washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Water taxi canceled over concerns about safety of dock

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The West Seattle Water Taxi was canceled for Thursday morning after an inspection at the @ @ @ @ @ one of the pins connecting the gangway to the shore is damaged , according to @ @ @ @ @ out of an abundance of caution , until a repair can be completed , service @ @ @ @ @ has been canceled until an assessment of the damage can be completed .
The Vashon @ @ @ @ @ Water Taxi will continue to operate normal service .
Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and @ @ @ @ @ as usual in West Seattle .
King County has provided a list of alternate transit @ @ @ @ @ The water taxi is an important link to downtown Seattle as the major bridge to @ @ @ @ @ to damage discovered in spring .

SEATTLE (AP) - The West Seattle Water Taxi was canceled Thursday morning after an inspection at the Seacrest dock raised concerns that one of the pins connecting the gangway to the shore is damaged, according to King County.
KING-TV reports out of an abundance of caution, until a repair can be completed, service on the West Seattle route has been canceled until an assessment of the damage can be completed.
The Vashon route of the King County Water Taxi will continue to operate normal service. Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 will continue to operate as usual in West Seattle.
King County has provided a list of alternate transit routes on its website.
The water taxi is an important link to downtown Seattle as the major bridge to West Seattle was closed March 23 because of runaway shear cracks.
Drivers using detours will face added frustration in January, when the state closes two southbound lanes of its First Avenue South Bridge for urgent repairs, The Seattle Times reported. At the First Avenue South Bridge, bearings are damaged above two piers of the southbound span, built in 1996.
The Washington State Department of Transportation anticipates two of its four lanes will be closed over four weeks, spokesperson Tom Pearce said. Four full southbound overnight closures are planned as well. Exact dates are still being determined.
All lanes of the parallel northbound span will remain open.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Deadline for casting early ballots in Virginia is Saturday

ROANOKE , Va. ( AP ) - The deadline for casting early ballots in person for this year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
The Roanoke Times reports that the deadline is Saturday .
To vote early , @ @ @ @ @ registrar ’ s office or a satellite voting site .
Hours and locations are listed @ @ @ @ @ Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov/localGR .
Voters need to bring their ID or will be asked @ @ @ @ @ statement to confirm who they are and that they regularly vote .
Election officials are @ @ @ @ @ absentee ballots as soon as possible , if they haven ’ t done so .
@ @ @ @ @ by Tuesday .
And local registrars must receive them by noon on Nov. 6 in @ @ @ @ @ counted .
Voters can also deliver absentee ballots to their local voter registration office or @ @ @ @ @ on Election Day .
Registrars have also set up ballot drop boxes at their offices @ @ @ @

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - The deadline for casting early ballots in person for this year’s presidential election is fast approaching.
The Roanoke Times reports that the deadline is Saturday.
To vote early, voters can visit their general registrar’s office or a satellite voting site. Hours and locations are listed on the Virginia Department of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov/localGR.
Voters need to bring their ID or will be asked to sign an ID confirmation statement to confirm who they are and that they regularly vote.
Election officials are also urging people to return absentee ballots as soon as possible, if they haven’t done so. Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday. And local registrars must receive them by noon on Nov. 6 in order for them to be counted.
Voters can also deliver absentee ballots to their local voter registration office or at their regular polling location on Election Day. Registrars have also set up ballot drop boxes at their offices and other locations.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Maryland panel gets $300K grant to research lynchings

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - A commission in Maryland has received a $ 300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to research and address unsolved lynchings of Black people in the state .
The funds were given to the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission through the DOJ ’ s Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program , Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said Wednesday in a news release .
The commission was created last year by the State Assembly to document cases of racially motivated lynchings and hold public hearings about them .
At least 43 Black people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 20th century in Maryland , according to the statement , and no person has ever been tried or convicted for their participation .
“ The grant will allow the Commission to acknowledge and address the brutality of lynchings that occurred in our own backyards , ” Frosh said .
“ Lynchings were witnessed , tolerated and , too often , encouraged by leaders in our state .
It is our obligation to do the difficult work to expose these harsh truths and address the harms to families , communities , and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racially motivated lynchings that have not been documented , and make recommendations for “ restorative justice and racial healing , ” the statement said .

BALTIMORE (AP) - A commission in Maryland has received a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to research and address unsolved lynchings of Black people in the state.
The funds were given to the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission through the DOJ’s Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said Wednesday in a news release.
The commission was created last year by the State Assembly to document cases of racially motivated lynchings and hold public hearings about them. At least 43 Black people were lynched by white mobs throughout the 19th and 20th century in Maryland, according to the statement, and no person has ever been tried or convicted for their participation.
“The grant will allow the Commission to acknowledge and address the brutality of lynchings that occurred in our own backyards,” Frosh said. “Lynchings were witnessed, tolerated and, too often, encouraged by leaders in our state. It is our obligation to do the difficult work to expose these harsh truths and address the harms to families, communities, and our state.”
The commission may also research racially motivated lynchings that have not been documented, and make recommendations for “restorative justice and racial healing,” the statement said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Restaurant owners win suit against insurer for COVID losses

DURHAM , N.C. ( AP ) - Two restaurant owners in North Carolina have won a lawsuit they filed accusing their insurance company of not honoring its contract when they had to close their businesses due to the coronavirus , according to a spokesperson for a company run by one of the owners .
A Durham County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Matt Kelly and Giorgios Bakatsias earlier this month regarding the lawsuit that was filed against Cincinnati Insurance Company in May , Jennifer Noble Kelly , spokesperson for Giorgios Hospitality Group , told WRAL-TV Wednesday .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bakatsias ’ lawsuit had asked the insurance company to require “ payment for lost business income , extra expenses , and other business related losses ” because of the pandemic and “ related actions by governmental authorities requiring closure.
” The judge ’ s ruling said the losses should be covered , but the insurance company is planning an appeal , said Cincinnati Insurance Companies spokeswoman Betsy Ertel .
“ We continue to believe that business interruption coverage under our property policy in this case does not apply because there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement to WRAL .

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Two restaurant owners in North Carolina have won a lawsuit they filed accusing their insurance company of not honoring its contract when they had to close their businesses due to the coronavirus, according to a spokesperson for a company run by one of the owners.
A Durham County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Matt Kelly and Giorgios Bakatsias earlier this month regarding the lawsuit that was filed against Cincinnati Insurance Company in May, Jennifer Noble Kelly, spokesperson for Giorgios Hospitality Group, told WRAL-TV Wednesday. They both own restaurants in Durham.
Kelly and Bakatsias’ lawsuit had asked the insurance company to require “payment for lost business income, extra expenses, and other business related losses” because of the pandemic and “related actions by governmental authorities requiring closure.”
The judge’s ruling said the losses should be covered, but the insurance company is planning an appeal, said Cincinnati Insurance Companies spokeswoman Betsy Ertel.
“We continue to believe that business interruption coverage under our property policy in this case does not apply because there was no structural alteration to property,” Ertel said in a statement to WRAL.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Oregon sets another daily COVID-19 record with 575 new cases

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - Oregon set another record on Thursday with 575 new confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 , the most ever reported in a day since the outbreak began .
The news cases bring the total number statewide to 43,793 .
The state also reported two new deaths , bringing the total to 673 .
The previous daily record of 550 new cases was set last Friday .
Another indicator of concern is the climbing number of patients who are hospitalized .
On Thursday , the state reported 179 people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state began releasing figures in April .
Of those , 59 were in intensive care units and 22 were on ventilators , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
The state still has hundreds of ICU beds available , but if the current trajectory continues , officials have predicted Oregon ’ s hospitals could reach capacity in December .
The Oregon Health Authority said in a statement that the new cases indicate widespread community transmission and are mostly linked to small clusters and outbreaks around the state .
Health officials are asking Oregonians not to trick-or-treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus transmission .
The deaths were in Multnomah and Marion counties .

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon set another record on Thursday with 575 new confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19, the most ever reported in a day since the outbreak began.
The news cases bring the total number statewide to 43,793. The state also reported two new deaths, bringing the total to 673.
The previous daily record of 550 new cases was set last Friday.
Another indicator of concern is the climbing number of patients who are hospitalized. On Thursday, the state reported 179 people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were hospitalized, the highest number since the state began releasing figures in April.
Of those, 59 were in intensive care units and 22 were on ventilators, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The state still has hundreds of ICU beds available, but if the current trajectory continues, officials have predicted Oregon’s hospitals could reach capacity in December.
The Oregon Health Authority said in a statement that the new cases indicate widespread community transmission and are mostly linked to small clusters and outbreaks around the state.
Health officials are asking Oregonians not to trick-or-treat this year because of the risk of virus transmission.
The deaths were in Multnomah and Marion counties.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Brach exercises option for $2,075,000 Mets salary for '21

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Pitcher Brad Brach exercised the 2021 player option in his contract with the New @ @ @ @ @ a deal worth a $ 2,075,000 salary for next season .
The 34-year-old right-hander was @ @ @ @ @ in 14 relief appearances in his first full season with the Mets , who signed @ @ @ @ @ he was released by the Chicago Cubs .
He struck out 14 and walked 14 @ @ @ @ @ A veteran of 10 major league seasons , Brach is 37-27 with a 3.39 ERA @ @ @ @ @ ) , Baltimore ( 2014-18 ) , Atlanta ( 2019 ) , the Cubs ( @ @ @ @ @ ( 2019-20 ) .
He agreed to a contract with the Mets last December that @ @ @ @ @ for 2020 and the option , which had a $ 1.25 million base prices plus @ @ @ @ @ 314,815 in prorated pay for the pandemic-shortened season .

