washingtontimes--2020-10-21--As fighting rages in Nagorno-Karabakh, coronavirus spreads

STEPANAKERT , Nagorno-Karabakh ( AP ) - People infected with the coronavirus pack into cold basements along with the healthy to hide from artillery fire in Nagorno-Karabakh , while doctors who have tested positive do surgery on those wounded in the shelling .
These are the grim realities of the pandemic in a region beset by weeks of heavy fighting .
Nagorno-Karabakh , which lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia for more than a quarter-century , is facing the largest escalation of hostilities since a war there ended in 1994 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of people have been killed .
Two attempts at cease-fires have failed to stop the conflict .
The fighting has diverted the region ’ s scarce resources from containing the outbreak , which spread unchecked during the first two weeks of fighting that began on Sept. 27 .
Contact-tracing ground to a halt , and intense artillery and rocket strikes forced people into overcrowded bunkers , where it was impossible to separate the sick from the healthy .
Health workers have been hit particularly hard .
“ Almost everyone got infected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others in a more serious one , ” Malvina Badalyan , chief doctor at the infectious disease clinic in the regional capital of Stepanakert , said of health workers in the region .
But in the middle of a war , with wounded people flooding into hospitals , there ’ s nothing to do but keep working .
“ Many doctors and nurses knew that they were infected , but they kept mum about it , ” said Ararat Ohanjanyan , the health minister for Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s regional government .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring the fever down and then get up and continue to perform surgeries.
” “ No one has the right now to step aside , ” he added .
When the the latest escalation of fighting started , medical workers had no time or resources to deal with the outbreak , Ohanjanyan said .
“ We didn ’ t have time to track down those infected while Stepanakert came under heavy shelling , and it allowed contagion to spread , ” he said .
Ohanjanayan himself tested positive for the virus just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , too , has continued working despite running a fever and fighting pneumonia .
In the past week , the shelling of Stepanakert has become less intense , and ambulance crews have finally been able to visit shelters and basements to track down the sick , Ohanjanyan said , adding that regular testing and isolation of the infected has resumed .
Patients in the most serious condition have been sent to Armenia , while others have been admitted to hospitals or received treatment at their homes in the region .
But Ohanjanyan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good handle on how many people are infected .
Armenia , which supports the separatist region via a land corridor , has also seen a sharp increase in cases over the past weeks .
The seven-day rolling average of daily new infections has nearly tripled since early October to 44 per 100,000 people on Oct. 20 .
As Nagorno-Karabakh ’ s medical system faced a massive challenge , regular residents and health workers alike volunteered to deliver medicine to people hiding in basements and to help track down those who had become infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteered to visit those seeking shelter from the shelling , said the cramped conditions in bunkers helped fuel the virus ’ s spread .
“ Constant shelling forces people to stay in tight groups in basements , and they can ’ t self-isolate , ” he said .
“ Even those who have a fever and clinical signs of COVID-19 can ’ t get treatment or go to the hospital.
” Irina Musaelyan , a Stepanakert resident who was hiding in a basement along with her neighbors , said that the war overshadowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have time to think about coronavirus , ” she said .
Even at the infectious disease clinic in Stepanakert , coronavirus patients were forced to shelter in the basement .
Arevik Israelyan , who was visiting her husband who is hospitalized at the clinic with the virus , said the outbreak is challenge - but people mostly worry about the war .
“ People get infected , but we will live through it , ” she said .
“ The main thing is that there is no war .
”

STEPANAKERT, Nagorno-Karabakh (AP) - People who are sick with the coronavirus pack into chilly basements alongside the healthy to hide from artillery fire. The local health minister who tested positive keeps working, despite a fever and pneumonia. Doctors with the virus perform surgery on the wounded.
These are the grim realities of the pandemic in Nagorno-Karabakh, a separatist region in the South Caucasus mountains beset by weeks of heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces.
“We just don’t have time to think about coronavirus,” said Irina Musaelyan, a resident of the regional capital of Stepanakert who was sheltering in a basement with her neighbors.
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia for more than a quarter-century. It is facing the largest escalation of fighting since a war there ended in 1994, with hundreds killed since Sept. 27. Two attempts at cease-fires have failed.
The fighting has diverted the region’s scarce resources from containing the virus, which spread unchecked amid artillery fire and drone attacks that have people spending many hours in overcrowded bunkers, whether they are sick or healthy. Contact tracing has ground to a halt.
Health care workers have been hit particularly hard.
“Almost everyone got infected. Some had it in a light form and others in a more serious one,” Dr. Malvina Badalyan, head of the infectious disease clinic in Stepanakert, said of the region’s health workers.
But in the middle of a war, with wounded flooding into hospitals, there’s nothing to do but keep working.
“Many doctors and nurses knew that they were infected, but they kept mum about it,” said Ararat Ohanjanyan, the health minister for Nagorno-Karabakh’s regional government. “They may lie down in a corner to bring the fever down and then get up and continue to perform operations.”
“No one has the right now to step aside,” he added.
When the the latest escalation of fighting started, medical workers had no time or resources to deal with the outbreak, Ohanjanyan said.
“We didn’t have time to track down those infected while Stepanakert came under heavy shelling, and it allowed contagion to spread,” he said.
Ohanjanyan himself tested positive for the virus just over a week ago - and he, too, has continued working despite a fever and pneumonia.
In the past week, the shelling of Stepanakert has become less intense and ambulance crews have finally been able to visit shelters and basements to track down the sick, Ohanjanyan said, adding that regular testing and isolation of those infected has resumed.
Patients in the most serious condition have been sent to Armenia, while others have been admitted to hospitals or are treated at home.
Ohanjanyan said authorities still don’t have a good handle on how many people are infected.
Armenia, which supports the separatist region via a land corridor, has also seen a sharp increase in cases in recent weeks. The seven-day rolling average of daily new infections has nearly tripled since early October to 44 per 100,000 people on Oct. 20.
As Nagorno-Karabakh’s medical system faced the massive challenge, residents and health workers alike volunteered to deliver medicine to people sheltering in basements and to help track down those who are sick.
Dr. Aram Gregorian, who volunteered to visit those hunkered down during the shelling, said the cramped conditions in shelters helped fuel the spread of the virus.
“Constant shelling forces people to stay in tight groups in basements, and they can’t self-isolate,” he said. “Even those who have a fever and clinical signs of COVID-19 can’t get treatment or go to the hospital.”
Even coronavirus patients at the infectious disease clinic have been forced to seek shelter in the basement.
Arevik Israelyan, who was visiting her virus-stricken husband at the clinic, said the outbreak is a challenge, but people are mostly worried about the war.
“People get infected, but we will live through it,” she said. “The main thing is that there is no war.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Ericsson earnings boosted by 5G network rollouts

STOCKHOLM ( AP ) - Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson has reported upbeat third quarter earnings , helped mainly by the rollout of 5G wireless networks in China and a strong U.S. market .
The Stockholm-based company said Wednesday that net profit for the July-September period was 5.6 billion kronor ( $ 640 million ) , compared with a loss of 6.9 billion kronor the previous year .
Sales were up 1 % at 57.5 billion kronor .
Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm said the company ’ s contracts for the next generation 5G networks in mainland China “ have developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profits in Q3 and are expected to improve further ” .
Ekholm also pointed to the North American market where “ underlying business fundamentals remain strong , ” driven by consolidation in the market and increased demand for 5G , the new generation rapid mobile networks .
Ericsson competes in the 5G business with China ’ s Huawei and Finland ’ s Nokia , the two other main global network suppliers .
South Korea ’ s Samsung has , too , made inroads to the network business in the past few years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with major U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless .
Ericsson said it now has 112 commercial 5G agreements with 65 live networks with different operators .
Nordic rival Nokia plays catch up , saying on its webpage that it has secured 101 commercial 5G deals with 36 live networks as of Oct. 21 .
However , the Nordic duo still trails market leader Huawei in confirmed 5G deals .
Ericsson and Nokia said separately on Wednesday that they ’ ve landed a network deal with the Swedish telecom operator Telia , the Nordic region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news comes a day after Sweden banned Huawei from 5G networks over allegations it can allow the Chinese government to snoop on data .
Huawei denies the allegations .
Ericsson said it would upgrade Telia ’ s 4G network in Sweden and Estonia , while Nokia said it would deploy 5G network for Telia in Finland and and act as a supplier to its 5G stand-alone networks in various countries in the region .
Nokia will report its third quarter earnings on Oct. 29 .

