washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Pregnant woman in New Jersey gives birth, dies of gunshots

PATERSON , N.J. ( AP ) - A woman in New Jersey , who was eight months pregnant , gave @ @ @ @ @ before she died of gunshots , authorities said .
Police responding to a report of @ @ @ @ @ the 31-year-old , whom they ’ re only identifying by the initials R.L.
, suffering @ @ @ @ @ woman was “ transported to St. Joseph ’ s University Medical Center for emergency treatment @ @ @ @ @ , R.L .
delivered her child , however she succumbed to her wounds and was @ @ @ @ @ Passaic County Prosecutor ’ s Office said in a statement .
The baby was healthy @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
Officials have not released the sex of the child .
There @ @ @ @ @ arrest and the investigation remained ongoing .

PATERSON, N.J. (AP) - A woman in New Jersey, who was eight months pregnant, gave birth to a healthy baby before she died of gunshots, authorities said.
Police responding to a report of a shooting on Thursday found the 31-year-old, whom they’re only identifying by the initials R.L., suffering from gunshot wounds.
The woman was “transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for emergency treatment. While at the hospital, R.L. delivered her child, however she succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced deceased,” the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
The baby was healthy and was in stable condition, authorities said.
Officials have not released the sex of the child.
There was no word of an arrest and the investigation remained ongoing.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--UK court rejects libel suit from Russian over Steele dossier

LONDON ( AP ) - Britain ’ s High Court on Friday dismissed a libel claim by a Russian businessman against the author of a report on U.S. President Donald Trump ’ s alleged links to Russia and Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
Tech entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev sued former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele and his firm Orbis Business Intelligence for what he said were “ seriously defamatory allegations ” that he had “ knowing involvement ” in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee ’ s computer systems before the 2016 election .
Judge Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Steele dossier were defamatory and their publication “ caused serious harm to his reputation.
” But he said Steele could not be held responsible for making the dossier public .
It was published by BuzzFeed in January 2017 .
Steele told the court at an earlier hearing that he felt “ shock and horror ” at BuzzFeed ’ s “ reckless ” publication of the dossier , which he had been commissioned to compile by a Washington research firm .
The judge said Gubarev “ would have been entitled to substantial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defendants are responsible in law for the publication complained of .
But he has failed to prove that .
“

LONDON (AP) - Britain’s High Court on Friday dismissed a libel claim by a Russian businessman against the author of a report on U.S. President Donald Trump’s alleged links to Russia and Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Cyprus-based tech entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev sued former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele and Steele’s firm Orbis Business Intelligence for what he said were “seriously defamatory allegations” that he had “knowing involvement” in the hacking of the Democratic National Committee’s computer systems before the 2016 election.
Judge Mark Warby ruled that the references to Gubarev in the Steele dossier were defamatory and their publication “caused serious harm to his reputation.” But he said Steele could not be held responsible for making the dossier public. It was published by BuzzFeed in January 2017.
The judge said Gubarev “would have been entitled to substantial damages, if he had proved that the defendants are responsible in law for the publication complained of. But he has failed to prove that.“
The dossier, which Steele had been commissioned to compile by a Washington research firm, claimed Trump had been “compromised” by Russia’s FSB security service and that Russian President Vladimir Putin had tried for several years to “cultivate” Trump as a presidential candidate. Trump denies all the claims.
Warby said in his judgment that after Trump’s election in November 2016, Steele showed the dossier to a former U.S. State Department official in the hope he would give it to Sen. John McCain and U.S. intelligence agencies.
The judge said he accepted Steele’s assertion that he had not wanted the document to be published.
Steele told the court at an earlier hearing that he felt “shock and horror” at BuzzFeed’s “reckless” publication of the dossier.
Gubarev sued BuzzFeed in Florida over the publication. The claim was dismissed in December 2018, but according to the High Court judgment, the U.S. Court of Appeals ordered Gubarev’s case against the news site to be reheard. The hearing has yet to take place.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--COVID hospitalizations rise in Delaware's Sussex County

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - The number of of people who ’ ve been hospitalized with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ County has risen to its highest mark since June 24 .
The Delaware State News @ @ @ @ @ released Thursday by the Delaware Division of Public Health .
The county ’ s hospitalizations @ @ @ @ @ of 56 .
And that number makes up more than half of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ The county ’ s hospitalizations were at seven 30 days ago .
The state ’ @ @ @ @ @ now 24,553 .
Of the state ’ s 99 total current hospitalizations , 22 are @ @ @ @ @ Delaware has past the 13,000-mark for total recoveries from COVID-19 on Thursday .

NEWARK, Del. (AP) - Police in the city that is host to Delaware’s largest university have raided several parties and charged more than 60 people with violating a coronavirus ordinance on unlawful gatherings.
The charges were filed after Newark police responded to loud music complaints at three separate residences late Thursday night and early Friday morning.
Authorities said officers found between 30 and 40 people at the first location shortly before midnight. Some fled after seeing police but 18 were cited for violating the ordinance. Police responding to a second location five minutes later found more than 12 people inside an apartment. Some climbed out windows after seeing police, but a dozen were cited.
A police visit to a third location about an hour later resulted in 33 people being cited.
University of Delaware police assisted Newark Police at all three locations and referred any students for possible sanctions by the school. The punishment could include suspension or expulsion.
The ordinance prohibits more than 12 people from gathering inside a private residence without a permit from city officials unless they live there. No more than 20 people can attend an outside gathering at a private residence.
City penalties for violation of the ordinance range from fines to community service and apply to attendees as well as hosts of any illegal gathering.
Meanwhile, state officials reported about 24,750confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Delaware and 617 confirmed or probable deaths as of Thursday. People age 50 and above accounted for 672, or 96%, of the deaths. Residents of long-term care facilities accounted for 409 of the deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Pennsylvania: Donald Trump, Joe Biden to barnstorm battleground in closing days

Both President Trump and Joseph R. Biden are signaling that the presidential election could hinge on the outcome in Pennsylvania , which Mr. Trump carried narrowly in 2016 .
The Biden campaign announced Friday that Mr. Biden will appear in Philadelphia on Sunday .
The campaign also announced Mr. Biden , his wife Jill , Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris , and her husband Doug Emhoff will “ fan out across all four corners of the state ” on Monday , the day before Election Day .
Mr. Trump , meanwhile , is scheduled to hold three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three rallies there on Monday .
Mr. Biden currently holds about a 4-point lead over Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania in the latest Real Clear Politics average .
Former President Barack Obama rallied with Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia on the eve of the 2016 election , but Mr. Trump ended up carrying the state by about 44,000 votes en route to his win .
Election projection experts are warning there ’ s a good chance they won ’ t be able to declare a clear winner on Nov. 3 in part because of increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ballots that could be arriving on or , in some states , after Election Day .
“ Pennsylvania has had a record amount of early vote , vote by mail , and they ’ re also the center of a lot of legal cases , ” said Scott Tranter with Decision Desk HQ .
The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand a state Supreme Court ruling allowing mail-in ballots to be counted if they ’ re received up to three days after Election Day in Pennsylvania .
But state officials are advising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots that arrive after 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 and count them after in-person and other mail ballots are counted in the event of another legal challenge .
Mr. Tranter said his race call team is going to be “ extra sure ” about making definitive declarations about states like Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin .
“ A state like Michigan , Wisconsin , or Pennsylvania — we want to be very certain we know how many votes are out left and we want to know where some of the shift is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the University of Virginia ’ s Center for Politics this week .
“ Hey , Biden could be up 3 or Trump could be up 3 and we think there ’ s not that many votes left , but these county registrars — they got boxes everywhere , ” he said .
“ [ It ] doesn ’ t mean there ’ s fraud — it just means they got a lot more to count and they got to communicate that .
”

Both President Trump and Joseph R. Biden are signaling that the presidential election could hinge on the outcome in Pennsylvania, which Mr. Trump carried narrowly in 2016.
The Biden campaign announced Friday that Mr. Biden will appear in Philadelphia on Sunday.
The campaign also announced Mr. Biden, his wife Jill, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris, and her husband Doug Emhoff will “fan out across all four corners of the state” on Monday, the day before Election Day.
Mr. Trump, meanwhile, is scheduled to hold four events in Pennsylvania on Saturday after holding three rallies there on Monday.
The president is also scheduled to hold a rally near Mr. Biden’s hometown of Scranton on Monday.
Mr. Biden currently holds about a 4-point lead over Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania in the latest Real Clear Politics average.
Former President Barack Obama rallied with Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia on the eve of the 2016 election, but Mr. Trump ended up carrying the state by about 44,000 votes en route to his win.
Election projection experts are warning there’s a good chance they won’t be able to declare a clear winner on Nov. 3 in part because of increased vote-by-mail options during the coronavirus pandemic and the ballots that could be arriving on or, in some states, after Election Day.
“Pennsylvania has had a record amount of early vote, vote by mail, and they’re also the center of a lot of legal cases,” said Scott Tranter with Decision Desk HQ.
The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand a state Supreme Court ruling allowing mail-in ballots to be counted if they’re received up to three days after Election Day in Pennsylvania.
But state officials are advising local counties to separate out all the ballots that arrive after 8 p.m. on Nov. 3 and count them after in-person and other mail ballots are counted in the event of another legal challenge.
Mr. Tranter said his race call team is going to be “extra sure” about making definitive declarations about states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
“A state like Michigan, Wisconsin, or Pennsylvania — we want to be very certain we know how many votes are out left and we want to know where some of the shift is,” he said at an event hosted by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics this week.
“Hey, Biden could be up 3 or Trump could be up 3 and we think there’s not that many votes left, but these county registrars — they got boxes everywhere,” he said. “[It] doesn’t mean there’s fraud — it just means they got a lot more to count and they got to communicate that.”
Mr. Trump has made it clear that he wants vote-counting to be completed on Election Day, which will not happen.
On Friday, he protested after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand an extension of the vote count in North Carolina. Mail-in ballots can be accepted until Nov. 12 for now in the Tar Heel State.
“This decision is CRAZY and so bad for our Country. Can you imagine what will happen during that nine day period. The Election should END on November 3rd,” the president said on Twitter.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Many King County employees to work from home until July 2021

