washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Cyprus pledges to cover costs for virus-hit tourists

NICOSIA , Cyprus ( AP ) - Cyprus is pledging to cover all costs for anyone testing positive for the coronavirus while on vacation on the eastern Mediterranean island nation , according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday .
The Cypriot government says it will cover lodging , food , drink and medication for COVID-19 patients and their families .
Patients will only have to pay for the taxi ride to the airport and the flight back home .
A 100-bed hospital will cater exclusively to foreign travelers who test positive .
About 112 intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserved for critically-ill patients .
A 500-room “ quarantine hotel ” will be reserved for patients ’ family members and other close contacts .
The pledge came in a five-page letter dated Tuesday that was sent out to governments , airlines and tour operators outlining strict health and hygiene protocols that the government is enacting to woo visitors to the tourism-reliant country .
Tourism directly accounts for 13 % of Cyprus ’ economy .
This year , the country expects to lose as much as 70 % of the 2.6 billion euros ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The letter , signed by Cyprus ’ foreign affairs , transport and tourism ministers , boasts that the country has one of the lowest coronavirus ratios per capita in Europe after having tested more than 10 % of its population .
International air travel to Cyprus begins June 9 , initially from 19 countries , with passengers required to undergo a COVID-19 test three days prior to departure .
That measure will be lifted June 20 for 13 countries , including Germany , Finland , Israel , Greece and Norway .
Officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries depending on a constant evaluation of their infection rates .
Passengers will have to show their test certificate prior to boarding an aircraft and may have to wear masks throughout the flight .
Their temperature will be taken on arrival to Cyprus and some random testing may take place at no cost to the traveler .
Tourists will also have to fill out a “ COVID-19 Traveler Declaration ” stating all their travels 14 days prior to their Cyprus trip and that they have neither shown any coronavirus symptoms for 72 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contact with infected people 14 days before .
While in Cyprus , people who aren ’ t in the same travel group are obliged to keep apart at least two square meters ( 21 square feet ) outdoors and three square meters ( 32 square feet ) indoors .
Regularly disinfected sunbeds will be two meters ( 6.5 feet ) apart for people not belonging to the same travel group .
Hotel staff will be obliged to wear masks with rooms being disinfected after every departure .
At restaurants , bars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least two meters ( 6.5 feet ) apart with a maximum party size of 10 .
Guests will be encouraged to pay by card instead of cash .
It ’ s unclear what the exact protocols will be for nightclubs .

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) - Cyprus is pledging to cover all costs for anyone testing positive for the coronavirus while on vacation on the eastern Mediterranean island nation, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The Cypriot government says it will cover lodging, food, drink and medication for COVID-19 patients and their families. Patients will only have to pay for the taxi ride to the airport and the flight back home.
A 100-bed hospital will cater exclusively to foreign travelers who test positive. About 112 intensive care units equipped with 200 respirators will be reserved for critically-ill patients. A 500-room “quarantine hotel” will be reserved for patients’ family members and other close contacts.
The pledge came in a five-page letter dated Tuesday that was sent out to governments, airlines and tour operators outlining strict health and hygiene protocols that the government is enacting to woo visitors to the tourism-reliant country.
Tourism directly accounts for 13% of Cyprus’ economy. This year, the country expects to lose as much as 70% of the 2.6 billion euros ($2.85 billion) in tourism-generated revenue.
The letter, signed by Cyprus’ foreign affairs, transport and tourism ministers, boasts that the country has one of the lowest coronavirus ratios per capita in Europe after having tested more than 10% of its population.
International air travel to Cyprus begins June 9, initially from 19 countries, with passengers required to undergo a COVID-19 test three days prior to departure. That measure will be lifted June 20 for 13 countries, including Germany, Finland, Israel, Greece and Norway.
Officials say travel will be expanded to more countries depending on a constant evaluation of their infection rates.
Passengers will have to show their test certificate prior to boarding an aircraft and may have to wear masks throughout the flight. Their temperature will be taken on arrival to Cyprus and some random testing may take place at no cost to the traveler.
Tourists will also have to fill out a “COVID-19 Traveler Declaration” stating all their travels 14 days prior to their Cyprus trip and that they have neither shown any coronavirus symptoms for 72 hours before departure nor that they have been in contact with infected people 14 days before.
While in Cyprus, people who aren’t in the same travel group are obliged to keep apart at least two square meters (21 square feet) outdoors and three square meters (32 square feet) indoors.
Regularly disinfected sunbeds will be two meters (6.5 feet) apart for people not belonging to the same travel group.
Hotel staff will be obliged to wear masks with rooms being disinfected after every departure. At restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs, tables will be at least two meters (6.5 feet) apart with a maximum party size of 10. Guests will be encouraged to pay by card instead of cash.
It’s unclear what the exact protocols will be for nightclubs.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Northern India wilts under crippling heat wave

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - As India braces for a hotter than usual summer , many cities in the country ’ s north are reeling under an intense heat wave with the temperatures on Wednesday crossing a scorching 45 degrees Celsius ( 113 degrees Fahrenheit ) .
The temperatures in northern India are the highest that the country has seen in decades for this time of the year , and the hot spell is projected to last until Friday .
On Tuesday , Rajasthan ’ s Churu district recorded a maximum temperature of 50 C ( 122 F ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Indian Meteorological Department , said it was the highest temperature recorded in the world for the day .
Temperatures in the capital of New Delhi have also soared beyond 47 C ( 116 F ) this week and some states issued advisories urging people to remain indoors and hydrated .
Cyclone Amphan , which left a trail of destruction in the eastern coastal states of West Bengal and Odisha last week , was partly a reason for the heat wave .
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra , India ’ s meteorological chief , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air and triggered hot dry winds that are now blowing over large swathes of northern and central Indian plains .
India ’ s weather agency is expecting the seasonal average maximum temperatures to remain half a degree to 1 degree C ( 32.9 to 33.8 F ) higher than usual over northwest India and the country ’ s western peninsular region during April and June this year .
The main summer months - April , May and June - are always excruciatingly hot in most parts of India before monsoon rains bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern India in the first week of June and the rest of the nation within a month .
In recent years , heat waves have caused a number of deaths , including daily wage workers , rickshaw drivers , street vendors and homeless , many of whom are the most exposed to the sun .
The year 2015 saw the worst heat wave in India since 1992 , killing at least 2,081 people .
During spells of heat waves , the country of 1.3 billion people usually suffers from severe water shortages with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year , India ’ s Chennai made headlines when the southern city ran out of water .

NEW DELHI (AP) - As India braces for a hotter than usual summer, many cities in the country’s north are reeling under an intense heat wave with the temperatures on Wednesday crossing a scorching 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
The temperatures in northern India are the highest that the country has seen in decades for this time of the year, and the hot spell is projected to last until Friday.
On Tuesday, Rajasthan’s Churu district recorded a maximum temperature of 50 C (122 F). Ravindra Sihag, a scientist at the Indian Meteorological Department, said it was the highest temperature recorded in the world for the day.
Temperatures in the capital of New Delhi have also soared beyond 47 C (116 F) this week and some states issued advisories urging people to remain indoors and hydrated.
Cyclone Amphan, which left a trail of destruction in the eastern coastal states of West Bengal and Odisha last week, was partly a reason for the heat wave.
Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, India’s meteorological chief, said that the cyclone effectively sucked the moisture in the air and triggered hot dry winds that are now blowing over large swathes of northern and central Indian plains.
India’s weather agency is expecting the seasonal average maximum temperatures to remain half a degree to 1 degree C (32.9 to 33.8 F) higher than usual over northwest India and the country’s western peninsular region during April and June this year.
The main summer months - April, May and June - are always excruciatingly hot in most parts of India before monsoon rains bring cooler temperatures. The monsoon normally hits southern India in the first week of June and the rest of the nation within a month.
In recent years, heat waves have caused a number of deaths, including daily wage workers, rickshaw drivers, street vendors and homeless, many of whom are the most exposed to the sun.
The year 2015 saw the worst heat wave in India since 1992, killing at least 2,081 people.
During spells of heat waves, the country of 1.3 billion people usually suffers from severe water shortages with tens of millions lacking running water.
Last year, India’s Chennai made headlines when the southern city ran out of water.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Edmunds compares 2020 Subaru Outback and Hyundai Santa Fe

