washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Japan wants US to extradite Americans who helped Ghosn flee

TOKYO ( AP ) - A Japanese prosecutor on Thursday urged the U.S. to extradite two Americans accused of helping Nissan ’ s former chairman , Carlos Ghosn flee the country while he was out on bail .
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Takahiro Saito said Japan has issued arrest warrants for Michael and Peter Taylor for allegedly helping a criminal escape .
“ A judge has decided an arrest warrant should be issued for them , ” Saito said , adding , “ We are negotiating with the U.S. authorities.
” Michael Taylor , a 59-year-old former Green Beret and private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taylor , 27 , were arrested last month in the town of Harvard , Massachusetts .
They are wanted in Japan for allegedly helping Ghosn flee to Lebanon in December , jumping bail while he was awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges .
Prosecutors say Ghosn broke the law by violating bail conditions that required him to stay in Japan , mostly at his Tokyo home .
Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty with Japan but the U.S. does .
Lawyers for the Taylors said in a legal document filed Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime in Japan and , therefore , helping someone evade their bail conditions isn ’ t a crime either .
Saito said that if convicted in Japan , the Taylors could face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a 300,000 yen ( $ 2,800 ) fine .
Authorities say the Taylors helped sneak Ghosn out of the Japan on a private jet with the former Nissan boss tucked away in a large box .
Ghosn , who led Nissan for two decades , has repeatedly said he is innocent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not expect a fair trial in Japan .

TOKYO (AP) - A Japanese prosecutor on Thursday urged the U.S. to extradite two Americans accused of helping Nissan’s former chairman, Carlos Ghosn, flee the country while he was out on bail.
Deputy Chief Prosecutor Takahiro Saito said Japan has issued arrest warrants for Michael and Peter Taylor for allegedly helping a criminal escape.
“A judge has decided an arrest warrant should be issued for them,” Saito said, adding, “We are negotiating with the U.S. authorities.”
Michael Taylor, a 59-year-old former Green Beret and private security specialist, and his son Peter Taylor, 27, were arrested last month in the town of Harvard, Massachusetts.
They are wanted in Japan for allegedly helping Ghosn flee to Lebanon in December, jumping bail while he was awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges.
Prosecutors say Ghosn broke the law by violating bail conditions that required him to stay in Japan, mostly at his Tokyo home.
Lebanon does not have an extradition treaty with Japan but the U.S. does.
Lawyers for the Taylors said in a legal document filed Monday that “bail jumping” is not a crime in Japan and, therefore, helping someone evade their bail conditions isn’t a crime either.
Saito said that if convicted in Japan, the Taylors could face a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a 300,000 yen ($2,800) fine.
Authorities say the Taylors helped sneak Ghosn out of Japan on a private jet with the former Nissan boss tucked away in a large box.
Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades, has repeatedly said he is innocent. He said he fled because he believes he could not expect a fair trial in Japan.
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Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Rights group: Egypt police raid homes of activist's uncles

CAIRO , Egypt ( AP ) - Police raided the houses of two uncles of an Egyptian-American activist who recently sued a former Egyptian prime minister in U.S. court , accusing him of crimes against humanity , an international rights group said Thursday .
Human Rights Watch quoted a member of Mohamed Soltan ’ s family as saying that more than a dozen uniformed and plainclothes police on Wednesday searched the houses of two of Soltan ’ s uncles in the Delta province of Menoufeya .
The security forces also looked at passports , phones and laptops before asking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in touch with him , according to the statement released by the New York City-based group .
Nobody was arrested and nothing was confiscated , the statement said .
“ The security raids at the homes of ( Soltan ’ s ) relatives in Egypt follows a clear pattern of targeting relatives of dissidents abroad , ” said Joe Stork , HRW ’ s Middle East and North Africa deputy director .
On June 1 , 32-year-old Soltan , now living in Virginia , filed a lawsuit against Egypt ’ s former prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him for attempted extrajudicial execution and torture while he was in detention in Cairo between 2013 and 2015 .
Soltan invoked a 1991 U.S. statute that allows for victims of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by foreign officials abroad to seek damages through the U.S. court system .
“ Mohamed Soltan took recourse in a U.S. court because he has had zero opportunity to pursue justice or accountability in Egypt for torture and police abuses , ” said Stork .
El-Beblawi currently lives in Washington , where he works as an executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer of 2013 , after the military-led ouster of the country ’ s first democratically elected but divisive president , Mohamed Morsi , Egyptian security officers descended on a protest camp packed with his Islamist supporters , killing hundreds .
Soltan , an Ohio State University graduate and the son of a prominent member of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood , was shot in the arm while working as a reporter for Western news organizations in Rabaa al-Adawiya Square .
He was eventually arrested by security forces and sentenced to life in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in a mass trial widely condemned by rights groups .
In the maximum-security Tora prison complex , Soltan said he endured torture overseen by el-Beblawi and other high-ranking officers .
He said he was denied medical care for his bullet wound , beaten to unconsciousness , held in solitary confinement and forced to listen to the sounds of his father being tortured in a nearby cell .
He lost 160 pounds over the course of a 16-month hunger strike to protest his imprisonment .
Under pressure from the Obama administration , Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father remains in prison .
The lawsuit names President Abel Fattah el-Sissi , intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and three other former senior security officials as culpable , arguing they should be served if they set foot in the United States .

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Police raided the houses of two uncles of an Egyptian-American activist who recently sued a former Egyptian prime minister in a U.S. court, accusing him of crimes against humanity, an international rights group said on Thursday.
Human Rights Watch quoted a member of Mohamed Soltan’s family as saying that more than a dozen uniformed and plainclothes police on Wednesday searched the houses of two of Soltan’s uncles in the Delta province of Menoufeya.
The security forces also looked at passports, phones and laptops before asking about Soltan, a dual U.S.-Egyptian citizen, and whether the family had been in touch with him, according to the statement released by the New York-based group. Nobody was arrested and nothing was confiscated, the statement said.
“This is a shameless retaliatory act of aggression against my family in Egypt, and an abundantly clear attempt to deter and silence me from my pursuit of justice,” said Soltan, adding that his family members, including young children, were held at gunpoint during the raid. “I will not be intimidated, and I refuse to be silenced.”
Soltan’s lawyers at the Washington-based firm of Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss amended his civil case on Thursday by presenting a new declaration to the court that detailed the threats against his family. It said Soltan would seek “appropriate relief” through the American justice system.
“The security raids at the homes of (Soltan’s) relatives in Egypt follows a clear pattern of targeting relatives of dissidents abroad,” said Joe Stork, HRW’s Middle East and North Africa deputy director.
On June 1, the 32-year-old Soltan, now living in Virginia, filed a lawsuit against Egypt’s former Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, accusing him of targeting him for attempted extrajudicial execution and torture while he was in detention in Cairo between 2013 and 2015.
Soltan invoked a 1991 U.S. statute that allows for victims of torture and extrajudicial killings committed by foreign officials abroad to seek damages through the U.S. court system.
“Mohamed Soltan took recourse in a U.S. court because he has had zero opportunity to pursue justice or accountability in Egypt for torture and police abuses,” said Stork.
El-Beblawi currently lives in Washington, where he works as an executive director of the International Monetary Fund.
In the summer of 2013, after the military-led ouster of the country’s first democratically elected but divisive president, Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian security officers descended on a protest camp in Cairo, packed with his Islamist supporters, and killed hundreds. Soltan, an Ohio State University graduate and the son of a prominent member of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, was shot in the arm while working as a reporter for Western news organizations at the time in the Rabaa al-Adawiya Square.
He was eventually arrested by security forces and sentenced to life in prison on charges of spreading “fake news” in a mass trial widely condemned by rights groups.
In Cairo’s maximum-security Tora prison complex, Soltan said he endured torture overseen by el-Beblawi and other high-ranking officials. He said he was denied medical care for his bullet wound, beaten to unconsciousness, held in solitary confinement and forced to listen to the sounds of his father being tortured in a nearby cell. He lost 160 pounds over the course of a 16-month hunger strike to protest his imprisonment.
Under pressure from the Obama administration, Egypt released Soltan in 2015, although his father remains in prison.
The lawsuit names President Abel Fattah el-Sissi, intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and three other former senior security officials as culpable, arguing they should be served if they set foot in the United States.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Homeless man charged in burning of police officer's car

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A homeless man is facing federal charges in connection to the burning of a police officer ’ s vehicle as it was parked on a New York City street , officials said Thursday .
Authorities said Michael Rodriguez , 32 , had approached the vehicle , which was parked on a Brooklyn street and had a placard of the New York Police Department , in the early morning hours of June 2 .
The car had been assigned to an NYPD captain .
In the federal complaint , authorities said video footage showed Rodriguez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting cardboard on it and setting the cardboard on fire .
Rodriguez was arrested Thursday and ordered detained pending trial by a federal judge .
An email was sent to an attorney in the federal defender ’ s office for comment .
If convicted , he faces up to 20 years in prison .
In the complaint , authorities said he appeared to record the fire and remained at the location until the vehicle was completely ablaze before leaving .
Another car parked nearby was also damaged .
Authorities said law enforcement was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public release about the fire .
In the early days of protest in New York City against the killing of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer , numerous police cars were set on fire .
Three people are facing federal charges in connection to the throwing of Molotov cocktails at police vehicles in two separate incidents in Brooklyn .