SEATTLE ( AP ) - King County Executive Dow Constantine announced Thursday that he is extending the mandatory work-from-home order @ @ @ @ @ through July 5 , 2021 .
KOMO-TV reports the extension comes as the coronavirus transmission @ @ @ @ @ state .
Constatine ’ s order applies to all executive branch employees who are currently @ @ @ @ @ is an operational need for them to physically return to the workplace .
That includes @ @ @ @ @ from human resources to natural resources to public health .
The King County Council , @ @ @ @ @ , King County Elections , and the Department of Assessments have also mandated working from @ @ @ @ @ July 5 , where appropriate .
The order does not apply to first responders and @ @ @ @ @ “ Managers and supervisors must work with their employees to permit telecommuting wherever possible and @ @ @ @ @ , ” Constantine said .
“ Employees are permitted to telecommute with children in the @ @ @ @ @ productive work remains .
”

SEATTLE (AP) - King County Executive Dow Constantine announced Thursday that he is extending the mandatory work-from-home order for hundreds of county employees through July 5, 2021.
KOMO-TV reports the extension comes as the coronavirus transmission rate is rising across Washington state.
Constatine’s order applies to all executive branch employees who are currently telecommuting, except where there is an operational need for them to physically return to the workplace.
That includes employees who work in everything from human resources to natural resources to public health.
The King County Council, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, King County Elections, and the Department of Assessments have also mandated working from home for their employees through July 5, where appropriate.
The order does not apply to first responders and certain other mission-critical employees.
“Managers and supervisors must work with their employees to permit telecommuting wherever possible and be creative to maximize telecommuting,” Constantine said. “Employees are permitted to telecommute with children in the home. The expectation of productive work remains.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--'Very confident': NYC hospitals prepare for virus resurgence

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Like battle-hardened veterans , New York City hospitals and nursing homes are bracing for a potential resurgence of coronavirus patients , drawing on lessons learned in the spring when the outbreak brought the nation ’ s largest city to its knees .
The new playbook derives from the apocalyptic days of March and April , when testing and resources were scarce , emergency rooms overflowed , and funeral homes stacked corpses in refrigerated trailers .
Those insights , however hard won , make it far less likely that the city ’ s hospitals would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , health care leaders said .
Even without a vaccine , doctors are touting increasingly effective coronavirus treatments , three-month supplies of personal protective equipment and contingency staffing plans .
Similar preparations are underway at New York ’ s hard hit nursing homes , which accounted for a staggering percentage of the state ’ s coronavirus deaths .
“ We didn ’ t even have testing in February when there was so much transmission , ” Dr. Mitchell Katz , head of the city ’ s public hospital system , said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how we ’ d ever have the same situation that we had in March and April , but we are preparing for that possibility anyway.
” Not only has critical care improved , Katz said , but coronavirus patients also are generally “ not getting as intense as an exposure as they once did because of the wearing of masks.
” New cases also are afflicting younger people , who are less likely than older patients to need hospitalization .
“ Our hospitals are still quieter than they would have been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of concerns about COVID , ” Katz added .
“ We can have several hundred additional patients and still not be full.
” New York has recorded nearly 37,000 new COVID-19 infections in October and is on pace to have more than double the number of people sickened this month as fell ill in September .
But so far , that increase has led to only a modest uptick in hospitalizations .
On average , about 45 people a day have been admitted to New York City hospitals each day in October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 29 per day in September .
That compares to an average 1,600 per day during the worst two weeks of the pandemic in March and April - a time when the state also recorded its highest daily death tolls and ambulance sirens became an ominous soundtrack to the city ’ s out-of-control pandemic .
Last week , by contrast , the city ’ s 11 public hospitals had six total intubated patients - down from a peak of 960 .
The relative quiet stands in stark contrast to hospitals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been increasingly overwhelmed by new surges .
“ The measures that were put in place seem to be working , ” said Dr. Fritz Francois , chief medical officer at NYU Langone Health , alluding to widespread mask use , social distancing and authorities ’ focus on hot spots in pockets of the city .
“ Even if we see something of a resurgence , ” Francois said , “ the outlook is that it ’ s not going to be similar to what we experienced in the spring.
” Still , hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocking up on supplies while closely monitoring fluctuations in statewide case and computer modeling to decide whether and when to activate contingency plans .
The city ’ s public hospital system is installing new cameras and microphones in patient rooms to reduce exposure for nurses .
NYU Langone has reduced to a matter of hours the time it needs to open a COVID-dedicated unit .
NewYork-Presbyterian has stockpiled ventilators , even as doctors now recognize that anesthesia machines can be made to function as ventilators in a pinch .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could deal with it , ” said Dr. Steven Corwin , chief executive officer of NewYork-Presbyterian , which has increased its number of intensive care beds from 450 to 600 .
Anxiety levels remain high at New York nursing homes , where the coronavirus spread rampantly for months .
New York nursing homes reported 713 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases for the four weeks ending Oct. 11 , according to federal Medicare data , up from 379 over the previous four weeks .
Seeking to head off new outbreaks , state health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can demonstrate they are “ COVID-free ” for 14 days , meaning no positive tests among residents or staff - a requirement nursing home proprietors said has been exceedingly difficult to meet , given the coming and going of staff from the facilities .
Earlier this week , New York banned visitation to most adult care facilities within coronavirus “ red zones ” where infection rates have ticked upward .
“ The majority of nursing homes do not have adequate staffing to meet the basic clinical needs of their residents under normal circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition , a nonprofit advocacy group .
“ We believe that this problem has been exacerbated by the pandemic , and have not heard anything of nursing homes as a whole working to address this problem in the face of current needs , no matter a second wave , ” he said .
Still , like hospitals , nursing homes contend they are better poised for a potential second wave than they were the first , pointing to more widespread testing and supplies of PPE .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned how to keep their patients and residents and staff safe , ” said Chris Laxton , executive director of the The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine .
Gurwin Jewish , a 460-bed home on Long Island , has updated contingency staffing plans for a new outbreak and is conducting in-service classes to educate staff on infection prevention measures .
The home is testing 1,000 people a week and has a three-month stockpile of PPE and isolation panels it used in the spring to create a dedicated COVID unit .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s operating at about 85 % capacity .
“ We do think that there is a hesitation by some to send their loved one to a skilled nursing facility , ” said Maureen Fagan , a Gurwin Jewish spokeswoman .
“ People are afraid .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Like battle-hardened veterans, New York City hospitals and nursing homes are bracing for a potential resurgence of coronavirus patients, drawing on lessons learned in the spring when the outbreak brought the nation’s largest city to its knees.
The new playbook derives from the apocalyptic days of March and April, when testing and resources were scarce, emergency rooms overflowed, and funeral homes stacked corpses in refrigerated trailers.
Those insights, however hard won, make it far less likely that the city’s hospitals would collapse under a second wave of COVID-19, health care leaders said.
Even without a vaccine, doctors are touting increasingly effective coronavirus treatments, three-month supplies of personal protective equipment and contingency staffing plans.
Similar preparations are underway at New York’s hard hit nursing homes, which accounted for a staggering percentage of the state’s coronavirus deaths.
“We didn’t even have testing in February when there was so much transmission,” Dr. Mitchell Katz, head of the city’s public hospital system, said in an interview. “I can’t see how we’d ever have the same situation that we had in March and April, but we are preparing for that possibility anyway.”
Not only has critical care improved, Katz said, but coronavirus patients also are generally “not getting as intense as an exposure as they once did because of the wearing of masks.” New cases also are afflicting younger people, who are less likely than older patients to need hospitalization.
“Our hospitals are still quieter than they would have been a year ago because people are avoiding care out of concerns about COVID,” Katz added. “We can have several hundred additional patients and still not be full.”
New York has recorded nearly 37,000 new COVID-19 infections in October and is on pace to have more than double the number of people sickened this month as fell ill in September.
But so far, that increase has led to only a modest uptick in hospitalizations. On average, about 45 people a day have been admitted to New York City hospitals each day in October, city statistics show, up from an average of 29 per day in September.
That compares to an average 1,600 per day during the worst two weeks of the pandemic in March and April - a time when the state also recorded its highest daily death tolls and ambulance sirens became an ominous soundtrack to the city’s out-of-control pandemic.
Last week, by contrast, the city’s 11 public hospitals had six total intubated patients - down from a peak of 960.
The relative quiet stands in stark contrast to hospitals in Europe and the Mountain West that have been increasingly overwhelmed by new surges.
“The measures that were put in place seem to be working,” said Dr. Fritz Francois, chief medical officer at NYU Langone Health, alluding to widespread mask use, social distancing and authorities’ focus on hot spots in pockets of the city.
“Even if we see something of a resurgence,” Francois said, “the outlook is that it’s not going to be similar to what we experienced in the spring.”
Still, hospitals around the city are rewriting policies and stocking up on supplies while closely monitoring fluctuations in statewide case and computer modeling to decide whether and when to activate contingency plans.
The city’s public hospital system is installing new cameras and microphones in patient rooms to reduce exposure for nurses. NYU Langone has reduced to a matter of hours the time it needs to open a COVID-dedicated unit. NewYork-Presbyterian has stockpiled ventilators, even as doctors now recognize that anesthesia machines can be made to function as ventilators in a pinch.
“I’m very confident that with any resurgence, we could deal with it,” said Dr. Steven Corwin, chief executive officer of NewYork-Presbyterian, which has increased its number of intensive care beds from 450 to 600.
Anxiety levels remain high at New York nursing homes, where the coronavirus spread rampantly for months. New York nursing homes reported 713 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases for the four weeks ending Oct. 11, according to federal Medicare data, up from 379 over the previous four weeks.
Seeking to head off new outbreaks, state health officials restricted visitation to nursing homes that can demonstrate they are “COVID-free” for 14 days, meaning no positive tests among residents or staff - a requirement nursing home proprietors said has been exceedingly difficult to meet, given the coming and going of staff from the facilities.
Earlier this week, New York banned visitation to most adult care facilities within coronavirus “red zones” where infection rates have ticked upward.
“The majority of nursing homes do not have adequate staffing to meet the basic clinical needs of their residents under normal circumstances,” said Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group.
“We believe that this problem has been exacerbated by the pandemic, and have not heard anything of nursing homes as a whole working to address this problem in the face of current needs, no matter a second wave,” he said.
Still, like hospitals, nursing homes contend they are better poised for a potential second wave than they were the first, pointing to more widespread testing and supplies of PPE.
“Nursing homes have through hard experience learned how to keep their patients and residents and staff safe,” said Chris Laxton, executive director of the The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.
Gurwin Jewish, a 460-bed home on Long Island, has updated contingency staffing plans for a new outbreak and is conducting in-service classes to educate staff on infection prevention measures. The home is testing 1,000 people a week and has a three-month stockpile of PPE and isolation panels it used in the spring to create a dedicated COVID unit.
Still, like other New York nursing homes, it’s operating at about 85% capacity.
“We do think that there is a hesitation by some to send their loved one to a skilled nursing facility,” said Maureen Fagan, a Gurwin Jewish spokeswoman. “People are afraid.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Firefighter pleads guilty to trying for sex with child

