washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Debate begins for who's first in line for COVID-19 vaccine

Who gets to be first in line for a COVID-19 vaccine ?
U.S. health authorities hope by late next month to have some draft guidance on how to ration initial doses , but it ’ s a vexing decision .
“ Not everybody ’ s going to like the answer , ” Dr. Francis Collins , director of the National Institutes of Health , recently told one of the advisory groups the government asked to help decide .
“ There will be many people who feel that they should have been at the top of the list.
” Traditionally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are health workers and the people most vulnerable to the targeted infection .
But Collins tossed new ideas into the mix : Consider geography and give priority to people where an outbreak is hitting hardest .
And don ’ t forget volunteers in the final stage of vaccine testing who get dummy shots , the comparison group needed to tell if the real shots truly work .
“ We owe them … some special priority , ” Collins said .
Huge studies this summer aim to prove which of several experimental COVID-19 vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Pfizer Inc. began tests last week that eventually will include 30,000 volunteers each ; in the next few months , equally large calls for volunteers will go out to test shots made by AstraZeneca , Johnson & Johnson and Novavax .
And some vaccines made in China are in smaller late-stage studies in other countries .
For all the promises of the U.S. stockpiling millions of doses , the hard truth : Even if a vaccine is declared safe and effective by year ’ s end , there won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away — especially as most potential vaccines require two doses .
It ’ s a global dilemma .
The World Health Organization is grappling with the same who-goes-first question as it tries to ensure vaccines are fairly distributed to poor countries — decisions made even harder as wealthy nations corner the market for the first doses .
In the U.S. , the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , a group established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , is supposed to recommend who to vaccinate and when — advice that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 vaccine decision is so tricky that this time around , ethicists and vaccine experts from the National Academy of Medicine , chartered by Congress to advise the government , are being asked to weigh in , too .
Setting priorities will require “ creative , moral common sense , ” said Bill Foege , who devised the vaccination strategy that led to global eradication of smallpox .
Foege is co-leading the academy ’ s deliberations , calling it “ both this opportunity and this burden.
” With vaccine misinformation abounding and fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Redfield said the public must see vaccine allocation as “ equitable , fair and transparent.
” How to decide ?
The CDC ’ s opening suggestion : First vaccinate 12 million of the most critical health , national security and other essential workers .
Next would be 110 million people at high risk from the coronavirus — those over 65 who live in long-term care facilities , or those of any age who are in poor health — or who also are deemed essential workers .
The general population would come later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know who ’ s really essential .
“ I wouldn ’ t consider myself a critical health care worker , ” admitted Dr. Peter Szilagyi , a pediatrician at the University of California , Los Angeles .
Indeed , the risks for health workers today are far different than in the pandemic ’ s early days .
Now , health workers in COVID-19 treatment units often are the best protected ; others may be more at risk , committee members noted .
Beyond the health and security fields , does “ essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And what if the vaccine doesn ’ t work as well among vulnerable populations as among younger , healthier people ?
It ’ s a real worry , given that older people ’ s immune systems don ’ t rev up as well to flu vaccine .
With Black , Latino and Native American populations disproportionately hit by the coronavirus , failing to address that diversity means “ whatever comes out of our group will be looked at very suspiciously , ” said ACIP chairman Dr. Jose Romero , Arkansas ’ interim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who live in crowded conditions , have less access to health care and can ’ t work from home like more privileged Americans , added Dr. Sharon Frey of St. Louis University .
And it may be worth vaccinating entire families rather than trying to single out just one high-risk person in a household , said Dr. Henry Bernstein of Northwell Health .
Whoever gets to go first , a mass vaccination campaign while people are supposed to be keeping their distance is a tall order .
During the 2009 swine flu pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parking lots and at health departments when their turn came up , crowding that authorities know they must avoid this time around .
Operation Warp Speed , the Trump administration ’ s effort to speed vaccine manufacturing and distribution , is working out how to rapidly transport the right number of doses to wherever vaccinations are set to occur .
Drive-through vaccinations , pop-up clinics and other innovative ideas are all on the table , said CDC ’ s Dr. Nancy Messonnier .
As soon as a vaccine is declared effective , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , frankly , to start these programs , ” Messonnier said .
“ It ’ s a long road.
” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

Who gets to be first in line for a COVID-19 vaccine? U.S. health authorities hope by late next month to have some draft guidance on how to ration initial doses, but it’s a vexing decision.
“Not everybody’s going to like the answer,” Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, recently told one of the advisory groups the government asked to help decide. “There will be many people who feel that they should have been at the top of the list.”
Traditionally, first in line for a scarce vaccine are health workers and the people most vulnerable to the targeted infection.
But Collins tossed new ideas into the mix: Consider geography and give priority to people where an outbreak is hitting hardest.
And don’t forget volunteers in the final stage of vaccine testing who get dummy shots, the comparison group needed to tell if the real shots truly work.
“We owe them … some special priority,” Collins said.
Huge studies this summer aim to prove which of several experimental COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Moderna Inc. and Pfizer Inc. began tests last week that eventually will include 30,000 volunteers each; in the next few months, equally large calls for volunteers will go out to test shots made by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax. And some vaccines made in China are in smaller late-stage studies in other countries.
For all the promises of the U.S. stockpiling millions of doses, the hard truth: Even if a vaccine is declared safe and effective by year’s end, there won’t be enough for everyone who wants it right away — especially as most potential vaccines require two doses.
It’s a global dilemma. The World Health Organization is grappling with the same who-goes-first question as it tries to ensure vaccines are fairly distributed to poor countries — decisions made even harder as wealthy nations corner the market for the first doses.
In the U.S., the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a group established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is supposed to recommend who to vaccinate and when — advice that the government almost always follows.
But a COVID-19 vaccine decision is so tricky that this time around, ethicists and vaccine experts from the National Academy of Medicine, chartered by Congress to advise the government, are being asked to weigh in, too.
Setting priorities will require “creative, moral common sense,” said Bill Foege, who devised the vaccination strategy that led to global eradication of smallpox. Foege is co-leading the academy’s deliberations, calling it “both this opportunity and this burden.”
With vaccine misinformation abounding and fears that politics might intrude, CDC Director Robert Redfield said the public must see vaccine allocation as “equitable, fair and transparent.”
How to decide? The CDC’s opening suggestion: First vaccinate 12 million of the most critical health, national security and other essential workers. Next would be 110 million people at high risk from the coronavirus — those over 65 who live in long-term care facilities, or those of any age who are in poor health — or who also are deemed essential workers. The general population would come later.
CDC’s vaccine advisers wanted to know who’s really essential. “I wouldn’t consider myself a critical health care worker,” admitted Dr. Peter Szilagyi, a pediatrician at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Indeed, the risks for health workers today are far different than in the pandemic’s early days. Now, health workers in COVID-19 treatment units often are the best protected; others may be more at risk, committee members noted.
Beyond the health and security fields, does “essential” mean poultry plant workers or schoolteachers? And what if the vaccine doesn’t work as well among vulnerable populations as among younger, healthier people? It’s a real worry, given that older people’s immune systems don’t rev up as well to flu vaccine.
With Black, Latino and Native American populations disproportionately hit by the coronavirus, failing to address that diversity means “whatever comes out of our group will be looked at very suspiciously,” said ACIP chairman Dr. Jose Romero, Arkansas’ interim health secretary.
Consider the urban poor who live in crowded conditions, have less access to health care and can’t work from home like more privileged Americans, added Dr. Sharon Frey of St. Louis University.
And it may be worth vaccinating entire families rather than trying to single out just one high-risk person in a household, said Dr. Henry Bernstein of Northwell Health.
Whoever gets to go first, a mass vaccination campaign while people are supposed to be keeping their distance is a tall order. During the 2009 swine flu pandemic, families waited in long lines in parking lots and at health departments when their turn came up, crowding that authorities know they must avoid this time around.
Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s effort to speed vaccine manufacturing and distribution, is working out how to rapidly transport the right number of doses to wherever vaccinations are set to occur.
Drive-through vaccinations, pop-up clinics and other innovative ideas are all on the table, said CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier.
As soon as a vaccine is declared effective, “we want to be able the next day, frankly, to start these programs,” Messonnier said. “It’s a long road.”
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--AP PHOTOS: Muslims worldwide mark Eid festival amid pandemic

