washingtontimes--2020-06-06--One man lays wreaths in Normandy on this unusual D-Day

BENOUVILLE , France ( AP ) - The essence of war remembrance is to make sure the fallen are never forgotten .
All it takes is a wreath , a tiny wooden cross , a little token on a faraway grave to show that people still care about their fallen hero , parent or grandparent .
This year , though , the pandemic stepped in , barring all travel for families to visit the World War II graves in France ’ s Normandy , where Saturday marks the 76th anniversary of the epic D-Day battle , when allied troops successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Nazis .
So anguished families turned to the next best thing - an Englishman living on D-day territory , a pensioner with a big heart and a small hole in his agenda .
For years , Steven Oldrid , 66 , had helping out with D-Day events around the beaches where British soldiers had landed - and often left their lives behind - be it organizing parking , getting pipers to show or getting sponsors for veterans ’ dinners .
Laying wreaths though , seemed something special , reserved for families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic times , pandemic rules apply .
Oldrid was first contacted in March .
“ I was actually choked up when I got the first request , ” Oldrid said .
“ I ’ m always on the other side .
Always in the background , ” he said .
“ They asked ‘ Steven , can you lay our wreath ?
Well , they sent me five , and then another one said , ‘ Can you lay one for my granddad ?
’ ‘ Can you lay one for my dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in this extraordinary year , he had become the extraordinary wreathlayer - proof that kindness can not be counted in pounds , euros or dollars , but in time and effort to organize a day around the wishes of others .
As June 6 approached , the boxes of wreaths and grave markers piled up in his garage .
And to soothe the nerves of families , he has also been filming live for Facebook several ceremonies and wreathlayings .
Among those struggling with not being able to go to Normandy this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran Glider Pilot Regiment Society , whose father participated in the D-day landings .
“ It makes me feel physically sick because you feel as though you ’ re letting everybody down , ” she said .
“ I feel so strongly that it is our right and our duty to go.
” Still , whatever Oldrid is asked “ I know he ’ ll say ‘ yes ’ because he actually doesn ’ t know the word ‘ no.
’ It is not in his vocabulary , ” said Barkway-Harney .
Through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s not ever , never will be a burden , he said “ It ’ s a pleasure and an honor.
” What does he get in return ?
On the internet it is “ Thank you , Steve .
A big hearts and thumbs up , ” he said .
And from his previous work helping out families and friends of veterans , he knows something else is coming too .
“ They do actually bring me some English products like teabags and salad cream , baked beans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonstop news about the effects of the coronavirus has become commonplace , so , too , have tales of kindness .
“ One Good Thing ” is a series of AP stories focusing on glimmers of joy and benevolence in a dark time .
Read the series here : https : //apnews.com/OneGoodThing

BENOUVILLE, France (AP) - The essence of war remembrance is to make sure the fallen are never forgotten. All it takes is a wreath, a tiny wooden cross, a little token on a faraway grave to show that people still care about their fallen hero, parent or grandparent.
This year, though, the pandemic stepped in, barring all travel for families to visit the World War II graves in France’s Normandy, where Saturday marks the 76th anniversary of the epic D-Day battle, when allied troops successfully stormed the beaches and turned the war against the Nazis.
So anguished families turned to the next best thing - an Englishman living on D-day territory, a pensioner with a big heart and a small hole in his agenda.
For years, Steven Oldrid, 66, had helping out with D-Day events around the beaches where British soldiers had landed - and often left their lives behind - be it organizing parking, getting pipers to show or getting sponsors for veterans’ dinners.
Laying wreaths though, seemed something special, reserved for families and close friends only.
But in pandemic times, pandemic rules apply. Oldrid was first contacted in March.
“I was actually choked up when I got the first request,” Oldrid said. “I’m always on the other side. Always in the background,” he said.
“They asked ‘ Steven, can you lay our wreath? Well, they sent me five, and then another one said, ‘Can you lay one for my granddad?’ ‘Can you lay one for my dad’?”
Before he knew, it in this extraordinary year, he had become the extraordinary wreathlayer - proof that kindness cannot be counted in pounds, euros or dollars, but in time and effort to organize a day around the wishes of others.
As June 6 approached, the boxes of wreaths and grave markers piled up in his garage. And to soothe the nerves of families, he has also been filming live for Facebook several ceremonies and wreathlayings.
Among those struggling with not being able to go to Normandy this year was Jane Barkway-Harney of the British veteran Glider Pilot Regiment Society, whose father participated in the D-day landings.
“It makes me feel physically sick because you feel as though you’re letting everybody down,” she said. “I feel so strongly that it is our right and our duty to go.”
Still, whatever Oldrid is asked “I know he’ll say ‘yes’ because he actually doesn’t know the word ‘no.’ It is not in his vocabulary,” said Barkway-Harney.
Through it all, he keeps a smile.
“It’s not ever, never will be a burden, he said “It’s a pleasure and an honor.”
What does he get in return? On the internet it is “Thank you, Steve. A big hearts and thumbs up,” he said.
And from his previous work helping out families and friends of veterans, he knows something else is coming too.
“They do actually bring me some English products like teabags and salad cream, baked beans and crisps for the kids.”
___
While nonstop news about the effects of the coronavirus has become commonplace, so, too, have tales of kindness. “One Good Thing” is a series of AP stories focusing on glimmers of joy and benevolence in a dark time. Read the series here: https://apnews.com/OneGoodThing


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Indonesian army helicopter crashes, killing 3, report says

JAKARTA , Indonesia ( AP ) - An Indonesian army helicopter crashed in Central Java province on Saturday , killing @ @ @ @ @ on board , a TV report said .
There was no immediate confirmation from the @ @ @ @ @ There were nine passengers aboard the helicopter , Kompas TV reported .
Six passengers were @ @ @ @ @ hospitals in Kendal district , where the crash occurred , the report said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ low and getting lower until it crashed with a very loud sound , ” said @ @ @ @ @ by Kompas TV .
“ Two passengers escaped before it crashed and after that there @ @ @ @ @ .
”

SEMARANG, Indonesia (AP) - An Indonesian army helicopter crashed on the main island of Java on Saturday, killing four of the nine people on board, officials said.
The Russian-made MI17 helicopter was carrying nine soldiers on a training mission when it went down and burst into flames in Central Java province’s Kendal district about an hour after taking off from the provincial capital, Semarang, said army spokesman Brig. Gen. Nefra Firdaus.
In addition to the four who were killed, five others were hospitalized with serious injuries after managing to escape the wreckage, Firdaus said in a statement.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
“The helicopter was flying very low and getting lower until it crashed with a very loud sound,” Eka, a witness, was quoted as saying by Kompas TV. “Two passengers escaped before it crashed, and after that there were three or four explosions.”
Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago nation of about 270 million people, has been plagued by transportation accidents in recent years, including plane crashes and ferry sinkings.
The military, which suffers from low funding, has also regularly suffered airplane and helicopter crashes.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--German lawmakers criticize reported US troop withdrawal plan

BERLIN ( AP ) - Two conservative German lawmakers have criticized the reported U.S. decision to withdraw more than a quarter of American troops stationed in Germany .
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Germany by 9,500 .
Currently there are 34,500 American service members permanently assigned in Germany as part of a long-standing arrangement with America ’ s NATO ally .
In an interview published Saturday by Germany ’ s Funke Media Group , lawmaker Norbert Roettgen said such a troop withdrawal would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel ’ s center-right Union bloc who chairs the German parliament ’ s foreign policy committee , was quoted as saying that he couldn ’ t see “ any factual reason for the withdrawal ” and that U.S. soldiers were welcome in Germany .
Johann Wadephul , the deputy chairman of the Union ’ s parliamentary caucus , said the U.S. decision to withdraw troops without consulting with its NATO allies “ shows once again that the Trump administration is neglecting basic leadership tasks.
” German news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China would benefit from discord within the Western alliance .