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - A Pennsylvania firefighter who was accused of trying to arrange a meeting for @ @ @ @ @ in Virginia has pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement charges .
Brian Kosanovich , @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , more than eight months after he was arrested in Midlothian , Virginia , @ @ @ @ @ by FBI agents , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Eastern District of @ @ @ @ @ .
Kosanovich , of Pittsburgh , had traveled there to meet with a woman he @ @ @ @ @ had a 10-year-old daughter , according to the release .
The woman , who also @ @ @ @ @ some online chats with Kosanovich , was actually an undercover FBI agent .
Kosanovich could @ @ @ @ @ in prison when he ’ s sentenced next year .
It was not immediately clear @ @ @ @ @ who could comment on his behalf .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Pennsylvania firefighter who was accused of trying to arrange a meeting for sex with a 10-year-old girl in Virginia has pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement charges.
Brian Kosanovich, 58, entered the plea Thursday, more than eight months after he was arrested in Midlothian, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond, by FBI agents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said in a statement.
Kosanovich, of Pittsburgh, had traveled there to meet with a woman he met online who said she had a 10-year-old daughter, according to the release. The woman, who also posed as the child in some online chats with Kosanovich, was actually an undercover FBI agent.
Kosanovich could face a maximum of life in prison when he’s sentenced next year. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Asia Today: Australia to spend on vaccines for wider region

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Australia has announced it will spend 500 million Australian dollars ( $ 351 million ) to secure COVID-19 vaccines for the Pacific and Southeast Asia “ as part of a shared recovery for our region from the pandemic.
” The government said it would use a range of advance purchase agreements with manufacturers via the global COVAX Facility plan , which aims to ensure virus vaccines are shared with all nations .
“ We are committing an additional AU $ 500 million over three years towards this effort , ” it said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the countries of the Pacific and East Timor are able to achieve full immunization coverage , and will make a significant contribution toward meeting the needs of southeast Asia .
“ A fast , safe vaccine rollout … will mean we are able to return to more normal travel , tourism and trade with our key partners in the region.
” Meanwhile , officials in Victoria state reported just one new case of COVID-19 on Saturday as Melbourne residents head into a weekend of greater social freedom .
Figures from the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of just 2.4 new cases per day for the past 14 days .
The easing of restrictions means families can visit each other at home .
A 25-kilometer ( 15-mile ) travel limit remains in place and outdoor gatherings are still capped at 10 people .
It will be an emotional weekend for many people who have been unable to see their families or close friends for months .
Victoria ’ s COVID-19 death toll stands at 819 and the national figure is 907 .
State premier Daniel Andrews did not face the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference marathon to an end .
The state leader had held news conferences for 120 consecutive days starting on July 3 .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australia has announced it will spend 500 million Australian dollars ($351 million) to secure COVID-19 vaccines for the Pacific and Southeast Asia “as part of a shared recovery for our region from the pandemic.”
The government said it would use a range of advance purchase agreements with manufacturers via the global COVAX Facility plan, which aims to ensure virus vaccines are shared with all nations.
“We are committing an additional AU$500 million over three years towards this effort,” it said. “The funding will further help ensure that the countries of the Pacific and East Timor are able to achieve full immunization coverage, and will make a significant contribution toward meeting the needs of southeast Asia.
“A fast, safe vaccine rollout … will mean we are able to return to more normal travel, tourism and trade with our key partners in the region.”
Meanwhile, officials in Victoria state reported just one new case of COVID-19 on Saturday as Melbourne residents head into a weekend of greater social freedom.
Figures from the state’s Health Department show an average of just 2.4 new cases per day for the past 14 days.
The easing of restrictions means families can visit each other at home. A 25-kilometer (15-mile) travel limit remains in place and outdoor gatherings are still capped at 10 people.
It will be an emotional weekend for many people who have been unable to see their families or close friends for months.
Victoria’s COVID-19 death toll stands at 819 and the national figure is 907.
State premier Daniel Andrews did not face the media on Saturday, bringing his daily news conference marathon to an end. The state leader had held news conferences for 120 consecutive days starting on July 3.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- For the first time, Sri Lanka police have arrested dozens of people for not wearing masks and failing to maintain social distancing, under the new laws imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said 39 people were detained, and separately, another 221 were held for violating a curfew. Since Thursday, the government has imposed the curfew in the whole of Western province where new outbreaks at a garment factory and the main fish market were discovered early this month. It includes the capital Colombo, where nearly 30% of the 22 million population live. Infections from the two clusters have grown to 6,945 by Saturday, bringing to over 10,000 the number of confirmed cases in the country including 19 deaths.
- India has registered 48,268 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. The Health Ministry on Saturday also reported 551 additional deaths, taking total fatalities up to 121,641. The figure raises the country’s total virus tally to over 8.1 million, behind only the U.S. Over 7.4 million people have recovered. The slowdown in daily infections has held for more than a month with fewer than 60,000 cases for nearly two weeks. Some experts say the trend suggests the virus may have finally reached a plateau in India but others question the testing methods and warn a major festival due in a few weeks and the winter season could result in a new surge. The capital of New Delhi, which recently became the worst-hit city in India, is already witnessing high air pollution levels, making the coronavirus fight more complicated in months ahead.
- China has reported six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in an outbreak in Xinjiang, bringing the total in the far-west region to 51. Six were in serious condition, Xinjiang health authorities said Saturday. Another 161 people have tested positive but show no symptoms. The outbreak in Shufu county, near the city of Kashgar, appears to be linked to a garment factory that employs 252 people and has been sealed off. China has largely curbed the spread of the coronavirus but continues to see localized outbreaks with infections in the hundreds. The National Health Commission also reported 27 new cases among people who had arrived recently from overseas. The total number of confirmed cases has reached 85,973, including 4,634 who have died. China does not include people without symptoms in its confirmed case count.
___
Follow AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings owner buying Dunkin' Brands

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Dunkin ’ doughnuts and coffee is being combined with Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby ’ s sandwiches .
Inspire Brands Inc. said Friday that it is acquiring Dunkin ’ Brands Group Inc. for $ 11.3 billion , including the Dunkin ’ Brands ’ debt that Inspire will be taking on .
The private-equity firm will pay $ 106.50 in cash for all of Dunkin ’ Brands ’ shares , which closed Friday at $ 99.71 .
Dunkin ’ Brands ’ stock surged to an all-time high earlier this week after the company confirmed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ , based in Canton , Massachusetts , also owns the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain .
There are 12,500 Dunkin ’ stores and 8,000 Baskin-Robbins outlets worldwide .
Dunkin ’ was founded in 1950 in Quincy , Massachusetts .
Baskin-Robbins - known for its promise of 31 flavors - was founded in 1945 in Glendale , California .
Atlanta ’ s Inspire Brands , which was founded in 2018 , is rapidly joining the largest restaurant groups in the U.S .
In addition to Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby ’ s , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John ’ s restaurants and Rusty Taco .
It has annual sales of more than $ 14 billion .
Inspire is part of the private equity company Roark Capital Group , also based in Atlanta .
Roark also backs Focus Brands - the owner of Auntie Anne ’ s Pretzels and Cinnabon - and CKE Restaurants , which owns the Carl ’ s Jr. and Hardee ’ s burger chains .
The deal will give Inspire a spot in the breakfast category , which was the fastest-growing segment of the restaurant industry before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the global pandemic has hammered restaurants ’ sales .
Dunkin ’ Brands ’ s systemwide sales fell 1.3 % in the third quarter after tumbling 21 % in the second quarter and the company said franchisees closed 553 restaurants permanently .
Inspire said it expects the deal to close by the end of the year .

