washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Venezuelans brave COVID wing to bathe, feed sick loved ones

CARACAS , Venezuela ( AP ) - Leaning against a hospital wall for balance , Elena Suazo wiggled each foot into blue protective pants .
Then she slipped her arms into a surgical gown and snapped on white rubber gloves , finally ready to enter the COVID-19 wing .
Suazo is not a nurse .
She is a cafeteria worker at a kindergarten in Venezuela ’ s capital .
But she is also a loving daughter ; her 76-year-old father , sick with the virus , waited inside .
And in this ruined country , the only way to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was to do it herself — regardless of the dangers to her own health .
“ You do everything you can in the name of love , ” said Suazo , 47 .
“ If that person is your blood relative , you don ’ t even hesitate.
” Hospitals across the once wealthy South American nation lack enough doctors and nurses to confront the coronavirus pandemic .
As thousands of trained health care workers emigrated in recent years , some hospital wings have closed .
Others keep operating , but with high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fill the void at facilities that treat the poor , like José Gregorio Hernández Hospital , which sits in the middle of a sweeping Caracas barrio .
They feed patients , bathe them and change their bedsheets — tasks normally done by trained medical professionals .
Relatives of elderly and weak patients are allowed short visits up to three times daily and are responsible for providing their own protective clothing .
Suazo finished dressing at a table near the COVID-19 entrance and looked over to a security guard .
He gave her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her bags of hot chicken soup , fresh bedsheets and cleaning supplies under her arm and ducked past the heavy sliding gate .
“ I take care of him quickly , changing his clothes , feeding him , and then I leave , ” Suazo said .
“ You can ’ t stay inside there long.
” This kind of thing has long been common in poor nations , places like South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo in sub-Saharan Africa , health experts say .
But it ’ s only now come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy nation , sitting atop the world ’ s largest oil reserves .
Critics blame 20 years of a socialist revolution launched by the late President Hugo Chávez for destroying oil production , leading to an unrelenting economic crisis .
A recent round of financial sanctions exacted by Washington against President Nicolás Maduro has made life even harder .
In recent years , an estimated 5 million Venezuelans have fled the nation of 30 million .
Among them are roughly 33,000 doctors — 30 % of Venezuela ’ s physicians , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federation of Venezuelan Doctors .
Care is augmented by nearly 2,000 specialists sent by socialist ally Cuba to help battle the pandemic , and by several thousand less-skilled Cuban doctors who already were here .
But it ’ s not enough .
At least 6,000 nurses also abandoned Venezuela , said Ana Rosario Contreras , president of the Caracas Nurses College , citing a 2018 survey by the organization .
The number has only grown since , she said .
Contreras said it ’ s common to see one nurse responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task .
International standards call for one nurse for five or six patients .
“ We ’ re living a kind of pandemonium , ” she said .
“ Our salary isn ’ t even enough to cover the cost of public transportation to simply get to work at the hospitals.
” Health care workers interviewed by The Associated Press said doctors at public hospitals earn less than $ 12 a month , and nurses bring home roughly $ 6 .
Working the night shift brings a little more .
While some find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one nurse said she sells auto parts on the side to support her three children .
A young doctor who sells cakes when not tending to patients said she ’ s weighing a move for her family to Chile , where she ’ s confident she ’ ll find a job that pays an amount commensurate to her years of training .
There are other reasons to leave .
Dr. Ramfis Nieto-Martinez , 54 , said he uprooted his family from Venezuela six years ago , walking away from a thriving practice after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home and held one of his two teenage sons for ransom .
Three years later , the boys were playing soccer near their home when they witnessed a motorcycle robbery in which a man was shot dead .
“ My wife told me ‘ No more , ’ ” said Nieto-Martinez .
He now works in Memphis , Tennessee , but dreams daily of returning once life in Venezuela is restored to normal .
Suazo says how her father contracted the coronavirus is a mystery .
A retired foreman at a clothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undying love for his six children and 19 grandchildren , Gavino Suazo fell at home one night two years ago and hit his head .
Despite a string of surgeries , he never regained speech and has been homebound .
Then , recently , his temperature soared and his body started to tremble .
Doctors diagnosed a lung infection and sent him to the COVID-19 wing at José Gregorio Hernández Hospital .
Elena Suazo moved back to her parents ’ home in the hills above the hospital to help out .
Her father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a wheelchair when he entered the hospital ; Suazo immediately sought and received approval from the hospital to care for him .
Next , she needed protective gear .
She had no money — as a cafeteria worker , Suazo earns a monthly wage of less than $ 2 — so her younger brother bought her one suit .
Her son ’ s mother-in-law gave her a second , so she could go to the hospital twice a day .
At first , she had nothing to cover her feet , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sew booties to go over her sandals .
Suazo hand washes the clothing and hangs each item to dry on a patio clothesline .
She and her mother cook the chicken she brings her father .
Then Suazo sets out on a 20-minute walk over steep , winding roads , a twice-daily trek that she says has taken its toll .
“ I ’ ve gotten a little skinnier for walking so much , ” said Suazo , who is shy and speaks softly .
At the hospital , Suazo takes a seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for security guards to call her name for her turn to go inside .
They share stories while waiting , some sitting outside all day .
Venezuela ’ s decline has left its mark on José Gregorio Hernández Hospital , a 47-year-old , nine-story building of exposed concrete .
The paint is peeling and the elevators often fail .
Garbage piles up outside and a pack of dogs roam the grounds .
Just a couple hundred beds remain in use .
Hospital administrators denied requests by The Associated Press to enter .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep the COVID-19 wing clean .
The doctors and nurses are kind , they say , but there are simply too few of them .
Three or four nurses typically work in the wing with 31 beds for coronavirus patients , and workers said that the same number of doctors oversee this wing and other emergency visits .
Throughout the day , relatives deliver food ; security guards posted at a desk on the street take it inside to patients .
Relatives of the weakest patients dress in protective gear to care for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandmother , Yessenia Suriel , a 30-year-old secretary , peels off a white full-body , biohazard suit , revealing jeans and a white shirt soaked with sweat .
Many patients in her grandmother ’ s wing don ’ t have anyone to bring food or bathe them , Suriel said .
“ You feel bad and want to help them , ” she said .
“ With the little time I ’ m given inside , I can ’ t help everybody.
” Lizmary Moreno , 23 , an unemployed waitress , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 70-year-old grandmother , battling pneumonia , light up when she appears at her bedside .
“ Ay , my darling , you ’ ve arrived , ” her grandmother says .
One day , hospital officials refused to let her enter because there were holes in her protective gear after repeated washes .
Moreno panicked .
She pleaded with relatives to help her find a replacement , fearing she ’ d miss even one visit with her fragile grandmother .
The outfit she was wearing on this day also was threadbare .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside , ” she said .
“ I ’ m having trouble breathing .
Maybe it ’ s just my nerves.
” Relatives going into the COVID-19 wing put themselves at significant risk .
“ In an ideal world you wouldn ’ t want that , ” said Dr. Paul B. Spiegel , director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health .
“ If that person ’ s not going to get food and water or medicine , then what do you do ?
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just very sad.
” Officials in Venezuela report roughly 800 deaths from coronavirus among more than 90,000 cases throughout the country .
That ’ s likely a gross undercount , as many fearful of the broken health care system choose rather to stay home .
An alarming 231 Venezuelan doctors , nurses and other health care workers have died of the coronavirus nationwide , reported United Doctors of Venezuela , a non-governmental group that lobbies for adequate medical supplies and labor conditions .
Seven doctors including one nurse died of the virus during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group reported .
They blame it on a lack of protective supplies .
“ In some hospitals authorities have tried to get doctors or the medical teams , nurses , to use and reuse what ’ s already been used , ” said Natera , president of Federation of Venezuelan Doctors .
Workers at José Gregorio Hernández Hospital say they ’ ve been spared deaths , though the virus apparently has swept through its staff .
The hospital ’ s director was quarantined after showing classic symptoms .
Three nurses interviewed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with several of their relatives .
Two security guards at the COVID-19 entrance say they fought through symptoms ; they borrow protective clothing from other hospital workers .
Dr. Wilfredo Sifontes , who oversees the hospital ’ s emergency services including its coronavirus wing , described having a fever , cough and feeling sick .
Though he oversees testing kits , he himself was never tested and continued to clock in .
He dismissed the threat of the coronavirus , comparing it to a “ common flu ” that ’ s sparked needless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he oversees know what they ’ re getting into , he said .
They “ are told about the risk to themselves and others , ” Sifontes said .
“ They assume responsibility.
” Standing in sharp contrast is Peréz de León II Hospital , a medical center treating COVID-19 patients in another tough neighborhood of Caracas called Petare .
It ’ s also a state hospital and offers free COVID-19 care but under the auspices of the international humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders in agreement with Venezuela ’ s Health Ministry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nurses and technicians who care for 36 patients , including six in intensive care connected to respirators and under sedation .
The rooms have running water and air conditioning .
Staff follow a rigorous protocol for protective clothing and handwashing - with the most attention given to taking off the gear after each shift to avoid contamination .
Psychologists on staff call to update family members - who are not allowed into the tightly controlled wing .
Hospitals like this one are few in Venezuela .
Some private clinics in Caracas operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available only to the wealthy , or to patients with insurance willing to pay $ 2,500 a day or more — more than 1,250 times the monthly minimum wage that most Venezuelans earn .
José Gregorio Hernández Hospital was pretty much the only option for Gavino Suazo .
And his daughter ’ s care made his stay tolerable .
Arriving at his bedside , she changed his diaper , gave him a sponge bath and replaced his bedsheet with a pink-and-yellow one she ’ d brought .
She spoon-fed him soup .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by himself alone , ” she said .
She did the work willingly .
“ I had the good fortune of having a good mother and a good father , ” Suazo said .
“ They always looked after us.
” After nearly two weeks , doctors told Suazo her father was healthy enough to be discharged .
She could arrange for the short car ride up the hill to their home .
As they left the hospital grounds , they passed relatives of those still battling the virus , waited to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rueda contributed to this story .

