
“ The idea that it would pay for itself through growth is just not right .
It won ’ t , ” said Zandi .
“ It ’ s just a dream.
” Even tinkering with Social Security funding comes freighted with political risk for Trump , who as a candidate in 2016 set himself apart from much of the GOP primary field as he vowed to oppose cuts to Social Security and Medicare , while also ensuring every American had health coverage .
Trump has yet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening , AARP sent off what amounts to a warning letter to the president , saying he needs to provide Americans with “ a more complete explanation ” of his plan .
“ Suspending , reducing , or eliminating the contributions to Social Security made through the payroll tax will interfere with Social Security ’ s long-term funding stream , ” wrote Jo Ann Jenkins , CEO of the seniors ’ lobby .
“ The American public deserves to hear your plan on how you would replace that funding , and how people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security benefits.
” McEnany , said Thursday that Trump maintains an “ unwavering commitment to Social Security that is fully funded , and that seniors are taken care of.
” But former Vice-President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , said Trump ’ s comments on should be a red flag about how the president would approach benefit programs in a second term .
“ When Donald Trump continually says that he wants to take action to defund Social Security ... we should take him literally and seriously , ” said Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters will punish Trump for his Social Security gambit , the president ’ s idea seems an unlikely fix for the long-term financial shortfall the program faces .
When Social Security ’ s reserves are exhausted in 2035 , the program will only be able to pay 79 % of benefits at that time , according to government estimates .
“ Everybody uses and abuses Social Security in the political discourse , ” said Maya MacGuineas , president of the Committee For A Responsible Federal Budget , which advocates for lowering the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing is fixing the imbalance in the trust fund.
” “ What the president is suggesting would make the finances worse , ” she added .

Aamer Madhani, Josh Boak And Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Dodger Stadium to serve as presidential voting centre

LOS ANGELES - Dodger Stadium will serve as a vote centre for the presidential election in November , making the Dodgers the first Major League Baseball team to make their venue available for voting .
Any registered voter in Los Angeles County can visit the stadium over a five-day period .
Parking will be free .
Further details will be announced later .
The team said Thursday that all CDC and public health guidelines will be followed regarding social distancing .
The stadium site is a joint effort between the Dodgers and More Than A Vote , a non-profit coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to educate , energize and protect young communities of colour by fighting systemic voter suppression .
“ We are all in this together , ” James said in a statement .
“ This is exactly why we created More Than a Vote .
A lot of us now working together and here for every team who wants to follow the Dodgers lead and turn their stadium into a safer place for voting.
” Dodger Stadium has been closed to the general public during the shortened 60-game season .
However , the stadium and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest Covid-19 testing site and been a staging ground for emergency equipment and a food distribution site for those experiencing food insecurity .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Officials: U.S. seizes Iranian gas heading for Venezuela

MIAMI - The Trump administration has seized the cargo of four tankers it was targeting for transporting Iranian fuel to Venezuela , U.S. officials said Thursday , as it steps up its campaign of maximum pressure against the two heavily sanctioned allies .
Last month , federal prosecutors in Washington filed a civil forfeiture complaint alleging that the sale was arranged by a businessman , Mahmoud Madanipour , with ties to Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard Corps , a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization .
At the time , sanctions experts thought it would be impossible to enforce the U.S. court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. official told The Associated Press that no military force was used in the seizures and that the ships weren ’ t physically confiscated .
Rather , U.S. officials threatened ship owners , insurers and captains with sanction to force them to hand over their cargo , which now becomes U.S. property , the official said .
Prosecutors alleged the four ships were transporting to Venezuela 1.1 million barrels of gasoline .
But the tankers never arrived at the South American country and then went missing .
Two of the ships later reappeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official said .
Both officials agreed to discuss the sensitive diplomatic and judicial offensive only if granted anonymity .
Iran ’ s ambassador to Venezuela , Hojad Soltani , pushed back on what would appear a victory for the U.S. sanctions campaign , saying Thursday on Twitter that neither the ships nor their owners were Iranian .
“ This is another lie and act of psychological warfare perpetrated by the U.S. propaganda machine , ” Soltani said .
“ The terrorist # Trump can not compensate for his humiliation and defeat by Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear where the vessels — the Bella , Bering , Pandi and Luna — or their cargoes currently are .
But the ship captains weeks ago turned off their tracking devices to hide their locations , said Russ Dallen , a Miami-based partner at brokerage Caracas Capital Markets , who follows ship movements .
The Bering went dark on May 11 in the Mediterranean near Greece and has not turned on its transponder since , while the Bella did the same July 2 in the Philippines , Dallen said .
The Luna and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together in the Gulf of Oman on July 10 when the U.S. seizure order came .
Shipping data shows that the Pandi , which also goes by Andy , is reporting that it has been “ broken up , ” or sold as scrap , Dallen said .
As commercial traders increasingly shun Venezuela , Nicolás Maduro ’ s socialist government has been increasingly turning to Iran .
In May , Maduro celebrated the arrival of five Iranian tankers delivering badly needed fuel to alleviate shortages that have led to days-long gas lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is normally spared such hardships .
Despite sitting atop the world ’ s largest crude reserves , Venezuela doesn ’ t produce enough domestically refined gasoline and has seen its overall crude production plunge to the lowest in over seven decades amid its economic crisis and fallout from U.S. sanctions .
The Trump administration has been stepping up pressure on ship owners to abide by sanctions against U.S. adversaries like Iran , Venezuela and North Korea .
In May , it issued an advisory urging the global maritime industry to be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like dangerous ship-to-ship transfers and the turning off of mandatory tracking devices — both techniques used in recent oil deliveries to and from both Iran and Venezuela .
One of the companies involved in the shipment to Venezuela , the Avantgarde Group , was previously linked to the Revolutionary Guard and attempts to evade U.S. sanctions , according to prosecutors .
An affiliate of Avantgarde facilitated the purchase for the Revolutionary Guard of the Grace 1 , a ship seized last year by Britain on U.S. accusations that it was transporting oil to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Grace 1 was eventually released .
But the seizure nonetheless triggered an international standoff in which Iran retaliated by seizing a British-flagged vessel .
According to the asset forfeiture complaint , an unnamed company in February invoiced Avantgarde for a $ 14.9 million cash payment for the sale of the gasoline aboard the Pandi .
Nonetheless , a text message between Madanipour and an unnamed co-conspirator suggest the voyage had encountered difficulties .
“ The ship owner doesn ’ t want to go because of the American threat , but we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed We will also buy the ship , ” according to the message , an excerpt of which was included in the complaint .
Associated Press writer Scott Smith in Caracas , Venezuela , contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-08-13--Alaska to seek additional $300 a week unemployment benefits

