washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Qatar Airways says losses reach $1.9B amid pandemic, boycott

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - Long-haul carrier Qatar Airways on Sunday reported revenue losses of $ 1.9 billion for the past year , blaming the coronavirus pandemic , its liquidation of shares in Air Italy and the ongoing boycott of Doha by four Arab nations for the drop .
The energy-rich nation of Qatar itself needed to bail out the state-owned airline at the end of its financial year on March 31 with $ 2 billion to keep the airline operating , its annual report acknowledged .
The carrier also blamed new accounting rules for further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
“ If not for the exceptional circumstances of fiscal year 2020 , our results would have been better than the year before , ” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said in a statement .
The airline carried 32.3 million passengers in the last fiscal year , compared to 29.4 million the year prior .
But Qatar Airways finds itself in the same position of competing Gulf long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad , slashing thousands of jobs while trying to expand its network as travel restrictions lift worldwide .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears about the virus , which has wreaked havoc on international travel .
The airline listed having over 50,000 employees on its payroll in the report .
Qatar Airways , which operates some 250 aircraft out of Doha ’ s recently built Hamad International Airport , follows the model of other Gulf carriers by providing a link between East and West from its location on the Arabian Peninsula .
But the lessened demand saw the carrier ground its double-decker Airbus A380s “ as it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the airline said in a statement .
The coronavirus pandemic halted global aviation for months , which only has begun to pick back up .
Qatar also has been targeted by Bahrain , Egypt , Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a boycott since June 2017 .
That boycott continues today , despite efforts by other Gulf Arab nations and the U.S. to reconcile the countries involved in the political dispute .
Al-Baker said since the pandemic , Qatar Airways has flown over 2 million passengers and carried over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas impacted by the coronavirus .
“ I have every confidence that the Qatar Airways Group will emerge stronger from this difficult period and continue to innovate and set the standards that our competitors can only hope to emulate , ” he said .
Further hurting the airline was the February collapse of Air Italy , a regional carrier it held a 49 % ownership stake in at its launch in 2018 .
Air Italy had been trying to rename and become a national carrier with flights across Europe .
Qatar Airways in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly $ 400 million alone on Air Italy .
Qatar Airways also restated its losses for the previous year in the financial report Sunday , putting it at close to $ 1.3 billion as opposed to the $ 639 million it earlier reported .
It lost $ 69 million in 2018 .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Long-haul carrier Qatar Airways on Sunday reported revenue losses of $1.9 billion for the past year, blaming the coronavirus pandemic, its liquidation of shares in Air Italy and the ongoing boycott of Doha by four Arab nations for the drop.
The energy-rich nation of Qatar itself needed to bail out the state-owned airline at the end of its financial year on March 31 with $2 billion to keep the airline operating, its annual report acknowledged. The carrier also blamed new accounting rules for further adding to losses for the past fiscal year.
“If not for the exceptional circumstances of fiscal year 2020, our results would have been better than the year before,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said in a statement. The airline carried 32.3 million passengers in the last fiscal year, compared to 29.4 million the year prior.
But Qatar Airways finds itself in the same position of competing Gulf long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, slashing thousands of jobs while trying to expand its network as travel restrictions lift worldwide. That’s as demand for flights remains low over fears about the virus, which has wreaked havoc on international travel. The airline listed having over 50,000 employees on its payroll in the report.
Qatar Airways, which operates some 250 aircraft out of Doha’s recently built Hamad International Airport, follows the model of other Gulf carriers by providing a link between East and West from its location on the Arabian Peninsula. But the lessened demand saw the carrier ground its double-decker Airbus A380s “as it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market,” the airline said in a statement.
The coronavirus pandemic halted global aviation for months, which only has begun to pick back up. Qatar also has been targeted by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a boycott since June 2017. That boycott continues today, despite efforts by other Gulf Arab nations and the U.S. to reconcile the countries involved in the political dispute.
Al-Baker said since the pandemic, Qatar Airways has flown over 2 million passengers and carried over 250,000 tons of medicine and aid to areas impacted by the coronavirus.
“I have every confidence that the Qatar Airways Group will emerge stronger from this difficult period and continue to innovate and set the standards that our competitors can only hope to emulate,” he said.
Further hurting the airline was the February collapse of Air Italy, a regional carrier it held a 49% ownership stake in at its launch in 2018. Air Italy had been trying to rename and become a national carrier with flights across Europe. Qatar Airways in its financials said it likely would lose nearly $400 million alone on Air Italy.
Qatar Airways also restated its losses for the previous year in the financial report Sunday, putting it at close to $1.3 billion as opposed to the $639 million it earlier reported. It lost $69 million in 2018.
___
Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Say it ain't Joe: Biden has failed to curb penchant for tall tales stretching decades

Joseph R. Biden blew up his 1988 presidential bid with a plagiarized fictitious account of his hardscrabble roots , but the experience failed to cure him of his tendency to exaggerate , conflate and even invent stories about his upbringing and political history .
Since the start of the 2020 campaign , Mr. Biden has been caught on numerous occasions spinning false and even ludicrous yarns , a tendency that has prompted head-scratching from his supporters and exasperation from conservatives stunned that his tall tales have yet to torpedo his salt-of-the-earth image .
“ This has been a career-long problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Rick Manning , president of the free-market Americans for Limited Government .
“ I think a lot of people look at the things he ’ s doing now , and say , oh , he ’ s getting older , and that may be true , but the fact is , this is his historical record .
This is not a recent phenomenon .
This is who he is.
” Last year , Mr. Biden told voters in South Carolina that he “ got started ” at Delaware State University , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of his having attended .
He said he remembered meeting with the Parkland students when he was vice president .
The school shooting happened more than a year after he left office .
He delivered in August 2019 a stirring , detailed account of traveling as vice president to Kunar province , Afghanistan , to pin a Silver Star on a heroic Navy captain in Kunar province , Afghanistan , who risked his life to retrieve the body of another soldier .
“ God ’ s truth , my word as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd at Dartmouth .
“ He stood at attention , I went to pin him , he said : ‘ Sir , I don ’ t want the damn thing .
Do not pin it on me sir , please .
Do not do that .
He died .
He died.
’ ” The reality was significantly different .
Mr. Biden did visit Afghanistan , but as a senator in 2008 ; the soldier was not a Navy captain but an Army specialist , and he was presented with the Medal of Honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama , not by the vice president overseas , according to a Washington Post fact-check .
Mr. Biden did pin a medal on another soldier in 2011 who said he didn ’ t deserve it in , and later defended his account , disputing the idea that “ there ’ s anything I said about that that wasn ’ t the essence of the story , ” as he told the [ Charleston ] Post and Courier .
He did backtrack in February after claiming at least twice on South Carolina campaign stops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Young were arrested in the 1970s trying to visit Nelson Mandela in prison .
Mr. Young later told media outlets it never happened .
In a Feb. 28 CNN interview , Mr. Biden acknowledged “ I wasn ’ t arrested , ” but added , “ I was stopped.
” He went on to describe how “ Afrikaners ” with “ short pants and their guns ” made him go through a “ white only ” door while directing Black lawmakers elsewhere , an account disputed by others because , for one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa in 1976 but to Lesotho , which did not have apartheid .
A Feb. 25 fact-check by the Washington Post gave the account four Pinocchios in an article headlined , “ Biden ’ s ridiculous claim he was arrested trying to see Mandela.
” The Washington Times has reached out to the Biden campaign for comment .
Embarrassing as it may have been , the whopper didn ’ t hurt him in the Feb. 29 primary .
Mr. Biden won South Carolina with 39 % of the vote , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie Sanders , marking the start of the former vice president ’ s comeback .
None of this has received the same attention as the scandal that knocked him out of the Democratic primary in 1987 , thanks in part to an overwhelmed news cycle dominated by the pandemic and protests , coupled with the “ Trump lied ” narrative .
Mr. Trump has been accused of being a habitual liar by media outlets and Democrats , including Mr. Biden , who recently said that the president “ knowingly lied ” about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has denied .
The Washington Post says he has made more than 20,000 “ false or misleading claims , ” which includes 360 statements about the economy during his administration being the best in U.S. history .
Is that a lie or spin ?
“ What they call lies for Trump is partially spin , but a lot of times , it ’ s just disagreement on policy , ” said Mr. Manning .
“ Those tend to be policy fights .
But when it comes to what happened when your first wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a very edge-of-your-soul kind of fact.
” Indeed , most of Mr. Biden ’ s blarney could be defended as misleading but essentially harmless braggadocio were it not for the “ drunk driver ” claim .
In 2001 and 2007 , he indicated that the 1972 car crash that killed his wife Neilia and baby daughter was caused by a driver who had too much to drink , even though the investigation said otherwise .
The family of the driver , Curtis C. Dunn , wrote to Mr. Biden the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed , but then repeated the line in 2007 , saying that the driver “ allegedly — and I never pursued this — drank his lunch.
” He apologized in a call to Mr. Dunn ’ s daughter in 2008 , according to the Newark Post .
“ Joe ’ s calling card is decency , an affable man without a malicious bone in his body .
Yet he allowed Dunn , who died in 1999 , to go to his grave having been falsely shamed by Biden as a drunk driver responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife and newborn daughter , ” said conservative radio host Larry Elder in a March op-ed on RealClearPolitics .
“ What ‘ decent ’ man does that.
” It may be that sometimes Mr. Biden simply gets carried away .
Last week , he repeated the line about being the first in his family to attend college — “ Like , guys like me were the first in my family to go to college ” — a false statement for which he paid a steep price .
He dropped out of the 1988 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speech he lifted from Labour Party Leader Neil Kinnock about his coal-mining roots that included the line , “ Why am I the first Kinnock in a thousand generations to be able to get to university ?
” Mr. Biden used the same words and format , including , “ I started thinking as I was coming over here , why is it that Joe Biden is the first in his family ever to go to a university ?
” and “ Is it because I ’ m the first Biden in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a graduate degree that I was smarter than the rest ?
” Not only was he accused of plagiarizing — the campaign said he had credited Mr. Kinnock as the source on some if not all occasions — but it turned out Mr. Biden was not the first person in his family to go to college .
His maternal grandfather , Ambrose Finnegan , attended Santa Clara College in California , according to Time magazine .
His maternal great-grandfather , Edward Francis Blewitt , earned a degree in civil engineering from Lafayette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served in the state Senate .
Mr. Biden admitted as much in 1987 , saying that “ there are Finnegans , my mother ’ s family , that went to college , ” promptly the Federalist ’ s Mollie Hemingway to write last week that it was “ unclear why he has resurrected one of the false claims that got him in so much trouble 33 years ago.
” The same year , he exaggerated his academic credentials at an appearance in New Hampshire , saying that he attended Syracuse law school on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one granted ; graduated in the top half of his class , and earned three undergraduate degrees .
He later admitted his “ recollection was inaccurate ” : He received a partial scholarship based on financial need ; graduated 76th in a class of 85 students , and earned one bachelor ’ s degree with a double major at the University of Delaware .
Mr. Trump ’ s family has its own history of hidden heritage .
Mr. Trump ’ s father Fred Trump for years concealed his German ancestry , saying he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during World War II and afterward .
Donald Trump repeated the Swedish ancestry claim in his 1987 book “ Art of the Deal , ” but has since “ acknowledged and embraced ” his German roots , according to CNN , serving as grand marshal of a German-American parade in 1999 and describing himself in 2011 as a “ proud German-American.
” Mr. Biden has occasionally joked about his record of embellishment .
In a “ Decision 2004 ” interview with Comedy Central host Jon Stewart , he said , “ Hell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t for the fact that I said my uncle was a coal miner.
” “ It turns out I didn ’ t have anyone in the coal mines , ” Mr. Biden said to laughter .
“ I tried that crap — it didn ’ t work.
” Four years later , however , he was back at it .
“ I hope you won ’ t hold it against me , but I am a hard-coal miner , anthracite coal , Scranton , Pennsylvania , ” he told a crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign .
Indeed , the Trump-Pence website offers a veritable treasure trove of Biden misstatements and exaggerations , labeling them “ Joseph ’ s Book of Fables.
” As it turns out , however , Mr. Biden does have at least one relative in the coal-mining business .
As noted by Wikipedia , Mr. Blewitt , his great-grandfather , “ founded the Edward F. Gold Mining Company , a silver and gold mining operation in Montana .
”

