washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Bell, Polanco homer off Woodruff as Pirates beat Brewers 5-1

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Josh Bell has joked for years during batting practice at Miller Park about hitting the promotional vehicle parked well above the wall in right-center field .
Bell finally did it Sunday .
His towering shot in the fourth inning put the Pirates ahead for good in a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers .
“ I know I ’ ve been trying to hit that for three years now , ” Bell said .
“ That ’ s a first .
You ’ ve got to get it really high , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ batting practice.
” It ’ s even tougher to do in a game that counts against Brandon Woodruff , who had gone 10-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 home starts over the past two seasons .
Yet Bell pulled it off .
His blast hit the hood of the promotional SUV located below the Miller Park scoreboard and to its right .
The Pirates were in town last year when former Brewer Mike Moustakas hit a Toyota RAV4 in the same location , enabling a fan to win the prize .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brewers , so nobody won a free car after Bell ’ s shot .
That didn ’ t stop the Pirates from joking about the possibilities after the game .
“ You don ’ t want that one because it ’ s probably got a huge dent in it at this point , ” Pirates starter Steven Brault said .
“ That ball was absolutely crushed.
” The homer continued the recent resurgence for Bell , a 2019 All-Star who arrived in Milwaukee on Friday with a .190 batting average and just one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 of 10 in this series and has homered in back-to-back games .
“ It seemed like at times you could throw me a ball right down the middle , and I was mis-hitting it into the ground , ” Bell said .
“ It doesn ’ t seem like that ’ s the case right now , so I ’ m just going to try to stay with where I ’ m at.
” Bell ’ s big shot allowed him to redeem himself after a defensive miscue .
Pittsburgh ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a homer in the second inning .
Milwaukee tied it with an unearned run in the third when Keston Hiura ’ s two-out single brought home Luis Urias after Bell committed an error at first base earlier in the inning .
Bell responded in the top of the fourth with his two-run blast off Woodruff ( 2-3 ) .
The right-hander struck out seven but allowed four runs , four hits and three walks in five innings .
“ This was probably one of the better games I ’ ve thrown this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still giving up four runs is one of those things that completely blows my mind , ” Woodruff said .
“ I don ’ t understand it .
Sometimes , baseball just gets you .
There were two pitches I wish I could have back .
I didn ’ t locate one well enough to Josh Bell , and the one to Polanco wasn ’ t necessarily the wrong pitch , I just left it up in a spot for him to handle.
” Pittsburgh extended its lead on RBI singles by Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the seventh .
Brault pitched three innings , and four relievers took over from there .
Nick Tropeano ( 1-0 ) pitched 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief .
Milwaukee left 13 men on base and went 1 of 9 with runners in scoring position .
The Brewers ’ best shot at a rally came in the seventh .
After retiring the first two batters of the inning , Tropeano walked Jedd Gyorko and hit Ryan Braun with a pitch .
Geoff Hartlieb plunked Hiura to load the bases before striking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This represented Woodruff ’ s last start before he heads back to his Mississippi home as his wife , Jonie , prepares to give birth to their first child .
Jonie is scheduled to be induced Tuesday .
The Pirates faced a similar situation , as they put outfielder Bryan Reynolds on paternity leave Sunday and activated Will Craig .
Pirates : Manager Derek Shelton said pitcher Joe Musgrove has thrown a live batting practice and will have another side session before getting re-evaluated when the team returns to Pittsburgh .
Shelton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mound twice .
Musgrove ( 0-3 , 6.75 ERA ) went on the injured list Aug. 11 , retroactive to Aug. 9 with right triceps inflammation .
Keller ( 1-1 , 3.52 ) has been on the injured list since Aug. 2 with an injured left oblique .
Brewers : Pitching coach Chris Hook says reliever Corey Knebel has thrown off the mound a couple of times .
Hook wouldn ’ t speculate on whether the Brewers expect him back this season .
Knebel ( 0-0 , 9.45 ) went on the injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
… Brewers manager Craig Counsell said outfielder Avisail Garcia was unavailable Sunday and is day to day .
Garcia hurt his ankle in a 7-6 victory Saturday .
The Pirates and Brewers conclude this four-game series Monday night .
Trevor Williams ( 1-5 , 5.34 ) will pitch for Pittsburgh .
Milwaukee hasn ’ t named a starter .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Josh Bell has joked for years during batting practice at Miller Park about hitting the promotional vehicle parked well above the wall in right-center field.
Bell finally did it Sunday. His towering shot in the fourth inning put the Pirates ahead for good in a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I know I’ve been trying to hit that for three years now,” Bell said. “That’s a first. You’ve got to get it really high, so it’s tough to do in batting practice.”
It’s even tougher to do in a game that counts against Brandon Woodruff, who had gone 10-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 home starts over the past two seasons.
Yet Bell pulled it off.
His blast hit the hood of the promotional SUV located below the Miller Park scoreboard and to its right. The Pirates were in town last year when former Brewer Mike Moustakas hit a Toyota RAV4 in the same location, enabling a fan to win the prize.
The promotion only applies to homers hit by Brewers, so nobody won a free car after Bell’s shot. That didn’t stop the Pirates from joking about the possibilities after the game.
“You don’t want that one because it’s probably got a huge dent in it at this point,” Pirates starter Steven Brault said. “That ball was absolutely crushed.”
The homer continued the recent resurgence for Bell, a 2019 All-Star who arrived in Milwaukee on Friday with a .190 batting average and just one homer all season. He has gone 5 of 10 in this series and has homered in back-to-back games.
“It seemed like at times you could throw me a ball right down the middle, and I was mis-hitting it into the ground,” Bell said. “It doesn’t seem like that’s the case right now, so I’m just going to try to stay with where I’m at.”
Bell’s big shot allowed him to redeem himself after a defensive miscue.
Pittsburgh’s Gregory Polanco had opened the scoring with a homer in the second inning. Milwaukee tied it with an unearned run in the third when Keston Hiura’s two-out single brought home Luis Urias after Bell committed an error at first base earlier in the inning.
Bell responded in the top of the fourth with his two-run blast off Woodruff (2-3). The right-hander struck out seven but allowed four runs, four hits and three walks in five innings.
“This was probably one of the better games I’ve thrown this year, and to come out of it still giving up four runs is one of those things that completely blows my mind,” Woodruff said. “I don’t understand it. Sometimes, baseball just gets you. There were two pitches I wish I could have back. I didn’t locate one well enough to Josh Bell, and the one to Polanco wasn’t necessarily the wrong pitch, I just left it up in a spot for him to handle.”
Pittsburgh extended its lead on RBI singles by Kevin Newman in the fifth and Adam Frazier in the seventh.
Brault pitched three innings, and four relievers took over from there. Nick Tropeano (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief.
Milwaukee left 13 men on base and went 1 of 9 with runners in scoring position. The Brewers’ best shot at a rally came in the seventh.
After retiring the first two batters of the inning, Tropeano walked Jedd Gyorko and hit Ryan Braun with a pitch. Geoff Hartlieb plunked Hiura to load the bases before striking out Justin Smoak to end the threat.
FATHERS’ DAY
This represented Woodruff’s last start before he heads back to his Mississippi home as his wife, Jonie, prepares to give birth to their first child. Jonie is scheduled to be induced Tuesday.
The Pirates faced a similar situation, as they put outfielder Bryan Reynolds on paternity leave Sunday and activated Will Craig.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: Manager Derek Shelton said pitcher Joe Musgrove has thrown a live batting practice and will have another side session before getting re-evaluated when the team returns to Pittsburgh. Shelton said pitcher Mitch Keller has thrown off the mound twice. Musgrove (0-3, 6.75 ERA) went on the injured list Aug. 11, retroactive to Aug. 9 with right triceps inflammation. Keller (1-1, 3.52) has been on the injured list since Aug. 2 with an injured left oblique.
Brewers: Pitching coach Chris Hook says reliever Corey Knebel has thrown off the mound a couple of times. Hook wouldn’t speculate on whether the Brewers expect him back this season. Knebel (0-0, 9.45) went on the injured list Aug. 20 with a left hamstring issue. … Brewers manager Craig Counsell said outfielder Avisail Garcia was unavailable Sunday and is day to day. Garcia hurt his ankle in a 7-6 victory Saturday.
UP NEXT
The Pirates and Brewers conclude this four-game series Monday night. Trevor Williams (1-5, 5.34) will pitch for Pittsburgh. Milwaukee hasn’t named a starter.
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Follow Steve Megargee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevemegargee
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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Inside the Beltway: 'Trumptilla' boat parade heads to D.C. for a ride on the Potomac

