thetorontostar--2020-10-08--The Latest: Trump wants to hold rally in Florida on Saturday

WASHINGTON - The Latest on the 2020 presidential campaign ( all times local ) : President Donald Trump says he wants to try and hold a campaign rally in Florida on Saturday “ if we have enough time to put it together.
” He also says he might also hold a campaign rally the following night in Pennsylvania .
Speaking Thursday night on Fox News Channel , Trump mentioned his desire to start holding campaign rallies again just hours after his doctor said that he fully anticipates Trump can make a “ safe return to public engagements ” on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eager to return to the campaign trail and boost a campaign that is trailing in the national polls , and in most battlegrounds .
Trump says he is expecting to take another COVID-19 test on Friday .
That would be one week after he flew to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a three-day hospitalization for the coronavirus .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT ’ S HAPPENING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE : The second scheduled debate between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 debate after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced Thursday that it would be held virtually because he has the coronavirus .
After Trump pulled out , Biden scheduled his own ABC town hall in Philadelphia for the same date .
— Next Trump-Biden debate now uncertain as rival camps argue — Trump hails virus treatment , says he ’ s ready to do rallies HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : The chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates says it is not reconsidering shifting the second debate from virtual back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump ’ s team .
Frank Fahrenkopf told The Associated Press late Thursday that the nonpartisan group ’ s decision was not going to be reversed .
That means the second debate is probably not going to happen at all .
The commission decided to make the Oct. 15 debate virtual after Trump tested positive for the coronavirus .
Fahrenkopf says that the group wanted to “ protect the health and safety of all involved ” and that the decision was guided by the advice of the Cleveland Clinic , its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s doctor , Navy Cmdr .
Sean Conley , said in a letter Thursday evening that Trump would be cleared to resume public activities Saturday , 10 days after his diagnosis .
Earlier Thursday , Trump balked at the virtual event and said he wouldn ’ t participate .
Biden ’ s campaign then said Biden would participate in a town hall hosted by ABC News on Oct. 15 instead .
President Donald Trump ’ s doctor says he fully anticipates Trump can make a “ safe return to public engagements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Sean Conley comes in a letter Thursday updating on the president ’ s condition as he recovers from COVID-19 .
Conley says Trump has completed his course of therapy as prescribed by his team of physicians .
Trump is eager to return to the campaign trail with the election less than four weeks away .
Conley ’ s letter also says the president ’ s vital signs on Thursday included a heart rate of 69 beats per minute and a blood pressure reading of 127/81 .
Conley says that , “ overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to treatment , without evidence on examination of adverse therapeutic effects.
” The chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates says the final debate is slated to go on as scheduled in-person , but President Donald Trump ’ s campaign hasn ’ t yet said whether he ’ ll participate .
Frank Fahrenkopf said Thursday on CNN that the commission intends for the debate scheduled for Oct. 22 to be held in person .
The commission announced earlier Thursday that the second debate , a town hall in Miami on Oct. 15 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus virus .
The decision to move next week ’ s debate online prompted Trump to pull out of the event .
The Trump campaign had asked for the upcoming debates to each be postponed by a week .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign rejected that proposal and announced the Democrat would instead participate in an ABC News town hall on Oct. 15 , the date originally slated for the town hall debate .
Joe Biden is pitching an economic message as he campaigns in Arizona with his running mate Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump “ looks down on ” working Americans .
The Democratic presidential nominee told a masked , socially distanced crowd at a Phoenix area union training facility on Thursday that the country “ deserves a president who understands what the American people are going through .
Who sees who you are , what you want to be.
” A key part of Biden ’ s closing argument ahead of the Nov. 3 election is to pitch Trump as only pretending to care about the working-class voters that propelled his 2016 victory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from congressional negotiations for a new pandemic relief package and for asking courts to strike down the 2010 Affordable Care Act .
Biden said those moves will hurt millions of workers and small businesses .
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris is urging Arizona residents to vote “ like your life depends on it , ” because , she says , “ it really does.
” Joe Biden and Harris are campaigning together Thursday for the first time since their nominating convention in August , and they chose Arizona to highlight the critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to blast President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic , just as she did in her debate Wednesday night against Vice-President Mike Pence .
Harris says Trump ’ s “ refusal to contain this virus is what has wreaked havoc on our economy.
” Early voting began this week in Arizona , and Democrats believe population growth and Trump ’ s sliding support among suburban voters make the GOP-leaning state a pickup opportunity .
Harris also urged Arizonans to vote for Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly .
His bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be key to determining whether Democrats regain control of the Senate .
Democrat Joe Biden says President Donald Trump ’ s tweet earlier this year to “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN ” may have encouraged a now-foiled kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , though the criminal complaint itself doesn ’ t say that .
A federal complaint says Thursday that six men plotted to kidnap the Democratic governor at her vacation home in reaction to what they viewed as her “ uncontrolled power.
” There ’ s no indication in the complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities also have not publicly said whether the men were angry about Whitmer ’ s coronavirus orders .
Biden said ahead of an Arizona campaign swing that Trump “ has to realize that the words he utters matter.
” He was asked specifically whether he thought the Trump tweet directed at Whitmer ’ s COVID-19 restrictions might have encouraged her would-be kidnappers .
He said , “ Yes , I do.
” Biden says he and his running mate , Kamala Harris , have both spoken with Whitmer on Thursday .
Whitmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the vice-presidential slot .
Whitmer herself publicly pinned some blame on Trump earlier Thursday , noting that he did not condemn white supremacists in last week ’ s debate with Biden and instead told a far-right group to “ stand back and stand by.
” Joe Biden says he won ’ t reveal under after the Nov. 3 election whether he ’ d consider adding seats to the Supreme Court .
The Democratic presidential nominee told reporters in Arizona on Thursday that voters will “ know my opinion on court packing when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said answering the hypothetical and politically fraught question would play into President Donald Trump ’ s hands .
Biden has joined his party ’ s senators in calling for Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to delay a confirmation vote on Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , Amy Coney Barrett , until after the election .
Barrett would give the court a 6-3 conservative majority .
Some progressives want Biden and Democrats to commit to expanding the court with a slate of liberal justices if they take power in January .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hopes of animating the GOP base and perhaps coaxing votes from some moderate Republicans who dislike Trump but care about the court makeup .
Democrat Joe Biden is calling on President Donald Trump to stop insulting his running mate , Sen. Kamala Harris , after the president called her a “ monster ” during a TV appearance .
Speaking to reporters Thursday on the tarmac in Phoenix , Biden called the Republican president ’ s comments “ despicable ” and “ so beneath the office of the presidency.
” He added of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious he has great difficulty dealing with strong women.
” Trump made the comments Thursday on Fox Business in reference to Harris ’ performance during Wednesday night ’ s vice-presidential debate with Mike Pence .
Harris , who is campaigning in Arizona with Biden , declined to comment on the president ’ s remarks .
The presidential election is 26 days away .
Joe Biden will participate in an ABC News town hall on Oct. 15 , the date originally slated for a second town hall presidential debate between the Democrat and President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes after Trump pulled out of their planned duel town hall following an announcement by the Commission on Presidential Debates that it would be held virtually because of the president ’ s COVID-19 diagnosis .
Biden has called for pushing back the town hall format to Oct. 22 , effectively replacing the third planned debate .
Trump countered with pushing back both debates , holding a town hall on Oct. 22 and then a third debate Oct. 29 , just days before the Nov. 3 election .
George Stephanopoulos will host the Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kamala Harris have tested negative for COVID-19 .
It ’ s at least the fifth time Biden has tested negative since President Donald Trump confirmed that he had contracted the coronavirus .
Harris ’ negative test follows her debate with Vice-President Mike Pence on Wednesday night .
Two plexiglass shields were up between them as an extra precaution .
Biden , Harris and Pence campaigned in Arizona on Thursday .
Trump remained sidelined at the White House .
The president ’ s illness helped cast the remaining presidential debates into doubt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 15 town hall debate would be virtual .
Trump refused to participate and proposed pushing back that debate and the third debate originally scheduled for Oct. 22 .
Biden ’ s campaign rejected that idea .
The commission will make the final determination .
Biden said earlier this week there should be no in-person debates as long as Trump still has the virus .
Joe Biden is rejecting President Donald Trump ’ s proposal to push back their remaining two debates in the wake of Trump ’ s coronavirus diagnosis , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to Trump to set the schedule .
Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield says the campaign had long ago agreed to debate dates of Sept. 29 , Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 .
Debate organizers on Thursday said next week ’ s event would be a virtual one due to Trump ’ s having COVID-19 .
The president immediately objected to that format , said he wouldn ’ t take part and pressed for the candidates to meet in person .
His campaign then proposed the town hall postponed by one week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third debate held on Oct. 29 .
The Biden camp says Trump ’ s “ erratic behaviour does not allow him to rewrite the calendar and pick new dates of his choosing.
“ Bedingfield says Biden looks forward to the Oct. 22 debate , which she says is “ tied for the latest debate date in 40 years.
” President Donald Trump ’ s campaign is proposing delaying the two remaining presidential debates by one week to ensure the debates can take place in-person , rather than virtually , after Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Debate announced Thursday that next week ’ s town hall debate in Miami would be held virtually because of Trump had the virus .
The president immediately objected to that format , and he said he wouldn ’ t take part .
Trump ’ s campaign manager Bill Stepien says in a statement that the “ American people should not be deprived of the chance to see the two candidates for president debate face to face two more times ” before the election .
Stepien says the campaign would like to see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Oct. 22 , and the third debate held on Oct. 29 .
Democrat Joe Biden ’ s campaign had also asked that town hall be moved back a week “ so the president is not able to evade accountability.
” Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign says because of President Donald Trump ’ s rejection of a virtual presidential debate on Oct. 15 , the Democratic challenger will hold his own town hall event the same night .
Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said in a statement late Thursday morning that the Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hall debate for Oct. 22 .
That ’ s the night a third debate was to take place .
The commission earlier Thursday had announced that any Oct. 15 debate would be virtual because of Trump ’ s recent COVID-19 diagnosis .
Biden said he was willing to abide by the format change , but Trump blasted the decision and argued without evidence that the commission was trying to help Biden .
Bedingfield said in her statement that Trump is trying to “ evade accountability ” by avoiding facing voters directly .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask questions of both candidates , directly , ” she said .
“ Every presidential candidate since 1992 has participated in such an event , and it would be a shame if Donald Trump was the first to refuse.
” President Donald Trump , who has the coronavirus , says he will not participate in next week ’ s presidential debate if it ’ s held virtually .
Trump says in a Fox Business interview that that arrangement is “ not acceptable to us.
” And he ’ s accusing moderators of trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates had announced moments earlier that the second debate between Trump and Biden will take place virtually because of the president ’ s diagnosis of COVID-19 .
The commission cited a need “ to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate ” and said the candidates would “ participate from separate remote locations ” while the participants and moderator remain in Miami .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Prominent GOP fundraiser charged in covert lobbying effort