JUNEAU , Alaska - The state is seeking to provide unemployed Alaskans an extra $ 300 a week in benefits under an option offered by the federal government .
Gov .
Mike Dunleavy announced the decision Thursday .
It ’ s not yet clear when the money for the unemployment benefits might be available .
An executive order by President Donald Trump provides for Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to states through a grant application process , said Patsy Westcott , director of the Alaska labour department ’ s Division of Employment and Training Services .
States have until Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Individuals would have to qualify for at least $ 100 in unemployment benefits to qualify for the additional $ 300 , she said .
Congress earlier this year , in response to the coronavirus pandemic , approved payments of an additional $ 600 a week for unemployed workers ; those benefits recently expired .
Trump ’ s order came with Congress unable to agree on terms for a possible extension .
Alaska had 37,700 fewer jobs in June than it did in June 2019 , according to the state labour department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t out yet .
The June numbers showed widespread business disruptions related to COVID-19 , with the leisure and hospitality industry hit particularly hard , according to the department .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--US prosecutor in Miami targeting Venezuela graft is leaving

MIAMI - A federal prosecutor who has jailed some of Venezuela ’ s biggest crooks is stepping down , The Associated Press has learned , leaving a void that could dampen U.S. efforts to expose criminal activity in the South American country amid rising tensions with the Trump administration .
Michael Nadler , an assistant U.S. attorney , is leaving to enter private practice next month at a boutique Miami law firm— Stumphauzer Foslid Sloman Ross & Kolaya—said a person familiar with the move who insisted on speaking anonymously because it hadn ’ t been made public .
Nadler , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers , businessmen and Swiss bankers as part of a sustained effort by investigators in the Southern District of Florida to recover some of the $ 300 billion estimated to have been stolen from Venezuela in two decades of socialist rule .
Much of that allegedly ill-gotten wealth has been plowed into Miami ’ s booming luxury real estate market .
That has angered the city ’ s Latino residents — many of them Venezuelan and Cuban exiles — for whom the Trump administration ’ s hard-line focus on exposing corruption in Venezuelan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major draw in the battleground state ahead of the U.S presidential election .
“ There may well be a collective sigh of relief in Venezuela from those he targeted , ” said Michael Diaz , a Miami defence attorney who has litigated against Nadler on behalf of Venezuelan clients .
“ Certainly some will be toasting his untimely departure.
” Nadler in 2018 secured what is so far the largest judgment to date against a Venezuelan insider when Alejandro Andrade , the former national treasurer , pleaded guilty to his role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of millions from state coffers .
As part of his plea agreement , Andrade forfeited to the U.S. government $ 1 billion in cash and assets , including an oceanfront Palm Beach mansion , luxury vehicles , show-jumping horses and several Rolex and Hublot watches .
He ’ s currently serving a 10-year sentence .
Nadler leaves one politically sensitive case unfinished .
In June , he secured the arrest in Cape Verde of Colombian businessman Alex Saab as Maduro ’ s alleged front man was en route to Iran .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year sanctioned Saab on the same day that Nadler charged the businessman with money laundering in connection with an alleged bribery scheme to develop low-income housing for Venezuela ’ s government that was never built .
Saab ’ s extradition is still pending and being fought vigorously by a team of lawyers that includes former Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon , who is famous for indicting former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet .
Maduro ’ s government said the businessman , who also has a Venezuelan passport , was on a “ humanitarian mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical supplies .
Saab was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for allegedly running a scheme that included Maduro ’ s stepsons and allegedly stole hundreds of millions in dollars from food import contracts at a time of widespread hunger in the crisis-wracked OPEC nation .
Nadler , who still has a few weeks on the job , has not indicted Saab for the alleged food corruption .
Nadler began working Venezuela cases in 2017 , and Diaz said he quickly won a reputation as an aggressive prosecutor who had a good rapport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation of the sprawling criminal networks used to launder money , he travelled to meet with officials and witnesses in Switzerland , the U.K. , Portugal , Spain and Colombia .
Diaz also credits Nadler with clawing hard to keep cases away from prosecutors in other high-profile federal districts who were all competing to sign up as government witnesses the many Venezuelans fleeing their homeland .
Prosecutors in New York and Washington in March charged Maduro and other high-level officials with conspiracy to traffic cocaine , while Houston has the lead in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s state-run oil giant PDVSA .
Nadler ’ s boss , Ariana Fajardo-Orshan , the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida , created a special money laundering unit in March 2019 that focused on financial crimes , giving even more impetus to that effort .
Venezuela is ranked the most-corrupt country in Latin America , and tied with Sudan , Afghanistan and Equatorial Guineau as the seventh-worst among 180 countries in the latest annual ranking by Berlin-based Transparency International .
Dick Gregorie , the retired assistant U.S. attorney in Miami who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1980s , said Nadler is the nation ’ s most knowledgeable and experienced litigator working on Venezuela .
He said his exit will leave a major void that won ’ t be easily filled by other prosecutors , who will need time to capture the complexities and nuances of corruption in the country .
“ Venezuela is a kleptocracy and to understand how they move the money and stolen from Venezuelan people takes years , ” said Gregorie , who is now a consultant for Berkeley Research Group .
“ Nadler ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wouldn ’ t confirm or deny Nadler ’ s plans to depart but reaffirmed the commitment to go after corrupt officials from Venezuela and elsewhere “ who callously steal money from their own citizens , then try to hide it in U.S. banks and through U.S. real estate transactions.
” “ The experienced , talented , and committed prosecutors in our Money Laundering section work as a team to combat this illegal activity , ” her office said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--US retail sales regain pre-virus level but slowdown likely

