washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Israeli settler delegation visits Dubai following UAE accord

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - A delegation of Israeli settlers is visiting Dubai , where they met with Emirati business people to discuss commercial opportunities following the United Arab Emirates ‘ establishment of formal ties with Israel earlier this year .
The visit angered the Palestinians , who view Israeli settlements as a major obstacle to peace and a violation of international law .
The Palestinians rejected the normalization agreement as a betrayal of their cause because the UAE broke with a longstanding Arab consensus that recognition of Israel should only be granted in return for territorial concessions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of the Samaria Regional Council , which represents settlements in the northern West Bank .
They arrived on Sunday and planned to remain in the Emirates until Thursday .
A council statement released Tuesday said the delegation held “ marathon business meetings ” with around 20 individuals and companies working in agriculture , pest control and plastics .
“ The business people heard from them about the unique needs of the region and discussed with them cooperation , particularly in the fields of agronomy and water desalination , ” it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country at the forefront of development and investment , and it is our honor to forge trade and industry ties with them , ” Dagan said .
Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and has since built a sprawling network of settlements that are now home to more than 500,000 Israelis .
The Palestinians want both territories to be part of their future state .
Most of the international community views the settlements as illegal .
Nabil Shaath , an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to witness Arab cooperation with one of the worst manifestations of aggression against the Palestinian people , which is the Israeli settlements on our land.
” The UAE has defended its decision to become only the third Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel , after Egypt and Jordan , saying it advances regional peace efforts .
Israel put its plans to annex up to a third of the West Bank , including all the settlements , on hold as part of the agreement , but it insists the pause is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to establish ties with Israel .
All three agreements were brokered by the Trump administration , which had touted the deals as a historic diplomatic achievement ahead of last week ’ s U.S. election .

JERUSALEM (AP) - A delegation of Israeli settlers is visiting Dubai, where they met with Emirati business people to discuss commercial opportunities following the United Arab Emirates’ establishment of formal ties with Israel earlier this year.
The visit angered the Palestinians, who view Israeli settlements as a major obstacle to peace and a violation of international law. The Palestinians rejected the normalization agreement as a betrayal of their cause because the UAE broke with a longstanding Arab consensus that recognition of Israel should only be granted in return for territorial concessions.
The delegation was led by Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, which represents settlements in the northern West Bank. They arrived on Sunday and planned to remain in the Emirates until Thursday.
A council statement released Tuesday said the delegation held “marathon business meetings” with around 20 individuals and companies working in agriculture, pest control and plastics.
“The business people heard from them about the unique needs of the region and discussed with them cooperation, particularly in the fields of agronomy and water desalination,” it said.
“The UAE is an advanced country at the forefront of development and investment, and it is our honor to forge trade and industry ties with them,” Dagan said.
Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and has since built a sprawling network of settlements that are now home to more than 500,000 Israelis. The Palestinians want both territories to be part of their future state. Most of the international community views the settlements as illegal.
Nabil Shaath, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said it was “painful to witness Arab cooperation with one of the worst manifestations of aggression against the Palestinian people, which is the Israeli settlements on our land.”
The UAE has defended its decision to become only the third Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan, saying it advances regional peace efforts. Israel put its plans to annex up to a third of the West Bank, including all the settlements, on hold as part of the agreement, but it insists the pause is only temporary.
Bahrain and Sudan have also agreed to establish ties with Israel. All three agreements were brokered by the Trump administration, which had touted the deals as a historic diplomatic achievement ahead of last week’s U.S. election.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--30 South Carolina Republicans back AG Barr's election probe

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Several dozen South Carolina Republican lawmakers are voicing support of Attorney General Bill Barr ’ s authorization of federal prosecutors across the U.S. to pursue “ substantial allegations ” of voting irregularities , if they exist , before the 2020 presidential election is certified .
There has been no evidence of widespread fraud .
In a letter obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press , 30 GOP members of the state House say they “ write with concern over the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election.
” While not expressing any doubts about election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers write that they worry that the state ’ s electors “ are being devalued by potential fraud in multiple other states as it affects the outcome of this presidential election.
” Barr ’ s action this week came days after Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump and raised the prospect that Trump will use the Justice Department to try to challenge the outcome .
It gives prosecutors the ability to go around longstanding Justice Department policy that normally would prohibit such overt actions before an election is certified .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming that there has been a widespread , multi-state conspiracy by Democrats to skew the vote tally in Biden ’ s favor .
There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election .
In fact , election officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed there were no serious irregularities .
The issues Trump ’ s campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election : problems with signatures , secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small number of ballots miscast or lost .
With Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states , none of those issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election .
Trump ’ s campaign has also launched legal challenges complaining that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process .
Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges , some within hours of their filing ; and again , none of the complaints show any evidence that the outcome of the election was impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to note that measures have been taken over the past year in the state “ to guarantee that all legally eligible voters could cast their ballots securely and confidently.
” Several times during this election year , South Carolina state legislators passed adjustments to voting laws , allowing all voters to vote absentee regardless of reason because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Voters in the state usually have to provide a specific reason for voting absentee , such as being 65 or older or having a physical disability .
A witness signature requirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer primary elections , but lawmakers didn ’ t include that change in tweaks ahead of the general election .
Challenged in court , the signature requirement was ultimately reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court .
“ Regardless of party , transparency in government is good , especially with elections , ” Rep. Bobby Cox of Greenville said in a statement accompanying the letter .
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http : //twitter.com/MegKinnardAP .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Several dozen South Carolina Republican lawmakers are voicing support of Attorney General Bill Barr’s authorization of federal prosecutors across the U.S. to pursue “substantial allegations” of voting irregularities, if they exist, before the 2020 presidential election is certified. There has been no evidence of widespread fraud.
In a letter obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, 30 GOP members of the state House say they “write with concern over the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election.”
While not expressing any doubts about election processes specifically in South Carolina, the lawmakers write that they worry that the state’s electors “are being devalued by potential fraud in multiple other states as it affects the outcome of this presidential election.”
Barr’s action this week came days after Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump and raised the prospect that Trump will use the Justice Department to try to challenge the outcome. It gives prosecutors the ability to go around longstanding Justice Department policy that normally would prohibit such overt actions before an election is certified.
Trump has not conceded the election and is instead claiming that there has been a widespread, multi-state conspiracy by Democrats to skew the vote tally in Biden’s favor.
There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. In fact, election officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed there were no serious irregularities.
The issues Trump’s campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election: problems with signatures, secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots, as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost. With Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states, none of those issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election.
Trump’s campaign has also launched legal challenges complaining that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process. Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges, some within hours of their filing; and again, none of the complaints show any evidence that the outcome of the election was impacted.
The South Carolina lawmakers go on to note that measures have been taken over the past year in the state “to guarantee that all legally eligible voters could cast their ballots securely and confidently.”
Several times during this election year, South Carolina state legislators passed adjustments to voting laws, allowing all voters to vote absentee regardless of reason because of the coronavirus pandemic. Voters in the state usually have to provide a specific reason for voting absentee, such as being 65 or older or having a physical disability.
A witness signature requirement for absentee ballots was removed before the summer primary elections, but lawmakers didn’t include that change in tweaks ahead of the general election. Challenged in court, the signature requirement was ultimately reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Regardless of party, transparency in government is good, especially with elections,” Rep. Bobby Cox of Greenville said in a statement accompanying the letter.
___
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Guinness recalls non-alcoholic stouts amid safety fears

LONDON ( AP ) - Irish brewer Guinness said Wednesday that it is recalling cans of its recently launched non-alcoholic stout in Britain over contamination concerns .
The recall , which the brewer described as “ precautionary ” and related to a “ microbiological contamination , ” impacts the British market as the product was not yet on sale in Ireland .
Guinness 0.0 , which was created at the company ’ s St. James ’ s Gate brewery in Dublin .
was launched last month amid much fanfare after a four-year development process .
The brewer , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the issue does not impact any other Guinness variants or brands and it urged anyone with cans of Guinness 0.0 not to drink it .
The product was developed in response to what Guinness said was a growing consumer appetite for non-alcohol , lower-calorie beverages .
The early stages of brewing Guinness 0.0 mirror those of standard Guinness , using the same main ingredients - water , barley , hops and yeast .
The key difference relates to the use of a cold filtration process to remove alcohol from the brew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October , Guinness said feedback from independent taste tests had exceeded expectations .