WASHINGTON - Elliott Broidy , a prominent fundraiser for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party , has been charged in an illicit lobbying campaign aimed at getting the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multibillion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund .
Broidy is the latest person accused by the Justice Department of participating in the covert lobbying effort , which also sought to arrange for the return of a Chinese dissident living in the U.S. A consultant , Nickie Lum Davis , pleaded guilty in August for her role in the scheme .
The case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , D.C. , with Broidy facing a single conspiracy charge related to his failure to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act , which requires people lobbying in the U.S. on behalf of a foreign entity to disclose that work to the Justice Department .
A lawyer for Broidy declined to comment on Thursday .
The allegations are contained in a charging document known as an information , which typically signals a defendant ’ s intent to plead guilty .
Prosecutors allege that Broidy worked with Davis and others to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of billions of dollars that officials say were pilfered from 1MDB , a Malaysian wealth fund that was established more than a decade ago to accelerate the country ’ s economic development but that prosecutors say was actually treated as a piggy bank by associates of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak .
As part of the scheme , prosecutors said , Broidy “ facilitated and attempted to facilitate meetings and other efforts to influence officials at the highest level of the United States government , including the President and the Attorney General.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Bangkok hotel suite , he agreed to lobby the Trump administration and the attorney general , then Jeff Sessions , for an $ 8 million retainer fee , according to prosecutors .
The effort was done on behalf of a fugitive Malaysian financier , Jho Low , but was ultimately unsuccessful : The Justice Department in 2018 charged Low , who remains at large , in connection with conspiring to launder billions of dollars from the fund and last year reached a civil settlement to recover more than $ 700 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the looted fund .
Low has denied wrongdoing and did not admit blame in that settlement .
And Broidy did not register with the U.S. government that he was working on behalf of Low .
Broidy has been a top fundraiser for Trump but resigned in 2018 from his role as deputy chairman of the Republican National Committee after it was revealed that he paid $ 1.6 million to a Playboy Playmate with whom he had an extramarital affair .
According to prosecutors , Broidy used his access to the White House to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and the Malaysian prime minister , and though that outing did not take place , the leaders did ultimately meet at the White House in September 2017 .
Broidy himself met with Trump at the White House the following month , and though he did not raise the 1MDB matter with him , he told Davis that he had , court papers say .
Broidy ’ s work also included a separate unsuccessful lobbying effort — trying to arrange for the removal of a Chinese dissident who was living in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not referred to by name by prosecutors , but it matches the description of Guo Wengui .
Guo left China in 2014 during an anti-corruption crackdown led by President Xi Jinping that ensnared people close to Guo , including a top intelligence official .
Chinese authorities have accused Guo of rape , kidnapping , bribery and other offences and have sought the return of the self-exiled tycoon .

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thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Texas officer charged in Black man’s fatal shooting fired

DALLAS - A white police officer charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Black man in a small East Texas city was fired Thursday .
A statement from Wolfe City said Officer Shaun Lucas , 22 , was fired for “ his egregious violation ” of city and police department policy .
The city of about 1,500 people is located about 70 miles ( 113 kilometres ) northeast of Dallas .
Jonathan Price , 31 , was killed after Lucas arrived at a convenience store on Oct. 3 to check out a report of a fight .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been charged , the Texas Rangers said that Price “ resisted in a non-threatening posture and began walking away , ” and that the officer ’ s actions weren ’ t “ reasonable.
” Lucas had been with the Wolfe City Police Department for a little less than six months when the shooting took place , according to records from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement .
His prior law enforcement experience had been working as a jailer with the Hunt County Sheriff ’ s Office for about five months Lee Merritt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the family was relieved to hear that Lucas had been fired , but thought it should have happened sooner .
Lucas remained jailed Thursday on $ 1 million bond .
His attorney , John Snider , said Thursday that there was no appeal process available for Lucas to challenge the firing .
Snider said Lucas “ acted within policy and law.
“ “ Mr .
Lucas only discharged his pistol as a last resort in response to an aggressive assailant who was actively trying to take his “ stun gun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he doesn ’ t believe that is what happened .
He said witnesses have said Price was “ too far away to even be considered as reaching for the ” stun gun .
He said that after the stun gun was deployed , Price ’ s “ muscle movements at that point were involuntary , so he wasn ’ t reaching for anything consciously.
” The arrest affidavit for Lucas , which was released Wednesday , said that when Lucas arrived at the convenience store he was greeted by Price , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” several times and extended his hand in a handshake gesture .
Price apologized for broken glass on the ground , telling the officer someone had tried “ to wrap me up.
” The affidavit , written by a Texas Ranger , says Lucas thought Price was intoxicated and tried to detain him .
Price said “ I can ’ t be detained ” as Lucas grabbed at his arm and used verbal commands .
When Lucas produced a stun gun , Price began to walk away .
After Lucas deployed the stun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective , Price walked toward him and appeared to reach out to grab the end of the stun gun , the affidavit said .
The affidavit said that Lucas then fired four times , striking Price in the upper torso .
Price was later pronounced dead at a hospital .
Merritt said the description in the affidavit of what led to the shooting mirrored what Lucas ’ attorney has said .
He said it was unfair that it was released before the officer ’ s body camera video and surveillance video have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any details about the reported fight that brought Lucas to the convenience store , but Price ’ s family and friends said the one-time college football player had intervened in a domestic disturbance .
The funeral for Price , a well-known figure in the tight-knit community , will be held Saturday at the high school football field .
Price , who worked in maintenance for the city , had played football at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene .
Family and friends said the personal trainer and body builder had dreams of starting his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Marcella Louis , said this week : “ He helped everybody in this community and had a big heart and spirit.
” The city said in its statement Thursday that the mayor and city council are grateful that gatherings in support of Price and his family have remained peaceful .
“ We also ask that you remember our city employees , many of whom worked with both Mr. Price and Mr. Lucas as we eventually begin the work of healing our town and the community at large , “ the statement said @


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Suspended officials sue agency that runs Voice of America

WASHINGTON - Suspended officials at the agency that runs the Voice of America news outlet filed suit against it Thursday , accusing its CEO and his top aides of trying to turn it into a vehicle to promote President Donald Trump ’ s agenda .
The lawsuit , filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia , says the actions of U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack and his senior advisers violate the “ statutory firewall ” intended to protect VOA from political interference .
National Public Radio , which first reported the lawsuit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended by Pack and are seeking reinstatement .
Lawyer Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. told NPR , “ The lawsuit we filed today seeks to vindicate core First Amendment principles that protect the independence and credibility of this country ’ s publicly funded media organizations , like Voice of America , which are under siege by the current administration.
” Pack , a conservative filmmaker , Trump ally and one-time associate of former Trump political adviser Steve Bannon , took the helm of USAGM in June and has made no secret of his intent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves , however , have been criticized by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who control the agency ’ s budget .
Democrats in particular have expressed alarm about Pack ’ s actions , which they fear are aimed at turning VOA and other U.S.-funded broadcasters like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty , Middle East Broadcasting Networks , and the Cuba-focused Radio/TV Marti into Trump propaganda outlets .
VOA was founded during World War II and its congressional charter requires it to present independent news and information to international audiences .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Amid NYC protests, Orthodox Jews urge new virus-era dialogue

