washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Liz Weston: The 2 costs that can make or break your nest egg

If you earn a decent income but have trouble saving , the culprits could be the roof over your head and the car in your driveway .
Retirement savers who contribute more to their 401 ( k ) s often spend less on housing and transportation than their peers , according to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and J.P. Morgan Asset Management .
Better savers also spend less on food and drink , but housing and transportation are bigger expenses that tend to be less flexible .
Once you commit to a place to live and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuck with those expenses for a while .
“ It may be decisions that you ’ re making as you are building your life that will ultimately crowd out saving for retirement , ” says Katherine Roy , chief retirement strategist for J.P. Morgan Asset Management .
The researchers divided 10,000 households into three groups : the 25 % who contributed the least to their retirement plans , the 25 % who contributed the most , and the “ middle savers ” whose contributions landed them in the middle 50 % .
High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incomes than the other two groups .
Middle and low savers had similar incomes , but middle savers contributed about 5 % at the start of their careers while the low savers contributed about 2 % .
That 3 percentage-point difference in contributions is largely attributable to the lower savers spending more on housing , transportation , and food and beverage , the researchers found .
By retirement age , middle savers had accumulated savings equal to twice their salaries .
Low savers had accumulated about half as much .
Driving older vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top two sacrifices cited in a study of Principal Financial Group customers ages 20 to 54 who contribute big chunks of their income to retirement accounts .
One of those savers is Erryn Ross , 30 , of Tigard , Oregon .
For several years after college , the accounts receivable coordinator lived at home and drove a “ beater ” truck , a hand-me-down from his dad .
By the time he was ready to replace the truck , he had saved enough to pay cash for a new one while also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribution .
Ross credits his mother - who drives a 2002 Honda Accord , previously owned by her father - with getting him started .
“ She said , ‘ OK , you can either pay me $ 1,000 for rent , or you can put $ 1,000 in index funds every month , ’ ” Ross says .
He put the money into his retirement account .
Ross recently bought a house with his fiancee , and they chose a home that cost about half of what their lender said they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they felt comfortable spending each month and based their purchase on that amount .
“ I don ’ t really need a million-dollar home here , ” Ross says .
“ I just need something that ’ s going to house the family.
” IT ’ S NOT ALL ABOUT CHOICE Both studies have their limitations .
Perhaps the biggest one is that the researchers studied only people who had access to workplace retirement plans .
Before the pandemic , 55 million working Americans lacked such access , according to Georgetown University Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge difference : AARP found that people are 15 times more likely to save for retirement if they have access to a payroll deduction plan at work .
The researchers also didn ’ t factor in the cost of living , which varies widely across the country .
Living expenses are 46 % higher in San Francisco and 86 % higher in Manhattan than in Portland , Oregon , for example .
People ’ s personal costs of living matter hugely as well .
Someone with health problems and lousy insurance likely will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by medical bills than someone in excellent health who has good coverage .
The number of people you have to support - children , elderly parents , for example - affects how much you can save .
People with student loan debt have less discretionary income than those whose parents paid for college .
And so on .
Income matters , of course .
Some people save on small incomes , while others don ’ t on large ones .
But the more money you make , the easier it is to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of factors - such as , say , losing a job during a pandemic - can affect someone ’ s ability to save .
When you do have choice , though , choose wisely .
The decisions you make about the big expenses now can have a huge effect on what you can spend in retirement .
“ Often in our financial wellness programs , we lead with , ‘ You need to have a budget ’ or ‘ Don ’ t have that Starbucks cup of coffee , ’ ” Roy says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more fundamental than that.
” This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet .
Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet , a certified financial planner and author of “ Your Credit Score.
” Email : [ email protected ] Twitter : @ lizweston .

If you earn a decent income but have trouble saving, the culprits could be the roof over your head and the car in your driveway.
Retirement savers who contribute more to their 401(k)s often spend less on housing and transportation than their peers, according to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
Better savers also spend less on food and drink, but housing and transportation are bigger expenses that tend to be less flexible. Once you commit to a place to live and a car payment, you’re typically stuck with those expenses for a while.
“It may be decisions that you’re making as you are building your life that will ultimately crowd out saving for retirement, ” says Katherine Roy, chief retirement strategist for J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
The researchers divided 10,000 households into three groups: the 25% who contributed the least to their retirement plans, the 25% who contributed the most, and the “middle savers” whose contributions landed them in the middle 50%. High savers, not surprisingly, had higher incomes than the other two groups. Middle and low savers had similar incomes, but middle savers contributed about 5% at the start of their careers while the low savers contributed about 2%.
That 3 percentage-point difference in contributions is largely attributable to the lower savers spending more on housing, transportation, and food and beverage, the researchers found. By retirement age, middle savers had accumulated savings equal to twice their salaries. Low savers had accumulated about half as much.
A ‘BEATER’ TRUCK AND A FAT 401(K)
Driving older vehicles and owning a modest home are the top two sacrifices cited in a study of Principal Financial Group customers ages 20 to 54 who contribute big chunks of their income to retirement accounts.
One of those savers is Erryn Ross, 30, of Tigard, Oregon. For several years after college, the accounts receivable coordinator lived at home and drove a “beater” truck, a hand-me-down from his dad. By the time he was ready to replace the truck, he had saved enough to pay cash for a new one while also maxing out his 401(k) contribution.
Ross credits his mother - who drives a 2002 Honda Accord, previously owned by her father - with getting him started.
“She said, ‘OK, you can either pay me $1,000 for rent, or you can put $1,000 in index funds every month,’” Ross says. He put the money into his retirement account.
Ross recently bought a house with his fiancee, and they chose a home that cost about half of what their lender said they could afford. They figured out how much they felt comfortable spending each month and based their purchase on that amount.
“I don’t really need a million-dollar home here,” Ross says. “I just need something that’s going to house the family.”
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT CHOICE
Both studies have their limitations. Perhaps the biggest one is that the researchers studied only people who had access to workplace retirement plans. Before the pandemic, 55 million working Americans lacked such access, according to Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives. Access makes a huge difference: AARP found that people are 15 times more likely to save for retirement if they have access to a payroll deduction plan at work.
The researchers also didn’t factor in the cost of living, which varies widely across the country. Living expenses are 46% higher in San Francisco and 86% higher in Manhattan than in Portland, Oregon, for example.
People’s personal costs of living matter hugely as well. Someone with health problems and lousy insurance likely will have more of their income eaten up by medical bills than someone in excellent health who has good coverage. The number of people you have to support - children, elderly parents, for example - affects how much you can save. People with student loan debt have less discretionary income than those whose parents paid for college. And so on.
Income matters, of course. Some people save on small incomes, while others don’t on large ones. But the more money you make, the easier it is to save.
In other words, any number of factors - such as, say, losing a job during a pandemic - can affect someone’s ability to save.
When you do have choice, though, choose wisely. The decisions you make about the big expenses now can have a huge effect on what you can spend in retirement.
“Often in our financial wellness programs, we lead with, ‘You need to have a budget’ or ‘Don’t have that Starbucks cup of coffee,’” Roy says. “I think it’s more fundamental than that.”
___________________________________
This column was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Liz Weston is a columnist at NerdWallet, a certified financial planner and author of “Your Credit Score.” Email: lweston@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @lizweston.
RELATED LINK:
NerdWallet: Retirement calculator https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-calculator


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Florida Keys could see tropical storm winds from Laura

KEY WEST , Fla. ( AP ) - Parts of the Florida Keys were placed under a tropical storm warning early Monday as Tropical Storm Laura was expected to move across southern Cuba .
The National Weather Service also placed the island chain under a coastal flood watch through late Monday .
The area could see winds between 39 to 57 mph ( 60 to 92 kph ) through early Tuesday as the storm moves across Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico , where it is expected to become a hurricane before hitting the the Louisiana coast by Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an earlier evacuation order for people living on boats , or in mobile homes , campers and recreational vehicles .
“ Those who are staying in this type of shelter should seek to stay with friends or family or be prepared to shelter in place during the storm , ” Monroe County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood said in a statement .
She added that those living on boats should seek shelter on land .
She said recreational vehicles , trailers and other similar vehicles that are already outside of the county should not try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake of Laura ’ s passage through the Caribbean , authorities on Sunday reported at least 11 deaths .

