washingtontimes--2020-06-20--NY-bred Tiz the Law wins barren Belmont Stakes

For Tiz the Law trainer Barclay Tagg , no finer way to round out a career Triple Crown .
“ I ’ m not trying to be a jerk about it , ” the 82-year-old said .
“ But I thought the quiet , to me , was very nice.
” Everything was strange about this Belmont Stakes , except the winner .
Heavily favored Tiz the Law won an unprecedented Belmont , claiming victory Saturday at the first race of a rejiggered Triple Crown schedule that barred fans because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The 3-year-old colt from upstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for home and now can set his sights on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and Oct. 3 Preakness .
All three legs of this year ’ s Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Belmont , usually the series capper , was initially scheduled for June 6 .
Tiz the Law gave New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic seized the area .
He ’ s the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forester in 1882 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s for sure , ” said owner Jack Knowlton , who watched from a restaurant patio in the familiar surroundings of Saratoga Springs .
The 4-5 favorite won by 3 3/4 lengths , covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.53 .
Dr Post finished second and Max Player was third .
The race was shortened from the usual 1 ½-mile standard to account for competitors ’ unusual training schedules .
Horses kicked off from a starting gate placed atop the backstretch , rather than in front of the grandstands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ States was unlike any of the 151 that preceded it .
The Long Island track can pack in nearly 100,000 , but this race had about 100 on hand , including jockeys , media and park staff .
Masks were mandated for all but the horses - even the jockeys wore face coverings .
Closed to the public since March , Belmont Park hardly resembled the summer soiree New Yorkers are used to .
Betting windows and gift shops were closed , not a single boozy Belmont Breeze to sip .
Foot traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a foot tall had sprouted up between bricks paving the track-side pavilion .
Silence at the 115-year-old venue was broken when New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo issued the traditional “ riders , up !
” call remotely via video .
Longtime bugler Sam Grossman pulled down his facemask to tap out “ Call to the Post , ” and horses strolled onto the track to a recording of Frank Sinatra ’ s “ New York , New York.
” A PA announcer introduced them to empty grandstands .
Signs outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wanted to wager on this Belmont Stakes , their best bet was to download an app and do it on their phones .
Perhaps a welcome harbinger for Tap It to Win , who led out of the gates and seemed poised to give trainer Mark Casse a third straight Triple Crown race victory .
Instead , Tiz the Law powered past him on the outside and cruised to victory .
“ Everything just went like clockwork , ” Tagg said .
Knowlton , from New York ’ s Sackatoga Stable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 17 years ago , when the Sackatoga crew took a school bus to watch their colt Funny Cide try to wrap a Triple Crown sweep at Belmont Park .
Funny Cide finished third that day .
It was also a breakthrough win for Tagg , who completed a career Triple Crown after also training Funny Cide .
“ It ’ s tremendous , ” Knowlton said .
“ We just buy New York-breds , that ’ s our game .
We don ’ t spend a lot of money .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
I keep telling everybody Barclay doesn ’ t get a lot of big horses and big opportunities , but when he gets them he knows what to do.
” Tagg said he wasn ’ t sure if Tiz the Law would pull it off until the final 100 yards .
The colt paid $ 3.50 , $ 2.90 and $ 2.60 .
“ I ’ m just glad I lived long enough that I got another horse like this , ” Tagg said .
Manny Franco , a 25-year-old jockey from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s circle in his first career Belmont Stakes .
He called Tiz the Law a “ versatile ” horse in the run-up to the race , and what he showed Saturday was typical - stalk the pacemakers early , then pounce on the home stretch .
“ It means a lot to me , ” Franco said .
“ This is my home track .
I ’ ve ridden here for about six years already .
One leg of the Triple Crown is the dream of any jockey .
I ’ m happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dr Post , owned by famed trainer Todd Pletcher , paid $ 5.80 and $ 4.20 .
Max Player paid $ 5.20 , among the highest finishes by a female-trained horse - Linda Rice was trying to become the first woman to ever send a horse to victory at a Triple Crown race .
Plenty remained on the line .
Tiz the Law earned Knowlton the top share of a $ 1 million purse , and the top four horses earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points .
Tiz the Law took advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among the casualties were two potential entrants from famed trainer Bob Baffert , who ended up without a horse in this race — one of then , Charlatan , is expected to run the Preakness .
Earlier Saturday , Gamine led all the way in winning the $ 300,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 18 3/4 lengths .
Trained by Baffert , Gamine ran one mile in 1:32.55 , fastest in the 90-year history of the race .
Her time was just off the track record of 1:32.24 set by Najran in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs .
Gamine is one of two horses trained by Baffert that tested positive for a banned substance at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas .
She won a race there on May 2 .
Published reports said Gamine , along with Charlatan , tested positive for lidocaine , a regulated anesthetic widely used in equine medicine .

NEW YORK (AP) - Eerily empty grandstands. Masked jockeys. Shuttered betting windows.
For Tiz the Law trainer Barclay Tagg, no finer way to round out a career Triple Crown.
“I’m not trying to be a jerk about it,” the 82-year-old said. “But I thought the quiet, to me, was very nice.”
Everything was strange about this Belmont Stakes, except the winner.
Heavily favored Tiz the Law won an unprecedented Belmont, claiming victory Saturday at the first race of a rejiggered Triple Crown schedule that barred fans because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 3-year-old colt from upstate New York charged to the lead turning for home and now can set his sights on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and Oct. 3 Preakness. All three legs of this year’s Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Belmont, usually the series capper, was initially scheduled for June 6.
Tiz the Law gave New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the coronavirus pandemic seized the area. He’s the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forester in 1882.
“It’s a lot smaller crowd, that’s for sure,” said owner Jack Knowlton, who watched from a restaurant patio in the familiar surroundings of Saratoga Springs.
The 4-5 favorite won by 3 3/4 lengths, covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.53. Dr Post finished second and Max Player was third.
The race was shortened from the usual 1 ½-mile standard to account for competitors’ unusual training schedules. Horses kicked off from a starting gate placed atop the backstretch, rather than in front of the grandstands.
In most every way, this Belmont States was unlike any of the 151 that preceded it. The Long Island track can pack in nearly 100,000, but this race had about 100 on hand, including jockeys, media and park staff.
Masks were mandated for all but the horses - even the jockeys wore face coverings.
Closed to the public since March, Belmont Park hardly resembled the summer soiree New Yorkers are used to. Betting windows and gift shops were closed, not a single boozy Belmont Breeze to sip.
Foot traffic was so slow that a few weeds over a foot tall had sprouted up between bricks paving the track-side pavilion.
Silence at the 115-year-old venue was broken when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued the traditional “riders, up!” call remotely via video. Longtime bugler Sam Grossman pulled down his facemask to tap out “Call to the Post,” and horses strolled onto the track to a recording of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” A PA announcer introduced them to empty grandstands.
Signs outside the locked down venue instructed gamblers that if they wanted to wager on this Belmont Stakes, their best bet was to download an app and do it on their phones.
Perhaps a welcome harbinger for Tap It to Win, who led out of the gates and seemed poised to give trainer Mark Casse a third straight Triple Crown race victory.
Instead, Tiz the Law powered past him on the outside and cruised to victory.
“Everything just went like clockwork,” Tagg said.
Knowlton, from New York’s Sackatoga Stable, noted this race was a little different than 17 years ago, when the Sackatoga crew took a school bus to watch their colt Funny Cide try to wrap a Triple Crown sweep at Belmont Park. Funny Cide finished third that day.
It was also a breakthrough win for Tagg, who completed a career Triple Crown after also training Funny Cide.
“It’s tremendous,” Knowlton said. “We just buy New York-breds, that’s our game. We don’t spend a lot of money. We’ve been with Barclay Tagg for 25 years. I keep telling everybody Barclay doesn’t get a lot of big horses and big opportunities, but when he gets them he knows what to do.”
Tagg said he wasn’t sure if Tiz the Law would pull it off until the final 100 yards. The colt paid $3.50, $2.90 and $2.60.
“I’m just glad I lived long enough that I got another horse like this,” Tagg said.
Manny Franco, a 25-year-old jockey from Puerto Rico, entered the winner’s circle in his first career Belmont Stakes. He called Tiz the Law a “ versatile” horse in the run-up to the race, and what he showed Saturday was typical - stalk the pacemakers early, then pounce on the home stretch.
“It means a lot to me,” Franco said. “This is my home track. I’ve ridden here for about six years already. One leg of the Triple Crown is the dream of any jockey. I’m happy with the opportunity I have right now.”
Dr Post, owned by Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola and trained by Todd Pletcher, paid $5.80 and $4.20. Max Player returned $5.20, among the highest finishes by a female-trained horse - Linda Rice was trying to become the first woman to ever send a horse to victory at a Triple Crown race.
Plenty remained on the line. Tiz the Law earned Knowlton the top share of a $1 million purse, and the top four horses earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Tiz the Law took advantage of a 10-horse field weakened by injuries. Among the casualties were two potential entrants from famed trainer Bob Baffert, who ended up without a horse in this race — one of then, Charlatan, is expected to run the Preakness.
Earlier Saturday, Gamine led all the way in winning the $300,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies by 18 3/4 lengths.
Trained by Baffert, Gamine ran one mile in 1:32.55, fastest in the 90-year history of the race. Her time was just off the track record of 1:32.24 set by Najran in 2003. Gamine earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks on Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs.
Gamine is one of two horses trained by Baffert that tested positive for a banned substance at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. She won a race there on May 2. Published reports said Gamine, along with Charlatan, tested positive for lidocaine, a regulated anesthetic widely used in equine medicine.
___
Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner


washingtontimes--2020-06-20--New Mexico tallies 172 more COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths

New Mexico health officials on Saturday reported 172 additional COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths .
The increases raised the @ @ @ @ @ of cases to 10,430 and the death toll to 466 .
Sixty-four of the new @ @ @ @ @ third of the total , involved state or federal inmates at the Otero County Prison @ @ @ @ @ , while 30 new cases were reported in McKinley County in northwestern New Mexico .
@ @ @ @ @ both new deaths .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate @ @ @ @ @ and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially @ @ @ @ @ existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death @

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -
New Mexico health officials on Saturday reported 172 additional COVID-19 cases and two additional deaths.
The increases raised the state’s total number of cases to 10,430 and the death toll to 466 .
Sixty-four of the new cases, or about a third of the total, involved state or federal inmates at the Otero County Prison Facility in southern New Mexico, while 30 new cases were reported in McKinley County in northwestern New Mexico .
McKinley County residents accounted for both new deaths.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-06-20--13 Minnesotans sickened by illness linked to bagged salads

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - The Minnesota Department of Health said 13 people in Minnesota have gotten sick with an intestinal illness linked to bagged salads .
The Minnesotans ranged in age from 24 to 79 and fell ill between June 1 and 9 , the Health Department said Saturday .
Two lived in the metro area while the rest were from Greater Minnesota .
None of the sick had to be hospitalized .
State health officials are warning consumers not to eat ALDI Little Salad Bar brand Garden Salad or Hy-Vee brand Garden Salad .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the store-brand salads labeled as “ garden salads ” and not for other kinds of store-brand packaged salads sold at those retailers .
The Minnesotans are among people from six states who have gotten sick with Cyclospora infections linked to the bagged salads .
The infection is caused by a parasite and is spread by eating fresh produce ; it is not spread person-to-person .
Washing the produce is unlikely to kill the parasite .
Symptoms include watery diarrhea , stomach cramps , nausea , loss of appetite and weight loss .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after exposure .
Anyone with the bagged salad at issue in their refrigerator is advised to throw it away and not eat it .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Department of Health said 13 people in Minnesota have gotten sick with an intestinal illness linked to bagged salads.
The Minnesotans ranged in age from 24 to 79 and fell ill between June 1 and 9, the Health Department said Saturday. Two lived in the metro area while the rest were from Greater Minnesota. None of the sick had to be hospitalized.
State health officials are warning consumers not to eat ALDI Little Salad Bar brand Garden Salad or Hy-Vee brand Garden Salad. The Star Tribune reports the warning applies only to the store-brand salads labeled as “garden salads” and not for other kinds of store-brand packaged salads sold at those retailers.
The Minnesotans are among people from six states who have gotten sick with Cyclospora infections linked to the bagged salads.
The infection is caused by a parasite and is spread by eating fresh produce; it is not spread person-to-person. Washing the produce is unlikely to kill the parasite.
Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss. People typically become ill about a week after exposure.
Anyone with the bagged salad at issue in their refrigerator is advised to throw it away and not eat it.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Slovenia police find 22 migrants hidden in tanker trucks

LJUBLJANA , Slovenia ( AP ) - Police in Slovenia say they discovered 22 migrants hiding in two food-grade tanker @ @ @ @ @ found inside the trucks on Saturday at the border with Croatia , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ plates .
Slovenian police said the people inside the tanks could have suffocated .
They @ @ @ @ @ , Turkey and Syria , police said .
Officers first discovered 13 people in one @ @ @ @ @ searching another belonging to the same company , where they found nine more .
Thousands @ @ @ @ @ in the Balkans while seeking ways to move toward Western Europe .
They often rely @ @ @ @ @ them over borders illegally .

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) - Police in Slovenia say they discovered 22 migrants hiding in two food-grade tanker trucks.
The migrants were found inside the trucks on Saturday at the border with Croatia, police said. The trucks had Serbian license plates.
Slovenian police said the people inside the tanks could have suffocated. They were from Bangladesh, India, Turkey and Syria, police said.
Officers first discovered 13 people in one truck at the border before searching another belonging to the same company, where they found nine more.
Thousands of migrants have been stuck in the Balkans while seeking ways to move toward Western Europe. They often rely on people smugglers to get them over borders illegally.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Report: Yellowstone National Park supported 7K jobs in 2019

BOZEMAN , Mont .
( AP ) - Tourist spending in and around Yellowstone National Park supported about 7,000 jobs in 2019 , according to a National Park Service report released this week .
The roughly 4 million people who visited the world ’ s first national park in 2019 spent $ 507 million dollars in towns within 60 miles of the park .
That doesn ’ t include Bozeman , which is about 80 miles from Yellowstone ’ s border , but does include gateway cities West Yellowstone and Gardiner .
“ The positive economic impacts of Yellowstone are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montana and Idaho , ” said Cam Sholly , Yellowstone superintendent , in the release .
“ It is important that we continue working with our state and local partners to balance the many benefits of tourism with our continued efforts to protect the world-class resources within the park.
” Lodging made up the largest slice of spending near Yellowstone in 2019 with $ 169 million spent on hotels and other accommodations , followed by $ 85.9 million spent on restaurants and $ 56.4 million spent on recreation , including outfitters and guides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent a combined $ 21 billion at businesses in communities near parks , according to the report .
That money helped support 340,500 jobs .
National spending near parks followed a pattern similar to spending near Yellowstone , with more money spent on lodging than anything else .
Hotels and other accommodations brought in $ 7.1 billion , followed by $ 4.2 billion spent at restaurants , $ 2.16 billion on fuel and $ 1.93 billion on retail spending nationally .
Yellowstone was closed on March 24 for seven weeks this spring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Its Wyoming entrances opened in mid-May and Montana entrances opened June 1 .
That closure at the beginning of the summer season was a hit to gateway businesses , but traffic at the park has been steady since its reopening .

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - Tourist spending in and around Yellowstone National Park supported about 7,000 jobs in 2019, according to a National Park Service report released this week.
The roughly 4 million people who visited the world’s first national park in 2019 spent $507 million dollars in towns within 60 miles of the park. That doesn’t include Bozeman, which is about 80 miles from Yellowstone’s border, but does include gateway cities West Yellowstone and Gardiner.
“The positive economic impacts of Yellowstone are essential to the economies of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho,” said Cam Sholly, Yellowstone superintendent, in the release. “It is important that we continue working with our state and local partners to balance the many benefits of tourism with our continued efforts to protect the world-class resources within the park.”
Lodging made up the largest slice of spending near Yellowstone in 2019 with $169 million spent on hotels and other accommodations, followed by $85.9 million spent on restaurants and $56.4 million spent on recreation, including outfitters and guides.
Nationally, visitors to national parks spent a combined $21 billion at businesses in communities near parks, according to the report. That money helped support 340,500 jobs.
National spending near parks followed a pattern similar to spending near Yellowstone, with more money spent on lodging than anything else. Hotels and other accommodations brought in $7.1 billion, followed by $4.2 billion spent at restaurants, $2.16 billion on fuel and $1.93 billion on retail spending nationally.
Yellowstone was closed on March 24 for seven weeks this spring in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. Its Wyoming entrances opened in mid-May and Montana entrances opened June 1.
That closure at the beginning of the summer season was a hit to gateway businesses, but traffic at the park has been steady since its reopening.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Student fellowship to focus on rare White Mountain plants

PLYMOUTH , N.H. ( AP ) - A Plymouth State University student has been awarded a National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship for her study of two rare alpine plants in the White Mountains .
Hannah Vollmer , of Thornton , is focusing on the dwarf mountain cinquefoil , or Robbins ’ cinquefoil , which exists nowhere else in the world but above the tree line in the White Mountains , and sibbaldia , which is typically found in Arctic regions .
Alpine plants in the White Mountains are remnants of glaciers that receded more than 13,000 years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain cinquefoil seeks to provide evidence of the plant cloning itself by producing seeds without fertilization , or of genetic diversity and its evolution .
Her research will also determine if the sibbaldia that grow in the White Mountains are genetically related to the sibbaldia plant found in Arctic climates , including Norway , Siberia and Alaska .
Vollmer is the first Plymouth State University student to earn the fellowship .
She ’ s also one of two grant recipients from the New England Botanical Club this year .
She also received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taxonomists for this research .

PLYMOUTH, N.H. (AP) - A Plymouth State University student has been awarded a National Science Foundation graduate research fellowship for her study of two rare alpine plants in the White Mountains.
Hannah Vollmer, of Thornton, is focusing on the dwarf mountain cinquefoil, or Robbins’ cinquefoil, which exists nowhere else in the world but above the tree line in the White Mountains, and sibbaldia, which is typically found in Arctic regions.
Alpine plants in the White Mountains are remnants of glaciers that receded more than 13,000 years ago. Vollmer’s research on the dwarf mountain cinquefoil seeks to provide evidence of the plant cloning itself by producing seeds without fertilization, or of genetic diversity and its evolution. Her research will also determine if the sibbaldia that grow in the White Mountains are genetically related to the sibbaldia plant found in Arctic climates, including Norway, Siberia and Alaska.
Vollmer is the first Plymouth State University student to earn the fellowship. She’s also one of two grant recipients from the New England Botanical Club this year. She also received a grant from the American Society of Plant Taxonomists for this research.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Vermont town chooses veteran officer as new police chief

ESSEX , Vt. ( AP ) - A veteran Vermont police officer is going to become the next chief in @ @ @ @ @ Town officials announced this week the promotion of Capt .
Ron Hoague , who has @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement .
Hoague started his police career in 1991 and moved to Essex in @ @ @ @ @ nine years before moving to Florida .
After returning to Vermont he spent 10 years @ @ @ @ @ Department .
He returned to the Essex Police Department two years ago .
Hoague is @ @ @ @ @ who is retiring .

