washingtontimes--2020-09-02--High Court in London backs Virgin Atlantic's rescue plan

LONDON ( AP ) - Virgin Atlantic ’ s 1.2 billion-pound ( $ 1.6 billion ) restructuring plan was approved Wednesday by the High Court in London , allowing the international airline to continue rebuilding its operations after the devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
The deal , which has already been approved by creditors , must now be confirmed in the U.S. courts .
The airline announced the refinancing package in July to ensure its survival after passenger numbers dropped 98 % in the second quarter .
It includes 600 million pounds of support from the airline ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines , 450 million pounds of deferred payments to creditors and 170 million pounds of financing from U.S.-based Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP .
Virgin Atlantic , founded in 1984 by Richard Branson ’ s Virgin Group , has already cut 3,550 jobs , shuttered operations at London ’ s Gatwick Airport and announced plans to retire 11 aircraft as it seeks to weather the slowdown in air travel .
The airline says it doesn ’ t expect passenger volume to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 .
“ Achieving this significant milestone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuild its balance sheet , restore customer confidence and welcome passengers back to the skies , safely , as soon as they are ready to travel , ” the company said in a statement .
Delta invested $ 360 million in Virgin Atlantic in December 2012 , acquiring a 49 % stake in the airline .
Virgin Group owns the remaining shares .
Virgin flies from London ’ s Heathrow Airport and Manchester to destinations in the U.S. , China , India , Pakistan , South Africa , Nigeria , Israel and the @ @

LONDON (AP) - Virgin Atlantic completed its 1.2 billion-pound ($1.6 billion) restructuring plan and cut 1,150 jobs Friday as the airline sought to rebuild following the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deal had been approved by the High Court in London earlier this week, and was formally recognized by a U.S. court - the last step in the legal process in the long-haul carrier’s efforts to rebuild its balance sheet and to emerge from the crisis. It cut jobs as it announced it was putting the plan into place and further downsizing across the business.
“After the sacrifices so many of our people have made, further reducing the number of people we employ is heart-breaking but essential for survival,” Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said. “I truly hope that as demand returns, we will see many members of our team returning to us.”
Aviation has been devastated by the spread of the virus, as governments around the world moved to curtail travel to safeguard public health. Airlines have been begging for government help until passengers feel comfortable returning to the skies.
Virgin Atlantic appealed for passenger testing and said it was the only way to enable the removal of travel restrictions to open up flying to key markets.
The airline announced the refinancing package in July to ensure its survival after passenger numbers dropped 98% in the second quarter. It includes 600 million pounds of support from the airline’s owners, Virgin Group and Delta Airlines, 450 million pounds of deferred payments to creditors and 170 million pounds of financing from U.S.-based Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP.
Virgin Atlantic, founded in 1984 by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, has already cut 3,550 jobs, shuttered operations at London’s Gatwick Airport and announced plans to retire 11 aircraft as it seeks to weather the slowdown in air travel. The airline says it doesn’t expect passenger volume to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023.
Delta invested $360 million in Virgin Atlantic in December 2012, acquiring a 49% stake in the airline. Virgin Group owns the remaining shares.
Virgin flies from London’s Heathrow Airport and Manchester to destinations in the U.S., China, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Nigeria, Israel and the Caribbean.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Greece: Crowded refugee camp quarantined after COVID-19 case

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - Greek authorities imposed a 14-day quarantine on an overcrowded migrant camp on the island of Lesbos Wednesday , after one man who had been living outside the official camp tested positive for the coronavirus .
The 40-year-old Somali man is the first confirmed coronavirus case at the Moria camp , which as of Aug. 31 housed 12,714 people , well over its capacity of 2,757 .
Greece ’ s Migration Ministry said the infected man was granted refugee status and a residence permit to live in Greece and had left the camp on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent days and had been living in a tent outside the camp fence .
He is currently hospitalized in isolation on Lesbos .
The Migration Ministry said no entry or exit from the camp would be allowed until Sept. 15 and that the police presence would be increased around the camp to ensure the lockdown is not breached .
Only essential staff will be allowed to enter the camp after undergoing temperature checks .
Health authorities said the Somali man ’ s contacts were being traced and all would be quarantined , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the camp ’ s residents .
More than 27,000 migrants and asylum-seekers live in camps on the Greek islands , after arriving from the nearby Turkish coast .
Moria , by far the largest of the camps , previously had been free of confirmed COVID-19 cases .

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek authorities imposed a 14-day quarantine on an overcrowded migrant camp on the island of Lesbos Wednesday, after one man who had been living outside the official camp tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 40-year-old Somali is the first confirmed coronavirus case at the Moria camp, which as of Aug. 31 housed 12,714 people, several times its capacity of 2,757.
The Migration Ministry said the infected man was granted refugee status and a residence permit to live in Greece and had left the camp on July 17. However, he returned in recent days and had been living in a tent outside the camp fence. He is currently hospitalized in isolation on Lesbos.
The ministry said no entry or exit from the camp would be allowed until Sept. 15 and that the police presence would be increased around the camp to fully enforce the lockdown.
Only essential staff will be allowed to enter the camp after undergoing temperature checks.
Health authorities said the Somali man’s contacts were being traced and all would be quarantined, while extensive coronavirus tests were being conducted on the camp’s residents.
More than 27,000 migrants and asylum-seekers live in camps on the Greek islands, after arriving from the nearby Turkish coast. Moria, by far the largest of the camps, previously had been free of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The International Rescue Committee aid group called for vulnerable people to be evacuated from Moria.
“Overcrowding and limited access to clean water and washing facilities have left tens of thousands of people across the Greek islands vulnerable and exposed to the virus,” the IRC said in a statement. “COVID-19 could spread rapidly and those at risk, including the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions, must be urgently evacuated to safety before it is too late.”
Greece has been seeing a spike in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, which authorities have attributed to people on holiday ignoring protective measures such as maintaining social distance. The country was initially credited with tackling the pandemic’s initial outbreak well, with an early lockdown keeping the number of seriously ill people and of deaths low.
Health authorities on Wednesday announced 233 new confirmed coronavirus cases and two new deaths in the previous 24 hours. Greece’s total confirmed cases stand at 10,757, with 273 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Venezuela opposition politician breaks with US-backed Guaidó

CARACAS , Venezuela ( AP ) - A popular opposition politician in Venezuela broke on Wednesday with U.S.-backed leader Juan Guaidó , whose coalition has vowed to boycott the crisis-torn nation ’ s upcoming congressional elections claiming they ’ re rigged .
Henrique Capriles said he ’ s determined to fight for fair elections on Dec. 6 , despite obstacles created by socialist President Nicolás Maduro .
“ We aren ’ t going to hand over the National Assembly to Maduro as a gift - never , ” Capriles said .
“ If he ’ s going to take anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to have to do it by force , which only looks bad for him.
” Capriles , 48 , said he ’ s forging a new path that will offer struggling Venezuelans an option to standing on the sidelines as Maduro gains a monopoly on power amid an opposition election boycott .
Venezuelans have no other option but to press for political change , he said .
Capriles himself can ’ t run in the elections since he ’ s been banned from politics by Venezuelan authorities , though he remains an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s unclear how he would field candidates or what his decision to break with the boycott will concretely imply .
Following his comments , his Justice First party tweeted that it will meet on Thursday .
“ In the face of the events that have occurred in recent days , we want to announce to Venezuelans that tomorrow our National Directorate will gather to establish a position in front of Venezuelans , ” it said .
But Venezuela ’ s Supreme Court , loyal to Maduro , recently ordered the takeover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capriles ’ Justice First party .
The move included suspending and replacing the board of directors of each party .
It was unclear what the party leaders gathering Thursday can do .
Capriles ’ announcement shattered a streak of unity spanning 18 months for Venezuela ’ s opposition movement .
The coalition in early 2019 rallied around Guaidó , who claimed he would oust Maduro and quickly won backing from dozens of nations , including the United States .
This moment of hope , however , fizzled when Guaidó ’ s initiatives failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military uprising .
Maduro maintains power with key international supporters , including Russia and Iran , as well as the backing of Venezuela ’ s military .
In an hour-long speech live streamed online , Capriles criticized Guaidó without naming him .
He said Maduro clearly holds power in Venezuela while opposition lawmakers maintain an “ internet government , ” holding online meetings .
Hardly a political newcomer , Capriles led the Justice First party in 2012 when he lost the presidential election to Hugo Chávez and again the next year after Chávez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maduro .
He ’ s credited in recent days with negotiating with Maduro to win pardons for dozens of political dissidents , including several jailed as what the opposition called political prisoners .
Capriles said he knows he ’ s up against steep challenges in the upcoming election .
“ No one is saying that with this election we are going to solve our political , economic and social crisis , ” Capriles said .
“ What I do know is that if we don ’ t fight it will be even more @ @ @ @ @

