washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Biden, Trump battle over North Carolina

Biden, Trump battle over North Carolina

President Trump and the Biden campaign grappled for a foothold in North Carolina on Wednesday , sensing the route to the White House will run through the mountains , piedmont and coastal plains of a state with 15 electoral votes .
Polls show the president is in a dogfight with Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden .
North Carolina voters give Mr. Trump marks on the economy but think Mr. Biden could better manage the coronavirus .
Both campaigns are lavishing attention on the state , hoping to lock down supporters in key cities or sway up-for-grabs voters in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Atlantic Ocean .
Moments after Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala D. Harris campaigned in Charlotte , Mr. Trump told voters west of the city to move beyond the pandemic doldrums and dream of boom times ahead .
“ That pandemic is rounding the corner , they hate it when I say it , ” Mr. Trump told rallygoers in Gastonia .
He complained about constant cable-news coverage of the coronavirus , which has killed nearly 222,000 people in the U.S. “ That ’ s all they put on because they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Normal life will fully resume and next year will be the greatest economic year in the history of our country , that ’ s where we ’ re headed.
” North Carolina is one of six states with at least 15 electoral votes that Mr. Trump relied on to win in 2016 .
The others are Florida , Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Ohio .
A Biden victory in North Carolina would put a big dent in Mr. Trump ’ s path to victory , especially if he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin to make up ground .
“ It is a must-have state for Trump in that it ’ s really hard to see a path to victory for him if he doesn ’ t win , ” said Mac McCorkle , director of Polis : Center for Politics at Duke University .
On the flip side , Democrats will be sweating out a Senate race between Sen. Thom Tillis and Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham , who has a tiny edge in polling but is reeling from revelations he sent illicit text messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife .
Flipping the Senate into a Democratic majority could depend on a Cunningham win .
An ABC News/Washington Post poll of likely North Carolina voters put Mr. Biden at 49 % and Mr. Trump at 48 % .
The poll , released Tuesday , says Mr. Trump is buoyed by a clear edge among white evangelicals , who make up 31 % of likely voters in North Carolina compared to 15 % nationally .
A majority — 53 % — of likely voters also had a positive view of Mr. Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no surprise that Mr. Trump is trying to lock down support in Gaston County and other exurbs around Charlotte , where at least 60 % of voters tend to back Republicans , according to Mr. McCorkle .
“ If that starts to even go into the 50s , that ’ s a real problem for the Republicans , ” he said .
Mr. Biden is drawing support from 68 % of likely voters in the Raleigh-Durham research/university hub , putting him slightly ahead of 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the ABC/Post poll .
Dee Stewart , a GOP strategist , said the Trump campaign isn ’ t taking anything for granted and left a door-knocker at his address in downtown Raleigh , indicating an aggressive ground game .
“ I live right downtown and I vote in every election , but they thought enough to knock on my door , ” Mr. Stewart said .
“ They ’ re campaigning for urban votes , not just suburban votes.
” The coronavirus is weighing down Mr. Trump ’ s election bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they trust Mr. Biden more to deal with the pandemic , 51 % to 43 % , in the ABC/Washington Post poll .
Mr. Biden said Wednesday that Mr. Trump “ has given up on his responsibility to get this virus under control , ” citing nearly 4,000 coronavirus deaths and 250,000 infections in North Carolina .
Ms. Harris , campaigning in Asheville , said Mr. Trump knew how dangerous the virus was in late January .
“ But he didn ’ t tell us .
They sat on that information , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris , a senator from California .
She also highlighted the administration ’ s decision to back a lawsuit before the Supreme Court that could eliminate Obamacare , saying Mr. Trump has a “ weird obsession ” with dismantling his predecessor ’ s accomplishments .
Ms. Harris said North Carolina will determine the presidential contest and direction of the nation .
“ The outcome of this race will be in very many ways be decided by you , North Carolina , ” Ms. Harris said .
“ It will be .
”

President Trump and the Biden campaign grappled for a foothold in North Carolina on Wednesday, sensing the route to the White House will run through the mountains, piedmont and coastal plains of a state with 15 electoral votes.
Polls show the president is in a dogfight with Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden.
North Carolina voters give Mr. Trump marks on the economy but think Mr. Biden could better manage the coronavirus. Both campaigns are lavishing attention on the state, hoping to lock down supporters in key cities or sway up-for-grabs voters in the suburbs and exurbs that stretch from Appalachia to the Atlantic Ocean.
Moments after Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala D. Harris campaigned in Charlotte, Mr. Trump told voters west of the city to move beyond the pandemic doldrums and dream of boom times ahead.
“That pandemic is rounding the corner, they hate it when I say it,” Mr. Trump told rallygoers in Gastonia.
He complained about constant cable-news coverage of the coronavirus, which has killed nearly 222,000 people in the U.S.
“That’s all they put on because they want to scare everyone,” he said. “Normal life will fully resume and next year will be the greatest economic year in the history of our country, that’s where we’re headed.”
North Carolina is one of six states with at least 15 electoral votes that Mr. Trump relied on to win in 2016. The others are Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
A Biden victory in North Carolina would put a big dent in Mr. Trump’s path to victory, especially if he’s unable to string together victories in Minnesota and Wisconsin to make up ground.
“It is a must-have state for Trump in that it’s really hard to see a path to victory for him if he doesn’t win,” said Mac McCorkle, director of Polis: Center for Politics at Duke University.
On the flip side, Democrats will be sweating out a Senate race between Sen. Thom Tillis and Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham, who has a tiny edge in polling but is reeling from revelations he sent illicit text messages to a woman who is not his wife. Flipping the Senate into a Democratic majority could depend on a Cunningham win.
An ABC News/Washington Post poll of likely North Carolina voters put Mr. Biden at 49% and Mr. Trump at 48%.
The poll, released Tuesday, says Mr. Trump is buoyed by a clear edge among white evangelicals, who make up 31% of likely voters in North Carolina compared to 15% nationally. A majority — 53% — of likely voters also had a positive view of Mr. Trump’s handling of the economy.
It’s no surprise that Mr. Trump is trying to lock down support in Gaston County and other exurbs around Charlotte, where at least 60% of voters tend to back Republicans, according to Mr. McCorkle.
“If that starts to even go into the 50s, that’s a real problem for the Republicans,” he said.
Mr. Biden is drawing support from 68% of likely voters in the Raleigh-Durham research/university hub, putting him slightly ahead of 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s 60% four years ago, according to the ABC/Post poll.
Dee Stewart, a GOP strategist, said the Trump campaign isn’t taking anything for granted and left a door-knocker at his address in downtown Raleigh, indicating an aggressive ground game.
“I live right downtown and I vote in every election, but they thought enough to knock on my door,” Mr. Stewart said. “They’re campaigning for urban votes, not just suburban votes.”
The coronavirus is weighing down Mr. Trump’s election bid, however, with North Carolina saying they trust Mr. Biden more to deal with the pandemic, 51% to 43%, in the ABC/Washington Post poll.
Mr. Biden said Wednesday that Mr. Trump “has given up on his responsibility to get this virus under control,” citing nearly 4,000 coronavirus deaths and 250,000 infections in North Carolina.
Ms. Harris, campaigning in Asheville, said Mr. Trump knew how dangerous the virus was in late January.
“But he didn’t tell us. They sat on that information, they covered it up,” said Ms. Harris, a senator from California.
She also highlighted the administration’s decision to back a lawsuit before the Supreme Court that could eliminate Obamacare, saying Mr. Trump has a “weird obsession” with dismantling his predecessor’s accomplishments.
Ms. Harris said North Carolina will determine the presidential contest and direction of the nation.
“The outcome of this race will be in very many ways be decided by you, North Carolina,” Ms. Harris said. “It will be.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Rudy Giuliani: 'Borat' hotel bed scene 'complete fabrication'

Rudolph W. Giuliani denied that his appearance in the upcoming “ Borat ” sequel included any inappropriate behavior , as numerous liberal news outlets and film critics reported Wednesday .
The kerfuffle centers on a scene in the film , set to be released Friday on Amazon Prime , in which the adviser to President Trump is reportedly shown coming onto an actress posing as a journalist , the “ daughter ” of the titular Kazakhstan character played by Sacha Baron Cohen .
According to a report in Vanity Fair , Mr. Giuliani compliments the supposedly teenage character , follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands in his pants .
“ Watching it , your brain turns into an exclamation point , ” Vanity Fair wrote .
Mr. Giuliani , in a series of Wednesday evening tweets , called the descriptions misleading , said he was the victim of a set-up , called Mr. Baron Cohen dishonest , and called the day of entertainment-news coverage retaliation for his work in exposing Hunter Biden ’ s business dealings and abandoned laptop .
“ The Borat video is a complete fabrication .
I was tucking in my shirt after taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time before , during , or after the interview was I ever inappropriate .
If Sacha Baron Cohen implies otherwise he is a stone-cold liar , ” Mr. Giuliani wrote .
He went on to say that the New York Post called the impressions being left “ an exaggeration through editing ” and noted that he reported the incident to the police at the time and that it had been reported then .
Mr. Giuliani told the New York Post back in July that Mr. Cohen crashed the interview dressed in a pink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This person comes in yelling and screaming , and I thought this must be a scam or a shake-down , so I reported it to the police .
He then ran away … I only later realized it must have been Sacha Baron Cohen .
I thought about all the people he previously fooled and I felt good about myself because he didn ’ t get me , ” he told Page Six then .
In his four-tweet response , Mr. Giuliani noted a Deadline Hollywood report that at a September industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene holding any importance.
” “ This is an effort to blunt my relentless exposure of the criminality and depravity of Joe Biden and his entire family , ” he concluded .
The former New York mayor said he would not be deterred on that front .
“ We are preparing much bigger dumps off of the hard drive from hell , of which Joe Biden will be unable to defend or hide from .
I have the receipts , ” he said .