NEW YORK (AP) - Dunkin’ doughnuts and coffee is being combined with Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby’s sandwiches.
Inspire Brands Inc. said Friday that it is acquiring Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. for $11.3 billion, including the Dunkin’ Brands’ debt that Inspire will be taking on.
The private-equity firm will pay $106.50 in cash for all of Dunkin’ Brands’ shares, which closed Friday at $99.71. Dunkin’ Brands’ stock surged to an all-time high earlier this week after the company confirmed the two were in merger talks.
Dunkin’, based in Canton, Massachusetts, also owns the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain. There are 12,500 Dunkin’ stores and 8,000 Baskin-Robbins outlets worldwide.
Dunkin’ was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts. Baskin-Robbins - known for its promise of 31 flavors - was founded in 1945 in Glendale, California.
Atlanta’s Inspire Brands, which was founded in 2018, is rapidly joining the largest restaurant groups in the U.S. In addition to Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby’s, it owns the Sonic burger chain, Jimmy John’s restaurants and Rusty Taco. It has annual sales of more than $14 billion.
Inspire is part of the private equity company Roark Capital Group, also based in Atlanta. Roark also backs Focus Brands - the owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Cinnabon - and CKE Restaurants, which owns the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s burger chains.
The deal will give Inspire a spot in the breakfast category, which was the fastest-growing segment of the restaurant industry before the pandemic hit.
The acquisition comes as the global pandemic has hammered restaurants’ sales. Dunkin’ Brands’s systemwide sales fell 1.3% in the third quarter after tumbling 21% in the second quarter and the company said franchisees closed 553 restaurants permanently.
Inspire said it expects the deal to close by the end of the year.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Hugo Chavez's ex-nurse indicted in US for money laundering

MEDELLIN , Colombia ( AP ) - Hugo Chávez ’ s former nurse has been charged with money laundering in a Miami federal court , accused of taking bribes from a billionaire media mogul to green light lucrative currency transactions when she served as Venezuela ’ s national treasurer .
Claudia Díaz and her husband , Adrían Velasquez , were accused of taking at least $ 4.2 million in furtherance of the bribery scheme , according to the charges presented Friday .
The payments came from companies and bank accounts located in Switzerland to the couple ’ s accounts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prosecutors , was businessman Raúl Gorrín , owner of the country ’ s last major private TV network , Globovisión .
Gorrin is on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ’ s most-wanted list after being charged for his alleged role in a $ 2.4 billion money laundering conspiracy in 2017 .
His TV network is under U.S. sanctions for its alleged role propping up the socialist government of Chávez ’ s successor , Nicolás Maduro .
Díaz , 46 , was a former petty officer in Venezuela ’ s navy who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Venezuelan leader died of cancer in 2013 .
In 2011 , Chávez named her Venezuela ’ s national treasurer .
She was replaced when Maduro was elected in 2013 .
Díaz and her husband , a former security adviser to Chávez , currently live in Madrid , where they were briefly arrested in 2018 on a Venezuelan warrant .
Spain ’ s supreme court rejected Venezuela ’ s extradition request , finding the couple could be tortured if they return home .
U.S. prosecutors have charged dozens of Maduro-connected officials and businessmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out corruption plaguing the oil-rich South American nation .
As much as $ 300 billion is estimated to have been raided from Venezuela ’ s state coffers in two decades of socialist rule .
It was not immediately possible to communicate with Díaz .
But in August her Madrid lawyer , Ismael Oliver , denied the couple had profited from their positions in power .
Díaz succeeded Alejandro Andrade as Venezuela ’ s treasurer in 2011 .
In what is the biggest judgment against a former Venezuelan to date , Andrade in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in proceeds he acknowledged receiving in return for approving lucrative currency deals .
The arrangement , allegedly promoted by Gorrín and others , continued when Díaz took his place .
Rigid currency controls in place in Venezuela for over a decade have been a major driver of graft , allowing a privileged few to purchase hard currency from the government at the overvalued official exchange rate and resell on the black market for huge profits .
Díaz and her husband have long struggled to explain their abundant wealth .
In 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that she allegedly controlled purchased 250 gold bars valued at more than $ 9.5 million , according to court records from Liechtenstein obtained by The Associated Press .
The bars , weighing a kilogram ( 2.2 pounds ) each , were stored at a private vault in the tiny European principality available to Díaz and her son after his 18th birthday .
A few years later , a nearly identical amount of bullion was sold by a representative of Díaz , with much of the proceeds @ @ @ @ @ @

MEDELLIN, Colombia (AP) - Hugo Chávez’s former nurse has been charged with money laundering in a Miami federal court, accused of taking bribes from a billionaire media mogul to green light lucrative currency transactions when she served as Venezuela’s national treasurer.
Claudia Díaz and her husband, Adrían Velasquez, were accused of taking at least $4.2 million in furtherance of the bribery scheme, according to the charges presented Friday. The payments came from companies and bank accounts located in Switzerland to the couple’s accounts in Miami.
Behind the payments, according to prosecutors, was businessman Raúl Gorrín, owner of the country’s last major private TV network, Globovisión. Gorrin is on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s most-wanted list after being charged for his alleged role in a $2.4 billion money laundering conspiracy in 2017. His TV network is under U.S. sanctions for its alleged role propping up the socialist government of Chávez’s successor, Nicolás Maduro.
Díaz, 46, was a former petty officer in Venezuela’s navy who took care of an ailing Chávez before the Venezuelan leader died of cancer in 2013. In 2011, Chávez named her Venezuela’s national treasurer. She was replaced when Maduro was elected in 2013.
Díaz and her husband, a former security adviser to Chávez, currently live in Madrid, where they were briefly arrested in 2018 on a Venezuelan warrant. Spain’s supreme court rejected Venezuela’s extradition request, finding the couple could be tortured if they return home.
U.S. prosecutors have charged dozens of Maduro-connected officials and businessmen as part of a campaign to root out corruption plaguing the oil-rich South American nation. As much as $300 billion is estimated to have been raided from Venezuela’s state coffers in two decades of socialist rule.
It was not immediately possible to communicate with Díaz. But in August her Madrid lawyer, Ismael Oliver, denied the couple had profited from their positions in power.
Díaz succeeded Alejandro Andrade as Venezuela’s treasurer in 2011. In what is the biggest judgment against a former Venezuelan to date, Andrade in 2018 agreed to forfeit more than $1 billion in proceeds he acknowledged receiving in return for approving lucrative currency deals. The arrangement, allegedly promoted by Gorrín and others, continued when Díaz took his place.
Rigid currency controls in place in Venezuela for over a decade have been a major driver of graft, allowing a privileged few to purchase hard currency from the government at the overvalued official exchange rate and resell on the black market for huge profits.
Díaz and her husband have long struggled to explain their abundant wealth. In 2014, a company established in the Caribbean island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that she allegedly controlled purchased 250 gold bars valued at more than $9.5 million, according to court records from Liechtenstein obtained by The Associated Press.
The bars, weighing a kilogram (2.2 pounds) each, were stored at a private vault in the tiny European principality available to Díaz and her son after his 18th birthday. A few years later, a nearly identical amount of bullion was sold by a representative of Díaz, with much of the proceeds deposited into a Swiss bank.
___
Joshua Goodman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/APjoshgoodman


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Thai king hands out diplomas at protest movement stronghold

BANGKOK ( AP ) - Thailand ’ s king presided over a university graduation ceremony Friday at a stronghold of a protest movement seeking to reduce the monarchy ’ s powers , after activists issued a call for students to boycott the event .
There was no way to confirm how many heeded the call , though videos of the ceremony showed that many students did attend .
The king or another senior member of the royal family traditionally hands out diplomas at university graduations , as was the case at Bangkok ’ s Thammasat University , where many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement wants Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to step down , the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic , and reforms to make the monarchy ’ s activities more transparent and accountable .
It has been holding almost daily rallies around the country , some attracting upwards of 10,000 people .
King Maha Vajiralongkorn arrived at Thammasat late Friday afternoon amid no visible protests .
There were no immediate reports of any disruption to the ceremony , which takes several hours .
Posters and props supporting the protest movement were visible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then 9,000 students are to graduate at Thammasat on Friday and Saturday .
Student activist groups had called for students to skip the formal ceremony , which involves each person walking up to the king , paying respects , and receiving the degree from his hands .
All participants had to take tests for the coronavirus , and social distancing was observed .
“ We talked about this issue among friends and I respect everyone ’ s decision , ” said Khetsophon Sirisopa , 24 , of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would like me to attend the ceremony , so I want to do what they are comfortable with , otherwise I wouldn ’ t be attending because of the inconvenience and my busy schedule.
” A classmate , Thatsanee Wan , said she discussed the matter with about 10-15 friends , and a minority chose not to attend , while others generally bowed to their family ’ s wishes .
“ For me , I chose not to attend , ” she said .
“ I did attend the rehearsal and asked myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it wasn ’ t right.
” She instead came to the campus to hang out with her friends ahead of the ceremony .
The two were part of a group of students who finished their studies two years ago but whose graduation ceremony was postponed twice , first because the king could not attend , and then earlier this year because of the coronavirus crisis .
The protest movement charges that King Vajiralongkorn wields an inordinate amount of power in what is nominally a democracy under a constitutional monarchy .
The monarchy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , revered by a large part of the population and protected by a lese majeste law that mandates a three-to-15-year prison term for anyone found guilty of defaming the monarch and his immediate family .

BANGKOK (AP) - Thailand’s king presided over a university graduation ceremony Friday at a stronghold of a protest movement seeking to reduce the monarchy’s powers, after activists issued a call for students to boycott the event.
There was no way to confirm how many heeded the call, though videos of the ceremony showed that many students did attend.
The king or another senior member of the royal family traditionally hands out diplomas at university graduations, as was the case at Bangkok’s Thammasat University, where many of the protesters are active.
The student-led movement wants Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to step down, the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic, and reforms to make the monarchy’s activities more transparent and accountable. It has been holding almost daily rallies around the country, some attracting upwards of 10,000 people.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn arrived at Thammasat late Friday afternoon amid no visible protests. There were no immediate reports of any disruption to the ceremony, which takes several hours.
Posters and props supporting the protest movement were visible at rehearsals of the ceremony.
More then 9,000 students are to graduate at Thammasat on Friday and Saturday. Student activist groups had called for students to skip the formal ceremony, which involves each person walking up to the king, paying respects, and receiving the degree from his hands. All participants had to take tests for the coronavirus, and social distancing was observed.
Several students earlier Friday explained their plans.
“We talked about this issue among friends and I respect everyone’s decision,” said Khetsophon Sirisopa, 24, of the College of Interdisciplinary Studies. “In my case, my family would like me to attend the ceremony, so I want to do what they are comfortable with, otherwise I wouldn’t be attending because of the inconvenience and my busy schedule.”
A classmate, Thatsanee Wan, said she discussed the matter with about 10-15 friends, and a minority chose not to attend, while others generally bowed to their family’s wishes.
“For me, I chose not to attend,” she said. “I did attend the rehearsal and asked myself how I felt. And I felt that it wasn’t right.” She instead came to the campus to hang out with her friends ahead of the ceremony.
The two were part of a group of students who finished their studies two years ago but whose graduation ceremony was postponed twice, first because the king could not attend, and then earlier this year because of the coronavirus crisis.
The protest movement charges that King Vajiralongkorn wields an inordinate amount of power in what is nominally a democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
The monarchy has long been considered an untouchable institution, revered by a large part of the population and protected by a lese majeste law that mandates a three-to-15-year prison term for anyone found guilty of defaming the monarch and his immediate family.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Mexico governor urges migrants to vote for Biden

MEXICO CITY — Mexico ’ s federal Interior Department issued a stern rebuke Friday to the governor of the western state of Michoacan for posting a video urging migrants living in the United States to vote against President Donald Trump .
The department , which oversees Mexico ’ s domestic affairs , told Gov .
Silvano Aureoles Friday that he had put Mexico “ in a delicate position ” by interfering in another country ’ s elections .
Michoacan has sent millions of migrants to the United States over the course of decades .
Aureoles urged migrants to vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Nov. 3 election .
Aureoles posted a video on his social media feed Thursday urging migrants to vote against Trump .
“ This is a great opportunity to end a long night , a long dark night of racism , of hatred of persecution , of inhuman insults , ” Aureoles said .
As a candidate in 2016 , Trump accused Mexico of sending rapists across the border .
But the rhetoric this year has been far softer , and the federal government desperately wants to avoid having Mexico become an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Aureoles suggested the challenger - meaning Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden - had policies that did more to recognize and value migrants .
Interior Secretary Olga Sánchez Cordero wrote an open letter to Aureoles reminding him that foreign policy was a federal , not a state responsibility .
“ This appears to me be a serious issue , because it puts the Mexican government in a very delicate position regarding its foreign policy ” .
“ Interfering the way you did in the internal affairs of another country , in its elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do not have , is equivalent in my opinion to a violation of the ( Mexican ) Constitution , ” Sanchez Cordero wrote .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ran twice for the presidency on the ticket of Aureoles ’ Democratic Revolution Party , but later split from it .
López Obrador has maintained a surprisingly cordial relationship with Trump , considering their ideological differences , and the Mexican president drew criticism in his own country for visiting Trump in Washington this summer .
For decades , Mexico has studiously avoided interfering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part because it is highly sensitive about any interference in its own .

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s federal Interior Department issued a stern rebuke Friday to the governor of the western state of Michoacan for posting a video urging migrants living in the United States to vote against President Donald Trump.
The department, which oversees Mexico’s domestic affairs, told Gov. Silvano Aureoles Friday that he had put Mexico “in a delicate position” by interfering in another country’s elections.
Michoacan has sent millions of migrants to the United States over the course of decades. Aureoles urged migrants to vote, saying they could play a decisive role in the Nov. 3 election.
Aureoles posted a video on his social media feed Thursday urging migrants to vote against Trump.
“This is a great opportunity to end a long night, a long dark night of racism, of hatred of persecution, of inhuman insults,” Aureoles said.
As a candidate in 2016, Trump accused Mexico of sending rapists across the border. But the rhetoric this year has been far softer, and the federal government desperately wants to avoid having Mexico become an issue in this year’s race.
Aureoles suggested the challenger - meaning Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden - had policies that did more to recognize and value migrants.
Interior Secretary Olga Sánchez Cordero wrote an open letter to Aureoles reminding him that foreign policy was a federal, not a state responsibility. “This appears to me be a serious issue, because it puts the Mexican government in a very delicate position regarding its foreign policy”.
“Interfering the way you did in the internal affairs of another country, in its elections, playing a foreign policy role that you do not have, is equivalent in my opinion to a violation of the (Mexican) Constitution,” Sanchez Cordero wrote.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ran twice for the presidency on the ticket of Aureoles’ Democratic Revolution Party, but later split from it.
López Obrador has maintained a surprisingly cordial relationship with Trump, considering their ideological differences, and the Mexican president drew criticism in his own country for visiting Trump in Washington this summer.
For decades, Mexico has studiously avoided interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, in part because it is highly sensitive about any interference in its own.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Mexico rebukes governor for call to vote against Trump

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexico ’ s federal Interior Department issued a stern rebuke Friday to the governor of the western state of Michoacan for posting a video urging migrants living in the United States to vote against President Donald Trump .
The department , which oversees Mexico ’ s domestic affairs , told Gov .
Silvano Aureoles Friday that he had put Mexico “ in a delicate position ” by interfering in another country ’ s elections .
Michoacan has sent millions of migrants to the United States over the course of decades .
Aureoles urged migrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decisive role in the Nov. 3 election .
Aureoles posted a video on his social media feed Thursday urging migrants to vote against Trump .
“ This is a great opportunity to end a long night , a long dark night of racism , of hatred of persecution , of inhuman insults , ” Aureoles said .
As a candidate in 2016 , Trump accused Mexico of sending rapists across the border .
But the rhetoric this year has been far softer , and the federal government desperately wants to avoid having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s race .
Aureoles suggested the challenger - meaning Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden - had policies that did more to recognize and value migrants .
Interior Secretary Olga Sánchez Cordero wrote an open letter to Aureoles reminding him that foreign policy was a federal , not a state responsibility .
“ This appears to me be a serious issue , because it puts the Mexican government in a very delicate position regarding its foreign policy ” .
“ Interfering the way you did in the internal affairs of another country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy role that you do not have , is equivalent in my opinion to a violation of the ( Mexican ) Constitution , ” Sanchez Cordero wrote .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ran twice for the presidency on the ticket of Aureoles ’ Democratic Revolution Party , but later split from it .
López Obrador has maintained a surprisingly cordial relationship with Trump , considering their ideological differences , and the Mexican president drew criticism in his own country for visiting Trump in Washington this summer .
For decades , Mexico has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal affairs , in part because it is highly sensitive about any interference in its own .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico’s federal Interior Department issued a stern rebuke Friday to the governor of the western state of Michoacan for posting a video urging migrants living in the United States to vote against President Donald Trump.
The department, which oversees Mexico’s domestic affairs, told Gov. Silvano Aureoles Friday that he had put Mexico “in a delicate position” by interfering in another country’s elections.
Michoacan has sent millions of migrants to the United States over the course of decades. Aureoles urged migrants to vote, saying they could play a decisive role in the Nov. 3 election.
Aureoles posted a video on his social media feed Thursday urging migrants to vote against Trump.
“This is a great opportunity to end a long night, a long dark night of racism, of hatred of persecution, of inhuman insults,” Aureoles said.
As a candidate in 2016, Trump accused Mexico of sending rapists across the border. But the rhetoric this year has been far softer, and the federal government desperately wants to avoid having Mexico become an issue in this year’s race.
Aureoles suggested the challenger - meaning Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden - had policies that did more to recognize and value migrants.
Interior Secretary Olga Sánchez Cordero wrote an open letter to Aureoles reminding him that foreign policy was a federal, not a state responsibility. “This appears to me be a serious issue, because it puts the Mexican government in a very delicate position regarding its foreign policy”.
“Interfering the way you did in the internal affairs of another country, in its elections, playing a foreign policy role that you do not have, is equivalent in my opinion to a violation of the (Mexican) Constitution,” Sanchez Cordero wrote.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador ran twice for the presidency on the ticket of Aureoles’ Democratic Revolution Party, but later split from it.
López Obrador has maintained a surprisingly cordial relationship with Trump, considering their ideological differences, and the Mexican president drew criticism in his own country for visiting Trump in Washington this summer.
For decades, Mexico has studiously avoided interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, in part because it is highly sensitive about any interference in its own.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Lester, Kluber, Hand boost free agent total to 175

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Jon Lester , Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options , many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard , Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González , and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson , Héctor Neris and David Phelps .
AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of re-signing them .
There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend .
Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton , Boston designated hitter JD Martinez , Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances .
Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether to make $ 18.9 million qualifying offers to eligible former players who went free .
Lester gets a $ 10 million buyout from the Chicago Cubs that completes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a $ 25 million mutual option .
The 36-year-old left-hander was 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts this year with 42 strikeouts and 17 walks .
He earned a prorated $ 5,555,556 from his scheduled $ 15 million salary .
He was 77-44 with a 3.64 ERA in 171 starts over six seasons with the Cubs , in 2016 helping them win the first World Series in 108 years .
He was 3-3 with a 2.44 ERA and .201 opponents ’ batting average in the postseason .
Milwaukee turned down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining a $ 15 million option on 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun .
Gyorko and Sogard each had $ 4.5 million options .
Gyorko gets a $ 1 million buyout and Sogard $ 500,000 .
The 32-year-old Gyorko hit .248 with nine homers and 17 RBIs in 42 games and 135 at-bats .
Sogard , who turns 35 on May 22 , hit .209 with one homer , 10 RBIs and a .560 OPS in 43 games .
“ I think there ’ s a recognition that flexibility is important right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next couple of months are going to look like , ” general manager David Stearns said .
“ We don ’ t know what the environment is going to be as we do plan for a spring training in the 2021 season .
So we have to remain flexible .
And that desire for flexibility has likely contributed to some of the decisions we ’ ve seen throughout the industry over the last couple of days.
” Cleveland declined Hand ’ s $ 10 million option and also turned down first baseman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Indians did exercise a $ 5.5 million option for catcher Roberto Pérez .
Cleveland owes buyouts of $ 1 million to Hand and $ 500,000 to Carlos Santana .
“ With Brad it was a really difficult decision , ” Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said .
“ He ’ s been such a critical part of our team for the last few seasons .
He did an extraordinary job in his role as a closer and also was a leader in the clubhouse , specifically within the bullpen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we did take some time to explore the trade market for Brad and weren ’ t able to find a fit for him .
Again , a very difficult decision.
” Antonetti had pointed toward the moves and a substantial cut in payroll earlier this month due to the team ’ s financial hit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
There could be other , bigger moves as the Indians consider trading All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor before his final season under contract .
“ It ’ s very early to tell and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole lot of sense to forecast things , ” Antonetti said .
“ What we ’ ve been focused on are the decisions we have in front of us and engaging with teams to help inform those decisions.
” Hand went 2-1 with a 2.06 ERA and went 16 for 16 in save chances in the 60-game season .
Santana struggled in his second season back in Cleveland after leaving as a free agent in 2018 .
The switch-hitter batted a career-low .199 with eight homers and 30 RBIs in 60 games .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ club could re-sign the 34-year-old Santana , who has spent 10 seasons with the Indians .
The White Sox declined a $ 12 million option for Encarnación and a $ 7 million option for González , who will receive a $ 500,000 .
Chicago exercised a $ 3.5 million option on utilityman Leury García .
Toronto exercised a $ 1.5 million option on reliever Rafael Dolis and declined a $ 9.5 million option on right-hander Chase Anderson , who gets a $ 500,000 buyout .
The 32-year-old Anderson was 1-2 with a 7.22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearances last season .
Kluber , whose option was for $ 18 million , lasted just one inning in his only start in the third game of the season before a shoulder injury ended his year .
Kluber gets a $ 1 million buyout , and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal .
The Rangers acquired the two-time Cy Young Award winner from Cleveland last offseason in a trade that sent hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Indians .
Morton , who turns 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 15 million .
Zunino ’ s option was for $ 4.5 million .
Both played keys roles in the Rays reaching the World Series , where Tampa Bay lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games .
Morton was 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA this postseason , losing Game 3 of the World Series .
He was 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA during the season .
“ We ’ re going to continue talking , ” general manager Erik Neander said .
“ Charlie ’ s been very open about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s at .
Frankly , I felt it was best to let him catch his breath , let him process , let him make some decisions with his family and have those conversations to give us a little more time .
I would love nothing more than to have Charlie back as part of our club next year.
” AP Sports Writers Fred Goodall , Steve Megargee , Jake Seiner and Tom Withers contributed to this report .

NEW YORK (AP) - Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González, and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson, Héctor Neris and David Phelps.
AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but say it remains hopeful of re-signing them.
There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend. Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Boston designated hitter JD Martinez, Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances.
Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether to make $18.9 million qualifying offers to eligible former players who went free.
Lester gets a $10 million buyout from the Chicago Cubs that completes a $155 million, six-year contract rather than a $25 million mutual option. The 36-year-old left-hander was 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts this year with 42 strikeouts and 17 walks. He earned a prorated $5,555,556 from his scheduled $15 million salary.
He was 77-44 with a 3.64 ERA in 171 starts over six seasons with the Cubs, in 2016 helping them win the first World Series in 108 years. He was 3-3 with a 2.44 ERA and .201 opponents’ batting average in the postseason.
Milwaukee turned down Gyorko and Sogard, a day after declining a $15 million option on 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun.
Gyorko and Sogard each had $4.5 million options. Gyorko gets a $1 million buyout and Sogard $500,000.
The 32-year-old Gyorko hit .248 with nine homers and 17 RBIs in 42 games and 135 at-bats. Sogard, who turns 35 on May 22, hit .209 with one homer, 10 RBIs and a .560 OPS in 43 games.
“I think there’s a recognition that flexibility is important right now, and we don’t know what the next couple of months are going to look like,” general manager David Stearns said. “We don’t know what the environment is going to be as we do plan for a spring training in the 2021 season. So we have to remain flexible. And that desire for flexibility has likely contributed to some of the decisions we’ve seen throughout the industry over the last couple of days.”
Cleveland declined Hand’s $10 million option and also turned down first baseman Carlos Santana ($17.5 million). The Indians did exercise a $5.5 million option for catcher Roberto Pérez. Cleveland owes buyouts of $1 million to Hand and $500,000 to Carlos Santana.
“With Brad it was a really difficult decision,” Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. “He’s been such a critical part of our team for the last few seasons. He did an extraordinary job in his role as a closer and also was a leader in the clubhouse, specifically within the bullpen group.
“In the end, we did take some time to explore the trade market for Brad and weren’t able to find a fit for him. Again, a very difficult decision.”
Antonetti had pointed toward the moves and a substantial cut in payroll earlier this month due to the team’s financial hit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There could be other, bigger moves as the Indians consider trading All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor before his final season under contract.
“It’s very early to tell and I’m not sure it makes a whole lot of sense to forecast things,” Antonetti said. “What we’ve been focused on are the decisions we have in front of us and engaging with teams to help inform those decisions.”
Hand went 2-1 with a 2.06 ERA and went 16 for 16 in save chances in the 60-game season.
Santana struggled in his second season back in Cleveland after leaving as a free agent in 2018. The switch-hitter batted a career-low .199 with eight homers and 30 RBIs in 60 games. Antonetti said it’s possible the club could re-sign the 34-year-old Santana, who has spent 10 seasons with the Indians.
The White Sox declined a $12 million option for Encarnación and a $7 million option for González, who will receive a $500,000. Chicago exercised a $3.5 million option on utilityman Leury García.
Toronto exercised a $1.5 million option on reliever Rafael Dolis and declined a $9.5 million option on right-hander Chase Anderson, who gets a $500,000 buyout. The 32-year-old Anderson was 1-2 with a 7.22 ERA in seven starts and three relief appearances last season.
Kluber, whose option was for $18 million, lasted just one inning in his only start in the third game of the season before a shoulder injury ended his year.
Kluber gets a $1 million buyout, and the club has said it is interested in re-signing Kluber to a less expensive deal. The Rangers acquired the two-time Cy Young Award winner from Cleveland last offseason in a trade that sent hard-throwing reliever Emmanuel Clase to the Indians.
Morton, who turns 37 next month, was due to earn $15 million. Zunino’s option was for $4.5 million. Both played keys roles in the Rays reaching the World Series, where Tampa Bay lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.
Morton was 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA this postseason, losing Game 3 of the World Series. He was 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA during the season.
“We’re going to continue talking,” general manager Erik Neander said. “Charlie’s been very open about the uncertainty in his future and where he’s at. Frankly, I felt it was best to let him catch his breath, let him process, let him make some decisions with his family and have those conversations to give us a little more time. I would love nothing more than to have Charlie back as part of our club next year.”
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AP Sports Writers Fred Goodall, Steve Megargee, Jake Seiner and Tom Withers contributed to this report.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Joe Biden vows not to repeat Hillary Clinton's mistakes in Wisconsin

Joseph R. Biden said Friday that Wisconsin can count on seeing him again if he ’ s elected president , recalling painful 2016 memories for Democrats of Hillary Clinton ’ s giving short shrift to the state en route to her narrow loss there .
“ Tom remembers I came up here to campaign for Hillary , ” Mr. Biden said , apparently referring to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett .
“ And for a whole lot of reasons , not all of which were her fault , ended up not taking it as seriously , ” Mr. Biden said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve been here a lot .
And by the way , when I get elected , if I get elected , I ’ m coming back , Tom.
” Mr. Biden was speaking on an airport tarmac in frigid Milwaukee , capping a three-state midwestern swing on Friday after stops in Iowa and Minnesota .
Mrs. Clinton , the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee , famously did not travel to Wisconsin to campaign in person after the party ’ s convention that year .
She lost the state to President Trump by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been scheduled to campaign with then-President Barack Obama in Wisconsin in June 2016 , but ended up nixing the trip in light of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando .
Mr. Biden also said Mr. Trump ’ s trade policies have “ decimated ” the Wisconsin dairy industry .
“ Wisconsin is down 20,000 manufacturing jobs since this pandemic began , ” he said .
“ And the thing that bothers me the most [ is ] a president who gave up.
” He pointed out that Wisconsin , among other states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases this week .
Mr. Trump rallied in Green Bay earlier in the day , saying the 2020 race is going to be over if he manages to win Wisconsin again .
Mr. Biden leads Mr. Trump by about 6 points in the state , according to the latest Real Clear Politics average of public polling .

