washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Thousands rally against SKorea leader despite virus warning

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - Thousands of anti-government protesters , armed with umbrellas and raincoats , marched through the soggy streets of South Korea ’ s capital on Saturday , ignoring official pleas to stay home amid a surge in coronavirus infections .
It appeared that at least several were detained after scuffles with police , which deployed about 6,000 officers to closely follow the protesters in streets near Seoul ’ s presidential palace .
There were no immediate reports of major clashes or injuries .
Officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency did not immediately say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The protests came as the government moved to impose stronger social distancing restrictions in the city and nearby towns following a spike in coronavirus infections .
Municipal officials in Seoul had sought to forbid the slew of rallies planned by conservative activists and Christian groups for a holiday celebrating the 75th anniversary of the nation ’ s liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II .
But a court allowed some of them to go on , citing civil liberties after protesters challenged the city ’ s administrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many of them wearing masks and carrying the South Korean flag , paraded through rain near Seoul ’ s presidential palace , calling for liberal President Moon Jae-in to step down over what they see as kowtowing to North Korea , policy failures , corruption and election fraud .
Some South Korean conservatives insist that the April parliamentary elections convincingly won by Moon ’ s party were rigged , although most experts see such claims as false conspiracy theories .
Some of the marchers came from a church in northern Seoul that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dozens of infections .
Health officials are planning to isolate and test some 4,000 members of the church , led by ultra-conservative pastor Jun Kwang-hun , a vocal critic of Moon who has emerged as a leader of anti-government protests over the past months .
“ We gathered together today to take back the Republic of Korea ” from “ criminal ” Moon , Jun shouted from a stage during Saturday ’ s protest , referring to South Korea ’ s formal name .
While announcing stronger distancing measures for the Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lamented that transmissions stemming from religious gatherings were now spreading more broadly across the capital region .
Churches have been a major source of infections in past weeks , with many of them failing to enforce properly enforce preventive measures , allowing worshipers to take off their masks , sing in choirs or eat together in diners .
The two-week measures starting Sunday will allow authorities in Seoul and towns in neighboring Gyeonggi Province to shut down high-risk facilities such as nightclubs , karaoke rooms , movie theaters and buffet restaurants if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including distancing , temperatures checks , keeping customer lists and requiring masks .
Fans will once again be banned from professional baseball and soccer , just a few weeks after health authorities allowed teams to let in spectators for a portion of their seats in each game .
The 166 new infections the country reported Saturday represented its highest daily jump in five months .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Thousands of anti-government protesters, armed with umbrellas and raincoats, marched through the soggy streets of South Korea’s capital on Saturday, ignoring official pleas to stay home amid a surge in coronavirus infections.
It appeared that at least several were detained after scuffles with police, which deployed about 6,000 officers to closely follow the protesters in streets near Seoul’s presidential palace.
There were no immediate reports of major clashes or injuries. Officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency did not immediately say how many protesters were taken into custody.
The protests came as the government moved to impose stronger social distancing restrictions in the city and nearby towns following a spike in coronavirus infections.
Municipal officials in Seoul had sought to forbid the slew of rallies planned by conservative activists and Christian groups for a holiday celebrating the 75th anniversary of the nation’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II.
But a court allowed some of them to go on, citing civil liberties after protesters challenged the city’s administrative order banning the gatherings.
The demonstrators, many of them wearing masks and carrying the South Korean flag, paraded through rain near Seoul’s presidential palace, calling for liberal President Moon Jae-in to step down over what they see as kowtowing to North Korea, policy failures, corruption and election fraud.
Some South Korean conservatives insist that the April parliamentary elections convincingly won by Moon’s party were rigged, although most experts see such claims as false conspiracy theories.
Some of the marchers came from a church in northern Seoul that was shut down after it was linked to dozens of infections. Health officials are planning to isolate and test some 4,000 members of the church, led by ultra-conservative pastor Jun Kwang-hun, a vocal critic of Moon who has emerged as a leader of anti-government protests over the past months.
“We gathered together today to take back the Republic of Korea” from “criminal” Moon, Jun shouted from a stage during Saturday’s protest, referring to South Korea’s formal name.
While announcing stronger distancing measures for the Seoul metropolitan area, Health Minister Park Neung-hoo lamented that transmissions stemming from religious gatherings were now spreading more broadly across the capital region.
Churches have been a major source of infections in past weeks, with many of them failing to enforce properly enforce preventive measures, allowing worshipers to take off their masks, sing in choirs or eat together in diners.
The two-week measures starting Sunday will allow authorities in Seoul and towns in neighboring Gyeonggi Province to shut down high-risk facilities such as nightclubs, karaoke rooms, movie theaters and buffet restaurants if they fail to properly enforce preventive measures, including distancing, temperatures checks, keeping customer lists and requiring masks.
Fans will once again be banned from professional baseball and soccer, just a few weeks after health authorities allowed teams to let in spectators for a portion of their seats in each game.
The 166 new infections the country reported Saturday represented its highest daily jump in five months.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--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 .

AUG. 8 - 14, 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--2020-08-15--Friday Sports in Brief

Friday Sports in Brief

There was no immediate word from the Nationals on the type of injury that forced him off the mound during the first inning of a game against the Orioles .
Strasburg got a late start on the season because of a nerve issue in his right hand .
This was his second start , the first coming last Sunday against Baltimore .
CLEVELAND ( AP ) - After hearing Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac explain their actions , the Cleveland Indians sent the pitchers to their alternate training site on Friday after the two broke team rules and Major League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Clevinger and Plesac drove to Detroit separately with their baseball equipment on Thursday for an “ open forum ” meeting at the team ’ s hotel before the Indians opened a series with the Tigers .
Indians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said following “ the discussion ” that he met with manager Terry Francona , general manager Mike Chernoff and decided it was best to option Plesac and Clevinger to the alternate training site instead of allowing them to rejoin the team .
OAKLAND , Calif. ( AP ) - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a six-game suspension reduced to four games Friday after appealing the penalty for his role in a benches-clearing brawl with the rival Houston Astros .
Major League Baseball said a settlement had been reached and the A ’ s were informed of the decision .
Laureano was set to begin the four-game suspension Friday night and will miss a three-game weekend Bay Bridge Series against the San Francisco Giants .
After sitting out Monday at Arizona , he will be eligible to play Tuesday against the Diamondbacks .
ST. LOUIS ( AP ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of being with the team for the rest of the season while Major League Baseball announced Friday several doubleheaders to make up for games St. Louis has missed because of the coronavirus .
The 61-year-old McGee , a four-time All-Star outfielder and the 1985 NL MVP for the Cardinals , told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he has high blood pressure .
McGee said he had three older daughters and five grandchildren living at his family home in California .
McGee said he doesn ’ t have the virus , but added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high blood pressure , I just don ’ t know how I would react if I were to get sick and I ’ m still not out of the woods.
” SACREMENTO , Calif ( AP ) - Vlade Divac has stepped down as general manager of the Sacramento Kings and will be replaced on an interim basis by Joe Dumars .
The Kings announced the move Friday , a day after they ended their 14th straight season without a playoff berth .
That ’ s the longest active drought in the NBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Divac was initially hired by the Kings in March 2013 as vice president of basketball operations and franchise operations .
He became general manager in August 2015 but was unable to get the Kings back into the playoffs .
NEW YORK ( AP ) - Oft-injured Yankees star Aaron Judge was placed on the injured list with a right calf strain before Friday night ’ s game against Boston and manager Aaron Boone is optimistic the outfielder will not miss significant time .
The move was retroactive to Wednesday and Boone described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the injury .
To replace Judge on the roster , Thairo Estrada was recalled from the Yankees ’ alternate site in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre .
Judge began Friday leading the majors with nine homers and tied with Colorado ’ s Charlie Blackmon for the major league lead with 20 RBIs .
LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. ( AP ) - Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. was carted off the court and fitted for a neck brace after colliding with Indiana Pacers center Goga Bitadze late in the third quarter Friday .
Jones was trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran into the 6-foot-11 Bitadze and fell to the floor .
The Heat announced via Twitter after their 109-92 loss that Jones had a neck strain and had undergone an MRI , CT scan and concussion test .
The Heat said Jones would be re-evaluated over the weekend .
During his postgame press conference , Heat coach Erik Spoelstra urged caution before reacting one way or another until all tests have been completed .
LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. ( AP ) - Mo Bamba will not play for the Orlando Magic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team announced Friday that he has left the bubble for testing related to his previous bout with coronavirus .
Bamba was diagnosed with COVID-19 on June 11 .
The 22-year-old appeared in 62 games with the Magic this season but logged only 11 minutes of action in Orlando ’ s first two seeding games at Walt Disney World .
He did not appear in any of Orlando ’ s final six seeding games .
CHICAGO ( AP ) - The Chicago Bulls fired coach Jim Boylen on Friday , the new front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that missed the playoffs again .
The Bulls were 22-43 and were one of the eight teams that didn ’ t qualify for the NBA ’ s restart at Walt Disney World .
That meant they wouldn ’ t make the postseason for the fourth time in five years .
Chicago then hired Arturas Karnisovas as executive vice president of basketball operations , and on Friday he decided he wanted a new coach .
TORONTO ( AP ) - Montreal Canadiens coach Claude Julien is returning home to Montreal a day after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The team said doctors expect a full recovery .
Julien was rushed to St. Michael ’ s Hospital in Toronto overnight Wednesday with chest pain .
He had surgery Thursday .
Since Julien left the NHL bubble in Toronto , he will have to follow quarantine protocol if he wishes to re-enter it .
WELCOME , N.C. ( AP ) - Bubba Wallace is adding to his NASCAR portfolio .
NASCAR ’ s only Black full-time driver announced a multiyear partnership with technology company DoorDash on Friday .
It will sponsor Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Petty Motorsports beginning Sunday on the road course at Daytona International Speedway .
The deal also includes six more races this year : Dover , Richmond , Las Vegas , Texas , Martinsville and Phoenix .
Columbia Sportswear Co. signed Wallace as a brand ambassador earlier this week .
The company will be on Wallace ’ s car at Dover later this month and one to two other races not yet announced .