NEW YORK (AP) - A homeless man is facing federal charges in connection to the burning of a police officer’s vehicle as it was parked on a New York City street, officials said Thursday.
Authorities said Michael Rodriguez, 32, had approached the vehicle, which was parked on a Brooklyn street and had a placard of the New York Police Department, in the early morning hours of June 2. The car had been assigned to an NYPD captain.
In the federal complaint, authorities said video footage showed Rodriguez pouring liquid on the unoccupied vehicle, putting cardboard on it and setting the cardboard on fire.
Rodriguez was arrested Thursday and ordered detained pending trial by a federal judge. An email was sent to an attorney in the federal defender’s office for comment. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
In the complaint, authorities said he appeared to record the fire and remained at the location until the vehicle was completely ablaze before leaving. Another car parked nearby was also damaged.
Authorities said law enforcement was led to him after getting information after a public release about the fire.
In the early days of protest in New York City against the killing of George Floyd by a Minnesota police officer, numerous police cars were set on fire.
Three people are facing federal charges in connection to the throwing of Molotov cocktails at police vehicles in two separate incidents in Brooklyn.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--91 additional deaths brings Illinois' total to 6,185

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - The number of deaths in Illinois attributed to the coronavirus in Illinois now @ @ @ @ @ more deaths , officials announced Thursday .
The total number of deaths announced Thursday marks @ @ @ @ @ than 100 deaths reported daily by the Illinois Department of Public Health .
The department @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 from among the 22,000 people tested .
The number that have tested @ @ @ @ @ .
The 625 new cases announced Wednesday was the lowest daily count in Illinois since @ @ @ @ @ say the recovery rate for people who contract COVID-19 stands at 92 percent .
The @ @ @ @ @ reporting probable COVID-19 cases , with 178 probable deaths and 724 non-fatal infections .
The @ @ @ @ @ never tested .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The number of deaths in Illinois attributed to the coronavirus in Illinois now stands at 6,185 with 91 more deaths, officials announced Thursday.
The total number of deaths announced Thursday marks a full week of fewer than 100 deaths reported daily by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The department also reported 766 people tested positive for COVID-19 from among the 22,000 people tested. The number that have tested positive since January totals 130,603. The 625 new cases announced Wednesday was the lowest daily count in Illinois since March 30.
Health officials say the recovery rate for people who contract COVID-19 stands at 92 percent.
The Department of Health is also reporting probable COVID-19 cases, with 178 probable deaths and 724 non-fatal infections. The probable victims and patients were never tested.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Besieged hospital on edge of Navajo Nation fires CEO

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - The board of a rural New Mexico hospital that was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic fired the chief executive Thursday and asked for unity in a bid to restore confidence in the facility .
A memo sent to staff at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital in Gallup said CEO David Conejo ’ s termination was effective immediately and a search would begin soon for his replacement .
Chief Financial Officer Mary Bevier stepped in as interim CEO .
Conejo also will no longer will serve on the board of trustees .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cost-saving measure only to be overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus infections , including from the neighboring Navajo Nation , which has been hit hard by the virus .
Dozens of hospital staff contracted the virus as doctors and nurses scrambled to attend to critically ill COVID-19 patients , eventually opting to transfer patients with severe respiratory problems to health care facilities in Albuquerque .
Employees protested working conditions and unanswered questions about hospital finances near the height of local infections , calling on Conejo to resign .
Conejo did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has defended his handling of the pandemic and said decisions on staffing and medical care were not his alone .
“ We wish to honor the dedication and sacrifices that all of the staff have made in this very difficult recent past , with not only the coronavirus issues but the negative publicity that has caused some community members to lose confidence , ” said the email from hospital management to staff .
Officials from McKinley County , which owns and leases the hospital to a private operator , grew frustrated trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cut off property tax funding .
State Auditor Brian Colón entered the fray in mid-May to negotiate the release of hospital financial documents .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The board of a rural New Mexico hospital that was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic fired the chief executive Thursday and asked for unity in a bid to restore confidence in the facility.
A memo sent to staff at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital in Gallup said CEO David Conejo’s termination was effective immediately and a search would begin soon for his replacement. Chief Financial Officer Mary Bevier stepped in as interim CEO. Conejo also will no longer will serve on the board of trustees.
The hospital laid off nurses in March as a cost-saving measure only to be overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus infections, including from the neighboring Navajo Nation, which has been hit hard by the virus.
Dozens of hospital staff contracted the virus as doctors and nurses scrambled to attend to critically ill COVID-19 patients, eventually opting to transfer patients with severe respiratory problems to health care facilities in Albuquerque.
Employees protested working conditions and unanswered questions about hospital finances near the height of local infections, calling on Conejo to resign.
Conejo did not respond immediately to phone calls Thursday. He has defended his handling of the pandemic and said decisions on staffing and medical care were not his alone.
“We wish to honor the dedication and sacrifices that all of the staff have made in this very difficult recent past, with not only the coronavirus issues but the negative publicity that has caused some community members to lose confidence,” said the email from hospital management to staff.
Officials from McKinley County, which owns and leases the hospital to a private operator, grew frustrated trying to audit hospital finances and threatened in May to cut off property tax funding. State Auditor Brian Colón entered the fray in mid-May to negotiate the release of hospital financial documents.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Officials: Slain Mexican Mafia chief ran gang from prison

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - A purported leader of the Mexican Mafia whom the federal government once accused of running street gang operations from inside California ’ s most secure prison has been killed by two other inmates , officials said Thursday .
Danny Roman , 64 , was killed Wednesday at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran , said corrections department spokeswoman Terri Hardy .
He was pronounced dead of multiple stab wounds to his face and body within minutes after officials say he was assaulted by two fellow inmates , Raul Alvarado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say if they are believed to be members of the same or a rival gang .
“ If this was not a sanctioned Mexican Mafia hit , then the retaliation for having one of their members hit is going to be significant , ” said retired prison gang investigator Matthew Buechner .
“ So for the safety of all the other inmates , I don ’ t wish to downplay Roman ’ s demise , but hopefully it was internal housecleaning or there will be a lot more blood shed.
” Federal prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with racketeering conspiracy , alleging that they were involved with South Los Angeles gangs controlled by Roman from the state ’ s super-maximum Pelican Bay State Prison .
He was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder from Los Angles County , 700 miles away .
Roman wasn ’ t charged , but prosecutors said he was controlling a dozen gangs , including one that extorted vendors at a swap meet and another that targeted students at the University of Southern California in drug trafficking , killings and robberies .
They alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter and son-in-law , who in turn directed gang members .
Investigators said Vianna Roman used coded language to give information to her father and to get instructions from him during visits at the prison in far northwest California .
She would then pass them to members of the Harpys street gang , who prosecutors said oversaw crimes both in their own territory and the broader area Roman controlled .
That included collecting “ tax payments ” from Latino gangs under his control , prosecutors said .
His daughter was sentenced in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culminating an investigation that federal authorities dubbed “ Operation Roman Empire.
” Thom Mrozek , a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Los Angeles , declined comment on Roman ’ s death .
The Kings County District Attorney ’ s Office also declined comment .
His alleged assailants , Cisneros , 31 , and Alvarado , 47 , are being held in isolation during the investigation .
Officials said two stabbing weapons were recovered .
Both men are serving life sentences , Cisneros for an attempted first-degree murder in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder in Los Angeles County .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A purported leader of the Mexican Mafia whom the federal government once accused of running street gang operations from inside California’s most secure prison has been killed by two other inmates, officials said Thursday.
Danny Roman, 64, was killed Wednesday at the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, said corrections department spokeswoman Terri Hardy.
He was pronounced dead of multiple stab wounds to his face and body within minutes after officials say he was assaulted by two fellow inmates, Raul Alvarado and Edward Cisneros.
Hardy would not say if they are believed to be members of the same or a rival gang.
“If this was not a sanctioned Mexican Mafia hit, then the retaliation for having one of their members hit is going to be significant,” said retired prison gang investigator Matthew Buechner. “So for the safety of all the other inmates, I don’t wish to downplay Roman’s demise, but hopefully it was internal housecleaning or there will be a lot more blood shed.”
Federal prosecutors in 2012 charged more than two dozen people with racketeering conspiracy, alleging that they were involved with South Los Angeles gangs controlled by Roman from the state’s super-maximum Pelican Bay State Prison. He was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder from Los Angles County, 700 miles away.
Roman wasn’t charged, but prosecutors said he was controlling a dozen gangs, including one that extorted vendors at a swap meet and another that targeted students at the University of Southern California in drug trafficking, killings and robberies.
They alleged that Roman was passing orders to his daughter and son-in-law, who in turn directed gang members.
Investigators said Vianna Roman used coded language to give information to her father and to get instructions from him during visits at the prison in far northwest California. She would then pass them to members of the Harpys street gang, who prosecutors said oversaw crimes both in their own territory and the broader area Roman controlled. That included collecting “tax payments” from Latino gangs under his control, prosecutors said.
His daughter was sentenced in 2015 to 15 years in federal prison, culminating an investigation that federal authorities dubbed “Operation Roman Empire.”
Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, declined comment on Roman’s death. The Kings County District Attorney’s Office also declined comment.
His alleged assailants, Cisneros, 31, and Alvarado, 47, are being held in isolation during the investigation. Officials said two stabbing weapons were recovered.
Both men are serving life sentences, Cisneros for an attempted first-degree murder in San Bernardino County and Alvarado for a second-degree murder in Los Angeles County.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Pack swimsuit, mask, California welcomes back tourists

