mercurynews--2020-11-10--The Latest: International observers see no fraud in US vote

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden ( all times local ) : International observers from the Organization of American States say they saw no instances of fraud or voting irregularities in the U.S. presidential election .
The delegation included 28 experts and observers from 13 countries who observed the election process in in Georgia , Iowa , Maryland , Michigan and the District of Columbia .
COVID-19 prevented a broader coalition of experts .
The OAS says the Election Day was peaceful , although there were efforts to intimate poll workers as the votes were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mail-in ballots were a secure system .
The report says the OAS supports “ the right of all contesting parties in an election , to seek redress before the competent legal authorities when they believe they have been wronged.
” “ It is critical however , that candidates act responsibly by presenting and arguing legitimate claims before the courts , not unsubstantiated or harmful speculation in the public media , ” the OAS says .
President-elect Joe Biden is planning to deliver a speech defending the Obama administration ’ s signature health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court that could overturn it .
Biden will speak on the Affordable Care Act from Wilmington , Delaware , on Tuesday .
He campaigned for months on the law , arguing that President Donald Trump and top Republicans opposed it and therefore wanted to wipe out its mandated health insurance coverage for people with preexisting conditions even though they had no alternative to replace it .
A lawsuit challenging the law is being considered by the Supreme Court , which has a 6-3 conservative majority after Trump ’ s appointment of Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats tried to make last week ’ s election a referendum on health care , which helped the party have a strong midterm election in 2018 .
But Democrats failed to win control of the Senate and lost House seats this cycle , despite Biden ’ s win .
Biden was Barack Obama ’ s vice president and has promised to build on the law to allow more people to opt into government-sponsored coverage while others can keep their current , employer-based systems .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE WHITE HOUSE : President-elect Joe Biden is cheering news about the promising development of a coronavirus vaccine but cautioning Americans need to be aggressive about mask wearing and social distancing .
— Trump faces calls to work with Biden team on transition — For Biden , how to help mangled economy is next obstacle HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON : Georgia ’ s secretary of state is firing back at the state ’ s two U.S. senators for calling on him to resign over the handling of the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump in the state .
Republican Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue took the extraordinary step Monday of calling for Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to step down .
Raffensperger responded , “ Let me start by saying that is not going to happen .
The voters of Georgia hired me , and the voters will be the one to fire me.
” He says while he understands their frustration with the outcome of the election — which also saw Loeffler and Perdue forced into runoffs — the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Raffensperger says , “ As a Republican , I am concerned about Republicans keeping the U.S. Senate .
I recommend that Senators Loeffler and Perdue start focusing on that.
” The Associated Press hasn ’ t yet called a winner in Georgia ’ s presidential election .
The state hasn ’ t gone to a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992 .
Some Republicans are renewing their attacks on President-elect Joe Biden ’ s lead over President Donald Trump in Georgia , with Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler taking the extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican secretary of state .
Republicans laid out a strategy to investigate but still presented no evidence of large-scale voter fraud in the balloting , saying Monday that they were still looking into ways to overturn Biden ’ s lead of more than 10,000 votes in Georgia .
Georgia is one front in a nationwide scramble by Trump forces to question his national defeat .
The Associated Press has not yet called the race for Georgia ’ s 16 electoral votes .
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ’ s office is defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while there may be scattered illegal votes , officials are very confident in the overall outcome .
Loeffler and Perdue , who face a pair of Jan. 5 runoffs against Democrats that will determine control of the Senate , blamed Raffensperger for “ mismanagement and lack of transparency.
” Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is congratulating President-elect Joe Biden on an “ apparent victory ” but adding that President Donald Trump should be afforded the chance to challenge the results .
Collins won reelection last week over Democrat Sara Gideon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results of the presidential election to be patient .
“ First , I would offer my congratulations to President-elect Biden on his apparent victory – he loves this country , and I wish him every success , ” Collins said in a statement .
“ Presidential transitions are important , and the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect should be given every opportunity to ensure that they are ready to govern on January 20th.
” Collins added that Trump ’ s desire to challenge the results should be handled in accordance with existing laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concede to Biden .
She says , “ I understand that the president and others have questions about the results in certain states .
There is a process in place to challenge those results and , consistent with that process , the president should be afforded the opportunity to do so.
” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says it would like to see a major infrastructure bill as the first order of business for a Biden-Harris administration and a new Congress in 2021 .
The powerful business lobby group had teamed up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s presidency to push for significant new investments in roads , bridges and broadband but could not get legislation over the finish line .
How to pay for such investment remains a huge stumbling block .
Neil Bradley , an executive vice president at the business group , says the chamber will continue to push the Trump administration and Congress to get an economic relief bill passed before the end of the year to help businesses survive during the coronavirus pandemic .
He says the economic recovery is “ uneven across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to focus on those who will be the last to recover from this pandemic induced recession.
” The highest-ranking Black member of Congress is urging President Donald Trump to stop challenging the results of the 2020 general election and begin finding ways to work with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden .
Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina , the House majority whip , said Monday during a media availability that Trump appears to be “ hell-bent on destroying the fabric that ’ s been holding ” the country together by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Applauding the Biden transition team ’ s work in setting up a coronavirus task force , Clyburn said he has “ absolutely no interest ” in a post of his own in the administration .
But he did suggest that Jaime Harrison , who recently lost to Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , might be a good pick .
Harrison told The Associated Press on Monday that he would be willing to serve .
He says , “ If the president-elect asks you to serve , then you serve.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Biden team to determine what post would be a good fit .
Political appointees who are looking for job opportunities after President Donald Trump ’ s election defeat to President-elect Joe Biden should think twice .
A senior administration official says presidential personnel director John McEntee , the president ’ s former personal aide , has sent word to departments that they should terminate any political appointees seeking new work while Trump has refused to accept the electoral results .
Another official said the warning was not likely to result in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff that they should not act counter to Trump while he refuses to concede .
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations .
Trump ’ s term ends at noon on Jan. 20 .
Several thousand political appointees across the government will see their jobs end by that date .
Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election on Saturday .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is congratulating President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris while reaffirming the U.S.-U.N. partnership as “ an essential pillar of the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing the world today.
” The message , delivered Monday by U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric , also congratulated the American people “ for a vibrant exercise of democracy in their country ’ s elections last week.
” Dujarric said in response to a question on Harris ’ historic victory as the first woman to be elected vice president that the secretary-general is always pleased and welcomes a woman getting “ to break a new ceiling.
” General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir tweeted his warmest congratulations to Biden , citing his “ long history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to Harris for her historic election , which he called “ a milestone for gender equality.
” President Donald Trump has fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper , a stunning move on the heels of Trump ’ s failed reelection bid .
Presidents who win reelection often replace Cabinet members , including the secretary of defense , but losing presidents have kept their Pentagon chiefs in place until Inauguration Day to preserve stability in the name of national security .
Trump announced the news in a tweet , saying that “ effective immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Counterterrorism Center , will serve as acting secretary , sidestepping the department ’ s No.2-ranking official , Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist .
“ Chris will do a GREAT job !
” Trump tweeted .
“ Mark Esper has been terminated .
I would like to thank him for his service.
” Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson has tested positive for the coronavirus .
Carson is the first member of President Donald Trump ’ s cabinet known to have tested positive .
The department ’ s deputy chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Carson is “ in good spirits and feels fortunate to have access to effective therapeutics which aid and markedly speed his recovery.
” The 69-year-old Carson is among several top Trump administration officials who attended last week ’ s election night party at the White House .
Carson has been a steadfast surrogate for the Republican president , traveling to many of the swing states before Election Day to discuss the administration ’ s priorities and achievements .
Carson attended several events Trump held to appeal to African American voters .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought the GOP ’ s presidential nomination in 2016 .
He served for nearly 30 years as director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children ’ s Center .
President-elect Joe Biden is imploring Americans to “ wear a mask ” to help fight the spread of the coronavirus — “ no matter who you voted for.
” He says , “ We are Americans , and our country is under threat.
” The Democrat said Monday wearing masks could slow the death toll in the COVID-19 pandemic , which he noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is widely available .
Biden said , “ Please , I implore you , wear a mask.
” He noted masks could save the lives of older people , children and teachers and added : “ It could even save your own life.
” Biden notes that he doesn ’ t take office until Jan. 20 but is assuming a public leadership role in the fight against the pandemic ahead of being sworn in .
President-elect Joe Biden is warning the United States is “ still facing a very dark winter ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even as hopes of a vaccine lifted stocks , Biden said Monday another 200,000 lives could be lost before it is widely available .
Biden implores Americans to “ wear a mask.
” Biden says he would be guided by science in laying out the framework of a pandemic response , starting with members of a task force to prepare for his administration ’ s transition to overseeing it .
One week after Election Day , Vice President Mike Pence appears ready to take some time off .
According to the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to Sanibel , Florida , Tuesday through Saturday .
Pence has vacationed on the island along Florida ’ s Gulf Coast several times previously .
Pence ’ s office didn ’ t immediately comment on the trip on Monday .
The trip comes as President Donald Trump has pledged to continue trying to contest the outcome of the election and as President-elect Joe Biden is ramping up his transition efforts .
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are being briefed virtually on the coronavirus pandemic by a task force of experts their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kamala Harris are being briefed virtually on the coronavirus pandemic by a task force of experts their transition team announced only hours earlier .
The Democratic president-elect and vice president-elect sat at separate , individual socially distanced tables and took notes as the members introduced themselves on Monday .
Biden is also planning to give a speech on his planned response to the pandemic .
Then Biden and Harris will hold hours of internal meetings about transitioning to the White House in January .
The task force briefing was at the Queen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware , where Biden ’ s campaign built a studio and other communications infrastructure and has spent months organizing virtual meetings and speeches .
The first to speak during the briefing was former Food Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. David Kessler .
He is co-chairing the task force with former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith , a Yale University associate professor and associate dean whose research focuses on promoting health care equality for marginalized populations .
Also part of the group is Rick Bright , a whistleblower who was demoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic response .
Bright had been head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority .
Journalists could watch only about two minutes of the proceedings and heard only the participants introducing themselves .
President-elect Joe Biden has announced the members of his coronavirus task force , which will put together a blueprint for fighting the pandemic .
The co-chairs are former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy , former Food Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. David Kessler and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith , a Yale University professor and researcher .
Notable among the task force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert and former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority .
Bright filed a whistleblower complaint alleging he was reassigned to a lesser job because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine , a malaria drug pushed by President Donald Trump as a COVID-19 treatment .
Other members include Luciana Borio , a biodefense specialist ; Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel , an oncologist and bioethics chair at the National Institutes of Health ; Dr. Atul Gawande , a Clinton administration health advisor and surgery expert ; Dr. Celine Gounder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studied HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis ; Dr. Julie Morita , a pediatric and immunization specialist ; Dr. Michael Osterholm , an infectious disease expert and epidemiologist ; Loyce Pace , a global health specialist ; Dr. Robert Rodriguez , an emergency medicine expert who has researched mental health of COVID-19 responders ; and Dr. Eric Goosby , an infectious disease expert who has worked in AIDS/HIV .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):
