washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Argentina held 1-1 in qualifying; Bolivia official arrested

SAO PAULO ( AP ) - Lionel Messi had a goal disallowed and another denied as Argentina was held to a 1-1 draw in South American World Cup qualifying .
The draw at La Bombonera stadium puts Argentina on the top of the standings with seven points from three matches , but Brazil - on six - could move ahead with a home win over 9th-place Venezuela on Friday .
Paraguay is in 4th position with five points .
Argentina ’ s fourth match in qualifying will be on Tuesday , when Paraguay hosts Bolivia and Ecuador is at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening match , 10th-place Bolivia conceded a late penalty to lose 3-2 at home to Ecuador .
The Ecuadorians are now in 3rd place with six points in three games .
The top four teams will automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar .
The fifth-place team will go into an inter-continental playoff .
Paraguay once more gave Argentina trouble , opening the scoring in the 21st minute via Ángel Romero ’ s penalty .
Argentina equalized in the 41st after Giovani Lo Celso took a corner and found Nicolás González @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
Messi appeared to give Argentina a lead in the 57th minute , but a video reviewed decision by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus found a foul for Paraguay 27 seconds earlier when the ball was still in Argentina ‘ s half .
Messi nearly scored from a free kick 14 minutes later , but Paraguayan goalkeeper Antony Silva made the save of the match in the top left corner .
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had to be creative for the match .
Messi started with pain in his left ankle , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by González , who usually plays as a striker at Stuttgart .
Scaloni also lost midfielder Exequiel Palacios to injury after only 30 minutes , but his replacement Lo Celso ended as one of the best on the pitch - though not enough to secure Argentina a home victory .
Ángel Di Maria , who was initially expected to start , entered in the second half but was unable to produce a goal for Argentina ‘ s much-needed home win .
Ecuador ’ s win in La Paz was decided in the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolivia occurred earlier , off the pitch at Hernando Siles stadium , when investigators arrested the interim president of the country ’ s soccer federation , Marcos Rodríguez .
Local media broadcast a video showing Rodriguez , who is accused of corruption , being escorted by investigators during halftime .
Bolivia ’ s soccer federation , which has been in political turmoil since the death of César Salinas in July , had been scheduled to elect a new president on Friday .
Juan Carlos Arce opened the scoring for the hosts in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot to the left corner of Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez .
The Ecuadorians equalized a minute after halftime when defender Beder Caicedo calmly entered the penalty box and scored with a left-foot shot .
Ángel Mena put the visitors in front in the 55th , beating Bolivia ’ s Enrique Flores on the right edge of the box and , with a precise shot , squeezing the ball between Carlos Lampe ’ s hands and the left post .
Bolivia equalized on the hour when captain Marcelo Martins headed home after a corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hosts when a VAR decision went to Ecuador for a handball by Adrián Jusino .
Carlos Gruezo scored from the spot two minutes from time to seal the win .
____ AP writer Debora Rey contributed to this report from Buenos Aires , Argentina .

SAO PAULO (AP) - Lionel Messi had a goal disallowed and another denied as Argentina was held to a 1-1 draw by Paraguay in South American World Cup qualifying.
The draw at La Bombonera stadium puts Argentina on the top of the standings with seven points from three matches, but Brazil - on six - could move ahead with a home win over 9th-place Venezuela on Friday.
Paraguay is in 4th position with five points.
Earlier Thursday, 10th-place Bolivia conceded a late penalty to lose 3-2 at home to Ecuador. The Ecuadorians are now in 3rd place with six points in three games.
Argentina’s fourth match in qualifying will be against Peru on Tuesday, when Paraguay hosts Bolivia and Ecuador is at home to Colombia.
The top four teams will automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The fifth-place team will go into an inter-continental playoff.
ARGENTINA
Paraguay once more gave Argentina trouble, opening the scoring in the 21st minute via Ángel Romero’s penalty. Argentina equalized in the 41st after substitute Giovani Lo Celso took a corner and found Nicolás González free in the box to head it home.
Messi appeared to give Argentina a lead in the 57th, but a video reviewed decision by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus found a foul for Paraguay 27 seconds earlier when the ball was still in Argentina’s half.
Messi nearly scored from a free kick 14 minutes later, but Paraguayan goalkeeper Antony Silva made the save of the match in the top left corner.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had to be creative for the match. Messi started with pain in his left ankle, and defender Nicolás Tagliafico had to be replaced by González, who usually plays as a striker at Stuttgart.
“I was not surprised because I played like this in Germany,” González said. “We all know what my position is, but I want to help this team as much as I can.”
Scaloni lost midfielder Exequiel Palacios after only 30 minutes to a back injury sustained in in collision with Paraguayan Ángel Romero’s knee.
Palacios’ replacement Lo Celso ended as one of the best on the pitch, but Argentina’s coach believes Romero could have been sent off if there had been a VAR decision. Scaloni also said Palacios could be sidelined for months because of the injury.
“There’s a lot of plays in which (VAR) could have been used today and it wasn’t. I am not talking about bad or good intentions,” Scaloni said, adding Argentina’s disallowed goal should not have been canceled. “No one likes soccer like this.”
Ángel Di Maria, who was initially expected to start, entered in the second half but was unable to produce a goal for Argentina’s much-needed home win.
BOLIVIA
Ecuador’s win in La Paz was decided in the final minutes. But a significant moment for Bolivia occurred earlier, off the pitch at Hernando Siles stadium, when investigators arrested the interim president of the country’s soccer federation, Marcos Rodríguez.
Local media broadcast a video showing Rodriguez, who is accused of corruption, being escorted by investigators during halftime. Bolivia’s soccer federation, which has been in political turmoil since the death of César Salinas in July, had been scheduled to elect a new president on Friday.
Juan Carlos Arce opened the scoring for the hosts in the 37th minute, with an angled low shot to the left corner of Ecuador goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.
The Ecuadorians equalized a minute after halftime when defender Beder Caicedo calmly entered the penalty box and scored with a left-foot shot.
Ángel Mena put the visitors in front in the 55th, beating Bolivia’s Enrique Flores on the right edge of the box and, with a precise shot, squeezing the ball between Carlos Lampe’s hands and the left post.
Bolivia equalized on the hour when captain Marcelo Martins headed home after a corner. But it ended in disappointment for the hosts when a VAR decision went to Ecuador for a handball by Adrián Jusino.
Carlos Gruezo scored from the spot two minutes from time to seal the win.
____ AP writer Debora Rey contributed to this report from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
____
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Young lawmaker would be 1st openly gay Maine House speaker

Maine House Democrats on Thursday selected Rep. Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford to succeed House Speaker Sara Gideon .
He would be the youngest House speaker in the country serving currently and the first openly gay man to serve in the leadership position in Maine .
Since Democrats control the House , it ’ s expected that the 28-year-old will be elected by the full House when lawmakers reconvene .
Fecteau pledged that if he receives that support he will do all he can “ to unite our members across parties and to improve the lives of Mainers from every corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he believes in , and he will always fight for what is right , ” said Rep. Matt Moonen , the outgoing majority leader .
“ Ryan is a leader who can help Maine through the immense challenges we are facing as a result of the pandemic , and who can address the needs of the state and all who call it home.
” Even though he ’ s young , Fecteau has served three terms including one as assistant majority leader .
He previously chaired the Labor , Commerce , Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside him the past two years allowed me to witness his natural leadership capabilities and his dedication to the people of Maine .
I wish him every success as he takes on this new role , ” Gideon said .
Gideon , who lost a hard-fought effort to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins , was not allowed to return to the Legislature because of term limits .
Fecteau has been a forceful voice on issues important to the LGBTQ community , helping to ban so-called conversion therapy .
He also pressed for construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , the Democratic caucus already selected Sen .
Troy Jackson , D-Allagash , as its choice to serve again as Senate President .
Jackson and Fecteau are expected to be formally elected by the full House when lawmakers convene Dec. 2 at the Augusta Civic Center .
The Republican minority leaders are expected to be Sen. Jeff Timberlake in the Senate and Rep. Kathleen Dillingham in the House .
They were selected by their party caucuses .
This story has been corrected to show that Fecteau would be the youngest House speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person to ever serve in the position in Maine .