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - There will be no packed double-decker safari buses with tour guides rolling through the San Diego Zoo , nor animal shows that draw crowds - nor breakfast buffets at hotels .
Instead , hotels are adorning lobbies with hand sanitizing dispensers and will be limiting how many people lounge by pools .
And the zoo is putting entertainers on its double-decker buses to hold moving shows while people stand on green circles to keep them six feet apart .
Every visitor over the age of two will be required to wear face coverings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back up just as summer gets underway , though it will not be the same .
The state is giving the green light for counties to allow hotels , zoos , aquariums and museums to reopen Friday .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom also said wineries in the Napa Valley can operate their tasting rooms again .
Newsom issued a stay-at-home order on March 19 and most of the state was locked down for months .
He gradually started lifting the orders in May , allowing retail stores and restaurants to reopen .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions .
But the list of businesses cleared to open Friday is the most expansive yet , though counties have the ultimate say on which stores and services can open their doors .
Stay-at-home orders are estimated to have cost the state economy some $ 72 billion in expected revenue from tourism and more than 600,000 in hospitality jobs , according to Visit California , the state ’ s tourism marketing organization .
The $ 145 billion industry now is navigating unprecedented territory as it balances how to implement safety measures to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , cases of COVID-19 in the state has continued to tick upward .
California on Thursday reported 139,281 cases and 4,881 deaths .
The state has been averaging 2,782 cases daily compared to a daily average of 2,120 cases a week ago .
Health officials are monitoring 10 counties because of concerns about the virus .
Some parts are choosing to go slower than the state is allowing , like the San Francisco Bay area .
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. said the industry is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measures will protect “ the health and well-being of our visitors , who we know are eager to bask in our renowned L.A. lifestyle and endless sunshine.
” Many of the attractions that are reopening , like San Diego ’ s famed zoo , are taking time to work out any kinks with their new safety measures .
On Friday , the zoo will welcome only employees and volunteers and their families .
Next week , members and donors can visit and then on June 20 it will open to the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to wipe down railings as visitors return to see the animals , many of which had babies while the zoo was closed .
Some outdoor exhibits where the animals can wander close to the public now have Plexiglas panels .
There will be no behind-the-scene tours nor opportunities for tourists to feed the rhino or giraffes .
“ We have a responsibility to continue to do our part to fight the spread of COVID for sure , but we also have to balance that with the interest in reopening , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added , it will be a “ beautiful ” break for people to lose themselves in nature ’ s wonders for a moment .
“ People need to be outdoors and active and to have a peaceful experience , ” he said .
Some museums , like the USS Midway in San Diego , will be checking everyone ’ s temperatures .
Visitors also will be required to follow established one-way routes on the aircraft carrier , which installed more than 170 hand-sanitizer stations and plexiglass barriers between sinks and urinals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its shopping district outside its amusement park on July 9 .
It has asked state and local government to permit it to reopen Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park on July 17 , and Disney ’ s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney ’ s Paradise Pier Hotel on July 23 .
The company states on its website that “ an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present , ” and asks tourists to closely read about the precautions they should take .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento , Juliet Williams in San Francisco , and John Antczak and Robert Jablon in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - California wineries started uncorking their bottles and welcoming people back to their tasting rooms Friday as the state’s $145 billion tourism industry gears up with hotels, zoos, museums and aquariums also allowed to reopen.
With COVID-19 cases in the state still growing, the tourism industry is trying to balance how to implement safety measures to control a pandemic without ruining the fun.
Hotels will limit people lounging by pools and nix breakfast buffets for now. There will be no double-decker safari buses packed with tourists rolling through the San Diego Zoo, nor animal shows that draw crowds.
The zoo instead is using its buses to hold moving shows that will glide past people standing on green circles to keep them 6 feet (2 meters) apart. Every visitor over the age of 2 will be required to wear face coverings.
Wine tasting rooms also are encouraging masks and making room for physical distancing. Many are requiring appointments for tastings. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced later Friday that starting June 19 the state would allow Californians in approved counties to resume getting manicures, tattoos and massages with strict cleaning requirements.
Newsom was the nation’s first governor to issue a statewide stay-at-home order on March 19. He gradually started lifting the orders in May, allowing retail stores and restaurants to reopen. He soon added churches and hair salons with restrictions.
Stay-at-home orders are estimated to have cost the state economy $72 billion in revenue from tourism and more than 600,000 hospitality jobs, according to Visit California, the state’s tourism marketing organization.
The list of businesses cleared to reopen Friday included movie theaters, bars and gyms and is the most expansive yet, though counties have the ultimate say on which stores and services can open their doors.
In Southern California, cities relaxed social distancing rules this week to allow sunbathing and other passive activities at Laguna Beach, San Clemente and Seal Beach. Previously, visitors could swim, run and surf but couldn’t stay in one place.
Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County’s public health director, urged businesses that choose to reopen to closely follow the social distancing protocols for doing so.
“These are not recommendations. These are requirements,” she said. “If there is not adherence to the protocols, if we are not taking the basic steps to protect workers and then to protect customers and visitors, this will be way more risky than it needs to be.”
Meanwhile, cases of the coronavirus in the state are still climbing. On Friday, California’s department of health reported 141,983 cases and 4,943 deaths. The White House has recommended states see a 14-day downward trajectory before easing restrictions.
California’s cases have continued to tick up since May 30, when the state’s seven-day average was at 2,321 cases compared to a seven-day average of 2,726 as of Friday, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Those who have tested positive include a manager at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near Palm Springs, which reopened in late May with required masks and temperature checks. Another 11 employees who interacted with the manager are being tested, the Press-Enterprise of Riverside reported Friday.
Health officials are monitoring at least 10 counties because of concerns about the virus.
Some areas are choosing to go at a slower pace than what the governor has green-lighted. San Francisco reopened outdoor restaurant dining on Friday. Hotels there will not receive tourists until August.
Jennifer Bennett, co-owner of Zazie, said she was “thrilled” to see tables being served again.
“None of us got into the hospitality business to pass out to-go bags through a window,” she said. “So it’s great to see people actually enjoying themselves and eating off real plates and not landfill.”
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board President & CEO Ernest Wooden Jr. said the tourism industry is ready for the challenge.
Hotels are using electrostatic sprayers and LED technology to clean, like at Pendry Hotel in San Diego, which also placed rowers and fitness equipment in rooms for guests to use on-demand.
Many attractions, like San Diego’s famed zoo, are going slowly. On Friday, it opened to only employees and volunteers and their families. Next week, members and donors can visit and then on June 20 it will open to the public.
Volunteers armed with disinfectant will stand ready to wipe down railings as visitors return to see the animals, many of which had babies while the zoo was closed.
There will be no behind-the-scene tours nor opportunities for tourists to feed the rhino or giraffes.
“We have a responsibility to continue to do our part to fight the spread of COVID for sure, but we also have to balance that with the interest in reopening,” said zoo director Dwight Scott.
“People need to be outdoors and active and to have a peaceful experience,” he said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Some museums, like the USS Midway in San Diego, will be checking everyone’s temperatures. Visitors also will be required to follow established one-way routes on the aircraft carrier, which reopens July 1 and has installed more than 170 hand-sanitizer stations and plastic glass barriers between sinks and urinals in the bathrooms.
South Lake Tahoe said Friday that it’s ready for tourists but advises people “to go big on distancing, masks matter, plan to change plans, no germs or anything else left behind, expect closures, and if sniffles stay home.”
Disneyland is seeking permission to reopen July 17, though theme parks are not cleared to reopen yet nor are concert venues, night clubs and nail salons.
___
Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento, Juliet Williams and Haven Daley in San Francisco, John Antczak and Robert Jablon in Los Angeles and Amy Taxin in Orange County contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Trump Tulsa rally attendees must agree to coronavirus lawsuit waiver

The Trump campaign is requiring people who want to attend President Trump ’ s rally next week in Oklahoma to agree not to sue anyone if they contract the COVID-19 disease .
The sign-up page for tickets on the campaign ’ s web site has a disclaimer notifying attendees that “ by clicking register below , you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.
” “ By attending the rally , you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inc. ; BOK Center ; ASM Global ; or any of their affiliates , directors , officers , employees , agents , contractors , or volunteers liable for any illness or injury , ” the disclaimer states .
Mr. Trump is returning to the campaign trail on June 19 at the BOK Center in Tulsa , Oklahoma for the first time since the outbreak closed many businesses and public arenas .
His last campaign rally was on March 2 in North Carolina .
The arena has a capacity of about 19,000 .
Campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be any social distancing at rallies , or whether attendees will be encouraged to wear masks .

