washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Oglala man pleads not guilty in 2019 fatal crash

RAPID CITY , S.D .
( AP ) - An Oglala man has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter for @ @ @ @ @ a 74-year-old woman .
Clifford Running Hawk , 44 , entered his plea earlier this @ @ @ @ @ in Rapid City , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in South Dakota @ @ @ @ @ eight years in prison if convicted .
Running Hawk is accused of driving under the @ @ @ @ @ on Nov. 21 , 2019 when he crashed into an oncoming vehicle , resulting in @ @ @ @ @ Crow Indian .
The mother of eight children died several days later at the hospital @ @ @ @

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - An Oglala man has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter for a 2019 crash that killed a 74-year-old woman.
Clifford Running Hawk, 44, entered his plea earlier this month at the federal courthouse in Rapid City, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Dakota. He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.
Running Hawk is accused of driving under the influence and speeding near Oglala on Nov. 21, 2019 when he crashed into an oncoming vehicle, resulting in the death of Virginia Kills Crow Indian.
The mother of eight children died several days later at the hospital in Rapid City.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Climber dies when boulder severs rope, causing 150-foot fall

LINCOLN , N.H. ( AP ) - A Massachusetts climber died when a tumbling boulder severed his rope , causing @ @ @ @ @ while climbing on Cannon Cliff in Franconia Notch State Park , conservation officers said .
@ @ @ @ @ fall late Sunday afternoon and called for help , but the man ’ s body @ @ @ @ @ until Monday morning .
The climber was identified as Benjamin Kessel , 34 of Somerville @ @ @ @ @ .
Kessel was climbing up the cliff when a rock the size of a refrigerator @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .

LINCOLN, N.H. (AP) - A Massachusetts climber died when a tumbling boulder severed his rope, causing him to fall 150 feet while climbing on Cannon Cliff in Franconia Notch State Park, conservation officers said.
Several people saw the climber fall late Sunday afternoon and called for help, but the man’s body couldn’t be recovered until Monday morning. The climber was identified as Benjamin Kessel, 34 of Somerville, Massachusetts, officials said.
Kessel was climbing up the cliff when a rock the size of a refrigerator dislodged and sliced his rope, officials said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Dog trapped in 30-foot hole lured to safety with beef jerky

MORGANTON , N.C. ( AP ) - A group of mountain bikers on a North Carolina trail spotted a dog trapped 30 feet ( 9 meters ) down in a sinkhole - and it took a salty snack and some straps to lift him to safety .
The group was riding the Sinkhole Trail at Pisgah National Forest , about 50 miles ( 80 kilometers ) south of Asheville , on Sunday when they encountered the dog , who had apparently been stuck in the hole for several days , according to Burke County Search And Rescue .
The bikers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a mile to the stranded animal , where they repelled into the sinkhole , enticed the starving dog with some beef jerky and raised him to safety using a harness , the rescue squad said .
The dog was not injured , but was starving and dehydrated , according to the rescuers .
He was taken to Burke County Animal Services for an examination and named “ Sinker.
” Officials said he did not have a collar or a microchip , and if owners are not found , he could be placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11-kilometer ) trail is named for the large sinkhole along its ridge .

MORGANTON, N.C. (AP) - A group of mountain bikers on a North Carolina trail spotted a dog trapped 30 feet (9 meters) down in a sinkhole - and it took a salty snack and some straps to lift him to safety.
The group was riding the Sinkhole Trail at Pisgah National Forest, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Asheville, on Sunday when they encountered the dog, who had apparently been stuck in the hole for several days, according to Burke County Search And Rescue.
The bikers called for help and led rescuers more than a mile to the stranded animal, where they rappelled into the sinkhole, enticed the starving dog with some beef jerky and raised him to safety using a harness, the rescue squad said.
The dog was not injured, but was starving and dehydrated, according to the rescuers.
He was taken to Burke County Animal Services for an examination and named “Sinker.” Officials said he did not have a collar or a microchip, and if owners are not found, he could be placed up for adoption.
The 7-mile (11-kilometer) trail is named for the large sinkhole along its ridge.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Norfolk State to host 2nd debate between Warner and Gade

NORFOLK , Va. ( AP ) - Norfolk State University says it will host the second debate between U.S .
Senator Mark Warner and Republican challenger Daniel Gade .
The Virginian-Pilot reported Monday that the debate will be Oct. 3 at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center .
The second debate will focus on racial disparities and inequities in education and healthcare as well as economic mobility and the criminal justice system .
Norfolk State is a historically Black university .
It will be the first time the school in Norfolk hosts a live U.S. senatorial debate on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invite-only and will be closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic .
But the debate will stream live at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3 on WAVY.com and on WAVY-TV 10′s Facebook Live channel .
The debate will also be available on the university ’ s radio station , WNSB-FM 91.1 .
The debate will be recorded and air at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 on WAVY-TV 10 .
The first debate between the two candidates is scheduled for Wednesday .
It will air on NBC4 and NBCWashington.com at 7 p.m .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Richmond .

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Norfolk State University says it will host the second debate between U.S. Senator Mark Warner and Republican challenger Daniel Gade.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Monday that the debate will be Oct. 3 at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center.
The second debate will focus on racial disparities and inequities in education and healthcare as well as economic mobility and the criminal justice system.
Norfolk State is a historically Black university. It will be the first time the school in Norfolk hosts a live U.S. senatorial debate on its campus.
The 90-minute debate will be invite-only and will be closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic. But the debate will stream live at 5 p.m. on Oct. 3 on WAVY.com and on WAVY-TV 10′s Facebook Live channel.
The debate will also be available on the university’s radio station, WNSB-FM 91.1. The debate will be recorded and air at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 on WAVY-TV 10.
The first debate between the two candidates is scheduled for Wednesday. It will air on NBC4 and NBCWashington.com at 7 p.m.
The third debate is slated for Oct. 13 in Richmond.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Russia's FM laments sanctions at UN amid tension with West

MOSCOW ( AP ) - Russia ’ s foreign minister complained about countries using sanctions to meddle in the domestic affairs of other nations , telling the U.N. General Assembly that such penalties hamper an effective worldwide response to issues such as the coronavirus pandemic , climate change , military conflicts and international terrorism .
In a speech delivered when it was early Tuesday in Moscow but still Monday in New York , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the attempts by some countries to “ meddle in the domestic affairs of other states , using unilateral sanctions ” interfere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is facing today.
” “ We believe that this is largely attributed to the fact that some countries are not willing to account for the legitimate interests of other states , ” Lavrov said in a speech on behalf of the Collective Security Treaty Organization , which consists of Russia , Belarus , Armenia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan .
“ They are seeking to impose concepts and standards like the ‘ rules-based world order ’ while attempting to meddle in the domestic affairs of other states , using unilateral sanctions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and exhibiting intolerance and hatred , ” the minister charged .
Lavrov ’ s speech came amid tensions between Russia and the West over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny , who is being treated in Berlin for what German authorities said was a nerve agent poisoning , and as the European Union ponders imposing sanctions over Belarus ’ disputed presidential election and crackdowns on protesters .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Navalny ’ s poisoning an attempted murder that was intended to silence Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s most prominent foe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be willing to rethink the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project , which would bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea .
Russia also drew international criticism for approving a COVID-19 vaccine after testing it on just several dozen people .
Putin , who is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly later Tuesday , touted the vaccine on national television and said that one of his adult daughters had already been inoculated .
However , both Russian and Western experts insisted that further studies were necessary to determine its effectiveness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech , called for unity and urged countries to reaffirm their commitment to the U.N. charter and international law , saying that “ the world is tired of dividing lines , of separating states into friends and foes.
” “ We once again , like in 1945 , need to cast the differences aside and unite in the name of solving common problems , backed by equal dialogue and mutual respect for ( each other ’ s ) interests , ” the Russian minister concluded .
European Union foreign ministers failed to agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected of election fraud or of playing a part in a six-week security crackdown .
However , EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said there was “ clear will to adopt those sanctions .
”

MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin argued Tuesday that ending “illegitimate sanctions” against countries like his could boost the coronavirus-hit global economy and create jobs, using his annual speech at the U.N. General Assembly to stress the need for multilateral cooperation against the pandemic.
In a somewhat muted speech for the often tough-talking Russian leader, Putin told the U.N.’s 75th anniversary gathering that countries need to work together better to fight the virus and other global problems.
“Freeing world trade from barriers, bans, restrictions and illegitimate sanctions would be a great help in revitalizing global growth and reducing unemployment,” he said.
Putin has been pushing for years to end U.S. and European Union sanctions imposed on Moscow after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, was accused of interfering in the 2016 U.S. elections, and other actions. Moscow views the Crimea annexation as legitimate, and denies meddling in the vote that gave Donald Trump the U.S. presidency.
Putin warned other countries against unspecified “interference” in domestic affairs, and said “cybersecurity also deserves most serious deliberation within the U.N.” - without mentioning the Russian trolls and hackers accused of manipulating U.S. public opinion in 2016.
Putin’s speech came amid tensions between Russia and the West over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is being treated in Berlin for what German authorities said was a nerve agent poisoning, and as the EU ponders imposing sanctions over Belarus’ disputed presidential election and crackdowns on protesters.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Navalny’s poisoning an attempted murder that was intended to silence Putin’s most prominent political foe. Merkel’s office indicated she may be willing to rethink the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which would bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea.
EU foreign ministers failed to agree Monday on imposing sanctions on Belarusian officials suspected of rigging the Aug. 9 election that kept authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in power. A security crackdown on anti-government protests followed the vote. However, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said there was “clear will to adopt those sanctions.”
Russia also has drawn international criticism for speedily approving a COVID-19 vaccine, and some Western experts said it cut corners during testing. Putin has touted the vaccine on national television and said that one of his adult daughters had already been inoculated - and on Tuesday, he offered to provide the vaccine free to all U.N. staff.
However, both Russian and Western experts insist that further studies are needed to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said some countries “are seeking to impose concepts and standards like the ‘rules-based world order’ while trying to meddle in the domestic affairs of other states, using unilateral sanctions in violation of the U.N. Security Council prerogatives, and exhibiting intolerance and hatred.”
Putin called for unity and urged countries to reaffirm their commitment to the U.N. charter and international law, lamenting a “deficit of humanity and kindness” between countries amid the pandemic.
He repeatedly stressed the Soviet Union’s role in helping vanquish the Nazis in World War II - the conflict that gave birth to the United Nations. Despite calls for deep reform of the U.N., Putin said the Security Council’s five permanent members should keep their veto power, and said their leaders agreed to an in-person meeting once the pandemic allows.
“In an interconnected, interdependent world, in the whirlpool of international events, it is necessary to act together and rely on the principles of international law enshrined in the U.N. charter,” he said.
—
Charlton contributed from Paris.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Amid China's bumpy rise, Xi faces delicate moment at UN

TOKYO ( AP ) - The descriptions that China ’ s state media rolled out ahead of leader Xi Jinping ’ s speech Tuesday at the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations were hardly unexpected .
The Xinhua news agency lauded him as as a “ champion of the U.N. ethos , ” and commentaries laid out his expectations and plans as he prepared for virtual meetings with his colleagues at the U.N. General Assembly .
All of the propaganda was peppered with assertions of China ’ s long history as a paragon of world cooperation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reason on the international stage .
But scattered clues suggest some unease as China looks to manage its staggering - and staggeringly complex - military , economic and political rise while confronting the aggressive containment strategies of the world ’ s current superpower , the United States , and its friends and allies .
“ Xi Jinping has his work cut out for him at the General Assembly , ” said Mike Mazza , a China analyst at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington .
He pointed to tensions with Europe over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , in addition to the Trump administration ’ s more consistently confrontational approach to China .
Xi has failed to leverage ill feelings between many European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump , while a potential detente with Japan has stalled .
Relations with Australia have nosedived over allegations of spying and political manipulation and calls for an investigation into the Chinese origins of the coronavirus outbreak , Mazza said .
Despite distancing itself from Washington in favor of Beijing in recent years , the Philippines recently backed away from a threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , another setback to Beijing ’ s push to dominate the region .
These troubles are , “ by and large , problems of its own making , ” Mazza said of China .
As aggressive as Beijing can seem to its neighbors when using its fast-expanding military and powerful economy to carve out what it sees as its natural sphere of influence in Asia , this is a fragile moment in what ’ s often seen as China ’ s inevitable rise as a superpower .
Beijing has faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , which originated in China late last year .
Some say Beijing initially attempted to cover up the outbreak before seeking to take advantage of its response for public relations ends .
There ’ s outrage over China ’ s severe restriction of civil rights in Hong Kong following its imposition on the semi-autonomous city of a sweeping national security law , and over widespread accusations of mass detentions and cultural genocide against Muslims in the Xinjiang region .
And there ’ s wariness also over China ’ s rising pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-governing island democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory .
Meanwhile , China ’ s moves to claim nearly the entire South China Sea have led to friction with the United States and with Beijing ’ s neighbors to the south , while a decades-long border dispute with India erupted this year into deadly brawling between the rivals ’ troops and the firing of shots for the first time in decades .
All this has undercut arguments that favor engagement with China as a trade war between Beijing , the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest , continues to simmer .
“ Xi will find a very mixed international environment when he addresses the UNGA .
Most of the democracies which had previously been very supportive of China ’ s modernization and development are getting uncomfortable with how Xi is steering the rise of China , ” said Steve Tsang , director of the China Institute at London ’ s School of Oriental and African Studies .
Xi , in prepared remarks released before a meeting to commemorate the 75th U.N. anniversary , took veiled but unmistakable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the right to dominate global affairs , control the destiny of others , or keep advantages in development all to itself , ” Xi said .
“ Even less should one be allowed to do whatever it likes and be the hegemon , bully or boss of the world .
Unilateralism is a dead end.
” This could just as easily be describing China ’ s Asian neighbors ’ feelings at what many see as Beijing ’ s aggressive foreign policy .
“ Beijing is incapable of acknowledging that its own actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various problems so , to the extent problems are acknowledged , the source will always be someone else , ” said Ralph Cossa , president emeritus of the Pacific Forum think tank in Hawaii .
The United States and China are now “ locked on a collision course that could potentially result in dangerous military conflict , ” said Brookings Institution China analyst Cheng Li .
An immediate goal of Xi ’ s will be to “ showcase how China has stepped up to the plate to call for multilateralism and address global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief to climate change and international peace-keeping - while the United States has increasingly left a gaping void in global leadership.
” While many in the world have mixed feelings about China ’ s rise , others will see it as a model of COVID-19 recovery and assistance - in “ glaring contrast ” to the United States , said Brantley Womack of the University of Virginia ’ s Miller Center .
Xi will also likely be appreciated at the U.N. by countries looking for investment and debt relief under China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by states such as Russia .
“ Just as the global financial crisis in 2008 set the stage for China ’ s entrance as a global economic power , the COVID crisis provides a new spotlight for China as a global political power , ” Womack said .
“ In both cases , China ’ s presence is acknowledged but not necessarily welcome , and China ’ s diplomatic challenge is to put its best face forward.
” Foster Klug , AP ’ s news director for the Koreas , Japan , Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asia at the annual UNGA meetings since 2005 .
Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/apklug

China’s leader took oblique potshots at the United States and its foreign policies Tuesday, cautioning in a U.N. address that the world must “not fall into the trap of a clash of civilizations” - remarks played minutes after delegates heard the American president insist that the United Nations “hold China accountable” for how it handled the emergence of the coronavirus.
“Major countries should act like major countries,” Xi Jinping said in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly, a speech made remotely and recorded in advance because the pandemic prevented leaders from convening as they have for decades. The virus first emerged in China early this year and has spread around the world, killing nearly 1 million people.
Xi, China’s president and the leader of its Communist Party, cast the fight against the virus as an important exercise in international cooperation, an opportunity to “join hands and be prepared to meet even more global challenges.”
“COVID-19 reminds us that the economic globalization is an indisputable reality and a historical trend,” Xi said. “Burying one’s head in the sand like an ostrich in the face of economic globalization or trying to fight it with Don Quixote’s lance goes against the trend of history. Let this be clear: The world will never return to isolation.”
Such remarks, while not naming U.S. President Donald Trump, are highly critical of him and his “America First” philosophy, which goes against China’s public stance on how diplomacy should be managed. In reality, China often acts unilaterally in affairs both domestic and international.
Earlier in the day, Trump used his own U.N. speech to roundly condemn Xi’s government for what the American president frequently calls “the China virus,” a term he used again Tuesday. He referred to the virus as the “invisible enemy.” Many consider the very term “China virus” to be racist.
Though Trump had lavish praise for Xi early in his term, two key issues - a tariff dispute and the emergence of coronavirus - have helped cause his administration to take a more hardline attitude toward the Chinese government.
“The United Nations must hold China accountable for their actions,” Trump said in his own speech.
China has a longtime practice of reflexively rejecting any criticism of its policies. Tuesday was no exception. While Xi, being prerecorded and not there, could not rebut what Trump said, his U.N. ambassador was on site in the General Assembly chamber and responded directly while introducing the Xi video.
“At this moment, the world needs more solidarity and cooperation, and not a confrontation,” Zhang Jun said. “We need to increase mutual confidence and trust, and not the spreading of political virus. China resolutely rejects the baseless accusation against China.”
Xi spoke at a historical moment in which China is working to manage its staggering - and staggeringly complex - military, economic and political rise while confronting the aggressive containment strategies of the world’s current superpower, the United States, and its friends and allies.
“Xi Jinping has his work cut out for him at the General Assembly,” said Mike Mazza, a China analyst at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. He pointed to tensions with Europe over trade and investment, climate and human rights, in addition to the Trump administration’s more consistently confrontational approach to China.
Xi has failed to leverage ill feelings between many European leaders and Trump, while a potential detente with Japan has stalled. Relations with Australia have nosedived over allegations of spying and political manipulation and calls for an investigation into the Chinese origins of the coronavirus outbreak, Mazza said.
These troubles are, “by and large, problems of its own making,” Mazza said of China.
As aggressive as Beijing can seem to its neighbors when using its expanding military and powerful economy to carve out what it sees as its natural sphere of influence in Asia, this is a fragile moment in what’s often seen as China’s inevitable rise as a superpower.
Beijing has faced criticism over the continuing fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which originated in Wuhan province late last year. Some say Beijing initially attempted to cover up the outbreak before seeking to take advantage of its response for public-relations ends.
There’s outrage over China’s severe restriction of civil rights in Hong Kong following its imposition on the semi-autonomous city of a sweeping national security law, and over widespread accusations of mass detentions and cultural genocide against Muslims in the Xinjiang region. And there’s wariness also over China’s rising pressure and military threats against Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory.
Meanwhile, China’s moves to claim nearly the entire South China Sea have led to friction with the United States and with Beijing’s neighbors to the south, while a decades-long border dispute with India erupted this year into deadly brawling between the rivals’ troops and the firing of shots for the first time in decades.
All this has undercut arguments that favor engagement with China as a trade war between Beijing, the world’s second-biggest economy, and Washington, the biggest, continues to simmer.
“Xi will find a very mixed international environment when he addresses the UNGA. Most of the democracies which had previously been very supportive of China’s modernization and development are getting uncomfortable with how Xi is steering the rise of China,” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.
The United States and China are now “locked on a collision course that could potentially result in dangerous military conflict,” said Brookings Institution China analyst Cheng Li. An immediate goal of Xi’s will be to “showcase how China has stepped up to the plate to call for multilateralism and address global concerns … while the United States has increasingly left a gaping void in global leadership.”
Xi, in doing that with his speech, insisted that China under his rule isn’t veering into the imperialism his communist government has long condemned.
“We will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence,” he said. “We have no intention of fighting either a Cold War or a hot one with any country.”
___
Foster Klug, AP’s news director for the Koreas, Japan, Australia and the South Pacific, has covered Asia at the annual UNGA meetings since 2005. Ted Anthony was AP correspondent and news editor in Beijing from 2001 to 2004 and director of Asia-Pacific News from 2014 to 2018.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Mother of IS member loses bid to block UK evidence transfer

