courthousenews--2020-06-22--Trump Says He Ordered Less Testing to Make Covid Numbers Look Better

TULSA , Okla. ( AP ) — President Trump said Saturday he ’ s asked his administration to slow down coronavirus testing because robust testing turns up too many cases of Covid-19 .
Trump told supporters at his campaign rally that the United States has tested 25 million people , more than any other country .
The “ bad part , ” Trump said , is that widespread testing leads to logging more cases of the virus .
“ When you do testing to that extent , you ’ re going to find more people , you ’ re going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ So I said to my people , ‘ Slow the testing down , please.
’ They test and they test.
” The campaign his presidential rival Joe Biden said Trump was putting politics ahead of the safety and health of Americans .
Trump held his first rally in 110 days Saturday despite concerns from health officials that it could lead to further spread of the virus in Tulsa .
Most of the attended declined to wear a mask .
“ In an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Trump just admitted that he ’ s putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people — even as we just recorded the highest number of new Covid-19 cases in almost two months and 20 million workers remain out of work , ” according to the Biden campaign ’ s statement .
The outbreak has killed more than 122,000 people in the United States , and nearly half a million worldwide , according to Johns Hopkins University , though the real numbers are believed to be much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per day has risen from about 21,400 two weeks ago to 23,200 , according to an Associated Press analysis .
And in Florida , Georgia , Texas and Arizona — states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early — daily deaths have been rising since early June .
“ This virus has killed nearly 120,000 Americans and cost tens of millions their jobs , in large part because this president could not and would not mobilize testing as quickly as we needed it , ” according to the Biden campaign statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ordered testing slowed — a transparent attempt to make the numbers look better — is appalling .
”

President Trump said Saturday he's asked his administration to slow down coronavirus testing because robust testing turns up too many cases of Covid-19.
"When you do testing to that extent, you're going to find more people, you're going to find more cases," Trump said at the Tulsa rally. "So I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please.'"
Empty seats are visible in the upper level at a campaign rally for President Donald Trump at BOK Center in downtown Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, June 20, 2020. (Matt Barnard/Tulsa World via AP)
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — President Trump said Saturday he's asked his administration to slow down coronavirus testing because robust testing turns up too many cases of Covid-19.
Trump told supporters at his campaign rally that the United States has tested 25 million people, more than any other country. The "bad part," Trump said, is that widespread testing leads to logging more cases of the virus.
"When you do testing to that extent, you're going to find more people, you're going to find more cases," Trump said. "So I said to my people, 'Slow the testing down, please.' They test and they test."
The campaign his presidential rival Joe Biden said Trump was putting politics ahead of the safety and health of Americans.
Trump held his first rally in 110 days Saturday despite concerns from health officials that it could lead to further spread of the virus in Tulsa. Most of the attended declined to wear a mask.
"In an outrageous moment that will be remembered long after tonight's debacle of a rally, President Trump just admitted that he's putting politics ahead of the safety and economic well-being of the American people — even as we just recorded the highest number of new Covid-19 cases in almost two months and 20 million workers remain out of work," according to the Biden campaign's statement.
The outbreak has killed more than 122,000 people in the United States, and nearly half a million worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University, though the real numbers are believed to be much higher.
The number of newly confirmed cases per day has risen from about 21,400 two weeks ago to 23,200, according to an Associated Press analysis. And in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona — states that loosened their stay-at-home restrictions early — daily deaths have been rising since early June.
"This virus has killed nearly 120,000 Americans and cost tens of millions their jobs, in large part because this president could not and would not mobilize testing as quickly as we needed it," according to the Biden campaign statement. "To hear him say tonight that he has ordered testing slowed — a transparent attempt to make the numbers look better — is appalling."
By KEVIN FREKING


courthousenews--2020-06-23--Life More Likely to Exist on Older Milky Way Planets

( CN ) — Planets formed during the earlier days of the Milky Way have the greatest likelihood of developing life , according to a study released Monday .
Researchers say these early planets are more likely to have a magnetic field , rocky terrain and exhibit tectonic activity , making them more closely resemble Earth than many of their newer counterparts .
Planets that formed more recently often lack these features because of a finite supply of the interstellar matter needed to create them .
Exoplanets have attracted much attention recently because of the possibility that they may harbor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars , far outside of our solar system , and out of reach for even our most distant probes .
To date , NASA has confirmed over 4,158 exoplanets in our galaxy using the Kepler Space Telescope .
The closest exoplanets to Earth orbit the star Proxima Centauri , 4.2 light-years away .
Using state-of-the-art technology , the trip would take approximately 6,300 years .
By breaking the laws of physics , you can get that down to just over four .
The catalog of known exoplanets has grown significantly in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characterize many of these bodies .
The compositional variation of these exoplanets and how the galactic reservoir of available material impacts their creation is still largely unknown .
For a planet to be considered Earth-like it must have a rocky surface , with a size about 0.5 to 1.5 times that of Earth and remain in the habitable zone of its orbiting star — the sweet spot allowing for the existence of liquid water .
Scientists now believe plate tectonics , the movement of the giant slabs of rock dividing the Earth ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another crucial factor .
Plate tectonics play an important role by allowing a planet to regulate its own temperature over billions of years .
“ Plate tectonics act as a kind of thermostat for the Earth creating the conditions which allow life to evolve .
The Earth has a lot of iron in its core , and we had assumed that this would be necessary for tectonic development , ” said Craig O ’ Neill , lead author and director of the Macquarie Planetary Research Centre in Sydney , Australia .
“ However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little iron may develop plate tectonics if the timing is right .
This was completely unexpected.
” Researchers ran detailed simulations for the study using the Australian National Computational Infrastructure , a group of supercomputers often used in cutting edge astrophysical , geophysical and medical research .
The parameters selected by the researchers were ran through the ASPECT geodynamics code , which simulates problems in thermal convection inside a planet ’ s mantle layer .
They found early planets were more likely to develop plate tectonics favorable to the emergence of life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new astrological bodies significantly differs from than that of the early universe , due to matter coalescing into the stars and planets we see now , while other material has been expelled through supernovas .
“ Planets which formed later may not have developed plate tectonics , which means that they don ’ t have this built-in thermostat .
This doesn ’ t just affect the surface temperature , this means that the core stays hot , which inhibits the development of a magnetic field .
If there ’ s no magnetic field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar radiation and will tend to lose its atmosphere .
So , life becomes difficult to sustain .
A planet needs to be lucky to have the right position and the right geochemistry at the right time if it ’ s going to sustain life , ” said O ’ Neill .
Galactic chemical evolution models are used to calculate how the building blocks of planetary bodies evolve over time .
With the help of these models , scientists found trends in the availability of critical elements like iron content relative to silicate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , thorium and potassium .
These trends suggest heat-producing elements are becoming less common , while the ratio of iron to silicate is growing due to increased supernova activity .
Planets that formed early in the Milky Way tend to have low iron to silicate ratios , leaving them with smaller cores and greater amounts of these heat producing elements .
Such small-core planets show increased plate tectonic behavior , along with weaker surface faults due to their lower gravity .
“ It looks like the optimum conditions plate tectonics existed for planets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifespan , and may be unlikely to easily recur , ” added O ’ Neill .
“ For life , maybe that was as good as it gets.
” O ’ Neill will present the findings and more at the annual Goldschmidt conference , the world ’ s main geochemistry summit , hosted by the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry .

Planets formed during the earlier days of the Milky Way have the greatest likelihood of developing life, according to a study released Monday.
(CN) — Planets formed during the earlier days of the Milky Way have the greatest likelihood of developing life, according to a study released Monday.
Researchers say these early planets are more likely to have a magnetic field, rocky terrain and exhibit tectonic activity, making them more closely resemble Earth than many of their newer counterparts. Planets that formed more recently often lack these features because of a finite supply of the interstellar matter needed to create them.
Exoplanets have attracted much attention recently because of the possibility that they may harbor life. These celestial bodies orbit distant stars, far outside of our solar system, and out of reach for even our most distant probes.
To date, NASA has confirmed over 4,158 exoplanets in our galaxy using the Kepler Space Telescope. The closest exoplanets to Earth orbit the star Proxima Centauri, 4.2 light-years away. Using state-of-the-art technology, the trip would take approximately 6,300 years. By breaking the laws of physics, you can get that down to just over four.
The catalog of known exoplanets has grown significantly in recent years, but scientists are still unable to characterize many of these bodies. The compositional variation of these exoplanets and how the galactic reservoir of available material impacts their creation is still largely unknown.
For a planet to be considered Earth-like it must have a rocky surface, with a size about 0.5 to 1.5 times that of Earth and remain in the habitable zone of its orbiting star — the sweet spot allowing for the existence of liquid water.
Scientists now believe plate tectonics, the movement of the giant slabs of rock dividing the Earth’s crust that causes earthquakes, is another crucial factor. Plate tectonics play an important role by allowing a planet to regulate its own temperature over billions of years.
"Plate tectonics act as a kind of thermostat for the Earth creating the conditions which allow life to evolve. The Earth has a lot of iron in its core, and we had assumed that this would be necessary for tectonic development,” said Craig O'Neill, lead author and director of the Macquarie Planetary Research Centre in Sydney, Australia. “However, we found that even planets with little iron may develop plate tectonics if the timing is right. This was completely unexpected."
Researchers ran detailed simulations for the study using the Australian National Computational Infrastructure, a group of supercomputers often used in cutting edge astrophysical, geophysical and medical research. The parameters selected by the researchers were ran through the ASPECT geodynamics code, which simulates problems in thermal convection inside a planet’s mantle layer.
They found early planets were more likely to develop plate tectonics favorable to the emergence of life. The raw materials available today to develop new astrological bodies significantly differs from than that of the early universe, due to matter coalescing into the stars and planets we see now, while other material has been expelled through supernovas.
"Planets which formed later may not have developed plate tectonics, which means that they don't have this built-in thermostat. This doesn't just affect the surface temperature, this means that the core stays hot, which inhibits the development of a magnetic field. If there's no magnetic field, the planet is not shielded from solar radiation and will tend to lose its atmosphere. So, life becomes difficult to sustain. A planet needs to be lucky to have the right position and the right geochemistry at the right time if it's going to sustain life,” said O’Neill.
Galactic chemical evolution models are used to calculate how the building blocks of planetary bodies evolve over time. With the help of these models, scientists found trends in the availability of critical elements like iron content relative to silicate, and heat-producing elements such as uranium, thorium and potassium. These trends suggest heat-producing elements are becoming less common, while the ratio of iron to silicate is growing due to increased supernova activity.
Planets that formed early in the Milky Way tend to have low iron to silicate ratios, leaving them with smaller cores and greater amounts of these heat producing elements. Such small-core planets show increased plate tectonic behavior, along with weaker surface faults due to their lower gravity.
"It looks like the optimum conditions plate tectonics existed for planets forming early in the galaxy's lifespan, and may be unlikely to easily recur,” added O’Neill. “For life, maybe that was as good as it gets.”
O’Neill will present the findings and more at the annual Goldschmidt conference, the world’s main geochemistry summit, hosted by the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry.


courthousenews--2020-06-22--Judge Halts California Bid for Cancer Warning on Roundup

( CN ) — A federal judge on Monday permanently barred the state of California from requiring Monsanto and other chemical companies to put cancer warning labels on the glyphosate , the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup .
U.S. District Court Judge William Shubb found the scientific evidence pointing to the carcinogenicity of glyphosate is too scant to warrant a warning and that forcing the company to include a warning on its label would be compelled speech in violation of the First Amendment .
“ Providing misleading or false labels to consumers also undermines California ’ s interest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the expense of plaintiffs ’ First Amendment rights , ” Shubb wrote in a 34-page order .
“ Accordingly , the balance of equities and public interest weigh in favor of permanently enjoining Proposition 65 ’ s warning requirement for glyphosate.
” Monsanto , which has seen a barrage of lawsuits and on the wrong end of several legal rulings involving cancer and Roundup , celebrated Monday ’ s legal victory .
“ This is a very important ruling for California agriculture and for science as a federal court , after weighing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence does not support a cancer warning requirement for glyphosate-based products , which farmers all over the world depend on to control weeds , practice sustainable farming , and bring their products to market efficiently , ” the company said in a statement .
In the ruling , Shubb noted that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation agreed to require warning labels only after the International Agency for Research on Cancer ruled there was a probable link between glyphosate exposure and cancer .
Specifically , several scientific studies , including a recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least a correlational relationship between exposure to high levels of glyphosate and the development of non-Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma .
The near-consensus among global regulatory agencies — including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , the European Commission and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency — concludes that there is no scientific evidence that glyphosate causes cancer or is genotoxic .
Genotoxicity describes a method whereby a toxin damages the genetic information of cells causing mutations that could lead to cancer .
“ The fact remains that every government regulator of which the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IARC , has found that there was no or insufficient evidence that glyphosate causes cancer , ” Shubb wrote .
The EPA released an interim decision on the pesticide in January , concluding that there is a lack of evidence the chemical causes cancer in humans .
“ It is irresponsible to require labels on products that are inaccurate when EPA knows the product does not pose a cancer risk .
We will not allow California ’ s flawed program to dictate federal policy , ” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies like EPA relay to consumers accurate , scientific-based information about risks that pesticides may pose to them.
” Monsanto first sued California in 2017 , with Shubb awarding a preliminary injunction in 2018 that was made permanent Monday .
Nevertheless , many still maintain glyphosate poses a risk to the public .
Jennifer Sass , with the Natural Resources Defense Council , said in 2018 that Monsanto and other companies were undermining objective scientific inquiry into the correlation between the chemical and non-Hodgkin ’ s lymphoma .
“ We must continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the chemical industry and protect government scientists and chemical assessment programs , to let them do the important work of generating credible publicly available chemical hazard assessments on glyphosate , and all the other chemicals to which we are routinely exposed in our food , our drinking water , in household products , in building materials and through so many other everyday routes of exposure , ” Sass wrote .
Monsanto has lost three high-profile lawsuits in the last year , with juries and judges ordering the company to pay $ 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 87 million , respectively , to plaintiffs claim Roundup caused their cancers .
The company — which is now owned by German chemical giant Bayer — has since moved to settle thousands of similar suits .
Experts estimate the company will dole out approximately $ 8 billion .
Nevertheless , Monsanto will not have to put labels on their products in California and can tout a federal judge ’ s acceptance of the current science that glyphosate is not a carcinogen .
“ Glyphosate has been subject to rigorous scientific scrutiny by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Monsanto said , along with other agricultural groups that joined the company in the suit .
“ It is widely regarded as one of the safest herbicides ever developed , and the overwhelming scientific consensus is that it does not pose any risk of cancer .
”

A federal judge on Monday permanently barred the state of California from requiring Monsanto and other chemical companies to put cancer warning labels on the glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup.
(CN) — A federal judge on Monday permanently barred the state of California from requiring Monsanto and other chemical companies to put cancer warning labels on the glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup.
U.S. District Court Judge William Shubb found the scientific evidence pointing to the carcinogenicity of glyphosate is too scant to warrant a warning and that forcing the company to include a warning on its label would be compelled speech in violation of the First Amendment.
“Providing misleading or false labels to consumers also undermines California’s interest in accurately informing its citizens of health risks at the expense of plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights,” Shubb wrote in a 34-page order. “Accordingly, the balance of equities and public interest weigh in favor of permanently enjoining Proposition 65’s warning requirement for glyphosate.”
Monsanto, which has seen a barrage of lawsuits and on the wrong end of several legal rulings involving cancer and Roundup, celebrated Monday’s legal victory.
“This is a very important ruling for California agriculture and for science as a federal court, after weighing all the facts, has concluded that the evidence does not support a cancer warning requirement for glyphosate-based products, which farmers all over the world depend on to control weeds, practice sustainable farming, and bring their products to market efficiently,” the company said in a statement.
In the ruling, Shubb noted that the California Department of Pesticide Regulation agreed to require warning labels only after the International Agency for Research on Cancer ruled there was a probable link between glyphosate exposure and cancer.
Specifically, several scientific studies, including a recent meta-analysis, have concluded there is at least a correlational relationship between exposure to high levels of glyphosate and the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The near-consensus among global regulatory agencies — including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the European Commission and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency — concludes that there is no scientific evidence that glyphosate causes cancer or is genotoxic.
Genotoxicity describes a method whereby a toxin damages the genetic information of cells causing mutations that could lead to cancer.
“The fact remains that every government regulator of which the court is aware, with the exception of the IARC, has found that there was no or insufficient evidence that glyphosate causes cancer,” Shubb wrote.
The EPA released an interim decision on the pesticide in January, concluding that there is a lack of evidence the chemical causes cancer in humans.
"It is irresponsible to require labels on products that are inaccurate when EPA knows the product does not pose a cancer risk. We will not allow California’s flawed program to dictate federal policy,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “It is critical that federal regulatory agencies like EPA relay to consumers accurate, scientific-based information about risks that pesticides may pose to them.”
Monsanto first sued California in 2017, with Shubb awarding a preliminary injunction in 2018 that was made permanent Monday.
Nevertheless, many still maintain glyphosate poses a risk to the public.
Jennifer Sass, with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in 2018 that Monsanto and other companies were undermining objective scientific inquiry into the correlation between the chemical and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“We must continue to resist the endless lobby campaign of Monsanto and the chemical industry and protect government scientists and chemical assessment programs, to let them do the important work of generating credible publicly available chemical hazard assessments on glyphosate, and all the other chemicals to which we are routinely exposed in our food, our drinking water, in household products, in building materials and through so many other everyday routes of exposure,” Sass wrote.
Monsanto has lost three high-profile lawsuits in the last year, with juries and judges ordering the company to pay $80 million, $78 million and $87 million, respectively, to plaintiffs claim Roundup caused their cancers. The company — which is now owned by German chemical giant Bayer — has since moved to settle thousands of similar suits.
Experts estimate the company will dole out approximately $8 billion.
Nevertheless, Monsanto will not have to put labels on their products in California and can tout a federal judge’s acceptance of the current science that glyphosate is not a carcinogen.
“Glyphosate has been subject to rigorous scientific scrutiny by the federal government and regulators worldwide for decades,” Monsanto said, along with other agricultural groups that joined the company in the suit. “It is widely regarded as one of the safest herbicides ever developed, and the overwhelming scientific consensus is that it does not pose any risk of cancer.”


