washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Britain condemns expulsion of 2 diplomats from Belarus

LONDON ( AP ) - Britain has condemned the expulsion of two U.K. diplomats from Belarus , saying authoritarian President @ @ @ @ @ “ hide the oppression of his own people.
” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s defense attache , were “ legitimately observing protests.
” He said their expulsion @ @ @ @ @ Belarus has seen three months of mass protests since Lukashenko declared himself the winner of @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.K. has imposed sanctions on Lukashenko and his allies following the election and @ @ @ @ @ .
Raab accused Lukashenko of “ a concerted campaign of harassment aimed at activists , @ @ @ @ @ “ Instead of trying to bully those shining a light on his repression , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ and fair elections and enable those responsible for violence against demonstrators to be held to @ @ @ @ @ .
Lukashenko , who has suppressed opposition and independent news media since coming to power @ @ @ @ @ dialogue with opponents and has accused Western countries of inciting the protests .

LONDON (AP) - Britain expelled two Belarus diplomats on Tuesday in response to the Minsk government’s decision to kick out two British envoys.
Belarusian Ambassador Maxim Yermalovich was summoned to the U.K. Foreign Office and told of the decision.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the expulsions sent a message to the authoritarian leader of Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko, and his government “that their unjustified expulsion of British diplomats has consequences.”
Raab said the expelled British diplomats, who include Britain’s defense attache, were “legitimately observing protests” in the wake of Belarus’ disputed presidential election. He said their expulsion “is wholly unjustified,” and he accused Lukashenko was trying to “hide the oppression of his own people.”
“The U.K. will continue to hold the Belarusian authorities to account for the rigged election in August and their ongoing use of violence to suppress the Belarusian people,” Raab said in a statement.
Belarus has seen three months of mass protests since official election results showed Lukashenko winning a sixth term with 80% of the vote.
The U.K. has called for a new election to be held and imposed sanctions on the Belarusian leader and his allies following a violent crackdown on protesters.
Raab accused Lukashenko of “a concerted campaign of harassment aimed at activists, media and now diplomats.”
“Instead of trying to bully those shining a light on his repression, Mr. Lukashenko must agree to free and fair elections and enable those responsible for violence against demonstrators to be held to account,” he said.
Lukashenko, who has suppressed opposition and independent news media since coming to power in 1994, has refused dialogue with opponents and has accused Western countries of inciting the protests.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Three go on trial for deadly 2017 Barcelona terror attacks

MADRID ( AP ) - Three people went on trial Tuesday in Spain for their alleged roles in terror attacks around Barcelona that killed 16 people and injured 140 others in 2017 .
The three - Driss Oukabir , Mohamed Houli Chemlal and Said Ben Iazza - are not accused of taking part directly in the attacks but of forming part of the extremist cell that carried them out .
They have been in custody for the past three years .
The six people who carried out the attacks were later shot and killed by police .
The Islamic State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prosecutors in the trial are asking for prison terms ranging from eight to 41 years .
On Aug. 17 , 2017 , a man driving a van plowed into a section of Barcelona ’ s crowded Las Ramblas boulevard , killing several people and injuring many others before escaping on foot .
Several members of the cell carried out a similar vehicle attack in the nearby resort town of Cambrils before they were shot dead by police .
The attackers were carrying knives and fake explosive belts .
Witness Carlos Tena told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming out of an alleyway near Las Ramblas that day and heard people screaming and the sound of a car hitting people .
Images filmed by Tena on his phone in the immediate aftermath of the attack showed bodies and victims strewn across the street .
Tena said he is still unable to resume his normal life after having been diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder following the attacks .
He said he hoped the trial “ would condemn these persons to the maximum years possible.
” The trial started with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including one of defendant Houli Chemlal preparing explosives while the group laughed and joked and threatened to carry out terror attacks .
Houli Chemlal told authorities after his arrest that he had been told what to say during the video and that he did not agree with what they did .
He declined to take prosecutors ’ questions Tuesday but told the court he has “ always shown my desire to collaborate and my repentance.
” Two members of the cell , including an imam believed to have been the ringleader , died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where they were preparing explosives hours before the vehicle attacks .
Houli Chemlal was injured in the blast .
Oukabir , whose name was on the rental contract for the Barcelona van , told the court he rented it as a favor , thinking it was a house removal .
He claimed he had not known the imam , was not religious and was more interested in partying , drinking and drugs .
Police believed the cell had been planning to attack major monuments and other sites with the explosives .

MADRID (AP) - Three people went on trial Tuesday in Spain for their alleged roles in terror attacks around Barcelona that killed 16 people and injured 140 others in 2017.
The three - Driss Oukabir, Mohamed Houli Chemlal and Said Ben Iazza - are not accused of taking part directly in the attacks but of forming part of the extremist cell that carried them out. They have been in custody for the past three years.
The six people who carried out the attacks were later shot and killed by police. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for both attacks.
Prosecutors in the trial are asking for prison terms ranging from eight to 41 years.
On Aug. 17, 2017, a man driving a van plowed into a section of Barcelona’s crowded Las Ramblas boulevard, killing several people and injuring many others before escaping on foot.
Several members of the cell carried out a similar vehicle attack in the nearby resort town of Cambrils before they were shot dead by police. The attackers were carrying knives and fake explosive belts.
Witness Carlos Tena told The Associated Press that he had been coming out of an alleyway near Las Ramblas that day and heard people screaming and the sound of a car hitting people. Images filmed by Tena on his phone in the immediate aftermath of the attack showed bodies and victims strewn across the street.
Tena said he is still unable to resume his normal life after having been diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder following the attacks. He said he hoped the trial “would condemn these persons to the maximum years possible.”
The trial started with a video showing members of the cell, including one of defendant Houli Chemlal preparing explosives while the group laughed and joked and threatened to carry out terror attacks.
Houli Chemlal told authorities after his arrest that he had been told what to say during the video and that he did not agree with what they did. He declined to take prosecutors’ questions Tuesday but told the court he has “always shown my desire to collaborate and my repentance.”
Two members of the cell, including an imam believed to have been the ringleader, died in an explosion at a country house where they were preparing explosives hours before the vehicle attacks. Houli Chemlal was injured in the blast.
Oukabir, whose name was on the rental contract for the Barcelona van, told the court he rented it as a favor, thinking it was a house removal. He claimed he had not known the imam, was not religious and was more interested in partying, drinking and drugs.
Police believed the cell had been planning to attack major monuments and other sites with the explosives.
____
Brito reported from Barcelona, Spain


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--The Latest: Danish soccer team hit by COVID-19 cases

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : German soccer club Hoffenheim says forward Munas Dabbur has tested positive for the coronavirus while with the Israeli national team and is in isolation .
Israel is scheduled to play Norway in a friendly on Wednesday and then has Nations League games against the Czech Republic on Sunday and Scotland on Nov. 18 .
Dabbur has two goals in seven Bundesliga games this season .
Dabbur is the second Hoffenheim player to test positive this week .
Teammate Robert Skov tested positive while with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dabbur and Robert Skov tested negative when they were with Hoffenheim on Friday ahead of a Bundesliga game .
French soccer club Nice says it has shut down its training facilities because of a COVID-19 outbreak .
Nice says more than a dozen of players and staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus recently .
The club says some players from the youth teams have also been affected .
Nice did not identify the players infected but made the announcement after the Swiss soccer federation said defender Jordan Lotomba had been ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match against Belgium because of a positive test .
Lotomba plays for Nice .
Nice says it hopes to reopen the training facilities “ next week after new tests.
” Nice ’ s next French league match is on Nov. 21 in Marseille .
Italian basketball team Olimpia Milano has suspended all team activity after “ numerous ” members of the squad tested positive for the coronavirus .
The club says the cases emerged from tests carried out shortly after Sunday ’ s victory over Brescia .
All the positive people are asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
Olimpia was due to fly to Russia for EuroLeague matches against Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday and Khimki Moscow Region three days later .
It is also scheduled to play Cantù in the domestic season on Sunday .
Olimpia coach Ettore Messina called last week for the EuroLeague season to be suspended until March or April .
The Danish soccer federation has put eight national team players and some staff members in quarantine after two positive tests for COVID-19 .
The federation says the affected players will miss a friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tested again before a pair of Nations League games .
Denmark will host Iceland and travel to Belgium .
Robert Skov of German club Hoffenheim is one of the people who tested positive .
He is not thought to have become infected while in the national team camp .
The players now self-isolating include Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite and Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen .
Denmark already did not select several players from Premier League clubs because of British government restrictions on people arriving from the Scandinavian country .
Those restrictions on recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home game against Iceland on Nov. 18 to be moved to a neutral venue .
European qualifying in December for the Women ’ s Rugby World Cup next year in New Zealand has been postponed .
Ireland , Italy , Scotland and the winner of the postponed Women ’ s Rugby Europe Championship were to play on Dec. 5 , 12 and 19 .
The winner qualifies directly for the World Cup , and the runner-up advances to a final qualification tournament in 2021 .
But travel and quarantine challenges in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rugby and Rugby Europe to postpone European qualifying to new dates yet to be found .
Spain was to play in the two remaining matches in the Women ’ s Rugby Europe Championship in October against Russia and the Netherlands , but both were postponed .
The remaining three rugby matches in the Women ’ s Six Nations have been canceled .
“ Recent government and health authority restrictions affecting squad preparations , travel , and the inability to stage matches due to the sport ’ s amateur status have made the successful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Six Nations Rugby said in a statement .
The affected matches were : Italy-Scotland , Wales-Scotland , and France-Ireland .
The latter two matches were to be played on Nov. 1 but postponed after Scottish and French players caught the virus .
England , the only team to play all five of its matches , won the Grand Slam .
France was second , ahead of Ireland on points difference .
Italy was fourth , Scotland fifth , and Wales last .

