washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Mass protests rock Russian Far East city again

KHABAROVSK , Russia ( AP ) - Mass rallies rocked the Russian Far East city of Khabarovsk again on Saturday , as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the arrest of the region ’ s governor on charges of involvement in multiple murders .
Local media estimated the rally in the city 3,800 miles east of Moscow drew 15,000 to 50,000 people .
Hundreds of people have rallied in the city center every day this week against the arrest of Sergei Furgal , reflecting widespread anger over the arrest of the popular governor and a simmering discontent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furgal , the Khabarovsk region governor , was arrested on July 9 and flown to Moscow where he was put in jail for two months .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee says he is suspected of involvement in several murders of businessmen in 2004 and 2005 .
Furgal has denied the charges , which relate to his time as a businessman with interests ranging from imports of consumer goods to timber and metals .
Khabarovsk residents dismissed the charges against him as unsubstantiated and denounced the Kremlin for targeting a governor they elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this ( whether Furgal arrest is legal or not ) .
People are fed up with the way we are treated , that they ( authorities ) can simply take away our choice , ” Mikhail Yerashchenko , one of the protesters , told The Associated Press on Saturday .
A member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party , Furgal was elected governor in 2018 , defeating the Kremlin-backed incumbent .
His victory came unexpected : Furgal didn ’ t actively campaign and toed the Kremlin ’ s line , publicly supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonetheless , delivering a humiliating blow to the main Kremlin party , United Russia , that has been losing seats in regional administrations over the past two years .
During his two years in office , Furgal earned a reputation of “ the people ’ s governor.
” He cut his own salary , ordered the sale of an expensive yacht the previous administration bought , met with protesters when rallies happened and significantly reduced flight fares for residents in remote areas .
“ Furgal became a political symbol for the residents of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no matter how grave - are from another , non-political dimension , ” political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said in a Facebook post earlier this week .
Last Saturday , crowds of reportedly up to 35,000 people rallied in the city center .
Protesters demanded that Furgal ’ s trial be moved to Khabarovsk , with one of them saying “ we have elected him , and it ’ s up to us to judge him.
” Some questioned the timing of the arrest , pointing to Furgal ’ s decade-long stint as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for governor , during which the murder charges never came up .
The protests , unauthorized by authorities , are the largest ever to have taken place in Khabarovsk , a city of 590,000 .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation “ not standard ” this week .
Moscow has not yet appointed an acting governor 11 days after Furgal ’ s arrest .
Massive crowds on Saturday gathered despite local officials ’ s attempts to discourage people from taking to streets , citing the coronavirus epidemic and an averted terrorist threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rally .
Protesters held banners saying “ Freedom to Sergei Furgal , governor of the Khabarovsk region ” and chanted “ I , you , he and she – the entire country is for Furgal ” .
Smaller rallies in support of Furgal also took place Saturday in Komsomolsk-on-Amur , another big city in the Khabarovsk region , and in the city of Vladivostok in the neighboring Primorye region .
“ Though I ’ m almost 70 , I worry sincerely about my region , about Russia and our nation , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be free , ” Alla Sokolova , a protestor in Khabarovsk , told the AP .

KHABAROVSK, Russia (AP) - Mass rallies challenging the Kremlin rocked Russia’s Far East city of Khabarovsk again on Saturday, as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the arrest of the region’s governor on charges of involvement in multiple murders.
The massive unauthoritized crowds gathered despite local officials’ attempts to discourage people from taking to the streets, citing the coronavirus epidemic and an alleged averted terrorist threat.
Local media estimated the rally in the city 3,800 miles east of Moscow drew 15,000 to 50,000 people, while city authorities put the number at 10,000. Hundreds of people have rallied in the city every day this week against the arrest of Sergei Furgal, reflecting widespread anger over the arrest of the popular governor and a simmering discontent with the Kremlin’s policies.
Furgal, the Khabarovsk region governor, was arrested on July 9 and flown to Moscow where he was put in jail for two months. Russia’s Investigative Committee says he is suspected of involvement in several murders of businessmen in 2004 and 2005.
Furgal has denied the charges, which relate to his time as a businessman importing consumer goods ranging from timber and metals. Khabarovsk residents dismissed the charges against him as unsubstantiated and denounced the Kremlin for targeting a governor they elected.
“It’s not only about this (whether Furgal arrest is legal or not). People are fed up with the way we are treated, that they can simply take away our choice,” protester Mikhail Yerashchenko told The Associated Press on Saturday.
A member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, Furgal was elected governor in 2018, defeating the Kremlin-backed incumbent. His victory was unexpected: Furgal didn’t actively campaign and toed the Kremlin’s line, publicly supporting his rival.
People voted for him nonetheless, delivering a humiliating blow to the main Kremlin party, United Russia, that has been losing seats in regional governments over the past two years.
During his two years in office, Furgal earned a reputation of being “the people’s governor.” He cut his own salary, ordered the sale of an expensive yacht that the previous administration bought, met with protesters when rallies happened and significantly reduced flight fares for residents in remote areas.
“Furgal became a political symbol for the residents of the region, and all accusations - no matter how grave - are from another, non-political dimension,” political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said in a Facebook post.
Last Saturday, crowds of reportedly up to 35,000 people rallied in Khabarovsk. Protesters demanded that Furgal’s trial be moved to Khabarovsk, with one saying “we have elected him and it’s up to us to judge him.” Some questioned the timing of the arrest, pointing to Furgal’s decade-long stint as a lawmaker in the Russian parliament before running for governor, during which the murder charges never came up.
The unauthorized protests are the largest ever in Khabarovsk, a city of 590,000. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation “not standard” this week. Moscow has not yet appointed an acting governor 11 days after Furgal’s arrest.
Police didn’t interfere with Saturday’s rally. Protesters held banners demanding Furgal’s freedom and chanted “I, you, he and she – the entire country is for Furgal”.
Smaller rallies in support of Furgal also took place Saturday in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, another big city in the Khabarovsk region, and in the city of Vladivostok in the neighboring Primorye region.
“Though I’m almost 70, I worry sincerely about my region, about Russia and our nation, about Furgal and freedom. I want us to be free,” Alla Sokolova, a protester in Khabarovsk, told the AP.
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Litvinova reported from Moscow.


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--EU leaders resume 'grumpy' summit on budget, virus fund

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - European Union leaders hunted for compromises Saturday on the second day of a summit to reach a deal on an unprecedented 1.85 trillion euro ( $ 2.1 trillion ) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund , with tensions running high among leaders weary after months of battling the pandemic in their countries .
A full day and night of discussions by the 27 leaders on Friday only added to the irritations over how the huge sums should be spent and what strings should be attached .
The atmosphere “ was grumpier ” as the talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said after Friday ’ s marathon talks .
“ This is going to take a while , I think.
” The EU executive has proposed a 750-billion euro fund , partly based on common borrowing , to be sent as loans and grants to the most needy countries .
That comes on top of the seven-year 1-trillion-euro EU budget that leaders were fighting over when COVID-19 slammed their continent .
The summit broke up around lunchtime Saturday so that each delegation could discuss the new proposals from host Charles Michel , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the proportion of straight-out grants in the rescue package and raise the proportion of loans that will need to be paid back , in an apparent nod to a grouping of “ frugal ” nations led by the Netherlands , the diplomat said .
But the issue of how to track the rescue money remains the key sticking point , the diplomat said .
Michel proposed a measure that would stop short of allowing any country a veto on how governments spend the money .
Another diplomat described Michel ’ s new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what could be a long journey to agreement .
Both diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the closed-door negotiations .
Rutte is seen as a leader of four “ frugal ” nations that want conditions such as economic reforms attached to EU handouts to help countries recover from the hammer blow of the coronavirus .
He met Saturday ahead of the summit for crisis talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel , French President Emmanuel Macron , Italy ’ s Giuseppe Conte as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ursula von der Leyen , and Michel .
One of Rutte ’ s allies , Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz , said the talks were not totally stalled .
“ There is more and more movement in our direction , ” he told ORF television .
The pandemic sent the EU into a tailspin with 27-nation bloc ’ s economy contracting by 8.3 % this year , according to the latest predictions .
Around 135,000 of its citizens have died from COVID-19 .
As leaders met in person for the first time since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bumped elbows and sat in a cavernous meeting hall so they could maintain social distancing .
Many of their negotiating positions were further apart than their chairs .
After two fruitless sessions Friday , summit host and European Council President Charles Michel met key players - Rutte , French President Emmanuel Macron and Hungary ’ s Viktor Orban - in an attempt to narrow the gaps between them .
Orban does not want strings attached to EU funds , Rutte does and Macron is arguing that Europe must show solidarity to claw its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to present leaders with possible compromises when the summit resumes , though it remains to be seen if they can reach agreement or will have to schedule another meeting .
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis was pessimistic after the first day .
“ I don ’ t have the impression that we are getting close to an agreement , ” he said .
Rutte , however , said that despite the mounting acrimony , the talks were creeping forward .
“ You make a bit of progress during the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start , it helps if you better understand each other ’ s positions , then you can search for possible compromises .
”