Subaru has redesigned its popular Outback for the 2020 model year .
It ’ s roomier and better equipped with the latest safety and technology features .
But Subaru isn ’ t the only automaker catering to shoppers looking for a five-passenger midsize SUV .
Hyundai took a similar approach when it redesigned the long-running Santa Fe last year .
These two models are nearly identical in size , space , power and starting price .
Edmunds ’ experts have tested the new Outback and Santa Fe and identified a few key differences that should make your shopping decision easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s enough space to carry five adults in relative comfort or fit bulky rear-facing child safety seats without having to move the front seats up .
The Outback and the Santa Fe also have about 30 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and more than 70 cubic feet with the seats folded down .
It ’ s sufficient space for most tasks , from Costco runs to loading up for a long camping trip .
The Subaru does have an edge for visibility .
Its large windows provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even when reversing .
The Santa Fe suffers a bit because its thicker roof pillars create bigger blind spots compared to the Outback .
These two SUVs score well for seat comfort .
Supportive front seats and reclining rear seats should accommodate passengers of nearly all shapes and sizes .
The Santa Fe has a more upright driver ’ s seat , giving you an elevated view of the road , while Subaru ’ s seating position is lower and more car-like .
Subaru pulls ahead here with the Outback ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out bumps and ruts in the road while giving you a solid , stable feel at highway speeds .
The Santa Fe ’ s firmer ride helps it feel a little sportier when going around turns , but it also makes bumps much more noticeable .
The Outback features a large and attractive vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen that ’ s standard on all but the base trim level .
Unfortunately , it can be frustrating to interact with .
Its on-screen menus aren ’ t always logically arranged .
Worse , Subaru routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings , including climate control , through it .
What should be simple tasks can turn into distracting multi-step processes .
The Santa Fe uses a smaller but more straightforward touchscreen interface .
Combined with a helpful layout of physical buttons , the Santa Fe ’ s controls are easier to use Both vehicles offer advanced safety features to help prevent or mitigate accidents , such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking .
Subaru goes a bit further , offering rear automatic rear braking and a camera-based driver attention monitoring system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Santa Fe .
Unfortunately , the Outback ’ s safety features are more annoying to live with .
You ’ ll be subject to beeps and chimes as conditions change .
It can feel like being 16 again and driving with an anxious parent .
Both the Outback and Santa Fe come standard with four-cylinder engines that make a bit more than 180 horsepower .
In Edmunds testing , both SUVs accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about 9 seconds .
That ’ s below average for the class since most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base engines .
The catch is you ’ ll pay thousands more for those competitors ’ base models .
Want more power ?
Hyundai and Subaru offer turbocharged engines as options .
The Santa Fe ’ s makes 235 horsepower and the Outback cranks out 260 horsepower .
Towing capacity for each is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped , enough for light recreational or cargo trailers .
The Outback is a little smoother when accelerating , and it comes with a higher ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive that make it more sure-footed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SUVs ’ suggested pricing starts at just over $ 27,000 , including destination charges .
Once you get past the base trim , you ’ ll pay a bit more for the Subaru , primarily because you can get any Santa Fe trim with front-wheel drive .
All-wheel drive comes standard on every Outback , while it ’ s a $ 1,700 option on the Santa Fe .
Nicely equipped Outback and Santa Fe models with the more powerful engines run about $ 36,000 and both max out around $ 40,000 .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you stick with the less powerful engines .
Otherwise , you ’ ll pay about what you would for a competitor with a V6 engine .
The Santa Fe does have one key advantage : Hyundai ’ s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty .
Subaru ’ s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty is par for the class .
EDMUNDS SAYS : The Subaru Outback impressed us with its comfort and performance , but ultimately its over-reliance on its menu-heavy touchscreen held it back from earning our top pick .
Instead , we recommend the well rounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds .
Will Kaufman is a content strategist at Edmunds .
Instagram : @ didntreadthestyleguide .

Subaru has redesigned its popular Outback for the 2020 model year. It’s roomier and better equipped with the latest safety and technology features. But Subaru isn’t the only automaker catering to shoppers looking for a five-passenger midsize SUV. Hyundai took a similar approach when it redesigned the long-running Santa Fe last year.
These two models are nearly identical in size, space, power and starting price. Edmunds’ experts have tested the new Outback and Santa Fe and identified a few key differences that should make your shopping decision easier.
PASSENGER AND CARGO SPACE
Both SUVs have roomy cabins. There’s enough space to carry five adults in relative comfort or fit bulky rear-facing child safety seats without having to move the front seats up. The Outback and the Santa Fe also have about 30 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and more than 70 cubic feet with the seats folded down. It’s sufficient space for most tasks, from Costco runs to loading up for a long camping trip.
The Subaru does have an edge for visibility. Its large windows provide an airy feeling interior and easy views, even when reversing. The Santa Fe suffers a bit because its thicker roof pillars create bigger blind spots compared to the Outback.
Winner: Outback
COMFORT AND REFINEMENT
These two SUVs score well for seat comfort. Supportive front seats and reclining rear seats should accommodate passengers of nearly all shapes and sizes. The Santa Fe has a more upright driver’s seat, giving you an elevated view of the road, while Subaru’s seating position is lower and more car-like.
Subaru pulls ahead here with the Outback’s standout ride quality. It impressively smooths out bumps and ruts in the road while giving you a solid, stable feel at highway speeds. The Santa Fe’s firmer ride helps it feel a little sportier when going around turns, but it also makes bumps much more noticeable.
Winner: Outback
INFOTAINMENT AND DRIVER AIDS
The Outback features a large and attractive vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen that’s standard on all but the base trim level. Unfortunately, it can be frustrating to interact with. Its on-screen menus aren’t always logically arranged. Worse, Subaru routes almost all of the vehicle’s settings, including climate control, through it. What should be simple tasks can turn into distracting multi-step processes.
The Santa Fe uses a smaller but more straightforward touchscreen interface. Combined with a helpful layout of physical buttons, the Santa Fe’s controls are easier to use
Both vehicles offer advanced safety features to help prevent or mitigate accidents, such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Subaru goes a bit further, offering rear automatic rear braking and a camera-based driver attention monitoring system that you can’t get on the Santa Fe.
Unfortunately, the Outback’s safety features are more annoying to live with. You’ll be subject to beeps and chimes as conditions change. It can feel like being 16 again and driving with an anxious parent.
Winner: Hyundai
DRIVING PERFORMANCE
Both the Outback and Santa Fe come standard with four-cylinder engines that make a bit more than 180 horsepower. In Edmunds testing, both SUVs accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about 9 seconds. That’s below average for the class since most other midsize SUVs come with more powerful base engines. The catch is you’ll pay thousands more for those competitors’ base models.
Want more power? Hyundai and Subaru offer turbocharged engines as options. The Santa Fe’s makes 235 horsepower and the Outback cranks out 260 horsepower. Towing capacity for each is 3,500 pounds when properly equipped, enough for light recreational or cargo trailers.
The Outback is a little smoother when accelerating, and it comes with a higher ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive that make it more sure-footed when driving on off-road trails.
Winner: Subaru
VALUE PROPOSITION
Both SUVs’ suggested pricing starts at just over $27,000, including destination charges. Once you get past the base trim, you’ll pay a bit more for the Subaru, primarily because you can get any Santa Fe trim with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive comes standard on every Outback, while it’s a $1,700 option on the Santa Fe.
Nicely equipped Outback and Santa Fe models with the more powerful engines run about $36,000 and both max out around $40,000. However, the value proposition is more obvious if you stick with the less powerful engines. Otherwise, you’ll pay about what you would for a competitor with a V6 engine.
The Santa Fe does have one key advantage: Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Subaru’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty is par for the class.
Winner: Hyundai
EDMUNDS SAYS: The Subaru Outback impressed us with its comfort and performance, but ultimately its over-reliance on its menu-heavy touchscreen held it back from earning our top pick. Instead, we recommend the well rounded Hyundai Santa Fe.
___
This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Will Kaufman is a content strategist at Edmunds. Instagram: @didntreadthestyleguide.
Related links:
-Edmunds: 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Review: https://edmu.in/3bK3Fuz
-Edmunds: 2020 Subaru Outback Review: https://edmu.in/2WNC9Z3


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Israeli president calls Australian PM after teacher's ruling

JERUSALEM ( AP ) - Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said he spoke Wednesday with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison , following an Israeli court ruling that a former teacher accused of sexually abusing her students in Australia was fit to stand trial and be extradited .
Rivlin noted that the matter was central to his state visit to Australia in February and that he had promised Morrison and Australia ’ s pro-Israel Jewish community he would monitor the case closely .
“ Israel will not allow anyone to use its institutions to evade justice , ” Rivlin said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
The court ruled that Malka Leifer was faking a mental illness to avoid prosecution .
It set a July 20 extradition hearing .
Leifer ’ s accusers say she abused them while they were students at an ultra-Orthodox school in Melbourne .
In 2008 , as allegations surfaced , the Israeli-born Leifer - a trusted educator in an insular religious community - left her position at the school suddenly and returned to Israel , where she has lived since .
Australia requested Leifer ’ s extradition in 2014 on 74 charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 Israeli court hearings have followed .
The prolonged proceedings have raised concerns that Israeli authorities of dragging out the case for far too long .
Critics say the legal proceedings have been marred by needless delays by Leifer ’ s legal team .
Israeli police also have recommended charges of fraud and breach of trust be brought against former Health Minister Yaakov Litzman for suspicions he pressured ministry employees to skew Leifer ’ s psychiatric evaluations in her favor .
Litzman , a powerful ultra-Orthodox politician , denies wrongdoing .

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said he spoke Wednesday with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, following an Israeli court ruling that a former teacher accused of sexually abusing her students in Australia was fit to stand trial and be extradited.
Rivlin noted that the matter was central to his state visit to Australia in February and that he had promised Morrison and Australia’s pro-Israel Jewish community he would monitor the case closely.
“Israel will not allow anyone to use its institutions to evade justice,” Rivlin said, adding that Tuesday’s court ruling proved that.
The court ruled that Malka Leifer was faking a mental illness to avoid prosecution. It set a July 20 extradition hearing.
Leifer’s accusers say she abused them while they were students at an ultra-Orthodox school in Melbourne. In 2008, as allegations surfaced, the Israeli-born Leifer - a trusted educator in an insular religious community - left her position at the school suddenly and returned to Israel, where she has lived since.
Australia requested Leifer’s extradition in 2014 on 74 charges of child sex abuse and more than 60 Israeli court hearings have followed. The prolonged proceedings have raised concerns that Israeli authorities of dragging out the case for far too long.
Critics say the legal proceedings have been marred by needless delays by Leifer’s legal team. Israeli police also have recommended charges of fraud and breach of trust be brought against former Health Minister Yaakov Litzman for suspicions he pressured ministry employees to skew Leifer’s psychiatric evaluations in her favor. Litzman, a powerful ultra-Orthodox politician, denies wrongdoing.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--LA allows shopping, worship sooner than expected in pandemic

