washingtontimes--2020-11-09--'Tail winds': California prepares for Biden presidency

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - As Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House , California is planning for a transition of its own : From the state of resistance to a state of acceptance .
For four years , California has led the charge against Trump ’ s policies , including filing more than 100 legal actions against the administration , mostly over environmental issues .
And the state has become a haven of sorts for former Obama-era White House officials who landed government jobs in California regulating the world ’ s fifth largest economy while Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change come January , when a Biden administration - with California-born Kamala Harris as the vice president - takes over and likely fills key government jobs with a host of California connections .
“ It goes from headwinds to tail winds , that ’ s pretty obvious , ” Newsom said Monday .
Newsom said he is already discussing how it would resolve its lawsuits against the federal government once the Biden administration takes over .
But perhaps the biggest impact would be on California ’ s environmental policies .
Last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-held authority to set its own emission standards for cars and trucks that are tougher than those imposed by the federal government .
A Biden administration could quickly end that lawsuit by granting the state ’ s waiver , which would also extend to 15 other states plus Washington , D.C. , that follow California ’ s lead .
Earlier this year , California became the first state to approve rules that would force automakers to sell more electric trucks and delivery vans .
The state needs permission from the federal government before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - something much more likely under a Biden administration .
“ I think we ’ re going to go from a place where we ’ ve been in a defensive posture to one where we ’ re in a partnership , ” said Jared Blumenfeld , secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency .
“ Our hope is that we ’ re going to be able to quickly resolve those differences and work together.
” Other lawsuits could be more complicated to resolve , including one over the Trump administration ’ s new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the state ’ s largest river system at the risk of harming some endangered species of fish .
Tom Birmingham , general manager of Westlands Water District , says a Biden administration doesn ’ t change much - both sides are still required to agree on how to apportion the state ’ s water .
Kathryn Phillips , director of the Sierra Club of California , said it would be “ huge for California ” if Biden were to reverse some of Trump ’ s environmental decisions .
But she is worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage California ’ s water supply and the complicated politics that surround it .
“ It ’ s an area that we think we ’ ll get a more honest assessment from the Biden administration , but we ’ re still nervous , ” she said .
Biden has already tapped California for people to advise him on the coronavirus , plucking University of California , San Francisco , professor Dr. Eric Goosby from Newsom ’ s group of scientists reviewing possible vaccines and adding him to a task force advising the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday he expects it to be the first of many announcements from the Biden administration with California ties .
He said he ’ ll be “ working hard ” to convince some of his key staff to stay - something he said was “ slightly tongue in cheek.
” “ I would be shocked if you do not hear more announcements over the coming weeks and months , ” Newsom said .
“ That would be great for our state .
But , of course , we ’ d hate to see some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well.
” But just because Washington could be awash in California Democrats doesn ’ t mean the state will get everything it wants , said Thad Kousser , chair of the political science department at the University of California , San Diego .
Newsom again reiterated his request on Monday for a multibillion-dollar stimulus package to shore up the budgets of state and local governments - a request that becomes more unlikely to be successful if Republicans maintain control of the U.S. Senate .
“ The biggest policy challenge California faces is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s by no means assured .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - As Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House, California is planning for a transition of its own: From the state of resistance to a state of acceptance.
For four years, California has led the charge against Trump’s policies, including filing more than 100 legal actions against the administration, mostly over environmental issues. And the state has become a haven of sorts for former Obama-era White House officials who landed government jobs in California regulating the world’s fifth largest economy while Republicans ruled Washington.
All of that will change come January, when a Biden administration - with California-born Kamala Harris as the vice president - takes over and likely fills key government jobs with a host of California connections.
“It goes from headwinds to tail winds, that’s pretty obvious,” Newsom said Monday.
Newsom said he is already discussing how it would resolve its lawsuits against the federal government once the Biden administration takes over. But perhaps the biggest impact would be on California’s environmental policies.
Last year, the Trump administration revoked California’s long-held authority to set its own emission standards for cars and trucks that are tougher than those imposed by the federal government. A Biden administration could quickly end that lawsuit by granting the state’s waiver, which would also extend to 15 other states plus Washington, D.C., that follow California’s lead.
Earlier this year, California became the first state to approve rules that would force automakers to sell more electric trucks and delivery vans. The state needs permission from the federal government before it can fully implement the new rules - something much more likely under a Biden administration.
“I think we’re going to go from a place where we’ve been in a defensive posture to one where we’re in a partnership,” said Jared Blumenfeld, secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency. “Our hope is that we’re going to be able to quickly resolve those differences and work together.”
Other lawsuits could be more complicated to resolve, including one over the Trump administration’s new rules allowing farmers to take more water from the state’s largest river system at the risk of harming some endangered species of fish. Tom Birmingham, general manager of Westlands Water District, says a Biden administration doesn’t change much - both sides are still required to agree on how to apportion the state’s water.
Kathryn Phillips, director of the Sierra Club of California, said it would be “huge for California” if Biden were to reverse some of Trump’s environmental decisions. But she is worried how the Biden administration will propose to manage California’s water supply and the complicated politics that surround it.
“It’s an area that we think we’ll get a more honest assessment from the Biden administration, but we’re still nervous,” she said.
Biden has already tapped California for people to advise him on the coronavirus, plucking University of California, San Francisco, professor Dr. Eric Goosby from Newsom’s group of scientists reviewing possible vaccines and adding him to a task force advising the new administration about the coronavirus.
Newsom said Monday he expects it to be the first of many announcements from the Biden administration with California ties. He said he’ll be “working hard” to convince some of his key staff to stay - something he said was “slightly tongue in cheek.”
“I would be shocked if you do not hear more announcements over the coming weeks and months,” Newsom said. “That would be great for our state. But, of course, we’d hate to see some of these folks leave our state as well.”
But just because Washington could be awash in California Democrats doesn’t mean the state will get everything it wants, said Thad Kousser, chair of the political science department at the University of California, San Diego. Newsom again reiterated his request on Monday for a multibillion-dollar stimulus package to shore up the budgets of state and local governments - a request that becomes more unlikely to be successful if Republicans maintain control of the U.S. Senate.
“The biggest policy challenge California faces is a massive budget deficit,” Kousser said. “That’s by no means assured.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--Texas prisons, jails worst COVID-19 hotspots of any in US

More Texas jail and prison inmates and staff have been infected and killed by COVID-19 than those of any other state ’ s criminal justice system , according to a university report released Monday .
At least 231 inmates and staff members have died of COVID-19 in Texas prisons and jails , according to the report by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas .
The study also found that Texas inmates and staff tested positive for the coronavirus virus that causes COVID-19 at a 490 % higher rate than the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates approved for parole died in prison before their release .
Federal prison facilities and Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities were excluded from the analysis , the LBJ School said in a statement .
“ COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on prisons and jails across the country , and especially in Texas , ” said Michele Deitch , the study ’ s lead author and a criminal justice policy expert at the LBJ School .
He added that the data show “ the urgency of taking steps to reduce the risks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jails.
” A message seeking comment from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice was not immediately returned .
Even when adjusted for size , Texas still has the second-highest rate of COVID infections and is tied for the third-highest proportion of its prison population that has died from COVID , among the ten largest prison systems .
Texas has had significantly more staff deaths from COVID than any other prison system , the study found , and 80 % of people those who of COVID-19 in Texas county jails were pretrial and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that started off with a higher number of COVID-19 prison deaths have been dramatically more successful in reducing deaths than Texas , the study found .
Seven out of the 106 prisons in the Texas system account for over half of the COVID-19 deaths in prison in Texas .
Almost 6 % of the inmate population at the Duncan Unit geriatric prison near Lufkin in East Texas has died of COVID-19 , and more than 80 % of the COVID-19 Texas prison fatalities were over age 55 , the report states .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Texas prisons , 58 % of the people of them were eligible for parole at the time of their death .
Twenty-one prison inmates died behind bars with less than two years left to serve on their sentences .
Elsewhere , officials in the southernmost Texas county have imposed a midnight curfew , with a 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles age 17 and younger .
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. in Brownsville also ordered no gatherings of more than 10 persons not part of a single family , that everyone age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks in public , that bars and similar establishments limit themselves to 50 percent of their normal capacities .
The order is effective from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday until midnight Dec. 2 .
Health officials reported 3,816 new cases of the new coronavirus and 26 new COVID-19 deaths statewide on Monday , bringing the total cases since the pandemic hit Texas in early March to 963,019 and the state ’ s total COVID-19 death toll to 18,769 .
Of those confirmed cases , an estimated 126,412 were active Monday and 6,103 were hospitalized , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Services .