BRUSSELS (AP) - European Union leaders on Saturday extended their summit by an extra day in the hope they were finally closing in on a deal for an unprecedented 1.85 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund.
A deal was still far off, but several key nations said negotiations were at least heading in the right direction despite anxieties that were running high after months of battling the pandemic.
Heading into a balmy summer night, those tensions were showing when German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron got up and walked out of a meeting with the so-called Frugal Four group of wealthy northern nations that want to limit grants and impose strict conditions on mostly southern nations that have suffered most from the pandemic.
“A few people ran off,” acknowledged Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is considered the leader of the Frugals. When asked if it was Merkel and Macron, he said: “Yes, precisely. So we didn’t get a breakthrough tonight.”
The Franco-German alliance is seen as key to any major deal within the 27-nation EU.
When asked what he thought, Rutte said: “They run off in a bad mood. We will continue tomorrow.”
It was typical of two full days and almost two full nights of discussions by EU leaders, oscillating between raw irritation over how the huge sums should be spent and what strings should be attached and a glimmer of hope that somehow a deal could materialize - if not this weekend, then at least within a few weeks.
“Things are moving in the right direction,” said Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. “It it is of course, as you would expect, a tough struggle, a tough negotiation, but we’re moving in the right direction, and that is the most important thing.”
Rutte showed some hope, too. “The fact that we continue talking shows we all have optimism. But if we will succeed, we have to wait and see.”
The leaders are dealing with their toughest crisis in years, one that has burdened the bloc with its worst recession ever. The pandemic has sent the EU into a tailspin and around 135,000 of its citizens have died from COVID-19.
The EU executive has proposed a 750 billion-euro fund, partly based on common borrowing, to be sent as loans and grants to the most needy countries. That comes on top of the seven-year 1 trillion-euro EU budget that leaders were fighting over even before the virus slammed their continent.
Despite the urgency and seriousness of the crisis, there were deep rifts between some richer nations in the north, led by the Netherlands, which want strict controls on spending, and struggling southern nations like Spain and Italy, which have been especially hit hard by the pandemic and are looking for as much help as they can get.
Michel’s latest proposals reduced the proportion of grants in the rescue package and raise the proportion of loans that would have to be paid back, in an apparent enticement for the Frugals.
But the issue of how to track the rescue money remained the key sticking point, Rutte said. Michel proposed a measure that would stop short of allowing any country a veto on how governments spend the money and Rutte said that was still up for discussions Sunday.
Kurz said major issues still under discussion include linking rule of law guarantees in EU nations to the allocation of funds to member states. Hungary has threatened to veto any such move.
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Associated Press writer Raf Casert reported this story in Brussels and AP writer Michael Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. AP writer Angelas Charlton in Paris and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
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Follow all of AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Fire at French cathedral in Nantes destroys famed organ

NANTES , France ( AP ) - French officials launched an arson inquiry Saturday after a fire broke out in the famed Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of the western French city of Nantes .
The blaze destroyed the organ , shattered stained glass windows and sent black smoke spewing from between the cathedral towers .
Residents and tourists watched aghast , and emergency workers cordoned off the area around the monument , in the historical center of this city on the Loire River .
A City Hall official said the fire broke out Saturday morning inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear .
The official is not authorized to be publicly named .
No injuries have been reported .
The local firefighter service said the roof is not affected by the fire and was “ under control.
” They brushed aside comparisons with Notre Dame cathedral in Paris whose lead roof and spire burned down in April 2019 .
For many , the Nantes fire will have brought back memories of that devastating blaze that threatened to topple the medieval monument in the capital .
“ After Notre-Dame , the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flames .
Support for our firefighters who take all risks to save this Gothic jewel of the city , ” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter .
Saturday ’ s fire broke the main stained glass windows between the two towers of the 15th-century cathedral , and destroyed the organ , which dated from the 17th century and was called the “ soul of the cathedral ” by faithful .
“ The damage is concentrated on the great organ which appears to be be completely destroyed .
The platform on which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapsing , “ said Gen. Laurent Ferlay , head of the firefighters in the Loire Atlantique area , during a press briefing in front of the cathedral .
The cathedral had been built over five centuries and completed in 1891 .
The main organ had previously survived a serious fire in 1972 , which annihilated much of its wooden structures .
“ It is a part of our history , a part of our heritage ” Nantes Mayor Johanna Rolland told reporters .
“ We all have these images in mind , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this stage the situation does not seem to be comparable to that of 1972.
” That devastation had one upside - the burnt-out wood was replaced by concrete that helped limit the scope of Saturday ’ s catastrophe , Ferlay said .
French Prime Minister Jean Castex and French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin were among officials planning to visit Nantes Saturday afternoon in reaction to the blaze .

NANTES, France (AP) — French officials launched an arson inquiry Saturday after a fire broke out in the famed Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of the western French city of Nantes. The blaze destroyed the organ, shattered stained glass windows and sent black smoke spewing from between the cathedral towers.
Residents and tourists watched aghast, and emergency workers cordoned off the area around the monument, in the historical center of this city on the Loire River.
A City Hall official said the fire broke out Saturday morning inside the cathedral, and the cause is unclear. The official is not authorized to be publicly named. No injuries have been reported.
The local firefighter service said the roof is not affected by the fire and was“under control.”
They brushed aside comparisons with Notre Dame cathedral in Paris whose lead roof and spire burned down in April 2019. For many, the Nantes fire will have brought back memories of that devastating blaze that threatened to topple the medieval monument in the capital.
“After Notre-Dame, the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral, in the heart of Nantes, is in flames. Support for our firefighters who take all risks to save this Gothic jewel of the city,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter.
Saturday’s fire broke the main stained glass windows between the two towers of the 15th-century cathedral, and destroyed the organ, which dated from the 17th century and was called the “soul of the cathedral” by faithful.
“The damage is concentrated on the great organ which appears to be be completely destroyed. The platform on which it is located is very unstable and risks collapsing,“ said Gen. Laurent Ferlay, head of the firefighters in the Loire Atlantique area, during a press briefing in front of the cathedral.
The cathedral had been built over five centuries and completed in 1891. The main organ had previously survived a serious fire in 1972, which annihilated much of its wooden structures.
“It is a part of our history, a part of our heritage” Nantes Mayor Johanna Rolland told reporters. “We all have these images in mind, this story in our hearts, but at this stage the situation does not seem to be comparable to that of 1972.”
That devastation had one upside - the burnt-out wood was replaced by concrete that helped limit the scope of Saturday’s catastrophe, Ferlay said.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex and French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin were among officials planning to visit Nantes Saturday afternoon in reaction to the blaze.
____
Adamson reported from Paris


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Rep. John Lewis remembered for legacy of 'good trouble'

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Congressman John Lewis , a civil rights icon and the last of the Big Six civil rights activists led by the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. , died Friday at age 80 .
He is being remembered by congressional colleagues , civil rights leaders and former presidents as a “ titan ” of the struggle against racial discrimination .
“ Considering his enormous impact on the history of this country , what always struck those who met John was his gentleness and humility .
Born into modest means in the heart of the Jim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just one of a long line of heroes in the struggle for racial justice .
Early on , he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country , understanding that such tactics had the power not only to change laws , but to change hearts and minds as well.
” “ John Lewis was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness , faith and bravery transformed our nation – from the determination with which he met discrimination at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the courage he showed as a young man facing down violence and death on Edmund Pettus Bridge , to the moral leadership he brought to the Congress for more than 30 years .
” “ I will never forget joining hands with John as members of Congress sang We Shall Overcome at a 2008 ceremony honoring his friend Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr .
It could not have been more humbling to consider what he had suffered and sacrificed so those words could be sung in that place.
” FORMER PRESIDENT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HILLARY CLINTON “ From a small farm in Alabama , to life-risking service in the civil rights movement , to three decades in Congress , he was always ‘ walking with the wind , ’ steered by a moral compass that told him when to make good trouble and when to heal troubled waters .
Always true to his word , his faith , and his principles , John Lewis became the conscience of the nation.
” “ He made an indelible mark on history through his quest to make our nation more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he called ‘ good trouble ’ to lead our nation on the path toward human and civil rights .
Everything he did , he did in a spirit of love .
All Americans , regardless of race or religion , owe John Lewis a debt of gratitude.
” “ The world has lost a legend ; the civil rights movement has lost an icon , the City of Atlanta has lost one of its most fearless leaders , and the Congressional Black Caucus has lost our longest serving member .
The Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Congress .
John Lewis was known as the conscience of our caucus.
” “ John Lewis is what patriotism and courage look like .
He sacrificed and personifies a New Testament prophet.
” “ My friend , role model , and activist extraordinaire has passed .
Congressman John Lewis taught us how to be an activist .
He changed the world without hate , rancor or arrogance .
A rare and great man.
” “ Farewell , sir .
You did , indeed , fight the good fight and get into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served God and humanity well .
Thank you .
Take your rest.
” “ Few have had as powerful and inspiring an impact on our country as Congressman Lewis and America is a better , more equal place because of his sacrifice and leadership .
Our nation owes so much to this incredible man .
We served together in Congress for decades , and I was honored to call him my friend.
” “ It is not enough to say he was a revered civil rights icon .
He was a man of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting against racism , discrimination & injustice .
John was a true leader who inspired us all to have the courage to fight.
” “ Time and time again he demonstrated moral and physical courage in nonviolent defiance of the white supremacist regime in the South .
Throughout his long life , his commitment to full equality for all people never wavered .
He will always be remembered with gratitude and admiration.
” “ No one embodied the word ‘ courage ’ better than John Lewis .
As a civil rights icon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustice and reject the status quo .
Without a doubt , his wisdom and resolve made the world a better place.
” “ As a leader in the civil rights movement , he always pushed America to live up to its promise of freedom and equality .
Our nation is better because of his leadership and courage .
We know his legacy will never be forgotten.
” “ Defender of justice .
Champion of right .
Our conscience , he was a griot of this modern age , one who saw its hatred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And never once did he begrudge sharing its beauty .
”