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Parts of the Florida Keys were placed under a tropical storm warning early Monday as Tropical Storm Laura was expected to move across southern Cuba.
The National Weather Service also placed the island chain under a coastal flood watch through late Monday.
The area could see winds between 39 to 57 mph (60 to 92 kph) through early Tuesday as the storm moves across Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico, where it is expected to become a hurricane before hitting the the Louisiana coast by Wednesday night.
Officials in the Keys rescinded an earlier evacuation order for people living on boats, or in mobile homes, campers and recreational vehicles.
“Those who are staying in this type of shelter should seek to stay with friends or family or be prepared to shelter in place during the storm,” Monroe County spokeswoman Kristen Livengood said in a statement. She added that those living on boats should seek shelter on land.
She said recreational vehicles, trailers and other similar vehicles that are already outside of the county should not try to reenter until Tuesday.
In the wake of Laura’s passage through the Caribbean, authorities on Sunday reported at least 11 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Death toll in Turkish Black Sea coast floods increases to 7

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - Turkish rescue workers on Monday recovered the body of another victim of severe weekend floods that swept along Turkey ’ s Black Sea coast , raising the death toll to seven , officials said .
At least nine other people were reported missing .
Helicopters hovered above the town of Dereli and the surrounding region in support of the search-and-rescue mission , which was launched after flooding caused by heavy rain washed away roads and buildings late Saturday .
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu , who traveled to the region to oversee the rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered early Monday .
The private DHA new agency said the victim was a police officer who was riding inside a vehicle that was swept away by floodwater and fell into a ravine while heading to the disaster area .
Two other police officers who were in the vehicle already had been confirmed dead .
Two more officers and the operator of a a mechanical digger are among the missing .
Excavators were seen Monday clearing mud and debris in Dereli , which lies 12 miles ( 20 kilometers ) inland from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage on Sunday showed vehicles and debris being swept away by the flood waters in the town .
Across the province , at least 17 buildings were destroyed and more than 360 were damaged , officials said .
Bekir Pakdemirli , Turkey ’ s agriculture and forestry minister , said the amount of rainfall over the weekend was higher than the region ’ s total monthly average for August .
At this time of year , the Black Sea region ’ s population typically swells with seasonal workers who travel to harvest tea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkish rescue workers recovered two more bodies Monday after severe weekend floods swept along Turkey’s Black Sea coast, raising the death toll to eight, officials said. At least eight other people were reported missing.
Helicopters hovered above the town of Dereli and the surrounding region in support of the search-and-rescue mission, which was launched after flooding caused by heavy rain washed away roads and buildings late Saturday.
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, who traveled to the region to oversee the rescue operation, said two bodies were recovered Monday. The private DHA new agency said one of the victims was a police officer who was riding inside a vehicle that was swept away by floodwater and fell into a ravine while heading to the disaster area.
Two other police officers who were in the vehicle already had been confirmed dead. Two more officers and the operator of a a mechanical digger are among the missing.
Excavators were seen Monday clearing mud and debris in Dereli, which lies 12 miles (20 kilometers) inland from the Black Sea in Giresun province.
Television footage on Sunday showed vehicles and debris being swept away by the flood waters in the town. Across the province, at least 17 buildings were destroyed and more than 360 were damaged, officials said.
Bekir Pakdemirli, Turkey’s agriculture and forestry minister, said the amount of rainfall over the weekend was higher than the region’s total monthly average for August.
At this time of year, the Black Sea region’s population typically swells with seasonal workers who travel to harvest tea and hazelnuts and live in flimsy camps.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Alabama mayor charged with harassment in road rage incident

TALLASSEE , Ala. ( AP ) - The mayor of an Alabama city has been charged with harassment in a road rage incident in which he was accused of cursing at and threatening a car of young women .
Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock and the other driver , 20-year-old Keazanni Spencer , were charged with misdemeanors following a July 5 encounter , the chief assistant district attorney confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser on Sunday .
During a hearing Friday , the mayor ’ s wife told a judge that the incident began after Spencer ’ s blue sedan , driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled in front of her and an occupant got out and cursed at her .
Spencer testified that no one cursed at the mayor ’ s wife , but that she thought the woman was pulling over to use a phone so she went around her .
Hammock was driving his wife through the area about 20 minutes later when they noticed the same blue sedan , according to court testimony .
Spencer said Hammock blocked her with his pickup truck , then approached her car and asked if she had tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spencer said Hammock was armed , though he never pointed the gun at the occupants or threatened them with it .
She testified that Hammock cursed at her before identifying himself as the mayor and threatening to have her jailed .
Hammock was present at the hearing , but did not testify , The Advertiser said .
An attorney for the Hammocks said Spencer ’ s allegations were “ diametrically opposed ” to what she and other occupants told Tallassee police .
The district attorney said law enforcement would likely launch an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an Elmore County grand jury .
The first-term mayor is up for reelection Tuesday .

TALLASSEE, Ala. (AP) - The mayor of an Alabama city has been charged with harassment in a road rage incident in which he was accused of cursing at and threatening a car of young women.
Tallassee Mayor Johnny Hammock and the other driver, 20-year-old Keazanni Spencer, were charged with misdemeanors following a July 5 encounter, the chief assistant district attorney confirmed to the Montgomery Advertiser on Sunday.
During a hearing Friday, the mayor’s wife told a judge that the incident began after Spencer’s blue sedan, driving erratically, passed her, then later pulled in front of her and an occupant got out and cursed at her. Spencer testified that no one cursed at the mayor’s wife, but that she thought the woman was pulling over to use a phone so she went around her.
Hammock was driving his wife through the area about 20 minutes later when they noticed the same blue sedan, according to court testimony.
Spencer said Hammock blocked her with his pickup truck, then approached her car and asked if she had tried to run his wife off the road earlier. Spencer said Hammock was armed, though he never pointed the gun at the occupants or threatened them with it. She testified that Hammock cursed at her before identifying himself as the mayor and threatening to have her jailed.
Hammock was present at the hearing, but did not testify, The Advertiser said.
An attorney for the Hammocks said Spencer’s allegations were “diametrically opposed” to what she and other occupants told Tallassee police.
The district attorney said law enforcement would likely launch an independent investigation and findings would be presented to an Elmore County grand jury.
The first-term mayor is up for reelection Tuesday.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Aguilar drives in 3 runs, Marlins outlast Nationals 11-8

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Jesús Aguilar drove in three runs and the Miami Marlins defeated the Washington Nationals 11-8 on Monday night , taking three of the five games in the series .
Miami entered the series on a five-game losing streak .
They now exit Nationals Park just above .500 at 12-11 .
Aguilar ’ s two-run double was part of a huge third inning for Miami off Nationals starter Austin Voth ( 0-3 ) .
The Marlins scored five runs with two-outs and six total , turning a one-run lead into a 7-0 advantage .
Pablo López @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three runs – none earned – in five solid innings .
Adam Eaton hit a three-run homer in the eighth for Washington – his second of the season - and matched a career-high with four RBIs .
Juan Soto went 4 for 5 for Washington , which has alternated wins and losses over its last 11 games .
After being hit hard early on with coronavirus related postponements and roster changes , Miami was helped in Washington with Miguel Rojas and Jorge Alfaro returning from the COVID-19 injured list .
Also , promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their debuts .
Brandon Kintzler earned his sixth save of the season .
The Washington Nationals announced on Monday that Nationals Park would serve as a November election site .
“ Nationals Park is a civic asset and the Nationals will always work to ensure that it can be utilized in service to the community in as many ways as possible , ” Nationals owner Mark D. Lerner said .
Lerner went on to say the Nationals were “ thrilled to help alleviate some of the challenges associated with voting during a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the 10-day injured list after he broke his non-throwing right hand during a fall late Saturday .
Manager Dave Martinez said the Nationals 2017 first-round draft pick slipped on stairs and tried to brace his fall .
The 24-year-old appeared in three games going 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA .
Marlins : Placed LHP Stephen Tarpley ( right oblique strain ) on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Aug. 22 .
Nationals : Martinez said that 2B Starlin Castro was doing well after surgery and that Castro wants to return in three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timetable for Castro ’ s return .
… LHP Sean Doolittle ( right knee fatigue ) was scheduled to throw Monday and be reevaluated afterwards .
Marlins : Miami travels to New York to face the Mets in a four-game series starting with a doubleheader of seven-inning games on Tuesday .
Manager Don Mattingly has yet to announce his starters .
Nationals : Right-hander Erick Fedde ( 1-2 , 2.55 ERA ) will take the mound in the opener of a three-game series against visiting Philadelphia on Tuesday .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Jesús Aguilar drove in three runs and the Miami Marlins defeated the Washington Nationals 11-8 on Monday night, taking three of the five games in the series.
Miami entered the series on a five-game losing streak. They now exit Nationals Park just above .500 at 12-11.
Aguilar’s two-run double was part of a huge third inning for Miami off Nationals starter Austin Voth (0-3). The Marlins scored five runs with two-outs and six total, turning a one-run lead into a 7-0 advantage.
“Our starting pitchers got to go deeper in games,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said about Voth who lasted 3 2/3 innings Monday and hasn’t gone more than five innings in a start this season. “We can’t keep doing this every night.”
Pablo López (3-1) allowed six hits and three runs – none earned – in five solid innings.
“It’s a really nice feeling to go on the mound knowing you have those runs on the board,” López said. “At the same time, you want to stay on the attack.”
Adam Eaton hit a three-run homer in the eighth for Washington – his second of the season - and matched a career-high with four RBIs. Juan Soto went 4 for 5 for Washington, which has alternated wins and losses over its last 11 games.
“You don’t really feel comfortable here,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said about his team having to hold on as last season’s World Series champs tried to stage a late rally. “They don’t have all the same guys, but a lot of the guys in that lineup are the same.”
After being hit hard early on with coronavirus related postponements and roster changes, Miami was helped in Washington with Miguel Rojas and Jorge Alfaro returning from the COVID-19 injured list. Also, promising newcomers Sixto Sánchez and Jesús Sánchez made their debuts.
Brandon Kintzler earned his sixth save of the season.
VOTING AT THE PARK
The Washington Nationals announced on Monday that Nationals Park would serve as a November election site. “Nationals Park is a civic asset and the Nationals will always work to ensure that it can be utilized in service to the community in as many ways as possible,” Nationals owner Mark D. Lerner said.
Lerner went on to say the Nationals were “thrilled to help alleviate some of the challenges associated with voting during a pandemic”.
WEATHERING THE STORM
“We had a crazy few weeks there with a lot of guys gut the virus,” said Matt Joyce after finishing with three hits and two RBI. “We came out hot and then we cooled down a little bit. I think we’re still confident that we can win. It’s tough when you lose 20 of your guys…guys that are supposed to have an impact at this level.”
ROMERO INJURED
Washington placed left-hander Seth Romero on the 10-day injured list after he broke his non-throwing right hand during a fall late Saturday. Manager Dave Martinez said the Nationals 2017 first-round draft pick slipped on stairs and tried to brace his fall. The 24-year-old appeared in three games going 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: Placed LHP Stephen Tarpley (right oblique strain) on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Aug. 22.
Nationals: Martinez said that 2B Starlin Castro was doing well after surgery and that Castro wants to return in three weeks. Martinez did not offer a timetable for Castro’s return. … LHP Sean Doolittle (right knee fatigue) was scheduled to throw Monday and be reevaluated afterwards.
UP NEXT
Marlins: Miami travels to New York to face the Mets in a four-game series starting with a doubleheader of seven-inning games on Tuesday. Manager Don Mattingly has yet to announce his starters.
Nationals: Right-hander Erick Fedde (1-2, 2.55 ERA) will take the mound in the opener of a three-game series against visiting Philadelphia on Tuesday.
___
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--New Zealand mass shooting survivors describe ongoing pain

