washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Arizona reports nearly 900 additional COVID cases, 13 deaths

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona reported nearly 900 additional COVID-19 cases on Saturday , the largest reported daily increase in several weeks .
The Department of Health Services reported 894 additional cases and 13 additional deaths as the statewide case total increased to 224,978 and the death toll rose to 5,759 .
Additional cases and deaths are added to statewide tallies as they are reported to health officials after occurring in days and weeks beforehand .
The 894 additional cases reported Saturday were the largest daily increase since Sept. 17-18 when those days ’ counts ballooned to 1,753 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed its counting methodology and each day added hundreds of past antigen test results .
The state reported over 800 additional cases on Tuesday and Thursday and over 600 additional cases on Wednesday and Friday .
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press , Arizona ’ s seven-day rolling average of new cases has risen over the past two weeks , rising from 489 on Sept. 25 to 617 on Friday .
The state ’ s seven-day rolling average of new deaths dropped from 19 to 8 during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
Gov .
Doug Ducey ’ s office tweeted Saturday that the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and COVID-19 patients ’ use of incentive care beds and ventilators in Arizona remained far below last July when Arizona was a national hot spot .
COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Arizona steadily dropped until mid September and then leveled off before increasing slightly more recently .
For most people , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona reported nearly 900 additional COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the largest reported daily increase in several weeks.
The Department of Health Services reported 894 additional cases and 13 additional deaths as the statewide case total increased to 224,978 and the death toll rose to 5,759.
Additional cases and deaths are added to statewide tallies as they are reported to health officials after occurring in days and weeks beforehand.
The 894 additional cases reported Saturday were the largest daily increase since Sept. 17-18 when those days’ counts ballooned to 1,753 and 1,281, respectively, as the state changed its counting methodology and each day added hundreds of past antigen test results.
The state reported over 800 additional cases on Tuesday and Thursday and over 600 additional cases on Wednesday and Friday.
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press, Arizona’s seven-day rolling average of new cases has risen over the past two weeks, rising from 489 on Sept. 25 to 617 on Friday.
The state’s seven-day rolling average of new deaths dropped from 19 to 8 during the same period.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Gov. Doug Ducey’s office tweeted Saturday that the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations and COVID-19 patients’ use of incentive care beds and ventilators in Arizona remained far below last July when Arizona was a national hot spot.
COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Arizona steadily dropped until mid September and then leveled off before increasing slightly more recently.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--State: Confirmed virus cases rise by 1,945 in Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - Another 1,945 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed in Indiana , bringing the @ @ @ @ @ more than 133,400 cases .
The Indiana Department of Health reported Saturday that an additional @ @ @ @ @ reported .
More than 3,550 people in Indiana are confirmed to have died from the @ @ @ @ @ patients for whom no positive test is on record shows another 227 probable deaths linked @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases reported Saturday quickly eclipsed the 1,832 reported Friday which had been Indiana ’ @ @ @ @ @ infections .
More than 1.4 million people in Indiana have been tested for the virus @ @ @ @ @ 2.3 million with some people receiving more than one test .
Nationally , newly reported @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks to about 44,000 a day , and deaths are running at around 700 @ @ @ @ @ a tally by Johns Hopkins University .

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Another 1,945 cases of the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed in Indiana, bringing the state’s total to more than 133,400 cases.
The Indiana Department of Health reported Saturday that an additional 21 deaths also have been reported.
More than 3,550 people in Indiana are confirmed to have died from the virus. Clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record shows another 227 probable deaths linked to the virus.
The confirmed cases reported Saturday quickly eclipsed the 1,832 reported Friday which had been Indiana’s record-high day of new infections.
More than 1.4 million people in Indiana have been tested for the virus. Total testing has topped 2.3 million with some people receiving more than one test.
Nationally, newly reported coronavirus cases have risen in recent weeks to about 44,000 a day, and deaths are running at around 700 a day, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Nevada reports 806 additional COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - Nevada on Saturday reported 806 additional COVID-19 cases and 2 additional deaths @ @ @ @ @ s totals to 85,399 cases and 1,659 deaths .
According to Johns Hopkins University data @ @ @ @ @ , the seven-day rolling average for daily new cases in Nevada rose in the past @ @ @ @ @ 380 on Sept. 25 to 487 on Friday .
Meanwhile , the seven-day rolling average @ @ @ @ @ level during that period .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher @ @ @ @ @ been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling @ @ @ @ @ , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough @ @ @ @ @ to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health @ @ @ @ @ more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover @

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada on Saturday reported 806 additional COVID-19 cases and 2 additional deaths, increasing the state’s totals to 85,399 cases and 1,659 deaths.
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press, the seven-day rolling average for daily new cases in Nevada rose in the past two weeks, going from 380 on Sept. 25 to 487 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the seven-day rolling average for daily deaths essentially remained level during that period.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Judge blasts D.C. mayor's coronavirus church shutdown

A federal judge slapped down D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ’ s church shutdown policy late Friday , chiding the city for restricting freedom of worship during the coronavirus pandemic even when churches were willing to take precautions .
The ruling , issued late Friday , allows Capitol Hill Baptist Church to resume in-person outdoor services , as long as precautions are taken .
A powerful photo filed by the church in a recent court brief captured the hypocrisy of the city , showing Mayor Bowser standing without a mask amid a tightly packed crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious services unless the numbers were limited .
The city had said the church could instead meet outside the District , conduct services by radio , or have a limit on the number of people that could attend to no more than 100 .
But Judge Trevor McFadden , a Trump appointee to the bench , said none of those met the church ’ s deeply held religious need to meet as a whole congregation , which before the pandemic meant nearly 1,000 people .
He said the city may think its alternatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not up to them to dictate .
The church has a sincerely held belief about the centrality of a full communal gathering , and the city is hindering that .
“ It is for the church , not the District or this court , to define for itself the meaning of ‘ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together , ’ ” Judge McFadden wrote , citing the scriptural passage from the New Testament ’ s Epistle to the Hebrews .
And he said the city ’ s argument that the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records showing Capitol Hill Baptist Church had been negotiating for months to try to reach a solution — though had always insisted that the full congregation must be allowed to worship together .
He ruled that Ms. Bowser ’ s pandemic rules violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act , which requires any federal restriction on worship to be the most narrowly tailored possible .
Because the District is a federal enclave still ultimately controlled by Congress , it is covered by the law .
“ The church has consistently represented that it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors , providing for social distancing , and requiring marks , ” he wrote .
“ The District has not put forward sufficient evidence showing that prohibiting a gathering with these precautions is necessary to protect the public.
” Judge McFadden also accused the city of “ sandbagging ” the church with a last-minute legal filing suggesting church gatherings are virus hotspots .
The judge said not only did the filing come in late , but it also used data from indoor services in March , at the beginning of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular use .
And in its late filings the city ’ s health officials admitted they hadn ’ t reviewed Capitol Hill Baptist Church ’ s own proposals .
The Justice Department had weighed in on the side of the church .
Judge McFadden ’ s ruling turned on federal law , but the RFRA does largely track the same tests for religious practice protected by the First Amendment .
Disparate treatment in many cities of religious services versus mass protests , also protected by the First Amendment , have irked religious freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the First Amendment — religion , speech , press , assembly , and protest — and the government doesn ’ t get to pick and choose , ” said Sen. Ben Sasse , Nebraska Republican .
“ Bureaucrats can ’ t say ‘ we like your protest , but we don ’ t like your worship service.
’ This decision is good news for all Americans.
” Capitol Hill Baptist Church said Ms. Bowser herself appeared among tens of thousands of protesters at the June 6 rally on a street she renamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plaza .
And they said the city has granted exemptions from its 100-person limit to the Kennedy Center and to an outdoor movie theater in a stadium parking lot .
The church also pointed out that while it ’ s been meeting in Virginia — with less than a full congregation — no known COVID-19 cases have been attributed to it .

A federal judge has slapped down D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s church shutdown policy, chiding the city for restricting freedom of worship during the coronavirus pandemic even when churches were willing to take precautions.
The ruling, issued late Friday, allows Capitol Hill Baptist Church to resume in-person outdoor services as long as precautions are taken.
A photo filed by the church in a recent court brief captured the city’s hypocrisy, showing Miss Bowser standing without a mask amid a tightly packed crowd of Black Lives Matter protesters in June while refusing to allow outdoor religious services unless the numbers were limited.
The city had said the church instead could meet outside the District, conduct services by radio or limit the number of people who could attend to no more than 100.But U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, said none of those met the church’s deeply held religious need to meet as a whole congregation, which numbered nearly 1,000 people before the pandemic meant.
He said city officials may think their alternatives are good enough but that’s not up to them to dictate. The church has a sincerely held belief about the centrality of a full communal gathering, and the city is hindering that.
“It is for the church, not the District or this court, to define for itself the meaning of ‘not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,’” Judge McFadden wrote, citing the scriptural passage from the New Testament’s Epistle to the Hebrews.
And he said the city’s argument that the church should have acted sooner is undercut by records showing that Capitol Hill Baptist Church had been negotiating for months to try to reach a solution — though it had always insisted that the full congregation must be allowed to worship together.
Judge McFadden ruled that Miss Bowser’s pandemic rules violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which requires any federal restriction on worship to be the most narrowly tailored possible.
Because the District is a federal enclave ultimately controlled by Congress, it is covered by the law.
“The church has consistently represented that it will take appropriate precautions such as holding services outdoors, providing for social distancing, and requiring marks,” the judge wrote. “The District has not put forward sufficient evidence showing that prohibiting a gathering with these precautions is necessary to protect the public.”
Judge McFadden also accused the city of “sandbagging” the church with a last-minute legal filing suggesting that church gatherings are virus hot spots.
The judge said not only did the filing come in late, it also used data from indoor services in March, at the beginning of the pandemic, before social distancing and masks were in regular use. And in the late filing, the city’s health officials admitted they hadn’t reviewed Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s own proposals.
The Justice Department had weighed in on the side of the church.
Judge McFadden’s ruling turned on federal law, but the RFRA largely tracks the same tests for religious practice protected by the First Amendment.
Disparate treatment in many cities of religious services versus mass protests, also protected by the First Amendment, have irked religious freedom advocates.
“There are five freedoms in the First Amendment — religion, speech, press, assembly, and protest — and the government doesn’t get to pick and choose,” said Sen. Ben Sasse, Nebraska Republican. “Bureaucrats can’t say, ‘We like your protest, but we don’t like your worship service.’ This decision is good news for all Americans.”
Capitol Hill Baptist Church said Miss Bowser herself appeared among tens of thousands of protesters at the June 6 rally on a street she renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza in their honor.
The church said the city has granted exemptions from its 100-person limit to the Kennedy Center and to an outdoor movie theater in a stadium parking lot.
The church also pointed out that while it ha been meeting in Virginia with less than a full congregation, no known COVID-19 cases have been attributed to it.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--South Dakota reports 732 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more deaths

