washingtontimes--2020-10-17--Trump, in Wisconsin, warns supporters that Biden and Harris will 'appease' rioters

JANESVILLE , Wis. — President Trump campaigned Saturday night in this community not far from the scene of racial-justice riots , and warned that Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden “ will appease the looters and anarchists ” if he ’ s elected president .
“ Do you want to vote for the candidate supported by anti-American rioters , or do you want to vote for the candidate supported by so many of our great people and heroes of law enforcement ?
” Mr. Trump asked supporters at an airport rally .
“ As long as I am president , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want people to be safe.
” Janesville is about 70 miles west of Kenosha , where rioters last month burned businesses and caused more than $ 50 million in damage after the police shooting of a Black man , Jacob Blake .
The president warned that Mr. Biden and running mate Sen. Kamala D. Harris would allow the left to dismantle police departments across the country .
“ This year more than 1,000 law-enforcement officers have been viciously attacked , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ Nobody talks about that .
The anti-police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party is really what causes a lot of this , too .
It puts police officers in harm ’ s way.
” The president said murders in Democratic-controlled cities have increased by more than 30 percent this year .
“ More than half of the victims are African Americans , ” he said .
“ Joe Biden and the left ignore these American victims .
I never will .
We have done more for the Black community than any other president with the exception of Abraham Lincoln.
” Referring to reports this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received millions in foreign payments while Mr. Biden was vice president , Mr. Trump again accused the Biden family of being “ a criminal enterprise.
” He said Mr. Biden was enriching his family while allowing Wisconsin manufacturing jobs to move overseas .
“ You elected an outsider to finally put America first , ” he said of himself .
With 17 days until Election Day , the president embarked Saturday on three-day campaign swing that is taking him to four crucial battleground states — Michigan , Wisconsin , Nevada and Arizona .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin by 6.3 percentage points in the Real Clear Politics average of polls .
Mr. Trump won the state in 2016 by one percentage point .
Early voting begins on Tuesday in Wisconsin .
Pointing to encouraging early voting results in Michigan , the president said “ something ’ s happening out there ” that isn ’ t showing up in polls yet .
“ You know what ?
We win Wisconsin , we win the whole ballgame , ” Mr. Trump said , smiling .
“ What the hell do you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freezing night ?
You think I ’ m doing this for my health ?
” Wisconsin is seeing a surge in cases of coronavirus .
The state ’ s Department of Health Services said nearly 4,000 new cases were confirmed on Friday – the highest daily number in the state since the start of the pandemic .
But the president claimed that “ we ’ re rounding the corner ” on the pandemic and urged the state ’ s leadership to “ open up ” the economy .
He pointed to his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 1 .
“ The vaccines are incredible .
And the cures — excuse me , I ’ m here , ” he said to a roar of approval .
Mr. Trump again suggested that he may have contracted the disease during a meeting at the White House late last month with Gold Star families , people who lost relatives in military service .
“ I can ’ t cancel these people , ” the president said .
“ You know it ’ s risky .
I have an obligation .
These meetings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure as hell , I caught it .
Now I ’ m immune .
I got better fast .
”

JANESVILLE, Wis. — President Trump campaigned Saturday night in this community not far from the scene of racial-justice riots, and warned that Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden “will appease the looters and anarchists” if he’s elected president.
“Do you want to vote for the candidate supported by anti-American rioters, or do you want to vote for the candidate supported by so many of our great people and heroes of law enforcement?” Mr. Trump asked supporters at an airport rally. “As long as I am president, we will never defund the police. I want people to be safe.”
Janesville is about 70 miles west of Kenosha, where rioters last month burned businesses and caused more than $50 million in damage after the police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake.
The president warned that Mr. Biden and running mate Sen. Kamala D. Harris would allow the left to dismantle police departments across the country.
“This year more than 1,000 law-enforcement officers have been viciously attacked,” Mr. Trump said. “Nobody talks about that. The anti-police rhetoric by Joe Biden and the Democrat Party is really what causes a lot of this, too. It puts police officers in harm’s way.”
The president said murders in Democratic-controlled cities have increased by more than 30 percent this year.
“More than half of the victims are African Americans,” he said. “Joe Biden and the left ignore these American victims. I never will. We have done more for the Black community than any other president with the exception of Abraham Lincoln.”
Referring to reports this week that Mr. Biden’s son Hunter received millions in foreign payments while Mr. Biden was vice president, Mr. Trump again accused the Biden family of being “a criminal enterprise.” He said Mr. Biden was enriching his family while allowing Wisconsin manufacturing jobs to move overseas.
“You elected an outsider to finally put America first,” he said of himself.
With 17 days until Election Day, the president embarked Saturday on three-day campaign swing that is taking him to four crucial battleground states — Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.
Mr. Biden is leading the president in Wisconsin by 6.3 percentage points in the Real Clear Politics average of polls. Mr. Trump won the state in 2016 by one percentage point.
Early voting begins on Tuesday in Wisconsin. Pointing to encouraging early voting results in Michigan, the president said “something’s happening out there” that isn’t showing up in polls yet.
“You know what? We win Wisconsin, we win the whole ballgame,” Mr. Trump said, smiling. “What the hell do you think I’m doing here on a freezing night? You think I’m doing this for my health?”
Wisconsin is seeing a surge in cases of coronavirus. The state’s Department of Health Services said nearly 4,000 new cases were confirmed on Friday – the highest daily number in the state since the start of the pandemic.
But the president claimed that “we’re rounding the corner” on the pandemic and urged the state’s leadership to “open up” the economy.
He pointed to his own recovery from COVID-19 after testing positive on Oct. 1.
“The vaccines are incredible. And the cures — excuse me, I’m here,” he said to a roar of approval.
Mr. Trump again suggested that he may have contracted the disease during a meeting at the White House late last month with Gold Star families, people who lost relatives in military service.
“I can’t cancel these people,” the president said. “You know it’s risky. I have an obligation. These meetings are so important to people. And sure as hell, I caught it. Now I’m immune. I got better fast.”
— Dave Boyer reported from Washington.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-17--Asia Today: Melbourne eases lockdown as cases decline

MELBOURNE , Australia ( AP ) - Australia ’ s second-largest city , Melbourne , has loosened lockdown restrictions as @ @ @ @ @ to decline .
From midnight Sunday , Melbourne residents will no longer face limits on @ @ @ @ @ away from their homes for education or recreation .
Previous restrictions allowing Melburnians to travel @ @ @ @ @ miles ) from home will increase at midnight to 25 kilometers ( 15 miles ) @ @ @ @ @ to 10 people from two households will be allowed and golf and tennis can resume @ @ @ @ @ two new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and no deaths .
The rolling 14-day average @ @ @ @ @ , the lowest in four months .
There were only 137 active cases across Victoria @ @ @ @ @ people receiving hospital treatment , none in intensive care .
Regulations will be further loosened @ @ @ @ @ partial reopening of shops , bars and restaurants .

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne, has loosened lockdown restrictions as new and active COVID-19 continue to decline.
From midnight Sunday, Melbourne residents will no longer face limits on the time they can spend away from their homes for education or recreation. Previous restrictions allowing Melburnians to travel only 5 kilometers (3 miles) from home will increase at midnight to 25 kilometers (15 miles).
Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people from two households will be allowed and golf and tennis can resume.
Victoria state reported only two new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and no deaths. The rolling 14-day average of cases dropped to eight, the lowest in four months.
There were only 137 active cases across Victoria state on Sunday with 12 people receiving hospital treatment, none in intensive care.
Regulations will be further loosened on Nov. 2 with the partial reopening of shops, bars and restaurants.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-10-17--33 inmates infected with coronavirus in Fairbanks prison

FAIRBANKS , Alaska ( AP ) - An outbreak of coronavirus has infected 33 inmates at a prison in Fairbanks , causing the facility to go into quarantine for 14 days , state officials said Saturday .
Thirty-two of the cases at the Fairbanks Correctional Center are men and one is a woman , the Alaska Department of Corrections said in a statement .
All of those infected were housed in the general population , the department said .
Other inmates are being tested for coronavirus , with results expected by Monday , the department said .
The inmates with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit of the prison .
The facility serves northern Alaska and has male and female inmates , some of whom are serving sentences and others of whom are awaiting trial .
The Department of Corrections “ has been proactive in preventing the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in our facilities even before the first positive case was identified in Alaska , ” said Nancy Dahlstrom , the department ’ s commissioner .
“ While we never wanted this day to come , the outbreak at FCC is an eventuality the Department has prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on protecting those at the facility who are most vulnerable and identifying any additional cases in the institution .
”

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - An outbreak of coronavirus has infected 33 inmates at a prison in Fairbanks, causing the facility to go into quarantine for 14 days, state officials said Saturday.
Thirty-two of the cases at the Fairbanks Correctional Center are men and one is a woman, the Alaska Department of Corrections said in a statement. All of those infected were housed in the general population, the department said.
Other inmates are being tested for coronavirus, with results expected by Monday, the department said.
The inmates with coronavirus are being isolated in a separate unit of the prison. The facility serves northern Alaska and has male and female inmates, some of whom are serving sentences and others of whom are awaiting trial.
The Department of Corrections “has been proactive in preventing the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in our facilities even before the first positive case was identified in Alaska,” said Nancy Dahlstrom, the department’s commissioner. “While we never wanted this day to come, the outbreak at FCC is an eventuality the Department has prepared for. Our focus at this point is on protecting those at the facility who are most vulnerable and identifying any additional cases in the institution.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-17--Arkansas Supreme Court rules to keep proposals on ballot