9 p.m.
International observers from the Organization of American States say they saw no instances of fraud or voting irregularities in the U.S. presidential election.
The delegation included 28 experts and observers from 13 countries who observed the election process in in Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan and the District of Columbia. COVID-19 prevented a broader coalition of experts.
The OAS says the Election Day was peaceful, although there were efforts to intimate poll workers as the votes were counted, and says the country’s mail-in ballots were a secure system.
The report says the OAS supports “the right of all contesting parties in an election, to seek redress before the competent legal authorities when they believe they have been wronged.”
“It is critical however, that candidates act responsibly by presenting and arguing legitimate claims before the courts, not unsubstantiated or harmful speculation in the public media,” the OAS says.
7:15 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden is planning to deliver a speech defending the Obama administration’s signature health care law amid a case before the Supreme Court that could overturn it.
Biden will speak on the Affordable Care Act from Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday. He campaigned for months on the law, arguing that President Donald Trump and top Republicans opposed it and therefore wanted to wipe out its mandated health insurance coverage for people with preexisting conditions even though they had no alternative to replace it.
A lawsuit challenging the law is being considered by the Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority after Trump’s appointment of Amy Coney Barrett.
Biden and other top Democrats tried to make last week’s election a referendum on health care, which helped the party have a strong midterm election in 2018. But Democrats failed to win control of the Senate and lost House seats this cycle, despite Biden’s win.
Biden was Barack Obama’s vice president and has promised to build on the law to allow more people to opt into government-sponsored coverage while others can keep their current, employer-based systems.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN’S TRANSITION TO THE WHITE HOUSE:
President-elect Joe Biden is cheering news about the promising development of a coronavirus vaccine but cautioning Americans need to be aggressive about mask wearing and social distancing.
Read more:
— Trump faces calls to work with Biden team on transition
— Members of President-elect Biden’s coronavirus task force
— Referendum on Trump shatters turnout records
— For Biden, how to help mangled economy is next obstacle
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
5:10 p.m.
Georgia’s secretary of state is firing back at the state’s two U.S. senators for calling on him to resign over the handling of the election, which has President-elect Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump in the state.
Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue took the extraordinary step Monday of calling for Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to step down.
Raffensperger responded, “Let me start by saying that is not going to happen. The voters of Georgia hired me, and the voters will be the one to fire me.”
He says while he understands their frustration with the outcome of the election — which also saw Loeffler and Perdue forced into runoffs — the way the election was handled was a success.
Raffensperger says, “As a Republican, I am concerned about Republicans keeping the U.S. Senate. I recommend that Senators Loeffler and Perdue start focusing on that.”
The Associated Press hasn’t yet called a winner in Georgia’s presidential election. The state hasn’t gone to a Democratic presidential candidate since 1992.
___
4:30 p.m.
Some Republicans are renewing their attacks on President-elect Joe Biden’s lead over President Donald Trump in Georgia, with Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler taking the extraordinary step of calling for the resignation of the Republican secretary of state.
Republicans laid out a strategy to investigate but still presented no evidence of large-scale voter fraud in the balloting, saying Monday that they were still looking into ways to overturn Biden’s lead of more than 10,000 votes in Georgia.
Georgia is one front in a nationwide scramble by Trump forces to question his national defeat. The Associated Press has not yet called the race for Georgia’s 16 electoral votes.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office is defending the conduct of the elections, saying that while there may be scattered illegal votes, officials are very confident in the overall outcome.
Loeffler and Perdue, who face a pair of Jan. 5 runoffs against Democrats that will determine control of the Senate, blamed Raffensperger for “mismanagement and lack of transparency.”
___
2:20 p.m.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is congratulating President-elect Joe Biden on an “apparent victory” but adding that President Donald Trump should be afforded the chance to challenge the results.
Collins won reelection last week over Democrat Sara Gideon. She asked voters who have questions about the results of the presidential election to be patient.
“First, I would offer my congratulations to President-elect Biden on his apparent victory – he loves this country, and I wish him every success,” Collins said in a statement. “Presidential transitions are important, and the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect should be given every opportunity to ensure that they are ready to govern on January 20th.”
Collins added that Trump’s desire to challenge the results should be handled in accordance with existing laws. Trump has so far refused to concede to Biden.
She says, “I understand that the president and others have questions about the results in certain states. There is a process in place to challenge those results and, consistent with that process, the president should be afforded the opportunity to do so.”
___
1:55 p.m.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says it would like to see a major infrastructure bill as the first order of business for a Biden-Harris administration and a new Congress in 2021.
The powerful business lobby group had teamed up with the AFL-CIO and other groups during Donald Trump’s presidency to push for significant new investments in roads, bridges and broadband but could not get legislation over the finish line. How to pay for such investment remains a huge stumbling block.
Neil Bradley, an executive vice president at the business group, says the chamber will continue to push the Trump administration and Congress to get an economic relief bill passed before the end of the year to help businesses survive during the coronavirus pandemic.
He says the economic recovery is “uneven across industries and across communities, and we have to focus on those who will be the last to recover from this pandemic induced recession.”
___
1:50 p.m.
The highest-ranking Black member of Congress is urging President Donald Trump to stop challenging the results of the 2020 general election and begin finding ways to work with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the House majority whip, said Monday during a media availability that Trump appears to be “hell-bent on destroying the fabric that’s been holding” the country together by alleging unsubstantiated fraud in the vote counting.
Applauding the Biden transition team’s work in setting up a coronavirus task force, Clyburn said he has “absolutely no interest” in a post of his own in the administration. But he did suggest that Jaime Harrison, who recently lost to Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, might be a good pick.
Harrison told The Associated Press on Monday that he would be willing to serve. He says, “If the president-elect asks you to serve, then you serve.” He says he would leave it up to the Biden team to determine what post would be a good fit.
___
1:45 p.m.
Political appointees who are looking for job opportunities after President Donald Trump’s election defeat to President-elect Joe Biden should think twice.
A senior administration official says presidential personnel director John McEntee, the president’s former personal aide, has sent word to departments that they should terminate any political appointees seeking new work while Trump has refused to accept the electoral results.
Another official said the warning was not likely to result in any firings but rather meant to reinforce to staff that they should not act counter to Trump while he refuses to concede.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.
Trump’s term ends at noon on Jan. 20. Several thousand political appointees across the government will see their jobs end by that date.
Biden was declared the winner of the presidential election on Saturday.
— By AP writer Zeke Miller
___
1:35 p.m.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is congratulating President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris while reaffirming the U.S.-U.N. partnership as “an essential pillar of the international cooperation needed to address the dramatic challenges facing the world today.”
The message, delivered Monday by U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, also congratulated the American people “for a vibrant exercise of democracy in their country’s elections last week.”
Dujarric said in response to a question on Harris’ historic victory as the first woman to be elected vice president that the secretary-general is always pleased and welcomes a woman getting “to break a new ceiling.”
General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir tweeted his warmest congratulations to Biden, citing his “long history” of supporting the United Nations, and to Harris for her historic election, which he called “a milestone for gender equality.”
___
1 p.m.
President Donald Trump has fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper, a stunning move on the heels of Trump’s failed reelection bid.
Presidents who win reelection often replace Cabinet members, including the secretary of defense, but losing presidents have kept their Pentagon chiefs in place until Inauguration Day to preserve stability in the name of national security.
Trump announced the news in a tweet, saying that “effective immediately” Christopher Miller, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will serve as acting secretary, sidestepping the department’s No.2-ranking official, Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist.
“Chris will do a GREAT job!” Trump tweeted. “Mark Esper has been terminated. I would like to thank him for his service.”
___
12:50 p.m.
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson has tested positive for the coronavirus. Carson is the first member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet known to have tested positive.
The department’s deputy chief of staff, Coalter Baker, said Monday that Carson is “in good spirits and feels fortunate to have access to effective therapeutics which aid and markedly speed his recovery.”
The 69-year-old Carson is among several top Trump administration officials who attended last week’s election night party at the White House. Carson has been a steadfast surrogate for the Republican president, traveling to many of the swing states before Election Day to discuss the administration’s priorities and achievements. Carson attended several events Trump held to appeal to African American voters.
Before joining the Trump administration, Carson had sought the GOP’s presidential nomination in 2016. He served for nearly 30 years as director of pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
___
12:15 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden is imploring Americans to “wear a mask” to help fight the spread of the coronavirus — “no matter who you voted for.”
He says, “We are Americans, and our country is under threat.”
The Democrat said Monday wearing masks could slow the death toll in the COVID-19 pandemic, which he noted could climb by 200,000 before a vaccine is widely available.
Biden said, “Please, I implore you, wear a mask.” He noted masks could save the lives of older people, children and teachers and added: “It could even save your own life.”
Biden notes that he doesn’t take office until Jan. 20 but is assuming a public leadership role in the fight against the pandemic ahead of being sworn in.
___
12:05 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden is warning the United States is “still facing a very dark winter” as he unveils plans for addressing COVID-19 pandemic.
Even as hopes of a vaccine lifted stocks, Biden said Monday another 200,000 lives could be lost before it is widely available. Biden implores Americans to “wear a mask.”
Biden says he would be guided by science in laying out the framework of a pandemic response, starting with members of a task force to prepare for his administration’s transition to overseeing it.
___
11:20 a.m.
One week after Election Day, Vice President Mike Pence appears ready to take some time off.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Pence is scheduled to travel to Sanibel, Florida, Tuesday through Saturday. Pence has vacationed on the island along Florida’s Gulf Coast several times previously. Pence’s office didn’t immediately comment on the trip on Monday.
The trip comes as President Donald Trump has pledged to continue trying to contest the outcome of the election and as President-elect Joe Biden is ramping up his transition efforts.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are being briefed virtually on the coronavirus pandemic by a task force of experts their transition team announced Monday.
___
11:10 a.m.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are being briefed virtually on the coronavirus pandemic by a task force of experts their transition team announced only hours earlier.
The Democratic president-elect and vice president-elect sat at separate, individual socially distanced tables and took notes as the members introduced themselves on Monday.
Biden is also planning to give a speech on his planned response to the pandemic. Then Biden and Harris will hold hours of internal meetings about transitioning to the White House in January.
The task force briefing was at the Queen, a theater in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden’s campaign built a studio and other communications infrastructure and has spent months organizing virtual meetings and speeches.
The first to speak during the briefing was former Food Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. David Kessler. He is co-chairing the task force with former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, a Yale University associate professor and associate dean whose research focuses on promoting health care equality for marginalized populations.
Also part of the group is Rick Bright, a whistleblower who was demoted after criticizing the Trump administration’s pandemic response. Bright had been head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
Journalists could watch only about two minutes of the proceedings and heard only the participants introducing themselves.
___
7:25 a.m.
President-elect Joe Biden has announced the members of his coronavirus task force, which will put together a blueprint for fighting the pandemic.
The co-chairs are former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, former Food Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. David Kessler and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, a Yale University professor and researcher.
Notable among the task force members is Rick Bright, a vaccine expert and former head of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Bright filed a whistleblower complaint alleging he was reassigned to a lesser job because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug pushed by President Donald Trump as a COVID-19 treatment.
Other members include Luciana Borio, a biodefense specialist; Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist and bioethics chair at the National Institutes of Health; Dr. Atul Gawande, a Clinton administration health advisor and surgery expert; Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease expert who has studied HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis; Dr. Julie Morita, a pediatric and immunization specialist; Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert and epidemiologist; Loyce Pace, a global health specialist; Dr. Robert Rodriguez, an emergency medicine expert who has researched mental health of COVID-19 responders; and Dr. Eric Goosby, an infectious disease expert who has worked in AIDS/HIV.