Not everything in the nation ’ s capital involves social unrest .
Ardent fans of President Trump are planning a sizable “ National Capital Trumptilla ” boat parade on the Potomac River over Labor Day weekend , and their route will glide past some of the most historic sites in the nation — not to mention the White House .
“ Washington , D.C. isn ’ t exactly Trump country but there ’ s enough Trump supporters around to make some noise .
Like Ronald Reagan said , ‘ a rising tide lifts all boats , ’ ” LaDonna Hale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inside the Beltway .
The boaters will begin their journey at the Wilson Bridge , some seven miles south of Washington on the Beltway in Northern Virginia , then proceed at “ no-wake speed ” to the Lincoln Memorial , minding the 18-foot clearance of bridges that span the Potomac .
Larger boats will continue up the Anacostia River , which heads east .
“ Let ’ s show our support of President Trump , the U.S. Constitution , law enforcement , fire fighters , emergency responders , frontline healthcare and essential workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberty to strongly be heard in our nation ’ s capital , ” planners say in their public advisory .
“ No boat , no problem .
Join the land rally .
Come by car , muscle car , antique car , motorcycle , truck , or bike .
Bring your lawn chairs , flags , signs , patriotic wear , and let ’ s do it right !
Decorate in red , white , and blue , ” A source hints that a “ special couple ” may be onboard one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the lower Potomac region , Virginia and points south .
In recent days , similar boat parades have taken place in Arkansas , Georgia , Florida , New Hampshire , New York , California , Tennessee , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , North Dakota , Texas , Pennsylvania and other states — winning praise from Mr. Trump himself .
“ I just wish I had time .
I ’ d get on one of those boats , and I ’ d be carrying a flag also .
I just want to thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching , ” the president said after a floating rally in Clearwater , Florida , drew 2,000 boats — and is now under consideration by Guinness World Records as — yes — a world-record event .
Michael Moore has been monitoring public opinion polls in recent days and now frets that President Trump might just get reelected .
The filmmaker has taken to social media to warn Democrats that surveys from CNN , Real Clear Politics and other sources now indicate Mr. Trump is running neck-and-neck with — or even besting — Joseph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House .
“ Are you ready for a Trump victory ?
Are you mentally prepared to be outsmarted by Trump again ?
Do you find comfort in your certainty that there is no way Trump can win ?
Are you content with the trust you ’ ve placed in the DNC to pull this off ?
” Mr. Moore wrote on Facebook over the weekend .
“ The enthusiasm level for the 60 million in Trump ’ s base is off the charts !
For Joe , not so much .
Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get rid of Trump .
YOU have to get rid of Trump .
We have to wake up every day for the next 67 days and make sure each of us are going to get a hundred people out to vote , ” Mr. Moore advised .
He took his warning to Twitter , leading national trends throughout Sunday , garnering some 40,000 comments and retweets .
“ Someone needs to pull the fire alarm NOW .
Where are the stories about Trump gaining on Biden ?
” he tweeted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biden .
Now in one poll Trump is AHEAD of Biden in MI 47-45 .
Yet so many Dems convinced Trump ‘ ll lose .
DANGER !
” In the age of hostile media , an interview with Fox News prime-time host Laura Ingraham could certainly sway public opinion .
She has an exclusive interview with President Trump on Monday — set to discuss the outcome of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions , upcoming presidential debates , persistent civil unrest , and the evolving challenges of the coronavirus pandemic .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one-hour interview airs at 10 p.m. Eastern .
There ’ s change afoot in the North Star State .
A half-dozen Democrat mayors in the Iron Range region of Minnesota near Lake Superior have publicly endorsed President Trump ’ s bid for reelection .
They are not holding back .
“ Today , we don ’ t recognize the Democratic Party .
It has been moved so far to the left it can no longer claim to be advocates of the working class .
The hard-working Minnesotans that built their lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been abandoned by radical Democrats .
We didn ’ t choose to leave the Democratic Party , the party left us , ” the six wrote in a public letter released Friday .
“ Yet , four years ago , something wonderful happened .
Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States , and he stood up to China , implemented tax cuts and fought for the working class .
Now , four years later , the Iron Range is roaring back to life and for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopeful because of this , ” they continued .
“ Lifelong politicians like Joe Biden are out of touch with the working class , out of touch with what the country needs , and out of touch with those of us here on the Iron Range and in small towns like ours across our nation.
” The signers of the letter are Mayors Chris Swanson of Two Harbors , Larry Cuffe of Virginia , John Champa of Chisholm , Chuck Novak of Ely , Robert Vlaisavljevich of Eveleth , and Andrea Zupancich of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers are “ very confident ” that students will have high-quality education this fall ; 10 % of parents and 17 % of students agree .
• 35 % of U.S. teachers are “ confident ” that this will happen ; 19 % of parents and 31 % of students agree .
• 33 % of teachers are “ somewhat confident ” about this fall ’ s education ; 36 % of parents and 32 % of students agree .
• 10 % of teachers are “ not too confident ” ; 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students agree .
• 2 % of teachers are “ not at all confident ” ; 8 % of parents and 5 % of students agree .
Source : A new Schools Venture Fund / Gallup poll conducted from July 16 TO Aug. 5 and released Thursday .
It surveyed 1,111 U.S. teachers , 2,345 U.S. parents AND 1,088 public-school students in grades 3-12 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Not everything in the nation’s capital involves social unrest. Ardent fans of President Trump are planning a sizable “National Capital Trumptilla” boat parade on the Potomac River over Labor Day weekend, and their route will glide past some of the most historic sites in the nation — not to mention the White House.
“Washington, D.C. isn’t exactly Trump country but there’s enough Trump supporters around to make some noise. Like Ronald Reagan said, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats,’” LaDonna Hale Curzon, a local volunteer, tells Inside the Beltway.
The boaters will begin their journey at the Wilson Bridge, some seven miles south of Washington on the Beltway in Northern Virginia, then proceed at “no-wake speed” to the Lincoln Memorial, minding the 18-foot clearance of bridges that span the Potomac. Larger boats will continue up the Anacostia River, which heads east.
Organizers are downright exuberant.
“Let’s show our support of President Trump, the U.S. Constitution, law enforcement, fire fighters, emergency responders, frontline healthcare and essential workers and let the voices of freedom and liberty to strongly be heard in our nation’s capital,” planners say in their public advisory. “No boat, no problem. Join the land rally. Come by car, muscle car, antique car, motorcycle, truck, or bike. Bring your lawn chairs, flags, signs, patriotic wear, and let’s do it right! Decorate in red, white, and blue,”
A source hints that a “special couple” may be onboard one of the boats, and that boaters hail from the lower Potomac region, Virginia and points south.
In recent days, similar boat parades have taken place in Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, New Hampshire, New York, California, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, North Dakota, Texas, Pennsylvania and other states — winning praise from Mr. Trump himself.
“I just wish I had time. I’d get on one of those boats, and I’d be carrying a flag also. I just want to thank everybody. And the whole world is watching,” the president said after a floating rally in Clearwater, Florida, drew 2,000 boats — and is now under consideration by Guinness World Records as — yes — a world-record event.
MICHAEL MOORE IS WORRIED
Michael Moore has been monitoring public opinion polls in recent days and now frets that President Trump might just get reelected. The filmmaker has taken to social media to warn Democrats that surveys from CNN, Real Clear Politics and other sources now indicate Mr. Trump is running neck-and-neck with — or even besting — Joseph R. Biden in the race for the White House.
“Are you ready for a Trump victory? Are you mentally prepared to be outsmarted by Trump again? Do you find comfort in your certainty that there is no way Trump can win? Are you content with the trust you’ve placed in the DNC to pull this off?” Mr. Moore wrote on Facebook over the weekend.
“The enthusiasm level for the 60 million in Trump’s base is off the charts! For Joe, not so much. Don’t leave it to the Democrats to get rid of Trump. YOU have to get rid of Trump. We have to wake up every day for the next 67 days and make sure each of us are going to get a hundred people out to vote,” Mr. Moore advised.
He took his warning to Twitter, leading national trends throughout Sunday, garnering some 40,000 comments and retweets.
“Someone needs to pull the fire alarm NOW. Where are the stories about Trump gaining on Biden?” he tweeted. “Last week Trump pulled within 4 pts of Biden. Now in one poll Trump is AHEAD of Biden in MI 47-45. Yet so many Dems convinced Trump’ll lose. DANGER!”
LAURA AND THE PRESIDENT
In the age of hostile media, an interview with Fox News prime-time host Laura Ingraham could certainly sway public opinion.
She has an exclusive interview with President Trump on Monday — set to discuss the outcome of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, upcoming presidential debates, persistent civil unrest, and the evolving challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Among other things.
The network advises that the one-hour interview airs at 10 p.m. Eastern.
‘THE PARTY LEFT US’
There’s change afoot in the North Star State. A half-dozen Democrat mayors in the Iron Range region of Minnesota near Lake Superior have publicly endorsed President Trump‘s bid for reelection. They are not holding back.
“Today, we don’t recognize the Democratic Party. It has been moved so far to the left it can no longer claim to be advocates of the working class. The hard-working Minnesotans that built their lives and supported their families here on the Range have been abandoned by radical Democrats. We didn’t choose to leave the Democratic Party, the party left us,” the six wrote in a public letter released Friday.
“Yet, four years ago, something wonderful happened. Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States, and he stood up to China, implemented tax cuts and fought for the working class. Now, four years later, the Iron Range is roaring back to life and for the first time in a very long time, locals are hopeful because of this,” they continued.
“Lifelong politicians like Joe Biden are out of touch with the working class, out of touch with what the country needs, and out of touch with those of us here on the Iron Range and in small towns like ours across our nation.”
The signers of the letter are Mayors Chris Swanson of Two Harbors, Larry Cuffe of Virginia, John Champa of Chisholm, Chuck Novak of Ely, Robert Vlaisavljevich of Eveleth, and Andrea Zupancich of Babbitt.
POLL DU JOUR
• 21% of U.S. teachers are “very confident” that students will have high-quality education this fall; 10% of parents and 17% of students agree.
• 35% of U.S. teachers are “confident” that this will happen; 19% of parents and 31% of students agree.
• 33% of teachers are “somewhat confident” about this fall’s education; 36% of parents and 32% of students agree.
• 10% of teachers are “not too confident”; 26% of parents and 15% of students agree.
• 2% of teachers are “not at all confident”; 8% of parents and 5% of students agree.
Source: A new Schools Venture Fund / Gallup poll conducted from July 16 TO Aug. 5 and released Thursday. It surveyed 1,111 U.S. teachers, 2,345 U.S. parents AND 1,088 public-school students in grades 3-12.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--COVID testing planned for students in 4 dorms at Utah State