ATLANTA (AP) - Congressman John Lewis, a civil rights icon and the last of the Big Six civil rights activists led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., died Friday at age 80. He is being remembered by congressional colleagues, civil rights leaders and former presidents as a “titan” of the struggle against racial discrimination.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
“Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing. Melania and I send our prayers to he and his family.”
___
VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE
“While John Lewis will be rightly remembered as an icon of the civil rights movement, for me he was also a colleague and a friend. Even when we differed, John was always unfailingly kind and my family and I will never forget the privilege of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge at his side on the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. “
__
FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
“Considering his enormous impact on the history of this country, what always struck those who met John was his gentleness and humility. Born into modest means in the heart of the Jim Crow South, he understood that he was just one of a long line of heroes in the struggle for racial justice. Early on, he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country, understanding that such tactics had the power not only to change laws, but to change hearts and minds as well.”
___
HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI
“John Lewis was a titan of the civil rights movement whose goodness, faith and bravery transformed our nation – from the determination with which he met discrimination at lunch counters and on Freedom Rides, to the courage he showed as a young man facing down violence and death on Edmund Pettus Bridge, to the moral leadership he brought to the Congress for more than 30 years. ”
___
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL
“I will never forget joining hands with John as members of Congress sang We Shall Overcome at a 2008 ceremony honoring his friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It could not have been more humbling to consider what he had suffered and sacrificed so those words could be sung in that place.”
___
FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
“Laura and I join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of Congressman John Lewis. As a young man marching for equality in Selma, Alabama, John answered brutal violence with courageous hope. And throughout his career as a civil rights leader and public servant, he worked to make our country a more perfect union. America can best honor John’s memory by continuing his journey toward liberty and justice for all.”
—
FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON
“From a small farm in Alabama, to life-risking service in the civil rights movement, to three decades in Congress, he was always ‘walking with the wind,’ steered by a moral compass that told him when to make good trouble and when to heal troubled waters. Always true to his word, his faith, and his principles, John Lewis became the conscience of the nation.”
___
FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
“He made an indelible mark on history through his quest to make our nation more just. John never shied away from what he called ‘good trouble’ to lead our nation on the path toward human and civil rights. Everything he did, he did in a spirit of love. All Americans, regardless of race or religion, owe John Lewis a debt of gratitude.”
___
THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS
“The world has lost a legend; the civil rights movement has lost an icon, the City of Atlanta has lost one of its most fearless leaders, and the Congressional Black Caucus has lost our longest serving member. The Congressional Black Caucus is known as the Conscience of the Congress. John Lewis was known as the conscience of our caucus.”
—
ATLANTA MAYOR KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS
“The City of Atlanta’s Congressman Lewis is an American hero and one of the pillars of the Civil Rights Movement. Congressman Lewis was also revered as the dean of the Georgia Congressional delegation whose passionate call to “make good trouble” became a generational rallying cry for nonviolent activism in the pursuit of social justice and human rights.”
__
HANK AARON, BASEBALL GREAT
“John and I connected to the roots. By that I mean we were born and grew up in the highly racist and segregated south, in the state of Alabama. He committed his life to the struggle for justice and equality for all people. He was one of the great civil rights icons and led a life of service for the betterment of all mankind. We have lost a giant of a man.”
—
THE NAACP
“He fought harder and longer than anyone in our nation’s continuing battle for civil rights and equal justice.”
—
THE REV. JESSE JACKSON
“John Lewis is what patriotism and courage look like. He sacrificed and personifies a New Testament prophet.”
___
THE REV. AL SHARPTON
“My friend, role model, and activist extraordinaire has passed. Congressman John Lewis taught us how to be an activist. He changed the world without hate, rancor or arrogance. A rare and great man.”
___
BERNICE KING, DAUGHTER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
“Farewell, sir. You did, indeed, fight the good fight and get into a lot of good trouble. You served God and humanity well. Thank you. Take your rest.”
___
FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID
“Few have had as powerful and inspiring an impact on our country as Congressman Lewis and America is a better, more equal place because of his sacrifice and leadership. Our nation owes so much to this incredible man. We served together in Congress for decades, and I was honored to call him my friend.”
___
REP. MAXINE WATERS
“It is not enough to say he was a revered civil rights icon. He was a man of impeccable integrity who dedicated his life to fighting against racism, discrimination & injustice. John was a true leader who inspired us all to have the courage to fight.”
___
THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF GEORGIA
“Time and time again he demonstrated moral and physical courage in nonviolent defiance of the white supremacist regime in the South. Throughout his long life, his commitment to full equality for all people never wavered. He will always be remembered with gratitude and admiration.”
___
U.S. SEN. DAVID PERDUE OF GEORGIA
“No one embodied the word ‘courage’ better than John Lewis. As a civil rights icon, John inspired millions of Americans to fight injustice and reject the status quo. Without a doubt, his wisdom and resolve made the world a better place.”
___
U.S. SEN. KELLY LOEFFLER OF GEORGIA
“As a leader in the civil rights movement, he always pushed America to live up to its promise of freedom and equality. Our nation is better because of his leadership and courage. We know his legacy will never be forgotten.”
—
TOM PEREZ, CHAIR OF DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
“Congressman Lewis never failed to remind us of our moral obligation towards one another. He lived his life acting on behalf of those facing injustice and oppression and then encouraged us to do the same — from the streets of Selma to the halls of Congress.”
___
STACEY ABRAMS, GEORGIA POLITICIAN
“Defender of justice. Champion of right. Our conscience, he was a griot of this modern age, one who saw its hatred but fought ever towards the light. And never once did he begrudge sharing its beauty.”
___
THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
“A long-standing friend of the institution he often spoke about the emotional impact of his many visits to the Museum and was a Congressionally appointed member of our governing Council. In 2016, Lewis was the recipient of the Museum’s highest honor, its Elie Wiesel Award, in recognition of his extraordinary moral and physical courage and his enduring commitment to promoting the human dignity of all people. …
The Museum sends its heartfelt condolences to the entire Lewis family.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--AP Week in Pictures, Global

AP Week in Pictures, Global

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by The Associated Press from around the @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Patrick Sison in New York .

In this photo released by the El Salvador Presidential Press Office, inmates are lined up during a security operation under the watch of police at the Izalco prison in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, April 25, 2020. Authorities crammed the …
In this photo released by the …


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--100-year-old Florida man remembers expedition to Antarctica

JACKSONVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - Robert Johnson , who turned 100 on Tuesday , a hot and sunny Florida day , barely hesitated when asked what he ’ d do if given another chance to go to Antarctica , the land of eternal ice and snow that he first journeyed to as a teenager .
“ It would be very tempting , it would , ” he said .
“ That place stays in your heart .
It really does.
” At 19 , Johnson was the youngest member of Adm. Richard Byrd ’ s 1939 expedition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19th-century , thick-hulled wooden ship with sails and diesel .
He went back with Byrd in 1946 for Operation Highjump , then joined another U.S. Navy expedition there , Operation Windmill , in 1948 .
The son of a chief warrant officer in San Diego , Johnson was a Sea Scout who trained on sailing ships as a teen .
The summer he turned 16 , he was one of the Sea Scouts aboard the Pacific Queen , a 300-foot square-rigger , for what was supposed to be a 15-day cruise .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67 days , its crew living on severe rations , creating headlines as a frantic search ensued .
That experience didn ’ t keep him from the sea : He joined the Navy two years later on a battleship and then volunteered for Byrd ’ s expedition .
With his sailing experience , he was signed on to the Bear , bound for Antarctica .
He ’ s believed to be the last survivor of any of Byrd ’ s pre-World War II polar journeys , which caught the public imagination and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , in fact , is most likely the last living member of any prewar polar expedition by any country , said Glenn Stein , a polar and maritime historian from Apopka .
Stein came to Jacksonville for Johnson ’ s 100th birthday party , which was under a tent outside his East Arlington home , attended by pandemic-masked family members and friends .
Five police cars drove by , sirens blipping , and neighbors and friends drove by as well , holding signs of support .
The police officers then visited Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some food and displays .
Stein has interviewed Johnson several times and marvels at his still-sharp memory .
“ He ’ s a treasure , an absolute treasure , ” said Stein , author of “ Discovering the North-West Passage : The Four-Year Arctic Odyssey of H.M.S .
investigator and the McClure Expedition.
” “ This is a time when things like this just aren ’ t done any more , this kind of adventure.
” Harvey Morrissey , 16 , a Sea Scout from Ocala , also came up for the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson and was struck by his vivid stories of Antarctica and of his teenage sailing journey on the Pacific Queen .
“ That ’ s crazy , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t think any Sea Scout today could do that .
It ’ s a different world , compared to today , obviously.
” Johnson was in the Navy from 1937 to 1956 , ending up at Naval Station Mayport as a chief bosun ’ s mate .
He then worked for the Postal Service until 1990 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their transport on the ice was sleds and dogs .
To feed the dogs , they would shoot a seal - and that would be the dogs ’ lunch .
In Operation High Jump , he parachuted to the ice , making a heavy landing in what seemed to him the quietest place on Earth .
There ’ s a whole room in Robert and Mildred Johnson ’ s house dedicated to his three Antarctic adventures .
He calls it the chief ’ s quarters , and it ’ s decorated with photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of honor is reserved for Polar Penguin Pete , a penguin Johnson took with him after one expedition and then had stuffed .
It ’ s been with him ever since , a reminder of his journeys to the bottom of the Earth .
“ That ’ s quite a place , ” he pronounced , some 72 years after his last trip there .
“ It ’ s different from anything else , that ’ s for sure .
It is a wonderful place down there .
”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Robert Johnson, who turned 100 on Tuesday, a hot and sunny Florida day, barely hesitated when asked what he’d do if given another chance to go to Antarctica, the land of eternal ice and snow that he first journeyed to as a teenager.
“It would be very tempting, it would,” he said. “That place stays in your heart. It really does.”
At 19, Johnson was the youngest member of Adm. Richard Byrd’s 1939 expedition to Antarctica aboard the USS Bear, a 19th-century, thick-hulled wooden ship with sails and diesel.
He went back with Byrd in 1946 for Operation Highjump, then joined another U.S. Navy expedition there, Operation Windmill, in 1948.
The son of a chief warrant officer in San Diego, Johnson was a Sea Scout who trained on sailing ships as a teen.
The summer he turned 16, he was one of the Sea Scouts aboard the Pacific Queen, a 300-foot square-rigger, for what was supposed to be a 15-day cruise. The becalmed ship ended up at sea for 67 days, its crew living on severe rations, creating headlines as a frantic search ensued.
That experience didn’t keep him from the sea: He joined the Navy two years later on a battleship and then volunteered for Byrd’s expedition. With his sailing experience, he was signed on to the Bear, bound for Antarctica.
He’s believed to be the last survivor of any of Byrd’s pre-World War II polar journeys, which caught the public imagination and made the explorer a much-decorated national hero.
Johnson, in fact, is most likely the last living member of any prewar polar expedition by any country, said Glenn Stein, a polar and maritime historian from Apopka.
Stein came to Jacksonville for Johnson’s 100th birthday party, which was under a tent outside his East Arlington home, attended by pandemic-masked family members and friends.
Five police cars drove by, sirens blipping, and neighbors and friends drove by as well, holding signs of support. The police officers then visited Johnson as he sat in his driveway near some food and displays.
Stein has interviewed Johnson several times and marvels at his still-sharp memory.
“He’s a treasure, an absolute treasure,” said Stein, author of “Discovering the North-West Passage: The Four-Year Arctic Odyssey of H.M.S. investigator and the McClure Expedition.” “This is a time when things like this just aren’t done any more, this kind of adventure.”
Harvey Morrissey, 16, a Sea Scout from Ocala, also came up for the party. He had done a podcast with Johnson and was struck by his vivid stories of Antarctica and of his teenage sailing journey on the Pacific Queen.
“That’s crazy,” he said. “I don’t think any Sea Scout today could do that. It’s a different world, compared to today, obviously.”
Johnson was in the Navy from 1937 to 1956, ending up at Naval Station Mayport as a chief bosun’s mate. He then worked for the Postal Service until 1990.
He recalls that on the first expedition, their transport on the ice was sleds and dogs. To feed the dogs, they would shoot a seal - and that would be the dogs’ lunch.
In Operation High Jump, he parachuted to the ice, making a heavy landing in what seemed to him the quietest place on Earth.
There’s a whole room in Robert and Mildred Johnson’s house dedicated to his three Antarctic adventures. He calls it the chief’s quarters, and it’s decorated with photos, awards and memorabilia.
A place of honor is reserved for Polar Penguin Pete, a penguin Johnson took with him after one expedition and then had stuffed. It’s been with him ever since, a reminder of his journeys to the bottom of the Earth.
“That’s quite a place,” he pronounced, some 72 years after his last trip there. “It’s different from anything else, that’s for sure. It is a wonderful place down there.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Florida marathon runner halted by virus symptoms

PANAMA CITY BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - After running a record 95 consecutive marathons , a local woman was forced to call it quits because of COVID-19-like symptoms .
For Alyssa Clark of Panama City Beach , it ’ s now time for some much needed rest and recovery .
“ I was having fevers for ( the last ) couple days while I was running , ” said Clark , who added that she also lost her sense of taste , had a cough , was nauseous and congested .
“ I started getting chest pains while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought ‘ Oh , this is really bad.
’ ” Realizing she had basically every symptom of the coronavirus , she stopped the marathon short and went to a local hospital .
There , she was denied a test , Clark said .
She then managed to get tested at an urgent-care center Tuesday and is awaiting results .
“ It ’ s definitely odd to have been turned away by a hospital from getting tested , especially considering the guidelines say to get tested if you ’ re exhibiting symptoms , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the official women ’ s world record for consecutive marathons was 60 , Clark added .
As of Thursday , she was still waiting for Guinness World Records to confirm her official record .
Looking back on her achievement , Clark was proud to have carried on as long as she did .
Her journey originally began after a list of races she was preparing for got canceled .
She then decided to put her cardio to the test and run a marathon every day until quarantine restrictions loosened .
At 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is now self quarantining , said she plans to compete in a 240-mile ultra marathon this fall .
“ It kind of feels like a lifetime ago already … but I ’ m pretty excited for some new adventures , ” she said on the past few months .
” ( My original goal ) was 65 , then it was 75 and then it just kind of became 100 , but it wasn ’ t like I started the journey thinking I was going to do 100 marathons .
”

NATHAN COBB, The Panama City News Herald

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (AP) - After running a record 95 consecutive marathons, a local woman was forced to call it quits because of COVID-19-like symptoms.
For Alyssa Clark of Panama City Beach, it’s now time for some much needed rest and recovery.
“I was having fevers for (the last) couple days while I was running,” said Clark, who added that she also lost her sense of taste, had a cough, was nauseous and congested. “I started getting chest pains while I was running the 96th marathon and thought ‘Oh, this is really bad.’ ”
Realizing she had basically every symptom of the coronavirus, she stopped the marathon short and went to a local hospital. There, she was denied a test, Clark said.
She then managed to get tested at an urgent-care center Tuesday and is awaiting results.
“It’s definitely odd to have been turned away by a hospital from getting tested, especially considering the guidelines say to get tested if you’re exhibiting symptoms,” Clark said.
Prior to her feat, the official women’s world record for consecutive marathons was 60, Clark added. As of Thursday, she was still waiting for Guinness World Records to confirm her official record.
Looking back on her achievement, Clark was proud to have carried on as long as she did. Her journey originally began after a list of races she was preparing for got canceled. She then decided to put her cardio to the test and run a marathon every day until quarantine restrictions loosened.
At 27 years old, the competitive ultra-marathon runner, who is now self quarantining, said she plans to compete in a 240-mile ultra marathon this fall.
“It kind of feels like a lifetime ago already … but I’m pretty excited for some new adventures,” she said on the past few months. ”(My original goal) was 65, then it was 75 and then it just kind of became 100, but it wasn’t like I started the journey thinking I was going to do 100 marathons.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Friday Sports in Brief