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that two proposed amendments will not be removed from the general election ballot next month , upholding a lower court ’ s decision to dismiss the case against the secretary of state .
Tom Steele , chairman of the Arkansas Term Limits committee , filed the lawsuit against Republican Secretary of State John Thurston in an effort to remove two separate ballot measures .
Steele argued that the ballot titles are misleading , insufficient and fail to inform voters of their specific proposals and , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the two amendments constitute manifest fraud .
Last month , Pulaski County Circuit Court dismissed the lawsuit , and Steele appealed that decision to the state Supreme Court , the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported .
The high court ruled Thursday that Steele ’ s appeal did not overcome the ” ‘ enormous hurdle ’ of the manifest fraud standard , ” the court said .
“ Thus , viewing the facts in the complaint in the light most favorable to Steele , we hold that the circuit court properly ruled that Issue 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of article 19 , section 22 of the Arkansas Constitution , ” the court concluded .
The court also ruled that the ballot titles “ sufficiently identify and distinguish the proposed amendments from others on the ballot and in the public.
” One proposed amendment , Issue 3 , would make it more difficult to qualify proposed constitutional amendments , initiated acts or referendum .
Another ballot measure , Issue 2 , would eliminate lifetime term limits for state lawmakers .
Steele ’ s attorney , David Couch , disagreed with the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ No voter will actually know what they are voting for when they cast their vote on Issues 2 and 3 , ” Couch said .
“ The Supreme Court permitted this deception by the politicians while during this same election cycle removed all three measures proposed by the people for a hyper-technical reason.
” Kevin Niehaus , a spokesman for Thurston , would not comment on the ruling .
Stephanie Sharp , a spokeswoman for Republican Attorney General Leslie Rutledge , said Rutledge is satisfied that the high court ruled that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision will give Arkansas voters the opportunity to consider both issues during this election , ” Sharp said .
The proposed amendments are the subject of another pending lawsuit in circuit court .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that two proposed amendments will not be removed from the general election ballot next month, upholding a lower court’s decision to dismiss the case against the secretary of state.
Tom Steele, chairman of the Arkansas Term Limits committee, filed the lawsuit against Republican Secretary of State John Thurston in an effort to remove two separate ballot measures.
Steele argued that the ballot titles are misleading, insufficient and fail to inform voters of their specific proposals and, as a result, the substantial changes made by the two amendments constitute manifest fraud. Last month, Pulaski County Circuit Court dismissed the lawsuit, and Steele appealed that decision to the state Supreme Court, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
The high court ruled Thursday that Steele’s appeal did not overcome the ”‘enormous hurdle’ of the manifest fraud standard,” the court said.
“Thus, viewing the facts in the complaint in the light most favorable to Steele, we hold that the circuit court properly ruled that Issue 2 and Issue 3 comply with the requirements of article 19, section 22 of the Arkansas Constitution,” the court concluded.
The court also ruled that the ballot titles “sufficiently identify and distinguish the proposed amendments from others on the ballot and in the public.”
One proposed amendment, Issue 3, would make it more difficult to qualify proposed constitutional amendments, initiated acts or referendum. Another ballot measure, Issue 2, would eliminate lifetime term limits for state lawmakers.
Steele’s attorney, David Couch, disagreed with the court’s decision in a statement.
“No voter will actually know what they are voting for when they cast their vote on Issues 2 and 3,” Couch said. “The Supreme Court permitted this deception by the politicians while during this same election cycle removed all three measures proposed by the people for a hyper-technical reason.”
Kevin Niehaus, a spokesman for Thurston, would not comment on the ruling.
Stephanie Sharp, a spokeswoman for Republican Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, said Rutledge is satisfied that the high court ruled that the proposed amendments are valid.
“This decision will give Arkansas voters the opportunity to consider both issues during this election,” Sharp said.
The proposed amendments are the subject of another pending lawsuit in circuit court.


washingtontimes--2020-10-17--Trump offers condolences to French president over terrorist attack

JANESVILLE , Wisc .
— President Trump offered condolences to French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday night over the grisly suspected terrorist attack on a teacher who was beheaded near Paris .
“ On behalf of the United States , I ’ d like to extend my sincere really sincere condolences to a friend of mine .
President Macron of France , where they had just yesterday a vicious Islamic terrorist attack , ” Mr. Trump said at a campaign rally here .
“ We ’ ve been very very strong on radical Islamic terrorism , ” Mr. Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several predominantly Muslim countries .
“ France is having a hard time .
Macron is a great guy , and I just want to say —whatever we can do.
” The suspect shot dead by police in France after the beheading of the history teacher near Paris was an 18-year-old Chechen refugee , authorities said Saturday .
France ’ s anti-terrorism prosecutor ’ s office said authorities investigating the killing of Samuel Paty on Friday arrested nine suspects , including the teen ’ s grandfather , parents and 17-year-old brother .
Paty had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muhammad with his class , leading to threats , police officials said .
Islam prohibits images of the prophet , asserting that they lead to idolatry .
The officials could not be named because they were not authorized to discuss ongoing investigations .
French anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said an investigation for murder with a suspected terrorist motive had been opened .
Mr. Ricard told reporters that the Moscow-born suspect , who had been granted a 10-year residency in France as a refugee in March , was armed with a knife and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His half-sister joined the Islamic State group in Syria in 2014 , Mr. Ricard said .
The prosecutor said a text claiming responsibility and a photograph of the victim were found on the suspect ’ s phone .
He also confirmed that a Twitter account under the name Abdoulakh A belonged to the suspect .
It posted a photo of the decapitated head minutes after the attack along with the message “ I have executed one of the dogs from hell who dared to put Muhammad down.
” Mr. Macron went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he called an “ Islamist terrorist attack.
” He urged the nation to stand united against extremism .
“ One of our compatriots was murdered today because he taught … the freedom of expression , the freedom to believe or not believe , ” Mr. Macron said .
— This article is based in part on wire-service reports .
Dave Boyer reported from Washington .

JANESVILLE, Wisc. — President Trump offered condolences to French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday night over the grisly suspected terrorist attack on a teacher who was beheaded near Paris.
“On behalf of the United States, I’d like to extend my sincere really sincere condolences to a friend of mine. President Macron of France, where they had just yesterday a vicious Islamic terrorist attack,” Mr. Trump said at a campaign rally here.
He called it “a horrible thing.”
“We’ve been very very strong on radical Islamic terrorism,” Mr. Trump said, noting his ban on migrants from several predominantly Muslim countries. “France is having a hard time. Macron is a great guy, and I just want to say —whatever we can do.”
The suspect shot dead by police in France after the beheading of the history teacher near Paris was an 18-year-old Chechen refugee, authorities said Saturday.
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said authorities investigating the killing of Samuel Paty on Friday arrested nine suspects, including the teen’s grandfather, parents and 17-year-old brother.
Paty had discussed caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad with his class, leading to threats, police officials said. Islam prohibits images of the prophet, asserting that they lead to idolatry. The officials could not be named because they were not authorized to discuss ongoing investigations.
French anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said an investigation for murder with a suspected terrorist motive had been opened.
Mr. Ricard told reporters that the Moscow-born suspect, who had been granted a 10-year residency in France as a refugee in March, was armed with a knife and an airsoft gun, which fires plastic pellets.
His half-sister joined the Islamic State group in Syria in 2014, Mr. Ricard said.
The prosecutor said a text claiming responsibility and a photograph of the victim were found on the suspect’s phone. He also confirmed that a Twitter account under the name Abdoulakh A belonged to the suspect. It posted a photo of the decapitated head minutes after the attack along with the message “I have executed one of the dogs from hell who dared to put Muhammad down.”
Mr. Macron went to the school on Friday night to denounce what he called an “Islamist terrorist attack.” He urged the nation to stand united against extremism.
“One of our compatriots was murdered today because he taught … the freedom of expression, the freedom to believe or not believe,” Mr. Macron said.
— This article is based in part on wire-service reports. Dave Boyer reported from Washington.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--American airstrikes violate peace pact, Taliban says; U.S. denies

Recent U.S. airstrikes in Helmand province and elsewhere in Afghanistan violate a peace agreement struck earlier this year , Taliban officials said Sunday in a sharp war of words with the Pentagon as bloodshed escalates across the country .
The renewed violence between the two sides is fueling questions about how long the landmark U.S.-Taliban peace deal , signed in February , can hold .
The agreement calls for a reduction in violence , but the Taliban in recent weeks has launched an aggressive military campaign on Helmand province .
The intense fighting between Taliban insurgents and the Afghan National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the U.S. to send in air support .
The Taliban claims the airstrikes represent a violation of the pact , known as the Doha agreement .
“ American forces have violated the Doha agreement in various forms by carrying out excessive airstrikes following the new developments in Helmand province , ” Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid tweeted .
U.S. military officials immediately responded and fiercely denied breaking the deal .
“ We categorically reject the Taliban ’ s claim the United States has violated the U.S.-Taliban Agreement .
U.S. airstrikes in Helmand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to be solely in defense of the ANDSF as they are being attacked by the Taliban , ” U.S .
Forces Afghanistan spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said in a series of tweets Sunday morning .
“ These strikes are consistent with both the U.S.-Taliban Agreement and the Joint Declaration between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States.
” “ The entire world has witnessed the Taliban ’ s offensive operations in Helmand — attacks which injured and displaced thousands of innocent Afghan civilians , ” Col. Leggett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for ALL SIDES to reduce the violence to allow the political process to take hold.
” The U.S.-Taliban agreement laid the groundwork for the U.S. to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan in exchange for promises that the Taliban would never again allow the country to be a safe haven for terrorist organizations such as al Qaeda .
The deal also laid out the conditions for prisoner swaps between the Taliban and Afghan government and called for direct talks between the two sides .
The Taliban and U.S.-backed Afghan government last month began their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respective military forces clash across the country .
Against that chaotic backdrop , the Pentagon is moving ahead with a reduction in troop levels .
There were roughly 12,000 U.S. service members in Afghanistan when the deal was finalized in February .
That number was quickly cut to about 8,500 , and military officials say it will soon be down to 4,500 .
President Trump said earlier this month that all troops may be home by Christmas , but other administration officials now say about 2,500 will still be in Afghanistan early next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the removal of all American forces by next spring or summer , though an exact exit date has not been established .

