washingtontimes--2020-12-10--Federal appeals court denies emergency request to halt Brandon Bernard execution

A federal appeals court Thursday denied an last-minute emergency request to halt the execution of Brandon Bernard , clearing the way for the ninth inmate death sentence carried out this year by the Trump administration .
In a brief , one-page order , the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the request without explanation .
Bernard , 40 , was scheduled to die late Thursday night by lethal injection at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute , Indiana .
He was sentenced to death for the 1999 murders of married youth ministers Todd and Stacie Bagley in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case attracted attention from Democratic lawmakers and celebrity activists , who pleaded with President Trump to commute his sentence to life in prison because of newly discovered evidence .
Since the Trump administration resumed federal executions after a 17-year hiatus , Democrats have largely been mum about the eight federal inmates put to death so far .
But they say Bernard ’ s case is different because newly uncovered evidence raises questions about his role in the murders .
In a joint statement , Democratic Sens .
Cory A. Booker of New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the president to commute Bernard ’ s sentence .
“ Since he was sentenced to death , new evidence has come to light and a number of deficiencies in his initial defense have been exposed , ” they said .
“ Mr .
Bernard ’ s post-conviction attorneys have continued to seek legal relief in the courts and Mr. Bernard should be allowed to keep pursuing available legal avenues to challenge his death sentence.
” Rep. Ayanna Pressley , Massachusetts Democrat , flanked by Sister Helen Prejean , a Roman Catholic nun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to petition the White House to stop Bernard ’ s execution .
“ We need to fight for Brandon like he is our own son , ” Ms. Pressley said in a media appearance with The Appeal .
“ We need to fight for him like he is a member of our family because he is .
We are all one human family.
” “ Murdering Brandon will only further the cycles of trauma and harm , ” she continued .
Lawmakers aren ’ t the only ones advocating for Bernard .
Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at Mr. Trump to commute the sentence .
“ Brandon Bernard , a 40-year-old father is going to be executed tomorrow by our federal government .
Having gotten to know Brandon , I am heartbroken about this execution .
I ’ m calling on @ realDonaldTrump to grant Brandon a commutation and allow him to live out his sentence in prison , ” she tweeted .
At the time of the crime , Bernard was part of a gang that carjacked and killed the Bagleys .
Although Bernard was not involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vehicle while the Bagleys remained inside it .
Mr. Bagley ’ s death came as a result of gunshot wounds , but Mrs. Bagley died of smoke inhalation while unconscious from the gunshot wound , according to autopsies .
Bernard and his three accomplices were convicted , but two have been released .
A third , Christopher Vialva , was executed earlier this year .
Bernard ’ s lawyers last month uncovered new evidence they say prosecutors withheld during his 2000 trial .
The evidence is the testimony of an expert witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-level member of the gang and did not participate in the carjacking .
A federal judge this week denied a request from Bernard ’ s attorneys to halt his execution , ruling that the expert witness was not compelling enough to change the verdict or sentence .
On Thursday , his attorneys had asked the 7th Circuit to overturn that decision .
The appeal raised similar claims presented to the U.S. District Court , arguing that the newly discovered evidence is strong enough to warrant commuting Bernard ’ s sentence .
Defense attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was neither a leader in the group nor the ‘ worst of the worst , ’ as the jury needed to conclude before imposing a death sentence.
” “ Any prosecutor worth his or her salt ” would recognize that this information had to be disclosed to the defense , attorneys wrote in the filing .

A federal appeals court Thursday denied an last-minute emergency request to halt the execution of Brandon Bernard, clearing the way for the ninth inmate death sentence carried out this year by the Trump administration.
In a brief, one-page order, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the request without explanation.
Bernard, 40, was scheduled to die late Thursday night by lethal injection at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was sentenced to death for the 1999 murders of married youth ministers Todd and Stacie Bagley in Killeen, Texas.
Bernard’s case attracted attention from Democratic lawmakers and celebrity activists, who pleaded with President Trump to commute his sentence to life in prison because of newly discovered evidence.
Since the Trump administration resumed federal executions after a 17-year hiatus, Democrats have largely been mum about the eight federal inmates put to death so far. But they say Bernard’s case is different because newly uncovered evidence raises questions about his role in the murders.
In a joint statement, Democratic Sens. Cory A. Booker of New Jersey and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois called on the president to commute Bernard’s sentence.
“Since he was sentenced to death, new evidence has come to light and a number of deficiencies in his initial defense have been exposed,” they said. “Mr. Bernard’s post-conviction attorneys have continued to seek legal relief in the courts and Mr. Bernard should be allowed to keep pursuing available legal avenues to challenge his death sentence.”
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts Democrat, flanked by Sister Helen Prejean, a Roman Catholic nun and noted death-penalty activist, urged supporters to petition the White House to stop Bernard’s execution.
“We need to fight for Brandon like he is our own son,” Ms. Pressley said in a media appearance with The Appeal. “We need to fight for him like he is a member of our family because he is. We are all one human family.”
“Murdering Brandon will only further the cycles of trauma and harm,” she continued.
Lawmakers aren’t the only ones advocating for Bernard. Kim Kardashian West also issued a public plea aimed at Mr. Trump to commute the sentence.
“Brandon Bernard, a 40-year-old father is going to be executed tomorrow by our federal government. Having gotten to know Brandon, I am heartbroken about this execution. I’m calling on @realDonaldTrump to grant Brandon a commutation and allow him to live out his sentence in prison,” she tweeted.
At the time of the crime, Bernard was part of a gang that carjacked and killed the Bagleys. Although Bernard was not involved in the carjacking, he participated in burning the vehicle while the Bagleys remained inside it.
Mr. Bagley’s death came as a result of gunshot wounds, but Mrs. Bagley died of smoke inhalation while unconscious from the gunshot wound, according to autopsies.
Bernard and his three accomplices were convicted, but two have been released. A third, Christopher Vialva, was executed earlier this year.
Bernard’s lawyers last month uncovered new evidence they say prosecutors withheld during his 2000 trial. The evidence is the testimony of an expert witness who planned to say Bernard was a low-level member of the gang and did not participate in the carjacking.
A federal judge this week denied a request from Bernard’s attorneys to halt his execution, ruling that the expert witness was not compelling enough to change the verdict or sentence.
On Thursday, his attorneys had asked the 7th Circuit to overturn that decision. The appeal raised similar claims presented to the U.S. District Court, arguing that the newly discovered evidence is strong enough to warrant commuting Bernard’s sentence.
Defense attorneys said the evidence shows that Bernard “was neither a leader in the group nor the ‘worst of the worst,’ as the jury needed to conclude before imposing a death sentence.”
“Any prosecutor worth his or her salt” would recognize that this information had to be disclosed to the defense, attorneys wrote in the filing.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-10--Texas woman indicted on murder in pregnant mom's slaying

NEW BOSTON , Texas ( AP ) - The woman accused of killing a pregnant mom and removing the baby from the victim ’ s womb was indicted Thursday on murder charges .
Taylor Parker , 27 , was indicted by a Bowie County grand jury on charges of capital murder and kidnapping in the deaths of 21-year-old Regan Michelle Simmons-Hancock and her unborn daughter .
Parker allegedly admitted to an investigator with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that she had an “ altercation ” with Hancock , according to the Texarkana Gazette .
Simmons-Hancock was found dead on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her abdomen in her home in New Boston , Texas .
Parker was pulled over by a Texas state trooper the same morning in DeKalb , Texas , 12 miles ( 19 kilometers ) northwest of the crime scene .
She was allegedly found with the baby in her lap and allegedly claimed she had just given birth on the side of the road .
Parker is being held in the Bowie County jail in downtown Texarkana with bails totaling $ 5 million .
She faces up to 10 years in prison if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years or life if found guilty of murder .
Parker faces a life sentence without parole or death if convicted of capital murder .

NEW BOSTON, Texas (AP) - The woman accused of killing a pregnant mom and removing the baby from the victim’s womb was indicted Thursday on murder charges.
Taylor Parker, 27, was indicted by a Bowie County grand jury on charges of capital murder and kidnapping in the deaths of 21-year-old Regan Michelle Simmons-Hancock and her unborn daughter.
Parker allegedly admitted to an investigator with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that she had an “altercation” with Hancock, according to the Texarkana Gazette.
Simmons-Hancock was found dead on Oct. 9 with a large cut across her abdomen in her home in New Boston, Texas.
Parker was pulled over by a Texas state trooper the same morning in DeKalb, Texas, 12 miles (19 kilometers) northwest of the crime scene. She was allegedly found with the baby in her lap and allegedly claimed she had just given birth on the side of the road.
Parker is being held in the Bowie County jail in downtown Texarkana with bails totaling $5 million. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of kidnapping, five to 99 years or life if found guilty of murder. Parker faces a life sentence without parole or death if convicted of capital murder.


washingtontimes--2020-12-10--Convictions tossed in 2 NYC shootings over jury-picking bias