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Leaning against a hospital wall for balance, Elena Suazo wiggled each foot into blue protective pants. Then she slipped her arms into a surgical gown and snapped on white rubber gloves, finally ready to enter the COVID-19 wing.
Suazo is not a nurse. She is a cafeteria worker at a kindergarten in Venezuela’s capital.
But she is also a loving daughter; her 76-year-old father, sick with the virus, waited inside. And in this ruined country, the only way to ensure that he received the care he needed was to do it herself — regardless of the dangers to her own health.
“You do everything you can in the name of love,” said Suazo, 47. “If that person is your blood relative, you don’t even hesitate.”
Hospitals across the once wealthy South American nation lack enough doctors and nurses to confront the coronavirus pandemic. As thousands of trained health care workers emigrated in recent years, some hospital wings have closed. Others keep operating, but with high caseloads.
The shortage leaves families rushing to fill the void at facilities that treat the poor, like José Gregorio Hernández Hospital, which sits in the middle of a sweeping Caracas barrio. They feed patients, bathe them and change their bedsheets — tasks normally done by trained medical professionals.
Relatives of elderly and weak patients are allowed short visits up to three times daily and are responsible for providing their own protective clothing.
Suazo finished dressing at a table near the COVID-19 entrance and looked over to a security guard. He gave her a nod of approval. Suazo tucked her bags of hot chicken soup, fresh bedsheets and cleaning supplies under her arm and ducked past the heavy sliding gate.
“I take care of him quickly, changing his clothes, feeding him, and then I leave,” Suazo said. “You can’t stay inside there long.”
___
This kind of thing has long been common in poor nations, places like South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo in sub-Saharan Africa, health experts say. But it’s only now come to Venezuela, which was once a wealthy nation, sitting atop the world’s largest oil reserves.
Critics blame 20 years of a socialist revolution launched by the late President Hugo Chávez for destroying oil production, leading to an unrelenting economic crisis. A recent round of financial sanctions exacted by Washington against President Nicolás Maduro has made life even harder.
In recent years, an estimated 5 million Venezuelans have fled the nation of 30 million. Among them are roughly 33,000 doctors — 30% of Venezuela’s physicians, according to Dr. Douglas León Natera, president of the Federation of Venezuelan Doctors.
Care is augmented by nearly 2,000 specialists sent by socialist ally Cuba to help battle the pandemic, and by several thousand less-skilled Cuban doctors who already were here. But it’s not enough.
At least 6,000 nurses also abandoned Venezuela, said Ana Rosario Contreras, president of the Caracas Nurses College, citing a 2018 survey by the organization. The number has only grown since, she said.
Contreras said it’s common to see one nurse responsible for up to 60 patients - an impossible task. International standards call for one nurse for five or six patients.
“We’re living a kind of pandemonium,” she said. “Our salary isn’t even enough to cover the cost of public transportation to simply get to work at the hospitals.”
Health care workers interviewed by The Associated Press said doctors at public hospitals earn less than $12 a month, and nurses bring home roughly $6. Working the night shift brings a little more.
While some find additional work in upscale private clinics, one nurse said she sells auto parts on the side to support her three children. A young doctor who sells cakes when not tending to patients said she’s weighing a move for her family to Chile, where she’s confident she’ll find a job that pays an amount commensurate to her years of training.
There are other reasons to leave. Dr. Ramfis Nieto-Martinez, 54, said he uprooted his family from Venezuela six years ago, walking away from a thriving practice. Six armed men invaded the family’s home and held one of his two teenage sons for ransom, and three years later, the boys were playing soccer near their home when they witnessed a motorcycle robbery in which a man was shot dead.
“My wife told me ‘No more,’” said Nieto-Martinez. He now works in Memphis, Tennessee, but dreams daily of returning once life in Venezuela is restored to normal.
___
Suazo says how her father contracted the coronavirus is a mystery.
A retired foreman at a clothing factory, with a big personality and undying love for his six children and 19 grandchildren, Gavino Suazo fell at home one night two years ago and hit his head. Despite a string of surgeries, he never regained speech and has been homebound.
Then, recently, his temperature soared and his body started to tremble. Doctors diagnosed a lung infection and sent him to the COVID-19 wing at José Gregorio Hernández Hospital.
Elena Suazo moved back to her parents’ home in the hills above the hospital to help out. Her father was too weak to sit up straight in a wheelchair when he entered the hospital; Suazo immediately sought and received approval from the hospital to care for him.
Next, she needed protective gear. She had no money — as a cafeteria worker, Suazo earns a monthly wage of less than $2 — so her younger brother bought her one suit. Her son’s mother-in-law gave her a second, so she could go to the hospital twice a day.
At first, she had nothing to cover her feet, so she used a discarded surgical gown to sew booties to go over her sandals. Suazo hand washes the clothing and hangs each item to dry on a patio clothesline.
She and her mother cook the chicken she brings her father. Then Suazo sets out on a 20-minute walk over steep, winding roads, a twice-daily trek that she says has taken its toll. “I’ve gotten a little skinnier for walking so much,” said Suazo, who is shy and speaks softly.
At the hospital, Suazo takes a seat on a bench outside with others waiting for security guards to call her name for her turn to go inside. They share stories while waiting, some sitting outside all day.
___
Venezuela’s decline has left its mark on José Gregorio Hernández Hospital, a 47-year-old, nine-story building of exposed concrete. The paint is peeling and the elevators often fail. Garbage piles up outside and a pack of dogs roam the grounds. Just a couple hundred beds remain in use.
Hospital administrators denied requests by The Associated Press to enter.
But family members say the overworked hospital staffers keep the COVID-19 wing clean. The doctors and nurses are kind, they say, but there are simply too few of them. Three or four nurses typically work in the wing with 31 beds for coronavirus patients, and workers said that the same number of doctors oversee this wing and other emergency visits.
Throughout the day, relatives deliver food; security guards posted at a desk on the street take it inside to patients. Relatives of the weakest patients dress in protective gear to care for them.
After a visit with her grandmother, Yessenia Suriel, a 30-year-old secretary, peels off a white full-body, biohazard suit, revealing jeans and a white shirt soaked with sweat. Many patients in her grandmother’s wing don’t have anyone to bring food or bathe them, Suriel said.
“You feel bad and want to help them,” she said. “With the little time I’m given inside, I can’t help everybody.”
Lizmary Moreno, 23, an unemployed waitress, said the risk is worth it to see her 70-year-old grandmother, battling pneumonia, light up when she appears at her bedside. “Ay, my darling, you’ve arrived,” her grandmother says.
One day, hospital officials refused to let her enter because there were holes in her protective gear after repeated washes. Moreno panicked. She pleaded with relatives to help her find a replacement, fearing she’d miss even one visit with her fragile grandmother.
The outfit she was wearing on this day also was threadbare. “I’m afraid to go inside,” she said. “I’m having trouble breathing. Maybe it’s just my nerves.”
___
Relatives going into the COVID-19 wing put themselves at significant risk.
“In an ideal world you wouldn’t want that,” said Dr. Paul B. Spiegel, director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “If that person’s not going to get food and water or medicine, then what do you do? It’s not unique. It’s just very sad.”
Officials in Venezuela report roughly 800 deaths from coronavirus among more than 90,000 cases throughout the country. That’s likely a gross undercount, as many fearful of the broken health care system choose rather to stay home.
An alarming 231 Venezuelan doctors, nurses and other health care workers have died of the coronavirus nationwide, reported United Doctors of Venezuela, a non-governmental group that lobbies for adequate medical supplies and labor conditions.
Seven doctors including one nurse died of the virus during one three-day period in October, the group reported. They blame it on a lack of protective supplies.
“In some hospitals authorities have tried to get doctors or the medical teams, nurses, to use and reuse what’s already been used,” said Natera, president of Federation of Venezuelan Doctors.
Workers at José Gregorio Hernández Hospital say they’ve been spared deaths, though the virus apparently has swept through its staff.
The hospital’s director was quarantined after showing classic symptoms. Three nurses interviewed by the AP said they fell ill, along with several of their relatives. Two security guards at the COVID-19 entrance say they fought through symptoms; they borrow protective clothing from other hospital workers.
Dr. Wilfredo Sifontes, who oversees the hospital’s emergency services including its coronavirus wing, described having a fever, cough and feeling sick. Though he oversees testing kits, he himself was never tested and continued to clock in. He dismissed the threat of the coronavirus, comparing it to a “common flu” that’s sparked needless panic.
Relatives entering the coronavirus wing he oversees know what they’re getting into, he said. They “are told about the risk to themselves and others,” Sifontes said. “They assume responsibility.”
Standing in sharp contrast is Peréz de León II Hospital, a medical center treating COVID-19 patients in another tough neighborhood of Caracas called Petare. It’s also a state hospital and offers free COVID-19 care but under the auspices of the international humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders in agreement with Venezuela’s Health Ministry.
The wing is staffed with 120 doctors, nurses and technicians who care for 36 patients, including six in intensive care connected to respirators and under sedation.
The rooms have running water and air conditioning. Staff follow a rigorous protocol for protective clothing and handwashing - with the most attention given to taking off the gear after each shift to avoid contamination. Psychologists on staff call to update family members - who are not allowed into the tightly controlled wing.
Hospitals like this one are few in Venezuela. Some private clinics in Caracas operate at international standards. They’re available only to the wealthy, or to patients with insurance willing to pay $2,500 a day or more — more than 1,250 times the monthly minimum wage that most Venezuelans earn.
___
José Gregorio Hernández Hospital was pretty much the only option for Gavino Suazo. And his daughter’s care made his stay tolerable.
Arriving at his bedside, she changed his diaper, gave him a sponge bath and replaced his bedsheet with a pink-and-yellow one she’d brought. She spoon-fed him soup.
“He can’t do these things by himself alone,” she said.
She did the work willingly. “I had the good fortune of having a good mother and a good father,” Suazo said. “They always looked after us.”
After nearly two weeks, doctors told Suazo her father was healthy enough to be discharged. She could arrange for the short car ride up the hill to their home.
As they left the hospital grounds, they passed relatives of those still battling the virus, waited to be let inside.
___
Follow Scott Smith on Twitter: @ScottSmithAP
___
Associated Press writer Jorge Rueda contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--U.S., India boost security ties with an eye on China