Joseph R. Biden blew up his 1988 presidential bid with a plagiarized fictitious account of his hardscrabble roots, but the experience failed to cure him of his tendency to exaggerate, conflate and even invent stories about his upbringing and political history.
Since the start of the 2020 campaign, Mr. Biden has been caught on numerous occasions spinning false and even ludicrous yarns, a tendency that has prompted head-scratching from his supporters and exasperation from conservatives stunned that his tall tales have yet to torpedo his salt-of-the-earth image.
“This has been a career-long problem that he’s had,” said Rick Manning, president of the free-market Americans for Limited Government. “I think a lot of people look at the things he’s doing now, and say, oh, he’s getting older, and that may be true, but the fact is, this is his historical record. This is not a recent phenomenon. This is who he is.”
Last year, Mr. Biden told voters in South Carolina that he “got started” at Delaware State University, a historically Black college. There is no record of his having attended. He said he remembered meeting with the Parkland students when he was vice president. The school shooting happened more than a year after he left office.
He delivered in August 2019 a stirring, detailed account of traveling as vice president to Kunar province, Afghanistan, to pin a Silver Star on a heroic Navy captain in Kunar province, Afghanistan, who risked his life to retrieve the body of another soldier.
“God’s truth, my word as a Biden,” Mr. Biden told the crowd at Dartmouth. “He stood at attention, I went to pin him, he said: ‘Sir, I don’t want the damn thing. Do not pin it on me sir, please. Do not do that. He died. He died.’”
The reality was significantly different. Mr. Biden did visit Afghanistan, but as a senator in 2008; the soldier was not a Navy captain but an Army specialist, and he was presented with the Medal of Honor at the White House by President Barack Obama, not by the vice president overseas, according to a Washington Post fact-check.
Mr. Biden did pin a medal on another soldier in 2011 who said he didn’t deserve it in, and later defended his account, disputing the idea that “there’s anything I said about that that wasn’t the essence of the story,” as he told the [Charleston] Post and Courier.
He did backtrack in February after claiming at least twice on South Carolina campaign stops that he and former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young were arrested in the 1970s trying to visit Nelson Mandela in prison. Mr. Young later told media outlets it never happened.
In a Feb. 28 CNN interview, Mr. Biden acknowledged “I wasn’t arrested,” but added, “I was stopped.” He went on to describe how “Afrikaners” with “short pants and their guns” made him go through a “white only” door while directing Black lawmakers elsewhere, an account disputed by others because, for one, the delegation had not traveled to South Africa in 1976 but to Lesotho, which did not have apartheid.
A Feb. 25 fact-check by the Washington Post gave the account four Pinocchios in an article headlined, “Biden’s ridiculous claim he was arrested trying to see Mandela.”
The Washington Times has reached out to the Biden campaign for comment.
Embarrassing as it may have been, the whopper didn’t hurt him in the Feb. 29 primary. Mr. Biden won South Carolina with 39% of the vote, more than twice as much as second-place finisher Sen. Bernie Sanders, marking the start of the former vice president’s comeback.
‘Recollection was inaccurate’
None of this has received the same attention as the scandal that knocked him out of the Democratic primary in 1987, thanks in part to an overwhelmed news cycle dominated by the pandemic and protests, coupled with the “Trump lied” narrative.
Mr. Trump has been accused of being a habitual liar by media outlets and Democrats, including Mr. Biden, who recently said that the president “knowingly lied” about the threat of COVID-19, which Mr. Trump has denied.
The Washington Post says he has made more than 20,000 “false or misleading claims,” which includes 360 statements about the economy during his administration being the best in U.S. history.
Is that a lie or spin? “What they call lies for Trump is partially spin, but a lot of times, it’s just disagreement on policy,” said Mr. Manning. “Those tend to be policy fights. But when it comes to what happened when your first wife and your daughter were killed, that’s a very edge-of-your-soul kind of fact.”
Indeed, most of Mr. Biden’s blarney could be defended as misleading but essentially harmless braggadocio were it not for the “drunk driver” claim. In 2001 and 2007, he indicated that the 1972 car crash that killed his wife Neilia and baby daughter was caused by a driver who had too much to drink, even though the investigation said otherwise.
The family of the driver, Curtis C. Dunn, wrote to Mr. Biden the first time asking him to stop. He agreed, but then repeated the line in 2007, saying that the driver “allegedly — and I never pursued this — drank his lunch.” He apologized in a call to Mr. Dunn’s daughter in 2008, according to the Newark Post.
“Joe’s calling card is decency, an affable man without a malicious bone in his body. Yet he allowed Dunn, who died in 1999, to go to his grave having been falsely shamed by Biden as a drunk driver responsible for the death of Biden’s wife and newborn daughter,” said conservative radio host Larry Elder in a March op-ed on RealClearPolitics. “What ‘decent’ man does that.”
It may be that sometimes Mr. Biden simply gets carried away. Last week, he repeated the line about being the first in his family to attend college — “Like, guys like me were the first in my family to go to college” — a false statement for which he paid a steep price.
He dropped out of the 1988 Democratic presidential primary after extensive coverage of a speech he lifted from Labour Party Leader Neil Kinnock about his coal-mining roots that included the line, “Why am I the first Kinnock in a thousand generations to be able to get to university?”
Mr. Biden used the same words and format, including, “I started thinking as I was coming over here, why is it that Joe Biden is the first in his family ever to go to a university?” and “Is it because I’m the first Biden in a thousand generations to get a college and a graduate degree that I was smarter than the rest?”
Not only was he accused of plagiarizing — the campaign said he had credited Mr. Kinnock as the source on some if not all occasions — but it turned out Mr. Biden was not the first person in his family to go to college.
His maternal grandfather, Ambrose Finnegan, attended Santa Clara College in California, according to Time magazine. His maternal great-grandfather, Edward Francis Blewitt, earned a degree in civil engineering from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and served in the state Senate.
Mr. Biden admitted as much in 1987, saying that “there are Finnegans, my mother’s family, that went to college,” promptly the Federalist’s Mollie Hemingway to write last week that it was “unclear why he has resurrected one of the false claims that got him in so much trouble 33 years ago.”
The same year, he exaggerated his academic credentials at an appearance in New Hampshire, saying that he attended Syracuse law school on a full academic scholarship, the only one granted; graduated in the top half of his class, and earned three undergraduate degrees.
He later admitted his “recollection was inaccurate”: He received a partial scholarship based on financial need; graduated 76th in a class of 85 students, and earned one bachelor’s degree with a double major at the University of Delaware.
Mr. Trump’s family has its own history of hidden heritage. Mr. Trump’s father Fred Trump for years concealed his German ancestry, saying he was Swedish, to avoid anti-German sentiment during World War II and afterward.
Donald Trump repeated the Swedish ancestry claim in his 1987 book “Art of the Deal,” but has since “acknowledged and embraced” his German roots, according to CNN, serving as grand marshal of a German-American parade in 1999 and describing himself in 2011 as a “proud German-American.”
Mr. Biden has occasionally joked about his record of embellishment. In a “Decision 2004” interview with Comedy Central host Jon Stewart, he said, “Hell, I might be president now if it weren’t for the fact that I said my uncle was a coal miner.”
“It turns out I didn’t have anyone in the coal mines,” Mr. Biden said to laughter. “I tried that crap — it didn’t work.”
Four years later, however, he was back at it. “I hope you won’t hold it against me, but I am a hard-coal miner, anthracite coal, Scranton, Pennsylvania,” he told a crowd, as shown on video posted by the Trump campaign.
Indeed, the Trump-Pence website offers a veritable treasure trove of Biden misstatements and exaggerations, labeling them “Joseph’s Book of Fables.”
As it turns out, however, Mr. Biden does have at least one relative in the coal-mining business. As noted by Wikipedia, Mr. Blewitt, his great-grandfather, “founded the Edward F. Gold Mining Company, a silver and gold mining operation in Montana.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Democrats say Judge Barrett should recuse herself in election disputes