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
___
The New York Knicks have temporarily closed their training facility after three team employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Knicks say the tests came during routine screenings. They said all three employees were without symptoms and were currently under quarantine.
The training facility, located in Greenburgh, New York, will be thoroughly cleaned while closed.
The NBA season will begin Dec. 22.
___
The Seattle Seahawks say they will not have fans for their Nov. 19 home game against Arizona.
The Seahawks have not had fans at any of their first four home games. The team said Tuesday that continued conversations with local health and government officials led to the decision not to allow spectators against the Cardinals.
The team said it has not ruled out the possibility that conditions could improve to the point where limited fans would be allowed for any of its three home games in December.
___
Southern California’s women’s basketball team has halted all activities after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19.
The school says that after consulting with the Los Angeles County public health department, it was decided that all players on the team needed to be put into quarantine.
USC has reported two positive tests since it last announced numbers from 1,601 tests of athletes from its 21 sports on Oct. 30.
Two sports each had one confirmed positive and those athletes were put into isolation.
The USC women’s basketball team is the school’s third that has had to halt activities due to positive tests. Football and men’s water polo were the others.
The women’s basketball team is set to open the season on Nov. 25.
___
The Green Bay Packers have activated rookie quarterback Jordan Love from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The reserve/COVID-19 list is for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been in close contact with an infected person.
Love was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, the day after the Packers’ 34-17 victory at San Francisco.
___
Kansas State has had a novel coronavirus outbreak among its younger players that has left the Wildcats without a scout team in practice this week, though they have this weekend off before facing Iowa State.
Wildcats coach Chris Klieman said Tuesday that the outbreak has sidelined “upwards of 20 guys.” As a result, Klieman said, “we’ve got to be really creative in what we do this week because we have a few young guys that have had it, and if they haven’t they are probably in quarantine or isolation.”
Kansas State has lost consecutive games to West Virginia and Oklahoma State.
Klieman said the Wildcats also wouldn’t practice as long as they normally do because of the lack of numbers, and that the outbreak is a good reminder to everyone on the roster that it only takes one positive test to cause problems.
___
The Minnesota men’s basketball team has halted workouts and practices due to COVID-19.
The university confirmed the pause on Tuesday and said the team will resume activities once cleared to do so.
The season opener is expected to be on Nov. 25. Big Ten teams have yet to release their schedules.
___
The Czech Republic soccer team says a second player has tested positive for the novel coronavirus ahead of a friendly game against Germany.
The Czech soccer federation hasn’t identified the player but says he’s in isolation. The federation adds that the player was feeling unwell and didn’t train with the team Tuesday in the German city of Leipzig.
Another player dropped out of the Czech squad Monday after testing positive before the team departed for Germany. The squad is left with 24 players.
The Czech Republic plays the friendly against Germany on Wednesday and then has Nations League games against Israel on Sunday and Slovakia on Nov. 18.
___
The National Football League and NFL Players Association say the league has 15 new confirmed positive COVID-19 tests among players and 41 more among other personnel.
Testing performed the first week in November included 16,785 administered to 2,486 players and 26,193 administered to 5,436 personnel.
Since the beginning of August, approximately 600,000 tests have been given to players and personnel, and the tests resulted in 78 players and 140 personnel confirmed positive cases.
The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. Safety Marcus Epps tested positive last week during the team’s bye. The team is following the league’s intensive protocols but the practice facility remains open.
___
Undefeated American boxer Ryan Garcia’s fight against Luke Campbell has been postponed after the British boxer tested positive for COVID-19.
The interim WBC lightweight title fight was scheduled for Dec. 5 in California.
British promoter Eddie Hearn says on Twitter that Campbell had earlier tested positive and has completed isolation but won’t be ready.
Hearn did not disclose when exactly his fighter tested positive.
The 33-year-old Campbell (20-3) won gold as a bantamweight at the 2012 London Olympics. The 22-year-old Garcia is 20-0.
No new date has been announced.
___
Tulsa’s home game against No. 7 Cincinnati has been moved a second time.
Originally scheduled for mid-October, it was moved to Dec. 5 because of Cincinnati’s COVID-19 issues and now will be played a day earlier.
The American Athletic Conference announced Tuesday that the game is set for Dec. 4. The news release from Tulsa highlighted the fact that the game would draw a national ESPN audience on a Friday night.
Tulsa has had numerous scheduling issues this season. Its game against Oklahoma State was pushed back a week to Sept. 19 because Tulsa had COVID issues. The Golden Hurricane were supposed to play Arkansas State on Sept. 26, but the Red Wolves couldn’t put a two-deep lineup together. That game has not been rescheduled.
Tulsa’s game last Saturday at Navy also was postponed due to Navy’s COVID issues and has not been rescheduled.
___
North Carolina expects to lose about $30 million in projected revenue this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The school announced the figure Tuesday, saying the losses include ticket sales, reduced TV revenue and “other setbacks.” It comes as the Rams Club fundraising arm of the athletics department launched a new fundraising initiative to navigate the pandemic’s financial challenges.
In a statement, athletics director Bubba Cunningham said the pandemic’s impact has been “catastrophic to our budget.” The school is hoping the new “Carolina Victory Fund” will provide revenue to support the 28-sport program “in a time of great need.”
The school has previously announced salary reductions and furloughs in athletics, which followed spending measures such as halting non-essential travel, cutting sport budgets and leaving open positions unfilled.
___
No. 24 Auburn has paused team activities after nine players and three staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
The Tigers game at Mississippi State scheduled for Saturday had already been postponed because of an outbreak with the Bulldogs. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Tuesday his administration had already been discussing whether the Tigers would have had enough scholarship players for the game.
Auburn also has “a handful of close contact” cases having to quarantine in addition to the positive tests, Malzahn said. He didn’t give a specific number or which positions had been hardest hit.
Auburn, which is coming off an open date, is scheduled to host Tennessee on Nov. 21. There’s at least a chance the Tigers wouldn’t have been able to play Saturday anyway. The SEC requires at least 53 scholarship players to be available.
___
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman will miss the Razorbacks’ game at No. 6 Florida on Saturday after having two positive COVID-19 tests.
The school made the announcement in a news release on Tuesday.
Pittman was tested Sunday as part of the team’s normal protocol and learned Monday morning that his test was positive. A follow-up test taken on Monday confirmed the initial positive result. Southeastern Conference protocol for an asymptomatic positive requires him to isolate for at least 10 days.
Defensive coordinator Barry Odom will serve as interim coach. Pittman will remain a part of team meetings virtually.
The Razorbacks are off to a 3-3 start in Pittman’s first year - a significant jump from last year’s 2-10 campaign. Arkansas has won two of three and is coming off a 24-13 win over Tennessee.
___
The Mountain West Conference is announcing changes to its men’s and women’s basketball seasons that greatly reduces travel because of the pandemic.
The conference will play 20-game schedules over 11 weeks with teams facing each other in two-game series with a one-day break between games.
Each school will have five home and five road series, reducing the regular travel schedule by a month to help mitigate potential virus exposures.
The conference said league play will begin in December and conclude the last week of February.
The format adjustments create flexibility throughout the season to reschedule games if they need to be postponed because of COVID-19 outbreaks.
___
The Pittsburgh Steelers have placed four more players on the COVID-19 list, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The move comes a day after tight end Vance McDonald went on the list after testing positive following a 24-19 win at Dallas that pushed the Steelers to 8-0. Running back Jaylen Samuels, offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins and linebacker Vince Williams joined Roethlisberger on the list Tuesday.
The reserve/COVID-19 list is either for players who have tested positive or have been in close contact with someone who has.
All players who have been in close contact must quarantine for five days and are unable to visit the team’s practice facility but can participate virtually. They must pass COVID-19 tests throughout the week to have an opportunity to play Sunday when the Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals.
___
Duke says it will open basketball and other winter-sports seasons without fans in attendance.
The school announced the decision Tuesday. It is an extension of the plan that has been in place for football and other fall sports due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The Blue Devils football team is playing in an empty stadium in Durham, North Carolina, featuring only fan cutouts in the stands.
Duke will continue to limit attendance to game-management personnel and media.
___
German soccer club Hoffenheim says forward Munas Dabbur has tested positive for the coronavirus while with the Israeli national team and is in isolation.
Israel is scheduled to play Norway in a friendly on Wednesday and then has Nations League games against the Czech Republic on Sunday and Scotland on Nov. 18.
Dabbur has two goals in seven Bundesliga games this season.
Dabbur is the second Hoffenheim player to test positive this week. Teammate Robert Skov tested positive while with the Danish national team.
Hoffenheim says both Dabbur and Robert Skov tested negative when they were with Hoffenheim on Friday ahead of a Bundesliga game.
___
French soccer club Nice says it has shut down its training facilities because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Nice says more than a dozen of players and staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus recently. The club says some players from the youth teams have also been affected.
Nice did not identify the players infected but made the announcement after the Swiss soccer federation said defender Jordan Lotomba had been ruled out of this week’s friendly match against Belgium because of a positive test. Lotomba plays for Nice.
Nice says it hopes to reopen the training facilities “next week after new tests.”
Nice’s next French league match is on Nov. 21 in Marseille.
___
Italian basketball team Olimpia Milano has suspended all team activity after “numerous” members of the squad tested positive for the coronavirus.
The club says the cases emerged from tests carried out shortly after Sunday’s victory over Brescia.
All the positive people are asymptomatic and the group will undergo further tests on Tuesday.
Olimpia was due to fly to Russia for EuroLeague matches against Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday and Khimki Moscow Region three days later.
It is also scheduled to play Cantù in the domestic season on Sunday.
Olimpia coach Ettore Messina called last week for the EuroLeague season to be suspended until March or April.
___
The Danish soccer federation has put eight national team players and some staff members in quarantine after two positive tests for COVID-19.
The federation says the affected players will miss a friendly game against Sweden on Wednesday and will be tested again before a pair of Nations League games. Denmark will host Iceland and travel to Belgium.
Robert Skov of German club Hoffenheim is one of the people who tested positive. He is not thought to have become infected while in the national team camp.
The players now self-isolating include Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite and Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen.
Denmark already did not select several players from Premier League clubs because of British government restrictions on people arriving from the Scandinavian country. Those restrictions on recent visitors to Denmark could force England’s home game against Iceland on Nov. 18 to be moved to a neutral venue.
___
European qualifying in December for the Women’s Rugby World Cup next year in New Zealand has been postponed.
Ireland, Italy, Scotland and the winner of the postponed Women’s Rugby Europe Championship were to play on Dec. 5, 12 and 19. The winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, and the runner-up advances to a final qualification tournament in 2021.
But travel and quarantine challenges in Europe because of the pandemic have forced World Rugby and Rugby Europe to postpone European qualifying to new dates yet to be found.
Spain was to play in the two remaining matches in the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship in October against Russia and the Netherlands, but both were postponed.
___
The remaining three rugby matches in the Women’s Six Nations have been canceled.
“Recent government and health authority restrictions affecting squad preparations, travel, and the inability to stage matches due to the sport’s amateur status have made the successful completion of the 2020 championship impossible,” Six Nations Rugby said in a statement.
The affected matches were: Italy-Scotland, Wales-Scotland, and France-Ireland. The latter two matches were to be played on Nov. 1 but postponed after Scottish and French players caught the virus.
The standings will remain.
England, the only team to play all five of its matches, won the Grand Slam. France was second, ahead of Ireland on points difference. Italy was fourth, Scotland fifth, and Wales last.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Mali's former president Amadou Toumani Toure dies at 72