BASEBALL
BALTIMORE (AP) - Nationals star right-hander Stephen Strasburg left Friday night’s game after throwing just 16 pitches.
There was no immediate word from the Nationals on the type of injury that forced him off the mound during the first inning of a game against the Orioles.
Strasburg got a late start on the season because of a nerve issue in his right hand. This was his second start, the first coming last Sunday against Baltimore.
CLEVELAND (AP) - After hearing Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac explain their actions, the Cleveland Indians sent the pitchers to their alternate training site on Friday after the two broke team rules and Major League Baseball coronavirus protocol last weekend in Chicago.
Clevinger and Plesac drove to Detroit separately with their baseball equipment on Thursday for an “open forum” meeting at the team’s hotel before the Indians opened a series with the Tigers.
Indians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti said following “the discussion” that he met with manager Terry Francona, general manager Mike Chernoff and decided it was best to option Plesac and Clevinger to the alternate training site instead of allowing them to rejoin the team.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Oakland Athletics center fielder Ramon Laureano had a six-game suspension reduced to four games Friday after appealing the penalty for his role in a benches-clearing brawl with the rival Houston Astros.
Major League Baseball said a settlement had been reached and the A’s were informed of the decision. Laureano was set to begin the four-game suspension Friday night and will miss a three-game weekend Bay Bridge Series against the San Francisco Giants. After sitting out Monday at Arizona, he will be eligible to play Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.
ST. LOUIS (AP) - Cardinals coach Willie McGee has opted out of being with the team for the rest of the season while Major League Baseball announced Friday several doubleheaders to make up for games St. Louis has missed because of the coronavirus.
The 61-year-old McGee, a four-time All-Star outfielder and the 1985 NL MVP for the Cardinals, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he has high blood pressure. McGee said he had three older daughters and five grandchildren living at his family home in California.
McGee said he doesn’t have the virus, but added, “having an underlying health issue with high blood pressure, I just don’t know how I would react if I were to get sick and I’m still not out of the woods.”
SACREMENTO, Calif (AP) - Vlade Divac has stepped down as general manager of the Sacramento Kings and will be replaced on an interim basis by Joe Dumars.
The Kings announced the move Friday, a day after they ended their 14th straight season without a playoff berth. That’s the longest active drought in the NBA and one shy of the record.
Divac was initially hired by the Kings in March 2013 as vice president of basketball operations and franchise operations. He became general manager in August 2015 but was unable to get the Kings back into the playoffs.
NEW YORK (AP) - Oft-injured Yankees star Aaron Judge was placed on the injured list with a right calf strain before Friday night’s game against Boston and manager Aaron Boone is optimistic the outfielder will not miss significant time.
The move was retroactive to Wednesday and Boone described the strain as mild after an MRI revealed the injury. To replace Judge on the roster, Thairo Estrada was recalled from the Yankees’ alternate site in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Judge began Friday leading the majors with nine homers and tied with Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon for the major league lead with 20 RBIs.
NBA
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. was carted off the court and fitted for a neck brace after colliding with Indiana Pacers center Goga Bitadze late in the third quarter Friday.
Jones was trying to get around a screen when he ran into the 6-foot-11 Bitadze and fell to the floor.
The Heat announced via Twitter after their 109-92 loss that Jones had a neck strain and had undergone an MRI, CT scan and concussion test. The Heat said Jones would be re-evaluated over the weekend.
During his postgame press conference, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra urged caution before reacting one way or another until all tests have been completed.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Mo Bamba will not play for the Orlando Magic in this season’s playoffs, after the team announced Friday that he has left the bubble for testing related to his previous bout with coronavirus.
Bamba was diagnosed with COVID-19 on June 11. The 22-year-old appeared in 62 games with the Magic this season but logged only 11 minutes of action in Orlando’s first two seeding games at Walt Disney World.
He did not appear in any of Orlando’s final six seeding games.
CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Bulls fired coach Jim Boylen on Friday, the new front office beginning its remake of a team that missed the playoffs again.
The Bulls were 22-43 and were one of the eight teams that didn’t qualify for the NBA’s restart at Walt Disney World. That meant they wouldn’t make the postseason for the fourth time in five years.
Chicago then hired Arturas Karnisovas as executive vice president of basketball operations, and on Friday he decided he wanted a new coach.
NHL
TORONTO (AP) - Montreal Canadiens coach Claude Julien is returning home to Montreal a day after a stent was placed in a coronary artery. The team said doctors expect a full recovery.
Julien was rushed to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto overnight Wednesday with chest pain. He had surgery Thursday.
Since Julien left the NHL bubble in Toronto, he will have to follow quarantine protocol if he wishes to re-enter it.
NASCAR
WELCOME, N.C. (AP) - Bubba Wallace is adding to his NASCAR portfolio.
NASCAR’s only Black full-time driver announced a multiyear partnership with technology company DoorDash on Friday. It will sponsor Wallace’s No. 43 Chevrolet for Richard Petty Motorsports beginning Sunday on the road course at Daytona International Speedway. The deal also includes six more races this year: Dover, Richmond, Las Vegas, Texas, Martinsville and Phoenix.
Columbia Sportswear Co. signed Wallace as a brand ambassador earlier this week. The company will be on Wallace’s car at Dover later this month and one to two other races not yet announced.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Freed from Belarus jails, protesters recount beatings

MINSK , Belarus ( AP ) - They emerged dazed , shaken and in tears from the detention center in Minsk , to be met by waiting relatives .
They displayed the black-and-blue bruises on their bodies , saying police had beaten them mercilessly .
One teenager asked his weeping mother to look away .
Authorities in Belarus have freed at least 2,000 of about 7,000 people who had been pulled off the streets by riot police in the days following a disputed election that kept the country ’ s iron-fisted leader , President Alexander Lukashenko , in power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , they told of being struck repeatedly with truncheons , being threatened with gang rape and held amid harsh conditions and overcrowded cells .
The accounts are fueling outrage at home and have European countries weighing new sanctions against officials in Belarus .
“ They were beating me without mercy , ” Alexei Shchitnikov told The Associated Press upon his release , his face disfigured by bruises .
The 47-year-old company director displayed a cross drawn on his back , an apparent marking by police that he should be given rough treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and real beasts , ” he added .
“ The people will remember Lukashenko ’ s ‘ victory ’ for a long time.
” Student Sasha Vilks showed a reporter his legs and his back deeply bruised from truncheon blows , but told his weeping mother not to look .
“ They called us terrorists and beat us severely on our legs and our backs , ” the 19-year-old told the AP .
“ They would beat us first and then ask questions.
” He said he was kept lying face down for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the faces of his tormentors , who wore balaclavas .
“ Some of them were walking around , saying ‘ Give me someone to beat.
’ It was really scary , ” he said , breaking into tears .
Tatyana , a 21-year-old bookseller who didn ’ t give her last name because she feared police reprisals , said she was threatened with gang rape .
“ It was a real hell , ” she said .
“ When I was on a police bus , they threatened to rape me with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the more they beat me .
They kept repeating , ‘ You love the president !
’ ” Shuddering , she added : “ They were indiscriminately beating everyone there , men and women .
On the police bus , I saw them break one man ’ s rib and he was crying in pain.
” The demonstrations began after officials announced that Lukashenko , who has been in power for 26 years , had won 80 % of the vote in Sunday ’ s election - a result that protesters denounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that followed , black-clad riot police detained thousands of largely peaceful demonstrators in Minsk and other cities after firing tear gas , rubber bullets and stun grenades .
At least one person was killed .
The graphic descriptions of savage beatings and other abuse by police has brought tens of thousands into the streets of the Belarusian capital in the biggest challenge in his tenure .
Yegor Martinovich , an award-winning journalist and the editor of the popular Nasha Niva independent online newspaper , was among those detained in the crackdown and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They beat us all with truncheons and kicked us while putting us on and off police vehicles , ” he told the AP .
“ They made us lie on the ground for half a day , our faces down .
They were hounding us with dogs , insulting us and refusing to give us food .
They had just one response to all of our pleas : ‘ You ’ ve got your revolution !
’ ” Martinovich said several people in his cell were covered with bruises from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beaten people were suffering from thirst , a guard would give a bottle of tap water for all of us , ” he said .
“ The authorities cracked down on peaceful protesters with all the repressive power of the authoritarian state , and the consequences of that could be unpredictable.
” As the jails filled quickly to capacity , police crammed more people into cells intended for only a few inmates .
Martinovich said he and 27 others were put in a cell intended for 12 people , and they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was released , guards put in 10 more .
Others at a Minsk jail said dozens of men and women were packed into cells intended for only two inmates .
Many others who were not taken into custody also were hurt .
Eduard Kukhterin , a 56-year-old publisher , was struck by rubber bullets in the back and arm while entering his apartment building near a street clash .
“ A police bus arrived and those black-clad thugs jumped on the pavement and started firing at people as if it were a shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It looked like a horror movie , but it ’ s Belarus today.
” Kukhterin said he couldn ’ t go to a hospital for a bullet stuck in his arm because doctors warned him they would have to report it to police , who would detain him .
The national police chief later apologized to those who were targeted indiscriminately , and the Interior Ministry , which earlier shunned questions from anguished relatives trying to locate their loved ones , opened a hotline Friday .
Lukashenko blamed protesters for triggering the crackdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who were justified in their response .
Police also broke into apartments to seize protesters .
Stas Gorelik , who is working on a doctorate at George Washington University , was visiting his parents in Minsk when he was arrested by the Belarusian security agency , which still goes by its Soviet-era name , the KGB .
“ Stas ’ face was broken and blood was dripping down his face when they took him away , ” said his father , Lev Gorelik , who went to the apartment where his 32-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ His pillow was also drenched in blood.
” He said they couldn ’ t find him for three days until they learned he was at a KGB jail , facing charges of organizing mass riots , punishable by up to 15 years in prison .
The KGB has denied Gorelik access to a lawyer .
“ It ’ s hard to explain such brutality - he was only doing science and never engaged in activism or politics , ” the anguished father said .
Human rights activists are preparing an appeal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence against protesters and the abusive treatment of detainees .
“ All those detained were severely beaten before , during and after their arrest , ” said Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna rights center .
“ We have documented massive abuse and torture - they were drawing crosses on people ’ s backs with truncheon blows , they were forcing people to engage in mass prayers and making them crawl on the ground naked.
” “ In 20 years of work as a human rights defender , I have never seen such abuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that “ law enforcement agents have received a carte blanche for violence.
” By allowing the crackdown , observers say Lukashenko appears to have burned his bridges to the West and made himself entirely dependent on law enforcement agencies .
“ The people from the KGB and other security agencies have played an increasingly important role in Lukashenko ’ s entourage , and they have been able to enforce their forceful scenario , ” Stefanovich said .
“ And the longer it goes , the less clear it becomes who depends on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union imposed some sanctions on Belarus in the early 2000s when Lukashenko earned the nickname of “ Europe ’ s last dictator ” by stifling dissent , but some were later lifted .
Throughout his rule , he has tried to blackmail Russia , his main ally and sponsor , by appearing to reach out to the West to win more subsidies .
But EU foreign ministers again are taking the first steps toward sanctions in light of the post-election crackdown .
“ This outburst of cruel and unmotivated violence has put Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last dictator ’ niche , ” said Minsk-based independent analyst Alexander Klaskovsky .
“ The sanctions and the rising tensions inside the country will leave the president with very little room for maneuver .
”