The Trump campaign is requiring people who want to attend President Trump’s rally next week in Oklahoma to agree not to sue anyone if they contract the COVID-19 disease.
The sign-up page for tickets on the campaign’s web site has a disclaimer notifying attendees that “by clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.”
“By attending the rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury,” the disclaimer states.
Mr. Trump is returning to the campaign trail on June 19 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the first time since the outbreak closed many businesses and public arenas. His last campaign rally was on March 2 in North Carolina.
The arena has a capacity of about 19,000. Campaign officials haven’t said whether there will be any social distancing at rallies, or whether attendees will be encouraged to wear masks.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Texas' most populous county unveils COVID-19 warning system

HOUSTON ( AP ) - Houston area officials on Thursday unveiled a new color-coded threat level warning system for the public amid growing concerns that local COVID-19 related hospitalizations are at their highest levels since the pandemic began and have steadily risen as the state has continued to reopen .
“ I want the reopening to be successful .
I want the economy to be resilient .
But I ’ m growing increasingly concerned that we may be approaching the precipice of a disaster , ” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said about rising local hospital admissions due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston is located , the number of people hospitalized with suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 has gone from 479 on May 1 , when Texas started to reopen its businesses , to 776 as of Wednesday , an increase of 62 % , according to data from the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council , a state group that coordinates the region ’ s emergency response to disasters .
Hidalgo , the county ’ s top elected official , said there is still plenty of ICU and hospital capacity in the Houston area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be an alarmist with the new warning system but wanted to provide clear guidance on what the public can do to help avoid a crisis .
The new threat level system has four levels : one or red for severe , two or orange for significant , three or yellow for moderate and four or green for minimal .
Hidalgo said the county is at level two , which asks people to minimize contact with others and avoid medium or large gatherings .
It is similar to other COVID-19 related warning systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Dallas and Utah .
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the new threat level system is more of a way to provide information to residents as local leaders do not have the authority to order residents to stay home or shut down businesses as that power now rests with the state .
“ The state has preempted local governments from hitting the brakes .
What we have is our voice and providing information and monitoring the situation ” and encouraging people to wear masks and engage in social distancing and proper hygiene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Greg Abbott didn ’ t immediately reply to an email seeking comment on whether the state will take any specific actions regarding the hospitalization increases in Harris County or if the state would allow local officials to resume setting their own COVID-19 restrictions .
Abbott this week reiterated he was “ concerned but not alarmed ” in Texas .
He has not signaled any intention of putting social or business restrictions back in place .
In Texas , hospitalizations have mostly been increasing since June 1 .
On Thursday , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slightly down from the record high of 2,153 reported on Wednesday .
On Thursday , state health officials reported 81,583 positive cases , an increase of 1,826 from the prior day .
That was down from the single-day state record of more than 2,500 new cases set on Wednesday .
Officials reported 35 new deaths on Thursday , bringing the state ’ s total to 1,920 .
Harris County has the most cases in the state , with 15,552 .
Texas has had one of the fastest re-openings of its economy and additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

HOUSTON (AP) - Houston area officials on Thursday unveiled a new color-coded threat level warning system for the public amid growing concerns that local COVID-19 related hospitalizations are at their highest levels since the pandemic began and have steadily risen as the state has continued to reopen.
“I want the reopening to be successful. I want the economy to be resilient. But I’m growing increasingly concerned that we may be approaching the precipice of a disaster,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said about rising local hospital admissions due to the coronavirus.
In Harris County, where Houston is located, the number of people hospitalized with suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 has gone from 479 on May 1, when Texas started to reopen its businesses, to 776 as of Wednesday, an increase of 62%, according to data from the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, a state group that coordinates the region’s emergency response to disasters.
Hidalgo, the county’s top elected official, said there is still plenty of ICU and hospital capacity in the Houston area.
Hidalgo said she was not trying to be an alarmist with the new warning system but wanted to provide clear guidance on what the public can do to help avoid a crisis.
The new threat level system has four levels: one or red for severe, two or orange for significant, three or yellow for moderate and four or green for minimal. Hidalgo said the county is at level two, which asks people to minimize contact with others and avoid medium or large gatherings. It is similar to other COVID-19 related warning systems previously set up in other locations, including Dallas and Utah.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the new threat level system is more of a way to provide information to residents as local leaders do not have the authority to order residents to stay home or shut down businesses as that power now rests with the state.
“The state has preempted local governments from hitting the brakes. What we have is our voice and providing information and monitoring the situation” and encouraging people to wear masks and engage in social distancing and proper hygiene, Turner said.
A spokesman for Gov. Greg Abbott didn’t immediately reply to an email seeking comment on whether the state will take any specific actions regarding the hospitalization increases in Harris County or if the state would allow local officials to resume setting their own COVID-19 restrictions.
Abbott this week reiterated he was “concerned but not alarmed” in Texas. He has not signaled any intention of putting social or business restrictions back in place.
In Texas, hospitalizations have mostly been increasing since June 1. On Thursday, the state reported 2,008 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, slightly down from the record high of 2,153 reported on Wednesday.
On Thursday, state health officials reported 81,583 positive cases, an increase of 1,826 from the prior day. That was down from the single-day state record of more than 2,500 new cases set on Wednesday. Officials reported 35 new deaths on Thursday, bringing the state’s total to 1,920.
Harris County has the most cases in the state, with 15,552.
Texas has had one of the fastest re-openings of its economy and additional restrictions were set to be lifted on Friday.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
___
Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Prosecutors support bill about police disciplinary action

State prosecutors on Thursday added their support for a bill that would help ensure disciplinary actions against officers can not be later reversed by an outside arbitrator The Oregon District Attorneys ’ Association now joins state police chiefs , sheriffs and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in urging Gov .
Kate Brown to convene a special session to pass the bill , which has twice failed in regular legislative sessions .
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that momentum is growing for lawmakers to pass new police accountability legislation this summer in a special legislative session , as widespread protests against racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the past two weeks , we have watched our nation and state slowly step up to engage in a conversation that is long overdue , ” Rep. Janelle Bynum , a Happy Valley Democrat and chair of the House Judiciary Committee , said in a statement .
Bynum and other members of Oregon ’ s all-Democrat People of Color Caucus joined three Republicans in asking Brown to convene a session to pass the bill within 30 days .
In fact , it may come well sooner .
The governor “ agrees that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , and she is preparing to call a special session to take up this bill among others , ” Charles Boyle , a press secretary in the governor ’ s office , told OPB .
“ The Governor is working with legislative leadership to finalize a plan and timeline for the upcoming special session , and we anticipate an announcement on that front in the next few days.
” The bill with the most backing headed into that session has been a long-time goal of the city of Portland , and introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Portland .
It would ensure that outside arbitrators can ’ t overturn disciplinary actions against police officers if they concur that misconduct occurred , and that a police department has followed its disciplinary guidelines .

State prosecutors on Thursday added their support for a bill that would help ensure disciplinary actions against officers cannot be later reversed by an outside arbitrator
The Oregon District Attorneys’ Association now joins state police chiefs, sheriffs and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in urging Gov. Kate Brown to convene a special session to pass the bill, which has twice failed in regular legislative sessions.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that momentum is growing for lawmakers to pass new police accountability legislation this summer in a special legislative session, as widespread protests against racial injustice and police brutality continue.
“Over the past two weeks, we have watched our nation and state slowly step up to engage in a conversation that is long overdue,” Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Happy Valley Democrat and chair of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement.
Bynum and other members of Oregon’s all-Democrat People of Color Caucus joined three Republicans in asking Brown to convene a session to pass the bill within 30 days. In fact, it may come well sooner.
The governor “agrees that the Legislature should pass it in short order, and she is preparing to call a special session to take up this bill among others,” Charles Boyle, a press secretary in the governor’s office, told OPB. “The Governor is working with legislative leadership to finalize a plan and timeline for the upcoming special session, and we anticipate an announcement on that front in the next few days.”
The bill with the most backing headed into that session has been a long-time goal of the city of Portland, and introduced repeatedly by state Sen. Lew Frederick, D-Portland. It would ensure that outside arbitrators can’t overturn disciplinary actions against police officers if they concur that misconduct occurred, and that a police department has followed its disciplinary guidelines.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Study warns of poverty surge to over 1 billion due to virus

LONDON ( AP ) - Global poverty is set to rise above 1 billion people once again as a result of the coronavirus pandemic , which is reducing the income of the world ’ s poorest by $ 500 million a day , according to new research published Friday .
The research by King ’ s College London and the Australian National University points to poverty increasing dramatically in middle-income developing countries , where millions of people live just above the poverty line .
Asian countries , such as Bangladesh , India , Indonesia , Pakistan and the Philippines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic ’ s economic shockwaves with lockdowns severely curtailing activity .
“ The pandemic is fast becoming an economic crisis for developing countries , ” said Andy Sumner , a professor of international development at King ’ s College London and one of the report ’ s co-authors .
Because millions of people live just above the poverty line , they are in a precarious position as the economic shock of the pandemic plays out .
In a worst case scenario , the number of people in extreme poverty - defined as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is forecast to rise from about 700 million to 1.1 billion , according to the report , which was published by the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research .
“ Without action this crisis could set back progress on reducing global poverty by 20 or even 30 years , ” Sumner said .
Researchers are calling for “ urgent global leadership ” to address the crisis .
But hopes are low after the Group of Seven meeting of world leaders , which was due to take place June 10-12 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camp David , was postponed .
Trump now aims to host an expanded meeting in September , also including leaders from Russia , Australia , South Korea and India .
How much development issues will be addressed at that summit remains an open question .
Sumner said three actions need to be prioritized .
First , a “ rapid response global commission on poverty and COVID-19 ” needs to be established and led by a prominent global leader to identify the level of financing required and what rich countries can do to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be released quickly by expanding the current debt servicing standstill that the International Monetary Fund is providing to all developing countries and by freezing World Bank debt repayments at least until the end of 2020 , possibly into 2021 .
He said that once the crisis abates , debt restructuring or outright cancellation of debt for some developing countries “ will be needed or even unavoidable.
” And thirdly , he said countries benefiting from the standstill should use the money to shore up and expand social safety nets .

