washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Search for a bison after it attacked tourist in Poland

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - Employees of the Bialowieza nature reserve in eastern Poland were searching for a male bison Monday after it injured a vacationer .
Local police chief , Tomasz Krupa , said that a 61-year-old man was hospitalized with injuries after he was attacked by the animal while taking an early morning walk in the Bialowieza Forest .
Head of the Bialowieza National Park , Michal Krzysiak , told The Associated Press that he later saw traces of a single large bison at the site , most probably a male .
He said the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other by an unlucky accident , among the low-growing shrubbery , and “ being the larger of the two , the bison attacked the man.
” He said the bison , which are Europe ’ s biggest mammals and under strict protection , are currently in the mating season , which makes them specially agitated and aggressive .
Some 770 bison live wild in the Bialowieza reserve and its neighborhood .
There are some 1,800 bison in all of Poland and some 7,000 in the world .
Krzysiak said the attack was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humans .
The reserve ’ s employees are looking for the animal in an effort to prevent similar occurrences , and to check the animal ’ s condition .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Employees of the Bialowieza nature reserve in eastern Poland were searching for a male bison Monday after it injured a vacationer.
Local police chief, Tomasz Krupa, said that a 61-year-old man was hospitalized with injuries after he was attacked by the animal while taking an early morning walk in the Bialowieza Forest.
Head of the Bialowieza National Park, Michal Krzysiak, told The Associated Press that he later saw traces of a single large bison at the site, most probably a male. He said the man and the animal must have run into each other by an unlucky accident, among the low-growing shrubbery, and “being the larger of the two, the bison attacked the man.”
He said the bison, which are Europe’s biggest mammals and under strict protection, are currently in the mating season, which makes them specially agitated and aggressive.
Some 770 bison live wild in the Bialowieza reserve and its neighborhood. There are some 1,800 bison in all of Poland and some 7,000 in the world.
Krzysiak said the attack was a rare occurrence as usually bison avoid humans.
The reserve’s employees are looking for the animal in an effort to prevent similar occurrences, and to check the animal’s condition.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Vermont forestry officials reminding of emerald ash borer

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - Vermont forestry officials are reminding the public about the threat to the state ’ s ash trees posed by the invasive insect the emerald ash borer .
Next week is ash borer awareness week .
It ’ s part of a nationwide effort to raise public understanding of the invasive forest pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the U.S .
This wood-boring beetle , first found in Vermont in 2018 , is now confirmed in eight Vermont counties .
Experience in Midwestern states has shown that once this pest is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with insecticides , the majority of ash trees will become infested and die within a decade .
Among the activities planned for the week of Sept. 12 : At least nine Vermont communities will be hosting COVID-safe events in which local ash trees will be tagged .
The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry program is working with the Vermont Land Trust to highlight stories about Vermont-made ash products .
The Green Mountain Club , Green Mountain National Forest , Vermont Department of Forests , Parks , and Recreation , as well as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to identify ash trees and detect and report suspected infested trees .

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont forestry officials are reminding the public about the threat to the state’s ash trees posed by the invasive insect the emerald ash borer. Next week is ash borer awareness week.
It’s part of a nationwide effort to raise public understanding of the invasive forest pest that has destroyed millions of ash trees in the U.S.
This wood-boring beetle, first found in Vermont in 2018, is now confirmed in eight Vermont counties. Experience in Midwestern states has shown that once this pest is detected in an area, unless treated with insecticides, the majority of ash trees will become infested and die within a decade.
Among the activities planned for the week of Sept. 12:
At least nine Vermont communities will be hosting COVID-safe events in which local ash trees will be tagged.
The Vermont Urban and Community Forestry program is working with the Vermont Land Trust to highlight stories about Vermont-made ash products.
The Green Mountain Club, Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, as well as many towns, have posted signs at trailheads on how to identify ash trees and detect and report suspected infested trees.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--UK police arrest teenager after shooting of 15-year-old boy

LONDON ( AP ) - British police said a teenager in eastern England has been arrested in connection with the shooting on Monday of a 15-year-old boy on his way to school .
Suffolk Constabulary said in a statement that officers were called just after 8:40 a.m. Monday morning to reports of a shooting in the small town of Kesgrave and that the victim sustained “ serious injuries.
” It said that the boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke ’ s Hospital in Cambridge , around 60 miles ( 95 kilometers ) away .
The boy is said to be receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they have arrested a teenage boy and that he has been taken into police custody for questioning .
“ We have now made an arrest as part of the investigation and are working with our partners in Suffolk and our schools to ensure that everyone feels safe when they are collecting their children from school this afternoon , ” Assistant Chief Constable Rob Jones said .
Keswick High School said in a tweet that the victim was heading to school at the time of the incident and that students in school “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police .
”

LONDON (AP) - British police arrested a 15-year-old boy in eastern England after another 15-year-old was shot and critically injured Monday on his way to school.
Suffolk Constabulary said officers were called in just after 8:40 a.m. Monday to reports of a shooting in the small town of Kesgrave and that the victim sustained “serious injuries.”
Police said the boy was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, 60 miles (95 kilometers) away and was in critical condition.
Police said they arrested a teenage boy a few miles away about two hours later on suspicion of attempted murder. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Jones said the shooting was “an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the local community.”
Kesgrave High School said in a tweet that the victim was heading to school at the time and that students in school “will be kept safe in liaison with the police.”
Britain has strict gun laws and teens in the country are much more likely to have knives than guns.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Tunisia arrests 7 suspects after deadly weekend attack

TUNIS , Tunisia ( AP ) - Tunisian authorities say that they have arrested seven people suspected of links to @ @ @ @ @ left one security officer dead and another injured .
The attacked occurred on Sunday in @ @ @ @ @ Sousse when perpetrators rammed their vehicle into security officers and attacked them with knives .
@ @ @ @ @ said Monday on Radio Shems that seven suspects are being held by anti-terrorism authorities .
@ @ @ @ @ fatally shot three alleged attackers .
Among the seven detained is the wife of one @ @ @ @ @ the two brothers of another .
Jbabli said that a preliminary investigation showed that the @ @ @ @ @ with foreign networks to find out how to make explosives .
Sousse was the site @ @ @ @ @ extremist attack in 2015 , when a massacre killed 38 people , most of them @ @ @ @ @ dealt a heavy blow to Tunisia ’ s tourism sector , a pillar of the @ @ @ @ @ economy .

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - Tunisian authorities say that they have arrested seven people suspected of involvement in a deadly weekend attack that left one security officer dead and another wounded.
The attack occurred on Sunday in the Tunisian resort town of Sousse when the perpetrators rammed their vehicle into security officers and attacked them with knives.
National guard spokesman Housameddine Jbabli said Monday on Radio Shems that seven suspects are being held by anti-terrorism authorities.
The Islamic State group’s Amaq agency carried a brief claim of responsibility on Monday for the attack. It was unclear whether or not the claim was opportunistic. However, on Sunday, the spokesman for Tunisia’s judicial section of the counter-terrorism fight said the attackers were dressed in IS colors bearing slogans glorifying the terror organization.
On Sunday, Tunisian forces fatally shot three alleged attackers. Among the seven detained is the wife of one of the dead attackers and the two brothers of another. Jbabli said that a preliminary investigation showed that the attackers had developed online links with foreign networks to find out how to make explosives.
Sousse was the site of Tunisia’s deadliest extremist attack in 2015, when a massacre killed 38 people, most of them British tourists. That dealt a heavy blow to Tunisia’s tourism sector, a pillar of the North African nation’s economy.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Russian FM in Syria, meets Assad in first visit since 2012

DAMASCUS , Syria ( AP ) - Russia ’ s foreign minister has met with Syrian President Bashar Assad shortly after landing in the Syrian capital on Monday , his first visit since 2012 .
Russia has been a close ally of Assad in Syria ’ s devastating nine-year civil war , lending his government in Damascus vital military , economic and political support .
Russian troops have been fighting alongside Syrian government forces since 2015 , and President Vladimir Putin has visited the war-torn country twice , including in January this year .
The visit by Sergey Lavrov comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the coronavirus pandemic .
The Syrian pro-government Al-Watan newspaper reported that a high-ranking Russian delegation , headed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov , arrived in Syria on Sunday .
A joint press conference was to be held by Lavrov and Syria ’ s Foreign Minister , Walid al-Moallem , later Monday .
The newspaper quoted Syria ’ s ambassador to the Russian Federation , Riad Haddad , as saying that the Russian delegation ’ s visit “ is of special importance , given the political and economic files that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included progress in the work of a committee to discuss possible amendments to the Syrian constitution and Western sanctions on Syria , as well as efforts to fight terrorism .
Talks between government , opposition and civil society delegations resumed in Geneva late last month , with the sides discussing a possible new constitution for the country .
The U.N. ’ s envoy for Syria , Geir Pedersen has called the talks a prospective “ door-opener ” to a final resolution of Syria ’ s long-running conflict .
The pandemic forced the postponement @ @ @ @ @ @ @

