washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Lithuania holds parliamentary vote as pandemic hits jobs

VILNIUS , Lithuania ( AP ) - Polling stations opened Sunday across Lithuania for a parliamentary runoff election in which the winner will have to tackle a growing health crisis and high unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The election is widely expected to bring about a change of leadership in the southernmost Baltic nation , which has been governed by a center-left coalition for four years .
In the first round of voting on Oct. 11 , three center-right opposition parties finished with a combined lead .
In the second round , 68 of the 141 seats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seimas , are up for grabs .
The other seats were allotted after the Oct. 11 first round of voting .
The first round resulted in the conservative Homeland Union party winning 23 seats , or 24.8 % of the vote , while the ruling Farmers and Greens party only grabbed 16 seats , or 17.5 % .
“ If the conservatives are successful on Sunday , they would very likely try to form a new ruling coalition with other two center-right partners - the Freedom Party and the Liberal movement , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press .
“ Yet this would be a rather fragile majority.
” Some 54 Homeland Union candidates made it into the runoff , while the Farmers and Greens have 32 contenders .
Together , the Freedom Party and the Liberal movement have 21 candidates .
Two other center-left parties that have crossed the 5 % support threshold into parliament could join the Farmers and Greens in a new coalition but they have few candidates in the runoff .
More than 7 % of Lithuania ’ s 2.5 million voters have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to election authorities who set up special drive-in polling stations because of the pandemic .
Voters this year must wear a face mask and bring their own pen .
Polling stations close at 8 p.m. and results are expected overnight .
Lithuania , a member of the European Union and NATO , has kept strong democratic traditions and sustainable economic growth since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 .
It has also played a major diplomatic role as the protests in Belarus , its southern neighbor , unfold against that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country fared comparatively well during the first wave of the pandemic , but like elsewhere in Europe this fall , the nation of 3 million has reported worrying infection spikes in recent weeks .
Overall , it has seen over 9,500 cases and 129 reported deaths .
After weeks of hesitation , the Lithuanian government imposed a quarantine in 12 of 60 districts that starts on Monday .
Opposition lawmakers have criticized the government for not doing enough to stabilize the latest outbreak .
The economic impact of the pandemic has hit Lithuania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was over 14 % in September compared to 9 % in February .
The outgoing parliament had drafted a 2021 budget with a 4-billion euro ( $ 4.7 billion ) deficit .

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) - Lithuanians voted Sunday in a parliamentary runoff where the winner will have to tackle a growing health crisis and high unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The election was widely expected to bring a change of leadership for the southernmost Baltic nation, which has been governed by a center-left coalition for four years. In the first round of voting on Oct. 11, three center-right opposition parties finished with a combined lead.
After polls closed at 1800 GMT, Lithuania’s Central Electoral Commission said initial voter turnout stood at 39.7% which was markedly lower than the 47.2% turnout in the first round.
Lithuania reported 603 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday, the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic, and its worsening outbreak could have affected voter turnout. Overall, it has seen now just over 10,000 confirmed cases and 134 virus-related deaths.
Results of the election were expected early Monday.
In Sunday’s second round, 68 of the 141 seats in Lithuania’s legislative assembly, the Seimas, were up for grabs. The other seats were allotted after the first round, which saw the conservative Homeland Union party winning 23 seats, or 24.8% of the vote, while the ruling Farmers and Greens party only grabbed 16 seats, or 17.5%.
“If the conservatives are successful on Sunday, they would very likely try to form a new ruling coalition with other two center-right partners - the Freedom Party and the Liberal movement,” Vilnius University political scientist Tomas Janeliunas told The Associated Press. “Yet this would be a rather fragile majority.”
Some 54 Homeland Union candidates made it into Sunday’s runoff, while the Farmers and Greens have 32 contenders. Together, the Freedom Party and the Liberal movement have 21 candidates. Two other center-left parties crossed the 5% support threshold into parliament and could join the Farmers and Greens in a new coalition but they have few candidates in the runoff.
More than 7% of Lithuania’s 2.5 million voters already cast early ballots for the runoff, according to election authorities who set up special drive-in polling stations because of the pandemic. Voters this year must wear a face mask and bring their own pen.
“We vote for change,” Jonas Gudelis, a retired engineer, said after voting in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital. “We’re tired of regulations, prohibitions and other nonsense that this government has fed us for the entire four years but failed to deal with the virus properly.”
Others said incoming lawmakers would have a difficult time balancing between the country’s economic development and restrictive measures designed to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Whoever wins this one will be facing tough times. They will have to choose between public health and the health of the economy,” said Julius Kazickas, a medical student from Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city. “I gave my voice to those who seem to be more focused on the economy.”
Lithuania, a member of the European Union and NATO, has kept strong democratic traditions and sustainable economic growth since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. It has also played a major diplomatic role as the protests in Belarus, its southern neighbor, unfold against that nation’s authoritarian leader.
The country fared comparatively well during the first wave of the pandemic, but like elsewhere in Europe this fall, the nation of 2.8 million has reported worrying infection spikes in recent weeks.
After weeks of hesitation, the Lithuanian government imposed a quarantine in 12 of 60 districts that starts on Monday. Opposition lawmakers have criticized the government for not doing enough to stabilize the latest outbreak.
The economic impact of the pandemic has hit Lithuania hard: it’s unemployment rate was over 14% in September compared to 9% in February. The outgoing parliament drafted a 2021 budget with a 4-billion euro ($4.7 billion) deficit.
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This version has been corrected to correct reference in fourth paragraph to Lithuania, not Finland.
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Mindaugas Kulbis contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Upset in Seychelles presidential election as incumbent loses

NAIROBI , Kenya ( AP ) - The Seychelles presidential election has seen an upset , with the electoral commission on Sunday declaring longtime opposition contender Wavel Ramkalawan the winner over incumbent Danny Faure .
The ruling party has been knocked from power for the first time since 1977 .
Opposition leader Ramkalawan , a 59-year-old priest who has largely devoted himself to politics , received 54 % of the vote in the Indian Ocean island nation while Faure received 43 % , the commission chair Danny Lucas said , calling the race “ hotly contested.
” “ Mr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an election does not mean the end of one ’ s contribution to one ’ s motherland , ” Ramkalawan , a six-time presidential candidate , said shortly after the announcement .
He promised a consultative approach and “ no interference by the executive ” in the work of the country ’ s various institutions .
Faure accepted his loss and added “ I wish you all the best , ” the Seychelles News Agency reported .
The outgoing president promised to continue living in the country and said he would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president is expected to be sworn in Monday .
Ramkalawan ’ s party also won more than a two-third ’ s majority of National Assembly seats , the news agency reported .
The voting turnout was roughly 75 % in the archipelago nation of just under 100,000 people whose tourism-heavy economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
The United States and other nations quickly congratulated citizens of the Seychelles for the peaceful election , with the U.S. calling the vote “ orderly and free.
” The U.S. congratulated Ramkalawan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that Seychelles has become a truly democratic nation.
” The country ’ s history includes a stretch of one-party rule , a coup in 1977 and a coup attempt in 1981 .
Faure , who has been outspoken on the dangers of climate change and the need to protect island nations like his own , assumed the presidency in 2016 after longtime President James Michel stepped down after the ruling United Seychelles party lost parliamentary elections to an opposition coalition .

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - The Seychelles presidential election has seen an upset, with the electoral commission on Sunday declaring longtime opposition contender Wavel Ramkalawan the winner over incumbent Danny Faure. The ruling party has been knocked from power for the first time since 1977.
Opposition leader Ramkalawan, a 59-year-old priest who has largely devoted himself to politics, received 54% of the vote in the Indian Ocean island nation while Faure received 43%, the commission chair Danny Lucas said, calling the race “hotly contested.”
“Mr. Faure and I are very good friends and an election does not mean the end of one’s contribution to one’s motherland,” Ramkalawan, a six-time presidential candidate, said shortly after the announcement. He promised a consultative approach and “no interference by the executive” in the work of the country’s various institutions.
Faure accepted his loss and added “I wish you all the best,” the Seychelles News Agency reported. The outgoing president promised to continue living in the country and said he would be available to dispense advice.
The new president is expected to be sworn in Monday.
Ramkalawan’s party also won more than a two-third’s majority of National Assembly seats, the news agency reported.
The voting turnout was roughly 75% in the archipelago nation of just under 100,000 people whose tourism-heavy economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
The United States and other nations quickly congratulated citizens of the Seychelles for the peaceful election, with the U.S. calling the vote “orderly and free.”
The U.S. congratulated Ramkalawan, saying that “your historic election is evidence that Seychelles has become a truly democratic nation.” The country’s history includes a stretch of one-party rule, a coup in 1977 and a coup attempt in 1981.
Faure, who has been outspoken on the dangers of climate change and the need to protect island nations like his own, assumed the presidency in 2016 after longtime President James Michel stepped down after the ruling United Seychelles party lost parliamentary elections to an opposition coalition.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Virus is pummeling Europe's eateries — and winter is coming