Rudolph W. Giuliani denied that his appearance in the upcoming “Borat” sequel included any inappropriate behavior, as numerous liberal news outlets and film critics reported Wednesday.
The kerfuffle centers on a scene in the film, set to be released Friday on Amazon Prime, in which the adviser to President Trump is reportedly shown coming onto an actress posing as a journalist, the “daughter” of the titular Kazakhstan character played by Sacha Baron Cohen.
According to a report in Vanity Fair, Mr. Giuliani compliments the supposedly teenage character, follows her to a bedroom and puts his hands in his pants.
“Watching it, your brain turns into an exclamation point,” Vanity Fair wrote.
Mr. Giuliani, in a series of Wednesday evening tweets, called the descriptions misleading, said he was the victim of a set-up, called Mr. Baron Cohen dishonest, and called the day of entertainment-news coverage retaliation for his work in exposing Hunter Biden’s business dealings and abandoned laptop.
“The Borat video is a complete fabrication. I was tucking in my shirt after taking off the recording equipment. At no time before, during, or after the interview was I ever inappropriate. If Sacha Baron Cohen implies otherwise he is a stone-cold liar,” Mr. Giuliani wrote.
He went on to say that the New York Post called the impressions being left “an exaggeration through editing” and noted that he reported the incident to the police at the time and that it had been reported then.
Mr. Giuliani told the New York Post back in July that Mr. Cohen crashed the interview dressed in a pink bikini and other outrageous female clothing.
“This person comes in yelling and screaming, and I thought this must be a scam or a shake-down, so I reported it to the police. He then ran away … I only later realized it must have been Sacha Baron Cohen. I thought about all the people he previously fooled and I felt good about myself because he didn’t get me,” he told Page Six then.
In his four-tweet response, Mr. Giuliani noted a Deadline Hollywood report that at a September industry screening “there was no mention of the scene holding any importance.”
“This is an effort to blunt my relentless exposure of the criminality and depravity of Joe Biden and his entire family,” he concluded.
The former New York mayor said he would not be deterred on that front.
“We are preparing much bigger dumps off of the hard drive from hell, of which Joe Biden will be unable to defend or hide from. I have the receipts,” he said.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Texas reports most active COVID-19 cases since summer peak

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - The second coronavirus wave in Texas continued with more active cases than at any time since the summertime peak , according to numbers state health officials reported Wednesday .
An estimated that 84,538 cases of COVID-19 , the illness the coronavirus causes , were active Wednesday , the Texas Department of State Health Services reported .
That was the most since Sept. 1 .
Of those , 4,782 cases required hospitalization , the most since Aug. 26 .
The 4,991 new cases , along with 261 unreported cases from earlier , increased the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 838,809 cases .
However , the true number of cases in Texas is likely higher though because many people haven ’ t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The Texas COVID-19 death toll of 114 Wednesday raised the outbreak toll to 17,201 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and death .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The second coronavirus wave in Texas continued with more active cases than at any time since the summertime peak, according to numbers state health officials reported Wednesday.
An estimated that 84,538 cases of COVID-19, the illness the coronavirus causes, were active Wednesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported. That was the most since Sept. 1. Of those, 4,782 cases required hospitalization, the most since Aug. 26.
The 4,991 new cases, along with 261 unreported cases from earlier, increased the Texas total for the eight-month outbreak to 838,809 cases. However, the true number of cases in Texas is likely higher though because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The Texas COVID-19 death toll of 114 Wednesday raised the outbreak toll to 17,201.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a 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.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Lions put Julian Okwara on IR, sign CB Chris Jones

ALLEN PARK , Mich. ( AP ) - The Detroit Lions put rookie defensive end Julian Okwara on injured reserve @ @ @ @ @ cornerback Chris Jones .
Okwara limped off the field with a leg injury in Sunday @ @ @ @ @ .
The Lions also announced Wednesday that defensive end Austin Bryant , currently on the @ @ @ @ @ , was returning to practice .
Detroit signed tackle Dan Skipper and tight end Matt @ @ @ @ @ and released punter Arryn Siposs from the practice squad .
The Lions play at Atlanta @ @ @

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - The Detroit Lions put rookie defensive end Julian Okwara on injured reserve Wednesday and signed free agent cornerback Chris Jones.
Okwara limped off the field with a leg injury in Sunday’s victory at Jacksonville.
The Lions also announced Wednesday that defensive end Austin Bryant, currently on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, was returning to practice.
Detroit signed tackle Dan Skipper and tight end Matt Sokol to the practice squad and released punter Arryn Siposs from the practice squad.
The Lions play at Atlanta on Sunday.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Judge denies Arizona Dems claim to list of rejected ballots

PHOENIX ( AP ) - A judge in Arizona on Wednesday dismissed a claim filed by the Arizona Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ Fontes , also a Democrat , that sought records for people whose mail ballots were @ @ @ @ @ The Democrats wanted access to the information so they could help voters fix whatever issue @ @ @ @ @ , such as a mismatched signature .
State law already has what is called a @ @ @ @ @ which elections officials are required to contact voters about their rejected ballots and allow them @ @ @ @ @ Fontes argued producing that list would be too burdensome on his limited staff before Election @ @ @ @ @ seeing a massive number of early ballots returned- about 700,000 so far .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ than the county received during this time frame in the 2016 general election .

PHOENIX (AP) - A judge in Arizona on Wednesday dismissed a claim filed by the Arizona Democratic Party against Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, also a Democrat, that sought records for people whose mail ballots were rejected before Election Day.
The Democrats wanted access to the information so they could help voters fix whatever issue was wrong with their ballot, such as a mismatched signature. State law already has what is called a “cure” process through which elections officials are required to contact voters about their rejected ballots and allow them to fix the issue.
Fontes argued producing that list would be too burdensome on his limited staff before Election Day.
The county is seeing a massive number of early ballots returned- about 700,000 so far.
That’s 75% more ballots than the county received during this time frame in the 2016 general election.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--New Orleans university, health system create nursing program

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - A university in New Orleans and a health system based nearby have created a new nursing program that will guarantee experience working with the health system ’ s patients for all students .
“ This year has proven without doubt that nurses are heroes , ” and the country has a critical need for more nurses , Loyola University New Orleans President Tania Tetlow said .
Ochsner Health professionals will teach at Loyola and supervise the students in all eight of their clinical rotations , officials said during a livestreamed news conference Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , and Tetlow said the school hopes to have a class of 90 graduate in 2025 .
“ Every day we see there ’ s a challenge with nursing shortages , ” as temporary workers fill about 300 of the system ’ s nearly 6,000 nursing jobs , said Warner Thomas , Ochsner ’ s president and chief executive .
It ’ s a national problem , he said : the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted more than 175,000 openings a year for nurses over the coming decade , largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage is more acute in the South , and the Louisiana State Nursing Board reported last year that 37 % of Louisiana ’ s licensed registered nurses were at least 50 years old , and 17 % were at least 60 .
Ochsner and Tulane together will build a simulation lab for students .
“ Simulation mannequins can recreate a mother delivering a baby .
They can recreate a patient having cardiac arrest , ” said Laurie Anne Ferguson , dean of Loyola ’ s College of Nursing and Health .
Louisiana has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing .
It can often be difficult for nursing students to find places to treat patients under proper supervision , the officials said , and the partnership will eliminate that problem for its students .
“ Finding clinical placements … can often be an enormous problem , ” Ferguson said , and the assignments may be widely spread .
Having them all in one system also means students “ will graduate familiar with the organizational structure and workings of the healthcare system , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , managed and affiliated hospitals and specialty hospitals , and more than 100 health centers and urgent care centers

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A university in New Orleans and a health system based nearby have created a new nursing program that will guarantee experience working with the health system’s patients for all students.
“This year has proven without doubt that nurses are heroes,” and the country has a critical need for more nurses, Loyola University New Orleans President Tania Tetlow said.
Ochsner Health professionals will teach at Loyola and supervise the students in all eight of their clinical rotations, officials said during a livestreamed news conference Wednesday.
The enrollment website opened Wednesday for next fall, and Tetlow said the school hopes to have a class of 90 graduate in 2025.
“Every day we see there’s a challenge with nursing shortages,” as temporary workers fill about 300 of the system’s nearly 6,000 nursing jobs, said Warner Thomas, Ochsner’s president and chief executive.
It’s a national problem, he said: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted more than 175,000 openings a year for nurses over the coming decade, largely because of retirements. Thomas said the shortage is more acute in the South, and the Louisiana State Nursing Board reported last year that 37% of Louisiana’s licensed registered nurses were at least 50 years old, and 17% were at least 60.
Ochsner and Loyola together will build a simulation lab for students.
“Simulation mannequins can recreate a mother delivering a baby. They can recreate a patient having cardiac arrest,” said Laurie Anne Ferguson, dean of Loyola’s College of Nursing and Health.
Louisiana has 16 other four-year nursing programs, according to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
It can often be difficult for nursing students to find places to treat patients under proper supervision, the officials said, and the partnership will eliminate that problem for its students.
“Finding clinical placements … can often be an enormous problem,” Ferguson said, and the assignments may be widely spread. Having them all in one system also means students “will graduate familiar with the organizational structure and workings of the healthcare system,” she said.
Ochsner’s system includes 40 owned, managed and affiliated hospitals and specialty hospitals, and more than 100 health centers and urgent care centers.
___
This version corrects Tulane to Loyola in the sentence about building a simulation lab.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Cowboys for Trump fends off financial disclosures

