washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Militants open fire and burn police car in Philippine town

COTABATO , Philippines ( AP ) - Dozens of militants aligned with the Islamic State group opened fire on a Philippine army detachment and burned a police patrol car in a southern town but withdrew after troops returned fire , officials said Friday .
There were no immediate reports of injuries in Thursday night ’ s brief attack by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Datu Piang town .
Nevertheless it sparked panic among residents and rekindled fears of a repeat of a 2017 militant siege of southern Marawi city that lasted for five months before being quelled by government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the situation .
This is just an isolated case , ” regional military commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said in a statement .
Security officials gave differing statements on the motive of the 30 to 50 gunmen .
Some said the militants targeted Datu Piang ’ s police chief over a feud but others speculated that the militants wanted to project that they are still a force to reckon with by attacking the army detachment in the center of the predominantly Muslim town .
Officials denied earlier reports that the militants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burn a Roman Catholic church .
When reinforcement troops in armored carriers arrived and opened fire , the militants fled toward a marshland , military officials said .
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters is one of a few small armed groups waging a separatist rural insurrection in the south of the largely Roman Catholic nation .
The groups opposed a 2014 autonomy deal forged by the largest Muslim rebel group in the south with the Philippine government and have continued on and off attacks despite being weakened by battle setbacks , surrenders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abu Sayyaf , which has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization for kidnappings for ransom , beheadings and bombings .

COTABATO, Philippines (AP) - Dozens of militants aligned with the Islamic State group opened fire on a Philippine army detachment and burned a police patrol car in a southern town but withdrew after troops returned fire, officials said Friday.
There were no immediate reports of injuries in Thursday night’s brief attack by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Datu Piang town. Nevertheless it sparked panic among residents and rekindled fears of a repeat of a 2017 militant siege of southern Marawi city that lasted for five months before being quelled by government forces.
“We are on top of the situation. This is just an isolated case,” regional military commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said in a statement.
Security officials gave differing statements on the motive of the 30 to 50 gunmen. Some said the militants targeted Datu Piang’s police chief over a feud but others speculated that the militants wanted to project that they are still a force to reckon with by attacking the army detachment in the center of the predominantly Muslim town.
Officials denied earlier reports that the militants managed to seize a police station and burn a Roman Catholic church.
When reinforcement troops in armored carriers arrived and opened fire, the militants fled toward a marshland, military officials said.
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters is one of a few small armed groups waging a separatist rural insurrection in the south of the largely Roman Catholic nation. The groups opposed a 2014 autonomy deal forged by the largest Muslim rebel group in the south with the Philippine government and have continued on and off attacks despite being weakened by battle setbacks, surrenders and factionalism.
The armed groups include the Abu Sayyaf, which has been blacklisted by the United States and the Philippines as a terrorist organization for kidnappings for ransom, beheadings and bombings.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Voter registration data for 113K Alaskans exposed in breach

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - Personal data such as driver ’ s license numbers and birth dates for tens of thousands of Alaskans was breached in an online voter database , but the state official overseeing elections said Thursday election results were not compromised because the online registration and vote tabulation systems are not connected .
“ Although some voters ’ personal information was exposed , the division has determined that no other election systems or data were affected .
The division ’ s ballot tabulation systems , the 2020 general election results and the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Kevin Meyer said during a teleconference .
Division refers to the state Division of Elections .
The breach affected about 113,000 Alaskans who had used the online voter registration system within the past five years to change some detail , such as an address or party affiliation , he said .
That system went online in 2015 .
After the breach was discovered in late October , a forensics specialist and law enforcement were immediately brought in to help determine the extent , Meyer said .
An outside vendor was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The flaw has been corrected , ” Meyer said .
“ The preliminary investigation indicates that although outside actors accessed voter registration information , the purpose of the unlawful access , we believe was more to spread propaganda and to shake voter confidence.
” Citing the ongoing legal investigation , Meyer and other state officials declined to discuss who might have breached the system , how propaganda might have been spread or if the breach was tied to threatening emails voters in Alaska and three other states received in October .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 27 , about a week after those emails were sent .
“ Many details about the state exposure still remain unclear , such as the exact identity of the outside actors or the precise information that was accessed , ” Meyer said .
Alaskans who had their data breached will be notified by mail with instructions on how to sign up for a year of free credit and identification monitoring .
Meyer said recent audits conducted by the Division of Elections have shown hand counts of certain races match the tabulations from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certified the election on Monday .
“ Alaska ’ s vote counting equipment is not linked in any way to the online voter registration system , so the ballot tabulation process remains completely secure , ” he said .
“ Both the Division of Elections and I firmly believe in the integrity of the 2020 voting process was not compromised in any way .
”

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Personal data such as driver’s license numbers and birth dates for tens of thousands of Alaskans was breached in an online voter database, but the state official overseeing elections said Thursday election results were not compromised because the online registration and vote tabulation systems are not connected.
“Although some voters’ personal information was exposed, the division has determined that no other election systems or data were affected. The division’s ballot tabulation systems, the 2020 general election results and the state’s voter database remain secure,” Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer said during a teleconference. Division refers to the state Division of Elections.
The breach affected about 113,000 Alaskans who had used the online voter registration system within the past five years to change some detail, such as an address or party affiliation, he said. That system went online in 2015.
After the breach was discovered in late October, a forensics specialist and law enforcement were immediately brought in to help determine the extent, Meyer said. An outside vendor was also brought in to fix it.
“The flaw has been corrected,” Meyer said. “The preliminary investigation indicates that although outside actors accessed voter registration information, the purpose of the unlawful access, we believe was more to spread propaganda and to shake voter confidence.”
Citing the ongoing legal investigation, Meyer and other state officials declined to discuss who might have breached the system, how propaganda might have been spread or if the breach was tied to threatening emails voters in Alaska and three other states received in October.
He said he became aware of the breach on Oct. 27, about a week after those emails were sent.
“Many details about the state exposure still remain unclear, such as the exact identity of the outside actors or the precise information that was accessed,” Meyer said.
Alaskans who had their data breached will be notified by mail with instructions on how to sign up for a year of free credit and identification monitoring.
Meyer said recent audits conducted by the Division of Elections have shown hand counts of certain races match the tabulations from the vote counting machines. The state certified the election on Monday.
“Alaska’s vote counting equipment is not linked in any way to the online voter registration system, so the ballot tabulation process remains completely secure,” he said. “Both the Division of Elections and I firmly believe in the integrity of the 2020 voting process was not compromised in any way.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--King County offers $100M loan for Convention Center project

SEATTLE ( AP ) - King County Executive Dow Constantine has offered a $ 100 million loan to help keep a Washington State Convention Center expansion project in Seattle afloat .
Constantine announced the loan Thursday , KING-TV reported .
A construction update sent late last month included a warning that if a solution to a $ 300 million funding gap wasn ’ t found by the end of 2020 , the project would start shutting down and about 1,000 people could be out of work .
The county ’ s loan won ’ t cover the $ 300 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 1 % interest .
But county leaders and construction managers hope the offer serves as a model for other financing opportunities .
The proposal will need approval from the King County Council ’ s Executive Finance Committee .
The decline in lodging-tax revenue – associated with travel and tourism – in King County because of the COVID-19 pandemic has “ impaired ” the convention center ’ s ability to finish the second round of financing that is needed to complete the project by 2022 , according to last month ’ s update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % complete in May , extends over Interstate 5 in Seattle ’ s downtown .
State and civic leaders have argued that the 1.5 million square-foot addition is needed to compete for conventions .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how the remaining $ 200 million budget hole will be filled .
But project lead Matt Griffin suggested construction would stop early next year if financing is not secured by the end of December .

SEATTLE (AP) - King County Executive Dow Constantine has offered a $100 million loan to help keep a Washington State Convention Center expansion project in Seattle afloat.
Constantine announced the loan Thursday, KING-TV reported. A construction update sent late last month included a warning that if a solution to a $300 million funding gap wasn’t found by the end of 2020, the project would start shutting down and about 1,000 people could be out of work.
The county’s loan won’t cover the $300 million shortfall, and will be paid back at 1% interest. But county leaders and construction managers hope the offer serves as a model for other financing opportunities. The proposal will need approval from the King County Council’s Executive Finance Committee.
The decline in lodging-tax revenue – associated with travel and tourism – in King County because of the COVID-19 pandemic has “impaired” the convention center’s ability to finish the second round of financing that is needed to complete the project by 2022, according to last month’s update.
The expansion, which was 30% complete in May, extends over Interstate 5 in Seattle’s downtown. State and civic leaders have argued that the 1.5 million square-foot addition is needed to compete for conventions.
It wasn’t immediately clear how the remaining $200 million budget hole will be filled. But project lead Matt Griffin suggested construction would stop early next year if financing is not secured by the end of December.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Maine motorist killed in crash in York County

ARUNDEL , Maine ( AP ) - A Sanford man whose vehicle crashed into a tree in Arundel is dead @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Department said .
The victim of the crash Thursday evening on Route 111 @ @ @ @ @ 22 , of Sanford , deputies said .
He died at the scene .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ sedan crossing the center line , traveling off the road , going into a ditch @ @ @ @ @ , investigators said .
The crash remains under investigation .