LONDON ( AP ) - The mother of a British man who is suspected in the beheadings of Westerners taken hostage by the Islamic State group lost a court challenge Tuesday to the British government ’ s decision to share evidence about her son with American authorities .
El Shafee Elsheikh and another British man who admitted joining IS , Alexanda Kotey , are in U.S. custody .
The two are are accused of belonging to a cell of executioners responsible for killing Western captives in Syria .
Surviving captives nicknamed them and two other jihadists they encountered “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British accents .
Elsheikh ’ s mother challenged British Home Secretary Priti Patel ’ s decision to provide information to U.S. prosecutors under a “ mutual legal assistance ” request , arguing that the move was unlawful and incompatible with data protection laws .
Judges rejected the case Tuesday , meaning that British authorities can now hand over the requested evidence to American authorities .
U.S. prosecutors notified the British government last month that they would not pursue the death penalty against the two suspects , removing a hurdle in the men ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court ruling had effectively blocked the sharing of evidence with American authorities because the U.S. had not offered assurances that the death penalty was off the table .
The British men , captured two years ago by a Kurdish-led , U.S.-backed militia , are accused of participating in a brutal Islamic State group cell known for beheadings and the barbaric treatment of American aid workers , journalists and other hostages in Syria .
U.S. officials have not announced any charges against the men , but have spoken of their desire to see members @ @ @ @ @ @

LONDON (AP) - The mother of a British man who is suspected in the beheadings of Westerners taken hostage by the Islamic State group lost a court challenge Tuesday to the British government’s decision to share evidence about her son with American authorities.
El Shafee Elsheikh and another British man who admitted joining IS, Alexanda Kotey, are in U.S. custody. The two are are accused of belonging to a cell of executioners responsible for killing Western captives in Syria. Surviving captives nicknamed them and two other jihadists they encountered “The Beatles” because they spoke English with British accents.
Elsheikh’s mother challenged British Home Secretary Priti Patel’s decision to provide information to U.S. prosecutors under a “mutual legal assistance” request, arguing that the move was unlawful and incompatible with data protection laws.
Judges rejected the case Tuesday, meaning that British authorities can now hand over the requested evidence to American authorities.
U.S. prosecutors notified the British government last month that they would not pursue the death penalty against the two suspects, removing a hurdle in the men’s potential prosecution. An earlier British court ruling had effectively blocked the sharing of evidence with American authorities because the U.S. had not offered assurances that the death penalty was off the table.
In a statement Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said it was pleased with the High Court’s decision.
“We are grateful that the British government has passed its evidence to us and confirmed its commitment to cooperate with our efforts to investigate and prosecute the two ISIS terrorists currently being held in U.S. military custody,” the Justice Department said. “We remain committed to holding these defendants accountable and obtaining justice for the victims of their terrorist activity.”
The British men, captured two years ago by a Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed militia, are accused of participating in a brutal Islamic State group cell known for beheadings and the barbaric treatment of American aid workers, journalists and other hostages in Syria.
U.S. officials have not announced any charges against the men.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--VIRUS DIARY:  As time ran short, a son rushed to say goodbye

RIO DE JANEIRO ( AP ) - No man is an island , the poem says .
But amid pandemic quarantine , when my dad started having episodes of feeling faint , he seemed so isolated .
Coronavirus protocols meant consulting a doctor by video who told him his symptoms weren ’ t worrisome , and he only needed to be careful about falling .
Then he fainted and went into a coma .
My mom wasn ’ t sure that my dad , a physician , would want me or my three brothers risking infection to travel home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So after five months of avoiding airplanes and hospitals , I rushed headlong toward both .
We spent days in the critical care unit , hearing worsening prognoses .
They allowed us all into his room , and one night we huddled to watch a last Red Sox game together with a team blanket draped over Dad ’ s legs .
As the Sox clobbered the Orioles , we muffled cheers .
His late-game snoring made it seem he ’ d dozed off , per usual .
The next day , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told him I knew I ’ d hear his voice when questions about fatherhood eventually arise .
Then we all gathered around him and held hands .
My mom prayed , and he slipped away .
“ Your father had a beautiful death , ” she said to me a few nights later .
My dad was at college when his father passed .
My grandfather had a watch repair shop in Rhode Island .
He suffered a heart attack just after retirement while awaiting an airport taxi for his first-ever vacation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taught my dad how time can suddenly run short .
It could explain why he had an uncanny ability to distill joy from small moments .
I keep coming back to the family vacation we ’ d planned for July , and how it would ’ ve been more than just another trip .
The purpose had been to commemorate him surviving open-heart surgery in March .
He wanted a blowout after his recovery - an unsurprising wish from the man who , since retiring last year , had made clear that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority .
We reserved a house on an island off Massachusetts for our first family trip there in almost 20 years .
We ’ d listen to James Taylor , play Scrabble and buy boiled lobsters to eat on the beach while watching the sunset .
It was a reunion to anticipate , and to motivate his recovery .
Then COVID-19 surged .
We held out hope , but as weeks dragged on it became clear that the U.S. hadn ’ t gotten a handle on the virus .
We canceled the house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was living on borrowed time .
That precious time was squandered by the actions of so many who disregarded experts ’ recommendations - actions that prolonged the pandemic and stole 2020 from us all .
So the memory that will stand as my last visit with my dad was when I came home from Brazil in 2019 for his surprise retirement party .
As he laid eyes on a houseful of friends , you could watch it dawn on him that he was finally in the clear .
I can hear his booming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , feel his hug .
We toasted his career and honored him all night with raised glasses .
I recounted a Sox game where I heard him explain how he watches out for his boys above everyone , no matter what .
That was my first glimpse of what fatherhood was all about .
That party was the unintended prelude for an event my family arranged Aug. 28 on a sunny spot of lawn next to a pond outside the colonial Wayside Inn , where my parents held their wedding reception 40 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invitees to keep attendance beneath the state-mandated limit .
Several dozen more Zoomed in .
Everyone wore masks and kept their distances .
Family and close friends shared joyful stories beneath a weeping willow .
It wasn ’ t the post-surgery celebration of life Dad had envisioned , but it will have to do until we can gather again .
Virus Diary , an occasional feature , showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world .
Follow AP ’ s Brazil news director , David Biller , @ @ @ @ @ @