Senate Judiciary Democrats are demanding Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett pledge to recuse herself from any election challenge , saying she would side with President Trump .
Sen. Cory A. Booker , a member of the Judiciary Committee that will hold the confirmation hearings , said he will press her about recusal when they meet one-on-one before the hearings .
“ I ’ m going to make it very clear .
One of the things I want to ask her is will she recuse herself in terms of any election issues that come before us because if she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the court will be further delegitimized , ” Mr. Booker , New Jersey Democrat , said on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin , another Judiciary Committee member , said a recusal pledge would “ evidence the fact that she wants to be fair.
” “ This president has been outspoken and outrageous .
To think that he would not accept the verdict of the election and that he would make it clear that he ’ s filling this vacancy on the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there ’ s [ a contested election ] , that is an outrage .
No president has ever said that in our nation ’ s history , ” the Illinois Democrat told ABC News .
On CBS ’ s “ Face the Nation , ” Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware accused Mr. Trump of intentionally picking a nominee who will “ support him in his reelection effort.
” None of the Democrats calling for her recusal , however , extended that demand to either Justice Neil M. Gorsuch or Justice Brett M. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President Trump .
Recusal demands for justices linked to the two presidential candidates would leave only four justices on the bench , with Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor appointed by President Obama while Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden was vice president .
With court battles already underway over mail-in voting and expectations that the results will be extremely close , the presidential race easily could end up in the Supreme Court .
The Supreme Court effectively decided the 2000 presidential election in favor of President George W. Bush in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court request for a manual recount .
The recusal push for Judge Barrett follows Mr. Trump ’ s comments that he wants his nominee confirmed , in part , to be ready to weigh in on any legal disputes .
“ We need nine justices .
You need that , ” he told reporters last week .
“ With the unsolicited millions of ballots that they ’ re sending , it ’ s a scam ; it ’ s a hoax .
Everybody knows that .
And the Democrats know it better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to need nine justices up there .
I think it ’ s going to be very important .
Because what they ’ re doing is a hoax , with the ballots.
” Mr. Trump repeatedly has questioned the integrity of the election because of the surge of mail-in voting .
Unlike lower courts , the Supreme Court is not bound to any specific ethics code on recusals because of its unique position — none of the justices can be replaced or the decision reviewed by another , higher court .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves from a case if they feel it ’ s necessary .
Most recently , in March of this year , Justice Sotomayor recused herself from one of the two cases the court was hearing on whether or not states can dictate how members of the Electoral College cast their votes because she was friends with one of the parties in the case from Colorado .
“ The justice believes that her impartiality might reasonably be questioned due to her friendship with respondent Polly Baca , ” Supreme Court Clerk Scott S. Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial conflict check conducted in Justice Sotomayor ’ s chambers did not identify this potential conflict.
” Earlier this year , Mr. Trump called for both Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Sonia Sotomayor to be recused from any cases involving anything “ Trump or Trump-related ” because of their critical comments .
Sen. Mike Lee , Utah Republican , said the decision will ultimately be up to Judge Barrett .
“ Judge Barrett , once confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States , will be a Supreme Court justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Kavanaugh or Justice Gorsuch or Justice Breyer or Justice Kagan or Sotomayor , ” he said on ABC News .
“ She will be a justice on full par with them .
Whether she recuses in this or any other case is up to her and is up to her in consultation with her colleagues , her staff and the rules at play .
”

Senate Judiciary Democrats are demanding Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett pledge to recuse herself from any election challenge, saying she would side with President Trump.
Sen. Cory A. Booker, a member of the Judiciary Committee that will hold the confirmation hearings, said he will press her about recusal when they meet one-on-one before the hearings.
“I’m going to make it very clear. One of the things I want to ask her is will she recuse herself in terms of any election issues that come before us because if she does not recuse herself, I fear that the court will be further delegitimized,” Mr. Booker, New Jersey Democrat, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, another Judiciary Committee member, said a recusal pledge would “evidence the fact that she wants to be fair.”
“This president has been outspoken and outrageous. To think that he would not accept the verdict of the election and that he would make it clear that he’s filling this vacancy on the Supreme Court to make sure it tips his way if there’s [a contested election], that is an outrage. No president has ever said that in our nation’s history,” the Illinois Democrat told ABC News.
On CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware accused Mr. Trump of intentionally picking a nominee who will “support him in his reelection effort.”
None of the Democrats calling for her recusal, however, extended that demand to either Justice Neil M. Gorsuch or Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, both of whom were nominated by President Trump.
Recusal demands for justices linked to the two presidential candidates would leave only four justices on the bench, with Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor appointed by President Obama while Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden was vice president.
With court battles already underway over mail-in voting and expectations that the results will be extremely close, the presidential race easily could end up in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court effectively decided the 2000 presidential election in favor of President George W. Bush in a 5-4 decision by reversing a Florida Supreme Court request for a manual recount.
The recusal push for Judge Barrett follows Mr. Trump’s comments that he wants his nominee confirmed, in part, to be ready to weigh in on any legal disputes.
“We need nine justices. You need that,” he told reporters last week. “With the unsolicited millions of ballots that they’re sending, it’s a scam; it’s a hoax. Everybody knows that. And the Democrats know it better than anybody else. So you’re going to need nine justices up there. I think it’s going to be very important. Because what they’re doing is a hoax, with the ballots.”
Mr. Trump repeatedly has questioned the integrity of the election because of the surge of mail-in voting.
Unlike lower courts, the Supreme Court is not bound to any specific ethics code on recusals because of its unique position — none of the justices can be replaced or the decision reviewed by another, higher court.
However, Supreme Court justices can choose to remove themselves from a case if they feel it’s necessary.
Most recently, in March of this year, Justice Sotomayor recused herself from one of the two cases the court was hearing on whether or not states can dictate how members of the Electoral College cast their votes because she was friends with one of the parties in the case from Colorado.
“The justice believes that her impartiality might reasonably be questioned due to her friendship with respondent Polly Baca,” Supreme Court Clerk Scott S. Harris explained in a letter. “The initial conflict check conducted in Justice Sotomayor’s chambers did not identify this potential conflict.”
Earlier this year, Mr. Trump called for both Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Sonia Sotomayor to be recused from any cases involving anything “Trump or Trump-related” because of their critical comments.
Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Republican, said the decision will ultimately be up to Judge Barrett.
“Judge Barrett, once confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States, will be a Supreme Court justice, no less a Supreme Court justice than Justice Kavanaugh or Justice Gorsuch or Justice Breyer or Justice Kagan or Sotomayor,” he said on ABC News. “She will be a justice on full par with them. Whether she recuses in this or any other case is up to her and is up to her in consultation with her colleagues, her staff and the rules at play.”
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Dallas police: Three dead in motel room, homicide suspected

DALLAS ( AP ) - Three people were found dead in a motel room in northwest Dallas and police say homicide is suspected .
The bodies of the three were found Saturday by the manager of the motel and all three were dead at the scene , according to a news release from police .
Police have not released a suspected cause of the deaths , but say they are apparently the result of homicide .
No names have been released and police have announced no arrests or suspects .
On September 26 , 2020 , at approximately 12:00 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 10335 Gardner Road , the Super 7 Inn , after the manager found three deceased people inside of a motel room .
Dallas Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced the victims deceased at the scene from apparent homicidal violence .
The Homicide Unit responded to the scene , along with the Dallas County Medical Examiner .
Dallas Police are asking anyone with information regarding this offense to contact Detective Isom with the Dallas Police Department Homicide Unit at ( 214 ) 671-3701 , or andrea.isom @ dallascityhall.com .
Please reference case # @ @