Maine House Democrats on Thursday selected Rep. Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford to succeed House Speaker Sara Gideon. He would be the youngest House speaker in the country serving currently and the first openly gay man to serve in the leadership position in Maine.
Since Democrats control the House, it’s expected that the 28-year-old will be elected by the full House when lawmakers reconvene.
Fecteau pledged that if he receives that support he will do all he can “to unite our members across parties and to improve the lives of Mainers from every corner of the state.”
“He knows what he believes in, and he will always fight for what is right,” said Rep. Matt Moonen, the outgoing majority leader. “Ryan is a leader who can help Maine through the immense challenges we are facing as a result of the pandemic, and who can address the needs of the state and all who call it home.”
Even though he’s young, Fecteau has served three terms including one as assistant majority leader. He previously chaired the Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee.
“Working alongside him the past two years allowed me to witness his natural leadership capabilities and his dedication to the people of Maine. I wish him every success as he takes on this new role,” Gideon said.
Gideon, who lost a hard-fought effort to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, was not allowed to return to the Legislature because of term limits.
Fecteau has been a forceful voice on issues important to the LGBTQ community, helping to ban so-called conversion therapy. He also pressed for construction of more affordable housing.
In the Senate, the Democratic caucus already selected Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, as its choice to serve again as Senate President.
Jackson and Fecteau are expected to be formally elected by the full House when lawmakers convene Dec. 2 at the Augusta Civic Center.
The Republican minority leaders are expected to be Sen. Jeff Timberlake in the Senate and Rep. Kathleen Dillingham in the House. They were selected by their party caucuses.
___
Sharp reported from Portland, Maine.
___
This story has been corrected to show that Fecteau would be the youngest House speaker in the country, not the youngest person to ever serve in the position in Maine.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Feds: California man ran kidnapping scam from Mexican prison

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A California man imprisoned in Mexico ran a “ virtual kidnapping ” scheme that duped dozens of Americans into paying ransoms to free family members who were never actually kidnapped , according to federal prosecutors .
Julio Manuel Reyes Zuniga , 48 , appeared in a Los Angeles court on Thursday after being extradited this week from Mexico .
He pleaded not guilty to 31 counts , including extortion , conspiracy to commit extortion , foreign communication of threats and conspiracy to launder money , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said .
Reyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rancho San Pedro street gang , ran the scheme from 2015 to 2018 while he was locked up for murder at the Santa Martha Acatitla Prison near Mexico City , prosecutors said .
He finished his sentence earlier this year and was held for extradition in the extortion case .
Reyes Zuniga and co-conspirators used smuggled cellphones to call their victims and claim they had kidnapped a loved one and planned to harm the person unless a ransom was paid , according to the indictment .
In reality , no kidnappings had taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand the ransom payments in the form of wire transfers , cash dropped at locations , or purchase of electronics such as iPads or iPhones , according to court papers .
Once the money was delivered , individuals in Mexico delivered the proceeds to the imprisoned Reyes Zuniga in person , court papers said .
At least 30 victims in Southern California each paid thousands of dollars on average , prosecutors said .
If convicted of all charges , Reyes Zuniga could face 20 years in federal prison for each count in the @ @

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A California man imprisoned in Mexico ran a “virtual kidnapping” scheme that duped dozens of Americans into paying ransoms to free family members who were never actually kidnapped, according to federal prosecutors.
Julio Manuel Reyes Zuniga, 48, appeared in a Los Angeles court on Thursday after being extradited this week from Mexico. He pleaded not guilty to 31 counts, including extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, foreign communication of threats and conspiracy to launder money, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Reyes Zuniga, a reputed member of the Rancho San Pedro street gang, ran the scheme from 2015 to 2018 while he was locked up for murder at the Santa Martha Acatitla Prison near Mexico City, prosecutors said. He finished his sentence earlier this year and was held for extradition in the extortion case.
Reyes Zuniga and co-conspirators used smuggled cellphones to call their victims and claim they had kidnapped a loved one and planned to harm the person unless a ransom was paid, according to the indictment. In reality, no kidnappings had taken place.
Reyes Zuniga and others would demand the ransom payments in the form of wire transfers, cash dropped at locations, or purchase of electronics such as iPads or iPhones, according to court papers.
Once the money was delivered, individuals in Mexico delivered the proceeds to the imprisoned Reyes Zuniga in person, court papers said.
At least 30 victims in Southern California each paid thousands of dollars on average, prosecutors said.
If convicted of all charges, Reyes Zuniga could face 20 years in federal prison for each count in the indictment.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--California approves billions for stem-cell research

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - California voters have granted the state ’ s nearly broke first-of-its-kind stem-cell research program a desperately needed $ 5.5 billion cash infusion .
Following Thursday ’ s vote count update , Proposition 14 had a 325,000-vote lead and 51 % of the votes .
It was the narrowest margin of victory for any of this year ’ s 12 ballot questions .
With its passage , voters approved the $ 5.5 billion bond sale that supporters say is crucial to continuing the cash-strapped California Institute for Regenerative Medicine ’ s research into the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alzheimer ’ s , Parkinson ’ s and other conditions .
The institute originally was funded by a $ 3 billion bond measure approved by voters in 2004 .
That measure received 59 % of the votes .
Robert Klein , a wealthy financial analyst and longtime patient advocate , wrote the measure and provided much of the financial support to promote it .
He blamed the closeness on voter concerns about adding more state debt during the very uncertain economic times brought on by the coronavirus .
“ We had this huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Indeed , opponents argued that the state simply couldn ’ t afford to support another huge bond measure at this time .
They also noted the federal government and private enterprise have stepped up their investment in stem-cell research since the initial measure , Proposition 71 , was adopted .
After Prop 71 was approved , new stem-cell labs opened at universities around the state and scores of research trials have been launched .
But the original funding is almost gone - only about $ 30 million remains - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halted the awarding of new grants .
Supporters said new money was needed to keep running promising clinical trials involving the use of stem cells to treat cancer , Alzheimer ’ s disease , Parkinson ’ s disease , paralysis , autoimmune diseases and other conditions .
“ Trials that use human embryonic-derived stem cells to treat diabetes , to treat blindness and to treat spinal cord injury , those trials are early but already showing signs of patient benefit .
Losing those trials would be a terrible tragedy for those patients.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of California , San Diego ’ s stem cell research program .
Klein , the institute ’ s first chairman , said California still plays a crucial role in stem-cell research , particularly research that involves embryonic stem cells .
“ The federal government still to this day has not funded any , as in zero , FDA-approved clinical trials for therapies derived from human embryonic stem cells even though we have had dramatic results from clinical phase one and phase two trials that have been published , ” Klein said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial $ 3 billion was spent to create stem cell research facilities , with much of the rest going into funding studies .
Proposition 14 calls for $ 1.5 billion to be spent on developing treatments for Alzheimer ’ s , Parkinson ’ s and other brain-related diseases .
Some funds would be used to train California university and college students , and no more 7.5 % could be used for administrative costs .
The proposition was written in a way that does not require taxpayers to begin paying off the bonds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s confident that by then the state will be reaping the financial benefits of such research .
The state Legislative Analyst ’ s Office estimates that paying off the bonds with interest over 30 years will cost $ 7.8 billion .
Some of that money could be recouped through the sale of new treatments created by the research , according to the analyst ’ s office .
Other such revenue could be used to pay for patient treatments .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California voters have granted the state’s nearly broke first-of-its-kind stem-cell research program a desperately needed $5.5 billion cash infusion.
Following Thursday’s vote count update, Proposition 14 had a 325,000-vote lead and 51% of the votes. It was the narrowest margin of victory for any of this year’s 12 ballot questions.
With its passage, voters approved the $5.5 billion bond sale that supporters say is crucial to continuing the cash-strapped California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s research into the use of stem cells in treating cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other conditions.
The institute originally was funded by a $3 billion bond measure approved by voters in 2004. That measure received 59% of the votes.
Robert Klein, a wealthy financial analyst and longtime patient advocate, wrote the measure and provided much of the financial support to promote it. He blamed the closeness on voter concerns about adding more state debt during the very uncertain economic times brought on by the coronavirus.
“We had this huge obstacle of the COVID-19 recession,” he said.
Indeed, opponents argued that the state simply couldn’t afford to support another huge bond measure at this time. They also noted the federal government and private enterprise have stepped up their investment in stem-cell research since the initial measure, Proposition 71, was adopted.
After Prop 71 was approved, new stem-cell labs opened at universities around the state and scores of research trials have been launched. But the original funding is almost gone - only about $30 million remains - and the institute has reduced its staff and halted the awarding of new grants.
Supporters said new money was needed to keep running promising clinical trials involving the use of stem cells to treat cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, paralysis, autoimmune diseases and other conditions.
“Trials that use human embryonic-derived stem cells to treat diabetes, to treat blindness and to treat spinal cord injury, those trials are early but already showing signs of patient benefit. Losing those trials would be a terrible tragedy for those patients.” said Professor Larry Goldstein, director of the University of California, San Diego’s stem cell research program.
Klein, the institute’s first chairman, said California still plays a crucial role in stem-cell research, particularly research that involves embryonic stem cells.
“The federal government still to this day has not funded any, as in zero, FDA-approved clinical trials for therapies derived from human embryonic stem cells even though we have had dramatic results from clinical phase one and phase two trials that have been published,” Klein said.
More than a third of the initial $3 billion was spent to create stem cell research facilities, with much of the rest going into funding studies.
Proposition 14 calls for $1.5 billion to be spent on developing treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other brain-related diseases. Some funds would be used to train California university and college students, and no more 7.5% could be used for administrative costs.
The proposition was written in a way that does not require taxpayers to begin paying off the bonds for six years. Klein said he’s confident that by then the state will be reaping the financial benefits of such research.
The state Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that paying off the bonds with interest over 30 years will cost $7.8 billion.
Some of that money could be recouped through the sale of new treatments created by the research, according to the analyst’s office. Other such revenue could be used to pay for patient treatments.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--S.C. man convicted of slaying, dismembering teen roommate

LANCASTER , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina man convicted of killing his teenage roommate and disposing of the body has been sentenced to 60 years in prison .
Christopher Allen Holford , 33 , pleaded guilty Thursday to murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in the February 2018 death of Austin Tyler Steele , 18 , news outlets reported .
The two men lived in a mobile home near Lancaster , along with Holford ‘ s 22-year-old wife , authorities said .
The defendant was accused of shooting Steele in the throat before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains around the property , according to court testimony .
Holford entered his plea Thursday in court but did not speak otherwise , The State reported .
In previous statements to police and letters sent from jail , he initially denied involvement and blamed his wife for the slaying , but later admitted to killing Steele and covering up the crime , prosecutors testified .
Holford allegedly signed one letter “ Hatchet Man , ” prosecutors said .
A motive was not given , though Holford ’ s court-appointed lawyer , Alston DeVenny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his past and that he had since shown remorse for Steele ’ s killing .
Holford had a previous child molestation conviction as well as drugs and weapons violations dating back to 2005 , records showed .

