washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Body found in SC river last year finally identified

CHARLESTON , S.C. ( AP ) - Authorities say they have finally identified a man whose body was found in the Cooper River early last year .
The Charleston County Coroner ’ s Office said the remains were identified as those of Thomas Alex Williams , 24 , of James Island after exhaustive work by several coroners .
The body was found on Jan. 7 , 2019 .
The Post and Courier reported that the unusually long investigation was linked to the fact that friends and family members didn ’ t consider Williams missing .
He traveled frequently , didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried a cellphone , so it wasn ’ t uncommon for him to be uncommunicative .
“ He was a very private man , ” said Deputy Coroner Christina Harrison .
Investigators identified Williams after news outlets released a full-color sketch of what the dead man was believed to have looked like based on forensic evidence .
A friend of Williams recognized his clothing and the features of the sketch .
“ That was like , ‘ Oh my goodness , we might have him , ’ ” Deputy Coroner Bobbi Jo O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Williams ‘ family and friends received a positive DNA match and confirmed the body was that of Williams .
It remains unclear how the man died and how the body wound up in the river .

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Authorities say they have finally identified a man whose body was found in the Cooper River early last year.
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office said the remains were identified as those of Thomas Alex Williams, 24, of James Island after exhaustive work by several coroners. The body was found on Jan. 7, 2019.
The Post and Courier reported that the unusually long investigation was linked to the fact that friends and family members didn’t consider Williams missing. He traveled frequently, didn’t use social media and rarely carried a cellphone, so it wasn’t uncommon for him to be uncommunicative.
“He was a very private man,” said Deputy Coroner Christina Harrison.
Investigators identified Williams after news outlets released a full-color sketch of what the dead man was believed to have looked like based on forensic evidence.
A friend of Williams recognized his clothing and the features of the sketch. “That was like, ‘Oh my goodness, we might have him,’” Deputy Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal said.
Authorities who talked with Williams’ family and friends received a positive DNA match and confirmed the body was that of Williams. It remains unclear how the man died and how the body wound up in the river.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Grand jury report into natural gas drilling set for release

HARRISBURG , Pa. ( AP ) - The results of a grand jury investigation into Pennsylvania ’ s large natural gas drilling industry will be made public on Thursday morning in Harrisburg .
Attorney General Josh Shapiro will release the jury ’ s report during a news conference at his agency ’ s headquarters near the Capitol .
A grand jury in Pittsburgh has been conducting an investigation into the state ’ s Marcellus Shale gas drilling industry for about two years .
“ This is just the beginning , ” Shapiro said in a news release regarding no-contest pleas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago .
“ We are in the first stages of a long process to hold the well-connected accountable and meet the promise of our constitution to protect our environment for generations to come.
” On June 15 , the Democratic prosecutor said the grand jury ’ s ongoing probe “ will result in more criminal charges.
” Hydraulic fracturing , commonly referred to as fracking , involves injecting millions of gallons of water , sand and chemicals miles into the earth to break up layers of shale , causing oil or gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horizontal drilling techniques - have produced massive amounts of natural gas and oil in the U.S. over the past decade or so .
The industry has brought lower natural gas prices for consumers , jobs and royalties to Pennsylvania , but it has also generated concerns about the effect the fracking process has had on the state ’ s environmental quality .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State regulators have failed to prevent Pennsylvania’s natural gas drilling industry from sickening people and poisoning air and water, a grand jury concluded in a report issued Thursday after a two-year investigation.
“The giant fracking companies were given a free pass by unprepared agencies and the public was harmed. Plain and simple,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said at a news conference.
The jurors’ eight recommendations included wider buffers between drilling activity and homes, schools and hospitals; public disclosure of the mix of chemicals used; and heightened regulation of how the wastewater created by drilling is transported.
“Government oversight of this activity was for many years poor, and has only recently showed signs of improvement,” jurors wrote in the introduction to a 235-page report.
Witnesses from 70 households, mostly in rural parts of the state, told of being left with sores after showering with contaminated water, seeing farm animals die or become infertile and trying to help children plagued by a bewildering array of health problems.
The jurors concluded the industry is making children sick, listing rashes, headaches, nose bleeds, bruising, cramps, nausea, vomiting, burning eyes, tremors and stabbing or burning sensations.
Symptoms would often go away when people left their homes.
“That is not a reality we are wiling to accept,” jurors wrote.
Witnesses said living near a drilling pad can be noisy, dirty and annoying, with constant truck traffic and “blinding” light at all hours of the night.
Water could taste like formaldehyde, smell like sulfur and leave a black sludge in toilets.
“Some people had to sleep in a corner of the basement trying to get away from it,” jurors wrote. “The vibrations from drilling and fracking were sometimes so intense that all the worms were forced up out of the ground.”
The grand jury said state environmental regulators failed to file violations against the industry, to tell the public about violations that could be a risk to health and to refer violations for criminal investigation. The grand jury also criticized the Department of Health for not collecting data of past issues.
A statement from the agencies under Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf blamed his predecessor, former Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
“This administration has acted aggressively to address the previous administration’s regulatory failures, remove restrictions on enforcement, and has put in place new regulations to hold natural gas companies to some of the most stringent environmental standards anywhere in the country,” the Wolf administration statement said.
But the Department of Environmental Protection’s response that was appended to the jurors’ findings said much of the report was inaccurate and misleading.
The agency’s lawyer wrote that the report will falsely lead people “to believe their government is incompetent and/or places the economic well-being of various corporations above their health and well-being and that of the commonwealth’s public natural resources.”
The head of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, an industry trade group, said there is some disclosure of fracking chemicals and that drillers are subject to heightened standards for emissions.
“For anyone to suggest that we are not protecting our environment and public health while responsibly and safely producing clean and abundant American natural gas should better understand the facts and science,” said the organization’s president, David Spigelmyer.
Companies are not required to report chemicals they consider trade secrets, according to the report, and the disclosure is limited to fracking chemicals but not drilling chemicals that can leach into groundwater.
“Keeping these proprietary chemicals secret leaves firefighters and hazmat teams incapable or effectively or safely responding to emergencies,” the jurors warned.
The jurors said the oil and gas industry has recruited employees from the Department of Environmental Protection, creating what they called a potential conflict of interest.
The jurors said some workers at the Department of Environmental Protection have apparently been more focused on serving the industry than the public.
“We appreciate that not every complaint is founded,” the jurors wrote. “But in areas of this commonwealth where fracking has taken a toll, many people do not believe that DEP is an honest broker.”
Shapiro, a Democrat, said the “relationship is clearly too cozy. It needs to change.”
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, involves injecting millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals miles into the earth to break up layers of shale, causing oil or gas to be released. Fracking - and horizontal drilling techniques - have produced massive amounts of natural gas and oil in the U.S. over the past decade or so.
The first such well in the state was drilled in Washington County in 2004, and today there are more than 10,000 producing gas. The industry has brought lower natural gas prices for consumers, jobs and royalties.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Man, already in prison, convicted of 17 more sex crimes