BAMAKO , Mali ( AP ) - Mali ’ s former president Amadou Toumani Toure has died at the age of 72 .
Mali ’ s transitional President Bah N ’ Daw confirmed Toure ’ s death on Tuesday in a statement in which he offered his condolences to the family .
N ’ Daw said Toure was a major player in Malian democracy , and “ contributed to shaping the face of modern Mali , ” by supporting the development of roads , bridges , schools , health centers , water and electricity .
“ His imprint will remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and his patriotism will always be commended in its own right , ” he said in a statement .
Toure served as Mali ’ s president from 2002 until March 2012 when he was deposed by a military coup .
He then lived in exile in the neighboring West African nation of Senegal until December 2019 when he returned to Mali .
Toure died Monday night while he was hospitalized in Turkey , according to a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not yet authorized to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president had undergone heart surgery in Bamako before being evacuated to Turkey , said the relative .
Born in Mali ’ s central Mopti region in 1948 , Toure later became a lieutenant-colonel in Mali ’ s army .
He was appointed the head of the transitional committee after a 1991 coup d ’ etat that deposed former president Moussa Traore and served as the head of state during the transition to democracy .
He then became known as the “ soldier of democracy.
” Toure then served as a general under Mali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was elected in 1992 .
In 2002 , he resigned from the army to run for president and defeated Soumaila Cisse in a second round of votes .

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Mali’s former president Amadou Toumani Toure has died at the age of 72.
Mali’s transitional President Bah N’Daw confirmed Toure’s death on Tuesday in a statement in which he offered his condolences to the family.
N’Daw said Toure was a major player in Malian democracy, and “contributed to shaping the face of modern Mali,” by supporting the development of roads, bridges, schools, health centers, water and electricity.
“His imprint will remain strong, his voice will always resonate, and his patriotism will always be commended in its own right,” he said in a statement.
Toure served as Mali’s president from 2002 until March 2012 when he was deposed by a military coup. He then lived in exile in the neighboring West African nation of Senegal until December 2019 when he returned to Mali.
Toure died Monday night while he was hospitalized in Turkey, according to a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not yet authorized to speak to the press. The former Malian president had undergone heart surgery in Bamako before being evacuated to Turkey, said the relative.
Born in Mali’s central Mopti region in 1948, Toure later became a lieutenant-colonel in Mali’s army. He was appointed the head of the transitional committee after a 1991 coup d’etat that deposed former president Moussa Traore and served as the head of state during the transition to democracy. He then became known as the “soldier of democracy.”
Toure then served as a general under Mali’s president Alpha Oumar Konare, who was elected in 1992. In 2002, he resigned from the army to run for president and defeated Soumaila Cisse in a second round of votes.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Poultry firms prepare to sell smaller birds for Thanksgiving

CAMDEN WYOMING , Del .
( AP ) - Turkey growers and sellers are taking into account that many Thanksgiving gatherings will likely be smaller this year because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Daily Times of Salisbury , Maryland , reported Tuesday that some in the poultry business expect smaller turkeys to sell more than usual .
“ Nothing about it is fortunate , but we kind of knew ahead of time this was going to be the trend , ” Elizabeth Carter , owner of T.A .
Farms in Kent County , Delaware , told the newspaper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop selling its largest turkeys .
But it will put greater emphasis on the smaller ones as well as packages of just turkey legs , bone-in breast , wings or thighs .
Americans are expected to limit their gatherings to sizes recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Grocery chain Kroger said its research shows that 43 % of shoppers plan to celebrate Thanksgiving only with those in their immediate household .
But not every turkey seller expects an increase in demand for smaller birds .
Butterball ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve the same size turkey as they did last year , or even a larger one .

CAMDEN WYOMING, Del. (AP) - Turkey growers and sellers are taking into account that many Thanksgiving gatherings will likely be smaller this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Daily Times of Salisbury, Maryland, reported Tuesday that some in the poultry business expect smaller turkeys to sell more than usual.
“Nothing about it is fortunate, but we kind of knew ahead of time this was going to be the trend,” Elizabeth Carter, owner of T.A. Farms in Kent County, Delaware, told the newspaper.
Carter said the company is not intending to stop selling its largest turkeys. But it will put greater emphasis on the smaller ones as well as packages of just turkey legs, bone-in breast, wings or thighs.
Americans are expected to limit their gatherings to sizes recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Grocery chain Kroger said its research shows that 43% of shoppers plan to celebrate Thanksgiving only with those in their immediate household.
But not every turkey seller expects an increase in demand for smaller birds. Butterball’s research indicates that most customers plan to serve the same size turkey as they did last year, or even a larger one.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Police say teens stabbed woman to death over explicit photos

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Two 15-year-olds stabbed a woman to death in a Bronx apartment building because they @ @ @ @ @ explicit photos of one of the teens on social media , police said Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ was stabbed in the chest Nov. 2 in her father ’ s apartment building .
@ @ @ @ @ hospital , where she was pronounced dead .
Police said Tuesday that a girl and @ @ @ @ @ , have been arrested on murder and manslaughter charges in the stabbing .
Their names @ @ @ @ @ they are juveniles .
The male suspect told investigators that Bond had been in a @ @ @ @ @ , who became enraged when explicit photos of her appeared online and blamed Bond , @ @ @ @ @ enlisted the male suspect to help , and the pair confronted Bond and stabbed her @ @ @ @ @ .

NEW YORK (AP) - Two 15-year-olds stabbed a woman to death in a Bronx apartment building because they believed the victim had posted explicit photos of one of the teens on social media, police said Tuesday.
Nyla Bond, 20, was stabbed in the chest Nov. 2 in her father’s apartment building. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said Tuesday that a girl and a boy, both 15, have been arrested on murder and manslaughter charges in the stabbing. Their names have not been released because they are juveniles.
The male suspect told investigators that Bond had been in a relationship with the female suspect, who became enraged when explicit photos of her appeared online and blamed Bond, police said. The girl enlisted the male suspect to help, and the pair confronted Bond and stabbed her, a police spokesperson said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Hong Kong socially distanced entertainment park opens doors

HONG KONG ( AP ) - Hong Kong ’ s first socially distanced outdoor entertainment park opened its doors to the public on Tuesday in an attempt by the entertainment industry to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic .
The park , called The Grounds , has a hundred socially distanced enclosed areas spaced 1.5 meters ( about 5 feet ) apart that seat two to four people .
Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment programs , including live performances and an outdoor cinema .
On Tuesday , groups of viewers gathered for an outdoor screening of the movie “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great white shark terrifying a beach community .
“ It ’ s been a long hard year locked inside for the majority of it , so it ’ s nice to be able to sit outside with some friends , have a drink , enjoy the film , ” said Beth Hackney , who was watching the movie .
The coronavirus pandemic has been a challenging time for the entertainment industry , according to Simon Wilson , managing director of The Grounds .
“ We had to really rethink and be creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address the challenges of COVID-19 , ” he said .
“ We have to reinvent , reiterate and rejuvenate the events industry with clever concepts that can deliver safe entertainment for consumers to enjoy.
” The outdoor park , which is scheduled to operate for just two months , has implemented health measures including online pre-registration , health declarations , temperature checks , mandatory face masks , and hand sanitizers at each entry and exit point .
“ The whole consumer market has shrunk due to the pandemic but it doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Eugene Law , business development director of China Galaxy International Securities .
“ For example , luxury spending has shrunk but entertainment and especially food and beverage have not.
” As such , businesses should be creative and come up with concepts such as outdoor parks or staycations and build up a long-term strategy , he said .

