washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Pope moves against secretariat of state amid finance scandal

ROME ( AP ) - Pope Francis has given the Vatican secretariat of state three months to transfer all of its financial holdings to another Vatican office following its bungled management of hundreds of millions of euros in donations and investments that are now the subject of a corruption investigation .
Francis summoned the secretary of state , Cardinal Pietro Parolin , his deputy as well as the Vatican ’ s top finance officials for a meeting Wednesday and gave them a three-month deadline to complete the transfer , Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said .
The Vatican released the letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 in which he announced he was stripping the secretariat of state of its ability to independently manage the money .
Francis cited the “ reputational risks ” incurred by the department ’ s previous investments in speculative operations that have cost the Holy See tens of millions of euros , some of it money from the Peter ’ s Pence donations from the faithful .
Francis ’ decision was an embarrassing blow to the secretariat of state ’ s standing as the most powerful Holy See office , reducing it to essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget and have it approved and monitored by others .
Its financial holdings are now to be held by the Vatican ’ s treasury office , known as APSA and incorporated into the Holy See ’ s consolidated budget , Francis wrote .
The economy ministry will oversee spending .
The outcome is essentially that which was sought years ago by Cardinal George Pell , Francis ’ first economy minister who clashed with the secretariat of state over his financial reforms and efforts to wrest control of the department ’ s off-the-books funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had “ discovered ” hundreds of millions of euros that were “ tucked away in particular sectional accounts and did not appear on the balance sheet ” - a reference to the secretariat of state ’ s in-house asset portfolio .
Pell had to abandon those reform efforts in 2017 to face trial for sexual abuse in his native Australia , but he was acquitted and returned triumphantly last month to Rome , where he was granted a well-publicized audience with Francis .
Francis moved against his own secretariat of state amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office ’ s 350-million-euro investment into a London real estate venture .
Prosecutors have accused several officials in the department of abusing their authority for their involvement in the deal , as well several Italian middlemen of allegedly fleecing the Vatican of tens of millions of euros in fees .
The scandal has exposed the incompetence of the Vatican ’ s monsignors in managing money , since they signed away voting shares in the deal and agreed to pay exorbitant fees needlessly to Italians who were known in business circles for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parolin , Francis cited the London venture as well as the secretariat of state ’ s investment in a Malta-based investment vehicle , Centurion Global Fund , headed by the Vatican ’ s longtime external money manager .
According to Italian daily Corriere della Sera , Centurion invested in such ventures as the “ Rocketman ” film on Elton John as well as a holding company headed by Lapo Elkann , one of the more flamboyant members of Italy ’ s Agnelli clan .

ROME (AP) - Pope Francis is giving the Vatican secretariat of state three months to transfer all of its financial holdings to another Vatican office following its bungled management of hundreds of millions of euros in donations and investments that are now the subject of a corruption investigation.
Francis summoned the secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, his deputy as well as the Vatican’s top finance officials for a meeting Wednesday and gave them a three-month deadline to complete the transfer, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
The Vatican released the letter that Francis wrote to Parolin on Aug. 25 in which he announced he was stripping the secretariat of state of its ability to independently manage the money.
Francis cited the “reputational risks” incurred by the department’s investments in a London real estate venture and other speculative operations that have lost the Holy See tens of millions of euros, some of it money from the Peter’s Pence donations from the faithful.
Francis’ decision was an embarrassing blow to the secretariat of state’s standing as the most powerful Holy See office, reducing it to essentially any other department that must propose a budget and have it approved and monitored by others.
Its financial holdings are now to be held by the Vatican’s treasury office, known as APSA and incorporated into the Holy See’s consolidated budget, Francis wrote. The economy ministry will oversee spending.
The outcome is essentially that which was sought years ago by Cardinal George Pell, Francis’ first economy minister who clashed with the secretariat of state over his financial reforms and efforts to wrest control of the department’s off-the-books funds. Pell famously boasted in 2014 that he had “discovered” hundreds of millions of euros that were “tucked away in particular sectional accounts and did not appear on the balance sheet” - a reference to the secretariat of state’s in-house asset portfolio.
Pell had to abandon those reform efforts in 2017 to face trial for sexual abuse in his native Australia, but he was acquitted and returned triumphantly last month to Rome, where he was granted a well-publicized audience with Francis.
Francis moved against his own secretariat of state amid a year-long investigation by Vatican prosecutors into the office’s 350-million-euro investment into a luxury residential building in London’s Chelsea neighborhood.
Prosecutors have accused several officials in the department of abusing their authority for their involvement in the deal, as well several Italian middlemen of allegedly fleecing the Vatican of tens of millions of euros in fees.
The scandal has exposed the incompetence of the Vatican’s monsignors in managing money, since they signed away voting shares in the deal and agreed to pay exorbitant fees needlessly to Italians who were known in business circles for their shady dealings.
Just this week, a judge in Italy authorized financial police searches at the homes of one of the Vatican monsignors and two Italian businessmen implicated in the deal, as well as some of their relatives and three related businesses, according to a warrant seen by The Associated Press.
In his letter to Parolin announcing his decision, Francis cited the London venture as well as the secretariat of state’s investment in a Malta-based investment vehicle, Centurion Global Fund, headed by the Vatican’s longtime external money manager.
According to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Centurion invested in such ventures as the “Rocketman” film on Elton John as well as a holding company headed by Lapo Elkann, one of the more flamboyant members of Italy’s Agnelli clan.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Chief: Officers fatally shoot man who pointed rifle at them

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - Police fatally shot a man who hit a detective ’ s car with the butt of a rifle before pointing it at them in Jacksonville late Wednesday night , officials said .
Detectives G.A .
Taylor and M.L .
Mullis were in a car waiting for other officers to join them in investigating a gang when a man walked up to the passenger side carrying a rifle , Jacksonville Sheriff ’ s Office Chief T.K .
Waters said in a news conference early Thursday .
The man then hit the car with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers , ” Waters said .
“ The officers exited and fired several shots and struck that subject .
At that point he went down.
” Detectives rendered first-aid until paramedics took him to a hospital .
He later died of his wounds .
Waters said investigators don ’ t know why the man approached the vehicle .
It was the first officer-involved shooting for both men , Waters said .
He did not say whether the officers were using body cameras .
The name of the man has not been released .

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Police fatally shot a man who hit a detective’s car with the butt of a rifle before pointing it at them in Jacksonville late Wednesday night, officials said.
Detectives G.A. Taylor and M.L. Mullis were in a car waiting for other officers to join them in investigating a gang when a man walked up to the passenger side carrying a rifle, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Chief T.K. Waters said in a news conference early Thursday.
The man then hit the car with the rifle
“He pointed it at our officers,” Waters said. “The officers exited and fired several shots and struck that subject. At that point he went down.”
Detectives rendered first-aid until paramedics took him to a hospital. He later died of his wounds.
Waters said investigators don’t know why the man approached the vehicle.
The state attorney’s office is investigating.
It was the first officer-involved shooting for both men, Waters said. He did not say whether the officers were using body cameras.
The name of the man has not been released.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Kosovo president resigns to face war crimes charges

PRISTINA , Kosovo ( AP ) - Kosovo ’ s President Hashim Thaci , a guerrilla leader during Kosovo ’ s war for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s , resigned on Thursday and will face charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity at a special court based in The Hague .
Thaci said he was taking the step “ to protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo ” and to preserve the historical truth of who was perpetrator , and who victim , in the conflict .
“ We are a freedom-loving people and not vengeful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference in Pristina , Kosovo ’ s capital .
“ That is why no claim may rewrite history .
Kosovo has been the victim .
Serbia has been the aggressor.
” Thaci was indicted in the summer along with nine other former rebel leaders by a special Kosovo court based in The Hague , Netherlands , which was set up to try the alleged crimes of former ethnic Albanian rebel leaders .
The charges include murder , enforced disappearances , persecution and torture .
Among those charged is Kadri Veseli , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leader , who said he planned to travel to the The Hague on Thursday and was resigning from “ all public political activities.
” Both Thaci and Veseli have denied committing any crime .
Thaci , a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the war , said he was proud to have belonged to that force , calling it “ the most sublime value of the Albanian nation.
” He called the indictment “ the smallest price we have to pay for the freedom of our people.
” The government said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be considered innocent unless the court decides otherwise .
“ No one may judge our fight for freedom , ” the government said , adding that the KLA “ fought for the liberation of our country , to protect the house and not in a foreign land , and as such it has the support of the international community.
” The indictments were issued by the court and an associated Special Prosecutor ’ s Office established five years ago .
Amnesty International ’ s Balkans researcher , Jelena Sesar said the indictment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope to “ thousands of victims of the Kosovo war who have waited for more than two decades to find out the truth about the horrific crimes committed against them and their loved ones.
” Exact details of the 10-count indictment against Thaci , Veseli and the others have not ben released .
Announcing the existence of the indictment earlier this year , the Specialist Prosecutor ’ s Office alleged that the men were “ criminally responsible for nearly 100 murders.
” At the time , the prosecutor ’ s office said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of what it called repeated efforts by Thaci and Veseli “ to obstruct and undermine ” the work of the court and said they were believed to have tried to overturn the Kosovo law that created the court .
The formation of the court and prosecutor ’ s office followed a 2011 report by the Council of Europe , a human rights body , that included allegations that KLA fighters trafficked human organs taken from prisoners and killed Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians .
Sesar , the Amnesty International expert , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had persisted in Kosovo since it has taken nearly 10 years for those suspected of criminal responsibility to be brought to court .
After the war , Thaci created the Democratic Party of Kosovo and has been foreign minister , deputy prime minister and prime minister , and now president since April 2016 .
Kosovo-Serbia ties are still tense 21 years after war ’ s end , despite nine years of negotiations mediated by the European Union and supported by the United States .
The indictment was announced in June when Thaci was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House with Serb counterpart Aleksandar Vucic .
That meeting was held with Kosovo ’ s prime minister instead in September .
The 1998-1999 war killed more than 10,000 people - most of them ethnic Albanians - and 1,641 people are still unaccounted for .
It was brought to an end by a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbian troops .
In 2008 , Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia , something that Serbia has still not recognized .
Llazar Semini in Tirana , Albania , and Mike Corder in The Hague , @ @ @ @ @

