washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Execution rescheduled for only woman on federal death row

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The U.S. government now plans to execute the first female inmate in almost six decades just days before President-elect Joe Biden , an opponent of the death penalty , takes office .
Attorneys for Lisa Montgomery said Monday that the Justice Department rescheduled her execution for Jan. 12 .
Biden ’ s inauguration comes Jan. 20 .
A federal judge in Washington had delayed the December execution of Montgomery , 49 , because her lawyers tested positive for the novel coronavirus after visiting her behind bars .
The delay was meant to allow her attorneys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clemency petition on her behalf .
Montgomery ’ s attorneys , Kelley Henry and Amy Harwell , said they both tested positive for COVID-19 after they flew from Nashville , Tennessee , to visit her at the federal prison in Texas where she is serving her sentence .
In court papers , they said each roundtrip visit from Nashville involved two flights , hotel stays and interaction with airline and hotel staff , as well as prison employees .
With the new execution date , Montgomery would be one of three federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cory Johnson and Dustin Higgs are scheduled to be put to death on Jan. 14 and 15 while two other executions are scheduled for December .
The Justice Department resumed federal executions this year after a 17-year hiatus .
Eight people have been executed since July , more than during the previous half-century , despite waning public support from both Democrats and Republicans for its use .
Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo has said the president-elect “ opposes the death penalty now and in the future ” and would work as president to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say whether executions would be paused immediately once Biden takes office .
Montgomery was convicted of killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in December 2004 .
She used a rope to strangle Stinnett , who was eight months pregnant , and then cut the baby girl from the womb with a kitchen knife , authorities said .
Montgomery took the child with her and attempted to pass the girl off as her own , prosecutors said .
Montgomery ’ s lawyers have argued that their client suffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is difficult to grasp the extremity of the horrors Lisa suffered from her earliest childhood , including being raped by her stepfather , handed off to his friends for their use , sold to groups of adult men by her own mother and repeatedly gang raped , and relentlessly beaten and neglected .
No one intervened to help Lisa , though many knew what was happening to her , ” attorney Sandra Babcock said in a statement .
“ No other woman has been executed for a similar crime , because most prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ product of trauma and mental illness , ” Babcock said .
“ Executing Lisa Montgomery would be yet another injustice inflicted on a woman who has known a lifetime of mistreatment .
”

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. government now plans to execute the first female inmate in almost six decades just days before President-elect Joe Biden, an opponent of the death penalty, takes office.
Attorneys for Lisa Montgomery said Monday that the Justice Department rescheduled her execution for Jan. 12. Biden’s inauguration comes Jan. 20.
A federal judge in Washington had delayed the December execution of Montgomery, 49, because her lawyers tested positive for the novel coronavirus after visiting her behind bars. The delay was meant to allow her attorneys to recover from the virus and file a clemency petition on her behalf.
Montgomery’s attorneys, Kelley Henry and Amy Harwell, said they both tested positive for COVID-19 after they flew from Nashville, Tennessee, to visit her at the federal prison in Texas where she is serving her sentence. In court papers, they said each roundtrip visit from Nashville involved two flights, hotel stays and interaction with airline and hotel staff, as well as prison employees.
With the new execution date, Montgomery would be one of three federal inmates scheduled to die that week. Cory Johnson and Dustin Higgs are scheduled to be put to death on Jan. 14 and 15 while two other executions are scheduled for December.
The Justice Department resumed federal executions this year after a 17-year hiatus. Eight people have been executed since July, more than during the previous half-century, despite waning public support from both Democrats and Republicans for its use.
Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo has said the president-elect “opposes the death penalty now and in the future” and would work as president to end its use. But Ducklo did not say whether executions would be paused immediately once Biden takes office.
Montgomery was convicted of killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in December 2004. She used a rope to strangle Stinnett, who was eight months pregnant, and then cut the baby girl from the womb with a kitchen knife, authorities said. Montgomery took the child with her and attempted to pass the girl off as her own, prosecutors said.
Montgomery’s lawyers have argued that their client suffers from serious mental illnesses.
“It is difficult to grasp the extremity of the horrors Lisa suffered from her earliest childhood, including being raped by her stepfather, handed off to his friends for their use, sold to groups of adult men by her own mother and repeatedly gang raped, and relentlessly beaten and neglected. No one intervened to help Lisa, though many knew what was happening to her,” attorney Sandra Babcock said in a statement.
“No other woman has been executed for a similar crime, because most prosecutors have recognized that it is inevitably the product of trauma and mental illness,” Babcock said. “Executing Lisa Montgomery would be yet another injustice inflicted on a woman who has known a lifetime of mistreatment.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Virus restrictions lead Norwegian champ to drop Iditarod

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - Norwegian musher Thomas Waerner said Monday that he won ’ t defend his title at next year ’ s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race because of restrictions and uncertainty over travel during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ I can not find a way to get the dogs to Alaska , ” Waerner said in an email to The Associated Press .
As he learned earlier this year , getting to Alaska is only half the battle : Waerner wasn ’ t able to return to his wife and five children in Torpa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s most famous sled dog race because travel was restricted as the pandemic took hold .
The Iditarod was one of the few professional sports that wasn ’ t canceled last March .
While the defending champion says he won ’ t participate in the 1,000-mile ( 1,609-kilometer ) race across the rugged Alaska terrain , the Iditarod is still scheduled to start March 7 .
That includes a fan-friendly ceremonial start a day earlier that usually attracts thousands of people in Anchorage .
Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach said organizers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official starts but have considered plans where small numbers of people are allowed to attend because of possible pandemic restrictions .
He said organizers not making a decision yet , with college basketball games , college football playoffs and the Super Bowl in the months ahead to guide them on how to incorporate fans .
“ It ’ s creating a lot of complexities , ” Urbach said of preparations .
“ It ’ s created a lot more work for all of us , but we ’ re extremely confident that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safest place you can be from COVID would be on the Iditarod trail.
” Organizers have developed a robust testing program , which may not be needed if a vaccine is widely available by March .
Helping them formulate their plan is Dr. Jodie Guest , an infectious disease epidemiologist at Emory University in Atlanta who has been an Iditarod race volunteer for years .
Urbach said Waerner , the 2020 champion , hopes to return to the race in 2022 .
“ I had to make the difficult decision to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a lot of work to get to the starting line in a normal year , and in this COVID times it is not possible to get dogs and myself to Alaska , ” Waerner posted on Facebook .
He told Hello Musher , a Norwegian publication dedicated to dog sledding culture , that it was “ impossible ” to plan “ and the clock is ticking fast .
There is so much we have no control ” over .
Once Waerner officially withdraws from the 2021 race , it will leave 57 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champions Martin Buser , Dallas Seavey , Pete Kaiser and Joar Leifseth Ulsom , also originally from Norway .
The same number of mushers started the 2019 race but only 33 finished .
Waerner and his 16 dogs crossed the finish line in Nome on March 18 .
They were stuck in Alaska until catching a ride on a plane bound for a museum in Oslo , Norway , in June .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Norwegian musher Thomas Waerner said Monday that he won’t defend his title at next year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race because of restrictions and uncertainty over travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I cannot find a way to get the dogs to Alaska,” Waerner said in an email to The Associated Press.
As he learned earlier this year, getting to Alaska is only half the battle: Waerner wasn’t able to return to his wife and five children in Torpa, Norway, for months after winning the world’s most famous sled dog race because travel was restricted as the pandemic took hold. The Iditarod was one of the few professional sports that wasn’t canceled last March.
While the defending champion says he won’t participate in the 1,000-mile (1,609-kilometer) race across the rugged Alaska terrain, the Iditarod is still scheduled to start March 7.
That includes a fan-friendly ceremonial start a day earlier that usually attracts thousands of people in Anchorage.
Iditarod CEO Rob Urbach said organizers are planning normal events for the ceremonial and official starts but have considered plans where small numbers of people are allowed to attend because of possible pandemic restrictions.
He said organizers not making a decision yet, with college basketball games, college football playoffs and the Super Bowl in the months ahead to guide them on how to incorporate fans.
“It’s creating a lot of complexities,” Urbach said of preparations. “It’s created a lot more work for all of us, but we’re extremely confident that we can have an event so that probably the safest place you can be from COVID would be on the Iditarod trail.”
Organizers have developed a robust testing program, which may not be needed if a vaccine is widely available by March. Helping them formulate their plan is Dr. Jodie Guest, an infectious disease epidemiologist at Emory University in Atlanta who has been an Iditarod race volunteer for years.
Urbach said Waerner, the 2020 champion, hopes to return to the race in 2022.
“I had to make the difficult decision to not start in the Iditarod 2021. It is a lot of work to get to the starting line in a normal year, and in this COVID times it is not possible to get dogs and myself to Alaska,” Waerner posted on Facebook.
He told Hello Musher, a Norwegian publication dedicated to dog sledding culture, that it was “impossible” to plan “and the clock is ticking fast. There is so much we have no control” over.
Once Waerner officially withdraws from the 2021 race, it will leave 57 mushers in the mix, including former champions Martin Buser, Dallas Seavey, Pete Kaiser and Joar Leifseth Ulsom, also originally from Norway. The same number of mushers started the 2019 race but only 33 finished.
Waerner and his 16 dogs crossed the finish line in Nome on March 18. They were stuck in Alaska until catching a ride on a plane bound for a museum in Oslo, Norway, in June.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--John Brennan takes anti-Trump victory lap: 'I leave his fate to our judicial system'

President Barack Obama ’ s CIA director crowed on Twitter about President Trump ‘ s apparent electoral defeat and hinted that the former tycoon might be in legal jeopardy .
John O. Brennan , who has been a vehement critic of Mr. Trump in a way even he acknowledges is unusual for a former top spy , also said in Monday evening ’ s tweetstorm that he will henceforth be silent about the Republican president .
“ I now plan to ignore Trump .
I leave his fate to our judicial system , his infamy to history , & his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said before going to praise presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden and presumed Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris .
“ The national security team of P-E Biden and VP-E Harris has numerous challenges ahead of it & wise national security policies merit strong bipartisan support , ” he wrote just hours after the General Services Administration said it would start cooperating with Mr. Biden ’ s transition team .
But despite his vow of future silence , Mr. Brennan couldn ’ t resist taking a last few shots at Mr. Trump , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his presidency .
“ For four years , I spoke out vigorously against Donald Trump ‘ s craven dishonesty , corrupt pursuit of personal interests , & trampling of our democratic principles .
After serving over three decades in national security , I felt compelled to condemn Trump ‘ s depravity & incompetence , ” he said .
“ My outspokenness has brought criticism , retaliation by the Trump Administration , & threats by those blinded by Trump ‘ s demagoguery .
Yes , it is unusual for a former CIA Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autocrat descended upon the White House , silence was not an option for me , ” Mr. Brennan continued .
The next tweet in the thread was the vow of silence .

President Barack Obama’s CIA director crowed on Twitter about President Trump’s apparent electoral defeat and hinted that the former tycoon might be in legal jeopardy.
John O. Brennan, who has been a vehement critic of Mr. Trump in a way even he acknowledges is unusual for a former top spy, also said in Monday evening’s tweetstorm that he will henceforth be silent about the Republican president.
“I now plan to ignore Trump. I leave his fate to our judicial system, his infamy to history, & his legacy to a trash heap,” he said before going to praise presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden and presumed Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris.
“The national security team of P-E Biden and VP-E Harris has numerous challenges ahead of it & wise national security policies merit strong bipartisan support,” he wrote just hours after the General Services Administration said it would start cooperating with Mr. Biden’s transition team.
For four years, I spoke out vigorously against Donald Trump’s craven dishonesty, corrupt pursuit of personal interests, & trampling of our democratic principles. After serving over three decades in national security, I felt compelled to condemn Trump’s depravity & incompetence. — John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) November 24, 2020
But despite his vow of future silence, Mr. Brennan couldn’t resist taking a last few shots at Mr. Trump, who regularly derided him as a deep-state saboteur of his presidency.
“For four years, I spoke out vigorously against Donald Trump’s craven dishonesty, corrupt pursuit of personal interests, & trampling of our democratic principles. After serving over three decades in national security, I felt compelled to condemn Trump’s depravity & incompetence,” he said.
“My outspokenness has brought criticism, retaliation by the Trump Administration, & threats by those blinded by Trump’s demagoguery. Yes, it is unusual for a former CIA Director to speak out, but when an autocrat descended upon the White House, silence was not an option for me,” Mr. Brennan continued.
The next tweet in the thread was the vow of silence.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--NFL expands mask mandate, threatens to discipline violators

The NFL has expanded its mandate for mask usage on the sideline and is threatening discipline for those who violate the league ’ s updated COVID-19 protocols .
The league told teams in a memo on Monday that players who are not substituting or preparing to enter the field of play and are not wearing their helmets will be required to wear a mask or a double-layered gaiter on the sideline , starting this week .
Play-callers now must wear a mask even if they have a face shield .
Postgame interactions between players and staff will be limited .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear masks and may briefly greet opponents after games .
“ Players who fail to wear masks on the sidelines will be subject to discipline , ” the league said in its memo .
“ Clubs are required to enforce these rules .
Violations by players and/or staff will result in accountability measures being imposed upon the club .
It is strongly recommended that each club designate one or two individuals in the bench area to ensure compliance with these rules.
” The league is also reducing the maximum number of players that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who travels to a game , including injured who are not eligible to play , will count against the 62-player maximum .
Starting in Week 13 , all members of a team ’ s traveling party are required to wear N95 or KN95 masks on team planes and buses .
Starting Nov. 30 , access to a team ’ s training facility will be limited to essential football and support personnel during the times players and coaches are present .
The league is also limiting the number of specialists such as chiropractors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a club ’ s facility each week to five .

The NFL has expanded its mandate for mask usage on the sideline and is threatening discipline for those who violate the league’s updated COVID-19 protocols.
The league told teams in a memo on Monday that players who are not substituting or preparing to enter the field of play and are not wearing their helmets will be required to wear a mask or a double-layered gaiter on the sideline, starting this week.
Play-callers now must wear a mask even if they have a face shield. Postgame interactions between players and staff will be limited. Also, players and team personnel must wear masks and may briefly greet opponents after games.
“Players who fail to wear masks on the sidelines will be subject to discipline,” the league said in its memo. “Clubs are required to enforce these rules. Violations by players and/or staff will result in accountability measures being imposed upon the club. It is strongly recommended that each club designate one or two individuals in the bench area to ensure compliance with these rules.”
The league is also reducing the maximum number of players that may travel to 62. Any player who travels to a game, including injured who are not eligible to play, will count against the 62-player maximum.
Starting in Week 13, all members of a team’s traveling party are required to wear N95 or KN95 masks on team planes and buses.
Starting Nov. 30, access to a team’s training facility will be limited to essential football and support personnel during the times players and coaches are present.
The league is also limiting the number of specialists such as chiropractors, massage therapists and barbers that may enter a club’s facility each week to five.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Southern California man sentenced for $5M bank fraud scams

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A Southern California man was sentenced to federal prison Monday for bilking banks out of nearly $ 5 million by racking up expenses on illegally obtained credit cards , including cemetery plots , liquor and Rolex watches , prosecutors said .
Mikayel Hmayakyan , 43 , of Glendale , was sentenced to seven years in prison .
He pleaded guilty in June to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft .
He also was ordered to pay nearly $ 5 million in restitution .
Hmayakyan and others swindled more than 20 banks by obtaining credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After running up the cards to their credit limits , the schemers restored the credit lines by submitting payments from accounts with insufficient funds or through other fake accounts , according to a statement from the U.S. attorney ’ s office .
The charges included dozens of watches and other jewelry items , nearly 40,000 liquor bottles and plots at Forest Lawn cemetery , prosecutors said .
The liquor was bought for a now-closed Glendale liquor store , while the cemetery plots were resold at a profit , authorities said .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for loans in the names of real and fictitious people that he used to buy cars without making the loan payments .
The schemes took place from 2010 through 2017 , authorities said .
Two other people pleaded guilty in connection with the schemes earlier and a third awaits trial .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Southern California man was sentenced to federal prison Monday for bilking banks out of nearly $5 million by racking up expenses on illegally obtained credit cards, including cemetery plots, liquor and Rolex watches, prosecutors said.
Mikayel Hmayakyan, 43, of Glendale, was sentenced to seven years in prison. He pleaded guilty in June to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. He also was ordered to pay nearly $5 million in restitution.
Hmayakyan and others swindled more than 20 banks by obtaining credit cards using their own or phony identities. After running up the cards to their credit limits, the schemers restored the credit lines by submitting payments from accounts with insufficient funds or through other fake accounts, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
The charges included dozens of watches and other jewelry items, nearly 40,000 liquor bottles and plots at Forest Lawn cemetery, prosecutors said. The liquor was bought for a now-closed Glendale liquor store, while the cemetery plots were resold at a profit, authorities said.
Prosecutors say Hmayakyan also bilked banks by applying for loans in the names of real and fictitious people that he used to buy cars without making the loan payments.
The schemes took place from 2010 through 2017, authorities said.
Two other people pleaded guilty in connection with the schemes earlier and a third awaits trial.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Portland jail inmates sue over protest tear gas exposure

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Several people who were in a Portland jail during summer protests against police brutality have filed a civil rights lawsuit over tear gas seeping into jail cells .
Theresa Davis , Rashawd Duhart and Robin Lundy filed the class-action suit Monday in federal court on behalf of dozens of inmates exposed to the gas during the mass racial justice protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
The suit says Multnomah County sheriff ’ s deputies ignored their “ cries for help , ” stopped responding to emergency calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trapped in their cells to suffer , ” The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
It says Multnomah County , Sheriff Mike Reese and deputies failed to protect the inmates , delayed medical care for people exposed and were negligent in not taking adequate precautions to safeguard the inmates .
Portland police or federal officers repeatedly fired tear gas during months of demonstrations downtown sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd , a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck despite his pleas that he couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 when about 250 people were housed in the Justice Center and a protest devolved into a riot declaration by police , who used tear gas to disperse the crowd .
Tear gas and smoke seeped into jail cells that night , causing inmates to cough and gag , the suit says .
About 12:30 a.m. on July 21 , women in one jail dorm were jolted awake by tear gas , with some of them screaming and pounding on cell doors for help , according to the suit .
At 1:17 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who authorized him to open the small food ports for ventilation , the suit says .
Lundy , one of the plaintiffs , described the conditions as “ total chaos and confusion.
” Chris Liedle , a spokesman from the Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office , told the newspaper in July that adults in custody and staff started experiencing a “ decrease in air quality ” because of smoke from fires set by demonstrators outside the Justice Center and “ later some effects from tear gas deployed by federal officers.
” As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office decided on July 21 to close air dampers each night to reduce the impact of the poor air quality , he said .
He added that air dampers had been closed when necessary before then .
The Associated Press has emailed the Multnomah County Sheriff ’ s Office seeking comment on the lawsuit .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Several people who were in a Portland jail during summer protests against police brutality have filed a civil rights lawsuit over tear gas seeping into jail cells.
Theresa Davis, Rashawd Duhart and Robin Lundy filed the class-action suit Monday in federal court on behalf of dozens of inmates exposed to the gas during the mass racial justice protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The suit says Multnomah County sheriff’s deputies ignored their “cries for help,” stopped responding to emergency calls and “left the women and men trapped in their cells to suffer,” The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
It says Multnomah County, Sheriff Mike Reese and deputies failed to protect the inmates, delayed medical care for people exposed and were negligent in not taking adequate precautions to safeguard the inmates.
Portland police or federal officers repeatedly fired tear gas during months of demonstrations downtown sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck despite his pleas that he couldn’t breathe.
The exposure began on May 29 when about 250 people were housed in the Justice Center and a protest devolved into a riot declaration by police, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Tear gas and smoke seeped into jail cells that night, causing inmates to cough and gag, the suit says.
About 12:30 a.m. on July 21, women in one jail dorm were jolted awake by tear gas, with some of them screaming and pounding on cell doors for help, according to the suit. At 1:17 a.m., a sergeant radioed a lieutenant, who authorized him to open the small food ports for ventilation, the suit says.
Lundy, one of the plaintiffs, described the conditions as “total chaos and confusion.”
Chris Liedle, a spokesman from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, told the newspaper in July that adults in custody and staff started experiencing a “decrease in air quality” because of smoke from fires set by demonstrators outside the Justice Center and “later some effects from tear gas deployed by federal officers.”
As a result, the sheriff’s office decided on July 21 to close air dampers each night to reduce the impact of the poor air quality, he said. He added that air dampers had been closed when necessary before then.
The Associated Press has emailed the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office seeking comment on the lawsuit.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Kelly meets with Ducey as he prepares to take seat in Senate

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Incoming Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly met with Republican Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey Monday as he prepares to take office as soon as next week .
The discussion at Ducey ’ s office in Phoenix touched on distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine , dealing with the economic fallout from the pandemic , infrastructure and trade with Mexico , both men said afterward .
“ We ’ re both looking forward to vaccinating a large majority of the population , ” Kelly said in a brief interview with The Associated Press .
“ We really need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably see the first vaccinations here in the state as early as December.
” Kelly said he ’ s concerned about polls showing much of the country doesn ’ t plan to get vaccinated , which would prevent the herd immunity necessary to keep the spread of the coronavirus in check .
Ducey and Kelly agreed that Congress needs to do more to sustain families that are struggling during the pandemic , Kelly said .
Kelly echoed calls from the mayors of Flagstaff , Phoenix , Tolleson and Tucson for Ducey to institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think it ’ s a really strong message to have a governor say , ‘ I want everybody to wear a mask and I ’ m going to require it and we ’ re going to enforce it , ’ ” Kelly said .
Ducey said last week that he believes Arizona has achieved as much compliance with mask-wearing as it will get , adding that nearly everyone in the state lives in a jurisdiction with a local mask requirement .
Ducey ’ s office posted photos on Twitter showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Daniel Scarpinato , meeting with Kelly and aide Tiernan Donohue .
All were wearing masks when the photos were taken .
“ There is no shortage of critical issues before our state and nation , and we ’ ll need both sides working together to really make a difference , ” Ducey said in a statement .
Kelly defeated Republican Martha McSally , whom Ducey appointed to fill John McCain ’ s former Senate seat until the November election .
Kelly will finish the last two years of McCain ’ s term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be seated in the Senate after Arizona ’ s election results are formally certified on Monday .

PHOENIX (AP) - Incoming Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly met with Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey Monday as he prepares to take office as soon as next week.
The discussion at Ducey’s office in Phoenix touched on distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, dealing with the economic fallout from the pandemic, infrastructure and trade with Mexico, both men said afterward.
“We’re both looking forward to vaccinating a large majority of the population,” Kelly said in a brief interview with The Associated Press. “We really need that and we’re going to probably see the first vaccinations here in the state as early as December.”
Kelly said he’s concerned about polls showing much of the country doesn’t plan to get vaccinated, which would prevent the herd immunity necessary to keep the spread of the coronavirus in check.
Ducey and Kelly agreed that Congress needs to do more to sustain families that are struggling during the pandemic, Kelly said.
Kelly echoed calls from the mayors of Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tolleson and Tucson for Ducey to institute a statewide mask mandate in public places.
“I think it’s a really strong message to have a governor say, ‘I want everybody to wear a mask and I’m going to require it and we’re going to enforce it,’” Kelly said.
Ducey said last week that he believes Arizona has achieved as much compliance with mask-wearing as it will get, adding that nearly everyone in the state lives in a jurisdiction with a local mask requirement.
Ducey’s office posted photos on Twitter showing the governor and his chief of staff, Daniel Scarpinato, meeting with Kelly and aide Tiernan Donohue. All were wearing masks when the photos were taken.
“There is no shortage of critical issues before our state and nation, and we’ll need both sides working together to really make a difference,” Ducey said in a statement.
Kelly defeated Republican Martha McSally, whom Ducey appointed to fill John McCain’s former Senate seat until the November election. Kelly will finish the last two years of McCain’s term and faces re-election in 2022. Kelly can be seated in the Senate after Arizona’s election results are formally certified on Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--2 kids killed, 4 hurt in North Texas go-kart collision

KAUFMAN , Texas ( AP ) - Two children were killed and four others were hurt this past weekend after @ @ @ @ @ SUV on a North Texas county road , authorities said .
Officials with the College @ @ @ @ @ County , along with the Texas Department of Public Safety and other agencies responded to @ @ @ @ @ p.m. on Saturday .
At the scene , authorities found that a go-kart with six @ @ @ @ @ seven and 12 had been hit by the SUV on the road in Kaufman County @ @ @ @ @ .
One child died at the scene .
Three children were taken by helicopters and @ @ @ @ @ to area hospitals .
Another child later died at a hospital .
The driver of @ @ @ @ @ .
No charges have been filed in the accident as their investigation continues , officials @ @ @ @ @ released the names of the children and updated conditions on those who survived the accident @ @ @ @ @ .

KAUFMAN, Texas (AP) - Two children were killed and four others were hurt this past weekend after their go-kart collided with an SUV on a North Texas county road, authorities said.
Officials with the College Mount Fire Department in Kaufman County, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety and other agencies responded to the accident at about 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
At the scene, authorities found that a go-kart with six children between the ages of seven and 12 had been hit by the SUV on the road in Kaufman County, located southeast of Dallas.
One child died at the scene.
Three children were taken by helicopters and two were taken by ambulances to area hospitals. Another child later died at a hospital.
The driver of the SUV was not injured.
No charges have been filed in the accident as their investigation continues, officials said.
Authorities have not released the names of the children and updated conditions on those who survived the accident were not immediately available Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Michigan certifies Biden win, Trump challenge thwarted again

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Michigan election officials on Monday certified Democrat Joe Biden ’ s 154,000-vote victory in the state , another setback for President Donald Trump in his futile effort to undermine the results of the Nov. 3 election through baseless legal challenges and unsupported claims of fraud .
The Board of State Canvassers , which has two Republicans and two Democrats , confirmed the results on a 3-0 vote with one abstention .
Allies of Trump and losing GOP Senate candidate John James had urged the panel to delay for two weeks to audit votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Detroit .
Biden crushed the president by more than 330,000 votes in the county .
Democratic Sen. Gary Peters ’ margin there was 332,000 .
Under Michigan law , Biden claims all 16 electoral votes .
Biden won by 2.8 percentage points statewide - a larger margin than in other states where Trump is contesting the results like Georgia , Arizona , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
Some Trump allies had expressed hope that state lawmakers could intervene in selecting Republican electors in states that do not certify .
That longshot , legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan .
“ The people of Michigan have spoken .
President-elect Biden won the state of Michigan by more than 154,000 votes , and he will be our next president on January 20th , ” Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , said in a statement , saying it is “ time to put this election behind us.
” The Trump legal team dismissed the certification as “ simply a procedural step ” and insisted it would fight on .
But the president ’ s efforts to stave off the inevitable - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing increasingly stiff resistance from the courts and fellow Republicans with just three weeks until the Electoral College meets to certify Biden ’ s victory .
Time and again , Trump ’ s challenges and allegations of widespread conspiracy and fraud have been met with rejection as states move forward with confirming their results .
“ The board ’ s duty today is very clear , ” said Aaron Van Langevelde , the Republican vice chair .
“ We have a duty to certify this election based on these returns .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these returns .
I ’ m not going to argue that we ’ re not.
” Mary Ellen Gurewitz , an attorney for the state Democratic Party , told the canvassers that attacks on the election results “ are part of a racist campaign , directed by soon-to-be former President Trump , to disparage the cities in this country with large Black populations , including Detroit , Philadelphia and Milwaukee.
” Trump has tried to defy the results of the election through the courts , but having found no luck there , moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers to convince them to ignore the popular vote and appoint Republican electors , a strategy that would send Americans into the streets in protest , election law experts have said .
Two GOP canvassers in Wayne County who certified the results unsuccessfully tried to reverse course last week after being called by Trump .
“ It sometimes feels like officials are attempting to tear up my ballot right in front of me by stalling and recounting until they find a way to change the results , ” said Wendy Gronbeck , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been a voter for over 50 years , and I ’ ve never had to think about whether canvassers will certify an election.
” Trump met with top Michigan GOP legislators at the White House on Friday and tweeted over the weekend : “ We will show massive and unprecedented fraud !
” Flesher reported from Traverse City .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Colleen Long in Washington contributed .

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan election officials on Monday certified Democrat Joe Biden’s 154,000-vote victory in the state, another setback for President Donald Trump in his futile effort to undermine the results of the Nov. 3 election through baseless legal challenges and unsupported claims of fraud.
The Board of State Canvassers, which has two Republicans and two Democrats, confirmed the results on a 3-0 vote with one abstention. Allies of Trump and losing GOP Senate candidate John James had urged the panel to delay a decision for two weeks so votes could be audited in heavily Democratic Wayne County, home to Detroit.
Biden defeated the president by more than 332,000 votes in the county. Democratic Sen. Gary Peters’ margin there was 322,000.
“The people of Michigan have spoken. President-elect Biden won the state of Michigan by more than 154,000 votes, and he will be our next president on January 20th,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, said in a statement, saying it is “time to put this election behind us.”
The Trump legal team dismissed the certification as “simply a procedural step” and insisted it would fight on. But the president’s efforts to stave off the inevitable - formal recognition of his defeat - is facing increasingly stiff resistance from the courts and fellow Republicans with just three weeks until the Electoral College meets to certify Biden’s victory.
Trump supporters in Michigan pinned their hopes on canvassing boards - obscure panels that meet after elections to determine results based on reports from local clerks. They have no power to audit results or investigate fraud allegations, a point emphasized by Aaron Van Langevelde, the Republican vice chair, during Monday’s state board meeting.
“The board’s duty today is very clear,” Van Langevelde said. “We have a duty to certify this election based on these returns. That is very clear. We are limited to these returns.”
He joined Democrats Jeannette Bradshaw and Julie Matuzak in voting to certify the results.
Norman Shinkle, a Republican and former state senator, abstained after arguing that the panel was legally empowered to take more time and look into complaints. He raised numerous questions about Wayne County’s procedures and said Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson had failed to fix chronic shortcomings with absentee ballot distribution and vote tabulation, among other problems.
“It is unacceptable that so many questions have been raised about the 2020 election,” Shinkle said. “There needs to be a thorough and full review of Michigan’s election process and procedures so this never happens again and we don’t have a nation watching and wondering what happened in Michigan.”
Others disputed his characterization, saying local election coordinators and staff had overcome daunting obstacles ranging from budget cuts to closed buildings and loss of family members to the coronavirus.
The state elections bureau “has not identified any irregularities this year, other than the typical, occasional human error that is always part of the process,” director Jonathan Brater said. “Overall, we had an extremely well-run and secure election.”
In sharp contrast to the typical canvassing board meeting, this one lasted about 8 1/2 hours, drawing more than 30,000 online viewers and hundreds of public comments that poured in long after the vote had been taken.
“It sometimes feels like officials are attempting to tear up my ballot right in front of me by stalling and recounting until they find a way to change the results,” said Wendy Gronbeck, a resident of Douglas. “I’ve been a voter for over 50 years, and I’ve never had to think about whether canvassers will certify an election.”
Mary Ellen Gurewitz, an attorney for the state Democratic Party, told the canvassers that attacks on the election results “are part of a racist campaign, directed by soon-to-be former President Trump, to disparage the cities in this country with large Black populations, including Detroit, Philadelphia and Milwaukee.”
Michigan GOP chairman Laura Cox called for a certification delay, complaining that “there are too many questions… too many numerical anomalies and credible reports of procedural irregularities,” without offering examples.
“At every step this election process has been stacked against Republicans,” Cox said.
After the board’s vote, the Michigan Supreme Court denied an appeal from two GOP challengers who had sought to block Wayne County’s certification of its votes.
Benson said the decision meant that democracy had “survived an unprecedented attack on its integrity.”
Trump also has tried to defy the results of the election through the courts and by persuading lawmakers to ignore the popular vote and appoint Republican electors. That longshot, legally suspect bid is no longer possible in Michigan.
Trump met with top Michigan GOP legislators at the White House on Friday and tweeted over the weekend: “We will show massive and unprecedented fraud!”
Biden will receive all 16 of the state’s electoral votes. He won by 2.8 percentage points statewide - a larger margin than in other states where Trump is contesting the results, such as Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
The board also confirmed Peters’ 92,000-vote, or 1.7-percentage point, win over James, who has not conceded.
“The election is over and it’s time for everyone to move forward,” Peters said in a statement. “We need to come together as a state and country to address the pressing challenges facing us, starting with this unprecedented pandemic.”
___
Flesher reported from Traverse City. Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Colleen Long in Washington contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Wyoming prepares to clear winter roads amid budget cuts

CODY , Wyo .
( AP ) - The Wyoming Department of Transportation will do all it can to keep winter roads clear in the face of budget cuts implemented earlier this year , an official said .
Transportation department spokesperson Cody Beers said the agency ’ s top priority will be to keep school bus routes open , The Cody Enterprise reports .
“ We have a limited amount of funds and we ’ re going to try to keep under budget , ” Beers said .
“ We ’ re going to try to do as much as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look the same as it has in the past.
” Budget cuts have not affected stores of sand and salt for roads , but drivers will need to increase their personal responsibility while traveling , Beers said .
“ If it ’ s snowing and blowing in Wyoming , maybe it ’ s okay to get to your appointment another day , ” Beers said .
“ Can you leave earlier in the day ?
Can you drive slower ?
It ’ s probably going to require a lot more care on drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the winter has helped the department ’ s budget by saving funds necessary for overtime pay and equipment costs , Beers said .

CODY, Wyo. (AP) - The Wyoming Department of Transportation will do all it can to keep winter roads clear in the face of budget cuts implemented earlier this year, an official said.
Transportation department spokesperson Cody Beers said the agency’s top priority will be to keep school bus routes open, The Cody Enterprise reports.
“We have a limited amount of funds and we’re going to try to keep under budget,” Beers said. “We’re going to try to do as much as we can and try to make it look the same as it has in the past.”
Budget cuts have not affected stores of sand and salt for roads, but drivers will need to increase their personal responsibility while traveling, Beers said.
“If it’s snowing and blowing in Wyoming, maybe it’s okay to get to your appointment another day,” Beers said. “Can you leave earlier in the day? Can you drive slower? It’s probably going to require a lot more care on drivers’ parts.”
A more temperate start to the winter has helped the department’s budget by saving funds necessary for overtime pay and equipment costs, Beers said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--2 charged in killing of LA marijuana dispensary worker

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Two people have been charged in the killing of a Los Angeles marijuana dispensary @ @ @ @ @ in a shallow grave in the Mojave Desert , authorities said Monday .
Juan Carlos @ @ @ @ @ student from South Los Angeles , disappeared on Sept. 22 and his body was found @ @ @ @ @ a remote area between Barstow and Baker .
Ethan Astaphan , 27 , of San @ @ @ @ @ murder and Sonita Heng , 20 , of Los Angeles was charged with being an @ @ @ @ @ the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office said in a statement .
They @ @ @ @ @ 10 million bail each .
It wasn ’ t clear if they had attorneys to @ @ @ @ @ faces up to 25 years to life in state prison if convicted .
Heng faces @ @ @ @ @ Authorities haven ’ t released a possible motive or other details about the killing .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Two people have been charged in the killing of a Los Angeles marijuana dispensary worker whose body was found in a shallow grave in the Mojave Desert, authorities said Monday.
Juan Carlos Hernandez, a 21-year-old college student from South Los Angeles, disappeared on Sept. 22 and his body was found nearly two months later in a remote area between Barstow and Baker.
Ethan Astaphan, 27, of San Gabriel pleaded not guilty Monday after being charged with murder and Sonita Heng, 20, of Los Angeles pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact.
They were being held on $10 million bail each.
Astaphan faces up to 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. Heng faces three years in prison.
Authorities haven’t released a possible motive or other details about the killing.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--Steve Wynn wins round in legal fight with Nevada regulators

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Former Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn won a battle in a legal fight about whether Nevada gambling regulators can discipline or fine him over allegations of workplace sexual misconduct even though he no longer is licensed or involved in the gambling industry .
Wynn attorney Colby Williams declined Monday to comment about a state court judge ’ s finding that because Wynn has no ties to the casino business , the state Gaming Commission and Gaming Control Board have no jurisdiction over him .
In a statement , the Gaming Control Board said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be made soon .
The finding can be appealed to the state Supreme Court .
Williams and Wynn attorney Don Campbell argued to the commission that their 78-year-old client no longer lives in Nevada and has no intention of re-entering the casino industry .
The dispute arose after the Gaming Commission last December , at a hearing that Wynn did not attend , began considering fining him up to $ 500,000 and declaring him unsuitable to renew ties to gambling in Nevada .
The Gaming Control Board said Wynn ’ s license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” following media reports in early 2018 about allegations by several women that Wynn sexually harassed or assaulted them at his hotels .
Wynn denies all allegations against him .
Campbell said Wynn wasn ’ t personally licensed when he resigned in February 2018 as Wynn Resorts chairman and chief executive , divested himself of company shares and quit the corporate board .
The Nevada Gaming Commission fined Wynn Resorts $ 20 million for failing to investigate claims of sexual misconduct made against Wynn before he resigned .
Massachusetts gambling regulators fined Wynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company chief executive Matthew Maddox $ 500,000 for failing to disclose while applying for a license for a Boston-area casino that there had been years of sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn .
Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to accept $ 20 million in damages from Wynn and $ 21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations .
The agreements made no admission of wrongdoing .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Former Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn won a battle in a legal fight about whether Nevada gambling regulators can discipline or fine him over allegations of workplace sexual misconduct even though he no longer is licensed or involved in the gambling industry.
Wynn attorney Colby Williams declined Monday to comment about a state court judge’s finding that because Wynn has no ties to the casino business, the state Gaming Commission and Gaming Control Board have no jurisdiction over him. In a statement, the Gaming Control Board said a decision about “next steps” will be made soon.
The finding can be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
Williams and Wynn attorney Don Campbell argued to the commission that their 78-year-old client no longer lives in Nevada and has no intention of re-entering the casino industry.
The dispute arose after the Gaming Commission last December, at a hearing that Wynn did not attend, began considering fining him up to $500,000 and declaring him unsuitable to renew ties to gambling in Nevada.
The Gaming Control Board said Wynn’s license had been placed on “administrative hold” following media reports in early 2018 about allegations by several women that Wynn sexually harassed or assaulted them at his hotels.
Wynn denies all allegations against him.
Campbell said Wynn wasn’t personally licensed when he resigned in February 2018 as Wynn Resorts chairman and chief executive, divested himself of company shares and quit the corporate board.
The Nevada Gaming Commission fined Wynn Resorts $20 million for failing to investigate claims of sexual misconduct made against Wynn before he resigned.
Massachusetts gambling regulators fined Wynn Resorts another $35 million and new company chief executive Matthew Maddox $500,000 for failing to disclose while applying for a license for a Boston-area casino that there had been years of sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn.
Wynn Resorts agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations.
The agreements made no admission of wrongdoing.


washingtontimes--2020-11-23--3-day ticket blitz, 130 $100 citations for going maskless

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - A three-day ticket blitz in South Carolina ’ s capital city brought 130 citations for going unmasked in public places despite the coronavirus pandemic - and the fire chief says more are coming .
“ I don ’ t mind tipping my hand , ” Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told The State .
“ Yes , we are going to be out there.
” He spoke Sunday , the sixth day in a row that South Carolina had reported more than 1,000 infections of the new coronavirus .
Monday made it seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 194,902 .
Five deaths from COVID-19 were reported Monday , bringing the total to 3,987 .
Columbia passed a mask ordinance in June and beefed it up this month , including a $ 100 fine .
Before the weekend blitz , only about 50 citations had been issued .
Nearly all of last week ’ s citations were in Columbia ’ s Five Points nightlife area , though department personnel also checked other areas including hospitality districts and big box stores , Jenkins said Sunday .
Mayor Steve Benjamin said 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday night , and 39 on Saturday night .
“ Over the course of when the ordinance first came into effect , we hadn ’ t been writing many citations , ” Jenkins told The State .
“ We were just educating and warning people.
” But the disease ’ s recent spike requires action , he said .
“ It ’ s not about writing tickets .
It ’ s about getting people to look at the seriousness of what ’ s going on , ” Jenkins added .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired of reckless behavior as loved ones perish .
COVID cases continue to rise and our economy is disrupted .
Patience has run thin , and citations and penalties will accelerate if folks continue to flout the law .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A three-day ticket blitz in South Carolina’s capital city brought 130 citations for going unmasked in public places despite the coronavirus pandemic - and the fire chief says more are coming.
“I don’t mind tipping my hand,” Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told The State. “Yes, we are going to be out there.”
He spoke Sunday, the sixth day in a row that South Carolina had reported more than 1,000 infections of the new coronavirus. Monday made it seven, with 1,095 positive tests and a total of 194,902. Five deaths from COVID-19 were reported Monday, bringing the total to 3,987.
Columbia passed a mask ordinance in June and beefed it up this month, including a $100 fine. Before the weekend blitz, only about 50 citations had been issued.
Nearly all of last week’s citations were in Columbia’s Five Points nightlife area, though department personnel also checked other areas including hospitality districts and big box stores, Jenkins said Sunday.
Mayor Steve Benjamin said 27 citations were issued Thursday night, 64 on Friday night, and 39 on Saturday night.
“Over the course of when the ordinance first came into effect, we hadn’t been writing many citations,” Jenkins told The State. “We were just educating and warning people.”
But the disease’s recent spike requires action, he said.
“It’s not about writing tickets. It’s about getting people to look at the seriousness of what’s going on,” Jenkins added.
The mayor said, “Citizens are sick and tired of reckless behavior as loved ones perish. COVID cases continue to rise and our economy is disrupted. Patience has run thin, and citations and penalties will accelerate if folks continue to flout the law.
“Please wear your mask.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--'We just ran': Ethiopians fleeing war find little relief

UMM RAKOUBA , Sudan ( AP ) - The baby was born on the run from war .
Her first bath was in a puddle .
Now she cries all night in a country that is not her own .
Wrapped in borrowed clothing , the child is one of the newest and most fragile refugees among more than 40,000 who have fled the Ethiopian government ’ s offensive in the defiant Tigray region .
They have hurried into Sudan , often under gunfire , sometimes so quickly they had to leave family behind .
There is not enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and very little shelter .
Some drink from the river that separates the countries , and more cross it every day .
“ We walked in the desert .
We slept in the desert , ” said one refugee , Blaines Alfao Eileen , who is eight months pregnant and has befriended Lemlem Haylo Rada , the mother of the newborn .
One woman is ethnic Tigrayan , the other ethnic Amhara .
The conflict could have turned them against each other , but motherhood intervened .
That , and tragedy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is and whether he ’ s alive , ” Eileen said .
Her journey took four days .
“ I slept on this scarf that I am holding , ” she said , “ and I would wake up and do it again.
” Almost half the refugees are children under 18 .
Around 700 women are currently pregnant , the United Nations says .
At least nine have given birth in Sudan .
It has been three weeks since Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent federal troops into Tigray after accusing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military base .
Abiy ’ s government and the regional one each view the other as illegitimate , and the Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister on Sunday warned that a final assault to take Tigray ’ s capital is imminent .
Civilians are caught in the middle of what some experts describe as a conflict akin to an inter-state war , so heavily armed is each side .
Many people barely know why they had to flee .
Now , people of all classes , from bankers to subsistence farmers , spend up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , waiting in makeshift shelters in arid , almost treeless surroundings just over the border in Sudan ; it used to be just two or three days .
Some refugees have little to protect them from the heat and sun and curl under possessions as meager as umbrellas .
Men have begun weaving dried grass into temporary homes .
COVID-19 could be passing through the crowds , but the people ’ s focus is elsewhere .
More wear crosses around their necks than face masks .
The local Sudanese villagers have been praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little to give .
More permanent camps for the refugees are a drive of several hours away , and there is sometimes not even enough fuel to transport them there .
The threat of hostilities remains while they wait so close to the border .
Some overworked humanitarians have used the bare floor of a local building as a makeshift hospital , treating wounds that refugees say were inflicted with machetes as Ethiopia ’ s long pent-up ethnic tensions were unleashed .
Authorities are trying to keep ethnic Tigrayan refugees separate from ethnic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible clashes .
“ We don ’ t know who is fighting us .
We don ’ t know who is with us or who is not with us .
We don ’ t know .
When the war came , we just ran , ” said Aret Abraham .
There is little comfort to be found , even a hot meal .
The refugees can wait several hours to receive food .
Sometimes they get none .
“ I have been here 14 days and have not received anything , ” one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear.
” But everyone wears the new plastic bracelet of a refugee , handed out by the U.N. as they are registered .
The U.N. refugee agency has provided food and care to some 300 malnourished Ethiopian children and pregnant and nursing women in Sudan , according to spokesperson Babar Baloch .
People sit and wait , and wait .
One small girl , frustrated , twisted the head of a plastic doll until the head popped free .
A man wept into the crook of his arm as he held up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The boy was shot dead , he said .
The more permanent camps were last used in the 1980s for Ethiopians fleeing a famine worsened by a yearslong civil war .
For a long time , those images of starving people were seared onto Ethiopia ’ s reputation .
It took decades to turn the country into one of Africa ’ s biggest success stories , with one of the world ’ s fastest-growing economies .
But behind the boom , political repression kept hostilities among ethnic groups in check .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , and we were happy , ” recalled Menas Hgoos , who now finds herself fleeing to Sudan a second time .
“ And now Abiy Ahmed is attacking us , we just left with only the clothes on our backs.
” Many of the new refugees are too young to remember past miseries .
They are suddenly too burdened with their own - and with worries for those who did not make it out .
“ There are also a lot of people who live there who can ’ t escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pausing to think of loved ones who are now impossible to reach .
“ That is so more sad.
” Associated Press writers Cara Anna in Nairobi , Kenya , and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report .

UMM RAKOUBA, Sudan (AP) - The baby was born on the run from war. Her first bath was in a puddle. Now she cries all night in a country that is not her own.
Wrapped in borrowed clothing, the child is one of the newest and most fragile refugees among more than 40,000 who have fled the Ethiopian government’s offensive in the defiant Tigray region.
They have hurried into Sudan, often under gunfire, sometimes so quickly they had to leave family behind. There is not enough to feed them in this remote area, and very little shelter. Some drink from the river that separates the countries, and more cross it every day.
“We walked in the desert. We slept in the desert,” said one refugee, Blaines Alfao Eileen, who is eight months pregnant and has befriended Lemlem Haylo Rada, the mother of the newborn. One woman is ethnic Tigrayan, the other ethnic Amhara. The conflict could have turned them against each other, but motherhood intervened.
That, and tragedy. “I do not know where my husband is and whether he’s alive,” Eileen said.
Her journey took four days. “I slept on this scarf that I am holding,” she said, “and I would wake up and do it again.”
Almost half the refugees are children under 18. Around 700 women are currently pregnant, the United Nations says. At least nine have given birth in Sudan.
It has been three weeks since Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent federal troops into Tigray after accusing the region’s forces of attacking a military base. Abiy’s government and the regional one each view the other as illegitimate, and the Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister on Sunday warned that a final assault to take Tigray’s capital is imminent.
Civilians are caught in the middle of what some experts describe as a conflict akin to an inter-state war, so heavily armed is each side.
Many people barely know why they had to flee. Now, people of all classes, from bankers to subsistence farmers, spend up to two weeks in so-called transit centers, waiting in makeshift shelters in arid, almost treeless surroundings just over the border in Sudan; it used to be just two or three days.
Some refugees have little to protect them from the heat and sun and curl under possessions as meager as umbrellas. Men have begun weaving dried grass into temporary homes.
COVID-19 could be passing through the crowds, but the people’s focus is elsewhere. More wear crosses around their necks than face masks.
The local Sudanese villagers have been praised for their generosity, but they have little to give.
More permanent camps for the refugees are a drive of several hours away, and there is sometimes not even enough fuel to transport them there. The threat of hostilities remains while they wait so close to the border.
Some overworked humanitarians have used the bare floor of a local building as a makeshift hospital, treating wounds that refugees say were inflicted with machetes as Ethiopia’s long pent-up ethnic tensions were unleashed.
Authorities are trying to keep ethnic Tigrayan refugees separate from ethnic Amhara ones, out of concern about possible clashes.
“We don’t know who is fighting us. We don’t know who is with us or who is not with us. We don’t know. When the war came, we just ran,” said Aret Abraham.
There is little comfort to be found, even a hot meal. The refugees can wait several hours to receive food. Sometimes they get none.
“I have been here 14 days and have not received anything,” one said. “I have no clothes to wear.” But everyone wears the new plastic bracelet of a refugee, handed out by the U.N. as they are registered.
The U.N. refugee agency has provided food and care to some 300 malnourished Ethiopian children and pregnant and nursing women in Sudan, according to spokesperson Babar Baloch.
People sit and wait, and wait. One small girl, frustrated, twisted the head of a plastic doll until the head popped free.
A man wept into the crook of his arm as he held up a tiny photo of his 12-year-old son. The boy was shot dead, he said.
The more permanent camps were last used in the 1980s for Ethiopians fleeing a famine worsened by a yearslong civil war.
For a long time, those images of starving people were seared onto Ethiopia’s reputation. It took decades to turn the country into one of Africa’s biggest success stories, with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. But behind the boom, political repression kept hostilities among ethnic groups in check.
“We felt like we’d made it, and we were happy,” recalled Menas Hgoos, who now finds herself fleeing to Sudan a second time. “And now Abiy Ahmed is attacking us, we just left with only the clothes on our backs.”
Many of the new refugees are too young to remember past miseries. They are suddenly too burdened with their own - and with worries for those who did not make it out.
“There are also a lot of people who live there who can’t escape here,” said Haftoun Berha, pausing to think of loved ones who are now impossible to reach. “That is so more sad.”
___
Associated Press journalists Cara Anna in Nairobi, Kenya, Samy Magdy in Cairo, and Mohaned Awad in Qadarif, Sudan, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Uganda death toll after opposition leader's arrest up to 45

KAMPALA , Uganda ( AP ) - The death toll from last week ’ s protests over the arrest of Ugandan opposition presidential hopeful and musician Bobi Wine has risen to 45 , police say , with more than 800 people arrested .
Police spokesman Fred Enanga told reporters on Monday that “ our hearts go to the families ” of those killed .
It was Uganda ’ s worst unrest in a decade .
The election is early next year .
Enanga said the arrests occurred during the two days of protests that broke out on Nov. 18 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town of Luuka .
Police accused him of flouting COVID-19 guidelines that require presidential candidates to address less than 200 people .
He was later charged with negligent conduct likely to cause spread of an infectious disease .
Wine , who has been arrested many times in recent years , has captured the imagination of many Ugandans with his persistent calls for President Yoweri Museveni to retire after 36 years in power .
The United Nations secretary-general condemned the violence last week and called on Ugandan authorities to ensure that all ” perpetrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - The death toll from last week’s protests over the arrest of Ugandan opposition presidential hopeful and musician Bobi Wine has risen to 45, police say, with more than 800 people arrested.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga told reporters on Monday that “our hearts go to the families” of those killed. It was Uganda’s worst unrest in a decade. The election is early next year.
Enanga said the arrests occurred during the two days of protests that broke out on Nov. 18 after Wine was arrested again in the eastern town of Luuka.
Police accused him of flouting COVID-19 guidelines that require presidential candidates to address less than 200 people. He was later charged with negligent conduct likely to cause spread of an infectious disease.
Wine, who has been arrested many times in recent years, has captured the imagination of many Ugandans with his persistent calls for President Yoweri Museveni to retire after 36 years in power.
The United Nations secretary-general condemned the violence last week and called on Ugandan authorities to ensure that all ” perpetrators of human rights violation are held accountable.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--England to cut travel quarantines to 5 days with tests

LONDON ( AP ) - In a boost to holiday travel that will be cheered by families and businesses , the British government has laid out a plan to reduce England ’ s 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers from destinations not deemed safe to as little as five days if they test negative for COVID-19 .
The change to the quarantine rules , which was announced Tuesday and takes effect on Dec. 15 , has been long-awaited by the travel industry , one of the worst-hit sectors during the pandemic .
The industry hopes it will spur British families to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially if children won ’ t have to miss school upon their return .
Under the new rules , passengers from places not deemed safe can reduce the 14-day quarantine period by paying for a test from a private firm on or after Day 5 of their arrival at a potential cost of around 100 pounds ( $ 133 ) .
Results normally take a day or two .
“ Our new testing strategy will allow us to travel more freely , see loved ones and drive international business , ” Transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving people the choice to test on Day 5 , we are also supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic.
” The change does not apply to the other parts of the United Kingdom .
Travelers from Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales must continue to self-isolate for 14 days .
Representatives from the four nations are meeting later Tuesday to come up with a U.K.-wide approach over the relaxation of restrictions over the Christmas period .
All have indicated they will allow a degree of mixing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while stressing the need for caution .
The change in England ’ s travel rules brings them more in line with other European countries , including Germany .
Still , with a maze of travel and quarantine restrictions around the world , few industry experts anticipate a rapid rush for the skies before vaccinations become widely available .
“ We still have a complex jigsaw puzzle of restrictions around the world that need tourists to have a high IQ to understand , ” said Paul Charles , chief executive of travel consultancy The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see global consistency for travel to fully take off.
” Many popular holiday destinations , such as the United States or Canada , remain blocked off for English travelers , and trips to most of Europe require quarantining , except for isolated spots like Spain ’ s Canary Islands , off the coast of Africa .
British travelers have faced a chaotic , uncertain situation since travel was permitted again after the spring coronavirus lockdown .
The Conservative government has taken countries off its safe list at very short notice , prompting many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and France this summer and quickly return to the U.K. to avoid mandatory quarantines .
Tim Alderslade , chief executive of the industry association Airlines U.K. , said the announcement on a shorter quarantine period provided “ light at the end of the tunnel ” for the aviation industry and people wanting to go on holiday .
Mark Tanzer , chief executive of the travel trade group Abta , said the new testing scheme should make overseas travel “ more attractive and manageable for both holidaymakers and business travelers.
” The government also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ground handling firms beginning in 2021 .
“ This new package of support for airports , alongside a new testing regime for international arrivals , will help the sector take off once again as we build back better from the pandemic , ” said Treasury chief Rishi Sunak .
Sunak plans to unveil the government ’ s spending plans for 2021 on Wednesday .

LONDON (AP) - British authorities gave the green light Tuesday to holiday reunions, relaxing restrictions on social mixing over Christmas and offering arriving international travelers a way to cut short quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19.
The U.K. government and administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland struck a deal that will ease limits on travel and socializing over the festive period so that friends and families can get together. Over the five days between Dec. 23 and 27, up to three households can form a “Christmas bubble” and members can move freely between them. Those travelling to and from Northern Ireland will be permitted to travel for an additional day either side.
People are currently barred from visiting members of other households in much of the U.K., and there are limits on travel to high-infection areas,
Cabinet minister Michael Gove said the agreement “will offer hope for families and friends who have made many sacrifices over this difficult year.”
Government scientific advisers have signed off on the holiday plan, though scientists have warned it will likely lead to an increase in coronavirus infections.
Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, noted that the easing will be taking place when schools will be closed, which should dampen down on transmissions.
“Christmas, whether or not we celebrate the day as a religious festival, may be what we need to make it through the rest of winter,” he said.
In a boost to holiday travel, the 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers arriving in England from most destinations will be reduced to as little as five days if they test negative for COVID-19.
Under the new rules, passengers from places not on the government’s travel corridor list can reduce the 14-day quarantine period by paying for a test from a private firm on or after Day 5 of their arrival at a potential cost of around 100 pounds ($133). Results normally take a day or two.
“Our new testing strategy will allow us to travel more freely, see loved ones and drive international business,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said. “By giving people the choice to test on Day 5, we are also supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic.”
The change, which takes effect Dec. 15, has been long-awaited by the travel industry, one of the worst-hit sectors during the pandemic. The industry hopes it will spur British families to go on holiday over the Christmas break, especially if children won’t have to miss school upon their return.
The change only applies in England. Travelers arriving in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales must continue to self-isolate for 14 days.
The Christmas plan will allow people to travel anywhere in the U.K. to meet with loved ones in private homes, outdoors or in places of worship - though not in pubs and restaurants.
The decision to relax the rule comes amid evidence that new coronavirus infections have fallen since restrictions were tightened in the past few weeks, including a national lockdown in England that is due to end on Dec. 2. It will be replaced with regional measures that involve three tiers of restrictions based on the scale of the local outbreak.
Though daily numbers can fluctuate widely, the U.K. recorded another 11,299 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the lowest level since early October. The hope is that fewer infections will soon lead to a reduction in hospitalizations and the number of people dying from the coronavirus.
For now, though, virus-related deaths remain high and another 608 were reported on Tuesday. However, Tuesday’s figures have invariably been higher during the pandemic because of weekend reporting lag effects.
The change in England’s travel rules brings them more in line with other European countries, including Germany. Still, with a maze of travel and quarantine restrictions around the world, few industry experts anticipate a rapid rush for the skies before vaccinations become widely available.
“We still have a complex jigsaw puzzle of restrictions around the world that need tourists to have a high IQ to understand,” said Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency.
Many popular holiday destinations, such as the United States or Canada, remain blocked off for English travelers, and trips to most of Europe require quarantining, except for isolated spots like Spain’s Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of the industry association Airlines U.K., said the announcement on a shorter quarantine period provided “light at the end of the tunnel” for the aviation industry and people wanting to go on holiday.
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Jill Lawless contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Paris police under fire for forcing migrants from tent camp

PARIS ( AP ) - Paris police are under government orders to explain themselves after officers were filmed tossing migrants out of tents while evacuating a makeshift camp in the French capital .
Aid groups were working Tuesday to find temporary lodging for a few hundred migrants forcibly removed from the short-lived camp on the Place de la Republique in eastern Paris on Monday night .
Some images of the evacuation filmed by journalists and activists shocked even France ’ s tough-talking interior minister , Gerald Darmanin , who tweeted that he ordered the Paris police chief to provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted tents with migrants inside , shaking them until they tumbled to the ground , and those who resisted were kicked or beaten with batons , according to the head of Doctors Without Borders in France , Corinne Torre .
Images shared online showed activists and local officials shouting and trying to block police from dislodging the migrants .
Torre , who witnessed the evacuation , said several people sought treatment for injuries from her aid group , known by its French acronym MSF .
The Paris police headquarters said the Republique camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ invited ” the migrants to seek lodging elsewhere offered by the state or aid groups .
Aid groups and Paris legislators said they set up the tents to call attention to the plight of hundreds of migrants who were kicked out of another camp in the shadow of France ’ s national stadium last week and have been sleeping in the streets since then for lack of other options .
Most are from Afghanistan , Somalia and Eritrea .
Some have been refused asylum while others are in bureaucratic limbo while they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rough evacuation came the day before France ’ s parliament is set to vote Tuesday on a draft law meant to expand some police powers and provide greater protection to police .
It notably makes it a crime to publish images of police officers with intent to cause them harm , a measure that has prompted repeated protests by civil liberties campaigners and media freedom groups .

PARIS (AP) - Paris police are under government orders to explain themselves after officers were filmed tossing migrants out of tents while evacuating a makeshift camp in the French capital.
Aid groups were working Tuesday to find temporary lodging for a few hundred migrants forcibly removed from the short-lived camp on the Place de la Republique in eastern Paris on Monday night.
Some images of the evacuation filmed by journalists and activists shocked even France’s tough-talking interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, who tweeted that he ordered the Paris police chief to provide a report Tuesday on what happened.
Police lifted tents with migrants inside, shaking them until they tumbled to the ground, and those who resisted were kicked or beaten with batons, according to the head of Doctors Without Borders in France, Corinne Torre.
Images shared online showed activists and local officials shouting and trying to block police from dislodging the migrants. Torre, who witnessed the evacuation, said several people sought treatment for injuries from her aid group, known by its French acronym MSF.
The Paris police headquarters said the Republique camp was evacuated because it was illegal and “invited” the migrants to seek lodging elsewhere offered by the state or aid groups.
Aid groups and Paris legislators said they set up the tents to call attention to the plight of hundreds of migrants who were kicked out of another camp in the shadow of France’s national stadium last week and have been sleeping in the streets since then for lack of other options.
Most are from Afghanistan, Somalia and Eritrea. Some have been refused asylum while others are in bureaucratic limbo while they try to apply, Torre said.
The rough evacuation came the day before France’s parliament is set to vote Tuesday on a draft law meant to expand some police powers and provide greater protection to police. It notably makes it a crime to publish images of police officers with intent to cause them harm, a measure that has prompted repeated protests by civil liberties campaigners and media freedom groups.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Teenager charged with hitting deer decoy with vehicle

PLAINFIELD , Vt. ( AP ) - An 18-year-old from Barre is facing charges after allegedly running over a deer @ @ @ @ @ Department of Fish and Wildlife said .
Game wardens did not release the name or @ @ @ @ @ in the Nov. 12 incident .
Wardens had set up deer decoy operation .
A @ @ @ @ @ where the decoys were set up and ran over one of the decoys just before @ @ @ @ @ monitoring the decoys attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle , which crossed a private driveway @ @ @ @ @ accelerating away at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour .
Two wardens briefly pursued the @ @ @ @ @ .
Two days later , after receiving a tip , the wardens located the vehicle @ @ @ @ @ to the actions .
The individual is due to appear in family court at a @ @ @

PLAINFIELD, Vt. (AP) - An 18-year-old from Barre is facing charges after allegedly running over a deer decoy in Plainfield, the Department of Fish and Wildlife said.
Game wardens did not release the name or gender of the teenager involved in the Nov. 12 incident.
Wardens had set up deer decoy operation. A vehicle turned into the field where the decoys were set up and ran over one of the decoys just before 1 a.m.
Wardens who were monitoring the decoys attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle, which crossed a private driveway and hit a ditch before accelerating away at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour.
Two wardens briefly pursued the vehicle, but then stopped.
Two days later, after receiving a tip, the wardens located the vehicle and the teenager who admitted to the actions.
The individual is due to appear in family court at a later date.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--German business confidence down for 2nd consecutive month

BERLIN ( AP ) - Business confidence in Germany , Europe ’ s biggest economy , fell for a second consecutive month in November as a resurgence of coronavirus infections led to partial shutdowns across the continent , a closely watched survey showed Tuesday .
Still , the decline was smaller than economists had predicted .
And official data released separately on Tuesday showed that the economy performed a bit better in the third quarter than previously reported .
The Ifo institute said that its business confidence index declined to 90.7 points from 92.5 a month earlier .
Economists had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop was driven largely by a considerable worsening of companies ’ expectations for the next six months .
Their assessment of their current situation was only slightly worse .
Ifo ’ s survey is based on monthly responses from about 9,000 companies in various sectors .
Germany entered a partial shutdown on Nov. 2 , with restaurants , bars , leisure and sports facilities closing but nonessential shops and schools remaining open .
It was originally slated to last four weeks , but federal and state officials appear certain to extend it until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German authorities hope to start vaccinations by early in the new year , it is likely to be months before all restrictions can be dropped .
Officials are hopeful that the overall damage from the pandemic to Germany ’ s economy and finances will be manageable .
On Tuesday , the Federal Statistical Office said that gross domestic product rebounded by 8.5 % in the July-September quarter after a sharp decline during Germany ’ s more extensive spring shutdown .
The quarter-on-quarter growth figure was revised upward from an initial reading of 8.2 @ @ @ @ @ @

BERLIN (AP) - Business confidence in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, fell for a second consecutive month in November as a resurgence of coronavirus infections led to partial shutdowns across the continent, a closely watched survey showed Tuesday.
Still, the decline was smaller than economists had predicted. And official data released separately on Tuesday showed that the economy performed a bit better in the third quarter than previously reported.
The Ifo institute said that its business confidence index declined to 90.7 points from 92.5 a month earlier. Economists had forecast a drop to 90.2.
The drop was driven largely by a considerable worsening of companies’ expectations for the next six months. Their assessment of their current situation was only slightly worse. Ifo’s survey is based on monthly responses from about 9,000 companies in various sectors.
Germany entered a partial shutdown on Nov. 2, with restaurants, bars, leisure and sports facilities closing but nonessential shops and schools remaining open.
It was originally slated to last four weeks, but federal and state officials appear certain to extend it until shortly before Christmas on Wednesday. Although German authorities hope to start vaccinations by early in the new year, it is likely to be months before all restrictions can be dropped.
Officials are hopeful that the overall damage from the pandemic to Germany’s economy and finances will be manageable.
On Tuesday, the Federal Statistical Office said that gross domestic product rebounded by 8.5% in the July-September quarter after a sharp decline during Germany’s more extensive spring shutdown. The quarter-on-quarter growth figure was revised upward from an initial reading of 8.2% nearly a month ago.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--UK telecom companies face big fines under new security law

LONDON ( AP ) - Telecom companies in Britain face hefty fines if they don ’ t comply with strict new security rules under a new law proposed in Parliament on Tuesday that is aimed at blocking high-risk equipment suppliers like China ’ s Huawei .
The Telecommunications ( Security ) Bill tightens security requirements for new high speed 5G wireless and fiber optic networks , with the threat of fines of up to either 10 % of sales or 100,000 pounds ( $ 134,000 ) a day for companies that don ’ t follow the rules .
The draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to formalize Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’ s decision in July prohibiting Huawei from building Britain ’ s 5G mobile phone networks because of security concerns .
The British government said it was bringing in the ban - reversing an earlier plan to give Huawei a limited role - because U.S. sanctions made it impossible to ensure the security of its networking gear .
Wireless carriers were also ordered to rip out any existing Huawei 5G equipment from their networks by 2027 .
The Chinese company is one of the flashpoints in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing over trade and technology .
The new rules are a major step to protecting the U.K. from hostile cyber activity by state actors or criminals , the government said , citing previous cyberattacks attributed to Russia , China , North Korea and Iran .
“ This groundbreaking bill will give the U.K. one of the toughest telecoms security regimes in the world and allow us to take the action necessary to protect our networks , ” Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said .
The bill , which needs to be approved by Parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electronic equipment and software at mobile phone mast sites and in telephone exchanges that handle internet traffic and telephone calls .
Huawei said it was disappointed that the U.K. government was looking to exclude it from the 5G rollout .
“ This decision is politically-motivated and not based on a fair evaluation of the risks , ” said Vice President Victor Zhang .
” It does not serve anyone ’ s best interests as it would move Britain into the digital slow lane and put at risk the government ’ s levelling @ @ @ @

LONDON (AP) - Telecom companies in Britain face hefty fines if they don’t comply with strict new security rules under a new law proposed in Parliament on Tuesday that is aimed at blocking high-risk equipment suppliers like China’s Huawei.
The Telecommunications (Security) Bill tightens security requirements for new high speed 5G wireless and fiber optic networks, with the threat of fines of up to either 10% of sales or 100,000 pounds ($134,000) a day for companies that don’t follow the rules.
The draft law paves the way for the U.K. government to formalize Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision in July prohibiting Huawei from building Britain’s 5G mobile phone networks because of security concerns.
The British government said it was bringing in the ban - reversing an earlier plan to give Huawei a limited role - because U.S. sanctions made it impossible to ensure the security of its networking gear. Wireless carriers were also ordered to rip out any existing Huawei 5G equipment from their networks by 2027. The Chinese company is one of the flashpoints in a broader global battle between Washington and Beijing over trade and technology.
The new rules are a major step to protecting the U.K. from hostile cyber activity by state actors or criminals, the government said, citing previous cyberattacks attributed to Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
“This groundbreaking bill will give the U.K. one of the toughest telecoms security regimes in the world and allow us to take the action necessary to protect our networks,” Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said.
The bill, which needs to be approved by Parliament, spells out tougher security standards for the electronic equipment and software at mobile phone mast sites and in telephone exchanges that handle internet traffic and telephone calls.
Huawei said it was disappointed that the U.K. government was looking to exclude it from the 5G rollout.
“This decision is politically-motivated and not based on a fair evaluation of the risks,” said Vice President Victor Zhang. ”It does not serve anyone’s best interests as it would move Britain into the digital slow lane and put at risk the government’s levelling up agenda.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Japan ex-PM Abe's office investigated over funding scandal

TOKYO ( AP ) - Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe acknowledged Tuesday his office is being investigated for questionable expenses linked to a dinner party his office hosted for his supporters ahead of an annual cherry blossom viewing party - a scandal that has been on the backburner for months .
Abe made the comment in response to reports Monday that the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors ’ Office has been interviewing his aides over the scandal .
None of his aides or supporters have been arrested so far .
Abe , who was in power for nearly eight years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped down in mid-September , citing ill health , but some critics have said the scandal might have been a reason .
His successor as prime minister , Yoshihide Suga , who served as chief Cabinet secretary in Abe ’ s government , scrapped the cherry blossom viewing party the day he took office .
The scandal involves a 2018 annual dinner party for which Abe ’ s guests paid a 5,000 yen ( $ 48 ) fee .
Opposition lawmakers have said that the fee was too low for a party at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abe ‘ s office allegedly covered the difference without reporting it properly .
“ My office is fully cooperating with the investigation launched in response to a criminal complaint , ” Abe told reporters Tuesday .
He declined to give details of the investigation and said he had already provided an explanation during parliamentary sessions earlier this year when questioned by opposition lawmakers .
The investigation comes in response to criminal complaints filed earlier this year by a group of hundreds of lawyers and scholars asking Tokyo prosecutors to investigate whether Abe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidized party fees for Abe ‘ s supporters in 2018 in alleged violation of campaign and election funds laws .

TOKYO (AP) - Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe acknowledged Tuesday his office is being investigated for questionable expenses linked to a dinner party his office hosted for his supporters ahead of an annual cherry blossom viewing party - a scandal that has been on the backburner for months.
Abe made the comment in response to reports Monday that the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors’ Office has been interviewing his aides over the scandal. None of his aides or supporters have been arrested so far.
Abe, who was in power for nearly eight years as Japan’s longest-serving leader, stepped down in mid-September, citing ill health, but some critics have said the scandal might have been a reason. His successor as prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, who served as chief Cabinet secretary in Abe’s government, scrapped the cherry blossom viewing party the day he took office.
The scandal involves a 2018 annual dinner party for which Abe’s guests paid a 5,000 yen ($48) fee. Opposition lawmakers have said that the fee was too low for a party at an upscale Tokyo hotel, and that Abe’s office allegedly covered the difference without reporting it properly.
“My office is fully cooperating with the investigation launched in response to a criminal complaint,” Abe told reporters Tuesday. He declined to give details of the investigation and said he had already provided an explanation during parliamentary sessions earlier this year when questioned by opposition lawmakers.
The investigation comes in response to criminal complaints filed earlier this year by a group of hundreds of lawyers and scholars asking Tokyo prosecutors to investigate whether Abe and executives from his political support group had subsidized party fees for Abe’s supporters in 2018 in alleged violation of campaign and election funds laws.
Japanese law prohibits politicians from giving gifts to constituents.
Abe has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Kurdish and Turkey-backed fighters clash in Syria, 11 killed

BEIRUT ( AP ) - Clashes between Kurdish fighters and Turkey-backed opposition gunmen in northern Syria left at least 11 fighters dead in some of the most intense fighting in weeks between the two sides , an opposition war monitor and a Kurdish spokesman said Tuesday .
Exchange of fire and shelling between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkey-backed opposition gunmen who identify as the Syrian National Army have not been uncommon since Turkish troops invaded parts of northern Syria in October of last year .
The Monday night clashes near the town of Ein Issa were triggered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions , according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , an opposition war monitor .
The Observatory said Turkey-backed fighters lost 11 gunmen in the battle and an unknown number of SDF fighters were also killed or wounded .
An SDF spokesman who goes by the name of Mervan Qamishlo confirmed the clashes , saying that the group ’ s fighters were repelling a Turkey-backed attack .
He did not comment on how many SDF gunmen were killed .
A spokesman for the Turkey-backed fighters did not respond to requests for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria are linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party , or PKK , that has led a decades-long insurgency in Turkey ’ s mainly Kurdish southeast region and is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey , the United States and the European Union .
The U.S.-backed SDF played a major role in defeating the Islamic State group in Syria that lost its last sliver of land in March last year .
The SDF is holding thousands of IS militants in jails it runs .

BEIRUT (AP) - Clashes between Kurdish fighters and Turkey-backed opposition gunmen in northern Syria left at least 18 fighters dead in some of the most intense fighting in weeks, an opposition war monitor and a Kurdish news agency said Tuesday.
Exchanges of fire and shelling between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkey-backed opposition gunmen who identify as the Syrian National Army have not been uncommon since Turkish troops invaded parts of northern Syria in October last year.
The clashes began before midnight Monday near the town of Ein Issa and were triggered by an assault from Turkey-backed gunmen on SDF positions, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, and the Kurdish ANHA news agency.
The Observatory said Turkey-backed fighters lost 18 gunmen in the battle and an unknown number of SDF fighters were also killed or wounded.
ANHA said dozens of Turkey-backed fighters were killed or wounded.
An SDF spokesman who goes by the name of Mervan Qamishlo also confirmed the clashes, saying the group’s fighters repelled a Turkey-backed attack. He did not comment on how many SDF gunmen were killed but said six civilians were wounded in the shelling.
Maj. Youssef al-Hammoud, an official with the so-called Syrian National Army, said the fighting started when SDF fighters attacked their positions on two fronts. He denied losing any fighters, saying only two were wounded.
It is not uncommon for insurgent groups to deny losing fighters in battle.
Also in northern Syria, two explosions hit the towns of al-Bab and Afrin that are both controlled by Turkey-backed fighters, according to the Observatory and Thiqa news agency, an activist collective.
Five people were killed and 20 wounded in a roadside bomb attack in al-Bab, according to the Observatory and Thiqa. At least three people were killed and 16 wounded in a car bomb attack in a market in Afrin, according to the Observatory.
Turkey says Kurdish fighters in Syria are linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. The PKK has led a decades-long insurgency in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast region and is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.
The U.S.-backed SDF played a major role in defeating the Islamic State group in Syria. The IS lost its last sliver of land in March last year. The SDF is holding thousands of IS militants in jails it runs.