LONDON (AP) - Global poverty is set to rise above 1 billion people once again as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which is reducing the income of the world’s poorest by $500 million a day, according to new research published Friday.
The research by King’s College London and the Australian National University points to poverty increasing dramatically in middle-income developing countries, where millions of people live just above the poverty line.
Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines, are considered to be particularly vulnerable to the pandemic’s economic shockwaves with lockdowns severely curtailing activity.
“The pandemic is fast becoming an economic crisis for developing countries,” said Andy Sumner, a professor of international development at King’s College London and one of the report’s co-authors.
Because millions of people live just above the poverty line, they are in a precarious position as the economic shock of the pandemic plays out. In a worst case scenario, the number of people in extreme poverty - defined as earning under $1.90 a day - is forecast to rise from about 700 million to 1.1 billion, according to the report, which was published by the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research.
“Without action this crisis could set back progress on reducing global poverty by 20 or even 30 years,” Sumner said.
Researchers are calling for “urgent global leadership” to address the crisis. But hopes are low after the Group of Seven meeting of world leaders, which was due to take place June 10-12 at President Donald Trump’s retreat at Camp David, was postponed. Trump now aims to host an expanded meeting in September, also including leaders from Russia, Australia, South Korea and India. How much development issues will be addressed at that summit remains an open question.
Sumner said three actions need to be prioritized. First, a “rapid response global commission on poverty and COVID-19” needs to be established and led by a prominent global leader to identify the level of financing required and what rich countries can do to help.
Second, he said funds should be released quickly by expanding the current debt servicing standstill that the International Monetary Fund is providing to all developing countries and by freezing World Bank debt repayments at least until the end of 2020, possibly into 2021. He said that once the crisis abates, debt restructuring or outright cancellation of debt for some developing countries “will be needed or even unavoidable.”
And thirdly, he said countries benefiting from the standstill should use the money to shore up and expand social safety nets.
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Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--5th Tennessee jailer pleads guilty to punching inmate

TIPTONVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - A former Tennessee corrections officer pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching an inmate and lying about it afterward .
Former Tennessee Department of Corrections officer Jonathan York , 33 , pleaded guilty Tuesday to using unlawful force on an inmate and then conspiring to cover up the incident , The Department of Justice said in a news release .
The release said York admitted to beating an inmate on Feb. 1 , 2019 , in the mental health unit at the Northwest County Correctional Complex in Tiptonville .
The assault was in retaliation after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day , it said .
York told authorities he asked another officer to cover the surveillance camera while he punched the inmate around 30 times .
York also admitted that two other officers punched the inmate while York watched .
After the assault , a supervisory officer told the group to say the inmate ’ s injuries were self-inflected .
York is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2021 .
He faces up to 10 years in prison for the excessive force and five years for covering it up .
Former correctional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carl Spurlin , Jr. , and Cadie McAlister previously entered guilty pleas for their roles in the assault .

TIPTONVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A former Tennessee corrections officer pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching an inmate and lying about it afterward.
Former Tennessee Department of Corrections officer Jonathan York, 33, pleaded guilty Tuesday to using unlawful force on an inmate and then conspiring to cover up the incident, The Department of Justice said in a news release.
The release said York admitted to beating an inmate on Feb. 1, 2019, in the mental health unit at the Northwest County Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. The assault was in retaliation after the inmate spit at officers earlier in the day, it said.
York told authorities he asked another officer to cover the surveillance camera while he punched the inmate around 30 times.
York also admitted that two other officers punched the inmate while York watched.
After the assault, a supervisory officer told the group to say the inmate’s injuries were self-inflected.
York acknowledged lying about the assault afterward.
York is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2021. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the excessive force and five years for covering it up.
Former correctional officers Nathaniel Griffin, Tanner Penwell, Carl Spurlin, Jr., and Cadie McAlister previously entered guilty pleas for their roles in the assault.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--David Scott wins primary in 13th District, avoids runoff

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Nine-term U.S. House Rep. David Scott has won the Democratic primary in Georgia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ a runoff .
The Associated Press on Thursday said Scott defeated three challengers , including @ @ @ @ @ Waites , who touted her credentials as an emergency manager and her bipartisan approach .
@ @ @ @ @ the vote expanded in counting Wednesday , meaning he escaped an Aug. 11 runoff by @ @ @ @ @ in the metro-Atlanta district chose business consultant Becky Hites over engineer Caesar Gonzales .

ATLANTA (AP) - Nine-term U.S. House Rep. David Scott has won the Democratic primary in Georgia’s 13th District, narrowly avoiding a runoff.
The Associated Press on Thursday said Scott defeated three challengers, including former state Rep. Keisha Sean Waites, who touted her credentials as an emergency manager and her bipartisan approach.
Scott’s share of the vote expanded in counting Wednesday, meaning he escaped an Aug. 11 runoff by amassing a majority. Republicans in the metro-Atlanta district chose business consultant Becky Hites over engineer Caesar Gonzales.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Several officers wounded in shootout with suspect in ambush on California deputy; police say suspect

PASO ROBLES , Calif. ( AP ) - Several officers wounded in shootout with suspect in ambush on California deputy @ @ @ @ @ in custody .

PASO ROBLES, Calif. (AP) - Several officers wounded in shootout with suspect in ambush on California deputy; police say suspect is in custody.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Xin Wang, Chinese army officer scouting U.S. research facility, nabbed for visa fraud

A Chinese army officer was arrested this week as he prepared to board an airport bound for home with American research , and he admitted he had been asked to study an American lab in order to bring back information on how to replicate it in China , federal authorities said .
Xin Wang has been charged with visa fraud because he concealed his ties to the People ’ s Liberation Army when he applied for and won a work-study visa in 2018 .
Customs and Border Protection officers interviewed Mr. Wang as he was trying to board a flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he admitted that he was still an officer in the PLA — something he had concealed when he applied for the visa .
At that time , he ’ d said he was a former PLA professor but had left the army in 2016 .
Not only was he still tied to the PLA , but was being paid by them and the Chinese Scholarship Council even as he was in the U.S. , double-dipping by collecting payments from the American university where he was studying , according to prosecutors .
Mr. Wang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nabbed by U.S. authorities , who say China ’ s government is engaged in large-scale attempts to steal American knowledge .
In Mr. Wang ’ s case , he was in the U.S. to study at the University of California-Santa Barbara .
American taxpayers funded some of the lab work Mr. Wang was associated with , prosecutors said .
“ Wang provided information to CBP that he had been instructed by his supervisor , the director of his military university lab in the PRC , to observe the layout of the UCSF lab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replicate it in China , ” the prosecutors said in announcing the charges .
CBP had also been told Mr. Wang was carrying American research with him as he tried to leave the country .
Mr. Wang wiped his cell phone of WeChat messages before heading to the airport , prosecutors said .

A Chinese army officer was arrested this week as he prepared to board an airport bound for home with American research, and he admitted he had been asked to study an American lab in order to bring back information on how to replicate it in China, federal authorities said.
Xin Wang has been charged with visa fraud because he concealed his ties to the People’s Liberation Army when he applied for and won a work-study visa in 2018.
Customs and Border Protection officers interviewed Mr. Wang as he was trying to board a flight in Los Angeles on Sunday, and he admitted that he was still an officer in the PLA — something he had concealed when he applied for the visa.
At that time, he’d said he was a former PLA professor but had left the army in 2016.
Not only was he still tied to the PLA, but was being paid by them and the Chinese Scholarship Council even as he was in the U.S., double-dipping by collecting payments from the American university where he was studying, according to prosecutors.
Mr. Wang is the latest Chinese citizen to be nabbed by U.S. authorities, who say China’s government is engaged in large-scale attempts to steal American knowledge.
In Mr. Wang’s case, he was in the U.S. to study at the University of California-Santa Barbara.
American taxpayers funded some of the lab work Mr. Wang was associated with, prosecutors said.
“Wang provided information to CBP that he had been instructed by his supervisor, the director of his military university lab in the PRC, to observe the layout of the UCSF lab and bring back information on how to replicate it in China,” the prosecutors said in announcing the charges.
CBP had also been told Mr. Wang was carrying American research with him as he tried to leave the country.
Mr. Wang wiped his cell phone of WeChat messages before heading to the airport, prosecutors said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Kane, Blackhawks preparing for training camp 2.0