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Two men who have been imprisoned for nearly a quarter-century in separate shootings are getting new trials after a judge said Thursday the original proceedings were tainted by an ex-prosecutor ’ s effort to keep minorities and women off the juries .
Santiago Valdez , who was convicted of fatally shooting two men in a Queens nightclub , and Paul Morant , who was found guilty of shooting a police officer in the chest , watched on video from state prisons as their 1996 convictions were dismissed , at the request of both defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t speak during the hearing , though Morant offered a “ thank you !
” to the judge after it wrapped up .
Morant and Valdez remain behind bars for now , with Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz planning retrials .
She said the evidence against the two is sound but she couldn ’ t stand behind convictions obtained with “ shameful conduct , ” spelled out in notes recently unearthed in case files .
The notes were a cheatsheet of prejudices , favoring “ established whites ” as jurors and trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Hispanics , Jews , some Blacks based on their neighborhoods , Italian-Americans if a defendant shared that background , and “ mother type ” or “ grandmotherly ” women , according to Bryce Benjet , Katz ’ conviction-integrity chief .
The files indicate the trial prosecutor indeed consulted the notes to nix prospective jurors in the Valdez and Morant cases , he said .
Queens state Supreme Court Justice Joseph Zayas called the notes “ abhorrent ” and “ a smoking gun ” of discrimination .
“ The document explicitly instructs prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , gender , religion and ethnicity , all in clear violation of well established constitutional law , ” he said .
Both sides in a trial are allowed to eliminate a certain number of potential jurors without giving a reason , in what are known as “ peremptory challenges.
” But a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court ruling prohibits prosecutors from excluding prospective jurors solely because of their race , and subsequent rulings have expanded its scope to call into question moves to exclude potential jurors based on a variety of demographic characteristics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origin , religion or sexual orientation .
“ Even a single use of a peremptory strike in a discriminatory fashion is a constitutional violation warranting a reversal of a conviction , ” said Ishita Kala , a lawyer for Morant and Valdez .
The former prosecutor , whom Zayas identified as Christopher McGrath , left the DA ’ s office in 1997 .
Phone and email messages seeking comment on the dismissals were sent to possible addresses for McGrath .
Katz said her office was reviewing the eight other trial convictions the ex-prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his contemporaries had copies of the same jury-picking notes , finding none in a review of over 50 files .
A number of prosecutors ’ offices around the country have become more open to revisiting and sometimes reversing old convictions in recent years , as the rise of DNA evidence and other factors have propelled a growing exoneration movement and put pressure on the justice system .
Still , it ’ s not too common for prosecutors to join in disavowing a conviction in a case they vow to retry , despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s move in the Valdez and Morant cases is “ pretty bold and pretty impressive , ” said Adele Bernhard , director of New York Law School ’ s Post-Conviction Innocence Clinic , who isn ’ t involved in the Valdez and Morant cases .
“ They feel they can ’ t stand behind the conviction because of the way it was obtained , and that is very unusual.
” Katz , a Democrat in her first year in office , said the review of the Morant and Valdez cases didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the shootings “ unquestionably continue to warrant vigorous prosecution.
” Valdez , now 59 , was convicted of murder after bullets flew into the closed door of a social club in 1993 , killing patrons Arley Zapata and Danny Velez .
Morant , 55 , was found guilty of attempted murder in the 1995 shooting of Officer Keith Schweers , who had stopped him on a Queens street .
Schweers was saved by his bulletproof vest .
“ We will go forward with these cases fairly , justly , with no hint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Katz said in a statement .
“ We will do what should have been done long ago , and we will do it right.
” But Schweers said he was “ very disheartened ” by the dismissal of Morant ’ s conviction and the prospect of another trial .
“ I ’ m not looking forward to reopening old wounds , ” said Schweers , now 51 and retired from the police department .
“ … It ’ s so unfortunate and unfair and frustrating.
” “ You do the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a sudden , because the way something is interpreted , I - as well as my family , and as well as the other case ’ s families - have to relive this.
” Messages were left at possible phone numbers for Zapata ’ s relatives .
None could be found for Velez ’ family .

NEW YORK (AP) - Two men who have been imprisoned for nearly a quarter-century in separate shootings are getting new trials after a judge said Thursday the original proceedings were tainted by an ex-prosecutor’s effort to keep minorities and women off the juries.
Santiago Valdez, who was convicted of fatally shooting two men in a Queens nightclub, and Paul Morant, who was found guilty of shooting a police officer in the chest, watched on video from state prisons as their 1996 convictions were dismissed, at the request of both defense lawyers and prosecutors. The two didn’t speak during the hearing, though Morant offered a “thank you!” to the judge after it wrapped up.
Morant and Valdez remain behind bars for now, with Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz planning retrials. She said the evidence against the two is sound but she couldn’t stand behind convictions obtained with “shameful conduct,” spelled out in notes recently unearthed in case files.
The notes were a cheatsheet of prejudices, favoring “established whites” as jurors and trying to exclude a swath of other people - Hispanics, Jews, some Blacks based on their neighborhoods, Italian-Americans if a defendant shared that background, and “mother type” or “grandmotherly” women, according to Bryce Benjet, Katz’ conviction-integrity chief. The files indicate the trial prosecutor indeed consulted the notes to nix prospective jurors in the Valdez and Morant cases, he said.
Queens state Supreme Court Justice Joseph Zayas called the notes “abhorrent” and “a smoking gun” of discrimination.
“The document explicitly instructs prosecutors to discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion and ethnicity, all in clear violation of well established constitutional law,” he said.
Both sides in a trial are allowed to eliminate a certain number of potential jurors without giving a reason, in what are known as “peremptory challenges.” But a 1986 U.S. Supreme Court ruling prohibits prosecutors from excluding prospective jurors solely because of their race, and subsequent rulings have expanded its scope to call into question moves to exclude potential jurors based on a variety of demographic characteristics, such as race, gender, national origin, religion or sexual orientation.
“Even a single use of a peremptory strike in a discriminatory fashion is a constitutional violation warranting a reversal of a conviction,” said Ishita Kala, a lawyer for Morant and Valdez.
The former prosecutor, whom Zayas identified as Christopher McGrath, left the DA’s office in 1997. Phone and email messages seeking comment on the dismissals were sent to possible addresses for McGrath.
Katz said her office was reviewing the eight other trial convictions the ex-prosecutor obtained and has checked to see whether his contemporaries had copies of the same jury-picking notes, finding none in a review of over 50 files.
A number of prosecutors’ offices around the country have become more open to revisiting and sometimes reversing old convictions in recent years, as the rise of DNA evidence and other factors have propelled a growing exoneration movement and put pressure on the justice system.
Still, it’s not too common for prosecutors to join in disavowing a conviction in a case they vow to retry, despite the passage of decades.
The Queens DA’s move in the Valdez and Morant cases is “pretty bold and pretty impressive,” said Adele Bernhard, director of New York Law School’s Post-Conviction Innocence Clinic, who isn’t involved in the Valdez and Morant cases. “They feel they can’t stand behind the conviction because of the way it was obtained, and that is very unusual.”
Katz, a Democrat in her first year in office, said the review of the Morant and Valdez cases didn’t reveal any problems with the evidence and the shootings “unquestionably continue to warrant vigorous prosecution.”
Valdez, now 59, was convicted of murder after bullets flew into the closed door of a social club in 1993, killing patrons Arley Zapata and Danny Velez.
Morant, 55, was found guilty of attempted murder in the 1995 shooting of Officer Keith Schweers, who had stopped him on a Queens street. Schweers was saved by his bulletproof vest.
“We will go forward with these cases fairly, justly, with no hint of bias or discrimination of any kind,” Katz said in a statement. “We will do what should have been done long ago, and we will do it right.”
But Schweers said he was “very disheartened” by the dismissal of Morant’s conviction and the prospect of another trial.
“I’m not looking forward to reopening old wounds,” said Schweers, now 51 and retired from the police department. “… It’s so unfortunate and unfair and frustrating.”
“You do the right thing all the time, and all of a sudden, because the way something is interpreted, I - as well as my family, and as well as the other case’s families - have to relive this.”
Messages were left at possible phone numbers for Zapata’s relatives. None could be found for Velez’ family.
___
Associated Press investigative researcher Randy Herschaft contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-12-10--Georgia sets new single-day record for COVID-19 cases

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Georgia has set a new record for the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported @ @ @ @ @ The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 6,126 new cases on Thursday .
The last @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 4 .
Before that , the record high was 4,782 on July 24 @ @ @ @ @ the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 462,175 .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ deaths , bringing that total to 9,123 .
There were also 277 new hospitalizations as @ @ @ @ @ .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : @ @

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia has set a new record for the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in a single day.
The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 6,126 new cases on Thursday. The last single-day case record was 5,023 on Dec. 4. Before that, the record high was 4,782 on July 24.
The latest numbers bring the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 462,175.
In addition, the department reported 55 confirmed deaths, bringing that total to 9,123.
There were also 277 new hospitalizations as a result of the coronavirus.
__
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.
.


washingtontimes--2020-12-10--Trooper faces battery, malfeasance charges in 2019 incident

NEW ORLEANS ( AP ) - A Louisiana state trooper was arrested Thursday on second-degree battery and malfeasance charges arising from allegations that he used excessive force in 2019 .
Trooper Jacob Brown , 30 , of Rayville , turned himself in Monroe after state police detectives obtained a warrant , according to online records .
A state police news release said the investigation leading to Brown ’ s arrest began after a lawsuit was filed alleging excessive force involving an unidentified trooper on May 30 , 2019 .
The release said Brown had been involved in the incident while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an arrest .
“ As the investigation continued , detectives learned that Brown engaged in excessive and unjustifiable actions during the incident and failed to report the use of force to his supervisors , ” the statement said .
A lawsuit , now in federal court in Monroe , names state police and multiple law enforcement agencies in Ouachita Parish , including sheriff ’ s office personnel , the parish Metro Narcotics Unit and the Monroe Police Department , as defendants in connection with a May 30 , 2019 , beating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed to his house by officers who dragged him from his car and beat and kicked him , resulting in lacerations , a broken arm and broken ribs .
While some officers allegedly involved in Bowman ’ s beating are named in the lawsuit , Bowman ’ s attorney said she did not know at the time the suit was filed who from state police was involved .
She said she had not been contacted by authorities regarding the trooper ’ s arrest as of Thursday .
Brown has not commented publicly on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorney was not available from state police or online booking records .
Capt .
Chavez Cammon , a state police spokesman , said the trooper had been placed on restricted administrative duty effective Oct. 19 .
He said State Police began an administrative investigation into the arrest on Oct. 13 .
The release on Brown ’ s arrest was preceded by a message to troopers from the state police superintendent , Col. Lamar Davis .
“ It is important that you learn of this arrest from me personally .
I pledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need .
I also pledge to hold each and every one of us accountable when our actions are not proper , ” Davis wrote .
“ I am asking you to trust the process.
” Louisiana State Police say they have arrested one of their own on charges of second-degree battery and malfeasance stemming from allegations of excessive force .
Jacob Brown , a 30-year-old trooper based in Monroe , turned himself in Thursday .
In a news release , state police say the investigation leading to his arrest arose from a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 , incident .
State police and other law enforcement agencies are defendants in the suit .
Brown faces accusations that he used excessive force and failed to report his use of force to supervisors .