HONG KONG (AP) - Hong Kong’s first socially distanced outdoor entertainment park opened its doors to the public on Tuesday in an attempt by the entertainment industry to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic.
The park, called The Grounds, has a hundred socially distanced enclosed areas spaced 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) apart that seat two to four people.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment programs, including live performances and an outdoor cinema.
On Tuesday, groups of viewers gathered for an outdoor screening of the Steven Spielberg movie “Jaws,” a 1975 classic about a great white shark terrifying a beach community.
“It’s been a long hard year locked inside for the majority of it, so it’s nice to be able to sit outside with some friends, have a drink, enjoy the film,” said Beth Hackney, who was watching the movie.
The coronavirus pandemic has been a challenging time for the entertainment industry, according to Simon Wilson, managing director of The Grounds.
“We had to really rethink and be creative about a solution we can find to address the challenges of COVID-19,” he said. “We have to reinvent, reiterate and rejuvenate the events industry with clever concepts that can deliver safe entertainment for consumers to enjoy.”
The outdoor park, which is scheduled to operate for just two months, has implemented health measures including online pre-registration, health declarations, temperature checks, mandatory face masks, and hand sanitizers at each entry and exit point.
“The whole consumer market has shrunk due to the pandemic but it doesn’t mean all consumer products are affected,” said Eugene Law, business development director of China Galaxy International Securities. “For example, luxury spending has shrunk but entertainment and especially food and beverage have not.”
As such, businesses should be creative and come up with concepts such as outdoor parks or staycations and build up a long-term strategy, he said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Ellsworth, Minneapolis St. Paul are 'red' Air Force bases

RAPID CITY , S.D .
( AP ) - Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and the Minneapolis St. Paul Air Reserve Base in Minnesota are among nine U.S. Air Force bases in the world that have been categorized as a “ red ” installation due to the rise of active COVID-19 cases in areas surrounding the bases .
The red categorization means any civilian or service member would have to meet specific requirements or have an approved waiver to either leave the bases for another military installation or arrive for duty , according the U.S. Department of Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the number of coronavirus cases on bases .
According to Ellsworth ’ s protocols , off-base gyms and fitness centers are off-limits and base personnel are prohibited from dining at restaurants or going to bars , clubs , casinos , breweries , concerts , festivals or anywhere with a large crowd .
Ellsworth requires all personnel to wear face masks on base and when going into any off-base retail establishment .
The other installations under the red category include Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico , Eielson Air Force Base in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kadena Air Base in Japan , Misawa Air Base in Japan , Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Yokata Air Base in Japan .

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and the Minneapolis St. Paul Air Reserve Base in Minnesota are among nine U.S. Air Force bases in the world that have been categorized as a “red” installation due to the rise of active COVID-19 cases in areas surrounding the bases.
The red categorization means any civilian or service member would have to meet specific requirements or have an approved waiver to either leave the bases for another military installation or arrive for duty, according the U.S. Department of Defense.
Department officials won’t comment on the number of coronavirus cases on bases.
According to Ellsworth’s protocols, off-base gyms and fitness centers are off-limits and base personnel are prohibited from dining at restaurants or going to bars, clubs, casinos, breweries, concerts, festivals or anywhere with a large crowd.
Ellsworth requires all personnel to wear face masks on base and when going into any off-base retail establishment.
The other installations under the red category include Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, Kadena Air Base in Japan, Misawa Air Base in Japan, Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Yokata Air Base in Japan.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Man accidentally shoots 5-year-old daughter

EDMONDS , Wash. ( AP ) - Edmonds police are asking prosecutors to consider filing misdemeanor criminal charges against a @ @ @ @ @ 5-year-old daughter while locking up a handgun .
The Seattle Times reports officers say the @ @ @ @ @ with his wife and three children on Friday and had been carrying the firearm in @ @ @ @ @ the gun discharged while the man was “ manipulating ” the weapon before locking it @ @ @ @ @ round passed through a wall and struck the child in the arm , officers said @ @ @ @ @ to Harborview Medical Center , where she was treated and released .
Police did not @ @ @ @ @ man .
Police said detectives have referred a charge of unlawful discharge of a firearm @ @ @ @ @ for review .
A telephone message seeking comment from the prosecutor ’ s office was @ @ @ @ @ .

EDMONDS, Wash. (AP) - Edmonds police are asking prosecutors to consider filing misdemeanor criminal charges against a father who accidentally shot his 5-year-old daughter while locking up a handgun.
The Seattle Times reports officers say the 36-year-old man was at home with his wife and three children on Friday and had been carrying the firearm in a holster. They say the gun discharged while the man was “manipulating” the weapon before locking it in a safe.
The round passed through a wall and struck the child in the arm, officers said. The girl was taken to Harborview Medical Center, where she was treated and released.
Police did not release the identity of the man.
Police said detectives have referred a charge of unlawful discharge of a firearm to the Edmonds city prosecutor for review. A telephone message seeking comment from the prosecutor’s office was not immediately returned on Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Pakistan army suspends troops for arrest of ex-PM son-in-law

ISLAMABAD ( AP ) - Pakistan ’ s military Tuesday announced the suspension of a number of intelligence officers and troops accused by opposition leaders last month of abducting a provincial police chief to pressure him to arrest the son-in-law of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif .
The unusual action by the military comes three weeks after Sharif ’ s son-in-law , Mohammad Safdar , was briefly detained after opposition parties held a rally in the port city of Karachi against Prime Minister Imran Khan .
Safdar , a retired army captain who is also an opposition politician , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he was staying with his wife .
The arrest came after he visited the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah , who led the movement for independence from Britain in 1947 and is a revered figure in Muslim-majority Pakistan .
While at the tomb , Safdar led a crowd in chanting : “ Give respect to the vote !
” The slogan is viewed in Pakistan as criticism of the country ’ s military , which has ruled the country of 220 million people - directly or indirectly - for most of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League opposition party at the time insisted Safdar was arrested only after troops abducted provincial police chief Mushtaq Mehar to pressure him to sign orders for Safdar ’ s arrest .
Neither Pakistan ’ s Inter-Services Intelligence nor the paramilitary Rangers at the time commented and it was unclear how many intelligence agents and troops were suspended .
Several police officers last month responded by applying for a leave of absence over the alleged mistreatment of the police chief .
It prompted Pakistan ’ s army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa to order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s statement , the military did not acknowledge Mehar ’ s abduction saying only that the troops and intelligence officers were reacting to the “ desecration ” of the Jinnah tomb .
There was no immediate comment Tuesday from the Sindh police but Safdar ’ s politician wife Maryam Nawaz led a rally in the north in which participants shouted : “ Give respect to the vote !
” Sharif , Safdar ’ s father-in-law , has had a long , uneasy relationship with the military .
Sharif served as Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A court in 2017 ousted him from power over corruption allegations .
He has been staying in London since November after being allowed to receive medical treatment abroad .

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan’s military Tuesday announced the suspension of a number of intelligence officers and troops accused by opposition leaders last month of abducting a provincial police chief to pressure him to arrest the son-in-law of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
The unusual action by the military comes three weeks after Sharif’s son-in-law, Mohammad Safdar, was briefly detained after opposition parties held a rally in the port city of Karachi against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Safdar, a retired army captain who is also an opposition politician, was taken from a hotel room, where he was staying with his wife. The arrest came after he visited the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who led the movement for independence from Britain in 1947 and is a revered figure in Muslim-majority Pakistan.
While at the tomb, Safdar led a crowd in chanting: “Give respect to the vote!” The slogan is viewed in Pakistan as criticism of the country’s military, which has ruled the country of 220 million people - directly or indirectly - for most of its history.
Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League opposition party at the time insisted Safdar was arrested only after troops abducted provincial police chief Mushtaq Mehar to pressure him to sign orders for Safdar’s arrest.
Neither Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence nor the paramilitary Rangers at the time commented and it was unclear how many intelligence agents and troops were suspended.
Several police officers last month responded by applying for a leave of absence over the alleged mistreatment of the police chief. It prompted Pakistan’s army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa to order a probe into the matter.
In Tuesday’s statement, the military did not acknowledge Mehar’s abduction saying only that the troops and intelligence officers were reacting to the “desecration” of the Jinnah tomb.
There was no immediate comment Tuesday from the Sindh police but Safdar’s politician wife Maryam Nawaz led a rally in the north in which participants shouted: “Give respect to the vote!”
Sharif, Safdar’s father-in-law, has had a long, uneasy relationship with the military. On Tuesday, he took to Twitter to reject the military action, saying it amounts to scapegoating junior officers and shielding “the real culprits.”
Sharif served as Pakistan’s prime minister three times. A court in 2017 ousted him from power over corruption allegations. He has been staying in London since November after being allowed to receive medical treatment abroad.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Richmond renames Confederate Ave as part of larger reckoning