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Russia and Syria plan to sign an economic pact before the end of the year that is partly aimed at circumventing U.S. sanctions, Russia’s deputy prime minister said Monday as he led a high-level delegation on a visit to Damascus.
Yuri Borisov said the Russian side is expecting to sign the pact on his next visit in December, adding that it includes more than forty new projects in the energy sector, reconstruction of a number of power stations and offshore oil extraction.
The agreement, he added, would “outline a new framework for trade and economic ties between the two countries for the coming years” while providing relief from U.S. sanctions, which he said were “strangling” the Syrian people.
Borisov spoke at a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem in Damascus after the delegation met with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Syria faces an unprecedented economic crisis after nearly a decade of civil war and Western sanctions. The economic and financial situation has been worsened by the financial crisis in neighboring Lebanon, Syria’s main link with the outside world and where many Syrians have their money. Syria is also grappling with a coronavirus outbreak.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is visiting Damascus for the first time since 2012, also attended the news conference.
Russia has been a close ally of Assad in Syria’s devastating nine-year civil war, lending his government vital military, economic and political support. Russian troops have been fighting alongside Syrian government forces since 2015, and President Vladimir Putin has visited the war-torn country twice, including in January this year.
With the help of Russia, as well as regional ally Iran and its proxy Lebanese militia Hezbollah, Assad has largely succeeded in crushing the armed rebellion against him. The rebels are confined to the northern Idlib province, where a truce has been in place for months.
But Syria has been ruined, the economy has spiraled out of control, and the country remains divided. Turkey-backed forces control a sliver of territory along the border, and U.S.-backed Kurdish forces control an oil-rich area in the northeast.
“We have to admit that most of the areas rich in oil and gas are outside the control of the Syrian government,” Borisov said Monday. “This fact prevents the Syrian government from trading in oil, given that it is an important source of revenue.”
“The same applies to agricultural lands,” he added. “After Syria used to export grain, it now imports it. … This harms food security.”
Borisov blamed the United States for the economic deterioration in Syria, which risks reversing the government’s recent military gains, calling U.S. policies “unconstructive.”
“The most important reason for the tragic situation in Syria is the devastating situation of the United States of America, in addition to the Kurds’ unwillingness to communicate with Damascus and hand over control to the legitimate government over agricultural areas and oil fields,” Borisov said.
Lavrov also criticized U.S. and Western sanctions on Syria, saying they are “trying to strangle the Syrian people.”
“Our visit to Syria focuses on the prospect of cooperation to develop relations between the two countries in light of new developments in the region,” he said.
The Syrian pro-government Al-Watan newspaper earlier quoted Syria’s ambassador to Russia, Riad Haddad, as saying that the Russian delegation’s visit “is of special importance, given the political and economic files that will be discussed.” Those include progress by a committee discussing possible amendments to the Syrian constitution and Western sanctions on Syria, as well as efforts to fight terrorism.
Talks between government, opposition and civil society delegations resumed in Geneva late last month on a possible new constitution for the country. The U.N.’s envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has called the talks a prospective “door-opener” to a final resolution of Syria’s long-running conflict.
The pandemic forced the postponement of an earlier meeting in March.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--They can dig it: New England clammers press through pandemic

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - For New England ’ s vanishing commercial clam harvesters , the coronavirus pandemic represents only the most recent in a string of setbacks that have held down the centuries-old industry .
The clamdiggers , who pull softshell clams for use in chowders and clambakes from tidal muck , have weathered an aging workforce , relentless predators that eat shellfish , warming waters and fickle markets .
This summer ’ s pandemic has held back few of the clamdiggers from plying their trade in the coastal clam flats that have fed their customers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Buyers have rewarded the clammers with prices that have held up better than many sectors of the beleaguered seafood industry , which has suffered a significant economic hit from the pandemic .
But some clammers said the disruption wrought by the pandemic has still created yet another difficulty to deal with .
“ If they shut down the borders now , like they did before , we ’ d be in some big trouble .
We rely on shipping , ” said Wendell Cressey , a Harpswell , Maine , clammer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists to be able to come here and visit , but we need to be able to ship them around the country.
” America ’ s industry for the wild harvesting of softshell clams , also called steamers , is located almost entirely in Maine and Massachusetts .
Both states have seen their harvests dip in recent years .
Maine clammers have failed to top 1.6 million pounds of clam meat for four straight years after routinely harvesting two or three times that amount in decades past .
The clams are worth about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a good year , and they ’ re close to that number this year , said Clint Goodenow , treasurer of the Maine Clammers Association .
Prices sank in the spring , when seafood supply chains were severely disrupted around the country due to the early stages of the pandemic , but have since rebounded , Goodenow said .
It ’ s tough to say if this year ’ s harvest will measure up to recent years , but clammers are still working the flats every day , said Chad Coffin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble is that the number of clammers is dwindling .
The state had 1,436 licensed shellfish harvesters this year , down from more than 1,700 the previous year and a fraction of the number who dug clams in the 1970s , according to state records .
There are also fewer clams on the flats .
The rise of predators such as green crabs has hurt the shellfish ’ s ability to grow , scientists have said .
Compared to those troubles , the pandemic is just a bump in the road , Coffin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the conversations are steered toward the effect of the pandemic , ” Coffin said .
“ For the people that are left clamming , it hasn ’ t been that bad of a year.
” The nature of clam harvesting makes it fairly easy to do while social distancing .
Clammers , sometimes working alone , turn mud using a rake and collect the clams for sale to seafood dealers .
The fishery also doesn ’ t require the kind of expensive boats and gear that has kept some lobster fishers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic .
The reduced number of clam harvesters means there ’ s still enough of the shellfish left to sustain the remaining participants in the fishery , said Brian Beal , a professor of marine ecology at the University of Maine at Machias .
That doesn ’ t seem to have changed during the pandemic .
“ There ’ s enough ‘ product ’ left for the few who must make their living off the flats , ” he said .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - For New England’s vanishing commercial clam harvesters, the coronavirus pandemic represents only the most recent in a string of setbacks that have held down the centuries-old industry.
The clamdiggers, who pull softshell clams for use in chowders and clambakes from tidal muck, have weathered an aging workforce, relentless predators that eat shellfish, warming waters and fickle markets. This summer’s pandemic has held back few of the clamdiggers from plying their trade in the coastal clam flats that have fed their customers for generations, members of the industry said.
Buyers have rewarded the clammers with prices that have held up better than many sectors of the beleaguered seafood industry, which has suffered a significant economic hit from the pandemic. But some clammers said the disruption wrought by the pandemic has still created yet another difficulty to deal with.
“If they shut down the borders now, like they did before, we’d be in some big trouble. We rely on shipping,” said Wendell Cressey, a Harpswell, Maine, clammer. “Not only do we need the tourists to be able to come here and visit, but we need to be able to ship them around the country.”
America’s industry for the wild harvesting of softshell clams, also called steamers, is located almost entirely in Maine and Massachusetts. Both states have seen their harvests dip in recent years. Maine clammers have failed to top 1.6 million pounds of clam meat for four straight years after routinely harvesting two or three times that amount in decades past.
The clams are worth about $2 per pound at the docks in a good year, and they’re close to that number this year, said Clint Goodenow, treasurer of the Maine Clammers Association. Prices sank in the spring, when seafood supply chains were severely disrupted around the country due to the early stages of the pandemic, but have since rebounded, Goodenow said.
It’s tough to say if this year’s harvest will measure up to recent years, but clammers are still working the flats every day, said Chad Coffin, president of the clammers association. The trouble is that the number of clammers is dwindling. The state had 1,436 licensed shellfish harvesters this year, down from more than 1,700 the previous year and a fraction of the number who dug clams in the 1970s, according to state records.
There are also fewer clams on the flats. The rise of predators such as green crabs has hurt the shellfish’s ability to grow, scientists have said. Compared to those troubles, the pandemic is just a bump in the road, Coffin said.
“All of a sudden all of the conversations are steered toward the effect of the pandemic,” Coffin said. “For the people that are left clamming, it hasn’t been that bad of a year.”
The nature of clam harvesting makes it fairly easy to do while social distancing. Clammers, sometimes working alone, turn mud using a rake and collect the clams for sale to seafood dealers. The fishery also doesn’t require the kind of expensive boats and gear that has kept some lobster fishers and groundfish harvesters from plying their craft during the pandemic.
The reduced number of clam harvesters means there’s still enough of the shellfish left to sustain the remaining participants in the fishery, said Brian Beal, a professor of marine ecology at the University of Maine at Machias.
That doesn’t seem to have changed during the pandemic.
“There’s enough ‘product’ left for the few who must make their living off the flats,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Climate activists block Warsaw street against gov't inaction

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - A few hundred Polish climate activists blocked traffic in downtown Warsaw Monday to @ @ @ @ @ protection of the environment .
It was the second action since Saturday by Poland ’ @ @ @ @ @ Extinction Rebellion climate protection group that says world leaders are not doing enough to counter @ @ @ @ @ and banners saying “ We are Rebelling in Order to Live , ” the group @ @ @ @ @ downtown Warsaw holding up morning traffic .
The police checked their documents and carried them @ @ @ @ @ the way .
Largely powered by coal , Poland has some of Europe ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , water in many of its rivers and lakes is below the required quality standards @