LANCASTER, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina man convicted of killing his teenage roommate and disposing of the body has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.
Christopher Allen Holford, 33, pleaded guilty Thursday to murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in the February 2018 death of Austin Tyler Steele, 18, news outlets reported.
The two men lived in a mobile home near Lancaster, along with Holford’s 22-year-old wife, authorities said. The defendant was accused of shooting Steele in the throat before cutting up the body and burying the remains around the property, according to court testimony.
Holford entered his plea Thursday in court but did not speak otherwise, The Herald reported.
In previous statements to police and letters sent from jail, he initially denied involvement and blamed his wife for the slaying, but later admitted to killing Steele and covering up the crime, prosecutors testified. Holford allegedly signed one letter “Hatchet Man,” prosecutors said.
A motive was not given, though Holford’s court-appointed lawyer, Alston DeVenny, argued he had sustained trauma in his past and that he had since shown remorse for Steele’s killing.
Holford had a previous child molestation conviction as well as drugs and weapons violations dating back to 2005, records showed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Asia Today: S. Korea starts fining people not wearing masks

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea has reported its biggest daily jump in COVID-19 cases in 70 days as the government began fining people who fail to wear masks in public .
The 191 cases added to the country ’ s caseload Friday represented the sixth consecutive day of over 100 and the highest daily increase since Sept. 4 when authorities reported 198 new infections .
More than 120 of the cases were from the Seoul metropolitan area , where the coronavirus has spread in a variety of places , including hospitals , nursing homes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The steady spread of the virus has alarmed government officials , who eased social distancing measures to the lowest level since October to soften the pandemic ’ s shock on the economy .
While this has allowed high-risk venues like nightclubs and karaoke bears to reopen , Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun during a virus meeting Friday said the viral spread could force the government to “ seriously consider ” tightening social distancing again .
“ We are at a precarious situation , ” he said , pleading for citizen vigilance and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned rallies .
South Korea has so far weathered its outbreak without major lockdowns , relying on an aggressive test-and-quarantine program and relatively widespread use of masks among the public .
From Friday , officials started to impose fines of up to 100,000 won ( $ 90 ) for people who fail to properly wear masks in public transport and a wide range of venues , including hospitals , nursing homes , pharmacies , nightclubs , karaoke bars , religious and sports facilities and at gatherings of more than 500 people .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at restaurants and cafes when they are not eating or drinking .
In the capital Seoul , city employees were deployed at subway stations and bus stops to monitor commuters .
There were no immediate reports of major disruption .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - China ’ s government says it has helped more than 70,000 Chinese to return home from 92 foreign countries between the start of the coronavirus pandemic and Nov. 10 .
Most of the country ’ s cases reported in recent months were imported , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections detected at ports of entry had risen about 45 % since September .
Most recently , China suspended five inbound international flights after significant numbers of COVID-19 sufferers were reported among the passengers .
About 3,600 total imported cases have been recorded among China ’ s total of 86,307 cases reported since the coronavirus was first detected late last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan .
Just eight new cases were reported by the National Health Commission on Friday , all of them imported .
China has reported a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sum that ’ s been largely steady for months .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea has reported its biggest daily jump in COVID-19 cases in 70 days as the government began fining people who fail to wear masks in public.
The 191 new cases Friday represented the sixth consecutive day above 100 and was the highest daily increase since Sept. 4, when authorities reported 198 new infections.
More than 120 of the cases were from the Seoul metropolitan area, where the coronavirus has spread in hospitals, nursing homes, churches, schools, restaurants and offices.
The continuing spread has alarmed government officials, who have eased social distancing measures to soften the pandemic’s shock on the economy.
While this has allowed high-risk venues like nightclubs and karaoke bears to reopen, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the spread could force the government to seriously consider tightening social distancing again.
“We are in a precarious situation,” he said, pleading for vigilance and for labor unions and civic groups to cancel planned rallies.
South Korea has so far weathered its outbreak without major lockdowns, relying on an aggressive test-and-quarantine program and relatively widespread use of masks.
On Friday, officials started imposing fines of up to 100,000 won ($90) for people who fail to wear masks in public transport and other venues including hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, nightclubs, karaoke bars, religious and sports facilities.
In Seoul, city employees were deployed at subway stations and bus stops to monitor commuters.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- With COVID-19 beds in government-run hospitals nearly full in New Delhi, the local government decided to ask 33 of the capital’s 115 private hospitals to reserve 80% of intensive care beds for coronavirus patients. While India’s national totals have held steady recently, the virus is surging in the capital. New Delhi recorded 104 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest since mid-June, and 7,053 new infections Friday. The Health Ministry reported 44,879 new cases and 547 deaths nationwide. India has counted 8.7 million cases and 128,668 fatalities. The surge in New Delhi has been attributed to people crowding shopping areas and ignoring social distancing norms during the festival season. The key Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, is celebrated Saturday.
- Residents of Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbaatar have been told to stay at home as part of a nationwide lockdown imposed through Tuesday following the detection of new coronavirus cases. Residents of the city of 1.4 million will be permitted to leave for necessary errands, such as to purchase groceries and medications, the official Montsame news agency reported. Social distancing measures must be maintained at all times when leaving home, and employees of hospitals and other essential facilities must show identification when commuting, the report said. Police and military personnel were being deployed to ensure compliance, it said. Ulannbaatar confirmed two cases of community transmission on Nov. 9 and another in an outlying area on Thursday. Since then, six other relatives or others who came into close contact with those infected have also tested positive for COVID-19. A vast but lightly populated nation landlocked between China and Russia, Mongolia has recorded just over 400 confirmed cases. No deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in Mongolia.
- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga raised caution over coronavirus infections, urging officials to step up testing and tracing. The country set a record Friday for new infections, with the health ministry reporting 1,649 new cases, bringing the total to 113,298. Suga said the current situation does not immediately require another state of emergency or scaling down of domestic tourism. He urged people to stick to basic preventive measures such as wearing masks and avoid talking loudly or joining drinking parties that increase the risk of spreading airborne droplets.
- New Zealand’s government could soon make wearing masks mandatory on public transit in Auckland and on planes nationwide as it continues to investigate a new community case of the coronavirus. Virus Response Minister Chris Hipkins says there are no plans to raise the nation’s alert level after genome testing linked the latest case with a military worker who caught the virus at a hotel used as a quarantine site. Hipkins says he will recommend the mask mandate to the Cabinet on Monday for its approval. New Zealand has been largely successful in its efforts to stamp out community spread of the virus.
- China’s government says it has helped more than 70,000 Chinese to return home from 92 foreign countries between the start of the coronavirus pandemic and Nov. 10. Most of the country’s cases reported in recent months were imported, and Deputy Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui said infections detected at ports of entry had risen about 45% since September. Most recently, China suspended five inbound international flights after significant numbers of COVID-19 sufferers were reported among the passengers. About 3,600 total imported cases have been recorded among China’s total of 86,307 cases reported since the coronavirus was first detected late last year in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Just eight new cases were reported by the National Health Commission on Friday, all of them imported. China has reported a total of 4,634 deaths from COVID-19, a sum that’s been largely steady for months.
- Calls are mounting from several Indonesian parties for a postponement of regional elections on Dec. 9 as new coronavirus infections hit a record high. Officials reported 5,444 new cases on Friday, bringing the country’s confirmed total to 457,735, the largest number in Southeast Asia and second in Asia to India’s 8.7 million confirmed cases. The elections are to choose nine governors, 37 mayors and 224 district chiefs. Indonesia’s two largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, have called for a postponement of the polls, joining numerous election watchdogs, activists and health experts who cite health risks. The government believes the elections should go ahead “because no country can predict the end of the pandemic,” presidential spokesman Fadjroel Rachman said Friday. “President Joko Widodo has asserted that the regional elections must be held under strict health protocols to ensure that they are safe and democratic,” he said. Indonesia has reported 15,037 deaths from the coronavirus.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Arizona officials seek dismissal of Trump’s election suit