BERLIN (AP) - Two conservative German lawmakers have criticized the reported U.S. decision to withdraw more than a quarter of American troops stationed in Germany.
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Germany by 9,500. Currently there are 34,500 American service members permanently assigned in Germany as part of a long-standing arrangement with America’s NATO ally.
In an interview published Saturday by Germany’s Funke Media Group, lawmaker Norbert Roettgen said such a troop withdrawal would be “very regrettable.”
Roettgen, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right Union bloc who chairs the German parliament’s foreign policy committee, was quoted as saying that he couldn’t see “any factual reason for the withdrawal” and that U.S. soldiers were welcome in Germany.
Johann Wadephul, the deputy chairman of the Union’s parliamentary caucus, said the U.S. decision to withdraw troops without consulting with its NATO allies “shows once again that the Trump administration is neglecting basic leadership tasks.”
German news agency dpa quoted Wadephul as saying that Russia and China would benefit from discord within the Western alliance.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--AP Week in Pictures, Global

AP Week in Pictures, Global

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

May 30 - June 5, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by The Associated Press from around the world.
The selection was curated by AP photo editor Patrick Sison in New York.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Prince William reveals he's been a helpline volunteer

LONDON ( AP ) - Britain ’ s Prince William has revealed that he has been anonymously helping out on @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus lockdown .
The Duke of Cambridge ’ s work with Shout 85258 - an @ @ @ @ @ by the Royal Foundation - was made public to mark Volunteers Week .
Last month @ @ @ @ @ in a video call that was shared on social media late Friday : “ I @ @ @ @ @ a little secret with you guys , but I ’ m actually on the platform @ @ @ @ @ is second in line to the throne , is one of more than 2,000 volunteers @ @ @ @ @ to help those in need .
More than 300,000 text conversations have taken place between @ @ @ @ @ health support , with around 65 % of those texting aged under 25 .
William @ @ @ @ @ Duchess of Cambridge , has also been helping others by taking part in “ check @ @ @ @ @ with people self-isolating or vulnerable during the pandemic .

LONDON (AP) - Britain’s Prince William has revealed that he has been anonymously helping out on a crisis helpline during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Duke of Cambridge’s work with Shout 85258 - an around-the-clock text messaging helpline developed by the Royal Foundation - was made public to mark Volunteers Week.
Last month, he told fellow volunteers in a video call that was shared on social media late Friday: “I’m going to share a little secret with you guys, but I’m actually on the platform volunteering.”
William, who is second in line to the throne, is one of more than 2,000 volunteers who have been formally trained to help those in need.
More than 300,000 text conversations have taken place between volunteers and people needing mental health support, with around 65% of those texting aged under 25.
William’s wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, has also been helping others by taking part in “check in and chat” calls with people self-isolating or vulnerable during the pandemic.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Zimbabwe's security guards have lonely jobs, but get paid

HARARE , Zimbabwe ( AP ) - One says he constantly talks to the cash machine he guards - never mind that it can ’ t answer back .
Another whiles away the time by staring at pictures of semi-nude women on the walls of a closed nightclub as he waits for rats and cats to come out and entertain him .
Security guards in Zimbabwe , often a derided and underpaid lot , are counting themselves as some of the few lucky ones to still hold jobs in a country where most economic activity has been shut down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But many say they are now fearing for their mental stability , as the loneliness that comes with guarding empty , eerily quiet building complexes is taking its toll .
By 6 p.m. , the time Patrick Runde starts his night shift , Harare is almost deserted and for the next 12 hours he has no-one to talk to .
In the past he would count on the nightclub ’ s loud music and noisy patrons for company , but now it is closed .
“ The cats and rats are coming out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bins for food .
They have become my friends who keep me company at night , ” he said .
“ This is one of the loneliest jobs in the world , ” said Patson Chimire , a guard at a shopping complex on the outskirts of the capital city .
“ We hardly hear any sounds of either traffic or some music coming from a nightclub .
I end up talking to myself , or to things such as the ATM , ” he said .
Others simply doze off as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired from cycling for up to 30 kilometers ( 19 miles ) to work .
“ People need security and we are there to protect them and their premises .
With most people away from work , our jobs have become more essential , ” said Chimire .
Despite the weariness and loneliness , Chimire said he is grateful to have employment with a regular income .
Unemployment is rife in Zimbabwe , where more that 60 % of the country ’ s 14 million people work in the informal sector , selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is banned under the coronavirus lockdown regulations .
Huge numbers of people are struggling to put food on the table due to lack of incomes .
“ A lot of people used to laugh at our job , ” he said .
“ Now they wish they were like us .
”

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - One says he constantly talks to the cash machine he guards - never mind that it can’t answer back. Another whiles away the time by staring at pictures of semi-nude women on the walls of a closed nightclub as he waits for rats and cats to come out and entertain him.
Security guards in Zimbabwe, often a derided and underpaid lot, are counting themselves as some of the few lucky ones to still hold jobs in a country where most economic activity has been shut down by a lockdown that started in March.
But many say they are now fearing for their mental stability, as the loneliness that comes with guarding empty, eerily quiet building complexes is taking its toll.
By 6 p.m., the time Patrick Runde starts his night shift, Harare is almost deserted and for the next 12 hours he has no-one to talk to. In the past he would count on the nightclub’s loud music and noisy patrons for company, but now it is closed.
“The cats and rats are coming out more than before to search the empty bins for food. They have become my friends who keep me company at night,” he said.
“This is one of the loneliest jobs in the world,” said Patson Chimire, a guard at a shopping complex on the outskirts of the capital city. “We hardly hear any sounds of either traffic or some music coming from a nightclub. I end up talking to myself, or to things such as the ATM,” he said.
Others simply doze off as soon as they take up their posts, tired from cycling for up to 30 kilometers (19 miles) to work.
“People need security and we are there to protect them and their premises. With most people away from work, our jobs have become more essential,” said Chimire.
Despite the weariness and loneliness, Chimire said he is grateful to have employment with a regular income.
Unemployment is rife in Zimbabwe, where more that 60% of the country’s 14 million people work in the informal sector, selling goods on the street, trade that is banned under the coronavirus lockdown regulations. Huge numbers of people are struggling to put food on the table due to lack of incomes.
“A lot of people used to laugh at our job,” he said. “Now they wish they were like us.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Dog-killing cane toads are back as rains draw them out