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - Muslims worldwide have marked the Eid al-Adha holiday amid a global pandemic that has impacted nearly every aspect of this year ’ s celebrations .
Around the world , Muslims gathered with relatives or at home on Friday to mark the start of Eid .
In the Iraqi capital Baghdad , streets were largely empty due to a 10-day lockdown imposed by authorities to prevent further spread of the virus .
Kosovo and the United Arab Emirates also closed mosques for Eid prayers to limit the spread of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia coincide with the four-day Eid al-Adha , or “ Feast of Sacrifice , ” in which Muslims slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor .
The hajj has too been dramatically impacted this year , with as few as 1,000 pilgrims allowed to take part compared to last year ’ s 2.5 million .
The pandemic has also pushed millions of people around the world closer to the brink of poverty , making it harder for many to fulfill the religious tradition of purchasing livestock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meat has slightly increased .
Abdishakur Dahir , a civil servant in Mogadishu , said that for the first time he won ’ t be able to afford goat for Eid because of the impact of the virus on work .
“ I could hardly buy food for my family , ” Dahir said .
“ We are just surviving for now .
Life is getting tougher by the day.
” In some parts of West Africa , the price for a ram has doubled .
Livestock sellers , used to doing brisk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , say sales have dwindled and those who are buying can ’ t afford much .
“ The situation is really complicated by the coronavirus , it ’ s a tough market , ” Oumar Maiga , a livestock trader in Ivory Coast said .
“ We are in a situation we ’ ve never seen in other years.
” In Indonesia , home to the world ’ s largest population of Muslims , people were allowed to attend Eid prayers in mosques under strict health guidelines , including that they bring their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart from one another .
Worshipers must wear masks and are not allowed to shake hands or hug .
Authorities in Indonesia also ordered that meat be delivered door-to-door to the poor to avoid long lines .
“ This outbreak has not only changed our tradition entirely , but has also made more and more people fall into poverty , ” said Agus Supriatna , an Indonesian factory worker who was laid off this year because of the pandemic .
Here ’ s a gallery of images from Associated Press photographers from around @ @ @

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Muslims worldwide have marked the Eid al-Adha holiday amid a global pandemic that has impacted nearly every aspect of this year’s celebrations.
Around the world, Muslims gathered with relatives or at home on Friday to mark the start of Eid.
In the Iraqi capital Baghdad, streets were largely empty due to a 10-day lockdown imposed by authorities to prevent further spread of the virus. Kosovo and the United Arab Emirates also closed mosques for Eid prayers to limit the spread of the virus.
The last days of the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia coincide with the four-day Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice,” in which Muslims slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor. The hajj has too been dramatically impacted this year, with as few as 1,000 pilgrims allowed to take part compared to last year’s 2.5 million.
The pandemic has also pushed millions of people around the world closer to the brink of poverty, making it harder for many to fulfill the religious tradition of purchasing livestock.
In Somalia, the price of meat has slightly increased. Abdishakur Dahir, a civil servant in Mogadishu, said that for the first time he won’t be able to afford goat for Eid because of the impact of the virus on work.
“I could hardly buy food for my family,” Dahir said. “We are just surviving for now. Life is getting tougher by the day.”
In some parts of West Africa, the price for a ram has doubled. Livestock sellers, used to doing brisk business in the days before the holiday, say sales have dwindled and those who are buying can’t afford much.
“The situation is really complicated by the coronavirus, it’s a tough market,” Oumar Maiga, a livestock trader in Ivory Coast said. “We are in a situation we’ve never seen in other years.”
In Indonesia, home to the world’s largest population of Muslims, people were allowed to attend Eid prayers in mosques under strict health guidelines, including that they bring their own prayer mats and pray several feet apart from one another. Worshipers must wear masks and are not allowed to shake hands or hug.
Authorities in Indonesia also ordered that meat be delivered door-to-door to the poor to avoid long lines.
“This outbreak has not only changed our tradition entirely, but has also made more and more people fall into poverty,” said Agus Supriatna, an Indonesian factory worker who was laid off this year because of the pandemic.
Here’s a gallery of images from Associated Press photographers from around the world.
___
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washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Sheriff: Burger King worker shot, killed in waiting dispute

ORLANDO , Fla. ( AP ) - Authorities in Florida say a Burger King worker was fatally shot after a @ @ @ @ @ a food order .
The Orange County Sheriff ’ s Office identified the shooter in @ @ @ @ @ 37-year-old Kelvis Rodriguez Tormes .
Authorities said he is charged with first-degree murder with a @ @ @ @ @ and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon .
The victim was identified as @ @ @ @ @ , who had only recently begun working at the restaurant .
The Orlando Sentinel reported @ @ @ @ @ followed a confrontation between Joshua and a woman over the length of time it took @ @ @ @ @ to be completed .
The woman was refunded her money , then left and returned @ @ @ @ @ said .
After a scuffle , deputies say Joshua was shot in the parking lot @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
Jail records Sunday did not list an attorney for Rodriguez Tormes .

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Authorities in Florida say a Burger King worker was fatally shot after a dispute over a delay in a food order.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office identified the shooter in a news release Sunday as 37-year-old Kelvis Rodriguez Tormes. Authorities said he is charged with first-degree murder with a firearm, destruction of evidence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The victim was identified as 22-year-old Desmond Armond Joshua Jr., who had only recently begun working at the restaurant.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that the Saturday night shooting followed a confrontation between Joshua and a woman over the length of time it took for a drive-through food order to be completed.
The woman was refunded her money, then left and returned with Rodriguez Tormes, authorities said. After a scuffle, deputies say Joshua was shot in the parking lot and later died at a hospital.
Jail records Sunday did not list an attorney for Rodriguez Tormes.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--1,467 new confirmed Illinois cases of coronavirus, 14 deaths

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - There were 1,467 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Illinois and 14 additional @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health reported Sunday .
The latest confirmed cases brings to 181,943 the @ @ @ @ @ in Illinois since the start of the pandemic .
The number of deaths now total @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases reported in Illinois range from younger than one-year to older than 100 years @ @ @ @ @ positivity rate for cases as a percent of total tests from July 26–August 1 is @ @ @ @ @ department reports .
According to the health department , laboratories report 38,945 tests for the @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , putting the number of tests in Illinois for COVID-19 at @ @

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - There were 1,467 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Illinois and 14 additional confirmed deaths, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported Sunday.
The latest confirmed cases brings to 181,943 the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Illinois since the start of the pandemic. The number of deaths now total 7,517. The ages of coronavirus cases reported in Illinois range from younger than one-year to older than 100 years.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases as a percent of total tests from July 26–August 1 is 3.9%, the health department reports.
According to the health department, laboratories report 38,945 tests for the virus have taken place in the past 24 hours, putting the number of tests in Illinois for COVID-19 at 2,778,000.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Chicago shootings kill 8 including 9-year-old boy

CHICAGO ( AP ) – Gun violence continued to plague Chicago , with eight people killed , including a 9-year-old boy , and at least 19 other people wounded so far this weekend , police said Sunday .
From Jan. 1 through the end of July , there were 440 homicides in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot , a number that includes those killed , according to the Chicago Police Department .
The latest fatal shooting occurred early Sunday , when two men were killed as they sat in a vehicle parked on Chicago ’ s West Side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ head , according to police .
The first reported fatal shooting of the weekend occurred Friday evening in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood , where 9-year-old Janari Ricks was playing when he was fatally shot in the chest .
Police said the boy was not the intended target .
No arrests have been made in that case .
“ He wanted to help rebuild the community , rebuild something that the kids can enjoy later down the line , ” the boy ’ s mother , Jalisa Ford told the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken away.
” Homicides and shootings have surged in Chicago during the first seven months of the year .
The 440 homicides and 2,240 people shot by the end of this July compares to 290 homicides and 1,480 shootings in Chicago in the same period last year .
July was especially violent ; the city recorded 105 homicides and 584 shootings .
Violent crime has risen in many U.S. cities this year .
President Donald Trump recently announced he was sending federal agents to some of them , including Chicago , as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help local authorities fight such crime .
Although federal agents in Chicago are primarily assisting police in investigating violent crime , an Alcohol .
Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives agent intervened when he saw an attempted carjacking Friday , firing on the suspect .
ATF spokeswoman Kimberly Nerheim said the agent , a regular full-time Chicago Field Division staffer who is not part of Operation Legend , did not wound anyone and the suspect or suspects got away .
ATF ’ s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting a use-of-force investigation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nerheim said .