MINSK, Belarus (AP) - They emerged dazed, shaken and in tears from the detention center in Minsk, to be met by waiting relatives. They displayed the black-and-blue bruises on their bodies, saying police had beaten them mercilessly. One teenager asked his weeping mother to look away.
Authorities in Belarus have freed at least 2,000 of about 7,000 people who had been pulled off the streets by riot police in the days following a disputed election that kept the country’s iron-fisted leader, President Alexander Lukashenko, in power.
As they reunited with loved ones early Friday, they told of being struck repeatedly with truncheons, being threatened with gang rape and held amid harsh conditions and overcrowded cells. The accounts are fueling outrage at home and have European countries weighing new sanctions against officials in Belarus.
“They were beating me without mercy,” Alexei Shchitnikov told The Associated Press upon his release, his face disfigured by bruises.
The 47-year-old company director displayed a cross drawn on his back, an apparent marking by police that he should be given rough treatment.
“They were behaving like bandits and real beasts,” he added. “The people will remember Lukashenko’s ‘victory’ for a long time.”
Student Sasha Vilks showed a reporter his legs and his back deeply bruised from truncheon blows, but told his weeping mother not to look.
“They called us terrorists and beat us severely on our legs and our backs,” the 19-year-old told the AP. “They would beat us first and then ask questions.”
He said he was kept lying face down for hours in handcuffs and didn’t see the faces of his tormentors, who wore balaclavas.
“Some of them were walking around, saying ‘Give me someone to beat.’ It was really scary,” he said, breaking into tears.
Tatyana, a 21-year-old bookseller who didn’t give her last name because she feared police reprisals, said she was threatened with gang rape.
“It was a real hell,” she said. “When I was on a police bus, they threatened to rape me with a truncheon. The more I cried, the more they beat me. They kept repeating, ‘You love the president!’”
Shuddering, she added: “They were indiscriminately beating everyone there, men and women. On the police bus, I saw them break one man’s rib and he was crying in pain.”
The demonstrations began after officials announced that Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, had won 80% of the vote in Sunday’s election - a result that protesters denounced as rigged. During the four nights that followed, black-clad riot police detained thousands of largely peaceful demonstrators in Minsk and other cities after firing tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades. At least one person was killed.
The graphic descriptions of savage beatings and other abuse by police has brought tens of thousands into the streets of the Belarusian capital in the biggest challenge in his tenure.
Yegor Martinovich, an award-winning journalist and the editor of the popular Nasha Niva independent online newspaper, was among those detained in the crackdown and said he was beaten ferociously while in custody.
“They beat us all with truncheons and kicked us while putting us on and off police vehicles,” he told the AP. “They made us lie on the ground for half a day, our faces down. They were hounding us with dogs, insulting us and refusing to give us food. They had just one response to all of our pleas: ‘You’ve got your revolution!’”
Martinovich said several people in his cell were covered with bruises from being hit over and over.
“When the beaten people were suffering from thirst, a guard would give a bottle of tap water for all of us,” he said. “The authorities cracked down on peaceful protesters with all the repressive power of the authoritarian state, and the consequences of that could be unpredictable.”
As the jails filled quickly to capacity, police crammed more people into cells intended for only a few inmates.
Martinovich said he and 27 others were put in a cell intended for 12 people, and they had to take turns sleeping. When he was released, guards put in 10 more. Others at a Minsk jail said dozens of men and women were packed into cells intended for only two inmates.
Many others who were not taken into custody also were hurt.
Eduard Kukhterin, a 56-year-old publisher, was struck by rubber bullets in the back and arm while entering his apartment building near a street clash.
“A police bus arrived and those black-clad thugs jumped on the pavement and started firing at people as if it were a shooting range,” he said. “It looked like a horror movie, but it’s Belarus today.”
Kukhterin said he couldn’t go to a hospital for a bullet stuck in his arm because doctors warned him they would have to report it to police, who would detain him.
The national police chief later apologized to those who were targeted indiscriminately, and the Interior Ministry, which earlier shunned questions from anguished relatives trying to locate their loved ones, opened a hotline Friday.
Lukashenko blamed protesters for triggering the crackdown, saying some of them assaulted police, who were justified in their response.
Police also broke into apartments to seize protesters.
Stas Gorelik, who is working on a doctorate at George Washington University, was visiting his parents in Minsk when he was arrested by the Belarusian security agency, which still goes by its Soviet-era name, the KGB.
“Stas’ face was broken and blood was dripping down his face when they took him away,” said his father, Lev Gorelik, who went to the apartment where his 32-year-old son was staying with his girlfriend. “His pillow was also drenched in blood.”
He said they couldn’t find him for three days until they learned he was at a KGB jail, facing charges of organizing mass riots, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The KGB has denied Gorelik access to a lawyer.
“It’s hard to explain such brutality - he was only doing science and never engaged in activism or politics,” the anguished father said.
Human rights activists are preparing an appeal to the U.N. Committee Against Torture over the violence against protesters and the abusive treatment of detainees.
“All those detained were severely beaten before, during and after their arrest,” said Valiantsin Stefanovich of the Viasna rights center. “We have documented massive abuse and torture - they were drawing crosses on people’s backs with truncheon blows, they were forcing people to engage in mass prayers and making them crawl on the ground naked.”
“In 20 years of work as a human rights defender, I have never seen such abuses and humiliation,” he said, adding that “law enforcement agents have received a carte blanche for violence.”
By allowing the crackdown, observers say Lukashenko appears to have burned his bridges to the West and made himself entirely dependent on law enforcement agencies.
“The people from the KGB and other security agencies have played an increasingly important role in Lukashenko’s entourage, and they have been able to enforce their forceful scenario,” Stefanovich said. “And the longer it goes, the less clear it becomes who depends on whom.”
The U.S. and the European Union imposed some sanctions on Belarus in the early 2000s when Lukashenko earned the nickname of “Europe’s last dictator” by stifling dissent, but some were later lifted. Throughout his rule, he has tried to blackmail Russia, his main ally and sponsor, by appearing to reach out to the West to win more subsidies.
But EU foreign ministers again are taking the first steps toward sanctions in light of the post-election crackdown.
“This outburst of cruel and unmotivated violence has put Lukashenko back in the ‘Europe’s last dictator’ niche,” said Minsk-based independent analyst Alexander Klaskovsky. “The sanctions and the rising tensions inside the country will leave the president with very little room for maneuver.”
—
Mstyslav Chernov in Minsk contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Miami's Vizcaya seeks public donations