More Texas jail and prison inmates and staff have been infected and killed by COVID-19 than those of any other state’s criminal justice system, according to a university report released Monday.
At least 231 inmates and staff members have died of COVID-19 in Texas prisons and jails, according to the report by the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.
The study also found that Texas inmates and staff tested positive for the coronavirus virus that causes COVID-19 at a 490% higher rate than the state’s general population. Also, nine Texas inmates approved for parole died in prison before their release.
Federal prison facilities and Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities were excluded from the analysis, the LBJ School said in a statement.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on prisons and jails across the country, and especially in Texas,” said Michele Deitch, the study’s lead author and a criminal justice policy expert at the LBJ School. He added that the data show “the urgency of taking steps to reduce the risks of additional COVID deaths in Texas prisons and jails.”
However, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which operates the state’s prison system, contends the report does not tell the whole story.
“While this report attempts to capture the impact of the virus on the prison population, what is noticeably absent is a discussion of the TDCJ’s first in the nation, sustained, and aggressive mass asymptomatic testing campaign,” said TDCJ spokesman Jeremy Desel. “To date, more than 65,000 employee and 219,000 inmate tests have been carried out. This is far more than any other correctional system in the country.”
Even when adjusted for size, Texas still has the second-highest rate of COVID infections and is tied for the third-highest proportion of its prison population that has died from COVID, among the ten largest prison systems.
Texas has had significantly more staff deaths from COVID than any other prison system, the study found, and 80% of people those who of COVID-19 in Texas county jails were pretrial and not convicted of a crime. Other states that started off with a higher number of COVID-19 prison deaths have been dramatically more successful in reducing deaths than Texas, the study found.
Seven out of the 106 prisons in the Texas system account for over half of the COVID-19 deaths in prison in Texas. Almost 6% of the inmate population at the Duncan Unit geriatric prison near Lufkin in East Texas has died of COVID-19, and more than 80% of the COVID-19 Texas prison fatalities were over age 55, the report states.
That was to be expected, the TDCJ said.
“As reflected in Texas’ general population, most of these individuals were elderly and had numerous pre-existing conditions. Unlike many states, a thorough review of each inmate’s death is conducted to include an autopsy or medical review by doctors to determine if the virus was the immediate cause of death,” said spokesman Desel.
Of the inmates who have died of COVID-19 in Texas prisons, 58% of the people of them were eligible for parole at the time of their death. Twenty-one prison inmates died behind bars with less than two years left to serve on their sentences.
Elsewhere, officials in the southernmost Texas county have imposed a midnight curfew, with a 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles age 17 and younger. Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. in Brownsville also ordered no gatherings of more than 10 persons not part of a single family, that everyone age 10 and over continue to wear face masks in public, that bars and similar establishments limit themselves to 50 percent of their normal capacities.
The order is effective from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday until midnight Dec. 2.
Health officials reported 3,816 new cases of the new coronavirus and 26 new COVID-19 deaths statewide on Monday, bringing the total cases since the pandemic hit Texas in early March to 963,019 and the state’s total COVID-19 death toll to 18,769. Of those confirmed cases, an estimated 126,412 were active Monday and 6,103 were hospitalized, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--Illinois marijuana sales top $100 million in October

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois saw more than $ 100 million in marijuana sales in October , the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported Monday .
There was a record $ 75 million in recreational pot sales last month , up nearly $ 8 million from the previous month .
Sales of medical marijuana totaled another $ 33 million , according to officials .
The first 10 months of legal cannabis sales total more than $ 500 million , with about $ 300 million in medical marijuana sales .
Marijuana sales to adults is legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more states approved recreational marijuana use in Tuesday ’ s election , while six Chicago suburbs joined a growing list of Illinois municipalities allowing cannabis dispensaries for adults .
“ There is mass acceptance of the U.S. cannabis industry by the consumer and the voter , ” said Ben Kovler , founder and CEO of Chicago-based Green Thumb , a cannabis manufacturer and retailer .
“ In this divided country , there are very few issues that have that kind of universal acceptance.
” Cannabis industry analyst Andy Seeger said October ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market ’ s potential .
He says Illinois should be on pace to sell around $ 1.2 billion in weed this year .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois saw more than $100 million in marijuana sales in October, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported Monday.
There was a record $75 million in recreational pot sales last month, up nearly $8 million from the previous month. Sales of medical marijuana totaled another $33 million, according to officials. The first 10 months of legal cannabis sales total more than $500 million, with about $300 million in medical marijuana sales.
Marijuana sales to adults is legal in 11 states and Washington D.C. Four more states approved recreational marijuana use in Tuesday’s election, while six Chicago suburbs joined a growing list of Illinois municipalities allowing cannabis dispensaries for adults.
“There is mass acceptance of the U.S. cannabis industry by the consumer and the voter,” said Ben Kovler, founder and CEO of Chicago-based Green Thumb, a cannabis manufacturer and retailer. “In this divided country, there are very few issues that have that kind of universal acceptance.”
Cannabis industry analyst Andy Seeger said October’s sale figures do not rise to the market’s potential. He says Illinois should be on pace to sell around $1.2 billion in weed this year.


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--Arizona county to toss cases after voters OK legal pot

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The prosecutor ’ s office in Arizona ’ s most populous county announced Monday that all pending cases for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana will be dismissed after the state ’ s voters approved a legalization measure .
The announcement from the Maricopa County Attorney ’ s Office said the decision would also apply to cases for possessing paraphernalia and marijuana concentrates covered by Proposition 207 .
Nearly 60 % of voters who cast ballot last week backed the measure eliminating all criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession .
The new law takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about three weeks , but the county attorney ’ s office said that it would begin implementing the will of the voters immediately .
“ We don ’ t want people getting arrested or sitting in jail on a charge that Arizona voters believe is no longer a crime , ” said county attorney ’ s spokeswoman Jennifer Liewer .
Liewer did not have an immediate estimate for the number of people who will have their cases dismissed .
Deputy county attorneys are being instructed to prioritize dismissing cases for people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Arrest warrants for people who did not show up in court will also be dismissed .
People facing additional charges will still have to answer on those cases , but the marijuana charge will be dismissed .
Arizona was the last state to allow felony charges for simple marijuana possession .
The ballot measure also set up a process for legally selling marijuana .
Sales by licensed retailers could start in May and people will be allowed to grow their own plants .
People 21 and older can possess up to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a smaller quantity of “ concentrates ” such as hashish .
Approval of the marijuana measure came four years after Arizona voters narrowly defeated a recreational pot legalization proposal .
Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey and fellow Republicans in the Legislature had refused to change Arizona ’ s tough marijuana laws .
Voters in New Jersey , South Dakota and Montana also voted to make possessing recreational marijauna legal .

PHOENIX (AP) - The prosecutor’s office in Arizona’s most populous county announced Monday that all pending cases for possessing an ounce or less of marijuana will be dismissed after the state’s voters approved a legalization measure.
The announcement from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the decision would also apply to cases for possessing paraphernalia and marijuana concentrates covered by Proposition 207.
Nearly 60% of voters who cast ballot last week backed the measure eliminating all criminal penalties for simple marijuana possession. The new law takes effect when election results are certified in about three weeks, but the county attorney’s office said that it would begin implementing the will of the voters immediately .
“We don’t want people getting arrested or sitting in jail on a charge that Arizona voters believe is no longer a crime,” said county attorney’s spokeswoman Jennifer Liewer.
Liewer did not have an immediate estimate for the number of people who will have their cases dismissed.
Deputy county attorneys are being instructed to prioritize dismissing cases for people who are in custody or have court dates set. Arrest warrants for people who did not show up in court will also be dismissed. People facing additional charges will still have to answer on those cases, but the marijuana charge will be dismissed.
Arizona was the last state to allow felony charges for simple marijuana possession.
The ballot measure also set up a process for legally selling marijuana. Sales by licensed retailers could start in May and people will be allowed to grow their own plants. People 21 and older can possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana or a smaller quantity of “concentrates” such as hashish.
Approval of the marijuana measure came four years after Arizona voters narrowly defeated a recreational pot legalization proposal. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and fellow Republicans in the Legislature had refused to change Arizona’s tough marijuana laws.
Voters in New Jersey, South Dakota and Montana also voted to make possessing recreational marijauna legal.


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--Daniel Cameron, Kentucky AG, joins Pennsylvania election lawsuit

FRANKFORT , Ky. — Kentucky ’ s Republican attorney general joined in a lawsuit Monday challenging mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania , saying what happens elsewhere in a presidential election matters to Kentuckians .
Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear criticized Daniel Cameron ’ s involvement , saying that “ not recognizing the peaceful transition of power is un-American.
” “ I have real concerns of using Kentucky dollars and Kentucky lawyers … to challenge a result in a different state , ” Beshear said at a news conference .
“ It creates at least the appearance of : Your guy didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to use government resources to attack it.
” Cameron signed onto an amicus brief in a GOP lawsuit in a case revolving around mail-in ballots .
“ While this did not occur in Kentucky , what happens in other states during a presidential election matters to Kentuckians because we are electing our president and vice president , ” Cameron said .
Cameron , a Trump supporter , said his interest in the case “ is not about courts dictating who wins or loses , but about transparency and rule of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some people to accept the results “ if they think issues like these go unexplored , ” he said .
Beshear noted that as Kentucky ’ s attorney general in 2016 when Trump was narrowly elected president , he accepted the results .
“ If there ’ s an issue in a Pennsylvania election , then let Pennsylvania officials deal with it , ” Beshear said .