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - Time is running out before Election Day as New Mexico election regulators push the political support group Cowboys for Trump to disclosure its financial backers .
The horseback-riding , New Mexico-based support group for President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged a U.S. District Court not to dismiss its lawsuit challenging state financial disclosure requirements .
A trial could stretch into late 2021 .
The group was co-founded by Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin to support Trump on a variety of conservative themes , including gun rights , border security and opposition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign finance laws override recent New Mexico legislation aimed a greater financial transparency for independent political expenditure groups .
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver , a Democrat , says Cowboys for Trump has ignored a binding arbitration agreement that found it was a political committee , subject to state registration and financial reporting requirements .
The group , also known by its C4T insignia , compared its plight in new court filings to the travails of the NAACP during the civil rights movement as Alabama sought unsuccessfully for disclosure of names and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s oldest civil rights group .
“ The NAACP showed that past release of its membership lists had exposed members to economic targeting , loss of employment , physical coercion , and other forms of hostility , ” attorneys for Cowboys for Trump said .
Griffin ’ s political and legal troubles have mounted amid criticism of his comments that some Black NFL players should “ go back to Africa ” if they want to stand for “ Lift Ev ’ ry Voice and Sing ” - traditionally known as the Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solidarity against racial injustice .
Griffin later said the recorded comments , which he posted live on social media , led the reelection campaign for Trump to distance itself from Cowboys for Trump .
A judge in parental custody disputes later barred Griffin from in-person visits with his son following social media posts that generated threats and for refusing to abide by COVID-19 mask requirements .
In September , Griffin was banned from a Native American reservation by the Mescalero Apache Tribe after Griffin posted a video in which he joked about politics @ @ @ @ @ @

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Time is running out before Election Day as New Mexico election regulators push the political support group Cowboys for Trump to disclosure its financial backers.
The horseback-riding, New Mexico-based support group for President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged a U.S. District Court not to dismiss its lawsuit challenging state financial disclosure requirements. A trial could stretch into late 2021.
The group was co-founded by Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin to support Trump on a variety of conservative themes, including gun rights, border security and opposition to abortion. The group says less-onerous federal campaign finance laws override recent New Mexico legislation aimed a greater financial transparency for independent political expenditure groups.
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, says Cowboys for Trump has ignored a binding arbitration agreement that found it was a political committee, subject to state registration and financial reporting requirements.
The group, also known by its C4T insignia, compared its plight in new court filings to the travails of the NAACP during the civil rights movement as Alabama sought unsuccessfully for disclosure of names and local addresses for members of the nation’s oldest civil rights group.
“The NAACP showed that past release of its membership lists had exposed members to economic targeting, loss of employment, physical coercion, and other forms of hostility,” attorneys for Cowboys for Trump said.
Griffin’s political and legal troubles have mounted amid criticism of his comments that some Black NFL players should “go back to Africa” if they want to stand for “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” - traditionally known as the Black national anthem - as a gesture of solidarity against racial injustice.
Griffin later said the recorded comments, which he posted live on social media, led the reelection campaign for Trump to distance itself from Cowboys for Trump.
A judge in parental custody disputes later barred Griffin from in-person visits with his son following social media posts that generated threats and for refusing to abide by COVID-19 mask requirements. In September, Griffin was banned from a Native American reservation by the Mescalero Apache Tribe after Griffin posted a video in which he joked about politics during a solemn blessing ceremony.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Spain lawmakers set to reject far-right no-confidence motion

MADRID ( AP ) - Spanish lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected a no-confidence motion called by the far-right Vox party against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his left-wing coalition over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
The motion was rejected by 298 votes and backed only by the 52 lawmakers of Vox , which last year became the third-largest force in the 350-seat parliament .
Spain has reported 1 million confirmed infections - the highest number in Western Europe - and at least 34,000 deaths from COVID-19 , although experts say the number is much higher since many cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other problems .
Opposition leader Pablo Casado announced earlier Thursday that the 88 lawmakers of his conservative Popular Party ( PP ) would vote against Vox ’ s motion , and lambasted the far-right party for “ wasting everybody ’ s time ” with the debate as the country grapples with a resurgence of the virus .
“ This motion is one more lie from Vox for Sánchez to remain in Moncloa , ” Casado said in reference to the palace where the prime minister ’ s office is located .
“ Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By choosing to vote against rather than abstaining , Casado cleared up the main question in the run-up to Thursday ’ s vote in the fragmented Congress of Deputies .
The Popular Party has been very critical of Sánchez ’ s minority government , but Vox ’ s recent rise has come at the expense of Spain ’ s traditional right-wing .
Many analysts had seen Vox ’ s motion as both an attempt to erode the Socialist-led coalition and a direct challenge to Casado , forcing the opposition leader to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-wing electorate .
Vox leader Santiago Abascal responded by saying that Casado ’ s position was showing PP ’ s true colors .
“ It seems that today you have removed your mask and you have joined the brutal caricaturizing of Vox , ” Abascal said .
Casado ’ s move will also cause political ripples in some of the PP-controlled regions under agreements with a center-right party , Citizens , but with Vox ’ s support .
Among the immediate effects , Sánchez ’ s coalition offered to end the stalemate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges ’ governing body , while Vox announced that it would halt negotiations to pass a new budget in Andalusia , the southern and most populous of the country ’ s regions .
One by one , parties from the left and right had lined up since Wednesday against the far-right ’ s skepticism of the European Union and its promotion of Spanish nationalism and for taking positions against illegal migration or laws that protect women from abuse .
Pablo Iglesias , leader of the far-left United We Can party , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Casado that his speech distancing his party from Vox was “ brilliant , ” but came too late .
“ You gave oxygen to the monster and the monster is now devouring you , ” Iglesias said .

MADRID (AP) - Spanish lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly rejected a no-confidence motion called by the far-right Vox party against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his left-wing coalition over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
The motion was rejected by 298 votes and backed only by the 52 lawmakers of Vox, which last year became the third-largest force in the 350-seat parliament.
Spain has reported 1 million confirmed infections - the highest number in Western Europe - and at least 34,000 deaths from COVID-19, although experts say the number is much higher since many cases were missed because of testing shortages and other problems.
Opposition leader Pablo Casado announced earlier Thursday that the 88 lawmakers of his conservative Popular Party (PP) would vote against Vox’s motion, and lambasted the far-right party for “wasting everybody’s time” with the debate as the country grapples with a resurgence of the virus.
“This motion is one more lie from Vox for Sánchez to remain in Moncloa,” Casado said in reference to the palace where the prime minister’s office is located. “Don’t mislead Spaniards, please.”
By choosing to vote against rather than abstaining, Casado cleared up the main question in the run-up to Thursday’s vote in the fragmented Congress of Deputies.
The Popular Party has been very critical of Sánchez’s minority government, but Vox’s recent rise has come at the expense of Spain’s traditional right-wing. Many analysts had seen Vox’s motion as both an attempt to erode the Socialist-led coalition and a direct challenge to Casado, forcing the opposition leader to take a public stance on hot-button issues for the right-wing electorate.
Vox leader Santiago Abascal responded by saying that Casado’s position was showing PP’s true colors.
“It seems that today you have removed your mask and you have joined the brutal caricaturizing of Vox,” Abascal said.
Casado’s move will also cause political ripples in some of the PP-controlled regions under agreements with a center-right party, Citizens, but with Vox’s support. Among the immediate effects, Sánchez’s coalition offered to end the stalemate in negotiations with PP for renewing the Spanish judges’ governing body, while Vox announced that it would halt negotiations to pass a new budget in Andalusia, the southern and most populous of the country’s regions.
One by one, parties from the left and right had lined up since Wednesday against the far-right’s skepticism of the European Union and its promotion of Spanish nationalism and for taking positions against illegal migration or laws that protect women from abuse.
Pablo Iglesias, leader of the far-left United We Can party, which is part of the ruling coalition, told Casado that his speech distancing his party from Vox was “brilliant,” but came too late.
“You gave oxygen to the monster and the monster is now devouring you,” Iglesias said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--MS-13's wave of murder fueled by illegal immigrants

Most MS-13 gang members charged with federal crimes are in the country illegally , according to a new Justice Department report that underscores just how much the violent criminal cartel relies on foreigners for its mayhem .
Out of 749 MS-13 defendants charged over the last four years , at least 74 % had no right to be in the U.S. in the first place , according to the report .
Another 3 % were legal migrants , and the status of another 15 % is unclear , meaning migrants — legal and illegal — could make up more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revelation came in a new repeat documenting the violence of La Mara Salvatrucha and the administration ’ s attempts over the last four years , at President Trump ’ s orders , to try to rein it in .
In some cases , gang members manage to sneak into the U.S. , while at other times young illegal immigrants cross and are then recruited into the gang .
The surge of Unaccompanied Alien Children and families from Central America over the last six years has created a recruiting bonanza for the gang .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with murder in Baltimore came to the U.S. as UACs , while a third came as part of a family unit .
In Georgia , a 15-year-old charged in a vicious stabbing death — part of his initiation into MS-13 — also came as a UAC .
And in the Seattle area , two MS-13-related murders last year have been laid at the feet of young illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as UACs .
In the Seattle and Baltimore cases , local authorities had the suspects in custody on other charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to deport them .
But in each case they were released under sanctuary policies , leaving them out on the streets at the time of the murders .
Some MS-13 members , meanwhile , have showed up at the border and tried to lie about their age , claiming to be juveniles in order to try to take advantage of the UAC loophole .
Homeland Security and the Justice Department are working with Central American authorities to try to identify gang members before they reach the U.S .
Homeland Security runs a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biometrics of key targets , allowing authorities to track them as they make their way north , encountering authorities along the path from Central America to the U.S .