CHICAGO (AP) – Gun violence continued to plague Chicago, with eight people killed, including a 9-year-old boy, and at least 19 other people wounded so far this weekend, police said Sunday.
From Jan. 1 through the end of July, there were 440 homicides in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot, a number that includes those killed, according to the Chicago Police Department.
The latest fatal shooting occurred early Sunday, when two men were killed as they sat in a vehicle parked on Chicago’s West Side. Both were shot multiple times in the head, according to police.
The first reported fatal shooting of the weekend occurred Friday evening in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood, where 9-year-old Janari Ricks was playing when he was fatally shot in the chest. Police said the boy was not the intended target. No arrests have been made in that case.
“He wanted to help rebuild the community, rebuild something that the kids can enjoy later down the line,” the boy’s mother, Jalisa Ford told the Chicago Sun-Times. “It’s gone, it’s taken away.”
Homicides and shootings have surged in Chicago during the first seven months of the year. The 440 homicides and 2,240 people shot by the end of this July compares to 290 homicides and 1,480 shootings in Chicago in the same period last year.
July was especially violent; the city recorded 105 homicides and 584 shootings.
Violent crime has risen in many U.S. cities this year. President Donald Trump recently announced he was sending federal agents to some of them, including Chicago, as part of what he calls Operation Legend to help local authorities fight such crime.
Although federal agents in Chicago are primarily assisting police in investigating violent crime, an Alcohol. Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent intervened when he saw an attempted carjacking Friday, firing on the suspect. ATF spokeswoman Kimberly Nerheim said the agent, a regular full-time Chicago Field Division staffer who is not part of Operation Legend, did not wound anyone and the suspect or suspects got away.
ATF’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting a use-of-force investigation, and Chicago police are handling the carjacking probe, Nerheim said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Minnesota reports 8 new deaths related to COVID-19

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - Minnesota health officials reported eight newly confirmed deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death toll to 1,614 since the pandemic began .
Of the eight new @ @ @ @ @ long-term care or assisted-living facilities .
Of Minnesota ’ s death toll , 1,231 - @ @ @ @ @ residents of long-term care or assisted-living facilities .
The number of newly confirmed coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ rise , with 769 newly reported cases Sunday , bringing the state ’ s total @ @ @ @ @ of 302 patients were hospitalized Sunday , down 15 from 317 the previous day .
@ @ @ @ @ intensive care units remained at 149 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild @ @ @ @ @ as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some @ @ @ @ @ people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia @

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota health officials reported eight newly confirmed deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday.
That raises the state’s death toll to 1,614 since the pandemic began. Of the eight new deaths, five were in long-term care or assisted-living facilities. Of Minnesota’s death toll, 1,231 - or 76 % - are residents of long-term care or assisted-living facilities.
The number of newly confirmed coronavirus cases in Minnesota also continued to rise, with 769 newly reported cases Sunday, bringing the state’s total to 55,947.
A total of 302 patients were hospitalized Sunday, down 15 from 317 the previous day. The number of those in intensive care units remained at 149.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Cyclist dies after being struck by 'multiple vehicles' in NJ

EAST ORANGE , N.J. ( AP ) - A bicyclist died after being struck by “ multiple vehicles ” last @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
Essex County prosecutors and local police said Saturday that Steven Allen Jr. @ @ @ @ @ when he was struck at about 2 p.m. Wednesday .
Allen , 26 , of @ @ @ @ @ the scene .
The investigation continues and no charges have been filed against the drivers @ @ @ @

EAST ORANGE, N.J. (AP) - A bicyclist died after being struck by “multiple vehicles” last week in New Jersey, authorities said.
Essex County prosecutors and local police said Saturday that Steven Allen Jr. was cycling in East Orange when he was struck at about 2 p.m. Wednesday. Allen, 26, of Orange was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation continues and no charges have been filed against the drivers, authorities said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--4 bears hit by vehicles, 2 killed, in Yosemite National Park

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK , Calif. ( AP ) - Officials are urging drivers to slow down after four bears were @ @ @ @ @ were killed in Yosemite National Park in recent weeks , according to a newspaper report @ @ @ @ @ believed to be seriously injured after being hit by vehicles going faster than the 25 @ @ @ @ @ speed limit , the Fresno Bee reported Saturday .
The National Park Service estimates over @ @ @ @ @ by cars in Yosemite dating back to 1995 , the newspaper said .
Wildlife protection @ @ @ @ @ to slow down and help protect animals .
Officials are asking guests to tell park @ @ @ @ @ animals with their cars .
Yosemite is open during the coronavirus pandemic , but only @ @ @ @ @ .

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) - Officials are urging drivers to slow down after four bears were struck by vehicles and two were killed in Yosemite National Park in recent weeks, according to a newspaper report.
The surviving bears were believed to be seriously injured after being hit by vehicles going faster than the 25 mile-an-hour (40 kilometer-an-hour) speed limit, the Fresno Bee reported Saturday.
The National Park Service estimates over 400 bears have been hit by cars in Yosemite dating back to 1995, the newspaper said. Wildlife protection zones were established for motorists to slow down and help protect animals.
Officials are asking guests to tell park rangers if they hit any animals with their cars.
Yosemite is open during the coronavirus pandemic, but only to guests who make reservations.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Nevada passes bill to mail all voters ballots amid pandemic

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - State lawmakers passed a bill Sunday that would add Nevada to a growing list of states that will mail all active voters ballots ahead of the November election amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The bill now heads to Gov .
Steve Sisolak .
If he signs it as expected , Nevada will join seven states that plan on automatically sending voters mail ballots , including California and Vermont , which moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies .
Proposals to expand the use of mail ballots have sparked pushback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who in tweets , has claimed it would lead to fraud and compromise the integrity of the election , including in Nevada .
Consensus among experts is that all forms of voter fraud are rare .
Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske told lawmakers Friday that she wasn ’ t aware of any fraud in the June primary , during which Nevada mailed all active voters absentee ballots and only opened a limited number of polling places to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
Limited polling places in Reno and Las Vegas resulted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. Center for Disease Control has issued election guidance to provide a wide variety of voting options and limit crowds at polling places .
In the June primary , each county had one polling place except for Clark County , which had three throughout the Las Vegas area .
Assembly Bill 4 requires at least 140 polling places throughout the state , including 100 in Clark County , which had 179 in the November 2018 election .
Christine Saunders of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada said the long waits in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both mail and in-person voting opportunities .
“ No one should have to choose between their health and voting .
No one should have to choose between staying in line to vote and making it to their job on time , ” she said .
In states such as Colorado and Oregon , which have mailed all voters ballots for years , the procedure is cheaper than holding an in-person election .
But Cegavske said the equipment , education , printing and postage would cost the Secretary of State ’ s office an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs to counties , which distribute and tabulate ballots .
Nevada spent more than $ 4 million in federal relief dollars in the June primary , most of which it funneled to counties .
More than $ 1 million went toward leasing counting and sorting machines to accommodate a greater number of absentee ballots .
Cegavske , the state ’ s top election official and only Republican to hold statewide office , opposed the revised procedures .
She blasted the Democratic-controlled Legislature for excluding her from discussions and said she saw a draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote in the state Assembly .
“ We were not involved in this bill ’ s writing at all … I wish somebody would have asked us about because we could have told you what we had planned , ” she said Friday .
To bypass Cegavske and enact the changes , the bill gives the governor the power to command the Secretary of State to adjust election procedures during a declared state of emergency .
It passed on a party-line vote through both the state Senate and Assembly , with Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were particularly distressed with provisions of the bill that expand who is allowed collect and hand in ballots .
They warned it would enable a practice detractors call “ ballot harvesting , ” in which volunteers working for political groups collect and turn in large quantities of ballots to tip the scales in elections .
“ It ’ s a safeguard that our state I believe we need … I feel that taking it out - and it is in this bill - would be devastating , not only to us , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats argued allowing people other than family members to return ballots would help groups like members of Nevada ’ s 32 tribes , who have historically faced difficulty voting and live far form polling places and seniors – who may need assistance with voting and fear venturing to the polls .
In the June 2020 election , all voters were mailed ballots and 1.6 % voted in-person on Election Day , a tiny share compared to the 34.2 % that voted in-person in the November 2018 election .
This story has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 140 polling places throughout the state , not 65 , and 100 in Clark County , not 35 .
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in newsrooms to report on under-covered issues .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - State lawmakers passed a bill Sunday that would add Nevada to a growing list of states that will mail all active voters ballots ahead of the November election amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The bill now heads to Gov. Steve Sisolak. If he signs it as expected, Nevada will join seven states that plan on automatically sending voters mail ballots, including California and Vermont, which moved earlier this summer to adopt automatic mail ballot policies.
Proposals to expand the use of mail ballots have sparked pushback from Republicans, including President Donald Trump, who in tweets, has claimed it would lead to fraud and compromise the integrity of the election, including in Nevada. Consensus among experts is that all forms of voter fraud are rare.
Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske told lawmakers Friday that she wasn’t aware of any fraud in the June primary, during which Nevada mailed all active voters absentee ballots and only opened a limited number of polling places to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Limited polling places in Reno and Las Vegas resulted in lines of up to eight hours.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control has issued election guidance to provide a wide variety of voting options and limit crowds at polling places.
In the June primary, each county had one polling place except for Clark County, which had three throughout the Las Vegas area. Assembly Bill 4 requires at least 140 polling places throughout the state, including 100 in Clark County, which had 179 in the November 2018 election.
Christine Saunders of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada said the long waits in the June primary demonstrated why Nevada needs both mail and in-person voting opportunities.
“No one should have to choose between their health and voting. No one should have to choose between staying in line to vote and making it to their job on time,” she said.
In states such as Colorado and Oregon, which have mailed all voters ballots for years, the procedure is cheaper than holding an in-person election. But Cegavske said the equipment, education, printing and postage would cost the Secretary of State’s office an additional $3 million, not including costs to counties, which distribute and tabulate ballots.
Nevada spent more than $4 million in federal relief dollars in the June primary, most of which it funneled to counties. More than $1 million went toward leasing counting and sorting machines to accommodate a greater number of absentee ballots.
Cegavske, the state’s top election official and only Republican to hold statewide office, opposed the revised procedures. She blasted the Democratic-controlled Legislature for excluding her from discussions and said she saw a draft of the bill only a day before the vote in the state Assembly.
“We were not involved in this bill’s writing at all … I wish somebody would have asked us about because we could have told you what we had planned,” she said Friday.
To bypass Cegavske and enact the changes, the bill gives the governor the power to command the Secretary of State to adjust election procedures during a declared state of emergency. It passed on a party-line vote through both the state Senate and Assembly, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. Republicans were particularly distressed with provisions of the bill that expand who is allowed collect and hand in ballots. They warned it would enable a practice detractors call “ballot harvesting,” in which volunteers working for political groups collect and turn in large quantities of ballots to tip the scales in elections.
“It’s a safeguard that our state I believe we need … I feel that taking it out - and it is in this bill - would be devastating, not only to us, but to our state,” Cegavske said.
Democrats argued allowing people other than family members to return ballots would help groups like members of Nevada’s 32 tribes, who have historically faced difficulty voting and live far form polling places and seniors – who may need assistance with voting and fear venturing to the polls.
In the June 2020 election, all voters were mailed ballots and 1.6% voted in-person on Election Day, a tiny share compared to the 34.2% that voted in-person in the November 2018 election.
___
This story has been corrected to show there will at least 140 polling places throughout the state, not 65, and 100 in Clark County, not 35.
___
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Cuomo: Parents need assurance before schools reopen

ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) - It ’ s crucial that parents and teachers feel comfortable for schools in New York to open successfully this fall , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Sunday .
Local districts were required to submit their reopening plans to the state Friday , and initial decisions on the plans were expected from New York officials this week .
But the Democratic governor stressed Sunday that there needs to be a “ full conversation ” that answers parents ’ questions about reopening safely .
“ If the parents don ’ t feel comfortable , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , ” Cuomo told reporters during a telephone briefing .
“ And we ’ ll accomplish nothing if we open the schools but a significant number of parents decide to keep their children home.
” Similarly , Cuomo said “ no one wants to force teachers against their will to work.
” Cuomo highlighted the need for better remote learning and proper COVID-19 testing capacity .
He stressed the need for fast turnaround times for results , which has been a problem around the country .
New York has contained the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country .
The state recorded three new deaths on Saturday and 556 people hospitalized , a decrease of 25 patients from the previous day .
Officials in New York have recently stepped up enforcement on bars and restaurants flouting pandemic rules .
On Sunday , the New York City Sheriff ’ s department said in a tweet it intercepted a party boat at a Manhattan pier for an “ illegal party ” with social distancing violations and arrested the owners and captain .
Calls were made to the sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boat ’ s owner for comment .

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - It’s crucial that parents and teachers feel comfortable for schools in New York to open successfully this fall, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday.
Local districts were required to submit their reopening plans to the state Friday, and initial decisions on the plans were expected from New York officials this week. But the Democratic governor stressed Sunday that there needs to be a “full conversation” that answers parents’ questions about reopening safely.
“If the parents don’t feel comfortable, they’re not going to send their children,” Cuomo told reporters during a telephone briefing. “And we’ll accomplish nothing if we open the schools but a significant number of parents decide to keep their children home.”
Similarly, Cuomo said “no one wants to force teachers against their will to work.”
Cuomo highlighted the need for better remote learning and proper COVID-19 testing capacity. He stressed the need for fast turnaround times for results, which has been a problem around the country.
New York has contained the virus recently even as it surges in other parts of the country. The state recorded three new deaths on Saturday and 556 people hospitalized, a decrease of 25 patients from the previous day.
Officials in New York have recently stepped up enforcement on bars and restaurants flouting pandemic rules. On Sunday, the New York City Sheriff’s department said in a tweet it intercepted a party boat at a Manhattan pier for an “illegal party” with social distancing violations and arrested the owners and captain.
Calls were made to the sheriff’s department seeking more information and to the boat’s owner for comment.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Ethiopians celebrate progress in building dam on Nile River

ADDIS ABABA , Ethiopia ( AP ) - Ethiopians are celebrating progress in the construction of the country ’ s dam on the Nile River , which has caused regional controversy over its filling .
In joyful demonstrations urged by posts on social media and apparently endorsed by the government , tens of thousands of residents flooded the streets of the capital Addis Ababa on Sunday afternoon , waving Ethiopia ’ s flag and holding up posters .
People in cars honked their horns , others whistled , played loud music , and danced in public spaces to mark the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other cities in Ethiopia .
Ethiopia ’ s Deputy Prime Minister , Demeke Mekonnen , called on the public to rally behind the dam and support the completion of its construction .
“ Today is a date in which we celebrate the beginning of the final chapter in our dam ’ s construction , ” Demeke told scores of people who gathered at a hall in the capital .
“ We want the construction to complete soon and began solving our problems once and for all.
” Hashtags like # ItsMyDam , # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among Ethiopian social media users .
Ethiopians around the world contributed to the festivities on social media .
Sunday ’ s celebration , called “ One voice for our dam , ” came after Ethiopian officials announced on July 22 that the first stage of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ’ s reservoir was achieved due to heavy rains .
Officials in the East African nation say they hope the $ 4.6 billion dam , fully financed by Ethiopia itself , will reach full power generating capacity in 2023 .
With 74 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dam has been contentious for years and raised tensions with neighboring countries .
Ethiopia says the dam will provide electricity to millions of its nearly 110 million citizens and help them out of poverty .
The dam should also make Ethiopia a major power exporter .
Downstream Egypt , which depends on the Nile River to supply its farmers and booming population of 100 million people with fresh water , asserts that the dam poses an existential threat .
Sudan , between the two countries , is also concerned about its access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key questions remain about how much water Ethiopia will release downstream if a multiyear drought occurs and how the countries will resolve any future disputes .
Negotiations to resolve the differences have broken down several times , but now appear to be making progress .

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Ethiopians are celebrating progress in the construction of the country’s dam on the Nile River, which has caused regional controversy over its filling.
In joyful demonstrations urged by posts on social media and apparently endorsed by the government, tens of thousands of residents flooded the streets of the capital Addis Ababa on Sunday afternoon, waving Ethiopia’s flag and holding up posters. People in cars honked their horns, others whistled, played loud music, and danced in public spaces to mark the occasion. Similar events were held in other cities in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, called on the public to rally behind the dam and support the completion of its construction.
“Today is a date in which we celebrate the beginning of the final chapter in our dam’s construction,” Demeke told scores of people who gathered at a hall in the capital. “We want the construction to complete soon and began solving our problems once and for all.”
Hashtags like #ItsMyDam, #EthiopiaNileRights and #GERD are also trending among Ethiopian social media users. Ethiopians around the world contributed to the festivities on social media.
Sunday’s celebration, called “One voice for our dam,” came after Ethiopian officials announced on July 22 that the first stage of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s reservoir was achieved due to heavy rains. Officials in the East African nation say they hope the $4.6 billion dam, fully financed by Ethiopia itself, will reach full power generating capacity in 2023.
With 74% of the construction completed, the dam has been contentious for years and raised tensions with neighboring countries.
Ethiopia says the dam will provide electricity to millions of its nearly 110 million citizens and help them out of poverty. The dam should also make Ethiopia a major power exporter. Downstream Egypt, which depends on the Nile River to supply its farmers and booming population of 100 million people with fresh water, asserts that the dam poses an existential threat. Sudan, between the two countries, is also concerned about its access to the Nile waters.
Negotiators have said key questions remain about how much water Ethiopia will release downstream if a multiyear drought occurs and how the countries will resolve any future disputes. Negotiations to resolve the differences have broken down several times, but now appear to be making progress.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Venezuelan coalition opposed to Maduro rejects upcoming vote