HEIKRUIS , Belgium ( AP ) - As the Friday night dinner service began earlier this month at the De Viering restaurant outside Brussels , it seemed the owners ’ decision to move the operation into the spacious village church to comply with coronavirus rules was paying off .
The reservation book was full and the kitchen was bustling .
And then Belgium ’ s prime minister ordered cafes , bars and restaurants to close for at least a month in the face of surging infections .
“ It ’ s another shock , of course , because - yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said chef Heidi Vanhasselt .
She and her sommelier husband Christophe Claes had installed a kitchen and new toilets in the Saint Bernardus church in Heikruis , as well as committing to 10 months ’ rent and pouring energy into creative solutions .
Vanhasselt ’ s frustration is Europe ’ s as a resurgence of the virus is dealing a second blow to the continent ’ s restaurants , which already suffered under lockdowns in the spring .
From Northern Ireland to the Netherlands , governments have shuttered eateries or severely curtailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs and revenue are at stake - restaurants lie at the heart of European life .
Their closures are threatening the social fabric by shutting the places where neighbors mix , extended families gather and the seeds of new families are sown .
A restaurant remains “ a place where very special moments are celebrated , ” said Griet Grassin of the Italian restaurant Tartufo on the outskirts of Brussels .
“ It ’ s not just the food , but it ’ s the well-being.
” This time , the closures are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Christmas season , nixing everything from pre-holiday office drinks to a special meal on the day .
When it comes to purely calories and vitamins , “ of course we can live without restaurants , ” said food historian professor Peter Scholliers .
But , he asked : “ We can live without being social ?
No , we can ’ t. ” Successful restaurants have always had to adapt quickly - but never has there been a challenge like this .
The European Union said the hotel and restaurant industry suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between February and April .
Try bouncing back from that .
Summer , with its drop in COVID-19 cases and a hesitant return to travel , brought some respite , especially in coastal resorts .
But then came fall .
Any giddiness that the fallout from the pandemic could somehow be contained faced the sobering reality of relentlessly rising coronavirus cases and hospitalizations .
Overall , COVID-19 has killed over 250,000 people across Europe , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Leaders are now warning that things will get worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant owners have bristled at the new restrictions and some are openly challenging them .
In London last week , the preeminent chef Yotam Ottolenghi banged pots on the street to protest restrictions that include earlier closing times .
“ It ’ s really hard , we ’ ve got a great industry with lots of heart , ” Ottolenghi said .
“ And there ’ s so many people who depend on it.
” If the mood of any nation is set by its stomach , surely France ’ s is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rhubarb tartlet .
The streets of Paris , the culinary capital of Lyon and several other French cities were eerily empty at night during the first week of a 9 p.m. curfew scheduled to last for at least a month .
Xavier Denamur , who owns five Parisian cafes and bistros that employ around 70 workers , said the French government is unfairly punishing the industry .
“ It ’ s a catastrophic measure , ” he said , arguing any curfew should be pushed to at least 11 p.m. to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , just such a late-night curfew went into effect in Milan - and even that triggered protests .
Still , highlighting how the world is feeling its way in the near darkness , restaurant and food delivery business owner Matteo Lorenzon argued the opposite .
“ Having a curfew starting at 11 p.m. , it ’ s too late.
” Already in September , more than 400,000 employees of restaurants and cafes in Italy , a nation of 60 million , were unemployed , according to an estimate by Fipe , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming months was even more dire : “ Hundreds of thousands of jobs risk being erased definitively.
” In the Netherlands , which has one of the highest virus infection rates in Europe , more than 60 Dutch bars and restaurants sought to overturn a monthlong closure order but failed .
Lawyer Simon van Zijll , representing the bars and restaurants , warned that the Dutch hospitality industry faces “ a tidal wave of bankruptcies.
” The first lockdown in the spring caught the owners of Tartufo , the restaurant on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This time , Grassin and her husband chef Kayes Ghourabi , were ready : They will ramp up their takeaway service and even offer their own gin with Mediterranean spices .
Still , income will drop by about 70 % to 80 % .
“ We lose , but it helps the costs .
The electricity , the insurance that keep on going , even in a lockdown , ” she said .
Across Europe , the stories are the same - of chefs thinking creatively , making something of a bad situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often built from scratch .
“ I have a son , and I always say to my husband , ‘ the restaurant was our first child.
’ And you want to fight for it , ” Grassin said .
Takeout is also a lifeline for Paolo Polli , who owned five bars and restaurants in Milan before closing four recently .
His staff was cut from 60 to six .
He said he made more money during the lockdown with his pizza-delivery service than when he reopened for regular service .
Down south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , allowing restaurants to serve on outside terraces .
Despite this , in Portugal , the AHRESP restaurant association said restaurants lost more than half of their revenue .
Now the chilly weather , stronger winds and rain are forcing everyone back indoors , where the virus spreads most easily .
“ It will be impossible , ” said Artur Veloso , who manages the Risca restaurant in Carcavelos .
“ Winter will bring more ruin.
” Associated Press writers Barry Hatton in Lisbon , Fran D ’ Emilio in Rome , Andrea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed .
Follow all of AP ’ s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and h ttps : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

HEIKRUIS, Belgium (AP) - As the Friday night dinner service began earlier this month at the De Viering restaurant outside Brussels, it seemed the owners’ decision to move the operation into the spacious village church to comply with coronavirus rules was paying off. The reservation book was full and the kitchen was bustling.
And then Belgium’s prime minister ordered cafes, bars and restaurants to close for at least a month in the face of surging infections.
“It’s another shock, of course, because - yes, all the investments are made,” said chef Heidi Vanhasselt. She and her sommelier husband Christophe Claes had installed a kitchen and new toilets in the Saint Bernardus church in Heikruis, as well as committing to 10 months’ rent and pouring energy into creative solutions.
Vanhasselt’s frustration is Europe’s as a resurgence of the virus is dealing a second blow to the continent’s restaurants, which already suffered under lockdowns in the spring. From Northern Ireland and Italy to the Netherlands and France, governments have shuttered eateries or severely curtailed how they operate.
More than just jobs and revenue are at stake - restaurants lie at the heart of European life. Their closures are threatening the social fabric by shutting the places where neighbors mix, extended families gather and the seeds of new families are sown.
A restaurant remains “a place where very special moments are celebrated,” said Griet Grassin of the Italian restaurant Tartufo on the outskirts of Brussels. “It’s not just the food, but it’s the well-being.”
The governments of Italy and Spain announced new measures Sunday that are aimed at curbing spiraling infections but also detrimental to dining out.
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte announced that restaurants and bars will be required to shut at 6 p.m. daily for at least a month. Most restaurants in Italy usually don’t even start to serve dinner before 8 p.m. Milan has already seen protests over a local curfew that took effect Thursday.
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared a national curfew from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. and said he would ask lawmakers to keep in place until May. The curfew starting Sunday night means Spaniards will have to watch the clock if they want to indulge their love for a late, leisurely meal with friends. The measure could end chances for the recovery of the country’s large nightlight industry.
The reduced hours that businesses can stay open and people are allowed to be out is particularly painful since they might stretch into the Christmas holiday season, nixing everything from pre-holiday office drinks to a special New Year’s meal.
When it comes to purely calories and vitamins, “of course we can live without restaurants,” said food historian professor Peter Scholliers.
But, he asked: “We can live without being social? No, we can’t.”
Successful restaurants have always had to adapt quickly - but never has there been a challenge like this.
The European Union said the hotel and restaurant industry suffered a jaw-dropping 79.3% decline in production between February and April. Try bouncing back from that.
Summer, with its drop in COVID-19 cases and a hesitant return to travel, brought some respite, especially in coastal resorts.
But then came fall. Any giddiness that the fallout from the pandemic could somehow be contained faced the sobering reality of relentlessly rising coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Overall, COVID-19 has killed over 250,000 people across Europe, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Leaders are now warning that things will get worse before they get better.
But many restaurant owners have bristled at the new restrictions and some are openly challenging them.
In London last week, the preeminent chef Yotam Ottolenghi banged pots on the street to protest restrictions that include earlier closing times.
“It’s really hard, we’ve got a great industry with lots of heart,” Ottolenghi said. “And there’s so many people who depend on it.”
If the mood of any nation is set by its stomach, surely France’s is. And it is turning as sour as a rhubarb tartlet. The streets of Paris, the culinary capital of Lyon and several other French cities were eerily empty at night during the first week of a 9 p.m. curfew scheduled to last for at least a month.
Xavier Denamur, who owns five Parisian cafes and bistros that employ around 70 workers, said the French government is unfairly punishing the industry.
“It’s a catastrophic measure,” he said, arguing any curfew should be pushed to at least 11 p.m. to allow for a proper dinner service.
Still, highlighting how the world is feeling its way in the near darkness, restaurant and food delivery business owner Matteo Lorenzon argued the opposite. “Having a curfew starting at 11 p.m., it’s too late.”
Already in September, more than 400,000 employees of restaurants and cafes in Italy, a nation of 60 million, were unemployed, according to an estimate by Fipe, the restaurant lobby group. Its prediction for the coming months was even more dire: “Hundreds of thousands of jobs risk being erased definitively.”
In the Netherlands, which has one of the highest virus infection rates in Europe, more than 60 Dutch bars and restaurants sought to overturn a monthlong closure order but failed. Lawyer Simon van Zijll, representing the bars and restaurants, warned that the Dutch hospitality industry faces “a tidal wave of bankruptcies.”
The first lockdown in the spring caught the owners of Tartufo, the restaurant on the outskirts of Brussels, off guard.
This time, Grassin and her husband chef Kayes Ghourabi, were ready: They will ramp up their takeaway service and even offer their own gin with Mediterranean spices. Still, income will drop by about 70% to 80%.
“We lose, but it helps the costs. The electricity, the insurance that keep on going, even in a lockdown,” she said.
Across Europe, the stories are the same - of chefs thinking creatively, making something of a bad situation, showing resilience to save something they often built from scratch.
“I have a son, and I always say to my husband, ‘the restaurant was our first child.’ And you want to fight for it,” Grassin said.
Takeout food is also a lifeline for Paolo Polli, who owned five bars and restaurants in Milan before closing four recently. His staff was cut from 60 to six. He said he made more money during the lockdown with his pizza-delivery service than when he reopened for regular service.
Down south, a balmy fall offered some reprieve, allowing restaurants to serve on outside terraces.
Despite this, in Portugal, the AHRESP restaurant association said restaurants lost more than half of their revenue. Now the chilly weather, stronger winds and rain are forcing everyone back indoors, where the virus spreads most easily.
“It will be impossible,” said Artur Veloso, who manages the Risca restaurant in Carcavelos. “Winter will bring more ruin.”
___
Associated Press writers Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Fran D’Emilio in Rome, Andrea Rosa in Milan, Thomas Adamson in Paris, Mike Corder in The Hague, and Joseph Wilson in Barcelona contributed.
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Follow all of AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and h ttps://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Observers say Tanzania's presidential vote is already flawed