Recent U.S. airstrikes in Helmand province and elsewhere in Afghanistan violate a peace agreement struck earlier this year, Taliban officials said Sunday in a sharp war of words with the Pentagon as bloodshed escalates across the country.
The renewed violence between the two sides is fueling questions about how long the landmark U.S.-Taliban peace deal, signed in February, can hold. The agreement calls for a reduction in violence, but the Taliban in recent weeks has launched an aggressive military campaign on Helmand province.
The intense fighting between Taliban insurgents and the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) led the U.S. to send in air support. The Taliban claims the airstrikes represent a violation of the pact, known as the Doha agreement.
“American forces have violated the Doha agreement in various forms by carrying out excessive airstrikes following the new developments in Helmand province,” Taliban spokesperson Qari Muhammad Yousuf Ahmadi said in a statement.
U.S. military officials immediately responded and fiercely denied breaking the deal.
“We categorically reject the Taliban’s claim the United States has violated the U.S.-Taliban Agreement. U.S. airstrikes in Helmand and Farah [provinces] have been and continue to be solely in defense of the ANDSF as they are being attacked by the Taliban,” U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said in a series of tweets Sunday morning. “These strikes are consistent with both the U.S.-Taliban Agreement and the Joint Declaration between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States.”
“The entire world has witnessed the Taliban’s offensive operations in Helmand — attacks which injured and displaced thousands of innocent Afghan civilians,” Col. Leggett said. “We reiterate our call for ALL SIDES to reduce the violence to allow the political process to take hold.”
The U.S.-Taliban agreement laid the groundwork for the U.S. to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan in exchange for promises that the Taliban would never again allow the country to be a safe haven for terrorist organizations such as al Qaeda.
The deal also laid out the conditions for prisoner swaps between the Taliban and Afghan government and called for direct talks between the two sides. The Taliban and U.S.-backed Afghan government last month began their first face-to-face negotiations, even as their respective military forces clash across the country.
Against that chaotic backdrop, the Pentagon is moving ahead with a reduction in troop levels.
There were roughly 12,000 U.S. service members in Afghanistan when the deal was finalized in February. That number was quickly cut to about 8,500, and military officials say it will soon be down to 4,500.
President Trump said earlier this month that all troops may be home by Christmas, but other administration officials now say about 2,500 will still be in Afghanistan early next year.
The U.S.-Taliban deal calls for the removal of all American forces by next spring or summer, though an exact exit date has not been established.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--Pelosi sets 48-hour deadline for stimulus talks

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she has set a 48-hour deadline to reach an agreement with the Trump administration on coronavirus stimulus negotiations that can be implemented before Election Day .
Mrs. Pelosi told ABC ’ s “ This Week ” that she is “ hopeful ” a deal will get done before the deadline expires , and she disputed assertions that her lack of interaction with President Trump has affected the negotiations .
“ You want to meet with him , you meet with him .
But as far as I ’ m concerned , the speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of what the purpose of the meeting is , what the preparation is for and what the likely outcome of success would be , ” she said .
Mrs. Pelosi said the coronavirus relief talks are at loggerheads because she said she thinks the Trump administration believes it understands legislating better than Congress .
“ I ’ m optimistic because , again , we ’ ve been back and forth on all of this , ” Mrs. Pelosi said .
“ You know legislation ‘ shall ’ is different from ‘ may.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you say ‘ may , ’ you ’ re giving the president a slush fund.
” Whether the American people will get relief before Election Day is going to be determined by the Trump administration , the House speaker said .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday that she set a 48-hour deadline to reach agreement with the Trump administration on relief negotiations that can be implemented before Election Day.
Mrs. Pelosi disputed assertions that her lack of interaction with President Trump had affected the negotiations and told ABC’s “This Week” that the coronavirus relief talks are at loggerheads because the Trump administration believes it understands legislating better than Congress.
“I’m optimistic because again, we’ve been back and forth on all of this,” the California Democrat said. “You know legislation: ‘shall’ is different from ‘may.’ The difference amounts to this: When you say ‘may,’ you’re giving the president a slush fund.”
New polling in key battleground states of Arizona and Wisconsin, however, suggests that voters are blaming Mrs. Pelosi more than Mr. Trump.
The majority of respondents in Arizona and Wisconsin said Democrats in Congress are responsible for the lack of an additional economic relief package, according to a CBS News poll conducted by YouGov Oct. 13-16. Mr. Trump took blame for the stalled package from 40% of respondents in both Arizona and Wisconsin.
“The American people are worried about the stimulus package that Nancy Pelosi is holding up, checks going to people who are concerned, and she’s saying, ‘You know what, I’m going to look at the fine print, I don’t like this one word and I’m going to hold the American people hostage as I play political gamesmanship with their lives,’” Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said on “This Week.”
Mr. Trump told reporters Sunday evening while campaigning in Nevada that he thinks Mrs. Pelosi is “coming along” with the White House’s push for a new coronavirus stimulus package.
“We’re talking about it,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “I think Nancy Pelosi maybe is coming along, we’ll find out.”
The president said again that he wants “to do it at a bigger number than she wants” and that Republican lawmakers will go along with the proposed aid.
“That doesn’t mean all the Republicans agree with me, but I think they will in the end if she would go along, I think they would too,” Mr. Trump said. “So we’ll see what happens.”
If Mrs. Pelosi and the White House reach an agreement, Senate Republicans may prove to be an intractable obstacle. Some Senate Republicans facing tough reelection challenges have sounded more independent from Mr. Trump’s agenda as Election Day grows near.
In a meeting with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial board on Friday, Sen. John Cornyn said he told Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin that he had concerns about budget deficits and growing debt attributable to the coronavirus stimulus.
The Texas Republican said he chooses to voice such disagreements privately because doing so publicly has not done him much good, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Republicans have sought to shift the focus from what Senate Republicans would do next. Asked about concerns that the relief bill may be too large for Senate Republicans to stomach, Ms. McDaniel told ABC there was no package because of Mrs. Pelosi.
“This is all on Nancy Pelosi every day, all day,” she said. “She is hurting the American people for her political well-being.”
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--Mental health experts to pair with cops in northern Illinois

ROCKFORD , Ill. ( AP ) - Winnebago County sheriff ’ s deputies and Rockford police officers will pair with mental health experts when responding to emergency psychiatric and suicidal episodes as a new approach over arrests .
Law enforcement will team with Rosecrance crisis-intervention specialists to create a three-month pilot program , beginning next month , in efforts to divert people in psychiatric crises away from the criminal justice system and into treatment instead , Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said .
Each specially trained unit will include two officers from the city , two deputies from the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Rockford Register Star .
The pilot program will begin Nov. 1 .
“ We have long acknowledged the need to quickly help individuals who are experiencing a serious mental health episode , and through this pilot program we will identify how we can truly help individuals who need professional services , not jail , ” Caruana said in a news release .
Rockford Police Chief Dan O ’ Shea said the “ co-responder model ” is being adopted around the country to give law enforcement an alternative to arresting someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After a 911 call , law enforcement would secure an emergency scene before crisis workers assess the person and develop a plan for the next step , such as a referral for counseling or transport to a mental health facility .
Calls for changing how police respond to people in the middle of a mental health crisis have mounted in recent months .
Rockford officials asked for public comment following protests in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis in May after an officer pressed his knee onto the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several minutes .
Rockford police responded to 842 incidents involving suicidal or despondent people in the 12 months before Aug. 18 - an average of more than two emergency calls a day .
Dave Gomel , president of Rosecrance Health Network , said Rosecrance will help train the co-responder teams , which will include their employees , Rockford police and county deputies .
“ It ’ s really a compassionate way , it ’ s a medical way and it ’ s the right way to work with people in behavioral health crisis @ @ @ @ @