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - The City Council in Richmond , Virginia , has renamed a stretch of four residential blocks that had been known as Confederate Avenue .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Monday that its name is now Laburnum Park Boulevard .
The renaming is part of a much larger and ongoing reckoning over the city ’ s history of slavery and racial discrimination .
The capital city took down nearly all of its Confederate monuments this summer in the wake racial justice protests .
“ We realize this won ’ t be earth-shattering or change systemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do something to create a more welcoming and inclusive community , ” said Gwen Corley Creighton , a resident who worked with her neighbors to petition the city for the change .
“ This was one small thing we felt that we could do.
” Surveys found that 75 % of the street ’ s 60 households supported the change .
The protests over the killing of George Floyd , a Black man who died in Minneapolis police custody in May , might have been a tipping point for some who were hesitant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Laburnum Park Boulevard is in a historic district with the same name .
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine lives on Laburnum Park Boulevard with his wife Anne Holton .
They also supported the change .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The city council in Richmond, Virginia, has renamed a stretch of four residential blocks that had been known as Confederate Avenue.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Monday that the street’s name is now Laburnum Park Boulevard.
The renaming is part of a much larger and ongoing reckoning over the city’s historical ties to slavery and racial discrimination. The capital city took down nearly all of its Confederate monuments this summer in the wake of protests against racial injustice.
“We realize this won’t be earth-shattering or change systemic racism, but all of us can do something to create a more welcoming and inclusive community,” said Gwen Corley Creighton, a resident who worked with her neighbors to petition the city for the change. “This was one small thing we felt that we could do.”
Surveys conducted by the community over the summer found 75% of the street’s 60 households supported the change, the newspaper reported. This year’s protests across the country over the killing of George Floyd, a Black man who died in Minneapolis police custody in May, might have been a tipping point for some who had been hesitant to back the request, Creighton said.
Laburnum Park Boulevard is in a historic district with the same name.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine lives on Laburnum Park Boulevard with his wife, Anne Holton. They also supported the change, the newspaper reported.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Deputies: 5-year-old boy shot while riding car with family

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - A 5-year-old boy has been hospitalized for a gunshot wound he suffered while @ @ @ @ @ family members in North Carolina .
The family heard a “ pop ” when the @ @ @ @ @ Raleigh before the child started to complain that his arm was hurting , the Wake @ @ @ @ @ said in a news release .
Family members then parked the car , and discovered @ @ @ @ @ , news outlets reported .
He was then transported to a hospital for treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ led to the shooting .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A 5-year-old boy has been hospitalized for a gunshot wound he suffered while riding in a car with family members in North Carolina.
The family heard a “pop” when the shooting happened Sunday night in Raleigh before the child started to complain that his arm was hurting, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Family members then parked the car, and discovered the child’s wound, news outlets reported. He was then transported to a hospital for treatment.
It is not clear what led to the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Police say man shot to death in suburban Kansas City

BLUE SPRINGS , Mo .
( AP ) - A man was shot to death inside a suburban Kansas City @ @ @ @ @ .
The shooting happened Monday night at a McDonald ’ s on Highway 7 , @ @ @ @ @ in Blue Springs , police said .
Officers called to the scene found a man @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wounds , television station KCTV reported .
The man was taken to an area @ @ @ @ @ .
Police did not immediately release the victim ’ s name .
No arrests had @ @ @ @ @ , but police said they ’ re looking for two suspects in the shooting .

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) - A man was shot to death inside a suburban Kansas City fast-food restaurant, police said.
The shooting happened Monday night at a McDonald’s on Highway 7, south of Interstate 70, in Blue Springs, police said. Officers called to the scene found Harry Bowers, 19, of Lee’s Summit, inside a restaurant bathroom with gunshot wounds, police said in a news release Tuesday morning. Bowers was taken to an area hospital, where he died.
Three people suspected in the shooting were taken into custody, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Mayor: Wastewater shows virus increase in part of Burlington

BURLINGTON , Vt. ( AP ) - The mayor of Vermont ’ s largest city says a wastewater surveillance program is detecting an increase of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the New North End .
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger says it ’ s an early sign of elevated risk .
He ’ s urging people in the New North End and throughout the city to act together to limit the spread of the virus .
“ Since Friday , we have seen even more indications of elevated virus risk right now in Burlington and throughout much of Vermont , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weinberger ‘ s warning comes as Vermont , like much of the country , is coping with a spike in cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
He said the city is working with the Vermont Department of Health to evaluate potential sites for pop-up testing .
Weinberger also urged city residents to follow updated Health Department guidance to limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer with a very limited number of trusted households and to avoid unnecessary travel .
“ If you have attended an event with people who are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid close contact with others and consider obtaining a test now as well as seven days after the event or gathering , ” Weinberger said .

The state of Vermont on Tuesday suspended a program that allowed people from across the Northeast to visit the state without quarantining if they come from a county with a low rate of coronavirus infection.
Gov. Phil Scott said Tuesday that the number of counties eligible, listed on a map that uses red, orange and green to indicate eligibility, has continued to shrink.
As of Tuesday only two counties between Maine and Ohio were listed as green, from where travel to Vermont without quarantining would be permitted.
“The fact is, along with social gatherings, travel to, and from, other states without the proper quarantine continues to be one of the common denominators in our rising case counts,” Scott said at his regular Tuesday virus briefing.
Essential travel, such as work, school, medical care, personal safety, shared child custody, or buying groceries is not affected, but people should only do what they need to do and then return home.
“When you consider the amount of red in the Northeast and it’s no likely to improve for a few weeks, it only made sense to simplify the policy in order to ensure better compliance,” Scott said.
Vermont determined eligible counties as those with virus rates of less than 400 cases per million residents. While travel within the state is not restricted, as of Tuesday, only two Vermont counties - Rutland and Franklin - fell under the threshold.
Scott also urged Vermonters to follow the guidance designed to reduce the spread of the virus: Wear masks in public, limit private gatherings to 10 people or less and avoid unneeded travel.
He’s hopeful the voluntary restrictions can help stem the spread of the virus.
“It’s an ongoing effort, nothing is off the table, but certainly we want to live within the restrictions we have in place right now,” he said.
In other Vermont coronavirus news:
___
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS
The Vermont legislature has delayed a decision on how to spend $75 million in coronavirus relief funds that the governor has asked to be reallocated to help businesses.
The Joint Fiscal Committee of the Legislature decided Monday to delay a decision on how to reallocate these funds from the federal relief act until Saturday, the Bennington Banner reported.
The committee has 10 days to approve or deny requests from Scott’s administration on reallocating the funds, according to legislation passed over the summer.
The committee heard arguments about whether the criteria the state’s Agency of Commerce and Community Development has used to allocate relief to businesses so far targets the funds to businesses most in need, the newspaper reported. They have to consider a business’s lost revenue in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 when determining how to award funding.
Additionally, members of the committee asked whether these funds should instead go to supporting the state’s unemployment insurance and other social safety net programs.
___
BURLINGTON RISK
The mayor of Vermont’s largest city says a wastewater surveillance program is detecting an increase of the coronavirus in the New North End.
Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger says it’s an early sign of elevated risk. He is urging people in the New North End and throughout the city to act together to limit the spread of the virus.
“Since Friday, we have seen even more indications of elevated virus risk right now in Burlington and throughout much of Vermont,” Weinberger said in a statement.
Weinberger’s warning comes as Vermont, like much of the country, is coping with a spike in cases of the coronavirus.
He said the city is working with the Vermont Department of Health to evaluate potential sites for pop-up testing.
Weinberger also urged city residents to follow updated Health Department guidance to limit gatherings to 10 people or fewer with a very limited number of trusted households and to avoid unnecessary travel.
“If you have attended an event with people who are not in your usual social circle, please avoid close contact with others and consider obtaining a test now as well as seven days after the event or gathering,” Weinberger said.
___
NUMBERS
On Tuesday the Health Department reported 46 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total since the pandemic began to more than 2,460.
Currently there are 12 people hospitalized, including four in intensive care.
Over the weekend the state reported its first coronavirus fatality in more than three months, bringing the total to 59.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Alaska Tlingits hold memorial ceremony online amid pandemic