Most MS-13 gang members charged with federal crimes are in the country illegally, according to a new Justice Department report that underscores just how much the violent criminal cartel relies on foreigners.
Out of 749 MS-13 defendants charged over the last four years, at least 74% had no right to be in the U.S. in the first place, according to the report. Another 3% were legal migrants, and the status of another 15% is unclear, meaning migrants could make up more than 90% of MS-13 criminals.
In some cases gang members manage to sneak into the U.S., while other times young immigrants cross illegally and are then recruited.
The surge of Unaccompanied Alien Children and families from Central America over the last six years has created a recruiting bonanza for the gang.
For example MS-13 gang members charged with murder in Baltimore came to the U.S. as UACs, while a third came as part of a family unit.
In Georgia, a 15-year-old Salvadoran boy who came to the U.S. as a UAC stands charged in a vicious stabbing death that authorities say was part of his initiation into MS-13.
And in the Seattle area, two MS-13-related murders last year have been laid at the feet of young immigrants who came to the U.S. as UACs.
In the Seattle and Baltimore cases, local authorities had the suspects in custody on other charges before the murders, and ICE had sought to deport them. But in each case they were released under sanctuary policies, leaving them out on the streets at the time of the murders.
Some MS-13 members, meanwhile, have shown up at the border and tried to lie about their ages, claiming to be juveniles in order to try to take advantage of the UAC loophole.
MS-13 emerged in the 1980s in Los Angeles, fueled by people from El Salvador fleeing a civil war. It now operates internationally, with leaders in El Salvador calling the shots for U.S. operations.
New York and the area surrounding Washington, D.C., are also hotspots for the gang, thanks to the large number of Central American migrants who have settled in both regions.
Jessica Vaughan, policy studies director at the Center for Immigration Studies, said those leaders in El Salvador gave orders for the U.S. cliques to boost their ranks by taking advantage of lax border policies here.
“And the new recruits are especially violent; many have committed violence in their home country starting at an early age, they are easily manipulated by the older leaders, and they are not concerned about the consequences of their actions,” she said.
She said the Justice Department’s statistics bear out research she’s done on Texas street gang arrests overall where 89% were undocumented immigrants.
That includes 59% who’d jumped the border, 17% who’d been deported at least once before, 8% who never appeared for their immigration cases and 6% whose cases were still ongoing when they were arrested. Another 9% had earned green cards, and 2% were here on a temporary visa.
“This information perfectly illustrates one of the most important reasons to have robust immigration and border enforcement — to catch the bad actors who are causing or will cause problems in American communities,” she said.
Federal prosecutors earlier this year brought an unprecedented terrorism charge against an MS-13 leader who they say oversaw operations for 20 of the gang’s cliques throughout the eastern U.S.
Attorney General William Barr has labeled MS-13 a “death cult” because of its brutality, sophistication and reach. It is known for baseball bat beatings and machete killings. Dismembering or torching victims’ bodies is also common.
Security experts say the brutality is part of the gang’s mode of operations.
Homeland Security and the Justice Department are working with Central American authorities to try to identify gang members before they reach the U.S.
Homeland Security runs a program known as BITMAP, which stores biometrics of key targets, allowing authorities to track them as they make their way north, encountering authorities along the path from Central America to the U.S.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Rights group condemns Egypt's execution of 49 people in Oct.

CAIRO ( AP ) - A leading international human rights group on Thursday condemned Egypt ’ s execution of 49 people so far this month - some arrested during a deadly crackdown on a mass protest in 2013 - and urged authorities in Cairo to grant fair retrials to those on the death row .
Between Oct. 3 and 13 , Egypt executed a total of 47 men and two women , according to statement issued by Human Rights Watch .
The group said 15 of those executed had been convicted of involvement in political violence that followed the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s first democratically elected president , Mohamed Morsi .
“ Egypt ’ s mass executions of scores of people in a matter of days is outrageous , ” said Joe Stork , deputy Middle East and North Africa director for HRW .
“ The systematic absence of fair trials in Egypt , especially in political cases , makes every death sentence a violation of the right to life.
” An Egyptian government media officer could not immediately be reached for comment on the report .
Morsi hailed from the ranks of the Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamist group .
Since his ouster , authorities banned the group and rounded up most of its leaders , including the ex-president .
Morsi collapsed in court last year - a death that human rights activists said was evidence of the “ inhumane living conditions ” at Egyptian prisons .
The New York-based rights group said 13 of this month ’ s executions took place in Cairo ’ s notorious supermax facility known as “ Scorpion , ” following clashes last month inside the death row ward that left four policemen and four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities said the four prisoners , who had been sentenced to death in separate terror-related cases , were killed during an escape attempt .
However , the Human Rights Watch statement cited an anonymous human rights lawyer who challenged the government ’ s account after having spoken with relatives of two of the inmates .
The lawyer said the four prisoners ambushed and fatally stabbed the guards during a routine inspection .
Other inmates later saw security forces enter the cell and gunshots were heard .
“ Egypt has had a pattern of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on security forces or civilians in recent years , ” the HRW statement said .

CAIRO (AP) - A leading international human rights group on Thursday condemned Egypt’s execution of 49 people so far this month - some arrested during a deadly crackdown on a mass protest in 2013 - and urged authorities in Cairo to grant fair retrials to those on the death row.
Between Oct. 3 and 13, Egypt executed a total of 47 men and two women, according to statement issued by Human Rights Watch. The group said 15 of those executed had been convicted of involvement in political violence that followed the military overthrow in July 2013 of Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi.
“Egypt’s mass executions of scores of people in a matter of days is outrageous,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director for HRW. “The systematic absence of fair trials in Egypt, especially in political cases, makes every death sentence a violation of the right to life.”
An Egyptian government media officer could not immediately be reached for comment on the report.
Morsi hailed from the ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s oldest Islamist group. Since his ouster, authorities banned the group and rounded up most of its leaders, including the ex-president. Morsi collapsed in court last year - a death that human rights activists said was evidence of the “inhumane living conditions” at Egyptian prisons.
The New York-based rights group said 13 of this month’s executions took place in Cairo’s notorious supermax facility known as “Scorpion,” following clashes last month inside the death row ward that left four policemen and four inmates dead.
At the time, authorities said the four prisoners, who had been sentenced to death in separate terror-related cases, were killed during an escape attempt.
However, the Human Rights Watch statement cited an anonymous human rights lawyer who challenged the government’s account after having spoken with relatives of two of the inmates. The lawyer said the four prisoners ambushed and fatally stabbed the guards during a routine inspection. Other inmates later saw security forces enter the cell and gunshots were heard.
“Egypt has had a pattern of judicial and suspicious extrajudicial killings following attacks on security forces or civilians in recent years,” the HRW statement said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--US jobless claims likely remain high as layoffs persist