NAIROBI , Kenya ( AP ) - Tanzania ’ s opposition faces a new obstacle in its quest to unseat President John Magufuli in Wednesday ’ s election : It says the government has made it difficult to accredit thousands of opposition electoral observers who want to ensure the vote is fair .
“ Without them , fraud can occur easily , ” Zitto Kabwe with the ACT Wazalendo party , a major player in an opposition coalition , told The Associated Press .
He warned that the issue could lead to violence , saying his party won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observers , “ and that ’ s why it ’ s an explosive issue.
” At stake is one of Africa ’ s most populous and peaceful countries and , at least before the COVID-19 pandemic , one of its fastest-growing economies .
The populist Magufuli has been criticized for severely stifling dissent since his 2015 election win , notably barring opposition parties from holding most public gatherings .
The president leads the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party that has held power for decades , and the opposition ’ s best chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single candidate .
But that hasn ’ t been easy .
The two leading opposition parties , ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA , finally overcame differences in ideology and ambition and last week to unite behind Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA , who this year returned from exile .
He had fled to Belgium after a 2017 assassination attempt in which he was shot 16 times .
Kabwe called Lissu the most popular candidate among the 15 presidential hopefuls , citing the crowds that have attended his rallies and discussions with fellow Tanzanians .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election is free and fair , it ’ s going the Lissu way , ” Kabwe said .
“ However , the playing field is not favorable to the opposition .
There are a lot electoral gimmicks and the like.
” Lissu was banned from campaigning for a week earlier this month by authorities .
The National Electoral Commission , whose members are appointed by Magufuli , said the suspension was punishment for making what was deemed seditious statements .
Lissu was accused of claiming that Magufuli had convened a meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidates were unfairly disqualified from running .
And the CHADEMA leader , Freeman Mbowe , was attacked by unknown assailants in June after he accused the government of covering up the extent of Tanzania ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
Magufuli has drawn international attention for declaring victory over the virus , mainly through prayer , while the government stopped publicly updating its infection numbers in April .
A Tanzanian government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations that authorities have disrupted opposition campaigning and electoral observation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election have fallen short of the teamwork ahead of the 2015 vote .
This time around , other significant political parties like the Civic United Front and NCCR-Mageuzi aren ’ t joining an alliance , in part because of internal disputes .
Magufuli won the 2015 election with 58 % of the vote while the opposition alliance candidate , Edward Lowassa , took 40 % .
“ This comfortable margin of victory nevertheless constituted CCM ’ s poorest showing in the modern era , ” said Tanzania Elections Watch , a regional initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2015 defeat many opposition leaders , including Lowassa , joined the ruling party .
Within a year of riding into the presidency on popular calls for reforms to tackle corruption , Magufuli consolidated power .
He has weakened Tanzania ’ s courts with his appointments , the U.S. Department of Defense ’ s Africa Center for Strategic Studies wrote last month .
And last year the government withdrew the right of citizens to petition the African Court on Human and Peoples ’ Rights and the East African Court of Justice - both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say Magufuli ’ s administration has curtailed the work of media and civil society , limiting freedom of assembly and expression .
Speaking publicly on any topic that the administration has deemed sensitive can lead to a media outlet ’ s deregistration or a critic ’ s imprisonment .
Earlier this year the government indefinitely banned the country ’ s second-largest newspaper , Tanzania Daima , owned by opposition leader Mbowe , accusing it of breaching the law and professional ethics , without citing specific examples .
Coverage of Wednesday ’ s election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws to require international radio and television broadcasters to have licensed local partners to get the regulatory body ’ s permission to air content , Amnesty International has said .
Meanwhile , some high-profile international election observers won ’ t be watching the vote .
“ Unlike 2010 and 2015 , the national authorities have not invited the EU to do it , ” said Emilio Rossetti with the European Union delegation to Tanzania .
Other groups , including the Catholic church , have been denied accreditation , said Abubakar Zein Abubakar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s East African Legislative Assembly : “ Those who seem to be independent have been denied the opportunity.
” “ This is going to be an election without observers , ” opposition leader Kabwe told an online event last month .
“ As we have seen , the election has already been stolen before the voting day.
” According to Tanzania ’ s election authority , more than 29 million voters have registered to vote on Wednesday .
Maria Matembe , a prominent Ugandan lawyer with Tanzania Elections Watch , warned that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of post-election violence , reports of pre-election violence and hate speech this time around have heightened tensions .
The U.S. ambassador to Tanzania , Donald J. Wright , in a statement Friday said the U.S. has heard reports of Tanzanian government and security agents disrupting candidates ’ ability to campaign freely .
“ As we get closer to election day , the pace and severity of these disruptions is quickening and deepening , ” he wrote .
“ We have seen political violence , restrictions on media and a candidate certification process that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear advantage to the ruling party.
” The ambassador said there ’ s still time to restore credibility to the election by allowing independent observers , ensuring that polling station results are posted publicly and giving parties ’ observers copies of tally sheets at the end of vote counting .
Frederick Ssempebwa , who co-chairs Tanzania Elections Watch , said Wednesday ’ s vote will be flawed if it ’ s held under the current conditions .
“ It will not be free and fair even if the opposition wins , ” Ssempebwa @ @