MIAMI ( AP ) - “ Who can I call to get rid of these monsters ?
?
?
I ’ m dying over here and I have 3 dogs !
” The distressed plea for help was posted late last month by Ohilda Gilbert , a real estate agent , on a Facebook group of South Florida moms .
A photo of a fat , warty cane toad next to a pool pump illustrated her post and fired up a conversation with over 200 comments about the dreaded amphibians .
The yellowish brown cane toads , also known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are making an appearance in South Florida after the recent heavy rains stirred them up from their burrows and gave them plenty of water to breed in .
If summer turns out to be wetter than normal , as forecasts are predicting , tadpoles will have better chances of survival , potentially creating a population boom for the largest toad found in Florida - a big concern for many dog owners .
“ As long as there is water for them to breed in , the cane toads will thrive , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Florida who specializes in urban pest management .
“ They will be out above the surface , foraging and breeding .
People are probably seeing more of them now.
” Though these scary-looking toads are generally harmless to humans , they can be dangerous for pets .
The amphibians , which average between 4 and 6 inches but can grow to 9 inches , have large triangular glands behind the eyes that contain a high load of a milky-white toxin that can kill dogs , Kern said .
If a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gets some of the poison in its mouth , it can suffer convulsions , loss of coordination and cardiac arrest .
During the rainy season , when the toads are breeding and are generally more active , dog owners must watch out for signs of poisoning : excessive drooling , red gums , vomiting , disorientation , circling , stumbling and falling , and seizures .
If poisoning is suspected , use a hose to wash the dog ’ s mouth for several minutes , running water through one side of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care not to flush water down the throat , which could further spread the poison .
The advice is to get to a vet as quickly as possible .
The cane toads can also cause environmental damage .
They have no predators and eat pretty much anything : small lizards , snakes , bugs , and even smaller native frogs .
Cane toads also compete with native frogs for food and breeding areas .
And much like other invasive species such as the voracious Burmese python , cane toads do well in Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With hundreds of man-made lakes and canals , and plenty of bugs year-round , this is paradise for them .
“ We have dozens out on the street at night .
They are not even scared of people anymore , it ’ s like there are gangs of them out this year , ” said Elizabeth Bonilla , who lives near a canal in Homestead .
Her technique for getting them out of her backyard is to stomp and chase them out until they leave .
“ I can ’ t bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marina , as the toad is called , is yet another invasive species that was introduced to South Florida by people - but with a misguided purpose .
Native to mainland Central America and parts of South America , the toad was introduced in the 1930s in several sugarcane-growing regions , including Hawaii , Australia and South Florida , as a way to control pests .
Farmers believed the toads would benefit crops by eating beetles that killed cane plants .
But the plan backfired .
As it turned out , cane toads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they couldn ’ t eat the beetles that lived in the upper stalks of the plants .
Instead , they ate pretty much everything else , including bird ’ s eggs and small mammals .
And their poisonous glands ensured that would-be predators stayed away .
In Australia , the toads have been especially problematic , having spread widely and establishing large populations in isolated areas where they have wiped out native species of frogs .
The Australian government has spent millions on programs to control the invaders .
Wildlife managers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invasive cane toads on their property whenever possible , so it ’ s important to correctly identify them and not confuse them with native southern toads , which are harmless .
Southern toads have ridges on their heads and smaller , oval glands .
If the toad is more than four inches long and has puffed-up , triangular bags in the area above each shoulder and behind the eyes , it ’ s likely a cane toad .
Because the toads are not protected by conservation laws , they can be killed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even the poisonous amphibians are protected by Florida ’ s anti-cruelty law .
The recommended method of humanely euthanizing cane toads is to rub a small amount of numbing agent like Orajel on their bellies , placing them in a plastic bag and freezing them for 48 hours , according to American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines .
After that , the toads can be disposed of , said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission .
If dabbing lidocaine on a toad ’ s belly sounds gross , a toad removal company can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a business that will probably do well this season , ” Kern said .
And homeowners can do a few things to make their backyards less appealing to these monsters : Keep grass short and clear away brush piles and clutter , clean up food scraps from pet bowls or outdoor gills , keep pet food indoors and install bug lights that keep flying insects away , reducing the toads ’ main food source .

MIAMI (AP) - “Who can I call to get rid of these monsters??? I’m dying over here and I have 3 dogs!”
The distressed plea for help was posted late last month by Ohilda Gilbert, a real estate agent, on a Facebook group of South Florida moms. A photo of a fat, warty cane toad next to a pool pump illustrated her post and fired up a conversation with over 200 comments about the dreaded amphibians.
The yellowish brown cane toads, also known as bufo, marine or giant toads, are making an appearance in South Florida after the recent heavy rains stirred them up from their burrows and gave them plenty of water to breed in. If summer turns out to be wetter than normal, as forecasts are predicting, tadpoles will have better chances of survival, potentially creating a population boom for the largest toad found in Florida - a big concern for many dog owners.
“As long as there is water for them to breed in, the cane toads will thrive,” said William Kern, an associate professor at the University of Florida who specializes in urban pest management. “They will be out above the surface, foraging and breeding. People are probably seeing more of them now.”
Though these scary-looking toads are generally harmless to humans, they can be dangerous for pets. The amphibians, which average between 4 and 6 inches but can grow to 9 inches, have large triangular glands behind the eyes that contain a high load of a milky-white toxin that can kill dogs, Kern said. If a dog bites or licks the slow-moving frog and gets some of the poison in its mouth, it can suffer convulsions, loss of coordination and cardiac arrest.
During the rainy season, when the toads are breeding and are generally more active, dog owners must watch out for signs of poisoning: excessive drooling, red gums, vomiting, disorientation, circling, stumbling and falling, and seizures.
If poisoning is suspected, use a hose to wash the dog’s mouth for several minutes, running water through one side of the mouth and out the other, taking care not to flush water down the throat, which could further spread the poison. The advice is to get to a vet as quickly as possible.
The cane toads can also cause environmental damage. They have no predators and eat pretty much anything: small lizards, snakes, bugs, and even smaller native frogs. Cane toads also compete with native frogs for food and breeding areas.
And much like other invasive species such as the voracious Burmese python, cane toads do well in Central and South Florida’s urban environments. With hundreds of man-made lakes and canals, and plenty of bugs year-round, this is paradise for them.
“We have dozens out on the street at night. They are not even scared of people anymore, it’s like there are gangs of them out this year,” said Elizabeth Bonilla, who lives near a canal in Homestead. Her technique for getting them out of her backyard is to stomp and chase them out until they leave. “I can’t bring myself to kill them.”
The Rhinella marina, as the toad is called, is yet another invasive species that was introduced to South Florida by people - but with a misguided purpose. Native to mainland Central America and parts of South America, the toad was introduced in the 1930s in several sugarcane-growing regions, including Hawaii, Australia and South Florida, as a way to control pests. Farmers believed the toads would benefit crops by eating beetles that killed cane plants.
But the plan backfired. As it turned out, cane toads can’t jump very high, so they couldn’t eat the beetles that lived in the upper stalks of the plants. Instead, they ate pretty much everything else, including bird’s eggs and small mammals. And their poisonous glands ensured that would-be predators stayed away.
In Australia, the toads have been especially problematic, having spread widely and establishing large populations in isolated areas where they have wiped out native species of frogs. The Australian government has spent millions on programs to control the invaders.
Wildlife managers in South Florida encourage landowners to kill the invasive cane toads on their property whenever possible, so it’s important to correctly identify them and not confuse them with native southern toads, which are harmless. Southern toads have ridges on their heads and smaller, oval glands. If the toad is more than four inches long and has puffed-up, triangular bags in the area above each shoulder and behind the eyes, it’s likely a cane toad.
Because the toads are not protected by conservation laws, they can be killed, but there’s a catch: Even the poisonous amphibians are protected by Florida’s anti-cruelty law. The recommended method of humanely euthanizing cane toads is to rub a small amount of numbing agent like Orajel on their bellies, placing them in a plastic bag and freezing them for 48 hours, according to American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines. After that, the toads can be disposed of, said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
If dabbing lidocaine on a toad’s belly sounds gross, a toad removal company can do the job.
“That’s a business that will probably do well this season,” Kern said.
And homeowners can do a few things to make their backyards less appealing to these monsters: Keep grass short and clear away brush piles and clutter, clean up food scraps from pet bowls or outdoor gills, keep pet food indoors and install bug lights that keep flying insects away, reducing the toads’ main food source.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--LGBTQ-owned businesses expect losses after scrapped Pride