After months of grappling with a pandemic that has walloped New York ’ s Orthodox Jewish communities , prompting changes to holidays , mourning and prayers , new limits on worship and other activity in some areas are pushing tensions in some neighbourhoods of Brooklyn to the boiling point .
New restrictions in places where coronavirus cases are rising , including several Orthodox areas , led to street protests Tuesday night .
Videos posted on social media showed hundreds of Orthodox men gathered in the streets of Brooklyn ’ s Borough Park neighbourhood , in some cases setting bonfires by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man who filmed the unrest .
On Wednesday night , crowds of men returned to the streets as police watched .
As the protests made headlines , and the Orthodox group Agudath Israel led a Thursday federal court challenge seeking to halt the constraints , some Orthodox Jews in New York urged officials and fellow believers to find a way to communicate better .
“ We need partnership .
We need government and the community to work together ” on an approach to fighting the virus that can “ respect the culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abe Friedman , an Orthodox leader and law enforcement chaplain in Brooklyn .
Friedman said he hoped the government would understand that Orthodox Jews are not “ gathering careless of the pandemic , ” but rather returning to cherished customs of communal prayer , celebration and mourning .
“ We congregate together , we pray together , and this is why social distancing is even more hard at times , and it has a greater effect , ” said Friedman , lauding community members who are heeding public health guidance .
Orthodox Jews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governing structure , but leaders at six major groups representing different sectors signed onto a unified statement in March urging their faithful to heed social distancing rules .
In the view of many Orthodox Jews in New York whose areas were hit hard and early by the pandemic , city and state officials stoked tension with their handling of restrictions on houses of worship and schools in hot spots .
On top of feeling singled out as a religious community , some Orthodox Jews can lack sufficient , reliable public health guidance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the internet — all while confronting curbs on faith practices built on social engagement that have sustained them for generations .
The spike in virus cases and resulting restrictions came soon after Jews celebrated some of the holiest days on their calendar .
After this week ’ s Sukkot holiday , the weekend ’ s Simchat Torah promises to further test Orthodox communities ’ ability to gather safely .
The Agudath Israel-led lawsuit says the state ’ s new limits “ make it impossible for Orthodox Jews to comply with both their religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Simchat Torah is normally a joyful occasion when worshippers often dance with Torah scrolls , holding and kissing them — risky behaviours during a pandemic .
Orthodox practices also involve multiple daily group prayers , something many were forced to change this spring as the virus began spreading .
Another essential aspect of Judaism , however , has proven helpful in promoting masks and social distancing : the Torah ’ s emphasis on the value of human life , to the degree that violating other tenets is permissible if it means saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agudath Israel to distribute 400,000 masks , the Boro Park Jewish Community Council in Brooklyn reminded members that “ we have an obligation from the Torah to stay safe.
” “ Only by working with communities — treating them as partners , not problems — will the city have a chance at achieving the desired outcomes , ” Yair Rosenberg , a senior writer at Tablet Magazine , wrote in a Thursday column on how to prevent a “ looming coronavirus crisis in Hasidic Brooklyn.
” Rosenberg ’ s father is a rabbi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the city areas subject to the new restrictions .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday the city has responded impartially to mass gatherings and violations of pandemic-related rules .
“ This is only about the data and the science , and we ’ re applying it evenly to all communities with respect , with understanding , ” de Blasio told reporters .
Orthodox Jews comprised 10 % of the total U.S. Jewish population in a 2013 Pew Research Center study .
In Israel a similar friction is ongoing over public health behaviours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 10 % of that nation ’ s population but have accounted for more than one-third of coronavirus cases .
As debate intensified in New York ’ s Orthodox neighbourhoods , more than 400 rabbis and other leaders from multiple branches of Judaism released a letter supporting the city and state ’ s “ data-driven , geographically-based efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.
” The letter , released by the New York Jewish Agenda , calls for dissemination of public health guidance in a way that ’ s “ both culturally appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But to be clear , ” it said , “ requiring masking and social distancing for all gatherings , including religious gatherings , is not antisemitism.
” Orthodox Jews were not alone in contesting the state ’ s new limits on in-person worship in certain areas .
A lawsuit filed Thursday by Brooklyn ’ s Roman Catholic diocese alleges that the restrictions would force more than two dozen churches to close , “ even though those churches have been reopened for months in strict adherence to all medical and governmental guidance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Rapper Tory Lanez charged with shooting Megan Thee Stallion

Los Angeles prosecutors on Thursday charged rapper Tory Lanez with shooting artist Megan Thee Stallion during an argument earlier this year .
Lanez is accused of shooting at Megan Thee Stallion ’ s feet , hitting her , after she left a SUV during a fight in the Hollywood Hills on July 12 , according to a release .
He faces two felony charges — assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying a loaded , unregistered firearm in a vehicle .
The complaint states Lanez “ inflicted great bodily injury ” on Megan Thee Stallion .
A message sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned .
Lanez , a 27-year-old Canadian rapper and singer whose legal name is Daystar Peterson , is due to be arraigned Tuesday in Los Angeles .
If convicted , he faces a maximum sentence of roughly 23 years .
Lanez was arrested the night of the shooting but released after posting bail .
Prosecutors are recommending that his bail be set at $ 1.1 million ( U.S. ) at his arraignment .
Megan Thee Stallion , whose real name is Megan Pete , is identified in the felony complaint only as Megan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the person who shot her in social media posts and videos on the subject for more than a month .
But on Aug. 20 , she said in an Instagram video that “ Yes ... Tory shot me , ” and urged him to “ stop lying ” about the incident .
She ’ s discussed the shooting in several often emotional Instagram videos , calling it “ super scary ” and “ the worst experience of my life.
” She declined to tell police that night that she had been shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman had foot injuries consistent with broken glass .
She has said that she was too frightened the situation would have escalated if she revealed to police that there had been gunfire .
Lanez has not spoken publicly about the incident .
On Sept. 24 , he said on his social media accounts that he would break his silence that evening , but that announcement turned out to be a teaser for the release of his fifth studio album , “ Daystar.
” Lanez has not reached the stardom that Megan the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top 20 hit with “ Luv ” in 2016 , and has had a successful run of mixtapes and major-label records since his career began in 2009 .
At the time of the shooting , Megan Thee Stallion was already a major hip-hop star following a triumphant year that saw her nominated for artist of the year at the MTV Video Music Awards .
Since the shooting , her guest stint on the Cardi B song “ WAP ” helped turn the track — and music video — into a huge cultural phenomenon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season premiere of “ Saturday Night Live.
“


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Fire in South Korean apartment high-rise hurts at least 88

SEOUL , Korea , Republic Of - A fire spread up a high-rise apartment building by strong winds in a @ @ @ @ @ scores of people with minor injuries , officials said Friday .
Footage from the scene @ @ @ @ @ ball of orange flame soaring up the 33-floor building and shooting through the roof as @ @ @ @ @ out the blaze from below .
There were no immediate reports of deaths or serious @ @ @ @ @ evacuated as the fire broke out while workers rescued another 77 who had escaped to @ @ @ @ @ .
South Korea ’ s Ministry of the Interior and Safety said at least 88 @ @ @ @ @ injuries such as scratches or lightly inhaling smoke .
Officials are investigating the cause of @ @ @ @ @ said started at a balcony in one of the lower floors late Thursday and spread @ @ @ @ @ building amid strong winds .
The fire was nearly put out as of 9 a.m. @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--The Trump-Pence strategy on the coronavirus: Interrupt, distract, change the subject