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s Republican attorney general joined in a lawsuit Monday challenging mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania, saying what happens elsewhere in a presidential election matters to Kentuckians.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear criticized Daniel Cameron’s involvement, saying that “not recognizing the peaceful transition of power is un-American.”
“I have real concerns of using Kentucky dollars and Kentucky lawyers … to challenge a result in a different state,” Beshear said at a news conference. “It creates at least the appearance of: Your guy didn’t win, and therefore you’re going to use government resources to attack it.”
Cameron signed onto an amicus brief in a GOP lawsuit in a case revolving around mail-in ballots.
“While this did not occur in Kentucky, what happens in other states during a presidential election matters to Kentuckians because we are electing our president and vice president,” Cameron said.
Cameron, a Trump supporter, said his interest in the case “is not about courts dictating who wins or loses, but about transparency and rule of law issues.” It will be hard for some people to accept the results “if they think issues like these go unexplored,” he said.
Trump easily carried Kentucky in the election.
Beshear noted that as Kentucky’s attorney general in 2016 when Trump was narrowly elected president, he accepted the results.
“If there’s an issue in a Pennsylvania election, then let Pennsylvania officials deal with it,” Beshear said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--Kentucky AG joins lawsuit in Pennsylvania election case

FRANKFORT , Ky. ( AP ) - Kentucky ’ s Republican attorney general joined in a lawsuit Monday challenging mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania , saying what happens elsewhere in a presidential election matters to Kentuckians .
Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear criticized Daniel Cameron ’ s involvement , saying that “ not recognizing the peaceful transition of power is un-American.
” “ I have real concerns of using Kentucky dollars and Kentucky lawyers … to challenge a result in a different state , ” Beshear said at a news conference .
“ It creates at least the appearance of : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and therefore you ’ re going to use government resources to attack it.
” Cameron signed onto an amicus brief in a GOP lawsuit in a case revolving around mail-in ballots .
“ While this did not occur in Kentucky , what happens in other states during a presidential election matters to Kentuckians because we are electing our president and vice president , ” Cameron said .
Cameron , a Trump supporter , said his interest in the case “ is not about courts dictating who wins or loses , but about transparency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be hard for some people to accept the results “ if they think issues like these go unexplored , ” he said .
Beshear noted that as Kentucky ’ s attorney general in 2016 when Trump was narrowly elected president , he accepted the results .
“ If there ’ s an issue in a Pennsylvania election , then let Pennsylvania officials deal with it , ” Beshear said .

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky’s Republican attorney general joined in a lawsuit Monday challenging mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania, saying what happens elsewhere in a presidential election matters to Kentuckians.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear criticized Daniel Cameron’s involvement, saying that “not recognizing the peaceful transition of power is un-American.”
“I have real concerns of using Kentucky dollars and Kentucky lawyers … to challenge a result in a different state,” Beshear said at a news conference. “It creates at least the appearance of: Your guy didn’t win, and therefore you’re going to use government resources to attack it.”
Cameron signed onto an amicus brief in a GOP lawsuit in a case revolving around mail-in ballots.
“While this did not occur in Kentucky, what happens in other states during a presidential election matters to Kentuckians because we are electing our president and vice president,” Cameron said.
Cameron, a Trump supporter, said his interest in the case “is not about courts dictating who wins or loses, but about transparency and rule of law issues.” It will be hard for some people to accept the results “if they think issues like these go unexplored,” he said.
Trump easily carried Kentucky in the election.
Beshear noted that as Kentucky’s attorney general in 2016 when Trump was narrowly elected president, he accepted the results.
“If there’s an issue in a Pennsylvania election, then let Pennsylvania officials deal with it,” Beshear said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--'Jeopardy!' pays tribute to Alex Trebek

'Jeopardy!' pays tribute to Alex Trebek

NEW YORK — “ Jeopardy !
” paid tribute to Alex Trebek on Monday in a poignant message that celebrated the show ’ s longtime , unflappable host of 37 years .
The day after Trebek died at age 80 following a battle with cancer , the show ’ s executive producer , Mike Richards addressed viewers from the “ Jeopardy !
” set in a taped introduction .
“ Over the weekend we lost our beloved host , Alex Trebek .
This is an enormous loss for our staff , for our crew , for his family , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richards .
“ He loved this show and everything it stood for.
” Richards said Trebek taped his final episodes less than two weeks ago .
Beginning Monday , those last shows hosted by Trebek are set to air through Dec. 25 .
“ He will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn , for his kindness and for his love of his family , ” said Richards .
“ We will air his final 35 episodes as they were shot .
That ’ s what he wanted .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
’ thank you for everything , Alex.
” Richards concluded with the show ’ s trademark opening - “ This is ‘ Jeopardy !
’ ” - which was followed by a moment of silence on the “ Jeopardy !
” set with lights dimmed .

NEW YORK — “Jeopardy!” paid tribute to Alex Trebek on Monday in a poignant message that celebrated the show’s longtime, unflappable host of 37 years.
The day after Trebek died at age 80 following a battle with cancer, the show’s executive producer, Mike Richards addressed viewers from the “Jeopardy!” set in a taped introduction.
“Over the weekend we lost our beloved host, Alex Trebek. This is an enormous loss for our staff, for our crew, for his family, for his millions of fans,” said Richards. “He loved this show and everything it stood for.”
Richards said Trebek taped his final episodes less than two weeks ago. Beginning Monday, those last shows hosted by Trebek are set to air through Dec. 25.
“He will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn, for his kindness and for his love of his family,” Richards said. “We will air his final 35 episodes as they were shot. That’s what he wanted. On behalf of everyone here at ‘Jeopardy!’ thank you for everything, Alex.”
Richards concluded with the show’s trademark opening — “This is ‘Jeopardy!” — which was followed by a moment of silence on the “Jeopardy!” set with lights dimmed.
PHOTOS: Celebrity deaths in 2020: The famous faces we've lost


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--'Jeopardy!' pays tribute to Alex Trebek in poignant message

NEW YORK ( AP ) - “ Jeopardy !
” paid tribute to Alex Trebek on Monday in a poignant message that celebrated the show ’ s longtime , unflappable host of 37 years .
The day after Trebek died at age 80 following a battle with cancer , the show ’ s executive producer , Mike Richards addressed viewers from the “ Jeopardy !
” set in a taped introduction .
“ Over the weekend we lost our beloved host , Alex Trebek .
This is an enormous loss for our staff , for our crew , for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Richards .
“ He loved this show and everything it stood for.
” Richards said Trebek taped his final episodes less than two weeks ago .
Beginning Monday , those last shows hosted by Trebek are set to air through Dec. 25 .
“ He will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn , for his kindness and for his love of his family , ” said Richards .
“ We will air his final 35 episodes as they were shot .
That ’ s what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at ‘ Jeopardy !
’ thank you for everything , Alex.
” Richards concluded with the show ’ s trademark opening - “ This is ‘ Jeopardy !
’ ” - which was followed by a moment of silence on the ” Jeopardy !
” set with lights dimmed .

NEW YORK (AP) - “Jeopardy!” paid tribute to Alex Trebek on Monday in a poignant message that celebrated the show’s longtime, unflappable host of 37 years.
The day after Trebek died at age 80 following a battle with cancer, the show’s executive producer, Mike Richards addressed viewers from the “Jeopardy!” set in a taped introduction.
“Over the weekend we lost our beloved host, Alex Trebek. This is an enormous loss for our staff, for our crew, for his family, for his millions of fans,” said Richards. “He loved this show and everything it stood for.”
Richards said Trebek taped his final episodes less than two weeks ago. Beginning Monday, those last shows hosted by Trebek are set to air through Dec. 25.
“He will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn, for his kindness and for his love of his family,” said Richards. “We will air his final 35 episodes as they were shot. That’s what he wanted. On behalf of everyone here at ‘Jeopardy!’ thank you for everything, Alex.”
Richards concluded with the show’s trademark opening - “This is ‘Jeopardy!’” - which was followed by a moment of silence on the ”Jeopardy!” set with lights dimmed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-09--Bail set for Fargo man charged in Wisconsin police shootings

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Bail was set at $ 1.5 million Monday for a North Dakota man accused of @ @ @ @ @ eastern Wisconsin .
Nathanael Benton , 23 , of Fargo , is charged in Waukesha @ @ @ @ @ counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide/use of a dangerous weapon as well as possession of @ @ @ @ @ felon .
Benton was classified as a repeat offender on all three charges .
The @ @ @ @ @ and one from Hartland , were shot Friday in Waukesha County , about 27 miles @ @ @ @ @ of Milwaukee .
Police chiefs in both the communities have declined to identify the officers @ @ @ @ @ serious but non-life threatening injuries .
The shooting set off a nine-hour manhunt for Benton @ @ @ @ @ charges , Benton could face more than 140 years in prison .
He is also @ @ @ @ @ murder .
Court documents show that a public defender will be assigned for Benton .
@ @ @ @ @ for Nov. 13 .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Bail was set at $1.5 million Monday for a North Dakota man accused of wounding two police officers in eastern Wisconsin.
Nathanael Benton, 23, of Fargo, is charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide/use of a dangerous weapon as well as possession of a firearm by an out-of-state felon. Benton was classified as a repeat offender on all three charges.
The officers, one from Delafield and one from Hartland, were shot Friday in Waukesha County, about 27 miles (43 kilometers) west of Milwaukee. Police chiefs in both the communities have declined to identify the officers, both of whom suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The shooting set off a nine-hour manhunt for Benton.
If convicted of all charges, Benton could face more than 140 years in prison. He is also wanted in Fargo for attempted murder.
Court documents show that a public defender will be assigned for Benton. His next hearing is set for Nov. 13.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Man fatally shot in Eagan, two people in custody

EAGAN , Minn. ( AP ) - Two people are in custody after a man was fatally shot Monday night @ @ @ @ @ police .
Officers responded to a report of gunshots about 9 p.m. and found a @ @ @ @ @ to the head outside a nearby hotel .
He was pronounced dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ , police say they stopped a vehicle leaving the area and took a man and @ @ @ @ @ identities of those involved have not yet been released .

