washingtontimes--2020-04-28--FBI documents reveal communication between Stone, Assange

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Weeks after Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel in the Russia investigation , Roger Stone , a confidant of President Donald Trump , reassured WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a Twitter message that if prosecutors came after him , “ I will bring down the entire house of cards , ” according to FBI documents made public Tuesday .
The records reveal the extent of communications between Stone and Assange , whose anti-secrecy website published Democratic emails hacked by Russians during the 2016 presidential election , and underscore efforts by Trump allies to gain insight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would embarrass Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton .
The documents - FBI affidavits submitted to obtain search warrants in the criminal investigation into Stone - were released following a court case brought by The Associated Press and other media organizations .
They were made public as Stone , convicted last year in Mueller ’ s investigation into ties between Russia and the Trump campaign , awaits a date to surrender to a federal prison system that has grappled with outbreaks of the coronavirus .
In a June 2017 Twitter direct message cited in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue was “ still nonsense ” and said “ as a journalist it doesn ’ t matter where you get information only that it is accurate and authentic.
” He cited as an example the 1971 Supreme Court ruling that facilitated the publishing by newspapers of the Pentagon Papers , classified government documents about the Vietnam War .
“ If the US government moves on you I will bring down the entire house of cards , ” Stone wrote , according to a transcript of the message cited in the search warrant affidavit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges dropped I don ’ t know of any crime you need to be pardoned for - best regards .
R. ” Stone was likely referring to a sexual assault investigation dropped weeks earlier by Swedish authorities .
Assange , who at the time was holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London , was charged last year with a series of crimes by the U.S. Justice Department , including Espionage Act violations for directing former Army private Chelsea Manning in one of the largest compromises of classified information in U.S. history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter message by saying : “ Between CIA and DoJ they ’ re doing quite a lot .
On the DoJ side that ’ s coming most strongly from those obsessed with taking down Trump trying to squeeze us into a deal.
” Stone replied that he was doing everything possible to “ address the issues at the highest levels of Government.
” The records make clear the Trump campaign ’ s curiosity about what information WikiLeaks was going to make public .
Former White House adviser Steve Bannon told Mueller ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stone about WikiLeaks because he had heard that Stone had a channel to Assange , and he was hoping for more releases of damaging information .
In a statement Tuesday , Stone acknowledged that the search warrant affidavits contain private communication , but insisted that they “ prove no crimes.
” “ I have no trepidation about their release as they confirm there was no illegal activity and certainly no Russian collusion by me during the 2016 Election .
There is , to this day , no evidence that I had or knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wikileaks disclosures prior to their public release , ” Stone said .
Stone was among six associates of Trump charged in Mueller ’ s investigation .
He was convicted last year of lying to House lawmakers , tampering with a witness and obstructing Congress ’ own Russia probe .
A judge in February sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison in a case that exposed fissures inside the Justice Department - the entire trial team quit the prosecution amid a dispute over the recommended punishment - and between Trump and Attorney General William @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tweets about ongoing cases made his job “ impossible.
” Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report .

ERIC TUCKER, COLLEEN LONG and MICHAEL BALSAMO

WASHINGTON (AP) - Weeks after Robert Mueller was appointed special counsel in the Russia investigation, Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, reassured WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in a Twitter message that if prosecutors came after him, “I will bring down the entire house of cards,” according to FBI documents made public Tuesday.
The records reveal the extent of communications between Stone and Assange, whose anti-secrecy website published Democratic emails hacked by Russians during the 2016 presidential election, and underscore efforts by Trump allies to gain insight about the release of information they expected would embarrass Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
The documents - FBI affidavits submitted to obtain search warrants in the criminal investigation into Stone - were released following a court case brought by The Associated Press and other media organizations.
They were made public as Stone, convicted last year in Mueller’s investigation into ties between Russia and the Trump campaign, awaits a date to surrender to a federal prison system that has grappled with outbreaks of the coronavirus.
In a June 2017 Twitter direct message cited in the records, Stone reassured Assange that the issue was “still nonsense” and said “as a journalist it doesn’t matter where you get information only that it is accurate and authentic.”
He cited as an example the 1971 Supreme Court ruling that facilitated the publishing by newspapers of the Pentagon Papers, classified government documents about the Vietnam War.
“If the US government moves on you I will bring down the entire house of cards,” Stone wrote, according to a transcript of the message cited in the search warrant affidavit. “With the trumped-up sexual assault charges dropped I don’t know of any crime you need to be pardoned for - best regards. R.”
Stone was likely referring to a sexual assault investigation dropped by Swedish authorities. Assange, who at the time was holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, was charged last year with a series of crimes by the U.S. Justice Department, including Espionage Act violations for allegedly directing former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in one of the largest compromises of classified information in U.S. history.
According to the documents, Assange, who is imprisoned in London and is fighting his extradition to the United States, responded to Stone’s 2017 Twitter message by saying: “Between CIA and DoJ they’re doing quite a lot. On the DoJ side that’s coming most strongly from those obsessed with taking down Trump trying to squeeze us into a deal.”
Stone replied that he was doing everything possible to “address the issues at the highest level of Government.”
The records illustrate the Trump campaign’s curiosity about what information WikiLeaks was going to make public. Former White House adviser Steve Bannon told Mueller’s team under questioning that he had asked Stone about WikiLeaks because he had heard that Stone had a channel to Assange, and he was hoping for more releases of damaging information.
Mueller’s investigation identified significant contact during the 2016 campaign between Trump associates and Russians, but did not allege a criminal conspiracy to tip the outcome of the presidential election.
In a statement Tuesday, Stone acknowledged that the search warrant affidavits contain private communication, but insisted that they “prove no crimes.”
“I have no trepidation about their release as they confirm there was no illegal activity and certainly no Russian collusion by me during the 2016 Election,” Stone said. “There is, to this day, no evidence that I had or knew about the source or content of the Wikileaks disclosures prior to their public release.”
Stone was among six associates of Trump charged in Mueller’s investigation. He was convicted last year of lying to House lawmakers, tampering with a witness and obstructing Congress’ own Russia probe.
A judge in February sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison in a case that exposed fissures inside the Justice Department - the entire trial team quit the case amid a dispute over the recommended punishment - and between Trump and Attorney General William Barr, who said the president’s tweets about ongoing cases made his job “impossible.”
____
Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--California reopening will come in phases

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California Gov .
Gavin Newsom laid out a four-stage plan to reopen businesses , schools and entertainment events on Tuesday .
The governor said California is currently in phase one .
As the state sees hospitalization rates for the coronavirus stabilize , officials plan to move into phase two in the next few weeks , allowing some retail stores to get back to business .
Places such as nail salons and gyms won ’ t reopen until a later phase .
Local governments will be allowed to enforce stricter reopening rules , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage , most people are ordered to stay at home except for essential outings .
Newsom wants to boost the rate of testing , pass out more protective equipment , beef up health care services and continue monitoring coronavirus illnesses and deaths .
The next step , which Newsom said will come in the next few “ weeks , not months , ” includes reopening nonessential retail stores , manufacturing , child care and schools - possibly as early as late July or early August .
Residents during this time will be urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue working from home when possible .
The state will enter this phase once a widespread tracing system is in place , allowing local government officials to identify and test people who came in contact with infected people .
Unlike states that are already allowing such services to restart , services like hair and nail salons are still months away from reopening , Newsom said .
In the third phase , fitness clubs , spas , nail salons , hair salons and barbershops that require much more personal contact will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , concerts and sporting events won ’ t come until a later date , and it won ’ t be soon , under the state plan .
Don ’ t expect them until there is a vaccine or widespread immunity .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid out a four-stage plan to reopen businesses, schools and entertainment events on Tuesday.
The governor said California is currently in phase one. As the state sees hospitalization rates for the coronavirus stabilize, officials plan to move into phase two in the next few weeks, allowing some retail stores to get back to business. Places such as nail salons and gyms won’t reopen until a later phase.
Local governments will be allowed to enforce stricter reopening rules, but not lesser ones.
PHASE 1:
Under the current stage, most people are ordered to stay at home except for essential outings. Newsom wants to boost the rate of testing, pass out more protective equipment, beef up health care services and continue monitoring coronavirus illnesses and deaths.
PHASE 2:
The next step, which Newsom said will come in the next few “weeks, not months,” includes reopening nonessential retail stores, manufacturing, child care and schools - possibly as early as late July or early August.
Residents during this time will be urged to cut nonessential travel and employees should continue working from home when possible. The state will enter this phase once a widespread tracing system is in place, allowing local government officials to identify and test people who came in contact with infected people.
PHASE 3:
Unlike states that are already allowing such services to restart, services like hair and nail salons are still months away from reopening, Newsom said. In the third phase, fitness clubs, spas, nail salons, hair salons and barbershops that require much more personal contact will be able to reopen.
PHASE 4:
Mass crowd events like conventions, concerts and sporting events won’t come until a later date, and it won’t be soon, under the state plan. Don’t expect them until there is a vaccine or widespread immunity.
___
Source: California governor’s office.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Joe Biden appears to fall asleep in Hillary Clinton town hall

Conservative Twitter feeds and websites exploded with mirth Tuesday when Joe Biden appeared to fall asleep during a virtual town hall meeting with Hillary Clinton .
The livestreamed event was designed to highlight Mrs. Clinton ’ s endorsement of Mr. Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee .
During the event , Mr. Biden frequently cast his gaze down as if consulting notes .
But at one point , Mr. Biden closed his eyes , put his head down , and remained motionless for some 15 seconds or more , video of the event shows .
Eventually , the 77-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he jerked his head up , eyes blinking .
Mr. Biden ’ s campaign billed the event as a “ Women ’ s Town Hall on Covid-19.
” Mrs. Clinton was discussing how women in the workforce deemed “ essential ” have been affected by the virus when the former Vice President seemed to fall asleep .
Mr. Biden ’ s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether he nodded off during the Town Hall .
The video had been viewed well over a half-million times early Tuesday evening after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some humorous commentary .
As much of the nation remains shut down in response to the novel coronavirus , which originated in Wuhan , China , Mr. Biden has frequently appeared on video from an office in his Delaware home .
During many of his appearances , he has fumbled for words even at times where he seems to reading a script .
Those stumbles and other issues have led some to speculate the Democratic Party may seek to replace Mr. Biden , but Mrs. Clinton gave no hint of unease with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catnap — during her enthusiastic endorsement .
Mr. Biden is not the first public figure to be caught on tape seeming to nod off .
Last month , President Trump was accused of sleepiness during a video conference with governors , and video clearly captured Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont asleep during Mr. Trump ’ s impeachment trial .