CHICAGO ( AP ) - When Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks left the ice after their last game , they had little chance of making the playoffs .
Whenever they play their next game , it sure looks as if they will be one of 24 teams with a shot at the Stanley Cup .
Welcome to the strangest postseason berth in franchise history , one so unusual that it isn ’ t exactly a playoff appearance at the moment .
Assuming everything goes according to plan and the final details are ironed out between the league and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in a best-of-five qualifier series for the playoff bracket .
“ It ’ s been a weird three months , ” Kane said during a video conference call with reporters .
Chicago hasn ’ t played since a 6-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on March 11 .
The Blackhawks were last in the Central Division and 12th in the Western Conference standings when the NHL season was suspended the next day because of the coronavirus pandemic .
While the Blackhawks were awaiting word on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president John McDonough was fired by owner Rocky Wirtz .
Danny Wirtz , Rocky ’ s son and a vice president with the team , replaced McDonough on an interim basis .
Longtime general manager Stan Bowman called McDonough a mentor Thursday in his first public comments since the dismissal .
“ I think he did a lot of great things for your organization , so I thank him from that perspective , ” Bowman said .
“ Similarly , I ’ ve had a chance , I ’ ve known Danny Wirtz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve had a chance over the last six weeks to work closely with Danny , Rocky as well .
And they ’ ve been fantastic to me , too .
So I look at this for me as the opportunity to learn from Danny.
” The surprise move could lead to dramatic changes for Chicago ’ s front office once the season is over .
But Kane and Co. are hoping to put that off for a while .
The Blackhawks took two of three against Edmonton this season , winning 3-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 5 .
They should get forward Drake Caggiula and defensemen Adam Boqvist and Calvin de Haan back for training camp 2.0 next month after they were sidelined by injuries when the season was suspended .
The 29-year-old de Haan was expected to miss the rest of the year after he had right shoulder surgery in December .
His return could be particularly helpful for the Blackhawks as they try to slow McDavid and Leon Draisaitl , who won his first Art Ross Trophy for leading the league with 110 points .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get him on the ice , go through camp , and hopefully everything continues to progress as far as his health , ” Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said .
“ But I thought the games he did play he was steady back there.
” The Blackhawks started voluntary workouts this week , with Kane and fellow forward Alex DeBrincat among the first players to return to the team ’ s practice facility .
The dates and site for their series against Edmonton are still to be determined .
But Kane thinks making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games could be a big key to a deep playoff run .
“ It ’ ll definitely be an advantage for a team that can come back and get together quickly and have a good training camp and kind of find their game right away , ” he said .
“ So I think it might be some surprises , you know , if we get down to playing.
” Jay Cohen can be reached at https : //twitter.com/jcohenap

CHICAGO (AP) - When Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks left the ice after their last game, they had little chance of making the playoffs.
Whenever they play their next game, it sure looks as if they will be one of 24 teams with a shot at the Stanley Cup.
Welcome to the strangest postseason berth in franchise history, one so unusual that it isn’t exactly a playoff appearance at the moment. Assuming everything goes according to plan and the final details are ironed out between the league and the players’ union, the Blackhawks will play Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in a best-of-five qualifier series for the playoff bracket.
“It’s been a weird three months,” Kane said during a video conference call with reporters.
No kidding.
Chicago hasn’t played since a 6-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on March 11. The Blackhawks were last in the Central Division and 12th in the Western Conference standings when the NHL season was suspended the next day because of the coronavirus pandemic.
While the Blackhawks were awaiting word on the fate of their season, team president John McDonough was fired by owner Rocky Wirtz. Danny Wirtz, Rocky’s son and a vice president with the team, replaced McDonough on an interim basis.
Longtime general manager Stan Bowman called McDonough a mentor Thursday in his first public comments since the dismissal.
“I think he did a lot of great things for your organization, so I thank him from that perspective,” Bowman said. “Similarly, I’ve had a chance, I’ve known Danny Wirtz for a few years now and I’ve had a chance over the last six weeks to work closely with Danny, Rocky as well. And they’ve been fantastic to me, too. So I look at this for me as the opportunity to learn from Danny.”
The surprise move could lead to dramatic changes for Chicago’s front office once the season is over. But Kane and Co. are hoping to put that off for a while.
The Blackhawks took two of three against Edmonton this season, winning 3-1 way back in October and 4-3 on March 5. They should get forward Drake Caggiula and defensemen Adam Boqvist and Calvin de Haan back for training camp 2.0 next month after they were sidelined by injuries when the season was suspended.
The 29-year-old de Haan was expected to miss the rest of the year after he had right shoulder surgery in December. His return could be particularly helpful for the Blackhawks as they try to slow McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who won his first Art Ross Trophy for leading the league with 110 points.
“Obviously, we’ve got to get him on the ice, go through camp, and hopefully everything continues to progress as far as his health,” Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton said. “But I thought the games he did play he was steady back there.”
The Blackhawks started voluntary workouts this week, with Kane and fellow forward Alex DeBrincat among the first players to return to the team’s practice facility.
The dates and site for their series against Edmonton are still to be determined. But Kane thinks making the most of all the time before the games could be a big key to a deep playoff run.
“It’ll definitely be an advantage for a team that can come back and get together quickly and have a good training camp and kind of find their game right away,” he said. “So I think it might be some surprises, you know, if we get down to playing.”
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Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap
___
More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Kemp eases Georgia virus rules to allow sports, conventions

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp is lifting more health-related restrictions that stemmed from COVID-19 , allowing spectator sports and live performance venues to reopen and conventions to resume on July 1 , subject to some restrictions .
The Republican Kemp signed the 40-page-order Thursday , just before an earlier and more restrictive order was to expire .
The new order , allowed under the health care emergency authority granted Kemp by lawmakers , runs through the end of June .
The move comes amid an uptick in reported coronavirus infections and deaths in Georgia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily infections , on average , for most of June .
It ’ s the longest period that infections have run that high since early May .
Georgia has recorded nearly 55,000 cases through Thursday , with 2,375 deaths .
Fatalities have averaged 33 a day over the last week , one of the highest such figures since the beginning of May .
Kemp ’ s order also tells residents 65 or older that they no longer have to shelter in place unless they live in a long-term care facility such as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition .
Residents of long-term care facilities are still locked down and visitors are still banned .
The new order abolishes the maximum size of a party at a restaurant , which had previously risen to 10 , and no longer limits the number of patrons per square foot .
It still requires tables to be 6 feet ( 2 meters ) apart .
Restaurant workers now only have to wear masks when interacting with patrons , not in kitchens or elsewhere .
And bars can now have up to 50 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the listed fire capacity , whichever is greater .
Self-service can resume at salad bars and buffets that provide sneeze guards and hand sanitizer .
Buffets are supposed to enforce social distancing and regularly replace shared utensils .
Restaurants remain under 35 operating conditions .
Rules for other businesses also remain in effect through June 30 .
Effective Tuesday , there will be no limit on how many people can sit together in a party at a movie theater .
Customers who haven ’ t made advance appointments will be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as barber shops and tanning salons .
The order still bans gatherings of more than 50 people unless there is at least 6 feet between each person .
Conventions of 100 or more people can begin July 1 subject to additional rules , such as screening guests for COVID-19 symptoms and staggering registration and gathering times .
Sports and live performance venues that hold less than 1,000 people will be subject to a number of restrictions , such as limiting people in all areas including private suites , and putting empty seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But the largest sports venues , which host more than 5,000 people , are subject only to the rules their professional , college or high school sports league has imposed .
Kemp also says he ’ s suspending any other regulation which might prevent sports leagues from operating .
Drive-in performances where people stay in or near their cars aren ’ t subject to the performance venue rules .

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is lifting more health-related restrictions that stemmed from COVID-19, allowing spectator sports and live performance venues to reopen and conventions to resume on July 1, subject to some restrictions.
The Republican Kemp signed the 40-page-order Thursday, just before an earlier and more restrictive order was to expire. The new order, allowed under the health care emergency authority granted Kemp by lawmakers, runs through the end of June.
The move comes amid an uptick in reported coronavirus infections and deaths in Georgia. The state has recorded more than 700 daily infections, on average, for most of June. It’s the longest period that infections have run that high since early May.
Georgia has recorded nearly 55,000 cases through Thursday, with at least 2,375 deaths. Fatalities have averaged 33 a day over the last week, one of the highest such figures since the beginning of May.
Kemp’s order also tells residents 65 or older that they no longer have to shelter in place unless they live in a long-term care facility such as a nursing home or have an underlying health condition. Residents of long-term care facilities are still locked down and visitors are still banned.
The new order abolishes the maximum size of a party at a restaurant, which had previously risen to 10, and no longer limits the number of patrons per square foot. It still requires tables to be 6 feet (2 meters) apart or be separated by partitions. Restaurant workers now only have to wear masks when interacting with patrons, not in kitchens or elsewhere. And bars can now have up to 50 people, up from 25 people, or 35% of the listed fire capacity, whichever is greater. Self-service can resume at salad bars and buffets that provide sneeze guards and hand sanitizer. Buffets are supposed to enforce social distancing and regularly replace shared utensils.
Restaurants remain under 35 operating conditions. Rules for other businesses also remain in effect through June 30.
Effective Tuesday, there will be no limit on how many people can sit together in a party at a movie theater. Customers who haven’t made advance appointments will be allowed to walk in to personal care businesses such as barber shops and tanning salons.
The order still bans gatherings of more than 50 people unless there is at least 6 feet between each person.
Conventions of 100 or more people can begin July 1 subject to additional rules, such as screening guests for COVID-19 symptoms and staggering registration and gathering times.
Sports and live performance venues that hold less than 1,000 people will be subject to a number of restrictions, such as limiting people in all areas including private suites, and putting empty seats between patrons “to the extent practicable.” But the largest sports venues, which host more than 5,000 people, are subject only to the rules their professional, college or high school sports league has imposed. Kemp also says he’s suspending any other regulation which might prevent sports leagues from operating.
Drive-in performances where people stay in or near their cars aren’t subject to the performance venue rules.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Mississippi lawmakers honor pastor who won 'The Voice'

