washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Mexico ruling party works out leadership dispute on 3rd try

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - The Morena party of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador finally chose a leader Friday after two failed , acrimonious attempts .
A poll of party members gave a comfortable margin of victory to congressional leader Mario Delgado , a centrist seen as more obedient to the president .
The results of an earlier poll that showed a tie had been hotly disputed by Porfirio Muñoz Ledo , an 87-year-old political warhorse who has been critical at times of López Obrador .
Later Friday , Muñoz Ledo said the polls , and previous ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but did not say specifically whether he would accept the verdict .
The inter-party dispute had been a thorn in the side of López Obrador , who needs to protect his party ’ s tenuous grip on congress in 2021 mid-term elections .
López Obrador cobbled together the National Regeneration Movement - known to all in Mexico as Morena - from breakaway members from other parties in 2014 .
It ’ s members include leftists and independents and centrists .
The young party lacks formal organization in many of Mexico ’ s 32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beyond that is the question of whether Morena , in its present form , will outlast the presidency of its creator , who is constitutionally barred from reelection .
The only good news for Morena is that the two main opposition parties - the Institutional Revolutionary Party , or PRI , and the conservative National Action Party , are arguably in worse shape .
The PRI ruled Mexico uninterrupted from from 1929 to 2000 , and still has the most governorships , 11 .
But its brief return to the presidency in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandals that the PRI now seems cowed and rudderless .
López Obrador has proved himself a master at the kind of politics - charismatic leadership , ardent nationalism and governmental handout programs - the PRI once specialized in .
National Action , a conservative party that offers the clearest alternative to López Obrador , is still distrusted by many due to two lackluster terms in the presidency from 2000 to 2012 .
Some party factions have been drawn into counterproductive demonstrations of rage against the president .
Delgado , 58 , is seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally of one of López Obrador ’ s potential successors , Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard .
Muñoz Ledo has jumped from one party to another throughout a career that began as a student leader in the mid-1950s and established him in Mexican history as the first opposition party leader of Congress in 1997 .
He has been willing to criticize López Obrador ’ s heavy-handed approach to catching and deporting Central American migrants who try to cross Mexico to reach the United States .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - The Morena party of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador finally chose a leader Friday after two failed, acrimonious attempts.
A poll of party members gave a comfortable margin of victory to congressional leader Mario Delgado, a centrist seen as more obedient to the president.
The results of an earlier poll that showed a tie had been hotly disputed by Porfirio Muñoz Ledo, an 87-year-old political warhorse who has been critical at times of López Obrador.
Later Friday, Muñoz Ledo said the polls, and previous ones, were “done illegally,” but did not say specifically whether he would accept the verdict.
The inter-party dispute had been a thorn in the side of López Obrador, who needs to protect his party’s tenuous grip on congress in 2021 mid-term elections.
López Obrador cobbled together the National Regeneration Movement - known to all in Mexico as Morena - from breakaway members from other parties in 2014. It’s members include leftists and independents and centrists. The young party lacks formal organization in many of Mexico’s 32 states, and holds only seven governorships.
Beyond that is the question of whether Morena, in its present form, will outlast the presidency of its creator, who is constitutionally barred from reelection.
The only good news for Morena is that the two main opposition parties - the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, and the conservative National Action Party, are arguably in worse shape.
The PRI ruled Mexico uninterrupted from from 1929 to 2000, and still has the most governorships, 11. But its brief return to the presidency in 2012-2018 was so marked by debilitating corruption scandals that the PRI now seems cowed and rudderless.
López Obrador has proved himself a master at the kind of politics - charismatic leadership, ardent nationalism and governmental handout programs - the PRI once specialized in.
National Action, a conservative party that offers the clearest alternative to López Obrador, is still distrusted by many due to two lackluster terms in the presidency from 2000 to 2012. Some party factions have been drawn into counterproductive demonstrations of rage against the president.
Delgado, 58, is seen as a skilled behind-the-scenes political operator and ally of one of López Obrador’s potential successors, Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard.
Muñoz Ledo has jumped from one party to another throughout a career that began as a student leader in the mid-1950s and established him in Mexican history as the first opposition party leader of Congress in 1997. He has been willing to criticize López Obrador’s heavy-handed approach to catching and deporting Central American migrants who try to cross Mexico to reach the United States.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--FBI joins investigation into fatal Illinois police shooting

WAUKEGAN , Ill. ( AP ) - The FBI will join Illinois State Police in investigating a police shooting in suburban Chicago that killed a Black man who was a passenger in a vehicle and wounded the Black female driver , a prosecutor announced Friday .
Lake County State ’ s Attorney Michael Nerheim said he asked the U.S. Justice Department to review the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Marcellis Stinnette , 19 , and the wounding of his girlfriend , Tafara Williams , this week in Waukegan .
“ I am confident in the work being done by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance of the FBI , ” Nerheim said in a statement .
” As I have said before , once the investigation is concluded , all the evidence will be reviewed and a final decision will be made with respect to any potential charges.
” Waukegan police have said the pair were in a vehicle that fled a traffic stop late Tuesday and that the vehicle was later spotted by another officer .
Police said that as the second officer approached , the vehicle started moving in reverse and the officer opened fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle .
The officer who shot the couple is Hispanic and a five-year veteran of the Waukegan Police Department .
The officer who conducted the original traffic stop is white , police said .
During a Thursday demonstration , Clyde McLemore , head of the Lake County chapter of Black Lives Matter , called for a federal investigation .
Activists and relatives of the couple also have demanded the release of police video of the shooting , which authorities say has been turned over to investigators .
Activist Chris Blanks said the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of events and the version Clifftina Johnson said her wounded daughter , Williams , shared with her appear to contradict each other .
Johnson said her daughter told her that Williams and her boyfriend had done nothing to provoke the officer .
Nerheim urged calm while the investigation takes place and pledged transparency .

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - A suburban Chicago police officer who shot a Black couple inside a vehicle - killing a 19-year-old man and wounding his girlfriend - has been fired, the police chief announced late Friday.
The officer who fatally shot Marcellis Stinnette and the wounded Tafara Williams following what authorities have described as a traffic stop late Tuesday committed “multiple policy and procedure violations,” Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles said in a brief statement. No other details, including the officer’s name, were provided.
The announcement of the firing came shortly after Lake County’s chief prosecutor announced the FBI will join Illinois State Police in investigating the shooting.
Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said he asked the U.S. Justice Department to review the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“I am confident in the work being done by the Illinois State Police and welcome the assistance of the FBI,” Nerheim said in a statement. ”As I have said before, once the investigation is concluded, all the evidence will be reviewed and a final decision will be made with respect to any potential charges.”
Waukegan police have said Williams was driving and Stinnette was a passenger in a vehicle that fled a traffic stop late Tuesday and that the vehicle was later spotted by another officer. Police said that as the second officer approached, the vehicle started moving in reverse and the officer opened fire. No weapon was found in the vehicle.
The officer who shot the couple is Hispanic and had been with the Waukegan Police Department for five years. The officer who conducted the original traffic stop is white, police said.
During a Thursday demonstration, Clyde McLemore, head of the Lake County chapter of Black Lives Matter, called for a federal investigation. Activists and relatives of the couple also have demanded the release of police video of the shooting, which authorities say has been turned over to investigators.
Activist Chris Blanks said the video is particularly important because the police version of events and the version Clifftina Johnson said her wounded daughter, Williams, shared with her appear to contradict each other. Johnson said her daughter told her that Williams and her boyfriend had done nothing to provoke the officer.
Nerheim urged calm while the investigation takes place and pledged transparency.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Illinois high court: Suspended officers can sue for back pay

CHICAGO ( AP ) - The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that officers who were suspended while undergoing disciplinary proceedings can sue the Cook County Sheriff ’ s Office for backpay lost during their suspensions .
In the 4-3 decision on Thursday , the state ’ s high court upheld an appeals court ’ s ruling allowing officers to sue Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart ’ s office over the legitimacy of the merit board before the decisions in their disciplinary cases were made .
The merit board investigates disciplinary matters involving police officers .
The court also determined that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for lost wages during their suspensions , the Chicago Sun-Times reported .
“ Today , Tom Dart is being told in crystal clear language that the officers are entitled to due process and entitled to their backpay , ” attorney for the officers , Chris Cooper , said of the ruling .
Meanwhile , the sheriff ’ s office raised concerns regarding the decision , noting that it will stall disciplinary action against an officer for misconduct and make it harder to fire bad officers .
“ Today ’ s Illinois Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement accountability , ” sheriff ’ s office spokesman Matthew Walberg said in a statement .
“ The decision rewards employees who engaged in criminal , unethical and despicable conduct at the expense of Illinois taxpayers.
” The officers ’ lawsuit will proceed in circuit court , where a judge will determine whether the case can be granted class-action status .
If it does , that would allow for hundreds of officers to join the lawsuit and collect millions in backpay lost during their suspensions .

CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that officers who were suspended while undergoing disciplinary proceedings can sue the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for backpay lost during their suspensions.
In the 4-3 decision on Thursday, the state’s high court upheld an appeals court’s ruling allowing officers to sue Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s office over the legitimacy of the merit board before the decisions in their disciplinary cases were made. The merit board investigates disciplinary matters involving police officers.
The court also determined that the officers can resume their lawsuit seeking repayment for lost wages during their suspensions, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
“Today, Tom Dart is being told in crystal clear language that the officers are entitled to due process and entitled to their backpay,” attorney for the officers, Chris Cooper, said of the ruling.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office raised concerns regarding the decision, noting that it will stall disciplinary action against an officer for misconduct and make it harder to fire bad officers.
“Today’s Illinois Supreme Court decision is a catastrophic blow to law enforcement accountability,” sheriff’s office spokesman Matthew Walberg said in a statement. “The decision rewards employees who engaged in criminal, unethical and despicable conduct at the expense of Illinois taxpayers.”
The officers’ lawsuit will proceed in circuit court, where a judge will determine whether the case can be granted class-action status. If it does, that would allow for hundreds of officers to join the lawsuit and collect millions in backpay lost during their suspensions.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--US grants broadband licenses to Native American tribes

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - The Federal Communications Commission has granted broadcast licenses ideal for high-speed wireless internet to rural tribal governments in New Mexico , Arizona and elsewhere .
The 2.5 GHz licenses have been granted to 154 Native American communities so far , the commission announced in a statement Friday .
“ Few communities face the digital connectivity challenges faced by rural tribes .
By prioritizing tribal access to this mid-band spectrum , we are ensuring that tribes can quickly access spectrum to connect their schools , homes , hospitals and businesses , ” FCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applications were received in the tribal priority window after it was extended because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Some were granted temporary authority , including the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners region and Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico .
More licenses could be awarded as the commission ’ s staff continues to review and process all the applications that were filed before the deadline .
Tribes fought to be first in line to receive the latest batch of license for 2.5 GHz spectrum wireless broadcast .
The Pueblo of Zia , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is a great opportunity , ” Zia Tribal Administrator Ken Lucero said .
“ Although we are only 17 miles from a large metropolitan area , we do not have access to high-speed internet .
The 2.5 spectrum will now give us access to broadband for our schools , clinics and the community.
” The tribe ’ s first 2.5 GHz project could be completed in the coming months , Lucero said .
Telemedicine has become more important across the Navajo Nation , which spans parts of Arizona , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hit hard by the pandemic with disproportionately high numbers of infections and deaths .
Connectivity for remote learning also has been a big issue for tribes .
In New Mexico , 55 % of Native American students could not connect to online courses , according to a report prepared over the summer by legislative analysts .
New Mexico legislators are considering proposals to fund broadband expansion .
Bills could be introduced in the January legislative session , but it ’ s unlikely to lead to major infrastructure completion before next summer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to raise the funds to install internet infrastructure .
“ It would be great if the FCC or Congress could now follow up with funding for projects , ” Lucero said .
Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues .
Follow Attanasio on Twitter .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Federal Communications Commission has granted broadcast licenses ideal for high-speed wireless internet to rural tribal governments in New Mexico, Arizona and elsewhere.
The 2.5 GHz licenses have been granted to 154 Native American communities so far, the commission announced in a statement Friday.
“Few communities face the digital connectivity challenges faced by rural tribes. By prioritizing tribal access to this mid-band spectrum, we are ensuring that tribes can quickly access spectrum to connect their schools, homes, hospitals and businesses,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said.
Around 400 applications were received in the tribal priority window after it was extended because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some were granted temporary authority, including the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners region and Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico.
More licenses could be awarded as the commission’s staff continues to review and process all the applications that were filed before the deadline.
Tribes fought to be first in line to receive the latest batch of license for 2.5 GHz spectrum wireless broadcast.
The Pueblo of Zia, just northwest of Albuquerque, was among those.
“This is a great opportunity,” Zia Tribal Administrator Ken Lucero said. “Although we are only 17 miles from a large metropolitan area, we do not have access to high-speed internet. The 2.5 spectrum will now give us access to broadband for our schools, clinics and the community.”
The tribe’s first 2.5 GHz project could be completed in the coming months, Lucero said.
Telemedicine has become more important across the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The tribe has been hit hard by the pandemic with disproportionately high numbers of infections and deaths.
Connectivity for remote learning also has been a big issue for tribes. In New Mexico, 55% of Native American students could not connect to online courses, according to a report prepared over the summer by legislative analysts.
New Mexico legislators are considering proposals to fund broadband expansion. Bills could be introduced in the January legislative session, but it’s unlikely to lead to major infrastructure completion before next summer.
Tribes granted licenses by the FCC still need to raise the funds to install internet infrastructure.
“It would be great if the FCC or Congress could now follow up with funding for projects,” Lucero said.
___
Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Houston area deputy shot, hurt during training session

ANGLETON , Texas ( AP ) - A Houston area deputy was accidentally shot and injured Friday during a firearms @ @ @ @ @ .
The 30-year-old deputy with the Brazoria County Sheriff ’ s Office was working at @ @ @ @ @ was shot in the abdomen by a student who accidentally fired his handgun .
The @ @ @ @ @ not released , was flown by helicopter to a hospital in nearby Houston and was @ @ @ @ @ said sheriff ’ s office Lt. Varon Snelgrove .
The deputy was expected to be @ @ @ @ @ Friday evening .
The incident was under investigation , according to the sheriff ’ s @ @

ANGLETON, Texas (AP) - A Houston area deputy was accidentally shot and injured Friday during a firearms training session, authorities said.
The 30-year-old deputy with the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office was working at a training range when he was shot in the abdomen by a student who accidentally fired his handgun.
The deputy, whose name was not released, was flown by helicopter to a hospital in nearby Houston and was listed in stable condition, said sheriff’s office Lt. Varon Snelgrove.
The deputy was expected to be released from the hospital sometime Friday evening.
The incident was under investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Top Trump adviser wants more nations to field asylum claims

