washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Josh Hawley: Tariffs should be on the table to punish China over handling of the coronavirus

Sen. Josh Hawley , Missouri Republican , on Monday said additional tariffs on China should absolutely be on the table , saying the country “ lied ” about the scope of the coronavirus and needs to be held accountable .
“ Tariffs absolutely have to be on the table , and we ’ re going to need even more , ” Mr. Hawley said on “ Fox and Friends.
” Mr. Hawley has offered legislation to strip China of its sovereign immunity and allow individual Americans to sue for coronavirus-related damages .
The bill also opens the door for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s handling of the virus .
President Trump on Sunday had demurred when asked about imposing additional tariffs on China as punishment .
“ China should pay — Beijing should pay , ” Mr. Hawley said .
“ They did nothing to stop it — in fact , they actively lied .
They concealed .
And now we know why — they were stockpiling their own equipment , their own protective gear.
” The coronavirus was first discovered in Wuhan , China , late last year and has since spread to infect more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on ABC ’ s “ This Week ” on Sunday that there ’ s “ enormous evidence ” that the virus originated in a nearby virology lab and not from a “ wet market , ” which had been the generally accepted origin point .

Sen. Josh Hawley, Missouri Republican, on Monday said additional tariffs on China should absolutely be on the table, saying the country “lied” about the scope of the coronavirus and needs to be held accountable.
“Tariffs absolutely have to be on the table, and we’re going to need even more,” Mr. Hawley said on “Fox and Friends.”
Mr. Hawley has offered legislation to strip China of its sovereign immunity and allow individual Americans to sue for coronavirus-related damages. The bill also opens the door for an international commission to investigate the country’s handling of the virus.
President Trump on Sunday had demurred when asked about imposing additional tariffs on China as punishment.
“China should pay — Beijing should pay,” Mr. Hawley said. “They did nothing to stop it — in fact, they actively lied. They concealed. And now we know why — they were stockpiling their own equipment, their own protective gear.”
The coronavirus was first discovered in Wuhan, China, late last year and has since spread to infect more than 3.5 million people around the globe, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that there’s “enormous evidence” that the virus originated in a nearby virology lab and not from a “wet market,” which had been the generally accepted origin point.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--UK govt minister quits over 'threats' to member of public

LONDON ( AP ) - A British government minister resigned on Monday after an inquiry ruled that he misused his @ @ @ @ @ was in a business dispute with his father .
Conor Burns quit as a junior @ @ @ @ @ of Commons standards committee found he had made “ veiled threats ” that unless his @ @ @ @ @ raise the issue in Parliament .
The committee said that was an “ abuse of @ @ @ @ @ attempt to intimidate a member of the public ” and said Burns should be suspended @ @ @ @ @ .
Burns , a longtime ally of Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson , said that @ @ @ @ @ have decided to resign ” as a minister for international trade .

LONDON (AP) - A British government minister resigned on Monday after an inquiry ruled that he misused his position to intimidate someone who was in a business dispute with his father.
Conor Burns quit as a junior trade minister after the House of Commons standards committee found he had made “veiled threats” that unless his father was paid he would raise the issue in Parliament.
The committee said that was an “abuse of his privileged status in an attempt to intimidate a member of the public” and said Burns should be suspended from Parliament for a week.
Burns, a longtime ally of Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said that “with deep regret I have decided to resign” as a minister for international trade.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Rays minor leaguer talks about killings of 3 family members

DANVILLE , Va. ( AP ) - Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguer Blake Bivens says he learned through social media of the deaths of three family members last summer .
Speaking publicly for what is believed to be the first time about the Aug. 28 deaths of wife Emily , 1-year-old son Culle and mother-in-law Joan Bernard , Bivens recalled details of traveling home to Keeling , Virginia , from Chattanooga , Tennessee , where he had been on a road trip with the Rays ’ Double-A Montgomery affiliate .
The 24-year-old pitcher ’ s brother-in-law , Matthew Bernard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of murder and is awaiting trial .
Bivens spoke for more than 30 minutes Sunday with interim senior pastor Travis Gore of The River Church during a conversation aired live on Facebook .
The athlete said his faith has helped him cope with the deaths .
“ The only thing I really remember from the whole plane ride is I just went through periods .
I just stared at the back of the seat the whole time , trying to get my mind to wrap around what I ’ m hearing , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost kind of like , ` This isn ’ t really happening.
’ I was more in a state of shock .
I would go through periods of shaking , ” he said .
“ Then I would start to lose it a little bit and break down and cry .
It was kind of like a circle .
The plane rides just seemed like they took forever.
” Bivens said he initially feared something was wrong when he awakened that day and had not received a text message from his wife .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t reach her and he learned on Facebook that his brother-in-law was being sought by police .
He returned to social media , searching for information , while sitting in the Chattanooga airport .
“ First headline I see is two females and a small child were gone .
I immediately knew that was them , ” Bivens said .
“ I found out my family was gone over a Facebook headline .
I just immediately began to scream in the middle of the airport.
’ ’ The pitcher said the trip home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse for me ” if he had not been accompanied by three members of the Rays organization , including Montgomery manager Morgan Ensberg .
“ I think the hardest moment for me was when I got home and I walked in my son ’ s bedroom for the first time and realized I was never going to see him on this earth again , ” Bivens said .
“ That was the worst moment in my life .
Nothing ever will come to feeling the way I felt at that moment .
”

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) - Tampa Bay Rays minor leaguer Blake Bivens says he learned through social media of the deaths of three family members last summer.
Speaking publicly for what is believed to be the first time about the Aug. 28 deaths of wife Emily, 1-year-old son Culle and mother-in-law Joan Bernard, Bivens recalled details of traveling home to Keeling, Virginia, from Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he had been on a road trip with the Rays’ Double-A Montgomery affiliate.
The 24-year-old pitcher’s brother-in-law, Matthew Bernard, was arrested, charged with three counts of murder and is awaiting trial.
Bivens spoke for more than 30 minutes Sunday with interim senior pastor Travis Gore of The River Church during a conversation aired live on Facebook.
The athlete said his faith has helped him cope with the deaths.
“The only thing I really remember from the whole plane ride is I just went through periods. I just stared at the back of the seat the whole time, trying to get my mind to wrap around what I’m hearing,” Bivens said.
“It’s almost kind of like, `This isn’t really happening.’ I was more in a state of shock. I would go through periods of shaking,” he said. “Then I would start to lose it a little bit and break down and cry. It was kind of like a circle. The plane rides just seemed like they took forever.”
Bivens said he initially feared something was wrong when he awakened that day and had not received a text message from his wife.
The concern grew when he couldn’t reach her and he learned on Facebook that his brother-in-law was being sought by police. He returned to social media, searching for information, while sitting in the Chattanooga airport.
“First headline I see is two females and a small child were gone. I immediately knew that was them,” Bivens said. “I found out my family was gone over a Facebook headline. I just immediately began to scream in the middle of the airport.’’
The pitcher said the trip home “could have been a whole lot worse for me” if he had not been accompanied by three members of the Rays organization, including Montgomery manager Morgan Ensberg.
“I think the hardest moment for me was when I got home and I walked in my son’s bedroom for the first time and realized I was never going to see him on this earth again,” Bivens said. “That was the worst moment in my life. Nothing ever will come to feeling the way I felt at that moment.”
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Brother of airman facing murder charge arrested in Arizona

FLAGSTAFF , Ariz. ( AP ) - The brother of a man charged in the death of a Sunday school teacher has been arrested after he flew to Arizona to pick up what he thought was a rifle used in the killing , authorities said Monday .
Samuel Gooch was taken into custody Sunday in the Phoenix area and booked into jail on suspicion of hindering prosecution and attempting to tamper with evidence .
Gooch ’ s brother , Mark Gooch , has been charged with theft , kidnapping and murder in the death of Sasha Krause .
The 27-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among other members of the Mennonite community in Farmington , New Mexico , before she disappeared Jan. 18 .
She worked in literature ministry but also filled in as a Sunday school teacher .
Her body was found Feb. 24 along a forest road just outside Flagstaff , Arizona .
Mark Gooch , 21 , who had been an airman stationed at Luke Air Force Base in metropolitan Phoenix , was arrested April 21 .
His attorney has said Gooch doesn ’ t have a criminal history and is entitled to the presumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the phone to fly from Wisconsin to Arizona get the gun he believed was used in the killing , the Coconino County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
“ Through the investigation , we believed it was his intention to come and get possession of that weapon and possibly destroy it , ” said sheriff ’ s spokesman Jon Paxton .
Authorities had collected the rifle from the home of one of Mark Gooch ’ s friends and placed a nearly identical weapon at the home and waited for Samuel Gooch to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paxton said .
It was unclear if Samuel Gooch had an attorney who could speak on his behalf .
Messages left with courts in Flagstaff and Maricopa County after the close of business Monday were not returned .
Authorities don ’ t believe a family member traveling with Samuel Gooch knew about the plan .
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Office of Alcohol , Tobacco and Firearms aided in the arrest of Samuel Gooch .

