washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Organic baby food maker plans Tennessee center with 147 jobs

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - An organic baby food manufacturer plans to invest $ 45 million in a @ @ @ @ @ is expected to create 147 jobs .
The state Department of Economic and Community Development @ @ @ @ @ up its first facility in North America in Red Boiling Springs .
The company is @ @ @ @ @ Baby , which was founded in 1999 and makes ready-to-feed baby milks and prepared food @ @ @ @ @ and vegetable purees , full meals and milk-based desserts .
The company is renovating an @ @ @ @ @ expand its market to the United States .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - An organic baby food manufacturer plans to invest $45 million in a new facility in Tennessee that is expected to create 147 jobs.
The state Department of Economic and Community Development says Babynov USA will set up its first facility in North America in Red Boiling Springs.
The company is a division of France-based Global Baby, which was founded in 1999 and makes ready-to-feed baby milks and prepared food products, such as fruit and vegetable purees, full meals and milk-based desserts.
The company is renovating an existing Macon County facility to expand its market to the United States.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Iran again breaks its single-day record for virus deaths

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) — Iran recorded its worst day of new deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , with 337 confirmed dead on Monday .
The grim milestone represents a significant spike from the previous single-day death toll record of 279 .
The Health Ministry also announced 4,251 new infections , pushing the total count to 534,630 .
Fatalities have soared in recent weeks , as authorities struggle to contain the virus ’ s spread months into the pandemic .
Health officials say the capital , Tehran , has run out of intensive care beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic as a global epicenter of the virus and has since seen the worst outbreak in the Middle East , with a death toll that topped 30,000 this week .
The government has resisted a total lockdown to salvage its devastated economy , already weakened by unprecedented U.S. sanctions .
As the death toll skyrockets , eclipsing the previous highs recorded in the spring amid the worst of its outbreak , authorities have started to tighten restrictions .
The government ordered shut recently reopened schools and universities , as well as museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public places in Tehran earlier this month , and imposed a mask mandate outdoors .
Underscoring authorities ’ contradictory response , the current spike comes just weeks after schools nationwide welcomed back its 15 million students for in-person instruction .
The virus has also sickened senior Iranian officials , including an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and most recently the country ’ s atomic energy agency and its vice president in charge of budget and planning .
The timing of the pandemic has proved particularly difficult for Iran ’ s economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from Tehran ’ s nuclear accord with world powers .
The nation ’ s currency plunged to its lowest-ever level last week following the U.S. administration ’ s decision last week to blacklist Iranian banks that had so far escaped the bulk of re-imposed American sanctions .

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran recorded its worst day of new deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with 337 confirmed dead on Monday.
The grim milestone represents a significant spike from the previous single-day death toll record of 279. The Health Ministry also announced 4,251 new infections, pushing the total count to 534,630.
Fatalities have soared in recent weeks, as authorities struggle to contain the virus’s spread months into the pandemic. Health officials say the capital, Tehran, has run out of intensive care beds.
The Islamic Republic emerged early in the pandemic as a global epicenter of the virus and has since seen the worst outbreak in the Middle East, with a death toll that topped 30,000 this week. The government has resisted a total lockdown to salvage its devastated economy, already weakened by unprecedented U.S. sanctions.
As the death toll skyrockets, eclipsing the previous highs recorded in the spring amid the worst of its outbreak, authorities have started to tighten restrictions. The government ordered shut recently reopened schools and universities, as well as museums, libraries, beauty salons and other public places in Tehran earlier this month, and imposed a mask mandate outdoors.
Underscoring authorities’ contradictory response, the current spike comes just weeks after schools nationwide welcomed back its 15 million students for in-person instruction.
The virus has also sickened senior Iranian officials, including an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and most recently the country’s atomic energy agency and its vice president in charge of budget and planning.
The timing of the pandemic has proved particularly difficult for Iran’s economy. The Trump administration re-imposed economic sanctions on Iran after its unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from Tehran’s nuclear accord with world powers. The nation’s currency plunged to its lowest-ever level last week following the U.S. administration’s decision last week to blacklist Iranian banks that had so far escaped the bulk of re-imposed American sanctions.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--West Virginia expanding fall trout stocking locations

CHARLESTON , W.Va. ( AP ) - West Virginia is expanding its fall trout stocking locations across the state .
@ @ @ @ @ will stock trout in two additional lakes as well as at state parks and forests @ @ @ @ @ opportunities this year , the Department of Commerce said in a news release .
Stream @ @ @ @ @ The stocking in state parks and forests will take place on Saturday .
DNR staff @ @ @ @ @ 39 lakes and streams .
The new locations include Pendleton Lake at Blackwater Falls State @ @ @ @ @ Pipestem Resort State Park , as well as at Coopers Rock State Forest , Seneca @ @ @ @ @ Park and Cacapon Resort State Park , the statement said .
“ This is an @ @ @ @ @ to make memories that will last a lifetime by giving them more opportunities to catch @ @ @ @ @ of our beautiful lakes , ” Gov .
Jim Justice said .

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - West Virginia is expanding its fall trout stocking locations across the state.
The Division of Natural Resources will stock trout in two additional lakes as well as at state parks and forests to give families more fishing opportunities this year, the Department of Commerce said in a news release.
Stream stockings will begin Monday. The stocking in state parks and forests will take place on Saturday. DNR staff will stock a total of 39 lakes and streams.
The new locations include Pendleton Lake at Blackwater Falls State Park, Pipestem Lake at Pipestem Resort State Park, as well as at Coopers Rock State Forest, Seneca State Forest, Watoga State Park and Cacapon Resort State Park, the statement said.
“This is an exciting way for our children to make memories that will last a lifetime by giving them more opportunities to catch a big fish in one of our beautiful lakes,” Gov. Jim Justice said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Iran says it again breaks the record for its highest single-day death toll from the coronavirus with

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) - Iran says it again breaks the record for its highest single-day death toll @ @ @ @ @ people dead .

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran says it again breaks the record for its highest single-day death toll from the coronavirus with 337 people dead.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Helicopter pilot escapes injury in Door County crash

WASHINGTON ISLAND , Wis. ( AP ) - Police say the pilot of a helicopter escaped injury when it crashed @ @ @ @ @ County of northeastern Wisconsin .
According to WBAY-TV , police say the crash happened at @ @ @ @ @ the helicopter was taking off from the Washington Island Airport .
Police say the pilot @ @ @ @ @ out under his own power .
The Washington Island Police Department had no immediate details @ @ @ @ @ age , name , or where he ’ s from .
The incident happened just @ @ @ @ @ helicopter pad , and no runways were blocked .
The cause of the crash remains @ @ @

WASHINGTON ISLAND, Wis. (AP) - Police say the pilot of a helicopter escaped injury when it crashed on Washington Island in Door County of northeastern Wisconsin.
According to WBAY-TV, police say the crash happened at about 2 p.m. Sunday while the helicopter was taking off from the Washington Island Airport. Police say the pilot was not injured and got out under his own power.
The Washington Island Police Department had no immediate details on the man’s age, name, or where he’s from.
The incident happened just off the airport’s helicopter pad, and no runways were blocked.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--WVa man gets year in prison for embezzling from union

CHARLESTON , W.Va. ( AP ) - A West Virginia man has been sentenced to a year in prison for @ @ @ @ @ a labor union .
Rick Drain , 56 , of Vienna , was sentenced in @ @ @ @ @ Prosecutors say he also agreed to pay restitution .
Drain was the business manager of @ @ @ @ @ used his position to pocket the dues and fees collected from union members instead of @ @ @ @ @ account , prosecutors said .

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A West Virginia man has been sentenced to a year in prison for embezzling about $50,000 from a labor union.
Rick Drain, 56, of Vienna, was sentenced in federal court in Charleston. Prosecutors say he also agreed to pay restitution.
Drain was the business manager of a local union chapter who used his position to pocket the dues and fees collected from union members instead of depositing them into a bank account, prosecutors said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--National Drug Take-Back Day events are this weekend

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is this weekend , and events are scheduled @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky has taken more than 163,000 pounds of unwanted prescription medications at drug take-back events @ @ @ @ @ nine years , the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy says .
This week ’ @ @ @ @ @ To find a nearby collection site , visit takebackday.dea.gov .
Kentucky drug disposal locations can @ @ @ @ @ of Drug Control Policy ’ s website .
Drug Take-Back Day offers a safe and @ @ @ @ @ prescription drugs and education about the potential of abuse of medications , the agency says @

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is this weekend, and events are scheduled to collect unwanted medications.
Kentucky has taken more than 163,000 pounds of unwanted prescription medications at drug take-back events and locations during the last nine years, the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy says.
This week’s event is Saturday. To find a nearby collection site, visit takebackday.dea.gov. Kentucky drug disposal locations can be found at the Office of Drug Control Policy’s website.
Drug Take-Back Day offers a safe and convenient way to dispose of prescription drugs and education about the potential of abuse of medications, the agency says.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--UP hospital awaiting decision on key federal loan