Friday Sports in Brief

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Washington NFL owner Dan Snyder said Friday he ’ s committed to improving the culture inside the team after allegations of sexual harassment , while the league will wait for a law firm ’ s review before taking action .
The Washington Post reported Thursday that 15 female former employees said they were sexually harassed during their time with the team .
Snyder said the behavior described in the story “ has no place in our franchise or society.
” He hired District of Columbia law firm Wilkinson and Walsh to conduct an independent review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of workplace misconduct .
The league said in a statement it will meet with lawyers after the investigation is complete and will act based on the findings .
Snyder also pledged to make organizational changes .
NEW YORK ( AP ) - The NFL Players Association wants players tested daily for coronavirus , one of the outstanding points in discussions with the NFL over health and safety protocols as the start of training camp draws near .
“ We believe daily testing is important , especially given some of these hot spots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , referring to states with increasing numbers of coronavirus cases .
The league and the union already finalized protocols regarding team travel , media , and treatment response , and updated the facilities protocol to specifically address training camp based on recommendations from a joint committee of doctors , trainers and strength coaches formed by the league and players ’ union .
The committee recommended testing every other day .
LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. - The NBA ’ s MVP race is over .
So is the battle for every other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams Friday that none of the seeding games will be taken into consideration for any postseason award , and that voting for those honors - such as All-NBA , rookie of the year and defensive player of the year - will be completed before the July 30 restart of the season at Walt Disney World .
Typically , those votes are cast closer to the end of the regular season .
So the postseason races are still going in many cases , but the individual award chases are now complete .
LAKE BUENA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Budenholzer confirmed Eric Bledsoe tested positive for COVID-19 , but remains cautiously optimistic the veteran point guard will be ready for the start of the season ’ s resumption .
“ With the virus you ’ re never sure , ” Budenholzer said Friday .
“ There are certainly things that you have to kind of clear and cover , but the opener , if it ’ s two weeks away , then I think most medical , most things and research would say he is going to be available.
’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after multiple reports indicated Bledsoe said he had tested positive but was asymptomatic .
The Bucks , who have an NBA-leading 53-12 record , will face the Boston Celtics on July 31 in their first game since the pandemic-imposed hiatus began in mid-March .
NEW YORK ( AP ) - Washington Mystics forward Tina Charles was medically excused for the season by an independent panel of doctors , the team announced Friday .
Charles , who came over to the Mystics in an offseason trade , wrote in The Players Tribune on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asthma that impacts her immune system and would make “ playing during a pandemic a very risky and dangerous proposition.
” NEW YORK ( AP ) - Major League Soccer delayed the first seasons of expansion teams in Charlotte , North Carolina ; St. Louis ; and Sacramento , California , by one year each because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Charlotte will start play in 2022 , and St. Louis and Sacramento will take the field in 2023 , the league said Friday .
Austin , Texas , remains on track to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have 27 teams .
MLS said Austin FC had made significant progress before the pandemic .
The former series champion , who was unable to qualify because of a fuel pressure issue , managed to stretch his tires and take advantage of a unique pit strategy to get to the lead .
Pagenaud then held off series leader Scott Dixon through the final laps Friday night to end Chip Ganassi Racing ’ s four-race winning streak .
Pagenaud went from 23rd to first , but Dixon was just as impressive .
He started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the 15th time in the series , and first since Toronto last season .
The 36-year-old Frenchman gave Team Penske its third Iowa win in four races .
BLOOMINGTON , Ind .
( AP ) - Bea Gorton , the first women ’ s basketball coach at Indiana , has died .
She was 73 .
The Hultgren Funeral Home said Gorton died at her home in Carol Stream , Illinois , on Tuesday .
Gorton spent four seasons in charge of the Hoosiers , from 1972-76 , and went 79-28 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ top winning percentage ( .738 ) as well as the distinction of having coached the only All-American in program history , Debbie Oing .
During Gorton ’ s tenure , the Hoosiers reached the AIAW Final Four in 1973 and the tournament ’ s Elite Eight in 1972 and 1974 .
From 1975-1980 , Gorton served as an adviser to the AIAW , which oversaw national championships in women ’ s sports until the NCAA took over in 1982 .
She also was a member of the Kodak Coaches All-American selection committee in @ @

FOOTBALL
WASHINGTON (AP) - Washington NFL owner Dan Snyder said Friday he’s committed to improving the culture inside the team after allegations of sexual harassment, while the league will wait for a law firm’s review before taking action.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that 15 female former employees said they were sexually harassed during their time with the team. Snyder said the behavior described in the story “has no place in our franchise or society.”
He hired District of Columbia law firm Wilkinson and Walsh to conduct an independent review of team policies, culture and allegations of workplace misconduct. The league said in a statement it will meet with lawyers after the investigation is complete and will act based on the findings.
Snyder also pledged to make organizational changes.
NEW YORK (AP) - The NFL Players Association wants players tested daily for coronavirus, one of the outstanding points in discussions with the NFL over health and safety protocols as the start of training camp draws near.
“We believe daily testing is important, especially given some of these hot spots,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said Friday, referring to states with increasing numbers of coronavirus cases.
The league and the union already finalized protocols regarding team travel, media, and treatment response, and updated the facilities protocol to specifically address training camp based on recommendations from a joint committee of doctors, trainers and strength coaches formed by the league and players’ union. The committee recommended testing every other day.
BASKETBALL
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The NBA’s MVP race is over. So is the battle for every other individual regular-season trophy.
The league told teams Friday that none of the seeding games will be taken into consideration for any postseason award, and that voting for those honors - such as All-NBA, rookie of the year and defensive player of the year - will be completed before the July 30 restart of the season at Walt Disney World.
Typically, those votes are cast closer to the end of the regular season. So the postseason races are still going in many cases, but the individual award chases are now complete.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed Eric Bledsoe tested positive for COVID-19, but remains cautiously optimistic the veteran point guard will be ready for the start of the season’s resumption.
“With the virus you’re never sure,” Budenholzer said Friday. “There are certainly things that you have to kind of clear and cover, but the opener, if it’s two weeks away, then I think most medical, most things and research would say he is going to be available.’’
Budenholzer’s comment came a day after multiple reports indicated Bledsoe said he had tested positive but was asymptomatic.
The Bucks, who have an NBA-leading 53-12 record, will face the Boston Celtics on July 31 in their first game since the pandemic-imposed hiatus began in mid-March.
NEW YORK (AP) - Washington Mystics forward Tina Charles was medically excused for the season by an independent panel of doctors, the team announced Friday.
Charles, who came over to the Mystics in an offseason trade, wrote in The Players Tribune on Friday that she has a condition called extrinsic asthma that impacts her immune system and would make “playing during a pandemic a very risky and dangerous proposition.”
SOCCER
NEW YORK (AP) - Major League Soccer delayed the first seasons of expansion teams in Charlotte, North Carolina; St. Louis; and Sacramento, California, by one year each because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Charlotte will start play in 2022, and St. Louis and Sacramento will take the field in 2023, the league said Friday.
Austin, Texas, remains on track to begin next year, when MLS will have 27 teams. MLS said Austin FC had made significant progress before the pandemic.
AUTO RACING
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) - Simon Pagenaud’s worst-to-first run capped a wild opening night to IndyCar’s doubleheader at Iowa Speedway.
The former series champion, who was unable to qualify because of a fuel pressure issue, managed to stretch his tires and take advantage of a unique pit strategy to get to the lead. Pagenaud then held off series leader Scott Dixon through the final laps Friday night to end Chip Ganassi Racing’s four-race winning streak.
Pagenaud went from 23rd to first, but Dixon was just as impressive. He started 17th before finishing second.
Pagenaud won for the 15th time in the series, and first since Toronto last season. The 36-year-old Frenchman gave Team Penske its third Iowa win in four races.
OBITUARY
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Bea Gorton, the first women’s basketball coach at Indiana, has died. She was 73.
The Hultgren Funeral Home said Gorton died at her home in Carol Stream, Illinois, on Tuesday.
Gorton spent four seasons in charge of the Hoosiers, from 1972-76, and went 79-28. She still holds the school record for top winning percentage (.738) as well as the distinction of having coached the only All-American in program history, Debbie Oing.
During Gorton’s tenure, the Hoosiers reached the AIAW Final Four in 1973 and the tournament’s Elite Eight in 1972 and 1974. From 1975-1980, Gorton served as an adviser to the AIAW, which oversaw national championships in women’s sports until the NCAA took over in 1982. She also was a member of the Kodak Coaches All-American selection committee in 1975-76.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Republicans pick Freitas in closely watched House contest

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Virginia Republicans have picked state Del .
Nick Freitas as their candidate to face off against U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger this fall in one of the country ’ s marquee congressional races .
News outlets report Freitas won a convention Saturday to be the GOP nominee for a Richmond-area congressional district .
Freitas , defeated state Del .
John McGuire and several other candidates in a hard-fought convention that took several hours and three rounds of voting before a winner was declared .
Freitas is a libertarian-leaning former Green Beret who is backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and had to mount a pricey write-in campaign to keep his state House seat last year after failing to get his campaign paperwork in on time to ensure his name was on the ballot .
He failed to get his paperwork in on time again this year for the congressional race , but a state elections board recently voted 2-1 to give him an extension .
Spanberger is a former CIA officer who is one of several freshmen moderate Democrats who flipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powered in large part by suburban voters unhappy with the president .
She defeated former U.S. Rep. Dave Brat two years ago .
Brat , a tea party favorite , won a stunning primary victory over House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014 .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Republicans have picked state Del. Nick Freitas as their candidate to face off against U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger this fall in one of the country’s marquee congressional races.
News outlets report Freitas won a convention Saturday to be the GOP nominee for a Richmond-area congressional district.
Freitas, defeated state Del. John McGuire and several other candidates in a hard-fought convention that took several hours and three rounds of voting before a winner was declared.
Freitas is a libertarian-leaning former Green Beret who is backed by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul. He unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and had to mount a pricey write-in campaign to keep his state House seat last year after failing to get his campaign paperwork in on time to ensure his name was on the ballot.
He failed to get his paperwork in on time again this year for the congressional race, but a state elections board recently voted 2-1 to give him an extension.
Spanberger is a former CIA officer who is one of several freshmen moderate Democrats who flipped districts won by President Donald Trump, powered in large part by suburban voters unhappy with the president.
She defeated former U.S. Rep. Dave Brat two years ago. Brat, a tea party favorite, won a stunning primary victory over House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014.