NEW DELHI | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper met with their Indian counterparts for two days of talks here aimed at strengthening security ties in the face of growing aggressiveness by China .
The latest session of the so-called “ 2 plus 2 ” Ministerial Dialogue of foreign and defense ministers included the signing of a new agreement to increase military and intelligence cooperation .
Mr. Esper held talks with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Mr. Pompeo met with Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar .
The two nations also hope to increase co-production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Esper said the talks made substantial progress in strengthening U.S.-India ties .
“ Based on our shared values and common interests , we stand shoulder to shoulder in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all , particularly in light of increasing aggression and destabilizing activities by China , ” Mr. Esper said during a press conference at the end of the talks .
Mr. Pompeo , the Trump administration ’ s driving force for a new policy of confronting China , called the talks an important step in aligning “ our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Discussion of the pandemic led to increased cooperation between the Department of Health and Human Services and Indian health authorities , Mr. Pompeo said .
“ The challenge of defeating the pandemic that came from Wuhan also fed a robust discussion about the Chinese Communist Party , ” Mr. Pompeo said .
“ Our leaders and our citizens see with increasing clarity that the CCP has no commitment to democracy , the rule of law , transparency or freedom of navigation , the foundation of a free and open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference made no mention of China in their remarks , keeping in line with New Delhi ’ s lower key approach to dealing with Beijing .
Mr. Singh , the defense minister , said only that major challenges facing both nations were discussed in depth .
“ To sum it up , our military-to-military cooperation is progressing well , ” he said .
The most important accord was the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement ( BECA ) signed between the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency , the United States ’ photographic spy agency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement will increase intelligence-sharing needed to monitor Chinese naval activities , including extensive submarine deployments , in the Indian Ocean .
The two sides also reached a maritime information-sharing technical agreement .
The two pacts will improve joint military and intelligence sharing in the Indo-Pacific region .
The latest session , the third of its kind , is part of a major diplomatic effort by the United States to develop closer alliances in Asia to confront China in response to stepped-up activities in both land and sea disputes in the region .
Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops on the high-altitude Indian-China border .
The battle left 20 Indian troops dead and an unknown number of Chinese casualties .
Earlier Tuesday , Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Esper placed a wreath at India ’ s National War Memorial , a reminder of the recent deadly clash with the Chinese in a place called the Galwan Valley where Indian troops were building at a road opposed by China .
Mr. Pompeo noted that the visit to the memorial honored “ the brave men and women of the Indian armed forces who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democracy , including 20 who were killed by PLA forces in the Galwan Valley in June.
” “ The United States will stand with the people of India as they confront threats to their sovereignty and their liberty , ” he said .
U.S. and Indian officials said the new agreements are part of increased logistical support and maritime cooperation – mainly joint naval cooperation .
Recently the Navy ’ s USS Nimitz aircraft carrier conducted a passing exercise with the Indian navy in the Indian Ocean .
Last year , the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces from the Navy , Marine Corps , Air Force and Army .
In a first , Australia recently agreed to join India ’ s Malabar naval exercises in November with warships from the United States , India and Japan – the so-called Quad of states working to push back against increasing Chinese geopolitical encroachment in Asia .
Both Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Esper also met later Tuesday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
The BECA agreement will expand geospatial intelligence sharing between the two militaries , with the United States having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions of the world .
Retired Navy Capt .
Jim Fanell said the latest BECA accord will enhance maritime operational intelligence sharing and send a strong signal to Beijing .
“ This meeting is set against the backdrop of an expanding , and increasingly aggressive and violent , People ’ s Republic of China ( PRC ) , especially as it relates to ensuring freedom of navigation and free access to markets across the high seas , ” Mr. Fanell said in a recent op-ed .
Capt .
Fanell said the U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have acted together .
Earlier this month , a Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft landed at Port Blair , on India ’ s Andaman and Nicobar Islands .
“ This event was not only a signal to Beijing that their submarines would not be invisible to U.S. naval intelligence , but it was a signal of a burgeoning effort to share tactical intelligence between the U.S , and Indian navies , ” he said .
A former director of intelligence for the Pacific Fleet , Capt .
Fanell said he knows first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at sea provides a significant defense advantage .
With the new agreements India will join what has become a “ fleet intelligence federation ” of the Navy , Japan ’ s Maritime Self Defense Forces and the Royal Australian Navy .
“ As two of the world ’ s largest democracies , India and the United States by coming together in this fashion are demonstrating to the world that the shared values of freedom and liberty are stronger and more unifying than the tyranny of the PRC , ” Capt .
Fanell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a formal defense and security alliance with the United States over concerns about its traditional role as a leader of the so-called non-aligned nations grouping .
However , the Indian government ’ s views have changed over its growing concerns about China ’ s aggressiveness .

NEW DELHI — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper met with their Indian counterparts for two days of talks here aimed at strengthening security ties in the face of growing aggressiveness by China.
The latest session of the so-called “2 plus 2” Ministerial Dialogue of foreign and defense ministers included the signing of a new agreement to increase military and intelligence cooperation.
Mr. Esper held talks with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Mr. Pompeo met with Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two nations also hope to increase co-production and co-development of defense equipment.
Mr. Esper said the talks made substantial progress in strengthening U.S.-India ties.
“Based on our shared values and common interests, we stand shoulder to shoulder in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, particularly in light of increasing aggression and destabilizing activities by China,” Mr. Esper said during a press conference at the end of the talks.
Mr. Pompeo, the Trump administration’s driving force for a new policy of confronting China, called the talks an important step in aligning “our democracies” against encroachment by Chinese authoritarianism.
Discussion of the pandemic led to increased cooperation between the Department of Health and Human Services and Indian health authorities, Mr. Pompeo said.
“The challenge of defeating the pandemic that came from Wuhan also fed a robust discussion about the Chinese Communist Party,” Mr. Pompeo said. “Our leaders and our citizens see with increasing clarity that the CCP has no commitment to democracy, the rule of law, transparency or freedom of navigation, the foundation of a free and open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
But Indian leaders at the press conference made no mention of China in their remarks, in line with New Delhi’s lower key approach to dealing with Beijing.
Mr. Singh, the defense minister, said only that major challenges facing both nations were discussed in depth and that U.S.-Indian military-to-military cooperation “is progressing well,” he said.
The most important accord was the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) signed between the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the United States’ photographic spy agency, and the Indian Defense Ministry. The agreement will increase intelligence-sharing needed to monitor Chinese naval activities, including extensive submarine deployments, in the Indian Ocean.
The two sides also reached a maritime information-sharing technical agreement.
The latest session, the third of its kind, is part of a major diplomatic effort by the United States to develop closer alliances in Asia to confront China in response to stepped-up activities in both land and sea disputes in the region.
China’s state-owned Global Times, in its coverage of the summit Tuesday, said the agreements could boost India’s military abilities and weapons accuracy, but said Chinese analysts have concluded “there is absolutely no chance for India to reverse the reality of the military power gap between China and India, not to mention defeating China in possible military conflicts.”
Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Esper placed a wreath at India’s National War Memorial, a reminder of the recent deadly clash with the Chinese. Chinese military forces clashed in June with Indian troops on the high-altitude disputed border. The battle killed 20 Indian troops and killed an unknown number of Chinese troops.
U.S. and Indian officials said the new agreements are part of increased logistical support and maritime cooperation — mainly joint naval cooperation. Recently the Navy’s USS Nimitz aircraft carrier conducted a passing exercise with the Indian navy in the Indian Ocean. Last year, the two militaries conducted the first tri-service exercise with forces from the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army.
In a first, Australia recently agreed to join India’s Malabar naval exercises in November with warships from the United States, India and Japan — the so-called Quad of states working to push back against increasing Chinese geopolitical encroachment in Asia.
Retired Navy Capt. Jim Fanell said the BECA accord will enhance maritime operational intelligence sharing and send a strong signal to Beijing.
“This meeting is set against the backdrop of an expanding, and increasingly aggressive and violent, People’s Republic of China (PRC), especially as it relates to ensuring freedom of navigation and free access to markets across the high seas,” Mr. Fanell said in a recent op-ed.
Capt. Fanell said the U.S. and Indian militaries have done more than talk and have acted together. Earlier this month, a Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft landed at Port Blair, on India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
India has been reluctant to join a formal defense and security alliance with the United States, over concerns about its traditional role as a leader of the so-called nonaligned nations grouping. However, the Indian government’s views have changed over its growing concerns about China’s aggressiveness.
• Bill Gertz can be reached at bgertz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Pedestrian crossing suburban St. Louis street hit, killed