courthousenews--2020-06-22--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

June 17 , 2020 : Local rules for unlawful detainer cases and civil restraining order cases suspended until further notice @ @ @ @ @ appearances information June 18 , 2020 : Establishing good cause to conduct civil and probate @ @ @ @ @ : Use of counter service self-scheduling app for fines and fees for traffic and criminal @ @ @ @ @ : Emergency zero bail schedule and other emergency rule amendments June 19 , 2020 : @ @ @ @ @ held in-person and remotely

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


courthousenews--2020-06-22--Ninth Circuit Revives ‘Shape of Water’ Copyright Suit

( CN ) — Three Ninth Circuit judges revived a copyright lawsuit claiming Oscar-winning film “ The Shape of Water ” plagiarized a Pulitzer prize-winning writer ’ s play , finding similarities between the works too great to warrant an outright dismissal .
David Zindel , the son of acclaimed writer Paul Zindel , claims “ The Shape of Water ” poached essential elements of his father ’ s 1969 play “ Let Me Hear You Whisper.
” The film , co-written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro , won four Academy awards including Best Picture in 2018 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The film centers around a female janitor named Eliza who falls in love with an aquatic deity kept in a scientific lab used by the military .
When she learns the creature will be killed , she helps it escape into the ocean by smuggling it out of the lab in a rolling laundry cart .
In Zindel ’ s play , a female janitor named Helen connects with an intelligent dolphin imprisoned in a medical lab , where it is experimented on by doctors .
She too tries to help it escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessfully .
Monday ’ s ruling overturns a dismissal by U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson , who ruled in 2018 that the play and film told fundamentally different stories despite sharing some “ superficial elements and some basic plot points.
” The three-judge Ninth Circuit panel , comprised of U.S .
Circuit Judges Kim McLane Wardlaw and Kenneth Lee and U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly , sitting by designation from the Northern District of Illinois , sent the case back to Anderson .
The panel found Anderson was too quick to dismiss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether the two works are substantially similar .
“ Though both works properly were presented to the district court , additional evidence , including expert testimony , would aid in the objective literary analysis needed to determine the extent and qualitative importance of the similarities that Zindel identified in the works ’ expressive elements , particularly the plausibly alleged shared plot sequence , ” the judges said in their unpublished memorandum .
“ Additional evidence would also illuminate whether any similarities are mere unprotectable literary tropes or scènes à faire.
” Wardlaw and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was appointed by President Donald Trump .
Former Ninth Circuit judge Alex Kozinski , now a private practice attorney , argued for Zindel last year .
“ Ninth Circuit law strongly suggests cases like this should be decided on the merits .
That didn ’ t happen in this case , which is why it was reversed , ” Kozinski said by phone on Monday .
“ Juries are pretty perceptive and that ’ s why we have juries to decide cases like this.
” Attorney Jonathan Zavin with Loeb & Loeb LLP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not return a phone call seeking comment .

Three Ninth Circuit judges revived a copyright lawsuit claiming Oscar-winning film “The Shape of Water” plagiarized a Pulitzer prize-winning writer’s play, finding similarities between the works too great to warrant an outright dismissal.
(CN) — Three Ninth Circuit judges revived a copyright lawsuit claiming Oscar-winning film “The Shape of Water” plagiarized a Pulitzer prize-winning writer’s play, finding similarities between the works too great to warrant an outright dismissal.
David Zindel, the son of acclaimed writer Paul Zindel, claims “The Shape of Water” poached essential elements of his father’s 1969 play “Let Me Hear You Whisper.” The film, co-written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, won four Academy awards including Best Picture in 2018, and was nominated for best original screenplay.
The film centers around a female janitor named Eliza who falls in love with an aquatic deity kept in a scientific lab used by the military. When she learns the creature will be killed, she helps it escape into the ocean by smuggling it out of the lab in a rolling laundry cart.
In Zindel’s play, a female janitor named Helen connects with an intelligent dolphin imprisoned in a medical lab, where it is experimented on by doctors. She too tries to help it escape via the laundry cart gambit, though unsuccessfully.
Monday’s ruling overturns a dismissal by U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson, who ruled in 2018 that the play and film told fundamentally different stories despite sharing some “superficial elements and some basic plot points.”
The three-judge Ninth Circuit panel, comprised of U.S. Circuit Judges Kim McLane Wardlaw and Kenneth Lee and U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly, sitting by designation from the Northern District of Illinois, sent the case back to Anderson. The panel found Anderson was too quick to dismiss the case since reasonable minds could differ on whether the two works are substantially similar.
“Though both works properly were presented to the district court, additional evidence, including expert testimony, would aid in the objective literary analysis needed to determine the extent and qualitative importance of the similarities that Zindel identified in the works’ expressive elements, particularly the plausibly alleged shared plot sequence,” the judges said in their unpublished memorandum. “Additional evidence would also illuminate whether any similarities are mere unprotectable literary tropes or scènes à faire.”
Wardlaw and Kennelly are Bill Clinton appointees and Lee was appointed by President Donald Trump.
Former Ninth Circuit judge Alex Kozinski, now a private practice attorney, argued for Zindel last year. “Ninth Circuit law strongly suggests cases like this should be decided on the merits. That didn’t happen in this case, which is why it was reversed,” Kozinski said by phone on Monday. “Juries are pretty perceptive and that’s why we have juries to decide cases like this.”
Attorney Jonathan Zavin with Loeb & Loeb LLP, who represents the filmmakers, did not return a phone call seeking comment.


courthousenews--2020-06-22--Justices Won’t Wade Into Fight Over Tribal Water Rights