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - One of President Donald Trump ’ s top priorities on immigration if he wins a second term would be to use agreements with Central American governments as models to get countries around the world to field asylum claims from people seeking refuge in the United States , a top adviser said Friday .
Stephen Miller , a key architect of Trump ’ s immigration policies , said the agreements would help stop “ asylum fraud , asylum shopping and asylum abuse on a global scale.
” Miller , in an interview with The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against so-called “ sanctuary ” jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities , saying the administration would use its “ full power , resources and authority.
” He vowed more efforts toward legal immigration “ based on merit.
” The “ Asylum Cooperative Agreements ” that the administration struck in 2019 have allowed for asylum seekers from El Salvador and Honduras to be flown to Guatemala for an opportunity to seek asylum , denying them a chance to apply in the U.S. From November to March , when the coronavirus pandemic halted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 939 Hondurans and El Salvadorans flown there sought asylum .
Nearly all went home in what became known as “ deportation with a layover.
” Like many of Trump ’ s policies that have dramatically transformed the U.S. immigration system , the bilateral agreements are being challenged in court .
Critics note asylum-seekers are sent to countries with high levels of violence and poverty and little infrastructure to handle asylum claims .
The coronavirus struck before flights began to Honduras and El Salvador , putting those launches on hold .
Trump and Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immigration in their 2020 campaigns , despite a spirited exchange during Thursday ’ s debate that was prompted by news that court-appointed lawyers have been unable to find parents of 545 children who were separated from their families early in the Trump administration .
Trump has yet to outline second-term immigration priorities in detail , though he has openly toyed with trying to repeal a constitutional right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States .
Biden has pledged to undo many , but not all , of Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues , it is unclear how much appetite Biden would have to tackle all that Trump has done .
Biden campaign spokesman Mike Gwin , reacting to Miller ’ s comments , highlighted how far apart the candidates are on immigration .
“ We are going to win this election so that people like Stephen Miller don ’ t get the chance to write more xenophobic policies that dishonor our American values , ” Gwin said .
“ Unlike Trump , Vice President Biden knows that immigrants make America stronger and helped build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll ensure that they continue to play the vital role they ’ ve held for our entire history : enriching our communities , bolstering our economy , and serving our nation in uniform.
” Biden will introduce legislation within his first 100 days to provide a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally , bring back the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to shield young people from deportation and “ restore America ’ s historic commitment ” to refuges and asylum-seekers , Gwin said .
Biden , on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum agreements that the Trump administration struck with Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador last year but says he will end “ detrimental ” policies , including a cornerstone Trump effort to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court .
Administration officials have discussed adding countries from Africa and Asia to create a global web of accords resembling those with Central American governments .
Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador were under heavy U.S. pressure to acquiesce last year , with Trump threatening at times to cut off international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed to countries that send large numbers of asylum-seekers to the United States , such as Cameroon or China .
Trump , who made immigration a signature issue in his 2016 campaign , has introduced a flurry of regulations in recent months that are expected to be finalized soon after incorporating public feedback .
They are largely about restricting asylum .
Administration officials are also looking at ways to do away with a lottery to award H-1B visas to highly skilled workers , many in the technology industry , replacing it with another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 85,000 a year .
Miller said the administration would continue its efforts to redefine criteria for legal immigration , which are now largely based on family ties .
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Wilmington , Del.
, contributed to this report .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - One of President Donald Trump’s top priorities on immigration if he wins a second term would be to use agreements with Central American governments as models to get countries around the world to field asylum claims from people seeking refuge in the United States, a top adviser said.
Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s immigration policies, said Friday the agreements would help stop “asylum fraud, asylum shopping and asylum abuse on a global scale.”
Miller, in an interview with The Associated Press, also forecast a broader offensive against so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, saying the administration would use its “full power, resources and authority.” He vowed more efforts toward legal immigration “based on merit.”
The “Asylum Cooperative Agreements” that the administration struck in 2019 have allowed for asylum seekers from El Salvador and Honduras to be flown to Guatemala for an opportunity to seek asylum, denying them a chance to apply in the U.S.
From November to March, when the coronavirus pandemic halted flights to Guatemala, only 20 of 939 Hondurans and El Salvadorans flown there sought asylum. Nearly all went home in what became known as “deportation with a layover.”
Like many of Trump’s policies that have dramatically transformed the U.S. immigration system, the bilateral agreements are being challenged in court. Critics note asylum-seekers are sent to countries with high levels of violence and poverty and little infrastructure to handle asylum claims.
The coronavirus struck before flights began to Honduras and El Salvador, putting those launches on hold.
Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden have given scant attention to immigration in their 2020 campaigns, despite a spirited exchange during Thursday’s debate that was prompted by news that court-appointed lawyers have been unable to find parents of 545 children who were separated from their families early in the Trump administration.
Trump has yet to outline second-term immigration priorities in detail, though he has openly toyed with trying to repeal a constitutional right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States.
Biden has pledged to undo many, but not all, of Trump’s policies. With the pandemic and other issues, it is unclear how much appetite Biden would have to tackle all that Trump has done.
Biden campaign spokesman Mike Gwin, reacting to Miller’s comments, highlighted how far apart the candidates are on immigration.
“We are going to win this election so that people like Stephen Miller don’t get the chance to write more xenophobic policies that dishonor our American values,” Gwin said. “Unlike Trump, Vice President Biden knows that immigrants make America stronger and helped build this country, and as president he’ll ensure that they continue to play the vital role they’ve held for our entire history: enriching our communities, bolstering our economy, and serving our nation in uniform.”
Biden will introduce legislation within his first 100 days to provide a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally, bring back the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to shield young people from deportation and “restore America’s historic commitment” to refuges and asylum-seekers, Gwin said.
Biden, on his campaign website, is silent about the asylum agreements that the Trump administration struck with Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador last year but says he will end “detrimental” policies, including a cornerstone Trump effort to make asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court.
Administration officials have discussed adding countries from Africa and Asia to create a global web of accords resembling those with Central American governments. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were under heavy U.S. pressure to acquiesce last year, with Trump threatening at times to cut off international aid.
Such agreements could potentially be proposed to countries that send large numbers of asylum-seekers to the United States, such as Cameroon or China.
Trump, who made immigration a signature issue in his 2016 campaign, has introduced a flurry of regulations in recent months that are expected to be finalized soon after incorporating public feedback. They are largely about restricting asylum.
Administration officials are also looking at ways to do away with a lottery to award H-1B visas to highly skilled workers, many in the technology industry, replacing it with another selection method. H-1B visas are capped at 85,000 a year.
Miller said the administration would continue its efforts to redefine criteria for legal immigration, which are now largely based on family ties.
___
Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Wilmington, Del., contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Prosecutors: Florida man lied to get virus relief money

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida man who received more than $ 1.9 million in coronavirus relief funds is accused of laundering most of the money through a fake business and purchasing a luxury car and a pickup truck , federal prosecutors said .
Keith William Nicoletta , 48 , of Dade City , was arrested earlier this week and charged with bank fraud and illegal monetary transactions , according to the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Tampa .
He faces up to 40 years in federal prison .
Prosecutors accuse Nicoletta of falsely claiming on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrap metal business with 69 employees and a monthly payroll of more than $ 760,000 Once the emergency loan was secured , Nicoletta transferred the money between various accounts and withdrew more than $ 100,000 in cash , officials said .
Nicoletta then purchased a 2020 Mercedes and a 2020 special edition Ford F-250 pickup .
He also wired approximately $ 537,000 to a property management company in South Florida .
None of the money was used for payroll .
The Paycheck Protection Program represents billions of dollars in forgivable small business loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
It ’ s part of the coronavirus relief package that became federal law in March .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A Florida man who received more than $1.9 million in coronavirus relief funds is accused of laundering most of the money through a fake business and purchasing a luxury car and a pickup truck, federal prosecutors said.
Keith William Nicoletta, 48, of Dade City, was arrested earlier this week and charged with bank fraud and illegal monetary transactions, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Tampa. He faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors accuse Nicoletta of falsely claiming on a loan application that he had a scrap metal business with 69 employees and a monthly payroll of more than $760,000
Once the emergency loan was secured, Nicoletta transferred the money between various accounts and withdrew more than $100,000 in cash, officials said. Nicoletta then purchased a 2020 Mercedes and a 2020 special edition Ford F-250 pickup. He also wired approximately $537,000 to a property management company in South Florida. None of the money was used for payroll.
A attorney for Nicoletta didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
The Paycheck Protection Program represents billions of dollars in forgivable small business loans for Americans struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s part of the coronavirus relief package that became federal law in March.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Palmer voting site temporarily closes after virus diagnosis

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - An early voting location in Palmer closed temporarily Friday after a poll worker @ @ @ @ @ the Division of Elections said .
The division , in a statement , said the @ @ @ @ @ ballots early at the main administrative offices of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is considered to be @ @ @ @ @ a face covering and a partition separated the worker from voters , the division said @ @ @ @ @ location began Monday , and the division said the worker was at the location through @ @ @ @ @ is undergoing cleaning and is set to reopen Monday morning , the division said .
@ @ @ @ @ alternative in the meantime the Wasilla Public Library , which will continue to have voting @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - An early voting location in Palmer closed temporarily Friday after a poll worker was diagnosed with COVID-19, the Division of Elections said.
The division, in a statement, said the risk to voters who cast ballots early at the main administrative offices of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is considered to be low. The worker wore a face covering and a partition separated the worker from voters, the division said.
Early voting at the location began Monday, and the division said the worker was at the location through Thursday.
The Palmer location is undergoing cleaning and is set to reopen Monday morning, the division said. The division highlighted as an alternative in the meantime the Wasilla Public Library, which will continue to have voting hours through Election Day on Nov. 3.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--Police fatally shoot man allegedly fleeing earlier incident

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Chicago police officers responding Friday to a report of shots fired fatally shot a man they say was fleeing the scene of the gunshots in the city ’ s Little Village neighborhood .
Chief of Operations Brian McDermott said officers tried to stop an auto with three passengers people , but it crashed into a light pole .
The driver , described as a 25-year-old man , ran from the scene .
The alleged unidentified suspect and police were involved in an “ armed encounter , ” with police wounding the man , McDermott said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man fired shots or pointed a gun at police .
The man was taken to a nearby hospital , where he later died .
Two handguns , a revolver and semi-automatic pistol , were recovered at two locations , McDermott said .
Another male in the auto was arrested , but a female fled and is not in custody .
After the suspect was shot , police found a victim from the original call of shots fired with a graze wound to the head , authorities said .
The unidentified man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of Police Accountability , which investigates the use of force by Chicago police , is investigating the shooting , and the officers involved will be placed on administrative duties for 30 days , according to authorities .