NEW YORK (AP) - Pitcher Brad Brach exercised the 2021 player option in his contract with the New York Mets on Thursday, a deal worth a $2,075,000 salary for next season.
The 34-year-old right-hander was 1-0 with a 5.84 ERA in 14 relief appearances in his first full season with the Mets, who signed him in August 2019 after he was released by the Chicago Cubs. He struck out 14 and walked 14 in 12 1/3 innings.
A veteran of 10 major league seasons, Brach is 37-27 with a 3.39 ERA for San Diego (2011-13), Baltimore (2014-18), Atlanta (2019), the Cubs (2019) and the Mets (2019-20).
He agreed to a contract with the Mets last December that included an $850,000 salary for 2020 and the option, which had a $1.25 million base prices plus escalators. He earned $314,815 in prorated pay for the pandemic-shortened season.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Custody assistant charged with sex assault on woman in jail

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s custody assistant pleaded not guilty Thursday to @ @ @ @ @ a jail cell last year .
Daniel Everts , 25 , entered pleas to three @ @ @ @ @ , oral copulation by threat of arrest or to deport under color of authority and @ @ @ @ @ confined in a detention facility .
He could face up to eight years in state @ @ @ @ @ to a statement from the county district attorney ’ s office .
Prosecutors allege that @ @ @ @ @ was working as a custody assistant at the sheriff ’ s station in Lancaster when @ @ @ @ @ A federal lawsuit filed by the woman against the county and the Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence when Everts forced her into a @ @ @ @ @ she could remain in custody if she didn ’ t comply .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Los Angeles County sheriff’s custody assistant pleaded not guilty Thursday to sexually assaulting a woman in a jail cell last year.
Daniel Everts, 25, entered pleas to three felonies: forcible oral copulation, oral copulation by threat of arrest or to deport under color of authority and sexual activity with an adult confined in a detention facility. He could face up to eight years in state prison if convicted, according to a statement from the county district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors allege that in June 2019, Everts was working as a custody assistant at the sheriff’s station in Lancaster when he assaulted the woman.
A federal lawsuit filed by the woman against the county and the Sheriff’s Department alleges that she had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence when Everts forced her into a sexual act by warning that she could remain in custody if she didn’t comply.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Lil Wayne meets with Donald Trump, praises president on Twitter

Rapper Lil Wayne praised President Trump ’ s proposals for Black communities on Thursday and posted a photo on Twitter of himself meeting with the president in Florida .
“ Just had a great meeting with @ realdonaldtrump @ potus besides what he ’ s done so far with criminal reform , the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership , ” tweeted the artist , whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. “ He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done.
” The White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday at Doral , the president ’ s golf club in Florida .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said discussions with the rapper have been going on “ for quite some time.
” “ I think you ’ re seeing a lot of supporters come off the sidelines and want to join the president in a second term , ” she said .
The “ platinum plan ” is the president ’ s proposal to bring about $ 500 billion into Black communities , encourage more investment in Black-owned businesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities other steps .
Last week , rapper 50 Cent revealed his support for the president .
He tweeted that he dislikes former Vice President Joseph R. Biden ’ s tax plan , and will vote for Mr. Trump .
Ms. McEnany said the president is getting such support because of accomplishments such as permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities , criminal justice reform , historically low Black unemployment , rising homeownership and wages .
Lil Wayne ’ s music includes an anti-police song from his 2015 album , Free Weezy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lyrics include , “ Oh Lord , what are we runnin from ?
The police cause they already killed enough of us .
Stay out them streets cause they don ’ t f— with us , they huntin us .
We in a race against racists , that ’ s a color run.
” Comedian Ian Karmel , commenting on the rapper ’ s meeting with the president , said on Twitter , “ Just to go on the record early , here… I ’ m gon na keep listening to Lil Wayne @ @

Rapper Lil Wayne praised President Trump’s proposals for Black communities on Thursday and posted a photo on Twitter of himself meeting with the president in Florida.
“Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus
besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership,” tweeted the artist, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. “He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done.”
The White House confirmed that Mr. Trump met Lil Wayne on Thursday at Doral, the president’s golf club in Florida. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said discussions with the rapper have been going on “for quite some time.”
“I think you’re seeing a lot of supporters come off the sidelines and want to join the president in a second term,” she said.
The “platinum plan” is the president’s proposal to bring about $500 billion into Black communities, encourage more investment in Black-owned businesses, provide better health care, expand educational opportunities other steps.
Last week, rapper 50 Cent revealed his support for the president. He tweeted that he dislikes former Vice President Joseph R. Biden’s tax plan, and will vote for Mr. Trump.
Ms. McEnany said the president is getting such support because of accomplishments such as permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, criminal justice reform, historically low Black unemployment, rising homeownership and wages.
Lil Wayne’s music includes an anti-police song from his 2015 album, Free Weezy, about racism among police.
The lyrics include, “Oh Lord, what are we runnin from? The police cause they already killed enough of us. Stay out them streets cause they don’t f— with us, they huntin us. We in a race against racists, that’s a color run.”
Comedian Ian Karmel, commenting on the rapper’s meeting with the president, said on Twitter, “Just to go on the record early, here… I’m gonna keep listening to Lil Wayne.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--UN: After 20 years, no equality for women in peace talks