Joseph R. Biden said Friday that Wisconsin can count on seeing him again if he’s elected president, recalling painful 2016 memories for Democrats of Hillary Clinton’s giving short shrift to the state en route to her narrow loss there.
“Tom remembers I came up here to campaign for Hillary,” Mr. Biden said, apparently referring to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
“And for a whole lot of reasons, not all of which were her fault, ended up not taking it as seriously,” Mr. Biden said. “We thought it was different. I’ve been here a lot. And by the way, when I get elected, if I get elected, I’m coming back, Tom.”
Mr. Biden was speaking on an airport tarmac in frigid Milwaukee, capping a three-state midwestern swing on Friday after stops in Iowa and Minnesota.
Mrs. Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, famously did not travel to Wisconsin to campaign in person after the party’s convention that year. She lost the state to President Trump by about 23,000 votes.
Mrs. Clinton had been scheduled to campaign with then-President Barack Obama in Wisconsin in June 2016, but ended up nixing the trip in light of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.
Mr. Biden also said Mr. Trump’s trade policies have “decimated” the Wisconsin dairy industry.
“Wisconsin is down 20,000 manufacturing jobs since this pandemic began,” he said. “And the thing that bothers me the most [is] a president who gave up.”
He pointed out that Wisconsin, among other states, set a new daily record for coronavirus cases this week.
Mr. Trump rallied in Green Bay earlier in the day, saying the 2020 race is going to be over if he manages to win Wisconsin again.
Mr. Biden leads Mr. Trump by about 6 points in the state, according to the latest Real Clear Politics average of public polling.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--'Borat' actor gives church $100K after member shown in film

OKLAHOMA CITY ( AP ) - Actor Sacha Baron Cohen , who stars in “ Borat Subsequent Moviefilm , ” donated $ 100,000 to the church of a woman who believed she was taking part in a documentary but instead was being featured in the mockumentary comedy film .
Jeanise Jones , 62 , thought she had been recruited by her church , Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church , in Oklahoma City to mentor a teenager named “ Tutar ” who came to the U.S. with her father from a developing nation .
But Jones didn ’ t find out until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week that “ Tutar ” was an actress and the man she believed was her father was Cohen .
Rev .
Derrick Scobey , the church ’ s senior pastor , said Cohen made the donation on Wednesday .
Scobey and other church members also were not aware of the movie .
Scobey wasn ’ t surprised by the donation , just the amount .
He said the money has been earmarked for community use , The Oklahoman reported .
Scobey added that Cohen knew the church is a community hub where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A representative for Cohen declined comment when contacted by The Associated Press .
The movie follows Borat Sagdiyev , portrayed by Cohen , as he returns to America from Kazakhstan , with his daughter portrayed by Maria Bakalova , to offer a “ bribe ” to American leaders .
It is a sequel to “ Borat , ” which was released in 2006 .
After the film ’ s debut , many on Twitter described Jones ’ character as the movie ’ s hero , moral compass and breakout star .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tutar ” was never in trouble .
Jones has not yet seen the movie , but she said one of the producers called to check on her after the film released .
Cohen contacted her on Wednesday , Jones said , adding that the call was “ enlightening.
” Scobey started a GoFundMe account for Jones , saying that she believed the scenario was real and that she had lost her job as a counseling service receptionist job due to the coronavirus .
Jones said Thursday that she was surprised to hear $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is amazing .
I would never expect nothing like this , ” she added .
“ It ’ s blowing my mind.
” The film also features a scene with Rudy Giuliani , one of President Donald Trump ’ s lawyers , in a compromising position in a hotel room with a young woman acting as a journalist .
Trump previously told reporters aboard Air Force One that he didn ’ t know what happened with Giuliani .

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Actor Sacha Baron Cohen, who stars in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” donated $100,000 to the church of a woman who believed she was taking part in a documentary but instead was being featured in the mockumentary comedy film.
Jeanise Jones, 62, thought she had been recruited by her place of worship, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, in Oklahoma City to mentor a teenager named “Tutar” who came to the U.S. with her father from a developing nation. But Jones didn’t find out until the film was released on Amazon Prime last week that “Tutar” was an actress and the man - whom she believed was the girl’s father - was actually Cohen.
Rev. Derrick Scobey, the church’s senior pastor, said Cohen made the donation on Wednesday. Scobey added that he and other church members also were not aware of the movie.
Scobey said he wasn’t surprised by the donation, just the amount, noting that the money had been earmarked for community use, The Oklahoman reported. Scobey added that Cohen knew the church is a community hub where people gather for spiritual hope and help.
A representative for Cohen declined comment when contacted by The Associated Press.
The movie follows Borat Sagdiyev, portrayed by Cohen, as he returns to America from Kazakhstan, with his daughter portrayed by Maria Bakalova, to offer a “bribe” to American leaders. It is a sequel to “Borat,” which was released in 2006.
After the latest film’s debut, many on Twitter described Jones’ character as the movie’s hero, moral compass and breakout star. But she’s simply relieved that “Tutar” was never in trouble.
Jones has not seen the movie but she said one of the film’s producers called to check on her after it was released. Cohen reached out to her on Wednesday, said Jones, who noted the call was “enlightening.”
Scobey started a GoFundMe account for Jones, saying that she believed the scenario was real and that she lost her job as a counseling service receptionist job because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Jones said Thursday that she was surprised to hear $128,000 had already been donated.
“It is amazing. I would never expect nothing like this,” she added. “It’s blowing my mind.”
The film also features a scene with Rudy Giuliani, one of President Donald Trump’s lawyers, in a compromising position in a hotel room with a young woman acting as a journalist. Trump previously told reporters aboard Air Force One that he didn’t know what happened with Giuliani.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--NBA, players extend deadline for opting out of CBA

The NBA and its players agreed Friday to extend the deadline for opting out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by one week until Nov. 6 , and talks will continue in the interim regarding the numerous issues that have to be decided before next season begins .
It is the fourth extension of the opt-out deadline since the pandemic started in March .
If either the NBA or the National Basketball Players Association chooses to opt out by that date , the CBA would be terminated Dec. 14 , “ unless the parties agree otherwise , ” the NBA said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjust language in the CBA before a plan for next season can be finalized , simply because many rules in that document were written with a normal season - free agency in the summer , season beginning in October , fans in arenas , revenue meeting projections - in mind .
The league is targeting a Dec. 22 start to next season , though for that to happen a deal would have to be struck soon .
Some players have balked at the notion of starting again that quickly ; it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers and Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat between the end of the NBA Finals and the start of their training camps .
But the league believes starting around Christmas and playing a 72-game season would lead to $ 500 million in additional revenue compared to a later start and shorter season .
Revenue is , obviously , a major priority for both sides .
The Associated Press reported Oct. 23 that the NBA missed its revenue projection for the 2019-20 season by $ 1.5 billion largely because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the coronavirus pandemic , not having fans in stands for the games played inside the restart bubble at Walt Disney World , and the decision by Chinese state television to not air NBA games there for a year following a political dispute .
The talks between the league and the NBPA include several urgent and unsettled topics , including determining a salary cap and luxury tax level for next season , parameters of a start date and schedule , how travel would work and how matters like coronavirus testing would be handled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cap was $ 109.14 million and tax level was $ 132.627 million .
One possible scenario is that both numbers remain the same for this coming season , but that must be determined before free agency can begin and teams and players - including those holding options for this coming season - can start making decisions .
Another goal is to get the 2021-22 season back on a typical schedule , starting in October and ending in June .
How long next season goes is also a source of concern given that next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualifying for 24 nations trying to secure one of the four remaining men ’ s basketball slots for Tokyo is set to resume June 29 , 2021 , with the Tokyo Games opening July 23 , 2021 .
The longer the next NBA season goes , the more difficult it would be for NBA players to commit to their national team .
Meanwhile , the league sent teams a memo Friday saying players can go to their team facility “ on a voluntary basis for in-person , group practices or workout sessions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Players will be allowed to use the facility of the team that they were under contract with this past season , but those about to become free agents would be permitted there only until the new salary cap year begins .
Players from other teams will not be able to use another team ’ s facility , a departure from policy of past offseasons .
Any player choosing to work out at his team ’ s facility will have to submit to coronavirus testing and temperature checks .