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - Bradley Nelson began preparations early this year .
His bar , Bradley ’ s on 7th , sits in the middle of the Tampa Pride parade route , drawing thousands of potential customers to his doorstep each spring .
But because of the coronavirus pandemic , he won ’ t get to serve them this year .
“ I was being ‘ smart ’ and had already ordered all the alcohol for Pride , ” which totaled $ 25,000 , Nelson said .
“ ( I ) ended up shut down being alcohol-rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to reel from the deep economic hardships brought by efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 , many are preparing for the compounding financial blow of canceled Pride celebrations .
Late last month , the organizers of St. Pete Pride and its sister celebration , Tampa Pride , called off their June events in an abundance of caution for attendees ’ health and safety .
The month began instead with a somber Pride Flag raising at St. Petersburg city hall Monday .
This year , Pride month ’ s roots – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the popular gay club Stonewall Inn – were at the forefront of the event as the systemic treatment by police of another group , the black community , was protested over days of civil unrest in Tampa Bay .
Most years , Pride celebrations are a major financial driver , particularly for LGBTQ communities .
St. Pete Pride has grown into the largest LGBTQ celebration in the state in recent years , drawing more than 150,000 attendees in 2019 .
Tampa Pride brought about 60,000 people through Ybor ’ s historic district that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be another major influx because we were bringing in three major concerts , ” said Carrie West , president of Tampa Pride .
According to an economic impact study commissioned by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater , the 2019 St. Petersburg celebration resulted $ 44.2 million in direct spending to the area .
That includes event sponsorship , hotel stays , restaurant and bar sales and spending at local businesses .
The findings were based on a survey of 338 attendees , 49 sponsors and exhibitors and an event organizer , representing an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tampa events brought in $ 8 million to $ 10 million based on a survey sent to participating businesses in 2018 .
“ To have such an event not happen is certainly a big blow to the county , ” said Chrys Bundy , president of St. Pete Pride .
One of the businesses that will take a hit this year is the Tampa Bay Pride Band , a wind band that was looking forward to its fifth performance in the Tampa and St. Petersburg parades .
David Triplett-Rosa , artistic director and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third of the band ’ s annual income .
“ Our membership is a big part of it , ” Triplett-Rosa said .
“ That ’ s an opportunity for us to recruit and grow our programs.
” Diane O ’ Dell , co-owner of Gayest Store on Earth , won ’ t get to sell the 3-foot-by-5-foot flags to young parade-goers this year .
Her mobile merchandise trailer is parked in a Largo warehouse after in-person events around the state halted with the pandemic , but sales through her online store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The St. Petersburg resident offers more than 24 different kinds of flags .
“ I want everyone to feel recognized , ” O ’ Dell said .
Others are focusing on other business avenues to make up for the lost revenue .
Ray Montgomery , owner of Pinellas Park-based Flashmanslights , sells light-up merchandise at St. Pete Pride and Pasco Pride .
He typically expects to sell a large number of fans this time of year because of how hot Pride events can get , but likely will take a loss instead - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will expire before he can sell them next year .
He ’ s focusing on his fence business in the meantime .
“ I ’ m just keeping my chin up and saying , ‘ we ’ ll get through this , ’ ” he said .
“ I ’ m sure there are a lot of people that are a lot worse off than I am.
” Tampa-based Robert David planned to hire two people this year to help with his side business , merchandise store Got Pride !
.
The sharp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he decided to focus on online sales for the time being .
He ’ s concentrating on his full-time job in the medical field .
Other economic effects are less visible .
According to Justice Gennari , president of the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce , large companies with a budget for minority-owned contracts often choose to spend with LGBTQ businesses this month , which may happen less this year because of the economic slowdown .
Several local high school band programs , too , won ’ t get funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the money comes from event sponsors .
For those who want to support their community LGBTQ organizations from afar , advocates recommend donating , ordering online or purchasing a gift card for later use .
LGBTQ and allied businesses can be found on the chamber ’ s website and St. Pete Pride ’ s online directory .
“ Let ’ s remember why Pride is important , ” Gennari said .
“ It ’ s to show we ’ re a community .
”

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Bradley Nelson began preparations early this year. His bar, Bradley’s on 7th, sits in the middle of the Tampa Pride parade route, drawing thousands of potential customers to his doorstep each spring. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, he won’t get to serve them this year.
“I was being ‘smart’ and had already ordered all the alcohol for Pride,” which totaled $25,000, Nelson said. “(I) ended up shut down being alcohol-rich and cash-poor.”
As Tampa Bay businesses continue to reel from the deep economic hardships brought by efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, many are preparing for the compounding financial blow of canceled Pride celebrations.
Late last month, the organizers of St. Pete Pride and its sister celebration, Tampa Pride, called off their June events in an abundance of caution for attendees’ health and safety. The month began instead with a somber Pride Flag raising at St. Petersburg city hall Monday. This year, Pride month’s roots – a 1969 uprising following a police raid on the popular gay club Stonewall Inn – were at the forefront of the event as the systemic treatment by police of another group, the black community, was protested over days of civil unrest in Tampa Bay.
Most years, Pride celebrations are a major financial driver, particularly for LGBTQ communities.
St. Pete Pride has grown into the largest LGBTQ celebration in the state in recent years, drawing more than 150,000 attendees in 2019. Tampa Pride brought about 60,000 people through Ybor’s historic district that year.
“We knew this year would be another major influx because we were bringing in three major concerts,” said Carrie West, president of Tampa Pride.
According to an economic impact study commissioned by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the 2019 St. Petersburg celebration resulted $44.2 million in direct spending to the area. That includes event sponsorship, hotel stays, restaurant and bar sales and spending at local businesses. The findings were based on a survey of 338 attendees, 49 sponsors and exhibitors and an event organizer, representing an estimated 156,000 attendees.
West estimates that the Tampa events brought in $8 million to $10 million based on a survey sent to participating businesses in 2018.
“To have such an event not happen is certainly a big blow to the county,” said Chrys Bundy, president of St. Pete Pride.
One of the businesses that will take a hit this year is the Tampa Bay Pride Band, a wind band that was looking forward to its fifth performance in the Tampa and St. Petersburg parades. David Triplett-Rosa, artistic director and founder, said the events account for a third of the band’s annual income.
“Our membership is a big part of it,” Triplett-Rosa said. “That’s an opportunity for us to recruit and grow our programs.”
It currently takes donations.
Diane O’Dell, co-owner of Gayest Store on Earth, won’t get to sell the 3-foot-by-5-foot flags to young parade-goers this year. Her mobile merchandise trailer is parked in a Largo warehouse after in-person events around the state halted with the pandemic, but sales through her online store have picked up as Pride approached. The St. Petersburg resident offers more than 24 different kinds of flags.
“I want everyone to feel recognized,” O’Dell said.
Others are focusing on other business avenues to make up for the lost revenue. Ray Montgomery, owner of Pinellas Park-based Flashmanslights, sells light-up merchandise at St. Pete Pride and Pasco Pride. He typically expects to sell a large number of fans this time of year because of how hot Pride events can get, but likely will take a loss instead - the batteries in many of his products will expire before he can sell them next year. He’s focusing on his fence business in the meantime.
“I’m just keeping my chin up and saying, ‘we’ll get through this,’” he said. “I’m sure there are a lot of people that are a lot worse off than I am.”
Tampa-based Robert David planned to hire two people this year to help with his side business, merchandise store Got Pride!. The sharp downturn in events meant his sales nose-dived, and he decided to focus on online sales for the time being. He’s concentrating on his full-time job in the medical field.
Other economic effects are less visible. According to Justice Gennari, president of the Tampa Bay Diversity Chamber of Commerce, large companies with a budget for minority-owned contracts often choose to spend with LGBTQ businesses this month, which may happen less this year because of the economic slowdown.
Several local high school band programs, too, won’t get funds they receive for performing in Tampa Pride, as the money comes from event sponsors.
For those who want to support their community LGBTQ organizations from afar, advocates recommend donating, ordering online or purchasing a gift card for later use. LGBTQ and allied businesses can be found on the chamber’s website and St. Pete Pride’s online directory.
“Let’s remember why Pride is important,” Gennari said. “It’s to show we’re a community.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Former officer gets 2 1/2 years for buying child porn