CHRISTCHURCH , New Zealand ( AP ) - Relatives and survivors from a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques described in court on Tuesday how more than a year later , they are still having trouble sleeping , enjoying life and providing for their families .
It was the second day of a four-day sentencing hearing for white supremacist Brenton Harrison Tarrant , who slaughtered 51 worshippers and injured dozens more during the March 2019 attacks .
The 29-year-old Australian gunman in March pleaded guilty to murder , attempted murder , and terrorism , reversing an earlier not guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole , the toughest sentence available .
The hearing has given many a chance to confront Tarrant , who has shown little emotion throughout as he sits in the dock surrounded by five officers .
He is noticeably thinner than after he was first arrested .
Rashid Omar , whose 24-year-old son Tariq was killed at the Al Noor mosque , said he ’ d desperately held out hope his son had survived until police and Muslim leaders read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d died .
“ My body went completely weak and everything went silent , ” Omar said .
He started crying with his family even though he ’ d intended to remain strong .
“ As a parent , no matter how old your children are , they ’ ll always be your baby , ” he said .
Each day has become a burden to endure and he finds even simple tasks hard to complete , Omar said .
He wakes up tired and with no energy .
He once loved photography @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t bear to pick up a camera .
Omar ’ s wife Rosemary said she functions from moment to moment , often in a fog .
The loss and grief is debilitating , she said , and has cast a shadow over everything in their lives .
“ It ’ s like I ’ m broken , and I see my family as broken , ” she said .
Many of those who spoke described ongoing financial strain .
Motasim Uddin , who was shot in the leg and spent more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been able to return to his job as a welder and was worried about his future , especially as he was trying to support his parents in Bangladesh .
“ I can not forget what happened , what I saw , ” Uddin said .
” I try to forget , but I wake up thinking about it.
” Noraini Milne , whose 14-year-old son Sayyad was killed , said her own survival came as a blessing as she planned to spend her life helping others .
“ You chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said to Tarrant .
Tarrant has dismissed his lawyers and is representing himself during the sentencing , raising fears he could try to use the occasion as a platform to promote his racist views .
He can choose to speak once the survivors have spoken , although the judge will likely shut down any attempts he makes to grandstand .
The attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons .
They also prompted global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook , where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people .

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — A man who was shot and wounded in the New Zealand mosque attacks had a simple message for the mass-murderer responsible: “You are the loser, and we are the winners.”
Mirwais Waziri was among the survivors and family members who spoke on the second day of a four-day sentencing hearing for white supremacist Brenton Harrison Tarrant, who killed 51 worshippers at two mosques during the March 2019 attacks.
Waziri said Tarrant had not shown any remorse during the hearing and so instead of giving a victim’s impact statement he wanted to deliver the gunman a message. Coming from Afghanistan, Waziri said, he was sometimes associated with terrorism but now he’d been freed.
“You took that name from me,” Waziri said. “Today, you are the terrorist.”
His comments elicited spontaneous applause from other victims in the courtroom. Others told Tarrant during their statements that he was a coward, a monster, a rat.
Tarrant broke his impassive facade a couple of times to smirk at survivors when they made fun of him - one told him he should read the Quran during his plentiful free time, another said he was still alive because Tarrant didn’t know how to shoot, except from point-blank range.
The 29-year-old Australian gunman in March pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism, reversing an earlier not guilty plea. He could become the first person in New Zealand to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the toughest sentence available.
Tarrant is noticeably thinner than when he was first arrested. At the current hearing, he hasn’t shown the brazenness he did at his first court appearance the day after the attacks, when he made a hand gesture sometimes adopted by white supremacists.
During Tuesday’s hearing, relatives and survivors described how more than a year after the attacks, they were still having trouble sleeping, enjoying life and providing for their families.
Rashid Omar, whose 24-year-old son Tariq was killed at the Al Noor mosque, said he’d desperately held out hope his son had survived until police and Muslim leaders read out a list of those who’d died.
“My body felt completely weak and everything went silent,” Omar said.
He started crying with his family even though he’d intended to remain strong.
“As a parent, no matter how old your children are, they’ll always be your baby,” he said.
Each day has become a burden to endure and he finds even simple tasks hard to complete, Omar said. He wakes up tired and with no energy. He once loved photography, he said, but now can’t bear to pick up a camera.
Omar’s wife Rosemary said she functions from moment to moment, often in a fog. The loss and grief is debilitating, she said, and has cast a shadow over everything in their lives.
“It’s like I’m broken, and I see my family as broken,” she said.
Many of those who spoke described ongoing financial strain.
Motasim Uddin, who was shot in the leg and spent more than three months hospitalized, said he hadn’t been able to return to his job as a welder and was worried about his future, especially as he was trying to support his parents in Bangladesh.
“I cannot forget what happened, what I saw,” Uddin said. “I try to forget, but I wake up thinking about it.”
Noraini Milne, whose 14-year-old son Sayyad was killed, said her own survival came as a blessing as she planned to spend her life helping others.
“You chose to perform a despicable and cowardly act,” she said to Tarrant.
Tarrant has dismissed his lawyers and is representing himself during the sentencing.
The attacks targeting people praying at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques shocked New Zealand and prompted new laws banning the deadliest types of semi-automatic weapons.
They also prompted global changes to social media protocols after the gunman livestreamed his attack on Facebook, where it was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Donald Trump Jr. warns against 'Beijing Biden'

Donald Trump Jr. warned Americans against electing “ Beijing Biden ” in November , speaking at the Republican National Convention Monday night in defense of his father ’ s White House record .
He praised President Trump for a booming economy and record low unemployment before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. , causing the country to shut down in March .
But the president ’ s son said there is good news on the horizon .
“ There is more work to do , but there is light at the end of the tunnel , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called experts expected.
” The younger Mr. Trump , though , said Mr. Biden ’ s leftist policies would halt the economic recovery , especially if he were to shut down the country again , referencing Mr. Biden ’ s remarks from earlier this week saying he would issue a nationwide mask mandate and close the country down if scientists suggested it .
“ Democrats claim to be for workers , but they ’ ve spent the entire pandemic trying to sneak a tax break for millionaires in Democrat states into the COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father for suspending the payroll tax for middle-class workers , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ In fact , if you think about it , Joe Biden ’ s entire economic platform seems designed to crush the working man and woman , ” he added .
The eldest of the president ’ s children took jabs at the Democratic presidential nominee for backing terrible trade deals like NAFTA and TPP , saying they destroyed manufacturing jobs .
“ Beijing Biden is so weak on China that the Intelligence Community recently assessed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know he ’ ll weaken us both economically and on the world stage , ” Mr. Trump warned .
He also said the far-left radicals of the Democratic Party have tried to cancel America ’ s founders , tearing down monuments in cities across the country .
“ In the past , both parties believed in the goodness of America .
We agreed on where we wanted to go .
We just disagree about how to get there .
This time the other party is attacking the very principles on which our Nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding the freedoms of thought , speech , religion and the rule of law are at stake in November .