WASHINGTON - Americans increased their retail purchases by 1.2 % in July , with solid gains in appliances and clothing helping restore sales to their level before the viral pandemic erupted in March .
Sales at retail stores and restaurants have now risen for three straight months , after plunges in March and April , when the pandemic shuttered businesses and paralyzed the economy .
Still , much of the spending was fueled by government aid that had put more money in people ’ s pockets but has since expired .
With Americans ’ income now likely shrinking , economists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential weakening of growth .
Friday ’ s report showed sharp increases in sales at electronics and appliances stores , reflecting the needs of mostly higher-income people who are now working from home .
Furniture sales were flat after a huge gain in June .
The problem now is that roughly 28 million laid-off workers are no longer receiving a $ 600-a-week federal unemployment check that they had received in addition to their state benefit but that lapsed last month .
In addition , a $ 1,200 stimulus check that was sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be repeated .
Negotiations in Congress on a new economic relief package have collapsed in rancour and show no sign of restarting anytime soon .
Many retailers have said the supplemental unemployment aid had helped spur sales of clothes and other non-discretionary items in the spring and early summer .
“ Uncertainty surrounding job and income prospects could weigh on consumer confidence and spending going forward , especially now that enhanced unemployment insurance measures which provided critical support to households have expired , ” said Rubeela Farooqi , chief U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on credit and debit cards has been essentially flat since mid-June , according to an index from JPMorgan Chase that tracks spending on 30 million of its card accounts , after a steady rise that began in mid-April when stimulus checks were first mailed .
Retail sales include only about one-third of all consumer spending .
The rest involves services — from haircuts and gym memberships to movie tickets and hotel rooms — all of which were hit disproportionately hard by the pandemic and have yet to recover In the April-June quarter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , causing the economy to shrink at a previously unheard-of annual rate of 32.9 % .
Economists have forecast that growth is rebounding in the July-September quarter at a roughly 20 % annual rate , though that pace would still leave the economy far below pre-pandemic levels .
The government ’ s figures mask a huge shakeout in the retail industry , with Americans pulling sharply back on in-person shopping and spending more online .
More than 40 retailers have filed for bankruptcy protection this year , about half of them since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number for all of 2019 .
Many of these retailers had been ailing before the pandemic .
But analysts envision another wave of retail bankruptcies in coming months that would include some companies that were financially healthy before the virus struck .
In recent weeks , Ann Taylor ’ s parent company declared bankruptcy .
So did the Lord & Taylor department store chain and the discount store chain Stein Mart , which had been in business for 112 years .
Stein Mart cited the resurgence of coronavirus cases in Florida , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its bankruptcy filing .
The company has many stores in those states , a fact that hurt customer traffic and drained its cash .
The upscale outdoor CityPlace Doral mall in Miami had closed in March , reopened in May and then enjoyed strong sales and traffic in June , according to Mauro Olivieri , the mall ’ s general manager of the upscale outdoor mall .
When the virus resurged in July , local mandates forced it to close indoor dining .
Yet the mall has since recaptured more than half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because we are an open-air centre , people are feeling more comfortable in returning to regular shopping patterns , ” Olivieri added .
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would replace the now-lapsed $ 600 a week in federal jobless aid with $ 300 a week from a disaster relief fund .
Yet that would require the states to establish a separate payment system that would likely take weeks .
In the meantime , the loss of the $ 600 will cut recipients ’ income , on average , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnerved Tia Ferguson .
A 40-year-old substitute teacher in Columbus , Ohio , Ferguson was laid off in March .
Beginning in June , she managed to receive both her state ’ s unemployment benefit and the $ 600 federal check .
It ’ s unclear when she might be recalled to work , and she is reluctant in the meantime to teach in person until after a vaccine is approved .
A diabetes and asthma patient , she worries about the risks of returning to the classroom .
Ferguson ’ s husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still building a business that he recently started .
The couple has taken to reducing their three kids ’ video game time to save on electricity .
With her weekly jobless aid now just $ 171 , Ferguson has cut back on groceries and gone on Facebook to find information on food pantries .
“ I don ’ t know when I ’ ll have a steady stream of income that ’ s even close to what I was making , ” she said .