Miami's Vizcaya seeks public donations

MIAMI ( AP ) - The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has been a meeting place for presidents , a monarch and a pope .
But the Italianate villa and gardens have also been the backdrop for countless quinceañera and wedding portraits that grace many a Miami living room .
“ A lot of people have this perception of Vizcaya as this exclusive place , ” said Joel Hoffman , the museum ’ s executive director .
“ But it is and continues to be , a place for everyone.
” Construction at Vizcaya began in 1912 , when Maine industrialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his winter home .
Today the home and antique furnishings used for Deering ’ s lavish parties are preserved just as he left them .
But now the museum is in trouble .
It ’ s calling on the public to help keep it afloat through a COVID recovery fund launched Monday as the pandemic continues to ravage its budget .
Donors can contribute via the museum website , vizcaya.org .
The cancellation of weddings and corporate events , married with a downturn in visitation , have led to about $ 3 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 106-year-old building and 10 acres of gardens in need of continuous maintenance , Vizcaya is struggling to keep up with costs , Hoffman said .
Visitorship has plummeted to 25 % of pre-COVID days , axing the $ 4.5 million that previously came from ticket sales to a fraction .
In the 14 weeks the museum has been open since a two-month shutdown in March , it ’ s averaged 884 visitors per week - a dramatic decline from the 700 who visited daily last August .
An annual fundraising ball slated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time since the 1950s .
The 2021 edition of the annual March luncheon is up in the air .
Last year , both events together raised close to $ 800,000 .
To survive , the estate has dipped into reserves .
Though Miami-Dade County has owned the estate since 1952 , only about $ 2.5 million of its annual $ 12 million budget comes from the county .
Maintaining the expansive gardens costs $ 1 million alone .
Help has come in the form of grants including $ 1.1 million from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed the museum to avoid layoffs despite cutting salaries and a $ 190,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts .
Vizcaya is also among the more than 200 cultural institutions that will be eligible for $ 10 million in CARES Act funding that Miami-Dade County launched Wednesday to fund relief for the arts .
“ Everybody is in the same predicament , ” said Michael Spring , director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs .
“ We have hundreds of organizations in this situation.
” The dollar amount that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines of what institutions typically receive from the county .
It ’ s unclear how much will be designated to Vizcaya .
Grants can be used for expenses including staffing and utilities costs as well as costs linked to establishing platforms for online programming .
“ The trajectory for the arts community is going to be to downsize and then emerge rightsize , ” Spring said .
At Vizcaya , this means the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year was reduced from $ 12.4 to $ 8.8 million .
Cost-of-living increases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % to 32 % , and vacancies have been left open .
The museum is also slowing the pace of ambitious plans for the Vizcaya Village , which sits across from the estate and previously housed the Miami Science Museum .
Preserving the space would allow the museum to offer programming that they couldn ’ t do inside the main property with its antique interiors .
Classrooms and an urban garden now will be delayed .
“ I can ’ t overemphasize our goal that Vizcaya be an inclusive resource that addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoffman said .
From the stories of Bahamian immigrants who imported building techniques and helped construct the property to environmental and sustainability issues that affect the waterfront estate , Vizcaya ’ s relevance extends beyond the structure , Hoffman added .
In February Vizcaya hosted “ A Rich and Forgotten History of Black Coconut Grove ” as part of its Black Voices series of community discussions on the area ’ s early history .
A past exhibition focused on the lives of the estate ’ s domestic workers - the butlers , maids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lavish lifestyle possible and who also called the estate home .
Beyond that , the site has long been a popular attraction .
It ’ s where Pope John Paul II met with former President Ronald Reagan in 1987 .
It ’ s also where Queen Elizabeth II walked the grounds underneath a drizzle in 1991 .
“ It ’ s deeply embedded in the history of Miami , ” Hoffman said .

MIAMI (AP) - The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has been a meeting place for presidents, a monarch and a pope. But the Italianate villa and gardens have also been the backdrop for countless quinceañera and wedding portraits that grace many a Miami living room.
“A lot of people have this perception of Vizcaya as this exclusive place,” said Joel Hoffman, the museum’s executive director. “But it is and continues to be, a place for everyone.”
Construction at Vizcaya began in 1912, when Maine industrialist James Deering envisioned the bayfront estate as his winter home. Today the home and antique furnishings used for Deering’s lavish parties are preserved just as he left them. But now the museum is in trouble. It’s calling on the public to help keep it afloat through a COVID recovery fund launched Monday as the pandemic continues to ravage its budget. Donors can contribute via the museum website, vizcaya.org.
The cancellation of weddings and corporate events, married with a downturn in visitation, have led to about $3 million in lost revenue since March. With a 106-year-old building and 10 acres of gardens in need of continuous maintenance, Vizcaya is struggling to keep up with costs, Hoffman said.
Visitorship has plummeted to 25% of pre-COVID days, axing the $4.5 million that previously came from ticket sales to a fraction. In the 14 weeks the museum has been open since a two-month shutdown in March, it’s averaged 884 visitors per week - a dramatic decline from the 700 who visited daily last August.
An annual fundraising ball slated for the coming fall was canceled for the first time since the 1950s. The 2021 edition of the annual March luncheon is up in the air. Last year, both events together raised close to $800,000. To survive, the estate has dipped into reserves.
Though Miami-Dade County has owned the estate since 1952, only about $2.5 million of its annual $12 million budget comes from the county. Maintaining the expansive gardens costs $1 million alone.
Help has come in the form of grants including $1.1 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program that has allowed the museum to avoid layoffs despite cutting salaries and a $190,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Vizcaya is also among the more than 200 cultural institutions that will be eligible for $10 million in CARES Act funding that Miami-Dade County launched Wednesday to fund relief for the arts.
“Everybody is in the same predicament,” said Michael Spring, director of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. “We have hundreds of organizations in this situation.”
The dollar amount that institutions receive will be calibrated along the lines of what institutions typically receive from the county. It’s unclear how much will be designated to Vizcaya.
Grants can be used for expenses including staffing and utilities costs as well as costs linked to establishing platforms for online programming.
“The trajectory for the arts community is going to be to downsize and then emerge rightsize,” Spring said.
At Vizcaya, this means the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year was reduced from $12.4 to $8.8 million. Cost-of-living increases have been eliminated. Salaries were reduced by 10% to 32%, and vacancies have been left open.
The museum is also slowing the pace of ambitious plans for the Vizcaya Village, which sits across from the estate and previously housed the Miami Science Museum. Preserving the space would allow the museum to offer programming that they couldn’t do inside the main property with its antique interiors. Classrooms and an urban garden now will be delayed.
“I can’t overemphasize our goal that Vizcaya be an inclusive resource that addresses issues relevant to our community,” Hoffman said.
From the stories of Bahamian immigrants who imported building techniques and helped construct the property to environmental and sustainability issues that affect the waterfront estate, Vizcaya’s relevance extends beyond the structure, Hoffman added.
In February Vizcaya hosted “A Rich and Forgotten History of Black Coconut Grove” as part of its Black Voices series of community discussions on the area’s early history. A past exhibition focused on the lives of the estate’s domestic workers - the butlers, maids and others who made Deering’s lavish lifestyle possible and who also called the estate home.
Beyond that, the site has long been a popular attraction. It’s where Pope John Paul II met with former President Ronald Reagan in 1987. It’s also where Queen Elizabeth II walked the grounds underneath a drizzle in 1991.
“It’s deeply embedded in the history of Miami,” Hoffman said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--New Fat Albert model makes last service stop before debut

PENSACOLA , Fla. ( AP ) - When U.S. Marine Corps Capt .
Rick Rose took the new C-130 J Super Hercules “ Fat Albert ” model into the skies of Cambridge , England , for its first check flight July 20 , the pilot said he was quite simply blown away .
Fourteen months of work put into prepping the new “ Bert ” for its second life as a logistical support and flight demonstration aircraft was executed to perfection , Rose said , something he recognized quickly after bringing up the wheels .
“ One of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve ever done , ” Rose told the News Journal .
“ I was the functional check pilot for the aircraft and I ’ ve picked up more than a few planes for different levels of maintenance to do check flights with , but when I picked this plane up , I couldn ’ t believe how well it ran from the start .
Incredible plane , incredible aircraft .
It works flawlessly.
” The Blue Angels purchased what is now the new Fat Albert from the British Royal Air Force in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PM207 to Lockead Martin to Marshall , the contract company that specializes in C-130 engineering projects - have had a hand in getting Bert to full functionality .
The aircraft is now in Fort Worth , Texas , and is extremely close to its Pensacola debut .
“ They stripped this plane down and went from the nose of the aircraft all the way to the tail and took apart everything on this plan , ” Rose explained .
“ Took the wings off , stripped off the paint and went through it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure everything looks good , and then put it back together.
” Check flights were conducted July 20 and 28 , paving the way for Fat Albert ’ s Aug. 4 transport flight to the U.S. Bert is currently at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas to undergo a cyclical engine inspection that must take place every 840 days .
Fat Albert ’ s eight-person Marine Corps crew is also spending time in Fort Worth to learn from some of the best in the business as the Bert crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aircraft heading into the 2021 Blue Angels air show season and beyond .
“ We ’ re still working on getting our full complement of Marines to be on their own within the Blue Angels , and to be able to maintain this aircraft properly , ” Rose said .
“ We have an incredible maintenance crew , but they ’ re still working through their qualifications right now to make sure they are safe for flight and that they can work on the plane themselves.
” Rose couldn ’ t pinpoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imminent cross-country trip to Pensacola , but ensured flight fans that it ’ s coming soon .
“ We ’ re all eager to get back home and get Bert where it belongs , ” Rose said .
“ If all the inspections go well we should be there pretty shortly .
Things could change depending on how the inspections go , but we ’ re not thinking it takes too long.
” COMPARING THE FORMER C-130T TO THE NEW C-130J FAT ALBERT : WHAT ’ S DIFFERENT , NEW AND NOTICEABLE ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the now-retired C-130T Fat Albert , which had flown with the Blues for 17 years and accumulated more than 30,000 flight hours .
On Friday , Rose broke down the performance and cosmetic differences of the two models , starting with the much-discussed new paint job .
“ We kind of wanted to go with something different so you could tell it was a different aircraft , a newer aircraft , ” Rose said , about the paint scheme .
The new Bert has yellow tips on the wings , two stripes down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on top .
“ It ’ s definitely different from the older models , and also , it goes along with the jets a little bit more , ” he said .
“ It matches them.
” “ Those new props provide up to 20 % more thrust compared to the old models , ” Rose said .
“ That ’ s one of the biggest upgrades on the plane .
You can definitely tell when we fly that plane , and when we were testing it out in England .
It wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t take up a whole lot of runway but comparing the performance between the two , it flies like a whole ’ nother aircraft , really.
” Replacing the former Allison-powered engine of past models is the C-130J ’ s new Rolls Royce AE-2100 engines .
“ Those are what the fleet Marine Corps uses in their J models , ” Rose said .
“ The engine and the props provide a huge amount of performance difference.
” As opposed to the old T model , which forced pilots to look down through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Albert ’ s heads-up display makes for a more convenient flying experience ; the pilots ’ eyes don ’ t need to refocus to look at the outside of the aircraft rather than looking down at their instrumentation .
“ The heads-up display is kind of like a projector that provides everything on a piece of glass right in front of your face , ” Rose said .
“ All of the information is right there in front of your face .
So that ’ ll help a lot in the long run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the demos.
” All instrumentation for the pilots is on glass screens .
The old steam dials that were in the T model are gone , Rose said .
“ Another great upgrade , ” he said .
“ It kind of goes along with modern aviation with normal cockpits nowadays.
” Once Bert runs through its final rounds of maintenance and testing in August in Fort Worth , it will make its long awaited arrival in Pensacola , an event Rose said should be emotional for a lot of the folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point it ’ s at today .
“ It ’ s been a long time coming to get this plane back to Pensacola and there have been a lot of people that have put their heart and soul into this aircraft in getting it ready to go , ” Rose said .
“ From the people way up top in the Marine Corps and Navy to get this purchased in the first place , exploring options and thinking outside the box with how we ’ re going to get the Blue Angels a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that to get the ball rolling because it could have easily been a ‘ no ’ from someone saying it was too difficult to get this to happen.
” Rose went on .
“ I ’ m just very grateful for people exploring different options .
We went with the purchase with England , awesome partnership with that country , and then it also provides a really cool story for us .
And then on top of all the other people involved , the organizations that put hard work into getting it up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
It ’ s just been an awesome experience .
”