ESSEX, Vt. (AP) - A veteran Vermont police officer is going to become the next chief in the town of Essex.
Town officials announced this week the promotion of Capt. Ron Hoague, who has 29 years of experience in law enforcement.
Hoague started his police career in 1991 and moved to Essex in 1993 where he worked for nine years before moving to Florida.
After returning to Vermont he spent 10 years at the St. Albans Police Department. He returned to the Essex Police Department two years ago.
Hoague is succeeding Chief Rick Garey, who is retiring.
Hoague starts as chief next month.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Maine rep joins push to save postal service

BANGOR , Maine ( AP ) - Maine ’ s junior U.S. Representative is joining a drive to save the @ @ @ @ @ which he said is vital for the well-being of rural residents .
Rep. Jared Golden @ @ @ @ @ joined with 136 House members to call for U.S. Senate leadership to address the post @ @ @ @ @ 22 billion in lost revenue that stems from the coronavirus pandemic .
Golden and the @ @ @ @ @ letter that failure to preserve the postal service would risk “ putting the health and @ @ @ @ @ risk and disenfranchising millions of voters who are unable to vote in person.
” The @ @ @ @ @ calling for the assistance were Democrats .
The representatives called on Senate leadership to provide @ @ @ @ @ .
That would also put the service in a better position to borrow money from @ @ @ @ @ Treasury , they said .
Golden represents Maine ’ s 2nd Congressional District , one @ @ @ @ @ districts in the eastern United States .

BANGOR, Maine (AP) - Maine’s junior U.S. Representative is joining a drive to save the U.S. Postal Service, which he said is vital for the well-being of rural residents.
Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat, has joined with 136 House members to call for U.S. Senate leadership to address the post office’s anticipated $22 billion in lost revenue that stems from the coronavirus pandemic.
Golden and the other representatives said in a letter that failure to preserve the postal service would risk “putting the health and safety of older Americans at risk and disenfranchising millions of voters who are unable to vote in person.” The vast majority of the representatives calling for the assistance were Democrats.
The representatives called on Senate leadership to provide $25 billion in aid. That would also put the service in a better position to borrow money from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, they said.
Golden represents Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, one of the most rural congressional districts in the eastern United States.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Injuries at protests draw scrutiny to use of police weaponry

NEW YORK ( AP ) - In law enforcement , they ’ re referred to as “ nonlethal ” tools for dealing with demonstrations that turn unruly : rubber bullets , pepper spray , batons , flash-bangs .
But the now-familiar scenes of U.S. police officers in riot gear clashing with protesters at Lafayette Park across from the White House and in other cities have police critics charging that the weaponry too often escalates tensions and hurts innocent people .
“ When you see riot gear , it absolutely changes the mood , ” said Ron Moten , a longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital who was out demonstrating this weekend .
He said it takes away any perception the officers could be empathetic .
“ If I went up to speak with a police officer and I ’ m covered in armor and holding a shield and a stick , don ’ t you think they would regard me as a threat ?
” “ When we see riot gear , as black people it takes us back 400 years , ” he said .
Protesters in Denver arrived at the hospital with injuries from police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eye and left three other people with permanent eye damage , said Prem Subramanian , a physician who operated on some victims following demonstrations late last month .
“ They weren ’ t accused of any crime , and they came in with devastating eye injuries , ” Subramanian said , adding that he was so upset about it that he complained to city officials , who promised to investigate any abuses .
“ We ’ re learning the consequences of using these weapons.
” He said the injuries rivaled what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center who were injured by explosives in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Rubber bullets and similar projectiles have damaged eyes or blinded at least 20 individuals from ages 16 to 59 , according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology , since protests began over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Other tactics were on display at Lafayette Park , where police used chemical agents to break up a peaceful protest minutes before President Donald Trump posed for pictures outside a nearby church this month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ baton to shove a 75-year-old man to the ground before that officer and others marched past as blood collected beneath the man ’ s head .
Amnesty International has questioned whether equipping officers “ in a manner more appropriate for a battlefield may put them in the mindset that confrontation and conflict are inevitable.
” The growing use of less lethal weapons is “ cause for grave concern ” and may sometimes violate international law , said Agnes Callamard , director of Global Freedom of Expression at Columbia University and a U.N. adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for less lethal weaponry is legitimate ” after courts called for law enforcement agents to be given equipment enabling them to respond proportionately when necessary .
In 1990 , the United Nations issued basic principles on their use .
Projectiles caused 53 deaths and 300 permanent disabilities among 1,984 serious injuries recorded by medical workers in over a dozen countries from 1990 to 2015 , said Rohini Haar , an emergency room doctor in Oakland , California , and primary author of the 2016 Physicians for Human Rights report assembled with civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many cases of misuse , it seems almost impossible to use them correctly.
” Whether rubber , foam or bean bags , they exit guns with the force of a bullet and should not be used against protesters because they can maim and bounce or ricochet unpredictably , Haar said .
Police , private security forces and military units seek to cause pain or incapacitate individuals with more than 75 types of rubber or plastic bullets from manufacturers in countries including the U.S. , Brazil , China , Israel , South Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report , “ Lethal in Disguise.
” Wade Carpenter , police chief in Park City , Utah , said the tools are necessary when peaceful rallies are “ hijacked by individuals that have come in with a nefarious purpose to create the riots , the looting , those type of things.
” Many police forces “ are very stringent on their training , ” said Carpenter , an official with the International Association of Chiefs of Police , which has 32,000 police official members in 167 countries .
“ They ’ re very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s kind of all over the board.
” Officers target lawbreakers who attack police with bricks or baseball bats , but sometimes less-than-lethal options are “ not perfectly accurate , so , that ’ s always a risk and those are calculated risks , ” Carpenter said .
It ’ s not just projectiles .
Chemical irritants , banned in warfare by international law since 1925 , are also criticized .
Chemical agents sometimes cause violent coughing , a worry during a pandemic .
A 2012 study of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common riot control chemical agent more than doubled the chance of contracting an acute respiratory illness such as pneumonia .
Seattle ’ s mayor and police chief early this month banned tear gas for 30 days before a federal judge ordered the city to stop using pepper spray , flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets .
A Dallas judge made a similar ruling .
Acting on a federal lawsuit , a judge in Denver temporarily limited the use of projectiles and tear gas by the police , finding a strong likelihood that the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , the police chief in Austin , Texas , said his department would no longer fire beanbag projectiles at crowds after two demonstrators were hospitalized after being hit in the head , including a 16-year-old boy .
In New York City , the nation ’ s largest police department has not used rubber bullets or tear gas during protests .
At a City Council hearing , police officials were pressed on whether officers should even be armed with batons after the city ’ s mayor promised “ minimum force.
” First Deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that helmets and batons , necessary to protect officers , “ are not window dressing.
” Carpenter , the Utah chief , said Floyd ’ s death left all officers feeling it “ tarnished all of their badges ” and do not relish the violence that ’ s come with some of the protests .
“ We live , many of us , in the communities we police , ” Carpenter said .
“ Unfortunately , there are instances like this that have happened that have really created a wedge between officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil in Washington contributed to this report .