LOGAN , Utah ( AP ) - Utah State University plans to test nearly 300 students for COVID-19 after wastewater samples from four dormitories showed elevated levels of the coronavirus , school officials said Sunday .
The 287 students who will be tested Sunday and Monday live in the Rich , Jones , Morgan and Davis dorms on the campus in Logan .
There have been no reported positive tests for COVID-19 in those residence halls so far .
Students in those dorms must quarantine until the test results are available , which could take up to four days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a form to ensure they receive academic support , food deliveries and other resources .
Classes are scheduled to begin on Monday for about 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students .
Utah State is one of a small handful of schools using wastewater sampling to help safeguard against a COVID-19 outbreak , The Salt Lake Tribune reported Officials with the University of Arizona said Thursday the school used wastewater testing to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak on campus .
A test of just over 300 people in one dorm with elevated levels of coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said university President Robert Robbins .
Neither student had symptoms .
They were isolated .

LOGAN, Utah (AP) - Utah State University quarantined nearly 300 students for COVID-19 after wastewater samples from four dormitories showed elevated levels of the coronavirus, according to school officials.
The college said Sunday that 287 students would be tested who live in the Rich, Jones, Morgan and Davis dorms on the campus in Logan. There have been no reported positive tests for COVID-19 in those residence halls so far.
Students in those dorms must quarantine until the test results are available, which could take up to four days. They are also asked to fill out a form to ensure they receive academic support, food deliveries and other resources.
Classes were scheduled to begin on Monday for about 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Utah State is among the schools around the country using wastewater sampling to help safeguard against a COVID-19 outbreak.
Officials with the University of Arizona said Thursday the school used wastewater testing to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. A test of just over 300 people in one dorm with elevated levels of coronavirus in the wastewater turned up two cases, said university President Robert Robbins. Neither student had symptoms. They were isolated.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee dies at age 84

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - Former President Pranab Mukherjee , a senior leader of India ’ s opposition Congress @ @ @ @ @ He was 84 .
Mukherjee had emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain @ @ @ @ @ Delhi ’ s Army Hospital Research and Referral .
The hospital said he tested positive @ @ @ @ @ and his condition was critical .
He remained in a coma after the surgery .
@ @ @ @ @ began declining on Monday after a lung infection resulted in septic shock .
His son @ @ @ @ @ , tweeted in the evening that he had died .
Mukherjee was president from 2012 @ @ @ @ @ long period when the Congress party held power .
The office is largely ceremonial in @ @ @ @ @ resting with the prime minister .
Before that , he had been finance , defense @ @ @ @ @ separate prime ministers and helped manage their fractious governing coalitions .

NEW DELHI (AP) - Former President Pranab Mukherjee, a senior leader of India’s Congress party who served in multiple Cabinets during five decades in politics, has died. He was 84.
Mukherjee had emergency surgery for a blood clot in his brain on Aug. 10 at New Delhi’s Army Hospital Research and Referral after suffering a fall. The hospital said he tested positive for COVID-19 after the surgery and his condition was critical. He remained in a coma after the operation.
The hospital said his health began declining on Monday after a lung infection resulted in septic shock.
His son, former lawmaker Abhijeet Mukherjee, tweeted in the evening that he had died. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who leads the rival Bharatiya Janata Party, tweeted that Mukherjee “left an indelible mark on the development trajectory” of India.
“His wise counsel on key policy matters will never be forgotten by me,” Modi said.
Mukherjee was president from 2012 to 2017, at the end of a long period when the Congress party held power. The office is largely ceremonial in India, with executive powers resting with the prime minister.
Before that, he had been minister of finance, defense and foreign affairs for three separate prime ministers and helped manage their fractious governing coalitions.
Mukherjee was a college teacher in West Bengal state before first running for public office in 1969. He became a protege of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was loyal to her during the Internal Emergency she had proclaimed from 1975 to 1977, when elections were suspended and civil liberties were curbed. Many of her opponents were imprisoned.
He lost his position as finance minister after Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 and her son Rajiv Gandhi became prime minister. Mukherjee formed his own party but later reconciled with Rajiv Gandhi and returned to the Congress party in 1989.
After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991, Mukherjee joined the Cabinets of his successors, P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.
Mukherjee was awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019.
He is survived by two sons and a daughter. His wife died in 2015.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Family settles lawsuit over death of trans woman in NYC jail

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The family of a transgender woman with epilepsy who died in an isolated cell in New York City ’ s Rikers Island jail complex has settled its lawsuit with the city , the family ’ s lawyer said .
The settlement was reached Friday in the federal lawsuit over the June 7 , 2019 , death of Layleen Polanco .
The terms of the settlement were not made public , according to David Shanies , the lawyer for Polanco ’ s family .
Shanies said in a statement Sunday that he hopes the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devoted family can find some small measure of peace.
” The 27-year-old Polanco had been in custody since April 2019 , unable to post $ 500 bail after an assault arrest .
The city medical examiner ’ s office ruled that Polanco ’ s cause of death was sudden unexplained death in epilepsy .
Polanco ’ s family members charged in their lawsuit that correction officers failed to check on her as she was dying , ignoring the fact that her medical condition meant she “ could suffer serious injury or death without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report did not find evidence that officers contributed to her death but did say that she had not been checked on for the better part of an hour as she should have been in accordance with a Department of Correction policy .
The Bronx district attorney ’ s office declined to press criminal charges in connection to Polanco ’ s death , but city officials announced in June that 17 correction officers would face disciplinary action in connection with her death .
Asked to comment on the settlement of the lawsuit , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department said Polanco ’ s death “ was an absolute tragedy ” and added that the city “ will continue to do everything it can to make reforms towards a correction system that is fundamentally safer , fairer , and more humane .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - The family of a transgender woman with epilepsy who died in an isolated cell in New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex has settled its lawsuit with the city for $5.9 million, the family’s lawyer said.
The settlement was reached Friday in the federal lawsuit over the June 7, 2019, death of Layleen Polanco. The terms of the settlement were not made public. But David Shanies, the lawyer for Polanco’s family, confirmed published reports about the settlement amount.
Shanies said in a statement Sunday that he hopes the deal means Polanco’s “wonderful and devoted family can find some small measure of peace.”
The 27-year-old Polanco had been in custody since April 2019, unable to post $500 bail after an assault arrest. The city medical examiner’s office ruled that Polanco’s cause of death was sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.
Polanco’s family members charged in their lawsuit that correction officers failed to check on her as she was dying, ignoring the fact that her medical condition meant she “could suffer serious injury or death without intervention.”
A city Department of Investigation report did not find evidence that officers contributed to her death but did say that she had not been checked on for the better part of an hour as she should have been in accordance with a Department of Correction policy.
The Bronx district attorney’s office declined to press criminal charges in connection to Polanco’s death, but city officials announced in June that 17 correction officers would face disciplinary action in connection with her death.
Asked to comment on the settlement of the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the New York City law department said Polanco’s death “was an absolute tragedy” and added that the city “will continue to do everything it can to make reforms towards a correction system that is fundamentally safer, fairer, and more humane.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Police say woman shot to death in Kansas City home

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A woman has died in a shooting inside a Kansas City @ @ @ @ @ the North Town Fork Creek neighborhood , police there said .
The shooting happened around @ @ @ @ @ were called to the home for a report of gunshots , police said .
Responding @ @ @ @ @ woman inside the home with gunshot wounds .
Medics declared her dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ been released .
Investigators were processing evidence at the scene Monday morning and asked the @ @ @ @ @ on the shooting .
Several hours after the shooting , no arrests had been reported @ @ @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A woman has died in a shooting inside a Kansas City home along Swope Parkway in the North Town Fork Creek neighborhood, police there said.
The shooting happened around 3:45 a.m. Monday when officers were called to the home for a report of gunshots, police said. Responding officers and medics found a woman inside the home with gunshot wounds. Medics declared her dead at the scene. Her identity has not been released.
Investigators were processing evidence at the scene Monday morning and asked the public to report any information on the shooting. Several hours after the shooting, no arrests had been reported in the case.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Annual pro-marijuana event again postponed

GREENFIELD , Mass .
( AP ) - An annual pro-marijuana event in western Massachusetts that attracts thousands of people @ @ @ @ @ this time until next year .
Organizers of Extravaganja tell The Daily Hampshire Gazette the @ @ @ @ @ to put off this year ’ s festival until next April 17 .
The postponement @ @ @ @ @ announcement , is to “ allow for more time for organizing , planning and preparing @ @ @ @ @ We just felt it wasn ’ t OK to risk everyone ’ s well-being , @ @ @ @ @ president of the University of Massachusetts Amherst Cannabis Reform Coalition , the group that organizes @ @ @ @ @ This year ’ s event was originally supposed to take place on April 19 at @ @ @ @ @ Greenfield , but was postponed until Oct. 17 because of the pandemic .