LONDON (AP) - Irish brewer Guinness said Wednesday that it is recalling cans of its recently launched non-alcoholic stout in Britain over contamination concerns.
The recall, which the brewer described as “precautionary” and related to a “microbiological contamination,” impacts the British market as the product was not yet on sale in Ireland.
Guinness 0.0, which was created at the company’s St. James’s Gate brewery in Dublin. was launched last month amid much fanfare after a four-year development process.
The brewer, which is owned by the international beverage giant Diageo, said the issue does not impact any other Guinness variants or brands and it urged anyone with cans of Guinness 0.0 not to drink it.
The product was developed in response to what Guinness said was a growing consumer appetite for non-alcohol, lower-calorie beverages.
The early stages of brewing Guinness 0.0 mirror those of standard Guinness, using the same main ingredients - water, barley, hops and yeast. The key difference relates to the use of a cold filtration process to remove alcohol from the brew.
At the product’s launch in October, Guinness said feedback from independent taste tests had exceeded expectations.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Pakistan's Lahore sees peak pollution as coronavirus surges

LAHORE , Pakistan ( AP ) - A thick blanket of smog enveloped Pakistan ’ s cultural capital of Lahore on Wednesday , prompting officials to warn that tens of thousands of the city ’ s residents risk respiratory disease and eye-related problems while doctors urged people to stay at home .
The air quality in Lahore deteriorated to hazardous levels , putting an additional burden on the fragile healthcare system amid a surge in coronavirus deaths and new infections .
The Air Quality Index at one point rose to 750 in the city ’ s poorer areas - about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the day , Switzerland-based air quality information platform IQair declared Lahore the second most polluted city , after New Delhi , India ’ s capital .
Pollution indexes peak dramatically in Pakistan in winter , when farmers burn off stubble in the fields .
Winds worsen the pollution by further spreading smog across the region .
“ The air quality level was hazardous today , ” said Sajid Bashir , a spokesman for Environmental Protection Department .
By mid-day the situation had improved , he said , as authorities took steps to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shut brick kilns across the province of Punjab , where Lahore is the provincial capital .
Lahore , once dubbed as the city of gardens , remained pollution-free for months after March , when the government imposed a lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus .
But the restriction was lifted in May , allowing a return to industrial activities and normal businesses .
With cars back on the roads , the air quality gradually deteriorated , falling again to unhealthy levels .
Pollution is no stranger to Pakistan , a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some 12 million people .
Cars are the top pollutants in Lahore but the city also has other sources of pollution , including the stubble burning , steel manufacturing furnaces and the city ’ s famous brick kilns .
“ Coughing , throat infection and irritation in the eyes are common , ” said Anza Farid , an environmental expert , warning that the situation could worsen in the coming weeks as more people burn garbage in the cities and farmers burn off the stubble in their fields .
Dr. Talha Ayub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection , both from pollution and the coronavirus .
“ People should try to stay at home if they can , ” he appealed .
Pakistan on Wednesday said it registered 21 new COVID-19 deaths and 1,708 new infections over the past 24 hours - despite a government-imposed partial lockdowns in 4,136 residential areas across the country .
The government is turning to sealing off hotspots in a bid to contain rising fatalities and infections from coronavirus .
Authorities also banned large gathering , shut shrines , cinemas and theaters to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected more than 348,000 people in Pakistan and killed 7,021 since February .

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) - A thick blanket of smog enveloped Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore on Wednesday, prompting officials to warn that tens of thousands of the city’s residents risk respiratory disease and eye-related problems while doctors urged people to stay at home.
The air quality in Lahore deteriorated to hazardous levels, putting an additional burden on the fragile healthcare system amid a surge in coronavirus deaths and new infections. The Air Quality Index at one point rose to 750 in the city’s poorer areas - about 12 times the recommended level.
Earlier in the day, Switzerland-based air quality information platform IQair declared Lahore the second most polluted city, after New Delhi, India’s capital. Pollution indexes peak dramatically in Pakistan in winter, when farmers burn off stubble in the fields. Winds worsen the pollution by further spreading smog across the region.
“The air quality level was hazardous today,” said Sajid Bashir, a spokesman for Environmental Protection Department.
By mid-day the situation had improved, he said, as authorities took steps to keep smoke emitting vehicles off the roads and shut brick kilns across the province of Punjab, where Lahore is the provincial capital.
Lahore, once dubbed as the city of gardens, remained pollution-free for months after March, when the government imposed a lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. But the restriction was lifted in May, allowing a return to industrial activities and normal businesses. With cars back on the roads, the air quality gradually deteriorated, falling again to unhealthy levels.
Pollution is no stranger to Pakistan, a country of 220 million - or Lahore, with some 12 million people. Cars are the top pollutants in Lahore but the city also has other sources of pollution, including the stubble burning, steel manufacturing furnaces and the city’s famous brick kilns.
“Coughing, throat infection and irritation in the eyes are common,” said Anza Farid, an environmental expert, warning that the situation could worsen in the coming weeks as more people burn garbage in the cities and farmers burn off the stubble in their fields.
Dr. Talha Ayub urged people to wear face masks for protection, both from pollution and the coronavirus. “People should try to stay at home if they can,” he appealed.
Pakistan on Wednesday said it registered 21 new COVID-19 deaths and 1,708 new infections over the past 24 hours - despite a government-imposed partial lockdowns in 4,136 residential areas across the country. The government is turning to sealing off hotspots in a bid to contain rising fatalities and infections from coronavirus.
Authorities also banned large gathering, shut shrines, cinemas and theaters to contain the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 348,000 people in Pakistan and killed 7,021 since February.
___
Ahmed reported from Islamabad.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Edmunds: 2021 Toyota Sienna versus Honda Odyssey

Edmunds ’ experts have ranked the Honda Odyssey as their No .
1 minivan since the 2018 model year .
It has the expansive utility you expect from a family hauler plus a refined driving experience other minivans can ’ t match .
Or can they ?
This year a familiar nameplate receives a full redesign : the Toyota Sienna .
The new 2021 Sienna brings a lot to the table in its hope to oust the Honda .
Most notably , every Sienna is now a hybrid , which completely changes the game for fuel economy .
Edmunds pitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out which one is the better minivan .
Honda sticks to minivan tradition .
The Odyssey uses a 280-horsepower V6 engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission .
Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving , which is an average figure for a modern minivan .
The Sienna , in contrast , has a four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system with a continuously variable transmission .
It trades away some power ― it has 245 horsepower ― in return for a big boost in fuel efficiency .
The EPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After driving several hundred miles , Edmunds experts recorded multiple tanks over 40 mpg in a Sienna .
Toyota even offers all-wheel drive , which is something you can ’ t get on the Odyssey .
The 2021 Sienna starts at $ 35,635 ( including destination ) for an LE with front-wheel drive .
The 2021 Odyssey LX has a lower entry price of $ 32,910 .
That ’ s a significant savings , but you ’ re not getting as many features either .
The Odyssey ’ s next step up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more comparable to the Sienna ’ s base LE .
Want a luxed-out minivan ?
A fully equipped Sienna Platinum with all-wheel drive costs a little more than $ 51,000 .
At $ 48,940 , the Elite trim is as good as an Odyssey gets .
Overall , the features , and what you pay to get them , are similar throughout the trim level ranges .
Basic and powertrain warranty coverage are also similar .
But Toyota does offer additional coverage : eight years/100,000 miles on hybrid components , 10 years/150,000 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles of free scheduled maintenance .
The Sienna ’ s higher fuel economy means saving more at the gas pump , too .
Inside , these minivans are similar .
Both vans have seven- and eight-passenger configurations , spacious cabins , comfortable and versatile seats , storage space galore and many kid-friendly touches .
Even smartphone integration , intercoms and built-in vacuums are the norm on higher trims .
The interior is also a chance for differentiation .
Honda has an optional in-cabin camera system that displays a view of the rear passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t offer one of those but counters with an optional refrigerator built into the center console , plus an optional surround-view camera system for easier parking .
The Odyssey has second-row seats that slide side to side , which helps with third-row access .
Toyota offers second-row seats in the Sienna that slide backward more than the Odyssey ’ s .
They even have optional extendable footrests .
For hauling cargo , both minivans have third-row seats that are easy to fold down .
You can also take out the Odyssey ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though they ’ re heavy and bulky .
The Sienna ’ s second-row seats are no longer removable .
Perhaps the biggest difference between the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey is how they drive .
For any vehicle , assessment of the ride often comes down to personal preference .
Here ’ s our expert take .
Behind the wheel of the Odyssey , things are simple .
It drives a lot like a sedan .
The V6 and automatic transmission work well together , and there always seems to be enough power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Around town the Honda is as easy to drive as it is on the highway .
The ride is agreeable over both small and large bumps in the road .
Easy is the key here .
The Sienna hybrid requires a little adjustment .
Remember that standout fuel economy ?
It comes at a cost .
The Toyota drives awkwardly at times , as the regenerative brakes decide how best to react .
Its engine is loud when it ’ s working its hardest , and you ’ ll feel the comparative lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going up grades .
That said , the Sienna has enough guts for most driving situations thanks to the hybrid battery torque .
The Sienna ’ s ride quality is generally OK but gets overly bouncy and floaty over larger bumps .
EDMUNDS SAYS : Minivan shoppers will find plenty to like from both the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna .
This one is close .
The difference makers are ultimately drivability and interior versatility .
The Toyota Sienna stumbles just a bit in both areas , which gives the Honda Odyssey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds .
Mike Schmidt is the senior manager of vehicle testing operations at Edmunds .