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Retail shops and offices were allowed to open Wednesday and the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the U.S. announced a plan to resume services as Los Angeles County took another step toward a reopening that seemed hard to imagine a week ago .
Los Angeles , which has been proceeding more cautiously because of a disproportionately large share of California ’ s coronavirus cases , moved ahead after Gov .
Gavin Newsom relaxed statewide rules Monday to allow worship and shopping to resume with restrictions .
San Francisco and other Bay Area counties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus than LA , have yet to take those steps out of an abundance of caution .
Santa Clara County health officer Sara Cody , who led others in issuing a stay-at-home order , even criticized the governor for relaxing rules too rapidly before they could determine if incremental reopenings led to a resurgence of infections .
In LA , the new rules were announced just a week after the county set a July 4 target to further reopen businesses .
At the time , most of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve meals for the first time in two months and allow shoppers to return to malls and other stores that had been shuttered because they weren ’ t deemed essential .
LA officials downplayed the change of plans Wednesday , saying they always intended to gradually reopen businesses leading up to Independence Day .
“ I don ’ t think really there ’ s a disconnect , ” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
“ We always talked about a phased-in approach .
It ’ s never been one day we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re open.
” LA , with a quarter of California ’ s 40 million residents , has nearly half the state ’ s 100,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 55 % of the 3,895 reported deaths .
Dr. Jeffrey Klausner , an epidemiology professor at the University of California , Los Angeles , said officials are in the position of balancing public health with concerns about businesses collapsing and people losing their jobs .
“ These are economic realities , ” said Klausner , a former deputy public health officer in San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the public health priorities are and there ’ s always that tension , always that push and pull between the public health goals of having the best health outcomes for the most people and the other competing interests , whether it be economics or education or public safety.
” Stores that have been open for pickup orders can now allow a limited number of shoppers .
Offices can reopen , flea markets can resume and churches can allow services limited to 25 % of capacity or no more than 100 worshipers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ H. Gomez said in a letter to parishes with an estimated 4.3 million Catholics that they must submit reopening plans under guidelines that include sanitary measures to help prevent spread of COVID-19 and could resume daily Mass on June 3 .
Among other measures , choirs will be replaced by a cantor and accompanist and people should be dismissed after Mass by groups of pews .
“ As we enter this new moment , it is important to remember that the coronavirus is still out there , it is still contagious , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Officials have moved swiftly in the past few weeks to allow beaches and trails to reopen , along with a growing number of businesses , which must receive county approval .
On Tuesday , Newsom added hair salons and barbershops t o the list and on Wednesday he signaled that gyms could be open within weeks .
Bill Allen , chief executive officer of the L.A. County Economic Development Corp. , said the stay-at-home orders were well-intended and successful but it was time to start reopening .
He said the business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , particularly low-wage earners who didn ’ t have the means to weather the impact .
“ Those prolonged shutdowns we ’ re having potentially long-lasting economic and health impacts on our most vulnerable residents and communities , ” Allen said .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Retail shops and offices were allowed to open Wednesday and the largest Roman Catholic archdiocese in the U.S. announced a plan to resume services as Los Angeles County took another step toward a reopening that seemed hard to imagine a week ago.
Los Angeles, which has been proceeding more cautiously because of a disproportionately large share of California’s coronavirus cases, moved ahead after Gov. Gavin Newsom relaxed statewide rules Monday to allow worship and shopping to resume with restrictions.
San Francisco and other Bay Area counties, which have had more success curbing the spread of the virus than LA, have yet to take those steps out of an abundance of caution. Santa Clara County health officer Sara Cody, who led others in issuing a stay-at-home order, even criticized the governor for relaxing rules too rapidly before they could determine if incremental reopenings led to a resurgence of infections.
In LA, the new rules were announced just a week after the county set a July 4 target to further reopen businesses. At the time, most of the state’s counties were moving to let restaurants serve meals for the first time in two months and allow shoppers to return to malls and other stores that had been shuttered because they weren’t deemed essential.
LA officials downplayed the change of plans Wednesday, saying they always intended to gradually reopen businesses leading up to Independence Day.
“I don’t think really there’s a disconnect,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “We always talked about a phased-in approach. It’s never been one day we’re closed, one day we’re open.”
LA, with a quarter of California’s 40 million residents, has nearly half the state’s 100,000 COVID-19 cases and more than 55% of the 3,895 reported deaths.
Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said officials are in the position of balancing public health with concerns about businesses collapsing and people losing their jobs.
“These are economic realities,” said Klausner, a former deputy public health officer in San Francisco. “That is kind of countervailing what the public health priorities are and there’s always that tension, always that push and pull between the public health goals of having the best health outcomes for the most people and the other competing interests, whether it be economics or education or public safety.”
Stores that have been open for pickup orders can now allow a limited number of shoppers. Offices can reopen, flea markets can resume and churches can allow services limited to 25% of capacity or no more than 100 worshipers, whichever number is lower.
Archbishop José H. Gomez said in a letter to parishes with an estimated 4.3 million Catholics that they must submit reopening plans under guidelines that include sanitary measures to help prevent spread of COVID-19 and could resume daily Mass on June 3. Among other measures, choirs will be replaced by a cantor and accompanist and people should be dismissed after Mass by groups of pews.
“As we enter this new moment, it is important to remember that the coronavirus is still out there, it is still contagious, and it is still dangerous,” Gomez said.
Officials have moved swiftly in the past few weeks to allow beaches and trails to reopen, along with a growing number of businesses, which must receive county approval. On Tuesday, Newsom added hair salons and barbershops t o the list and on Wednesday he signaled that gyms could be open within weeks.
Bill Allen, chief executive officer of the L.A. County Economic Development Corp., said the stay-at-home orders were well-intended and successful but it was time to start reopening. He said the business closures had taken a huge toll on workers, particularly low-wage earners who didn’t have the means to weather the impact.
“Those prolonged shutdowns we’re having potentially long-lasting economic and health impacts on our most vulnerable residents and communities,” Allen said.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Tara Reade, Joe Biden accuser, under investigation in California: Report

California prosecutors are looking into possible criminal charges against the woman who accuses Joseph R. Biden of sexually assaulting her @ @ @ @ @ and other outlets , Monterey County officials are investigating Tara Reade to determine whether she @ @ @ @ @ when working as an expert witness on domestic violence .
The specific issue is whether @ @ @ @ @ when establishing her bona fides as an expert witness .
“ We are investigating whether @ @ @ @ @ testimony under oath , ” Monterey County chief assistant district attorney Berkley Brannon said in @ @ @ @ @ , then using the name Alexandra McCabe , would describe in testimony her 20-year career @ @ @ @ @ ” but at least twice in the past two years , according to ABC News @ @ @ @ @ earned a degree from Antioch University .
“ [ She ] attended but did not @ @ @ @ @ ” spokeswoman Karen Hamilton , told ABC .

California prosecutors are looking into possible criminal charges against the woman who accuses Joseph R. Biden of sexually assaulting her.
According to ABC News and other outlets, Monterey County officials are investigating Tara Reade to determine whether she gave false testimony under oath when working as an expert witness on domestic violence.
The specific issue is whether she misrepresented her academic credentials when establishing her bona fides as an expert witness.
“We are investigating whether [she] gave false testimony under oath,” Monterey County chief assistant district attorney Berkley Brannon said in a statement.
Ms. Reade, then using the name Alexandra McCabe, would describe in testimony her 20-year career as “a victim advocate” but at least twice in the past two years, according to ABC News, she said she had earned a degree from Antioch University.
“[She] attended but did not graduate from Antioch University,” spokeswoman Karen Hamilton, told ABC.
Other details of Ms. Reade’s academic career, which news outlets have begun investigating since she accused the presumed Democratic presidential nominee of forcible digital penetration some decades ago, seem somewhat murky.
Mr. Brannon, the Monterey County prosecutor, told Politico that he wasn’t sure how many cases Ms. Reade might have testified in as an expert.
“We have no database or search engine to use to determine in how many cases she testified,” he told Politico. “However, that effort is ongoing.”
According to Politico, the Monterey County district attorney is being pushed by defense lawyers in cases in which Ms. Reade testified to subpoena her academic records to determine whether she had engaged in academic fraud that might invalidate her testimony and/or lied under the oath.
“It’s my opinion that the district attorney has an obligation to find out that information and turn it over to us,” Roland Soltesz, a defense lawyer who questioned her in the attempted murder trial, told Politico.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Sam Johnson, ex-Texas GOP congressman and Vietnam POW, dies