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) - Two people are in custody after a man was fatally shot Monday night in Eagan, according to police.
Officers responded to a report of gunshots about 9 p.m. and found a man with a gunshot wound to the head outside a nearby hotel. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A short time later, police say they stopped a vehicle leaving the area and took a man and woman into custody.
The identities of those involved have not yet been released.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--EU snubs Russia-backed conference on Syria refugee returns

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - The European Union said Tuesday that it will not take part in an international conference this week on the return of refugees to Syria , insisting that the first priority should be to make it safe for people to go back to the conflict-ravaged country .
The two-day conference , organized by Russia and set to begin on Wednesday , has been criticized by United Nations and U.S. officials .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that large parts of Syria are relatively peaceful and it ’ s time for the millions of Syrians who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the conference is premature .
“ The EU and its member states will not attend this conference , ” Borrell said in a statement .
He said the 27-nation bloc believes “ that the priority at present is real action to create conditions for safe , voluntary , dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their areas of origin.
” Syria ’ s nine-year war has killed about a half-million people , wounded more than a million and forced about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mostly to neighboring countries .
Another 6 million of Syria ’ s prewar population of 23 million are internally displaced .
A U.N-facilitated political process has been stuck for months , and many Western countries blame Damascus for blocking progress .
Many Syrians and Western countries see current conditions in Syria as not ripe for the mass return of refugees .
Borrell agreed , saying that no one should be forced to go back .
“ Conditions inside Syria at present do not lend themselves to the promotion of large-scale voluntary return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line with international law.
” He said many obstacles still hinder any safe returns , “ in particular forced conscription , indiscriminate detention , forced disappearances , torture , physical and sexual violence , discrimination in access to housing , land and property as well as poor or inexistent basic services.
” On Monday , Syrian Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister , Ayman Sousan , said an invitation to the conference was sent to all the countries except Turkey .
“ It is not possible to hope for anything positive from ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s regime , the first supporter of terrorist organizations in Syria.
, ” he said .
Sousan said some countries have been under pressure to discourage them from participating in the conference .
He didn ’ t elaborate .
More than 3.5 million Syrian refugees have fled to Turkey since the start of the conflict .
Sousan said China , Russia , Iran , Lebanon , UAE , Pakistan and the Sultanate of Oman were among the states that agreed to take part in the conference , while the U.N. will participate as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aji in Damascus , Syria contributed to this report .

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union said Tuesday that it will not take part in an international conference this week on the return of refugees to Syria, insisting that the first priority should be to make it safe for people to go back to the conflict-ravaged country.
The two-day conference, organized by Russia and set to begin on Wednesday, has been criticized by United Nations and U.S. officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that large parts of Syria are relatively peaceful and it’s time for the millions of Syrians who fled to go home and help rebuild.
But EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the conference is premature.
“The EU and its member states will not attend this conference,” Borrell said in a statement. He said the 27-nation bloc believes “that the priority at present is real action to create conditions for safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their areas of origin.”
Well over 1 million refugees, most of them Syrians fleeing the conflict there, entered the EU in 2015, and thousands continued to enter in following years. However, the number arriving into the Greek islands from Turkey dropped to a relative trickle over the last year.
Syria’s nine-year war has killed about a half-million people, wounded more than a million and forced about 5.6 million to flee abroad as refugees, mostly to neighboring countries. Another 6 million of Syria’s prewar population of 23 million are internally displaced.
A U.N-facilitated political process has been stuck for months, and many Western countries blame Damascus for blocking progress. Many Syrians and Western countries see current conditions in Syria as not ripe for the mass return of refugees.
Borrell agreed, saying that no one should be forced to go back. “Conditions inside Syria at present do not lend themselves to the promotion of large-scale voluntary return, in conditions of safety and dignity in line with international law.”
He said many obstacles still hinder any safe returns, “in particular forced conscription, indiscriminate detention, forced disappearances, torture, physical and sexual violence, discrimination in access to housing, land and property as well as poor or inexistent basic services.”
On Tuesday, Syrian President Bashar Assad said the refugee issue is a Syrian one but that the solution depends “on how much integrity some countries that claim to defend human rights have, while at the same time they do not care about the difficult conditions that the refugees have lived through all these years.”
Assad asserted that many countries were trying to politicize the issue and to keep the refugees out of Syria for the longest period possible to pressure his government. His comments were carried by the Syrian state news agency SANA and came after he received a senior Iranian foreign ministry official in Damascus.
Meanwhile, Syrian Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister Ayman Sousan said an invitation to the conference was sent to all the countries except Turkey.
“It is not possible to hope for anything positive from (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan’s regime, the first supporter of terrorist organizations in Syria.,” he said Monday, according to Syrian State news agency SANA.
Sousan said some countries have been under pressure to discourage them from participating in the conference. He didn’t elaborate.
More than 3.5 million Syrian refugees have fled to Turkey since the start of the conflict.
Sousan said China, Russia, Iran, Lebanon, UAE, Pakistan and the Sultanate of Oman were among the states that agreed to take part in the conference, while the U.N. will participate as an observer.
___
Associated Press writer Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Turkey pulls out from another base in northwestern Syria

BEIRUT ( AP ) - Turkish troops in northwestern Syria have pulled out of a second military base in the area that had been surrounded by Syrian government forces , media activists said Tuesday .
The pullout from the observation post in Sher Mogher in northern Hama region comes nearly a month after the evacuation of Turkey ’ s largest military base in the area that was once held by the Syrian opposition .
The area was overran by Syrian government troops late last year during a military offensive that also displaced nearly a million people .
The development comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enclave , with resumption of Syrian government strikes .
A Turkish official , speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations , said the evacuation was not a “ withdrawal but a redeployment in line with necessities on the ground.
” Turkish troops also withdrew from a military post near M5 , a highway that runs through the northwest .
Opposition media platforms , including Step News Agency , reported that Turkish troops also began evacuating a third post in rural Aleppo , which had been breached by advancing Syrian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving in rebel-held areas in northern Idlib .
A cease-fire deal between Russia and Turkey had established the Turkish observation posts to monitor the truce .
Turkey backs the Syrian opposition while Russia is the Syrian government ’ s main military and diplomatic ally .
But the truce has been violated by repeated military operations and attacks .
Currently , government forces have been targeting areas in the shrinking territory held by the Turkey-backed opposition .
An airstrike last month on a training camp for one the largest Syrian opposition groups , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deadliest since the cease-fire last year , and killed dozens of rebels .
Other strikes last week killed at least four children and two aid workers .
It was not immediately clear whether the Turkish pullout was part of a deal to reposition Turkish observation posts inside the opposition-held enclave - or was aimed at reducing Turkey ’ s military presence in the area .
Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara , Turkey contributed to this report .

BEIRUT (AP) - Turkish troops in northwestern Syria have pulled out of a second military base in the area that had been surrounded by Syrian government forces, media activists said Tuesday.
The pullout from the observation post in Sher Mogher in northern Hama region comes nearly a month after the evacuation of Turkey’s largest military base in the area that was once held by the Syrian opposition. The area was overran by Syrian government troops late last year during a military offensive that also displaced nearly a million people.
The development comes as violence returned to the overcrowded rebel-held enclave, with resumption of Syrian government strikes.
A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations, said the evacuation was not a “withdrawal but a redeployment in line with necessities on the ground.”
Turkish troops also withdrew from a military post near M5, a highway that runs through the northwest. Opposition media platforms, including Step News Agency, reported that Turkish troops also began evacuating a third post in rural Aleppo, which had been breached by advancing Syrian government troops. The Turkish troops were filmed arriving in rebel-held areas in northern Idlib.
A cease-fire deal between Russia and Turkey had established the Turkish observation posts to monitor the truce. Turkey backs the Syrian opposition while Russia is the Syrian government’s main military and diplomatic ally.
But the truce has been violated by repeated military operations and attacks.
Currently, government forces have been targeting areas in the shrinking territory held by the Turkey-backed opposition. An airstrike last month on a training camp for one the largest Syrian opposition groups, and Turkey’s closest ally, was the deadliest since the cease-fire last year, and killed dozens of rebels. Other strikes last week killed at least four children and two aid workers.
It was not immediately clear whether the Turkish pullout was part of a deal to reposition Turkish observation posts inside the opposition-held enclave - or was aimed at reducing Turkey’s military presence in the area.
___
Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Increase in new virus infections levels off in Georgia