For much of the summer , U.S. President Donald Trump argued that Joe Biden was scared to debate him , reliant on performance-enhancing drugs and barely able to remain upright for 90 minutes because of his purportedly failing health .
That was then .
Now , Trump is receiving medication to treat a case of a virus he has failed to control , and he has become the candidate casting doubt on his participation in the next debate .
After the Commission on Presidential Debates announced plans to hold next week ’ s town hall virtually , Trump threatened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two campaigns into a daylong debate over debates .
The president ’ s central concern : the possibility of a mute button .
“ I ’ m not going to waste my time on a virtual debate , ” he told Fox News .
“ You sit behind a computer and do a debate — it ’ s ridiculous , and then they cut you off whenever they want.
” The White House ’ s approach to avoiding accountability for its record is becoming clearer than ever : to distract , interrupt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention on Trump ’ s handling of the virus and other issues .
The strategy was on vivid display Wednesday night , when Vice President Mike Pence repeatedly interrupted Sen. Kamala Harris and talked over the moderator , Susan Page , ignoring rules about speaking time .
While Pence ’ s behaviour paled in comparison to the barrage of hectoring from Trump during the first presidential debate , it was a notable deviation from the norm .
Pence , a soft-spoken former governor , frequently takes on the role of the polite neighbour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ din of the Trump administration .
The president ’ s threatened refusal to debate virtually is in keeping with the disorder that Pence generally sidesteps .
But it may be little more than a negotiating tactic .
Biden has said he plans to take questions from voters next week — with or without Trump present .
For the president to forgo the opportunity to make his case before one of the biggest audiences of the campaign would be strikingly out of character for the former reality television host .
“ If you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 80 million people , I got a gold tower on Fifth Avenue to sell you , ” said Matt Gorman , a Republican strategist .
“ This is a negotiating mechanism.
” The president has been known to engage in projection , accusing his political opponents of the same charges they make against him .
The debate may be no different .
After the first debate , Trump accused Biden of not wanting to face off against him for a second time .
“ I hear he doesn ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hours after Biden had said in an appearance that he was looking forward to the next debate .
“ That ’ s up to him .
I don ’ t mind debating him.
” Yet , at a time when American life is defined by the singular political force of the pandemic , the president is grasping for opportunities to change the topic .
Months of effort by Trump to dismiss the disease or shift attention to other issues , like racial justice protests or the Supreme Court , have largely failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ravaging his White House , his last option may be simply not to let anyone else get a word in .
“ You could list a thousand things in the world that they would rather talk about than coronavirus and how they ’ ve dealt with it , ” said Robert Gibbs , a Democratic strategist who helped prepare former president Barack Obama for debates.
< strong > “ < /strong > It goes back to this idea that if you can ’ t control the narrative , then flood the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , Pence ’ s attempt to control the narrative was evident primarily in the questions he sidestepped and the time limits he ignored .
Four years ago , Sen. Tim Kaine came across more as the aggressor , often interrupting a more restrained Pence in their vice-presidential debate .
Karen Finney , a Democratic strategist who helped prepare Kaine , said her team had expected Pence to stick with his talking points with a respectful smile — a tactic he largely adopted .
Wednesday night , he took a far more assertive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tally of the debate , Pence interrupted Harris twice as often as the reverse , though the two got nearly the same amount of speaking time .
The fact that Harris and Page are women only made his approach more noticeable — and more difficult to counteract .
As the first woman of colour on a presidential debate stage , Harris was acutely aware , as she and her team prepared for the debate , of avoiding an obstacle course of gendered and racial pitfalls .
“ Part of why his performance last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t seen Pence behave that way , ” Finney said .
“ They are resorting to the classic tropes to try to attack her , diminish her and undermine her.
” Republicans reject the idea that Pence was levelling sexist attacks by interrupting Harris .
Kellyanne Conway , the former counsellor to the president , who is close to Pence and used to work as his pollster , said Harris ’ attempt to accuse the vice president of interrupting her seemed canned .
“ These are the highest offices in the land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t absorb the accolades for making history as first woman of colour on the ticket and then cry damsel in distress.
” Others made a similar observation .
In a postdebate round table , veteran broadcaster Martha Raddatz , who was a moderator at a 2016 presidential debate , expressed some frustration with the idea that the vice president had been “ mansplaining ” onstage .
“ A man can interrupt another vice-presidential candidate , ” she said .
The vice president ’ s team and the Trump campaign both viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the vice president ’ s challenge had been even greater than four years ago because this time he had to defend the president ’ s record of actions and statements , which Harris was prosecuting .
“ I think he was terrific in not only defending our record , but in indicting theirs , ” said Marc Short , the vice president ’ s chief of staff .
As for any interruptions , Short shrugged it off , claiming it would be difficult to make any real drama out of Pence ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside any political norms and is typically gracious to the point of parody .
Indeed , Pence went out of his way to thank his opponent and the moderator at multiple points throughout the evening , seemingly as a nice-guy device designed to kill the clock .
“ It seems contrived and preplanned on their part , ” Short said of the suggestion that interruptions had been conspicuous .
“ I didn ’ t feel that in the midst of the debate .
He was a gentleman and as kind as they come.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ practiced what to do should Harris interrupt him .
Pam Bondi , the former Florida attorney general , stood in for Harris in a debate prep session and used her prosecutorial skills to interrupt Pence and accuse him of not answering questions .
Some officials were surprised that they didn ’ t see more of that on the stage .
Supporters of Harris said she was constrained by how voters perceive women , particularly Black women .
Academic research has shown that voters have different expectations for how people of different identities should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s expressing of anger could become a liability , even if her emotion was justified .
Some Democrats believe that was part of Pence ’ s calculus .
“ They can not win a debate on the coronavirus , ” said Christina Reynolds , a vice president of Emily ’ s List , a leading Democratic women ’ s group .
“ To them , you get it to a draw by making the story either about the interrupting or you push the other side into angry reactions , knowing that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will .
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--13 charged in plots against Michigan governor, police

LANSING , Mich. - Agents foiled a stunning plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , authorities said Thursday in announcing charges in an alleged scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to snatch her from her vacation home .
Six men were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap the governor in reaction to what they viewed as her “ uncontrolled power , ” according to a federal complaint .
Separately , seven others linked to a paramilitary group called the Wolverine Watchmen were charged in state court for allegedly seeking to storm the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war.
” The two groups trained together and planned “ various acts of violence , ” according to the state police .
Surveillance for the kidnapping plot took place in August and September , according to an FBI affidavit , and four of the men had planned to meet Wednesday to “ make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear.
” The FBI quoted one of the men as saying Whitmer “ has no checks and balances at all .
She has uncontrolled power right now .
All good things must come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plots were stopped with the work of undercover agents and informants .
The men were arrested Wednesday night .
The six charged in federal court face up to life in prison if convicted .
The state terrorism charges the other seven men face carry a possible 20-year sentence .
Andrew Birge , the U.S. attorney in western Michigan , called the men “ violent extremists.
” “ All of us in Michigan can disagree about politics , but those disagreements should never , ever amount to violence .
Violence has been prevented today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
A few hours later , Whitmer pinned some blame on President Donald Trump , noting that he did not condemn white supremacists in last week ’ s debate with Joe Biden and instead told a far-right group to “ stand back and stand by.
” “ Hate groups heard the president ’ s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry , as a call to action , ” Whitmer said .
Whitmer , who was considered as Biden ’ s running mate , has been widely praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sharply criticized by Republican lawmakers and people in conservative areas of the state .
The Capitol has been the site of many rallies , including ones with gun-toting protesters calling for her ouster .
Whitmer put major restrictions on personal movement and the economy , although many of those limits have been lifted since spring .
The governor has exchanged barbs with Trump on social media , with the president declaring in April , “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” There is no indication in the criminal complaint that the men were inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly said whether the men were angry about Whitmer ’ s coronavirus orders .
The criminal complaint identified the six accused in the plot against Whitmer as Adam Fox , Ty Garbin , Kaleb Franks , Daniel Harris , Brandon Caserta , all of Michigan , and Barry Croft of Delaware .
All but Croft appeared Thursday in federal court in Grand Rapids .
They asked for court-appointed lawyers and were returned to jail to await detention hearings Tuesday .
Fox , who was described as one of the leaders , was living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Grand Rapids .
The owner said Fox was opposed to wearing a mask during the pandemic and kept firearms and ammunition at the store .
“ He was anti-police , anti-government , “ Brian Titus told WOOD-TV .
“ He was afraid if he didn ’ t stand up for the Second Amendment and his rights that the country is going to go communism and socialism.
” The government said the plot against Whitmer appeared to have roots in a June gathering in Dublin , Ohio , attended by more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Croft and Fox .
“ The group talked about creating a society that followed the U.S. Bill of Rights and where they could be self-sufficient , ” the FBI affidavit said .
“ They discussed different ways of achieving this goal from peaceful endeavours to violent actions .
... Several members talked about murdering ‘ tyrants ’ or ‘ taking ’ a sitting governor.
” The seven men charged in state court are accused of identifying the homes of law enforcement officers and making violent threats “ intended to instigate a civil war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They were identified as Paul Bellar , 21 , of Milford ; Shawn Fix , 38 , of Belleville ; Eric Molitor , 36 , of Cadillac ; Michael Null , 38 , of Plainwell ; William Null , 38 , of Shelbyville ; Pete Musico , 42 , and Joseph Morrison , 26 , who live together in Munith .
According to the affidavit , Musico and Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen , which authorities described as “ an anti-government , anti-law enforcement militia group.
” At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some armed demonstrators who entered the Senate gallery on April 30 following a larger protest outside the Capitol against Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home order , said Nessel spokeswoman Kelly Rossman-McKinney .
At the time , a senator said the men shouted down at senators who were meeting amid debate over extending the governor ’ s emergency declaration .
The identities of the three men were not immediately available .
The Watchmen have met periodically for firearms and tactical training in remote areas “ to prepare for the ‘ boogaloo , ’ a term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or impending politically motivated civil war , ” state police Det .
Sgt .
Michael Fink wrote in an affidavit .
Some boogaloo promoters insist they are not genuinely advocating for violence .
But the boogaloo has been linked to a recent string of domestic terrorism plots , including the arrests of three Nevada men accused of conspiring to incite violence during protests in Las Vegas .
Boogaloo supporters have shown up at protests against COVID-19 lockdown orders and racial injustice , carrying rifles and wearing tactical gear over Hawaiian shirts .
Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mid-1990s , when a number of loosely affiliated groups began organizing and training in rural areas .
They used short-wave radio , newsletters and early internet connections to spread a message of resistance to what they contended was a conspiracy to impose world government and seize guns .
They gained notoriety after reports surfaced that Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols , convicted in the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building , had met with group members , although their connections were murky .
“ That old militia world is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tooth , ” said J.J. MacNab , a fellow at George Washington University ’ s Program on Extremism .
Nonetheless , rallies at the Michigan Capitol against Whitmer ’ s shutdown orders were recruiting events for such groups , said MacNab , who monitors their social media activity .
___ White reported from Detroit .
AP reporters Michael Kunzelman in College Park , Maryland , and John Flesher in Traverse City , Michigan , contributed to this story .