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci, a guerrilla leader during Kosovo’s war for independence from Serbia in the late 1990s, resigned on Thursday and will face charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity at a special court based in The Hague.
Thaci said he was taking the step “to protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo” and to preserve the historical truth of who was perpetrator, and who victim, in the conflict.
“We are a freedom-loving people and not vengeful,” the 52-year-old Thaci said at a news conference in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital. “That is why no claim may rewrite history. Kosovo has been the victim. Serbia has been the aggressor.”
Thaci was indicted in June along with nine other former rebel leaders by a special Kosovo court and associated prosecutor’s office based in The Hague, Netherlands, which were set up five years ago to investigate and try former ethnic Albanian rebel leaders for alleged war crimes. The charges include murder, enforced disappearances, persecution and torture.
The 1998-1999 war killed more than 10,000 people - most of them ethnic Albanians - and 1,641 people are still unaccounted for. It was brought to an end by a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbian troops.
Among others charged with committing crimes during and after the war is Kadri Veseli, a former parliament speaker and an opposition party leader, who said he planned to travel to the The Hague on Thursday and was resigning from “all public political activities.”
Both Thaci and Veseli have denied committing any crimes.
Thaci, a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the war, said he was proud to have belonged to that force, calling it “the most sublime value of the Albanian nation.”
He called the indictment “the smallest price we have to pay for the freedom of our people.”
The government said in a statement that all defendants should be considered innocent unless the court decides otherwise.
“No one may judge our fight for freedom,” the government said, adding that the KLA “fought for the liberation of our country, to protect the house and not in a foreign land, and as such it has the support of the international community.”
Thaci held a ceremony at his office to hand over his presidential duties to parliament speaker Vjosa Osmani. The government said the “constitution and the laws in power guarantee a clear transition of powers and exercising the responsibilities without any institutional vacuum.”
Thaci was elected president in February 2016. His current term ends in April, when the national Assembly of Kosovo was expected to elect a new president.
Amnesty International’s Balkans researcher, Jelena Sesar said the indictment of Thaci and the nine others would give hope to “thousands of victims of the Kosovo war who have waited for more than two decades to find out the truth about the horrific crimes committed against them and their loved ones.”
The European Union issued a statement welcoming Thaci’s cooperation with the with the Hague-based legal institutions, saying it “strongly supports the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office.
“Full cooperation with these institutions is essential as an important demonstration of Kosovo’s commitment to the rule of law, which in turn is a core element for Kosovo’s progress on its European path and for EU’s engagement with the Western Balkans as a whole,” the EU statement said.
The prime minister of Albania, which borders Kosovo, expressed his country’s support to Thaci in “this battle for Kosovo and the inviolable justice of the liberating war.” Prime Minister Edi Rama described the indictments as resulting from an “absurd process that will finally stamp the KLA clarity and the inability to rewrite its history.”
Exact details of the 10-count indictment against Thaci, Veseli and the others have not ben released. Announcing the existence of the indictment earlier this year, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office alleged that the men were “criminally responsible for nearly 100 murders.”
At the time, the prosecutor’s office said it made the existence of the indictment public because of what it called repeated efforts by Thaci and Veseli “to obstruct and undermine” the work of the court and said they were believed to have tried to overturn the Kosovo law that created the court.
The formation of the court and prosecutor’s office followed a 2011 report by the Council of Europe, a human rights body, that included allegations that KLA fighters trafficked human organs taken from prisoners and killed Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians.
Sesar, the Amnesty International expert, said that a “culture of impunity” had persisted in Kosovo since it has taken nearly 10 years for those suspected of criminal responsibility to be brought to court.
After the war, Thaci created the Democratic Party of Kosovo and has been foreign minister, deputy prime minister and prime minister, and now president since April 2016.
Kosovo-Serbia ties are still tense 21 years after war’s end, despite nine years of negotiations mediated by the European Union and supported by the United States.
The indictment was announced in June when Thaci was en route to a meeting at the White House with Serb counterpart Aleksandar Vucic. That meeting was held with Kosovo’s prime minister instead in September.
In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, a move that Serbia refuses to recognize.
___
Semini reported from Tirana, Albania. Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, and Lorne Cook in Brussels also contributed reporting.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--GM puts pandemic in rearview mirror, sales boom in US, China

DETROIT ( AP ) - General Motors is posting huge third quarter numbers , pulling in $ 4 billion in profit over three months after losing money due to the virus outbreak .
GM ’ s adjusted earnings were $ 2.83 per share , easily outpacing Wall Street ’ s per-share projections of $ 1.43 , according to a survey by FactSet .
Revenue of $ 35.5 billion also edged out most expectations .
Shares jumped almost 6 % before the opening bell Thursday .
The company swung back from a $ 806 million loss in the second quarter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety during the early stages of the pandemic .
The Detroit automaker joined most global automakers in reporting better-than-expected earnings from July through September as sales across the globe started to rebound from coronavirus lockdowns , especially in China .
GM sales in China jumped 12 % in the third quarter , with sales of its Buick and Cadillac brands both rising more than 25 % .
In the U.S. , GM ’ s most profitable market , sales fell 9.9 % in the third quarter compared with a year ago , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % drop in the second quarter .
Sales improved sequentially each month , the automaker said , an encouraging trend .
GM ’ s profit was boosted by higher-priced pickup trucks and large SUVs , which have seen strong sales in the U.S. through the pandemic .
It was the best quarter on record for GM ’ s Chevrolet Blazer .
Sales of the Cadillac XT6 spiked 45 % in the U.S. over last year .
Large pickups also sold well .
GM also said it was pumping $ 2 billion into its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push its transition to produce electric vehicles .
Last week , crosstown rivals Fiat Chrysler and Ford Motor Co. reported strong third-quarter net income .
FCA said it made $ 1.4 billion for the period , while Ford earned $ 2.39 billion .

DETROIT (AP) - General Motors is posting huge third quarter numbers, pulling in $4 billion in profit over three months, after a short money-losing stretch as the spread of COVID-19 shut down all U.S. auto factories.
Automakers have sprinted out of their pandemic lockdowns, and GM’s big quarter follows similar performances at crosstown rivals Ford and Fiat. All three blew past Wall Street’s sales and profit projections.
Last week, Fiat Chrysler reported a $1.4 billion quarterly profit. Ford earned $2.39 billion, triple Wall Street projections.
While shares are down for the year, the stock of all three automakers has surged in the past three months. Shares of General Motors Co. jumped 6% before the opening bell Thursday.
GM’s adjusted earnings were $2.83 per share, easily outpacing Wall Street’s per-share projections of $1.43, according to a survey by FactSet. Revenue of $35.5 billion was about in line.
The company swung back strongly from a $806 million loss in the second quarter when it was restarting factories shuttered for safety during the early stages of the pandemic.
Auto sales across the globe have bounced back strongly, particularly in China, which has held additional coronavirus outbreaks in check. GM’s sales in China jumped 12% in the third quarter, with sales of its Buick and Cadillac brands both rising more than 25%.
In the U.S., GM’s most profitable market where the pandemic has gone largely unchecked, sales fell 9.9% in the third quarter compared with a year ago.
That’s still were a dramatic improvement over the 34% sales drop in the second quarter. And sales improved sequentially each month in the most recent quarter, the automaker said, an encouraging trend.
GM’s profit was boosted by higher-priced pickup trucks and large SUVs, which have seen strong sales in the U.S. through the pandemic. It was the best quarter on record for GM’s Chevrolet Blazer. Sales of the Cadillac XT6 spiked 45% in the U.S. over last year. Large pickups also sold well.
GM is also pumping $2 billion into its Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing plant to push its transition to produce electric vehicles.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Widespread violence in New York, Portland, Minneapolis amid election protests

Police and protesters across the country battled Wednesday night and into Thursday morning as the nation holds its breath waiting for an outcome in the presidential election .
In Minneapolis , nearly 200 people were detained and in Portland , the Oregon National Guard was deployed to quell the unrest .
Police in Minneapolis arrested hundreds of people Wednesday night as they blocked a highway to demonstrate in favor of progressive causes .
The march started downtown but later moved onto Interstate 94 as the protesters chanted against racism , police brutality and President Trump .
Once the march reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down in both directions snarling traffic .
About 200 people demonstrated and nearly all of them were detained , the Minnesota State Police said .
Charges include trespassing and unlawful assembly .
“ Walking on the freeway is illegal and very dangerous for pedestrians and motorists .
We respect the right of everyone to express themselves under the First Amendment , but the freeway is not a place to do that , ” Minnesota State Patrol wrote in a tweet .
The Oregon National Guard was activated amid violent protests that saw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 11 people were arrested .
Protesters in New York set fire to a street and one person spit directly in the face of a police officer .
The demonstration began with “ Count the Vote ” chants but that was later replaced with anti-police slogans .
Protesters harassed outdoor dinners and set trash cans on fire .
Two protesters set fire to a Joseph R. Biden campaign sign , the New York Post reported .
New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a tweet that police recovered knives , a taser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said someone was arrested for breaking into a store window .