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - A Beaverton man already in prison for child sexual abuse has been convicted @ @ @ @ @ charges .
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Benito Juarez-Hernandez , was convicted in 2014 and sent to @ @ @ @ @ minor .
While he was in prison , three more victims came forward .
Juarez-Hernandez @ @ @ @ @ of nine counts of sexual abuse , two counts of using a child in display @ @ @ @ @ four counts of sodomy and one count of unlawful sexual penetration .
Juarez-Hernandez , his @ @ @ @ @ s ex-wife were accused of abusing several children in Beaverton and Aloha over 15 years @ @ @ @ @ in April 2019 .
The brother , Cupertino Juarez-Hernandez , was sentenced earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ on multiple charges of child abuse and sodomy .
The brother ’ s ex-wife , @ @ @ @ @ go on trial in October .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A Beaverton man already in prison for child sexual abuse has been convicted of 17 additional sexual abuse charges.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Benito Juarez-Hernandez, was convicted in 2014 and sent to prison for sexually abusing a minor.
While he was in prison, three more victims came forward. Juarez-Hernandez was found guilty this week of nine counts of sexual abuse, two counts of using a child in display of sexually explicit conduct, four counts of sodomy and one count of unlawful sexual penetration.
Juarez-Hernandez, his brother and his brother’s ex-wife were accused of abusing several children in Beaverton and Aloha over 15 years. They were all indicted in April 2019.
The brother, Cupertino Juarez-Hernandez, was sentenced earlier this year to 55 years in prison on multiple charges of child abuse and sodomy. The brother’s ex-wife, Diana Rodriguez is set to go on trial in October.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--New satellite imagery show new Chinese structure buildup along Indian border

New satellite imagery along the India-China border shows a buildup of structures near the site of a recent clash between both sides that left Indian and Chinese troops dead .
The images , dated April 22 and obtained by Reuters Thursday from space technology company Maxar , show a slew of new tents , bunkers and storage units that are believed to hold military hardware built up in the disputed Himalayan territory of Ladakh .
Although the two sides have apparently adhered to a firearms ban , they have also reportedly positioned tanks , armored personnel carriers and armed troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galwan Valley .
Clashes in the high-altitude region have been breaking out for weeks as troops from the two sides massed in disputed territory off India ’ s northern tip , the latest clash marked the first time in decades that any soldiers were killed — sparking fears of a wider escalation between the world ’ s two most populous nations .
The battle erupted after weeks of assertions from both sides that they were trying to ease tensions and forge a diplomatic solution .
Talks have since begun between both parties in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The latest images appear to show the buildup on the Chinese side of the Galwan River .
While neither side has publicly acknowledged the structures , India ’ s foreign ministry on Wednesday stated that the Indian and Chinese foreign ministers have “ reaffirmed that both sides should sincerely implement the understanding on disengagement and de-escalation that was reached by the senior commanders on 6 June.
” Border tensions last soared between New Delhi and Beijing in 2017 .
More recently , analysts say , China has been eager to press its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic that many in India blame on China .
Relations between the nations have been generally stable but increasingly complex in recent years as China challenges America ’ s status as India ’ s top trading partner .