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Attorneys defending Arizona election officials argued Thursday that the Trump campaign ’ s lawsuit that seeks the manual inspection of Election Day ballots in metro Phoenix should be dismissed because the campaign hasn ’ t proven systematic errors in the way poll workers handled ballots that were rejected by tabulation machines .
President Donald Trump ’ s challenge is seeking to bar the certification of election results until such a manual inspection is completed of ballots that contained “ overvotes , ” instances in which people voted for more candidates than permitted .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maricopa County , 961 contained overvotes , including 191 overvotes cast in the presidential race .
The case was being heard as Democrat Joe Biden held an advantage of about 11,000 votes over Trump in Arizona as 7 p.m. Thursday , with about 16,000 ballots left to count across the state .
The lawsuit alleges tabulation machines rejected some ballots due to ink splotches and that poll workers either pressed or told voters to press a green button on the device to override the error , resulting in some ballot selections being disregarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there could potentially be thousands of Trump votes within the ballots in question , they now say that number would be lower .
The attorneys defending election officials argue Trump is in effect seeking a recount , which isn ’ t allowed in Arizona unless the margin between candidates is 200 votes or less , or one-tenth of 1 % of the votes cast , whichever is the smaller number .
The Trump campaign said it isn ’ t seeking a recount - it ’ s asking for the counting of ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an attorney representing Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs , vigorously disputed the campaign ’ s claim that overvotes require the county to conduct a manual inspection of the ballots .
Scott Jarrett , director of Election Day and emergency voting for Maricopa County , testified that he wasn ’ t aware of any mistakes in which poll workers inappropriately pressed the override button on Election Day .
Three Trump voters testified that they voted for only one person in the presidential race but still wondered whether their votes were counted because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ballots were spit out of tabulators , without explaining the consequences of hitting that button .
One of the voters in question , Laura Christians , said her father , who served as a poll worker for more than 35 years , told her that the process she witnessed was incorrect .
“ I kind of put my own hypothesis together .
I don ’ t know if my vote was counted or did not count , ” Christians said .
Trump campaign attorney Kory Langhofer told the judge that the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ballots .
“ We are not alleging fraud in this lawsuit , ” Langhofer said .
“ We are not alleging that anyone is stealing the election here.
” Hobbs ’ office has called the challenge filed by the Trump campaign a repackaged version of the now-dismissed # Sharpiegate lawsuit over the use of markers to complete Election Day ballots in Maricopa County .
Her office said Trump ’ s lawsuit in Arizona was aimed at sowing confusion and undermining the democratic process .
In a separate lawsuit Thursday , the Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maricopa County to make a change in how it conducts a random hand-count audit of a sampling of ballots as a quality control measure .
The lawsuit asks for the sample to be taken on a precinct level , rather than among the county ’ s new vote centers , which let people vote at any location across the county .
The party said there are far fewer vote centers than there were precincts and that hand counting by precinct could result in a more precise sampling of votes that allows for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Maricopa County Elections Department declined to comment on the lawsuit .
In a letter Thursday to Arizona legislative leaders , Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich ’ s office said it has suggested to Maricopa County that it consider increasing the percentage of ballots to be audited from 2 % to 5 % .
“ Although not required , it is certainly permitted and may help alleviate much of the concern that has been expressed in the past week about the integrity of the vote tabulation process , ” wrote Joe Kanefield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The attorney general ’ s office isn ’ t a party to the lawsuit .

PHOENIX (AP) - Attorneys defending Arizona election officials argued Thursday that the Trump campaign’s lawsuit that seeks the manual inspection of Election Day ballots in metro Phoenix should be dismissed because the campaign hasn’t proven systematic errors in the way poll workers handled ballots that were rejected by tabulation machines.
President Donald Trump’s challenge is seeking to bar the certification of election results until such a manual inspection is completed of ballots that contained “overvotes,” instances in which people voted for more candidates than permitted. Of the 166,000 ballots cast on Election Day in Maricopa County, 961 contained overvotes, including 191 overvotes cast in the presidential race.
The case was being heard as Democrat Joe Biden held an advantage of about 11,000 votes over Trump in Arizona as 7 p.m. Thursday, with about 16,000 ballots left to count across the state.
The lawsuit alleges tabulation machines rejected some ballots due to ink splotches and that poll workers either pressed or told voters to press a green button on the device to override the error, resulting in some ballot selections being disregarded. While Trump’s lawyers initially said there could potentially be thousands of Trump votes within the ballots in question, they now say that number would be lower.
The attorneys defending election officials argue Trump is in effect seeking a recount, which isn’t allowed in Arizona unless the margin between candidates is 200 votes or less, or one-tenth of 1% of the votes cast, whichever is the smaller number. The Trump campaign said it isn’t seeking a recount - it’s asking for the counting of ballots that were never tabulated.
Roopali Desai, an attorney representing Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, vigorously disputed the campaign’s claim that overvotes require the county to conduct a manual inspection of the ballots. Scott Jarrett, director of Election Day and emergency voting for Maricopa County, testified that he wasn’t aware of any mistakes in which poll workers inappropriately pressed the override button on Election Day.
Three Trump voters testified that they voted for only one person in the presidential race but still wondered whether their votes were counted because poll workers pressed the override button after their ballots were spit out of tabulators, without explaining the consequences of hitting that button.
One of the voters in question, Laura Christians, said her father, who served as a poll worker for more than 35 years, told her that the process she witnessed was incorrect. “I kind of put my own hypothesis together. I don’t know if my vote was counted or did not count,” Christians said.
Trump campaign attorney Kory Langhofer told the judge that the lawsuit challenges good-faith errors made in the counting of ballots. “We are not alleging fraud in this lawsuit,” Langhofer said. “We are not alleging that anyone is stealing the election here.”
Hobbs’ office has called the challenge filed by the Trump campaign a repackaged version of the now-dismissed #Sharpiegate lawsuit over the use of markers to complete Election Day ballots in Maricopa County. Her office said Trump’s lawsuit in Arizona was aimed at sowing confusion and undermining the democratic process.
In a separate lawsuit Thursday, the Arizona Republican Party asked a court to order Maricopa County to make a change in how it conducts a random hand-count audit of a sampling of ballots as a quality control measure.
The lawsuit asks for the sample to be taken on a precinct level, rather than among the county’s new vote centers, which let people vote at any location across the county. The party said there are far fewer vote centers than there were precincts and that hand counting by precinct could result in a more precise sampling of votes that allows for more reliable comparisons of data from past elections.
The Maricopa County Elections Department declined to comment on the lawsuit.
In a letter Thursday to Arizona legislative leaders, Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office said it has suggested to Maricopa County that it consider increasing the percentage of ballots to be audited from 2% to 5%.
“Although not required, it is certainly permitted and may help alleviate much of the concern that has been expressed in the past week about the integrity of the vote tabulation process,” wrote Joe Kanefield, Brnovich’s chief of staff.
The attorney general’s office isn’t a party to the lawsuit.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Pelosi stands firm on $3.4 trillion coronavirus bill