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago police officers responding Friday to a report of shots fired fatally shot a man they say was fleeing the scene of the gunshots in the city’s Little Village neighborhood.
Chief of Operations Brian McDermott said officers tried to stop an auto with three passengers people, but it crashed into a light pole. The driver, described as a 25-year-old man, ran from the scene.
The alleged unidentified suspect and police were involved in an “armed encounter,” with police wounding the man, McDermott said. He didn’t say if the man fired shots or pointed a gun at police. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Two handguns, a revolver and semi-automatic pistol, were recovered at two locations, McDermott said.
Another male in the auto was arrested, but a female fled and is not in custody.
After the suspect was shot, police found a victim from the original call of shots fired with a graze wound to the head, authorities said. The unidentified man was hospitalized in good condition.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which investigates the use of force by Chicago police, is investigating the shooting, and the officers involved will be placed on administrative duties for 30 days, according to authorities.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--JBLM soldier killed in incident not related to training

TACOMA , Wash. ( AP ) - A soldier based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has been killed in an incident @ @ @ @ @ Washington , officials said Thursday .
Spc .
Skyler Oliver , 24 , served with @ @ @ @ @ Infantry Division , according to I Corps public affairs officials .
Officials only said the @ @ @ @ @ said the cause of Oliver ’ s death Saturday , Oct. 17 , is under @ @ @ @ @ investigation command , which is standard with unexpected service member deaths .
Oliver , a @ @ @ @ @ is survived by his wife , Courtney Oliver , and two young children .
Oliver @ @ @ @ @ Oliver , told The News Tribune he joined the Army in August 2018 and was @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
She described her son as a loving husband and father and a cheerful @ @

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - A soldier based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord has been killed in an incident on base near Tacoma, Washington, officials said Thursday.
Spc. Skyler Oliver, 24, served with 1-2 Stryker Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, according to I Corps public affairs officials.
Officials only said the death was not training-related but said the cause of Oliver’s death Saturday, Oct. 17, is under investigation by the Army criminal investigation command, which is standard with unexpected service member deaths.
Oliver, a native of Roy, Utah is survived by his wife, Courtney Oliver, and two young children.
Oliver’s mother, Janet Oliver, told The News Tribune he joined the Army in August 2018 and was assigned to JBLM in Jan. 2019. She described her son as a loving husband and father and a cheerful outdoorsman.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--US Navy: Both crew members on training plane from Florida that crashed in Alabama killed; victims' n

FOLEY , Ala. ( AP ) - US Navy : Both crew members on training plane from Florida that crashed @ @ @ @ @ ’ names not released .

FOLEY, Ala. (AP) - US Navy: Both crew members on training plane from Florida that crashed in Alabama killed; victims’ names not released.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--GOP Arkansas state senate candidate wore KKK costume as teen

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - A Republican candidate running for Arkansas State Senate said he made “ mistakes ” as a teenager after repeatedly denying his dismissal from a Mississippi high school for wearing a racist Ku Klux Klan costume for Halloween .
Charles Edward Beckham III initially denied reports from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times that he was suspended and dismissed from Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science for wearing a racist Ku Klux Klan costume at a school-sponsored Halloween event .
The Arkansas Times first reported Beckham ’ s dismissal on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a email Tuesday that people fabricated the allegations and blamed it on a ploy by the Democrats .
“ First of all , I unequivocally denounce the KKK and any like minded hate group , ” Beckham said in the email .
“ It is sad that the Democrats will do anything and say anything to try to win .
The accusations that have been made about me are not only baseless and false , but disgusting.
” But the Democrat-Gazette obtained court records from a lawsuit Beckham ’ s family filed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi , that challenged his dismissal from the school .
In October 2000 , Beckham and two other classmates wore KKK outfits and were caught by school staff members and immediately given three days of in-school suspension , according to the court records .
Later , the school ’ s director dismissed Beckham during his senior year , a decision upheld by the Mississippi Board of Education .
Alana Nichols , who ’ s Black , was a junior at the school when she saw her classmates in the racist costumes and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think about memories of high school , this is at the forefront , and that ’ s unfortunate , ” Nichols said .
“ My initial thought was , ‘ What ’ s going to happen ?
Am I going to die ?
Is there going to be a rally ?
’ ” Beckham , now 37 , on Thursday said he made “ mistakes ” as a teenager .
“ I do sincerely apologize for any angst or grievances that I have caused anyone as a minor , as that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Beckham said .
“ I continue to unequivocally denounce the KKK and any like minded hate groups and the rumors that I am or have ever been part of the KKK are absolutely ridiculous .
”

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A Republican candidate running for Arkansas State Senate said he made “mistakes” as a teenager after repeatedly denying his dismissal from a Mississippi high school for wearing a racist Ku Klux Klan costume for Halloween.
Charles Edward Beckham III initially denied reports from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times that he was suspended and dismissed from Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science for wearing a racist Ku Klux Klan costume at a school-sponsored Halloween event. The Arkansas Times first reported Beckham’s dismissal on Tuesday.
Beckham also told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in a email Tuesday that people fabricated the allegations and blamed it on a ploy by the Democrats.
“First of all, I unequivocally denounce the KKK and any like minded hate group,” Beckham said in the email. “It is sad that the Democrats will do anything and say anything to try to win. The accusations that have been made about me are not only baseless and false, but disgusting.”
But the Democrat-Gazette obtained court records from a lawsuit Beckham’s family filed in Hinds County Circuit Court in Jackson, Mississippi, that challenged his dismissal from the school.
In October 2000, Beckham and two other classmates wore KKK outfits and were caught by school staff members and immediately given three days of in-school suspension, according to the court records. Later, the school’s director dismissed Beckham during his senior year, a decision upheld by the Mississippi Board of Education.
Alana Nichols, who’s Black, was a junior at the school when she saw her classmates in the racist costumes and said she was “petrified.”
“When I think about memories of high school, this is at the forefront, and that’s unfortunate,” Nichols said. “My initial thought was, ‘What’s going to happen? Am I going to die? Is there going to be a rally?’”
Beckham, now 37, on Thursday said he made “mistakes” as a teenager.
“I do sincerely apologize for any angst or grievances that I have caused anyone as a minor, as that is not the man that I am today,” Beckham said. “I continue to unequivocally denounce the KKK and any like minded hate groups and the rumors that I am or have ever been part of the KKK are absolutely ridiculous.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-23--US Navy: 2 onboard training plane killed in Alabama crash

FOLEY , Ala. ( AP ) - A U.S. Navy training plane that took off from Florida crashed Friday in an Alabama residential neighborhood near the Gulf Coast , killing both people in the plane , authorities said .
Zach Harrell , a spokesperson for Commander , Naval Air Forces , said both people in the T-6B Texan II training plane died , but they weren ’ t immediately releasing their names .
No injuries were reported on the ground .
Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said responders encountered a “ large volume of fire ” with a home and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were able to make “ a quick stop on the fire , ” the chief told local news outlets .
The crash occurred southeast of Mobile , near the city of Foley and the town of Magnolia Springs .
Darby called the neighborhood a “ heavily populated ” residential area .
No firefighters were injured , he added .
The plane had flown out of Naval Air Station Whiting Field , about 30 miles ( 48.28 kilometers ) northeast of Pensacola , Florida , Navy spokeswoman Julie Ziegenhorn said .
The U.S. Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to handle the investigation , the Baldwin County Sheriff ’ s Office tweeted .

FOLEY, Ala. (AP) - A U.S. Navy training plane that took off from Florida crashed Friday in an Alabama residential neighborhood near the Gulf Coast, killing both people in the plane, authorities said.
Zach Harrell, a spokesperson for Commander, Naval Air Forces, said both people in the T-6B Texan II training plane died, but they weren’t immediately releasing their names. No injuries were reported on the ground.
Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby said responders encountered a “large volume of fire” with a home and several cars engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to make “a quick stop on the fire,” the chief told local news outlets.
The crash occurred southeast of Mobile, near the city of Foley and the town of Magnolia Springs. Darby called the neighborhood a “heavily populated” residential area. No firefighters were injured, he added.
The plane had flown out of Naval Air Station Whiting Field, about 30 miles (48.28 kilometers) northeast of Pensacola, Florida, Navy spokeswoman Julie Ziegenhorn said.
The U.S. Department of Defense and the Navy were set to handle the investigation, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office tweeted.