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Tanzania’s opposition faces a new obstacle in its quest to unseat President John Magufuli in Wednesday’s election: It says the government has made it difficult to accredit thousands of opposition electoral observers who want to ensure the vote is fair.
“Without them, fraud can occur easily,” Zitto Kabwe with the ACT Wazalendo party, a major player in an opposition coalition, told The Associated Press. He warned that the issue could lead to violence, saying his party won’t allow polling stations to operate without the observers, “and that’s why it’s an explosive issue.”
At stake is one of Africa’s most populous and peaceful countries and, at least before the COVID-19 pandemic, one of its fastest-growing economies. The populist Magufuli has been criticized for severely stifling dissent since his 2015 election win, notably barring opposition parties from holding most public gatherings.
The president leads the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party that has held power for decades, and the opposition’s best chance of an election win comes in uniting behind a single candidate. But that hasn’t been easy.
The two leading opposition parties, ACT Wazalendo and CHADEMA, finally overcame differences in ideology and ambition and last week to unite behind Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA, who this year returned from exile. He had fled to Belgium after a 2017 assassination attempt in which he was shot 16 times.
Kabwe called Lissu the most popular candidate among the 15 presidential hopefuls, citing the crowds that have attended his rallies and discussions with fellow Tanzanians.
“It’s quite clear if the election is free and fair, it’s going the Lissu way,” Kabwe said. “However, the playing field is not favorable to the opposition. There are a lot electoral gimmicks and the like.”
Lissu was banned from campaigning for a week earlier this month by authorities. The National Electoral Commission, whose members are appointed by Magufuli, said the suspension was punishment for making what was deemed seditious statements. Lissu was accused of claiming that Magufuli had convened a meeting with election officials.
Opposition parties say some other candidates were unfairly disqualified from running.
And the CHADEMA leader, Freeman Mbowe, was attacked by unknown assailants in June after he accused the government of covering up the extent of Tanzania’s coronavirus outbreak. Magufuli has drawn international attention for declaring victory over the virus, mainly through prayer, while the government stopped publicly updating its infection numbers in April.
A Tanzanian government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations that authorities have disrupted opposition campaigning and electoral observation.
Efforts to unite the opposition for this election have fallen short of the teamwork ahead of the 2015 vote. This time around, other significant political parties like the Civic United Front and NCCR-Mageuzi aren’t joining an alliance, in part because of internal disputes.
Magufuli won the 2015 election with 58% of the vote while the opposition alliance candidate, Edward Lowassa, took 40%.
“This comfortable margin of victory nevertheless constituted CCM’s poorest showing in the modern era,” said Tanzania Elections Watch, a regional initiative of prominent personalities.
Still, after the 2015 defeat many opposition leaders, including Lowassa, joined the ruling party.
Within a year of riding into the presidency on popular calls for reforms to tackle corruption, Magufuli consolidated power. He has weakened Tanzania’s courts with his appointments, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Africa Center for Strategic Studies wrote last month. And last year the government withdrew the right of citizens to petition the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the East African Court of Justice - both based in Tanzania.
Human rights groups say Magufuli’s administration has curtailed the work of media and civil society, limiting freedom of assembly and expression. Speaking publicly on any topic that the administration has deemed sensitive can lead to a media outlet’s deregistration or a critic’s imprisonment.
Earlier this year the government indefinitely banned the country’s second-largest newspaper, Tanzania Daima, owned by opposition leader Mbowe, accusing it of breaching the law and professional ethics, without citing specific examples.
Coverage of Wednesday’s election will be restricted after the government amended laws to require international radio and television broadcasters to have licensed local partners to get the regulatory body’s permission to air content, Amnesty International has said.
Meanwhile, some high-profile international election observers won’t be watching the vote. “Unlike 2010 and 2015, the national authorities have not invited the EU to do it,” said Emilio Rossetti with the European Union delegation to Tanzania.
Other groups, including the Catholic church, have been denied accreditation, said Abubakar Zein Abubakar, a former legislator with the region’s East African Legislative Assembly: “Those who seem to be independent have been denied the opportunity.”
“This is going to be an election without observers,” opposition leader Kabwe told an online event last month. “As we have seen, the election has already been stolen before the voting day.”
According to Tanzania’s election authority, more than 29 million voters have registered to vote on Wednesday.
Maria Matembe, a prominent Ugandan lawyer with Tanzania Elections Watch, warned that while Tanzania in the past has seen cases of post-election violence, reports of pre-election violence and hate speech this time around have heightened tensions.
The group cited police intimidation of candidates including Lissu.
The U.S. ambassador to Tanzania, Donald J. Wright, in a statement Friday said the U.S. has heard reports of Tanzanian government and security agents disrupting candidates’ ability to campaign freely.
“As we get closer to election day, the pace and severity of these disruptions is quickening and deepening,” he wrote. “We have seen political violence, restrictions on media and a candidate certification process that, by all appearances, gave a clear advantage to the ruling party.”
The ambassador said there’s still time to restore credibility to the election by allowing independent observers, ensuring that polling station results are posted publicly and giving parties’ observers copies of tally sheets at the end of vote counting.
Frederick Ssempebwa, who co-chairs Tanzania Elections Watch, said Wednesday’s vote will be flawed if it’s held under the current conditions.
“It will not be free and fair even if the opposition wins,” Ssempebwa said.
___
Cara Anna in Nairobi, Kenya contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Afghanistan claims killing an al-Qaida leader wanted by FBI

KABUL , Afghanistan ( AP ) - Afghanistan claimed Sunday it killed a top al-Qaida propagandist on an FBI most-wanted list during an operation in the country ’ s east , showing the militant group ’ s continued presence there as U.S. forces work to withdraw from America ’ s longest-running war amid continued bloodshed .
The reported death of Husam Abd al-Rauf , also known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhsin al-Masri , follows weeks of violence , including a suicide bombing by the Islamic State group Saturday at an education center near Kabul that killed 24 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight Taliban militants even as peace talks in Qatar between the two sides take place for the first time .
The violence and al-Rauf ’ s reported killing threatens the face-to-face peace talks and risks plunging this nation beset by decades of war into further instability .
It also complicates America ’ s efforts to withdraw , 19 years after it led an invasion targeting the Taliban for hosting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 attacks .
Details over the raid that led to al-Rauf ’ s alleged death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Directorate of Security intelligence service claimed on Twitter to have killed him in Ghazni province .
Al-Qaida did not immediately acknowledge al-Rauf ’ s reported death .
The FBI , the U.S. military and NATO did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
The Afghan raid happened last week in Kunsaf , a village in Ghazni province ’ s Andar district some 150 kilometers ( 90 miles ) southwest of Kabul , two government officials said .
Amanullah Kamrani , the deputy head of Ghazni ’ s provincial council , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by the intelligence agency raided Kunsaf , which he described as being under Taliban control .
On the village ’ s outskirts , they stormed an isolated home and killed seven suspected militants in a firefight , including al-Rauf , Kamrani said .
Neither Kamrani nor the intelligence agency offered details on how authorities identified al-Rauf , nor how they came to suspect he was in the village .
Wahidullah Jumazada , a spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghazni , said Afghan forces killed six suspected militants in the raid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamrani alleged , without providing evidence , that the Taliban had been offering shelter and protection to al-Rauf .
The Taliban told the AP on Sunday they are investigating the incident .
If the Taliban had provided protection for al-Rauf that would violate the terms of its Feb. 29 deal with the U.S. that jump-started the Afghan peace talks .
That deal saw the Taliban agree “ not to cooperate with groups or individuals threatening the security of the United States and its allies , ” which includes al-Qaida .
The Afghan presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been killed and warning it “ proved that the threat of terrorism and the Taliban ’ s links to terrorist networks are still in place.
” “ The Taliban should prove to the people , the government of Afghanistan and the international community that they are ending their links with terrorist groups , including al-Qaida , ” the statement said .
They “ should stop the war and violence and facilitate a dignified and sustainable peace in the country.
” Federal prosecutors in the southern district of New York filed a warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , accusing him of providing support to a foreign terrorist organization and being part of a conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens .
The FBI put him on the bureau ’ s “ Most Wanted Terrorists ” list , which now includes 27 others .
The red-headed al-Rauf , believed to be born in 1958 , is an Egyptian national .
An al-Qaida-issued biography said he joined the mujahedeen fighters who battled the Soviet Union in 1986 .
He has served for years as al-Qaida ’ s media chief , offering audio statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After years of remaining silent following the acknowledgement of Taliban founder Mullah Omar ’ s death , al-Rauf re-emerged in 2018 in an audio statement in which he mocked President Donald Trump and those who preceded him the White House .
“ I name him ‘ Donald T-Rambo ’ who tries to copy the famous American fictional character ‘ Rambo , ’ who , with only a Kalashnikov , was able to liberate the entire Afghanistan from the Soviet Union , ” al-Rauf said , according to the SITE Intelligence Group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ al-Qaida ’ s leader for the Indian subcontinent.
” Meanwhile Sunday , authorities raised the death toll in Saturday ’ s suicide attack on an education center near Kabul .
The suicide bomber , who was stopped by guards from entering the center , killed 24 and wounded 57 - many of them young students .
The Islamic State group ’ s local affiliate claimed credit for the attack in a heavily Shiite neighborhood of western Kabul ’ s Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood , saying one of its fighters used a suicide bomb vest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press writer Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report .