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - Winnebago County sheriff’s deputies and Rockford police officers will pair with mental health experts when responding to emergency psychiatric and suicidal episodes as a new approach over arrests.
Law enforcement will team with Rosecrance crisis-intervention specialists to create a three-month pilot program, beginning next month, in efforts to divert people in psychiatric crises away from the criminal justice system and into treatment instead, Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said.
Each specially trained unit will include two officers from the city, two deputies from the county and two Rosecrance crisis response workers, according to the Rockford Register Star. The pilot program will begin Nov. 1.
“We have long acknowledged the need to quickly help individuals who are experiencing a serious mental health episode, and through this pilot program we will identify how we can truly help individuals who need professional services, not jail,” Caruana said in a news release.
Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea said the “co-responder model” is being adopted around the country to give law enforcement an alternative to arresting someone experiencing a psychiatric episode or contemplating suicide. After a 911 call, law enforcement would secure an emergency scene before crisis workers assess the person and develop a plan for the next step, such as a referral for counseling or transport to a mental health facility.
Calls for changing how police respond to people in the middle of a mental health crisis have mounted in recent months. Rockford officials asked for public comment following protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis in May after an officer pressed his knee onto the handcuffed Black man’s neck for several minutes.
Rockford police responded to 842 incidents involving suicidal or despondent people in the 12 months before Aug. 18 - an average of more than two emergency calls a day.
Dave Gomel, president of Rosecrance Health Network, said Rosecrance will help train the co-responder teams, which will include their employees, Rockford police and county deputies.
“It’s really a compassionate way, it’s a medical way and it’s the right way to work with people in behavioral health crisis,” Gomel said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--U.N. arms embargo on Iran expires

U.N. arms embargo on Iran expires

An international arms embargo on Iran expired Sunday , marking a defeat for the Trump administration and opening the door for Tehran to potentially buy foreign weapons .
Iranian officials hailed the end of the United Nations ban , which was put in place a decade ago .
The expiration , in theory , allows Iran to buy weapons from other nations and export its own products to other nations .
“ A momentous day for the international community , ” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted .
“ Today ’ s normalization of Iran ’ s defense cooperation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause of multilateralism and peace and security in our region.
” Regional powers such as Saudi Arabia had publicly called for an extension of the ban , warning that its end represents a “ threat to peace and stability ” in the Middle East .
It ’ s unlikely that Iran immediately will be able to buy major new weapons systems .
The U.S. still has in place major economic sanctions on Tehran , and top administration officials have warned that nations doing business with Iran could face their own financial consequences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ global community ’ s approach to Iran is waning , raising questions about whether other countries will heed the administration ’ s warnings .
U.S. efforts earlier this year to extend the arms embargo failed at the U.N. A subsequent American push to reinstate all international economic sanctions on Iran also was brushed off by the rest of the world .
Those sanctions that had been lifted as part of a landmark 2015 agreement that offered economic relief in exchange for Iran giving up key aspects of its nuclear weapons program .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
America ’ s European allies argued that because of Mr. Trump ’ s exit from the deal , Washington has no basis to try to reimpose sanctions .
Britain , France and Germany remain committed to the survival of the Iran nuclear deal .

An international arms embargo on Iran expired Sunday, marking a defeat for the Trump administration and opening the door for Tehran to potentially buy foreign weapons.
Iranian officials hailed the end of the United Nations ban, which was put in place a decade ago. The expiration, in theory, allows Iran to buy weapons from other nations and export its own products to other nations.
“A momentous day for the international community,” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted. “Today’s normalization of Iran’s defense cooperation with the world is a win for the cause of multilateralism and peace and security in our region.”
Regional powers such as Saudi Arabia had publicly called for an extension of the ban, warning that its end represents a “threat to peace and stability” in the Middle East.
It’s unlikely that Iran immediately will be able to buy major new weapons systems. The U.S. still has in place major economic sanctions on Tehran, and top administration officials have warned that nations doing business with Iran could face their own financial consequences.
But Washington’s influence over the global community’s approach to Iran is waning, raising questions about whether other countries will heed the administration’s warnings.
U.S. efforts earlier this year to extend the arms embargo failed at the U.N. A subsequent American push to reinstate all international economic sanctions on Iran also was brushed off by the rest of the world. Those sanctions that had been lifted as part of a landmark 2015 agreement that offered economic relief in exchange for Iran giving up key aspects of its nuclear weapons program.
President Trump withdrew the U.S. from that agreement in 2018. America’s European allies argued that because of Mr. Trump’s exit from the deal, Washington has no basis to try to reimpose sanctions.
Britain, France and Germany remain committed to the survival of the Iran nuclear deal.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--Uganda's 'taxi divas' rise from COVID-19's economic gloom

KAMPALA , Uganda ( AP ) - The women grappled with each other inside the vehicle .
The driver jerked to ease the grip around her neck , then turned to elbow her attacker in the back seat .
She flung the door open to make her escape , ending the simulated attack .
“ This one is too strong for me , ” the attacker said , smiling and shaking her head .
Then it was another woman ’ s turn in the exercise to prepare drivers for Uganda ’ s new all-female ride-hailing service , Diva Taxi .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local woman who lost her logistics job at the start of the coronavirus outbreak , was launched in June and has recruited over 70 drivers .
They range from college students to mothers hoping to make good use of their secondhand Toyotas .
“ It started off as a joke , supported by close friends and family , but eventually the idea picked up , ” said company spokeswoman Rebecca Makyeli .
“ They said , ‘ Why not ?
As ladies , you know we can no longer slay on Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t we slay as divas with a cause.
’ So we called it Diva Taxi.
” It ’ s uncommon to find women taxi drivers in Uganda , a socially conservative East African country where most women labor on farms or pursue work in the informal sector .
Diva Taxis believes countless women are looking for job opportunities at a time of severe economic distress .
The International Labor Organization has said women ’ s employment in developing countries is likely to be hit harder than men ’ s in the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally affected by COVID , ” Diva Taxis founder Gillian Kobusingye said .
A regular traveler , she found herself grounded indefinitely as authorities imposed restrictions on movement to slow the spread of the virus .
For several weeks , even taxis were not authorized to operate in Uganda .
Still , Kobusingye felt optimistic .
“ Despite whatever circumstance in the world , there will be need of something to reach somebody … And how does that happen ?
Through transport , ” she said .
She believed that a woman seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to want the opportunity more than any man .
And she expected women to be more reliable .
“ Our ladies are extremely hardworking , very motivated , and I like their sense of pride when they do this work , ” she said .
“ They do it with one heart compared to other people , and that ’ s the difference we have with our competitors.
” “ The divas are always on time , ” said Kampala-based auditor Jemimah Bamwebaze , a regular user .
She also feels safer “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A prospective driver must have a car in good condition and a smartphone equipped with the mobile app that clients use , along with a valid driver ’ s license and a certificate of good conduct issued by Interpol .
With Diva Taxi , 85 % of proceeds from a trip go to the driver , strikingly low in Uganda but part of a plan to size up the market , Makyeli said .
Driver Donna Ochen , a FedEx accountant furloughed in March who looks after three children , said she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she saw a Diva Taxi employee on television discussing opportunities for women .
With the consent of her skeptical husband , she contacted the company and was recruited .
“ I decided to take it up because it would be an opportunity for me to serve and earn and support my family , ” Ochen said .
And “ it would empower me to do something for myself rather than sitting.
” Another driver , college student Tracy Abola , said her mother , a teacher , had been out of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Abola had been driving a 1998 Toyota “ to keep up appearances with friends ” until she learned she could make money with Diva Taxis .
“ So I decided to do something so that I can also help a bit at home , ” she said .
The Diva Taxi app has been downloaded at least 500 times , and each of the company ’ s 72 drivers makes an average of 30 rides each week , Makyeli said .
The company expects to have 2,000 active users by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a city of over 3 million people where taxis and passenger motorcycles are the main means of transport for the working class .
Despite the security training - each driver also receives a canister of pepper spray - safety remains a concern .
Ochen said she drives only during the day “ to avoid being caught up in any tricky situations , ” including with drunken groups .
Even as she hopes to return to her job as an accountant , she plans to remain a Diva Taxi driver for as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are doing and it ’ s really fun , ” said founder Kobusingye , an occasional driver herself .
“ I can ’ t wait to partner with every woman out there that ’ s willing to be part of Diva Taxi .
”