IRON MOUNTAIN , Mich. ( AP ) - A health care provider that is a major employer in an Upper @ @ @ @ @ a decision on a $ 16.9 million federal loan .
Dickinson County Healthcare System operates @ @ @ @ @ border and has hundreds of employees .
It has been grappling with its finances for @ @ @ @ @ mergers fell through .
Chief executive Chuck Nelson told the hospital board last week that @ @ @ @ @ a final review at the U.S. Agriculture Department , The Daily News reported .
There @ @ @ @ @ in the next two to three weeks if our funding will be accomplished , ” @ @ @ @ @ being sought to refinance debt and acquire new equipment , although some projects are underway @ @ @ @ @ million emergency department renovation .
Dickinson County has a legal relationship with the hospital but @ @ @ @

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (AP) - A health care provider that is a major employer in an Upper Peninsula county is waiting for a decision on a $16.9 million federal loan.
Dickinson County Healthcare System operates a hospital near the Michigan-Wisconsin border and has hundreds of employees. It has been grappling with its finances for a few years after potential mergers fell through.
Chief executive Chuck Nelson told the hospital board last week that its application has moved to a final review at the U.S. Agriculture Department, The Daily News reported.
There should be an indication “in the next two to three weeks if our funding will be accomplished,” Nelson said.
Money is being sought to refinance debt and acquire new equipment, although some projects are underway, including a $1 million emergency department renovation.
Dickinson County has a legal relationship with the hospital but no financial responsibility.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Pakistan police arrest son-in-law of exiled former premier

KARACHI , Pakistan ( AP ) - Pakistani police arrested the son-in-law of the country ’ s exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday after he led a crowd in chanting against the military at the tomb of the country ’ s founder .
The arrest of Mohammad Safdar comes as Sharif ’ s Pakistan Muslim League party has joined a series of nationwide protests against the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan .
His arrest drew condemnation from the opposition , which said authorities wanted to target Sharif ’ s family .
Police detained Safdar at a Karachi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife Maryam Nawaz , who addressed a large anti-government rally Sunday .
Safdar on Sunday had visited the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah , who led independence movement to get a separate homeland from Britain in 1947 when united India was divided into two countries : India and Pakistan .
Jinnah remains a revered figure in Muslim-majority Pakistan , with his tomb often drawing politicians and leaders .
While at the tomb , Safdar led a crowd in chanting : “ Give respect to the vote !
” That slogan is viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s military , which ruled the country of 220 million people - directly or indirectly - for most of its history .
Chanting political slogans at Jinnah ’ s tomb is widely considered taboo .
Police say they arrested Safdar , himself a member of the Pakistan Muslim League party , after receiving a complaint from a citizen alleging he was harassed .
Hours after Safdar ’ s arrest , his politician wife Maryam Safdar told a news conference that police forcibly entered her room to take her husband away .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unknown but known forces ” to suppress their voice , implying the military had a hand in her husband ’ s arrest .
She added opposition parties will continue their protests until Khan is removed from power .
The 70-year-old Sharif who has had a long uneasy relationship with the military , served as Pakistan ’ s prime minister three times .
A court in 2017 ousted him from power over corruption allegations .
Sharif has been staying in London since November after being allowed to receive medical treatment abroad .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks as organized opposition to Khan , a former cricketer , grows .
Associated Press writer Asim Tanveer in Multan , Pakistan , contributed to this report .

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani police briefly detained the son-in-law of exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday, accusing him of leading a crowd in a chant against the military at the tomb of the country’s founder.
The arrest of Mohammad Safdar came after Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League opposition party joined a series of nationwide protests against the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan. His arrest drew condemnation from the opposition, which said authorities wanted to target Sharif’s family.
Police detained Safdar at a Karachi hotel room where he was staying with his wife Maryam Nawaz, who addressed a large anti-government rally Sunday.
But he was freed later after a court granted him bail, his party and family said.
Safdar on Sunday had visited the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who led independence movement to get a separate homeland from Britain in 1947 when united India was divided into two countries: India and Pakistan. Jinnah remains a revered figure in Muslim-majority Pakistan, with his tomb often drawing politicians and leaders.
While at the tomb, Safdar led a crowd in chanting: “Give respect to the vote!” That slogan is viewed in Pakistan as criticism of the country’s military, which ruled the country of 220 million people - directly or indirectly - for most of its history.
Chanting political slogans at Jinnah’s tomb is widely considered taboo. Police say they arrested Safdar, himself a member of the Pakistan Muslim League party, after receiving a complaint from a citizen alleging he was harassed.
Hours after Safdar’s arrest, his politician wife Maryam Safdar told a news conference that police forcibly entered her room to take her husband away. She alleged Karachi police were being used by “unknown but known forces” to suppress their voice, implying the military had a hand in her husband’s arrest.
She added opposition parties will continue their protests until Khan is removed from power.
The 70-year-old Sharif who has had a long uneasy relationship with the military, served as Pakistan’s prime minister three times. A court in 2017 ousted him from power over corruption allegations. Sharif has been staying in London since November after being allowed to receive medical treatment abroad.
Several opposition leaders have faced criminal charges in recent weeks as organized opposition to Khan, a former cricketer, grows.
___
Associated Press writer Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Early in-person voting begins in key swing state of Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida begins in-person early voting in much of the state Monday as the Trump campaign tries to cut into an early advantage Democrats have posted in mail-in votes in the key swing state .
With its 29 electoral votes , Florida is crucial to both candidates but especially so for President Donald Trump , who moved his official residence to his Palm Beach estate Mar-a-Lago from New York last year .
A Florida loss would make it nearly impossible for Trump to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to retain the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
Under state law , counties can offer up to two weeks of early voting and many do , including Miami-Dade , Broward , Palm Beach and other population centers .
Large counties offer multiple sites and all counties allow those who have received mail-in ballots to drop them off .
The latest a county can start early voting is Saturday .
About 2.5 million mail-in ballots have already been cast , with Democrats returning 1.2 million and Republicans about 755,000 as of Sunday .
Non-affiliated voters and third-party members make up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes is already approaching the 2.7 million cast in 2016 when Republicans had a 70,000-vote margin on returns .
Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the state by about 113,000 votes .
No Republican has won the presidency without winning Florida since Calvin Coolidge in 1924 .
Florida Republicans have said they aren ’ t worried about the mail-in gap , believing any advantage Biden gets will be swamped by Trump supporters casting in-person ballots starting this week and on Election Day .
They believe Democrats are “ cannibalizing ” their own votes - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their overall support .
They point to their increased voter registration , which narrowed the Democrats ’ lead to 134,000 , down 327,000 four years ago .
Long lines have plagued early voting sites in Georgia and other states , but Florida county elections supervisors have said they expect lines to move smoothly .
Some elections in Florida have been won on the thinnest of margins , becoming the center of intense focus during recounts of ballots - including the 2000 presidential race between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ court challenges that ultimately ended with U.S. Supreme Court halting further recounting , deciding the race for Bush .
Elections officials are predicting that between mail-in ballots and early voting , about 70 % of the ballots expected will be cast before Election Day .
The state allows those ballots to be processed , but the actual count remains secret until after the polls close Nov. 3 .
Counties must end early voting by Nov. 1 .
Mail-in ballots , with few exceptions , must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 3 .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Floridians began early voting in much of the state Monday with no serious problems reported as the Trump campaign tries to cut into an early advantage Democrats have posted in mail-in votes in the key swing state.
The most populous counties reported wait times of 15 minutes or less at most of their early voting sites Monday, although a few sites reported waits of up to 90 minutes. One Palm Beach County site reported a three-hour wait. One county had to close an early voting site after the elections supervisor and an employee tested positive for the coronavirus and another county had its website go down. No other significant issues were reported by counties or voting rights groups.
In Miami, Reka Julien, a 40-year-old accountant, cast her vote for Democrat Joe Biden, saying she used to be a Republican but didn’t vote for President Donald Trump in 2016 and is angry over his handling of the coronavirus today.
“We just need a change. This COVID has got to go. Trump thinks this is a joke,” Julien said, adding her two children have been deprived of schooling, social activities and travel. “These four years have just been tough.”
In Orlando, some voters cast their ballots at the arena used by the NBA’s Magic, where coach Steve Clifford assisted poll workers. The NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning’s arena and the NFL’s Tampa Buccaneers stadium are also being used as early voting sites as sports teams around the country have been encouraging turn out.
“I felt like I was a player. I just had to make the right decisions,” said Anton Versch, 30, after he cast his ballot for Trump. Versch, who works in the pharmaceutical industry, said his main issue is “freedom,” particularly of speech and the right to bear arms.
“We should be able to do the most that we are allowed to do, as long as we aren’t infringing on anybody’s rights or liberties,” Versch said.
With 29 electoral votes, Florida is crucial to both candidates but especially Trump, who moved his official residence to his Palm Beach estate Mar-a-Lago from New York last year. A Florida loss would make it nearly impossible for Trump to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to retain the White House. The state typically has close elections, most notably in 2000 when Republican George W. Bush defeated Al Gore by 537 votes after a recount.
California Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, will visit Orlando and Jacksonville on Monday to encourage her party’s voters to cast early ballots. Trump will visit Florida on Friday after visiting last week.
Under state law, counties can offer up to two weeks of early voting and many do, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and other population centers. Large counties offer multiple sites and all counties allow those who have received mail-in ballots to drop them off. The latest a county can start early voting is Saturday. The final day is Nov. 1.
About 2.5 million mail-in ballots have already been cast, with Democrats returning 1.2 million and Republicans about 758,000 as of Monday. Non-affiliated voters and third-party members make up the rest. The number of mail-in votes is approaching the 2.7 million cast in 2016 when Republicans had a 70,000-vote margin on returns. Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the state by about 113,000 votes. No Republican has won the presidency without winning Florida since Calvin Coolidge in 1924.
Florida Republicans say they aren’t worried about the mail-in gap, believing any advantage Biden gets will be swamped by Trump supporters casting in-person ballots starting this week and on Election Day. They believe Democrats are “cannibalizing” their own votes - moving in-person voters to mail-in without increasing their overall support. They point to their increased voter registration, which narrowed the Democrats’ lead to 134,000, down 327,000 four years ago.
Political strategist Steve Schale, who runs the pro-Biden super PAC “Unite The Country,” said Monday that Democrats shouldn’t get comfortable.
“Republicans are going to get their vote out,” he said.
While Florida Republicans have historically outperformed Democrats in mail-in voting, Schale said Trump’s criticism of the practice has crippled his party’s Florida mail-in effort - even though he has praised his adopted home state’s system.
“Trump basically decided to take a match and just torch 20 years of Republican work down here,” he said.
In Orange County, the home of Orlando, the elections supervisor’s website was unavailable Monday morning because of a problem with its domain. Supervisor Bill Cowles said there was no issue with hacking, and it didn’t impact voting.
In the Panhandle, Okaloosa County Elections Supervisor Paul Lux announced that he and an employee tested positive for the coronavirus. That resulted in the closure of the early voting site at the county’s main office, but four other sites remained open. The Republican-dominated county has approximately 150,000 voters.
___
AP reporters Mike Schneider in Orlando and Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee and photographers Lynne Sladky and Marta Lavandier in Miami contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--China accuses Canada of condoning alleged anti-China remarks