( CN ) — Farmers won ’ t get paid for river water they lost out on during a drought in southern Oregon , because Native American tribes have water rights that rank above those of irrigators , stretching back to “ time immemorial ” — a ruling the U.S. Supreme Court refused to disturb on Monday .
It was a ruling that Klamath Tribal Chairman Don Gentry said benefits everyone , whether they are tribal members or not — despite the hardship faced by farmers who don ’ t have enough water to irrigate their crops .
“ Tribes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gentry said over the phone .
“ The health of the environment should be important to all of our community citizens in the region.
” During a 2001 drought , the Bureau of Reclamation withheld water from the Klamath River Basin reclamation project to farmers with water rights junior to those held by the Klamath Tribes and the Yurok Tribe .
The agency withheld the water in order to keep enough in the river to ensure survival of fish listed under the Endangered Species Act and to meet obligations of the tribal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States to exist .
Farmers sued that fall , claiming the interruption of their water rights was an illegal taking under the Fifth Amendment and demanding nearly $ 30 million in compensation .
The complaint filed in the Court of Federal Claims accused the government of breaching its water delivery contracts with the farmers .
Multiple rulings during the case ’ s 18-year procedural history and appeals from tribes and environmental groups sent the case back and forth between the Federal Claims Court and the U.S. Federal Circuit Court .
In 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling that would finally stand — finding that treaty rights guaranteeing the Klamath Tribes enough water to sustain the fish they depend on supersede farmers ’ water rights in the Klamath River and Upper Klamath Lake .
The Klamath Tribes and Yurok Tribe have been working for years to recover two species of sucker fish listed on the Endangered Species Act that are central to tribal subsistence and culture .
In 1864 , the tribes agreed to give up millions of acres of what would become southern Oregon and Northern California .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ right to make a “ reasonable livelihood ” from traditional foods , like the threatened Coho salmon that swam the Klamath River until dams blocked their passage , and by fishing for endangered C ’ waam , or Lost River sucker , and endangered Kopto , or short-nosed sucker .
The tribes haven ’ t harvested those sucker fish since 1986 , when they voluntarily shut down their own subsistence fisheries out of concern for dwindling numbers .
Two years later , the fish were added to the Endangered Species List .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fish occur nowhere else .
The tribes are working with U.S .
Fish & Wildlife Service to increase the survival of their young , holding them in ponds until they are big enough to avoid predators .
Even though the older adults produce millions of fish larvae each year , none of the young survive long enough to reproduce on their own , instead falling prey to ravenous non-native fish that now live in Klamath Lake , like yellow perch and fathead minnows .
“ If they ’ re gone from here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Klamath Chairman Gentry said .
“ And it ’ s more than subsistence — it ’ s culture.Not having those fish , it ’ s almost like we can ’ t be the people our creator intended us to be.
” Multiple courts have found that those treaty rights require the government to prevent the extinction of species tribes are guaranteed under treaties to be able to hunt and fish .
U.S. District Judge Marian Blank Horn issued a similar finding in 2017 , writing that the Klamath and Yurok “ hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to prevent other appropriators from depleting the flows of the Klamath River below levels required to support the fish they take in exercise of their treaty rights.
” “ [ The tribes ’ ] non-consumptive water rights must , therefore , entitle them , at a minimum , to prevent junior appropriators from withdrawing water from Klamath River and its tributaries in amounts that would cause the endangerment and extinction of their tribal trust resource , ” Blank wrote .
The farmers appealed , claiming the water the government withheld from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treaty rights and that tribes don ’ t have water rights in Upper Klamath Lake , which holds the headwaters of the Klamath River .
But the Federal Circuit Court batted those arguments away , ruling this past November that the tribes ’ senior water rights date back to “ time immemorial , ” and absolutely do include the Upper Klamath Lake .
The court cited precedent from the Ninth Circuit , finding that the 1864 treaty did not create tribes ’ water rights , but rather confirmed the continued existence of tribal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
The farmers again appealed , this time to the U.S. Supreme Court , which declined on Monday to hear the case .
Gentry applauded the high court ’ s decision .
“ We ceded nearly 23 million acres to keep the peace , ” Gentry said .
“ And despite the tragic history and loss of those lands , the courts continue to affirm our rights to water , fish and other important resources.
” Nancie Marzulla , attorney for the farmers , did not return requests for comment .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years to deny the fact that we have these rights , ” Gentry said .
But they have survived .
I ’ m just so glad the Supreme Court continued to support that decision and continues to support our standing based on the treaty .
”

Farmers won’t get paid for river water they lost out on during a drought in southern Oregon, because Native American tribes have water rights that rank above those of irrigators, stretching back to “time immemorial” — a ruling the U.S. Supreme Court refused to disturb on Monday.
(CN) — Farmers won’t get paid for river water they lost out on during a drought in southern Oregon, because Native American tribes have water rights that rank above those of irrigators, stretching back to “time immemorial” — a ruling the U.S. Supreme Court refused to disturb on Monday.
It was a ruling that Klamath Tribal Chairman Don Gentry said benefits everyone, whether they are tribal members or not — despite the hardship faced by farmers who don’t have enough water to irrigate their crops.
“Tribes aren’t alone in this,” Gentry said over the phone. “The health of the environment should be important to all of our community citizens in the region.”
During a 2001 drought, the Bureau of Reclamation withheld water from the Klamath River Basin reclamation project to farmers with water rights junior to those held by the Klamath Tribes and the Yurok Tribe. The agency withheld the water in order to keep enough in the river to ensure survival of fish listed under the Endangered Species Act and to meet obligations of the tribal treaties that paved the way for the United States to exist.
Farmers sued that fall, claiming the interruption of their water rights was an illegal taking under the Fifth Amendment and demanding nearly $30 million in compensation. The complaint filed in the Court of Federal Claims accused the government of breaching its water delivery contracts with the farmers.
Multiple rulings during the case’s 18-year procedural history and appeals from tribes and environmental groups sent the case back and forth between the Federal Claims Court and the U.S. Federal Circuit Court. In 2017, the Federal Claims Court issued the ruling that would finally stand — finding that treaty rights guaranteeing the Klamath Tribes enough water to sustain the fish they depend on supersede farmers’ water rights in the Klamath River and Upper Klamath Lake.
The Klamath Tribes and Yurok Tribe have been working for years to recover two species of sucker fish listed on the Endangered Species Act that are central to tribal subsistence and culture. In 1864, the tribes agreed to give up millions of acres of what would become southern Oregon and Northern California. In exchange, the U.S. government guaranteed tribes’ right to make a “reasonable livelihood” from traditional foods, like the threatened Coho salmon that swam the Klamath River until dams blocked their passage, and by fishing for endangered C’waam, or Lost River sucker, and endangered Kopto, or short-nosed sucker.
The tribes haven’t harvested those sucker fish since 1986, when they voluntarily shut down their own subsistence fisheries out of concern for dwindling numbers. Two years later, the fish were added to the Endangered Species List.
Unique to the Klamath River Basin, the fish occur nowhere else. The tribes are working with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to increase the survival of their young, holding them in ponds until they are big enough to avoid predators. Even though the older adults produce millions of fish larvae each year, none of the young survive long enough to reproduce on their own, instead falling prey to ravenous non-native fish that now live in Klamath Lake, like yellow perch and fathead minnows.
“If they’re gone from here, they’re gone forever,” Klamath Chairman Gentry said. “And it’s more than subsistence — it’s culture.Not having those fish, it’s almost like we can’t be the people our creator intended us to be.”
Multiple courts have found that those treaty rights require the government to prevent the extinction of species tribes are guaranteed under treaties to be able to hunt and fish. U.S. District Judge Marian Blank Horn issued a similar finding in 2017, writing that the Klamath and Yurok “hold a non-consumptive water right, which entitles them to prevent other appropriators from depleting the flows of the Klamath River below levels required to support the fish they take in exercise of their treaty rights.”
“[The tribes’] non-consumptive water rights must, therefore, entitle them, at a minimum, to prevent junior appropriators from withdrawing water from Klamath River and its tributaries in amounts that would cause the endangerment and extinction of their tribal trust resource,” Blank wrote.
The farmers appealed, claiming the water the government withheld from their irrigation allotments was not subject to tribal treaty rights and that tribes don’t have water rights in Upper Klamath Lake, which holds the headwaters of the Klamath River.
But the Federal Circuit Court batted those arguments away, ruling this past November that the tribes’ senior water rights date back to “time immemorial,” and absolutely do include the Upper Klamath Lake. The court cited precedent from the Ninth Circuit, finding that the 1864 treaty did not create tribes’ water rights, but rather confirmed the continued existence of tribal water rights that extend over thousands of years.
The farmers again appealed, this time to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined on Monday to hear the case. Gentry applauded the high court’s decision.
“We ceded nearly 23 million acres to keep the peace,” Gentry said. “And despite the tragic history and loss of those lands, the courts continue to affirm our rights to water, fish and other important resources.”
Nancie Marzulla, attorney for the farmers, did not return requests for comment.
“There has been so much litigation over the years to deny the fact that we have these rights,” Gentry said. But they have survived. I’m just so glad the Supreme Court continued to support that decision and continues to support our standing based on the treaty.”