NEW YORK (AP) - In law enforcement, they’re referred to as “nonlethal” tools for dealing with demonstrations that turn unruly: rubber bullets, pepper spray, batons, flash-bangs.
But the now-familiar scenes of U.S. police officers in riot gear clashing with protesters at Lafayette Park across from the White House and in other cities have police critics charging that the weaponry too often escalates tensions and hurts innocent people.
“When you see riot gear, it absolutely changes the mood,” said Ron Moten, a longtime community organizer in the nation’s capital who was out demonstrating this weekend. He said it takes away any perception the officers could be empathetic.
“If I went up to speak with a police officer and I’m covered in armor and holding a shield and a stick, don’t you think they would regard me as a threat?”
“When we see riot gear, as black people it takes us back 400 years,” he said.
Protesters in Denver arrived at the hospital with injuries from police projectiles that caused one person to lose an eye and left three other people with permanent eye damage, said Prem Subramanian, a physician who operated on some victims following demonstrations late last month.
“They weren’t accused of any crime, and they came in with devastating eye injuries,” Subramanian said, adding that he was so upset about it that he complained to city officials, who promised to investigate any abuses. “We’re learning the consequences of using these weapons.”
He said the injuries rivaled what he saw treating shrapnel damage to eyes of soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center who were injured by explosives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rubber bullets and similar projectiles have damaged eyes or blinded at least 20 individuals from ages 16 to 59, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, since protests began over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Other tactics were on display at Lafayette Park, where police used chemical agents to break up a peaceful protest minutes before President Donald Trump posed for pictures outside a nearby church this month. In Buffalo, an officer used a baton to shove a 75-year-old man to the ground before that officer and others marched past as blood collected beneath the man’s head.
Amnesty International has questioned whether equipping officers “in a manner more appropriate for a battlefield may put them in the mindset that confrontation and conflict are inevitable.”
The growing use of less lethal weapons is “cause for grave concern” and may sometimes violate international law, said Agnes Callamard, director of Global Freedom of Expression at Columbia University and a U.N. adviser.
She said the “basic rationale for less lethal weaponry is legitimate” after courts called for law enforcement agents to be given equipment enabling them to respond proportionately when necessary. In 1990, the United Nations issued basic principles on their use.
Projectiles caused 53 deaths and 300 permanent disabilities among 1,984 serious injuries recorded by medical workers in over a dozen countries from 1990 to 2015, said Rohini Haar, an emergency room doctor in Oakland, California, and primary author of the 2016 Physicians for Human Rights report assembled with civil rights groups.
She said there “are so many cases of misuse, it seems almost impossible to use them correctly.”
Whether rubber, foam or bean bags, they exit guns with the force of a bullet and should not be used against protesters because they can maim and bounce or ricochet unpredictably, Haar said.
Police, private security forces and military units seek to cause pain or incapacitate individuals with more than 75 types of rubber or plastic bullets from manufacturers in countries including the U.S., Brazil, China, Israel, South Africa and South Korea, according to the report, “Lethal in Disguise.”
Wade Carpenter, police chief in Park City, Utah, said the tools are necessary when peaceful rallies are “hijacked by individuals that have come in with a nefarious purpose to create the riots, the looting, those type of things.”
Many police forces “are very stringent on their training,” said Carpenter, an official with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which has 32,000 police official members in 167 countries. “They’re very accountable, and others, you know, it’s kind of all over the board.”
Officers target lawbreakers who attack police with bricks or baseball bats, but sometimes less-than-lethal options are “not perfectly accurate, so, that’s always a risk and those are calculated risks,” Carpenter said.
It’s not just projectiles. Chemical irritants, banned in warfare by international law since 1925, are also criticized.
Chemical agents sometimes cause violent coughing, a worry during a pandemic. A 2012 study of more than 6,700 U.S. Army soldiers concluded that a common riot control chemical agent more than doubled the chance of contracting an acute respiratory illness such as pneumonia.
Seattle’s mayor and police chief early this month banned tear gas for 30 days before a federal judge ordered the city to stop using pepper spray, flash-bang grenades and rubber bullets. A Dallas judge made a similar ruling.
Acting on a federal lawsuit, a judge in Denver temporarily limited the use of projectiles and tear gas by the police, finding a strong likelihood that the police department violated constitutional rights.
In early June, the police chief in Austin, Texas, said his department would no longer fire beanbag projectiles at crowds after two demonstrators were hospitalized after being hit in the head, including a 16-year-old boy.
In New York City, the nation’s largest police department has not used rubber bullets or tear gas during protests. At a City Council hearing, police officials were pressed on whether officers should even be armed with batons after the city’s mayor promised “minimum force.”
First Deputy Police Commissioner Benjamin Tucker told council members that helmets and batons, necessary to protect officers, “are not window dressing.”
Carpenter, the Utah chief, said Floyd’s death left all officers feeling it “tarnished all of their badges” and do not relish the violence that’s come with some of the protests.
“We live, many of us, in the communities we police,” Carpenter said. “Unfortunately, there are instances like this that have happened that have really created a wedge between officers and the communities they serve and love.”
___
Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Associated Press capitalizes 'b' in Black in style guide change

The Associated Press changed its writing style guide Friday to capitalize the “ b ” in the term Black when referring to people in a racial , ethnic or cultural context , weighing in on a hotly debated issue .
The change conveys “ an essential and shared sense of history , identity and community among people who identify as Black , including those in the African diaspora and within Africa , ” John Daniszewski , AP ’ s vice president of standards , said in a blog post Friday .
“ The lowercase black is a color , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also now capitalize Indigenous in reference to original inhabitants of a place .
Daniszewski said the revisions aligned with long-standing identifiers such as Latino , Asian American and Native American .
He said the decision followed more than two years of research and debate among AP journalists and outside groups and thinkers .
“ Our discussions on style and language consider many points , including the need to be inclusive and respectful in our storytelling and the evolution of language , ” he wrote .
“ We believe this change serves those ends.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a decision within a month on whether to capitalize the term white .
Among the considerations are what that change might mean outside the United States .
An ongoing debate over capitalization of Black accelerated in many U.S. newsrooms in recent weeks as journalists grappled with massive protests and sweeping changes in the aftermath of George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of police .
The Los Angeles Times , USA Today and NBC News last week embraced capitalization , and the National Association of Black Journalists urged other news organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usage policies is highly influential in the industry , with many news organizations , government and public relations agencies using it as a guide .
The death of Floyd , a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck , sparked nationwide protests and lent momentum to a variety of social changes , from police reform and the public removal of Confederate statues and flags to the capitalization of Black .
“ It ’ s certainly long overdue , ” said Doris Truong , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute , a journalism think tank .
“ It ’ s something that people who are Black have been calling for for a long time.
” It ’ s also a relatively simple step for news organizations dealing anew with many complex issues , such as whether their journalists can be opinionated on social media or march in Black Lives Matter demonstrations .
Nearly a century ago , sociologist W.E.B .
DuBois waged a letter-writing campaign to get newspapers to capitalize Negro , saying a lowercase “ n ” was a sign of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times took his advice in 1930 , calling it an act of recognition and respect for those who ’ d spent generations in “ the lower case.
” Negro fell out of fashion with the Black Power movement of the 1960s , coming to symbolize subservience .
African American was often used , but is not always accurate - some Black people don ’ t trace their lineage to Africa .
One Black communications professional who published an open letter to the AP earlier this week calling for the capitalization said Friday he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juneteenth , which commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free 155 years ago .
“ Not having a capital letter has felt disrespectful , ” said David Lanham , director of communications for the Brooking Institution ’ s Metropolitan Policy Program .
“ There is a shared cultural identity with Black Americans and that goes through our shared experiences .
That also goes to the lack of geographic history as a result of slavery.
” The Seattle Times and Boston Globe both changed their practices to capitalize Black late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word has evolved from a description of a person ’ s skin color to signify a race and culture , and deserves the uppercase treatment much the way other ethnic terms do .
Lanham , who spearheaded an internal process to capitalize Black at Brookings last year , said he expects AP ’ s shift will lead many other news organizations and other groups to make a similar change .
“ Knowing how closely their Stylebook is viewed as the Bible for journalism , this is now the big domino to fall @ @ @ @ @

The Associated Press changed its writing style guide Friday to capitalize the “b” in the term Black when referring to people in a racial, ethnic or cultural context, weighing in on a hotly debated issue.
The change conveys “an essential and shared sense of history, identity and community among people who identify as Black, including those in the African diaspora and within Africa,” John Daniszewski, AP’s vice president of standards, said in a blog post Friday. “The lowercase black is a color, not a person.”
The news organization will also now capitalize Indigenous in reference to original inhabitants of a place.
Daniszewski said the revisions aligned with long-standing identifiers such as Latino, Asian American and Native American. He said the decision followed more than two years of research and debate among AP journalists and outside groups and thinkers.
“Our discussions on style and language consider many points, including the need to be inclusive and respectful in our storytelling and the evolution of language,” he wrote. “We believe this change serves those ends.”
The AP said it expects to make a decision within a month on whether to capitalize the term white. Among the considerations are what that change might mean outside the United States.
An ongoing debate over capitalization of Black accelerated in many U.S. newsrooms in recent weeks as journalists grappled with massive protests and sweeping changes in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death at the hands of police.
The Los Angeles Times, USA Today and NBC News last week embraced capitalization, and the National Association of Black Journalists urged other news organizations to follow.
The AP Stylebook of usage policies is highly influential in the industry, with many news organizations, government and public relations agencies using it as a guide.
The death of Floyd, a Black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his neck, sparked nationwide protests and lent momentum to a variety of social changes, from police reform and the public removal of Confederate statues and flags to the capitalization of Black.
“It’s certainly long overdue,” said Doris Truong, director of training and diversity at the Poynter Institute, a journalism think tank. “It’s something that people who are Black have been calling for for a long time.”
It’s also a relatively simple step for news organizations dealing anew with many complex issues, such as whether their journalists can be opinionated on social media or march in Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
Nearly a century ago, sociologist W.E.B. DuBois waged a letter-writing campaign to get newspapers to capitalize Negro, saying a lowercase “n” was a sign of disrespect and racism. The New York Times took his advice in 1930, calling it an act of recognition and respect for those who’d spent generations in “the lower case.”
Negro fell out of fashion with the Black Power movement of the 1960s, coming to symbolize subservience. African American was often used, but is not always accurate - some Black people don’t trace their lineage to Africa.
One Black communications professional who published an open letter to the AP earlier this week calling for the capitalization said Friday he was pleased that the change happened on Juneteenth, which commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned they were free 155 years ago.
“Not having a capital letter has felt disrespectful,” said David Lanham, director of communications for the Brooking Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program. “There is a shared cultural identity with Black Americans and that goes through our shared experiences. That also goes to the lack of geographic history as a result of slavery.”
The Seattle Times and Boston Globe both changed their practices to capitalize Black late last year. The Globe explained that the word has evolved from a description of a person’s skin color to signify a race and culture, and deserves the uppercase treatment much the way other ethnic terms do.
Lanham, who spearheaded an internal process to capitalize Black at Brookings last year, said he expects AP’s shift will lead many other news organizations and other groups to make a similar change.
“Knowing how closely their Stylebook is viewed as the Bible for journalism, this is now the big domino to fall,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Pakistani military: 2 soldiers killed in militant attack

PESHAWAR , Pakistan ( AP ) - Suspected militants ambushed a Pakistani army vehicle in a former Taliban and al-Qaida @ @ @ @ @ , triggering a shootout that killed two soldiers , the army said Sunday .
It @ @ @ @ @ wounded in Saturday night ’ s attack near the border village of Ghariom in North @ @ @ @ @ and killed one of the attackers in an ensuing exchange of fire .
the army @ @ @ @ @ only said troops later cleared a nearby militant compound in North Waziristan , a former @ @ @ @ @ as a militant base until recent years when the Pakistani military said its successive operations @ @ @ @ @ of the Taliban .
The latest attack came as authorities prepared to reopen a key @ @ @ @ @ to allow trade .
Trucks carrying fruits , vegetables and other items will start crossing @ @ @ @ @ North Waziristan district on Monday .