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A popular opposition politician in Venezuela broke on Wednesday with U.S.-backed leader Juan Guaidó, whose coalition has vowed to boycott the crisis-torn nation’s upcoming congressional elections claiming they’re rigged.
Henrique Capriles said he’s determined to fight for fair elections on Dec. 6, despite obstacles created by socialist President Nicolás Maduro.
“We aren’t going to hand over the National Assembly to Maduro as a gift - never,” Capriles said. “If he’s going to take anything away from us, he’s going to have to do it by force, which only looks bad for him.”
Capriles, 48, said he’s forging a new path that will offer struggling Venezuelans an option to standing on the sidelines as Maduro gains a monopoly on power amid an opposition election boycott. Venezuelans have no other option but to press for political change, he said.
Capriles himself can’t run in the elections since he’s been banned from politics by Venezuelan authorities, though he remains an important player behind the scenes. And it’s unclear how he would field candidates or what his decision to break with the boycott will concretely imply.
Following his comments, his Justice First party tweeted that it will meet on Thursday.
“In the face of the events that have occurred in recent days, we want to announce to Venezuelans that tomorrow our National Directorate will gather to establish a position in front of Venezuelans,” it said.
But Venezuela’s Supreme Court, loyal to Maduro, recently ordered the takeover of several influential political parties, including Capriles’ Justice First party. The move included suspending and replacing the board of directors of each party. It was unclear what the party leaders gathering Thursday can do.
Capriles’ announcement shattered a streak of unity spanning 18 months for Venezuela’s opposition movement. The coalition in early 2019 rallied around Guaidó, who claimed he would oust Maduro and quickly won backing from dozens of nations, including the United States.
This moment of hope, however, fizzled when Guaidó’s initiatives failed to remove Maduro, including a supposed military uprising. Maduro maintains power with key international supporters, including Russia and Iran, as well as the backing of Venezuela’s military.
In an hour-long speech live streamed online, Capriles criticized Guaidó without naming him. He said Maduro clearly holds power in Venezuela while opposition lawmakers maintain an “internet government,” holding online meetings.
Hardly a political newcomer, Capriles led the Justice First party in 2012 when he lost the presidential election to Hugo Chávez and again the next year after Chávez’s death in a contest against Maduro.
He’s credited in recent days with negotiating with Maduro to win pardons for dozens of political dissidents, including several jailed as what the opposition called political prisoners.
Capriles said he knows he’s up against steep challenges in the upcoming election.
“No one is saying that with this election we are going to solve our political, economic and social crisis,” Capriles said. “What I do know is that if we don’t fight it will be even more difficult for us.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--The Rock, his family tested positive for the coronavirus

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Dwayne “ The Rock ” Johnson shared some unfortunate news on his home front @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the coronavirus .
Johnson announced their diagnosis in an 11-plus minute video @ @ @ @ @ said he was shocked after hearing their positive tests , calling the ordeal “ one @ @ @ @ @ difficult things we ’ ve ever had to endure.
” The actor said he along @ @ @ @ @ Hashian , and two young daughters contracted the virus , but have now recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ bounced back ” after having sore throats for a couple days .
But for Johnson @ @ @ @ @ said they both had a “ rough go.
” Johnson said he and his family @ @ @ @ @ family friends , who told him they did not know where they contracted the virus @ @ @ @ @ has made him more conscious .
He made several suggestions to combat the virus such @ @ @ @ @ boost your immune system and commit to wellness .

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared some unfortunate news on his home front: He and his family tested positive for the coronavirus.
Johnson announced their diagnosis in an 11-plus minute video on Instagram on Wednesday. He said he was shocked after hearing their positive tests, calling the ordeal “one of the most challenging and difficult things we’ve ever had to endure.”
The actor said he along with his wife, Lauren Hashian, and two young daughters contracted the virus, but have now recovered. He said his daughters “bounced back” after having sore throats for a couple days.
But for Johnson and his wife, he said they both had a “rough go.”
Johnson said he and his family caught the virus from close family friends, who told him they did not know where they contracted the virus.
Johnson said the ordeal has made him more conscious. He made several suggestions to combat the virus such as wearing a mask, boost your immune system and commit to wellness.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Judge says owner of San Francisco Bay Area island broke law

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - The owner of a San Francisco Bay Area island violated the federal Clean Water Act when he destroyed marshland by building a levee and dumping dredged material while building duck-hunting ponds , a federal judge ruled Wednesday .
The ruling is the latest in a years-long battle between regulators and John Sweeney , who owns an island in Suisun Bay , a tidal channel and marsh area northeast of San Francisco .
Kimberly J. Mueller , chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California , said building the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss of about 30 acres of tidal channels and marsh .
The ruling sets the stage for more legal wrangling .
Sweeney and the club could face potential fines but Mueller said any penalty award would be put on hold until a decision is made on the government ’ s request that the court require restoration of the area .
The judge didn ’ t immediately rule on that request .
Another hearing is scheduled for October .
A statement from his attorney supplied by Sweeney said that the judge found Sweeney ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , LLC , “ not liable for almost everything.
” Regarding restoration of the island , “ John Sweeney has no money , and he can ’ t realistically do anything the government wants , ” the statement said .
“ The case went to trial only because the government would not agree to any settlement that was within the realm of possibility.
” “ The only way restoration can be achieved is to allow John Sweeney to make some use of the island that will allow him to raise enough money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will just sit there , ” the statement said .
Sweeney bought Point Buckler Island in 2011 for about $ 150,00 to offer duck hunting and kite-surfing .
The island is part of the Suisun Marsh , which is “ the largest contiguous brackish water marsh remaining on the west coast of North America , ” the judge ’ s ruling said .
The island is within critical habitat of the endangered Sacramento River Winter-Run Chinook Salmon and the threatened Delta smelt , the ruling said .
The new levee “ blocked virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island and ravaged the native vegetation , the court said .
Sweeney knew that Solano County had zoned the area as marshland but beginning in 2014 , Sweeney dumped thousands of cubic yards of soil into the island ’ s tidal channels and marsh without a permit , the ruling said .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The owner of a San Francisco Bay Area island violated the federal Clean Water Act when he destroyed marshland by building a levee and dumping dredged material while building duck-hunting ponds, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
The ruling is the latest in a years-long battle between regulators and John Sweeney, who owns an island in Suisun Bay, a tidal channel and marsh area northeast of San Francisco.
Kimberly J. Mueller, chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, said building the nearly mile-long earthen levee led to the loss of about 30 acres of tidal channels and marsh.
The ruling sets the stage for more legal wrangling.
Sweeney and the club could face potential fines but Mueller said any penalty award would be put on hold until a decision is made on the government’s request that the court require restoration of the area. The judge didn’t immediately rule on that request.
Another hearing is scheduled for October.
A statement from his attorney supplied by Sweeney said that the judge found Sweeney’s business, the Point Buckler Club, LLC, “not liable for almost everything.”
Regarding restoration of the island, “John Sweeney has no money, and he can’t realistically do anything the government wants,” the statement said. “The case went to trial only because the government would not agree to any settlement that was within the realm of possibility.”
“The only way restoration can be achieved is to allow John Sweeney to make some use of the island that will allow him to raise enough money to pay for restoration. Otherwise the island will just sit there,” the statement said.
Sweeney bought Point Buckler Island in 2011 for about $150,00 to offer duck hunting and kite-surfing. The island is part of the Suisun Marsh, which is “the largest contiguous brackish water marsh remaining on the west coast of North America,” the judge’s ruling said.
The island is within critical habitat of the endangered Sacramento River Winter-Run Chinook Salmon and the threatened Delta smelt, the ruling said.
The new levee “blocked virtually all access by fish” to the island and ravaged the native vegetation, the court said.
Sweeney knew that Solano County had zoned the area as marshland but beginning in 2014, Sweeney dumped thousands of cubic yards of soil into the island’s tidal channels and marsh without a permit, the ruling said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Work starts to stop sewage flows into California from Mexico

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - Work has begun to stop a decades-old problem of millions of gallons of sewage from Tijuana , Mexico , flowing into the United States and polluting San Diego County beaches , the Trump administration ’ s top environmental protection official said Wednesday .
For more than 40 years , wastewater from Tijuana ’ s dilapidated system has spilled across the border and polluted the waters off Imperial Beach , a city of about 30,000 south of San Diego .
The pollution has posed health risks to surfers , Border Patrol agents and even Navy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Last week , a $ 10.6 million project was completed and will keep 4.5 million gallons of sewage per day from entering the Tijuana River , which flows into the Pacific Ocean in front of Imperial Beach , said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler at a news conference in San Diego .
His agency contributed $ 3.9 million to that project .
A second , $ 6 million project will pay for improvements to Tijuana ’ s pumping and collection system to prevent further spills from entering the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system , and pollution flows are already being reduced , Wheeler said .
The agency is also funding work in coming months that will replace a mile of old , leaking pipes that should further stop the sewage from overflowing , Wheeler said .
In addition , two other short-term projects funded by $ 25 million in federal grants will help by diverting 10 million gallons a day of Tijuana wastewater to an international treatment facility , and by capturing trash and sediment with a new system on the border .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place while the federal government designs a more permanent fix that it will fund with $ 300 million allocated for environmental border projects from Congress under President Donald Trump ’ s revised NAFTA agreement , now called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement .
Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina , an avid surfer , told reporters Wednesday he already is seeing a difference : His city has been able to open its beaches , which had been closed since November , ahead of the the Labor Day weekend .
He said his city had faced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 160 days this year the beaches there had to be closed because of the pollution .
He said a permanent fix is vital and Mexico must continue to make improvements and ensure that there is “ zero flow from Tijuana going anywhere near the ocean.
” The actions come after Imperial Beach and other local governments sued the agency in 2018 to demand the EPA do something about the problem .
They agreed earlier this year to put the legal action on hold for a year after the EPA indicated it would help @