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - The women grappled with each other inside the vehicle. The driver jerked to ease the grip around her neck, then turned to elbow her attacker in the back seat. She flung the door open to make her escape, ending the simulated attack.
“This one is too strong for me,” the attacker said, smiling and shaking her head. Then it was another woman’s turn in the exercise to prepare drivers for Uganda’s new all-female ride-hailing service, Diva Taxi.
The taxi service, dreamed up by a local woman who lost her logistics job at the start of the coronavirus outbreak, was launched in June and has recruited over 70 drivers. They range from college students to mothers hoping to make good use of their secondhand Toyotas.
“It started off as a joke, supported by close friends and family, but eventually the idea picked up,” said company spokeswoman Rebecca Makyeli. “They said, ‘Why not? As ladies, you know we can no longer slay on Instagram on the outside, so why don’t we slay as divas with a cause.’ So we called it Diva Taxi.”
It’s uncommon to find women taxi drivers in Uganda, a socially conservative East African country where most women labor on farms or pursue work in the informal sector.
Diva Taxis believes countless women are looking for job opportunities at a time of severe economic distress. The International Labor Organization has said women’s employment in developing countries is likely to be hit harder than men’s in the pandemic.
“I should say I was personally affected by COVID,” Diva Taxis founder Gillian Kobusingye said.
A regular traveler, she found herself grounded indefinitely as authorities imposed restrictions on movement to slow the spread of the virus. For several weeks, even taxis were not authorized to operate in Uganda.
Still, Kobusingye felt optimistic. “Despite whatever circumstance in the world, there will be need of something to reach somebody … And how does that happen? Through transport,” she said.
She believed that a woman seeking to become a driver was more likely to want the opportunity more than any man. And she expected women to be more reliable.
“Our ladies are extremely hardworking, very motivated, and I like their sense of pride when they do this work,” she said. “They do it with one heart compared to other people, and that’s the difference we have with our competitors.”
Some clients agree.
“The divas are always on time,” said Kampala-based auditor Jemimah Bamwebaze, a regular user. She also feels safer “being driven by a fellow woman.”
A prospective driver must have a car in good condition and a smartphone equipped with the mobile app that clients use, along with a valid driver’s license and a certificate of good conduct issued by Interpol.
With Diva Taxi, 85% of proceeds from a trip go to the driver, strikingly low in Uganda but part of a plan to size up the market, Makyeli said.
Driver Donna Ochen, a FedEx accountant furloughed in March who looks after three children, said she had been “doing nothing” at home when she saw a Diva Taxi employee on television discussing opportunities for women. With the consent of her skeptical husband, she contacted the company and was recruited.
“I decided to take it up because it would be an opportunity for me to serve and earn and support my family,” Ochen said. And “it would empower me to do something for myself rather than sitting.”
Another driver, college student Tracy Abola, said her mother, a teacher, had been out of work since schools were shut down in March. Abola had been driving a 1998 Toyota “to keep up appearances with friends” until she learned she could make money with Diva Taxis.
“So I decided to do something so that I can also help a bit at home,” she said.
The Diva Taxi app has been downloaded at least 500 times, and each of the company’s 72 drivers makes an average of 30 rides each week, Makyeli said. The company expects to have 2,000 active users by the end of this year, a modest target in a city of over 3 million people where taxis and passenger motorcycles are the main means of transport for the working class.
Despite the security training - each driver also receives a canister of pepper spray - safety remains a concern.
Ochen said she drives only during the day “to avoid being caught up in any tricky situations,” including with drunken groups.
Even as she hopes to return to her job as an accountant, she plans to remain a Diva Taxi driver for as long as possible.
“We love what we are doing and it’s really fun,” said founder Kobusingye, an occasional driver herself. “I can’t wait to partner with every woman out there that’s willing to be part of Diva Taxi.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--Hard hit by virus, airlines push for tests over quarantines

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - What will it take to get people flying again ?
International air traffic is down 92 % this year as travelers worry about catching COVID-19 and government travel bans and quarantine rules make planning difficult .
One thing airlines believe could help is to have rapid virus tests of all passengers before departure .
Scattered experiments on improving safety are under way around the world , and a UN organization is leading talks to set guidelines .
There is a lot at stake .
With no end in sight to the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will hinder economies as they try to bounce back from recession and return to normal levels of business activity .
Millions of jobs - at airlines , airports and travel related businesses such as hotels and restaurants - are affected .
Here ’ s a look at some of the key issues .
WHY IS THE FOCUS ON TESTING ?
One major factor keeping people from taking long-haul flights is the fear they will be seated next to someone with COVID-19 , according to a survey by the International Air Transport Association .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world initially , airplanes themselves have so far not been proven to be super-spreader locations the way business conferences and meat-packing plants have been .
Most people are also reluctant to fly into a quarantine that restricts their activities for up to two weeks after arrival .
Quarantines themselves aren ’ t perfect in terms of stopping the virus from spreading , as in some cases they ’ re not strictly enforced .
“ Testing all passengers will give people back their freedom to travel with confidence .
And that will put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Alexandre de Juniac , IATA ’ s director general and CEO .
Initial trials focus on testing passengers before departure , either at the airport or remotely .
Information about the test result could be documented through a smartphone app .
Newer tests can give results in less than an hour .
WHAT DO HEALTH AUTHORITIES SAY ?
They are open to the idea but are still assessing how effective it would be .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control noted that testing technology , capacity and access to testing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently ongoing internationally to assess the risk reduction , determine what a feasible testing regime for air travel may look like , and gain some level of agreement on standards for a harmonized approach to testing globally in air transportation.
” WHO ’ S GOING TO DECIDE THIS ?
The IATA is calling for rapid , accurate and scalable testing for all passengers .
After airline executives appealed for help on this from the European Union and the White House ’ s COVID-19 task force , the issue appears to have moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Civil Aviation Organization based in Montreal .
The ICAO is working on guidelines based on scientific advice that countries could use in establishing testing regimes .
The issue is on the agenda for an Oct. 29 meeting , but that ’ s not a guarantee that guidelines will be approved .
WHAT TRIALS ARE UNDER WAY ?
Various forms of testing have been tried for weeks in different places .
What airlines want is a larger-scale international approach .
For instance , China requires a time-consuming negative polymerase chain reaction test before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport , diagnostics firm Centogene has been offering tests to non-symptomatic people for 59 euros ( $ 69 ) for a result within 12 hours and 139 euros for six hours .
A doctor ’ s certificate - for another 25 euros - can help avoid quarantine restrictions .
The Switzerland-based Commons Project Foundation and the World Economic Forum are holding trials this month for CommonPass , a digital health pass that lets travellers securely document compliance with COVID-19 test requirements through a QR code on their smartphones or on paper .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posed by printed test results , which may be from unfamiliar labs or in a language that those inspecting them don ’ t know .
Cathay Pacific has trialled CommonPass with volunteers on a Hong Kong-Singapore flight and United Airlines will test it between London Heathrow and Newark Liberty International .
The CDC ’ s Martin S. Cetron , head of the global migration and quarantine division , says it is “ eager to learn ” from the trials and that CommonPass “ could be one of the many potential tools.
” CommonPass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without waiting for international agreements .
There are a lot of moving parts to any testing regime .
First off , the test must be accurate , fast and cheap enough to deploy on a large scale .
Governments must agree to accept the results ; while governments are represented in the ICAO , the organization ’ s guidelines will not be mandatory .
There has to be a way of certifying the result , while at the same time protecting privacy of passenger medical information , and a procedure for handling people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concerns about the accuracy of some rapid tests .
People can test negative for a couple of days after being infected .
People can be infectious before they show symptoms , and these people may also test negative .
IS TESTING THE ONLY SOLUTION ?
The International Air Transport Association advocates a layered approach .
In addition to testing , that means : social distancing at the airport , touchless check-in , wearing masks in flight , and limiting passenger movement in the cabin .
In a survey published in May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planners what would give them the confidence to book travel .
Seventy-five percent said they would want a vaccine , while 39 % said testing .
McKinsey said business travel spending exceeded $ 1.4 trillion in 2018 , or 21 % of the global travel and hospitality sector .
Business travellers drive 55 % to 75 % of the profit at top airlines - even though they make up less than 10 % of passengers .
David Koenig in Dallas , Texas , and Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report .