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Louisiana state trooper was arrested Thursday on second-degree battery and malfeasance charges arising from allegations that he used excessive force in 2019.
Trooper Jacob Brown, 30, of Rayville, turned himself in Monroe after state police detectives obtained a warrant, according to online records. A state police news release said the investigation leading to Brown’s arrest began after a lawsuit was filed alleging excessive force involving an unidentified trooper on May 30, 2019.
The release said Brown had been involved in the incident while aiding Ouachita Parish sheriff’s deputies in an arrest. “As the investigation continued, detectives learned that Brown engaged in excessive and unjustifiable actions during the incident and failed to report the use of force to his supervisors,” the statement said.
State police refused to identify the victim.
A lawsuit, now in federal court in Monroe, names state police and multiple law enforcement agencies in Ouachita Parish, including sheriff’s office personnel, the parish Metro Narcotics Unit and the Monroe Police Department, as defendants in connection with a May 30, 2019, beating.
The lawsuit says Aaron Larry Bowman was followed to his house by officers who dragged him from his car and beat and kicked him, resulting in lacerations, a broken arm and broken ribs. While some officers allegedly involved in Bowman’s beating are named in the lawsuit, Bowman’s attorney said she did not know at the time the suit was filed who from state police was involved. She said she had not been contacted by authorities regarding the trooper’s arrest as of Thursday.
Brown has not commented publicly on the incident. Information on the trooper’s attorney was not available from state police or online booking records.
Capt. Chavez Cammon, a state police spokesman, said the trooper had been placed on restricted administrative duty effective Oct. 19. He said State Police began an administrative investigation into the arrest on Oct. 13.
The release on Brown’s arrest was preceded by a message to troopers from the state police superintendent, Col. Lamar Davis. “It is important that you learn of this arrest from me personally. I pledge to support you in your time of need. I also pledge to hold each and every one of us accountable when our actions are not proper,” Davis wrote. “I am asking you to trust the process.”
—
Louisiana State Police say they have arrested one of their own on charges of second-degree battery and malfeasance stemming from allegations of excessive force. Jacob Brown, a 30-year-old trooper based in Monroe, turned himself in Thursday. In a news release, state police say the investigation leading to his arrest arose from a lawsuit filed in connection with a May 30, 2019, incident. State police and other law enforcement agencies are defendants in the suit. Brown faces accusations that he used excessive force and failed to report his use of force to supervisors.


washingtontimes--2020-12-10--US long-term mortgage rates flat; 30-year at 2.71%

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - U.S. long-term mortgage rates were unchanged this week , remaining at record low levels against @ @ @ @ @ punished by the pandemic .
Mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average @ @ @ @ @ home loan remained at 2.71 % from last week .
By contrast , the benchmark @ @ @ @ @ a year ago .
The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate loans stayed at 2.26 % @ @ @ @ @ trended downward through most of this year , bolstering demand from would-be homebuyers or people @ @ @ @ @ .
But home sales have stalled as the lack of available homes for purchase continues @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. long-term mortgage rates were unchanged this week, remaining at record low levels against the backdrop of an economy punished by the pandemic.
Mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate home loan remained at 2.71% from last week. By contrast, the benchmark rate stood at 3.73% a year ago.
The average rate on 15-year fixed-rate loans stayed at 2.26%.
Home loan rates have trended downward through most of this year, bolstering demand from would-be homebuyers or people looking to refinance existing mortgages. But home sales have stalled as the lack of available homes for purchase continues to stifle house hunters.


washingtontimes--2020-12-10--Woman sentenced to 6 years in prison for toddler death

ALBANY , Ore. ( AP ) - A Lebanon woman was sentenced to more than six years in prison on Thursday for killing a toddler in her care .
Amber Marie Scott , 22 , was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter at the conclusion of her jury trial at the Linn County Fairgrounds on Wednesday , The Albany Democrat-Herald reported .
Asher Benjamin Carter had just turned 1 days before his death in 2019 .
During the sentencing hearing in Linn County Circuit Court , Carter ’ s relatives spoke about how the death devastated their family and the aftermath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 , 2019 , Scott , who wanted to go back to bed , tried to get the crying boy back to sleep by pressing his face into her chest for five minutes , smothering him , according to prosecutor Ryan Lucke .
Carter was hospitalized in cardiac arrest that day , and was taken off life support at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland on Feb. 24 .
Scott was initially charged with first-degree manslaughter , but found guilty of the lesser crime .
Scott declined comment in court .
Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that anything she said could be misconstrued so it was best to remain silent .
Hickam said he would appeal the case .

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) - A Lebanon woman was sentenced to more than six years in prison on Thursday for killing a toddler in her care.
Amber Marie Scott, 22, was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter at the conclusion of her jury trial at the Linn County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, The Albany Democrat-Herald reported.
Asher Benjamin Carter had just turned 1 days before his death in 2019.
During the sentencing hearing in Linn County Circuit Court, Carter’s relatives spoke about how the death devastated their family and the aftermath was a “nightmare.”
On Feb. 19, 2019, Scott, who wanted to go back to bed, tried to get the crying boy back to sleep by pressing his face into her chest for five minutes, smothering him, according to prosecutor Ryan Lucke.
Carter was hospitalized in cardiac arrest that day, and was taken off life support at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland on Feb. 24.
Scott was initially charged with first-degree manslaughter, but found guilty of the lesser crime.
Scott declined comment in court. Defense attorney Kent Hickam said his client thought that anything she said could be misconstrued so it was best to remain silent. Hickam said he would appeal the case.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Police: 12-year-old bystander in St. Louis suburb shot

FERGUSON , Mo .
( AP ) - A 12-year-old boy is expected to recover after being shot in the @ @ @ @ @ in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson , police said .
Police said the boy @ @ @ @ @ late Thursday night shooting , saying he got caught in the gunfire when a man @ @ @ @ @ with a group of nearby people .
The boy was taken to a hospital with @ @ @ @ @ to be life-threatening , police said .
Officers who arrived said on the scene said @ @ @ @ @ of being involved in the shooting as it was leaving the area .
Police stopped @ @ @ @ @ 19-year-old man inside suspected of firing the shots .
Police did not immediately release the @ @ @ @ @ or the man arrested .

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) - A 12-year-old boy is expected to recover after being shot in the hip by a stray bullet in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, police said.
Police said the boy was a bystander to the late Thursday night shooting, saying he got caught in the gunfire when a man began shooting during a fight with a group of nearby people. The boy was taken to a hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, police said.
Officers who arrived said on the scene said they spotted a vehicle suspected of being involved in the shooting as it was leaving the area. Police stopped the car and arrested a 19-year-old man inside suspected of firing the shots.
Police did not immediately release the names of the boy shot or the man arrested.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Man pleads to trafficking people who entered US illegally

ROANOKE , Va. ( AP ) - A Texas man has pleaded guilty in federal court to taking a van @ @ @ @ @ to enter the U.S. from Texas to three eastern states , the U.S. Attorney ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
Daniel P. Bubar , acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia , @ @ @ @ @ that Gary Donel Smith , 30 , of McKinney , Texas , pleaded guilty on @ @ @ @ @ for sentencing on April 5 , 2021 .
The passengers paid $ 14,000 for a @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , and Smith was to be paid for his services after he returned , @ @ @ @ @ , Smith picked up passengers in Dallas , but was involved in a traffic accident @ @ @ @ @ County , Virginia .
Responding law enforcement officers found one juvenile and five adults who @ @ @ @ @ Salvador .