New satellite imagery along the India-China border shows a buildup of structures near the site of a recent clash between both sides that left Indian and Chinese troops dead.
The images, dated April 22 and obtained by Reuters Thursday from space technology company Maxar, show a slew of new tents, bunkers and storage units that are believed to hold military hardware built up in the disputed Himalayan territory of Ladakh.
Although the two sides have apparently adhered to a firearms ban, they have also reportedly positioned tanks, armored personnel carriers and armed troops not far from each other in the Galwan Valley.
Clashes in the high-altitude region have been breaking out for weeks as troops from the two sides massed in disputed territory off India’s northern tip, the latest clash marked the first time in decades that any soldiers were killed — sparking fears of a wider escalation between the world’s two most populous nations.
The battle erupted after weeks of assertions from both sides that they were trying to ease tensions and forge a diplomatic solution. Talks have since begun between both parties in an attempt to diffuse the deadly dispute.
The latest images appear to show the buildup on the Chinese side of the Galwan River. While neither side has publicly acknowledged the structures, India’s foreign ministry on Wednesday stated that the Indian and Chinese foreign ministers have “reaffirmed that both sides should sincerely implement the understanding on disengagement and de-escalation that was reached by the senior commanders on 6 June.”
Border tensions last soared between New Delhi and Beijing in 2017. More recently, analysts say, China has been eager to press its claims amid global geopolitical uncertainty and a COVID-19 pandemic that many in India blame on China.
Relations between the nations have been generally stable but increasingly complex in recent years as China challenges America’s status as India’s top trading partner.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Maine releases checklists for businesses reopening on July 1

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - The administration of Democratic Gov .
Janet Mills has released checklists for businesses allowed to reopen July 1 during the third phase of the state ’ s economic reopening plan .
The rules cover movie theaters , bowling alleys , amusement parks and entertainment venues .
A 50-person limit remains on shared spaces with strict rules intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
Bars , tasting rooms and breweries , however , will not be allowed to reopen for indoor service .
Outdoor service is allowed , however .
The Mills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of other northeastern states in its reopening plan .
“ These reopenings represent a positive step forward for Maine and our economy , but Maine people and businesses must remain vigilant , ” the governor Wednesday said in a statement .
She noted that there are growing and “ in some instances record high ” numbers of COVID-19 cases in other states and that those serve as “ cautionary tales ” as Maine continues to reopen .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The administration of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has released checklists for businesses allowed to reopen July 1 during the third phase of the state’s economic reopening plan.
The rules cover movie theaters, bowling alleys, amusement parks and entertainment venues. A 50-person limit remains on shared spaces with strict rules intended to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Bars, tasting rooms and breweries, however, will not be allowed to reopen for indoor service. Outdoor service is allowed, however.
The Mills administrations contends Maine is on par or ahead of other northeastern states in its reopening plan.
“These reopenings represent a positive step forward for Maine and our economy, but Maine people and businesses must remain vigilant,” the governor Wednesday said in a statement.
She noted that there are growing and “in some instances record high” numbers of COVID-19 cases in other states and that those serve as “cautionary tales” as Maine continues to reopen.
There have been more than 3,000 cases of the virus in Maine and 103 deaths.
In other news related to the virus in Maine:
___
THE NUMBERS
The Maine Center for Disease Control reported another 53 people tested positive for the coronavirus, and there were no new deaths.
The new cases bring to 3,070 the number of people who have tested positive, while the number of deaths remained unchanged at 103, the Maine CDC said Thursday.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
___
UNEMPLOYMENT FRAUD
The Maine Department of Labor said its effort to stop unemployment fraud continues to find new cases. The department canceled about 1,900 initial unemployment claims and 4,300 weekly certifications during the week that ended June 20 because of suspected fraud, labor officials said.
Unemployment spiked in Maine and around the country with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The state is now seeing lower numbers of claims being filed, labor commissioner Laura Fortman said.
—
This story has been corrected to show that the number of coronavirus deaths in Maine was unchanged Thursday at 103, not 102.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Kansas City Police say man fatally shot outside home

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A man has been fatally shot outside a home on the @ @ @ @ @ , police there said .
Officers were called to the house just north of 45th @ @ @ @ @ 5 p.m. Wednesday for a shooting , police say in a news release .
Arriving @ @ @ @ @ the front porch of a home with gunshot wounds .
The man was rushed to @ @ @ @ @ later died , police said .
Police said witnesses told investigators that three men were @ @ @ @ @ of the shooting .
Police had not released the victim ’ s name and no @ @ @ @ @ Thursday morning .
The Paseo - a main thoroughfare in the city - was closed @ @ @ @ @ investigated .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A man has been fatally shot outside a Kansas City home, police said.
Officers called to the house just north of 45th Street and The Paseo around 5 p.m. Wednesday for a shooting found 22-year-old Romello Shipman on the front porch of the home with gunshot wounds, police said Thursday in a news release. Shipman was rushed to a hospital, where he later died, police said.
Police said witnesses told investigators that three men were seen running from the scene of the shooting.
The Paseo - a main thoroughfare in the city - was closed for several hours while police investigated.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas governor: Northeast quarantine 'not particularly helpful' for economy