Former Texas Rep. Sam Johnson , a military pilot who spent years at a prisoner of war in Vietnam before serving more than two decades in Congress , died Wednesday at age 89 .
The conservative Republican , who lived in the northern Dallas suburb of Plano , died at a Plano hospital of natural causes unrelated to the coronavirus outbreak , said his former spokesman , Ray Sullivan .
Johnson flew nearly 100 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam .
He was flying a bombing mission in 1966 when he was shot down and wounded .
He was imprisoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nearly seven years , mostly in solitary confinement .
He retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1979 , after a 29-year career .
The ardent conservative and anti-communist was elected to Congress in 1991 after six years in the Texas House of Representatives .
He vowed to stay a maximum of 12 years , though he served more than double that .
Johnson had been a POW with U.S. Sen. John McCain , and although they clashed in Congress , Johnson defended McCain in 2015 , when then-presidential candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hero because he ’ d been captured .
Johnson announced in January 2017 that he would retire at the end of his term .
When Johnson stepped down in 2019 , at age 88 , he was the oldest member of the U.S. House .
“ Scripture tells us ‘ There is a time for everything , and a season for every activity under heaven , ’ ” Johnson wrote in a January 2017 letter to constituents , telling them he would retire at the end of his term .
“ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the season of my life in Congress is coming to an end.
” Another former Texas congressman , Ralph Hall , was the oldest-ever member of the U.S. House when he left office at age 91 in 2014 .
Hall , a Republican and World War II pilot , was 95 when he died in March 2019 .
Samuel Robert Johnson was born on Oct. 11 , 1930 , in San Antonio .
He grew up in Dallas , married Shirley Lee Melton in 1950 and graduated the following year from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a degree in business administration .
Johnson enlisted in the military at age 20 and served during the Korean and Vietnam wars .
He was 35 on April 16,1966 , and flying a night mission carrying loads of napalm , when his aircraft came under heavy enemy fire over Vietnam .
The gun of Johnson ’ s F-4 Phantom II jammed and the plane was hit .
Its right engine caught fire , forcing Johnson and co-pilot Larry Chesley to eject , and the future congressman broke his arm and back and dislocated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jungle before being surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers who took him to the infamous Hoa Lo Prison , better known as the “ Hanoi Hilton.
” He endured what he would later describe as 3-foot by 8-foot , rat-infested “ dark and filthy cell.
” “ Forty-two of those months were spent in solitary confinement with 10 other fine American patriots because the Vietcong labeled us ‘ die hard ’ resistors , ” Johnson wrote in 2015 .
He recalled tapping code on the wall to communicate with other Americans being held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home.
” While speaking on the House floor in 2003 , Johnson said his faith only got stronger through captivity .
He recalled how one day his captors put him against a wall and promised to execute him with machine guns .
“ I started praying harder than I have ever prayed in my life .
In a few seconds , the guns went click , click , click , click , click , ” Johnson told the chamber .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God I survived.
” He was released and flew out of Hanoi on Feb. 12 , 1973 .
He earned a master ’ s degree at George Washington University in Washington in 1976 .
He retired from the Air Force three years later and began a home-building business .
He was elected to the Texas Legislature in 1984 and went to Congress following a special election in 1991 , after Rep. Steve Bartlett resigned to become Dallas mayor .
Representing Plano and other conservative northern suburbs of Dallas , Johnson was known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his efforts to bolster the financial standing of the Social Security program .
He took office backing term limits , yet he stayed in Congress more than double his promised maximum of 12 years .
When Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992 , Johnson and other Republican military veterans in Congress alleged that Russian intelligence lured Clinton to Moscow during the Vietnam war when “ I was sitting in a POW camp in Vietnam eating fish eyes and pig fat.
” Questions about Clinton ’ s patriotism dogged him during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Johnson and the others were largely soon forgotten .
As a prisoner of war , Johnson shared a cell with McCain , who would later become a U.S. senator from Arizona .
But the pair later clashed on political issues - including McCain ’ s efforts to eventually help normalize U.S. relations with Vietnam .
Still , Johnson criticized Trump for suggesting McCain was no hero .
“ Comments like those of Donald Trump , or any other American , suggesting that veterans like Senator John McCain or any other of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for having been captured are not only misguided , they are ungrateful and naïve , ” Johnson wrote in 2015 .
In February 2018 - marking the 45th anniversary of the operation that led to his release - Johnson donated a chipped green tin cup issued by his captors and tube of toothpaste he smuggled out of North Vietnam to the Smithsonian ’ s National Museum of American History .
Johnson recalled then how he and other prisoners would communicate by tapping on the walls and how he ’ d hold his cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear their messages .
In his autobiography , “ Captive Warriors : A Vietnam POW ’ s Story , ” Johnson wrote of the cup : “ For me , it symbolized our war of resistance for seven long years .
It had been a means of communication and , as such , a means of survival.
” Johnson ’ s wife died on Dec. 3 , 2015 at their home in Plano at age 85 .
He is survived by his adult daughters , Gini Johnson Mulligan and Beverly Johnson Briney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Robert “ Bob ” Johnson , died in 2013 at age 61 .

Former Texas Rep. Sam Johnson, a military pilot who spent years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam before serving more than two decades in Congress, died Wednesday at age 89.
The conservative Republican, who lived in the northern Dallas suburb of Plano, died at a Plano hospital of natural causes unrelated to the coronavirus outbreak, said his former spokesman, Ray Sullivan.
Johnson flew nearly 100 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. He was flying a bombing mission in 1966 when he was shot down and wounded. He was imprisoned in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” for nearly seven years, mostly in solitary confinement. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1979, after a 29-year career.
The ardent conservative and anti-communist was elected to Congress in 1991 after six years in the Texas House of Representatives. He vowed to stay a maximum of 12 years, though he served more than double that.
Johnson had been a POW with U.S. Sen. John McCain, and although they clashed in Congress, Johnson defended McCain in 2015, when then-presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested he wasn’t a hero because he’d been captured. Johnson announced in January 2017 that he would retire at the end of his term. When Johnson stepped down in 2019, at age 88, he was the oldest member of the U.S. House.
“Scripture tells us ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven,’” Johnson wrote in a January 2017 letter to constituents, telling them he would retire at the end of his term. “For me, the Lord has made clear that the season of my life in Congress is coming to an end.”
Another former Texas congressman, Ralph Hall, was the oldest-ever member of the U.S. House when he left office at age 91 in 2014. Hall, a Republican and World War II pilot, was 95 when he died in March 2019.
Samuel Robert Johnson was born on Oct. 11, 1930, in San Antonio. He grew up in Dallas, married Shirley Lee Melton in 1950 and graduated the following year from his hometown’s Southern Methodist University with a degree in business administration.
Johnson enlisted in the military at age 20 and served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was 35 on April 16, 1966, and flying a night mission carrying loads of napalm, when his aircraft came under heavy enemy fire over Vietnam.
The gun of Johnson’s F-4 Phantom II jammed and the plane was hit. Its right engine caught fire, forcing Johnson and co-pilot Larry Chesley to eject, and the future congressman broke his arm and back and dislocated his shoulder.
Johnson recalled trudging through the jungle before being surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers who took him to the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, better known as the “Hanoi Hilton.” He endured what he would later describe as a 3-foot by 8-foot, rat-infested “dark and filthy cell.”
“Forty-two of those months were spent in solitary confinement with 10 other fine American patriots because the Vietcong labeled us ‘die hard’ resistors,” Johnson wrote in 2015.
He recalled tapping code on the wall to communicate with other Americans being held, and that “our captors would blare nasty recordings over the loud speaker of Americans protesting back home.”
While speaking on the House floor in 2003, Johnson said his faith only got stronger through captivity. He recalled how one day his captors put him against a wall and promised to execute him with machine guns.
“I started praying harder than I have ever prayed in my life. In a few seconds, the guns went click, click, click, click, click,” Johnson told the chamber. “It is only because of the grace of God I survived.”
He was released and flew out of Hanoi on Feb. 12, 1973. He earned a master’s degree at George Washington University in Washington in 1976. He retired from the Air Force three years later and began a home-building business. He was elected to the Texas Legislature in 1984 and went to Congress following a special election in 1991, after Rep. Steve Bartlett resigned to become Dallas mayor.
Representing Plano and other conservative northern suburbs of Dallas, Johnson was known for his work on veterans’ affairs and for his efforts to bolster the financial standing of the Social Security program. He took office backing term limits, yet he stayed in Congress more than double his promised maximum of 12 years.
When Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992, Johnson and other Republican military veterans in Congress alleged that Russian intelligence lured Clinton to Moscow during the Vietnam war when “I was sitting in a POW camp in Vietnam eating fish eyes and pig fat.” Questions about Clinton’s patriotism dogged him during his first campaign, but the allegations made by Johnson and the others were largely soon forgotten.
As a prisoner of war, Johnson shared a cell with McCain, who would later become a U.S. senator from Arizona. But the pair later clashed on political issues - including McCain’s efforts to eventually help normalize U.S. relations with Vietnam. Still, Johnson criticized Trump for suggesting McCain was no hero.
“Comments like those of Donald Trump, or any other American, suggesting that veterans like Senator John McCain or any other of America’s honorable POWs are less brave for having been captured are not only misguided, they are ungrateful and naïve,” Johnson wrote in 2015.
In February 2018 - marking the 45th anniversary of the operation that led to his release - Johnson donated a chipped green tin cup issued by his captors and tube of toothpaste he smuggled out of North Vietnam to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Johnson recalled then how he and other prisoners would communicate by tapping on the walls and how he’d hold his cup against them to amplify sounds and better hear their messages.
In his autobiography, “Captive Warriors: A Vietnam POW’s Story,” Johnson wrote of the cup: “For me, it symbolized our war of resistance for seven long years. It had been a means of communication and, as such, a means of survival.”
Johnson’s wife died on Dec. 3, 2015, at their home in Plano at age 85. He is survived by his adult daughters, Gini Johnson Mulligan and Beverly Johnson Briney, and 10 grandchildren. His son, James Robert “Bob” Johnson, died in 2013 at age 61.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Former Texas Rep. Sam Johnson, Vietnam prisoner of war who later served more than 2 decades in Congr

PLANO , Texas ( AP ) - Former Texas Rep. Sam Johnson , Vietnam prisoner of war who later served @ @ @ @ @ Congress , has died at 89 .

