washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Amid pandemic, Live Nation announces drive-in concert series

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Tour promoter Live Nation has announced its first-ever drive-in concerts series in the U.S. for July , months after the live music industry has been on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The entertainment company on Monday announced “ Live from the Drive-In ” - a set of nine shows to take place July 10-12 in Nashville , Tennessee ; Maryland Heights , Missouri ; and Noblesville , Indiana .
Grammy-winning singer Brad Paisley will headline shows in all three cities , while fellow country artists Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nelly will perform in Maryland Heights , near St. Louis .
Concertgoers will be able to drive into the parking lots of the amphitheaters - a maximum of four people per car - and will have two empty parking lot spaces in between each vehicle so fans can watch and party from their designated individual tailgating zones .
Attendees are encouraged to bring food , drinks and chairs , setting up around their cars to view the performers from the stage and also from the large LED screens .
All venue staff are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nation requests that attendees wear masks upon arrival , where there will be contact-less ticket scanning through their windows .
Masks are not required once fans are in their designated tailgate areas , and Live Nation is not requiring that fans wear gloves .
Tom See , president of Live Nation Venues-US Concerts , said the company spent months working to find a safe , enjoyable way to put on live shows during the pandemic .
“ We ’ re really dialed in with partnerships with ( the ) local jurisdictions ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them for months , just talking about how we can provide a great , comfortable experience to fans with social distancing at the forefront in whatever phase they ’ re about to enter .
Because of those relationships and that communication going back and forth , we ’ ve been successful in getting that green light , ” See said in an interview with The Associated Press .
“ It was really important to us not to just do one and be done .
It wouldn ’ t be Live Nation .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader .
We wanted to make a bigger statement.
” Nelly , who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album “ Country Grammar , ” and Pink Floyd tribute band El Monstero are both from St. Louis and will perform at The Hollywood Casino Amphitheater .
Pardi and rock band Yacht Rock Revue will headline at the Ruoff Music Center near Indianapolis .
Tickets will go on sale for the general public on Friday .
See said ticket prices will fluctuate by market , but they can be as low as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 per person if the maximum number of four attendees per car attend .
“ I ’ m very excited to do this because I wanted to make sure , if we were going to do anything like this , that they had the important stuff worked out , ” Paisley said in an interview with the AP .
“ My goal would be not to spread this virus to one person .
There should be no spread from this .
That ’ s key .
I just don ’ t think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re putting people at risk.
” “ The idea that we ’ re outdoors is a great thing , ” Paisley added .
“ I just think it ’ s a fun way to watch a concert anyway .
It ’ d be fun if there wasn ’ t a virus.
” For the Missouri show , See said they have a capacity to fit 1,000 cars while incorporating social distancing guidelines .
Grills and BBQ pits are not permitted , but concertgoers can bring pre-cooked food and drinks , including alcohol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a designated driver .
A menu of hot food items and nonalcoholic will be available for purchase , Live Nation said .
People can place orders online and the items will be delivered to their designated tailgate zone .
Fans will only be able to leave their pods to access single restrooms , which See said will be cleaned regularly throughout the show .
Attendees are encouraged to wear masks when leaving for restrooms .
“ They don ’ t have to walk too far to be able to use the facility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive in , I get it , you ’ re stuck in your car , and you ’ re going to get it through an FM transmitter .
That ’ s not happening with these shows , ” See said .
“ We ’ re giving you what ’ s about the size of a double-car garage to where you ’ re going to be able to park your car , get out of your car , and have a great tailgating hang for you and your friends , and listen to music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and video display .
It ’ s really a different aspect of drive-in and live .
It ’ s highly experiential .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Tour promoter Live Nation has announced its first-ever drive-in concerts series in the U.S. for July, months after the live music industry has been on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The entertainment company on Monday announced “Live from the Drive-In” - a set of nine shows to take place July 10-12 in Nashville, Tennessee; Maryland Heights, Missouri; and Noblesville, Indiana.
Grammy-winning singer Brad Paisley will headline shows in all three cities, while fellow country artists Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi will also perform in Nashville at Nissan Stadium. Nelly will perform in Maryland Heights, near St. Louis.
Concertgoers will be able to drive into the parking lots of the amphitheaters - a maximum of four people per car - and will have two empty parking lot spaces in between each vehicle so fans can watch and party from their designated individual tailgating zones. Attendees are encouraged to bring food, drinks and chairs, setting up around their cars to view the performers from the stage and also from the large LED screens.
All venue staff are required to wear masks, and Live Nation requests that attendees wear masks upon arrival, where there will be contact-less ticket scanning through their windows. Masks are not required once fans are in their designated tailgate areas, and Live Nation is not requiring that fans wear gloves.
Tom See, president of Live Nation Venues-US Concerts, said the company spent months working to find a safe, enjoyable way to put on live shows during the pandemic.
“We’re really dialed in with partnerships with (the) local jurisdictions (and) we’ve been meeting with them for months, just talking about how we can provide a great, comfortable experience to fans with social distancing at the forefront in whatever phase they’re about to enter. Because of those relationships and that communication going back and forth, we’ve been successful in getting that green light,” See said in an interview with The Associated Press.
“It was really important to us not to just do one and be done. It wouldn’t be Live Nation. It wouldn’t be the concert industry leader. We wanted to make a bigger statement.”
Nelly, who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album “Country Grammar,” and Pink Floyd tribute band El Monstero are both from St. Louis and will perform at The Hollywood Casino Amphitheater. Pardi and rock band Yacht Rock Revue will headline at the Ruoff Music Center near Indianapolis.
Tickets will go on sale for the general public on Friday. See said ticket prices will fluctuate by market, but they can be as low as $125, which is roughly $31 per person if the maximum number of four attendees per car attend.
“I’m very excited to do this because I wanted to make sure, if we were going to do anything like this, that they had the important stuff worked out,” Paisley said in an interview with the AP. “My goal would be not to spread this virus to one person. There should be no spread from this. That’s key. I just don’t think it’s worth doing shows if we’re putting people at risk.”
“The idea that we’re outdoors is a great thing,” Paisley added. “I just think it’s a fun way to watch a concert anyway. It’d be fun if there wasn’t a virus.”
For the Missouri show, See said they have a capacity to fit 1,000 cars while incorporating social distancing guidelines. Grills and BBQ pits are not permitted, but concertgoers can bring pre-cooked food and drinks, including alcohol. Live Nation encourages that groups assign a designated driver.
A menu of hot food items and nonalcoholic will be available for purchase, Live Nation said. People can place orders online and the items will be delivered to their designated tailgate zone.
Fans will only be able to leave their pods to access single restrooms, which See said will be cleaned regularly throughout the show. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks when leaving for restrooms.
“They don’t have to walk too far to be able to use the facility,” he said.
“The traditional drive in, I get it, you’re stuck in your car, and you’re going to get it through an FM transmitter. That’s not happening with these shows,” See said.
“We’re giving you what’s about the size of a double-car garage to where you’re going to be able to park your car, get out of your car, and have a great tailgating hang for you and your friends, and listen to music through proper professional PA and amazing audio and video display. It’s really a different aspect of drive-in and live. It’s highly experiential.”
_____
Online:
http://www.livenation.com/drivein/


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--North Korea reinstalling massive propaganda speakers along DMZ

The North Korean military is erecting massive loudspeakers along its southern border to blast angry propaganda into South Korea in the latest sign that relations between the two have soured since a brief thaw that surrounded denuclearization talks in recent years .
Military officials from the South said Monday that the speakers are being erected “ in multiple places ” inside the Demilitarized Zone ( DMZ ) that divides the Korean peninsula .
“ Such moves were spotted in more than 10 regions , which have taken place simultaneously , ” a senior military official said , according to South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speakers had been used by both the North and the South in past periods of heightened tension , but both agreed to remove them under a 2018 agreement following a summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un .
The two also agreed at the time to halt the use of balloons to float propaganda leaflets at each other across the DMZ .
The agreement appears to have collapsed in recent weeks .
In early June , the North began accusing the South of failing to stop South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the DMZ .
Then , last week , the North Korean military blew up a key inter-Korean liaison office in the border town of Kaesong that had been a symbol of potential reconciliation between the two Koreas , which have been divided since the early-1950s Korean war .
The latest souring of relations has been building for months , coinciding the North ’ s resistance to the Trump administration-led push for a major denuclearization agreement with Pyongyang .
Talks toward such an agreement have been stalled since the February 2019 Hanoi Summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
Mr. Trump has said he walked away because the North Koreans demanded sweeping sanctions relief in exchange for only a limited commitment to destroy part of their nuclear arsenal , which has been clandestinely built up in violation of decades of U.N. Security Council resolutions .
The past year has seen North Korea carry out waves of short-range missile tests and steadily increase its regional provocations , particularly toward South Korea , the leading U.S. ally in the push for denuclearization .
“ We are closely monitoring the North ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain a tight readiness posture to properly respond to any eventualities , ” a top South Korean military official told Yonhap on Monday .
In addition to the loudspeakers , the North has said it is preparing to float 12 million leaflets in a vast psychological campaign against the South .
Yonhap reported that South Korea , in response , is reviewing the option of restoring its own loudspeakers .
The South removed its loudspeaker broadcast equipment installed in around 40 front-line areas , including the border town of Paju , in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the North at the time .

The North Korean military is erecting massive loudspeakers along its southern border to blast angry propaganda into South Korea in the latest sign that relations between the two have soured since a brief thaw that surrounded denuclearization talks in recent years.
Military officials from the South said Monday that the speakers are being erected “in multiple places” inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean peninsula.
“Such moves were spotted in more than 10 regions, which have taken place simultaneously,” a senior military official said, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
Speakers had been used by both the North and the South in past periods of heightened tension, but both agreed to remove them under a 2018 agreement following a summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The two also agreed at the time to halt the use of balloons to float propaganda leaflets at each other across the DMZ.
The agreement appears to have collapsed in recent weeks.
In early June, the North began accusing the South of failing to stop South Korean activists from floating anti-North Korea leaflets across the DMZ.
Then, last week, the North Korean military blew up a key inter-Korean liaison office in the border town of Kaesong that had been a symbol of potential reconciliation between the two Koreas, which have been divided since the early-1950s Korean war.
The latest souring of relations has been building for months, coinciding the North’s resistance to the Trump administration-led push for a major denuclearization agreement with Pyongyang.
Talks toward such an agreement have been stalled since the February 2019 Hanoi Summit between President Trump and Mr. Kim broke down.
Mr. Trump has said he walked away because the North Koreans demanded sweeping sanctions relief in exchange for only a limited commitment to destroy part of their nuclear arsenal, which has been clandestinely built up in violation of decades of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The past year has seen North Korea carry out waves of short-range missile tests and steadily increase its regional provocations, particularly toward South Korea, the leading U.S. ally in the push for denuclearization.
“We are closely monitoring the North’s moves to wage psychological warfare. We maintain a tight readiness posture to properly respond to any eventualities,” a top South Korean military official told Yonhap on Monday.
In addition to the loudspeakers, the North has said it is preparing to float 12 million leaflets in a vast psychological campaign against the South.
Yonhap reported that South Korea, in response, is reviewing the option of restoring its own loudspeakers. The South removed its loudspeaker broadcast equipment installed in around 40 front-line areas, including the border town of Paju, in May 2018 in accordance with the agreement made with the North at the time.
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Gunmen hit car in Kabul, killing 5, including 2 prosecutors

KABUL , Afghanistan ( AP ) - Gunmen opened fire at a car belonging to the Afghan attorney general ’ s office on Monday morning in eastern Kabul , killing five people inside , including two prosecutors , an official said .
The driver of the car and two other employees were among those killed , said Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but recently violence has spiked in Afghanistan , with most of the attacks claimed by the Islamic State group ’ s affiliate in the country .
The IS in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a statement from the attorney general ’ s office , the car was on the way to office when it was targeted .
The gunmen fled the scene , the police said .
Faramarz said an investigation was underway .
In early June , IS claimed responsibility of a bomb explosion in a mosque in Kabul that killed two people , including the prayer leader .
Eight worshipers were wounded .
A week later , another prayer leader and three worshipers were killed in a bomb explosion inside another mosque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that attack .

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Gunmen opened fire at a car belonging to the Afghan attorney general’s office on Monday, killing all five people inside, including two prosecutors, an official said.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in the capital, Kabul, but the country has seen a recent spike in violence, with most attacks claimed by a local Islamic State affiliate.
The much larger Taliban insurgent group has scaled back its attacks since signing a peace agreement with the United States earlier this year. It denied any involvement in the shooting and said it would “investigate.”
Kabul police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said the two prosecutors, two other employees and the driver were killed.
Jamshed Rasooli, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, said the prosecutors were members of the team supervising the release of Taliban prisoners as part of the agreement with the U.S. He blamed the attack on the “enemies of peace.”
Since the Feb. 29 peace deal, the government has released over 3,000 Taliban prisoners and the insurgent group has freed 631 Afghan national police and army personnel from captivity. A total of 5,000 Taliban members and 1,000 Afghan forces are to be released under the deal.
The prisoner releases are intended to build trust between the two warring sides ahead of eventual intra-Afghan talks that will end the nearly 19-year war and allow U.S. forces to withdraw from their longest conflict.
In early June, IS claimed responsibility for a bombing at a mosque in Kabul that killed two people, including the prayer leader. Eight worshipers were wounded.
A week later, another prayer leader and three worshipers were killed in a bomb blast inside another mosque in Kabul. Eight people were wounded in that attack.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--AP-NORC poll: Politics drive divergent view of US economy

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Americans ’ outlook on the national economy has improved somewhat from its lowest points during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic , but a new poll suggests Democrats and Republicans are living in alternate economic realities amid the sharpest recession in the nation ’ s history .
Eighty-five percent of Democrats call economic conditions “ poor , ” while 65 % of Republicans describe them as “ good ” in a new survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research .
This divide reflects the deep polarization ahead of the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of indicators that point toward a weakened but recovering U.S. economy .
“ The economy is in terrible shape and improving rapidly , ” said Harvard University professor Jason Furman , formerly the top economist in the Obama White House .
“ Depending on which of the two halves you ’ re looking at , you ’ re going to have a very different interpretation of where we are.
” Americans can see reasons for hope as well as doubt .
They face a host of uncertainties about the path of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer customers and the status of additional government aid .
Overall , 63 % of the country says the economy is in poor shape , down somewhat from the 70 % who felt that way in May .
The change was driven by increasingly optimistic Republicans , only 43 % of whom described the economy as good a month ago .
Two-thirds of Republicans , but just 29 % of Democrats , expect improvement over the next year .
Thelma Ross , 78 , of Granby , Missouri , believes the economy will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic challenger Joe Biden , the former vice president .
“ I think it ’ s going to come back , stronger than ever , if we get the right president in , ” Ross said .
“ President Trump is a businessman.
” Yet she is concerned by the protests after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd , an African American , and the calls to remove statues that celebrate the Confederacy and Christopher Columbus .
Ross views division as harmful for any economic recovery .
Ross said of Trump : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that man because he needs that right now.
” The survey finds that African Americans and Hispanics are more likely than white Americans to say someone in their household has lost a job or other income .
That inequality has added to the broader reckoning with structural racism amid nationwide protests over police brutality following Floyd ’ s death .
Overall , 66 % of Hispanic Americans and 53 % of Black Americans say they ’ ve experienced some form of household income loss , including layoffs , unpaid time off and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of white Americans say the same .
Thirty-four percent of Hispanics , 29 % of African Americans and 20 % of white Americans said someone in their household has been laid off .
The poll finds signs that some of those layoffs are becoming permanent .
Among all those who experienced a layoff in their household , 55 % say the job definitely or probably will return - and 8 % say it already has .
Still , 36 % said the job will most likely not come back , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that in April .
The economy cratered in March and April as people sheltered in place in hopes of stopping the pandemic , and the unemployment rate spiked to at least 14.7 % .
Responses to government surveys suggested the true jobless rate may have been even higher .
But it showed signs of reviving in May .
Retail sales surged 17.7 % , and 2.5 million jobs were added .
The unemployment rate improved to 13.3 % , a number that is still the second highest reading in records going back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lost her job driving a school bus in suburban Dallas .
She said she checks her email daily to find out how schools will reopen .
She applied for unemployment benefits a month ago , but the request has been under review .
“ It ’ s a struggle day by day for us to pay our bills , and I know others are going through the same thing , ” she said .
The job loss has only added to her stress .
Her aunt died from COVID-19 , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother and her husband , who has dialysis appointments three days a week .
It ’ s a full-time job with no pay , she said .
“ I just have these moments where it makes me cry , ” she said .
“ You don ’ t know this day from the next day what is going to happen.
” The nearly $ 3 trillion in approved federal aid has shielded many people from the pain of the downturn .
About two-thirds of Americans still call their personal financial situations good .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional $ 1 trillion to $ 2 trillion of aid to sustain any recovery , including targeted funds for state and local governments , subsidized loans for small businesses , more generous unemployment benefits and aid for low-wage workers .
“ It should be thought of as an investment in the economy , ” said Melissa Kearney , a University of Maryland economics professor who helped lead the effort .
The proposals are based on ideas shown to boost growth and provide traction for a recovery that is still in its early and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been selling mattresses while on break from studies at the University of South Alabama .
He ’ s a rising junior majoring in political science , and he would like to one day oversee a hospital for military veterans .
He noticed that mattress sales picked up during Memorial Day weekend , but there are days now with few , if any , shoppers .
“ The economy definitely could be better , ” Sanders said .
“ I ’ ll be honest , I think we ’ ve seen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t mean it couldn ’ t fall off kilter at any second.
” The AP-NORC poll of 1,310 adults was conducted June 11-15 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans’ outlook on the national economy has improved somewhat from its lowest points during the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, but a new poll suggests Democrats and Republicans are living in alternate economic realities amid the sharpest recession in the nation’s history.
Eighty-five percent of Democrats call economic conditions “poor,” while 65% of Republicans describe them as “good” in a new survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
This divide reflects the deep polarization ahead of the 2020 presidential election, as well as a series of indicators that point toward a weakened but recovering U.S. economy.
“The economy is in terrible shape and improving rapidly,” said Harvard University professor Jason Furman, formerly the top economist in the Obama White House. “Depending on which of the two halves you’re looking at, you’re going to have a very different interpretation of where we are.”
Americans can see reasons for hope as well as doubt. They face a host of uncertainties about the path of COVID-19, the fate of small businesses with fewer customers and the status of additional government aid.
Overall, 63% of the country says the economy is in poor shape, down somewhat from the 70% who felt that way in May. The change was driven by increasingly optimistic Republicans, only 43% of whom described the economy as good a month ago. Two-thirds of Republicans, but just 29% of Democrats, expect improvement over the next year.
Thelma Ross, 78, of Granby, Missouri, believes the economy will recover if President Donald Trump can defeat Democratic challenger Joe Biden, the former vice president.
“I think it’s going to come back, stronger than ever, if we get the right president in,” Ross said. “President Trump is a businessman.”
Yet she is concerned by the protests after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, an African American, and the calls to remove statues that celebrate the Confederacy and Christopher Columbus. Ross views division as harmful for any economic recovery.
Ross said of Trump: “I pray for divine revelation and divine guidance for that man because he needs that right now.”
The survey finds that African Americans and Hispanics are more likely than white Americans to say someone in their household has lost a job or other income. That inequality has added to the broader reckoning with structural racism amid nationwide protests over police brutality following Floyd’s death.
Overall, 66% of Hispanic Americans and 53% of Black Americans say they’ve experienced some form of household income loss, including layoffs, unpaid time off and cuts in hours or pay. Forty-two percent of white Americans say the same. Thirty-four percent of Hispanics, 29% of African Americans and 20% of white Americans said someone in their household has been laid off.
The poll finds signs that some of those layoffs are becoming permanent. Among all those who experienced a layoff in their household, 55% say the job definitely or probably will return - and 8% say it already has. Still, 36% said the job will most likely not come back, which is significantly higher than the 20% who said that in April.
The economy cratered in March and April as people sheltered in place in hopes of stopping the pandemic, and the unemployment rate spiked to at least 14.7%. Responses to government surveys suggested the true jobless rate may have been even higher. But it showed signs of reviving in May. Retail sales surged 17.7%, and 2.5 million jobs were added. The unemployment rate improved to 13.3%, a number that is still the second highest reading in records going back to 1948.
Leah Avery, 54, lost her job driving a school bus in suburban Dallas. She said she checks her email daily to find out how schools will reopen. She applied for unemployment benefits a month ago, but the request has been under review.
“It’s a struggle day by day for us to pay our bills, and I know others are going through the same thing,” she said.
The job loss has only added to her stress. Her aunt died from COVID-19, and she needs to take care of her elderly mother and her husband, who has dialysis appointments three days a week. It’s a full-time job with no pay, she said.
“I just have these moments where it makes me cry,” she said. “You don’t know this day from the next day what is going to happen.”
The nearly $3 trillion in approved federal aid has shielded many people from the pain of the downturn. About two-thirds of Americans still call their personal financial situations good.
A bipartisan group of economists proposed an additional $1 trillion to $2 trillion of aid to sustain any recovery, including targeted funds for state and local governments, subsidized loans for small businesses, more generous unemployment benefits and aid for low-wage workers.
“It should be thought of as an investment in the economy,” said Melissa Kearney, a University of Maryland economics professor who helped lead the effort. The proposals are based on ideas shown to boost growth and provide traction for a recovery that is still in its early and fragile stages.
Broxton Sanders, 20, has been selling mattresses while on break from studies at the University of South Alabama. He’s a rising junior majoring in political science, and he would like to one day oversee a hospital for military veterans. He noticed that mattress sales picked up during Memorial Day weekend, but there are days now with few, if any, shoppers.
“The economy definitely could be better,” Sanders said. “I’ll be honest, I think we’ve seen the worst of it. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t fall off kilter at any second.”
___
The AP-NORC poll of 1,310 adults was conducted June 11-15 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
___
Online:
AP-NORC Center: http://www.apnorc.org/.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--John Bolton noncommittal on subpoena: What Dems do next is up to them

Former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton on Monday declined to say he ’ d comply with a subpoena if called by congressional Democrats to testify , saying it ’ s up to them as to how they want to proceed .
“ Let ’ s see what they decide to do , ” Mr. Bolton said on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
” “ The primary way we rein presidents in is not through impeachment — it ’ s through elections.
” He said Democrats “ mishandled ” the impeachment process “ badly.
” “ What they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them , ” Mr. Bolton said .
Mr. Bolton is out with a new book this week that makes explosive allegations about President Trump .
Among other things , he writes that Mr. Trump prodded Chinese President Xi Jinping to help boost his reelection campaign through trade policy and that the president signed off on Mr. Xi ’ s plans to build detention camps for the country ’ s Uighur Muslim population .
Mr. Trump and administration officials such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have dismissed Mr. Bolton as a liar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deny , but they ’ re not willing to face up to what the real facts are , ” Mr. Bolton said .
Congressional Democrats have cast Mr. Bolton as an opportunist but are now weighing whether to try to compel him to testify about some of the allegations .
Mr. Bolton declined to testify willingly during the impeachment process and now says his testimony would not have made a difference in the ultimate outcome .
The Democratic-led House voted to impeach Mr. Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abused his office by trying to prod Ukraine to dig up dirt on Democratic rival Joseph R. Biden , now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
The GOP-led Senate voted in February to acquit the president .

Former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton on Monday declined to say he’d comply with a subpoena if called by congressional Democrats to testify, saying it’s up to them as to how they want to proceed.
“Let’s see what they decide to do,” Mr. Bolton said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “The primary way we rein presidents in is not through impeachment — it’s through elections.”
He said Democrats “mishandled” the impeachment process “badly.”
“What they do next, obviously, is up to them,” Mr. Bolton said.
Mr. Bolton is out with a new book this week that makes explosive allegations about President Trump. Among other things, he writes that Mr. Trump prodded Chinese President Xi Jinping to help boost his reelection campaign through trade policy and that the president signed off on Mr. Xi’s plans to build detention camps for the country’s Uighur Muslim population.
Mr. Trump and administration officials such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have dismissed Mr. Bolton as a liar.
“They call names, they deny, but they’re not willing to face up to what the real facts are,” Mr. Bolton said.
Congressional Democrats have cast Mr. Bolton as an opportunist but are now weighing whether to try to compel him to testify about some of the allegations.
Mr. Bolton declined to testify willingly during the impeachment process and now says his testimony would not have made a difference in the ultimate outcome.
The Democratic-led House voted to impeach Mr. Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in December, saying the president abused his office by trying to prod Ukraine to dig up dirt on Democratic rival Joseph R. Biden, now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
The GOP-led Senate voted in February to acquit the president.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Huge virus outbreak at abattoir adds to Schalke's troubles

BERLIN ( AP ) - It ’ s bad enough that Schalke is going through its longest ever run without a win in the Bundesliga .
But the German soccer club ’ s chairman Clemens Tönnies is also under fire after a huge outbreak of coronavirus infections at one of his company ’ s slaughterhouses in the west of the country .
As of Sunday , 1,331 workers at the Tönnies Group ’ s site in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck had tested positive for COVID-19 and another 4,568 negative .
A further 240 test results were expected on Monday .
As Schalke ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday and the team was bidding unsuccessfully to end its club-record 14-game ru without a victory , Tönnies stood before TV cameras to try to explain how the outbreak could happen .
The source of the infections still isn ’ t clear .
Neither is the reason for Schalke ’ s ongoing failure to win a game .
Against Wolfsburg on Saturday , coach David Wagner made four changes from the side that lost 2-1 in Frankfurt in the previous game , but to little effect as it lost 4-1 .
Goalkeeper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former captain until it was announced that he will be joining Bayern Munich next season , gifted Wolfsburg its fourth goal after punching a corner straight to Wolfsburg winger João Victor .
“ We met an opponent on a different level to us at the moment , ” said Wagner , a former United States international .
Wagner ’ s team was just one point off the Bundesliga lead in October .
Schalke ’ s fall began with a 5-0 defeat at eventual champion Bayern Munich in January and the side hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently 11th in the 18-team division with nothing but pride at stake in the final game of the season against Freiburg on Saturday .
On-loan Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolfsburg , meaning he will miss the game against Freiburg and probably never play for Schalke again .
But the Tönnies virus outbreak is deflecting attention away the team .
The outbreak pushed the number of cases in the region far above the government ’ s threshold for emergency measures – 50 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Local authorities quarantined Tönnies employees and closed schools in the area , but resisted re-imposing a wider lockdown .
Previous clusters of COVID-19 cases among slaughterhouse workers across Germany highlighted grim conditions in the industry , which relies heavily on migrant workers from Eastern Europe .
“ The Tönnies disaster is a failure at various levels , ” local politician Sebastian Hartmann told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday .
“ Company head Tönnies and state governor ( Armin ) Laschet are both responsible .
Neither did anything or did it too late.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing at Schalke , particularly after he was heavily criticized for racist comments he made about Africans at a public meeting in Paderborn on Aug. 1 .
He was speaking as head of the Tönnies Group , the meat-processing giant with around 16,500 employees .
It posted revenues of 6.65 billion euros ( $ 7.45 billion ) in 2018 .
Schalke defended Tönnies at the time .
He stepped down for three months but there were protests from Schalke fans , many of whom called for him to go permanently .
Tönnies has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board since 2001 .
However , due to the outbreak , there are reportedly increasing voices within the club saying the 64-year-old Tönnies ’ position is no longer tenable .

BERLIN (AP) - It’s bad enough that Schalke is going through its longest ever run without a win in the Bundesliga.
But the German soccer club’s chairman Clemens Tönnies is also under fire after a huge outbreak of coronavirus infections at one of his company’s slaughterhouses in the west of the country.
As of Sunday, 1,331 workers at the Tönnies Group’s site in Rheda-Wiedenbrueck had tested positive for COVID-19 and another 4,568 negative. A further 240 test results were expected on Monday.
As Schalke’s game at Wolfsburg was kicking off on Saturday and the team was bidding unsuccessfully to end its club-record 14-game ru without a victory, Tönnies stood before TV cameras to try to explain how the outbreak could happen. The source of the infections still isn’t clear.
Neither is the reason for Schalke’s ongoing failure to win a game. Against Wolfsburg on Saturday, coach David Wagner made four changes from the side that lost 2-1 in Frankfurt in the previous game, but to little effect as it lost 4-1.
Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, the side’s former captain until it was announced that he will be joining Bayern Munich next season, gifted Wolfsburg its fourth goal after punching a corner straight to Wolfsburg winger João Victor.
“We met an opponent on a different level to us at the moment,” said Wagner, a former United States international.
Wagner’s team was just one point off the Bundesliga lead in October. Schalke’s fall began with a 5-0 defeat at eventual champion Bayern Munich in January and the side hasn’t won a game since. It is currently 11th in the 18-team division with nothing but pride at stake in the final game of the season against Freiburg on Saturday.
On-loan Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Wolfsburg, meaning he will miss the game against Freiburg and probably never play for Schalke again.
But the Tönnies virus outbreak is deflecting attention away the team. The outbreak pushed the number of cases in the region far above the government’s threshold for emergency measures – 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in a week. Local authorities quarantined Tönnies employees and closed schools in the area, but resisted re-imposing a wider lockdown.
Previous clusters of COVID-19 cases among slaughterhouse workers across Germany highlighted grim conditions in the industry, which relies heavily on migrant workers from Eastern Europe.
“The Tönnies disaster is a failure at various levels,” local politician Sebastian Hartmann told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday. “Company head Tönnies and state governor (Armin) Laschet are both responsible. Neither did anything or did it too late.”
The affair could impact Tönnies’ standing at Schalke, particularly after he was heavily criticized for racist comments he made about Africans at a public meeting in Paderborn on Aug. 1. He was speaking as head of the Tönnies Group, the meat-processing giant with around 16,500 employees. It posted revenues of 6.65 billion euros ($7.45 billion) in 2018.
Schalke defended Tönnies at the time. He stepped down for three months but there were protests from Schalke fans, many of whom called for him to go permanently. Tönnies has been chairman of Schalke’s supervisory board since 2001.
However, due to the outbreak, there are reportedly increasing voices within the club saying the 64-year-old Tönnies’ position is no longer tenable.
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More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAP


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Scientists find huge ring of ancient shafts near Stonehenge

LONDON ( AP ) - Archaeologists said Monday that they have discovered a major prehistoric monument under the earth near Stonehenge that could shed new light on the origins of the mystical stone circle in southwestern England .
Experts from a group of British universities led by the University of Bradford say the site consists of at least 20 huge shafts , more than 10 meters ( 32 feet ) in diameter and 5 meters ( 16 feet ) deep , forming a circle more than 2 kilometers ( 1.2 miles ) in diameter .
The new find is at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neolithic village about 2 kilometers ( 1.2 miles ) from Stonehenge , Researchers say the shafts appear to have been dug around 4,500 years ago , and could mark the boundary of a sacred area or precinct around a circular monument known as the Durrington Walls henge .
Richard Bates , of the University of St. Andrews School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , said the findings — made with remote sensing and sampling - provided “ an insight to the past that shows an even more complex society than we could ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaffney said it was “ remarkable ” that Stonehenge , one of the most studied archaeological landscapes in the world , could yield such a major new discovery .
“ When these pits were first noted it was thought they might be natural features - solution hollows in the chalk , ” he said .
But geophysical surveys allowed scientists to “ join the dots and see there was a pattern on a massive scale.
” Britain is dotted with stone circles build thousands of years ago for reasons that remain mysterious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge monument built between 3000 B.C .
and 1600 B.C .
that is one of Britain ’ s most popular tourist attractions .
It ’ s also a spiritual home for thousands of druids and mystics who visit at the summer and winter solstices — though this weekend ’ s summer solstice celebrations were scuttled by a ban on mass gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic .

LONDON (AP) - Archaeologists said Monday that they have discovered a major prehistoric monument under the earth near Stonehenge that could shed new light on the origins of the mystical stone circle in southwestern England.
Experts from a group of British universities led by the University of Bradford say the site consists of at least 20 huge shafts, more than 10 meters (32 feet) in diameter and 5 meters (16 feet) deep, forming a circle more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in diameter.
The new find is at Durrington Walls, the site of a Neolithic village about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Stonehenge,
Researchers say the shafts appear to have been dug around 4,500 years ago, and could mark the boundary of a sacred area or precinct around a circular monument known as the Durrington Walls henge.
Richard Bates, of the University of St. Andrews School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said the findings — made with remote sensing and sampling - provided “an insight to the past that shows an even more complex society than we could ever imagine.”
University of Bradford archaeologist Vince Gaffney said it was “remarkable” that Stonehenge, one of the most studied archaeological landscapes in the world, could yield such a major new discovery.
“When these pits were first noted it was thought they might be natural features - solution hollows in the chalk,” he said. But geophysical surveys allowed scientists to “join the dots and see there was a pattern on a massive scale.”
Britain is dotted with stone circles build thousands of years ago for reasons that remain mysterious.
The most famous is Stonehenge, a huge monument built between 3000 B.C. and 1600 B.C. that is one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions.
It’s also a spiritual home for thousands of druids and mystics who visit at the summer and winter solstices — though this weekend’s summer solstice celebrations were scuttled by a ban on mass gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--17-year-old hit by gunfire, dumped from vehicle

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Police say a 17-year-old boy has died in a shooting in north Minneapolis .
Officers @ @ @ @ @ fired about 8 p.m. Sunday and found the victim without a pulse .
First responders @ @ @ @ @ teen , but he died after being taken to North Memorial Hospital .
KARE-TV reports @ @ @ @ @ there was a group of people driving around when the vehicle was hit by gunfire @ @ @ @ @ .
Others in the car dumped the victim from the vehicle and drove away , @ @ @ @ @ still working to determine where the shooting actually happened .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Police say a 17-year-old boy has died in a shooting in north Minneapolis.
Officers responded to reports of shots fired about 8 p.m. Sunday and found the victim without a pulse. First responders were able to revive the teen, but he died after being taken to North Memorial Hospital.
KARE-TV reports police spokesman John Elder says there was a group of people driving around when the vehicle was hit by gunfire and the victim was struck.
Others in the car dumped the victim from the vehicle and drove away, Elder said. Investigators are still working to determine where the shooting actually happened.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Black men plan Southfield march to protest police brutality

SOUTHFIELD , Mich. ( AP ) - A march designed to unite Black men while protesting police brutality and racial @ @ @ @ @ week in suburban Detroit .
Organizers say the planned peaceful protest on June 28 will @ @ @ @ @ Church in Southfield , just north of Detroit , and end at the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ voter registration drive will be held , and participants also will be encouraged to complete @ @ @ @ @ protests , demonstrations and unrest have spread to cities around the U.S. following the May @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis .
A white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck @ @ @ @ @ after the handcuffed Black man stopped moving and pleading for air .

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) - A march designed to unite Black men while protesting police brutality and racial injustice is scheduled for next week in suburban Detroit.
Organizers say the planned peaceful protest on June 28 will begin at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield, just north of Detroit, and end at the city’s municipal offices.
A voter registration drive will be held, and participants also will be encouraged to complete the 2020 census.
Peaceful protests, demonstrations and unrest have spread to cities around the U.S. following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. A white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes, even after the handcuffed Black man stopped moving and pleading for air.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--EU lagging behind on climate, gender equality goals

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - The European Union ’ s statistical office says the 27-nation bloc is lagging behind its goals in the fight against climate change and to promote gender equality .
In a report published Monday assessing the EU ’ s progress in reaching the United Nations ’ sustainable development goals , Eurostat noted improvement in reducing poverty and improving health over the past five years of data .
But only slow progress , or no overall progress at all , was achieved toward environmental objectives .
As for gender equality , the report noted that the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals .
The 2030 agenda for sustainable development , which contains 17 goals , was adopted in 2015 at the U.N. General Assembly .
“ Progress towards the EU ’ s climate and energy targets has in part stalled , as has the shift towards a circular economy , ” Eurostat said .
“ Pressures on ecosystems and biodiversity have therefore been increasing in some areas.
” Commenting on the data during a press conference , European Commissioner for economy Paolo Gentiloni pointed to efforts to reduce the gender pay gap , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and women in acquiring education and on the labor market .
Gentiloni expressed concerns that the situation could worsen because of the lockdown measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
The stringent measures have plunged the EU into a recession of colossal proportions .
“ We ’ ll have to look at the consequences of the months behind us , ” he said .
“ We should ( pay ) particular attention to gender gap in our activity.
” Looking at the political side of inequalities , Gentiloni took satisfaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national parliaments but insisted “ there is still a long way to go.
” EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen , who was elected last year , has made a priority of the fight against climate change .
She also insists that gender equality is a key element of economic growth and has set up a gender-equal team of commissioners in charge of implementing her policies .
As part of her Green Deal project aiming at making Europe the world ’ s first carbon-neutral continent by 2050 , von der Leyen also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU ’ s budget to tackling climate change .
“ Yes , we took very good decisions .
Yes , we are committed .
Yes , we are at the forefront on the goals for 2020 and 2030 , but we still have the consequences of climate change in place , ” Gentiloni said .
“ That ’ s why the Green Deal is even more important.
” According to the Eurostat report , the bloc ’ s CO2 emissions were reduced by 2.7 percent from 2013 to 2018 but temperatures kept rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the hottest on record in Europe with an average temperature deviation of 1.6 to 1.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times .
Follow all AP coverage of climate change issues at https : //apnews.com/Climate

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union’s statistical office says the 27-nation bloc is lagging behind its goals in the fight against climate change and to promote gender equality.
In a report published Monday assessing the EU’s progress in reaching the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, Eurostat noted improvement in reducing poverty and improving health over the past five years of data.
But only slow progress, or no overall progress at all, was achieved toward environmental objectives. As for gender equality, the report noted that the EU has “moved away” from the goals.
The 2030 agenda for sustainable development, which contains 17 goals, was adopted in 2015 at the U.N. General Assembly.
“Progress towards the EU’s climate and energy targets has in part stalled, as has the shift towards a circular economy,” Eurostat said. “Pressures on ecosystems and biodiversity have therefore been increasing in some areas.”
Commenting on the data during a press conference, European Commissioner for economy Paolo Gentiloni pointed to efforts to reduce the gender pay gap, but the report noted a widening gap between men and women in acquiring education and on the labor market.
Gentiloni expressed concerns that the situation could worsen because of the lockdown measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The stringent measures have plunged the EU into a recession of colossal proportions.
“We’ll have to look at the consequences of the months behind us,” he said. “We should (pay) particular attention to gender gap in our activity.”
Looking at the political side of inequalities, Gentiloni took satisfaction in the increase in female lawmakers in national parliaments but insisted “there is still a long way to go.”
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who was elected last year, has made a priority of the fight against climate change. She also insists that gender equality is a key element of economic growth and has set up a gender-equal team of commissioners in charge of implementing her policies.
As part of her Green Deal project aiming at making Europe the world’s first carbon-neutral continent by 2050, von der Leyen also wants to dedicate a quarter of the EU’s budget to tackling climate change.
“Yes, we took very good decisions. Yes, we are committed. Yes, we are at the forefront on the goals for 2020 and 2030, but we still have the consequences of climate change in place,” Gentiloni said. “That’s why the Green Deal is even more important.”
According to the Eurostat report, the bloc’s CO2 emissions were reduced by 2.7 percent from 2013 to 2018 but temperatures kept rising. The period from 2009 to 2018 was the hottest on record in Europe with an average temperature deviation of 1.6 to 1.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.
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Follow all AP coverage of climate change issues at https://apnews.com/Climate


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Thai army whistleblower accused of abandoning post gets bail

BANGKOK ( AP ) - A Thai army sergeant who alleged corruption was rampant in his unit was granted bail Monday by a military court after he was accused of abandoning his post , which he said he did because he feared for his safety .
The military court in Bangkok granted Sgt .
Narongchai Intharakawi ’ s release on 50,000 baht ( $ 1,610 ) bail , his lawyer Norasate Nanongtoom said .
Narongchai appeared at the court Monday to face charges of disobeying an officer and going absent without leave , each carrying a maximum penalty of five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought his detention .
Narongchai ’ s case has attracted attention because it comes after the military agreed to crack down on corruption after a soldier who felt he had been cheated by his commander went on a shooting spree in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima in February , killing 29 people , mostly civilians .
Army chief Gen. Apirat Kongsompong acknowledged after the mass shooting that officers were involved in corruption and promised a crackdown .
Narongchai told The Associated Press in an interview last week that he first voiced his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was a clerk at the Army Ordnance Material Rebuilding Center .
He said allowances and expenses were drawn in various soldiers ’ names , including his own , on the basis of bogus trips and seminars .
After he complained , he said , his name was no longer used in the phony accounting , but his army career suffered .
When he discovered in 2019 that his name was again being used to draw bogus expenses , he complained to the state Ombudsman ’ s Office , but he said his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an argument with one of his superiors , which led to him being charged with disobeying an officer .
Narongchai said he next decided to call a hotline that the army commander had established for reporting military corruption , but at the same time agreed to meet with superiors who assured him that his situation could be resolved if he apologized .
A video of the meeting in March shows a general sternly warning him not to speak out .
Narongchai said the video did not show parts where verbal threats were made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was ordered to serve a week ’ s detention for disobeying an officer , he said he also learned his superior was upset he had called the hotline .
Narongchai said he then decided he would not be safe in military detention , so he fled his unit , taking with him documents that he said support his allegations of graft .
Army spokesman Col. Winthai Suwaree told the AP on Monday that Narongchai was facing punishment solely for leaving his post , and not because he exposed financial wrongdoing .
Winthai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of corruption , which were referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission .
Narongchai said he now has nothing to lose and will fight his case to the end “ to see what kind of men the army prefers to protect.
” “ My unit is very small .
And if it can happen a few times a year in my unit , imagine how much money is involved in the whole country .
We are talking about easily millions of the taxpayers ’ money .
I just couldn ’ t stand the thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Associated Press writer Busaba Sivasomboon contributed to this report .

BANGKOK (AP) - A Thai army sergeant who alleged corruption was rampant in his unit was granted bail Monday by a military court after he was accused of abandoning his post, which he said he did because he feared for his safety.
The military court in Bangkok granted Sgt. Narongchai Intharakawi’s release on 50,000 baht ($1,610) bail, his lawyer Norasate Nanongtoom said.
Narongchai appeared at the court Monday to face charges of disobeying an officer and going absent without leave, each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The military had sought his detention.
Narongchai’s case has attracted attention because it comes after the military agreed to crack down on corruption after a soldier who felt he had been cheated by his commander went on a shooting spree in the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima in February, killing 29 people, mostly civilians.
Army chief Gen. Apirat Kongsompong acknowledged after the mass shooting that officers were involved in corruption and promised a crackdown.
Narongchai told The Associated Press in an interview last week that he first voiced his concerns about corruption in 2017, when he was a clerk at the Army Ordnance Material Rebuilding Center. He said allowances and expenses were drawn in various soldiers’ names, including his own, on the basis of bogus trips and seminars.
After he complained, he said, his name was no longer used in the phony accounting, but his army career suffered.
When he discovered in 2019 that his name was again being used to draw bogus expenses, he complained to the state Ombudsman’s Office, but he said his situation only got worse. He had an argument with one of his superiors, which led to him being charged with disobeying an officer.
Narongchai said he next decided to call a hotline that the army commander had established for reporting military corruption, but at the same time agreed to meet with superiors who assured him that his situation could be resolved if he apologized.
A video of the meeting in March shows a general sternly warning him not to speak out. Narongchai said the video did not show parts where verbal threats were made against his life.
When shortly afterwards he was ordered to serve a week’s detention for disobeying an officer, he said he also learned his superior was upset he had called the hotline.
Narongchai said he then decided he would not be safe in military detention, so he fled his unit, taking with him documents that he said support his allegations of graft.
Army spokesman Col. Winthai Suwaree told the AP on Monday that Narongchai was facing punishment solely for leaving his post, and not because he exposed financial wrongdoing.
Winthai said an army investigation supported the allegations of corruption, which were referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Narongchai said he now has nothing to lose and will fight his case to the end “to see what kind of men the army prefers to protect.”
“My unit is very small. And if it can happen a few times a year in my unit, imagine how much money is involved in the whole country. We are talking about easily millions of the taxpayers’ money. I just couldn’t stand the thought of blatant thievery,” he said.
___
Associated Press writer Busaba Sivasomboon contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Detained Lebanese woman accused of dealing with Israel

BEIRUT ( AP ) - A Lebanese political activist who was detained last week was charged on Monday with collaborating with Israel and referred to a military prosecutor , Lebanon ’ s state-run news agency reported .
The National News Agency said Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Fadi Akiki charged Kinda El-Khatib with visiting Israel and “ dealing with spies of the Israeli enemy.
” The report added that the judge referred El-Khatib to a military investigative judge for questioning .
The military judge is expected to issue a formal arrest warrant .
Lebanon and Israel are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its citizens from visiting the other country .
El-Khatib was detained last week with her brother , who was later released .
According to local media reports , she had visited Israel by crossing from Jordan .
She has been active on social media , where she harshly criticized Lebanon ’ s militant Hezbollah group and its strong ally , Lebanese President Michel Aoun .
Hezbollah and Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006 .
Shortly before the charges were filed Monday , dozens rallied in Beirut demanding El-Khatib ’ s release and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters say El-Khatib ’ s case is similar to that of Ziad Itani , a Lebanese stage actor who was released in 2018 after being cleared of charges of collaborating with Israel .
Itani spent about four months in prison .

BEIRUT (AP) - A Lebanese political activist who was detained last week was charged on Monday with collaborating with Israel and referred to a military prosecutor, Lebanon’s state-run news agency reported.
The National News Agency said Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Fadi Akiki charged Kinda El-Khatib with visiting Israel and “dealing with spies of the Israeli enemy.” The report added that the judge referred El-Khatib to a military investigative judge for questioning. The military judge is expected to issue a formal arrest warrant.
Lebanon and Israel are in a state of war and each bans its citizens from visiting the other country.
El-Khatib was detained last week with her brother, who was later released. According to local media reports, she had visited Israel by crossing from Jordan.
She has been active on social media, where she harshly criticized Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group and its strong ally, Lebanese President Michel Aoun. Hezbollah and Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006.
Shortly before the charges were filed Monday, dozens rallied in Beirut demanding El-Khatib’s release and saying that she was innocent.
The protesters say El-Khatib’s case is similar to that of Ziad Itani, a Lebanese stage actor who was released in 2018 after being cleared of charges of collaborating with Israel. Itani spent about four months in prison.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Deputies: Man fatally shot wife, 21-year-old son in Orlando

ORLANDO , Fla. ( AP ) - A central Florida man is accused of fatally shooting his wife and son @ @ @ @ @ s officials said .
Orange County Sheriff ’ s deputies responded to a call about @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
At the home they discovered the bodies of 57-year-old Jodie Rivera and 21-year-old @ @ @ @ @ been shot .
Smith Rivera , 59 , was charged with two counts of first-degree @ @ @ @ @ attempted first-degree murder , according to news outlets .
Sheriff ’ s officials said Smith @ @ @ @ @ his wife and son .
An arrest report said he also fired a gun at @ @ @ @ @ able to get out of the house .
Jail records did not list a lawyer @ @ @

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A central Florida man is accused of fatally shooting his wife and son early Sunday, sheriff’s officials said.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a shooting at 1:15 a.m. Sunday. At the home they discovered the bodies of 57-year-old Jodie Rivera and 21-year-old Matthew Rivera. Both had been shot.
Smith Rivera, 59, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, according to news outlets.
Sheriff’s officials said Smith Rivera told investigators he killed his wife and son. An arrest report said he also fired a gun at a third person who was able to get out of the house.
Jail records did not list a lawyer for Rivera.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Rick Scott: Uptick in coronavirus cases 'clearly' not all tied to testing

Sen. Rick Scott , Florida Republican , on Monday said a new uptick in coronavirus cases in states like his is “ clearly ” not all tied to increased testing .
“ [ The ] big thing is , everybody ’ s got to take this seriously and especially when you see the uptick in cases — some of it might be tied to testing , but it ’ s clearly not all tied to testing , ” Mr. Scott said on CNBC .
“ So all of us have to double down and say to ourselves , are we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican National Convention , parts of which are now slated to be held in Jacksonville in late August , Mr. Scott stressed that events have to be held safely .
“ People need to wear masks .
They need to social distance .
You got to do this in a manner that no one gets sick , ” he said .
“ Let ’ s try to get back to normal as fast as possible , but let ’ s do it in a safe manner , ” Mr. Scott said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we don ’ t continue [ to ] see this uptick in the number of cases.
” Republican leaders in some states that are seeing a mini-resurgence have tied the recent upticks to increased testing .
President Trump on Saturday said testing is a “ double-edged sword.
” He said at a rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , that he told “ his people ” at one point to “ slow down the testing , please.
” The administration said on Sunday that the remark was made in jest .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 million tests ) and so much more advanced , that it makes us look like we have more cases , especially proportionally , than other countries .
My message on that is very clear !
” the president said on Twitter overnight Monday .
There are now more than 2.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 119,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. , according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. has a population of more than 300 million people .

Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Republican, on Monday said a new uptick in coronavirus cases in states like his is “clearly” not all tied to increased testing.
“[The] big thing is, everybody’s got to take this seriously and especially when you see the uptick in cases — some of it might be tied to testing, but it’s clearly not all tied to testing,” Mr. Scott said on CNBC. “So all of us have to double down and say to ourselves, are we being careful enough?”
Asked about the Republican National Convention, parts of which are now slated to be held in Jacksonville in late August, Mr. Scott stressed that events have to be held safely.
“People need to wear masks. They need to social distance. You got to do this in a manner that no one gets sick,” he said.
“Let’s try to get back to normal as fast as possible, but let’s do it in a safe manner,” Mr. Scott said. “We got to do this safely so we don’t continue [to] see this uptick in the number of cases.”
Republican leaders in some states that are seeing a mini-resurgence have tied the recent upticks to increased testing.
Florida broke a single-day record for new coronavirus cases for three consecutive days last week — Thursday, Friday and Saturday — before the numbers ticked back down a bit on Sunday.
The state is closing in on 100,000 cases out of a population of close to 22 million people.
President Trump on Saturday said testing is a “double-edged sword.” He said at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that he told “his people” at one point to “slow down the testing, please.”
The administration said on Sunday that the remark was made in jest.
“Our Coronavirus testing is so much greater (25 million tests) and so much more advanced, that it makes us look like we have more cases, especially proportionally, than other countries. My message on that is very clear!” the president said on Twitter overnight Monday.
There are now more than 2.2 million coronavirus cases and more than 119,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S., according to a tracker from Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. has a population of more than 300 million people.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Judges make adjustments as trials resume in Michigan courts

TRAVERSE CITY , Mich. ( AP ) - Jurors are going back to school in a northern Michigan county as @ @ @ @ @ going again after during the coronavirus pandemic .
In Grand Traverse County , a civil @ @ @ @ @ case will start Tuesday .
To comply with social distancing requirements , jury selection will @ @ @ @ @ at Traverse City Central High School .
The trial will then shift to a regular @ @ @ @ @ re hearing this is going to be one of the first jury trials since COVID @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Judge Kevin Elsenheimer .
A criminal trial next week will follow the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When students return , we ’ ll have to think of another solution @ @ @ @ @ of the court , ” Elsenheimer said .
During the trials in Traverse City , @ @ @ @ @ jury box and the spectator gallery .
The public can watch by video in a @ @ @ @ @ YouTube .

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Jurors are going back to school in a northern Michigan county as judges try to get trials going again after a timeout during the coronavirus pandemic.
In Grand Traverse County, a civil trial in an auto negligence case will start Tuesday. To comply with distancing requirements, jury selection will be held in the auditorium at Traverse City Central High School. The trial will then shift to a regular courtroom.
“We’re hearing this is going to be one of the first jury trials since COVID, if not the first,” said Judge Kevin Elsenheimer.
A criminal trial next week will follow the same procedures, he said.
“When students return, we’ll have to think of another solution or hopefully begin normal operations of the court,” Elsenheimer said.
During the trials in Traverse City, jurors will sit in the jury box and the spectator gallery. The public can watch by video in a separate room or possibly on YouTube.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Illinois' Lake County starting up weddings again, virtually

WAUKEGAN , Ill. ( AP ) - You can ’ t use the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse not to @ @ @ @ @ at least not in Lake County .
The 19th Judicial Circuit Court suspended marriages and @ @ @ @ @ protect the health of the public but it was scheduled to start officiating weddings and @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
The only requirement for the general public is that at least one @ @ @ @ @ married be a Lake County resident .
All active-duty members of the military are also @ @ @ @ @ judge officiate at a virtual wedding , couples must call the county clerk ’ s @ @ @ @ @ appointment to apply for a marriage license and then visit the clerk of the local @ @ @ @ @ 10 in cash on the day the license is issued .
Couples can go to @ @ @ @ @ of the 19th Judicial Circuit website for wedding instructions .
Even though the wedding is @ @ @ @ @ the couple are required to be somewhere in Lake County during the ceremony .