Police and protesters across the country battled Wednesday night and into Thursday morning as the nation holds its breath waiting for an outcome in the presidential election.
In Minneapolis, nearly 200 people were detained and in Portland, the Oregon National Guard was deployed to quell the unrest.
Police in Minneapolis arrested hundreds of people Wednesday night as they blocked a highway to demonstrate in favor of progressive causes.
The march started downtown but later moved onto Interstate 94 as the protesters chanted against racism, police brutality and President Trump.
Once the march reached I-94, the police shut the highway down in both directions snarling traffic.
About 200 people demonstrated and nearly all of them were detained, the Minnesota State Police said. Charges include trespassing and unlawful assembly.
“Walking on the freeway is illegal and very dangerous for pedestrians and motorists. We respect the right of everyone to express themselves under the First Amendment, but the freeway is not a place to do that,” Minnesota State Patrol wrote in a tweet.
The Oregon National Guard was activated amid violent protests that saw the windows of local businesses smashed. At least 11 people were arrested.
Protesters in New York set fire to a street and one person spit directly in the face of a police officer. The demonstration began with “Count the Vote” chants but that was later replaced with anti-police slogans.
Protesters harassed outdoor dinners and set trash cans on fire. Two protesters set fire to a Joseph R. Biden campaign sign, the New York Post reported.
New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a tweet that police recovered knives, a taser spray paint and m-80s. He also said someone was arrested for breaking into a store window.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Juvenile arrested in fatal shooting of teen in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - A juvenile has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a @ @ @ @ @ weekend , according to police .
Authorities did not provide any information about the juvenile @ @ @ @ @ or what charges could be filed .
Eighteen-year-old Venance Kitungano was killed Saturday night outside @ @ @ @ @ a Halloween party was taking place .
The Lincoln High School student was not targeted @ @ @ @ @ an innocent bystander , ” police said .
Lt. Terrance Matia says Kitungano had left @ @ @ @ @ down the street when he was shot in the face , the Argus Leader reported @ @ @ @ @ said the court has instructed authorities to limit the amount of information provided on juvenile @ @ @ @ @ or 17-year-old has been accused of committing more serious crimes , such as manslaughter , @ @ @ @ @ , they are automatically charged in adult court in South Dakota .
Proceedings could be @ @ @ @ @ a judge ’ s ruling .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A juvenile has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a teenager in Sioux Falls last weekend, according to police.
Authorities did not provide any information about the juvenile, including age or gender or what charges could be filed.
Eighteen-year-old Venance Kitungano was killed Saturday night outside the Red Sea Pub where a Halloween party was taking place. The Lincoln High School student was not targeted and that he was “an innocent bystander,” police said.
Lt. Terrance Matia says Kitungano had left the pub and was walking down the street when he was shot in the face, the Argus Leader reported.
Police spokesman Sam Clemens said the court has instructed authorities to limit the amount of information provided on juvenile suspects.
If a 16- or 17-year-old has been accused of committing more serious crimes, such as manslaughter, murder, kidnapping and rape, they are automatically charged in adult court in South Dakota. Proceedings could be transferred to juvenile court on a judge’s ruling.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Man thinks he hears an intruder, shoots pregnant wife

STUART , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida man who thought he heard an intruder outside his bedroom door instead fatally shot his pregnant wife , sheriff ’ s officials said .
The shooting happened just around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday when the woman ’ s husband heard a noise outside the bedroom door of their home in Stuart , Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told news outlets .
The man told detectives he didn ’ t realize his wife was not in the room .
He frantically called 911 and told dispatchers he had accidentally shot his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital , where she was pronounced dead .
“ He gave us a pretty in depth statement , in which he said that he awoke in the middle of the night , thought he heard somebody in the house , went to investigate with a handgun , saw a shape in the hallway and fired one round and unfortunately , it turned out to be his wife , ” Snyder said .
The woman was six months pregnant , and doctors were able to save the baby , WPBF reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home when the shooting happened .
The agency cited Marsy ’ s Law in not releasing the names of the woman or her husband .
The law , approved by voters , was designed to protect victims of crime .
“ This is a nightmare case , ” Snyder said .
“ You know somebody who thinks he ’ s defending his home , actually shoots his wife.
” The agency is conducting an investigation .
“ So , though we do have a good statement from him , we don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll continue investigating through all backgrounds ; there ’ s a lot of investigative steps that we ’ ll have to make sure that he ’ s telling the truth , ” said Snyder .
Snyder offered a warning to people who have guns in their home .
“ When you have a home where you have family members , you have to be even more careful and wait that extra second and do everything you can to make sure you know what you ’ re dealing with when you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Snyder said .

STUART, Fla. (AP) - A Florida man who thought he heard an intruder outside his bedroom door instead fatally shot his pregnant wife, authorities said.
The shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at a home in Stuart, Sheriff William Snyder of Martin County told news outlets. The man told detectives he didn’t realize his wife was not in the room. He frantically called 911 and told dispatchers he had accidentally shot his wife, according to the sheriff.
“He gave us a pretty in-depth statement, in which he said that he awoke in the middle of the night, thought he heard somebody in the house, went to investigate with a handgun, saw a shape in the hallway and fired one round and unfortunately, it turned out to be his wife,” Snyder said.
The woman was pronounced dead at a hospital where she was taken. She was six months pregnant, and doctors were able to save the baby, WPBF reported.
Deputies said a 2-year-old child in the home when the shooting happened was not injured. The sheriff’s office cited the state’s Marsy’s Law in not releasing the names of the woman or her husband. The law, approved by voters, was designed to protect victims of crime.
“This is a nightmare case,” Snyder said. “You know somebody who thinks he’s defending his home, actually shoots his wife.”
The sheriff said an investigation is ongoing.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Police: 12-year-old boy dead following accidental shooting

PETERSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - A 12-year-old boy has died after he was accidentally shot by a man @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The child was transported to a hospital after he was shot Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ County police said in a statement .
He died there as a result of his @ @ @ @ @ child ’ s family , including his mother , were inside the home during the @ @ @ @ @ Sgt .
Michael Agnew told the Richmond Times-Dispatch .
The man accused of shooting the @ @ @ @ @ , surrendered Wednesday after police obtained a warrant for his arrest .
Authorities said Elmore @ @ @ @ @ Elmore ’ s address as being the same as the location of the shooting but @ @ @ @ @ with the victim .
Elmore , 22 , has been charged with involuntary manslaughter .
@ @ @ @ @ if he had an attorney to comment on his behalf .

PETERSBURG, Va. (AP) - A 12-year-old boy has died after he was accidentally shot by a man in his Virginia home, police said.
The child was transported to a hospital after he was shot Tuesday night in Petersburg, Chesterfield County police said in a statement. He died there as a result of his injuries.
Members of the child’s family, including his mother, were inside the home during the shooting, Chesterfield County police Sgt. Michael Agnew told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The man accused of shooting the boy, Rayshawn D. Elmore, surrendered Wednesday after police obtained a warrant for his arrest. Authorities said Elmore knew the child and listed Elmore’s address as being the same as the location of the shooting but did not describe his relationship with the victim.
Elmore, 22, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney to comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Can students booted for breaking COVID-19 rules get refunds?