STOCKHOLM (AP) - Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson has reported upbeat third quarter earnings, helped mainly by the rollout of 5G wireless networks in China and a strong U.S. market.
The Stockholm-based company said Wednesday that net profit for the July-September period was 5.6 billion kronor ($640 million), compared with a loss of 6.9 billion kronor the previous year. Sales were up 1% at 57.5 billion kronor.
Ericsson CEO Borje Ekholm said the company’s contracts for the next generation 5G networks in mainland China “have developed according to plan, contributing positively to profits in Q3 and are expected to improve further”.
Ekholm also pointed to the North American market where “underlying business fundamentals remain strong,” driven by consolidation in the market and increased demand for 5G, the new generation rapid mobile networks.
Ericsson competes in the 5G business with China’s Huawei and Finland’s Nokia, the two other main global network suppliers. South Korea’s Samsung has, too, made inroads to the network business in the past few years and recently scored a lucrative, multi-billion-dollar 5G deal with major U.S. carrier Verizon Wireless.
Ericsson said it now has 112 commercial 5G agreements with 65 live networks with different operators. Nordic rival Nokia plays catch up, saying on its webpage that it has secured 101 commercial 5G deals with 36 live networks as of Oct. 21.
However, the Nordic duo still trails market leader Huawei in confirmed 5G deals.
Ericsson and Nokia said separately on Wednesday that they’ve landed a network deal with the Swedish telecom operator Telia, the Nordic region’s leading mobile carrier. The news comes a day after Sweden banned Huawei from 5G networks over allegations it can allow the Chinese government to snoop on data. Huawei denies the allegations.
Ericsson said it would upgrade Telia’s 4G network in Sweden and Estonia, while Nokia said it would deploy 5G network for Telia in Finland and and act as a supplier to its 5G stand-alone networks in various countries in the region.
Nokia will report its third quarter earnings on Oct. 29.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Miami-Dade officer shot during narcotics investigation

MIAMI ( AP ) - A police officer was shot in the ear Tuesday night when gunfire erupted from an apartment in Miami-Dade County during a narcotics investigation , officials said .
The shooting happened as Miami-Dade police officers and DEA agents went inside an apartment complex , spokesman Alvaro Zableta told news outlets .
“ As detectives were in front of the door of the apartment , they were confronted with gunfire , ” Zabaleta said .
“ The officers returned fire .
Unfortunately , one of our detectives was struck in the ear.
” A SWAT team was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Nearby residents were safely evacuated from the building as the suspects barricaded themselves inside an apartment .
Several people were later taken into custody , including one who was shot .
That person was taken to the hospital but a condition was not immediately available .
The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment .
He was released later in the evening .
The officer ’ s name wasn ’ t released .
Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez III said in a tweet that he was heading to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .

MIAMI (AP) - A police officer was shot in the ear Tuesday night when gunfire erupted from an apartment in Miami-Dade County during a narcotics investigation, officials said.
The shooting happened as Miami-Dade police officers and DEA agents went inside an apartment complex, spokesman Alvaro Zableta told news outlets.
“As detectives were in front of the door of the apartment, they were confronted with gunfire,” Zabaleta said. “The officers returned fire. Unfortunately, one of our detectives was struck in the ear.”
Police officers returned fire.
A SWAT team was called to the area to assist, he said.
Nearby residents were safely evacuated from the building as the suspects barricaded themselves inside an apartment.
Several people were later taken into custody, including one who was shot. That person was taken to the hospital but a condition was not immediately available.
The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment. He was released later in the evening. The officer’s name wasn’t released.
Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez III said in a tweet that he was heading to the hospital to check on the officer Tuesday night.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Turkey: Police officers on trial for 2015 killing of lawyer

ISTANBUL ( AP ) - Three police officers went on trial Wednesday in southeastern Turkey for the killing of a prominent lawyer and human rights defender nearly five years ago .
Lawyer Tahir Elci was shot and killed while making a press statement on the destruction of a historic mosque in the Sur district of Diyarbakir province .
The officers are charged with “ causing death by foreseeable negligence ” in Elci ’ s Nov. 28 , 2015 death and face possible prison sentences of two to six years in prison .
The police officers are attending the proceedings through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the time , Sur and other areas in the southeast had seen intense clashes between Turkish security forces and members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers ’ Party , or PKK , and round-the-clock curfews .
Two PKK militants shot and killed two police officers in a nearby street and ran toward the streets where the news conference was held , exchanging gunfire with other police officers .
Turkish officials previously said Elci got caught in the crossfire .
A fourth suspect on trial , an alleged member of the PKK who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the intentional killing of the two police officers , the foreseeable intentional killing of Elci and “ disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state.
” The 40-page indictment said the bullet that killed Elci was never found and therefore the gun could not be identified .
It said the three police officers as well as two militants had fired their guns .
Elci , 49 , was the head of the Diyarbakir bar association .
An ethnic Kurd , he received death threats and was to go on trial for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PKK an armed political movement rather than a terrorist organization during a television program .
Elci worked as a human rights lawyer in southeastern Turkey , handling cases involving enforced disappearances and killings by security forces during the 1990s when the conflict between Turkey and the PKK was at its bloodiest .
Research group Forensic Architecture , which published a detailed analysis of Elci ’ s killing , said the 2015 slayings of the police officers and Elci should be considered separate incidents .
The research group , based at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shot that killed Elci could have only come from one of the police officers .
Human Rights Watch said there were “ huge obstacles ” to an effective investigation , including the alleged failure by investigators to collect evidence at the crime scene or to inspect the officers ’ firearms .
“ For five years , the family and friends of Tahir Elci have pushed for an effective investigation of his killing and for his killers to be brought to justice , ” Human Rights Watch deputy program director Tom Porteous said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement in Turkey and internationally will be focused on whether the conduct of the trial is designed to reveal the full circumstances of Elci ’ s killing or instead to try to exonerate the police at all cost .
”

ISTANBUL (AP) - Three police officers went on trial Wednesday in southeastern Turkey over the killing of a prominent lawyer and human rights defender nearly five years ago.
Lawyer Tahir Elci was fatally shot in the head after making a press statement on the destruction of a historic mosque in the Sur district of Diyarbakir province. The officers are charged with “causing death by foreseeable negligence” in Elci’s Nov. 28, 2015 death and face possible prison sentences of two to six years in prison.
The police officers, who are not in detention, attended the proceedings through video conference. In the tense hearing, the Elci family’s lawyers questioned the impartiality of the court committee and asked them to recuse themselves.
At the time Elci, an ethnic Kurd, was killed Sur and other areas in the southeast had seen intense clashes between Turkish security forces and members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and round-the-clock curfews. The hostilities came after a two-and-a-half-year long ceasefire collapsed, reigniting the conflict that began in 1984.
At the same time as Elci was making the press statement, two suspected PKK militants shot and killed two police officers in a nearby street and ran toward the street where the lawyer was speaking, exchanging gunfire with other police. Turkish officials previously said Elci got caught in the crossfire.
Research group Forensic Architecture, which published a detailed analysis of Elci’s killing, said the slayings of the police officers and of Elci should be considered separate incidents.
The research group, based at the University of London, said its investigation revealed that the shot that killed Elci could have only come from one of the police officers.
A fourth suspect on trial, an alleged member of the PKK who is not in custody, is accused of the intentional killing of the two police officers, the foreseeable intentional killing of Elci and “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state.”
The 40-page indictment said the bullet that killed Elci was never found and therefore the gun could not be identified. It said all three police officers as well as both militants had fired their guns.
Elci, 49, was the head of the Diyarbakir Bar Association. He received death threats and was to go on trial for “terror propaganda” after calling the PKK an armed political movement rather than a terrorist organization during a television program.
Elci worked as a human rights lawyer in southeastern Turkey, handling cases involving enforced disappearances and killings by security forces during the 1990s when the conflict between Turkey and the PKK was at its bloodiest.
Elci himself was a victim of torture in 1993 and won a case against Turkey a decade later at the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled Turkey violated the convention’s articles on the prohibition of torture, right to liberty and security and the right to respect for private and family life.
Amnesty International’s Turkey campaigner Milena Buyum said: ““It is a bitter irony that Tahir Elci’s life was cut short by the very violence he was campaigning to end. Justice for Tahir Elci would be a glimmer of hope in a country where impunity is sadly endemic.”
Human Rights Watch said there were “huge obstacles” to an effective investigation, including the alleged failure by investigators to collect evidence at the crime scene or to inspect the officers’ firearms. The police officers who are now on trial were then only questioned as witnesses.
“For five years, the family and friends of Tahir Elci have pushed for an effective investigation of his killing and for his killers to be brought to justice,” Human Rights Watch deputy program director Tom Porteous said. “Many in the human rights movement in Turkey and internationally will be focused on whether the conduct of the trial is designed to reveal the full circumstances of Elci’s killing or instead to try to exonerate the police at all cost.”
The court adjourned until March 3.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Parts of Minnesota get record snow for this early in October

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - A record-setting October snowstorm dumped heavy snow in Minnesota and parts of northern Wisconsin and the eastern Dakotas , causing slippery driving conditions .
It was the heaviest snow this early in October for many Minnesota locations and some in northwestern Wisconsin .
The National Weather Service said Lakeville and some other southern Twin Cities suburbs got around 9 inches of snow Tuesday in the region ’ s first significant snowstorm of the season , while the western Minnesota town of Sedan got 10.8 inches .
Drivers faced slow going during the evening rush hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crashes were reported along Interstate 94 across the state .
The Minnesota State Patrol reported around 350 crashes statewide by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday , along with about as many spinouts and vehicles off the road .
In Wisconsin , an American Eagle flight from Chicago skidded off the runway and got stuck in the snow while trying to land at Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee on Tuesday night .
No one was injured .
But snowy road conditions and speed were blamed in a crash that killed one person in the Dunn County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Travel was also difficult along many highways in the eastern Dakotas .
The weather service said widespread snow was possible again Thursday , with the amounts as high as 8 inches forecast from southern North Dakota and northern South Dakota into northeastern Minnesota .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A record-setting October snowstorm dumped heavy snow in Minnesota and parts of northern Wisconsin and the eastern Dakotas, causing slippery driving conditions.
It was the heaviest snow this early in October for many Minnesota locations and some in northwestern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service said Lakeville and some other southern Twin Cities suburbs got around 9 inches of snow Tuesday in the region’s first significant snowstorm of the season, while the western Minnesota town of Sedan got 10.8 inches.
Drivers faced slow going during the evening rush hour in the Twin Cities. Many weather-related crashes were reported along Interstate 94 across the state. The Minnesota State Patrol reported around 350 crashes statewide by 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, along with about as many spinouts and vehicles off the road.
In Wisconsin, an American Eagle flight from Chicago skidded off the runway and got stuck in the snow while trying to land at Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee on Tuesday night. No one was injured. But snowy road conditions and speed were blamed in a crash that killed one person in the Dunn County village of Wheeler on Tuesday afternoon.
Travel was also difficult along many highways in the eastern Dakotas.
The weather service said widespread snow was possible again Thursday, with the amounts as high as 8 inches forecast from southern North Dakota and northern South Dakota into northeastern Minnesota.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--French militant group dissolved after teacher's beheading