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - What will it take to get people flying again? International air traffic is down 92% this year as travelers worry about catching COVID-19 and government travel bans and quarantine rules make planning difficult. One thing airlines believe could help is to have rapid virus tests of all passengers before departure.
Scattered experiments on improving safety are under way around the world, and a UN organization is leading talks to set guidelines. There is a lot at stake. With no end in sight to the pandemic, the near total halt to international travel will hinder economies as they try to bounce back from recession and return to normal levels of business activity. Millions of jobs - at airlines, airports and travel related businesses such as hotels and restaurants - are affected.
Here’s a look at some of the key issues.
___
WHY IS THE FOCUS ON TESTING?
One major factor keeping people from taking long-haul flights is the fear they will be seated next to someone with COVID-19, according to a survey by the International Air Transport Association. While flying helped carry the virus around the world initially, airplanes themselves have so far not been proven to be super-spreader locations the way business conferences and meat-packing plants have been.
Most people are also reluctant to fly into a quarantine that restricts their activities for up to two weeks after arrival. Quarantines themselves aren’t perfect in terms of stopping the virus from spreading, as in some cases they’re not strictly enforced.
“Testing all passengers will give people back their freedom to travel with confidence. And that will put millions of people back to work,” says Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO.
___
HOW WOULD TESTING WORK?
Initial trials focus on testing passengers before departure, either at the airport or remotely. Information about the test result could be documented through a smartphone app. Newer tests can give results in less than an hour.
___
WHAT DO HEALTH AUTHORITIES SAY?
They are open to the idea but are still assessing how effective it would be.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control noted that testing technology, capacity and access to testing is improving. It added that “efforts are currently ongoing internationally to assess the risk reduction, determine what a feasible testing regime for air travel may look like, and gain some level of agreement on standards for a harmonized approach to testing globally in air transportation.”
___
WHO’S GOING TO DECIDE THIS?
The IATA is calling for rapid, accurate and scalable testing for all passengers. After airline executives appealed for help on this from the European Union and the White House’s COVID-19 task force, the issue appears to have moved to a United Nations forum, the International Civil Aviation Organization based in Montreal.
The ICAO is working on guidelines based on scientific advice that countries could use in establishing testing regimes. The issue is on the agenda for an Oct. 29 meeting, but that’s not a guarantee that guidelines will be approved.
___
WHAT TRIALS ARE UNDER WAY?
Various forms of testing have been tried for weeks in different places. What airlines want is a larger-scale international approach.
For instance, China requires a time-consuming negative polymerase chain reaction test before departure. At Frankfurt’s international airport, diagnostics firm Centogene has been offering tests to non-symptomatic people for 59 euros ($69) for a result within 12 hours and 139 euros for six hours. A doctor’s certificate - for another 25 euros - can help avoid quarantine restrictions.
The Switzerland-based Commons Project Foundation and the World Economic Forum are holding trials this month for CommonPass, a digital health pass that lets travellers securely document compliance with COVID-19 test requirements through a QR code on their smartphones or on paper. The idea is to get around the problems posed by printed test results, which may be from unfamiliar labs or in a language that those inspecting them don’t know.
Cathay Pacific has trialled CommonPass with volunteers on a Hong Kong-Singapore flight and United Airlines will test it between London Heathrow and Newark Liberty International. The CDC’s Martin S. Cetron, head of the global migration and quarantine division, says it is “eager to learn” from the trials and that CommonPass “could be one of the many potential tools.” CommonPass could be adopted by individual countries, without waiting for international agreements.
___
WHAT’S THE HOLDUP?
There are a lot of moving parts to any testing regime. First off, the test must be accurate, fast and cheap enough to deploy on a large scale. Governments must agree to accept the results; while governments are represented in the ICAO, the organization’s guidelines will not be mandatory. There has to be a way of certifying the result, while at the same time protecting privacy of passenger medical information, and a procedure for handling people who test positive.
Scientists warn there are concerns about the accuracy of some rapid tests. People can test negative for a couple of days after being infected. People can be infectious before they show symptoms, and these people may also test negative.
___
IS TESTING THE ONLY SOLUTION?
The International Air Transport Association advocates a layered approach. In addition to testing, that means: social distancing at the airport, touchless check-in, wearing masks in flight, and limiting passenger movement in the cabin.
In a survey published in May, consulting firm McKinsey asked 40 corporate travel planners what would give them the confidence to book travel. Seventy-five percent said they would want a vaccine, while 39% said testing. McKinsey said business travel spending exceeded $1.4 trillion in 2018, or 21% of the global travel and hospitality sector. Business travellers drive 55% to 75% of the profit at top airlines - even though they make up less than 10% of passengers.
___
David Koenig in Dallas, Texas, and Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--Chickens become America's new pet of choice during the pandemic

The media has proclaimed that America is experiencing a chicken renaissance due to COVID-19 .
Chickens are now billed as the “ coronavirus pandemic ’ s unlikely pet ” by CNN , which documented the sudden rise in chicken fans who appreciate their “ hilarious ” feathered friends .
The New York Post reports that those in and around the Big Apple also have experienced a chicken awakening .
“ Forget adopting a dog during lockdown — city dwellers are springing for chickens , ” the news organization said .
The Humane Society now offers an extensive primer for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chicken .
California ’ s San Diego County is sponsoring an upcoming virtual “ Cluckinar ” tutorial for residents who are interested in raising chickens at home .
In the meantime , sales of fancy backyard chicken coops have risen by 525 % at Connecticut-based My Pet Chicken , which also sells chickens in 15 different breed categories from bantams to heritage breeds and “ blue egg layers.
” Sales of chicken themselves are up by 260 % .
Other chicken-friendly companies offer every conceivable accessory , from tutus and leashes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live inside with their human counterparts .
Yes , there are those who do ; even Walmart and Wayfair now sell stylish indoor chicken coops .
It is of note that chickens have now drawn considerable interest in the academic realm .
“ Chicken : A History from Farmyard to Factory ” by Paul R. Josephson has just been published by Polity Books , taking the reader from eggs and consumer issues to “ chickens and world culture ” and “ Believing in Chickens ” Keep in mind that the author is professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College , a leading historian of science , technology , and of Soviet history , and the author of 13 books .
“ Chickens have millennia-long proximity to humans .
Chickens , like dogs and cats , have lived with us in our houses , huts and barns , outside in the yards , and nearby in the fields .
They become friends and playthings , not only meat- and egg-providers .
They have been the focus of music and poetry , the objects of art and sculpture and the center attention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Chickens , as well , reflected norms and expectations of race and gender in the way they were raise and who raised them , ” says the author , who has included much historical insight about chicken as meat source on an industrial level .
“ Alongside this story , Josephson tells another : Of an animal with endearing characteristics that , arguably , can lay claim to being man ’ s best friend long before the dog reared its snout or the cat came in from the cold .
Celebrated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chicken ’ s relationship to humanity runs deep , ” the publisher Polity notes .

The media has proclaimed that America is experiencing a chicken renaissance due to COVID-19.
Chickens are now billed as the “coronavirus pandemic’s unlikely pet” by CNN, which documented the sudden rise in chicken fans who appreciate their “hilarious” feathered friends. The New York Post reports that those in and around the Big Apple also have experienced a chicken awakening.
“Forget adopting a dog during lockdown — city dwellers are springing for chickens,” the news organization said.
The Humane Society now offers an extensive primer for those who aspire to share their lives with a chicken. California’s San Diego County is sponsoring an upcoming virtual “Cluckinar” tutorial for residents who are interested in raising chickens at home.
In the meantime, sales of fancy backyard chicken coops have risen by 525% at Connecticut-based My Pet Chicken, which also sells chickens in 15 different breed categories from bantams to heritage breeds and “blue egg layers.” Sales of chicken themselves are up by 260%.
Other chicken-friendly companies offer every conceivable accessory, from tutus and leashes to custom made chicken diapers for birds who live inside with their human counterparts. Yes, there are those who do; even Walmart and Wayfair now sell stylish indoor chicken coops.
It is of note that chickens have now drawn considerable interest in the academic realm.
“Chicken: A History from Farmyard to Factory” by Paul R. Josephson has just been published by Polity Books, taking the reader from eggs and consumer issues to “chickens and world culture” and “Believing in Chickens” Keep in mind that the author is professor of Russian and Soviet History at Colby College, a leading historian of science, technology, and of Soviet history, and the author of 13 books.
“Chickens have millennia-long proximity to humans. Chickens, like dogs and cats, have lived with us in our houses, huts and barns, outside in the yards, and nearby in the fields. They become friends and playthings, not only meat- and egg-providers. They have been the focus of music and poetry, the objects of art and sculpture and the center attention of clubs,” writes Mr. Josephson.
“Chickens, as well, reflected norms and expectations of race and gender in the way they were raise and who raised them,” says the author, who has included much historical insight about chicken as meat source on an industrial level.
“Alongside this story, Josephson tells another: Of an animal with endearing characteristics that, arguably, can lay claim to being man’s best friend long before the dog reared its snout or the cat came in from the cold. Celebrated in medieval romances and modern cartoons, the chicken’s relationship to humanity runs deep,” the publisher Polity notes.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--Thai protesters carry on demonstrations despite warnings

BANGKOK ( AP ) - Pro-democracy activists in Thailand launched their fifth straight days of protests on Sunday , scheduling demonstrations not just in the capital but also at several other locations around the country .
The demonstrators received a new warning from police that they are violating the law .
On Saturday , however , few people were arrested as peaceful rallies were held at several points around Bangkok , the capital , with several thousand people taking part .
The protest movement - which is calling for the prime minister ’ s resignation , a more democratic constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March at universities around the country .
After a lull due to the coronavirus crisis , it was revived in late July , building up strength , particularly in Bangkok .
On Sunday , rallies were called in at least a dozen provinces , including Chiang Mai , a popular tourist destination in northern Thailand .
The authorities in Bangkok tried in vain to keep people from gathering by selectively shutting down stations on Bangkok ’ s elevated and underground mass transit lines .
On Saturday , after protest organizers urged followers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations , they ordered all stations to be closed , to little avail .
The current cycle of confrontations began before dawn Thursday , when police broke up an overnight rally outside Government House , which hosts the offices of Prime Minister Prayuth Chaon-ocha .
It led Prayuth to declare a state of emergency , banning gatherings of more than five people and allowing the government extra powers to keep the peace .
Protesters ignored the emergency decree and gathered Thursday night in large numbers at a major intersection in Bangkok ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by thin lines of police .
A Friday night rally at a nearby intersection was crushed by a large forced of riot police backed by a truck-mounted water cannon .
The use of force was condemned by rights organizations .
Police made no efforts to break up Saturday ’ s gatherings , which ended peacefully at 8 p.m. , as scheduled by organizers .
A statement issued late Saturday night by Prayuth ’ s office said the government had acted within the law in seeking to stop the rallies , and did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The situation is very dynamic at the moment , ” police deputy spokesperson Kissana Phatanacharoen said at a Sunday morning news conference .
“ There is no formula as to what we do or what we don ’ t do.
” He said that if people failed to obey the law , police would be compelled to enforce it .
The protesters charge that Prayuth , who as army commander led a 2014 coup that toppled an elected government , was returned to power unfairly in last year ’ s general election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pro-military party .
The protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule and passed in a referendum in which campaigning against it was illegal is undemocratic .
The protest movement became particularly controversial when it adopted reform of the monarchy as a demand .
The protesters want it to act within the checks and balances of democracy .
The monarchy has long been considered sacrosanct in Thailand , and is protected by a law that makes defaming the royal institution punishable by three to 15 years imprisonment .
The issue has angered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the army , which considers protecting the monarchy to be one of its main duties .