The NBA and its players agreed Friday to extend the deadline for opting out of the Collective Bargaining Agreement by one week until Nov. 6, and talks will continue in the interim regarding the numerous issues that have to be decided before next season begins.
It is the fourth extension of the opt-out deadline since the pandemic started in March. If either the NBA or the National Basketball Players Association chooses to opt out by that date, the CBA would be terminated Dec. 14, “unless the parties agree otherwise,” the NBA said.
The NBA and NBPA need to adjust language in the CBA before a plan for next season can be finalized, simply because many rules in that document were written with a normal season - free agency in the summer, season beginning in October, fans in arenas, revenue meeting projections - in mind.
The league is targeting a Dec. 22 start to next season, though for that to happen a deal would have to be struck soon. Some players have balked at the notion of starting again that quickly; it would be less than a two-month turnaround for the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers and Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat between the end of the NBA Finals and the start of their training camps. But the league believes starting around Christmas and playing a 72-game season would lead to $500 million in additional revenue compared to a later start and shorter season.
Revenue is, obviously, a major priority for both sides.
The Associated Press reported Oct. 23 that the NBA missed its revenue projection for the 2019-20 season by $1.5 billion largely because of the combination of a 4-1/2 month shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, not having fans in stands for the games played inside the restart bubble at Walt Disney World, and the decision by Chinese state television to not air NBA games there for a year following a political dispute.
The talks between the league and the NBPA include several urgent and unsettled topics, including determining a salary cap and luxury tax level for next season, parameters of a start date and schedule, how travel would work and how matters like coronavirus testing would be handled. This past season’s salary cap was $109.14 million and tax level was $132.627 million. One possible scenario is that both numbers remain the same for this coming season, but that must be determined before free agency can begin and teams and players - including those holding options for this coming season - can start making decisions.
Another goal is to get the 2021-22 season back on a typical schedule, starting in October and ending in June.
How long next season goes is also a source of concern given that next summer is an Olympic summer. Olympic qualifying for 24 nations trying to secure one of the four remaining men’s basketball slots for Tokyo is set to resume June 29, 2021, with the Tokyo Games opening July 23, 2021. The longer the next NBA season goes, the more difficult it would be for NBA players to commit to their national team.
Meanwhile, the league sent teams a memo Friday saying players can go to their team facility “on a voluntary basis for in-person, group practices or workout sessions, including informal scrimmages or pick-up games.” Players will be allowed to use the facility of the team that they were under contract with this past season, but those about to become free agents would be permitted there only until the new salary cap year begins.
Players from other teams will not be able to use another team’s facility, a departure from policy of past offseasons. Any player choosing to work out at his team’s facility will have to submit to coronavirus testing and temperature checks.
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washingtontimes--2020-10-30--Washington tops 1,000 virus cases for first time since July

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - State health officials reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 new cases Friday , the first time the number has surpassed 1,000 since mid-July .
The Washington Department of Health reported 1,047 cases Friday , saying it ’ s more evidence that another surge has arrived .
These upward trends threaten the progress made toward containment and could impede other statewide progress in the future , state officials said in a news release .
State Health Officer Kathy Lofy said they are also concerned about the risk of overwhelming hospital systems when they see spikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have unlimited capacity , ” she said .
The update , including seven additional deaths reported Friday , brings the state ’ s case totals to 106,573 and at least 2,366 deaths .
An outbreak in University of Washington sororities and fraternities has also continued with 16 COVID-19 cases reported this week .
As of Thursday afternoon , at total of 321 positive student cases have been confirmed involving 19 of the 45 organizations , according to university spokesperson Victor Balta .
“ Winter weather will challenge us to move gatherings indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to stay vigilant and find safer alternatives , ” Lofy said .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - State health officials reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 new cases Friday, the first time the number has surpassed 1,000 since mid-July.
The Washington Department of Health reported 1,047 cases Friday, saying it’s more evidence that another surge has arrived.
These upward trends threaten the progress made toward containment and could impede other statewide progress in the future, state officials said in a news release.
State Health Officer Kathy Lofy said they are also concerned about the risk of overwhelming hospital systems when they see spikes like this. “Our hospitals do not have unlimited capacity,” she said.
The update, including seven additional deaths reported Friday, brings the state’s case totals to 106,573 and at least 2,366 deaths.
An outbreak in University of Washington sororities and fraternities has also continued with 16 COVID-19 cases reported this week. As of Thursday afternoon, at total of 321 positive student cases have been confirmed involving 19 of the 45 organizations, according to university spokesperson Victor Balta.
“Winter weather will challenge us to move gatherings indoors where COVID-19 spreads more easily, so we have to stay vigilant and find safer alternatives,” Lofy said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-30--California unemployment chief to retire amid claims backlog

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - The director of California ’ s unemployment benefits department said Friday she will retire at the end of the year following an explosion of more than 15 million claims that overwhelmed the agency and resulted in months of frustrating delays for people who lost their jobs because of the pandemic .
Sharon Hilliard says she will end her 37-year career at the Employment Development Department on Dec. 31 .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom appointed her as director in February , when the state ’ s unemployment rate was at an historic low and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foothold in the U.S .
In March , Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order that closed many businesses and put millions of people out of work .
Since then , the department has processed 15.5 million claims - more than four times the 3.8 million claims processed in 2010 , the worst year of the Great Recession .
About 600,000 people called the agency ’ s call center each month , only to be put on hold for hours because the agency didn ’ t have enough people to answer the phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they likely lacked the training to offer any real help , according to a review of the department ordered by Newsom and released last month .
The agency ’ s backlog of unanswered claims grew by 10,000 a day until late last month when the agency stopped accepting new claims for two weeks so it could install new software it said would speed the process .
By then , the agency had a backlog of more than 1.6 million claims .
Hillard said it would be the end of January before the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been my privilege to be part of the Employment Development Department , ” Hilliard said in a news release .
“ I retire knowing that EDD is on a great path to success.
” As of Wednesday , the agency said more than 946,000 people are still waiting to receive benefits .
Thursday , the agency said its new identity verification software has helped it process 85 % of claims automatically , up from 60 % .
California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Julie A. Su praised Hilliard for her “ willingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just before the pandemic.
” “ She has helped pave the path for EDD to reset its culture and modernize the system at this critical time , ” Su said .
” This has been a challenging time for the people of California and Sharon and her team have put in the work during this time of unprecedented demand.
” Assemblyman Jim Patterson , a Republican from Fresno , said it was “ about time ” for a change in leadership at the agency .
He urged Newsom to appoint someone from outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of customer service.
” “ This is a really troubled agency that has to be led , not only in the short term to fix the mess there , but in the long term to reimagine this department so that these kinds of things don ’ t happen again , ” he said .
State lawmakers have held multiple public hearings about the backlog at the Employment Development Department , but most have not resulted in calls for Hilliard to be removed and instead sought more comprehensive changes .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s retirement will magically change EDD ’ s resistance to reform , but I strongly hope that a change in top leadership will lead to a more dynamic and responsive agency , ” said Assemblyman David Chiu , a Democrat from San Francisco and one of the Legislature ’ s most vocal critics of the agency .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The director of California’s unemployment benefits department said Friday she will retire at the end of the year following an explosion of more than 15 million claims that overwhelmed the agency and resulted in months of frustrating delays for people who lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
Sharon Hilliard says she will end her 37-year career at the Employment Development Department on Dec. 31. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed her as director in February, when the state’s unemployment rate was at an historic low and the coronavirus was just starting to get a foothold in the U.S.
In March, Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order that closed many businesses and put millions of people out of work. Since then, the department has processed 15.5 million claims - more than four times the 3.8 million claims processed in 2010, the worst year of the Great Recession.
About 600,000 people called the agency’s call center each month, only to be put on hold for hours because the agency didn’t have enough people to answer the phones. When someone did finally answer, they likely lacked the training to offer any real help, according to a review of the department ordered by Newsom and released last month.
The agency’s backlog of unanswered claims grew by 10,000 a day until late last month when the agency stopped accepting new claims for two weeks so it could install new software it said would speed the process. By then, the agency had a backlog of more than 1.6 million claims. Hillard said it would be the end of January before the agency could clear it.
“It has been my privilege to be part of the Employment Development Department,” Hilliard said in a news release. “I retire knowing that EDD is on a great path to success.”
As of Wednesday, the agency said more than 946,000 people are still waiting to receive benefits. Thursday, the agency said its new identity verification software has helped it process 85% of claims automatically, up from 60%.
California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Julie A. Su praised Hilliard for her “willingness to step into the role of director just before the pandemic.”
“She has helped pave the path for EDD to reset its culture and modernize the system at this critical time,” Su said. ”This has been a challenging time for the people of California and Sharon and her team have put in the work during this time of unprecedented demand.”
Assemblyman Jim Patterson, a Republican from Fresno, said it was “about time” for a change in leadership at the agency. He urged Newsom to appoint someone from outside the department “who understands the high-tech nature of customer service.”
“This is a really troubled agency that has to be led, not only in the short term to fix the mess there, but in the long term to reimagine this department so that these kinds of things don’t happen again,” he said.
State lawmakers have held multiple public hearings about the backlog at the Employment Development Department, but most have not resulted in calls for Hilliard to be removed and instead sought more comprehensive changes.
“I’m not naive that the director’s retirement will magically change EDD’s resistance to reform, but I strongly hope that a change in top leadership will lead to a more dynamic and responsive agency,” said Assemblyman David Chiu, a Democrat from San Francisco and one of the Legislature’s most vocal critics of the agency.