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) - Suspected militants ambushed a Pakistani army vehicle in a former Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold near the Afghanistan border, triggering a shootout that killed two soldiers, the army said Sunday.
It said two soldiers were also wounded in Saturday night’s attack near the border village of Ghariom in North Waziristan and that troops retaliated and killed one of the attackers in an ensuing exchange of fire.
the army provided no further details and only said troops later cleared a nearby militant compound in North Waziristan, a former tribal region that had served as a militant base until recent years when the Pakistani military said its successive operations there had cleared the area of the Taliban.
The latest attack came as authorities prepared to reopen a key border crossing with neighboring Afghanistan to allow trade.
Trucks carrying fruits, vegetables and other items will start crossing the Ghulam Khan border in North Waziristan district on Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--J. Kueng, Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd death, released on $750,000 bail

MINNEAPOLIS — A second former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd is out of jail after posting bail .
According to online records , J. Kueng , 26 , posted bail of $ 750,000 and was released from the Hennepin County Jail , with conditions , about 7:30 p.m. Friday .
Kueng is charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter for his role in the May 25 death of Floyd , a handcuffed Black man who died after another officer , Derek Chauvin , pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with aiding and abetting in Floyd ’ s death , Thomas Lane , 37 , posted bail earlier this month .
The third ex-officer charged with aiding and abetting , Tou Thao , 34 , remained in jail Saturday .
Chauvin , 44 , is being held on $ 1 million bail at Minnesota ’ s maximum security prison in Oak Park Heights .
Kueng ’ s attorney did not immediately reply to a email seeking comment Saturday .
Lane ’ s attorney , Earl Gray , has said that Lane was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing he did was hold Floyd ’ s feet so he couldn ’ t kick .
All four officers were fired after Floyd ’ s death .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .

MINNEAPOLIS — A second former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd is out of jail after posting bail.
According to online records, J. Kueng, 26, posted bail of $750,000 and was released from the Hennepin County Jail, with conditions, about 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Kueng is charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter for his role in the May 25 death of Floyd, a handcuffed Black man who died after another officer, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes.
Another former officer charged with aiding and abetting in Floyd’s death, Thomas Lane, 37, posted bail earlier this month. The third ex-officer charged with aiding and abetting, Tou Thao, 34, remained in jail Saturday. Chauvin, 44, is being held on $1 million bail at Minnesota’s maximum security prison in Oak Park Heights.
Kueng’s attorney did not immediately reply to a email seeking comment Saturday. Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, has said that Lane was a rookie, and that the only thing he did was hold Floyd’s feet so he couldn’t kick.
All four officers were fired after Floyd’s death. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Mannequin in police uniform, pig mask hung from I-95 overpass

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. — Motorists saw a startling scene Saturday morning as they drove along a Florida interstate : a @ @ @ @ @ uniform dangling from a rope at an overpass .
Emergency crews in Jacksonville , Florida @ @ @ @ @ 6:20 a.m. to investigate a possible suicide .
But when they got there , they @ @ @ @ @ an Interstate 95 overpass wearing a pig mask and dressed in what appeared to be @ @ @ @ @ uniform .
In a statement on Twitter , Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams called the incident @ @ @ @ @ called it an attempt to stoke “ anti-police sentiment and drive a divide in our @ @ @ @ @ removed and authorities launched an investigation .
“ This type of act will not be @ @ @ @ @ our community , and we will work together to hold those responsible accountable , ” @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd in Minnesota has spawned protests across the country and put focus on @ @ @ @ @

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Motorists saw a startling scene Saturday morning as they drove along a Florida interstate: a mannequin dressed in a police uniform dangling from a rope at an overpass.
Emergency crews in Jacksonville, Florida, were dispatched shortly after 6:20 a.m. to investigate a possible suicide.
But when they got there, they discovered a mannequin hanging from an Interstate 95 overpass wearing a pig mask and dressed in what appeared to be a New York City police uniform.
In a statement on Twitter, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams called the incident “extremely disturbing.”
He called it an attempt to stoke “anti-police sentiment and drive a divide in our community.”
The mannequin was removed and authorities launched an investigation.
“This type of act will not be tolerated by our agency or our community, and we will work together to hold those responsible accountable,” Williams said.
The death of George Floyd in Minnesota has spawned protests across the country and put focus on police brutality against Blacks.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--U.N.: Afghan healthcare personnel were deliberately attacked

KABUL , Afghanistan ( AP ) - The United Nations on Sunday released a special report expressing concerns over what it called recent “ deliberate attacks ” against healthcare workers and facilities in Afghanistan during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan , or UNAMA , said it documented 12 incidents of deliberate acts of violence between March 11 to May 23 .
The report said eight of the incidents were carried out by Taliban insurgents while three incidents were attributed to Afghan security forces .
The most horrific attack , on a maternity ward last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 people , remains unsolved .
“ At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan , both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations , ” said Deborah Lyons , the Secretary-General ’ s Special Representative for Afghanistan , and head of UNAMA .
“ There is no excuse for such actions ; the safety and well-being of the civilian population must be a priority.
” Afghanistan has 28,833 confirmed coronavirus cases with 581 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic ’ s spread in the country say the numbers are much higher because of a lack of access and testing capabilities .
Following the attack on the Kabul maternity hospital , Doctors Without Borders decided last week to end its operations in Kabul .
The international charity , also known by its French acronym MSF , said it would keep its other programs in Afghanistan running , but did not go into details .
The attack at the maternity hospital set off an hours-long shootout with Afghan police and also left more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital in Dashti Barchi , a mostly Shiite neighborhood , was the Geneva-based group ’ s only project in the Afghan capital .
The Taliban promptly denied involvement in the May 12 attack , whose victims included two infants , nurses and several young mothers .
The United States said it bore all the hallmarks of the Islamic State group ’ s affiliate in Afghanistan and that the attack targeted the country ’ s minority Shiites in a neighborhood of Kabul that IS militants have repeatedly attacked in the past .
The U.N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against healthcare facilities , including hospitals and related personnel , are prohibited under international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes .
“ Perpetrating targeted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic , a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population , is particularly reprehensible , ” said Fiona Frazer , UNAMA Chief of Human Rights .

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The United Nations on Sunday released a special report expressing concerns over what it called recent “deliberate attacks” against health care workers and facilities in Afghanistan during the coronavirus pandemic.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, said it had documented 12 deliberate acts of violence between March 11 to May 23, and that these attacks constitute war crimes.
The report said eight of the attacks were carried out by Taliban insurgents, while three were attributed to Afghan security forces. The most horrific attack, on a maternity ward at a Kabul hospital that killed 24 people last month, remains unsolved. The United States has said the attack bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan, which is fighting both the Taliban and the Kabul government.
“At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined health care operations,” said Deborah Lyons, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, and head of UNAMA. “There is no excuse for such actions; the safety and well-being of the civilian population must be a priority.”
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the U.N. report’s findings, saying, “We do not consider these allegations and reports to be accurate.” Sunday’s statement said Taliban militants had not attacked any health facilities and claimed they have instead protected them.
Afghan government officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.
Afghanistan has 28,833 confirmed coronavirus cases with 581 deaths, although international aid organizations monitoring the country’s outbreak say the numbers are much higher because of a lack of access and testing capabilities.
Following the May 12 attack on the Kabul maternity hospital, Doctors Without Borders decided last week to end its operations in Kabul. The international charity, also known by its French acronym MSF, said it would keep its other programs in Afghanistan running, but did not go into details.
The attack at the maternity hospital killed two infants as well as several young mothers as well as nurses, and set off an hours-long shootout with Afghan police. The hospital in Dashti Barchi, a mostly Shiite neighborhood, was the Geneva-based group’s only project in the Afghan capital. The U.S. has said the attack targeted the country’s minority Shiites in a neighborhood of Kabul that the Islamic State group has repeatedly attacked in the past. The Taliban promptly denied involvement.
The U.N. report emphasized that deliberate acts of violence against health care facilities, including hospitals and related personnel, are prohibited under international humanitarian law and constitute war crimes.
“Perpetrating targeted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population, is particularly reprehensible,” said Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Minnesota lawmakers fail to reach police overhaul deal