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - You can’t use the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse not to get married any more - at least not in Lake County.
The 19th Judicial Circuit Court suspended marriages and civil unions in March to protect the health of the public but it was scheduled to start officiating weddings and civil unions - virtually - on Monday.
The only requirement for the general public is that at least one member of the couple getting married be a Lake County resident. All active-duty members of the military are also eligible.
To have a judge officiate at a virtual wedding, couples must call the county clerk’s office to set up an appointment to apply for a marriage license and then visit the clerk of the local circuit court to pay $10 in cash on the day the license is issued.
Couples can go to the Remote Court Hearings section of the 19th Judicial Circuit website for wedding instructions. Even though the wedding is virtual, both members of the couple are required to be somewhere in Lake County during the ceremony.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Officer dragged by suspect's vehicle in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
( AP ) - A juvenile driver is accused of dragging a Sioux Falls police @ @ @ @ @ reported assault .
The officer found the suspect in a vehicle about 3 a.m. Saturday @ @ @ @ @ The suspect tried to flee , but got stuck in traffic .
The officer was @ @ @ @ @ vehicle but the suspect rolled up the driver ’ s side window trapping the officer @ @ @ @ @ the officer as the vehicle moved forward , officials said .
Police eventually stopped the @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials say the officer was not seriously injured .

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A juvenile driver is accused of dragging a Sioux Falls police officer who was investigating a reported assault.
The officer found the suspect in a vehicle about 3 a.m. Saturday, according to police. The suspect tried to flee, but got stuck in traffic.
The officer was trying to turn off the vehicle but the suspect rolled up the driver’s side window trapping the officer’s arm and dragging the officer as the vehicle moved forward, officials said.
Police eventually stopped the vehicle and arrested the suspect. Officials say the officer was not seriously injured.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Iran's currency reaches lowest value ever against the dollar

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) - Iran ’ s currency on Monday dropped to its lowest value ever against the dollar and officials warned Iranian exporters to bring their foreign earnings home from abroad .
Money exchange shops briefly traded the Iranian rial 200,000 for a dollar and later in the day , the currency was valued at 198,000 rials against the dollar .
The lows were a new record after the rial on Saturday traded at 190,000 for the dollar .
The plunge of the rial comes amid severe U.S. sanctions imposed on Tehran .
Iran ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged Iranian exporters to bring home their earnings from abroad .
Last week , Jahangiri said Iran ’ s oil revenues have plummeted to $ 8 billion from $ 100 billion in 2011 .
The country ’ s commerce ministry warned that it would revoke export licenses for those who fail to comply and bring the hard currency home while Iran ’ s central bank said on Sunday that it would publish the names of the violators .
Iranian companies reportedly export non-oil products in the value of more than 40 billion dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of that money stays abroad .
The rial has tumbled from a rate of 32,000 rials to $ 1 at the time of Tehran ’ s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
The currency unexpectedly rallied for some time after President Donald Trump ’ s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the nuclear deal and reimpose crippling trade sanctions on Iran more than two years ago .
The sanctions have caused Iran ’ s oil exports , the country ’ s main source of income , to fall sharply .

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran’s currency on Monday dropped to its lowest value ever against the dollar and officials warned Iranian exporters to bring their foreign earnings home from abroad.
Money exchange shops briefly traded the Iranian rial 200,000 for a dollar and later in the day, the currency was valued at 198,000 rials against the dollar. The lows were a new record after the rial on Saturday traded at 190,000 for the dollar.
The plunge of the rial comes amid severe U.S. sanctions imposed on Tehran. Iran’s Senior Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on Monday urged Iranian exporters to bring home their earnings from abroad. Last week, Jahangiri said Iran’s oil revenues have plummeted to $8 billion from $100 billion in 2011.
The country’s commerce ministry warned that it would revoke export licenses for those who fail to comply and bring the hard currency home while Iran’s central bank said on Sunday that it would publish the names of the violators.
Iranian companies reportedly export non-oil products in the value of more than 40 billion dollars a year, and officials say about half of that money stays abroad.
The rial has tumbled from a rate of 32,000 rials to $1 at the time of Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The currency unexpectedly rallied for some time after President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the nuclear deal and reimpose crippling trade sanctions on Iran more than two years ago.
The sanctions have caused Iran’s oil exports, the country’s main source of income, to fall sharply.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--SKorean activist floats leaflets to North amid high tensions

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - A South Korean activist said Tuesday hundreds of thousands of leaflets had been launched by balloon across the border with North Korea overnight , after the North repeatedly warned it would retaliate against such actions .
The move is certain to intensify tensions between the Koreas , after the North abruptly raised its rhetoric against South Korean civilian leafleting and pushed to resume its psychological warfare against the South .
Police in the South Korean border town of Paju said Tuesday they were checking into details about the reported leafleting .
Activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balloons carrying 500,000 leaflets , 2,000 one-dollar bills and small books on North Korea from Paju on Monday night .
Park , formerly a North Korean who fled to South Korea , said in a statement his leafleting is “ a struggle for justice for the sake of liberation of ” North Korean residents .
Calling North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “ an evil ” and his rule “ barbarism , ” Park said he ’ ll keep sending anti-Kim leaflets despite worries about his safety .
“ Though North Korean residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , don ’ t they have the rights to know the truth ?
” he said .
South Korean officials have vowed to ban leafleting and said they would press charges against Park , who has sent leaflets toward North Korea for years .
Authorities said Park ’ s activities are unnecessarily raising animosities between the Koreas and potentially endangering residents in border areas .
In 2014 , North Korean troops opened fire at propaganda balloons flying toward their territory , triggering an exchange of fire that caused no known causalities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an inter-Korean liaison office on its territory and threatened to take unspecified steps to nullify 2018 agreements aimed at lowering front-line military tensions .
On Monday , North Korea ’ s state media said it had manufactured 12 million propaganda leaflets to be floated toward South Korea in what it said would be the largest-ever anti-Seoul leafleting campaign .
Experts say North Korea is likely using the South Korean civilian leafleting as a chance to boost its internal unity and apply more pressures on Seoul and Washington amid stalled nuclear diplomacy .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean group launched hundreds of thousands of leaflets by balloon across the border with North Korea overnight, an activist said Tuesday, despite Pyongyang repeatedly warning it that it will retaliate against such actions.
Activist Park Sang-hak said his organization floated 20 huge balloons carrying 500,000 leaflets, 2,000 one-dollar bills and small books on North Korea from the border town of Paju on Monday night.
Park, formerly a North Korean who fled to South Korea, said in a statement his leafleting is “a struggle for justice for the sake of liberation of” North Koreans.
The move is certain to intensify already high tensions between the Koreas. North Korea recently abruptly raised its rhetoric against South Korean civilian leafleting, destroyed an empty, Seoul-built liaison office on its territory and pushed to resume its psychological warfare against the South.
Local officials in South Korea said they were looking into the account and may ask police to investigate it as a potential safety threat to front-line residents. Seoul’s Unification Ministry, which handles relations with North Korea, issued a separate statement expressing “deep regret” over Park’s attempt to send leaflets.
Calling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “an evil” and his rule “barbarism,” Park said he’ll keep sending anti-Kim leaflets.
“Though North Korean residents have become modern-day slaves with no basic rights, don’t they have the rights to know the truth?” he said.
South Korean officials have vowed to ban leafleting and said they would press charges against Park and other anti-Pyongyang activists for allegedly raising animosities and potentially endangering front-line border residents. In 2014, North Korean troops opened fire at propaganda balloons flying toward their territory, triggering an exchange of fire that caused no known causalities.
Park accused South Korea’s liberal government of sympathizing with North Korea or caving to its threats. Park’s brother, another activist also formerly from North Korea, last week canceled plans to release bottles filled with dried rice and face masks from a front-line island.
Gyeonggi province, which governs Paju, has earlier issued an administrative order prohibiting activists from entering certain border areas including Paju to fly leaflets to the North.
If Park’s leafleting is confirmed, Gyeonggi official Kim Min-yeong said the province will demand police investigate him. The penalty for violations is a year in prison or a maximum 10 million won ($8,200) fine.
The provincial office said in a statement Tuesday it had separately requested police investigate four activists’ groups, including Park’s, for alleged fraud, diversion of official funds and other charges. It said the four groups have been accused of exploiting leafleting as way to collect donations as part of money-making businesses, rather than North Korea human rights movements.
North Korea does not tolerate outside criticism of its ruling family, who enjoy a strong personality cult built by North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, whose military’s surprise invasion on South Korea triggered a devastating three-year war in June 1950.
Park previously said he would push to drop a million leaflets over the border around Thursday, the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. A large banner that Park said was flown to North Korea with the leaflets Monday shows the image of Kim Il Sung and accuses him of “the slaughter of (the Korean) people” and urges North Koreans to rise up against the Kim family’s rule, according to photos distributed by Park.
At least one of the banners and a balloon with leaflets were found to have landed in Hongcheon, a South Korean town southeast of Paju, not North Korea, Yonhap news agency reported. Hongcheon police said they couldn’t immediately confirm the report.
In recent weeks, North Korea has unleashed insults against leafleting activists like Park, describing them as “human scum” and “mongrel dogs.” It said it would also take a series of steps to nullify 2018 tension-reduction deals with South Korea. On Monday, North Korea’s state media said it had manufactured 12 million propaganda leaflets to be floated toward South Korea in what it said would be the largest-ever anti-Seoul leafleting campaign.
Experts say North Korea is likely using the South Korean civilian leafleting as a chance to boost its internal unity and apply more pressure on Seoul and Washington amid stalled nuclear talks.
While Seoul has sometimes sent police to block activists from leafleting during sensitive times, it had previously resisted North Korea’s calls for a ban, saying the activists were exercising their freedom of speech.
Seoul’s recent moves against leafleting have drawn criticism that the government is sacrificing democratic principles to keep alive its push for inter-Korean engagement.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Police: Tennessee woman shoots man she suspected of stealing

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - An 88-year-old white woman in Tennessee who was arrested for allegedly shooting a man she suspected to be taking alcohol from her liquor store said she was “ fed up ” with people stealing from her .
The shooting happened last week after two Black men walked into May Boyce ’ s Murfreesboro Road Liquor and Wines in Nashville , according to an affidavit obtained by the Associated Press .
Boyce grabbed her gun and put it next to the register after the men walked to the back of the store , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached her counter “ in a manner that she felt ” they were going to steal , the affidavit said .
Boyce said one of the men , identified as Ramon Fisher , started grabbing liquor bottles .
When she approached Fisher out of suspicion that he was stealing , Boyce said he “ lunged ” at her , making her think he was going to “ push her down ” before he turned around and started running to the exit , according to an affidavit .
Boyce said that ’ s when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Fisher ’ s direction , shooting him and leading him to fall into a stack of bottles before the other man helped him out of the store , the affidavit said .
His blood trail shows he walked away from the store and onto the street before he was picked up by an unknown person and dropped off at another store before he was transported to the hospital , according to the affidavit .
When officers visited him in a hospital after the shooting , Fisher told them he had been intoxicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to steal liquor with his friends from Boyce ’ s store , the affidavit said .
The next day , Fisher retracted his earlier comments and told police he was planning to pay for the liquor and had been walking , not running , to the exit when he was shot by Boyce in the back .
After Boyce was released on a $ 10,000 bond following her arrest for aggravated assault , she told the New York Post her store had been robbed several times , and she did what she “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ After you ’ ve been played for a fool by people stealing from you for years , you get fed up , ” she told the newspaper .
Boyce added that she “ aimed at the floor to scare ” Fisher and had not intended to shoot him .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - An 88-year-old white woman in Tennessee who was arrested for allegedly shooting a man she suspected to be taking alcohol from her liquor store said she was “fed up” with people stealing from her.
The shooting happened last week after two Black men walked into May Boyce’s Murfreesboro Road Liquor and Wines in Nashville, according to an affidavit obtained by the Associated Press.
Boyce grabbed her gun and put it next to the register after the men walked to the back of the store, where the alcohol was located, and then approached her counter “in a manner that she felt” they were going to steal, the affidavit said.
Boyce said one of the men, identified as Ramon Fisher, started grabbing liquor bottles. When she approached Fisher out of suspicion that he was stealing, Boyce said he “lunged” at her, making her think he was going to “push her down” before he turned around and started running to the exit, according to an affidavit.
Boyce said that’s when she fired a gunshot toward the ground in Fisher’s direction, shooting him and leading him to fall into a stack of bottles before the other man helped him out of the store, the affidavit said.
His blood trail shows he walked away from the store and onto the street before he was picked up by an unknown person and dropped off at another store before he was transported to the hospital, according to the affidavit.
When officers visited him in a hospital after the shooting, Fisher told them he had been intoxicated and using drugs, and was planning to steal liquor with his friends from Boyce’s store, the affidavit said.
The next day, Fisher retracted his earlier comments and told police he was planning to pay for the liquor and had been walking, not running, to the exit when he was shot by Boyce in the back.
After Boyce was released on a $10,000 bond following her arrest for aggravated assault, she told the New York Post her store had been robbed several times, and she did what she “had to do” on Tuesday.
“After you’ve been played for a fool by people stealing from you for years, you get fed up,” she told the newspaper.
Boyce added that she “aimed at the floor to scare” Fisher and had not intended to shoot him.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Miramar Air Show in California canceled over virus concerns

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - This year ’ s Miraramar Air Show in Southern California , billed as the world ’ s largest military air display , has been canceled over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic , it was announced Monday .
The show , which usually draws more than 500,000 spectators , was scheduled for September at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego .
Col. Charles Dockery , the base ’ s commanding officer , made the decision as a safety measure because of “ public health risks ” in the midst of the continuing COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The Miramar Air Show brings in aviation enthusiasts from all across the United States and from every corner of the world , ” Dockery said in the statement .
“ While we had initially hoped to host the show and help usher in a re-opened San Diego , there are still a great many risks posed with a mass gathering of this size and scale to do it in a way that ensures our guests ’ absolute safety.
” “ It remains a prudent choice to look ahead to 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
The base said Miramar is the largest military air show in the world .
It is one of many large events that have been canceled this year because of concerns over COVID-19 , including county fairs , Comic-Con in San Diego and the annual Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals .
The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in California has inched up each of the past three days and now hovers above 3,700 , the highest rate since mid-March .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - This year’s Miraramar Air Show in Southern California, billed as the world’s largest military air display, has been canceled over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced Monday.
The show, which usually draws more than 500,000 spectators, was scheduled for September at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
Col. Charles Dockery, the base’s commanding officer, made the decision as a safety measure because of “public health risks” in the midst of the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, a statement from the base said.
“The Miramar Air Show brings in aviation enthusiasts from all across the United States and from every corner of the world,” Dockery said in the statement. “While we had initially hoped to host the show and help usher in a re-opened San Diego, there are still a great many risks posed with a mass gathering of this size and scale to do it in a way that ensures our guests’ absolute safety.”
“It remains a prudent choice to look ahead to 2021 and make it better than ever,” he said.
The base said Miramar is the largest military air show in the world. It is one of many large events that have been canceled this year because of concerns over COVID-19, including county fairs, Comic-Con in San Diego and the annual Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals.
The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in California has inched up each of the past three days and now hovers above 3,700, the highest rate since mid-March.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Hawaii lawmakers reconvene to appropriate virus relief funds

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii lawmakers on Monday reconvened their 2020 legislative session to flesh out details for how they plan to spend more than $ 600 million in federal coronavirus relief funds .
Lawmakers also expect to tackle police reform measures , including a bill that would amend state open records laws to allow the public to learn information about police officer suspensions .
The Democratic Party-controlled House and Senate suspended the regular annual session in March to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
They returned last month briefly to work on the budget after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and the pandemic triggered a sharp decline in tax revenue .
House and Senate leaders expect to put $ 230 million of the relief money toward $ 100 monthly payments to those receiving unemployment insurance benefits .
The payments will start Aug. 1 and last through December .
The payments are designed to partially replace a $ 600 monthly payment the federal government is providing to those receiving state unemployment benefits .
This “ plus-up ” payment is due to expire at the end of July .
Lawmakers estimate about 117,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The House and Senate leaders also plan to spend $ 100 million to provide housing assistance for up to five months to 34,000 people .
Those eligible would receive a $ 500 monthly subsidy or 50 % of their rent , which ever is less , for up to five months starting in August .
Lawmakers last month put $ 635 million of the $ 1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds into the state ’ s rainy day fund when they returned last month .
The expect to appropriate that $ 635 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to end on July 10 .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii lawmakers on Monday reconvened their 2020 legislative session to flesh out details for how they plan to spend more than $600 million in federal coronavirus relief funds.
Lawmakers also expect to tackle police reform measures, including a bill that would amend state open records laws to allow the public to learn information about police officer suspensions.
The Democratic Party-controlled House and Senate suspended the regular annual session in March to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. They returned last month briefly to work on the budget after the U.S. Congress appropriated relief money to the states and the pandemic triggered a sharp decline in tax revenue.
House and Senate leaders expect to put $230 million of the relief money toward $100 monthly payments to those receiving unemployment insurance benefits. The payments will start Aug. 1 and last through December.
The payments are designed to partially replace a $600 monthly payment the federal government is providing to those receiving state unemployment benefits. This “plus-up” payment is due to expire at the end of July. Lawmakers estimate about 117,000 people will receive the $100 payment.
The House and Senate leaders also plan to spend $100 million to provide housing assistance for up to five months to 34,000 people. Those eligible would receive a $500 monthly subsidy or 50% of their rent, which ever is less, for up to five months starting in August.
Lawmakers last month put $635 million of the $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds into the state’s rainy day fund when they returned last month. The expect to appropriate that $635 million during the current session, which is scheduled to end on July 10.