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - No man is an island, the poem says. But amid pandemic quarantine, when my dad started having episodes of feeling faint, he seemed so isolated.
Coronavirus protocols meant consulting a doctor by video who told him his symptoms weren’t worrisome, and he only needed to be careful about falling.
Then he fainted and went into a coma.
My mom wasn’t sure that my dad, a physician, would want me or my three brothers risking infection to travel home to Massachusetts. But final farewells seemed near. So after five months of avoiding airplanes and hospitals, I rushed headlong toward both.
We spent days in the critical care unit, hearing worsening prognoses. They allowed us all into his room, and one night we huddled to watch a last Red Sox game together with a team blanket draped over Dad’s legs. As the Sox clobbered the Orioles, we muffled cheers. His late-game snoring made it seem he’d dozed off, per usual.
The next day, we each spent time alone with him. I told him I knew I’d hear his voice when questions about fatherhood eventually arise. Then we all gathered around him and held hands. My mom prayed, and he slipped away.
“Your father had a beautiful death,” she said to me a few nights later.
My dad was at college when his father passed. My grandfather had a watch repair shop in Rhode Island. He suffered a heart attack just after retirement while awaiting an airport taxi for his first-ever vacation, to Bermuda. I believe that taught my dad how time can suddenly run short. It could explain why he had an uncanny ability to distill joy from small moments.
I keep coming back to the family vacation we’d planned for July, and how it would’ve been more than just another trip. The purpose had been to commemorate him surviving open-heart surgery in March. He wanted a blowout after his recovery - an unsurprising wish from the man who, since retiring last year, had made clear that time spent with his far-flung sons was top priority.
We reserved a house on an island off Massachusetts for our first family trip there in almost 20 years. We’d listen to James Taylor, play Scrabble and buy boiled lobsters to eat on the beach while watching the sunset. It was a reunion to anticipate, and to motivate his recovery.
Then COVID-19 surged. We held out hope, but as weeks dragged on it became clear that the U.S. hadn’t gotten a handle on the virus. We canceled the house.
We’d all known Dad was living on borrowed time. That precious time was squandered by the actions of so many who disregarded experts’ recommendations - actions that prolonged the pandemic and stole 2020 from us all.
So the memory that will stand as my last visit with my dad was when I came home from Brazil in 2019 for his surprise retirement party. As he laid eyes on a houseful of friends, you could watch it dawn on him that he was finally in the clear.
I can hear his booming call when he caught sight of me, feel his hug. We toasted his career and honored him all night with raised glasses. I recounted a Sox game where I heard him explain how he watches out for his boys above everyone, no matter what. That was my first glimpse of what fatherhood was all about.
That party was the unintended prelude for an event my family arranged Aug. 28 on a sunny spot of lawn next to a pond outside the colonial Wayside Inn, where my parents held their wedding reception 40 years ago.
We organized two groups of invitees to keep attendance beneath the state-mandated limit. Several dozen more Zoomed in. Everyone wore masks and kept their distances. Family and close friends shared joyful stories beneath a weeping willow.
It wasn’t the post-surgery celebration of life Dad had envisioned, but it will have to do until we can gather again.
We’ll make that time.
___
Virus Diary, an occasional feature, showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world. Follow AP’s Brazil news director, David Biller, on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DLBiller


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--$5M in drugs seized during Delaware's largest fentanyl bust

NEWARK , Del .
( AP ) - Delaware State Police and the FBI have confiscated more than $ 5 million worth of heroin , cocaine and fentanyl in what investigators called the largest fentanyl seizure in the state ’ s history .
The two-year investigation led to the arrests of more than two dozen suspects , including Luis Renteria , a man accused of leading a Delaware-based drug trafficking organization , the agencies announced Monday .
New Castle County police , Wilmington police and the FBI began investigating the organization in 2018 , and a July 2 raid on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the drug seizures and arrests , state and federal agents said at a news conference Monday .
Among the drugs seized was enough fentanyl to kill 750,000 people , Delaware State Police Lt. Robert Jones said .
Officers also confiscated 20 guns , five cars and more than $ 264,000 in cash from houses around the state , officials said .
Police also identified stash houses in Philadelphia and accused the network of trafficking drugs into Pennsylvania and Delaware from California and Florida .
Renteria and 27 others were charged with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racketeering , conspiracy to drug dealing , money laundering and firearms counts .
It was unclear whether the suspects had attorneys who could comment for them .

NEWARK, Del. (AP) - Delaware State Police and the FBI have confiscated more than $5 million worth of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl in what investigators called the largest fentanyl seizure in the state’s history.
The two-year investigation led to the arrests of more than two dozen suspects, including Luis Renteria, a man accused of leading a Delaware-based drug trafficking organization, the agencies announced Monday.
New Castle County police, Wilmington police and the FBI began investigating the organization in 2018, and a July 2 raid on Renteria’s home resulted in most of the drug seizures and arrests, state and federal agents said at a news conference Monday.
Among the drugs seized was enough fentanyl to kill 750,000 people, Delaware State Police Lt. Robert Jones said. Officers also confiscated 20 guns, five cars and more than $264,000 in cash from houses around the state, officials said.
Police also identified stash houses in Philadelphia and accused the network of trafficking drugs into Pennsylvania and Delaware from California and Florida.
Renteria and 27 others were charged with more than 250 felony charges overall, including racketeering, conspiracy to drug dealing, money laundering and firearms counts.
It was unclear whether the suspects had attorneys who could comment for them.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--New push to retire Native team names headed to Legislature

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - The first Native American woman elected to the Washington state House of Representatives says she is drafting legislation to remove Native-themed mascots and team names at public schools .
This has been a goal of Native American leaders , but has new-found momentum after the Washington , DC , NFL football team ’ s name change .
Around two dozen high schools in Washington state currently use Native American-related mascots or nicknames — most commonly Indians , Warriors and Braves , the Northwest News Network reported .
Democratic state Rep. Debra Lekanoff said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans cause lasting hurt .
“ We ’ re being portrayed as no different than a token and no different than a tiger or a duck , ” Lekanoff said .
“ In 15 to 20 , 50 or 100 years , when they look back at our bills and how we treated one another , they ’ ll look at this bill and say , ‘ It was just a little bill , but it brought some hope and respect for all.
’ It ’ s good to heal.
” The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long overdue , ” according to a panel of Native education leaders who spoke to the Washington State Board of Education late last week .
The Washington State Board of Education twice has passed non-binding resolutions urging schools to discontinue the use of Native American mascots .
Some schools have since made changes .
By contrast , the Oregon Board of Education since 2015 has had the authority to mandate that public schools drop Native American mascots unless they got their local tribes ’ approval and incorporated more tribal history in their curriculums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts changed their nicknames and others reached agreements with nearby tribal governments .
At the college level , the NCAA made member schools drop such mascots more than a decade ago .
In recent weeks , several southwest Washington school boards have taken action to change problematic mascots .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - In a story September 22, 2020, about legislation to remove Native-themed mascots and team names at public schools in Washington state, The Associated Press erroneously reported that Democratic state Rep. Debra Lekanoff was the first Native American woman elected to the state House of Representatives. Former Democratic state Rep. Lois Stratton of the Spokane Tribe served in the House from 1980-1984.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--In battleground states, Catholics are a pivotal swing vote

For decades , Roman Catholic voters have been a pivotal swing vote in U.S. presidential elections , with a majority backing the winner - whether Republican or Democrat - nearly every time .
How they vote in the battleground states this year could well decide the outcome , and the rival campaigns are targeting them with fervent appeals to vote based on their faith .
Advocates for President Donald Trump say a faithful Catholic can not vote for Democratic nominee Joe Biden because of his support for abortion rights .
Critics of Trump say he is too divisive and callous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic .
The death Friday of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg brings into clearer focus the chasm between the two sides .
The campaigns are competing to win over people like Jeannie French of Pittsburgh , in battleground Pennsylvania , who has struggled with her decision .
She ’ s a member of Democrats for Life , loath to vote for Biden because of his stance on abortion , but dismayed by many Republicans ’ positions on social issues .
Just a week ago , French , a real estate consultant who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she hadn ’ t made up her mind , and was considering voting for a third-party candidate .
But now , with the Supreme Court vacancy , she ’ s leaning toward Trump as he pledges to nominate a conservative woman .
“ A vote for Trump will mean that I need to work even harder for fair wages , environmental issues , penal reform , immigrant care and other social concerns , but it also means that we get the opportunity to get things right on abortion , ” French said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it might just be the right call.
” Biden , a practicing Catholic who carries a Rosary , would be just the second Catholic president after John F. Kennedy .
Trump , who identifies as Presbyterian , is an infrequent churchgoer .
On Wednesday , Trump is scheduled to make remarks at the annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast , which will be a virtual event this year .
The event ’ s chairman , Mark Randall , praised Trump and his administration for seeking to curtail abortion and protect religious freedom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin and Florida , more than 20 % of adults are Catholic .
Trump won all three in 2016 , but recent polls show Biden with modest leads in each , fueling intense competition for Catholics ’ support .
“ The swinging portion of the Catholic vote swings more than other voting segments - that ’ s the target-rich segment , ” said Brian Burch , president of the conservative advocacy group CatholicVote.org .
Burch believes Trump appeals to these voters , based on his anti-abortion policies and support for “ school choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
Last week , CatholicVote.org announced a $ 9.7 million campaign targeting battleground Catholics .
Several other groups are wooing these voters , including Catholics for Trump , whose advisory board includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich , and Catholics for Biden , launched Sept. 3 via an online event .
Among those addressing the launch was Sister Simone Campbell , who heads the Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice .
This year the network will again mount a nationwide Nuns on the Bus campaign , including online events targeting battleground states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their faith and vote for Donald Trump in November , ” said Campbell .
“ President Trump is doing everything in his power to divide us , while our economy and health care systems collapse under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” Comparable strategies and tough talk are coming from the other side as well .
Catholics for Trump is organizing meetups in various states , including one in Florida featuring the Rev .
Frank Pavone , a Catholic priest and anti-abortion activist who calls the Democrats “ the party of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch its 2020 campaign at a rally in Wisconsin , but it was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki sought to clarify that the church heirarchy was not a sponsor .
“ The Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee are not endorsing the rally , ” Listecki said .
“ The mission of the church is religious , not political.
” This month another Wisconsin bishop spoke out after the Rev .
James Altman , a parish priest in La Crosse , declared during a diatribe on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic and be a Democrat.
” La Crosse Bishop William Callahan , aware that the video inflamed partisan passions , criticized Altman for entangling the church in scandal .
Among Wisconsin Catholics praising Altman was Kevin O ’ Brien , co-founder of a movement called Men of Christ .
“ When you look at Catholic principles , what Altman said is true , ” said O ’ Brien , a former pro football player who lives in Pewaukee .
As for the Supreme Court vacancy , O ’ Brien said many Catholics are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will “ secure laws that are just for all people , especially the unborn.
” Barbara Pfarr , a Milwaukee-based nun active in the Nuns on the Bus campaign , has posted criticisms of Trump on Facebook yet bemoans the political polarization that ’ s intensifying this year .
“ I have tried to be better about being cynical , about demonizing the other side , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not very good at it.
” A leading Wisconsin pollster , Charles Franklin of Marquette University Law School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading Trump overall in Wisconsin but trailing among Catholics .
Franklin doesn ’ t believe abortion is the dominant issue for many Catholics , given that a majority in his polling support abortion rights to some degree .
But in Florida , devout Catholic John Doolittle , a former Navy SEAL who works for a fitness and rehabilitation firm , said abortion is a paramount issue for him .
“ My faith is a very large part of my political decision-making … and abortion is a big part of that , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not support someone who ’ s OK with it.
” One of Biden ’ s high-profile Catholic supporters in Florida is Felice Gorordo , a Miami-based entrepreneur who co-hosted the national kickoff of Catholics for Biden on Sept. 3 .
The son of Cuban immigrants , Gorordo , 37 , attended Jesuit schools and first met Biden while working as a White House aide during Barack Obama ’ s presidency .
He argued that the fight over the Supreme Court vacancy wouldn ’ t change the dynamics of the campaign .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t think this will distract voters from all the ways Trump has destroyed the economy , failed on COVID , cost needless death and illness and acted contrary to Catholic values across the board , repeatedly , ” Gorordo said .
In Pennsylvania , where Biden lived until he was 10 , Republican State Rep. Frank Ryan believes Trump has the edge due to Catholics embracing his positions on abortion and school choice .
He said priests in his region around Harrisburg are openly suggesting that politicians who support abortion rights should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bob Casey , a rare prominent Democrat who calls himself “ pro-life , ” said he and many other Catholics in Pennsylvania find greater moral value in Biden ’ s positions on other issues , including racial justice , immigration , health care and support for low-income families .
Such voters , he said , “ have a pretty broad view of what constitutes a good Catholic.
” Casey said the next high court justice will likely be the deciding vote on whether the Affordable Care Act is overturned , which would jeopardize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions .
“ This will be a voting issue for all Americans , ” Casey said , “ including Americans of faith.
” Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .

For decades, Roman Catholic voters have been a pivotal swing vote in U.S. presidential elections, with a majority backing the winner - whether Republican or Democrat - nearly every time.
How they vote in the battleground states this year could well decide the outcome, and the rival campaigns are targeting them with fervent appeals to vote based on their faith.
Advocates for President Donald Trump say a faithful Catholic cannot vote for Democratic nominee Joe Biden because of his support for abortion rights. Critics of Trump say he is too divisive and callous to merit the vote of any faithful Catholic. The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg brings into clearer focus the chasm between the two sides.
The campaigns are competing to win over people like Jeannie French of Pittsburgh, in battleground Pennsylvania, who has struggling with her decision. She’s a member of Democrats for Life, loath to vote for Biden because of his stance on abortion, but dismayed by Republicans’ positions on climate change, immigration and economic issues.
Just a week ago, French, a real estate consultant who volunteers at church, hadn’t made up her mind and was considering voting for a third-party candidate. Now, with the Supreme Court vacancy, she’s leaning toward Trump, who pledges to nominate a conservative woman.
“A vote for Trump will mean that I need to work even harder for fair wages, environmental issues, penal reform, immigrant care and other social concerns, but it also means that we get the opportunity to get things right on abortion as a nation,” French said via email. “For this Catholic, it might just be the right call.”
Biden, a practicing Catholic who carries a Rosary, would be just the second Catholic president after John F. Kennedy. Trump, who identifies as Presbyterian, is an infrequent churchgoer.
In several battleground states including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Florida, over 20% of adults are Catholic. Trump won all three in 2016, but recent polls show Biden with modest leads in each.
“The swinging portion of the Catholic vote swings more than other voting segments - that’s the target-rich segment,” said Brian Burch, president of the conservative advocacy group CatholicVote.org.
Burch believes Trump appeals to these voters, based on his anti-abortion policies and support for “school choice” that might benefit families preferring Catholic schools. On Tuesday, CatholicVote.org announced a $9.7 million campaign targeting battleground Catholics.
Several other groups are wooing these voters, including Catholics for Trump, whose advisory board includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Catholics for Biden, launched Sept. 3.
Among those addressing the online launch was Sister Simone Campbell, who heads the Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. This year the network will again mount a nationwide Nuns on the Bus campaign with virtual events targeting battleground states.
“Catholics cannot be true to their faith and vote for Donald Trump in November,” Campbell said. “President Trump is doing everything in his power to divide us, while our economy and health care systems collapse under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Comparable strategies and tough talk are coming from the other side as well. Catholics for Trump is organizing state meetups including one in Florida featuring the Rev. Frank Pavone, a Catholic priest and anti-abortion activist who calls the Democrats “the party of death.”
This month, the Rev. James Altman, a parish priest in La Crosse, Wisconsin, declared during a diatribe on YouTube, “You cannot be Catholic and be a Democrat.”
La Crosse Bishop William Callahan criticized Altman for entangling the church in scandal, but among Wisconsin Catholics praising Altman was Kevin O’Brien, co-founder of a movement called Men of Christ.
“When you look at Catholic principles, what Altman said is true,” said O’Brien, who lives in Pewaukee.
As for the court vacancy, O’Brien said many Catholics are praying for a justice who will “secure laws that are just for all people, especially the unborn.”
Barbara Pfarr, a Milwaukee-based nun active in the Nuns on the Bus campaign, has posted criticisms of Trump on Facebook yet bemoans the political polarization that’s intensifying this year.
“I have tried to be better about being cynical, about demonizing the other side,” she said. “I’m not very good at it.”
In Florida, devout Catholic John Doolittle, a former Navy SEAL who works for a fitness and rehabilitation firm, said abortion is a paramount issue.
“My faith is a very large part of my political decision-making … and abortion is a big part of that,” the St. Petersburg resident said. “I cannot support someone who’s OK with it.”
One of Biden’s high-profile Catholic supporters in Florida is Felice Gorordo, a Miami-based entrepreneur who co-hosted the national kickoff of Catholics for Biden.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Gorordo, 37, attended Jesuit schools and met Biden while working at the White House under Barack Obama.
He argued that the Supreme Court vacancy wouldn’t change the dynamics of the campaign, saying concerns about health care, job losses and the pandemic would remain paramount.
“In the end, I don’t think this will distract voters from all the ways Trump has destroyed the economy, failed on COVID, cost needless death and illness and acted contrary to Catholic values across the board, repeatedly,” Gorordo said.
In Pennsylvania, where Biden lived until he was 10, Republican State Rep. Frank Ryan believes Trump has the edge due to Catholics embracing his positions on abortion and school choice. He said priests in his region around Harrisburg are openly suggesting that politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion.
However, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a rare prominent Democrat who calls himself “pro-life,” said he and many other Catholics in Pennsylvania find greater moral value in Biden’s positions on other issues, including racial justice, immigration, health care and support for low-income families.
Such voters, he said, “have a pretty broad view of what constitutes a good Catholic.”
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--AP-NORC poll: Dim view of economy stable as election nears