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - When U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Rick Rose took the new C-130 J Super Hercules “Fat Albert” model into the skies of Cambridge, England, for its first check flight July 20, the pilot said he was quite simply blown away.
Fourteen months of work put into prepping the new “Bert” for its second life as a logistical support and flight demonstration aircraft was executed to perfection, Rose said, something he recognized quickly after bringing up the wheels.
“One of the most successful, functional check flights I’ve ever done,” Rose told the News Journal. “I was the functional check pilot for the aircraft and I’ve picked up more than a few planes for different levels of maintenance to do check flights with, but when I picked this plane up, I couldn’t believe how well it ran from the start. Incredible plane, incredible aircraft. It works flawlessly.”
The Blue Angels purchased what is now the new Fat Albert from the British Royal Air Force in June 2019. Countless organizations - from NAVAIR PM207 to Lockead Martin to Marshall, the contract company that specializes in C-130 engineering projects - have had a hand in getting Bert to full functionality.
The aircraft is now in Fort Worth, Texas, and is extremely close to its Pensacola debut.
“They stripped this plane down and went from the nose of the aircraft all the way to the tail and took apart everything on this plan,” Rose explained. “Took the wings off, stripped off the paint and went through it, bolt by bolt, to make sure everything looks good, and then put it back together.”
Check flights were conducted July 20 and 28, paving the way for Fat Albert’s Aug. 4 transport flight to the U.S. Bert is currently at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas to undergo a cyclical engine inspection that must take place every 840 days.
Fat Albert’s eight-person Marine Corps crew is also spending time in Fort Worth to learn from some of the best in the business as the Bert crew prepares to permanently take the reins of the aircraft heading into the 2021 Blue Angels air show season and beyond.
“We’re still working on getting our full complement of Marines to be on their own within the Blue Angels, and to be able to maintain this aircraft properly,” Rose said. “We have an incredible maintenance crew, but they’re still working through their qualifications right now to make sure they are safe for flight and that they can work on the plane themselves.”
Rose couldn’t pinpoint a date for Fat Albert’s imminent cross-country trip to Pensacola, but ensured flight fans that it’s coming soon.
“We’re all eager to get back home and get Bert where it belongs,” Rose said. “If all the inspections go well we should be there pretty shortly. Things could change depending on how the inspections go, but we’re not thinking it takes too long.”
COMPARING THE FORMER C-130T TO THE NEW C-130J FAT ALBERT: WHAT’S DIFFERENT, NEW AND NOTICEABLE?
The new Super Hercules is tagging out the now-retired C-130T Fat Albert, which had flown with the Blues for 17 years and accumulated more than 30,000 flight hours.
On Friday, Rose broke down the performance and cosmetic differences of the two models, starting with the much-discussed new paint job.
PAINT JPB
“We kind of wanted to go with something different so you could tell it was a different aircraft, a newer aircraft,” Rose said, about the paint scheme.
The new Bert has yellow tips on the wings, two stripes down the side and a new white teardrop on top.
“It’s definitely different from the older models, and also, it goes along with the jets a little bit more,” he said. “It matches them.”
SIX-BLADED PROPELLER
“Those new props provide up to 20% more thrust compared to the old models,” Rose said. “That’s one of the biggest upgrades on the plane. You can definitely tell when we fly that plane, and when we were testing it out in England. It wants to go flying. It doesn’t take up a whole lot of runway but comparing the performance between the two, it flies like a whole ’nother aircraft, really.”
ROLLS ROYCE ENGINE
Replacing the former Allison-powered engine of past models is the C-130J’s new Rolls Royce AE-2100 engines.
“Those are what the fleet Marine Corps uses in their J models,” Rose said. “The engine and the props provide a huge amount of performance difference.”
INTERNAL HEADS-UP DISPLAY
As opposed to the old T model, which forced pilots to look down through the front window, the new Fat Albert’s heads-up display makes for a more convenient flying experience; the pilots’ eyes don’t need to refocus to look at the outside of the aircraft rather than looking down at their instrumentation.
“The heads-up display is kind of like a projector that provides everything on a piece of glass right in front of your face,” Rose said. “All of the information is right there in front of your face. So that’ll help a lot in the long run, especially when it comes time to do the demos.”
ALL-GLASS COCKPIT
All instrumentation for the pilots is on glass screens. The old steam dials that were in the T model are gone, Rose said.
“Another great upgrade,” he said. “It kind of goes along with modern aviation with normal cockpits nowadays.”
COMING HOME TO PENSACOLA
Once Bert runs through its final rounds of maintenance and testing in August in Fort Worth, it will make its long awaited arrival in Pensacola, an event Rose said should be emotional for a lot of the folks who helped get the aircraft to the point it’s at today.
“It’s been a long time coming to get this plane back to Pensacola and there have been a lot of people that have put their heart and soul into this aircraft in getting it ready to go,” Rose said. “From the people way up top in the Marine Corps and Navy to get this purchased in the first place, exploring options and thinking outside the box with how we’re going to get the Blue Angels a C-130.
“It took people like that to get the ball rolling because it could have easily been a ‘no’ from someone saying it was too difficult to get this to happen.” Rose went on. “I’m just very grateful for people exploring different options. We went with the purchase with England, awesome partnership with that country, and then it also provides a really cool story for us. And then on top of all the other people involved, the organizations that put hard work into getting it up and running in a timely experience for us. It’s just been an awesome experience.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--15-year-old in Georgia second-youngest to die of coronavirus

ATLANTA ( AP ) - A 15-year-old boy in metro Atlanta has died from complications caused by COVID-19 , making @ @ @ @ @ die from the virus in Georgia , according to state health officials .
The Georgia @ @ @ @ @ the Gwinnett County teenager had no underlying conditions , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ or where the teenager contracted the virus .
A spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of @ @ @ @ @ details would be released .
Gwinnett County has had the second most infections in the @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases .
His death comes after many Georgia school districts reopened for in-person classes @ @ @ @ @ 80 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus after only two weeks since schools districts reopened @ @ @ @ @ total of 1,106 students and employees have needed to quarantine .
The youngest confirmed death @ @ @ @ @ was a 7-year-old boy from Savannah .
Officials say he was not believed to have @ @ @ @ @ .

ATLANTA (AP) - A 15-year-old boy in metro Atlanta has died from complications caused by COVID-19, making him the second-youngest individual to die from the virus in Georgia, according to state health officials.
The Georgia Department of Public Health said the Gwinnett County teenager had no underlying conditions, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Saturday.
Officials did not say when or where the teenager contracted the virus. A spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Public Health said no additional details would be released.
Gwinnett County has had the second most infections in the state with more than 21,400 confirmed cases.
His death comes after many Georgia school districts reopened for in-person classes. Cherokee County has reported 80 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus after only two weeks since schools districts reopened. School officials say a total of 1,106 students and employees have needed to quarantine.
The youngest confirmed death caused by COVID-19 in Georgia was a 7-year-old boy from Savannah. Officials say he was not believed to have had any preexisting conditions either.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Kamala Harris stands far left of true American principles