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Work has begun to stop a decades-old problem of millions of gallons of sewage from Tijuana, Mexico, flowing into the United States and polluting San Diego County beaches, the Trump administration’s top environmental protection official said Wednesday.
For more than 40 years, wastewater from Tijuana’s dilapidated system has spilled across the border and polluted the waters off Imperial Beach, a city of about 30,000 south of San Diego. The pollution has posed health risks to surfers, Border Patrol agents and even Navy SEALs who train near there, officials said.
Last week, a $10.6 million project was completed and will keep 4.5 million gallons of sewage per day from entering the Tijuana River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean in front of Imperial Beach, said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler at a news conference in San Diego. His agency contributed $3.9 million to that project.
A second, $6 million project will pay for improvements to Tijuana’s pumping and collection system to prevent further spills from entering the United States. Mexico is also doing work on the system, and pollution flows are already being reduced, Wheeler said.
The agency is also funding work in coming months that will replace a mile of old, leaking pipes that should further stop the sewage from overflowing, Wheeler said. In addition, two other short-term projects funded by $25 million in federal grants will help by diverting 10 million gallons a day of Tijuana wastewater to an international treatment facility, and by capturing trash and sediment with a new system on the border.
The projects are short-term solutions being put in place while the federal government designs a more permanent fix that it will fund with $300 million allocated for environmental border projects from Congress under President Donald Trump’s revised NAFTA agreement, now called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, an avid surfer, told reporters Wednesday he already is seeing a difference: His city has been able to open its beaches, which had been closed since November, ahead of the the Labor Day weekend.
He said his city had faced a “sewage apocalypse” and noted that 160 days this year the beaches there had to be closed because of the pollution.
He said a permanent fix is vital and Mexico must continue to make improvements and ensure that there is “zero flow from Tijuana going anywhere near the ocean.”
The actions come after Imperial Beach and other local governments sued the agency in 2018 to demand the EPA do something about the problem. They agreed earlier this year to put the legal action on hold for a year after the EPA indicated it would help.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Asia Today: South Korean cases drop after new rules in Seoul

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea reported its first drop below 200 new coronavirus cases in more than two weeks on Thursday , but the country ’ s strained hospitals were treating more seriously ill patients after the prolonged recent surge in infections .
Thursday ’ s increase of 195 new cases , the first daily increase below 200 in 17 days , indicated the country was beginning to see the effects of stringent social distancing restrictions recently imposed in the greater capital area to slow the viral resurgence .
However , the number of patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 increased to 154 , compared to 14 on Aug. 14 when the country began what ’ s now a 21-day run in triple-digit daily jumps in infections .
The country has added more than 5,800 newly ill people to its caseload during the streak , raising fears about overwhelmed hospitals .
South Korea ’ s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 149 of the new cases came from the Seoul metropolitan area , home to half of the country ’ s 51 million population , where health workers have struggled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Seoul area have been required to provide only deliveries and takeout meals after 9 p.m. , while fitness centers and after-school academies were ordered to close to slow the spread of the virus .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - Australia ’ s hot spot Victoria state on Thursday recorded its second consecutive day of increased COVID-19 cases .
The state health department said there had been 113 new infections and 15 deaths in the latest 24-hour period .
There were 90 new infections and six deaths recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday , the lowest tally since June .

BEIJING (AP) - Beijing’s main international airport on Thursday began receiving international flights again from a limited number of countries considered at low risk of coronavirus infection.
Passengers flying in from Cambodia, Greece, Denmark, Thailand, Pakistan, Austria, Canada and Sweden must have first shown a negative coronavirus test before boarding, city government spokesperson Xu Hejian told reporters.
Passenger arrivals will be limited to roughly 500 per day during a trial period and all will need to undergo additional testing for the virus on arrival, followed by two weeks of quarantine. The first flight under the arrangement, Air China Flight 746, arrived from Pnom Penh, Cambodia, just before 7 a.m.
Beginning in March, all international flights to Beijing had been redirected to a dozen other cities where passengers were tested and processed before being allowed to travel on to the Chinese capital.
China has gone weeks without new cases of local infection and the 11 new cases recorded Thursday were all imported.
Beijing’s last local outbreak in July was linked to a wholesale food market, and the city’s customs department announced Wednesday it would test all imported frozen foods, along with other goods arriving from countries considered to be at high risk.
Storage and transportation facilities for imported food would also be disinfected and Beijing customs would work with other cities to ensure the safety of the supply chain.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- A prison inmate in Thailand has tested positive for the coronavirus in the country’s first confirmed locally transmitted case in 100 days, health officials said Thursday. They identified the inmate as a 37-year-old man arrested for drug abuse who was brought to prison in Bangkok on Aug. 26 and tested positive Wednesday at the prison’s health center. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Wednesday had congratulated the nation for having achieved 100 days without any confirmed local cases of the coronavirus. Thailand has sustained relatively light health damage from the pandemic, even though in January it was the first country outside China to confirm a case. But its economy has been devastated by the absence of foreign tourists, who are banned from entry, and by a drop in exports. Dr. Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of the Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department, stressed that the infected man had been kept in a small group of quarantined inmates in a standard procedure to limit the possible spread of the virus.
- India has registered a record single-day spike of 83,883 new cases, driving the country overall tally to 3.85 million. The Health Ministry on Thursday also reported 1,043 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities up to 67,376. India has been reporting the highest daily increases for more than three weeks. The ministry said the country’s fatality rate had declined to 1.76% and its deaths per million population was “one of the lowest in the world.” Experts say deaths could be substantially undercounted in several states.
- South Korea reported its first drop below 200 new coronavirus cases in more than two weeks, but the country’s strained hospitals were treating more seriously ill patients after the prolonged recent surge in infections. Thursday’s increase of 195 new cases, the first daily increase below 200 in 17 days, indicated the country was beginning to see the effects of stringent social distancing restrictions recently imposed in the greater capital area. However, the number of patients in serious or critical condition with active COVID-19 increased to 154, compared to 14 on Aug. 14 when the country began what’s now a 21-day run in triple-digit daily jumps in infections. The country has added more than 5,800 newly ill people to its caseload during the streak, raising fears about overwhelmed hospitals.
- Hong Kong says just six people have tested positive for the coronavirus out of 128,000 residents who have taken part in the city’s mass testing program that began Tuesday. Four of the six people were previous coronavirus patients who were discharged last month and still carried traces of the virus when they were tested. As of Thursday, 850,000 people in the city of 7.5 million have registered to take part in the weeklong free testing program aimed at identifying silent carriers of the virus. The low number of positive cases has drawn criticism that the testing program is not cost-effective, amid privacy concerns and fears that DNA data could be sent to mainland China. Coronavirus infections surged in Hong Kong in early July. At its peak, the territory recorded more than 100 locally transmitted cases a day, after going weeks without any in June. Tough restrictions were imposed, including limiting restaurant dining-in hours and shuttering bars and karaoke lounges, and cases have steadily dwindled. Apart from the six people who tested positive in the mass testing program, Hong Kong reported eight other coronavirus infections on Thursday. It has confirmed a total of 4,839 cases, including 93 deaths.
- Australia’s hot spot Victoria state on Thursday recorded its second consecutive day of increased COVID-19 cases. The state health department said there had been 113 new infections and 15 deaths in the latest 24-hour period. There were 90 new infections and six deaths recorded on Wednesday. There were only 70 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the lowest tally since June.
- A pregnant woman in Australia says she didn’t know she was breaking any law when she was handcuffed by police in front of her children and led away in her pajamas for allegedly inciting people to demonstrate against Victoria state’s pandemic lockdown. Zoe Buhler’s partner helped her live stream the arrest on Wednesday at her home where she lives with two children aged 3 and 4 in the city of Ballarat. The video has been viewed millions of times. She has been charged with using social media platforms to incite others to break pandemic restrictions by attending weekend rallies to protest the restrictions.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Hawaii corruption sentencing hearings rescheduled again

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Sentencing has been rescheduled again in Hawaii ’ s biggest corruption case after it was @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
A U.S. judge on Wednesday set a Nov. 30 sentencing date for retired @ @ @ @ @ and his now-estranged wife , Katherine Kealoha , who was a former high-ranking city prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ last year of conspiracy in a plot to frame a relative to keep him from @ @ @ @ @ lavish lifestyle .
Sentencing hearings for the couple had been originally scheduled for March .
@ @ @ @ @ approved a Nov. 3 sentencing date .
Lawyers involved in the case say the date @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s Election Day .
Two former officers convicted with the Kealohas are scheduled @ @ @ @ @ 1 .