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - A few hundred Polish climate activists blocked traffic in downtown Warsaw on Monday to spur the conservative government into protecting the environment better.
It was the second action since Saturday by Poland’s chapter of the Extinction Rebellion climate protection group that says world leaders are not doing enough to counter climate change.
With chants and banners saying “We are Rebelling in Order to Live,” the group blocked a major street in the Polish capital, holding up morning traffic. The police checked their documents and carried protesters to the side to clear the way.
Largely powered by coal, Poland has some of Europe’s worst quality air. Also, pollution levels in many of its rivers and lakes are below European Union quality standards.
___
Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/Climate.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Virus still throwing theme park attendance for a loop

TOLEDO , Ohio ( AP ) - Theme park operators who spent months installing hand sanitizing stations , figuring out how to disinfect roller coasters seats and checking the temperatures of guests at their gates so they ’ d come back in the midst of the pandemic are finding many reluctant to return .
Some parks have reduced operating days , slashed ticket prices , and closed early for the year because of lower-than-hoped attendance - expectations weren ’ t high to begin with - along with the uncertainty of what ’ s to come with the coronavirus .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their gates at all because of state and local health restrictions .
Disney this week will begin cutting an hour or two out of each day at its four Florida theme parks .
It already called off its annual after-hours Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom .
Neighboring Universal Orlando also nixed its Halloween Horror Nights .
Amusement parks across the South that had their seasons delayed by virus outbreaks in the spring deal with a second punch with the summer flareups across the Sun Belt .
Some , including Kings Dominion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never opened and won ’ t this year .
Cedar Fair Entertainment , which operates those two , has reopened just half of its 13 amusement parks and water parks across North America .
The company , based in Ohio , expected attendance to stay at no more than 25 % of normal levels through the rest of the year at its parks that are operating , CEO Richard Zimmerman said in early August .
Despite the lower numbers , those parks are still able to make a profit , the company said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s flagship park in Sandusky , Ohio , scaled back to weekends only in mid-August and did away with online admission reservations to manage the daily crowds .
California ’ s parks haven ’ t been open - except for a few food festivals - since mid-March and are pushing the state to issue guidelines on how and when they can allow guests back .
“ Disneyland has been ready to roll since July awaiting guidance from the state ’ s governor on what the reopening protocols will be , ” Jim MacPhee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating officer , said two weeks ago .
Kennywood , an amusement park near Pittsburgh , delayed its opening twice this year , cut ticket prices in half and then decided to end its season early on Labor Day .
“ It ’ s hard to predict what ’ s going to happen in a few months , ” said park spokesman Nick Paradise , explaining why they canceled the popular Phantom Fright Nights and Holiday Lights events .
“ The safest thing is to finish on a high note.
” The park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July opening but picked up as people began feeling more comfortable with the safety measures in place , he said .
The industry put in long hours just to restart this season , adding constant reminders about social distancing , from decals on the pavement in queues to roving “ social distance squads ” at Disney World .
Six Flags added touch-free bag checks with high-tech , walk-through machines .
Six Flags expects its numbers to rebound when the health crisis settles down , Mike Spanos , the company ’ s CEO said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance at its parks around the U.S. has gone up and down depending on whether there are coronavirus surges in those areas , he said .
“ We ’ re surveying guests every week and what they ’ re telling us is when they see a flattening of the curve , they want to get out , ” Spanos said .
“ And we also see a chunk of guests that are saying when they ’ re comfortable with the vaccine , they want to get out.
” Some people opposed to mask-wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pushback is diminishing , ” said George Frantzis , co-owner of Quassy Amusement & Waterpark in Middlebury , Connecticut .
“ We still get a few everyday who don ’ t believe in it.
” While business has remained slow during the week , the park has hit its capacity on a few weekends , he said .
“ Saturdays have been a little bit busy because there ’ s not a lot else to do out there , ” Frantzis said .

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Theme park operators who spent months installing hand sanitizing stations, figuring out how to disinfect roller coasters seats and checking the temperatures of guests at their gates so they’d come back in the midst of the pandemic are finding many reluctant to return.
Some parks have reduced operating days, slashed ticket prices, and closed early for the year because of lower-than-hoped attendance - expectations weren’t high to begin with - along with the uncertainty of what’s to come with the coronavirus. A few parks have been unable to open their gates at all because of state and local health restrictions.
Disney this week will begin cutting an hour or two out of each day at its four Florida theme parks. It already called off its annual after-hours Halloween party at the Magic Kingdom. Neighboring Universal Orlando also nixed its Halloween Horror Nights.
Amusement parks across the South that had their seasons delayed by virus outbreaks in the spring deal with a second punch with the summer flareups across the Sun Belt. Some, including Kings Dominion in Virginia and Carowinds in North Carolina, never opened and won’t this year.
Cedar Fair Entertainment, which operates those two, has reopened just half of its 13 amusement parks and water parks across North America.
The company, based in Ohio, expected attendance to stay at no more than 25% of normal levels through the rest of the year at its parks that are operating, CEO Richard Zimmerman said in early August. Despite the lower numbers, those parks are still able to make a profit, the company said.
Cedar Point, the company’s flagship park in Sandusky, Ohio, scaled back to weekends only in mid-August and did away with online admission reservations to manage the daily crowds.
California’s parks haven’t been open - except for a few food festivals - since mid-March and are pushing the state to issue guidelines on how and when they can allow guests back.
“Disneyland has been ready to roll since July awaiting guidance from the state’s governor on what the reopening protocols will be,” Jim MacPhee, Walt Disney World’s chief operating officer, said two weeks ago.
Kennywood, an amusement park near Pittsburgh, delayed its opening twice this year, cut ticket prices in half and then decided to end its season early on Labor Day.
“It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen in a few months,” said park spokesman Nick Paradise, explaining why they canceled the popular Phantom Fright Nights and Holiday Lights events. “The safest thing is to finish on a high note.”
The park’s attendance started slow after its July opening but picked up as people began feeling more comfortable with the safety measures in place, he said.
The industry put in long hours just to restart this season, adding constant reminders about social distancing, from decals on the pavement in queues to roving “social distance squads” at Disney World. Six Flags added touch-free bag checks with high-tech, walk-through machines.
Six Flags expects its numbers to rebound when the health crisis settles down, Mike Spanos, the company’s CEO said at the end of July. But attendance at its parks around the U.S. has gone up and down depending on whether there are coronavirus surges in those areas, he said.
“We’re surveying guests every week and what they’re telling us is when they see a flattening of the curve, they want to get out,” Spanos said. “And we also see a chunk of guests that are saying when they’re comfortable with the vaccine, they want to get out.”
Some people opposed to mask-wearing requirements also have stayed away.
“The pushback is diminishing,” said George Frantzis, co-owner of Quassy Amusement & Waterpark in Middlebury, Connecticut. “We still get a few everyday who don’t believe in it.”
While business has remained slow during the week, the park has hit its capacity on a few weekends, he said. “Saturdays have been a little bit busy because there’s not a lot else to do out there,” Frantzis said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Belarus activist goes missing, colleagues fear detention

KYIV , Ukraine ( AP ) - A leading opposition activist and several other members of an opposition council in Belarus went missing Monday and their colleagues feared they were detained as part of the authorities ’ efforts to squelch nearly a month of protests against the re-election of the country ’ s authoritarian leader .
Maria Kolesnikova , a member of the Coordination Council created by the opposition to facilitate talks with President Alexander Lukashenko on a transition of power , was reportedly put on a minibus in the capital , Minsk , and driven away by unidentified people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that drew an estimated 100,000 protesters pushing for the resignation of Lukashenko , who extended his 26-year rule in the Aug. 9 election that the opposition sees as rigged .
A council member , Maxim Znak , said Kolesnikova ’ s colleagues fear she was detained .
Two other members of the council also couldn ’ t be reached on Monday , according to Znak .
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius tweeted that Kolesnikova ’ s disappearance is part of the Belarusian authorities ’ effort to “ cynically eliminate one by one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Belarusian Interior Ministry said it hasn ’ t detained Kolesnikova , while other law enforcement agencies have kept mum .
After a brutal crackdown in the first few days after the vote that stoked international outrage and swelled the ranks of protesters , the authorities have switched to threats and selective arrests of opposition activists and demonstrators .
Sunday ’ s demonstrations in Minsk and other cities went on despite the authorities ’ warning that participants could face reprisals .
The Interior Ministry said 633 people were detained Sunday for taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest leaders , Belarusian prosecutors have opened a criminal probe of the Coordination Council that opposition activists set up after the election to try to negotiate a transition of power .
Two of its members were given 10-day jail sentences on charges of staging unsanctioned protests last week .
One of them , Olga Kovalkova , said she was pressured to leave for Poland over the weekend after being threatened with a longer jail term .
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , the main opposition challenger in the election , who moved to Lithuania a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Monday that Kolesnikova ’ s disappearance marked another attempt by the government to intimidate the opposition .
“ It ’ s an attempt to derail the work of the Coordination Council , but we will not be stopped , ” she said .
“ The more they try to scare us , the more people will take to the streets .
We will continue our struggle and push for the release of all political prisoners and a new , fair election.
” Last week , Kolesnikova announced the creation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move will help overcome the current crisis , but the party founders ’ call for constitutional changes has stunned some other opposition council members , who argued that it could divert attention from the main goal of pushing for Lukashenko to step down .
Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen , Denmark , contributed to this report .