Conservative Twitter feeds and websites exploded with mirth Tuesday when Joe Biden appeared to fall asleep during a virtual town hall meeting with Hillary Clinton.
The livestreamed event was designed to highlight Mrs. Clinton’s endorsement of Mr. Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
During the event, Mr. Biden frequently cast his gaze down as if consulting notes.
But at one point, Mr. Biden closed his eyes, put his head down, and remained motionless for some 15 seconds or more, video of the event shows.
Eventually, the 77-year-old candidate appeared to be startled awake, and he jerked his head up, eyes blinking.
Mr. Biden’s campaign billed the event as a “Women’s Town Hall on Covid-19.”
Mrs. Clinton was discussing how women in the workforce deemed “essential” have been affected by the virus when the former Vice President seemed to fall asleep.
Mr. Biden’s campaign did not immediately respond to questions about whether he nodded off during the Town Hall.
The video had been viewed well over a half-million times early Tuesday evening after several Twitter accounts posted it, usually with some humorous commentary.
Joe Biden has fallen asleep listening to Hillary Clinton during his own town hall pic.twitter.com/tCfbXwezys — Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 28, 2020
As much of the nation remains shut down in response to the novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, Mr. Biden has frequently appeared on video from an office in his Delaware home. During many of his appearances, he has fumbled for words even at times where he seems to reading a script.
Those stumbles and other issues have led some to speculate the Democratic Party may seek to replace Mr. Biden, but Mrs. Clinton gave no hint of unease with his candidacy — or noticing the apparent catnap — during her enthusiastic endorsement.
Mr. Biden is not the first public figure to be caught on tape seeming to nod off.
Last month, President Trump was accused of sleepiness during a video conference with governors, and video clearly captured Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont asleep during Mr. Trump’s impeachment trial.
• James Varney can be reached at jvarney@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Gov. could extend stay-at-home order later this week

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee ’ s chief of staff David Postman said Tuesday that Inslee could announce an extension of the state ’ s COVID-19-related stay-at-home order later this week .
The order is scheduled to continue through May 4 although Inslee has said portions of it would be extended .
“ We ’ re certainly going to try to share that as soon as we can , ” Postman said during a news conference .
Inslee in early April extended orders to keep non-essential businesses closed and most of the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 4 , saying social distancing measures needed to continue to minimize the spread of the coronavirus .
Inslee since then has announced the easing of some restrictions .
The Washington Department of Health on Tuesday reported 21 additional deaths from the virus , bringing the total number of deaths in the state to at least 786 .
The agency also reported 156 more people had tested positive , increasing the number of confirmed cases to more than 13,840 .
Officials from Public Health - Seattle & King County said Tuesday that cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites for people who were previously homeless continue to increase , The Seattle Times reported .
There have been 173 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 36 county homeless shelters or supportive housing sites for people who were previously homeless , health officials said .
The number includes positive cases among staff .
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients , and the vast majority recover .
But it is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear healthy and can cause severe illness and death in some patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying health conditions .

SEATTLE (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s chief of staff David Postman said Tuesday that Inslee could announce an extension of the state’s COVID-19-related stay-at-home order later this week. The order is scheduled to continue through May 4 although Inslee has said portions of it would be extended.
“We’re certainly going to try to share that as soon as we can,” Postman said during a news conference.
Inslee in early April extended orders to keep non-essential businesses closed and most of the state’s more than 7 million residents home through May 4, saying social distancing measures needed to continue to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. Inslee since then has announced the easing of some restrictions.
The Washington Department of Health on Tuesday reported 21 additional deaths from the virus, bringing the total number of deaths in the state to at least 786. The agency also reported 156 more people had tested positive, increasing the number of confirmed cases to more than 13,840.
Officials from Public Health - Seattle & King County said Tuesday that cases in county homeless shelters and supportive housing sites for people who were previously homeless continue to increase, The Seattle Times reported. There have been 173 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 36 county homeless shelters or supportive housing sites for people who were previously homeless, health officials said. The number includes positive cases among staff.
The virus causes mild to moderate symptoms in most patients, and the vast majority recover. But it is highly contagious and can be spread by those who appear healthy and can cause severe illness and death in some patients, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--1 person dead, another injured in a Scottsdale park shooting

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. ( AP ) - A shooting at a Scottsdale park has left one person dead and another @ @ @ @ @ .
Police officers responded to Cholla Park after reports of a shooting around 2 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ people were found injured and one person was pronounced dead at the scene .
They @ @ @ @ @ taken to a hospital .
Police said it appears the two people were the only @ @ @ @ @ .
The names and genders of the people involved weren ’ t immediately released by @ @

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - A shooting at a Scottsdale park has left one person dead and another injured, police said Tuesday.
Police officers responded to Cholla Park after reports of a shooting around 2 p.m.
Scottsdale fire officials said two people were found injured and one person was pronounced dead at the scene.
They say the other person was taken to a hospital.
Police said it appears the two people were the only ones involved in the incident.
The names and genders of the people involved weren’t immediately released by authorities.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Inside the Beltway: Greg Gutfeld beats Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert in late-night ratings upset

The nation ’ s top cable news network is reaching even greater heights as Americans confront both the coronavirus pandemic and the presidential election .
It is also enjoying a late-night ratings upset .
First things first , though : Fox News has bested both MSNBC and CNN in the ratings and remained the No .
1 cable news outlet for over 18 consecutive years .
( Yes — 18 . )
Fox News garnered an average of 3.7 million prime-time viewers during the month , compared to 2 million of MSNBC and 1.3 million for CNN .
But wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News has also remained the most-watched network in the entire cable realm for 46 consecutive months as well .
And the channel is enjoying historic ratings as well , finishing the month of April with the largest audience in its history , according to Nielsen Media Research .
“ Special Report with Bret Baier ” dominated the ratings , drawing 5.3 million viewers , followed by “ The Five ” with 4.7 million .
The ratings also revealed a significant finding : So much for the popularity of the often politically biased group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later hours .
“ The Greg Gutfeld Show was the most-watched late night program in all of television in total viewership with 2.9 million total viewers , topping all broadcast and cable comedy programs , including CBS ’ Late Show with Stephen Colbert , NBC ’ s The Tonight Show and ABC ’ s Jimmy Kimmel Live , ” the network said , noting that Mr. Gutfeld garnered 2.9 million viewers each night .
The news media continues to skim over a report that suggests presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide when he was still serving as U.S. senator from Delaware .
Now there are numbers .
“ It ’ s been more than a month since ex-staffer Tara Reade publicly accused Joe Biden of sexual assault , but you probably would have no idea if you relied on ABC , CBS , CNN , MSNBC , NBC or PBS for your news .
Since March 25 , those networks either completely ignored or barely mentioned the scandal , ” reports Scott Whitlock , a senior analyst for the Media Research Center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and released a 1993 video which appears to corroborate Ms. Reade ’ s accusations .
“ Even the liberal New York Times and Washington Post have published lengthy stories investigating the charges , yet ABC and NBC haven ’ t spent even a single second on the story .
CBS has devoted a paltry 63 seconds , while PBS gave it a mere seven minutes .
The all-day news networks CNN and MSNBC should have posted significantly higher totals , but they haven ’ t : MSNBC managed only four and a half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
CNN only emerged from a complete blackout of the story until the video evidence went public .
ABC , NBC , CNN and MSNBC each hosted Mr. Biden in recent weeks ; they asked Mr. Biden 77 questions .
But not one covered the misconduct accusations , Mr. Whitlock said .
“ ABC and NBC have still refused to cover the story .
CNN , which had been conducting a similar blackout , finally gave in and reported on it Saturday .
“ The mantra of the many in the # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women.
’ Journalists , at the very least , should give a fair hearing to serious accusations against any major public figure .
With the case of Tara Reade , the press has failed .
Instead of listening to women , they have ignored one raising inconvenient accusations against the Democratic Party ’ s hope to defeat Donald Trump , ” Mr. Whitlock concludes .
“ Re-open America responsibly and safely .
Protect our Constitutional rights .
Make America independent again , ” advise the organizers of MAGA MAYDAY , a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia , Idaho , Illinois , Kentucky , Massachusetts , Nevada , New Jersey and a host of other states which plan to drive the message home .
Literally .
Participants will be in their personal vehicles , Women for America First — a non-profit group — is listed as the force behind the multiple events .
More on this later .
WHEN TO DROP THE LOCKDOWN A sizable disagreement is percolating over when to “ open up ” communities and end the national coronavirus quarantine .
“ There ’ s a massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat .
Partisanship is the biggest driver of concerns about communities reopening prematurely , ” reports Axios , which says that 74 % of the nation worry about opening up neighborhoods too early .
In a new poll , the news organization found that 88 % of Democrats say they ’ re concerned about the premature end to the national lockdown , compared with 56 % of Republicans and 74 % overall .
Another 88 % of Hispanics and 85 % of blacks — “ clear majorities of whom identify as Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67 % of white respondents .
The Axios/Ipsos Poll of 1,021 U.S. adults was conducted April 2427 .
As the coronavirus pandemic continues , how far will the new safety-minded culture go ?
“ Will people at weddings be wearing face coverings ?
Going to sporting events , will people be in stadium seats with a face covering ?
” Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt asked White House coronavirus coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx .
“ We know that talking , singing , certainly sneezing and coughing can pass the virus on to others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody wears a face mask then you ’ re protecting the other person , ” the physician replied .
“ It ’ s really having the asymptomatic individuals wearing masks .
Everyone needs to in those kind of social gathering situations , as long as there is virus still in the community.
” • 59 % of U.S. adults approve of sports teams holding games with no fans present due to coronavirus .
• 55 % say movies , concerts and other live events should not start again until a vaccine is available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine before going back to such events .
• 27 % will attend live entertainment events as soon as they re-open .
• 26 % will attend sports events when a vaccine is available ; 17 % will attend sports events as soon as they re-open .
Source : A REUTERS/IPSOS poll of 4,429 U.S. adults conducted April 15-21 and released TUESDAY .