Christopher Rugaber And Anne D'Innocenzio - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Foxconn’s $100 million pledge to university largely unmet

MADISON , Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Madison has received less than 1 % of the money that Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group pledged to it two years ago amid the electronics giant ’ s expansion plans in Wisconsin .
In August 2018 , Foxconn committed $ 100 million to the university to help fund an engineering building and for company-related research .
It gave the school $ 700,000 in the first year of a 5-year agreement and records show the school has received no additional money over the past year .
“ UW-Madison continues to maintain open lines of communication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Lucas said .
“ Although Foxconn is in the best position to explain its plans , the university understands that changes in the firm ’ s executive leadership , business goals and impact of the pandemic have resulted in shifting priorities.
” The Associated Press sent emails Friday seeking comment from Foxconn .
Last year , Foxconn saw changes in its leadership .
Company founder Terry Gou resigned to pursue political office .
And his special assistant , Louis Woo , stepped down for personal reasons .
Both were at the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100 million pledge , the State Journal reported .
Some UW-Madison graduate students have formed a group called the Foxhounds to protest the cozy partnership between the university and a private company that has been criticized for its labour and environmental practices .
Wisconsin landed plans for Foxconn ’ s first American factory after then-Gov .
Scott Walker offered more than $ 3 billion in tax incentives .
But the company ’ s plans for Wisconsin were later scaled back .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--University cites racist Twitter bio in firing police officer

TAMPA , Fla. - A university police officer in Florida whose Twitter bio described herself as a “ KKK member ” has been fired , officials said .
Former University of South Florida officer Presley Garcia , 26 , said her friend added the description in 2015 and she had not used the account for years .
She said she is not a racist and condemns racism and the KKK .
The investigation into Garcia began in July after a BayNews 9 reporter contacted the USF police department with screenshots of the Twitter account “ @ presleyyyg , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has since been deleted .
Garcia , who was hired in 2018 , told the Tampa Bay Times she felt let down by the agency after her firing last week .
“ There ’ s all the talk of ‘ Back the Blue , ’ but not one person had my back , ” she said .
In his letter recommending her firing , USF Police Chief Chris Daniel said Garcia ’ s actions could bring harm to other officers .
“ This concern is of particular importance given the activities occurring on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident involving George Floyd , dissident members of the community have targeted law enforcement officers , their departments , their families and their home , ” Daniel wrote .
Floyd died in May after a white Minneapolis pressed his knee against the Black man ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes as he pleaded for air .
The chief said USF officers have experienced having their doors kicked , vehicles photographed in their driveways and been followed to work while being “ antagonized on the roadway ” in recent months .
Garcia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but told investigators a friend added the phrase to her bio in 2015 , the newspaper reported .
She said she was young and didn ’ t know what it meant .
She said she had deleted the app on her phone and thought the account was also deleted .
The investigation found she was active on Twitter between November 2015 and January 2016 , the newspaper reported .
“ The agency failed me , ” Garcia said .
“ It ’ s very hurtful that something from a long time ago that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely destroyed my career .
...
There ’ s no way I ’ d ever be a part of that group .
I wasn ’ t raised that way.
” During a pre-employment background interview Garcia told officials she didn ’ t have a Twitter account because she thought it had been deleted , the newspaper reported .
The investigation found no tie to the KKK .
In his letter , the chief said the agency tries to strike a balance between allowing officers freedom in their private lives and ensuring appropriate off-duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue was raised , the story has been reported by other news organizations , “ exacerbating the impact of her actions.
” He added the perception could be harmful to the department .
Garcia has 30 days to file a grievance with the university or the union that represents officers .
She told the newspaper she declined .
“ I feel like I go back there , I won ’ t be treated well , ” she said .
“ I have a life to live and a career to move forward somehow @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--“The Secret” author Rhonda Byrne has new release in November

NEW YORK - The author of the million-selling self-help book “ The Secret ” is aiming even higher with her next work .
Rhonda Byrne ’ s “ The Greatest Secret ” is coming out Nov. 24 , HarperOne announced Friday .
According to the publisher , “ The Greatest Secret ” takes readers on a journey that provides “ the most direct way out for those experiencing hardship and the path to end pain and suffering endured by so many.
” Byrne said in a statement that “ With every step you take through this book , you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more effortless , fears and uncertainty of the future will no longer plague you , anxiety and stress about your daily struggles or world events will dissolve , and you can and will be free of every form of suffering.
” Byrne ’ s new book , like “ The Secret , ” will be released through publisher Judith Curr .
She was head of the Simon & Schuster imprint Atria Books in 2006 when “ The Secret ” came out , and she is now president and publisher of HarperOne .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 million copies worldwide .
A film adaptation starring Katie Holmes came out last month .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Trump admits he’s blocking postal cash to stop mail-in votes