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - The head of the U.N. agency promoting gender equality told the 20th anniversary commemoration of a resolution demanding equal participation for women in peace negotiations that its implementation has failed , declaring Thursday that women still remain “ systematically excluded ” from talks to end conflicts where men make decisions affecting their lives .
Despite some good initiatives , UN Women ’ s Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told the Security Council that in peace negotiations from 1992 to 2019 only 13 percent of negotiators , 6 percent of mediators , and 6 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She said negotiations elevated and empowered “ the actors that have fueled the violence , ” instead of empowering women and others who are peace-builders - and women were either confined to “ informal processes or relegated to the role of spectators.
” Germany ’ s Foreign Office Minister of State Michelle Muntefering called the U.N. resolution adopted on Oct. 31 , 2000 “ a little revolution ” because a united Security Council made clear for the first time that women ’ s equal participation “ is required to maintain world peace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equality is also about security and conflict prevention , and that sexual and gender-based violence in war is a crime that must be punished and abolished , she said .
But Muntefering said : “ 20 years and nine hard-won Security Council resolutions later… women are still excluded from peace processes , their rights and interests continue to be ignored when building post-conflict societies.
” She was blunt in pointing at who Is responsible : “ As a global community , we have not lived up to our commitment.
” Too often , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender-based violence in conflicts remains unpunished and “ even worse , in the past years we have seen a global push-back on women ’ s rights.
” And she expressed doubt that the principles in the resolution on women , peace and security adopted in 2000 would be approved today .
“ Let me be clear , ” Muntefering said .
“ We have a joint responsibility to implement what we have agreed upon , And that is : without watering down any of the commitments we have signed up to.
” Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resolution urging all countries to implement the provisions of all previous resolutions on women , peace and security “ by ensuring and promoting the full , equal and meaningful participation of women in all stages of peace processes.
” This year , Russia which currently holds the council presidency , has called a vote on a draft resolution which some diplomats say weakens the previous resolutions , especially on issues of human rights and the participation of civil society organizations which have been key in promoting gender equality and participation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email voting is taking place .
The result is expected to be announced on Friday afternoon and it ’ s unclear whether Russia will get the minimum nine “ yes ” votes required for adoption .
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated to the council that “ gender equality is first and foremost a question of power , and wherever we look , power structures are dominated by men , ” starting at the top where women lead only 7 percent of countries .
He said women remain largely excluded from delegations to peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face serious obstacles ” if they are not fairly represented , for example , “ in the rooms where the future of Afghanistan is being discussed between the Taliban and the government , or in Mali , as it embarks on a political transition.
” Afghan women ’ s rights advocate Zarqa Yaftali , who spoke on behalf of non-governmental organizations that work to put women at peace tables , said “ the presence of four women on the government ’ s negotiation team is a positive development , but it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and refused to allow women to go to school , work outside the home or leave their house without a male escorts , do not have any women in their delegation .
Yaftali urged the international community to insist that the parties , especially the Taliban , don ’ t “ restrict women ’ s human rights , civil liberties or citizenship in any way.
” “ We are not the only ones demanding action , ” Yaftali said , pointing to women caught in conflicts from Yemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Afghanistan as “ the true test ” of the Security Council ’ s commitment to equality in peace negotiations , and “ an indication of what they too can expect ” in similar challenges in their own countries .
Actress and playwright Danai Gurira , a UN Women goodwill ambassador , retold the stories of women affected by conflicts in Yemen , Syria , Libya , Somalia and South Sudan who previously addressed the council , saying she didn ’ t want members to forget their words about working for peace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tables .
Gurira , who was born in Iowa but grew up in Zimbabwe and has appeared in the “ Black Panther ” and “ Avenger ” movies , said one thing all those women have in common is their insistence that “ equality between men and women in decision-making is the only way we will build peace.
” “ Male-dominated rooms in the 21st century should be embarrassing to us all , ” Gurira told the council .
“ And just like ( the women ) keep showing up for peace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them .
”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The head of the U.N. agency promoting gender equality told the 20th anniversary commemoration of a resolution demanding equal participation for women in peace negotiations that its implementation has failed, declaring Thursday that women still remain “systematically excluded” from talks to end conflicts where men make decisions affecting their lives.
Despite some good initiatives, UN Women’s Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told the Security Council that in peace negotiations from 1992 to 2019 only 13 percent of negotiators, 6 percent of mediators, and 6 percent of signatories to peace agreements were women.
She said negotiations elevated and empowered “the actors that have fueled the violence,” instead of empowering women and others who are peace-builders - and women were either confined to “informal processes or relegated to the role of spectators.”
Germany’s Foreign Office Minister of State Michelle Muntefering called the U.N. resolution adopted on Oct. 31, 2000 “a little revolution” because a united Security Council made clear for the first time that women’s equal participation “is required to maintain world peace and security.” It also affirmed that gender equality is also about security and conflict prevention, and that sexual and gender-based violence in war is a crime that must be punished and abolished, she said.
But Muntefering said: “20 years and nine hard-won Security Council resolutions later… women are still excluded from peace processes, their rights and interests continue to be ignored when building post-conflict societies.”
She was blunt in pointing at who Is responsible: “As a global community, we have not lived up to our commitment.”
Too often, the German minister said, sexual and gender-based violence in conflicts remains unpunished and “even worse, in the past years we have seen a global push-back on women’s rights.” And she expressed doubt that the principles in the resolution on women, peace and security adopted in 2000 would be approved today.
“Let me be clear,” Muntefering said. “We have a joint responsibility to implement what we have agreed upon, And that is: without watering down any of the commitments we have signed up to.”
Last year, the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging all countries to implement the provisions of all previous resolutions on women, peace and security “by ensuring and promoting the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all stages of peace processes.”
This year, Russia which currently holds the council presidency, has called a vote on a draft resolution which some diplomats say weakens the previous resolutions, especially on issues of human rights and the participation of civil society organizations which have been key in promoting gender equality and participation.
The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because email voting is taking place. The result is expected to be announced on Friday afternoon and it’s unclear whether Russia will get the minimum nine “yes” votes required for adoption.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated to the council that “gender equality is first and foremost a question of power, and wherever we look, power structures are dominated by men,” starting at the top where women lead only 7 percent of countries.
He said women remain largely excluded from delegations to peace talks and negotiations and said “we face serious obstacles” if they are not fairly represented, for example, “in the rooms where the future of Afghanistan is being discussed between the Taliban and the government, or in Mali, as it embarks on a political transition.”
Afghan women’s rights advocate Zarqa Yaftali, who spoke on behalf of non-governmental organizations that work to put women at peace tables, said “the presence of four women on the government’s negotiation team is a positive development, but it is not enough.” The Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and refused to allow women to go to school, work outside the home or leave their house without a male escorts, do not have any women in their delegation.
Yaftali urged the international community to insist that the parties, especially the Taliban, don’t “restrict women’s human rights, civil liberties or citizenship in any way.”
“We are not the only ones demanding action,” Yaftali said, pointing to women caught in conflicts from Yemen and Syria to Congo and Sudan who see Afghanistan as “the true test” of the Security Council’s commitment to equality in peace negotiations, and “an indication of what they too can expect” in similar challenges in their own countries.
Actress and playwright Danai Gurira, a UN Women goodwill ambassador, retold the stories of women affected by conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Libya, Somalia and South Sudan who previously addressed the council, saying she didn’t want members to forget their words about working for peace and pleas for women to be at top tables.
Gurira, who was born in Iowa but grew up in Zimbabwe and has appeared in the “Black Panther” and “Avenger” movies, said one thing all those women have in common is their insistence that “equality between men and women in decision-making is the only way we will build peace.”
“Male-dominated rooms in the 21st century should be embarrassing to us all,” Gurira told the council. “And just like (the women) keep showing up for peace, it is your turn to show up for them.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--2020 election odds: Joe Biden favored over Donald Trump by sportsbooks

Irish betting powerhouse Paddy Power was so confident that Democrat Hillary Clinton was going to steamroll Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race that it paid out bets before Election Day .
The costly gamble resulted in the worst political loss in Paddy Power ’ s history .
“ The $ 1 million payout on Clinton , followed by around $ 5 million on Trump , was one heck of a double whammy , ” Paddy Power spokesman Lee Price told The Washington Times .
The sportsbook operator is hoping to avoid a repeat this presidential election , and yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump as the underdog against Democratic rival Joseph R. Biden — falling in line with betting houses across the United Kingdom and Ireland .
“ This has been one topsy-turvy election for us — although Joe Biden is now the clear favorite to be next president ( 4/9 ) that has only really been the case over the last few weeks , ” Mr. Price said in an email .
“ Trump is currently priced at 7/4 , and would be a huge shock ( again ) to be named president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are eerie similarities between the odds this time around , and in 2016.
” Mr. Trump was an odds-on favorite to win reelection until March , when the trend turned in Mr. Biden ’ s direction .
“ It was a similar story in 2016 — prompting Paddy Power to pay out early on a Hillary Clinton victory , ” he said .
“ Put it this way , we won ’ t be paying out early this time around !
” Paddy Power paid out Mrs. Clinton at 2/11 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( +450 ) .
Peter Welch , a Gambling.com spokesman , said Paddy Power wasn ’ t alone in taking it on the chin .
“ Interestingly — and for Democrats , perhaps , more chillingly — it was also reported that at exactly 10:20 p.m .
ET on Tuesday , November 8 , 2016 , some commentators had given Hillary Clinton an 85 % chance of winning compared to Trump , who was given a mere implied probability of 15 % , ” Mr. Welch said in an email .
“ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had placed a $ 100 wager on Trump at that moment in time , his implied probability of 15 % would translate to odds of +567 and would have returned a total of $ 667.
” Mr. Trump ’ s win four years ago was indeed a stunner for most — including members of the New York Republican ’ s inner circle who watched from Trump Tower as the results rolled in .
The 2016 outcome planted seeds of doubt in the minds of party insiders and the chattering class in Washington over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing Mr. Biden ahead in battleground states and with a firm edge in favorability .
Those same polls are influencing the betting markets across the pond , where putting money on the U.S. election has become a popular pastime .
Nate Silver , the founder of the political statistics website FiveThirtyEight , which gave Mrs. Clinton a 71 % chance of winning in its final 2016 prediction , threw some shade on the political betting industry Wednesday .
“ Since almost no people have the relevant expertise to build political forecasting models ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then is easy to get wrong ) , political betting markets are basically just a competition over what types of people suffer more from the Dunning-Kruger effect , ” Mr. Silver said in a Twitter post .
Still , hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured in on straight-up bets , and wagers on the Electoral College margin of victory , the number of states won by the major parties , and whether the winner will carry the national popular vote .
Five days out from Election Day , the bookmakers overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running against the odds .
“ We ’ ve seen much more money this time around , and it ’ s the most bet event in history , according to Betfair , ” William Kedjanyi , a political betting analyst for Star Sports betting , told The Washington Times .
“ I would think that ’ s true for every bookmaker as far as politics goes — certainly it ’ s been the most active market I ’ ve ever seen at Star , politically — and a lot of that has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now 15/8 ( +188 ) on Trump , which is the best price in Britain .
Mind , that hasn ’ t stopped punters jumping onto the Biden bandwagon here !
” Mr. Biden is coming in at ( -250 ) .
It marks a big shift from earlier this year , when Mr. Trump started as a 11/10 ( +110 ) favorite and Mr. Biden was considered the 9/2 ( +450 ) long shot .
The Betfair exchange on Wednesday showed Mr. Biden ’ s odds of winning hovering around 1.53 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for Mr. Trump .
In fractional terms , that puts Mr. Biden around 1/2 and Mr. Trump around 19/10 .
During an appearance on the “ Oddsmakers ” podcast Wednesday , Mr. Kedjanyi said Mr. Trump can eke out a win if it turns out to be true that large numbers of “ shy Trump voters ” have hidden their affinity from pollsters .
“ I ’ m not being scientific here , but it is entirely possible there are plenty of quiet Trumpers , ” he told the host of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his allies , including Fox News host Sean Hannity , have promoted that theory in the closing weeks of the campaign .
Paul Krishnamurty , a pro gambler and political analyst for Betfair , said Mr. Biden is in a stronger position than Mrs. Clinton was four years ago , citing his ability to connect with working-class voters in states such as Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin .
Mr. Biden ’ s biggest asset , he said , is that he is not Mr. Trump .
“ I just think more broadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Krishnamurty said on the “ Oddsmakers ” podcast Wednesday .
“ Biden isn ’ t leading because there is a massive endorsement of him .
It is a rejection of Trump .
“ Trump is like no politician has ever been , ” he said .
“ He completely consumes the conversation .
Everything is about him , so , therefore , the election becomes a referendum on him.
” Mr. Kedjanyi agreed , saying Mr. Trump is the dark horse .
“ Let ’ s say he is a 9/1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypothetically , of Mr. Trump ’ s chances .
“ How many times have we seen 9/1 shots win ?
” Then again , 65-1 long shot Country House won the Kentucky Derby last year when the initial winner , Maximum Security , was disqualified .

Irish betting powerhouse Paddy Power was so confident that Democrat Hillary Clinton was going to steamroll Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race that it paid out bets before Election Day.
The costly gamble resulted in the worst political loss in Paddy Power’s history.
“The $1 million payout on Clinton, followed by around $5 million on Trump, was one heck of a double whammy,” Paddy Power spokesman Lee Price told The Washington Times.
The sportsbook operator is hoping to avoid a repeat this presidential election, and yet, once again, it is billing Mr. Trump as the underdog against Democratic rival Joseph R. Biden — falling in line with betting houses across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
“This has been one topsy-turvy election for us — although Joe Biden is now the clear favorite to be next president (4/9) that has only really been the case over the last few weeks,” Mr. Price said in an email.
“Trump is currently priced at 7/4, and would be a huge shock (again) to be named president,” he wrote. “In fact, there are eerie similarities between the odds this time around, and in 2016.”
Mr. Trump was an odds-on favorite to win reelection until March, when the trend turned in Mr. Biden’s direction.
“It was a similar story in 2016 — prompting Paddy Power to pay out early on a Hillary Clinton victory,” he said. “Put it this way, we won’t be paying out early this time around!”
Paddy Power paid out Mrs. Clinton at 2/11 (-550) and Mr. Trump at 9/2 (+450).
Peter Welch, a Gambling.com spokesman, said Paddy Power wasn’t alone in taking it on the chin.
“Interestingly — and for Democrats, perhaps, more chillingly — it was also reported that at exactly 10:20 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, some commentators had given Hillary Clinton an 85% chance of winning compared to Trump, who was given a mere implied probability of 15%,” Mr. Welch said in an email. “How quickly things changed, where if someone had placed a $100 wager on Trump at that moment in time, his implied probability of 15% would translate to odds of +567 and would have returned a total of $667.”
Mr. Trump’s win four years ago was indeed a stunner for most — including members of the New York Republican’s inner circle who watched from Trump Tower as the results rolled in.
The 2016 outcome planted seeds of doubt in the minds of party insiders and the chattering class in Washington over how much weight to give 2020 polls showing Mr. Biden ahead in battleground states and with a firm edge in favorability.
Those same polls are influencing the betting markets across the pond, where putting money on the U.S. election has become a popular pastime.
Nate Silver, the founder of the political statistics website FiveThirtyEight, which gave Mrs. Clinton a 71% chance of winning in its final 2016 prediction, threw some shade on the political betting industry Wednesday.
“Since almost no people have the relevant expertise to build political forecasting models (it takes tons of work and even then is easy to get wrong), political betting markets are basically just a competition over what types of people suffer more from the Dunning-Kruger effect,” Mr. Silver said in a Twitter post.
Still, hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured in on straight-up bets, and wagers on the Electoral College margin of victory, the number of states won by the major parties, and whether the winner will carry the national popular vote.
Five days out from Election Day, the bookmakers overseas tend to agree that Mr. Trump is running against the odds.
“We’ve seen much more money this time around, and it’s the most bet event in history, according to Betfair,” William Kedjanyi, a political betting analyst for Star Sports betting, told The Washington Times. “I would think that’s true for every bookmaker as far as politics goes — certainly it’s been the most active market I’ve ever seen at Star, politically — and a lot of that has been on Biden, so we’re now 15/8 (+188) on Trump, which is the best price in Britain. Mind, that hasn’t stopped punters jumping onto the Biden bandwagon here!”
Mr. Biden is coming in at (-250).
It marks a big shift from earlier this year, when Mr. Trump started as a 11/10 (+110) favorite and Mr. Biden was considered the 9/2 (+450) long shot.
The Betfair exchange on Wednesday showed Mr. Biden’s odds of winning hovering around 1.53 (-188) compared with 2.86 (+186) for Mr. Trump.
In fractional terms, that puts Mr. Biden around 1/2 and Mr. Trump around 19/10.
During an appearance on the “Oddsmakers” podcast Wednesday, Mr. Kedjanyi said Mr. Trump can eke out a win if it turns out to be true that large numbers of “shy Trump voters” have hidden their affinity from pollsters.
“I’m not being scientific here, but it is entirely possible there are plenty of quiet Trumpers,” he told the host of “Oddsmakers” George Elek.
Mr. Trump and his allies, including Fox News host Sean Hannity, have promoted that theory in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Paul Krishnamurty, a pro gambler and political analyst for Betfair, said Mr. Biden is in a stronger position than Mrs. Clinton was four years ago, citing his ability to connect with working-class voters in states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Mr. Biden’s biggest asset, he said, is that he is not Mr. Trump.
“I just think more broadly it isn’t about Biden,” Mr. Krishnamurty said on the “Oddsmakers” podcast Wednesday. “Biden isn’t leading because there is a massive endorsement of him. It is a rejection of Trump.
“Trump is like no politician has ever been,” he said. “He completely consumes the conversation. Everything is about him, so, therefore, the election becomes a referendum on him.”
Mr. Kedjanyi agreed, saying Mr. Trump is the dark horse.
“Let’s say he is a 9/1 shot truly,” Kedjanyi said, hypothetically, of Mr. Trump’s chances. “How many times have we seen 9/1 shots win?”
Then again, 65-1 long shot Country House won the Kentucky Derby last year when the initial winner, Maximum Security, was disqualified.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Nice, France terror attack on church fuels Islam debate

French officials were on high alert Thursday after a knife-wielding assailant shouting “ Allahu akbar ” killed three churchgoers in the Mediterranean city of Nice , fueling an already bitter national debate about free speech , terrorism and the place of Islam in a fiercely secular democracy .
The attack , which took place inside Nice ’ s Notre-Dame Basilica , was the third in two months tied to suspected Islamist terrorists .
A provincial high school teacher was beheaded earlier this month after showing his class caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad .
President Emmanuel Macron said Islam must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churchgoers were attacked at a moment of high stress for the nation .
France entered its second nationwide lockdown Friday after a record resurgence in COVID-19 cases .
Officials in leading Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt quickly condemned the killings in France along with the stabbing of a guard outside the French Consulate in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia .
Al-Azhar University , considered the voice of Islam in Egypt , called the attacks “ unjustifiable ” and “ inconsistent with the tolerant teachings of Islam and all divine religions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was shot and seriously wounded in a struggle at a nearby bar , was a young Tunisian national named Brahim Aioussaoui , who was carrying a copy of the Quran at the time of the assault .
Mr. Aioussaoui reportedly arrived in Italy via the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on Sept. 20 and traveled to Paris three weeks ago .
A spokesman for Tunisia ’ s countermilitancy court told the Reuters news agency in Tunis that police there had not listed Mr. Aouissaoui as a suspected militant .
President Trump and Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and expressed sympathy .
Saying the U.S. stands “ with our oldest ally in this fight , ” Mr. Trump tweeted , “ These radical Islamic terrorist attacks must stop immediately .
No country , France or otherwise , can long put up with it !
” Mr. Biden said he and wife Jill “ are keeping the French people in our prayers following the horrific terror attack in Nice.
” He said his administration “ will work with our allies and partners to prevent extremist violence in all forms.
” A furious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious rights has been mounting since the high school assault earlier this month .
Security officials said France would be placed on its highest-level alert .
Mr. Macron visited Nice on Thursday and declared the incident an “ Islamist terrorist attack.
” “ If we are attacked once again , it is for the values which are ours : freedom , for the possibility on our soil to believe freely and not to give in to any spirit of terror , ” he said after his visit .
“ I say it with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t surrender anything.
” Officials said three people were attacked in the basilica before the first Mass of the day .
A church sexton and a woman in her 70s who authorities said was “ virtually beheaded ” were killed inside the church , according to local reports .
The third victim was a 44-year-old woman who fled to a nearby cafe , where she was stabbed multiple times .
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi told reporters that the assailant cried repeatedly , “ Allahu akbar , ” meaning “ God is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack and even after he was injured , arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment .
“ The meaning of his gesture left no doubt , ” Mr. Estrosi said .
“ Enough is enough .
It ’ s time now for France to exonerate itself from the laws of peace in order to definitively wipe out Islamo-fascism from our territory.
” The French government has staunchly defended free speech protections , which includes the right to publish depictions that often offend the Muslim community .
Mr. Macron ’ s defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to oversee the practice of French Muslims have led to mass protests in several Muslim-majority countries in recent days and calls to boycott French products .
With one of the largest Islamic minorities in Europe , France has long struggled to assimilate French Muslims into society and the economy .
Many live in grim neighborhoods outside the main cities , have few career prospects and prove ready targets for anti-Western radical preachers .
Despite public outcry , Mr. Macron has refused to moderate his criticisms .
He declared that “ very clearly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He spoke directly to the Catholic community in his remarks on the steps of the basilica and offered support “ so that their religion can be exercised freely in our country .
So that every religion can be practiced.
” Police have launched an investigation into the incident and have deployed thousands of soldiers to protect public places across the country .
The latest attacks took place on the day when Muslims traditionally mark the birthday of Muhammad .
The French National Assembly held a moment of silence for the victims after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 restrictions .
The debate over Islam in Europe flared up after a period of relative calm .
France had been rocked by a series of deadly incidents , including a terrorist attack on a Paris entertainment district that killed 128 people six years go , but the fervor seemed to subside as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold .
Religious authorities , Israel and a broad range of Muslim-majority countries , including Jordan , the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan , were quick to condemn the Nice attack .
Saudi Arabia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it rejects “ such extremist acts that are inconsistent with all religions , human beliefs and common sense.
” “ We affirm the importance of rejecting practices that generate hatred , violence and extremism , ” it said .
Turkey ’ s foreign ministry offered condolences and said in a statement that “ there can be no reason to excuse the killing of a human being and justify violence .
It is obvious that those who carried out such a brutal attack in a sacred place of worship have never benefited from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The statement was issued amid tense scrutiny from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , who earlier this week slammed Mr. Macron and his government over the continuing depictions of the Prophet Mohammad .
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Tehran strongly condemned the “ terrorist attack , ” but he also alluded to the controversy in France over speech that is considered insulting or blasphemous to Muslims .
“ This escalating vicious cycle — hate speech , provocations and violence — must be replaced by reason & sanity , ” Mr. Zarif said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We should recognize that radicalism only breeds more radicalism , and peace can not be achieved with ugly provocations.
” Mirza Masroor Ahmad , the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community , which is considered to be the oldest Muslim organization in the U.S. , also issued a powerful statement condemning “ all forms of terrorism and extremism.
” “ Such grievous attacks are completely against the teachings of Islam .
Our religion does not permit terrorism or extremism under any circumstances and anyone who claims otherwise acts against the teachings of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character of the Holy Prophet of Islam , ” he said .
“ The fallout from this heinous act has further exacerbated the tensions between the Islamic world and the West and between Muslims living in France and the rest of society , ” he said .
“ We must all join together to root out all forms of extremism and to encourage mutual understanding and tolerance.
” ⦁ This story is based in part on wire service reports .

French officials were on high alert Thursday after a knife-wielding assailant shouting “Allahu akbar” killed three churchgoers in the Mediterranean city of Nice, fueling an already bitter national debate about free speech, terrorism and the place of Islam in a fiercely secular democracy.
The attack, which took place inside Nice’s Notre-Dame Basilica, was the third in two months tied to suspected Islamist terrorists. A provincial high school teacher was beheaded earlier this month after showing his class caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
President Emmanuel Macron said Islam must be “reformed” in France.
The churchgoers were attacked at a moment of high stress for the nation. France entered its second nationwide lockdown Friday after a record resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
Officials in leading Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt quickly condemned the killings in France along with the stabbing of a guard outside the French Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Al-Azhar University, considered the voice of Islam in Egypt, called the attacks “unjustifiable” and “inconsistent with the tolerant teachings of Islam and all divine religions.”
Authorities late Thursday said the attacker, who was shot and seriously wounded in a struggle at a nearby bar, was a young Tunisian national named Ibrahim Issaoui, who was carrying a copy of the Koran at the time of the assault. Mr. Issaoui reportedly arrived in Italy via the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa on Sept. 20 and traveled to Paris three weeks ago.
A spokesman for Tunisia’s countermilitancy court told the Reuters news agency in Tunis that police there had not listed Mr. Issaoui as a suspected militant.
Another suspect was taken into custody on Friday morning, The Associated Press said. The suspect is a 47-year-old man believed to have been in contact with the attacker the night before the attack on the Notre Dame Basilica, according to a judicial official.
The official was not authorized to be publicly named, the AP reported.
President Trump and Democratic rival Joseph R. Biden condemned the attacks and expressed sympathy.
Saying the U.S. stands “with our oldest ally in this fight,” Mr. Trump tweeted, “These radical Islamic terrorist attacks must stop immediately. No country, France or otherwise, can long put up with it!”
Mr. Biden said he and wife Jill “are keeping the French people in our prayers following the horrific terror attack in Nice.” He said his administration “will work with our allies and partners to prevent extremist violence in all forms.”
A furious debate in France over free speech and religious rights has been mounting since the high school assault earlier this month. Security officials said France would be placed on its highest-level alert.
Mr. Macron visited Nice on Thursday and declared the incident an “Islamist terrorist attack.”
“If we are attacked once again, it is for the values which are ours: freedom, for the possibility on our soil to believe freely and not to give in to any spirit of terror,” he said after his visit.
“I say it with great clarity once again today: We won’t surrender anything.”
Officials said three people were attacked in the basilica before the first Mass of the day. A church sexton and a woman in her 70s who authorities said was “virtually beheaded” were killed inside the church, according to local reports.
The third victim was a 44-year-old woman who fled to a nearby cafe, where she was stabbed multiple times.
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi told reporters that the assailant cried repeatedly, “Allahu akbar,” meaning “God is great,” as he carried out the attack and even after he was injured, arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment.
“The meaning of his gesture left no doubt,” Mr. Estrosi said. “Enough is enough. It’s time now for France to exonerate itself from the laws of peace in order to definitively wipe out Islamo-fascism from our territory.”
Tensions with Islamic world
The French government has staunchly defended free speech protections, which includes the right to publish depictions that often offend the Muslim community. Mr. Macron’s defense of the free speech laws and efforts to oversee the practice of French Muslims have led to mass protests in several Muslim-majority countries in recent days and calls to boycott French products.
With one of the largest Islamic minorities in Europe, France has long struggled to assimilate French Muslims into society and the economy. Many live in grim neighborhoods outside the main cities, have few career prospects and prove ready targets for anti-Western radical preachers.
Despite public outcry, Mr. Macron has refused to moderate his criticisms. He declared that “very clearly, it is France which is under attack.”
He spoke directly to the Catholic community in his remarks on the steps of the basilica and offered support “so that their religion can be exercised freely in our country. So that every religion can be practiced.”
Police have launched an investigation into the incident and have deployed thousands of soldiers to protect public places across the country. The latest attacks took place on the day when Muslims traditionally mark the birthday of Muhammad.
The French National Assembly held a moment of silence for the victims after it suspended debate on the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions.
The debate over Islam in Europe flared up after a period of relative calm. France had been rocked by a series of deadly incidents, including a terrorist attack on a Paris entertainment district that killed 128 people six years go, but the fervor seemed to subside as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.
Saudi condemnation
Religious authorities, Israel and a broad range of Muslim-majority countries, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, were quick to condemn the Nice attack.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said in a statement that it rejects “such extremist acts that are inconsistent with all religions, human beliefs and common sense.”
“We affirm the importance of rejecting practices that generate hatred, violence and extremism,” it said.
Turkey’s foreign ministry offered condolences and said in a statement that “there can be no reason to excuse the killing of a human being and justify violence. It is obvious that those who carried out such a brutal attack in a sacred place of worship have never benefited from religious, human and moral values.”
The statement was issued amid tense scrutiny from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who earlier this week slammed Mr. Macron and his government over the continuing depictions of the Prophet Mohammad.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said Tehran strongly condemned the “terrorist attack,” but he also alluded to the controversy in France over speech that is considered insulting or blasphemous to Muslims.
“This escalating vicious cycle — hate speech, provocations and violence — must be replaced by reason & sanity,” Mr. Zarif said in a post on Twitter. “We should recognize that radicalism only breeds more radicalism, and peace cannot be achieved with ugly provocations.”
Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is considered to be the oldest Muslim organization in the U.S., also issued a powerful statement condemning “all forms of terrorism and extremism.”
“Such grievous attacks are completely against the teachings of Islam. Our religion does not permit terrorism or extremism under any circumstances and anyone who claims otherwise acts against the teachings of the Holy Quran and contrary to the noble character of the Holy Prophet of Islam,” he said.
“The fallout from this heinous act has further exacerbated the tensions between the Islamic world and the West and between Muslims living in France and the rest of society,” he said. “We must all join together to root out all forms of extremism and to encourage mutual understanding and tolerance.”
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Guilty plea entered in deadly kidnapping of Chinese national

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A Southern California man pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to kidnap a Chinese citizen who was held for ransom but died of his injuries after the abduction , authorities said .
Anthony Valladares , 28 , of Pasadena entered the plea in connection with the 2018 kidnapping of Ruochen “ Tony ” Liao of Santa Ana from a Los Angeles-area shopping mall , according to a statement from the U.S. attorney ’ s office .
Liao owned a Southern California dealership that sold high-end cars such as Porches and Bentleys .
Federal prosecutors contend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” when Liao was lured into a minivan in the parking lot of the mall in San Gabriel .
Liao ’ s parents in China were sent ransom demands for $ 2 million and ordered to deposit payment in Chinese bank accounts , according to court documents .
However , the money wasn ’ t paid , authorities said .
Liao was badly beaten and repeatedly shocked with a stun gun during the snatching .
He was believed to have been held in a closet at a home in Corona and died the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Mojave Desert authorities said .
His remains were identified last year .
Valladares could face up to life in prison but under the plea agreement , prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 12 to 25 years , authorities said .
The minvan ’ s driver , Alexis Ivan Romero Velez , 24 , of Azusa , pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to kidnap and awaits sentencing .
Chinese nationals Guangyao Yang , 27 , and Peicheng Shen , 34 , who were living in suburban West Covina at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China on charges filed there related to the kidnapping .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Southern California man pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to kidnap a Chinese citizen who was held for ransom but died of his injuries after the abduction, authorities said.
Anthony Valladares, 28, of Pasadena entered the plea in connection with the 2018 kidnapping of Ruochen “Tony” Liao of Santa Ana from a Los Angeles-area shopping mall, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
Liao owned a Southern California dealership that sold high-end cars such as Porches and Bentleys.
Federal prosecutors contend that Valladares was hired as “muscle” when Liao was lured into a minivan in the parking lot of the mall in San Gabriel.
Liao’s parents in China were sent ransom demands for $2 million and ordered to deposit payment in Chinese bank accounts, according to court documents.
However, the money wasn’t paid, authorities said.
Liao was badly beaten and repeatedly shocked with a stun gun during the snatching. He was believed to have been held in a closet at a home in Corona and died the day after the kidnapping and was buried in the Mojave Desert authorities said.
His remains were identified last year.
Valladares could face up to life in prison but under the plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 12 to 25 years, authorities said.
The minvan’s driver, Alexis Ivan Romero Velez, 24, of Azusa, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to kidnap and awaits sentencing.
Chinese nationals Guangyao Yang, 27, and Peicheng Shen, 34, who were living in suburban West Covina at the time of the kidnapping, are in custody in China on charges filed there related to the kidnapping.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Court: Late Minnesota absentee ballots must be separated

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Minnesota absentee ballots arriving after Election Day should be separated from other ballots in case they are later invalidated by a court , an appeals court panel said Thursday , in a ruling that puts the state ’ s extended counting period at risk and sets the stage for post-election litigation .
The ruling doesn ’ t block Minnesota ’ s seven-day extension for counting absentee ballots outright - but it does order a lower court to issue a ruling to segregate the ballots so they can be “ removed from vote totals in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that finds them unlawful .
The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals doesn ’ t impact ballots received by the time polls close on Election Day .
It orders Secretary of State Steve Simon to inform local election officials so they can comply , and sends the case back to the lower court for further proceedings .
Still , the decision is likely to create voter confusion , with people who haven ’ t returned their absentee ballots scrambling to make sure their votes count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots may not arrive on time may drop off their ballots at a designated location , vote early at an early voting station , or vote in person on Election Day .
As of last Friday , more than 500,000 of some 2 million requested absentee ballots remained outstanding .
The state was due to update totals on Friday .
“ The consequences of this order are not lost on us .
We acknowledge and understand the concerns over voter confusion , election administration issues , and public confidence in the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said those problems were preferable to a post-election scenario where invalidated and valid votes are mixed .
“ Better to put those voters on notice now while they still have at least some time to adjust their plans and cast their votes in an unquestionably lawful way , ” the majority wrote .
The ruling is a win for Republicans , who argued that the extension - which had been approved in both state and federal courts due to the COVID-19 pandemic - violated federal law that establishes Nov. 3 as the date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling “ an attack on democracy ” brought about by Republicans .
“ This absurd and misguided opinion will toss out the rules that have been in place since before voting began in September , ” state party Chairman Ken Martin said .
“ Now , with just five days before election day , and Republicans surely heading for defeat at the polls , the Republican Party is responsible for potentially disenfranchising thousands of Minnesotans who were prepared to vote by mail in the coming days.
” State GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for election protection and freedom.
” Minnesotans “ already have six weeks for people to vote early , ” Carnahan tweeted .
She called the extra period “ unnecessary and just a move by the left to play around with this election.
” The case now goes back to U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel , who previously upheld a state court agreement that allowed ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted if they are received by Nov. 10 .
Judge Bobby Shepherd , an appointee of President George W. Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed by President Donald Trump , formed the majority .
Judge Jane Kelly , appointed by President Barack Obama , dissented .
“ At this point , it is simply too late for any absentee voter who has not yet mailed their ballot to do so with confidence that it will arrive by Election Day , ” Kelly wrote .
She said the ruling “ has the effect of telling voters — who , until now , had been under the impression that they had until November 3 to mail their ballots — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday ( or , more accurately , several days ago ) .
” But Shepherd and Grasz took issue with the way the extension was approved in state court , saying Simon had no authority to override election laws set by the Legislature .
And they said voter confusion was inevitable once he told voters there would be an extension .
Simon , a Democrat , said the ruling could disenfranchise voters who were relying on the extension , and he accused the Republicans who brought the lawsuit of trying to “ sabotage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I won ’ t let any Minnesota voter be silenced .
My mission is now to make sure all voters know that a federal court has suddenly changed the rules , and that their ballot needs to be received by Election Day , ” Simon said .
Republicans have tried to block voter expansion across the country , and the Minnesota decision comes as similar extensions have gone before the U.S. Supreme Court with mixed results .
The nation ’ s high court recently left a three-day extension for counting absentee ballots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reinstate a six-day extension in Wisconsin .
A majority of states require mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day , while others accept them days or even weeks later if they are postmarked by Election Day .
Some states made changes , citing an expected flood of absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Minnesota was one of those states , with a consent decree in state court that changed the rules so ballots postmarked on or before Nov. 3 could be accepted for up to seven days after the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP activist James Carson , who both would participate in the Electoral College if President Donald Trump carries Minnesota , opposed the state agreement and took the case to federal court .
Their lawsuit , backed by the conservative-leaning Honest Elections Project , argued that an extension would create chaos and dilute the value of their votes by counting “ unlawful ” ballots after Election Day .
Lucero said counting votes that come in after Election Day erodes confidence in elections and opens the door to fraud and abuse , and that Simon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
“ The court was clear : ‘ There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution , ’ ” he said in a statement .
Trump narrowly missed winning Minnesota in 2016 and had vowed in 2020 to become the first Republican to capture the state since Richard Nixon in 1972 .
But recent polls have showed Joe Biden leading .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota’s secretary of state said Thursday it’s too late for voters to mail back their absentee ballots if they want to make sure their votes count, after an appeals court ruling indicated that mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day are at risk of being invalidated.
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Minnesota absentee ballots arriving after Election Day should be separated from other ballots in case they are later invalidated by a final court order. The ruling doesn’t block Minnesota’s seven-day extension for counting absentee ballots outright, but puts the grace period in danger.
“Voters should no longer place their absentee ballots in the mail,” Secretary of State Steve Simon said. “It is too late for you, practically speaking, to get it back. Don’t risk it.”
The ruling doesn’t impact ballots received by the time polls close on Election Day, but sets the stage for post-election litigation. The case was sent back to a lower court for more proceedings.
“What the court left unsettled was the question of whether, once and for all and finally, ballots will or won’t be counted if received after Tuesday, Nov. 3,” Simon said. “The decision, to be candid, is not a model of clarity and it leaves open a lot of unanswered questions.”
The decision is likely to create voter confusion, with people who haven’t returned their absentee ballots scrambling to make sure their votes count. Simon said voters who still have absentee ballots in hand may drop them off at a designated location, vote early at an early voting station, or vote in person on Election Day. Those who already returned absentee ballots can track them online to see if they’ve been received.
As of Thursday night, nearly 400,000 of some 2 million requested absentee ballots remained outstanding, Simon said.
“The consequences of this order are not lost on us. We acknowledge and understand the concerns over voter confusion, election administration issues, and public confidence in the election,” the majority wrote. But they said those problems were preferable to a post-election scenario where invalidated and valid votes are mixed.
“Better to put those voters on notice now while they still have at least some time to adjust their plans and cast their votes in an unquestionably lawful way,” the majority wrote.
The ruling is a win for Republicans, who argued that the extension - which had been approved in both state and federal courts due to the COVID-19 pandemic - violated federal law that establishes Nov. 3 as the date of the 2020 election.
Democrats called the ruling “misguided” and “an attack on democracy.”
“Now, with just five days before election day, and Republicans surely heading for defeat at the polls, the Republican Party is responsible for potentially disenfranchising thousands of Minnesotans who were prepared to vote by mail in the coming days,” state party Chairman Ken Martin said.
State GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan called the ruling a “big win for election protection and freedom.”
Minnesotans “already have six weeks for people to vote early,” Carnahan tweeted. She called the extra period “unnecessary and just a move by the left to play around with this election.”
The case now goes back to U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel, who previously upheld a state court agreement that allowed ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted if they are received by Nov. 10.
Judge Bobby Shepherd, an appointee of President George W. Bush, and Judge L. Steven Grasz, appointed by President Donald Trump, formed the majority. Judge Jane Kelly, appointed by President Barack Obama, dissented.
Kelly wrote that the ruling “has the effect of telling voters — who, until now, had been under the impression that they had until November 3 to mail their ballots — that they should have mailed their ballots yesterday (or, more accurately, several days ago).”
But Shepherd and Grasz took issue with the way the extension was approved in state court, saying Simon had no authority to override election laws set by the Legislature. And they said voter confusion was inevitable once he told voters there would be an extension.
Simon, a Democrat, said the ruling could disenfranchise voters who were relying on the extension, and he accused the Republicans who brought the lawsuit of trying to “sabotage the system for political gain.” He said he won’t let any voter be silenced.
“We have to make sure that every legally cast ballot is counted, period,” he said.
Simon said his office is considering its options, which include an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Republicans have tried to block voter expansion across the country, and the Minnesota decision comes as similar extensions have gone before the U.S. Supreme Court with mixed results. The nation’s high court recently left a three-day extension for counting absentee ballots in Pennsylvania in place, but refused to reinstate a six-day extension in Wisconsin.
A majority of states require mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day, while others accept them days or even weeks later if they are postmarked by Election Day. Some states made changes, citing an expected flood of absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Minnesota was one of those states, with a consent decree in state court that changed the rules so ballots postmarked on or before Nov. 3 could be accepted for up to seven days after the election.
Republican state Rep. Eric Lucero and GOP activist James Carson, who both would participate in the Electoral College if President Donald Trump carries Minnesota, opposed the state agreement and took the case to federal court. Their lawsuit, backed by the conservative-leaning Honest Elections Project, argued that an extension would create chaos and dilute the value of their votes by counting “unlawful” ballots after Election Day.
Lucero said counting votes that come in after Election Day erodes confidence in elections and opens the door to fraud and abuse, and that Simon should have asked legislators to change the law. “The court was clear: ‘There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution,’” he said in a statement.
Trump narrowly missed winning Minnesota in 2016 and had vowed in 2020 to become the first Republican to capture the state since Richard Nixon in 1972. But recent polls have showed Joe Biden leading.
__
Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Death of Montana man found in state park ruled accidental

GREAT FALLS , Mont .
( AP ) - Police said Thursday a 20-year-old man died of hypothermia after he @ @ @ @ @ Sluice Boxes State Park in central Montana .
The death of Brendan Rollins was accidental @ @ @ @ @ Slaughter told the Great Falls Tribune after an autopsy was done .
A toxicology report @ @ @ @ @ body was found Sunday in the bottom of a ravine in the park .
He @ @ @ @ @ Haakenson , had set out to camp Friday , but as the weather deteriorated , @ @ @ @ @ to their vehicle , Haakenson told police .
Haakenson said he fell into a ravine @ @ @ @ @ separated from Rollins .
Haakenson had a sleeping bag and spent the night in the @ @ @ @ @ the following morning and reported Rollins was missing .

GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - Police said Thursday a 20-year-old man died of hypothermia after he went missing last weekend in Sluice Boxes State Park in central Montana.
The death of Brendan Rollins was accidental, Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter told the Great Falls Tribune after an autopsy was done. A toxicology report is pending.
Rollins’ body was found Sunday in the bottom of a ravine in the park. He and a friend, Logan Haakenson, had set out to camp Friday, but as the weather deteriorated, they decided to hike back to their vehicle, Haakenson told police.
Haakenson said he fell into a ravine during the hike and became separated from Rollins. Haakenson had a sleeping bag and spent the night in the ravine. He hiked out the following morning and reported Rollins was missing.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Portland, Oregon law enforcement prepare for election unrest

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Law enforcement officers in Portland , Oregon said Thursday they are prepared for potential unrest on Election Day and beyond in Oregon ’ s largest city and also around the state .
Portland has been the site of near-nightly protests against racial injustice and police brutality that have strained police resources and brought national attention to the city , including derision from President Donald Trump .
Several right-wing groups have rallied in the city in response to Trump ’ s calls for the need to restore “ law and order ” in Democrat-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office , Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County District Attorney said at a joint news conference Thursday that they have formed a “ unified command ” to address any protests or voter intimidation .
The agencies said it was too early to say which of the agencies will command the law enforcement officers on the ground in Portland and that details were still being ironed out .
A similar unified command that was established to police a rally held by the far-right group Proud Boys last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Marshals Service federally deputized Portland police officers and Oregon State troopers but refused to rescind the deputations when the weekend rally ended .
The deputations - which mean that protesters arrested by city police could be charged with federal crimes in some cases - have become a hot-button issue in Portland ’ s close mayor ’ s race leading up to Election Day .
Portland has canceled days off for officers during election week , said Chief Chuck Lovell , adding that knowing exactly how many officers might be needed was hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are banned from using tear gas , but Oregon State Police troopers can .
“ A lot of it , from our perspective , is somewhat reactionary .
We have to react to what they decide to do , whether they decide to comply or where they decide to go and what activity they decide to engage in , ” Lovell said of protesters .
Sheriff Mike Reese said there are no known threats to Multnomah County during election week , but said his deputies would be doing additional patrols around ballot drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter intimidation .
Oregon is a universal vote-by-mail state .
That means voters all receive postage-paid mail-in ballots .
They can be returned by mail , hand-delivered to an elections office or placed in a secure ballot box up until 8 p.m. on Tuesday .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Law enforcement officers in Portland, Oregon said Thursday they are prepared for potential unrest on Election Day and beyond in Oregon’s largest city and also around the state.
Portland has been the site of near-nightly protests against racial injustice and police brutality that have strained police resources and brought national attention to the city, including derision from President Donald Trump. Several right-wing groups have rallied in the city in response to Trump’s calls for the need to restore “law and order” in Democrat-led cities.
The Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County District Attorney said at a joint news conference Thursday that they have formed a “unified command” to address any protests or voter intimidation. The agencies said it was too early to say which of the agencies will command the law enforcement officers on the ground in Portland and that details were still being ironed out.
A similar unified command that was established to police a rally held by the far-right group Proud Boys last month backfired on the city. The U.S. Marshals Service federally deputized Portland police officers and Oregon State troopers but refused to rescind the deputations when the weekend rally ended.
The deputations - which mean that protesters arrested by city police could be charged with federal crimes in some cases - have become a hot-button issue in Portland’s close mayor’s race leading up to Election Day.
Portland has canceled days off for officers during election week, said Chief Chuck Lovell, adding that knowing exactly how many officers might be needed was hard almost a week out. Portland police are banned from using tear gas, but Oregon State Police troopers can.
“A lot of it, from our perspective, is somewhat reactionary. We have to react to what they decide to do, whether they decide to comply or where they decide to go and what activity they decide to engage in,” Lovell said of protesters.
Sheriff Mike Reese said there are no known threats to Multnomah County during election week, but said his deputies would be doing additional patrols around ballot drop boxes and would respond to complaints about voter intimidation.
Oregon is a universal vote-by-mail state. That means voters all receive postage-paid mail-in ballots. They can be returned by mail, hand-delivered to an elections office or placed in a secure ballot box up until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Developer tied to Texas AG says feds tampered with warrants

DALLAS ( AP ) - On a summer morning last year , FBI agents arrived at the home of a prominent real estate developer in Austin and began scouring the palatial French-style chateau for documents , videos and photographs as part of an investigation that remains under wraps .
Nate Paul alleges in a criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press that the agents detained him during their hours-long search and repeatedly refused to show him their warrant .
He wrote in the complaint that the warrants eventually turned over to his lawyers had been tampered with .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The search of Paul ’ s home set off a series of maneuvers by private attorneys and state and federal law enforcement that recently burst into public view with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ’ s top deputies accusing the Republican of crimes tied to his investigation of Paul ’ s claims .
Paxton has acknowledged knowing the developer , but the nature of their relationship remains unclear .
And exactly what Paul wanted investigated was not previously public .
The details of his complaint deepen questions about its path to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 25,000 campaign contribution from the developer in 2018 .
“ Usually , you don ’ t take it to the state authorities to investigate the feds , ” said Toby Shook , a prominent Dallas criminal defense attorney and former county prosecutor .
In the June request for an investigation , Paul accused the agents , federal prosecutors , a judge and other officials of illegally seizing his property and violating his rights .
He claimed they broke state laws against tampering with government documents and “ official oppression.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to comment .
Several legal experts who reviewed Paul ’ s complaint were skeptical that it shows crimes by law enforcement .
Paul , who ’ s fighting with creditors over millions in delinquent debt , suggested the search warrants for his home and offices were monkeyed with and obtained based on “ false information .
He alleged the warrants were sent to his lawyers hours and days after the 2019 searches and don ’ t match the documents filed in court .
Paul has not been publicly charged with any crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office did not respond to questions Thursday .
Paxton ’ s hiring of an outside attorney to investigate Paul ’ s claims led his seven top deputies to report the attorney general to the FBI for alleged abuse of office , bribery and other crimes .
Paxton dropped the case into Paul ’ s claims this month , but the fallout has deepened political , and possibly legal , trouble for the attorney general .
Paxton rose to national prominence during his time in office but has spent most of it maintaining his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges .
On Thursday , an appeals court put on hold a decision to send the securities fraud case against Paxton back to his home county north of Dallas Legal experts who reviewed Paul ’ s claims said that , if true , they could be obstacles in a potential prosecution .
They said some of the behavior described as outrageous in the complaint is actually typical , while other actions might warrant scrutiny but were unlikely to be criminal .
“ What they ’ re complaining about was obviously very uncomfortable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Loyola Law School and former federal prosecutor .
“ But the type of misconduct that gets attention is when people are hurt , when there ’ s ransacking , when there are no warrants.
” Paul claimed the FBI seized material privileged by attorney-client confidentiality and things beyond the scope of the search warrants .
He said some warrants weren ’ t disclosed and the metadata of the ones sent to his lawyers showed they were edited after the search began , although it ’ s unclear what that indicates .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrants , Mark Lane , did not respond to a request for comment .
Experts said Paul ’ s claims could be grounds for a civil suit or to get evidence tossed in a potential prosecution .
Some said they might merit outside scrutiny of the investigators .
“ If what he ’ s saying is true , it shows some problems , ” said Daniel Medwed , a professor at Northeastern University School of Law .
He said Paxton ’ s actions raise serious questions , regardless of the merits of Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former state and federal prosecutor and retired Texas judge , said the state has no jurisdiction over Paul claims .
The developer ’ s remedy would be in federal court , Snipes said , but the people he ’ s accused would have immunity because they were acting in their official capacity .
Snipes called the complaint “ frivolous ” and speculated that Paul was “ just trying to see if he can scare people off , into not conducting an investigation .
”

DALLAS (AP) - On a summer morning last year, FBI agents arrived at the home of a prominent real estate developer in Austin and began scouring the palatial French-style chateau for documents, videos and photographs as part of an investigation that remains under wraps.
Nate Paul alleges in a criminal complaint obtained by The Associated Press that the agents detained him during their hours-long search and repeatedly refused to show him their warrant. He wrote in the complaint that the warrants eventually turned over to his lawyers had been tampered with.
Meanwhile, details of the FBI probe remain undisclosed.
The search of Paul’s home set off a series of maneuvers by private attorneys and state and federal law enforcement that recently burst into public view with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s top deputies accusing the Republican of crimes tied to his investigation of Paul’s claims. Paxton has acknowledged knowing the developer, but the nature of their relationship remains unclear.
And exactly what Paul wanted investigated was not previously public. The details of his complaint deepen questions about its path to the office of an attorney general who got a $25,000 campaign contribution from the developer in 2018.
“Usually, you don’t take it to the state authorities to investigate the feds,” said Toby Shook, a prominent Dallas criminal defense attorney and former county prosecutor.
In the June request for an investigation, Paul accused the agents, federal prosecutors, a judge and other officials of illegally seizing his property and violating his rights. He claimed they broke state laws against tampering with government documents and “official oppression.”
The FBI and federal prosecutors in West Texas declined to comment. Several legal experts who reviewed Paul’s complaint were skeptical that it shows crimes by law enforcement.
Paul, who’s fighting with creditors over millions in delinquent debt, suggested the search warrants for his home and offices were monkeyed with and obtained based on “false information. He alleged the warrants were sent to his lawyers hours and days after the 2019 searches and don’t match the documents filed in court.
Paul has not been publicly charged with any crime. His lawyer and Paxton’s office did not respond to questions Thursday.
Paxton’s hiring of an outside attorney to investigate Paul’s claims led his seven top deputies to report the attorney general to the FBI for alleged abuse of office, bribery and other crimes. Paxton dropped the case into Paul’s claims this month, but the fallout has deepened political, and possibly legal, trouble for the attorney general.
Paxton rose to national prominence during his time in office but has spent most of it maintaining his innocence in the face of separate criminal charges. On Thursday, an appeals court put on hold a decision to send the securities fraud case against Paxton back to his home county north of Dallas
Legal experts who reviewed Paul’s claims said that, if true, they could be obstacles in a potential prosecution. They said some of the behavior described as outrageous in the complaint is actually typical, while other actions might warrant scrutiny but were unlikely to be criminal.
“What they’re complaining about was obviously very uncomfortable,” said Laurie Levenson, a professor at Loyola Law School and former federal prosecutor. “But the type of misconduct that gets attention is when people are hurt, when there’s ransacking, when there are no warrants.”
Paul claimed the FBI seized material privileged by attorney-client confidentiality and things beyond the scope of the search warrants. He said some warrants weren’t disclosed and the metadata of the ones sent to his lawyers showed they were edited after the search began, although it’s unclear what that indicates.
The federal judge who Paul said authorized the warrants, Mark Lane, did not respond to a request for comment.
Experts said Paul’s claims could be grounds for a civil suit or to get evidence tossed in a potential prosecution. Some said they might merit outside scrutiny of the investigators.
“If what he’s saying is true, it shows some problems,” said Daniel Medwed, a professor at Northeastern University School of Law. He said Paxton’s actions raise serious questions, regardless of the merits of Paul’s claims.
Mike Snipes, a former state and federal prosecutor and retired Texas judge, said the state has no jurisdiction over Paul claims. The developer’s remedy would be in federal court, Snipes said, but the people he’s accused would have immunity because they were acting in their official capacity.
Snipes called the complaint “frivolous” and speculated that Paul was “just trying to see if he can scare people off, into not conducting an investigation.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Refinery plans to produce fuel from paper, lumber mill waste

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - A Maine research company has announced a partnership with a New Hampshire wholesale energy supplier to produce and market a patented zero-emission biofuel .
Biofine Developments Northeast Inc. of Bangor says that it plans to finalize the site for a biorefinery this month and begin operating in 2023 , the Portland Press Herald reported .
It is partnering with Sprague Resources LP of Portsmouth , New Hampshire .
The biorefinery will process 100 tons of cellulose waste from paper and lumber mills to produce the biofuel made from the organic compound ethyl levulinate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 million gallons of heating oil per year and renewable chemical byproducts .
Policymakers have urged homeowners and businesses to move from oil boilers and heat pumps to electric alternatives .
However , if Biofine ’ s fuel , called EL100 , can be produced at competitive prices and widely distributed , it can be used to support Maine ’ s effort to slash greenhouse gases .
According to Biofine , EL100 has zero greenhouse gas emissions and burned safely in existing equipment during a test in buildings at the University of Maine @ @ @ @

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A Maine research company has announced a partnership with a New Hampshire wholesale energy supplier to produce and market a patented zero-emission biofuel.
Biofine Developments Northeast Inc. of Bangor says that it plans to finalize the site for a biorefinery this month and begin operating in 2023, the Portland Press Herald reported. It is partnering with Sprague Resources LP of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The biorefinery will process 100 tons of cellulose waste from paper and lumber mills to produce the biofuel made from the organic compound ethyl levulinate.
The facility is projected to produce 3 million gallons of heating oil per year and renewable chemical byproducts.
Policymakers have urged homeowners and businesses to move from oil boilers and heat pumps to electric alternatives. However, if Biofine’s fuel, called EL100, can be produced at competitive prices and widely distributed, it can be used to support Maine’s effort to slash greenhouse gases.
According to Biofine, EL100 has zero greenhouse gas emissions and burned safely in existing equipment during a test in buildings at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.