Sen. Kamala Harris favors higher taxes on businesses , higher taxes on higher-income earners and social justice — that last , a catchall phrase that gives her carte blanche to press progressive policy into every hot button issue of the day , from the environment to coronavirus stimulus disbursements to housing to education .
She ’ s a far leftist , all right .
But she comes at a time in history when words like “ socialism ” and “ collectivism ” don ’ t carry the same negative connotations they once did , and economic descriptors like “ capitalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold as code for unfair , unjust , racist even .
That makes her dangerous .
So do her many flip-flops of recent months .
At first a Bernie Sanders-like believer in “ Medicare for All , ” Harris , from the presidential campaign trail , later watered and pressed a more hybrid version that didn ’ t completely kill the private insurance market .
At first a critic of legalized marijuana , Harris , in a 2018 tweet , announced support for Sen. Cory Booker ’ s Marijuana Justice Act “ making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At first a willing partner with federal immigration and drug enforcement officials , Harris , in 2018 , compared ICE to the Ku Klux Klan .
At first a staunch supporter of the women — the many women — who accused Joe Biden of sexual harassment , saying at a campaign event in 2019 that she “ believe [ d ] them ” and “ respect [ ed ] them being about to tell their story and having the courage to do it , ” Harris , now , is a staunch supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # MeToo , with a twist .
Would the real Kamala Harris please stand up ?
Harris , like many politicians — from both parties , too — is undoubtedly opportunistic and ambitious .
But it ’ s her combined unprincipled far leftist views that set her apart from the average political bear .
If Biden is the candidate who can ’ t put together a coherent sentence , Harris is the pit bull prosecutor who will stop at nothing to take advantage of his weakness to steamroll her progressive-to-the-point-of-socialist policies into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social justice warrior who ’ s just been handed , via the VP ticket , one of the largest , most influential platforms America has to offer .
“ Let ’ s speak the truth , ” she told Cosmopolitan in June .
“ People are protesting because Black people have been treated as less than human in America .
Because our country has never fully addressed the system racism that has plagued our country since its earliest days.
” “ Student loan relief for Pell Grant recipients is just one component of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Black entrepreneurs , ” she wrote on Twitter in July , 2019 .
It ’ s a world view that promotes victimhood , not personal accountability .
And frankly , that ’ s not American .
Social justice , racial justice , criminal justice reform — these are action calls that have been commonly used by leftists to further the designs of Big Government while circumventing the limits of the Constitution .
Think about it .
If the case can be made that the primary reason Blacks , say , end up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than personal choice , well then , the whole criminal justice system becomes cause for suspicion .
It becomes incumbent on government to make it fair .
So , too , with housing , with education , with access to clean air and clear water , with job opportunities , with health care — if these are all seen as matters that are unequally doled and distributed to some , at the expense and unfair labors of others , then once again , it ’ s Big Government to the rescue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ step in and serve as the social justice reformer .
Her flip-flops are problematic .
It ’ s her political focus on pretend and fabricated disparities that makes her a real threat to America , though .
America ’ s founding and governing documents aren ’ t inherently racist , inherently unjust ; rather , they open up opportunities for all to shine , based on individual drive , motivation , persistence and determination .
But Harris doesn ’ t represent the Constitution , the concept of limited government or the idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll use her soft and squishy social justice phraseology to fundamentally change the shape of America so that citizens ’ rights mean only what the government decides , allows and bestows .
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at [ email protected ] or on Twitter , @ ckchumley .
Listen to her podcast “ Bold and Blunt ” by clicking HERE .
And never miss her column ; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE .

OPINION:
Sen. Kamala Harris favors higher taxes on businesses, higher taxes on higher-income earners and social justice — that last, a catchall phrase that gives her carte blanche to press progressive policy into every hot button issue of the day, from the environment to coronavirus stimulus disbursements to housing to education.
She’s a far leftist, all right.
But she comes at a time in history when words like “socialism” and “collectivism” don’t carry the same negative connotations they once did, and economic descriptors like “capitalism” and “free market” are sold as code for unfair, unjust, racist even.
That makes her dangerous. So do her many flip-flops of recent months. At first a Bernie Sanders-like believer in “Medicare for All,” Harris, from the presidential campaign trail, later watered and pressed a more hybrid version that didn’t completely kill the private insurance market.
At first a critic of legalized marijuana, Harris, in a 2018 tweet, announced support for Sen. Cory Booker’s Marijuana Justice Act “making marijuana legal at the federal level.”
At first a willing partner with federal immigration and drug enforcement officials, Harris, in 2018, compared ICE to the Ku Klux Klan.
At first a staunch supporter of the women — the many women — who accused Joe Biden of sexual harassment, saying at a campaign event in 2019 that she “believe[d] them” and “respect[ed] them being about to tell their story and having the courage to do it,” Harris, now, is a staunch supporter of Joe Biden. It’s #MeToo, with a twist.
Would the real Kamala Harris please stand up?
Harris, like many politicians — from both parties, too — is undoubtedly opportunistic and ambitious. But it’s her combined unprincipled far leftist views that set her apart from the average political bear.
If Biden is the candidate who can’t put together a coherent sentence, Harris is the pit bull prosecutor who will stop at nothing to take advantage of his weakness to steamroll her progressive-to-the-point-of-socialist policies into the White House. She’s a social justice warrior who’s just been handed, via the VP ticket, one of the largest, most influential platforms America has to offer.
“Let’s speak the truth,” she told Cosmopolitan in June. “People are protesting because Black people have been treated as less than human in America. Because our country has never fully addressed the system racism that has plagued our country since its earliest days.”
“Student loan relief for Pell Grant recipients is just one component of our plan to reduce the opportunity gap for Black entrepreneurs,” she wrote on Twitter in July, 2019.
It’s a world view that promotes victimhood, not personal accountability. And frankly, that’s not American.
Social justice, racial justice, criminal justice reform — these are action calls that have been commonly used by leftists to further the designs of Big Government while circumventing the limits of the Constitution. Think about it. If the case can be made that the primary reason Blacks, say, end up in jail is because of unfair policing rather than personal choice, well then, the whole criminal justice system becomes cause for suspicion. It becomes incumbent on government to make it fair. So, too, with housing, with education, with access to clean air and clear water, with job opportunities, with health care — if these are all seen as matters that are unequally doled and distributed to some, at the expense and unfair labors of others, then once again, it’s Big Government to the rescue.
It’s Big Government who must step in and serve as the social justice reformer.
That’s Kamala Harris, in a nutshell.
Her flip-flops are problematic. It’s her political focus on pretend and fabricated disparities that makes her a real threat to America, though.
America’s founding and governing documents aren’t inherently racist, inherently unjust; rather, they open up opportunities for all to shine, based on individual drive, motivation, persistence and determination.
But Harris doesn’t represent the Constitution, the concept of limited government or the idea of individual over collective rights. And she’ll use her soft and squishy social justice phraseology to fundamentally change the shape of America so that citizens’ rights mean only what the government decides, allows and bestows.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Five dead, including three children, in Texas vehicle crash

CRANE , Texas ( AP ) - Officials say five people were killed - including three young children - in @ @ @ @ @ Texas .
The Texas Department of Public Safety said 23-year-old Bailey Nisbet was driving a @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Highway 385 early Friday morning when it drifted into the northbound lane and struck @ @ @ @ @ said Nisbet , of Baytown , and the driver of the pickup truck , Carl @ @ @ @ @ McCamey , were both killed , as were the three children riding in Nisbet ’ @ @ @ @ @ happened just south of Crane , which is about 30 miles ( 48 kilometers ) @ @ @ @ @ identified the children who died as 5-year-old Kimber Nisbet , 3-year-old Kamberee Nisbet and 11-month-old @ @ @ @ @ Baytown .
DPS said the weather was clear at the time of the accident .
@ @ @ @ @ investigated .

CRANE, Texas (AP) - Officials say five people were killed - including three young children - in a vehicle collision in West Texas.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said 23-year-old Bailey Nisbet was driving a sport utility vehicle south on U.S. Highway 385 early Friday morning when it drifted into the northbound lane and struck a pickup truck.
Officials said Nisbet, of Baytown, and the driver of the pickup truck, Carl Rice, 67, of McCamey, were both killed, as were the three children riding in Nisbet’s vehicle.
The accident happened just south of Crane, which is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of Odessa.
Officials identified the children who died as 5-year-old Kimber Nisbet, 3-year-old Kamberee Nisbet and 11-month-old Kasen Nisbet, all of Baytown.
DPS said the weather was clear at the time of the accident. The crash is still being investigated.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Rains in central Virginia cause road closings, evacuations

CHESTERFIELD , Va. ( AP ) - Several inches of rain fell in parts of central Virginia on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ to traffic and leading one county to evacuate residents downstream from a dam .
By @ @ @ @ @ ’ s police , fire and emergency medical services were evacuating homes downstream from the @ @ @ @ @ of Richmond .
A high school was being opened as a shelter .
The water @ @ @ @ @ at over 100 feet just before 6 p.m. , according to a news release .
@ @ @ @ @ t immediately have information about the extent of the threat of a dam spillover .
@ @ @ @ @ posted on Saturday night several flash flood warnings and watches for counties in eastern Virginia @ @ @ @ @

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (AP) - Several inches of rain fell in parts of central Virginia on Saturday, causing floodwaters that closed roads to traffic and leading one county to evacuate residents downstream from a dam.
Chesterfield County authorities declared a state of emergency on Saturday afternoon.
By early evening, the county’s police, fire and emergency medical services were evacuating homes downstream from the Falling Creek Dam, south of Richmond. A high school was being opened as a shelter.
The water level above the dam was at over 100 feet just before 6 p.m., according to a news release. A county spokeperson didn’t immediately have information about the extent of the threat of a dam spillover.
The National Weather Service had posted on Saturday night several flash flood warnings and watches for counties in eastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Israel strikes Gaza targets after arson balloons launched