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota legislative leaders traded barbs Saturday after a special session collapsed with no deal on revamping policing following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , a session that one group called “ a train wreck.
” The two sides may be back at it in another special session next month .
The Republican-controlled Senate adjourned just after 6 a.m. Saturday , after GOP Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka , of East Gull Lake , repeatedly said that Friday was his deadline for adjournment , and that lawmakers should focus on proposals both parties would support .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought we were actually going to do some things together , ” Gazelka said before adjourning .
He blamed “ behind the scenes arm-twisting ” from Democratic Gov .
Tim Walz for ending “ any hope of working together right now.
” House Speaker Melissa Hortman said majority Democrats in the Minnesota House are “ ready and willing to continue working to find agreement ” with Senate Republicans and Walz .
“ This moment in history calls upon us to deliver transformative policy to further racial justice .
There is nothing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and policy so that it values and protects the lives of Black , Indigenous , and people of color in Minnesota , ” Hortman said in a statement .
Walz said Saturday he was disappointed with the special session ’ s failure and that his administration is planning its next steps .
He said he had just read a text from the family of a person who was killed in a police shooting and it was “ a primal scream for justice .
Just do something .
Just do the work.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the middle of this .
This is an embarrassment for Minnesota , too , ” Walz told reporters .
Lt. Gov .
Peggy Flanagan , a founding member of the legislative People of Color and Indigenous caucus , which had developed the Democratic package , said members of Minnesota ’ s Black , Indigenous and people of color communities continually get the message that “ our lives are not valuable , they are not worth investing in.
” “ Just being pushed aside , and saying that the issues that you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice - are just not important enough for us to stick around .
And that is heartbreaking to me , and unacceptable , and is frankly just an insult , ” said Flanagan , a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe .
The Democratic-controlled House early Friday passed an extensive package of police accountability measures wrapped into one bill .
It included elements of more modest policing bills that the Republican-controlled Senate passed earlier in the week , but with some additions that Republicans did not like .
Early Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their demands that Republicans opposed , including having the state attorney general prosecute all police-involved deaths and restoring voting rights for felons .
But they insisted that Republican senators needed to support other major pieces , including banning “ warrior-style ” training for police , allowing cities to impose residency requirements on officers and creating a state community-led public safety office , the Star Tribune reported .
The special session was necessary for Walz to extend emergency powers necessary to manage the coronavirus , but Floyd ’ s May 25 death after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes put the main focus on proposals to change policing in the state .
But the two parties proved far apart on how wide-ranging those changes would be .
The two parties also remained divided on the main unfinished business of the 2020 regular session , a public construction borrowing package known as a bonding bill , which could have included money for rebuilding neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul where businesses were damaged and destroyed in the unrest that followed Floyd ’ s killing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ break that could have benefited businesses seeking to rebuild , and how to allocate federal coronavirus relief money to local governments from the $ 2.1 billion that the state received .
“ The special session was a train wreck , ” said Audrey Nelsen , president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and a Willmar City Council member .
“ Between the COVID-19 pandemic , economic downturn and recent civil unrest , Minnesotans need strong state leadership at the Legislature now more than ever .
Instead we got arbitrary deadlines , broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ ” There is plenty of blame to go around for this disastrous special session .
The people of Minnesota deserve better.
” Lawmakers may return in mid-July .
If Walz seeks to extend his emergency powers an additional 30 days , he ’ s required to call another special session for July 12 to let lawmakers object .
House Democrats blocked a Senate GOP attempt last week to remove the governor ’ s emergency authority .

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota legislative leaders traded barbs Saturday after a special session collapsed with no deal on revamping policing following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a session that one group called “a train wreck.”
The two sides may be back at it in another special session next month.
The Republican-controlled Senate adjourned just after 6 a.m. Saturday, after GOP Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, repeatedly said that Friday was his deadline for adjournment, and that lawmakers should focus on proposals both parties would support.
“I’m frustrated this morning because I thought we were actually going to do some things together,” Gazelka said before adjourning. He blamed “behind the scenes arm-twisting” from Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for ending “any hope of working together right now.”
House Speaker Melissa Hortman said majority Democrats in the Minnesota House are “ready and willing to continue working to find agreement” with Senate Republicans and Walz.
“This moment in history calls upon us to deliver transformative policy to further racial justice. There is nothing more pressing than the need to change law and policy so that it values and protects the lives of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in Minnesota,” Hortman said in a statement.
Walz said Saturday he was disappointed with the special session’s failure and that his administration is planning its next steps. He said he had just read a text from the family of a person who was killed in a police shooting and it was “a primal scream for justice. Just do something. Just do the work.”
“To take your ball and go home in the middle of this. This is an embarrassment for Minnesota, too,” Walz told reporters.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a founding member of the legislative People of Color and Indigenous caucus, which had developed the Democratic package, said members of Minnesota’s Black, Indigenous and people of color communities continually get the message that “our lives are not valuable, they are not worth investing in.”
“Just being pushed aside, and saying that the issues that you are crying out for - the issues of justice - are just not important enough for us to stick around. And that is heartbreaking to me, and unacceptable, and is frankly just an insult,” said Flanagan, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.
The Democratic-controlled House early Friday passed an extensive package of police accountability measures wrapped into one bill. It included elements of more modest policing bills that the Republican-controlled Senate passed earlier in the week, but with some additions that Republicans did not like.
Early Saturday, Democratic leaders backed away from some of their demands that Republicans opposed, including having the state attorney general prosecute all police-involved deaths and restoring voting rights for felons. But they insisted that Republican senators needed to support other major pieces, including banning “warrior-style” training for police, allowing cities to impose residency requirements on officers and creating a state community-led public safety office, the Star Tribune reported.
The special session was necessary for Walz to extend emergency powers necessary to manage the coronavirus, but Floyd’s May 25 death after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes put the main focus on proposals to change policing in the state. But the two parties proved far apart on how wide-ranging those changes would be.
The two parties also remained divided on the main unfinished business of the 2020 regular session, a public construction borrowing package known as a bonding bill, which could have included money for rebuilding neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul where businesses were damaged and destroyed in the unrest that followed Floyd’s killing. Other unresolved issues included a potential tax break that could have benefited businesses seeking to rebuild, and how to allocate federal coronavirus relief money to local governments from the $2.1 billion that the state received.
“The special session was a train wreck,” said Audrey Nelsen, president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and a Willmar City Council member. “Between the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn and recent civil unrest, Minnesotans need strong state leadership at the Legislature now more than ever. Instead we got arbitrary deadlines, broken deals and partisan battles.”
Nelsen added: “”There is plenty of blame to go around for this disastrous special session. The people of Minnesota deserve better.”
Lawmakers may return in mid-July. If Walz seeks to extend his emergency powers an additional 30 days, he’s required to call another special session for July 12 to let lawmakers object. House Democrats blocked a Senate GOP attempt last week to remove the governor’s emergency authority.
• Associated Press reporter Steve Karnowski contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Natalie White sought in Wendy's fire during Atlanta protests

ATLANTA — Investigators said Saturday they have issued an arrest warrant for a woman in connection with a fire at a Wendy ’ s restaurant in Atlanta during protests over the police shooting of an African American man .
Natalie White is a suspect in the arson and investigators are asking for help finding her , Atlanta Fire and Rescue said in a Twitter post .
The post included surveillance pictures of White , 29 , in a store , but no additional identifying information .
Several people are suspected of trying to set fires in the restaurant before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Demonstrators threw bricks and rocks at firefighters as they tried to get to the restaurant , and they couldn ’ t start fighting the blaze until it had destroyed the building , Atlanta Fire Chief Randall Slaughter has said .
Atlanta police officers were called to the Wendy ’ s on June 12 over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane .
Officers found Rayshard Brooks asleep in the car .
The officers spoke to Brooks , who was Black , for more than 40 minutes , but things quickly turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to body camera video .
An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back .
Garrett Rolfe was fired from the police department immediately after the shooting and was charged Wednesday with felony murder .
Rolfe , 27 , is white .
Protesters gathered the night after Brooks was killed , breaking the windows in the restaurant before the fire was set .
During a news conference Saturday afternoon , Interim Chief Rodney Bryant said he was “ shocked ” that Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard brought charges so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooks ’ death .
He said that decision , along with officers ’ concerns about their training and their safety during large protests have contributed to an “ above average ” number of officers calling in sick in recent days .
Bryant assured the community that despite the absences there were many officers who “ continue to answer the call.
” He also directed his comments toward the officers who have called in sick , saying , “ We are all upset for the recent events and we are also concerned for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channel the concerns for the fellow officers by having their back.
” Brooks was a father of four .
On Saturday , a restaurant owner and a historically Black university in Atlanta announced that they will provide full college scholarships to his four children .
The award will cover tuition , room and board , and meals to Clark Atlanta University .
The charitable foundation of Aisha “ Pinky ” Cole , who graduated from the school , is helping .
Cole is CEO of the Slutty Vegan restaurant in southwest Atlanta .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage shows that Brooks told officers that he had a few drinks because it was his daughter ’ s eighth birthday .