ARUNDEL, Maine (AP) - A Sanford man whose vehicle crashed into a tree in Arundel is dead, the York County Sheriff’s Department said.
The victim of the crash Thursday evening on Route 111 was Michael Mackie Jr., 22, of Sanford, deputies said. He died at the scene.
Investigators believe speed contributed to the sedan crossing the center line, traveling off the road, going into a ditch, and hitting the tree, investigators said. The crash remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Portland Fire calls 2 early morning fires suspicious

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Fire investigators have deemed two early morning fires in Northeast Portland suspicious due @ @ @ @ @ of the incidents , according to Portland Fire and Rescue .
Crews first responded to @ @ @ @ @ car wash around 2:30 a.m. Thursday , KATU-TV reported .
Firefighters found tents and other @ @ @ @ @ flames were spreading into nearby trees .
Firefighters put out the fire quickly , and @ @ @ @ @ Two hours later , firefighters were alerted of another fire two blocks from the abandoned @ @ @ @ @ , the fire was in a dumpster near a food cart pod .
The flames @ @ @ @ @ and badly damaged a home .
No injuries were reported from the second fire .
@ @ @ @ @ were displaced from the home .
Fire investigators are asking anyone with information to contact @ @ @ @ @ tip-line : 503-823-INFO ( 4636 ) .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Fire investigators have deemed two early morning fires in Northeast Portland suspicious due to the timing and proximity of the incidents, according to Portland Fire and Rescue.
Crews first responded to a fire at an abandoned car wash around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, KATU-TV reported. Firefighters found tents and other camping supplies on fire and flames were spreading into nearby trees. Firefighters put out the fire quickly, and no injuries were reported.
Two hours later, firefighters were alerted of another fire two blocks from the abandoned car wash. This time, the fire was in a dumpster near a food cart pod. The flames again spread to nearby trees and badly damaged a home.
No injuries were reported from the second fire. Four people and their pets were displaced from the home.
Fire investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the city’s fire tip-line: 503-823-INFO (4636).


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Officials: Suspect in shooting of Massachusetts trooper is killed in shootout with US marshals in Ne

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Officials : Suspect in shooting of Massachusetts trooper is killed in shootout with US @ @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Officials: Suspect in shooting of Massachusetts trooper is killed in shootout with US marshals in New York.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Officials take down Asian giant hornet traps but keep watch

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - All Asian giant hornet traps in Washington state will be taken down by Dec. 23 in preparation for winter .
Washington State Department of Agriculture spokesperson Karla Salp said Thursday that Asian giant hornet workers and drones are expected to die off this winter , and the queens will find a spot to hibernate , according to KING5 News .
Although the traps won ’ t be in place , Salp said people should still report sightings to the department whether the hornets are dead or alive .
The Asian giant hornet was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and since then the WSDA has been on the hunt for the invasive species , which kills bees and takes the bee larvae to feed their own young .
Earlier this year , WSDA placed hundreds of Asian giant hornet traps around Whatcom County .
The traps are clear plastic bottles and contain a mixture of orange juice and rice cooking wine or sake .
However , it wasn ’ t until October that officials were able to trap a live Asian giant hornet and attach a tracker to it to try and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although the first several attempts failed , officials located the first Asian giant hornet nest in the U.S. several weeks later .
Officials successfully eradicated the nest , which was in a tree in Blaine .
Nearly 200 queens were found in the nest , 108 of which were still in capped cells , ready to emerge .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - All Asian giant hornet traps in Washington state will be taken down by Dec. 23 in preparation for winter.
Washington State Department of Agriculture spokesperson Karla Salp said Thursday that Asian giant hornet workers and drones are expected to die off this winter, and the queens will find a spot to hibernate, according to KING5 News.
Although the traps won’t be in place, Salp said people should still report sightings to the department whether the hornets are dead or alive.
The Asian giant hornet was first spotted in Washington state in 2019 and since then the WSDA has been on the hunt for the invasive species, which kills bees and takes the bee larvae to feed their own young.
Earlier this year, WSDA placed hundreds of Asian giant hornet traps around Whatcom County. The traps are clear plastic bottles and contain a mixture of orange juice and rice cooking wine or sake.
However, it wasn’t until October that officials were able to trap a live Asian giant hornet and attach a tracker to it to try and follow it back to its colony. Although the first several attempts failed, officials located the first Asian giant hornet nest in the U.S. several weeks later.
Officials successfully eradicated the nest, which was in a tree in Blaine. Nearly 200 queens were found in the nest, 108 of which were still in capped cells, ready to emerge.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Berlin opens long-awaited 1.4-mile subway extension

BERLIN ( AP ) - A long-awaited subway extension that tunnels under one of Berlin ‘ s best-known boulevards and improves transport links from the German capital ‘ s central railway station opened Friday .
The 2.2-kilometer ( 1.4-mile ) new section of the U5 line runs from its previous terminus at the Alexanderplatz , once communist East Berlin ‘ s central square , to the Brandenburg Gate .
There , it joins up with a short subway section opened in 2009 that runs to the central station ; until now , the line had little practical use and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new section tunnels under the Unter den Linden boulevard , where construction work has helped snarl traffic in recent years .
There are three new stations , including stops at city hall and next to Berlin ‘ s Museum Island complex , although the latter isn ’ t expected to open until next summer .
The opening of the subway extension was originally planned for 2017 , but Berlin ‘ s sandy soil complicated construction .
Officials have put the cost at up to 540 million euros ( $ 655 million ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which connects the eastern suburbs with the city center and was one of only two East Berlin subway lines before German reunification , date back to the 1990s .

BERLIN (AP) - A long-awaited subway extension that tunnels under one of Berlin’s best-known boulevards and improves transport links from the German capital’s central railway station opened Friday.
The 2.2-kilometer (1.4-mile) new section of the U5 line runs from its previous terminus at the Alexanderplatz, once communist East Berlin’s central square, to the Brandenburg Gate. There, it joins up with a short subway section opened in 2009 that runs to the central station; until now, the line had little practical use and was used sparsely and mainly by tourists.
The new section tunnels under the Unter den Linden boulevard, where construction work has helped snarl traffic in recent years. There are three new stations, including stops at city hall and next to Berlin’s Museum Island complex, although the latter isn’t expected to open until next summer.
The opening of the subway extension was originally planned for 2017, but Berlin’s sandy soil complicated construction. Officials have put the cost at up to 540 million euros ($655 million).
Plans to extend the U5, which connects the eastern suburbs with the city center and was one of only two East Berlin subway lines before German reunification, date back to the 1990s.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--The Latest: Ratcliffe: Adversaries amplify vote fraud claims