BEIJING ( AP ) - China said Monday that it has complained to Canada for allegedly condoning anti-China comments that appeared in Canadian media following controversial remarks made by the Chinese ambassador .
Ties between the countries are at their lowest point in years amid China ’ s outrage over Canada ’ s detention of a top executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei .
Last week , China ’ s ambassador to Canada , Cong Peiwu , branded pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong as violent criminals and said if Canada grants them asylum it would amount to interference in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Canadian side really cares about the stability and the prosperity in Hong Kong , and really cares about the good health and safety of those 300,000 Canadian passport-holders in Hong Kong , and the large number of Canadian companies operating in Hong Kong SAR , you should support those efforts to fight violent crimes , ” Cong said in a video news conference from the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa .
Cong was asked whether his remarks amounted to a threat , to which he replied , “ That is your interpretation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an editorial calling on Cong to either apologize or leave Canada .
“ It ’ s not enough for the Trudeau government to publicly scold Cong , ” the paper said .
“ If he won ’ t apologize and retract his threats , boot him back to Beijing.
” Cherie Wong , the executive director of Alliance Canada Hong Kong , a group that advocates for Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy movement , called Cong ’ s comment a “ direct threat ” to all Canadians .
“ It should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or China , they could be next .
Ambassador Cong suggested so himself , ” Wong said .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian did not identify specific comments that he said resulted from a deliberate misinterpretation of Cong ’ s remarks , but said Canadian leaders “ did not verify , but also condoned the anti-China comments spreading across the nation and made groundless accusations against China.
” “ We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to it and have lodged solemn complaints with the Canadian side , ” Zhao told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese governments swelled last year , and Beijing clamped down on expressions of anti-government sentiment in the city with a new national security law that took effect June 30 .
The law outlaws subversive , secessionist and terrorist activity , as well as collusion with foreign powers to interfere in the city ’ s internal affairs .
The U.S. , Britain and Canada accuse China of infringing on the city ’ s freedoms .
Cong also flatly rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ’ s assertion that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imprisoning two Canadian men in retaliation for the arrest of a Chinese Huawei executive on an American extradition warrant .
The executive , Meng Wanzhou , is living under house arrest in Vancouver while her case wends through a British Columbia court .
In December 2018 , China imprisoned two Canadian men , Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor , and charged them with undermining China ’ s national security .
Convicted Canadian drug smuggler Robert Schellenberg was also sentenced to death in a sudden retrial shortly after Meng ’ s arrest .

TORONTO (AP) - The diplomatic spat between Canada and China grew more heated on Monday as Beijing denounced press criticism of its ambassador to Ottawa, only to have Canada’s deputy prime minister and opposition leader echo the criticism.
The exchange comes at a moment when ties between the countries are at their lowest point in years, largely due to China’ outrage over Canada’s detention of a top executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and the subsequent arrest of two Canadians.
The new friction arose when China’s ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, branded pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong as violent criminals and said if Canada grants them asylum it would amount to interference in China’s internal affairs.
“If the Canadian side really cares about the stability and the prosperity in Hong Kong, and really cares about the good health and safety of those 300,000 Canadian passport-holders in Hong Kong, and the large number of Canadian companies operating in Hong Kong SAR, you should support those efforts to fight violent crimes,” Cong said in a video news conference from the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa.
Asked if his remarks amounted to a threat, Cong replied, “That is your interpretation.”
Canada’s deputy prime minister, Chrystia Freeland said in Parliament on Monday that the ambassador’s comments “are not in any way in keeping with the spirit of appropriate diplomatic countries between two countries.”
Freeland said Canada will speak out for human rights in China and said Canada will support its citizens living in Hong Kong. “Let me also reassure the 300,000 Canadians in Hong Kong that a Canadian is a Canadian and we will stand with them.” Freeland said.
Her statements came hours after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters that his government had complained to Canada over press criticism of Cong’s remarks. He said Canadian leaders “did not verify, but also condoned the anti-China comments spreading across the nation and made groundless accusations against China.”
He didn’t specify the media criticism, but the Toronto Sun on Saturday published an editorial calling on Cong to apologize, adding. “If he won’t apologize and retract his threats, boot him back to Beijing.”
Meanwhile, Erin O’Toole, the leader of Canada’s main opposition Conservative party, said Monday that Cong had threatened Canadians in Hong Kong and called on the envoy to either apologize or leave.
Cherie Wong, the executive director of Alliance Canada Hong Kong, a group that advocates for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, called Cong’s comment a “direct threat” to all Canadians.
“It should not be lost on Canadians living in Hong Kong or China, they could be next. Ambassador Cong suggested so himself,” Wong said.
Protests against the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese governments swelled last year, and Beijing clamped down on expressions of anti-government sentiment in the city with a new national security law that took effect June 30.
The law outlaws subversive, secessionist and terrorist activity, as well as collusion with foreign powers to interfere in the city’s internal affairs. The U.S., Britain and Canada accuse China of infringing on the city’s freedoms.
Cong also rejected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s assertion that China is engaging in coercive diplomacy by imprisoning two Canadian men in retaliation for the arrest of a Chinese Huawei executive on an American extradition warrant. The executive, Meng Wanzhou, is living under house arrest in Vancouver while her case wends through a British Columbia court.
In December 2018, China imprisoned two Canadian men, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, and charged them with undermining China’s national security. Convicted Canadian drug smuggler Robert Schellenberg was also sentenced to death in a sudden retrial shortly after Meng’s arrest.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Irish regulator investigates Instagram over children's data

LONDON ( AP ) - Irish privacy regulators have opened two investigations into Instagram over the social media site ’ s handling of young people ’ s personal data .
Ireland ’ s Data Protection Commission said it launched the investigations in September after receiving complaints about the company .
Facebook , which owns Instagram and has its European headquarters in Ireland , said it ’ s in “ close contact ” with the commission and is “ cooperating with their inquiries.
” The investigations were first reported late Sunday by Britain ’ s Daily Telegraph newspaper , which said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aired concerns that Instagram made public the email addresses and phone numbers of people under 18 .
The minimum age to use Instagram is 13 .
Data scientist David Stier said last year that his analysis found users , including those under 18 , who switched their account types to business accounts also had their contact information displayed on their profile .
Users were apparently switching to business accounts in order to see statistics on how many likes their posts were getting , after Instagram started removing the feature from personal accounts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Facebook said it updated its business accounts since Stier ’ s findings and “ people can now opt out of including their contact information entirely.
” One investigation will look into whether Facebook has adequate safeguards in place for children and whether it has a legal basis to process their data .
The other focuses on whether Instagram ’ s profile and account settings are appropriate for children and follow strict European Union privacy regulations .
“ The DPC has been actively monitoring complaints received from individuals in this area and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing of children ’ s personal data on Instagram which require further examination , ” Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said in a statement .
Companies can be fined up to 4 % of a company ’ s annual revenue or 20 million euros ( $ 24 million ) - whichever is higher - for breaches of the EU ’ s General Data Protection Regulation .