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - The brother of a man charged in the death of a Sunday school teacher has been arrested after he flew to Arizona to pick up what he thought was a rifle used in the killing, authorities said Monday.
Samuel Gooch was taken into custody Sunday in the Phoenix area and booked into jail on suspicion of hindering prosecution and attempting to tamper with evidence.
Gooch’s brother, Mark Gooch, has been charged with theft, kidnapping and murder in the death of Sasha Krause. The 27-year-old woman originally from Texas had been living among other members of the Mennonite community in Farmington, New Mexico, before she disappeared Jan. 18. She worked in literature ministry but also filled in as a Sunday school teacher.
Her body was found Feb. 24 along a forest road just outside Flagstaff, Arizona.
Mark Gooch, 21, who had been an airman stationed at Luke Air Force Base in metropolitan Phoenix, was arrested April 21. His attorney has said Gooch doesn’t have a criminal history and is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Samuel Gooch made arrangements over the phone to fly from Wisconsin to Arizona get the gun he believed was used in the killing, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said.
“Through the investigation, we believed it was his intention to come and get possession of that weapon and possibly destroy it,” said sheriff’s spokesman Jon Paxton.
Authorities had collected the rifle from the home of one of Mark Gooch’s friends and placed a nearly identical weapon at the home and waited for Samuel Gooch to pick it up before arresting him, Paxton said.
It was unclear if Samuel Gooch had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Messages left with courts in Flagstaff and Maricopa County after the close of business Monday were not returned.
Authorities don’t believe a family member traveling with Samuel Gooch knew about the plan.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms aided in the arrest of Samuel Gooch.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Senate reconvenes under historic lockdown rules

Senators stalked the halls of Congress wearing surgical masks , the Senate chaplain donned exam gloves to deliver the opening prayer to the chamber and staffers busily disinfected handrails and seats around the Capitol .
Otherwise , it was business as usual when the U.S. Senate returned Monday after a more than five-week hiatus because of the coronavirus crisis .
Without losing a step , the senators returned to partisan squabbling — including over whether they should even be there .
As soon as he entered the chamber , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell clashed with Democrats over his decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules .
The Kentucky Republican brought together the 100 senators to resume legislative business , beginning with a vote to confirm the nomination of Robert J. Feitel as inspector general for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission .
“ This deadly coronavirus does not take days off and so the United States Senate has not either , ” he said on the Senate floor .
“ For more than a month we were among the many Americans who have found creative ways to telework and continued doing our jobs remotely , but now the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our nation ’ s business in ways that are only possible with senators here in the Capitol.
” Mr. McConnell applauded the Office of the Attending Physician for Congress for making the Senate ’ s return to work possible .
“ If it ’ s essential that brave healthcare workers , grocery store workers , truck drivers and many other Americans can continue to carefully show up for work , then it ’ s essential that their U.S. senators carefully show up ourselves and support them , ” Mr. McConnell said .
Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell for putting senators and staff at risk just to process President Trump ’ s nominees .
“ The Republican leader has called the Senate back into session despite the fact that the District of Columbia appears to be reaching the peak phase of this public health emergency , despite the risk we face by gathering here in the Capitol , despite the risks faced by security guards , cafeteria workers , janitors and the staff who operate the floor of the Senate , ” the New York Democrat said .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we are going to make these fine people come into work in these conditions , let the Senate at least conduct the nation ’ s business and focus like a laser on COVID-19.
” As he traveled to Washington for Monday ’ s session , Sen. Richard Blumenthal complained about the decision to return to work at the Capitol .
“ It ’ s a beautiful day for a drive — but not for a Senate session that disregards the need for more COVID-19 relief , ” the Connecticut Democrat tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mitch McConnell is putting lives at risk to confirm non-urgent nominees.
” Mr. McConnell said he agreed floor time should not be wasted on nominations , but he said Democrats were forcing the Republican majority to do so by attempting to obstruct Mr. Trump ’ s nominees .
“ As long as floor time and roll call votes remain the only way for the Senate to fill important posts , that is what we will do , ” he said .
Many of lawmakers ’ staff members continued working from home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ghost town even more than when Congress is not in session .
Staff who came to work on Capitol Hill took extra precautions .
Some wore masks or gloves and many availed themselves of the hand sanitizer stations situated throughout the Capitol complex .
Senate Press Gallery staff are required to wear masks whenever they are within six feet of others in the office and at all times in the hallways .
Elevators may be used by only one person without a mask per elevator inside the Capitol , and two people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks , according to guidance provided to reporters .
On the underground trains between Senate office buildings , workers donned hairnets , gloves and protective face coverings and used disinfectant wipes to scrub seats and railings inside the empty train cars .
Mr. McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a rare joint statement this weekend “ respectfully ” rejecting President Trump ’ s offer to provide coronavirus testing for lawmakers and opted instead to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and protocols from the Office of the Attending Physician .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were open for business , albeit with signs on the doors requesting anyone who entered to first put on a face covering .
One health center door listed more than 25 urgent care facilities , including eight COVID-19 testing centers , across D.C. , Maryland and Virginia .
The listing provided the names , addresses and phone numbers of the locations for congressional staff to contact if they felt ill and needed care .
Some Senate staff had already begun preparing for committee hearings later in the week .
Dozens of chairs removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hart Senate Office Building on Monday afternoon , which provides for the committees meeting inside to safely gather and respect social distancing requirements .
Unused Senate rooms displayed door tags labeled “ CLEANING NOT REQUIRED ” akin to the do-not-disturb signs commonly seen at hotels .
“ Instructions for room occupant : Remove this tag from your door when you arrive , ” the door tag read .
“ Place on the inside doorknob ( so it is not seen from the hallway ) .
Do NOT place this tag on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the day.
” Many of the rooms regularly teeming with Senate staffers were nearly empty .
Much of the Senate office buildings ’ restaurants appeared largely closed , with vending machines still available near some cafeterias .
The Senate ’ s refectory appeared closed as well .
And yet , other staples beside partisan bickering appeared unaffected by the public health scare .
Outside the Capitol , where protesters tend to gather on the sidewalk , a single protester stood vigil Monday .
Stephen Parlato said he traveled from Boulder , Colorado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Slowdancing with death ?
Only Widespread Testing Will Tell !
” “ I feel even before this pandemic , I was very concerned about the upcoming election and felt it was going to be the most crucial election in my lifetime , in our country ’ s lifetime , and this has only made it more urgent , ” Mr. Parlato said .
“ This goes beyond being able to shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and get away with it , this becomes a license to murder through political pressure thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being misled.
” Mr. Parlato said he found a hotel room near Capitol Hill and planned to stay for two weeks to continue protesting various issues that matter to him .
He said he intended to demonstrate at the Capitol for eight hours per day six days per week .
The Senate will return to work Tuesday , focusing on nominations and potential coronavirus-related relief legislation .