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--US appeals court overrules Texas GOP's in-person convention

A federal appeals court has overruled a judge ’ s ruling that allowed the Texas Republican Party to hold its convention in-person , marking a big win for the the nation ’ s fourth-largest city in an ongoing battle with the GOP .
In an order issued Saturday , the 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals stayed Friday ’ s ruling that would have permitted the Republican Party of Texas to host an in-person convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center .
It came one day after Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner vowed to appeal the case .
Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Texas , had ordered Friday that the city of Houston violated the GOP ’ s constitutional rights by canceling the event .
Turner , a Democrat , had directed operators of the George R. Brown Convention Center earlier this month to cancel the Texas GOP ’ s contract to hold an in-person convention this weekend at the center .
The mayor said he believed the three-day event could not be held safely with the new coronavirus , which causes COVID-19 , running rampant in Houston and much of Texas .
The party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it lost an appeal at the Texas Supreme Court on Monday .
The ruling Saturday came as Texas reported more than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 for the fifth consecutive day and more than 100 deaths linked to the disease for the fourth day in a row .
State health officials also noted Saturday that there were another 10,158 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 130 additional fatalities .
Hospitals in the Texas have been straining under one of the worst outbreaks in the United States .
The total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,658 Saturday , from 10,632 Friday .
That seven-day average for positive tests was just over 16 % .
The in-person convention was initially set to run from Thursday to Saturday .
But James Dickey , chairman of the Republican Party of Texas , said Friday the party was still on-track to try a virtual gathering this weekend .

A federal appeals court has overruled a judge’s decision allowing the Texas Republican Party to hold an in-person convention in Houston, marking a big win for the the nation’s fourth-largest city in an ongoing battle with the state GOP.
In an order issued Saturday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed Friday’s ruling that would have permitted the Republican Party of Texas to host an in-person convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center. It came one day after Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner vowed to appeal the case.
Judge Lynn Hughes, of the Southern District of Texas, had ruled Friday that the city of Houston violated the GOP’s constitutional rights by canceling the event.
Turner, a Democrat, had directed convention center operators earlier this month to cancel the Texas GOP’s contract to hold an in-person convention this weekend. The mayor said he believed the three-day event could not be held safely amid a surge of coronavirus cases in Houston and much of Texas.
The party sued, alleging breach of contract, but it lost an appeal at the Texas Supreme Court on Monday.
The ruling Saturday came as Texas reported more than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, for the fifth consecutive day and more than 100 deaths linked to the disease for the fourth day in a row.
State health officials also noted Saturday that there were another 10,158 confirmed coronavirus cases and 130 additional fatalities.
Hospitals in the Texas have been straining under one of the worst outbreaks in the United States. The total number of Texans hospitalized with the disease rose to 10,658 Saturday, from 10,632 Friday. That seven-day average for positive tests was just over 16%.
The in-person convention was initially set to run from Thursday to Saturday. But James Dickey, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, said Friday the party was still on-track to try a virtual gathering this weekend.


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Asia Today: Another 13 cases in China's far west outbreak

BEIJING ( AP ) - China on Sunday reported another 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi , raising the total in the country ’ s most recent local outbreak to at least 30 .
An additional three cases were brought into the country from overseas , increasing China ’ s total number of confirmed infections to 83,660 with 4,634 reported deaths .
Despite the Urumqi outbreak , China has just 251 people remaining in treatment for COVID-19 , according to the National Health Commission .
Another 151 people were being monitored in isolation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for testing positive without showing symptoms .
At least 23 of those asymptomatic cases were in Urumqi , although China does not include them in confirmed cases .
Urumqi has responded by reducing subway , bus and taxi services , closed off some residential communities and is now conducting citywide tests , beginning with areas where cases had been reported , according to state media .
Some restrictions on people leaving the city have also been imposed , with the number of flights from the city reduced .
The Urumqi outbreak is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained the domestic spread of the virus in March .
The largest was a recent outbreak in Beijing that infected more than 330 people , but local authorities on Saturday said commercial operations in the city have largely recovered .
The Chinese capital has gone 13 days without a domestically transmitted case , although business at many restaurants and shops remains poor .
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang region , where China has been accused of human rights abuses among its native Muslim minority groups .
China has deployed a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it says is needed to prevent terrorist activity .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - South Korea has reported less than 40 additional cases of the coronavirus for a second straight day , as authorities struggle to suppress an uptick in local infections .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday the 34 new cases raise the country ’ s total to 13,745 with 295 deaths .
The agency says 21 of the newly confirmed cases were domestically infected , all of them in the densely populated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rest were from overseas .
Health authorities have said imported case of COVID-19 are less threatening than local transmissions because South Korea is mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all people arriving from abroad .
Follow all of AP ’ s pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - After a one-day respite, coronavirus cases in the Australian state of Victoria have risen again, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby shire of Mitchell.
Health officials on Sunday recorded 363 new cases in the past 24 hours. Two men and a woman in their 90s died, taking the national death toll from COVID-19 to 122.
On Saturday, Victoria’s new cases fell to 217 from a record high of 428 the previous day.
By Wednesday, masks or face coverings will be mandatory for people who leave their homes to exercise or to purchase essential goods.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said up to 3 million face masks are on order by the state government and the first batch of 300,000 is due to arrive this week.
Andrews said those who fail to wear a mask will be fined 200 Australian dollars ($140).
“There’s no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus and it’s a simple thing, but it’s about changing habits, it’s about becoming a simple part of your routine,” Andrews said.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- A record 24-hour surge of 38,902 new cases has taken India’s coronavirus total to 1,077,618. The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported 543 additional deaths for a total of 26,816. The number of people who have recovered continues to grow. The Health Ministry data shows 677,422 patients have been cured so far across the country, putting the recovery rate at 62.82%. Experts say India is likely to witness a series of peaks as the infection spread in rural areas.
- Hong Kong is tightening anti-coronavirus measures following a recent surge in cases. The wearing of masks will be mandatory in all public places and nonessential civil servants will again work from home. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam introduced the measures on Sunday. Travelers flying to Hong Kong from areas where the risk of infection is considered particularly severe will have to show a negative coronavirus test before boarding their flight, undergo another test upon arrival and undergo a 14-day quarantine in a hotel. Previously, those arriving could quarantine themselves at home. The nations included in the new regulation were given as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa.
- China on Sunday reported another 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the northwestern city of Urumqi, raising the total in the country’s most recent local outbreak to at least 30. An additional three cases from overseas increased China’s total number of confirmed infections to 83,660 with 4,634 reported deaths. Despite the Urumqi outbreak, China has just 251 people remaining in treatment for COVID-19. Another 151 people were being monitored in isolation for showing signs of having the virus or for testing positive without showing symptoms. At least 23 of those asymptomatic cases were in Urumqi, although China does not include them in confirmed cases. Urumqi has responded by reducing subway, bus and taxi services, closed off some residential communities and is now conducting citywide tests, beginning with areas where cases had been reported, according to state media. Some restrictions on people leaving the city have also been imposed, with the number of flights from the city reduced.
- South Korea has reported less than 40 additional cases of the coronavirus for a second straight day, as authorities struggle to suppress an uptick in local infections. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday the 34 new cases raise the country’s total to 13,745 with 295 deaths. The agency says 21 of the newly confirmed cases were domestically infected, all of them in the densely populated Seoul area or two central cities. The rest were from overseas. Health authorities have said imported case of COVID-19 are less threatening than local transmissions because South Korea is mandating testing and enforcing two-week quarantines on all people arriving from abroad.
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Follow all of AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Oregon sues feds over Portland protests as unrest continues