ATLANTA — Investigators said Saturday they have issued an arrest warrant for a woman in connection with a fire at a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta during protests over the police shooting of an African American man.
Natalie White is a suspect in the arson and investigators are asking for help finding her, Atlanta Fire and Rescue said in a Twitter post.
The post included surveillance pictures of White, 29, in a store, but no additional identifying information.
Several people are suspected of trying to set fires in the restaurant before the blaze finally spread, fire officials said.
Demonstrators threw bricks and rocks at firefighters as they tried to get to the restaurant, and they couldn’t start fighting the blaze until it had destroyed the building, Atlanta Fire Chief Randall Slaughter has said.
Atlanta police officers were called to the Wendy’s on June 12 over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane. Officers found Rayshard Brooks asleep in the car.
The officers spoke to Brooks, who was Black, for more than 40 minutes, but things quickly turned violent when they tried to handcuff him, according to body camera video.
An autopsy found Brooks was shot twice in the back. Garrett Rolfe was fired from the police department immediately after the shooting and was charged Wednesday with felony murder. Rolfe, 27, is white.
Protesters gathered the night after Brooks was killed, breaking the windows in the restaurant before the fire was set.
During a news conference Saturday afternoon, Interim Chief Rodney Bryant said he was “shocked” that Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard brought charges so quickly against the two officers involved in Brooks’ death.
He said that decision, along with officers’ concerns about their training and their safety during large protests have contributed to an “above average” number of officers calling in sick in recent days.
Bryant assured the community that despite the absences there were many officers who “continue to answer the call.”
He also directed his comments toward the officers who have called in sick, saying, “We are all upset for the recent events and we are also concerned for our fellow officers. I implore you to channel the concerns for the fellow officers by having their back.”
Brooks was a father of four. On Saturday, a restaurant owner and a historically Black university in Atlanta announced that they will provide full college scholarships to his four children.
The award will cover tuition, room and board, and meals to Clark Atlanta University. The charitable foundation of Aisha “Pinky” Cole, who graduated from the school, is helping. Cole is CEO of the Slutty Vegan restaurant in southwest Atlanta.
Shortly before his death, body camera footage shows that Brooks told officers that he had a few drinks because it was his daughter’s eighth birthday.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Zeev Sternhell, dovish Israeli expert on fascism, dies at 85

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - Zeev Sternhell , a prominent Israeli academic and expert in the study of fascism who issued dire warnings about the state of Israeli democracy , died Sunday .
He was 85 .
Sternhell , a Holocaust survivor and an acclaimed professor of political science at Hebrew University , was an internationally recognized expert and author of several books on fascism and ultra-nationalism .
A longtime peace activist , Sternhall was an outspoken critic of Israel ’ s policies toward the Palestinians and an opponent to Israel ’ s settler movement .
In 2008 , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel Prize , despite the petitions of Jewish West Bank settlers to deny him the honor .
The same year , a U.S.-born religious nationalist , Jack Teitel , targeted him for his dovish positions and Sternhall was wounded by a pipe bomb placed outside his Jerusalem home .
An Israeli court handed Teitel to two life sentences in 2013 for the murder of two Palestinians and the attempted murder of several others , including Sternhell .
In the wake of the attack , Sternhell increasingly warned about the dangers posed to Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed that “ if this act was not committed by a deranged person but by someone who represents a political view , then this is the beginning of the disintegration of democracy.
” Sternhell was born in Przemysl , Poland , in 1935 .
His father , a soldier in the Polish Army , was killed in World War II .
His mother and sister were murdered by the Nazis .
He survived under an assumed , Catholic identity living with relatives .
He immigrated to Israel in 1951 and served as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1967 Mideast war .
Following Israel ’ s 2014 war with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip , Sternhell told the Haaretz newspaper - for which he was a regular columnist - that “ Israeli democracy has become increasingly eroded , until it reached a new nadir in the current war .
The indicators ( of fascism ) you asked about definitely exist here.
” Hebrew University President Asher Cohen said that Sternhall ’ s “ innovative research changed the way our scientific community perceives of ideological movements , in general , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was an honest man , one who tirelessly pursued peace and justice , ” he added .
Sternhall is survived by his wife , two daughters and several grandchildren .

JERUSALEM (AP) - Zeev Sternhell, a prominent Israeli academic and expert in the study of fascism who issued dire warnings about the state of Israeli democracy, died Sunday. He was 85.
Sternhell, a Holocaust survivor and an acclaimed professor of political science at Hebrew University, was an internationally recognized expert and author of several books on fascism and ultra-nationalism.
Hebrew University, which announced Sternhell’s death, did not disclose the cause.
A longtime peace activist, Sternhell was an outspoken critic of Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and an opponent to Israel’s settler movement.
In 2008, he was awarded the country’s prestigious Israel Prize, despite the petitions of Jewish West Bank settlers to deny him the honor. The same year, a U.S.-born religious nationalist, Jack Teitel, targeted him for his dovish positions and Sternhell was wounded by a pipe bomb placed outside his Jerusalem home. An Israeli court handed Teitel two life sentences in 2013 for the murder of two Palestinians and the attempted murder of several others, including Sternhell.
In the wake of the attack, Sternhell increasingly warned about the dangers posed to Israeli democracy. Sternhell said from his hospital bed that “if this act was not committed by a deranged person but by someone who represents a political view, then this is the beginning of the disintegration of democracy.”
Sternhell was born in Przemysl, Poland, in 1935. His father, a soldier in the Polish Army, was killed in World War II. His mother and sister were murdered by the Nazis. He survived under an assumed, Catholic identity living with relatives. He immigrated to Israel in 1951 and served as an officer in the Israeli military during the 1967 Mideast war.
Following Israel’s 2014 war with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, Sternhell told the Haaretz newspaper - for which he was a regular columnist - that “Israeli democracy has become increasingly eroded, until it reached a new nadir in the current war. The indicators (of fascism) you asked about definitely exist here.”
Hebrew University President Asher Cohen said that Sternhell’s “innovative research changed the way our scientific community perceives of ideological movements, in general, and radical movements, in particular.”
“He was an honest man, one who tirelessly pursued peace and justice,” he added.
Sternhell is survived by his wife, two daughters and several grandchildren.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Austin shootings: At least five wounded, police say

AUSTIN , Texas — At least five people were wounded in an early morning shooting in Texas ’ capital , @ @ @ @ @ adults with “ serious , potentially life threatening injuries ” were taken to local hospitals @ @ @ @ @ the organization said in a tweet .
The shooting took place around 3 a.m. in @ @ @ @ @ Austin , according to tweets from EMS and Austin police .
Further information wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s unclear whether anyone was taken into custody .

AUSTIN, Texas — At least five people were wounded in an early morning shooting in Texas’ capital, officials said Sunday.
Five adults with “serious, potentially life threatening injuries” were taken to local hospitals by Austin-Travis County EMS, the organization said in a tweet.
The shooting took place around 3 a.m. in a commercial area of downtown Austin, according to tweets from EMS and Austin police. Further information wasn’t immediately available, and it’s unclear whether anyone was taken into custody.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Officials: 5 hurt in early morning shooting in Texas capital

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - At least five people were wounded in an early morning shooting in Texas @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Five adults with “ serious , potentially life threatening injuries ” were taken @ @ @ @ @ County EMS , the organization said in a tweet .
The shooting took place around @ @ @ @ @ area of downtown Austin , according to tweets from EMS and Austin police .
Further @ @ @ @ @ available , and it ’ s unclear whether anyone was taken into custody .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - At least five people were wounded in an early morning shooting in Texas’ capital, officials said Sunday.
Five adults with “serious, potentially life threatening injuries” were taken to local hospitals by Austin-Travis County EMS, the organization said in a tweet.
The shooting took place around 3 a.m. in a commercial area of downtown Austin, according to tweets from EMS and Austin police. Further information wasn’t immediately available, and it’s unclear whether anyone was taken into custody.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Earthquake shakes Oklahoma after Donald Trump rally in Tulsa

PERRY , Okla. — A magnitude 4.2 earthquake shook northern Oklahoma on Saturday and was felt in parts of Tulsa @ @ @ @ @ ’ s downtown streets after President Donald Trump ’ s campaign rally .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ at 10:15 p.m. near Perry , roughly 80 miles west of Tulsa .
The National @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter that its staff felt the tremor in its Tulsa office , and the @ @ @ @ @ after Trump ’ s appearance .
It was the largest recorded earthquake in Oklahoma since @ @ @ @ @ May 2019 .
Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years , @ @ @ @ @ underground injection of wastewater from oil and gas production .
Regulators have directed producers to @ @ @ @ @

PERRY, Okla. — A magnitude 4.2 earthquake shook northern Oklahoma on Saturday and was felt in parts of Tulsa as protesters filled the city’s downtown streets after President Donald Trump’s campaign rally.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 10:15 p.m. near Perry, roughly 80 miles west of Tulsa. The National Weather Service in Oklahoma said on Twitter that its staff felt the tremor in its Tulsa office, and the earthquake generated social media buzz after Trump’s appearance.
It was the largest recorded earthquake in Oklahoma since a magnitude 4.4 quake in May 2019.
Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years, with many linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and gas production. Regulators have directed producers to close some injection wells.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Reading stabbings a terrorist attack, police say

READING , England — A stabbing rampage in Britain that killed three people as they sat in a park on a summer evening is being considered a terrorist attack , British police said Sunday as a 25-year-old believed to be the lone attacker was in custody .
Authorities said they were not looking for any other suspects , and they did not raise Britain ’ s official terrorism threat level from “ substantial.
” “ Motivation for this horrific act is far from certain , ” said Neil Basu , Britain ’ s top counterterrorism police officer , as police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Reading , a large commuter town west of London .
Three people were killed and three others seriously wounded in the stabbing attack that came out of the blue in Reading ’ s Forbury Gardens park on Saturday evening .
Basu said “ incredibly brave ” unarmed officers from the Thames Valley Police force arrested a 25-year-old local man at the scene .
The Thames Valley force later said counterterrorism detectives were taking over the investigation .
“ There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ian Hunter .
The Press Association news agency reported the suspect was an asylum-seeker from Libya who was living in Reading .
Police have not identified him .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was being briefed on developments .
His office said Johnson had met security officials , police and senior ministers on Sunday for an update on the investigation .
Police officers patrolled cordons on the roads leading to the park on Sunday , and blue-and-white tents were erected near the site of the attack .
Overnight , heavily armed officers entered an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loud bang was heard .
The attack came a sunny summer evening in Reading , a town of 200,000 residents 40 miles ( 64 kilometers ) west of London , as eased coronavirus lockdown restrictions allowed more people to socialize .
Personal trainer Lawrence Wort said the park was full of groups sitting on the grass when “ one lone person walked through , suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10 , trying to stab them.
” “ He stabbed three of them severely in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then turned and started running towards me , and we turned and started running , ” Wort said .
The attack came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Forbury Gardens , but police said there was no connection between the two .
Britain has been hit by several terror attacks in recent years , both by people inspired by the Islamic State group and by far-right extremists .
Islamist-inspired attacks include a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester that killed 22 people in 2017 and two deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same year .
In several cases , attackers have been known to police .
In November , a man who had been released after serving a prison sentence for a terrorism offense stabbed two people to death at a justice conference in London .
In February , a man recently released from prison after serving time for terrorism-related offenses strapped on a fake bomb and stabbed two people on a busy London street before being shot to death by police .
No one else was killed .
Britain ’ s official terrorism threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle level on a five-rung scale , meaning an attack is likely .