BOSTON (AP) - The Steamship Authority has taken two vessels out of service for a thorough cleaning after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus.
The employee worked on both the M/V Woods Hole and the M/V Governor and learned about the positive test results on Saturday, the quasi-public agency announced Sunday.
The employee, whose name was not released, was “unlikely to have prolonged exposure with any member of the public” due to the person’s typical work duties, the statement said.
Twenty-three Steamship Authority workers will be tested for COVID-19 on Monday.
Another worker had tested positive for the virus on Friday.
With two vessels out of service, some trips have been canceled.
The Steamship Authority provides ferry service from the mainland to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
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VIRUS BY THE NUMBERS
Massachusetts reported 11 newly confirmed coronavirus deaths and about 300 newly confirmed cases Monday, pushing the state’s confirmed COVID-19 death toll to more than 8,820 and its confirmed caseload to more than 118,700.
The seven-day weighted average of positive tests was 1%. The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
There were more than 300 people reported hospitalized Monday because of COVID-19, and more than 50 in intensive care units.
The number of confirmed and probable COVID-19-related deaths at long-term care homes rose to more than 5,800 or about 64% of all confirmed and probable deaths in Massachusetts attributed to the disease.
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MARIJUANA EVENT POSTPONED
An annual pro-marijuana event in western Massachusetts that attracts thousands of people has again been postponed, this time until next year.
Organizers of Extravaganja tell The Daily Hampshire Gazette the ongoing coronavirus pandemic prompted them to put off this year’s festival until next April 17.
This year’s event was originally supposed to take place on April 19 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, but was postponed until Oct. 17 because of the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Bennington BLM mural finished despite protests, 4 arrests

BENNINGTON , Vt. ( AP ) - At least four people are facing charges after protests during the painting of @ @ @ @ @ on a street in the town of Bennington .
A number of protesters , including @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter sign , stood in the way during the three-hour painting of the mural @ @ @ @ @ Banner reported .
Others who supported the mural joined hands around the volunteer painters .
@ @ @ @ @ event .
Roughly a dozen police officers , including Chief Paul Doucette , were also @ @ @ @ @ Matter phrase had been marked off in front of the town offices so volunteers could @ @ @ @ @ said police would be issuing a release about the arrests .

BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - At least four people are facing charges after protests during the painting of a Black Lives Matter mural on a street in the town of Bennington.
A number of protesters, including some who carried an anti-Black Lives Matter sign, stood in the way during the three-hour painting of the mural on Sunday, the Bennington Banner reported.
Others who supported the mural joined hands around the volunteer painters.
About 250 people attended the event. Roughly a dozen police officers, including Chief Paul Doucette, were also there.
The Black Lives Matter phrase had been marked off in front of the town offices so volunteers could apply the paint.
Doucette said police would be issuing a release about the arrests.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Crash with U.S. Army vehicle kills four South Koreans

A civilian sports utility vehicle rear-ended a U.S. Army armored personnel carrier near the border with North Korea , killing @ @ @ @ @ inside , Stars & Stripes reported Monday .
The crash happened about 9:30 p.m. Sunday @ @ @ @ @ live-fire complex in the South Korean city of Pocheon .
The four South Koreans in @ @ @ @ @ scene .
The two U.S. Army soldiers in the armored vehicle were not seriously injured @ @ @ @ @ a military hospital for evaluation but later released to his unit .
U.S. military officials @ @ @ @ @ their deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the crash and said @ @ @ @ @ the investigation by South Korean police .
Military training in the area near the crash @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .

A civilian sports utility vehicle rear-ended a U.S. Army armored personnel carrier near the border with North Korea, killing four South Koreans who were inside, Stars & Stripes reported Monday.
The crash happened about 9:30 p.m. Sunday on a road near a live-fire complex in the South Korean city of Pocheon. The four South Koreans in the SUV died at the scene. The two U.S. Army soldiers in the armored vehicle were not seriously injured. One was taken to a military hospital for evaluation but later released to his unit.
U.S. military officials in Korea said they expressed their deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the crash and said they were fully cooperating in the investigation by South Korean police. Military training in the area near the crash site is being temporarily suspended, officials said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Man killed by car in front yard of Milwaukee house

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Milwaukee police are looking for the driver who crashed into a residence and killed a @ @ @ @ @ the front yard .
The crash happened about 6 p.m. Sunday on the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ to officials .
The victim was a 67-year-old man .
Paramedics were unsuccessful in reviving @ @ @ @ @ the vehicle involved fled the scene on foot and is currently being sought , police @ @ @ @ @ not yet been identified .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Milwaukee police are looking for the driver who crashed into a residence and killed a man who was sitting in the front yard.
The crash happened about 6 p.m. Sunday on the city’s southwest side, according to officials. The victim was a 67-year-old man. Paramedics were unsuccessful in reviving him.
The driver of the vehicle involved fled the scene on foot and is currently being sought, police said.
The victim has not yet been identified.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Indoor dining will resume this week with limited capacity

TRENTON , N.J. ( AP ) - Indoor dining will resume Friday with limited capacity , New Jersey Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ will only be able to have 25 % capacity under the new rules , which @ @ @ @ @ tables .
“ Reopening responsibly will help us restore one of our state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ make progress against # COVID19 , ” Murphy wrote in a tweet Monday announcing the @ @ @ @ @ comes five months after the state shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic .

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Indoor dining will resume and movie theaters will reopen Friday, both with limited capacity, in New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.
Movie theater attendance will be capped at 25% percent capacity or 150 people, whichever is less.
Restaurants will only be able to have 25% capacity under the new rules, which includes maintaining social distancing between tables. Masks must be worn except when eating or drinking.
“Reopening responsibly will help us restore one of our state’s key industries while continuing to make progress against #COVID19,” Murphy, a Democrat, wrote in a tweet Monday announcing the updated regulations.
Owners have been eager to open up restaurants for months.
“It’s about time,” said Costas Kaiafas, the owner of the Princess Maria Diner in Wall. “At some point he’s got to let us work.”
The announcement comes five months after the state shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The outbreak in New Jersey has led to more nearly 192,000 positive cases and 14,165 fatalities.
On Tuesday, gyms and health clubs are cleared to reopen, also at 25% capacity and with a mask requirement.
The state had been in the second of three stages of reopening, but Murphy later on Monday said the restarts put the state in stage three territory. An official announcement is still pending.
New Jersey restaurants had already been cleared for outdoor dining, but Murphy had delayed reopening indoor dining, citing health concerns about the spread of the virus inside.
Murphy was under pressure from business groups and political rivals to reopen.
Michele Siekerka, the president of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, said Murphy’s Monday announcement was “unfortunately long overdue.”
Murphy had initially said indoor dining could reopen before the July 4 holiday, but changed his mind, citing worsening figures. That decision was met with criticism, including from Siekerka, who said the state’s businesses couldn’t take advantage of the “prime summer season” and lost patrons to open restaurants in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Asked Monday whether he’d promise not to renege on the reopening again, Murphy said he doesn’t control the virus but sounded confident the restart would go ahead.
“I’ll be stunned, absolutely stunned, if it doesn’t happen,” he said.
Jack Ciattarelli, a former member of the Assembly, is running for the GOP nomination for governor to take on Murphy next year. He also called the decision long overdue and said if health conditions permit, then capacity should be increased incrementally, rising to 50% by November.
Restaurants can’t make a profit on 25% capacity, said Eileen Kean, the the director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses in New Jersey, adding that Murphy should consider expanding the limit to 50% and full capacity soon.
Kaiafas, the diner owner, said he’s hopeful to be at 50% capacity in three or four weeks and fully opened sometime this year.
Atlantic City’s nine casinos have also been chomping at the bit to resume indoor dining, saying the ban has seriously hurt their business.
One of the consequences of the indoor dining ban in the gambling halls is the prohibition of the traditional serving of beverages on the casino floor.
That would presumably be allowed to resume on Friday, although Murphy did not specifically mention casinos in his announcement. Still, the casinos are excited to be able to offer even limited indoor dining as the crucial Labor Day weekend approaches.
“We are very pleased to resume indoor dining this Friday allowing us to bring valued team members back to work,” said Joe Lupo, president of the Hard Rock casino. “We have seen tremendous success with our outdoor dining venues, although weather variables have been a real challenge. Opening indoor dining brings back a key amenity that our guests know, love and deserve.”
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Associated Press reporter Wayne Parry in Atlantic City contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--A male kayaker has gone missing in the Rappahannock River

FREDERICKSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - A kayaker has gone missing on Virginia ’ s Rappahannock River .
Paige @ @ @ @ @ the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries , said the male kayaker had left @ @ @ @ @ another boater shortly after 4 p.m .
They soon encountered rough water , which caused @ @ @ @ @ to flip .
Pearson said he recovered from the flip and held on before letting @ @ @ @ @ would search until sunset on Sunday and then resume the search on Monday if necessary @