David Eggert And Ed White - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--UN Security Council Back Home in Own Chamber After 7 Months

TANZANIA , Tanzania - The U.N. Security Council met in its chamber at U.N. headquarters in New York for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York in March on Thursday , and despite wearing masks and being separated by plexiglass dividers , U.S .
Ambassador Kelly Craft said “ It was so great to be home.
” “ We ’ re all practicing our social distancing — but we ’ re just so happy to be together , ” she said as she left the council meeting on Mali ’ s transition after a recent coup .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N .
Ambassador Christoph Heusgen , who started lobbying for the U.N. ’ s most powerful body to resume in-person meetings in its chamber when his country held the council presidency in July , agreed .
“ The Security Council is coming home , and it was wonderful to be there , ” he said .
Like most businesses and organizations , the council was forced to meet virtually because of the pandemic , but the heart of diplomacy is face-to-face contact and interaction , and as the months rolled by pressure grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in getting council members to meet in the much larger chamber for the Economic and Social Council on several occasions in July , and that practice has continued several times in the succeeding months , despite the majority of U.N. staff members still working from home .
But as France ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere said Thursday , the larger ECOSOC chamber is for its 54 members , and the smaller Security Council chamber is for its 15 members .
It was “ really good ” to be back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said , and with masks , plexiglass , and only two diplomats allowed from each country , “ we ’ ll do that a couple of times each week.
” “ The council is back at work , ” echoed South Africa ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Jerry Matjila .
“ It was fantastic.
” Russia ’ s U.N .
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia , the current council president who strongly supported Germany ’ s push for a return to the council chamber , told reporters as he left Thursday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy to come back home , finally.
” “ It was a long road , ” he said .
“ Seven months it took us , and finally we are back , and that ’ s a good message as well .
All members of the council were saying ECOSOC is fine , but still , the image passed in the Security Council itself is a very important message.
” During Thursday ’ s meeting on Mali some ambassadors took their masks off when they spoke and others left them on .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and without masks , ” Nebenzia said .
“ It ’ s not the distance that is the crucial thing , it ’ s not even the partitions , it ’ s that you are confident that you are not infected .
... And I encouraged my colleagues to test as often as we can so that they reassure themselves and they reassure the rest of the council.
” Nebenzia told council members he had just tested negative for COVID-19 .
At U.N. headquarters , and in much of the diplomatic world before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their male colleagues and kiss their female colleagues on each cheek , sometimes twice or three times .
The pandemic ended that , but Nebenzia joked that he hasn ’ t totally given up .
“ If you are not infected ... we can kiss all right and nothing happens , ” he told several female reporters .
“ OK ?
I ’ m always ready !
”


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Mali: 3 European hostages, 1 Malian politician freed

BAMAKO , Mali - A prominent Malian politician and three European hostages freed by Islamic extremists in northern Mali this week landed in the country ’ s capital late Thursday where they held emotional reunions with family members and were greeted by government officials .
Their freedom came just days after the Malian government released nearly 200 militants and sent them by plane to northern Mali , fueling speculation of an imminent prisoner exchange that some fear could further destabilize the country .
It was not immediately known whether a ransom was paid .
On Thursday night , the son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had spent nearly four years in captivity , cried out to her as she made her way off the plane .
He swooped her off her feet in an enormous hug , still calling out “ Mother !
Mother !
” over and over .
Three-time Malian presidential candidate Soumaila Cisse descended next in a flowing white robe and turban without his trademark glasses .
“ Ah , you ’ re here !
” he said , embracing his wife and then his son .
The Malian government also made a surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pierluigi Maccalli and Nicola Chiacchio — also had been released by the jihadists .
All four released hostages , dressed in traditional white robes and medical masks , were then brought to a late night reception at Mali ’ s presidential palace where they met with dignitaries .
French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that he had spoken by phone with Petronin and would greet her upon her return to France on Friday .
“ What a joy to hear her voice and to know that she is now safe , ” he tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priest from the African Missionary Society ( SMA ) , was kidnapped from Niger in 2018 .
Jihadists seized Chiacchio in central Mali last year , according to Menastream , an independent risk and research consultancy firm specializing in the Sahel and North Africa .
The two men were known to be held by same extremists after a video was released of them together back in April .
The hostages ’ release came just days after Malian authorities freed nearly 200 jihadist prisoners over the weekend , which had fueled speculation that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a 48-hour delay between relatives of Cisse and Petronin were first notified and when the former hostages showed up for the flight in Tessalit .
Malian authorities indicated their release had taken place Tuesday .
There was no immediate information on whether a ransom was paid .
Extremist groups in the Sahel , though , have long funded their organizations through ransom payments made by European governments , analysts say .
The al-Qaida-linked group known as JNIM and its associates are still believed to be holding at least five other foreigners : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti , South African national Christo Bothma , Swiss national Beatrice Stockly and Romanian citizen Julian Ghergut .
In March , extremists ambushed Cisse ’ s vehicle while he and his entourage were campaigning in northern Mali .
The three-time presidential candidate was later re-elected to his parliament seat while in captivity and now emerges as the front-runner for the 2022 election .
Negotiations for his release had appeared to stall after an Aug. 18 military coup overthrew democratically-elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , who beat Cisse in both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ junta has handed over power to a transitional government now tasked with organizing elections , though the junta ’ s leader still serves as vice-president .
Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome ; Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Krista Larson in Dakar , Senegal , contributed .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Ex-Guantanamo commander sentenced for lying in man’s death

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. - A former commander of the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for interfering with an investigation into the death of a civilian with whom the commander had fought and argued over his affair with the man ’ s wife .
A federal judge in Jacksonville sentenced Navy Capt .
John R. Nettleton , news outlets reported .
He was convicted in January of obstruction of justice , concealing material facts , falsifying records and making false statements .
Nettleton , 54 , was removed from command shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waters off the base on the southeastern coast of Cuba in January 2015 .
Nettleton had commanded the base since June 2012 , but not the detention centre where suspected terrorists are held .
Nettleton denied to his superior officer and others that he had an affair , but investigators later determined that it had happened , according to federal prosecutors in Jacksonville , where Nettleton had been on temporary duty .
Tur ’ s wife confirmed the affair during her testimony , authorities said .
Defence attorneys argued that Nettleton couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charges merely for violating provisions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice or for violating any Navy regulations .
An autopsy found that Tur , 42 , died from drowning but that his ribs had been fractured before he went into the water , and he had a cut to his head .
Authorities said the investigation also turned up Tur ’ s blood inside the entryway of Nettleton ’ s residence on the base and on a paper towel in the backyard .
Tur came to Guantanamo in May 2011 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and worked as the loss prevention safety manager at the Navy Exchange , the main shopping complex on the base .
On the night of his disappearance , Tur confronted the commander and Tur ’ s wife in front of witnesses at a party at the on-base nightclub .
Each man had “ consumed several alcoholic drinks , ” according to the indictment .
Later that night , Tur went to Nettleton ’ s residence , where the two men fought .
Nettleton ’ s daughter heard the commotion and came down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tur standing over him shortly before he left the area and wasn ’ t seen again , according to documents .
Around that time , a friend of Tur ’ s reported getting a call from Tur , who said he was at Nettleton ’ s house and had “ just knocked the skipper out , ” the documents said .
After Tur went missing , Nettleton failed to tell people leading the search for him that he was last seen at Nettleton ’ s house when they fought , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was last seen at the nightclub , according to prosecutors .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Feds sue Yale, allege discrimination against applicants