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - A woman died after being hit by a car as she crossed a suburban @ @ @ @ @ the driver of the car was arrested , authorities said .
The crash happened Monday @ @ @ @ @ south of St. Louis , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
Latrishia Kent , 35 @ @ @ @ @ crossing South Broadway around 9:15 p.m. when she was hit by a southbound car , @ @ @ @ @ said .
The force of the impact threw Kent into a parked car , and @ @ @ @ @ the scene , investigators said .
The patrol said a 23-year-old St. Louis man who @ @ @ @ @ arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter , drunken driving and leaving the scene of an @ @

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A woman died after being hit by a car as she crossed a suburban St. Louis street, and the driver of the car was arrested, authorities said.
The crash happened Monday night in Lemay, just south of St. Louis, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Latrishia Kent, 35, of Fenton, was crossing South Broadway around 9:15 p.m. when she was hit by a southbound car, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said. The force of the impact threw Kent into a parked car, and she was pronounced dead at the scene, investigators said.
The patrol said a 23-year-old St. Louis man who was driving the car was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Kamala Harris: 'Joe Biden is going to live a long life'

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris says voters can rest assured that Joseph R. Biden , 77 , will live a “ long life ” because he ’ s strong in both “ spirit ” and “ body.
” Ms. Harris was asked whether Nebraska and Iowa would be ready for the first Black female president .
Mr. Biden would be the oldest-ever U.S. president to be sworn in for a first term if he ’ s elected .
“ Let me tell you something : Joe Biden is going to live a long life , ” Ms. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nebraska , on Monday .
“ He strong of spirit — strong in body .
And we have a lot to do.
” “ I know Joe and I am going to tell you something — I am committed to being his vice president and getting to work , ” she said .
Mr. Biden said last month that Ms. Harris would be ready to step in on day one as president if he was met with an unfortunate accident , like getting pushed off a roof .
The former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule compared to President Trump , saying he ’ s trying to balance public health concerns during the coronavirus crisis with reaching voters in key states .
Both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden are gunning for votes in Nebraska ’ s 2nd Congressional District in hopes of peeling off a single Electoral College vote .
Nebraska and Maine are the two states that divvy up some of their Electoral College votes by congressional district .

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala D. Harris says voters can rest assured that Joseph R. Biden, 77, will live a “long life” because he’s strong in both “spirit” and “body.”
Ms. Harris was asked whether Nebraska and Iowa would be ready for the first Black female president. Mr. Biden would be the oldest-ever U.S. president to be sworn in for a first term if he’s elected.
“Let me tell you something: Joe Biden is going to live a long life,” Ms. Harris told KETV, an ABC affiliate in Nebraska, on Monday. “He strong of spirit — strong in body. And we have a lot to do.”
“I know Joe and I am going to tell you something — I am committed to being his vice president and getting to work,” she said.
Mr. Biden said last month that Ms. Harris would be ready to step in on day one as president if he was met with an unfortunate accident, like getting pushed off a roof.
The former vice president has kept a comparatively light in-person campaigning schedule compared to President Trump, saying he’s trying to balance public health concerns during the coronavirus crisis with reaching voters in key states.
Both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden are gunning for votes in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District in hopes of peeling off a single Electoral College vote.
Nebraska and Maine are the two states that divvy up some of their Electoral College votes by congressional district.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Man accused of threatening troopers with baseball bat

MILLSBORO , Del .
( AP ) - A Delaware man accused of threatening troopers with a wooden and metal baseball bat while they were responding to a call has been arrested .
The incident happened Sunday night when the troopers arrived at a home in Millsboro for a call about a disorderly subject , Delaware State Police said in a news release .
That ’ s where they found Theodore A. Guajardo .
Authorities said he was intoxicated and refused to leave the home when asked by the resident .
It is not clear if Guajardo was visiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 48 , eventually approached the troopers with the bat and began swinging “ recklessly.
” A stun gun was used on him after he failed to obey commands to put down the bat , authorities said .
He was then taken into custody after a brief struggle , the release said .
Troopers were not injured during the incident .
Guajardo has been charged with multiple charges , including terroristic threatening .
He is being held in a correctional Institution on a $ 68,000 cash bond .
It was not clear if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MILLSBORO, Del. (AP) - A Delaware man accused of threatening troopers with a wooden and metal baseball bat while they were responding to a call has been arrested.
The incident happened Sunday night when the troopers arrived at a home in Millsboro for a call about a disorderly subject, Delaware State Police said in a news release.
That’s where they found Theodore A. Guajardo. Authorities said he was intoxicated and refused to leave the home when asked by the resident. It is not clear if Guajardo was visiting the home.
The release said Guajardo, 48, eventually approached the troopers with the bat and began swinging “recklessly.”
A stun gun was used on him after he failed to obey commands to put down the bat, authorities said. He was then taken into custody after a brief struggle, the release said.
Troopers were not injured during the incident.
Guajardo has been charged with multiple charges, including terroristic threatening. He is being held in a correctional Institution on a $68,000 cash bond. It was not clear if he had an attorney who could comment.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Confederate flag not welcome in Oregon historic cemeteries

OREGON CITY , Ore. ( AP ) - A state commission has voted to recommend that the Confederate flag no longer be allowed in Oregon ’ s historic cemeteries .
Members of Oregon ’ s Commission on Historic Cemeteries voted unanimously Friday to adopt a position paper recommending Confederate flags not be allowed in historic cemeteries at any time , KOIN-TV reported .
That includes flying the flag on poles or small flags placed on individual graves .
“ We do not support allowing flags in historic cemeteries that promote systemic racism , fear , and oppression of anyone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is extremely important that historic cemeteries are maintained as places where the visitors feel safe and welcome.
” Chairperson Bev Power noted in Friday ’ s meeting that the committee can ’ t punish cemeteries that don ’ t abide by the recommendation .
The discussion began in July , at a time when many cities , counties and states were banning the Confederate flag at public sites in response to weeks of protests against police brutality and systemic racism after the May 25 police death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the state of Oregon .
In order to be considered historic , they must have at least one burial of a person who died before Feb. 14 , 1909 – 50 years after Oregon became a state .

OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) - A state commission has voted to recommend that the Confederate flag no longer be allowed in Oregon’s historic cemeteries.
Members of Oregon’s Commission on Historic Cemeteries voted unanimously Friday to adopt a position paper recommending Confederate flags not be allowed in historic cemeteries at any time, KOIN-TV reported. That includes flying the flag on poles or small flags placed on individual graves.
“We do not support allowing flags in historic cemeteries that promote systemic racism, fear, and oppression of anyone,” the position paper reads. “It is extremely important that historic cemeteries are maintained as places where the visitors feel safe and welcome.”
Chairperson Bev Power noted in Friday’s meeting that the committee can’t punish cemeteries that don’t abide by the recommendation.
The discussion began in July, at a time when many cities, counties and states were banning the Confederate flag at public sites in response to weeks of protests against police brutality and systemic racism after the May 25 police death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
More than 1,500 historic cemeteries are registered with the state of Oregon. In order to be considered historic, they must have at least one burial of a person who died before Feb. 14, 1909 – 50 years after Oregon became a state.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Israeli delegations bask in UAE glow, even as details few