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Oregon ’ s attorney general is seeking an order to stop militarized federal agents from arresting people in Portland as the city continues to be convulsed by nightly protests that have gone on for seven weeks and have now pitted local officials against the Trump administration .
Federal agents , some wearing camouflage and some wearing dark Homeland Security uniforms , used tear gas at least twice to break up crowds late Friday night , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality have happened every day in Oregon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd on May 25 .
President Donald Trump has decried the disorder , and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “ lawless anarchists ” in a visit to the city .
Before the aggressive language and action from federal officials , the unrest had frustrated Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local authorities , who had said a small cadre of violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters in the city .
But Wheeler said the federal presence in the city is now exacerbating a tense situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Keep your troops in your own buildings , or have them leave our city , ” Wheeler said Friday .
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum late Friday sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court .
The complaint says that unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off Portland ’ s streets “ without warning or explanation , without a warrant , and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action.
” Rosenblum said she was seeking a temporary restraining order to “ immediately stop federal authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland is being driven by federal law enforcement tactics that are entirely unnecessary , ” Rosenblum said in a statement .
The administration has enlisted federal agents , including the U.S .
Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexico border , to protect federal property .
But Oregon Public Broadcasting reported this week that some agents had been driving around in unmarked vans and snatching protesters from streets not near federal property , without identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer with the Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester ’ s head on July 11 , critically injuring him .
On Friday night , hundreds of people gathered for a vigil outside the downtown Justice Center , which is sandwiched between two federal buildings , including a courthouse , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
Across the street , dozens of other protesters entered two recently closed city parks after dismantling chain-link fencing that blocked access .
Federal agents emerged from an office building next door and used impact munitions , stun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , the news organization reported .
It said its journalists did not observe any incident that might have prompted the use of the weapons .
Federal officers deployed tear gas again just before midnight after a few protesters placed dismantled fencing in front of plywood doors covering the entrance of the federal courthouse .
Early Saturday , Portland police declared the gathering unlawful , saying protesters had piled fencing in front of the exits to the federal courthouse and the Multnomah County Justice Center and then shot off fireworks at the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then advanced simultaneously on the demonstrators to clear the streets , making arrests as protesters threw bottles and pieces of metal fence at police , the Portland Police Bureau said .
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell told reporters Friday that his officers are in contact with the federal agents , but that neither controls the others ’ actions .
The overnight action by Portland ’ s police was condemned by a prominent member of the City Council .
On Saturday Jo Ann Hardesty said local police “ joined in the aggressive clampdown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was downtown speaking at the protest Friday night , slammed Wheeler , telling the mayor he needed to better control local law enforcement .
Hardesty , who oversees the city ’ s fire department and other first-responder agencies , said in an open letter to Wheeler if “ you can ’ t control the police , give me the Portland Police Bureau.
” In a statement Saturday , Portland Police said as they responded to the overnight protests - which included people throwing projectiles at them - some federal agencies took action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Portland Police said city officers arrested seven people , and one officer sustained a minor injury .
The statement said the city ’ s police supports peaceful protests , and beginning Saturday night Department of Homeland Security police won ’ t work in the Portland Police incident command center .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon’s attorney general is seeking an order to stop federal agents from arresting people in Portland as the city continues to be convulsed by nightly protests that have gone on for seven weeks and have now pitted local officials against the Trump administration.
Federal agents, some wearing camouflage and some wearing dark Homeland Security uniforms, used tear gas at least twice to break up crowds late Friday night, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
Demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality have happened every day in Oregon’s largest city since Minneapolis police killed George Floyd on May 25. At 10 p.m. Saturday, several hundred peaceful demonstrators against police brutality rallied in front of downtown’s Multnomah County Justice Center and the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, which has a newly built fence around it.
President Donald Trump has decried the disorder, and Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “lawless anarchists” in a visit to the city.
Before the aggressive language and action from federal officials, the unrest had frustrated Mayor Ted Wheeler and other local authorities, who had said a small cadre of violent activists were drowning out the message of peaceful protesters in the city. But Wheeler said the federal presence in the city is now exacerbating a tense situation and he has told them to depart.
“Keep your troops in your own buildings, or have them leave our city,” Wheeler said Friday.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum late Friday sued Homeland Security and the Marshals Service in federal court. The complaint says that unidentified federal agents have grabbed people off Portland’s streets “without warning or explanation, without a warrant, and without providing any way to determine who is directing this action.”
Rosenblum said she was seeking a temporary restraining order to “immediately stop federal authorities from unlawfully detaining Oregonians.”
“The current escalation of fear and violence in downtown Portland is being driven by federal law enforcement tactics that are entirely unnecessary,” Rosenblum said in a statement.
The administration has enlisted federal agents, including the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexico border, to protect federal property.
But Oregon Public Broadcasting reported this week that some agents had been driving around in unmarked vans and snatching protesters from streets not near federal property, without identifying themselves.
Tensions also escalated after an officer with the Marshals Service fired a less-lethal round at a protester’s head on July 11, critically injuring him.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, issued a joint statement Saturday denouncing the Trump administration’s actions.
“We live in a democracy, not a banana republic. We will not tolerate the use of Oregonians, Washingtonians –- or any other Americans -– as props in President Trump’s political games. The House is committed to moving swiftly to curb these egregious abuses of power immediately,” they said.
On Friday night, hundreds of people gathered for a vigil outside the downtown Justice Center, which is sandwiched between two federal buildings, including a courthouse, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Across the street, dozens of other protesters entered two recently closed city parks after dismantling chain-link fencing that blocked access.
Federal agents emerged from an office building next door and used impact munitions, stun grenades and tear gas to clear the area, the news organization reported. It said its journalists did not observe any incident that might have prompted the use of the weapons.
Federal officers deployed tear gas again just before midnight after a few protesters placed dismantled fencing in front of plywood doors covering the entrance of the federal courthouse.
Early Saturday, Portland police declared the gathering unlawful, saying protesters had piled fencing in front of the exits to the federal courthouse and the Multnomah County Justice Center and then shot off fireworks at the Justice Center.
Federal officers and local police then advanced simultaneously on the demonstrators to clear the streets, making arrests as protesters threw bottles and pieces of metal fence at police, the Portland Police Bureau said. Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell told reporters Friday that his officers are in contact with the federal agents, but that neither controls the others’ actions.
The overnight action by Portland’s police was condemned by a prominent member of the City Council. On Saturday Jo Ann Hardesty said local police “joined in the aggressive clampdown of peaceful protest.”
Hardesty, who said she was downtown speaking at the protest Friday night, slammed Wheeler, telling the mayor he needed to better control local law enforcement. Hardesty, who oversees the city’s fire department and other first-responder agencies, said in an open letter to Wheeler if “you can’t control the police, give me the Portland Police Bureau.”
In a statement Saturday, Portland Police said as they responded to the overnight protests - which included people throwing projectiles at them - some federal agencies took action “under their own supervision and direction.” Portland Police said city officers arrested seven people, and one officer sustained a minor injury.
The statement said the city’s police supports peaceful protests, and beginning Saturday night Department of Homeland Security police won’t work in the Portland Police incident command center.


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Rights activists, political leaders mourn Rep. John Lewis

Rights activists , politicians from both parties and many other people touched by the legacy of John Lewis mourned the congressman and pillar of the civil rights movement Saturday , lauding the strength , courage and kindness of a man whose lifelong struggle against racial discrimination took him from a bridge in Selma to the nation ’ s Capitol .
“ As a young man marching for equality in Selma , Alabama , John answered brutal violence with courageous hope , ” said former President George W. Bush .
“ And throughout his career as a civil rights leader and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country a more perfect union.
” Former President Barack Obama , America ’ s first Black president , recalled being sworn in for his first term : “ I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made.
” Lewis died Friday , several months after the Georgia Democrat announced that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer .
Lewis , 80 , often recalled his upbringing in the segregated South , including how he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was for “ whites only.
” He was determined to destroy segregation , joining with the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. as founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to help plan the 1963 March on Washington .
Two years later , Lewis helped lead the “ Bloody Sunday ” voting rights march intended to go from Selma to Montgomery , Alabama .
White police , state troopers and thugs blocked their way on the bridge out of Selma , attacking the peaceful marchers with clubs , bullwhips and tear gas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to make a career in politics , representing Atlanta in Congress for more than 30 years , and all the while imploring people to press for justice - to make what he came to call “ good trouble , necessary trouble.
” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms described that call as “ a generational rallying cry for nonviolent activism in the pursuit of social justice and human rights.
” “ He fought harder and longer than anyone in our nation ’ s continuing battle for civil rights and equal justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
He also scrapped with President Donald Trump , refusing to attend his inauguration and calling him a racist .
Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff to honor Lewis - as required by law for sitting members of Congress .
More than 14 hours after his death , following an array of unrelated retweets and a golf outing , he offered condolences .
“ Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing , ” Trump tweeted .
“ Melania and I send our prayers to he and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hank Aaron , who said he and Lewis “ connected to the roots.
” “ By that I mean we were born and grew up in the highly racist and segregated south , in the state of Alabama , ” Aaron said .
“ He committed his life to the struggle for justice and equality for all people.
” Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California noted that Lewis stood not just for an end to racial discrimination , but for gay rights , such as when he opposed the federal ban on gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as an end to family-separation policies .
There was no immediate announcement on funeral plans , which could be affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
In an order , Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp said flags on state buildings would be lowered through sunset on the day of Lewis ’ interment .
Kemp praised Lewis as “ a Civil Rights hero , freedom fighter , devoted public servant , and beloved Georgian who changed our world in a profound way.
” State law says Kemp must schedule a special election to fill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first elected to represent Georgia ’ s majority Black 5th District in 1986 , said Georgia Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs .
A vote would have to be held within 30 days .
Separately , Democrats can appoint a replacement candidate to fill Lewis ’ slot on the November ballot since he already had won the nomination for another term , said Fuchs .
In Congress , Democratic senators signaled a fight over Lewis ‘ legacy after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement lionizing him .
“ I will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress sang We Shall Overcome at a 2008 ceremony honoring his friend Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. , ” McConnell wrote .
“ It could not have been more humbling to consider what he had suffered and sacrificed so those words could be sung in that place.
” The Democrats noted that McConnell had refused to bring the 2020 Voting Rights Act , passed by the House , up for a vote before the Republican-controlled Senate .
The measure would restore federal oversight of state elections , after the conservative majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2013 .
Harris , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others urged McConnell to allow a vote , and several said it should be given a new name : the John Lewis Voting Rights Act .