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - A Texas man has pleaded guilty in federal court to taking a van of people who lacked permission to enter the U.S. from Texas to three eastern states, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Virginia said.
Daniel P. Bubar, acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, said in a news release that Gary Donel Smith, 30, of McKinney, Texas, pleaded guilty on Thursday. He is scheduled for sentencing on April 5, 2021.
The passengers paid $14,000 for a smuggling service to enter the U.S., and Smith was to be paid for his services after he returned, prosecutors said
On Feb. 9, Smith picked up passengers in Dallas, but was involved in a traffic accident the next day in Wythe County, Virginia. Responding law enforcement officers found one juvenile and five adults who were from Ecuador and El Salvador.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--US wholesale prices edge up 0.1% in November with both food and energy costs rising

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - US wholesale prices edge up 0.1 % in November with both food and energy costs @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - US wholesale prices edge up 0.1% in November with both food and energy costs rising.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Pollstar: Live events industry lost $30B due to pandemic

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Due to the global coronavirus pandemic , concert trade publication Pollstar puts the total lost revenue for the live events industry in 2020 at more than $ 30 billion .
Pollstar on Friday said the live events industry should have hit a record-setting $ 12.2 billion this year , but instead it incurred $ 9.7 billion in losses .
In March hundreds of artists announced that their current or upcoming tours would need to be postponed or canceled because of the pandemic .
While a small number of performers have played drive-in concerts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of artists have not played live in 2020 .
With just a few months on the road , Elton John ’ s “ Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour ” tops the year ’ s Top 100 Worldwide Tours list with $ 87.1 million grossed between Nov. 30 through March 7 .
John ’ s tour ranked No .
2 last year with $ 212 million grossed .
Celine Dion came in second this year with $ 71.2 million , followed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra ( $ 58.2 million ) , U2 ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lambert ( $ 44.6 million ) .
Post Malone , Eagles , Jonas Brothers , Dead & Company and Andrea Bocelli rounded out the Top 10 .
Pollstar said the projected $ 30 billion figure in losses includes “ unreported events , ancillary revenues , including sponsorships , ticketing , concessions , merch , transportation , restaurants , hotels , and other economic activity tied to the live events.
” “ It ’ s been an extraordinarily difficult year for the events industry , which has been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the adversity and loss our industry and many of our colleagues faced , we understand it is a critical undertaking toward facilitating our recovery , which is thankfully on the horizon , ” Ray Waddell , president of Oak View Group ’ s Media & Conferences Division , which oversees Pollstar and VenuesNow , said in a statement Friday .
“ With vaccines , better testing , new safety and sanitization protocols , smart ticketing and other innovations , the live industry will be ramping up in the coming months , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year we ’ ll have a very different story to tell .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, concert trade publication Pollstar puts the total lost revenue for the live events industry in 2020 at more than $30 billion.
Pollstar on Friday released its year-end report, explaining that the live events industry should have hit a record-setting $12.2 billion this year, but instead it incurred $9.7 billion in losses. The company added that the projected $30 billion figure in losses includes “unreported events, ancillary revenues, including sponsorships, ticketing, concessions, merch, transportation, restaurants, hotels, and other economic activity tied to the live events.” Those losses accounted for more than $8 billion.
In March hundreds of artists announced that their current or upcoming tours would need to be postponed or canceled because of the pandemic. While a small number of performers have played drive-in concerts and others have held digital concerts, the majority of artists have not played live in 2020.
With just a few months on the road, Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour” tops the year’s Top 100 Worldwide Tours list with $87.1 million grossed between Nov. 30 through March 7. John’s tour ranked No. 2 last year with $212 million grossed.
Celine Dion came in second this year with $71.2 million, followed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra ($58.2 million), U2 ($52.1 million) and Queen + Adam Lambert ($44.6 million). Post Malone, Eagles, Jonas Brothers, Dead & Company and Andrea Bocelli rounded out the Top 10.
“It’s been an extraordinarily difficult year for the events industry, which has been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus. As painful as it is to chronicle the adversity and loss our industry and many of our colleagues faced, we understand it is a critical undertaking toward facilitating our recovery, which is thankfully on the horizon,” Ray Waddell, president of Oak View Group’s Media & Conferences Division, which oversees Pollstar and VenuesNow, said in a statement Friday.
“With vaccines, better testing, new safety and sanitization protocols, smart ticketing and other innovations, the live industry will be ramping up in the coming months, and we’re sure that at this time next year we’ll have a very different story to tell.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--2 girls killed, 4 adults hurt in suburban Chicago house fire

INGLESIDE , Ill. ( AP ) - Two young girls were found dead after a suburban Chicago house fire that @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
Heavy flames were shooting from the house and through its roof @ @ @ @ @ at the scene in the Lake County community of Ingleside about 11 p.m. Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ Chief Ed Lescher said .
Three adults were outside the house with smoke inhalation and @ @ @ @ @ that a woman and two children were still inside , Lescher said .
The woman @ @ @ @ @ , but Lescher said the flames forced firefighters outside .
The two girls , 8 @ @ @ @ @ dead on the second floor after the fire was put out , Lescher said .
@ @ @ @ @ to hospitals , with at least one of them in critical condition .
Lesher said @ @ @ @ @ what started the fire .

INGLESIDE, Ill. (AP) - Two young girls were found dead after a suburban Chicago house fire that also badly injured four adults, officials said.
Heavy flames were shooting from the house and through its roof by the time firefighters arrived at the scene in the Lake County community of Ingleside about 11 p.m. Thursday, Fox Lake Fire Protection District Chief Ed Lescher said.
Three adults were outside the house with smoke inhalation and burns and they told firefighters that a woman and two children were still inside, Lescher said. The woman was pulled from the house, but Lescher said the flames forced firefighters outside.
The two girls, 8 and 5, were found dead on the second floor after the fire was put out, Lescher said. The four adults were taken to hospitals, with at least one of them in critical condition.
Lesher said investigators were working to determine what started the fire.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Senate targets virus restrictions; OKs jobless, water bills

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Senate Republicans voted to limit the length of coronavirus restrictions issued by Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ’ s administration , unless they were extended by the GOP-controlled Legislature .
The bill , which would be vetoed if it reached the Democratic governor ’ s desk , cleared the chamber on a party-line 22-16 vote late Thursday .
Senators did find common ground , though , on other pandemic-related measures - voting unanimously to keep intact unemployment changes for an additional three months and to provide $ 250 million to continue funding a maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the jobless instead of 20 weeks .
Water shutoffs would be prohibited statewide under a bill that passed 30-8 .
The voting set the stage for final House action next week before lawmakers adjourn for the year .
Since the state Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a law that was the basis for Whitmer ’ s unilateral orders to curb COVID-19 , she has instead used the state health department ’ s epidemic powers to require masks and limit gatherings .
Most recently , amid a spike in infections , Health and Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction at high schools and colleges , barred indoor restaurant dining and closed various entertainment venues , through at least Dec. 20 .
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis would require legislative approval to extend such orders beyond 28 days , similarly to a provision in a 1976 law that applies to a governor ’ s emergency declarations .
She said the Supreme Court majority was clear that Whitmer should work with legislators to combat the virus .
“ Unelected and accountable DHHS bureaucrats should not , in perpetuity , be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupt lives and threaten livelihoods , ” said Theis , a Republican from Brighton .
Democrats tried to amend the bill to add a face covering mandate to law but were blocked by GOP senators .
“ For us to stymie and prohibit the primary department also responsible for promoting and protecting public health , from not only a pandemic but clearly from us and the legislative majority ’ s lackadaisical attitude to a pandemic that is ever present and continues to rage on , it ’ s not just irresponsible .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erika Geiss of Taylor .
After the high court ’ s decision in October invalidating the governor ’ s executive orders , the Legislature and Whitmer enacted laws to continue less controversial measures related to unemployment , virtual government meetings and other issues .
But they will expire later this month unless lawmakers act .
Bills approved in recent days would extend , through March , dispensing flexibility for pharmacies , for instance , and the validity of driver ’ s licenses that have expired since last March .
The Senate ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomed by supporters .
The governor had done so in an order in the spring until it was upended by the court ruling more than two months ago .
The bill sponsor , Democratic Sen. Stephanie Chang of Detroit , said more than 317,000 Michigan households have been behind on their water bills during the virus outbreak .
Addressing shutoffs , particularly in a pandemic , “ is a public health issue , an economic security issue and a moral issue , ” she said .
The Senate also passed a Republican-sponsored bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic - like restaurants , gyms and entertainment venues - defer their summer property tax payments without facing penalties or interest .
Whitmer vetoed a similar measure in July .
Under the latest bill , the state would pay local governments an amount equal to the waived interest and penalties if the Legislature set aside funding .

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Senate Republicans voted to limit the length of coronavirus restrictions issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, unless they were extended by the GOP-controlled Legislature.
The bill, which would be vetoed if it reached the Democratic governor’s desk, cleared the chamber on a party-line 22-16 vote late Thursday.
Senators did find common ground, though, on other pandemic-related measures - voting unanimously to keep intact unemployment changes for an additional three months and to provide $250 million to continue funding a maximum 26 weeks of benefits in a year for the jobless instead of 20 weeks. Water shutoffs would be prohibited statewide under a bill that passed 30-8.
The voting set the stage for final House action next week before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
Since the state Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a law that was the basis for Whitmer’s unilateral orders to curb COVID-19, she has instead used the state health department’s epidemic powers to require masks and limit gatherings. Most recently, amid a spike in infections, Health and Human Services director Robert Gordon has prohibited in-person instruction at high schools and colleges, barred indoor restaurant dining and closed various entertainment venues, through at least Dec. 20.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis would require legislative approval to extend such orders beyond 28 days, similarly to a provision in a 1976 law that applies to a governor’s emergency declarations. She said the Supreme Court majority was clear that Whitmer should work with legislators to combat the virus.
“Unelected and accountable DHHS bureaucrats should not, in perpetuity, be able to issue freedom-restricting and business-killing emergency orders that disrupt lives and threaten livelihoods,” said Theis, a Republican from Brighton.
Democrats tried to amend the bill to add a face covering mandate to law but were blocked by GOP senators.
“For us to stymie and prohibit the primary department also responsible for promoting and protecting public health, from not only a pandemic but clearly from us and the legislative majority’s lackadaisical attitude to a pandemic that is ever present and continues to rage on, it’s not just irresponsible. It’s absurd,” said Sen. Erika Geiss of Taylor.
After the high court’s decision in October invalidating the governor’s executive orders, the Legislature and Whitmer enacted laws to continue less controversial measures related to unemployment, virtual government meetings and other issues. But they will expire later this month unless lawmakers act.
Bills approved in recent days would extend, through March, dispensing flexibility for pharmacies, for instance, and the validity of driver’s licenses that have expired since last March.
The Senate’s vote to again freeze water shutoffs was welcomed by supporters. The governor had done so in an order in the spring until it was upended by the court ruling more than two months ago.
The bill sponsor, Democratic Sen. Stephanie Chang of Detroit, said more than 317,000 Michigan households have been behind on their water bills during the virus outbreak. Addressing shutoffs, particularly in a pandemic, “is a public health issue, an economic security issue and a moral issue,” she said.
The Senate also passed a Republican-sponsored bill that would let certain businesses hammered by the pandemic - like restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues - defer their summer property tax payments without facing penalties or interest. Whitmer vetoed a similar measure in July. Under the latest bill, the state would pay local governments an amount equal to the waived interest and penalties if the Legislature set aside funding.
___
Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
“