CARACAS , Venezuela ( AP ) - A coalition of political parties in Venezuela led by U.S.-backed Juan Guaidó said Sunday that it won ’ t participate in upcoming congressional elections called by officials loyal to President Nicolás Maduro .
A group of 27 opposition parties rejected the Dec. 6 election as “ fraud.
” The vote would determine control of the National Assembly led by Guaidó and the only branch of Venezuela ’ s government that Maduro doesn ’ t control .
“ We will fight together to choose the fate of our country , ” Guaidó tweeted Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority that desires to live with dignity .
Together we ’ re going to beat the regime !
” The coalition has invited Venezuelans to unite behind a fresh push against what they call Maduro ’ s “ dictatorship.
” It has also asked for international help in the campaign against Maduro .
Maduro didn ’ t immediately respond Sunday to the opposition ’ s decision , but he has said that it is important for his allies to win back control of the National Assembly .
He has accused opposition leaders who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
Venezuela is in a political and economic crisis during which roughly 5 million people have fled the nation in recent years .
The once-wealthy oil nation lacks basic goods , including a reliable supply of gasoline and a decent health care system , which is especially fragile as the coronavirus surges .
The opposition coalition rejected the December election , citing unfair conditions orchestrated by Maduro .
They said 30 opposition lawmakers have been stripped of immunity guaranteed by law , while dozens more have been driven into exile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Supreme Court - loyal to Maduro - recently appointed a new elections commission , including three members who have been sanctioned by the U.S. and Canada , without participation of the opposition-led congress , as the law requires .
The court also took over three leading opposition parties , appointing new leaders the opposition accuses of conspiring to support Maduro .
Opposition leaders say they will only participate in an election if there is a fairly seated election commission and qualified national and international observers overseeing all aspects of the voting process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maduro early last year , but the socialist president still has control over the military and other major institutions .
Maduro also has international support from Russia , China , Iran and Cuba .
It remains unclear how Guaidó , following the election , would maintain his legitimacy as Venezuela ’ s interim president , a position he claimed under the constitution in early 2019 from his position as head of the National Assembly .
President Donald Trump was among the first of more than 50 nations to support Guaidó .
His administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to isolate him , while Trump ’ s confidence in Guaidó appears to be fading .
However , Elliott Abrams , Trump ’ s special representative for Venezuela , said recently that the U.S. continues to support Guaidó , and the administration will impose more pressure on Maduro .
The opposition leaders denied in their statement that they were abstaining from the upcoming congressional election .
“ We ’ re not abstaining , ” the statement said .
“ There ’ s no abstaining when they call something that doesn ’ t qualify @ @ @ @ @

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A coalition of political parties in Venezuela led by U.S.-backed Juan Guaidó said Sunday that it won’t participate in upcoming congressional elections called by officials loyal to President Nicolás Maduro.
A group of 27 opposition parties rejected the Dec. 6 election as “fraud.”
The vote would determine control of the National Assembly led by Guaidó and the only branch of Venezuela’s government that Maduro doesn’t control.
“We will fight together to choose the fate of our country,” Guaidó tweeted Sunday. “Now we must mobilize our majority that desires to live with dignity. Together we’re going to beat the regime!”
The coalition has invited Venezuelans to unite behind a fresh push against what they call Maduro’s “dictatorship.” It has also asked for international help in the campaign against Maduro.
Maduro didn’t immediately respond Sunday to the opposition’s decision, but he has said that it is important for his allies to win back control of the National Assembly. He has accused opposition leaders who control the congress of being manipulated by the United States.
Venezuela is in a political and economic crisis during which roughly 5 million people have fled the nation in recent years. The once-wealthy oil nation lacks basic goods, including a reliable supply of gasoline and a decent health care system, which is especially fragile as the coronavirus surges.
The opposition coalition rejected the December election, citing unfair conditions orchestrated by Maduro. They said 30 opposition lawmakers have been stripped of immunity guaranteed by law, while dozens more have been driven into exile and five are currently in jail.
The Supreme Court - loyal to Maduro - recently appointed a new elections commission, including three members who have been sanctioned by the U.S. and Canada, without participation of the opposition-led congress, as the law requires. The court also took over three leading opposition parties, appointing new leaders the opposition accuses of conspiring to support Maduro.
Opposition leaders say they will only participate in an election if there is a fairly seated election commission and qualified national and international observers overseeing all aspects of the voting process.
Guaidó launched a campaign to oust Maduro early last year, but the socialist president still has control over the military and other major institutions. Maduro also has international support from Russia, China, Iran and Cuba.
It remains unclear how Guaidó, following the election, would maintain his legitimacy as Venezuela’s interim president, a position he claimed under the constitution in early 2019 from his position as head of the National Assembly.
President Donald Trump was among the first of more than 50 nations to support Guaidó. His administration has hit Maduro with stiff sanctions designed to isolate him, while Trump’s confidence in Guaidó appears to be fading.
However, Elliott Abrams, Trump’s special representative for Venezuela, said recently that the U.S. continues to support Guaidó, and the administration will impose more pressure on Maduro.
The opposition leaders denied in their statement that they were abstaining from the upcoming congressional election.
“We’re not abstaining,” the statement said. “There’s no abstaining when they call something that doesn’t qualify as an election.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Coronavirus cited in bid to toss death penalty in slaying

YORK , Pa. ( AP ) - A defense attorney is citing the coronavirus in asking a Pennsylvania judge to bar prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in the case of a man charged in a shooting death inside a movie theater last year .
Attorney Jon White argued in a hearing last week that the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered his ability to prepare an effective death penalty defense for Anu-Malik Johnson , the York Daily Record reported .
Johnson , 21 , is charged with first- and third-degree murder , aggravated assault , reckless endangering and related offenses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White Jr. at Regal Cinemas 13 in West Manchester Township .
White acknowledges that he has been able to have other contact with his client such as speaking on the phone , though he ’ s concerned about the confidentiality of those conversations .
But he said Thursday it ’ s vital for all members of his team , including the investigator and mitigation specialist , to have direct access to Johnson .
“ Death is different .
We have known that for years , ” said White , quoting late U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Mr. Johnson who suffers in this situation.
” A prison official called by prosecutors testified that there was no time when Johnson ’ s attorney could not either meet with his client in-person or via video conference .
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Chuck Murphy argued that the court process has essentially been put on hold to preserve Johnson ’ s rights .
“ At no time has the defendant been rushed to trial , ” Murphy said .
“ He ’ s not being rushed to do anything.
” Witnesses have said White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man as he headed to his seat , but Johnson later approached the seated victim and shot him .
Police say a female bystander was shot twice as the gunmen fled .
The other man is charged with hindering apprehension and other counts .

YORK, Pa. (AP) - A defense attorney is citing the coronavirus in asking a Pennsylvania judge to bar prosecutors from seeking the death penalty in the case of a man charged in a shooting death inside a movie theater last year.
Attorney Jon White argued in a hearing last week that the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered his ability to prepare an effective death penalty defense for Anu-Malik Johnson, the York Daily Record reported.
Johnson, 21, is charged with first- and third-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangering and related offenses in the Dec. 2 shooting of 22-year-old Andre White Jr. at Regal Cinemas 13 in West Manchester Township.
White acknowledges that he has been able to have other contact with his client such as speaking on the phone, though he’s concerned about the confidentiality of those conversations. But he said Thursday it’s vital for all members of his team, including the investigator and mitigation specialist, to have direct access to Johnson.
“Death is different. We have known that for years,” said White, quoting late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart. “It is Mr. Johnson who suffers in this situation.”
A prison official called by prosecutors testified that there was no time when Johnson’s attorney could not either meet with his client in-person or via video conference.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Chuck Murphy argued that the court process has essentially been put on hold to preserve Johnson’s rights.
“At no time has the defendant been rushed to trial,” Murphy said. “He’s not being rushed to do anything.”
Witnesses have said White had briefly spoken with Johnson and another man as he headed to his seat, but Johnson later approached the seated victim and shot him. Police say a female bystander was shot twice as the gunmen fled. The other man is charged with hindering apprehension and other counts.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--8 dead and at least 19 wounded in weekend Chicago shootings

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Gun violence continued to plague Chicago , with eight people killed , including a 9-year-old boy , and at least 19 other people wounded so far this weekend , police said Sunday .
From Jan. 1 through the end of July , there were 440 homicides in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot , a number that includes those killed , according to the Chicago Police Department .
The latest fatal shooting occurred early Sunday , when two men were killed as they sat in a vehicle parked on Chicago ’ s West Side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ head , according to police .
The first reported fatal shooting of the weekend occurred Friday evening in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood , where 9-year-old Janari Ricks was playing when he was fatally shot in the chest .
Police said the boy was not the intended target .
No arrests have been made in that case .
“ He wanted to help rebuild the community , rebuild something that the kids can enjoy later down the line , ” the boy ’ s mother , Jalisa Ford told the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken away.
” Homicides and shootings have surged in Chicago during the first seven months of the year .
The 440 homicides and 2,240 people shot by the end of this July compares to 290 homicides and 1,480 shootings in Chicago in the same period last year .
July was especially violent ; the city recorded 105 homicides and 584 shootings .
Violent crime has risen in many U.S. cities this year .
President Donald Trump recently announced he was sending federal agents to some of them , including Chicago , as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help local authorities fight such crime .
Although federal agents in Chicago are primarily assisting police in investigating violent crime , an Alcohol .
Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives agent intervened when he saw an attempted carjacking Friday , firing on the suspect .
ATF spokeswoman Kimberly Nerheim said the agent , a regular full-time Chicago Field Division staffer who is not part of Operation Legend , did not wound anyone and the suspect or suspects got away .
ATF ’ s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting a use-of-force investigation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nerheim said .