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blew off disappointing election results Thursday , saying it does nothing to undercut her demand for a massive new coronavirus spending bill she says is needed to “ crush ” the virus .
She and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said the growing rate of infections demands a broad response , and they said a $ 3.4 trillion bill Mrs. Pelosi crafted over the summer is the “ starting point.
” “ We are at that same place , even more so more so with the pandemic because — look at these numbers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection and hospitalization rates .
Her stance suggests that last week ’ s election has done nothing to break the months-long gridlock on another round off coronavirus spending .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , the top Republican on Capitol Hill , said Mrs. Pelosi is still shooting too high .
“ That ’ s not a place I think we ’ re willing to go .
But I do think there needs to another package , ” he said .
Some analysts had predicted the election would give one side or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost control of the Senate and seen their numbers cut in the House , they might have accepted a larger number now — or else Democrats would try again early next year when they would have controlled both chambers .
But the GOP appears on track to keep control of the Senate and Mrs. Pelosi lost ground in the House , though Democrats retain the majority .
Mr. Schumer , though , said Democrats emerged from the election with a stronger mandate because of the result at the presidential level .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who can handle COVID well than anything else , ” the New York Democrat said .
“ The Donald Trump approach was repudiated .
The Joe Biden approach was embraced.
” Congress has already approved more than $ 4 trillion in COVID-19 relief money over four bills this spring and summer .
About $ 2.4 trillion of that has gone out the door so far , according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget .
House Democrats have approved two other bills , a $ 3.4 trillion measure and a slightly slimmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meanwhile , have pursued a $ 500 billion measure targeted toward business and worker relief .
Mrs. Pelosi had been negotiating with the Trump administration to try to reach a deal before the election , but they were too far apart on the price tag and some key provisions .
And it ’ s not clear Mr. Trump could have delivered Senate Republicans to that deal anyway .
“ We ’ re not going to do a big big big bill , ” said Sen. Richard Shelby , the Republican chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s also shepherding the annual spending process .
The government has been running on stopgap funding since Oct. 1 , but that money runs out Dec. 11 .
Mr. Shelby spoke with Mrs. Pelosi this week about a path forward on those bills , and said the House and Senate agree on about 90 % of those issues .
Some lawmakers have suggested attaching a coronavirus bill to the annual spending bills , or at least including emergency money to help distribute a vaccine when one is ready to go .
Sen. Susan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiators seem to have been approaching the coronavirus spending debate “ a bit backwards.
” “ I think would be best if we assess the need and added it up , as opposed to choosing a number above which we will not go over , ” she said .
She said she ’ d like to see the Senate approve the GOP ’ s bill then send it to a conference to hammer out differences with Mrs. Pelosi ’ s legislation .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blew off disappointing election results Thursday, saying it does nothing to undercut her demand for a massive new coronavirus spending bill she says is needed to “crush” the virus.
She and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said the growing rate of infections demands a broad response, and they said a $3.4 trillion bill Mrs. Pelosi crafted over the summer is the “starting point.”
“We are at that same place, even more so more so with the pandemic because — look at these numbers,” Mrs. Pelosi said, citing the surging infection and hospitalization rates.
Her stance suggests that last week’s election has done nothing to break the months-long gridlock on another round off coronavirus spending.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican on Capitol Hill, said Mrs. Pelosi is still shooting too high.
“That’s not a place I think we’re willing to go. But I do think there needs to another package,” he said.
Some analysts had predicted the election would give one side or the other an advantage.
If Republicans had lost control of the Senate and seen their numbers cut in the House, they might have accepted a larger number now — or else Democrats would try again early next year when they would have controlled both chambers.
But the GOP appears on track to keep control of the Senate and Mrs. Pelosi lost ground in the House, though Democrats retain the majority.
Mr. Schumer, though, said Democrats emerged from the election with a stronger mandate because of the result at the presidential level.
“This election was maybe more a referendum on who can handle COVID well than anything else,” the New York Democrat said. “The Donald Trump approach was repudiated. The Joe Biden approach was embraced.”
Congress has already approved more than $4 trillion in COVID-19 relief money over four bills this spring and summer. About $2.4 trillion of that has gone out the door so far, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
House Democrats have approved two other bills, a $3.4 trillion measure and a slightly slimmer $2.2 trillion bill. Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have pursued a $500 billion measure targeted toward business and worker relief.
Mrs. Pelosi had been negotiating with the Trump administration to try to reach a deal before the election, but they were too far apart on the price tag and some key provisions.
And it’s not clear Mr. Trump could have delivered Senate Republicans to that deal anyway.
“We’re not going to do a big big big bill,” said Sen. Richard Shelby, the Republican chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
He’s also shepherding the annual spending process. The government has been running on stopgap funding since Oct. 1, but that money runs out Dec. 11.
Mr. Shelby spoke with Mrs. Pelosi this week about a path forward on those bills, and said the House and Senate agree on about 90% of those issues.
Some lawmakers have suggested attaching a coronavirus bill to the annual spending bills, or at least including emergency money to help distribute a vaccine when one is ready to go.
Sen. Susan M. Collins, Maine Republican, said negotiators seem to have been approaching the coronavirus spending debate “a bit backwards.”
“I think would be best if we assess the need and added it up, as opposed to choosing a number above which we will not go over,” she said.
She said she’d like to see the Senate approve the GOP’s bill then send it to a conference to hammer out differences with Mrs. Pelosi’s legislation.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--AP Week in Pictures, Europe and Africa

AP Week in Pictures, Europe and Africa

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Europe @ @ @ @ @ gallery was curated by AP photographer Armando Franca in Lisbon .

NOV. 6 - 12, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Europe and Africa regions.
The gallery was curated by AP photographer Armando Franca in Lisbon.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Lisa Murkowski: Americans expect an 'orderly' transition

JUNEAU , Alaska — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said President Donald Trump has the right to go to court if he believes there has been evidence of voter fraud .
But the Alaska Republican said Thursday it ’ s important there be evidence to back the allegations and so far , she said , she hasn ’ t seen any .
Murkowski , in an interview with The Associated Press , said it ’ s not up to her or Congress to sort that out .
It ’ s up to the courts , she said .
If it were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has mounted legal challenges that some ballots were improperly cast , “ the question certainly appears right now whether it ’ s enough to invalidate enough to erase what has clearly been a Biden victory.
” “ There comes a point , when you look at the litigation that is moving forward and realize that it will be to no gain in terms of changing the outcome of the election , ” she said .
“ Having said that , again , I repeat , we all want to know that there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP on Saturday called the presidential contest for Democrat Joe Biden after determining the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up .
Murkowski , known as a moderate , issued a statement congratulating Biden .
Murkowski , who wasn ’ t up for re-election this year , declined to say Thursday whether she voted for Trump , whose ire she has at times raised .
“ I think what is relevant right now is that the will of the American voters is respected , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to what I ’ ve been saying about a peaceful and an orderly transition - that ’ s what the American public expects .
That ’ s what we should have .
And what I am focused on now is how we go forward , ” Murkowski said .
Control of the Senate remains undecided with runoffs pending in Georgia .
If Republicans retain control , “ you are effectively working within divided government , and divided government , perhaps by its very nature , means that you have to work together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you ’ re actually able to build some enduring policy , ” she said .
Democrats were on track to retain control of the U.S. House .

JUNEAU, Alaska — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said President Donald Trump has the right to go to court if he believes there has been evidence of voter fraud. But the Alaska Republican said Thursday it’s important there be evidence to back the allegations and so far, she said, she hasn’t seen any.
Murkowski, in an interview with The Associated Press, said it’s not up to her or Congress to sort that out. It’s up to the courts, she said.
If it were to be shown in states where Trump has mounted legal challenges that some ballots were improperly cast, “the question certainly appears right now whether it’s enough to invalidate enough to erase what has clearly been a Biden victory.”
“There comes a point, when you look at the litigation that is moving forward and realize that it will be to no gain in terms of changing the outcome of the election,” she said. “Having said that, again, I repeat, we all want to know that there is integrity within our voting systems.”
The AP on Saturday called the presidential contest for Democrat Joe Biden after determining the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up. Murkowski, known as a moderate, issued a statement congratulating Biden.
Murkowski, who wasn’t up for re-election this year, declined to say Thursday whether she voted for Trump, whose ire she has at times raised.
“I think what is relevant right now is that the will of the American voters is respected, and that, again, to take it back to what I’ve been saying about a peaceful and an orderly transition - that’s what the American public expects. That’s what we should have. And what I am focused on now is how we go forward,” Murkowski said.
Control of the Senate remains undecided with runoffs pending in Georgia. If Republicans retain control, “you are effectively working within divided government, and divided government, perhaps by its very nature, means that you have to work together. And working together is the way that you’re actually able to build some enduring policy,” she said.
Democrats were on track to retain control of the U.S. House.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Fossil, Utz Brands rise; Revolve Group, Southwest fall

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Stocks that moved heavily or traded substantially Thursday : Fossil Group Inc. , up $ 1.46 to $ 7.43 The watch and accessories maker reported a third-quarter profit as it cut costs to offset weak revenue .
Tetra Tech Inc. , up $ 3.06 to $ 118.16 Schrodinger Inc. , up $ 1.26 to $ 52.69 Lyft Inc. , up 5 cents to $ 36.46 The ride-hailing company ’ s third-quarter results showed signs of a recovery from the previous three months when passengers stayed locked down .
Moderna Inc. , up $ 5.37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the drug developer ’ s coronavirus vaccine candidate is ready for its first analysis .
Revolve Group Inc. , down $ 1.43 to $ 21.01 The online women ’ s fashion retailer told investors that the virus pandemic continues to hurt its operations .
Southwest Airlines Co. , down $ 1.30 to $ 41.92 The airline warned investors that its sales recovery is slowing , possibly because of a rise in COVID-19 cases .
Utz Brands Inc. , up $ 1.06 to $ 18.20 The maker of potato chips and other snacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Truco Enterprises .

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks that moved heavily or traded substantially Thursday:
Fossil Group Inc., up $1.46 to $7.43
The watch and accessories maker reported a third-quarter profit as it cut costs to offset weak revenue.
Tetra Tech Inc., up $3.06 to $118.16
The consulting and engineering services company beat Wall Street’s fiscal fourth-quarter profit forecasts.
Schrodinger Inc., up $1.26 to $52.69
The software provider for drug developers reported a surprise third-quarter profit.
Lyft Inc., up 5 cents to $36.46
The ride-hailing company’s third-quarter results showed signs of a recovery from the previous three months when passengers stayed locked down.
Moderna Inc., up $5.37 to $87.81
Data from a study of the drug developer’s coronavirus vaccine candidate is ready for its first analysis.
Revolve Group Inc., down $1.43 to $21.01
The online women’s fashion retailer told investors that the virus pandemic continues to hurt its operations.
Southwest Airlines Co., down $1.30 to $41.92
The airline warned investors that its sales recovery is slowing, possibly because of a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Utz Brands Inc., up $1.06 to $18.20
The maker of potato chips and other snacks is buying tortilla chip and salsa maker Truco Enterprises.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--UN votes to crack down on Somalia's al-Shabab extremists