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) - A kayaker has gone missing on Virginia’s Rappahannock River.
The Free Lance-Star reports that a search began late Sunday afternoon.
Paige Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said the male kayaker had left the Fredericksburg City Dock with another boater shortly after 4 p.m.
They soon encountered rough water, which caused the man’s kayak to flip. Pearson said he recovered from the flip and held on before letting go.
Pearson said officers would search until sunset on Sunday and then resume the search on Monday if necessary.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Ethiopia seeks US clarification on reported aid cut over dam

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia ( AP ) - An Ethiopian diplomat says his country has asked the United States for clarification on a report that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has approved cutting up to $ 130 million in aid to Ethiopia because of the country ’ s dispute with Egypt and Sudan over a massive dam it is building on the Blue Nile .
Fitsum Arega , Ethiopia ’ s ambassador to the U.S. , tweeted Monday saying he has heard the aid cut is related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and that the clarification is expected from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his country is determined to complete the dam , saying that “ we will pull Ethiopia out of darkness.
” The planned cut was reported by Foreign Policy late Thursday , setting off an uproar among some in Ethiopia , a regional security ally of the U.S. A State Department spokesperson on Friday said they had no announcements on U.S. assistance “ at this time.
” The spokesperson added that “ we believe that past work by Egypt , Ethiopia , and Sudan shows it is still possible to reach balanced and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into account the interests of the three countries .
… We reaffirm our commitment to remain engaged with the three countries until they reach agreement.
” Africa ’ s largest hydroelectric dam has caused severe tensions with Egypt , which has called it an existential threat and worries that it will reduce the country ’ s share of Nile waters .
Ethiopia says the $ 4.6 billion dam will be an engine of development that will pull millions of people out of poverty .
Sudan , in the middle , worries about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands to benefit from access to cheap electricity .
Years of talks among the countries have failed to come to an agreement .
Key remaining issues include how to handle releases of water from the dam during multi-year droughts and how to resolve future disputes .
Pope Francis recently urged Egypt , Ethiopia and Sudan to continue talks amid regional concerns that the dispute could lead to military conflict .
The U.S. earlier this year tried to mediate the discussions , but Ethiopia walked away amid accusations that Washington was siding with Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any progress to the African Union , which is leading negotiations .
The dam ’ s 74 billion-cubic-meter reservoir saw its first filling in July , which Ethiopia ’ s government celebrated and attributed to heavy rains .
Ethiopia had said it would fill the dam with or without a deal with Egypt and Sudan .

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - An Ethiopian diplomat says his country has asked the United States for clarification on a report that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has approved cutting up to $130 million in aid to Ethiopia because of the country’s dispute with Egypt and Sudan over a massive dam it is building on the Blue Nile.
Fitsum Arega, Ethiopia’s ambassador to the U.S., tweeted Monday saying he has heard the aid cut is related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and that the clarification is expected from the U.S. later Monday. He added that his country is determined to complete the dam, saying that “we will pull Ethiopia out of darkness.”
The planned cut was reported by Foreign Policy late Thursday, setting off an uproar among some in Ethiopia, a regional security ally of the U.S. A State Department spokesperson on Friday said they had no announcements on U.S. assistance “at this time.”
The spokesperson added that “we believe that past work by Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan shows it is still possible to reach balanced and equitable agreement in a manner that takes into account the interests of the three countries. … We reaffirm our commitment to remain engaged with the three countries until they reach agreement.”
Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam has caused severe tensions with Egypt, which has called it an existential threat and worries that it will reduce the country’s share of Nile waters. Ethiopia says the $4.6 billion dam will be an engine of development that will pull millions of people out of poverty. Sudan, in the middle, worries about the effects on its own dams though it stands to benefit from access to cheap electricity.
Years of talks among the countries have failed to come to an agreement. Key remaining issues include how to handle releases of water from the dam during multi-year droughts and how to resolve future disputes.
Pope Francis recently urged Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to continue talks amid regional concerns that the dispute could lead to military conflict.
The U.S. earlier this year tried to mediate the discussions, but Ethiopia walked away amid accusations that Washington was siding with Egypt. Now the three countries are reporting any progress to the African Union, which is leading negotiations.
The dam’s 74 billion-cubic-meter reservoir saw its first filling in July, which Ethiopia’s government celebrated and attributed to heavy rains. Ethiopia had said it would fill the dam with or without a deal with Egypt and Sudan.
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Cara Anna in Johannesburg contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--U. Virginia group suggests statue removal, indigenous center

CHARLOTTESVILLE , Va. ( AP ) - The University of Virginia ’ s racial equity task force is recommending the school remove a statue of a Revolutionary War general that some have criticized for its depiction of Native Americans , and replace it with an indigenous studies center .
The nearly 100-year-old granite statue of Gen. George Rogers Clark depicts the military officer mounted on a stallion confronting three Native Americans while backed by armed men .
Clark , the older brother of explorer William Clark , led militias against Native American tribes to take land after the war , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommended to university President James E. Ryan that the school remove the statue and work to build a Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies in its place that would offer opportunities for academic studies , recruitment and support of Native American students , including the establishment of a tribal liaison position , The Daily Progress reported .
The Daily Progress quoted current student and Cherokee Nation member Zac Russell as saying the statue was “ blatantly racist ” for its depiction of the killing of Native Americans , and Anthony Lopez , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the Native American Indigenous Studies Group ’ s statue committee pointed out that the school does not offer any indigenous studies programs .
Virginia ’ s Pamunkey Indian Tribe gave its support for the effort and offered to be involved in planning , Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray wrote in a letter last week to a state historic preservation officer .
“ We perceive the removal of this statue and turning it into an indigenous studies complex as a definite positive way forward to entice Native American students to attend the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Native Americans into a positive one , ” Gray wrote .
A final decision on removing or replacing the statue would be made by the university ’ s board of visitors .
Spokesman Wes Hester said Ryan would review the plans and discuss the report with the board in September .

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - The University of Virginia’s racial equity task force is recommending the school remove a statue of a Revolutionary War general that some have criticized for its depiction of Native Americans, and replace it with an indigenous studies center.
The nearly 100-year-old granite statue of Gen. George Rogers Clark depicts the military officer mounted on a stallion confronting three Native Americans while backed by armed men. Clark, the older brother of explorer William Clark, led militias against Native American tribes to take land after the war, according to historians.
The task force recommended to university President James E. Ryan that the school remove the statue and work to build a Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies in its place that would offer opportunities for academic studies, recruitment and support of Native American students, including the establishment of a tribal liaison position, The Daily Progress reported.
The Daily Progress quoted current student and Cherokee Nation member Zac Russell as saying the statue was “blatantly racist” for its depiction of the killing of Native Americans, and Anthony Lopez, a Crow Creek Sioux tribal member and chairman of the Native American Indigenous Studies Group’s statue committee pointed out that the school does not offer any indigenous studies programs.
Virginia’s Pamunkey Indian Tribe gave its support for the effort and offered to be involved in planning, Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray wrote in a letter last week to a state historic preservation officer.
“We perceive the removal of this statue and turning it into an indigenous studies complex as a definite positive way forward to entice Native American students to attend the University of Virginia by turning a negative depiction of Native Americans into a positive one,” Gray wrote.
A final decision on removing or replacing the statue would be made by the university’s board of visitors. Spokesman Wes Hester said Ryan would review the plans and discuss the report with the board in September.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Police: Most arrested during Kenosha protests not from city

KENOSHA , Wis. ( AP ) - Most of the people arrested in demonstrations against police brutality since the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha were not city residents , according to police .
Of the 175 people arrested during protests in Kenosha since Blake was shot in the back Aug. 23 , leaving the 29-year-old Black man paralyzed , 102 have addresses outside of Kenosha , including 44 different cities , police said in a statement Sunday night .
Protesters have marched in Kenosha every night since Blake ’ s shooting , with some protests devolving into violence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say a teenager from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters in Kenosha on Tuesday night .
Many of the arrests were for curfew violations , and also included possible charges for burglary , possession of illegal drugs and carrying concealed weapons without a permit , officials said .
More than 20 firearms have been seized .
Blake was shot after three Kenosha officers responded to a domestic dispute call .
In cellphone video recorded by a bystander , Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of an SUV to his driver-side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns drawn and shout at him .
As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV , an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire .
Three of Blake ’ s children were in the vehicle .
City officials have identified Rusten Sheskey as the officer who shot Blake .
The Kenosha police union said Blake had a knife and fought with officers .
State investigators have said only that officers found a knife on the floor of the car .
Blake is being treated in a hospital .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s paralyzed from the waist down .
While protests last week were against police brutality , police supporters gathered Sunday in downtown Kenosha .
Some attending the rally wore “ back the blue ” shirts .
Others carried American flags .
They applauded when law enforcement vehicles rolled by .
Some people at Sunday ’ s rally signed petitions urging the recall of Gov .
Tony Evers and Lt. Gov .
Mandela Barnes , both Democrats , and added messages of support on handwritten posters thanking police .
Evers wrote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president to reconsider his plans to visit Kenosha on Tuesday .
“ I , along with other community leaders who have reached out , are concerned about what your presence will mean for Kenosha and our state .
I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing .
I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together , ” Evers wrote .
But , Kenosha County Board supervisors also wrote to Trump on Sunday , urging him not to consider canceling his trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and looking for leadership , and your leadership in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated by those devastated by the violence in Kenosha , ” the letter from seven supervisors said .