ATLANTA ( AP ) - The rise in coronavirus infections has slowed in Georgia , although transmission of the respiratory illness remains widespread in the state .
Georgia is averaging about 1,600 new COVID-19 cases per day confirmed through genetic tests , according to a seven-day rolling average , plus about 500 per day confirmed through less accurate antigen tests .
Those numbers were higher on Monday than they were a week earlier in Georgia , but had come down in recent days from even higher peaks .
It ’ s unclear whether the change represents an enduring trend or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases that Georgia has seen since early October , with cases confirmed through genetic tests having risen nearly 40 % .
Those tests show nearly 375,000 confirmed infections .
Georgia started releasing daily antigen numbers last week after releasing once-a-week totals for two previous weeks .
Officials had been promising to add the number for weeks , after national experts said the best accounting for the disease would include those tests results as well .
There are other discouraging signs .
The share of positive tests in Georgia has risen over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 26 to 7.4 % on Monday .
Experts say that if more than 5 % of tests are coming back positive , it suggests that too few tests are being done and many infections may be going undetected .
The increasing positivity rate could also be affected by a decline in recent days in genetic tests for the virus , considered the most accurate .
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to creep up , having averaged nearly 1,500 on days over the past week , up 17 % from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases are tracking below increased case rates .
The number of deaths Georgia is recording has rebounded off of recent lows to around 30 a day .
The state had confirmed 8,223 deaths as of Monday , as well as 454 probable deaths .
Deaths typically come only after new cases are detected and people are hospitalized .
While most people who contract the coronavirus recover after suffering only mild to moderate symptoms , it can be deadly for older patients and those with other health problems .
Cody Hall , a spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican would hold a conference call with metro Atlanta-area hospital leaders on Tuesday “ to ensure our successful public/private partnership continues as we head into the winter months.
” Kemp has said little about COVID-19 in the last month , even as it was major subject of national debate in the run-up to the presidential election .
Hall didn ’ t answer questions asked by The Associated Press about what Kemp would like to see from the federal government as Democrat and election winner Joe Biden announced his own coronavirus task force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on its vaccine distribution plan and has stockpiled a 60-day supply of masks and other protective equipment .
The state ’ s report on Monday listed 50 high-transmission counties , where the positivity rate has been above 10 % in the last two weeks and the number of new cases was above 100 per 100,000 residents during that time .
They include 15 counties in west and northwest Georgia , including those that are home to Carrollton , Rome and Dalton .
There ’ s another belt of 15 counties along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east of Athens .
There ’ s also a cluster in the south Atlanta suburbs of Clayton , Henry and Spalding counties .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

ATLANTA (AP) - The rise in coronavirus infections has slowed in Georgia, although transmission of the respiratory illness remains widespread in the state.
Georgia is averaging about 1,600 new coronavirus cases a day confirmed through genetic tests, according to a seven-day rolling average, plus about 500 a day confirmed through less accurate antigen tests.
Those numbers were higher Monday than they were a week earlier in Georgia, but had come down in recent days from even higher peaks. It’s unclear whether the change represents an enduring trend or just a pause in the steady rise in cases that Georgia has seen since early October, with cases confirmed through genetic tests having risen nearly 40%. Those tests show nearly 375,000 confirmed infections.
Georgia started releasing daily antigen numbers last week after releasing once-a-week totals for two previous weeks. Officials had been promising to add the number for weeks, after national experts said the best accounting for the disease would include those tests results as well.
There are other discouraging signs. The share of positive tests in Georgia has risen over the past two weeks from 7.2% on Oct. 26 to 7.4% on Monday. Experts say that if more than 5% of tests are coming back positive, it suggests that too few tests are being done and many infections may be going undetected. The increasing positivity rate could also be affected by a decline in recent days in genetic tests for the virus, considered the most accurate.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to creep up, having averaged nearly 1,500 on days over the past week, up 17% from October lows. As yet, hospitalization increases are tracking below increased case rates. The number of deaths Georgia is recording has rebounded off of recent lows to around 30 a day. The state had confirmed 8,223 deaths as of Monday, as well as 454 probable deaths.
Deaths typically come only after new cases are detected and people are hospitalized. While most people who contract the coronavirus recover after suffering only mild to moderate symptoms, it can be deadly for older patients and those with other health problems.
Cody Hall, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp, said the Republican would hold a conference call with metro Atlanta-area hospital leaders Tuesday “to ensure our successful public/private partnership continues as we head into the winter months.”
Kemp remains in quarantine until later this week, Hall said, after the governor was exposed to the virus at a political event in LaGrange.
Kemp has said little about COVID-19 in the last month, even as it was major subject of national debate in the run-up to the presidential election. Hall did not answer questions asked by The Associated Press about what Kemp would like to see from the federal government as Democrat and election winner Joe Biden announced his own coronavirus task force Monday.
Hall said Georgia is working on its vaccine distribution plan and has stockpiled a 60-day supply of masks and other protective equipment.
The state’s report on Monday listed 50 high-transmission counties, where the positivity rate has been above 10% in the last two weeks and the number of new cases was above 100 per 100,000 residents during that time. They include 15 counties in west and northwest Georgia, including those that are home to Carrollton, Rome and Dalton. There’s another belt of 15 counties along the South Carolina line north of Augusta and east of Athens. There’s also a cluster in the south Atlanta suburbs of Clayton, Henry and Spalding counties.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Armed carjacking in Sheboygan leads to pursuit, 2 arrests

SHEBOYGAN , Wis. ( AP ) - Two teens are in custody after shots were fired during a carjacking in @ @ @ @ @ pursuit , according to authorities .
Sheriff ’ s officials say the boys , ages @ @ @ @ @ in a stolen vehicle when they tried carjacking another vehicle about 6 p.m. Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ the vehicle was hit by gunfire .
No one was hurt .
A short time @ @ @ @ @ vehicle at gunpoint in Sheboygan .
Officers deployed spike strips on Interstate 43 near Belgium @ @ @ @ @ vehicle was stopped , but the boys fled on foot .
They were eventually taken @ @ @ @ @ were turned over to Sheboygan County Sheriff ’ s Office .

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) - Two teens are in custody after shots were fired during a carjacking in Sheboygan and a law enforcement pursuit, according to authorities.
Sheriff’s officials say the boys, ages 16 and 17, were in a stolen vehicle when they tried carjacking another vehicle about 6 p.m. Monday. The driver drove away and the vehicle was hit by gunfire. No one was hurt.
A short time later the boys took a vehicle at gunpoint in Sheboygan. Officers deployed spike strips on Interstate 43 near Belgium in Ozaukee County. The vehicle was stopped, but the boys fled on foot. They were eventually taken into custody.
Both suspects were turned over to Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Attack in troubled Ohio county jail leaves inmate dead

CLEVELAND ( AP ) - Authorities on Tuesday launched an investigation into an attack that left an inmate dead in @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a statement by Cuyahoga County , there was a “ physical altercation @ @ @ @ @ the county jail on Monday .
Shane Trawick , 48 , of Cleveland , was @ @ @ @ @ where he was pronounced dead .
There was no word on the other inmate .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections had conducted monthly oversight inspections of the jail @ @ @ @ @ than a month ago .
The county coroner ’ s office and the Cleveland police @ @ @ @ @ Trawick ’ s death .
No other information was available .

CLEVELAND (AP) - Authorities on Tuesday launched an investigation into an attack that left an inmate dead in a troubled Ohio county jail.
According to a statement by Cuyahoga County, there was a “physical altercation” involving two inmates inside the county jail on Monday.
Shane Trawick, 48, of Cleveland, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
There was no word on the other inmate.
Since July 2019, Ohio’s Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections had conducted monthly oversight inspections of the jail. Those inspections ended less than a month ago.
The county coroner’s office and the Cleveland police were handling the investigation into Trawick’s death.
No other information was available.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Japan PM meets top SKorea official, urges Seoul to solve row

TOKYO ( AP ) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with South Korea ’ s top intelligence official on Tuesday in a sign of a thaw in relations between the two countries , but maintained that South Korea should take the initiative in resolving their dispute over compensation for Japanese World War II actions .
National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won arrived in Tokyo over the weekend and met with top officials of Suga ’ s governing party and government .
Suga thanked Park for traveling to Tokyo despite the coronavirus , and told him that Japan-South Korea relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their joint ally , the United States , are “ indispensable ” in dealing with issues such as North Korea ’ s missile and nuclear threats , his office said in a statement .
Suga said South Korea should initiate moves to improve their ties , which have been severely strained over South Korean Supreme Court rulings ordering Japanese companies to pay compensation over abuse of Korean laborers during World War II .
Animosity over their colonial past has deepened in the last few years , worrying the United States , which wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid China ’ s growing influence and North Korea ’ s nuclear threat .
Park told reporters that “ I delivered Prime Minister Suga our opinions ( on the issue of wartime Korean laborers ) sufficiently .
Leaders of both South Korea and Japan agree on the necessity of resolving this issue , and I think we can well resolve this through talks.
” Suga , who took office nearly two months ago after the resignation of his predecessor , Shinzo Abe , due to ill health , also urged South Korean President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take steps in the forced labor dispute to restore healthy relations .
Japan maintains that all wartime compensation issues were settled by a 1965 treaty that restored diplomatic relations and that the South Korean rulings violate international law .
Bitter South Korean memories of Japan ’ s 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula have been a recurring strain on bilateral ties .
Historians say Japan used about 220,000 forced Korean laborers during the war .
Japan says not all were forced to work .
The dispute spilled over into trade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leadership of Abe , known for a nationalistic ideology and attempts to whitewash Japan ’ s wartime actions that repeatedly offended South Korea and China .
Some experts hope that relations will improve under Suga , who is seen as less nationalistic .
While known for his political prowess on domestic issues , Suga ’ s diplomatic skills are still largely unknown , though he is expected to pursue Abe ’ s priorities .
Suga inherits a range of international challenges , including balancing relations with China in the face of U.S.-China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suga , during his meeting with Park , also sought South Korea ’ s support in resolving the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea decades ago .
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Park met with governing Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai on Sunday , adding that they are old friends .
Park also met with his Japanese counterpart , National Security Secretariat chief Shigeru Kitamura , on Monday .
Details of their talks were not released .
Associated Press videojournalist Jung-yoon Kim in Seoul , South Korea , contributed @ @ @ @