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden ( all times local ) : Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s chief infectious disease expert , says there was never a question that he would accept President-elect Joe Biden ’ s offer to serve as his chief medical officer and adviser on the coronavirus pandemic .
Fauci told NBC ’ s “ Today ” show on Friday , “ I said yes right on the spot ” after Biden asked him to serve during a conversation on Thursday .
As the director of the National Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has served several presidents , Republican and Democratic .
But during President Donald Trump ’ s administration , he has been largely sidelined as Trump gave rosy assessments of the virus and insisted it would fade away .
Fauci has urged rigorous mask-wearing and social distancing , practices that have not often been followed at the White House .
On Thursday , Biden said he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as president .
“ I told him I thought that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN ‘ S TRANSITION TO THE WHITE HOUSE : President-elect Joe Biden is adjusting the scope of his agenda to meet the challenges of governing with a narrowly divided Congress and the complications of legislating during a raging pandemic .
- Trump loves to win but keeps losing election lawsuits HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON : National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe says foreign adversaries are using social media and other platforms to amplify allegations of voter fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which countries are using the issue to try to undermine public confidence in the U.S. democratic process .
President Donald Trump and his allies continue to mount new legal cases alleging voter fraud in battleground states since he lost the November presidential election to Joe Biden .
But they have been losing in court .
And Trump ’ s own attorney general has declared the Justice Department uncovered no widespread fraud .
Ratcliffe is a Trump loyalist .
He says on CBS that U.S. intelligence agencies have no indication that any foreign adversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change vote results but that they are still analyzing all the information collected .
Ratcliffe told “ CBS This Morning ” on Friday that he plans to issue a report on foreign election interference in January .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):
8:05 p.m.
More than a half dozen Democratic congresswomen have sent an open letter to President-elect Joe Biden urging him to make Michèle Flournoy the country’s first female defense secretary.
They say in the letter dated Thursday that the selection of Flournoy would be “a symbolic moment for the United States, and for all women who over the years have aspired to careers in national security.” They call Flournoy “eminently qualified to serve.”
Biden has been facing escalating pressure from competing factions within his own party over his defense pick. Black leaders have encouraged the incoming president to select an African American to diversify what has so far been a largely white prospective Cabinet, while others are pushing him to appoint a woman to lead the Pentagon for the first time.
Meanwhile, some progressive groups are opposing Flournoy, citing concerns about her record and private-sector associations.
Among the seven women who signed the letter pushing Flournoy are Reps. Jackie Speier of California, Lois Frankel of Florida and Veronica Escobar from Texas.
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN’S TRANSITION TO THE WHITE HOUSE:
President-elect Joe Biden is adjusting the scope of his agenda to meet the challenges of governing with a narrowly divided Congress and the complications of legislating during a raging pandemic.
Read more:
- EXPLAINER: Trump’s failing, monthlong fight against election
- Trump loves to win but keeps losing election lawsuits
- Dangerously viral: How Trump, supporters spread false claims
- Optimism growing for coronavirus relief bill as pressure builds
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON:
4:05 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden says keeping people safe is his first consideration for his Jan. 20 inauguration, making it “highly unlikely” that a million people will pack the National Mall for his swearing-in during the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden was asked about inauguration planning during a news conference Friday in Wilmington, Delaware. He suggested that the festivities could end up looking like the largely virtual convention Democrats held in August, with online activity in the states.
Biden says his team is talking with congressional leaders about their plans for the inauguration. The swearing-in ceremony and a lunch for the new president and vice president are held at the Capitol.
Biden says he wants people to be able to celebrate safely. He says, “There will probably not be a gigantic inaugural parade.” He says details are still being worked out.
___
4 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden says the Trump administration has diminished confidence in science so much that it will take some time and effort to rebuild it across the board, including convincing people that the coronavirus vaccines are safe.
He said Friday that he’s bothered by what he said were “wild assertions” President Donald Trump has made about the virus going away on its own. He noted how Trump once suggested that perhaps scientists could come up with a way that injecting bleach would kill the coronavirus.
Biden says that a president’s words matter and that he hopes to especially convince hard-hit Black and Latino communities that the vaccines are safe.
Biden took questions about the pandemic in Wilmington, Delaware, after making comments on the virus’s impact on the U.S. economy.
___
3:50 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden says the Trump administration’s plan for distributing an approved coronavirus vaccine to the public lacks important detail.
Biden said Friday that “there’s no detailed plan that we’ve seen” for how to get vaccines out of a container, into syringes and into people’s arms.
He says more equitable distribution is also needed to get the vaccine into underserved communities, not just to drugstores and large retailers. Biden noted that Black people and Latinos are more likely to die of COVID-19 than white people are.
Biden says the “equity side” is an important part of the process, too.
He says he’s working on an “overall plan” and adds that’s why he asked government infectious-disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci to be part of Biden’s COVID-19 team and to serve as his chief medical adviser.
___
3:35 p.m.
President-elect Joe Biden says that the most recent jobs report is “dire” and that there is no time to lose as millions of people have lost their jobs or have seen their incomes slashed.
With the pandemic accelerating across the country, America’s employers sharply scaled back their hiring last month, adding 245,000 jobs, the fewest since April and the fifth straight monthly slowdown. Biden called on Congress to urgently pass an economic stimulus to help turn the corner on the impact that the coronavirus has had on the U.S. economy.
Friday’s report provided the latest evidence that the job market and economy are faltering in the face of a virus that has been shattering daily records for confirmed infections. Economic activity is likely to slow further as the pandemic worsens during the winter months.
“It was grim,” Biden said. “It shows an economy that’s stalling,”
In the past three months, 2.3 million more people are long-term unemployed and deaths are rising.
Biden says, “Americans need help and they need it now.”
___
8:15 a.m.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s chief infectious disease expert, says there was never a question that he would accept President-elect Joe Biden’s offer to serve as his chief medical officer and adviser on the coronavirus pandemic.
Fauci told NBC’s “Today” show on Friday, “I said yes right on the spot” after Biden asked him to serve during a conversation on Thursday.
As the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Fauci has served several presidents, Republican and Democratic. But during President Donald Trump’s administration, he has been largely sidelined as Trump gave rosy assessments of the virus and insisted it would fade away.
Fauci has urged rigorous mask-wearing and social distancing, practices that have not often been followed at the White House.
On Thursday, Biden said he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as president.
“I told him I thought that was a good idea,” Fauci told NBC.
___
8 a.m.
National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe says foreign adversaries are using social media and other platforms to amplify allegations of voter fraud. But he won’t say which countries are using the issue to try to undermine public confidence in the U.S. democratic process.
President Donald Trump and his allies continue to mount new legal cases alleging voter fraud in battleground states since he lost the November presidential election to Joe Biden. But they have been losing in court. And Trump’s own attorney general has declared the Justice Department uncovered no widespread fraud.
Ratcliffe is a Trump loyalist. He says on CBS that U.S. intelligence agencies have no indication that any foreign adversary or criminal group had the ability to change vote results but that they are still analyzing all the information collected.
Ratcliffe told “CBS This Morning” on Friday that he plans to issue a report on foreign election interference in January.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Election 2020 Today: Biden adjusting for a divided Congress

DANGEROUSLY VIRAL : It took just a day for a cellphone video of a man hauling a large box into a Detroit election office to be viewed more than a million times .
The images were spread across social media as proof of voter fraud even though it was debunked by news organizations and public officials : The man was a photojournalist hauling camera equipment , not illegal votes .
But that video serves as a powerful emblem of the trafficking in false information that has plagued the presidential election won by Joe Biden .
TRUMP KEEPS LOSING ELECTION CHALLENGES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Donald Trump is losing a lot .
He ’ s managed to lose not just once to Biden at the ballot box but over and over again in courts across the country in a futile attempt to stay in power .
Trump and his allies continue to mount new cases , recycling the same baseless claims , even after Trump ’ s own attorney general declared the Justice Department had uncovered no widespread fraud .
BIDEN ADJUSTING AGENDA : President-elect Biden is adjusting the scope of his agenda to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress and the complications of legislating during the raging coronavirus pandemic .
Rather than immediately pursue ambitious legislation to combat climate change , the incoming administration may try to wrap provisions into a coronavirus aid bill .
OPTIMISM GROWS FOR COVID-19 RELIEF BILL : Optimism about delivering long-sought COVID-19 relief is building on Capitol Hill after additional rank-and-file lawmakers voiced support for a bipartisan , middle-of-the-road plan taking shape in the Senate and as top congressional leaders connected on the topic for the first time in months .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone , a conversation that came the day after Pelosi signaled a willingness to make major concessions in search of a COVID-19 rescue package in the $ 1 trillion range .
QUOTABLE : “ On the first day I ’ m inaugurated , I ’ m going to ask the public for 100 days to mask .
Just 100 days to mask - not forever , just 100 days .
And I think we ’ ll see a significant reduction ” in the coronavirus .
- Biden , stopping just short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before to stop the spread of the virus .

Here’s what’s happening Friday in Election 2020 and President-elect Joe Biden’s transition.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES:
DANGEROUSLY VIRAL: It took just a day for a cellphone video of a man hauling a large box into a Detroit election office to be viewed more than a million times. The images were spread across social media as proof of voter fraud even though it was debunked by news organizations and public officials: The man was a photojournalist hauling camera equipment, not illegal votes. But that video serves as a powerful emblem of the trafficking in false information that has plagued the presidential election won by Joe Biden.
TRUMP KEEPS LOSING ELECTION CHALLENGES: For a man obsessed with winning, President Donald Trump is losing a lot. He’s managed to lose not just once to Biden at the ballot box but over and over again in courts across the country in a futile attempt to stay in power. Trump and his allies continue to mount new cases, recycling the same baseless claims, even after Trump’s own attorney general declared the Justice Department had uncovered no widespread fraud.
BIDEN ADJUSTING AGENDA: President-elect Biden is adjusting the scope of his agenda to meet the challenges of governing with a narrowly divided Congress and the complications of legislating during the raging coronavirus pandemic. Rather than immediately pursue ambitious legislation to combat climate change, the incoming administration may try to wrap provisions into a coronavirus aid bill.
OPTIMISM GROWS FOR COVID-19 RELIEF BILL: Optimism about delivering long-sought COVID-19 relief is building on Capitol Hill after additional rank-and-file lawmakers voiced support for a bipartisan, middle-of-the-road plan taking shape in the Senate and as top congressional leaders connected on the topic for the first time in months. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke on the phone, a conversation that came the day after Pelosi signaled a willingness to make major concessions in search of a COVID-19 rescue package in the $1 trillion range.
QUOTABLE: “On the first day I’m inaugurated, I’m going to ask the public for 100 days to mask. Just 100 days to mask - not forever, just 100 days. And I think we’ll see a significant reduction” in the coronavirus. - Biden, stopping just short of the nationwide mandate he’s pushed before to stop the spread of the virus.
___
Find AP’s full election coverage at APNews.com/Election2020.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Welfare check ends with deputy wounded and suspect dead

MANSFIELD , Ohio ( AP ) - A welfare check turned into an exchange of gunfire that left one man @ @ @ @ @ s deputy wounded in Ohio , authorities said Friday .
Two deputies were sent to @ @ @ @ @ a person around 11:30 p.m. Thursday , the Richland County Sheriff ’ s Office said @ @ @ @ @ they could not find the person .
The sheriff ’ s office then received a @ @ @ @ @ return .
“ At some point they made contact with the person they were checking @ @ @ @ @ exchange of gunfire , ” said Maj. Joe Masi .
According to the sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ shot Deputy Michael Pawlikowski .
Deputy Justin Ady returned fire and shot Wright .
Pawlikowski @ @ @ @ @ were not considered life threatening , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Ady was @ @ @ @ @ are investigating .
Both deputies were placed on administrative leave as required by the sheriff @ @ @ @ @ policy .