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 787,000 , a sign that job losses may have eased slightly but are still running at historically high levels .
With confirmed infections having neared 60,000 in the past week , the highest level since July , many consumers have been unable or reluctant to shop , travel , dine out or congregate in crowds - a trend that has led some employers to keep cutting jobs .
Several states , such as Ohio and Idaho , are reporting a record number of hospitalizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report from the Labor Department said the number of people who are continuing to receive unemployment benefits tumbled by 1 million to 8.4 million .
The decline shows that some of the unemployed are being recalled to their old jobs or are finding new ones .
But it also indicates that many jobless Americans have used up their state unemployment aid - which typically expires after six months - and have transitioned to a federal extended benefits program that lasts an additional three months .
Many jobless recipients are now receiving only regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplement of $ 300 has ended in nearly all states .
And a $ 600-a-week federal benefit expired over the summer .
The still-elevated number of jobless claims underscores that a full recovery from the pandemic recession remains far off .
Job growth has slowed for three straight months , leaving the economy still 10.7 million jobs short of its pre-pandemic level .
The unemployment rate remains high at 7.9 % .
And major companies keep announcing layoffs .
Aramark , a food services contractor that provides concessions at sports stadiums , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers in Denver , most of whom worked at Coors Field , home of the Colorado Rockies .
The company is also cutting 550 jobs in Kansas City .
Most major league baseball games this season were played with limited or no crowds , thereby reducing the need for concession workers Amtrak said at a congressional hearing Wednesday that it would have to cut 2,400 jobs unless Congress approves emergency aid as part of another stimulus bill .
Yet negotiations in Congress over another round of financial aid have largely stalled , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are continuing to negotiate .
But Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has warned the White House against agreeing to a large package that would be opposed by most Senate Republicans THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story is below : The government will provide its latest picture Thursday of the pace of job cuts in the United States , which remain elevated with the viral pandemic still impeding the economy seven months after it first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking jobless benefits reflects an economy that has recovered only slightly more than half the 22 million jobs that were lost to the pandemic .
Many Americans are enduring unemployment with vastly diminished aid since a $ 600-a-week federal benefit expired this summer .
The latest weekly report on jobless claims coincides with fading prospects for a new federal rescue aid package that economists say is urgently needed for unemployed workers and struggling businesses , states and cities .
Congress remains at an impasse .
At the same time , economists say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s figures for unemployment claims , even though there is little doubt that hiring has slowed and many employers are still cutting jobs .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 787,000, a sign that job losses may have eased slightly but are still running at historically high levels.
With confirmed infections having neared 60,000 in the past week, the highest level since July, many consumers have been unable or reluctant to shop, travel, dine out or congregate in crowds - a trend that has led some employers to keep cutting jobs. Several states, such as Ohio and Idaho, are reporting a record number of hospitalizations from the virus.
Thursday’s report from the Labor Department said the number of people who are continuing to receive unemployment benefits tumbled by 1 million to 8.4 million. The decline shows that some of the unemployed are being recalled to their old jobs or are finding new ones. But it also indicates that many jobless Americans have used up their state unemployment aid - which typically expires after six months - and have transitioned to a federal extended benefits program that lasts an additional three months.
Many jobless recipients are now receiving only regular state unemployment payments because a federal weekly supplement of $300 has ended in nearly all states. And a $600-a-week federal benefit expired over the summer.
The still-elevated number of jobless claims underscores that a full recovery from the pandemic recession remains far off. Job growth has slowed for three straight months, leaving the economy still 10.7 million jobs short of its pre-pandemic level. The unemployment rate remains high at 7.9%.
And major companies keep announcing layoffs. Aramark, a food services contractor that provides concessions at sports stadiums, said Wednesday that it would lay off 975 workers in Denver, most of whom worked at Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. The company is also cutting 550 jobs in Kansas City. Most major league baseball games this season were played with limited or no crowds, thereby reducing the need for concession workers
Amtrak said at a congressional hearing Wednesday that it would have to cut 2,400 jobs unless Congress approves emergency aid as part of another stimulus bill.
Yet negotiations in Congress over another round of financial aid have largely stalled, with little prospect for a deal before Election Day. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are continuing to negotiate. But Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has warned the White House against agreeing to a large package that would be opposed by most Senate Republicans
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story is below:
The government will provide its latest picture Thursday of the pace of job cuts in the United States, which remain elevated with the viral pandemic still impeding the economy seven months after it first erupted.
The still-high number of people seeking jobless benefits reflects an economy that has recovered only slightly more than half the 22 million jobs that were lost to the pandemic. Many Americans are enduring unemployment with vastly diminished aid since a $600-a-week federal benefit expired this summer.
The latest weekly report on jobless claims coincides with fading prospects for a new federal rescue aid package that economists say is urgently needed for unemployed workers and struggling businesses, states and cities. Congress remains at an impasse.
At the same time, economists say they have grown more skeptical about the government’s figures for unemployment claims, even though there is little doubt that hiring has slowed and many employers are still cutting jobs.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Greek court imprisons far-right Golden Dawn party leadership

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - A Greek court ruled Thursday to imprison the leadership of extreme right-wing Golden Dawn following their convictions for running the party like a criminal organization , but granted suspended sentences to five of the party ’ s 18 former lawmakers who were convicted of lesser charges .
The ruling by a three-judge panel came after two weeks of summations by defense lawyers following the prosecutor ’ s recommendation that all former Golden Dawn lawmakers be allowed to remain free pending appeal .
The appeals process could take several years .
The judges rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and other former lawmakers who were convicted of leading a criminal organization .
Michaloliakos and another five former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences , while a sixth was sentenced to 10 years .
The party , founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s , rose to prominence during Greece ’ s financial crisis and was blamed for planning multiple hate crimes , including brutal street attacks on immigrants and left-wing activists .
Eleven former Golden Dawn lawmakers convicted of simple participation received sentences of between five and seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those convicted of participation , including Michaloliakos ’ wife , Eleni Zaroulia , could remain free until their appeals are heard .
Conditions of their their release include bans on leaving the country , the payment of 20,000 euros ( $ 23,700 ) bail each and the appearance at their local police station twice a month .
Seven more people convicted in the case who are not former Greek lawmakers also received suspended sentences pending appeal .
“ I am proud to be going to jail for my ideas .
Some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking this decision , ” Michaloliakos told reporters outside his Athens home after the court decision was announced .
“ We will be vindicated by history and by the Greek people.
” The sentencing decisions end a marathon , politically charged five-year trial involving 68 defendants , dozens of lawyers and encompassing 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 .
Fyssa ’ s killer , Giorgos Roupakias , was also ordered to begin serving his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fyssa , who became an emblematic figure in the fight against Golden Dawn and attended all court sessions in the past five years , was there for the trial ’ s conclusion .
“ It is not just vindication for Pavlos , but for all of us who are here , ” she said .
“ Today is a day of victory and a day of justice .
It is a day on which we might be crying , but we are crying with joy , ” said Thanasis Kampagiannis , who represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of migrants who were beaten , stabbed or even murdered by the Nazi organization are vindicated.
” 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 .
Others ordered jailed include former party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris , who has since left Golden Dawn and founded his own political party , and current European Parliament member Ioannis Lagos , who also left Golden Dawn and currently lives in Brussels .
The defendants were not obliged to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders will be issued for any of those ordered imprisoned who do not turn themselves in voluntarily .
One of the former lawmakers , Giorgos Germenis , proclaimed his innocence as he went to surrender to authorities .
“ This is a political prosecution , ” he said , adding he had hope in the appeals process .
Golden Dawn spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political scene before rising to prominence during the country ’ s 2010-2018 financial crisis , winning parliament seats in four separate elections and becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its popularity began to wane during the long trial , and it failed to win any parliament seats in the 2019 general election .
Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed to this report .

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A Greek court ruled Thursday to imprison the leadership of extreme right-wing Golden Dawn following their convictions for running the party like a criminal organization, but granted suspended sentences to five of the party’s 18 former lawmakers who were convicted of lesser charges.
The ruling by a three-judge panel came after two weeks of summations by defense lawyers following the prosecutor’s recommendation that all former Golden Dawn lawmakers be allowed to remain free pending appeal. The appeals process could take several years.
The judges rejected a request to suspend the sentences of party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and other former lawmakers who were convicted of leading a criminal organization. Michaloliakos and another five former lawmakers received 13-year prison sentences, while a sixth was sentenced to 10 years.
The party, founded as a neo-Nazi group in the 1980s, rose to prominence during Greece’s financial crisis and was blamed for planning multiple hate crimes, including brutal street attacks on immigrants and left-wing activists.
Eleven former Golden Dawn lawmakers convicted of simple participation received sentences of between five and seven years. The judges ruled that five of those convicted of participation, including Michaloliakos’ wife, Eleni Zaroulia, could remain free until their appeals are heard.
Conditions of their their release include bans on leaving the country, the payment of 20,000 euros ($23,700) bail each and the appearance at their local police station twice a month. Seven more people convicted in the case who are not former Greek lawmakers also received suspended sentences pending appeal.
“I am proud to be going to jail for my ideas. Some people at some time will be ashamed for taking this decision,” Michaloliakos told reporters outside his Athens home after the court decision was announced. “We will be vindicated by history and by the Greek people.”
The sentencing decisions end a marathon, politically charged five-year trial involving 68 defendants, dozens of lawyers and encompassing 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.
Fyssa’s killer, Giorgos Roupakias, was also ordered to begin serving his life sentence.
Fyssa’s mother Magda Fyssa, who became an emblematic figure in the fight against Golden Dawn and attended all court sessions in the past five years, was there for the trial’s conclusion.
“It is not just vindication for Pavlos, but for all of us who are here,” she said.
Lawyers representing the victims expressed satisfaction with Thursday’s decision.
“Today is a day of victory and a day of justice. It is a day on which we might be crying, but we are crying with joy,” said Thanasis Kampagiannis, who represented the Egyptian fishermen. “The hundreds of migrants who were beaten, stabbed or even murdered by the Nazi organization are vindicated.”
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.
Others ordered jailed include former party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris, who has since left Golden Dawn and founded his own political party, and current European Parliament member Ioannis Lagos, who also left Golden Dawn and currently lives in Brussels.
The defendants were not obliged to be in court for the hearing. Arrest orders will be issued for any of those ordered imprisoned who do not turn themselves in voluntarily.
One of the former lawmakers, Giorgos Germenis, proclaimed his innocence as he went to surrender to authorities. “This is a political prosecution,” he said, adding he had hope in the appeals process.
Golden Dawn spent decades as a fringe party on the Greek political scene before rising to prominence during the country’s 2010-2018 financial crisis, winning parliament seats in four separate elections and becoming Greece’s third-largest political party.
Its popularity began to wane during the long trial, and it failed to win any parliament seats in the 2019 general election.
___
Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Turkey slams joint declaration by Cyprus, Greece and Egypt