mercurynews--2020-11-10--COVID: FDA approves 1st emergency use of antibody drug

WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials have allowed emergency use of the first antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19 , an experimental approach against the virus that has killed more than 238,000 Americans .
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday cleared the experimental drug from Eli Lilly for people 12 and older with mild or moderate COVID-19 not requiring hospitalization .
It ’ s a one-time treatment given through an IV .
The therapy is still undergoing additional testing to establish its safety and effectiveness .
It is similar to a treatment President Donald Trump received after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s studies of the antibody drug are continuing .
Early results suggest it may help clear the coronavirus sooner and possibly cut hospitalizations in people with mild to moderate COVID-19 .
A study of it in hospitalized patients was stopped when independent monitors saw the drug did not seem to be helping in that situation .
The government previously reached an agreement to buy and supply much of the early production of Lilly ’ s drug .
Only one drug — Gilead Sciences ’ remdesivir — has full FDA approval for treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using dexamethasone and other steroids for certain severely ill , hospitalized patients .
One other treatment has an emergency use designation now — convalescent plasma , or the blood of COVID-19 survivors .
No large studies have shown it to be more effective than usual care alone , however .
The new drug is part of an emerging family of biologic therapies that offer a promising new approach to preventing serious disease and death from COVID-19 .
Experts say the infused drugs could serve as a therapeutic bridge to help manage the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs are laboratory-made versions of antibodies , blood proteins which the body creates to help target and eliminate foreign infections .
The new therapies are concentrated versions of the antibodies that proved most effective against the virus in patient studies .
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. also has asked for emergency authorization for an antibody drug it is testing , the one Trump received .
FDA regulators authorized the Lilly drug using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental drugs and other medical products during public health crises .
In normal times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show that a drug is safe and effective , usually through one or more large , rigorously controlled patient studies .
But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards and require only that an experimental treatment ’ s potential benefits outweigh its risks .
The emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic .
To win full approval , Lilly will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug ’ s safety and benefit for patients .
The government has signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 375 million to buy 300,000 vials of the drug .
How many doses that would provide is unclear .
Each vial contains 70 milligrams and that dose proved ineffective in the early results .
It took four times that amount — 2,800 milligrams — to show any effect .
• 49ers ’ Kendrick Bourne back on COVID-19 reserve list just 3 days after being cleared • Biden implores the country to wear masks to fight outbreak The Lilly drug is authorized for people 12 and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization .
This includes those who are 65 years of age or older , or who have certain chronic medical conditions .
AP chief medical writer Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee contributed to this report .