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - A leading opposition activist and several other members of an opposition council in Belarus went missing Monday and their colleagues feared they were detained as part of the authorities’ efforts to squelch nearly a month of protests against the re-election of the country’s authoritarian leader.
Maria Kolesnikova, a member of the Coordination Council created by the opposition to facilitate talks with President Alexander Lukashenko on a transition of power, was reportedly put on a minibus in the capital, Minsk, and driven away by unidentified people.
Her disappearance follows a massive rally Sunday that drew an estimated 100,000 protesters pushing for the resignation of Lukashenko, who extended his 26-year rule in the Aug. 9 election that the opposition sees as rigged.
A council member, Maxim Znak, said Kolesnikova’s colleagues fear she was detained. Two other members of the council also couldn’t be reached on Monday, according to Znak.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius tweeted that Kolesnikova’s disappearance is part of the Belarusian authorities’ effort to “cynically eliminate one by one” and called for her immediate release.
The Belarusian Interior Ministry said it hasn’t detained Kolesnikova, while other law enforcement agencies have kept mum.
After a brutal crackdown in the first few days after the vote that stoked international outrage and swelled the ranks of protesters, the authorities have switched to threats and selective arrests of opposition activists and demonstrators.
Sunday’s demonstrations in Minsk and other cities went on despite the authorities’ warning that participants could face reprisals. The Interior Ministry said 633 people were detained Sunday for taking part in unsanctioned protests.
Targeting the protest leaders, Belarusian prosecutors have opened a criminal probe of the Coordination Council that opposition activists set up after the election to try to negotiate a transition of power. Two of its members were given 10-day jail sentences on charges of staging unsanctioned protests last week. One of them, Olga Kovalkova, said she was pressured to leave for Poland over the weekend after being threatened with a longer jail term.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition challenger in the election, who moved to Lithuania a day after the vote under pressure from authorities, said Monday that Kolesnikova’s disappearance marked another attempt by the government to intimidate the opposition.
“It’s an attempt to derail the work of the Coordination Council, but we will not be stopped,” she said. “The more they try to scare us, the more people will take to the streets. We will continue our struggle and push for the release of all political prisoners and a new, fair election.”
Last week, Kolesnikova announced the creation of a new party, Together. She said the move will help overcome the current crisis, but the party founders’ call for constitutional changes has stunned some other opposition council members, who argued that it could divert attention from the main goal of pushing for Lukashenko to step down.
___
Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Philippine leader pardons US Marine in transgender killing

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) — The Philippine president pardoned a U.S. Marine on Monday in a surprise move that will free him from imprisonment in the 2014 killing of a transgender Filipino woman that sparked anger in the former American colony .
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet that President Rodrigo Duterte “ granted an absolute pardon ” to Lance Cpl .
Joseph Scott Pemberton “ to do justice , ” but did not elaborate .
Duterte was to deliver televised remarks Monday night where he would discuss Pemberton ’ s case , presidential spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights group , Karapatan , immediately condemned the pardon as a “ despicable and shameless mockery of justice and servility to U.S. imperialist interests.
” Pemberton was convicted of homicide and has been serving a prison term of six to 10 years for the killing of Jennifer Laude in a motel in Olongapo city , northwest of Manila .
His lawyer , Rowena Garcia-Flores , told The Associated Press that Pemberton was already aware of Duterte ’ s decision when she called him .
“ I heard the news , ” Garcia-Flores quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m very happy.
” Meeting Pemberton in detention a few days ago , she said he expressed his willingness to apologize to the Laude family even belatedly .
Roque , who once served as a lawyer for the Laude family , said the presidential pardon would mean the immediate release of Pemberton from detention .
“ The president has erased the punishment that should be imposed on Pemberton .
What the president did not erase was the conviction of Pemberton .
He ’ s still a killer , ” Roque told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trial Court in Olongapo city , which handled Pemberton ’ s case , ordered authorities to release him early from detention for good conduct , but Laude ’ s family appealed the order , blocking the Marine ’ s early release .
Roque said the Department of Justice was planning to block Pemberton ’ s early release with a separate appeal .
The court order rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment under the allies ’ Visiting Forces Agreement , which provides the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the country for large-scale combat exercises .
Pemberton , an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford , Massachusetts , was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in joint exercises in the country in 2014 .
He and a group of other Marines were on leave after the exercises and met Laude and her friends at a bar in Olongapo , a city known for its nightlife outside Subic Bay , a former U.S. Navy base .
Laude was later found dead , her head slumped in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where witnesses said she and Pemberton had checked in .
A witness told investigators that Pemberton said he choked Laude after discovering she was transgender .
In December 2015 , a judge convicted Pemberton of homicide , not the more serious charge of murder that prosecutors sought .
The Olongapo court judge said at the time that she downgraded the charge because factors such as cruelty and treachery had not been proven .
Pemberton has been serving his sentence in a compound jointly guarded by Philippine and American security personnel at the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place of detention was agreed to under the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement , although Laude ’ s family had demanded that he be held in an ordinary jail .
Garcia-Flores said his detention was shortened by authorities under a Philippine law that allows the reduction of prison terms for good conduct .
A lawyer for the Laude family , Virginia Suarez , said the law can not apply to Pemberton , who has been detained alone in a military camp and given other special privileges under the VFA .
The case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Philippines to end the U.S. military presence in the country , a former American colony with which Washington has a mutual defense treaty .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president pardoned a U.S. Marine on Monday in a surprise move that will free him from imprisonment in the 2014 killing of a transgender Filipino woman that sparked anger in the former American colony.
Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet that President Rodrigo Duterte “granted an absolute pardon” to Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton “to do justice,” but did not elaborate. Duterte was to deliver televised remarks Monday night where he would discuss Pemberton’s case, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
A left-wing human rights group, Karapatan, immediately condemned the pardon as a “despicable and shameless mockery of justice and servility to U.S. imperialist interests.”
Pemberton was convicted of homicide and has been serving a prison term of six to 10 years for the killing of Jennifer Laude in a motel in Olongapo city, northwest of Manila. His lawyer, Rowena Garcia-Flores, told The Associated Press that Pemberton was already aware of Duterte’s decision when she called him.
“I heard the news,” Garcia-Flores quoted the 25-year-old Pemberton as saying. “I’m very happy.”
Meeting Pemberton in detention a few days ago, she said he expressed his willingness to apologize to the Laude family even belatedly.
Roque, who once served as a lawyer for the Laude family, said the presidential pardon would mean the immediate release of Pemberton from detention.
“The president has erased the punishment that should be imposed on Pemberton. What the president did not erase was the conviction of Pemberton. He’s still a killer,” Roque told reporters.
Last week, the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo city, which handled Pemberton’s case, ordered authorities to release him early from detention for good conduct, but Laude’s family appealed the order, blocking the Marine’s early release. Roque said the Department of Justice was planning to block Pemberton’s early release with a separate appeal.
The court order rekindled perceptions that American military personnel who run afoul of Philippine laws can get special treatment under the allies’ Visiting Forces Agreement, which provides the legal framework for temporary visits by U.S. forces to the country for large-scale combat exercises.
Pemberton, an anti-tank missile operator from New Bedford, Massachusetts, was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in joint exercises in the country in 2014.
He and a group of other Marines were on leave after the exercises and met Laude and her friends at a bar in Olongapo, a city known for its nightlife outside Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy base.
Laude was later found dead, her head slumped in a toilet bowl in a motel room, where witnesses said she and Pemberton had checked in. A witness told investigators that Pemberton said he choked Laude after discovering she was transgender.
In December 2015, a judge convicted Pemberton of homicide, not the more serious charge of murder that prosecutors sought. The Olongapo court judge said at the time that she downgraded the charge because factors such as cruelty and treachery had not been proven.
Pemberton has been serving his sentence in a compound jointly guarded by Philippine and American security personnel at the main military camp in metropolitan Manila. The place of detention was agreed to under the terms of the Visiting Forces Agreement, although Laude’s family had demanded that he be held in an ordinary jail.
Garcia-Flores said his detention was shortened by authorities under a Philippine law that allows the reduction of prison terms for good conduct. A lawyer for the Laude family, Virginia Suarez, said the law cannot apply to Pemberton, who has been detained alone in a military camp and given other special privileges under the VFA.
The case has led to calls from some in the Philippines to end the U.S. military presence in the country, a former American colony with which Washington has a mutual defense treaty.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Merkel won't rule out halting pipeline over Navalny