CHICAGO (AP) - Gun violence continued to plague Chicago, with eight people killed, including a 9-year-old boy, and at least 19 other people wounded so far this weekend, police said Sunday.
From Jan. 1 through the end of July, there were 440 homicides in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot, a number that includes those killed, according to the Chicago Police Department.
The latest fatal shooting occurred early Sunday, when two men were killed as they sat in a vehicle parked on Chicago’s West Side. Both were shot multiple times in the head, according to police.
The first reported fatal shooting of the weekend occurred Friday evening in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood, where 9-year-old Janari Ricks was playing when he was fatally shot in the chest. Police said the boy was not the intended target. No arrests have been made in that case.
“He wanted to help rebuild the community, rebuild something that the kids can enjoy later down the line,” the boy’s mother, Jalisa Ford told the Chicago Sun-Times. “It’s gone, it’s taken away.”
Homicides and shootings have surged in Chicago during the first seven months of the year. The 440 homicides and 2,240 people shot by the end of this July compares to 290 homicides and 1,480 shootings in Chicago in the same period last year.
July was especially violent; the city recorded 105 homicides and 584 shootings.
Violent crime has risen in many U.S. cities this year. President Donald Trump recently announced he was sending federal agents to some of them, including Chicago, as part of what he calls Operation Legend to help local authorities fight such crime.
Although federal agents in Chicago are primarily assisting police in investigating violent crime, an Alcohol. Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent intervened when he saw an attempted carjacking Friday, firing on the suspect. ATF spokeswoman Kimberly Nerheim said the agent, a regular full-time Chicago Field Division staffer who is not part of Operation Legend, did not wound anyone and the suspect or suspects got away.
ATF’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting a use-of-force investigation, and Chicago police are handling the carjacking probe, Nerheim said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--10 people sickened by carbon monoxide on Lake Michigan boat

SOUTH HAVEN , Mich. ( AP ) - Ten people aboard a boat on Lake Michigan were sickened after exposure @ @ @ @ @ in Michigan said Saturday .
Authorities received a distress call from the captain of the @ @ @ @ @ in Michigan from St. Joseph to South Haven around 2:45 p.m .
The boat was @ @ @ @ @ pier .
Authorities said all ten people were evaluated and treated at a hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ including the Van Buren County Sheriff ’ s office and South Haven Area Emergency Services @

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (AP) - Ten people aboard a boat on Lake Michigan were sickened after exposure to carbon monoxide, authorities in Michigan said Saturday.
Authorities received a distress call from the captain of the 32-foot boat that was traveling in Michigan from St. Joseph to South Haven around 2:45 p.m.
The boat was intercepted near the South Haven pier. Authorities said all ten people were evaluated and treated at a hospital.
Several law enforcement agencies responded including the Van Buren County Sheriff’s office and South Haven Area Emergency Services.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Bridge section damaged in Tempe train derailment demolished

TEMPE , Ariz. ( AP ) - A 150-foot portion of a century-old bridge that was damaged in a train derailment and resulting fire in Tempe was demolished Sunday as part of the cleanup process .
Union Pacific Railroad officials said the demolished portion of the bridge will likely be cut into smaller pieces so it can be removed and there isn ’ t a timeline yet for when the bridge will be reconstructed .
Eight to 10 cars of a 102-car Union Pacific freight train traveling from Tucson to Phoenix derailed around 6 a.m. Wednesday on a railroad bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The derailed cars were carrying lumber and hazardous material and burst into flames , causing the century-old bridge to partially collapse on the south end .
Tempe Fire Department Assistant Chief Andrea Glass said the partial demolition involved putting charges around various parts of the bridge in addition to small incisions which allowed for the most damaged section of the bridge to drop below .
Glass said the detonation wouldn ’ t impact the rest of the bridge and about 100 workers , mostly contractors , were working to clean up the derailment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s still unclear when Tempe Town Lake will reopen .

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - A 150-foot portion of a century-old bridge that was damaged in a train derailment and resulting fire in Tempe was demolished Sunday as part of the cleanup process.
Union Pacific Railroad officials said the demolished portion of the bridge will likely be cut into smaller pieces so it can be removed and there isn’t a timeline yet for when the bridge will be reconstructed.
Eight to 10 cars of a 102-car Union Pacific freight train traveling from Tucson to Phoenix derailed around 6 a.m. Wednesday on a railroad bridge over the man-made Tempe Town Lake.
The derailed cars were carrying lumber and hazardous material and burst into flames, causing the century-old bridge to partially collapse on the south end.
Tempe Fire Department Assistant Chief Andrea Glass said the partial demolition involved putting charges around various parts of the bridge in addition to small incisions which allowed for the most damaged section of the bridge to drop below.
Glass said the detonation wouldn’t impact the rest of the bridge and about 100 workers, mostly contractors, were working to clean up the derailment site.
City officials said it’s still unclear when Tempe Town Lake will reopen.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Police investigate fatal hit-and-run crash in Delaware

SMYRNA , Del .
( AP ) - The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run involving a pedestrian @ @ @ @ @ Smyrna , Delaware .
Police say a pedestrian was in the left lane of southbound @ @ @ @ @ of Brenford Road and may have been in a low-lying position when she was struck @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead at the scene .
Authorities identified her as Ashley Clark , of Dover @ @ @ @ @ they do not have information on the suspect vehicle at this time and are asking @ @ @ @ @ .

SMYRNA, Del. (AP) - The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run involving a pedestrian that happened early Sunday in Smyrna, Delaware.
Police say a pedestrian was in the left lane of southbound S. Dupont Boulevard just south of Brenford Road and may have been in a low-lying position when she was struck.
The 30-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities identified her as Ashley Clark, of Dover, Delaware.
Police say they do not have information on the suspect vehicle at this time and are asking the public for any information.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Karen Bass walks back Fidel Castro praise: 'I don't consider myself a Castro sympathizer'

Rep. Karen Bass disavowed Sunday her 2016 praise of Cuban strongman Fidel Castro , a comment that now jeopardizes her prospects as former Vice President Joseph R. Biden ’ s running mate , saying she “ wouldn ’ t do that again .
The California Democrat made the rounds on the Sunday shows , pushing back against Sen. Marco Rubio ’ s warning last week that if she became vice president , she would be “ the highest-ranking Castro sympathizer in the history of the United States government.
” “ One , I don ’ t consider myself a Castro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” “ Number two , my position on Cuba is really no different than the position of the Obama administration.
” She said she supported President Barack Obama ’ s decision to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba , but that she regretted describing the Marxist strongman as the “ comandante en jefe , ” or commander-in-chief , when he died in November 2016 .
“ I think the use of term ‘ comandante en jefe ’ — what I meant by that is , clearly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is endearing to him .
I didn ’ t see it that way , ” said Ms. Bass .
“ I was expressing condolences to the Cuban people , to the people in Cuba , not Cubans around the world.
” She told NBC host Chuck Todd that she changed her mind after discussing the issue with her colleagues representing Florida , where many Cuban exiles fled after Castro came to power in 1959 .
“ I don ’ t think that is a toxic expression in California , but let me just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Ms. Bass .
“ Wouldn ’ t do that again .
Talked immediately to my colleagues from Florida and realized that that was something that just shouldn ’ t have been said.
” Mr. Rubio , Florida Republican , and Florida Lt. Gov .
Jeanette Nunez accused Ms. Bass on a Saturday press call of being a Castro sympathizer , while the Trump campaign on its website called her “ Castro-Loving Communist Karen Bass.
” She said she visited Cuba eight times in the 1970s , when she was in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cuban people ” by building houses , as well as to meet with Americans who were there , and that she continues to work on health-care issues related to Cuba .
“ Now that doesn ’ t excuse the fact that I know the Castro regime has been a brutal regime to its people , I know there ’ s not freedom of press , freedom of association , ” she said .
She and other young Americans in Cuba “ had the ability to come home and protest against our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly can not do that , they couldn ’ t do it then and they can ’ t do it now.
” Mr. Todd pointed out that her tune on Castro had changed , saying that she once seemed to have a “ soft view of Castro.
” “ Congresswoman , I have to say that you sound a lot tougher on Castro now than when you described him as ‘ comandante en jefe , ’ ” said Mr. Todd .
Her November 2016 statement said , “ The passing of the comandante @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people of Cuba.
” Knowing what she knows now , however , “ I absolutely would have not put that statement out , and I will tell you that after talking to my colleagues who represent the state of Florida , raised those concerns with me , lesson learned , would not do that again , ” said Ms. Bass .