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department sued Yale University on Thursday , weeks after prosecutors found the university was illegally discriminating against Asian American and white applicants , in violation of federal civil rights law .
The lawsuit , filed in federal court in Connecticut , alleges Yale “ discriminates based on race and national origin in its undergraduate admissions process , and that race is the determinative factor in hundreds of admissions decisions each year.
” It comes about two months after the Justice Department publicly accused Yale of discrimination , saying its investigation found that Asian American and white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the likelihood of admission as African American applicants with comparable academic credentials.
” Yale called the lawsuit “ baseless ” and said its admissions practices are fair and lawful .
A statement from the university president said Yale will not change its admissions practices as a result of the suit .
“ As our country grapples with urgent questions about race and social justice , I have never been more certain that Yale ’ s approach to undergraduate admissions helps us to fulfil our mission to improve the world today and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The action from the Justice Department is the latest by the Trump administration in a long-running effort aimed at rooting out discrimination in the college application process , following complaints from students about the application process at some Ivy League colleges .
The Justice Department ’ s investigation — which stemmed from a 2016 complaint against Yale , Brown and Dartmouth — also found that Yale uses race as a factor in multiple steps of the admissions process and that Yale “ racially balances its classes , “ officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to colleges and universities should expect and know that they will be judged by their character , talents , and achievements and not the colour of their skin , ” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband , who runs the department ’ s civil rights division .
“ To do otherwise is to permit our institutions to foster stereotypes , bitterness , and division.
” In August , the Justice Department demanded that Yale immediately stop and agree not to use race or national origin for upcoming admissions , but officials said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled colleges and universities may consider race in admissions decisions but has said that must be done in a narrowly tailored way to promote diversity and should be limited in time .
Schools also bear the burden of showing why their consideration of race is appropriate .
Yale has said its practices comply with decades of Supreme Court precedent and that it considers a multitude of factors and looks at “ the whole person when selecting whom to admit among the many thousands of highly qualified applicants.
” Associated Press writer Collin Binkley @ @ @ @ @ @ @


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Breonna Taylor case: Dispute arises over grand jury secrecy

LOUISVILLE , Ky. - A lawyer for a grand juror involved in weighing charges in the case of Breonna Taylor , the Black woman killed in a police raid gone wrong , urged a judge to let the anonymous juror to speak out publicly , accusing Kentucky ’ s attorney general of throwing the panel “ under the bus “ in his public comments .
Kevin Glogower , the lawyer for the anonymous grand juror who sued to speak out publicly , told Jefferson County Circuit Judge Annie O ’ Connell on Thursday that the goal was not to publicize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ to be part of a global discussion in race relations.
“ “ It ’ s more about the discussions that were held directly with the prosecutors , “ Glogower said .
“ That is not contained in the recording.
” Glogower warned that future grand jurors wouldn ’ t want to serve if the prosecutor can “ throw them under the bus , as happened here.
” He did not elaborate .
The dispute over grand jury secrecy arose Wednesday , the same day police files were released showing contacts between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was suspected of drug dealing .
The release of those files raised new questions about what led narcotics investigators to raid Taylor ’ s home in March , resulting in the woman ’ s death in a burst of police gunfire .
None of the white officers was directly charged with Taylor ’ s death by the grand jury last month , triggering renewed street protests .
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed a motion Wednesday asking the judge to dismiss the request by the grand juror .
He said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidential by legal precedent to protect the safety and anonymity of all involved — grand jurors , witnesses and others .
Cameron had previously said he had no concerns with grand jurors speaking publicly , and he agreed to the release of audiotapes of testimony presented to the grand jury last week .
But those recordings did not include any discussion of potential criminal action on the part of the officers who shot Taylor .
Ben Crump , a lawyer for Taylor ’ s family , issued a statement late Thursday in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ slap in the face “ and “ yet another attempt to conceal the corruption of his office.
” “ If he has nothing to hide , and he did everything right as he claims , then he should have no problem letting the grand jurors speak to the public , “ Crump said .
” They deserve to have that voice , and Breonna ’ s family deserves answers.
” Victor Maddox , an attorney who represented the state in court proceedings , warned “ nothing would undermine the public interest more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire body of law of grand jury secrecy “ by allowing the anonymous juror to speak out .
As the 90-minute oral arguments continued , Glogower repeated that his client wishes to remain anonymous and hoped “ there could be a way that maybe everybody is a little bit more happy with how it gets handled.
” He asked for permission for the juror to release an anonymous written statement that “ takes care of some of the concerns the attorney general ’ s office has.
” The grand juror ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand jury to deflect accountability and responsibility for ( the indictment ) decisions , “ and seeks permission to speak out publicly about the case .
Under Kentucky law , grand jurors can be held in contempt of court for discussing a case .
Cameron determined before the grand jury proceedings that the officers had acted in self-defence .
He has acknowledged that he did not recommend murder charges to the grand jury .
This is not the first time a grand juror has sued for the right to speak publicly .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a grand juror who was seeking to discuss details of the investigation into the 2014 fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson , Missouri .
At the conclusion of the hearing , Judge Annie O ’ Connell vowed to rule on the case “ as soon as possible .
”

Piper Hudspeth Blackburn - The Associated Press


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--For 3rd time, groups seek end to Trump order on House seats

For the third time in two months , civil rights groups and state and local governments on Thursday asked judges to strike down a directive from President Donald Trump that would exclude people living in the U.S. illegally from being counted when deciding how many congressional seats each state gets .
The coalition of civil rights groups and state and local governments called on the panel of three federal district judges in California to rule that Trump ’ s order was illegal , claiming it discriminates against people based on race , ethnicity , and national origin .
Their attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order goes against 230 years of U.S. history , will cause them to lose political representation and discourages people in the country illegally from participating in the 2020 census .
“ There is no basis in the statutes and no basis in the Constitution to make a distinction solely on immigration status , “ said Richard Bress , an attorney for the plaintiffs .
“ The baseline is inclusion.
” The numbers used for deciding how many congressional seats each state gets is a process known as apportionment .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every U.S. resident that is set to end at the end of the month .
The census also helps determine the distribution of $ 1.5 trillion in federal funding annually .
A Trump administration attorney told the judges that any challenges to the president ’ s order are premature and should wait until after the apportionment figures are turned in at year ’ s end .
The Census Bureau is still figuring out a method for determining the citizenship status of every U.S. resident and there ’ s no way of knowing if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ devilishly difficult , “ said Sopan Joshi , assistant to the Solicitor General .
But Matthew Wise , an attorney for the plaintiffs , told the judge there was no doubt the president intended to implement the order .
And Bress said delaying a decision risked creating a constitutional crisis if an apportionment count complying with the order is figured out , and a court tries to stop the president from turning them into Congress .
Under questioning from the judges , Joshi conceded that there was no historical precedent for not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he said the president had the discretion to do so .
After Trump issued the order last July , around a half dozen lawsuits were filed across the U.S. , challenging it .
Hearings on the order already have been held in Washington and New York , and a panel of three federal judges in New York ruled that it was unlawful .
The Trump administration has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court .
The New York judges didn ’ t rule on the constitutionality of the memorandum , merely saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and apportionment .
That left open the door for the judges in the other cases to rule on other aspects of the president ’ s memorandum .
Other lawsuits challenging the memorandum have been filed in Maryland and Massachusetts , and a lawsuit filed two years ago in Alabama covers the same ground .
The California case was being heard virtually Thursday before three district judges , as required in cases about the constitutionality of apportionment .
They included U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh , who last month in a separate case stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the of September , allowing the count to go on for another month through October .
A different coalition of civil rights groups and local governments had sued the Trump administration for the extra time , arguing minorities and others in hard-to-count communities would be missed if the counting ended early .
The Trump administration on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to put Koh ’ s order on hold .
Although the legal fights over Trump ’ s order and when the census will end are being fought in separate court cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are intertwined since the census schedule was shortened to accommodate Trump ’ s order .
Facing disruptions to field operations because of the pandemic , the Census Bureau proposed a new timetable in April that extended the deadline for finishing the count from the end of July to the end of October and pushed the apportionment deadline from Dec. 31 to next April .
The proposal to extend the apportionment deadline passed the Democratic-controlled House , but the Republican-controlled Senate didn ’ t move on the request .
The Republicans ’ inaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then , last August , Census Bureau officials shortened the count schedule by a month so that it would finish at the end of September , saying they needed to do so to meet the Dec. 31 deadline .
By sticking to the Dec. 31 deadline , the apportionment count would be under the control of the Trump administration no matter who wins the presidential election next month .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Judge again blocks restrictions on ballot drop boxes in Ohio

COLUMBUS , Ohio - A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked an order by Ohio ’ s elections chief that limits the number of ballot drop boxes available in next month ’ s election , calling the move “ essential to vindicate a vital constitutional right.
” U.S. District Judge Dan Polster ’ s decision marked the second time in recent weeks that a court has ruled against LaRose ’ s directive restricting ballot drop boxes to a single location in each county in the presidential battleground state .
A voting rights group keen on expanding access to the boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option amid concerns about Postal Service cuts and the coronavirus pandemic , and which are often sought by urban , more Democratic-leaning counties — had asked Wednesday for Polster to reopen its case after LaRose said the judge ’ s ruling was “ expressly contrary ” to LaRose ’ s intent .
Polster , based in Cleveland , had dismissed the A. Philip Randolph Institute ’ s case Tuesday because he said a clarification LaRose issued to his one-box-per-county order now permitted ballot drop boxes at multiple locations within a county .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been seeking .
But LaRose ’ s office argued that by allowing drop boxes “ outside ” boards of elections , his new directive was meant to restrict them to board property just outside the building — not to allow them off site .
Polster said in reopening the case Thursday that LaRose ’ s definition appeared arbitrary .
“ It appears the Secretary has arbitrarily drawn the ‘ outside ’ boundary somewhere beyond a board ’ s premises but not as far as a library a few miles away , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court and the boards with no working definition of where ‘ outside ’ collection is permissible.
” Polster ’ s original order said the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections could move forward with its plan under LaRose ’ s clarified order to set up ballot drop boxes at six public libraries scattered around the county , which is home to Cleveland .
But lawyers for LaRose immediately ordered the county not to proceed .
Three courts have now scolded LaRose for the original drop box directive , calling it unreasonable and arbitrary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the authority to remedy the order under law .
LaRose and his Republican allies in the case , including President Donald Trump ’ s reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee , argue that Ohio voters have ample opportunities to vote , including being able to deliver absentee ballots by mail or in person .
“ Voting has begun , and Ohio ’ s elections are safe , secure and accessible , ” LaRose spokeswoman Maggie Sheehan said in a text message Thursday .
“ The place to make changes in how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not the courthouse.
” Polster said defenders of the directive “ gloss over the risks and obstacles that those options present under today ’ s unprecedented conditions.
” Jen Miller , executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio , said now that both state and federal courts have ruled against the order , LaRose should relent and begin working with Ohio ’ s 88 county boards to add more drop boxes .
“ We applaud the judge ’ s ruling , because multiple , satellite drop boxes provide better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas as well as senior citizens , voters with disabilities , and those without reliable transportation , ” she said in a statement .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Businesses shut in effort to contain virus in NYC hot spots