HONOLULU (AP) - Sentencing has been rescheduled again in Hawaii’s biggest corruption case after it was previously postponed by the coronavirus pandemic.
A U.S. judge on Wednesday set a Nov. 30 sentencing date for retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his now-estranged wife, Katherine Kealoha, who was a former high-ranking city prosecutor.
A jury convicted them last year of conspiracy in a plot to frame a relative to keep him from revealing fraud that financed their lavish lifestyle.
Sentencing hearings for the couple had been originally scheduled for March.
Last week, a judge approved a Nov. 3 sentencing date. Lawyers involved in the case say the date needed to be changed because that’s Election Day.
Two former officers convicted with the Kealohas are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Virus rates among LA homeless less than overall population

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - People experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County are testing positive for the coronavirus at rates far lower than among the population at large , a health official said Wednesday as he breathed a sigh of relief about the fate of the area ’ s most vulnerable residents during the pandemic .
The percent of homeless people who tested positive for COVID-19 was 1.87 % as of Aug. 27 after tests were administered to 19,715 individuals , according to LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis .
At least 1,589 cases of the coronavirus have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 41 deaths , he said .
While acknowledging the tragedy of the deaths , Davis said in general the fears health officials had about rapid virus spread among those who live in shelters and on the streets “ have not been realized ” in the county that ’ s been the epicenter of the outbreak in California .
“ At the outset of the pandemic we had grave concerns about this population , ” Davis said .
“ They are unable to stay at home and often live in encampments and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2.3 million of Los Angeles County ’ s 10 million residents have been tested for the virus , for an overall positive rate of 10.2 % , according to the Department of Health on Wednesday .
The county , California ’ s largest , had 243,935 cases and 5,878 deaths .
Davis did not speculate about the reasons driving the comparatively low case rate among the homeless .
But Mel Tillekeratne , a leading Los Angeles homeless advocate , said he believes it ’ s because a majority - about 70 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live outside .
“ They are outdoors , in tents along freeways and riverbeds , where they can stay separate and where there ’ s stronger airflow .
We know that being outdoors lowers the risk , ” said Tillekeratne .
He is the founder of the Shower of Hope , which contracts with local governments to provide pop-up stations with showers and other services for homeless people .
In addition , LA ’ s homeless are increasingly conscientious about wearing masks to help prevent the spread of the virus , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases among homeless people in April and May due to an outbreak at a large shelter in downtown Los Angeles .
Since then , the numbers have remained fairly stable , he said .
The county planned to provide additional data on homeless deaths from COVID-19 in the weeks to come , he said .
A January count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported that there were more than 66,400 homeless people living in Los Angeles County - by far the largest single concentration in the state .
That included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both figures were up more than 12 % from the previous year .
Across the state , roughly 22,000 people have been moved out of shelters , vehicles and rough streets to ride out the pandemic in hotels .
It was part of Project Roomkey , an effort Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced in March to shield some of the state ’ s 150,000 estimated vulnerable homeless .
Newsom said Wednesday that California would spend $ 600 million by the end of the year to convert hotels and apartment buildings into permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - People experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County are testing positive for the coronavirus at rates far lower than among the population at large, a health official said Wednesday as he breathed a sigh of relief about the fate of the area’s most vulnerable residents during the pandemic.
The percent of homeless people who tested positive for COVID-19 was 1.87% as of Aug. 27 after tests were administered to 19,715 individuals, according to LA County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. At least 1,589 cases of the coronavirus have been identified among the homeless population, with 41 deaths, he said.
While acknowledging the tragedy of the deaths, Davis said in general the fears health officials had about rapid virus spread among those who live in shelters and on the streets “have not been realized” in the county that’s been the epicenter of the outbreak in California.
“At the outset of the pandemic we had grave concerns about this population,” Davis said. “They are unable to stay at home and often live in encampments and at are higher risk for illness.”
More than 2.3 million of Los Angeles County’s 10 million residents have been tested for the virus, for an overall positive rate of 10.2%, according to the Department of Health on Wednesday. The county, California’s largest, had 243,935 cases and 5,878 deaths.
Davis did not speculate about the reasons driving the comparatively low case rate among the homeless. But Mel Tillekeratne, a leading Los Angeles homeless advocate, said he believes it’s because a majority - about 70% - of the county’s homeless live outside.
“They are outdoors, in tents along freeways and riverbeds, where they can stay separate and where there’s stronger airflow. We know that being outdoors lowers the risk,” said Tillekeratne. He is the founder of the Shower of Hope, which contracts with local governments to provide pop-up stations with showers and other services for homeless people.
In addition, LA’s homeless are increasingly conscientious about wearing masks to help prevent the spread of the virus, he said.
Davis said there were early spikes in cases among homeless people in April and May due to an outbreak at a large shelter in downtown Los Angeles. Since then, the numbers have remained fairly stable, he said.
The county planned to provide additional data on homeless deaths from COVID-19 in the weeks to come, he said.
A January count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported that there were more than 66,400 homeless people living in Los Angeles County - by far the largest single concentration in the state. That included more than 41,000 within the city limits. Both figures were up more than 12% from the previous year.
Across the state, roughly 22,000 people have been moved out of shelters, vehicles and rough streets to ride out the pandemic in hotels. It was part of Project Roomkey, an effort Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in March to shield some of the state’s 150,000 estimated vulnerable homeless.
Newsom said Wednesday that California would spend $600 million by the end of the year to convert hotels and apartment buildings into permanent supportive housing for homeless residents under the initiative.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Inside the Beltway: Ronna McDaniel: 'Disgusting' to watch Democrats insert chaos into election

Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel offers a handy explanation about the Democratic Party ’ s relationship with the voting process — which now appears to be mutating into a veritable ball of sneaky confusion .
“ It ’ s disgusting to watch Democrats .
I wish the American people were paying more attention to what Democrats are doing in the dead of night to change election laws , to manipulate the process , to insert chaos into our elections .
We saw it in New York , when it took six weeks to get results .
We saw 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paterson , New Jersey .
I just talked to a voter in California , who said she received three ballots for a different woman who never lived at her address , ” Mrs. McDaniel tells Fox News , noting that her committee is now engaged in 41 lawsuits nationwide related to the voting process .
She hopes the Supreme Court will scrutinize Democrat-dominated states which are “ upending and changing election laws 90 days out , 80 days out from elections ” without vetting new processes or protocols .
“ This is absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And President Trump is right to call it out , ” Mrs. McDaniel said .
“ We should be able to vote in person .
That is the safest way to vote , or absentee vetted , which is tried and true , not these new mail-in ballots that everybody is getting a ballot whether you want it or not .
Early in-person voting which is also very safe , ” the chairwoman says .
Organizers for the upcoming 2020 presidential debates have finally revealed moderators for these pivotal events .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be in the chair for the first debate Sept. 29 .
Then comes C-SPAN host Steve Scully for the second debate on Oct. 15 — a refreshing choice ; he is smart , quick and a master of civility .
The final debate will be moderated by NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker .
And one more : USA Today ’ s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page will moderate the debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris on Oct. 7 — which could very well draw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ silent ” Trump voters who are quietly waiting until Election Day to cast their vote for President Trump .
Some of those voters could be Hispanics — who make up a formidable 32 million-member voting bloc , according to Pew Research .
A recent Harris/HillX poll which finds Hispanic approval of Mr. Trump to be “ slowly rising , ” while an NPR/PBS/Marist College poll found that Joseph R. Biden continues to “ underperform ” with Hispanics .
More importantly , Hispanics could be heeding Mr. Trump ’ s call to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching the president , according to Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue , who faced a national boycott of his products after saying that the U.S. was “ blessed ” to have Mr. Trump in the White House .
Mr. Unanue tells Just the News that the rise in Hispanic support for Trump is due to “ fatigue over all the destruction and hatred , tearing down businesses , by people — a lot of people that are from outside the community .
Because if you ’ re within the community , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to tear down what you just built , ” “ Prosperity is not accomplished if we ’ re going to tear things down , cancel things , destroy .
That ’ s just not what the immigrant community wants to do .
The immigrant community are builders , and they want to prosper , ” Mr. Unanue says .
‘ UNTIL HE SAW THE POLL NUMBERS ’ President Trump is a problem solver and Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden has taken notice , according to one high-ranking Republican .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order and he ’ s been vocal against the violence from the beginning .
In fact , he reached out to Democratic governors and offered them assistance .
He said we ’ ll be happy to send in federal help , ” House minority Whip Steve Scalise tells Fox News .
“ But the problem is these governors and these mayors said they don ’ t want the federal help , and these are all supporters of Joe Biden .
It ’ s not happening in Republican-run states .
Frankly , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat-run states , it ’ s only a select few states that are allowing this mob rule , ” Mr. Scalise continues .
“ President Trump stands up against it .
Joe Biden was silent until he saw the poll numbers slipping away from him and now he ’ s been trying to play some kind of tacit game on both sides .
You can ’ t play both sides of this issue.
” ABC is taking a get-out-the-vote message to prime time .
The network will air “ VOMO : Vote Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billing the special as a “ one-night-only , non-partisan event ” meant to encourage electoral participation in the presidential election .
The host is comedian Kevin Hart , who will be joined by an eclectic cast that includes his fellow comics , along with musicians , and yes , some politicians .
“ The special will also feature prominent political figures across party lines including Michelle Obama , former California Gov .
Arnold Schwarzenegger , Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , Ann Romney and Cindy McCain , among others , ” the network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far : Tim Allen , Jay Leno , Will Ferrell , Tiffany Haddish , Charlamagne Tha God , Jon Hamm , Scarlett Johansson plus music acts 2 Chainz and Lil Baby .
The one-hour special will also feature tutorials in the voting process .
“ We have a societal responsibility to participate in our country ’ s democracy , ” declares executive producer Tom Werner .
• 91 % of likely U.S. voters who chose Donald Trump for president in 2016 plan to do so again .
• 88 % of voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 will vote for Joseph R. Biden .
• 67 % of those voters who plan to vote by mail support Mr. Biden , 28 % back Mr. Trump .
• 48 % of those voters who plan to vote in-person early support Mr. Biden , 50 % back Mr. Trump .
• 37 % of those voters who plan to vote in-person on Election Day support Mr. Biden ; 57 % back Mr. Trump .
Source : An Emerson College poll of 1,597 likely U.S. voters conducted Aug. 30-31 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel offers a handy explanation about the Democratic Party’s relationship with the voting process — which now appears to be mutating into a veritable ball of sneaky confusion.
“It’s disgusting to watch Democrats. I wish the American people were paying more attention to what Democrats are doing in the dead of night to change election laws, to manipulate the process, to insert chaos into our elections. We saw it in New York, when it took six weeks to get results. We saw 20% of the ballots thrown out in Paterson, New Jersey. I just talked to a voter in California, who said she received three ballots for a different woman who never lived at her address,” Mrs. McDaniel tells Fox News, noting that her committee is now engaged in 41 lawsuits nationwide related to the voting process.
She hopes the Supreme Court will scrutinize Democrat-dominated states which are “upending and changing election laws 90 days out, 80 days out from elections” without vetting new processes or protocols.
“This is absolutely going to insert chaos into our election. And President Trump is right to call it out,” Mrs. McDaniel said. “We should be able to vote in person. That is the safest way to vote, or absentee vetted, which is tried and true, not these new mail-in ballots that everybody is getting a ballot whether you want it or not. Early in-person voting which is also very safe,” the chairwoman says.
MODERATORS: IN CASE YOU WONDERED
Organizers for the upcoming 2020 presidential debates have finally revealed moderators for these pivotal events.
“Fox News Sunday” anchor Chris Wallace will be in the chair for the first debate Sept. 29. Then comes C-SPAN host Steve Scully for the second debate on Oct. 15 — a refreshing choice; he is smart, quick and a master of civility. The final debate will be moderated by NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker.
And one more: USA Today’s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page will moderate the debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris on Oct. 7 — which could very well draw a substantial audience.
EL PRESIDENTE
There has been talk of “silent” Trump voters who are quietly waiting until Election Day to cast their vote for President Trump. Some of those voters could be Hispanics — who make up a formidable 32 million-member voting bloc, according to Pew Research.
A recent Harris/HillX poll which finds Hispanic approval of Mr. Trump to be “slowly rising,” while an NPR/PBS/Marist College poll found that Joseph R. Biden continues to “underperform” with Hispanics.
More importantly, Hispanics could be heeding Mr. Trump’s call to keep America great.
This demographic is watching the president, according to Goya Foods CEO Robert Unanue, who faced a national boycott of his products after saying that the U.S. was “blessed” to have Mr. Trump in the White House.
Mr. Unanue tells Just the News that the rise in Hispanic support for Trump is due to “fatigue over all the destruction and hatred, tearing down businesses, by people — a lot of people that are from outside the community. Because if you’re within the community, you’re building it. You don’t want to tear down what you just built,”
He has considerable personal insight.
“Prosperity is not accomplished if we’re going to tear things down, cancel things, destroy. That’s just not what the immigrant community wants to do. The immigrant community are builders, and they want to prosper,” Mr. Unanue says.
‘UNTIL HE SAW THE POLL NUMBERS’
President Trump is a problem solver and Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden has taken notice, according to one high-ranking Republican.
“Donald Trump stands up for law and order and he’s been vocal against the violence from the beginning. In fact, he reached out to Democratic governors and offered them assistance. He said we’ll be happy to send in federal help,” House minority Whip Steve Scalise tells Fox News.
“But the problem is these governors and these mayors said they don’t want the federal help, and these are all supporters of Joe Biden. It’s not happening in Republican-run states. Frankly, it’s not happening in a lot of Democrat-run states, it’s only a select few states that are allowing this mob rule,” Mr. Scalise continues.
“President Trump stands up against it. Joe Biden was silent until he saw the poll numbers slipping away from him and now he’s been trying to play some kind of tacit game on both sides. You can’t play both sides of this issue.”
VOTING AS COMEDY
ABC is taking a get-out-the-vote message to prime time. The network will air “VOMO: Vote Or Miss Out” on Sept. 14, billing the special as a “one-night-only, non-partisan event” meant to encourage electoral participation in the presidential election.
The host is comedian Kevin Hart, who will be joined by an eclectic cast that includes his fellow comics, along with musicians, and yes, some politicians.
“The special will also feature prominent political figures across party lines including Michelle Obama, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Ann Romney and Cindy McCain, among others,” the network said.
Also among the 20-plus guests so far: Tim Allen, Jay Leno, Will Ferrell, Tiffany Haddish, Charlamagne Tha God, Jon Hamm, Scarlett Johansson plus music acts 2 Chainz and Lil Baby. The one-hour special will also feature tutorials in the voting process.
“We have a societal responsibility to participate in our country’s democracy,” declares executive producer Tom Werner.
POLL DU JOUR
• 91% of likely U.S. voters who chose Donald Trump for president in 2016 plan to do so again.
• 88% of voters who chose Hillary Clinton for president in 2016 will vote for Joseph R. Biden.
• 67% of those voters who plan to vote by mail support Mr. Biden, 28% back Mr. Trump.
• 48% of those voters who plan to vote in-person early support Mr. Biden, 50% back Mr. Trump.
• 37% of those voters who plan to vote in-person on Election Day support Mr. Biden; 57% back Mr. Trump.
Source: An Emerson College poll of 1,597 likely U.S. voters conducted Aug. 30-31.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Washington, D.C. police fatally shoot young Black man

WASHINGTON — Police officers in Washington , D.C. , fatally shot a young Black man Wednesday , amid increased nationwide and local scrutiny over police tactics .
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said uniformed officers approached a vehicle Wednesday afternoon , acting on information that there were weapons in a car in the area .
As they approached the vehicle , Newsham said , two passengers fled on foot .
The wounded man was taken to a local hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
The age of the victim was unclear Wednesday night , but he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old .
The shooting comes as police killings of Black people have sparked nationwide protests and calls for sweeping police reform .
Newsham said it would be “ improper ” to speculate on what prompted the officers to open fire , but he said two firearms were recovered from the scene .
“ We believe the suspect had a gun at the time , ” Newsham told reporters during an impromptu news conference .
Members of the community on the scene disputed that contention .
The local Black Lives Matter affiliate called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPD ’ s 7th District headquarters , stating in a tweet , “ DC police murdered a Black man today.
” The shooting comes in the wake of new police reform legislation in Washington , designed to bring greater transparency to such incidents .
In June , amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis , the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation requiring the MPD to release any body camera footage from any fatal shootings or use-of-force incidents within five days .
The department must also release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In July , the city released body camera footage from three separate fatal incidents dating back to 2018 .

WASHINGTON — Police officers in Washington, D.C., fatally shot a young Black man Wednesday, amid increased nationwide and local scrutiny over police tactics.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said uniformed officers approached a vehicle Wednesday afternoon, acting on information that there were weapons in a car in the area. As they approached the vehicle, Newsham said, two passengers fled on foot.
The wounded man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The age of the victim was unclear Wednesday night, but he has been described as either 17 or 18 years old.
The shooting comes as police killings of Black people have sparked nationwide protests and calls for sweeping police reform.
Newsham said it would be “improper” to speculate on what prompted the officers to open fire, but he said two firearms were recovered from the scene.
“We believe the suspect had a gun at the time,” Newsham told reporters during an impromptu news conference. Members of the community on the scene disputed that contention.
The local Black Lives Matter affiliate called for immediate protests Wednesday night outside the MPD’s 7th District headquarters, stating in a tweet, “DC police murdered a Black man today.”
The shooting comes in the wake of new police reform legislation in Washington, designed to bring greater transparency to such incidents.
In June, amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation requiring the MPD to release any body camera footage from any fatal shootings or use-of-force incidents within five days. The department must also release the names of the officers involved.
In July, the city released body camera footage from three separate fatal incidents dating back to 2018.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--DC police fatally shoot young Black man