NEWS AND OPINION:
The nation’s top cable news network is reaching even greater heights as Americans confront both the coronavirus pandemic and the presidential election. It is also enjoying a late-night ratings upset.
First things first, though: Fox News has bested both MSNBC and CNN in the ratings and remained the No. 1 cable news outlet for over 18 consecutive years. (Yes — 18.) Fox News garnered an average of 3.7 million prime-time viewers during the month, compared to 2 million of MSNBC and 1.3 million for CNN.
But wait, there’s more — Fox News has also remained the most-watched network in the entire cable realm for 46 consecutive months as well. And the channel is enjoying historic ratings as well, finishing the month of April with the largest audience in its history, according to Nielsen Media Research.
“Special Report with Bret Baier” dominated the ratings, drawing 5.3 million viewers, followed by “The Five” with 4.7 million.
The ratings also revealed a significant finding: So much for the popularity of the often politically biased group of broadcast network folks who entertain during later hours.
“The Greg Gutfeld Show was the most-watched late night program in all of television in total viewership with 2.9 million total viewers, topping all broadcast and cable comedy programs, including CBS’ Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NBC’s The Tonight Show and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live,” the network said, noting that Mr. Gutfeld garnered 2.9 million viewers each night.
JOE WHO?
The news media continues to skim over a report that suggests presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden was guilty of sexual misconduct with an female aide when he was still serving as U.S. senator from Delaware. Now there are numbers.
“It’s been more than a month since ex-staffer Tara Reade publicly accused Joe Biden of sexual assault, but you probably would have no idea if you relied on ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NBC or PBS for your news. Since March 25, those networks either completely ignored or barely mentioned the scandal,” reports Scott Whitlock, a senior analyst for the Media Research Center, a conservative press watchdog which recently discovered and released a 1993 video which appears to corroborate Ms. Reade’s accusations.
“Even the liberal New York Times and Washington Post have published lengthy stories investigating the charges, yet ABC and NBC haven’t spent even a single second on the story. CBS has devoted a paltry 63 seconds, while PBS gave it a mere seven minutes. The all-day news networks CNN and MSNBC should have posted significantly higher totals, but they haven’t: MSNBC managed only four and a half minutes in mid-April,” Mr. Whitlock said.
CNN only emerged from a complete blackout of the story until the video evidence went public.
ABC, NBC, CNN and MSNBC each hosted Mr. Biden in recent weeks; they asked Mr. Biden 77 questions. But not one covered the misconduct accusations, Mr. Whitlock said.
“ABC and NBC have still refused to cover the story. CNN, which had been conducting a similar blackout, finally gave in and reported on it Saturday.
“The mantra of the many in the #MeToo movement is to ‘believe all women.’ Journalists, at the very least, should give a fair hearing to serious accusations against any major public figure. With the case of Tara Reade, the press has failed. Instead of listening to women, they have ignored one raising inconvenient accusations against the Democratic Party’s hope to defeat Donald Trump,” Mr. Whitlock concludes.
INCOMING: MAGA MAYDAY
“Re-open America responsibly and safely. Protect our Constitutional rights. Make America independent again,” advise the organizers of MAGA MAYDAY, a series of upcoming events in California, Hawaii, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey and a host of other states which plan to drive the message home. Literally.
Participants will be in their personal vehicles, Women for America First — a non-profit group — is listed as the force behind the multiple events. More on this later.
WHEN TO DROP THE LOCKDOWN
A sizable disagreement is percolating over when to “open up” communities and end the national coronavirus quarantine.
“There’s a massive gulf between how Democrats and Republicans view the threat. Partisanship is the biggest driver of concerns about communities reopening prematurely,” reports Axios, which says that 74% of the nation worry about opening up neighborhoods too early.
In a new poll, the news organization found that 88% of Democrats say they’re concerned about the premature end to the national lockdown, compared with 56% of Republicans and 74% overall.
Another 88% of Hispanics and 85% of blacks — “clear majorities of whom identify as Democrats” — are concerned, compared with 67% of white respondents. The Axios/Ipsos Poll of 1,021 U.S. adults was conducted April 2427.
THE MASKED MARRIAGE
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, how far will the new safety-minded culture go?
“Will people at weddings be wearing face coverings? Going to sporting events, will people be in stadium seats with a face covering?” Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt asked White House coronavirus coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx.
“We know that talking, singing, certainly sneezing and coughing can pass the virus on to others,” she replied. “If everybody wears a face mask then you’re protecting the other person,” the physician replied.
She means everybody.
“It’s really having the asymptomatic individuals wearing masks. Everyone needs to in those kind of social gathering situations, as long as there is virus still in the community.”
POLL DU JOUR
• 59% of U.S. adults approve of sports teams holding games with no fans present due to coronavirus.
• 55% say movies, concerts and other live events should not start again until a vaccine is available.
• 32% would wait for a vaccine before going back to such events.
• 27% will attend live entertainment events as soon as they re-open.
• 26% will attend sports events when a vaccine is available; 17% will attend sports events as soon as they re-open.
Source: A REUTERS/IPSOS poll of 4,429 U.S. adults conducted April 15-21 and released TUESDAY.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Lawsuit: US citizens with immigrant spouses should get help

PHOENIX ( AP ) - The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund has sued the federal government over its denial of coronavirus relief payments to U.S. citizens who are married to immigrants without social security numbers .
The lawsuit was filed in Maryland on Tuesday on behalf of six American citizens who were denied coronavirus relief checks because they filed and paid taxes with a spouse who has what ’ s known as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number , or a way for immigrants without legal status to still pay federal taxes , which millions do .
MALDEF says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First and Fifth Amendments by denying them payment simply because of who they are married to .
Congress last month passed a $ 2.2 trillion package to help businesses , workers and a health care system staggered by the coronavirus .
Many Americans had their share deposited into their accounts in the last couple of weeks .
It ’ s estimated that 2 million U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are married to people without social security numbers , although it ’ s unclear how many of them file jointly with them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ much like other families in the U.S .
They have children at home , they are facing contraction of the economy and they still have to pay their rent , and buy groceries and buy gas , ” said Nina Perales , MALDEF ’ s vice president of litigation .
Christina Segundo-Hernandez , who lives in Fort Worth , Texas , is one of the plaintiffs in the case .
Segundo-Hernandez is a U.S. citizen married to a Mexican immigrant who pays federal taxes through his ITIN .
The couple , married eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re both working fewer hours because of the coronavirus pandemic , and they ’ ve fallen behind on bills .
Getting a coronavirus relief check would have helped .
“ I would have been able to fill up my refrigerator for my kids , ” said Segundo-Hernandez , who has four children .
“ I think it needs to be known that there ’ s people out there that are doctors and things like that that are putting their lives at risk going through the same thing .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who they ’ re married to.
” David Hessell-Cercado , a fourth-grade teacher in Los Angeles , is an American citizen married to a Mexican immigrant who is close to getting his permanent resident status .
Hessell-Cercado isn ’ t involved in the lawsuit , but will also not benefit from the coronavirus relief payments that went out to millions of Americans recently .
Hessell-Cercado said he feels lucky to still work , but thinks it ’ s unfair that Americans are being left out of the coronavirus relief package because of who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was just the sheer meanness of it , ” he said .
“ Anyone who marries someone and goes through an immigration process already has to deal with years and years and years of just delays and obstacles and hurdles to get over .
It just seems like something else that they put out there just to sort of be mean to us .
”