PARIS ( AP ) - The French government issued an order Wednesday to dissolve a domestic militant Islamic group after the beheading last week near Paris of a teacher who had shown students caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad .
Government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said the Collective Cheikh Yassine group was formally banned during a Cabinet meeting because it was “ implicated , linked to Friday ’ s attack ” and it was used to promote anti-republican hate speech .
Other groups will be dissolved “ in the coming weeks ” for similar reasons , Attal said .
He also confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the northeast Paris suburb of Pantin to close for six months .
A terror investigation is under way into teacher Samuel Paty ’ s slaying .
Authorities have identified the killer as Abdoullakh Anzorov.
, an 18-year-old Moscow-born Chechen refugee who was later shot dead by police .
A judicial official said that seven people who were detained as part of an investigation into the grisly slaying , including two minors , were to go before an investigating magistrate later Wednesday for eventual preliminary charges .
The seven were among 16 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning .
Nine are being released .
The official was not authorized to be quoted by name .
Named after a slain leader of the Palestinian Hamas , Collective Cheikh Yassine was founded in the early 2000s by a man who is among the individuals detained for questioning in the teacher ’ s killing .
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on French news broadcaster BFMTV that the person in question helped disseminate a message that called for mobilization against the teacher .
The message , prepared by a student ’ s father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a case turning in part on a spiraling fever on social media among some Muslim individuals or groups .
The Pantin mosque is being punished for relaying the angry father ’ s message on social media .
The father quoted his 13-year-old daughter as saying the teacher had asked Muslims to leave the classroom - a version that was contested by Paty himself , according to media reports .
Authorities say the mosque has long had an imam following the Salafist path , a rigorous interpretation of the Muslim holy book .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathered to honor Paty where he was beheaded as he left school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine , northwest of Paris .
A national memorial event is scheduled to be held Wednesday evening in the courtyard of the Sorbonne university .

PARIS (AP) - President Emmanuel Macron promised Wednesday that France will not renounce freedoms taught by a schoolteacher beheaded by a radical Islamist last week after showing caricatures of the prophet of Islam to his class.
At a national memorial at the Sorbonne University in central Paris, Macron praised history teacher Samuel Paty as the “face of the Republic” who “believed in knowledge.”
Paty, 47, was murdered on Friday by an 18-year-old of Chechen origin who had become radicalized. He was in turn shot dead by police.
“Samuel Paty … became the face of the Republic, of our will to shatter terrorists, to (do away with) Islamists, to live like a community of free citizens in our country,” Macron said. “We will continue.”
A ceremonial military guard carried the teacher’s coffin into the cobblestone courtyard of the Sorbonne where the memorial took place before his family, government members and select guests. A giant screen was installed outside.
The stirring ceremony, with readings that included a poem by Albert Camus to his own teacher, came hours after the prosecutor sketched out how the teenager came to kill Paty, with the suspected help of two young students at the school in a northwest Paris suburb.
Jean-Francois Ricard said a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old are among seven people taken before an investigating magistrate on accusations of “complicity in murder in relation with a terrorist undertaking” and “criminal conspiracy.”
The killer offered students at the school where Paty taught 300-350 euros ($355-$415) to help him pick out the educator, Ricard said during a news conference.
“The investigation has established that the perpetrator knew the name of the teacher, the name of the school and its address, yet he did not have the means to identify him,” the prosecutor said. “That identification has only been possible with the help of students from the same school.”
He said the implication of the two young adolescents “appeared to be conclusive.”
Authorities have identified the killer as Abdoullakh Anzorov., a Moscow-born Chechen refugee.
Anzorov claimed responsibility in a text accompanied by a photograph of the victim found on his phone.
The other suspects include a student’s father who posted videos on social media that called for mobilization against the teacher and an Islamist activist who helped the man disseminate the virulent messages, which named Paty and gave the school’s address, Ricard said.
Two more men, aged 18 and 19, are accused of accompanying the attacker when he bought the weapons, including a knife and an airsoft gun, the prosecutor said. One of them allegedly drove Anzorov, who lived in the Normandy town of Evreux about 90 kilometers (56 miles) away, to near the school about three hours before the killing.
Another 18-year-old suspect had close contacts with the attacker and endorsed radical Islamism, Ricard said.
All three of them, who were friends of Anzorov, allegedly said that “he was ‘radicalizing’ for several months, marked by a change of behavior, physical appearance, isolation, an assiduous frequentation of the mosque and ambiguous remarks about Jihad and the Islamic State group.”
“Samuel Paty was the victim of a conspiracy of stupidity, hate, lies … hate of the other … hate of what we profoundly are,” Macron said during his speech, which blended honors to the victim and the teaching profession with his government’s efforts to root out Islamist radicals.
On Wednesday morning, the French government issued an order to dissolve a domestic militant Islamic group, the Collective Cheikh Yassine. Government spokesperson Gabriel Attal said it was “implicated, linked to Friday’s attack” and it was used to promote anti-republican hate speech. Other groups will be dissolved “in the coming weeks” for similar reasons, Attal said.
Named after a slain leader of the Palestinian Hamas, Collective Cheikh Yassine was founded in the early 2000s by the Islamist activist who is among the seven people accused of being accomplices to the attacker.
Attal also confirmed that the government ordered a mosque in the northeast Paris suburb of Pantin to close for six months.
The Pantin mosque is being punished for relaying the angry father’s message on social media.
Authorities say it has long had an imam following the Salafist path, a rigorous interpretation of the Muslim holy book.
A national memorial event is scheduled to be held Wednesday evening in the courtyard of the Sorbonne university.
___
Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Infants inside stolen car OK after car is abandoned

FLORISSANT , Mo .
( AP ) - Two infants are back with their family after a carjacker stole their @ @ @ @ @ the children in the back seat .
The incident happened early Wednesday in the St. @ @ @ @ @ .
Police say the father went into a 7-Eleven and left the SUV running .
@ @ @ @ @ the vehicle with both infants inside had been stolen .
Police issued an Amber Alert @ @ @ @ @ 10-month-old girl and a 16-day-old boy .
Authorities believe the thief was working with another @ @ @ @ @ sped off , it was followed by another vehicle .
Hours later , police found @ @ @ @ @ from the 7-Eleven .
Police spokesman Steve Michael said the children were safe and unharmed @ @ @ @ @ parents .
Police have not said if any arrests have been made .

FLORISSANT, Mo. (AP) - Two infants are back with their family after a carjacker stole their father’s SUV with the children in the back seat.
The incident happened early Wednesday in the St. Louis County town of Florissant. Police say the father went into a 7-Eleven and left the SUV running. When he came out, the vehicle with both infants inside had been stolen.
Police issued an Amber Alert for the children, a 10-month-old girl and a 16-day-old boy.
Authorities believe the thief was working with another motorist because after the SUV sped off, it was followed by another vehicle.
Hours later, police found the SUV about five miles from the 7-Eleven. Police spokesman Steve Michael said the children were safe and unharmed and were reunited with their parents.
Police have not said if any arrests have been made.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Wisconsin's Country USA and Rock USA festivals call it quits

OSHKOSH , Wis. ( AP ) - Two of Wisconsin ’ s biggest annual music festivals are shutting down for good following COVID-related cancellations this summer .
The company that puts on the 25-year-old Country USA and the 9-year-old Rock USA in Oshkosh said this week it plans to file for bankruptcy .
The events have featured such headliners as Blake Shelton , Keith Urban and Ozzy Osbourne in recent years .
Neenah-based Hypervibe canceled this year ’ s festivals in June .
Ticketholders tell WLUK-TV they ’ ve been trying to get their money back .
Drew Rodgers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of all ticketholders , but says he isn ’ t optimistic .
In a note posted to both events ’ Facebook pages Monday , Hypervibe said the cancellations were too much for the company to absorb .
“ We are heartbroken by the events which have caused this horrible situation , ” the post said .
“ We also care about our loyal patrons , for without them , there wouldn ’ t have been so many years of these great events .
We are trying to do right by our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the extent possible , quickly and equitably.
” In recent years , Country USA and Rock USA each averaged crowds of more than 25,000 people each day .
Hypervibe says it plans to send letters or emails to ticketholders with instructions on how to fill out bankruptcy claims .