DALLAS (AP) - Three people were found dead in a motel room in northwest Dallas and police say homicide is suspected.
The bodies of the three were found Saturday by the manager of the motel and all three were dead at the scene, according to a news release from police.
Police have not released a suspected cause of the deaths, but say they are apparently the result of homicide.
No names have been released and police have announced no arrests or suspects.
On September 26, 2020, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Dallas Police responded to a call at 10335 Gardner Road, the Super 7 Inn, after the manager found three deceased people inside of a motel room. Dallas Fire and Rescue arrived and pronounced the victims deceased at the scene from apparent homicidal violence. The Homicide Unit responded to the scene, along with the Dallas County Medical Examiner.
Dallas Police are asking anyone with information regarding this offense to contact Detective Isom with the Dallas Police Department Homicide Unit at (214) 671-3701, or andrea.isom@dallascityhall.com. Please reference case #171549-2020.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Universities to treat water in Navajo communities

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - Environmental science students at Navajo Technical University are often asked by their professors about how they want to give back to their Navajo Nation communities .
The top answer : by improving access to clean water .
Navajo Technical University and New Mexico Tech have teamed up to address such water issues in rural Navajo areas , starting a pilot project to build and operate filtration units for well sites across the vast reservation .
The units can treat even the dirtiest water , said Robert Balch , director of the Petroleum Recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a project lead .
“ So many residents on reservations have to drive sometimes 100 miles to get water , and bring it back to the house in bottles , ” Balch said .
“ Well water is available to lot of tribes , but is not always in great shape.
” The U.S. Water Alliance estimates that 30 % of Navajo residents don ’ t have running water , the Albuquerque Journal reported .
The universities signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday in Crownpoint to launch the project .
The technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jianjia Yu .
Dirty water will be treated with bundles of hollow fiber membrane - thin polymer “ straws ” with a coating to help filter contaminants .
Each straw opening is about the width of a human hair .
The units can filter out salt , phosphates , nitrates and heavy metals .
Water at windmills , tanks and wells will be treated for agricultural use .
But with state approval , the technology could treat drinking water supplies .
Abhishek RoyChowdhury , assistant professor of environmental science and natural resources at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work with Navajo agencies to identify areas that have the worst water quality or the most severe water accessibility issues .
“ Our students will learn the science and be trained in the technology , but will also learn practical ways to get involved with the community to solve environmental science problems , ” he said .
Navajo communities will learn basic upkeep for the systems .
The NTU team will translate scientific terms and water data into the Diné language .
“ These students know the value of water , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a water filtration system to the most remote part of the reservation so people just have to drive a mile instead of 100 miles , that ’ s a huge benefit.
” The team will work with Pesco , a manufacturing company in Farmington .
Students will begin sampling sites later this year .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Environmental science students at Navajo Technical University are often asked by their professors about how they want to give back to their Navajo Nation communities.
The top answer: by improving access to clean water.
Navajo Technical University and New Mexico Tech have teamed up to address such water issues in rural Navajo areas, starting a pilot project to build and operate filtration units for well sites across the vast reservation.
The units can treat even the dirtiest water, said Robert Balch, director of the Petroleum Recovery Research Center at New Mexico Tech and a project lead.
“So many residents on reservations have to drive sometimes 100 miles to get water, and bring it back to the house in bottles,” Balch said. “Well water is available to lot of tribes, but is not always in great shape.”
The U.S. Water Alliance estimates that 30% of Navajo residents don’t have running water, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
The universities signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday in Crownpoint to launch the project. The technology was invented by New Mexico Tech researcher Jianjia Yu.
Dirty water will be treated with bundles of hollow fiber membrane - thin polymer “straws” with a coating to help filter contaminants. Each straw opening is about the width of a human hair. The units can filter out salt, phosphates, nitrates and heavy metals.
Water at windmills, tanks and wells will be treated for agricultural use. But with state approval, the technology could treat drinking water supplies.
Abhishek RoyChowdhury, assistant professor of environmental science and natural resources at Navajo Technical University, said the team will work with Navajo agencies to identify areas that have the worst water quality or the most severe water accessibility issues.
“Our students will learn the science and be trained in the technology, but will also learn practical ways to get involved with the community to solve environmental science problems,” he said.
Navajo communities will learn basic upkeep for the systems. The NTU team will translate scientific terms and water data into the Diné language.
“These students know the value of water,” RoyChowdhury said. “If we can get a water filtration system to the most remote part of the reservation so people just have to drive a mile instead of 100 miles, that’s a huge benefit.”
The team will work with Pesco, a manufacturing company in Farmington. Students will begin sampling sites later this year.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Valentino closes Milan Fashion Week with lush live show

MILAN ( AP ) - It ’ s been a season of disruption at Milan Fashion Week .
The hybrid live-virtual formula meant anyone from their homes could watch delightful videos like Moschino ’ s marionette fashion show , created with the help of Jim Henson Studios , and featuring models wearing tiny Moschino creations while Anna Wintour and other top fashion editors nodded from the front row .
But even those who did virtual shows acknowledge that no video and no photos can replace the energy generated by a live runway show .
Fendi , Dolce & Gabbana ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valentino were among the top fashion houses who kept a physical presence this round - despite the absence of editors and buyers from major markets like the United States and Asia .
Those who did make it to Milan got to see fashion without being squeezed on both sides , while also submitting to frequent temperature taking at doors , mandatory mask wearing and the signing of many COVID-19 liability waivers .
Here are highlights from Sunday , the last day of Milan Fashion Week of mostly womenswear previews for Spring-Summer 2021 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties that kept many people from traveling to Milan Fashion Week from abroad : They also kept Rome-based Valentino from making the trans-alpine trip to the fashion house ’ s usual show venue in Paris .
For his first-ever Milan show , creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli chose a disused foundry as the backdrop for the lush , romantic collection in the fashion language of lattice and lace ; floral detailing and bold prints ; ruffles and fringe .
But there also was an urban edge , in mini-hemlines and studded detailing .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cubes in an industrial space softened by floral arrangements .
The British singer Labrinth sang hauntingly in the background .
“ The simplification and the quest for new meaning guides the selection of the pieces , ” the house said in notes .
Chiffon blouses were worked up into ruffles that envelop the wearer like a rose , worn with slightly distressed jeans .
A mini-tunic over short shorts had an edgy urban feel , paired with studded , pointy flats .
Longer dresses had lattice work providing just flashes of skin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ body hugging dresses .
The finale , as ordained by the name Valentino , included a rich collection of flowing chiffon dresses in eye-popping monochromes , saving red for last .
All of the key elements , florals , lace , lattice , also were reinterpreted also for men : a floral hoodie , a lace short and top set , a ruffle-front shirt over shorts .
In Milan , “ the signs and codes of Valentino today are being re-signified , ” the house said in press notes .
AQULINAO AND RIMONDI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi ’ s latest fashion venture is focused on youthful women , offering fun and flirty silhouettes exclusively in cotton and optimistically bright in color .
The designers , who spent eight years at Max Mara , followed by two heady years as head stylists at Gianfranco Ferre , launched their own brand Aquilano-Rimondi in 2008 .
The pair said they are taking a moment to rethink the direction of their main label , known for its heavily detailed and ornate designs at the upper range of luxury , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year as a more accessible luxury brand .
The formula of easy-to-wear fashion elements with more affordable sustainable cotton has found success even in the pandemic , selling out in some locations post-lockdown , Aquilano said backstage .
“ Unfortunately , I am not religious .
But the pope , in this moment , is the only person who is speaking in a logical way .
We need to be united to help each other , or this thing will destroy all of us , ” Aquilano said backstage .
For this collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their home region of Emilia Romagna to come up with the bold clash of prints that they worked up into silhouettes of ruffles , ranging from dramatic to pretty , with embellishments limited to occasional beaded fringe .