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to prevent the sale or shipment to Somalia of components of improvised explosive devices if there is “ significant risk ” they may be used to manufacture the often deadly devices that are increasingly being used in attacks by al-Shabab extremists .
It also urged the Somali government to keep cracking down on the militant group ’ s illegal financing methods that U.N. experts estimate raised over $ 21 million last year .
The resolution , adopted by a 13-0 vote with Russia and China abstaining , reaffirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resale or transfer of any weapons or military equipment sold or supplied to help develop Somalia ’ s National Security Forces and security sector .
Al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab remains the most active and resilient extremist group in Africa , controlling parts of southern and central Somalia and often targeting checkpoints and other high-profile areas in the capital , Mogadishu .
It has fired several mortars this year at the heavily defended international airport , where the U.S. Embassy and other missions are located .
In their latest report , experts monitoring the arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ The threat posed by al-Shabab to peace , security and stability in Somalia goes beyond the impact of the group ’ s conventional military action and asymmetric warfare to include sophisticated extortion and ` taxation ’ systems , child recruitment practices and an effective propaganda machine.
” The panel said al-Shabab raised more than the $ 21 million it spent last year on fighters , weapons and intelligence .
Its investigation found the extremist group generated approximately $ 13 million in just four case studies — a “ taxation ” checkpoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses in Kismayo , two bank accounts associated with the group ’ s collection of taxes on imports into the port in Mogadishu , and “ zakat ” — an annual religious obligation .
The resolution adopted by the Security Council “ notes with concern al-Shabab ’ s ability to generate revenue and launder , store and transfer resources.
” It calls on the Somali government “ to continue working with Somali financial authorities , private sector financial institutions and the international community to identify , assess and mitigate money laundering and terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to consider a national identification program to help reduce the risks .
The council condemned al-Shabab attacks in Somalia and beyond , saying the group “ continues to pose a serious threat to the peace , security and stability of Somalia and the region , particularly through its increased use of improvised explosive devices.
” It also expressed “ grave concern ” at the presence of affiliates linked to the Islamic State extremist group in Somalia .
The resolution demands that countries prevent the sale , supply or transfer of a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , explosive-related equipment and related technology “ if there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the item ( s ) will be used , or a significant risk they may be used , in the manufacture in Somalia of improvised explosive devices.
” It requires any country supplying an item on the list to Somalia to notify the committee monitoring U.N. sanctions at least 15 days in advance with details and the purpose for the sale or transfer .
Russia ’ s deputy U.N. ambassador , Anna Evstigneeva , noted that the amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” were made at the Somali government ’ s request and expressed hope that “ they will support normalization and reduce the terrorist threat coming , in the first place , from Al-Shabaab.
” But she said Russia abstained because the resolution didn ’ t take on board “ our principled and duly substantiated proposals , ” including references to Djibouti and Eritrea , whose relations pose “ no threat to international peace and security , ” and to human rights in Somalia , which should be dealt with by the Geneva-based Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. ambassador , Dai Bing , said Beijing abstained because the council didn ’ t accept its amendments calling for the council to explore benchmarks for assessing the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia weren ’ t accepted .
“ The current embargo has been a serious impediment to enhance security capacity of the Somali government , ” he said .
“ The text fails to make a deep response to the strong desire of the Somali government to have the arms embargo lifted.
” U.S. political coordinator Rodney Hunter welcomed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the work of the panel of experts for another 12 months .
He said every council member has committed to uphold the arms embargo “ in the interest of securing peace and stability both in Somalia , and in the broader region.
” To achieve that , Hunter said , the United States also supports “ the increased focus on thwarting Al-Shabaab ’ s exploitation of the financial system .
”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday to prevent the sale or shipment to Somalia of components of improvised explosive devices if there is “significant risk” they may be used to manufacture the often deadly devices that are increasingly being used in attacks by al-Shabab extremists.
It also urged the Somali government to keep cracking down on the militant group’s illegal financing methods that U.N. experts estimate raised over $21 million last year.
The resolution, adopted by a 13-0 vote with Russia and China abstaining, reaffirmed the arms embargo on Somalia and banned the resale or transfer of any weapons or military equipment sold or supplied to help develop Somalia’s National Security Forces and security sector.
Al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab remains the most active and resilient extremist group in Africa, controlling parts of southern and central Somalia and often targeting checkpoints and other high-profile areas in the capital, Mogadishu. It has fired several mortars this year at the heavily defended international airport, where the U.S. Embassy and other missions are located.
In their latest report, experts monitoring the arms embargo and other sanctions against Somalia said: “The threat posed by al-Shabab to peace, security and stability in Somalia goes beyond the impact of the group’s conventional military action and asymmetric warfare to include sophisticated extortion and `taxation’ systems, child recruitment practices and an effective propaganda machine.”
The panel said al-Shabab raised more than the $21 million it spent last year on fighters, weapons and intelligence. Its investigation found the extremist group generated approximately $13 million in just four case studies — a “taxation” checkpoint in Lower Juba, its extortion of businesses in Kismayo, two bank accounts associated with the group’s collection of taxes on imports into the port in Mogadishu, and “zakat” — an annual religious obligation.
The resolution adopted by the Security Council “notes with concern al-Shabab’s ability to generate revenue and launder, store and transfer resources.”
It calls on the Somali government “to continue working with Somali financial authorities, private sector financial institutions and the international community to identify, assess and mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks.” It encouraged the government to consider a national identification program to help reduce the risks.
The council condemned al-Shabab attacks in Somalia and beyond, saying the group “continues to pose a serious threat to the peace, security and stability of Somalia and the region, particularly through its increased use of improvised explosive devices.” It also expressed “grave concern” at the presence of affiliates linked to the Islamic State extremist group in Somalia.
The resolution demands that countries prevent the sale, supply or transfer of a list of components including explosive materials, explosive precursors, explosive-related equipment and related technology “if there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the item(s) will be used, or a significant risk they may be used, in the manufacture in Somalia of improvised explosive devices.”
It requires any country supplying an item on the list to Somalia to notify the committee monitoring U.N. sanctions at least 15 days in advance with details and the purpose for the sale or transfer.
Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva, noted that the amendments “meant to optimize the arms embargo” were made at the Somali government’s request and expressed hope that “they will support normalization and reduce the terrorist threat coming, in the first place, from Al-Shabaab.”
But she said Russia abstained because the resolution didn’t take on board “our principled and duly substantiated proposals,” including references to Djibouti and Eritrea, whose relations pose “no threat to international peace and security,” and to human rights in Somalia, which should be dealt with by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.
China’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Dai Bing, said Beijing abstained because the council didn’t accept its amendments calling for the council to explore benchmarks for assessing the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia weren’t accepted.
“The current embargo has been a serious impediment to enhance security capacity of the Somali government,” he said. “The text fails to make a deep response to the strong desire of the Somali government to have the arms embargo lifted.”
U.S. political coordinator Rodney Hunter welcomed the continuation of U.N. sanctions and the extension of the work of the panel of experts for another 12 months.
He said every council member has committed to uphold the arms embargo “in the interest of securing peace and stability both in Somalia, and in the broader region.” To achieve that, Hunter said, the United States also supports “the increased focus on thwarting Al-Shabaab’s exploitation of the financial system.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Murkowski says Americans expect an 'orderly' transition

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said President Donald Trump has the right to go to court if he believes there has been evidence of voter fraud .
But the Alaska Republican said Thursday it ’ s important there be evidence to back the allegations and so far , she said , she hasn ’ t seen any .
Murkowski , in an interview with The Associated Press , said it ’ s not up to her or Congress to sort that out .
It ’ s up to the courts , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ states where Trump has mounted legal challenges that some ballots were improperly cast , “ the question certainly appears right now whether it ’ s enough to invalidate enough to erase what has clearly been a Biden victory.
” “ There comes a point , when you look at the litigation that is moving forward and realize that it will be to no gain in terms of changing the outcome of the election , ” she said .
“ Having said that , again , I repeat , we all want to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems.
” The AP on Saturday called the presidential contest for Democrat Joe Biden after determining the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up .
Murkowski , known as a moderate , issued a statement congratulating Biden .
Murkowski , who wasn ’ t up for re-election this year , declined to say Thursday whether she voted for Trump , whose ire she has at times raised .
“ I think what is relevant right now is that the will of the American voters is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take it back to what I ’ ve been saying about a peaceful and an orderly transition - that ’ s what the American public expects .
That ’ s what we should have .
And what I am focused on now is how we go forward , ” Murkowski said .
Control of the Senate remains undecided with runoffs pending in Georgia .
If Republicans retain control , “ you are effectively working within divided government , and divided government , perhaps by its very nature , means that you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the way that you ’ re actually able to build some enduring policy , ” she said .
Democrats were on track to retain control of the U.S. House .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said President Donald Trump has the right to go to court if he believes there has been evidence of voter fraud. But the Alaska Republican said Thursday it’s important there be evidence to back the allegations and so far, she said, she hasn’t seen any.
Murkowski, in an interview with The Associated Press, said it’s not up to her or Congress to sort that out. It’s up to the courts, she said.
If it were to be shown in states where Trump has mounted legal challenges that some ballots were improperly cast, “the question certainly appears right now whether it’s enough to invalidate enough to erase what has clearly been a Biden victory.”
“There comes a point, when you look at the litigation that is moving forward and realize that it will be to no gain in terms of changing the outcome of the election,” she said. “Having said that, again, I repeat, we all want to know that there is integrity within our voting systems.”
The AP on Saturday called the presidential contest for Democrat Joe Biden after determining the remaining ballots left to be counted in Pennsylvania would not allow Trump to catch up. Murkowski, known as a moderate, issued a statement congratulating Biden.
Murkowski, who wasn’t up for re-election this year, declined to say Thursday whether she voted for Trump, whose ire she has at times raised.
“I think what is relevant right now is that the will of the American voters is respected, and that, again, to take it back to what I’ve been saying about a peaceful and an orderly transition - that’s what the American public expects. That’s what we should have. And what I am focused on now is how we go forward,” Murkowski said.
Control of the Senate remains undecided with runoffs pending in Georgia. If Republicans retain control, “you are effectively working within divided government, and divided government, perhaps by its very nature, means that you have to work together. And working together is the way that you’re actually able to build some enduring policy,” she said.
Democrats were on track to retain control of the U.S. House.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Golden Boy Foods to create 67 jobs in $13M Alabama expansion