Ryan Lovelace, Gabriella Muñoz and Ryan Lovelace, Gabriella Muñoz

Senators stalked the halls of Congress wearing surgical masks, the Senate chaplain donned exam gloves to deliver the opening prayer to the chamber and staffers busily disinfected handrails and seats around the Capitol.
Otherwise, it was business as usual when the U.S. Senate returned Monday after a more than five-week hiatus because of the coronavirus crisis. Without losing a step, the senators returned to partisan squabbling — including over whether they should even be there.
As soon as he entered the chamber, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell clashed with Democrats over his decision to reconvene the Senate under historic lockdown rules.
The Kentucky Republican brought together the 100 senators to resume legislative business, beginning with a vote to confirm the nomination of Robert J. Feitel as inspector general for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
“This deadly coronavirus does not take days off and so the United States Senate has not either,” he said on the Senate floor. “For more than a month we were among the many Americans who have found creative ways to telework and continued doing our jobs remotely, but now the time has come for us to continue conducting our nation’s business in ways that are only possible with senators here in the Capitol.”
Mr. McConnell applauded the Office of the Attending Physician for Congress for making the Senate’s return to work possible.
“If it’s essential that brave health care workers, grocery store workers, truck drivers and many other Americans can continue to carefully show up for work, then it’s essential that their U.S. senators carefully show up ourselves and support them,” Mr. McConnell said.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer blasted Mr. McConnell for putting senators and staff at risk just to process President Trump’s nominees.
“The Republican leader has called the Senate back into session despite the fact that the District of Columbia appears to be reaching the peak phase of this public health emergency, despite the risk we face by gathering here in the Capitol, despite the risks faced by security guards, cafeteria workers, janitors and the staff who operate the floor of the Senate,” the New York Democrat said.
“If we are going to be here, if we are going to make these fine people come into work in these conditions, let the Senate at least conduct the nation’s business and focus like a laser on COVID-19.”
As he traveled to Washington for Monday’s session, Sen. Richard Blumenthal complained about the decision to return to work at the Capitol.
“It’s a beautiful day for a drive — but not for a Senate session that disregards the need for more COVID-19 relief,” the Connecticut Democrat tweeted. “Instead of focusing on pandemic aid, Mitch McConnell is putting lives at risk to confirm non-urgent nominees.”
Mr. McConnell said he agreed floor time should not be wasted on nominations, but he said Democrats were forcing the Republican majority to do so by attempting to obstruct Mr. Trump’s nominees.
“As long as floor time and roll call votes remain the only way for the Senate to fill important posts, that is what we will do,” Mr. McConnell said.
Many of lawmakers’ staff members continued working from home, which caused the Capitol to resemble a ghost town even more than when Congress is not in session.
Staff who came to work on Capitol Hill took extra precautions. Some wore masks or gloves and many availed themselves of the hand sanitizer stations situated throughout the Capitol complex.
Senate Press Gallery staff are required to wear masks whenever they are within 6 feet of others in the office and at all times in the hallways.
Elevators may be used by only one person without a mask per elevator inside the Capitol, and two people are allowed per elevator if both are wearing masks, according to guidance provided to reporters.
On the underground trains between Senate office buildings, workers donned hairnets, gloves and protective face coverings and used disinfectant wipes to scrub seats and railings inside the empty train cars.
Mr. McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a rare joint statement this weekend “respectfully” rejecting President Trump’s offer to provide coronavirus testing for lawmakers and opted instead to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and protocols from the Office of the Attending Physician.
The Senate office buildings’ health centers were open for business, albeit with signs on the doors requesting anyone who entered to first put on a face covering. One health center door listed more than 25 urgent care facilities, including eight COVID-19 testing centers, across D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The listing provided the names, addresses and phone numbers of the locations for congressional staff to contact if they felt ill and needed care.
Some Senate staff had already begun preparing for committee hearings later in the week. Dozens of chairs removed from hearing rooms lined the hallways of the Hart Senate Office Building on Monday afternoon, which provides for the committees meeting inside to safely gather and respect social distancing requirements.
Unused Senate rooms displayed door tags labeled “CLEANING NOT REQUIRED” akin to the do-not-disturb signs commonly seen at hotels.
“Instructions for room occupant: Remove this tag from your door when you arrive,” the door tag read. “Place on the inside doorknob (so it is not seen from the hallway). Do NOT place this tag on the outside of your door when you leave for the day.”
Many of the rooms regularly teeming with Senate staffers were nearly empty. Much of the Senate office buildings’ restaurants appeared largely closed, with vending machines still available near some cafeterias. The Senate’s refectory appeared closed as well.
And yet, other staples beside partisan bickering appeared unaffected by the public health scare.
Outside the Capitol, where protesters tend to gather on the sidewalk, a single protester stood vigil Monday. Stephen Parlato said he traveled from Boulder, Colorado, to hoist a banner that read: “Slowdancing with death? Only Widespread Testing Will Tell!”
“I feel even before this pandemic, I was very concerned about the upcoming election and felt it was going to be the most crucial election in my lifetime, in our country’s lifetime, and this has only made it more urgent,” Mr. Parlato said. “This goes beyond being able to shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and get away with it, this becomes a license to murder through political pressure thousands upon thousands of innocent people who are being misled.”
Mr. Parlato said he found a hotel room near Capitol Hill and planned to stay for two weeks to continue protesting various issues that matter to him. He said he intended to demonstrate at the Capitol for eight hours per day six days per week.
The Senate will return to work Tuesday, focusing on nominations and potential coronavirus-related relief legislation.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com. • Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Longtime pastor dies at the age of 64 in motorcycle crash

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - A longtime Maine pastor died at the age of 64 when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle , his family said .
Bill Chadwick died Saturday morning in a motorcycle crash in Westbrook , the Portland Press Herald reported .
The Portland pastor was driving at the intersection of Route 25 and Conant Street when his motorcycle smashed into another vehicle .
Authorities said he died at the scene .
Chadwick had been a pastor at Stroudwater Christian Church in Portland since 1990 .
He is survived by his wife , Carol Chadwick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel .
His wife described him as a selfless man with a “ huge sense of humor ” who was devoted to helping others and spreading the word of Christ .
Chadwick was “ absolutely passionate about leading others to Christ , ” she told the Press Herald on Sunday .
“ That was his principal mission in life , that was why he got up every day.
” Chadwick had been holding church services online in order to maintain social distancing between parishioners during the coronavirus pandemic .
The board of directors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unbearable “ loss and profound grief ” they all feel over Chadwick ’ s death .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A longtime Maine pastor died at the age of 64 when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle, his family said.
Bill Chadwick died Saturday morning in a motorcycle crash in Westbrook, the Portland Press Herald reported.
The Portland pastor was driving at the intersection of Route 25 and Conant Street when his motorcycle smashed into another vehicle. Authorities said he died at the scene.
Chadwick had been a pastor at Stroudwater Christian Church in Portland since 1990. He is survived by his wife, Carol Chadwick, and their two sons Benjamin and Daniel.
His wife described him as a selfless man with a “huge sense of humor” who was devoted to helping others and spreading the word of Christ.
Chadwick was “absolutely passionate about leading others to Christ,” she told the Press Herald on Sunday. “That was his principal mission in life, that was why he got up every day.”
Chadwick had been holding church services online in order to maintain social distancing between parishioners during the coronavirus pandemic.
The board of directors at the Stroudwater Christian Church described the unbearable “loss and profound grief” they all feel over Chadwick’s death.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Maricopa County considers spreading election over 2 weeks

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona ’ s largest county is considering holding up to two weeks of in-person voting in the August primary election to reduce the risk that the coronavirus will spread among people casting ballots .
Maricopa County election officials proposed opening 75 to 100 “ vote centers ” where any registered voter can cast a ballot during a 10-to-14-day period before the Aug. 4 primary .
The proposal was outlined Monday by Scott Jarrett , head of Election Day and emergency voting for the county , in a presentation to the Board of Supervisors .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vote centers would maintain social distancing and cleaning protocols , and voters would not be tied to a neighborhood polling location .
About eight in 10 voters already cast ballots by mail , and the county also plans an advertising campaign to let the remaining voters know how to request a mail ballot .
The county could make the change without the approval of the Legislature under existing laws allowing for early voting , said Megan Gilbertson , a spokeswoman for the county ’ s Elections Department .
Election officials around the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for safely carrying out the election this year .
Dozens of coronavirus infections were linked to Wisconsin ’ s spring election and presidential primary last month .
Health officials there said at least 52 people who voted in person or worked at the polls later contracted COVID-19 , though several of them also reported other possible exposures to the virus .
In Arizona , voting rights advocates have called on the Legislature to let counties mail a ballot to all registered voters regardless of whether they request one , while maintaining robust in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a frosty reception from Republican lawmakers , who hold the majority in the House and Senate .

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona’s largest county is considering holding up to two weeks of in-person voting in the August primary election to reduce the risk that the coronavirus will spread among people casting ballots.
Maricopa County election officials proposed opening 75 to 100 “vote centers” where any registered voter can cast a ballot during a 10-to-14-day period before the Aug. 4 primary. The proposal was outlined Monday by Scott Jarrett, head of Election Day and emergency voting for the county, in a presentation to the Board of Supervisors. A final decision is expected next month.
Vote centers would maintain social distancing and cleaning protocols, and voters would not be tied to a neighborhood polling location.
About eight in 10 voters already cast ballots by mail, and the county also plans an advertising campaign to let the remaining voters know how to request a mail ballot.
The county could make the change without the approval of the Legislature under existing laws allowing for early voting, said Megan Gilbertson, a spokeswoman for the county’s Elections Department.
Election officials around the country are scrambling to come up with plans for safely carrying out the election this year.
Dozens of coronavirus infections were linked to Wisconsin’s spring election and presidential primary last month. Health officials there said at least 52 people who voted in person or worked at the polls later contracted COVID-19, though several of them also reported other possible exposures to the virus.
In Arizona, voting rights advocates have called on the Legislature to let counties mail a ballot to all registered voters regardless of whether they request one, while maintaining robust in-person voting options. That idea has received a frosty reception from Republican lawmakers, who hold the majority in the House and Senate.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--UN backs Lebanon in economic crisis, call for global help