DC police fatally shoot young Black man

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Police officers in Washington , D.C. , fatally shot a young Black man Wednesday , amid increased nationwide and local scrutiny over police tactics .
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said uniformed officers approached a vehicle Wednesday afternoon , acting on information that there were weapons in a car in the area .
As they approached the vehicle , Newsham said , two passengers fled on foot .
The wounded man was taken to a local hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
The age of the victim was unclear Wednesday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 or 18 years old .
The shooting comes as police killings of Black people have sparked nationwide protests and calls for sweeping police reform .
Newsham said it would be “ improper ” to speculate on what prompted the officers to open fire , but he said two firearms were recovered from the scene .
“ We believe the suspect had a gun at the time , ” Newsham told reporters during an impromptu news conference .
Members of the community on the scene disputed that contention .
The local Black Lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night outside the MPD ’ s 7th District headquarters , stating in a tweet , “ DC police murdered a Black man today.
” The shooting comes in the wake of new police reform legislation in Washington , designed to bring greater transparency to such incidents .
In June , amid nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis , the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation requiring the MPD to release any body camera footage from any fatal shootings or use-of-force incidents within five days .
The department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers involved .
In July , the city released body camera footage from three separate fatal incidents dating back to 2018 .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Police officers in Washington, D.C., fatally shot a young Black man Wednesday who the department said had “brandished a firearm,” prompting protests amid increased nationwide and local scrutiny over police tactics.
The killing prompted a late-night face-off between police and dozens of protesters outside a city police station. Police identified the victim as 18-year-old Deon Kay of southeast D.C.
A subsequent statement from the Metropolitan Police Department said Kay was one of two people who fled Wednesday afternoon when approached by uniformed officers who were investigating reports of a man with a gun in the area.
“During the foot pursuit, one of the suspects brandished a firearm. In response, an officer discharged their firearm one time, striking the suspect,” the MPD statement said.
The other man who fled escaped from police, and Kay was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The police statement included pictures of the handgun they say Kay had been carrying, as well of the gun of another of his companions who was arrested.
The local Black Lives Matter affiliate called for immediate protests outside the MPD’s 7th District headquarters, stating in a tweet, “DC police murdered a Black man today.”
Later Wednesday night, videos posted on social media showed dozens of enraged protesters jostling with a line of police officers, who used bicycles to help form a barrier in front of the station.
The shooting comes as police killings of Black people have sparked nationwide protests and calls for sweeping police reform, prompting local efforts by the D.C. Council to bring greater transparency to such incidents.
In June, following the the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis, the council passed emergency legislation requiring the MPD to release any body camera footage from any fatal shootings or use-of-force incidents within five days. The department must also release the names of the officers involved.
In July, the city released body camera footage from three separate fatal incidents dating back to 2018.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Recount affirms loss for Coghill in Alaska Senate primary

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - A recount of ballots Wednesday affirmed a narrow loss by Republican state Sen. @ @ @ @ @ primary in Alaska last month .
Results of the recount , released by the state @ @ @ @ @ Robert Myers Jr. with 1,739 votes and Coghill with 1,725 .
That is unchanged from @ @ @ @ @ been certified .
Coghill , a longtime lawmaker from North Pole who has served in @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday that the division “ does pretty good.
” “ But you just have @ @ @ @ @ make sure when it ’ s that close , ” he said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ I will congratulate the person who won and wish them the best and be glad @ @ @ @ @ as long as I did.
” Myers faces two non-affiliated candidates in the November general @ @ @ @ @ Marna Sanford , who serves on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly .

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A recount of ballots Wednesday affirmed a narrow loss by Republican state Sen. John Coghill in his party primary in Alaska last month.
Results of the recount, released by the state Division of Elections, showed Robert Myers Jr. with 1,739 votes and Coghill with 1,725. That is unchanged from the result that previously had been certified.
Coghill, a longtime lawmaker from North Pole who has served in the House and Senate, said Wednesday that the division “does pretty good.”
“But you just have to review and recount to make sure when it’s that close,” he said. “The voters have spoken. So I will congratulate the person who won and wish them the best and be glad that I served Alaska for as long as I did.”
Myers faces two non-affiliated candidates in the November general election: Evan Eads and Marna Sanford, who serves on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--3 shot at Southern California high-rise; shooter sought

SANTA ANA , Calif. ( AP ) - Three men were shot Wednesday inside a luxury high-rise apartment building in @ @ @ @ @ hunting for the attacker inside the complex .
Police were called to 9 MacArthur Place @ @ @ @ @ 3:15 p.m. and found one man on the ground floor near the lobby and another @ @ @ @ @ the 15th floor of the south tower .
A third man was found later in @ @ @ @ @ complex , police said .
All were taken to a hospital but there was no @ @ @ @ @ .
The victims were described as being 19 , 25 and 27 , KABC-TV reported @ @ @ @ @ to determine if the shooter or other victims may be inside .

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - Three men were shot Wednesday inside a luxury high-rise apartment building in Southern California and police were hunting for the suspect after failing to find the attacker during a search of the complex.
Police were called to 9 MacArthur Place in Santa Ana at around 3:15 p.m. and found one wounded man on the ground floor of the building and another victim in a unit on the 15th floor of the south tower.
A third man was found later during a search of the area, police said.
The men, ages 19, 25 and 27, were hospitalized in stable condition, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
The 25-story south tower was evacuated while police conducted a floor-by-floor search for the attacker and other victims but neither were located and residents were allowed to return by 6:30 p.m., the Orange County Register reported.
Police did find two handguns that possibly were involved in the shooting, Bertagna said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Tom Seaver, heart and mighty arm of Miracle Mets, dies at 75

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Tom Seaver , the Hall of Fame pitcher who steered a stunning transformation from lovable losers to Miracle Mets in 1969 , has died .
He was 75 .
The Hall said Wednesday night that Seaver died Monday from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19 .
Seaver spent his final years in Calistoga , California .
Seaver ’ s family announced in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with dementia and had retired from public life .
He continued working at Seaver Vineyards , founded by the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2002 on 116 acres at Diamond Mountain in the Calistoga region of Northern California .
Seaver was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 1991 , and it reoccurred in 2012 and led to Bell ’ s Palsy and memory loss , the Daily News of New York reported in 2013 .
“ He will always be the heart and soul of the Mets , the standard which all Mets aspire to , ” Mike Piazza , a former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer , tweeted when Seaver ’ s dementia diagnosis was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year .
For his career , from 1967-86 , he had a 311-205 record with a 2.86 ERA , 3,640 strikeouts and 61 shutouts .
He became a constant on magazine covers and a media presence , calling postseason games on NBC and ABC even while still an active player .
“ He was simply the greatest Mets player of all-time and among the best to ever play the game , ” Mets owner Fred Wilpon and son Jeff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer , said in a statement .
Seaver was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 when he appeared on 425 of 430 ballots for a then-record 98.84 % .
His mark was surpassed in 2016 by Ken Griffey Jr. , again in 2019 when Mariano Rivera became the first unanimous selection by baseball writers , and in 2020 when Derek Jeter fell one vote short of a clean sweep .
His plaque in Cooperstown lauds him as a “ power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only their place in the standings but the team ’ s stature in people ’ s minds .
“ Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of our national pastime , ” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement .
“ He was synonymous with the New York Mets and their unforgettable 1969 season.
” “ After their improbable World Series championship , Tom became a household name to baseball fans - a responsibility he carried out with distinction throughout his life , ” he said .
Seaver pitched for the Mets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was traded to Cincinnati after a public spat with chairman M. Donald Grant over Seaver ’ s desire for a new contract .
It was a clash that inflamed baseball fans in New York .
“ My biggest disappointment ?
Leaving the Mets the first time and the difficulties I had with the same people that led up to it , ” Seaver told The Associated Press ahead of his Hall induction in 1992 .
“ But I look back at it in a positive way now .
It gave me the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country.
” He threw his only no-hitter for the Reds in June 1978 against St. Louis and was traded back to New York after the 1982 season .
But Mets general manager Frank Cashen blundered by leaving Seaver off his list of 26 protected players , and in January 1984 he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox as free agent compensation for losing pitcher Dennis Lamp to Toronto .
While pitching for the White Sox , Seaver got his 300th win at Yankee Stadium and did it in style with a six-hitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career with the 1986 Boston Red Sox team that lost to the Mets in the World Series .
“ Tom Seaver was one of the best and most inspirational pitchers to play the game , ” Reds Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said in a statement .
“ We are grateful that Tom ’ s Hall of Fame career included time with the Reds .
We are proud to count his name among the greats in the Reds Hall of Fame .
He will be missed.
” Supremely confident — and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mound — Seaver was a 12-time All-Star who led the major leagues with a 25-7 record in 1969 and a 1.76 ERA in 1971 .
A classic power pitcher with a drop-and-drive delivery that often dirtied the right knee of his uniform pants , he won Cy Young Awards with New York in 1969 , 1973 and 1975 .
The club retired his No .
41 in 1988 , the first Mets player given the honor .
“ From a team standpoint , winning the ’ 69 world championship is something I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in 1992 .
“ From an individual standpoint , my 300th win brought me the most joy.
” Seaver limited his public appearances in recent years .
He did not attend the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America dinner in 2019 , where members of the 1969 Mets were honored on the 50th anniversary of what still ranks among baseball ’ s most unexpected championships .
Five months later , as part of a celebration of that team , the Mets announced plans for a statue of Seaver outside Citi Field , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially changed to 41 Seaver Way in a nod to his uniform number .
Seaver did not attend those ceremonies , either , but daughter Sarah Seaver did and said her parents were honored .
“ This is so very appropriate because he made the New York Mets the team that it is , ” said Ron Swoboda , the right fielder whose sprawling catch helped Seaver pitch the Mets to a 10-inning win in Game 4 of the ’ 69 Series .
“ He gave them credibility.
” Seaver ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the Mets beat the Orioles in an interleague game .
When the Mets closed their previous home , Shea Stadium , on the final day of the 2008 regular season , Seaver put the finishing touches on the nostalgic ceremonies with a last pitch to Piazza , and the two walked off together waving goodbye to fans .
George Thomas Seaver was born in Fresno , California , on Nov. 17 , 1944 , a son of Charles Seaver , a top amateur golfer who won both his matches for the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tom Seaver was a star at the University of Southern California and was drafted by Atlanta in 1966 .
He signed with the Braves for $ 51,500 only for Commissioner William Eckert to void the deal .
The Trojans already had played exhibition games that year , and baseball rules at the time prohibited a club from signing a college player whose season had started .
Any team willing to match the Braves ’ signing bonus could enter a lottery , and Eckert picked the Mets out of a hat that also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s worst teams from their expansion season in 1962 , the Mets lost more than 100 games in five of their first six seasons and had never won more than 73 in any of their first seven years .
With cherished Brooklyn Dodgers star Gil Hodges as their manager , a young corps of pitchers led by Seaver , Jerry Koosman , Gary Gentry and a still-wild Nolan Ryan , and an offense that included Cleon Jones and Tommie Agee , the Mets overtook the Chicago Cubs to win the NL East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They swept Hank Aaron and the Atlanta Braves in the first NL Championship Series to reach the World Series against highly favored Baltimore , which had gone 109-53 .
Seaver lost the opener 4-1 in a matchup with Mike Cuellar , then pitched a 10-inning six-hitter to win Game 4 , and the Mets won the title the following afternoon .
Perhaps his most memorable moment on the mound was at Shea Stadium on July 9 , 1969 , when he retired his first 25 batters against the Chicago Cubs .
Pinch-hitter Jimmy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the ninth inning before Seaver retired Willie Smith on a foulout and Don Kessinger on a flyout .
“ I had every hitter doing what I wanted , ” Seaver recalled in 1992 .
“ Afterward , my wife was in tears and I remember saying to her : ‘ Hey , I pitched a one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts .
What more could I ask for ?
’ ”