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - Another plane full of Israeli business people excited about their newfound access to the United Arab Emirates touched down in Dubai this week , the latest whirlwind trip seeking to cash in on a U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the countries .
But like the normalization agreement itself , inked on the White House lawn last month to great fanfare , the steady stream of statements from big-name Israeli investors and moguls descending on Dubai are ebullient , but thin on details .
“ One of the things that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual in Israel … is the fact that this could be an opening to cooperation , an opening of goodwill , ” Erel Margalit , founder of Jerusalem Venture Partners , a venture capital fund from the country ’ s thriving tech scene , told The Associated Press on Tuesday .
Trailed by an entourage of 14 Israeli startup executives , a slew of Israeli photographers , foreign journalists and public relations people , Margalit darted around the skyscraper-studded Dubai International Financial Center for meetings with Emirati officials , investors and entrepreneurs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the shadows , Israelis are basking in the photo ops , which presage a broader political shift in the region .
But the buzz also lays bare the differences between the two countries .
In the UAE , well-salaried locals who rarely mix with the country ’ s millions of expatriates tend to shrink from press attention .
The state owns or tightly controls the local media .
On Tuesday , an Emirati official accompanying the UAE ’ s minister of food security for talks with Margalit was visibly upset by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the glass-walled conference room .
Although Emiratis have long fostered behind-the-scenes ties with Israeli corporations and officials , Israel was publicly viewed as a political pariah .
The sight of a tiny Israeli flag emblazoned on the delegation ’ s welcome sign outside the Ritz Carlton in Dubai this week still drew double takes and iPhone snapshots from most passerby .
In a reflection of the lingering sensitivities , Margalit declined to name any of the Emirati investors or potential startup partners from the week of meetings .
He also said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but did not elaborate “ for their sake.
” The Palestinian leadership has rejected normalization as peeling away one of their few advantages in moribund peace talks with Israel .
“ In Israel sometimes people want to jump to the deal , ” Margalit said .
“ This is what I say to my many Israeli friends , be patient because , here , it takes time to build trust.
” For relations to thrive , the grandeur of Israeli business goals must be matched by an awareness of the situation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an expert on international economics at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies .
“ Ideally we ’ d expect that it ’ s an on and off switch , ” he said .
“ But I expect persistent suspicions for both parties to play an important role , especially in the beginning.
” Yet Margalit is undeterred , promising to build “ an innovation center ” in Dubai for cyber , food , medical and financial technologies , like other successful hubs he ’ s created in New York City and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We won ’ t do something small , we ’ ll do something outstanding with the people here , ” he said .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Another plane full of Israeli business people excited about their newfound access to the United Arab Emirates touched down in Dubai this week, the latest whirlwind trip seeking to cash in on a U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between the countries.
But like the normalization agreement itself, inked on the White House lawn last month to great fanfare, the steady stream of statements from big-name Israeli investors and moguls descending on Dubai are ebullient, but thin on details.
“One of the things that’s most touching and exciting for any individual in Israel … is the fact that this could be an opening to cooperation, an opening of goodwill,” Erel Margalit, founder of Jerusalem Venture Partners, a venture capital fund from the country’s thriving tech scene, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Trailed by an entourage of 14 Israeli startup executives, a slew of Israeli photographers, foreign journalists and public relations people, Margalit darted around the skyscraper-studded Dubai International Financial Center for meetings with Emirati officials, investors and entrepreneurs.
After years of conducting such deals only in the shadows, Israelis are basking in the photo ops, which presage a broader political shift in the region.
But the buzz also lays bare the differences between the two countries. In the UAE, well-salaried locals who rarely mix with the country’s millions of expatriates tend to shrink from press attention. The state owns or tightly controls the local media. On Tuesday, an Emirati official accompanying the UAE’s minister of food security for talks with Margalit was visibly upset by the crush of photographers swarming around their elbow-bump in the glass-walled conference room.
Although Emiratis have long fostered behind-the-scenes ties with Israeli corporations and officials, Israel was publicly viewed as a political pariah. The sight of a tiny Israeli flag emblazoned on the delegation’s welcome sign outside the Ritz Carlton in Dubai this week still drew double takes and iPhone snapshots from most passerby.
In a reflection of the lingering sensitivities, Margalit declined to name any of the Emirati investors or potential startup partners from the week of meetings. He also said that Palestinian entrepreneurs had flown with the delegation, but did not elaborate “for their sake.” The Palestinian leadership has rejected normalization as peeling away one of their few advantages in moribund peace talks with Israel.
“In Israel sometimes people want to jump to the deal,” Margalit said. “This is what I say to my many Israeli friends, be patient because, here, it takes time to build trust.”
For relations to thrive, the grandeur of Israeli business goals must be matched by an awareness of the situation’s uncertainty, said Ritam Chaurey, an expert on international economics at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
“Ideally we’d expect that it’s an on and off switch,” he said. “But I expect persistent suspicions for both parties to play an important role, especially in the beginning.”
Yet Margalit is undeterred, promising to build “an innovation center” in Dubai for cyber, food, medical and financial technologies, like other successful hubs he’s created in New York City and the Galilee region of Israel.
“We won’t do something small, we’ll do something outstanding with the people here,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Trump ready to help Philadelphia police after 30 officers injured in riots: White House

President Trump is prepared to order federal intervention in Philadelphia after rioting erupted over a police shooting of a Black man wielding a knife , White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah said Tuesday .
Hundreds of people took to the streets Monday to protest the police-involved fatal shooting of 27-year-old Walter Wallace .
Violent clashes with police ensued , leaving 30 officers injured including one whose leg was broken when he was run over by a pickup truck .
“ President Trump will not tolerate any violence directed at America ’ s law enforcement , ” Ms. Farah said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made clear before whether it was in Seattle or Portland or others were prepared to deploy federal law enforcement as necessary.
” She said the Trump administration was not drawing conclusions about what happened in the police-involved shootings but , at this point , was addressing the rioting .
“ We ’ re going to let the facts play out [ and ] let the investigation play out , but we will not tolerate lawlessness in our streets , ” said Ms. Farah .
City officials in Portland and Seattle blamed the presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more violence but Mr. Trump hailed the federal intervention as a success .
The shooting in Philadelphia occurred before 4 p.m. Monday as officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon , police spokesperson Tanya Little said .
Officers were called to the Cobbs Creek neighborhood and encountered the man , later identified as Walter Wallace , who was holding a knife , Little said .
Officers ordered Wallace to drop the knife , but he instead “ advanced towards ” them .
Both officers then fired “ several times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallace was hit in the shoulder and chest .
One of the officers then put him in a police vehicle and drove him to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead a short time later , Ms. Little said .
Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest the shooting late Monday into early Tuesday , with interactions between protesters and police turning violent at times , the Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
Video showed many yelling at officers and crying .
Police cars and dumpsters were set on fire as police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen officers , many with batons in hand , formed a line as they ran down 52nd Street chasing protesters away from the main thoroughfare .
The crowd largely dispersed then .
Thirty officers were injured , most of them from being struck by projectiles such as bricks and rocks , according to preliminary information from police .
One officer was hospitalized in stable condition with a broken leg and other injuries after she was struck by a pickup truck , police said , while the other injured officers were treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontation recorded by a bystander and posted on social media shows officers pointing their guns at Mr. Wallace as he walks in the street and around a car .
He walks toward the officers as they back away from him in the street , guns still aimed at him .
They yell at him to put his knife down .
Both then fire several shots and Mr. Wallace collapses in the street .
A woman runs up to him screaming .
Several bystanders then approach him .
It is unclear in the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was holding one .
• This article is based in part on wire service reports .

President Trump is prepared to order federal intervention in Philadelphia after rioting erupted over a police shooting of a Black man wielding a knife, White House Communications Director Alyssa Farah said Tuesday.
Hundreds of people took to the streets Monday to protest the police-involved fatal shooting of 27-year-old Walter Wallace. Violent clashes with police ensued, leaving 30 officers injured including one whose leg was broken when he was run over by a pickup truck.
“President Trump will not tolerate any violence directed at America’s law enforcement,” Ms. Farah said on Fox News. “This President has made clear before whether it was in Seattle or Portland or others were prepared to deploy federal law enforcement as necessary.”
She said the Trump administration was not drawing conclusions about what happened in the police-involved shootings but, at this point, was addressing the rioting.
“We’re going to let the facts play out [and] let the investigation play out, but we will not tolerate lawlessness in our streets,” said Ms. Farah.
City officials in Portland and Seattle blamed the presence of federal law enforcement officers for provoking more violence but Mr. Trump hailed the federal intervention as a success.
The shooting in Philadelphia occurred before 4 p.m. Monday as officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon, police spokesperson Tanya Little said.
Officers were called to the Cobbs Creek neighborhood and encountered the man, later identified as Walter Wallace, who was holding a knife, Little said. Officers ordered Wallace to drop the knife, but he instead “advanced towards” them. Both officers then fired “several times,” Ms. Little said.
Mr. Wallace was hit in the shoulder and chest. One of the officers then put him in a police vehicle and drove him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Ms. Little said.
Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest the shooting late Monday into early Tuesday, with interactions between protesters and police turning violent at times, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Video showed many yelling at officers and crying.
Police cars and dumpsters were set on fire as police struggled to contain the crowds. More than a dozen officers, many with batons in hand, formed a line as they ran down 52nd Street chasing protesters away from the main thoroughfare. The crowd largely dispersed then.
Thirty officers were injured, most of them from being struck by projectiles such as bricks and rocks, according to preliminary information from police. One officer was hospitalized in stable condition with a broken leg and other injuries after she was struck by a pickup truck, police said, while the other injured officers were treated and released.
Video of the fatal confrontation recorded by a bystander and posted on social media shows officers pointing their guns at Mr. Wallace as he walks in the street and around a car. He walks toward the officers as they back away from him in the street, guns still aimed at him. They yell at him to put his knife down.
Both then fire several shots and Mr. Wallace collapses in the street. A woman runs up to him screaming. Several bystanders then approach him.
It is unclear in the video if he had a knife. Witnesses said he was holding one.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller: US home prices up 5.2% in August

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - U.S. home prices posted a robust gain in August - another sign that the American housing market remains strong despite economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic .
The S & P ; CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index , released Tuesday , showed that home prices climbed 5.2 % in August from a year earlier , accelerating from a 4.1 % gain in July .
The gain was stronger than economists had expected .
Phoenix ( up 9.9 % from August 2019 ) , Seattle ( up 8.5 % ) and San Diego ( 7.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All 19 cities in the index recorded price increases .
The 20-city index excluded prices from the Detroit metropolitan area index because of delays related to pandemic at the recording office in Wayne County , which includes Detroit .
Helped by rock-bottom mortgage rates , the U.S. housing market has been a source of strength as the U.S. economy climbs back from an April-June freefall caused by the pandemic and the measures taken to contain it .
The National Association of Realtors reported last week that sales of existing shot up 9.4 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price of a home climbed 15 % from a year earlier to $ 311,800 .
And the Commerce Department reported that home building rose 1.9 % in September on a surge in construction of single-family homes .

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. home prices posted a robust gain in August - another sign that the American housing market remains strong despite economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index, released Tuesday, showed that home prices climbed 5.2% in August from a year earlier, accelerating from a 4.1% gain in July. The gain was stronger than economists had expected.
Phoenix (up 9.9% from August 2019), Seattle (up 8.5%) and San Diego (7.6%) posted the biggest gains. All 19 cities in the index recorded price increases. The 20-city index excluded prices from the Detroit metropolitan area index because of delays related to pandemic at the recording office in Wayne County, which includes Detroit.
Helped by rock-bottom mortgage rates, the U.S. housing market has been a source of strength as the U.S. economy climbs back from an April-June freefall caused by the pandemic and the measures taken to contain it.
“The supply of for-sale homes, already extremely tight, has only become more constrained in recent months, and historically low mortgage rates continue to encourage many buyers to enter the market,” Matthew Speakman, economist at the real estate firm Zillow, said in a research note. “This heightened competition for the few homes on the market has placed consistent, firm pressure on home prices for months now, and there are few signs that this will relent any time soon.”
The National Association of Realtors reported last week that sales of existing shot up 9.4% in September and that the median selling price of a home climbed 15% from a year earlier to $311,800. And the Commerce Department reported that home building rose 1.9% in September on a surge in construction of single-family homes.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--National Park Service names superintendent for Yosemite

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK ( AP ) - The National Park Service announced Tuesday it has selected park service veteran Cicely Muldoon as the new permanent superintendent of Yosemite National Park in California .
Muldoon is a 35-year veteran of the National Park Service and has been acting superintendent since January .
Before that , she was superintendent at Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California ’ s Marin County for nearly 10 years .
Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls , according to its website , but it is also home to granite peaks and domes , broad meadows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The park attracts more than 4 million visitors a year and employs 1,200 people .
“ A childhood visit to Yosemite introduced me to national parks .
It captured my imagination and my heart then , and still does , ” she said , adding it ’ s “ the honor of my career ” to join the Yosemite team .
A previous superintendent , Don Neubacher , retired abruptly in 2016 following allegations by employees that he created a hostile workplace by allowing bullying , harassment and other misconduct .
Muldoon holds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the University of California , Davis .
She starts her new role Nov. 8 .

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (AP) - The National Park Service announced Tuesday it has selected park service veteran Cicely Muldoon as the new permanent superintendent of Yosemite National Park in California.
Muldoon is a 35-year veteran of the National Park Service and has been acting superintendent since January. Before that, she was superintendent at Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California’s Marin County for nearly 10 years.
Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls, according to its website, but it is also home to granite peaks and domes, broad meadows and groves of ancient giant sequoias.
The park attracts more than 4 million visitors a year and employs 1,200 people.
“A childhood visit to Yosemite introduced me to national parks. It captured my imagination and my heart then, and still does,” she said, adding it’s “the honor of my career” to join the Yosemite team.
A previous superintendent, Don Neubacher, retired abruptly in 2016 following allegations by employees that he created a hostile workplace by allowing bullying, harassment and other misconduct.
Muldoon holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of California, Davis. She starts her new role Nov. 8.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--New Mexico high court rejects GOP suit on absentee ballots

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - New Mexico ’ s Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit Tuesday by the state Republican Party alleging that partisan poll challengers are being unfairly denied oversight of the initial absentee ballot verification process .
Three justices including the court ’ s lone Republican , Judith Nakamura , denied the petition to intervene in the absentee voting process .
Two Democratic justices recused themselves as they run for election against Republican challengers .
The lawsuit from Republicans including several state legislators and count clerks alleged that partisan challengers are being shut out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy regulations .
Under pandemic-related voting procedures in New Mexico , absentee voters must sign and place the last four digits of their Social Security number on the outer envelope - concealed by a so-called privacy flap .
For rejected ballots , clerks must send a notification to voters within one day .
The court ’ s decision was applauded by the office of Democratic Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver .
“ Voters in New Mexico should have confidence that their vote will count no matter if they are voting in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be deterred by partisan legal maneuvering , ” agency spokesman Alex Curtas said .
“ Partisan lawsuits questioning the integrity of our elections mere days before Nov. 3 only serve to confuse voters and undermine voter confidence.
” In a statement , the Republican Party described the court ’ s decision as flabbergasting and a “ slap in the face.
” “ It ’ s sad that the justices will not take up a lawsuit that ’ s so critically important to ensure everyone ’ s ballot is accurately identified and verified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Separately , the Republican Party accused election officials in two counties of failing to properly monitor drop boxes that receive absentee ballots , in a lawsuit filed in state district court .
That complaint alleges that county election officials in Guadalupe County have left drop boxes unattended and without video surveillance in violation of guidance from the secretary of state ’ s office .
The lawsuit says the situation “ leaves open myriad potential for election misconduct.
” The Republican Party asked for a court order to “ ensure that all drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are only open and accessible to the public during hours that the polls are open.
” The secretary of state ’ s office said in a statement Tuesday that it expects county clerks to follow the agency ’ s security standards and guidance for implementing drop boxes .
The agency has encouraged county clerks ’ offices to install ballot drop boxes to help minimize human contact and the risks of coronavirus transmission during the election process , while offering financial reimbursements through federal recovery funds .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico’s Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit Tuesday by the state Republican Party alleging that partisan poll challengers are being unfairly denied oversight of the initial absentee ballot verification process.
Three justices including the court’s lone Republican, Judith Nakamura, denied the petition to intervene in the absentee voting process. Two Democratic justices recused themselves as they run for election against Republican challengers.
The lawsuit from Republicans including several state legislators and count clerks alleged that partisan challengers are being shut out of the initial verification process unnecessarily, based on privacy regulations.
Under pandemic-related voting procedures in New Mexico, absentee voters must sign and place the last four digits of their Social Security number on the outer envelope - concealed by a so-called privacy flap. For rejected ballots, clerks must send a notification to voters within one day.
The court’s decision was applauded by the office of Democratic Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver.
“Voters in New Mexico should have confidence that their vote will count no matter if they are voting in person or by mail ballot and they should not be deterred by partisan legal maneuvering,” agency spokesman Alex Curtas said. “Partisan lawsuits questioning the integrity of our elections mere days before Nov. 3 only serve to confuse voters and undermine voter confidence.”
In a statement, the Republican Party described the court’s decision as flabbergasting and a “slap in the face.”
“It’s sad that the justices will not take up a lawsuit that’s so critically important to ensure everyone’s ballot is accurately identified and verified,” GOP Chairman Steve Pearce said.
Separately, the Republican Party accused election officials in two counties of failing to properly monitor drop boxes that receive absentee ballots, in a lawsuit filed in state district court.
That complaint alleges that county election officials in Guadalupe County have left drop boxes unattended and without video surveillance in violation of guidance from the secretary of state’s office. The lawsuit says the situation “leaves open myriad potential for election misconduct.”
The Republican Party asked for a court order to “ensure that all drop boxes are continuously monitored and that they are only open and accessible to the public during hours that the polls are open.”
The secretary of state’s office said in a statement Tuesday that it expects county clerks to follow the agency’s security standards and guidance for implementing drop boxes.
The agency has encouraged county clerks’ offices to install ballot drop boxes to help minimize human contact and the risks of coronavirus transmission during the election process, while offering financial reimbursements through federal recovery funds.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--UN cancels in-person meetings after report of 5 COVID cases

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - The United Nations on Tuesday canceled all in-person meetings for this week after a U.N. member nation reported five cases of COVID-19 among its staff .
General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir sent a letter to the 193 U.N. member nations initially announcing a cancellation of Tuesday meetings on the advice of the U.N. Medical Unit in order to carry out contact tracing .
He then followed up with a second letter in the evening saying Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recommended that in-house meetings be suspended for the rest of the week “ to allow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exposure and for full contact tracing to be completed.
” Bozkir said after consulting with the chairs of the assembly ’ s six main committees , “ and in light of the need to safeguard public health , ” he was canceling all in-person meetings this week .
He did not identify the country but diplomats , speaking on condition of anonymity because there had not been a public announcement , said it was the African nation of Niger , which is not only a member of the General Assembly but is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council .
Niger ’ s U.N. ambassador , Abdou Abarry , has a staff of 17 , according to the latest U.N. directory .
The Security Council held a scheduled virtual meeting on Libya on Tuesday .
It canceled an open meeting at U.N. headquarters Wednesday to vote on a resolution to extend the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo , but it is going ahead with virtual meetings on other issues Wednesday , Guterres , in a letter to Bozkir , said he recommended the additional halt to meetings at U.N. headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and following medical advice … to mitigate any risks to the health and safety of delegates and staff.
” Earlier Tuesday , assembly spokesman Brenden Varma told reporters : “ We expect the contact tracing to be done quickly and efficiently.
” He said in-house meetings of three General Assembly committees — on disarmament , special political and decolonization issues , and legal matters — were postponed Tuesday , but other virtual meetings went ahead .
Most U.N. staff have been working from home .
Guterres gradually increased the number allowed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and officials said for the past two to three weeks between 1,300 and 1,400 people have swiped their passes to enter the building every day .

