washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Navajo Nation reports 42 new coronavirus cases and no deaths

WINDOW ROCK , Ariz. ( AP ) - Navajo Nation health officials on Thursday reported 42 new confirmed cases of @ @ @ @ @ .
The Navajo Department of Health said the number of known COVID-19-related deaths remains at @ @ @ @ @ .
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 10,212 .
Tribal health officials @ @ @ @ @ tested for the coronavirus and 7,242 have recovered on the vast reservation that covers parts @ @ @ @ @ and Utah .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many @ @ @ @ @ , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
@ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems @ @ @ @ @ severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo Nation health officials on Thursday reported 42 new confirmed cases of coronavirus but no additional deaths.
The Navajo Department of Health said the number of known COVID-19-related deaths remains at 551 since the pandemic began.
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 10,212.
Tribal health officials said 103,959 people have been tested for the coronavirus and 7,242 have recovered on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Man charged with having ammo outside California post office

UKIAH , Calif. ( AP ) - A convicted felon from Oregon has been charged in California with unlawful possession of ammunition after he was arrested in July for punching an employee at a post office , federal prosecutors said .
Timothy Daniel Raybould made an initial court appearance Thursday , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said in a news release .
He did not enter a plea .
Contact information for Raybould , 27 , could not immediately be found .
Raybould was arrested July 31 in the employees ’ parking lot of the Ukiah Post Office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Postal Service employees asked him to leave , Raybould became agitated and punched one of them , according to the criminal complaint .
The employees tried to restrain Raybould and during a struggle the person who was punched suffered two fractured hips in a fall , the complaint said .
Mendocino County sheriff ’ s deputies found a Glock .40 caliber magazine loaded with 5 rounds of ammunition in the back pocket of his pants , according to prosecutors .
A search of Raybould ’ s car , which was parked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , uncovered a Glock .40 caliber pistol , prosecutors said .
Investigators haven ’ t said what Raybould ’ s motives were .

UKIAH, Calif. (AP) - A convicted felon from Oregon has been charged in California with unlawful possession of ammunition after he was arrested in July for punching an employee at a post office, federal prosecutors said.
Timothy Daniel Raybould made an initial court appearance Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release. He did not enter a plea. Contact information for Raybould, 27, could not immediately be found.
Raybould was arrested July 31 in the employees’ parking lot of the Ukiah Post Office in Mendocino County, California. When three U.S. Postal Service employees asked him to leave, Raybould became agitated and punched one of them, according to the criminal complaint.
The employees tried to restrain Raybould and during a struggle the person who was punched suffered two fractured hips in a fall, the complaint said.
Mendocino County sheriff’s deputies found a Glock .40 caliber magazine loaded with 5 rounds of ammunition in the back pocket of his pants, according to prosecutors. A search of Raybould’s car, which was parked in the employees’ only parking lot, uncovered a Glock .40 caliber pistol, prosecutors said.
Investigators haven’t said what Raybould’s motives were.


washingtontimes--2020-09-24--Demi Lovato, Max Ehrich call off engagement after 2 months

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Singer-actors Demi Lovato and Max Ehrich have called off their engagement after two months .
Lovato and her former fiance have parted ways , according to a person close to Lovato who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter .
The split comes after the couple announced their engagement on Instagram in July , both posting a photo of themselves kissing on the beach .
Lovato , 28 , has released a number of gold and platinum albums and singles , with her breakthrough role coming on Disney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rock.
” This year , she released several singles , performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl and sang at the Grammys .
The Grammy-nominated singer had mostly taken a break from the public since focusing on her recovery after reportedly overdosing in July 2018 .
Ehrich , 29 , who ’ s earned multiple Daytime Emmy nominations for his work in “ The Young and the Restless , ” has appeared on various TV shows and films and has also released music .
Lovato , who has spoken about her struggles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs and alcohol , celebrated six years of sobriety in March 2018 .
She revealed a relapse in June 2018 in the song “ Sober .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Singer-actors Demi Lovato and Max Ehrich have called off their engagement after two months.
Lovato and her former fiance have parted ways, according to a person close to Lovato who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. The split comes after the couple announced their engagement on Instagram in July, both posting a photo of themselves kissing on the beach.
Lovato and Ehrich began dating this year.
Lovato, 28, has released a number of gold and platinum albums and singles, with her breakthrough role coming on Disney Channel’s TV film “Camp Rock.” This year, she released several singles, performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl and sang at the Grammys.
The Grammy-nominated singer had mostly taken a break from the public since focusing on her recovery after reportedly overdosing in July 2018.
Ehrich, 29, who’s earned multiple Daytime Emmy nominations for his work in “The Young and the Restless,” has appeared on various TV shows and films and has also released music.
Lovato, who has spoken about her struggles with an eating disorder, self-mutilation, drugs and alcohol, celebrated six years of sobriety in March 2018. She revealed a relapse in June 2018 in the song “Sober.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Police: School principal failed to report abuse complaint

VIENNA , Va. ( AP ) - Police in northern Virginia say that a middle school principal has been charged with failing to report a complaint of suspected sexual abuse of a student .
The Washington Post reported Thursday that it ’ s the second time in less than a year that a principal in Fairfax County has been accused of a similar crime .
Police said that they arrested Yusef Azimi on a misdemeanor charge .
He ’ s been on leave as principal of Thoreau Middle School in Vienna .
Police said Azimi , 41 , of McLean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and child protective services about a report in October that a teacher had inappropriate contact with a student .
The teacher was later charged with carnal knowledge of a child and taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial relationship .
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that Azimi is mandated under the law to report such complaints to authorities .
School officials said that Azimi had been placed on leave as of November 2019 .
An attorney was not listed for Azimi in court records .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Washington Post at a phone number listed for him .
He was released from a county jail on Wednesday after posting a $ 3,000 bond .

VIENNA, Va. (AP) - Police in northern Virginia say that a middle school principal has been charged with failing to report a complaint of suspected sexual abuse of a student.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that it’s the second time in less than a year that a principal in Fairfax County has been accused of a similar crime.
Police said that they arrested Yusef Azimi on a misdemeanor charge. He’s been on leave as principal of Thoreau Middle School in Vienna.
Police said Azimi, 41, of McLean, is accused of failing to inform police and child protective services about a report in October that a teacher had inappropriate contact with a student.
The teacher was later charged with carnal knowledge of a child and taking indecent liberties with a child by a person in a custodial relationship.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that Azimi is mandated under the law to report such complaints to authorities.
School officials said that Azimi had been placed on leave as of November 2019.
An attorney was not listed for Azimi in court records. He did not immediately respond to a message left by The Washington Post at a phone number listed for him. He was released from a county jail on Wednesday after posting a $3,000 bond.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Man suspected in blasts gets prison term for weapons counts

BANGOR , Pa. ( AP ) - A man who federal prosecutors said used a drone to drop explosives near @ @ @ @ @ in eastern Pennsylvania has been sentenced to five years in prison on weapons charges .
@ @ @ @ @ was arrested in June 2019 after authorities raided his Washington Township home and his auto @ @ @ @ @ were investigating a series of small explosions that had rattled area residents for several weeks @ @ @ @ @ numerous guns and ammunition that Muzzicato wasn ’ t allowed to have because his ex-girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ order against him , authorities said .
Muzzicato said he had guns in the house @ @ @ @ @ to harassment , including damage to his vehicles and those of customers at his business @ @ @ @ @ drone but eventually pleaded guilty in December to two weapons possession counts and flying an @ @ @ @ @ sentenced Thursday .

BANGOR, Pa. (AP) - A man who federal prosecutors said used a drone to drop explosives near his ex-girlfriend’s home in eastern Pennsylvania has been sentenced to five years in prison on weapons charges.
Jason Muzzicato, 45, was arrested in June 2019 after authorities raided his Washington Township home and his auto shop in Bangor. They were investigating a series of small explosions that had rattled area residents for several weeks.
The searches turned up numerous guns and ammunition that Muzzicato wasn’t allowed to have because his ex-girlfriend had a protection from abuse order against him, authorities said. Muzzicato said he had guns in the house because he had been subject to harassment, including damage to his vehicles and those of customers at his business.
Muzzicato denied flying the drone but eventually pleaded guilty in December to two weapons possession counts and flying an unregistered aircraft. He was sentenced Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Vermont town wants fire-damaged race track demolished

POWNAL , Vt. ( AP ) - The Pownal Board of Health wants the fire-damaged grandstand building at the long-closed @ @ @ @ @ demolished .
The Bennington Banner reports the board , which is made up of the @ @ @ @ @ Select Board , began the legal process on Thursday .
The grandstand would be fenced @ @ @ @ @ the proposal .
The grandstand “ is an entirely unsafe place , in my opinion @ @ @ @ @ s Michael Gardner said at a Thursday meeting .
“ I think we as the @ @ @ @ @ take action.
” The cause of the fire that gutted the grandstand the night of @ @ @ @ @ .
The track opened in 1963 with thoroughbred and harness racing .
In the 1970s @ @ @ @ @ greyhound racing .
It closed in 1991 .
Over the years there were numerous , @ @ @ @ @ redevelop the track .

POWNAL, Vt. (AP) - The Pownal Board of Health wants the fire-damaged grandstand building at the long-closed Green Mountain Racetrack to be demolished.
The Bennington Banner reports the board, which is made up of the town health officer and the Select Board, began the legal process on Thursday.
The grandstand would be fenced off and then demolished under the proposal.
The grandstand “is an entirely unsafe place, in my opinion,” the town’s Michael Gardner said at a Thursday meeting. “I think we as the Board of Health have to take action.”
The cause of the fire that gutted the grandstand the night of Sept. 16-17 is considered suspicious.
The track opened in 1963 with thoroughbred and harness racing. In the 1970s, it was converted to greyhound racing.
It closed in 1991. Over the years there were numerous, unsuccessful efforts to reopen or redevelop the track.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--HBCU president: Student's BB gun suspension should be voided

HARVEY , La .
( AP ) - The president of a historically Black college has asked a Louisiana school superintendent to revoke the punishment of a fourth grader who was suspended from school because his teacher saw a BB gun in his room during a virtual lesson .
Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough urged Jefferson Parish Superintendent James Gray to reconsider the punishment of Woodmere Elementary student Ka Mauri Harrison , who was suspended for six days and almost expelled , news outlets reported .
A school behavior report said Ka Mauri , who is Black , was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 11 when his brother walked into the room and tripped over a BB gun that was lying on the floor .
The brothers share a room .
The report said Ka Mauri left his seat , out of view of the teacher , and returned with “ what appeared to be a full-sized rifle in his possession.
” The teacher tried to talk to Ka Mauri , but his computer was muted and he was subsequently kicked out of the class , the report said .
Kimbrough said Ka Mauri ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of disciplinary action may harm Ka Mauri in the future .
Kimbrough wrote a letter to Gray expressing his understanding of the difficulties schools are facing during the pandemic .
However , he wondered whether the school system had adequate policies for situations like Ka Mauri ’ s .
School Board member Simeon Dickerson seconded that , saying that the school should have backed off once they realized it was a BB gun .
Both men urged Gray to hold another disciplinary hearing , remove the suspension from Ka Mauri ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies and issue a public apology .
Gray wouldn ’ t comment on Kimbrough ’ s letter .
A school system spokesperson said nothing has changed regarding Ka Marui ’ s suspension .
Other school board members also wouldn ’ t comment .
“ You have this overcriminalization of Black boys , ” Kimbrough said .
“ As the father of an 11-year-old boy , I want my son to be viewed through a lens of innocence if he makes a mistake , and not have to worry about him being suspended or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , possibly killed .
”

HARVEY, La. (AP) - The president of a historically Black college has asked a Louisiana school superintendent to revoke the punishment of a fourth grader who was suspended from school because his teacher saw a BB gun in his room during a virtual lesson.
Dillard University President Walter Kimbrough urged Jefferson Parish Superintendent James Gray to reconsider the punishment of Woodmere Elementary student Ka Mauri Harrison, who was suspended for six days and almost expelled, news outlets reported.
A school behavior report said Ka Mauri, who is Black, was taking a test in his virtual class Sept. 11 when his brother walked into the room and tripped over a BB gun that was lying on the floor. The brothers share a room.
The report said Ka Mauri left his seat, out of view of the teacher, and returned with “what appeared to be a full-sized rifle in his possession.”
The teacher tried to talk to Ka Mauri, but his computer was muted and he was subsequently kicked out of the class, the report said.
Kimbrough said Ka Mauri’s punishment exceeded the offense and that this type of disciplinary action may harm Ka Mauri in the future.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said he has launched an investigation into the situation, citing possible infringement of the child’s constitutional rights.
“I am alarmed by what appears to not only be multiple violations of both the State and Federal Constitutions, but also blatant government overreach by the school system,” Landry said in a news release. “I have begun investigating this matter and plan to take action in defense of this young man and his family and all families who could suffer the same invasion of their homes and constitutional rights.”
“For anyone to conclude that a student’s home is now school property because of connectivity through video conferencing is absurd,” Landry. said. “It is ludicrous for this All-American kid to be punished for taking responsible actions just as it is for his parents to be accused of neglect.”
Kimbrough wrote a letter to Gray expressing his understanding of the difficulties schools are facing during the pandemic. However, he wondered whether the school system had adequate policies for situations like Ka Mauri’s.
School Board member Simeon Dickerson seconded that, saying the school should have backed off once they realized it was a BB gun.
Both men urged Gray to hold another disciplinary hearing, remove the suspension from Ka Mauri’s record, update the system’s policies and issue a public apology.
Gray would not comment on Kimbrough’s letter. A school system spokesperson said nothing has changed regarding Ka Marui’s suspension. Other school board members also would not comment.
“You have this overcriminalization of Black boys,” Kimbrough said. “As the father of an 11-year-old boy, I want my son to be viewed through a lens of innocence if he makes a mistake, and not have to worry about him being suspended or expelled, or because this is America today, possibly killed.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Police identify man killed in double shooting at Salem park

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - Salem police have identified 18-year-old Andrew Rosas as the person shot to death @ @ @ @ @ .
An 18-year-old woman who was also shot remains in stable condition at a local @ @ @ @ @ reported .
The shooting happened around 10:45 p.m. at Hoover School Park , according to @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson with the Salem Police Department .

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Salem police have identified 18-year-old Andrew Rosas as the person shot to death Tuesday night in a park.
An 18-year-old woman who was also shot remains in stable condition at a local hospital, The Statesman Journal reported.
The shooting happened around 10:45 p.m. at Hoover School Park, according to Lt. Debbie Aguilar, a spokesperson with the Salem Police Department.
Authorities are continuing to investigate.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Mali swears in transitional president and vice president

BAMAKO , Mali ( AP ) - Mali ’ s transitional president and vice president were sworn into office Friday , more than a month after a coup in the West African nation .
The induction ceremony in the capital , Bamako , took place as Mali remains under sanctions by the 15-nation West African regional bloc , ECOWAS , and amid uncertainty about details of the transition period .
Former Defense Minister and retired Col. Maj. Bah N ’ Daw is the new transitional president while Col. Assimi Goita , head of the junta that staged the Aug. 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president .
The two , along with a prime minister who will be chosen in the coming days , are to lead the transitional government to elections in 18 months .
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan attended the ceremony as representative of ECOWAS , which had pressed for a quick return to a civilian government .
The regional group held days of talks with the junta and other political and civil groups in Mali to encourage a return to democacy .
ECOWAS has closed borders to Mali and stopped financial flows and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions once it approves of the transitional plan .
Jonathan has been positive about the junta ’ s proposals .
“ We are happy with what is happening in the Mali .
The young soldiers who took power are working in the direction of the recommendations of the heads of state of ECOWAS , “ he said upon arrival in Bamako Wednesday .
He has not made any further statement .
ECOWAS ambassador to Mali , Hamidou Bolly , said a civilian prime minister and the lifting of sanctions are likely .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West African leaders have demanded for the transition government , including a safeguard that the vice president can not replace the transitional president in the case of incapacity or resignation .
ECOWAS has also demanded the dissolution of the junta , which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People .
Baba Dakono , a researcher at the Citizen ’ s Observatory on Governance and Security , said that at this point it seems “ that the junta wants to do things well and move quickly after the ceremony.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Malian citizens remain the same : improved governance , an end to impunity and insecurity .
The previous government , elected after an earlier coup in 2012 , did not fulfil its vows to be accountable , he said .
“ The 2012 transition did not live up to those expectations and that ’ s likely why we ended up in this new transition , ” he told The Associated Press .
The M5-RFP opposition coalition , which staged the massive demonstrations that paved the way for the junta ’ s coup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ junta and has made strong calls for a civilian transition for the good of the people .
They refused to back the transitional charter earlier this month and didn ’ t take part in discussions to name the transitional president .
Mountaga Tall of the M5-RFP said that they are still in talks with the junta over some points , including who will be the prime minister and the formation of a transitional council that will be the legislative body during the transition .
The opposition coalition has suggested it could return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition .
The West African regional body has been relatively lenient toward the junta , Andrew Lebovich , Policy Fellow , European Council on Foreign Relations , told AP .
“ ECOWAS has so far appeared a step or two behind the situation at each level of mediation , even going back before the coup , ” said Lebovich .
“ The fact that they ’ ve accepted this outcome without other provisions in place and without even waiting for the designation of a transitional prime minister shows a strong desire to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the ( junta ) will maintain a high degree of control over the process.
” ECOWAS could threaten to renew sanctions , but this path is unlikely if the transition appears to meet the majority of their conditions , he said .
The fate is unclear of 13 government officials who were detained at the time of the coup .
U.N. leaders have called for the release of the officials who were detained on the night of the coup .
Former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has since been released and flown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the demands of ECOWAS .
There has been widespread concern that the upheaval in Mali will set back efforts to contain the country ’ s growing Islamic insurgency .
After the earlier coup in 2012 , Islamic extremists grabbed control of major towns in northern Mali .
Only a 2013 military intervention led by the former colonial power France pushed extremists out of those towns .
France and a U.N. force have continued to battle the extremist rebels , who operate in rural areas and regularly attack roads and cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the kind of security vacuum that occurred after the 2012 coup , ” said Lebovich , although nearly two dozen security force members have been killed in recent extremist attacks .
The junta has repeatedly stated they want to continue to work with the international security partners .

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Mali’s transitional president and vice president were sworn into office Friday, more than a month after a coup in the West African nation.
The induction ceremony in the capital, Bamako, took place as Mali remains under sanctions by the 15-nation West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, and amid uncertainty about details of the transition period.
Former Defense Minister and retired Col. Maj. Bah N’Daw is the new transitional president while Col. Assimi Goita, head of the junta that staged the Aug. 18 coup, is Mali’s new vice president. The two, along with a prime minister who will be chosen in the coming days, are to lead the transitional government to elections in 18 months.
“I am ready to make the ultimate sacrifice so that Mali becomes the country of our dreams, and to return the country to a properly elected president,” N’Daw said in his first speech to the nation. He promised to abide by the agreed conditions and timeframe for the transition. He also said that the transition government will uphold its international commitments.
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan attended the ceremony as representative of ECOWAS, which had pressed for a quick return to a civilian government. The regional group held days of talks with the junta and other political and civil groups in Mali to encourage a return to democacy. ECOWAS has closed borders to Mali and stopped financial flows and has said it will only lift those sanctions once it approves of the transitional plan.
Jonathan has been positive about the junta’s proposals.
On Friday, he congratulated the junta “and the way they interacted with ECOWAS.”
Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS commission, said “The ECOWAS sanctions will be lifted when a civilian prime minister is appointed, and when ECOWAS has the final version of the transition charter which takes into account the recommendations of ECOWAS.” He pointed especially to the demand that the vice president cannot replace the transitional president in the case of incapacity or resignation.
ECOWAS has also demanded the dissolution of the junta, which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People.
Baba Dakono, a researcher at the Citizen’s Observatory on Governance and Security, said that at this point it seems “that the junta wants to do things well and move quickly after the ceremony.”
More importantly, he said the expectations of Malian citizens remain the same: improved governance, an end to impunity and insecurity. The previous government, elected after an earlier coup in 2012, did not fulfil its vows to be accountable, he said.
“The 2012 transition did not live up to those expectations and that’s likely why we ended up in this new transition,” he told The Associated Press.
The M5-RFP opposition coalition, which staged the massive demonstrations that paved the way for the junta’s coup, has been cautious about backing the junta and has made strong calls for a civilian transition for the good of the people. They refused to back the transitional charter earlier this month and didn’t take part in discussions to name the transitional president.
Mountaga Tall of the M5-RFP said that they are still in talks with the junta over some points, including who will be the prime minister and the formation of a transitional council that will be the legislative body during the transition.
The opposition coalition has suggested it could return to protests if they are unhappy with the transition.
The West African regional body has been relatively lenient toward the junta, Andrew Lebovich, Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations, told AP.
“ECOWAS has so far appeared a step or two behind the situation at each level of mediation, even going back before the coup,” said Lebovich. “The fact that they’ve accepted this outcome without other provisions in place and without even waiting for the designation of a transitional prime minister shows a strong desire to move forward with the transition, even knowing that the (junta) will maintain a high degree of control over the process.”
ECOWAS could threaten to renew sanctions, but this path is unlikely if the transition appears to meet the majority of their conditions, he said.
The fate is unclear of 13 government officials who were detained at the time of the coup. U.N. leaders have called for the release of the officials who were detained on the night of the coup. Former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has since been released and flown to the United Arab Emirates for medical treatment, one of the demands of ECOWAS.
There has been widespread concern that the upheaval in Mali will set back efforts to contain the country’s growing Islamic insurgency. After the earlier coup in 2012, Islamic extremists grabbed control of major towns in northern Mali. Only a 2013 military intervention led by the former colonial power France pushed extremists out of those towns. France and a U.N. force have continued to battle the extremist rebels, who operate in rural areas and regularly attack roads and cities.
“The coup has not resulted in the kind of security vacuum that occurred after the 2012 coup,” said Lebovich, although nearly two dozen security force members have been killed in recent extremist attacks.
The junta has repeatedly stated they want to continue to work with the international security partners.
___
Petesch reported from Dakar, Senegal


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Nancy Pelosi: Affordable Care Act is at the heart of Supreme Court fight

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that the Republicans ’ push for a quick replacement for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg comes down to the partisan battle over the Affordable Care Act .
Mrs. Pelosi , California Democrat , said Judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa , who are on President Trump ’ s nominee short list , were picked to give the Republicans an edge in the upcoming Supreme Court case to determine the fate of the ACA , also known as Obamacare .
“ The reason they were perched for this , within just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her passing … was so inappropriate , ” the speaker said on CBS ’ “ This Morning.
” “ This rush to appoint someone to be there in time for the November 10 arguments … the administration will make the case against the Affordable Care Act.
” “ Republicans are misrepresenting that they support the preexisting condition benefit , ” Mrs. Pelosi added .
Currently , the Trump administration is supporting a lawsuit trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act , which included protections for those with preexisitng conditions that made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Congress stripped the tax penalty for not having medical coverage in the 2017 GOP tax overhaul , which led to the lower courts ruling the law was not constitutional .
The fight worked its way through the court system , and now the Supreme Court will have to decide whether other parts of the Obama-era health care bill can stand without the tax mandate .
With this court case looming , Mr. Trump issued a new executive order on Thursday that makes it official U.S. policy that medical insurers must continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s trying primarily to make sure any insurance company if they got someone covered that they can ’ t increase the premiums and essentially price that person out of coverage just because they happen to get sick or have a preexisting condition , ” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows explained earlier on the same show .
In a statement following the administration ’ s announcement , Mrs. Pelosi called the order “ bogus ” and said it “ isn ’ t worth the paper it ’ s signed @ @ @

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday that the Republicans’ push for a quick replacement for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg comes down to the partisan battle over the Affordable Care Act.
Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, said Judges Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa, who are on President Trump’s nominee short list, were picked to give the Republicans an edge in the upcoming Supreme Court case to determine the fate of the ACA, also known as Obamacare.
“The reason they were perched for this, within just a couple of hours after the announcement of her passing … was so inappropriate,” the speaker said on CBS’ “This Morning.” “This rush to appoint someone to be there in time for the November 10 arguments … the administration will make the case against the Affordable Care Act.”
“Republicans are misrepresenting that they support the preexisting condition benefit,” Mrs. Pelosi added.
Currently, the Trump administration is supporting a lawsuit trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, which included protections for those with preexisitng conditions that made it difficult or more expensive to find coverage.
Congress stripped the tax penalty for not having medical coverage in the 2017 GOP tax overhaul, which led to the lower courts ruling the law was not constitutional.
The fight worked its way through the court system, and now the Supreme Court will have to decide whether other parts of the Obama-era health care bill can stand without the tax mandate.
With this court case looming, Mr. Trump issued a new executive order on Thursday that makes it official U.S. policy that medical insurers must continue to cover to those with preexisting conditions.
“It’s trying primarily to make sure any insurance company if they got someone covered that they can’t increase the premiums and essentially price that person out of coverage just because they happen to get sick or have a preexisting condition,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows explained earlier on the same show.
In a statement following the administration’s announcement, Mrs. Pelosi called the order “bogus” and said it “isn’t worth the paper it’s signed on.”
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Hendricks, 3 others leave Beloit College Board of Trustees

BELOIT , Wis. ( AP ) - Billionaire businesswoman and benefactor Diane Hendricks has resigned from the Beloit College Board of Trustees just as the school is dealing with financial uncertainties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
Hendricks and three other trustees - Jim Packard , Chuck McQuaid and Jim Sanger - left the board , the school said in a statement Thursday that attributed their departures to “ regular turnover ” typical of college and university boards .
“ After many years of support , including completing the Powerhouse student union and recreation center project , and helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , four Board of Trustees members have decided to step down from their official duties , ” said the statement from Elizabeth Conlisk , the school ’ s interim chief communications officer .
Hendricks is co-founder and chair of ABC Supply , based in Beloit , and is associated with many other business and charitable ventures in the area .
Hendricks , also an active political benefactor , joined the board in 2011 .
Packard is retired after serving as a top executive at Regal Beloit Corp. Sanger is former president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college board for over 20 years .
The college ’ s Center for the Sciences was named after him and his wife , Marjorie , recognizing their efforts in supporting scholarships and other projects related to the college .
Chuck McQuaid joined the board in 2011 .
He is president and chief investment officer at Columbia Wagner Asset Management in Chicago .
Beloit College had enrollment of about 1,100 students last year before the pandemic hit .
The Beloit Daily News reported the college had been moving to reduce staff and lower costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools nationwide were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic .
None of the four trustees responded to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interview requests .

BELOIT, Wis. (AP) - Billionaire businesswoman and benefactor Diane Hendricks has resigned from the Beloit College Board of Trustees just as the school is dealing with financial uncertainties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Hendricks and three other trustees - Jim Packard, Chuck McQuaid and Jim Sanger - left the board, the school said in a statement Thursday that attributed their departures to “regular turnover” typical of college and university boards.
“After many years of support, including completing the Powerhouse student union and recreation center project, and helping Beloit College finalize a new five-year financial plan, four Board of Trustees members have decided to step down from their official duties,” said the statement from Elizabeth Conlisk, the school’s interim chief communications officer.
Hendricks is co-founder and chair of ABC Supply, based in Beloit, and is associated with many other business and charitable ventures in the area. Hendricks, also an active political benefactor, joined the board in 2011.
Packard is retired after serving as a top executive at Regal Beloit Corp. Sanger is former president of Rath Manufacturing and has served on the college board for over 20 years. The college’s Center for the Sciences was named after him and his wife, Marjorie, recognizing their efforts in supporting scholarships and other projects related to the college.
Chuck McQuaid joined the board in 2011. He is president and chief investment officer at Columbia Wagner Asset Management in Chicago.
Beloit College had enrollment of about 1,100 students last year before the pandemic hit. The Beloit Daily News reported the college had been moving to reduce staff and lower costs to cope with declining enrollment even before schools nationwide were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
None of the four trustees responded to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interview requests.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Initial unemployment claims slightly drop in North Carolina

The Winston-Salem Journal reported Thursday that the state had 12,591 claims for the week that ended Sept. 19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ a revised 13,437 the previous week .
Since the pandemic began , the highest weekly @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina has been 172,745 .
That was for the week that ended March @ @ @ @ @ , there were 870,000 initial claims filed last week .
For comparison , the national @ @ @ @ @ million claims for the week that ended March 28 .
The numbers were released Thursday @ @ @ @ @ Labor .
Gus Faucher , chief economist for PNC Financial Services Group , said that @ @ @ @ @ problem for the U.S. economy .
”

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina’s initial unemployment-insurance benefit claims showed a slight downward trend last week.
The Winston-Salem Journal reported Thursday that the state had 12,591 claims for the week that ended Sept. 19. The number is slightly down from a revised 13,437 the previous week.
Since the pandemic began, the highest weekly total for unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina has been 172,745. That was for the week that ended March 28.
Across the nation, there were 870,000 initial claims filed last week. For comparison, the national weekly peak was the 6.87 million claims for the week that ended March 28.
The numbers were released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Gus Faucher, chief economist for PNC Financial Services Group, said that unemployment “remains a huge problem for the U.S. economy.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Orders for big-ticket US manufactured goods up weak 0.4%

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods increased just 0.4 % in August following @ @ @ @ @ the previous month .
The Commerce Department reported Friday that the August advance marked the @ @ @ @ @ far lower than the 11.7 % surge seen in July .
Economists had expected a @ @ @ @ @ the sharp declines in the spring due to the coronavirus shutdowns .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ below expectations .
A key category that tracks business investment plans was up 1.8 % @ @ @ @ @ of 2.5 % in July and 4.3 % in June .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods increased just 0.4% in August following a much larger gain in the previous month.
It was the fourth consecutive monthly increase, but the most recent uptick was far weaker than the 11.7% surge in July, the Commerce Department reported Friday.
Economists had expected production to ease somewhat after manufacturers rebounded strongly in previous months from COVID-19 related shutdowns, but the growth in August was less than half what economists had projected.
A key category that tracks business investment plans rose 1.8% in August, compared with gains of 2.5% in July and 4.3% in June.
Economists appear divided over how to interpret the data. Some saw the string of positive numbers as a hopeful sign of a strong bounce back. Others, however, believe the modest advance overall signals that manufacturing appears paced for a slow recovery now that an initial boost from re-openings and government aid has faded.
“We’re now in Phase 2 of this recovery, in which the economy will face persistent headwinds of the Covid-19 crisis without the support of meaningful fiscal stimulus and as a vaccine still remains absent,” said Oren Klachkin, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.
The report showed that the volatile transportation sector rose a modest 0.5% as orders for motor vehicles and parts fell 4%, after a 21.7% surge in July as auto plants reopened.
Excluding transportation, orders would have risen 0.4%.
The changes left total orders at a seasonally adjusted $232.8 billion in August.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Man dies after being brought to fire station with stab wound

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - Police in Providence are investigating the city ’ s 12th homicide of the @ @ @ @ @ from a stab wound was brought to the Atwells Avenue fire station at about 4 @ @ @ @ @ Maj. David Lapatin .
Firefighters helped the victim before he was taken to Rhode Island @ @ @ @ @ .
His name was not released .
The person who brought the victim to the @ @ @ @ @ the scene , but it was not clear how that person was involved .
No @ @ @ @ @ Police think the stabbing occurred not too far from the station .
There were 13 @ @ @ @ @ year .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Police in Providence are investigating the city’s 12th homicide of the year.
A man suffering from a stab wound was brought to the Atwells Avenue fire station at about 4 p.m. Thursday, according to Maj. David Lapatin.
Firefighters helped the victim before he was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died.
His name was not released.
The person who brought the victim to the fire station also stayed at the scene, but it was not clear how that person was involved. No arrests have been announced.
Police think the stabbing occurred not too far from the station.
There were 13 homicides in the city last year.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--New Mexico Democrats hold up Trump judicial appointments

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico ’ s Democratic senators have placed the judicial confirmations for two U.S. District Court vacancies on hold until after the Nov. 3 election .
They say the president has politicized the process , so they ’ ll wait until the voters have spoken .
Using their home-state consultation authority , Sens .
Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall interrupted the vetting of two possible lifetime appointments in response to a White House news conference - prior to the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18 - in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over hundreds of recent and future federal judicial appointments as a rallying cry to political supporters .
They acknowledged their decision Thursday .
The New Mexico U.S. District Court has relied on visiting judges to relieve pressure on its robust dockets of immigration and drug trafficking cases .
One of three bench vacancies was filled last year by Republican Judge Kea W. Riggs , and Heinrich and Udall had signaled early support for Trump nominees Fred Federici , an assistant U.S. attorney , and Albuquerque-based civil litigation attorney Brenda Saiz .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his upcoming nomination for a conservative successor to the unquestioned leader of the court ’ s liberal wing , even though its Republican leaders spurned Democratic President Barack Obama ’ s election-year Supreme Court appointment in 2016 .
“ Just weeks before the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , the President insisted on politicizing the judicial appointment process in his remarks at a thinly-veiled campaign event at the White House , ” Heinrich and Udall said in a joint statement .
“ We will be pausing the process given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to work expeditiously to fill these vacancies once the American people have spoken.
” At his Sept. 9 White House event , Trump announced the names of 20 potential future Supreme Court nominees and warned of a growing radical left movement that might use the high court to “ remove the words ‘ under God ’ from the Pledge of Allegiance ” and ¨grant new protections to anarchists , rioters , violent criminals and terrorists.
” In an earlier appointment with implication for New Mexico , Trump opened the way in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to join the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to take the place of Paul Joseph Kelly .
State Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce praised Federici and Saiz as highly qualified nominees and lamented the senators ’ decision .
“ It looks like for political reasons , they ’ re just going to keep them frozen up , ” Pearce said .
The move leaves a tiny window of time for Senate confirmation before the process resets at the outset of 2021 .
Oversight would fall partially to Udall ’ s successor as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - either Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján or Republican former television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico’s Democratic senators have placed the judicial confirmations for two U.S. District Court vacancies on hold until after the Nov. 3 election. They say the president has politicized the process, so they’ll wait until the voters have spoken.
Using their home-state consultation authority, Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall interrupted the vetting of two possible lifetime appointments in response to a White House news conference - prior to the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sept. 18 - in which Trump invoked the president’s authority over hundreds of recent and future federal judicial appointments as a rallying cry to political supporters. They acknowledged their decision Thursday.
The New Mexico U.S. District Court has relied on visiting judges to relieve pressure on its robust dockets of immigration and drug trafficking cases. One of three bench vacancies was filled last year by Republican Judge Kea W. Riggs, and Heinrich and Udall had signaled early support for Trump nominees Fred Federici, an assistant U.S. attorney, and Albuquerque-based civil litigation attorney Brenda Saiz.
Trump has urged the Senate to consider without delay his upcoming nomination for a conservative successor to the unquestioned leader of the court’s liberal wing, even though its Republican leaders spurned Democratic President Barack Obama’s election-year Supreme Court appointment in 2016.
“Just weeks before the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the President insisted on politicizing the judicial appointment process in his remarks at a thinly-veiled campaign event at the White House,” Heinrich and Udall said in a joint statement. “We will be pausing the process given the close proximity to the election, and will continue to work expeditiously to fill these vacancies once the American people have spoken.”
At his Sept. 9 White House event, Trump announced the names of 20 potential future Supreme Court nominees and warned of a growing radical left movement that might use the high court to “remove the words ‘under God’ from the Pledge of Allegiance” and ¨grant new protections to anarchists, rioters, violent criminals and terrorists.”
In an earlier appointment with implication for New Mexico, Trump opened the way in 2017 for former Roswell-based attorney Joel Carson to join the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to take the place of Paul Joseph Kelly.
State Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce praised Federici and Saiz as highly qualified nominees and lamented the senators’ decision. “It looks like for political reasons, they’re just going to keep them frozen up,” Pearce said.
The move leaves a tiny window of time for Senate confirmation before the process resets at the outset of 2021. Oversight would fall partially to Udall’s successor as he retires at year’s end - either Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján or Republican former television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Woman's death in southeast Kansas investigated as homicide

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that a relative of 34-year-old Amy Lammon called 911 Thursday @ @ @ @ @ was dead .
Deputies with the Elk County Sherriff ’ s Office responded and found @ @ @ @ @ .
No details were released about how she died or whether a suspect had been @ @

LONGTON, Kan. (AP) - Authorities are investigating a homicide in southeast Kansas.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that a relative of 34-year-old Amy Lammon called 911 Thursday morning to report that she was dead. Deputies with the Elk County Sherriff’s Office responded and found her body inside a home.
No details were released about how she died or whether a suspect had been identified.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--EU police searching office of Kosovo war veterans group

PRISTINA , Kosovo ( AP ) - European Union security police stormed the offices of a war veterans association in Kosovo , apparently to get hold of international prosecutors ’ files from a war crimes investigation that the association said it received anonymously , according to witnesses and veterans .
Members of the veterans ’ association , which represents the former ethnic Albanian separatists who fought Serbian troops in a 1998-1999 war for independence , said police from the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo , or EULEX , prevented them from going into the association ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the association ’ s secretary , told reporters that police officers speaking different languages , including Kosovar police forces , had entered the offices in Pristina .
An Associated Press video journalist observed police officers telling journalists to move away from the entrance .
EULEX did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the police operation .
Earlier this week , the war veterans group said that for the third time in two months an unknown person had provided war crime files from a special international court in The Hague , Netherlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army members during and after the Balkan nation ’ s war .
The veterans said they would make the files public .
Christopher Bennett , spokesman of the Specialist Prosecutor ’ s Office at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers , said that releasing the documents would be “ undermining the proper administration of justice ” and a criminal act .
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers is looking into allegations that Kosovo Liberation Army members committed war crimes and crimes against humanity .
On Thursday The Hague-based court arrested a former KLA commander on charges including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one prisoner held at a compound in Kosovo .
He was taken to the court ’ s detention center in Netherlands .
Kosovar President Hashim Thaci , former parliamentary speaker Kadri Veseli , and others have been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes , including murder , enforced disappearances , persecution and torture .
Both men have denied committing any crimes .
A pretrial judge hasn ’ t made a decision on whether to proceed with their case .
The 1998-1999 war for Kosovo ’ s independence from Serbia left more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them ethnic Albanians from Kosovo , and more than 1,600 people remain unaccounted for .
The fighting ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbian troops .
Kosovo , which is dominated by ethnic Albanians , declared independence from Serbia in 2008 , a move recognized by many Western nations but not Serbia or its allies Russia and China .

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - European Union security police stormed the offices of a war veterans association in Kosovo, apparently to get hold of international prosecutors’ files from a war crimes investigation that the association said it received anonymously, according to witnesses and veterans.
Members of the veterans’ association, which represents the former ethnic Albanian separatists who fought Serbian troops in a 1998-1999 war for independence, said police from the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, or EULEX, prevented them from going into the association’s offices on Friday.
Faton Klinaku, the association’s secretary, told reporters that police officers speaking different languages, including Kosovar police forces, had entered the offices in Pristina.
An Associated Press video journalist observed police officers telling journalists to move away from the entrance.
EULEX did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the police operation.
Earlier this week, the war veterans group said that for the third time in two months an unknown person had provided war crime files from a special international court in The Hague, Netherlands, probing alleged crimes by Kosovo Liberation Army members during and after the Balkan nation’s war.
The veterans said they would make the files public.
Christopher Bennett, spokesman of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, said that releasing the documents would be “undermining the proper administration of justice” and a criminal act.
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers is looking into allegations that Kosovo Liberation Army members committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On Thursday The Hague-based court arrested a former KLA commander on charges including torture of detainees and the murder of one prisoner held at a compound in Kosovo. He was taken to the court’s detention center in Netherlands.
Kosovar President Hashim Thaci, former parliamentary speaker Kadri Veseli, and others have been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, enforced disappearances, persecution and torture. Both men have denied committing any crimes.
A pretrial judge hasn’t made a decision on whether to proceed with their case.
The 1998-1999 war for Kosovo’s independence from Serbia left more than 10,000 people dead - most of them ethnic Albanians from Kosovo, and more than 1,600 people remain unaccounted for. The fighting ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign against Serbian troops.
Kosovo, which is dominated by ethnic Albanians, declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move recognized by many Western nations but not Serbia or its allies Russia and China.
—-
Semini reported from Tirana, Albania.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Drugmaker Novavax begins late-stage vaccine trial in UK

LONDON ( AP ) - U.S.-based Novavax has begun a late stage trial of its potential COVID-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom because the high-level of the coronavirus circulating in the country is likely to produce quick results , the pharmaceutical company said .
Novavax plans to test the effectiveness of its vaccine in a trial involving 10,000 people between the ages of 18 and 84 , according to a statement issued late Thursday .
At least 25 % of the subjects will be over the age of 65 , and 400 participants will also receive a licensed flu vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnership with the U.K. government ’ s Vaccine Taskforce , which was created in April to help speed the development of a COVID-19 vaccine .
“ With a high level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission observed and expected to continue in the U.K. , we are optimistic that this pivotal phase 3 clinical trial will enroll quickly and provide a near-term view of ( the vaccine ’ s ) efficacy , ” Dr. Gregory M. Glenn , head of research and development for Novavax , said in the statement .
The announcement comes as COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government reported 6,634 new positive test results on Thursday - the U.K. ’ s highest daily number since the pandemic began .
Britain has the deadliest outbreak in Europe , with nearly 42,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths .
Drugmakers are rushing to develop COVID-19 vaccines with the backing of governments desperate to find a way of easing restrictions that have hammered the world economy .
The U.K. has already agreed to buy 60 million doses of the Novavax vaccine to ensure it can be distributed as quickly as possible if it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that participants in the Novavax trial will be drawn from the 250,000 people who have volunteered to take part in COVID-19 vaccine testing through the National Health Service ’ s Vaccine Registry .
“ Finding a safe and effective vaccine that works for the majority of the U.K. population is the best way to tackle this devastating disease , ” said Kate Bingham , chair of the government ’ s Vaccines Taskforce .
“ Whilst social distancing , testing and other measures can help reduce the impact of coronavirus , the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a vaccine.
” Novavax also pledged to publish details of its vaccine testing protocol “ to enhance information-sharing during the worldwide pandemic.
” Drugmakers are under pressure to release more information about the progress of their vaccine trials - information they normally wouldn ’ t release until the trials are complete - to increase public confidence in their work .
Several other big pharmaceutical firms , including AstraZeneca , Moderna and Pfizer , have already released the protocols for their trials .

LONDON (AP) - U.S.-based Novavax has begun a late stage trial of its potential COVID-19 vaccine in the United Kingdom because the high-level of the coronavirus circulating in the country is likely to produce quick results, the pharmaceutical company said.
Novavax plans to test the effectiveness of its vaccine in a trial involving 10,000 people between the ages of 18 and 84, according to a statement issued late Thursday. At least 25% of the subjects will be over the age of 65, and 400 participants will also receive a licensed flu vaccine.
The trial is being conducted in partnership with the U.K. government’s Vaccine Taskforce, which was created in April to help speed the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“With a high level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission observed and expected to continue in the U.K., we are optimistic that this pivotal phase 3 clinical trial will enroll quickly and provide a near-term view of (the vaccine’s) efficacy,” Dr. Gregory M. Glenn, head of research and development for Novavax, said in the statement.
The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the U.K. The government reported 6,634 new positive test results on Thursday - the U.K.’s highest daily number since the pandemic began. Britain has the deadliest outbreak in Europe, with nearly 42,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths.
Drugmakers are rushing to develop COVID-19 vaccines with the backing of governments desperate to find a way of easing restrictions that have hammered the world economy.
The U.K. has already agreed to buy 60 million doses of the Novavax vaccine to ensure it can be distributed as quickly as possible if it is approved by regulators.
The government said Friday that participants in the Novavax trial will be drawn from the 250,000 people who have volunteered to take part in COVID-19 vaccine testing through the National Health Service’s Vaccine Registry.
“Finding a safe and effective vaccine that works for the majority of the U.K. population is the best way to tackle this devastating disease,” said Kate Bingham, chair of the government’s Vaccines Taskforce. “Whilst social distancing, testing and other measures can help reduce the impact of coronavirus, the only long-term solution to beating it will be finding a vaccine.”
Novavax also pledged to publish details of its vaccine testing protocol “to enhance information-sharing during the worldwide pandemic.”
Drugmakers are under pressure to release more information about the progress of their vaccine trials - information they normally wouldn’t release until the trials are complete - to increase public confidence in their work.
Several other big pharmaceutical firms, including AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer, have already released the protocols for their trials.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Orders for big-ticket US manufactured goods increased just 0.4% in August following much larger gain

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Orders for big-ticket US manufactured goods increased just 0.4 % in August following much larger @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - Orders for big-ticket US manufactured goods increased just 0.4% in August following much larger gain in previous month.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Delaware reports 630th COVID death, nearly 20,000 cases

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - The state of Delaware has seen its 630th COVID-related death .
The @ @ @ @ @ that a Kent County man , 65 , passed away .
He had a known @ @ @ @ @ not a resident of a long-term healthcare facility .
The Delaware Division of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ s total of virus cases is 19,947 .
That includes 57 people who are hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ seven-day rolling average of percentage of positive tests decreased two percentage points to 6.6 % @ @ @ @ @ 7 % for most of last week .
For reference , the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ of 5 % for the percent positive rate .
The state has also reported 44 @ @ @ @ @ , bringing that total to 10,487 .

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state of Delaware has seen its 630th COVID-related death.
The Delaware State News reported Thursday that a Kent County man, 65, passed away. He had a known underlying health condition and was not a resident of a long-term healthcare facility.
The Delaware Division of Public Health reported that the state’s total of virus cases is 19,947. That includes 57 people who are hospitalized.
The state’s seven-day rolling average of percentage of positive tests decreased two percentage points to 6.6%. It was more than 7% for most of last week.
For reference, the World Health Organization recommends a seven-day rolling average of 5% for the percent positive rate.
The state has also reported 44 additional recoveries from the virus, bringing that total to 10,487.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Japan's newly minted prime minister steps into UN limelight

TOKYO ( AP ) - Considered something of a lightweight on foreign policy issues , Japan ’ s new prime minister has spent much of his career in the shadows , supporting previous leader Shinzo Abe with backroom bureaucratic maneuvers and in largely scripted , sometimes prickly dealings with the media .
That will change Saturday morning ( Friday afternoon at the United Nations ) when Yoshihide Suga makes his very public debut , albeit virtually and in a prerecorded video , at the U.N. General Assembly , the world ’ s premier international gathering of leaders .
Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , with resounding rhetoric or wildly innovative ideas to improve Japan ’ s rocky ties with the nations it terrorized in WWII or its decades-long economic malaise .
Much as he ’ s done domestically in the week and a half that he ’ s been prime minister , Suga is eager to emphasize that he ’ ll continue the foreign policy efforts Abe championed in his nearly eight-year rule , the longest of any Japanese prime minister .
Continuity won ’ t necessarily thrill Japan ’ s Asian neighbors .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself from the hawkish Abe , who regularly questioned the narrative of Japan as a war criminal .
Suga ’ s cautious approach is largely due to his lack of experience on the world stage , in part because his job as chief cabinet secretary required him to manage disasters and other crises at home .
But it also may be linked to his temperament .
“ He is not a visionary , ” according to Jeff Kingston , director of Asian studies at Temple University Japan .
He is “ a capable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy.
” Because of the constraints on travel and face-to-face contact caused by the coronavirus pandemic , Suga also won ’ t be able to pursue the personal diplomacy that Abe favored and “ will muddle along rather than breaking any new ground , ” Kingston said .
Suga maintains that he was involved behind the scenes on big foreign policy issues and in building relationships with foreign leaders .
Much as Abe did , Suga will emphasize ties with the United States , Japan ’ s top ally .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have bedeviled a string of prime ministers , including resolving the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea , with which Japan still has no diplomatic ties .
Suga has praised Abe ’ s skills in forging personal ties with U.S. President Donald Trump , something he said that he might not be able to do as well .
Abe ’ s close relationship with Trump , much marveled at in the Japanese press , was said to be key to keeping U.S.-Japan ties firm .
And Suga may have played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than is widely known .
In recent comments published in Bungei Shunju magazine , Suga said he was the one who insisted on establishing ties with the Trump side when nobody was seriously expecting a Trump victory .
Suga has also long worked on issues related to North Korea , as well as the contentious issue of U.S. military bases on Okinawa .
“ What ’ s important , ” Suga said , “ is an eye that can see the big picture.
” Behind-the-scenes operations are one thing , but questions still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not served in key diplomatic or defense posts , will be able to navigate the much more visible arena of high-stakes global diplomacy .
His lack of foreign policy experience is a worry even among his party colleagues , said Tsuneo Watanabe , a Sasakawa Peace Foundation senior research fellow who is an expert on Japan-U.S. relations .
That said , Suga has good contacts with the country ’ s powerful bureaucrats and with skilled policy advisers in the Foreign Ministry , Watanabe said .
His approach will probably “ be pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” focused on a stronger security alliance with the United States while balancing economic ties with China , Watanabe said .
Among the other strong pieces of evidence that Suga wants foreign policy continuity with Abe is his appointment of Nobuo Kishi , Abe ’ s younger brother and a military hawk , as defense minister .
Suga will face perhaps his biggest challenge in trying to settle ties with South Korea .
The countries ’ trade and political relations plummeted under Abe after Seoul claimed that Abe was whitewashing Japan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s successor intends to serve the long-term interest and avoid further deterioration of the Japan-South Korea relations , now is the time to explore the chance for a reset in relations , ” Kazuhiko Togo , a former diplomat and a visiting professor at Kyoto Sangyo University , wrote in a recent East Asia Forum article .
At the very least , Suga “ is not as reviled in Seoul as Abe , so that might create an opening , ” Kingston said , although much will depend on how Seoul handles things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initiative .
In some ways , the virtual setup of this year ’ s U.N. General Assembly might benefit Suga .
He has “ vast experience ” dealing with scripted media situations , but he is also “ sullen and prickly with tough questions , ” Kingston said , and when he eventually travels as prime minister , he , like Abe , could get in trouble with a more assertive foreign press because he “ will not be able to get away with the evasive tactics he favors.
” Abe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much in his years in office , and “ Japan remains at risk in its neighborhood , so Suga can ’ t do much worse on the foreign policy front.
” Foster Klug , AP ’ s news director for Japan , the Koreas , Australia and the South Pacific , has covered Asia at UNGA since 2005 .
Follow him at www.twitter.com/apklug .
Follow longtime Tokyo correspondent Mari Yamaguchi at www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi

TOKYO (AP) - Japan’s new prime minister, stepping from the shadows of his longtime supporting role, said Saturday in his debut at the U.N. General Assembly that he’s willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without any conditions.
The offer comes as Yoshihide Suga - only days into his tenure - tries to do what his predecessor and former boss, Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, couldn’t: resolve the decades-old issue of North Korea’s abductions of Japanese citizens, along with the North’s growing nuclear and missile program.
“Establishing constructive relations between Japan and North Korea will not only serve the interests of both sides but will also greatly contribute to regional peace and stability,” Suga said in a recorded speech that came Friday afternoon at the COVID-hit annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. in New York.
“I will miss no opportunity to take actions with all my dedication,” he said.
In a nod, perhaps, to criticism that he is something of a lightweight on foreign policy issues, Suga noted that he has worked for many years on the abduction issue, which remains a big domestic concern in Japan. Abe had also offered to meet with Kim during his own tenure.
Suga’s international debut is being watched closely because he has spent a large part of his career supporting Abe with backroom bureaucratic maneuvers and in largely scripted, sometimes prickly dealings with the media.
His speech was relatively straightforward, with no resounding rhetoric or wildly innovative ideas to improve Japan’s rocky ties with the nations it terrorized in WWII or its decades-long economic malaise.
Much as he’s done domestically in the week and a half that he’s been prime minister, Suga is eager to emphasize that he’ll continue the foreign policy efforts Abe championed in his nearly eight-year rule.
Continuity won’t necessarily thrill Japan’s Asian neighbors. Many have been hoping that Suga will distance himself from the hawkish Abe, who regularly questioned the narrative of Japan as a war criminal.
Suga’s cautious approach is largely due to his lack of experience on the world stage, in part because his job as chief cabinet secretary required him to manage disasters and other crises at home. But it also may be linked to his temperament.
“He is not a visionary,” according to Jeff Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University Japan. He is “a capable lieutenant who will follow Abe’s foreign policy.”
Because of the constraints on travel and face-to-face contact caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Suga also won’t be able to pursue the personal diplomacy that Abe favored and “will muddle along rather than breaking any new ground,” Kingston said.
Suga maintains that he was involved behind the scenes on big foreign policy issues and in building relationships with foreign leaders.
Much as Abe did, Suga is looking to emphasize ties with the United States, Japan’s top ally.
Suga has praised Abe’s skills in forging personal ties with U.S. President Donald Trump, something he said that he might not be able to do as well. Abe’s close relationship with Trump, much marveled at in the Japanese press, was said to be key to keeping U.S.-Japan ties firm. And Suga may have played a bigger part in building that relationship than is widely known.
In recent comments published in Bungei Shunju magazine, Suga said he was the one who insisted on establishing ties with the Trump side when nobody was seriously expecting a Trump victory.
Suga noted that the coronavirus pandemic, while an “unprecedented crisis,” has also “brought the international community back to cooperation from its tendencies towards division and isolation.”
Suga also said that Tokyo is determined to host the postponed Olympics next summer as proof that the world is bouncing back from the virus.
Japan, with just over 80,000 cases and 1,500 deaths, has so far managed to avoid the explosive spread of infections seen in the United States and Europe, despite its nonbinding shutdown requests. Experts say the widely accepted use of face masks and regular handwashing and sanitizing might have helped, though there’s worry about another wave of illness this autumn and winter. The government is now further relaxing restrictions on tourism and public events to try to stimulate economic recovery.
Suga’s behind-the-scenes operations are one thing, but questions still abound about whether a leader who has not previously served in key diplomatic or defense posts will be able to navigate the much more visible arena of high-stakes global diplomacy.
His lack of foreign policy experience is a worry even among his party colleagues, said Tsuneo Watanabe, a Sasakawa Peace Foundation senior research fellow who is an expert on Japan-U.S. relations.
That said, Suga has good contacts with the country’s powerful bureaucrats and with skilled policy advisers in the Foreign Ministry, Watanabe said.
His approach will probably “be pretty much the same as Abe’s,” focused on a stronger security alliance with the United States while balancing economic ties with China, Watanabe said.
Among the other strong pieces of evidence that Suga wants foreign policy continuity with Abe is his appointment of Nobuo Kishi, Abe’s younger brother and a military hawk, as defense minister.
Suga will face perhaps his biggest challenge in trying to settle ties with South Korea. The countries’ trade and political relations plummeted under Abe after Seoul claimed that Abe was whitewashing Japan’s historical crimes.
“If Abe’s successor intends to serve the long-term interest and avoid further deterioration of the Japan-South Korea relations, now is the time to explore the chance for a reset in relations,” Kazuhiko Togo, a former diplomat and a visiting professor at Kyoto Sangyo University, wrote in a recent East Asia Forum article.
At the very least, Suga “is not as reviled in Seoul as Abe, so that might create an opening,” Kingston said, although much will depend on how Seoul handles things, as Tokyo is unlikely to take the initiative.
In some ways, the virtual setup of this year’s U.N. General Assembly might benefit Suga.
He has “vast experience” dealing with scripted media situations, but he is also “sullen and prickly with tough questions,” Kingston said, and when he eventually travels as prime minister, he, like Abe, could get in trouble with a more assertive foreign press because he “will not be able to get away with the evasive tactics he favors.”
___
Foster Klug, AP’s news director for Japan, the Koreas, Australia and the South Pacific, has covered Asia at UNGA since 2005. Follow him at www.twitter.com/apklug. Follow longtime Tokyo correspondent Mari Yamaguchi at www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Firefighters find body in apartment after morning blaze

BIRMINGHAM , Ala. ( AP ) - Birmingham firefighters responding to reports of smoke inside an apartment found a body @ @ @ @ @ said they have opened a homicide investigation Crews got a call about a fire in @ @ @ @ @ a.m. , and Battalion Chief Jackie Hicks told news outlets that firefighters found smoke and @ @ @ @ @ .
But flames appeared to have been started in “ multiple ” places , he @ @ @ @ @ a few hot spots and then found a body in a downstairs unit .
Hicks @ @ @ @ @ to say how the person died or whether the death occurred before or after the @ @ @ @ @ victim ’ s identity was immediately clear .
Homicide detectives were interviewing people outside the @ @

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - A man found dead inside an apartment after a fire early Friday had been shot to death, authorities said.
A man identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office as Ladarrius Jamiel Brooks, 27, apparently was killed before the blaze, which appeared to have been set to hide evidence of the shooting, news outlets reported.
Crews got a call about a fire in an apartment building about 4 a.m., and Battalion Chief Jackie Hicks said firefighters found smoke and no visible signs of fire. But flames appeared to have been started in “multiple” places, he said.
Firefighters put out a few hot spots and then found a body in a downstairs unit, where Brooks reportedly lived.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Mom's remains go missing after being mailed to wrong address

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - A Kentucky woman is sending out what she calls an “ urgent plea ” after a box containing her mother ’ s cremated remains went missing after she mailed it to her sister in Florida .
On Sept. 9. , Amy Redford of La Grange , Kentucky , sent the box via the U.S .
Postal Service to what she thought was her sister ’ s address in Jacksonville , The Florida Times-Union reported .
The box , which bore a bright red label saying , “ CREMATED REMAINS , ” was delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had moved , and Redford didn ’ t know .
Redford has talked to postal inspectors and the apartment manager to piece together a timeline .
The tenant took the box when the mail carrier knocked on the door , but seemed in a hurry because she was taking an online test , Redford told the newspaper .
When the woman realized the box wasn ’ t for her , she put it outside so the mail carrier could take it .
Now it ’ s missing .
Redford said she hopes someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Getting the word out as much as possible is my best strategy , so that ’ s sort of what I ’ ve been hoping for , ” Redford said .
“ Somebody might see something , somebody might know something.
” She ’ has emailed trash companies in Jacksonville , who ’ ve pledged to keep an eye out for the package , the newspaper reported .
She has also talked to postal service employees in Kentucky .
“ They have done an amazing job here , they literally have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ As a matter of fact , I now have the postmaster ’ s cellphone number.
” “ I just want to put her in peace , ” Redford told the newspaper .
“ I don ’ t want my mother to end up in some landfill somewhere .
”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A Kentucky woman is sending out what she calls an “urgent plea” after a box containing her mother’s cremated remains went missing after she mailed it to her sister in Florida.
On Sept. 9., Amy Redford of La Grange, Kentucky, sent the box via the U.S. Postal Service to what she thought was her sister’s address in Jacksonville, The Florida Times-Union reported. The box, which bore a bright red label saying, “CREMATED REMAINS,” was delivered the next day.
But her sister had moved, and Redford didn’t know.
Redford has talked to postal inspectors and the apartment manager to piece together a timeline.
The tenant took the box when the mail carrier knocked on the door, but seemed in a hurry because she was taking an online test, Redford told the newspaper. When the woman realized the box wasn’t for her, she put it outside so the mail carrier could take it. Now it’s missing.
Redford said she hopes someone will see her story and help.
“Getting the word out as much as possible is my best strategy, so that’s sort of what I’ve been hoping for,” Redford said. “Somebody might see something, somebody might know something.”
She’ has emailed trash companies in Jacksonville, who’ve pledged to keep an eye out for the package, the newspaper reported.
She has also talked to postal service employees in Kentucky. “They have done an amazing job here, they literally have been in contact with me every single day,” she said. “As a matter of fact, I now have the postmaster’s cellphone number.”
Redford’s mother, Catherine Elizabeth Mays, died at age 77.
“I just want to put her in peace,” Redford told the newspaper. “I don’t want my mother to end up in some landfill somewhere.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Customs officers find heroin in car crossing Port of Nogales

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Customs officials say they seized over 100 pounds ( 45 kilograms ) of drugs at @ @ @ @ @ .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said officers found the drugs Wednesday hidden in compartments @ @ @ @ @ driver , identified as a 21-year-old American man , was flagged for extra inspection while @ @ @ @ @ .
The officers removed 68 tightly wrapped red packages of drugs from the car , @ @ @ @ @ kilograms ) of heroin and 1.5 pounds ( 1 kilogram ) of fentanyl pills .
@ @ @ @ @ would be around $ 250,000 , according to wholesale U.S. drug prices published by the @ @ @ @ @ and Crime .
The CBP estimated the retail , or street value , at $ @ @ @

PHOENIX (AP) - Customs officials say they seized over 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of drugs at a border crossing in Nogales.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said officers found the drugs Wednesday hidden in compartments of a sedan. The driver, identified as a 21-year-old American man, was flagged for extra inspection while trying to cross the border.
The officers removed 68 tightly wrapped red packages of drugs from the car, including 102 pounds (46 kilograms) of heroin and 1.5 pounds (1 kilogram) of fentanyl pills.
The value of the load would be around $250,000, according to wholesale U.S. drug prices published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The CBP estimated the retail, or street value, at $1 million.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Franklin County sheriff's deputy dies in multi-vehicle crash

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) - A dump truck crossed a highway median and crashed into several vehicles Friday , seriously injuring two other drivers and killing a Franklin County sheriff ’ s deputy who was on her way to work at the county jail , authorities said .
Deputy Angela Kane , 51 , of Logan , died when the truck hit her pickup around 1:30 p.m. Friday on Route 33 in southeastern Franklin County , officials said .
She had been a deputy for about 10 years , The Columbus Dispatch reported .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baldwin said at a news conference .
“ She ’ s just one of those people everybody liked.
” Plans are being made for a memorial , Baldwin said .
The crash happened after Ray Parks , 51 , of Columbus , lost control when his front tire blew out , the Ohio State Patrol said .
The dump truck he was driving crossed the median , struck five vehicles , including Kane ’ s , and then crossed back over .
Brad Cope , 38 , of Toledo , who was driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 , of Mount Perry , who was driving an SUV , were taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital with serious injuries , the patrol said .
Parks and the two other drivers were not injured , the patrol said .
The crash is being investigated , and no charges have been filed , the patrol said .

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A dump truck crossed a highway median and crashed into several vehicles Friday, seriously injuring two other drivers and killing a Franklin County sheriff’s deputy who was on her way to work at the county jail, authorities said.
Deputy Angela Kane, 51, of Logan, died when the truck hit her pickup around 1:30 p.m. Friday on Route 33 in southeastern Franklin County, officials said. She had been a deputy for about 10 years, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
“It’s a tragic loss,” Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said at a news conference. “She’s just one of those people everybody liked.”
Plans are being made for a memorial, Baldwin said.
The crash happened after Ray Parks, 51, of Columbus, lost control when his front tire blew out, the Ohio State Patrol said. The dump truck he was driving crossed the median, struck five vehicles, including Kane’s, and then crossed back over.
Brad Cope, 38, of Toledo, who was driving a pickup, and Elizabeth Watkins, 40, of Mount Perry, who was driving an SUV, were taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital with serious injuries, the patrol said.
Parks and the two other drivers were not injured, the patrol said.
The crash is being investigated, and no charges have been filed, the patrol said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Trump touts Second Amendment protection at Newport News, Virginia, rally

President Trump leaned hard into Second Amendment rhetoric during a rally in Virginia late Friday , arguing Joseph R. Biden will wage the most aggressive war on gun rights in U.S. history .
“ Your firearms will be confiscated , ” Mr. Trump told supporters in Newport News .
“ Whether you like it or not.
” “ Only by voting for me can you save your country and save your Second Amendment , ” he said .
Mr. Trump , who caused a stir this week with his reluctance to commit to a peaceful post-election transition , revived his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fraud .
“ We do want a very friendly transition .
But we don ’ t want to be cheated .
And be stupid , ” he said .
Mr. Trump says he has a shot at winning Virginia , despite its steady march into blue-state status .
Hillary Clinton won the state by roughly 5 points in 2016 and polls show Joseph R. Biden leading Mr. Trump this time by a comfortable amount — sometimes by double digits .
“ I said let ’ s give Virginia a shot .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , noting he brought Vice President Mike Pence along for the visit .
“ 39 days from now we ’ re going to win Virginia , we ’ re going to win North Carolina , ” he said , throwing in the neighboring swing state for good measure and asking whether any Tarheels made the trip across the border .
Mr. Trump revved up the crowd by promoting his planned nomination Saturday of a Supreme Court justice .
Reports suggest it will be Amy Coney Barrett , who sits on the 7th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The only thing I can tell you for sure is it will be a woman .
Is that OK ?
” he told the outdoor crowd with Air Force One parked behind him .
Mr. Trump repeated his belief the administration deserves an “ A ” or “ A-plus ” for its response to the coronavirus , which has killed over 203,000 people in the U.S .
The nation has about 4 % of the world ’ s population but a fifth of the deaths from the pandemic .
“ The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public relations , ” Mr. Trump said .
He argued Mr. Biden would kill the economic recovery from the virus and delay the rollout of a vaccine , which is on track for approval in the coming months .
Katie Koslow , a 29-year-old military spouse who lives on the other side of the airfield in Newport News , attended with her husband and their 6-year-old child .
Like the majority of rally-goers , no one in the family wore masks .
“ We ’ re here to show our daughter what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koslow said , adding about the crowd : “ It ’ s wonderful .
What ’ s happened with the shutdown is a travesty .
It ’ s bad for business .
It ’ s bad for morale.
” The president promoted GOP candidates in Virginia , saying they can help Republicans take back the House .
He also hit Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , who along with his wife tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day .
The president brought up the Democrat ’ s controversial comments about late-term abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo in his medical-school yearbook , along with the governor ’ s admission he once dressed as Michael Jackson .
Mr. Trump said the governor made the right decision when he decided not to moonwalk at a press conference .
“ That would not have been pretty , ” Mr. Trump said .

President Trump leaned hard into Second Amendment rhetoric during a rally in Virginia late Friday, arguing Joseph R. Biden will wage the most aggressive war on gun rights in U.S. history.
“Your firearms will be confiscated,” Mr. Trump told supporters in Newport News. “Whether you like it or not.”
“Only by voting for me can you save your country and save your Second Amendment,” he said.
Mr. Trump, who caused a stir this week with his reluctance to commit to a peaceful post-election transition, revived his complaints about mail-in ballots and the possibility of fraud.
“We do want a very friendly transition. But we don’t want to be cheated. And be stupid,” he said.
Mr. Trump says he has a shot at winning Virginia, despite its steady march into blue-state status.
Hillary Clinton won the state by roughly 5 points in 2016 and polls show Joseph R. Biden leading Mr. Trump this time by a comfortable amount — sometimes by double digits.
“I said let’s give Virginia a shot. We’re nearby,” Mr. Trump said, noting he brought Vice President Mike Pence along for the visit.
“39 days from now we’re going to win Virginia, we’re going to win North Carolina,” he said, throwing in the neighboring swing state for good measure and asking whether any Tarheels made the trip across the border.
Mr. Trump revved up the crowd by promoting his planned nomination Saturday of a Supreme Court justice. Reports suggest it will be Amy Coney Barrett, who sits on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
“The only thing I can tell you for sure is it will be a woman. Is that OK?” he told the outdoor crowd with Air Force One parked behind him.
Mr. Trump repeated his belief the administration deserves an “A” or “A-plus” for its response to the coronavirus, which has killed over 203,000 people in the U.S. The nation has about 4% of the world’s population but a fifth of the deaths from the pandemic.
“The only thing we did badly on it was public relations,” Mr. Trump said.
He argued Mr. Biden would kill the economic recovery from the virus and delay the rollout of a vaccine, which is on track for approval in the coming months.
Katie Schumann, a 29-year-old military spouse who lives on the other side of the airfield in Newport News, attended with her husband and their 6-year-old child. Like the majority of rally-goers, no one in the family wore masks.
“We’re here to show our daughter what it means to be patriot,” Ms. Koslow said, adding about the crowd: “It’s wonderful. What’s happened with the shutdown is a travesty. It’s bad for business. It’s bad for morale.”
The president promoted GOP candidates in Virginia, saying they can help Republicans take back the House. He also hit Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who along with his wife tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the day.
The president brought up the Democrat’s controversial comments about late-term abortion and his 2019 scandal over a blackface photo in his medical-school yearbook, along with the governor’s admission he once dressed as Michael Jackson.
Mr. Trump said the governor made the right decision when he decided not to moonwalk at a press conference.
“That would not have been pretty,” Mr. Trump said.
–
Corrected from earlier version which had an incorrect surname for Ms. Schumann.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Judge blocks Texas' repeal of straight-ticket voting

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - A federal judge Friday blocked Texas from eliminating straight-ticket voting , a decision that would allow for choosing one party ’ s entire slate of candidates in the November election that is now less than six weeks away .
Most states don ’ t offer straight-ticket voting .
Texas has for decades , but Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott signed a law removing the option in 2020 .
That measure was pushed through by a GOP-controlled Legislature that argued the change would encourage voters to weigh down ballot races and cast better-informed ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the change in March , pointing toward long lines in Houston on Super Tuesday , when some voters waited more than an hour to vote .
They said the law disproportionately hurts Black and Latino voters in big urban counties , where longer ballots result in longer wait times .
U.S. District Judge Mariana Garcia Marmolejo said amid the coronavirus pandemic , which has claimed more than 15,000 lives in Texas , the state should not risk making voting a longer process .
“ Texas ’ rules around voting during the pandemic have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Administering in-person voting the same way it has been administered for 100 years is not about a mere convenience to voters , it is about running an efficient electoral process that guarantees Texans a more effective opportunity to cast a ballot in a time when any additional time spent in line endangers the safety of poll voters , poll workers , and others not at the polls.
” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton did not immediately react to the ruling , although an appeal is likely .
Garcia Mamolejo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reconfigured so close to the Nov. 3 election were unconvincing , doubting it “ will be as onerous as Texas claims.
” The lawsuit was filed in federal court along the Texas border in Laredo .
Abbott signed the law repealing straight-ticket voting in 2017 , a year after President Donald Trump won the state by 9 points .
But that same election also saw Houston and Dallas continue shifting more solidly in Democrats ’ favor , and ousting more local GOP officeholders .
The lawsuit was one of several voting challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to November .
Republican leaders have refused to expand mail-in voting in Texas during the pandemic .
Next week , the Texas Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that will determine whether Harris County can send mail-in voting applications to more than 2 million registered voters .
“ Texas Democrats will have to continue to win at the ballot box to protect the right vote , ” said Gilberto Hinojosa , chairman of the Texas Democratic Party .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A federal judge Friday blocked Texas from eliminating straight-ticket voting, a decision that would allow for choosing one party’s entire slate of candidates in the November election that is now less than six weeks away.
Most states don’t offer straight-ticket voting. Texas has for decades, but Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law removing the option in 2020. That measure was pushed through by a GOP-controlled Legislature that argued the change would encourage voters to weigh down ballot races and cast better-informed ballots on Election Day.
Democrats sued over the change in March, pointing toward long lines in Houston on Super Tuesday, when some voters waited more than an hour to vote. They said the law disproportionately hurts Black and Latino voters in big urban counties, where longer ballots result in longer wait times.
U.S. District Judge Mariana Garcia Marmolejo said amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 15,000 lives in Texas, the state should not risk making voting a longer process.
“Texas’ rules around voting during the pandemic have been perplexing,” Garcia Mamolejo wrote. “Administering in-person voting the same way it has been administered for 100 years is not about a mere convenience to voters, it is about running an efficient electoral process that guarantees Texans a more effective opportunity to cast a ballot in a time when any additional time spent in line endangers the safety of poll voters, poll workers, and others not at the polls.”
Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton did not immediately react to the ruling, although an appeal is likely.
Garcia Mamolejo said claims that voting machines couldn’t be reconfigured so close to the Nov. 3 election were unconvincing, doubting it “will be as onerous as Texas claims.”
The lawsuit was filed in federal court along the Texas border in Laredo. Abbott signed the law repealing straight-ticket voting in 2017, a year after President Donald Trump won the state by 9 points. But that same election also saw Houston and Dallas continue shifting more solidly in Democrats’ favor, and ousting more local GOP officeholders.
The lawsuit was one of several voting challenges filed by Democrats in Texas leading up to November. Republican leaders have refused to expand mail-in voting in Texas during the pandemic. Next week, the Texas Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that will determine whether Harris County can send mail-in voting applications to more than 2 million registered voters.
“Texas Democrats will have to continue to win at the ballot box to protect the right vote,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Police: Phoenix teen shot dead while showing gun to friends

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Police say a 19-year-old man was shot dead on Friday after handing his gun to @ @ @ @ @ was in his apartment just before 2 a.m. when he took out the gun to @ @ @ @ @ police said , adding it went off while one was handling it .
Evans died @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Tommy Thompson said in a statement .
Shekeedren Bryant , also 19 , was @ @ @ @ @ homicide , according to police .
He was booked into Maricopa County Jail .
Bryant @ @ @ @ @ but came back to speak with patrol officers about the incident , Thompson said .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s family was not immediately returned , and court and law enforcement officials did @ @ @ @ @ provide information about his lawyer .

PHOENIX (AP) - Police say a 19-year-old man was shot dead on Friday after handing his gun to a friend.
Austin Evans was in his apartment just before 2 a.m. when he took out the gun to show to friends, Phoenix police said, adding it went off while one was handling it.
Evans died at the scene, police spokesman Tommy Thompson said in a statement.
Shekeedren Bryant, also 19, was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide, according to police. He was booked into Maricopa County Jail.
Bryant left Evan’s apartment but came back to speak with patrol officers about the incident, Thompson said.
A message left for Bryant’s family was not immediately returned, and court and law enforcement officials did not respond to requests to provide information about his lawyer.