Donald Trump Jr. warned Americans against electing “Beijing Biden” in November, speaking at the Republican National Convention Monday night in defense of his father’s White House record.
He praised President Trump for a booming economy and record low unemployment before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., causing the country to shut down in March.
But the president’s son said there is good news on the horizon.
“There is more work to do, but there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “Job gains are outpacing what the so-called experts expected.”
The younger Mr. Trump, though, said Mr. Biden’s leftist policies would halt the economic recovery, especially if he were to shut down the country again, referencing Mr. Biden’s remarks from earlier this week saying he would issue a nationwide mask mandate and close the country down if scientists suggested it.
“Democrats claim to be for workers, but they’ve spent the entire pandemic trying to sneak a tax break for millionaires in Democrat states into the COVID relief bill. Then they attacked my father for suspending the payroll tax for middle-class workers,” Mr. Trump said.
“In fact, if you think about it, Joe Biden’s entire economic platform seems designed to crush the working man and woman,” he added.
The eldest of the president’s children took jabs at the Democratic presidential nominee for backing terrible trade deals like NAFTA and TPP, saying they destroyed manufacturing jobs.
“Beijing Biden is so weak on China that the Intelligence Community recently assessed that the Chinese Communist Party favors Biden. They know he’ll weaken us both economically and on the world stage,” Mr. Trump warned.
He also said the far-left radicals of the Democratic Party have tried to cancel America’s founders, tearing down monuments in cities across the country.
“In the past, both parties believed in the goodness of America. We agreed on where we wanted to go. We just disagree about how to get there. This time the other party is attacking the very principles on which our Nation was founded,” he said, adding the freedoms of thought, speech, religion and the rule of law are at stake in November.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--China, US discuss economic coordination in trade meeting

BEIJING ( AP ) - U.S. and Chinese trade envoys discussed strengthening coordination of their government ’ s economic policies during a phone meeting Tuesday , the Ministry of Commerce announced .
The announcement gave no details of the meeting held as part of the “ Phase 1 ” truce aimed at ending a tariff war between the two biggest global economies that has disrupted worldwide trade .
President Xi Jinping ’ s government has lobbied Washington since at least 2016 to coordinate macroeconomic policies .
Beijing has given no details , but such policies can include economic growth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s meeting included Vice Premier Liu He , U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , the ministry said .
“ The two sides had a constructive dialogue on strengthening the coordination of the macroeconomic policies of the two countries and the implementation of the ‘ Phase 1 ’ agreement , ” a ministry statement said .
Under the “ Phase 1 ” agreement signed in January , both governments agreed to suspend additional penalties on each other ’ s goods in a fight that erupted in 2018 over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surplus .
The truce called for talks to be held after six months , but those were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic .
A meeting scheduled for last week was to be held online but was postponed .

BEIJING (AP) - U.S. and Chinese trade envoys discussed strengthening coordination of their countries’ economic policies during a phone meeting Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce announced.
The announcement gave no details of the meeting held as part of the “Phase 1” truce aimed at ending a tariff war between the two biggest global economies that has disrupted worldwide trade.
President Xi Jinping’s government has lobbied Washington since at least 2016 to coordinate macroeconomic policies. Beijing has given no details, but such policies can include economic growth, employment, inflation and trade.
Tuesday’s meeting included Vice Premier Liu He, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the ministry said.
“The two sides had a constructive dialogue on strengthening the coordination of the macroeconomic policies of the two countries and the implementation of the ‘Phase 1’ agreement,” a ministry statement said.
Under the “Phase 1” agreement signed in January, both governments agreed to suspend additional penalties on each other’s goods in a fight launched by President Donald Trump in 2018 over Beijing’s technology ambitions and trade surplus.
That deal has stayed in place despite a growing array of irritants in U.S.-Chinese relations including the status of Hong Kong, the handling of the coronavirus pandemic and accusations of human rights violations in China’s Muslim northwestern territory of Xinjiang.
Beijing promised as part of the “Phase 1” agreement to narrow its trade surplus with the United States by purchasing more American farm goods. Trump’s economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, told reporters last week the White House is satisfied with Beijing’s purchases so far.
The truce called for talks to be held after six months, but those were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. A meeting scheduled for last week was to be held online but was postponed.
The two governments have yet to announce plans for face-to-face talks in the next stage of negotiations.
The two governments have rolled back some penalties but most of the punitive tariffs imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars of each other’s goods remain in place.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Nikki Haley: Biden, Democrats 'still blaming America first'

Nikki Haley , the former U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations , on Monday said Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden and his party are in blame America first mode .
“ Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first , ” Ms. Haley said on the opening night of the Republican National Convention .
“ Donald Trump has always put America first and he has earned four more years as president.
” Ms. Haley served as U.S .
Ambassador to the UN from 2017-2018 .
She said former President Barack Obama and Mr. Biden , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korea and Iran and that Mr. Trump has done a course correction .
“ This president has a record of strength and success , ” she said .
“ The former vice president has a record of weakness and failure .
Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS , great for communist China , and he ’ s a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologize , abstain , and abandon our values.
” Ms. Haley said that when she was governor of South Carolina , Mr. Biden and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roadblock they could .
“ A Biden-Harris administration would be much , much worse .
Last time , Joe ’ s boss was Obama .
This time , it would be Pelosi , Sanders , and the Squad , ” she said .
“ Joe Biden and the socialist left would be a disaster for our economy , but President Trump is leading a new era of opportunity.
” Ms. Haley , who was born in South Carolina to immigrants from India , is widely seen as a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
She helped kick off this year ’ s Conservative Political Action Conference , which has morphed into a multi-day celebration of Mr. Trump in recent years , by asking hundreds of attendees if they were ready for the 2020 election .
Some attendees responded that they were ready for 2024 , when Ms. Haley could launch her own bid for the White House .
Intermittent rumors and chatter that the president could move to replace Vice President Mike Pence with Ms. Haley on the 2020 ticket were put to rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Pence to be the 2020 GOP vice presidential nominee .
In November , Ms. Haley released a book titled “ With All Due Respect : Defending America With Grit and Grace.
” She wrote in the book that former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly tried to recruit her in a campaign to undermine the president .
Ms. Haley also delivered the GOP response to Mr. Obama ’ s final State of the Union Address in 2016 .

Nikki Haley, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, on Monday said Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden and his party are in blame America first mode.
“Joe Biden and the Democrats are still blaming America first,” Ms. Haley said on the opening night of the Republican National Convention. “Donald Trump has always put America first and he has earned four more years as president.”
Ms. Haley served as U.S. Ambassador to the UN from 2017-2018.
She said former President Barack Obama and Mr. Biden, then the vice president, were weak on North Korea and Iran and that Mr. Trump has done a course correction.
“This president has a record of strength and success,” she said. “The former vice president has a record of weakness and failure. Joe Biden is good for Iran and ISIS, great for communist China, and he’s a godsend to everyone who wants America to apologize, abstain, and abandon our values.”
Ms. Haley said that when she was governor of South Carolina, Mr. Biden and the Obama administration threw up practically every economic roadblock they could.
“A Biden-Harris administration would be much, much worse. Last time, Joe’s boss was Obama. This time, it would be Pelosi, Sanders, and the Squad,” she said. “Joe Biden and the socialist left would be a disaster for our economy, but President Trump is leading a new era of opportunity.”
Ms. Haley, who was born in South Carolina to immigrants from India, is widely seen as a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate should the president fail to win re-election this year.
She helped kick off this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference, which has morphed into a multi-day celebration of Mr. Trump in recent years, by asking hundreds of attendees if they were ready for the 2020 election.
Some attendees responded that they were ready for 2024, when Ms. Haley could launch her own bid for the White House.
Intermittent rumors and chatter that the president could move to replace Vice President Mike Pence with Ms. Haley on the 2020 ticket were put to rest earlier Monday when the party formally nominated Mr. Pence to be the 2020 GOP vice presidential nominee.
In November, Ms. Haley released a book titled “With All Due Respect: Defending America With Grit and Grace.”
She wrote in the book that former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly tried to recruit her in a campaign to undermine the president.
Ms. Haley also delivered the GOP response to Mr. Obama’s final State of the Union Address in 2016.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Illegal immigrant nabbed at border dies of coronavirus

An illegal immigrant caught at the border last month while infected with the coronavirus died Monday , Homeland Security said @ @ @ @ @ nabbed by Border Patrol agents on July 18 , and during processing he told them @ @ @ @ @ He was taken to a hospital where he tested positive for COVID-19 .
His condition @ @ @ @ @ he was sedated and put on a ventilator , then died Monday .
Customs and @ @ @ @ @ details of the man ’ s age or other information about his case , but @ @ @ @ @ “ saddened ” by his passing .
Dozens of illegal immigrants caught over the last @ @ @ @ @ for the virus .
And as of earlier this month 10 CBP employees had died @ @ @ @ @ duty ” because of the coronavirus , acting CBP chief Mark Morgan told reporters .