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations on Tuesday canceled all in-person meetings for this week after a U.N. member nation reported five cases of COVID-19 among its staff.
General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir sent a letter to the 193 U.N. member nations initially announcing a cancellation of Tuesday meetings on the advice of the U.N. Medical Unit in order to carry out contact tracing.
He then followed up with a second letter in the evening saying Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recommended that in-house meetings be suspended for the rest of the week “to allow for a better understanding of the extent of the exposure and for full contact tracing to be completed.”
Bozkir said after consulting with the chairs of the assembly’s six main committees, “and in light of the need to safeguard public health,” he was canceling all in-person meetings this week.
He did not identify the country but diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because there had not been a public announcement, said it was the African nation of Niger, which is not only a member of the General Assembly but is serving a two-year term on the 15-member Security Council. Niger’s U.N. ambassador, Abdou Abarry, has a staff of 17, according to the latest U.N. directory.
The Security Council held a scheduled virtual meeting on Libya on Tuesday. It canceled an open meeting at U.N. headquarters Wednesday to vote on a resolution to extend the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo, but it is going ahead with virtual meetings on other issues Wednesday,
Guterres, in a letter to Bozkir, said he recommended the additional halt to meetings at U.N. headquarters “out of an abundance of caution and following medical advice … to mitigate any risks to the health and safety of delegates and staff.”
Earlier Tuesday, assembly spokesman Brenden Varma told reporters: “We expect the contact tracing to be done quickly and efficiently.”
He said in-house meetings of three General Assembly committees — on disarmament, special political and decolonization issues, and legal matters — were postponed Tuesday, but other virtual meetings went ahead.
Most U.N. staff have been working from home. Guterres gradually increased the number allowed in the building to 40% in late August, and officials said for the past two to three weeks between 1,300 and 1,400 people have swiped their passes to enter the building every day.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Hawaiian Electric contractor OK after helicopter loses power

HONOLULU ( AP ) - A helicopter carrying a Hawaiian Electric contractor lost power and made a hard landing in @ @ @ @ @ for the utility said .
Emergency responders said there were no injuries .
The contractor @ @ @ @ @ Nuuanu Reservoir and no Hawaiian Electric employees were on board when the helicopter crashed , @ @ @ @ @ Employees were at a safe distance when the helicopter came down , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ 369D helicopter reported engine failure and made an emergency landing on mountainous terrain at about @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said .

HONOLULU (AP) - A helicopter carrying a Hawaiian Electric contractor lost power and made a hard landing in Honolulu Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the utility said.
The pilot sustained minor injuries, the Honolulu Fire Department said.
The contractor was transporting material near the Nuuanu Reservoir and no Hawaiian Electric employees were on board when the helicopter crashed, said spokeswoman Shannon Tangonan.
Employees were at a safe distance when the helicopter came down, she said. Two people on the ground were not injured, the fire department said.
The pilot of the Hughes 369D helicopter reported engine failure and made an emergency landing on mountainous terrain at about noon, Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The FAA will investigate.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Donald Trump, Joe Biden fight for Black voters' support as racial anger riles country, campaign

PHILADELPHIA — Cassandra Ferebee stood in a long line to vote on an overcast and rainy day , saying she was determined to cast her ballot for Joseph R. Biden because President Trump inflamed racial tensions and tore the country apart .
“ He ’ s taking us back 200 years .
We don ’ t need strife in this country .
We need to be built up , ” said Mrs. Ferebee , 53 , a Black woman who also backed Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
She could have been reading from Mr. Biden ’ s virtual stump speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ erupted in her city after a Philadelphia police officer shot and killed a 27-year-old Black man allegedly wielding a knife as he ran toward the officers .
The rioting — which injured at least 30 police officers Monday — extended a spate of social justice and anti-police demonstrations across the country that is energizing Black voters in support of Mr. Biden .
The blaze of racial anger also is expected to drive a higher level of Black voter turnout than in 2016 , which marked the first decrease in Black voter turnout in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And yet , Trump campaign officials say the president has made inroads with African American voters , especially Black men .
They predict that Mr. Trump will improve his share of the Black vote nationally from the 8 % he got in 2016 to double digits next week .
That could offset higher turnout from a demographic that usually votes Democratic and tilt the scales in the key battleground of Pennsylvania , where Mr. Biden likely needs big numbers in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and its suburbs .
Mr. Trump doesn ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferebee .
He didn ’ t get them in 2016 either but still eked out a historic Pennsylvania win that put him in the White House .
The fight for Black voters is a fight at the margins of the electorate .
But in Pennsylvania politics , the small things can have a major impact , said Christopher Borick , director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion .
“ Key is the share of the Black vote that the president can get .
He has tried to reach Black voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope he can perform a few points better than in 2016 , ” he said .
“ This slightly-better share may not offset the overall yield that Biden gets from larger Black voter turnout , but as I have said the small things may matter in large ways.
” The institute ’ s mid-October poll showed Mr. Trump with 11 % support from non-White voters , compared to Mr. Biden ’ s 77 % .
Another 12 % of non-White voters were undecided .
Other recent polls have shown the race tightening more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing the race tied and Insider Advantage showing Mr. Trump edging out Mr. Biden by 2 points .
Mr. Trump proclaimed himself the best president for African Americans since Abraham Lincoln .
The mention of that boast drew laughs and scowls from Black voters in line with Mrs. Ferebee .
“ I don ’ t think he did nothing for Black people .
He ’ s just trying to take everything away from poor people and give it to the rich , ” said Joshua Price , a 43-year-old Black man in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden is hoping to capitalize on that anti-Trump sentiment .
He has vowed to invest more in historically Black universities and make it easier for Blacks to purchase a home and start small businesses .
Mr. Trump is running on the historic wins he has delivered for Black Americans , including passing criminal justice and prison reforms that were long sought by Democrats and achieving record low unemployment for African Americans before the pandemic hit .
Mr. Trump is making the case that Black communities have suffered because they lived in cities run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black vote for granted , he says .
“ It ’ s gone on for a hundred years , ” he said at a recent rally in North Carolina .
“ Give me your vote , give me your vote , ” and then after the election ’ s over , it ’ s like , “ Gee , I don ’ t remember you .
Let ’ s talk in three-and-a-half years from now.
” Mr. Trump ’ s approval rating with Black voters has been ticking up , hitting 46 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr. Biden , his running mate Kamala Harris and top surrogates such as former President Barack Obama have ramped up charges that Mr. Trump is a racist or even a White supremacist , underscoring their need to shore up and energize the base .
“ Donald Trump fails to condemn White supremacy , ” Mr. Biden said at a rally Tuesday in Atlanta .
“ He doesn ’ t believe there is systematic racism as a problem , and he won ’ t say Black Lives Matter because they do .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , Mr. Obama mocked Mr. Trump for comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln and scolded Jared Kushner , Mr. Trump ’ s adviser and son in law , for saying African Americans need to want to be successful .
“ His son-in-law says Black folks have to want to be successful , ” Mr. Obama said at a rally in Florida .
“ That ’ s the problem .
Who are these folks ?
What history books do they read ?
Who do they talk to ?
” Mr. Obama told the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people better off than they were four years ago are billionaires who benefited from Trump tax cuts .
He then chastised Mr. Trump for not getting Republicans to pass another coronavirus relief package for working-class voters .
“ It is not like it is his money we are asking to pay because he doesn ’ t pay taxes - barely pays income taxes , ” he said .
Mr. Biden also enlisted Kiari Kendrell Cephus , better known as the rapper Offset , to urge the Black community to flex its electoral muscle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Black folk get out here and vote !
” he said , warming up a crowd in Atlanta before Mr. Biden ’ s appearance .