BERLIN ( AP ) - The German hospital treating Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says he has been taken out of an induced coma and is responsive .
Navalny , a fierce , high-profile critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin , was flown to Germany on Aug. 22 , two days after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia .
German chemical weapons experts say tests show that the 44-year-old Navalny was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent , prompting the German government last week to demand that Russia investigate the case .
Berlin ’ s Charite hospital said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improved , allowing doctors to end the medically induced coma and gradually ease him off mechanical ventilation .
It noted that he was responding to speech but “ long-term consequences of the serious poisoning can still not be ruled out.
” He has been in an induced coma in the Berlin hospital since he was flown to Germany for treatment .
German authorities said last week that tests showed “ proof without doubt ” that he had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group .
British authorities identified the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018 .
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE .
AP ’ s earlier story follows below .
BERLIN ( AP ) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s office indicated Monday that she might be willing to rethink the fate of a controversial German-Russian gas pipeline project - a clear sign of Berlin ’ s growing frustration over Moscow ’ s stonewalling about the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny , Navalny , a fierce , high-profile critic of Russian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 22 , two days after falling ill on a domestic flight in Russia .
German chemical weapons experts say tests show that the 44-year-old Navalny was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent , prompting the German government last week to demand that Russia investigate the case .
Russia has denied that the Kremlin was involved in poisoning Navalny and accused Germany failing to provide evidence about the poisoning that it requested in late August .
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Sunday that the Russian reaction could determine whether Germany changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 pipeline , which brings Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea , bypassing Ukraine .
“ The chancellor also believes that it ’ s wrong to rule anything out , ” Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters after being asked about Maas ’ comments .
Previously , Merkel had insisted on “ decoupling ” the Navalny case from the pipeline project , which the U.S. strongly opposes .
In August , three U.S. Republican senators threatened sanctions against the operator of a Baltic Sea port located in Merkel ’ s parliamentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post for ships involved in building Nord Stream 2 .
Germany announced Wednesday that samples taken from Navalny showed clear evidence he was poisoned with substances from the Novichok group .
Seibert cautioned that it was premature to expect Moscow to respond to the matter within a few days , but made it clear that Berlin wants answers soon .
“ I can ’ t express a clear , time-limited expectation , except that we are certainly not talking about months or the end of the year , ” he said .
German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to blame for any delay in investigating the case , noting that Navalny was first treated for suspected poisoning in the Siberian city of Omsk on Aug. 20 .
“ All evidence , witnesses , traces and so forth are in the place where the crime was committed , presumably somewhere in Siberia , ” said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger .
The co-leader of Germany ’ s opposition Green party , Robert Habeck , called on the government to take a stronger stance and “ bury ” the pipeline project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is economically nonsensical and oversized , and it is wrong in security policy terms , ” Habeck said .
Completing it “ would mean that Russia can do what it wants .
This signal must not be sent.
” Mikhail Ulyanov , the Russian envoy to international organizations in Vienna , voiced suspicions about the timing of demands to link the pipeline with Navalny .
“ Suspicious coincidence of Navalny case and the final stage of Nord Stream 2 construction , which some states desperately want to be closed .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is obvious that the tragic events with Navalny are very timely and helpful for opponents of NS2 , ” he tweeted .
Geir Moulson in Berlin and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report .

BERLIN (AP) — Poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s condition has improved, allowing doctors to take him out of an induced coma, the German hospital treating him said Monday.
Navalny, a fierce, high-profile critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was flown to Germany last month after falling ill on Aug. 20 on a domestic flight in Russia. German chemical weapons experts say tests show the 44-year-old was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting the German government last week to demand that Russia investigate the case.
“The patient has been removed from his medically induced coma and is being weaned off mechanical ventilation,” Berlin’s Charite hospital said in a statement. “He is responding to verbal stimuli. It remains too early to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning.”
It added that the decision to publicly release details of his condition was made in consultation with Navalny’s wife.
Navalny had been in an induced coma in the Berlin hospital since he was flown to Germany on Aug. 22 for treatment.
News of his gradual recovery came as German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office indicated that she might be willing to rethink the fate of a controversial German-Russian gas pipeline project - a sign of Berlin’s growing frustration over Moscow’s stonewalling about the case.
German authorities said last week that tests showed “proof without doubt” that Navalny was poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group. British authorities identified the Soviet-era Novichok as the poison used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018.
Russia has denied that the Kremlin was involved in poisoning Navalny and accused Germany failing to provide evidence about the poisoning that it requested in late August.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Sunday that the Russian reaction could determine whether Germany changes its long-standing backing for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which brings Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea, bypassing Ukraine.
“The chancellor also believes that it’s wrong to rule anything out,” Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters Monday after being asked about Maas’ comments.
Previously, Merkel had insisted on “decoupling” the Navalny case from the pipeline project, which the U.S. strongly opposes. In August, three U.S. Republican senators threatened sanctions against the operator of a Baltic Sea port located in Merkel’s parliamentary constituency for its role as a staging post for ships involved in building Nord Stream 2.
Seibert cautioned that it was premature to expect Moscow to respond to the matter within a few days, but made it clear that Berlin wants answers soon.
“I can’t express a clear, time-limited expectation, except that we are certainly not talking about months or the end of the year,” he said.
German diplomats rejected the Russian suggestion that Berlin was to blame for any delay in investigating the case, noting that Navalny was first treated for suspected poisoning in the Siberian city of Omsk on Aug. 20.
“All evidence, witnesses, traces and so forth are in the place where the crime was committed, presumably somewhere in Siberia,” said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger.
The co-leader of Germany’s opposition Green party, Robert Habeck, called on the government to take a stronger stance and “bury” the pipeline project.
The project “divides Europe, it is economically nonsensical and oversized, and it is wrong in security policy terms,” Habeck said. Completing it “would mean that Russia can do what it wants. This signal must not be sent.”
Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian envoy to international organizations in Vienna, voiced suspicions about the timing of demands to link the pipeline with the Navalny case.
“Suspicious coincidence of Navalny case and the final stage of Nord Stream 2 construction, which some states desperately want to be closed. I am not fond of conspiracy theories but it is obvious that the tragic events with Navalny are very timely and helpful for opponents of NS2,” he tweeted.
___
Geir Moulson in Berlin and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--If doing less means saving more, try these 5 money moves

The coronavirus has upended countless jobs , schools and bank accounts .
But while undoubtedly more people are struggling than not , those who are still working may have seen their expenses actually drop due to canceled travel , limited dining options and more time at home .
If you ’ ve managed to end up with extra money during the pandemic , here ’ s how to take advantage of those savings .
1 .
START OR FILL OUT AN EMERGENCY FUND 2020 has served as a stark reminder that unexpected things can happen , and when they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be prepared .
“ We say if you have a steady job , your contingency fund should be three to six months of expenses , ” says Tara Unverzagt , certified financial planner and founder of South Bay Financial Partners in Torrance , California .
“ I would bulk it up even more because of uncertainty .
I ’ ve never known anyone to be upset because they had too much cash , but have known lots of people who were upset they didn ’ t have enough.
” That level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people ; an extended period of reduced expenses may provide you with the opportunity to finally reach it .
Establishing an emergency fund is one of the best things you can do for your future self , and if you put it in a high-yield online savings account , it will benefit from a higher interest rate than a regular savings account .
You don ’ t want to invest your emergency fund because your primary goal for that money is accessibility , not growth .
The stock market goes up and down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk that it could go down just when you need the money .
At best , that could mean having to sell your investments at a loss to pull cash out .
At worst , it could mean your money won ’ t be there when you need it most .
If you haven ’ t ventured into the world of investing yet , it may feel like a scary time to start given all the volatility in the market lately .
The good news is that volatility doesn ’ t cause much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long-term goal like retirement : The peaks and valleys due to the coronavirus will likely appear much smaller over time .
If you haven ’ t started investing , there are two easy jumping-off points : your employer ’ s 401 ( k ) if it offers one and an IRA .
Both are accounts that can help you invest for retirement with some tax benefits .
Roth IRAs , for instance , allow your money to grow and be taken out in retirement tax-free .
Even if you ’ re already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or an IRA , you may want to consider upping that contribution .
Every extra bit you can put toward retirement goes a long way .
Let ’ s say your reduced expenses mean you can save an extra $ 500 a month over the next year .
If you have 30 years until retirement and you earn a 6 % return , that $ 6,000 you invest could add over $ 34,000 to your retirement balance - a significant boost .
And because you can always change how much you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re putting toward retirement if and when your spending habits return to normal .
Retirement is a common goal , but it likely isn ’ t the only one you have .
If you ’ re on track for retirement , consider putting extra funds toward other things : college for your kids , a new car or a dream vacation ( which you ’ ll have plenty of time to save for , since most people aren ’ t traveling right now ) .
Investing can help you achieve those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep in mind that you generally don ’ t want to invest money you ’ ll need within five years .
( Like an emergency fund , savings for near-term goals should go into safer options , like a high-yield savings account ) .
On the other hand , if you ’ re starting a college fund for a newborn , that money will have approximately 18 years to take advantage of the market ’ s returns .
If you ’ ve found yourself in a position of privilege during this global pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra money , you may also want to consider increasing your charitable contributions .
Keep in mind , you may be able to deduct your charitable donations when tax time rolls around .
If you ’ re interested in investing in real estate , you don ’ t have to start renovating an old barn or putting up shiplap .
One of the easiest ways to invest in real estate is to invest in real estate investment trusts .
REITs are companies that own ( and sometimes operate ) real estate that generates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Publicly traded REITs are bought and sold on exchanges , just like stocks , and have similar liquidity , meaning you can sell them with relative ease .
5 .
GET SOME HELP When you suddenly find yourself with extra money , it can be difficult to figure out the best way to put it to use .
Financial advice is widely available these days , and it ’ s often inexpensive .
Online financial advisors and robo-advisors have brought the cost of investment management and financial planning down significantly , and both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re feeling lost .
These advisors can also help you stay hands-off with your portfolio during turbulent times in the market by ensuring that your investments are aligned with your risk tolerance .
Robo-advisors offer investment management and typically charge between 0.25 % and 0.50 % of your assets per year .
If you need assistance developing a more comprehensive financial plan in addition to investment management , it may be a good idea to enlist the help of a financial advisor .
This article originally appeared on the personal finance website NerdWallet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NerdWallet .
Email : [ email protected ] NerdWallet : Individual Retirement Account ( IRA ) Definition , How It Works & How to Start One http : //bit.ly/nerdwallet-ira NerdWallet : What Is Investment Management , and Do You Need It ?
http : //bit.ly/nerdwallet-investment-manage NerdWallet : How to Choose a Financial Advisor http : //bit.ly/nerdwallet-advisor-choice