College students returned this fall to find rigid COVID-19 prevention rules that take away from college ’ s social appeal .
And noncompliance can be costly .
Northeastern University , for example , suspended 11 students who broke COVID-19 protocols .
The school initially said it wouldn ’ t return the $ 36,000 each paid .
Later , Northeastern announced it would credit each student $ 27,760 toward the spring .
An attorney representing at least two of the families , Brett Joshpe , says Northeastern kept roughly $ 9,000 in room and board .
“ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to normal , ” Joshpe says .
“ I think we ’ ll see rules in place that are legacy to COVID , well beyond the time COVID passes.
” Leading health professionals also believe we ’ ll have to maintain some COVID-19 precautions through 2021 .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , stretched the timeline even further at a recent address at Thomas Jefferson University , saying public health measures will be necessary into 2022 before a vaccine can push herd immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know your school ’ s COVID-19 policies and how they can affect tuition money and financial aid if you don ’ t comply .
WHAT ARE THE NEW COLLEGE COVID-19 POLICIES ?
Schools nationwide added clauses to enforce COVID-19 safety rules , including social gathering limits and mask mandates .
Noncompliance can warrant expulsion , suspension , removal from campus housing or probation .
Expelled students can ’ t return to the school .
Suspended students can return after a set period .
Many schools notified students of new policies via social campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an education services , technology and research firm .
Forty percent of colleges planned to have students sign COVID-19 protocol agreements .
Rules like those at Purdue University require students to participate in community testing and get the flu vaccine .
Purdue says it tries to address violations with warnings but reserves the right to suspend .
As of late September , the school had suspended at least 50 students who attended large parties .
Penn State University requires students to wear face coverings in campus buildings and outside when they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules - or risk expulsion .
As of Oct. 1 , Penn State had suspended 10 students , removed 17 from campus housing and put 204 on probation .
If you ’ re unsure about your school ’ s policy , contact the office of student affairs .
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR FINANCIAL AID IF YOU ’ RE SUSPENDED ?
“ If a student is suspended midsemester and is receiving federal financial aid , we are required to perform a federal calculation called Return of Title IV Funds , ” explains Liz McCune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This determines how much of the aid must be returned to the government .
And any money returned is money you could owe the school .
McCune also explains that if students receive a renewable scholarship , the semester they ’ re suspended could count against the maximum number of semesters they ’ re eligible for the award .
The University of Missouri ’ s COVID-19 rules include daily symptoms checks and mandatory face coverings .
The school had suspended at least five students for violations as of Sept. 25 .
Students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Student loans go into repayment if you ’ re suspended for longer than your grace period , which is typically six months .
Students at Penn State , for example , were suspended for the academic year .
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR TUITION IF YOU ’ RE SUSPENDED ?
If you ’ re suspended for COVID-19 violations , you probably won ’ t get a tuition refund .
Betsy Mayotte , president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors , says policies are school and situation specific , but she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Pennsylvania , for example , states that students suspended for disciplinary reasons may receive a prorated account credit .
But they won ’ t get a refund - even if they don ’ t return to use the credit .
Lehigh ’ s COVID-19 rules include limiting off-campus social gatherings to five people and avoiding nonessential travel .
McCune says that University of Missouri students can receive a prorated refund if suspended .
WILL CAMPUS COVID-19 RULES CHANGE WITH THE PANDEMIC ?
Colleges may adjust their COVID-19 rules as the pandemic evolves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of its restrictions , citing high compliance and low campus COVID-19 positivity rates .
But Annie Probert , sophomore at Northeastern and writer for a student-run newspaper , says some students worry lifting restrictions will lead to an outbreak .
While many Northeastern students agree with the rules , she says , they were upset that their peers were denied refunds earlier this semester .
That strict enforcement , however , is what Probert thinks stopped others from breaking the rules .
“ I can ’ t even imagine what they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet .
Cecilia Clark is a writer at NerdWallet .
Email : cclark @ nerdwallet.com .

College students returned this fall to find rigid COVID-19 prevention rules that take away from college’s social appeal. And noncompliance can be costly.
Northeastern University, for example, suspended 11 students who broke COVID-19 protocols. The school initially said it wouldn’t return the $36,000 each paid. Later, Northeastern announced it would credit each student $27,760 toward the spring.
An attorney representing at least two of the families, Brett Joshpe, says Northeastern kept roughly $9,000 in room and board.
“I’m not optimistic that next semester things will go back to normal,” Joshpe says. “I think we’ll see rules in place that are legacy to COVID, well beyond the time COVID passes.”
Leading health professionals also believe we’ll have to maintain some COVID-19 precautions through 2021. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stretched the timeline even further at a recent address at Thomas Jefferson University, saying public health measures will be necessary into 2022 before a vaccine can push herd immunity.
To meet this new normal, know your school’s COVID-19 policies and how they can affect tuition money and financial aid if you don’t comply.
WHAT ARE THE NEW COLLEGE COVID-19 POLICIES?
Schools nationwide added clauses to enforce COVID-19 safety rules, including social gathering limits and mask mandates. Noncompliance can warrant expulsion, suspension, removal from campus housing or probation. Expelled students can’t return to the school. Suspended students can return after a set period.
Many schools notified students of new policies via social campaigns, according to a survey by EAB, an education services, technology and research firm. Forty percent of colleges planned to have students sign COVID-19 protocol agreements.
Rules like those at Purdue University require students to participate in community testing and get the flu vaccine. Purdue says it tries to address violations with warnings but reserves the right to suspend.
As of late September, the school had suspended at least 50 students who attended large parties.
Penn State University requires students to wear face coverings in campus buildings and outside when they can’t socially distance, among other rules - or risk expulsion.
As of Oct. 1, Penn State had suspended 10 students, removed 17 from campus housing and put 204 on probation.
If you’re unsure about your school’s policy, contact the office of student affairs.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR FINANCIAL AID IF YOU’RE SUSPENDED?
“If a student is suspended midsemester and is receiving federal financial aid, we are required to perform a federal calculation called Return of Title IV Funds,” explains Liz McCune, spokesperson for the University of Missouri. This determines how much of the aid must be returned to the government.
And any money returned is money you could owe the school.
McCune also explains that if students receive a renewable scholarship, the semester they’re suspended could count against the maximum number of semesters they’re eligible for the award.
The University of Missouri’s COVID-19 rules include daily symptoms checks and mandatory face coverings. The school had suspended at least five students for violations as of Sept. 25.
Students with loans have more to worry about. Student loans go into repayment if you’re suspended for longer than your grace period, which is typically six months. Students at Penn State, for example, were suspended for the academic year.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR TUITION IF YOU’RE SUSPENDED?
If you’re suspended for COVID-19 violations, you probably won’t get a tuition refund.
Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, says policies are school and situation specific, but she doesn’t expect widespread refunds.
Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, for example, states that students suspended for disciplinary reasons may receive a prorated account credit. But they won’t get a refund - even if they don’t return to use the credit.
Lehigh’s COVID-19 rules include limiting off-campus social gatherings to five people and avoiding nonessential travel.
McCune says that University of Missouri students can receive a prorated refund if suspended.
WILL CAMPUS COVID-19 RULES CHANGE WITH THE PANDEMIC?
Colleges may adjust their COVID-19 rules as the pandemic evolves.
For example, Northeastern recently eased some of its restrictions, citing high compliance and low campus COVID-19 positivity rates.
But Annie Probert, sophomore at Northeastern and writer for a student-run newspaper, says some students worry lifting restrictions will lead to an outbreak.
While many Northeastern students agree with the rules, she says, they were upset that their peers were denied refunds earlier this semester. That strict enforcement, however, is what Probert thinks stopped others from breaking the rules.
“I can’t even imagine what they had to tell their parents,” she says.
____________________________
This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Cecilia Clark is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: cclark@nerdwallet.com.
RELATED LINK:
NerdWallet: What is a student loan grace period? http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-student-loan-grace


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Swedish PM self-isolates as nation sees rising virus cases

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - Sweden ’ s prime minister has gone into protective self-isolation after a person close to him came into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 , as Sweden experiences a fall surge of coronavirus infections .
Stefan Lofven broke the news on Facebook on Thursday , when the Scandinavian country passed the threshold of 6,000 overall coronavirus deaths .
“ The developments are going in the wrong direction fast .
More are infected .
More die .
This is a serious situation , ” he wrote .
“ On the doctor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will stay isolated for the time being , ” Lofven wrote .
“ We are fine and have no symptoms .
In accordance with recommendations from health officials , we will take a coronavirus test as soon as possible.
” “ This is the only responsible thing to do in this situation , ” he added , saying the person close to him had been in contact with another person who had tested positive .
Earlier this year , when European nations locked down to fight the virus , Sweden drew worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants open and not requiring people to wear masks .
But now that daily new infections are on the rise again , Swedes may not have had much practice in making sacrifices for the national good .
In recent weeks , the government has ruled that a maximum of eight people can be seated at a restaurant together .
It has also rolled out local restrictions - urging people to avoid crowded places , avoid public transportation and work from home if possible - that now affect seven in 10 Swedes .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens in Europe , can , of course , also happen here .
We see an increase ( in new cases ) that we must deal with , ” Health Minister Lena Hallgren said .
“ Now what is important is to understand what the purpose is … which is to stop a pandemic.
” At first , the Nordic country of 10 million people had some of the lowest numbers of new coronavirus cases .
However , the latest figures tell a different story .
For the week beginning Oct. 19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase of 63 % compared to the previous week and the highest number of cases seen so far in one week , according to Sweden ’ s Public Health Agency .
Overall , Sweden reported another 4,034 infections Thursday , and 141,764 in total , and five more deaths that brought the overall toll to 6,002 .
In comparison , neighboring Denmark has had 50,530 cases and 729 deaths and Norway , which shares a more than 1,600-kilometer ( 994-mile ) border with Sweden , has recorded 21,954 cases and only 282 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 , Sweden has 293 , Denmark 233 and Norway 97.3 .
The corresponding number of deaths is 0.7 in Sweden and Denmark , and 0.1 in Norway .
Experts say all reported numbers understate the true toll of the pandemic , due to missed cases , limited testing and other factors .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Sweden’s prime minister has gone into protective self-isolation after a person close to him came into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, as Sweden experiences a fall surge of coronavirus infections.
Stefan Lofven broke the news on Facebook on Thursday, when the Scandinavian country passed the threshold of 6,000 overall coronavirus deaths.
“The developments are going in the wrong direction fast. More are infected. More die. This is a serious situation,” he wrote.
“On the doctor’s advice, my wife Ulla and I will stay isolated for the time being,” Lofven wrote. “We are fine and have no symptoms. In accordance with recommendations from health officials, we will take a coronavirus test as soon as possible.”
“This is the only responsible thing to do in this situation,” he added, saying the person close to him had been in contact with another person who had tested positive.
Earlier this year, when European nations locked down to fight the virus, Sweden drew worldwide attention by keeping schools, gyms and restaurants open and not requiring people to wear masks. But now that daily new infections are on the rise again, Swedes may not have had much practice in making sacrifices for the national good.
In recent weeks, the government has ruled that a maximum of eight people can be seated at a restaurant together. It has also rolled out local restrictions - urging people to avoid crowded places, avoid public transportation and work from home if possible - that now affect seven in 10 Swedes.
“The Swedish population must understand that what happens in Europe, can, of course, also happen here. We see an increase (in new cases) that we must deal with,” Health Minister Lena Hallgren said. “Now what is important is to understand what the purpose is … which is to stop a pandemic.”
At first, the Nordic country of 10 million people had some of the lowest numbers of new coronavirus cases. However, the latest figures tell a different story.
For the week beginning Oct. 19, Sweden reported 9,165 new infections, an increase of 63% compared to the previous week and the highest number of cases seen so far in one week, according to Sweden’s Public Health Agency.
Overall, Sweden reported another 4,034 infections Thursday, and 141,764 in total, and five more deaths that brought the overall toll to 6,002.
In comparison, neighboring Denmark has had 50,530 cases and 729 deaths and Norway, which shares a more than 1,600-kilometer (994-mile) border with Sweden, has recorded 21,954 cases and only 282 deaths.
As to the two-week cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000, Sweden has 293, Denmark 233 and Norway 97.3. The corresponding number of deaths is 0.7 in Sweden and Denmark, and 0.1 in Norway.
Experts say all reported numbers understate the true toll of the pandemic, due to missed cases, limited testing and other factors.
___
Follow AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Capital Senior Living: 3Q Earnings Snapshot