By Matthew Perrone | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials have allowed emergency use of the first antibody drug to help the immune system fight COVID-19, an experimental approach against the virus that has killed more than 238,000 Americans.
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday cleared the experimental drug from Eli Lilly for people 12 and older with mild or moderate COVID-19 not requiring hospitalization. It’s a one-time treatment given through an IV.
The therapy is still undergoing additional testing to establish its safety and effectiveness. It is similar to a treatment President Donald Trump received after contracting the virus last month.
Lilly’s studies of the antibody drug are continuing. Early results suggest it may help clear the coronavirus sooner and possibly cut hospitalizations in people with mild to moderate COVID-19. A study of it in hospitalized patients was stopped when independent monitors saw the drug did not seem to be helping in that situation.
The government previously reached an agreement to buy and supply much of the early production of Lilly’s drug.
Only one drug — Gilead Sciences’ remdesivir — has full FDA approval for treating COVID-19. Government treatment guidelines also back using dexamethasone and other steroids for certain severely ill, hospitalized patients.
One other treatment has an emergency use designation now — convalescent plasma, or the blood of COVID-19 survivors. No large studies have shown it to be more effective than usual care alone, however.
The new drug is part of an emerging family of biologic therapies that offer a promising new approach to preventing serious disease and death from COVID-19. Experts say the infused drugs could serve as a therapeutic bridge to help manage the virus until vaccines are widely available.
The drugs are laboratory-made versions of antibodies, blood proteins which the body creates to help target and eliminate foreign infections. The new therapies are concentrated versions of the antibodies that proved most effective against the virus in patient studies.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. also has asked for emergency authorization for an antibody drug it is testing, the one Trump received.
FDA regulators authorized the Lilly drug using their emergency powers to quickly speed the availability of experimental drugs and other medical products during public health crises.
In normal times the FDA requires “substantial evidence” to show that a drug is safe and effective, usually through one or more large, rigorously controlled patient studies. But during public health emergencies the agency can lower those standards and require only that an experimental treatment’s potential benefits outweigh its risks.
The emergency authorization functions like a temporary approval for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. To win full approval, Lilly will have to submit additional research to fully define the drug’s safety and benefit for patients.
The government has signed an agreement with Lilly to spend $375 million to buy 300,000 vials of the drug. How many doses that would provide is unclear. Each vial contains 70 milligrams and that dose proved ineffective in the early results. It took four times that amount — 2,800 milligrams — to show any effect.
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AP chief medical writer Marilynn Marchione in Milwaukee contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-11-10--Police identify victim in Richmond shooting death

RICHMOND — Authorities have released the identity of a 25-year-old man shot and killed here last week .
T ’ @ @ @ @ @ was shot and killed Thursday afternoon during an argument on the 700 block of Barrett @ @ @ @ @ Richard resided in Richmond .
Richard was shot and killed around 3 p.m. during an @ @ @ @ @ over a jewelry item , authorities said .
He died a short distance from where @ @ @ @ @ attempts by emergency responders to revive him .
Police have not named a suspect nor @ @ @ @ @ say the shooting does not appear to be gang-related .
A nearby gunfire detector alerted @ @ @ @ @ being fired at the time , but police have not said how many times Richard @ @ @ @ @ s killing was the city ’ s 18th homicide of the year , most of @ @ @ @ @ say witnesses can reach the lead investigator , Det .
Chris Decious , at 510-621-1747 @ @ @ @ @ s anonymous tip line at 510-307-T1PS ( 8177 ) .

RICHMOND — Authorities have released the identity of a 25-year-old man shot and killed here last week.
T’Shawn Richard, 25, was shot and killed Thursday afternoon during an argument on the 700 block of Barrett Avenue, police said. Richard resided in Richmond.
Richard was shot and killed around 3 p.m. during an argument, possibly a dispute over a jewelry item, authorities said. He died a short distance from where he was shot, despite attempts by emergency responders to revive him.
Police have not named a suspect nor announced any arrests, but say the shooting does not appear to be gang-related.
A nearby gunfire detector alerted that dozens of shots were being fired at the time, but police have not said how many times Richard was struck.
Richard’s killing was the city’s 18th homicide of the year, most of them shooting deaths.
Authorities say witnesses can reach the lead investigator, Det. Chris Decious, at 510-621-1747, or call Richmond’s anonymous tip line at 510-307-T1PS (8177).


mercurynews--2020-11-10--Georgia Secretary of State ignores calls to step down

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday rebuked calls from Republican US Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue to resign as both of their Senate races appear to be headed for a January runoff .
“ Earlier today Senators Loeffler and Perdue called for my resignation , ” Raffensperger , who is also a Republican , said in a statement .
“ Let me start by saying that is not going to happen .
The voters of Georgia hired me , and the voters will be the one to fire me.
” “ As Secretary of State , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day to ensure fair elections in Georgia , that every legal vote counts , and that illegal votes don ’ t count , ” Raffensperger continued .
“ I know emotions are running high .
Politics are involved in everything right now .
If I was Senator Perdue , I ’ d be irritated I was in a runoff .
And both Senators and I are all unhappy with the potential outcome for our President.
” Earlier Monday afternoon , Loeffler and Perdue called for Raffensperger ’ s resignation in a joint statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process without offering any specific evidence to back their claims .
“ Georgians are outraged , and rightly so .
We have been clear from the beginning : every legal vote cast should be counted .
Any illegal vote must not .
And there must be transparency and uniformity in the counting process , ” the pair said , echoing President Donald Trump ’ s false claims that illegal ballots are shaping the election .
Raffensperger , they maintained , “ has failed the people of Georgia , and he should step down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kemp ’ s press secretary , Cody Hall , similarly said in a statement that Raffensperger should “ look at any and all voting irregularity allegations ” but stopped short of calling for his resignation .
“ Georgians deserve to have every legal vote counted in order to have full confidence in the outcome of our elections , ” Hall said .
On Capitol Hill Monday evening , Loeffler refused to respond to questions from reporters about Raffensperger ’ s statement .
CNN projected last week that a special election race between Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a runoff in January .
And while CNN has not projected that the Senate race between Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff will advance to a runoff , both candidates are already campaigning to face each other on January 5 .
• AG Barr authorizes prosecutors to look into vote allegations • Biden implores the country to wear masks to fight outbreak Perdue is leading Ossoff by more than 88,000 votes , but has not received the more than 50 % of votes needed to prevent a runoff .
“ My job is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all legal votes , and no illegal votes , are counted properly and accurately , ” Raffensperger said in concluding his statement .
“ As Secretary of State , that is my duty , and I will continue to do my duty .
As a Republican , I am concerned about Republicans keeping the U.S. Senate .
I recommend that Senators Loeffler and Perdue start focusing on that .
”

By Paul LeBlanc | CNN
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday rebuked calls from Republican US Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue to resign as both of their Senate races appear to be headed for a January runoff.
“Earlier today Senators Loeffler and Perdue called for my resignation,” Raffensperger, who is also a Republican, said in a statement. “Let me start by saying that is not going to happen. The voters of Georgia hired me, and the voters will be the one to fire me.”
“As Secretary of State, I’ll continue to fight every day to ensure fair elections in Georgia, that every legal vote counts, and that illegal votes don’t count,” Raffensperger continued.
“I know emotions are running high. Politics are involved in everything right now. If I was Senator Perdue, I’d be irritated I was in a runoff. And both Senators and I are all unhappy with the potential outcome for our President.”
Earlier Monday afternoon, Loeffler and Perdue called for Raffensperger’s resignation in a joint statement that bemoaned the state’s election process without offering any specific evidence to back their claims.
“Georgians are outraged, and rightly so. We have been clear from the beginning: every legal vote cast should be counted. Any illegal vote must not. And there must be transparency and uniformity in the counting process,” the pair said, echoing President Donald Trump’s false claims that illegal ballots are shaping the election.
Raffensperger, they maintained, “has failed the people of Georgia, and he should step down immediately.”
Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s press secretary, Cody Hall, similarly said in a statement that Raffensperger should “look at any and all voting irregularity allegations” but stopped short of calling for his resignation.
“Georgians deserve to have every legal vote counted in order to have full confidence in the outcome of our elections,” Hall said.
On Capitol Hill Monday evening, Loeffler refused to respond to questions from reporters about Raffensperger’s statement.
CNN projected last week that a special election race between Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock will advance to a runoff in January. And while CNN has not projected that the Senate race between Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff will advance to a runoff, both candidates are already campaigning to face each other on January 5.
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“My job is to follow Georgia law and see to it that all legal votes, and no illegal votes, are counted properly and accurately,” Raffensperger said in concluding his statement.
“As Secretary of State, that is my duty, and I will continue to do my duty. As a Republican, I am concerned about Republicans keeping the U.S. Senate. I recommend that Senators Loeffler and Perdue start focusing on that.”


mercurynews--2020-11-10--Peru’s president ousted by Congress in impeachment trial

LIMA – Peru ’ s Congress voted to oust President Martín Vizcarra on Monday in an impeachment trial over corruption allegations , the second such effort to remove him in a matter of months .
The opposition-dominated Congress , following a debate , achieved the 87-vote threshold out of 130 needed to oust the centrist leader over accusations that he accepted bribes as a governor from companies that won public works contracts .
His removal from office threatens to embroil the world ’ s No .
2 copper producer in political turmoil as it looks to recover from an economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vizcarra , 57 , lacked a party in a fragmented Congress , creating a degree of uncertainty of how lawmakers may finally vote .
In September , Congress voted against his ouster in a separate impeachment trial over alleged links to a case of irregular government contracts with a little-known singer .
Vizcarra , a centrist who has long campaigned against official graft , denied as “ baseless ” and “ false ” the latest allegations that he accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts when he was the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He warned of “ unpredictable consequences ” earlier on Monday if lawmakers impeached him just months ahead of the April 11 presidential election , in which he is not eligible to run .
The head of Congress , Manuel Merino , a member of minority party Popular Action , will now assume the presidency until the end of July 2021 , when Vizcarra ’ s term was due to expire .