LONDON (AP) - Irish privacy regulators have opened two investigations into Instagram over the social media site’s handling of young people’s personal data.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission said it launched the investigations in September after receiving complaints about the company. Facebook, which owns Instagram and has its European headquarters in Ireland, said it’s in “close contact” with the commission and is “cooperating with their inquiries.”
The investigations were first reported late Sunday by Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper, which said they came after a U.S. data scientist aired concerns that Instagram made public the email addresses and phone numbers of people under 18. The minimum age to use Instagram is 13.
Data scientist David Stier said last year that his analysis found users, including those under 18, who switched their account types to business accounts also had their contact information displayed on their profile. Users were apparently switching to business accounts in order to see statistics on how many likes their posts were getting, after Instagram started removing the feature from personal accounts in some countries to help with mental health.
Facebook said it updated its business accounts since Stier’s findings and “people can now opt out of including their contact information entirely.”
One investigation will look into whether Facebook has adequate safeguards in place for children and whether it has a legal basis to process their data. The other focuses on whether Instagram’s profile and account settings are appropriate for children and follow strict European Union privacy regulations.
“The DPC has been actively monitoring complaints received from individuals in this area and has identified potential concerns in relation to the processing of children’s personal data on Instagram which require further examination,” Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said in a statement.
Companies can be fined up to 4% of a company’s annual revenue or 20 million euros ($24 million) - whichever is higher - for breaches of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--India army apprehends Chinese soldier amid military standoff

SRINAGAR , India ( AP ) - The Indian army said it apprehended a Chinese soldier Monday in the remote Ladakh region , where the two countries are locked in a monthslong military standoff along their disputed mountain border .
The soldier , Cpl .
Wang Ya Long from China ’ s People ’ s Liberation Army , was apprehended inside Indian-controlled Ladakh ’ s Demchok area and was to be released soon , the army said in a statement .
It said the soldier “ had strayed ” across the de facto border along the eastern section of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Actual Control , a loose demarcation separating Indian- and Chinese-controlled areas .
“ As per established protocols , he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul–Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities , ” the statement said .
China did not immediately comment on the soldier ’ s apprehension .
The high-altitude standoff between the Asian giants began in early May with a fierce brawl , and exploded into hand-to-hand combat with clubs , stones and fists on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead .
China is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not given any details .
China detained at least 10 Indian soldiers , including four officers , following the deadly brawl .
They were returned three days later after intense military and diplomatic negotiations .
The Indian army statement Monday said the Indian side had received an inquiry from China ’ s military “ about the whereabouts of the missing soldier.
” The soldier “ has been provided medical assistance including oxygen , food and warm clothes to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have each stationed tens of thousands of soldiers backed by artillery , tanks and fighter jets and are bracing for a harsh winter in the cold-desert region , where temperatures can fall to minus 50 degrees Celsius ( minus 58 Fahrenheit ) .
The nuclear-armed rivals have accused each other of crossing into rival territory and of firing shots for the first time in 45 years .
The sides have held several rounds of talks by military , diplomatic and political officials , including negotiations between their foreign ministers and defense ministers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has persisted , the talks seem to have calmed the situation along the border , with no new military aggression reported for over a month now .
The fiercely contested Line of Actual Control separates Chinese-held and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India ’ s eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh , which China claims in its entirety .
It is broken in parts where the Himalayan nations of Nepal and Bhutan border China .
India claims the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin plateau as part of the Ladakh region .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometers ( 2,167 miles ) long , while China says it is considerably shorter .
The line divides the areas of physical control rather than territorial claims .
Relations between the two countries have often been strained , partly due to their undemarcated border .
They fought a border war in 1962 that spilled into Ladakh and ended in an uneasy truce .
Since then , troops have guarded the undefined border and occasionally brawled .
They have agreed not to attack each other with firearms .
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August 2019 , ending Indian-administered Kashmir ’ s semi-autonomous status .
It also vowed to take back the Aksai Chin plateau .
China was among the first countries to strongly condemn the move , raising it at international forums including the U.N. Security Council .

SRINAGAR, India (AP) - The Indian army said it apprehended a Chinese soldier Monday in the remote Ladakh region, where the two countries are locked in a monthslong military standoff along their disputed mountain border.
The soldier, Cpl. Wang Ya Long from China’s People’s Liberation Army, was apprehended inside Indian-controlled Ladakh’s Demchok area and was to be released soon, the army said in a statement.
It said the soldier “had strayed” across the de facto border along the eastern section of what’s known as the Line of Actual Control, a loose demarcation separating Indian- and Chinese-controlled areas.
“As per established protocols, he will be returned back to Chinese officials at the Chushul–Moldo meeting point after completion of formalities,” the statement said.
China did not immediately comment on the soldier’s apprehension.
The high-altitude standoff between the Asian giants began in early May with a fierce brawl, and exploded into hand-to-hand combat with clubs, stones and fists on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead. China is believed to also have had casualties, but has not given any details.
China detained at least 10 Indian soldiers, including four officers, following the deadly brawl. They were returned three days later after intense military and diplomatic negotiations.
The Indian army statement Monday said the Indian side had received an inquiry from China’s military “about the whereabouts of the missing soldier.”
The soldier “has been provided medical assistance including oxygen, food and warm clothes to protect him from the vagaries of extreme altitude and harsh climatic conditions,” the statement said.
India and China have each stationed tens of thousands of soldiers backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets and are bracing for a harsh winter in the cold-desert region, where temperatures can fall to minus 50 degrees Celsius (minus 58 Fahrenheit).
The nuclear-armed rivals have accused each other of crossing into rival territory and of firing shots for the first time in 45 years.
The sides have held several rounds of talks by military, diplomatic and political officials, including negotiations between their foreign ministers and defense ministers in Moscow last month. Although the standoff has persisted, the talks seem to have calmed the situation along the border, with no new military aggression reported for over a month now.
The fiercely contested Line of Actual Control separates Chinese-held and Indian-held territories from Ladakh in the west to India’s eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in its entirety. It is broken in parts where the Himalayan nations of Nepal and Bhutan border China.
India claims the Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin plateau as part of the Ladakh region.
According to India, the control line is 3,488 kilometers (2,167 miles) long, while China says it is considerably shorter. The line divides the areas of physical control rather than territorial claims.
Relations between the two countries have often been strained, partly due to their undemarcated border. They fought a border war in 1962 that spilled into Ladakh and ended in an uneasy truce. Since then, troops have guarded the undefined border and occasionally brawled. They have agreed not to attack each other with firearms.
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory and separated it from disputed Kashmir in August 2019, ending Indian-administered Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status. It also vowed to take back the Aksai Chin plateau.
China was among the first countries to strongly condemn the move, raising it at international forums including the U.N. Security Council.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Poland turning National Stadium into COVID-19 field hospital

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - Poland ’ s government is transforming the National Stadium in Warsaw into a field hospital to handle the surging number of people infected with the coronavirus .
Government spokesman Piotr Müller said Monday that the stadium will have room for 500 patients and will be equipped with oxygen therapy for those who need it .
“ We can see that the number of cases is growing so fast that we need to secure places for hospitalization for those who need it , ” Müller said , speaking on TVP Info , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was unclear how the government would manage to staff the hospital given widespread reports of shortages of doctors and other medical officials across the country .
The stadium , with a seating capacity of over 58,500 , was constructed to host matches for the Euro 2012 football championship , which Poland co-hosted with Ukraine .
Poland experienced very low rates of infection in the spring compared with western European countries but is now witnessing an exponential surge of coronavirus infections .
On Monday the Health Ministry recorded 7,482 new coronavirus infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since the start of the pandemic the nation of 38 million has recorded 183,248 cases and 3,614 deaths .
However , the true rate of infection is likely higher .
In the past day , 36,000 COVID-19 tests have been carried out , meaning that nearly 21 percent of all tests came back positive .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Poland’s government is transforming the National Stadium in Warsaw into a field hospital to handle the surging number of people infected with the coronavirus, and expects it to be operational within days, officials said.
The government is also making preparations to create other temporary hospitals as Polish hospitals are filling up and threatening to turn into a major crisis.
“We assume that it will not be possible to stop the dynamics of the epidemic and that we will have to open more temporary hospitals,” Mariusz Kaminski, the interior minister, said.
Michal Dworczyk, the head of Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s office, said the hospital at the National Stadium will have 500 beds in the first stage, 50 of which will be for patients requiring intensive care. Eventually it should be able to take 1,000 patients. He said it would be operational in a matter of days.
“This is the first time we are doing something like this in Poland. It is a great challenge for us,” Dworczyk said.
Also Monday, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the conservative ruling party and deputy prime minister, went into voluntary quarantine after having contact with an infected person. He was showing no symptoms and working from home, the party spokesman said.
Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said he was also going into quarantine after contact with an infected person but also said he was feeling well.
It was unclear how the government will manage to staff the hospital at the stadium given widespread reports of shortages of doctors and other medical officials across the country.
The stadium, with a seating capacity of over 58,500, was constructed to host matches for the Euro 2012 football championship, which Poland co-hosted with Ukraine.
Poland experienced very low rates of infection in the spring compared with Western European countries but is now witnessing an exponential surge of coronavirus infections.
On Monday the Health Ministry recorded 7,482 new coronavirus infections over the previous day, and 41 deaths. Since the start of the pandemic the nation of 38 million has recorded 183,248 cases and 3,614 deaths. However, the true rate of infection is likely higher.
In the past day, 36,000 COVID-19 tests were carried out, meaning that nearly 21 percent of all tests came back positive.
Health Minister Adam Niedzielski warned Monday that Poland could have 15,000 to 20,000 new cases daily if infection rates keep increasing at their current pace. He said his ministry is preparing for that scenario.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--IMF: Nearly all Mideast economies hit by pandemic recession