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - The U.N. Security Council on Monday backed Lebanon ’ s efforts to end the country ’ s economic crisis and tackle other challenges including the impact of COVID-19 and called on the international community to help .
The U.N. ’ s most powerful body took note in a statement after a closed meeting of the “ urgent need for the Lebanese authorities to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people by implementing meaningful economic reforms ” and addressing security , humanitarian and COVID-19 challenges .
Lebanon , one of the most indebted nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time in March on its sovereign debt .
Anti-government protests that erupted in October subsided during a nationwide lock-down since mid-March to blunt the spread of the coronavirus .
Those restrictions are starting to ease .
Last Thursday , the prime minister said he will seek a rescue program from the International Monetary Fund , but protesters rallied again Friday , criticizing the government ’ s handling of the unprecedented crisis that saw the local currency crash , people ’ s savings devastated , and prices and inflation soar .
The Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 2004 resolution that called for the Lebanese government to extend its authority throughout the country and all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias to disband .
In a report to the council circulated Monday on the resolution ’ s implementation , U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed Lebanon ’ s current economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ As the dire economic and financial situation in Lebanon is now compounded by the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the country ’ s economy , it is all the more urgent that the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms , ” he said .
The U.N. chief stressed that “ measures to prevent , limit and mitigate the impact of the pandemic have to be taken in parallel to the provision of financial and food support to the rapidly increasing numbers of the most vulnerable groups of the population facing dire poverty.
” Lebanon was engulfed in civil war from 1975-1990 , and a U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL has been in Lebanon since 1978 after Israel invaded parts of southern Lebanon .
Since then , there have been major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel and Hezbollah militants which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people on both sides .
The Security Council statement “ recognized the additional challenges posed by the global COVID pandemic , also on the Lebanese economy , and commended the preventive measures taken by UNIFIL in that regard.
” Guterres ’ report said Lebanon ’ s government continued efforts to extend the authority of the state throughout the country but Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias continue to operate outside government control in violation of the 2004 resolution and the Taif Accords that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Several groups across the political spectrum in Lebanon possess weapons outside government control , ” the U.N. chief said , and “ Hezbollah is the most heavily armed militia in the country.
” Guterres said he continues to urge Lebanon ’ s government and armed forces “ to take all measures necessary to prohibit Hezbollah and other armed groups from acquiring weapons and building paramilitary capacity outside the authority of the state.
” He also urged countries with close times to Hezbollah “ to encourage the transformation of the group into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as its disarmament.
” The secretary-general warned that Iranian-backed Hezbollah ’ s continued involvement in Syria where it supports President Bashar Assad ’ s government , “ carries the risk of entangling Lebanon in regional conflicts and undermining the stability of Lebanon and the region.
” Guterres and the Security Council expressed concern at recent incidents across the U.N.-drawn Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel .
Germany ’ s deputy U.N. ambassador Jürgen Schulz told the council that “ Lebanon is facing an unprecedented challenge ” to its political leadership and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the text of his statement to the closed meeting .
He said it was “ very good ” that the government has adopted a comprehensive economic reform plan and that the its response to the COVID-19 crisis “ has been a major achievement in the last two months.
” “ At the same time , many challenges remain and we continue to remain very worried that there is a real risk that the country could drift towards economic and financial collapse and see a prolonged political crisis , ” Schulz said .

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. Security Council on Monday backed Lebanon’s efforts to end the country’s economic crisis and tackle other challenges including the impact of COVID-19 and called on the international community to help.
The U.N.’s most powerful body took note in a statement after a closed meeting of the “urgent need for the Lebanese authorities to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people by implementing meaningful economic reforms” and addressing security, humanitarian and COVID-19 challenges.
Lebanon, one of the most indebted nations in the world, defaulted for the first time in March on its sovereign debt. Anti-government protests that erupted in October subsided during a nationwide lock-down since mid-March to blunt the spread of the coronavirus. Those restrictions are starting to ease.
Last Thursday, the prime minister said he will seek a rescue program from the International Monetary Fund, but protesters rallied again Friday, criticizing the government’s handling of the unprecedented crisis that saw the local currency crash, people’s savings devastated, and prices and inflation soar.
The Security Council was meeting to discuss implementation of a 2004 resolution that called for the Lebanese government to extend its authority throughout the country and all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias to disband.
In a report to the council circulated Monday on the resolution’s implementation, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed Lebanon’s current economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As the dire economic and financial situation in Lebanon is now compounded by the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the country’s economy, it is all the more urgent that the country’s leaders develop and implement the required reforms,” he said.
The U.N. chief stressed that “measures to prevent, limit and mitigate the impact of the pandemic have to be taken in parallel to the provision of financial and food support to the rapidly increasing numbers of the most vulnerable groups of the population facing dire poverty.”
Lebanon was engulfed in civil war from 1975-1990, and a U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL has been in Lebanon since 1978 after Israel invaded parts of southern Lebanon. Since then, there have been major wars in 1982 and in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah militants which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people on both sides.
The Security Council statement “recognized the additional challenges posed by the global COVID pandemic, also on the Lebanese economy, and commended the preventive measures taken by UNIFIL in that regard.”
Guterres’ report said Lebanon’s government continued efforts to extend the authority of the state throughout the country but Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias continue to operate outside government control in violation of the 2004 resolution and the Taif Accords that ended the country’s civil war.
“Several groups across the political spectrum in Lebanon possess weapons outside government control,” the U.N. chief said, and “Hezbollah is the most heavily armed militia in the country.”
Guterres said he continues to urge Lebanon’s government and armed forces “to take all measures necessary to prohibit Hezbollah and other armed groups from acquiring weapons and building paramilitary capacity outside the authority of the state.” He also urged countries with close times to Hezbollah “to encourage the transformation of the group into a solely civilian political party, as well as its disarmament.”
The secretary-general warned that Iranian-backed Hezbollah’s continued involvement in Syria where it supports President Bashar Assad’s government, “carries the risk of entangling Lebanon in regional conflicts and undermining the stability of Lebanon and the region.”
Guterres and the Security Council expressed concern at recent incidents across the U.N.-drawn Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel.
Germany’s deputy U.N. ambassador Jürgen Schulz told the council that “Lebanon is facing an unprecedented challenge” to its political leadership and the country’s stability, according to the text of his statement to the closed meeting.
He said it was “very good” that the government has adopted a comprehensive economic reform plan and that the its response to the COVID-19 crisis “has been a major achievement in the last two months.”
“At the same time, many challenges remain and we continue to remain very worried that there is a real risk that the country could drift towards economic and financial collapse and see a prolonged political crisis,” Schulz said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Florida governor orders investigation of unemployment system

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. ( AP ) - Republican Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis on Monday ordered an investigation into how the state ended up with a faulty unemployment website that he has previously described as a clunker .
The state signed a $ 40 million contract in March 2011 with Deloitte to build the system , but ended up spending $ 77.9 million after 14 contract amendments , DeSantis told reporters at an early evening news conference .
“ There were a bunch of issues when this thing was launched , ” DeSantis said .
“ People want an accounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have a good system if you go on the cheap , or whatever , but to pay that much money , and then all the problems we ’ ve had to deal with , is a big problem.
” He said he ’ s asking the state ’ s inspector general to look into how the contract was awarded and why it was amended so many times .
Current Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was the governor at the time .
An audit of the system completed in 2019 exposed flaws .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his desk .
His announcement came several hours after Florida ’ s only statewide Democratic elected official , Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried , also called for an inspector general investigation into the unemployment system .
The system , called CONNECT , hasn ’ t been able to keep up with the spike in unemployment claims as businesses were shut down by the coronavirus outbreak , frustrating hundreds of thousands of people checking on the status of their claims .
Since March 15 , Florida has had more than a million people file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired engineers to rebuild parts of the system , along with close to 2,000 call center employees , and added service to handle the online capacity .
Even so , DeSantis said , fewer than 500,000 people have received checks .
“ People couldn ’ t even access the system .
You had times where this thing was down 50 percent of the time - 60 , 70 , ” he said .
“ I think at one time it might have been down 80 or 90 percent of the time .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the system .
They ’ ve just lost their jobs .
They don ’ t know when their next paycheck is coming .
So this created a huge , huge source of angst.
” Rhonda Jill , a 60-year-old hair stylist in Boca Raton , watched Monday ’ s news conference in disgust - especially since some delays have been blamed on incomplete applications .
She applied for benefits March 22 .
“ That ’ s pure lies , governor !
” she exclaimed at her TV .
“ I have sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my checks … and uploaded documents.
” Jill said she is “ paralyzed in fear.
” Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani said people are reaching out to her on social media and she now has a list of more than 800 people she ’ s trying to help , many not even in her Orlando district .
She said the Department of Economic Opportunity hasn ’ t been very helpful .
“ People are really , really suffering .
There ’ s a lot of frustration because they don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday ordered an investigation into how the state ended up with a faulty unemployment website that he has previously described as a clunker.
The state signed a $40 million contract in March 2011 with Deloitte to build the system, but ended up spending $77.9 million after 14 contract amendments, DeSantis told reporters at an early evening news conference.
“There were a bunch of issues when this thing was launched,” DeSantis said. “People want an accounting. It’s one thing to not have a good system if you go on the cheap, or whatever, but to pay that much money, and then all the problems we’ve had to deal with, is a big problem.”
He said he’s asking the state’s inspector general to look into how the contract was awarded and why it was amended so many times. Current Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was the governor at the time.
An audit of the system completed in 2019 exposed flaws. DeSantis said those problems were never brought to his desk. His announcement came several hours after Florida’s only statewide Democratic elected official, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, also called for an inspector general investigation into the unemployment system.
The system, called CONNECT, hasn’t been able to keep up with the spike in unemployment claims as businesses were shut down by the coronavirus outbreak, frustrating hundreds of thousands of people checking on the status of their claims. Since March 15, Florida has had more than a million people file claims.
The Department of Economic opportunity hired engineers to rebuild parts of the system, along with close to 2,000 call center employees, and added service to handle the online capacity. Even so, DeSantis said, fewer than 500,000 people have received checks.
“People couldn’t even access the system. You had times where this thing was down 50 percent of the time - 60, 70,” he said. “I think at one time it might have been down 80 or 90 percent of the time. These are people who are trying to get on the system. They’ve just lost their jobs. They don’t know when their next paycheck is coming. So this created a huge, huge source of angst.”
Rhonda Jill, a 60-year-old hair stylist in Boca Raton, watched Monday’s news conference in disgust - especially since some delays have been blamed on incomplete applications. She applied for benefits March 22.
“That’s pure lies, governor!” she exclaimed at her TV. “I have sent (by) express mail my taxes, my checks … and uploaded documents.”
Jill said she is “paralyzed in fear.”
“I can’t breathe.”
Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani said people are reaching out to her on social media and she now has a list of more than 800 people she’s trying to help, many not even in her Orlando district. She said the Department of Economic Opportunity hasn’t been very helpful.
“People are really, really suffering. There’s a lot of frustration because they don’t know what to do,” she said.
___
Kennedy reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--White House limits task force appearances on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - A White House memo to congressional committees says no member of the administration ’ s coronavirus task force can agree to testify on Capitol Hill unless the invitation is expressly approved by the president ’ s chief of staff .
Democrats bristled at the rule as a crimp on their ability to gather detailed information about the nation ’ s response to the pandemic .
The memo follows a recent White House move to block Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , from testifying before a House panel while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a Senate hearing .
The Senate is held by Trump ’ s Republican allies while the House is controlled by Democrats .
The memo , obtained Monday by The Associated Press , also seeks to limit the number of coronavirus-related appearances on Capitol Hill for those at key departments responding to the pandemic .
It states that “ the demands on agencies ’ staff and resources are extraordinary in this current crisis.
” A senior administration official said task force members had been working nonstop since the early days of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task at hand , “ not on preparing for four-hour hearings several times a week.
” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the memo .
Democratic leaders of the House and Senate criticized the move .
“ President Trump should learn that by muzzling science and the truth , it will only prolong this health and economic crisis , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said in a statement .
“ The president ’ s failure to accept the truth and then his desire to hide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons we are lagging behind so many other countries in beating this scourge.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on CNN that spending bills related to the pandemic begin in the House and that lawmakers need to consult with administration officials on those matters .
She said White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , who until recently served in the House , knew lawmakers would be insisting on the truth , and the White House “ might be afraid of the truth.
” “ The fact that they said , ‘ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come to the Capitol ’ is , well , business as usual for them , ” Pelosi said .
The memo said that given the “ competing demands in these unprecedented times , it is reasonable to expect that agencies will have to decline invitations to hearings to remain focused ” on the COVID-19 response , including invitations to participate in multiple hearings on the same or overlapping topics .