By Marco Aquino | Reuters
LIMA – Peru’s Congress voted to oust President Martín Vizcarra on Monday in an impeachment trial over corruption allegations, the second such effort to remove him in a matter of months.
The opposition-dominated Congress, following a debate, achieved the 87-vote threshold out of 130 needed to oust the centrist leader over accusations that he accepted bribes as a governor from companies that won public works contracts.
His removal from office threatens to embroil the world’s No. 2 copper producer in political turmoil as it looks to recover from an economic recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Vizcarra, 57, lacked a party in a fragmented Congress, creating a degree of uncertainty of how lawmakers may finally vote. In September, Congress voted against his ouster in a separate impeachment trial over alleged links to a case of irregular government contracts with a little-known singer.
Vizcarra, a centrist who has long campaigned against official graft, denied as “baseless” and “false” the latest allegations that he accepted bribes from companies that won public works contracts when he was the governor of the southern region of Moquegua.
He warned of “unpredictable consequences” earlier on Monday if lawmakers impeached him just months ahead of the April 11 presidential election, in which he is not eligible to run.
The head of Congress, Manuel Merino, a member of minority party Popular Action, will now assume the presidency until the end of July 2021, when Vizcarra’s term was due to expire.


mercurynews--2020-11-10--In Oakland’s City Council elections, some winners emerge

OAKLAND — Almost a week after the polls closed and Alameda County elections officials have continued to count the mail-in ballots , the Oakland City Council District 3 , District 1 and at-large races seem to be locked in , with the apparent winners declaring victory Monday .
In the District 3 City Council race , incumbent Lynette Gibson McElhaney conceded on Monday , she said in a video posted to her Facebook account .
“ It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve the community in this capacity , ” Gibson McElhaney told followers , later noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that Fife can “ build upon the foundation we ’ ve laid .
That she can accomplish the greater work she aspires to do to get us that much closer to justice.
” Fife , in a statement , thanked her supporters and acknowledged the win , adding , “ This one council seat is just the beginning .
Our campaign is transitioning into a permanent political organization dedicated to passing transformative legislation and building a progressive majority on the Oakland City Council.
” Also acknowledging a win on Monday was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rebecca Kaplan , who was first elected to the council in 2008 .
In a statement , Kaplan said her opponent , Derreck Johnson , had called to concede and congratulate her .
Election results were still unofficial on Monday .
In the city ’ s ranked-choice voting system , if a candidate does not win more than 50 % of the total first-choice votes , a cycle kicks in under which the last-place candidate is eliminated , and then voters who selected that candidate have their next choice counted , repeating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes .
According to the latest ranked-choice voting calculations posted Sunday evening , Kaplan held 52.64 percent of the votes , after she and second-place challenger Derreck Johnson scooped up additional votes from last-place candidate Nancy Sidebotham .
Fife held 51.02 % of the vote to McElhaney ’ s 32.48 % of the votes after ranked-choice voting eliminated last-place candidates in the race , in early results .
Both Fife and Kaplan won support from progressive voters in Oakland , as well as labor unions .
Fife , one of the leaders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took over a vacant West Oakland house to shelter Black mothers and their families , has been vehemently pro-tenant and campaigned on ideas that include beefing up tenant protections , restoring and building affordable housing , and giving tenants chances to buy the homes they live in if the dwellings go on the market .
Gibson McElhaney , in her speech posted online Monday to followers , said she was proud of what she had accomplished , calling many of her victories “ quiet victories ” — such as helping to save small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like helping to establishment the city ’ s Department of Violence Prevention .
Gibson McElhaney ’ s son , Victor , was killed last year in Los Angeles , where he was a student at the University of Southern California , and she has long been an advocate of stopping gun violence .
In the District 1 City Council race , incumbent Dan Kalb held on to a large lead in his race against challengers Steph Dominguez Walton and Tri Ngo , and Dominguez Walton posted a note conceding the race on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ While we came up short , we succeeded in reaching thousands of people in the district whose voices have gone unheard , ” she wrote , thanking her voters and campaign volunteers .
While incumbent Noel Gallo still maintained more than 50 percent of the votes over challengers Richard Santos Raya and Zoe Lopez-Meraz , his lead dropped a couple of percentage points to almost 51 % as Alameda County updated its election tally late Monday .
In the District 7 race for retiring councilmember Larry Reid ’ s wide-open seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was holding a lead over four other challengers , with well-known pastor Bishop Bob Jackson in second place , according to the latest results .
With the latest round of ranked choice voting , she held more than 60 percent of the votes , although that figure could change as votes continue to be counted .
As for the school board races , many of those who emerged as leaders in very early election results were still keeping a lead by Monday ’ s vote count .
In District 1 , Sam Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas for the school district board seat .
In District 3 , VanCedric Williams was leading the race and followed by Maiya Edgerly , Cherisse Gash , Mark Hurty and Maximo Santana .
In District 5 , Mike Hutchinson was ahead of Leroy Gaines , Sheila Pope Lawerence and Jorge C. Lerma .
In the District 7 race , Clifford Thompson remained in the lead over Ben “ Coach ” Tapscott , Kristina Molina , Bronche Taylor and Victor Javier Valerio .

OAKLAND — Almost a week after the polls closed and Alameda County elections officials have continued to count the mail-in ballots, the Oakland City Council District 3, District 1 and at-large races seem to be locked in, with the apparent winners declaring victory Monday.
In the District 3 City Council race, incumbent Lynette Gibson McElhaney conceded on Monday, she said in a video posted to her Facebook account.
“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to serve the community in this capacity,” Gibson McElhaney told followers, later noting that it is her “fervent wish” that Carroll Fife can “build upon the foundation we’ve laid. That she can accomplish the greater work she aspires to do to get us that much closer to justice.”
Fife, in a statement, thanked her supporters and acknowledged the win, adding, “This one council seat is just the beginning. Our campaign is transitioning into a permanent political organization dedicated to passing transformative legislation and building a progressive majority on the Oakland City Council.”
Also acknowledging a win on Monday was the incumbent in the citywide at-large council seat, Rebecca Kaplan, who was first elected to the council in 2008.
In a statement, Kaplan said her opponent, Derreck Johnson, had called to concede and congratulate her.
Election results are still unofficial. In the city’s ranked-choice voting system, if a candidate does not win more than 50% of the total first-choice votes, a cycle kicks in under which the last-place candidate is eliminated, and then voters who selected that candidate have their next choice counted, repeating until a candidate has the majority of votes.
According to the latest ranked-choice voting calculations posted Sunday evening, Kaplan held 52.64 percent of the votes, after she and second-place challenger Derreck Johnson scooped up additional votes from last-place candidate Nancy Sidebotham.
Fife held 51.02% of the vote to McElhaney’s 32.48% after ranked-choice voting eliminated last-place candidates in the race, in early results.
Both Fife and Kaplan won support from progressive voters in Oakland, as well as labor unions. Fife, one of the leaders of the Moms 4 Housing group who famously took over a vacant West Oakland house to shelter Black mothers and their families, has been vehemently pro-tenant and campaigned on ideas that include beefing up tenant protections, restoring and building affordable housing, and giving tenants chances to buy the homes they live in if the dwellings go on the market.
Gibson McElhaney, in her speech posted online to followers, said she was proud of what she had accomplished, calling many of her achievements “quiet victories” — such as helping to save small businesses — as well as larger ones, like helping to establish the city’s Department of Violence Prevention. Gibson McElhaney’s son, Victor, was killed last year in Los Angeles, where he was a student at the University of Southern California, and she has long been an advocate of stopping gun violence.
In the District 1 City Council race, incumbent Dan Kalb held on to a large lead in his race against challengers Steph Dominguez Walton and Tri Ngo, and Dominguez Walton posted a note conceding the race on Monday afternoon to her social media following.
“While we came up short, we succeeded in reaching thousands of people in the district whose voices have gone unheard,” she wrote, thanking her voters and campaign volunteers.
While incumbent Noel Gallo still maintained more than 50 percent of the votes over challengers Richard Santos Raya and Zoe Lopez-Meraz, his lead dropped a couple of percentage points to almost 51% as Alameda County updated its election tally late Monday.
In the District 7 race for retiring councilmember Larry Reid’s wide-open seat, his daughter, Treva Reid, was holding a lead over four other challengers, with well-known pastor Bishop Bob Jackson in second place, according to the latest results. With the latest round of ranked-choice voting, she held more than 60 percent of the votes, although that figure could change as votes continue to be counted.
As for the school board races, many of those who emerged as leaders in very early election results were still keeping a lead by Monday’s vote count. In District 1, Sam Davis was leading over Austin Dannhaus and Stacy Thomas for the school district board seat.
In District 3, VanCedric Williams was leading the race and followed by Maiya Edgerly, Cherisse Gash, Mark Hurty and Maximo Santana.
In District 5, Mike Hutchinson was ahead of Leroy Gaines, Sheila Pope Lawerence and Jorge C. Lerma.
In the District 7 race, Clifford Thompson remained in the lead over Ben “Coach” Tapscott, Kristina Molina, Bronche Taylor and Victor Javier Valerio.