Arkansas Gov .
Asa Hutchinson on Thursday said a new mandatory quarantine for people traveling from his state to the northeast isn ’ t going to be helpful when it comes to the budding economic recovery .
He said he understands where New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo is coming from in trying to combat the coronavirus .
“ But whenever you ’ re looking at growing our economy , trying to restore our economy this is not particularly helpful to that , ” Mr. Hutchinson said on “ Fox and Friends.
” People traveling to New York , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high transmissions of the coronavirus will now have to self-quarantine for 14 days .
For now , those states include Alabama , Arkansas , Arizona , Florida , North Carolina , South Carolina , Washington , Utah , and Texas .
Mr. Hutchinson pointed out that there are exemptions for essential services .
“ So we ’ ll continue to supply poultry , beef - other essential products there and so we ’ ll be going in and out , ” he said .
“ We ’ re going to work very hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - we know we ’ ve got some work to do.
” Mr. Cuomo said on Thursday that if people don ’ t get caught breaking the law they ’ re fine , like with speeding and drunk driving .

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday said a new mandatory quarantine for people traveling from his state to the northeast isn’t going to be helpful when it comes to the budding economic recovery.
He said he understands where New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is coming from in trying to combat the coronavirus.
“But whenever you’re looking at growing our economy, trying to restore our economy this is not particularly helpful to that,” Mr. Hutchinson said on “Fox and Friends.”
People traveling to New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut from states with high transmissions of the coronavirus will now have to self-quarantine for 14 days.
For now, those states include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah, and Texas.
Mr. Hutchinson pointed out that there are exemptions for essential services.
“So we’ll continue to supply poultry, beef - other essential products there and so we’ll be going in and out,” he said. “We’re going to work very hard to reduce this virus here in Arkansas - we know we’ve got some work to do.”
Mr. Cuomo said on Thursday that if people don’t get caught breaking the law they’re fine, like with speeding and drunk driving.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Thai police say they have busted major money-laundering ring

BANGKOK ( AP ) - Police in Thailand say they have broken up a money-laundering ring that transferred a total of 10 billion baht ( $ 323 million ) , much of it linked to drug trafficking .
A Chinese businessman arrested in Bangkok , Qaing Ma , is believed to be a key figure in the operation , police Maj. Gen. Veerachon Boontawee said Thursday .
The suspect was flown by police to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand and was unavailable for comment .
Veerachon , head of the investigation division in the police region incorporating Chiang Mai , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ import Chinese agricultural tools and machines and send back Thai agricultural products such as frozen chicken .
The businesses were used to carry out illegal money transfers , he said by telephone .
Ma “ created a very complex network of money transfers to cover the origin of the money , ” Veerachon said .
Arrest warrants were issued for 109 suspects in the June 16-22 police operation to shut down the network , he said .
Police apprehended 74 suspects , including 13 already in prison , while 35 remain at large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 10 billion baht ( $ $ 323 million ) in 2018–2020 , most of it linked to drug traffickers in Thailand and neighboring Myanmar .
Myanmar is a major source of illegal drugs , most notably methamphetamine , for which Thailand is a major market and transit point .
Police began the money-laundering investigation after a seizure in January last year of 9 million methamphetamine tablets .
They found bank books in the car from which they seized the drugs , and traced the accounts .
They found Ma ’ s accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the money flows .
Ma ’ s companies also acted as an “ underground bank ” for more conventional Chinese businesspeople seeking to avoid fees by concealing money transfers , Veerachon said .
The suspects in the case include minor participants who each allegedly received 2,000-3,000 baht ( $ 65-97 ) for allowing the ring to use their bank accounts .
All those involved face two charges so far : involvement with a transnational crime organization and money laundering .
Each carries a penalty of 5-15 years in prison term and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Veerachon said further arrests are expected .

BANGKOK (AP) - Police in Thailand say they have broken up a money-laundering ring that transferred a total of 10 billion baht ($323 million), much of it linked to drug trafficking.
A Chinese businessman arrested in Bangkok, Qaing Ma, is believed to be a key figure in the operation, police Maj. Gen. Veerachon Boontawee said Thursday.
The suspect was flown by police to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand and was unavailable for comment.
Veerachon, head of the investigation division in the police region incorporating Chiang Mai, said Ma owns companies in Thailand that import Chinese agricultural tools and machines and send back Thai agricultural products such as frozen chicken. The businesses were used to carry out illegal money transfers, he said by telephone.
Ma “created a very complex network of money transfers to cover the origin of the money,” Veerachon said.
Arrest warrants were issued for 109 suspects in the June 16-22 police operation to shut down the network, he said. Police apprehended 74 suspects, including 13 already in prison, while 35 remain at large.
Veerachon said the network laundered more than 10 billion baht ($$323 million) in 2018–2020, most of it linked to drug traffickers in Thailand and neighboring Myanmar. Myanmar is a major source of illegal drugs, most notably methamphetamine, for which Thailand is a major market and transit point.
Police began the money-laundering investigation after a seizure in January last year of 9 million methamphetamine tablets. They found bank books in the car from which they seized the drugs, and traced the accounts. They found Ma’s accounts served as both a source and destination for the money flows.
Ma’s companies also acted as an “underground bank” for more conventional Chinese businesspeople seeking to avoid fees by concealing money transfers, Veerachon said.
The suspects in the case include minor participants who each allegedly received 2,000-3,000 baht ($65-97) for allowing the ring to use their bank accounts.
All those involved face two charges so far: involvement with a transnational crime organization and money laundering. Each carries a penalty of 5-15 years in prison term and a 200,000 baht ($6,465) fine.
Veerachon said further arrests are expected.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Reporters Without Borders condemns arrest of Egyptian editor