NEW YORK - Hundreds of businesses and schools in New York City neighbourhoods where coronavirus cases have spiked were closed Thursday by order of the governor , but questions swirled about how effectively officials could enforce the shutdown in areas where it has been met with resentment .
The new rules were also met with legal resistance , as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America , an Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization , filed lawsuits over a provision limiting attendance at indoor religious services to no more than 10 people .
Confusion and dismay reigned as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Brooklyn ’ s Borough Park section , the scene of two nights of protests against the clampdown by Orthodox Jews , some merchants subject to the shutdown order appeared to be operating as usual at midday , including a barber shop , cellphone stores and a toy store .
Mayor Bill de Blasio said 1,200 city workers would be out on the streets doing enforcement , though some of those efforts involved trying to educate businesses about rules imposed with little warning in hastily drawn zones with confusing borders .
All nonessential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in parts of Queens and Brooklyn by Gov .
Andrew Cuomo were supposed to shut .
Public and private schools were supposed to close , as well , within both the red zones and surrounding “ orange zones ” designated by the Democratic governor .
Exactly where those zones began and ended , though , wasn ’ t easily apparent from maps released by the governor ’ s office or the city .
Parents at one Brooklyn school protested that their school had been shut by the city even though it lay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for school closures .
The new restrictions involve parts of Brooklyn and Queens in New York City , sections of Orange and Rockland counties in the Hudson Valley and an area within Binghamton , near the Pennsylvania border .
Many of the neighbourhoods where restrictions have been imposed are home to large Orthodox Jewish communities , and leaders of those communities have complained of being singled out for enforcement .
Agudath ’ s lawsuit challenging the attendance limits said they would be especially disruptive on Jewish holidays this coming weekend .
“ By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical religious worship and practices associated with these upcoming holidays , defendant has trampled on their constitutional right to the free exercise of religion , ” the lawsuit said .
In its lawsuit , the Diocese of Brooklyn said the new restrictions “ go way too far , infringe way too much , and have no legitimate basis , as applied to the diocese ’ s churches.
” Enforcement appeared to be underway in Brooklyn ’ s Midwood section , where police had shut down at least two barber shops , including Coney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business had been slow Thursday morning , with three customers coming in for hair cuts .
A police officer came by in the early afternoon , however , and told him to shut down and monitor the news for updates on when he may reopen .
“ It ’ s really not a good time have a barber shop , ” Shakoor said , noting he hasn ’ t been permitted to offer shaving services for months .
“ It ’ s hard to know what ’ s going to happen.
” De @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules and avoid penalties or fines .
“ When we have to bring consequences to bear we will , ” he said , “ but the first thing we want to achieve is compliance.
“ In Borough Park , hundreds of men took to the streets Wednesday to protest restrictions for a second night .
Anger boiled over .
Videos posted on social media showed a crowd chasing Jewish Insider reporter Jacob Kornbluh down a street and then trapping him against a storefront , where an unmasked local activist screamed in his face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kornbluh to safety .
“ I was just brutally assaulted , hit in the head , and kicked , “ Kornbluh tweeted afterward .
Police say they ’ re investigating but there were no arrests .
De Blasio called the encounter “ disgusting ” at a briefing Thursday and promised police would refine their approach to further protests .
A night earlier , two people making video recordings of the unrest were also chased by the crowd , with one man needing medical treatment after he was beaten , according to relatives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a slower rate in New York City than in much of the rest of the country .
But a small number of neighbourhoods in Brooklyn and Queens have seen hundreds of new cases in recent weeks , leading to fears the spike could develop into a broader resurgence .
Cases of the virus were also climbing quickly in an area of upstate New York near the Pennsylvania border .
Binghamton Mayor Rich David said he tested positive for COVID-19 late Wednesday .
“ I ’ m feeling fine and will be resting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
David ’ s announcement came a day after he appeared at news conference in Syracuse with other mayors .
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh were among the other mayors at that news conference entering a precautionary quarantine .
Associated Press writers Karen Matthews , Tom Hays , Jennifer Peltz and Marina Villeneuve contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-08--Attorneys: Extraditing teen would ‘turn him over to mob’

CHICAGO - Sending a 17-year-old accused of killing two protesters days after Jacob Blake was shot by police in Kenosha , Wisconsin , to stand trial in Wisconsin would “ turn him over to the mob , ” defence attorneys argued in court records Thursday .
Kyle Rittenhouse was arrested at his home in Antioch , Illinois , a day after prosecutors say he shot and killed two protesters and injured a third on the streets of Kenosha on Aug. 25 .
He has been held in Illinois since then after his attorneys indicated late last month that they planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorneys for Rittenhouse argued in the document filed in Lake County Court late on Thursday that he was acting in self-defence and sending him to Wisconsin authorities would violate his constitutional rights .
They also argue that Wisconsin prosecutors and Illinois authorities didn ’ t follow legal technicalities required for extradition .
While Rittenhouse ’ s arrest has become a rallying point for some on the right , with a legal defence fund that has attracted millions in donations , others see Rittenhouse as a domestic terrorist whose presence with a rifle incited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t immediately respond to an email after hours about the extradition paperwork .
Extradition is typically a straightforward process , and legal experts have expressed doubt that Rittenhouse ’ s attorneys could successfully prevent a court from sending him to Wisconsin to face charges there .
The document echoes attorneys ’ previous portrayal of Rittenhouse as a courageous patriot who was exercising his right to bear arms during unrest over the shooting of Blake , who is Black .
Extraditing Rittenhouse , they claim , “ would be to turn him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premature and unsupported charges are contributing to unwarranted public condemnation , ” attorneys wrote .
“ Rittenhouse has been publicly branded a ‘ mass murderer , ’ a ‘ terrorist , ’ a ‘ racist , ’ and more.
” Rittenhouse is due back in court Friday , but a Lake County , Illinois judge is not expected to immediately make a decision on the extradition issue .
Judge Paul Novak said at Rittenhouse ’ s last hearing in late September that he would schedule a hearing on the issue once Rittenhouse ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing .
The killings happened amid protests on Kenosha ’ s streets two days after a white police officer shot Blake seven times in the back , leaving him paralyzed from the waist down and sparking outrage after video of the shooting was posted online .
A Wisconsin Department of Justice investigation into that shooting is ongoing .
The three responding officers are on administrative leave .
According to prosecutors and court documents , Rittenhouse shot and killed 36-year-old Joseph Rosenbaum , of Kenosha , after Rosenbaum threw a plastic bag at Rittenhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrestle his rifle away .
While trying to get away in the immediate aftermath , Rittenhouse was captured on cellphone video saying , “ I just killed somebody.
” According to the complaint filed by prosecutors , someone in the crowd said , “ Beat him up !
” and another yelled , “ Get him !
Get that dude !
” Video shows that Rittenhouse tripped in the street .
As he was on the ground , 26-year-old Anthony Huber , of Silver Lake , hit him with a skateboard and tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened fire , killing Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz , of West Allis , who was holding a handgun .
Rittenhouse ’ s extradition would not be an issue if he had been arrested in Kenosha the night of the shootings .
Cellphone video that captured some of the action shows that right after the shootings , Rittenhouse walked slowly toward a police vehicle with his hands up , only to be waved through by police .
He returned to his Illinois home and turned himself in soon after .
Police later blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t arrest Rittenhouse at the scene .


thetorontostar--2020-10-09--WFP fights hunger in food-deprived places, crises, war zones