GAZA CITY , Gaza Strip ( AP ) - Israeli aircraft bombed several sites belonging to the militant Hamas group in the Gaza Strip for a fifth night in a row , the Israeli military said early Sunday .
Shortly after that announcement , the military said Palestinian militants in Gaza fired two rockets into southern Israel that were intercepted by aerial defense systems .
There were no immediate reports of injuries .
The military said the airstrikes were in response to arson balloons that Hamas-affiliated groups sent across the Gaza frontier into Israeli territory .
The balloons have caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent days .
On Saturday , dozens of Palestinians took part in nighttime protests along the Gaza-Israel perimeter fence .
The military said the protesters “ burned tires , hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it.
” TheGaza health ministry said two demonstrators were wounded by Israeli gunfire .
Israel shouldered Hamas , which rules Gaza , the responsibility for all violent acts from the Palestinian territory .
After months of calm reinforced by the coronavirus pandemic , the Gaza-Israel frontier has turned volatile over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior Hamas official , accused Israel on Saturday of not honoring an informal truce to ease the blockade it has imposed on Gaza since Hamas took it over in 2007 .
He told Hamas ’ al-Aqsa TV that the Palestinian people in Gaza were experiencing “ slow death ” by the blockade .
“ The zone of confrontation with the enemy is expanding day after day in response to its continued aggression , ” he said .
He said Egyptian mediators were expected to visit the region to discuss reinforcing the truce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israeli aircraft bombed several sites belonging to the militant Hamas group in the Gaza Strip for a fifth night in a row, the Israeli military said early Sunday.
Shortly after that announcement, the military said Palestinian militants in Gaza fired two rockets into southern Israel that were intercepted by aerial defense systems. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The military said the airstrikes were in response to arson balloons that Hamas-affiliated groups sent across the Gaza frontier into Israeli territory. The balloons have caused dozens of fires that burned Israeli farmland in recent days.
On Saturday, dozens of Palestinians took part in nighttime protests along the Gaza-Israel perimeter fence. The military said the protesters “burned tires, hurled explosive devices and grenades towards the security fence and attempted to approach it.”
TheGaza health ministry said two demonstrators were wounded by Israeli gunfire.
Israel shouldered Hamas, which rules Gaza, the responsibility for all violent acts from the Palestinian territory.
After months of calm reinforced by the coronavirus pandemic, the Gaza-Israel frontier has turned volatile over the past week.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, accused Israel on Saturday of not honoring an informal truce to ease the blockade it has imposed on Gaza since Hamas took it over in 2007.
He told Hamas’ al-Aqsa TV that the Palestinian people in Gaza were experiencing “slow death” by the blockade. “The zone of confrontation with the enemy is expanding day after day in response to its continued aggression,” he said.
He said Egyptian mediators were expected to visit the region to discuss reinforcing the truce, but no timing has been set.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Arkansas reports 851 new COVID-19 cases, 14 more deaths

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Arkansas on Saturday reported 851 new cases of the coronavirus and 14 additional deaths .
Meanwhile , the state ’ s total number of cases dropped Saturday from the day before after people who were tested in Arkansas but identified as residents of other states were removed , Dr. Austin Porter , the Arkansas Department of Health ’ s deputy chief science officer , told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette .
He said the state recently contracted with a third-party vendor to clean up its coronavirus data .
On Saturday , the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic was listed as 51,992 , a decrease of 400 compared to 52,392 on Friday .
The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The 14 additional deaths put the state ’ s total at 600 .
Health department spokesman Gavin Lesnick told the newspaper that one previously reported death was removed from Friday ’ s total of 587 for being a duplicate or out-of-state resident .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arkansas high school football stadiums will be limited to two-thirds capacity because of the coronavirus .
Under new rules he issued for school sports venues , spectators at school sports venues will have to keep a 6-foot distance between each other and will have to wear a mask if they ’ re at least 10 years old .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas on Saturday reported 851 new cases of the coronavirus and 14 additional deaths.
Meanwhile, the state’s total number of cases dropped Saturday from the day before after people who were tested in Arkansas but identified as residents of other states were removed, Dr. Austin Porter, the Arkansas Department of Health’s deputy chief science officer, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
He said the state recently contracted with a third-party vendor to clean up its coronavirus data.
On Saturday, the state’s total number cases since the start of the pandemic was listed as 51,992, a decrease of 400 compared to 52,392 on Friday.
The true number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The 14 additional deaths put the state’s total at 600. Health department spokesman Gavin Lesnick told the newspaper that one previously reported death was removed from Friday’s total of 587 for being a duplicate or out-of-state resident.
On Friday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Arkansas high school football stadiums will be limited to two-thirds capacity because of the coronavirus. Under new rules he issued for school sports venues, spectators at school sports venues will have to keep a 6-foot distance between each other and will have to wear a mask if they’re at least 10 years old.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia and death.
‘


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--2 arrested in Des Moines after stolen vehicle pursuit

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - Two people were arrested Saturday in Des Moines after fleeing from police @ @ @ @ @ taking refuge in a house with one of their children inside , authorities say .
@ @ @ @ @ Sgt .
Paul Parizek said the car was reported stolen 9 a.m .
The owner @ @ @ @ @ leading to a chase on Interstate 235 , The Des Moines Register reports .
Police @ @ @ @ @ to reckless driving .
But Parizek said someone spotted the vehicle coming back into the @ @ @ @ @ it was abandoned .
The two suspects then ran into a nearby home , where @ @ @ @ @ of the suspects wasn ’ t allowed to leave for about an hour .
The @ @ @ @ @ custody around 12:30 p.m .

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Two people were arrested Saturday in Des Moines after fleeing from police in a stolen car and taking refuge in a house with one of their children inside, authorities say.
Des Moines Police Department spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek said the car was reported stolen 9 a.m. The owner later spotted the vehicle, leading to a chase on Interstate 235, The Des Moines Register reports.
Police called off the pursuit due to reckless driving. But Parizek said someone spotted the vehicle coming back into the city and followed it until it was abandoned. The two suspects then ran into a nearby home, where the 13-year-old child of one of the suspects wasn’t allowed to leave for about an hour.
The two suspects were taken into custody around 12:30 p.m.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Fuel leaks from generator at Charleston wastewater plant

CHARLESTON , S.C. ( AP ) - More than 3,000 gallons of fuel leaked from a generator at a wastewater treatment plant on James Island Saturday , with some of it getting into the surrounding marsh , a water system spokesman said .
Wastewater workers noticed the leak early in the morning and called in contractors to help clean up the spill , Charleston Water System spokesman Mike Saia told The Post and Courier newspaper .
More than 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel have been documented as missing from the backup generator where the pump control failed at the Plum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t sure how much of it got into the water , Saia said .
Andrew Wunderley of Charleston Waterkeeper said that floodwater and high tides could quickly wash any fuel that remained on land into the marshes .
That could affect the wildlife in the marshes .
“ It ’ s hard to know exactly what ’ s going to happen because it ’ s so dynamic , ” Wunderley said .
“ The marsh in that area doesn ’ t look healthy ; it ’ s bare , brown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be quick .
Hopefully the cleanup is thorough.
” Water system employees notified the federal Environmental Protection Agency .
State Department of Health and Environmental Control spokeswoman Laura Renwick said that agency and the Coast Guard will monitor the cleanup process .
Operations at the system ’ s main wastewater treatment plant haven ’ t been affected by the spill , Saia said .

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - More than 3,000 gallons of fuel leaked from a generator at a wastewater treatment plant on James Island Saturday, with some of it getting into the surrounding marsh, a water system spokesman said.
Wastewater workers noticed the leak early in the morning and called in contractors to help clean up the spill, Charleston Water System spokesman Mike Saia told The Post and Courier newspaper.
More than 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel have been documented as missing from the backup generator where the pump control failed at the Plum Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, but they aren’t sure how much of it got into the water, Saia said.
Andrew Wunderley of Charleston Waterkeeper said that floodwater and high tides could quickly wash any fuel that remained on land into the marshes. That could affect the wildlife in the marshes.
“It’s hard to know exactly what’s going to happen because it’s so dynamic,” Wunderley said. “The marsh in that area doesn’t look healthy; it’s bare, brown, kind of thin … but hopefully it’ll be quick. Hopefully the cleanup is thorough.”
Water system employees notified the federal Environmental Protection Agency. State Department of Health and Environmental Control spokeswoman Laura Renwick said that agency and the Coast Guard will monitor the cleanup process.
Operations at the system’s main wastewater treatment plant haven’t been affected by the spill, Saia said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Gorge wildfire destroys 11 homes; crews battle rising temps

MOSIER , Ore. ( AP ) - Authorities said Saturday a wildfire burning in the scenic Columbia River Gorge has burned 11 homes , with hundreds more threatened .
Crews worked to reinforce breaks around the perimeter of the fire burning near Mosier , Oregon , which is between Hood River and The Dalles along Interstate 84 .
The fire was 30 percent contained Saturday and had not grown much , but officials fretted rising temperatures and shifting winds could worsen the blaze .
About 900 people had been evacuated from 400 homes .
A hotel in The Dalles was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier disclosed that four structures , including two homes , had burned .
But further assessment conducted on Friday revealed that 11 homes had been destroyed - two of them unoccupied - as well as two commercial buildings and 18 outbuildings .
Authorities scheduled a virtual community meeting with residents Saturday afternoon to discuss the fire response .
Christie Shaw , a spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Forestry , said the fire started as crews were mopping up another blaze in the same area .
She said winds caused the Mosier Creek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and air tanker crews were working the blaze , with extreme heat forecast this weekend .
The expected was expected to approach triple-digits by Sunday .