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - South Dakota health officials announced 732 new cases of COVID-19 on @ @ @ @ @ , bringing the total number of people who have died from the coronavirus in the @ @ @ @ @ those total deaths , 63 have been reported in October alone , as South Dakota @ @ @ @ @ leaders nationally in new COVID-19 cases per capita and cases are rising .
The Argus @ @ @ @ @ infections reflect a 12.1 % positive test rate , up from the average of 10.9 @ @ @ @ @ days .
The 14-day trend of positive cases is continuing to rise in the state @ @ @ @ @ reported at 5,533 on Saturday , and total hospitalizations remained at 267 .
COVID-19 patients @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s hospital beds , with an overall total availability rate of 40 % @ @ @ @ @ , 21 % are currently being used by COVID-19 patients and 24 % of ICU @ @ @ @ @ Dakota has reported 27,947 total cases since the start of the pandemic .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota health officials announced 732 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday and nine new deaths, bringing the total number of people who have died from the coronavirus in the state to 286.
Of those total deaths, 63 have been reported in October alone, as South Dakota continues to be among the leaders nationally in new COVID-19 cases per capita and cases are rising.
The Argus Leader reports that the new infections reflect a 12.1% positive test rate, up from the average of 10.9% over the last seven days. The 14-day trend of positive cases is continuing to rise in the state.
Total active cases were reported at 5,533 on Saturday, and total hospitalizations remained at 267.
COVID-19 patients occupy 10% of the state’s hospital beds, with an overall total availability rate of 40%. Among staffed ICU beds, 21% are currently being used by COVID-19 patients and 24% of ICU beds remain available.
South Dakota has reported 27,947 total cases since the start of the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Kentucky coal miner dies at Bell County surface mine

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - An eastern Kentucky coal miner was killed while working at a surface mine @ @ @ @ @ officials said Saturday .
Douglas Slusher died Friday after being struck in the chest when @ @ @ @ @ hydro gun he was operating at the Double Mountain Mining # 3 “ Strata ” @ @ @ @ @ and Environment Cabinet said in a release .
Slusher , 48 , of Calvin , @ @ @ @ @ but died on site .
“ Our hearts go out to the miner , his @ @ @ @ @ tragic loss of life , ” Gov .
Andy Beshear said .
“ We invite @ @ @ @ @ join us in prayer today.
” Operations at the mine were shut down after the @ @ @ @ @ while an investigation continues , state officials said .
The state sent investigators to the @ @ @ @ @ learn more about how this accident happened so that we can hopefully prevent another such @ @ @ @ @ said state Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - An eastern Kentucky coal miner was killed while working at a surface mine in Bell County, state officials said Saturday.
Douglas Slusher died Friday after being struck in the chest when a coupling failed on a hydro gun he was operating at the Double Mountain Mining #3 “Strata” mine, the state Energy and Environment Cabinet said in a release. Slusher, 48, of Calvin, Kentucky, was given CPR but died on site.
“Our hearts go out to the miner, his family and co-workers for this tragic loss of life,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “We invite everyone in the commonwealth to join us in prayer today.”
Operations at the mine were shut down after the death and will be suspended while an investigation continues, state officials said. The state sent investigators to the mine.
“We will learn more about how this accident happened so that we can hopefully prevent another such loss of life,” said state Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Goodman.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Minnesota sees 10 more COVID-19 deaths, 1,537 new cases

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Minnesota health officials reported 10 more COVID-19 deaths in the state on Saturday , and @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
The one-day figure for newly confirmed cases is the highest since the @ @ @ @ @ comes on one of the highest-ever days of testing volume .
After adjusting for corrections @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota saw a net increase of 1,516 new coronavirus infections , on a volume of @ @ @ @ @ the Star Tribune reported .
Both numbers are high compared with recent data .
During @ @ @ @ @ , the state averaged about 1,135 new cases per day and a daily volume of @ @ @ @ @ the start of the pandemic , Minnesota has reported a total of 110,828 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ of long-term care and assisted-living facilities accounted for five of the new deaths reported Saturday @ @ @ @ @ nine new deaths per day over the past week - somewhat higher than seven-day averages @ @ @ @ @ well below averages in May that saw more than 20 deaths per day .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota health officials reported 10 more COVID-19 deaths in the state on Saturday, and 1,537 new confirmed cases of the virus.
The one-day figure for newly confirmed cases is the highest since the pandemic started, but it comes on one of the highest-ever days of testing volume.
After adjusting for corrections to earlier cases counts, Minnesota saw a net increase of 1,516 new coronavirus infections, on a volume of about 31,665 completed tests, the Star Tribune reported. Both numbers are high compared with recent data. During the seven-day period ending Friday, the state averaged about 1,135 new cases per day and a daily volume of about 24,176 tests.
Since the start of the pandemic, Minnesota has reported a total of 110,828 confirmed cases and 2,131 deaths.
Residents of long-term care and assisted-living facilities accounted for five of the new deaths reported Saturday.
The state averaged about nine new deaths per day over the past week - somewhat higher than seven-day averages in recent months, but well below averages in May that saw more than 20 deaths per day.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--SC prison guard accused of bringing contraband into facility

GAFFNEY , S.C. ( AP ) - A prison guard at a detention center in South Carolina has been arrested @ @ @ @ @ the facility .
The Cherokee County Sheriff ’ s Office said 21-year-old Christopher Lee Gillespie @ @ @ @ @ arrested Friday on two counts of furnish or possession of contraband in a prison , @ @ @ @ @ unknown if he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf .
The sheriff @ @ @ @ @ was notified that a detention officer at the county facility was being paid by family @ @ @ @ @ bring cigarettes , tobacco and a cell phone into the facility .
The sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ them he made around $ 1,000 by bringing in the contraband and that he needed @ @ @ @ @ his bills .
Investigators said they expect the inmates and their family members who were @ @ @ @ @ in the case .

GAFFNEY, S.C. (AP) - A prison guard at a detention center in South Carolina has been arrested for allegedly bringing contraband into the facility.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Christopher Lee Gillespie, of Gaffney, was arrested Friday on two counts of furnish or possession of contraband in a prison, WSPA-TV reported. It was unknown if he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
The sheriff’s office said it was notified that a detention officer at the county facility was being paid by family members of several inmates to bring cigarettes, tobacco and a cell phone into the facility. The sheriff’s office said Gillespie told them he made around $1,000 by bringing in the contraband and that he needed the extra money to cover his bills.
Investigators said they expect the inmates and their family members who were involved to also face charges in the case.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Man who served 12 years in 1982 killing won't be retried

SALEM , Mo .
( AP ) - A southern Missouri man who spent 12 years in prison for murder before the Missouri Supreme Court overturned his conviction won ’ t be retried in the killing of his live-in girlfriend .
The Dent County prosecutor filed a motion Friday dropping the murder charge against Donald “ Doc ” Nash , who has long insisted he didn ’ t kill Judy Lynn Spencer .
The 21-year-old Salem hospital receptionist was strangled with her shoelace and then shot in 1982 .
But Nash , a retired union foreman , wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement reopened the cold case .
The prosecution relied primarily on minute traces of his DNA that were found beneath Spencer ’ s fingernails .
Nash ’ s lawyers argue that this is typical for couples living together .
Nash was released in July after the Missouri Supreme Court decided to vacate Nash ’ s conviction .
One issue was that new testing of the shoestring used to strangle Spencer revealed the DNA profiles of two males , neither of whom were Nash .
That decision left the case in the hands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t in office in 2009 .
He said in a statement that he wasn ’ t retrying the case because the new evidence creates reasonable doubt .
” ‘ I hope and pray , ” he added , “ that justice can be delivered for Judy and her family in the future for this tragic loss of life .
’ ”

SALEM, Mo. (AP) - A southern Missouri man who spent 12 years in prison for murder before the Missouri Supreme Court overturned his conviction won’t be retried in the killing of his live-in girlfriend.
The Dent County prosecutor filed a motion Friday dropping the murder charge against Donald “Doc” Nash, who has long insisted he didn’t kill Judy Lynn Spencer. The 21-year-old Salem hospital receptionist was strangled with her shoelace and then shot in 1982. But Nash, a retired union foreman, wasn’t convicted of murder until 2009 after law enforcement reopened the cold case.
The prosecution relied primarily on minute traces of his DNA that were found beneath Spencer’s fingernails. Nash’s lawyers argue that this is typical for couples living together.
Nash was released in July after the Missouri Supreme Court decided to vacate Nash’s conviction. One issue was that new testing of the shoestring used to strangle Spencer revealed the DNA profiles of two males, neither of whom were Nash.
That decision left the case in the hands of county prosecutor Andrew Curley, who wasn’t in office in 2009. He said in a statement that he wasn’t retrying the case because the new evidence creates reasonable doubt.
”‘I hope and pray,” he added, “that justice can be delivered for Judy and her family in the future for this tragic loss of life.’”