PHOENIX (AP) - The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund has sued the federal government over its denial of coronavirus relief payments to U.S. citizens who are married to immigrants without social security numbers.
The lawsuit was filed in Maryland on Tuesday on behalf of six American citizens who were denied coronavirus relief checks because they filed and paid taxes with a spouse who has what’s known as an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or a way for immigrants without legal status to still pay federal taxes, which millions do.
MALDEF says the Treasury Department is violating Americans’ First and Fifth Amendments by denying them payment simply because of who they are married to. Congress last month passed a $2.2 trillion package to help businesses, workers and a health care system staggered by the coronavirus. Many Americans had their share deposited into their accounts in the last couple of weeks.
It’s estimated that 2 million U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are married to people without social security numbers, although it’s unclear how many of them file jointly with them.
“All of the families are very much like other families in the U.S. They have children at home, they are facing contraction of the economy and they still have to pay their rent, and buy groceries and buy gas,” said Nina Perales, MALDEF’s vice president of litigation.
Christina Segundo-Hernandez, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of the plaintiffs in the case. Segundo-Hernandez is a U.S. citizen married to a Mexican immigrant who pays federal taxes through his ITIN. The couple, married eight years, file jointly each year. They’re both working fewer hours because of the coronavirus pandemic, and they’ve fallen behind on bills.
Getting a coronavirus relief check would have helped.
“I would have been able to fill up my refrigerator for my kids,” said Segundo-Hernandez, who has four children. “I think it needs to be known that there’s people out there that are doctors and things like that that are putting their lives at risk going through the same thing. They’re being betrayed by their government because of who they’re married to.”
David Hessell-Cercado, a fourth-grade teacher in Los Angeles, is an American citizen married to a Mexican immigrant who is close to getting his permanent resident status. Hessell-Cercado isn’t involved in the lawsuit, but will also not benefit from the coronavirus relief payments that went out to millions of Americans recently.
Hessell-Cercado said he feels lucky to still work, but thinks it’s unfair that Americans are being left out of the coronavirus relief package because of who they married.
“What hurt more was just the sheer meanness of it,” he said. “Anyone who marries someone and goes through an immigration process already has to deal with years and years and years of just delays and obstacles and hurdles to get over. It just seems like something else that they put out there just to sort of be mean to us.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Body found after house fire doused in southern Colorado

PUEBLO , Colo. ( AP ) - Authorities say a body was found after firefighters extinguished a burning home in @ @ @ @ @ firefighters were called to the abandoned home in Pueblo early Tuesday morning and quickly put @ @ @ @ @ female victim , whose name and age have not been released , was found inside @ @ @ @ @ what caused the blaze or how the victim died but say her death is considered @ @ @ @ @ was released .

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) - Authorities say a body was found after firefighters extinguished a burning home in southern Colorado.
Police and firefighters were called to the abandoned home in Pueblo early Tuesday morning and quickly put the fire out. The female victim, whose name and age have not been released, was found inside.
Investigators have not said what caused the blaze or how the victim died but say her death is considered suspicious.
No other information was released.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Coronavirus 'hot spots' emerge as U.S. curve flattens

The U.S. is “ flattening the curve ” of coronavirus transmission , but its case tally reached 1 million Tuesday and hot spots remain from New Mexico to Massachusetts , where the governor said high hospitalization rates have not dropped .
Gov .
Charlie Baker , a Republican , said he is keeping nonessential businesses closed until at least May 18 .
He said Massachusetts has made progress in the battle against COVID-19 but the numbers aren ’ t where they need to be .
Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds , a Republican , is allowing dozens of counties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sioux City area is waiting because its case count is growing at one of the fastest rates in the nation .
Widespread transmission at an Ohio jail , meanwhile , is fueling an outbreak north of Columbus .
More than three-quarters of inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution , 1,950 in all , and more than 150 staff members have been infected , according to local reports , making it one of the largest hot spots in the nation .
Officials in Ohio said the high number of positive tests at the Marion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and that only 105 of the inmates were showing symptoms when they were checked .
In neighboring Pennsylvania , “ we are continuing to look at much of the eastern part of the state as hot spots , ” state Department of Health spokesman Nate Wardle said .
He said that includes Philadelphia and its surrounding counties and areas farther north , including counties along the New Jersey border and into the Pocono Mountains .
The state is monitoring Hazleton as a city “ of concern , ” plus Allentown and Reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footprint of the COVID-19 crisis even as it shows signs of plateauing nationwide .
The U.S. recorded 22,000 and 27,000 new cases on Monday and Sunday , respectively , compared with well over 30,000 cases in each of the previous three days , according to a John Hopkins University tracker .
“ Our experts believe the worst days of the pandemic are behind us , ” President Trump said at a White House event on efforts to help small businesses .
Even so , the pathogen has infected more than 1 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives than expected .
A closely watched model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects deaths from the current wave could reach more than 74,000 , up from 67,600 estimated a week ago , because death rates aren ’ t falling quickly after states reach the peak of their epidemic curves .
As of Tuesday evening , more than 58,000 people had died in the U.S .
In western Massachusetts , Springfield is an emerging hot spot .
The city has tallied more than 1,000 cases , with nursing homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , its mayor told 22News-WWLP .
Gallup , New Mexico , is emerging as a hot spot out West , according to a New York Times tracker , as members of the hard-hit Navajo Nation travel to the small city to shop and stay at campsites .
Rhode Island , meanwhile , has been caught between the hard-hit metropolises of New York City and Boston , with Providence as a hot spot .
Gov .
Gina Raimondo , a Democrat , said new cases , hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions have remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen much of a decline , which is what we ’ re aiming for , ” she said .
Other states say they have beat expectations .
Gov .
Ron DeSantis , a Republican , used a White House visit to boast that Florida had not become the hot spot that everyone thought it would be in March , when newscasters played reels of spring break revelers crowding the state ’ s beaches .
The governor faced criticism for refusing to issue a stay-at-home order until April 1 , yet Florida ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t as bad as the metrics in states with tougher restrictions .
“ You go from D.C. , Maryland , New Jersey , New York , Connecticut , Massachusetts , Michigan , Indiana , Ohio , Illinois , you name it — Florida ’ s done better , ” said Mr. DeSantis , a key Trump ally .
“ And I ’ m not criticizing those states , but everyone in the media was saying Florida was going to be like New York or Italy , and that has not happened .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , diverse state .
We understood the outbreak was not uniform throughout the state , and we had a tailored and measured approach that not only helped our numbers be way below what anyone predicted but also did less damage to our state going forward , ” the governor said .
Likewise , California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , a Democrat , said his state never saw a massive surge in key metrics like other hot spots across the country and around the globe .
“ We ’ re still by no stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
It ’ s just stable .
We ’ re not seeing substantial declines , ” he said .
“ But again , Californians know we never experienced the big surge that other parts of the globe and certainly other parts of our country had.
” Mr. Newsom said California is likely “ weeks , not months ” away from making meaningful modifications to restrictions on some businesses .
He also said “ learning loss ” resulting from school closures might require some summer school .
“ We are considering the prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall , ” he said , “ as early as late July , early August .
”

Tom Howell Jr., David Sherfinski and Tom Howell Jr., David Sherfinski

The U.S. is “flattening the curve” of coronavirus transmission, but its case tally reached 1 million Tuesday and hot spots remain from New Mexico to Massachusetts, where the governor said high hospitalization rates have not dropped.
Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said he is keeping nonessential businesses closed until at least May 18. He said Massachusetts has made progress in the battle against COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, but the numbers aren’t where they need to be.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, is allowing dozens of counties to begin reopening their economies, but the Sioux City area is waiting because its case count is growing at one of the fastest rates in the nation.
Widespread transmission at an Ohio jail, meanwhile, is fueling an outbreak north of Columbus. More than three-quarters of inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution, 1,950 in all, and more than 150 staff members have been infected, according to local reports, making it one of the largest hot spots in the nation.
Officials in Ohio said the high number of positive tests at the Marion jail is largely because of their widespread testing and that only 105 of the inmates were showing symptoms when they were checked.
In neighboring Pennsylvania, “we are continuing to look at much of the eastern part of the state as hot spots,” state Department of Health spokesman Nate Wardle said.
He said that includes Philadelphia and its surrounding counties and areas farther north, including counties along the New Jersey border and into the Pocono Mountains. The state is monitoring Hazleton as a city “of concern,” plus Allentown and Reading.
The hot spots underscore the lingering footprint of the COVID-19 crisis even as it shows signs of plateauing nationwide.
The U.S. recorded 22,000 and 27,000 new cases on Monday and Sunday, respectively, compared with well over 30,000 cases in each of the previous three days, according to a John Hopkins University tracker.
“Our experts believe the worst days of the pandemic are behind us,” President Trump said at a White House event on efforts to help small businesses.
Even so, the pathogen has infected more than 1 million people in the U.S. and may claim more lives than expected.
A closely watched model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projects deaths from the current wave could reach more than 74,000, up from 67,600 estimated a week ago, because death rates aren’t falling quickly after states reach the peak of their epidemic curves.
As of Tuesday evening, more than 58,000 people had died in the U.S.
In western Massachusetts, Springfield is an emerging hot spot. The city has tallied more than 1,000 cases, with nursing homes and areas of dense housing fueling the spread, its mayor told 22News-WWLP.
Gallup, New Mexico, is emerging as a hot spot out West, according to a New York Times tracker, as members of the hard-hit Navajo Nation travel to the small city to shop and stay at campsites.
Rhode Island, meanwhile, has been caught between the hard-hit metropolises of New York City and Boston, with Providence as a hot spot.
Gov. Gina Raimondo, a Democrat, said new cases, hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions have remained steady.
“Haven’t really seen much of a decline, which is what we’re aiming for,” she said.
Other states say they have beat expectations.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, used a White House visit to boast that Florida had not become the hot spot that everyone thought it would be in March, when newscasters played reels of spring break revelers crowding the state’s beaches.
The governor faced criticism for refusing to issue a stay-at-home order until April 1, yet Florida’s hospitalizations and deaths per 100,000 aren’t as bad as the metrics in states with tougher restrictions.
“You go from D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, you name it — Florida’s done better,” said Mr. DeSantis, a key Trump ally. “And I’m not criticizing those states, but everyone in the media was saying Florida was going to be like New York or Italy, and that has not happened.
“Because we understood we have a big, diverse state. We understood the outbreak was not uniform throughout the state, and we had a tailored and measured approach that not only helped our numbers be way below what anyone predicted but also did less damage to our state going forward,” the governor said.
Likewise, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said his state never saw a massive surge in key metrics like other hot spots across the country and around the globe.
“We’re still by no stretch of the imagination out of the woods there. It’s just stable. We’re not seeing substantial declines,” he said. “But again, Californians know we never experienced the big surge that other parts of the globe and certainly other parts of our country had.”
Mr. Newsom said California is likely “weeks, not months” away from making meaningful modifications to restrictions on some businesses.
He also said “learning loss” resulting from school closures might require some summer school.
“We are considering the prospect of an even earlier school year into the fall,” he said, “as early as late July, early August.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com. • David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Feds: Inmate who gave birth while on ventilator dies