RAHIM FAIEZ, TAMEEM AKHGAR and JON GAMBRELL

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghanistan claimed Sunday it killed a top al-Qaida propagandist on an FBI most-wanted list during an operation in the country’s east, showing the militant group’s continued presence there as U.S. forces work to withdraw from America’s longest-running war amid continued bloodshed.
The reported death of Husam Abd al-Rauf, also known by the nom de guerre Abu Muhsin al-Masri, follows weeks of violence, including a suicide bombing by the Islamic State group Saturday at an education center near Kabul that killed 24 people. Meanwhile, the Afghan government continues to fight Taliban militants even as peace talks in Qatar between the two sides take place for the first time.
The violence and al-Rauf’s reported killing threaten the face-to-face peace talks and risk plunging this nation beset by decades of war into further instability. They also complicate America’s efforts to withdraw, 19 years after it led an invasion targeting the Taliban for hosting al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Details over the raid that led to al-Rauf’s alleged death remained murky hours after Afghanistan’s intelligence service, the National Directorate of Security, claimed on Twitter to have killed him in Ghazni province. It said one of its members was also killed in the operation. The agency released a photograph late Sunday afternoon it described as al-Rauf’s corpse, which resembled FBI images of the militant leader.
Al-Qaida did not immediately acknowledge al-Rauf’s reported death. The FBI declined to comment. The U.S. military’s Central Command and NATO did not respond to requests for comment.
The Afghan raid happened last week in Kunsaf, a village in Ghazni province’s Andar district some 150 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Kabul, two government officials said.
Amanullah Kamrani, the deputy head of Ghazni’s provincial council, told The Associated Press that Afghan special forces led by the intelligence agency raided Kunsaf, which he described as being under Taliban control. On the village’s outskirts, they stormed an isolated home and killed seven suspected militants in a firefight, including al-Rauf, Kamrani said.
Neither Kamrani nor the intelligence agency offered details on how authorities identified al-Rauf, nor how they came to suspect he was in the village.
Wahidullah Jumazada, a spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghazni, said Afghan forces killed six suspected militants in the raid, without acknowledging al-Rauf had been killed.
Kamrani alleged, without providing evidence, that the Taliban had been offering shelter and protection to al-Rauf. The Taliban told the AP on Sunday they are investigating the incident.
If the Taliban had provided protection for al-Rauf that would violate the terms of its Feb. 29 deal with the U.S. that jump-started the Afghan peace talks. That deal saw the Taliban agree “not to cooperate with groups or individuals threatening the security of the United States and its allies,” which includes al-Qaida.
The Afghan presidential palace issued a statement Sunday saying al-Rauf had been killed and warning it “proved that the threat of terrorism and the Taliban’s links to terrorist networks are still in place.”
“The Taliban should prove to the people, the government of Afghanistan and the international community that they are ending their links with terrorist groups, including al-Qaida,” the statement said. They “should stop the war and violence and facilitate a dignified and sustainable peace in the country.”
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York filed a warrant for al-Rauf’s arrest in December 2018, accusing him of providing support to a foreign terrorist organization and being part of a conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens. The FBI put him on the bureau’s “Most Wanted Terrorists” list, which now includes 27 others.
The red-headed al-Rauf, believed to be born in 1958, is an Egyptian national. An al-Qaida-issued biography said he joined the mujaheddin fighters who battled the Soviet Union in 1986.
He has served for years as al-Qaida’s media chief, offering audio statements and written articles backing the militant group. After years of remaining silent following the acknowledgement of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar’s death, al-Rauf reemerged in 2018 in an audio statement in which he mocked President Donald Trump and those who preceded him the White House.
“I name him ‘Donald T-Rambo’ who tries to copy the famous American fictional character ‘Rambo,’ who, with only a Kalashnikov, was able to liberate the entire Afghanistan from the Soviet Union,” al-Rauf said, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.
The Afghan presidential palace described al-Rauf as “al-Qaida’s leader for the Indian subcontinent.” The National Directorate of Security referred to al-Rauf as having a close relationship with both bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian now leading al-Qaida. It said he lived for years in hideouts in both Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.
Meanwhile Sunday, authorities raised the death toll in Saturday’s suicide attack on an education center near Kabul. The suicide bomber, who was stopped by guards from entering the center, killed 24 and wounded 57 - many of them young students.
The Islamic State group’s local affiliate claimed credit for the attack in a heavily Shiite neighborhood of western Kabul’s Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood, saying one of its fighters used a suicide bomb vest in the assault. The Sunni extremists of the Islamic State group view Shiites as heretics and have repeatedly targeted them in attacks in Afghanistan, even after losing the territory of their so-called caliphate once spanning parts of Iraq and Syria.
Mourners later gathered on a dusty hillside to bury the youths killed by the bombing. An Afghan flag whipped in the wind above their heads as they prayed for, buried and quietly remembered those lost.
“They had no guns on hand,” said one mourner named Azizullah, who like many Afghans uses one name. “They wanted to study and have a bright future for themselves and the country.”
___
Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writer Maamoun Youssef in Cairo contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--India's festive season spawns fears of renewed virus surge

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - Just weeks after India fully opened up from a harsh lockdown and began to modestly turn a corner by cutting new coronavirus infections by near half , a Hindu festival season is raising fears that a fresh surge could spoil the hard-won gains .
“ I ’ d be very worried about what we are going to see in India , ” said Dr. Ashish Jha , the dean of Brown University ’ s School of Public Health and a leading infectious disease expert .
The festivals draw tens and thousands of people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts and family gatherings , leading to concerns among health experts who warn of a whole new cascade of infections , further testing and straining India ’ s battered health care system .
The Hindu festival season is traditionally laced with an unmatched fanfare and extravaganza , with socializing being the hallmark of the celebration .
But this year ’ s festivities have started on a pale note .
So far , the colorful and elaborate rituals for Durga Puja and Dussehra have been scaled down .
The celebrations , bereft of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The towering displays of religious sculptures are rare , and at many places , prayers have gone virtual , with organizers livestreaming the sessions for the devotees .
In many states , police barricades have been erected around the usually buzzing places of worship to avoid large gatherings .
But this could change .
Nearly 1 billion Indians will soon celebrate Diwali , the Hindu festival of light , and the country ’ s biggest .
Socializing is key part of the most highly anticipated event of the year , with malls and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditionally brings in a massive increase in consumer spending across India .
Even though the government is expecting the festival to help resuscitate the ailing economy , it is also worried about people packing together , foregoing social distancing and masks .
Such concerns prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation in a televised speech earlier this week , warning people of “ any laxity ” during the festive season that “ could strain India ’ s health system.
” India is second to the United States with the largest coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit a peak of nearly 100,000 cases in a single day , but since then daily infections have fallen by about half and deaths by about a third .
Some experts say the decline in cases suggests the virus may have finally reached a plateau but others question the testing methods .
India ’ s testing rate has remained constant but it is relying heavily on antigen tests , which are faster but less accurate than traditional RT-PCR tests .
Even as the reasons behind the decline are not fully clear , India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day , making any new surge all the more important .
These fears stem largely from India ’ s initial success story - until it wasn ’ t .
In June , the southern coastal state of Kerala was cheered for flattening the curve , generating worldwide appreciation , even from the United Nations .
But in a stunning reversal , it now fares as the second-worst state in active coronavirus cases in the country .
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan blamed “ gross negligence ” during the 10-day Onam festival celebrations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge .
Since then , reported infections there have jumped by five times , far outpacing the nationwide trend .
Kerala ’ s story has alarmed health experts who fear similar problems in the runup to Diwali that could reverse the gains .
“ If we don ’ t avoid socializing during the upcoming festival season , I fear we will be back to where we started , “ said Dr. T. Jacob John , a retired virologist .
“ There is a significant risk ahead of us.
” For the many faithful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home festival cheer and the urge to step out is only growing .
Sumita Chaterjee ’ s family has avoided outdoor gatherings for months after the 64-year-old resident of New Delhi and her granddaughter survived the virus in late June .
But now the family is planning to forego the restraint and take part in a ritual where the idol of goddess Durga will be immersed in a community pool on Sunday .
The entire neighborhood is expected to take part in the ritual .
“ This is a matter of faith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are risks but we can ’ t make the gods angry.
” ___ Associated Press journalists Annirudha Ghosal and Rishi Lekhi contributed to this report .

NEW DELHI (AP) - Just weeks after India fully opened up from a harsh lockdown and began to modestly turn a corner by cutting new coronavirus infections by near half, a Hindu festival season is raising fears that a fresh surge could spoil the hard-won gains.
“I’d be very worried about what we are going to see in India,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health and a leading infectious disease expert.
The festivals draw tens and thousands of people, packed together shoulder-to-shoulder in temples, shopping districts and family gatherings, leading to concerns among health experts who warn of a whole new cascade of infections, further testing and straining India’s battered health care system.
The Hindu festival season is traditionally laced with an unmatched fanfare and extravaganza, with socializing being the hallmark of the celebration. But this year’s festivities have started on a pale note.
So far, the colorful and elaborate rituals for Durga Puja and Dussehra have been scaled down. The celebrations, bereft of all the grandiose, have been muted. The towering displays of religious sculptures are rare, and at many places, prayers have gone virtual, with organizers livestreaming the sessions for the devotees.
In many states, police barricades have been erected around the usually buzzing places of worship to avoid large gatherings.
But this could change.
Nearly 1 billion Indians will soon celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, and the country’s biggest. Socializing is key part of the most highly anticipated event of the year, with malls and markets buzzing with shoppers. It also traditionally brings in a massive increase in consumer spending across India.
Even though the government is expecting the festival to help resuscitate the ailing economy, it is also worried about people packing together, foregoing social distancing and masks.
Such concerns prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation in a televised speech earlier this week, warning people of “any laxity” during the festive season that “could strain India’s health system.”
India is second to the United States with the largest coronavirus outbreak. Last month, the country hit a peak of nearly 100,000 cases in a single day, but since then daily infections have fallen by about half and deaths by about a third.
Some experts say the decline in cases suggests the virus may have finally reached a plateau but others question the testing methods. India’s testing rate has remained constant but it is relying heavily on antigen tests, which are faster but less accurate than traditional RT-PCR tests.
Even as the reasons behind the decline are not fully clear, India is still clocking more than 50,000 cases a day, making any new surge all the more important.
These fears stem largely from India’s initial success story - until it wasn’t.
In June, the southern coastal state of Kerala was cheered for flattening the curve, generating worldwide appreciation, even from the United Nations. But in a stunning reversal, it now fares as the second-worst state in active coronavirus cases in the country.
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan blamed “gross negligence” during the 10-day Onam festival celebrations in late August for Kerala’s virus surge. Since then, reported infections there have jumped by five times, far outpacing the nationwide trend.
Kerala’s story has alarmed health experts who fear similar problems in the runup to Diwali that could reverse the gains.
“If we don’t avoid socializing during the upcoming festival season, I fear we will be back to where we started,“ said Dr. T. Jacob John, a retired virologist. “There is a significant risk ahead of us.”
For the many faithful, scaled-down celebrations aren’t bringing home festival cheer and the urge to step out is only growing.
Sumita Chaterjee’s family has avoided outdoor gatherings for months after the 64-year-old resident of New Delhi and her granddaughter survived the virus in late June.
But now the family is planning to forego the restraint and take part in a ritual where the idol of goddess Durga will be immersed in a community pool on Sunday. The entire neighborhood is expected to take part in the ritual.
“This is a matter of faith,” said Chaterjee. “I know there are risks but we can’t make the gods angry.” ___
Associated Press journalists Annirudha Ghosal and Rishi Lekhi contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Turkey extends controversial Mediterranean gas exploration