TOKYO (AP) - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with South Korea’s top intelligence official on Tuesday in a sign of a thaw in relations between the two countries, but maintained that South Korea should take the initiative in resolving their dispute over compensation for Japanese World War II actions.
National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won arrived in Tokyo over the weekend and met with top officials of Suga’s governing party and government.
Suga thanked Park for traveling to Tokyo despite the coronavirus, and told him that Japan-South Korea relations, as well as mutual cooperation with their joint ally, the United States, are “indispensable” in dealing with issues such as North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats, his office said in a statement.
Suga said South Korea should initiate moves to improve their ties, which have been severely strained over South Korean Supreme Court rulings ordering Japanese companies to pay compensation over abuse of Korean laborers during World War II.
Animosity over their colonial past has deepened in the last few years, worrying the United States, which wants a strong trilateral alliance in the Asia-Pacific amid China’s growing influence and North Korea’s nuclear threat.
Park told reporters that “I delivered Prime Minister Suga our opinions (on the issue of wartime Korean laborers) sufficiently. Leaders of both South Korea and Japan agree on the necessity of resolving this issue, and I think we can well resolve this through talks.”
Suga, who took office nearly two months ago after the resignation of his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, due to ill health, also urged South Korean President Moon Jae-in in telephone talks in September to take steps in the forced labor dispute to restore healthy relations.
Japan maintains that all wartime compensation issues were settled by a 1965 treaty that restored diplomatic relations and that the South Korean rulings violate international law. Bitter South Korean memories of Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula have been a recurring strain on bilateral ties.
Historians say Japan used about 220,000 forced Korean laborers during the war. Japan says not all were forced to work.
The dispute spilled over into trade and defense cooperation between the two countries during the leadership of Abe, known for a nationalistic ideology and attempts to whitewash Japan’s wartime actions that repeatedly offended South Korea and China. Some experts hope that relations will improve under Suga, who is seen as less nationalistic.
While known for his political prowess on domestic issues, Suga’s diplomatic skills are still largely unknown, though he is expected to pursue Abe’s priorities. Suga inherits a range of international challenges, including balancing relations with China in the face of U.S.-China disputes over trade and other issues.
Suga, during his meeting with Park, also sought South Korea’s support in resolving the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea decades ago.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Park met with governing Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Toshihiro Nikai on Sunday, adding that they are old friends. Park also met with his Japanese counterpart, National Security Secretariat chief Shigeru Kitamura, on Monday. Details of their talks were not released.
___
Associated Press videojournalist Jung-yoon Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.
___
Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--UK nurse re-arrested on suspicion of murder in baby deaths

LONDON ( AP ) - A British nurse has been arrested for the third time in relation to the deaths of more than a dozen babies at a hospital , police said Tuesday .
Police said the woman was re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies , and the attempted murder of nine others , at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital , south of Liverpool in northwestern England .
Police first launched an investigation into the deaths of a number of babies at the hospital in May 2017 .
Detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ babies between 2015 and 2016 , and the probe later widened to the deaths of 17 babies and 16 “ non-fatal collapses ” in the same period .
The nurse was previously arrested in 2018 and 2019 .
She was bailed pending further enquiries both times and had not been charged .
She was questioned in police custody Tuesday .
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes said a team of detectives has been working on the “ highly complex and very sensitive case ” and said he could not provide further details .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept fully updated on this latest development , ” he said in a statement .
“ This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that , at the heart of this , there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children .
”

LONDON (AP) - A British nurse has been arrested for the third time in relation to the deaths of more than a dozen babies at a hospital, police said Tuesday.
Police said the woman was re-arrested on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies, and the attempted murder of nine others, at the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, south of Liverpool in northwestern England.
Police first launched an investigation into the deaths of a number of babies at the hospital in May 2017. Detectives initially looked into the deaths of 15 babies between 2015 and 2016, and the probe later widened to the deaths of 17 babies and 16 “non-fatal collapses” in the same period.
The nurse was previously arrested in 2018 and 2019. She was bailed pending further enquiries both times and had not been charged. She was questioned in police custody Tuesday.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Hughes said a team of detectives has been working on the “highly complex and very sensitive case” and said he could not provide further details.
“Parents of all the babies have been kept fully updated on this latest development,” he said in a statement.
Lawyers representing some of the families said they welcomed any update to the investigation, but added that their clients have been waiting over three years for answers.
“While we respect the police investigation and their diligence we would very much like our clients to get justice in this case,” said Emma Doughty, clinical negligence specialist at the law firm Slater and Gordon. “Not only have they lost their babies, but they have then had to deal with numerous investigations, and then subsequent arrests, all the while not knowing what really happened to their babies.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--EU files antitrust charges against Amazon over use of data

LONDON ( AP ) — European Union regulators have filed antitrust charges against Amazon , accusing the e-commerce giant of using data to gain an unfair advantage over merchants using its platform .
The EU ’ s executive commission , the bloc ’ s top antitrust enforcer , said Tuesday that the charges have been sent to the company .
The commission said it takes issue with Amazon ’ s systematic use of non-public business data to avoid “ the normal risks of competition and to leverage its dominance ” for e-commerce services in France and Germany , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU .
The EU started looking into Amazon in 2018 and has been focusing on its dual role as a marketplace and retailer .
In addition to selling its own products , the U.S. company allows third-party retailers to sell their own goods through its site .
Last year , more than half of the items sold on Amazon worldwide were from these outside merchants .
Amazon faces a possible fine of up to 10 % of its annual worldwide revenue , which could amount to billions of dollars .
The company rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the preliminary assertions of the European Commission and will continue to make every effort to ensure it has an accurate understanding of the facts , ” the company said in a statement .
The company can , under EU rules , reply to the charges in writing and present its case in an oral hearing .
It ’ s the EU ’ s latest effort to curb the power of big technology companies , following a series of multibillion dollar antitrust fines against Google in previous years .

LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators have filed antitrust charges against Amazon, accusing the e-commerce giant of using data to gain an unfair advantage over merchants using its platform.
The EU’s executive commission, the bloc’s top antitrust enforcer, said Tuesday that the charges have been sent to the company.
The commission said it takes issue with Amazon’s systematic use of non-public business data to avoid “the normal risks of competition and to leverage its dominance” for e-commerce services in France and Germany, the company’s two biggest markets in the EU.
The EU started looking into Amazon in 2018 and has been focusing on its dual role as a marketplace and retailer.
In addition to selling its own products, the U.S. company allows third-party retailers to sell their own goods through its site. Last year, more than half of the items sold on Amazon worldwide were from these outside merchants.
Amazon faces a possible fine of up to 10% of its annual worldwide revenue, which could amount to billions of dollars. The company rejected the accusations.
“We disagree with the preliminary assertions of the European Commission and will continue to make every effort to ensure it has an accurate understanding of the facts,” the company said in a statement.
The company can, under EU rules, reply to the charges in writing and present its case in an oral hearing.
It’s the EU’s latest effort to curb the power of big technology companies, following a series of multibillion dollar antitrust fines against Google in previous years.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Millennial Money: What new debt collector rules mean for you