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Parents, teachers cry foul over sheriff's student database

NEW PORT RICHEY , Fla. ( AP ) - Some parents and teachers in the Tampa Bay area are asking for changes in a program used by a Florida sheriff to profile students as potential criminals .
The Pasco County Council PTA asked school district officials to review the program and its data sharing agreement with the Pasco County Sheriff ’ s Office and other agencies , the Tampa Bay Times reported Friday .
In addition , a group of teachers is circulating a petition calling for the sheriff ’ s database of “ at-risk ” children to be deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the district to release demographic information on the students , and transfer some of the funding that covers school resource officers to academic and mental health resources .
Danielle Biggs , who teaches at Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel , said the program “ goes against all good education practice.
” “ I get it , ” she told the newspaper .
“ They have a responsibility to protect children .
But what they are doing is targeting and profiling children.
” The outcry came after a Tampa Bay Times investigation revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of students it believes “ could fall into a life of crime.
” According to the Times , students are added based on data points including their grade point average , attendance record and whether they have friends the sheriff ’ s office considers “ delinquent.
” Neither the children nor their parents are told if they are on the list , which included 420 names in November , the newspaper reported .
The names are added as the agency mines the data for students in middle and high schools where deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said it uses the data to identify students who need mentoring and other resources , the paper reported .
“ We will do everything we can to protect the children in our school district and prevent a tragedy from occurring , ” sheriff ’ s officials told the Times , when told of the petitions .
The agency said if funds are taken away , it “ would make schools notably less safe and also run afoul of regulations required as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act , ” which requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent school shootings .
The school district said it would “ assure the PTA County Council that our agreements with the Sheriff ’ s Office are routinely reviewed and , when appropriate , revised or updated.
” School board member Megan Harding told the newspaper that the district works closely with law enforcement to keep students safe .
“ I know our PTA has some concerns , but I also look forward to filling them in on the wonderful relationship we have with our sheriff ’ s office , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Council PTA , called the details of the sheriff ’ s data-driven program “ unacceptable and scary.
” “ It needs to start being addressed now , in the next week or two , ” she said .
On a larger level , Jennifer Martinez , president of the Florida PTA , said her organization “ opposes the data mining of educational records or student data for open-ended purposes.
” Likewise , parent Tammy Ingram , said she ’ s upset about the program .
“ I love police , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m kind of hurt about this.
” After hearing about the program , she reached out to the agency to see if her three children were on the list .
She was told the records were confidential and could not be released to her , the newspaper reported .
The Sheriff ’ s Office told the newspaper that about five parents had asked for the records , which were provided after the parents provided their identities .
Ingram said she wasn ’ t asked for verification , even after twice saying she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ These should be public records to the parents , ” she said .
“ We should know .
”

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (AP) - Some parents and teachers in the Tampa Bay area are asking for changes in a program used by a Florida sheriff to profile students as potential criminals.
The Pasco County Council PTA asked school district officials to review the program and its data sharing agreement with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies, the Tampa Bay Times reported Friday.
In addition, a group of teachers is circulating a petition calling for the sheriff’s database of “at-risk” children to be deleted, the newspaper reported. They want the district to release demographic information on the students, and transfer some of the funding that covers school resource officers to academic and mental health resources.
Danielle Biggs, who teaches at Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel, said the program “goes against all good education practice.”
“I get it,” she told the newspaper. “They have a responsibility to protect children. But what they are doing is targeting and profiling children.”
The outcry came after a Tampa Bay Times investigation revealed the sheriff’s office keeps a list of students it believes “could fall into a life of crime.”
According to the Times, students are added based on data points including their grade point average, attendance record and whether they have friends the sheriff’s office considers “delinquent.”
Neither the children nor their parents are told if they are on the list, which included 420 names in November, the newspaper reported. The names are added as the agency mines the data for students in middle and high schools where deputies work as resource officers.
The agency has said it uses the data to identify students who need mentoring and other resources, the paper reported.
“We will do everything we can to protect the children in our school district and prevent a tragedy from occurring,” sheriff’s officials told the Times, when told of the petitions.
The agency said if funds are taken away, it “would make schools notably less safe and also run afoul of regulations required as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act,” which requires officers or security guards in schools to prevent school shootings.
The school district said it would “assure the PTA County Council that our agreements with the Sheriff’s Office are routinely reviewed and, when appropriate, revised or updated.”
School board member Megan Harding told the newspaper that the district works closely with law enforcement to keep students safe.
“I know our PTA has some concerns, but I also look forward to filling them in on the wonderful relationship we have with our sheriff’s office,” she said.
Alicia Willis, president of the Pasco County Council PTA, called the details of the sheriff’s data-driven program “unacceptable and scary.”
“It needs to start being addressed now, in the next week or two,” she said.
On a larger level, Jennifer Martinez, president of the Florida PTA, said her organization “opposes the data mining of educational records or student data for open-ended purposes.”
Likewise, parent Tammy Ingram, said she’s upset about the program.
“I love police,” she told the Times. “But I’m kind of hurt about this.”
After hearing about the program, she reached out to the agency to see if her three children were on the list. She was told the records were confidential and could not be released to her, the newspaper reported.
The Sheriff’s Office told the newspaper that about five parents had asked for the records, which were provided after the parents provided their identities.
Ingram said she wasn’t asked for verification, even after twice saying she was the children’s mother.
“These should be public records to the parents,” she said. “We should know.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Pakistan asks UN to probe fake pro-India NGOs, media

ISLAMABAD ( AP ) - Pakistan ’ s foreign minister on Friday called for the United Nations and the European Union to investigate a recent report exposing a 15-year disinformation campaign that Islamabad alleges was designed to serve India ’ s interests and discredit Pakistan .
New Delhi denied the claims .
The extensive report was published earlier this week by EU DisinfoLab , a Brussels-based nongovernmental organization .
The findings detail how 10 defunct but U.N.-accredited NGOs were “ revived ” in order to influence the EU and the U.N. Human Rights Council .
It also uncovered over 750 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinformation .
At a news conference , Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the U.N. and the EU to “ immediately begin an investigation and delisting of the 10 fake NGOs created by India to malign Pakistan.
” “ We also call on the United Nations to create processes that ensure that the international system is not manipulated through such influence operations , ” he said .
The EU DisinfoLab report , entitled “ Indian Chronicles , ” did not explicitly attribute the campaign to the Indian government or its intelligence agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by the Srivastava Group , a business conglomerate that came into the spotlight in India after organizing a visit to the disputed Kashmir region for far-right members of the European Parliament in late 2019 .
Qureshi , however , directly accused New Delhi of running the campaign .
“ The scope and extent of India ’ s operations against Pakistan under their hybrid war is now apparent for the world to see .
Pakistan will take all necessary actions to protect its interests , ” he said .
In New Delhi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anurag Srivastava dismissed the report and Pakistan ’ s allegation , saying “ as a responsible democracy , India does not practice disinformation campaigns ” .
The two nuclear armed rivals have a history of bitter relations , and have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947 .
The EU DisinfoLab report comes less than a month after Pakistan accused India of sponsoring “ terrorism ” aimed at destabilizing the country and targeting its economic partnership with China .
India has likewise accused Pakistan of sponsoring militant groups that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years .
Associated Press writer Ashok Sharma in New Delhi contributed to this report .