DALLAS ( AP ) _ Capital Senior Living Corp. ( CSU ) on Thursday reported a loss of $ 215 @ @ @ @ @ .
On a per-share basis , the Dallas-based company said it had a loss of @ @ @ @ @ adjusted for non-recurring costs , came to $ 2.15 per share .
The operator of @ @ @ @ @ of $ 96.3 million in the period .
The company ’ s shares closed at @ @ @ @ @ ago , they were trading at $ 4.09 .
This story was generated by Automated @ @ @ @ @ ) using data from Zacks Investment Research .
Access a Zacks stock report on CSU @ @ @ @

DALLAS (AP) _ Capital Senior Living Corp. (CSU) on Thursday reported a loss of $215 million in its third quarter.
On a per-share basis, the Dallas-based company said it had a loss of $7. Losses, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $2.15 per share.
The operator of senior living communities posted revenue of $96.3 million in the period.
The company’s shares closed at 59 cents. A year ago, they were trading at $4.09.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on CSU at https://www.zacks.com/ap/CSU


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--China opens import expo under anti-disease controls

SHANGHAI ( AP ) - Chinese leaders are conducting an import fair under intensive anti-coronavirus controls in their latest effort to revive the world ’ s No .
2 economy while the United States and Europe struggle with a renewed surge of infections .
Few exhibitors came from abroad for the third China International Import Expo .
Most were represented by Chinese employees or managers who work in China .
Beijing has eased curbs that barred foreign visitors to China , but new arrivals are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine .
China , where the pandemic began in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin the struggle to restore normal activity after the ruling Communist Party declared victory over the virus in March .
Economic growth turned positive in the three months ending in June .
Retail spending has edged back above pre-virus levels .
“ By hosting the expo in these difficult times , China is demonstrating its resolve to keep the global economy on track , ” the official China Daily newspaper said Wednesday .
The expo does nothing to address complaints about China ’ s trade record that helped to spark its tariff war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Japan and other trading partners .
Other governments complain Beijing violates its free-trade commitments by hampering access for foreign companies that want to invest and compete in its industries .
They say the ruling party improperly supports its fledgling companies in technology and other promising fields and shields them from competition .
The approximately 2,600 companies at the six-day expo that opened Thursday in a cavernous , 1.5 million square meter ( 16 million square foot ) convention center include many that already operate in or sell to China .
Tyson Foods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time to showcase its pork , beef and pet food , said Zhou Qian , the company ’ s public relations manager for Greater China .
Tyson has been selling chicken in China for two decades and has six factories in this country .
“ 2020 is a very special year .
The epidemic is both a challenge and an opportunity for our meat company , ” said Zhou .
China has relaxed most anti-disease controls but travelers and visitors to public buildings still are checked for fever and must show a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been to areas with recent infections .
At the import expo , exhibitors and visitors were required to show proof they had a negative virus test within the past week .
Crowds are limited to 30 % of the normal capacity of the National Exhibition and Convention Center .
China held this year ’ s first in-person trade fair in September in Beijing .
Exhibitors from abroad at the China International Fair for Trade in Services took part via the internet .
The same month , authorities opened the Beijing auto show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry since the pandemic began .
A handful of foreign visitors arrived early to wait out a quarantine , but most brands were represented by Chinese employees or executives who work in China .
The world ’ s biggest sales event , the export-oriented Canton Trade Fair in southern China , was postponed from April to June and held online .

SHANGHAI (AP) - Chinese leaders are conducting an import fair under intensive anti-coronavirus controls in their latest effort to revive the world’s No. 2 economy while the United States and Europe struggle with a renewed surge of infections.
Few exhibitors came from abroad for the third China International Import Expo. Most were represented by Chinese employees or managers who work in China. Beijing has eased curbs that barred foreign visitors to China, but new arrivals are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
China, where the pandemic began in December, became the first major economy to begin the struggle to restore normal activity after the ruling Communist Party declared victory over the virus in March. Economic growth turned positive in the three months ending in June. Retail spending has edged back above pre-virus levels.
“By hosting the expo in these difficult times, China is demonstrating its resolve to keep the global economy on track,” the official China Daily newspaper said Wednesday.
The expo does nothing to address complaints about China’s trade record that helped to spark its tariff war with Washington and fuel tension with Europe, Japan and other trading partners.
Other governments complain Beijing violates its free-trade commitments by hampering access for foreign companies that want to invest and compete in its industries. They say the ruling party improperly supports its fledgling companies in technology and other promising fields and shields them from competition.
The approximately 2,600 companies at the six-day expo that opened Thursday in a cavernous, 1.5 million square meter (16 million square foot) convention center include many that already operate in or sell to China.
Tyson Foods Inc. is at the expo for the first time to showcase its pork, beef and pet food, said Zhou Qian, the company’s public relations manager for Greater China. Tyson has been selling chicken in China for two decades and has six factories in this country.
“2020 is a very special year. The epidemic is both a challenge and an opportunity for our meat company,” said Zhou.
China has relaxed most anti-disease controls but travelers and visitors to public buildings still are checked for fever and must show a smartphone app that records whether they have been to areas with recent infections.
At the import expo, exhibitors and visitors were required to show proof they had a negative virus test within the past week. Crowds are limited to 30% of the normal capacity of the National Exhibition and Convention Center.
China held this year’s first in-person trade fair in September in Beijing. Exhibitors from abroad at the China International Fair for Trade in Services took part via the internet.
The same month, authorities opened the Beijing auto show, the first major trade show for any industry since the pandemic began. A handful of foreign visitors arrived early to wait out a quarantine, but most brands were represented by Chinese employees or executives who work in China.
The world’s biggest sales event, the export-oriented Canton Trade Fair in southern China, was postponed from April to June and held online.
___
AP researcher Chen Si and APTN producer Wayne Zhang contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--NYC police tangle with protesters for second straight night

NEW YORK ( AP ) - New York City police tangled with protesters Thursday for the second night in a row , arresting at least a dozen people at a rally that started outside the LGBTQ landmark Stonewall Inn .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear what led to the arrests at the “ We Choose Freedom ” event , where people carrying rainbow and Black Lives Matter flags had been marching in the street advocating for transgender rights and chanting things like “ all cops are bad.
” Demonstrations are held weekly at the Manhattan bar , where patrons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1969 in a groundbreaking moment for gay rights .
Thursday ’ s rally drew extra police and media attention amid uncertainty about the result of the presidential election .
Police said there were some scuffles , but nothing like the trash fires and bottle tossing that marred a peaceful march in the city on Wednesday .
Officers at Thursday night ’ s march were also seen shoving people , including journalists and Jumaane Williams , the city ’ s public advocate .
Williams tweeted that police were aggressively trying to clear the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mass arrests .
“ We intervened to try and de-escalate and prevent that , ” said Williams .
Police made 25 arrests and issued 32 summonses during Wednesday ’ s protests .
Devina Singh , 24 , was accused of spitting in an officer ’ s face .
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said officers showed “ an amazing amount of restraint ” in dealing with protesters , but Singh told Gothamist that she was rammed with a police bike and had her arm broken as officers arrested her .