mercurynews--2020-11-10--AG Barr authorizes prosecutors to look into vote allegations

WASHINGTON /- U.S. Attorney General William Barr authorized federal prosecutors on Monday to pursue investigations into “ substantial allegations of @ @ @ @ @ , ” while urging them not to chase “ fanciful or far-fetched ” claims .
@ @ @ @ @ which was seen by Reuters , marked the first time Barr addressed President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ claims of widespread voter fraud since last week ’ s election won by Democrat Joe @ @ @ @ @ hours after Barr met with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who earlier on @ @ @ @ @ within his rights to look into charges of “ irregularities ” in last week ’ @ @ @ @ @ authorize you to pursue substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities prior to the @ @ @ @ @ jurisdictions in certain cases , as I have already done in specific instances , ” @ @ @ @ @ to federal prosecutors and the FBI .

By Sarah N. Lynch | Reuters
WASHINGTON /- U.S. Attorney General William Barr authorized federal prosecutors on Monday to pursue investigations into “substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities,” while urging them not to chase “fanciful or far-fetched” claims.
The letter to prosecutors, which was seen by Reuters, marked the first time Barr addressed President Donald Trump’s repeated and unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud since last week’s election won by Democrat Joe Biden.
It came several hours after Barr met with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who earlier on Monday said Trump was well within his rights to look into charges of “irregularities” in last week’s election.
“I authorize you to pursue substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities prior to the certification of elections in your jurisdictions in certain cases, as I have already done in specific instances,” Barr wrote in the letter to federal prosecutors and the FBI.


mercurynews--2020-11-10--SJSU football: Brennan has confidence in QB Nash with Starkel injury situation murky

San Jose State could capture its first 4-0 start since 1955 with a win over UNLV this weekend , but the quarterback who will lead that charge remains up in the air .
Last Friday , starting quarterback Nick Starkel was knocked out of San Jose State ’ s 28-17 upset victory over San Diego State after taking a hard hit during the game ’ s first possession .
After staying down on the field for several minutes , Starkel went to the locker room .
He returned to the sidelines in the second quarter wearing street clothes .
Coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Starkel would practice or play this week .
The Spartans have not specified the nature of Starkel ’ s injury , either .
• San Jose State football : Mountain West honors Spartans for second week in a row • San Jose State football : How the Spartans overcame all odds to beat San Diego State • San Jose State football : Spartans upset San Diego State , move to 3-0 for first time since 1982 • San Jose State football vs. San Diego State : What to know In Starkel ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 of 25 passes for 168 passing yards and two touchdowns to one interception .
Nash also had 53 rushing yards and the game-sealing 13-yard touchdown run .
While Nash was a revelation Friday night , Starkel was playing some of the best football of his career prior to the injury .
In the two games he finished , Starkel completed 73.6 percent of his passes for 693 passing yards with seven touchdowns to one interception .
Against New Mexico , Starkel threw for 467 passing yards and a career-high five touchdowns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week , among a litany of honors .
While Starkel works mainly in the pocket , Nash has a penchant for using his legs .
In nine career games , Nash has attempted more runs ( 58 ) than passes ( 44 ) .
Against San Diego State , Nash showcased his ability to roll out , extend plays and throw on the run .
“ Some things we like to call with Nick Nash are different than what we like to call with Nick Starkel , ” Brennan said .
Interestingly enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ originally wasn ’ t projected to play quarterback .
Brennan initially had Nash marked as a safety .
During spring practice in 2019 , Brennan decided to see how Nash looked under center because the team didn ’ t have many quarterbacks , and he had starred as a dual-threat passer in at Irvine ’ s Woodbridge High School , which also produced Spartans defensive coordinator Derrick Odum .
After a great showing throughout the spring , Nash moved back to the offensive side of the field to play quarterback .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a player , ” Brennan said .
“ I think he ’ s got an incredibly high ceiling and his future is extremely bright.
” Whether that future includes a start for the Spartans this weekend remains to be seen , depending on Starkel ’ s availability .
Brennan said that he keeps in contact with several of his fellow Mountain West coaches — New Mexico coach Danny Gonzales called Brennan in the middle of his postgame press conference after the teams played Oct. 31 — but none more than UNLV coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked together as wide receiver and quarterback coaches , respectively , under former San Jose State coach Dick Tomey .
Brennan was in Arroyo ’ s wedding , and the two talk frequently .
• San Jose State football : Mountain West honors Spartans for second week in a row • Pac-12 football on the brink : Cancellations spark concern as Cal searches for a way to save its season • My AP ballot : Notre Dame moves to No .
3 , Indiana rises • Takeaways : Stanford ’ s ‘ great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon “ I love Marcus , ” Brennan said .
“ He ’ s one of my favorite people in the world .
I ’ m really excited for him and what he ’ s doing at UNLV .
It ’ s going to be fun playing against him and getting ready to go.
” The winless Rebels have struggled out of the gate under first-year head coach Arroyo .
Through three games , they ’ re averaging the fewest points ( 17.3 ) and allowing the second-most points ( 37.0 ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in the right direction last week , entering the fourth quarter of its matchup against heavily favored Fresno State tied at 27 .
But two fourth-quarter interceptions sealed the Rebels ’ fate in a 40-27 loss .
“ They ’ re playing really , really hard , ” Brennan said .
“ Defensively , they run to the football .
It ’ s obvious on tape .
Even when I talked to the coaches from San Diego State last week , they were like , ‘ Hey , those guys are playing @ @ @ @ @ @