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - The coronavirus pandemic has pushed nearly all Mideast nations into the throes of an economic recession this year , yet some rebound is expected as all but two - Lebanon and Oman - are anticipated to see some level of economic growth next year , according to a report published Monday by the International Monetary Fund .
This comes as the IMF estimates that the global economy will shrink 4.4 % this year , marking the worst annual plunge since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
Well before the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries had been struggling with issues ranging from lower oil prices and sluggish economic growth to corruption and high unemployment .
The IMF projects the Lebanese economy will see one of the region ’ s sharpest economic contractions this year at 25 % .
The pandemic has only pushed the country further to the brink after a wave of anti-government anger before the virus struck .
Lebanese demonstrators were protesting government corruption , foreign exchange shortages , hyperinflation , constant electricity cuts and increasing poverty .
The currency has dropped by 70 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with people struggling to afford basic goods .
A devastating explosion at Beirut ’ s main port in August killed at least 180 people , injured more than 6,000 and destroyed entire neighborhoods .
The blast left hundreds of thousands of people homeless .
While Mideast nations have seen fewer confirmed cases and deaths from the virus than countries in Europe and the U.S. , the region still faces challenges in containing the disease .
“ Risks of a worse-than-projected scenario loom large , particularly given recent surges in COVID-19 infections in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened , ” the IMF warned .
Iran , for example , recorded its highest daily death tolls from the virus last week .
Its economy shrank by 6.5 % last year and is projected to contract by another 5 % this year .
The IMF , however , expects Iran ’ s economy to rebound with 3.2 % growth next year , based in part on the government ’ s future capacity to manage the virus , which it thus far as has struggled to do .
“ Iran was among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and we are now in the third wave of the pandemic , and this was on top of an economy that has been underperforming because of ( U.S. ) sanctions , ” Jihad Azour , director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the IMF , told The Associated Press .
Meanwhile , wealthy Mideast oil exporters are expected to see their economies contract by 6.6 % in 2020 , the IMF said .
Gulf Arab states , however , are expected to see average economic growth of 2.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projections are based on assumptions that the price of oil averages $ 41.69 a barrel in 2020 and will rise to $ 46.70 a barrel in 2021 .
The IMF revised its gloomy estimate of Saudi Arabia ’ s economic contraction down from 6.8 % to 5.4 % .
As one of the world ’ s largest oil producers and top 20 largest economies , the kingdom took the bold step this year of trying to shore up more revenue by tripling value-added tax to 15 % and increasing customs duties .
Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , experiencing modest growth of 3.5 % this year after more than 5 % growth annually for past two years as lower energy prices help it as an oil importer .
Still , Egypt faces challenges with its massive population and as tourism revenues remain sluggish .
The IMF , known for its bullish stance on taxes and subsidy cuts , has largely suspended its calls for belt-tightening austerity measures as people struggle under the weight of lockdowns and job losses .
The IMF said “ in general , tax increases would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such measures “ will likely be a drag on the recovery and invite larger fiscal costs in the future.
” The international lender is calling on countries to focus their immediate priorities on ensuring adequate resources for health care and correctly targeting support programs to the most-vulnerable people .
Meanwhile , other Mideast oil exporters like the United Arab Emirates , home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi , will see an economic contraction of more than 6 % this year , while Oman ’ s economy is projected to shrink by 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , the IMF said .
The World Bank estimates the pandemic has thrown between 88 million and 114 million people into extreme poverty , which is defined as living on less than $ 1.90 a day .
According to the International Labor Organization , working hours in Arab states declined by 1.8 % during the first quarter of 2020 , equivalent to about 1 million full-time jobs .
That number jumped to 10.3 % in the second quarter , equivalent to about 6 million full-time jobs .
While Mideast states have rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own citizens amid the pandemic , the impact from the virus has been acutely felt by many of the millions of low-wage laborers who hail mostly from South Asia and reside in the region .
Their families back home rely on their salaries for survival .
Azour said Gulf Arab states alone provide 18 % of global remittances .
He said these countries should use the moment “ to modernize labor laws ” by providing support to all laborers in their countries .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The coronavirus pandemic has pushed nearly all Mideast nations into the throes of an economic recession this year, yet some rebound is expected as all but two - Lebanon and Oman - are anticipated to see some level of economic growth next year, according to a report published Monday by the International Monetary Fund.
This comes as the IMF estimates that the global economy will shrink 4.4% this year, marking the worst annual plunge since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Well before the coronavirus swept across the globe, several Mideast countries had been struggling with issues ranging from lower oil prices and sluggish economic growth to corruption and high unemployment.
The IMF projects the Lebanese economy will see one of the region’s sharpest economic contractions this year at 25%. The pandemic has only pushed the country further to the brink after a wave of anti-government anger before the virus struck.
Lebanese demonstrators were protesting government corruption, foreign exchange shortages, hyperinflation, constant electricity cuts and increasing poverty. The currency has dropped by 70% compared to the end of last year, with people struggling to afford basic goods. A devastating explosion at Beirut’s main port in August killed at least 180 people, injured more than 6,000 and destroyed entire neighborhoods. The blast left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.
While Mideast nations have seen fewer confirmed cases and deaths from the virus than countries in Europe and the U.S., the region still faces challenges in containing the disease.
“Risks of a worse-than-projected scenario loom large, particularly given recent surges in COVID-19 infections in many countries around the world that have reopened,” the IMF warned.
Iran, for example, recorded its highest daily death tolls from the virus last week. Its economy shrank by 6.5% last year and is projected to contract by another 5% this year. The IMF, however, expects Iran’s economy to rebound with 3.2% growth next year, based in part on the government’s future capacity to manage the virus, which it thus far as has struggled to do.
“Iran was among the first countries to become an epicenter of COVID-19 and we are now in the third wave of the pandemic, and this was on top of an economy that has been underperforming because of (U.S.) sanctions,” Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the IMF, told The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, wealthy Mideast oil exporters are expected to see their economies contract by 6.6% in 2020, the IMF said. Gulf Arab states, however, are expected to see average economic growth of 2.3% next year. The IMF says it projections are based on assumptions that the price of oil averages $41.69 a barrel in 2020 and will rise to $46.70 a barrel in 2021.
The IMF revised its gloomy estimate of Saudi Arabia’s economic contraction down from 6.8% to 5.4%. As one of the world’s largest oil producers and top 20 largest economies, the kingdom took the bold step this year of trying to shore up more revenue by tripling value-added tax to 15% and increasing customs duties.
Egypt was the sole outlier in the region, experiencing modest growth of 3.5% this year after more than 5% growth annually for past two years as lower energy prices help it as an oil importer. Still, Egypt faces challenges with its massive population and as tourism revenues remain sluggish.
The IMF, known for its bullish stance on taxes and subsidy cuts, has largely suspended its calls for belt-tightening austerity measures as people struggle under the weight of lockdowns and job losses. The IMF said “in general, tax increases would be more effective after the crisis” as such measures “will likely be a drag on the recovery and invite larger fiscal costs in the future.”
The international lender is calling on countries to focus their immediate priorities on ensuring adequate resources for health care and correctly targeting support programs to the most-vulnerable people.
Meanwhile, other Mideast oil exporters like the United Arab Emirates, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, will see an economic contraction of more than 6% this year, while Oman’s economy is projected to shrink by 10%. Iraq faces a recession of 12%, the IMF said.
The World Bank estimates the pandemic has thrown between 88 million and 114 million people into extreme poverty, which is defined as living on less than $1.90 a day.
According to the International Labor Organization, working hours in Arab states declined by 1.8% during the first quarter of 2020, equivalent to about 1 million full-time jobs. That number jumped to 10.3% in the second quarter, equivalent to about 6 million full-time jobs.
While Mideast states have rushed to provide various forms of support to their own citizens amid the pandemic, the impact from the virus has been acutely felt by many of the millions of low-wage laborers who hail mostly from South Asia and reside in the region. Their families back home rely on their salaries for survival.
Azour said Gulf Arab states alone provide 18% of global remittances. He said these countries should use the moment “to modernize labor laws” by providing support to all laborers in their countries.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Prosecutor recommends suspended sentences for Golden Dawn

