washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Trump campaign ad accuses Joe Biden of playing to the 'radical left'

The Trump campaign released a new ad Thursday , accusing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden of embracing the “ radical left.
” The 30-second ad starts with a clip of Sen. Bernard Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont who ran against Mr. Biden in the primary .
“ Many of the ideas we fought for , that just a few years ago were considered radical , are now considered mainstream , ” Mr. Sanders says in the video .
The senator ’ s signature proposal has been a government-run “ Medicare for All ” plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although Mr. Biden is not an advocate of that plan .
The ad goes on to list several policies that Mr. Biden does support , including raising taxes , banning fossil fuels and granting amnesty for undocumented immigrants .
“ Bernie ’ s right .
Joe Biden embraced the policies of the radical left , ” a narrator says .
The new ad comes as the virtual Democratic National Convention is set to wrap up Thursday night with Mr. Biden accepting the party ’ s nomination for president .
While prominent progressives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York spoke at the DNC , some have been frustrated that Republicans endorsing Mr. Biden have been given so much time to speak .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez used her 60-second speech to nominate Mr. Sanders and did not mention Mr. Biden .
The DNC had asked her to second the nomination as a procedural matter , since Mr. Sanders crossed the delegate threshold .

The Trump campaign released a new ad Thursday, accusing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden of embracing the “radical left.”
The 30-second ad starts with a clip of Sen. Bernard Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist from Vermont who ran against Mr. Biden in the primary.
“Many of the ideas we fought for, that just a few years ago were considered radical, are now considered mainstream,” Mr. Sanders says in the video.
The senator’s signature proposal has been a government-run “Medicare for All” plan to radically reconstruct the American health care system, although Mr. Biden is not an advocate of that plan.
The ad goes on to list several policies that Mr. Biden does support, including raising taxes, banning fossil fuels and granting amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
“Bernie’s right. Joe Biden embraced the policies of the radical left,” a narrator says.
The new ad comes as the virtual Democratic National Convention is set to wrap up Thursday night with Mr. Biden accepting the party’s nomination for president.
While prominent progressives such as Mr. Sanders and freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York spoke at the DNC, some have been frustrated that Republicans endorsing Mr. Biden have been given so much time to speak.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez used her 60-second speech to nominate Mr. Sanders and did not mention Mr. Biden. The DNC had asked her to second the nomination as a procedural matter, since Mr. Sanders crossed the delegate threshold.
She has congratulated Mr. Biden.
Congratulations, @JoeBiden - I deeply look forward to fighting for our future together and reclaiming our democracy in November.
Thank you @DemConvention for having me deliver Sen. Sanders’ roll call nomination speech.
It’s been an absolute honor.#NotMeUs & #Biden2020 🇺🇸 https://t.co/dJN1FUQfix — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 19, 2020
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Police open homicide case in death of man found in street

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Kansas City police investigators have opened a homicide investigation into what @ @ @ @ @ hit-and-run death after finding a man in the street covered in blood .
Officers were @ @ @ @ @ Linwood and Elmwood avenues around 3 a.m. Thursday and found the man badly injured , @ @ @ @ @ release .
The man was rushed to a hospital , where he later died .
@ @ @ @ @ was determined the man ’ s injuries were not from a hit-and-run crash , and @ @ @ @ @ homicide .
Police have not released the victim ’ s name .
Officials are offering @ @ @ @ @ any information leading to an arrest .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City police investigators have opened a homicide investigation into what police originally thought was a hit-and-run death after finding a man in the street covered in blood.
Officers were called to the area of Linwood and Elmwood avenues around 3 a.m. Thursday and found the man badly injured, police said in a news release. The man was rushed to a hospital, where he later died.
At the hospital, it was determined the man’s injuries were not from a hit-and-run crash, and police declared his death a homicide.
Police have not released the victim’s name. Officials are offering a $25,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Toxic tea: Multiple Russians hit by suspected poisonings

MOSCOW ( AP ) - When Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny collapsed in an airplane bathroom Thursday , his supporters immediately suspected poisoning .
If true , he wouldn ’ t be the first prominent , outspoken Russian to be the target of toxic attack .
Here are some other people who ’ ve criticized the Kremlin and then fallen victim to suspected poisonings : A former agent for the KGB and post-Soviet successor agency FSB , Col. Alexander Litvinenko defected from Russia in 2000 and fled to London , where he fell violently ill six years later after drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died after three weeks .
A British inquiry found that Russian agents had killed Litvinenko , probably with President Vladimir Putin ’ s approval .
Russia denied any involvement .
Before his death , Litvinenko told journalists that the FSB was still operating a secret Moscow poisons laboratory dating from the Soviet era .
He was one of several former Russian intelligence officers to accuse Moscow of being behind the dioxin poisoning of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko during his 2004 election campaign .
At the time of Litvinenko ’ s poisoning , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist Anna Politkovskaya three weeks earlier .
An investigative journalist , Politkovskaya had written critically about abuses by Russian and pro-Moscow Chechen forces fighting separatists in Chechnya – work that earned her repeated death threats .
In 2004 , she fell severely ill and lost consciousness after drinking a cup of tea .
She said she was deliberately poisoned to prevent her from covering the 2004 seizure of a school in southern Russia by Islamic separatists .
Two years later , Politkovskaya was shot to death outside her Moscow apartment building , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West .
Five men were sentenced for carrying out the killing but no one was convicted for ordering it .
Opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. was hospitalized with poisoning symptoms twice , in 2015 and 2017 .
A journalist and associate of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov , who was shot and killed in 2015 while crossing a bridge near the Kremlin , and oligarch-turned-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky , Kara-Murza nearly died from kidney failure in the first incident .
He suspects poisoning but no cause has been determined .
He was taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness in 2017 and put into a medically induced coma .
His wife said doctors confirmed he was poisoned .
Kara-Murza survived , and police have refused requests to investigate the case , according to his lawyer .
A Russian spy who became a double agent for Britain , Sergei Skripal fell ill in the British city of Salisbury in 2018 .
Authorities said Skripal and his adult daughter , Yulia , were poisoned with the military grade nerve agent Novichok .
The two spent weeks in critical condition .
Britain put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow denied any role .
Putin called Skripal a “ scumbag ” of no interest to the Kremlin because he was tried in Russia and exchanged in a spy swap in 2010 .
Britain charged two Russian men with the poisoning .
They claimed they had visited Salisbury as tourists and denied any involvement in the attack , which came amid revelations about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign .
Verzilov , a member of Russian protest group Pussy Riot , ended up in an intensive care unit after a suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flown to Berlin for treatment .
German doctors treating him said a poisoning was “ highly plausible.
” He eventually recovered .
Verzilov , his partner and two other Pussy Riot members had served jail time earlier that year for running onto the field during soccer ’ s World Cup final in Moscow to protest excessive Russian police powers .
He has also served time on other charges that he calls politically motivated .

MOSCOW (AP) - When Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny collapsed in an airplane bathroom Thursday, his supporters immediately suspected poisoning.
If true, he wouldn’t be the first prominent, outspoken Russian to be the target of toxic attack. Here are some other people who’ve criticized the Kremlin and then fallen victim to suspected poisonings:
ALEXANDER LITVINENKO
A former agent for the KGB and post-Soviet successor agency FSB, Col. Alexander Litvinenko defected from Russia in 2000 and fled to London, where he fell violently ill six years later after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210.
He died after three weeks. A British inquiry found that Russian agents had killed Litvinenko, probably with President Vladimir Putin’s approval. Russia denied any involvement.
Before his death, Litvinenko told journalists that the FSB was still operating a secret Moscow poisons laboratory dating from the Soviet era. He was one of several former Russian intelligence officers to accuse Moscow of being behind the dioxin poisoning of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko during his 2004 election campaign.
At the time of Litvinenko’s poisoning, he had been investigating the killing of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya three weeks earlier.
ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA
An investigative journalist, Politkovskaya had written critically about abuses by Russian and pro-Moscow Chechen forces fighting separatists in Chechnya – work that earned her repeated death threats.
In 2004, she fell severely ill and lost consciousness after drinking a cup of tea. She said she was deliberately poisoned to prevent her from covering the 2004 seizure of a school in southern Russia by Islamic separatists.
Two years later, Politkovskaya was shot to death outside her Moscow apartment building, a slaying that drew widespread condemnation in the West. Five men were sentenced for carrying out the killing but no one was convicted for ordering it.
VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA
Opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. was hospitalized with poisoning symptoms twice, in 2015 and 2017.
A journalist and associate of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was shot and killed in 2015 while crossing a bridge near the Kremlin, and oligarch-turned-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Kara-Murza nearly died from kidney failure in the first incident. He suspects poisoning but no cause has been determined.
He was taken to a hospital with a sudden, similar illness in 2017 and put into a medically induced coma. His wife said doctors confirmed he was poisoned. Kara-Murza survived, and police have refused requests to investigate the case, according to his lawyer.
SERGEI AND YULIA SKRIPAL
A Russian spy who became a double agent for Britain, Sergei Skripal fell ill in the British city of Salisbury in 2018. Authorities said Skripal and his adult daughter, Yulia, were poisoned with the military grade nerve agent Novichok. The two spent weeks in critical condition.
Britain put the blame squarely on Russian intelligence, but Moscow denied any role. Putin called Skripal a “scumbag” of no interest to the Kremlin because he was tried in Russia and exchanged in a spy swap in 2010.
Britain charged two Russian men with the poisoning. They claimed they had visited Salisbury as tourists and denied any involvement in the attack, which came amid revelations about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.
PYOTR VERZILOV
Verzilov, a member of Russian protest group Pussy Riot, ended up in an intensive care unit after a suspected poisoning in 2018 and had to be flown to Berlin for treatment.
German doctors treating him said a poisoning was “highly plausible.” He eventually recovered.
Verzilov, his partner and two other Pussy Riot members had served jail time earlier that year for running onto the field during soccer’s World Cup final in Moscow to protest excessive Russian police powers. He has also served time on other charges that he calls politically motivated.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--NH towns, cities can require masks for voters, workers