The coronavirus has upended countless jobs, schools and bank accounts. But while undoubtedly more people are struggling than not, those who are still working may have seen their expenses actually drop due to canceled travel, limited dining options and more time at home.
If you’ve managed to end up with extra money during the pandemic, here’s how to take advantage of those savings.
1. START OR FILL OUT AN EMERGENCY FUND
2020 has served as a stark reminder that unexpected things can happen, and when they do, it’s a good idea to be prepared.
“We say if you have a steady job, your contingency fund should be three to six months of expenses,” says Tara Unverzagt, certified financial planner and founder of South Bay Financial Partners in Torrance, California. “I would bulk it up even more because of uncertainty. I’ve never known anyone to be upset because they had too much cash, but have known lots of people who were upset they didn’t have enough.”
That level of savings is a stretch goal for many people; an extended period of reduced expenses may provide you with the opportunity to finally reach it. Establishing an emergency fund is one of the best things you can do for your future self, and if you put it in a high-yield online savings account, it will benefit from a higher interest rate than a regular savings account.
You don’t want to invest your emergency fund because your primary goal for that money is accessibility, not growth. The stock market goes up and down, and there’s a real risk that it could go down just when you need the money. At best, that could mean having to sell your investments at a loss to pull cash out. At worst, it could mean your money won’t be there when you need it most.
2. INVEST FOR RETIREMENT
If you haven’t ventured into the world of investing yet, it may feel like a scary time to start given all the volatility in the market lately. The good news is that volatility doesn’t cause much harm when you’re investing for a long-term goal like retirement: The peaks and valleys due to the coronavirus will likely appear much smaller over time.
If you haven’t started investing, there are two easy jumping-off points: your employer’s 401(k) if it offers one and an IRA. Both are accounts that can help you invest for retirement with some tax benefits. Roth IRAs, for instance, allow your money to grow and be taken out in retirement tax-free.
Even if you’re already contributing to a 401(k) or an IRA, you may want to consider upping that contribution. Every extra bit you can put toward retirement goes a long way. Let’s say your reduced expenses mean you can save an extra $500 a month over the next year. If you have 30 years until retirement and you earn a 6% return, that $6,000 you invest could add over $34,000 to your retirement balance - a significant boost.
And because you can always change how much you’re contributing, you can decrease the amount you’re putting toward retirement if and when your spending habits return to normal.
3. SAVE FOR NONRETIREMENT GOALS
Retirement is a common goal, but it likely isn’t the only one you have. If you’re on track for retirement, consider putting extra funds toward other things: college for your kids, a new car or a dream vacation (which you’ll have plenty of time to save for, since most people aren’t traveling right now).
Investing can help you achieve those goals faster than just saving, but keep in mind that you generally don’t want to invest money you’ll need within five years. (Like an emergency fund, savings for near-term goals should go into safer options, like a high-yield savings account). On the other hand, if you’re starting a college fund for a newborn, that money will have approximately 18 years to take advantage of the market’s returns.
If you’ve found yourself in a position of privilege during this global pandemic and have been able to save some extra money, you may also want to consider increasing your charitable contributions. Keep in mind, you may be able to deduct your charitable donations when tax time rolls around.
4. EXPLORE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS
If you’re interested in investing in real estate, you don’t have to start renovating an old barn or putting up shiplap. One of the easiest ways to invest in real estate is to invest in real estate investment trusts. REITs are companies that own (and sometimes operate) real estate that generates income, such as apartment buildings. Publicly traded REITs are bought and sold on exchanges, just like stocks, and have similar liquidity, meaning you can sell them with relative ease.
5. GET SOME HELP
When you suddenly find yourself with extra money, it can be difficult to figure out the best way to put it to use. Financial advice is widely available these days, and it’s often inexpensive. Online financial advisors and robo-advisors have brought the cost of investment management and financial planning down significantly, and both are good options for when you’re feeling lost.
These advisors can also help you stay hands-off with your portfolio during turbulent times in the market by ensuring that your investments are aligned with your risk tolerance. Robo-advisors offer investment management and typically charge between 0.25% and 0.50% of your assets per year. If you need assistance developing a more comprehensive financial plan in addition to investment management, it may be a good idea to enlist the help of a financial advisor.
___________________
This article originally appeared on the personal finance website NerdWallet. Alana Benson is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: abenson@nerdwallet.com.
RELATED LINKS:
NerdWallet: What Is a High-Interest Savings Account? http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-interest-savings
NerdWallet: Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Definition, How It Works & How to Start One http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-ira
NerdWallet: What Is Investment Management, and Do You Need It? http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-investment-manage
NerdWallet: How to Choose a Financial Advisor http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-advisor-choice


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Greece to boost military amid tension with neighbor Turkey

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - Greece will be bolstering its military with new armament programs , a boost to military personnel and the development of the country ’ s defense industry , the government spokesman said Monday , as a tense stand-off with neighboring Turkey has led to concerns of open conflict between the two NATO allies .
Ankara is currently facing off against Greece and Cyprus over oil and gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air forces to assert their competing claims in the region .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near daily basis , threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece , ” Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said .
“ We respond with political , diplomatic and operational readiness , determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights.
” Petsas said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would be announcing details of plans to upgrade the country ’ s military , during his annual state of the economy speech on Saturday .
“ We are in contact with friendly countries in order to reinforce the equipment of our armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Greece raised 2.5 billion euros ( $ 2.96 billion ) in a bond auction as the country seeks to increase military spending and raise funds for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
Greek media have reported the purchases may include French-made Rafale fighter jets and at least one French frigate .
Petsas said Mitsotakis would be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting in Corsica of European Union Mediterranean countries .
Last Saturday , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Greece to enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or face the consequences .
“ They ’ re either going to understand the language of politics and diplomacy , or in the field with painful experiences , ” he said .
On Monday , Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Turkey was the only regional country “ that threatens its neighbors with war.
” Speaking after a meeting with visiting Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo , Dendias said Greece was “ always ready to have dialogue with Turkey , but a dialogue based on international law , and on the only pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelf.
” However , he said , “ dialogue under threatening conditions is inconceivable.
” Greece and Turkey have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s , including once over exploration rights in the Aegean Sea .
The current dispute escalated when Turkey sent seismic research vessel Oruc Reis , accompanied by warships , to prospect for oil and gas reserves in an area between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete that Athens claims as its own continental shelf .
Greece sent its own warships to the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece will bolster its military with new arms, more personnel and by developing the country’s defense industry, the government said Monday, as a tense standoff with neighboring Turkey has led to concerns of open conflict between the two NATO allies.
Ankara is facing off against Greece and Cyprus over oil and gas exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Greece and Turkey have deployed naval and air forces to assert their competing claims.
“The Turkish leadership is unleashing, on a near daily basis, threats of war and makes provocative statements against Greece,” Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said. “We respond with political, diplomatic and operational readiness, determined to do whatever is necessary to protect our sovereign rights.”
Petsas said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis would be announcing details of plans to upgrade the country’s military during his annual state of the economy speech on Saturday.
Last week, Greece raised 2.5 billion euros ($2.96 billion) in a bond auction as the country seeks to increase military spending and raise funds for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Greek media have reported the purchases may include French-made Rafale fighter jets and at least one French frigate. Petsas said Mitsotakis would be meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting in Corsica of the European Union’s Mediterranean countries.
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan characterized Greece’s armed forces as “dilapidated” and called on Athens to seek a dialogue with Turkey. He also criticized the EU, which has backed EU member Greece in the dispute.
“I advise those who, instead of sitting around the table with us, show defiance with their dilapidated military forces, to carefully inspect our diplomatic efforts and military operations of the past four years,” Erdogan said following a Cabinet meeting.
“Turkey will continue to follow a determined and active policy in the eastern Mediterranean,” Erdogan said.
Last Saturday, Erdogan warned Greece to enter talks over conflicting eastern Mediterranean territorial claims or face the consequences.
“They’re either going to understand the language of politics and diplomacy, or in the field with painful experiences,” he said.
On Monday, a senior NATO official met with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and senior military officials in Ankara, and discussed the standoff as well as a NATO initiative aimed at avoiding the risk of accidents between the two allies.
Akar’s office said he told Gen. Stuart Peach, the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, that Turkey backs the NATO initiative, attaches importance to “dialogue and good neighborly relations” for the resolution of problems but that the country was determined to protect its rights in the eastern Mediterranean.
In Athens, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias said Turkey was the only regional country “that threatens its neighbors with war when they want to exercise their legal rights - in blatant violation of the U.N. Charter.”
He added Turkey “has a clear choice: dialogue without threats or sanctions.”
Greece and Turkey have come to the brink of war three times since the mid-1970s, including once over exploration rights in the Aegean Sea.
The current dispute escalated when Turkey sent seismic research vessel, the Oruc Reis, accompanied by warships, to prospect for oil and gas reserves in an area between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete that Athens claims as its own continental shelf.
Greece sent its own warships to the area and put its armed forces on alert.
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Derek Gatopoulos in Athens, Greece and Suzan Frazer in Ankara, Turkey, contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Police: 5 shot during J'Ouvert celebration in New York

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Five people , including a 6-year-old boy , were shot during a J ’ @ @ @ @ @ early Monday , police said .
News outlets reported the shooting happened as people gathered @ @ @ @ @ festivities , which are meant as a celebration of freedom from slavery .
The child @ @ @ @ @ shot , along with three men , according to news outlets .
All five went @ @ @ @ @ not considered to be life threatening .
Two men were arrested and two guns were @ @ @ @ @ Police Chief Terence Monahan tweeted .
He also called the shooting “ senseless ” and @ @ @ @ @ contact police .
J ’ Ouvert and West Indian Day festivities were scheduled to be @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , but it appeared some people still gathered in person .

NEW YORK (AP) - Five people, including a 6-year-old boy, were shot in an area where people had gathered for an overnight celebration known as J’Ouvert in New York early Monday, police said.
News outlets reported the shooting happened at an intersection in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood as people were out in the area for the festivities. But it’s unclear whether the shooting had any relationship to J’Ouvert, which is meant as a celebration of freedom from slavery.
It appears “we had two individuals pull out firearms and just start shooting at a crowd,” Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison told reporters.
The boy was shot in the leg, police said. A 47-year-old woman and three men, ranging in age from 34 to 45, also suffered gunshot wounds in their legs and feet.
All five were taken to a hospital with injuries not considered to be life threatening.
Two men were arrested and two guns were recovered, New York City Police Chief Terence Monahan tweeted. He also called the shooting “senseless” and asked anyone with information to contact police.
J’Ouvert and the West Indian American Day Parade later Monday were scheduled to be virtual this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it appeared some people still gathered in person.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--The Latest: Pakistan to start opening schools as cases fall

ISLAMABAD - Education officials in Pakistan say authorities will start reopening schools from Sept. 15 amid a steady decline in coronavirus deaths and infections .
Schools were closed in March when the government enforced a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus .
Authorities lifted curbs on most of the businesses in May , but schools remained closed across the country .
Officials said schools will reopen in Punjab and Sindh provinces from Sept. 15 and a formal announcement about opening of schools elsewhere was expected later Monday .
On Sunday , Pakistan reported three new deaths from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lowest number of daily fatalities in more five months .
Pakistan has reported 298,903 infections and 6,345 deaths since the pandemic began .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK - India now 2nd behind U.S. in reported virus cases amid economic pain HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : BUDAPEST , Hungary - The Hungarian government says it has registered 576 new cases of the coronavirus , the country ’ s highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic .
Monday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases to 8,963 since the pandemic began , with 625 deaths .
Hungary closed its borders to foreigners on Sept. 1 but has since announced a series of exceptions , including for citizens from the Czech Republic , Poland and Slovakia , as well as allowances for cultural and sporting events .
Hungary is scheduled to host the UEFA Super Cup final on Sept. 24 between Bayern Munchen and Sevilla at the Puskas Arena in Budapest .
Schools reopened across the country last week and pandemic-related measures in the education system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning , are being handled on a case-by-case basis .
CANBERRA , Australia - Australia says it has struck supply and production agreements with pharmaceutical companies worth 1.7 billion Australian dollars ( $ 1.2 billion ) over two potential COVID-19 vaccines .
Under the agreement announced Monday , Britain ’ s University of Oxford in collaboration with AstraZeneca and Australia ’ s University of Queensland working with CSL will provide more than 84.8 million vaccine doses for Australia ’ s population of 26 million people , almost entirely manufactured in the Australian city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Australians would have access to 3.8 million doses of the University of Oxford vaccine in January and February , it said .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said both vaccines would need to be proven safe and effective and meet all necessary regulatory requirements before being made available to the public .
Any vaccine would be free to all Australians .
SEOUL , South Korea __ South Korea has added 119 more cases of the coronavirus , its lowest daily jump in more than three weeks amid a downward trend in new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention said Monday the additional figures took the country ’ s total to 21,296 with 336 deaths .
It ’ s the fifth straight day the country ’ s daily jump has stayed under 200 .
The 119 additional cases are the lowest in kind since mid-August .
South Korea ’ s caseload had risen since early last month , with many associated with churches , restaurants and schools and an anti-government street rally in the greater Seoul area .
In late August , South Korea ’ s daily jump once marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gradually slowed down , largely thanks to toughened social distancing rules that restricts at dining at restaurants and bans gatherings at churches , night spots , after-school academics and fitness centers .
MELBOURNE , Australia - Australia ’ s hot spot Victoria state has recorded its lowest count of new COVID-19 cases in more than 10 weeks .
The state on Monday reported 41 news cases and nine deaths in the latest 24-hour period .
That was the lowest infection tally since 37 were recorded on June 26 in the early days of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections .
The state on Sunday announced a slight easing of restrictions in Melbourne that began in early August , but the country ’ s second-largest city will remain in lockdown until at least Oct. 26 .
The new infections bring the 14-day average in Victoria to 96 a day .
Victorian Premier Danial Andrews said the average would have to be brought below 50 before restrictions can be relaxed .
“ This is not about eradicating it , ” Andrews said .
“ We will finish up with cases and outbreaks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of such low numbers that we can probably put the lid on those and not have to put restrictions back on , ” Andrews said .