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A pregnant inmate whose baby was delivered by cesarean section while she was on a ventilator after being hospitalized with coronavirus symptoms has died in federal custody , the Bureau of Prisons said Tuesday .
Andrea Circle Bear , 30 , died on Tuesday , about a month after she was hospitalized while serving a 26-month sentence for maintaining a drug-involved premises .
She is the 29th federal inmate to die in the Bureau of Prisons custody since late March .
As of Tuesday , more than 1,700 federal inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
Circle Bear was first brought to FMC Carswell , a federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth , Texas , on March 20 from a local jail in South Dakota .
As a new inmate in the federal prison system , she was quarantined as part of the Bureau of Prisons ’ plan to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
She was taken to a local hospital on March 28 for “ potential concerns regarding her pregnancy , ” but was discharged from the hospital the same day and brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three days later , prison medical staff members decided she should be brought back to the hospital after she developed a fever , dry cough and other symptoms , according to the Bureau of Prisons .
Circle Bear was put on a ventilator the same day she arrived at the hospital and her baby was born the next day by C-section , officials said .
She tested positive for COVID-19 days later , on April 4 .
BOP did not disclose information about the baby ’ s health .
Circle Bear ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , but she would not be considered priority for release under the Bureau of Prisons and Justice Department guidelines on releasing prisoners to home confinement to help stop the spread .
She was already on a ventilator when an expanded home confinement memo was handed down by the Justice Department in early April .
Attorney General William Barr ordered the increased use of home confinement and the expedited release of eligible inmates by the Bureau of Prisons , with priority for those at low- or medium-security prisons - starting with virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prisons guidelines , the agency is prioritizing the release of those who have served half of their sentence or inmates who have 18 months or less left and who served at least 25 % of their time .
Circle Bear , of Eagle Butte , South Dakota , had been sentenced in January after she pleaded guilty in federal court .
The charges stemmed from incidents in April 2018 when she “ unlawfully and knowingly used and maintained a place for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - A pregnant inmate whose baby was delivered by cesarean section while she was on a ventilator after being hospitalized with coronavirus symptoms has died in federal custody, the Bureau of Prisons said Tuesday.
Andrea Circle Bear, 30, died on Tuesday, about a month after she was hospitalized while serving a 26-month sentence for maintaining a drug-involved premises.
She is the 29th federal inmate to die in the Bureau of Prisons custody since late March. As of Tuesday, more than 1,700 federal inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. About 400 of those inmates have recovered.
Circle Bear was first brought to FMC Carswell, a federal prison medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 20 from a local jail in South Dakota. As a new inmate in the federal prison system, she was quarantined as part of the Bureau of Prisons’ plan to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
She was taken to a local hospital on March 28 for “potential concerns regarding her pregnancy,” but was discharged from the hospital the same day and brought back to the prison, officials said. Three days later, prison medical staff members decided she should be brought back to the hospital after she developed a fever, dry cough and other symptoms, according to the Bureau of Prisons.
Circle Bear was put on a ventilator the same day she arrived at the hospital and her baby was born the next day by C-section, officials said. She tested positive for COVID-19 days later, on April 4.
BOP did not disclose information about the baby’s health.
Circle Bear’s pregnancy made her high risk for the virus, but she would not be considered priority for release under the Bureau of Prisons and Justice Department guidelines on releasing prisoners to home confinement to help stop the spread. She was already on a ventilator when an expanded home confinement memo was handed down by the Justice Department in early April.
Attorney General William Barr ordered the increased use of home confinement and the expedited release of eligible inmates by the Bureau of Prisons, with priority for those at low- or medium-security prisons - starting with virus hot spots. Under the Bureau of Prisons guidelines, the agency is prioritizing the release of those who have served half of their sentence or inmates who have 18 months or less left and who served at least 25% of their time.
Circle Bear, of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, had been sentenced in January after she pleaded guilty in federal court. The charges stemmed from incidents in April 2018 when she “unlawfully and knowingly used and maintained a place for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation,” the Justice Department said.
___
Follow Balsamo on Twitter at twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Baffert rallies for return of live racing at Santa Anita

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Bob Baffert and Doug O ’ Neill joined horse racing advocates rallying outside a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday in an effort to convince government officials to allow the resumption of live racing at Santa Anita .
Even behind a mask , the white-haired Baffert was easily recognizable as he carried a sign proclaiming , “ We support horse racing.
” His wife , Jill , toted one noting the economic impact of racing in California : $ 2.47 billion and 17,000 jobs .
O ’ Neill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers outside Santa Anita to counter animal rights activists who have urged the end of racing in the state .
“ It was very nice to see them there , ” Oscar De La Torre said of Baffert and O ’ Neill .
“ It sends a very powerful message.
” De La Torre , an advocate for backstretch workers , organized the rally that included several horse owners .
Their early-morning duties at the track prevented many workers from attending .
De La Torre said horse racing wasn ’ t mentioned during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles .
“ But I can guarantee you that they ’ re very aware that our community is active and committed to bringing back live racing to Santa Anita , ” he said afterward .
The board met for the first time since Santa Anita submitted a proposal to the county detailing its plans should racing be allowed to resume .
The Arcadia track had been racing without fans from March 12-27 .
That ’ s when the county health department ordered a stop , saying the sport wasn ’ t considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our equine athletes do not transmit the COVID-19 virus , ” De La Torre said .
“ We have had zero reports of COVID-19 at Santa Anita and Los Alamitos , which has been running live racing unabated since the outbreak .
That gives us a precedent that we can have live racing without spectators safely.
” Racing advocates were urged to file public comments before the meeting .
Board chairman Kathryn Barger , whose district includes Santa Anita , said over 800 comments were received .
“ We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Santa Anita-based trainer Peter Eurton , who didn ’ t attend the rally .
“ There ’ s no reason why in our eyes we can ’ t have safe racing and keep everyone healthy.
” De La Torre was encouraged by the board ’ s unanimous passing of a road map to economic recovery for the county .
“ We ’ re very hopeful that live racing at Santa Anita without spectators will be a part of that plan , ” he said .
Santa Anita ’ s stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers who live and work onsite .
Morning training has continued during the pandemic .
“ Many of our workers are self-quarantined , ” De La Torre said .
“ They live and work at Santa Anita .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill joined horse racing advocates rallying outside a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday in an effort to convince government officials to allow the resumption of live racing at Santa Anita.
Even behind a mask, the white-haired Baffert was easily recognizable as he carried a sign proclaiming, “We support horse racing.” His wife, Jill, toted one noting the economic impact of racing in California: $2.47 billion and 17,000 jobs.
O’Neill has previously helped stage rallies for backstretch workers outside Santa Anita to counter animal rights activists who have urged the end of racing in the state.
“It was very nice to see them there,” Oscar De La Torre said of Baffert and O’Neill. “It sends a very powerful message.”
De La Torre, an advocate for backstretch workers, organized the rally that included several horse owners. Their early-morning duties at the track prevented many workers from attending.
De La Torre said horse racing wasn’t mentioned during the board’s meeting in downtown Los Angeles.
“But I can guarantee you that they’re very aware that our community is active and committed to bringing back live racing to Santa Anita,” he said afterward.
The board met for the first time since Santa Anita submitted a proposal to the county detailing its plans should racing be allowed to resume. The Arcadia track had been racing without fans from March 12-27. That’s when the county health department ordered a stop, saying the sport wasn’t considered an essential business during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our equine athletes do not transmit the COVID-19 virus,” De La Torre said. “We have had zero reports of COVID-19 at Santa Anita and Los Alamitos, which has been running live racing unabated since the outbreak. That gives us a precedent that we can have live racing without spectators safely.”
Racing advocates were urged to file public comments before the meeting. Board chairman Kathryn Barger, whose district includes Santa Anita, said over 800 comments were received.
“We’ve put up a lot of great protocols,” said Santa Anita-based trainer Peter Eurton, who didn’t attend the rally. “There’s no reason why in our eyes we can’t have safe racing and keep everyone healthy.”
De La Torre was encouraged by the board’s unanimous passing of a road map to economic recovery for the county.
“We’re very hopeful that live racing at Santa Anita without spectators will be a part of that plan,” he said.
Santa Anita’s stable area has about 1,700 horses and 750 workers who live and work onsite. Morning training has continued during the pandemic.
“Many of our workers are self-quarantined,” De La Torre said. “They live and work at Santa Anita.”
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-04-28--Northam order ensures protections for health care workers