READING, England — A stabbing rampage in Britain that killed three people as they sat in a park on a summer evening is being considered a terrorist attack, British police said Sunday as a 25-year-old believed to be the lone attacker was in custody.
Authorities said they were not looking for any other suspects, and they did not raise Britain’s official terrorism threat level from “substantial.”
“Motivation for this horrific act is far from certain,” said Neil Basu, Britain’s top counterterrorism police officer, as police combed the park where the carnage unfolded in Reading, a large commuter town west of London.
Three people were killed and three others seriously wounded in the stabbing attack that came out of the blue in Reading’s Forbury Gardens park on Saturday evening.
Basu said “incredibly brave” unarmed officers from the Thames Valley Police force arrested a 25-year-old local man at the scene. The Thames Valley force later said counterterrorism detectives were taking over the investigation.
“There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter.
The Press Association news agency reported the suspect was an asylum-seeker from Libya who was living in Reading. Police have not identified him.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was being briefed on developments. His office said Johnson had met security officials, police and senior ministers on Sunday for an update on the investigation.
Police officers patrolled cordons on the roads leading to the park on Sunday, and blue-and-white tents were erected near the site of the attack. Overnight, heavily armed officers entered an apartment about a mile away, and a loud bang was heard.
The attack came a sunny summer evening in Reading, a town of 200,000 residents 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of London, as eased coronavirus lockdown restrictions allowed more people to socialize.
Personal trainer Lawrence Wort said the park was full of groups sitting on the grass when “one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them.”
“He stabbed three of them severely in the neck and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running,” Wort said.
The attack came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Forbury Gardens, but police said there was no connection between the two.
Britain has been hit by several terror attacks in recent years, both by people inspired by the Islamic State group and by far-right extremists. Islamist-inspired attacks include a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester that killed 22 people in 2017 and two deadly vehicle and knife attacks in London the same year.
In several cases, attackers have been known to police. In November, a man who had been released after serving a prison sentence for a terrorism offense stabbed two people to death at a justice conference in London.
In February, a man recently released from prison after serving time for terrorism-related offenses strapped on a fake bomb and stabbed two people on a busy London street before being shot to death by police. No one else was killed.
Britain’s official terrorism threat level stands at “substantial,” the middle level on a five-rung scale, meaning an attack is likely.
• Lawless reported from London.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--D.L. Hughley tests positive for coronavirus after collapsing on stage

NASHVILLE , Tenn. — Comedian D.L .
Hughley announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after collapsing onstage during a performance in Nashville , Tennessee .
The stand-up comedian , 57 , lost consciousness while performing at the Zanies comedy nightclub on Friday night and was hospitalized , news outlets reported .
On Saturday , Hughley posted a video on Twitter in which he said he was treated for exhaustion and dehydration afterward .
“ I also tested positive for COVID-19 , which blew me away , ” he says in the video .
“ I was what they call asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms , the classic symptoms.
” Hughley plans to quarantine in his Nashville hotel room for 14 days .
The remaining two nights of his four-night engagement at Zanies were canceled , according to the club ’ s online calendar .
“ Our friend D.L .
Hughley had a medical emergency while performing on Friday and was hospitalized overnight .
According to his publicist , he was suffering from exhaustion after working & traveling this week , ” the club posted on Facebook .
“ Love ya , D.L .
and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Comedy back in Nashville soon !
” Hughley said he still hasn ’ t exhibited any of the typical symptoms associated with the coronavirus , including shortness of breath and fever .
“ So , in addition to all the other stuff you have to look out for , ” Hughley advises in the video , if you “ pass out in the middle of a show , onstage , you probably need to get tested.
” In addition to stand-up comedy , Hughley is also an actor , author and radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spike Lee ’ s 2000 concert film , “ The Original Kings of Comedy , ” alongside Steve Harvey , Bernie Mac and Cedric the Entertainer .
Hughley also produced and starred in “ The Hughleys , ” which aired on ABC and UPN from 1998 to 2002 and hosted a CNN talk show .
He currently hosts the radio show “ The D.L .
Hughley Show , ” which is syndicated in dozens of markets .
“ Thank you for your prayers and your well wishes - and a few more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hughley says in the video .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Comedian D.L. Hughley announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after collapsing onstage during a performance in Nashville, Tennessee.
The stand-up comedian, 57, lost consciousness while performing at the Zanies comedy nightclub on Friday night and was hospitalized, news outlets reported. On Saturday, Hughley posted a video on Twitter in which he said he was treated for exhaustion and dehydration afterward.
“I also tested positive for COVID-19, which blew me away,” he says in the video. “I was what they call asymptomatic. I didn’t have any symptoms, the classic symptoms.”
Hughley plans to quarantine in his Nashville hotel room for 14 days. The remaining two nights of his four-night engagement at Zanies were canceled, according to the club’s online calendar.
“Our friend D.L. Hughley had a medical emergency while performing on Friday and was hospitalized overnight. According to his publicist, he was suffering from exhaustion after working & traveling this week,” the club posted on Facebook. “Love ya, D.L. and we’ll look forward to seeing this King of Comedy back in Nashville soon!”
Hughley said he still hasn’t exhibited any of the typical symptoms associated with the coronavirus, including shortness of breath and fever.
“So, in addition to all the other stuff you have to look out for,” Hughley advises in the video, if you “pass out in the middle of a show, onstage, you probably need to get tested.”
In addition to stand-up comedy, Hughley is also an actor, author and radio and television host. He starred in Spike Lee’s 2000 concert film, “The Original Kings of Comedy,” alongside Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac and Cedric the Entertainer.
Hughley also produced and starred in “The Hughleys,” which aired on ABC and UPN from 1998 to 2002 and hosted a CNN talk show. He currently hosts the radio show “The D.L. Hughley Show,” which is syndicated in dozens of markets.
“Thank you for your prayers and your well wishes - and a few more of them wouldn’t hurt,” Hughley says in the video.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Reading stabbings: U.K. police seek motive

READING , England — British police on Sunday were seeking the motive of a 25-year-old man suspected of stabbing three people to death in a daylight attack in a park .
Detectives said they were not , for now , treating Saturday ’ s attack in the town of Reading as terrorism , though the counterterrorism unit is supporting the investigation .
They said they were keeping an “ open mind ” about the motive .
The Thames Valley Police force said officers arrested a 25-year-old local man at the scene and they were not looking for anyone else .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment about a mile from the attack .
“ There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public , ” said Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter .
“ This is not currently being treated as a terrorism incident ; however , officers are keeping an open mind as to the motivation.
” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his “ thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading.
” Several other people were injured , three of them seriously , in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a sunny summer evening in Forbury Gardens park in Reading , a town of 200,000 residents 40 miles ( 64 kilometers ) west of London .
Personal trainer Lawrence Wort said the park was full of groups socializing on the grass when “ one lone person walked through , suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10 , trying to stab them.
” “ He stabbed three of them severely in the neck and under the arms , and then turned and started running towards me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Wort said .
The incident came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Forbury Gardens , but police said there was no connection between the attack and the protest .
Britain ’ s official terrorism threat level stands at “ substantial , ” the middle level on a five-rung scale , meaning an attack is likely .

READING, England — British police on Sunday were seeking the motive of a 25-year-old man suspected of stabbing three people to death in a daylight attack in a park.
Detectives said they were not, for now, treating Saturday’s attack in the town of Reading as terrorism, though the counterterrorism unit is supporting the investigation. They said they were keeping an “open mind” about the motive.
The Thames Valley Police force said officers arrested a 25-year-old local man at the scene and they were not looking for anyone else. Overnight, heavily armed officers entered an apartment about a mile from the attack.
“There is no intelligence to suggest that there is any further danger to the public,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter. “This is not currently being treated as a terrorism incident; however, officers are keeping an open mind as to the motivation.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his “thoughts are with all of those affected by the appalling incident in Reading.”
Several other people were injured, three of them seriously, in an attack that came out of the blue on a sunny summer evening in Forbury Gardens park in Reading, a town of 200,000 residents 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of London.
Personal trainer Lawrence Wort said the park was full of groups socializing on the grass when “one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around 10, trying to stab them.”
“He stabbed three of them severely in the neck and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running,” Wort said.
The incident came hours after a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Forbury Gardens, but police said there was no connection between the attack and the protest.
Britain’s official terrorism threat level stands at “substantial,” the middle level on a five-rung scale, meaning an attack is likely.