Working with third-party debt collectors can be confusing and scary .
For the more than 68 million U.S. adults with debt in collections , knowing their legal rights is crucial .
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act covers third-party debt collectors - those who buy a delinquent debt from an original creditor , like a credit card company .
An update to the rules on how the act is applied , announced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in late October , alters the terms of engagement .
Some changes will modernize the law and clarify how it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revisions don ’ t go far enough or could have unintended consequences .
LIMITS ON DEBT COLLECTOR ACTIONS : Collectors must be truthful , including about details of the debt .
They can not use abusive language , call repeatedly in a harassing manner or threaten violence .
Collectors can ’ t ask for a post-dated check for them to cash later , which is a tactic to get consumers to pay debts they can not afford .
They also can not collect more than the amount owed or threaten to take property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ INFORMATION DISCLOSURES : Debt collectors must send consumers a “ debt validation letter ” outlining important details , including the amount owed , the collection agency ’ s name and how consumers can dispute the debt .
CONSUMER RIGHTS : People can limit how and when a collector contacts them , including telling them to stop communicating altogether .
In all but limited circumstances , the collector must honor that request .
If consumers doubt the details of a debt , they can send the collector a debt verification letter seeking more information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the changes , which are set to take effect in fall 2021 : NEW COMMUNICATION OPTIONS : Debt collectors will be able to contact consumers by email , text message and social media messages .
The messages must explain how the consumer can restrict contact by these methods or request no communication .
Notably , debt collectors don ’ t need consumers ’ permission before contacting them on these new channels .
Consumer advocates worry that collectors may send crucial information like the debt validation letter to email or social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ What consumers should know is it ’ s going to be really important for them to be proactive to opt out if they don ’ t want to receive communications through text message or email , ” says April Kuehnhoff , staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center .
She also notes , “ If consumers start getting communications from a debt collector and you haven ’ t gotten the initial notice about the debt , they should ask for that information.
” NEW LIMITS ON COLLECTORS ’ ACTIONS : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the CFPB in December .
Those will govern when collectors can add information to consumer credit reports and disclosures about debts , such as whether they ’ re past the statute of limitations , which vary by state and limit how long a collector can sue a consumer for payment .
WHY CONSUMER ADVOCATES ARE CONCERNED , AND WHAT YOU CAN DO Some advocates worry that the updates don ’ t go far enough and say some of the changes could actually lessen consumer protections .
Here are two of the primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ update clarifies the definition of a “ harassing ” frequency of phone calls from collectors - but this also might enable such harassment , advocates warn .
The new rule limits collectors to calling no more than seven times a week per account .
It bars calls within seven days after having a conversation with a consumer .
But consumers may have multiple accounts in collections , leading to a barrage of calls .
The one contact per day doesn ’ t cover text , email or social media channels , so consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new rules also allow for “ limited-content messages , ” which could mean a proliferation of voicemails that don ’ t count as “ communications.
” “ We have concerns about what this is going to mean especially for consumers who might , for example , have multiple medical debts in collections , ” Kuehnhoff says .
What you can do : If you feel you ’ re being contacted too frequently , you can demand the collector cease communication in all but a few instances , such as when legal action is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in different channels .
The kicker with the FDCPA is that it only regulates third-party debt collectors - that is , a collector who doesn ’ t represent the original creditor .
A collector who works directly for an original creditor isn ’ t held to these standards .
What you can do : Work to quickly resolve an account when contacted by a debt collector - no matter whom they represent .
You may be able to work out a payment plan or settle for less than originally owed .
If your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collector , file a complaint with the FTC .
Dan Dwyer , staff attorney at the Federal Trade Commission , says consumers should provide as much identifying information about the collector as possible .
“ Then , just tell us what the problem is as clearly as you can , ” he says .
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet .
Sean Pyles is a writer at NerdWallet .
Email : spyles @ nerdwallet.com .
Twitter : @ SeanPyles .
NerdWallet : How to Deal @ @ @ @ @ @

In a story Nov. 10 about rules covering third-party debt collectors, The Associated Press - in an article supplied by the personal finance website NerdWallet - reported erroneously that collectors can’t ask for a post-dated check for them to cash later. Collectors can ask for a post-dated check, but must warn consumers a set number of days before the check is cashed. Collectors can’t ask for a post-dated check for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution.
A corrected version of the story follows:
Working with third-party debt collectors can be confusing and scary. For the more than 68 million U.S. adults with debt in collections, knowing their legal rights is crucial.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act covers third-party debt collectors - those who buy a delinquent debt from an original creditor, like a credit card company. An update to the rules on how the act is applied, announced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in late October, alters the terms of engagement.
Some changes will modernize the law and clarify how it’s enacted. But consumer advocates say other revisions don’t go far enough or could have unintended consequences.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
The FDCPA offers several protections, including:
LIMITS ON DEBT COLLECTOR ACTIONS: Collectors must be truthful, including about details of the debt. They cannot use abusive language, call repeatedly in a harassing manner or threaten violence.
Collectors can’t ask for a post-dated check for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution. They also cannot collect more than the amount owed or threaten to take property when that’s not allowed.”
INFORMATION DISCLOSURES: Debt collectors must send consumers a “debt validation letter” outlining important details, including the amount owed, the collection agency’s name and how consumers can dispute the debt.
CONSUMER RIGHTS: People can limit how and when a collector contacts them, including telling them to stop communicating altogether. In all but limited circumstances, the collector must honor that request.
If consumers doubt the details of a debt, they can send the collector a debt verification letter seeking more information beyond the validation letter.
UPDATES TO THE FDCPA RULES
Here are some of the changes, which are set to take effect in fall 2021:
NEW COMMUNICATION OPTIONS: Debt collectors will be able to contact consumers by email, text message and social media messages. The messages must explain how the consumer can restrict contact by these methods or request no communication. Notably, debt collectors don’t need consumers’ permission before contacting them on these new channels.
Consumer advocates worry that collectors may send crucial information like the debt validation letter to email or social media accounts that aren’t in use.
“What consumers should know is it’s going to be really important for them to be proactive to opt out if they don’t want to receive communications through text message or email,” says April Kuehnhoff, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.
She also notes, “If consumers start getting communications from a debt collector and you haven’t gotten the initial notice about the debt, they should ask for that information.”
NEW LIMITS ON COLLECTORS’ ACTIONS: Additional changes are expected to be announced by the CFPB in December. Those will govern when collectors can add information to consumer credit reports and disclosures about debts, such as whether they’re past the statute of limitations, which vary by state and limit how long a collector can sue a consumer for payment.
WHY CONSUMER ADVOCATES ARE CONCERNED, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO
Some advocates worry that the updates don’t go far enough and say some of the changes could actually lessen consumer protections. Here are two of the primary concerns:
FREQUENCY OF COMMUNICATION: The update clarifies the definition of a “harassing” frequency of phone calls from collectors - but this also might enable such harassment, advocates warn.
The new rule limits collectors to calling no more than seven times a week per account. It bars calls within seven days after having a conversation with a consumer. But consumers may have multiple accounts in collections, leading to a barrage of calls.
The one contact per day doesn’t cover text, email or social media channels, so consumers may be inundated with messages. The new rules also allow for “limited-content messages,” which could mean a proliferation of voicemails that don’t count as “communications.”
“We have concerns about what this is going to mean especially for consumers who might, for example, have multiple medical debts in collections,” Kuehnhoff says.
What you can do: If you feel you’re being contacted too frequently, you can demand the collector cease communication in all but a few instances, such as when legal action is threatened. This extends to prohibiting communication in different channels.
NO COVERAGE OF ORIGINAL CREDITORS
The kicker with the FDCPA is that it only regulates third-party debt collectors - that is, a collector who doesn’t represent the original creditor. A collector who works directly for an original creditor isn’t held to these standards.
What you can do: Work to quickly resolve an account when contacted by a debt collector - no matter whom they represent. You may be able to work out a payment plan or settle for less than originally owed.
RIGHTS VIOLATED? SUBMIT A COMPLAINT
If your rights have been violated by a debt collector, file a complaint with the FTC.
Dan Dwyer, staff attorney at the Federal Trade Commission, says consumers should provide as much identifying information about the collector as possible.
“Then, just tell us what the problem is as clearly as you can,” he says.
_____________________________________
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sean Pyles is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: spyles@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SeanPyles.
RELATED LINKS:
NerdWallet: How to Deal with Debt Collectors http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-debt-collectors
FTC: Report fraud https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Philadelphia man charged in New Jersey fatal shooting

MAYS LANDING , N.J. ( AP ) - Authorities in New Jersey arrested a Philadelphia man on murder and weapons @ @ @ @ @ shooting in Pleasantville .
Detectives took Teddy Smith , 39 , into custody at a @ @ @ @ @ Smith gunned down Nathan Adcock , 25 , on May 1 .
Pleasantville police found @ @ @ @ @ wounds .
Adcock was transported to the Atlanticare Medical Center City Division , where he @ @ @ @ @ I am happy that people cared enough to stand up and trust law enforcement with @ @ @ @ @ and sending a message that they would not tolerate random violence in their community , @ @ @ @ @ Damon G. Tyner .
It could not be determined if Smith had retained a lawyer @

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) - Authorities in New Jersey arrested a Philadelphia man on murder and weapons charges stemming from a fatal shooting in Pleasantville.
Detectives took Teddy Smith, 39, into custody at a parole office.
Authorities alleged Smith gunned down Nathan Adcock, 25, on May 1.
Pleasantville police found Adcock suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Adcock was transported to the Atlanticare Medical Center City Division, where he was pronounced dead.
“I am happy that people cared enough to stand up and trust law enforcement with getting justice for this family and sending a message that they would not tolerate random violence in their community,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner.
It could not be determined if Smith had retained a lawyer.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Greece: Floods sweep cars into sea, send people to rooftops

Heavy flooding on the Greek island of Crete damaged roads , flooded hundreds of homes , and swept cars into @ @ @ @ @ rainfall .
Authorities Tuesday said the worst damage occurred east of the island ’ s @ @ @ @ @ small towns and villages where schools were closed and residents were advised to stay indoors @ @ @ @ @ , some residents sought refuge on the roofs of their homes as muddy water swept @ @ @ @ @ and debris .
It was the third time in less than a month that the @ @ @ @ @ flooding .
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday .
No injuries were reported @ @ @ @ @ said the island ’ s road network had been damaged , along with homes and @ @ @ @ @ due to a nationwide lockdown in effect since Saturday .