MILAN (AP) - It’s been a season of disruption at Milan Fashion Week.
The hybrid live-virtual formula meant anyone from their homes could watch delightful videos like Moschino’s marionette fashion show, created with the help of Jim Henson Studios, and featuring models wearing tiny Moschino creations while Anna Wintour and other top fashion editors nodded from the front row.
But even those who did virtual shows acknowledge that no video and no photos can replace the energy generated by a live runway show. Fendi, Dolce&Gabbana, Max Mara, Salvatore Ferragamo and Valentino were among the top fashion houses who kept a physical presence this round - despite the absence of editors and buyers from major markets like the United States and Asia.
Those who did make it to Milan got to see fashion without being squeezed on both sides, while also submitting to frequent temperature taking at doors, mandatory mask wearing and the signing of many COVID-19 liability waivers.
Here are highlights from Sunday, the last day of Milan Fashion Week of mostly womenswear previews for Spring-Summer 2021:
VALENTINO’S PICCOLI MAKES MILAN FASHION PREMIERE
The silver lining of the virus-induced travel difficulties that kept many people from traveling to Milan Fashion Week from abroad: They also kept Rome-based Valentino from making the trans-alpine trip to the fashion house’s usual show venue in Paris.
For his first-ever Milan show, creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli chose a disused foundry as the backdrop for the lush, romantic collection in the fashion language of lattice and lace; floral detailing and bold prints; ruffles and fringe. But there also was an urban edge, in mini-hemlines and studded detailing.
A sparse 200 guests were spread out on cubes in an industrial space softened by floral arrangements. The British singer Labrinth sang hauntingly in the background.
“The simplification and the quest for new meaning guides the selection of the pieces,” the house said in notes.
Chiffon blouses were worked up into ruffles that envelop the wearer like a rose, worn with slightly distressed jeans. A mini-tunic over short shorts had an edgy urban feel, paired with studded, pointy flats. Longer dresses had lattice work providing just flashes of skin. Sleeves cascading into fringes gave drama to body hugging dresses. The finale, as ordained by the name Valentino, included a rich collection of flowing chiffon dresses in eye-popping monochromes, saving red for last.
All of the key elements, florals, lace, lattice, also were reinterpreted also for men: a floral hoodie, a lace short and top set, a ruffle-front shirt over shorts.
In Milan, “the signs and codes of Valentino today are being re-signified,” the house said in press notes.
AQULINAO AND RIMONDI GIVE RUNWAY PREMIER TO NEW FASHION VENTURE
Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi’s latest fashion venture is focused on youthful women, offering fun and flirty silhouettes exclusively in cotton and optimistically bright in color.
The designers, who spent eight years at Max Mara, followed by two heady years as head stylists at Gianfranco Ferre, launched their own brand Aquilano-Rimondi in 2008. The pair said they are taking a moment to rethink the direction of their main label, known for its heavily detailed and ornate designs at the upper range of luxury, while focusing on SHI.RT, launched last year as a more accessible luxury brand.
The formula of easy-to-wear fashion elements with more affordable sustainable cotton has found success even in the pandemic, selling out in some locations post-lockdown, Aquilano said backstage.
“Unfortunately, I am not religious. But the pope, in this moment, is the only person who is speaking in a logical way. We need to be united to help each other, or this thing will destroy all of us,” Aquilano said backstage.
For this collection, the designers united with suppliers in their home region of Emilia Romagna to come up with the bold clash of prints that they worked up into silhouettes of ruffles, ranging from dramatic to pretty, with embellishments limited to occasional beaded fringe.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Faith, political leaders meet virtually for second 'Global Rally of Hope'

A diverse mix of faith leaders and political figures gathered for the second time in as many months this weekend for a major international rally calling for a more unified world to be achieved through collective embraces of freedom , peace , interdependence and the pursuit of mutual prosperity .
The second “ Global Rally of Hope ” — held online and drawing what organizers said was an audience of well over 1 million viewers and participants — provided a unique platform for faith-driven global messaging aimed at addressing racial and ethnic division , poverty , environmental degradation and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speakers at the event orchestrated by the Universal Peace Federation ( UPF ) and partner groups included current and former heads of state , along with well-known U.S. political figures and prominent voices from across the religious spectrum , all joining together in a call for peace and togetherness at a crucial moment of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Former Vice President Dan Quayle said he was inspired the event had “ brought together delegates from over 150 nations in search of ways to create a more peaceful world.
” “ Even though we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can feel connected because we share a common heart , ” Mr. Quayle , who served in the George H.W .
Bush administration during the early 1990s , said in prepared remarks .
“ We all want peace .
The question is ‘ how are we going to achieve it ?
’ ” Mr. Quayle said .
“ We have a lot of violence in the world , so much dysfunction , and unthinkable human suffering because of this .
We know that true peace comes about when people can unite .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to recognize that there are universal values that can serve as a compass setting for everyone.
” Among the most important to consider is “ the value of our families , ” he said .
“ Family is so very important — your mother , your father , your brothers and sisters , extended family , aunts , uncles , friends .
Family is everything .
You see family in your neighborhoods , you see it at your place of worship .
Today , especially through our technology and communications , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ striving for peace , decency , compassion and human flourishing.
” “ That ’ s why I support one of the main themes for UPF , that we are ‘ one family under God , ’ ” Mr. Qualye added .
“ That ’ s a positive and powerful message.
” It was a sentiment echoed by faith leaders — Evangelical Lutheran Church Bishop ( emeritus ) Munib Younan and Roman Catholic Archbishop ( emeritus ) of Castries Kelvin Edward Cardinal Felix , among others — as well as American political figures such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 .
“ As always , the Universal Peace Federation has brought together an impressive collection of representatives , heads of state , and other leaders from around the world , ” said Mr. Cheney , who stressed the ongoing need for cohesion and clear security alliances among the world ’ s democracies to confront tyrannical regimes .
“ One thing I ’ ve learned , in 40-plus years of dealing in foreign policy and security matters : Against any set of challenges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and democratic governments work together , ” Mr. Cheney said in prepared remarks .
It was a broader theme of unity in general , as well as reverence for human rights and respect for all people that dominated the focus of the weekend ’ s rally .
Such tenets have long been guiding principles in the life of UPF co-founder Hak Ja Han Moon , the leader of the Unification Church and wife of the late Rev .
Sun Myung Moon .
The two devoted their lives to the promotion of world peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — an undergirding premise of the movement that grew from the Unification Church that Rev .
Moon founded in 1954 .
Mrs .
Moon has led the movement since a few years before the 2012 death of Rev .
Moon , whose ministry grew from a tiny , embattled church in South Korea to a global spiritual movement and an affiliated commercial empire comprising real estate , manufacturing and agricultural operations , as well as media properties including The Washington Times .
Mrs .
Moon brought a sobering message to the second “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
Citing the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , coupled with wars and conflict and increasingly powerful natural disasters caused by climate change , she called upon humanity “ to pay attention to what is fundamental.
” “ Due to the ignorance of human beings , the earth is being destroyed , ” Mrs .
Moon said .
“ Using all of the technologies that science has developed , let us first focus on becoming the proper stewards of creation , returning , restoring the earth to the pristine condition under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prosper .
This is the responsibility we have as God ’ s children.
” The event was part of a series of online “ rallies of hope ” slated to be held each month through December .
There were moments of celebration and happiness during the first two rallies .
Saturday ’ s proceedings , broadcast from Cheongshim Peace World Center in Korea , began with a performance by the Little Angels Folk Ballet of Korea .
UPF Chairman Dr. Thomas G. Walsh , meanwhile , was quoted in a press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , held in August , drew several million online viewers from around the world .
The August rally also featured remarks by many heads of state , who addressed a range of issues , including the COVID-19 pandemic , environmental degradation , poverty and race relations , Mr. Walsh said .
“ But in their own ways and in their own words , they all expressed hope that humankind , as one family under God , has the full potential to resolve all of these issues by working together.
” Former Rep. Dan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Representatives from 1983 to 2013 , said the digital setting of Saturday ’ s event was proof “ people of character and conscience will not be prevented from gathering together because of a great pandemic.
” “ As they say , ‘ When God closes a door , he opens a window , ’ ” said Mr. Burton , who now heads a global organization known as the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace ( IAPP ) , a close affiliate of the UPF .
In prepared remarks , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more effective early warning communications system among local political leaders worldwide to more rapidly identify and respond to future diseases that might impact the whole of humanity .
“ IAPP members working together from around the world could be in a position to see trends and situations more clearly and faster than other organizations , ” he said , noting that while the World Health Organization ( WHO ) first reported COVID-19 on Dec. 31 , 2019 , it was not until March 11 , 2020 , that the organization declared a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread to every corner of the world by airline passengers , ” Mr. Burton said .
“ The world does not have the luxury of waiting for big governments and big health organizations to figure out what ’ s going on .
Your own representatives in parliament can see and act more quickly.
” “ Resolutions are being supported to support the global communication system of pandemic early warning , ” he said .
“ Action is happening at the grassroots level.
” Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was among those from around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this weekend ’ s event .
“ I ’ m delighted to be at this rally of hope , which is focused on ways of mitigating the challenges that we face in the 21st century , ranging from pandemics , to climate change , conflicts and poverty , ” said Mr. Jonathan , who served as Nigeria ’ s president from 2010 to 2015 .
“ I commend Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon , the co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation , who has continued to skillfully steer the ship of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the passing of her husband , Rev .
Sun Myung Moon .
”