Rights activists, politicians from both parties and many other people touched by the legacy of John Lewis mourned the congressman and pillar of the civil rights movement Saturday, lauding the strength, courage and kindness of a man whose lifelong struggle against racial discrimination took him from a bridge in Selma to the nation’s Capitol.
“As a young man marching for equality in Selma, Alabama, John answered brutal violence with courageous hope,” said former President George W. Bush. “And throughout his career as a civil rights leader and public servant, he worked to make our country a more perfect union.”
Former President Barack Obama, America’s first Black president, recalled being sworn in for his first term: “I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made.”
Lewis died Friday, several months after the Georgia Democrat announced that he had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Lewis, 80, often recalled his upbringing in the segregated South, including how he was denied a library card because the library was for “whites only.” He was determined to destroy segregation, joining with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to help plan the 1963 March on Washington.
Two years later, Lewis helped lead the “Bloody Sunday” voting rights march intended to go from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. White police, state troopers and thugs blocked their way on the bridge out of Selma, attacking the peaceful marchers with clubs, bullwhips and tear gas. Lewis suffered a cracked skull.
He went on to make a career in politics, representing Atlanta in Congress for more than 30 years, and all the while imploring people to press for justice - to make what he came to call “good trouble, necessary trouble.”
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms described that call as “a generational rallying cry for nonviolent activism in the pursuit of social justice and human rights.”
“He fought harder and longer than anyone in our nation’s continuing battle for civil rights and equal justice,” the NAACP said in a written statement.
He also scrapped with President Donald Trump, refusing to attend his inauguration and calling him a racist. Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff to honor Lewis - as required by law for sitting members of Congress. More than 14 hours after his death, following an array of unrelated retweets and a golf outing, he offered condolences.
“Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing,” Trump tweeted. “Melania and I send our prayers to he and his family.”
Those mourning included baseball legend Hank Aaron, who said he and Lewis “connected to the roots.”
“By that I mean we were born and grew up in the highly racist and segregated south, in the state of Alabama,” Aaron said. “He committed his life to the struggle for justice and equality for all people.”
Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California noted that Lewis stood not just for an end to racial discrimination, but for gay rights, such as when he opposed the federal ban on gay marriage, and for immigrant rights, such as an end to family-separation policies.
There was no immediate announcement on funeral plans, which could be affected by the coronavirus pandemic. In an order, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said flags on state buildings would be lowered through sunset on the day of Lewis’ interment.
Kemp praised Lewis as “a Civil Rights hero, freedom fighter, devoted public servant, and beloved Georgian who changed our world in a profound way.”
State law says Kemp must schedule a special election to fill the current term of Lewis, who was first elected to represent Georgia’s majority Black 5th District in 1986, said Georgia Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs. A vote would have to be held within 30 days.
Separately, Democrats can appoint a replacement candidate to fill Lewis’ slot on the November ballot since he already had won the nomination for another term, said Fuchs.
In Congress, Democratic senators signaled a fight over Lewis’ legacy after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement lionizing him.
“I will never forget joining hands with John as members of Congress sang We Shall Overcome at a 2008 ceremony honoring his friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” McConnell wrote. “It could not have been more humbling to consider what he had suffered and sacrificed so those words could be sung in that place.”
The Democrats noted that McConnell had refused to bring the 2020 Voting Rights Act, passed by the House, up for a vote before the Republican-controlled Senate. The measure would restore federal oversight of state elections, after the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated much of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2013.
Harris, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others urged McConnell to allow a vote, and several said it should be given a new name: the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--6 cars stolen during food deliveries on Long Island

SETAUKET , N.Y. ( AP ) - Car thieves targeting food delivery drivers on Long Island have swiped at least @ @ @ @ @ last two weeks , police said .
The thefts in Suffolk County all happened as @ @ @ @ @ their cars to drop off what turned out to be bogus orders , police said @ @ @ @ @ delivery addresses had placed a food order , police said .
Two cars were stolen @ @ @ @ @ one each on July 9 , 10 , 11 and 15 .
They ranged from @ @ @ @ @ a 2015 Toyota Camry Three thefts happened in Setauket .
Others were in Port Jefferson @ @ @ @ @ North Bellport .
An attempt Wednesday to steal a second car in North Bellport was @ @ @ @ @ been made .
Police said food delivery drivers should keep their keys with them at @ @ @

SETAUKET, N.Y. (AP) - Car thieves targeting food delivery drivers on Long Island have swiped at least a half-dozen vehicles in the last two weeks, police said.
The thefts in Suffolk County all happened as drivers momentarily stepped away from their cars to drop off what turned out to be bogus orders, police said.
No resident at the delivery addresses had placed a food order, police said.
Two cars were stolen July 7, followed by one each on July 9, 10, 11 and 15. They ranged from a 2002 Volkswagen Passat to a 2015 Toyota Camry
Three thefts happened in Setauket. Others were in Port Jefferson Station, Miller Place and North Bellport. An attempt Wednesday to steal a second car in North Bellport was foiled.
No arrests have been made. Police said food delivery drivers should keep their keys with them at all times.


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Petition urges Trader Joe's to change ethnic food labels

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - Responding to calls for Trader Joe ’ s to stop labeling its international food products with ethnic-sounding names , the grocery store chain said it has been in a yearslong process of repackaging those products and will soon complete the work .
In the latest call to re-name racially-charged brands and logos , nearly 1,000 people have signed an online petition urging the retail giant to rename products labeled “ Trader Ming ’ s , ” “ Trader José , ” or “ Trader Giotto ’ s ” to refer to Chinese , Mexican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
The petition said the labels perpetuate harmful stereotypes .
“ The Trader Joe ’ s branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures - it presents ‘ Joe ’ as the default ‘ normal ’ and the other characters falling outside of it - they are ‘ Arabian Joe , ’ ‘ Trader José , ’ and ‘ Trader Joe San , ’ the petition states .
The company said in a statement that it decided several years ago to use only the Trader Joe ’ s name on its products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updating the ethnic-sounding labels .
“ While this approach to product naming may have been rooted in a lighthearted attempt at inclusiveness , we recognize that it may now have the opposite effect - one that is contrary to the welcoming , rewarding customer experience we strive to create every day , ” company spokeswoman Kenya Friend-Daniel said .
Packaging for a number of the products has already been changed , and the company expects to complete the process “ very soon , ” she said .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Responding to calls for Trader Joe’s to stop labeling its international food products with ethnic-sounding names, the grocery store chain said it has been in a yearslong process of repackaging those products and will soon complete the work.
In the latest call to re-name racially-charged brands and logos, nearly 1,000 people have signed an online petition urging the retail giant to rename products labeled “Trader Ming’s,” “Trader José,” or “Trader Giotto’s” to refer to Chinese, Mexican or Italian food, respectively, SFGate reported.
The petition said the labels perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
“The Trader Joe’s branding is racist because it exoticizes other cultures - it presents ‘Joe’ as the default ‘normal’ and the other characters falling outside of it - they are ‘Arabian Joe,’ ‘Trader José,’ and ‘Trader Joe San,’ the petition states.
The company said in a statement that it decided several years ago to use only the Trader Joe’s name on its products and has been in the process of updating the ethnic-sounding labels.
“While this approach to product naming may have been rooted in a lighthearted attempt at inclusiveness, we recognize that it may now have the opposite effect - one that is contrary to the welcoming, rewarding customer experience we strive to create every day,” company spokeswoman Kenya Friend-Daniel said.
Packaging for a number of the products has already been changed, and the company expects to complete the process “very soon,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-18--Mountain lion removed from western foothills of Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Authorities tranquilized and removed a 70-pound mountain lion found in a foothills area on @ @ @ @ @ Las Vegas after being seen earlier Saturday near a park and an elementary school .
@ @ @ @ @ Department said the female mountain lion wasn ’ t acting aggressively while in the Summerlin @ @ @ @ @ for U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service to arrive and help capture it .
The @ @ @ @ @ transporting the animal to the Spring Mountains to be released .
Police said the mountain @ @ @ @ @ and tired when police confined it to a backyard.. Mountain lioins are typically elusive animals @ @ @ @ @ seen in metro Las Vegas “ but it ’ s not uncommon , ” Wildlife @ @ @ @ @ Las Vegas Review-Joujrnal .
: “ He said people should realize that “ when you @ @ @ @ @ , we do have wildlife .
”

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Authorities tranquilized and removed a 70-pound mountain lion found in a foothills area on the western edge of metro Las Vegas after being seen earlier Saturday near a park and an elementary school.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said the female mountain lion wasn’t acting aggressively while in the Summerlin area, and police waited for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to arrive and help capture it.
The Nevada Department of Wlidlife was transporting the animal to the Spring Mountains to be released.
Police said the mountain lion appeared to be hot and tired when police confined it to a backyard..
Mountain lioins are typically elusive animals and aren’t frequently seen in metro Las Vegas “but it’s not uncommon,” Wildlife Department spokesman Nielsen told the Las Vegas Review-Joujrnal.:“
He said people should realize that “when you come to the Mohave Desert, we do have wildlife.”