MANSFIELD, Ohio (AP) - A welfare check turned into an exchange of gunfire that left one man dead and a sheriff’s deputy wounded in Ohio, authorities said Friday.
Two deputies were sent to a home to check on a person around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office said. The deputies left when they could not find the person.
The sheriff’s office then received a call for the deputies to return.
“At some point they made contact with the person they were checking on and there was an exchange of gunfire,” said Maj. Joe Masi.
According to the sheriff’s office, Craig Wright shot Deputy Michael Pawlikowski. Deputy Justin Ady returned fire and shot Wright.
Wright later died at a hospital.
Pawlikowski was hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life threatening, the sheriff’s office said. Ady was not injured.
State authorities are investigating. Both deputies were placed on administrative leave as required by the sheriff’s department’s policy.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Turkey's president says he'll get vaccination for COVID-19

ISTANBUL ( AP ) - Turkey ’ s president says he would get vaccinated against the coronavirus to set an example for his country ’ s citizens .
“ There is no problem for me to get vaccinated , ” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after Friday prayers in Istanbul .
“ It is necessary to take this step as an example for our citizens.
” The Turkish government plans to buy multiple vaccines , Erdogan said .
Turkey has ordered 50 million doses of Chinese company Sinovac Biotech ’ s CoronaVac , and the first shipment is due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also is talking with Russia about securing the vaccine developed there .
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told the official Anadolu news agency that he would work to convince people to get immunized by getting the Chinese shot himself as soon as Turkish authorities approve its use .
Turkey also has ordered 1 million doses of the vaccine developed by U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and German company BioNTech .
Erdogan said he spoke with BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin , who is of Turkish descent .
Turkey is experiencing a surge in infections with confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 7-day average .
The country ’ s death toll since March has reached 14,316 .
A weekend lockdown , the first since the end of May , is set to begin Friday evening .

ISTANBUL (AP) - Turkey’s president says he would get vaccinated against the coronavirus to set an example for his country’s citizens.
“There is no problem for me to get vaccinated,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after Friday prayers in Istanbul. “It is necessary to take this step as an example for our citizens.”
The Turkish government plans to buy multiple vaccines, Erdogan said.
Turkey has ordered 50 million doses of Chinese company Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac, and the first shipment is due to arrive Dec. 11. The government also is talking with Russia about securing the vaccine developed there.
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told the official Anadolu news agency that he would work to convince people to get immunized by getting the Chinese shot himself as soon as Turkish authorities approve its use.
Turkey also has ordered 1 million doses of the vaccine developed by U.S. drugmaker Pfizer and German company BioNTech. Erdogan said he spoke with BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin, who is of Turkish descent.
Turkey is experiencing a surge in infections with confirmed cases hovering above 30,000 per day on a 7-day average. The country’s death toll since March has reached 14,316. A weekend lockdown, the first since the end of May, is set to begin Friday evening.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Firefighter, 2 others hurt in explosion caused by gas leak

BRADENTON , Fla. ( AP ) - A firefighter and two residents were injured in an explosion caused by a gas leak at a home in Bradenton on Wednesday afternoon , fire officials said .
The residents were taken to a hospital for treatment of their injuries , while the firefighter was treated for less severe injuries , Cedar Hammock Fire Control District officials said .
Crews responded to a natural gas leak in the area around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday , officials said .
The Bradenton Herald reported that the gas was coming from lines operated by TECO Energy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on scene .
Around 2 p.m. there was an explosion at the home , fire officials said .
Florida Power & Light cut off electricity to homes and businesses in the area as officials tried to find the leak .
The Manatee County Sheriff ’ s Office used a reverse 911 call to warn residents to evacuate or shelter in place as firefighters checked homes and buildings in the area , the newspaper reported .
Later in the afternoon , officials fixed the leak which was attributed to a buildup of gas in @ @ @ @ @ @ @

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - A firefighter and two residents were injured in an explosion caused by a gas leak at a home in Bradenton, fire officials said.
The residents were taken to a hospital on Wednesday afternoon for treatment of their injuries, while the firefighter was treated for less severe injuries, Cedar Hammock Fire Control District officials said.
Crews responded to a natural gas leak in the area around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, officials said. The Bradenton Herald reported that the gas was coming from lines operated by TECO Energy, and representatives of the company were also on scene.
Around 2 p.m. there was an explosion at the home, fire officials said.
Florida Power & Light cut off electricity to homes and businesses in the area as officials tried to find the leak.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office used a reverse 911 call to warn residents to evacuate or shelter in place as firefighters checked homes and buildings in the area, the newspaper reported.
Later in the afternoon, officials fixed the leak which was attributed to a buildup of gas in sewer lines, the newspaper reported.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Japan spacecraft approaches Earth to drop asteroid samples

TOKYO ( AP ) - Japanese space agency officials said Friday the Hayabusa2 spacecraft is on its intended trajectory as it approaches Earth to deliver a capsule containing samples from a distant asteroid that could provide clues to the origin of the solar system and life on Earth .
The spacecraft left the asteroid Ryugu , about 300 million kilometers ( 180 million miles ) away , a year ago .
The capsule is to be released 220,000 kilometers ( 136,700 miles ) away in space and land in a remote , sparsely populated area of Woomera , Australia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to plan , Yuichi Tsuda , project manager at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , said at a briefing ahead of the critical separation of the capsule from the spacecraft on Saturday .
“ We trained ourselves and now we are fully prepared .
So I ’ m just praying that equipment that hasn ’ t been used yet will work well and that there will be good weather in Australia , ” he said .
“ We are so excited.
” In the early hours of Sunday , the capsule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefly turn into a fireball as it reenters the atmosphere 120 kilometers ( 75 miles ) above Earth .
At about 10 kilometers ( 6 miles ) above ground , a parachute will open to slow its fall and beacon signals will be transmitted to indicate its location .
JAXA staff have set up satellite dishes at several locations in the target area to receive the signals , while also preparing marine radar , drones and helicopters to assist in the search and retrieval of the pan-shaped capsule , 40 centimeters ( 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they believe the samples , especially ones taken from under the asteroid ’ s surface , contain valuable data unaffected by space radiation and other environmental factors .
They are particularly interested in analyzing organic materials in the samples .
JAXA hopes to find clues to how the materials are distributed in the solar system and are related to life on Earth .
For Hayabusa2 , it ’ s not the end of the mission it started in 2014 .
After dropping the capsule , it will return to space and head to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a journey slated to take 10 years one way .
So far , its mission has been fully successful .
It touched down twice on Ryugu , despite its extremely rocky surface , and successfully collected data and samples during the 1½ years it spent near Ryugu after arriving there in June 2018 .
In its first touchdown in February 2019 , it collected surface dust samples .
In a more challenging mission in July that year , it collected underground samples from the asteroid for the first time in space history after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier by blasting the asteroid ’ s surface .
Asteroids , which orbit the sun but are much smaller than planets , are among the oldest objects in the solar system and therefore may help explain how Earth evolved .
Ryugu in Japanese means “ Dragon Palace , ” the name of a sea-bottom castle in a Japanese folk tale .

TOKYO (AP) - Japanese space agency officials said Friday the Hayabusa2 spacecraft is on its intended trajectory as it approaches Earth to deliver a capsule containing samples from a distant asteroid that could provide clues to the origin of the solar system and life on Earth.
The spacecraft left the asteroid Ryugu, about 300 million kilometers (180 million miles) away, a year ago. The capsule is to be released 220,000 kilometers (136,700 miles) away in space and land in a remote, sparsely populated area of Woomera, Australia, on Sunday.
Hayabusa2 is flying smoothly according to plan, Yuichi Tsuda, project manager at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, said at a briefing ahead of the critical separation of the capsule from the spacecraft on Saturday.
“We trained ourselves and now we are fully prepared. So I’m just praying that equipment that hasn’t been used yet will work well and that there will be good weather in Australia,” he said. “We are so excited.”
In the early hours of Sunday, the capsule, protected by a heat shield, will briefly turn into a fireball as it reenters the atmosphere 120 kilometers (75 miles) above Earth. At about 10 kilometers (6 miles) above ground, a parachute will open to slow its fall and beacon signals will be transmitted to indicate its location.
JAXA staff have set up satellite dishes at several locations in the target area to receive the signals, while also preparing marine radar, drones and helicopters to assist in the search and retrieval of the pan-shaped capsule, 40 centimeters (15 inches) in diameter.
Scientists say they believe the samples, especially ones taken from under the asteroid’s surface, contain valuable data unaffected by space radiation and other environmental factors. They are particularly interested in analyzing organic materials in the samples.
JAXA hopes to find clues to how the materials are distributed in the solar system and are related to life on Earth.
For Hayabusa2, it’s not the end of the mission it started in 2014. After dropping the capsule, it will return to space and head to another distant small asteroid called 1998KY26 on a journey slated to take 10 years one way.
So far, its mission has been fully successful. It touched down twice on Ryugu, despite its extremely rocky surface, and successfully collected data and samples during the 1½ years it spent near Ryugu after arriving there in June 2018.
In its first touchdown in February 2019, it collected surface dust samples. In a more challenging mission in July that year, it collected underground samples from the asteroid for the first time in space history after landing in a crater that it created earlier by blasting the asteroid’s surface.
Asteroids, which orbit the sun but are much smaller than planets, are among the oldest objects in the solar system and therefore may help explain how Earth evolved.
Ryugu in Japanese means “Dragon Palace,” the name of a sea-bottom castle in a Japanese folk tale.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--$1 million bail set in slaying of UW-Madison student

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - Bail has been set at $ 1 million for the man charged with killing a University of Wisconsin-Madison student in 2008 .
David Kahl , 54 , incarcerated at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution for a seventh-offense drunken driving conviction , appeared by video from the prison on Thursday .
Assistant District Attorney Erin Hanson , in arguing for the high bail , said the slaying of Brittany Zimmermann shook the Madison community and beyond because of the “ sudden violent and seemingly random taking of the life of a young student in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine and was recently engaged.
” Court Commissioner Mark Fremgen set bond following impassioned statements by video from members of Zimmermann ’ s family , including her aunt , Kimberly Heeg , the State Journal reported .
“ On a personal level , I believe David Kahl should never be allowed to breathe fresh air or feel sunshine on his skin , ” Heeg said .
“ I believe he violently murdered my niece , a young woman who was kind and wanted nothing more than to make a positive difference in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police had interviewed Kahl numerous times between the day Zimmermann was killed and December 2014 .
Eventually , improvements in DNA technology led to a charge of first-degree intentional homicide against Kahl .
Tests found a match between Kahl ’ s DNA and DNA recovered from Zimmermann ’ s clothing , the complaint said .