A diverse mix of faith leaders and political figures gathered for the second time in as many months this weekend for a major international rally calling for a more unified world to be achieved through collective embraces of freedom, peace, interdependence and the pursuit of mutual prosperity.
The second “Global Rally of Hope” — held online and drawing what organizers said was an audience of well over 1 million viewers and participants — provided a unique platform for faith-driven global messaging aimed at addressing racial and ethnic division, poverty, environmental degradation and other issues fueling conflict in the world.
Speakers at the event orchestrated by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and partner groups included current and former heads of state, along with well-known U.S. political figures and prominent voices from across the religious spectrum, all joining together in a call for peace and togetherness at a crucial moment of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former Vice President Dan Quayle said he was inspired the event had “brought together delegates from over 150 nations in search of ways to create a more peaceful world.”
“Even though we are meeting in this virtual environment, we can feel connected because we share a common heart,” Mr. Quayle, who served in the George H.W. Bush administration during the early 1990s, said in prepared remarks.
“We all want peace. The question is ‘how are we going to achieve it?’” Mr. Quayle said. “We have a lot of violence in the world, so much dysfunction, and unthinkable human suffering because of this. We know that true peace comes about when people can unite. And the best way to come together is to recognize that there are universal values that can serve as a compass setting for everyone.”
Among the most important to consider is “the value of our families,” he said. “Family is so very important — your mother, your father, your brothers and sisters, extended family, aunts, uncles, friends. Family is everything. You see family in your neighborhoods, you see it at your place of worship. Today, especially through our technology and communications, we can see right here a global family striving for peace, decency, compassion and human flourishing.”
“That’s why I support one of the main themes for UPF, that we are ‘one family under God,’” Mr. Qualye added. “That’s a positive and powerful message.”
It was a sentiment echoed by faith leaders — Evangelical Lutheran Church Bishop (emeritus) Munib Younan and Roman Catholic Archbishop (emeritus) of Castries Kelvin Edward Cardinal Felix, among others — as well as American political figures such former Vice President Richard Cheney, who served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009.
“As always, the Universal Peace Federation has brought together an impressive collection of representatives, heads of state, and other leaders from around the world,” said Mr. Cheney, who stressed the ongoing need for cohesion and clear security alliances among the world’s democracies to confront tyrannical regimes.
“One thing I’ve learned, in 40-plus years of dealing in foreign policy and security matters: Against any set of challenges, events will always go better when free and democratic governments work together,” Mr. Cheney said in prepared remarks.
It was a broader theme of unity in general, as well as reverence for human rights and respect for all people that dominated the focus of the weekend’s rally.
Such tenets have long been guiding principles in the life of UPF co-founder Hak Ja Han Moon, the leader of the Unification Church and wife of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon. The two devoted their lives to the promotion of world peace and the reunification of the Korean Peninsula — an undergirding premise of the movement that grew from the Unification Church that Rev. Moon founded in 1954.
Mrs. Moon has led the movement since a few years before the 2012 death of Rev. Moon, whose ministry grew from a tiny, embattled church in South Korea to a global spiritual movement and an affiliated commercial empire comprising real estate, manufacturing and agricultural operations, as well as media properties including The Washington Times.
Mrs. Moon brought a sobering message to the second “Global Rally of Hope” over the weekend.
Citing the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with wars and conflict and increasingly powerful natural disasters caused by climate change, she called upon humanity “to pay attention to what is fundamental.”
“Due to the ignorance of human beings, the earth is being destroyed,” Mrs. Moon said. “Using all of the technologies that science has developed, let us first focus on becoming the proper stewards of creation, returning, restoring the earth to the pristine condition under which God wished human beings to flourish and prosper. This is the responsibility we have as God’s children.”
The event was part of a series of online “rallies of hope” slated to be held each month through December.
There were moments of celebration and happiness during the first two rallies. Saturday’s proceedings, broadcast from Cheongshim Peace World Center in Korea, began with a performance by the Little Angels Folk Ballet of Korea.
UPF Chairman Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, meanwhile, was quoted in a press release as saying the first Rally of Hope, held in August, drew several million online viewers from around the world.
The August rally also featured remarks by many heads of state, who addressed a range of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental degradation, poverty and race relations, Mr. Walsh said. “But in their own ways and in their own words, they all expressed hope that humankind, as one family under God, has the full potential to resolve all of these issues by working together.”
Former Rep. Dan Burton, a Republican who served in the House of Representatives from 1983 to 2013, said the digital setting of Saturday’s event was proof “people of character and conscience will not be prevented from gathering together because of a great pandemic.”
“As they say, ‘When God closes a door, he opens a window,’” said Mr. Burton, who now heads a global organization known as the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), a close affiliate of the UPF.
In prepared remarks, Mr. Burton said IAPP is working toward developing a more effective early warning communications system among local political leaders worldwide to more rapidly identify and respond to future diseases that might impact the whole of humanity.
“IAPP members working together from around the world could be in a position to see trends and situations more clearly and faster than other organizations,” he said, noting that while the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported COVID-19 on Dec. 31, 2019, it was not until March 11, 2020, that the organization declared a pandemic.
“The virus had already spread to every corner of the world by airline passengers,” Mr. Burton said. “The world does not have the luxury of waiting for big governments and big health organizations to figure out what’s going on. Your own representatives in parliament can see and act more quickly.”
“Resolutions are being supported to support the global communication system of pandemic early warning,” he said. “Action is happening at the grassroots level.”
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was among those from around the world who offered messages of hope at this weekend’s event.
“I’m delighted to be at this rally of hope, which is focused on ways of mitigating the challenges that we face in the 21st century, ranging from pandemics, to climate change, conflicts and poverty,” said Mr. Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015. “I commend Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation, who has continued to skillfully steer the ship of the UPF, taking it to loftier heights since the passing of her husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon.”
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Illinois Supreme Court hires diversity and inclusion officer

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - The Illinois Supreme Court has named a former associate chancellor at University of @ @ @ @ @ diversity and inclusion officer .
Deanie Brown starts the new job for the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
She ’ ll be responsible for developing and implementing ways to create @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is a true privilege to step into what for me is a @ @ @ @ @ and the law — at this time of great awakening , ” Brown said in @ @ @ @ @ look forward to answering the call to assist in deepening and sustaining inclusive practices and @ @ @ @ @ court system and the people who depend on it.
” Brown has been the associate @ @ @ @ @ opportunity at the university ’ s Springfield campus since 2008 .
The court announced in @ @ @ @ @ the position .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Supreme Court has named a former associate chancellor at University of Illinois Springfield as a chief diversity and inclusion officer.
Deanie Brown starts the new job for the state’s judicial branch of government in November. She’ll be responsible for developing and implementing ways to create a diverse and inclusive workforce.
“It is a true privilege to step into what for me is a dream job — serving equity and the law — at this time of great awakening,” Brown said in a statement. “I look forward to answering the call to assist in deepening and sustaining inclusive practices and initiatives on behalf of our court system and the people who depend on it.”
Brown has been the associate chancellor for access and equal opportunity at the university’s Springfield campus since 2008.
The court announced in June that it was creating the position.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--PG&E starts series of power shutoffs to prevent wildfires

The nation ’ s largest electric utility on Sunday temporarily cut power to thousands of Northern California residents to prevent wildfires while a new fire in Napa County forced people from their homes amid hot , windy weather .
Pacific Gas & Electric shut off power to 11,000 customers and another 54,000 can expect shutoffs later in the day due to a forecast of high winds , said Angela Lombardi , a company spokeswoman .
Some residents in 16 counties may temporarily lose power , with Butte and El Dorado accounting for more than half of the potential shutoffs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ swift-moving wildfire broke out in Napa County , which prompted evacuations of homes and a hospital .
The fire was burning near several wineries and churned through 1.9 square miles ( 4.9 square kilometers ) Sunday , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
After waking up to fire alerts and messages from worried friends , Amy Bordeau of Calistoga said she grabbed the same bag she recently used when evacuating from another nearby wildfire .
“ It ’ s a bit traumatizing , ” she told the newspaper .
“ I feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fire-weary California is facing a new siege of hot , dry weather with potentially strong winds that could cause power lines to arc and spark new blazes in parched vegetation that ’ s ready to burn .
Red Flag warnings for extreme fire weather conditions were issued for the northern and central areas of the state from late Saturday to Monday , the National Weather Service said .
Similar warnings were in place for parts of Southern California ’ s San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Monday .
So far this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scorched 5,780 square miles ( 14,970 square kilometers ) , destroyed more than 7,000 buildings and killed 26 people .
Most of the loss has occurred since a frenzy of dry lightning strikes in mid-August ignited a massive outbreak of fires .
The causes of other fires remain under investigation and authorities said one was caused by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal event .
On Sunday , wind drove smoke from the new Napa County fire toward Sonoma and Marin counties , worsening the air quality , said Gerry Diaz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We just have smoke on all fronts , unfortunately , ” Diaz said .
PG & E ; has opened community resource centers to help customers who lose power .
Lombardi said the company hopes to be able to inspect equipment once the windy weather subsides Monday , and from that time , subsequently restore power to customers within 12 daylight hours .
PG & E ; has said it is striving to narrow the scope and shorten the length of power cuts after being sharply criticized for intentional outages last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes lasted for days .
The shutoffs - part of a safety program that aims to prevent disasters - are only called “ as a last resort , ” Lombardi said .
Wildfires sparked by PG & E ; equipment include the wind-driven 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed much of the Sierra Nevada foothills town of Paradise and killed 85 people .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Power will be shut off for 65,000 Northern California electric customers in 16 counties to prevent the spread of wildfires that have engulfed areas of the state, officials said Sunday.
Pacific Gas & Electric, the nation’s largest electric utility, shut off power to 11,000 customers beginning at 4 a.m. Sunday and planned to cut service to another 54,000 customers by 8 p.m.
The company expected to have power restored by Monday evening to all customers.
PG&E Incident Commander Mark Quinlan said the initial plan was to temporarily cut service to 89,000 customers but continuous monitoring enabled the company to reduce the number by 27%.
The initial power outage for 11,000 customers occurred in Butte and Plumas counties.
The second shutdown phase beginning Sunday evening was planned for Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lake, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Tehama and Yuba counties. Two customers were also scheduled for shutdowns in Sonoma County.
Shutoffs were also scheduled to begin Monday at 7 a.m. in Kern County for a small number of customers.
The company plans to begin restoring power after receiving confirmation that the weather and wildfire risks enable patrols, inspections and repairs by 50 helicopters and about 1,700 ground personnel in vehicles and on foot.
The shutoff was enacted as result of a red flag warning because of high winds, officials said.
PG&E Senior Meteorologist Scott Strenfel said beginning Saturday evening there was a reported wind speed of 15-30 mph (24-48 kph), 40-55 mph (64-89 kph) wind gusts and humidity levels of 15% to 20%.
The company continues to monitor weather conditions in concert with federal agencies including the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Customer Experience Manager Vanessa Bryan said PG&E sent 913,000 customer notifications and is operating 28 community resource centers from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. while power is out. As of Sunday evening, the centers had received about 1,200 visitors, Bryan said.
The shutoffs came as a new, swift-moving wildfire broke out in Napa County, which prompted evacuations of homes and a hospital. The fire was burning near several wineries and churned through 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers) Sunday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Fire-weary California is facing a new siege of hot, dry weather with potentially strong winds that could cause power lines to arc and spark new blazes in parched vegetation that’s ready to burn.
Red Flag warnings for extreme fire weather conditions were issued for the northern and central areas of the state from late Saturday to Monday, the National Weather Service said. Similar warnings were in place for parts of Southern California’s San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Monday.
So far this year, more than 8,100 California wildfires have scorched 5,780 square miles (14,970 square kilometers), destroyed more than 7,000 buildings and killed 26 people.
Most of the loss has occurred since a frenzy of dry lightning strikes in mid-August ignited a massive outbreak of fires. The causes of other fires remain under investigation and authorities said one was caused by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal event.
On Sunday, wind drove smoke from the new Napa County fire toward Sonoma and Marin counties, worsening the air quality, said Gerry Diaz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
“We just have smoke on all fronts, unfortunately,” Diaz said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Gary police shoot, wound gunman shooting another man