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) - Two of Wisconsin’s biggest annual music festivals are shutting down for good following COVID-related cancellations this summer.
The company that puts on the 25-year-old Country USA and the 9-year-old Rock USA in Oshkosh said this week it plans to file for bankruptcy. The events have featured such headliners as Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and Ozzy Osbourne in recent years.
Neenah-based Hypervibe canceled this year’s festivals in June. Ticketholders tell WLUK-TV they’ve been trying to get their money back. Drew Rodgers, of Berlin, filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all ticketholders, but says he isn’t optimistic.
In a note posted to both events’ Facebook pages Monday, Hypervibe said the cancellations were too much for the company to absorb.
“We are heartbroken by the events which have caused this horrible situation,” the post said. “We also care about our loyal patrons, for without them, there wouldn’t have been so many years of these great events. We are trying to do right by our loyal supporters and get you a refund, to the extent possible, quickly and equitably.”
In recent years, Country USA and Rock USA each averaged crowds of more than 25,000 people each day.
Hypervibe says it plans to send letters or emails to ticketholders with instructions on how to fill out bankruptcy claims.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Jonathan Mattingly, officer in Breonna Taylor shooting, says the incident was not racial

A former Louisville , Kentucky , police officer who was involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor said Wednesday the incident was tragic but not racial .
In an interview with ABC News , Jonathan Mattingly spoke for the first time about the March 13 shooting death , which has sparked cries of outrage and calls for overhauling policing across the nation .
“ This had nothing to do with race , ” Mr. Mattingly told ABC ’ s Good Morning America .
“ Nothing at all.
” Mr. Mattingly said the Taylor case can not be compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including George Floyd , who died in Minneapolis police custody after an officer knelt on his neck , and Ahmaud Arbery , who was fatally shot while jogging in Georgia .
Prosecutors have charged three White civilians in Arbery ’ s death .
“ This is not relatable to George Floyd .
This is nothing like that , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not Ahmaud Arbery .
It ’ s nothing like it .
These are two totally different types of incidences .
It ’ s not a race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it to be .
It ’ s not.
” Mr. Mattingly said Taylor “ didn ’ t deserve to die , ” but added that there was “ a reason ” the police were at her apartment that night .
“ And if you ’ re [ a ] law-abiding citizen , the only contact you ’ ll probably ever have with the police is running into them [ in a store ] or if you get a speeding ticket .
Other than that , unless you know them , you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
On March 13 , three officers executed a no-knock warrant at Taylor ’ s home as part of a drug investigation involving her ex-boyfriend .
Taylor ’ s boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , fired at the officers saying he thought they were intruders .
One of the bullets hit Mr. Mattingly in the thigh .
The officers unloaded 32 shots into the apartment , six of which hit Taylor , killing her .
None of the officers were charged directly with Ms. Taylor ’ s death , but Detective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangerment for firing shots that went through a neighbor ’ s apartment .

A former Louisville, Kentucky, police officer who was involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor said Wednesday the incident was tragic but not racial.
In an interview with ABC News, Jonathan Mattingly spoke for the first time about the March 13 shooting death, which has sparked cries of outrage and calls for overhauling policing across the nation.
“This had nothing to do with race,” Mr. Mattingly told ABC’s Good Morning America. “Nothing at all.”
Mr. Mattingly said the Taylor case cannot be compared to the high-profile deaths of other Black citizens, including George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody after an officer knelt on his neck, and Ahmaud Arbery, who was fatally shot while jogging in Georgia. Prosecutors have charged three White civilians in Arbery’s death.
“This is not relatable to George Floyd. This is nothing like that,” he said. “It’s not Ahmaud Arbery. It’s nothing like it. These are two totally different types of incidences. It’s not a race thing like people want to try to make it to be. It’s not.”
Mr. Mattingly said Taylor “didn’t deserve to die,” but added that there was “a reason” the police were at her apartment that night.
“And if you’re [a] law-abiding citizen, the only contact you’ll probably ever have with the police is running into them [in a store] or if you get a speeding ticket. Other than that, unless you know them, you are not really dealing with the police,” he said.
On March 13, three officers executed a no-knock warrant at Taylor’s home as part of a drug investigation involving her ex-boyfriend.
Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired at the officers saying he thought they were intruders. One of the bullets hit Mr. Mattingly in the thigh.
The officers unloaded 32 shots into the apartment, six of which hit Taylor, killing her.
None of the officers were charged directly with Ms. Taylor’s death, but Detective Brett Hankison faces criminal charges for wanton endangerment for firing shots that went through a neighbor’s apartment.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--NATO chief rules out rushed, early exit from Afghanistan

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - As rising violence threatens to derail Afghan peace talks , the head of NATO said Wednesday that the military alliance will not leave Afghanistan until security conditions allow , even as some U.S. troops might be hoping to be back home in time for Christmas .
“ We will make a decision together , coordinate our efforts based on the principle ‘ in together , adjust together , and when the time is right , when the conditions are met , then we will leave together , ’ but not before , ” NATO Secretary-General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump tweeted on Oct. 7 that “ we should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas.
” The U.S. armed forces were blindsided by the claim , as were NATO allies .
NATO has led international security efforts in Afghanistan since 2003 ; two years after a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban movement for harboring former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden .
Around 12,000 troops from 38 countries are now working in Afghanistan to train , mentor and assist the national security forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of the troops participating in the mission , dubbed Resolute Support .
Around 8,000 U.S. troops were involved as recently as August .
NATO allies and their partners rely on U.S. air power , transport , logistics and medical assistance to operate .
It ’ s unlikely that the mission could function without significant U.S. help .
Diplomats and military officers are concerned that setting a definitive date on any troop withdrawal from Afghanistan could hamper efforts to secure a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government .
Confusion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s longest war and NATO ’ s biggest and most challenging operation ever is also an extremely sensitive issue for the military personnel involved and their families .
Last week , Trump ’ s national security adviser said the number of U.S. troops would shrink to 2,500 early next year .
He suggested that Trump ’ s tweet that all forces should be home by Christmas was more a wish than reality .
U.S. commanders say the plan is to reduce the U.S. presence to 4.500 by November .
NATO diplomats expect troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least the middle of next year .
On Monday , the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan warned that “ distressingly high ” levels of violence , notably in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand province .
threaten to derail peace talks being held in the Qatari capital , Doha , “ The Taliban must live up to their commitments , significantly reduce the levels of violence , and pave the way for a ceasefire .
They must break all ties with al-Qaeda and other international terrorist groups .
And they must negotiate in good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the peace talks “ offer the best chance for peace in a generation .
They must preserve the gains made at such high price over the last two decades , including for women and girls .
”

BRUSSELS (AP) - As rising violence threatens to derail Afghan peace talks, the head of NATO said Wednesday that the military alliance will not leave Afghanistan until security conditions allow, even as some U.S. troops might be hoping to be back home in time for Christmas.
“We will make a decision together, coordinate our efforts based on the principle ‘in together, adjust together, and when the time is right, when the conditions are met, then we will leave together,’ but not before,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters.
President Donald Trump tweeted on Oct. 7 that “we should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas.” The U.S. armed forces were blindsided by the claim, as were NATO allies.
NATO has led international security efforts in Afghanistan since 2003; two years after a U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban movement for harboring former al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. Around 12,000 troops from 38 countries are now working in Afghanistan to train, mentor and assist the national security forces.
Americans often make up at least half of the troops participating in the mission, dubbed Resolute Support. Around 8,000 U.S. troops were involved as recently as August. NATO allies and their partners rely on U.S. air power, transport, logistics and medical assistance to operate. It’s unlikely that the mission could function without significant U.S. help.
Diplomats and military officers are concerned that setting a definitive date on any troop withdrawal from Afghanistan could hamper efforts to secure a peace deal between the Taliban and the Afghan government.
Confusion about troops movements in what is America’s longest war and NATO’s biggest and most challenging operation ever is also an extremely sensitive issue for the military personnel involved and their families.
Last week, Trump’s national security adviser said the number of U.S. troops would shrink to 2,500 early next year. He suggested that Trump’s tweet that all forces should be home by Christmas was more a wish than reality. U.S. commanders say the plan is to reduce the U.S. presence to 4.500 by November.
NATO diplomats expect troops to still be in Afghanistan until at least the middle of next year.
On Monday, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan warned that “distressingly high” levels of violence, notably in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand province. threaten to derail peace talks being held in the Qatari capital, Doha,
“The Taliban must live up to their commitments, significantly reduce the levels of violence, and pave the way for a ceasefire. They must break all ties with al-Qaeda and other international terrorist groups. And they must negotiate in good faith,” Stoltenberg said.
He said the peace talks “offer the best chance for peace in a generation. They must preserve the gains made at such high price over the last two decades, including for women and girls.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Health officials warn of increase in fentanyl overdoses

Seattle ( AP ) - With just two months left in the year , King County is seeing a record-breaking number of fentanyl overdoses .
KOMO-TV reports new numbers from King County Public Health said there were 116 fentanyl overdoses in 2019 .
As of this October 2020 , there ’ s been 135 fentanyl overdoses , surpassing all of last year .
Fentanyl overdoses are disproportionately affecting young people who think they ’ re purchasing real prescription pills off the street , but end up getting counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl , experts said .
In 2015 , fentanyl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all overdoses in the county , compared to 40 % in 2020 , experts said .
“ What really scary about this , is that it ’ s impacting our youth more than ever , ” said Brad Finegood , Strategic Advisor for King County Public Health .
“ So young people are dying of fentanyl-related overdose because of the way fentanyl is getting into our community.
” In the age of COVID-19 , a King County graph shows fentanyl overdoses peak in the beginning of the pandemic .
“ These are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Finegood .
Experts said while they ’ re still looking into the correlation with the Covid-19 pandemic , many people are trying to find ways to cope with isolation and anxiety .
“ We do know that people are struggling with their emotional health and wellbeing during Covid , ” said Finegood .
“ We know rates of anxiety and depression have gone up during Covid.
” That ’ s why they ’ re warning about turning to counterfeit pills that could end up deadly .