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) - Some residents in Kenosha fear a planned visit by President Donald Trump after unrest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake may stir more emotions and cause more violence and destruction in the southeastern Wisconsin city after several days of peace.
The city’s mayor, and the state’s governor, also said they believed Trump’s visit comes at a bad time. But others welcomed the president’s trip, scheduled for Tuesday, when he will tour damage and meet with law enforcement. Trump’s visit comes as demonstrators are calling for the officer who shot Blake to be fired and face attempted murder charges, and more than a week after authorities say a 17-year-old from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters.
Asked Monday whether he feared Trump’s visit could stir more violence, Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said: “We’ll find out tomorrow, won’t we?”
The tension began Aug. 23 after a video showed a Kenosha police officer shooting Blake, a Black man, in the back while responding to a call about a domestic dispute. All last week, Black Lives Matter protesters held events to call for changes to policing. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called a special session of the Legislature for Monday to take up a host of police reform measures, but Republicans took no immediate action.
Authorities said they had resources in place to protect the bedroom community between Chicago and Milwaukee, including more than 1,500 National Guard members.
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said more than 200 people have been arrested since the protests began. Of those, more than half were from outside Kenosha, he said. Many arrests were for curfew violations, and included possible charges for burglary, possession of illegal drugs and carrying concealed weapons without a permit, officials said. The Kenosha Police Department has said more than 20 firearms were seized.
Beth also said that “outside agitators” have used social media or made phone calls to churches and businesses to scare people and spread false rumors.
“I want the people of Kenosha to know there’s a huge amount of resources here to protect you,” Beth said.
Family members say Blake, 29, is paralyzed, and a lawyer said most of his colon and small intestines were removed. His family led a large peaceful protest Saturday, just before Trump announced his plans to visit.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Monday that Trump has no immediate plans to meet with Blake’s family when he’s in Kenosha.
Trump told reporters Monday that he spoke with the Blake family pastor about speaking with the family, who insisted that their lawyer take part in the phone call.
“I thought it would be better not to do anything where there’re lawyers involved,” Trump said. “They wanted me to speak but they wanted to have lawyers involved and I thought that was inappropriate, so I didn’t do that.”
The White House later confirmed that Trump spoke with The Rev. James E. Ward, Jr., founder and lead pastor of Skokie, Illinois-based INSIGHT Church. The Associated Press left and email and voicemail seeking comment Monday evening from Ward.
Ben Crump, an attorney for Blake’s family, told CNN that Blake’s mother “was ready to receive the phone call, but for some reason the call never came, and we now understand why.”
“I don’t know why the president wouldn’t want the family to have their lawyers on the phone,” Crump said. “He seems to have lawyers with him when he talks to people.”
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden spoke with Blake’s family last week.
Blake’s family planned a Tuesday “community celebration” to correspond with Trump’s visit.
“We don’t need more pain and division from a president set on advancing his campaign at the expense of our city,” said uncle Justin Blake in a statement. “We need justice and relief for our vibrant community.”
On Sunday, Evers sent Trump a letter urging him not to come, saying the visit “will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together.” But Kenosha County Board supervisors urged him not to cancel.
“Kenoshans are hurting and looking for leadership, and your leadership in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated by those devastated by the violence in Kenosha,” a letter from seven supervisors said.
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian reiterated Monday that he believes Trump’s visit is coming at the wrong time.
“I think that Kenosha, at this present time, needs peace and needs to heal and needs people to allow us to do that,” he said.
Trump showed no signs of backing down, tweeting about the unrest in Kenosha and saying, ” I will see you on Tuesday!”
Diana Kreye, a 60-year-old resident of nearby Brighton, said Trump is exploiting the conflict.
“I don’t like that this has all become political,” said Kreye, an undecided voter.
Angel Tirado, 42, however, thinks Trump’s visit could help. “I hope he says something that can calm us all down,” said Tirado. “Maybe he’ll bring us together.”
Others doubt the president had any intention of closing divisions and pointed to his recent tweets and history of making racist comments.
“He’s not coming down here to heal,” said David Sanchez, 66, a retiree and Kenosha resident who expects thousands of people to show up to protest Trump. “He’s coming to Kenosha to start more trouble. I don’t care what he says.”
“He has done nothing over the last three years to bring people together,” said Raymond Roberts, 38, a data scientist and Afghanistan War veteran. “This is a bellwether county in a bellwether state. It’s all about his reelection.”
Trump has throughout the summer sought to cast U.S. cities as under siege by violence and lawlessness, despite the fact that most of the demonstrations against racial injustice have been peaceful.
Still, Trump is likely to find some support in a county he won in 2016 by fewer than 250 votes.
Oscar Escobar, 41, a Kenosha resident who owns a moving company and co-owns a bar and grill, said he doesn’t align with either Democrats or Republicans. He said it’s good that Trump plans to visit.
“I think it’s a great thing for him to show that he cares about what’s happening here in Kenosha and not turning his back on us and just leaving us alone,” Escobar said.
___
AP reporters Jennifer Peltz in Kenosha; Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; Don Babwin in Chicago; and Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed.
___
Associated Press writer Russell Contreras is a member of the AP’s Race and Ethnicity Team. Follow Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Army troops heading to California to join fight against wildfires

Army troops from the 2nd Infantry Division on Monday are flying to northern California to help battle raging wildfires in the Mendocino National Forest , officials said .
About 200 soldiers from the 14th Engineer Battalion have been selected to assist the U.S. Forest Service with their fire response efforts .
Along with being fitted with their protective gear - including fire-retardant clothing , boots , gloves and hard hats - the soldiers began training on the use of fire shelters at their home station , Joint Base Lewis-McChord in near Tacoma , Wash. , Army officials said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certified before they are sent to join the fight against the August Complex Fire that began as 37 lightning-ignited fires in the Mendocino National Forest on Aug. 17 .
“ Our soldiers work every day to be ready to respond to our nation ’ s call , whether contributing to joint force solutions in the Indo-Pacific region or assisting the lead federal agency and U.S. Army North to suppress fire right here in the United States , ” said Army Lt. Gen. Randy A. George , commander of I Corp and Joint Base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 221,000 acres of the national forest , officials said .
Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson , commander of U.S Army North , said the troops are proud to be supporting the U.S. Forest Service in the fight against the wildfires .
“ The soldiers who will assist in this mission are highly-trained and they are well-equipped with all of the protective gear needed to keep them safe , including in a COVID-19 environment , ” she said .
According to the U.S. Forest Service , the fire at the Mendocino National Forest @ @ @ @ @ @

Army troops from the 2nd Infantry Division on Monday are flying to northern California to help battle raging wildfires in the Mendocino National Forest, officials said.
About 200 soldiers from the 14th Engineer Battalion have been selected to assist the U.S. Forest Service with their fire response efforts. Along with being fitted with their protective gear - including fire-retardant clothing, boots, gloves and hard hats - the soldiers began training on the use of fire shelters at their home station, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in near Tacoma, Wash., Army officials said.
The soldiers will continue their training and be certified before they are sent to join the fight against the August Complex Fire that began as 37 lightning-ignited fires in the Mendocino National Forest on Aug. 17.
“Our soldiers work every day to be ready to respond to our nation’s call, whether contributing to joint force solutions in the Indo-Pacific region or assisting the lead federal agency and U.S. Army North to suppress fire right here in the United States,” said Army Lt. Gen. Randy A. George, commander of I Corp and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The fire has burned more than 221,000 acres of the national forest, officials said.
Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S Army North, said the troops are proud to be supporting the U.S. Forest Service in the fight against the wildfires.
“The soldiers who will assist in this mission are highly-trained and they are well-equipped with all of the protective gear needed to keep them safe, including in a COVID-19 environment,” she said.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the fire at the Mendocino National Forest is only 18 percent contained.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Democratic candidates for Baltimore mayor spent $8 million

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - The top six Democratic candidates running for Baltimore mayor spent about $ 8 million during @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore Sun reported Monday that candidates faced an elongated race because the coronavirus pandemic had @ @ @ @ @ 28 to June 2 .
Restrictions intended to protect people also made grassroots campaigning difficult @ @ @ @ @ to rely more on pricier strategies , such as television ads .
And yet the @ @ @ @ @ the thriftiest .
Brandon Scott drew 43,927 votes and spent $ 984,000 .
That amounted @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Sheila Dixon drew 40,782 votes and spent $ 742,000 .
That amounted to @ @ @ @ @ .
Others spent more .
They include Mayor Jack Young .
He drew 9,256 votes @ @ @ @ @ .
That amounted to $ 151 per vote .