Rep. Karen Bass disavowed Sunday her 2016 praise of Cuban strongman Fidel Castro, a comment that now jeopardizes her prospects as former Vice President Joseph R. Biden’s running mate, saying she “wouldn’t do that again.
The California Democrat made the rounds on the Sunday shows, pushing back against Sen. Marco Rubio’s warning last week that if she became vice president, she would be “the highest-ranking Castro sympathizer in the history of the United States government.”
“One, I don’t consider myself a Castro sympathizer,” said Ms. Bass on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Number two, my position on Cuba is really no different than the position of the Obama administration.”
She said she supported President Barack Obama’s decision to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, but that she regretted describing the Marxist strongman as the “comandante en jefe,” or commander-in-chief, when he died in November 2016.
“I think the use of term ‘comandante en jefe’— what I meant by that is, clearly in Florida, that is a term that is endearing to him. I didn’t see it that way,” said Ms. Bass. “I was expressing condolences to the Cuban people, to the people in Cuba, not Cubans around the world.”
She told NBC host Chuck Todd that she changed her mind after discussing the issue with her colleagues representing Florida, where many Cuban exiles fled after Castro came to power in 1959.
“I don’t think that is a toxic expression in California, but let me just say, Chuck, lesson learned,” said Ms. Bass. “Wouldn’t do that again. Talked immediately to my colleagues from Florida and realized that that was something that just shouldn’t have been said.”
WATCH: Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) says “lesson learned” about how she described Fidel Castro in 2016. #IfItsSunday #MTP
Bass: I ‘don’t consider myself a Castro sympathizer’ pic.twitter.com/dIKB4es3JA — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 2, 2020
Mr. Rubio, Florida Republican, and Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez accused Ms. Bass on a Saturday press call of being a Castro sympathizer, while the Trump campaign on its website called her “Castro-Loving Communist Karen Bass.”
She said she visited Cuba eight times in the 1970s, when she was in her teens and 20s, to “help the Cuban people” by building houses, as well as to meet with Americans who were there, and that she continues to work on health-care issues related to Cuba.
“Now that doesn’t excuse the fact that I know the Castro regime has been a brutal regime to its people, I know there’s not freedom of press, freedom of association,” she said.
She and other young Americans in Cuba “had the ability to come home and protest against our own government, but the Cuban people most certainly cannot do that, they couldn’t do it then and they can’t do it now.”
Mr. Todd pointed out that her tune on Castro had changed, saying that she once seemed to have a “soft view of Castro.”
“Congresswoman, I have to say that you sound a lot tougher on Castro now than when you described him as ‘comandante en jefe,’” said Mr. Todd.
Her November 2016 statement said, “The passing of the comandante en jefe is a great loss to the people of Cuba.”
Knowing what she knows now, however, “I absolutely would have not put that statement out, and I will tell you that after talking to my colleagues who represent the state of Florida, raised those concerns with me, lesson learned, would not do that again,” said Ms. Bass.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Cubs star Bryant sits out again with stomach ailment

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant was out of the lineup for a second straight game @ @ @ @ @ after reporting a stomach ailment .
Bryant was tested for the coronavirus on Friday and @ @ @ @ @ said both tests were negative .
He is scheduled to be tested again on Monday @ @ @ @ @ to be commended for going in and getting checked out , ” manager David Ross @ @ @ @ @ game against Pittsburgh .
“ We ’ re going to take the right precautions to @ @ @ @ @ 28-year-old Bryant is off to a tough start , batting .120 ( 3 for 25 @ @ @ @ @ games .

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant was out of the lineup for a second straight game on Sunday, a day after reporting a stomach ailment.
Bryant was tested for the coronavirus on Friday and Saturday, and the Cubs said both tests were negative. He is scheduled to be tested again on Monday.
“He really needs to be commended for going in and getting checked out,” manager David Ross said before Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. “We’re going to take the right precautions to keep everyone safe.”
The 28-year-old Bryant is off to a tough start, batting .120 (3 for 25) in his first six games.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Mom killed, 3 children injured in crash with stolen vehicle

DETROIT ( AP ) - A 33-year-old woman was killed and her three children injured after a stolen vehicle crashed @ @ @ @ @ SUV on Detroit ’ s east side , police said Saturday .
Police said the @ @ @ @ @ .
The children , ages 12 , 5 and 5 , were hospitalized and listed @ @ @ @ @ men in a stolen red Dodge Challenger struck the family ’ s black Chevrolet Trailblazer @ @ @ @ @ , police alleged .
The men were hospitalized for injuries that were not considered life @ @ @ @ @ arrested and a weapon was recovered .
Further details were not released .

DETROIT (AP) - A 33-year-old woman was killed and her three children injured after a stolen vehicle crashed into the family’s SUV on Detroit’s east side, police said Saturday.
Police said the woman died from her injuries. The children, ages 12, 5 and 5, were hospitalized and listed in stable condition.
Two men in a stolen red Dodge Challenger struck the family’s black Chevrolet Trailblazer before 5 p.m. on Saturday, police alleged. The men were hospitalized for injuries that were not considered life threatening.
The men were arrested and a weapon was recovered.
Further details were not released.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--AP Source: Marlins get 2nd straight day of no positive tests

MIAMI ( AP ) - The nightmarish first stop of the season for the Miami Marlins finally ended Sunday .
The Marlins left Philadelphia , where they were stranded in isolation for a week after their season-opening series because of a coronavirus outbreak that sidelined half of the team .
With the affected players already back in the Miami , the healthy Marlins traveled to Baltimore , where they are scheduled to resume play Tuesday .
For the second day in a row , the Marlins had no new positive tests among players and staff , according to a person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke on condition of anonymity because the results had not been publicly released .
The Philadelphia Phillies also received results and had no new positives .
The team was to work out at Citizens Bank Park in preparation for the resumption of its season Monday at the New York Yankees .
The Marlins haven ’ t played since July 26 in Philadelphia because of the outbreak within their traveling party .
Infected Marlins players and staff left Philadelphia in sleeper buses Friday and returned to Miami to quarantine there .
Also , Cincinnati @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the injured list before the scheduled opener of a doubleheader at Detroit .
The Reds gave no reason for the move but specified that Votto , a six-time All-Star , is not on the 10-day injured list .
Votto , 36 , is batting .259 with two home runs and five RBIs in seven games this season .

MIAMI (AP) - The nightmarish first stop of the season for the Miami Marlins finally ended Sunday.
The Marlins left Philadelphia, where they were stranded in isolation for a week after their season-opening series because of a coronavirus outbreak that sidelined half of the team.
With the affected players already back in the Miami, the healthy Marlins traveled to Baltimore, where they are scheduled to resume play Tuesday.
For the second day in a row, the Marlins had no new positive tests among players and staff, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the results had not been publicly released.
The Philadelphia Phillies also received results and had no new positives. The team was to work out at Citizens Bank Park in preparation for the resumption of its season Monday at the New York Yankees.
The Marlins haven’t played since July 26 in Philadelphia because of the outbreak within their traveling party. Infected Marlins players and staff left Philadelphia in sleeper buses Friday and returned to Miami to quarantine there.
The Marlins planned to announce roster moves involving reinforcements Monday.
Also, Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto was put on the injured list before the scheduled opener of a doubleheader at Detroit. The Reds gave no reason for the move but specified that Votto, a six-time All-Star, is not on the 10-day injured list.
Votto, 36, is batting .259 with two home runs and five RBIs in seven games this season.
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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Car sought after construction worker struck, killed on I-81

HARLEIGH , Pa. ( AP ) - State police are searching for a vehicle that fled the scene after striking @ @ @ @ @ on Interstate 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania over the weekend .
The sedan was heading north @ @ @ @ @ right lane , which was closed due to active nighttime construction , police in Luzerne @ @ @ @ @ struck 30-year-old Kevin Dendulk shortly before 1:30 a.m. Saturday in Hazle Township and didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ travel in the closed right lane of I-81 north , police said .
A deputy @ @ @ @ @ resident dead at the scene less than an hour later , police said .
Police @ @ @ @ @ say evidence from the scene indicates that it will have damage to the passenger side @ @ @ @ @ including a missing mirror and window glass .
Anyone with information is asked to call @ @