Edmunds’ experts have ranked the Honda Odyssey as their No. 1 minivan since the 2018 model year. It has the expansive utility you expect from a family hauler plus a refined driving experience other minivans can’t match.
Or can they?
This year a familiar nameplate receives a full redesign: the Toyota Sienna. The new 2021 Sienna brings a lot to the table in its hope to oust the Honda. Most notably, every Sienna is now a hybrid, which completely changes the game for fuel economy.
Edmunds pitted the Sienna against the Odyssey to find out which one is the better minivan.
ENGINES AND MPG
Honda sticks to minivan tradition. The Odyssey uses a 280-horsepower V6 engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is an average figure for a modern minivan.
The Sienna, in contrast, has a four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system with a continuously variable transmission. It trades away some power ― it has 245 horsepower ― in return for a big boost in fuel efficiency. The EPA pegs it at 36 mpg combined. After driving several hundred miles, Edmunds experts recorded multiple tanks over 40 mpg in a Sienna. Toyota even offers all-wheel drive, which is something you can’t get on the Odyssey.
WINNER: Sienna
PRICING AND VALUE
The 2021 Sienna starts at $35,635 (including destination) for an LE with front-wheel drive. The 2021 Odyssey LX has a lower entry price of $32,910. That’s a significant savings, but you’re not getting as many features either. The Odyssey’s next step up, the $36,310 EX trim, is more comparable to the Sienna’s base LE.
Want a luxed-out minivan? A fully equipped Sienna Platinum with all-wheel drive costs a little more than $51,000. At $48,940, the Elite trim is as good as an Odyssey gets. Overall, the features, and what you pay to get them, are similar throughout the trim level ranges.
Basic and powertrain warranty coverage are also similar. But Toyota does offer additional coverage: eight years/100,000 miles on hybrid components, 10 years/150,000 miles for the hybrid battery and two years/25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance. The Sienna’s higher fuel economy means saving more at the gas pump, too.
WINNER: Sienna
INTERIOR AND TECHNOLOGY
Inside, these minivans are similar. Both vans have seven- and eight-passenger configurations, spacious cabins, comfortable and versatile seats, storage space galore and many kid-friendly touches. Even smartphone integration, intercoms and built-in vacuums are the norm on higher trims.
The interior is also a chance for differentiation. Honda has an optional in-cabin camera system that displays a view of the rear passengers on the touchscreen. Toyota doesn’t offer one of those but counters with an optional refrigerator built into the center console, plus an optional surround-view camera system for easier parking.
The Odyssey has second-row seats that slide side to side, which helps with third-row access. Toyota offers second-row seats in the Sienna that slide backward more than the Odyssey’s. They even have optional extendable footrests.
For hauling cargo, both minivans have third-row seats that are easy to fold down. You can also take out the Odyssey’s second-row seats for maximum cargo capacity, though they’re heavy and bulky. The Sienna’s second-row seats are no longer removable.
WINNER: Odyssey
HOW THEY DRIVE
Perhaps the biggest difference between the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey is how they drive. For any vehicle, assessment of the ride often comes down to personal preference. Here’s our expert take.
Behind the wheel of the Odyssey, things are simple. It drives a lot like a sedan. The V6 and automatic transmission work well together, and there always seems to be enough power to do what you need to. Around town the Honda is as easy to drive as it is on the highway. The ride is agreeable over both small and large bumps in the road. Easy is the key here.
The Sienna hybrid requires a little adjustment. Remember that standout fuel economy? It comes at a cost. The Toyota drives awkwardly at times, as the regenerative brakes decide how best to react. Its engine is loud when it’s working its hardest, and you’ll feel the comparative lack of power on freeway on-ramps or when going up grades. That said, the Sienna has enough guts for most driving situations thanks to the hybrid battery torque. The Sienna’s ride quality is generally OK but gets overly bouncy and floaty over larger bumps.
WINNER: Odyssey
EDMUNDS SAYS: Minivan shoppers will find plenty to like from both the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. This one is close. The difference makers are ultimately drivability and interior versatility. The Toyota Sienna stumbles just a bit in both areas, which gives the Honda Odyssey a photo-finish victory.
___
This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Mike Schmidt is the senior manager of vehicle testing operations at Edmunds.
Related links:
-Toyota Sienna review: https://edmu.in/3oRlRdz
-Honda Odyssey review: https://edmu.in/3jZlQ3v
-Toyota Sienna versus Honda Odyssey video review: https://bit.ly/35YK6hm


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Defense begins questioning in Japan trial over Ghosn's pay

TOKYO ( AP ) - The defense team for former Nissan executive Greg Kelly began questioning a key prosecution witness in a Tokyo court this week , seeking to show the alleged underreporting of income of his boss Carlos Ghosn was devised by others at the automaker .
Since the trial began in September , Kelly has only presented a brief opening statement insisting on his innocence .
In questioning Toshiaki Ohnuma , who was in charge of compensation at Nissan , defense lawyer Yoichi Kitamura sought to show that Ohnuma , at the order of higher-ups at Nissan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghosn would be paid , knowing they might be improper in Japan .
Legal repercussions of the scandal at Tokyo-based Nissan over alleged underreporting of Ghosn ’ s compensation and breach of trust have fallen only on Kelly and on Nissan itself , which is not fighting the charges and has paid a fine .
None of the other executives testifying in the case have been charged .
Ghosn jumped bail and fled the country for Lebanon late last year , saying he feared he could not get a fair trial .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning at the Tokyo District Court , with everyone ’ s speech muffled under masks because of the coronavirus , have centered on Nissan ’ s efforts to meet Ghosn ’ s demands for higher compensation without publicly disclosing the full amount .
Prosecutors have sought to show Kelly , who became the first American to join Nissan Motor Co. ’ s board in 2012 , violated financial reporting laws even though none of the plans the Nissan management considered were ever acted upon or decided .
In cross-examining Wednesday , Ohnuma told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much Ghosn was paid , as that was highly confidential at Nissan .
The testimony suggested Kelly played a minor role in being consulted to study legal ways to pay Ghosn .
Ghosn was sent by Nissan alliance partner Renault SA of France to help turn the automaker around in the late 1990s as it was sliding toward bankruptcy .
The Brazilian-born executive , who also has French and Lebanese nationality , led a spectacular turnaround and was rewarded with compensation that even at the lower , publicly disclosed levels , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beginning in 2010 , Japan started requiring public reporting of individual executives ’ pay over 100 million yen ( $ 1 million ) in securities reports .
Documents presented at the trial show Ghosn returned about half his annual pay of nearly 1.9 billion yen ( $ 19 million ) , to keep the disclosure at under 1 billion yen ( $ 10 million ) .
On Tuesday , Ohnuma said Nissan considered various strategies for paying Ghosn , including through a joint venture with Renault , a paper company in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consulting fees .
Asked if he knew what he was doing might be improper , Ohnuma acknowledged “ efforts to deceive , ” and said he was torn over the issue but anxious to keep his job .
He told Kitamura he assumed Ghosn also knew the acts were wrong .
“ I thought Ghosn-san sure had a way of doing things ; I can ’ t express it any other way , ” Ohnuma said .
Ghosn and Kelly were arrested in November 2018 before any decisions on the compensation plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started raising questions and nothing was acted on , according to the court testimony .
Prosecution for falsifying financial reports is rare in Japan and the charges lie in a gray area , according to some legal experts .
If convicted , Kelly faces up to 15 years in prison on multiple counts of the charge of falsifying securities statements .
Japan has a 99 % conviction rate .
Kelly ’ s trial is expected to last about a year .
The main target in the case , Ghosn , was also facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has escaped the prosecutors ’ reach , noted Stephen Givens , a corporate lawyer based in Japan .
“ There is no question that Greg Kelly is a victim of a very serious injustice , ” Givens said .
“ He was just one member of a team that was trying to come up with a solution.
” Separately , Japanese prosecutors are seeking the extradition of two Americans who are being held on suspicion they helped Ghosn escape , Michael Taylor and his son Peter .
As for Ghosn , he launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asserting his innocence , accusing Japan of “ hostage justice ” and plugging his new book , “ Time for the Truth , ” billed as a personal drama , industrial tragedy and political-judicial thriller .
Nissan is due to report its latest earnings on Thursday .