NEW YORK (AP) - New York City police tangled with protesters Thursday for the second night in a row, arresting at least a dozen people at a rally that started outside the LGBTQ landmark Stonewall Inn.
It wasn’t immediately clear what led to the arrests at the “We Choose Freedom” event, where people carrying rainbow and Black Lives Matter flags had been marching in the street advocating for transgender rights and chanting things like “all cops are bad.”
Demonstrations are held weekly at the Manhattan bar, where patrons famously revolted against a police raid in 1969 in a groundbreaking moment for gay rights. Thursday’s rally drew extra police and media attention amid uncertainty about the result of the presidential election.
Police said there were some scuffles, but nothing like the trash fires and bottle tossing that marred a peaceful march in the city on Wednesday. Officers at Thursday night’s march were also seen shoving people, including journalists and Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate.
Williams tweeted that police were aggressively trying to clear the street and appeared like they were setting up for mass arrests.
“We intervened to try and de-escalate and prevent that,” said Williams.
Police made 25 arrests and issued 32 summonses during Wednesday’s protests. Devina Singh, 24, was accused of spitting in an officer’s face.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said officers showed “an amazing amount of restraint” in dealing with protesters, but Singh told Gothamist that she was rammed with a police bike and had her arm broken as officers arrested her.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Alabama reaches $60 million settlement with Terminix

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Alabama has reached a $ 60 million settlement with Terminix International for systematically overcharging customers for termite services and failing to honor service contracts , Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Thursday .
The attorney general said the pest control company committed multiple violations of Alabama ’ s Deceptive Trade Practices Act .
“ You had significant business practice fraud of Terminix that was prevalent throughout the state .
You also had some unique issues involving Terminix and termite damage down at the coast , ” Marshall said .
The deal will create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers who were overcharged by Terminix .
That fund will be replenished should the claims exceed that amount .
Another $ 10 million will go toward additional termite treatments for over 12,000 customer homes in Mobile , Baldwin and Monroe counties .
Alabama consumers who left Terminix and hired another company to provide termite protection could also receive $ 650 or the difference in cost between providers .
The attorney general ’ s office said Terminix had a pattern of collecting annual termite protection premiums from Alabama consumers , but not delivering promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result , many homes and businesses suffered termite infestation.
” When customers suffered damages as a result of Terminix ’ s failure to provide paid-for services , the costs were passed on to consumers through dramatic price increases , the attorney general ’ s office said .
Marshall said he wanted to make clear that Terminix customers will not get a settlement check immediately .
A process will be established to pay claims from the relief fund .
Marshall said Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich brought the issue to his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfair business practices like those that have been committed by Terminix can not be tolerated in our community and our state , and it takes an attorney general with many resources to be able to handle litigation of this magnitude , ” Rich said .
The Memphis-based company said a settlement would more quickly address damage claims , the Commercial Appeal reported .
“ A state-sponsored , non-litigated avenue more quickly resolves damage claim disputes , which will provide immediate benefits to our impacted customers and reduce future litigated claims , ” Tony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer , said in a statement released by the company .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama has reached a $60 million settlement with Terminix International for systematically overcharging customers for termite services and failing to honor service contracts, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Thursday.
The attorney general said the pest control company committed multiple violations of Alabama’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
“You had significant business practice fraud of Terminix that was prevalent throughout the state. You also had some unique issues involving Terminix and termite damage down at the coast,” Marshall said.
The deal will create a $25 million fund to compensate Alabama customers who were overcharged by Terminix. That fund will be replenished should the claims exceed that amount. Another $10 million will go toward additional termite treatments for over 12,000 customer homes in Mobile, Baldwin and Monroe counties. Alabama consumers who left Terminix and hired another company to provide termite protection could also receive $650 or the difference in cost between providers.
The state attorney general’s office will receive $20 million.
The attorney general’s office said Terminix had a pattern of collecting annual termite protection premiums from Alabama consumers, but not delivering promised termite protection services, and “as a result, many homes and businesses suffered termite infestation.” When customers suffered damages as a result of Terminix’s failure to provide paid-for services, the costs were passed on to consumers through dramatic price increases, the attorney general’s office said.
Marshall said he wanted to make clear that Terminix customers will not get a settlement check immediately. A process will be established to pay claims from the relief fund.
Marshall said Mobile County District Attorney Ashley Rich brought the issue to his office after receiving complaints from citizens.
“Unfair business practices like those that have been committed by Terminix cannot be tolerated in our community and our state, and it takes an attorney general with many resources to be able to handle litigation of this magnitude,” Rich said.
The Memphis-based company said a settlement would more quickly address damage claims, the Commercial Appeal reported.
“A state-sponsored, non-litigated avenue more quickly resolves damage claim disputes, which will provide immediate benefits to our impacted customers and reduce future litigated claims,” Tony DiLucente, Terminix Global Holdings chief financial officer, said in a statement released by the company.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--ABC, CBS, NBC networks cut away from Donald Trump White House address

NEW YORK — ABC , CBS and NBC all cut away from President Donald Trump on Thursday as he spoke from the White House to make an unfounded accusation that the presidential election was being stolen from him .
Trump had tried to commandeer the nation ’ s airwaves at a time when the evening newscasts are shown on the East Coast , after a day when the slow drip of vote counting revealed his leads in Pennsylvania and Georgia dwindling .
MSNBC ’ s Brian Williams also interrupted the president .
Fox News Channel and CNN aired the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper said Trump was “ like an obese turtle on his back , flailing in the hot sun realizing his time was over.
” Network personalities had sharply criticized Trump after his angry , middle-of-the-night speech following Election Day but aired that talk in full .
Trump was more subdued Thursday , yet offered a litany of complaints about “ suppression ” polls , mail-in voting and fraud that he never specified .
“ We have to interrupt here , because the president has made a number of false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been fraudulent voting , ” said NBC ’ s Lester Holt .
“ There has been no evidence of that.
” CBS ’ Norah O ’ Donnell broke in to ask correspondent Nancy Cordes to fact-check Trump ’ s assertion that if “ legal votes ” were counted , he would easily win the election .
Cordes said there is no indication of a substantive number of illegal votes cast , and said Trump ’ s reference to votes arriving late was “ another falsehood.
” MSNBC cut away from Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are again in the unusual position of not only interrupting the president of the United States but correcting the president of the United States , ” he said .
“ There are no illegal votes that we know of , there has been no Trump victory that we know of.
” After ABC ended its coverage , the network ’ s White House correspondent , Jonathan Karl , also said there was no evidence of illegal votes .
“ What he seems to be frustrated by is … that it takes time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s always taken time to count votes .
But especially in this election.
” While CNN kept Trump on the air , a chyron displayed under him said , “ Without any evidence , Trump says he ’ s being cheated.
” Anchor Jake Tapper looked weary when it was over .
“ What a sad night for the United States of America to hear their president say that , to falsely accuse people of trying to steal the election , to try to attack democracy in that way with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Lie after lie after lie .
Pathetic.
” CNN analysts David Axelrod and Van Jones both said they were angered by Trump ’ s attacks on authorities in Detroit and Philadelphia , suggesting they amounted to racism .
On Fox News Channel , commentators Bill Bennett and Byron York said that just because Trump did not allege specific instances of irregularities doesn ’ t mean there haven ’ t been any .
But the president and his lawyers need to present evidence , they said .
“ What we saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the day , when all the votes are counted , the election is not going to to go his way , so he ’ s trying to plan an alternate route to retain the White House , ” said Fox White House correspondent John Roberts .
The New York Post , a prominent Trump media ally , headlined a story on the speech , “ Donald Trump makes baseless election fraud claims in White House address.
” CBS News ’ John Dickerson said Trump ’ s speech “ felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The third day of election coverage on the networks was like a high school math class , filled with numbers geeks like MSNBC ’ s Steve Kornacki and CNN ’ s John King explaining the intricacies of the votes being reported .
With Biden chipping away at Trump ’ s leads in states crucial to any chance of the president getting the necessary 270 electoral votes , it was unlike any math class in that it was building to a big ending .
Associated Press writer Lynn Elber in Los Angeles contributed to @ @ @

NEW YORK — ABC, CBS and NBC all cut away from President Donald Trump on Thursday as he spoke from the White House to make an unfounded accusation that the presidential election was being stolen from him.
Trump had tried to commandeer the nation’s airwaves at a time when the evening newscasts are shown on the East Coast, after a day when the slow drip of vote counting revealed his leads in Pennsylvania and Georgia dwindling.
MSNBC’s Brian Williams also interrupted the president. Fox News Channel and CNN aired the president’s full address, after which CNN’s Anderson Cooper said Trump was “like an obese turtle on his back, flailing in the hot sun realizing his time was over.”
Network personalities had sharply criticized Trump after his angry, middle-of-the-night speech following Election Day but aired that talk in full. Trump was more subdued Thursday, yet offered a litany of complaints about “suppression” polls, mail-in voting and fraud that he never specified.
“We have to interrupt here, because the president has made a number of false statements, including the notion that there has been fraudulent voting,” said NBC’s Lester Holt. “There has been no evidence of that.”
CBS’ Norah O’Donnell broke in to ask correspondent Nancy Cordes to fact-check Trump’s assertion that if “legal votes” were counted, he would easily win the election. Cordes said there is no indication of a substantive number of illegal votes cast, and said Trump’s reference to votes arriving late was “another falsehood.”
MSNBC cut away from Trump to anchor Brian Williams.
“Here we are again in the unusual position of not only interrupting the president of the United States but correcting the president of the United States,” he said. “There are no illegal votes that we know of, there has been no Trump victory that we know of.”
After ABC ended its coverage, the network’s White House correspondent, Jonathan Karl, also said there was no evidence of illegal votes.
“What he seems to be frustrated by is … that it takes time to count votes,” Karl said. “It’s always taken time to count votes. But especially in this election.”
While CNN kept Trump on the air, a chyron displayed under him said, “Without any evidence, Trump says he’s being cheated.”
Anchor Jake Tapper looked weary when it was over.
“What a sad night for the United States of America to hear their president say that, to falsely accuse people of trying to steal the election, to try to attack democracy in that way with this feast of falsehoods,” he said. “Lie after lie after lie. Pathetic.”
CNN analysts David Axelrod and Van Jones both said they were angered by Trump’s attacks on authorities in Detroit and Philadelphia, suggesting they amounted to racism.
On Fox News Channel, commentators Bill Bennett and Byron York said that just because Trump did not allege specific instances of irregularities doesn’t mean there haven’t been any. But the president and his lawyers need to present evidence, they said.
“What we saw tonight is a president who believes that at the end of the day, when all the votes are counted, the election is not going to to go his way, so he’s trying to plan an alternate route to retain the White House,” said Fox White House correspondent John Roberts.
The New York Post, a prominent Trump media ally, headlined a story on the speech, “Donald Trump makes baseless election fraud claims in White House address.”
CBS News’ John Dickerson said Trump’s speech “felt like kind of a deflated recitation.”
The third day of election coverage on the networks was like a high school math class, filled with numbers geeks like MSNBC’s Steve Kornacki and CNN’s John King explaining the intricacies of the votes being reported.
With Biden chipping away at Trump’s leads in states crucial to any chance of the president getting the necessary 270 electoral votes, it was unlike any math class in that it was building to a big ending.
____
Associated Press writer Lynn Elber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--El Paso gets trailers to meet possible COVID-19 death surge