BALTIMORE (AP) - The top six Democratic candidates running for Baltimore mayor spent about $8 million during the primary season.
The Baltimore Sun reported Monday that candidates faced an elongated race because the coronavirus pandemic had pushed primary day from April 28 to June 2.
Restrictions intended to protect people also made grassroots campaigning difficult. That meant candidates had to rely more on pricier strategies, such as television ads.
And yet the top two finishers were among the thriftiest.
Brandon Scott drew 43,927 votes and spent $984,000. That amounted to about $22 per vote.
Sheila Dixon drew 40,782 votes and spent $742,000. That amounted to about $18 per vote.
Others spent more. They include Mayor Jack Young. He drew 9,256 votes and spent $1.4 million. That amounted to $151 per vote.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Alaska villagers use vehicles to light runway for medevac

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - Residents of a remote Alaska village scrambled just before midnight to help save the life of a child , jumping into their vehicles to light up a pitch-black runway as a medical transport plane circled overhead .
People were running around in pajamas to help out , said Ida Nelson , who lives near the runway in the Southwest Alaska village of Igiugig .
She had just gotten out of a steam bath herself when she heard the sound of the plane , and noticed that the runway lights weren ’ t on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runway a few hundred yards from her home as a neighbor made 32 phone calls requesting help .
“ That ’ s pretty much almost every household in this village .
Pretty much every cell phone here , ” Nelson said .
The medevac pilot circled as Nelson and others on the ground coordinated via phone and radio and staggered cars , trucks and all-terrain vehicles down the length of the runway , using their headlights to show the pilot where to land Friday night , Alaska ’ s Energy Desk reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight from Kodiak to the state-owned airport at the mouth of the Kvichak River on Iliamna Lake .
The child was safely evacuated to Anchorage .
“ Normally if you push the button like 10 or 15 times the lights will just light up , ” Nelson said .
“ But they didn ’ t and so the medevac plane flew over the village.
” LifeMed Alaska posted a photo on social media showing a straight line of lights in the distance .
“ What appears to be a blurry , dark photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazing community can do with a lot of determination , ” the company wrote .
Department of Transportation spokesperson Sam Dapcevich said on Sunday that crews have been out to the airport multiple times this year repairing lights that had been run over during winter maintenance and were out there as recently as last week to fix a wiring problem .
“ They will be returning soon to repair the damaged lights and make sure the system is operational , ” he said in a text message , adding : “ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely guide the medevac flight in .
”

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Residents of a remote Alaska village scrambled just before midnight to help save the life of a child, jumping into their vehicles to light up a pitch-black runway as a medical transport plane circled overhead.
People were running around in pajamas to help out, said Ida Nelson, who lives near the runway in the Southwest Alaska village of Igiugig. She had just gotten out of a steam bath herself when she heard the sound of the plane, and noticed that the runway lights weren’t on. She took her ATV to the runway a few hundred yards from her home as a neighbor made 32 phone calls requesting help.
“That’s pretty much almost every household in this village. Pretty much every cell phone here,” Nelson said.
The medevac pilot circled as Nelson and others on the ground coordinated via phone and radio and staggered cars, trucks and all-terrain vehicles down the length of the runway, using their headlights to show the pilot where to land Friday night, Alaska’s Energy Desk reported.
LifeMed Alaska had sent a King Air flight from Kodiak to the state-owned airport at the mouth of the Kvichak River on Iliamna Lake. The child was safely evacuated to Anchorage.
“Normally if you push the button like 10 or 15 times the lights will just light up,” Nelson said. “But they didn’t and so the medevac plane flew over the village.”
LifeMed Alaska posted a photo on social media showing a straight line of lights in the distance. “What appears to be a blurry, dark photo is actually a view of what an amazing community can do with a lot of determination,” the company wrote.
Department of Transportation spokesperson Sam Dapcevich said on Sunday that crews have been out to the airport multiple times this year repairing lights that had been run over during winter maintenance and were out there as recently as last week to fix a wiring problem.
“They will be returning soon to repair the damaged lights and make sure the system is operational,” he said in a text message, adding: “We’re glad the community was able to safely guide the medevac flight in.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--More troops say they'll vote for Biden than Trump: poll

More active-duty U.S. troops say they ’ ll vote for former Vice President Joseph R. Biden than President Trump in the November election , a new poll shows , continuing a steady decline in the commander in chief ’ s favorability ratings among service members .
A Military Times survey released Monday found that if the election were held today , 41 % of active-duty troops say they ’ d vote for Mr. Biden , compared to just 37 % for the president .
Another 13 % said they intend to back a third-party candidate , while 9 % said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ altogether .
The Military Times surveyed 1,018 active-duty troops for the poll .
The results come as the president gears up for the home stretch of the campaign and as he and other Republicans count on strong military support at the polls in November .
Rebuilding the military and winding down “ endless wars ” abroad , the president has said , are among the greatest achievements of his time in office .
But according to the surveys , Mr. Trump ’ s favorability within the military has continued to fall over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his tenure in January 2017 , 46 % of service members had a positive view of Mr. Trump , compared to 37 % who said they had an unfavorable opinion .
The most recent survey — conducted in late July and early August , before both parties held their political conventions — found that 49.9 % of troops now have an unfavorable opinion of the president , compared to 38 % who have a favorable view .
The poll has a margin of error of up to 2 % .
Perhaps even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of military respondents say they “ strongly disapprove ” of Mr. Trump ’ s time in office , suggesting that a strong plurality of troops may be highly motivated to vote for Mr. Biden .
Over the past four years , the Trump administration has succeeded in drawing down the number of troops in Afghanistan and Syria , and has beefed up Pentagon budgets .
Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also led the way in the creation of the Space Force , the military ’ s first new branch in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken a host of actions viewed as unpopular within the military , including dispatching forces to the U.S.-Mexico border .
More recently , Mr. Trump has threatened to use active-duty forces to suppress riots and civil unrest across the country .
Those threats were seen as deeply disturbing within the top ranks of the military and even led Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to publicly break with Mr. Trump on the issue .
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley also publicly apologized for appearing alongside the president in his battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
Mr. Trump also has been at odds with military leadership over efforts to change the names of Army bases named for Confederate generals , with the president vehemently opposing such changes .

More active-duty U.S. troops say they’ll back Vice President Joseph R. Biden instead of President Trump in the November election, a new poll shows, continuing a steady decline in the president’s favorability rating among a bloc of voters that usually leans solidly Republican.
A Military Times survey released Monday found that if the election were held today, 41% of active-duty troops say they’d vote for the Democratic nominee, compared to just 37% for the president. Another 13% said they intend to back a third-party candidate, while 9% said they’d skip the presidential election altogether. The Military Times surveyed 1,018 active-duty troops for the poll.
The results come as the president gears up for the home stretch of the campaign and as he and other Republicans count on strong military support at the polls in November. Rebuilding the military and winding down “endless wars” abroad, the president argues, are among the signature achievements of his time in office.
Mr. Trump has made those claims a cornerstone of his reelection pitch and again highlighted them during his nomination speech at the Republican National Convention last week. He’s also routinely cited the raises he has secured for service members after years of essentially flat pay rates.
“Unlike previous administrations I have kept America out of new wars, and our troops are coming home,” he said during his RNC address. “We have spent nearly $2.5 trillion on completely rebuilding our military, which was very badly depleted when I took office, as you know. This includes three separate pay raises for our great warriors.”
Despite all of that, Mr. Trump’s favorability within the military has steadily fallen over the past several years. At the start of his tenure in January 2017, 46% of service members had a positive view of Mr. Trump, compared to 37% who said they had an unfavorable opinion.
The most recent survey — conducted in late July and early August, before both parties held their conventions — found that 49.9% of troops now have an unfavorable opinion of the president, compared to 38% who have a favorable view. The poll has a margin of error of up to 2%.
Perhaps even more concerning for the president, 42% of military respondents say they “strongly disapprove” of Mr. Trump’s time in office, suggesting that a strong plurality of troops may be highly motivated to vote for Mr. Biden.
Some say Mr. Trump’s sometimes testy relations with military leaders and the Pentagon have cost him.
“Mr. Trump has failed to deliver for the military, national defense, and national security,” retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman tweeted Monday. Lt. Col. Vindman had a 21-year career in the Army but was removed from the White House’s National Security Council in February after the president alleged that he and his twin brother falsely reported information about Mr. Trump’s phone calls with Ukraine’s president last year.
Those conversations led to Mr. Trump’s impeachment by the House earlier this year.
“Nothing can be more damning than a [Republican administration] losing the support of military personnel and their families,” Lt. Col. Vindman said in his Twitter post. “We do not need four more years of failure.”
Over the past four years, the Trump administration has succeeded in drawing down the number of troops in Afghanistan and Syria, and has beefed up Pentagon budgets. Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also created the Space Force, the military’s first new branch in 75 years.
But the president also has taken a host of actions viewed as unpopular within the military, including dispatching forces to the U.S.-Mexico border. More recently, Mr. Trump has threatened to use active-duty forces to suppress riots and civil unrest across the country.
Those threats were seen as deeply disturbing within the top ranks of the military and even led Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to publicly break with Mr. Trump on the issue. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley also publicly apologized for appearing alongside the president in his battle uniform in downtown Washington during protests in June.
Mr. Trump also has been at odds with military leadership over efforts to change the names of Army bases that honor Confederate generals, with the president vehemently opposing any such changes to their names.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--No more splish-splash at Aquaboggan, which abruptly closed

SACO , Maine ( AP ) - Aquaboggan Water Park says “ strict and inconsistent state regulations ” have forced @ @ @ @ @ season .
Park officials said an update to state COVID-19 safety guidelines reduced the number @ @ @ @ @ park from 1,500 to 100 .
Police showed up Friday to serve managers with a @ @ @ @ @ Aquabogan officials said the water park in Saco should be treated the same as beaches @ @ @ @ @ But they chose not to defy the state .
“ We plan to confront the @ @ @ @ @ working to create policy change rather than operate against them , but unfortunately this takes @ @ @ @ @ on social media .
Aquaboggan was one of a handful of entertainment venues that had @ @ @ @ @ Maine .