WASHINGTON (AP) - A White House memo to congressional committees says no member of the administration’s coronavirus task force can agree to testify on Capitol Hill unless the invitation is expressly approved by the president’s chief of staff. Democrats bristled at the rule as a crimp on their ability to gather detailed information about the nation’s response to the pandemic.
The memo follows a recent White House move to block Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, from testifying before a House panel while allowing him to appear the following week at a Senate hearing. The Senate is held by Trump’s Republican allies while the House is controlled by Democrats.
The memo, obtained Monday by The Associated Press, also seeks to limit the number of coronavirus-related appearances on Capitol Hill for those at key departments responding to the pandemic. It states that “the demands on agencies’ staff and resources are extraordinary in this current crisis.”
A senior administration official said task force members had been working nonstop since the early days of the coronavirus outbreak and need to focus on the task at hand, “not on preparing for four-hour hearings several times a week.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the memo.
Democratic leaders of the House and Senate criticized the move.
“President Trump should learn that by muzzling science and the truth, it will only prolong this health and economic crisis,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. “The president’s failure to accept the truth and then his desire to hide it, is one of the chief reasons we are lagging behind so many other countries in beating this scourge.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on CNN that spending bills related to the pandemic begin in the House and that lawmakers need to consult with administration officials on those matters. She said White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who until recently served in the House, knew lawmakers would be insisting on the truth, and the White House “might be afraid of the truth.”
“The fact that they said, ‘We’re too busy being on TV to come to the Capitol’ is, well, business as usual for them,” Pelosi said.
The memo said that given the “competing demands in these unprecedented times, it is reasonable to expect that agencies will have to decline invitations to hearings to remain focused” on the COVID-19 response, including invitations to participate in multiple hearings on the same or overlapping topics.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Smugglers increase drone delivery of cocaine, meth across U.S. border

Border Patrol agents in Arizona have been inundated with drone drug drops over the last week , reporting three separate incidents — and managing to capture the drones in two of them .
The first drone was found last Wednesday , and had 463 grams of methamphetamine , or about $ 3,000 worth .
Then Saturday agents detected a drone coming over from Mexico and entering U.S. airspace and dropping 10 packages .
When agents picked up the bundles , they found 11 kilograms of cocaine , with a street value of more than $ 300,000 .
“ Drug Trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transcontinental Criminal Organizations ( TCO ’ s ) will go to great lengths to smuggle their narcotics , ” Customs and Border Protection said in a brief statement describing the events .
The Washington Times has tracked the growth of drones as a favored tool of the cartels .
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are good for flying “ hard ” narcotics , where small amounts can bring big prices .
That means cocaine , methamphetamine or opioids .
Marijuana is too heavy to be practical for drone flights .
Agents have also reported hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by catapult .
But drones have more precision .

Border Patrol agents in Arizona have been inundated with drone drug drops over the last week, reporting three separate incidents — and managing to capture the drones in two of them.
The first drone was found last Wednesday, and had 463 grams of methamphetamine, or about $3,000 worth.
Then Saturday agents detected a drone coming over from Mexico and entering U.S. airspace and dropping 10 packages. When agents picked up the bundles, they found 11 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of more than $300,000.
A third drone incursion was detected Sunday evening.
“Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO’s) and Transcontinental Criminal Organizations (TCO’s) will go to great lengths to smuggle their narcotics,” Customs and Border Protection said in a brief statement describing the events.
The Washington Times has tracked the growth of drones as a favored tool of the cartels.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are good for flying “hard” narcotics, where small amounts can bring big prices. That means cocaine, methamphetamine or opioids. Marijuana is too heavy to be practical for drone flights.
Agents have also reported hard drugs being shot over the border fence by catapult.
But drones have more precision.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Cambridge police sorry for Joe Kennedy tweet

CAMBRIDGE , Mass .
— A Massachusetts police force apologized on behalf of an officer who tweeted a vulgar message against U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III on the department ’ s official account .
The Cambridge police officer , who has not been identified , sent a tweet Sunday calling Kennedy “ another liberal ( expletive ) jerk.
” The tweet sent on the department ’ s official Twitter account was in response to a local Boston news station ’ s story , which quoted Kennedy calling the distribution of personal protective gear in the U.S. “ embarrassing.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy “ happens to be better then the clown he ’ s running against .
Sad for us.
” The post was deleted after the officer realized it wasn ’ t sent from his own personal account , according to Jeremy Warnick , a Cambridge Police Department spokesman .
Shortly after the post was taken down , the department issued a series of tweets , apologizing for the officer ’ s “ political commentary ” and calling the message “ inappropriate , unprofessional and disrespectful.
” The police force added , “ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we as a department take great pride in & we want to sincerely apologize to the Congressman and those individuals the statement was directed at.
” Kennedy could not immediately be reached for comment .
The tweet thread ended with the department announcing it will take the necessary actions against the officer involved but did not specify what the planned response will be .