TROY , Ala. ( AP ) - A food manufacturing company is set to expand its production of peanut butter products in southeast Alabama with a $ 13 million project .
Gov .
Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the plan by Golden Boy Foods in Troy .
The project is expected to create 67 full-time jobs at a 170,000-square-foot ( 15,794-square-meter ) building being constructed with a $ 12.5 million investment from the city ’ s industrial development board , news outlets reported .
The building will be leased back to the company , officials said .
“ Southeast Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golden Boy Foods ’ decision to expand its peanut butter manufacturing operation , ” Ivey said in a statement .
Plant Manager Robert Jacobs said the 150 % production expansion will help the site become “ one of the largest nut butter plants in the U.S. ” Golden Boy expects to start expanding its operations into the new facility by late spring 2021 , according to an Alabama Commerce Department release .
The company currently employs 112 people in Troy , according to the release .
It last expanded there in 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted manufactured nut butter , nuts , fruits and trail mixes , commerce officials said .
Production sites in Georgia and Nevada were also considered for the expansion .

TROY, Ala. (AP) - A food manufacturing company is set to expand its production of peanut butter products in southeast Alabama with a $13 million project.
Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the plan by Golden Boy Foods in Troy. The project is expected to create 67 full-time jobs at a 170,000-square-foot (15,794-square-meter) building being constructed with a $12.5 million investment from the city’s industrial development board, news outlets reported.
The building will be leased back to the company, officials said.
“Southeast Alabama is peanut country, and I welcome Golden Boy Foods’ decision to expand its peanut butter manufacturing operation,” Ivey said in a statement.
Plant Manager Robert Jacobs said the 150% production expansion will help the site become “one of the largest nut butter plants in the U.S.”
Golden Boy expects to start expanding its operations into the new facility by late spring 2021, according to an Alabama Commerce Department release.
The company currently employs 112 people in Troy, according to the release. It last expanded there in 2016.
Golden Boy Foods manufactures private label and contracted manufactured nut butter, nuts, fruits and trail mixes, commerce officials said.
Production sites in Georgia and Nevada were also considered for the expansion.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Wisconsin Supreme Court tosses Gov. Tony Evers' stay-at-home order

MADISON , Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov .
Tony Evers ‘ coronavirus stay-at-home order Wednesday , ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended it for another month without consulting legislators .
The 4-3 ruling essentially reopens the state , lifting caps on the size of gatherings , allowing people to travel as they please and allowing shuttered businesses to reopen , including bars and restaurants .
The Tavern League of Wisconsin swiftly posted the news on its website , telling members , “ You can OPEN IMMEDIATELY !
” The decision let stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and local governments can still impose their own health restrictions .
In Dane County , home to the capital of Madison , officials quickly imposed a mandate incorporating most of the statewide order .
City health officials in Milwaukee said a stay-at-home order they enacted in late March remains in effect .
Evers reacted angrily in a conference call Wednesday night , saying the state has been doing well in the fight against the coronavirus .
He predicted the court ruling will lead more counties to adopt their own restrictions , leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will allow infection to spread .
“ Today , Republican legislators convinced four members of the state Supreme Court to throw the state into chaos , ” Evers said .
“ They have provided no plan .
There ’ s no question among anybody that people are going to get sick .
Republicans own that chaos.
” Chief Justice Patience Roggensack wrote for the majority that health secretary Andrea Palm ’ s order amounted to an emergency rule that she doesn ’ t have the power to create on her own .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of controlling , subjective judgement asserted by one unelected official , Palm , is not imposed in Wisconsin , ” Roggensack , part of the court ’ s 5-2 conservative majority , wrote .
Rebecca Dallet , one of the court ’ s liberal justices , dissented , saying the decision will “ undoubtedly go down as one of the most blatant examples of judicial activism in this court ’ s history .
And it will be Wisconsinites who pay the price.
” Dallet also took aim at the potential delay of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tedious multi-step process required to enact an emergency rule illustrates why the Legislature authorized DHS to issue statewide orders to control contagion.
” State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald , both Republicans , said they ’ re confident businesses can safely reopen by following guidelines calling for letting workers stay home if they ’ re sick , making workers wash their hands and implementing telework and social distancing and postponing travel and events .
“ This ( court decision ) does not promote people to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their health , ” they said .
Evers first issued a stay-at-home order in March that closed schools and nonessential businesses .
The order was supposed to lift April 24 , but Palm , an Evers appointee , extended it to May 26 .
Republicans asked the Supreme Court to block the extension , arguing that Palm exceeded her authority because the extension amounted to an administrative rule that required legislative approval .
Evers countered that state law clearly gives the executive branch broad authority to quickly enact emergency measures to control communicable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents back Evers ‘ “ safer at home ” order , based on a Marquette University Law School poll released Tuesday , though that support was down from 86 % in March .
Evers ‘ administration faced an uphill battle in convincing the conservative court to keep the order in place .
Three of the conservatives joined Roggensack ; the remaining conservative , Brian Hagedorn , joined Dallet and fellow liberal justice Ann Walsh Bradley in dissent .
The Republican legislators had asked the court to let the rule remain in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with Evers ‘ administration on an alternative plan .
The court refused to grant the stay , saying the two sides have had weeks to come up with something .
The GOP so far has not offered any alternative plans .
The state ’ s chamber of commerce has suggested allowing all businesses to open at once while compelling higher-risk establishments and operations to take increasingly strict mitigation measures such as requiring employees to use protective gear .
Evers said there ’ s no avenue to appeal the decision .
His administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressing the virus , he said , but the process is so complex that it could be at least two weeks before state health officials can start drafting it .
And the final product could be blocked by legislators .
“ In the meantime , we ’ re going to have 72 counties doing their own thing , ” Evers said .
“ I can ’ t believe there ’ s a state in the nation with this type of chaos.
” Vos and Fitzgerald said in their statement that they want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would provide clear guidance in case COVID-19 “ reoccurs in a more aggressive way.
” The GOP move against Evers mirrors actions taken by Republican-controlled legislatures in other states , most notably against the Democratic governors in nearby “ blue wall ” states Michigan and Pennsylvania .
All three are critical presidential battlegrounds in November .
The GOP has been working to weaken Evers ‘ powers since he ousted incumbent Republican Gov .
Scott Walker in 2018 .
During Walker ’ s final weeks in office , Republicans adopted a set of laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general to withdraw from lawsuits , a move designed to prevent the governor from pulling Wisconsin out of a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act .
The state Supreme Court has upheld those laws .
The high court also backed Republicans over Evers in the GOP ’ s insistence on holding in-person voting for April ’ s presidential primary despite the health risks of the coronavirus .