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - When a Tlingit elder dies , leaders from the Alaska Native tribe ’ s two houses , the Raven and Eagle clans , typically come together along with family and well-wishers for a memorial ceremony featuring displays of traditional tribal regalia .
After elder , tribal leader and college professor David Katzeek died last month , the tribe scrambled to find a way to observe their sacred traditions while keeping everyone safe during the pandemic , with coronavirus cases surging in the state .
“ We know that many of our people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we also recognized that we need to protect each other and make sure we stay healthy .
We also wanted to honor Kingeisti in our traditional way , ” Sealaska Heritage Institute president Rosita Worl said , using Katzeek ’ s Tlingit name .
Katzeek , 77 , died unexpectedly Oct. 28 , according to the Juneau-based institute , an Alaska Native nonprofit that promotes Tlingit , Haida and Tsimshian cultures .
Worl said they understood the cause to be heart failure .
The first president of what has since become the institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska Native culture in the state ’ s southeast , encouraging oral histories and efforts to preserve the Tlingit language .
To honor him safely , the institute turned to the same technologies that people across the world have employed to remain connected in the coronavirus age , using Zoom video conferencing to bring people together while broadcasting live on its YouTube channel .
The institute had already been transforming in-person programming such as theater lectures to virtual events due to the coronavirus .
They figured , “ If we can do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why can ’ t we do that for our cultural activities ?
” Worl said .
During a memorial ceremony , leaders of the clans typically offer comforting words while also bringing out regalia such as Chilkat robes , clan hats and blankets , invoking the spirits of clan ancestors to assist the grieving process .
Held virtually , there had to be some adjustments such as not having people stand near others in support but instead taking turns speaking on the video call .
The chatroom served for tribe members to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
The clan regalia was visible in the background of those who spoke instead of being displayed in front of a coffin or held in person as at a traditional memorial .
Perhaps the biggest change was capping how many could speak and limiting each person to five minutes .
So while memorials can run as long as 10 hours , this one happened in just about four .
Holding the memorial online had at least one advantage , in that it allowed some 2,000 people to take part from New Mexico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the country , wherever our clan members are living , ” Worl said .
She said the memorial was an innovative and successful merging of traditional rites with modern technology and the public health and safety requirements demanded by the pandemic .
The institute is now using the experience to write guides for others to do the same .
“ One of the strengths of our people is our ability to transform our cultural needs to current circumstances … while at the same time maintaining our culture , ” Worl said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ series that highlights individuals whose actions provide glimmers of joy in hard times - stories of people who find a way to make a difference , no matter how small .
Read the collection of stories at https : //apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - When a Tlingit elder dies, leaders from the Alaska Native tribe’s two houses, the Raven and Eagle clans, typically come together along with family and well-wishers for a memorial ceremony featuring displays of traditional tribal regalia.
After elder, tribal leader and college professor David Katzeek died last month, the tribe scrambled to find a way to observe their sacred traditions while keeping everyone safe during the pandemic, with coronavirus cases surging in the state.
“We know that many of our people are grieving over this great loss, but we also recognized that we need to protect each other and make sure we stay healthy. We also wanted to honor Kingeisti in our traditional way,” Sealaska Heritage Institute president Rosita Worl said, using Katzeek’s Tlingit name.
Katzeek, 77, died unexpectedly Oct. 28, according to the Juneau-based institute, an Alaska Native nonprofit that promotes Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures. Worl said they understood the cause to be heart failure.
The first president of what has since become the institute, Katzeek is credited with helping revive Alaska Native culture in the state’s southeast, encouraging oral histories and efforts to preserve the Tlingit language.
To honor him safely, the institute turned to the same technologies that people across the world have employed to remain connected in the coronavirus age, using Zoom video conferencing to bring people together while broadcasting live on its YouTube channel.
The institute had already been transforming in-person programming such as theater lectures to virtual events due to the coronavirus.
They figured, “If we can do that for all of these other activities, why can’t we do that for our cultural activities?” Worl said.
During a memorial ceremony, leaders of the clans typically offer comforting words while also bringing out regalia such as Chilkat robes, clan hats and blankets, invoking the spirits of clan ancestors to assist the grieving process.
Held virtually, there had to be some adjustments such as not having people stand near others in support but instead taking turns speaking on the video call. The chatroom served for tribe members to give the traditional thanks to speakers and comfort others. The clan regalia was visible in the background of those who spoke instead of being displayed in front of a coffin or held in person as at a traditional memorial.
Perhaps the biggest change was capping how many could speak and limiting each person to five minutes. So while memorials can run as long as 10 hours, this one happened in just about four.
Holding the memorial online had at least one advantage, in that it allowed some 2,000 people to take part from New Mexico to California - “they were all over the country, wherever our clan members are living,” Worl said.
She said the memorial was an innovative and successful merging of traditional rites with modern technology and the public health and safety requirements demanded by the pandemic. The institute is now using the experience to write guides for others to do the same.
“One of the strengths of our people is our ability to transform our cultural needs to current circumstances … while at the same time maintaining our culture,” Worl said.
___
“One Good Thing” is a series that highlights individuals whose actions provide glimmers of joy in hard times - stories of people who find a way to make a difference, no matter how small. Read the collection of stories at https://apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Adult, child pronounced dead following mobile home fire

HENNIKER , N.H. ( AP ) - An adult and a child were pronounced dead following a fire at a @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire fire officials said .
The fire was reported at about 4:50 p.m. Monday @ @ @ @ @ smoke and fire coming out of the rear of the home .
The fire was @ @ @ @ @ adult and child were “ unable to escape , ” according to a news release @ @ @ @ @ .
The New Hampshire Fire Marshal ’ s Office – Bureau of Investigations is investigating @ @ @ @ @ the Henniker police and fire departments .
Autopsies will be conducted by the state medical @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
No details were given on the cause of the fire , but state @ @ @ @ @ people should maintain working smoke alarms in their homes ; keep exits clear of debris @ @ @ @ @ is an open flame that can easily ignite anything that can burn .

HENNIKER, N.H. (AP) - An adult and a child were pronounced dead following a fire at a mobile home in Henniker, New Hampshire fire officials said.
The fire was reported at about 4:50 p.m. Monday, and responders saw heavy smoke and fire coming out of the rear of the home. The fire was quickly extinguished, but the adult and child were “unable to escape,” according to a news release. No names were released.
The New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s Office – Bureau of Investigations is investigating the fire with assistance from the Henniker police and fire departments. Autopsies will be conducted by the state medical examiner’s office on Wednesday.
No details were given on the cause of the fire, but state Fire Marshal Paul Parisi said people should maintain working smoke alarms in their homes; keep exits clear of debris; and that a candle is an open flame that can easily ignite anything that can burn.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Salt Life founder held as flight risk in woman's death

RIVIERA BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - The founder of the popular beach clothing brand Salt Life is being held in a Florida jail as a “ flight risk ” after being charged with fatally shooting an 18-year-old woman in a hotel room last month .
On Monday , Palm Beach County Judge Ted Booras set bond at $ 255,000 for Michael Troy Hutto , 54 , on a manslaughter charge in the death of Lora Grace Duncan , court records show .
Hutto remained in jail and a lawyer for him was not listed on court records .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront resort after her father reported he had not heard from her in two days , according to an arrest report .
He told investigators Hutto and his daughter were in a relationship and that she “ sounded out of character ” when they last spoke , police wrote in the documents .
Hutto ‘ s belongings , including his wallet and an ID card , were in the hotel room , investigators said in an arrest report .
Authorities then began searching for Hutto .
The Florida Highway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 280 miles ( 450 kilometers ) from the hotel , after the St. Johns County Sheriff ’ s Office told another law enforcement agency he had overdosed in his car at a St. Augustine gas station Oct. 28 .
Prosecutors and police said Hutto admitted to accidentally shooting Duncan while the two were “ playing ” with a gun inside the hotel room .
Salt Life issued a statement last week saying Hutto had not been involved with the company since he and his partners sold the business in 2013 for @ @ @ @ @

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The founder of the popular beach clothing brand Salt Life is being held in a Florida jail as a “flight risk” after being charged with fatally shooting an 18-year-old woman in a hotel room last month.
On Monday, Palm Beach County Judge Ted Booras set bond at $255,000 for Michael Troy Hutto, 54, on a manslaughter charge in the death of Lora Grace Duncan, court records show. Hutto remained in jail and a lawyer for him was not listed on court records.
Police found Duncan’s body at the Hilton Singer Island Oceanfront resort after her father reported he had not heard from her in two days, according to an arrest report. He told investigators Hutto and his daughter were in a relationship and that she “sounded out of character” when they last spoke, police wrote in the documents.
Hutto’s belongings, including his wallet and an ID card, were in the hotel room, investigators said in an arrest report.
Authorities then began searching for Hutto. The Florida Highway Patrol arrested him at a Jacksonville hospital, about 280 miles (450 kilometers) from the hotel, after the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office told another law enforcement agency he had overdosed in his car at a St. Augustine gas station Oct. 28.
Prosecutors and police said Hutto admitted to accidentally shooting Duncan while the two were “playing” with a gun inside the hotel room.
Salt Life issued a statement last week saying Hutto had not been involved with the company since he and his partners sold the business in 2013 for nearly $40 million.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Man suspected in 1972 murder kills self before jury convicts

EVERETT , Wash. ( AP ) - An Edmonds man on trial for the 1972 killing of a 20-year-old woman killed himself just before a jury convicted him of murder , police said .
On Monday , a jury found 78-year-old Terrence Miller guilty of first-degree murder , despite of a defense motion to dismiss the case due to the defendant ’ s death , The Herald reported .
After a two week trial , Miller was convicted of shooting Jody Loomis when she was on a bike ride to see her horse .
A jury deliberated Friday afternoon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snohomish County Superior Court .
Miller died at his home , according to the Snohomish County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Miller had posted $ 1 million bond last year .
The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the county medical examiner ’ s office .
Miller was not behind bars because he posted $ 1 million bond last year .
The judge ordered him to surrender weapons and he had been supervised by a private electronic home monitoring company .
“ I ’ m glad that we got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead sheriff ’ s detective in the case , Jim Scharf .
“ I think that was good for the ( Loomis ) family.
” At the center of the trial was DNA in the form of semen recovered from a boot worn by Loomis on Aug. 23 , 1972 .
It went unnoticed by investigators at multiple agencies until a state crime lab technician discovered it in 2008 as part of a renewed effort by the sheriff ’ s cold case team to solve the crime .
A somewhat degraded genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out potential suspects .
Then in 2018 , the private forensic experts at Parabon Nanolabs extracted a genetic profile that could be uploaded to public ancestry websites , the first step in an investigative technique known as forensic genealogy .
An Oregon genealogist , Deb Stone , built the suspect ’ s family tree based on the DNA , looking for a spot where the limbs intersected .
It ’ s the same forensic tool police in California used to track down a suspect in the Golden State Killer case .
The genealogist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller , a retired heavy equipment operator from Edmonds who was running a ceramics shop with his wife .
An undercover police task force picked up coffee cups he threw away at Tulalip Resort Casino .
The state crime lab tested saliva on the cup , and the results came back as an apparent match for DNA on the boot .
Sheriff ’ s detectives arrested Miller in April 2019 .
His defense maintained his innocence in closing arguments Friday .
Miller and Loomis did not know each other .