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--One dead, two injured in separate Hartford shootings

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Two separate shootings in Hartford on Friday night left one person dead and @ @ @ @ @ said two people were shot , on fatally , near the Trinity College campus at @ @ @ @ @ the eighth double shooting since the beginning of September in Hartford and the 19th homicide @ @ @ @ @ start of 2020 , The Hartford Courant reported .
The second shooting occured about an @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The victim in that shooting was conscious when police arrived .
@ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
No arrests had been made Saturday and police had not released the names @ @ @ @ @ shooting .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Two separate shootings in Hartford on Friday night left one person dead and two others injured.
Police said two people were shot, on fatally, near the Trinity College campus at about 9:30 p.m.
That was the eighth double shooting since the beginning of September in Hartford and the 19th homicide in the city since the start of 2020, The Hartford Courant reported.
The second shooting occured about an hour later across the city, police said. The victim in that shooting was conscious when police arrived. There was no condition available Saturday.
No arrests had been made Saturday and police had not released the names of those involved in either shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--New Bosnian film on Srebrenica screened at place of massacre

SREBRENICA , Bosnia-Herzegovina ( AP ) - After premiering her latest feature at the Venice Film Festival last month and sending it off to the international festival circuit , acclaimed Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Zbanic returned home to Bosnia to host what she described as the film ’ s “ most emotional ” screening .
Zbanic ’ s film on the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica - “ Quo Vadis , Aida ?
” - had its first public showing in Bosnia on Saturday in the memorial center in the ill-fated town for the more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys slaughtered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on true events , the film tells the story of a Bosnian woman , Aida , who tries to save her husband and sons while working for the United Nations as a translator .
The event was attended by massacre survivors and witnesses , but also by young men and women whom Zbanic had invited from across the ethnically and politically divided country .
Among those in the audience was Almasa Sekovic , 34 , who witnessed her teenage brother being taken away for execution .
She said the film brought back the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July 1995 .
“ I think it is very important that as many people as possible see this film , ” she said .
The Srebrenica massacre was the culmination of Bosnia ’ s 1992-95 war , which pitted the country ’ s three main ethnic factions - Serbs , Croats and Bosnian Muslims , known as Bosniaks - against each other after the break-up of Yugoslavia .
It was also a mark of shame for the international community because Srebrenica had been declared a U.N. “ safe haven ” for civilians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peacekeepers could only watch on as the Bosnian Serb troops separated the town ’ s men and boys for execution .
Two and a half decades later , the slaughter - defined as genocide by two United Nations courts — is still being systematically denied by Serb political leaders despite irrefutable evidence of what happened .
Zbanic spent 10 years on research , speaking to massacre survivors and witnesses .
Still , the persistent ethnic divisions in Bosnia turned making a film “ about a woman who is trying to save her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ walking through a political minefield , ” she said .
“ But I told the story from a female perspective .
I was not seduced by the spectacle of war , ” Zbanic said .
She said he hoped her film can serve as “ emotional bridge ” not just for her country ’ s divided youth , but also for the rest of the world .
“ When I watch films and find patriotic things about war , I can not identify with that .
I hoped people will identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main protagonist , because wars are banal and evil and there is nothing good in them , ” she said .
While uniting Bosnia ’ s different communities around a single narrative about the war remains a tall order in the impoverished nation where political leaders continue to exploit ethnic mistrust , Zbanic said she was moved by the feedback from the young audience members .
An ethnic Serb , Sladjan Tomic , said during the post-film discussion that he hopes those who still celebrate the perpetrators will watch the film .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is my given identity , but my ethnicity does not define me , ” Tomic said .
Zbanic agreed and voiced belief that her film holds important lessons not just for Bosnia , but also for democratic societies around the world that are increasingly roiled by the rise of populism and nationalism .

SREBRENICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - After premiering her latest feature at the Venice Film Festival last month and sending it off to the international festival circuit, acclaimed Bosnian filmmaker Jasmila Zbanic returned home to Bosnia to host what she described as the film’s “most emotional” screening.
Zbanic’s film on the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica - “Quo Vadis, Aida?” - had its first public showing in Bosnia on Saturday in the memorial center in the ill-fated town for the more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys slaughtered there a quarter century ago.
Based on true events, the film tells the story of a Bosnian woman, Aida, who tries to save her husband and sons while working for the United Nations as a translator.
The event was attended by massacre survivors and witnesses, but also by young men and women whom Zbanic had invited from across the ethnically and politically divided country.
Among those in the audience was Almasa Sekovic, 34, who witnessed her teenage brother being taken away for execution. She said the film brought back the “smells and sounds” of Srebrenica in July 1995.
“I think it is very important that as many people as possible see this film,” she said.
The Srebrenica massacre was the culmination of Bosnia’s 1992-95 war, which pitted the country’s three main ethnic factions - Serbs, Croats and Bosnian Muslims, known as Bosniaks - against each other after the break-up of Yugoslavia.
It was also a mark of shame for the international community because Srebrenica had been declared a U.N. “safe haven” for civilians, but the outnumbered, outgunned international peacekeepers could only watch on as the Bosnian Serb troops separated the town’s men and boys for execution.
Two and a half decades later, the slaughter - defined as genocide by two United Nations courts — is still being systematically denied by Serb political leaders despite irrefutable evidence of what happened.
Zbanic spent 10 years on research, speaking to massacre survivors and witnesses. Still, the persistent ethnic divisions in Bosnia turned making a film “about a woman who is trying to save her family from death” into an experience akin to “walking through a political minefield,” she said.
“But I told the story from a female perspective. I was not seduced by the spectacle of war,” Zbanic said.
She said he hoped her film can serve as “emotional bridge” not just for her country’s divided youth, but also for the rest of the world.
“When I watch films and find patriotic things about war, I cannot identify with that. I hoped people will identify with Aida, the film’s main protagonist, because wars are banal and evil and there is nothing good in them,” she said.
While uniting Bosnia’s different communities around a single narrative about the war remains a tall order in the impoverished nation where political leaders continue to exploit ethnic mistrust, Zbanic said she was moved by the feedback from the young audience members.
An ethnic Serb, Sladjan Tomic, said during the post-film discussion that he hopes those who still celebrate the perpetrators will watch the film.
“I was born a Serb, that is my given identity, but my ethnicity does not define me,” Tomic said.
Zbanic agreed and voiced belief that her film holds important lessons not just for Bosnia, but also for democratic societies around the world that are increasingly roiled by the rise of populism and nationalism.
___
Niksic reported from Sarajevo.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Sinclair has two PKs and Thorns down the OL Reign 2-1

TACOMA , Wash. ( AP ) - Christine Sinclair scored on a pair of penalty kicks and the Portland Thorns downed OL Reign 2-1 Saturday night to claim the National Women ’ s Soccer League ’ s Community Shield in the fall series .
With the win , Portland ( 3-0-1 ) locked up the top spot in the fall series .
The league created the Community Shield for the series ’ best team .
Sinclair scored on a penalty kick late in the first half to put the Thorns up 1-0 , but the Reign drew even early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ goal .
Sinclair scored on a second PK in the 73rd minute .
The Canadian national team captain leads all players in the fall series with six goals .
The Reign ( 0-2-1 ) wrap up the fall series against the Utah Royals next Saturday , following a match between the Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage .
The league partnered with Verizon on the Community Shield to provide grants to local small businesses for the top three finishers in the fall series .
The Thorns will grant $ 25,000 to Portland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - Christine Sinclair scored on a pair of penalty kicks and the Portland Thorns downed OL Reign 2-1 Saturday night to claim the National Women’s Soccer League’s Community Shield in the fall series.
With the win, Portland (3-0-1) locked up the top spot in the fall series. The league created the Community Shield for the series’ best team.
Sinclair scored on a penalty kick late in the first half to put the Thorns up 1-0, but the Reign drew even early in the the second half on Amber Brooks’ goal.
Sinclair scored on a second PK in the 73rd minute. The Canadian national team captain leads all players in the fall series with six goals.
The Reign (0-2-1) wrap up the fall series against the Utah Royals next Saturday, following a match between the Orlando Pride and North Carolina Courage.
The league partnered with Verizon on the Community Shield to provide grants to local small businesses for the top three finishers in the fall series. The Thorns will grant $25,000 to Portland’s Mimi’s Fresh Tees.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--3 MLS players, 2 staff test positive for coronavirus

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Two Minnesota United players , an Orlando City player and two Columbus Crew staff @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , forcing the postponement of two MLS games .
Major League Soccer said Saturday @ @ @ @ @ at Orlando City and Minnesota ’ s match at FC Dallas on Sunday were postponed @ @ @ @ @ .
Orlando City said earlier Saturday that the first-team player that tested positive did not @ @ @ @ @ .
The league earlier postponed Saturday ’ s match between the Colorado Rapids and the @ @ @ @ @ player tested positive for the coronavirus .
It was the fourth Rapids match in a @ @ @ @ @ of positive tests .
Twelve Rapids staff members and five players have tested positive since @ @ @ @ @ for the rescheduled games have not been announced .

NEW YORK (AP) - Two Minnesota United players, an Orlando City player and two Columbus Crew staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the postponement of two MLS games.
Major League Soccer said Saturday the Crew’s match at Orlando City and Minnesota’s match at FC Dallas on Sunday were postponed because of the positive tests.
Orlando City said earlier Saturday that the first-team player that tested positive did not have symptoms and was isolating.
The league earlier postponed Saturday’s match between the Colorado Rapids and the LA Galaxy after a Rapids player tested positive for the coronavirus. It was the fourth Rapids match in a row to be postponed because of positive tests.
Twelve Rapids staff members and five players have tested positive since Sept 24.
The dates for the rescheduled games have not been announced.
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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Tentative settlements  in WVa veterans' hospital deaths

CHARLESTON , W.Va. ( AP ) - Tentative settlements have been reached in several civil lawsuits filed on behalf of the families of veterans who died at a West Virginia hospital where a former nursing assistant admitted to intentionally killing seven people with fatal doses of insulin .
The settlements were disclosed by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia on Saturday as well as in federal court filings stemming from the deaths of six veterans at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg .
The proposed settlement amounts range from $ 700,000 to $ 975,000 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled .
Manchin said in a statement that the tentative settlement “ is further evidence that the VA and the Clarksburg VAMC were negligent in the murders that happened under their watch.
” The veterans ’ deaths involved in the settlements occurred in 2018 .
Fired hospital nursing assistant Reta Mays pleaded guilty in July to intentionally killing seven patients with wrongful insulin injections .
Mays , 46 , faces up to life in prison for each of seven counts of second-degree murder .
No sentencing date has been set .
Mays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing the veterans , injecting them with unprescribed insulin while she worked overnight shifts at the hospital in northern West Virginia between 2017 and 2018 .
Her motive is still unclear .
U.S. Attorney Bill Powell said authorities did not receive a “ satisfactory response ” to questions about the reasoning behind her actions .
It is not clear whether Mays admitted a connection to Navy veteran Russell R. Posey Sr. ’ s death .
But in addition to her second-degree murder pleas , she also pleaded guilty to one count of assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of “ veteran R.R.P.
” - Posey ’ s initials .
Tony O ’ Dell , a Charleston attorney representing families in five of the six settled cases , said he also has filed a notice of a pending wrongful death lawsuit involving veteran Charles Dean , who died at the hospital in April 2017 , The Exponent Telegram reported .
It would mark the earliest death at the hospital for which a claim has been filed .
O ’ Dell said his firm also is looking into 11 other deaths at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers , as do the veterans who currently rely on The Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center for much needed care , ” O ’ Dell said in a statement .
The VA is the government ’ s second-largest department , responsible for 9 million military veterans .
The agency ’ s former director was fired in 2018 in the wake of a bruising ethics scandal and a mounting rebellion within the agency .
Robert Wilkie took over as Veterans Affairs secretary in July 2018 .

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Tentative settlements have been reached in several civil lawsuits filed on behalf of the families of veterans who died at a West Virginia hospital where a former nursing assistant admitted to intentionally killing seven people with fatal doses of insulin.
The settlements were disclosed by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia on Saturday as well as in federal court filings stemming from the deaths of six veterans at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg.
The proposed settlement amounts range from $700,000 to $975,000. The court filings said a Nov. 20 hearing is scheduled.
Manchin said in a statement that the tentative settlement “is further evidence that the VA and the Clarksburg VAMC were negligent in the murders that happened under their watch.”
The veterans’ deaths involved in the settlements occurred in 2018.
Fired hospital nursing assistant Reta Mays pleaded guilty in July to intentionally killing seven patients with wrongful insulin injections. Mays, 46, faces up to life in prison for each of seven counts of second-degree murder. No sentencing date has been set.
Mays admitted at a plea hearing to purposely killing the veterans, injecting them with unprescribed insulin while she worked overnight shifts at the hospital in northern West Virginia between 2017 and 2018. Her motive is still unclear. U.S. Attorney Bill Powell said authorities did not receive a “satisfactory response” to questions about the reasoning behind her actions.
It is not clear whether Mays admitted a connection to Navy veteran Russell R. Posey Sr.’s death. But in addition to her second-degree murder pleas, she also pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to commit murder involving the death of “veteran R.R.P.” - Posey’s initials.
Tony O’Dell, a Charleston attorney representing families in five of the six settled cases, said he also has filed a notice of a pending wrongful death lawsuit involving veteran Charles Dean, who died at the hospital in April 2017, The Exponent Telegram reported. It would mark the earliest death at the hospital for which a claim has been filed. O’Dell said his firm also is looking into 11 other deaths at the facility.
“These families deserve answers, as do the veterans who currently rely on The Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center for much needed care,” O’Dell said in a statement.
The VA is the government’s second-largest department, responsible for 9 million military veterans. The agency’s former director was fired in 2018 in the wake of a bruising ethics scandal and a mounting rebellion within the agency. Robert Wilkie took over as Veterans Affairs secretary in July 2018.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Australian navy ship tows unexploded bomb out to sea

SYDNEY ( AP ) - Australian navy divers have removed an unexploded 45-kilogram ( 100-pound ) bomb on a reef off the southeastern coast and a ship towed it to deeper waters because it posed a “ significant risk ” to the public .
The bomb was found by a fisherman on Elizabeth Reef near Lord Howe Island , about 550 kilometers ( 340 miles ) off New South Wales state .
He photographed his discovery and reported it to authorities .
Divers aboard the HMAS Adelaide carefully removed the abandoned explosive by floating it to the surface and towing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dropped into 550-meter ( 1,800-foot ) deep waters .
“ That depth is really safe .
It ’ s not going to ever get washed back up onto the reef , ” Senior Marine Parks Officer John Pritchard said .
“ There ’ s no deep-sea fishing or trawling allowed out there .
It ’ s a recreational fishing zone only .
The chances of that UXO ( unexploded ordinance ) ever coming back to the surface is negligible.
” The origin of the bomb is not known and divers couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deterioration , a spokesman for Environment Minister Sussan Ley said .
Bombs of that size were used as long ago as World War I , sometimes dropped from aircraft to target submarines .
There were also bombings off the Australian east coast during World War II .
Ley said the fisherman and navy divers had potentially saved lives and one of Australia ’ s most important reefs .
“ The device was regarded as live by the navy and the consequences could have been quite frightening , ” Ley said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s precious ecosystem is safe and most importantly so are future visitors.
” Elizabeth Reef is about 160 kilometers ( 100 miles ) north of World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island .
Along with nearby Middleton Reef , Pritchard said it is the southernmost coral reef platform in the world .
“ There ’ s been 125 corals identified there ( and ) over 300 species of fish , ” Pritchard said .
“ It ’ s quite a unique environment and , because it ’ s so far from anywhere , it @ @ @ @ @ @

SYDNEY (AP) - Australian navy divers have removed an unexploded 45-kilogram (100-pound) bomb on a reef off the southeastern coast and a ship towed it to deeper waters because it posed a “significant risk” to the public.
The bomb was found by a fisherman on Elizabeth Reef near Lord Howe Island, about 550 kilometers (340 miles) off New South Wales state. He photographed his discovery and reported it to authorities.
Divers aboard the HMAS Adelaide carefully removed the abandoned explosive by floating it to the surface and towing it farther out to sea where it was dropped into 550-meter (1,800-foot) deep waters.
Although there was no date given for the bomb removal, the Australian Department of Defense photos were dated Sept. 25.
“That depth is really safe. It’s not going to ever get washed back up onto the reef,” Senior Marine Parks Officer John Pritchard said. “There’s no deep-sea fishing or trawling allowed out there. It’s a recreational fishing zone only. The chances of that UXO (unexploded ordinance) ever coming back to the surface is negligible.”
The origin of the bomb is not known and divers couldn’t estimate its age because of its deterioration, a spokesman for Environment Minister Sussan Ley said.
Bombs of that size were used as long ago as World War I, sometimes dropped from aircraft to target submarines. There were also bombings off the Australian east coast during World War II.
Ley said the fisherman and navy divers had potentially saved lives and one of Australia’s most important reefs.
“The device was regarded as live by the navy and the consequences could have been quite frightening,” Ley said in a statement on Sunday. “Thankfully the reef’s precious ecosystem is safe and most importantly so are future visitors.”
Elizabeth Reef is about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island. Along with nearby Middleton Reef, Pritchard said it is the southernmost coral reef platform in the world.
“There’s been 125 corals identified there (and) over 300 species of fish,” Pritchard said. “It’s quite a unique environment and, because it’s so far from anywhere, it’s relatively untouched.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Man arrested in shooting that killed 6-year-old, woman

JENNINGS , Mo .
( AP ) - Authorities arrested a man Saturday in a quadruple shooting that left his @ @ @ @ @ dead .
St. Louis County police said in a news release that officers responded around @ @ @ @ @ .
The release said a 40-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the @ @ @ @ @ Police say a 16- and 10-year-old girl also sustained non-life threatening wounds and were taken @ @ @ @ @ person of interest was found inside the apartment and taken into custody without incident , @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t released .
Police say he is believed to be the woman ’ @ @ @ @ @ no motive for the shooting and didn ’ t release the relationship between the man @ @ @ @

JENNINGS, Mo. (AP) - Authorities arrested a man Saturday in a quadruple shooting that left his girlfriend and a 6-year-old girl dead.
St. Louis County police said in a news release that officers responded around 1:30 p.m. to an apartment. The release said a 40-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the 6-year-old at a hospital.
Police say a 16- and 10-year-old girl also sustained non-life threatening wounds and were taken to a hospital.
A person of interest was found inside the apartment and taken into custody without incident, police said. His name wasn’t released. Police say he is believed to be the woman’s girlfriend.
Police provided no motive for the shooting and didn’t release the relationship between the man and the children.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Detained Canadians in China get rare consular access

TORONTO ( AP ) - The Canadian government said Saturday that China granted consular access to two detained Canadians in China for the first time since January .
The Global Affairs department said Dominic Barton , Canada ’ s Ambassador to China , was granted virtual consular access to Michael Spavor on Friday and virtual consular access to Michael Kovrig on Saturday .
“ The Canadian government remains deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of these two Canadians since December 2018 and continues to call for their immediate release , ” the government said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release Kovrig and Spavor , both detained since December 2018 following Canada ’ s arrest of Meng Wanzhou , a Chinese Huawei official and the daughter of the company ’ s founder .
Canadian police detained Meng in Vancouver on a U.S. extradition request nine days before Kovrig and Spavor were arrested .
The U.S. is seeking Meng ’ s extradition on fraud charges and her extradition case is before the Canadian courts .
Her arrest severely damaged relations between China and Canada .
Neither Kovrig , a former diplomat , nor Spavor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from consular officials amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump about the two Canadians in a phone call on Saturday and thanked the president for the ongoing support of the U.S. in seeking their release .

TORONTO (AP) - The Canadian government said Saturday that China granted consular access to two detained Canadians in China for the first time since January.
The Global Affairs department said Dominic Barton, Canada’s Ambassador to China, was granted virtual consular access to Michael Spavor on Friday and virtual consular access to Michael Kovrig on Saturday.
“The Canadian government remains deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of these two Canadians since December 2018 and continues to call for their immediate release,” the government said in a statement.
Canada continues to press Beijing to release Kovrig and Spavor, both detained since December 2018 following Canada’s arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a Chinese Huawei official and the daughter of the company’s founder. Canadian police detained Meng in Vancouver on a U.S. extradition request nine days before Kovrig and Spavor were arrested.
The U.S. is seeking Meng’s extradition on fraud charges and her extradition case is before the Canadian courts. Her arrest severely damaged relations between China and Canada.
Neither Kovrig, a former diplomat, nor Spavor, an entrepreneur, were permitted visits from consular officials amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump about the two Canadians in a phone call on Saturday and thanked the president for the ongoing support of the U.S. in seeking their release.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Gambling companies spend more than $2M on sports betting ads

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Gambling companies have spent more than $ 2 million trying to persuade Maryland voters to approve sports betting , according to the latest campaign finance reports .
The Baltimore Sun reports that DraftKings and FanDuel , two online betting companies that stand to make money off sports betting , have about $ 486,000 left of the $ 2.75 million they ’ ve put into a group called “ Vote Yes on Question 2.
” Most of that money has been used on TV , radio and online advertising and direct mail campaigns .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland Jockey Club have been offering free on-site advertising , social media and mailings for a group in favor of sports betting that they ’ re calling “ Fund Our Future.
” The Maryland Jockey Club , the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore , Hollywood Casino Perryville and Maryland Live !
Casino and Hotel contributed a combined $ 32,300 Fund Our Future .
But very little of that cash has been spent , according to their report filed Friday .
Instead , those businesses and other casinos have been making “ in-kind ” contributions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the group at no cost .

BALTIMORE (AP) - Gambling companies have spent more than $2 million trying to persuade Maryland voters to approve sports betting, according to the latest campaign finance reports.
The Baltimore Sun reports that DraftKings and FanDuel, two online betting companies that stand to make money off sports betting, have about $486,000 left of the $2.75 million they’ve put into a group called “Vote Yes on Question 2.”
Most of that money has been used on TV, radio and online advertising and direct mail campaigns.
Meanwhile, the state’s casinos and the Maryland Jockey Club have been offering free on-site advertising, social media and mailings for a group in favor of sports betting that they’re calling “Fund Our Future.”
The Maryland Jockey Club, the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Hollywood Casino Perryville and Maryland Live! Casino and Hotel contributed a combined $32,300 Fund Our Future. But very little of that cash has been spent, according to their report filed Friday.
Instead, those businesses and other casinos have been making “in-kind” contributions, meaning they are offering work on behalf of the group at no cost.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Victim in semi crash was University of Northern Iowa student

CEDAR FALLS , Iowa ( AP ) - A freshman at the University of Northern Iowa was struck and killed @ @ @ @ @ outside his car on a highway overpass , authorities say .
Cedar Falls Public Safety @ @ @ @ @ Sioux City , was hit Friday on U.S. 20 .
He was taken to a @ @ @ @ @ .
A Facebook post by Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City said Roerig @ @ @ @ @ the school .
He was studying music education at UNI .
“ This news is @ @ @ @ @ post reads .
“ Please keep the entire Roerig family in your prayers as well @ @ @ @ @ .

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - A freshman at the University of Northern Iowa was struck and killed by a passing tractor-trailer while outside his car on a highway overpass, authorities say.
Cedar Falls Public Safety says 19-year-old Isaac Roerig of Sioux City, was hit Friday on U.S. 20. He was taken to a hospital where he later died.
A Facebook post by Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in Sioux City said Roerig was a 2020 graduate of the school. He was studying music education at UNI.
“This news is truly devastating,” the post reads. “Please keep the entire Roerig family in your prayers as well as our Bishop Heelan community.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Mexican president asks Pope Francis for conquest apology

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexico ’ s president published an open letter to Pope Francis Saturday calling on the Roman Catholic Church to apologize for abuses of Indigenous peoples during the conquest of Mexico in the 1500s .
In the letter , President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also asks the pope to lend Mexico ancient pre-Hispanic Mexican or colonial-era documents .
“ The Catholic Church , the Spanish monarchy and the Mexican government should make a public apology for the offensive atrocities that Indigenous people suffered , ” the letter states .
López Obrador asked the pope to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hidalgo , Mexico ’ s 19th-century independence leader who was once believed to have been excommunicated by the church for his involvement in the uprising .
However , researchers later said it appeared that Hidalgo had confessed his sins before he was executed and thus was not excommunicated .
López Obrador said : “ I think it would be an act of humility and at the same time greatness ” for the church to reconcile posthumously with Hidalgo .
The letter comes as Mexico struggles with how to mark the 500th anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of a large part of the country ’ s pre-Hispanic population .
In 2019 , López Obrador asked Spain for an apology for the conquest , in which millions of Indigenous people died from violence and disease .
Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said at the time that Spain “ will not issue these apologies that have been requested .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico’s president published an open letter to Pope Francis Saturday calling on the Roman Catholic Church to apologize for abuses of Indigenous peoples during the conquest of Mexico in the 1500s.
In the letter, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also asks the pope to lend Mexico ancient pre-Hispanic Mexican or colonial-era documents.
“The Catholic Church, the Spanish monarchy and the Mexican government should make a public apology for the offensive atrocities that Indigenous people suffered,” the letter states.
López Obrador asked the pope to make a statement in favor of Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico’s 19th-century independence leader who was once believed to have been excommunicated by the church for his involvement in the uprising. However, researchers later said it appeared that Hidalgo had confessed his sins before he was executed and thus was not excommunicated.
López Obrador said: “I think it would be an act of humility and at the same time greatness” for the church to reconcile posthumously with Hidalgo.
The letter comes as Mexico struggles with how to mark the 500th anniversary of the 1519-1521 conquest, which resulted in the death of a large part of the country’s pre-Hispanic population.
In 2019, López Obrador asked Spain for an apology for the conquest, in which millions of Indigenous people died from violence and disease.
Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said at the time that Spain “will not issue these apologies that have been requested.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--1 dead, 1 arrested in knife attack at California restaurant

LODI , Calif. ( AP ) - A man was fatally stabbed by an acquaintance at a Black Bear Diner @ @ @ @ @ suspected killer was arrested after being disarmed by another customer in the restaurant , police @ @ @ @ @ the victim and suspect , later identified as Robert Andrino , 34 , got into @ @ @ @ @ meal together at the restaurant in Lodi Friday evening , police said .
As the @ @ @ @ @ , Andrino pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim several times , police said @ @ @ @ @ grabbed the knife from Andrino , but not before suffering a cut to his hand @ @ @ @ @ stab wounds and was taken to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
@ @ @ @ @ San Joaquin County jail where he was booked for investigation of murder .
Police said @ @ @ @ @ and the motive for the knife attack were under investigation .