NEW YORK (AP) - Tom Seaver transformed a franchise and captivated a city, setting enduring standards as he whipped his powerful right arm overhead for the Miracle Mets and dirtied his right knee atop major league mounds for two decades.
A consummate pro and pitching icon, he finished fulfilled after a career remembered with awe long after his final strikeout.
“It is the last beautiful flower in the perfect bouquet,” Seaver said on the afternoon he was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame.
Seaver, the galvanizing force who steered the New York Mets from National League laughingstock to a stunning World Series title in 1969, has died. He was 75.
The Hall said Wednesday night that Seaver died Monday from complications of Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. Seaver spent his final years in Calistoga, California.
Seaver’s family announced in March 2019 he had been diagnosed with dementia and had retired from public life. He continued working at Seaver Vineyards, founded by the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and his wife, Nancy, in 2002 on 116 acres at Diamond Mountain in Northern California.
Seaver was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 1991, and it reoccurred in 2012 and led to Bell’s Palsy and memory loss, the Daily News of New York reported in 2013.
“He will always be the heart and soul of the Mets, the standard which all Mets aspire to,” Mike Piazza, a former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer, tweeted when Seaver’s dementia diagnosis was announced.
Said ex-Mets closer and captain John Franco: “As a kid, you always wanted to be Tom Seaver.”
Nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, the revered Seaver was a five-time 20-game winner and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year. He went 311-205 with a 2.86 ERA, 3,640 strikeouts and 61 shutouts during an illustrious career that lasted from 1967-86. He became a constant on magazine covers and a media presence, calling postseason games on NBC and ABC even while still an active player.
“He was simply the greatest Mets player of all-time and among the best to ever play the game,” Mets owner Fred Wilpon and son Jeff, the team’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.
Seaver was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992 when he appeared on 425 of 430 ballots for a then-record 98.84%.
“Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of our national pastime,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “He was synonymous with the New York Mets and their unforgettable 1969 season.”
“After their improbable World Series championship, Tom became a household name to baseball fans - a responsibility he carried out with distinction throughout his life,” he said.
Seaver’s plaque in Cooperstown lauds him as a “power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes.”
He changed not only their place in the standings, but the team’s stature in people’s minds.
“Tom Seaver hated to lose,” said Jerry Grote, his longtime Mets catcher. “In May of 1969, we had a celebration in the locker room when we reached .500 for the first time. Tom said, ‘We want more than .500, we want a championship.’”
Seaver pitched for the Mets from 1967-77, when he was traded to Cincinnati after a public spat with chairman M. Donald Grant over Seaver’s desire for a new contract. It was a clash that infuriated baseball fans in New York.
“My biggest disappointment? Leaving the Mets the first time and the difficulties I had with the same people that led up to it,” Seaver told The Associated Press ahead of his Hall induction in 1992. “But I look back at it in a positive way now. It gave me the opportunity to work in different areas of the country.”
He threw his only no-hitter for the Reds in June 1978 against St. Louis and was traded back to New York after the 1982 season. But Mets general manager Frank Cashen blundered by leaving Seaver off his list of 26 protected players, and in January 1984 he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox as free agent compensation for losing pitcher Dennis Lamp to Toronto.
While pitching for the White Sox, Seaver got his 300th win at Yankee Stadium and did it in style with a six-hitter in a 4-1 victory. He finished his career with the 1986 Boston Red Sox team that lost to the Mets in the World Series.
“Tom Seaver was one of the best and most inspirational pitchers to play the game,” Reds Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said in a statement. “We are grateful that Tom’s Hall of Fame career included time with the Reds. We are proud to count his name among the greats in the Reds Hall of Fame. He will be missed.”
Supremely confident - and not necessarily modest about his extraordinary acumen on the mound - Seaver was a 12-time All-Star who led the major leagues with a 25-7 record in 1969 and a 1.76 ERA in 1971. A classic power pitcher with a drop-and-drive delivery that often dirtied the right knee of his uniform pants, he won Cy Young Awards with New York in 1969, 1973 and 1975. The club retired his No. 41 in 1988, the first Mets player given the honor.
“From a team standpoint, winning the ’69 world championship is something I’ll remember most,” Seaver said in 1992. “From an individual standpoint, my 300th win brought me the most joy.”
Seaver limited his public appearances in recent years. He did not attend the Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner in 2019, where members of the 1969 Mets were honored on the 50th anniversary of what still ranks among baseball’s most unexpected championships.
Five months later, as part of a celebration of that team, the Mets announced plans for a statue of Seaver outside Citi Field, and the ballpark’s address was officially changed to 41 Seaver Way in a nod to his uniform number.
Seaver did not attend those ceremonies, either, but daughter Sarah Seaver did and said her parents were honored.
“This is so very appropriate because he made the New York Mets the team that it is,” said Ron Swoboda, the right fielder whose sprawling catch helped Seaver pitch the Mets to a 10-inning win in Game 4 of the ’69 Series against Baltimore. “He gave them credibility.”
Seaver’s death was announced, in fact, hours after the Mets beat the Orioles in an interleague game.
“Just a class act. Just a gentleman in the way he handled himself, and really the way he handled his whole career,” said Miami manager Don Mattingly, a former New York Yankees captain. “We just left New York, and every time you walk in a door there, it’s like Tom Seaver Hall, with different pictures.”
When the Mets closed their previous home, Shea Stadium, on the final day of the 2008 regular season, Seaver put the finishing touches on the nostalgic ceremonies with a last pitch to Piazza, and the two walked off together waving goodbye to fans.
“He was a star. A shining star,” Mets teammate Ed Kranepool said. “No one can replace Tom Seaver.”
Seaver is survived by Nancy, daughters Sarah and Anne, and grandsons Thomas, William, Henry and Tobin.
George Thomas Seaver was born in Fresno, California, on Nov. 17, 1944, a son of Charles Seaver, a top amateur golfer who won both his matches for the U.S. over Britain at the 1932 Walker Cup.
Tom Seaver was a star at the University of Southern California and was drafted by Atlanta in 1966. He signed with the Braves for $51,500 only for Commissioner William Eckert to void the deal. The Trojans already had played exhibition games that year, and baseball rules at the time prohibited a club from signing a college player whose season had started. Any team willing to match the Braves’ signing bonus could enter a lottery, and Eckert picked the Mets out of a hat that also included Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Among baseball’s worst teams from their expansion season in 1962, the Mets lost more than 100 games in five of their first six seasons and had never won more than 73 in any of their first seven years. With cherished Brooklyn Dodgers star Gil Hodges as their manager, a young corps of pitchers led by Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gary Gentry and a still-wild Nolan Ryan, and an offense that included Cleon Jones and Tommie Agee, the Mets overtook the Chicago Cubs to win the NL East with a 100-62 record in 1969.
They swept Hank Aaron and the Atlanta Braves in the first NL Championship Series to reach the World Series against heavily favored Baltimore, which had gone 109-53. Seaver lost the opener 4-1 in a matchup with Mike Cuellar, then pitched a 10-inning six-hitter to win Game 4, and the Mets won the title the following afternoon.
“He is the man of New York City. He put the Mets on the map,” said Franco, who grew up in Brooklyn. “There will never be another pitcher like him.”
Seaver was an All-Star in each of his first seven seasons. Aaron introduced himself to Seaver at the pitcher’s first All-Star Game in 1967.
“Kid, I know who you are, and before your career is over, I guarantee you everyone in this stadium will, too,” Aaron said.
For Seaver, that All-Star appearance made him feel like he belonged.
“I may have been paid before, but that’s when I really became a professional,” he said.
Perhaps Seaver’s most memorable performance on the mound came at Shea Stadium on July 9, 1969, when he retired his first 25 batters against the Chicago Cubs to get within two outs of a perfect game. Pinch-hitter Jimmy Qualls looped a single to left-center in the ninth inning before Seaver retired Willie Smith on a foulout and Don Kessinger on a flyout.
“I had every hitter doing what I wanted,” Seaver recalled in 1992. “Afterward, my wife was in tears and I remember saying to her: ‘Hey, I pitched a one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts. What more could I ask for?’”
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washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Typhoon pummels South Korea with flooding, damaging winds