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkey announced late Saturday that it is extending by one week a gas @ @ @ @ @ Mediterranean that has caused tensions with Greece .
In a fresh notice to shipping in @ @ @ @ @ the Oruc Reis seismic survey vessel , accompanied by two support ships , will operate @ @ @ @ @ the Greek island of Rhodes until Nov. 4 .
An earlier notice had said the @ @ @ @ @ the area until Tuesday , Oct. 27 .
Ankara had dispatched the Oruc Reis along @ @ @ @ @ to waters also claimed by Greece and Cyprus , sparking a dispute that threatened a @ @ @ @ @ allies .
The mission drew condemnation from the European Union .
The vessel was withdrawn @ @ @ @ @ as a diplomatic solution was sought , but it was later redeployed to the region @ @ @ @ @ .
Turkey in the past has dispatched exploratory missions for oil and gas reserves in @ @ @ @ @ its own .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey announced late Saturday that it is extending by one week a gas exploration mission in the eastern Mediterranean that has caused tensions with Greece.
In a fresh notice to shipping in the area, Turkey said the Oruc Reis seismic survey vessel, accompanied by two support ships, will operate in the area south of the Greek island of Rhodes until Nov. 4. An earlier notice had said the ships would be operating in the area until Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Ankara had dispatched the Oruc Reis along with several warships in August to waters also claimed by Greece and Cyprus, sparking a dispute that threatened a military confrontation between the NATO allies. The mission drew condemnation from the European Union.
The vessel was withdrawn for maintenance earlier this month as a diplomatic solution was sought, but it was later redeployed to the region with two support supply ships.
Turkey in the past has dispatched exploratory missions for oil and gas reserves in waters that Cyprus claims as its own.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Florida students with disabilities adapt to COVID-19 changes

SARASOTA , Fla. ( AP ) - Luther Smith doesn ’ t say much , but his teachers know that COVID-19 is stressing him out .
The 16-year-old student at Oak Park , Sarasota ’ s school for children with disabilities , has autism and is nonverbal , so he uses a touch-screen tablet to communicate .
The device gives him a voice , allowing him to tap out answers to questions by clicking on pictures and symbols .
And the technology gives his teachers a better understanding of what he ’ s thinking as he takes in the array @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his world .
“ The general sense is that he just wants things to be normal , ” said his teacher , Jayson Rawley .
“ There ’ s this feeling of looming anxiety that we have all kind of felt , and just because he is nonverbal doesn ’ t mean he isn ’ t having the same feelings that we are.
” Since schools in Sarasota County reopened on Aug. 31 , students have had to acclimate to new protocols .
Mask mandates , one-way hallways and desk dividers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routine , like fire drills or chicken nuggets in the cafeteria .
At Oak Park , the challenge of reopening is magnified .
Many of Luther ’ s classmates are also nonverbal .
Some are medically fragile and more prone to the virus .
Other students with emotional-behavioral disorders are adjusting to new rules that can irritate even the most even-keeled adult .
And others just crave hugs from their teachers .
On a recent school day , Jane Jansson , a paraprofessional at the school , led a group of students into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her elbows , and two more trailed close behind her .
As she took a 30-second break while her sidekicks got breakfast , she talked about how teaching children with autism had changed because of the virus .
“ It ’ s been hard .
It ’ s really been hard .
They don ’ t understand .
We are trying to teach them to be social , but with the virus we have to be separate , ” she said .
“ Plus having the mask , being autistic , they don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading the face , and this messes it up even more.
” But if anyone is up for dealing with unexpected challenges , it is the students and staff at Oak Park , said Principal Jamie Lowicz .
A pandemic makes life tougher , but having to use a wheelchair or not being able to talk has already toughened up these kids .
“ They have had challenges their whole life , so this is just something else that has to be overcome and dealt with and faced , ” Lowicz said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to adversity … that makes a virus look fairly simple .
It ’ s a challenge for everybody , but they are masterful at this.
” Lowicz gathered a team of staff members over the summer to figure out how to reopen school and keep their students safe .
They knew that some of the new rules that leaders at traditional schools have mandated were simply impossible at Oak Park .
Teachers can ’ t socially distance themselves from students who need help , and they knew many children would struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the safest way that we can do this , knowing our population , knowing that there are special needs that exist that are unlike anywhere else in the district ?
” Lowicz said they asked themselves .
They prepared for the year by restructuring parts of the school day , trying to maintain as much student independence as possible .
Students at Oak Park learn how to make decisions and advocate for themselves through simple routines like picking out their food in the cafeteria .
School leaders tried to keep in mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ development .
“ Everything we do here , it is essential it be transferrable to other environments , ” Lowicz said .
Many of the new measures are not that different from what every school is doing .
One-way hallways , signs reminding students to stay six feet apart and mask requirements are all in place , and the staff spent the first four weeks of school focused on ingraining these new rules into Oak Park culture , Lowicz said .
Students who have sensory issues and are uncomfortable wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first wearing a face shield or something more comfortable .
In order to create more outdoor spaces where students can take a break from wearing their masks , the school purchased 15 wheelchair-accessible picnic tables to go in the outdoor courtyard adjoining each classroom .
‘ I DON ’ T WANT TO BE STUCK AT HOME ’ Recently , when workers installed the new picnic table next to Savannah Jones ’ classroom , the 16-year-old could not contain her excitement .
Savannah uses a wheelchair , and the new picnic table allows her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her best friend in the class who uses the tablet to help him communicate .
Savannah , who is in the district ’ s curriculum for students with severe cognitive disabilities , said she was thrilled to be back at school after five months off .
She said “ work ” is her favorite part of school , while listing quizzes on which she had scored 100 % and laughing as her teacher , Mr. Rawley , teased her .
“ I don ’ t want to be stuck at home , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March , parents of children with disabilities had to add home schooling to their responsibilities .
At Oak Park , roughly half of the school relies on assistive technology , ranging from the iPad that Luther uses to complex sensors that help make sense of seemingly involuntary movements .
School staff set up Zoom sessions to help parents use the devices for home schooling , and about 30 % of the students opted to continue with remote learning once schools reopened in August .
While fears about COVID-19 transmission in such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and students desperately wanted to return to the social environment that provides so many lessons .
Kathryn Shea , the recently retired executive director of the Florida Center , knows how vital a routine is for children with disabilities , and how much the parents need a break .
Her son , Seth Winners , 31 , graduated from Oak Park .
Winners has developmental delays and lives with his parents .
COVID-19 has upended his life and theirs – he normally spends his days at The Haven ’ s residential program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part time in the last month .
Shea said that having Seth home with her all day is extremely challenging , as he asks every day for her to tell the story of COVID-19 .
He fills his time with Legos , playing in the pool and taking Ninja lessons through Zoom , but he misses the structure that his program provides .
“ He just can ’ t process that the disease is here , ” Shea said .
“ It ’ s just so hard for him to process that.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a respite for both the parents and the child , Shea said .
“ They can learn much faster cognitively when they feel safe and secure emotionally , ” Shea said .
“ It is true for all of us , but it is so much more important for them because their brains function differently.
” At Oak Park , a pay bump for paraprofessionals helped ensure the school was fully staffed this year , despite the challenges .
And while COVID-19 has complicated life for the teachers and staff at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurdle compared to the ones they overcome daily .
“ There is not a better example of the adaptability and flexibility than what our staff does here , ” Lowicz said .
“ It may not be perfect , and it may not be the way you want it right now , but you do what you need to do .
”