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Most Americans view the nation ’ s economic situation as bleak , but a rising percentage also see signs of stability six weeks before Election Day - if not reasons for optimism .
According to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research , 60 % of Americans describe the national economy as poor and 40 % deem it good .
That ’ s a rebound in confidence from low points in April and May , when just 29 % called the economy good as the coronavirus pandemic took hold of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans - 43 % - say they expect the economy to improve in the next year , about the same as in July .
But just 28 % said they expect things to get even worse , a slight improvement from the 35 % who said so in July and a significant improvement from May , when 40 % expected things to continue getting worse .
This month , 27 % expect no change in economic conditions in the next year .
That relative hopefulness may say more about the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s largest economy .
President Donald Trump is seeking reelection against Democrat Joe Biden with stock market gains as a rallying cry .
The unemployment rate has improved , but remains high at 8.4 % , and lawmakers have failed to agree on additional aid for Americans suffering financially due to the pandemic .
Meanwhile , the continued toll from the virus - including the loss of schooling and revenue shortfalls for state and local governments - threatens the prospect for a wider recovery .
The poll found that 67 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with 16 % of Democrats .
Republicans are significantly more likely to expect the economy to get better than worse in the next year , 64 % to 14 % .
Among Democrats , 39 % expect things to get worse and 28 % expect them to get better , while 32 % expect no change .
“ It ’ s kind of just in a neutral gear , ” said Gary Cameron , 65 , a retiree and Trump supporter from Midwest City , Oklahoma .
“ I do expect after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably go back to where it was , maybe better.
” But Cameron believes that the world ’ s largest economy would be hurt by a Biden presidency , saying he does not believe the country suffers from systemic racism and that addressing the demands of civil rights protesters would come at the expense of institutions that drive growth .
“ The people the Democratic Party have gotten into bed with do not love America , ” Cameron said .
“ I think it would do damage to the country.
” The poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how Trump is handling the economy , which remains his strongest issue .
By comparison , 43 % approve of how he ’ s handling his job overall .
Eighty-nine percent of Republicans and 15 % of Democrats approve of Trump ’ s handling of the economy .
About two-thirds of Americans - 65 % - say their own personal finances are good .
That number has remained largely steady since before the pandemic began .
Seventy-eight percent of Republicans and 58 % of Democrats say their personal finances are good .
Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal finances to get better than worse , 38 % to 13 % , with 48 % expecting no change .
Bob Blanchard , 73 , of Augusta , Georgia , lives in a community hurt by the coronavirus and the loss of business locally from a spectator-free Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club .
A consulting engineer , Blanchard said local businesses are suffering and he can no longer make money by renting out his house to the crowds who came for the fabled golf tournament .
“ My wife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat , ” Blanchard said .
“ We avoid retail shopping like the plague .
No pun intended.
” Blanchard , who intends to vote for Biden , says the blame for this rests with Trump .
“ He just was completely irresponsible and incompetent , ” he said .
“ He knew it was bad , but he didn ’ t do anything.
” The poll shows 22 % of Americans who say they or someone in their household lost a job as a result of the pandemic say the job has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come back , but 44 % expect it won ’ t .
Overall , 27 % of Americans say their household lost a job , 36 % that someone was scheduled for fewer hours , 26 % took unpaid time off and 27 % had wages or salaries reduced .
All told , 53 % experienced at least one form of household income loss during the pandemic .
Income losses have been especially concentrated among Black and Hispanic Americans and those without college degrees .
Ryan Wilson , 37 , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warehouse where he ’ s a supervisor were furloughed when the pandemic started - and not all have returned to their jobs .
A resident of Altamonte Springs , Florida , he said his concern is that the economic troubles are worsening drug addiction and domestic violence .
“ People are really suffering , ” he said .
“ They ’ re facing levels of depression , anxiety and distress - and not just financially .
They turn to something to escape the daily pressures of life and that ’ s ravaging across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 1,108 adults was conducted Sept. 11-14 using a sample drawn from NORC ’ s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel , which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population .
The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Most Americans view the nation’s economic situation as bleak, but a rising percentage also see signs of stability six weeks before Election Day - if not reasons for optimism.
According to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 60% of Americans describe the national economy as poor and 40% deem it good. That’s a rebound in confidence from low points in April and May, when just 29% called the economy good as the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the country.
About 4 in 10 Americans - 43% - say they expect the economy to improve in the next year, about the same as in July. But just 28% said they expect things to get even worse, a slight improvement from the 35% who said so in July and a significant improvement from May, when 40% expected things to continue getting worse. This month, 27% expect no change in economic conditions in the next year.
That relative hopefulness may say more about the nation’s politics than the underlying health of the world’s largest economy.
President Donald Trump is seeking reelection against Democrat Joe Biden with stock market gains as a rallying cry. The unemployment rate has improved, but remains high at 8.4%, and lawmakers have failed to agree on additional aid for Americans suffering financially due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the continued toll from the virus - including the loss of schooling and revenue shortfalls for state and local governments - threatens the prospect for a wider recovery.
The poll found that 67% of Republicans call the economy good, compared with 16% of Democrats. Republicans are significantly more likely to expect the economy to get better than worse in the next year, 64% to 14%. Among Democrats, 39% expect things to get worse and 28% expect them to get better, while 32% expect no change.
“It’s kind of just in a neutral gear,” said Gary Cameron, 65, a retiree and Trump supporter from Midwest City, Oklahoma. “I do expect after the pandemic is over, it will probably go back to where it was, maybe better.”
But Cameron believes that the world’s largest economy would be hurt by a Biden presidency, saying he does not believe the country suffers from systemic racism and that addressing the demands of civil rights protesters would come at the expense of institutions that drive growth.
“The people the Democratic Party have gotten into bed with do not love America,” Cameron said. “I think it would do damage to the country.”
The poll finds that half of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, which remains his strongest issue. By comparison, 43% approve of how he’s handling his job overall. Eighty-nine percent of Republicans and 15% of Democrats approve of Trump’s handling of the economy.
About two-thirds of Americans - 65% - say their own personal finances are good. That number has remained largely steady since before the pandemic began. Seventy-eight percent of Republicans and 58% of Democrats say their personal finances are good. Americans are also more likely to expect their personal finances to get better than worse, 38% to 13%, with 48% expecting no change.
Bob Blanchard, 73, of Augusta, Georgia, lives in a community hurt by the coronavirus and the loss of business locally from a spectator-free Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. A consulting engineer, Blanchard said local businesses are suffering and he can no longer make money by renting out his house to the crowds who came for the fabled golf tournament.
“My wife and I don’t go out to eat,” Blanchard said. “We avoid retail shopping like the plague. No pun intended.”
Blanchard, who intends to vote for Biden, says the blame for this rests with Trump.
“He just was completely irresponsible and incompetent,” he said. “He knew it was bad, but he didn’t do anything.”
The poll shows 22% of Americans who say they or someone in their household lost a job as a result of the pandemic say the job has returned. Thirty-five percent expect the job to come back, but 44% expect it won’t.
Overall, 27% of Americans say their household lost a job, 36% that someone was scheduled for fewer hours, 26% took unpaid time off and 27% had wages or salaries reduced. All told, 53% experienced at least one form of household income loss during the pandemic. Income losses have been especially concentrated among Black and Hispanic Americans and those without college degrees.
Ryan Wilson, 37, said that half of the workers at the seafood warehouse where he’s a supervisor were furloughed when the pandemic started - and not all have returned to their jobs. A resident of Altamonte Springs, Florida, he said his concern is that the economic troubles are worsening drug addiction and domestic violence.
“People are really suffering,” he said. “They’re facing levels of depression, anxiety and distress - and not just financially. They turn to something to escape the daily pressures of life and that’s ravaging across American right now.”
___
The AP-NORC poll of 1,108 adults was conducted Sept. 11-14 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.
___
Online:
AP-NORC Center: http://www.apnorc.org/


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Nancy Pelosi, Republicans reach deal on emergency stop-gap government funding bill

The House passed an emergency short-term funding bill late Tuesday night , easing concerns that Congress would tip into a government shutdown amid a pandemic that shuttered the American economy .
The bipartisan 359-57 vote came on a new bill , which funds the government for a month past the presidential election , came after a flurry of last-minute negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin throughout the day , which secured a deal .
The bill has eight days to pass the Senate and be signed into law before the Sept. 30 deadline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 11 , the bill includes $ 8 billion in nutrition assistance , a Democratic priority , and billions of dollars for trade-relief payments to farmers hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic , which was a top priority for the White House .
The deal also included accountability measures for the Commodity Credit Corporation program , which provides those aid payments , to guard against funds going to oil producers .
“ To help the millions of families struggling to keep food on the table during the pandemic , Democrats have renewed the vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full year and enabled our fellow Americans in the territories to receive this critical nutrition assistance , ” Mrs. Pelosi , California Democrat , said in a statement announcing the deal .
“ We also extended key flexibility for states to lower administrative requirements on SNAP for families in the middle of this crisis , ” she added .
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill often use these temporary funding measures , known as continuing resolutions ( CR ) , to give themselves more time to work out a deal without the government funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these stopgap measures struggle to pass the finish line though .
Mrs. Pelosi and Mr. Mnuchin made working on a CR their top priority over the past few weeks , setting aside the far tougher — and stalled — talks on coronavirus relief .
Lawmakers expected an easy passage until talks reportedly hit a snag last Friday .
Even with the expiration date looming , lawmakers across the political spectrum have been adamant about avoiding a shutdown in an election year with millions already out of work because of the pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own CR without the farm aid that the White House , Republicans and even some of their own members from rural areas demanded .
“ House Democrats ’ rough draft of a government funding bill shamefully leaves out key relief and support that American farmers need .
This is no time to add insult to injury and defund help for farmers and rural America , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said about the initial proposal .
The Kentucky Republican did not immediately comment on the deal passed by the House .