PLANO, Texas (AP) - Former Texas Rep. Sam Johnson, Vietnam prisoner of war who later served more than 2 decades in Congress, has died at 89.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Yavapai County wildfire chars 100 acres, forces evacuations

CONGRESS , Ariz. ( AP ) - A human-caused wildfire burning Wednesday in north-central Arizona near the small town of @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the wildfire had @ @ @ @ @ 0.15 square miles ) by late Wednesday afternoon .
Yavapai County Sheriff ’ s officials @ @ @ @ @ evacuated in the Ox Ranch area .
They said the fire is about nine miles @ @ @ @ @ of Congress and had destroyed two structures and was threatening five more .
Crew were @ @ @ @ @ air and ground to slow its movement and protect nearby structures , according to authorities @

CONGRESS, Ariz. (AP) - A human-caused wildfire burning Wednesday in north-central Arizona near the small town of Congress has forced some evacuations, authorities said.
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the wildfire had charred about 100 acres (0.15 square miles) by late Wednesday afternoon.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials said eight homes have been evacuated in the Ox Ranch area.
They said the fire is about nine miles (14 kilometers) northwest of Congress and had destroyed two structures and was threatening five more.
Crew were battling the wildfire from the air and ground to slow its movement and protect nearby structures, according to authorities.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Military virus aid could look different if 2nd wave hits

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that as the U.S. military prepares for another potential wave of the coronavirus , it may do things a bit differently , providing more targeted aid for cities and states and possibly shorter quarantine times for troops .
Speaking as he flew back from a trip to the Marine Corps recruit base at Parris Island , South Carolina , Esper said the Pentagon is looking at a variety of plans .
But he said U.S. forces may not be deployed the same way if or when the virus surges in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely , a series of smaller bursts .
He also said that the military has already started doing antibody tests on service members who had COVID-19 and recovered , in order to determine if their plasma can be used in others to prevent or treat the virus .
Esper said he spoke with military service leaders the other day and asked if they would be interested in getting units of blood or plasma to send aboard ships or with deployed forces to use as needed .
And he said they all responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he has taken the test to see if he has the virus antibodies but doesn ’ t yet have the results .
Unlike the nasal swab tests being used to diagnose active infections , antibody tests look for blood proteins called antibodies , which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection .
The blood test could show if someone had the coronavirus in the recent past , which most experts think gives people some protection .
It ’ s not yet known what antibody level would be needed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last and whether people with antibodies can still spread the virus .
The Pentagon , Esper said , is also taking a broad look at how best to respond to any future outbreaks .
Noting that a lot of the military aid rushed to communities as the pandemic struck ended up going unused or was used much less than anticipated , he said the military may send medical staff rather than entire hospital ships and Army field hospitals .
The two U.S. Navy hospital ships that went to New York City and Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
And Army field hospitals deployed to other cities also got less use than initially anticipated .
Instead , they ended up pulling doctors and nurses out of those facilities and sending them to local hospitals , where they could bolster overworked and stressed medical staffs .
Saying that he and Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , think the virus may come back in smaller waves , Esper said the result may be that the military may be more likely to provide personal protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If one were to assume that the biggest wave that hit is the first wave , we ’ ve demonstrated that we have the hospital capacity , the ventilator capacity , all those other , ” Esper said .
“ If we can handle that first wave , we can handle anything else after that.
” Esper added that Dr. Anthony Fauci , the federal government ’ s top infectious-disease expert , and Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force coordinator , suggested in a recent Pentagon meeting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said they thought fewer days might work , and the Pentagon is looking at that idea now .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that as the U.S. military prepares for another potential wave of the coronavirus, it may do things a bit differently, providing more targeted aid for cities and states and possibly shorter quarantine times for troops.
Speaking as he flew back from a trip to the Marine Corps recruit base at Parris Island, South Carolina, Esper said the Pentagon is looking at a variety of plans. But he said U.S. forces may not be deployed the same way if or when the virus surges in a second large wave or even, more likely, a series of smaller bursts.
He also said that the military has already started doing antibody tests on service members who had COVID-19 and recovered, in order to determine if their plasma can be used in others to prevent or treat the virus.
Esper said he spoke with military service leaders the other day and asked if they would be interested in getting units of blood or plasma to send aboard ships or with deployed forces to use as needed. And he said they all responded that it would be helpful. Esper said he has taken the test to see if he has the virus antibodies but doesn’t yet have the results.
Unlike the nasal swab tests being used to diagnose active infections, antibody tests look for blood proteins called antibodies, which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection. The blood test could show if someone had the coronavirus in the recent past, which most experts think gives people some protection.
It’s not yet known what antibody level would be needed for immunity or how long any immunity might last and whether people with antibodies can still spread the virus.
The Pentagon, Esper said, is also taking a broad look at how best to respond to any future outbreaks.
Noting that a lot of the military aid rushed to communities as the pandemic struck ended up going unused or was used much less than anticipated, he said the military may send medical staff rather than entire hospital ships and Army field hospitals.
The two U.S. Navy hospital ships that went to New York City and Los Angeles, for example, treated few patients. And Army field hospitals deployed to other cities also got less use than initially anticipated. Instead, they ended up pulling doctors and nurses out of those facilities and sending them to local hospitals, where they could bolster overworked and stressed medical staffs.
“I think that’s a big lesson learned,” Esper said.
Saying that he and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, think the virus may come back in smaller waves, Esper said the result may be that the military may be more likely to provide personal protective equipment and doctors to cities in need.
“If one were to assume that the biggest wave that hit is the first wave, we’ve demonstrated that we have the hospital capacity, the ventilator capacity, all those other,” Esper said. “If we can handle that first wave, we can handle anything else after that.”
Esper added that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious-disease expert, and Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, suggested in a recent Pentagon meeting that a 14-day quarantine may not be necessary. He said they thought fewer days might work, and the Pentagon is looking at that idea now.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Inside the Beltway: New book draws comparison between President Trump, Winston Churchill

A book with a notable comparison : “ Trump and Churchill : Defenders of Western Civilization ” by Nick Adams has just been published , sizing up the two high-profile , distinctive leaders who appear to have nothing in common .
Both , however , upset the “ prevailing politics ” of their respective eras in similar fashion .
“ Neither man made any effort to conceal his true self or conform to expectations .
They were unapologetically authentic .
Both , brimming with confidence , both loved their country .
Both intensely disliked , even hated .
Alpha males @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both prepared to stare down their enemies while standing up for their country .
Both inspirational men who believed and openly espoused the power of dreaming and persistence , ” writes Mr. Adams , the author of six other books .
Among many other things , he points out that Winston Churchill was 5-foot-6 while President Trump stands 6-foot-3 , The former took daily naps in his pajamas while the latter sleeps very little .
Neither made any effort to “ conceal his true self , ” the author says .
“ Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Churchill , this book is also about the American people , the English people , the world and the society we live in ; therefore , it is part historical , part rallying cry , part sociological analysis , It ’ s written for everyone but with Middle America , the heartland voter , the blue collar Trump supporter in mind , ” writes Mr. Adams .
“ Nick Adams has written a useful book that puts the experience of the Trump presidency in a deeply historic and indeed civilizational light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gingrich in the preface , calling the president a “ strategic genius.
” The book was published by Post Hill Press , an independent publisher that counts talk radio host Dan Bongino and former White House advisor K.T .
McFarland among its authors .
“ Republicans have built the strongest , most diverse and most compelling class of recruits for Congress in recent memory , including more Republican women than ever before , ” reports Calvin Moore , communication director for the Congressional Leadership Fund , a super PAC dedicated to winning a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Which Republicans have filed to run for a House seat and help the party make that goal ?
Mr. Moore offers the numbers .
There are more than 200 women , 180 minority candidates and 250 veterans willing to go the distance , he says .
“ And there are just 17 seats to take back the majority , ” Mr. Moore adds .
THE CAUSE FOR A CAUSE The environmental cause just took an interesting turn .
“ Professors in academia are touting a new study that is being used to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cause of death on death certificates , ” writes Marc Morano , founder of Climate Depot , a news site which tracks alarmist reports and academic trends .
The research from the Australian National University Medical School was published this month in The Lancet Planetary Health .
“ Climate change is a killer , but we don ’ t acknowledge it on death certificates , ” the study authors noted .
“ Death certification needs to be modernized , indirect causes should be reported , with all death certification prompting for external @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death data must be coupled with large-scale environmental datasets so that impact assessments can be done , ” the authors wrote .
“ Given the focus on COVID-19 infection rates and death tolls , it appears the climate activists in academia may want in on the scary and emotional death toll counts in order to draw attention back to their climate cause , ” he explains .
KEEP YOUR EYE ON EVENTS “ Political activists often act and speak as if campaigns are won or lost by the mechanics of campaigning — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better ground game , better messaging or whatever .
That approach feeds the delusion that candidates and their handlers are in control .
In reality , politicians aren ’ t in control , they are controlled by events .
Recognizing that distinction is essential to understanding what could happen in election 2020 , ” says veteran pollster Scott Rasmussen .
So what kind of events are we talking about here ?
“ This fall , if the economy is gaining traction and there is not a massive new coronavirus outbreak , President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seen as standing in the way of a successful reopening strategy , the president might even win a majority of the popular vote and expand his Electoral College margin .
On the other hand , if there is a massive new wave of the pandemic , the president will be defeated .
If President Trump is seen as recklessly pushing to reopen while voters are retreating to lockdown mode , he could face a defeat comparable to Herbert Hoover ’ s loss in the Great Depression , ” predicts Mr. Rasmussen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will happen in the election , but I do know it will be determined by events outside the control of the campaigns , ” he says .
Fox News Channel is now marking 20 straight weeks as the most-watched network in the entire cable realm , according to Nielsen Media Research .
In prime time , Fox News had an average audience last week of 3.1 million viewers .
MSNBC came in second with 1.8 million , followed by CNN ( 1.4 million ) , TLC ( 1,209,000 ) and HGTV ( 1,205,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannity enjoyed the largest audience of all — 4,047,000 viewers — closely followed by Tucker Carlson with 4,043,000 .
Both bested nearest MSNBC rival Rachel Maddow , who drew an average audience of 2.3 million .
• 68 % of U.S. adults are currently working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic .
• 50 % of this group would continue to work at home if they could “ because they prefer it.
” • 26 % say they would return to their office or workplace once businesses and schools reopen .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once the pandemic subsides .
Source : A Gallup poll of 2,033 U.S. adults conducted May 11-17 and released Monday .