TOKYO (AP) - The defense team for former Nissan executive Greg Kelly began questioning a key prosecution witness in a Tokyo court this week, seeking to show the alleged underreporting of income of his boss Carlos Ghosn was devised by others at the automaker.
Since the trial began in September, Kelly has only presented a brief opening statement insisting on his innocence. In questioning Toshiaki Ohnuma, who was in charge of compensation at Nissan, defense lawyer Yoichi Kitamura sought to show that Ohnuma, at the order of higher-ups at Nissan, devised plans to obscure exactly how much Ghosn would be paid, knowing they might be improper in Japan.
Legal repercussions of the scandal at Tokyo-based Nissan over alleged underreporting of Ghosn’s compensation and breach of trust have fallen only on Kelly and on Nissan itself, which is not fighting the charges and has paid a fine. None of the other executives testifying in the case have been charged.
Ghosn jumped bail and fled the country for Lebanon late last year, saying he feared he could not get a fair trial.
So far, the dozens of hours of questioning at the Tokyo District Court, with everyone’s speech muffled under masks because of the coronavirus, have centered on Nissan’s efforts to meet Ghosn’s demands for higher compensation without publicly disclosing the full amount.
Prosecutors have sought to show Kelly, who became the first American to join Nissan Motor Co.’s board in 2012, violated financial reporting laws even though none of the plans the Nissan management considered were ever acted upon or decided.
In cross-examining Wednesday, Ohnuma told the court that Kelly did not know how much Ghosn was paid, as that was highly confidential at Nissan. The testimony suggested Kelly played a minor role in being consulted to study legal ways to pay Ghosn.
Ghosn was sent by Nissan alliance partner Renault SA of France to help turn the automaker around in the late 1990s as it was sliding toward bankruptcy. The Brazilian-born executive, who also has French and Lebanese nationality, led a spectacular turnaround and was rewarded with compensation that even at the lower, publicly disclosed levels, was exorbitant by Japanese “salaryman” standards.
Beginning in 2010, Japan started requiring public reporting of individual executives’ pay over 100 million yen ($1 million) in securities reports. Documents presented at the trial show Ghosn returned about half his annual pay of nearly 1.9 billion yen ($19 million), to keep the disclosure at under 1 billion yen ($10 million).
On Tuesday, Ohnuma said Nissan considered various strategies for paying Ghosn, including through a joint venture with Renault, a paper company in the Netherlands, stock options, retirement allowance and consulting fees.
Asked if he knew what he was doing might be improper, Ohnuma acknowledged “efforts to deceive,” and said he was torn over the issue but anxious to keep his job. He told Kitamura he assumed Ghosn also knew the acts were wrong.
“I thought Ghosn-san sure had a way of doing things; I can’t express it any other way,” Ohnuma said.
Ghosn and Kelly were arrested in November 2018 before any decisions on the compensation plans were made. Auditors and tax authorities started raising questions and nothing was acted on, according to the court testimony.
Prosecution for falsifying financial reports is rare in Japan and the charges lie in a gray area, according to some legal experts. If convicted, Kelly faces up to 15 years in prison on multiple counts of the charge of falsifying securities statements. Japan has a 99% conviction rate.
Kelly’s trial is expected to last about a year.
The main target in the case, Ghosn, was also facing more serious breach of trust charges but has escaped the prosecutors’ reach, noted Stephen Givens, a corporate lawyer based in Japan.
“There is no question that Greg Kelly is a victim of a very serious injustice,” Givens said. “He was just one member of a team that was trying to come up with a solution.”
Separately, Japanese prosecutors are seeking the extradition of two Americans who are being held on suspicion they helped Ghosn escape, Michael Taylor and his son Peter.
As for Ghosn, he launched an official web site last week, asserting his innocence, accusing Japan of “hostage justice” and plugging his new book, “Time for the Truth,” billed as a personal drama, industrial tragedy and political-judicial thriller.
Nissan is due to report its latest earnings on Thursday.
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Yuri Kageyama in on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--The Latest: Belgium sees fewer cases, hospitalizations

AUSTIN , Texas — Texas has become the first U.S. state with more than 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases .
The nation ’ s second-most populous state has recorded 1.01 million coronavirus cases and 19,337 deaths since the pandemic began in early March , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
Texas registered 10,865 confirmed cases on Tuesday , setting a new daily record in a state led by Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott .
There are 6,170 people hospitalized with the coronavirus and 94 new deaths on Tuesday , according to the Texas Department of State Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the most populous state , with the most cases .
The true number of infections is likely higher because many people haven ’ t been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
Coronavirus cases are surging in the Laredo and El Paso areas .
Another 1,292 cases and nine deaths were reported in El Paso County on Tuesday , bringing the death total to 682 .
Nationwide , there were 1 million coronavirus cases in the first 10 days of November .
HERE ’ S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VIRUS OUTBREAK : - Texas becomes first US state with more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases - Business travel might never look the same in the wake of coronavirus - During the early days of the coronavirus , top World Health Organization scientists described some countries ’ approaches as “ an unfortunate laboratory to study the virus ” and a “ macabre ” opportunity to see what worked , recordings obtained by The Associated Press show .
Yet in public , the U.N. health agency lauded governments for their responses .
HERE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BERLIN - German pharmaceutical company BioNTech says it could start shipping the first coronavirus vaccines ordered by the European Union by the end of the year if the data proves the vaccines are safe and effective .
Mainz-based BioNTech , which is developing the vaccine with U.S. company Pfizer , says “ deliveries are anticipated to start by the end of 2020 , subject to clinical success and regulatory authorization.
” The two companies said this week , based on early and incomplete test results , their COVID-19 vaccine may be 90 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it has finalized an agreement with BioNTech to buy 200 million doses of vaccine , with an option of 100 million more .
The vaccine uses mRNA technology to train the immune system to recognize and attack the virus .
BioNTech said the vaccine supply for the EU is being manufactured at its site in Germany and Pfizer ’ s plant in Belgium .
Assuming positive data and availability of the necessary safety and manufacturing data , Pfizer and BioNTech officials say they expect to produce globally up to 50 million vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion doses in 2021 .
SIOUX FALLS , S.D .
- Sioux Falls ’ mayor cast the tie-breaking vote that defeated a proposed mask mandate in the state ’ s largest city Tuesday night .
After more than two hours of public comment , Mayor Paul TenHaken rejected the mandate after the City Council tied 4-4 on the ordinance .
The mandate would have required face coverings in most indoor public places where 6-foot social distancing was not achievable .
Violations carried a $ 50 fine .
“ I believe the small uptick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not worth the community division that this will create , ” TenHaken said .
Councilor Greg Neitzert said he didn ’ t want to live in a city where people are calling the police because someone isn ’ t wearing a mask .
“ It ’ s not just about health , ” Neitzert said .
“ We also have to look at principles.
” The Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce opposed it , saying there wasn ’ t enough clarity around potential effects on businesses , the Argus Leader reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mask mandate .
BRUSSELS - Decreasing hospitalizations , fewer confirmed cases and other major public health indicators show that the resurgence of the coronavirus in Belgium is abating .
Virologist Steven Van Gucht of the Sciensano government health group said Wednesday : “ The decrease of infections and hospital admissions is continuing .
And for the first time , the number of patients in intensive care units is no longer increasing.
” The daily number of deaths caused by COVID-19 “ continues to rise , but here , too , the pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
It was welcome news for Belgium , which proportionally is among the worst-hit nations in Europe when it comes to confirmed coronavirus cases .
Officials had feared that the nation ’ s maximum intensive care unit occupancy of 2,000 beds would be reached last Friday .
ICU bed use is now plateauing and slightly tapering off at 1,470 .
Over the past month , Belgium has taken increasingly stringent measures to contain the virus .
Bar and restaurant closures were capped by a partial lockdown , which started last week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-essential shops to shut .
Belgium still had 7,834 new confirmed cases a day in the past week , but it amounted to a 46 % decline from the previous seven-day period .
The daily death toll for the past week stood at 190 people , a 35 % increase .
THE HAGUE , Netherlands - A security authority in the southern Netherlands says that nearly half of the workers at a meatpacking company are infected with the coronavirus .
The Verhey Vlees company closed its plant in the village of Nuth on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers at the facility near the Dutch borders with Germany and Belgium tested positive for the virus .
The South Limburg Security Region said in a statement Tuesday evening that the number of confirmed cases has since risen to nearly half of the workers .
The local health authority is attempting to trace all contacts of the infected workers , many of whom are migrants employed by staffing agencies .
Many meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses in Europe and the United States have seen coronavirus clusters during the pandemic .
In May , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of subcontractors and to increase fines for breaches of labor law in the meat industry starting next year following a series of outbreaks at slaughterhouses .
LONDON - Britain is planning a strategy to get hundreds of thousands of university students home for Christmas without sparking a new upsurge in coronavirus cases .
Scientists say students traveling from their hometowns to colleges in September was one of the drivers of the current wave of COVID-19 in the U.K .
There have been multiple campus outbreaks , with students confined to residences and group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday that it plans to stagger students ’ departures at the end of term to avoid a mass exodus .
They want universities in England to send students home over a nine-day period after the current four-week lockdown in England ends on Dec. 2 .
As many students as possible will get rapid-results COVID-19 tests before they travel , the government said — though it was unclear exactly how many would be tested .
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries said “ the mass movement of students across the country at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the COVID-19 response , ” but that the measures would reduce the risk .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland are likely to bring in similar measures .
NAIROBI , Kenya - Ethiopia has more than 100,000 confirmed coronavirus infections , joining a handful of countries across Africa that have surpassed that milestone as COVID-19 cases begin to creep up again in multiple places .
The Horn of Africa regional power faces multiple humanitarian crises and has a growing deadly conflict in its northern Tigray region between federal forces and regional ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian access to Tigray as trucks with medical and other supplies are stranded outside the regional border .
Other African nations with more than 100,000 confirmed virus cases on Wednesday are Egypt with 109,000 ; Morocco with 265,000 and South Africa with 740,000 .
The 54-nation African continent is closing in on 2 million confirmed cases .
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Ethiopia has more than 1,500 confirmed deaths .
HONG KONG - Hong Kong and Singapore will start an air travel bubble later this month , allowing travelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without entering quarantine .
The travelers must test negative for the coronavirus before they leave , when they arrive and before they return .
The bubble starts Nov. 22 with one designated flight a day to each city carrying a maximum of 200 travelers each .
It will expand to two flights Dec. 7 .
The bubble will be suspended for two weeks if either Hong Kong or Singapore reports a seven-day moving average of more than five untraceable coronavirus infections , according to the Hong Kong government .
“ Hong Kong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
Both are regional aviation hubs and international cities , enjoying strong trade , investment , finance , tourism and people-to-people ties , ” said Hong Kong ’ s secretary for commerce and economic development Edward Yau .
“ The revival of cross-border air travel between the two places is of utmost importance.
” He said that he hopes the aviation , tourism , hotel and retail businesses will benefit from the bubble , and that it would gradually help Hong Kong ’ s economy to recover .
BEIJING - A leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country may avoid a second wave of coronavirus infections this winter if it maintains current precautions .
Feng Zijian , deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , told leading financial magazine Caixin that China “ will very likely prevent ” a new round of infections given present trends .
China has largely eliminated new local outbreaks by requiring masks indoors and on public transport , requiring two-week quarantines for those entering the country and banning some foreign travelers entirely .
Authorities have quickly moved to address local outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread testing and sometimes locking down entire communities .
While China was accused of suppressing information initially , its recent data have not been seriously challenged and local officials have moved swiftly to disclose new cases .
That has allowed the world ’ s second-largest economy to largely recover .
WELLINGTON , New Zealand - The Pacific nation of Vanuatu has recorded its first case of the coronavirus after a citizen who had been repatriated from the United States tested positive while in quarantine .
Vanuatu had been among the last handful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities say the 23-year-old man was asymptomatic when he returned home Nov. 4 .
His infection was confirmed Tuesday after routine testing .
Officials say they plan to keep everyone from the same flight in quarantine and to trace the man ’ s close contacts , but they don ’ t plan to impose any broader measures in the nation of 300,000 people .