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A Massachusetts police force apologized on behalf of an officer who tweeted a vulgar message against U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III on the department’s official account.
The Cambridge police officer, who has not been identified, sent a tweet Sunday calling Kennedy “another liberal (expletive) jerk.”
The tweet sent on the department’s official Twitter account was in response to a local Boston news station’s story, which quoted Kennedy calling the distribution of personal protective gear in the U.S. “embarrassing.”
The officer’s tweet also said that Kennedy “happens to be better then the clown he’s running against. Sad for us.”
The post was deleted after the officer realized it wasn’t sent from his own personal account, according to Jeremy Warnick, a Cambridge Police Department spokesman.
Shortly after the post was taken down, the department issued a series of tweets, apologizing for the officer’s “political commentary” and calling the message “inappropriate, unprofessional and disrespectful.”
The police force added, “These actions do not reflect the professionalism that we as a department take great pride in & we want to sincerely apologize to the Congressman and those individuals the statement was directed at.”
Kennedy could not immediately be reached for comment.
The tweet thread ended with the department announcing it will take the necessary actions against the officer involved but did not specify what the planned response will be.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Man accused in fire at party that killed 36 freed over virus

DUBLIN , Calif. ( AP ) - A man facing a second trial after a fire killed 36 partygoers at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse he ’ s accused of illegally converting into a cluttered artists enclave was released from jail Monday over coronavirus concerns .
Derick Almena , who ’ s been behind bars since 2017 , was released after a court hearing by phone , the Alameda County sheriff ’ s office said .
He will be under electronic monitoring while he waits for a new trial .
The 50-year-old is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swept through an electronic music party at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland .
Prosecutors allege Almena , who was the master tenant on the lease , was criminally negligent when he turned the industrial building into a residence for artists and held events without proper permits .
The building was packed with furniture , extension cords and other flammable material but had only two exits and no smoke detectors , fire alarms or sprinklers , prosecutors say .
A jury deadlocked on the charges in September and a new trial has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Max Harris , was acquitted of the same charges .
At least 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the Santa Rita Jail where Almena was held .
According to his attorneys , a report by jail medical staff said Almena ’ s psychological and physical health were in jeopardy .
Almena was released in the rural community of Upper Lake , where his wife and children live .
He is banned from contacting relatives of victims or witnesses .
He can ’ t leave home unless a court gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send him back to jail , the Mercury News reported .
Almena posted $ 150,000 bail last month , and officials verified where he is staying Monday , the last step for his release , the newspaper reported .
Jails and prisons in California and across the U.S. have released inmates in response to the pandemic , with crowded quarters and a lack of protective equipment making it ripe for the virus to spread behind bars .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .

DUBLIN, Calif. (AP) - A man facing a second trial after a fire killed 36 partygoers at a San Francisco Bay Area warehouse he’s accused of illegally converting into a cluttered artists enclave was released from jail Monday over coronavirus concerns.
Derick Almena, who’s been behind bars since 2017, was released after a court hearing by phone, the Alameda County sheriff’s office said. He will be under electronic monitoring while he waits for a new trial.
The 50-year-old is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Dec. 2, 2016, fire that swept through an electronic music party at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland. Prosecutors allege Almena, who was the master tenant on the lease, was criminally negligent when he turned the industrial building into a residence for artists and held events without proper permits.
The building was packed with furniture, extension cords and other flammable material but had only two exits and no smoke detectors, fire alarms or sprinklers, prosecutors say.
A jury deadlocked on the charges in September and a new trial has been scheduled for July. His co-defendant, Max Harris, was acquitted of the same charges.
At least 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the Santa Rita Jail where Almena was held. According to his attorneys, a report by jail medical staff said Almena’s psychological and physical health were in jeopardy.
Almena was released in the rural community of Upper Lake, where his wife and children live. He is banned from contacting relatives of victims or witnesses. He can’t leave home unless a court gives written approval, and any violation can send him back to jail, the Mercury News reported.
Almena posted $150,000 bail last month, and officials verified where he is staying Monday, the last step for his release, the newspaper reported.
Jails and prisons in California and across the U.S. have released inmates in response to the pandemic, with crowded quarters and a lack of protective equipment making it ripe for the virus to spread behind bars.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Alabama monitors virus numbers after stay-home order lifted

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Health officials are watching to see if the state has any upswing in coronavirus activity after the state lifted a stay-home order last week , State Health Officer Scott Harris said Monday .
Harris said right now it is unclear “ what direction ” the state is headed .
He said by around May 10 , the state should hopefully be able to judge if there is any rebound of virus activity .
He said they are currently trying to determine if the percentage of daily positive tests is going down- one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before reopening .
Harris said the state previously had difficulty making that calculation because not all private laboratories submitted all negative test results to the state .
Harris said they just recently got those numbers .
Alabama , which has a population of about 4.9 million , has had a little over 100,000 tests done for COVID-19 .
“ We jumped over 10,000 tests over the weekend .
A lot of those were just reports of negatives that had already been previously done , ” Harris said .
Alabama on Monday reported 800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period , bringing the total to more than 8,000 and nearly 300 deaths from the disease , according to numbers from the Alabama Department of Public Health .
Alabama Gov .
Kay Ivey on Thursday lifted a stay-home order and allowed retail stores and beaches to open with distancing requirements and for non-emergency medical procedures to resume .
Hair salons , on-site restaurant dining , gyms and other places will remain closed through May 15 , under the new order .
Harris said they are monitoring to see if restrictions can be further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now they don ’ t have the data to make a recommendation .
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB Medicine announced that it is furloughing more than 300 employees and cutting employee pay because of financial losses during the pandemic .
“ UAB is experiencing the harsh financial realities of the COVID-19 pandemic , as are institutions of higher education and health care worldwide , ” the university said in a statement .
The university said that 325 university staff who are unable to work remotely will be furloughed between May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will retain their health insurance .
Employees will also see pay reductions .
The reductions range from 3 % for employees making between $ 31,200 and $ 50,000 to 7 % for employees making over $ 200,000 .
Department chairs and senior leaders will see a 10 % reduction and top administrators will see a 15 % reduction .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Health officials are watching to see if the state has any upswing in coronavirus activity after the state lifted a stay-home order last week, State Health Officer Scott Harris said Monday.
Harris said right now it is unclear “what direction” the state is headed. He said by around May 10, the state should hopefully be able to judge if there is any rebound of virus activity.
He said they are currently trying to determine if the percentage of daily positive tests is going down- one of the metrics suggested by the White House before reopening. Harris said the state previously had difficulty making that calculation because not all private laboratories submitted all negative test results to the state. Harris said they just recently got those numbers. Alabama, which has a population of about 4.9 million, has had a little over 100,000 tests done for COVID-19.
“We jumped over 10,000 tests over the weekend. A lot of those were just reports of negatives that had already been previously done,” Harris said.
Alabama on Monday reported 800 new cases of COVID-19 over a three-day period, bringing the total to more than 8,000 and nearly 300 deaths from the disease, according to numbers from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday lifted a stay-home order and allowed retail stores and beaches to open with distancing requirements and for non-emergency medical procedures to resume. Hair salons, on-site restaurant dining, gyms and other places will remain closed through May 15, under the new order.
Harris said they are monitoring to see if restrictions can be further loosened before May 15, but right now they don’t have the data to make a recommendation.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB Medicine announced that it is furloughing more than 300 employees and cutting employee pay because of financial losses during the pandemic.
“UAB is experiencing the harsh financial realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, as are institutions of higher education and health care worldwide,” the university said in a statement.
The university said that 325 university staff who are unable to work remotely will be furloughed between May 10 through July 31. The employees will retain their health insurance.
Employees will also see pay reductions. The reductions range from 3% for employees making between $31,200 and $50,000 to 7% for employees making over $200,000. Department chairs and senior leaders will see a 10 % reduction and top administrators will see a 15% reduction.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--North Dakota Powerball player claims $1M prize

The winner from New Town matched five white balls for $ 1 million in last Wednesday ’ s drawing .
@ @ @ @ @ quick pick ticket .
The winner chose to remain anonymous and had no immediate plans @ @ @ @ @ Jason ’ s Super Foods in New Town will receive a $ 5,000 bonus for @ @ @ @ @ .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota Powerball player has quickly claimed a $1 million prize.
The winner from New Town matched five white balls for $1 million in last Wednesday’s drawing.
The winner won with a quick pick ticket. The winner chose to remain anonymous and had no immediate plans for the prize winnings.
Jason’s Super Foods in New Town will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning Powerball ticket.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Police force apologizes to Joe Kennedy after vulgar tweet

CAMBRIDGE , Mass .
( AP ) - A Massachusetts police force apologized on behalf of an officer who tweeted a vulgar message against U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III on the department ’ s official account .
The Cambridge police officer , who has not been identified , sent a tweet Sunday calling Kennedy “ another liberal ( expletive ) jerk.
” The tweet sent on the department ’ s official Twitter account was in response to a local Boston news station ’ s story , which quoted Kennedy calling the distribution of personal protective gear in the U.S. “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said that Kennedy “ happens to be better then the clown he ’ s running against .
Sad for us.
” The post was deleted after the officer realized it wasn ’ t sent from his own personal account , according to Jeremy Warnick , a Cambridge Police Department spokesman .
Shortly after the post was taken down , the department issued a series of tweets , apologizing for the officer ’ s “ political commentary ” and calling the message “ inappropriate , unprofessional and disrespectful.
” The police force added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the professionalism that we as a department take great pride in & we want to sincerely apologize to the Congressman and those individuals the statement was directed at.
” Kennedy could not immediately be reached for comment .
The tweet thread ended with the department announcing it will take the necessary actions against the officer involved but did not specify what the planned response will be .