NEWS AND OPINION:
A book with a notable comparison: “Trump and Churchill: Defenders of Western Civilization” by Nick Adams has just been published, sizing up the two high-profile, distinctive leaders who appear to have nothing in common. Both, however, upset the “prevailing politics” of their respective eras in similar fashion.
“Neither man made any effort to conceal his true self or conform to expectations. They were unapologetically authentic. Both, brimming with confidence, both loved their country. Both intensely disliked, even hated. Alpha males. Clear thinkers and plain speakers. Both prepared to stare down their enemies while standing up for their country. Both inspirational men who believed and openly espoused the power of dreaming and persistence,” writes Mr. Adams, the author of six other books.
Among many other things, he points out that Winston Churchill was 5-foot-6 while President Trump stands 6-foot-3, The former took daily naps in his pajamas while the latter sleeps very little. Neither made any effort to “conceal his true self,” the author says.
“Although it is primarily about President Trump and Prime Minister Churchill, this book is also about the American people, the English people, the world and the society we live in; therefore, it is part historical, part rallying cry, part sociological analysis, It’s written for everyone but with Middle America, the heartland voter, the blue collar Trump supporter in mind,” writes Mr. Adams.
“Nick Adams has written a useful book that puts the experience of the Trump presidency in a deeply historic and indeed civilizational light,” writes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the preface, calling the president a “strategic genius.”
The book was published by Post Hill Press, an independent publisher that counts talk radio host Dan Bongino and former White House advisor K.T. McFarland among its authors.
SOME AUTHENTIC GOP DIVERSITY
“Republicans have built the strongest, most diverse and most compelling class of recruits for Congress in recent memory, including more Republican women than ever before,” reports Calvin Moore, communication director for the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC dedicated to winning a GOP majority in the U.S. House.
Which Republicans have filed to run for a House seat and help the party make that goal? Mr. Moore offers the numbers.
There are more than 200 women, 180 minority candidates and 250 veterans willing to go the distance, he says.
“And there are just 17 seats to take back the majority,” Mr. Moore adds.
THE CAUSE FOR A CAUSE
The environmental cause just took an interesting turn.
“Professors in academia are touting a new study that is being used to call for climate change to be added as a cause of death on death certificates,” writes Marc Morano, founder of Climate Depot, a news site which tracks alarmist reports and academic trends.
The research from the Australian National University Medical School was published this month in The Lancet Planetary Health.
“Climate change is a killer, but we don’t acknowledge it on death certificates,” the study authors noted.
“Death certification needs to be modernized, indirect causes should be reported, with all death certification prompting for external factors contributing to death, and these death data must be coupled with large-scale environmental datasets so that impact assessments can be done,” the authors wrote.
“Given the focus on COVID-19 infection rates and death tolls, it appears the climate activists in academia may want in on the scary and emotional death toll counts in order to draw attention back to their climate cause,” he explains.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON EVENTS
“Political activists often act and speak as if campaigns are won or lost by the mechanics of campaigning — who raised the most money, has the better ground game, better messaging or whatever. That approach feeds the delusion that candidates and their handlers are in control. In reality, politicians aren’t in control, they are controlled by events. Recognizing that distinction is essential to understanding what could happen in election 2020,” says veteran pollster Scott Rasmussen.
So what kind of events are we talking about here?
“This fall, if the economy is gaining traction and there is not a massive new coronavirus outbreak, President Trump will be reelected. If Democratic officials are seen as standing in the way of a successful reopening strategy, the president might even win a majority of the popular vote and expand his Electoral College margin. On the other hand, if there is a massive new wave of the pandemic, the president will be defeated. If President Trump is seen as recklessly pushing to reopen while voters are retreating to lockdown mode, he could face a defeat comparable to Herbert Hoover‘s loss in the Great Depression,” predicts Mr. Rasmussen.
“I don’t know what will happen in the election, but I do know it will be determined by events outside the control of the campaigns,” he says.
FOXIFIED
Fox News Channel is now marking 20 straight weeks as the most-watched network in the entire cable realm, according to Nielsen Media Research. In prime time, Fox News had an average audience last week of 3.1 million viewers. MSNBC came in second with 1.8 million, followed by CNN (1.4 million), TLC (1,209,000) and HGTV (1,205,000).
As usual, host Sean Hannity enjoyed the largest audience of all — 4,047,000 viewers — closely followed by Tucker Carlson with 4,043,000. Both bested nearest MSNBC rival Rachel Maddow, who drew an average audience of 2.3 million.
POLL DU JOUR
• 68% of U.S. adults are currently working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• 50% of this group would continue to work at home if they could “because they prefer it.”
• 26% say they would return to their office or workplace once businesses and schools reopen.
• 25% would return to the workplace once the pandemic subsides.
Source: A Gallup poll of 2,033 U.S. adults conducted May 11-17 and released Monday.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--NY Legislature votes to extend Child Victims Act deadline

ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) - The New York state Senate and Assembly on Wednesday voted to extend the deadline for residents who were sexually abused as children to file legal claims , citing the upheaval caused by the coronavirus .
The original deadline for those making claims under the Child Victims Act was August 14th ; the legislation would extend it a year , to the same date in 2021 .
The 2019 act lifted statute of limitations even for allegations that were decades old , for a filing period of one year .
But with the shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocates and survivors had been pressing for an extension .
The legislation now goes to Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who earlier this month had extended the deadline by five months , to January .
A spokesman said it would be reviewed .
“ Justice has been fortified , ” said Kathryn Robb , CHILD USAdvocacy ’ s executive director , in a statement , calling the move “ a strong stand against child sexual abuse.
” “ The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted court fillings , prevented survivors from meeting with their lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Michael Polenberg , vice president of government affairs at Safe Horizon , in a statement .
The vote “ reinforces the commitment of the original Child Victims Act in creating broader pathways to justice for survivors.
” The state Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 60-0 , and the Assembly by a vote of 135-9 .

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The New York state Senate and Assembly on Wednesday voted to extend the deadline for residents who were sexually abused as children to file legal claims, citing the upheaval caused by the coronavirus.
The original deadline for those making claims under the Child Victims Act was August 14th; the legislation would extend it a year, to the same date in 2021.
The 2019 act lifted statute of limitations even for allegations that were decades old, for a filing period of one year.
But with the shutdown and disruption caused by the virus, advocates and survivors had been pressing for an extension.
The legislation now goes to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who earlier this month had extended the deadline by five months, to January. A spokesman said it would be reviewed.
Advocates hailed the move.
“Justice has been fortified,” said Kathryn Robb, CHILD USAdvocacy’s executive director, in a statement, calling the move “a strong stand against child sexual abuse.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted court fillings, prevented survivors from meeting with their lawyers, and delayed the discovery process,” said Michael Polenberg, vice president of government affairs at Safe Horizon, in a statement. The vote “reinforces the commitment of the original Child Victims Act in creating broader pathways to justice for survivors.”
The state Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 60-0, and the Assembly by a vote of 135-9.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--New 'Hunger Games' book sells more than 500,000 copies

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A decade after the “ Hunger Games ” series had apparently ended , readers were clearly ready for more .
Suzanne Collins ‘ “ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes ” sold more 500,000 copies last week , even as many of the country ’ s bookstores were closed or offering limited service because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The total includes print , e-books and audiobooks , according to Collins ‘ publisher , Scholastic .
NPD BookScan , which tracks around 85 percent of the print market , reported Wednesday that “ Songbirds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s list with 270,000 copies sold .
Collins ‘ book , a prequel to her previous “ Hunger Games ” novels , came 10 years after the author seemingly wrapped up the Dystopian series with “ Mockingjay.
” The Associated Press in a review praised the new novel , released May 19 , as “ mesmerizing ” and called Collins “ a master of building a fascinating world around complex characters.
” The opening for “ Songbirds and Snakes ” was slightly higher than the numbers reported for “ Mockingjay ” in 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than 450,000 .
Collins ‘ novels , which also include “ The Hunger Games ” and “ Catching Fire , ” have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and are the basis for a billion dollar movie franchise .

NEW YORK (AP) - A decade after the “Hunger Games” series had apparently ended, readers were clearly ready for more.
Suzanne Collins’ “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” sold more 500,000 copies last week, even as many of the country’s bookstores were closed or offering limited service because of the coronavirus pandemic. The total includes print, e-books and audiobooks, according to Collins’ publisher, Scholastic.
NPD BookScan, which tracks around 85 percent of the print market, reported Wednesday that “Songbirds and Snakes” topped last week’s list with 270,000 copies sold. Collins’ book, a prequel to her previous “Hunger Games” novels, came 10 years after the author seemingly wrapped up the Dystopian series with “Mockingjay.” The Associated Press in a review praised the new novel, released May 19, as “mesmerizing” and called Collins “a master of building a fascinating world around complex characters.”
The opening for “Songbirds and Snakes” was slightly higher than the numbers reported for “Mockingjay” in 2010, when Scholastic announced first week sales of more than 450,000. Collins’ novels, which also include “The Hunger Games” and “Catching Fire,” have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and are the basis for a billion dollar movie franchise.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Mexican drug lord pleads poverty in bid to escape arrest

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero , a notorious underworld figure who is on the FBI ’ s most wanted list for the murder of a federal agent over three decades ago , said in a legal appeal that he has no money , is too old to work and has no pension .
The odd plea was filed Tuesday by Caro Quintero ’ s lawyer seeking an injunction against his arrest or extradition to the United States for the kidnapping and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena in Mexico in 1985 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argues insolvency , because he says he is more than 60 years old , is neither retired nor has a pension , and given the fact that he is a fugitive from the law , can not work or perform any activity to earn money.
” The U.S. government says Caro Quintero and his family remain in the drug trade .
After spending years in prison in Mexico , Caro Quintero was freed in 2013 , a decision that angered Washington .
A Mexican federal court has issued a warrant for his re-arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, a notorious underworld figure who is on the FBI’s most wanted list for the murder of a federal agent over three decades ago, said in a legal appeal that he has no money, is too old to work and has no pension.
The odd plea was filed Tuesday by Caro Quintero’s lawyer seeking an injunction against his arrest or extradition to the United States for the kidnapping and murder of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena in Mexico in 1985.
The court papers state: “The plaintiff argues insolvency, because he says he is more than 60 years old, is neither retired nor has a pension, and given the fact that he is a fugitive from the law, cannot work or perform any activity to earn money.”
The U.S. government says Caro Quintero and his family remain in the drug trade.
After spending years in prison in Mexico, Caro Quintero was freed in 2013, a decision that angered Washington.
A Mexican federal court has issued a warrant for his re-arrest, but he remains at large.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Lawyer: Virus is halting progress in Boston kidnapping case