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam signed an executive order on Tuesday which his office says reinforces some existing liability protections for the state ’ s health care workers and first responders as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Virginia ’ s healthcare workers are heroes , ” Northam said in a news release .
” We must ensure that they can continue to provide high-quality and compassionate care during this tremendously challenging time .
“ It is in the public interest to afford healthcare providers involved in the delivery of healthcare impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for good faith actions or omissions taken in their efforts to combat this health emergency , ” the governor wrote in the executive order .
The order doesn ’ t prevent liability in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct .
Health officials in Virginia reported more than 14,330 total cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday , with 2,165 hospitalizations .
The death toll stood at 492 .
Meanwhile , the University of Virginia Health System announced that it would implement a series of moves in response to lost revenue stemming from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for leadership and physicians and reduced contributions to retirement funds .
The news release from UVA Health cited unoccupied beds as a key factor in the decision to implement the health system ’ s cuts .
Surgeries have declined by 70 % and clinic visits have fallen by 90 % , UVA Health officials said .
As a result , the fall in revenue has led to a deficit of $ 85 million a month .
“ The challenges presented by this crisis are difficult to exaggerate , ” Dr. Craig Kent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the University of Virginia , said in the news release .
“ We have no choice but to take action – now – to stabilize our organization.
” Officials said leaders are being asked to find savings in spending , as well as reducing overtime and limiting work with contract staff .
According to the news release , Kent will reduce his own compensation by 40 % through the end of July .
In addition , leaders at UVA Medical Center , UVA Physicians Group , the UVA School of Medicine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their compensation by 20 % through the end of July .
Physicians will see a 20 % percent reduction in total compensation through the end of July as well .
Retirement contributions will be suspended through the end of July for all UVA Medical Center and non-physician UVA Physicians Group employees , the news release said .
Also , funding will be reduced this year for the School of Medicine , School of Nursing and Health Sciences Library .
Furloughs are also planned for some non-patient care staff at UVA Medical Center and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The furloughs could last up to three months .
“ Actions that affect staff were the last resort , and are being put in place with the hope of avoiding the widespread layoffs other hospital systems in the region and country have been forced to make , ” Kent said .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed an executive order on Tuesday which his office says reinforces some existing liability protections for the state’s health care workers and first responders as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Virginia’s healthcare workers are heroes,” Northam said in a news release. ”We must ensure that they can continue to provide high-quality and compassionate care during this tremendously challenging time.
“It is in the public interest to afford healthcare providers involved in the delivery of healthcare impacted by COVID-19 with adequate protection against liability for good faith actions or omissions taken in their efforts to combat this health emergency,” the governor wrote in the executive order.
The order doesn’t prevent liability in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Health officials in Virginia reported more than 14,330 total cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday, with 2,165 hospitalizations. The death toll stood at 492.
Meanwhile, the University of Virginia Health System announced that it would implement a series of moves in response to lost revenue stemming from the outbreak, among them reductions in pay for leadership and physicians and reduced contributions to retirement funds.
The news release from UVA Health cited unoccupied beds as a key factor in the decision to implement the health system’s cuts. Surgeries have declined by 70% and clinic visits have fallen by 90%, UVA Health officials said. As a result, the fall in revenue has led to a deficit of $85 million a month.
“The challenges presented by this crisis are difficult to exaggerate,” Dr. Craig Kent, executive vice president for health affairs for the University of Virginia, said in the news release. “We have no choice but to take action – now – to stabilize our organization.”
Officials said leaders are being asked to find savings in spending, as well as reducing overtime and limiting work with contract staff.
According to the news release, Kent will reduce his own compensation by 40% through the end of July. In addition, leaders at UVA Medical Center, UVA Physicians Group, the UVA School of Medicine and the UVA School of Nursing will reduce their compensation by 20% through the end of July. Physicians will see a 20% percent reduction in total compensation through the end of July as well.
Retirement contributions will be suspended through the end of July for all UVA Medical Center and non-physician UVA Physicians Group employees, the news release said. Also, funding will be reduced this year for the School of Medicine, School of Nursing and Health Sciences Library.
Furloughs are also planned for some non-patient care staff at UVA Medical Center and UVA Physicians Group, officials said. The furloughs could last up to three months.
“Actions that affect staff were the last resort, and are being put in place with the hope of avoiding the widespread layoffs other hospital systems in the region and country have been forced to make,” Kent said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--US economy shrank at 4.8% annual rate last quarter in the face of viral outbreak, its worst showing

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - US economy shrank at 4.8 % annual rate last quarter in the face of viral @ @ @ @ @ since 2008 .

WASHINGTON (AP) - US economy shrank at 4.8% annual rate last quarter in the face of viral outbreak, its worst showing since 2008.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Fitch cuts Italy's gov't debt grade, auto plants reopening

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed .
Following are developments Wednesday related to the global economy , the work place and the spread of the virus .
CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS & BANKS : Countries are slowly trying to reopen their economies in phases , as infections wane in some locations and calls for getting back to business grow .
- Ratings agency Fitch cut Italy ’ s government debt grade , the first downgrade to a major economy to reflect the surge in public debt that is expected to hit countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus lockdown .
The agency lowered Italy ’ s rating by 1 notch to BBB- from BBB , just one level above junk bond status .
It expects the outbreak to shrink the Italian economy by 8 % this year and that there is a risk of a deeper downturn .
- The United Nations ’ main labor body is again raising its prediction of job losses due to the pandemic , estimating the equivalent of 305 million full-time jobs could be lost in the second quarter .
The International Labor Organization says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underpinned the increase from its previous estimate for the equivalent of 195 million full-time job losses - based on an average 48-hour workweek - in the current quarter .
Gurcharan Das , former head of Proctor and Gamble in India , said Wednesday that key infrastructure , information technology , automobiles and pharma industries which employ millions of people can resume manufacturing at half or even one-third of their capacities in large area unaffected by coronavirus infections .
If India is unable to bring the economy back on track , it could lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic will snowball into a devastating economic crisis , Kiran Mazumdar Shaw , executive chairperson of biopharmaceutical company Biocon , said .
- Officials in Thailand ’ s capital city of Bangkok are preparing to ease restrictions that were imposed to fight the spread of COVID-19 .
The city ’ s plans call for the reopening of restaurants , markets , exercise venues , parks , hairdressers and barbers , clinics and nursing homes , animal hospitals and pet salons , golf courses and driving ranges .
- Poland is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The country plans to open shopping malls , hotels , libraries and museums n Monday .
Restaurants will remain closed .
AIRLINES : The airline industry continues to struggle to stay afloat , with travel demand all but gone and thousands of jets grounded worldwide .
- Boeing said it is cutting 10 % of its work force and reducing the production rate of commercial jets .
The aircraft manufacturer announced the moves as it reported that it swung to a loss during the first quarter .
- Finnair is launching a 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights offering to strengthen its balance sheet after reporting deepening first quarter losses due to the coronavirus .
CEO Topi Manner said Wednesday that the cash position of Finnair , majority owned by the Finnish government , remained strong with liquid cash funds standing at 833 million euros ( $ 904 million ) at the end of March .
He said Finnair said expects to lose about 2 million euros ( $ 2.2 million ) a day throughout the second quarter because of COVID-19 .
The virus has led the airline to halt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lay off the majority of its staff .
Manner said Finnair expects global commercial aviation to recover “ slowly from July onwards , and passenger numbers to return to 2019 levels in two to three years ” .
- Scandinavian Airlines is looking to reduce its workforce by up to 5,000 full-time positions - or half its workforce - mainly in its home region of Scandinavia .
The carrier said the potential reduction will be split , with approximately 1,900 full-time positions in Sweden , 1,300 in Norway and 1,700 in Denmark .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a return of employees to some of their factories but cash concerns remain .
- French auto workers are returning to factory floors at Toyota and Renault .
Renault restarted assembly lines Tuesday for its Zoe electric cars at a plant in Flins , though only a quarter of staff is allowed in so far .
The company – which is negotiating with the French government for billions of euros in potential bailout funds – has resumed some activity at plants in China , Spain , Portugal , Russia and Romania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latin America and most facilities in France .
Toyota workers came back to work this week at a plant in Onnaing that used to churn out more than 1,000 Yaris cars a day .
MARKETS : This is the busiest week of the earnings season , with companies facing a lot of uncertainty as they deal with the pandemic .
- Global stocks mostly edged up on Wednesday ahead of U.S. economic growth figures and a Federal Reserve rate decision .
Investors seemed buoyed as more governments plan to ease anti-virus controls and @ @ @ @ @