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts police force apologized on behalf of an officer who tweeted a vulgar message against U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III on the department’s official account.
The Cambridge police officer, who has not been identified, sent a tweet Sunday calling Kennedy “another liberal (expletive) jerk.”
The tweet sent on the department’s official Twitter account was in response to a local Boston news station’s story, which quoted Kennedy calling the distribution of personal protective gear in the U.S. “embarrassing.”
The officer’s tweet also said that Kennedy “happens to be better then the clown he’s running against. Sad for us.”
The post was deleted after the officer realized it wasn’t sent from his own personal account, according to Jeremy Warnick, a Cambridge Police Department spokesman.
Shortly after the post was taken down, the department issued a series of tweets, apologizing for the officer’s “political commentary” and calling the message “inappropriate, unprofessional and disrespectful.”
The police force added, “These actions do not reflect the professionalism that we as a department take great pride in & we want to sincerely apologize to the Congressman and those individuals the statement was directed at.”
Kennedy could not immediately be reached for comment.
The tweet thread ended with the department announcing it will take the necessary actions against the officer involved but did not specify what the planned response will be.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--U.S., opposition disavow aborted anti-Nicolas Maduro 'invasion' bid in Venezuela

The Trump administration sought Monday to distance itself from an apparently abortive attempt to topple Venezuelan socialist President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend , in a mission that a former U.S. Special Forces soldier said envisioned a “ daring amphibious raid ” near Caracas .
The Trump administration has long supported efforts to oust Mr. Maduro , but there were far more questions than answers about the shadowy operation , which reportedly left eight people dead and deepened a mystery over who authorized and financed the assault .
“ The United States Government had no connection to this weekend ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” a State Department spokesperson said in reference to the former Green Beret , who claimed in a video online to have organized the pre-dawn raid from a base in neighboring Colombia .
The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment .
Venezuela ’ s U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido on Monday also denied having anything to do with Mr. Goudreau , as Mr. Maduro ’ s government hailed the failure of the mission and announced it was mobilizing more than 25,000 troops to hunt for other rebel cells .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a retired Venezuelan army general now facing U.S. narcotics charges , training Venezuelan military deserters at secret camps inside Colombia .
The raiders apparently planned to arrest Mr. Maduro , but the ragtag group lacked funding and U.S. government support , and appears to have been penetrated by Maduro ’ s extensive Cuban-backed intelligence network , according to the AP .
By Sunday night , the mission had apparently failed , with the Maduro government hurling allegations at the Trump administration and U.S. officials accusing Mr. Maduro of fabricating the whole episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whom Washington and some 60 other nations claim is Venezuela ’ s rightful president , said Monday he had “ no relationship nor responsibility for any actions ” taken by Mr. Goudreau — despite claims by the former Green Beret that Mr. Guaido had hired his private security company to engage in unspecified “ services.
” In a video circulated Sunday , Mr. Goudreau and retired Venezuelan Capt .
Javier Nieto , both of whom are believed to live in Florida , appeared in an undisclosed location to claim the anti-Maduro raid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units have been activated in the south , west and east of Venezuela , ” Mr. Goudreau said in the video , wearing a New York Yankees ball cap and asserting that 60 of his men remained on the ground inside Venezuela .
The Times was unable to verify the claim .
The video circulated after the Maduro government had claimed Sunday to have foiled a pre-dawn beach raid — arresting eight accused “ mercenaries ” and killing several others — near Venezuelan port city of La Guaira , about 20 miles from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Donald Trump and Colombia ’ s [ President ] Ivan Duque responsible , ” the Maduro government said in a statement .
The AP investigative report claimed Mr. Goudreau has worked closely with retired Venezuelan Gen. Cliver Alcala , an organizer of Venezuelan military deserters who handed himself over to U.S. authorities in late March after being indicted on drug trafficking charges .
The State Department ’ s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs , in a background statement Monday , pushed back against claims made by the Maduro government and pushed aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Mr. Alcala .
“ General Alcala has been arrested in Colombia and extradited to the United States , where he is now detained per the indictment issued in the Southern District of New York , ” the statement said .
“ While we have seen the reports out of Venezuela , we have little reason to believe anything that comes out of the … regime .
The Maduro regime has been consistent in its use of misinformation in order to shift focus from its mismanagement of Venezuela.
” After years of hostility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ouster , the Trump administration recently floated an offer to lift crippling sanctions on Venezuela within a year if Mr. Maduro agreed to step aside to allow elections to be held — and if Cuba and Russia withdrew their military support backing the embattled socialist leader .
Mr. Goudreau , meanwhile , insisted his mission was far from over , telling the AP in a phone interview Monday that 52 of his fighters , including two U.S. veterans , had successfully deployed inside Venezuela and were actively recruiting members of the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s going to take time , ” Mr. Goudreau said .
“ The ultimate goal has never changed — it ’ s to liberate Venezuela.
” • This article is based in part on wire service reports .

The Trump administration sought Monday to distance itself from an apparently abortive attempt to topple Venezuelan socialist President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, in a mission that a former U.S. Special Forces soldier said envisioned a “daring amphibious raid” near Caracas.
The Trump administration has long supported efforts to oust Mr. Maduro, but there were far more questions than answers about the shadowy operation, which reportedly left eight people dead and deepened a mystery over who authorized and financed the assault.
“The United States Government had no connection to this weekend’s events, nor with Jordan Goudreau,” a State Department spokesperson said in reference to the former Green Beret, who claimed in a video online to have organized the pre-dawn raid from a base in neighboring Colombia. The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment.
Venezuela’s U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido on Monday also denied having anything to do with Mr. Goudreau, as Mr. Maduro’s government hailed the failure of the mission and announced it was mobilizing more than 25,000 troops to hunt for other rebel cells.
The Associated Press reported Mr. Goudreau has worked with a retired Venezuelan army general now facing U.S. narcotics charges, training Venezuelan military deserters at secret camps inside Colombia. The raiders apparently planned to arrest Mr. Maduro, but the ragtag group lacked funding and U.S. government support, and appears to have been penetrated by Maduro’s extensive Cuban-backed intelligence network, according to the AP.
By Sunday night, the mission had apparently failed, with the Maduro government hurling allegations at the Trump administration and U.S. officials accusing Mr. Maduro of fabricating the whole episode for his own gain.
Mr. Guaido, whom Washington and some 60 other nations claim is Venezuela’s rightful president, said Monday he had “no relationship nor responsibility for any actions” taken by Mr. Goudreau — despite claims by the former Green Beret that Mr. Guaido had hired his private security company to engage in unspecified “services.”
In a video circulated Sunday, Mr. Goudreau and retired Venezuelan Capt. Javier Nieto, both of whom are believed to live in Florida, appeared in an undisclosed location to claim the anti-Maduro raid was ongoing inside Venezuela.
“Our units have been activated in the south, west and east of Venezuela,” Mr. Goudreau said in the video, wearing a New York Yankees ball cap and asserting that 60 of his men remained on the ground inside Venezuela. The Times was unable to verify the claim.
The video circulated after the Maduro government had claimed Sunday to have foiled a pre-dawn beach raid — arresting eight accused “mercenaries” and killing several others — near Venezuelan port city of La Guaira, about 20 miles from Caracas.
“Venezuela holds the governments of Donald Trump and Colombia’s [President] Ivan Duque responsible,” the Maduro government said in a statement.
The AP investigative report claimed Mr. Goudreau has worked closely with retired Venezuelan Gen. Cliver Alcala, an organizer of Venezuelan military deserters who handed himself over to U.S. authorities in late March after being indicted on drug trafficking charges.
The State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, in a background statement Monday, pushed back against claims made by the Maduro government and pushed aside the claims made in the AP report about Mr. Alcala.
“General Alcala has been arrested in Colombia and extradited to the United States, where he is now detained per the indictment issued in the Southern District of New York,” the statement said. “While we have seen the reports out of Venezuela, we have little reason to believe anything that comes out of the … regime. The Maduro regime has been consistent in its use of misinformation in order to shift focus from its mismanagement of Venezuela.”
After years of hostility and demands for Mr. Maduro’s ouster, the Trump administration recently floated an offer to lift crippling sanctions on Venezuela within a year if Mr. Maduro agreed to step aside to allow elections to be held — and if Cuba and Russia withdrew their military support backing the embattled socialist leader.
Mr. Goudreau, meanwhile, insisted his mission was far from over, telling the AP in a phone interview Monday that 52 of his fighters, including two U.S. veterans, had successfully deployed inside Venezuela and were actively recruiting members of the government’s security forces to defect.
“That’s going to take time,” Mr. Goudreau said. “The ultimate goal has never changed — it’s to liberate Venezuela.”
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-04--Inside the Beltway: North Korea, coronavirus and the future