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan’s foreign minister on Friday called for the United Nations and the European Union to investigate a recent report exposing a 15-year disinformation campaign that Islamabad alleges was designed to serve India’s interests and discredit Pakistan. New Delhi denied the claims.
The extensive report was published earlier this week by EU DisinfoLab, a Brussels-based nongovernmental organization. The findings detail how 10 defunct but U.N.-accredited NGOs were “revived” in order to influence the EU and the U.N. Human Rights Council. It also uncovered over 750 fake local media outlets used to spread disinformation.
At a news conference, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the U.N. and the EU to “immediately begin an investigation and delisting of the 10 fake NGOs created by India to malign Pakistan.”
“We also call on the United Nations to create processes that ensure that the international system is not manipulated through such influence operations,” he said.
The EU DisinfoLab report, entitled “Indian Chronicles,” did not explicitly attribute the campaign to the Indian government or its intelligence agencies.
The report said the operation was led by the Srivastava Group, a business conglomerate that came into the spotlight in India after organizing a visit to the disputed Kashmir region for far-right members of the European Parliament in late 2019.
Qureshi, however, directly accused New Delhi of running the campaign.
“The scope and extent of India’s operations against Pakistan under their hybrid war is now apparent for the world to see. Pakistan will take all necessary actions to protect its interests,” he said.
In New Delhi, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava dismissed the report and Pakistan’s allegation, saying “as a responsible democracy, India does not practice disinformation campaigns”.
The two nuclear armed rivals have a history of bitter relations, and have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.
The EU DisinfoLab report comes less than a month after Pakistan accused India of sponsoring “terrorism” aimed at destabilizing the country and targeting its economic partnership with China.
India has likewise accused Pakistan of sponsoring militant groups that have carried out attacks inside its borders in recent years.
___
Associated Press writer Ashok Sharma in New Delhi contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Heavy job cuts in $4.1 bln rescue plan for Portugal airline

LISBON , Portugal ( AP ) - Portugal ’ s government unveiled Friday a 3.4 billion-euro ( $ 4.1 billion ) rescue package for national airline TAP Air Portugal that entails more than 3,500 job losses - around one-third of the workforce .
The plan , which requires the blessing of European Union authorities , also foresees a payroll cut of up to 25 % by lowering wages .
If approved , 500 pilots , 750 cabin crew and 750 ground crew will be laid off .
Another 1,600 short-term contracts aren ’ t being renewed at the company , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fleet is to be cut from 108 to 88 aircraft .
The government predicts the flag carrier , in which the Portuguese state has a 72.5 % stake , will lose revenue of 6.7 billion euros ( $ 8 billion ) through 2025 .
TAP lost more than 700 million euros ( $ 849 million ) in the first nine months of this year as the COVID-19 pandemic crunched the travel business .
It saw a fall in passengers numbers of more than 70 % compared with last year .
The airline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would go bankrupt without help , Infrastructure Minister Pedro Nuno Santos told a news conference .
TAP is one of Europe ’ s smaller airlines , but its fate is a hot-button political issue for the country ’ s minority Socialist government which is struggling to contain the pandemic and is coming off a bruising battle in parliament to pass its 2021 state budget .
The rescue brings another financial burden on taxpayers and sets up a possible confrontation with trade unions .
TAP is part of the Star Alliance , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 80 destinations in about 30 countries , focusing mainly on North and South America and Africa .

LISBON, Portugal (AP) - Portugal’s government unveiled Friday a 3.4 billion-euro ($4.1 billion) rescue package for national airline TAP Air Portugal that entails more than 3,500 job losses - around one-third of the workforce.
The plan, which requires the blessing of European Union authorities, also foresees a payroll cut of up to 25% by lowering wages.
If approved, 500 pilots, 750 cabin crew and 750 ground crew will be laid off. Another 1,600 short-term contracts aren’t being renewed at the company, which currently has around 10,000 employees. The fleet is to be cut from 108 to 88 aircraft.
The government predicts the flag carrier, in which the Portuguese state has a 72.5% stake, will lose revenue of 6.7 billion euros ($8 billion) through 2025.
TAP lost more than 700 million euros ($849 million) in the first nine months of this year as the COVID-19 pandemic crunched the travel business. It saw a fall in passengers numbers of more than 70% compared with last year.
The airline was already in difficulty before the pandemic and would go bankrupt without help, Infrastructure Minister Pedro Nuno Santos told a news conference.
Other European airlines are taking similar tough steps.
TAP is one of Europe’s smaller airlines, but its fate is a hot-button political issue for the country’s minority Socialist government which is struggling to contain the pandemic and is coming off a bruising battle in parliament to pass its 2021 state budget.
The rescue brings another financial burden on taxpayers and sets up a possible confrontation with trade unions.
TAP is part of the Star Alliance, a global airline partnership. It flies to more than 80 destinations in about 30 countries, focusing mainly on North and South America and Africa.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Police: NYC woman bound with duct tape, sexually assaulted

NEW YORK ( AP ) - New York City police are looking for a man suspected of sexually assaulting a @ @ @ @ @ into into a Brooklyn apartment building , acting like he had a gun and tying @ @ @ @ @ and zip ties .
The unidentified man fled in a gray Mitsubishi Outlander SUV after @ @ @ @ @ 12:40 p.m. at her home in the borough ’ s Marine Park neighborhood , police @ @ @ @ @ listed in stable condition at NYC Health & Hospitals/Coney Island .
The man - seen @ @ @ @ @ clothing , jeans with light-colored knee patches and a black facemask - simulated a firearm @ @ @ @ @ the apartment , police said .
In addition to the assault , police said he @ @ @ @ @ s cellphone and an unknown amount of cash .

NEW YORK (AP) - New York City police are looking for a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman Thursday after following her into into a Brooklyn apartment building, acting like he had a gun and tying her up with duct tape and zip ties.
The unidentified man fled in a gray Mitsubishi Outlander SUV after attacking the 47-year-old woman around 12:40 p.m. at her home in the borough’s Marine Park neighborhood, police said.
The woman was listed in stable condition at NYC Health & Hospitals/Coney Island.
The man - seen in surveillance video wearing dark clothing, jeans with light-colored knee patches and a black facemask - simulated a firearm to force his way inside the apartment, police said.
In addition to the assault, police said he also took the woman’s cellphone and an unknown amount of cash.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Inmate at Washington prison dies of coronavirus

TUMWATER , Wash. ( AP ) - A prisoner at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center near Aberdeen , Washington , @ @ @ @ @ .
The prisoner died at an area health care facility , and it is the @ @ @ @ @ inmate at Stafford Creek , KIRO-TV reported .
Department of Corrections officials said due to @ @ @ @ @ , the facility has restricted movement to limit any risk to exposure of the virus @ @ @ @ @ practice COVID-19 screening , testing and infection control to prevent the spread of the virus @ @ @ @ @ is the fourth death of an inmate related to COVID-19 in the state .
A @ @ @ @ @ died of COVID-19 .
The death comes a day after the families of those behind @ @ @ @ @ capitol , asking for more inmates to be released in order to reduce the chances @ @ @ @ @ .

TUMWATER, Wash. (AP) - A prisoner at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center near Aberdeen, Washington, died of COVID-19 on Thursday.
The prisoner died at an area health care facility, and it is the first COVID-19-related death for an inmate at Stafford Creek, KIRO-TV reported.
Department of Corrections officials said due to the rising number of cases, the facility has restricted movement to limit any risk to exposure of the virus. The facility continues to practice COVID-19 screening, testing and infection control to prevent the spread of the virus, officials said.
It is the fourth death of an inmate related to COVID-19 in the state. A state corrections officer has also died of COVID-19.
The death comes a day after the families of those behind bars protested outside the state capitol, asking for more inmates to be released in order to reduce the chances they would contract the virus.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Man pleads guilty to reduced charge in pipeline break-in

MOUNT VERNON , Wash. ( AP ) - An Oregon man awaiting a new trial after a court of appeals overturned a burglary conviction for breaking into a Kinder Morgan oil pipeline facility in Western Washington has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge .
Kenneth Ward , 64 , of Corbett , Oregon , pleaded guilty Wednesday in Skagit County Superior Court to a misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal trespassing , The Skagit Valley Herald reported .
Ward was found guilty of felony burglary in 2017 after an October 2016 incident in which he allegedly broke into the facility west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pipeline .
In April 2019 , a state appeals court overturned Ward ’ s conviction , saying the trial court had erred by not allowing Ward to present a “ necessity defense , ” which would have asserted that a criminal act was necessary on his behalf to avoid harm , and no legal alternative was available .
“ Although Mr. Ward maintains his sincere belief in the viability of that defense , he has elected to resolve the case , ” Ward ’ s lawyers said in a sentencing memorandum filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 2017 conviction , Ward was sentenced to two days in jail and 30 days of community service in Skagit County .
He completed both , and received no additional sentence for his plea to trespassing .

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) - An Oregon man awaiting a new trial after a court of appeals overturned a burglary conviction for breaking into a Kinder Morgan oil pipeline facility in Western Washington has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
Kenneth Ward, 64, of Corbett, Oregon, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Skagit County Superior Court to a misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal trespassing, The Skagit Valley Herald reported.
Ward was found guilty of felony burglary in 2017 after an October 2016 incident in which he allegedly broke into the facility west of Burlington and attempted to shut off the pipeline.
In April 2019, a state appeals court overturned Ward’s conviction, saying the trial court had erred by not allowing Ward to present a “necessity defense,” which would have asserted that a criminal act was necessary on his behalf to avoid harm, and no legal alternative was available.
“Although Mr. Ward maintains his sincere belief in the viability of that defense, he has elected to resolve the case,” Ward’s lawyers said in a sentencing memorandum filed in Skagit County Superior Court.
After his 2017 conviction, Ward was sentenced to two days in jail and 30 days of community service in Skagit County. He completed both, and received no additional sentence for his plea to trespassing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Award-winning SKorean director Kim Ki-duk dies in Latvia