Seattle (AP) - With just two months left in the year, King County is seeing a record-breaking number of fentanyl overdoses.
KOMO-TV reports new numbers from King County Public Health said there were 116 fentanyl overdoses in 2019. As of this October 2020, there’s been 135 fentanyl overdoses, surpassing all of last year.
Fentanyl overdoses are disproportionately affecting young people who think they’re purchasing real prescription pills off the street, but end up getting counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, experts said.
In 2015, fentanyl related deaths only made up 1% of all overdoses in the county, compared to 40% in 2020, experts said.
“What really scary about this, is that it’s impacting our youth more than ever,” said Brad Finegood, Strategic Advisor for King County Public Health. “So young people are dying of fentanyl-related overdose because of the way fentanyl is getting into our community.”
In the age of COVID-19, a King County graph shows fentanyl overdoses peak in the beginning of the pandemic.
“These are pandemics on top of each other,” said Finegood.
Experts said while they’re still looking into the correlation with the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are trying to find ways to cope with isolation and anxiety.
“We do know that people are struggling with their emotional health and wellbeing during Covid,” said Finegood. “We know rates of anxiety and depression have gone up during Covid.”
That’s why they’re warning about turning to counterfeit pills that could end up deadly.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Joe Biden leads Donald Trump by 7 points in Pennsylvania: Poll

Joseph R. Biden has a 7-point lead over President Trump in battleground Pennsylvania , according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll released on Wednesday .
Mr. Biden had a 49 % to 42 % lead over Mr. Trump in the survey of likely voters .
The lead was closer to 6 points without rounding .
Mr. Trump campaigned in Erie on Tuesday , and former President Barack Obama will be campaigning on behalf of Mr. Biden in Philadelphia on Wednesday .
Mr. Obama was also at an election-eve rally in Philadelphia for Hillary Clinton in 2016 before Mr. Trump would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State .
Mr. Biden has about a 4-point lead over Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania , according to the latest Real Clear Politics average .
The commonwealth was critical to the president ’ s electoral path four years ago .
The president ’ s team has downplayed such public surveys , saying his supporters are less likely to willingly participate in polling .
“ There are hidden Trump voters — make no mistake , ” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday on Fox News .
The survey of 500 likely voters was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points .

Joseph R. Biden has a 7-point lead over President Trump in battleground Pennsylvania, according to a USA Today/Suffolk University poll released on Wednesday.
Mr. Biden had a 49% to 42% lead over Mr. Trump in the survey of likely voters. The lead was closer to 6 points without rounding.
Mr. Trump campaigned in Erie on Tuesday, and former President Barack Obama will be campaigning on behalf of Mr. Biden in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Mr. Obama was also at an election-eve rally in Philadelphia for Hillary Clinton in 2016 before Mr. Trump would go on to narrowly carry the Keystone State.
Mr. Biden has about a 4-point lead over Mr. Trump in Pennsylvania, according to the latest Real Clear Politics average. The commonwealth was critical to the president’s electoral path four years ago.
The president’s team has downplayed such public surveys, saying his supporters are less likely to willingly participate in polling.
“There are hidden Trump voters — make no mistake,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday on Fox News.
The survey of 500 likely voters was taken Oct. 15-19 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Food concessions company to lay off 550 in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - The food concessions provider for Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City Convention Center has announced it will lay off more than 550 workers at both venues as efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus disrupt business .
Food services contractor Aramark recently notified state regulators of the layoffs , the Kansas City Star reported .
Most will take place at Kauffman Stadium , home of the Kansas City Royals .
The Royals did play in the stadium this year , but did not allow fans in light of the corornavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the pandemic continued to present “ unprecedented disruption to our business.
” The company will lay off 512 hourly employees and eight salaries workers at the stadium , while another 48 hourly workers will have their hours cut .
At the convention center , it will lay off 57 employees and cut the hours of 10 others .
Aramark spokesman David Freireich said the company expects the cuts to be temporary .
“ Unfortunately , like other companies and industries across the economy impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic , we have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Freireich said .
“ Due to limitations on attendance at baseball games and conventions , we had no choice but to modify staffing levels at these locations .
”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The food concessions provider for Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City Convention Center has announced it will lay off more than 550 workers at both venues as efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus disrupt business.
Food services contractor Aramark recently notified state regulators of the layoffs, the Kansas City Star reported. Most will take place at Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals did play in the stadium this year, but did not allow fans in light of the corornavirus pandemic. Aramack said in the notice that the pandemic continued to present “unprecedented disruption to our business.”
The company will lay off 512 hourly employees and eight salaries workers at the stadium, while another 48 hourly workers will have their hours cut. At the convention center, it will lay off 57 employees and cut the hours of 10 others.
Aramark spokesman David Freireich said the company expects the cuts to be temporary.
“Unfortunately, like other companies and industries across the economy impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to make some very difficult decisions,” Freireich said. “Due to limitations on attendance at baseball games and conventions, we had no choice but to modify staffing levels at these locations.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Amy Coney Barrett's Senate confirmation vote slated for Monday

The Senate will hold the confirmation vote for Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Monday .
Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ votes to confirm the president ’ s nominee , which will occur a full week @ @ @ @ @ .
On Thursday , the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Judge Barrett ’ s @ @ @ @ @ of committee and to the full Senate floor for debate over the weekend .

The Senate is set to vote Monday to confirm Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett, all but guaranteeing her elevation to the high court before the Nov. 3 election.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are slated to push her nomination through Thursday to the full Senate to debate the president’s pick over the weekend before taking a roll-call vote.
Democrats have said they’ll boycott the committee’s vote, but they have little recourse to stop the swift process. With a GOP majority on the Judiciary Committee — even if no minority members show up — Chairman Lindsey Graham can muscle Judge Barrett forward.
“We’re voting at 1 o’clock and all we need is the majority,” the South Carolina Republican told reporters.
With 12 Republicans on the 22-member committee, the nominee is all but guaranteed to be sent to the full chamber.
Democrats had hoped to pick off vulnerable GOP senators who are up for reelection — there are four of them on the committee — but so far those efforts have failed.
The committee’s rules note that at least two Democrats, as the minority party, must be present during the vote for a quorum to be reached. But Republicans could change the rules with a majority vote.
“Fearing a loss at the ballot box, Republicans are showing that they do not care about the rules or what the American people want, but are concerned only with raw political power,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat.
Sen. Cory A. Booker, New Jersey Democrat and a member of the Judiciary Committee, called the process “anti-democratic.”
Mr. Graham and other Senate Republicans in the past said a high court nominee shouldn’t be processed during an election year, Mr. Booker noted.
“This is a time they should be waiting and trusting the American people,” Mr. Booker told reporters.
Republicans refused to move forward with President Obama’s pick to fill the seat left vacant in 2016 by Justice Antonin Scalia’s death.
But Republicans this year have moved swiftly to fill the vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death in September.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, argued that it is a political process governed by which party controls the Senate and the White House.
Mr. Schumer, though, accused Republicans of wanting Judge Barrett on the bench ahead of any legal disputes surrounding a contested election on Nov. 3, and also before a Nov. 10 case where the justices will weigh the individual mandate, part of the Affordable Care Act.
He said President Trump’s latest nominee didn’t answer questions directly during her confirmation hearings last week and even refused to say if the president could legally change the date of the election unilaterally.
“Truly unprecedented,” Mr. Schumer said.
Democrats attempted to adjourn the Senate until after the election, but Republicans shot down those attempts multiple times this week.
Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican and a member of the Judiciary Committee, predicted these types of delay tactics will continue in the committee meeting Thursday and over the weekend, with Democrats demanding various votes in an attempt to slow-walk the final confirmation vote for Judge Barrett.
“I don’t think they will succeed. I don’t think they think they will succeed — it’s theater at this point,” Mr. Hawley said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--19 arrested at rally to support injured moped rider

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - A rally to demand justice for a Providence man seriously injured in moped crash resulted in 19 arrests and one police officer injured , police said .
Hundreds of people , many riding dirt bikes and ATVs , rallied in the city Tuesday night .
They say a police officer was involved in the man ’ s injury .
The protesters made their way to the Providence Public Safety Complex , where they were met by officers in riot gear .
While many people dispersed , some starting throwing objects at police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hugh Clements Jr. said one officer suffered a minor injury after being hit by an object .
The protesters were demanding justice for a 24-year-old man injured Sunday .
He has been identified by family as Jhamal Gonsalves .
His father says he is a coma .
Police are investigating whether an officer ’ s cruiser was involved in the crash as police responded to reports of hundreds of dirt bikes , ATVs and other non-street legal vehicles roaring around the city streets .
Video shows the cruiser behind the moped , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the cruiser struck the moped .
The officer involved has been placed on desk duty pending the investigation .
Gonsalves ’ father told WPRI-TV he does not condone Tuesday ’ s violence .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Police released two new videos Wednesday showing events just before a crash that seriously injured a Black man on a moped that was being followed by a Providence police cruiser - but neither helped resolve whether the cruiser struck the moped, as witnesses have said.
Jhamal Gonsalves, 24, was injured Sunday afternoon as police responded to reports of hundreds of dirt bikes, ATVs and other street-illegal vehicles roaring around the streets of Rhode Island’s capital. Family members say Gonsalves is in a coma.
As many as 700 people participated in what started as a peaceful rally Tuesday night in support of Gonsalves, city Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Pare said at a news conference Wednesday.
The protesters, many riding dirt bikes and ATVs, were peaceful from 6 p.m. until about 8 p.m. Mayor Jorge Elorza said.
Many of them chanted “Black Lives Matter” and carried signs with the letters BLM on them.
Most protesters had dispersed by the time about 150 who remained started throwing fireworks, bricks and bottles at police in riot gear outside police headquarters, Pare said.
Five officers were hit by thrown objects, and one was taken to the hospital with what Police Chief Col. Hugh Clements called a “concussion-type injury.”
Twenty-one people, including one juvenile, were arrested on charges including resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, Pare said.
Gonsalves’ family, who said he is a competitive motocross rider, had left the area by the time the violence started, and his father said he does not condone violence.
Witnesses say the cruiser responding to Sunday’s complaints about street-illegal vehicles struck the moped. A video that circulated on social media shows the cruiser behind the moped but does not show an impact.
Pare released two more videos Wednesday that had not previously been made public, neither of which shows a collision, though a noise near the end of one resembles that of a traffic impact.
The state attorney general’s office is leading what Elorza promised will be a transparent investigation to determine whether there is any criminal liability.
The officer involved has been placed on desk duty while the investigation proceeds.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--SC deputy killed after traffic stop, altercation on highway

GREENVILLE , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina sheriff ’ s deputy was killed and several other people were injured in a roadway altercation that began with a traffic stop on Interstate 85 , authorities said .
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis told a news conference that Sgt .
Conley Jumper , 52 , died in the confrontation , news outlets reported .
Officers stopped a vehicle on I-85 on Tuesday afternoon and a struggle occurred after at least one of the occupants got into an altercation with officers , sheriff ’ s officials said .
The stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an 18-wheeler , authorities said , and a sheriff ’ s car that was arriving to provide assistance then collided with the vehicle that officers had initially stopped .
Three deputies and at least two civilians were taken to the hospital following the crashes , officials said .
Jumper died , but the other two deputies and two civilians are expected to recover , Lewis said .
A veteran of more than 20 years , Jumper worked with police dogs and narcotics cases .
There was no immediate word on charges , @ @ @ @ @ @

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina sheriff’s deputy was killed and several other people were injured in a roadway altercation that began with a traffic stop on Interstate 85, authorities said.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis told a news conference that Sgt. Conley Jumper, 52, died in the confrontation, news outlets reported.
Officers stopped a vehicle on I-85 on Tuesday afternoon and a struggle occurred after at least one of the occupants got into an altercation with officers, sheriff’s officials said.
The stopped car began to pull away and collided with an 18-wheeler, authorities said, and a sheriff’s car that was arriving to provide assistance then collided with the vehicle that officers had initially stopped.
Three deputies and at least two civilians were taken to the hospital following the crashes, officials said. Jumper died, but the other two deputies and two civilians are expected to recover, Lewis said.
A veteran of more than 20 years, Jumper worked with police dogs and narcotics cases.
“He was a dedicated lawman,” Lewis said.
There was no immediate word on charges, but state police are investigating.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Verizon tops profit expectations in the third quarter

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Verizon Communications Inc. on Wednesday reported third-quarter profit of $ 4.36 billion .
On @ @ @ @ @ New York-based company said it had profit of $ 1.05 .
Earnings , adjusted for @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.25 per share .
The results beat Wall Street expectations .
The average estimate @ @ @ @ @ Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $ 1.22 per share .
The largest U.S. @ @ @ @ @ $ 31.54 billion in the period , missing Street forecasts .
Fifteen analysts surveyed by @ @ @ @ @ .
Verizon shares have decreased roughly 7 % since the beginning of the year , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 500 index has climbed almost 7 % .
The stock has declined nearly @ @ @ @ @ 12 months .
This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http : //automatedinsights.com/ap ) @ @ @ @ @ Research .
Access a Zacks stock report on VZ at https : //www.zacks.com/ap/VZ

NEW YORK (AP) - Verizon Communications Inc. on Wednesday reported third-quarter profit of $4.36 billion.
On a per-share basis, the New York-based company said it had profit of $1.05. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $1.25 per share.
The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 14 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.22 per share.
The largest U.S. cellphone carrier posted revenue of $31.54 billion in the period, missing Street forecasts. Fifteen analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $31.57 billion.
Verizon shares have decreased roughly 7% since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has climbed almost 7%. The stock has declined nearly 6% in the last 12 months.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on VZ at https://www.zacks.com/ap/VZ


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Salvation Army: 20 who went to Minnesota event test positive

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - The Salvation Army says 20 of its staff members from Minnesota and North Dakota tested positive for the coronavirus after 62 people attended a recent conference in northern Minnesota .
“ Despite adherence to the health guidance , we fully acknowledge that COVID-19 is formidable and highly contagious , ” Salvation Army spokesman Dan Furry said in a statement Tuesday , the Star Tribune reported .
Of the 20 infected people who attended the conference in Finlayson , none were hospitalized , he said , and the Salvation Army was still awaiting results from some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The nonprofit shut down its Roseville headquarters as a precaution , boosted cleanings of its sites and quarantined all conference attendees , he said .
The outbreak comes at a time when the state is experiencing widespread transmission of the coronavirus , with 1,120 new cases reported Tuesday - the 13th consecutive day that case counts had topped 1,000 .
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Wednesday that Minnesota state employees who ’ ve been working from home during the pandemic were informed this week that they ’ ll most likely continue telecommuting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school year in June .
The decision affects about half of the roughly 56,000 state workers who currently work from home .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota reported 35 confirmed new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, tying a single-day record set on May 28.
It’s possible that some of the 35 new deaths occurred sometime before Tuesday because it can take several days for deaths to be reported to the Minnesota Department of Health. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Minnesota had risen over the past two weeks from 9.71 on Oct. 6 to 11 as of Tuesday. Officials planned to release more information Wednesday afternoon.
The new deaths raised the state’s cumulative toll to 2,281, and 70% of those occurred among residents of long-term care facilities.
The department also reported 1,082 new coronavirus infections, continuing this month’s trend of new case counts averaging more than 1,000 a day. Hospital admissions continued to climb. Minnesota’s seven-day trend of newly reported hospital admissions set a record high, averaging 80 a day over the last week.
In other Minnesota pandemic developments, the Salvation Army says 20 of its staff members from Minnesota and North Dakota tested positive for the coronavirus after 62 people attended a recent conference in northern Minnesota.
“Despite adherence to the health guidance, we fully acknowledge that COVID-19 is formidable and highly contagious,” Salvation Army spokesman Dan Furry said in a statement Tuesday, the Star Tribune reported.
Of the 20 infected people who attended the conference in Finlayson, none were hospitalized, he said, and the Salvation Army was still awaiting results from some attendees of the Oct. 6-8 event. The nonprofit shut down its Roseville headquarters as a precaution, boosted cleanings of its sites and quarantined all conference attendees, he said.
The outbreak comes at a time when the state is experiencing widespread transmission of the coronavirus, with 1,120 new cases reported Tuesday - the 13th consecutive day that case counts had topped 1,000.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Wednesday that Minnesota state employees who have been working from home during the pandemic were informed this week that they will most likely continue telecommuting at least through the end of the school year in June. The decision affects about half of the roughly 56,000 state workers who currently work from home.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Maryland woman charged with murder in mother's death

MILLERSVILLE , Md .
( AP ) - A Maryland woman has been charged with murder for the death of her mother nearly five months ago .
Anne Arundel police are seeking the extradition of Kimberly Windsor to face charges for her mother , Carol Windsor ’ s , death in May , the police department said Tuesday in a statement .
The 74-year-old died May 24 , five days after she told officers responding to a report about an assault in Linthicum Heights that Kimberly Windsor threw a clock at her head , pulled her to the ground , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ran over her with a wheelchair .
In September , a medical examiner ruled her death a homicide that was caused by a cardiovascular disease complicated by the assault , Anne Arundel police spokesman Marc Limansky told the Capital Gazette .
Kimberly Windsor , 46 , was at the scene of the incident in May and assaulted officers who were attempting to arrest her , the statement said .
Police say the daughter also assaulted fire department personnel .
She was taken into custody after a struggle and charged with three counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s determination , police added additional charges against her , including second-degree murder .
She has been jailed at a facility outside of Anne Arundel County since the incident and is expected to be extradited back to the county .
It was not immediately clear if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf .

MILLERSVILLE, Md. (AP) - A Maryland woman has been charged with murder for the death of her mother nearly five months ago.
Anne Arundel police are seeking the extradition of Kimberly Windsor to face charges for her mother, Carol Windsor’s, death in May, the police department said Tuesday in a statement.
The 74-year-old died May 24, five days after she told officers responding to a report about an assault in Linthicum Heights that Kimberly Windsor threw a clock at her head, pulled her to the ground, pulled her hair, kicked her, and ran over her with a wheelchair.
In September, a medical examiner ruled her death a homicide that was caused by a cardiovascular disease complicated by the assault, Anne Arundel police spokesman Marc Limansky told the Capital Gazette.
Kimberly Windsor, 46, was at the scene of the incident in May and assaulted officers who were attempting to arrest her, the statement said. Police say the daughter also assaulted fire department personnel.
She was taken into custody after a struggle and charged with three counts of second degree assault.
After the medical examiner’s determination, police added additional charges against her, including second-degree murder. She has been jailed at a facility outside of Anne Arundel County since the incident and is expected to be extradited back to the county.
It was not immediately clear if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Topeka police respond to fight, find man fatally stabbed

TOPEKA , Kan. ( AP ) - Police in Topeka are investigating the city ’ s latest homicide after finding @ @ @ @ @ a home .
Officers were called to the home around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday for reports @ @ @ @ @ said in a news release .
Arriving officers found a man with stab wounds at @ @ @ @ @ was taken to a local hospital , where he died from his injuries , police @ @ @ @ @ released the victim ’ s name by early Wednesday morning , and no arrests had @ @ @ @ @ .
Police asked anyone with information on the stabbing to contact detectives or Shawnee County @ @ @