After sightings of North Korea leader Kim Jong-un recently ceased for a time , the hermit nation offered some brisk public outreach , releasing considerable video footage revealing his public activities .
Some wonder what really happened .
“ When it comes to North Korea — despite all of the hype — I think the most logical explanation is that Kim Jong-un either had coronavirus or was concerned enough about infection that he decided he needed to do his own version on sheltering in place , ” Harry J. Kazianis tells Inside the Beltway .
He is senior director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Interest , a nonpartisan think tank , by the way .
“ While North Korea does take in small amounts of international aid at the moment , for Pyongyang to accept massive amount of help the regime would have to be on death ’ s door .
North Korea , for example , did not accept any sort of international intervention when a million or more people died due to mass starvation in the 1990s .
If they endured that without large amounts of aid and a big international presence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that happening now , ” notes Mr. Kazianis .
He advises that Kim Jong-un is not likely to forget the 2018 Denuclearization Agreement with President Trump — or the presidential election .
It could also be business as usual for the reclusive leader .
“ I would argue Kim will continue on to test artillery , rockets and short range missiles all summer and into the fall .
He will , however , not violate the promise he made to President Trump and he will hold on testing any long-range missiles or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely spawn a crisis — even bring Trump back to the days of 2017 with threats of fire and fury .
However , that also means Kim will not negotiate until he knows if Trump is going to be reelected .
We should expect a relatively quiet North Korea — at least until after the November elections , ” predicts Mr. Kazianis .
Have mixed feelings about the reopening of America once the pandemic restrictions are lifted ?
You are not alone .
“ Voters are more eager to get back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be returning to normal for many by next month .
Most remain worried , too , that they ’ ll get the coronavirus if they return to the workplace , ” says a new Rasmussen Reports poll .
It found that 43 % of voters think it ’ s time for America to get back to work .
But not so fast .
Another 65 % say they are “ personally concerned ” about getting sick if they go back to work .
The survey of 1,000 likely U.S. voters was conducted April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WATCH The coronavirus pandemic has altered major campaigning for the time being .
The concept of battleground states , however , remains a constant .
“ President Donald Trump and Joe Biden ’ s campaigns are surveying a relatively stable political battlefield that will be concentrated largely in just about a half dozen states : the former ‘ blue wall ’ states of Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , the traditional swing states of Florida and North Carolina , and the emerging battleground of Arizona , ” writes David Cantanese , national political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common thread among these six states at the center of the general election map is that they were all carried by Trump in 2016 , and that the president currently trails in many of the early polls there , leaving him mostly on defense heading into November , ” the analyst observes .
Young voters loyal to socialism could compromise Joseph R. Biden ’ s chances of winning the White House .
How ?
Easy .
This huge demographic still has a crush on former presidential hopeful Sen. Bernard Sanders .
“ Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency would move the country in a more extreme-left direction , the more socialistic policies America ’ s youth have come to believe are essential ‘ rights ’ wouldn ’ t be put into place as quickly as they would under a Sanders presidency , a political reality many young leftists believe to be completely unacceptable , ” writes Heartland institute analyst Justin Haskins in an essay for Fox News .
“ This has put liberals in an extremely difficult situation .
The further to the left they move , the more difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in vital , more moderate swing states , which is precisely why the Democratic Party establishment chose the mostly unappealing Biden as party nominee .
However , the more moderate the party appears , the less enthusiastic and more disenfranchised young progressives and socialists have become , ” says Mr. Haskins .
“ In transforming U.S. schools and colleges into socialist indoctrination centers , the Left has created a whole generation of uncompromising young voters who believe anything short of Bernie ’ s radicalism is intolerable and even corrupt .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer control , and it could have a far-reaching impact on the 2020 race.
” President Trump continues to bypass hostile news organizations with new online campaign events independent of major media .
The schedule : Latinos for Trump Online with host Kimberly Guilfoyle ( Tuesday ) ; Team Trump Online with Donald Trump Jr. ( Wednesday ) ; Faith in America : Black Voices for Trump ( Thursday ) ; Vote for America ’ s Future ( Friday ) and MAGA Mamas ( Saturday ) .
The events stream at 8 p.m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Facebook , Twitter and YouTube accounts , at the “ Team Trump ” Instagram account , and at www.donaldjtrump.com/online .
• 86 % of U.S. adults say their state has issued orders to “ stay at home ” ; 86 % of Republicans , 82 % of independents and 92 % of Democrats agree .
• 65 % overall say the order is not a violation of constitutional rights ; 50 % of Republicans , 60 % of independents and 84 % of Democrats agree .
• 21 % overall say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights ; 36 % of Republicans , 24 % of independents and 7 % of Democrats agree .
• 13 % overall say they are not sure ; 14 % of Republicans , 16 % of independents and 9 % of Democrats agree .
Source : An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted April 26-28 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
After sightings of North Korea leader Kim Jong-un recently ceased for a time, the hermit nation offered some brisk public outreach, releasing considerable video footage revealing his public activities. Some wonder what really happened.
“When it comes to North Korea — despite all of the hype — I think the most logical explanation is that Kim Jong-un either had coronavirus or was concerned enough about infection that he decided he needed to do his own version on sheltering in place,” Harry J. Kazianis tells Inside the Beltway.
He is senior director of Korean Studies at the Center for the National Interest, a nonpartisan think tank, by the way.
“While North Korea does take in small amounts of international aid at the moment, for Pyongyang to accept massive amount of help the regime would have to be on death’s door. North Korea, for example, did not accept any sort of international intervention when a million or more people died due to mass starvation in the 1990s. If they endured that without large amounts of aid and a big international presence in the country, it’s hard to see that happening now,” notes Mr. Kazianis.
He advises that Kim Jong-un is not likely to forget the 2018 Denuclearization Agreement with President Trump — or the presidential election. It could also be business as usual for the reclusive leader.
“I would argue Kim will continue on to test artillery, rockets and short range missiles all summer and into the fall. He will, however, not violate the promise he made to President Trump and he will hold on testing any long-range missiles or nuclear weapons. He know that would likely spawn a crisis — even bring Trump back to the days of 2017 with threats of fire and fury. However, that also means Kim will not negotiate until he knows if Trump is going to be reelected. We should expect a relatively quiet North Korea — at least until after the November elections,” predicts Mr. Kazianis.
REOPENING: IT’S COMPLICATED
Have mixed feelings about the reopening of America once the pandemic restrictions are lifted? You are not alone.
“Voters are more eager to get back to work but aren’t convinced things will be returning to normal for many by next month. Most remain worried, too, that they’ll get the coronavirus if they return to the workplace,” says a new Rasmussen Reports poll.
It found that 43% of voters think it’s time for America to get back to work. But not so fast. Another 65% say they are “personally concerned” about getting sick if they go back to work.
The survey of 1,000 likely U.S. voters was conducted April 30-May 3.
THE SIX STATES TO WATCH
The coronavirus pandemic has altered major campaigning for the time being. The concept of battleground states, however, remains a constant.
“President Donald Trump and Joe Biden‘s campaigns are surveying a relatively stable political battlefield that will be concentrated largely in just about a half dozen states: the former ‘blue wall’ states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the traditional swing states of Florida and North Carolina, and the emerging battleground of Arizona,” writes David Cantanese, national political correspondent for McClatchy DC.
“The common thread among these six states at the center of the general election map is that they were all carried by Trump in 2016, and that the president currently trails in many of the early polls there, leaving him mostly on defense heading into November,” the analyst observes.
‘POLITICAL MONSTER’
Young voters loyal to socialism could compromise Joseph R. Biden‘s chances of winning the White House. How? Easy. This huge demographic still has a crush on former presidential hopeful Sen. Bernard Sanders.
“Although it’s very likely a Biden presidency would move the country in a more extreme-left direction, the more socialistic policies America’s youth have come to believe are essential ‘rights’ wouldn’t be put into place as quickly as they would under a Sanders presidency, a political reality many young leftists believe to be completely unacceptable,” writes Heartland institute analyst Justin Haskins in an essay for Fox News.
“This has put liberals in an extremely difficult situation. The further to the left they move, the more difficult it will be for them to win in vital, more moderate swing states, which is precisely why the Democratic Party establishment chose the mostly unappealing Biden as party nominee. However, the more moderate the party appears, the less enthusiastic and more disenfranchised young progressives and socialists have become,” says Mr. Haskins.
“In transforming U.S. schools and colleges into socialist indoctrination centers, the Left has created a whole generation of uncompromising young voters who believe anything short of Bernie’s radicalism is intolerable and even corrupt. It’s a political monster that liberals can no longer control, and it could have a far-reaching impact on the 2020 race.”
BYPASSING THE MEDIA AGAIN
President Trump continues to bypass hostile news organizations with new online campaign events independent of major media. The schedule: Latinos for Trump Online with host Kimberly Guilfoyle (Tuesday); Team Trump Online with Donald Trump Jr. (Wednesday); Faith in America: Black Voices for Trump (Thursday); Vote for America’s Future (Friday) and MAGA Mamas (Saturday).
The events stream at 8 p.m. ET each night on Mr. Trump’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, at the “Team Trump” Instagram account, and at www.donaldjtrump.com/online.
POLL DU JOUR
• 86% of U.S. adults say their state has issued orders to “stay at home”; 86% of Republicans, 82% of independents and 92% of Democrats agree.
• 65% overall say the order is not a violation of constitutional rights; 50% of Republicans, 60% of independents and 84% of Democrats agree.
• 21% overall say the order is a violation of constitutional rights; 36% of Republicans, 24% of independents and 7% of Democrats agree.
• 13% overall say they are not sure; 14% of Republicans, 16% of independents and 9% of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted April 26-28.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.