HARLEIGH, Pa. (AP) - State police are searching for a vehicle that fled the scene after striking and killing a construction workers on Interstate 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania over the weekend.
The sedan was heading north on the interstate in the right lane, which was closed due to active nighttime construction, police in Luzerne County said.
The vehicle struck 30-year-old Kevin Dendulk shortly before 1:30 a.m. Saturday in Hazle Township and didn’t stop, continuing to travel in the closed right lane of I-81 north, police said.
A deputy county coroner pronounced the Royersford resident dead at the scene less than an hour later, police said.
Police are seeking the vehicle and say evidence from the scene indicates that it will have damage to the passenger side of the front end, including a missing mirror and window glass. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata appointed to similar pentagon job as nominated

A controversial retired Army general whose nomination hearing for the top policy job at the Pentagon was abruptly cancelled Thursday will instead “ perform the duties ” of Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy - but without a vote by the Senate .
The bureaucratic maneuver to name Brig .
Gen. Anthony Tata to what is in effect the same position is an end run around the checks and balances of government , the Chairman of the House Armed Services committee said Sunday .
“ The Senate ’ s role in the confirmation process for administration appointees ensures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are highly qualified , ” said Rep. Adam Smith , Democrat from Washington .
“ If an appointment can not gain the support of the Senate , as is clearly the case with Tata , then the President should not put that person into an identical temporary role.
” Rep. Smith called the decision to appoint Brig .
Gen. Tata - a novelist and a regular commentator on the Fox News Channel - an “ evasion of scrutiny ” that makes government less accountable .
He said any vacancies in the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process .
“ If confirmations can not be completed , the President must find new , qualified people who can win the support of the Senate , ” Rep. Smith said .
The high number of vacancies at the Pentagon poses a threat to national security , he said .

A controversial retired Army general whose nomination hearing for the top policy job at the Pentagon was abruptly cancelled Thursday will instead “perform the duties” of Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy - but without a vote by the Senate.
The bureaucratic maneuver to name Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata to what is in effect the same position is an end run around the checks and balances of government, the Chairman of the House Armed Services committee said Sunday.
“The Senate’s role in the confirmation process for administration appointees ensures individuals at the highest levels of government are highly qualified,” said Rep. Adam Smith, Democrat from Washington. “If an appointment cannot gain the support of the Senate, as is clearly the case with Tata, then the President should not put that person into an identical temporary role.”
Rep. Smith called the decision to appoint Brig. Gen. Tata - a novelist and a regular commentator on the Fox News Channel - an “evasion of scrutiny” that makes government less accountable.
He said any vacancies in the Department of Defense should be filled through the existing process.
“If confirmations cannot be completed, the President must find new, qualified people who can win the support of the Senate,” Rep. Smith said.
The high number of vacancies at the Pentagon poses a threat to national security, he said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine president, reimposes lockdown in Manila

MANILA , Philippines — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is reimposing a moderate lockdown in the capital and outlying provinces after medical groups appealed for the move as coronavirus infections surge alarmingly .
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Monday that metropolitan Manila , the capital region of more than 12 million people , and five densely populated provinces will revert to stricter quarantine restrictions for two weeks starting Tuesday .
Mass public transport will be barred and only essential travel will be allowed .
Leaders of nearly 100 medical organizations held a rare online news conference Saturday and warned that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spikes and may collapse as health workers fall ill or resign from exhaustion and fear .
They asked Duterte to reimpose a tight lockdown in the capital to allow health workers “ a time out ” and allow the government to recalibrate its response to the pandemic .
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged past 103,000 on Sunday and is second-most in Southeast Asia .
While he granted the demand , Duterte appeared irritated by the medical groups ’ criticism , saying they could have talked to him first .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you will give me the free ticket to stage a counter-revolution .
How I wish you would do it , ” Duterte said in his televised remarks Sunday night .

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is reimposing a moderate lockdown in the capital and outlying provinces after medical groups appealed for the move as coronavirus infections surge alarmingly.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Monday that metropolitan Manila, the capital region of more than 12 million people, and five densely populated provinces will revert to stricter quarantine restrictions for two weeks starting Tuesday. Mass public transport will be barred and only essential travel will be allowed.
Leaders of nearly 100 medical organizations held a rare online news conference Saturday and warned that the health system has been overwhelmed by infection spikes and may collapse as health workers fall ill or resign from exhaustion and fear.
They asked Duterte to reimpose a tight lockdown in the capital to allow health workers “a time out” and allow the government to recalibrate its response to the pandemic.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged past 103,000 on Sunday and is second-most in Southeast Asia.
While he granted the demand, Duterte appeared irritated by the medical groups’ criticism, saying they could have talked to him first. “If you will stage a revolution, you will give me the free ticket to stage a counter-revolution. How I wish you would do it,” Duterte said in his televised remarks Sunday night.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Asia Today: Duterte reimposing virus lockdown on Manila area

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is reimposing a moderate lockdown in the capital and outlying provinces after medical groups appealed for the move as coronavirus infections surge alarmingly .
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Monday that metropolitan Manila , the capital region of more than 12 million people , and five densely populated provinces will revert to stricter quarantine restrictions for two weeks starting Tuesday .
Mass public transport will be barred and only essential travel will be allowed .
Leaders of nearly 100 medical organizations held a rare online news conference Saturday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed by infection spikes and may collapse as health workers fall ill or resign from exhaustion and fear .
They asked Duterte to reimpose a tight lockdown in the capital to allow health workers “ a time out ” and allow the government to recalibrate its response to the pandemic .
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged past 103,000 on Sunday and is second-most in Southeast Asia .
While he granted the demand , Duterte appeared irritated by the medical groups ’ criticism , saying they could have talked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage a revolution , you will give me the free ticket to stage a counter-revolution .
How I wish you would do it , ” Duterte said in his televised remarks Sunday night .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - An outbreak in China ’ s far northwestern region of Xinjiang is continuing to subside , with 28 new cases reported Monday .
The outbreak of 590 cases so far has been concentrated in the capital , Urumqi , where authorities have conducted mass testing , cut public transport , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet , while mainland China ’ s latest outbreak appears to have peaked , authorities in the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong are struggling to contain infections , with more than 200 added over the weekend .
- South Korea has confirmed 23 additional cases of the coronavirus , amid a downward trend in the number of locally infected patients .
The additional cases announced Monday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took the country ’ s total to 14,389 with 301 deaths .
The agency says 20 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were locally infected .
Health authorities have said imported cases are less threatening to the wider community as they enforce two-week quarantines on all people arriving from abroad .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Victoria state, Australia’s coronavirus hot spot, announced on Monday that businesses will be closed and scaled down in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said nonessential businesses will close starting late Wednesday in Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city.
The new restrictions followed Andrews on Sunday declaring a disaster in Melbourne and introducing an evening curfew for six weeks. Andrews predicted the latest restrictions would cost 250,000 jobs.
Victoria announced on Monday 429 new infections and 13 more deaths overnight. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the infection rate would continue at 400 or 500 new COVID-19 cases a day without the new restrictions.
Industries that will have to close on-site operations for six weeks include most retail and manufacturing.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday that workers in Victoria state will be entitled to a 1,500 Australian dollar ($1,060) payment if they are required to self-isolate for 14 days and they don’t have paid sick leave.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is reimposing a moderate lockdown in the capital and outlying provinces after medical groups appealed for the move as coronavirus infections surge. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Monday that metropolitan Manila, the capital region of more than 12 million people, and five densely populated provinces will revert to stricter quarantine restrictions for two weeks starting Tuesday. Mass public transport will be barred and only essential travel will be allowed. Leaders of nearly 100 medical organizations held an online news conference Saturday and warned that the health system has been overwhelmed by infection spikes and may collapse as health workers fall ill or resign from exhaustion and fear. The number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines surged past 103,000 on Sunday and is second-most in Southeast Asia.
- Indian health authorities have given approval to the Serum Institute of India for conducting phase two and three trials of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford. The approval came late Sunday from the Drugs Controller General of India. At least 1,600 adults will participate in the trials. Serum, the world’s largest maker of vaccines by volume, is mass-producing the vaccine candidate developed by the University of Oxford. It’s one of several candidates being developed. Meanwhile, India’s coronavirus caseload Monday crossed 1.8 million with another spike of 52,972 new cases in the past 24 hours. The Health Ministry on Monday also reported 771 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities up to 38,135.
- An outbreak in China’s far northwestern region of Xinjiang is continuing to subside, with 28 new cases reported Monday. The outbreak of 590 cases so far has been concentrated in the capital, Urumqi, where authorities have conducted mass testing, cut public transport, isolated some communities and restricted travel. Yet, while mainland China’s latest outbreak appears to have peaked, authorities in the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong are struggling to contain infections, with more than 200 added over the weekend.
- South Korea has confirmed 23 additional cases of the coronavirus, amid a downward trend in the number of locally infected patients. The additional cases announced Monday by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took the country’s total to 14,389 with 301 deaths. The agency says 20 new cases came from overseas while the rest were locally infected. Health authorities have said imported cases are less threatening to the wider community as they enforce two-week quarantines on all people arriving from abroad.