San Jose State could capture its first 4-0 start since 1955 with a win over UNLV this weekend, but the quarterback who will lead that charge remains up in the air.
Last Friday, starting quarterback Nick Starkel was knocked out of San Jose State’s 28-17 upset victory over San Diego State after taking a hard hit during the game’s first possession. After staying down on the field for several minutes, Starkel went to the locker room. He returned to the sidelines in the second quarter wearing street clothes.
Coach Brent Brennan declined to comment Monday on whether Starkel would practice or play this week. The Spartans have not specified the nature of Starkel’s injury, either.
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SJSU athletics center could spur San Jose “family entertainment” zone College Sports | Plea deal ‘very close’ in ex-SJSU trainer sexual assault trial that ended in hung jury In Starkel’s place, backup Nick Nash completed 16 of 25 passes for 168 passing yards and two touchdowns to one interception. Nash also had 53 rushing yards and the game-sealing 13-yard touchdown run.
While Nash was a revelation Friday night, Starkel was playing some of the best football of his career prior to the injury. In the two games he finished, Starkel completed 73.6 percent of his passes for 693 passing yards with seven touchdowns to one interception.
Against New Mexico, Starkel threw for 467 passing yards and a career-high five touchdowns, earning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, among a litany of honors.
While Starkel works mainly in the pocket, Nash has a penchant for using his legs. In nine career games, Nash has attempted more runs (58) than passes (44). Against San Diego State, Nash showcased his ability to roll out, extend plays and throw on the run.
“Some things we like to call with Nick Nash are different than what we like to call with Nick Starkel,” Brennan said.
Interestingly enough, Brennan mentioned on Monday that Nash originally wasn’t projected to play quarterback. Brennan initially had Nash marked as a safety.
During spring practice in 2019, Brennan decided to see how Nash looked under center because the team didn’t have many quarterbacks, and he had starred as a dual-threat passer in at Irvine’s Woodbridge High School, which also produced Spartans defensive coordinator Derrick Odum. After a great showing throughout the spring, Nash moved back to the offensive side of the field to play quarterback.
“It’s fun to see his development as a player,” Brennan said. “I think he’s got an incredibly high ceiling and his future is extremely bright.”
Whether that future includes a start for the Spartans this weekend remains to be seen, depending on Starkel’s availability.
Familiar face across the field
Brennan said that he keeps in contact with several of his fellow Mountain West coaches — New Mexico coach Danny Gonzales called Brennan in the middle of his postgame press conference after the teams played Oct. 31 — but none more than UNLV coach Marcus Arroyo.
Brennan and Arroyo previously worked together as wide receiver and quarterback coaches, respectively, under former San Jose State coach Dick Tomey. Brennan was in Arroyo’s wedding, and the two talk frequently.
“I love Marcus,” Brennan said. “He’s one of my favorite people in the world. I’m really excited for him and what he’s doing at UNLV. It’s going to be fun playing against him and getting ready to go.”
The winless Rebels have struggled out of the gate under first-year head coach Arroyo. Through three games, they’re averaging the fewest points (17.3) and allowing the second-most points (37.0) in the Mountain West.
UNLV took a step in the right direction last week, entering the fourth quarter of its matchup against heavily favored Fresno State tied at 27. But two fourth-quarter interceptions sealed the Rebels’ fate in a 40-27 loss.
“They’re playing really, really hard,” Brennan said. “Defensively, they run to the football. It’s obvious on tape. Even when I talked to the coaches from San Diego State last week, they were like, ‘Hey, those guys are playing hard in Vegas.’”


mercurynews--2020-11-10--Focus on New Orleans: 49ers may be in trouble against resurgent Saints

Were the New Orleans Saints simply too good to be true on Sunday night ?
The 49ers had better hope so .
Their season may be depending on it .
There were warning signs throughout the Saints ’ 38-3 dismantling of Tom Brady and the Buccaneers that nothing would be easy for the 49ers when they ’ re in New Orleans this coming Sunday .
Drew Brees , the Saints ’ record-breaking 41-year-old quarterback , no longer acted his age .
All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas , unguardable while setting an NFL record a year ago , was back doing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditionally an afterthought , was itself setting an NFL record while handing Brady the worst loss of his illustrious career .
None of those developments engendered optimism for the injury ravaged 49ers ( 4-5 ) , who desperately need a victory with their postseason hopes possibly on the line .
The Buccaneers , armed with the third-best odds to win a Super Bowl , came away Sunday with the second-best chance of winning if they have to face the Saints again this season .
That ’ s mainly because of the way the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harassing him , sacking him three times and picking him off three times .
• The 35-point beatdown was the worst loss in Brady ’ s 20-year career , eclipsing a 31-0 loss to the Bills in 2003 .
• Brady ’ s 40.4 passer rating was the third-worst in his 294 career games .
• By beating the Bucs for a second time , the Saints became the first division opponent to ever sweep Brady .
• In just two games , New Orleans has pressured Brady 32 times , accounting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-Serra High star has faced in nine games .
• Brady came away from the loss with his lowest completion percentage of the season ( 57.9 ) as well as a season-low 5.5 yards per pass attempt .
Anomaly or not , if that ’ s how they treated the NFL ’ s greatest quarterback of all-time , what will they do to Nick Mullens ?
Here ’ s a closer look at Sunday ’ s game as the 49ers look to avoid a three-game losing streak : GAME ESSENTIALS : 49ers ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans , Sunday at 1:25 p.m. on FOX-TV ( Ch .
2 ) .
ODDS : Saints -9.5 .
The Saints ’ pass defense , ranked 13th in Football Outsiders ’ DVOA , had been routinely giving up big plays at the most inopportune times before facing the Buccaneers .
New Orleans remains just 21st ranked in third-down defense — the Saints allow their opponents to convert 45 percent of their opportunities — but came up with its biggest effort of the season while holding the Bucs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the game , the Saints had also given up a whopping 37 touchdown passes in their last 16 games before blanking Brady .
Want more proof the Saints are a completely different defensive unit against the Bucs ?
The Saints have just nine takeaways , tied for the eighth-fewest in the league .
And six of those takeaways have come in their two games against Tampa Bay .
Get it close , you ’ ll get it in The Saints , who have the league ’ s worst red zone defense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there on Sunday night .
Facing a first-and-goal , the Saints held on four straight plays — two passes defended by Marshon Lattimore and a pair of huge plays by linebacker Demario Davis — to keep the Bucs off the scoreboard .
It was the first time all season Tampa Bay managed to do that .
Nevertheless , New Orleans has still allowed its opponents to score a touchdown an alarming 80 percent of the time when reaching the red zone .
Unless they ’ re playing the Buccaneers , the Saints tend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either way .
In fact , aside from their two games against Tampa Bay and a last-minute , lead-extending Raiders field goal , the Saints have played in nothing but games decided by a touchdown or less .
Included in their six victories are two coming in overtime and one courtesy of a fourth-quarter Will Lutz field goal .
And , keep in mind , the Saints ’ modest schedule has thus far featured the likes of the Lions , Chargers and Bears .
Oh my , indeed .
• 49ers mailbag : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Orleans ?
• Richard Sherman cleared to practice with 49ers ahead of showdown with Saints • 49ers ’ Kendrick Bourne back on COVID-19 reserve list just 3 days after being cleared • Good news on Garoppolo recovery , but 49ers bring in another QB alongside Mullens , Beathard • Bourne tests negative again to clear 49ers ’ COVID list of 4 key players who missed Packers game Not only will the 49ers have to deal with All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas , they ’ ll be facing their own No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders , who may have a little extra motivation this week .
Sanders , who left via free agency after helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl , was spectacular the last time San Francisco was at the Superdome — he had seven catches for 157 yards and a TD to go along with a 35-yard touchdown pass .
Thomas finally returned to action Sunday night while catching five passes for 51 yards after missing six weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered in the season opener .
He was the NFL ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a league record with 149 catches last season .
Sanders , meanwhile , had missed the last two games while on the reserve/COVID-19 list after setting a career high with 12 catches in a win over the Chargers .
The former 49er had five catches for 39 yards and a TD on Sunday .
The Saints ’ run defense had already been plenty stingy even before Sunday night ’ s record-setting performance while allowing the Buccaneers just eight rushing yards , the fewest given up in three seasons and the 23rd fewest permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those yards came on a Ronald Jones run on the second play of the game .
The Bucs ’ five rushing attempts — including an end-of-the-game kneel down — set an NFL record for least ever attempted in a game in the 101-year history of the league .
The Saints , who are second in the NFL while allowing just 80.2 yards on the ground per game , tied another league record in the Super Bowl era by notching their 51st straight game without allowing a 100-yard rusher .
They do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamara and Taysom Hill present major challenges for every defensive coordinator getting prepared for the Saints .
In Kamara , the Saints have arguably the league ’ s most elusive runner/pass catcher , even if — as his fantasy owners can tell you — he ’ s only scored one touchdown in the last four weeks .
Still , Kamara is second in the league in yards from scrimmage — 2,072 yards , or 129.5 yards per game — and needs just 29 rushing yards Sunday to become the first player in NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and receiving in each of his first four seasons .
Hill , meanwhile , is Drew Brees ’ backup and so much more .
He ’ s lined up at quarterback , running back , tight end and receiver while providing a multitude of looks to opposing defenses .
Hill spelled trouble for the Bucs Sunday while completing both of his passes for 48 yards , rushing for a game-high 54 yards on seven carries and catching a 21-yard pass .
Drew Brees ’ career seemed headed into a downward spiral earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite a renaissance the last six weeks — even without Thomas , his most potent target .
Brees is at his best when he thinks fast and gets rid of the ball even faster while spreading the ball around .
He checked all three of those boxes Sunday while going 26-of-32 for 222 yards and a season-high four TD passes .
For good measure , Brees also put Tom Brady in his place by not only beating him but surpassing him for the most career touchdown passes — Brees has 564 to Brady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 11 different players in the game ’ s first 19 minutes as the Saints became the third team in the last 30 yards to have 12 different player catch a pass , according to the Elias Sports Bureau .
Since Week 2 , Brees has completed 77 percent of his passes ( 167-for-217 ) with 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions .

Were the New Orleans Saints simply too good to be true on Sunday night? The 49ers had better hope so. Their season may be depending on it.
There were warning signs throughout the Saints’ 38-3 dismantling of Tom Brady and the Buccaneers that nothing would be easy for the 49ers when they’re in New Orleans this coming Sunday.
Drew Brees, the Saints’ record-breaking 41-year-old quarterback, no longer acted his age. All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, unguardable while setting an NFL record a year ago, was back doing his thing. And the Saints defense, traditionally an afterthought, was itself setting an NFL record while handing Brady the worst loss of his illustrious career.
None of those developments engendered optimism for the injury ravaged 49ers (4-5), who desperately need a victory with their postseason hopes possibly on the line.
The Buccaneers, armed with the third-best odds to win a Super Bowl, dropped two notches Sunday. That’s mainly because of the way the Saints defense dealt with Brady while constantly harassing him, sacking him three times and picking him off three times.
To wit:
The 35-point beatdown was the worst loss in Brady’s 20-year career, eclipsing a 31-0 loss to the Bills in 2003.
Brady’s 40.4 passer rating was the third-worst in his 294 career games.
By beating the Bucs for a second time, the Saints became the first division opponent to ever sweep Brady.
In just two games, New Orleans has pressured Brady 32 times, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the pressures the ex-Serra High star has faced in nine games.
Brady came away from the loss with his lowest completion percentage of the season (57.9) as well as a season-low 5.5 yards per pass attempt.
Anomaly or not, if that’s how they treated the NFL’s greatest quarterback of all-time, what will they do to Nick Mullens?
***
Here’s a closer look at Sunday’s game as the 49ers look to avoid a three-game losing streak:
GAME ESSENTIALS: 49ers (4-5) vs. Saints (6-2) at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday at 1:25 p.m. on FOX-TV (Ch. 2). ODDS: Saints -9.5.
THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS’ OPTIMISM:
A one-game aberration?
The Saints’ pass defense, ranked 13th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA, had been routinely giving up big plays at the most inopportune times before facing the Buccaneers. New Orleans remains just 21st ranked in third-down defense — the Saints allow their opponents to convert 45 percent of their opportunities — but came up with its biggest effort of the season while holding the Bucs to just 1-for-9 on third-down attempts. Heading into the game, the Saints had also given up a whopping 37 touchdown passes in their last 16 games before blanking Brady. Want more proof the Saints are a completely different defensive unit against the Bucs? The Saints have just nine takeaways, tied for the eighth-fewest in the league. And six of those takeaways have come in their two games against Tampa Bay.
Get it close, you’ll get it in
The Saints, who have the league’s worst red zone defense, finally stopped an opponent from scoring down there on Sunday night. Facing a first-and-goal, the Saints held on four straight plays — two passes defended by Marshon Lattimore and a pair of huge plays by linebacker Demario Davis — to keep the Bucs off the scoreboard. It was the first time all season Tampa Bay managed to do that. Nevertheless, New Orleans has still allowed its opponents to score a touchdown an alarming 80 percent of the time when reaching the red zone.
Trouble separating this season
Unless they’re playing the Buccaneers, the Saints tend to play in games that can go either way. In fact, aside from their two games against Tampa Bay and a last-minute, lead-extending Raiders field goal, the Saints have played in nothing but games decided by a touchdown or less. Included in their six victories are two coming in overtime and one courtesy of a fourth-quarter Will Lutz field goal. And, keep in mind, the Saints’ modest schedule has thus far featured the likes of the Lions, Chargers and Bears. Oh my, indeed.
THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS’ PESSIMISM:
Dangerous receivers are back
Not only will the 49ers have to deal with All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas, they’ll be facing their own No. 1 receiver from last year, Emmanuel Sanders, who may have a little extra motivation this week. Sanders, who left via free agency after helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl, was spectacular the last time San Francisco was at the Superdome — he had seven catches for 157 yards and a TD to go along with a 35-yard touchdown pass. Thomas finally returned to action Sunday night while catching five passes for 51 yards after missing six weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered in the season opener. He was the NFL’s most dominant pass catcher while setting a league record with 149 catches last season. Sanders, meanwhile, had missed the last two games while on the reserve/COVID-19 list after setting a career high with 12 catches in a win over the Chargers. The former 49er had five catches for 39 yards and a TD on Sunday.
No room to run?
The Saints’ run defense had already been plenty stingy even before Sunday night’s record-setting performance while allowing the Buccaneers just eight rushing yards, the fewest given up in three seasons and the 23rd fewest permitted during the Super Bowl era. Seven of those yards came on a Ronald Jones run on the second play of the game. The Bucs’ five rushing attempts — including an end-of-the-game kneel down — set an NFL record for least ever attempted in a game in the 101-year history of the league. The Saints, who are second in the NFL while allowing just 80.2 yards on the ground per game, tied another league record in the Super Bowl era by notching their 51st straight game without allowing a 100-yard rusher.
Dual threats in the backfield
They do it in different ways, but both Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill present major challenges for every defensive coordinator getting prepared for the Saints. In Kamara, the Saints have arguably the league’s most elusive runner/pass catcher, even if — as his fantasy owners can tell you — he’s only scored one touchdown in the last four weeks. Still, Kamara is second in the league in yards from scrimmage — 2,072 yards, or 129.5 yards per game — and needs just 29 rushing yards Sunday to become the first player in NFL history with at least 500 yards rushing and receiving in each of his first four seasons. Hill, meanwhile, is Drew Brees’ backup and so much more. He’s lined up at quarterback, running back, tight end and receiver while providing a multitude of looks to opposing defenses. Hill spelled trouble for the Bucs Sunday while completing both of his passes for 48 yards, rushing for a game-high 54 yards on seven carries and catching a 21-yard pass.
PROBABLE DIFFERENCE-MAKER: Drew Brees.
Drew Brees’ career seemed headed into a downward spiral earlier this season, but the 41-year-old has experienced quite a renaissance the last six weeks — even without Thomas, his most potent target. Brees is at his best when he thinks fast and gets rid of the ball even faster while spreading the ball around. He checked all three of those boxes Sunday while going 26-of-32 for 222 yards and a season-high four TD passes. For good measure, Brees also put Tom Brady in his place by not only beating him but surpassing him for the most career touchdown passes — Brees has 564 to Brady’s 561. Brees completed passes to 11 different players in the game’s first 19 minutes as the Saints became the third team in the last 30 years to have 12 different players catch a pass, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Since Week 2, Brees has completed 77 percent of his passes (167-for-217) with 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.


mercurynews--2020-11-10--California man convicted of sexual assault on Norwegian Air flight gets prison

SEATTLE — A California man was sentenced to two years in prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting of a woman on a flight from London to Seattle in 2018 .
Babak Rezapour , of Van Nuys , California , was sentenced Friday in federal court in Seattle , U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said in a news release .
Rezapour , 43 , was convicted in January of abusive sexual contact in a special aircraft jurisdiction and abusive sexual contact with an incapacitated victim .
The jury convicted him following a five-day jury trial in which Rezapour denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly assaulted a 22-year-old woman on the flight on Jan. 10 , 2018 .
• Porn star Ron Jeremy pleads not guilty to seven new rape charges • ‘ Atomic Blonde ’ producer arrested at California home on suspicion of sexual assault while out on bail The woman had taken prescribed anti-anxiety and anti-nausea medicine and drank two glasses of wine , including one Rezapour bought for her , court documents said .
Afterward , she “ described feeling hazy and had difficulty remaining awake.
” The complaint states that a Norwegian Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visibly shaken and crying , ” near the restrooms .
The woman told the crew member what happened , and she was moved to the front of the plane , documents said .
Rezapour denied that he had touched the woman but witnesses said otherwise .
Laboratory tests showed that his DNA was inside the woman ’ s underwear , according to the court records .

SEATTLE — A California man was sentenced to two years in prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting of a woman on a flight from London to Seattle in 2018.
Babak Rezapour, of Van Nuys, California, was sentenced Friday in federal court in Seattle, U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said in a news release.
Rezapour, 43, was convicted in January of abusive sexual contact in a special aircraft jurisdiction and abusive sexual contact with an incapacitated victim. The jury convicted him following a five-day jury trial in which Rezapour denied the allegations.
The charges said Rezapour repeatedly assaulted a 22-year-old woman on the flight on Jan. 10, 2018.
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The complaint states that a Norwegian Air crew member later found the woman “visibly shaken and crying,” near the restrooms. The woman told the crew member what happened, and she was moved to the front of the plane, documents said.
Rezapour denied that he had touched the woman but witnesses said otherwise. Laboratory tests showed that his DNA was inside the woman’s underwear, according to the court records.