courthousenews--2020-06-22--Swaths of California See Spike in Covid-19 Cases

LOS ANGELES ( CN ) — For three days in a row , Los Angeles County saw 2,000 new daily cases of Covid-19 , marking some of the fastest spreads of the novel coronavirus in the nation .
“ While many of us are done with this virus , unfortunately this virus is not done with us , ” said LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer on Monday .
Nearly 86,000 Angelenos have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far , according to health officials .
That figure includes 2,571 new confirmed cases Monday and likely points to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which means health officials are seeing an increase among people who did not know they were infected , showed no symptoms and spread the virus to others .
“ What we really saw today and I think what we ’ ve been seeing all along is what I would call a real increase that ’ s attributed to community transmission , ” said Ferrer during the Covid-19 broadcast update .
The daily death rate has fallen in the last few weeks , but LA , Orange , San Bernardino , Riverside and Ventura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steady rise in infections as more sectors of the economy reopen and people return to work and their daily activities for the first time since March .
In total , 3,137 people in LA County are dead with 18 new deaths reported on Monday .
Hospitalizations have increased along with infections among people between the ages of 18 and 40 .
Ferrer said it ’ s likely that spread of the virus could be happening in a number of locations including the recent protests against police violence , but it ’ s difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and hospitalizations rising across the nation ’ s most populous state , California Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated Monday the state ’ s over 400 hospitals have not been overwhelmed and are equipped with adequate medical supplies .
While hospitalizations have increased 16 % over the last two weeks and the number of people in intensive care has risen by 11 % , Newsom said capacity is still “ fairly stable.
” “ We ’ re in a position to absorb even greater increases , so I want you to know we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a coronavirus press briefing Monday afternoon .
The governor credited the state ’ s efforts over the last few months to prepare by stockpiling nearly 200 million masks and acquiring thousands of new hospital beds .
But he implored Californians to abide by the mandatory mask rules he ordered last week and encouraged residents to report businesses “ thumbing their nose ” at the rules , saying the mask order will be enforced if necessary .
“ When you go to a restaurant and it ’ s clear that they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report that , ” said Newsom .
Newsom said more than 92,000 tests were administered statewide Sunday — a record — and that 11 counties , including Los Angeles , Riverside , Fresno and Stanislaus were being monitored due to increasing hospitalizations and confirmed cases .
On Saturday , the state registered a daily high with 4,515 new confirmed cases .
“ Total number of cases are going up in the state of California , ” Newsom said , urging residents to continue social distancing and wearing masks .
“ We are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus.
” Also Monday , Ferrer said she has been the target of death threats for several weeks .
“ I like the hundreds of other health officials have in fact received threats and hate mail , ” said Ferrer during the broadcast update .
According to Ferrer , someone suggested during a Facebook Live public briefing last month that she should be shot .
“ I didn ’ t immediately see the message , but my husband did , my children did , and so did my colleagues , ” said Ferrer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of daily briefings on the death rate and infections from in LA County .
“ It ’ s not really about me , ” said Ferrer .
“ It ’ s about the fact that public health officials , and the team of folks that support us , are doing the best we can to save lives.
” In neighboring Orange County , former county public health director Dr. Nichole Quick was the target of harassment from a vocal contingent of residents who opposed the county ’ s health order for residents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Quick resigned , the county lifted its face mask health order — a move that was supplanted by Newsom ’ s statewide mask order .
In San Francisco , city officials announced they ’ re speeding up their timeline to reopen hair salons , barbers , museums , zoos , tattoo shops , outdoor bars and massage parlors .
Some of the businesses were set to reopen in mid-July but will be given the green light to do so starting next week , according to city officials .
The city will reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to receive approval from the California Department of Public Health .
“ We know a lot of businesses and residents are struggling financially , and this next step will help get more San Franciscans back to work while still balancing safety , ” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement .
The city will need to continue to meet key health indicators on testing , contact tracing , health equipment availability and hospital bed capacity .
On Monday , San Francisco reported 3,058 cases and 47 deaths since the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state of California has reported nearly 170,000 cases and over 5,400 deaths .

For three days in a row, Los Angeles County saw 2,000 new daily cases of Covid-19, marking some of the fastest spreads of the novel coronavirus in the nation.
LOS ANGELES (CN) — For three days in a row, Los Angeles County saw 2,000 new daily cases of Covid-19, marking some of the fastest spreads of the novel coronavirus in the nation.
"While many of us are done with this virus, unfortunately this virus is not done with us,” said LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer on Monday.
Nearly 86,000 Angelenos have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far, according to health officials. That figure includes 2,571 new confirmed cases Monday and likely points to a higher rate of community transmission, which means health officials are seeing an increase among people who did not know they were infected, showed no symptoms and spread the virus to others.
“What we really saw today and I think what we’ve been seeing all along is what I would call a real increase that’s attributed to community transmission,” said Ferrer during the Covid-19 broadcast update.
The daily death rate has fallen in the last few weeks, but LA, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties in Southern California have seen a steady rise in infections as more sectors of the economy reopen and people return to work and their daily activities for the first time since March.
In total, 3,137 people in LA County are dead with 18 new deaths reported on Monday. Hospitalizations have increased along with infections among people between the ages of 18 and 40.
Ferrer said it’s likely that spread of the virus could be happening in a number of locations including the recent protests against police violence, but it’s difficult to say with certainty.
With Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations rising across the nation’s most populous state, California Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated Monday the state’s over 400 hospitals have not been overwhelmed and are equipped with adequate medical supplies. While hospitalizations have increased 16% over the last two weeks and the number of people in intensive care has risen by 11%, Newsom said capacity is still “fairly stable.”
“We’re in a position to absorb even greater increases, so I want you to know we’re managing this,” Newsom said during a coronavirus press briefing Monday afternoon.
The governor credited the state’s efforts over the last few months to prepare by stockpiling nearly 200 million masks and acquiring thousands of new hospital beds. But he implored Californians to abide by the mandatory mask rules he ordered last week and encouraged residents to report businesses "thumbing their nose” at the rules, saying the mask order will be enforced if necessary.
“When you go to a restaurant and it’s clear that they’re not practicing what we are preaching, report that,” said Newsom.
Newsom said more than 92,000 tests were administered statewide Sunday — a record — and that 11 counties, including Los Angeles, Riverside, Fresno and Stanislaus were being monitored due to increasing hospitalizations and confirmed cases. On Saturday, the state registered a daily high with 4,515 new confirmed cases.
“Total number of cases are going up in the state of California,” Newsom said, urging residents to continue social distancing and wearing masks. “We are not out of the first wave of this virus.”
Also Monday, Ferrer said she has been the target of death threats for several weeks.
“I like the hundreds of other health officials have in fact received threats and hate mail,” said Ferrer during the broadcast update.
According to Ferrer, someone suggested during a Facebook Live public briefing last month that she should be shot.
“I didn’t immediately see the message, but my husband did, my children did, and so did my colleagues,” said Ferrer, who has become the public face of daily briefings on the death rate and infections from in LA County.
“It’s not really about me,” said Ferrer. “It’s about the fact that public health officials, and the team of folks that support us, are doing the best we can to save lives.”
In neighboring Orange County, former county public health director Dr. Nichole Quick was the target of harassment from a vocal contingent of residents who opposed the county’s health order for residents to wear cloth face masks in public. After Quick resigned, the county lifted its face mask health order — a move that was supplanted by Newsom’s statewide mask order.
In San Francisco, city officials announced they’re speeding up their timeline to reopen hair salons, barbers, museums, zoos, tattoo shops, outdoor bars and massage parlors. Some of the businesses were set to reopen in mid-July but will be given the green light to do so starting next week, according to city officials.
The city will reopen those businesses on June 29 as they expect to receive approval from the California Department of Public Health.
“We know a lot of businesses and residents are struggling financially, and this next step will help get more San Franciscans back to work while still balancing safety,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement.
The city will need to continue to meet key health indicators on testing, contact tracing, health equipment availability and hospital bed capacity.
On Monday, San Francisco reported 3,058 cases and 47 deaths since the start of the pandemic in March, while the state of California has reported nearly 170,000 cases and over 5,400 deaths.


Top Eight

Your Monday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a deal with lawmakers to patch the state ’ s shattered finances ; A federal judge advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service ; Defense lawyers for one of the four men charged with the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet questioned the six-year investigation that concluded the plane was shot down by Ukrainian separatists , and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday .
1 . )
Vacating a $ 26.4 million disgorgement award , the Supreme Court ruled Monday that an accounting of legitimate expenses may reduce the tab facing a couple who swindled Chinese investors .
2 . )
While otherwise booting the second-largest teacher ’ s union in America from the case , a federal judge on Monday advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service .
3 . )
U.S. markets remained fairly quiet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and closing with paltry gains , as one number continues to compound : confirmed cases of Covid-19 .
4 . )
Citing the pandemic-driven economic downturn , President Donald Trump will sign an executive order that suspends the issuance of several categories of nonimmigrant visas through the end of the year .
5 . )
Capping a hectic stretch of budget negotiations shortened and complicated by the coronavirus pandemic , California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a deal with lawmakers Monday to patch the state ’ s shattered finances .
6 . )
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history as a worldwide animal education and conservation leader , the San Diego Zoo had a successful reopening weekend despite an increase in Covid-19 cases in the city and across the Golden State .
7 . )
The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Florida surpassed 100,000 on Monday , a concerning milestone as the state continues its march toward economic reopening .
8 . )
Defense lawyers for one of the four men charged with the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet spent Monday questioning the six-year investigation that concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separatists using a surface-to-air missile .