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico health officials are reporting 46 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus - the lowest daily number in the state since early April.
The new cases announced Monday bring the state’s total to 26,144. State health officials also said four more people have died from the virus.
According to state numbers, 807 people in New Mexico have died from COVID-19. There are 65 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico for the virus. That number may include individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 out of state but are currently hospitalized in New Mexico.
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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
- India now 2nd behind U.S. in reported virus cases amid economic pain
- Scientists are still trying to determine whether coronavirus antibodies shield someone from getting infected again and medical experts warn tests that check for them cannot be safely used to return workers to the office.
- United Kingdom implements quarantines on Greek island travelers as virus cases rise
- A teacher in Nigeria has helped students across the country, and internationally, learn math virtually during coronavirus restrictions.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Health Services is reporting 198 new COVID-19 infections this Labor Day.
No new deaths were reported. Instead, the department reports two “negative” deaths, meaning there was a change in the number of deaths that was previously reported.
So far, 5,219 people have died of the disease caused by the coronavirus, and there have been nearly 206,000 confirmed cases. Still, the state, once a national hot spot for infections, continues to see a downward trend in infections and hospitalizations.
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MISSOULA, Mont. — Laboratory results and law enforcement reports indicate methamphetamine use increased in Montana during the first months of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Missoulian reports Millennium Health found a 34% increase in urine samples testing positive for methamphetamine after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency March 13. The company compared results from Jan. 1 through March 12 with results from March 13 through May 31.
In Montana’s Yellowstone County, law enforcement tied increased meth use to violent crime. The county experience a 21% increase in homicides, robberies and aggravated assaults from March through July compared to that period in 2019.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida reported 1,838 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the lowest single-day number of new infections reported by state health officials since June 15.
But health officials across the state were waiting to see if the Labor Day weekend might produce an uptick in the number of coronavirus cases, as might have been the case following the Fourth of July holiday - when the largest single-day surge in new cases was reported about a week later.
To date, the state has recorded more than 648,200 cases of COVID-19.
The latest state data released by the Florida Health Department reflected 22 new deaths. That pushed down the average number of deaths over the past week to 99 a day - the lowest average since July 16. In all, the state has tallied 12,023 deaths linked to the virus since the outbreak began.
State officials said there were 3,160 people in hospitals with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19.
Most of the state’s beaches remained open through the Labor Day holiday, with umbrellas sprouting across many of the state’s most popular beaches.
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THESSALONIKI, Greece - A prosecutor in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki has ordered the police electronic crime squad to identify the organizers of a weekend anti-mask protest and investigate whether they should be prosecuted for incitement to a criminal act.
Monday’s decision came a day after some 2,500 people protested peacefully in Thessaloniki in a gathering organized on social media.
Demonstrators were strongly protesting the government’s decision for obligatory use of masks by schoolchildren when term starts again on Sept. 14, but also expressed opposition to the future use of a vaccine against COVID-19, as well as to compulsory tests for the disease.
Participants in Sunday’s demonstration had included a child carrying a placard that read “I won’t wear a muzzle.”
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Kentucky state representative announced that she has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Courier-Journal reported that State Rep. Attica Scott, a Louisville Democrat, said in a video posted to social media that she took the test last week and got the results back on Sunday.
Scott’s announcement came on the same day Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear announced a record number of positive coronavirus cases for the second straight week in Kentucky.
Beshear said the 4,742 confirmed cases for the week ending Sunday topped the record 4,503 cases from the previous week.
Health officials say there were 313 new cases recorded on Sunday, pushing the state total to at least 52,774. The three new deaths reported, brought the state’s total to at least 996.
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University’s Morgantown campus announced that in-person classes will be canceled on Tuesday, with nearly all undergraduate classes moving online on Wednesday.
The changes are a response to a recent increase in positive cases among students and a concern that cases may increase even more following reports of parties over the holiday weekend where groups should have been in quarantine.
The university placed 29 students on interim suspension on Sunday amid ongoing COVID-19 investigations. Additional sanctions are pending.
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MADRID - Fueled by a sharp surge of coronavirus contagion just as the school year opens, Spain has now officially more than half a million confirmed coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
The health ministry on Monday reported 26,560 new infections since its last report on Friday, or an average of 8,800 daily, bringing the total since February to 525,549. Most new cases show new symptoms and the spike is so far not overwhelming hospitals.
During the same period 29,516 people have died in Spain with the new coronavirus, although the real death toll is believed to be much higher given insufficient testing in March and April.
More than 8 million undergraduate students are heading to school starting from Monday under strict safety measures including mandatory masks, frequent hand-washing, classroom ventilation and smaller student groups.
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ROME - The number of new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours dropped by nearly 200 in Italy, but the number of tests performed plunged to the lowest in two weeks.
Fewer tests are often performed during weekends.
Italy’s high number of tests lately largely reflected tens of thousands of vacationers who underwent testing at airports or seaports, many of them returning from vacations in places where clusters of infections were detected.
Now, that influx of travelers is dwindling as families get ready for schools to reopen.
The Health Ministry reported that Italy’s total number of confirmed coronavirus infections stood at 278,784, with the addition of 1,108 on Monday. There were 12 deaths since the previous day, raising to 35,535 the toll of known dead in the pandemic in Italy.
Daily caseloads have been rising for five weeks now, after steadily dropping at the start of summer.
As of Monday, 142 COVID-19 patients occupied ICU beds. That’s about 100 more than in late July. But the first weeks of the pandemic saw that number top 4,000, and many hospitals, especially in northern Italy which bore the brunt of the outbreak, were overwhelmed.
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GENEVA - As school resumes for millions of children, the World Health Organization is appealing for people not to stigmatize kids who come down with COVID-19 or their families.
WHO emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said Monday that anyone can get this disease.
Ryan alluded to concerns and anxieties felt by many parents if their child were to contract the coronavirus, fearing they might become “pariahs” if the child’s illness leads to the entire class being sent home. He emphasized that schools, too, should not be left alone - and that public health authorities should work with them.
Depending on local conditions, Ryan said it’s important that public health authorities explain “what’s going to happen next” if an incident, case or cluster turns up in a school setting. And communities mustn’t rush to judge.
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JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has delayed plans to impose overnight curfews in 40 cities and towns hit hard by the coronavirus by 24 hours in order to “consult” with the communities.
In a news conference Monday, Netanyahu said the curfews will now go into effect on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and last until 5 a.m.
The government has been forced to take action after failing to contain an outbreak that has claimed more than 1,000 lives and remains at record levels of new infections.
Netanyahu announced the curfew plan on Sunday but decided against full lockdowns after an uproar by politically powerful religious leaders. Many of the hardest-hit communities are home to ultra-Orthodox populations.
The outbreak has raised fears of a nationwide lockdown during the upcoming Jewish New Year.
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GENEVA - The head of emergencies at the World Health Organization says governments that provide “politically motivated” information about the coronavirus pandemic could face a political backlash.
Dr. Michael Ryan said Monday that “trying to present oversimplified, simplistic solutions for people is not a long-term strategy that wins.” He told reporters in Geneva that “transparency, consistency, honesty” and admitting errors can build trust.
Ryan was speaking in general terms after being asked about conflicting messages sent by the Brazilian government over its COVID-19 response.
Ryan says coronavirus-related messages sometimes come with “political overtones” and he alluded to a saying that trust takes years to build but seconds to lose.
He says: “If communities perceive that they’re getting information that is being politically manipulated or that it has been managed in a way that is distorting evidence, then unfortunately that comes back to roost.”
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ROME - A doctor says the clinical condition of former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is starting to improve after he was hospitalized with pneumonia and COVID-19 last week.
Dr. Alberto Zangrillo, Berlusconi’s long-time personal doctor, said in a statement Monday that the 83-year-old media mogul, who has a history of heart problems, has pneumonia in both lungs. Zangrillo says Berlusconi’s overall condition “appears to be improving” and that his body has mounted “a specific robust immune response” associated with a reduction in inflammation.
Zangrillo heads the intensive care unit at San Raffaele hospital in Milan, but he has stressed that Berlusconi isn’t in intensive care but in isolation elsewhere in the hospital.
Zangrillo said last week that Berlusconi’s advanced age and his history of medical problems make him particularly vulnerable to the dangers of coronavirus infection.
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PARIS - Doctors have raised the alarm that nearly all the intensive care beds reserved for COVID-19 patients are in use in and around France’s second city of Marseille.
The Marseille Hospitals Medical Commission President Dominique Rossi told BFMTV on Monday that of the 70 designated intensive care beds in the Bouches-du-Rhone region, “between 65 and 67” are currently occupied.
New daily infections in France have averaged over 5,000 in recent days, raising fears of a second wave of the virus.
Rossi tweeted that the situation is tense, but that it isn’t as bad as at the height of the first wave, when the Bouches-du-Rhône department had up to 270 COVID-19 patients in intensive care.
Professor Lionel Velly, of the anesthesia-intensive care unit at Marseille’s La Timone hospital, says he fears there will soon be no more beds to accommodate the sick in Bouches-du-Rhône.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Danish Health Minister Magnus Heunicke says authorities have reduced the number of people who can gather in greater Copenhagen from 100 to 50.
Heunicke said Monday that the restriction is imposed with immediate effect in the Danish capital and its suburbs, and Odense, Denmark’s third largest city.
He says 230 new cases have been recorded since Sunday and that the number of infections is “the most worrying situation … since the spring.”
Overall, Denmark has reported 18,113 cases and 628 deaths. Most of the new cases were recorded in private homes and among young people.
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TEL AVIV, Israel - Israeli demonstrators have placed more than 1,000 empty chairs in a central Tel Aviv square in an eerie display symbolizing the local lives claimed by the coronavirus.
A red rose was laid on each empty chair Monday with black and white signs representing those killed by the virus.
Israel has recorded nearly 130,000 cases of the virus, with more than 26,000 still active. It recently has been reporting some 3,000 new cases each day.
The surge in cases has raised concerns that the country could be forced to declare a nationwide lockdown during the upcoming holiday period, a time of widespread travel and large family gatherings.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced overnight curfews in some 40 cities and towns hit hard by the coronavirus. But he backed away from reported recommendations for full lockdowns after an uproar by politically powerful religious politicians.
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AMSTERDAM - The coronavirus pandemic has proved to be the worst of times for an annual Dutch celebration of the works of 19th century British author Charles Dickens.
Organizers said Monday that this year’s edition of the Dickens Festival, which was to have been staged in December in the eastern town of Deventer, has been canceled.
Organizers say it would be impossible for visitors - and performers who dress up as Dickens characters during the two-day festival — to observe social distancing guidelines in Deventer’s narrow streets.
The event draws more than 100,000 visitors to the town each year.
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WARSAW, Poland - Doctors say Poland’s first double lung transplant COVID-19 patient is feeling fine and will be going home this week.
Doctors who treated 45-year-old Grzegorz Lipinski said Monday that the double transplant was the only way to save him after the virus almost totally his lungs.
Lipinski is head of the medical instruments sterilization room at a hospital in Tychy, southern Poland, that only treats COVID-19 patients. He was initially treated there then was moved to the University Hospital in Krakow, where he was put on the ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, which is a system that performs the functions of the lungs.
He had the double transplant at the Silesia Center of Heart Diseases in Zabrze in July. Professor Marian Zembala, the center’s chief, says Lipinski is due to go home Tuesday.
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