FORT LAUDERDALE , Fla. ( AP ) - A former Florida police officer has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years @ @ @ @ @ child pornography over the internet .
Gabriel Albala , 45 , was sentenced this week @ @ @ @ @ , according to court records .
The former Boynton Beach police officer pleaded guilty in @ @ @ @ @ .
The FBI learned of Albala following the arrest of a man who sold child @ @ @ @ @ according to court records .
Investigators used the seller ’ s records to track down @ @ @ @ @ .
When officers executed a search warrant at Albala ’ s home , they reported @ @ @ @ @ multiple images of children engaged in sexual activity .
Some of the videos involved children @ @ @ @ @ also found child pornography on Albala ’ s cellular telephone .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A former Florida police officer has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in federal prison for buying child pornography over the internet.
Gabriel Albala, 45, was sentenced this week in Fort Lauderdale federal court, according to court records. The former Boynton Beach police officer pleaded guilty in January to possessing child pornography.
The FBI learned of Albala following the arrest of a man who sold child pornography on the internet, according to court records. Investigators used the seller’s records to track down his customers, including Albala. When officers executed a search warrant at Albala’s home, they reported finding a computer that contained multiple images of children engaged in sexual activity. Some of the videos involved children under 12. Law enforcement also found child pornography on Albala’s cellular telephone.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--The loneliest of D-Day remembrances is hit by pandemic

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER , France ( AP ) - At daybreak on Saturday , Charles Shay stood lonesome without any fellow veteran on the very same beach where he waded ashore 76 years ago , part of one of the most epic battles in military historic that came to be known as D-Day and turned the tide of World War II .
Compared to last year , when many tens of thousands came to the northern French beaches of Normandy to cheer the dwindling number of veterans and celebrate three-quarters of a century of liberation from Nazi oppression , the coronavirus lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the eeriest ever .
“ I am very sad now , ” said Shay , who was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach under horrific machine-gun fire and shells .
“ Because of the virus , nobody can be here .
I would like to see more of us here , ” he told The Associated Press .
Normally , 95-year-old Shay would be meeting other survivors of the 1944 battle and celebrating with locals and dignitaries alike , all not far from his home close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This year , I am one of the very few that is probably here , ” he said , adding that other U.S. veterans could not fly in because of the pandemic .
When a full moon disappeared over land and the sun rose the other side over the English Channel , there was no customary rumble of columns of vintage jeep and trucks to be heard , roads still so deserted hare sat alongside them .
Still the French would not let this day slip by unnoticed , such is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , Britain , Canada and other countries who spilled their blood to free foreign beaches and fight on to finally defeat Nazism almost one year later .
“ It ’ s a June 6 unlike any other , ” said Philippe Laillier , the mayor of Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer , who staged a small remembrance around the Omaha Beach monument .
“ But still we had to do something .
We had to mark it.
” The moment the sun broke over the ocean , the Omaha Beach theme from Saving Private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few dozen locals and visitors dressed in vintage clothing .
The lack of a big international crowd was palpable , though .
The pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world , infecting 6.6 million people , killing over 391,000 and devastating economies .
It poses a particular threat to the elderly - like the surviving D-Day veterans who are in their late nineties or older .
It has also affected the younger generations who turn out every year to mark the occasion .
Most have been barred from traveling to the windswept coasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ivan Thierry , 62 , a local fisherman who catches sea bass around the wrecks that still litter the seabed nearby .
He was holding an American flag in tribute even before dawn .
“ There is not nobody here .
Even if we are only a dozen , we are here to commemorate , ” he said .

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (AP) — At daybreak on Saturday, Charles Shay stood lonesome without any fellow veteran on the very same beach where he waded ashore 76 years ago, part of one of the most epic battles in military history that came to be known as D-Day and turned the tide of World War II.
Compared to last year, when many tens of thousands came to the northern French beaches of Normandy to cheer the dwindling number of veterans and celebrate three-quarters of a century of liberation from Nazi oppression, the coronavirus lockdown turned this year’s remembrance into one of the eeriest ever.
“I am very sad now,” said Shay, who was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach under horrific machine-gun fire and shells. “Because of the virus, nobody can be here. I would like to see more of us here,” he told The Associated Press.
Normally, 95-year-old Shay would be meeting other survivors of the 1944 battle and celebrating with locals and dignitaries alike, all not far from his home close to the beaches that defined his life.
“This year, I am one of the very few that is probably here,” he said, adding that other U.S. veterans could not fly in because of the pandemic.
When a full moon disappeared over land and the sun rose the other side over the English Channel, there was no customary rumble of columns of vintage jeep and trucks to be heard, roads still so deserted hare sat alongside them.
Still the French would not let this day slip by unnoticed, such is their attachment to some 160,000 soldiers from the United States, Britain, Canada and other countries who spilled their blood to free foreign beaches and fight on to finally defeat Nazism almost one year later.
“It’s a June 6 unlike any other,” said Philippe Laillier, the mayor of Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer, who staged a small remembrance around the Omaha Beach monument. “But still we had to do something. We had to mark it.”
The moment the sun broke over the ocean, the Omaha Beach theme from the film “Saving Private Ryan” blared across the sand for a few dozen locals and visitors dressed in vintage clothing.
The pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world, infecting 6.6 million people, killing over 391,000 and devastating economies. It poses a particular threat to the elderly - like the surviving D-Day veterans who are in their late nineties or older.
It has also affected the younger generations who turn out every year to mark the occasion. Most have been barred from traveling to the windswept coasts of Normandy.
The lack of a big international crowd was palpable.
In the afternoon, a flyover of French fighter jets leaving a trail of the national colors was reminiscent of the one U.S. President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron watched from Colleville last year. This time, though, only a sparse crowd craned necks upward.
At the American cemetery on a bluff overseeing Omaha Beach, Shay went to pay his respects to over 9,000 servicemen, and again was the lone U.S. veteran at an intimate ceremony.
President Harry Truman’s quote, “America will never forget their sacrifices,” is etched into the cemetery’s Orientation Pavilion.
With Americans unable to come over to Normandy this year, the French proved to be trustworthy alternates in fulfilling Truman’s vow.
Ivan Thierry, 62, a local fisherman who catches sea bass around the wrecks that still litter the seabed nearby, was holding an American flag in tribute even before dawn.
“There is not nobody here. Even if we are only a dozen, we are here to commemorate,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Friday's Sports in Briefs