EL PASO , Texas ( AP ) - Five trailers from the Federal Emergency Management Administration have been brought to El Paso to help accommodate the surge of COVID-19 fatalities in the border city , officials said Thursday .
Three of the trailers were staged at the El Paso County Medical Examiner ’ s Office while two were being held in reserve , said Jorge Rodriguez , the city ’ s emergency management coordinator .
The Texas Funeral Service Commission also has been asked to send representatives to make an assessment of the needs of the area ’ s funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twenty-two more COVID-19 deaths were reported Thursday in El Paso County , bringing the county ’ s death toll for the eight-month pandemic to 639 .
Meanwhile , 1,920 new cases of the coronavirus that causes the disease were reported in the county Thursday , a significant increase from the 1,537 new cases reported Wednesday , Mayor Dee Margo said .
Margo also walked back the figure of 3,100 new cases he reported Wednesday , blaming the error on “ a multiple-day data dump.
” El Paso restaurant patrons are circumventing an order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gathering again at homes and other places , fueling a recent wave of COVID-19 cases in the border city and defeating the purposes of the curfew to disperse restaurant gatherings , Margo said .
That mirrors the experience in the Lower Rio Grande Valley that occurred earlier in the pandemic for about 2 1/2 months , Margo said .
“ It is imperative that we stop doing this , ” he said .
He said other factors in the spread have been fanned by people shopping as a group at crowded retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ciudad Juárez , Mexico .
“ We ’ ve got to understand that our behavior , our actions , are what will curtail the spread .
They will not end the pandemic of this virus , but they will curtail the spread , ” Margo said .
COVID-19 hospitalizations for the county totaled 1,003 on Thursday , down by 38 from the day before , and 292 of those were under intensive care , down 19 from the day before .
“ But it ’ s still not good , ” Margo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El Paso-area coronavirus surge has formed a significant part of the statewide COVID-19 trend .
State health officials reported 8,332 new cases Thursday , down from 9,048 Wednesday but otherwise higher than any figure since Aug. 11 , bringing the total for the outbreak to 934,994 .
Of those , an estimated 116,225 cases were active , the most since Aug. 23 , with 5,954 COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization , the most since Aug. 19 .
The true number of infections is likely higher because many people haven ’ t been tested , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not feel sick .
Meanwhile , 133 more people died of COVID-19 , the Texas Department of State Health Services reported Thursday , bringing the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 18,453 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and a 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 .

EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Five trailers from the Federal Emergency Management Administration have been brought to El Paso to help accommodate the surge of COVID-19 fatalities in the border city, officials said Thursday.
Three of the trailers were staged at the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office while two were being held in reserve, said Jorge Rodriguez, the city’s emergency management coordinator.
The Texas Funeral Service Commission also has been asked to send representatives to make an assessment of the needs of the area’s funeral homes and mortuaries, he said.
Twenty-two more COVID-19 deaths were reported Thursday in El Paso County, bringing the county’s death toll for the eight-month pandemic to 639.
Meanwhile, 1,920 new cases of the coronavirus that causes the disease were reported in the county Thursday, a significant increase from the 1,537 new cases reported Wednesday, Mayor Dee Margo said. Margo also walked back the figure of 3,100 new cases he reported Wednesday, blaming the error on “a multiple-day data dump.”
El Paso restaurant patrons are circumventing an order closing kitchens at 9 p.m. by leaving and gathering again at homes and other places, fueling a recent wave of COVID-19 cases in the border city and defeating the purposes of the curfew to disperse restaurant gatherings, Margo said.
That mirrors the experience in the Lower Rio Grande Valley that occurred earlier in the pandemic for about 2 1/2 months, Margo said.
“It is imperative that we stop doing this,” he said.
He said other factors in the spread have been fanned by people shopping as a group at crowded retail stores and by activities across the border in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
“We’ve got to understand that our behavior, our actions, are what will curtail the spread. They will not end the pandemic of this virus, but they will curtail the spread,” Margo said.
COVID-19 hospitalizations for the county totaled 1,003 on Thursday, down by 38 from the day before, and 292 of those were under intensive care, down 19 from the day before. “But it’s still not good,” Margo said at an afternoon briefing.
The El Paso-area coronavirus surge has formed a significant part of the statewide COVID-19 trend. State health officials reported 8,332 new cases Thursday, down from 9,048 Wednesday but otherwise higher than any figure since Aug. 11, bringing the total for the outbreak to 934,994. Of those, an estimated 116,225 cases were active, the most since Aug. 23, with 5,954 COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization, the most since Aug. 19.
The true number of infections is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Meanwhile, 133 more people died of COVID-19, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported Thursday, bringing the state’s pandemic death toll to 18,453.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a 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.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Facebook bans big 'Stop the Steal' group for sowing violence

OAKLAND , Calif. ( AP ) - Facebook on Thursday banned a large group called “ Stop the Steal ” that supporters of President Donald Trump were using to organize protests against the presidential vote count .
Some members had called for violence , while many falsely claimed that Democrats are “ stealing ” the election from Republicans .
Though the group amassed more than 350,000 members before Facebook took it down , it was just one of several smaller groups that popped up as vote counting extended for days in several battleground states .
Inside the groups , members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get around Facebook ’ s moderators and “ trolls ” who might report or mock them .
“ In line with the exceptional measures that we are taking during this period of heightened tension , we have removed the Group ‘ Stop the Steal , ’ which was creating real-world events , ” Facebook said in a statement .
“ The group was organized around the delegitimization of the election process , and we saw worrying calls for violence from some members of the group.
” Facebook said it will continue to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take action if it does .
As of Thursday afternoon , a copycat “ Stop the Steal ” group was growing steadily , nearing 13,000 members , and others were easily searchable on Facebook .
Inside the groups , members posted baseless claims of voter fraud and organized protests .
Calls for violence were not immediately apparent , although the the Center for Countering Digital Hate shared a screenshot of one post in the now-banned group that read “ Neither side is going to concede .
Time to clean the guns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new group , administrators - who create and moderate groups on Facebook , cautioned people to keep posts civil and vent frustrations without making threats .
They scrupulously warned members that they will remove anything that calls for violence , and said they were making plans to move the group to other , less-moderated platforms .
Imran Ahmed , CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate , which pressured Facebook to take down the group , said while it ’ s true that all this seems like a game of whack-a-mole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesson .
“ By taking out the largest one , it sent a message to others , ” he said .
But Ahmed said it should not be so difficult to get Facebook to take action on such a large group calling for violence .
“ There is a systemic issue with Facebook groups being exploited by people spreading misinformation , hate and inciting violence , ” he said “ It ’ s a problem they have known about for a long time and they continue to fail to take proper action .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of attention is placed on something that they act.
” By Thursday afternoon , Facebook banned the # stopthesteal hashtag , too .
But it easily could have done so earlier .
The term and similar ones were mentioned nearly 120,000 times on websites and social media platforms throughout the day Tuesday , according to analysis from media intelligence firm Zignal Labs .
Also on Thursday , Twitter banned an account used by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon .
The right-wing provocateur , who used the handle warroompandemic , had called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI Director Christopher Wray on his talk show .
As of Wednesday evening , Bannon ’ s account was still active on Facebook , where the video calling for Fauci and Wray to be executed had been viewed nearly 200,000 times in ten hours .
Klepper reported from Providence , R.I. Associated Press Writer Amanda Seitz contributed to this story from Chicago .