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - A prosecutor on Monday recommended that all former lawmakers of Greece ’ s extreme right Golden Dawn party who have been convicted and sentenced to prison for leading or participating in a criminal organization should be allowed to remain free until their appeal has been heard .
Prosecutor Adamantia Economou argued that none of the former lawmakers was a flight risk or at risk of re-offending while they remain out of jail , and said most had a clean criminal record until their current conviction .
She argued their sentences should be suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals process is completed .
An appeal can take several years .
“ The immediate execution of the sentences will cause irreparable damage as the procedure to the appeals court will be a long one , ” the prosecutor said .
“ They have all the conditions for their sentences to be suspended with conditions .
The accused have not tried to avoid their arrest.
” After summations by defense lawyers , the court ordered a break in proceedings until Tuesday morning .
A final decision on whether the sentences will be suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the panel of judges trying the case , potentially on Tuesday .
The lengthy sentencing procedure caps a marathon , politically charged five-year trial that involved 68 defendants , dozens of lawyers and encompassed four cases , including the 2013 fatal stabbing of left-wing Greek rap singer Pavlos Fyssas and physical attacks on Egyptian fishermen and left-wing activists .
Party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and another five leading former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences last week after being convicted of running the party like a criminal organization .
A sixth was sentenced to 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were convicted of participating in a criminal organization and received sentences of between five and seven years .
The lawmakers spent 18 months in jail when the trial first began , and were released due to the limit of pre-trial detention being reached .
A total of 57 party members and associates were convicted on Oct. 7 , mostly for involvement in violent attacks and participating in a criminal organization .
Golden Dawn was founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s and spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the country ’ s 2010-2018 financial crisis , winning parliamentary seats in four separate elections and becoming Greece ’ s third-largest political party .
Its popularity began to wane during the trial , and it failed to win any parliamentary seats in 2019 general elections .

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A prosecutor on Monday recommended that all former lawmakers of Greece’s extreme right Golden Dawn party who have been convicted and sentenced to prison for leading or participating in a criminal organization should be allowed to remain free until their appeal has been heard.
Prosecutor Adamantia Economou argued that none of the former lawmakers was a flight risk or at risk of re-offending while they remain out of jail, and said most had a clean criminal record until their current conviction. She argued their sentences should be suspended, with conditions imposed, until the appeals process is completed. An appeal can take several years.
“The immediate execution of the sentences will cause irreparable damage as the procedure to the appeals court will be a long one,” the prosecutor said. “They have all the conditions for their sentences to be suspended with conditions. The accused have not tried to avoid their arrest.”
After summations by defense lawyers, the court ordered a break in proceedings until Tuesday morning. A final decision on whether the sentences will be suspended pending appeal is to be made by the panel of judges trying the case, potentially on Tuesday.
The lengthy sentencing procedure caps a marathon, politically charged five-year trial that involved 68 defendants, dozens of lawyers and encompassed four cases, including the 2013 fatal stabbing of left-wing Greek rap singer Pavlos Fyssas and physical attacks on Egyptian fishermen and left-wing activists.
Party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and another five leading former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences last week after being convicted of running the party like a criminal organization. A sixth was sentenced to 10 years, while 11 other former lawmakers were convicted of participating in a criminal organization and received sentences of between five and seven years.
The lawmakers spent 18 months in jail when the trial first began, and were released due to the limit of pre-trial detention being reached.
A total of 57 party members and associates were convicted on Oct. 7, mostly for involvement in violent attacks and participating in a criminal organization.
Golden Dawn was founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s and spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political scene. But it rose to prominence during the country’s 2010-2018 financial crisis, winning parliamentary seats in four separate elections and becoming Greece’s third-largest political party. Its popularity began to wane during the trial, and it failed to win any parliamentary seats in 2019 general elections.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--French police operations underway after beheading of teacher

PARIS ( AP ) - France ’ s interior minister said Monday that police operations are underway into dozens of people who allegedly issued messages of support for the attacker after the beheading of a history teacher near Paris .
Gerald Darmanin said on French radio Europe 1 that at least 80 cases of hate speech have been reported since Friday ’ s attack .
Samuel Paty was beheaded in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine , northwest of Paris , by a 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee , who was later shot dead by police .
Police officials said Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to threats .
French President Emmanuel Macron held a defense council on Sunday at the Elysee presidential palace .
The government will reinforce security at schools when classes resume on Nov. 2 after two weeks of holidays , Macron ’ s office said .
A national homage is to be held for Paty on Wednesday .
Dozens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday across France in support of freedom of speech and in memory of the slain 47-year-old teacher .
French authorities said they detained 11 people following the killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a student and an Islamist activist who both “ obviously launched a fatwa , ” or religious ruling , against the teacher .
A man who said he was the father of a student had posted a video on social media asserting that Paty had shown an image of a naked man and told students it was “ the prophet of the Muslims.
” He called on other angry parents to contact him , and relay the message .
Darmanin said authorities were also looking into about 50 associations suspected of encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
The president of the Conference of imams in France , Hassen Chalghoumi , said “ we are hurt , we are condemning this barbaric act , ” on French news broadcaster BFM TV .
“ Samuel is a martyr of freedom.
” “ Barbarism has no place in schools nor elsewhere in France , ” he said .
Chalghoumi , who is an imam in Drancy , a suburb northeast of Paris , said he had received death threats and insults on social media from radical Islamists in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for murder with a suspected terrorist motive .
At least four of those detained are family members of the attacker , who had been granted 10-year residency in France as a refugee in March .
He was armed with a knife and an airsoft gun , which fires plastic pellets .
Anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said a text claiming responsibility and a photograph of the victim were found on the attacker ’ s phone .

PARIS (AP) - France’s interior minister said Monday that police operations are underway into dozens of people who allegedly issued messages of support for the attacker after the beheading of a history teacher near Paris.
Gerald Darmanin said on French radio Europe 1 that at least 80 cases of hate speech have been reported since Friday’s attack.
Samuel Paty was beheaded in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, northwest of Paris, by a 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee, who was later shot dead by police. Police officials said Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad with his class, leading to threats.
French President Emmanuel Macron held a defense council on Sunday at the Elysee presidential palace. The government will reinforce security at schools when classes resume on Nov. 2 after two weeks of holidays, Macron’s office said.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Paty’s family on Monday morning, the French presidency said.
Macron will also meet with the members of France’s leading Muslim organization, the French Muslim Council, or CFCM, later in the day.
A national homage is to be held for Paty on Wednesday.
Players, coaches and referees at high-level soccer matches this weekend will wear a black armband in a tribute to Paty. The French league said in a statement Monday that a minute of silence will be observed before kick-off at all professional matches in leagues 1 and 2.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered on Sunday across France in support of freedom of speech and in memory of the slain 47-year-old teacher.
French authorities said they detained 11 people following the killing.
Darmanin said they include the father of a student and an Islamist activist who both “obviously launched a fatwa,” or religious ruling, against the teacher.
A man who said he was the father of a student had posted a video on social media asserting that Paty had shown an image of a naked man and told students it was “the prophet of the Muslims.” He called on other angry parents to contact him, and relay the message.
Darmanin said authorities were also looking into about 50 associations suspected of encouraging hate speech. Some will be dissolved, he said.
The president of the Conference of imams in France, Hassen Chalghoumi, said “we are hurt, we are condemning this barbaric act,” on French news broadcaster BFM TV. “Samuel is a martyr of freedom.”
“Barbarism has no place in schools nor elsewhere in France,” he said.
Chalghoumi, who is an imam in Drancy, a suburb northeast of Paris, said he had received death threats and insults on social media from radical Islamists in recent days.
Justice authorities opened an investigation for murder with a suspected terrorist motive. At least four of those detained are family members of the attacker, who had been granted 10-year residency in France as a refugee in March. He was armed with a knife and an airsoft gun, which fires plastic pellets.
Anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said a text claiming responsibility and a photograph of the victim were found on the attacker’s phone.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Israeli hospital hosts wedding of COVID-19 patient's son

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - An Israeli man hospitalized with the coronavirus has been granted the rare chance to take part in his son ’ s wedding after the Jerusalem hospital hosted the ceremony on its grounds , beneath the man ’ s hospital room window .
A video of Sunday ’ s event by the Hadassah Medical Center showed the bride , escorted by two women holding candles , walking to a traditional wedding canopy set up on the hospital campus .
As a live singer crooned Hebrew music , the couple , from an ultra-Orthodox family in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by their guests , a handful of ultra-Orthodox men wearing masks , as well as several photographers .
Looking on from a window above the ceremony was the groom ’ s father , 56 , who has been hospitalized in serious condition with COVID-19 since September , according to the hospital .
In the video , he is seen with an oxygen mask on his face , lying in a hospital bed near the window , which was draped with colorful balloons .
Yad Avraham , a medical volunteer organization that helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dressed in a festive hat worn by ultra-Orthodox Jews on special occasions but was too weak to be dressed in full traditional wedding garb .
The hospital said that Sunday ’ s wedding was held in accordance with all Health Ministry guidelines .
Hospitals around the world have looked for creative ways to circumvent the often heartbreaking challenges posed by the disease , which has divided grandchildren from grandparents , prevented final family visits to hospitals and drastically changed major life events .
Israel this week relaxed restrictions following a monthlong lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
It has recorded more than 303,000 infections since the beginning of the pandemic , with more than 2,200 deaths and 272,000 recoveries .
While daily infections have declined , restrictions are still in place , including on gatherings , which are limited to 20 people outdoors and 10 indoors .
The small , muted ceremony stood in contrast to a number of large celebrations held by some segments of Israel ’ s ultra-Orthodox community , who in some cases have defied rules on gatherings .