CLARIFICATION: This story was originally published in May 2020. It was inadvertently posted again on Nov. 12, 2020. The Washington Times regrets the error.
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers’ coronavirus stay-at-home order Wednesday, ruling that his administration overstepped its authority when it extended it for another month without consulting legislators.
The 4-3 ruling essentially reopens the state, lifting caps on the size of gatherings, allowing people to travel as they please and allowing shuttered businesses to reopen, including bars and restaurants. The Tavern League of Wisconsin swiftly posted the news on its website, telling members, “You can OPEN IMMEDIATELY!”
The decision let stand language that had closed schools, however, and local governments can still impose their own health restrictions. In Dane County, home to the capital of Madison, officials quickly imposed a mandate incorporating most of the statewide order. City health officials in Milwaukee said a stay-at-home order they enacted in late March remains in effect.
Evers reacted angrily in a conference call Wednesday night, saying the state has been doing well in the fight against the coronavirus. He predicted the court ruling will lead more counties to adopt their own restrictions, leading to a confusing patchwork of ordinances that will allow infection to spread.
“Today, Republican legislators convinced four members of the state Supreme Court to throw the state into chaos,” Evers said. “They have provided no plan. There’s no question among anybody that people are going to get sick. Republicans own that chaos.”
Chief Justice Patience Roggensack wrote for the majority that health secretary Andrea Palm’s order amounted to an emergency rule that she doesn’t have the power to create on her own.
“Rule-making exists precisely to ensure that kind of controlling, subjective judgement asserted by one unelected official, Palm, is not imposed in Wisconsin,” Roggensack, part of the court’s 5-2 conservative majority, wrote.
Rebecca Dallet, one of the court’s liberal justices, dissented, saying the decision will “undoubtedly go down as one of the most blatant examples of judicial activism in this court’s history. And it will be Wisconsinites who pay the price.”
Dallet also took aim at the potential delay of a rule-making process:: “A review of the tedious multi-step process required to enact an emergency rule illustrates why the Legislature authorized DHS to issue statewide orders to control contagion.”
State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, both Republicans, said they’re confident businesses can safely reopen by following guidelines calling for letting workers stay home if they’re sick, making workers wash their hands and implementing telework and social distancing and postponing travel and events.
“This (court decision) does not promote people to act in a way that they believe endangers their health,” they said.
Evers first issued a stay-at-home order in March that closed schools and nonessential businesses. The order was supposed to lift April 24, but Palm, an Evers appointee, extended it to May 26.
Republicans asked the Supreme Court to block the extension, arguing that Palm exceeded her authority because the extension amounted to an administrative rule that required legislative approval. Evers countered that state law clearly gives the executive branch broad authority to quickly enact emergency measures to control communicable diseases.
Nearly seven of 10 Wisconsin residents back Evers’ “safer at home” order, based on a Marquette University Law School poll released Tuesday, though that support was down from 86% in March.
Evers’ administration faced an uphill battle in convincing the conservative court to keep the order in place. Three of the conservatives joined Roggensack; the remaining conservative, Brian Hagedorn, joined Dallet and fellow liberal justice Ann Walsh Bradley in dissent.
The Republican legislators had asked the court to let the rule remain in place for six days to give them time to work with Evers’ administration on an alternative plan. The court refused to grant the stay, saying the two sides have had weeks to come up with something.
The GOP so far has not offered any alternative plans. The state’s chamber of commerce has suggested allowing all businesses to open at once while compelling higher-risk establishments and operations to take increasingly strict mitigation measures such as requiring employees to use protective gear.
Evers said there’s no avenue to appeal the decision. His administration plans to put together an emergency rule addressing the virus, he said, but the process is so complex that it could be at least two weeks before state health officials can start drafting it. And the final product could be blocked by legislators.
“In the meantime, we’re going to have 72 counties doing their own thing,” Evers said. “I can’t believe there’s a state in the nation with this type of chaos.”
Vos and Fitzgerald said in their statement that they want to work with the administration on rules that would provide clear guidance in case COVID-19 “reoccurs in a more aggressive way.”
The GOP move against Evers mirrors actions taken by Republican-controlled legislatures in other states, most notably against the Democratic governors in nearby “blue wall” states Michigan and Pennsylvania. All three are critical presidential battlegrounds in November.
The GOP has been working to weaken Evers’ powers since he ousted incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2018.
During Walker’s final weeks in office, Republicans adopted a set of laws that prohibited Evers from ordering the attorney general to withdraw from lawsuits, a move designed to prevent the governor from pulling Wisconsin out of a multistate lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act. The state Supreme Court has upheld those laws.
The high court also backed Republicans over Evers in the GOP’s insistence on holding in-person voting for April’s presidential primary despite the health risks of the coronavirus.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--Kentucky mom charged after 3 kids test positive for meth

ELIZABETHTOWN , Ky. ( AP ) - A 27-year-old Kentucky mother was arrested after three of her young children tested positive for meth while police were investigating an injury her infant son sustained .
Child Protective Services and Elizabethtown police were called to investigate how Malaynah Root ’ s infant son received a large bruise on his forehead , according to an arrest citation .
While the children were in protective custody , officials tested them for drugs and determined Root ’ s 5-year-old , 3-year-old and 2-year-old children all had methamphetamine in their systems , according to police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for THC , an ingredient in marijuana , investigators said .
The injured infant was not able to be tested because authorities could not obtain a hair sample , the citation said .
Officials noted it could be “ assumed ” the baby was also exposed to drugs .
Police also said they could not determine how he was injured .
Root was arrested Monday and charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor , court records showed .
She remained in jail Tuesday on a $ 1,000 cash bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Root had an attorney who could comment for her .

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) - A 27-year-old Kentucky mother was arrested after three of her young children tested positive for meth while police were investigating an injury her infant son sustained.
Child Protective Services and Elizabethtown police were called to investigate how Malaynah Root’s infant son received a large bruise on his forehead, according to an arrest citation.
While the children were in protective custody, officials tested them for drugs and determined Root’s 5-year-old, 3-year-old and 2-year-old children all had methamphetamine in their systems, according to police. Two of the children also tested positive for THC, an ingredient in marijuana, investigators said.
The injured infant was not able to be tested because authorities could not obtain a hair sample, the citation said. Officials noted it could be “assumed” the baby was also exposed to drugs. Police also said they could not determine how he was injured.
Root was arrested Monday and charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, court records showed. She remained in jail Tuesday on a $1,000 cash bond.
It was not immediately clear whether Root had an attorney who could comment for her.


washingtontimes--2020-11-12--AP Week in Pictures: Asia

AP Week in Pictures: Asia

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and @ @ @ @ @ curated by AP photo editor Shuji Kajiyama in Tokyo .

NOV. 6-12, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific.
The gallery was curated by AP photo editor Shuji Kajiyama in Tokyo.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-11-13--Washington state fruit plant agrees to settle lawsuit

YAKIMA , Wash. ( AP ) - The owner of a fruit processing plant in Washington state has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit claiming the company produced juices tainted by inorganic arsenic and moldy fruit .
Valley Processing Inc. owner Mary Ann Bliesner agreed to a court order prohibiting the company from producing fruit juice until sanitation steps are taken at its Sunnyside plant , about 35 miles ( 55 kilometers ) southeast of Yakima , the Yakima Herald-Republic reported .
Valley Processing Inc. opened in 1980 and manufactured fruit juice and concentrate .
The injunction stemmed from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of departments of the Food and Drug Administration and Agriculture , Health and Human Services .
Federal officials claimed that Valley Processing Inc. was found to have products contaminated with inorganic arsenic , which can be found in soil and groundwater , and patulin , a chemical caused by mold on spoiled fruit .
Court documents alleged investigators found that a lot of apple juice that was not held from distribution contained 28 parts per billion of arsenic , more than double the threshold of 10 parts per billion in juice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2019 FDA inspection found similar levels of arsenic and claimed the company did not investigate the cause of the contamination and failed to investigate or track patulin levels .
FDA officials also found in inspections dating back to 2016 that the company used outdated grape juice that was not stored in a refrigerated warehouse and that feathers , droppings and insect fragments from birds living in one warehouse were visible on barrels of juice concentrate .
“ Although defendants claimed to be interested in making necessary changes , compliance with the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the complaint said .
Washington , D.C. attorney Lillian S. Hardy , who is representing the company , argued the claims lacked context and were erroneous , but said the company decided to settle without disputing them .
“ I can confirm that Valley Processing has ceased operations , its assets have been liquidated and the company has no intent to ever resume operations , ” Hardy said .
Prosser company Milne Fruit bought the company ’ s land , buildings and equipment in September .
Milne Fruit President Michael Sorenson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not a business acquisition .
He said the company has implemented its own safety programs and policies at the Sunnyside plant and that operations are being run solely by Milne .

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - The owner of a fruit processing plant in Washington state has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit claiming the company produced juices tainted by inorganic arsenic and moldy fruit.
Valley Processing Inc. owner Mary Ann Bliesner agreed to a court order prohibiting the company from producing fruit juice until sanitation steps are taken at its Sunnyside plant, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) southeast of Yakima, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported.
Valley Processing Inc. opened in 1980 and manufactured fruit juice and concentrate.
The injunction stemmed from a complaint filed by the U.S. Justice Department on behalf of departments of the Food and Drug Administration and Agriculture, Health and Human Services.
Federal officials claimed that Valley Processing Inc. was found to have products contaminated with inorganic arsenic, which can be found in soil and groundwater, and patulin, a chemical caused by mold on spoiled fruit.
Court documents alleged investigators found that a lot of apple juice that was not held from distribution contained 28 parts per billion of arsenic, more than double the threshold of 10 parts per billion in juice or concentrate samples.
Investigators also said a 2019 FDA inspection found similar levels of arsenic and claimed the company did not investigate the cause of the contamination and failed to investigate or track patulin levels.
FDA officials also found in inspections dating back to 2016 that the company used outdated grape juice that was not stored in a refrigerated warehouse and that feathers, droppings and insect fragments from birds living in one warehouse were visible on barrels of juice concentrate.
“Although defendants claimed to be interested in making necessary changes, compliance with the law has clearly not been a priority,” the complaint said.
Washington, D.C. attorney Lillian S. Hardy, who is representing the company, argued the claims lacked context and were erroneous, but said the company decided to settle without disputing them.
“I can confirm that Valley Processing has ceased operations, its assets have been liquidated and the company has no intent to ever resume operations,” Hardy said.
Prosser company Milne Fruit bought the company’s land, buildings and equipment in September. Milne Fruit President Michael Sorenson said it was an “asset sale” and not a business acquisition.
He said the company has implemented its own safety programs and policies at the Sunnyside plant and that operations are being run solely by Milne.