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - South Korean director Kim Ki-duk , who won the top award at the Venice Film Festival in 2012 but later faced allegations at home of hitting an actress and trying to force her into shooting off-script sexual scenes while making another movie , has died in Latvia .
He was 59 .
The Baltic News Service cited Latvia-based Russian documentary filmmaker Vitaly Mansky , president of an international documentary film festival in Riga , as saying Kim died after falling ill with COVID-19 .
Mansky was not immediately reachable for comment .
Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Foreign Ministry in Seoul , which said that a “ South Korean male in his 50s died while being treated for COVID-19 at a hospital in Latvia during the early hours of Dec. 11 local time.
” It declined to identify the director due to privacy concerns .
Kim came to Latvia on Nov. 20 in order to buy a house in Jurmala , the country ’ s seaside resort near Riga , the capital , and apply for a residence permit , the Lithuanian public broadcaster said .
Kim won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his 2012 film “ Pieta , ” a brutal mother-and-son tale of revenge and redemption .
He also won prizes for best director at festivals in Venice and Berlin , and secured another award at the 2011 Cannes festival for his movie “ Arirang.
” While his movies often garnered critical acclaim , many moviegoers , especially women , considered them to be disturbing because of excessive violence and depictions of rape and castration .
A year after the Venice success , Kim faced the allegations at home , which he vaguely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misunderstanding , although he acknowledged he might have hit the actress while instructing her in acting .
The actress dropped out and the movie , “ Moebius , ” a dark and violent story about an estranged family , was finished with a replacement .
Kim was fined 5 million won ( $ 4,570 ) over assault charges in 2018 .
But prosecutors eventually decided not to pursue charges of sexual abuse against him , citing insufficient evidence .
Kim ’ s career in South Korea effectively ended in 2017-18 after three actresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ PD ’ s Notebook , ” which was broadcast on Korean public broadcaster MBC .
Kim later launched criminal and civil suits against MBC and the original Moebius actress , accusing them of defamation , but his claims were dismissed in courts .
The South Korean Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Riga was contacting the man ’ s family and offering help in arranging a funeral .
The ministry said it can not release specific details about the man to anyone who isn ’ t family .
Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - South Korean director Kim Ki-duk, who won the top award at the Venice Film Festival in 2012 but later faced allegations at home of hitting an actress and trying to force her into shooting off-script sexual scenes while making another movie, has died in Latvia. He was 59.
The Baltic News Service cited Latvia-based Russian documentary filmmaker Vitaly Mansky, president of an international documentary film festival in Riga, as saying Kim died after falling ill with COVID-19. Mansky was not immediately reachable for comment.
Kim’s death was indirectly confirmed by the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, which said that a “South Korean male in his 50s died while being treated for COVID-19 at a hospital in Latvia during the early hours of Dec. 11 local time.” It declined to identify the director due to privacy concerns.
Kim came to Latvia on Nov. 20 in order to buy a house in Jurmala, the country’s seaside resort near Riga, the capital, and apply for a residence permit, the Lithuanian public broadcaster said.
Kim won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival with his 2012 film “Pieta,” a brutal mother-and-son tale of revenge and redemption. He also won prizes for best director at festivals in Venice and Berlin, and secured another award at the 2011 Cannes festival for his movie “Arirang.”
While his movies often garnered critical acclaim, many moviegoers, especially women, considered them to be disturbing because of excessive violence and depictions of rape and castration.
A year after the Venice success, Kim faced the allegations at home, which he vaguely denied, saying there had been a misunderstanding, although he acknowledged he might have hit the actress while instructing her in acting.
The actress dropped out and the movie, “Moebius,” a dark and violent story about an estranged family, was finished with a replacement.
Kim was fined 5 million won ($4,570) over assault charges in 2018. But prosecutors eventually decided not to pursue charges of sexual abuse against him, citing insufficient evidence.
Kim’s career in South Korea effectively ended in 2017-18 after three actresses made new accusations on investigative news show “PD’s Notebook,” which was broadcast on Korean public broadcaster MBC. Kim later launched criminal and civil suits against MBC and the original Moebius actress, accusing them of defamation, but his claims were dismissed in courts.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Riga was contacting the man’s family and offering help in arranging a funeral. The ministry said it cannot release specific details about the man to anyone who isn’t family.
___
Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Retailers urge shoppers to buy early amid shipping crunch

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A number of retailers , including J.C. Penney , Lowe ’ s and Kohl ’ s , are telling shoppers they need to place their online orders soon or else pay expedited shipping fees if they want to get their packages delivered in time for the holidays .
The earlier-than-usual deadlines come as more people turn to online shopping during the pandemic , creating a logjam for shipping companies as well as delivery delays .
For some retailers , like H & M ; and Lego , the deadlines have passed .
Jason Goldberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communications , part of Publicis Groupe SA , estimates that a majority of retailers have pushed up deadlines by at least a day or two , and about a quarter by at least a week .
Meanwhile , behemoths like Walmart , Target and Best Buy haven ’ t had to make big changes because they ’ ve already transformed their stores into shipping hubs for online orders .
That makes them less dependent on major carriers ’ national networks .
“ Everyone knows there is going to be a problem 10 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know how big it ’ s going to be , ” said Rob Hahn , chief operating officer at Whitebox , a fulfillment service for retailers .
“ So everyone is being conservative , and everyone is trying to pull forward that purchase behavior.
” The earlier deadlines could drive more last-minute shoppers into physical stores at a time when coronavirus cases are spiking .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says holiday shopping in crowded stores is a “ higher risk ” activity .
Ken Perkins of RetailMetrics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a massive crush , ” but he believes customer traffic will be heavier than what stores have seen so far during the season .
Shoppers will also turn more to curbside pickup in the days before Christmas .
The warnings on earlier deadlines are needed , said Moody ’ s Charlie O ’ Shea , because if an item arrives late , frustrated shoppers blame the retailer - not the shipping company .
And retailers can ill-afford to lose business at a time when many people have already cut back on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theater producer from Great Neck , New York , ordered a few gifts online during Thanksgiving weekend , including an eyeglass case from Anthropologie .
She just learned that the eyeglass case was out of stock and needed to be back-ordered .
“ I had gifts earmarked for particular people , ” Newman said .
Now , she says , “ I will be happy if everyone gets their gifts this month.
” But she said she won ’ t be going back to stores to pick up goods as virus cases surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strained when shoppers dramatically shifted their spending online during the early part of the pandemic - a savior for many who were afraid of going out .
But now , with the pandemic getting worse and everyone shopping for the holidays at the same time , those networks are strained even further .
Online volume is expected to triple compared to last year ’ s holiday season .
Satish Jindel , president of ShipMatrix , which analyzes shipping package data , predicts 7 million packages a day could face delays from Thanksgiving to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is so acute that even Amazon , which has its own shipping network , could run out of capacity , sending shoppers to places like eBay .
Amazon hasn ’ t released a holiday shipping deadline yet , but said in a statement that it will be delivering packages up until Christmas Eve .
Jindel says that the three major carriers - FedEx , UPS and the U.S .
Postal Service - have been holding up fairly well given the huge spike in volume , although on-time delivery declined the final week of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 94.2 % during the Nov. 22 to Nov. 28 period , Jindel says .
However , the U.S .
Postal Service has been taking packages that UPS and FedEx won ’ t take and has seen a decrease in on-time delivery , says Convey Inc. , which specializes in delivery tracking .
Carriers have been slapping surcharges and putting limits on how many packages retailers can ship each day .
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal last week , UPS notified drivers across the U.S. to stop picking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bean , Hot Topic , Newegg and Macy ’ s last week .
“ UPS continues to work closely with our largest customers to steer volume to capacity and ensure the UPS network is reliable for all customers , ” UPS said in a statement to The Associated Press late last week .
“ This collaboration includes specific capacity allocations last weekend and throughout the holiday season.
” The holiday shipping crunch has been particularly hard on small retailers that badly need the last two weeks before Christmas to make up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to close at the beginning of the pandemic .
But online-only small businesses are also feeling the strain .
Lisa Pawlic is CEO and co-founder of a recently launched Austin , Texas-based startup VoChill , which makes personal wine glass chillers .
She says her distributor , inundated with a backlog of orders , told her to set the ordering deadline for Dec. 11 .
She plans to do her own packing and shipping of the items with her family ’ s help .
“ We are a new brand , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my customers ’ experience , ” Pawlic said .
Sara Skirboll , a shopping expert at deals site RetailMeNot , said some of the delays are happening at warehouses , where it ’ s taking longer to get orders out the door to be shipped .
Shoppers should read the fine print , she said , because even if a store is promising two-day shipping , it could take days before it leaves the warehouse .
Compounding the problem is the fact that there is less space available on tractor trailers that move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isaac Larian , CEO of MGA Entertainment , the maker of the popular LOL dolls , says he had 200 containers , or at least $ 15 million worth of merchandise , stuck at the Los Angeles port for three weeks .
The toys have since been cleared , but he says , “ it ’ s too late for Christmas .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - A number of retailers, including J.C. Penney, Lowe’s and Kohl’s, are telling shoppers they need to place their online orders soon or else pay expedited shipping fees if they want to get their packages delivered in time for the holidays.
The earlier-than-usual deadlines come as more people turn to online shopping during the pandemic, creating a logjam for shipping companies as well as delivery delays. For some retailers, like H&M and Lego, the deadlines have passed.
Jason Goldberg, chief commerce strategy officer at Publicis Communications, part of Publicis Groupe SA, estimates that a majority of retailers have pushed up deadlines by at least a day or two, and about a quarter by at least a week. Meanwhile, behemoths like Walmart, Target and Best Buy haven’t had to make big changes because they’ve already transformed their stores into shipping hubs for online orders. That makes them less dependent on major carriers’ national networks.
“Everyone knows there is going to be a problem 10 days from now, but we just don’t know how big it’s going to be,” said Rob Hahn, chief operating officer at Whitebox, a fulfillment service for retailers. “So everyone is being conservative, and everyone is trying to pull forward that purchase behavior.”
The earlier deadlines could drive more last-minute shoppers into physical stores at a time when coronavirus cases are spiking. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says holiday shopping in crowded stores is a “higher risk” activity.
Ken Perkins of RetailMetrics, says he doesn’t expect “a massive crush,” but he believes customer traffic will be heavier than what stores have seen so far during the season. Shoppers will also turn more to curbside pickup in the days before Christmas.
The warnings on earlier deadlines are needed, said Moody’s Charlie O’Shea, because if an item arrives late, frustrated shoppers blame the retailer - not the shipping company. And retailers can ill-afford to lose business at a time when many people have already cut back on their spending.
Robin Gorman Newman, a theater producer from Great Neck, New York, ordered a few gifts online during Thanksgiving weekend, including an eyeglass case from Anthropologie. She just learned that the eyeglass case was out of stock and needed to be back-ordered.
“I had gifts earmarked for particular people,” Newman said. Now, she says, “I will be happy if everyone gets their gifts this month.” But she said she won’t be going back to stores to pick up goods as virus cases surge.
Retailers’ shipping networks were already strained when shoppers dramatically shifted their spending online during the early part of the pandemic - a savior for many who were afraid of going out.
But now, with the pandemic getting worse and everyone shopping for the holidays at the same time, those networks are strained even further. Online volume is expected to triple compared to last year’s holiday season. Satish Jindel, president of ShipMatrix, which analyzes shipping package data, predicts 7 million packages a day could face delays from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Goldberg says the shipping problem is so acute that even Amazon, which has its own shipping network, could run out of capacity, sending shoppers to places like eBay. Amazon hasn’t released a holiday shipping deadline yet, but said in a statement that it will be delivering packages up until Christmas Eve.
Jindel says that the three major carriers - FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service - have been holding up fairly well given the huge spike in volume, although on-time delivery declined the final week of November. Collectively, the on-time delivery was 94.2% during the Nov. 22 to Nov. 28 period, Jindel says.
However, the U.S. Postal Service has been taking packages that UPS and FedEx won’t take and has seen a decrease in on-time delivery, says Convey Inc., which specializes in delivery tracking.
Carriers have been slapping surcharges and putting limits on how many packages retailers can ship each day. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal last week, UPS notified drivers across the U.S. to stop picking up packages at six retailers, including L.L. Bean, Hot Topic, Newegg and Macy’s last week.
“UPS continues to work closely with our largest customers to steer volume to capacity and ensure the UPS network is reliable for all customers,” UPS said in a statement to The Associated Press late last week. “This collaboration includes specific capacity allocations last weekend and throughout the holiday season.”
The holiday shipping crunch has been particularly hard on small retailers that badly need the last two weeks before Christmas to make up for a loss of sales when they were forced to close at the beginning of the pandemic. But online-only small businesses are also feeling the strain.
Lisa Pawlik is CEO and co-founder of a recently launched Austin, Texas-based startup VoChill, which makes personal wine glass chillers. She says her distributor, inundated with a backlog of orders, told her to set the ordering deadline for Dec. 11. She plans to do her own packing and shipping of the items with her family’s help.
“We are a new brand, and I am not going to give up my customers’ experience,” Pawlik said.
Sara Skirboll, a shopping expert at deals site RetailMeNot, said some of the delays are happening at warehouses, where it’s taking longer to get orders out the door to be shipped. Shoppers should read the fine print, she said, because even if a store is promising two-day shipping, it could take days before it leaves the warehouse.
Compounding the problem is the fact that there is less space available on tractor trailers that move goods from warehouses to distribution centers.
Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, the maker of the popular LOL dolls, says he had 200 containers, or at least $15 million worth of merchandise, stuck at the Los Angeles port for three weeks.
The toys have since been cleared, but he says, “it’s too late for Christmas.”
___
This story has been corrected to show that the CEO of VoChill is Lisa Pawlik, not Pawlic.