Friday's Sports in Briefs

NEW YORK ( AP ) - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was wrong for not listening to players fighting for racial equality and encouraged them to peacefully protest .
One day after 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and several of his peers released a video demanding the league condemn racism , Goodell made his strongest statement on the issues many players passionately support .
George Floyd ’ s death has ignited nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality , issues former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began speaking out against in 2016 when he started taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We , the National Football League , condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people , ” Goodell said in the video .
“ We , the National Football League , admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest .
We , the National Football League , believe Black Lives Matter .
I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country.
” ENGLEWOOD , Colo. ( AP ) - John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staying on the sidelines and is “ joining with the players , coaches and our organization in speaking up against racism , police brutality and any injustice against the black community.
” The comments from the Denver Broncos ’ general manager came in a lengthy Twitter post at the end of a tempestuous week in which his head coach , Vic Fangio , drew widespread condemnation for suggesting he didn ’ t see racism or discrimination in the NFL .
Several Broncos players and coaches are expected to gather Saturday for a march @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown Denver , the site of daily demonstrations since the death of George Floyd .
Four officers have been fired and charged in his killing .
NEW YORK ( AP ) - More than half of the 32 NFL teams did not have coaching staffs at their facilities even though the league has approved such returns where local governments allow them .
Clubs with coaches in place at their training complexes were Super Bowl champion Kansas City , Green Bay , Pittsburgh , Cincinnati , Cleveland , Houston , Washington , Denver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire staffs had not yet returned in many cities , on hand were such head coaches as the Chiefs ’ Andy Reid , the Steelers ’ Mike Tomlin , the Falcons ’ Dan Quinn , the Broncos ’ Vic Fangio and three of the new hires : the Browns Kevin Stefanski , the Cowboys ’ Mike McCarthy and the Redskins ’ Ron Rivera , who had much of his staff with him .
JACKSONVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - The Jacksonville Jaguars protested against inequality and police brutality , marching from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s department .
The march included Joshua Dobbs , Brandon Linder and Josh Lambo of the Jaguars along with family members .
Coach Doug Marrone , general manager Dave Caldwell and assistant coach Terry Robiskie also walked in what the team called an attempt to “ raise awareness for racial injustices against the Black community , ” with many wearing “ Black Lives Matter ” T-shirts .
The Jaguars started their march at 9:04 a.m. local time to signify the local 904 area code .
HOUSTON ( AP ) - Houston Texans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after 31 seasons coaching in the NFL .
Seely served as a team ’ s special teams coordinator from 1989-2019 .
In all , he has been a coach for 41 years and won three Super Bowls .
CHARLOTTE , N.C. ( AP ) - Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand are giving $ 100 million to organizations dedicated to promoting racial equality and social justice .
In a joint statement on social media , Jordan and the Jordan Brand said money will be paid over 10 years with the goal of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater access to education.
” “ Black lives matter , ” the statement said .
“ This isn ’ t a controversial statement .
Until the ingrained racism that allows our country ’ s institutions to fail is completely eradicated , we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of black people.
” Jordan , the 57-year-old former Chicago Bulls great , is the owner of the Charlotte Hornets .
The Jordan Brand is a subsidiary of Nike , the shoe giant that earlier Friday committed $ 40 million over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
Oklahoma State was fined $ 10,000 and its men ’ s basketball team was banned from the upcoming postseason after the NCAA found that former assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $ 22,000 in bribes intended to help steer athletes to choose certain financial advisers .
The NCAA ruling included three years of probation , the fine self-imposed by the school along with an additional 1 % from the program budget , recruiting restrictions and a reduction in basketball scholarships .
Evans also received a 10-year show-cause order in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into college basketball , which became public in fall 2017 .
The school received a notice of allegations last year .
NEW YORK ( AP ) - Players accused teams of “ depriving America of baseball games ” as part of a money fight set off by the coronavirus pandemic and raised the possibility baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred might push ahead with a shortened season over the union ’ s objection .
Bruce Meyer , the union ’ s chief negotiator , sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem threatening that an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead players to block any attempt to expand the playoffs and deny consent to neutral-site games in the postseason .
NEW YORK ( AP ) - The New York Yankees , Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers would each save more than $ 100 million on player salaries as part of management ’ s proposal to start the coronavirus-delayed season than they would under the union ’ s plan , according to an analysis by The Associated Press .
Top stars accustomed to eye-popping salaries that set them apart from mere All-Stars would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Set to earn $ 36 million each , Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would get $ 25.3 million under the union ’ s plan and a base of $ 5.6 million under the teams ’ proposal , with the chance to get back to about $ 8 million if the postseason is played .
A rookie at the minimum would get $ 396,537 from the union plan and $ 256,706 from the MLB proposal - not much more than the $ 222,222 per game Trout and Cole originally were slated to earn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roger Penske will watch the IndyCar season opener from a suite at Texas Motor Speedway - his first time off the pit stand and on the other side of the fence since his teams failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 1995 .
His relocation is partly for safety .
At 83 , Penske is considered at high risk for the coronavirus and he will avoid large crowds by working inside the paddock from a transporter separate from the rest of his team .
But as the new owner of the IndyCar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role as a strategist for Team Penske to avoid conflicts of interest .
HO CHI MINH CITY , Vietnam ( AP ) - Soccer was back and so were the spectators in Vietnam when the top domestic league resumed after the coronavirus shutdown .
Fans were allowed into Ho Chi Minh City ’ s scoreless draw with Hai Phong among three matches , But unlike Germany ’ s Bundesliga and South Korea ’ s K-League , which returned to action in May with empty arenas , more than 1,000 fans attended the V-League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the matches was the result of Vietnam ’ s successful efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus .
LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Aleksandar Katai has been released by the LA Galaxy after a series of alarming social media posts by his wife , Tea .
The Galaxy announced their decision to “ mutually part ways ” with their new Serbian winger in a one-sentence news release .
Tea Katai made the posts on her Instagram story earlier this week , and the Galaxy angrily condemned them as “ racist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included a photo with a caption written in Serbian urging police to “ kill ” protesters , another referring to protesters as “ disgusting cattle , ” and a third sharing a racist meme .
CLEVELAND ( AP ) - Pete Rademacher , who won a boxing gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title in his first professional bout , has died .
He was 91 .
A family member told the Media Gazette that Rademacher died Thursday at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His brain will be donated for medical research , the family said .
Rademacher won gold in Australia by knocking out Russian Lev Mukhim in the title match .
A college lineman at Washington State , Rademacher then set out to win the heavyweight belt as a pro and persuaded Patterson to fight him .