GARY , Ind .
( AP ) - Police in Gary shot and wounded a man early Sunday after seeing @ @ @ @ @ man , a spokeswoman said .
Officers responding to a report of gunfire about 2:30 @ @ @ @ @ outside a night club when they heard more gunfire , Gary police spokeswoman Dawn Westerfield @ @ @ @ @ saw a gunman shooting at a man on the ground , at which point the @ @ @ @ @ the gunman in a leg , Westerfield said .
The gunman then fired at the @ @ @ @ @ t strike anyone .
The gunman was taken to a hospital , where he was @ @ @ @ @ The man on the ground , a 28-year-old , was pronounced dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ charges have been announced .

GARY, Ind. (AP) - Police in Gary shot and wounded a man early Sunday after seeing him shoot and kill another man, a spokeswoman said.
Officers responding to a report of gunfire about 2:30 a.m. were dispersing a crowd outside a night club when they heard more gunfire, Gary police spokeswoman Dawn Westerfield said.
The officers then saw a gunman shooting at a man on the ground, at which point the officers opened fire and struck the gunman in a leg, Westerfield said. The gunman then fired at the officers, but didn’t strike anyone.
The gunman was taken to a hospital, where he was stabilized, Westerfield said.
The man on the ground, a 28-year-old, was pronounced dead at the scene, she said.
No charges have been announced.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Florida now has more than 700,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases

TALLAHASSEE , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida now has more than 700,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus , according @ @ @ @ @ state Department of Health Sunday .
The state reported 1,882 new confirmed cases and 10 @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Overall , 14,200 people have died from the disease in Florida , including @ @ @ @ @ 2,101 people hospitalized with the virus , or eight fewer than the day before .

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida now has more than 700,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to statistics released by the state Department of Health Sunday.
The state reported 1,882 new confirmed cases and 10 new deaths caused by the virus. Overall, 14,200 people have died from the disease in Florida, including 168 non-residents.
There were 2,101 people hospitalized with the virus, or eight fewer than the day before.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Arkansas State Police investigating woman's death at Hartman

HARTMAN , Ark .
( AP ) - The death of a woman whose body was found in the yard @ @ @ @ @ Arkansas is being investigated by Arkansas State Police .
An acquaintance of Melinda Walker , @ @ @ @ @ Saturday at Walker ’ s home in Hartman , about 90 miles ( 145 kilometers @ @ @ @ @ , state police said in a news release .
A suspected cause of death was @ @ @ @ @ the body was sent to the state crime lab to determine the manner and cause @ @ @ @ @ who found the body notified the Johnson County Sheriff ’ s Office , which asked @ @ @ @ @ according to the release .

HARTMAN, Ark. (AP) - The death of a woman whose body was found in the yard outside her home in western Arkansas is being investigated by Arkansas State Police.
An acquaintance of Melinda Walker, 65, discovered the body Saturday at Walker’s home in Hartman, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northwest of Little Rock, state police said in a news release.
A suspected cause of death was not released and police say the body was sent to the state crime lab to determine the manner and cause of death.
The person who found the body notified the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, which asked state police to investigate, according to the release.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Officials in Vermont town need $400k for pedestrian bridge

PLAINFIELD , Vt. ( AP ) - Officials in the Vermont town of Plainfield say they need an additional $ @ @ @ @ @ project in the community .
Select Board member Tammy Farnham said at a recent meeting @ @ @ @ @ the pedestrian bridge is about $ 1 million .
The town has about $ 600,000 @ @ @ @ @ the project .
The Times Argus reports that even though the cost for the project @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t walk away because it will be on the hook for the $ @ @ @ @ @ on engineering and design .
The bridge would cross the Winooski River near Main Street @ @ @ @ @ for another grant , but the grant comes with a 20 % match , so @ @ @ @ @ find $ 80,000 .
Board members have said they ’ d like to let townspeople @ @ @ @ @ likely on Town Meeting Day .

PLAINFIELD, Vt. (AP) - Officials in the Vermont town of Plainfield say they need an additional $400,000 for a pedestrian bridge project in the community.
Select Board member Tammy Farnham said at a recent meeting that the latest estimate for the pedestrian bridge is about $1 million.
The town has about $600,000 available in grant funding for the project.
The Times Argus reports that even though the cost for the project has ballooned, the town can’t walk away because it will be on the hook for the $120,000-plus it has already spent on engineering and design.
The bridge would cross the Winooski River near Main Street.
The town can apply for another grant, but the grant comes with a 20% match, so the town would need to find $80,000.
Board members have said they’d like to let townspeople vote on the project, likely on Town Meeting Day.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Poll: Most voters want SCOTUS nominee picked by winner of election

The majority of voters want the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s vacant seat to be filled by whoever wins the November election , according to a new poll .
Data from a New York Times/Siena College survey released Sunday found that 56 % of voters wanted whoever wins the presidential election to nominate the new Supreme Court justice , compared to the 41 % who want the choice to stay with President Trump .
In that same poll , Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden has an edge on Mr. Trump , with 49 % of voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % supporting the incumbent .
Mr. Trump already named his pick for the nomination — Judge Amy Coney Barrett — on Saturday .
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham laid out a quick timeline for her confirmation proceedings , which he wants to start on Oct. 12 and wrap up with a committee vote by Oct. 22 .
“ Then it will be up to [ Senate Majority Leader Mitch ] McConnell as to what to do with the nomination once it comes out of committee , ” Mr. Graham , South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats continue to rail against this nomination process as peak hypocrisy , noting that Republicans blocked President Barack Obama ’ s nominee , Judge Merrick Garland , in 2016 because it was an election year .
However , several have acknowledged they lack any real tools to slow or block the confirmation vote , and have shifted to driving out their base for the election .
The poll was conducted from Sept. 22-24 , with 950 likely voters surveyed .
There is a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points .