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Police in Topeka are investigating the city’s latest homicide after finding a man fatally stabbed at a home.
Officers were called to the home around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday for reports of a fight, police said in a news release. Arriving officers found a man - later identified as Tyler Parkinson, 31, of Topeka - with stab wounds at the home. Parkinson was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, police said.
No arrests had been made in the case by late Wednesday morning, police said. Police asked anyone with information on the stabbing to contact detectives or Shawnee County Crime Stoppers.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Mother, teen son killed in Philadelphia fire

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - Authorities on Wednesday were trying to determine what caused an early morning fire in a @ @ @ @ @ lives of a woman and her teenage son .
Firefighters found heavy smoke and intense @ @ @ @ @ the scene in the city ’ s Point Breeze section .
Firefighters pulled the 39-year-old @ @ @ @ @ from the home .
She and her 14-year-old son died at Jefferson Hospital .
Her @ @ @ @ @ condition at Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia .
Authorities have not released their names @ @ @ @ @ fire marshal ’ s office was handling the investigation .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Authorities on Wednesday were trying to determine what caused an early morning fire in a row home that claimed the lives of a woman and her teenage son.
Firefighters found heavy smoke and intense flames when they arrived on the scene in the city’s Point Breeze section.
Firefighters pulled the 39-year-old mother and her two children from the home. She and her 14-year-old son died at Jefferson Hospital.
Her 12-year-old daughter was in stable condition at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Authorities have not released their names.
The city’s fire marshal’s office was handling the investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Inmate sues corrections department over bleach put in drink

LOWELL , Fla. ( AP ) - An inmate at a Florida prison is suing the state ’ s Department of Corrections over allegations that an officer put chlorine bleach in her drink .
In a lawsuit filed last week in Marion County , inmate Alfreda Gunn claims that she and corrections officer Qualesha Williams were “ in a heated verbal dispute ” in January at Lowell Correctional Institution , the Ocala StarBanner reported .
After the argument , the lawsuit said , several corrections officers , including a supervisor , heard Williams telling Gunn “ I got something for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ meant some sort of retaliation.
” The supervisor , who ’ s a sergeant , “ did nothing to intervene and nothing to calm C/O Williams down or correct her threatening behavior , ” the lawsuit said .
According to the lawsuit , a corrections officer watched Williams spray bleach into a cup and onto the food tray being taken to Gunn .
Williams was not assigned to supervise or take part in feeding the inmates but was allowed to carry food trays in the dorm .
The lawsuit said she gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gunn detected the bleach when she took a drink from the cup , the lawsuit said .
Williams walked away without checking on the inmate .
But Gunn called out to the officer who had reportedly watched Williams spray bleach on the food .
That officer told her “ she could not help unless it was ‘ life or death ’ because shift change was approaching , ” the newspaper reported .
However that officer told another supervisor and an investigation began .
Gunn was taken to a nurse at a nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and charged with poisoning food or water , which is a first-degree felony , and has pleaded not guilty .
She is represented by attorney Mark Matthew O ’ Mara of Orlando .
The lawsuit claims corrections officials “ were recklessly indifferent to the misconduct and constituted a state-created danger , resulting in violations of rights.
” Gunn is represented by attorney David A. Frankel of Hollywood .
State corrections officials said they moved to “ immediately dismiss ” Williams when she was arrested , and that the incident was reported promptly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General was notified so it could investigate , the newspaper reported .
“ The Florida Department of Corrections takes all allegations of abuse or mistreatment of inmates seriously and encourages all inmates and staff to promptly report inappropriate or illegal conduct , ″ the agency said in a statement .
The state corrections website said Gunn has been in prison since August 2016 on multiple offenses such as grand theft , burglary and trafficking in stolen property .
She ’ s scheduled to be released in November 2022 .

LOWELL, Fla. (AP) - An inmate at a Florida prison is suing the state’s Department of Corrections over allegations that an officer put chlorine bleach in her drink.
In a lawsuit filed last week in Marion County, inmate Alfreda Gunn claims that she and corrections officer Qualesha Williams were “in a heated verbal dispute” in January at Lowell Correctional Institution, the Ocala StarBanner reported.
After the argument, the lawsuit said, several corrections officers, including a supervisor, heard Williams telling Gunn “I got something for you,” which the lawsuit contends “meant some sort of retaliation.”
The supervisor, who’s a sergeant, “did nothing to intervene and nothing to calm C/O Williams down or correct her threatening behavior,” the lawsuit said.
According to the lawsuit, a corrections officer watched Williams spray bleach into a cup and onto the food tray being taken to Gunn. Williams was not assigned to supervise or take part in feeding the inmates but was allowed to carry food trays in the dorm. The lawsuit said she gave Gunn the tray that had been sprayed.
Gunn detected the bleach when she took a drink from the cup, the lawsuit said. Williams walked away without checking on the inmate. But Gunn called out to the officer who had reportedly watched Williams spray bleach on the food. That officer told her “she could not help unless it was ‘life or death’ because shift change was approaching,” the newspaper reported.
However that officer told another supervisor and an investigation began. Gunn was taken to a nurse at a nearby prison facility.
Williams eventually was arrested and charged with poisoning food or water, which is a first-degree felony, and has pleaded not guilty. She is represented by attorney Mark Matthew O’Mara of Orlando.
The lawsuit claims corrections officials “were recklessly indifferent to the misconduct and constituted a state-created danger, resulting in violations of rights.” Gunn is represented by attorney David A. Frankel of Hollywood.
State corrections officials said they moved to “immediately dismiss” Williams when she was arrested, and that the incident was reported promptly and the agency’s Office of Inspector General was notified so it could investigate, the newspaper reported.
“The Florida Department of Corrections takes all allegations of abuse or mistreatment of inmates seriously and encourages all inmates and staff to promptly report inappropriate or illegal conduct,″ the agency said in a statement.
The state corrections website said Gunn has been in prison since August 2016 on multiple offenses such as grand theft, burglary and trafficking in stolen property. She’s scheduled to be released in November 2022.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Most voters say Senate should confirm Amy Coney Barrett: Poll

A majority of voters said they want the U.S. Senate to confirm Amy Coney Barrett , President Trump ’ s pick for the U.S. Supreme Court , according to polling released Wednesday .
Fifty-one percent said the Senate should confirm Judge Barrett , compared to 28 % who said it shouldn ’ t , according to the Morning Consult poll .
That ’ s up from a 48 % /31 % confirm/don ’ t confirm split from earlier this month and a 37 % /34 % split on Sept. 26 , the day Mr. Trump announced Judge Barrett as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 51 % figure is a higher level of support than they had measured at any time for Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh — Mr. Trump ’ s other two Supreme Court picks .
Democrats have argued that the winner of the presidential election should be the one to nominate a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Forty-seven percent of respondents agreed with that sentiment , compared to 39 % who said Mr. Trump should pick the replacement regardless of who wins .
But 45 % said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible , regardless of the election outcome , compared to 34 % who said the Senate should only vote on the nomination if Mr. Trump wins in November .
The full Senate is expected to vote next week .
The survey of 1,994 registered voters was taken from Oct. 16-18 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points .

A majority of voters said they want the U.S. Senate to confirm Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s pick for the U.S. Supreme Court, according to polling released Wednesday.
Fifty-one percent said the Senate should confirm Judge Barrett, compared to 28% who said it shouldn’t, according to the Morning Consult poll.
That’s up from a 48%/31% confirm/don’t confirm split from earlier this month and a 37%/34% split on Sept. 26, the day Mr. Trump announced Judge Barrett as his nominee.
Morning Consult noted that the 51% figure is a higher level of support than they had measured at any time for Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh — Mr. Trump’s other two Supreme Court picks.
Democrats have argued that the winner of the presidential election should be the one to nominate a replacement for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Forty-seven percent of respondents agreed with that sentiment, compared to 39% who said Mr. Trump should pick the replacement regardless of who wins.
But 45% said the Senate should vote on the nomination as soon as possible, regardless of the election outcome, compared to 34% who said the Senate should only vote on the nomination if Mr. Trump wins in November.
The full Senate is expected to vote next week.
The survey of 1,994 registered voters was taken from Oct. 16-18 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Family settles suit over death of prep football player

LEXINGTON , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina family has settled a lawsuit filed after a 14-year-old high @ @ @ @ @ an intense practice and died , news outlets reported .
The suit , filed against @ @ @ @ @ over the death River Bluff High School student Lewis Simpkins , was settled without a @ @ @ @ @ .
The amount of money involved in the agreement wasn ’ t listed in court @ @ @ @ @ filed in 2018 , or two years after Lewis collapsed in August 2016 after a @ @ @ @ @ included running and doing drills in full pads .
Former players described the day as @ @ @ @ @ had ever had , ” according to the complaint .
With the heat index around @ @ @ @ @ collapsed after drills and began gasping for air .
He eventually became unresponsive .
The @ @ @ @ @ youth ’ s parents , claimed officials failed to protect Lewis from dangerous conditions .