LODI, Calif. (AP) - A man was fatally stabbed by an acquaintance at a Black Bear Diner in central California and the suspected killer was arrested after being disarmed by another customer in the restaurant, police said.
Witnesses told investigators the victim and suspect, later identified as Robert Andrino, 34, got into an argument while having a meal together at the restaurant in Lodi Friday evening, police said.
As the dispute escalated into a fight, Andrino pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim several times, police said.
A customer intervened and grabbed the knife from Andrino, but not before suffering a cut to his hand.
The victim suffered several stab wounds and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Andrino was taken to the San Joaquin County jail where he was booked for investigation of murder. Police said his relationship to the victim and the motive for the knife attack were under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--New Mexico comes close to marking another high on new cases

SANTA FE .
N.M. ( AP ) - A day after reporting a record daily number of additional COVID-19 cases , New Mexico officials came close to doing so again on Saturday .
State officials reported 486 additional COVID-19 cases - two short of the 488 reported Friday - and five additional deaths .
The state ’ s totals increased to 32,722 cases and 907 deaths .
The counties with the most additional cases reported Saturday were Bernalillo ( 167 ) , Dona Ana ( 73 ) , Curry ( 42 ) , Chaves ( 38 ) , Sandoval ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Valencia ( 12 ) .
Lea , Roosevelt and San Juan each had 11 .
Bernalillo includes Albuquerque , the state ’ s most populous city .
The additional deaths reported Saturday included one each in Eddy , Lea , McKinley , San Juan and Santa Fe counties .
All were said to have underlying conditions .
Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press indicated the state ’ s seven-day rolling average of new deaths declined in the past two weeks from 3.3 on Sept. 25 to 2.4 on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily new cases over the same period rose from 146 to 299 .
Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday acknowledged the new milestone for daily infections and urged residents to recommit to stopping the pandemic ’ s spread .
“ I know we ’ re tired .
I know we ’ re frustrated , ” she said on Twitter .
“ But COVID-19 is real .
And no one ’ s life is worth the risk.
” The Democratic governor has maintained a public health order that requires masks in public , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restricts many businesses to 25 % occupancy .
Most out-of-state travelers are required to self-quarantine upon arrival in New Mexico - with exceptions for people arriving from six northeastern states , California and Washington .

SANTA FE. N.M. (AP) - A day after reporting a record daily number of additional COVID-19 cases, New Mexico officials came close to doing so again on Saturday.
State officials reported 486 additional COVID-19 cases - two short of the 488 reported Friday - and five additional deaths. The state’s totals increased to 32,722 cases and 907 deaths.
The counties with the most additional cases reported Saturday were Bernalillo (167), Dona Ana (73), Curry (42), Chaves (38), Sandoval (27), Eddy (16) and Valencia (12). Lea, Roosevelt and San Juan each had 11. Bernalillo includes Albuquerque, the state’s most populous city.
The additional deaths reported Saturday included one each in Eddy, Lea, McKinley, San Juan and Santa Fe counties. All were said to have underlying conditions.
Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press indicated the state’s seven-day rolling average of new deaths declined in the past two weeks from 3.3 on Sept. 25 to 2.4 on Friday.
Meanwhile, the rolling average of daily new cases over the same period rose from 146 to 299.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday acknowledged the new milestone for daily infections and urged residents to recommit to stopping the pandemic’s spread.
“I know we’re tired. I know we’re frustrated,” she said on Twitter. “But COVID-19 is real. And no one’s life is worth the risk.”
The Democratic governor has maintained a public health order that requires masks in public, bans gatherings of more than 10 people and restricts many businesses to 25% occupancy.
Most out-of-state travelers are required to self-quarantine upon arrival in New Mexico - with exceptions for people arriving from six northeastern states, California and Washington.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Kansas law enforcement fatally shoots 1 man, wounds 2nd man

Kansas law enforcement officers have fatally shot one man and wounded a second man in an exchange of gunfire , authorities say .
The shooting happened around 4 p.m. Friday after Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle in Salina , the KBI said in a news release .
One of the men inside the vehicle had outstanding warrants and was wanted in a case that the KBI was investigating .
No details were provided about the case .
The KBI said that when law enforcement officers approached the vehicle , they came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trooper then returned fire , hitting the two men .
The KBI said Saturday that 29-year-old Kalun Purucker , of Topeka , died from his injuries later Friday at a Salina hospital .
A second man is hospitalized in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries .
The KBI identified him only as a 20-year-old man from Lindsborg .
The law enforcement officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid leave , as is standard procedure , while the Johnson County Sheriff ’ s Office investigates .
None of them were hurt @

SALINA, Kan. (AP) -
Kansas law enforcement officers have fatally shot one man and wounded a second man in an exchange of gunfire, authorities say.
The shooting happened around 4 p.m. Friday after Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents and a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle in Salina, the KBI said in a news release. One of the men inside the vehicle had outstanding warrants and was wanted in a case that the KBI was investigating. No details were provided about the case.
The KBI said that when law enforcement officers approached the vehicle, they came under fire. Two KBI agents and a trooper then returned fire, hitting the two men.
The KBI said Saturday that 29-year-old Kalun Purucker, of Topeka, died from his injuries later Friday at a Salina hospital. A second man is hospitalized in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries. The KBI identified him only as a 20-year-old man from Lindsborg.
The law enforcement officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid leave, as is standard procedure, while the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office investigates. None of them were hurt.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Members outside Fort Berthold reservation seek voting rights

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - Two members of the Three Affiliated Tribes have filed a federal lawsuit to expand voting rights for members who live outside the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation .
The lawsuit filed last week seeks to end a requirement that forces members to return to the reservation to vote in tribal elections .
It also seeks to restructure the tribal council .
The lead plaintiff , Raymond Cross , lives in Arizona and has limited mobility .
He sought an absentee ballot to vote in a 2018 tribal election but the Tribal Business Council Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curt written explanation that because he resided off Reservation he was ineligible for an absentee ballot , ” the lawsuit said .
Tribal Chairman Mark Fox , one of the defendants , noted in a statement that resident absentee voting is allowed “ in very limited circumstances.
” Fox and other members of the Tribal Business Council will seek to have the case dismissed , the Bismarck Tribune reported .
The lawsuit claims the residency requirement “ unfairly and substantially ” burdens the plaintiffs ’ “ fundamental and undisputed rights to vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ fellow nonresident ” voters .
The complaint estimates that at least 75 % of tribal members live outside Fort Berthold .
“ It ’ s relatively easy to obtain exemptions from having to appear physically at the polling site on the reservation on election day , ” Cross told the newspaper .
“ But those exemptions are available only to resident voters , not nonresidents.
” Fox said the Mandan , Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Courts have exclusive jurisdiction to any challenge of the Nation ’ s constitution and election laws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewing the lawsuit .
The matter has been in the tribal court system for two years .
Cross and his sister Marilyn Hudson , the other plaintiff , appealed a decision from the MHA District Court to the tribal Supreme Court last year after the lower court dismissed their claims .
The Supreme Court justices wrote in their ruling that “ it is within the inherent sovereignty of their tribe ” to define voter rights .
“ To this end there is nothing to preclude a tribe from limiting eligible voters by membership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is reflected in the TAT Constitution , ” they wrote .
Cross and Hudson took their case to federal court , arguing that the tribe ’ s requirements surrounding voting and residency violate the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 , as well as the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Two members of the Three Affiliated Tribes have filed a federal lawsuit to expand voting rights for members who live outside the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.
The lawsuit filed last week seeks to end a requirement that forces members to return to the reservation to vote in tribal elections. It also seeks to restructure the tribal council.
The lead plaintiff, Raymond Cross, lives in Arizona and has limited mobility. He sought an absentee ballot to vote in a 2018 tribal election but the Tribal Business Council Election Board rejected his request “with a curt written explanation that because he resided off Reservation he was ineligible for an absentee ballot,” the lawsuit said.
Tribal Chairman Mark Fox, one of the defendants, noted in a statement that resident absentee voting is allowed “in very limited circumstances.” Fox and other members of the Tribal Business Council will seek to have the case dismissed, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
The lawsuit claims the residency requirement “unfairly and substantially” burdens the plaintiffs’ “fundamental and undisputed rights to vote, as well as those rights of Cross’ fellow nonresident” voters. The complaint estimates that at least 75% of tribal members live outside Fort Berthold.
“It’s relatively easy to obtain exemptions from having to appear physically at the polling site on the reservation on election day,” Cross told the newspaper. “But those exemptions are available only to resident voters, not nonresidents.”
Fox said the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation Courts have exclusive jurisdiction to any challenge of the Nation’s constitution and election laws. He added that the tribal court is reviewing the lawsuit.
The matter has been in the tribal court system for two years. Cross and his sister Marilyn Hudson, the other plaintiff, appealed a decision from the MHA District Court to the tribal Supreme Court last year after the lower court dismissed their claims. The Supreme Court justices wrote in their ruling that “it is within the inherent sovereignty of their tribe” to define voter rights.
“To this end there is nothing to preclude a tribe from limiting eligible voters by membership status, age and even residency as is reflected in the TAT Constitution,” they wrote.
Cross and Hudson took their case to federal court, arguing that the tribe’s requirements surrounding voting and residency violate the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, as well as the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Arbitrator orders city to pay teachers back wages

NEW YORK ( AP ) - New York City must pay half of the $ 900 million it owes in back pay to city teachers by the end of the month and the rest next year , an arbitrator has ruled .
The wages are owed as part of an agreement reached with the city to defer pay increases that were due to teachers in 2009 and 2010 .
When Mayor Bill de Blasio took office , his administration agreed to make those payments in a series of lump sums over six years .
The final $ 900 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
But the city said Thursday it could not make that payment because of the city ’ s fiscal crisis stemming in large part from the COVID-19 pandemic .
The arbitrator late Friday agreed with United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew , who said the terms of the agreement were binding .
Under the arbitrator ’ s decision , half of the total amount will be paid to an estimated 90,000 active and retired UFT members before the end of October .
The balance will be paid in July 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution for thousands of our members who are still owed deferred wages that can go back as far as 10 years , ” Mulgrew said in a statement .
“ The decision recognizes the city ’ s difficult financial circumstances because of the coronavirus pandemic , but makes it clear that the city must find a way to meet its financial obligations to its educators.
” The mayor called the ruling a win for the city that will save it $ 450 million .
But he also said that New York still needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to avoid a crisis in the upcoming fiscal year .