Heavy flooding on the Greek island of Crete damaged roads, flooded hundreds of homes and swept cars into the sea amid ongoing torrential rainfall.
Authorities Tuesday said the most serious damage occurred east of the island’s capital, Iraklio, in small towns and villages where schools were closed and residents were advised to stay indoors.
In the worst-affected areas, some residents sought refuge on the roofs of their homes as muddy water swept through towns, dragging cars and debris. A state of emergency was declared in flooded areas. The Fire Service said at least 30 people were rescued.
It was the third time in less than a month that the area has been hit by flooding. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday.
No injuries were reported, but regional government officials said the island’s road network was damaged along with homes and businesses, many already shuttered due to a nationwide lockdown in effect since Saturday.


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Blacks and whites clash at South African school incident

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) - South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has called for restraint Tuesday following clashes at an anti-racism protest outside a school in Cape Town .
Members of the leftist opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters protested in front of the Brackenfell High School over allegations that a school graduation event was attended only by white pupils .
The protest turned violent when the Black demonstrators were attacked by a predominantly white group reported to be parents of students .
Videos circulating on social media have and South African news websites show the white adults shoving and hitting some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and demanding that they leave the area near the school .
The groups throw stones at each other , according to images in one video .
In a statement Tuesday , South Africa ’ s president condemned the clashes and emphasized that anybody had the right to stage lawful protests in the country .
“ It is the right of every South African to engage in peaceful protest , and any actions to suppress the right to freedom of expression , particularly through violence and intimidation , must be roundly condemned , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation into allegations of racism at the school which led to the confrontation between the protesters and the parents .
Alan Winde , premier of South Africa ’ s Western Cape province where the incident took place has also called for calm and discussions instead of violence .
“ Don ’ t resort to violence , ” Winde said .
“ I call on citizens to be calm and to deal with these issues in a responsible manner .
”

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has called for restraint Tuesday following clashes at an anti-racism protest outside a school in Cape Town.
Members of the leftist opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters protested in front of the Brackenfell High School over allegations that a school graduation event was attended only by white pupils.
The protest turned violent when the Black demonstrators were attacked by a predominantly white group reported to be parents of students.
Videos circulating on social media have and South African news websites show the white adults shoving and hitting some of the Black demonstrators, shouting insults and demanding that they leave the area near the school. The groups throw stones at each other, according to images in one video.
In a statement Tuesday, South Africa’s president condemned the clashes and emphasized that anybody had the right to stage lawful protests in the country.
“It is the right of every South African to engage in peaceful protest, and any actions to suppress the right to freedom of expression, particularly through violence and intimidation, must be roundly condemned,” said Ramaphosa.
He also called for an investigation into allegations of racism at the school which led to the confrontation between the protesters and the parents.
Alan Winde, premier of South Africa’s Western Cape province where the incident took place has also called for calm and discussions instead of violence.
“Don’t resort to violence,” Winde said. “I call on citizens to be calm and to deal with these issues in a responsible manner.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Dortmund teen Bellingham called up by England for first time

LONDON ( AP ) - Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has been called up to the England squad for the @ @ @ @ @ Bellingham was promoted on Tuesday from the England Under-21s after Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and @ @ @ @ @ from Gareth Southgate ’ s group because of injuries .
Bellingham moved to Dortmund from @ @ @ @ @ the summer transfer window and he has already made six appearances in the Bundesliga .
@ @ @ @ @ friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday and travels to Belgium for a Nations League game @ @ @ @ @ uncertainty around the location of a home game on Nov. 18 against Iceland due to @ @ @ @

LONDON (AP) - Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham has been called up to the England squad for the first time.
The 17-year-old Bellingham was promoted on Tuesday from the England Under-21s after Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse withdrew from Gareth Southgate’s group because of injuries.
Bellingham moved to Dortmund from English second-division side Birmingham in the summer transfer window and he has already made six appearances in the Bundesliga.
England hosts Ireland in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Thursday and travels to Belgium for a Nations League game on Sunday. There is uncertainty around the location of a home game on Nov. 18 against Iceland due to coronavirus-related travel issues.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-11-10--Election 2020 Today: Biden defends 'Obamacare,' Trump stalls

BIDEN ’ S PITCH : President-elect Joe Biden is championing the Obama administration ’ s signature health care law as it goes before the Supreme Court in a case that could overturn it .
Biden is delivering an Affordable Care Act speech on Tuesday , the day the high court will hear arguments on its merits .
The Supreme Court ruled eight years ago to leave intact the essential components of the law known as Obamacare , but the court is now controlled 6-3 by a conservative majority .
Biden ’ s speech reflects the importance he is putting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office in January amid the worst pandemic in more than a century .
‘ OBAMACARE ’ FIGHT : Republican elected officials and the Trump administration are advancing their latest arguments to get rid of the Affordable Care Act , a long-held GOP goal that has repeatedly failed in Congress and the courts .
Arguments are scheduled in the Supreme Court ’ s third major case over the 10-year-old law , popularly known as “ Obamacare.
” Republican attorneys general in 18 states and the Trump administration want the law to be struck down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 23 million people .
California is leading a group of Democratic-controlled states that is urging the court to leave the law in place .
TRUMP STALLING : The Trump administration is throwing the presidential transition into tumult .
President Donald Trump has fired the Pentagon chief and blocked government officials from cooperating with Biden ’ s team .
Even as Biden began assembling experts to face the surging coronavirus pandemic , the federal agency that needs to greenlight the beginnings of the transition of power held off .
NOT CONCEDING : Losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in private chats , telegrams , phone calls and nationally televised speeches .
Al Gore conceded twice in the same race .
Trump isn ’ t expected to concede at all - not even with a tweet .
There ’ s no law that says Trump has to concede , but if he doesn ’ t , he will be the first presidential candidate in modern times to ignore a tradition that has marked peaceful transitions throughout American history .
Most concession speeches are gracious - less about the loser and more about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S MOVE : Attorney General William Barr authorizes federal prosecutors across the U.S. to pursue “ substantial allegations ” of voting irregularities , if they exist , before the 2020 presidential election is certified .
Barr ’ s action comes despite little evidence of fraud in Biden ’ s victory .
It also raises the prospect that Trump will use the Justice Department to try to challenge the outcome .
Longstanding Justice Department policy would normally prohibit such overt actions before an election is certified .
QUOTABLE : “ We could save tens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just wear a mask for the next few months .
Not Democratic or Republican lives , American lives .
Please , I implore you , wear a mask.
” - Biden pleading with Americans to put aside their political differences and wear masks to protect themselves and their neighbors from the coronavirus .

Here’s what’s happening Tuesday in Election 2020.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES:
BIDEN’S PITCH: President-elect Joe Biden is championing the Obama administration’s signature health care law as it goes before the Supreme Court in a case that could overturn it. Biden is delivering an Affordable Care Act speech on Tuesday, the day the high court will hear arguments on its merits. The Supreme Court ruled eight years ago to leave intact the essential components of the law known as Obamacare, but the court is now controlled 6-3 by a conservative majority. Biden’s speech reflects the importance he is putting on health care as he prepares to take office in January amid the worst pandemic in more than a century.
‘OBAMACARE’ FIGHT: Republican elected officials and the Trump administration are advancing their latest arguments to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, a long-held GOP goal that has repeatedly failed in Congress and the courts. Arguments are scheduled in the Supreme Court’s third major case over the 10-year-old law, popularly known as “Obamacare.” Republican attorneys general in 18 states and the Trump administration want the law to be struck down, which would threaten coverage for more than 23 million people. California is leading a group of Democratic-controlled states that is urging the court to leave the law in place.
TRUMP STALLING: The Trump administration is throwing the presidential transition into tumult. President Donald Trump has fired the Pentagon chief and blocked government officials from cooperating with Biden’s team. Even as Biden began assembling experts to face the surging coronavirus pandemic, the federal agency that needs to greenlight the beginnings of the transition of power held off.
NOT CONCEDING: Losing presidential candidates have conceded to their opponents in private chats, telegrams, phone calls and nationally televised speeches. Al Gore conceded twice in the same race. Trump isn’t expected to concede at all - not even with a tweet. There’s no law that says Trump has to concede, but if he doesn’t, he will be the first presidential candidate in modern times to ignore a tradition that has marked peaceful transitions throughout American history. Most concession speeches are gracious - less about the loser and more about closure for the country.
BARR’S MOVE: Attorney General William Barr authorizes federal prosecutors across the U.S. to pursue “substantial allegations” of voting irregularities, if they exist, before the 2020 presidential election is certified. Barr’s action comes despite little evidence of fraud in Biden’s victory. It also raises the prospect that Trump will use the Justice Department to try to challenge the outcome. Longstanding Justice Department policy would normally prohibit such overt actions before an election is certified.
QUOTABLE: “We could save tens of thousands of lives if everyone would just wear a mask for the next few months. Not Democratic or Republican lives, American lives. Please, I implore you, wear a mask.” - Biden pleading with Americans to put aside their political differences and wear masks to protect themselves and their neighbors from the coronavirus.
ICYMI:
‘This is proof’: Biden’s win reveals power of Black voters
Trump faces long odds in challenging state vote counts
Indigenous candidates’ wins in Congress give hope for change
___
Find AP’s full election coverage at APNews.com/Election2020.