CAIRO ( AP ) - A leading media watchdog group condemned on Thursday the arrest this week of the editor of one of Egypt ’ s few remaining independent news outlets , and urged authorities to immediately release her and drop all charges .
Nora Younis , editor of the al-Manassa news website , was arrested Wednesday after security forces raided her office in Cairo .
She faces charges of managing a news website without an operating license , al-Manassa said .
After spending the night in police custody , Younis was expected to appear before prosecutors on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means of constant administrative stalling , the authorities prevented Al-Manassa from legalizing its situation , so that the lack of an official permit to operate became a pretext for judicial proceedings , ” Reporters Without Borders said .
Media outlets are required to have permission to work in Egypt , but withholding accreditation is often used as a pretext to silence reporting the state sees as critical .
Al-Manassa has said in previous statements that it applied for a license in October 2018 but has not received a response .
Younis is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She formerly worked as a managing editor at Al-Masry Al-Youm , Egypt ’ s most popular daily .
Younis founded Al-Manassa in 2015 , but authorities blocked the website in 2017 , one of hundreds of sites banned or blocked in recent years .
The outlet , however , continued to publish through mirror sites .
Egypt ’ s government , under general-turned-president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi , has overseen an unprecedented political crackdown , silencing critics and jailing thousands .
In recent years , Egypt has imprisoned dozens of reporters and occasionally expelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s worst jailers of journalists , along with Turkey and China , according to the Committee to Protect Journalists .

CAIRO (AP) - A leading media watchdog group condemned the arrest of an editor-in-chief of one of Egypt’s last independent news platforms, who was eventually released late Thursday after an extensive interrogation, her outlet said.
Nora Younis, editor of the al-Manassa news website, was arrested Wednesday pending investigation into charges of managing a news website without an operating license after security forces raided her office in Cairo, al-Manassa said of the government’s latest attempt to clamp down on news media.
After spending the night in police custody, Younis on Thursday appeared before prosecutors, who fined her 10,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $625) and ordered her release from a police station in southern Cairo’s Maadi district, the outlet reported. Late Thursday, several hours after the release order, security forces let her go home.
“By means of constant administrative stalling, the authorities prevented Al-Manassa from legalizing its situation, so that the lack of an official permit to operate became a pretext for judicial proceedings,” the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders said.
The group urged Egyptian authorities to “stop persecuting independent media.” In recent months security forces have also targeted the senior editors of another independent outlet, Mada Masr, for arrest and harassment. Most of Egypt’s other news agencies are either state-owned or have been acquired by companies affiliated with the country’s intelligence service.
Media outlets are required to have permission to work in Egypt, but withholding accreditation is often used as a pretext to silence reporting that the state sees as critical. Al-Manassa has said in previous statements that it applied for a license in October 2018 but has not received a response.
Younis is a rights activist, journalist and blogger. She formerly worked as a managing editor at Al-Masry Al-Youm, Egypt’s most popular daily newspaper.
Younis founded Al-Manassa in 2015, but authorities blocked the website in 2017, one of hundreds of sites banned or blocked in recent years. The outlet, however, continued to publish through mirror sites.
Egypt’s government, under general-turned-president Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, has overseen an unprecedented political crackdown, silencing critics and jailing thousands.
In recent years, Egypt has imprisoned dozens of reporters and occasionally expelled some foreign journalists. It remains among the world’s worst jailers of journalists, along with Turkey and China, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Pandemic throws Greece’s budget off-target, hurts recovery

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - Greece ’ s budget deficit has widened due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , which has slammed the key tourism sector and is pushing the country into recession .
The Finance Ministry said Thursday that the primary deficit figure for the state budget , the balance before debt servicing costs , stood at 4.84 billion euros ( $ 5.41 billion ) in the first five months of the year .
In the first four months , it was 1.52 billion ( $ 1.7 billion ) .
Greece has delivered primary budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of its commitments to European Union bailout lenders , but creditors have agreed to relax those conditions this year due to the crisis .
With its strong reliance on tourism , Greece is headed back into a major recession this year .
Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said Wednesday that the government expected the country to suffer a contraction of 8 % of gross domestic product in 2020 with a whopping 16 % downturn in the second quarter of the year .
Greece had originally expected its economy to grow by 2.8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of financial crisis and recession .
State budget calculations do not include budgets for local government and social security .