BANGKOK (AP) - Thousands of mainly young Thais were back on the streets of Bangkok on Sunday for a fifth straight day of protests demanding sweeping political change, with demonstrations also taking place at several other locations around the country.
The demonstrators, who are protesting despite a state of emergency banning them from doing so, received a new warning from police that they are violating the law. On Saturday, however, few people had been arrested as peaceful rallies were held at several points around Bangkok, the capital, with several thousand taking part.
A statement issued Sunday night by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s office acknowledged the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, but insisted that people obey the law. It said Prayuth was ready to listen to the frustrations of Thai people, but that he also ordered the authorities to be vigilant for unscrupulous groups that might want to instigate violence for their own political benefit.
The protest movement - which is calling for the prime minister’s resignation, a more democratic constitution and a reformed monarchy - began in March at universities around the country. After a lull due to the coronavirus crisis, it was revived in late July, building up strength, particularly in Bangkok.
On Sunday, rallies were called in at least a dozen provinces, including Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination in northern Thailand. Social media spread the word, though the government said it would seek legal action against accounts posting details of planned protests.
The rallies in Bangkok again drew large crowds, perhaps as many as 10,000 in all, despite the official warnings and intermittent rain. Organizers declared the protests officially over at 8 p.m., though many people lingered.
“If we are together we have a better chance to win, but if we let people fight alone there will be less chance to win,” a 24-year-old protester who called herself Pear said at a rally at the busy Asoke intersection, located in the commercial heart of the capital. “So we are here to express ourselves, what we are wanting and what we are expecting for the future as well.”
The larger rally in Bangkok was held at Victory Monument, a popular meeting point that anchors a traffic circle on a main thoroughfare. The atmosphere there was jumpy due to occasional rumors that police had been spotted nearby.
The crowds at both venues shouted slogans throughout the events, ranging from “Free our friends!” - referring to arrested protest leaders - to rude insults directed at the prime minister and others.
People at the Asoke gathering hesitantly sang a song with exhortations to serve the people. It is likely many were unfamiliar with the words, because the song was popular during a 1973 student uprising in Thailand that toppled a military dictatorship.
The authorities earlier tried in vain to keep people from gathering by selectively shutting down stations on Bangkok’s elevated and underground mass transit lines. On Saturday, after protest organizers had urged followers to meet at the city’s Skytrain stations, the authorities ordered all stations to be closed, to little avail.
The current cycle of confrontations began before dawn Thursday, when police broke up an overnight rally outside Government House, which hosts the offices of Prime Minister Prayuth. It led him to declare a 30-day state of emergency for Bangkok, banning gatherings of more than five people and allowing the government extra powers to keep the peace.
Protesters ignored the emergency decree and gathered Thursday night in large numbers at a major intersection in Bangkok’s central shopping district, overcoming half-hearted resistance by thin lines of police.
A Friday night rally at a nearby intersection was crushed by a large force of riot police backed by truck-mounted water cannons. The use of force was condemned by rights organizations.
Police made no efforts to break up Saturday’s gatherings, which ended peacefully.
“The situation is very dynamic at the moment,” police deputy spokesperson Kissana Phatanacharoen said at a Sunday morning news conference. “There is no formula as to what we do or what we don’t do.”
He said that if people failed to obey the law, police would be compelled to enforce it.
The protesters charge that Prayuth, who as army commander led a 2014 coup that toppled an elected government, was returned to power unfairly in last year’s general election because laws had been changed to favor a pro-military party. The protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule and passed in a referendum in which campaigning against it was illegal is undemocratic.
The protest movement became particularly controversial when it adopted reform of the monarchy as a demand. The protesters want it to act within the checks and balances of democracy.
The monarchy has long been considered sacrosanct in Thailand, and is protected by a law that makes defaming the royal institution punishable by a prison term of three to 15 years. The issue has angered Thailand’s conservative establishment, especially the army, which considers protecting the monarchy to be one of its main duties.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--US, Israeli envoys fly to Bahrain to advance nascent ties

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - A joint American-Israeli delegation headed Sunday for Bahrain , where officials will be signing a number of bilateral agreements following an announcement last month to normalize relations .
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s national security adviser , Meir Ben-Shabbat , led the delegation that flew out of Tel Aviv ’ s Ben Gurion airport .
Israel ’ s commercial El Al flight 973 - a nod to the international dialing code for Bahrain - will fly through Saudi Arabia ’ s airspace en route to Manama , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a ceremony after landing .
U.S. , Israeli and Bahraini flags festooned the tarmac before take-off .
Ben-Shabbat , one of the key Israeli officials involved in negotiations with Bahrain , said ahead of take-off that the visit will “ translate plans to actions and concrete agreements ” with the signing of a range of deals involving finance , investment , trade , tourism , communications , technology and agriculture .
Another Israeli official said the visit represents the official establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries with the sides expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic relations .
The decision to establish ties with Israel has outraged the Palestinians , whose leadership has blasted the Bahraini move , and a similar Emirati deal , as a betrayal and an undermining of the Arab stance that recognition of Israel should come only after Palestinians achieve an independent state of their own .
Bahraini civil society groups and opposition figures , already targeted in a yearslong crackdown on dissent , have also spoken out against normalization with Israel .
As part of the deal to normalize relations , the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establish embassies and exchange ambassadors .
The Israeli official said the Israeli embassy was expected to open in Bahrain in the coming months .
Similar to the United Arab Emirates , Bahrain is expected to open its embassy at some point in the city of Tel Aviv , where most foreign embassies are located because of Jerusalem ’ s contested status .
Bahraini and Israeli officials have held numerous conversations since announcing their intention to establish full ties .
Sunday ’ s face-to-face meetings , however , are seen as another step toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Bahrain International Airport on Sunday afternoon .
The kingdom ’ s state-owned television channels did not carry the arrival live , nor did the state-run news agency announce the Israelis ’ presence .
Meanwhile , Israel and the UAE have already signed a number of business , banking and intergovernmental agreements .
Bahrain and the UAE signed the agreement to normalize relations with Israel in a ceremony at the White House on Sept. 15 .
Egypt and Jordan are the only other two Arab states to sign diplomatic treaties with Israel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The accords made public what had been a gradual strengthening of quiet ties between Israel and several Gulf states - forged in recent years over a shared concern over regional rival Iran .
Other Arab countries could follow suit , with analysts and insiders pointing to Sudan , Oman and Morocco as possibilities .
The trip to Bahrain on Sunday also came as U.N. arms embargoes on Iran expired despite American objections .
Bahrain , like several other Gulf Arab nations , views Iran as the most-serious threat to its security in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slated to fly back to Tel Aviv later on Sunday , while the Americans will head to the UAE before flying to Israel on Tuesday .
Last month , the first known commercial flight between the two countries brought a delegation of Israeli officials to Manama to discuss cooperation between Israel and Bahrain following the signing of an agreement to normalize ties .

JERUSALEM (AP) - A joint American-Israeli delegation headed Sunday for Bahrain, where officials will be signing a number of bilateral agreements following an announcement last month to normalize relations.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser, Meir Ben-Shabbat, led the delegation that flew out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport.
Israel’s commercial El Al flight 973 - a nod to the international dialing code for Bahrain - will fly through Saudi Arabia’s airspace en route to Manama, where dignitaries from all three countries will speak at a ceremony after landing.
U.S., Israeli and Bahraini flags festooned the tarmac before take-off. Ben-Shabbat, one of the key Israeli officials involved in negotiations with Bahrain, said ahead of take-off that the visit will “translate plans to actions and concrete agreements” with the signing of a range of deals involving finance, investment, trade, tourism, communications, technology and agriculture.
Another Israeli official said the visit represents the official establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries with the sides expected to sign a joint statement establishing full diplomatic relations.
The decision to establish ties with Israel has outraged the Palestinians, whose leadership has blasted the Bahraini move, and a similar Emirati deal, as a betrayal and an undermining of the Arab stance that recognition of Israel should come only after Palestinians achieve an independent state of their own.
Bahraini civil society groups and opposition figures, already targeted in a yearslong crackdown on dissent, have also spoken out against normalization with Israel.
As part of the deal to normalize relations, the two Gulf Arab states and Israel will eventually establish embassies and exchange ambassadors. The Israeli official said the Israeli embassy was expected to open in Bahrain in the coming months.
Similar to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain is expected to open its embassy at some point in the city of Tel Aviv, where most foreign embassies are located because of Jerusalem’s contested status.
Bahraini and Israeli officials have held numerous conversations since announcing their intention to establish full ties. Sunday’s face-to-face meetings, however, are seen as another step toward normalization.
The El Al flight landed at Bahrain International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The kingdom’s state-owned television channels did not carry the arrival live, nor did the state-run news agency announce the Israelis’ presence.
Meanwhile, Israel and the UAE have already signed a number of business, banking and intergovernmental agreements.
Bahrain and the UAE signed the agreement to normalize relations with Israel in a ceremony at the White House on Sept. 15. Egypt and Jordan are the only other two Arab states to sign diplomatic treaties with Israel, in 1979 and 1994, respectively.
The accords made public what had been a gradual strengthening of quiet ties between Israel and several Gulf states - forged in recent years over a shared concern over regional rival Iran. Other Arab countries could follow suit, with analysts and insiders pointing to Sudan, Oman and Morocco as possibilities.
The trip to Bahrain on Sunday also came as U.N. arms embargoes on Iran expired despite American objections. Bahrain, like several other Gulf Arab nations, views Iran as the most-serious threat to its security in the Persian Gulf.
The Israeli delegation is slated to fly back to Tel Aviv later on Sunday, while the Americans will head to the UAE before flying to Israel on Tuesday.
Last month, the first known commercial flight between the two countries brought a delegation of Israeli officials to Manama to discuss cooperation between Israel and Bahrain following the signing of an agreement to normalize ties.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--Car bombing in western Afghanistan kills 13, wounds 120