Top eight CNS stories for today including California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a deal with lawmakers to patch the state’s shattered finances; A federal judge advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service; Defense lawyers for one of the four men charged with the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet questioned the six-year investigation that concluded the plane was shot down by Ukrainian separatists, and more.
Your Monday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a deal with lawmakers to patch the state’s shattered finances; A federal judge advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service; Defense lawyers for one of the four men charged with the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet questioned the six-year investigation that concluded the plane was shot down by Ukrainian separatists, and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) Vacating a $26.4 million disgorgement award, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that an accounting of legitimate expenses may reduce the tab facing a couple who swindled Chinese investors.
The U.S. Supreme Court. (Jack Rodgers/Courthouse News)
2.) While otherwise booting the second-largest teacher’s union in America from the case, a federal judge on Monday advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, and Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City, address a news conference at UFT headquarters, in New York, Sunday, March 15, 2020. The New York City Council announced Sunday that it is suspending all hearings and meetings, but Mayor Bill de Blasio said he's still reluctant to shut down schools as other major U.S. cities have despite pressure from teachers to do so. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
3.) U.S. markets remained fairly quiet on Monday, opening to minuscule losses and closing with paltry gains, as one number continues to compound: confirmed cases of Covid-19.
NYPD officers walk along a sparsely populated Wall Street, Friday, May 1, 2020, in the Manhattan borough of New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
4.) Citing the pandemic-driven economic downturn, President Donald Trump will sign an executive order that suspends the issuance of several categories of nonimmigrant visas through the end of the year.
FILE - In this Sept. 2017 file photo, a flag is waved outside the White House, in Washington. The Trump administration is coming out with new visa restrictions aimed at restricting a practice known as “birth tourism." That refers to cases when women travel to the United States to give birth so their children can have U.S. citizenship. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Regional
5.) Capping a hectic stretch of budget negotiations shortened and complicated by the coronavirus pandemic, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a deal with lawmakers Monday to patch the state’s shattered finances.
In this June 1, 2020 photo, California Gov. Gavin Newsom takes off his face mask before news conference after meeting leaders of the African American community in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, Pool, File)
6.) Following the first extended closure in its 103-year history as a worldwide animal education and conservation leader, the San Diego Zoo had a successful reopening weekend despite an increase in Covid-19 cases in the city and across the Golden State.
Masked parents and toddlers view the flamingos at the San Diego Zoo at its reopening day preview June 19, 2020. (Courthouse News photo / Bianca Bruno)
7.) The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Florida surpassed 100,000 on Monday, a concerning milestone as the state continues its march toward economic reopening.
FILE - In this June 16, 2020, file photo, signs remind patrons to wear masks and other protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic as they stroll through the Disney Springs shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The number of deaths per day from the coronavirus in the U.S. has fallen in recent weeks to the lowest level since late March, even as states increasingly reopen for business. But scientists are deeply afraid the trend may be about to reverse itself. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
International
8.) Defense lawyers for one of the four men charged with the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet spent Monday questioning the six-year investigation that concluded the plane was shot down by Ukrainian separatists using a surface-to-air missile.


courthousenews--2020-06-22--Trump Suspends Foreign Worker Visas Until End of Year

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Citing the pandemic-driven economic downturn , President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday that suspends the issuance of several categories of nonimmigrant visas through the end of the year .
Trump temporarily suspended the issuance of new green cards , with exceptions , in April , citing the economic collapse brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
The latest action extends that suspension through the end of the year and expands it to also cover certain types of temporary work visas .
The order applies to H-1B and H-2B visas , which go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as many J visas , which go to people participating in work and study exchange programs .
Several broad categories of workers are also exempt from the suspension , including those in the food and health care industries , according to a senior administration official .
In addition , the order suspends visas for people approved for transfers from a company ’ s foreign offices to an office in the United States and for the spouses and family members of people who have received certain other visas .
The actions do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States .
The administration official said the White House is making the move in response to historic unemployment levels caused by state-mandated lockdowns aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic .
The official said the administration estimates the suspensions will leave open roughly 525,000 jobs that would have otherwise gone to immigrants or temporary workers .
“ Under ordinary circumstances , properly administered temporary worker programs can provide benefits to the economy , ” the order Trump signed on Monday states .
“ But under the extraordinary circumstances of the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain nonimmigrant visa programs authorizing such employment pose an unusual threat to the employment of American workers.
” Andrea Flores , the deputy director of immigration policy at the ACLU , said the administration ’ s economic justifications fall flat , as the restrictions are in line with its larger immigration policy that dates back to before the pandemic began .
“ I would argue that these are things they were considering long before they knew what this economic crisis would look like , ” Flores said in an interview .
“ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the best of times.
” Flores said beyond the people who would have received the green cards and visas the order will suspend , the move also creates uncertainty for businesses and immigrants who are already working through the immigration system .
She called on Congress to investigate the administration ’ s rationale for instituting the order .
The administration official mentioned the suspension of visas alongside longer-term efforts to reform how H-1B visas area awarded , doing away with the current lottery and shifting to a system that admits only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s order from April faced swift legal challenge and his new proclamation is likely to face a similar test in the courts .

Citing the pandemic-driven economic downturn, President Donald Trump will sign an executive order that will suspend the issuance of several categories of nonimmigrant visas through the end of the year.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Citing the pandemic-driven economic downturn, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday that suspends the issuance of several categories of nonimmigrant visas through the end of the year.
Trump temporarily suspended the issuance of new green cards, with exceptions, in April, citing the economic collapse brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The latest action extends that suspension through the end of the year and expands it to also cover certain types of temporary work visas.
The order applies to H-1B and H-2B visas, which go to specialty and seasonal workers, respectively, as well as many J visas, which go to people participating in work and study exchange programs. Several broad categories of workers are also exempt from the suspension, including those in the food and health care industries, according to a senior administration official.
In addition, the order suspends visas for people approved for transfers from a company’s foreign offices to an office in the United States and for the spouses and family members of people who have received certain other visas.
The actions do not apply to people who are already in the United States.
The administration official said the White House is making the move in response to historic unemployment levels caused by state-mandated lockdowns aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic. The official said the administration estimates the suspensions will leave open roughly 525,000 jobs that would have otherwise gone to immigrants or temporary workers.
“Under ordinary circumstances, properly administered temporary worker programs can provide benefits to the economy,” the order Trump signed on Monday states. “But under the extraordinary circumstances of the economic contraction resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak, certain nonimmigrant visa programs authorizing such employment pose an unusual threat to the employment of American workers.”
Andrea Flores, the deputy director of immigration policy at the ACLU, said the administration’s economic justifications fall flat, as the restrictions are in line with its larger immigration policy that dates back to before the pandemic began.
“I would argue that these are things they were considering long before they knew what this economic crisis would look like,” Flores said in an interview. “These are policies they argue are necessary even in the best of times.”
Flores said, beyond the people who would have received the green cards and visas the order will suspend, the move also creates uncertainty for businesses and immigrants who are already working through the immigration system. She called on Congress to investigate the administration’s rationale for instituting the order.
The administration official mentioned the suspension of visas alongside longer-term efforts to reform how H-1B visas are awarded, doing away with the current lottery and shifting to a system that admits only the immigrants with the highest offered salaries.
Trump’s order from April faced swift legal challenge and his new proclamation is likely to face a similar test in the courts.


courthousenews--2020-06-22--Student-Loan Forgiveness Suit Advances, With Union Shut Out