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece’s budget deficit has widened due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which has slammed the key tourism sector and is pushing the country into recession.
The Finance Ministry said Thursday that the primary deficit figure for the state budget, the balance before debt servicing costs, stood at 4.84 billion euros ($5.41 billion) in the first five months of the year. In the first four months, it was 1.52 billion ($1.7 billion).
Greece has delivered primary budget surpluses for the past five years as part of its commitments to European Union bailout lenders, but creditors have agreed to relax those conditions this year due to the crisis.
With its strong reliance on tourism, Greece is headed back into a major recession this year. Finance Minister Christos Staikouras said Wednesday that the government expected the country to suffer a contraction of 8% of gross domestic product in 2020 with a whopping 16% downturn in the second quarter of the year. Greece had originally expected its economy to grow by 2.8% with the recovery gathering pace after years of financial crisis and recession.
State budget calculations do not include budgets for local government and social security.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Sustainable funds hold their own as markets tumble worldwide

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A steadier and more sustainable way to invest .
That ’ s how a growing cadre of fund managers pitch their approach , one that considers how companies perform on environmental , social and governance issues .
Maybe they ’ re right .
Many such funds held up as well or better than their traditional rivals during the severe , sudden sell-off after the COVID-19 pandemic struck .
By doing so , these funds , often called ESG investments , rewarded the investors who have been pumping record amounts of cash into the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward for ESG funds , which once were criticized as a fad that would force investors to settle for worse returns .
More recently , they attracted a record $ 10.5 billion in net investment during the first three months of the year , according to Morningstar , even as markets worldwide were melting down .
“ ESG funds deliver , ” economists at the Institute of International Finance wrote in a recent report .
More than three quarters of ESG stock indexes have held up better than their non-ESG peers so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They were particularly strong during the worst of the market ’ s sell-off from February into March when recession worries peaked .
That dovetails with a recent Morningstar report that found ESG funds and strategies lost less money than non-ESG funds during market declines over the last one- , three- and five-year periods .
A big reason for the better relative performance recently may be that ESG funds often own fewer oil stocks than traditional funds .
Energy was one of the hardest-hit areas of the market during the sell-off on worries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. crude oil even momentarily dropped below zero .
Consider the Parnassus Core Equity fund , which has $ 18.6 billion in assets and is one of the largest ESG funds .
It does not own companies that get significant revenue from fossil fuels .
It ’ s lost just 1.7 % so far this year , as of Tuesday , compared to the 2.1 % loss for the S & P ; 500 over the same time , including dividends .
Over the last three years , a stretch that includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , the Parnassus Core Equity fund has returned a total of 39 % , versus a 36.3 % return for the S & P ; 500 .
Instead of looking just at how much profit a company is likely to make or how much debt it has on its books , ESG funds also consider what a company is doing about climate change , whether it has an inclusive workplace culture and how tightly a CEO ’ s pay is correlated to the company ’ s long-term health , among other considerations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that companies scoring poorly on environmental , social and governance issues are likely riskier investments and more prone to losses .
And in investing , minimizing losses can be even more important than finding big winners .
The “ E ” in ESG investing often got the most attention in the past .
By avoiding companies with poor track records on the environment , ESG investors were looking to minimize the risk of owning stocks that could get hit with big fines or by big regulatory decisions that could sink their profits .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a brighter spotlight on how companies are doing on social and governance issues .
Companies with more satisfied workforces , for example , may be better able to get quicker buy-in as they shift strategies and operations in the new normal .
The pandemic has also demonstrated in cold terms many of the shortcomings of the U.S. labor market , such as how many workers don ’ t have access to paid sick leave .
That could set the stage for more pressure from Washington for more generous pay or benefits , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These are issues that ESG investors have already long been considering .
More recently , all the anger around the country about racism may also bring more attention to diversity among companies ’ workforces , executive ranks and board rooms , another longstanding issue for ESG investors .
If anything , the pandemic will likely increase the flow of dollars into ESG funds , industry analysts say .
The conviction is strong enough that analysts at BofA Global Research recently upgraded their rating for Eaton Vance in part on expectations for increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds that it owns .
“ Going forward , investors will likely have even less tolerance for bad corporate citizens - funding those businesses will become expensive and capital could prove scarce , ” Michael Baldinger , head of sustainable and impact investing at UBS Asset Management wrote in a recent report .