washingtontimes--2020-10-24--Absentee voting hits record level in Alabama

Alabamians are voting by absentee ballot in record numbers this year after pandemic rules made it easier to do so , even lining up on Saturdays to cast votes .
And as early voting opportunities prove popular , some are asking the question why the state does not allow this every year .
As of early this week , 134,306 absentee votes have already been cast either by mail or in-person voting , according to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill .
The state ’ s previous record for absentee ballot voting was about 89,000 .
Merrill said there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been requested but have not yet been mailed back .
“ This is direct evidence that people want to vote early , ” said Tuscaloosa Rep. Chris England , who is the chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party .
England said he believes the issue cuts across party lines , and that people of all political leanings appreciate the opportunity to vote outside of 12 hours on Election Day .
Alabama does not technically have early voting , but people can cast absentee ballots by mail or in-person at local elections offices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ must swear that they are out-of-town or ill or working during polling hours .
Merrill has said this year people can vote by absentee ballot if they are concerned about the risk of COVID-19 at the polls .
Election officials in more than a dozen of Alabama ’ s 67 counties have offered Saturday in-person absentee voting to handle the flood of people .
On a sunny Saturday in Montgomery , people stood outside the courthouse in a winding line to vote early by absentee ballot in the November election .
Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polls early .
“ Every day is Election Day , ” the state Democratic Party wrote on social media in posts encouraging people to make a plan for voting .
England said he expects legislation to be introduced in the next session to allow early voting every year or at least allow people to vote absentee without an excuse .
Such a change would have to be approved by the GOP-dominated Alabama Legislature .
A bill to allow people to vote absentee vote without an excuse or explanation passed the state Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote in the House of Representatives .
Merrill said he expects the issue to be considered in the 2021 legislation session .
Asked if Republican Gov .
Kay Ivey would support a change to allow early voting or no-excuse absentee voting , spokeswoman Gina Maiola replied that the governor , “ is confident in the current process in place and believes that every person has ample opportunity to cast their vote in Alabama , even as we are amidst a pandemic.
” Merrill said the decision to offer Saturday voting is up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know why it hasn ’ t happened before , ” Merrill said .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -
Alabamians are voting by absentee ballot in record numbers this year after pandemic rules made it easier to do so, even lining up on Saturdays to cast votes.
And as early voting opportunities prove popular, some are asking the question why the state does not allow this every year.
As of this week, more than 145,000 absentee votes have already been cast either by mail or in-person voting, according to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill. He said that number is expected to rise.
The state’s previous record for absentee ballot voting was about 89,000. Merrill said there were about another 70,000 absentee ballots that have been requested but have not yet been mailed back.
“This is direct evidence that people want to vote early,” said Tuscaloosa Rep. Chris England, who is the chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.
England said he believes the issue cuts across party lines, and that people of all political leanings appreciate the opportunity to vote outside of 12 hours on Election Day.
Alabama does not technically have early voting, but people can cast absentee ballots by mail or in-person at local elections offices. Normally, to vote absentee, people must swear that they are out-of-town or ill or working during polling hours. Merrill has said this year people can vote by absentee ballot if they are concerned about the risk of COVID-19 at the polls.
Election officials in more than a dozen of Alabama’s 67 counties have offered Saturday in-person absentee voting to handle the flood of people.
On a rainy Saturday in Montgomery, people waited in line for more than three hours for an opportunity to vote early in the November election. News outlets showed similar lines in Birmingham and Mobile.
Aviance Turboll, 40, stood with an umbrella in hand to cast her vote for Joe Biden.
Turnboll is an advanced placement science teacher at a Montgomery magnet school and mother of three teenagers. Her work and home schedule sometimes makes it difficult to get to the polls on Election Day, so Saturday voting is much more convenient, she said.
“I say make this the norm. Make it where that we are not making it so difficult with all these obstacles in the way for voting,” she said.
Wearing a black t-shirt with the word VOTE on it, Jacqueline Smiley, 36, was turned away from voting Saturday because local election officials closed the line at noon. Although people already in the long line, which snaked around the block, were allowed to vote. Smiley said she planned to come back Monday, but she would also like to see the state allow early voting every year.
“It would be beneficial to anyone who has to work or just can’t get away,” she said.
Democrats have made a push to get people to the polls early. “Every day is Election Day,” the state Democratic Party wrote on social media in posts encouraging people to make a plan for voting.
England said he expects legislation to be introduced in the next session to allow early voting every year or at least allow people to vote absentee without an excuse.
Such a change would have to be approved by the GOP-dominated Alabama Legislature. A bill to allow people to vote absentee vote without an excuse or explanation passed the state Senate in 2017 but did not get a vote in the House of Representatives. Merrill said he expects the issue to be considered in the 2021 legislation session.
Asked if Republican Gov. Kay Ivey would support a change to allow early voting or no-excuse absentee voting, spokeswoman Gina Maiola replied that the governor, “is confident in the current process in place and believes that every person has ample opportunity to cast their vote in Alabama, even as we are amidst a pandemic.”
Merrill said the decision to offer Saturday voting is up to local election officials.
“I don’t know why it hasn’t happened before,” Merrill said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-24--Istanbul's opposition mayor tests positive for COVID-19

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - The mayor of Istanbul has tested positive for COVID-19 , a spokesman for the Turkish city said Saturday .
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has received treatment at a hospital and his condition is good , spokesman Murat Ongun tweeted .
Istanbul , a city of 16 million people , has recorded 40 % of Turkey ’ s total reported coronavirus cases , according to Health Minister Fahrettin Koca .
Imamoglu , who represents the opposition Republican People ’ s Party , or CHP , became one of Turkey ’ s most recognizable politicians after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success was part of a series of victories for the CHP in major cities , including capital Ankara .
The mayor and other opposition figures have criticized the Turkish government ’ s approach to tackling the virus , including its decision to publish data only on patients displaying COVID-19 symptoms rather than including asymptomatic individuals .
The country on Friday reported 2,165 new confirmed cases in people with symptoms , the highest daily number since restrictions to combat the outbreak were imposed in May .
The new cases brought Turkey ’ s total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus-related deaths .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - The mayor of Istanbul has tested positive for COVID-19, a spokesman for the Turkish city said Saturday.
Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has received treatment at a hospital and his condition is good, spokesman Murat Ongun tweeted.
Istanbul, a city of 16 million people, has recorded 40% of Turkey’s total reported coronavirus cases, according to Health Minister Fahrettin Koca.
Imamoglu, who represents the opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, became one of Turkey’s most recognizable politicians after winning office in June 2019.
His success was part of a series of victories for the CHP in major cities , including capital Ankara.
The mayor and other opposition figures have criticized the Turkish government’s approach to tackling the virus, including its decision to publish data only on patients displaying COVID-19 symptoms rather than including asymptomatic individuals.
The country on Friday reported 2,165 new confirmed cases in people with symptoms, the highest daily number since restrictions to combat the outbreak were imposed in May.
The new cases brought Turkey’s total known cases to 357,693, including 9,658 virus-related deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-10-24--Guinean president wins a 3rd term, electoral commission says

CONAKRY , Guinea ( AP ) - Guinea ’ s President Alpha Conde has won a third term with 59.49 % of the vote , the National Independent Electoral Commission declared Saturday .
Some people went to the streets to protest immediately after the announcement .
Such demonstrations have occurred for months after the government changed the constitution through a national referendum , allowing Conde to extend his decade in power .
Opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo received 33.50 % of the vote , the electoral commission said .
Voter turnout was almost 80 % .
Political tensions around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent in recent days after Diallo claimed victory ahead of the official results .
Celebrations by his supporters were suppressed when security forces fired tear gas to disperse them .
At least nine people have been killed since the election , according to the government .
The violence sparked international condemnation by the U.S. and others .
“ Today is a sad day for African democracy , ” said Sally Bilaly Sow , a Guinean blogger and activist living abroad .
The government should take into account the will of the people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
On Friday , internet and international calls were cut off across the West African nation in anticipation of the election results , according to locals and international observers in the capital , Conakry .
This was the third time that Conde matched-up against Diallo .
Before the election , observers raised concerns that an electoral dispute could reignite ethnic tensions between Guinea ’ s largest ethnic groups .

CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) - Guinea’s electoral commission on Saturday declared that President Alpha Conde had easily won a third term with 59% of the vote, setting the stage for potential clashes with the opposition whose candidate claimed victory days ago. The opposition quickly announced it would contest the results in court but offered no immediate evidence of fraud.
Some opposition supporters immediately went to the streets to protest after the announcement, while the opposition’s statement accused Conde of trying to “impose an electoral coup” and called on the population “to mobilize to defend, by all legal means, the truth of the ballot boxes.”
At least nine people had been killed, including children, amid unrest while the West African nation awaited the results over the past week.
Opposition candidate Cellou Dalein Diallo earlier announced he was the rightful winner of the Oct. 18 election, asserting that he received 53% of the vote. But the National Independent Electoral Commission said he received only about 33%.
Guinea already had seen months of deadly political unrest after the 82-year-old Conde backed a constitutional referendum, approved by voters in March, that effectively allows him to serve two further five-year terms. The opposition boycotted the referendum.
“Today is a sad day for African democracy,” said Sally Bilaly Sow, a Guinean blogger and activist living abroad. The government should take into account the will of the people who have a desire for change, he said.
On Friday, internet and international calls were cut off across the country in anticipation of the election results, according to locals and international observers in the capital, Conakry.
This was the third time that Conde faced against Diallo in an election. Before the latest vote, observers raised concerns that any electoral dispute could reignite ethnic tensions between Guinea’s largest ethnic groups. The two main candidates drew support from the Malinke and the Peuhl, and previous match-ups have resulted in violence.
Ibrahima Kalil Gueye, president of the Organization for Positive Change, a local civil society group, described Conde’s new term as an “illegal mandate” and doubted that the situation will improve if security forces fire on demonstrators. He also questioned the validity of the vote, alleging that “the fraud is massive.”
When Conde came to power in 2010, in the country’s first democratic elections since independence from France in 1958, he was seen as a fresh start for a country wracked by decades of authoritarian rule. He had spent decades as an opposition figure under dictatorship.
Opponents, though, say Conde has failed to improve the lives of Guineans, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s vast mineral riches. In his final campaign speech, opposition candidate Diallo condemned the high unemployment and human rights abuses of the past decade.
At least 50 people were killed in the past year in political violence, prompting U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the eve of the poll to urge political leaders to “refrain from acts of incitement.”
A new statement by Guterres’s spokesman on Saturday merely took note of the announcement of the provisional election results and called on parties to “resolve electoral disputes through established legal mechanisms and to refrain from violence.”
Rights groups are concerned that more demonstrations and continued repression by security forces “could have disastrous repercussions,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, a Human Rights Watch researcher. The human toll from the violence is likely higher than documented but has been difficult to verify due to cuts to internet and mobile phone services, she said.
The International Criminal Court at The Hague has said it is “deeply concerned” about the mounting tensions in the country of some 12 million people.
___
Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-24--Iran's top leader says fighting virus trumps other concerns

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) - Iran ’ s supreme leader Saturday urged authorities to prioritize public health above any economic or security concerns , amid the Mideast ’ s worst outbreak of the coronavirus .
Iran ’ s death toll from the global pandemic topped 32,000 this week .
The government has resisted a total lockdown fearing it would further devastate its economy , already weakened by unprecedented U.S. sanctions .
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told officials during a meeting with the country ’ s top counter-coronavirus committee that “ the main priority in decision-making is people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to follow strictly the health ministry ’ s guidelines to help restrict the virus ’ spread , “ regardless of other considerations.
” Some hardliner lawmakers have criticized Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ’ s management of the pandemic and demanded his resignation .
Rouhani is a reformist politician and also championed Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers , which began collapsing after the U.S. ’ s unilateral withdrawal .
Lawmaker Mojtaba Zolnouri , who heads parliament ’ s influential committee for national security and foreign policy , called on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hanging a thousand times until people ’ s hearts are satisfied.
” Khamenei indirectly condemned such inflammatory statements in the meeting , calling it “ wrong.
” He said there is a difference between criticisms and insults .
Iran shattered its single-day death toll record on Monday , and recorded consecutive daily infection highs on Tuesday and Wednesday - then again on Friday .
A top health official stressed this week that the true number of deaths from the outbreak is likely 2.5 times higher .
On Saturday , the Iranian health ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 32,320 , adding 335 casualties from the past twenty-four hours .
Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari raised the total number of confirmed cases to 562,705 .
Khamenei added the government ’ s management of the pandemic is very important .
“ In some countries , such as the United States , the worst management has been applied .
But we must try to pass this incident , which is related to people ’ s lives and health and their security and economy , with the best management , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the meeting that the pandemic could only be controlled by enforcing tighter restrictions .
“ We must curb the disease by enforcing regulations and tightening legal restrictions , ” he said .

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran’s supreme leader Saturday urged authorities to prioritize public health above any economic or security concerns, amid the Mideast’s worst outbreak of the coronavirus.
Iran’s death toll from the global pandemic topped 32,000 this week. The government has resisted a total lockdown fearing it would further devastate its economy, already weakened by unprecedented U.S. sanctions.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told officials during a meeting with the country’s top counter-coronavirus committee that “the main priority in decision-making is people’s health.”
Khamenei urged “all organizations” to follow strictly the health ministry’s guidelines to help restrict the virus’ spread, “regardless of other considerations.”
Some hardliner lawmakers have criticized Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s management of the pandemic and demanded his resignation. Rouhani is a reformist politician and also championed Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers, which began collapsing after the U.S.’s unilateral withdrawal.
Lawmaker Mojtaba Zolnouri, who heads parliament’s influential committee for national security and foreign policy, called on his Twitter account for Rouhani’s “hanging a thousand times until people’s hearts are satisfied.”
Khamenei indirectly condemned such inflammatory statements in the meeting, calling it “wrong.” He said there is a difference between criticisms and insults.
Iran shattered its single-day death toll record on Monday, and recorded consecutive daily infection highs on Tuesday and Wednesday - then again on Friday.
A top health official stressed this week that the true number of deaths from the outbreak is likely 2.5 times higher.
On Saturday, the Iranian health ministry put the official death toll from COVD-19 at 32,320, adding 335 casualties from the past twenty-four hours.
Health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari raised the total number of confirmed cases to 562,705.
Khamenei added the government’s management of the pandemic is very important.
“In some countries, such as the United States, the worst management has been applied. But we must try to pass this incident, which is related to people’s lives and health and their security and economy, with the best management,” he said.
Iranian health minister Saeed Namaki said in the meeting that the pandemic could only be controlled by enforcing tighter restrictions.
“We must curb the disease by enforcing regulations and tightening legal restrictions,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-24--Maine supreme court declines to extend mail-in vote deadline

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - The state supreme court declined to extend the voting deadline to allow absentee votes postmarked by Election Day to be counted .
In a divided opinion , the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled 4-1 on Friday to uphold a judge ’ s rejection of a lawsuit that sought to allow absentee ballots that were postmarked by Nov. 3 to be counted .
The lawsuit cited concerns about the large volume of absentee ballots and Postal Service delays .
Maine law requires absentee ballots to be in clerks ’ hands by the time polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The court ’ s majority declined to declare the voting deadline unconstitutional , finding that the processes put in place by election officials during the pandemic provide adequate opportunities for Mainers to cast their ballots without an undue burden on voters .
“ In sum , we conclude that absentee voters will be afforded ‘ fundamental fairness ’ in the November 2020 election , ” the majority concluded .
In a dissenting opinion , Justice Joseph Jabar wrote that state rules should be altered in light of reports of delays by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline for the receipt of mail-in absentee ballots is unconstitutional ‘ as applied ’ during a once-in-a-lifetime deadly pandemic , ” Jabar wrote .
The lawsuit brought by the Alliance for Retired Americans , Vote.org and two Maine residents had sought to extend the cutoff by 10 days .
The ACLU of Maine joined the lawsuit .
Defendants were Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap and Attorney General Aaron Frey .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The state supreme court declined to extend the voting deadline to allow absentee votes postmarked by Election Day to be counted.
In a divided opinion, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled 4-1 on Friday to uphold a judge’s rejection of a lawsuit that sought to allow absentee ballots that were postmarked by Nov. 3 to be counted. The lawsuit cited concerns about the large volume of absentee ballots and Postal Service delays. Maine law requires absentee ballots to be in clerks’ hands by the time polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The court’s majority declined to declare the voting deadline unconstitutional, finding that the processes put in place by election officials during the pandemic provide adequate opportunities for Mainers to cast their ballots without an undue burden on voters.
“In sum, we conclude that absentee voters will be afforded ‘fundamental fairness’ in the November 2020 election,” the majority concluded.
In a dissenting opinion, Justice Joseph Jabar wrote that state rules should be altered in light of reports of delays by the Postal Service. “The election day deadline for the receipt of mail-in absentee ballots is unconstitutional ‘as applied’ during a once-in-a-lifetime deadly pandemic,” Jabar wrote.
The lawsuit brought by the Alliance for Retired Americans, Vote.org and two Maine residents had sought to extend the cutoff by 10 days.
The ACLU of Maine joined the lawsuit. Defendants were Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap and Attorney General Aaron Frey.


washingtontimes--2020-10-24--After 200 years, Virginia to let judges decide sentences