BY RYAN MCKINNON, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - Luther Smith doesn’t say much, but his teachers know that COVID-19 is stressing him out.
The 16-year-old student at Oak Park, Sarasota’s school for children with disabilities, has autism and is nonverbal, so he uses a touch-screen tablet to communicate. The device gives him a voice, allowing him to tap out answers to questions by clicking on pictures and symbols.
And the technology gives his teachers a better understanding of what he’s thinking as he takes in the array of changes that a pandemic has brought to his world.
“The general sense is that he just wants things to be normal,” said his teacher, Jayson Rawley. “There’s this feeling of looming anxiety that we have all kind of felt, and just because he is nonverbal doesn’t mean he isn’t having the same feelings that we are.”
Since schools in Sarasota County reopened on Aug. 31, students have had to acclimate to new protocols. Mask mandates, one-way hallways and desk dividers are now just a part of the school routine, like fire drills or chicken nuggets in the cafeteria.
At Oak Park, the challenge of reopening is magnified. Many of Luther’s classmates are also nonverbal. Some are medically fragile and more prone to the virus. Other students with emotional-behavioral disorders are adjusting to new rules that can irritate even the most even-keeled adult. And others just crave hugs from their teachers.
On a recent school day, Jane Jansson, a paraprofessional at the school, led a group of students into the cafeteria. Two boys clung to her elbows, and two more trailed close behind her. As she took a 30-second break while her sidekicks got breakfast, she talked about how teaching children with autism had changed because of the virus.
“It’s been hard. It’s really been hard. They don’t understand. We are trying to teach them to be social, but with the virus we have to be separate,” she said. “Plus having the mask, being autistic, they don’t have a good ability at reading the face, and this messes it up even more.”
But if anyone is up for dealing with unexpected challenges, it is the students and staff at Oak Park, said Principal Jamie Lowicz. A pandemic makes life tougher, but having to use a wheelchair or not being able to talk has already toughened up these kids.
“They have had challenges their whole life, so this is just something else that has to be overcome and dealt with and faced,” Lowicz said. “Our kids are the champions when it comes to adversity … that makes a virus look fairly simple. It’s a challenge for everybody, but they are masterful at this.”
NEW SAFETY MEASURES
Lowicz gathered a team of staff members over the summer to figure out how to reopen school and keep their students safe.
They knew that some of the new rules that leaders at traditional schools have mandated were simply impossible at Oak Park. Teachers can’t socially distance themselves from students who need help, and they knew many children would struggle with mask mandates.
“What’s the safest way that we can do this, knowing our population, knowing that there are special needs that exist that are unlike anywhere else in the district?” Lowicz said they asked themselves.
They prepared for the year by restructuring parts of the school day, trying to maintain as much student independence as possible. Students at Oak Park learn how to make decisions and advocate for themselves through simple routines like picking out their food in the cafeteria. School leaders tried to keep in mind how any new mandates would affect students’ development.
“Everything we do here, it is essential it be transferrable to other environments,” Lowicz said.
Many of the new measures are not that different from what every school is doing. One-way hallways, signs reminding students to stay six feet apart and mask requirements are all in place, and the staff spent the first four weeks of school focused on ingraining these new rules into Oak Park culture, Lowicz said.
Students who have sensory issues and are uncomfortable wearing a mask are building up to that, by first wearing a face shield or something more comfortable.
In order to create more outdoor spaces where students can take a break from wearing their masks, the school purchased 15 wheelchair-accessible picnic tables to go in the outdoor courtyard adjoining each classroom.
‘I DON’T WANT TO BE STUCK AT HOME’
Recently, when workers installed the new picnic table next to Savannah Jones’ classroom, the 16-year-old could not contain her excitement. Savannah uses a wheelchair, and the new picnic table allows her to eat lunch next to Luther, her best friend in the class who uses the tablet to help him communicate.
Savannah, who is in the district’s curriculum for students with severe cognitive disabilities, said she was thrilled to be back at school after five months off. She said “work” is her favorite part of school, while listing quizzes on which she had scored 100% and laughing as her teacher, Mr. Rawley, teased her.
“I don’t want to be stuck at home,” she said.
When schools closed abruptly in March, parents of children with disabilities had to add home schooling to their responsibilities. At Oak Park, roughly half of the school relies on assistive technology, ranging from the iPad that Luther uses to complex sensors that help make sense of seemingly involuntary movements.
School staff set up Zoom sessions to help parents use the devices for home schooling, and about 30% of the students opted to continue with remote learning once schools reopened in August. While fears about COVID-19 transmission in such a vulnerable population are real, many parents and students desperately wanted to return to the social environment that provides so many lessons.
Kathryn Shea, the recently retired executive director of the Florida Center, knows how vital a routine is for children with disabilities, and how much the parents need a break. Her son, Seth Winners, 31, graduated from Oak Park.
Winners has developmental delays and lives with his parents. COVID-19 has upended his life and theirs – he normally spends his days at The Haven’s residential program, but the program shut down before reopening part time in the last month.
Shea said that having Seth home with her all day is extremely challenging, as he asks every day for her to tell the story of COVID-19. He fills his time with Legos, playing in the pool and taking Ninja lessons through Zoom, but he misses the structure that his program provides.
“He just can’t process that the disease is here,” Shea said. “It’s just so hard for him to process that.”
Being able to attend school each day is a respite for both the parents and the child, Shea said.
“They can learn much faster cognitively when they feel safe and secure emotionally,” Shea said. “It is true for all of us, but it is so much more important for them because their brains function differently.”
At Oak Park, a pay bump for paraprofessionals helped ensure the school was fully staffed this year, despite the challenges. And while COVID-19 has complicated life for the teachers and staff at the school, virus mitigation remains a small hurdle compared to the ones they overcome daily.
“There is not a better example of the adaptability and flexibility than what our staff does here,” Lowicz said. “It may not be perfect, and it may not be the way you want it right now, but you do what you need to do.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--The king tides are coming. Here’s when they’ll be worst.

MIAMI ( AP ) - The highest tides of the year , known as king tides , are here again to flood roads , parks and the occasional home or business .
This year , in addition to the army of flood pumps coastal cities deploy to keep streets dry , the city of Miami is hoping that its residents will monitor the floods and report what they see .
It ’ s part of a new partnership designed to fill in the gaps computer models can ’ t .
“ We always say humans are the best sensors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community manager with ISeeChange , a New Orleans-based firm that gathers resident-reported changes in their neighborhood - like flood hot spots - to help cities decide where to invest in flood protection .
King tides began in September , and some of the initial posts on the app show the now-familiar sight of deep puddles around storm drains and parking lots .
This batch of high tides runs from October 14 to the 21 , according to NOAA calculations .
Tides have crept up higher and higher before peaking during high tide Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently running .6 ft above NOAA predicted peaks , which ( if that stays consistent ) should result in a maximum king tide around 1.7 FT NAVD , ” Alan Dodd , Miami ’ s chief resilience officer , wrote in an email .
These annual tides are naturally high thanks to the influence of the moon and the Gulf Stream , but sea level rise has turned them into the most visible symptom of climate change .
The high tides are growing higher as oceans grow warmer .
A recently released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 in Miami-Dade could be the equivalent of the daily high tide by 2040 .
King tides give cities a chance to see how their drainage systems will fare under the higher tides of the future , and to test run the expensive new upgrades they ’ ve made .
Miami has already installed 103 one-way tidal valves , which allow water to trickle out of drainage pipes but stop it from seeping back in , in addition to several pump stations .
For this king tide , Dodd said the city placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shorecrest neighborhood , Morningside Park , Brickell Bay Drive , Fairview Street and North Bayhomes Drive .
Miami Beach , which has spent hundreds of millions raising roads , installing flood pumps and raising seawalls through the city , is deploying eight temporary pumps .
They ’ ll be placed at Commerce Street and Alton Road , 8th Street and West Avenue , 19th Street and Jefferson Avenue , Muse Park , 56th Street and North Bay Road , 59th Street and North Bay Road , Rue Notre Dame and Marseille Drive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach residents who live on streets that regularly flood can apply for free parking elsewhere in the city during king tides and hurricanes .
The city also “ strongly encourages ” residents in those areas to install flood panels or use sandbags to protect their property , according to a newsletter the city sends out ahead of king tide events .
In Miami Beach , residents can report flooding by emailing flooding @ miamibeachfl.gov .
In Miami , residents can post pictures to the ISeeChange app , which is in a 2-year pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re really trying to center the residents in that experience , rather than center the tides all the time , ” said Jared Genova , strategist and business development director for ISeeChange .
“ If we don ’ t understand how those three feet are really affecting people , then we don ’ t know how to plan for it.
” In New Orleans ’ low-lying Gentilly neighborhood , ISeeChange users documented 28 flood events over four years , which led the city to change its flood protection plans to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football and baseball field .
Genova said the company hopes to replicate that success in Miami , which is developing a brand-new stormwater master plan designed to address flooding across the city .
That means when the models shaping the plan spit out a potential problem area , Sebastiani goes to check it out .
She talks to residents to see if there really is flooding and if it ’ s swamping their homes and businesses .
Last week , residents showed her how a bus stop in Little Havana goes underwater at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halfway through the adjacent parking lot .
So far there are only about 50 posts on the Miami page of the site , many by Sebastiani herself .
She attributes the low user base to the digital divide in older , more inland neighborhoods .
The app is in the process of adding Spanish translations , and Sebastiani said she ’ d like to see Haitian Creole added in the future .
The longest-running citizen science program focused on king tide , Florida International University ’ s Sea Level Solutions Day , held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Participants could water depth as well as water quality , which could be sullied by fertilizer washed from lawns , oil dripping from cars or the thousands of leaky septic tanks throughout the county .
The final bout of king tides this year will be from November 13 to 18 , although NOAA doesn ’ t predict it will be as high as the October tides .