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - Communities can require that both voters and poll workers wear face coverings on Election Day to prevent the spread of the coronavirus , according to state officials .
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald and Secretary of State Bill Gardner released a 10-page document Wednesday with guidance for the Sept. 8 primary and Nov. 3 general election .
They said they agreed with town moderators that decisions about mask requirements should be made locally given the wide variation in the size of polling places , expected volume of voters and other factors .
Communities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , provide alternatives for those who can ’ t or won ’ t comply , the officials said .
While the officials said they believe towns likewise have the right to require poll workers to wear masks , they also highlighted the “ risk of a legal challenge ” and urged local officials to consult their attorneys .
They noted that some voters may feel uncomfortable encountering unmasked poll workers , and that it may be hard to attract sufficient workers without a mandate .
The guidance also clarifies issues around absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for voting absentee .
Municipalities can set up dropboxes to collect absentee ballots from those who don ’ t mail their ballots - both before Election Day and on Election Day - but the boxes must be staffed by election workers .
Towns and cities can not use the “ drive-up ” voting method that some towns used to adopt their town and school budgets this spring and summer .
As of Wednesday , more than 7,000 people have tested positive for the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
Three new deaths were announced , for a total of 427 .
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire decreased over the past two weeks from 23 new cases per day on Aug. 4 to 22 new cases per day on Aug. 18 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Struggling restaurant owners asked a state task force Thursday to both reduce restrictions aimed at controlling the coronavirus and increase efforts to educate the public about them.
John Dunn, director of operations at Michael Timothy’s Dining Group, told the governor’s Economic Reopening Task Force that state officials need to do more to explain to the public why masks are required when entering, exiting and moving about restaurants.
“All of the enforcement of this is being placed on our hospitality workers. We have some young workers who are coming against some people who are very adamant about not wearing a mask and are abusive to staff,” he said.
Dunn’s company operates five restaurants in Nashua, Merrimack and Portsmouth. And while they’ve been thankful for this summer’s dry, warm weather, it won’t last long, he warned, and the end of outdoor dining will cut business in half. Currently, restaurants in Rockingham, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Strafford counties are limited to 50% of their capacity indoors.
“We need to start looking at how we can improve our seating capacity within the restaurants safely,” he said.
Both points were echoed by Jay Bolduc, managing operator of the T-Bones and Cactus Jack’s restaurants.
“We’re hoping the leadership of the state of New Hampshire is open to helping us survive this fall and winter,” he said. “And that might mean allowing a better balance with capacity restrictions or barriers, or other safety initiatives that are available in our restaurants, like expanded (ventilation systems) that continuously pump air in.”
Later, several of the task force members expressed frustration that restrictions on many businesses haven’t been lifted despite favorable trends in the number of people testing positive for the virus, hospitalizations and deaths. They unsuccessfully pressed public health officials to describe specific metrics that would trigger the lifting of restrictions.
“What is an acceptable mortality rate? Obviously zero is what we desire. What is an acceptable infection rate?” said state Sen. Bob Guida, R-Warren. “What do we use and who’s making the call on when release businesses from these restrictions that are harming them?”
“There is no magic number that releases us from all restrictions,” said Patricia Tilley, deputy director of the state Division of Public Health.
State Rep. Jeffrey Salloway, D-Lee, suggested waiting a few weeks to see how the return of college students to campuses affects the state’s virus numbers. Being too cautious harms businesses, he said, but rushing to reopen costs lives.
“We on this task force walk on a knife edge,” he said.
In other coronavirus-related developments:
___
ELECTION SAFETY
Communities can require that both voters and poll workers wear face coverings on Election Day to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, according to state officials.
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald and Secretary of State Bill Gardner released a 10-page document Wednesday with guidance for the Sept. 8 primary and Nov. 3 general election. They said they agreed with town moderators that decisions about mask requirements should be made locally given the wide variation in the size of polling places, expected volume of voters and other factors.
Communities that require face coverings for voters must, however, provide alternatives for those who can’t or won’t comply, the officials said.
While the officials said they believe towns likewise have the right to require poll workers to wear masks, they also highlighted the “risk of a legal challenge” and urged local officials to consult their attorneys. They noted that some voters may feel uncomfortable encountering unmasked poll workers, and that it may be hard to attract sufficient workers without a mandate.
The guidance also clarifies issues around absentee voting, which has been temporarily expanded to allow the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for voting absentee. Municipalities can set up dropboxes to collect absentee ballots from those who don’t mail their ballots - both before Election Day and on Election Day - but the boxes must be staffed by election workers.
Towns and cities can not use the “drive-up” voting method that some towns used to adopt their town and school budgets this spring and summer.
___
THE NUMBERS
As of Thursday, 7,050 have tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, an increase of 14 from the previous day. One new death was announced, for a total of 428. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire decreased over the past two weeks from 28 new cases per day on Aug. 5 to 21 new cases per day on Aug. 19.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia or death.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Motorist killed in rollover crash in Lebanon, Maine

LEBANON , Maine ( AP ) - A motorist was killed when his vehicle went off the road , crashed @ @ @ @ @ rolled over in Lebanon , state police said .
The male driver was the only @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead at the scene Wednesday morning , state police said .
His identity @ @ @ @ @ notification of the victim ’ s family .

LEBANON, Maine (AP) - A motorist was killed when his vehicle went off the road, crashed into a stone wall and rolled over in Lebanon, state police said.
The male driver was the only occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene Wednesday morning, state police said. His identity was not immediately released pending notification of the victim’s family.
The crash remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--The Latest: Napoli says Andrea Petagna positive for virus

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : Napoli says forward Andrea Petagna @ @ @ @ @ .
Petagna is asymptomatic and had the test after his brother tested positive .
Napoli @ @ @ @ @ January but he remained on loan at the rival Serie A club until the end @ @ @ @ @ goalkeeper Antonio Mirante said Wednesday that he has the coronavirus and Cagliari announced that three @ @ @ @ @ positive .