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — While otherwise booting the second-largest teacher ’ s union in America from the case , a federal judge on Monday advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service .
With its roughly 1.5 million members , the American Federation of Teachers , AFL-CIO , had alleged that the Education Department under Secretary Betsy DeVos failed to minimize the risk of erroneously denied applications to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .
Both were set up in 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service careers , such as teaching , nursing and firefighting .
As of March 2019 however , the U.S. government had forgiven just 1 % of eligible loans .
“ ED has failed to make good on Congress ’ s promise , ” the union claimed in the 111-page complaint it brought last year in Washington with its president Randi Weingarten and six individual plaintiffs .
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich agreed Monday to toss Weingarten and the union from the case , saying they failed to establish standing .
“ To satisfy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an organization ‘ must allege more than a frustration of its purpose , ’ ” the Trump-appointed judge wrote .
Weingarten focused in a statement meanwhile on the court ’ s refusal to dismiss two counts against DeVos .
“ Instead of shirking responsibility , the secretary now has to answer to the students she ’ s blamed and dismissed , while denying them the debt relief they ’ re entitled to under the law , ” the union president said in a statement .
Selendy Gay attorney Jessica Underwood likewise voiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ due-process and administrative-law claims .
“ This decision brings us one step closer to holding Secretary DeVos accountable for her failures to administer the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and securing the relief public servants deserve , ” Underwood said in an email Monday afternoon .
The complaint against DeVos notes that borrowers submitted 86,006 applications to the two loan forgiveness programs , but a mere 864 applications were approved as of last year .
Accusing DeVos of failing to take into account servicer misconduct , the union argued the secretary could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the debt .
The Justice Department failed to sway Friedrich that the court could not provide useful relief , namely ordering DeVos to vacate the loan-forgiveness decisions .
“ This argument is unavailing , ” Friedrich wrote .
Later the judge emphasized that DeVos “ has not declined to use this authority ‘ based solely on the belief that [ she ] lacks jurisdiction.
’ ” “ And the department has not ‘ consciously and expressly adopted a general policy that is so extreme as to amount to an abdication of its statutory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Representatives for the departments of Justice and Education did not return requests for comment , nor did the National Student Legal Defense Network .
Arguing that DeVos and her department are eager to avoid loan forgiveness , Weingarten said the American Federation of Teachers plans to stand by its members as the case proceeds .
“ This isn ’ t only about the technical errors-Judge Friedrich is saying Betsy DeVos must answer AFT members ’ allegations that she flagrantly ignored the hurt and harm perpetuated on millions of teachers , first responders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .

While otherwise booting the second-largest teacher’s union in America from the case, a federal judge on Monday advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service.
WASHINGTON (CN) — While otherwise booting the second-largest teacher’s union in America from the case, a federal judge on Monday advanced allegations that the government has grossly mishandled loan-forgiveness programs meant to incentivize careers in public service.
With its roughly 1.5 million members, the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, had alleged that the Education Department under Secretary Betsy DeVos failed to minimize the risk of erroneously denied applications to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Temporary Expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Both were set up in 2007 to draw recruits to relatively low-paying public service careers, such as teaching, nursing and firefighting. As of March 2019 however, the U.S. government had forgiven just 1% of eligible loans.
“ED has failed to make good on Congress’s promise,” the union claimed in the 111-page complaint it brought last year in Washington with its president Randi Weingarten and six individual plaintiffs.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich agreed Monday to toss Weingarten and the union from the case, saying they failed to establish standing.
“To satisfy the injury-in-fact requirement of Article III standing, an organization ‘must allege more than a frustration of its purpose,’” the Trump-appointed judge wrote.
Weingarten focused in a statement meanwhile on the court’s refusal to dismiss two counts against DeVos.
“Instead of shirking responsibility, the secretary now has to answer to the students she's blamed and dismissed, while denying them the debt relief they're entitled to under the law,” the union president said in a statement.
Selendy Gay attorney Jessica Underwood likewise voiced gratitude that Friedrich advanced her individual clients’ due-process and administrative-law claims.
“This decision brings us one step closer to holding Secretary DeVos accountable for her failures to administer the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and securing the relief public servants deserve,” Underwood said in an email Monday afternoon.
The complaint against DeVos notes that borrowers submitted 86,006 applications to the two loan forgiveness programs, but a mere 864 applications were approved as of last year.
Accusing DeVos of failing to take into account servicer misconduct, the union argued the secretary could act on her authority to wipe out the debt.
The Justice Department failed to sway Friedrich that the court could not provide useful relief, namely ordering DeVos to vacate the loan-forgiveness decisions. “This argument is unavailing,” Friedrich wrote.
Later the judge emphasized that DeVos “has not declined to use this authority ‘based solely on the belief that [she] lacks jurisdiction.’”
“And the department has not ‘consciously and expressly adopted a general policy that is so extreme as to amount to an abdication of its statutory responsibilities,’” the ruling continues.
Representatives for the departments of Justice and Education did not return requests for comment, nor did the National Student Legal Defense Network.
Arguing that DeVos and her department are eager to avoid loan forgiveness, Weingarten said the American Federation of Teachers plans to stand by its members as the case proceeds.
“This isn't only about the technical errors-Judge Friedrich is saying Betsy DeVos must answer AFT members' allegations that she flagrantly ignored the hurt and harm perpetuated on millions of teachers, first responders and public servants across the nation,” she said.


courthousenews--2020-06-22--Sources: Venezuela Wooed Texas Republican to Ease Sanctions

MIAMI ( AP ) — Venezuela ’ s socialist government tried to recruit then-Congressman Pete Sessions to broker a meeting with the CEO of Exxon Mobil at the same time it was secretly paying a close former House colleague $ 50 million to keep U.S. sanctions at bay , The Associated Press has learned .
An official at state-run oil giant PDVSA sent an email to the Texas Republican on June 8 , 2017 seeking his help arranging a meeting between Venezuela ’ s oil minister and Darren Woods , then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ’ s successor at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exxon .
The purpose : to lure Exxon back to Venezuela after a decade ’ s absence and inject much-needed dynamism into the OPEC nation ’ s collapsing oil industry .
The email , which was seen by the AP , has been shared with U.S. federal law enforcement looking into the person who allegedly instructed the PDVSA official to send the email to Sessions : former Miami Congressman David Rivera , according to two people familiar with the investigation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the politically sensitive matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a whopping $ 50 million contract for three months of consulting work for an American unit of PDVSA — a business deal now being investigated by federal prosecutors in Miami because he never registered as an agent of a foreign government .
It ’ s not clear how Sessions , who is running again for Congress this fall , acted on the request , though he did not reply directly to the email .
In any case , Exxon rebuffed the sought-after meeting in Dallas , according to the two people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mediation efforts in Venezuela over the next 15 months .
At the urging of a Venezuelan media mogul who would go on to become a top U.S. fugitive , he secretly traveled to Caracas in April 2018 for a meeting with President Nicolás Maduro .
The businessman , Raul Gorrin , was present at the meeting and Rivera served as a translator , a third person familiar with the visit said , also on condition of anonymity .
A few months later Sessions phoned the socialist leader with Rudy Giuliani , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time both men were involved in another shadow diplomatic effort to fire the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine .
Both men ’ s interest in Venezuela and Sessions ’ advocacy of a Trump-Maduro meeting came as a surprise to John Bolton , according to the former National Security Adviser ’ s new book on his time at the White House .
The AP first reported Sessions ’ peacemaking trip to Caracas in 2018 .
The earlier email regarding Exxon and his connection to Rivera was not known at the time .
Sessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channeling , more extensive than previously believed , is now part of prosecutors ’ examination of Rivera ’ s paid consulting and how the money he received from Venezuela — at least $ 15 million of the promised $ 50 million — was spent , the two people said .
While there is no indication Sessions benefited from Rivera ’ s consulting contract , the two men ’ s efforts overlapped , with the same interlocutors , and at times seemed aligned .
A far cry from today ’ s “ maximum pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maduro , there was a brief window following Trump ’ s 2016 election when the socialist leader was desperately looking to court American investment and repair relations with Washington .
Trump ’ s perceived softness on Russia — Venezuela ’ s top ally — spurred Caracas to quickly mount an influence campaign that included funneling through Citgo , PDVSA ’ s Houston-based subsidiary , $ 500,000 to Trump ’ s inaugural committee — topping contributions by corporate giants Verizon , Pepsi and Wal-Mart .
Sessions was considered a key target of Venezuela ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties to Tillerson — both men have held leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America — and ties to the U.S. oil industry .
Exxon is among the firms headquartered in his former Dallas district .
The five-sentence message sent to Sessions ’ personal email address , which starts with the word “ eagle , ” is short on specifics .
But it makes reference to earlier correspondence , also seen by the AP , in which Exxon General Counsel and Vice President Randall Ebner mentioned a willingness to discuss new business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a long-running arbitration stemming from Venezuela ’ s takeover of an Exxon-run oil field in 2007 .
To woo the company back at a time when oil production was collapsing , Maduro was ready to offer Exxon a concession in the Hugo Chavez Oil Belt , which sits atop the world ’ s largest crude reserves , the two people said .
“ We thank you for your commitment to making this meeting happen , ” concludes the email to Sessions .
But by the time the ink dried on a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and PDVSA on July 31 , 2017 , relations between the two countries had become more hostile .
The Trump administration started rolling out the first round of sanctions in response to Maduro ’ s plans to rewrite the constitution and undermine the opposition-controlled congress .
Sessions is looking to return to Congress if he can win a mid-July runoff in a heavily Republican district near his native Waco different from the seat he held for 11 terms until he was ousted in 2018 .
He declined to comment in response to detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State would be your best resource for any information regarding contacts made with Venezuela , ” a spokesman said .
But U.S. officials all along have been suspicious of Sessions ’ activities in Venezuela .
Sessions had no obvious links to the country besides writing a letter in 2004 to the country ’ s banking regulators in support of financier Allen Stanford , a former Sessions donor who in 2012 was convicted in Texas and sentenced to 110 years in prison for running a $ 7 billion-plus Ponzi scheme .
The State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private trip to Caracas , two U.S. officials said on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters .
Sessions had asked U.S. diplomats not to accompany him to the presidential palace , the officials said , although U.S. Embassy staff did see the congressman afterward at a small reception held for him at the Caracas mansion of government-connected businessman Raul Gorrín .
In 2018 , Sessions ’ then-spokeswoman Caroline Booth told the AP that her boss had spent the past year working to “ resolve issues ” in Venezuela at the request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify .
She said Sessions paid for all of his travel .
Gorrín at the time was trying to broker a soft exit for Maduro while paying Ballard Partners — Trump ’ s former Florida lobbyist — to explore expansion opportunities in the U.S. for his TV network Globovision .
Along the way , he traveled to Washington to discuss Venezuela ’ s future with U.S. lawmakers and managed to get his photo taken shaking hands with Vice President Mike Pence in Florida .
Gorrín together with now-Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ visit to Caracas and steered the lobbying contract toward Rivera ’ s Interamerican Consulting firm , according to the two people familiar with the Maduro outreach .
The goal of the contract was to improve PDVSA ’ s “ long-term reputation ” and “ standing ” among “ targeted stakeholders ” in the U.S. , according to a copy seen by the AP .
Rivera wasn ’ t an obvious choice to lead the effort , having made a name for himself among anti-Maduro exiles in Florida mimicking the anti-communist politics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marco Rubio .
The three-month , $ 50 million contract far exceeded the $ 70,000 per month Citgo had long paid two established lobbyists , Cornerstone Government Affairs and Vantage Knight , for regulatory work .
Rivera ’ s ties to the Maduro government and Gorrín have been the target of a criminal investigation for over a year , according to a U.S. law enforcement official on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing probe .
He was also sued recently in New York federal court by Citgo ’ s new board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela ’ s rightful leader .
The lawsuit alleges he failed to describe any work performed while under contract , preparing just two of seven promised progress reports .
Rivera has said that some of the money he received was destined for Venezuela ’ s opposition , but so far has offered no evidence or explanation to back that claim .
Meanwhile , Gorrín ’ s efforts came to nothing : a few months after introducing Sessions to Maduro , he was indicted in Miami on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he helped embezzle $ 200 million from PDVSA on behalf of the president ’ s stepsons .
Gorrín and Rivera did not respond to repeated requests for comment .
Sessions and Rivera have a history of working together .
As chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee , Sessions helped elect Rivera to Congress in 2010 despite domestic abuse allegations that almost derailed his campaign .
In 2012 , he hosted a Washington fundraising reception for the freshman congressman .
Later , Rivera ’ s political career unraveled amid several election-related controversies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown Democratic candidate to take on his main rival in a South Florida congressional race and a state investigation into whether he hid a $ 1 million contract with a gambling company .
He has never been charged with a crime .
Sessions , the son of recently deceased former FBI Director William Sessions , has had his brushes with scandal as well .
Last year , he was entangled in the impeachment investigation centered on Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine for writing a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting with two associates of Giuliani with ties to the former Soviet republic .