MIAMI (AP) - The highest tides of the year, known as king tides, are here again to flood roads, parks and the occasional home or business.
This year, in addition to the army of flood pumps coastal cities deploy to keep streets dry, the city of Miami is hoping that its residents will monitor the floods and report what they see. It’s part of a new partnership designed to fill in the gaps computer models can’t.
“We always say humans are the best sensors,” said Claudia Sebastiani, the Miami community manager with ISeeChange, a New Orleans-based firm that gathers resident-reported changes in their neighborhood - like flood hot spots - to help cities decide where to invest in flood protection.
King tides began in September, and some of the initial posts on the app show the now-familiar sight of deep puddles around storm drains and parking lots. This batch of high tides runs from October 14 to the 21, according to NOAA calculations. Tides have crept up higher and higher before peaking during high tide Oct. 16 and slowly shrinking.
“Tides are currently running .6 ft above NOAA predicted peaks, which (if that stays consistent) should result in a maximum king tide around 1.7 FT NAVD,” Alan Dodd, Miami’s chief resilience officer, wrote in an email.
These annual tides are naturally high thanks to the influence of the moon and the Gulf Stream, but sea level rise has turned them into the most visible symptom of climate change. The high tides are growing higher as oceans grow warmer. A recently released report showed that the king tides of 2020 in Miami-Dade could be the equivalent of the daily high tide by 2040.
King tides give cities a chance to see how their drainage systems will fare under the higher tides of the future, and to test run the expensive new upgrades they’ve made.
Miami has already installed 103 one-way tidal valves, which allow water to trickle out of drainage pipes but stop it from seeping back in, in addition to several pump stations. For this king tide, Dodd said the city placed temporary pumps in five spots: the Shorecrest neighborhood, Morningside Park, Brickell Bay Drive, Fairview Street and North Bayhomes Drive.
Miami Beach, which has spent hundreds of millions raising roads, installing flood pumps and raising seawalls through the city, is deploying eight temporary pumps. They’ll be placed at Commerce Street and Alton Road, 8th Street and West Avenue, 19th Street and Jefferson Avenue, Muse Park, 56th Street and North Bay Road, 59th Street and North Bay Road, Rue Notre Dame and Marseille Drive and 29th Street and Indian Creek.
Miami Beach residents who live on streets that regularly flood can apply for free parking elsewhere in the city during king tides and hurricanes. The city also “strongly encourages” residents in those areas to install flood panels or use sandbags to protect their property, according to a newsletter the city sends out ahead of king tide events.
In Miami Beach, residents can report flooding by emailing flooding@miamibeachfl.gov. In Miami, residents can post pictures to the ISeeChange app, which is in a 2-year pilot partnership funded by the Knight Foundation.
“We’re really trying to center the residents in that experience, rather than center the tides all the time,” said Jared Genova, strategist and business development director for ISeeChange. “If we don’t understand how those three feet are really affecting people, then we don’t know how to plan for it.”
In New Orleans’ low-lying Gentilly neighborhood, ISeeChange users documented 28 flood events over four years, which led the city to change its flood protection plans to store even more water beneath a neighborhood football and baseball field.
Genova said the company hopes to replicate that success in Miami, which is developing a brand-new stormwater master plan designed to address flooding across the city.
That means when the models shaping the plan spit out a potential problem area, Sebastiani goes to check it out. She talks to residents to see if there really is flooding and if it’s swamping their homes and businesses.
Last week, residents showed her how a bus stop in Little Havana goes underwater at the slightest rainstorm, with floodwaters reaching halfway through the adjacent parking lot.
So far there are only about 50 posts on the Miami page of the site, many by Sebastiani herself. She attributes the low user base to the digital divide in older, more inland neighborhoods. The app is in the process of adding Spanish translations, and Sebastiani said she’d like to see Haitian Creole added in the future.
The longest-running citizen science program focused on king tide, Florida International University’s Sea Level Solutions Day, held its fourth annual event on Oct. 17. Participants could water depth as well as water quality, which could be sullied by fertilizer washed from lawns, oil dripping from cars or the thousands of leaky septic tanks throughout the county.
The final bout of king tides this year will be from November 13 to 18, although NOAA doesn’t predict it will be as high as the October tides.


washingtontimes--2020-10-25--Tropical Storm Zeta forecast to intensify into hurricane

MIAMI ( AP ) - Tropical Storm Zeta formed early Sunday off the coast of Cuba , becoming the earliest named 27th Atlantic storm recorded in an already historic hurricane season .
The system was centered about 290 miles ( 470 kilometers ) south-southeast of the western tip of Cuba , forecasters with the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a 8 a.m. EDT advisory .
The storm was nearly stationary .
The tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph ( 65 kph ) , forecasters said .
Zeta is expected to intensify into a hurricane by Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and move to the north-northwest later Sunday , skirting past Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday before entering the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday .
Early Sunday , the government of Mexico issued a hurricane watch for the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos , including Cozumel .
A tropical storm warning was in effect for Pinar del Rio , Cuba .
Zeta broke the record of the previous earliest 27th Atlantic named storm that formed Nov. 29 , 2005 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many storms that the hurricane center has turned to the Greek alphabet after running out of official names .
Forecasters said Zeta could bring 4 to 8 inches ( 10 to 20 centimeters ) of rain to parts of the Caribbean , Mexico , southern Florida and the Florida Keys through Wednesday .
Isolated totals up to 12 inches ( 30 centimeters ) were possible .
Additionally , Hurricane Epsilon was moving quickly through the northern portion of the Atlantic Ocean .
Forecasters said it would become a post-tropical cyclone later Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days .

MIAMI (AP) - Newly formed Tropical Storm Zeta gradually strengthened Sunday in the western Caribbean and forecasters said it would likely become a hurricane before hitting Mexico’s resort-dotted Yucatan Peninsula and the U.S. Gulf Coast in coming days.
Zeta was the earliest named 27th Atlantic storm recorded in an already historic hurricane season.
The system was centered about 260 miles (420 kilometers) southeast of Cozumel island late Sunday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
The storm was nearly stationary, though forecasters said it was likely to shear the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula or westernmost Cuba by late Monday or early Tuesday and then close in on the U.S. Gulf Coast by Wednesday, but could weaken by then.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph), and forecasters said Zeta was expected to intensify into a hurricane Monday.
Officials in Quintana Roo state, the location of Cancun and other resorts, said they were watching the storm. They reported nearly 60,000 tourists in the state as of midweek. The state government said 71 shelters were being readied for tourists or residents who might need them.
The government is still handing out aid, including sheet roofing, to Yucatan residents hit by Hurricane Delta and Tropical Storm Gamma earlier this month.
Zeta may dawdle in the western Caribbean for another day or so, trapped between two strong high pressure systems to the east and west. It can’t move north or south because nothing is moving there either, said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy.
“It just has to sit and wait for a day or so,” McNoldy said. “It just needs anything to move.”
When a storm gets stuck, it can unload dangerous downpours over one place, which causes flooding when a storm is over or near land. That happened in 2017 over Houston with Harvey, when more than 60 inches (150 centimeters) of rain fell and 2019 over the Bahamas with a Category 5 Dorian, which was the worst-case scenario of a stationary storm, said Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
While Zeta was over open ocean Sunday, Jamaica and Honduras were getting heavy rains because the system is so large and South Florida was under a flood watch, McNoldy said.
But once Zeta eventually gets moving, it won’t be stalling over landfall, Klotzbach said.
The Hurricane Center said Zeta could bring 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain to parts of the Caribbean and Mexico as well as Florida and the Keys before drenching parts of the central Gulf Coast by Wednesday.
A 2018 study said storms, especially in the Atlantic basin, are slowing down and stalling more. Atlantic storms that made landfall moved 2.9 mph (4.7 kph) slower than 60 years ago, the study found. Study author James Kossin, a government climate scientist, said the trend has signs of human-caused climate change.
Zeta is also in a dangerous place to stall. The western Caribbean is “where storms can cook” and rapidly intensify because of the deep, warm waters, like 2005’s Wilma, Klotzbach said. However, the National Hurricane Center was not forecasting rapid intensification for Zeta.
The lack of steering currents also meant wide spread of possible landfalls when Zeta eventually heads north to the Gulf Coast. The hurricane center said it could make landfall anywhere from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards urged his state’s citizens to monitor the storm, and the state activated its Crisis Action Team.
On Sunday, a hurricane warning was posted for the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Rio Lagartos, including Cancun and Cozumel, while a tropical storm warning was in effect for Pinar del Rio, Cuba.
Zeta broke the record of the previous earliest 27th Atlantic named storm that formed Nov. 29, 2005, according to Klotzbach.
This year’s season has so many storms that the hurricane center has turned to the Greek alphabet after running out of official names.
Zeta is the furthest into the Greek alphabet the Atlantic season has gone. There was also a Tropical Storm Zeta in 2005, but that year had 28 storms because meteorologists later went back and found they missed one, which then became a “unnamed named storm,” Klotzbach said.
Additionally, Hurricane Epsilon was moving quickly through the northern portion of the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters said it would become a post-tropical cyclone later Sunday. Large ocean swells generated by the hurricane could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days.
___
AP Science Writer Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Md., contributed to this report.