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments Wednesday related to the global economy, the work place and the spread of the virus.
________________________
CENTRAL GOVERNMENTS & BANKS: Countries are slowly trying to reopen their economies in phases, as infections wane in some locations and calls for getting back to business grow. Meanwhile, signs of the economic damage from the virus are widespread.
- The U.S. economy shrank at a 4.8% annual rate last quarter. With much of the economy paralyzed, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that economic activity will plunge this quarter at a 40% annual rate. The sudden downturn will likely ending the longest expansion on record.
- Ratings agency Fitch cut Italy’s government debt grade, the first downgrade to a major economy to reflect the surge in public debt that is expected to hit countries dealing with the vast costs of the coronavirus lockdown. Fitch expects the outbreak to shrink the Italian economy by 8% this year and that there’s a risk of a deeper downturn.
- The United Nations’ main labor body is again raising its prediction of job losses due to the pandemic. It is estimating the equivalent of 305 million full-time jobs could be lost in the second quarter, up from a prior estimate for the equivalent of 195 million full-time job losses. The estimate is based on an average 48-hour workweek.
AIRLINES: The aviation industry continues to struggle to stay afloat, with travel demand all but gone and thousands of jets grounded worldwide.
- Boeing said it is cutting 10% of its workforce and reducing the production rate of commercial jets. The aircraft manufacturer announced the moves as it reported that it swung to a loss during the first quarter. Rival Airbus reported a big loss in the first quarter, put thousands of workers on furlough and sought billions in loans to survive.
- Scandinavian Airlines is looking to reduce its workforce by up to 5,000 full-time positions - or half its workforce - mainly in its home region of Scandinavia.
LODGING: Weak travel demand is also clobbering the lodging industry, with many hotels working on safely reopening but also in desperate need of cash.
- Hyatt is working with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council - a team of disease response experts - on a cleaning and disinfection program that will be introduced at its 900 hotels worldwide next month. The company is appointing hygiene managers at all of its properties. Hilton, Marriott and Airbnb also announced enhanced cleaning policies this week in an effort to reassure travelers.
AUTOMOBILES: Automakers are starting to delay previously announced plans to reopen factories that were closed to protect workers from the coronavirus. This time the delay is largely due to trouble getting enough parts.
Toyota said Wednesday it will postpone the restart of its North American factories by a week until May 11 “based on an extensive review with our supplier and logistics network.”
Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, assembly factory was to resume production on May 3, but the company announced Wednesday that restarting would be delayed indefinitely. VW says it will weigh the readiness of parts-making companies and market demand before it decides on a date.
Toyota has large assembly operations in Kentucky, Texas, Indiana and Mississippi as well as engine and transmission factories in other states.
- With demand for rides plummeting, Lyft is laying off 982 people, or 17% of its workforce, the company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday. The San Francisco-based ride-hailing company expects to incur $28 million to $36 million in charges related to employee severance and benefit costs. Lyft will also furlough 288 employees and reduced salaries by 10% to 30%
- Renault restarted assembly lines Tuesday for its Zoe electric cars at a plant in Flins, though only a quarter of staff is allowed in so far. The company has resumed some activity at plants in China, Spain, Portugal, Russia and Romania, but work remains halted in India, Latin America and most facilities in France.
- Toyota workers came back this week to a plant in Onnaing, France, that used to churn out more than 1,000 Yaris cars a day.
QUARANTINE 15: Companies are continuing to find ways to keep consumers buying amid lockdowns, which is leading to a surge in online sales and some rethinking their business plans.
- The virus outbreak is accelerating WW International’s plans to move more of its business online. The New York-based weight management company, formerly known as Weight Watchers, will consolidate the number of its branded studios, which now total 800 in the U.S. Overall, it has in-person workshops in 3,300 U.S. locations, which serve about a quarter of its members. Those locations were closed last month as WW moved the sessions online.
CABLE DISCOUNTS: New York’s attorney general is asking cable companies to give customers discounts or some other financial relief because their sports channels are devoid of live sports. Costs for sports networks like ESPN, FS1 and regional channels like the Yankees’ YES Network make up about $20 of customers’ monthly cable bills. Sports leagues have postponed or canceled games and events because of the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s not clear when they can return.
MARKETS: This is the busiest week of the earnings season, with companies facing a lot of uncertainty as they deal with the pandemic.
- Stocks charged higher around the world Wednesday following an encouraging report on a possible treatment for COVID-19.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Students sue universities in North Carolina for tuition

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - College students in North Carolina are suing universities in hopes of getting reimbursements @ @ @ @ @ campuses shut down and moved classes online during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Raleigh News @ @ @ @ @ the institutions that are being sued include schools in the University of North Carolina system @ @ @ @ @ University .
Students say in the lawsuits that universities made the right decision to shutdown @ @ @ @ @ that they were deprived of a college experience that includes in-person instruction , access to @ @ @ @ @ .
East Carolina University and UNC-Asheville said they are aware of the complaint and declined @ @ @ @ @ .
UNC System spokesman Josh Ellis and a UNC-Charlotte spokesperson also declined to comment .
@ @ @ @ @ to distribute prorated reimbursements for unused housing and dining services .

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - College students in North Carolina are suing universities in hopes of getting reimbursements for tuition and fees after campuses shut down and moved classes online during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Raleigh News & Observer reported Tuesday that the institutions that are being sued include schools in the University of North Carolina system.
Students say in the lawsuits that universities made the right decision to shutdown classes. But they claim that they were deprived of a college experience that includes in-person instruction, access to campus facilities and student activities.
East Carolina University and UNC-Asheville said they are aware of the complaint and declined to comment on pending litigation. UNC System spokesman Josh Ellis and a UNC-Charlotte spokesperson also declined to comment.
The UNC System has started to distribute prorated reimbursements for unused housing and dining services.
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This story has been corrected to show that East Carolina University is part of the University of North Carolina system.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Third Nebraska prisons employee tests positive for COVID-19

LINCOLN , Neb .
( AP ) - A third Nebraska prisons department employee has tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the state Department of Correctional Services .
The staffer works at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and has been isolated at home , a news release from the department said Tuesday .
Department Director Scott Frakes asked that anyone who may have had close contact with the employee in the last three days to self-quarantine until they are medically cleared to return to work .
Earlier Tuesday , the prisons department had announced that an employee at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had tested positive for the virus .
The department says no inmates have tested positive .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and death .
The latest state prison related case comes as Nebraska saw a a surge in coronavirus infections in recent days , according to public health data this week .
Nebraska ’ s total confirmed cases stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state Department of Health and Human Services .
There have been at least 55 virus-related deaths in the Nebraska since the outbreak .

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts on Wednesday announced plans to ease coronavirus restrictions in Lincoln and other parts of Nebraska, including some of the state’s least-populated counties, even though the number of confirmed cases has surged.
Ricketts said he will extend the state’s current public health restrictions in the Lincoln area through May 10, and will then relax them to match the less stringent rules that are set to go into effect in Omaha on Monday. The Lincoln-area restrictions were originally set to expire on May 6.
Ricketts, a Republican, said the decision to extend the restrictions before relaxing them was based in part on conversations with Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, and the county’s public health director.
“It was a collaborative process,” he said at a news conference.
Public health officials in Lincoln have said they believe they have enough capacity to handle a surge in new cases and hospitalizations.
But Gaylor Baird said Wednesday that she reserves the right to reinstate the tougher restrictions if conditions in the city worsen. She said she and Ricketts agreed to wait until May 11 to lighten the restrictions out of concern over Crete, a meatpacking town about 25 miles from Lincoln that has seen a spike in cases.
“We are fully cognizant of the difficult balance between protecting public health and our economic vitality,” Gaylor Baird said at a city news conference.
Nebraska’s current statewide restrictions prohibit restaurants from offering dine-in services and have forced the closure of salons and tattoo parlors. They also limited day care centers to allow no more than 10 children in one room.
The new, lighter rules will allow salons, tattoo parlors and restaurant dining rooms to reopen with limits on the number of people who can be present. Restaurant employees will have to wear masks, and dining groups will have to be seated at least 6 feet apart. Day cares will be allowed to have up to 15 children per room.
Ricketts announce last week that the first wave of lighter restrictions will go into effect May 4 in 59 of Nebraska’s 93 counties, including Omaha’s Douglas County.
The new order unveiled Wednesday will apply to 10 more, including the counties that encompass Lincoln, Fremont, North Platte, Blair and Wahoo. It also will ease restrictions in some of Nebraska’s most sparsely populated counties, including Arthur, McPherson, Thomas and Hooker - each with less than 750 people.
Nebraska’s total confirmed cases stood at 3,374 by Wednesday morning, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. There have been at least 55 virus-related deaths in the Nebraska. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and people can be infected without feeling sick.
The governor’s announcement came as a third Nebraska prisons department employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The staffer works at the Nebraska State Penitentiary in Lincoln and has been isolated at home, according to the state Department of Correctional Services. Director Scott Frakes asked that anyone who may have had close contact with the employee in the last three days to self-quarantine until they are medically cleared to return to work.
Earlier Tuesday, the prisons department had announced that an employee at its Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Lincoln had tested positive for the virus. The department says no inmates have tested positive.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and death.
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Associated Press reporter Margery A. Beck contributed from Omaha.
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Follow Grant Schulte on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrantSchulte


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--UN human rights expert accuse Myanmar army of fresh abuses