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Bail has been set at $1 million for the man charged with killing a University of Wisconsin-Madison student in 2008.
David Kahl, 54, incarcerated at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution for a seventh-offense drunken driving conviction, appeared by video from the prison on Thursday.
Assistant District Attorney Erin Hanson, in arguing for the high bail, said the slaying of Brittany Zimmermann shook the Madison community and beyond because of the “sudden violent and seemingly random taking of the life of a young student in her prime who was pursuing a career in medicine and was recently engaged.”
Court Commissioner Mark Fremgen set bond following impassioned statements by video from members of Zimmermann’s family, including her aunt, Kimberly Heeg, the State Journal reported.
“On a personal level, I believe David Kahl should never be allowed to breathe fresh air or feel sunshine on his skin,” Heeg said. “I believe he violently murdered my niece, a young woman who was kind and wanted nothing more than to make a positive difference in this world.”
According to a criminal complaint, police had interviewed Kahl numerous times between the day Zimmermann was killed and December 2014.
Eventually, improvements in DNA technology led to a charge of first-degree intentional homicide against Kahl. Tests found a match between Kahl’s DNA and DNA recovered from Zimmermann’s clothing, the complaint said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Police: 27 pounds of fentanyl found in North Carolina home

UNIONVILLE , N.C. ( AP ) - Authorities in North Carolina seized over 27 pounds of fentanyl on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ seizures in the county , officials said .
The Union County Sheriff ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ confiscated the fentanyl , along with 34 pounds of pressed pills , believed to be @ @ @ @ @ .
A tip received by Monroe police started the investigation and later led to the @ @ @ @ @ Unionville Wednesday evening .
After the search , Aron Gerardo Prado Martinez , 33 , @ @ @ @ @ , 25 , were both arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking in opium/heroin @ @ @ @ @ whether they had an attorney who would comment on their behalf .
Union County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ This investigation highlights the importance of sharing information and agencies working together to remove deadly @ @ @ @ @ With fatal overdoses on the rise , largely due to fentanyl , we must continue @ @ @ @ @ deadly drugs out of our community .
”

UNIONVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Authorities in North Carolina seized over 27 pounds of fentanyl on Wednesday, one of the largest narcotic seizures in the county, officials said.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Monroe Police Department confiscated the fentanyl, along with 34 pounds of pressed pills, believed to be Roxicodone, news outlets reported.
A tip received by Monroe police started the investigation and later led to the search of a home in Unionville Wednesday evening.
After the search, Aron Gerardo Prado Martinez, 33, and Luis Noe Prado Martinez, 25, were both arrested and charged with two counts of trafficking in opium/heroin.
It’s unclear whether they had an attorney who would comment on their behalf.
Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey said, “This investigation highlights the importance of sharing information and agencies working together to remove deadly drugs from our streets. With fatal overdoses on the rise, largely due to fentanyl, we must continue our efforts to get these deadly drugs out of our community.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Roadside bomb kills 1 in Pakistani city of Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD ( AP ) - A roadside bomb exploded near a busy bus terminal in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi on Friday , killing at least one person and wounding seven others , police said .
Initially police said the bomb was planted in an auto-rickshaw , but a Rawalpindi police statement later confirmed the blast was from a device planted on the side of the road .
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion .
Pakistani TV stations and videos on social media showed a burned-out rikshaw surrounded by police and emergency services .
The Pakistani military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s spy agencies are located in Rawalpindi , about 15 kilometers ( 9 miles ) south of the capital Islamabad .
In June , a similar roadside bomb attack struck a crowded bazaar in Rawalpindi , killing at least one and wounding 15 .
Pakistan has witnessed scores of militant attacks on security forces in recent years .
In October , a powerful bomb blast ripped through an Islamic seminary on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar , killing at least eight students and wounding 136 others .

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A roadside bomb exploded near a busy bus terminal in the Pakistani garrison city of Rawalpindi on Friday, killing at least one person and wounding seven others, police said.
Initially police said the bomb was planted in an auto-rickshaw, but a Rawalpindi police statement later confirmed the blast was from a device planted on the side of the road.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion. Pakistani TV stations and videos on social media showed a burned-out rikshaw surrounded by police and emergency services.
The Pakistani military’s headquarters and the offices of the country’s spy agencies are located in Rawalpindi, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of the capital Islamabad. In June, a similar roadside bomb attack struck a crowded bazaar in Rawalpindi, killing at least one and wounding 15.
Pakistan has witnessed scores of militant attacks on security forces in recent years.
In October, a powerful bomb blast ripped through an Islamic seminary on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing at least eight students and wounding 136 others.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--After being fined by US, Hyundai recalls more vehicles

DETROIT ( AP ) - A week after being fined by regulators for delaying safety recalls , Hyundai is recalling about 130,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the engines could fail .
The recall covers certain 2012 Santa Fe SUVs , 2015 and 2016 Veloster cars , and Sonata Hybrid cars from 2011 through 2013 and 2016 .
The vehicles have 2.4-liter , 2-liter or 1.6-liter engines .
The recall will address a manufacturing issue that could cause the connecting rod bearings to wear out and the engines to fail , Hyundai said .
A damaged connecting rod could puncture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stall .
It also could let oil leak onto hot surfaces , increasing the risk of a fire .
The failures are caused by machining debris that can restrict oil flow .
Documents posted Friday on NHTSA ’ s website say that owners could hear abnormal knocking sounds from the engine and see warning lights before any failure or fire .
The recall stems from discussions in a 2019 U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into engine failures and fires , the company said .
When the investigation began the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 3,100 fires , 103 injuries and one death .
Owners will be notified around Jan. 22 .
Dealers will inspect the engines and replace them if the bearings are damaged .
All vehicles will get a knock sensor system to monitor symptoms that come before an engine fails .
Last week the NHTSA announced that Hyundai and affiliated Korean automaker Kia must pay $ 137 million in fines and for safety improvements because they moved too slowly to recall over 1 million vehicles with engines that can fail .
The fines resolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ behavior involving recalls of multiple models dating to the 2011 model year .
Hyundai will pay $ 54 million and invest $ 40 million to improve safety operations under an agreement reached with the agency .
Another $ 46 million in penalties will be deferred as long as the Korean automaker meets safety conditions , NHTSA said .
Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have plagued the companies for more than five years , affecting the owners of more than 8 million vehicles .

DETROIT (AP) - A week after being fined by regulators for delaying safety recalls, Hyundai is recalling about 130,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the engines could fail.
The recall covers certain 2012 Santa Fe SUVs, 2015 and 2016 Veloster cars, and Sonata Hybrid cars from 2011 through 2013 and 2016. The vehicles have 2.4-liter, 2-liter or 1.6-liter engines.
The recall will address a manufacturing issue that could cause the connecting rod bearings to wear out and the engines to fail, Hyundai said. A damaged connecting rod could puncture the engine block, causing the engine to stall. It also could let oil leak onto hot surfaces, increasing the risk of a fire.
The failures are caused by machining debris that can restrict oil flow. Documents posted Friday on NHTSA’s website say that owners could hear abnormal knocking sounds from the engine and see warning lights before any failure or fire.
The recall stems from discussions in a 2019 U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into engine failures and fires, the company said.
NHTSA opened the probe after the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety filed a petition seeking the investigation. When the investigation began the agency said it had owner complaints of more than 3,100 fires, 103 injuries and one death.
Owners will be notified around Jan. 22. Dealers will inspect the engines and replace them if the bearings are damaged. All vehicles will get a knock sensor system to monitor symptoms that come before an engine fails.
Last week the NHTSA announced that Hyundai and affiliated Korean automaker Kia must pay $137 million in fines and for safety improvements because they moved too slowly to recall over 1 million vehicles with engines that can fail. The fines resolve a three-year government probe into the companies’ behavior involving recalls of multiple models dating to the 2011 model year.
Hyundai will pay $54 million and invest $40 million to improve safety operations under an agreement reached with the agency. Another $46 million in penalties will be deferred as long as the Korean automaker meets safety conditions, NHTSA said.
Engine failure and fire problems with Hyundais and Kias have plagued the companies for more than five years, affecting the owners of more than 8 million vehicles.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Man held in attempted abductions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey

ARDMORE , Pa. ( AP ) - Bail was set at $ 1 million for a man suspected of trying to abduct women on three occasions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey .
Police on Thursday arrested Kent Powe , 58 , on attempted kidnapping , robbery and other charges stemming from an incident on Nov. 4 in Lower Merion Township , Pennsylvania .
According to police , a man pressed an object into a woman ’ s back at the Royal Athena Apartment Complex and said , “ You know what this is ?
” Police believe Powe also is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Cherry Hill , New Jersey , last month .
On Nov. 14 at the Plaza Grande Apartments in Cherry Hill , police said a suspect approached a woman in the garage and knocked her to the ground .
Police said she screamed and the suspect ran off .
At the same apartment complex on Nov. 20 , police said the suspect ordered a woman at gunpoint to go to the parking garage where he popped the trunk of a car and threatened to shoot her .
The woman broke free and fled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Powe has yet to be charged in the Cherry Hill incidents .
It is not known if Powe has retained a lawyer .