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - An Edmonds man on trial for the 1972 killing of a 20-year-old woman killed himself just before a jury convicted him of murder, police said.
On Monday, a jury found 78-year-old Terrence Miller guilty of first-degree murder, despite of a defense motion to dismiss the case due to the defendant’s death, The Herald reported.
After a two week trial, Miller was convicted of shooting Jody Loomis when she was on a bike ride to see her horse. A jury deliberated Friday afternoon and Monday morning before finding Miller guilty in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Miller died at his home, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. Miller had posted $1 million bond last year.
The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the county medical examiner’s office.
Miller was not behind bars because he posted $1 million bond last year. The judge ordered him to surrender weapons and he had been supervised by a private electronic home monitoring company.
“I’m glad that we got to hear the verdict,” said the lead sheriff’s detective in the case, Jim Scharf. “I think that was good for the (Loomis) family.”
At the center of the trial was DNA in the form of semen recovered from a boot worn by Loomis on Aug. 23, 1972. It went unnoticed by investigators at multiple agencies until a state crime lab technician discovered it in 2008 as part of a renewed effort by the sheriff’s cold case team to solve the crime.
A somewhat degraded genetic profile was analyzed and used to rule out potential suspects.
Then in 2018, the private forensic experts at Parabon Nanolabs extracted a genetic profile that could be uploaded to public ancestry websites, the first step in an investigative technique known as forensic genealogy. An Oregon genealogist, Deb Stone, built the suspect’s family tree based on the DNA, looking for a spot where the limbs intersected. It’s the same forensic tool police in California used to track down a suspect in the Golden State Killer case.
The genealogist’s research led investigators to Terry Miller, a retired heavy equipment operator from Edmonds who was running a ceramics shop with his wife.
An undercover police task force picked up coffee cups he threw away at Tulalip Resort Casino. The state crime lab tested saliva on the cup, and the results came back as an apparent match for DNA on the boot.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Miller in April 2019. His defense maintained his innocence in closing arguments Friday.
Miller and Loomis did not know each other.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Judge rules anti-spoofing law is unconstitutional

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - A federal judge has struck down North Dakota ’ s law targeting the practice of disguising caller ID numbers .
U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled Monday the so-called anti-spoofing law is unconstitutional because it intrudes on interstate commerce regulation , a power reserved for Congress .
The state Legislature passed the law last year because of complaints about harassing and scam phone calls .
The law makes it a crime to “ transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information with the intent to defraud or cause harm.
” Traynor wrote that because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call-forwarding , the law has the practical effect of regulating interstate commerce because it ’ s impossible to determine whether the person receiving the call is physically in North Dakota , the Bismarck Tribune reported .
SpoofCard LLC , a spoofing service with about 500,000 active users , and CEO Amanda Pietrocola sued last December , arguing that the technique has legitimate uses , such as a doctor or a journalist making a work-related call from a personal phone and wanting to protect the private number .
Attorneys for the state of North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law is aimed solely at spoofing activity that is done with the intent to defraud .
Violations carry a maximum punishment of a year in jail and a $ 3,000 fine .
A provision in the law also allows spoofing victims to file a civil lawsuit for up to $ 10,000 in damages per violation .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A federal judge has struck down North Dakota’s law targeting the practice of disguising caller ID numbers.
U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled Monday the so-called anti-spoofing law is unconstitutional because it intrudes on interstate commerce regulation, a power reserved for Congress.
The state Legislature passed the law last year because of complaints about harassing and scam phone calls. The law makes it a crime to “transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information with the intent to defraud or cause harm.”
Traynor wrote that because of cell phones and technology such as call-forwarding, the law has the practical effect of regulating interstate commerce because it’s impossible to determine whether the person receiving the call is physically in North Dakota, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
SpoofCard LLC, a spoofing service with about 500,000 active users, and CEO Amanda Pietrocola sued last December, arguing that the technique has legitimate uses, such as a doctor or a journalist making a work-related call from a personal phone and wanting to protect the private number.
Attorneys for the state of North Dakota argued that North Dakota’s law is aimed solely at spoofing activity that is done with the intent to defraud.
Violations carry a maximum punishment of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine. A provision in the law also allows spoofing victims to file a civil lawsuit for up to $10,000 in damages per violation.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Key findings in Vatican report into ex-Cardinal McCarrick

The Vatican has taken the extraordinary step of publishing its two-year investigation into the rise and fall of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick , who was defrocked in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused adults as well as children .
Here are key findings from the report , based on documentation and interviews with witnesses , divided into the three papacies that are affected by the McCarrick case : St. John Paul II , Pope Benedict XVI , and Pope Francis .
McCarrick had generally positive marks during his first two posts as bishop , in Metuchen , N.J. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 1986-2000 ) .
But by the mid-1990s , rumors about his behavior were starting to fly , and John Paul passed McCarrick over as archbishop of Chicago in 1997 and New York in 1999 .
When the position of archbishop of Washington D.C. , opened up , the then-archbishop of New York , Cardinal John O ’ Connor , warned the Vatican in an Oct. 28 , 1999 letter that naming McCarrick there would be a mistake , the findings said .
By that time , the allegations against McCarrick included : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Metuchen , N.J. , bishop providing eyewitness testimony of McCarrick and other seminarians engaging in sexual acts during a fishing trip , and the priest ’ s own claims that McCarrick tried to fondle him .
It also included anonymous letters sent to various U.S. cardinals that “ accused McCarrick of pedophilia with seminarians as well as claims that McCarrick slept with young men in his official residence as well as seminarians at his beach house .
O ’ Connor cited that information and said the risk of scandal would be too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John Paul tasked the Vatican ambassador to the U.S. to investigate .
His report confirmed McCarrick bedded seminarians but didn ’ t find “ certainty ” that he had engaged in sexual misconduct .
The findings didn ’ t explain what McCarrick and the seminarians were doing in bed together .
Instead , they faulted the bishops who were asked to provide information to the ambassador , saying “ three of the four bishops provided inaccurate and incomplete information.
” The doubts , however , were enough to persuade John Paul to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have sealed his fate , but McCarrick made a last-ditch appeal that appears to have changed John Paul ’ s mind .
The U.S. prelate sent a handwritten note via John Paul ’ s private secretary , then-Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz , on Aug. 6 , 2000 , swearing he “ never had sexual relations with any person male or female , young or old , cleric or lay.
” It struck a chord with the Polish pope , who had first-hand experience of priests being unfairly discredited by false accusations under communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the post .
Pope Benedict XVI finally took action against McCarrick in 2005 , after the Vatican received documentation from the former Metuchen , N.J. , seminarian who had written a detailed letter in 1994 to his then-bishop , the late Edward Hughes , about the abuse he endured by McCarrick .
For the first time , the Vatican had a named victim making a detailed report of abuse , although the claims were dismissed by some as unreliable because the seminarian himself had gone onto abuse minors .
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretariat of state who would go onto expose the McCarrick cover-up - called for an “ exemplary measure ” against McCarrick .
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone , then Benedict ’ s secretary of state , “ shared Vigano ’ s concerns.
” But the report said Benedict ultimately decided against a canonical trial or sanction , in part because the Vatican ’ s in-house legal code didn ’ t provide ways to prosecute old cases of priests who slept with young men .
“ Instead the decision was made to appeal to McCarrick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him that he should maintain a lower profile and minimize travel for the good of the church , ” the report said .
The Vatican ’ s ambassador to Washington relayed the verbal request to McCarrick in 2006 , and after McCarrick flouted it , the Vatican official in charge of bishops put it in writing in 2008 .
But McCarrick continued flouting the restrictions .
Email correspondence provided by McCarrick ’ s former secretary shows he traveled widely during Benedict ’ s papacy after the restrictions were purportedly imposed , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Bosnia , Lebanon , Qatar , Ireland and throughout Asia - travel that continued under Francis , including to China .
According to the Vatican findings , Francis essentially continued in his predecessors ’ path in regards to McCarrick .
It said neither Francis nor any Vatican official lifted or modified Benedict ’ s flouted restrictions , never named McCarrick a “ diplomatic agent ” for the Holy See and never received any documentation about McCarrick before 2017 .
The summary didn ’ t say if Francis ever requested more substantial information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardinal Carlo Maria Vigano , purportedly told him in 2013 that McCarrick was a sexual predator .
Francis changed his tune after a former altar boy came forward to the New York archdiocese alleging McCarrick groped him when he was a teenager during preparations for Christmas Mass in 1971 and 1972 .
The allegation was the first solid claim against McCarrick involving a minor , and triggered the canonical trial that resulted in McCarrick being defrocked .
Francis commissioned the archival investigation after Vigano issued a blistering expose of the two-decade-long McCarrick cover-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. and Vatican officials who he said knew of McCarrick ’ s misconduct but failed to effectively sanction him .
Vigano ’ s most explosive claim was that Francis lifted the sanctions imposed by Benedict and made McCarrick a trusted adviser .
Vigano called on Francis to resign for having ignored what he said was his warning that McCarrick had “ corrupted generations of priests and seminarians.
” Many of Vigano ’ s central assertions were confirmed in the report Tuesday but not the ones involving Francis .
“ No records support Vigano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he said is sharply disputed , ” it said .