LEXINGTON, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina family has settled a lawsuit filed after a 14-year-old high school football player collapsed after an intense practice and died, news outlets reported.
The suit, filed against Lexington County School District 1 over the death River Bluff High School student Lewis Simpkins, was settled without a trial through a resolution process. The amount of money involved in the agreement wasn’t listed in court documents.
The complaint was filed in 2018, or two years after Lewis collapsed in August 2016 after a more than two-hour practice that included running and doing drills in full pads. Former players described the day as “the hardest practice they had ever had,” according to the complaint.
With the heat index around 95 degrees, the teen collapsed after drills and began gasping for air. He eventually became unresponsive.
The suit, filed by the youth’s parents, claimed officials failed to protect Lewis from dangerous conditions.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Jerome Adams, surgeon general, set for arraignment on Hawaii charges

HONOLULU — A lawyer for U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday that his client , who is charged with illegally entering a Hawaii public park that was closed because of the coronavirus , will plead not guilty .
The criminal complaint against Adams , who was on Oahu in August helping with surge testing amid a spike in coronavirus cases , says he and two other men were looking at the view and taking pictures at Kualoa Regional Park on the island ’ s northeastern coast .
The rural park offers a view of the famed Mokolii island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hat for its cone shape .
Adams did not appear in court or on a video call for the Wednesday hearing , but his attorney , Michael Green , said his client understands the charge and will plead not guilty .
Because the charge is a “ full misdemeanor , ” the judge said the not guilty plea could not be entered until Adams decided if he would waive his right to a jury trial .
Green said Adams would not waive that right .
The judge set an arraignment date of Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a police officer who cited him that he was visiting Hawaii to work with Gov .
David Ige on COVID-19 and didn ’ t know parks were closed .
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell had closed them at the time to try to prevent crowding that could spread the virus .
Violating any of the mayor ’ s emergency orders is punishable as a misdemeanor , with fines of up to $ 5,000 , up to a year in jail or both .
A few days after the citation , Adams appeared with Caldwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the city and federal government for surge testing .
“ I ’ m proud of every single one of you who has sacrificed over the past several months , ” Adams said at the time .
“ And to the people who are lapsing a little bit , I want you to understand that a little bit of fun right now can result in shutdowns further on down the road .
It ’ s important that we all do the right things right now , even if we don ’ t feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @

HONOLULU — A lawyer for U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said Wednesday that his client, who is charged with illegally entering a Hawaii public park that was closed because of the coronavirus, will plead not guilty.
The criminal complaint against Adams, who was on Oahu in August helping with surge testing amid a spike in coronavirus cases, says he and two other men were looking at the view and taking pictures at Kualoa Regional Park on the island’s northeastern coast. The rural park offers a view of the famed Mokolii island, also known as Chinaman’s Hat for its cone shape.
Adams did not appear in court or on a video call for the Wednesday hearing, but his attorney, Michael Green, said his client understands the charge and will plead not guilty.
Because the charge is a “full misdemeanor,” the judge said the not guilty plea could not be entered until Adams decided if he would waive his right to a jury trial. Green said Adams would not waive that right.
The judge set an arraignment date of Nov. 2 in circuit court.
Adams told a police officer who cited him that he was visiting Hawaii to work with Gov. David Ige on COVID-19 and didn’t know parks were closed. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell had closed them at the time to try to prevent crowding that could spread the virus.
Violating any of the mayor’s emergency orders is punishable as a misdemeanor, with fines of up to $5,000, up to a year in jail or both.
A few days after the citation, Adams appeared with Caldwell at a news conference announcing a partnership between the city and federal government for surge testing.
“I’m proud of every single one of you who has sacrificed over the past several months,” Adams said at the time. “And to the people who are lapsing a little bit, I want you to understand that a little bit of fun right now can result in shutdowns further on down the road. It’s important that we all do the right things right now, even if we don’t feel we are personally at risk.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Gaza nurses protest loss of Israeli permit, layoffs

GAZA CITY , Gaza Strip ( AP ) - A group of nurses from the Gaza Strip staged a protest in a public square on Wednesday , saying an Israeli travel ban has led the Jerusalem hospital where they worked for many years to fire them .
The seven nurses gathered at a public square in Gaza City , wearing lab coats and holding banners that said : “ Firing us is a death sentence on our profession and families.
” They directed their anger at both Israel , which has heavily restricted the entrance of Palestinians from the Hamas-ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Makassed hospital to lay them off .
Each had worked there for at least 20 years .
“ We never expected that Makassed would dismiss us arbitrarily , ” said Baher Lulu , 53 , a critical care nurse who said he joined the hospital 30 years ago , when travel from Gaza to Jerusalem did not require Israeli permission .
“ This has hurt us and our families , which rely heavily on this income.
” The workers said they used to receive renewable three-month permits that allowed them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to Gaza each weekend .
But starting in 2016 , they say Israeli authorities gradually stopped issuing permits .
By 2019 , all of them had lost the permits .
The medics say Israel cited security concerns .
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the territory .
Under the blockade it restricts the entrance of Gazans to Israel on security grounds , making exceptions for humanitarian cases .
Israel considers Hamas , which is sworn to its destruction , a terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body that oversees Palestinian civilian affairs , said it is forced to restrict access because Hamas “ does not hesitate to promote terrorism by cynically exploiting the Gaza Strip ’ s population.
” It said its rules for entry are available on its website , and every permit request “ is thoroughly examined by the relevant professionals , subject to security considerations.
” Human rights groups have long criticized the permit process , saying its criteria are vague .
An official from Makassed hospital , one of several in east Jerusalem serving Palestinians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaza , declined to comment .
The nurses say the hospital asked them to volunteer at medical centers in their hometown until they could travel again .
But this summer , they received the dismissal letters with a patient who returned from treatment in Jerusalem .
The medical workers say Makassed has weathered a series of financial challenges , but they believe a decision by the Trump administration in 2018 to redirect American aid to east Jerusalem hospitals network elsewhere has left the hospital unable to continue paying their salaries .
The medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding full-time work in Gaza , where unemployment is close to 50 % and it is especially for people over 50 to get hired .

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - A group of nurses from the Gaza Strip staged a protest in a public square on Wednesday, saying an Israeli travel ban has led the Jerusalem hospital where they worked for many years to fire them.
The seven nurses gathered at a public square in Gaza City, wearing lab coats and holding banners that said: “Firing us is a death sentence on our profession and families.”
They directed their anger at both Israel, which has heavily restricted the entrance of Palestinians from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, and at the decision by the Makassed hospital to lay them off. Each had worked there for at least 20 years.
“We never expected that Makassed would dismiss us arbitrarily,” said Baher Lulu, 53, a critical care nurse who said he joined the hospital 30 years ago, when travel from Gaza to Jerusalem did not require Israeli permission. “This has hurt us and our families, which rely heavily on this income.”
The workers said they used to receive renewable three-month permits that allowed them to spend the week at Makassed and return home to Gaza each weekend.
But starting in 2016, they say Israeli authorities gradually stopped issuing permits. By 2019, all of them had lost the permits. The medics say Israel cited security concerns.
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in 2007 after the Islamic militant group Hamas seized control of the territory. Under the blockade it restricts the entrance of Gazans to Israel on security grounds, making exceptions for humanitarian cases. Israel considers Hamas, which is sworn to its destruction, a terrorist group.
COGAT, the Israeli defense body that oversees Palestinian civilian affairs, said it is forced to restrict access because Hamas “does not hesitate to promote terrorism by cynically exploiting the Gaza Strip’s population.” It said its rules for entry are available on its website, and every permit request “is thoroughly examined by the relevant professionals, subject to security considerations.”
Human rights groups have long criticized the permit process, saying its criteria are vague.
An official from Makassed hospital, one of several in east Jerusalem serving Palestinians from the city, West Bank and Gaza, declined to comment.
The nurses say the hospital asked them to volunteer at medical centers in their hometown until they could travel again. But this summer, they received the dismissal letters with a patient who returned from treatment in Jerusalem.
The medical workers say Makassed has weathered a series of financial challenges, but they believe a decision by the Trump administration in 2018 to redirect American aid to east Jerusalem hospitals network elsewhere has left the hospital unable to continue paying their salaries.
The medical workers say there is no chance of finding full-time work in Gaza, where unemployment is close to 50% and it is especially for people over 50 to get hired.


washingtontimes--2020-10-21--Chuckles, Connecticut's prognosticating groundhog, has died

MANCHESTER , Conn. ( AP ) - Chuckles X , who served as Connecticut ’ s official prognosticating groundhog , has died .
The blind female woodchuck that conveyed forecasts of spring to Manchester Mayor Jay Moran for the past two years died last weekend at her home at the Lutz Children ’ s Museum , Kate Morrissey , the museum ’ s interim director , said Wednesday .
The Manchester museum is now searching for a Chuckles XI .
The title of Chuckles is bestowed on a groundhog that is usually donated to the museum by an animal rehabilitator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never taken from the wild , Morrissey said .
Chuckles X came to the museum after losing her sight to burns from a chemical likely put out to kill her , Morrissey said .
She was about 5 or 6 years old and died after a brief illness , the museum said .
The museum holds a ceremony every February , when children join in singing a song written about Chuckles and listen to her prediction , which she allegedly whispers to the mayor .
The festivities have their origin in a German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ casts a shadow on Feb. 2 , winter continues .
If not , spring comes early .
Pennsylvania ’ s Punxsutawney Phil is the nation ’ s most famous prognosticating groundhog .

MANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) - Chuckles X, who served as Connecticut’s official prognosticating groundhog, has died.
The blind female woodchuck that conveyed forecasts of spring to Manchester Mayor Jay Moran for the past two years died last weekend at her home at the Lutz Children’s Museum, Kate Morrissey, the museum’s interim director, said Wednesday.
The Manchester museum is now searching for a Chuckles XI. The title of Chuckles is bestowed on a groundhog that is usually donated to the museum by an animal rehabilitator after being found injured. It is never taken from the wild, Morrissey said.
Chuckles X came to the museum after losing her sight to burns from a chemical likely put out to kill her, Morrissey said. She was about 5 or 6 years old and died after a brief illness, the museum said.
The museum holds a ceremony every February, when children join in singing a song written about Chuckles and listen to her prediction, which she allegedly whispers to the mayor.
The festivities have their origin in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early. Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil is the nation’s most famous prognosticating groundhog.