JERUSALEM (AP) - An Israeli man hospitalized with the coronavirus has been granted the rare chance to take part in his son’s wedding after the Jerusalem hospital hosted the ceremony on its grounds, beneath the man’s hospital room window.
A video of Sunday’s event by the Hadassah Medical Center showed the bride, escorted by two women holding candles, walking to a traditional wedding canopy set up on the hospital campus. As a live singer crooned Hebrew music, the couple, from an ultra-Orthodox family in the southern Israeli city of Arad, was surrounded by their guests, a handful of ultra-Orthodox men wearing masks, as well as several photographers.
Looking on from a window above the ceremony was the groom’s father, 56, who has been hospitalized in serious condition with COVID-19 since September, according to the hospital. In the video, he is seen with an oxygen mask on his face, lying in a hospital bed near the window, which was draped with colorful balloons.
Yad Avraham, a medical volunteer organization that helped organize the wedding, said the father was dressed in a festive hat worn by ultra-Orthodox Jews on special occasions but was too weak to be dressed in full traditional wedding garb.
The hospital said that Sunday’s wedding was held in accordance with all Health Ministry guidelines.
Hospitals around the world have looked for creative ways to circumvent the often heartbreaking challenges posed by the disease, which has divided grandchildren from grandparents, prevented final family visits to hospitals and drastically changed major life events.
Israel this week relaxed restrictions following a monthlong lockdown meant to rein in a raging coronavirus outbreak. It has recorded more than 303,000 infections since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 2,200 deaths and 272,000 recoveries.
While daily infections have declined, restrictions are still in place, including on gatherings, which are limited to 20 people outdoors and 10 indoors.
The small, muted ceremony stood in contrast to a number of large celebrations held by some segments of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, who in some cases have defied rules on gatherings.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Liz Weston: Playing the market is a bad idea, especially now

The current day trading boom will end as these frenzies always do : in tears .
While we wait for the inevitable crash , let ’ s review not only why day traders are doomed but also why most people shouldn ’ t trade , or even invest in , individual stocks .
Day trading basically means rapidly buying and selling investments , hoping to profit from small price fluctuations .
Brokerages have reported a surge in trading and new accounts this year , starting with March ’ s stock market crash when investors rushed in looking for bargains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs and classrooms , trading continued to soar , especially among young adults .
The poster child for this gold rush is Robinhood , a commission-free investing app that uses behavioral nudges to encourage people to trade .
Robinhood added over 3 million accounts this year and in June logged more trades than any of the established , publicly traded brokerages .
More than half of its customers are opening their first investment account , the company says .
People can start trading with small amounts of money because Robinhood offers fractional shares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds , the app allows trading in options , cryptocurrencies and gold .
Customers start out with a margin account , which allows them to borrow money to trade and amplify both their gains and their losses .
Alexander Kearns , 20 , is one example of what can go wrong .
The University of Nebraska student killed himself after seeing a $ 730,165 negative balance in his Robinhood account .
The novice trader may have misunderstood a potential loss on part of an options trade that he made using borrowed money as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In reality , he had $ 16,000 cash in his account when he died .
Research has shown that the vast majority of day traders lose money , and only about 1 % consistently get better returns than a low-cost index fund .
A rising stock market , and a flood of inexperienced and excitable investors willing to bid up stock prices , has convinced more than a few day traders that they ’ re part of that 1 % .
They ’ re being egged on by the few people who actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seminars , e-books and strategies that purport to teach you how to successfully trade .
STOCKS DON ’ T ALWAYS GO UP Stocks overall are an excellent way to gain wealth over the long term .
If you can weather the downturns , stocks historically have offered good returns .
Those downturns can be doozies , however .
Stocks lost half their value during the Great Recession that started December 2007 .
The market lost nearly 90 % of its value in the early years of the Great Depression .
Extended downturns have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one that formed during the dot-com boom .
The Nasdaq composite stock index rose 400 % in five years , only to lose all of those gains from March 2000 to October 2002 .
Markets that go down eventually come back up .
That ’ s not true of individual stocks .
Any single stock can lose value , sometimes all the way to zero , and never recover .
The sensible way to hedge that risk is diversification .
That means buying stocks in many , many companies , including companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in different countries .
That ’ s prohibitively expensive for most individual investors , which is why mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are a better bet .
THERE ’ S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE TRADE Another way to grow wealth is to minimize investing costs .
That means trading less , not more , because trading incurs costs even when there are no commissions involved .
Investments held more than a year benefit from favorable capital gains tax rates , for example .
Those held less than a year are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t made in a tax-deferred account such as an IRA .
Another way cost is incurred is in what ’ s known as the bid/ask spread .
The banks and financial institutions that facilitate trading in various stocks are called market makers .
They offer to sell stocks at a certain price ( the ask price ) and will purchase at a slightly lower price ( the bid price ) .
People who trade stocks instantly lose a little money on each transaction because of this difference .
That ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the costs add up if you churn stocks in and out of your portfolio .
The biggest potential cost , though , is that every trade exposes your portfolio to the many ways we humans have of screwing up our money .
We ’ re loss-averse and we want to avoid regret , so we hang on to losing stocks .
We think that we can predict the future or that it will reflect the recent past , when this year should have taught us that we can ’ t and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know more than we do , a cognitive bias known as overconfidence .
If you ’ re determined to trade , or day trade , don ’ t gamble more than you can afford to lose , because you almost certainly will .
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet .
Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet , a certified financial planner and author of “ Your Credit Score.
” Email : lweston @ nerdwallet.com .
Twitter : @ lizweston .
NerdWallet : What @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The current day trading boom will end as these frenzies always do: in tears. While we wait for the inevitable crash, let’s review not only why day traders are doomed but also why most people shouldn’t trade, or even invest in, individual stocks.
Day trading basically means rapidly buying and selling investments, hoping to profit from small price fluctuations. Brokerages have reported a surge in trading and new accounts this year, starting with March’s stock market crash when investors rushed in looking for bargains. As pandemic lockdowns kept people from their jobs and classrooms, trading continued to soar, especially among young adults.
The poster child for this gold rush is Robinhood, a commission-free investing app that uses behavioral nudges to encourage people to trade. Robinhood added over 3 million accounts this year and in June logged more trades than any of the established, publicly traded brokerages. More than half of its customers are opening their first investment account, the company says.
People can start trading with small amounts of money because Robinhood offers fractional shares. In addition to stocks and mutual funds, the app allows trading in options, cryptocurrencies and gold. Customers start out with a margin account, which allows them to borrow money to trade and amplify both their gains and their losses.
Alexander Kearns, 20, is one example of what can go wrong. The University of Nebraska student killed himself after seeing a $730,165 negative balance in his Robinhood account. The novice trader may have misunderstood a potential loss on part of an options trade that he made using borrowed money as a loss on the whole transaction. In reality, he had $16,000 cash in his account when he died.
Research has shown that the vast majority of day traders lose money, and only about 1% consistently get better returns than a low-cost index fund. A rising stock market, and a flood of inexperienced and excitable investors willing to bid up stock prices, has convinced more than a few day traders that they’re part of that 1%. They’re being egged on by the few people who actually will make money: the hucksters selling seminars, e-books and strategies that purport to teach you how to successfully trade.
STOCKS DON’T ALWAYS GO UP
Stocks overall are an excellent way to gain wealth over the long term. If you can weather the downturns, stocks historically have offered good returns.
Those downturns can be doozies, however. Stocks lost half their value during the Great Recession that started December 2007. The market lost nearly 90% of its value in the early years of the Great Depression.
Extended downturns have popped previous day trading bubbles, including the one that formed during the dot-com boom. The Nasdaq composite stock index rose 400% in five years, only to lose all of those gains from March 2000 to October 2002.
Markets that go down eventually come back up. That’s not true of individual stocks. Any single stock can lose value, sometimes all the way to zero, and never recover.
The sensible way to hedge that risk is diversification. That means buying stocks in many, many companies, including companies of different sizes, in different industries and in different countries. That’s prohibitively expensive for most individual investors, which is why mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are a better bet.
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE TRADE
Another way to grow wealth is to minimize investing costs. That means trading less, not more, because trading incurs costs even when there are no commissions involved.
Investments held more than a year benefit from favorable capital gains tax rates, for example. Those held less than a year are taxed as income if the trade wasn’t made in a tax-deferred account such as an IRA.
Another way cost is incurred is in what’s known as the bid/ask spread. The banks and financial institutions that facilitate trading in various stocks are called market makers. They offer to sell stocks at a certain price (the ask price) and will purchase at a slightly lower price (the bid price). People who trade stocks instantly lose a little money on each transaction because of this difference. That’s not a big deal for infrequent traders, but the costs add up if you churn stocks in and out of your portfolio.
The biggest potential cost, though, is that every trade exposes your portfolio to the many ways we humans have of screwing up our money. We’re loss-averse and we want to avoid regret, so we hang on to losing stocks. We think that we can predict the future or that it will reflect the recent past, when this year should have taught us that we can’t and it won’t.
We also think we know more than we do, a cognitive bias known as overconfidence. If you’re determined to trade, or day trade, don’t gamble more than you can afford to lose, because you almost certainly will.
____________________________________
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.
RELATED LINK:
NerdWallet: What Is an ETF? http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-etf-definition