The Vatican has taken the extraordinary step of publishing its two-year investigation into the rise and fall of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused adults as well as children.
Here are key findings from the report, based on documentation and interviews with witnesses, divided into the three papacies that are affected by the McCarrick case: St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis.
POPE JOHN PAUL II (1978-2005)
McCarrick had generally positive marks during his first two posts as bishop, in Metuchen, N.J. (1981-1986) and Newark, N.J. (1986-2000). But by the mid-1990s, rumors about his behavior were starting to fly, and John Paul passed McCarrick over as archbishop of Chicago in 1997 and New York in 1999.
When the position of archbishop of Washington D.C., opened up, the then-archbishop of New York, Cardinal John O’Connor, warned the Vatican in an Oct. 28, 1999 letter that naming McCarrick there would be a mistake, the findings said.
By that time, the allegations against McCarrick included: a 1994 letter by one priest to the Metuchen, N.J., bishop providing eyewitness testimony of McCarrick and other seminarians engaging in sexual acts during a fishing trip, and the priest’s own claims that McCarrick tried to fondle him. It also included anonymous letters sent to various U.S. cardinals that “accused McCarrick of pedophilia with seminarians as well as claims that McCarrick slept with young men in his official residence as well as seminarians at his beach house. O’Connor cited that information and said the risk of scandal would be too great if McCarrick were moved to Washington.
SEE ALSO: Theodore McCarrick sexual abuse report faults Pope John Paul II
John Paul tasked the Vatican ambassador to the U.S. to investigate. His report confirmed McCarrick bedded seminarians but didn’t find “certainty” that he had engaged in sexual misconduct. The findings didn’t explain what McCarrick and the seminarians were doing in bed together. Instead, they faulted the bishops who were asked to provide information to the ambassador, saying “three of the four bishops provided inaccurate and incomplete information.”
The doubts, however, were enough to persuade John Paul to drop McCarrick as a candidate. That would have sealed his fate, but McCarrick made a last-ditch appeal that appears to have changed John Paul’s mind. The U.S. prelate sent a handwritten note via John Paul’s private secretary, then-Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, on Aug. 6, 2000, swearing he “never had sexual relations with any person male or female, young or old, cleric or lay.”
It struck a chord with the Polish pope, who had first-hand experience of priests being unfairly discredited by false accusations under communist rule, and he named McCarrick to the post.
___
POPE BENEDICT XVI (2005-2013)
Pope Benedict XVI finally took action against McCarrick in 2005, after the Vatican received documentation from the former Metuchen, N.J., seminarian who had written a detailed letter in 1994 to his then-bishop, the late Edward Hughes, about the abuse he endured by McCarrick. For the first time, the Vatican had a named victim making a detailed report of abuse, although the claims were dismissed by some as unreliable because the seminarian himself had gone onto abuse minors.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano - then a top official in the secretariat of state who would go onto expose the McCarrick cover-up - called for an “exemplary measure” against McCarrick. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, then Benedict’s secretary of state, “shared Vigano’s concerns.”
But the report said Benedict ultimately decided against a canonical trial or sanction, in part because the Vatican’s in-house legal code didn’t provide ways to prosecute old cases of priests who slept with young men. “Instead the decision was made to appeal to McCarrick’s conscience and ecclesial spirit by indicating to him that he should maintain a lower profile and minimize travel for the good of the church,” the report said.
The Vatican’s ambassador to Washington relayed the verbal request to McCarrick in 2006, and after McCarrick flouted it, the Vatican official in charge of bishops put it in writing in 2008. But McCarrick continued flouting the restrictions.
Email correspondence provided by McCarrick’s former secretary shows he traveled widely during Benedict’s papacy after the restrictions were purportedly imposed, including to regular meetings at the Vatican, to Bosnia, Lebanon, Qatar, Ireland and throughout Asia - travel that continued under Francis, including to China.
___
POPE FRANCIS (2013 to the present)
According to the Vatican findings, Francis essentially continued in his predecessors’ path in regards to McCarrick. It said neither Francis nor any Vatican official lifted or modified Benedict’s flouted restrictions, never named McCarrick a “diplomatic agent” for the Holy See and never received any documentation about McCarrick before 2017. The summary didn’t say if Francis ever requested more substantial information after his then-ambassador to the U.S., Cardinal Carlo Maria Vigano, purportedly told him in 2013 that McCarrick was a sexual predator.
Francis changed his tune after a former altar boy came forward to the New York archdiocese alleging McCarrick groped him when he was a teenager during preparations for Christmas Mass in 1971 and 1972. The allegation was the first solid claim against McCarrick involving a minor, and triggered the canonical trial that resulted in McCarrick being defrocked.
Francis commissioned the archival investigation after Vigano issued a blistering expose of the two-decade-long McCarrick cover-up in 2018, naming around two dozen U.S. and Vatican officials who he said knew of McCarrick’s misconduct but failed to effectively sanction him.
Vigano’s most explosive claim was that Francis lifted the sanctions imposed by Benedict and made McCarrick a trusted adviser. Vigano called on Francis to resign for having ignored what he said was his warning that McCarrick had “corrupted generations of priests and seminarians.”
Many of Vigano’s central assertions were confirmed in the report Tuesday but not the ones involving Francis. “No records support Vigano’s account and evidence as to what he said is sharply disputed,” it said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Ulta to open beauty shops at 100 Target stores in 2021

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The nation ’ s largest beauty store chain , Ulta Beauty , has a deal to place shops in more than 100 Target stores by mid-2021 .
The shops , which will each be about 1,000 square feet and carry makeup , skincare , and fragrance , will operate beside existing beauty sections in Target stores , the companies said Tuesday .
Financial terms of the deal weren ’ t disclosed .
“ It ’ s a combination of two winning retailers that have great momentum in the market that can redefine the category @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press on Monday .
The partnership stands to benefit both retailers as the coronavirus pandemic upends shopping habits and more people try to minimize potential exposure to the virus through one-stop shopping .
COVID has dampened sales of lipstick as people wear masks , but the skincare business has enjoyed stronger sales .
Both companies should increase their customer base .
Combined , Target and Ulta have more than 100 million active loyalty program members across Target Circle and Ultamate Rewards .
Target ’ s cosmetics portfolio will expand and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic at stores as people consolidate shopping trips .
The Minneapolis retailer has been taking market share from competitors in all areas including beauty , where second-quarter sales jumped 20 % compared with the same period a year ago .
Like other non-essential retailers , Ulta was hit hard when the pandemic forced it to close its stores in the spring , but business has been slowly recovering .
Ulta can win over new customers while it adds to its approximately 1,100 locations .
Ulta , based in Bolingbrook , Illinois , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premium products .
The shops will offer the same virtual try-on tools like GlamLab , which customers can currently use in existing Ulta stores .
Customers who shop Ulta Beauty at Target online will be able to use free shipping available for qualifying orders as well as Target ’ s services like same-day and curbside pickup .
Both companies may be able to further encroach on traditional department stores like Macy ’ s which had seen cosmetics sales erode even before the pandemic as big box stores modernized their beauty sections , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ulta expanded rapidly .
“ More than ever before , now is the time for innovation in retail , ” said Mary Dillon , CEO of Ulta Beauty .
Shares of Target rose a little more than 1 % while Ulta ’ s stock was up roughly 5 % .

NEW YORK (AP) - The nation’s largest beauty store chain, Ulta Beauty, has a deal to place shops in more than 100 Target stores by mid-2021.
The shops, which will each be about 1,000 square feet and carry makeup, skincare, and fragrance, will operate beside existing beauty sections in Target stores, the companies said Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
“It’s a combination of two winning retailers that have great momentum in the market that can redefine the category,” Target CEO Brian Cornell told The Associated Press on Monday.
The partnership stands to benefit both retailers as the coronavirus pandemic upends shopping habits and more people try to minimize potential exposure to the virus through one-stop shopping. COVID has dampened sales of lipstick as people wear masks, but the skincare business has enjoyed stronger sales. Both companies should increase their customer base. Combined, Target and Ulta have more than 100 million active loyalty program members across Target Circle and Ultamate Rewards.
Target’s cosmetics portfolio will expand and at the same time, it may boost traffic at stores as people consolidate shopping trips. The Minneapolis retailer has been taking market share from competitors in all areas including beauty, where second-quarter sales jumped 20% compared with the same period a year ago. Like other non-essential retailers, Ulta was hit hard when the pandemic forced it to close its stores in the spring, but business has been slowly recovering.
Ulta can win over new customers while it adds to its approximately 1,100 locations. Ulta, based in Bolingbrook, Illinois, will train newly hired Target workers on the premium products. The shops will offer the same virtual try-on tools like GlamLab, which customers can currently use in existing Ulta stores. Customers who shop Ulta Beauty at Target online will be able to use free shipping available for qualifying orders as well as Target’s services like same-day and curbside pickup.
Both companies may be able to further encroach on traditional department stores like Macy’s which had seen cosmetics sales erode even before the pandemic as big box stores modernized their beauty sections, and as specialty cosmetics chains like Sephora and Ulta expanded rapidly.
“More than ever before, now is the time for innovation in retail,” said Mary Dillon, CEO of Ulta Beauty.
Shares of Target rose a little more than 1% while Ulta’s stock was up roughly 5%.
___
Follow Anne D’Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio