washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Taiwan dismisses latest China spying accusations

TAIPEI , Taiwan ( AP ) - Taiwan on Tuesday dismissed new spying allegations by China as a further attempt to smear the government of the self-governing island democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory .
The remarks follow a report Monday night by Chinese broadcaster CCTV featuring a taped confession from a man identified as Cheng Yu-chin , the second such report in as many days .
On Sunday , CCTV broadcast a confession by a man identified as Li Mengju , whose name is also spelled Lee Meng-chu , who like Cheng said he had been working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party ’ s reputation .
In the same report , CCTV said security personnel had solved more than 100 spying cases as part of an initiative dubbed Operation Thunder 2020 .
Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang called the accusations an attempt by Beijing to “ defame and create fear , ” while the foreign ministry ’ s head of European affairs , Johnson Chiang , called the allegations “ pure defamation and calumny.
” CCTV ’ s airing of videoed confessions have prompted lawsuits abroad amid accusations that the accounts were coerced and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm of the Communist Party .
The latest reports come amid increasing Chinese diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan aimed at compelling the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen to recognize Beijing ’ s claim that the island is a part of Chinese territory .
While the sides share strong cultural and economic links , a strong majority of Taiwanese reject any moves toward political union with China , and Tsai was overwhelmingly reelected to a second term this year .
In its report Monday night , CCTV said Cheng had been detained by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which accused him of using his academic post in the Czech Republic as a cover to collect intelligence , recruit mainland personnel and sow discord between China and other European countries .
Chiang said the report was factually incorrect and had “ violated basic human rights.
” Any discord in Chinese-Czech relations was a result of China ’ s aggressive diplomacy and “ bullying , ” he told reporters at a weekly briefing .

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan on Tuesday dismissed new spying allegations by China as a further attempt to smear the government of the self-governing island democracy that Beijing claims as its own territory.
The remarks follow a report Monday night by Chinese broadcaster CCTV featuring a taped confession from a man identified as Cheng Yu-chin, the second such report in as many days.
On Sunday, CCTV broadcast a confession by a man identified as Li Mengju, whose name is also spelled Lee Meng-chu, who like Cheng said he had been working to destabilize China and harm the ruling Communist Party’s reputation.
In the same report, CCTV said security personnel had solved more than 100 spying cases as part of an initiative dubbed Operation Thunder 2020.
Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang called the accusations an attempt by Beijing to “defame and create fear,” while the foreign ministry’s head of European affairs, Johnson Chiang, called the allegations “pure defamation and calumny.”
CCTV’s airing of videoed confessions have prompted lawsuits abroad amid accusations that the accounts were coerced and that the broadcaster is merely a propaganda arm of the Communist Party.
The latest reports come amid increasing Chinese diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan aimed at compelling the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen to recognize Beijing’s claim that the island is a part of Chinese territory. While the sides share strong cultural and economic links, a strong majority of Taiwanese reject any moves toward political union with China, and Tsai was overwhelmingly reelected to a second term this year.
In its report Monday night, CCTV said Cheng had been detained by China’s state security agency, which accused him of using his academic post in the Czech Republic as a cover to collect intelligence, recruit mainland personnel and sow discord between China and other European countries.
Chiang said the report was factually incorrect and had “violated basic human rights.” Any discord in Chinese-Czech relations was a result of China’s aggressive diplomacy and “bullying,” he told reporters at a weekly briefing.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Muslim protesters march against Indonesia's new labor law

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) - Thousands of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia ’ s capital on Tuesday demanding that the government revoke a new law they say will cripple labor rights , with some clashing with police .
Authorities blocked streets leading to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta , where clashes between riot police and rock-throwing demonstrators , including workers and students , broke out last Thursday .
The protests spread and turned violent in some cities across the world ’ s most populous Muslim nation , but calm had largely returned to Jakarta over the past four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clogged streets of Jakarta were nearly empty of cars , embassies were closed and many businesses were shuttered for the day after several Muslim groups announced they would stage protests .
Waving black flags bearing the Islamic declaration of faith , several thousand demonstrators , many wearing white Islamic robes , filled a major thoroughfare .
The Job Creation Law approved by Parliament last week is expected to substantially change Indonesia ’ s labor system and natural resources management .
It amended 79 previous laws and is intended to improve bureaucratic efficiency as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s administration to attract more investment to the country .
The demonstrators say the law will hurt workers by reducing severance pay , removing restrictions on manual labor by foreign workers , increasing the use of outsourcing , and converting monthly salaries to hourly wages .
Protest organizer Shobri Lubis told the crowd , including members of the Islamic Defenders Front vigilante group , that they support workers and students in fighting for the rejection of the law .
“ It ’ s undeniable that the Job Creation Law is more intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to side with local workers , ” he said .
Protesters chanted “ God is Great ” and “ We stand with workers ” near the blocked roads .
Clashes broke out in the afternoon when riot police used tear gas to try to disperse protesters who were attempting to reach roads leading to the heavily guarded palace compound and the Chinatown area .
Protesters hurled rocks , bricks and bottles .
Tuesday ’ s protest was organized by a conservative Muslim alliance that held mass protests in 2016 against Jakarta ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tjahaja Purnama , that led to him being imprisoned for blasphemy .
Widodo said on Friday that the new law was meant to improve workers ’ welfare .
He said the widespread protests resulted from disinformation about the legislation .
He urged those who were dissatisfied with the law to challenge it in the Constitutional Court and avoid violent protests .
Indonesia , Southeast Asia ’ s largest economy , is eagerly courting foreign investment as a key driver of economic growth in a nation where nearly half the population of 270 million @ @ @ @ @

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Thousands of conservative Muslims marched in Indonesia’s capital on Tuesday demanding that the government revoke a new law they say will cripple labor rights, with some clashing with police.
Authorities blocked streets leading to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, where clashes between riot police and rock-throwing demonstrators, including workers and students, broke out last Thursday.
The protests spread and turned violent in some cities across the world’s most populous Muslim nation, but calm had largely returned to Jakarta over the past four days.
On Tuesday, the normally clogged streets of Jakarta were nearly empty of cars, embassies were closed and many businesses were shuttered for the day after several Muslim groups announced they would stage protests.
Waving black flags bearing the Islamic declaration of faith, several thousand demonstrators, many wearing white Islamic robes, filled a major thoroughfare.
The Job Creation Law approved by Parliament last week is expected to substantially change Indonesia’s labor system and natural resources management. It amended 79 previous laws and is intended to improve bureaucratic efficiency as part of efforts by President Joko Widodo’s administration to attract more investment to the country.
The demonstrators say the law will hurt workers by reducing severance pay, removing restrictions on manual labor by foreign workers, increasing the use of outsourcing, and converting monthly salaries to hourly wages.
Protest organizer Shobri Lubis told the crowd, including members of the Islamic Defenders Front vigilante group, that they support workers and students in fighting for the rejection of the law.
“It’s undeniable that the Job Creation Law is more intended for foreign economic domination in Indonesia and not to side with local workers,” he said.
Protesters chanted “God is Great” and “We stand with workers” near the blocked roads.
Clashes broke out in the afternoon when riot police used tear gas to try to disperse protesters who were attempting to reach roads leading to the heavily guarded palace compound and the Chinatown area. Protesters hurled rocks, bricks and bottles.
Tuesday’s protest was organized by a conservative Muslim alliance that held mass protests in 2016 against Jakarta’s ethnic Chinese Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, that led to him being imprisoned for blasphemy.
Widodo said on Friday that the new law was meant to improve workers’ welfare. He said the widespread protests resulted from disinformation about the legislation. He urged those who were dissatisfied with the law to challenge it in the Constitutional Court and avoid violent protests.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is eagerly courting foreign investment as a key driver of economic growth in a nation where nearly half the population of 270 million is younger than 30.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Facebook donates $1.3M to keep UK codebreaker museum open

LONDON ( AP ) - Facebook has made a 1 million-pound ( $ 1.3 million ) donation to support Britain ’ s Bletchley Park , the base of codebreakers during World War II , after the historic site lost almost all of its income amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Facebook said Tuesday that the donation was in recognition of Bletchley Park ’ s legacy as the “ spiritual home of modern computing.
” The Victorian country house was the home of a vast network of WWII codebreakers who helped decipher communications from Nazi Germany and contributed to the Allied victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned into a heritage attraction and museum , and it also ran learning programs around coding .
Steve Hatch , Facebook ’ s vice president for northern Europe , said the social network ’ s own work on new technologies - in particular artificial intelligence technology - wouldn ’ t have been possible without the achievements of pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing and the team at Bletchley Park .
“ Our hope is that Bletchley staying open inspires the next generation of engineers , ” he said .
Like many other visitor attractions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close its doors since the spring .
Facebook said its donation aims to help it weather the crisis by saving some staff from redundancy and preserving its visitor experiences .
The museum , which welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors each year prior to the pandemic , said it expects a 2 million-pound deficit this year .

LONDON (AP) - Facebook has made a 1 million-pound ($1.3 million) donation to support Britain’s Bletchley Park, the base of codebreakers during World War II, after the historic site lost almost all of its income amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Facebook said Tuesday that the donation was in recognition of Bletchley Park’s legacy as the “spiritual home of modern computing.”
The Victorian country house was the home of a vast network of WWII codebreakers who helped decipher communications from Nazi Germany and contributed to the Allied victory. After the war the estate was turned into a heritage attraction and museum, and it also ran learning programs around coding.
Steve Hatch, Facebook’s vice president for northern Europe, said the social network’s own work on new technologies - in particular artificial intelligence technology - wouldn’t have been possible without the achievements of pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing and the team at Bletchley Park.
“Our hope is that Bletchley staying open inspires the next generation of engineers,” he said.
Like many other visitor attractions, Bletchley Park has been forced to close its doors since the spring. Facebook said its donation aims to help it weather the crisis by saving some staff from redundancy and preserving its visitor experiences.
The museum, which welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors each year prior to the pandemic, said it expects a 2 million-pound deficit this year.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Michelle Obama, LeBron James team to help boost early voting

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A voter initiative led by Michelle Obama is partnering with a similar group founded by NBA star LeBron James and other prominent Black athletes and entertainers to sponsor events in major U.S. cities starting next week to generate excitement about voting early for the Nov. 3 election .
Mrs. Obama ’ s When We All Vote and James ’ More Than A Vote are teaming to provide information , transportation , food , music , personal protective equipment and other support at early voting sites around the country Oct. 18-31 .
“ Millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 21 days until Election Day .
Making your plan to vote early is critical , ” Mrs. Obama said Tuesday in a statement to The Associated Press .
“ It ’ s now up to us to do everything in our power to get our friends and family ready to vote early and safely together .
We can ’ t leave anyone behind.
” The former first lady is also launching a challenge to encourage more people to vote before Nov. 3 .
Her group also announced more than $ 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations to host their own activities .
Last week , Mrs. Obama repeated her endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in a lengthy new video message that was sharply critical of Republican President Donald Trump .
In-person events are planned for Atlanta ; Charlotte , North Carolina ; Detroit ; Los Angeles ; Milwaukee ; Orlando , Florida ; and Philadelphia .
They will be held within walking distance of early voting sites and include free food from the nonprofit World Central Kitchen , founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres , DoorDash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearances , personal protective equipment and support for voters ’ rights from the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law and the Election Protection coalition will also be provided .
Lyft has agreed to provide discounted transportation .
When We All Vote also plans to host a virtual couch party on Oct. 23 .
Other partners include BET , Comedy Central , Johnson & Johnson , MTV , the National Urban League , Radio One and United Way Worldwide .
All attendees and staff on the ground will be required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention .
AP ’ s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early , by mail or absentee from each state : https : //interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/ .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A voter initiative led by Michelle Obama is partnering with a similar group founded by NBA star LeBron James and other prominent Black athletes and entertainers to sponsor events in major U.S. cities starting next week to generate excitement about voting early for the Nov. 3 election.
Mrs. Obama’s When We All Vote and James’ More Than A Vote are teaming to provide information, transportation, food, music, personal protective equipment and other support at early voting sites around the country Oct. 18-31.
“Millions of Americans have already cast their ballot and with only 21 days until Election Day. Making your plan to vote early is critical,” Mrs. Obama said Tuesday in a statement to The Associated Press. “It’s now up to us to do everything in our power to get our friends and family ready to vote early and safely together. We can’t leave anyone behind.”
The former first lady is also launching a challenge to encourage more people to vote before Nov. 3. Her group also announced more than $1 million in grants and supplies to local partner organizations to host their own activities.
Last week, Mrs. Obama repeated her endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in a lengthy new video message that was sharply critical of Republican President Donald Trump.
In-person events are planned for Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Detroit; Los Angeles; Milwaukee; Orlando, Florida; and Philadelphia. They will be held within walking distance of early voting sites and include free food from the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres, DoorDash and other providers.
Music, celebrity appearances, personal protective equipment and support for voters’ rights from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law and the Election Protection coalition will also be provided. Lyft has agreed to provide discounted transportation.
When We All Vote also plans to host a virtual couch party on Oct. 23.
Other partners include BET, Comedy Central, Johnson & Johnson, MTV, the National Urban League, Radio One and United Way Worldwide.
All attendees and staff on the ground will be required to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
___
AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--EU countries adopt common travel guidelines amid pandemic

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - European Union countries on Tuesday approved a series of guidelines aimed at facilitating free movement across the bloc and avoiding further disruption during the coronavirus pandemic .
During a meeting in Luxembourg , envoys for the 27 member states agreed on a common approach to travel restrictions and testing to help citizens and workers get more clarity on how they can transit across the continent .
In March , several EU nations hastily closed their borders in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus , even though the EU ’ s Schengen agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without visas .
The action blocked traffic and medical equipment .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily lives in many ways .
Travel restrictions have made it difficult for some of our citizens to get to work , to university or to visit their loved ones , ” said Michael Roth , the German minister for Europe .
“ It is our common duty to ensure coordination on any measures which affect free movement and to give our citizens all the information they need when deciding on their travel.
” Member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ( ECDC ) , which will publish a weekly map sorting regions according to the severity of coronavirus outbreaks .
The criteria used to define the colored zones - green , orange and red - are the number of newly notified cases per 100,000 in the past 14 days as well as the testing rate and the test positivity rate in the past week .
Member states agreed that they should not restrict free movement of people traveling from or to green areas , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own restrictions such as quarantines or mandatory testing upon arrival for people coming from orange or red zones .
A region will be classified as green if the 14-day notification rate is lower than 25 and the test positivity rate below 4 % .
Under the criteria adopted Tuesday , most EU regions would be either red or orange .
“ This agreement avoids border closures and favors the least penalizing health control measures , such as testing , ” said Clement Beaune , the French minister for Europe .
“ Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially those of frontier workers , will be secured.
” The EU council said member states should not deny access to persons traveling from other EU nations and urged them to “ respect the differences in the epidemiological situation between orange and red areas and act in a proportionate manner ” if they decide to apply restrictions .
EU countries also agreed to provide timely information to their neighbors about new restrictions - if possible 48 hours in advance - and to develop a harmonized passenger locator form for all means of transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as border controls and health matters remain the responsibility of national governments ,

BRUSSELS (AP) - European Union countries on Tuesday approved a series of guidelines including a “traffic-light” system aimed at facilitating free movement across the bloc and avoiding further travel disruption during the coronavirus pandemic.
During a meeting in Luxembourg, envoys for the 27 member states agreed on a common approach to travel restrictions and testing to help citizens and workers get more clarity on how they can transit across the continent.
In March, several EU nations hastily closed their borders in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, even though the EU’s Schengen agreement allows residents to move freely between countries without visas. The action blocked traffic and medical equipment.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily lives in many ways. Travel restrictions have made it difficult for some of our citizens to get to work, to university or to visit their loved ones,” said Michael Roth, the German minister for Europe. “It is our common duty to ensure coordination on any measures which affect free movement and to give our citizens all the information they need when deciding on their travel.”
Member states agreed to provide coronavirus data to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), which will publish a weekly map sorting regions according to the severity of coronavirus outbreaks.
The criteria used to define the colored zones - green, orange and red - are the number of newly notified cases per 100,000 in the past 14 days as well as the testing rate and the test positivity rate in the past week.
Member states agreed that they should not restrict free movement of people traveling from or to green areas, but national EU governments will continue to set their own restrictions such as quarantines or mandatory testing upon arrival for people coming from orange or red zones.
A region will be classified as green if the 14-day notification rate is lower than 25 and the test positivity rate below 4%. Under the criteria adopted Tuesday, most EU regions would be either red or orange.
“This agreement avoids border closures and favors the least penalizing health control measures, such as testing,” said Clement Beaune, the French minister for Europe. “Last but not least, essential movements, especially those of frontier workers, will be secured.”
Severely hit by the coronavirus crisis, the aviation sector was less enthusiastic, branding the compromise a “political failure.”
In a statement, aviation bodies ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe and IATA rued that member states didn’t adopt a common pre-departure COVID-19 testing procedure to replace quarantines for passengers travelling from high-risk zones.
“The current lack of coordination between member states has killed the nascent recovery of travel and tourism, thus jeopardising millions of jobs associated with the sector,” they said.
The EU council said member states should not deny access to persons traveling from other EU nations and urged them to “respect the differences in the epidemiological situation between orange and red areas and act in a proportionate manner” if they decide to apply restrictions.
EU countries also agreed to provide timely information to their neighbors about new restrictions - if possible 48 hours in advance - and to develop a harmonized passenger locator form for all means of transport.
The guidelines are not legally binding as border controls and health matters remain the responsibility of national governments.
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--China FM calls US Indo-Pacific strategy a huge security risk

KUALA LUMPUR , Malaysia ( AP ) - The United States poses a “ huge security risk ” to Asia by pushing to boost engagement with the region , China ’ s foreign minister said Tuesday during a tour of Southeast Asia , where Beijing and Washington are locked in a battle for influence .
Speaking in Malaysia , Wang Yi said the U.S. ’ s real aim is “ to build an Indo-Pacific NATO , ” in a strategy he said harkened back to the Cold War .
Washington is trying to “ stir up confrontation among different groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition while maintaining the predominance and hegemony system of the U.S. , ” Wang said at a joint news conference with his Malaysian counterpart , Hishammuddin Hussein .
“ In this sense , this strategy itself is a huge security risk , ” Wang said .
Wang also urged Southeast Asian nations , which are aiming to draw up a code of conduct with China in the South China Sea , to remove “ external disruption ” in the disputed waters , but did not elaborate .
Wang ’ s tone is typical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disputes with Washington as it seeks to capitalize on political divisions within the U.S. and a perceived decline in America ’ s global influence to advance its own foreign policy aims .
China ’ s aggressive moves to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea , through which a third of global shipping passes , have drawn rebuke from the United States and become a flashpoint for a region in which Southeast Asian nations Vietnam , the Philippines , Malaysia and Brunei all have rival claims .
Hishammuddin said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be resolved peacefully through regional dialogue .
The U.S. says its Indo-Pacific engagement framework supports sovereignty , transparency , good governance and a rules-based order , among other things .
By using the term “ Indo-Pacific , ” the U.S. also wants to propagate the idea that the region stretches far beyond China ’ s backyard and the tiger economies of East Asia to include the Indian Ocean .

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - The United States poses a “huge security risk” to Asia by pushing to boost engagement with the region, China’s foreign minister said Tuesday during a tour of Southeast Asia, where Beijing and Washington are locked in a battle for influence.
Speaking in Malaysia, Wang Yi said the U.S.’s real aim is “to build an Indo-Pacific NATO,” in a strategy he said harkened back to the Cold War.
Washington is trying to “stir up confrontation among different groups and blocs, and stir up geopolitical competition while maintaining the predominance and hegemony system of the U.S.,” Wang said at a joint news conference with his Malaysian counterpart, Hishammuddin Hussein.
“In this sense, this strategy itself is a huge security risk,” Wang said.
Wang also urged Southeast Asian nations, which are aiming to draw up a code of conduct with China in the South China Sea, to remove “external disruption” in the disputed waters, but did not elaborate.
Wang’s tone is typical of China’s increasingly hard-line approach to disputes with Washington as it seeks to capitalize on political divisions within the U.S. and a perceived decline in America’s global influence to advance its own foreign policy aims.
China’s aggressive moves to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea, through which a third of global shipping passes, have drawn rebuke from the United States and become a flashpoint for a region in which Southeast Asian nations Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have rival claims.
Hishammuddin said the disputes over the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully through regional dialogue.
The U.S. says its Indo-Pacific engagement framework supports sovereignty, transparency, good governance and a rules-based order, among other things.
By using the term “Indo-Pacific,” the U.S. also wants to propagate the idea that the region stretches far beyond China’s backyard and the tiger economies of East Asia to include the Indian Ocean.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--U.S. condemns Turkey's activities in the Mediterranean

The United States on Tuesday criticized Turkey ’ s decision to renew seismic survey work in a part of the @ @ @ @ @ claims jurisdiction .
State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said Turkey ’ s Oct. 11 announcement @ @ @ @ @ tensions with Greece — a NATO partner — and complicate the resumptions of “ crucial @ @ @ @ @ Coercion , threats , intimidation and military activity will not resolve tensions in the Eastern @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ We urge Turkey to end this calculated provocation and @ @ @ @ @ Greece.
” Ankara has previously withdrawn the same Turkish vessel — identified by the Reuters @ @ @ @ @ Rels — from the region to allow for a diplomatic solution to the impasse with @ @ @ @ @ can not build trust and will not produce enduring solutions , ” Ms. Ortagus said @

The United States on Tuesday criticized Turkey’s decision to renew seismic survey work in a part of the hotly disputed Mediterranean where Greece claims jurisdiction.
State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said Turkey’s Oct. 11 announcement will serve only to raise tensions with Greece — a NATO partner — and complicate the resumptions of “crucial” exploratory talks.
“Coercion, threats, intimidation and military activity will not resolve tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean,” Ms. Ortagus said in a statement. “We urge Turkey to end this calculated provocation and immediately begin exploratory talks with Greece.”
Ankara has previously withdrawn the same Turkish vessel — identified by the Reuters news agency as the Oruc Rels — from the region to allow for a diplomatic solution to the impasse with Greece.
“Unilateral actions cannot build trust and will not produce enduring solutions,” Ms. Ortagus said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Woman charged with abandoning baby in trash bin due in court

NEW HAVEN , Conn. ( AP ) - A Connecticut woman charged with abandoning an 8-month-old girl in a trash bin was expected to be arraigned in court Tuesday as authorities continued to investigate who was responsible for burns to the baby ’ s hands .
The girl was found alive in a bin outside a New Haven apartment complex on Monday and taken to Yale New Haven Children ’ s Hospital , where she was reported in stable condition .
Police arrested 24-year-old Andiana Velez , of Hamden , and said they believed she was the girl ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of injury to a child , second-degree assault and reckless endangerment .
Capt .
Anthony Duff said the assault charge was for Velez ’ s attack on the girl ’ s 21-year-old mother earlier in the day Monday , and it wasn ’ t clear who caused the baby ’ s burn injuries .
Velez was detained on $ 250,000 bail .
It was not clear if she has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations .
She was scheduled to be arraigned in New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the girl while taking out his trash and called on maintenance workers at the complex to help get the girl out , one of the workers said .
Rick Chardon , a maintenance worker , recalled that the resident who found the baby was throwing out his trash and started to walk away when he heard “ something crying.
” “ He turned around and looked in , ” Chardon said .
“ There was a little baby that had trash on top of it .
… She was shivering like crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The baby ’ s injuries and abandonment stunned and dismayed local residents including Ruth Harris .
“ That ’ s got to be the saddest thing ever , ” Harris told Hearst Connecticut Media .
“ How can … any person be that cruel ?
It just tears your heart up inside .
… It hurts me and it ’ s not even my child .
”

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut woman charged with abandoning an 8-month-old girl in a trash bin cried during a court hearing Tuesday, as authorities continued to investigate who was responsible for burns to the baby’s hands.
The girl was found alive in a bin outside a New Haven apartment complex on Monday and taken to Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, where she was reported in stable condition.
Police arrested 24-year-old Andiana Velez, of Hamden, and said they believed she was the girl’s babysitter. Velez was charged with risk of injury to a child, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment. The assault charge, authorities said, was filed because Velez stabbed the baby’s 21-year-old mother, whose condition was not disclosed.
Velez was detained on $250,000 bail, which was increased to $500,000 by a state judge during Tuesday’s arraignment. Velez was in a courthouse lockup and appeared at the hearing via video. Her public defender, Trey Bruce, urged the judge to decrease bail to $50,000, saying Velez was a lifelong resident of the New Haven area and she was seeking therapy.
Court records show Velez has convictions for assault and threatening as well as several other pending cases on similar charges.
A tenant of the Presidential Gardens apartments found the baby while taking out his trash and called on maintenance workers at the complex to help get her out, one of the workers said.
Rick Chardon, a maintenance worker, recalled that the resident who found the girl was throwing out his trash and started to walk away when he heard “something crying.”
“He turned around and looked in,” Chardon said. “There was a little baby that had trash on top of it. … She was shivering like crazy when I got her in my arms.”
The baby’s injuries and abandonment stunned and dismayed local residents including Ruth Harris.
“That’s got to be the saddest thing ever,” Harris told Hearst Connecticut Media. “How can … any person be that cruel? It just tears your heart up inside. … It hurts me and it’s not even my child.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Nigeria protesters demand police reforms for sixth day

LAGOS , Nigeria ( AP ) - Crowds protesting against police brutality in Nigeria took to the streets Tuesday for a sixth day across the country after a video of a beating posted online sparked demonstrations that now have left at least 10 dead .
Fresh protests took place in Nigeria ’ s largest city , Lagos , and in the southeastern cities of Port Harcourt and Uyo .
The demonstrations have continued even after Nigeria ’ s police spokesman announced Sunday that the unit blamed for the brutality was being formally dissolved .
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad , known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat armed robbery in Nigeria but its members have been implicated in several cases of human rights abuses including extra-judicial killings .
Nigeria ’ s police have promised to investigate allegations of abuses involving SARS officers , but demonstrators are calling for reforms across the country ’ s entire police system .
Earlier this month , young Nigerians started a Twitter campaign for the disbandment of the unit after the video of SARS agents beating up a man circulated online .
The protests with the hashtag # ENDSARS rapidly gained support in Nigeria @ @ @

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) - Crowds protesting against police brutality in Nigeria took to the streets Tuesday for a sixth day across the country after a video of a beating posted online sparked demonstrations that now have left at least 10 dead.
Fresh protests took place in Nigeria’s largest city, Lagos, and in the southeastern cities of Port Harcourt and Uyo. The demonstrations have continued even after Nigeria’s police spokesman announced Sunday that the unit blamed for the brutality was being formally dissolved.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad, known as SARS, was set up to combat armed robbery in Nigeria but its members have been implicated in several cases of human rights abuses including extra-judicial killings.
Nigeria’s police have promised to investigate allegations of abuses involving SARS officers, but demonstrators are calling for reforms across the country’s entire police system.
Earlier this month, young Nigerians started a Twitter campaign for the disbandment of the unit after the video of SARS agents beating up a man circulated online. The protests with the hashtag #ENDSARS rapidly gained support in Nigeria and abroad.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Party chaos threatens Mexican president's administration

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Andrés Manuel López Obrador created his own party to win Mexico ’ s presidency .
Now its internal weakness and divisions threaten to undermine his administration .
López Obrador ’ s National Regeneration Movement - known to all in Mexico as Morena - is making a third try to elect a party president , and it ’ s not going well .
It has tried to use a sort of public opinion poll run by the federal electoral agency , and the result is a bitter dispute between an 87-year-old political warhorse who previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent 48-year-old rival .
Immediately at stake is the president ’ s now perilously thin majority in Congress , with midterm elections set for next year and the party lacking formal organization in most of Mexico ’ s 32 states .
It holds only seven governorships , in coalitions with other parties .
Beyond that is the question of whether Morena , in its present form , will outlast the presidency of its creator , who is constitutionally barred from reelection .
Morena exists only because López Obrador was unable to fully control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two , unsuccessful runs for the presidency , Democratic Revolution .
When legal maneuvers left rivals in charge of the party known as the PRD , López Obrador - by far its most popular figure - led a mass exodus and turned Morena into a party in 2014 .
He wove together his fellow PRD dissidents with breakaway members from other parties - some true believers , some jumping on the bandwagon of a man who was clearly favored to win the presidency in 2018 and some who hoped to wipe away controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal honesty .
With the other major parties discredited by their recent turns in power and a seemingly endless string of corruption scandals , Morena surged to a 30 % winning margin behind López Obrador , who vowed to launch a “ transformation ” toward cleaner , more honest politics , closer to the people .
But with López Obrador focused on governing , the party has floundered .
“ Morena is everything , and nothing at the same time , ” said Hugo Concha , a political science professor at the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day you hear crazy proposals , and the next day they change their opinion , ” Concha said .
“ It is very hard to send a signal to the people , ’ Here are different ideas.
” Since López Obrador took office in late 2018 , the party has twice tried and failed to choose a new leader on its own , leading it to turn to the National Electoral Institute to run a poll - whose result was inconclusive .
“ We are caught up in an absurd dispute , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 64 , who joined the party at its start .
“ Morena is severely broken , but we are going to close ranks around whoever wins .
The only good news for Morena is that the two main opposition parties - the Institutional Revolutionary Party , or PRI , and the conservative National Action Party , are arguably in worse shape .
The PRI ruled Mexico uninterrupted from from 1928 to 2000 , and still has the most governorships , 11 .
But its brief return to the presidency in 2012-2018 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PRI now seems cowed and rudderless .
López Obrador has proved himself a master at the kind of politics - charismatic leadership , ardent nationalism and governmental handout programs - the PRI once specialized in .
National Action , a conservative party that offers the clearest alternative to López Obrador , is still distrusted by many due to two lackluster periods in the presidency from 2000 to 2012 .
Some party factions have been drawn into counterproductive demonstrations of rage against the president .
The two candidates for Morena ’ s presidency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the PRI who has been critical at times of López Obrador , and congressional leader Mario Delgado , seen as more obedient to the president .
Muñoz Ledo claims he won last week ’ s poll , though the national electoral institute says it was actually a statistical tie and it plans another poll to settle the issue .
Muñoz Ledo has jumped from one party to another throughout a career that began as a student leader in the mid-1950s and established him in Mexican history as the first opposition party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been willing to criticize López Obrador ’ s heavy-handed approach to catching and deporting Central American migrants who try to cross Mexico to reach the United States .
As Concha puts it , Muñoz Ledo offers “ a relationship of mutual respect , but not unconditional subservience , ” while Delgado appears more a stalking horse for the party ’ s centrist foreign relations secretary , Marcelo Ebrard , one of the president ’ s longtime allies .
“ A leader can not listen only to the voice of servile ( followers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are critical , ” Muñoz Ledo said in an interview with The Associated Press .
He said he wanted the administration to evolve from a “ caudillo presidency , ” one based on a charismatic chieftain , “ to a parliamentary presidency.
” But it is not clear that Morena ever can become more than a shadow of López Obrador .
“ In Morena , the charismatic leader is in charge , whoever the bureaucrat is who happens to hold the party presidency , ” said Flavia Friedenberg , a professor at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only becomes an institution when it outlives its leader .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Andrés Manuel López Obrador created his own party to win Mexico’s presidency. Now its internal weakness and divisions threaten to undermine his administration.
López Obrador’s National Regeneration Movement - known to all in Mexico as Morena - has been trying unsuccessfully for a year to pick a party president, and it’s not going well.
In reponse to a lawsuit over the delays, judges ordered a leader chosen by a poll run by federal electoral authorities. But that wound up in a technical tie. Electoral officials say they’ll try again.
The result is a bitter dispute between an 87-year-old political warhorse who previously led two other parties and his less prominent 48-year-old rival.
Immediately at stake is the president’s now perilously thin majority in Congress, with midterm elections set for next year and the party lacking formal organization in most of Mexico’s 32 states. It holds only seven governorships.
Beyond that is the question of whether Morena, in its present form, will outlast the presidency of its creator, who is constitutionally barred from reelection.
Morena exists only because López Obrador was unable to fully control the leftist party that sponsored his first two, unsuccessful runs for the presidency, Democratic Revolution.
When legal maneuvers left rivals in charge of the party known as the PRD, López Obrador - by far its most popular figure - led a mass exodus and turned Morena into a party in 2014.
He wove together his fellow PRD dissidents with breakaway members from other parties - some true believers, some jumping on the bandwagon of a man who was clearly favored to win the presidency in 2018 and some who hoped to wipe away controversial pasts by embracing a man famed for personal honesty.
With the other major parties discredited by their recent turns in power and a seemingly endless string of corruption scandals, López Obrador carried Morena to a 30% winning margin, vowing to launch a “transformation” toward cleaner, more honest politics, closer to the people.
But with López Obrador focused on governing, the party has floundered.
“Morena is everything, and nothing at the same time,” said Hugo Concha, a political science professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. “One day you hear crazy proposals, and the next day they change their opinion,” Concha said. “It is very hard to send a signal to the people, ’Here are different ideas.”
The conflict maddens some party members.
“We are caught up in an absurd dispute,” said retired pharmaceutical industry executive Aurora Pedroche, 64, who joined the party at its start. “Morena is severely broken, but we are going to close ranks around whoever wins.
The only good news for Morena is that the two main opposition parties - the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, and the conservative National Action Party, are arguably in worse shape.
The PRI ruled Mexico uninterrupted from from 1929 to 2000, and still has the most governorships, 11. But its brief return to the presidency in 2012-2018 was so marked by debilitating corruption scandals that the PRI now seems cowed and rudderless.
López Obrador has proved himself a master at the kind of politics - charismatic leadership, ardent nationalism and governmental handout programs - the PRI once specialized in.
National Action, a conservative party that offers the clearest alternative to López Obrador, is still distrusted by many due to two lackluster terms in the presidency from 2000 to 2012. Some party factions have been drawn into counterproductive demonstrations of rage against the president.
The two candidates for Morena’s presidency are Porifirio Muñoz Ledo, a former leader of the PRI who has been critical at times of López Obrador, and congressional leader Mario Delgado, seen as more obedient to the president.
Muñoz Ledo claims he won last week’s poll, though the national electoral institute says it was actually a statistical tie and it plans another poll to settle the issue.
Muñoz Ledo has jumped from one party to another throughout a career that began as a student leader in the mid-1950s and established him in Mexican history as the first opposition party leader of Congress in 1997. He has been willing to criticize López Obrador’s heavy-handed approach to catching and deporting Central American migrants who try to cross Mexico to reach the United States.
As Concha puts it, Muñoz Ledo offers “a relationship of mutual respect, but not unconditional subservience,” while Delgado appears more a stalking horse for the party’s centrist foreign relations secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, one of the president’s longtime allies.
“A leader cannot listen only to the voice of servile (followers), but rather of those who are critical,” Muñoz Ledo said in an interview with The Associated Press. He said he wanted the administration to evolve from a “caudillo presidency,” one based on a charismatic chieftain, “to a parliamentary presidency.”
But it is not clear that Morena ever can become more than a shadow of López Obrador.
“In Morena, the charismatic leader is in charge, whoever the bureaucrat is who happens to hold the party presidency,” said Flavia Friedenberg, a professor at the National Autonomous University. “A party only becomes an institution when it outlives its leader.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Family of man who died after arrest settles lawsuit

VALLEY CITY , N.D. ( AP ) - The family of a man who died after being arrested by Valley @ @ @ @ @ reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit against the city , Barnes County and two @ @ @ @ @ of 72-year-old Warren Lindvold has settled the lawsuit for $ 325,000 , KQDJ reported .
@ @ @ @ @ to any liability in the case .
Lindvold died in a Fargo hospital several days @ @ @ @ @ of drunken driving .
His family ’ s federal lawsuit says he died of a @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawsuit says the officers were aware Lindvold had a type of arthritis that @ @ @ @ @ may have made him appear intoxicated .
The suit also claimed the officers used excessive @ @ @ @ @ The North Dakota Insurance Reserve will pay the settlement on behalf of the defendants .
@ @ @ @ @ one of the arresting officers , Sgt .
Wade Hannig , remains with the department @ @ @ @ @ officer , Christopher Olson , is now with the North Dakota Highway Patrol .

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) - The family of a man who died after being arrested by Valley City police in 2018 has reached a settlement in a civil lawsuit against the city, Barnes County and two police officers.
The family of 72-year-old Warren Lindvold has settled the lawsuit for $325,000, KQDJ reported. The defendants did not admit to any liability in the case.
Lindvold died in a Fargo hospital several days after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving. His family’s federal lawsuit says he died of a broken neck after being arrested.
The lawsuit says the officers were aware Lindvold had a type of arthritis that limited his mobility and which may have made him appear intoxicated. The suit also claimed the officers used excessive force during the arrest.
The North Dakota Insurance Reserve will pay the settlement on behalf of the defendants.
City Attorney Carl Martineck says one of the arresting officers, Sgt. Wade Hannig, remains with the department. Martineck says the other officer, Christopher Olson, is now with the North Dakota Highway Patrol.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--62 black bears killed on first day of New Jersey's hunt

TRENTON , N..J ( AP ) - Hunters killed 62 bears on the first day of New Jersey ’ s annual bear hunt .
The six-day hunt , which started early Monday , is restricted to Sussex , Warren , Passaic , Morris , Bergen , Hunterdon , Somerset and Mercer counties .
The first three days are restricted to hunters using archery , but starting Thursday they also will be allowed to use muzzleloading rifles .
Hunting is prohibited in state parks , forests and wildlife management areas .
The state ’ s Division of Fish & Wildlife reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sussex County , while 17 bruins were killed in Morris County and 11 in Warren County .
The hunt got off to a wet start as remnants from Hurricane Delta soaked the state with wind-whipped rain .
The second segment of the hunt , for firearms only , is scheduled to begin on Dec. 7 .
Gov .
Phil Murphy has said this year could be the last for the bear hunt , which the Democrat pledged to end when he ran for governor in 2017 .
Murphy cited a new bear management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council was studying .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , no bear check stations are available .
Hunters must tag their kills and call a number for instructions .
Hunters bagged 315 bears during the 2019 hunt .
Most were killed in Sussex County .

TRENTON, N..J (AP) - Hunters killed 62 bears on the first day of New Jersey’s annual bear hunt.
The six-day hunt, which started early Monday, is restricted to Sussex, Warren, Passaic, Morris, Bergen, Hunterdon, Somerset and Mercer counties. The first three days are restricted to hunters using archery, but starting Thursday they also will be allowed to use muzzleloading rifles.
Hunting is prohibited in state parks, forests and wildlife management areas.
The state’s Division of Fish & Wildlife reports that 29 bears were culled Monday in Sussex County, while 17 bruins were killed in Morris County and 11 in Warren County. The hunt got off to a wet start as remnants from Hurricane Delta soaked the state with wind-whipped rain.
The second segment of the hunt, for firearms only, is scheduled to begin on Dec. 7.
Gov. Phil Murphy has said this year could be the last for the bear hunt, which the Democrat pledged to end when he ran for governor in 2017. Murphy cited a new bear management plan that the state Fish and Game Council was studying.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, no bear check stations are available. Hunters must tag their kills and call a number for instructions.
Hunters bagged 315 bears during the 2019 hunt. Most were killed in Sussex County.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Woman charged with dumping trash on ICE official's property

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - The executive director of an advocacy organization has been charged with misdemeanor offenses for protesting in Virginia on the property of the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement , authorities said .
Acting ICE Director Tony Pham was not home Sept. 8 when a group of protesters dumped trash on his yard in Henrico County and “ caused fear to his family , ” Henrico County police Lt. Matt Pecka said in a news release Monday .
A police investigation identified Nancy Nguyen , the executive director of VietLead , a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as one of those protesters , news outlets reported .
The organization said in a Facebook post Friday that the protest was about Pham ’ s recent appointment to the role .
They said Nguyen was arrested on “ bogus charges ” Thursday night in her Philadelphia home .
She was then released Friday on her own recognizance , and greeted by hugs and cheers from supporters outside Philadelphia ’ s police headquarters , The Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
“ While protesting is a protected First Amendment activity , doing so on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pecka said , adding that police are working to identify the other protesters .
Meanwhile , VietLead has called Nguyen ’ s arrest a politically motivated “ scare tactic to intimidate immigration rights advocates.
” She was charged with entering the property of another for the purposes of interfering with property rights and dumping trash , according to Pecka .
It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney who could comment on her behalf .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The executive director of an advocacy organization has been charged with misdemeanor offenses for protesting in Virginia on the property of the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities said.
Acting ICE Director Tony Pham was not home Sept. 8 when a group of protesters dumped trash on his yard in Henrico County and “caused fear to his family,” Henrico County police Lt. Matt Pecka said in a news release Monday.
A police investigation identified Nancy Nguyen, the executive director of VietLead, a political advocacy group in Philadelphia and New Jersey, as one of those protesters, news outlets reported. The organization said in a Facebook post Friday that the protest was about Pham’s recent appointment to the role.
They said Nguyen was arrested on “bogus charges” Thursday night in her Philadelphia home. She was then released Friday on her own recognizance, and greeted by hugs and cheers from supporters outside Philadelphia’s police headquarters, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“While protesting is a protected First Amendment activity, doing so on one’s private property is illegal,” Pecka said, adding that police are working to identify the other protesters.
Meanwhile, VietLead has called Nguyen’s arrest a politically motivated “scare tactic to intimidate immigration rights advocates.”
She was charged with entering the property of another for the purposes of interfering with property rights and dumping trash, according to Pecka. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney who could comment on her behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--AP source: No positive tests for Titans; game on with Bills

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - The Tennessee Titans have no positive tests , and they will host the @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night , a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press .
The @ @ @ @ @ for Nashville on Monday night , but the Titans needed another day without a positive @ @ @ @ @ go forward .
The Titans ( 3-0 ) had the NFL ’ s first COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 29 when their facility was shut down and reached a total of 24 players @ @ @ @ @ has gone without a positive test on six of the past nine days , according @ @ @ @ @ on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL the Titans commented on all the test @ @ @ @ @ played Sept. 27 , a 31-30 win in Minnesota over the Vikings .
They returned @ @ @ @ @ were allowed by the NFL to practice Sunday with only players , coaches and trainers @ @ @ @ @ positive .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans have no positive tests, and they will host the Buffalo Bills as rescheduled for Tuesday night, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The Bills (4-0) left for Nashville on Monday night, but the Titans needed another day without a positive test for the game to go forward. The Titans (3-0) had the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak with eight testing positive Sept. 29 when their facility was shut down and reached a total of 24 players and personnel.
Tennessee now has gone without a positive test on six of the past nine days, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL the Titans commented on all the test results.
The Titans last played Sept. 27, a 31-30 win in Minnesota over the Vikings. They returned to their facility Saturday and were allowed by the NFL to practice Sunday with only players, coaches and trainers after a staff member tested positive.
__
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Virginia's voter registration deadline has arrived

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the deadline is Tuesday .
This year ’ s voter-registration deadline falls at a time @ @ @ @ @ have already cast their ballots .
More than 500,00 residents have cast ballots in person @ @ @ @ @ voted by mail .
That ’ s according to the Virginia Public Access Project .
@ @ @ @ @ were still out as of Sunday .
That comes to 1.62 million Virginians who have @ @ @ @ @ to vote early so far .
That ’ s three times as many Virginians as @ @ @ @ @ all of 2016 .
Michael McDonald , a University of Florida professor who is analyzing @ @ @ @ @ U.S .
Elections Project , said the state is part of an unprecedented surge in @ @ @ @ @ fueled by the pandemic and changes to states ’ laws .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia’s voter registration deadline has arrived.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that the deadline is Tuesday.
This year’s voter-registration deadline falls at a time when about 1 million Virginians have already cast their ballots.
More than 500,00 residents have cast ballots in person. And about 444,000 had voted by mail. That’s according to the Virginia Public Access Project. An additional 642,687 mail ballots were still out as of Sunday.
That comes to 1.62 million Virginians who have so far made an effort to vote early so far. That’s three times as many Virginians as those who voted early in all of 2016.
Michael McDonald, a University of Florida professor who is analyzing early voting nationwide at the U.S. Elections Project, said the state is part of an unprecedented surge in early voting that is being fueled by the pandemic and changes to states’ laws.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Amy Coney Barrett tells senators she's an originalist

Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett declared Tuesday she ’ s an originalist and a textualist — much like @ @ @ @ @ , her mentor .
But she said not all textualists and originalists see eye to @ @ @ @ @ Constitution based on its original meaning at the time it was ratified , and textualists @ @ @ @ @ of a statute when evaluating a law .
“ If I ’ m confirmed , @ @ @ @ @ Justice Scalia , you would be getting Justice Barrett , ” the nominee told senators @ @ @ @ @ confirmation hearings .
Judge Barrett , who now sits on the 7th U.S .
Circuit @ @ @ @ @ for Scalia at the high court after she graduated law school .

Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett declared Tuesday she’s an originalist and a textualist — much like the late Justice Antonin Scalia, her mentor.
But she said not all textualists and originalists see eye to eye.
Originalists interpret the Constitution based on its original meaning at the time it was ratified, and textualists adhere strictly to the text of a statute when evaluating a law.
“If I’m confirmed, you would not be getting Justice Scalia, you would be getting Justice Barrett,” the nominee told senators at her second day of confirmation hearings.
Judge Barrett, who now sits on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, clerked for Scalia at the high court after she graduated law school.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Oregon protest fallout dominates close Portland mayor race

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - In most election cycles , America wouldn ’ t pay attention to the Portland , Oregon , mayoral race - but this isn ’ t a normal year .
Months of protests against racial injustice and police violence have made Portland national news in a divisive election year , and President Donald Trump routinely derides Mayor Ted Wheeler as a weak liberal unable to stop unrest in his “ anarchist ” city .
But as Wheeler spars with Trump , the mayor is also facing a threat at home from the opposite end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger who supports $ 50 million in law enforcement cuts and slams her opponent for what she describes as an aggressive police force .
Hemmed in by critics , Wheeler recently lent his campaign $ 150,000 as he struggles to fend off Sarah Iannarone .
“ The race is really in flux , ” said Jim Moore , a Pacific University political science professor .
“ The thing that will cause him to lose is responding to the protests in all their complexity .
That ’ s why Portland ’ s election is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protests but also because of the president .
The president brings it up all the time.
” Wheeler narrowly missed winning a second term outright in May but the career Democrat ’ s approval ratings plummeted as protests dominated headlines into the fall .
Business interests and moderates are angry that he ’ s let the protests go on so long , while passionate , far-left-leaning progressives are embracing the unrest as necessary for rooting out systemic racism .
Many of those voters are backing Iannarone , who has attended three dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read “ Everyday Antifascist .
Always.
” Recent polling shows Wheeler trailing his challenger , but with many undecided voters .
Oregon , a universal vote-by-mail state , will send out ballots this week .
“ The hard thing for a candidate like me in a time of near revolutionary fervor for change is that I seek the elusive center , ” Wheeler recently told The AP .
“ I don ’ t believe compromise is a dirty word , and I still govern with an eye to the future rather than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now we ’ re in a very fearful , anxious and emotional time in our history.
” Since May , the city has cut about $ 15 million from the police budget - including a gun violence reduction team , transit police and a school resource officer program - but Wheeler has resisted pressure to take away more from the bureau ’ s nearly $ 250 million budget without a safety net for mental health and homelessness calls that police handle daily .
Wheeler , as police commissioner , has also taken heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He banned it entirely last month , and says police have made some mistakes but done some things right , too .
“ When people call 911 , they expect to get a response .
If you ’ re going to eviscerate the police bureau , then you have to be able to answer the question … ‘ What is the plan to actually fill the gap ?
’ ” he said .
“ And so far , we have not had that conversation.
” But Wheeler ’ s failure to engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him local support , critics say , even as he drew national attention for getting tear-gassed by U.S. agents when he attended a protest outside a federal courthouse .
“ I ’ m still trying to pin down what Ted Wheeler really stands for , ” said Cameron Whitten , founder of The Black Resilience Fund who ’ s endorsed Iannarone .
“ He ’ s a wind vane , he ’ s got no base and the community is divided because of it.
” Iannarone supports calls to cut $ 50 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an establishment candidate beholden to corporate interests .
She repeats an oft-cited criticism : That Wheeler failed to build critical relationships as he tried to please all sides .
A passionate advocate for public transportation and bike commuting , Iannarone has an ambitious plan for a green economy , wants free municipal Wi-Fi and has proposed increasing taxes on Airbnb for a renter bailout fund .
But she also stirred controversy in August when she said on KGW-TV that peaceful protests “ might not necessarily be moving the conversation forward.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminating parking for more trees , legalizing all sex work and allowing non-citizens to vote in local and state elections , might be a bridge too far for some voters .
“ She is further to the left - whatever that means in Portland - of the average voter and she ’ s taken up positions that I think many voters would find disqualifying , ” said John Horvick , political director at non-partisan public opinion firm DHM Research .
“ I think that the tensions are much greater there than her campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sought to temper concerns about her views on the protests .
She says she rejects violence but is quick to add that “ anti-fascist protesters wind up on the receiving end of police brutality more ” than Trump-inspired , right-wing group members who have held several “ law and order ” rallies in the city .
“ Opposing fascism in 2020 is a good thing .
And I ’ ve tried to normalize that , ” Iannarone said in a phone interview .
“ What we try to do is pull it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have it in - where he ’ s making people who oppose fascism the enemy - and make it more accessible to everyday people.
” One hurdle Iannarone may face is that many voters simply don ’ t know her .
The urban planning wonk has never held elected office or worked in city government .
And while she attracts a passionate Twitter following , about 30 % of voters remain undecided or plan to vote for another candidate with weeks to go .
Meanwhile , Wheeler last week got the endorsements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coalition of business , labor and civic groups , including an environmental nonprofit that applauded his commitment to achieving 100 % renewable energy by 2050 and his fight for more middle-income housing .
“ It ’ s up to Ted , with his campaign , to get that information out to voters .
And is he going to do that or not ?
Well , that ’ s the key thing , ” said Moore , the political science professor .
“ He ’ s … saying the buck stops here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do is say , ‘ Here ’ s the way we get out of this situation.
’ And part of that is Ted and part of that is the situation .
”

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - In most election cycles, America wouldn’t pay attention to the Portland, Oregon, mayoral race - but this isn’t a normal year.
Months of protests against racial injustice and police violence have made Portland national news in a divisive election year, and President Donald Trump routinely derides Mayor Ted Wheeler as a weak liberal unable to stop unrest in his “anarchist” city.
But as Wheeler spars with Trump, the mayor is also facing a threat at home from the opposite end of the political spectrum: a far-left challenger who supports $50 million in law enforcement cuts and slams her opponent for what she describes as an aggressive police force. Hemmed in by critics, Wheeler recently lent his campaign $150,000 as he struggles to fend off Sarah Iannarone.
“The race is really in flux,” said Jim Moore, a Pacific University political science professor. “The thing that will cause him to lose is responding to the protests in all their complexity. That’s why Portland’s election is important nationally, not just because of the protests but also because of the president. The president brings it up all the time.”
Wheeler narrowly missed winning a second term outright in May but the career Democrat’s approval ratings plummeted as protests dominated headlines into the fall. Business interests and moderates are angry that he’s let the protests go on so long, while passionate, far-left-leaning progressives are embracing the unrest as necessary for rooting out systemic racism.
Many of those voters are backing Iannarone, who has attended three dozen protests and touts campaign bumper stickers that read “Everyday Antifascist. Always.”
Recent polling shows Wheeler trailing his challenger, but with many undecided voters. Oregon, a universal vote-by-mail state, will send out ballots this week.
“The hard thing for a candidate like me in a time of near revolutionary fervor for change is that I seek the elusive center,” Wheeler recently told The AP. “I don’t believe compromise is a dirty word, and I still govern with an eye to the future rather than the emotion of the moment - and right now we’re in a very fearful, anxious and emotional time in our history.”
Since May, the city has cut about $15 million from the police budget - including a gun violence reduction team, transit police and a school resource officer program - but Wheeler has resisted pressure to take away more from the bureau’s nearly $250 million budget without a safety net for mental health and homelessness calls that police handle daily.
Wheeler, as police commissioner, has also taken heat for allowing officers to use tear gas. He banned it entirely last month, and says police have made some mistakes but done some things right, too.
“When people call 911, they expect to get a response. If you’re going to eviscerate the police bureau, then you have to be able to answer the question … ‘What is the plan to actually fill the gap?’” he said. “And so far, we have not had that conversation.”
But Wheeler’s failure to engage with Black activists and other protesters cost him local support, critics say, even as he drew national attention for getting tear-gassed by U.S. agents when he attended a protest outside a federal courthouse.
“I’m still trying to pin down what Ted Wheeler really stands for,” said Cameron Whitten, founder of The Black Resilience Fund who’s endorsed Iannarone. “He’s a wind vane, he’s got no base and the community is divided because of it.”
Iannarone supports calls to cut $50 million from the police budget and paints Wheeler as an establishment candidate beholden to corporate interests. She repeats an oft-cited criticism: That Wheeler failed to build critical relationships as he tried to please all sides.
A passionate advocate for public transportation and bike commuting, Iannarone has an ambitious plan for a green economy, wants free municipal Wi-Fi and has proposed increasing taxes on Airbnb for a renter bailout fund.
But she also stirred controversy in August when she said on KGW-TV that peaceful protests “might not necessarily be moving the conversation forward.” And some of her policies, such as eliminating parking for more trees, legalizing all sex work and allowing non-citizens to vote in local and state elections, might be a bridge too far for some voters.
“She is further to the left - whatever that means in Portland - of the average voter and she’s taken up positions that I think many voters would find disqualifying,” said John Horvick, political director at non-partisan public opinion firm DHM Research.
“I think that the tensions are much greater there than her campaign would acknowledge publicly.”
Recently, Iannarone has sought to temper concerns about her views on the protests. She says she rejects violence but is quick to add that “anti-fascist protesters wind up on the receiving end of police brutality more” than Trump-inspired, right-wing group members who have held several “law and order” rallies in the city.
“Opposing fascism in 2020 is a good thing. And I’ve tried to normalize that,” Iannarone said in a phone interview. “What we try to do is pull it out of this realm that Donald Trump would have it in - where he’s making people who oppose fascism the enemy - and make it more accessible to everyday people.”
One hurdle Iannarone may face is that many voters simply don’t know her. The urban planning wonk has never held elected office or worked in city government. And while she attracts a passionate Twitter following, about 30% of voters remain undecided or plan to vote for another candidate with weeks to go.
Meanwhile, Wheeler last week got the endorsements - and the deep pockets - of a coalition of business, labor and civic groups, including an environmental nonprofit that applauded his commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050 and his fight for more middle-income housing.
“It’s up to Ted, with his campaign, to get that information out to voters. And is he going to do that or not? Well, that’s the key thing,” said Moore, the political science professor. “He’s … saying the buck stops here. What he’s not been able to do is say, ‘Here’s the way we get out of this situation.’ And part of that is Ted and part of that is the situation.”
_____
Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter athttp://www.twitter.com/gflaccus


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Officials say truck driver killed in northern Kansas crash

MANKATO , Kan. ( AP ) - A truck driver has died in a crash on a rural road near @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
The crash happened Monday afternoon in Jewell County just outside Mankato , @ @ @ @ @ .
Robert Newell , 59 , of Mankato , was negotiating a curve when his @ @ @ @ @ the Kansas Highway Patrol .
Investigators said Newell had not been wearing a seat belt @ @ @ @ @ crash and died at the scene .

MANKATO, Kan. (AP) - A truck driver has died in a crash on a rural road near Mankato in northern Kansas, officials said.
The crash happened Monday afternoon in Jewell County just outside Mankato, Wichita television station KAKE reported. Robert Newell, 59, of Mankato, was negotiating a curve when his tractor-trailer overturned, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Investigators said Newell had not been wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and died at the scene.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Young child hit, killed by truck in Beaverton parking lot

BEAVERTON , Ore. ( AP ) - A young child died after a crash involving a truck at a Beaverton @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Monday off Schendel Avenue and Walker @ @ @ @ @ .
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue spokesperson Kim Haughn said the 4-year-old boy was hit @ @ @ @ @ but the circumstances of the crash remained unclear .
Around 7:30 p.m. Beaverton Police Officer @ @ @ @ @ had died .
He said the truck driver stayed at the scene and cooperated , @ @ @ @ @ charges .
The boy was taken to a Portland hospital before he succumbed to his @ @ @ @ @ the Washington County Sheriff ’ s Office crash reconstruction team are investigating the crash .

BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) - A young child died after a crash involving a truck at a Beaverton apartment complex parking lot, authorities said.
The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Monday off Schendel Avenue and Walker Road, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue spokesperson Kim Haughn said the 4-year-old boy was hit by a large truck, but the circumstances of the crash remained unclear.
Around 7:30 p.m. Beaverton Police Officer Matt Henderson confirmed the boy had died. He said the truck driver stayed at the scene and cooperated, and is not facing criminal charges.
The boy was taken to a Portland hospital before he succumbed to his injuries.
Beaverton police and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office crash reconstruction team are investigating the crash.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Message of unity replaces torched Biden-Harris farm display

DALTON , Mass .
( AP ) - A stack of hay bales on a Massachusetts farm decorated in support of the Democratic presidential ticket that was burned down has been replaced with a similar display with a different message .
The original display at Holiday Brook Farm in Dalton featured 19 wrapped hay bales painted with the words “ USA ” and “ VOTE ” along with the names of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris .
It was burned down on Friday evening .
The new , nearly identical stack of hay bales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Respect ” and features a pair of U.S. flags , a globe and the word “ VOTE ” .
Farm owner Dicken Crane told The Boston Globe he decided on the new message after seeing the widespread attention drawn by his first display .
“ We really didn ’ t want to increase the divisiveness around the election , ” Crane said Monday .
“ It ’ s a message that we really hope this country is about .
If we respect unity and love , it makes the names on the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of setting fire to the original sign is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday .

DALTON, Mass. (AP) - A stack of hay bales on a Massachusetts farm decorated in support of the Democratic presidential ticket that was burned down has been replaced with a similar display with a different message.
The original display at Holiday Brook Farm in Dalton featured 19 wrapped hay bales painted with the words “USA” and “VOTE” along with the names of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
A local man is accused of burning it down on Friday evening. No one was hurt.
The new, nearly identical stack of hay bales now says “Love, Unity, Respect” and features a pair of U.S. flags, a globe and the word “VOTE.”
Farm owner Dicken Crane told The Boston Globe he decided on the new message after seeing the widespread attention drawn by his first display.
“We really didn’t want to increase the divisiveness around the election,” Crane said Monday. “It’s a message that we really hope this country is about. If we respect unity and love, it makes the names on the political message less important.”
The suspect, Lonnie Durfee, 49, of Dalton, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to burning personal property. He was held without bail pending a hearing to determine whether he is a danger to society, which is scheduled for Friday, The Berkshire Eagle reported.
Prosecutors requested the hearing based on a prior arrest for assault and battery in 2014.
A voicemail message was left Tuesday with Durfee’s attorney.
Durfee used motor oil and gasoline to set the display alight because he “disagreed with the political stance it represented,” according to the police report.
He apologized and offered to pay for the damages, estimated at about $2,000, the report said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--District considering removing Confederate's name from school

CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - Leaders of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools want rid a high school of a Confederate general ’ s name and replace it with the name of a pioneering civil rights attorney .
The Charlotte Observer reported Monday that the school is Zebulon B. Vance High School .
School officials told the Observer that Superintendent Earnest Winston will recommend to the school board that the school be renamed in honor of attorney Julius Chambers .
Chambers is best known as the lawyer who argued a landmark school desegregation case .
It had mandated countywide busing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a leader in the fight for racial justice and equality in the 1960s and beyond .
The renaming could be approved by the board at its planned meeting Tuesday night .
District officials said it would be the first time a CMS school has gone through such a renaming process .
School board leaders said they would begin researching and renaming schools that were named after Confederate figures in the wake of protests of over the killing of George Floyd over the summer .
He was a Black man who died police @ @ @ @

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Leaders of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools want rid a high school of a Confederate general’s name and replace it with the name of a pioneering civil rights attorney.
The Charlotte Observer reported Monday that the school is Zebulon B. Vance High School.
School officials told the Observer that Superintendent Earnest Winston will recommend to the school board that the school be renamed in honor of attorney Julius Chambers.
Chambers is best known as the lawyer who argued a landmark school desegregation case. It had mandated countywide busing to integrate the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. He was also a leader in the fight for racial justice and equality in the 1960s and beyond.
The renaming could be approved by the board at its planned meeting Tuesday night. District officials said it would be the first time a CMS school has gone through such a renaming process.
School board leaders said they would begin researching and renaming schools that were named after Confederate figures in the wake of protests of over the killing of George Floyd over the summer. He was a Black man who died police custody in Minneapolis.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Prosecutors: Longer sentences needed for Floyd officers

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Prosecutors have offered additional explanation about why they believe longer sentences should be given if four former Minneapolis police officers are convicted in the death of George Floyd .
In a court filing Monday in Hennepin County , prosecutors said the position of trust the officers held and Floyd ’ s vulnerability are two reasons why the men , if convicted , should receive longer sentences than guidelines recommend .
Prosecutors previously requested longer-than-recommended sentences for former officers Derek Chauvin , his partner , Tou Thao , and the initial arresting officers , J. Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Attorney General Keith Ellison ’ s office offers an explanation for enhanced sentences that Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill requested .
Lane ’ s defense attorney Earl Gray said the request for an upward sentencing departure is an attempt to poison the potential pool of jurors .
“ They first have to get a conviction , ” he said .
Chauvin , who is white , was captured on cellphone video kneeling on the neck of Floyd , a Black man , for several minutes May 25 while Floyd was handcuffed face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathe .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder , third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter .
Kueng , Lane and Thao each are charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter .
Kueng pinned Floyd ’ s torso and Lane controlled his legs , while Thao kept angry bystanders away from the officers and Floyd .
When they arrived in full uniform to question Floyd about a counterfeit bill , the officers held a “ defined relationship ” of authority over Floyd , which they used to “ dominate and control ” him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pinned him to the ground and ultimately caused his death , their memo said .
Prosecutors cited an appellate ruling that endorsed longer sentences when there ’ s a power imbalance that makes it difficult for the victim to protect himself , the Star Tribune reported .
The courts also allow longer sentences when a victim is vulnerable due to reduced physical or mental capacity .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Prosecutors in the case against four former Minneapolis officers charged in the death of George Floyd are asking a Minnesota judge to restrict public access to new court filings for two days so the opposing side has a chance to ask for that information to be sealed.
In their request, dated Monday and made public Tuesday, prosecutors said a temporary protective order is warranted when there’s a risk that pretrial publicity could sway potential jurors. They said a two-day wait would also ensure that potentially confidential or inadmissible information isn’t improperly released.
It was unclear when Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill would rule on the request, but a hearing has been scheduled for Thursday.
Their request was filed the same day that defense attorney Earl Gray submitted body camera videos and transcripts of a 2019 arrest of Floyd that he says shows Floyd was not the law-abiding citizen he has been portrayed to be. It also came as prosecutors filed additional documents, including a more detailed accounting of what Gray called the “alleged misdeeds” of three of the officers.
The prosecutors’ documents were made public, but on Tuesday Gray’s documents had still not hit the public court system.
Gray, the attorney for Thomas Lane, called the situation “hogwash,” saying prosecutors filed their own motions that could sway jurors in the state’s favor, while asking to screen future motions that could help the defense. When asked if there was any link between prosecutors’ request to keep documents under seal and his request to include body camera video evidence from Floyd’s 2019 arrest, he said “it has everything to do with it. But they wanted to get their stuff filed first.”
“They’ve got my filing stopped, without a motion or anything,” Gray said. “Now they filed all the damaging stuff they need to. They don’t want me to file the damaging evidence that I have that shows George Floyd was not in shock,” he said. “It’s crazy.”
Prosecutors had no comment on Gray’s remarks, but said they planned to discuss their position during Thursday’s hearing.
Floyd, a Black man in handcuffs, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for several minutes while Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s death was captured in widely seen bystander video that set off protests around the world. Chauvin and three other officers were fired. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter; Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Prosecutors said the state “anticipates that filings in this case will involve protected or inadmissible evidence” and that if evidence becomes public it could unfairly influence public opinion.
“The proposed temporary protective order strikes the appropriate balance between the need for public disclosure and the need to avoid the disclosure of confidential or inadmissible information,” prosecutor Matthew Frank wrote. “Where no party objects to public disclosure, any restriction on the public right of access would be short and temporary.”
Frank said the public does not have an “absolute” right to access court documents.
If either side opposes the release of any documents, they can ask for an order to keep them from being disclosed, Frank wrote, noting that defense attorneys have already asked to move the case out of Hennepin County due to pretrial publicity.
Randy Lebedoff, senior vice president and general counsel for the Star Tribune, said a media coalition that is arguing for more access in the case opposes the prosecutors’ request.
The Associated Press, which is part of the media coalition, obtained Gray’s documents through coalition counsel.
In his documents, Gray said Floyd’s behavior on the night he died was “almost an exact replica” of how he acted during the arrest a year earlier. Floyd swallowed drugs, resisted police officers, ignored commands, acted erratically and cried and called out for his mother, Gray said. It should be admissible at trial because it shows Floyd’s modus operandi and counters prosecutors’ portrayal of Floyd as being scared, he said.
Gray said he doubts much of the evidence outlined in prosecutors’ own document would be admissible.
Monday’s court filings by prosecutors include their explanation of why they believe the four men should receive longer prison sentences if convicted. They also filed proposed jury questions about aggravating factors in the case, and a 44-page document that provides more detail about Chauvin’s prior use of neck or head and upper body restraints.
___
Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Bowden says he is improving after contracting COVID-19

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. ( AP ) - Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden , hospitalized last week after contracting COVID-19 , says he is feeling better and hopes to go home soon .
Bowden , 90 , told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday , “ I am doing good .
I appreciate everyone ’ s thoughts , I really do.
” Bowden was hospitalized last week in Tallahassee after contracting the virus .
He told the newspaper he has been able to walk around his hospital room .
Bowden recently spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and rehab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the virus hit him hard .
“ You get fever , you get frustrated , you don ’ t feel good and you wonder if you were able to get up , ” Bowden said .
“ But now that ’ s behind me.
” Bowden coached Florida State for 34 years , retiring after the 2009 season .
He is second on the career victories list in major college football with 357 , behind only the late Joe Paterno of Penn State .
He won national championships in 1993 and 1999 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden, hospitalized last week after contracting COVID-19, says he is feeling better and hopes to go home soon.
Bowden, 90, told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday, “I am doing good. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts, I really do.”
Bowden was hospitalized last week in Tallahassee after contracting the virus. He told the newspaper he has been able to walk around his hospital room. Bowden recently spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and rehab after contracting a leg infection.
Bowden said the virus hit him hard.
“You get fever, you get frustrated, you don’t feel good and you wonder if you were able to get up,” Bowden said. “But now that’s behind me.”
Bowden coached Florida State for 34 years, retiring after the 2009 season. He is second on the career victories list in major college football with 357, behind only the late Joe Paterno of Penn State.
He won national championships in 1993 and 1999.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Off-duty officer rescues two men from train derailment

LILBURN , Ga. ( AP ) - An off-duty Georgia police officer rescued two men from a train derailment that caught fire , authorities said .
Lilburn Police Officer Almedin Ajanovic was heading home from an off-duty job around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when he heard about the CSX derailment through the radio dispatch , news outlets reported .
Police Spokesman Capt .
Scott Bennett said Ajanovic changed directions and headed toward the scene , meeting up with three officers who were already canvassing the area and looking for the derailed train .
An incident report said Ajanovic ran down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an explosion and watched huge flames reach toward the sky .
About a half-mile down the track , Ajanovic spotted the engine turned over on its side and resting in a body of water , the report said .
Red liquid oozed out of the train into the water , later causing an evacuation of the area .
Bennett said Ajanovic heard the voices of the two men and climbed on top of the train to go get them .
One of the men was the conductor .
He told Ajanovic that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the overturned car and that the train was carrying hazardous material , the report said .
Bennett said Ajanovic rescued the men , bypassing a ‘ danger high voltage ’ sign on the side of the train .
Both men received medical treatment .
Gwinnett County officials said crews controlled the fire and hazardous materials .
Residents were allowed to return to their homes around 5:30 a.m. Police said a washout caused by storms and flooding caused the CSX train to leave the tracks and derail 38 of the 170 cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glad the rescued men were able to go back to their families .
Lilburn Mayor Tim Dunn said he was proud of the police department and “ individuals like AJ Ajanovic who run toward danger to assist those in trouble .
”

LILBURN, Ga. (AP) - An off-duty Georgia police officer rescued two men from a train derailment that caught fire, authorities said.
Lilburn Police Officer Almedin Ajanovic was heading home from an off-duty job around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when he heard about the CSX derailment through the radio dispatch, news outlets reported.
Police Spokesman Capt. Scott Bennett said Ajanovic changed directions and headed toward the scene, meeting up with three officers who were already canvassing the area and looking for the derailed train.
An incident report said Ajanovic ran down the tracks with a flashlight and soon heard an explosion and watched huge flames reach toward the sky.
About a half-mile down the track, Ajanovic spotted the engine turned over on its side and resting in a body of water, the report said. Red liquid oozed out of the train into the water, later causing an evacuation of the area.
Bennett said Ajanovic heard the voices of the two men and climbed on top of the train to go get them.
One of the men was the conductor. He told Ajanovic that he and the other man were the only people in the overturned car and that the train was carrying hazardous material, the report said.
Bennett said Ajanovic rescued the men, bypassing a ‘danger high voltage’ sign on the side of the train. Both men received medical treatment.
Gwinnett County officials said crews controlled the fire and hazardous materials. Residents were allowed to return to their homes around 5:30 a.m.
Police said a washout caused by storms and flooding caused the CSX train to leave the tracks and derail 38 of the 170 cars.
Ajanovic told WSB-TV that he was glad the rescued men were able to go back to their families.
Lilburn Mayor Tim Dunn said he was proud of the police department and “individuals like AJ Ajanovic who run toward danger to assist those in trouble.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-13--Palestinian premier: God help us if Trump wins re-election

RAMALLAH , West Bank ( AP ) - The Palestinian prime minister has said it will be disastrous for his people and the world at large if President Donald Trump wins re-election next month .
Speaking remotely to European lawmakers , Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the last four years of the Trump administration have greatly harmed the Palestinians .
“ If we are going to live another four years with President Trump , ” he said , God help us and the whole world , Shtayyeh said Monday .
The comments were posted on his Facebook page .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicit public position in American presidential elections .
Shtayyeh ’ s comments reflected the sense of desperation on the Palestinian side after a series of U.S. moves that have left them weakened and isolated .
The Palestinians severed ties with Trump after he recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel ’ s capital in late 2017 and subsequently moved the American Embassy to the holy city .
Trump has also cut off hundreds of millions of dollars of American aid to the Palestinians , shut the Palestinian diplomatic offices in Washington and issued a Mideast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Palestinians have rejected the plan out of hand .
The Trump administration also has persuaded two Arab countries , the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain , to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel and promised that other Arab nations will follow suit .
These deals have undercut the traditional Arab consensus that recognition of Israel only come in return for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal - a rare source of leverage for the Palestinians .
Shtayyeh expressed hope that a victory by the Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would raise prospects for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to change in the United States I think this will reflect itself directly on the Palestinian-Israeli relationship , ” he said .
“ And it will reflect itself also on the bilateral Palestinian-American relationship .
”

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - The Palestinian prime minister said Tuesday it will be disastrous for his people and the world at large if President Donald Trump wins re-election next month.
Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the last four years of the Trump administration have greatly harmed the Palestinians.
“If we are going to live another four years with President Trump, God help us, God help you and God help the whole world,” Shtayyeh said Tuesday, repeating comments he made a day earlier in a remote meeting with European lawmakers.
The comments were earlier posted on his Facebook page.
The Palestinians have traditionally refrained from taking an explicit public position in American presidential elections. Shtayyeh’s comments reflected the sense of desperation on the Palestinian side after a series of U.S. moves that have left them weakened and isolated.
The Palestinians severed ties with Trump after he recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in late 2017 and subsequently moved the American Embassy to the holy city. Trump has also cut off hundreds of millions of dollars of American aid to the Palestinians, shut the Palestinian diplomatic offices in Washington and issued a Mideast plan this year that largely favored Israel. The Palestinians have rejected the plan out of hand.
The Trump administration also has persuaded two Arab countries, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel and promised that other Arab nations will follow suit. These deals have undercut the traditional Arab consensus that recognition of Israel only come in return for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal - a rare source of leverage for the Palestinians.
Shtayyeh expressed hope that a victory by the Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would raise prospects for a peace deal.
“If things are going to change in the United States I think this will reflect itself directly on the Palestinian-Israeli relationship,” he said. “And it will reflect itself also on the bilateral Palestinian-American relationship.”