BOSTON ( AP ) - The case against a Rhode Island man accused of kidnapping and killing a Boston woman has been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic , according to his defense .
Louis Coleman ’ s public defenders requested for the case to return in 45 days during a teleconference with a federal judge Tuesday .
“ Since the coronavirus pandemic , a lot of our work in the case has stalled , ” Jane Peachy , a lawyer for Coleman , told District Court Judge M. Page Kelley .
“ Most importantly , our ability to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been put on hold , ” which “ hampers our progress significantly.
” Coleman , who faces the death penalty , was charged with kidnapping Jassy Correia , the mother of a 2-year-old girl , from outside a Boston nightclub where she had been celebrating her 23rd birthday in February 2019 .
He pleaded not guilty a month later .
Federal authorities allege Coleman was captured on surveillance video carrying her body into his Providence apartment .
Coleman was stopped in Delaware days after Correia ’ s disappearance .
Her body was found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities .
Peachy asked that the status conference in the case be continued 45 days to July 7 , a request the judge approved .
“ Anything at all I can do to speed up that process , I ’ m happy to do it , ” Kelley said .
“ I do think the case needs to move and not just be stalled out.
” Prosecutors in the case did not oppose the request .
The attorney said the defense team hopes to continue their mitigation work as things start to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all nonessential services and businesses .
Coleman is charged with kidnapping resulting in death .
He has been held without bail .

BOSTON (AP) - The case against a Rhode Island man accused of kidnapping and killing a Boston woman has been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to his defense.
Louis Coleman’s public defenders requested for the case to return in 45 days during a teleconference with a federal judge Tuesday.
“Since the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of our work in the case has stalled,” Jane Peachy, a lawyer for Coleman, told District Court Judge M. Page Kelley. “Most importantly, our ability to visit with Mr. Coleman in the jail has been put on hold,” which “hampers our progress significantly.”
Coleman, who faces the death penalty, was charged with kidnapping Jassy Correia, the mother of a 2-year-old girl, from outside a Boston nightclub where she had been celebrating her 23rd birthday in February 2019. He pleaded not guilty a month later.
Federal authorities allege Coleman was captured on surveillance video carrying her body into his Providence apartment.
Coleman was stopped in Delaware days after Correia’s disappearance. Her body was found in the trunk of his car by authorities.
Peachy asked that the status conference in the case be continued 45 days to July 7, a request the judge approved.
“Anything at all I can do to speed up that process, I’m happy to do it,” Kelley said. “I do think the case needs to move and not just be stalled out.”
Prosecutors in the case did not oppose the request.
The attorney said the defense team hopes to continue their mitigation work as things start to reopen in the state after weeks of closure of all nonessential services and businesses.
Coleman is charged with kidnapping resulting in death. He has been held without bail.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Derek Chauvin, Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd death, subject of false claims online

A Minneapolis police officer videotaped on Monday holding a black man to the ground with his knee during an arrest has become the target of false claims on social media that attempt to tie him to political agendas and racist ideologies .
Twitter and Facebook posts with hundreds of thousands of views on Wednesday claimed Officer Derek Chauvin was pictured wearing a “ Make Whites Great Again ” hat and standing onstage at a Donald Trump rally , neither of which turned out to be true .
The spread of false information was so rampant that the president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telling The Associated Press that none of the officers involved in Monday ’ s incident were at the Trump rally in Minneapolis last October .
Chauvin has been the subject of national attention since a video emerged Monday that showed him kneeling on the neck of a handcuffed black man during an arrest outside a south Minneapolis convenience store .
In the video captured by a bystander , George Floyd can be seen gasping for breath on the ground while Chauvin pins him to the pavement with his knee .
Floyd was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Chauvin and three other officers were dismissed from the department on Tuesday .
News of the incident sparked protests in Minneapolis and evoked nationwide outcry .
It also contributed to the rapid spread of social media posts misidentifying Chauvin as the subject of politicized photographs .
One post circulating widely across social media platforms juxtaposed a screenshot of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd ’ s neck with a photo of a man holding a blackberry between his thumb and index finger and wearing a red baseball cap that said “ Make Whites Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent figures including the rapper Ice Cube , suggested the two photos featured the same person .
But the man in the “ Make Whites Great Again ” photo was actually Jonathan Lee Riches , a known internet troll .
Riches told the AP in a Facebook message that he was the person in the photo .
However , he said the image was altered and he was not wearing the hat .
He could not provide the original .
A second set of viral posts on Wednesday featured photos of a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis last October .
The posts falsely claimed the photos , which showed a man wearing a “ Cops for Trump ” shirt and holding up a “ Vote Trump ” sign , were of Chauvin .
According to Minneapolis police union president Lt. Bob Kroll , the photos actually showed Mike Gallagher , the president of the police union in Bloomington , Minnesota .
“ Can you put a stop to the false narrative please ?
” Kroll told the AP .
“ None of the officers in the incident were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer Amy Forliti contributed to this story from Minneapolis .

A Minneapolis police officer videotaped on Monday holding a black man to the ground with his knee during an arrest has become the target of false claims on social media that attempt to tie him to political agendas and racist ideologies.
Twitter and Facebook posts with hundreds of thousands of views on Wednesday claimed Officer Derek Chauvin was pictured wearing a “Make Whites Great Again” hat and standing onstage at a Donald Trump rally, neither of which turned out to be true.
The spread of false information was so rampant that the president of the Minneapolis police union set the record straight, telling The Associated Press that none of the officers involved in Monday’s incident were at the Trump rally in Minneapolis last October.
Chauvin has been the subject of national attention since a video emerged Monday that showed him kneeling on the neck of a handcuffed black man during an arrest outside a south Minneapolis convenience store.
In the video captured by a bystander, George Floyd can be seen gasping for breath on the ground while Chauvin pins him to the pavement with his knee.
Floyd was pronounced dead at the hospital Monday, and Chauvin and three other officers were dismissed from the department on Tuesday.
News of the incident sparked protests in Minneapolis and evoked nationwide outcry. It also contributed to the rapid spread of social media posts misidentifying Chauvin as the subject of politicized photographs.
One post circulating widely across social media platforms juxtaposed a screenshot of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck with a photo of a man holding a blackberry between his thumb and index finger and wearing a red baseball cap that said “Make Whites Great Again.”
The post, shared by prominent figures including the rapper Ice Cube, suggested the two photos featured the same person. But the man in the “Make Whites Great Again” photo was actually Jonathan Lee Riches, a known internet troll. Riches told the AP in a Facebook message that he was the person in the photo. However, he said the image was altered and he was not wearing the hat. He could not provide the original.
A second set of viral posts on Wednesday featured photos of a man smiling onstage at a Donald Trump rally in Minneapolis last October. The posts falsely claimed the photos, which showed a man wearing a “Cops for Trump” shirt and holding up a “Vote Trump” sign, were of Chauvin. According to Minneapolis police union president Lt. Bob Kroll, the photos actually showed Mike Gallagher, the president of the police union in Bloomington, Minnesota.
“Can you put a stop to the false narrative please?” Kroll told the AP. “None of the officers in the incident were near the Trump rally.”
___
Associated Press writer Amy Forliti contributed to this story from Minneapolis.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Men sue Chicago police after being exonerated in 2003 murder

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Two men who were arrested as teenagers and spent nearly half their lives behind bars after being wrongfully convicted of murder have sued Chicago police and Cook County prosecutors for malicious prosecution , lawyers for the men announced Wednesday .
John Fulton and Anthony Mitchell were 17 and 18 years old at the time of their arrests in 2003 for the murder of Christopher Collazo .
Both were sentenced to 31 years in prison following their 2006 convictions , even though no physical evidence or eyewitnesses linked either man to the crime .
Cook County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their convictions and the Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office subsequently dropped all charges .
The federal lawsuit filed by Fulton and Mitchell accuses police of manipulating photo evidence , abuse and fabrication of their alleged confession .
It seeks damages for civil rights violations and malicious prosecution .
“ I still don ’ t feel free .
I still feel like I ’ m trapped inside of an ice cube , stuck in time .
Sometimes I feel like the 18-year-old kid that got locked up , that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The truth didn ’ t set me free , ” Fulton said Wednesday .
“ It ’ s a nightmare every day of my life.
” The lawsuit concedes that before the murder , Fulton tried to buy a gun from Collazo , an alleged gang member , who instead of completing the deal robbed Fulton .
Collazo ’ s body was discovered bound with duct tape and partially burned in an alley in Chicago ’ s Back of the Yards neighborhood .
Police allegedly pressured a 17-year-old girl to falsely implicate Fulton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the murder , according to lawyers .
Fulton was at a hospital with his girlfriend and then at their apartment - which was monitored by security cameras - at the time of the crime .
Prosecutors got around Fulton ’ s alibi by using misleading photos to make it appear there was an un-monitored back door in his apartment complex The lawsuit contends Fulton ’ s alibi also clears Mitchell , since prosecutors alleged Fulton was the instigator of the attack and recruited Mitchell for help .
But after “ false promises of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fulton , Mitchell and a third person each gave multiple false confessions , the lawsuit alleges .
Charges against the third person were later dropped after a judge ruled his confession had been coerced .
Spokesmen for Chicago police and the Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office declined to comment on the lawsuit .