KABUL , Afghanistan ( AP ) - A suicide car bombing on Sunday killed at least 13 people and wounded around 120 others in Afghanistan ’ s western Ghor province , officials said .
The head of a hospital in Ghor , Mohammad Omer Lalzad , said emergency staff were treating dozens of people with both serious and light injuries from the bombing .
He expected the death toll to rise .
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Aran said the car bombing struck near the entrance of the provincial police chief ’ s office and other nearby government buildings in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the attack in Ghor , which comes amid an uptick in attacks by the Taliban as representatives of the group and Afghan government officials hold their first-ever face-to-face talks in Qatar , where the Taliban have had a political office for many years .
The negotiations are meant to end the country ’ s decades-long war .
Arif Aber , spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghor , said the blast was so strong that its sound could heard across Feroz Koh , the capital city of the province .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings , including the police chief ’ s office , the women ’ s affairs department and the provincial office for refugees , ” Aber said .
On Friday , the Taliban agreed to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan that had displaced thousands of residents in recent days .
It came after the U.S. vowed to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement the U.S. signed with the Taliban in February .
The U.S. had been conducting air strikes in support of Afghan forces trying to repel Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to derail efforts to end Afghanistan ’ s war .

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A suicide car bombing on Sunday killed at least 13 people and wounded around 120 others in Afghanistan’s western Ghor province, officials said.
The head of a hospital in Ghor, Mohammad Omer Lalzad, said emergency staff were treating dozens of people with both serious and light injuries from the bombing. He expected the death toll to rise.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Aran said the car bombing struck near the entrance of the provincial police chief’s office and other nearby government buildings in the area.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Ghor, which comes amid an uptick in attacks by the Taliban as representatives of the group and Afghan government officials hold their first-ever face-to-face talks in Qatar, where the Taliban have had a political office for many years. The negotiations are meant to end the country’s decades-long war.
Arif Aber, spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghor, said the blast was so strong that its sound could heard across Feroz Koh, the capital city of the province.
“It damaged and partially destroyed a few government buildings, including the police chief’s office, the women’s affairs department and the provincial office for refugees,” Aber said.
On Friday, the Taliban agreed to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan that had displaced thousands of residents in recent days. It came after the U.S. vowed to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement the U.S. signed with the Taliban in February.
The U.S. had been conducting air strikes in support of Afghan forces trying to repel Taliban assaults in Helmand province, which threatened to derail efforts to end Afghanistan’s war.


washingtontimes--2020-10-18--How a scandal-plagued Hunter Biden tried to disappear -- only to see his past dominate campaign

At the time Hunter Biden ’ s laptop reportedly sat unclaimed at a Delaware repair shop , the son of Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden was living a tumultuous life , including facing a paternity lawsuit from an exotic dancer .
The repair shop owner , John Paul Mac Isaac , told The New York Post a man who he can not identify left the MacBook Pro in April 2019 .
He never returned , and Mr. Isaac eventually took custody .
He gave a download of the contents to the FBI and President Trump ’ s personal lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data to the Post .
The chain of events raises the question of how someone — Mr. Biden , an associate or someone else — could forget about or knowingly discard a computer containing tens of thousands of emails that tell tales of lucrative foreign cash transactions .
The hard drive also held explicit sex scenes involving drugs .
Robert Costello , Mr. Giuliani ’ s lawyer , told Fox News on Wednesday that the hard drive contains 40,000 emails , thousands of text messages , photographs and videos .
Hunter Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his client used the laptop .
Hunter Biden has long been a liability for his father ’ s presidential campaign .
The elder Mr. Biden has weathered criticism dating back to his days as vice president in the Obama administration for conflict of interest over his son ’ s high-flying business deals .
Hunter Biden , who has been in and out of treatment centers for drugs and alcohol abuse , had moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to sort of disappear , he told The New Yorker for a July 2019 profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended his much-criticized relationship with Hallie Biden , the widow of his late brother , Beau .
In May 2019 , the month after the computer was dropped off , he married a South African woman , Melissa Cohen , six days after they met .
They were photographed in Los Angeles .
That same month , Lunden Alexis Roberts , a former exotic dancer in a D.C. nightclub frequented by Hunter Biden , filed a paternity lawsuit claiming Mr. Biden had fathered her child , born in August 2018 .
Mr. Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts .
In November 2019 , Ms. Roberts filed documents saying Mr. Biden ’ s DNA matched the child ’ s .
The case was settled in March .
In May 2019 , Breitbart News broke the story that an Arizona police report in 2016 said Hunter Biden was suspected of doing illegal drugs in his Hertz rental .
A cocaine pipe was found in the car .
He also left behind personal items , such as two D.C. driver ’ s licenses and multiple credit cards .
After the report , Hunter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members at his father ’ s presidential campaign launch in Philadelphia .
He resigned in April 2019 from the board of Burisma Holdings , the Ukraine natural gas company where he served with his business partner , Devon Archer .
Burisma hired Hunter Biden after his father was named the White House ’ s point man on Ukraine .
He and Mr. Archer earned millions of dollars from Burisma , a Senate report released last month found .
Around the same time , Mr. Giuliani mounted a public campaign to paint Hunter Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine .
The Republican Senate report cited confidential U.S. Treasury Department reports in suggesting that Hunter Biden violated federal laws .

At the time Hunter Biden’s laptop reportedly sat unclaimed at a Delaware repair shop, the son of Democratic presidential candidate Joseph R. Biden was living a tumultuous life, including facing a paternity lawsuit from an exotic dancer.
The repair shop owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, told The New York Post a man who he cannot identify left the MacBook Pro in April 2019. He never returned, and Mr. Isaac eventually took custody. He gave a download of the contents to the FBI and President Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudolph W. Giuliani, who provided the data to the Post.
The chain of events raises the question of how someone — Mr. Biden, an associate or someone else — could forget about or knowingly discard a computer containing tens of thousands of emails that tell tales of lucrative foreign cash transactions. The hard drive also held explicit sex scenes involving drugs.
Robert Costello, Mr. Giuliani’s lawyer, told Fox News on Wednesday that the hard drive contains 40,000 emails, thousands of text messages, photographs and videos.
Hunter Biden’s attorney has not disputed that his client used the laptop.
Hunter Biden has long been a liability for his father’s presidential campaign. The elder Mr. Biden has weathered criticism dating back to his days as vice president in the Obama administration for conflict of interest over his son’s high-flying business deals.
Hunter Biden, who has been in and out of treatment centers for drugs and alcohol abuse, had moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to sort of disappear, he told The New Yorker for a July 2019 profile.
In April 2019, Hunter Biden ended his much-criticized relationship with Hallie Biden, the widow of his late brother, Beau.
In May 2019, the month after the computer was dropped off, he married a South African woman, Melissa Cohen, six days after they met. They were photographed in Los Angeles.
That same month, Lunden Alexis Roberts, a former exotic dancer in a D.C. nightclub frequented by Hunter Biden, filed a paternity lawsuit claiming Mr. Biden had fathered her child, born in August 2018. Mr. Biden denied he ever had sex with Ms. Roberts. In November 2019, Ms. Roberts filed documents saying Mr. Biden’s DNA matched the child’s. The case was settled in March.
In May 2019, Breitbart News broke the story that an Arizona police report in 2016 said Hunter Biden was suspected of doing illegal drugs in his Hertz rental. A cocaine pipe was found in the car. He also left behind personal items, such as two D.C. driver’s licenses and multiple credit cards.
After the report, Hunter Biden failed to appear with other family members at his father’s presidential campaign launch in Philadelphia.
He resigned in April 2019 from the board of Burisma Holdings, the Ukraine natural gas company where he served with his business partner, Devon Archer.
Burisma hired Hunter Biden after his father was named the White House’s point man on Ukraine. He and Mr. Archer earned millions of dollars from Burisma, a Senate report released last month found.
Around the same time, Mr. Giuliani mounted a public campaign to paint Hunter Biden as a lawbreaker by laundering money out of Ukraine.
The Republican Senate report cited confidential U.S. Treasury Department reports in suggesting that Hunter Biden violated federal laws.
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.