ISTANBUL ( AP ) - Turkey ’ s Foreign Ministry on Thursday slammed a joint statement by Greece , Cyprus and Egypt that condemns Turkish energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and numerous “ provocations ” that they maintain are threatening regional peace .
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it “ fully rejected the declaration containing baseless accusations and allegations.
” During a trilateral regional summit Wednesday in Nicosia , Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades , Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged Ankara to end its “ aggressive ” actions .
The joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ invitation to enter negotiations for an agreement on maritime delimitations .
Greece and Cyprus have signed maritime border agreements with Egypt while dismissing a similar deal that Ankara signed with Libya ’ s Tripoli-based government as “ legally invalid.
” .
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the declaration attacked Ankara rather than supporting peace and stability in the region .
It repeated Turkey ’ s position that cooperation could only take place with the inclusion of Turkish Cypriots in governing and sharing the resources of the ethnically divided island nation .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our rights and the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the eastern Mediterranean , ” the ministry statement said .
The trilateral summit took place amid high tensions between nominal NATO allies Greece and Turkey over maritime borders and energy rights .
In late summer , Turkey dispatched a research vessel escorted by warships to conduct seismic research in a part of the Mediterranean Sea that Greece claims as its territory , which prompted the Greek government to deploy its own warships .
Turkey pulled the research ship back to shore for several weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomacy but redeployed the Oruc Reis on a new energy exploration mission .
A maritime announcement by Turkey says the Oruc Reis and two other ships would continue working in the area until Oct. 27 .
Turkey also has had ships prospecting for oil and gas reserves in waters that Cyprus claims as its exclusive economic zone .

ISTANBUL (AP) - Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday slammed a joint statement by Greece, Cyprus and Egypt that condemns Turkish energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and numerous “provocations” that they maintain are threatening regional peace.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it “fully rejected the declaration containing baseless accusations and allegations.”
During a trilateral regional summit Wednesday in Nicosia, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged Ankara to end its “aggressive” actions.
The joint statement also asked Turkey to accept Cyprus’ invitation to enter negotiations for an agreement on maritime delimitations. Greece and Cyprus have signed maritime border agreements with Egypt while dismissing a similar deal that Ankara signed with Libya’s Tripoli-based government as “legally invalid.”.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the declaration attacked Ankara rather than supporting peace and stability in the region. It repeated Turkey’s position that cooperation could only take place with the inclusion of Turkish Cypriots in governing and sharing the resources of the ethnically divided island nation.
“We will continue with determination to protect our rights and the rights of Turkish Cypriots in the eastern Mediterranean,” the ministry statement said.
The trilateral summit took place amid high tensions between nominal NATO allies Greece and Turkey over maritime borders and energy rights.
In late summer, Turkey dispatched a research vessel escorted by warships to conduct seismic research in a part of the Mediterranean Sea that Greece claims as its territory, which prompted the Greek government to deploy its own warships.
Turkey pulled the research ship back to shore for several weeks for maintenance and to allow time for diplomacy but redeployed the Oruc Reis on a new energy exploration mission. A maritime announcement by Turkey says the Oruc Reis and two other ships would continue working in the area until Oct. 27.
Turkey also has had ships prospecting for oil and gas reserves in waters that Cyprus claims as its exclusive economic zone.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Forecasters: Hurricane Epsilon should sideswipe Bermuda

MIAMI ( AP ) - Hurricane Epsilon ’ s maximum sustained winds dropped slightly as it moved northwest over the Atlantic Ocean on a path that should sideswipe Bermuda on Thursday .
Epsilon was a Category 2 hurricane with top winds of 110 mph ( 175 kph ) Thursday morning as it swirled near enough for the National Hurricane Center to issue a tropical storm warning for the island .
The Miami-based center said Epsilon was located about miles ( 415 kilometers ) east-southeast of Bermuda , and was moving to the northwest at 7 mph ( 11 kph ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closest approach to Bermuda by Thursday evening .
Gradual weakening is expected into the weekend .
Large ocean swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the coast of New England and Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days , the hurricane center said .
Epsilon had gained 50 mph ( 80 kph ) in wind speed in just 24 hours to become a major hurricane on Wednesday , officially qualifying as a rapidly intensifying storm .
It was the seventh storm this season to power up this quickly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been increasingly worried about storms that blow up from nothing to a whopper , just like Epsilon .
Forecasters created an official threshold for this dangerous rapid intensification - a storm gaining 35 mph ( 56 kph ) in wind speed in just 24 hours .
This year ’ s season has had so many storms that the hurricane center has turned to the Greek alphabet after running out of official names .

MIAMI (AP) - A weakened Hurricane Epsilon skirted well east of Bermuda on Thursday night, prompting officials to lift a tropical storm warning for the Atlantic island.
Epsilon’s top sustained winds had fallen during the day to 85 mph (140 kph), dropping it from a Category 2 to a Category 1 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The Miami-based center said Epsilon was about 190 miles (300 kilometers) east of Bermuda at 11 p.m as it moved north-northwest at 9 mph (15 kph).
Bermuda weather officials on Thursday evening discontinued a tropical storm warning. Forecasters said the storm would track over the Atlantic Ocean well east of the island in coming hours. Blustery winds were expected to subside overnight in Bermuda.
Gradual weakening of the hurricane is expected into the weekend. But large ocean swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along the coast of New England and Atlantic Canada during the next couple of days, the hurricane center warned.
Earlier in the week, Epsilon had gained 50 mph (80 kph) in wind speed in just 24 hours to become a major hurricane on Wednesday. That officially qualified it as a rapidly intensifying storm. It was the seventh storm this season to power up so quickly, reaching Category 3 status at one point.
Over the past couple decades, meteorologists have been increasingly worried about storms that blow up from nothing to a whopper, just like Epsilon. Forecasters created an official threshold for this dangerous rapid intensification - a storm gaining 35 mph (56 kph) in wind speed in just 24 hours.
This year’s season has had so many storms that the hurricane center has turned to the Greek alphabet after running out of official names.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--EU awards human rights prize to Belarus opposition

BRUSSELS ( AP ) — The European Union on Thursday awarded its top human rights prize to the Belarus opposition movement and its leader , Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , for their challenge to President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s long , hard-line reign .
During a speech at the European Parliament , president David Sassoli praised the Sakharov Prize laureates for their “ courage , resilience and determination.
” “ They have stood and still stay strong in the face of a much stronger adversary .
But they have on their side something that brute force can never defeat , and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 27-nation bloc agreed this month to impose sanctions against officials suspected of election misconduct and a brutal security crackdown on protesters in Belarus .
The EU has warned it is ready to sanction Lukashenko himself if he fails to enter into talks with the opposition and order an end to the repression launched after a disputed election .
In a series of recommendations adopted this week , EU lawmakers said sanctions need to include Lukashenko and called for new elections to be held under international supervision .
MEPs also stated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the legitimate representative of the people.
” Lukashenko won his sixth term in office in a presidential election widely seen as rigged .
Since the Aug. 9 polls that handed Lukashenko 80 % of the vote , mass protests have rocked the ex-Soviet nation sandwiched between Poland and Russia .
Tsikhanouskaya , Lukashenko ’ s main challenger , got 10 % of the vote .
She and her supporters refused to recognize the results , saying the outcome of the vote was manipulated .
A 38-year old former English teacher with no previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after her husband who aspired to run for president was jailed .
He has remained in prison .
Tsikhanouskaya has rejected the official tally and refused to concede defeat , but was forced to move to Lithuania under pressure from authorities .
Tsikhanouskaya shares the prize with several leading members of the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which was created after the election in a bid to facilitate talks on a transition of power .
They include Nobel Laureate Svetlana Alexievich , musician Maryia Kalesnikava and political activists Volha Kavalkova and Veranika @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was recently jailed .
The EU award , named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov , was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms .
Last year ’ s winner was economist Ilham Tohti for his work defending China ’ s Uighur minority .
Others on the shortlist for the award this year were activists defending the Guapinol river in Honduras and murdered environmental activist and indigenous leader Berta Caceres .
Najeeb Michaeel , the archbishop of Mosul , also made the cut for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Syriacs and Chaldeans to Iraqi Kurdistan and safeguarding historic manuscripts after the Islamic State arrived in Mosul in 2014 .
Sassoli paid tribute to Arnold Joaquín Morazán Erazo , a member of the environmental group opposing an iron oxide mine in Honduras who was killed this month .
“ It is imperative that a credible , independent and immediate investigation is launched into this case and those responsible must be held to account , ” Sassoli said .
The prize will be presented in a ceremony in Strasbourg , France , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this story .