ARDMORE, Pa. (AP) - Bail was set at $1 million for a man suspected of trying to abduct women on three occasions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Police on Thursday arrested Kent Powe, 58, on attempted kidnapping, robbery and other charges stemming from an incident on Nov. 4 in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.
According to police, a man pressed an object into a woman’s back at the Royal Athena Apartment Complex and said, “You know what this is?”
The woman escaped.
Police believe Powe also is connected with two attempted kidnappings that occurred in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, last month.
On Nov. 14 at the Plaza Grande Apartments in Cherry Hill, police said a suspect approached a woman in the garage and knocked her to the ground. Police said she screamed and the suspect ran off.
At the same apartment complex on Nov. 20, police said the suspect ordered a woman at gunpoint to go to the parking garage where he popped the trunk of a car and threatened to shoot her. The woman broke free and fled.
The women were not injured, police said.
Powe has yet to be charged in the Cherry Hill incidents.
It is not known if Powe has retained a lawyer.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Lebanon's Hezbollah suing those accusing it of port blast

BEIRUT ( AP ) - Lebanon ‘ s Hezbollah said Friday it is suing a former Christian lawmaker and a website affiliated with a Christian political party for defamation , after they accused the Shiite militant group of being responsible for the devastating explosion at Beirut ’ s port this summer .
Hezbollah ’ s legal representative Ibrahim Mussawi said the accusations , leveled by Fares Souaid and the website of the right-wing Lebanese Forces party , were misleading .
Mussawi , also a Hezbollah lawmaker , told a press conference outside the courts house that blaming the group threatens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time when the United States is exerting maximum pressure on his party and its allies .
Washington considers Hezbollah a terrorist group and has been escalating sanctions against it and its political allies in Lebanon .
The massive Aug. 4 blast was caused by nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrates , a fertilizer that was improperly stored at a port warehouse for six years .
The blast killed more than 200 people and wounded over 6,000 , and extensively damaged several neighborhoods in Beirut .
Some of Hezbollah ‘ s political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group for storing the explosive chemicals at the port .
Hezbollah is the only group that kept its weapons after Lebanon ‘ s civil war ended in 1990 and is believed to have ammunition stored in some parts of the country .
The claim was dismissed by Hezbollah ‘ s leader .
No evidence has emerged to link the group to the explosive chemicals .
But four months after the explosion , an investigation has yet to provide an explanation for what happened - or hold any senior official responsible .
Families of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe , in a country where violent attacks and assassinations are rarely brought to justice .
Lebanon ‘ s port authority , security agencies and political leadership were all aware of the stored explosive chemicals at the port , documents have shown .
The port is one of the country ’ s facilities where rampant corruption has been reported .
Souaid , the former lawmaker , tweeted in September that Hezbollah weapons stored in the port were the cause of the explosion .
“ When the US administration ’ s main concern and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attempt to pressure governments to put it on the terrorism list … you ’ d gather that there are tools inside and outside that help with that , ” Mussawi said .
Souaid said he had no comment about details of the case against him , adding that lawyers would review it on Monday .
There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese Forces party .
Mussawi said he also plans to press charges against Bahaa Hariri , the son of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri , who is living in exile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Prime-Minister designate Saad Hariri .

BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanon’s Hezbollah said Friday it is suing a former Christian lawmaker and a website affiliated with a Christian political party for defamation, after they accused the Shiite militant group of being responsible for the devastating explosion at Beirut’s port this summer.
Hezbollah’s legal representative Ibrahim Mussawi said the accusations, leveled by Fares Souaid and the website of the right-wing Lebanese Forces party, were misleading.
Mussawi, also a Hezbollah lawmaker, told a press conference outside the courts house that blaming the group threatens to disrupt social peace in Lebanon, at a time when the United States is exerting maximum pressure on his party and its allies. Washington considers Hezbollah a terrorist group and has been escalating sanctions against it and its political allies in Lebanon.
The massive Aug. 4 blast was caused by nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrates, a fertilizer that was improperly stored at a port warehouse for six years. The blast killed more than 200 people and wounded over 6,000, and extensively damaged several neighborhoods in Beirut.
Some of Hezbollah’s political opponents and civilians have since blamed the group for storing the explosive chemicals at the port. Hezbollah is the only group that kept its weapons after Lebanon’s civil war ended in 1990 and is believed to have ammunition stored in some parts of the country.
The claim was dismissed by Hezbollah’s leader. No evidence has emerged to link the group to the explosive chemicals.
But four months after the explosion, an investigation has yet to provide an explanation for what happened - or hold any senior official responsible. Families of the victims have asked for an international probe, in a country where violent attacks and assassinations are rarely brought to justice.
Lebanon’s port authority, security agencies and political leadership were all aware of the stored explosive chemicals at the port, documents have shown. The port is one of the country’s facilities where rampant corruption has been reported.
On Friday, families of victims of the blast rallied at the port to commemorate the four months since the explosion. Holding pictures of their loved ones, the families demanded justice, calling for senior officials to be interrogated and brought before prosecutors.
A woman reading a statement from the families called the explosion a “crime against humanity” and said no official in Lebanon should have immunity from prosecution. She also said the families are demanding that the probe be handled by regular prosecutors, in criticism of the judicial council currently charged with dealing with the investigation.
Rights groups have called for an international investigation, citing political meddling in the Lebanese judiciary.
Souaid, the former lawmaker, tweeted in September that Hezbollah weapons stored in the port were the cause of the explosion.
“When the US administration’s main concern and daily bread is to go after Hezbollah and attempt to pressure governments to put it on the terrorism list … you’d gather that there are tools inside and outside that help with that,” Mussawi said.
Souaid said he had no comment about details of the case against him, adding that lawyers would review it on Monday. There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese Forces party.
Mussawi said he also plans to press charges against Bahaa Hariri, the son of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who is living in exile. He is also the estranged brother of Prime-Minister designate Saad Hariri.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Poland says it's not backing down ahead of EU budget summit

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - Polish government officials insisted on Friday that they are sticking to their tough negotiating position ahead of a key European Union summit next week that should finalize the bloc ’ s next seven-year budget and a major pandemic recovery package .
Poland and Hungary have threatened to veto the 1.8 trillion euros ( $ 2.1 trillion ) budget because other EU countries have insisted on a new mechanism that would link funding to respecting democratic standards .
Both Poland and Hungary have conservative governments that have been at odds over rule-of-law standards with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
A deputy prime minister , Jaroslaw Gowin , was in Brussels on Thursday , and according to some reports suggested during a news conference there that Poland was willing to compromise , words that some understood as Poland softening its position .
Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski said Friday that Gowin was misunderstood , and that Warsaw ’ s position has not softened .
Jablonski told The Associated Press that Poland ’ s position remains as it has been from the beginning , which is that “ we are ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a compromise , but that there are some red lines ” that Poland would not abandon .
“ I think maybe he ( Gowin ) wasn ’ t precise enough with what he was saying but our position has not changed at all , ” Jablonski said .
Government spokesman Piotr Mueller also tweeted that “ Poland maintains its position in its entirety with regard to the regulation which determines the spending of EU funds.
” Support has grown within the 27-member bloc to find a way to put pressure on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other countries accuse of violating fundamental democratic standards .
Both countries insist they are unfairly accused and say they are being punished for their conservative values .
The key concerns center on how those governments have increased ruling party control over the courts and media , and the EU has found itself with very little power to change the course taken by either Warsaw or Budapest .
The EU treaty has a tool - Article 7 - that can be used to punish states that drift from democratic standards .
Article 7 allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s voting rights but it requires a unanimous vote by the rest of the EU members .
Article 7 procedures have been opened against both Hungary and Poland , but they have gone nowhere because each country had protected the other .
Jablonski told the AP that Poland believes that the proposed mechanism that would allow the EU to suspend funding to a state over suspected rule-of-law violations - which would be by qualified majority - would violate the provisions of the EU treaty in Article 7 .
That , he argued , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also objected to arguments made by other EU countries that Poland ’ s government has violated the independence of the judiciary .
He pointed to the many decisions made by Polish judges against government officials , saying this underlines how the courts remain independent .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Polish government officials insisted on Friday that they are sticking to their tough negotiating position ahead of a key European Union summit next week that should finalize the bloc’s next seven-year budget and a major pandemic recovery package.
Poland and Hungary have threatened to veto the 1.8 trillion euros ($2.1 trillion) budget because other EU countries have insisted on a new mechanism that would link funding to respecting democratic standards.
Both Poland and Hungary have conservative governments that have been at odds over rule-of-law standards with other members of the 27-member union for years.
A deputy prime minister, Jaroslaw Gowin, was in Brussels on Thursday, and according to some reports suggested during a news conference there that Poland was willing to compromise, words that some understood as Poland softening its position.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski said Friday that Gowin was misunderstood, and that Warsaw’s position has not softened.
Jablonski told The Associated Press that Poland’s position remains as it has been from the beginning, which is that “we are ready to talk, we are ready to come to a compromise, but that there are some red lines” that Poland would not abandon.
“I think maybe he (Gowin) wasn’t precise enough with what he was saying but our position has not changed at all,” Jablonski said.
Government spokesman Piotr Mueller also tweeted that “Poland maintains its position in its entirety with regard to the regulation which determines the spending of EU funds.”
Support has grown within the 27-member bloc to find a way to put pressure on the governments of Poland and Hungary, which other countries accuse of violating fundamental democratic standards. Both countries insist they are unfairly accused and say they are being punished for their conservative values.
The key concerns center on how those governments have increased ruling party control over the courts and media, and the EU has found itself with very little power to change the course taken by either Warsaw or Budapest.
The EU treaty has a tool - Article 7 - that can be used to punish states that drift from democratic standards. Article 7 allows for the suspension of a state’s voting rights but it requires a unanimous vote by the rest of the EU members.
Article 7 procedures have been opened against both Hungary and Poland, but they have gone nowhere because each country had protected the other.
Jablonski told the AP that Poland believes that the proposed mechanism that would allow the EU to suspend funding to a state over suspected rule-of-law violations - which would be by qualified majority - would violate the provisions of the EU treaty in Article 7.
That, he argued, would be a rule of law violation. He also objected to arguments made by other EU countries that Poland’s government has violated the independence of the judiciary. He pointed to the many decisions made by Polish judges against government officials, saying this underlines how the courts remain independent.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--UN rights chief laments worsening situation in Belarus