An illegal immigrant caught at the border last month while infected with the coronavirus died Monday, Homeland Security said.
The Mexican man was nabbed by Border Patrol agents on July 18, and during processing he told them he had a fever. He was taken to a hospital where he tested positive for COVID-19.
His condition worsened days later, and he was sedated and put on a ventilator, then died Monday.
Customs and Border Protection did not release details of the man’s age or other information about his case, but the agency said it was “saddened” by his passing.
Dozens of illegal immigrants caught over the last five months have tested positive for the virus.
And as of earlier this month 10 CBP employees had died “in the line of duty” because of the coronavirus, acting CBP chief Mark Morgan told reporters.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Maximo Alvarez, Cuban, warns against socialism

Maximo Alvarez , a Cuban born man who now lives in Florida , warned Americans against socialism on Monday speaking at the Republican National Convention in support of President Trump .
Mr. Alvarez said his parents fled the Fidel Castro regime , and he ’ s thankful he had the chance to grow up in America — pushing back against Democratic-socialist leaders within the Democratic Party that he says resemble the failed promises of communist Cuba .
“ I ’ m speaking to you today because I ’ ve seen people like this before .
I ’ ve seen movements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen ideas like this before and I ’ m here to tell you , we can not let them take over our country , ” Mr. Alvarez said .
“ I heard the promises of Fidel Castro .
And I can never forget all those who grew up around me , who looked like me , who could have been me , who suffered and starved and died because they believed those empty promises , ” he added .
Mr. Alvarez said there ’ s no place to hide , stressing the need @ @ @ @ @

Maximo Alvarez, a Cuban born man who now lives in Florida, warned Americans against socialism on Monday speaking at the Republican National Convention in support of President Trump.
Mr. Alvarez said his parents fled the Fidel Castro regime, and he’s thankful he had the chance to grow up in America — pushing back against Democratic-socialist leaders within the Democratic Party that he says resemble the failed promises of communist Cuba.
“I’m speaking to you today because I’ve seen people like this before. I’ve seen movements like this before. I’ve seen ideas like this before and I’m here to tell you, we cannot let them take over our country,” Mr. Alvarez said.
“I heard the promises of Fidel Castro. And I can never forget all those who grew up around me, who looked like me, who could have been me, who suffered and starved and died because they believed those empty promises,” he added.
Mr. Alvarez said there’s no place to hide, stressing the need to protect American freedoms.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Steve Scalise: Trump backs police, Biden wants to defund them

Rep. Steve Scalise , Louisiana Republican , criticized the Democratic Party ’ s calls for defunding law enforcement on Monday @ @ @ @ @ Convention , praising President Trump ’ s handling of law enforcement and criminal justice .
@ @ @ @ @ was gunned down on a baseball field , said targeting law enforcement is personal to @ @ @ @ @ for helping save his life after he was shot by a far-left activist .
“ @ @ @ @ @ a party who wants to burn down the foundations of our country to the ground @ @ @ @ @ to rebuild and protect our great nation , ” Mr. Scalise said .

Rep. Steve Scalise, Louisiana Republican, criticized the Democratic Party’s calls for defunding law enforcement on Monday speaking at the Republican National Convention, praising President Trump’s handling of law enforcement and criminal justice.
The Louisiana Republican, who was gunned down on a baseball field, said targeting law enforcement is personal to him, crediting first responders for helping save his life after he was shot by a far-left activist.
“This is an election between a party who wants to burn down the foundations of our country to the ground and a party who wants to rebuild and protect our great nation,” Mr. Scalise said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Feliz Missael Alva, illegal immigrant, charged with shooting gun during Denver protests

Federal prosecutors hauled an illegal immigrant to court Monday on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm after police said @ @ @ @ @ a handgun and shoot it in the sky , near where police and media helicopters @ @ @ @ @ justice protests in May .
Feliz Missael Alva , previously deported to Mexico and back @ @ @ @ @ fired as many as 10 shots , police said .
A detective also heard him @ @ @ @ @ t no peaceful protest , ” and complain about “ pigs ” — apparently a @ @ @ @ @ immigrants are not allowed to posses firearms under federal law .
Federal prosecutors said they @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department ’ s Project Guardian to reduce gun violence .

Federal prosecutors hauled an illegal immigrant to court Monday on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm after police said they saw him pull out a handgun and shoot it in the sky, near where police and media helicopters were circling, during racial justice protests in May.
Feliz Missael Alva, previously deported to Mexico and back in the U.S. illegally, fired as many as 10 shots, police said. A detective also heard him say “This ain’t no peaceful protest,” and complain about “pigs” — apparently a reference to police.
Illegal immigrants are not allowed to posses firearms under federal law.
Federal prosecutors said they brought charges as part of the Justice Department’s Project Guardian to reduce gun violence.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Sean Parnell, Army veteran, tells Democrats to back Trump in November

Sean Parnell , who served in the Army and fought in Afghanistan , said he risked his life overseas and @ @ @ @ @ Party he did not recognize .
The veteran spoke at the Republican National Convention on @ @ @ @ @ to back hard workers , but now cater to Hollywood celebrities .
He encouraged traditional @ @ @ @ @ supporting President Trump in November .
“ I look across the aisle and I do @ @ @ @ @ wants you to pursue your dreams .
I see a Democrat party that wants to @ @ @ @ @ .
I don ’ t see a party that wants you to be free .
@ @ @ @ @ wants to chain you to conformity and will destroy anyone they deem a heretic , @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump has advanced freedom despite facing political attacks from the radical left , Mr. @ @ @

Sean Parnell, who served in the Army and fought in Afghanistan, said he risked his life overseas and came home to a Democratic Party he did not recognize.
The veteran spoke at the Republican National Convention on Monday, saying Democrats used to back hard workers, but now cater to Hollywood celebrities. He encouraged traditional Democrats to join Republicans in supporting President Trump in November.
“I look across the aisle and I do not see a party that wants you to pursue your dreams. I see a Democrat party that wants to dictate what those dreams are. I don’t see a party that wants you to be free. I see a party that wants to chain you to conformity and will destroy anyone they deem a heretic,” Mr. Parnell said.
Mr. Trump has advanced freedom despite facing political attacks from the radical left, Mr. Parnell reasoned.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Consultant charged in covert lobbying of Trump officials

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - An American consultant has been charged in an illicit lobbying effort to get the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multibillion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund , and to arrange for the return of a Chinese dissident living in the U.S. Federal prosecutors say Nickie Lum Davis failed to disclose to the federal government that the lobbying effort was done on behalf of a fugitive Malaysian financier who has been charged in the U.S. with conspiring to launder billions of dollars from the fund .
The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lobby the U.S. government to register that work with the Justice Department .
A criminal case filed in federal court in Honolulu charges Davis with a single count of violating that act , known as FARA .
Davis ’ Honolulu attorney , William McCorriston , declined to comment Monday .
The U.S. Attorney ’ s office in Hawaii declined to comment .
The charge is the latest development arising from the complicated saga of 1MDB , a Malaysian wealth fund that was established more than a decade ago to accelerate the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say was actually treated as a piggy bank by associates of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak .
U.S. prosecutors allege that at least $ 4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by Najib ’ s associates to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels , a luxury yacht , artwork , jewelry and other extravagances .
Najib was sentenced in Malaysia last month to 12 years in prison .
The effort to wipe away legal troubles for the Malaysian financier who prosecutors say helped orchestrate the pilfering was ultimately unsuccessful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Low , who remains at large , in connection with the alleged money laundering and last year reached a civil settlement to recover more than $ 700 million in assets that officials say are traceable to the looted funds .
The latest case accuses Davis of working with a politically connected fundraiser with close ties to President Donald Trump to press the Justice Department to abandon forfeiture claims seeking the recovery of assets purchased with laundered proceeds .
Prosecutors say Low offered an $ 8 million retainer fee for the illicit lobbying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter was resolved within 180 days .
Davis was paid $ 1.7 million , according to court papers .
During a May 2017 meeting in Bangkok , the fundraiser suggested that the money should not come directly from Low but should instead be “ clean , ” and Low identified a friend who could handle the payments , prosecutors allege .
The group also discussed the idea of contacting then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to persuade him to drop the 1MDB matter .
The fundraiser is not identified by name , but his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week matches that of Elliott Broidy , the former deputy chair of Trump ’ s inaugural committee .
The criminal case was filed last Monday , but court records do not show any activity since then .
An email to a lawyer for Low was not immediately returned .
The lobbying campaign included helping facilitate a September 2017 meeting at the White House between Trump and Najib , which prosecutors say was in part to allow Najib to raise the 1MDB issue .
An attempt to schedule a golf outing between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included trying to arrange meetings with the Justice Department to lobby for the removal of a Chinese dissident who was living in the U.S. on a temporary visa .
The dissident is not referred to by name by prosecutors , but the 39-page charging document they filed references a Wall Street Journal article about the dissident with the headline : “ China Cranks Up Heat on Exiled Tycoon Guo Wengui.
” Guo Wengui left China in 2014 during an anti-corruption crackdown led by President Xi Jinping that ensnared people close to Guo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have accused Guo of rape , kidnapping , bribery and other offenses and have sought the return of the self-exiled tycoon .
Guo made headlines on Thursday when Trump ’ s former chief strategist , Steve Bannon , was taken into custody while aboard Guo ’ s yacht off the coast of Connecticut on charges that he defrauded online donors in the name of helping build Trump ’ s southern border wall .
Bannon has pleaded not guilty .
The Associated Press reported last year that a federal grand jury in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position as deputy chair of Trump ’ s inaugural committee to drum up business deals with foreign leaders .
A lawyer who has represented Broidy said Saturday that he was not his attorney .