The five-sentence message sent to Sessions' personal email address, which starts with the word "eagle," is short on specifics. But it makes reference to earlier correspondence, also seen by the AP, in which Exxon General Counsel and Vice President Randall Ebner mentioned a willingness to discuss new business after the settlement around the same time of a long-running arbitration stemming from Venezuela's takeover of an Exxon-run oil field in 2007.
To woo the company back at a time when oil production was collapsing, Maduro was ready to offer Exxon a concession in the Hugo Chavez Oil Belt, which sits atop the world's largest crude reserves, the two people said.
"We thank you for your commitment to making this meeting happen," concludes the email to Sessions.
Exxon declined to comment.
But by the time the ink dried on a $259 million payment schedule signed between Exxon and PDVSA on July 31, 2017, relations between the two countries had become more hostile.
The Trump administration started rolling out the first round of sanctions in response to Maduro's plans to rewrite the constitution and undermine the opposition-controlled congress.
Sessions is looking to return to Congress if he can win a mid-July runoff in a heavily Republican district near his native Waco different from the seat he held for 11 terms until he was ousted in 2018.
He declined to comment in response to detailed questions. "The U.S. Department of State would be your best resource for any information regarding contacts made with Venezuela," a spokesman said.
The State Department declined to comment.
But U.S. officials all along have been suspicious of Sessions' activities in Venezuela. Sessions had no obvious links to the country besides writing a letter in 2004 to the country's banking regulators in support of financier Allen Stanford, a former Sessions donor who in 2012 was convicted in Texas and sentenced to 110 years in prison for running a $7 billion-plus Ponzi scheme.
The State Department played no role in organizing the two-day private trip to Caracas, two U.S. officials said on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Sessions had asked U.S. diplomats not to accompany him to the presidential palace, the officials said, although U.S. Embassy staff did see the congressman afterward at a small reception held for him at the Caracas mansion of government-connected businessman Raul Gorrín.
In 2018, Sessions' then-spokeswoman Caroline Booth told the AP that her boss had spent the past year working to "resolve issues" in Venezuela at the request of a friend she didn't identify. She said Sessions paid for all of his travel.
Gorrín at the time was trying to broker a soft exit for Maduro while paying Ballard Partners — Trump's former Florida lobbyist — to explore expansion opportunities in the U.S. for his TV network Globovision. Along the way, he traveled to Washington to discuss Venezuela's future with U.S. lawmakers and managed to get his photo taken shaking hands with Vice President Mike Pence in Florida.
Gorrín together with now-Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, a PDVSA board member, organized Sessions' visit to Caracas and steered the lobbying contract toward Rivera's Interamerican Consulting firm, according to the two people familiar with the Maduro outreach. The goal of the contract was to improve PDVSA's "long-term reputation" and "standing" among "targeted stakeholders" in the U.S., according to a copy seen by the AP.
Rivera wasn't an obvious choice to lead the effort, having made a name for himself among anti-Maduro exiles in Florida mimicking the anti-communist politics of his friend and one-time roommate Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. The three-month, $50 million contract far exceeded the $70,000 per month Citgo had long paid two established lobbyists, Cornerstone Government Affairs and Vantage Knight, for regulatory work.
Rivera's ties to the Maduro government and Gorrín have been the target of a criminal investigation for over a year, according to a U.S. law enforcement official on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing probe.
He was also sued recently in New York federal court by Citgo's new board appointed by Juan Guaidó, the head of Congress recognized by the U.S. as Venezuela's rightful leader. The lawsuit alleges he failed to describe any work performed while under contract, preparing just two of seven promised progress reports. Rivera has said that some of the money he received was destined for Venezuela's opposition, but so far has offered no evidence or explanation to back that claim.
Meanwhile, Gorrín's efforts came to nothing: a few months after introducing Sessions to Maduro, he was indicted in Miami on federal money-laundering charges, including allegations that he helped embezzle $200 million from PDVSA on behalf of the president's stepsons.
Gorrín and Rivera did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Sessions and Rivera have a history of working together.
As chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, Sessions helped elect Rivera to Congress in 2010 despite domestic abuse allegations that almost derailed his campaign. In 2012, he hosted a Washington fundraising reception for the freshman congressman.
Later, Rivera's political career unraveled amid several election-related controversies, including orchestrating the stealth funding of an unknown Democratic candidate to take on his main rival in a South Florida congressional race and a state investigation into whether he hid a $1 million contract with a gambling company. He has never been charged with a crime.
Sessions, the son of recently deceased former FBI Director William Sessions, has had his brushes with scandal as well. Last year, he was entangled in the impeachment investigation centered on Trump's dealings with Ukraine for writing a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo seeking Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch's dismissal after meeting with two associates of Giuliani with ties to the former Soviet republic.
By JOSHUA GOODMAN Associated Press Writer