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Facebook on Thursday banned a large group called “Stop the Steal” that supporters of President Donald Trump were using to organize protests against the presidential vote count. Some members had called for violence, while many falsely claimed that Democrats are “stealing” the election from Republicans.
Though the group amassed more than 350,000 members before Facebook took it down, it was just one of several smaller groups that popped up as vote counting extended for days in several battleground states. Inside the groups, members and organizers tried to ensure they would get around Facebook’s moderators and “trolls” who might report or mock them.
“In line with the exceptional measures that we are taking during this period of heightened tension, we have removed the Group ‘Stop the Steal,’ which was creating real-world events,” Facebook said in a statement. “The group was organized around the delegitimization of the election process, and we saw worrying calls for violence from some members of the group.”
Facebook said it will continue to watch for activity that violates its rules and will take action if it does. As of Thursday afternoon, a copycat “Stop the Steal” group was growing steadily, nearing 13,000 members, and others were easily searchable on Facebook.
Inside the groups, members posted baseless claims of voter fraud and organized protests. Calls for violence were not immediately apparent, although the the Center for Countering Digital Hate shared a screenshot of one post in the now-banned group that read “Neither side is going to concede. Time to clean the guns, time to hit the streets.”
In the new group, administrators - who create and moderate groups on Facebook, cautioned people to keep posts civil and vent frustrations without making threats. They scrupulously warned members that they will remove anything that calls for violence, and said they were making plans to move the group to other, less-moderated platforms.
Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which pressured Facebook to take down the group, said while it’s true that all this seems like a game of whack-a-mole, the moles are slowly learning their lesson.
“By taking out the largest one, it sent a message to others,” he said.
But Ahmed said it should not be so difficult to get Facebook to take action on such a large group calling for violence.
“There is a systemic issue with Facebook groups being exploited by people spreading misinformation, hate and inciting violence,” he said “It’s a problem they have known about for a long time and they continue to fail to take proper action. It’s generally only when a lot of attention is placed on something that they act.”
By Thursday afternoon, Facebook banned the #stopthesteal hashtag, too. But it easily could have done so earlier. The term and similar ones were mentioned nearly 120,000 times on websites and social media platforms throughout the day Tuesday, according to analysis from media intelligence firm Zignal Labs.
Also on Thursday, Twitter banned an account used by former Trump advisor Steve Bannon. The right-wing provocateur, who used the handle warroompandemic, had called for the beheading of Dr. Anthony Fauci and FBI Director Christopher Wray on his talk show. As of Wednesday evening, Bannon’s account was still active on Facebook, where the video calling for Fauci and Wray to be executed had been viewed nearly 200,000 times in ten hours.
__
Klepper reported from Providence, R.I. Associated Press Writer Amanda Seitz contributed to this story from Chicago.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Daily coronavirus case counts jump in Washington

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Washington set a daily record for new coronavirus cases this week and has counted more than 1,000 cases per day for two days .
The state Department of Health says 1,469 infections were tallied on Tuesday , breaking a daily case record .
The previous record for confirmed cases of the coronavirus was set July 16 , when state health officials reported 1,267 new cases , The Seattle Times reported .
The state said it ’ s difficult to know whether Tuesday ’ s cases represent an acceleration in transmission or just a random variation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cases on Wednesday , however , also topped 1,000 with 1,070 new COVID-19 cases .
Fifteen additional deaths were also reported , state officials said .
“ Regardless , we continue to be extremely concerned about the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our state and are actively discussing additional measures we may need to take to better control the pandemic in Washington , ” the agency said in a statement .
The update brings the state ’ s totals to 112,500 cases and 2,431 deaths .
The state also reported that 8,784 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the virus with 49 new hospitalizations since the weekend .

SEATTLE (AP) - Washington set a daily record for new coronavirus cases this week and has counted more than 1,000 cases per day for two days. The state Department of Health says 1,469 infections were tallied on Tuesday, breaking a daily case record.
The previous record for confirmed cases of the coronavirus was set July 16, when state health officials reported 1,267 new cases, The Seattle Times reported. The state said it’s difficult to know whether Tuesday’s cases represent an acceleration in transmission or just a random variation in reported cases from day to day.
Cases on Wednesday, however, also topped 1,000 with 1,070 new COVID-19 cases. Fifteen additional deaths were also reported, state officials said.
“Regardless, we continue to be extremely concerned about the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our state and are actively discussing additional measures we may need to take to better control the pandemic in Washington,” the agency said in a statement.
The update brings the state’s totals to 112,500 cases and 2,431 deaths.
The state also reported that 8,784 people have been hospitalized in the state due to the virus with 49 new hospitalizations since the weekend.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--Vernon Jones, Pro-Trump Georgia Democrat, vows to fight

Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones , a pro-Trump Democrat , made it clear Thursday that the president ’ s supporters are in the post-election legal battle for the long haul , firing up a crowd in Atlanta by vowing that “ we ’ re going to fight.
” Mr. Jones , who appeared at the press conference with Donald Trump Jr. and Republican Rep. Doug Collins , blasted media outlets for reporting double-digits polling leads for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden , alleging that “ the process has been tainted.
” “ Let me tell you , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re not going to back down .
We ’ re going to fight , ” said Mr. Jones told a cheering crowd , as shown on Fox News video .
“ We don ’ t cut and run .
We ’ re going to fight .
This is a battle cry.
” A Chatham County Superior Court judge rejected Thursday the Trump campaign ’ s petition alleging improprieties with the vote count and asking the court to secure and account for ballots arriving after 7 p.m. Tuesday .
Georgia Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement that the party would sue as many as a dozen counties .
Mr. Jones , who did not seek reelection this year , has drawn criticism from Democrats for his outspoken support of President Trump .
“ My point is , America—my point is , Georgia , that we believe in the process , but this process has been tainted , ” Mr. Jones said .
“ And if you taint it for one party , you taint it for the other party .
And if you taint it for one American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
And we ’ re not going to stand for this.
” Mr. Trump ’ s lead in Georgia had shrunk to about 3,400 votes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as election workers tally absentee ballots , according to WSB-TV in Atlanta .
The Georgia Secretary of State ’ s office said late Thursday that 18,936 absentee ballots in seven counties must still be counted , and that ballots received from military voters and residents living overseas by 5 p.m. Friday will be tallied .
State elections official Gabriel Sterling vouched for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process .
“ I think if anybody was going to try to rig a system they might have seen something a little less close than this , ” Mr. Sterling said at a press conference .
“ In this state in particular we take security very seriously.
” Mr. Collins tweeted Thursday that “ Democrats are trying to steal this election .
We won ’ t let it happen.
” • The article based in part on wires reports .

Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones, a pro-Trump Democrat, made it clear Thursday that the president’s supporters are in the post-election legal battle for the long haul, firing up a crowd in Atlanta by vowing that “we’re going to fight.”
Mr. Jones, who appeared at the press conference with Donald Trump Jr. and Republican Rep. Doug Collins, blasted media outlets for reporting double-digits polling leads for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, alleging that “the process has been tainted.”
“Let me tell you, we’re not going to stand for that. We’re not going to back down. We’re going to fight,” said Mr. Jones told a cheering crowd, as shown on Fox News video. “We don’t cut and run. We’re going to fight. This is a battle cry.”
A Chatham County Superior Court judge rejected Thursday the Trump campaign’s petition alleging improprieties with the vote count and asking the court to secure and account for ballots arriving after 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Georgia Republican Party chairman Jack Shafer said in a statement that the party would sue as many as a dozen counties.
Mr. Jones, who did not seek reelection this year, has drawn criticism from Democrats for his outspoken support of President Trump.
“My point is, America—my point is, Georgia, that we believe in the process, but this process has been tainted,” Mr. Jones said. “And if you taint it for one party, you taint it for the other party. And if you taint it for one American, then you taint it for all Americans. And we’re not going to stand for this.”
Vernon Jones: “We are not going to stand for it, we are not going to back down. We are going to fight. This is a battle cry.”
“I just want to say to the press, we ain’t bullshitting.”pic.twitter.com/aZfvOpmcVX — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) November 6, 2020
Mr. Trump’s lead in Georgia had shrunk to about 3,400 votes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as election workers tally absentee ballots, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s office said late Thursday that 18,936 absentee ballots in seven counties must still be counted, and that ballots received from military voters and residents living overseas by 5 p.m. Friday will be tallied.
State elections official Gabriel Sterling vouched for the legitimacy of the state’s ballot-counting process.
“I think if anybody was going to try to rig a system they might have seen something a little less close than this,” Mr. Sterling said at a press conference. “In this state in particular we take security very seriously.”
Mr. Collins tweeted Thursday that “Democrats are trying to steal this election. We won’t let it happen.”
• The article based in part on wires reports.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-05--NY reports nearly 3K new COVID-cases, most since May

ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) - Nearly 3,000 people tested positive for COVID-19 in New York in one day , a milestone that illustrates the steady erosion of the progress the state made to get the virus under control this summer , according to state data released Thursday .
After averaging as few as 600 positive tests per day in August , autumn has brought a disturbing upswing .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has said weddings , birthdays and other private gatherings have fueled the spread , on top of universities and schools opening their doors .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandates and distancing rules .
“ COVID fatigue is creeping up and there are serious caution flags in western New York , the Finger Lakes , and in other communities across the state , so it is more important than ever that we be vigilant , ” the Democrat said .
Over the past seven days , the state has averaged more than 2,200 positive tests for day .
The exact tally Wednesday was 2,997 .
The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is also growing but at a much slower pace than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest level since mid-June .

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Nearly 3,000 people tested positive for COVID-19 in New York in one day, a milestone that illustrates the steady erosion of the progress the state made to get the virus under control this summer, according to state data released Thursday.
After averaging as few as 600 positive tests per day in August, autumn has brought a disturbing upswing.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said weddings, birthdays and other private gatherings have fueled the spread, on top of universities and schools opening their doors. He has also pointed to public weariness of mask mandates and distancing rules.
“COVID fatigue is creeping up and there are serious caution flags in western New York, the Finger Lakes, and in other communities across the state, so it is more important than ever that we be vigilant,” the Democrat said.
Over the past seven days, the state has averaged more than 2,200 positive tests for day. The exact tally Wednesday was 2,997.
The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients is also growing but at a much slower pace than the spring: 1,277 as of Wednesday, the highest level since mid-June.