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Hawaii rental assistance program puts hold on applications

HILO , Hawaii ( AP ) - A Hawaii state program providing rental assistance to tenants struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily stopped accepting applications .
The Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program called a halt to applications after reaching its processing capacity , The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Sunday .
The program launched in early September received more than 20,000 applications and overwhelmed Catholic Charities Hawaii and Aloha United Way , which are helping administer the program .
The charities are working out how to manage the current backlog .
“ Right now we ’ re meeting with them daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as quickly as possible , ” said Kent Miyasaki , spokesman for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation .
The program was expected to disburse $ 100 million in federal coronavirus relief funding through monthly payments to the landlords of tenants struggling to pay rent .
The program approved $ 5.8 million in payouts , although only $ 2.3 million has been distributed , Miyasaki said .
Oahu households are eligible for monthly payments of up to $ 2,000 , while households on all other islands are eligible for maximum payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The program also expanded to provide support for mortgage payments and rent beginning this month and can backdate payments to March 1 .
Problems with the applications have contributed to the processing delay , Miyasaki said .
“ I think about 60 % of the applications have bad information in them , ” Miyasaki said .
Other significant causes of the bottleneck include the need to collect proof of hardship from applicants and obtain payment information from landlords .
The Housing Finance and Development Corporation will establish a processing center at the Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miyasaki said .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
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 .

HILO, Hawaii (AP) - A Hawaii state program providing rental assistance to tenants struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily stopped accepting applications.
The Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program called a halt to applications after reaching its processing capacity, The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Sunday.
The program launched in early September received more than 20,000 applications and overwhelmed Catholic Charities Hawaii and Aloha United Way, which are helping administer the program.
The charities are working out how to manage the current backlog.
“Right now we’re meeting with them daily to figure out how to work through it as quickly as possible,” said Kent Miyasaki, spokesman for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
The program was expected to disburse $100 million in federal coronavirus relief funding through monthly payments to the landlords of tenants struggling to pay rent.
The program approved $5.8 million in payouts, although only $2.3 million has been distributed, Miyasaki said.
Oahu households are eligible for monthly payments of up to $2,000, while households on all other islands are eligible for maximum payments of $1,500 until Dec. 28.
The program also expanded to provide support for mortgage payments and rent beginning this month and can backdate payments to March 1.
Problems with the applications have contributed to the processing delay, Miyasaki said.
“I think about 60% of the applications have bad information in them,” Miyasaki said.
Other significant causes of the bottleneck include the need to collect proof of hardship from applicants and obtain payment information from landlords.
The Housing Finance and Development Corporation will establish a processing center at the Hawaii Convention Center to speed the process, Miyasaki said.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
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.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Shelter officials say 35 rescued dogs were starving, inbred

SPEARFISH , S.D .
( AP ) - Shelter officials say 35 dogs rescued near Whitewood last week were starving and inbred .
“ They ’ re skinny , they ’ re bloated with worms , they have diarrhea , they were fighting over food to survive , ” Jennifer McCambridge , senior kennel tech at the Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish , told the Rapid City Journal .
The Lawrence County Sheriff ’ s Office said Thursday that 24 dogs were seized during a search Tuesday .
But McCambridge said 35 dogs were taken before , during and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that hid or ran away .
The dogs , including numerous dead ones , were found outside and inside a home , trailers and vehicles , Capt .
Patrick Johnson said .
He said a charging decision was pending .
“ We want this guy to go to jail and stay in jail , ” McCambridge said .
The dogs are of varying ages and mixes of redbone coonhounds and Rottweilers combined with some pit bull , McCambridge said .
She said some have disfigured front paws , evidence they ’ d been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue is rehabilitating their digestive systems , which aren ’ t used to real dog food .
McCambridge said the dogs don ’ t know what to make of people yet , since they aren ’ t used to being around them , and aren ’ t ready to be fostered , adopted or visited .
The shelter is accepting donations for their care via its website .

SPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) - Shelter officials say 35 dogs rescued near Whitewood last week were starving and inbred.
“They’re skinny, they’re bloated with worms, they have diarrhea, they were fighting over food to survive,” Jennifer McCambridge, senior kennel tech at the Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish, told the Rapid City Journal.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that 24 dogs were seized during a search Tuesday. But McCambridge said 35 dogs were taken before, during and after the main search, including animals that hid or ran away.
The dogs, including numerous dead ones, were found outside and inside a home, trailers and vehicles, Capt. Patrick Johnson said. He said a charging decision was pending.
“We want this guy to go to jail and stay in jail,” McCambridge said.
The dogs are of varying ages and mixes of redbone coonhounds and Rottweilers combined with some pit bull, McCambridge said. She said some have disfigured front paws, evidence they’d been breeding with each other. The main issue is rehabilitating their digestive systems, which aren’t used to real dog food.
McCambridge said the dogs don’t know what to make of people yet, since they aren’t used to being around them, and aren’t ready to be fostered, adopted or visited. The shelter is accepting donations for their care via its website.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--New tropical depression forms over central Atlantic

MIAMI ( AP ) - A new tropical depression formed Monday morning over the central Atlantic , the latest in @ @ @ @ @ .
The depression has maximum sustained winds near 35 mph ( 55 kph ) .
@ @ @ @ @ Center says gradual strengthening is expected and the depression could become a tropical storm later @ @ @ @ @ and be near hurricane strength by Thursday .
The depression is centered about 720 miles @ @ @ @ @ of Bermuda .
If the depression becomes a tropical storm , it would be named @ @ @ @ @ s hurricane season has had so many storms that the Hurricane Center has turned to @ @ @ @ @ names after running out of official names .

MIAMI (AP) - Tropical Storm Epsilon strengthened Monday morning in the central Atlantic, the latest in what has been a very active hurricane season.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph), up slightly from when it formed hours earlier. Additional strengthening was expected and Epsilon was forecast to be at or near hurricane strength by early Thursday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
The storm was centered Monday afternoon about 730 miles (1,180 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda and was stationary. A slow northward motion is expected during the night, forecasters said, adding the storm was then expected to take a more northwestward track as it approaches Bermuda by Thursday.
This year’s hurricane season has had so many storms that the Hurricane Center has turned to the Greek alphabet for storm names after running out of official names.
Epsilon also represents a record for the earliest 26th named storm, beating out Nov. 22 in 2005, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.


washingtontimes--2020-10-19--Gabbard leaves Hawaii National Guard for California unit

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Congresswoman and former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has left the Hawaii Army National Guard for a new assignment with a California-based Army Reserve unit , military officials said .
Gabbard ’ s new part-time assignment as an Army Reserve civil affairs officer follows 17 years with the Hawaii National Guard , The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Sunday .
The Hawaii National Guard confirmed Gabbard , who holds the rank of major , made the switch in June , but the transfer to an out-of-state unit was not formally announced , even to the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new posting , the 351st Civil Affairs Command , is based in Mountain View , California , but has subordinate units in other Western states .
The Army Reserve supports the active-duty Army and has more commands and promotion opportunities .
Like the National Guard , most Army reservists serve part-time .
“ The House in Congress isn ’ t scheduled to be back in session til Nov. 16th so I ’ m taking advantage of the time to do some great Army Civil Affairs training !
I ’ m grateful to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the 39-year-old Democrat said in a social media message posted Thursday .
Gabbard ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Gabbard served in the Hawaii Legislature and Honolulu City Council before being elected to the U.S. House in 2012 .
She has said a deployment to Iraq and Kuwait with the Hawaii Guard greatly shaped her outlook .
She received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “ participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III , ” the @ @ @ @ @

HONOLULU (AP) - Congresswoman and former presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has left the Hawaii Army National Guard for a new assignment with a California-based Army Reserve unit, military officials said.
Gabbard’s new part-time assignment as an Army Reserve civil affairs officer follows 17 years with the Hawaii National Guard, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Sunday.
The Hawaii National Guard confirmed Gabbard, who holds the rank of major, made the switch in June, but the transfer to an out-of-state unit was not formally announced, even to the state’s National Guard personnel.
Gabbard’s new posting, the 351st Civil Affairs Command, is based in Mountain View, California, but has subordinate units in other Western states.
The Army Reserve supports the active-duty Army and has more commands and promotion opportunities. Like the National Guard, most Army reservists serve part-time.
“The House in Congress isn’t scheduled to be back in session til Nov. 16th so I’m taking advantage of the time to do some great Army Civil Affairs training! I’m grateful to be able to do it in Hawaii,” the 39-year-old Democrat said in a social media message posted Thursday.
Gabbard’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gabbard served in the Hawaii Legislature and Honolulu City Council before being elected to the U.S. House in 2012.
She has said a deployment to Iraq and Kuwait with the Hawaii Guard greatly shaped her outlook.
She received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III,” the Hawaii National Guard said.