CHICAGO (AP) - Two men who were arrested as teenagers and spent nearly half their lives behind bars after being wrongfully convicted of murder have sued Chicago police and Cook County prosecutors for malicious prosecution, lawyers for the men announced Wednesday.
John Fulton and Anthony Mitchell were 17 and 18 years old at the time of their arrests in 2003 for the murder of Christopher Collazo. Both were sentenced to 31 years in prison following their 2006 convictions, even though no physical evidence or eyewitnesses linked either man to the crime.
Cook County Circuit Judge Lawrence Flood last year vacated their convictions and the Cook County state’s attorney’s office subsequently dropped all charges. The federal lawsuit filed by Fulton and Mitchell accuses police of manipulating photo evidence, abuse and fabrication of their alleged confession. It seeks damages for civil rights violations and malicious prosecution.
“I still don’t feel free. I still feel like I’m trapped inside of an ice cube, stuck in time. Sometimes I feel like the 18-year-old kid that got locked up, that was always told to tell the truth. The truth didn’t set me free,” Fulton said Wednesday. “It’s a nightmare every day of my life.”
The lawsuit concedes that before the murder, Fulton tried to buy a gun from Collazo, an alleged gang member, who instead of completing the deal robbed Fulton.
Collazo’s body was discovered bound with duct tape and partially burned in an alley in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Police allegedly pressured a 17-year-old girl to falsely implicate Fulton, Mitchell and a third person in the murder, according to lawyers. Fulton was at a hospital with his girlfriend and then at their apartment - which was monitored by security cameras - at the time of the crime.
Prosecutors got around Fulton’s alibi by using misleading photos to make it appear there was an un-monitored back door in his apartment complex
The lawsuit contends Fulton’s alibi also clears Mitchell, since prosecutors alleged Fulton was the instigator of the attack and recruited Mitchell for help.
But after “false promises of leniency, threats and physical violence,” Fulton, Mitchell and a third person each gave multiple false confessions, the lawsuit alleges. Charges against the third person were later dropped after a judge ruled his confession had been coerced.
Spokesmen for Chicago police and the Cook County state’s attorney’s office declined to comment on the lawsuit.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Stranded Colombians plead for COVID-19 airlift out of Brazil

SAO PAULO ( AP ) - Surrounded by boxes , a pile of rice packages and mattresses , José Ávila Saavedra sat on the floor with a thousand-yard stare Wednesday .
For two weeks he has lived inside Sao Paulo ’ s international airport , his life one interminable layover .
Saavedra and more than 200 other Colombians are camping out in the airport in hopes that their plight will prod Colombian authorities in Brazil to charter a humanitarian flight home , or pay for their flights on commercial airlines .
Anything to get them back to Colombia , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot spot .
“ We don ’ t have money or anything to do in Brazil .
We want to ask Colombia ’ s president to please help us .
We ’ re only eating thanks to donations , ” Saavedra said .
Saavedra had sold clothes in Sao Paulo , earning enough to support his wife , nephew and 2-year-old daughter .
Then , Sao Paulo state officials ordered a halt to nonessential commerce as part of a lockdown to control the spread of the virus , and he lost his means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the stranded Colombians lay asleep near the airport ’ s check-in area Wednesday , a few of them on mattresses and others atop cloth sheets or flattened cardboard boxes .
Some stretched out on the bare floor .
Those who were awake said they don ’ t have the roughly $ 400 for a flight to Colombia , after having lost their jobs due to the pandemic .
Retail jobs and restaurant work disappeared , they said .
Between March and April , Brazil ’ s economy shed more than a million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to government data published Wednesday .
Informal job losses in the two months have yet to be reported by the national statistics agency , but are expected to be similarly disastrous .
“ What money we had , we used to pay rent , ” Saavedra said .
“ Now we ’ re out on the street and we want to go home to be with our families.
” The Colombian Embassy in the capital , Brasilia , said in a statement that it had helped 346 Colombians get home on three commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but each passenger paid his or her own way .
It said Colombia ’ s migration rules prohibit the government from paying for anyone ’ s flight .
“ Considering the risk of being in a non-controlled environment like an airport , a transfer to a municipal hostel has been offered .
However , our fellow citizens have declined , ” the statement said .
The airport said in a statement that it was “ monitoring the situation.
” Sao Paulo is the epicenter of the new coronavirus in Brazil , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Latin America .
Sao Paulo state alone has reported 89,000 cases and 6,700 deaths .
By contrast , the entire country of Colombia has reported roughly one quarter the number of cases and just 776 deaths .
The Colombians in the airport are in three separate areas , where they are grouped together in clear violation of social distancing recommendations .
Federal prosecutors in Sao Paulo said in a statement that their condition represents a “ serious case of humanitarian vulnerability.
” Astrid Serna looked at her cellphone ’ s screen while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her eye .
The toddler was wrapped in a blanket and lying on a mattress .
Serna said she arrived to Brazil two years ago and also made a living selling clothes informally until the pandemic pushed her into unemployment .
“ The only thing we ’ re asking for is help from our government .
We ’ re Colombians , ” Serna said .
“ They need to understand that if we had money , we wouldn ’ t be here.
” ___ Associated Press writer Marcelo de Sousa reported this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video journalist Tatiana Pollastri reported in Sao Paulo .

SAO PAULO (AP) - Surrounded by boxes, a pile of rice packages and mattresses, José Ávila Saavedra sat on the floor with a thousand-yard stare Wednesday. For two weeks he has lived inside Sao Paulo’s international airport, his life one interminable layover.
Saavedra and more than 200 other Colombians are camping out in the airport in hopes that their plight will prod Colombian authorities in Brazil to charter a humanitarian flight home. Anything to get them back to Colombia, and far from Latin America’s coronavirus hot spot.
“We don’t have money or anything to do in Brazil. We want to ask Colombia’s president to please help us. We’re only eating thanks to donations,” Saavedra said.
Saavedra had sold clothes in Sao Paulo, earning enough to support his wife, nephew and 2-year-old daughter. Then, Sao Paulo state officials ordered a halt to nonessential commerce as part of a lockdown to control the spread of the virus, and he lost his means to obtain and sell merchandise.
Most of the stranded Colombians lay asleep near the airport’s check-in area Wednesday, a few of them on mattresses and others atop cloth sheets or flattened cardboard boxes. Some stretched out on the bare floor.
Those who were awake said they don’t have the more than $400 for a flight to Colombia, after having lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Retail jobs and restaurant work disappeared, they said.
Between March and April, Brazil’s economy shed more than a million jobs from the formal sector, according to government data published Wednesday. Informal job losses in the two months have yet to be reported by the national statistics agency, but are expected to be similarly disastrous.
“What money we had, we used to pay rent,” Saavedra said. “Now we’re out on the street and we want to go home to be with our families.”
The Colombian Embassy in the capital, Brasilia, said in a statement that it had helped 346 Colombians get home on three commercial flights since the onset of the pandemic, but each passenger paid his or her own way. It said Colombia’s migration rules prohibit the government from paying for anyone’s flight.
“Considering the risk of being in a non-controlled environment like an airport, a transfer to a municipal hostel has been offered. However, our fellow citizens have declined,” the statement said.
The airport said in a statement that it was “monitoring the situation.”
Sao Paulo is the epicenter of the new coronavirus in Brazil, which is by far the hardest hit country in Latin America. Sao Paulo state alone has reported 89,000 cases and 6,700 deaths. By contrast, the entire country of Colombia has reported roughly one quarter the number of cases and just 776 deaths.
The Colombians in the airport are in three separate areas, where they are grouped together in clear violation of social distancing recommendations. Federal prosecutors in Sao Paulo said in a statement that their condition represents a “serious case of humanitarian vulnerability.”
Astrid Serna looked at her cellphone’s screen while watching her 3-year-old daughter from the corner of her eye. The toddler was wrapped in a blanket and lying on a mattress.
Serna said she arrived to Brazil two years ago and also made a living selling clothes informally until the pandemic pushed her into unemployment.
“The only thing we’re asking for is help from our government. We’re Colombians,” Serna said. “They need to understand that if we had money, we wouldn’t be here.” ___
Associated Press writer Marcelo de Sousa reported this story from Rio de Janeiro and AP video journalist Tatiana Pollastri reported in Sao Paulo.


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--False news swirls around Minneapolis officer in fatal arrest


washingtontimes--2020-05-27--Utah man charged with murder in death of woman met on Tinder

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - A Utah man accused of choking and stabbing a woman he met on the popular dating app Tinder was charged with murder Wednesday .
Ethan Hunsaker , 24 , called 911 to report the slaying early Sunday morning and told police to shoot him , according to court documents .
Police found 25-year-old Ashlyn Black lying on the floor with multiple stab wounds .
Emergency workers tried to resuscitate her , but she was pronounced dead of her injuries at the scene .
The two had met on Tinder the night before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment in Layton , north of Salt Lake City , after having a few drinks together at a bar , police have said .
Hunsaker told police he choked and then stabbed her unprovoked as they cuddled , according to the document .
He said he had thoughts of killing himself and others daily and has been diagnosed with an unspecified mental illness , police said in booking documents .
No attorney has been listed for him .
If convicted , he faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him a “ monster ” who killed her in “ a crime as senseless as it was evil.
” During her life , Black worked to be a “ voice of those who could not speak out for themselves ” and had a gift for working with special needs people , her family said .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A Utah man accused of choking and stabbing a woman he met on the popular dating app Tinder was charged with murder Wednesday.
Ethan Hunsaker, 24, called 911 to report the slaying early Sunday morning and told police to shoot him, according to court documents.
Police found 25-year-old Ashlyn Black lying on the floor with multiple stab wounds. Emergency workers tried to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead of her injuries at the scene.
The two had met on Tinder the night before, and they’d gone to his apartment in Layton, north of Salt Lake City, after having a few drinks together at a bar, police have said. Hunsaker told police he choked and then stabbed her unprovoked as they cuddled, according to the document.
He said he had thoughts of killing himself and others daily and has been diagnosed with an unspecified mental illness, police said in booking documents. No attorney has been listed for him. If convicted, he faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison.
Black’s family has called him a “monster” who killed her in “a crime as senseless as it was evil.” During her life, Black worked to be a “voice of those who could not speak out for themselves” and had a gift for working with special needs people, her family said.