GENEVA ( AP ) - The United Nations ‘ human rights chief lamented a deteriorating situation in Belarus and said Friday that reported beatings of protesters by security forces may in some cases amount to torture .
Michelle Bachelet , the high commissioner for human rights , told the U.N. Human Rights Council there has been no improvement since a September debate about Belarus and “ recent weeks have seen continued deterioration , particularly with respect to the right of peaceful assembly.
” Belarus has seen mass protests triggered by President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s election to a sixth term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition said was riddled with fraud .
Police have cracked down hard on the largely peaceful demonstrations , using stun grenades , tear gas and truncheons to disperse protesters .
Thousands of people have been detained and many of them badly beaten since the protests began , human rights advocates say .
The rallies have continued despite the tough police response .
The United States and European Union have introduced sanctions against Belarusian officials accused of involvement in vote-rigging and the post-election crackdown .
“ The penalties imposed on protesters appear to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She pointed to the “ unnecessary or disproportionate use of force ” police used to “ systematically , and in most cases , violently ” disperse protest crowds that were “ overwhelmingly peaceful.
” There are “ multiple and credible reports of people beaten by members of the security forces during and after their transport to police stations or detention centers , ” Bachelet said .
“ If confirmed , such incidents would constitute ill-treatment and , in some cases , may amount to torture.
” She said she was “ alarmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other cruel , inhuman or degrading treatment in custody , ” by the harassment and arrests of many journalists and human rights advocates , and by disciplinary action against teachers and students .
The Belarusian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva , Yury Ambrazevich , said that “ not all the protests were peaceful , and in response law enforcement agencies used force , used detentions and special means.
” He asserted that police use force more frequently in western Europe , and he accused Poland , Lithuania and Ukraine of using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pockets.
” Ambrazevich maintained that the anti-government protests demanding Lukashenko ‘ s resignation are diminishing .
“ Those who protest in the streets today are individuals who reject the opportunities that have been created for direct dialogue with the government , ” he said .
Opposition leaders in Belarus have sought discussions with the government about a transfer of power or a new election , which Lukashenko has rejected .

GENEVA (AP) - The United Nations’ human rights chief lamented a deteriorating situation in Belarus and said Friday that reported beatings of protesters by security forces may in some cases amount to torture.
Michelle Bachelet, the high commissioner for human rights, told the U.N. Human Rights Council there has been no improvement since a September debate about Belarus and “recent weeks have seen continued deterioration, particularly with respect to the right of peaceful assembly.”
Belarus has seen mass protests triggered by President Alexander Lukashenko’s election to a sixth term in an Aug. 9 election that the opposition said was riddled with fraud.
Police have cracked down hard on the largely peaceful demonstrations, using stun grenades, tear gas and truncheons to disperse protesters. Thousands of people have been detained and many of them badly beaten since the protests began, human rights advocates say.
The rallies have continued despite the tough police response. The United States and European Union have introduced sanctions against Belarusian officials accused of involvement in vote-rigging and the post-election crackdown.
“The penalties imposed on protesters appear to be growing more severe,” Bachelet said. She pointed to the “unnecessary or disproportionate use of force” police used to “systematically, and in most cases, violently” disperse protest crowds that were “overwhelmingly peaceful.”
There are “multiple and credible reports of people beaten by members of the security forces during and after their transport to police stations or detention centers,” Bachelet said. “If confirmed, such incidents would constitute ill-treatment and, in some cases, may amount to torture.”
She said she was “alarmed by the numerous allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in custody,” by the harassment and arrests of many journalists and human rights advocates, and by disciplinary action against teachers and students.
The Belarusian ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Yury Ambrazevich, said that “not all the protests were peaceful, and in response law enforcement agencies used force, used detentions and special means.” He asserted that police use force more frequently in western Europe, and he accused Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine of using the situation in Belarus to “line their pockets.”
Ambrazevich maintained that the anti-government protests demanding Lukashenko’s resignation are diminishing.
“Those who protest in the streets today are individuals who reject the opportunities that have been created for direct dialogue with the government,” he said.
Opposition leaders in Belarus have sought discussions with the government about a transfer of power or a new election, which Lukashenko has rejected.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Officials: Man shot by St. Paul officer streamed sex assault

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - A man livestreamed his sexual assault of a former girlfriend on social media and threatened to kill her shortly before he was shot and wounded by a St. Paul police officer who was criticized by the city ’ s police chief for firing at him , according to a criminal complaint .
The complaint filed in Dakota County District Court said Joseph Javonte Washington , 31 , forced the woman to drive from her home in Lakeville to St. Paul following the assault on Saturday and caused the vehicle to crash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he fled on foot .
When he climbed out , the Black man was stunned with a taser and attacked by a police dog before being shot by Officer Anthony Dean .
Police Chief Todd Axtell said the suspect was naked and unarmed at the time and shouldn ’ t have been shot .
Axtell said Tuesday he took “ swift , decisive and serious action ” against the officer , but didn ’ t release details .
Several media reports , citing law enforcement sources they did not identify , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s shooting .
The officer ’ s attorney did not return a call seeking comment on Dean ’ s status , but he ’ s said that Dean was trying to protect his fellow officers and himself .
The officer ’ s race hasn ’ t been disclosed .
Washington is charged with five felonies , including first-degree criminal sexual conduct .
He does not yet have an attorney who could comment on his behalf , according to the State Court Administrator ’ s Office .
The woman told investigators she found Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night .
Washington punched her and threatened to kill her with a knife before he sexually assaulted her in a bathroom and used her cellphone to livestream video on her Facebook and Snapchat accounts , the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported , citing the complaint .
According to the complaint , Washington took two knives from the kitchen and dragged the woman into the garage , demanding that she get in her car and start driving .
He threatened to stab her if she crashed and punched her every time she tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Washington held a knife at her throat and eventually grabbed the steering wheel , causing the crash in St. Paul , according to prosecutors .
He fled and the woman was able to flag down a motorist for help .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota’s attorney general will decide whether a St. Paul police officer should be charged in connection with last month’s non-fatal shooting of a Black man who had been hiding from police after he allegedly livestreamed a sexual assault.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Friday that, with the help of the Washington County Attorney’s Office, he will review the Nov. 28 shooting of Joseph Javonte Washington after state investigators finish their probe. He will then determine whether Officer Anthony Dean should face charges.
The case was referred to Ellison’s office by Ramsey County Attorney John Choi.
“When a county attorney asks us to take over a sensitive case - particularly when another county attorney is providing the resources, and particularly when doing so will improve public trust in the criminal-justice system - I will give that request my fullest consideration,” Ellison said in a statement.
This is not the first police use-of-force case Ellison’s office has been involved in. This summer, his office took the lead in prosecuting the cases against four former Minneapolis police officers who are charged in the May 25 death of George Floyd.
Choi, the Ramsey County attorney, said he has every confidence that Ellison and Choi’s counterparts in Washington County will “handle this case with the utmost integrity. I am grateful for their willingness to step forward and advance the interests of justice in how prosecutors handle officer-involved shooting incidents in Minnesota.”
On Friday evening, several dozen demonstrators marched in St. Paul, demanding that Dean be charged. Many carried Black Lives Matter signs and called for justice as the demonstration blocked a busy intersection and halted light-rail service.
Washington, 31, of Lakeville, has been charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of kidnapping, and one count of second degree assault in connection with an alleged attack several hours earlier in Lakeville. According to the criminal complaint, he livestreamed his sexual assault of a former girlfriend on social media and threatened to kill her.
The complaint says Washington forced the woman to drive from her home in Lakeville to St. Paul following the assault on Saturday and caused the vehicle to crash. Police tracked Washington to a Dumpster after he fled on foot. When he climbed out, he was stunned with a stun gun and attacked by a police dog before being shot by Dean.
St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell said Washington was naked and unarmed at the time and shouldn’t have been shot. Axtell said Tuesday he took “swift, decisive and serious action” against the officer, but didn’t release details. Several media reports, citing law enforcement sources they did not identify, said Dean was fired.
The officer’s attorney did not return a call seeking comment on Dean’s status, but he’s said that Dean was trying to protect his fellow officers and himself. The officer’s race hasn’t been disclosed.
Washington does not yet have an attorney who could comment on his behalf, according to the State Court Administrator’s Office.
The woman told investigators she found Washington in her house when she returned home Saturday night. Washington punched her and threatened to kill her with a knife before he sexually assaulted her in a bathroom and used her cellphone to livestream video on her Facebook and Snapchat accounts, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported, citing the complaint.
According to the complaint, Washington took two knives from the kitchen and dragged the woman into the garage, demanding that she get in her car and start driving. He threatened to stab her if she crashed and punched her every time she tried to slow down, the complaint said.
Washington held a knife at her throat and eventually grabbed the steering wheel, causing the crash in St. Paul, according to prosecutors. He fled and the woman was able to flag down a motorist for help.
__
This story has been updated to correct the day of the announcement was Friday, not Tuesday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Fatal shooting suspect accused of family, guard assaults