WASHINGTON (AP) - An American consultant has been charged in an illicit lobbying effort to get the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multibillion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund, and to arrange for the return of a Chinese dissident living in the U.S.
Federal prosecutors say Nickie Lum Davis failed to disclose to the federal government that the lobbying effort was done on behalf of a fugitive Malaysian financier who has been charged in the U.S. with conspiring to launder billions of dollars from the fund.
The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires individuals who are enlisted by foreign entities to lobby the U.S. government to register that work with the Justice Department. A criminal case filed in federal court in Honolulu charges Davis with a single count of violating that act, known as FARA.
Davis’ Honolulu attorney, William McCorriston, declined to comment Monday. The U.S. Attorney’s office in Hawaii declined to comment.
The charge is the latest development arising from the complicated saga of 1MDB, a Malaysian wealth fund that was established more than a decade ago to accelerate the country’s economic development but that prosecutors say was actually treated as a piggy bank by associates of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
U.S. prosecutors allege that at least $4.5 billion was stolen from the fund and laundered by Najib’s associates to finance Hollywood films and buy hotels, a luxury yacht, artwork, jewelry and other extravagances. Najib was sentenced in Malaysia last month to 12 years in prison.
The effort to wipe away legal troubles for the Malaysian financier who prosecutors say helped orchestrate the pilfering was ultimately unsuccessful.
The Justice Department in 2018 charged Jho Low, who remains at large, in connection with the alleged money laundering and last year reached a civil settlement to recover more than $700 million in assets that officials say are traceable to the looted funds.
The latest case accuses Davis of working with a politically connected fundraiser with close ties to President Donald Trump to press the Justice Department to abandon forfeiture claims seeking the recovery of assets purchased with laundered proceeds.
Prosecutors say Low offered an $8 million retainer fee for the illicit lobbying, and an additional $75 million if the matter was resolved within 180 days. Davis was paid $1.7 million, according to court papers.
During a May 2017 meeting in Bangkok, the fundraiser suggested that the money should not come directly from Low but should instead be “clean,” and Low identified a friend who could handle the payments, prosecutors allege. The group also discussed the idea of contacting then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to persuade him to drop the 1MDB matter.
The fundraiser is not identified by name, but his description in a court document filed last week matches that of Elliott Broidy, the former deputy chair of Trump’s inaugural committee.
The criminal case was filed last Monday, but court records do not show any activity since then. An email to a lawyer for Low was not immediately returned.
The lobbying campaign included helping facilitate a September 2017 meeting at the White House between Trump and Najib, which prosecutors say was in part to allow Najib to raise the 1MDB issue. An attempt to schedule a golf outing between the two leaders was unsuccessful.
The effort also included trying to arrange meetings with the Justice Department to lobby for the removal of a Chinese dissident who was living in the U.S. on a temporary visa. The dissident is not referred to by name by prosecutors, but the 39-page charging document they filed references a Wall Street Journal article about the dissident with the headline: “China Cranks Up Heat on Exiled Tycoon Guo Wengui.”
Guo Wengui left China in 2014 during an anti-corruption crackdown led by President Xi Jinping that ensnared people close to Guo, including a top intelligence official. Chinese authorities have accused Guo of rape, kidnapping, bribery and other offenses and have sought the return of the self-exiled tycoon.
Guo made headlines on Thursday when Trump’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, was taken into custody while aboard Guo’s yacht off the coast of Connecticut on charges that he defrauded online donors in the name of helping build Trump’s southern border wall. Bannon has pleaded not guilty.
The Associated Press reported last year that a federal grand jury in New York was investigating whether Broidy used his position as deputy chair of Trump’s inaugural committee to drum up business deals with foreign leaders. A lawyer who has represented Broidy said Saturday that he was not his attorney.
____
Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--IDOT accused by former employees of racial discrimination

BELLEVILLE , Ill. ( AP ) - A group of current and former employees of the Illinois Department of Transportation are accusing the agency of a history of systemic racism , particularly in its operations in southern Illinois .
Lee Coleman , a former Transportation Department Equal Employment Opportunity officer , told the Belleville News-Democrat that years of documenting , reporting and complaining about racial issues in the agency has not resulted in any action .
The 15-year department veteran says the political party of the incumbent governor or legislative majority has made no difference .
The Department of Transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 and has allocated $ 2.3 billion for District 8 ’ s five-year plan for highway improvements , Coleman said .
The district is the second largest in the state , encompassing 12 southern Illinois counties .
Coleman and others are demanding workplace equity and a policy that helps end racism on the state ’ s highway projects .
“ We ’ re concerned about fairness when it comes to black people particularly , ” said Coleman , who is backed by the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce .
“ We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fair chance to reap the benefits of the tax dollars they ’ ve paid into the Federal Highway Fund with reference to internal , external hiring and subcontracting opportunities.
” Coleman also said he wants an investigation into why African American section heads who have retired from IDOT are not getting the same opportunity others get to work as consultants to the employees hired to replace them .
In a prepared statement , spokesman Paul Wappel said “ inequality and discrimination are not and will not be tolerated.
” To promote equity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois General Assembly should revive Senate Bill 263 , proposed in 2015 , which would make it a felony for the Transportation Department administrator to change the scores on a contractor ’ s annual evaluation .
The scores are used to when awarding state contracts .
Coleman said he has witnessed a supervisor change scores he assigned to a contractor .
The Black Chamber of Commerce is also calling for an investigation of the low number of African Americans getting into the trade unions after graduating from the Highway Construction Career Training Program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the program .

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A group of current and former employees of the Illinois Department of Transportation are accusing the agency of a history of systemic racism, particularly in its operations in southern Illinois.
Lee Coleman, a former Transportation Department Equal Employment Opportunity officer, told the Belleville News-Democrat that years of documenting, reporting and complaining about racial issues in the agency has not resulted in any action. The 15-year department veteran says the political party of the incumbent governor or legislative majority has made no difference.
The Department of Transportation has a $23.4 billion budget for 2020 and has allocated $2.3 billion for District 8’s five-year plan for highway improvements, Coleman said. The district is the second largest in the state, encompassing 12 southern Illinois counties.
Coleman and others are demanding workplace equity and a policy that helps end racism on the state’s highway projects.
“We’re concerned about fairness when it comes to black people particularly,” said Coleman, who is backed by the Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce . “We want to make sure that African Americans get a fair chance to reap the benefits of the tax dollars they’ve paid into the Federal Highway Fund with reference to internal, external hiring and subcontracting opportunities.”
Coleman also said he wants an investigation into why African American section heads who have retired from IDOT are not getting the same opportunity others get to work as consultants to the employees hired to replace them.
In a prepared statement, spokesman Paul Wappel said “inequality and discrimination are not and will not be tolerated.”
To promote equity for African Americans, Coleman said the Illinois General Assembly should revive Senate Bill 263, proposed in 2015, which would make it a felony for the Transportation Department administrator to change the scores on a contractor’s annual evaluation. The scores are used to when awarding state contracts. Coleman said he has witnessed a supervisor change scores he assigned to a contractor.
The Black Chamber of Commerce is also calling for an investigation of the low number of African Americans getting into the trade unions after graduating from the Highway Construction Career Training Program, though more than 600 have graduated from the program.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Mali coup complicates U.S. fight against terrorism

A coup in the small West African nation of Mali is having an outsized impact on the Pentagon ’ s campaign to confront violent jihadi groups now flourishing in Africa .
For the second time in less than a decade , soldiers from the Malian armed forces ousted their president in a military coup .
The overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last week seems certain to add to the political instability of a region where U.S. , French and other forces are battling Islamic movements .
Mr. Keita , now being held in detention by the soldiers who engineered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 and 2018 , but his popularity took a nosedive after his government failed to rein in Islamic extremists in Mali ’ s north and the military faced punishing losses from the jihadis .
Mali is strategically located at the heart of Africa ’ s troubled Sahel region , where jihadi groups have been expanding their influence .
The coup was carried out as a time of questions about U.S. Africa Command and whether the Trump administration wanted to keep troops in the region as it tries to focus defense strategy on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coup , Pentagon officials cited their “ long-standing partnership ” with the Malian military in the campaign against terrorism , but that relationship is now in jeopardy .
“ The Department of Defense strongly condemns the act of mutiny in Mali and is carefully monitoring the developing situation , ” said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Anton T. Semelroth , a Pentagon spokesman .
“ Until a thorough assessment is complete , there will be no further training or support to the Malian armed forces .
“ The military coup in Mali comes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wider Sahel region that has trapped millions of people in crisis , ” Klaus Spreyermann , head of the delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Mali , told EuroNews.com over the weekend .
“ Violence has tragically escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic , driving death , injury and displacement , all while more than 18 % of health care facilities nationwide , 90 % of them in the north , have been destroyed by war , ” he said .
In the Malian capital of Bamako on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Mali ’ s military junta after failing to reach an agreement on a path back to democratic rule , The Associated Press reported .
The junta calling itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People has proposed pushing back Mali ’ s next election until 2023 , while leaders from the bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States and others want a return to civilian rule as soon as possible .
The Trump administration , the United Nations and most countries denounced the Aug. 18 coup and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s elected government .
The United States has supported anti-terrorism operations in Mali for several years but has let France take the operational lead in its former colony .
Pentagon officials said all U.S. military personnel in Mali are safe and have been accounted for .
In January , French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said the backing of the U.S. was critical to an increasingly expensive anti-insurgency mission in the region , but Defense Secretary Mark Esper said France “ has been a real leader in the Sahel ” while signaling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations in Africa .
“ I think it ’ s high time for other European allies to assist in the region , ” Mr. Esper said during a Pentagon press conference .
“ That could offset whatever changes we make as we consider next steps in Africa.
” It was French forces who managed to dislodge jihadi fighters linked to the Islamic State group and al Qaeda after they captured many towns in Mali ’ s north seven years ago , but recent events show that the terrorist threat was checked but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in West Africa with a population of about 19 million and an area of just over 480,000 square miles .
It is the eighth-largest country in Africa .
After the coup , the U.S. Embassy in Bomako warned Americans in the country to keep a low profile and avoid any unnecessary travel .
The overthrow of Mr. Keita , 75 , also has focused attention on the U.S. Africa Command ’ s relatively unknown “ Flintlock ” military and law enforcement exercises .
Malian Army Col. Assimi Goita , who has emerged as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Flintlock operations in past years , Pentagon officials confirmed .
He also took part in a program focused on terrorism at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany and attended a seminar at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida .
“ The Department of Defense is carefully reviewing the situation on the ground in Mali for any potential impacts on our assistance , ” Col. Semelroth said .
While acknowledging that Col. Goita received training from the U.S. military , a spokesman for U.S. Africa Command said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what training he received .
The Flintlock exercises , said Air Force Col. Christopher P. Karns , are focused on the rule of law in armed conflict , professionalism and respect for military and civilian authority .
“ Thousands of military members from Africa and their partner nations have participated in these types of exercises and training to confront security threats in the region , ” Col. Karns said .
U.S. military officials strongly condemn the mutiny in Mali , Col. Karns said .
Nothing in the U.S. training would have encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is absolutely inconsistent with everything that is taught in the U.S. military and its training , ” he said .
⦁ This article is based in part on wire service reports .