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump frankly acknowledged that he ’ s starving the U.S .
Postal Service of money to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots , which he worries could cost him reelection .
In an interview on Fox Business Network , Trump explicitly noted two funding provisions that Democrats are seeking in a relief package that has stalled on Capitol Hill .
Without the additional money , he said , the Postal Service won ’ t have the resources to handle a flood of ballots from voters who are seeking to avoid polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we don ’ t make a deal , that means they don ’ t get the money , ” Trump told host Maria Bartiromo on Thursday .
“ That means they can ’ t have universal mail-in voting ; they just can ’ t have it.
” Trump ’ s statements , including the false claim that Democrats are seeking universal mail-in voting , come as he is searching for a strategy to gain an advantage in his November matchup against Joe Biden .
He ’ s pairing the tough Postal Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robust mail-in-voting legal fight in states that could decide the election .
In Iowa , which Trump won handily in 2016 but is more competitive this year , his campaign joined a lawsuit Wednesday against two Democratic-leaning counties in an effort to invalidate tens of thousands of voters ’ absentee ballot applications .
That followed legal manoeuvrs in battleground Pennsylvania , where the campaign hopes to force changes to how the state collects and counts mail-in ballots .
And in Nevada , Trump is challenging a law sending ballots to all active voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rebuffed Republicans who challenged an agreement in Rhode Island allowing residents to vote by mail through November ’ s general election without getting signatures from two witnesses or a notary .
For Democrats , Trump ’ s new remarks were a clear admission that the president is attempting to restrict voting rights .
Biden said it was “ Pure Trump .
He doesn ’ t want an election.
” Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said it was “ voter suppression to undermine the safest method to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans to risk their lives to vote.
” Negotiations over a big new virus relief package have all but ended , with the White House and congressional leaders far apart on the size , scope and approach for shoring up households , reopening schools and launching a national strategy to contain the coronavirus .
While there is some common ground over $ 100 billion for schools and new funds for virus testing , Democrats also want other emergency funds that Trump rejects .
“ They want $ 3.5 billion for something that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s election money , basically , ” Trump said during Thursday ’ s call-in interview .
Democrats have pushed for a total of $ 10 billion for the Postal Service in talks with Republicans on the COVID-19 response bill .
That figure , which would include money to help with election mail , is down from a $ 25 billion plan in a House-passed coronavirus measure .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has said that the agency is in a financially untenable position , but he maintains it can handle this year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump and other Republicans , DeJoy is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee .
“ Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic , the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards , and we will do so , “ he told the Postal Service ’ s governing board last week .
Memos obtained by The Associated Press show that Postal Service leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to ensure mail arrives on time , measures that postal workers and union officials say are delaying service .
Additional records detail cuts to hours at post offices , including reductions on Saturdays and during lunch hours .
Democrats , and a handful of Republicans , have sent DeJoy several letters asking him to reverse his changes and criticizing what they say is a lack of openness by the agency .
Late Wednesday , Senate Democrats again wrote DeJoy , this time saying postal leadership is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pricier first-class postage for mail-in ballots to be prioritized .
“ Instead of taking steps to increase your agency ’ s ability to deliver for the American people , you are implementing policy changes that make matters worse , and the Postal Service is reportedly considering changes that would increase costs for states at a time when millions of Americans are relying on voting by mail to exercise their right to vote , ” the Democrats wrote .
Separately , in a letter last month , the Postal Service warned Michigan Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to deliver ballots in time to be counted under the state ’ s deadlines for casting mail-in votes .
Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer said in a statement that “ certain deadlines concerning mail-in ballots , may be incompatible with the Postal Service ’ s delivery standards , ” especially if election officials don ’ t pay more for first-class postage .
“ To the extent that states choose to use the mail as part of their elections , they should do so in a manner that realistically reflects how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a memo to staff Thursday , DeJoy said his policies have brought “ unintended consequences that impacted our overall service levels , ” but added that the Postal Service “ must make a number of significant changes which will not be easy , but which are necessary.
“ “ This will increase our performance for the election and upcoming peak season and maintain the high level of public trust we have earned for dedication and commitment to our customers throughout our history , ” DeJoy wrote , according to the memo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , legislative and political director for the American Postal Workers Union , said postal workers are up to the task of delivering mail-in ballots this year .
“ We definitely know that the president is absolutely wrong concerning vote-by-mail , ” she said .
Rep. Gerry Connolly , D-Va. , chair of the House subcommittee on government operations , said Trump is acknowledging that he wants to hold up funding for the U.S .
Postal Service to hinder Americans from voting .
“ The president admits his motive for holding USPS funding hostage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans to vote by mail , ” Connolly said in a statement Thursday .
“ Why ?
It hurts his electoral chances .
He ’ s putting self-preservation ahead of public safety , for an election he deserves to lose.
” Trump has requested a mail-in ballot for Florida ’ s primary election Tuesday .
Ballots were mailed Wednesday to both the president and first lady Melania Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort , which Trump lists as his legal address , according to online Palm Beach County elections records .
Both voted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , according to records .
Izaguirre reported from Charleston , West Virginia .
The Associated Press produced this coverage with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Democrats tested in first party convention of pandemic era