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Protests continue in Albania over curfew killing by police

TIRANA , Albania ( AP ) - An Albanian court on Friday ruled that a police officer who shot dead a man in the street during a coronavirus curfew should be held in custody , but protests are set to continue .
Judge Shefkie Demiraj of the Tirana court said police officer Nevaldo Hajdaraj would stay under arrest while he is investigated for “ homicide in excess of the necessary self-defense ” in shooting dead 25-year-old Klodian Rasha early Tuesday .
Rasha ignored officers ’ calls to stop and ran away , according to police .
Hajdaraj said everything happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet with Rasha ’ s family so that he could apologize .
“ What happened with me I wish happens to no one , ” media quoted Hajdaraj as saying at the court .
Rasha ’ s killing has brought hundreds of Albanians onto the streets to protest and clash with police in the past two days in the capital , Tirana , ignoring an appeal by authorities to respect a pandemic-linked ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people .
They have previously marched to the interior ministry , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edi Rama ’ s office and other buildings , throwing stones and other projectiles at police , who responded with tear gas and water cannons .
Police said they should not be held responsible for the shooting .
“ No one should compare the state police with an individual who committed a legally punishable act , ” said a police statement .
Since the shooting , Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj has stepped down , while Rama publicly apologized , saying the shooting was “ inexplicable and completely unreasonable.
” But he added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to state if the ( policeman ) is guilty before the law.
” That has not satisfied demonstrators who have planned new protests countrywide Friday evening .
The country ’ s main opposition party blamed Rama directly for the death and demanded his own resignation .
The country is due to hold parliamentary elections in April 2021 .
Police have arrested 62 people , and a total of 116 have been charged with illegal holding of a protest , use of fire and other projectiles and breaching public order .
Twenty-one policemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the authorities .

TIRANA, Albania (AP) - New street clashes between demonstrators and police erupted in Albania’s capital Friday, the third day of violent protests over a man’s fatal shooting by police enforcing a virus-linked curfew.
Defying a ban on public gatherings due to the pandemic, hundreds of people gathered in front of the main government building in Tirana and threw stones, flares and firecrackers at police guarding the site. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannon.
The protests, which have triggered political tension between the Socialist government and main opposition party, follow the death of Klodian Rasha in Tirana during curfew hours early Tuesday. Police say he ignored officers’ calls to stop, and ran away.
Earlier Friday a Tirana court decided that police officer Nevaldo Hajdaraj would stay under arrest while he is investigated for “homicide in excess of necessary self-defense.”
Prime Minister Edi Rama has apologized for what he called the “inexplicable and completely unreasonable” shooting, and his interior minister resigned Thursday.
But that failed to dampen the protests, which spread Friday to at least another three cities.
And the center-right main opposition Democratic Party demanded Rama’s resignation.
“The time of change has come and we cannot continue like this any more,” said party leader Lulzim Basha. “Together we shall get rid of Rama.”
The prime minister hit back on Friday, accusing the Democratic Party and opposition-rooted President Ilir Meta of inciting the violent protests.
“The opposition and the president are not only the inciters but also the orchestrators of the violence which is demeaning Klodian’s memory, allegedly in the name of justice but in fact for (their) political purposes,” Rama posted in Twitter.
Albania is due to hold parliamentary elections in April 2021.
During the first two days of violence police arrested 62 people, and a total 116 have been charged with holding an illegal protest during the pandemic, as well as with arson and public order breaches.
Authorities say 21 policemen and four protesters have been injured.
Police said they should not be blamed for the shooting.
“No one should compare the police with an individual who committed a legally punishable act,” a police statement said Friday.
United States Ambassador to Tirana Yuri Kim urged all sides to “exercise restraint.”
“Those in power have the responsibility to provide a full and transparent investigation into the incident,” she said. “Those seeking to be in power should demonstrate their ability to lead in a responsible manner, including by rejecting violence.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-11--Family of Lake Elmo man killed by deputy files lawsuit

LAKE ELMO , Minn. ( AP ) - The family of a Lake Elmo man fatally shot by a Washington County deputy has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in federal court .
Benjamin Evans , 23 , was killed during a standoff in April 2018 .
Evans was upset about his ex-girlfriend and held a gun to his head for about 45 minutes at an intersection in Lake Elmo .
The plaintiff said Evans never made a move to harm the officers .
It names the deputy who shot Evans , Brian Krook and the sheriff ’ s office among several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Flynn , said all of them are currently employed with the county , the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported .
Krooks was charged with second-degree manslaughter for Evans ‘ death , but a jury decided his use of deadly force was within the law .
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were “ wrongful , negligent or otherwise responsible in some manner for the events that led to the wrongful death of Evans.
” The defendants also violated Evans ‘ constitutional rights by failing to accommodate his mental health disability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a jury to determine damages if the case goes to trial .

LAKE ELMO, Minn. (AP) - The family of a Lake Elmo man fatally shot by a Washington County deputy has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in federal court.
Benjamin Evans, 23, was killed during a standoff in April 2018. Evans was upset about his ex-girlfriend and held a gun to his head for about 45 minutes at an intersection in Lake Elmo.
The plaintiff said Evans never made a move to harm the officers. It names the deputy who shot Evans, Brian Krook and the sheriff’s office among several others.
An attorney representing the defendants, Joe Flynn, said all of them are currently employed with the county, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.
Krooks was charged with second-degree manslaughter for Evans’ death, but a jury decided his use of deadly force was within the law.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were “wrongful, negligent or otherwise responsible in some manner for the events that led to the wrongful death of Evans.”
The defendants also violated Evans’ constitutional rights by failing to accommodate his mental health disability, the plaintiffs said.
The lawsuit asks for a jury to determine damages if the case goes to trial.