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - A Mississippi pastor who won “ The Voice ” has serenaded state @ @ @ @ @ ” Todd Tilghman appeared Thursday at the state Capitol , where he was honored with @ @ @ @ @ Senate .
New outlets report that he also met later with Gov .
Tate Reeves @ @ @ @ @ .
Tilghman is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Meridian .
At 42 , he @ @ @ @ @ the singing competition on NBC .
He was honored with a parade in his hometown @ @ @

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi pastor who won “The Voice” has serenaded state lawmakers with “Amazing Grace.”
Todd Tilghman appeared Thursday at the state Capitol, where he was honored with resolutions in the House and Senate. New outlets report that he also met later with Gov. Tate Reeves and his wife, Elee.
Tilghman is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Meridian. At 42, he became the oldest winner of the singing competition on NBC. He was honored with a parade in his hometown last month.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Mason James Lira, deputy 'ambush' suspect, shot by police; officers wounded

The suspect in the ambush attack on a police precinct in Paso Robles , California , has been shot in a gunfight , the department said Thursday evening .
The Paso Robles Police Department , which had suspect Mason James Lira cornered , tweeted “ Suspect down .
Several officers wounded.
” The department did not elaborate on how many officers were shot or on the condition of Mr. Lira or the cops .
Mr. Lira also is suspected of killing a transient man .
Authorities accuse Mr. Lira , 26 , of firing on the Paso Robles Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a man dead from a close-range gunshot .
The attack came just five days after another ambush attack on law enforcement officers in Santa Cruz County that killed one officer and wounded another .
Anti-cop rhetoric and attacks on officers have been mainstreamed in the past couple of weeks since activists began convulsing the nation over the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd .
But there was nothing directly linking the two California ambushes and Mr. Lira ’ s father told reporters that this isn ’ t such a case .
Jose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with schizophrenia , Asperger ’ s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that he refuses to medicate .
He said Mason James Lira often has delusions of being a soldier or special agent in a war zone .
“ He lives in a fantasy world , ” Jose Lira told The Associated Press .
“ He doesn ’ t have a beef with the police .
”

The suspect in the ambush attack on a police precinct in Paso Robles, California, was fatally shot in a gunfight Thursday.
Tony Cipolla, a San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s spokesman, confirmed Mason James Lira’s death at the end of a massive manhunt Thursday evening, though he provided few details.
The Paso Robles Police Department had earlier tweeted “Suspect down. Several officers wounded.” Officials later said three officers were wounded, though only one was specified as having been shot. All are expected to survive.
Authorities accuse Mr. Lira, 26, of firing on the Paso Robles Police Department building before dawn Wednesday. They later found a homeless man dead from a close-range gunshot.
The first attack came just five days after another ambush attack on law enforcement officers in Santa Cruz County that killed one officer and wounded another.
Anti-cop rhetoric and attacks on officers have been mainstreamed in the past couple of weeks since activists began convulsing the nation over the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd.
But there was nothing directly linking the two California ambushes and Mr. Lira’s father told reporters that this isn’t such a case.
Jose Lira said his son has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, Asperger’s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder that he refuses to medicate. He said Mason James Lira often has delusions of being a soldier or special agent in a war zone.
“He lives in a fantasy world,” Jose Lira told The Associated Press. “He doesn’t have a beef with the police.”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Jack Hanna to retire from Columbus Zoo

Jack Hanna to retire from Columbus Zoo

POWELL , Ohio ( AP ) - Animal activist John “ Jack ” Hanna has announced plans to retire from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium after 42 years .
Hanna will finish the remainder of the year and retain the zoo ’ s director emeritus title , the Columbus Dispatch reported .
Hanna says it is time to dedicate more time to family life and hiking with his wife , Suzi .
“ I could stay at the zoo until my last days .
And any time the zoo needs anything , all they have to do is ask and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am 73 now , and my grandkids are getting older , ” Hanna said .
“ Some are getting married .
I can ’ t keep up with all of them .
I want to share the years we have left with my kids and grandkids.
” Hanna first moved from Tennessee to Ohio in 1965 to attend Muskingum University where he met his wife of 52 years .
He started as the zoo ’ s director in 1978 and served until 1992 when he earned the title of director emeritus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ five Emmy ’ s for his work on “ Into the Wild .
”

POWELL, Ohio (AP) - Animal activist John “Jack” Hanna has announced plans to retire from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium after 42 years.
Hanna will finish the remainder of the year and retain the zoo’s director emeritus title, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Hanna says it is time to dedicate more time to family life and hiking with his wife, Suzi.
“I could stay at the zoo until my last days. And any time the zoo needs anything, all they have to do is ask and I’ll be there. But I am 73 now, and my grandkids are getting older,” Hanna said. “Some are getting married. I can’t keep up with all of them. I want to share the years we have left with my kids and grandkids.”
Hanna first moved from Tennessee to Ohio in 1965 to attend Muskingum University where he met his wife of 52 years.
He started as the zoo’s director in 1978 and served until 1992 when he earned the title of director emeritus.
Hanna has written 15 books and won five Emmy’s for his work on “Into the Wild.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--Voting rights activists sound alarm on issues with U.S. election infrastructure

Election rights activists on Thursday warned Congress that the government can ’ t ensure safe and free elections in November .
The types of problems that plagued the recent primary in Georgia will spread nationwide if Congress does not spend more on America ’ s election infrastructure , they said .
The testimony before the Democrat-run House panel was designed to ramp up pressure for an overhaul of election laws , including the party ’ s push for nationwide mail-in voting in federal elections .
Still , there is virtually no chance for a rewrite of election rules in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hands of state governments .
The Georgia primary this week was one of the most chaotic in U.S. history , according to Kristen Clarke , president of National Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law .
The long lines , malfunctioning equipment , and late-opening polling locations her group heard about in Georgia could appear elsewhere on Election Day later this year if Congress doesn ’ t act now , she told a House panel .
“ Many states and local counties are simply unprepared to safely handle people voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide requested mail-in ballots in time for them to be cast , ” Ms. Clarke said .
“ Georgia is the poster child for this dysfunction and disenfranchisement of African American voters , as it has been repeatedly.
” Rep. Marcia Fudge , Ohio Democrat , said she thinks Congress should immediately spend substantially more to address such concerns .
She blamed voters ’ uncertainty on President Trump , who ’ s insisted that increased availability of vote-by-mail could lead to fraud .
“ During all of this confusion and uncertainty , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sow distrust by spreading false claims that vote-by-mail is ripe for fraud and threatening states that are expanding access to safe voting options , ” Ms. Fudge said .
Republicans have resisted attempts to tinker with the election systems .
Louisiana Secretary of State R. Kyle Ardoin told the committee that he intends to fight any federal mandate on how his state runs elections , even if it means forgoing federal funds .
“ Receiving one-time funds to run elections during an unprecedented crisis at the expense of radically changing our elections system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make , ” he said .
“ We will gladly accept federal dollars with no strings or political motivations attached , and we would prefer not to have to come up with state matching dollars in a time of such economic turmoil.
” Mr. Ardoin and his counterpart in Alabama , John H. Merrill , said their states are not equipped to handle vote-by-mail-only elections and do not have the infrastructure necessary to make such a system possible .
All-mail elections do not mean only-mail elections , but the coronavirus outbreak ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means states are rethinking their election systems .
Lawrence Norden , director of the Election Reform Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice , said states are about to see a surge in online voter registration that they are not prepared to handle .
He urged lawmakers to help on that front , too .
“ Already this year , we ’ ve seen online systems overwhelmed in Georgia , Florida , and Wisconsin too often leading [ to the ] failure of those systems and this problem is only going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the country , ” he said .
“ We need to adjust for that now .
”