NEW YORK - Joe Biden is poised to unveil his vision for the modern Democratic Party in the first presidential nominating convention of the coronavirus era , an all-virtual affair that will test the former vice-president ’ s ability to overcome unprecedented logistical challenges in an urgent mission to energize a winning coalition .
The Democratic National Convention , which formally begins Monday , is not a convention in the traditional sense .
There will be no physical gathering place , no cheering audience , no balloons .
The program will consist instead of a series of online video addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — that play out for two hours each night until Biden formally accepts the Democratic presidential nomination in a mostly empty Delaware ballroom on Thursday .
Along the way , Biden ’ s party will make history by unveiling the nation ’ s first Black vice-presidential nominee , Kamala Harris .
The speaking program also features two former presidents , two past presidential nominees , a former Republican governor , a New York ultra-billionaire and various working-class Americans .
“ Nothing about 2020 has been normal .
So I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal either , ” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , who was under consideration to serve as Biden ’ s running mate and will speak at the convention .
“ I hope wherever people are that they ’ re excited about the moment and the opportunity that lies before us.
” The online gathering comes as Democratic officials work to energize supporters behind Biden ’ s candidacy — not simply against President Donald Trump ’ s .
While Trump is a huge motivator for many Democrats , there is some concern within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat and swing voters aren ’ t locks to cast ballots for Biden this fall , especially as the pandemic creates barriers to voting .
At the same time , Trump and his allies are fighting to scare away would-be Biden-Harris backers by describing the Democrats ’ 2020 ticket as the most ideologically extreme in American history .
While widely considered a political moderate — at least compared with the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren — Biden has plans to implement a Medicare-like system for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher taxes on the rich .
Still , Biden attracted the support of former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , a Republican , who is scheduled to speak Monday .
The Biden campaign hinted that Kasich would not be the only high-profile Republican featured at the convention , but refused to say more .
The inclusion of Kasich , who opposed abortion rights and fought labour unions while in office , rankled some progressives .
One of the far left ’ s champions , New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , is scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce Sanders the day after Kasich .
Prominent liberal activist Ady Barkan , who previously backed Sanders , is scheduled to deliver remarks the next day .
“ I ’ m glad that John and other moderate-type Republicans understand that it is wrong to be supporting Trump , ” Sanders told The Associated Press .
“ But what John says has nothing to do with what I will say .
My speech has everything to do with the need to defeat Trump , elect Biden and move the country into a government that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the 1 % .
” There appears to be far less tension among the Democrats ’ often-competing factions heading into the 2020 convention than many predicted earlier in the year .
Just six months ago , political operatives were openly contemplating the prospect of a contested convention in which none of the Democratic candidates had a clear delegate majority going into the convention .
That possibility quickly faded in early March .
After Biden ’ s commanding South Carolina primary victory , several competitors suddenly rallied behind him as the pandemic began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leftover resentment among wings of the party , the convention ’ s online forum doesn ’ t provide any opportunities for public infighting .
Key votes on the party platform already will have taken place by mail ballot .
The details , which are expected to be approved overwhelmingly , were hammered out in Zoom meetings .
Progressives got their say when they extended party rules through 2024 that ban superdelegates from voting for the party ’ s presidential nominee on the first nominating ballot .
But without the opportunity for the approximately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gather on the same convention hall floor , as is tradition , the opportunity for a genuine convention debate over the direction of the party has been eliminated .
Larry Cohen , a prominent Rules Committee member and Sanders confidant , lamented the loss of an in-person convention , but not because it limits debate .
“ The key of a convention , really , is the party building that comes with 57 different delegations , ” he said , noting the in-person daily meetings that would occur in hotels across a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party in those breakfast meetings , where you argue over what it means to be a Democrat in Wyoming , what does it mean in Georgia.
” With less focus on policy debates , convention officials are highlighting the historic racial diversity on the ticket as the nation experiences a national awakening on race .
Harris , who is also of Asian descent , is scheduled to address the nation Wednesday night as the first woman of colour on a major party ’ s presidential ticket .
The high-profile Black speakers also on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama , former President Barack Obama , New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Bottoms , who will introduce a video tribute to the late Georgia congressman John Lewis on Thursday night , ahead of Biden ’ s speech .
“ For so many people of colour in this country , race is always at the forefront , ” Bottoms said .
“ To be able to have this collective conversation in so many ways is cathartic , especially as we ’ re going into an election year , because there won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country expect from the next administration.
” Despite the focus on racial justice , the Rev .
Al Sharpton , a civil rights activist , predicted next week ’ s convention would “ lack excitement.
” He said it likely doesn ’ t matter , however , especially as Trump and his party prepare for their convention the following week .
“ As excited as I am about Kamala Harris , the best weapon Democrats have is Donald Trump , ” Sharpton said .
“ He will do himself in .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He will beat himself.
” Barrow reported from Atlanta .
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Wilmington , Del.
, contributed to this report .
This story has been corrected to show that Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled to speak the day after Kasich , not the same day .

Steve Peoples And Bill Barrow - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Harris bringing energy, dollars and more to Biden’s campaign