The majority of voters want the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s vacant seat to be filled by whoever wins the November election, according to a new poll.
Data from a New York Times/Siena College survey released Sunday found that 56% of voters wanted whoever wins the presidential election to nominate the new Supreme Court justice, compared to the 41% who want the choice to stay with President Trump.
In that same poll, Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden has an edge on Mr. Trump, with 49% of voters preferring him in the election and 41% supporting the incumbent.
Mr. Trump already named his pick for the nomination — Judge Amy Coney Barrett — on Saturday.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham laid out a quick timeline for her confirmation proceedings, which he wants to start on Oct. 12 and wrap up with a committee vote by Oct. 22.
“Then it will be up to [Senate Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell as to what to do with the nomination once it comes out of committee,” Mr. Graham, South Carolina Republican, said on Fox News.
Democrats continue to rail against this nomination process as peak hypocrisy, noting that Republicans blocked President Barack Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, in 2016 because it was an election year.
However, several have acknowledged they lack any real tools to slow or block the confirmation vote, and have shifted to driving out their base for the election.
The poll was conducted from Sept. 22-24, with 950 likely voters surveyed. There is a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Buckfield farm with 50 Jerseys is Maine dairy farm of year

BUCKFIELD , Maine ( AP ) - A Buckfield farm with 50 Jersey cows has been named the top dairy @ @ @ @ @ .
Lovell Family Farm is the winner of the Dairy Farm of the Year and @ @ @ @ @ Maine Department of Agriculture , Conservation and Forestry said in a statement .
The farm @ @ @ @ @ after starting in a rented facility before moving to a farm on North Hill , @ @ @ @ @ The family also harvests hay and grows corn .
The agriculture department said the family @ @ @ @ @ business focused on cow comfort , quality milk , and exceptional quality forages .
”

BUCKFIELD, Maine (AP) - A Buckfield farm with 50 Jersey cows has been named the top dairy farm in Maine for 2020.
Lovell Family Farm is the winner of the Dairy Farm of the Year and Green Pastures award, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said in a statement. The farm began shipping milk in 2007 after starting in a rented facility before moving to a farm on North Hill, the agriculture department said.
The family also harvests hay and grows corn. The agriculture department said the family has “created a farm business focused on cow comfort, quality milk, and exceptional quality forages.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Arizona reports 412 new coronavirus cases, but no new deaths

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Arizona health officials on Sunday reported 412 new coronavirus cases but no additional deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ said there have been 217,237 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began hitting Arizona in @ @ @ @ @ total remains at 5,622 .
Heath officials said the number of Arizona ’ s confirmed @ @ @ @ @ to 483 on Saturday , among the fewest since early April .
They said the @ @ @ @ @ ICU beds was at 116 , one of the lowest marks recorded during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ said coronavirus inpatients peaked at 3,517 on July 13 , the same day that COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ at 970 .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms @ @ @ @ @ cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some - especially @ @ @ @ @ existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death @

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona health officials on Sunday reported 412 new coronavirus cases but no additional deaths.
The state Health Services Department said there have been 217,237 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began hitting Arizona in March. The known death total remains at 5,622.
Heath officials said the number of Arizona’s confirmed or suspected coronavirus inpatients fell to 483 on Saturday, among the fewest since early April.
They said the number of COVID-19 patients in ICU beds was at 116, one of the lowest marks recorded during the pandemic.
Arizona health officials also said coronavirus inpatients peaked at 3,517 on July 13 , the same day that COVID-19 patients in ICU beds peaked at 970.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Police arrest dozens during unauthorized Maryland car rally

OCEAN CITY , Md .
( AP ) - More than 100 people have been arrested on criminal and traffic offenses during an unauthorized car rally in a Maryland city , where confrontations between participants and police were captured on videos .
The Baltimore Sun reports that police from neighboring jurisdictions helped Ocean Police officers with crowd control at the H2oi rally in the beach town .
Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro said in a statement Sunday that the rally participants came to the city “ to disrupt , destroy and disrespect our community and our law enforcement officers.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ show and the majority of these visitors are not car enthusiasts , ” he said .
“ Our policing philosophy is to be friendly , fair and firm .
Unfortunately , the disorderly behavior and unruly crowds left no choice but to shift our philosophy and take additional steps to protect our officers and our community.
” A video posted online shows an officer from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police grabbing a man walking in a crosswalk and forcing him to the ground .
A department spokeswoman said the man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were “ gathering more information ” about whether the officer followed the proper protocol .
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has vowed to end the annual event .
To deter people from coming , legislators allowed the city to create a zone with reduced speed limits and increased fines for infractions such as racing , skidding and wheel-spinning .

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) - More than 100 people have been arrested on criminal and traffic offenses during an unauthorized car rally in a Maryland city, where confrontations between participants and police were captured on videos.
The Baltimore Sun reports that police from neighboring jurisdictions helped Ocean Police officers with crowd control at the H2oi rally in the beach town.
Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro said in a statement Sunday that the rally participants came to the city “to disrupt, destroy and disrespect our community and our law enforcement officers.”
“This is not a car show and the majority of these visitors are not car enthusiasts,” he said. “Our policing philosophy is to be friendly, fair and firm. Unfortunately, the disorderly behavior and unruly crowds left no choice but to shift our philosophy and take additional steps to protect our officers and our community.”
A video posted online shows an officer from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police grabbing a man walking in a crosswalk and forcing him to the ground. A department spokeswoman said the man was arrested for disorderly conduct and that police were “gathering more information” about whether the officer followed the proper protocol.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has vowed to end the annual event. To deter people from coming, legislators allowed the city to create a zone with reduced speed limits and increased fines for infractions such as racing, skidding and wheel-spinning.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--Arizona's western yellow-billed cuckoo to remain protected

Audubon experts are celebrating the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service ’ s recent decision to keep the western yellow-billed cuckoo under the Endangered Species Act , ruling against a petition for its removal , the Arizona Republic reported .
“ The story of the cuckoo is the story of water management in Arizona , ” said Steven Prager , a program associate for Audubon Southwest ’ s key bird areas .
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has listed the cuckoo breed as threatened since the late 1980s .
In 2014 , it was assigned the same designation under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their status have argued that eastern and western cuckoo birds are the same .
Therefore , the bird isn ’ t endangered after all .
In 2017 , a petition with support from the Arizona Mining Association and the Arizona Cattlemen ’ s Association asserted “ threats to the purported ( bird ) do not now and never have risen to the level that protection under the ESA is warranted.
” Conservationists say the argument doesn ’ t hold up if you look at statistics .
“ The information did not in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very rare birds and there are a lot fewer of them than decades ago and they are found in fewer places , ” said Michael Robinson , a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson .
The U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service felt the same way .
The agency commissioned a study that determined Arizona has the highest concentration of the western yellow-billed cuckoo birds among states west of the Rocky Mountains .
Even so , that population has tumbled from nearly 850 pairs in 1976 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Researchers attribute the steep drop to a loss of habitats .
“ Loss of the western yellow-billed cuckoo population segment would result in loss of the species from the United States west , ” the study stated .
The service “ will continue working with state agencies , federal agencies , academia and others on yellow-billed cuckoo recovery efforts , ” Amy Lueders , the southwest regional director for Fish and Wildlife Service , said .
To celebrate the migratory bird ’ s place in Arizona ’ s ecology , Audubon Southwest is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hazy IPA called “ rain crow.
” It ’ s named after the nickname for the cuckoo , which sometimes coo before a monsoon .
“ No matter what you care about in Arizona , whether it ’ s birds , rivers , beer or just having water come out of your tap .
This is an issue that should matter to you , ” Prager said .

PHOENIX (AP) - A beloved cuckoo bird won’t go federally unprotected in Arizona.
Audubon experts are celebrating the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision to keep the western yellow-billed cuckoo under the Endangered Species Act, ruling against a petition for its removal, the Arizona Republic reported.
“The story of the cuckoo is the story of water management in Arizona,” said Steven Prager, a program associate for Audubon Southwest’s key bird areas.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has listed the cuckoo breed as threatened since the late 1980s. In 2014, it was assigned the same designation under the federal Endangered Species Act.
Opponents of their status have argued that eastern and western cuckoo birds are the same. Therefore, the bird isn’t endangered after all.
In 2017, a petition with support from the Arizona Mining Association and the Arizona Cattlemen’s Association asserted “threats to the purported (bird) do not now and never have risen to the level that protection under the ESA is warranted.”
Conservationists say the argument doesn’t hold up if you look at statistics.
“The information did not in any way impeach the fact that these are very rare birds and there are a lot fewer of them than decades ago and they are found in fewer places,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service felt the same way. The agency commissioned a study that determined Arizona has the highest concentration of the western yellow-billed cuckoo birds among states west of the Rocky Mountains.
Even so, that population has tumbled from nearly 850 pairs in 1976 to fewer than 170 pairs in 1999. Researchers attribute the steep drop to a loss of habitats.
“Loss of the western yellow-billed cuckoo population segment would result in loss of the species from the United States west,” the study stated.
The service “will continue working with state agencies, federal agencies, academia and others on yellow-billed cuckoo recovery efforts,” Amy Lueders, the southwest regional director for Fish and Wildlife Service, said.
To celebrate the migratory bird’s place in Arizona’s ecology, Audubon Southwest is partnering with local breweries to create a hazy IPA called “rain crow.” It’s named after the nickname for the cuckoo, which sometimes coo before a monsoon.
“No matter what you care about in Arizona, whether it’s birds, rivers, beer or just having water come out of your tap. This is an issue that should matter to you,” Prager said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-27--15-year-old boy shot to death in Kansas City, Kansas

KANSAS CITY , Kan. ( AP ) - Kansas City , Kansas police are investigating the shooting death of a @ @ @ @ @ Dustin Dierenfeldt said officers responded to a report of gunshots in the Rosedale area of @ @ @ @ @ They found the teenager suffering from multiple gunshot wounds .
He was pronounced dead at @ @ @ @ @ the victim lived in the area but no names have been released .
No other @ @ @ @ @

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Kansas City, Kansas police are investigating the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy.
Police spokesman Dustin Dierenfeldt said officers responded to a report of gunshots in the Rosedale area of the city Saturday evening.
They found the teenager suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police say the victim lived in the area but no names have been released.
No other information was immediately released.