The House passed an emergency short-term funding bill late Tuesday night, easing concerns that Congress would tip into a government shutdown amid a coronavirus pandemic that shuttered the American economy.
The bipartisan 359-57 vote came on a new bill, which funds the government for a month past the presidential election, came after a flurry of last-minute negotiations between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin throughout the day, which secured a deal.
The bill has eight days to pass the Senate and be signed into law before the Sept. 30 deadline.
In addition to funding the government through Dec. 11, the bill includes $8 billion in nutrition assistance, a Democratic priority, and billions of dollars for trade-relief payments to farmers hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, which was a top priority for the White House.
The deal also included accountability measures for the Commodity Credit Corporation program, which provides those aid payments, to guard against funds going to oil producers.
“To help the millions of families struggling to keep food on the table during the pandemic, Democrats have renewed the vital, expiring lifeline of Pandemic EBT for a full year and enabled our fellow Americans in the territories to receive this critical nutrition assistance,” Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, said in a statement announcing the deal.
“We also extended key flexibility for states to lower administrative requirements on SNAP for families in the middle of this crisis,” she added.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill often use these temporary funding measures, known as continuing resolutions (CR), to give themselves more time to work out a deal without the government funding lapsing. Partisan infighting still can make these stopgap measures struggle to pass the finish line though.
Mrs. Pelosi and Mr. Mnuchin made working on a CR their top priority over the past few weeks, setting aside the far tougher — and stalled — talks on coronavirus relief. Lawmakers expected an easy passage until talks reportedly hit a snag last Friday.
Even with the expiration date looming, lawmakers across the political spectrum have been adamant about avoiding a shutdown in an election year with millions already out of work because of the pandemic.
The gap widened Tuesday when House Democrats released their own CR without the farm aid that the White House, Republicans and even some of their own members from rural areas demanded.
“House Democrats’ rough draft of a government funding bill shamefully leaves out key relief and support that American farmers need. This is no time to add insult to injury and defund help for farmers and rural America,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said about the initial proposal.
The Kentucky Republican did not immediately comment on the deal passed by the House.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Disaster food stamp applications for Laura end Wednesday

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Wednesday is the last day for people in the 21 parishes @ @ @ @ @ apply for disaster food stamp aid .
The program , called the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition @ @ @ @ @ assistance to eligible households that don ’ t regularly receive food stamp benefits and who @ @ @ @ @ of lost income or other damages caused by the storm .
People impacted by Laura @ @ @ @ @ eligible to apply : Acadia , Allen , Beauregard , Caddo , Calcasieu , Cameron @ @ @ @ @ Jefferson Davis , LaSalle , Lincoln , Morehouse , Natchitoches , Ouachita , Rapides , @ @ @ @ @ Union , Vermilion , Vernon and Winn parishes .
More information is available on the @ @ @ @ @ Services ’ website .
A call center will take the final applications for the program @ @ @ @ @ 6:30 p.m. at 1-888-524-3578 .
To apply , residents will need to have information on @ @ @ @ @ and disaster-related expenses .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Wednesday is the last day for people in the 21 parishes damaged by Hurricane Laura to apply for disaster food stamp aid.
The program, called the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides food assistance to eligible households that don’t regularly receive food stamp benefits and who need help buying groceries because of lost income or other damages caused by the storm.
People impacted by Laura in the following parishes are eligible to apply: Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St. Landry, Union, Vermilion, Vernon and Winn parishes.
More information is available on the Department of Children and Family Services’ website.
A call center will take the final applications for the program Wednesday between 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at 1-888-524-3578.
To apply, residents will need to have information on their income, financial resources and disaster-related expenses.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Alabama city officials drop chemical contamination lawsuit

GUIN , Ala. ( AP ) - Officials in the northwest Alabama city of Guin have dropped a lawsuit against chemical giant 3M that alleged chemicals from its manufacturing plant had entered a creek that supplies drinking water to the community .
The Guin Water works & Sewer Board said Tuesday it will now work with the company and state officials to investigate and address the presence of the chemicals in “ the local water supply , the 3M Guin Industrial Landfill and the GWWSB sewer treatment facility ” , AL.com reported .
The lawsuit filed earlier this month had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and polyfluoroalkyl , or PFAS chemicals , without taking precautions to prevent them from entering the creek , according to the newspaper .
The substances are in a family known as “ forever chemicals ” because they do not degrade in the environment .
The Environmental Protection Agency says exposure to these chemicals can lead to adverse health effects , including cancer .
A joint statement from the parties said the board will be retaining its right to refile a lawsuit if the joint effort does “ not result in a satisfactory solution.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits over contamination , reached an agreement with the state of Alabama in July regarding cleanup of forever chemicals at its plant in Decatur and at multiple sites in the northwest part of the state .
Guin is about 80 miles ( 130 kilometers ) northwest of Birmingham .
3M ’ s facility in the city , which has been in operation since 1955 , manufactures microscopic glass bubbles , pavement tape for roads , sheeting for road signs and other products .

GUIN, Ala. (AP) - Officials in the northwest Alabama city of Guin have dropped a lawsuit against chemical giant 3M that alleged chemicals from its manufacturing plant had entered a creek that supplies drinking water to the community.
The Guin Water works & Sewer Board said Tuesday it will now work with the company and state officials to investigate and address the presence of the chemicals in “the local water supply, the 3M Guin Industrial Landfill and the GWWSB sewer treatment facility”, AL.com reported.
The lawsuit filed earlier this month had accused the company of knowingly disposing per- and polyfluoroalkyl, or PFAS chemicals, without taking precautions to prevent them from entering the creek, according to the newspaper.
The substances are in a family known as “forever chemicals” because they do not degrade in the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency says exposure to these chemicals can lead to adverse health effects, including cancer.
A joint statement from the parties said the board will be retaining its right to refile a lawsuit if the joint effort does “not result in a satisfactory solution.”
3M, which has faced multiple lawsuits over contamination, reached an agreement with the state of Alabama in July regarding cleanup of forever chemicals at its plant in Decatur and at multiple sites in the northwest part of the state.
Guin is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northwest of Birmingham.
3M’s facility in the city, which has been in operation since 1955, manufactures microscopic glass bubbles, pavement tape for roads, sheeting for road signs and other products.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Justice Department: 179 arrests in darknet opioid crackdown

Law enforcement in the U.S. and abroad netted the arrests of 179 people and the seizure of more than $ 6.5 million in funds during a global operation targeting opioid sales on the darknet , Justice Department officials said Tuesday .
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said the crackdown is the country ’ s largest anti-dark web trafficking operation to date .
He called the initiative a “ significant milestone.
” “ Today ’ s announcement is very much a success story in international law enforcement cooperation as crime on the darknet is truly a global problem that requires global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All told , law enforcement officials seized $ 6.5 million in cash and virtual currency , 500 kilograms of drugs worldwide and 63 firearms .
About 275 kilograms of drugs , including fentanyl , heroin , cocaine , ecstasy , and other opioids , were seized in the U.S .
The arrests include 121 in the United States , 42 in Germany , eight in the Netherlands , four in the United Kingdom , three in Australia and one in Sweden .
Mr. Rosen said the Justice Department is working to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ darknet , a subset of the internet hidden from standard web browsers , is reached using free software such as Tor , which stands for “ the onion routing project.
” Tor uses “ relays ” across the internet to create complex trails of access that make it impossible for law enforcement to track a user ’ s online movements .
That makes the darknet home to all kinds of illegal activities , including the sale of stolen credit card data , firearms , child pornography and opioids .
The nine-month initiative announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred in the U.S. and Europe .
It comes more than a year after authorities dismantled the “ Wall Street Market ” which was said to be one of the largest illegal darknet marketplaces .
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said the operation was critical to countering the spike in opioid-related deaths occurring during the coronavirus crisis .
Although national figures are not yet available , individual states have released numbers showing opioid overdoses have risen over the past few months .

Law enforcement in the U.S. and abroad netted the arrests of 179 people and the seizure of more than $6.5 million in funds during a global operation targeting opioid sales on the darknet, Justice Department officials said Tuesday.
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said the crackdown is the country’s largest anti-dark web trafficking operation to date. He called the initiative a “significant milestone.”
“Today’s announcement is very much a success story in international law enforcement cooperation as crime on the darknet is truly a global problem that requires global partnership,” Mr. Rosen told reporters.
All told, law enforcement officials seized $6.5 million in cash and virtual currency, 500 kilograms of drugs worldwide and 63 firearms. About 275 kilograms of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and other opioids, were seized in the U.S.
The arrests include 121 in the United States, 42 in Germany, eight in the Netherlands, four in the United Kingdom, three in Australia and one in Sweden.
Mr. Rosen said the Justice Department is working to identify others operating darknet opioid marketplaces.
The darknet, a subset of the internet hidden from standard web browsers, is reached using free software such as Tor, which stands for “the onion routing project.” Tor uses “relays” across the internet to create complex trails of access that make it impossible for law enforcement to track a user’s online movements.
That makes the darknet home to all kinds of illegal activities, including the sale of stolen credit card data, firearms, child pornography and opioids.
The nine-month initiative announced Tuesday was dubbed Operation DisrupTor and largely occurred in the U.S. and Europe. It comes more than a year after authorities dismantled the “Wall Street Market” which was said to be one of the largest illegal darknet marketplaces.
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said the operation was critical to countering the spike in opioid-related deaths occurring during the coronavirus crisis. Although national figures are not yet available, individual states have released numbers showing opioid overdoses have risen over the past few months.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--US company pleads guilty to foreign bribery charges

NEW YORK ( AP ) - An American company pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal charges that it paid bribes to @ @ @ @ @ and Venezuela to get lucrative contracts , and agreed to pay $ 16.6 million in @ @ @ @ @ of Justice said Sargeant Marine , Inc. , based in Boca Raton , Florida , @ @ @ @ @ bribes over several years for contracts concerning the buying or selling of asphalt , used @ @ @ @ @ construction .
The Justice Department said the company ’ s actions violated the Foreign Corrupt @ @ @ @ @ used false consulting contracts and fake invoices , and also sent money to offshore bank @ @ @ @ @ , according to the department , and brought in profits of more than $ 38 @ @ @ @ @ an executive and part owner of the company , Daniel Sargeant , pleaded guilty to @ @ @ @ @ and conspiracy to commit money laundering .
The Justice Department said he is awaiting sentencing @