WILMINGTON , Del .
- In her first two days as Joe Biden ’ s running mate , Kamala Harris has fired off the campaign ’ s sharpest criticism of President Donald Trump ’ s shortcomings .
She has vouched for Biden ’ s character on race and more .
And the enthusiasm surrounding her historic candidacy has brought in a record $ 48 million in 48 hours .
The campaign hopes it is just the beginning .
With less than three months before the election , Harris is rapidly embracing her new role .
Democratic operatives and Harris allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a relatively quiet campaign that has often preferred to keep the attention on the turbulence of Trump ’ s White House .
She ’ s already making a vigorous case for Trump ’ s defeat , allowing Biden to focus more on his own policy prescriptions and less on direct attacks .
“ We always look for surrogates and validators that help close the deal and can speak to voters who needed another reason to say , ‘ Yes , I ’ m gon na support Joe Biden , ’ ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee chair who also ran Al Gore ’ s 2000 campaign .
“ She fills in the gap.
” Harris was known during the Democratic presidential primary for wearing Converse sneakers and dancing with staff and supporters in unscripted moments .
Biden allies expect her to deliver enthusiasm among some Democrats who oppose Trump but aren ’ t yet energized to vote for a candidate they feel may be out of touch with their concerns .
Harris ’ “ ability to connect ” is part of what California Rep. Barbara Lee , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , believes will help her deliver the campaign message to voters who may be otherwise tuned out .
“ She loves to dance .
She loves to cook .
She ’ s a person who does normal things that everybody does .
They can relate to her , ” Lee said .
Still , Harris , the first Black woman selected for a national ticket , has faced her own criticism from young voters and progressives in the past , namely over her record on police misconduct as a district attorney and later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say she opposed key criminal justice reform measures , including police body cameras statewide , and didn ’ t address a number of wrongful convictions on her watch .
But during her time in Congress she ’ s embraced greater reforms to law enforcement , particularly in recent months in the nationwide reckoning over racism sparked by the police killing of George Floyd .
She has been a leading Democratic voice on the issue .
Some progressives still point to Biden ’ s past support for the 1994 crime bill as reason to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Harris herself was a critic of Biden ’ s record on race , notably assailing him during a primary debate for previously opposing federally mandated busing .
But Harris signalled Wednesday that she ’ ll offer a strong defence of Biden ’ s record on race .
During her first appearance with the former vice-president , she said Biden “ takes his place in the ongoing story of America ’ s march towards equality and justice ” as the only person “ who ’ s served alongside the first Black president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his running mate.
” Biden campaign officials see her as a strong messenger against Trump , pointing to both her vigorous criticism of the Republican president during her primary campaign , when her pledge to “ prosecute the case ” against Trump won her support , as well as her sharp comments Wednesday .
She said Trump “ cares more about himself than the people who elected him ” and accused him of “ making every challenge we face even more difficult to solve.
” Brian Brokaw , who ran Harris ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her questioning of Trump officials during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings hints at the case she ’ ll make against him on the campaign trail and during the vice-presidential debate with Mike Pence .
“ No one should forget that she had cut her teeth in the courtroom , ” he said .
“ Anybody who has been on the receiving end of the Kamala Harris cross-examination , whether it ’ s a witness on the stand or Jeff Sessions or Bill Barr knows that if you ’ re in her crosshairs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be.
” Biden ’ s allies believe a main Harris advantage is demonstrated by the Republicans ’ struggle to settle on a line of attack against her .
In the short time since she was announced , Trump has called her everything from “ extraordinarily nasty ” to “ a madwoman , “ from “ phony ” to “ radical left.
” On Thursday he said he had “ heard ” rumours that she is ineligible to run for national office because her parents are immigrants .
She was born in Oakland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is eligible .
Harris is already delivering for the campaign in a tangible way : with a record-breaking fundraising haul .
While fundraising is traditionally one of the running mate ’ s top priorities , a number of donors said her presence would be particularly helpful for Democrats because of her connections in California and beyond .
Through her nearly two decades in California politics , Harris built a network of deep-pocketed donors in Hollywood and the state ’ s legal circles .
Andrew Byrnes , a California donor who supported Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential primary , said he got about 50 messages from donors wanting to get involved after Biden selected her .
Michel Kraut , a Los Angeles lawyer and major Harris contributor , said he ’ s already had donors asking him about putting together events in the area .
“ It allows Kamala ’ s nationwide fundraising machine to get reinvigorated , ” said Kraut , who has already been raising money for Biden .
“ There ’ s this new energy that the person we wanted to be president and now is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not just , “ I ’ ll raise money , ’ but , ‘ I ’ ll be dedicated to do this.
’ ” Associated Press writer Kathleen Ronayne contributed to this report from Sacramento , Calif .

By Alexandra Jaffe And Will Weissert - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--US productivity rises 7.3%, biggest increase since 2009

SILVER SPRING , Md .
- U.S. productivity rose at a 7.3 % rate in the second quarter , the largest quarterly increase since 2009 .
Labor costs also jumped , rising 12.2 % .
The Labor Department report Friday is its first estimate of second-quarter productivity and follows the first quarter ’ s 0.3 % decline .
Labor costs rose again in the second quarter after rising at a 9.8 % rate in the January-March quarter .
It ’ s the biggest jump in labour costs since 2014 .
Productivity mostly lagged during the record long 11-year expansion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Defined as the amount of output per hour of work , productivity is the key to rising living standards , and the slow pace of growth in recent years has been a major reason that wage gains have stalled .
From 2000 to 2007 , the year the Great Recession began , annual productivity gains averaged 2.7 % .
But since then , productivity has slowed to about half that pace , rising at an average annual rate of 1.4 % from 2007 through 2019 .
The 2019 rate of 1.9 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rise , but the coronavirus pandemic hit in the first quarter of 2020 , obliterating the economy and taking virtually every economic indicator down with it .
Economists have warned that the economic disruptions caused by the coronavirus would likely hinder productivity in coming quarters .
Last month , the government reported an astonishing 32.9 % plunge in second-quarter gross domestic product , the value of goods the country produced in the April-June quarter .
It was the sharpest such drop on records dating to 1947 , and almost entirely related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has shuttered business temporarily and permanently , sending millions of workers to the unemployment line .
The Trump Administration has predicted a third quarter economic rebound , but many economists think that the economy can ’ t fully recover until the virus is mostly defeated .
The government will issue a second productivity estimate next month .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Chicago convenience store ransacked twice since May

Security cameras captured the pillaging of a West Side Chicago convenience store hours after Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned vandals that @ @ @ @ @ accountable for ransacking downtown retailers .
Walid Mouhammad , owner of African Food & Liquor @ @ @ @ @ from home on Monday as thieves destroyed his ATM , safe and cash register , @ @ @ @ @ store apart in the process .
Mouhammad has worked there for 33 years , the @ @ @ @ @ .
He says he knows his customers by name and they rely on his market @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s why he spent around $ 300,000 to reopen after being vandalized in @ @ @ @ @ by anger after George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ll be able to rebuild again .
Mouhammad says police were just a block away @ @ @ @ @ workers called 911 to report that people were trying to break into the store .
@ @ @ @ @ arrived about a half hour after the store had already been emptied .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges writes children’s book

NEW YORK - Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges has written a children ’ s book with a candid telling of the past and positive message for the future , inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests .
Delacorte Press , an imprint of Random House Children ’ s Books , announced Friday that Bridges ’ “ This Is Your Time ” will come out Nov. 10 .
It arrives 60 years after she made history at age 6 by becoming the first Black student at an all-white elementary school in New Orleans , walking past crowds screaming racist slurs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the painting “ “ The Problem We All Live With.
” The book is an open letter from Bridges to young readers and includes images from the 1960s and from recent events .
“ During the first few days of watching events unfold in our country recently , I felt myself waiting for guidance and I know many were feeling the same .
Having spent years speaking to young people about racism , I felt compelled to say something , and after careful consideration , I decided a letter to my young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
Bridges is also the author of “ Through My Eyes , ” a memoir published in 1999 .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Asia Today: India’s virus death toll rises, Seoul cases jump