Seth McLaughlin, S.A. Miller and S.A. Miller, Seth McLaughlin

PHILADELPHIA — Cassandra Ferebee stood in a long line to vote on an overcast and rainy day, saying she was determined to cast her ballot for Joseph R. Biden because President Trump inflamed racial tensions and tore the country apart.
“He’s taking us back 200 years. We don’t need strife in this country. We need to be built up,” said Mrs. Ferebee, 53, a Black woman who also backed Hillary Clinton in 2016.
She could have been reading from Mr. Biden’s virtual stump speech.
A few hours later, violence erupted in her city after a Philadelphia police officer shot and killed a 27-year-old Black man allegedly wielding a knife as he ran toward the officers.
The rioting — which injured at least 30 police officers Monday — extended a spate of social justice and anti-police demonstrations across the country that is energizing Black voters in support of Mr. Biden. The blaze of racial anger also is expected to drive a higher level of Black voter turnout than in 2016, which marked the first decrease in Black voter turnout in 20 years of U.S. presidential elections.
And yet, Trump campaign officials say the president has made inroads with African American voters, especially Black men. They predict that Mr. Trump will improve his share of the Black vote nationally from the 8% he got in 2016 to double digits next week.
That could offset higher turnout from a demographic that usually votes Democratic and tilt the scales in the key battleground of Pennsylvania, where Mr. Biden likely needs big numbers in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and its suburbs.
Mr. Trump doesn’t need to win over voters such as Mrs. Ferebee. He didn’t get them in 2016 either but still eked out a historic Pennsylvania win that put him in the White House.
The fight for Black voters is a fight at the margins of the electorate. But in Pennsylvania politics, the small things can have a major impact, said Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion.
“Key is the share of the Black vote that the president can get. He has tried to reach Black voters, and particularly Black men, with the hope he can perform a few points better than in 2016,” he said. “This slightly-better share may not offset the overall yield that Biden gets from larger Black voter turnout, but as I have said the small things may matter in large ways.”
The institute’s mid-October poll showed Mr. Trump with 11% support from non-White voters, compared to Mr. Biden’s 77%. Another 12% of non-White voters were undecided.
Overall, Mr. Biden led Mr. Trump 51% to 44%.
Other recent polls have shown the race tightening more, with the Republican-leaning Trafalgar Group survey showing the race tied and Insider Advantage showing Mr. Trump edging out Mr. Biden by 2 points.
Mr. Trump proclaimed himself the best president for African Americans since Abraham Lincoln. The mention of that boast drew laughs and scowls from Black voters in line with Mrs. Ferebee.
“I don’t think he did nothing for Black people. He’s just trying to take everything away from poor people and give it to the rich,” said Joshua Price, a 43-year-old Black man in line to vote at City Hall.
Mr. Biden is hoping to capitalize on that anti-Trump sentiment. He has vowed to invest more in historically Black universities and make it easier for Blacks to purchase a home and start small businesses.
Mr. Trump is running on the historic wins he has delivered for Black Americans, including passing criminal justice and prison reforms that were long sought by Democrats and achieving record low unemployment for African Americans before the pandemic hit.
Mr. Trump is making the case that Black communities have suffered because they lived in cities run by Democrats. The Democratic Party takes the Black vote for granted, he says.
“It’s gone on for a hundred years,” he said at a recent rally in North Carolina. “Give me your vote, give me your vote,” and then after the election’s over, it’s like, “Gee, I don’t remember you. Let’s talk in three-and-a-half years from now.”
Mr. Trump’s approval rating with Black voters has been ticking up, hitting 46% in a recent Rasmussen Reports survey.
Mr. Biden, his running mate Kamala Harris and top surrogates such as former President Barack Obama have ramped up charges that Mr. Trump is a racist or even a White supremacist, underscoring their need to shore up and energize the base.
“Donald Trump fails to condemn White supremacy,” Mr. Biden said at a rally Tuesday in Atlanta. “He doesn’t believe there is systematic racism as a problem, and he won’t say Black Lives Matter because they do. We know they matter.”
Earlier in the day, Mr. Obama mocked Mr. Trump for comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln and scolded Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump’s adviser and son in law, for saying African Americans need to want to be successful.
“His son-in-law says Black folks have to want to be successful,” Mr. Obama said at a rally in Florida. “That’s the problem. Who are these folks? What history books do they read? Who do they talk to?”
Mr. Obama told the crowd of roughly 270 cars that the only people better off than they were four years ago are billionaires who benefited from Trump tax cuts. He then chastised Mr. Trump for not getting Republicans to pass another coronavirus relief package for working-class voters.
“It is not like it is his money we are asking to pay because he doesn’t pay taxes - barely pays income taxes,” he said.
Mr. Biden also enlisted Kiari Kendrell Cephus, better known as the rapper Offset, to urge the Black community to flex its electoral muscle.
“We need all y’all Black folk get out here and vote!” he said, warming up a crowd in Atlanta before Mr. Biden’s appearance.
⦁ Seth McLaughlin reported from Washington, D.C.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com. • S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Pennsylvania man held for 1969 San Diego rape and murder

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - A 75-year-old Pennsylvanian was arrested for the 1969 rape and murder of a young mother in Southern California , authorities said Tuesday .
John Sipos was taken into custody Saturday at his home in Schnecksville , near Allentown , the San Diego Police Department said .
DNA evidence and forensic genealogy led to the arrest in connection with the death of Mary Scott , who was found strangled in her apartment in the City Heights area of San Diego on Nov. 20 , 1969 , police said .
Authorities said the killer kicked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furniture was overturned and neighbors heard screams , the San Diego Union-Tribune reported .
Sipos is awaiting extradition to San Diego .
His attorney , John Waldron , told the newspaper that his client will remain under quarantine because of Lehigh County jail COVID-19 precautions .
Waldron said Sipos has diabetes and has had three prior heart attacks .
Scott ’ s sister , Rosalie Sanz , 67 , told the Union-Tribune that she was “ beyond thrilled ” by news of the arrest .
Sanz said she was told that Sipos had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was living in San Diego when Scott was killed .
“ This guy got to live 51 years free and easy , ” Sanz said , “ And she got those 51 years taken from her.
” “ Everyone loved her , ” Sanz said .
“ She was very sweet and big-hearted and kind of naive for the world she was living in.
” Scott , who was separated , left two young girls , who were living with her husband ’ s family at the time of her death .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A 75-year-old Pennsylvanian was arrested for the 1969 rape and murder of a young mother in Southern California, authorities said Tuesday.
John Sipos was taken into custody Saturday at his home in Schnecksville, near Allentown, the San Diego Police Department said.
DNA evidence and forensic genealogy led to the arrest in connection with the death of Mary Scott, who was found strangled in her apartment in the City Heights area of San Diego on Nov. 20, 1969, police said.
Authorities said the killer kicked in the door and fought with Scott. Furniture was overturned and neighbors heard screams, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Sipos is awaiting extradition to San Diego. His attorney, John Waldron, told the newspaper that his client will remain under quarantine because of Lehigh County jail COVID-19 precautions. Waldron said Sipos has diabetes and has had three prior heart attacks.
Scott’s sister, Rosalie Sanz, 67, told the Union-Tribune that she was “beyond thrilled” by news of the arrest.
Sanz said she was told that Sipos had recently gotten out of the Navy and was living in San Diego when Scott was killed.
“This guy got to live 51 years free and easy,” Sanz said, “And she got those 51 years taken from her.”
“Everyone loved her,” Sanz said. “She was very sweet and big-hearted and kind of naive for the world she was living in.”
Scott, who was separated, left two young girls, who were living with her husband’s family at the time of her death.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Chrissy Teigen delivers heartfelt essay on miscarriage

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Chrissy Teigen wrote a heartfelt message about the recent loss of her third child with husband John Legend .
Teigen delivered the essay in a Medium post Tuesday .
It was her first public response since she and Legend announced the loss of their son , Jack , in a heart-wrenching social media post with several photos on Sept. 30 .
In Tuesday ’ s post , Teigen wrote that her doctors diagnosed her with a partial placental abruption .
She announced her pregnancy with their child in August .
“ I had always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I had to deliver Miles a month early because his stomach wasn ’ t getting enough food from my placenta .
But this was my first abruption.
” The 34-year-old Teigen said she received bags of blood transfusions at the hospital , but that failed to help support the fluid around her son .
After a couple nights , she said she knew it was time to say “ goodbye.
” “ He just wouldn ’ t survive this , and if it went on any longer , I might not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her decision to take and post photos of the process was met with some support and criticism .
She said Legend was “ very hesitant ” to take the photos , but she felt the need to share their story .
“ I can not express how little I care that you hate the photos , ” she wrote .
“ How little I care that it ’ s something you wouldn ’ t have done .
I lived it , I chose to do it , and more than anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the people who have lived this or are curious enough to wonder what something like this is like .
These photos are only for the people who need them .
The thoughts of others do not matter to me.
” Teigen urged people to share their stories and “ please be kind to those pouring their hearts out .
”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Chrissy Teigen wrote a heartfelt message about the recent loss of her third child with husband John Legend.
Teigen delivered the essay in a Medium post Tuesday. It was her first public response since she and Legend announced the loss of their son, Jack, in a heart-wrenching social media post with several photos on Sept. 30.
In Tuesday’s post, Teigen wrote that her doctors diagnosed her with a partial placental abruption. She announced her pregnancy with their child in August.
“I had always had placenta problems,” she wrote. “I had to deliver Miles a month early because his stomach wasn’t getting enough food from my placenta. But this was my first abruption.”
The 34-year-old Teigen said she received bags of blood transfusions at the hospital, but that failed to help support the fluid around her son. After a couple nights, she said she knew it was time to say “goodbye.”
“He just wouldn’t survive this, and if it went on any longer, I might not either,” she said.
Teigen said her decision to take and post photos of the process was met with some support and criticism. She said Legend was “very hesitant” to take the photos, but she felt the need to share their story.
“I cannot express how little I care that you hate the photos,” she wrote. “How little I care that it’s something you wouldn’t have done. I lived it, I chose to do it, and more than anything, these photos aren’t for anyone but the people who have lived this or are curious enough to wonder what something like this is like. These photos are only for the people who need them. The thoughts of others do not matter to me.”
Teigen urged people to share their stories and “please be kind to those pouring their hearts out.”