NEW DELHI - Coronavirus infections are continuing to soar in India’s capital as the country heads into a festival weekend that sees large gatherings.
New Delhi reported 8,593 newly confirmed cases Thursday, up from 7,830 cases a day earlier as people crowd shopping areas ahead of Saturday’s observances of Diwali - an important Hindu festival of lights. The Delhi government projects that new coronavirus cases will be nearly 12,000 daily by the end of November.
India’s infections overall continue came in at 47,905 new cases, a rise from 44,281 cases reported Wednesday. The Health Ministry also reported 550 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities to 128,121.
India’s tally of more than 8.6 million confirmed cases is the second largest in the world behind the United States.
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HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:
- Britain is 5th nation to reach 50,000 coronavirus deaths
- Italy reaches 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases
- Texas surpasses 1 million virus cases, 1st state in U.S.
- European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde: Recovery bumpy until vaccine widespread
- Texas tops 1 million cases as COVID-19 surge engulfs the US
- Hong Kong and Singapore will start an air travel bubble this month, allowing travelers from each city to visit the other without entering quarantine.
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Follow AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is beseeching people in his state to take the surging spread of coronavirus infections seriously.
He made the plea Wednesday as he issued new orders on mask enforcement in businesses, gatherings across the state. He also is threatening to close bars, restaurants and fitness centers if cases continue to rise.
DeWine shifted the authority of mask enforcement from local counties to state officials. If a business receives more than one violation it will have to close for 24 hours.
But the governor’s orders are not as far-reaching as in March, when Ohio became one of the first states to go into lockdown.
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WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Health authorities in New Zealand say the country has a coronavirus case for which they haven’t been able to determine the source of the infection. It is a blow for a nation that has been largely successful in its attempts to eliminate community spread of the virus.
Authorities said Thursday that they are urgently investigating the recent movements and possible sources of infection for the affected Auckland student, who also works at a clothing store.
So far the government hasn’t raised the alert level for New Zealand or imposed any new restrictions.
Since the pandemic began, New Zealand has reported about 2,000 confirmed cases and 25 deaths from COVID-19.
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PHILADELPHIA - The largest teachers union in Pennsylvania is demanding that school districts in nearly two dozen counties with the worst coronavirus outbreaks have students temporarily learn from home.
State officials recommend virtual instruction in counties with a “substantial” level of community transmission. There are 23 such counties at present.
But some Pennsylvania districts have gone their own way, offering classroom instruction or using a hybrid model in which students go to school part-time and learn from home part-time.
With winter about to set in, the Pennsylvania State Education Association said Wednesday it’s time for schools to heed public health advice on remote instruction.
In a letter, the union said, “It is absolutely unacceptable for any school district to disregard the advice of medical professionals and scientists during a pandemic and put the safety of students, staff, and their families at risk.”
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FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky has posted a new daily high for confirmed coronavirus cases as the governor implores people to wear masks to counter the accelerating outbreak.
Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday reported 2,700 new virus cases and 14 morel virus-related deaths as hospitalizations for COVID-19 continued to rise.
The governor warned in a social media video that “this entire state is in danger.” He again implored Kentuckians to wear masks when in public and to follow other recommended measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
Eighty of Kentucky’s 120 counties are in the most serious category for COVID-19 incidence. People in those counties are asked to avoid gatherings of any size and stay home except for essential activities. Schools are urged to hold only virtual classes, and businesses should allow employees to work from home when possible.
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NEW YORK - Restaurants, bars and gyms will have to close at 10 p.m. across New York state in the latest effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that people will also be barred from hosting private gatherings with more than 10 people.
Cuomo says the new restrictions going into effect Friday are necessary because new coronavirus infections have been traced to those types of activities. Businesses can reopen each morning.
Cuomo spoke as rates of coronavirus infection continued to rise in New York and elsewhere. He said that 1,628 people were hospitalized across the state for COVID-19 on Tuesday and that 21 people had died.
The new closing time applies to all establishments that are licensed by the State Liquor Authority. Only carry-out service will be allowed after that.
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INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana’s governor announced Wednesday that some coronavirus restrictions are being reinstated after several weeks of sharp increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.
The new steps being imposed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb will limit social gathering sizes in those counties at the higher-risk levels of coronavirus spread and would cover 87 of the state’s 92 counties as of Wednesday’s update from the state health department.
A new executive order starting this weekend will limit crowd sizes to 20 people in the highest-risk red counties and 50 people in the next-riskiest orange counties, with larger events needing approval from local health officials.
Holcomb said he was also extending the statewide mask mandate for another month.
Holcomb had decided in late September to lift nearly all of Indiana’s business and crowd size restrictions. Since then, Indiana hospitals have seen a 200% increase in COVID-19 patients and the seven-day rolling average of deaths has gone jumped from 10 a day to 38, just short of the state’s peak in late April.
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HOLYOKE, Mass. - A western Massachusetts city scarred by one of the nation’s deadliest coronavirus outbreaks in a nursing home marked Veteran’s Day with a solemn ceremony Wednesday.
State Rep. Aaron Vega, a Holyoke Democrat, was among the speakers during Holyoke’s holiday remembrance to recognize the nearly 80 veterans who died from the virus at the Holyoke Soldiers Home earlier this year.
The Veteran’s Day ceremony was conducted virtually with virus cases surging in the state and elsewhere.
“I want to ensure that respect, dignity and care are re-instilled in our Soldiers’ Home,” Vega said. “Those veterans that we lost will not be forgotten, and we’ll be sure to use their memory so that a tragedy like that won’t happen again.”
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PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon recorded 876 new presumptive or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and five new deaths.
The daily number continues Oregon’s trend of high case tallies as the state struggles to contain a surge in coronavirus transmission mostly fueled by small indoor gatherings.
The numbers come as nine counties with high COVID spread — including Portland, Oregon — begin a two-week pause on social activities in an attempt to control the virus.
Hospitalizations are also rising. The Oregon Health Authority recorded a record 285 confirmed COVID-19 patients in hospitals Tuesday - a 57% increase in the past week and an 83% increase in the past month.
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NICOSIA, Cyprus - Cyprus has put its entire southwest under a strict 19-day lockdown, banning any non-essential movement of people and shuttering bars and restaurants after a string of escalating restrictions failed to curb a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections.
Health Minister Constantinos Ioannou said Wednesday the lockdown is necessary because infections in the Limassol and Paphos districts jumped from 28% to 70% of the national average in the last six weeks while two-thirds of hospitalized COVID-19 patients now receiving treatment hail from there.
Ioannou says a strict 8 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew will be in effect from Thursday through Nov. 30 and movement to and from the two districts will be barred to all except for emergency medical reasons and for those working in essential services like health workers.
All public gatherings are banned, religious services will be conducted without any worshippers, all public and private high schools and colleges will conduct classes online, and non-essential government employees will work from home. Museums and archaeological sites, theaters and cinemas, shopping malls, beauty parlors and hairdressing salons, gyms, pools and casinos cannot open.
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O’FALLON, Mo. - As record numbers of patients with the coronavirus fill Missouri’s hospitals, many are requiring specialized care in intensive care unit beds that are becoming increasingly scarce.
Data released by the state Wednesday showed an additional 4,071 new COVID-19 cases and 24 more deaths. The state has reported 220,768 cases and 3,323 deaths since the pandemic began.
The state also cited a record 2,157 hospitalizations, 102 above the previous mark set Tuesday. ICU capacity is down to 32% statewide, but just 28% in northwestern Missouri, 19% in the Kansas City area and 2% in sparsely populated northeast Missouri.
Missouri Hospital Association spokesman David Dillon said the ICU bed shortage is made worse because hospitals “are experiencing a staffing crisis after nine months of managing the disease.”
To staff ICUs, hospitals are taking steps such as hiring agency workers and moving staff from other areas of the hospital. Many hospitals also are postponing elective surgeries to keep bed space available for COVID-19 patients, Dillon said.
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MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Vikings have given up on trying to host larger crowds and said Wednesday that the team will close the remaining home games to fans, as the state blew past its record for new deaths in a day.
The Vikings said in a statement that while players, coaches and staff have missed the energy and passion that fans bring on game day, the team would no longer seek approval to host more than 250 fans for the remaining games at U.S. Bank Stadium. The state’s health guidelines currently cap crowds at 250.
The stands were empty for the Vikings’ first game of the season. The last three home games had 250 or fewer invited family members of players and staff in the lower bowl.
The Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota on Wednesday reported a record 56 new deaths from COVID-19 and 4,900 new coronavirus cases, raising the state’s death toll to 2,754 and its total case count to 194,570. The daily death toll represented a more than 55% jump from Minnesota’s previous record of 36 deaths, reported on Friday.
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BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota has reported one of every 83 residents has tested positive for the coronavirus in the past week.
North Dakota had 2,265 new cases per 100,000 people in the past two weeks, which ranks first in the nation for new cases per capita.
State health officials reported 1,039 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, and a daily positivity rate of more than 18% for the second consecutive day.
There were 12 more deaths, increasing the total to 696. There have already been 123 deaths in November, matching all of September. October was the deadliest month so far in North Dakota, with 292 deaths.
North Dakota has the ninth highest per capita death count, with 88.7 deaths per 100,000 people.
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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Mayo Clinic Health System says its hospitals in the northwest region of Wisconsin are full to capacity.
System officials say 100% of their beds are full at hospitals in the region, which encompasses Barron, Bloomer, Eau Claire, Osseo and Menomonie. Eighty-three patients have COVID-19, WQOW-TV reported.
They say 50% of the patients in intensive care have COVID-19 and 40% of their medical or surgical beds are filled with cornavirus patients.
In addition, 300 workers are on work restrictions due to COVID-19 exposure.
Last month, Mayo Clinic Health System announced it was temporarily postponing elective procedures in the region.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--UK to increase powers to block foreign investments