NEW DELHI - India ’ s coronavirus death toll overtook Britain ’ s to become the fourth-highest in the world with another single-day record increase in cases Friday .
According to the Health Ministry , India reported 1,007 deaths in the past 24 hours .
Its total rose to 48,040 deaths , behind the United States , Brazil and Mexico .
India ’ s confirmed cases reached 2,461,190 with at single-day spike of 64,553 cases reported in the past 24 hours , the ministry said .
India is behind the United States and Brazil in total positive cases .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India have recovered .
The daily increase in newly reported infections was around 15,000 in the first week of July but jumped to more than 50,000 in the first week of August .
The ministry cited its testing efforts , with more than 800,000 tests in a single day , taking cumulative tests to more than 26 million .
Health experts say it needs to be higher , given India ’ s population of 1.4 billion .
India ’ s two-month lockdown imposed nationwide in late March kept infections low .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforced in high-risk areas .
The new cases spiked after India reopened shops and manufacturing and allowed hundreds of thousands of migrant workers to return to their homes from coronavirus-hit regions .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : — South Korea reported 103 new virus cases , one of its biggest daily jumps in months , as officials express concerned that infections are getting out of control in cities .
Eighty-three of the new cases were from the Seoul area , and infections were also reported in Busan , Gwangju and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gyeonggi province near Seoul , issued an administrative order to shut down the province ’ s 15,779 religious facilities , mostly Christian churches , for two weeks to slow the spread of the virus .
Churches have emerged as major sources of infections after many of them failed to require worshipers to wear masks or allowed them to sing in choirs or eat together in diners .
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said authorities will be forced to consider elevating social distancing measures if transmissions continue to rise .
That may include bans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities such as karaoke bars and again banning spectators from sports stadiums .
— North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lifted a lockdown at a major city near the border with South Korea where thousands had been quarantined for weeks over coronavirus worries .
But Kim also at a ruling party meeting insisted the North will keep its borders shut .
State media reported Kim said the virus situation in Kaesong was stable and expressed gratitude to residents for co-operating with the lockdown .
The lockdown was based on a suspected virus case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s test results were inconclusive .
— New Zealand ’ s government has extended a lockdown of its largest city Auckland for another 12 days as it tries to stamp out its first domestic coronavirus outbreak in more than three months .
The outbreak has grown to 30 people and extended beyond Auckland for the first time .
Until the cluster was discovered Tuesday , New Zealand had gone 102 days without infections spreading in the community , with the only known cases travellers quarantined after arriving from abroad .
Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give health authorities time to get a handle on the cluster and isolate those infected .
— A man in his 20s has become the youngest person to die of the coronavirus in Australia .
He was among 14 new deaths and 372 new infections reported by Victoria state health officials Friday in an outbreak centred in Melbourne , the second-largest city .
And Prime Minister Scott Morrison said 188 elderly people had died over the past week as the virus ripped through aged-care homes in Melbourne .
Officials say about 70 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been at aged-care facilities .
Morrison said that Australians had high expectations of the services and standards at aged-care homes and other facilities like hospitals and schools .
“ On the days that the system falls short , on the days that expectations are not met , I ’ m deeply sorry about that , of course I am , ” Morrison said .
— China reported eight new cases in the northwestern region of Xinjiang where the country ’ s latest major outbreak has been largely contained .
Another 22 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission were Chinese travellers returning home .
Hong Kong reported another 69 cases and three deaths over the past 24 hours .
The semi-autonomous Chinese city has required masks be worn in all public settings , restricted indoor dining and enacted other social distancing measures to bring down transmissions .


thetorontostar--2020-08-14--Cohen’s book foreword: Trump ‘wouldn’t mind if I was dead’

NEW YORK - Michael Cohen ’ s memoir about President Donald Trump will be released Sept. 8 by Skyhorse Publishing , which confirmed the news Thursday to The Associated Press .
The book is called “ Disloyal : The True Story of the Former Personal Attorney to President Donald J. Trump.
” “ ‘ Disloyal ’ is the most devastating business and political horror story of the century , ” according to a Skyhorse statement shared with the AP .
“ It is a story that you haven ’ t read in newspapers , or on social media , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that only someone who worked for Trump around the clock for a decade — not a few months or even a couple of years — could know.
” Earlier in the day , Cohen had released the book ’ s foreword , writing of his estranged former boss , “ He wouldn ’ t mind if I was dead.
” He did not list a publisher for the book and , as of midday Thursday , it was not listed on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com .
Cohen is completing the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home after pleading guilty to campaign finance charges and lying to Congress .
He was released from prison in May amid coronavirus fears , only to be returned in July after making it known that he planned to publish “ Disloyal.
” The U.S. government dropped its effort to silence Cohen late last month after an agreement was reached between government lawyers and Cohen attorney Danya Perry that lifted a ban on Cohen speaking publicly .
Cohen ’ s charges stemmed from his efforts to arrange payouts during the 2016 presidential race to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model Karen McDougal from speaking out about their alleged extramarital affairs with Trump , who has denied the affairs .
He has said that Trump directed him to make the payments .
Skyhorse has a history of taking on books by controversial public figures , including a memoir this spring by Woody Allen that had been dropped by Hachette Book Group .