YANGON , Myanmar ( AP ) - The U.N. ’ s human rights expert on Myanmar has called for a new investigation into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity during recent fighting in the Southeast Asian country as she approaches the end of her appointment .
Yanghee Lee , whose formal title is special rapporteur , accused Myanmar ’ s military of “ inflicting immense suffering ” on ethnic minorities in Rakhine and Chin states , where the government is battling the Arakan Army , a well-armed and well-trained guerrilla force representing the Buddhist Rakhine minority .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic , the Myanmar military continues to escalate its assault in Rakhine state , targeting the civilian population , ” Lee said in a statement issued Wednesday in Geneva .
She accused the military of “ systematically violating the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and human rights , ” and said its conduct toward civilians “ may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
” Lee , a South Korean whose term ends this month , has been a sharp critic of Myanmar ’ s military since her appointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights abuses against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Rakhine state .
In August 2017 , the military — known as the Tatmadaw — launched what it called a clearance campaign in northern Rakhine state in response to attacks by a Rohingya insurgent group .
The campaign forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh .
Security forces were accused of mass rapes and killings and burning thousands of homes .
The International Court of Justice in the Netherlands agreed last year to rule on charges of genocide lodged against Myanmar .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensively documented atrocities .
Myanmar ’ s government says it acted justifiably and denies any major abuses .
Lee linked the current situation in Rakhine and Chin to the government ’ s actions against the Rohingya , for which no senior officers have faced justice and token punishments were given to a handful of low-ranking security personnel .
“ Having faced no accountability , the Tatmadaw continues to operate with impunity .
For decades , its tactics have intentionally maximized civilian suffering ; we all know what they did to the Rohingya in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are now targeting all civilians in the conflict area , with people from Rakhine , Rohingya , Mro , Daignet and Chin communities being killed in recent months .
Their alleged crimes must be investigated in accordance with international standards , with perpetrators being held accountable.
” The Arakan Army , which says it is seeking self-determination , has engaged in increasingly fierce combat with government forces since late 2018 .
Lee said government air and artillery strikes in recent weeks have killed and injured scores of adults and children .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and hundreds including women and children killed and wounded since the conflict started , ” she said .
Lee was also critical of the Arakan Army , which she said “ has also conducted its hostilities in a manner that has had negative impacts on civilians , including kidnapping local officials and parliamentarians.
” She added that the guerrilla force had declared a unilateral cease-fire , citing the need to combat the spread of COVID-19 .
“ The focus of all authorities , including security forces , should be on dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - The U.N.’s human rights expert on Myanmar has called for a new investigation into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity during recent fighting in the Southeast Asian country as she approaches the end of her appointment.
Yanghee Lee, whose formal title is special rapporteur, accused Myanmar’s military of “inflicting immense suffering” on ethnic minorities in Rakhine and Chin states, where the government is battling the Arakan Army, a well-armed and well-trained guerrilla force representing the Buddhist Rakhine minority.
“While the world is occupied with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Myanmar military continues to escalate its assault in Rakhine state, targeting the civilian population,” Lee said in a statement issued Wednesday in Geneva.
She accused the military of “systematically violating the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and human rights,” and said its conduct toward civilians “may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
Lee, a South Korean whose term ends this month, has been a sharp critic of Myanmar’s military since her appointment in 2014, focusing especially on human rights abuses against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Rakhine state.
In August 2017, the military — known as the Tatmadaw — launched what it called a clearance campaign in northern Rakhine state in response to attacks by a Rohingya insurgent group. The campaign forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Security forces were accused of mass rapes and killings and burning thousands of homes.
The International Court of Justice in the Netherlands agreed last year to rule on charges of genocide lodged against Myanmar. U.N. agencies and human rights organizations have extensively documented atrocities. Myanmar’s government says it acted justifiably and denies any major abuses.
Lee linked the current situation in Rakhine and Chin to the government’s actions against the Rohingya, for which no senior officers have faced justice and token punishments were given to a handful of low-ranking security personnel.
“Having faced no accountability, the Tatmadaw continues to operate with impunity. For decades, its tactics have intentionally maximized civilian suffering; we all know what they did to the Rohingya in 2017,” Lee said. “They are now targeting all civilians in the conflict area, with people from Rakhine, Rohingya, Mro, Daignet and Chin communities being killed in recent months. Their alleged crimes must be investigated in accordance with international standards, with perpetrators being held accountable.”
The Arakan Army, which says it is seeking self-determination, has engaged in increasingly fierce combat with government forces since late 2018.
Lee said government air and artillery strikes in recent weeks have killed and injured scores of adults and children.
“More than 157,000 people have been displaced, and hundreds including women and children killed and wounded since the conflict started,” she said.
Lee was also critical of the Arakan Army, which she said “has also conducted its hostilities in a manner that has had negative impacts on civilians, including kidnapping local officials and parliamentarians.”
She added that the guerrilla force had declared a unilateral cease-fire, citing the need to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“The focus of all authorities, including security forces, should be on dealing with the COVID-19 crisis,” Lee said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Attempted murder suspect in Bismarck at large

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - Police say they are looking for a man who fired multiple gunshots into @ @ @ @ @ The 24-year-old man is wanted for attempted murder , authorities said .
No one in @ @ @ @ @ injured .
Officers have arrested a man accused of being an accomplice .
Police say @ @ @ @ @ the vehicle from which the shots were fired .
Formal charges are pending .
The @ @ @ @ @ accused of firing the shots is on probation for assaulting a police or corrections officer @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to 1½ years in prison with credit for 143 days served and was ordered @ @ @ @ @ probation .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Police on Wednesday arrested a man suspected of firing multiple gunshots into a vehicle in Bismarck.
Authorities got a tip that the 24-year-old man was at a home in north Bismarck. Officers surrounded the home, and the man came out and was arrested without incident about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
He was wanted for attempted murder. No one in Friday’s shooting was injured.
Officers earlier arrested a man accused of being an accomplice. Police say the 18-year-old man was driving the vehicle from which the shots were fired. Formal charges are pending.
The Bismarck Tribune reports the man accused of firing the shots is on probation for assaulting a police or corrections officer in 2018.
He was sentenced to 1½ years in prison with credit for 143 days served and was ordered to spend three years on probation.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Man sought in fatal stabbing of older brother in their home

NEW BRUNSWICK , N.J. ( AP ) - A man fatally stabbed his older brother inside their central New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ said .
Roberto Lopez , 33 , was charged with murder and weapons offenses in @ @ @ @ @ , 43. in New Brunswick on Monday .
He had fled the scene by the @ @ @ @ @ at large on Wednesday , according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor ’ s Office .
@ @ @ @ @ 9 p.m. Monday , prosecutors said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
@ @ @ @ @ at the Livingston Avenue home .
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive fort the @ @ @ @ @ else was in the home when it occurred .
No other injuries were reported in @ @ @

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) - A man fatally stabbed his older brother inside their central New Jersey home this week, authorities said.
Roberto Lopez, 33, was charged with murder and weapons offenses in the death of Henry Lopez, 43. in New Brunswick on Monday. He had fled the scene by the time police arrived and remained at large on Wednesday, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Henry Lopez was stabbed around 9 p.m. Monday, prosecutors said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. shortly after emergency responders arrived at the Livingston Avenue home.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive fort the stabbing or said if anyone else was in the home when it occurred. No other injuries were reported in the incident.


washingtontimes--2020-04-29--Scott Gottlieb, former FDA chief: Could be late 2021 before coronavirus vaccine available 'at scale'

Dr. Scott Gottlieb on Wednesday said it could take close to two years before a coronavirus vaccine is available to the point where there would be widespread inoculation in the U.S. “ I don ’ t know the exact manufacturing timeline for these different companies , but it ’ s definitely well into 2021 in terms of a vaccine available in the hundreds of millions of doses that you would need to mass inoculate a population , ” Dr. Gottlieb , a former head of the Food and Drug Administration under President Trump , said on CNBC .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of clinical development .
“ But I think it ’ s well into 2021 until anyone is going to have a vaccine available in the kinds of quantities that would be required to inoculate the entire United States or the entire European continent , ” Dr. Gottlieb said .
“ So we are a ways off in terms of having a vaccine available at scale , at that kind of scale , ” he said .
“ But in doses of millions , it could be available much sooner than that.
” Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of doses of a vaccine available before the end of the year .
The White House recently announced Dr. Gottlieb as one of about 200 industry leaders and experts helping advise the administration on a strategy to deal with the virus .
Dr. Gottlieb has also been advising state leaders such as Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan and Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont on coronavirus responses .

Dr. Scott Gottlieb on Wednesday said it could take close to two years before a coronavirus vaccine is available to the point where there would be widespread inoculation in the U.S.
“I don’t know the exact manufacturing timeline for these different companies, but it’s definitely well into 2021 in terms of a vaccine available in the hundreds of millions of doses that you would need to mass inoculate a population,” Dr. Gottlieb, a former head of the Food and Drug Administration under President Trump, said on CNBC.
He said China is the furthest ahead in terms of clinical development.
“But I think it’s well into 2021 until anyone is going to have a vaccine available in the kinds of quantities that would be required to inoculate the entire United States or the entire European continent,” Dr. Gottlieb said.
“So we are a ways off in terms of having a vaccine available at scale, at that kind of scale,” he said. “But in doses of millions, it could be available much sooner than that.”
Pfizer on Tuesday said it could have millions of doses of a vaccine available before the end of the year.
The White House recently announced Dr. Gottlieb as one of about 200 industry leaders and experts helping advise the administration on a strategy to deal with the virus.
Dr. Gottlieb has also been advising state leaders such as Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont on coronavirus responses.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.