Election rights activists on Thursday warned Congress that the government can’t ensure safe and free elections in November. The types of problems that plagued the recent primary in Georgia will spread nationwide if Congress does not spend more on America’s election infrastructure, they said.
The testimony before the Democrat-run House panel was designed to ramp up pressure for an overhaul of election laws, including the party’s push for nationwide mail-in voting in federal elections.
Still, there is virtually no chance for a rewrite of election rules in an election year, which leaves the issue in the hands of state governments.
The Georgia primary this week was one of the most chaotic in U.S. history, according to Kristen Clarke, president of National Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
The long lines, malfunctioning equipment, and late-opening polling locations her group heard about in Georgia could appear elsewhere on Election Day later this year if Congress doesn’t act now, she told a House panel.
“Many states and local counties are simply unprepared to safely handle people voting in-person and several states have failed to provide requested mail-in ballots in time for them to be cast,” Ms. Clarke said. “Georgia is the poster child for this dysfunction and disenfranchisement of African American voters, as it has been repeatedly.”
Rep. Marcia Fudge, Ohio Democrat, said she thinks Congress should immediately spend substantially more to address such concerns. She blamed voters’ uncertainty on President Trump, who’s insisted that increased availability of vote-by-mail could lead to fraud.
“During all of this confusion and uncertainty, the president is waging an insidious campaign to sow distrust by spreading false claims that vote-by-mail is ripe for fraud and threatening states that are expanding access to safe voting options,” Ms. Fudge said.
Republicans have resisted attempts to tinker with the election systems.
Louisiana Secretary of State R. Kyle Ardoin told the committee that he intends to fight any federal mandate on how his state runs elections, even if it means forgoing federal funds.
“Receiving one-time funds to run elections during an unprecedented crisis at the expense of radically changing our elections system is a tradeoff we are not willing to make,” he said. “We will gladly accept federal dollars with no strings or political motivations attached, and we would prefer not to have to come up with state matching dollars in a time of such economic turmoil.”
Mr. Ardoin and his counterpart in Alabama, John H. Merrill, said their states are not equipped to handle vote-by-mail-only elections and do not have the infrastructure necessary to make such a system possible. All-mail elections do not mean only-mail elections, but the coronavirus outbreak’s potential to drive up vote-by-mail ballots means states are rethinking their election systems.
Lawrence Norden, director of the Election Reform Program at the liberal-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, said states are about to see a surge in online voter registration that they are not prepared to handle. He urged lawmakers to help on that front, too.
“Already this year, we’ve seen online systems overwhelmed in Georgia, Florida, and Wisconsin too often leading [to the] failure of those systems and this problem is only going to get worse as we approach registration deadlines around the country,” he said. “We need to adjust for that now.”
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-11--California Senate OKs bill to mail ballots for fall election

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Fearing a surge of coronavirus cases that could force a second statewide shutdown in the fall , the California Senate on Thursday approved a measure that would guarantee all registered voters get a ballot in the mail before the November election .
Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom has already ordered ballots to be mailed .
But Republican congressional candidate Darrell Issa and the Republican National Committee have sued , arguing his order is illegal .
The bill is an attempt by lawmakers to make sure it happens anyway .
Election officials nationwide have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , prompting condemnation from President Donald Trump , who has claimed that “ mail boxes will be robbed , ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed.
” Five states - Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Washington and Utah - conduct elections entirely by mail .
None have reported significant fraud .
Most California voters already vote by mail .
More than 87 % of registered voters are scheduled to receive a ballot in the mail before the November election , including all of the 4.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , some Senate Republicans opposed the bill because it would let county election officials count mail-in ballots if they are received within 20 days of the election .
Right now , the law says mail-in ballots only count if they are received within three days of an election .
“ That does suggest to the people who have grave concerns about this that it encourages fraud , ” Republican Sen. Patricia Bates said .
“ Seventeen days suggests there is some other agenda there , and we don ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our elections.
” Lawmakers included the extra time because they fear a second wave of coronavirus cases could force another round of stay-at-home orders that might delay ballots delivered by the U.S .
Postal Service .
Also , the Postal Service has been consistently losing money as it faces competition from commercial shippers .
The Postal Service has warned it could run out of money this year without a taxpayer bailout .
“ While our post office is usually quite efficient , on occasions they are not as efficient as we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Sen. Tom Umberg said .
“ We don ’ t want to disenfranchise anyone , not through any fault of their own.
” The California secretary of state ’ s office says sending every voter a ballot will cost an extra $ 72 million .
Most of it would fall on local governments , with the state paying $ 13 million for an outreach campaign .
But lawmakers believe most of that cost could be covered by the federal government .
The Senate passed the bill with a 31-7 vote .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assembly before it can become law .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Fearing a surge of coronavirus cases that could force a second statewide shutdown in the fall, the California Senate on Thursday approved a measure that would guarantee all registered voters get a ballot in the mail before the November election.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has already ordered ballots to be mailed. But Republican congressional candidate Darrell Issa and the Republican National Committee have sued, arguing his order is illegal. The bill is an attempt by lawmakers to make sure it happens anyway.
Election officials nationwide have explored vote-by-mail options this year because of the pandemic, prompting condemnation from President Donald Trump, who has claimed that “mail boxes will be robbed, ballots will be forged & even illegally printed out & fraudulently signed.”
Five states - Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Utah - conduct elections entirely by mail. None have reported significant fraud.
Most California voters already vote by mail. More than 87% of registered voters are scheduled to receive a ballot in the mail before the November election, including all of the 4.3 million registered voters in Los Angeles County.
Still, some Senate Republicans opposed the bill because it would let county election officials count mail-in ballots if they are received within 20 days of the election. Right now, the law says mail-in ballots only count if they are received within three days of an election.
“That does suggest to the people who have grave concerns about this that it encourages fraud,” Republican Sen. Patricia Bates said. “Seventeen days suggests there is some other agenda there, and we don’t need more conspiracy theories going on with regards to our elections.”
Lawmakers included the extra time because they fear a second wave of coronavirus cases could force another round of stay-at-home orders that might delay ballots delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Also, the Postal Service has been consistently losing money as it faces competition from commercial shippers. The Postal Service has warned it could run out of money this year without a taxpayer bailout.
“While our post office is usually quite efficient, on occasions they are not as efficient as we would like them to be,” Democratic state Sen. Tom Umberg said. “We don’t want to disenfranchise anyone, not through any fault of their own.”
The California secretary of state’s office says sending every voter a ballot will cost an extra $72 million. Most of it would fall on local governments, with the state paying $13 million for an outreach campaign. But lawmakers believe most of that cost could be covered by the federal government.
The Senate passed the bill with a 31-7 vote. It still must be approved by the state Assembly before it can become law.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Houston bar heavily damaged in early morning explosion

HOUSTON ( AP ) - An early morning explosion heavily damaged a bar near downtown Houston on Friday , but @ @ @ @ @ of injuries .
The explosion was reported shortly before 5 a.m. at Bar 5015 in @ @ @ @ @ Houston TV station KHOU reported that the bar had closed at 11 p.m. the night @ @ @ @ @ the building was unoccupied at the time of the blast .
Damage was reported to @ @ @ @ @ soul food restaurant .
A food truck was also destroyed , KHOU reported .
Video @ @ @ @ @ scattered throughout the street .
Authorities were investigating the cause of the explosion .

HOUSTON (AP) - An early morning explosion that heavily damaged a bar and some homes near downtown Houston on Friday was intentionally caused, according to the Houston Fire Department.
Arson investigators did not provide other information on the cause of the blast, saying the case was still under investigation.
No one was injured in the explosion that happened shortly before 5 a.m. at Bar 5015 near the Houston Museum District.
Investigators believe no one was inside the building at the time of the blast.
Corri Babineaux, 37, who lives next to the bar, said the explosion was so strong it knocked her out of bed.
“I thought a bomb had been dropped. That’s how loud it was,” said Babineaux, who woke up to blown out windows and glass on her floors.
Paul Dorman, 43, who also lives next to the bar, said the blast caused “quite extensive damage” to the back of his house, including broken windows and cracked brick.
Firefighters who first arrived at the scene found several small fires that were quickly extinguished, said Houston Fire Department Assistant Chief Alfredo Martinez.
The explosion shattered a wooden deck at the bar and sent debris onto the street.
The cause of the blast was still being determined, Martinez said.
The fire department was being assisted in its investigation by Houston police, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
___
Associated Press video journalist John Mone contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-12--Zambia soccer HQ raided by drug enforcement officers

LUSAKA , Zambia ( AP ) - The Zambia soccer association said its headquarters was raided Thursday by drug enforcement @ @ @ @ @ and other items from the office of its general secretary .
The Football Association of @ @ @ @ @ been “ partially paralyzed ” after the action by the Drug Enforcement Commission .
A @ @ @ @ @ Adrian Kashala ’ s personal assistant was also taken away , the federation said .
@ @ @ @ @ cooperated with the DEC officers and have pledged full compliance with the law enforcement agencies @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The officers produced a search warrant and were looking for narcotics @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to the soccer association .
Zambia was the African champion in 2012 @

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) - The Zambia soccer association said its headquarters was raided Thursday by drug enforcement officers who seized a laptop and other items from the office of its general secretary.
The Football Association of Zambia said its operations have been “partially paralyzed” after the action by the Drug Enforcement Commission.
A computer used by general secretary Adrian Kashala’s personal assistant was also taken away, the federation said.
“The FAZ officials fully cooperated with the DEC officers and have pledged full compliance with the law enforcement agencies,” the federation said in a statement.
The officers produced a search warrant and were looking for narcotics “and other related substances,” according to the soccer association.
Zambia was the African champion in 2012.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports