washingtontimes--2020-06-18--Rio restarts soccer league next to field hospital for COVID

RIO DE JANEIRO ( AP ) - Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo and tiny Bangu played Thursday night at the empty Maracanã Stadium in the first professional soccer match in South America for almost three months .
A minute of silence was observed before kick off in a sign of respect to victims of COVID-19 .
The match was 0-0 after 10 minutes of play .
Only a few meters ( yards ) away , by the arena ’ s gate 2 , a field hospital with 400 beds for patients of the disease reminded the small group of people at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is too soon for soccer competition to resume .
More than 47,700 people have died because of the new coronavirus in Brazil , and nearly 1 million have been infected .
Rio de Janeiro state accounts for about 8,000 deaths , but authorities agreed to let soccer return this week after the number of available intensive-care unit beds showed slight improvement .
Health experts predict Brazil ’ s peak of contagion in the crisis will be in August .
Flamengo players arrived wearing masks , and looked excited to be back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ some days against recommendations .
But some of their fans outside were protesting .
Jumping and chanting with supporters of rival clubs , some fans also think it is too risky for soccer to return before Rio and Brazil have more control over the spread of the virus .
They also protested against President Jair Bolsonaro , who indicated he would attend the match but did not .
Soccer ’ s early comeback in Brazil is a victory for the president , who sided with Flamengo in the lobby .
Rodolfo Landim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday with Bolsonaro when Rio ’ s soccer organizers announced the match schedule .
Brazil ’ s president is one of the few leaders in the world to downplay the risks of COVID-19 .
Despite all the pressure to restart , there was no TV broadcast of the match .
Flamengo and the Globo network do not have a deal for Rio state league matches , which means fans could only follow the game on a radio broadcast or on the internet .
Two other top Rio clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fluminense and Botafogo have threatened to take the case to sports courts to avoid an early return .
The Brazilian championship , which was scheduled to start in May , has no date to begin .
Clubs in other state leagues are considering a return next month if health authorities agree .
Club executives , the referee , his assistants , the media and a few others who entered the stadium had to undergo health checks .
All athletes had to go through a disinfection booth to be sprayed with sanitizer upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures taken by health staff .
Everyone except the players had to wear masks on the pitch .
Replacements also had to abide by social distancing recommendations , with empty seats between players sitting on the bench .
Rio soccer authorities said there would be no mixed zones after the match for players to speak to the press , also following health recommendations .

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - In a sign of the times, the first professional soccer match in South America in nearly three months was staged in a stadium only meters away from a field hospital for hundreds of patients of COVID-19.
Copa Libertadores champion Flamengo beat Bangu 3-0 in a local league game that was witnessed by fewer than 200 people in Brazil’s historic 78,000-seat Maracanã Stadium on Thursday night.
More than 47,700 people have died because of the new coronavirus in Brazil, and nearly 1 million have been infected. Rio de Janeiro state accounts for about 8,000 deaths, but authorities agreed to let soccer return this week after the number of available intensive-care unit beds showed slight improvement. Health experts predict Brazil’s COVID-19 crisis will peak in August.
Goals by Giorgian de Arrascaeta in the 18th minute, Bruno Henrique, in the 66th, and Pedro Rocha in the 88th were celebrated with fist bumps.
Near the Maracanã’s gate 2, a field hospital with 400 beds for coronavirus patients reminded the small group of people at the stadium why many health experts think it is too soon for soccer competition to resume.
A minute of silence was observed before kick off in a sign of respect to victims of COVID-19.
Rio soccer authorities did not allow mixed zone interviews with players after the match, also following health recommendations. But Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus spoke via video after the match.
“Our society will have to adapt until we have a vaccine. What is important is to know how to live, respect the virus, but have no fear of it,” the Flemengo coach said. “Soccer teams have the privilege of being constantly tested and working outdoors. Flamengo is working safely.”
Flamengo players arrived wearing masks, and appeared to be excited to be back. They have practiced for three weeks, some days against recommendations. But some of their fans outside were protesting. Jumping and chanting with supporters of rival clubs, some fans also think it is too risky for soccer to return before Rio and Brazil have more control over the spread of the virus.
They also protested against President Jair Bolsonaro, who indicated he would attend the match but did not. Soccer’s early comeback in Brazil is a victory for the president, who sided with Flamengo in the lobby. Rodolfo Landim, the president of the club, was in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday with Bolsonaro when Rio’s soccer organizers announced the match schedule.
Brazil’s president is one of the few leaders in the world to downplay the risks of COVID-19.
Despite all the pressure to restart, there was no TV broadcast of the match. Flamengo and the Globo network do not have a deal for Rio state league matches, which means fans could only follow the game on a radio broadcast or on the internet.
Two other top Rio clubs have rejected the move to start games. Fluminense and Botafogo took the case to the state’s sports court, which on Thursday denied their request for a delay. The two clubs are considering taking action in the Brazilian sports court. Neither team is training for now.
The national championship, which was scheduled to start in May, has no date to begin. Clubs in other state leagues are considering a return next month if health authorities agree.
Club executives, the referee, his assistants, the media and a few others who entered the stadium had to undergo health checks.
All players had to go through a disinfection booth to be sprayed with sanitizer upon their arrival. They also had their temperatures taken by health staff.
Everyone except the players had to wear masks on the pitch. Replacements also had to abide by social distancing recommendations, with empty seats between players sitting on the bench. During halftime a group of staffers sanitized the bench once more.
____
AP sports writer Mauricio Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.


washingtontimes--2020-06-18--Court: allow Juneteenth service at cemetery

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - Formosa Plastics must allow a Juneteenth ceremony on land that archaeologists say was probably a cemetery for enslaved people when the land was a plantation , a Louisiana state judge ruled Thursday .
FG LA LLC , the local Formosa Plastics Group member that is building a $ 9.4 billion chemical plant complex in St. James Parish said it will ask a state appeal court to overturn 23rd District Judge Emile St. Pierre ’ s order .
The judge upheld an order he had handed down at the start of the week , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release .
The center represents groups which want to hold an hourlong prayer service late Friday morning .
“ Members of Rise St. James , who are the likely descendants of those buried there , have previously visited the site to lay flowers , pray , sing , and report on the significance to the community of the cemetery , ” the statement said .
“ Recently , however , despite state laws guaranteeing access to cemeteries , local law enforcement threatened arrest if the RISE members returned.
” Work in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement said .
After getting no response to multiple requests to commemorate the day African Americans learned they had been freed , the group asked the court for a temporary restraining order against Formosa .
The judge noted Monday that Rise St. James and the Bucket Brigade , an environmental group , don ’ t have to put up any bond “ because important constitutional rights are at stake and Defendants will not suffer financial harm or other damages as a result of Plaintiffs ’ prayer and peaceful ceremony on the cemetery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field.
” FG LA said it was going immediately to the state Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal .
“ FG ’ s property is an active construction site , prompting safety and liability concerns .
Further , FG was not given an opportunity to be heard on the merits of the petition , ” it said in a news release .
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that Union soldiers told enslaved Africans in Galveston , Texas , that the Civil War had ended and they were free Americans .
Rise St. James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to court to challenge state air quality permits and federal wetlands permits .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Formosa Plastics must allow a Juneteenth ceremony on land that archaeologists say was probably a cemetery for enslaved people when the land was a plantation, a Louisiana state judge ruled Thursday.
FG LA LLC, the local Formosa Plastics Group member that is building a $9.4 billion chemical plant complex in St. James Parish said it will ask a state appeal court to overturn 23rd District Judge Emile St. Pierre’s order.
The judge upheld an order he had handed down at the start of the week, the Center for Constitutional Rights said in a news release. The center represents groups which want to hold an hourlong prayer service late Friday morning.
“Members of Rise St. James, who are the likely descendants of those buried there, have previously visited the site to lay flowers, pray, sing, and report on the significance to the community of the cemetery,” the statement said. “Recently, however, despite state laws guaranteeing access to cemeteries, local law enforcement threatened arrest if the RISE members returned.”
Work in December confirmed that the site held graves, the statement said.
After getting no response to multiple requests to commemorate the day African Americans learned they had been freed, the group asked the court for a temporary restraining order against Formosa. The judge noted Monday that Rise St. James and the Bucket Brigade, an environmental group, don’t have to put up any bond “because important constitutional rights are at stake and Defendants will not suffer financial harm or other damages as a result of Plaintiffs’ prayer and peaceful ceremony on the cemetery which is in an open, empty field.”
FG LA said it was going immediately to the state Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal.
“FG’s property is an active construction site, prompting safety and liability concerns. Further, FG was not given an opportunity to be heard on the merits of the petition,” it said in a news release.
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that Union soldiers told enslaved Africans in Galveston, Texas, that the Civil War had ended and they were free Americans.
Rise St. James and the Bucket Brigade also have gone to court to challenge state air quality permits and federal wetlands permits.


washingtontimes--2020-06-18--Brandon Straka banned by American Airlines for refusing to wear mask

DALLAS — American Airlines has banned a man who was kicked off a plane for refusing to wear a face covering , among the first such incidents since airlines promised this week to step up enforcement of their mask rules .
A spokesman for American said Thursday that the airline decided to ban the man after reviewing the incident , which occurred Wednesday at New York ’ s LaGuardia Airport .
According to the airline , conservative activist Brandon Straka ignored requests by crew members to wear a mask while the plane with 122 passengers prepared to leave for Dallas-Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 172-seat plane and put on a later flight .
American said Straka will be banned until the airline drops its requirement that passengers and crew members wear face coverings to limit spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
“ We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our customers and team members , which is why we strengthened enforcement of our policy for required face coverings on board , ” said airline spokesman Ross Feinstein .
“ We expect customers who choose to fly with us to comply with these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will deny future travel for customers who refuse to do so.
” Straka recorded an exchange with a flight attendant on the plane .
In another video that he posted on Twitter after being banished to the gate area , he said there is no law requiring passengers to wear a mask .
That is true - it is only a policy by the airlines .
The Federal Aviation Administration has declined requests by airlines and their labor unions to make masks mandatory .
American and other leading U.S. airlines announced the mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they vowed to step up enforcement after several instances in which people complained about other passengers not covering their faces .
Most of the airlines make exceptions for young children , for passengers while they are eating or drinking , and for those with some medical conditions .

DALLAS — American Airlines has banned a man who was kicked off a plane for refusing to wear a face covering, among the first such incidents since airlines promised this week to step up enforcement of their mask rules.
A spokesman for American said Thursday that the airline decided to ban the man after reviewing the incident, which occurred Wednesday at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
According to the airline, conservative activist Brandon Straka ignored requests by crew members to wear a mask while the plane with 122 passengers prepared to leave for Dallas-Fort Worth. He was ordered off the 172-seat plane and put on a later flight.
American said Straka will be banned until the airline drops its requirement that passengers and crew members wear face coverings to limit spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
“We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our customers and team members, which is why we strengthened enforcement of our policy for required face coverings on board,” said airline spokesman Ross Feinstein. “We expect customers who choose to fly with us to comply with these policies, and if necessary, we will deny future travel for customers who refuse to do so.”
Straka recorded an exchange with a flight attendant on the plane. In another video that he posted on Twitter after being banished to the gate area, he said there is no law requiring passengers to wear a mask.
That is true - it is only a policy by the airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration has declined requests by airlines and their labor unions to make masks mandatory.
American and other leading U.S. airlines announced the mask rules last month. This week, they vowed to step up enforcement after several instances in which people complained about other passengers not covering their faces.
Most of the airlines make exceptions for young children, for passengers while they are eating or drinking, and for those with some medical conditions.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Body pulled from Missouri River in Bismarck

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - A body has been recovered from the Missouri River in Bismarck , but @ @ @ @ @ whether it is that of a man missing since Monday .
The body and a @ @ @ @ @ river near the Fox Island boat ramp Thursday night after the Burleigh County dive team @ @ @ @ @ , the Bismarck Tribune r eported .
The Chevy Malibu matched the description of one @ @ @ @ @ be driven by 37-year-old Bradley Agard .
Police did not say whether the search for @ @ @ @ @ is planned for Monday .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A body that was found in a car submerged in the Missouri River in Bismarck is that of a missing man, police said Friday.
Police searched near the Fox Island Boat Ramp with the assistance of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Bismarck Rural Fire, North Dakota Game and Fish and the Burleigh County Dive Team Thursday.
The dive team located an object in the river that was determined to be a vehicle. After the car was removed from the river, police discovered Agard’s body inside.
The Burleigh County Coroner has ordered an autopsy, and the case remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--EU lawmakers voting on probe of fund misuse as leaders meet

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - As European Union leaders debated Friday their next multi-billion-euro budget , EU lawmakers were voting on a resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged misuse of EU funds in the Czech Republic and warned of a possible conflict of interest involving Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis .
A leaked EU audit last year concluded that the populist billionaire might have had a conflict of interest over subsidies involving his former business empire .
More than 100 million euros ( $ 112 million ) could be involved .
Babis denies any wrongdoing and has accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
If the draft resolution is approved by the European Parliament , lawmakers would deplore that Babis “ was and continues to be actively involved in the implementation of the EU budget in the Czech Republic in his position as Prime Minister … while still controlling the Agrofert Group as a founder and the sole beneficiary of two trust funds.
” The draft , on which voting was expected to conclude by Friday evening , would call on the European Council , the forum for the leaders of the EU ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent conflicts of interest in the context of the negotiations for the future EU budget.
” The leaders , including Babis , were holding video talks Friday on a massive coronavirus rescue package that could total around 750 billion euros ( $ 841 billion ) and which would be tied to the EU ’ s next long-term budget , expected to total more than 1 trillion euros ( $ 1.1 trillion ) .
The parliament resolution would also call on the European Commission , which proposes EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to rapidly conclude its own audit and make the findings public .
The conservative European People ’ s Party , the biggest bloc in the parliament , said that “ the distribution of EU funds in the Czech Republic is neither fair nor transparent but designed to favor the private interests of Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
” The resolution vote follows a fact-finding mission to Prague in February by the parliament ’ s budgetary control committee , which has no legal power to investigate national budgets or even oversight of the budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monika Hohlmeier said the information gathered “ points to the intentional establishment of rules in the Czech Republic which hide real beneficiaries of subsidies , favor big conglomerates and prevent controlling authorities from carrying out checks on this system.
” Hohlmeier and other members of the fact-finding mission said they were routinely threatened while in the Czech Republic , and since , including by individuals in high government office .
Czech EU lawmaker Thomas Zdechovsky said he and his family received thousands of threats through social media , email and messaging apps during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife and four children were placed under police protection .
Police detained a number of people and charged some of them , he said .
“ They even said if we go outside they would find us in the street .
They described how we would be murdered and what they would do to me and my family , ” Zdechovsky told reporters Thursday .
“ This is the result of Mr. Babis calling me and ( Czech Greens lawmaker Mikulas Peksa ) , traitors to the nation.
” Babis apologized soon after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holhmeier said the group was “ confronted with a situation of aggressivity we never have faced before ” over the mission .
She said that while members of the ground are used to some hostility as politicians , the attacks from the top level of government were of “ a new dimension.
” “ We ’ re only doing something normal , just checking whether the taxpayer ’ s money has been correctly disbursed , ” Holhmeier said .

BRUSSELS (AP) - European Union lawmakers called Friday for an investigation into the alleged misuse of EU funds in the Czech Republic and warned of a possible conflict of interest involving Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis on a day when he and the bloc’s other leaders debated their next multi-billion-euro budget.
A leaked EU audit last year concluded that the populist billionaire might have had a conflict of interest over subsidies involving his former business empire. More than 100 million euros ($112 million) could be involved. Babis denies any wrongdoing and has accused the EU of trying to destabilize his country.
In a resolution, adopted by 510 votes to 53, the lawmakers deplored that Babis “was and continues to be actively involved in the implementation of the EU budget in the Czech Republic in his position as Prime Minister … while still controlling the Agrofert Group as a founder and the sole beneficiary of two trust funds.”
The resolution called on the European Council, the forum for the leaders of the EU’s 27 member nations, “to take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent conflicts of interest in the context of the negotiations for the future EU budget.”
The leaders held inconclusive video talks Friday on a massive coronavirus rescue package that could total around 750 billion euros ($841 billion) and which would be tied to the EU’s next long-term budget, expected to stand at more than 1 trillion euros ($1.1 trillion).
The parliament resolution also called on the European Commission, which proposes EU laws and ensures they’re enforced, to rapidly conclude its own audit and make the findings public.
The conservative European People’s Party, the biggest bloc in the parliament, said that “the distribution of EU funds in the Czech Republic is neither fair nor transparent but designed to favor the private interests of Prime Minister Andrej Babis.”
The resolution follows a fact-finding mission to Prague in February by the parliament’s budgetary control committee, which has no legal power to investigate national budgets or even oversight of the budget of the European Council.
Committee Chairwoman Monika Hohlmeier said the information gathered “points to the intentional establishment of rules in the Czech Republic which hide real beneficiaries of subsidies, favor big conglomerates and prevent controlling authorities from carrying out checks on this system.”
Hohlmeier and other members of the fact-finding mission said they were routinely threatened while in the Czech Republic, and since, including by individuals in high government office.
Czech EU lawmaker Thomas Zdechovsky said he and his family received thousands of threats through social media, email and messaging apps during the coronavirus lockdown. He, his wife and four children were placed under police protection. Police detained a number of people and charged some of them, he said.
“They even said if we go outside they would find us in the street. They described how we would be murdered and what they would do to me and my family,” Zdechovsky told reporters Thursday. “This is the result of Mr. Babis calling me and (Czech Greens lawmaker Mikulas Peksa), traitors to the nation.”
Babis apologized soon after suggesting that the men were traitors.
Holhmeier said the group was “confronted with a situation of aggressivity we never have faced before” over the mission. She said that while members of the ground are used to some hostility as politicians, the attacks from the top level of government were of “a new dimension.”
“We’re only doing something normal, just checking whether the taxpayer’s money has been correctly disbursed,” Holhmeier said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Mississippi National Guard sergeant fatally shot in Jackson

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - A sergeant in the Mississippi National Guard was fatally shot at an @ @ @ @ @ said Sgt .
Stephen Matory , 24 , was killed Thursday morning when gunshots were @ @ @ @ @ , news outlets reported .
Matory was a bystander during the shooting , police said @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement they were “ devastated ” by his death .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ star in our ranks .
He was a soldier ’ s soldier , ” Lt. @ @ @ @ @ The Clarion Ledger .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A sergeant in the Mississippi National Guard was fatally shot at an apartment complex.
Jackson police said Sgt. Stephen Matory, 24, was killed Thursday morning when gunshots were fired at Summer Park Apartments, news outlets reported. Matory was a bystander during the shooting, police said.
The Mississippi National Guard said in a statement they were “devastated” by his death.
“This young soldier was a rising star in our ranks. He was a soldier’s soldier,” Lt. Col. Deidre D. Smith told The Clarion Ledger.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Japan's economy reopening cautiously, balancing health risks