PRO FOOTBALL
NEW YORK (AP) - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was wrong for not listening to players fighting for racial equality and encouraged them to peacefully protest.
One day after 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and several of his peers released a video demanding the league condemn racism, Goodell made his strongest statement on the issues many players passionately support.
George Floyd’s death has ignited nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality, issues former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began speaking out against in 2016 when he started taking a knee during the national anthem.
“We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people,” Goodell said in the video. “We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We, the National Football League, believe Black Lives Matter. I personally protest with you and want to be part of the much needed change in this country.”
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - John Elway says he’s no longer staying on the sidelines and is “joining with the players, coaches and our organization in speaking up against racism, police brutality and any injustice against the black community.”
The comments from the Denver Broncos’ general manager came in a lengthy Twitter post at the end of a tempestuous week in which his head coach, Vic Fangio, drew widespread condemnation for suggesting he didn’t see racism or discrimination in the NFL.
Several Broncos players and coaches are expected to gather Saturday for a march and speeches at the state capitol in downtown Denver, the site of daily demonstrations since the death of George Floyd. Four officers have been fired and charged in his killing.
NEW YORK (AP) - More than half of the 32 NFL teams did not have coaching staffs at their facilities even though the league has approved such returns where local governments allow them.
Clubs with coaches in place at their training complexes were Super Bowl champion Kansas City, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Washington, Denver, Dallas, Jacksonville and Atlanta. While entire staffs had not yet returned in many cities, on hand were such head coaches as the Chiefs’ Andy Reid, the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, the Falcons’ Dan Quinn, the Broncos’ Vic Fangio and three of the new hires: the Browns Kevin Stefanski, the Cowboys’ Mike McCarthy and the Redskins’ Ron Rivera, who had much of his staff with him.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The Jacksonville Jaguars protested against inequality and police brutality, marching from their stadium to the steps of the sheriff’s department.
The march included Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Linder and Josh Lambo of the Jaguars along with family members. Coach Doug Marrone, general manager Dave Caldwell and assistant coach Terry Robiskie also walked in what the team called an attempt to “raise awareness for racial injustices against the Black community,” with many wearing “Black Lives Matter” T-shirts.
The Jaguars started their march at 9:04 a.m. local time to signify the local 904 area code.
HOUSTON (AP) - Houston Texans special teams coordinator Brad Seely is retiring after 31 seasons coaching in the NFL.
Seely served as a team’s special teams coordinator from 1989-2019. In all, he has been a coach for 41 years and won three Super Bowls.
PRO BASKETBALL
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand are giving $100 million to organizations dedicated to promoting racial equality and social justice.
In a joint statement on social media, Jordan and the Jordan Brand said money will be paid over 10 years with the goal of “ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.”
“Black lives matter,” the statement said. “This isn’t a controversial statement. Until the ingrained racism that allows our country’s institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of black people.”
Jordan, the 57-year-old former Chicago Bulls great, is the owner of the Charlotte Hornets. The Jordan Brand is a subsidiary of Nike, the shoe giant that earlier Friday committed $40 million over the next four years to support the black community.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Oklahoma State was fined $10,000 and its men’s basketball team was banned from the upcoming postseason after the NCAA found that former assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $22,000 in bribes intended to help steer athletes to choose certain financial advisers.
The NCAA ruling included three years of probation, the fine self-imposed by the school along with an additional 1% from the program budget, recruiting restrictions and a reduction in basketball scholarships. Evans also received a 10-year show-cause order in the case tied to the federal corruption investigation into college basketball, which became public in fall 2017. The school received a notice of allegations last year.
BASEBALL
NEW YORK (AP) - Players accused teams of “depriving America of baseball games” as part of a money fight set off by the coronavirus pandemic and raised the possibility baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred might push ahead with a shortened season over the union’s objection.
Bruce Meyer, the union’s chief negotiator, sent a letter to Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem threatening that an attempt to play without an agreement could lead players to block any attempt to expand the playoffs and deny consent to neutral-site games in the postseason.
NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers would each save more than $100 million on player salaries as part of management’s proposal to start the coronavirus-delayed season than they would under the union’s plan, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.
Top stars accustomed to eye-popping salaries that set them apart from mere All-Stars would experience by far the steepest cuts. Set to earn $36 million each, Mike Trout and Gerrit Cole would get $25.3 million under the union’s plan and a base of $5.6 million under the teams’ proposal, with the chance to get back to about $8 million if the postseason is played. A rookie at the minimum would get $396,537 from the union plan and $256,706 from the MLB proposal - not much more than the $222,222 per game Trout and Cole originally were slated to earn.
AUTO RACING
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Roger Penske will watch the IndyCar season opener from a suite at Texas Motor Speedway - his first time off the pit stand and on the other side of the fence since his teams failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 in 1995.
His relocation is partly for safety. At 83, Penske is considered at high risk for the coronavirus and he will avoid large crowds by working inside the paddock from a transporter separate from the rest of his team. But as the new owner of the IndyCar Series, he has also relinquished his role as a strategist for Team Penske to avoid conflicts of interest.
SOCCER
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP) - Soccer was back and so were the spectators in Vietnam when the top domestic league resumed after the coronavirus shutdown.
Fans were allowed into Ho Chi Minh City’s scoreless draw with Hai Phong among three matches, But unlike Germany’s Bundesliga and South Korea’s K-League, which returned to action in May with empty arenas, more than 1,000 fans attended the V-League game at Hai Phong. Allowing spectators to the matches was the result of Vietnam’s successful efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Aleksandar Katai has been released by the LA Galaxy after a series of alarming social media posts by his wife, Tea. The Galaxy announced their decision to “mutually part ways” with their new Serbian winger in a one-sentence news release.
Tea Katai made the posts on her Instagram story earlier this week, and the Galaxy angrily condemned them as “racist and violent” on Wednesday. The posts included a photo with a caption written in Serbian urging police to “kill” protesters, another referring to protesters as “disgusting cattle,” and a third sharing a racist meme.
BOXING
CLEVELAND (AP) - Pete Rademacher, who won a boxing gold medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title in his first professional bout, has died. He was 91.
A family member told the Media Gazette that Rademacher died Thursday at the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. He had dementia for years. His brain will be donated for medical research, the family said.
Rademacher won gold in Australia by knocking out Russian Lev Mukhim in the title match. A college lineman at Washington State, Rademacher then set out to win the heavyweight belt as a pro and persuaded Patterson to fight him.


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--Russian Orthodox priest tends to Moscow's COVID-19 patients

MOSCOW ( AP ) - The Rev .
Vasily Gelevan bends over a COVID-19 patient at her apartment to administer Holy Communion and say words of comfort while clad in a hazmat suit .
The bedside ministry is one of many such visits the 45-year old Russian Orthodox priest makes daily as he shuttles across Moscow in a minivan to tend to people fighting the coronavirus at their homes or in hospital rooms .
Gelevan ’ s family at first wasn ’ t happy with his decision to come in close contact with those infected with the virus , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a responsibility he can ’ t refuse , especially during a pandemic .
“ I put myself in their place , ” he said .
“ For me , the visit of a priest giving Holy Communion would be the most desirable thing .
It doesn ’ t matter that I wouldn ’ t see his face .
I would hear his voice , he would come and embrace me , show his sympathy and bring me the most precious thing in the world - the Holy Communion !
” For several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priest visited the gravely ill at Moscow hospitals .
Then the coronavirus hit the Russian capital .
“ They called me and said that there is a lot of work to do , many people are sick , and there are few who are trained to overcome the stress and enter the red zone to offer help , ” Gelevan said .
“ I felt that I must answer the call.
” Moscow has accounted for about half of the nation ’ s more than 449,000 confirmed cases , the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil .
Russia reported 5,520 virus-related deaths as of Friday .
Along with needing to reassure his family - “ They told me that I was playing a hero , ” Gelevan said - the priest had to cope with his own fear of exposure as the virus rapidly engulfed Russia .
Gelevan recalled that the first time he went to first visit a COVID-19 patient , he was shocked to see cotton stuffed into the keyhole of the woman ’ s apartment door .
He assumed it was put there to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned out that the woman had blocked the keyhole long before to protect herself from the neighbor ’ s tobacco smoke .
“ I often remember that keyhole , ” the priest said .
“ I realized that the eyes of fear see danger everywhere.
” Gelevan said he wears all the required gear to keep himself from becoming infected and takes other necessary precautions , but won ’ t allow fear to stand in the way of performing his clerical duties .
“ You just need to find a middle way without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into COVID-19 denial , ” he said .
Gelevan serves as a priest at Moscow ’ s Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin in Sokolniki , which was built by the Russian imperial army in 1906 .
During Soviet times , the church housed a military unit , and after the Russian Orthodox Church reclaimed it in the early 2000s it became the official church of the Russian airborne forces .
The church , like all churches in Russia , has been closed to parishioners since April 13 and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent times of illness and disruption , Gelevan sees a message to humankind to abandon its arrogance and correct its mistakes .
“ We shall weep and then calm down , raise from our knees and go forward , ” he said .
“ We will become simpler and more humane , filled with more love for ourselves and others and also the world around us .
”

MOSCOW (AP) - The Rev. Vasily Gelevan bends over a COVID-19 patient at her apartment to administer Holy Communion and say words of comfort while clad in a hazmat suit.
The bedside ministry is one of many such visits the 45-year old Russian Orthodox priest makes daily as he shuttles across Moscow in a minivan to tend to people fighting the coronavirus at their homes or in hospital rooms.
Gelevan’s family at first wasn’t happy with his decision to come in close contact with those infected with the virus, but the father of five sees pastoral care as a responsibility he can’t refuse, especially during a pandemic.
“I put myself in their place,” he said. “For me, the visit of a priest giving Holy Communion would be the most desirable thing. It doesn’t matter that I wouldn’t see his face. I would hear his voice, he would come and embrace me, show his sympathy and bring me the most precious thing in the world - the Holy Communion!”
For several years before the coronavirus outbreak, the priest visited the gravely ill at Moscow hospitals. Then the coronavirus hit the Russian capital.
“They called me and said that there is a lot of work to do, many people are sick, and there are few who are trained to overcome the stress and enter the red zone to offer help,” Gelevan said. “I felt that I must answer the call.”
Moscow has accounted for about half of the nation’s more than 449,000 confirmed cases, the world’s third-highest number after the United States and Brazil. Russia reported 5,520 virus-related deaths as of Friday.
Along with needing to reassure his family - “They told me that I was playing a hero,” Gelevan said - the priest had to cope with his own fear of exposure as the virus rapidly engulfed Russia.
Gelevan recalled that the first time he went to first visit a COVID-19 patient, he was shocked to see cotton stuffed into the keyhole of the woman’s apartment door. He assumed it was put there to protect the neighbors from the virus. It turned out that the woman had blocked the keyhole long before to protect herself from the neighbor’s tobacco smoke.
“I often remember that keyhole,” the priest said. “I realized that the eyes of fear see danger everywhere.”
Gelevan said he wears all the required gear to keep himself from becoming infected and takes other necessary precautions, but won’t allow fear to stand in the way of performing his clerical duties.
“You just need to find a middle way without falling into extremes - being panicky or going into COVID-19 denial,” he said.
Gelevan serves as a priest at Moscow’s Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin in Sokolniki, which was built by the Russian imperial army in 1906. During Soviet times, the church housed a military unit, and after the Russian Orthodox Church reclaimed it in the early 2000s it became the official church of the Russian airborne forces.
The church, like all churches in Russia, has been closed to parishioners since April 13 and is set to reopen on Saturday. In the recent times of illness and disruption, Gelevan sees a message to humankind to abandon its arrogance and correct its mistakes.
“We shall weep and then calm down, raise from our knees and go forward,” he said. “We will become simpler and more humane, filled with more love for ourselves and others and also the world around us.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-06--India, China military commanders meeting on frontier dispute

SRINAGAR , India ( AP ) - Indian and Chinese military commanders are meeting Saturday to try to resolve a bitter standoff along their disputed frontier high in the Himalayas where thousands of troops on both sides are facing off .
The meeting at a border post is the highest-level so far attended by senior commanders .
Local border commanders held a series of meetings in the past four weeks but failed to break the impasse .
On Friday , Indian and Chinese foreign ministry officials also discussed the border tensions .
Indian officials say the standoff began in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered deep inside Indian-controlled territory at three places in Ladakh , erecting tents and posts .
They said the Chinese soldiers ignored repeated verbal warnings to leave , triggering shouting matches , stone-throwing and fistfights .
India also mobilized thousands of soldiers and armory .
Chinese and Indian soldiers also faced off along the frontier in India ’ s northeastern Sikkim state in early May .
Experts in India cautioned that there was little expectation of any immediate resolution in the military meeting .
In the past , most disputes between China and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meetings while some required diplomatic intervention .
Though skirmishes aren ’ t new along their long-disputed frontier , the standoff at Ladakh ’ s Galwan Valley , where India is building a strategic road connecting the region to an airstrip close to China , has escalated in recent weeks .
The Chinese “ ingress into the Galwan River valley opens up a new and worrying chapter , ” Ajai Shukla , a former Indian military officer and a defense commentator , wrote on his website .
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 2019 .
China was among the handful of countries to strongly condemn the move , raising it at international forums including the U.N. Security Council .
The China-India border dispute covers nearly 3,500 kilometers ( 2,175 miles ) of frontier that the two countries call the Line of Actual Control .
They fought a bitter war in 1962 that spilled into Ladakh .
The two sides have been trying since the early 1990s to settle their dispute without success .
The most serious dispute is over China ’ s claims that India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of Tibet , which India rejects .
China claims about 90,000 square kilometers ( 35,000 square miles ) of territory in India ’ s northeast , while India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometers ( 15,000 square miles ) of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau in the Himalayas , a contiguous part of the Ladakh region .
Lt. Gen. D.S .
Hooda , who retired as head of the Indian military ’ s Northern Command under which Kashmir and Ladakh fall , said the level of physical violence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different from the past.
” “ The tensest of standoffs between soldiers of the two sides in the past have been marked by a remarkable degree of restraint and an understanding of not using force .
If this restraint breaks down , each transgression could become a flash point , ” he said .

SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Indian and Chinese military commanders met Saturday to try to resolve a bitter standoff along their disputed frontier high in the Himalayas where thousands of troops on both sides are facing off.
The meeting at a border post was attended by senior commanders and was the highest-level encounter so far. Local border commanders held a series of meetings in the past month but failed to break the impasse.
On Friday, Indian and Chinese foreign ministry officials discussed the border tensions.
There were no immediate details available on Saturday’s meeting. Both India and China have provided little official information on the standoff, but media in the two countries have closely covered the escalating tensions.
Indian officials say the standoff began in early May when large contingents of Chinese soldiers entered deep inside Indian-controlled territory at three places in Ladakh, erecting tents and posts. They said the Chinese soldiers ignored repeated verbal warnings to leave, triggering shouting matches, stone-throwing and fistfights.
India also mobilized thousands of soldiers.
Chinese and Indian soldiers also faced off along the frontier in India’s northeastern Sikkim state in early May.
China has sought to downplay the confrontation while saying the two sides were communicating through both their front-line military units and their respective embassies to resolve issues.
Experts in India cautioned that there was little expectation of any immediate resolution in the military meeting. In the past, most disputes between China and India have been resolved quickly through such meetings, although some required diplomatic intervention.
Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, who retired as head of the Indian military’s Northern Command, under which Kashmir and Ladakh fall, said the negotiations are going to be “long and hard.”
“There won’t be much headway at military-level talks in terms of resolving the issue. But the military-level talks will help deescalate tensions on the ground and set a stage for diplomatic negotiations,” Hooda said.
Though skirmishes aren’t new along their long-disputed frontier, the standoff at Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, where India is building a strategic road connecting the region to an airstrip close to China, has escalated in recent weeks.
The Chinese “ingress into the Galwan River valley opens up a new and worrying chapter,” Ajai Shukla, a former Indian military officer and a defense commentator, wrote on his website.
India unilaterally declared Ladakh a federal territory while separating it from disputed Kashmir in August 2019. China was among the handful of countries to strongly condemn the move, raising it at international forums including the U.N. Security Council.
The China-India border dispute covers nearly 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles) of frontier that the two countries call the Line of Actual Control. They fought a bitter war in 1962 that spilled into Ladakh. The two sides have been trying since the early 1990s to settle their dispute without success.
The most serious dispute is over China’s claims that India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh is part of Tibet, which India rejects.
China claims about 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 square miles) of territory in India’s northeast, while India says China occupies 38,000 square kilometers (15,000 square miles) of its territory in the Aksai Chin Plateau in the Himalayas, a contiguous part of the Ladakh region.
Hooda said the level of physical violence in the current standoff is “unprecedented and different from the past.”
“The tensest of standoffs between soldiers of the two sides in the past have been marked by a remarkable degree of restraint and an understanding of not using force,” he said. “If this restraint breaks down, each transgression could become a flash point.”