NEW YORK (AP) - New York City must pay half of the $900 million it owes in back pay to city teachers by the end of the month and the rest next year, an arbitrator has ruled.
The wages are owed as part of an agreement reached with the city to defer pay increases that were due to teachers in 2009 and 2010.
When Mayor Bill de Blasio took office, his administration agreed to make those payments in a series of lump sums over six years.
The final $900 million, had been scheduled for October of this year. But the city said Thursday it could not make that payment because of the city’s fiscal crisis stemming in large part from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The arbitrator late Friday agreed with United Federation of Teachers president Michael Mulgrew, who said the terms of the agreement were binding.
Under the arbitrator’s decision, half of the total amount will be paid to an estimated 90,000 active and retired UFT members before the end of October. The balance will be paid in July 2021.
“This is far from a perfect solution for thousands of our members who are still owed deferred wages that can go back as far as 10 years,” Mulgrew said in a statement. “The decision recognizes the city’s difficult financial circumstances because of the coronavirus pandemic, but makes it clear that the city must find a way to meet its financial obligations to its educators.”
The mayor called the ruling a win for the city that will save it $450 million. But he also said that New York still needs $5 billion in federal or state aid to avoid a crisis in the upcoming fiscal year.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Missing Nebraska inmate found 2 months later

OMAHA , Neb .
( AP ) - An inmate has been arrested more than two months after he went @ @ @ @ @ Center in Omaha .
The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that Matthew Saxton was found Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ him since Aug. 1 when he didn ’ t show up to his work-release job @ @ @ @ @ Correctional Services said in a news release .
Saxton is serving a four- to seven-year @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 19 , 2019 .
His convictions include fourth-offense DUI and leaving the scene of @ @ @ @ @ Community Corrections Centers in Omaha and Lincoln operate at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services @ @ @ @ @ Inmates are allowed to leave for work , school and religious services .

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An inmate has been arrested more than two months after he went missing from the Community Corrections Center in Omaha.
The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that Matthew Saxton was found Friday. Authorities had been looking for him since Aug. 1 when he didn’t show up to his work-release job, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said in a news release.
Saxton is serving a four- to seven-year sentence, which he began Aug. 19, 2019. His convictions include fourth-offense DUI and leaving the scene of a property-damage accident.
The Community Corrections Centers in Omaha and Lincoln operate at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services’ lowest custody level. Inmates are allowed to leave for work, school and religious services.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Noose found in Berkeley park leads to hate crime charge

BERKELEY , Calif. ( AP ) - A man suspected of tying a noose to a tree branch in Berkeley @ @ @ @ @ arrested and charged with a misdemeanor hate crime , police said .
A person who @ @ @ @ @ the man , later identified as Jaime Robledo-Espino , 32 , tying a noose with @ @ @ @ @ the East Bay Times reported Saturday .
When the employee confronted Robledo-Espino about the noose @ @ @ @ @ a tree branch and fled the area , police said .
The employee took a @ @ @ @ @ provided to officers .
He was arrested a short time later and booked for a @ @ @ @ @ is considered a hate crime .
According to state law , anyone who hangs a @ @ @ @ @ be a symbol representing a threat to life , on a public park , among @ @ @ @ @ this charge .
Robledo-Espino was being held at Santa Rita Jail while awaiting his court @ @ @ @

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - A man suspected of tying a noose to a tree branch in Berkeley’s marina has been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor hate crime, police said.
A person who works at the marina saw the man, later identified as Jaime Robledo-Espino, 32, tying a noose with some rope Thursday morning, the East Bay Times reported Saturday.
When the employee confronted Robledo-Espino about the noose, he fastened it to a tree branch and fled the area, police said.
The employee took a picture of the suspect and provided to officers. He was arrested a short time later and booked for a misdemeanor terrorizing charge, which is considered a hate crime.
According to state law, anyone who hangs a noose, knowing it to be a symbol representing a threat to life, on a public park, among other locations, can face this charge.
Robledo-Espino was being held at Santa Rita Jail while awaiting his court arraignment on Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Massachusetts reports 10 COVID-19 deaths; No deaths in Maine

BOSTON ( AP ) - A look at coronavirus-related developments in New England on Saturday : Massachusetts reported 10 newly confirmed coronavirus deaths and nearly 590 newly confirmed cases Saturday , pushing the state ’ s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 9,372 and its confirmed caseload to nearly 135,600 .
The seven-day weighted average of positive tests remains just over 1 % .
The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
There were more than 530 people reported hospitalized Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 in intensive care units .
The three-day average of the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has climbed to 505 , up from 341 about a month ago .
At the same time the three-day average of confirmed COVID-19 deaths have fallen to nine , down from about 15 a month ago .
Maine health officials reported another 32 cases of the coronavirus on Saturday with no new deaths .
The total number of cases neared 5,700 while the total number of the deaths since the beginning of the pandemic remained at 143 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigate the possible fallout from a referee who was on the ice for eight games over two days and potentially could have exposed hundreds of youth hockey players to the coronavirus in Maine and New Hampshire .
The state is still getting a handle on the situation , but as many as 400 people could ’ ve been exposed to the virus .
Five workers at L.L .
Bean ’ s fulfillment center in Freeport have also tested positive for coronavirus , the company said Friday .
The Children ’ s Museum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates as an alternative to its pre-COVID-19 birthday party offerings .
Under the new rules , parents can rent out the whole museum for two hours .
Museum officials say that while there are a few new rules in place — no food is allowed and masks are required for everyone over the age of 24 months — the fun and playful exploration that the museum is known for remains .
Parents can choose from two two-hour Sunday sessions , one beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a second beginning at 1 p.m .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ session , and the capacity for each session is capped at 50 individuals .
Rhode Island health officials reported three more COVID-19 related deaths on Friday and another 249 cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus .
That brings the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 in the state to 1,130 and the number of known cases to nearly 26,300 .
There were more than 100 patients with coronavirus in Rhode Island hospitals on Wednesday , the most recent date for which data were available .
Ten were in intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force visited the University of Vermont on Saturday and said efforts by the school to keep COVID-19 cases among the lowest of any campus in the nation are succeeding .
She credited those efforts on what she called “ a coalition of the willing to really ensure that students , staff , faculty and communities remain safe , ” according to a university press release .
Birx held separate meetings with UVM President Suresh Garimella , university public health and infectious disease experts , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remotely with representatives from the governor ’ s office and Vermont Department of Health .
Birx visited Massachusetts on Friday and said a rising number of cases in the Northeast is likely being fueled by small gatherings of family and friends containing people who have the virus but aren ’ t showing symptoms .
The Vermont Health Department on Saturday reported 11 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
No COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in Vermont hospitals .
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Vermont remains at 58 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Vermont more than 1,650 have recovered from the disease .
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes said a test Saturday showed no signs of the coronavirus in her body , nearly three weeks after she was diagnosed with COVID-19 .
The Democrat , who represents Connecticut ’ s 5th District , has been documenting her battle against the disease on social media since revealing her positive test results on Sept. 20 .
Hayes said a follow-up COVID-19 test on Saturday came back negative .
She said she also received a flu shot and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to donate plasma .
Sacred Heart University and the University of Saint Joseph are the latest in Connecticut to use the rapid saliva-based coronavirus test developed at Yale .
The schools hope adding the testing method to tests already being conducted will help them identify cases earlier and prevent large outbreaks on campus .
Both schools also are using the nasal swab form of testing .