TOKYO ( AP ) - The roller coasters are back running in Tokyo but with requests to not scream .
Restaurants are offering more take-out and outdoor seating .
Major retailer Uniqlo ’ s new “ cool and dry ” mask , three for 990 yen ( $ 9 ) , sold out Friday shortly after it was put on the shelves .
Japan ’ s economy is opening cautiously , with social-distancing restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The delicate “ new normal ” balancing act playing out around the world is precarious but imperative for Japan , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exports and thriving small businesses to avoid sliding deeper into recession .
Yoshimasa Maruyama , chief market economist at SMBC Nikko Securities , said although Japan ’ s coronavirus restrictions were never as strict as the lockdowns in the U.S. , Europe and some other parts of Asia , the damage was still considerable .
Japan ’ s economy was already hurting from a tax increase last year .
Then auto exports to the U.S. and Europe plunged when the coronavirus hit .
Consumer spending is unlikely to recover quickly .
“ Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown is lifted .
But the Japanese mind set tends to become even more cautious about spending because of uncertainties about the future , ” Maruyama said .
A return to pre-pandemic levels of economic activity is not expected for Japan until 2023 , a year after a likely recovery in the U.S. , he said .
Although shuttered businesses are opening again , fewer seats are allowed at theaters , events and hostess and host bars .
Masked clerks peer from behind plastic curtains at stores where temperatures are checked and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baseball is playing to empty stands .
Masks , worn by many Japanese already anyway due to a near national allergy to cedar pollen , are the dress code everywhere .
Japan ’ s exports and imports have plunged .
The world ’ s third largest economy has contracted for two straight quarters and is already officially in recession .
The Tokyo Olympics , the big symbol of hope for the economy , has been postponed until next year , costing billions of dollars to the capital , although the exact amount has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced 230 trillion yen ( $ 2 trillion ) in stimulus , including help for local businesses and cash handouts of 100,000 yen ( $ 930 ) per adult to coax consumers into spending .
With about 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths , Japan has been spared the massive fatalities that have swept Italy , Spain , the U.S. , Brazil and Russia .
But critics fear the government ’ s push to relax precautions is about choosing the economy over health concerns .
That includes reviving moribund tourism .
The government is considering reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases are relatively limited and comparable to Japan ’ s , such as Australia , New Zealand , Vietnam and Thailand .
The 1,700 visitors to Japan in May was a decrease of 99.9 % from the year before , according to the Japan National Tourism Organization , and the lowest figure since the government began keeping track in 1964 .
In recent years Japan has attracted about 30 million visitors from abroad , mostly from South Korea and China .
Travel within Japan was temporarily curtailed under a government “ emergency ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but is now encouraged .
The government is giving out discount coupons to use at tourist spots .
Jazz clubs and other entertainment places were already struggling and the pandemic will likely lead many people to turn to recordings and other , safer ways to enjoy music instead , said American saxophonist Marshall McDonald .
“ The music business , which was on life support , will never be back .
Japan is risking lives opening music places now , ” said McDonald , who played for years with the Count Basie Orchestra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , after being stuck at home many Japanese have been hankering to get outside and have some fun .
That includes law student Yota Nakano , who shrugged off the don ’ t scream request at Yomiuri Land , a Tokyo amusement park that recently reopened .
“ Even though I couldn ’ t scream , I enjoyed it from the bottom of my heart , ” he said .

TOKYO (AP) - The roller coasters are back running in Tokyo but with requests to not scream. Restaurants are offering more take-out and outdoor seating. Major retailer Uniqlo’s new “cool and dry” mask, three for 990 yen ($9), sold out Friday shortly after it was put on the shelves.
Japan’s economy is opening cautiously, with social-distancing restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The delicate “new normal” balancing act playing out around the world is precarious but imperative for Japan, whose long stagnant economy sorely needs tourism, exports and thriving small businesses to avoid sliding deeper into recession.
Yoshimasa Maruyama, chief market economist at SMBC Nikko Securities, said although Japan’s coronavirus restrictions were never as strict as the lockdowns in the U.S., Europe and some other parts of Asia, the damage was still considerable.
Japan’s economy was already hurting from a tax increase last year. Then auto exports to the U.S. and Europe plunged when the coronavirus hit. Consumer spending is unlikely to recover quickly.
“Americans may feel happy and go splurging after the lockdown is lifted. But the Japanese mind set tends to become even more cautious about spending because of uncertainties about the future,” Maruyama said.
A return to pre-pandemic levels of economic activity is not expected for Japan until 2023, a year after a likely recovery in the U.S., he said.
Although shuttered businesses are opening again, fewer seats are allowed at theaters, events and hostess and host bars. Masked clerks peer from behind plastic curtains at stores where temperatures are checked and hands disinfected at the entrance. Professional baseball is playing to empty stands.
Masks, worn by many Japanese already anyway due to a near national allergy to cedar pollen, are the dress code everywhere.
Japan’s exports and imports have plunged. The world’s third largest economy has contracted for two straight quarters and is already officially in recession.
The Tokyo Olympics, the big symbol of hope for the economy, has been postponed until next year, costing billions of dollars to the capital, although the exact amount has not been disclosed.
The government has announced 230 trillion yen ($2 trillion) in stimulus, including help for local businesses and cash handouts of 100,000 yen ($930) per adult to coax consumers into spending.
With about 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths, Japan has been spared the massive fatalities that have swept Italy, Spain, the U.S., Brazil and Russia. But critics fear the government’s push to relax precautions is about choosing the economy over health concerns.
That includes reviving moribund tourism. The government is considering reopening travel to and from countries where coronavirus cases are relatively limited and comparable to Japan’s, such as Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Thailand.
The 1,700 visitors to Japan in May was a decrease of 99.9% from the year before, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, and the lowest figure since the government began keeping track in 1964.
In recent years Japan has attracted about 30 million visitors from abroad, mostly from South Korea and China.
Travel within Japan was temporarily curtailed under a government “emergency” to curb the spread of the virus but is now encouraged. The government is giving out discount coupons to use at tourist spots.
Jazz clubs and other entertainment places were already struggling and the pandemic will likely lead many people to turn to recordings and other, safer ways to enjoy music instead, said American saxophonist Marshall McDonald.
“The music business, which was on life support, will never be back. Japan is risking lives opening music places now,” said McDonald, who played for years with the Count Basie Orchestra and lives half the year in Japan.
Still, after being stuck at home many Japanese have been hankering to get outside and have some fun.
That includes law student Yota Nakano, who shrugged off the don’t scream request at Yomiuri Land, a Tokyo amusement park that recently reopened.
“Even though I couldn’t scream, I enjoyed it from the bottom of my heart,” he said.
___
AP video journalists Emily Wang and Haruka Nuga contributed to this report.
___
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Funeral for U.S. Rep. Andy Barr's wife to be held on Monday

LEXINGTON , Ky. ( AP ) - A funeral service for the wife of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr , who died unexpectedly this week at the age of 39 , will be held Monday in Kentucky .
Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr will be laid to rest at Southland Christian Church in Lexington , a day after a visitation service for her in the city .
Her husband , who expressed his “ profound grief ” over her death this week said on Twitter that the services will be “ a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life.
” The family is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning to attend the visitation service at Christ Church Cathedral and the funeral , the announcement for the services said .
People who don ’ t feel comfortable attending due to the coronavirus pandemic can stream the funeral service on YouTube , the announcement said .
Barr died of natural causes from a heart condition known as mitral valve prolapse on Tuesday at the family ’ s home in Lexington , the Fayette County coroner ’ s office said in a preliminary autopsy report .
The family is encouraging “ friends and admirers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American Heart Association .
Condolences for her death flowed in this week , including from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Kentucky Gov .
Andy Beshear and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul .
She grew up in the state , attended the University of Kentucky , and married Andy Barr in 2008 .
The couple went on to have two children .
She had worked for Pfizer , and as the executive director of Lexington ’ s Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship .
Her husband represents Kentucky ’ s 6th District , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richmond and Frankfort .

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - A funeral service for the wife of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, who died unexpectedly this week at the age of 39, will be held Monday in Kentucky.
Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr will be laid to rest at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, a day after a visitation service for her in the city. Her husband, who expressed his “profound grief” over her death this week said on Twitter that the services will be “a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life.”
The family is requiring social distancing and masks for those planning to attend the visitation service at Christ Church Cathedral and the funeral, the announcement for the services said. People who don’t feel comfortable attending due to the coronavirus pandemic can stream the funeral service on YouTube, the announcement said.
Barr died of natural causes from a heart condition known as mitral valve prolapse on Tuesday at the family’s home in Lexington, the Fayette County coroner’s office said in a preliminary autopsy report. The family is encouraging “friends and admirers” to remember her with contributions to The American Heart Association.
Condolences for her death flowed in this week, including from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul.
She grew up in the state, attended the University of Kentucky, and married Andy Barr in 2008. The couple went on to have two children. She had worked for Pfizer, and as the executive director of Lexington’s Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship.
Her husband represents Kentucky’s 6th District, which includes the cities of Lexington, Richmond and Frankfort.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Boat operator dies after trying to save entangled sea turtle

VIRGINIA BEACH , Va. ( AP ) - A Virginia charter boat operator died Thursday after jumping into the ocean @ @ @ @ @ sea turtle , police said .
Virginia Beach authorities responded to a possible drowning call @ @ @ @ @ kilometers ) offshore just before 12:30 p.m. , police said in a statement .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ fishing charter boat when the operator jumped off to try and save a sea turtle @ @ @ @ @ in a rope , news outlets reported , citing police .
The man began to @ @ @ @ @ called emergency dispatchers for help , officials said .
Marine Patrol boated to the area @ @ @ @ @ of the water and performed CPR .
He was then taken to a hospital where @ @ @ @ @ according to police .
The victim was not immediately identified .
Virginia Beach Police were @ @ @ @ @ to investigate .

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - A Virginia charter boat operator died Thursday after jumping into the ocean to try and rescue a sea turtle, police said.
Virginia Beach authorities responded to a possible drowning call about 2 miles (3 kilometers) offshore just before 12:30 p.m., police said in a statement.
Investigators determined passengers were on a fishing charter boat when the operator jumped off to try and save a sea turtle that appeared to be tangled in a rope, news outlets reported, citing police.
The man began to struggle, and someone onboard called emergency dispatchers for help, officials said.
Marine Patrol boated to the area, pulled the man out of the water and performed CPR. He was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police.
The victim was not immediately identified.
Virginia Beach Police were working with the U.S. Coastguard to investigate.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Sheriff in Georgia agrees to pay $10k for campaign violation

MARIETTA , Ga. ( AP ) - A sheriff in Georgia has agreed to pay a $ 10,000 fine after state investigators found he had his staff working on his reelection campaign during their office hours .
“ We feel this is a fair and appropriate fine that clearly addresses the importance of elected officials not utilizing their public office to benefit their campaign at any time whatsoever , ” David Emadi , executive director of Georgia ’ s transparency and campaign finance commission , told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren agreed to the payment Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent order passed by the commission in a 4-1 vote , the Marietta Daily Journal reported .
Investigators found employees in the Warren ’ s office had arranged photo shoots , ran errands for food , and wrote emails for his reelection fundraising efforts while they were on duty , Emadi said at the hearing .
One of these events was the annual Corn Boilin ’ , a joint fundraiser for Warren and the Cobb Youth Museum , news outlets reported .
Warren ’ s attorney , Doug Chalmers , said the crossover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because employees were “ confused about what they could and could not do ” during office hours since the fundraiser was started under Warren ’ s predecessor and has been held for decades .
Despite the fundraisers , the newspaper also reported Warren and his campaign did not contribute money directly to the children ’ s museum last year .
Chalmers had previously told the newspaper his client would raise at least $ 10,000 for the museum every year , and would make a personal contribution if the fundraising efforts does not reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had also misused campaign funds and failed to report some contributions , the newspaper reported .
The sheriff will attend campaign finance training for the violations , and Chalmers said employees in his office would receive training as well .
Warren is set to face reelection this year for his fifth term .

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) - A sheriff in Georgia has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine after state investigators found he had his staff working on his reelection campaign during their office hours.
“We feel this is a fair and appropriate fine that clearly addresses the importance of elected officials not utilizing their public office to benefit their campaign at any time whatsoever,” David Emadi, executive director of Georgia’s transparency and campaign finance commission, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren agreed to the payment Thursday.
The fine was part of a consent order passed by the commission in a 4-1 vote, the Marietta Daily Journal reported.
Investigators found employees in the Warren’s office had arranged photo shoots, ran errands for food, and wrote emails for his reelection fundraising efforts while they were on duty, Emadi said at the hearing. One of these events was the annual Corn Boilin’, a joint fundraiser for Warren and the Cobb Youth Museum, news outlets reported.
Warren’s attorney, Doug Chalmers, said the crossover between the campaign and office work happened because employees were “confused about what they could and could not do” during office hours since the fundraiser was started under Warren’s predecessor and has been held for decades.
Despite the fundraisers, the newspaper also reported Warren and his campaign did not contribute money directly to the children’s museum last year. Chalmers had previously told the newspaper his client would raise at least $10,000 for the museum every year, and would make a personal contribution if the fundraising efforts does not reach that amount.
Investigators found the sheriff had also misused campaign funds and failed to report some contributions, the newspaper reported.
The sheriff will attend campaign finance training for the violations, and Chalmers said employees in his office would receive training as well. Warren is set to face reelection this year for his fifth term.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Des Moines City Council to consider marijuana resolution

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - The Des Moines City Council is set to consider a resolution supporting @ @ @ @ @ the city .
The resolution is on the council ’ s agenda for its meeting @ @ @ @ @ first step toward decriminalizing marijuana in Iowa ’ s capital city .
If approved , @ @ @ @ @ six-person task force to study the issue and provide recommendations to the council by Oct. @ @ @ @ @ sponsored by City Council members Josh Mandelbaum , Connie Boesen , Carl Voss and Joe @ @ @ @ @ Iowa is among the priorities listed by Black Lives Matter , which is seeking passage @ @ @ @ @ profiling by Des Moines police .
The proposal would not legalize marijuana possession , but @ @ @ @ @ law the lowest priority for police .
A 2020 report by the American Civil Liberties @ @ @ @ @ 7.3 times more likely to be arrested than white Iowans for possession of marijuana .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Des Moines City Council is set to consider a resolution supporting the decriminalization of marijuana in the city.
The resolution is on the council’s agenda for its meeting Monday and would be the first step toward decriminalizing marijuana in Iowa’s capital city. If approved, the move would create a six-person task force to study the issue and provide recommendations to the council by Oct. 1.
The resolution is sponsored by City Council members Josh Mandelbaum, Connie Boesen, Carl Voss and Joe Gatto.
Decriminalizing marijuana in Iowa is among the priorities listed by Black Lives Matter, which is seeking passage of a ban on racial profiling by Des Moines police. The proposal would not legalize marijuana possession, but would deem enforcement of the law the lowest priority for police.
A 2020 report by the American Civil Liberties Union says black Iowans are 7.3 times more likely to be arrested than white Iowans for possession of marijuana.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Trump campaign on Juneteenth: '...There is far more that unites us in America than divides us'

The Trump campaign marked Juneteenth by calling for unity and touting President Trump ’ s work for the black community .
“ While even today our nation continues to work towards healing from this legacy of the past , we look ahead with optimism that there is far more that unites us in America than divides us , ” Senior Adviser to Donald J. Trump for President Katrina Pierson said in a statement .
Ms. Pierson highlighted Mr. Trump ’ s record on criminal justice reform , job numbers , particularly for minority groups , and support for Historically Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will build on this record even further in the years ahead to help build a new and great legacy for all African Americans , ” she added .
Juneteenth , also known as Emancipation Day , marks the day Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed all slaves in Texas — one of the last holdouts of slavery in the U.S. — were free .
It came two years after President Abraham Lincoln ’ s Emancipation Proclamation , but with the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in 1865 , Union forces had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Mr. Trump announced he was delaying his rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , by a day “ out of respect ” of the Juneteenth holiday .
Those critical of the president ’ s latest rally also noted that Tulsa is the site of one of the worst massacres of blacks in U.S. history in 1921 .
The new emphasis on Juneteenth from political leaders across Washington comes as the country is grappling with how to address the legacy of slavery and racial tensions after the death of George Floyd , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his neck for more than eight minutes .

The Trump campaign marked Juneteenth by calling for unity and touting President Trump’s work for the black community.
“While even today our nation continues to work towards healing from this legacy of the past, we look ahead with optimism that there is far more that unites us in America than divides us,” Senior Adviser to Donald J. Trump for President Katrina Pierson said in a statement.
Ms. Pierson highlighted Mr. Trump’s record on criminal justice reform, job numbers, particularly for minority groups, and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“President Trump will build on this record even further in the years ahead to help build a new and great legacy for all African Americans,” she added.
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, marks the day Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed all slaves in Texas — one of the last holdouts of slavery in the U.S. — were free.
It came two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, but with the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in 1865, Union forces had the strength to enforce it.
In a statement issued by the White House, Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump said Juneteenth “reminds us of both the unimaginable injustice of slavery and the incomparable joy that must have attended emancipation.”
“It is both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our nation’s unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness,” they said.
Last week, Mr. Trump announced he was delaying his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by a day “out of respect” of the Juneteenth holiday.
Those critical of the president’s latest rally also noted that Tulsa is the site of one of the worst massacres of blacks in U.S. history in 1921.
Sen. Kamala D. Harris, California Democrat, called the planned rally “a welcome-home party” for white supremacists.
The new emphasis on Juneteenth from political leaders across Washington comes as the country is grappling with how to address the legacy of slavery and racial tensions after the death of George Floyd, who was killed when a white officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.
• Dave Boyer contributed to this report.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Church: White man yelled slurs, mooned black parishioners

SHARON , S.C. ( AP ) - Church officials in South Carolina said a white man shouted racist slurs at black parishioners and pulled down his pants to show them his butt while they were holding services outdoors due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The man was “ being loud and boisterous ” in an attempt to disrupt the service at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Sharon on Sunday before he yelled the slurs and mooned the worshippers , according to an incident report filed with the York County Sheriff ’ s Office .
He also shouted “ white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at people , including children , Pastor John Brown told The Herald .
“ I spoke during the sermon to our people and told them that we have been called that before , but God created us this color and that as black people we are just as important and part of God ’ s world as anyone , ” Brown said .
York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson told the newspaper that he learned about the alleged incident on Tuesday and called church officials , urging them to file an official report , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the church leaders told him that no one had confronted the person .
“ The people there at the church that day handled the incident extremely well , ” he said .
Authorities have not yet identified a suspect , Tolson added .