MEDELLIN, Colombia (AP) - A major U.S. asphalt company agreed to pay $16.6 million in fines while pleading guilty Tuesday to federal charges that it paid millions in bribes to officials in Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela for almost a decade to win lucrative contracts.
The plea agreement by Sargeant Marine Inc. is part of a broader crackdown on corrupt dealings in South America’s commodities markets.
In what appears to be a related case, a former oil trader at Switzerland-based Vitol was charged Tuesday with paying $870,000 in bribes to former Ecuadorian officials from 2015 to 2020 in exchange for fuel oil contracts. Vitol, which is not named in the indictment, purchased half of Sargeant Marine in 2015.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said Sargeant Marine and its affiliates paid bribes between 2010 and 2018 for contracts with state-run oil companies in the three South American countries, all of which were run by leftist governments at the time. The Boca Raton, Florida-company netted more than $38 million in profits as a result of the bribes.
Recipients in Brazil, where the bulk of profits were earned, included a congressman, a Cabinet minister and senior executives at state-run Petrobras during the administrations of former Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his handpicked successor, Dilma Rousseff. None of the foreign officials are identified by name in the plea agreement but Brazilian prosecutors in 2018 charged a former congressman, Candido Vaccarezza, for negotiating with Sargeant Marine the bribes paid to Petrobras. Vaccarezza at the time was leader of the ruling Workers’ Party in the lower house.
Recently unsealed court filings indicate that Daniel Sargeant, who used to run Sargeant Marine, quietly pleaded guilty last December to conspiracy to commit money laundering and violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which bars Americans from paying overseas officials in exchange for business. He is awaiting sentencing after paying $300,000 in cash bail. This month, a former PDVSA manager once in charge of asphalt sales was arrested in a related case, bringing to seven the total number of Sargeant Marine executives, traders, agents and former Venezuelan officials tied to the long running bribery scheme.
An attorney representing Sargeant Marine declined to comment.
False consulting contracts and fake invoices were used to pay intermediaries who negotiated the bribes in the three countries, according to the plea agreement. Members of the conspiracy, who are not identified by name, would negotiate the payments by composing draft messages in a U.S.-based email account for which they shared the login and password information.
After a company affiliated with Sargeant Marine completed shipments of asphalt to Petrobras in August 2010, the affiliate’s executive emailed Daniel Sargeant stating, “Wow, guess last Brazil trip with crooks paid off. Should go again before contract next year gets hot and heavy,” according to the plea agreement.
Similar tactics were used in Venezuela, whose tar-like crude is among the best in the world for making asphalt. Confidential information obtained through the bribery scheme and which gave Sargeant Marine a competitive edge in its dealings with PDVSA after 2015 was called by the code name “chocolates.”
Sargeant Marine was “one of the largest asphalt providers in the world,” according the indictment. But the company is a shadow of its former self amid a sell off of assets that followed a bitter, multi-year legal fight between Sargeant and his older brother, Harry Sargeant III, for control of the asphalt trading company started by their father.
The older Sargeant, a prominent Republican donor in Florida, was not named in the indictment or his brother’s plea agreement. Some of the bribes were paid before he was ousted from the family business.
Sargeant Marine also acknowledged paying bribes in 2014 from offshore accounts to an official working for state-run Petroecuador, which was looking to supply the country with asphalt.
Separately, Javier Aguilar, a former oil trader for Vitol, was charged with paying bribes to Petroecuador, according to a criminal complaint also brought by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn and unsealed Tuesday. Vitol acquired a 50% stake in Sargeant Marine in 2015 for an undisclosed amount.
Alex Spiro, an attorney for Aguilar, denied the allegations. “We will see everyone in court,” he said in a statement.
“Vitol is aware of charges being brought against an individual relating to business with PetroEcuador and is cooperating with the relevant authorities,” the company said in a statement. “Vitol is committed to upholding the law and has in place anti bribery and corruption policies, procedures and controls across its business activities.”
___
Joshua Goodman on Twiitter: @APJoshGoodman


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Trump supporter charged with hitting girl with flagpole

ORANGE PARK , Fla. ( AP ) - A man was arrested last week after striking a 12-year-old girl in @ @ @ @ @ during a small rally for President Donald Trump near a Florida intersection , authorities said @ @ @ @ @ 67 , of Orange Park , was charged Sept. 16 with child abuse without great @ @ @ @ @ on bail , the Florida Times-Union reported .
Logsdon and others had been participating in @ @ @ @ @ the Republican president near an Orange Park intersection , according to a Clay County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ .
The girl had been riding in a car with her mother , who exchanged @ @ @ @ @ waited to turn into a nearby restaurant , officials said .
A video that the @ @ @ @ @ to show Logsdon approach the vehicle , stick the flagpole through an open car window @ @ @ @ @ A deputy who later interviewed the girl noted redness on her face .
Jail records @ @ @ @ @ attorney who could comment on Logsdon ’ s behalf .

ORANGE PARK, Fla. (AP) - A man was arrested last week after striking a 12-year-old girl in the face with a flagpole during a small rally for President Donald Trump near a Florida intersection, authorities said.
Norbert Logsdon Jr., 67, of Orange Park, was charged Sept. 16 with child abuse without great bodily harm and later released on bail, the Florida Times-Union reported.
Logsdon and others had been participating in a sidewalk support event for the Republican president near an Orange Park intersection, according to a Clay County Sheriff’s Office arrest report. The girl had been riding in a car with her mother, who exchanged taunts with Logsdon as they waited to turn into a nearby restaurant, officials said. A video that the mother posed on Facebook appears to show Logsdon approach the vehicle, stick the flagpole through an open car window and hit the girl.
A deputy who later interviewed the girl noted redness on her face.
Jail records didn’t list an attorney who could comment on Logsdon’s behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-09-22--Cindy McCain endorses Joe Biden

Cindy McCain endorses Joe Biden

Cindy McCain , the widow of the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona , endorsed Joseph R. Biden for president on Tuesday , calling him a good and honest man who will lead the country with dignity .
“ My husband John lived by a code : country first .
We are Republicans , yes , but Americans foremost .
There ’ s only one candidate in this race who stands up for our values as a nation , and that is @ JoeBiden , ” Ms. McCain said on Twitter .
Mr. Biden had spilled the beans at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe I shouldn ’ t say it but I ’ m about to go on one of these Zooms with John McCain ’ s wife , ” he said .
Mr. Biden said Ms. McCain was endorsing him because of President Trump ’ s comments about members of the military .
“ You know he said they ’ re losers , they ’ re suckers , ” Mr. Biden said .
The Atlantic reported that Mr. Trump made those remarks about fallen U.S. soldiers .
“ He will be a commander in chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of the world can depend on , because he knows what it is like to send a child off to fight , ” Ms. McCain said of Mr. Biden .
The president and the White House have pushed back strongly , saying nobody should question Mr. Trump ’ s respect for U.S. troops .
Though it was not an endorsement , Ms. McCain appeared in a video at last month ’ s Democratic National Convention that highlighted the unique friendship between Mr. Biden and her husband .
Mr. Trump and McCain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War , had a stormy relationship .
The president mocked McCain for getting captured , saying he liked people who “ weren ’ t captured.
” McCain , the 2008 Republican presidential nominee , died of brain cancer in 2018 .
The president has continued to criticize McCain after his passing for the senator ’ s dramatic vote in 2017 that helped sink a GOP health care bill .

Cindy McCain, the widow of the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona, endorsed Joseph R. Biden for president on Tuesday, calling him a good and honest man who will lead the country with dignity.
“My husband John lived by a code: country first. We are Republicans, yes, but Americans foremost. There’s only one candidate in this race who stands up for our values as a nation, and that is @JoeBiden,” Ms. McCain said on Twitter.
Mr. Biden had spilled the beans at a fundraiser earlier in the day.
“Maybe I shouldn’t say it, but I’m about to go on one of these Zooms with John McCain’s wife,” he said.
Mr. Biden said Ms. McCain was endorsing him because of President Trump’s comments about members of the military.
“You know he said they’re losers, they’re suckers,” Mr. Biden said.
The Atlantic reported that Mr. Trump made those remarks about fallen U.S. soldiers.
“He will be a commander in chief that the finest fighting force in the history of the world can depend on, because he knows what it is like to send a child off to fight,” Ms. McCain said of Mr. Biden.
The president and the White House have pushed back strongly, saying nobody should question Mr. Trump’s respect for U.S. troops.
Though it was not an endorsement, Ms. McCain appeared in a video at last month’s Democratic National Convention that highlighted the unique friendship between Mr. Biden and her husband.
Mr. Trump and McCain, who was shot down and held captive as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, had a stormy relationship.
The president mocked McCain for getting captured, saying he liked people who “weren’t captured.”
McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, died of brain cancer in 2018.
The president has continued to criticize McCain after his passing for the senator’s dramatic vote in 2017 that helped sink a GOP health care bill.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com. • David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.