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Thursday awarded its top human rights prize to the Belarus opposition movement and its leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, for their challenge to President Alexander Lukashenko’s long, hard-line reign.
During a speech at the European Parliament, president David Sassoli praised the Sakharov Prize laureates for their “courage, resilience and determination.”
“They have stood and still stay strong in the face of a much stronger adversary. But they have on their side something that brute force can never defeat, and this is the truth,” Sassoli said.
The 27-nation bloc agreed this month to impose sanctions against officials suspected of election misconduct and a brutal security crackdown on protesters in Belarus. The EU has warned it is ready to sanction Lukashenko himself if he fails to enter into talks with the opposition and order an end to the repression launched after a disputed election.
In a series of recommendations adopted this week, EU lawmakers said sanctions need to include Lukashenko and called for new elections to be held under international supervision. MEPs also stated that “Tsikhanouskaya’s Coordination Council is the legitimate representative of the people.”
Lukashenko won his sixth term in office in a presidential election widely seen as rigged. Since the Aug. 9 polls that handed Lukashenko 80% of the vote, mass protests have rocked the ex-Soviet nation sandwiched between Poland and Russia.
Tsikhanouskaya, Lukashenko’s main challenger, got 10% of the vote. She and her supporters refused to recognize the results, saying the outcome of the vote was manipulated.
A 38-year old former English teacher with no previous political experience, Tsikhanouskaya joined the race after her husband who aspired to run for president was jailed. He has remained in prison.
Tsikhanouskaya has rejected the official tally and refused to concede defeat, but was forced to move to Lithuania under pressure from authorities.
Tsikhanouskaya shares the prize with several leading members of the opposition’s Coordination Council, which was created after the election in a bid to facilitate talks on a transition of power. They include Nobel Laureate Svetlana Alexievich, musician Maryia Kalesnikava and political activists Volha Kavalkova and Veranika Tsapkala and prominent opposition politician Mikola Statkevich, who was recently jailed.
The EU award, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Last year’s winner was economist Ilham Tohti for his work defending China’s Uighur minority.
Others on the shortlist for the award this year were activists defending the Guapinol river in Honduras and murdered environmental activist and indigenous leader Berta Caceres. Najeeb Michaeel, the archbishop of Mosul, also made the cut for his role in the evacuation of Christians, Syriacs and Chaldeans to Iraqi Kurdistan and safeguarding historic manuscripts after the Islamic State arrived in Mosul in 2014.
Sassoli paid tribute to Arnold Joaquín Morazán Erazo, a member of the environmental group opposing an iron oxide mine in Honduras who was killed this month.
“It is imperative that a credible, independent and immediate investigation is launched into this case and those responsible must be held to account,” Sassoli said.
The prize will be presented in a ceremony in Strasbourg, France, on Dec. 16.
___
Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Leading European lawmaker says the EU has awarded its top human rights prize to the Belarus oppositi

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - Leading European lawmaker says the EU has awarded its top human rights prize to the @ @ @ @

BRUSSELS (AP) - Leading European lawmaker says the EU has awarded its top human rights prize to the Belarus opposition movement.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Former Belgian PM in intensive care with COVID-19

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - Sophie Wilmes , who as Belgian ’ s prime minister led the country ’ s fight against the coronavirus , has been hospitalized in intensive care with COVID-19 , her office said Thursday .
Wilmes , 45 , who handed the reins over to Alexander de Croo earlier this month and is now Belgian ’ s foreign minister , announced last week that she had tested positive .
She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday .
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Elke Pattyn told The Associated Press that Wilmes is in a stable condition and conscious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not worrying.
” Wilmes was in charge when the first wave of infections hit the country this spring .
She said last week she thought she got infected within her family circle .
De Croo and Charles Michel , a former Belgian Prime minister now presiding over the European Union council , were among the many politicians who sent Wilmes messages of support .
“ All my affection and friendship to Sophie Wilmes who led the national fight against COVID-19 and who must now fight it personally , ” Michel said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country of 11.5 million inhabitants , has been severely hit by the coronavirus and is currently seeing a sharp rise in new cases .
More than 10,000 people have died from coronavirus-related complications in Belgium .
Wilmes became Belgium ’ s first female prime minister in October last year when she succeeded Michel .
First appointed as a caretaker , she then led a government with special powers to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Wilmes was praised for her soft touch as she calmly led the country through the crisis .
Born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career as a local councillor in the Belgian capital and joined the federal government in 2015 as budget minister .
She stepped down this month when De Croo was sworn in after nearly a year-and-a-half of complex negotiations among parties divided along linguistic as well as political lines .

BRUSSELS (AP) - Sophie Wilmes, who as Belgian’s prime minister led the country’s fight against the coronavirus, has been hospitalized in intensive care with COVID-19, her office said Thursday.
Wilmes, 45, who handed the reins over to Alexander de Croo earlier this month and is now Belgian’s foreign minister, announced last week that she had tested positive. She was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Elke Pattyn told The Associated Press that Wilmes is in a stable condition and conscious. She said her condition “is not worrying.”
Wilmes was in charge when the first wave of infections hit the country this spring. She said last week she thought she got infected within her family circle.
De Croo and Charles Michel, a former Belgian Prime minister now presiding over the European Union council, were among the many politicians who sent Wilmes messages of support.
“All my affection and friendship to Sophie Wilmes who led the national fight against COVID-19 and who must now fight it personally,” Michel said in a message posted on Twitter.
Belgium, a country of 11.5 million inhabitants, has been severely hit by the coronavirus and is currently seeing a sharp rise in new cases. More than 10,000 people have died from coronavirus-related complications in Belgium.
Wilmes became Belgium’s first female prime minister in October last year when she succeeded Michel. First appointed as a caretaker, she then led a government with special powers to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Wilmes was praised for her soft touch as she calmly led the country through the crisis.
Born in Brussels, Wilmes started her political career as a local councillor in the Belgian capital and joined the federal government in 2015 as budget minister.
She stepped down this month when De Croo was sworn in after nearly a year-and-a-half of complex negotiations among parties divided along linguistic as well as political lines.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Ex-PM Hariri asked to form new gov't in crisis-hit Lebanon

BEIRUT ( AP ) - Lebanon ’ s Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri pledged Thursday to quickly form a new government that would halt the country ’ s economic collapse , calling it a “ last opportunity ” to save the country hit by multiple political and financial crises .
Hariri , who resigned from the post a year ago amid nationwide protests against widespread corruption and a flunking economy , was asked to form the country ’ s next government after he secured enough votes from lawmakers - bringing back an old name to lead a country desperate for change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s currency has collapsed , losing nearly 80 % of its value , while prices , unemployment and inflation soared .
Lebanese have been unable to access their savings , as banks imposed informal capital controls fearing a run on deposits .
A gigantic explosion in August in Beirut ’ s port , caused by thousands of potentially explosive chemicals stored in a warehouse there , compounded the crises .
The blast defaced the capital , killing nearly 200 people , and injured over 6,000 .
The explosion was seen as further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge of governing the small country since the end of its 15-year civil war in 1990 .
Hariri ’ s return to office is rejected by protesters who had been demanding change , and see him as a symbol of a political class they blame for the country ’ s woes .
Hariri pledged a government of non-partisan specialists tasked with implementing economic , financial and administrative reform according to a French initiative that was endorsed by mainstream Lebanese politicians .
“ I say to Lebanese who are suffering hardship to the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my promise , to work on stopping the collapse that threatens our economy , society and security , ” Hariri said in a brief statement Thursday .
Hariri ’ s successor last year - a technocrat supported by the Hezbollah group - stepped down after the massive Aug. 4 explosion .
The explosion prompted France , a longtime ally and former colonial ruler , to push for a new political order in Lebanon .
Paris launched what came to be known as the French initiative , designed to pressure rival politicians to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce wide-ranging economic reforms .
The international community has said it will not help Lebanon financially before reforms are implemented .
But Lebanon ’ s complex sectarian-based political system makes reaching major decisions a significant challenge .
Power , including government posts , is distributed among the country ’ s Shiites , Sunnis and Christians who often get bogged down in horse trading because of fears of losing their calibrated clout .
Hariri won by a simple majority Thursday , securing a total of 65 votes out of 120 lawmakers polled by President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shape of the Cabinet that Hariri is expected to form .
Aoun ’ s party , the Free Patriotic Movement , the largest bloc in parliament and the largest Christian party , withheld support to Hariri .
Another major Christian party , formerly an ally of Hariri , has also withheld support .
The powerful Shiite group Hezbollah implicitly supports Hariri ’ s designation to the post but refrained from voting for him to avoid appearing to be breaking ranks with its ally , Aoun ’ s party .
Hariri got backing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the largest Sunni bloc , a small Christian party and independents .
President Aoun already delayed the consultations a week , amid signs of wrangling over his party ’ s role in any upcoming government .
In a speech on the eve of the consultations , Aoun signaled that he would not stop Hariri from being named prime minister but indicated he wants a bigger role in government formation .
Most observers expect a rocky process .
“ Today , I am required to designate ( a prime minister ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government , ” Aoun said .
“ Will the one who is nominated commit to addressing corruption and launching reform ?
” Portending tensions ahead , protesters who took to the streets Wednesday rejecting Hariri ’ s nomination were heckled by his supporters amid heavy security deployment .
The Hariri supporters moved to the epicenter of the 2019 protests and set fire to a large fist erected there that has come to symbolize the uprising against the old political class .

BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanon’s president tasked former Prime Minister Saad Hariri with forming a new government Thursday, bringing back the veteran politician a year after he was toppled amid nationwide protests against widespread corruption and a flunking economy.
President Michel Aoun designated Hariri after a slight majority vote by lawmakers, securing the return of an old name to lead the country desperate for change.
Hariri now faces a more impoverished Lebanon, devastated by a massive August explosion that defaced Beirut, but also a more determined opposition.
The 50-year-old politician takes the helm with a sense of urgency and more involvement by international leaders who have warned Lebanon is on the verge of collapse. Hariri pledged to quickly form a new government - his fourth in the last decade - to halt the economic collapse, calling it the “last and only” opportunity.
The task is enormous, amid an unprecedented economic crisis and stiff opposition, including from former political allies and protesters demanding change. “Saad, don’t dream of it,” read posters raised by protesters, who see him as a symbol of an entrenched political class they blame for the country’s woes.
In the past year, Lebanon’s currency has collapsed, losing nearly 80% of its value while prices, unemployment and inflation soared. Lebanese have been unable to access their savings, as banks imposed informal capital controls, fearing a run on deposits.
The gigantic August explosion in Beirut’s port, caused by thousands of tons of highly explosive chemicals stored in a warehouse, compounded the crises. The blast, which killed nearly 200 people and injured over 6,000, was seen as further proof of an incompetent political class that has governed the small country since the end of its 15-year civil war in 1990.
“As if nothing happened at all this whole year. Hariri is back and the (political class) is pleased,” said Hayat Nazer, a protester and artist. “It is clear they have ignored the public’s outcry.”
Hariri vowed to stop the economic, social and security meltdown and rebuild after the port explosion: “I say to Lebanese who are suffering hardship to the point of despair, I am determined to keep my promise.”
Human Rights Watch said Lebanon’s domestic probe into the blast has been marred by political meddling and lack of judicial independence. The group called Thursday for a UN-led inquiry to determine responsibility.
Hariri’s successor last year - a university professor who led a government supported by Hezbollah and its allies - stepped down after the Aug. 4 blast.
The explosion prompted France, a longtime ally and former colonial ruler, to push for a new political order in Lebanon. Paris launched what came to be known as the French initiative, designed to pressure rival politicians to agree on a government empowered to introduce wide-ranging economic reforms. The international community has said it will not help Lebanon financially before reforms are implemented.
Hariri pledged a government of non-partisan specialists tasked with implementing reforms according to the French initiative, endorsed by mainstream Lebanese politicians. Its priority is to resume talks with the IMF for a desperately needed bailout, amid rapidly shrinking foreign currency reserves.
But Lebanon’s complex sectarian-based political system makes reaching major decisions a significant challenge. Power, including government posts, is distributed among the country’s Shiites, Sunnis and Christians who often get bogged down in horse trading because of fears of losing their calibrated clout.
The French initiative first resulted in the naming of Mustapha Adib, a technocrat backed by Hariri, as prime minister-designate. But Adib stepped down a month later, after failing to form a government of specialists because Shiite political groups insisted on naming the sect’s ministers.
Hariri has since re-emerged as the only contender. The son of assassinated former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, he took over his slain father’s mantle in 2005 and enjoys good relations with the West. He secured 65 votes out of 120 lawmakers polled on Thursday by Aoun amid sharp divisions over the shape of the future Cabinet.
With Saad Hariri, as leader of Lebanon’s largest Sunni political party, at the helm, rivals have argued his Cabinet should include a mix of experts and politicians. A former ally, the Free Patriotic Movement, Aoun’s party and the largest largest Christian party, withheld support to Hariri. Another major Christian party and former ally of Hariri also withheld support.
The powerful Shiite militant group Hezbollah supports Hariri’s designation but refrained from voting for him to avoid appearing to be breaking ranks with its ally, Aoun’s party. Hariri got backing from the other Shiite group, Amal, as well as a small Christian party and independents.
Gebran Bassil, the head of Aoun’s party, said his bloc expected Hariri to form a government that represents political parties, even if it included technocrats.
In a speech on the eve of the consultations, Aoun signaled he would not stop Hariri from being named prime minister but indicated he wants a bigger role in government formation. Most observers expect a rocky process.
“Today, I am required to designate (a prime minister) and then participate in the formation of a government,” Aoun said. “Will the one who is nominated commit to addressing corruption and launching reform?”
Portending tensions ahead, protesters who took to the streets Wednesday rejecting Hariri’s nomination were heckled by his supporters amid heavy security deployment. Hariri’s supporters also set fire to a large depiction of a fist that symbolizes the uprising against the old political class. A new fist was raised on Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--British Airways parent company slashes passenger forecast

LONDON ( AP ) - The parent company of British Airways has cut its fourth-quarter passenger forecast to just 30 @ @ @ @ @ s level as government restrictions imposed to control a new wave of coronavirus infections reduces @ @ @ @ @ Airlines Group made the announcement Thursday as it posted a third-quarter operating loss of 1.3 @ @ @ @ @ billion ) , compared with a profit of 1.4 billion euros in the same period @ @ @ @ @ said it reduced the fourth-quarter passenger forecast because of additional restrictions , including “ an @ @ @ @ @ extension of quarantine requirements to travelers from an increasing number of countries.
’ ’ The @ @ @ @ @ to mitigate the disruption , such as pre-departure testing and air corridor arrangements , “ @ @ @ @ @ governments as quickly as anticipated .
”

LONDON (AP) - The parent company of British Airways has cut its fourth-quarter passenger forecast to just 30% of last year’s level as government restrictions imposed to control a new wave of coronavirus infections reduces demand for flights.
International Airlines Group made the announcement Thursday as it posted a third-quarter operating loss of 1.3 billion euros ($1.7 billion), compared with a profit of 1.4 billion euros in the same period last year.
The company said it reduced the fourth-quarter passenger forecast because of additional restrictions, including “an increase in local lockdowns and extension of quarantine requirements to travelers from an increasing number of countries.’’
The company said that measures meant to mitigate the disruption, such as pre-departure testing and air corridor arrangements, “have not been adopted by governments as quickly as anticipated.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-22--Mixed Philippine reaction on pope nod on gay civil unions

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) — Pope Francis ’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions drew mixed reactions Thursday in the Philippines , Asia ’ s bastion of Catholicism , with a retired bishop saying he was scandalized by it while an LGBT group welcomed the pontiff ’ s remarks with relief .
President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s spokesman said the Philippine leader has long expressed support to same-sex civil unions but added it needed to pass through Congress .
Retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said he “ had very serious doubts about the moral correctness ” of the pontiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran against long-standing church teachings , which explicitly permit only the union of man and woman whether in civil , legal or church sacramental unions .
“ This is a shocking statement coming from the pope , ” Bastes told reporters in a cellphone message .
“ I am really scandalized by his defense of homosexual union , which surely leads to immoral acts.
” At least three other bishops expressed disbelief , saying they would verify if it ’ s the Vatican ’ s official position and if the pontiff was accurately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where he made the remarks .
“ It is just a documentary film so it is not official and should first be verified , ” Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said , adding there could have been editing alterations or the documentary was “ just for propaganda so that it could be talked about or patronized.
” The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines , the largest group of bishops in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation , has yet to issue any reaction .
LGBTQ group Bahaghari told ABS CBN News that the pontiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing ” and should lead to changes in the Philippine family code to recognize such unions .
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte has long supported same-sex civil unions and the papal endorsement may finally convince legislators to give their approval .
In the past , such proposals have been opposed or avoided by conservative legislators or those who feared earning the ire of influential church leaders .
“ With no less than the pope supporting it , I think even the most conservative of all Catholics in Congress should no longer have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions drew mixed reactions Thursday in the Philippines, Asia’s bastion of Catholicism, with a retired bishop saying he was scandalized by it while an LGBT group welcomed the pontiff’s remarks with relief.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said the Philippine leader has long expressed support to same-sex civil unions but added it needed to pass through Congress.
Retired Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said he “had very serious doubts about the moral correctness” of the pontiff’s position. He said it ran against long-standing church teachings, which explicitly permit only the union of man and woman whether in civil, legal or church sacramental unions.
“This is a shocking statement coming from the pope,” Bastes told reporters in a cellphone message. “I am really scandalized by his defense of homosexual union, which surely leads to immoral acts.”
At least three other bishops expressed disbelief, saying they would verify if it’s the Vatican’s official position and if the pontiff was accurately quoted in context in a documentary, where he made the remarks.
“It is just a documentary film so it is not official and should first be verified,” Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos said, adding there could have been editing alterations or the documentary was “just for propaganda so that it could be talked about or patronized.”
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, the largest group of bishops in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation, has yet to issue any reaction.
LGBTQ group Bahaghari told ABS CBN News that the pontiff’s position was a “huge thing” and should lead to changes in the Philippine family code to recognize such unions.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte has long supported same-sex civil unions and the papal endorsement may finally convince legislators to give their approval. In the past, such proposals have been opposed or avoided by conservative legislators or those who feared earning the ire of influential church leaders.
“With no less than the pope supporting it, I think even the most conservative of all Catholics in Congress should no longer have a basis for objecting,” Roque said.