SACO, Maine (AP) - Aquaboggan Water Park says “strict and inconsistent state regulations” have forced it to close for the season.
Park officials contend an update to Maine coronavirus safety guidelines reduced the number of people allowed in the park from 1,500 to 100. Police showed up Friday to serve managers with a cease and desist letter.
But the state contends there was no change in rules and that Aquaboggan had incorrectly interpreted the rules.
Aquaboggan officials said the water park in Saco should be treated the same as beaches and other open spaces.
“We plan to confront the inconsistency of the guidelines by working to create policy change rather than operate against them, but unfortunately this takes time,” Aquaboggan posted on social media.
The state had a different view on the situation.
State agencies, health inspectors and the city officials tried to get Aquaboggan to comply with “the same protocols that are required of other outdoor amusement venues,” said Kate Foye, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
“Ultimately, after multiple warnings, Aquaboggan failed to comply and was issued a cease and desist by local law enforcement,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Turkey accuses Greece of 'piracy' over eastern Mediterranean

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkey on Monday accused Greece of “ piracy ” and warned it will stand up to Athens ’ alleged efforts to militarize islands near its coast , following claims that the neighboring country was building up troops on one such island in violation of treaties .
Despite mediation efforts by Germany , NATO allies Turkey and Greece are locked in a dangerous standoff over maritime boundaries and offshore energy exploration rights , which was sparked when Turkey sent a research ship , accompanied by warships to search for gas and oil reserves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing military exercises at sea in recent weeks .
A member of the European Union , Greece claims the waters are part of its continental shelf and has enlisted the support of the 27-nation bloc , which has condemned Turkey ’ s “ illegal activities ” and warned of potential sanctions against Ankara .
Turkey disputes Greece ’ s claims , insisting that Greek islands shouldn ’ t be taken into account when delineating maritime boundaries .
Ankara accuses Athens of trying to grab an unfair share of the eastern Mediterranean ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been joined by France , Italy and the United Arab Emirates in carrying out naval and aerial war games in the region .
Ratcheting up the rhetoric , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that his country of ready to pay the price for its efforts to defend Turkey ’ s rights in the eastern Mediterranean .
He asked whether the people of Greece and France were ready to make the same sacrifices due to the “ greed and incompetence ” of their leaders .
On Monday , Turkish ruling party spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Greece had clandestinely sent soldiers to the island of Kastellorizo , located around 600 kilometers ( 370 miles ) from the Greek mainland and two kilometers ( 1.25 miles ) from the Turkish coast , denouncing the alleged move as “ a new example of piracy.
” “ Pointing guns toward Turkey ’ s coasts is foolishness , ” he warned .
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said late Sunday that if the reports were true , then the move would amount to a violation of a 1947 treaty and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlawfulness and its true intentions in the Eastern Mediterranean .
“ We emphasize that we will not allow such a provocation to achieve its purpose , right across our coasts , ” Aksoy said .
“ If it continues to take steps that increase the tension in the region , the loser would be Greece.
” There was no immediate comment from the Greek government .
Greek defense officials said that soldiers were sent to Kastellorizo as part of a regular rotation and that there was no military buildup on the island .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to deploy defensive forces when under threat , adding that Turkey isn ’ t a signatory of the 1947 treaty ceding the southeast Aegean islands to Greece .
Derek Gatopoulos contributed to this report from Athens , Greece .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey on Monday accused Greece of “piracy” and warned it will stand up to Athens’ alleged efforts to militarize islands near its coast, following claims that the neighboring country was building up troops on one such island in violation of treaties.
Despite mediation efforts by Germany, NATO allies Turkey and Greece are locked in a dangerous standoff over maritime boundaries and offshore energy exploration rights, which was sparked when Turkey sent a research ship, accompanied by warships to search for gas and oil reserves. The two neighbors have been engaged in competing military exercises at sea in recent weeks.
A member of the European Union, Greece claims the waters are part of its continental shelf and has enlisted the support of the 27-nation bloc, which has condemned Turkey’s “illegal activities” and warned of potential sanctions against Ankara.
Turkey disputes Greece’s claims, insisting that Greek islands shouldn’t be taken into account when delineating maritime boundaries. Ankara accuses Athens of trying to grab an unfair share of the eastern Mediterranean’s resources.
Greece and Cyprus have recently been joined by France, Italy and the United Arab Emirates in carrying out naval and aerial war games in the region.
Ratcheting up the rhetoric, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that his country of ready to pay the price for its efforts to defend Turkey’s rights in the eastern Mediterranean. He asked whether the people of Greece and France were ready to make the same sacrifices due to the “greed and incompetence” of their leaders.
On Monday, Turkish ruling party spokesman Omer Celik commented about media reports claiming that Greece had clandestinely sent soldiers to the island of Kastellorizo, located around 600 kilometers (370 miles) from the Greek mainland and two kilometers (1.25 miles) from the Turkish coast, denouncing the alleged move as “a new example of piracy.”
“Pointing guns toward Turkey’s coasts is foolishness,” he warned.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said late Sunday that if the reports were true, then the move would amount to a violation of a 1947 treaty and “a new indication of Greece’s unlawfulness and its true intentions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“We emphasize that we will not allow such a provocation to achieve its purpose, right across our coasts,” Aksoy said. “If it continues to take steps that increase the tension in the region, the loser would be Greece.”
There was no immediate comment from the Greek government. Greek defense officials said that soldiers were sent to Kastellorizo as part of a regular rotation and that there was no military buildup on the island.
Greek officials argue that Greece does have the right to deploy defensive forces when under threat, adding that Turkey isn’t a signatory of the 1947 treaty ceding the southeast Aegean islands to Greece.
___
Derek Gatopoulos contributed to this report from Athens, Greece.


washingtontimes--2020-08-31--Democratic Party launches hotline on voting procedures

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - The Democratic Party of New Mexico hopes to broaden participation in the Nov. 3 election as it launches a daytime telephone hotline and online resources about balloting .
State Democratic Party Executive Director Chelsey Evans said the initiative beginning Monday aims to inform voters about new options and deadlines for requesting and casting absentee ballots .
The coronavirus pandemic already reshaped voting in New Mexico , with absentee voting by mail or drop-off delivery soaring in popularity during the June primary .
Temporary election reforms adopted in June by the Legislature and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot-request deadlines , adding a new signature requirement and providing for ballot tracking by postal bar codes .
Evans said the voter education project sponsored by Democrats will publicize key deadlines such as Oct. 20 , the last date when absentee ballot requests can be received by county clerks .
Hotline operators won ’ t ask callers about party affiliation and are available to help anyone with voting questions , she said .
Prominent Democratic officials are concerned that President Donald Trump may be trying to undermine the U.S .
Postal Service ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can limit the impact of mail delays by using a website to request an absentee ballot , and then using drop-boxes or going to election offices directly to turn them in .
“ We see a lot of enthusiasm and we want to make sure that that enthusiasm is captured and that people can access the ballot , ” she said .
The party has scrapped door-to-door canvassing operations in response to COVID-19 and is focusing more resources on providing answers about voting procedures via telephone and online .
Registered New Mexico voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason .
Ballots can be turned in from Oct. 6 through Election Day .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Democratic Party of New Mexico hopes to broaden participation in the Nov. 3 election as it launches a daytime telephone hotline and online resources about balloting.
State Democratic Party Executive Director Chelsey Evans said the initiative beginning Monday aims to inform voters about new options and deadlines for requesting and casting absentee ballots.
The coronavirus pandemic already reshaped voting in New Mexico, with absentee voting by mail or drop-off delivery soaring in popularity during the June primary. Temporary election reforms adopted in June by the Legislature and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham having altered ballot-request deadlines, adding a new signature requirement and providing for ballot tracking by postal bar codes.
Evans said the voter education project sponsored by Democrats will publicize key deadlines such as Oct. 20, the last date when absentee ballot requests can be received by county clerks. Hotline operators won’t ask callers about party affiliation and are available to help anyone with voting questions, she said.
Prominent Democratic officials are concerned that President Donald Trump may be trying to undermine the U.S. Postal Service ahead of the election. Evans said voters can limit the impact of mail delays by using a website to request an absentee ballot, and then using drop-boxes or going to election offices directly to turn them in.
“We see a lot of enthusiasm and we want to make sure that that enthusiasm is captured and that people can access the ballot,” she said.
The party has scrapped door-to-door canvassing operations in response to COVID-19 and is focusing more resources on providing answers about voting procedures via telephone and online.
Registered New Mexico voters can request an absentee ballot for any reason. Ballots can be turned in from Oct. 6 through Election Day.