NEW YORK (AP) - A steadier and more sustainable way to invest. That’s how a growing cadre of fund managers pitch their approach, one that considers how companies perform on environmental, social and governance issues. Maybe they’re right.
Many such funds held up as well or better than their traditional rivals during the severe, sudden sell-off after the COVID-19 pandemic struck. By doing so, these funds, often called ESG investments, rewarded the investors who have been pumping record amounts of cash into the field.
It’s the latest march forward for ESG funds, which once were criticized as a fad that would force investors to settle for worse returns. More recently, they attracted a record $10.5 billion in net investment during the first three months of the year, according to Morningstar, even as markets worldwide were melting down.
“ESG funds deliver,” economists at the Institute of International Finance wrote in a recent report.
More than three quarters of ESG stock indexes have held up better than their non-ESG peers so far this year, according to the IIF. They were particularly strong during the worst of the market’s sell-off from February into March when recession worries peaked.
That dovetails with a recent Morningstar report that found ESG funds and strategies lost less money than non-ESG funds during market declines over the last one-, three- and five-year periods.
A big reason for the better relative performance recently may be that ESG funds often own fewer oil stocks than traditional funds. Energy was one of the hardest-hit areas of the market during the sell-off on worries about vanishing demand, and the price of U.S. crude oil even momentarily dropped below zero.
Consider the Parnassus Core Equity fund, which has $18.6 billion in assets and is one of the largest ESG funds. It does not own companies that get significant revenue from fossil fuels. It’s lost just 1.7% so far this year, as of Tuesday, compared to the 2.1% loss for the S&P 500 over the same time, including dividends.
Over the last three years, a stretch that includes another steep sell-off at the end of 2018, the Parnassus Core Equity fund has returned a total of 39%, versus a 36.3% return for the S&P 500.
Instead of looking just at how much profit a company is likely to make or how much debt it has on its books, ESG funds also consider what a company is doing about climate change, whether it has an inclusive workplace culture and how tightly a CEO’s pay is correlated to the company’s long-term health, among other considerations.
The industry’s argument is that companies scoring poorly on environmental, social and governance issues are likely riskier investments and more prone to losses. And in investing, minimizing losses can be even more important than finding big winners.
The “E” in ESG investing often got the most attention in the past. By avoiding companies with poor track records on the environment, ESG investors were looking to minimize the risk of owning stocks that could get hit with big fines or by big regulatory decisions that could sink their profits.
This pandemic, though, is shining a brighter spotlight on how companies are doing on social and governance issues. Companies with more satisfied workforces, for example, may be better able to get quicker buy-in as they shift strategies and operations in the new normal.
The pandemic has also demonstrated in cold terms many of the shortcomings of the U.S. labor market, such as how many workers don’t have access to paid sick leave. That could set the stage for more pressure from Washington for more generous pay or benefits, which would raise labor costs for some companies. These are issues that ESG investors have already long been considering.
More recently, all the anger around the country about racism may also bring more attention to diversity among companies’ workforces, executive ranks and board rooms, another longstanding issue for ESG investors.
If anything, the pandemic will likely increase the flow of dollars into ESG funds, industry analysts say. The conviction is strong enough that analysts at BofA Global Research recently upgraded their rating for Eaton Vance in part on expectations for increased flows into the Calvert family of ESG funds that it owns.
“Going forward, investors will likely have even less tolerance for bad corporate citizens - funding those businesses will become expensive and capital could prove scarce,” Michael Baldinger, head of sustainable and impact investing at UBS Asset Management wrote in a recent report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--24 arrested in connection with Boston drug investigation

BOSTON ( AP ) - Two dozen members and associates of Boston street gangs are facing charges in connection with a nearly two-year investigation into drug trafficking at a city public housing project , federal prosecutors say .
Federal and state law enforcement executed 17 search warrants in various city neighborhoods and suburbs on Wednesday and seized about 30 firearms , a half kilogram of cocaine and $ 350,000 in cash , according to a statement Wednesday from the U.S. attorney ’ s office .
Operation Snowfall started in November 2018 as an investigation into drug trafficking at the housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood .
Authorities allege the gangs had control over several apartments , where they stored , cooked , packaged and sold drugs .
The second part of the investigation targeted drug suppliers and their associates who continued to distribute cocaine throughout the coronavirus pandemic , authorities said .
Over the course of the investigation , agents purchased and seized approximately 1.7 kilograms of cocaine and about 27 pounds ( 12 kilograms ) of marijuana .
“ This operation will greatly improve quality of life for our neighborhoods and protect the health and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said in a statement .
All 24 defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base .

BOSTON (AP) - Two dozen members and associates of Boston street gangs are facing charges in connection with a nearly two-year investigation into drug trafficking at a city public housing project, federal prosecutors say.
Federal and state law enforcement executed 17 search warrants in various city neighborhoods and suburbs on Wednesday and seized about 30 firearms, a half kilogram of cocaine and $350,000 in cash, according to a statement Wednesday from the U.S. attorney’s office.
Operation Snowfall started in November 2018 as an investigation into drug trafficking at the housing complex in the city’s Brighton neighborhood.
Authorities allege the gangs had control over several apartments, where they stored, cooked, packaged and sold drugs.
The second part of the investigation targeted drug suppliers and their associates who continued to distribute cocaine throughout the coronavirus pandemic, authorities said.
Over the course of the investigation, agents purchased and seized approximately 1.7 kilograms of cocaine and about 27 pounds (12 kilograms) of marijuana.
“This operation will greatly improve quality of life for our neighborhoods and protect the health and safety of those affected by drug addiction,” Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said in a statement.
All 24 defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Bus crash in Polish capital kills 1, injures about 20 others

WARSAW , Poland ( AP ) - A Warsaw city bus crashed through a barrier on a highway overpass on @ @ @ @ @ concrete embankment below , killing at least one person and injuring about 20 others , @ @ @ @ @ the injured people were hospitalized in serious condition , Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski said .
@ @ @ @ @ a candidate in a weekend presidential election , suspended his campaigning outside of the capital @ @ @ @ @ of the crash .
The articulated bus appeared to split in half , with the @ @ @ @ @ side on the embankment after it slammed through the barrier and plunged several meters below @ @ @ @ @ bus was left dangling above on the railings with a gaping tear in the middle @ @ @ @ @ believe the bus driver might have lost control after suddenly becoming weak , but warned @ @ @ @ @ ongoing .
He said the driver was young and the bus was a year old @ @ @ @ @ , but wasn ’ t in serious condition , police said .