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates - The World Food Program won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for its efforts to combat hunger amid the coronavirus pandemic , recognition that shines light on vulnerable communities across the Middle East and Africa that the U.N. agency seeks to help , those starving and living in war zones that may rarely get the world ’ s attention .
From Yemen to South Sudan , food insecurity is a growing scourge , made worse by a mixture of military conflict , environmental disaster and the economic fallout of the pandemic .
Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to almost 100 million people in 88 countries .
Here ’ s a look at some of those places : In war-torn Yemen , described as the world ’ s worst humanitarian disaster , millions of people depend each month on the WFP for survival .
Over the course of nearly six years of conflict between the Iran-backed Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led military coalition , the agency has faced major challenges in getting relief to Yemenis in need .
Violence rages and many aid recipients live in notoriously remote regions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanaa , and much of the country ’ s north , have long blocked food aid , diverting it to front-line combat units and selling it for profit on the black market .
Still , WFP ’ s large-scale operations are considered indispensable in the Arab world ’ s poorest country , where 20 million people are suffering from a hunger crisis and another 3 million face starvation due to the knock-on effects of the pandemic .
The agency helped avert famine two years ago .
“ The conditions in this country are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any humanitarian organization to really do its job well , ” said Saleh al-Dobhi , a health ministry official in Yemen ’ s internationally recognized government .
“ Yet WFP is still doing critical work , even more during the pandemic .
We can say this award is deserved.
” The Houthi-run health ministry criticized the agency on the occasion of its Nobel Prize , with spokesman Youssef al-Hadhari telling The Associated Press that its aid “ fails to solve the root problems that we suffer from , “ including the “ siege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places in the world are as ravaged as South Sudan , where over half the population is hungry , even two years after the official end of a civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people and sent more than 2 million fleeing the country .
Now widespread flooding has displaced well over a half-million people , further complicating the efforts of the WFP and aid partners in reaching hard-hit areas with assistance as food prices rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
And the threat of deadly violence remains a daily concern in what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most dangerous countries for humanitarian workers .
Just this week , gunmen fired on a WFP boat convoy carrying food aid to flood-stricken communities .
The WFP said three crew members were wounded and another was missing and likely dead .
In Sudan , where inflation has soared to 166 % amid the coronavirus pandemic , an unprecedented 9.6 million people are facing potentially life-threatening levels of food insecurity .
The cash-strapped transitional government that took power after the ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir is struggling to stop the tailspin .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going hungry has doubled to 1.1 million .
From the war-ravaged region of Darfur , Ibrahim Yousef , director of the largest displacement camp , welcomed the news of WFP ’ s Nobel award as a bright spot in a desperate time .
“ We have been counting on WFP for decades , ” said Yousef , director of the Kalma displacement camp in South Darfur , noting that the agency ’ s food aid has most recently helped fend off malnutrition for those in camps suffering from the fallout of virus-induced lockdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
“ Without their grain many people here would have nothing at all to eat .
We want this award to send a message to the world that we need even more help now than before.
” In Syria , rival groups but mostly government forces have imposed months-long sieges as a weapon of war , leading to major shortages of food in populated civilian areas .
The eastern suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus , the central city of Homs and rebel-held parts of the northern city of Aleppo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under siege by government forces at over the course of the country ’ s civil war .
During truces , the World Food Program occasionally managed to take limited amounts of food into besieged towns , where dozens have died of malnutrition and hunger-related illnesses .
Associated Press writers Cara Anna in Johannesburg and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report .


thetorontostar--2020-10-09--Boston mayor: Video of ICE stop of Black man ‘disturbing’

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said a video that shows a Black jogger being questioned by immigration agents is “ disturbing ” and “ unacceptable.
” Bena Apreala told reporters he was jogging in the city ’ s West Roxbury neighbourhood on Tuesday when three men stopped him , asked him for identification and questioned where he was from .
In a video of the encounter filmed by Apreala , which was posted on social media , one of the agents asks if he has any tattoos on his arm .
“ When I saw the badge and asked them if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , and I explained that I wasn ’ t an immigrant , I ’ m born and raised in Boston and that I have no idea what they ’ re stopping me for , they said that immigration isn ’ t the only thing that they investigate and proceeded to question me , ” Apreala told WBUR .
Walsh said this week that the video is “ unacceptable in so many ways.
” “ It was a disturbing video to watch , “ the mayor told reporters .
“ It violates somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colour of their skin.
” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in an emailed statement that officers were “ conducting surveillance as part of a targeted enforcement action in West Roxbury and were looking for a previously deported Haitian man with multiple criminal convictions.
” “ An individual matching the subject ’ s description “ appeared in the area , so they approached him , identified themselves as law enforcement and asked to speak with him , the agency said .
“ During the encounter , ICE officers determined the individual was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did not have any additional information regarding their subject or his whereabouts and was free to leave the scene , ” it said .


thetorontostar--2020-10-09--Wedding before the storm: Delta speeds up couple’s nuptials

ABBEVILLE , La .
- Hurricane Delta sped up one Louisiana couple ’ s wedding by a few days but judging by the smiles on the bride and groom it certainly didn ’ t dampen the affair .
Ian and Taylor Gaspard from Abbeville were supposed to get married on Saturday , Oct. 10 with 300 people to wish them well inside the Saint Mary Magdalen Church , a scenic brick building in the town ’ s centre surrounded by green lawn and oak trees .
But Hurricane Delta had other plans .
After watching the hurricane slowly make its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few of what Taylor describes as bridal hysterics — they swiftly changed gears and held the wedding at the church on Thursday with friends and family in attendance .
The skies were grey but the rain held off while the wedding party gathered .
The streets outside were largely deserted as residents finished up last-minute storm preparations or evacuated .
“ It wasn ’ t supposed to be coming to us and then all of a sudden it was supposed to be coming , like , right to us , ” said Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got hysterical and my little superman here came in and saved the day , ” she said , gesturing to her beaming husband .
In her hands she held a beautiful bouquet of flowers .
She said her husband and her older sister improvised to speed up the ceremony at the church , which is just a few miles inland .
“ Within 16 hours they threw an entire wedding together , and it ’ s beautiful .
I can ’ t ask for better , ” she said .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to get married and it was important that we did it in the church because that was important to our parents and our faith.
“ Speaking after the church service , her mother Linda Choate said it was beautiful .
“ She just wanted to be absolutely perfect for her groom .
It was very important for her that she did get married in the church and when that almost didn ’ t happen she was so distraught , ” she said .
“ They asked ‘ Father , can we please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ and he said ‘ today !
’ “ The groom , who could not stop smiling after the service , said he reassured his bride that it would all work out .
And it did .


thetorontostar--2020-10-09--AG: Michigan governor, family were moved as plotters tracked

LANSING , Mich. - Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer and her family were at times moved around by authorities as law enforcement tracked the men who allegedly plotted for months to kidnap her , Michigan ’ s attorney general said Friday .
Dana Nessel disclosed the detail to “ CBS This Morning.
“ She said the Democratic governor was consistently updated about the investigation over the past couple months .
“ She was aware of things that were happening , “ Nessel said .
” At times , she and her family had been moved around as a result of activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities announced Thursday that they foiled a stunning plot to kidnap Whitmer in a scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to snatch her from her vacation home before the Nov. 3 elections .
Six men were charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap the governor in reaction to what they viewed as her “ uncontrolled power , ” according to a federal complaint .
Separately , seven others linked to a paramilitary group called the Wolverine Watchmen were charged in state court for allegedly seeking to storm the Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ including four who allegedly helped to surveil Whitmer ’ s house .
The two groups trained together and planned “ various acts of violence , ” according to the state police .
Surveillance for the kidnapping plot took place in August and September , according to an FBI affidavit , and four of the men had planned to meet Wednesday to “ make a payment on explosives and exchange tactical gear.
” The FBI quoted one of the men as saying Whitmer “ has no checks and balances at all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ All good things must come to an end.
” Authorities said the plots were stopped with the work of undercover agents and informants .
The men were arrested Wednesday night .
The six charged in federal court face up to life in prison if convicted .
The state terrorism charges the other seven men face carry a possible 20-year sentence .
Andrew Birge , the U.S. attorney in western Michigan , called the men “ violent extremists.
” They discussed detonating explosive devices — including under a highway bridge — to divert police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacation home and Fox bought a Taser for use in the kidnapping , Birge said .
“ All of us in Michigan can disagree about politics , but those disagreements should never , ever amount to violence .
Violence has been prevented today , ” Detroit U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider told reporters .
A few hours later , Whitmer pinned some blame on President Donald Trump , noting that he did not condemn white supremacists in last week ’ s debate with Joe Biden and instead told a far-right group to “ stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups heard the president ’ s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry , as a call to action , ” Whitmer said .
Trump tweeted that the governor “ has done a terrible job ” and again called on her to “ open up your state.
” He said he does not tolerate any extreme violence .
Whitmer , who was considered as Biden ’ s running mate and is nearly halfway through a four-year term , has been widely praised for her response to the coronavirus but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in conservative areas of the state .
The Capitol has been the site of many rallies , including ones with gun-toting protesters calling for her ouster .
Whitmer put major restrictions on personal movement and the economy , although many of those limits have been lifted since spring .
The governor has exchanged barbs with Trump on social media , with the president declaring in April , “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” There is no indication in the criminal complaint , however , that the men were inspired by Trump .
White reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in College Park , Maryland , and John Flesher in Traverse City , Michigan , contributed to this story .