LONDON ( AP ) - The British government plans to increase its ability to prevent foreign investors from acquiring strategic assets amid increasing concern about the threat to national security posed by potentially hostile states such as China and Russia .
The government on Wednesday will introduce legislation requiring businesses to notify authorities about foreign investment in sensitive industries , including defense , transportation , communications and technology .
A new regulatory agency would have 30 days to review potential transactions and either block or impose conditions on those deemed to pose a risk to national security .
The legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies , including the U.S. , Australia and Germany , amid concerns about the influence of foreign investors such as Chinese technology giant Huawei .
Stock market declines triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have left many companies undervalued by historical standards , heightening concerns about international takeovers .
“ The U.K. remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world and we want to keep it that way , ” Business Secretary Alok Sharma said in a statement .
“ But hostile actors should be in no doubt – there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The legislation applies to deals that would give foreign investors access to U.K. technology and intellectual property , as well corporate takeovers .
Penalties for violating the new rules will be steep , including fines of up to 10 million pounds ( $ 13.3 million ) , or 5 % of worldwide revenue , whichever is higher .
“ This bill gives the government the power to scrutinize broad swathes of M & A ; activity with any U.K. nexus , ” said Nicole Kar , head of U.K. competition at the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that foreign investment rules , both in the U.K. and internationally , will be an increasingly onerous consideration for overseas investors planning international transactions.
” The government is facing competing pressures to protect strategic national interests while attracting foreign investment after its withdrawal from the European Union .
Sharma said the legislation shouldn ’ t be an impediment to foreign investment , which created more than 46,000 jobs throughout the U.K. in the last financial year .
Among the transactions that could be affected is U.S.-based Nvidia ’ s plans to buy Arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in most mobile phones , in a deal worth up to $ 40 billion .
The British government has already said it could intervene in the takeover under existing laws because of the “ vital role ” Arm plays in the U.K. ’ s tech sector .
The move , which would create a global powerhouse in the chip industry , is also being scrutinized by regulators in the U.S. , China and EU .
Some lawyers raised concerns about about the legislation ’ s retroactive provisions .
The bill would give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wider economy for up to five years , even though they aren ’ t subject to mandatory notification .
“ The timing is interesting given the current rhetoric that Global Britain is open for worldwide business as we leave the EU , ” said Samantha Mobley , a specialist in competition and mergers at Baker & McKenzie in London .
“ As the system will be retrospective , from today , investors into the U.K. must navigate the complexities of working out whether their deal falls on the wrong side of the @ @ @ @ @

LONDON (AP) - The British government plans to increase its ability to prevent foreign investors from acquiring strategic assets amid increasing concern about the threat to national security posed by potentially hostile states such as China and Russia.
The government on Wednesday will introduce legislation requiring businesses to notify authorities about foreign investment in sensitive industries, including defense, transportation, communications and technology. A new regulatory agency would have 30 days to review potential transactions and either block or impose conditions on those deemed to pose a risk to national security.
The legislation follows similar moves by Britain’s allies, including the U.S., Australia and Germany, amid concerns about the influence of foreign investors such as Chinese technology giant Huawei. Stock market declines triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have left many companies undervalued by historical standards, heightening concerns about international takeovers.
“The U.K. remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world and we want to keep it that way,” Business Secretary Alok Sharma said in a statement. “But hostile actors should be in no doubt – there is no back door into the U.K.”
The legislation applies to deals that would give foreign investors access to U.K. technology and intellectual property, as well corporate takeovers.
Penalties for violating the new rules will be steep, including fines of up to 10 million pounds ($13.3 million), or 5% of worldwide revenue, whichever is higher.
“This bill gives the government the power to scrutinize broad swathes of M&A activity with any U.K. nexus,” said Nicole Kar, head of U.K. competition at the law firm Linklaters. “We therefore anticipate that foreign investment rules, both in the U.K. and internationally, will be an increasingly onerous consideration for overseas investors planning international transactions.”
The government is facing competing pressures to protect strategic national interests while attracting foreign investment after its withdrawal from the European Union.
Sharma said the legislation shouldn’t be an impediment to foreign investment, which created more than 46,000 jobs throughout the U.K. in the last financial year.
Among the transactions that could be affected is U.S.-based Nvidia’s plans to buy Arm Holdings, which designed the chips used in most mobile phones, in a deal worth up to $40 billion.
The British government has already said it could intervene in the takeover under existing laws because of the “vital role” Arm plays in the U.K.’s tech sector. The move, which would create a global powerhouse in the chip industry, is also being scrutinized by regulators in the U.S., China and EU.
Some lawyers raised concerns about about the legislation’s retroactive provisions. The bill would give the government power to retroactively review deals in the wider economy for up to five years, even though they aren’t subject to mandatory notification.
“The timing is interesting given the current rhetoric that Global Britain is open for worldwide business as we leave the EU,” said Samantha Mobley, a specialist in competition and mergers at Baker & McKenzie in London. “As the system will be retrospective, from today, investors into the U.K. must navigate the complexities of working out whether their deal falls on the wrong side of the national security calculus.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Baltimore Police ID man killed after shooting at officers

BALTIMORE ( AP ) - Baltimore police have identified a man fatally shot by a plainclothes officer who said the man fired at him first , unprovoked , wounding him in the thigh .
Rodney Eubanks , 25 , was shot and killed Monday after police said he wounded Det .
Brandon Bolt , a member of the department since 2013 , news outlets reported .
Commissioner Michael Harrison said two officers from the Warrant Apprehension Task Force were surveying the area on a domestic violence warrant in an unmarked van .
Police said Eubanks drove by the van , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing at the officers , hitting Bolt in the upper thigh .
Bolt returned fire , hitting Eubanks several times .
He was pronounced dead at a hospital .
The shooting is being investigated by the homicide department and the Special Investigation Response Team .
Police spokesman Donny Moses said officers were wearing body cameras but they weren ’ t turned on because “ there was no expectancy of enforcement.
” Eubanks wasn ’ t the person under surveillance , police said .
It ’ s unclear what motivated him to open fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s older brother , Antonio , was fatally shot at the same intersection on Oct. 26 .
That killing is unsolved .

BALTIMORE (AP) - Baltimore police have identified a man fatally shot by a plainclothes officer who said the man fired at him first, unprovoked, wounding him in the thigh.
Rodney Eubanks, 25, was shot and killed Monday after police said he wounded Det. Brandon Bolt, a member of the department since 2013, news outlets reported.
Commissioner Michael Harrison said two officers from the Warrant Apprehension Task Force were surveying the area on a domestic violence warrant in an unmarked van.
Police said Eubanks drove by the van, got out of his car and began firing at the officers, hitting Bolt in the upper thigh.
Bolt returned fire, hitting Eubanks several times. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The shooting is being investigated by the homicide department and the Special Investigation Response Team.
Police spokesman Donny Moses said officers were wearing body cameras but they weren’t turned on because “there was no expectancy of enforcement.”
Eubanks wasn’t the person under surveillance, police said. It’s unclear what motivated him to open fire, but the department said Eubank’s older brother, Antonio, was fatally shot at the same intersection on Oct. 26. That killing is unsolved.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Palestinians hold funeral for veteran negotiator Erekat

RAMALLAH , West Bank ( AP ) - The Palestinians held a funeral Wednesday for Saeb Erekat , a veteran peace negotiator and spokesman for their cause who died after being hospitalized with the coronavirus .
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh paid their respects at an official ceremony at the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah , in the Israeli-occupied West Bank .
A military band played as an honor guard carried a coffin draped in a Palestinian flag .
Erekat was to be laid to rest in his hometown of Jericho later in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nearly every round of peace negotiations going back to the 1991 Madrid conference and was a tireless advocate for a two-state solution to the conflict .
He frequently appeared in Western media , where he often blamed Israel - especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - for the failure to reach an agreement .
He was a senior official in the Palestinian Authority and a close aide to the late Yasser Arafat and his successor , Abbas .
Among many Palestinians , Erekat was seen as part of a long-entrenched clique of leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian state even as they lead a jet-setting life out of the reach of most people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza .
Tributes poured in from former Israeli and American diplomats after Erekat passed away on Tuesday at Israel ’ s Hadassah Medical Center , where he had been hospitalized for three weeks .
Erekat had received a lung transplant in 2017 , making him especially vulnerable to COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus .
Abbas said Erekat ’ s death was a “ great loss for Palestine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be flown at half-mast for three days .