It ’ s a centuries-old sentencing system in Virginia that calls for juries to decide punishment for criminal defendants , and often leads to stiffer sentences than what judges give or prosecutors offer in plea deals .
This sentencing structure has been in place for 224 years , but under a bill recently approved by the state legislature , Virginia is expected to turn sentencing over to judges , joining the vast majority of states around the country .
Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam , a strong supporter of criminal justice reform , is expected to sign the bill into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a special legislative session focused on criminal justice and police reform .
Supporters of the change said giving judges the sentencing responsibility will result in fairer sentences , but prosecutors predicted it will result in more jury trials and therefore require additional judges , court clerks and public defenders .
The bill ’ s sponsor , Democratic Sen. Joe Morrissey from Richmond , said that under the current system , many people charged with crimes in Virginia are so fearful of getting a severe sentence from a jury that they often accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer sentence than they would typically get from a judge .
Unlike judges , juries in Virginia are not given state sentencing guidelines that would tell them what a typical sentence would be for a particular crime , and they tend to hand out stiffer sentences .
In fiscal year 2019 , sentences handed down by juries went above sentencing guidelines 37 % of the time , and in 2018 , juries exceeded sentencing guidelines nearly 50 % of the time , according to annual reports by the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a normal sentence is , ” Morrissey said .
“ That ’ s why it is important to have a judge sentencing who has the guidelines and can put it into context.
” But prosecutors said turning sentencing over to judges will result in more defendants going to trial instead of accepting a plea deals , adding strain to a judicial system already struggling with a large backload of cases caused by the postponement of jury trials during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Prosecutors believe the state will end up needing more judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support staff to handle longer trial dockets .
Jeff Haislip , president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth ’ s Attorneys , said prosecutors are also concerned that the goal of the bill appears to be to get more lenient sentences for defendants .
“ In jurisdictions where you have multiple jury trials lined up , if the goal is to get the defendant a better deal , that may not be in the best interests of public safety , ” Haislip said .
Republican Sen. Mark Obenshain voted against the legislation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurors .
“ We are saying we don ’ t trust the people in our communities to make judgments about the appropriate punishment for criminal behavior .
We have entrusted that to our friends and neighbors.
” Taking that away , he said , “ is the wrong policy choice.
” Only six states - Virginia , Arkansas , Kentucky , Missouri , Oklahoma and Texas - use juries to sentence defendants in non-capital felony cases .
The Virginia legislation would turn over sentencing to judges except when a defendant requests sentencing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of jury trials will not increase significantly because prosecutors - knowing that judges generally give out lighter sentences than juries - will begin to offer reasonable sentences as part of plea deals .
He said he believes the change will save the state millions of dollars in the long run because fewer inmates will receive excessive sentences and the average length of incarceration will go down , meaning lower prison costs .
The change would become effective in July 2021 .
Northam ’ s spokeswoman , Alena Yarmosky , said Northam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform ” and is in the process of reviewing the legislation .
“ The lives of Virginians that are affected by this is immeasurable , ” said Morrissey .
“ It ’ s not just defendants who are sentenced to an excessive sentence .
It ’ s also their families .
”

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Defense attorneys call it “the jury penalty.”
It’s a centuries-old sentencing system in Virginia that calls for juries to decide punishment for criminal defendants, and often leads to stiffer sentences than what judges give or prosecutors offer in plea deals.
This sentencing structure has been in place for 224 years, but under a bill recently approved by the state legislature, Virginia is expected to turn sentencing over to judges, joining the vast majority of states around the country. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, a strong supporter of criminal justice reform, is expected to sign the bill into law.
The proposal sparked fierce debate during a special legislative session focused on criminal justice and police reform. Supporters of the change said giving judges the sentencing responsibility will result in fairer sentences, but prosecutors predicted it will result in more jury trials and therefore require additional judges, court clerks and public defenders.
The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Sen. Joe Morrissey from Richmond, said that under the current system, many people charged with crimes in Virginia are so fearful of getting a severe sentence from a jury that they often accept a plea deal from prosecutors that includes a longer sentence than they would typically get from a judge.
Unlike judges, juries in Virginia are not given state sentencing guidelines that would tell them what a typical sentence would be for a particular crime, and they tend to hand out stiffer sentences. In fiscal year 2019, sentences handed down by juries went above sentencing guidelines 37% of the time, and in 2018, juries exceeded sentencing guidelines nearly 50% of the time, according to annual reports by the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission.
“Jurors have no idea what a normal sentence is,” Morrissey said. “That’s why it is important to have a judge sentencing who has the guidelines and can put it into context.”
But prosecutors said turning sentencing over to judges will result in more defendants going to trial instead of accepting a plea deals, adding strain to a judicial system already struggling with a large backload of cases caused by the postponement of jury trials during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Prosecutors believe the state will end up needing more judges, public defenders, court clerks and support staff to handle longer trial dockets.
Jeff Haislip, president of the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys, said prosecutors are also concerned that the goal of the bill appears to be to get more lenient sentences for defendants.
“In jurisdictions where you have multiple jury trials lined up, if the goal is to get the defendant a better deal, that may not be in the best interests of public safety,” Haislip said.
Republican Sen. Mark Obenshain voted against the legislation, saying sentencing decisions should be left to jurors.
“We are saying we don’t trust the people in our communities to make judgments about the appropriate punishment for criminal behavior. We have entrusted that to our friends and neighbors.” Taking that away, he said, “is the wrong policy choice.”
Only six states - Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas - use juries to sentence defendants in non-capital felony cases. The Virginia legislation would turn over sentencing to judges except when a defendant requests sentencing by a jury.
Morrissey said he believes the number of jury trials will not increase significantly because prosecutors - knowing that judges generally give out lighter sentences than juries - will begin to offer reasonable sentences as part of plea deals. He said he believes the change will save the state millions of dollars in the long run because fewer inmates will receive excessive sentences and the average length of incarceration will go down, meaning lower prison costs.
The change would become effective in July 2021. Northam’s spokeswoman, Alena Yarmosky, said Northam is “committed to comprehensive criminal justice reform” and is in the process of reviewing the legislation.
“The lives of Virginians that are affected by this is immeasurable,” said Morrissey. “It’s not just defendants who are sentenced to an excessive sentence. It’s also their families.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-24--Four years in, Trump has plenty of unfinished business