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
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East Carolina has paused football activities indefinitely after a coronavirus cluster was reported within the team as well as within a campus residence hall.
The school announced the move Thursday, saying there had been 10 positives associated with the football team and seven associated with Clement Hall.
In a statement, East Carolina’s athletics department said affected individuals would be isolated and contact tracing used to determine close contacts for quarantine.
Athletics director Jon Gilbert said the decision to pause football activities came after consulting with medical staff and reviewing those test results.
___
South Carolina has been approved by the state to permit 20,000 fans at football games this fall, about a quarter of capacity at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The athletic department announced the approval for its fall venues, including the football stadium, which has a listed seating capacity of 80,250.
The Gamecocks open the season at home against Tennessee on Sept. 26.
The athletic department said it will follow Southeastern Conference guidelines for health and safety, including wearing a face covering at all South Carolina venues. The department said it will discourage tailgating and prohibit the use of tents at athletic events.
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North Carolina State says it’s still “progressing with the expectation to compete” in fall sports as the school goes to online-only courses for undergraduates.
The school’s athletics department issued a statement Thursday, shortly after Chancellor Randy Woodson announced the school would shut down in-person undergraduate instruction as of Monday.
In an open letter, Woodson said the school won’t close on-campus housing. That came after the school identified three coronavirus clusters as well as reporting more than 500 students were in quarantine and isolation through “aggressive” contact tracing.
The athletics statement says athletes can continue to hold practices and workouts while the school works with the Atlantic Coast Conference and health officials “towards the safest and most responsible course of action.”
ACC rival North Carolina announced a move to remote instruction for undergraduate courses earlier this week.
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Notre Dame announced five football players have tested positive in two rounds of coronavirus testing this week.
The athletic department said the football program decided to test twice this week in light of the university’s decision Tuesday to move to remote learning because of a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. A total of 232 tests were done.
The five players who tested positive are in isolation. Through contact tracing, six other players have been placed in quarantine.
The football team has conducted 851 coronavirus tests since June 18, with nine positive results.
The Fighting Irish did not practice for a second straight day. Another round of testing is set for Friday. The team said practices would resume based on the recommendation of the medical staff.
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Pittsburgh Pirates President Travis Williams has tested positive for COVID-19 and says he is “on the road to recovery.” He says he knows of no other positive tests within the organization.
He said in a statement Thursday he began feeling symptoms Monday night.
“Fortunately, however, I followed the critical health and safety protocols that we have put in place, including wearing a mask as required, maintaining safe social distance.” He adds that he has started isolating and is getting further tests.
Williams says the team has begun tracing to identify anyone with whom he may have been in contact. He adds that this does include players, coaches or support staff because the team had been on the road.
“I wanted to use my diagnosis as another reminder that we are all susceptible,” he said. “It is critical we all follow CDC guidelines and state mandates and have a heightened sense of self awareness in order to protect each other.”
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Torino says two players have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Serie A club has not revealed their names but says both players are asymptomatic and are currently self-isolating.
The positive cases were discovered from tests carried out before starting pre-season training.
Torino says three other players who were in close contact with the duo in the past few days will be subject to further testing.
Five other Serie A players have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past two days.
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Six UConn football players have tested positive for the new coronavirus, leading the school to suspend all team activities on Thursday.
UConn canceled its football season this month, but the team still had been practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays and doing weight training on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The school said other athletes who were in contact with the six players also have been placed in quarantine. It was not immediately clear if any of the infected football players were reflected in the 11 positive tests the university reported Wednesday among the entire student body.
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West Virginia’s season opener against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 12. will be held without fans because of the pandemic.
Athletic director Shane Lyons said Thursday the goal is “to have fans at Milan Puskar Stadium this season, but right now that is not possible.”
The school said in a statement only essential game operations personnel and families of the players and football staff will be allowed to attend.
West Virginia’s Big 12 home opener is Oct. 3 against Baylor.
In-person classes at West Virginia start Aug. 26 for freshmen, graduate and some professional students, while upperclassmen will start classwork online. Masks must be worn on campus.
The Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference are among six Football Bowl Subdivision leagues proceeding with plans to play this fall. The Big Ten and Pac-12 abandoned their fall season.
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Napoli says forward Andrea Petagna has tested positive for COVID-19.
Petagna is asymptomatic and had the test after his brother tested positive.
Napoli signed Petagna from Spal in January but he remained on loan at the rival Serie A club until the end of the season.
Roma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante said Wednesday that he has the coronavirus and Cagliari announced that three other players had also tested positive.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Woman killed, man charged after shooting in Lincoln

LINCOLN , Maine ( AP ) - A woman was killed and a man was charged with murder following a @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln , state police said Thursday .
Lincoln police discovered Pauline Taylor , 63 , @ @ @ @ @ a 911 call Wednesday evening from her home , said Katy England , state police @ @ @ @ @ her injuries and a second person was transported to a hospital , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ , 44 , of Lincoln , was announced Thursday morning .
State police didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ including potential motive for the shooting .
Maine State Police personnel remained at the residence @ @ @ @ @ .
It wasn ’ t clear on Thursday if Groves has an attorney .

LINCOLN, Maine (AP) - A woman was killed and a man was charged with murder following a shooting in the town of Lincoln, state police said Thursday.
Lincoln police discovered Pauline Taylor, 63, had been shot after receiving a 911 call Wednesday evening from her home, said Katy England, state police spokesperson. Taylor died from her injuries and a man was transported to a hospital, she said.
Adams Groves, 44, of Lincoln, was arrested after being released from the hospital, England said Friday. Groves was taken to jail, and it wasn’t clear if he had an attorney.
State police didn’t announce further details, including potential motive for the shooting. Maine State Police personnel remained at the residence as they continued their investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Maine's largest school district approves hybrid school plan

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - The largest school district in Maine has approved a plan for the coming @ @ @ @ @ in-person learning with remote instruction .
The Portland Board of Public Education unanimously approved the @ @ @ @ @ school year will begin on Sept. 14 .
The proposal calls for elementary students to @ @ @ @ @ on Oct. 13 .
The possibility of more in-person learning for middle schoolers is scheduled @ @ @ @ @ first trimester , school officials said .
The plan also calls for students in grades @ @ @ @ @ courses remotely four days a week and receive in-person instruction in a learning center one @ @ @ @ @ officials said they hope to “ maximize in-person learning time for students in grades 10-12 @ @ @ @ @ district has more than 6,700 students .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it has issued a citation of imminent health hazard to a Millinocket inn that was the site of a wedding associated with a coronavirus outbreak.
There are 32 cases of the virus associated with the wedding, Maine CDC director Nirav Shah.
Shah said the Big Moose Inn exceeded the state’s indoor gathering limit, among other violations of state rules. The citation does not carry an immediate fine, but a fine could result if the inn does not comply with the investigation.
Shah said the inn has signaled it will comply. One person is hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, which affected people age 4 to 78, he said.
“The median age is 42,” Shah said. “Most of the cases that have been detected thus far are individuals who are symptomatic.”
About 65 people attended the Aug. 7 event. A representative for the Big Moose Inn declined to comment.
In other news related to the coronavirus pandemic in Maine:
PORTLAND SCHOOLS
The largest school district in Maine has approved a plan for the upcoming school year that will mix in-person learning with remote instruction.
The Portland Board of Public Education unanimously approved the proposal on Wednesday. The school year will begin on Sept. 14.
The proposal calls for elementary students to return to school full time on Oct. 13. The possibility of more in-person learning for middle schoolers is scheduled to be reassessed after the first trimester, school officials said.
The plan also calls for students in grades 10 through 12 to take courses remotely four days a week and receive in-person instruction in a learning center one day a week. District officials said they hope to “maximize in-person learning time for students in grades 10-12 starting in October.”
The district has more than 6,700 students.
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JOBLESS CLAIMS
The number of claims for continued unemployment assistance in Maine dipped about 8% in the second week of August, though unemployment in the state remains high.
The Maine Department of Labor said Thursday there were more than 70,000 continued claims for assistance during the week. The number of individuals filing an initial claim was 1,500, which was about the same as the week that preceded it.
The labor department said it has paid about $1.38 billion in federal and state unemployment benefits since March 15. It said it’s also continuing to investigate for unemployment impostor fraud. The department said it canceled about 575 initial claims and 60 weekly certifications that were found to be fraudulent during the week that ended Aug. 15.
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CASES COUNT
Maine has had more than 4,200 reported cases of the virus. State public health officials announced an additional death from the virus on Thursday. The state has been the site of 128 deaths from the coronavirus.
The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
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BUSINESS GRANTS
The administration of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said Thursday it’s using $200 million in federal CARES Act dollars to help businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been disrupted by the pandemic. The governor’s office said the grants are intended to help “provide short-term relief to help stabilize Maine’s economy” and not to replace lost profits.
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SWAB SITES
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services and MaineHealth said Thursday they are launching five new “swab and send” sites to expand access to coronavirus testing. The sites in Damariscotta, Rockport, Brunswick, Norway and Farmington open next week.
The state now has 27 of the sites. The health department said in a statement that about 90% of Maine residents can now get tested within a half-hour of their home.
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BISHOP LETTER
Bishop Robert P. Deeley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland issued a letter to Maine Catholics stating that the diocese would continue to follow safety protocols as more people return to church.
Public Masses resumed on June 1. Deeley’s letter asked “those in vulnerable populations to continue to give serious consideration to whether you should be participating in public Masses at this time or, instead, making your spiritual communion online or on television.”
The letter also asked parishioners to remember that rules requiring masks and limiting large gatherings are intended to protect the community.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Sept. 11 Museum to re-open on 9/11 anniversary

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Nearly six months after the coronavirus forced its closure , the 9/11 Memorial Museum will be reopening on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks next month , first to those who lost loved ones and then to the general public , museum officials announced Thursday .
The memorial plaza had been open to the public with social distancing restrictions since early July , but the museum remained closed as did other cultural institutions .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said last week that museums would be allowed to reopen with restrictions starting later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleased to announce the reopening of the 9/11 Memorial Museum , a physical testament to the triumph of hope and our potential for resilience in the face of adversity and unfathomable loss , ” said Alice Greenwald , the 9/11 museum ’ s president and CEO .
The anniversary day reopening will be reserved for families of those killed in the 2001 attack and the 1993 World Trade Center attack .
The public will be able to visit starting Sept. 12 .
Pandemic restrictions will be in effect , such as a limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a requirement to wear masks .
The museum had always mandated visitors to get timed entry tickets in advance , which will continue now .
The museum said other measures had been implemented , such as Plexiglas dividers and hand-sanitizing stations , as well as temperature screenings for all , and a one-direction path through the facility .
Hours at the museum are being restricted to five days a week , from the seven days it had been opened before its shutdown in mid-March .
The museum will now be closed on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain closed to the public , and some services like coat check will not be available .

NEW YORK (AP) - Nearly six months after the coronavirus forced its closure, the 9/11 Memorial Museum will be reopening on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks next month, first to those who lost loved ones and then to the general public, museum officials announced Thursday.
The memorial plaza had been open to the public with social distancing restrictions since early July, but the museum remained closed, as did other cultural institutions. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said last week that museums would be allowed to reopen with restrictions starting later this month.
“We are extremely pleased to announce the reopening of the 9/11 Memorial Museum, a physical testament to the triumph of hope and our potential for resilience in the face of adversity and unfathomable loss,” said Alice Greenwald, the 9/11 museum’s president and CEO.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service announced Thursday that the museums on Liberty and Ellis islands will reopen Monday at 25% of their normal crowd capacity, though the Statue of Liberty’s interior and some parts of the museums will remain closed.
At the 9/11 museum, the anniversary day reopening will be reserved for families of those killed in the 2001 attack and the 1993 World Trade Center attack. The public will be able to visit starting Sept. 12.
Pandemic restrictions will be in effect, such as a limit of 25% of capacity, and a requirement to wear masks. The museum had always mandated visitors to get timed entry tickets in advance, which will continue now.
The museum said other measures had been implemented, such as Plexiglas dividers and hand-sanitizing stations, as well as temperature screenings for all, and a one-direction path through the facility.
Hours at the museum are being restricted to five days a week, from the seven days it had been opened before its shutdown in mid-March. The museum will now be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Some exhibition spaces will remain closed to the public, and some services like coat check will not be available.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Boston gang leader pleaded guilty to racketerring charge

BOSTON ( AP ) - The former second-in-command of a Boston-based chapter of the violent Almighty Latin Kings gang has @ @ @ @ @ , prosecutors said .
Alexis Peguero , 29 , pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to @ @ @ @ @ pattern of racketeering activity , more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy , according to @ @ @ @ @ attorney ’ s office in Boston .
He faces 20 years in prison at sentencing @ @ @ @ @ Peguero , a member of the the Devon Street Kings , produced music videos touting @ @ @ @ @ Kings , distributed controlled substances and threatened rival gang members , prosecutors alleged .
Peguero @ @ @ @ @ where members were beaten and violence against rival gangs was discussed and decided upon , @ @ @ @ @ was one of 62 purported people associated with the gang indicted last December .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ as a violent criminal enterprise with thousands of members across the nation , which distributes @ @ @ @ @ engages in violence against rivals .

BOSTON (AP) - The former second-in-command of a Boston-based chapter of the violent Almighty Latin Kings gang has pleaded guilty to racketeering charges, prosecutors said.
Alexis Peguero, 29, pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office in Boston.
He faces 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for Dec. 15.
Peguero, a member of the the Devon Street Kings, produced music videos touting his allegiance to the Latin Kings, distributed controlled substances and threatened rival gang members, prosecutors alleged. Peguero was also present during meetings where members were beaten and violence against rival gangs was discussed and decided upon, according to authorities.
He was one of 62 purported people associated with the gang indicted last December.
Federal prosecutors describe the Latin Kings as a violent criminal enterprise with thousands of members across the nation, which distributes drugs to generate revenue and engages in violence against rivals.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Stray bullet hits, wounds 4-year-old girl outside her home

ASBURY PARK , N.J. ( AP ) - A 4-year-old girl sitting with relatives outside her family ’ s apartment @ @ @ @ @ by a stray bullet , authorities said .
The shooting occurred around 1:35 p.m. Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ complex in Asbury Park , according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor ’ s Office .
@ @ @ @ @ the upper thigh area of her leg , and the bullet broke her femur .
@ @ @ @ @ has not been released , and authorities said she was expected to fully recover .
@ @ @ @ @ in the shooting .
It wasn ’ t clear who fired the shot or why @ @ @ @

ASBURY PARK, N.J. (AP) - A man accused of firing a shot that struck and seriously injured a 4-year-old girl as she sat with relatives outside her family’s apartment has been charged with attempted murder, authorities said.
Sciaire N. Jackson, 27, of Lakewood, also faces an aggravated assault count and weapons charges stemming from Tuesday’s shooting at the Boston Way Village complex in Asbury Park. The charges were announced Thursday by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, and it wasn’t known if Jackson has retained an attorney.
Jackson rode up on a bicycle and started firing a handgun at several people who were outside an apartment at the complex, Gramiccioni said. Another person, who has not been found by police, returned fire at Jackson, who was not struck.
One of the shots apparently fired by Jackson struck the girl in her upper thigh, and the bullet broke her femur, Gramiccioni said. The injury is not considered life-threatening.
The girl, whose name has not been released, was not targeted by Jackson, Gramiccioni said. A motive for the shooting has not been released, and no other injuries were reported.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Chinese electric car brand NIO looks at expansion abroad

BEIJING ( AP ) - Chinese electric car brand NIO plans to start expanding to Western markets next year and might export a battery-swapping service that could help it compete with rival Tesla , the company ’ s chairman said Thursday .
NIO , founded in 2014 , pushed back foreign plans due to the coronavirus pandemic , William Li told reporters .
He said the company is studying which market to start in and how to structure its operations .
“ Hopefully , in the second half of next year , we can start some small batch exploration in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Li said .
“ We would like to start with European countries.
” NIO Inc. is the most prominent premium-priced Chinese brand in a crowded electric vehicle industry with dozens of competitors including startups , state-owned automakers and joint ventures with foreign partners .
The ruling Communist Party has promoted electrics with multibillion-dollar subsidies that have made China the biggest EV market , accounting for about half of global sales .
Subsidies were due to end but have been extended through 2022 to help producers weather the pandemic .
NIO , whose early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baidu and Lenovo , has struggled financially , but Li said the company is more stable as sales improve .
The company lost $ 164 million in the quarter ending in June but said sales of its two SUV models , priced at up to 370,000 yuan ( $ 53,000 ) , rose to a record 10,331 .
A third model , a coupe , goes on sale in September .
Li said a potential competitive advantage is NIO ’ s service that allows owners to swap drained batteries instead of recharging them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery-swap stations in cities including Beijing and Shanghai .
Li said that if NIO decides to offer that service in Western markets , it could help the company compete with Tesla in crowded cities such as New York and Chicago where owners park in the street or can not set up a charging point at home .
“ A lot of people need this battery swap because they can not install a charger at home , ” Li said .

BEIJING (AP) - Chinese electric car brand NIO plans to start expanding to Western markets next year and might export a battery-swapping service that could help it compete with rival Tesla, the company’s chairman said Thursday.
NIO, founded in 2014, pushed back foreign plans due to the coronavirus pandemic, William Li told reporters. He said the company is studying which market to start in and how to structure its operations.
“Hopefully, in the second half of next year, we can start some small batch exploration in countries where EVs are popular,” Li said. “We would like to start with European countries.”
NIO Inc. is the most prominent premium-priced Chinese brand in a crowded electric vehicle industry with dozens of competitors including startups, state-owned automakers and joint ventures with foreign partners.
The ruling Communist Party has promoted electrics with multibillion-dollar subsidies that have made China the biggest EV market, accounting for about half of global sales. Subsidies were due to end but have been extended through 2022 to help producers weather the pandemic.
NIO, whose early investors included Chinese tech giants Tencent, Baidu and Lenovo, has struggled financially, but Li said the company is more stable as sales improve.
The company lost $164 million in the quarter ending in June but said sales of its two SUV models, priced at up to 370,000 yuan ($53,000), rose to a record 10,331. A third model, a coupe, goes on sale in September.
Li said a potential competitive advantage is NIO’s service that allows owners to swap drained batteries instead of recharging them. The company has set up 143 battery-swap stations in cities including Beijing and Shanghai.
Li said that if NIO decides to offer that service in Western markets, it could help the company compete with Tesla in crowded cities such as New York and Chicago where owners park in the street or cannot set up a charging point at home.
“A lot of people need this battery swap because they cannot install a charger at home,” Li said.
___
NIO Inc.: www.nio.com


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--North Carolina couple linked to overdose death plead guilty

ABINGDON , Va. ( AP ) - A North Carolina doctor and his wife who were linked to a man ’ s overdose death in Virginia have pleaded guilty to federal drug charges .
Dr. David Francis Lelio , 57 , and Nadja Siiri Kujanson-Lelio , 50 , both of Charlotte , North Carolina , pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Abingdon , Virginia , to one count each of conspiracy to distribute prescription opioids , U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen ’ s Office said in a statement .
Lelio also pleaded guilty to an additional count of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that between 2016 and 2019 , Lelio wrote more than 60 prescriptions for oxycodone to patients without a legitimate medical purpose .
Some of those patients lived in Wythe County , Virginia .
Lelio would then share the prescriptions with his wife , who reimbursed the patients for the cost of filling the prescriptions , the U.S. Attorney ’ s office said .
Lelio later denied the allegations to authorities .
In February 2019 , the Wythe County Sheriff ’ s Office discovered the body of Michael Miles , 63 , of Charlotte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the agency said .
Deputies then found multiple prescriptions , including oxycodone , that were prescribed by Lelio , news outlets reported , citing the sheriff ’ s office .
The couple was set to be sentenced in December .

ABINGDON, Va. (AP) - A North Carolina doctor and his wife who were linked to a man’s overdose death in Virginia have pleaded guilty to federal drug charges.
Dr. David Francis Lelio, 57, and Nadja Siiri Kujanson-Lelio, 50, both of Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Abingdon, Virginia, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute prescription opioids, U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen’s Office said in a statement.
Lelio also pleaded guilty to an additional count of making a false statement.
Prosecutors alleged that between 2016 and 2019, Lelio wrote more than 60 prescriptions for oxycodone to patients without a legitimate medical purpose. Some of those patients lived in Wythe County, Virginia. Lelio would then share the prescriptions with his wife, who reimbursed the patients for the cost of filling the prescriptions, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Lelio later denied the allegations to authorities.
In February 2019, the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office discovered the body of Michael Miles, 63, of Charlotte, North Carolina, in a home, the agency said. Deputies then found multiple prescriptions, including oxycodone, that were prescribed by Lelio, news outlets reported, citing the sheriff’s office.
The couple was set to be sentenced in December.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Vermont man to be arraigned in shooting death of his father

MARSHFIELD , Vt. ( AP ) - A Marshfield man is expected to be arraigned Thursday in the shooting death @ @ @ @ @ State Police said .
The body of 71-year-old William Fink was discovered in his Marshfield @ @ @ @ @ responded to a 911 call by the victim ’ s wife Wednesday morning , police @ @ @ @ @ 33 , is expected to be arraigned on suspicion of second-degree murder , state police @ @ @ @ @ the home with his parents .
State Police investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a @ @ @ @ @ on William Fink is planned for Thursday at the Chief Medical Examiner ’ s Office @ @ @ @ @ was ordered held without bail pending arraignment .
It was not immediately known if he @ @ @ @ @ attorney .

MARSHFIELD, Vt. (AP) - A Marshfield man is expected to be arraigned Thursday in the shooting death of his father, Vermont State Police said.
The body of 71-year-old William Fink was discovered in his Marshfield home when law enforcement officials responded to a 911 call by the victim’s wife Wednesday morning, police said.
Samir Fink, 33, is expected to be arraigned on suspicion of second-degree murder, state police said. Fink lived in the home with his parents.
State Police investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a family dispute. An autopsy on William Fink is planned for Thursday at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington.
Samir Fink was ordered held without bail pending arraignment. It was not immediately known if he is being represented by an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Cory Booker says Dems need to drive voter turnout, calls 'apathy' an enemy of democracy

Sen. Cory A. Booker said Thursday that Democrats need to not only convince Americans to support presumptive presidential nominee Joseph @ @ @ @ @ also actually participate in the election .
“ I think the biggest persuasion we need @ @ @ @ @ come out and vote in the first place , ” the New Jersey Democrat said @ @ @ @ @ Good Morning America.
’ “ Apathy is one of the greatest enemies of democracy.
” @ @ @ @ @ needs to “ be a healer ” in his last speech Thursday night at the @ @ @ @ @ senator is hoping to help with that message , as the DNC convention wraps up @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re at a point in America where we need to … generate a @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Booker said .
Mr. Booker said he ’ s concerned about much of @ @ @ @ @ leading up to the election , included recent policy changes at the Postal Service , @ @ @ @ @ press on .
”

Sen. Cory A. Booker said Thursday that Democrats need to not only convince Americans to support presumptive presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, but to also actually participate in the election.
“I think the biggest persuasion we need is to convince people to come out and vote in the first place,” the New Jersey Democrat said on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America.’ “Apathy is one of the greatest enemies of democracy.”
Mr. Booker said Mr. Biden needs to “be a healer” in his last speech Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention.
The senator is hoping to help with that message, as the DNC convention wraps up.
“I really believe we’re at a point in America where we need to … generate a revival of civic grace,” Mr. Booker said.
Mr. Booker said he’s concerned about much of President Trump’s behavior leading up to the election, included recent policy changes at the Postal Service, but believes Americans can “press on.”
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Springsteen drummer appointed to planning and zoning board

DELRAY BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - Max Weinberg , the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the bandleader for Conan O ’ Brien ’ s Late Night and The Tonight Show , has been appointed to a local planning and zoning board in the Florida city where he lives .
Weinberg , 69 , told The Palm Beach Post he ’ s looking forward to serving Delray Beach during the two-year term .
He said he plans to thoroughly review plans that come before the board .
“ You owe that to the community , ” Weinberg said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach developed in a way that takes into consideration all of the different viewpoints .
You need to look at these plans from every angle.
” He was recommended for the board post by Commissioner Juli Casale , who said she met Weinberg while campaigning last year .
“ I was impressed with his knowledge and vision of real estate and development , ” she said .
“ I love Springsteen .
Who doesn ’ t ?
But this appointment was not made because of his music prowess.
” Weinberg , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1974 , told the Post that community decisions , like music , can have a lasting effect .
“ Bruce used to ask the question : Why do they call it a record ?
It is because it will last forever , ” Weinberg explained .
“ Forty years from now , people will listen to Born to Run .
He put a tremendous amount of time and effort into writing those songs .
It is the same with planning and zoning board decisions .
They will have lasting impacts.
” Weinberg has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years and has appeared before planning committees across the country .
He said he has encountered planning and zoning board members that were not as “ thorough or as prepared ” as they should have been .
On his application for the appointment , Weingberg wrote : “ I ’ d like to serve the community with an eye to the future growth and livability of the city .
I am a long range thinker , a necessary requirement of the position .
As a property owner and as an individual with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the city , I have followed with interest the desires of the various constituencies that comprise the city .
All need to be heard and have their applications reasonably and thoroughly evaluated.
” Weinberg has been involved in a number of real estate deals in Palm Beach County .
He and his wife , Becky , sold a five-bedroom , Mediterranean-style house in Palm Beach for $ 6.79 million in April 2018 .
In 2017 , he bought a British Colonial in Delray Beach , where he currently lives , for $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed for $ 5.2 million .
Weinberg , who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band in 2014 , said he plans to remain in Delray Beach .
“ We love it here .
It has a great small-town feel but , at the same time , it is a city.
” An earlier version of this report had an incorrect spelling of Weinberg ’ s name .

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Max Weinberg, the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen and the bandleader for Conan O’Brien’s Late Night and The Tonight Show, has been appointed to a local planning and zoning board in the Florida city where he lives.
Weinberg, 69, told The Palm Beach Post he’s looking forward to serving Delray Beach during the two-year term. He said he plans to thoroughly review plans that come before the board.
“You owe that to the community,” Weinberg said. “I want to see Delray Beach developed in a way that takes into consideration all of the different viewpoints. You need to look at these plans from every angle.”
He was recommended for the board post by Commissioner Juli Casale, who said she met Weinberg while campaigning last year.
“I was impressed with his knowledge and vision of real estate and development,” she said. “I love Springsteen. Who doesn’t? But this appointment was not made because of his music prowess.”
Weinberg, who was hired as Springsteen’s drummer in 1974, told the Post that community decisions, like music, can have a lasting effect.
“Bruce used to ask the question: Why do they call it a record? It is because it will last forever,” Weinberg explained. “Forty years from now, people will listen to Born to Run. He put a tremendous amount of time and effort into writing those songs. It is the same with planning and zoning board decisions. They will have lasting impacts.”
Weinberg has bought or built nearly 40 houses over the years and has appeared before planning committees across the country. He said he has encountered planning and zoning board members that were not as “thorough or as prepared” as they should have been.
On his application for the appointment, Weingberg wrote: “I’d like to serve the community with an eye to the future growth and livability of the city. I am a long range thinker, a necessary requirement of the position. As a property owner and as an individual with a vested interest in the future growth of the city, I have followed with interest the desires of the various constituencies that comprise the city. All need to be heard and have their applications reasonably and thoroughly evaluated.”
Weinberg has been involved in a number of real estate deals in Palm Beach County. He and his wife, Becky, sold a five-bedroom, Mediterranean-style house in Palm Beach for $6.79 million in April 2018. In 2017, he bought a British Colonial in Delray Beach, where he currently lives, for $4 million. That house is now listed for $5.2 million.
Weinberg, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band in 2014, said he plans to remain in Delray Beach.
“We love it here. It has a great small-town feel but, at the same time, it is a city.”
___
An earlier version of this report had an incorrect spelling of Weinberg’s name.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Report: Chinese mining company used COVID-19 vaccine in PNG

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - A Chinese mining company in Papua New Guinea claims to have immunized employees against COVID-19 in an apparent vaccination trial , a newspaper reported on Friday .
The South Pacific island nation ’ s Health Minister Papua Jelta Wong said his department was investigating the claim by Ramu NiCo Management ( MCC ) Ltd. , The Australian reported .
National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning banned COVID-19 vaccine testing or trials in Papua New Guinea on Thursday and later noted the Department of Health had not approved any trials .
“ Any vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NDoH and must go through vigorous vaccine trials , protocols and procedures ” and must be pre-qualified by the World Health Organization , Manning said in a statement on Friday .
Wong did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday .
Ramu ’ s office in the Papua New Guinea city of Madang could not be contacted .
A document on company letterhead entitled “ Vaccination Statement ” said 48 Chinese employees “ have been vaccinated with SARS-COV-2 vaccine ” on Aug. 10 .
The statement was sent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the vaccine could cause false-positive test results in those who received it , the newspaper said .
Manning has written to Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing seeking “ immediate clarification of the Chinese government ’ s position regarding the vaccination statement.
” Australia , which is Papua New Guinea ’ s nearest neighbor and largest provider of foreign aid , had learned the China may have begun trialing a coronavirus vaccine in the region using employees of state-owned enterprises , the newspaper reported .
Australian government officials did not immediately respond to requests @ @ @ @ @

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Papua New Guinea blocked the arrival of a flight carrying workers from China after a Chinese mine operator said its employees were given a coronavirus vaccine in a possible unauthorized trial, authorities said Friday.
The Pacific nation’s pandemic response controller, David Manning, banned COVID-19 vaccine trials after Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Ltd. said it vaccinated Chinese employees.
Pharmaceutical companies in China and other countries are racing to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus. A Chinese drug company is testing a vaccine on volunteers in Indonesia. But none has been approved for general use.
Manning said he ordered a flight carrying 180 Chinese workers turned back Thursday as a precaution. He said he acted “in the best interests of our people” because of “possible risks or threat that it might cause.”
Manning said he wanted more information from the Chinese government.
In Beijing, a foreign ministry spokesman said he had no information about Papua New Guinea but defended China’s drug development.
Chinese vaccine research “carries out evaluation of safety and effectiveness and ethical review strictly,” spokesman Zhao Lijian said. He said “emergency use” also might be allowed to “maximize the health of the people.”
Papua New Guinea, a poor country of 9 million people in Melanesia, north of Australia, has reported 361 coronavirus cases and four deaths. Infections have surged in the past month. A curfew is being enforced in the capital, Port Moresby, in an attempt to stop the spread.
The vaccine was administered to the 48 Chinese in China three days before they landed in Port Moresby on Aug. 13, according to Health Minister Jelta Wong.
“Details of the vaccine used … are still not known,” Wong said in an email to The Associated Press.
Manning said the National Department of Health had not approved any trials. He said any vaccines required approval by the World Health Organization and had to undergo “vigorous vaccine trials, protocols and procedures.”
Wong said no applications for such a trial had been received by his government.
A document on the mine company’s letterhead titled “Vaccination Statement” said 48 Chinese employees “have been vaccinated with SARS-COV-2 vaccine” on Aug. 10.
The statement was sent to the Papua New Guinea Health Department and advised that the vaccine could cause false-positive test results in those who received it.
Manning has written to Chinese Ambassador Xue Bing seeking “immediate clarification of the Chinese government’s position regarding the vaccination statement.”
Ramu is operated by Metallurgical Corp. of China, a subsidiary of state-owned China Metallurgical Group Corp.
Phone calls to Ramu’s office in the Papua New Guinea city of Madang and to MCC’s Beijing headquarters weren’t answered.
Australia, which is Papua New Guinea’s largest foreign aid donor, learned China may be testing a coronavirus vaccine in the region using employees of state-owned enterprises, The Australian newspaper reported.
Australian government officials did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.
It was unclear which Chinese producer supplied the vaccine.
State-owned China National Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., also known as SinoPharm, announced in July it gave experimental shots of a vaccine to its employees before the government approved testing in people.
In Indonesia, another Chinese company, Sinovac Biotech Ltd., began testing a vaccine this month on 1,620 volunteers in partnership with state-owned Bio Farma.
___
This story has been corrected to show that Papua New Guinea is in Melanesia, north of Australia.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Hawaii's unemployment rate drops slightly to 13.1% in July

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii ’ s unemployment rate declined slightly last month but large numbers of people continue @ @ @ @ @ because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said @ @ @ @ @ adjusted unemployment rate of 13.1 % in July , down from 13.4 % in June @ @ @ @ @ rate of just 2.4 % in March .
Hawaii had 105,000 fewer non-agricultural jobs in @ @ @ @ @ ago .
That ’ s a 16 % drop .
The pandemic has forced many @ @ @ @ @ the tourism industry that is the state ’ s biggest employer .
The department said @ @ @ @ @ shed jobs in July but the education and health services sectors added workers .
Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ this year at 23.8 % in April .
That was the first full month after @ @ @ @ @ order and began requiring travelers from out of state to quarantine themselves for 14 days @

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii’s unemployment rate declined slightly last month but large numbers of people continue to be out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said Thursday Hawaii had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 13.1% in July, down from 13.4% in June.
That compares to a rate of just 2.4% in March.
Hawaii had 105,000 fewer non-agricultural jobs in July compared to three months ago. That’s a 16% drop.
The pandemic has forced many hotels to close, crippling the tourism industry that is the state’s biggest employer.
The department said the tourism industry continued to shed jobs in July but the education and health services sectors added workers.
Hawaii’s unemployment rate peaked this year at 23.8% in April. That was the first full month after the governor issued a stay-at-home order and began requiring travelers from out of state to quarantine themselves for 14 days.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Official: Man wanted for 2018 Ohio slaying arrested in W.Va.

RIPLEY , W.Va. ( AP ) - A man wanted for a 2018 slaying in Ohio was arrested in West Virginia during a traffic stop , authorities said .
Deputies found Duane Eugene Griffin Jr. , of Akron , Ohio , in the passenger seat of a car when they stopped the vehicle for a violation in Jackson County on Wednesday morning , Jackson County Chief Deputy Ross Mellinger told WSAZ-TV .
Deputies said Griffin gave them a false name during the stop , leading them to bring him and the driver , Stephan Green , also from Akron , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Griffin ’ s real identity when they took his fingerprints , the news outlet reported .
Deputies also seized drugs , and a firearm they said could have been used in the 2018 homicide of Jordan Hopson .
Griffin has been booked on drug charges stemming from the traffic stop .
Authorities also have begun the process necessary to extradite him back to Ohio to be charged in Jordan ’ s slaying , Mellinger said .
It was not immediately clear if Green was also charged , or if Griffin had an attorney @ @ @ @

RIPLEY, W.Va. (AP) - A man wanted for a 2018 slaying in Ohio was arrested in West Virginia during a traffic stop, authorities said.
Deputies found Duane Eugene Griffin Jr., of Akron, Ohio, in the passenger seat of a car when they stopped the vehicle for a violation in Jackson County on Wednesday morning, Jackson County Chief Deputy Ross Mellinger told WSAZ-TV.
Deputies said Griffin gave them a false name during the stop, leading them to bring him and the driver, Stephan Green, also from Akron, in for further investigation. They found Griffin’s real identity when they took his fingerprints, the news outlet reported.
Deputies also seized drugs, and a firearm they said could have been used in the 2018 homicide of Jordan Hopson.
Griffin has been booked on drug charges stemming from the traffic stop. Authorities also have begun the process necessary to extradite him back to Ohio to be charged in Jordan’s slaying, Mellinger said.
It was not immediately clear if Green was also charged, or if Griffin had an attorney who could comment.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Andrew Yang, Julia Louis-Dreyfus mock mispronouncing Mike Pence name

Former presidential contender Andrew Yang and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus opened the Democratic National Convention on Thursday with comedic banter mocking people who mispronounce Kamala Harris ‘ name .
The scripted high jinks between Mr. Yang and Ms. Louis-Dreyfus via video-link for the virtual convention feigned their difficulty pronouncing Vice President Mike Pence ’ s name .
Ms. Louis-Dreyfus , the star of Veep and Seinfeld , kicked off the routine by asking Mr. Yang if he had seen Ms. Harris ’ s speech Wednesday when she accepted the 2020 Democratic vice presidential nomination .
Yang : It was tremendous !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louis-Dreyfus : I know , me too .
She ’ s fabulous .
I can not wait to see her debate our current vice president , Mika Pints — or is it Paints ?
Yang : It is pronounced Ponce , I believe .
Louis-Dreyfus : Oh , some kind of weird foreign name ?
Louis-Dreyfus : Yea , that ’ s what people are saying .
Strongly .
Well , thank you , Andrew .
And please , give my regards to the Gang .
Yang : I will .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The banter stood in stark contrast to Mr. Yang ’ s remarks a moment earlier when he bemoaned the crippling economic crisis engulfing America .
“ Seventy-two percent of Americans believe this is the worst time we have every experience and 42 % of the jobs that have been lost — millions of jobs — will never return .
We are in a deep dark hole and we need leaders who will dig us out , ” he said .
“ Our future is now and it is daunting.
” Mr. Yang , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000-a-month universal basic income , warned of continued pain and despair unless voters send pending Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden to the White House in November .
Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris “ understand the problems we now face , ” he said .

Former presidential contender Andrew Yang and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus opened the Democratic National Convention on Thursday with comedic banter mocking people who mispronounce Kamala Harris’ name.
The scripted high jinks between Mr. Yang and Ms. Louis-Dreyfus via video-link for the virtual convention feigned their difficulty pronouncing Vice President Mike Pence’s name.
Ms. Louis-Dreyfus, the star of Veep and Seinfeld, kicked off the routine by asking Mr. Yang if he had seen Ms. Harris’s speech Wednesday when she accepted the 2020 Democratic vice presidential nomination.
Yang: It was tremendous! I was so happy for her.
Louis-Dreyfus: I know, me too. She’s fabulous. I cannot wait to see her debate our current vice president, Mika Pints — or is it Paints?
Yang: It is pronounced Ponce, I believe.
Louis-Dreyfus: Oh, some kind of weird foreign name?
Yang: Yea, not very American sounding.
Louis-Dreyfus: Yea, that’s what people are saying. Strongly. Well, thank you, Andrew. And please, give my regards to the Gang.
Yang: I will. They’re right in the next room.
The banter stood in stark contrast to Mr. Yang’s remarks a moment earlier when he bemoaned the crippling economic crisis engulfing America.
“Seventy-two percent of Americans believe this is the worst time we have every experience and 42% of the jobs that have been lost — millions of jobs — will never return. We are in a deep dark hole and we need leaders who will dig us out,” he said. “Our future is now and it is daunting.”
Mr. Yang, who ran on a plan for $1,000-a-month universal basic income, warned of continued pain and despair unless voters send pending Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden to the White House in November.
Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris “understand the problems we now face,” he said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Keisha Lance Bottoms invokes John Lewis in DNC speech

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Thursday invoked the late Rep. John Lewis of Georgia to urge people watching the Democratic National Convention to get out and vote .
Ms .
Bottoms described Lewis , the civil rights icon and voting rights advocate who died last month , as “ our teacher , our friend , our conscience , our congressman.
” “ We have cried out for justice , we have gathered in our streets to demand change , and now , we must pass on the gift John Lewis sacrificed to give us , we must register and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bottoms said on the final night of the modified DNC .
Her comments preceded a tribute video to Lewis that featured comments from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , among others .
Ms .
Bottoms had been mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick for Joseph R. Biden .
She has clashed with Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , a Republican , over the state ’ s coronavirus response and said she feels “ really good ” after she said last month she had tested positive herself .
She also dealt with the fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black man who was shot and killed while fleeing police after being questioned on suspicions of drunk driving .
Atlanta ’ s police chief resigned and the officer who shot Brooks was fired .
Brooks ’ death came just weeks after the death of George Floyd , a Black man , while in Minneapolis police custody , which sparked protests across the country , some of which escalated into violent rioting and looting .

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Thursday invoked the late Rep. John Lewis of Georgia to urge people watching the Democratic National Convention to get out and vote.
Ms. Bottoms described Lewis, the civil rights icon and voting rights advocate who died last month, as “our teacher, our friend, our conscience, our congressman.”
“We have cried out for justice, we have gathered in our streets to demand change, and now, we must pass on the gift John Lewis sacrificed to give us, we must register and we must vote,” Ms. Bottoms said on the final night of the modified DNC.
Her comments preceded a tribute video to Lewis that featured comments from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among others.
Ms. Bottoms had been mentioned as a potential vice presidential pick for Joseph R. Biden.
She has clashed with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, over the state’s coronavirus response and said she feels “really good” after she said last month she had tested positive herself.
She also dealt with the fallout from the death of Rayshard Brooks, a Black man who was shot and killed while fleeing police after being questioned on suspicions of drunk driving.
Atlanta’s police chief resigned and the officer who shot Brooks was fired.
Brooks’ death came just weeks after the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody, which sparked protests across the country, some of which escalated into violent rioting and looting.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

AP PHOTOS: AP Week in Pictures, Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Toru Takahashi in Tokyo .

AUG. 14-20, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Toru Takahashi in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Tulsi Gabbard snubbed by DNC in break from tradition

Seven candidates won at least one pledged delegate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries .
Six gave speeches at the @ @ @ @ @ the seventh was Rep. Tulsi Gabbard .
Ms. Gabbard said Thursday evening that the convention @ @ @ @ @ the longstanding custom for unsuccessful presidential contenders .
“ You ’ re correct - I @ @ @ @ @ in any way , ” she wrote in response to a Twitter user who noted @ @ @ @ @ s Jake Tapper added on Twitter that , according to an interview with Ms. Gabbard @ @ @ @ @ why.
” The user whom Ms. Gabbard retweeted gave one possible explanation for the snub @ @ @ @ @ she would have accepted , the lack of invitation once again exposes the blatant DNC @ @ @ @ @ that have pursued Tulsi this entire time , ” wrote “ @ KeinanAlejo.
” Eventual @ @ @ @ @ whose record as a prosecutor Ms. Gabbard famously eviscerated during one debate , called her @ @ @ @ @ Syrian dictator Bashar Assad .

Seven candidates won at least one pledged delegate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.
Six gave speeches at the virtual convention this week; the seventh was Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.
Ms. Gabbard said Thursday evening that the convention snubbed her, contrary to the longstanding custom for unsuccessful presidential contenders.
“You’re correct - I was not invited to participate in any way,” she wrote in response to a Twitter user who noted the discrepancy.
CNN’s Jake Tapper added on Twitter that, according to an interview with Ms. Gabbard “she was not told why.”
The user whom Ms. Gabbard retweeted gave one possible explanation for the snub.
“Although I doubt she would have accepted, the lack of invitation once again exposes the blatant DNC bias and Hillary Clinton proxies that have pursued Tulsi this entire time,” wrote “@KeinanAlejo.”
Mrs. Clinton had called Ms. Gabbard a “Russian asset.”
Eventual vice presidential nominee Kamala D. Harris, whose record as a prosecutor Ms. Gabbard famously eviscerated during one debate, called her an “apologist” for Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Courts toss 2 initiatives, say 2 can stay on Arizona ballot

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a voter initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana will appear on the November ballot , but it blocked one that would ban surprise medical billing and prevent insurers from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions from the ballot .
Separately , a lower court judge ruled that backers of another initiative overhauling the state ’ s criminal sentencing laws failed to collect enough qualifying signatures to make the ballot .
The trio of decisions , along with another Supreme Court ruling from Wednesday reinstating an initiative that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding , means voters will likely see just two initiatives on the ballot .
The Invest in Education Act still needs the secretary of state to certify that proponents turned in enough qualifying signatures That ’ s expected Friday .
Backers of the measure see it as a way to pump about $ 940 million a year into the state ’ s underfunded school system .
It would impose a 3.5 % tax surcharge on income above $ 250,000 for an individual or above $ 500,000 for couples .
It is opposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Commerce and Industry , which argues the measure would harm small businesses because they usually pay taxes on individual tax returns .
Whether any initiatives would make the cut was in doubt in March , when the state coronavirus shutdown made it nearly impossible to collect the needed signatures for a slew of proposals to qualify for the ballot .
But easing restrictions in mid-May allowed petition circulators to get out on the streets , and backers of the four initiatives collected far more signatures than needed .
Challenges to the signatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billing initiative .
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Pamela S. Gates tossed the initiative last Friday after determining that more than 150,000 of the voter signatures collected by proponents were invalid for various reasons , including that many circulators didn ’ t appear in court .
That left proponents short of the 237,635 needed to make the ballot .
Gates also found that the 100-word summary of the initiative shown to people who had signed it was misleading and created a significant danger of confusion .
But the Supreme Court said it didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal of that ruling because of its ruling on signatures .
Opponents of the measure had cheered the ruling , saying it upholds the integrity of the state ’ s initiative system .
The measure was supported by a committee mainly backed by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West , a California-based union that funded most of the $ 6.7 million raised to promote the initiative .
The Supreme Court rejected efforts to block the marijuana legalization initiative , which had survived a lower court challenge .
The Smart and Safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Arizona for people 21 and over .
Opponents said its summary failed to outline a host of changes the initiative would make , including that its proposed 16 % excise tax on marijuana sales could not be raised , that it changes the law on marijuana DUI offenses , and cuts penalties for underage marijuana possession .
Superior Court Judge James D. Smith wrote on Aug. 7 that the principal provisions of the Smart and Safe Arizona Act were included in the summary while noting that lawyers for legalization foes took 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been included .
The measure overhauling the state ’ s criminal sentencing rules was kept on the ballot by a lower court judge on a similar challenge , but the secretary of state found proponents hadn ’ t turned in enough signatures .
The measure backed by a Quaker religious group would cut sentences for people convicted of non-dangerous offenses by 15 % to 50 % by allowing inmates to earn release credits.
, removing some mandatory sentencing rules and making several other changes to sentencing laws .
The Legislature has rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a voter initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana will appear on the November ballot, but it blocked one that would ban surprise medical billing and prevent insurers from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions from the ballot.
Separately, a lower court judge ruled that backers of another initiative overhauling the state’s criminal sentencing laws failed to collect enough qualifying signatures to make the ballot.
The trio of decisions, along with another Supreme Court ruling from Wednesday reinstating an initiative that would tax the wealthy to boost school funding, means voters will likely see just two initiatives on the ballot.
The Invest in Education Act still needs the secretary of state to certify that proponents turned in enough qualifying signatures That’s expected Friday.
Backers of the measure see it as a way to pump about $940 million a year into the state’s underfunded school system. It would impose a 3.5% tax surcharge on income above $250,000 for an individual or above $500,000 for couples.
It is opposed by a group backed by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which argues the measure would harm small businesses because they usually pay taxes on individual tax returns.
Whether any initiatives would make the cut was in doubt in March, when the state coronavirus shutdown made it nearly impossible to collect the needed signatures for a slew of proposals to qualify for the ballot. But easing restrictions in mid-May allowed petition circulators to get out on the streets, and backers of the four initiatives collected far more signatures than needed.
Challenges to the signatures led to the demise of the medical billing initiative.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Pamela S. Gates tossed the initiative last Friday after determining that more than 150,000 of the voter signatures collected by proponents were invalid for various reasons, including that many circulators didn’t appear in court. That left proponents short of the 237,635 needed to make the ballot.
The Supreme Court upheld that ruling Thursday.
Gates also found that the 100-word summary of the initiative shown to people who had signed it was misleading and created a significant danger of confusion. But the Supreme Court said it didn’t have to decide on the appeal of that ruling because of its ruling on signatures.
Opponents of the measure had cheered the ruling, saying it upholds the integrity of the state’s initiative system.
The measure was supported by a committee mainly backed by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, a California-based union that funded most of the $6.7 million raised to promote the initiative.
The Supreme Court rejected efforts to block the marijuana legalization initiative, which had survived a lower court challenge.
The Smart and Safe Arizona Act would legalize recreational marijuana use in Arizona for people 21 and over. Opponents said its summary failed to outline a host of changes the initiative would make, including that its proposed 16% excise tax on marijuana sales could not be raised, that it changes the law on marijuana DUI offenses,and cuts penalties for underage marijuana possession.
Superior Court Judge James D. Smith wrote on Aug. 7 that the principal provisions of the Smart and Safe Arizona Act were included in the summary while noting that lawyers for legalization foes took 25 pages to describe provisions they said should have been included.
The high court upheld that ruling Thursday
The measure overhauling the state’s criminal sentencing rules was kept on the ballot by a lower court judge on a similar challenge, but the secretary of state found proponents hadn’t turned in enough signatures.
The measure backed by a Quaker religious group would cut sentences for people convicted of non-dangerous offenses by 15% to 50% by allowing inmates to earn release credits., removing some mandatory sentencing rules and making several other changes to sentencing laws.
The Legislature has rejected many of the proposals in recent years.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Judge Michael Simon slams DHS targeting reporters in Portland riots

A federal judge delivered a stern scolding Thursday to Homeland Security over its behavior during the Portland riots , saying it appears agents and officers intentionally targeted reporters with tear gas and less-lethal munitions during clashes outside the courthouse .
Judge Michael H. Simon issued a preliminary injunction ordering federal officers not to harass anyone wearing a press pass , carrying professional journalistic gear or otherwise marking themselves as members of the media .
And he ordered the feds to come up with a system for attaching numbers to all federal officers and agents folks can identify anyone who breaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Judge Simon , an Obama appointee to the bench , specifically cited Ken Cuccinelli , the No .
2 official at Homeland Security , for seemingly flouting earlier rulings by calling them “ offensive ” and saying they wouldn ’ t affect how the department is doing business .
Judge Simon called those comments “ disdainful.
” “ The federal defendants have not recognized the wrongful nature of their conduct but instead assert that they have only engaged in lawful conduct .
They have not disciplined any federal agent or officer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lengthy opinion spanking the Trump administration .
He did say some protesters have been cloaking themselves as press and engaging in riotous behavior .
Those , he said , can still be arrested , as can anyone engaging in illegal activities .
But he said that shouldn ’ t be an issue because actual reporters have been warned to stay to the side of any actions or clashes , so law enforcement shouldn ’ t have difficulty separating journalists from protesters .
Reporters filed statements in the case saying they ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less-lethal weaponry aimed directly at them , in defiance of the judge ’ s earlier rulings .
“ Indeed , several of the witnesses have experience reporting in war zones around the world and at violent protests in Hong Kong , Oakland , and Seattle .
They emphasize how they have never been shot at or tear gassed until coming to Portland , ” the judge wrote .
The case arose earlier this summer after legal observers and reporters complained that local police were targeting them while they were trying to provide news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Simon issued orders directing local officers not to harass the press , and later expanded those directives to include federal officers .
Thursday ’ s ruling expands those directives in time and scope .
Federal officials said the directive isn ’ t necessary because their officers have taken a lower profile , now that local police have stepped up to protect the federal courthouse that had been the scene of so much violence during July .
But Judge Simon said federal officials have also said they could redeploy at any time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so if they do , the press won ’ t be endangered .
Earlier , the judge had pondered having the federal officers wear sports-style jerseys with numbers so they could be easily identified in cases of wrong-doing .
And he had suggested having the American Civil Liberties Union , which is leading the lawsuit , be in charge of licensing reporters in order to weed out protesters using fake press credentials as a tactic .
He backed away from both of those ideas , though has said the feds do need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their officers .

A federal judge delivered a stern scolding Thursday to Homeland Security over its behavior during the Portland riots, saying it appears agents and officers intentionally targeted reporters with tear gas and less-lethal munitions during clashes outside the courthouse.
Judge Michael H. Simon issued a preliminary injunction ordering federal officers not to harass anyone wearing a press pass, carrying professional journalistic gear or otherwise marking themselves as members of the media.
And he ordered the feds to come up with a system for attaching numbers to all federal officers and agents folks can identify anyone who breaks his orders and does target the press.
Judge Simon, an Obama appointee to the bench, specifically cited Ken Cuccinelli, the No. 2 official at Homeland Security, for seemingly flouting earlier rulings by calling them “offensive” and saying they wouldn’t affect how the department is doing business. Judge Simon called those comments “disdainful.”
“The federal defendants have not recognized the wrongful nature of their conduct but instead assert that they have only engaged in lawful conduct. They have not disciplined any federal agent or officer for any conduct,” he wrote in a lengthy opinion spanking the Trump administration.
He did say some protesters have been cloaking themselves as press and engaging in riotous behavior. Those, he said, can still be arrested, as can anyone engaging in illegal activities.
But he said that shouldn’t be an issue because actual reporters have been warned to stay to the side of any actions or clashes, so law enforcement shouldn’t have difficulty separating journalists from protesters.
Reporters filed statements in the case saying they’d been struck by rubber bullets and other less-lethal weaponry aimed directly at them, in defiance of the judge’s earlier rulings.
“Indeed, several of the witnesses have experience reporting in war zones around the world and at violent protests in Hong Kong, Oakland, and Seattle. They emphasize how they have never been shot at or tear gassed until coming to Portland,” the judge wrote.
The case arose earlier this summer after legal observers and reporters complained that local police were targeting them while they were trying to provide news coverage of the racial justice protests. Judge Simon issued orders directing local officers not to harass the press, and later expanded those directives to include federal officers.
Thursday’s ruling expands those directives in time and scope.
Federal officials said the directive isn’t necessary because their officers have taken a lower profile, now that local police have stepped up to protect the federal courthouse that had been the scene of so much violence during July.
But Judge Simon said federal officials have also said they could redeploy at any time, and he wants a blockade in place so if they do, the press won’t be endangered.
Earlier, the judge had pondered having the federal officers wear sports-style jerseys with numbers so they could be easily identified in cases of wrong-doing. And he had suggested having the American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the lawsuit, be in charge of licensing reporters in order to weed out protesters using fake press credentials as a tactic.
He backed away from both of those ideas, though has said the feds do need to come up with a system for identifying their officers.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-20--Minnesota Timberwolves get top pick in NBA draft lottery, with Golden State to select second and Cha

SECAUCUS , N.J. ( AP ) - Minnesota Timberwolves get top pick in NBA draft lottery , with Golden State @ @ @ @ @ third .

SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) - Minnesota Timberwolves get top pick in NBA draft lottery, with Golden State to select second and Charlotte third.
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