A coup in the small West African nation of Mali is having an outsized impact on the Pentagon’s campaign to confront violent jihadi groups now flourishing in Africa.
For the second time in less than a decade, soldiers from the Malian armed forces ousted their president in a military coup. The overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita last week seems certain to add to the political instability of a region where U.S., French and other forces are battling Islamic movements.
Mr. Keita, now being held in detention by the soldiers who engineered the coup, won popular elections in 2013 and 2018, but his popularity took a nosedive after his government failed to rein in Islamic extremists in Mali’s north and the military faced punishing losses from the jihadis.
Mali is strategically located at the heart of Africa’s troubled Sahel region, where jihadi groups have been expanding their influence. The coup was carried out as a time of questions about U.S. Africa Command and whether the Trump administration wanted to keep troops in the region as it tries to focus defense strategy on the challenge posed by China.
After the coup, Pentagon officials cited their “long-standing partnership” with the Malian military in the campaign against terrorism, but that relationship is now in jeopardy.
“The Department of Defense strongly condemns the act of mutiny in Mali and is carefully monitoring the developing situation,” said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Anton T. Semelroth, a Pentagon spokesman. “Until a thorough assessment is complete, there will be no further training or support to the Malian armed forces.
“The military coup in Mali comes on top of years of conflict and violence in the wider Sahel region that has trapped millions of people in crisis, ” Klaus Spreyermann, head of the delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Mali, told EuroNews.com over the weekend.
“Violence has tragically escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, driving death, injury and displacement, all while more than 18% of health care facilities nationwide, 90% of them in the north, have been destroyed by war,” he said.
In the Malian capital of Bamako on Monday, West African mediators suspended talks with Mali’s military junta after failing to reach an agreement on a path back to democratic rule, The Associated Press reported.
The junta calling itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People has proposed pushing back Mali’s next election until 2023, while leaders from the bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States and others want a return to civilian rule as soon as possible.
The Trump administration, the United Nations and most countries denounced the Aug. 18 coup and called for the restoration of Mali’s elected government.
Roles for France, U.S.
The United States has supported anti-terrorism operations in Mali for several years but has let France take the operational lead in its former colony. Pentagon officials said all U.S. military personnel in Mali are safe and have been accounted for.
In January, French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said the backing of the U.S. was critical to an increasingly expensive anti-insurgency mission in the region, but Defense Secretary Mark Esper said France “has been a real leader in the Sahel” while signaling that the U.S. may even step back from operations in Africa.
“I think it’s high time for other European allies to assist in the region,” Mr. Esper said during a Pentagon press conference. “That could offset whatever changes we make as we consider next steps in Africa.”
It was French forces who managed to dislodge jihadi fighters linked to the Islamic State group and al Qaeda after they captured many towns in Mali’s north seven years ago, but recent events show that the terrorist threat was checked but not defeated.
Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa with a population of about 19 million and an area of just over 480,000 square miles. It is the eighth-largest country in Africa.
After the coup, the U.S. Embassy in Bomako warned Americans in the country to keep a low profile and avoid any unnecessary travel.
The overthrow of Mr. Keita, 75, also has focused attention on the U.S. Africa Command’s relatively unknown “Flintlock” military and law enforcement exercises.
Malian Army Col. Assimi Goita, who has emerged as the leader of the junta, participated in the Flintlock operations in past years, Pentagon officials confirmed. He also took part in a program focused on terrorism at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany and attended a seminar at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.
“The Department of Defense is carefully reviewing the situation on the ground in Mali for any potential impacts on our assistance,” Col. Semelroth said.
While acknowledging that Col. Goita received training from the U.S. military, a spokesman for U.S. Africa Command said it was important to understand the context of what training he received. The Flintlock exercises, said Air Force Col. Christopher P. Karns, are focused on the rule of law in armed conflict, professionalism and respect for military and civilian authority.
“Thousands of military members from Africa and their partner nations have participated in these types of exercises and training to confront security threats in the region,” Col. Karns said.
U.S. military officials strongly condemn the mutiny in Mali, Col. Karns said. Nothing in the U.S. training would have encouraged such a move, officials said.
“It is absolutely inconsistent with everything that is taught in the U.S. military and its training,” he said.
⦁ This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Mark and Patricia McCloskey, St. Louis couple, warns Americans: It could happen to you

Mark and Patricia McCloskey , the St. Louis , Missouri couple whose photo went viral this summer for defending their @ @ @ @ @ broke down their street gate , warned Americans they could find themselves in the same @ @ @ @ @ were simply protecting themselves from a violent group of protesters but were charged with brandishing @ @ @ @ @ in St. Louis .
Speaking at the Republican National Convention Monday , Mr. McCloskey said @ @ @ @ @ of citizens , but President Trump will defend Americans ’ rights to protect themselves and @ @ @ @ @ “ Not a single person from the out of control mob you saw outside our @ @ @ @ @ crime but you know who was ?
We were , ” Mr. McCloskey said .
@ @ @ @ @ us nothing but destruction.
” Mrs. McCloskey said safety is at stake in this election @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump .

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the St. Louis, Missouri couple whose photo went viral this summer for defending their home with firearms after protesters broke down their street gate, warned Americans they could find themselves in the same situation.
They argued they were simply protecting themselves from a violent group of protesters but were charged with brandishing weapons by the Democrat leaders in St. Louis.
Speaking at the Republican National Convention Monday, Mr. McCloskey said Democrats are protecting criminals instead of citizens, but President Trump will defend Americans’ rights to protect themselves and pursue the American dream.
“Not a single person from the out of control mob you saw outside our house was charged with a crime but you know who was? We were,” Mr. McCloskey said. “The Democrats have brought us nothing but destruction.”
Mrs. McCloskey said safety is at stake in this election so the nation should back Mr. Trump.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Trump thanks frontline coronavirus workers from White House

President Trump gathered at the White House with a handful of “ frontline ” coronavirus workers - including two people who have recovered from COVID-19 - to thank them in a videotaped segment that aired Monday on the first night of the Republican National Convention .
“ These are my friends .
These are the incredible workers that helped us so much with the COVID , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ We can call it many different things , from China virus - I don ’ t want to go through all the names [ because ] some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the way it is.
” The virus has claimed the lives of more than 177,000 people in the U.S. and has ground traditional life to a halt for the better part of 2020 .
“ These are great , great people - doctors , nurses , a fireman , a policeman - we want to thank you all , ” the president said .
“ Thank you all very much - great job.
” One woman , a postal worker , said she was delivering mail to a senior community during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking good care of our postal workers - that I can tell you , ” Mr. Trump said amid ongoing reports of mail slowdowns and the controversies engulfing U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy .
“ We ’ re not getting rid of our postal workers , you know ?
…if anyone does it ’ s the Democrats , not the Republicans , ” the president said .
Another man identified himself as a trucker from Ohio .
“ Well , congratulations - you know I love the truckers .
They ’ re on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ em , ” Mr. Trump said .
There was also a custodial worker at the Post Office .
“ That profession will never be out of business - you know that , right ?
” the president said .
A nurse from New Jersey told Mr. Trump she was in “ awe ” of his leadership .
“ You really do show that positive spirit to us , ” she said .
There was also a police officer and detention deputy , both of whom contracted COVID-19 and have since recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an antibiotic , and cough syrup as treatment .
“ I won ’ t even ask you about the hydroxychloroquine - it ’ s a shame what they ’ ve done to that one , ” the president said of the anti-malaria drug he has touted .
“ But I took it - I took the Z-Pak also and zinc.
” Mr. Trump is frequently tested for the virus and took the drugs as an apparent prophylactic measure .