SHARON, S.C. (AP) - Church officials in South Carolina said a white man shouted racist slurs at black parishioners and pulled down his pants to show them his butt while they were holding services outdoors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The man was “being loud and boisterous” in an attempt to disrupt the service at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Sharon on Sunday before he yelled the slurs and mooned the worshippers, according to an incident report filed with the York County Sheriff’s Office.
He also shouted “white power” as he spewed the slurs at people, including children, Pastor John Brown told The Herald.
“I spoke during the sermon to our people and told them that we have been called that before, but God created us this color and that as black people we are just as important and part of God’s world as anyone,” Brown said.
York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson told the newspaper that he learned about the alleged incident on Tuesday and called church officials, urging them to file an official report, which they did the next day. He said the church leaders told him that no one had confronted the person.
“The people there at the church that day handled the incident extremely well,” he said.
Authorities have not yet identified a suspect, Tolson added.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--CEO of Germany's Wirecard quits after annual report delayed

BERLIN ( AP ) - The chief executive of German payment service provider Wirecard AG resigned on Friday , a day after the company announced that it was postponing its annual report again and its shares plummeted .
Wirecard said in a brief statement that Markus Braun resigned with immediate effect “ in mutual consent ” with the company ’ s supervisory board .
James Freis , who was appointed to the management board on Thursday , was named as interim CEO .
Wirecard ’ s share price nosedived on Thursday after the Munich-based company said it was informed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion euros ( $ 2.14 billion ) didn ’ t have the necessary certificate .
Braun said on Thursday that it was “ currently unclear whether fraudulent transactions to the detriment of Wirecard AG have occurred.
” He said that Wirecard “ will file a complaint against unknown persons.
” Once seen as a stellar example of Germany ’ s tech industry , Wirecard has been battered by allegations of financial irregularity in recent years .
The company has hit back by claiming that its share price was being intentionally manipulated by speculators @

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The chief executive of German payment service provider Wirecard AG resigned on Friday after the company disclosed that auditors could not find 1.9 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in cash, adding to the accounting woes of a firm once regarded as a star of the growing financial technology sector.
Wirecard said in a brief statement that Markus Braun resigned “in mutual consent” with the company’s supervisory board, effective immediately. James Freis, who was appointed to the management board on Thursday, was named as interim CEO.
Braun said in a video online that auditors appeared to have been given spurious documentation about the accounts that were supposed to hold the missing money. He added that “it cannot be ruled out” that Wirecard was the victim of fraud “of considerable proportions.”
The company’s shares fell 26% on Friday to 29.30 euros. They have fallen 84% from their peak in August 2018 after the company became the subject of multiple Financial Times reports about accounting irregularities. Wirecard disputed the reports, which started in February 2019, and said it was the victim of speculators.
The company’s accounting troubles continued as it postponed its earnings release, and top investors called for Braun’s dismissal and an outside manager to come in and clean house.
The company was once considered a star of Germany’s tech sector; its market value at one point exceeded that of Deutsche Bank. Wirecard pushed Germany’s No. 2 bank, Commerzbank, out of the country’s DAX 30 index of blue chips.
The company had rapidly expanded outside Germany, building an Asia-Pacific business and entering the North American market by buying Citigroup’s prepaid card services business in 2016.
Wirecard’s share price nosedived on Thursday after the Munich-based company said it was informed the accounts could not be located and that the auditors could not sign off on the company’s books without further audit procedures.
Two Philippine banks that were supposed to hold the money in escrow accounts were reported by news media as saying that they had no dealings with Wirecard.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--BMW to drop 6,000 jobs through turnover, early retirement

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - Automaker BMW says it will drop 6,000 jobs through early retirements and turnover @ @ @ @ @ adjusts to a sharp drop in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The Munich-based @ @ @ @ @ and 3-Series sedan said Friday that it had agreed pn the measures with employee representatives @ @ @ @ @ could include settlements with employees who are already near retirement , while younger people could @ @ @ @ @ full-time higher education with a guarantee of a job when they are done .
The @ @ @ @ @ 5 % of BMW ’ s global workforce of 126,000 .
Demand for new cars @ @ @ @ @ other global markets amid a sharp economic slowdown due to the virus outbreak .

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Automaker BMW says it will drop 6,000 jobs through early retirements and turnover, as the auto industry adjusts to a sharp drop in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Munich-based maker of the X5 SUV and 3-Series sedan said Friday that it had agreed pn the measures with employee representatives. Ways of reducing positions could include settlements with employees who are already near retirement, while younger people could get financial support for further full-time higher education with a guarantee of a job when they are done.
The job reductions represent just under 5% of BMW’s global workforce of 126,000. Demand for new cars has slumped in Europe and other global markets amid a sharp economic slowdown due to the virus outbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Little Rock removes Confederate statue from city park

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - The city of Little Rock has removed from a city park a statue honoring a militia unit that formed to fight for the Confederacy , Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said .
The city on Thursday removed the Memorial to Company A , Capital Guards statue from MacArthur Park in downtown Little Rock , Scott said .
The Capital Guards statue was placed at the park in 1911 during the United Confederate Veterans Reunion , he said .
“ The Capital Guards were memorialized without concern for those in our community who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were viewed as less than human so that they could be subjugated to terror and forced to provide free labor , ” Scott said .
The statue , which had been vandalized earlier in the week , will be placed in storage and the city will work with the Arkansas Department of Parks , Heritage and Tourism to find an appropriate location for it , Scott said .
Many Confederate symbols and monuments have been damaged or brought down by demonstrators and removed by local authorities since the death of George Floyd , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a worldwide symbol in demonstrations calling for changes to police practices and an end to racial prejudice .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The city of Little Rock has removed from a city park a statue honoring a militia unit that formed to fight for the Confederacy, Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said.
The city on Thursday removed the Memorial to Company A, Capital Guards statue from MacArthur Park in downtown Little Rock, Scott said. The Capital Guards statue was placed at the park in 1911 during the United Confederate Veterans Reunion, he said.
“The Capital Guards were memorialized without concern for those in our community who have suffered grave injustices and whose ancestors were viewed as less than human so that they could be subjugated to terror and forced to provide free labor,” Scott said.
The statue, which had been vandalized earlier in the week, will be placed in storage and the city will work with the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism to find an appropriate location for it, Scott said.
Many Confederate symbols and monuments have been damaged or brought down by demonstrators and removed by local authorities since the death of George Floyd, an African American man whose death has become a worldwide symbol in demonstrations calling for changes to police practices and an end to racial prejudice.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Milwaukee schools will end funding for police patrols

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - School board members in Wisconsin ’ s largest school district have voted to will cut ties with police officers who patrol outside its schools .
The move by the Milwaukee School Board late Thursday comes in the wake of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis who died after being restrained by police .
The district received more than 700 emails and letters overwhelmingly supporting the resolution , the Journal Sentinel reported .
MPS has paid officers to patrol neighborhoods around some schools , monitor dismissals and staff some athletic events .
Unlike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not posted inside the schools .
More than $ 1 million was budgeted for police contracts in the 2019-2020 school year and more than half was directed to school resource officers .
About $ 400,000 was set aside for a state-mandated anti-truancy and anti-burglary initiative .
It ’ s not clear whether MPS can terminate that contract since its state mandated .
School districts in several cities have terminated police contracts or taken steps toward that end , including Minneapolis .
The death of Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , has sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He died after Derek Chauvin , a white officer , used his knee to pin down Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes as Floyd pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - School board members in Wisconsin’s largest school district have voted to cut ties with police officers who patrol outside its schools.
The move by the Milwaukee School Board late Thursday comes in the wake of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis who died after being restrained by police.
The district received more than 700 emails and letters overwhelmingly supporting the resolution, the Journal Sentinel reported.
MPS has paid officers to patrol neighborhoods around some schools, monitor dismissals and staff some athletic events. Unlike some other districts, the officers are not posted inside the schools.
More than $1 million was budgeted for police contracts in the 2019-2020 school year and more than half was directed to school resource officers.
About $400,000 was set aside for a state-mandated anti-truancy and anti-burglary initiative. It’s not clear whether MPS can terminate that contract since its state mandated.
School districts in several cities have terminated police contracts or taken steps toward that end, including Minneapolis.
The death of Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, has sparked worldwide protests over police brutality and racism. He died after Derek Chauvin, a white officer, used his knee to pin down Floyd’s neck for several minutes as Floyd pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving.
MPS serves nearly 75,000 students.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Global emergency aid delivery could end next month, UN warns

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) - A global emergency delivery service that has kept tons of humanitarian aid flowing despite coronavirus travel restrictions could shut down next month if funding can ’ t be found to keep it running , the World Food Program warned Friday .
The shortfall comes “ just as demand for this service is reaching its peak , ” WFP said .
Of the $ 965 million to keep the service going through the end of the year , $ 178 million has been confirmed .
While nations that are traditionally the world ’ s top humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year , the WFP , the United Nations ’ logistics leader , heaved the emergency operation into place with unprecedented reach .
The emergency delivery effort involves almost 120 countries , Amer Daoudi , WFP senior director of operations , told The Associated Press in April .
Travel bans imposed by national governments closed borders and airports around the world , badly wrenching supply chains and stranding humanitarian workers and supplies .
The emergency delivery service has been key in shipping tons of aid for the pandemic and other crises like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines to keep flowing .
The U.N. and various health entities have openly worried about dangerous delays in many countries ’ vaccination campaigns , saying the lives of up to 80 million children under the age of 1 could be at risk .
So far , the World Food Program emergency service has completed 375 cargo and passenger flights , delivering more than 2,500 aid workers with “ enough cargo to fill 120 jumbo jets waiting to be transported in coming weeks , ” the WFP said .
“ I ’ ve never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t think any of us have , ” Stephen Cahill , WFP ’ s director of logistics , told the AP in April .
“ We ’ re seeing countries taking measures we think aren ’ t always rational .
When you start closing borders , we start to get very nervous.
” He spoke on April 16 , when the world had more than 2.1 million coronavirus cases .
On Friday , the number of cases was over 8.5 million , according to a Johns Hopkins University tally @

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - A global emergency delivery service that has kept tons of humanitarian aid flowing despite coronavirus travel restrictions could shut down next month if funding can’t be found to keep it running, the World Food Program warned Friday.
The shortfall comes “just as demand for this service is reaching its peak,” WFP said. Of the $965 million to keep the service going through the end of the year, $178 million has been confirmed.
Closed borders and airports around the world badly wrenched supply chains and stranded humanitarian workers and supplies. While nations that are traditionally the world’s top aid donors were distracted by the growing pandemic, the WFP, the United Nations’ logistics leader, heaved the emergency operation into place with unprecedented reach.
The emergency delivery effort involves almost 130 countries, Amer Daoudi, WFP senior director of operations, told The Associated Press.
Without these deliveries, many vulnerable countries will have to take some of the money they’re spending on badly needed personal protective equipment and medical supplies and pay for commercial transport - and very little of that is available, Daoudi said.
“We are the lifeline,” he said. Without it, “national capacities across many vulnerable countries across the globe will come to a standstill.”
The emergency delivery service has been key in shipping tons of aid for the pandemic and other crises like HIV and cholera that need drugs and vaccines to keep flowing. The U.N. and various health entities have openly worried about dangerous delays in many countries’ vaccination campaigns, saying the lives of up to 80 million children under the age of 1 could be at risk.
So far, the World Food Program emergency service has completed 375 cargo and passenger flights, delivering more than 2,500 aid workers with “enough cargo to fill 120 jumbo jets waiting to be transported in coming weeks,” the WFP said.
“I think the whole world needs to step up,” Daoudi said. “While everybody’s struggling with their own internal issues, we cannot never lose sight of the global issue … no one is safe inside their borders unless we collectively come together in solidarity to fight this virus.”
He estimated that some 1 million cubic meters of supplies are expected for delivery between July and the end of the year.
“I’ve never been involved in anything like this before. I don’t think any of us have,” Stephen Cahill, WFP’s director of logistics, told the AP in April. “We’re seeing countries taking measures we think aren’t always rational. When you start closing borders, we start to get very nervous.”
He spoke on April 16, when the world had more than 2.1 million coronavirus cases.
On Friday, the number of cases was over 8.5 million, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Advocates worry blacks, Hispanics falling behind in census

ORLANDO , Fla. ( AP ) - Halfway through the extended effort to count every U.S. resident , civil rights leaders worry that minority communities are falling behind in responding to the 2020 census .
With outreach efforts to motivate minority responses upended by a global pandemic , both the National Urban League and the NALEO Educational Fund are sounding the alarm that communities with concentrations of blacks and Hispanics have been trailing the rest of the nation in answering the census questionnaire .
The once-each-decade count helps determine where $ 1.5 trillion in federal funding goes and how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Going into 2020 , we knew the census was going to be extremely challenging .
We knew the Census Bureau didn ’ t have sufficient preparations to do all of its tests to make sure it would work out the way it should be … and then COVID-19 hit , ” said Arturo Vargas , CEO of NALEO Educational Fund said this week during a virtual town hall with NBCUniversal Telemundo .
The pandemic is disproportionately affecting the Latino population , he said , so “ we have to figure out how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily lives to do something as ordinary as going through the mail and filling out their forms.
” People can respond either online , by phone or through the mail , but many U.S. residents haven ’ t taken the initiative .
The nation ’ s self-response rate was 61.5 % this week .
Arizona , Florida , New Mexico , New York and Texas - states with large concentrations of Hispanics - were lagging .
California , which invested $ 187 million in outreach efforts , was doing slightly better , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
A more detailed analysis of response rates in late May and early June conducted by the Center for Urban Research at the City University of New York ’ s Graduate Center showed that neighborhoods with concentrations of black residents had a self-response rate of 51 % , compared to 53.8 % for Hispanic-concentrated neighborhoods and 65.5 % for white-dominant neighborhoods .
Advocates at the National Urban League are particularly worried that the count will miss black immigrants , blacks in rural communities , formerly incarcerated men and women , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau already plans to send out as many as 500,000 workers this summer and fall to the homes of people who haven ’ t responded , but the league ’ s president and CEO , Marc Morial , says it must do more - hiring still more door-knockers , targeting more advertising to minority communities and mailing out another round of paper questionnaires .
“ They need to use their bully pulpit , ” Morial said .
“ It ’ s been quiet.
” The Census Bureau had allotted $ 500 million for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million was added after the start of the pandemic for advertising and engaging with community partners .
With the new coronavirus spreading , the Census Bureau suspended field operations in mid-March for a month and a half , including efforts to drop off census forms at households in rural areas with no traditional addresses .
The Census Bureau on Thursday said it had finished dropping off the forms to almost all of the 6.8 million mostly rural households .
Because of the pandemic , the Census Bureau pushed back the deadline for finishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July to the end of October , and asked Congress for a delay in handing over apportionment and redistricting numbers .
Getting a higher self-response rate is important because it saves money on door-knocking and makes for a more accurate count .
The 2010 census undercounted blacks by 2.1 % and Hispanics by 1.5 % , according to the bureau .
“ We are risking another decreased count in 2020 census , ” U.S. Rep. Grace Meng , a Democrat from New York City , said Thursday during a conference call .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse in the nation .
“ Any mistake or inaccurate count we make becomes a 10-year mistake and affects our neighborhoods and communities for a very long time , ” she said .

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Halfway through the extended effort to count every U.S. resident, civil rights leaders worry that minority communities are falling behind in responding to the 2020 census.
With outreach efforts to motivate minority responses upended by a global pandemic, both the National Urban League and the NALEO Educational Fund are sounding the alarm that communities with concentrations of blacks and Hispanics have been trailing the rest of the nation in answering the census questionnaire.
The once-each-decade count helps determine where $1.5 trillion in federal funding goes and how many congressional seats each state gets.
“Going into 2020, we knew the census was going to be extremely challenging. We knew the Census Bureau didn’t have sufficient preparations to do all of its tests to make sure it would work out the way it should be … and then COVID-19 hit,” said Arturo Vargas, CEO of NALEO Educational Fund said this week during a virtual town hall with NBCUniversal Telemundo.
The pandemic is disproportionately affecting the Latino population, he said, so “we have to figure out how we break through the real noise affecting their daily lives to do something as ordinary as going through the mail and filling out their forms.”
People can respond either online, by phone or through the mail, but many U.S. residents haven’t taken the initiative.
The nation’s self-response rate was 61.5% this week. Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, New York and Texas - states with large concentrations of Hispanics - were lagging. California, which invested $187 million in outreach efforts, was doing slightly better, with 62.6% of its households responding, he said.
A more detailed analysis of response rates in late May and early June conducted by the Center for Urban Research at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center showed that neighborhoods with concentrations of black residents had a self-response rate of 51%, compared to 53.8% for Hispanic-concentrated neighborhoods and 65.5% for white-dominant neighborhoods.
Advocates at the National Urban League are particularly worried that the count will miss black immigrants, blacks in rural communities, formerly incarcerated men and women, and children under age 4.
The Census Bureau already plans to send out as many as 500,000 workers this summer and fall to the homes of people who haven’t responded, but the league’s president and CEO, Marc Morial, says it must do more - hiring still more door-knockers, targeting more advertising to minority communities and mailing out another round of paper questionnaires.
“They need to use their bully pulpit,” Morial said. “It’s been quiet.”
The Census Bureau had allotted $500 million for its outreach campaign. Another $160 million was added after the start of the pandemic for advertising and engaging with community partners.
With the new coronavirus spreading, the Census Bureau suspended field operations in mid-March for a month and a half, including efforts to drop off census forms at households in rural areas with no traditional addresses.
The Census Bureau on Thursday said it had finished dropping off the forms to almost all of the 6.8 million mostly rural households. Because of the pandemic, the Census Bureau pushed back the deadline for finishing the 2020 census from the end of July to the end of October, and asked Congress for a delay in handing over apportionment and redistricting numbers.
Getting a higher self-response rate is important because it saves money on door-knocking and makes for a more accurate count. The 2010 census undercounted blacks by 2.1% and Hispanics by 1.5%, according to the bureau.
“We are risking another decreased count in 2020 census,” U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York City, said Thursday during a conference call. Her Queens district is one of the most diverse in the nation.
“Any mistake or inaccurate count we make becomes a 10-year mistake and affects our neighborhoods and communities for a very long time,” she said.
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Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MikeSchneiderAP


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Germany, France, UK press Iran to provide atomic site access

BERLIN ( AP ) - The board of the United Nations ’ atomic watchdog agency on Friday adopted a resolution calling for Iran to provide inspectors access to sites where the country is thought to have stored or used undeclared nuclear material , the Russian representative said .
Mikhail Ulyanov , Russia ’ s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna , said on Twitter that his country and China had voted against the resolution , proposed at the International Atomic Energy Agency meeting by Germany , France and Britain .
“ We believe that the resolution can be counterproductive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time “ stressing the need for Tehran and IAEA to settle this problem without delay.
” Earlier this week , IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi reiterated concerns that for more than four months Iran had denied his inspectors access to two locations ” to clarify our questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities.
” Activities at the sites are thought to have been from the early 2000s , before Iran signed the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers .
Iran maintains the IAEA has no legal basis to inspect them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to provide access to sites covered by the nuclear deal , known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action , or JCPOA .
Since the U.S. withdrew unilaterally from the deal in 2018 , the other signatories - Germany , France , Britain , Russia and China - have been struggling to save it .
Meanwhile , Iran has been violating its restrictions , including the amount of uranium it can enrich and the purity of enrichment , to try to pressure those countries to provide additional economic relief to offset American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect the new resolution will have on the JCPOA , though it seems likely to irritate Iran , which opposed it .

BERLIN (AP) - The board of the United Nations’ atomic watchdog agency on Friday adopted a resolution calling for Iran to provide inspectors access to sites where the country is thought to have stored or used undeclared nuclear material, the Russian representative said.
Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, tweeted that his country and China had voted against the resolution that Germany, France and Britain proposed at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency board.
“We believe that the resolution can be counterproductive,” Ulyanov said, while also “stressing the need for Tehran and IAEA to settle this problem without delay.”
Earlier this week, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reiterated concerns that for more than four months Iran had denied his inspectors access to two locations ” to clarify our questions related to possible undeclared nuclear material and nuclear-related activities.”
Activities at the sites are thought to have been from the early 2000s, before Iran signed the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Iran maintains the International Atomic Energy Agency has no legal basis to inspect them.
The agency has said that Iran continues to provide access to sites covered by the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.
Iran’s representative to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said his country rejected the resolution.
“We do not consider this resolution acceptable at all,” he said. “This resolution cannot create any legal obligation for the Islamic Republic of Iran in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency to grant the two accesses.”
Since the United States withdrew unilaterally from the deal in 2018, the other signatories - Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China - have been struggling to save it.
Meanwhile, Iran has been violating its restrictions, including the amount of uranium it can enrich and the purity of enrichment, to try to pressure those countries to provide additional economic relief to offset American sanctions.
It is not clear what effect the new resolution will have on the JCPOA, but Iran threatened unspecified consequences.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will take appropriate action and respond to this resolution,” Gharibabadi said.
Iran’s foreign ministry described the resolution as an “unconstructive, irresponsible and unacceptable action,” the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi accused Britain, France and Germany of creating tension between Iran and the IAEA and trying to avoid “their responsibilities based on the nuclear deal.”
In a tweet, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged the three nations to “muster the courage to state publicly what they admit privately: their failure to fulfill even own JCPOA duties due to total impotence in resisting US bullying.”
China’s ambassador to international organizations, Wang Qun, told board members he was “deeply concerned” about both Grossi’s decision to openly express concerns about being denied access and the resolution that was passed.
He said, according to a copy of his statement provided to The Associated Press, that it could “set forth a process, under the current circumstances, that may bring the Iranian nuclear issue back to a crossroad full of uncertainties again.”
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain discussed Iran at a meeting in Berlin later Friday and issued a statement noting that the resolution passed with a “very strong majority.”
The American representative, Jackie Wolcott, said the U.S. had supported the resolution and that the ball was now in Iran’s court.
“The fact of the matter is this is entirely Iran’s decision,” she said in a conference call with reporters. “They could fix this overnight if they would just decide to comply with their obligations with the IAEA.”
Germany, France and Britain in January invoked a dispute resolution mechanism designed to resolve issues with the 2015 deal or refer them to the U.N. Security Council. On Friday, their foreign ministers said that “we will seek a ministerial meeting to urge Iran to cooperate and to take stock of where we stand” in that process.
If no resolution is found, the process could result in the resumption of U.N. and European Union sanctions on Iran. But the ministers warned against trying to force the reimposition of sanctions.
“We firmly believe that any unilateral attempt to trigger U.N. sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences” in the U.N. Security Council, they said. “We would not support such a decision which would be incompatible with our current efforts to preserve the JCPOA.”
___
Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin, and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--3 found shot to death, police seek vehicle and suspect

WILKINSBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - Gunfire in western Pennsylvania early Friday left three people dead , police said @ @ @ @ @ scene near Coal Street and discovered the bodies of a man and a woman near @ @ @ @ @ was found shot to death in another vehicle .
Their names have not been released @ @ @ @ @ a suspect who was seen driving a blue Pontiac G6 .
No other information was @ @

WILKINSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gunfire in western Pennsylvania early Friday left three people dead, police said.
Officers arrived on the scene near Coal Street and discovered the bodies of a man and a woman near a car. A man was found shot to death in another vehicle.
Their names have not been released.
Police were searching for a suspect who was seen driving a blue Pontiac G6.
No other information was available.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--5 Things to Know for Today

5 Things to Know for Today

Your daily look at late-breaking news , upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today : 1 .
YOUNG IMMIGRANTS STILL FACE UNCERTAINTY The Supreme Court rejected Trump ’ s effort to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants , but activists say legislation giving them a path to U.S. citizenship remains elusive .
2 .
JUNETEENTH TAKES ON NEW MEANING Celebrations will be marked from coast to coast with marches and demonstrations of civil disobedience , along with expressions of black joy despite it being an especially traumatic time for the nation .
3 .
ATLANTA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells the AP the officers are protesting the filing of murder charges against a white officer who shot a black man in the back , saying the force feels abandoned amid protests demanding changes to policing .
4 .
SINGAPORE OPENS GYMS , DINING OUT The latest relaxation in the city-state comes as reopenings in many places around the world are touching off fresh spikes in coronavirus infections .
5 .
BIDEN SEIZES ON BOLTON BOOK The Democrat ’ s top aides say Trump kowtowed to Xi Jinping and ignored human rights abuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assistance with domestic politics .

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. YOUNG IMMIGRANTS STILL FACE UNCERTAINTY The Supreme Court rejected Trump’s effort to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants, but activists say legislation giving them a path to U.S. citizenship remains elusive.
2. JUNETEENTH TAKES ON NEW MEANING Celebrations will be marked from coast to coast with marches and demonstrations of civil disobedience, along with expressions of black joy despite it being an especially traumatic time for the nation.
3. ATLANTA POLICE CALL OUT SICK The interim chief tells the AP the officers are protesting the filing of murder charges against a white officer who shot a black man in the back, saying the force feels abandoned amid protests demanding changes to policing.
4. SINGAPORE OPENS GYMS, DINING OUT The latest relaxation in the city-state comes as reopenings in many places around the world are touching off fresh spikes in coronavirus infections.
5. BIDEN SEIZES ON BOLTON BOOK The Democrat’s top aides say Trump kowtowed to Xi Jinping and ignored human rights abuses while trying to get the Chinese president’s assistance with domestic politics.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--1 migrant dead, 6 injured in car chase and crash in Greece

THESSALONIKI , Greece ( AP ) - A car carrying seven Pakistani migrants believed to have just crossed the land @ @ @ @ @ northern Greece , killing one man and injuring the other six passengers , police said @ @ @ @ @ car failed to stop at a police checkpoint on a highway in northeastern Greece late @ @ @ @ @ , all from Pakistan , are believed to have entered Greece clandestinely and been heading @ @ @ @ @ of Thessaloniki .
Officers chased the car , whose driver lost control and crashed , @ @ @ @ @ highway , authorities said .
The driver , a 20-year-old Syrian who did not have @ @ @ @ @ , was treated for minor injuries and arrested as a migrant trafficker .
Police said @ @ @ @ @ stolen earlier this month in Thessaloniki .
Thousands of migrants attempt to enter Greece each @ @ @ @ @ travel on toward more prosperous European countries .
Although the majority head by boat to @ @ @ @ @ Turkish coast , many also cross the land border with Turkey .

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - A car carrying seven Pakistani migrants believed to have just crossed the land border from Turkey crashed in northern Greece, killing one man and injuring the other six passengers, police said Friday.
Police said the car failed to stop at a police checkpoint on a highway in northeastern Greece late Thursday night. The migrants, all from Pakistan, are believed to have entered Greece clandestinely and been heading to the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.
Officers chased the car, whose driver lost control and crashed, overturning the vehicle on the highway, authorities said. The driver, a 20-year-old Syrian who did not have a driver’s license, was treated for minor injuries and arrested as a migrant trafficker.
Police said the car had been reported stolen earlier this month in Thessaloniki.
Thousands of migrants attempt to enter Greece each year, most hoping to travel on toward more prosperous European countries. Although the majority head by boat to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast, many also cross the land border with Turkey.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Linn County deputies charge Shellsburg man in fatal crash

CEDAR RAPIDS , Iowa ( AP ) - Linn County deputies arrested a Shellsburg man Friday on charges related to @ @ @ @ @ a Cedar Rapids woman .
The sheriff ’ s office said deputies arrested Bryce Wagehoft @ @ @ @ @ warrant charging him with vehicular homicide under the influence , vehicular homicide recklessness , third-offense @ @ @ @ @ while barred and possession of drug paraphernalia .
The arrest followed an April 1 head-on @ @ @ @ @ west of Cedar Rapids that killed Dawn Elaine Stout , 43 , who was driving @ @ @ @ @ a westbound vehicle and was ejected by the crash and was found trapped under a @ @ @ @ @ Wagehoft ’ s vehicle also were injured .
Wagehoft was held in the Linn County @ @

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - Linn County deputies arrested a Shellsburg man Friday on charges related to a two-car crash that killed a Cedar Rapids woman.
The sheriff’s office said deputies arrested Bryce Wagehoft, 30, on a warrant charging him with vehicular homicide under the influence, vehicular homicide recklessness, third-offense operating while intoxicated, driving while barred and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The arrest followed an April 1 head-on crash in a construction area west of Cedar Rapids that killed Dawn Elaine Stout, 43, who was driving east. Wagehoft was driving a westbound vehicle and was ejected by the crash and was found trapped under a vehicle.
Two passengers in Wagehoft’s vehicle also were injured.
Wagehoft was held in the Linn County jail.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Protesters try to pull down Confederate monument in Raleigh

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - Protesters in North Carolina ’ s capital tried to pull down parts of @ @ @ @ @ before police officers stopped the demonstrators .
Protesters tied ropes around two statues that are @ @ @ @ @ near the state capitol in downtown Raleigh , WNCN-TV reported .
Authorities , however , @ @ @ @ @ ropes before the statues could be toppled , according to WRAL-TV .
After the ropers @ @ @ @ @ to gather near the monument and chant .
Earlier in the day , hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ Raleigh and Durham to protest against police brutality and to celebrate Juneteenth , which commemorates @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
Numerous Confederate statues have been vandalized or torn down across the South in @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd , a Black man who was killed after a white Minneapolis police @ @ @ @ @ his neck for several minutes .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Protesters in North Carolina’s capital pulled down parts of a Confederate monument Friday night and hanged one of the toppled statues from a light post.
Demonstrators used a strap to pull down two statues of Confederate soldiers that were part of a larger obelisk near the state capitol in downtown Raleigh, news outlets reported.
Police officers earlier in the evening had foiled the protesters’ previous attempt to use ropes to topple the statues. But after the officers cleared the area, protesters mounted the obelisk and were able to take down the statues.
They then dragged the statues down a street and used a rope to hang one of the figures by its neck from a light post. The other statue was dragged to the Wake County courthouse, according to the News & Observer.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of demonstrators had marched through downtown Raleigh and Durham to protest against police brutality and to celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
Numerous Confederate statues have been vandalized or torn down across the South in recent weeks following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes.
Confederate monuments were toppled in nearby Durham and Chapel Hill in 2017 and 2018, respectively.


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--MLB tells players at most 60 games; 50 or fewer possible

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The players ’ association was told by Major League Baseball on Friday that teams will not agree to more than 60 games in the pandemic-delayed season , leaving open the possibility of an even shorter schedule of perhaps 50 games or fewer .
While the NBA and NHL have found ways to restart their sports , baseball has been unable to cope with the economic dislocation because of the new coronavirus and the prospect of playing in empty ballparks , reverting to the fractious labor strife that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport will have at best its shortest schedule since the dawn of professional baseball in the 1870s .
The sides are increasingly dismayed with each other and appear headed to a spring training lockout in 2022 .
Still , they agree on one novelty : MLB ’ s latest proposal this week include starting extra innings with a runner on second base , and the union ’ s counter-proposal said that would be acceptable for 2020 only , in the event of an agreement .
That aspect , first reported by USA Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcements were made .
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred flew to Arizona and met with union head Tony Clark for five hours on Tuesday in an effort to end the fighting and strike a deal .
Manfred said the next day the sides had reached a framework for a 60-game regular season schedule and the full prorated pay that players had demanded , and the postseason would expand from 10 teams to 16 this year and either 14 or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiment , the larger postseason would occur only in the event of an agreement .
But Clark refused to call it a framework and said his eight-player executive subcommittee rejected it .
The union countered with a 70-game schedule as part of a proposal that left the sides about $ 275 million apart .
“ MLB has informed the association that it will not respond to our last proposal and will not play more than 60 games , ” the union said in a statement on Friday night .
“ Our executive board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine next steps .
Importantly , players remain committed to getting back to work as soon as possible.
” Players originally were set to earn about $ 4 billion in salaries this year .
That would be cut to $ 1.73 billion for a 70-game schedule , $ 1.48 billion for 60 games and $ 1.23 billion for 50 games - roughly matching the total in MLB ’ s initial proposal for an 82-game schedule with a sliding salary scale .
In addition , MLB has offered a $ 25 million postseason players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of fans .
The union has proposed $ 50 million .
Normally , the pool is funded from postseason ticket sales .

NEW YORK — The players’ association was told by Major League Baseball on Friday that teams will not agree to more than 60 games in the pandemic-delayed season, leaving open the possibility of an even shorter schedule of perhaps 50 games or fewer.
While the NBA and NHL have found ways to restart their sports, baseball has been unable to cope with the economic dislocation because of the new coronavirus and the prospect of playing in empty ballparks, reverting to the fractious labor strife that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95. With time slipping away, the sport will have at best its shortest schedule since the dawn of professional baseball in the 1870s.
Complicating any possible resumption, Philadelphia and Toronto closed their training sites in Florida and San Francisco shut down its facility in Arizona following positive tests for COVID-19 or symptoms that could indicate the disease. The Phillies said five players were among eight individuals who had tested positive.
Texas also shut its camp in Arizona, saying no players or staff had tested positive but that it wanted to expand its testing protocols.
Players and MLB are increasingly dismayed with each other and appear headed to a spring training lockout in 2022. Still, they agree on one novelty: MLB’s latest proposal this week include starting extra innings with a runner on second base, and the union’s counter-proposal said that would be acceptable for 2020 only, in the event of an agreement.
That aspect, first reported by USA Today, was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcements were made.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred flew to Arizona and met with union head Tony Clark for five hours on Tuesday in an effort to end the fighting and strike a deal. Manfred said the next day the sides had reached a framework for a 60-game regular season schedule and the full prorated pay that players had demanded, and the postseason would expand from 10 teams to 16 this year and either 14 or 16 in 2021. Like the extra-innings experiment, the larger postseason would occur only in the event of an agreement.
But Clark refused to call it a framework and said his eight-player executive subcommittee rejected it. The union countered with a 70-game schedule as part of a proposal that left the sides about $275 million apart.
“MLB has informed the association that it will not respond to our last proposal and will not play more than 60 games,” the union said in a statement on Friday night. “Our executive board will convene in the near future to determine next steps. Importantly, players remain committed to getting back to work as soon as possible.”
A meeting of the executive board is likely to take place Saturday.
Absent an agreement, Manfred has the right to announce a schedule of any he length MLB chooses, but the union has threatened a grievance claiming it would not meet the sides’ agreement that requires “the fullest 2020 championship season and postseason that is economically feasible” and consistent with additional provisions. The union also thinks teammates understate revenue and would ask arbitrator Mark Irvings to order a broad financial disclosure of broadcast, stadium, real estate and other agreements involving MLB, its clubs and affiliates and the entities and individuals that own them and do business with them.
Both sides envision opening day on July 19 or 20,and a need first for three days of testing and three weeks of training. That leaves only a few days for a deal that would allow pitchers and catchers to start workouts next weekend.
Players originally were set to earn about $4 billion in salaries this year, the fifth straight year of relatively flat payrolls. That total would be cut to $1.73 billion for a 70-game schedule, $1.48 billion for 60 games and $1.23 billion for 50 games - roughly matching the total in MLB’s initial proposal for an 82-game schedule with a sliding salary scale.b
In addition, MLB has offered a $25 million postseason players’ pool. even if there is a lack of fans. The union has proposed $50 million. Normally, the pool is funded from postseason ticket sales.
The sides reached an agreement on March 26 that included prorated salaries, $170 million in salary advances and a guarantee of service time if no games are played. That deal says the season shall not start without Manfred’s consent unless there are no relevant travel restrictions in the U.S. and Canada, no restrictions on mass gatherings that prevent games in all 30 regular season ballparks and it is safe to play before fans in all 30 stadiums. The deal called for “good faith” discussions on the economic feasibility of playing in empty ballparks or neutral sites.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-06-19--Authorities investigate death of juvenile in Kalona

KALONA , Iowa ( AP ) - Authorities in eastern Iowa are investigating the death Friday of a male juvenile @ @ @ @ @ County sheriff ’ s office reported receiving a 911 call about 10:20 a.m. regarding an @ @ @ @ @ responders arrived , they found a male juvenile who was dead .
The sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ is under investigation .
Kalona is a city of 2,300 people about 15 miles southwest @ @ @ @

KALONA, Iowa (AP) - Authorities in eastern Iowa are investigating the death Friday of a male juvenile in Kalona.
The Washington County sheriff’s office reported receiving a 911 call about 10:20 a.m. regarding an accidental shooting. When first responders arrived, they found a male juvenile who was dead.
The sheriff’s office said the death is under investigation.
Kalona is a city of 2,300 people about 15 miles southwest of Iowa City.