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - President Donald Trump swept into office nearly four years ago as an outsider who promised to get things done quickly on behalf of the American people through sheer force of will and unrivaled knowledge about the art of the deal .
He has checked off some items on his to-do list .
Trump pushed through the most significant overhaul of the U.S. tax system since President Ronald Reagan .
Trump , as he said he would , tilted the Supreme Court further to the right with confirmation of two conservative justices and likely a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming days .
His promise to get tough on illegal immigration has resulted in a surge in migrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border .
But Trump has also faced the same hard truth that each of his White House predecessors learned : Governing is rarely easy .
A look at some of the president ’ s unfinished business as he asks voters for a second term in the White House : Trump has managed to undermine President Barack Obama ’ s health care law , but has fallen far short of his promise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
His administration has managed to dismantle parts of the law .
Enrollment periods have been shortened , some subsidies were ended and the individual mandate — the fine for people without health insurance — has been eliminated .
Trump says he ’ s still focused on replacing the with something “ much better and much less expensive.
” He said in an interview with CBS ’ “ 60 Minutes ” that “ it will be so good ” if the Supreme Court puts an end to “ Obamacare ” when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of uninsured Americans has risen under Trump ’ s watch .
According to Census Bureau data released last month , nearly 30 million people in the U.S. lacked coverage at some point during 2019 , about 1 million more than in the previous year .
Trump has made only modest progress toward meeting his 2016 pledge to bring home all troops from what he calls America ’ s “ endless wars.
” When Trump took over the White House , the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan stood at about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops in Iraq .
Within a year , the number of troops in Afghanistan climbed to about 15,000 .
Trump approved commanders ’ requests for additional troops to reverse setbacks in the training of Afghan forces , fight an increasingly dangerous Islamic State group and put enough pressure on the Taliban to force it to the peace table .
In February , the U.S. and the Taliban signed an agreement that calls for the eventual complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan .
With an eye toward the election , Trump has accelerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teasing that all U.S. troops could be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year .
Pentagon officials said the number of troops in Afghanistan will drop to 4,500 in November .
But defense officials insist there are no plans to have all troops home from Afghanistan by the end of the year .
U.S. officials also say there currently is no approved plan to reduce the number to 2,500 by early next year .
The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops has dipped from about 5,000 to roughly 3,000 , although officials say the number fluctuates higher as units rotate in and out .
During his 2016 primary run , Trump sought to mark his ground as a hard-line immigration enforcer who would build “ a great , great wall on our southern border.
” “ And I will make Mexico pay for that wall , ” Trump said as he launched his run for the White House in June 2015 .
“ Mark my words.
” Nearly four years later , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wall and much that has been completed has been paid by U.S. taxpayers despite promises otherwise .
The president ’ s administration has promised to build 450 miles by the end of this year and has so far built 371 .
Trump has replaced hundreds of miles of old , worn-out barriers , meant only to stop cars , with tall , 30-foot fencing that is much harder to get over and impedes wildlife from crossing the border .
Conservationists in Arizona , where a bulk of the building has taken place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildlife and the surrounding ecosystems .
Mexico has steadfastly refused to pay for the border wall , though Trump earlier this year suggested that the wall is being paid , in part , by remittances from Mexican immigrants working in the U.S. To date , the money is coming from the U.S. Treasury , meaning today ’ s taxpayers and the future ones who will inherit the federal debt .
To the extent any people who came into the U.S. illegally are kicking in for the wall , it ’ s because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other workers .
Trump also freed up $ 3.6 billion for the wall last year by diverting money from military construction projects as well as $ 2.5 billion from approved counterdrug spending .
Early in his presidency , Trump expressed confidence that his administration could broker a long-term peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians .
“ We will get it done , ” Trump declared in May 2017 .
He put his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner in charge .
Trump moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Israelis and the president ’ s evangelical Christian supporters in the U.S. but angered Palestinian leaders .
He scored a big win in recent weeks with the U.S. nudging Bahrain , Sudan and the United Arab Emirates - three Arab states - to normalize relations with Israel .
The normalization of relations between Israel and the three Arab nations is certainly an important achievement .
But the agreements between nations that have never been in direct conflict don ’ t meaningfully move the ball in achieving the large and long elusive goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The White House ’ s multiple attempts to designate an “ infrastructure week ” - each effort quickly eclipsed by other issues - have become something of a running punchline in the administration .
In his 2016 victory speech , Trump said he would rebuild the nation ’ s highways , bridges , tunnels , airports , schools and hospitals , making American infrastructure “ second to none ” and putting millions to work in the process .
Nearly four years later , Trump ’ s soaring rhetoric has failed to produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached an agreement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , to pursue a $ 2 trillion infrastructure plan .
This March , he resurrected the idea for a “ VERY BIG & BOLD ” plan for infrastructure spending to help jolt the staggering economy after the coronavirus pandemic hit .
While Pelosi and Schumer again threw their support behind big infrastructure spending , Senate Republicans have bristled at deficit spending , and Trump ’ s sales pitch has gone nowhere with his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago , Trump said his federal income taxes were “ under a routine audit ” but promised they would be released as soon as the IRS finished .
Four years later , Trump says the IRS still hasn ’ t completed its work , and the president has yet to fulfill his promise to release his tax returns .
No law prevents Trump from making his tax filings public while under audit .
Questions about Trump ’ s tax returns - and his broader financial situation - have only grown following revelations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 400 million in debt .
That sort of debt load , ethics experts say , raises concerns he could be manipulated to sway U.S. policy by those to whom he ’ s indebted .
The New York Times reported last month that Trump ’ s debt includes more than $ 300 million in loans that will come due in the next four years .
Trump dismisses his debt load as a “ peanut ” compared with his assets .
The president is the only post-Watergate president not to release his tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hope Yen , Calvin Woodward and Astrid Galvan contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump swept into office nearly four years ago as an outsider who promised to get things done quickly on behalf of the American people through sheer force of will and unrivaled knowledge about the art of the deal.
He has checked off some items on his to-do list.
Trump pushed through the most significant overhaul of the U.S. tax system since President Ronald Reagan. Trump, as he said he would, tilted the Supreme Court further to the right with confirmation of two conservative justices and likely a third, Amy Coney Barrett, in the coming days. His promise to get tough on illegal immigration has resulted in a surge in migrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border.
But Trump has also faced the same hard truth that each of his White House predecessors learned: Governing is rarely easy.
A look at some of the president’s unfinished business as he asks voters for a second term in the White House:
HEALTH CARE
Trump has managed to undermine President Barack Obama’s health care law, but has fallen far short of his promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
His administration has managed to dismantle parts of the law. Enrollment periods have been shortened, some subsidies were ended and the individual mandate — the fine for people without health insurance — has been eliminated.
Trump says he’s still focused on replacing the with something “much better and much less expensive.” He said in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that “it will be so good” if the Supreme Court puts an end to “Obamacare” when the justices hear challenges to it next month.
The number of uninsured Americans has risen under Trump’s watch. According to Census Bureau data released last month, nearly 30 million people in the U.S. lacked coverage at some point during 2019, about 1 million more than in the previous year.
___
“ENDLESS WARS”
Trump has made only modest progress toward meeting his 2016 pledge to bring home all troops from what he calls America’s “endless wars.”
When Trump took over the White House, the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan stood at about 8,400, and there were about 6,800 troops in Iraq.
Within a year, the number of troops in Afghanistan climbed to about 15,000. Trump approved commanders’ requests for additional troops to reverse setbacks in the training of Afghan forces, fight an increasingly dangerous Islamic State group and put enough pressure on the Taliban to force it to the peace table.
In February, the U.S. and the Taliban signed an agreement that calls for the eventual complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
With an eye toward the election, Trump has accelerated his push to bring troops home, teasing that all U.S. troops could be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year.
Pentagon officials said the number of troops in Afghanistan will drop to 4,500 in November. But defense officials insist there are no plans to have all troops home from Afghanistan by the end of the year. U.S. officials also say there currently is no approved plan to reduce the number to 2,500 by early next year. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations and spoke on condition of anonymity.
In Iraq, the number of U.S. troops has dipped from about 5,000 to roughly 3,000, although officials say the number fluctuates higher as units rotate in and out.
___
THE WALL
During his 2016 primary run, Trump sought to mark his ground as a hard-line immigration enforcer who would build “a great, great wall on our southern border.”
“And I will make Mexico pay for that wall,” Trump said as he launched his run for the White House in June 2015. “Mark my words.”
Nearly four years later, Trump still has work to do completing his wall and much that has been completed has been paid by U.S. taxpayers despite promises otherwise.
The president’s administration has promised to build 450 miles by the end of this year and has so far built 371. Trump has replaced hundreds of miles of old, worn-out barriers, meant only to stop cars, with tall, 30-foot fencing that is much harder to get over and impedes wildlife from crossing the border. Conservationists in Arizona, where a bulk of the building has taken place, say the new wall is detrimental to wildlife and the surrounding ecosystems.
Mexico has steadfastly refused to pay for the border wall, though Trump earlier this year suggested that the wall is being paid, in part, by remittances from Mexican immigrants working in the U.S.
To date, the money is coming from the U.S. Treasury, meaning today’s taxpayers and the future ones who will inherit the federal debt. To the extent any people who came into the U.S. illegally are kicking in for the wall, it’s because they’re working and paying taxes like other workers.
Trump also freed up $3.6 billion for the wall last year by diverting money from military construction projects as well as $2.5 billion from approved counterdrug spending.
___
MIDEAST PEACE
Early in his presidency, Trump expressed confidence that his administration could broker a long-term peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. “We will get it done,” Trump declared in May 2017. He put his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner in charge.
Trump moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a step that was cheered by Israelis and the president’s evangelical Christian supporters in the U.S. but angered Palestinian leaders. He scored a big win in recent weeks with the U.S. nudging Bahrain, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates - three Arab states - to normalize relations with Israel.
The normalization of relations between Israel and the three Arab nations is certainly an important achievement. But the agreements between nations that have never been in direct conflict don’t meaningfully move the ball in achieving the large and long elusive goal of achieving peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
___
INFRASTRUCTURE
The White House’s multiple attempts to designate an “infrastructure week” - each effort quickly eclipsed by other issues - have become something of a running punchline in the administration.
In his 2016 victory speech, Trump said he would rebuild the nation’s highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools and hospitals, making American infrastructure “second to none” and putting millions to work in the process.
Nearly four years later, Trump’s soaring rhetoric has failed to produce legislation.
In April 2019, Trump reached an agreement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to pursue a $2 trillion infrastructure plan. This March, he resurrected the idea for a “VERY BIG & BOLD” plan for infrastructure spending to help jolt the staggering economy after the coronavirus pandemic hit.
While Pelosi and Schumer again threw their support behind big infrastructure spending, Senate Republicans have bristled at deficit spending, and Trump’s sales pitch has gone nowhere with his own party.
___
TRUMP’S TAXES
On the debate stage four year ago, Trump said his federal income taxes were “under a routine audit” but promised they would be released as soon as the IRS finished.
Four years later, Trump says the IRS still hasn’t completed its work, and the president has yet to fulfill his promise to release his tax returns. No law prevents Trump from making his tax filings public while under audit.
Questions about Trump’s tax returns - and his broader financial situation - have only grown following revelations that he is personally liable for more than $400 million in debt. That sort of debt load, ethics experts say, raises concerns he could be manipulated to sway U.S. policy by those to whom he’s indebted.
The New York Times reported last month that Trump’s debt includes more than $300 million in loans that will come due in the next four years.
Trump dismisses his debt load as a “peanut” compared with his assets.
The president is the only post-Watergate president not to release his tax returns.
___
Associated Press writers Robert Burns, Hope Yen, Calvin Woodward and Astrid Galvan contributed to this report.