BOSTON (AP) - A look at coronavirus-related developments in New England on Saturday:
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts reported 10 newly confirmed coronavirus deaths and nearly 590 newly confirmed cases Saturday, pushing the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to 9,372 and its confirmed caseload to nearly 135,600.
The seven-day weighted average of positive tests remains just over 1%. The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
There were more than 530 people reported hospitalized Monday because of COVID-19, and more than 80 in intensive care units.
The three-day average of the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has climbed to 505, up from 341 about a month ago.
At the same time the three-day average of confirmed COVID-19 deaths have fallen to nine, down from about 15 a month ago.
___
MAINE
Maine health officials reported another 32 cases of the coronavirus on Saturday with no new deaths.
The total number of cases neared 5,700 while the total number of the deaths since the beginning of the pandemic remained at 143.
The state is also continuing to investigate the possible fallout from a referee who was on the ice for eight games over two days and potentially could have exposed hundreds of youth hockey players to the coronavirus in Maine and New Hampshire.
The state is still getting a handle on the situation, but as many as 400 people could’ve been exposed to the virus.
Five workers at L.L. Bean’s fulfillment center in Freeport have also tested positive for coronavirus, the company said Friday.
___
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is testing Sunday private play dates as an alternative to its pre-COVID-19 birthday party offerings.
Under the new rules, parents can rent out the whole museum for two hours. Museum officials say that while there are a few new rules in place — no food is allowed and masks are required for everyone over the age of 24 months — the fun and playful exploration that the museum is known for remains.
Parents can choose from two two-hour Sunday sessions, one beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a second beginning at 1 p.m.
The museum is thoroughly cleaned between each session, and the capacity for each session is capped at 50 individuals.
___
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island health officials reported three more COVID-19 related deaths on Friday and another 249 cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus.
That brings the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 in the state to 1,130 and the number of known cases to nearly 26,300.
There were more than 100 patients with coronavirus in Rhode Island hospitals on Wednesday, the most recent date for which data were available. Ten were in intensive care. Six were on ventilators.
___
VERMONT
Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House coronavirus task force visited the University of Vermont on Saturday and said efforts by the school to keep COVID-19 cases among the lowest of any campus in the nation are succeeding.
She credited those efforts on what she called “a coalition of the willing to really ensure that students, staff, faculty and communities remain safe,” according to a university press release.
Birx held separate meetings with UVM President Suresh Garimella, university public health and infectious disease experts, and other university officials.
She also connected remotely with representatives from the governor’s office and Vermont Department of Health.
Birx visited Massachusetts on Friday and said a rising number of cases in the Northeast is likely being fueled by small gatherings of family and friends containing people who have the virus but aren’t showing symptoms.
___
The Vermont Health Department on Saturday reported 11 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19.
No COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in Vermont hospitals.
The number of COVID-19 deaths in Vermont remains at 58. More than 171,000 people have been tested in Vermont more than 1,650 have recovered from the disease.
___
CONNECTICUT
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes said a test Saturday showed no signs of the coronavirus in her body, nearly three weeks after she was diagnosed with COVID-19.
The Democrat, who represents Connecticut’s 5th District, has been documenting her battle against the disease on social media since revealing her positive test results on Sept. 20.
Hayes said a follow-up COVID-19 test on Saturday came back negative. She said she also received a flu shot and made an appointment with the American Red Cross to donate plasma.
___
Sacred Heart University and the University of Saint Joseph are the latest in Connecticut to use the rapid saliva-based coronavirus test developed at Yale.
The schools hope adding the testing method to tests already being conducted will help them identify cases earlier and prevent large outbreaks on campus. Both schools also are using the nasal swab form of testing.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Mother falls into Lake Tahoe, drowns; 6 kids on boat rescued

ZEPHYR COVE , Nev. ( AP ) - A woman drowned after falling off a boat carrying six children on Lake Tahoe and a man who jumped off the boat to try to rescue her had to be hospitalized for severe hypothermia , authorities in northern Nevada said Saturday .
The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District said the incident occurred Friday evening near Zephyr Cove , which is on the east side of the lake that straddles the California-Nevada border .
After the woman and the man went into the water , the boat with the children still aboard drifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fire district boat crew rescued the children , who were unhurt , the district said in a statement .
Rescue personnel were unable to revive the woman .
The Sacramento Bee reported that the Nevada agency ’ s personnel responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call believed to be made by someone who heard the children yelling for help , Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Eric Guevin said .
Several miles away , crews had rescued the man , who had been in the water for over an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital for severe hypothermia , the Bee reported .
He was listed Friday night in critical condition , officials said .
Guevin told the Bee that the woman was the mother of some of the children , part of a blended family , but authorities did not immediately know the relationships between the people involved and ages of the children .

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. (AP) - A woman drowned after falling off a boat carrying six children on Lake Tahoe and a man who jumped off the boat to try to rescue her had to be hospitalized for severe hypothermia, authorities in northern Nevada said Saturday.
The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District said the incident occurred Friday evening near Zephyr Cove, which is on the east side of the lake that straddles the California-Nevada border.
After the woman and the man went into the water, the boat with the children still aboard drifted into the middle of the lake where a fire district boat crew rescued the children, who were unhurt, the district said in a statement.
Rescue personnel were unable to revive the woman.
The Sacramento Bee reported that the Nevada agency’s personnel responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call believed to be made by someone who heard the children yelling for help, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Eric Guevin said.
Several miles away, crews had rescued the man, who had been in the water for over an hour, and transported him to Barton Hospital for severe hypothermia, the Bee reported. He was listed Friday night in critical condition, officials said.
Guevin told the Bee that the woman was the mother of some of the children, part of a blended family, but authorities did not immediately know the relationships between the people involved and ages of the children.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Arkansas coronavirus hospitalizations decline slightly

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Arkansas declined @ @ @ @ @ ’ s record high .
There were 554 hospitalizations , six fewer than a day @ @ @ @ @ of Health reported .
The department reported an increase of 908 confirmed and probable cases @ @ @ @ @ and 22 more deaths for a total of 1,552 who have died due to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the virus , since the pandemic began .
The actual number of cases in Arkansas @ @ @ @ @ people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not @ @ @ @ @ 7,735 active cases either confirmed or probable and 82,924 people have recovered , according to @ @ @ @ @ people , the COVID-19 virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks @ @ @ @ @ especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe @ @ @ @ @ and be fatal .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Arkansas declined slightly on Saturday from Friday’s record high.
There were 554 hospitalizations, six fewer than a day earlier, The state Department of Health reported.
The department reported an increase of 908 confirmed and probable cases for a total of 92,220 and 22 more deaths for a total of 1,552 who have died due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, since the pandemic began. The actual number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
There were 7,735 active cases either confirmed or probable and 82,924 people have recovered, according to department figures.
For most people, the COVID-19 virus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness, including pneumonia, and be fatal.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Man arrested in shooting that left 2 dead in Manhattan

MANHATTAN , Kan. ( AP ) - Authorities have arrested a man in a shooting that left two men dead @ @ @ @ @ Mercury reports that police responded around 5:20 p.m. Friday to a report of gunfire and @ @ @ @ @ 23-year-old Javon Gray dead .
Riley County police said a man who knew the two @ @ @ @ @ night on two counts of second-degree murder .
He is jailed on $ 500,000 bond @ @ @ @ @ arrests are anticipated in this case .

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) - Authorities have arrested a man in a shooting that left two men dead in Manhattan.
The Manhattan Mercury reports that police responded around 5:20 p.m. Friday to a report of gunfire and found 19-year-old Skylar Havens and 23-year-old Javon Gray dead.
Riley County police said a man who knew the two victims was arrested later that night on two counts of second-degree murder. He is jailed on $500,000 bond.
Police said no other arrests are anticipated in this case.


washingtontimes--2020-10-11--Turkey to report full COVID-19 figures, health minister says

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkey will start to report its total number of coronavirus cases later this @ @ @ @ @ s health minister said in an interview published Sunday , after Ankara was criticized for @ @ @ @ @ showing symptoms of infection .
Fahrettin Koca told the newspaper Hurriyet that asymptomatic cases would @ @ @ @ @ s published data from Oct. 15 , which would be shared with the World Health @ @ @ @ @ the minister revealed Turkey had been publishing only the daily number of patients displaying symptoms @ @ @ @ @ to criticism from medical groups and opposition parties that had long questioned the accuracy of @ @ @ @ @ s latest daily figures from Saturday showed 1,649 new patients and 56 deaths .
It @ @ @ @ @ patients since the outbreak started , and 8,778 fatalities .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey will start to report its total number of coronavirus cases later this week, the country’s health minister said in an interview published Sunday, after Ankara was criticized for only releasing figures for patients showing symptoms of infection.
Fahrettin Koca told the newspaper Hurriyet that asymptomatic cases would be included in Turkey’s published data from Oct. 15, which would be shared with the World Health Organization.
Last month, the minister revealed Turkey had been publishing only the daily number of patients displaying symptoms of COVID-19. This led to criticism from medical groups and opposition parties that had long questioned the accuracy of the statistics.
Turkey’s latest daily figures from Saturday showed 1,649 new patients and 56 deaths. It has reported more than 334,000 patients since the outbreak started, and 8,778 fatalities.


washingtontimes--2020-10-11--Catholic Church names chapel dedicated to Fatima a shrine

RIVERVIEW , Mich. ( AP ) - A Detroit-area chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and her appearance to children @ @ @ @ @ been declared a local Roman Catholic shrine .
The designation recognizes the popularity and significance @ @ @ @ @ Fatima Chapel in Riverview , Archbishop Allen Vigneron said .
More than a century ago @ @ @ @ @ Mary appeared to them in Fatima , Portugal , and told them secrets that included @ @ @ @ @ I and the start of World War II .
Many doubters became believers after the @ @ @ @ @ Sun.
” Tens of thousands of people flocked to Fatima and saw what witnesses reported @ @ @ @ @ sun spinning in the sky and zigzagging toward Earth .
The suburban Detroit chapel offers @ @ @ @ @ month and other Catholic devotions .
“ Our desire is for the faithful who visit @ @ @ @ @ to receive the same joy and spiritual blessings experienced by millions of pilgrims who visit @ @ @ @ @ year , ” the Rev .
John Hedges said .

RIVERVIEW, Mich. (AP) - A Detroit-area chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and her appearance to children in Europe in 1917 has been declared a local Roman Catholic shrine.
The designation recognizes the popularity and significance of the Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Riverview, Archbishop Allen Vigneron said.
More than a century ago, three shepherd children said Mary appeared to them in Fatima, Portugal, and told them secrets that included the end of World War I and the start of World War II.
Many doubters became believers after the so-called “Miracle of the Sun.” Tens of thousands of people flocked to Fatima and saw what witnesses reported was a vision of the sun spinning in the sky and zigzagging toward Earth.
The suburban Detroit chapel offers at least three Masses a month and other Catholic devotions.
“Our desire is for the faithful who visit Our Lady of Fatima Shrine to receive the same joy and spiritual blessings experienced by millions of pilgrims who visit Fatima, Portugal, each year,” the Rev. John Hedges said.