MOSIER, Ore. (AP) - Authorities said Saturday a wildfire burning in the scenic Columbia River Gorge has burned 11 homes, with hundreds more threatened.
Meanwhile in central Oregon people in hundreds of homes and at least three mobile home parks were told evacuate immediately Saturday evening because of a wildfire. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office issued the order. It was immediately clear how big the blaze was.
Earlier in the day in the Gorge, crews worked to reinforce breaks around the perimeter of the fire burning near Mosier, Oregon, which is between Hood River and The Dalles along Interstate 84.
The fire was 30 percent contained Saturday and had not grown much, but officials fretted rising temperatures and shifting winds could worsen the blaze. About 900 people had been evacuated from 400 homes. A hotel in The Dalles was available as a shelter.
Officials had earlier disclosed that four structures, including two homes, had burned. But further assessment conducted on Friday revealed that 11 homes had been destroyed - two of them unoccupied - as well as two commercial buildings and 18 outbuildings.
Authorities scheduled a virtual community meeting with residents Saturday afternoon to discuss the fire response.
Christie Shaw, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said the fire started as crews were mopping up another blaze in the same area. She said winds caused the Mosier Creek fire to spread.
Ground, helicopter and air tanker crews were working the blaze, with extreme heat forecast this weekend. The expected was expected to approach triple-digits by Sunday.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--New Mexico adds 146 more virus cases, 8 additional deaths

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico on Saturday reported 146 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths , increasing the state ’ s totals to 23,302 cases and 711 deaths .
Over half of the state ’ s newly reported cases occurred in five counties - Bernalillo ( 19 ) , Dona Ana ( 17 ) , Eddy ( 12 ) , Lea ( 14 ) and McKinley ( 17 .
The additional deaths involved people from five counties - Bernalillo ( 2 ) , Cibola , Dona Ana ( 3 ) , Eddy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University data analyzed by The Associated Press , the 7-day rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths in New Mexico dropped over the past two weeks .
The new case average went from 318 on July 31 to 173 on Aug. 14 , while the deaths average went from 5.5 on July 31 to 4 on Aug. 14 .
The Navajo Nation , which sprawls across New Mexico , Arizona and Utah , reported 11 new cases Saturday and no new deaths .
The huge reservation has a total of 9,423 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested .
Studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough 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 , including pneumonia , and death .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico on Saturday reported 146 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths, increasing the state’s totals to 23,302 cases and 711 deaths.
Over half of the state’s newly reported cases occurred in five counties - Bernalillo (19), Dona Ana (17), Eddy (12), Lea (14) and McKinley (17.
The additional deaths involved people from five counties - Bernalillo (2), Cibola, Dona Ana (3), Eddy and Rio Arribas.
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press, the 7-day rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths in New Mexico dropped over the past two weeks. The new case average went from 318 on July 31 to 173 on Aug. 14, while the deaths average went from 5.5 on July 31 to 4 on Aug. 14.
The Navajo Nation, which sprawls across New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, reported 11 new cases Saturday and no new deaths. The huge reservation has a total of 9,423 cases and 478 deaths.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested. Studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough 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, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Rolls-Royce closing Virginia jet parts plant where  280 work

PRINCE GEORGE , Va. ( AP ) - Rolls-Royce will close its aircraft parts factory in central Virginia by the middle of next year , throwing 280 people out of work , the company confirmed on Saturday .
The closing is the result of the decline in global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic , the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported .
There had already been 120 layoffs at the plant in June .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a historic collapse in civil aviation which will take several years to recover .
As a result , we ’ ve had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect the future of our business , ” Rolls-Royce North America spokesman Don Campbell said in a statement .
British-based Rolls-Royce has its North American headquarters in northern Virginia .
The factory opened in 2011 in an office park in Prince George County , about 40 miles ( 64 kilometers ) southeast of Richmond .
The plant makes precision aircraft components such as rotative discs and turbine blades , the newspaper said .
Workers were told about the plant closing on Friday , which could have a ripple effect on the central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plant ’ s construction was announced in 2007 .
The state provided an incentives package worth $ 57 million , most of it linked to employment and investment targets that the company would have to meet over 16 years .
The plant initially was supposed to test and assemble components for corporate jets , but the Great Recession led Rolls-Royce to change its plans .
Then-President Barack Obama visited the plant in 2012 to talk up his proposal of a network of U.S. research centers to foster manufacturing competitiveness .

PRINCE GEORGE, Va. (AP) - Rolls-Royce will close its aircraft parts factory in central Virginia by the middle of next year, throwing 280 people out of work, the company confirmed on Saturday.
The closing is the result of the decline in global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. There had already been 120 layoffs at the plant in June.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a historic collapse in civil aviation which will take several years to recover. As a result, we’ve had to make difficult, but necessary, decisions to protect the future of our business,” Rolls-Royce North America spokesman Don Campbell said in a statement. British-based Rolls-Royce has its North American headquarters in northern Virginia.
The factory opened in 2011 in an office park in Prince George County, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southeast of Richmond. The plant makes precision aircraft components such as rotative discs and turbine blades, the newspaper said.
Workers were told about the plant closing on Friday, which could have a ripple effect on the central Virginia economy as factory suppliers lose business.
The plant’s construction was announced in 2007. The state provided an incentives package worth $57 million, most of it linked to employment and investment targets that the company would have to meet over 16 years.
The plant initially was supposed to test and assemble components for corporate jets, but the Great Recession led Rolls-Royce to change its plans.
Then-President Barack Obama visited the plant in 2012 to talk up his proposal of a network of U.S. research centers to foster manufacturing competitiveness.


washingtontimes--2020-08-15--Trump says postal support held up by broader coronavirus wrangling

President Trump on Saturday said Democrats aren ’ t getting money for widespread mail-in voting because they are insisting on funding for states and localities as part of coronavirus relief deliberations .
Mr. Trump has characterized the local money as a bailout for poorly managed blue states , while Democrats say states and towns across the board are suffering budget gaps from fighting the coronavirus pandemic and a dramatic loss of tax receipts .
“ They want money for the universal mail-in ballot .
They ’ re not getting it .
You know why ?
Because of them , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money , but they ’ re not willing to approve the money that they need.
” “ They want a trillion dollars to bail out badly run , Democrat states , ” he said .
He defended U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy as a brilliant businessman amid complaints he ushered in changes that have harmed postal service at the worst possible time — amid a health crisis and right before an election in which some states want to make it easier to vote by mail instead of risking infection at in-person polls .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the post office “ great again ” and streamline its operations .
“ Louis DeJoy is working very hard , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ The postal office has lost billions and billions of dollars.
” He also said he is optimistic about the economic recovery , citing an uptick in used car sales and other metrics while accusing his political opponents of holding back on any comeback .
“ I think the Democrats are going out of their way to do whatever they can to stop these kinds of numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ golf property in Bedminster , New Jersey .
His comments come as Congress stalemates over a new round of coronavirus relief to help small businesses that are struggling with a lack of foot traffic and millions of Americans who remain out of work .
Mr. Trump said China should have “ stopped ” the virus but quickly pivoted to praising the communist country ’ s decision to buy corn and other U.S. products under his phase-one trade deal .
“ China ’ s been buying a lot of things .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re dreaming about Joe Biden , ” Mr. Trump said of his November opponent .
Mr. Trump also said he wants college football to “ come back , ” after the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences decided to postpone their seasons .
He again cited Trevor Lawrence , the Clemson quarterback who says he would be safer on the field than trying to duck the virus off of it .
Mr. Trump said he watched Mr. Lawrence in person last year and was impressed .
“ He was faster than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
On the pandemic generally , Mr. Trump appeared to blame his own administration ’ s scientists , Anthony Fauci and National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield , for saying early on that Americans didn ’ t need to wear masks .
The president has been slow to fully embrace face coverings , however , speaking in favor of them only recently after the CDC recommended them in early April .

President Trump on Saturday said Democrats aren’t getting money for widespread mail-in voting because they are insisting on funding for states and localities as part of coronavirus relief deliberations.
Mr. Trump has characterized the local money as a bailout for poorly managed blue states, while Democrats say states and towns across the board are suffering budget gaps from fighting the coronavirus pandemic and a dramatic loss of tax receipts.
“They want money for the universal mail-in ballot. They’re not getting it. You know why? Because of them,” Mr. Trump said. “They need money, but they’re not willing to approve the money that they need.”
“They want a trillion dollars to bail out badly run, Democrat states,” he said.
He defended U.S. Postmaster Louis DeJoy as a brilliant businessman amid complaints he ushered in changes that have harmed postal service at the worst possible time — amid a health crisis and right before an election in which some states want to make it easier to vote by mail instead of risking infection at in-person polls.
Mr. Trump said Mr. DeJoy is trying to make the post office “great again” and streamline its operations.
“Louis DeJoy is working very hard,” Mr. Trump said. “The postal office has lost billions and billions of dollars.”
He also said he is optimistic about the economic recovery, citing an uptick in used car sales and other metrics while accusing his political opponents of holding back on any comeback.
“I think the Democrats are going out of their way to do whatever they can to stop these kinds of numbers,” Mr. Trump said from his golf property in Bedminster, New Jersey.
His comments come as Congress stalemates over a new round of coronavirus relief to help small businesses that are struggling with a lack of foot traffic and millions of Americans who remain out of work.
Mr. Trump said China should have “stopped” the virus but quickly pivoted to praising the communist country’s decision to buy corn and other U.S. products under his phase-one trade deal.
“China’s been buying a lot of things. They’re doing that to keep me happy but they’re dreaming about Joe Biden,” Mr. Trump said of his November opponent.
Mr. Trump also said he wants college football to “come back,” after the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences decided to postpone their seasons.
He again cited Trevor Lawrence, the Clemson quarterback who says he would be safer on the field than trying to duck the virus off of it.
Mr. Trump said he watched Mr. Lawrence in person last year and was impressed.
“He was faster than the backs that were guarding,” he said.
On the pandemic generally, Mr. Trump appeared to blame his own administration’s scientists, Anthony Fauci and National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, for saying early on that Americans didn’t need to wear masks.
The president has been slow to fully embrace face coverings, however, speaking in favor of them only recently after the CDC recommended them in early April.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.