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - The Palestinians held a funeral Wednesday for Saeb Erekat, a veteran peace negotiator and spokesman for their cause who died after being hospitalized with the coronavirus.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh paid their respects at an official ceremony at the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A military band played as an honor guard carried a coffin draped in a Palestinian flag. Erekat was to be laid to rest in his hometown of Jericho later in the day.
The American-educated Erekat was involved in nearly every round of peace negotiations going back to the 1991 Madrid conference and was a tireless advocate for a two-state solution to the conflict. He frequently appeared in Western media, where he often blamed Israel - especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - for the failure to reach an agreement.
He was a senior official in the Palestinian Authority and a close aide to the late Yasser Arafat and his successor, Abbas. Among many Palestinians, Erekat was seen as part of a long-entrenched clique of leaders who have failed to bring about a Palestinian state even as they lead a jet-setting life out of the reach of most people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
Tributes poured in from former Israeli and American diplomats after Erekat passed away on Tuesday at Israel’s Hadassah Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized for three weeks. Erekat had received a lung transplant in 2017, making him especially vulnerable to COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
Abbas said Erekat’s death was a “great loss for Palestine and our people,” and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast for three days.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Pennsylvania says 10,000 mail-in ballots arrived after Election Day

Pennsylvania election officials announced Tuesday only about 10,000 mail-in ballots arrived during the three days after Election Day , a number that is too little to make up for President Trump ’ s roughly 47,000 vote deficit currently in the keystone state .
The conflict over the late-arriving ballots was at the center of a case pending before the Supreme Court , where Republicans — and the Trump campaign — hope the justices take up the dispute .
It ’ s unclear if the high court would agree to hear the case when the number of late-arriving ballots would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Supreme Court had ordered Pennsylvania officials on Friday to segregate mail-in ballots that arrived after 8 p.m. on Election Day .
The order issued by Justice Samuel Alito Jr. late Friday evening came after Pennsylvania Republicans filed an emergency petition .
The GOP state legislature had required mail-in ballots to be in by 8 p.m. on Election Day , but the state Supreme Court permitted a three-day extension through Nov. 6 at 5 pm .
Additionally , the case concerns a postmark that may be smeared , with the state court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been sent before Nov. 3 .
Mr. Trump has moved to intervene in the challenge after the Pennsylvania GOP argued the state ’ s Democratic leaders and Secretary of State violated the law by extending the time .
The legal battle is returning to the Supreme Court after the justices refused to get involved in the matter last week , saying there wasn ’ t enough time to do so with just days before the election .
Newly minted Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not participate in the high court ’ s denial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
The justices had split 4-4 on the issue earlier this month , leaving the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in place .
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. , a Bush-appointee , sided with the three Democratic-appointed justices to leave the extension intact .

Pennsylvania election officials announced Tuesday only about 10,000 mail-in ballots arrived during the three days after Election Day, a number that is too little to make up for President Trump’s roughly 47,000 vote deficit currently in the keystone state.
The conflict over the late-arriving ballots was at the center of a case pending before the Supreme Court, where Republicans — and the Trump campaign — hope the justices take up the dispute.
It’s unclear if the high court would agree to hear the case when the number of late-arriving ballots would not change the state’s election results.
The Supreme Court had ordered Pennsylvania officials on Friday to segregate mail-in ballots that arrived after 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The order issued by Justice Samuel Alito Jr. late Friday evening came after Pennsylvania Republicans filed an emergency petition.
The GOP state legislature had required mail-in ballots to be in by 8 p.m. on Election Day, but the state Supreme Court permitted a three-day extension through Nov. 6 at 5 pm. Additionally, the case concerns a postmark that may be smeared, with the state court saying it should be presumed to have been sent before Nov. 3.
Mr. Trump has moved to intervene in the challenge after the Pennsylvania GOP argued the state’s Democratic leaders and Secretary of State violated the law by extending the time.
The legal battle is returning to the Supreme Court after the justices refused to get involved in the matter last week, saying there wasn’t enough time to do so with just days before the election.
Newly minted Justice Amy Coney Barrett did not participate in the high court’s denial of the Republican Party’s request last week.
The justices had split 4-4 on the issue earlier this month, leaving the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling in place.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., a Bush-appointee, sided with the three Democratic-appointed justices to leave the extension intact.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Ducey urges Arizona residents to take care amid virus surge

PHOENIX ( AP ) - With Arizona reporting a daily average of 1,900 new COVID-19 cases over the past week , Gov .
Doug Ducey has urged residents to be careful amid the surging coronavirus outbreak .
Ducey in a video posted Tuesday urged Arizona residents to wear face coverings , wash hands , practice social distancing and stay home when sick .
“ Gatherings of families and friends from outside your household are no safer than going to the grocery store , ” he said .
Ducey , a Republican , has not implemented a statewide masking requirement while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done so .
He announced no new virus prevention initiatives in the video posted on social media and his office ’ s website .
He cited past moves that included increasing testing and providing money to hospitals for protective gear , staffing and ventilators .
Ducey said he wants to protect public health “ keep our economy safely open and moving , We know that both are important to the health and well-being of Arizonans.
” “ I know it has been a long year and we all want to get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cards right now .
Cases are spiking again across the country and we need to keep our guard up , ” Ducey said .
Arizona on Tuesday reported 3,434 new COVID-19 cases , the most in one day since late July , With 28 additional deaths reported by the state Department of Health Services , the state ’ s totals increased to 263,133 cases and 6,192 deaths .
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press , The 7-day rolling average of daily new cases in Arizona rose over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per day on Oct. 27 to 1,902 new cases per day on Tuesday .
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of people recover .

PHOENIX (AP) - With Arizona reporting a daily average of 1,900 new COVID-19 cases over the past week, Gov. Doug Ducey has urged residents to be careful amid the surging coronavirus outbreak.
Ducey in a video posted Tuesday urged Arizona residents to wear face coverings, wash hands, practice social distancing and stay home when sick.
“Gatherings of families and friends from outside your household are no safer than going to the grocery store,” he said.
Ducey, a Republican, has not implemented a statewide masking requirement while many local governments in the state have done so. He announced no new virus prevention initiatives in the video posted on social media and his office’s website.
He cited past moves that included increasing testing and providing money to hospitals for protective gear, staffing and ventilators.
Ducey said he wants to protect public health “keep our economy safely open and moving, We know that both are important to the health and well-being of Arizonans.”
“I know it has been a long year and we all want to get back to normal. But that is not in the cards right now. Cases are spiking again across the country and we need to keep our guard up,” Ducey said.
Arizona on Wednesday reported 2,030 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and 36 additional deaths, increasing the state’s totals to 265,163 cases and 6,228 deaths.
Arizona on Tuesday had reported 3,434 additional cases, the most in one day since late July,
According to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press, The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Arizona rose over the past two weeks from 1,026 new cases per day on Oct. 27 to 1,902 new cases per day on Tuesday.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
In other developments, Mohave County has reduced penalties imposed against businesses that violate orders by Ducey requiring distancing and masking in certain types of establishments.
The Board of Supervisors on Monday reduced current fines of up to $1,000 per day, or a total of $10,000 to $50 per day, to a maximum of $500.
County health officials enforce the state mandates.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Overturned boat prompted massive search off Outer Banks

BEAUFORT , N.C. ( AP ) - An overturned boat on the coast of North Carolina prompted a massive search @ @ @ @ @ reportedly on board .
The Raleigh News & Observer reports that a fishing boat was @ @ @ @ @ morning more than three miles from Beaufort Inlet , The Coast Guard said in a @ @ @ @ @ of one of the passengers said the vessel left Atlantic Beach Sunday with two people @ @ @ @ @ shore .
Beaufort Inlet is just west of Cape Lookout near the southern tip of @ @ @ @ @ Coast Guard deployed a diver to the overturned fishing boat and found “ all the @ @ @ @ @ energized.
” But officials said that no one was on board .
The search had @ @ @ @ @ miles as of Tuesday afternoon .