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - The teen accused of killing four of his family members was previously charged with assaulting other close relatives , and now faces another charge of assaulting a jail guard .
Malachi Maxon , 18 , was charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths early Monday of his aunt and three cousins aged 18 , 10 and 7 .
At the time of the shootings , Maxon faced other charges involving alleged assaults on relatives including his mother and stepfather , court documents said .
Maxon is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he attacked a corrections officer at a pretrial facility in Palmer on Wednesday , authorities said .
Maxon did not immediately enter a plea on the murder charges .
An arraignment was delayed after he refused to participate Wednesday and the hearing was rescheduled for Thursday .
An email sent Thursday to the Public Defender Agency in Palmer , which is listed as Maxon ’ s legal representative , was not immediately returned .
Maxon is accused of first shooting his cousin , 18-year-old Cody Roehl , at a home near Wasilla and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pistol , charging documents said .
Roehl was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital .
Maxon then broke into a home in nearby Palmer through a basement window and shot his aunt and two younger cousins , charging documents said .
Police found 43-year-old Kimora Buster dead on the floor .
They also found 7-year-old Ellison Buster dead in his bed and 10-year-old Sienna Buster injured in her bed .
Sienna later died at a hospital , authorities said .
A 6-year-old , only identified as AB , was found uninjured in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Wednesday , a corrections officer was recovering from minor injuries after Maxon assaulted the guard when a cell door was opened to deliver a food tray , Alaska State Troopers said .
In July , Maxon was charged with domestic violence assault and interfering with a report of a domestic-violence crime after allegedly attacking his mother at her home in Wasilla , court documents said .
Maxon was charged in October with criminal mischief , domestic violence assault and violating conditions of release for an alleged attack on his stepfather .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks later on $ 200 bail and ordered to wear an ankle monitor .
Authorities charged Maxon in November with two counts of misdemeanor domestic-violence assault and criminal mischief stemming from a confrontation with his uncle at his grandmother ’ s home .
None of the domestic violence assault charges have gone to trial .
Maxon was released from custody Nov. 23 , a week before the homicides , on $ 500 cash bail and a $ 2,500 unsecured bond .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The teen accused of killing four of his family members was previously charged with assaulting other close relatives, and now faces another charge of assaulting a jail guard.
Malachi Maxon, 18, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths early Monday of his aunt and three cousins aged 18, 10 and 7.
At the time of the shootings, Maxon faced other charges involving alleged assaults on relatives including his mother and stepfather, court documents said.
Maxon is expected to be charged with fourth-degree assault after authorities say he attacked a corrections officer at a pretrial facility in Palmer on Wednesday, authorities said.
Maxon did not immediately enter a plea on the murder charges. An arraignment was delayed after he refused to participate Wednesday and the hearing was rescheduled for Thursday.
An email sent Thursday to the Public Defender Agency in Palmer, which is listed as Maxon’s legal representative, was not immediately returned.
Maxon is accused of first shooting his cousin, 18-year-old Cody Roehl, at a home near Wasilla and stealing a vehicle and a semiautomatic Glock pistol, charging documents said. Roehl was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Maxon then broke into a home in nearby Palmer through a basement window and shot his aunt and two younger cousins, charging documents said.
Police found 43-year-old Kimora Buster dead on the floor. They also found 7-year-old Ellison Buster dead in his bed and 10-year-old Sienna Buster injured in her bed. Sienna later died at a hospital, authorities said.
A 6-year-old, only identified as AB, was found uninjured in the bed with Ellison, charging documents said.
On Wednesday, a corrections officer was recovering from minor injuries after Maxon assaulted the guard when a cell door was opened to deliver a food tray, Alaska State Troopers said.
In July, Maxon was charged with domestic violence assault and interfering with a report of a domestic-violence crime after allegedly attacking his mother at her home in Wasilla, court documents said.
Maxon was charged in October with criminal mischief, domestic violence assault and violating conditions of release for an alleged attack on his stepfather. He was released from custody about three weeks later on $200 bail and ordered to wear an ankle monitor.
Authorities charged Maxon in November with two counts of misdemeanor domestic-violence assault and criminal mischief stemming from a confrontation with his uncle at his grandmother’s home.
None of the domestic violence assault charges have gone to trial.
Maxon was released from custody Nov. 23, a week before the homicides, on $500 cash bail and a $2,500 unsecured bond.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Worker rescued after fall inside empty Alabama water tower

ORANGE BEACH , Ala. ( AP ) - A man who fell about 40 feet inside an empty water tower @ @ @ @ @ to rescued by firefighters but didn ’ t suffer life-threatening injuries , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ on Ono Island when a worker fell to the bottom of the structure on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ Department said in a statement released on its Facebook page .
Firefighters trained in rescue @ @ @ @ @ with ropes and used a stretcher to first lift the man and then lower him @ @ @ @ @ ground .
The Fire Department said the man was conscious and alert during the rescue @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital in Pensacola , Florida , by helicopter .

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. (AP) - A man who fell about 40 feet inside an empty water tower on the Alabama coast had to rescued by firefighters but didn’t suffer life-threatening injuries, officials said.
Workers were painting the tower on Ono Island when a worker fell to the bottom of the structure on Thursday, the Orange Beach Fire Department said in a statement released on its Facebook page.
Firefighters trained in rescue operations went inside the tank with ropes and used a stretcher to first lift the man and then lower him about 150 feet to the ground.
The Fire Department said the man was conscious and alert during the rescue operation. He was taken to a hospital in Pensacola, Florida, by helicopter.


washingtontimes--2020-12-04--Alaska Rep. Young returns to work after coronavirus recovery

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - U.S. Rep. Don Young of Alaska has returned to work after recovering from COVID-19 , his office said .
Young ’ s staff said the veteran Republican lawmaker was back at work in his congressional office in Washington , D.C. , The Anchorage Daily News reported Wednesday .
The 87-year-old announced Nov. 12 he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
In March , Young referred to the coronavirus as the “ beer virus ” before an audience that included older Alaskans and said the media had contributed to hysteria over COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ News at the time that the virus ’ impact is real and that Young was trying to urge calm .
After contracting the virus , Young said he had not grasped the severity of the illness .
“ Very frankly , I had not felt this sick in a very long time , and I am grateful to everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers , ” Young said following his release from an Anchorage hospital Nov. 16 .
Young is now “ preparing to fight harder than ever ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Voters last month reelected Young , Alaska ’ s lone U.S. representative , to serve his 25th term in office .
Young has held his seat since 1973 and is the longest-serving Republican in congressional history .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - U.S. Rep. Don Young of Alaska has returned to work after recovering from COVID-19, his office said.
Young’s staff said the veteran Republican lawmaker was back at work in his congressional office in Washington, D.C., The Anchorage Daily News reported Wednesday.
The 87-year-old announced Nov. 12 he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
In March, Young referred to the coronavirus as the “beer virus” before an audience that included older Alaskans and said the media had contributed to hysteria over COVID-19. His campaign manager told the Anchorage Daily News at the time that the virus’ impact is real and that Young was trying to urge calm.
After contracting the virus, Young said he had not grasped the severity of the illness.
“Very frankly, I had not felt this sick in a very long time, and I am grateful to everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers,” Young said following his release from an Anchorage hospital Nov. 16.
Young is now “preparing to fight harder than ever” for Alaskans, spokesman Zack Brown said.
Voters last month reelected Young, Alaska’s lone U.S. representative, to serve his 25th term in office.
Young has held his seat since 1973 and is the longest-serving Republican in congressional history.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.