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - A powerful typhoon ripped through South Korea ’ s southern and eastern coasts with tree-snapping winds and flooding rains Thursday , knocking out power to thousands of homes and leaving at least one person dead .
Packing winds with maximum speed of 140 kilometers ( 87 miles ) per hour , Typhoon Maysak was offshore east of the city of Gangneung on Thursday morning and heading toward North Korea , South Korea ’ s weather agency said .
North Korea ’ s state TV showed widespread flooding in the eastern coastal cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country didn ’ t immediately report any casualties .
More than 2,200 South Koreans evacuated their homes due to the storm that toppled scores of trees , utility poles and lampposts , ripped off signboards , and damaged or flooded dozens of homes and vehicles .
A woman in the southern city of Busan died after being injured by shattered window glass .
Four nuclear power reactors near Busan automatically shut down because of electricity supply issues , but no leak of radioactive materials was detected , South Korea ’ s Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Thursday morning , officials have managed to restore electricity to about one-third of the 121,949 homes that lost power .
The outages were mainly in southern mainland regions including Busan and the southern resort island of Jeju .
North Korea ’ s official Korean Central News Agency had said officials were working urgently to minimize damage from Maysak , which was forecast to make landfall in the country ’ s northeastern region in the afternoon .
KCNA said buildings , roads , railways , cropland and drainage systems were examined and fishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ scrupulous ” protective measures were applied to power stations to ensure stable power supply during the storm .
Maysak caused mostly minor damage on the Japanese island of Okinawa on Tuesday and is the second typhoon to hit the Korean Peninsula in as many weeks .
Typhoon Bavi damaged homes , buildings and crops on the peninsula last week but caused no apparent casualties .
Another storm in the Pacific was blowing north and forecast to affect northern Asia by the weekend .
Tropical Storm Haishen , with sustained winds of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could gain in ferocity before slamming into Japan ’ s southern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku before reaching the Korean Peninsula on Monday .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A powerful typhoon ripped through South Korea’s southern and eastern coasts with tree-snapping winds and flooding rains Thursday, knocking out power to more than 270,000 homes and leaving at least one person dead.
Typhoon Maysak had weakened to a tropical storm that was east of North Korea around midday, South Korea’s weather agency said. North Korean state TV showed flooding along the eastern coast but didn’t immediately report any casualties.
Japan’s coast guard was searching for a livestock ship carrying 42 crew members and 5,800 cows that made a distress call off a southern Japanese island in seas roughened by the typhoon early Wednesday. A Filipino crew member rescued late Wednesday said the ship capsized before sinking, according to the coast guard.
During its life as a typhoon, Maysak packed maximum winds of 90 miles per hour as it barreled through South Korea early Thursday.
More than 2,400 South Koreans evacuated their homes due to the typhoon, which damaged or flooded dozens of homes and vehicles, ripped off signboards and toppled scores of trees, utility poles and lampposts. A woman in the southern city of Busan died after being injured by shattered window glass.
Four nuclear power reactors near Busan automatically shut down because of electricity supply issues, but no leak of radioactive materials was detected, South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety said.
As of Thursday morning, officials have managed to restore electricity to about 199,400 of the 278,600 homes that lost power. The outages were mainly in southern mainland regions including Busan and the southern resort island of Jeju.
More than 950 domestic flights were canceled while rail services in some southern and eastern regions were halted due to safety concerns.
North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency had said officials were working urgently to minimize damage from Maysak, which was forecast to make landfall in the country’s northeastern region in the afternoon.
KCNA said buildings, roads, railways, cropland and drainage systems were examined and fishing boats were moved to safety, while “scrupulous” protective measures were applied to power stations to ensure stable power supply during the storm.
Maysak caused mostly minor damage on the Japanese island of Okinawa on Tuesday and is the second typhoon to hit the Korean Peninsula in as many weeks.
Typhoon Bavi damaged homes, buildings and crops on the peninsula last week but caused no apparent casualties.
Another storm in the Pacific was blowing north and forecast to affect northern Asia by the weekend. Tropical Storm Haishen could gain in ferocity before slamming into Japan’s southern islands of Kyushu and Shikoku before reaching the Korean Peninsula on Monday.
__
AP writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this story from Tokyo.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Tom Seaver, the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the heart of the Miracle Mets, has died at 75

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Tom Seaver , the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the heart of the @ @ @ @ @ at 75 .

NEW YORK (AP) - Tom Seaver, the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the heart of the Miracle Mets, has died at 75.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-09-02--Trump orders 'anarchist jurisdictions' funding slashed

President Trump ordered his Justice Department to create a name-and-shame list of “ anarchist jurisdictions ” deemed to be allowing lawlessness to spread on their streets , and told his budget director Wednesday to try to figure out ways to pull some federal money from those places .
Mr. Trump , in a memo , particularly singled out New York City , Washington , D.C. , Seattle and Portland , Oregon as places where “ anarchy has beset ” communities .
“ My administration will not allow federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump directed Attorney General William P. Barr to come up with a list of communities that have forbidden police to step in to stop violence , have declared no-go zones for officers , or pursued “ Defund Police ” policies .
Mr. Barr is also to look at communities that have rebuffed Mr. Trump ’ s offers of federal law enforcement .
The president gave details of what irked him about each of the four cities he named .
In New York , he said gun violence has soared ; in Seattle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for weeks ; in Portland , the federal courthouse was under nightly attack for about a month , and the city still sees near-nightly mayhem ; and in the nation ’ s capital , the president said he had to call out the National Guard to step in where Mayor Muriel Bowser wouldn ’ t .
“ Without law and order , democracy can not function .
Americans can not exercise their rights , including their rights to peaceful expression , assembly , and protest .
Property is destroyed , and innocent citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ President Trump has actively sought to punish NYC since day one , ” Mr. Cuomo tweeted .
“ He let COVID ambush New York .
He refuses to provide funds that states and cities MUST receive to recover .
He is not a king .
He can not ‘ defund ’ NYC.
” At a press conference Wednesday night , Mr. Cuomo said of the president , “ Forget bodyguards , he better have an army if he thinks he ’ s going to walk down the street in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one he tried to impose on so-called “ sanctuary cities ” that refuse cooperation with federal immigration agents and officers .
He tried to cut Justice Department grant money .
Those moves are still being battled in the courts .
In this case , Mr. Trump listed housing , transportation , job training and social services as potential targets , but said it will be up to the White House Office of Management and Budget to figure out a policy “ disfavoring ” the cities on the name-and-shame list .
Russ Vought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office is “ exploring all options , ” but seemed to focus specifically on the nexus of policing and federal funds .
“ The lack of law and order surrounding these riots , and response from local leadership , is a dereliction of duty , ” Mr. Vought said .
“ Our men and women in blue can not be handcuffed by local leadership in their efforts to respond to riots and protect their fellow citizens .
”

President Trump ordered his Justice Department to create a name-and-shame list of “anarchist jurisdictions” deemed to be allowing lawlessness to spread on their streets, and told his budget director Wednesday to try to figure out ways to pull some federal money from those places.
Mr. Trump, in a memo, particularly singled out New York City, Washington, D.C., Seattle and Portland, Oregon as places where “anarchy has beset” communities.
“My administration will not allow federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones,” he said.
Mr. Trump directed Attorney General William P. Barr to come up with a list of communities that have forbidden police to step in to stop violence, have declared no-go zones for officers, or pursued “Defund Police” policies. Mr. Barr is also to look at communities that have rebuffed Mr. Trump’s offers of federal law enforcement.
The president gave details of what irked him about each of the four cities he named. In New York, he said gun violence has soared; in Seattle, protesters took over part of the city for weeks; in Portland, the federal courthouse was under nightly attack for about a month, and the city still sees near-nightly mayhem; and in the nation’s capital, the president said he had to call out the National Guard to step in where Mayor Muriel Bowser wouldn’t.
“Without law and order, democracy cannot function. Americans cannot exercise their rights, including their rights to peaceful expression, assembly, and protest. Property is destroyed, and innocent citizens are injured or killed,” he said.
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo called the president’s move “an illegal stunt.”
“President Trump has actively sought to punish NYC since day one,” Mr. Cuomo tweeted. “He let COVID ambush New York. He refuses to provide funds that states and cities MUST receive to recover. He is not a king. He cannot ‘defund’ NYC.”
At a press conference Wednesday night, Mr. Cuomo said of the president, “Forget bodyguards, he better have an army if he thinks he’s going to walk down the street in New York.”
The new policy is similar to one he tried to impose on so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse cooperation with federal immigration agents and officers. He tried to cut Justice Department grant money. Those moves are still being battled in the courts.
In this case, Mr. Trump listed housing, transportation, job training and social services as potential targets, but said it will be up to the White House Office of Management and Budget to figure out a policy “disfavoring” the cities on the name-and-shame list.
Russ Vought, director of OMB, said his office is “exploring all options,” but seemed to focus specifically on the nexus of policing and federal funds.
“The lack of law and order surrounding these riots, and response from local leadership, is a dereliction of duty,” Mr. Vought said. “Our men and women in blue cannot be handcuffed by local leadership in their efforts to respond to riots and protect their fellow citizens.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.