BEAUFORT, N.C. (AP) - An overturned boat on the coast of North Carolina prompted a massive search for two people who were reportedly on board.
The Raleigh News & Observer reports that a fishing boat was discovered on its side Tuesday morning more than three miles from Beaufort Inlet,
The Coast Guard said in a statement that a family member of one of the passengers said the vessel left Atlantic Beach Sunday with two people on board to fish near shore.
Beaufort Inlet is just west of Cape Lookout near the southern tip of the Outer Banks. The Coast Guard deployed a diver to the overturned fishing boat and found “all the lights and gear were still energized.” But officials said that no one was on board.
The search had spanned about 200 square nautical miles as of Tuesday afternoon.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Worker killed when large manufacturing mold falls onto him

BRUCE TOWNSHIP , Mich. ( AP ) - An employee at a suburban Detroit manufacturing plant died when a 25,000-pound @ @ @ @ @ fell onto him inside the plant , authorities said .
Macomb County Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ morning to Romeo RIM Inc. found the man dead inside the Bruce Township plant .
@ @ @ @ @ worker as David Spano , 42 .
Bruce Township Fire Chief David Witgen said it @ @ @ @ @ the manufacturing mold fell from one of the plant ’ s interior walls and struck @ @ @ @ @ and prayers are with the victim and his family , ” Witgen said .
The @ @ @ @ @ in a statement that Spano ’ s death “ appears to be a tragic accident @ @ @ @ @ Safety and Health Administration has been contacted about the workplace fatality .
Romeo Rim provides @ @ @ @ @ makes polyurethane parts for the automotive , transportation , agriculture and construction industries .

BRUCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - An employee at a suburban Detroit manufacturing plant died when a 25,000-pound (11,340-kilogram) manufacturing mold fell onto him inside the plant, authorities said.
Macomb County Sheriff’s deputies who were called Tuesday morning to Romeo RIM Inc. found the man dead inside the Bruce Township plant. Officials later identified the deceased worker as David Spano, 42.
Bruce Township Fire Chief David Witgen said it appears Spano died instantly when the manufacturing mold fell from one of the plant’s interior walls and struck him.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family,” Witgen said.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement that Spano’s death “appears to be a tragic accident” and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been contacted about the workplace fatality.
Romeo Rim provides custom injection molding services and makes polyurethane parts for the automotive, transportation, agriculture and construction industries.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--Navy debuts cleaner-burning tugboats in Washington state

BREMERTON , Wash. ( AP ) - The Navy has announced it is investing in new environmentally friendly tugboats designed to guide submarines and aircraft carriers through tight spots to and from ports in Washington state .
Puget Sound Port Operations Captain Tim Hartman said it sometimes takes a fleet of tugboats to help the larger vessels navigate to sea , the Kitsap Sun reported .
Hartman said at least three of the eight tugboats in the fleet are nearly 50 years old and need replacement , including one at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton .
The fleet includes three vessels at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Everett .
Hartman said his crew is already operating the Rainier , the first of a new class of tugboats delivered to the Navy to meet new EPA standard for emissions .
The 90-foot ( 27-meter ) tugboat was built at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes for $ 13 million and has two diesel engines capable of generating 3,800 horsepower , two generators and 13 different computer systems .
The Rainier was named for Pacific Northwest mountains .
In the coming years , tugboats named Deception , Sentinel and Baker will join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between delivery and providing operational support is a priority for our team , ” Navy program manager Mike Kosar said .

BREMERTON, Wash. (AP) - The Navy has announced it is investing in new environmentally friendly tugboats designed to guide submarines and aircraft carriers through tight spots to and from ports in Washington state.
Puget Sound Port Operations Captain Tim Hartman said it sometimes takes a fleet of tugboats to help the larger vessels navigate to sea, the Kitsap Sun reported.
Hartman said at least three of the eight tugboats in the fleet are nearly 50 years old and need replacement, including one at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton. The fleet includes three vessels at Bangor and Bremerton each, and two in Everett.
Hartman said his crew is already operating the Rainier, the first of a new class of tugboats delivered to the Navy to meet new EPA standard for emissions.
The 90-foot (27-meter) tugboat was built at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes for $13 million and has two diesel engines capable of generating 3,800 horsepower, two generators and 13 different computer systems.
The Rainier was named for Pacific Northwest mountains. In the coming years, tugboats named Deception, Sentinel and Baker will join the fleet.
“Narrowing the gap between delivery and providing operational support is a priority for our team,” Navy program manager Mike Kosar said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-11--GOP budget plan includes $68.7 billion for secretive Pentagon fund

The Pentagon ’ s secretive , widely criticized “ Overseas Contingency Operations ” account lives on under Senate Republicans ’ 2021 spending plan .
The $ 696 billion defense budget proposal released Tuesday by the GOP-led Senate Appropriations Committee includes $ 68.7 billion for the OCO fund , which was established in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks on the U.S. and originally meant to cover necessary military spending in the early days of the war on terror and invasion of Iraq .
Those conflicts had not been factored into the Pentagon ’ s pre-9/11 spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the two decades since then , and critics say it has essentially become a “ slush fund ” that allows the Defense Department to bypass congressionally mandated caps on spending and to exercise flexibility in moving money from one program to another .
Pentagon leaders have pushed back on much of that criticism , but lawmakers and defense analysts long have argued that the account warps the Defense Department ’ s true budget .
They say that military leaders can use the OCO to fund a host of other Pentagon initiatives outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimal oversight from Congress and little knowledge among the public about how the money will be spent .
“ Using OCO to subsidize the Pentagon ’ s non-war activities is bad budgeting , period , ” William Hartung , director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy , wrote in a piece for Forbes last year .
“ Eliminating the OCO slush fund and restoring budget discipline at the Pentagon is both doable and advisable.
” Since 2001 , about $ 2 trillion has flowed into the OCO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established by the 2011 Budget Control Act , which reined in spending across the federal government .
The debate over OCO seemingly came to a head last year , when the Pentagon requested a whopping $ 164 billion for the account — a 140 % increase than the amount requested a year earlier .
“ What we ’ re really talking about here is the establishment of a slush fund to hide what ’ s happening with defense spending and get it out from underneath the statutory caps , ” Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fund , said at a Senate hearing last year .
Patrick Shanahan , then the acting defense secretary , denied that charge .
“ There is no slush fund , ” he said .
Pentagon officials have argued that dollars in the defense budget — whether in the main spending plan or the OCO account — all go to support American national security , military readiness , and more recently , implementation of the Trump administration ’ s landmark National Defense Strategy .
But specialists argue that ’ s exactly why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and move the money back into the Pentagon ’ s main budget request .
“ The level of OCO spending has remained higher than needed for its underlying purposes for many years because much [ of ] its spending belongs in the Pentagon ’ s base budget , ” Sean Kennedy , director of research at Citizens Against Government Waste , wrote in a piece for Defense News last month .
“ Beyond the problems associated with using a loophole to fund the DoD , as a supplemental appropriation , the OCO does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding into the normal budgetary process , which involves planning for multiple years.
” Indeed , even some top defense officials have argued that the OCO as currently constructed makes it difficult to know exactly how much money the Pentagon will receive in a given year , adding uncertainty into budget projections .

The Pentagon’s secretive, widely criticized “Overseas Contingency Operations” account lives on under Senate Republicans’ 2021 spending plan.
The $696 billion defense budget proposal released Tuesday by the GOP-led Senate Appropriations Committee includes $68.7 billion for the OCO fund, which was established in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. and originally meant to cover necessary military spending in the early days of the war on terror and invasion of Iraq. Those conflicts had not been factored into the Pentagon’s pre-9/11 spending plans.
But the account has grown in the two decades since then, and critics say it has essentially become a “slush fund” that allows the Defense Department to bypass congressionally mandated caps on spending and to exercise flexibility in moving money from one program to another.
Pentagon leaders have pushed back on much of that criticism, but lawmakers and defense analysts long have argued that the account warps the Defense Department’s true budget. They say that military leaders can use the OCO to fund a host of other Pentagon initiatives outside the intended scope of the fund with minimal oversight from Congress and little knowledge among the public about how the money will be spent.
“Using OCO to subsidize the Pentagon’s non-war activities is bad budgeting, period,” William Hartung, director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy, wrote in a piece for Forbes last year. “Eliminating the OCO slush fund and restoring budget discipline at the Pentagon is both doable and advisable.”
Since 2001, about $2 trillion has flowed into the OCO fund. It exists outside the caps established by the 2011 Budget Control Act, which reined in spending across the federal government.
The debate over OCO seemingly came to a head last year, when the Pentagon requested a whopping $164 billion for the account — a 140% increase than the amount requested a year earlier.
“What we’re really talking about here is the establishment of a slush fund to hide what’s happening with defense spending and get it out from underneath the statutory caps,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat and an outspoken critic of the fund, said at a Senate hearing last year.
Patrick Shanahan, then the acting defense secretary, denied that charge.
“There is no slush fund,” he said.
Pentagon officials have argued that dollars in the defense budget — whether in the main spending plan or the OCO account — all go to support American national security, military readiness, and more recently, implementation of the Trump administration’s landmark National Defense Strategy.
But specialists argue that’s exactly why it is time to rethink the OCO and move the money back into the Pentagon’s main budget request.
“The level of OCO spending has remained higher than needed for its underlying purposes for many years because much [of] its spending belongs in the Pentagon’s base budget,” Sean Kennedy, director of research at Citizens Against Government Waste, wrote in a piece for Defense News last month. “Beyond the problems associated with using a loophole to fund the DoD, as a supplemental appropriation, the OCO does not allow the Pentagon to factor its funding into the normal budgetary process, which involves planning for multiple years.”
Indeed, even some top defense officials have argued that the OCO as currently constructed makes it difficult to know exactly how much money the Pentagon will receive in a given year, adding uncertainty into budget projections.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.