President Trump gathered at the White House with a handful of “frontline” coronavirus workers - including two people who have recovered from COVID-19 - to thank them in a videotaped segment that aired Monday on the first night of the Republican National Convention.
“These are my friends. These are the incredible workers that helped us so much with the COVID,” Mr. Trump said. “We can call it many different things, from China virus - I don’t want to go through all the names [because] some people may get insulted, but that’s the way it is.”
The virus has claimed the lives of more than 177,000 people in the U.S. and has ground traditional life to a halt for the better part of 2020.
“These are great, great people - doctors, nurses, a fireman, a policeman - we want to thank you all,” the president said. “Thank you all very much - great job.”
One woman, a postal worker, said she was delivering mail to a senior community during the pandemic.
“And we’re taking good care of our postal workers - that I can tell you,” Mr. Trump said amid ongoing reports of mail slowdowns and the controversies engulfing U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
“Absolutely,” she agreed.
“We’re not getting rid of our postal workers, you know?…if anyone does it’s the Democrats, not the Republicans,” the president said.
Another man identified himself as a trucker from Ohio.
“Well, congratulations - you know I love the truckers. They’re on my side…I think pretty much all of ‘em,” Mr. Trump said.
There was also a custodial worker at the Post Office.
“That profession will never be out of business - you know that, right?” the president said.
A nurse from New Jersey told Mr. Trump she was in “awe” of his leadership.
“You really do show that positive spirit to us,” she said.
There was also a police officer and detention deputy, both of whom contracted COVID-19 and have since recovered.
The deputy said he took Z-Pak, an antibiotic, and cough syrup as treatment.
“I won’t even ask you about the hydroxychloroquine - it’s a shame what they’ve done to that one,” the president said of the anti-malaria drug he has touted. “But I took it - I took the Z-Pak also and zinc.”
Mr. Trump is frequently tested for the virus and took the drugs as an apparent prophylactic measure.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Vernon Jones: Democrats want to keep Black people on 'mental plantation'

Vernon Jones , a state representative from Georgia and a lifelong Democrat , shared his support for President Trump Monday at the Republican National Convention , saying Democrats do not want Black people to think freely .
“ The Democratic Party does not want Black people to leave the mental plantation they ’ ve had us on for decades , ” he said .
“ But I have news for them : We are free people with free minds.
” Mr. Jones praised the president for funding historically black colleges and universities .
“ That gave our HBCUs stability — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next generation of black leaders , ” he said , adding Mr. Trump supports school choice which also helps minority children get a good education despite their zip codes .
He also praised the president for historically low black unemployment numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic hit , as well as passing the First Step Act , a landmark bipartisan criminal justice reform bill .
“ He ended — once and for all — the policy of mass incarceration of Black people , which has decimated our communities .
Democrats couldn ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it !
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris definitely couldn ’ t do it !
But Donald Trump did .
He ’ s also working every day to make our communities safer , ” Mr. Jones said .

Vernon Jones, a state representative from Georgia and a lifelong Democrat, shared his support for President Trump Monday at the Republican National Convention, saying Democrats do not want Black people to think freely.
“The Democratic Party does not want Black people to leave the mental plantation they’ve had us on for decades,” he said. “But I have news for them: We are free people with free minds.”
Mr. Jones praised the president for funding historically black colleges and universities.
“That gave our HBCUs stability — the chance to grow and produce the next generation of black leaders,” he said, adding Mr. Trump supports school choice which also helps minority children get a good education despite their zip codes.
He also praised the president for historically low black unemployment numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, as well as passing the First Step Act, a landmark bipartisan criminal justice reform bill.
“He ended — once and for all — the policy of mass incarceration of Black people, which has decimated our communities. Democrats couldn’t do it! Obama couldn’t do it! Joe Biden and Kamala Harris definitely couldn’t do it! But Donald Trump did. He’s also working every day to make our communities safer,” Mr. Jones said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Herschel Walker rejects Trump 'racist' accusations: 'It hurts my soul'

Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker on Monday rejected one of the most emotionally charged accusations Democrats level against President Trump — that he is a racist .
“ It hurts my soul to hear the terrible names that people call Donald .
The worst one is ‘ racist , ’ ” said Mr. Walker , who is a Black American .
“ I take it as a personal insult that people would think I would have a 37-year friendship with a racist.
” He said he hadn ’ t had a casual relationship with Mr. Trump but “ a deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deep south , I have seen racism up close .
I know what it is .
And it isn ’ t Donald Trump , ” he said .
Mr. Walker defended Mr. Trump ’ s call for NFL players to stand during the national anthem rather than take a knee as part of a Black Lives Matter protest .
“ Just because someone loves and respects the flag , our National Anthem , and our country doesn ’ t mean they don ’ t care about social justice , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those things , and so does Donald Trump .
He shows how much he cares about social justice and the black community through his actions .
And his actions speak louder than stickers or slogans on a jersey.
” “ He keeps right on fighting to improve the lives of black Americans and all Americans , ” said Mr. Walker .
The speech drew an immediate rave from one of Mr. Trump ’ s closest allies on Capitol Hill and an admonition from him to spread around the football star ’ s words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make an ad out of what Herschel Walker said … it would be political malpractice , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham , South Carolina Republican , said on Fox News Channel .

Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker on Monday rejected one of the most emotionally charged accusations Democrats level against President Trump — that he is a racist.
“It hurts my soul to hear the terrible names that people call Donald. The worst one is ‘racist,’” said Mr. Walker, who is a Black American. “I take it as a personal insult that people would think I would have a 37-year friendship with a racist.”
He said he hadn’t had a casual relationship with Mr. Trump but “a deep personal friendship.”
“Growing up in the deep south, I have seen racism up close. I know what it is. And it isn’t Donald Trump,” he said.
Mr. Walker defended Mr. Trump’s call for NFL players to stand during the national anthem rather than take a knee as part of a Black Lives Matter protest.
“Just because someone loves and respects the flag, our National Anthem, and our country doesn’t mean they don’t care about social justice,” he said. “I care about all of those things, and so does Donald Trump. He shows how much he cares about social justice and the black community through his actions. And his actions speak louder than stickers or slogans on a jersey.”
“He keeps right on fighting to improve the lives of black Americans and all Americans,” said Mr. Walker.
The speech drew an immediate rave from one of Mr. Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill and an admonition from him to spread around the football star’s words.
“if we don’t make an ad out of what Herschel Walker said … it would be political malpractice,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said on Fox News Channel.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Jim Jordan: Democrats won't let you go to church 'but they'll let you riot'

Rep. Jim Jordan , Ohio Republican , declared President Trump and the GOP “ pro-America ” at the Republican National @ @ @ @ @ — if in charge — will tear down the nation ’ s values and principles @ @ @ @ @ ’ s taking place in several American cities run by Democrats where crime and mob @ @ @ @ @ rise .
He said the Democrats have only suggested defunding police and disarming Americans in @ @ @ @ @ “ Democrats won ’ t let you go to church , but they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t let you go to work , but they ’ ll let you @ @ @ @ @ t let you go to school , but they ’ ll let you loot , @ @ @ @ @ “ President Trump has fought against their crazy ideas .
”

Rep. Jim Jordan, Ohio Republican, declared President Trump and the GOP “pro-America” at the Republican National Convention Monday, saying Democrats — if in charge — will tear down the nation’s values and principles.
The Trump-ally cited what’s taking place in several American cities run by Democrats where crime and mob rule has been on the rise. He said the Democrats have only suggested defunding police and disarming Americans in response to the chaos.
“Democrats won’t let you go to church, but they’ll let you protest. Democrats won’t let you go to work, but they’ll let you riot. Democrats won’t let you go to school, but they’ll let you loot,” Mr. Jordan said. “President Trump has fought against their crazy ideas.”
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-24--Widower files suit over woman's death from falling debris

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A widower whose wife died when she was hit by falling debris on a Manhattan street filed a lawsuit against the building ’ s owner and the city , claiming negligence and wrongful death .
The civil suit from Steven Tishman in connection to the December death of Erica Tishman was filed in Manhattan , and named Himmel + Meringoff Properties , LLC , the owners of the Seventh Avenue building , and the city of New York .
Erica Tishman , 60 , was a few blocks from her office when a piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building and hit the architect on Dec. 17 .
In his lawsuit , Steven Tishman accused the building owner of knowing about the facade defects but failing to repair them , and the city of not following up on violations that had been issued against the building or taking steps to ensure public safety .
“ The defendants robbed Erica Tishman of her life , they robbed Steven Tishman of his wife , and they robbed three children of their mother , ” the lawsuit said .
The city ’ s corporation counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ tragic incident ” and said the case was being reviewed .
A representative for the building owners also issued a statement calling Tishman ’ s death a “ profound tragedy.
” The statement said the company had been working to get the needed city approvals for the facade repairs and is about to start work .

NEW YORK (AP) - A widower whose wife died when she was hit by falling debris on a Manhattan street filed a lawsuit against the building’s owner and the city, claiming negligence and wrongful death.
The civil suit from Steven Tishman in connection to the December death of Erica Tishman was filed in Manhattan, and named Himmel + Meringoff Properties, LLC, the owners of the Seventh Avenue building, and the city of New York.
Erica Tishman, 60, was a few blocks from her office when a piece of facade fell from a 17-story office building and hit the architect on Dec. 17.
In his lawsuit, Steven Tishman accused the building owner of knowing about the facade defects but failing to repair them, and the city of not following up on violations that had been issued against the building or taking steps to ensure public safety.
“The defendants robbed Erica Tishman of her life, they robbed Steven Tishman of his wife, and they robbed three children of their mother,” the lawsuit said.
The city’s corporation counsel in a statement called the death a “tragic incident” and said the case was being reviewed.
A representative for the building owners also issued a statement calling Tishman’s death a “profound tragedy.” The statement said the company had been working to get the needed city approvals for the facade repairs and is about to start work.