WARSAW, Poland (AP) - A Warsaw city bus crashed through a barrier on a highway overpass on Thursday and fell onto a concrete embankment below, killing at least one person and injuring about 20 others, authorities said.
Five of the injured people were hospitalized in serious condition, Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski said.
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, a candidate in a weekend presidential election, suspended his campaigning outside of the capital and went to the scene of the crash.
The articulated bus appeared to split in half, with the front section resting on its side on the embankment after it slammed through the barrier and plunged several meters below. The back of the bus was left dangling above on the railings with a gaping tear in the middle section.
Trzaskowski said investigators believe the bus driver might have lost control after suddenly becoming weak, but warned that the investigation was still ongoing. He said the driver was young and the bus was a year old.
The driver was hospitalized, but wasn’t in serious condition, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Indictment: Wife stabbed man nearly 200 times, killed him

DAYTON , Ohio ( AP ) - A woman accused of stabbing her 82-year-old husband 192 times earlier this month has been indicted on murder charges , authorities said .
Vivian Lanette Mims , 63 , of Dayton , was also charged with felonious assault with repeat violent offender specifications in the indictment handed up Wednesday .
The latter count apparently stemmed from an incident seven years ago in which she also stabbed and seriously injured Bobby Mims .
Bobby Mims was found dead in a parked car on June 16 after a man told Dayton police his mother had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to harm herself , authorities said .
Responding officers said Vivian Mims was trying to ingest bleach .
It wasn ’ t known Thursday if Vivian Mims has retained an attorney .
A possible motive for the fatal stabbing has not been disclosed .
She was previously accused of stabbing her husband with a knife in Englewood in January 2013 , The Dayton Daily News reported .
She initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in that case but eventually pleaded guilty to felonious assault , and her probation term was ended @ @ @ @

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - A woman accused of stabbing her 82-year-old husband 192 times earlier this month has been indicted on murder charges, authorities said.
Vivian Lanette Mims, 63, of Dayton, was also charged with felonious assault with repeat violent offender specifications in the indictment handed up Wednesday. The latter count apparently stemmed from an incident seven years ago in which she also stabbed and seriously injured Bobby Mims.
Bobby Mims was found dead in a parked car on June 16 after a man told Dayton police his mother had admitted killing his father and was trying to harm herself, authorities said. Responding officers said Vivian Mims was trying to ingest bleach.
It wasn’t known Thursday if Vivian Mims has retained an attorney. A possible motive for the fatal stabbing has not been disclosed.
She was previously accused of stabbing her husband with a knife in Englewood in January 2013, The Dayton Daily News reported. She initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in that case but eventually pleaded guilty to felonious assault, and her probation term was ended in May 2016.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Agassiz dropped from greenway project over racist writings

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - A plan to name a greenway project associated with the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion @ @ @ @ @ geologist has been scrapped after government leaders learned about his writings on white supremacy .
@ @ @ @ @ , the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments , proposed calling it Agassiz Greenway , after @ @ @ @ @ s the scientist for whom glacial Lake Agassiz was named and whose name is associated @ @ @ @ @ buildings in the region .
KFGO reports that soon after the name was made public @ @ @ @ @ council and its project partners began receiving feedback about Agassiz .
“ Unbeknownst to anyone @ @ @ @ @ Louis Agassiz was a proponent of scientific racism and wrote prolifically on issues of white @ @ @ @ @ s , ” the council said .
It ’ s working on a new name @ @ @ @ @ to include seasonal recreational trails and native habitats .

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A plan to name a greenway project associated with the Fargo-Moorhead flood diversion after a prominent 19th century geologist has been scrapped after government leaders learned about his writings on white supremacy.
The agency leading the project, the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments, proposed calling it Agassiz Greenway, after Louis Agassiz. He’s the scientist for whom glacial Lake Agassiz was named and whose name is associated with organizations, businesses and buildings in the region.
KFGO reports that soon after the name was made public earlier this month, the council and its project partners began receiving feedback about Agassiz.
“Unbeknownst to anyone on our project team, Louis Agassiz was a proponent of scientific racism and wrote prolifically on issues of white supremacy in the 1800’s,” the council said. It’s working on a new name.
The greenway is designed to include seasonal recreational trails and native habitats.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Maryland to award $300K for newspaper shooting memorial

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
( AP ) - Maryland is set to award $ 300,000 for the construction of a @ @ @ @ @ a deadly shooting at a newspaper office .
The state plans to award the funds @ @ @ @ @ that will be located in an Annapolis park and pay tribute to slain Capital Gazette @ @ @ @ @ Fischman , Wendi Winters , Rob Hiaasen and Rebecca Smith , the newspaper reported .
@ @ @ @ @ Guardians of Free Speech , ” will include five pillars in front of the text @ @ @ @ @ in stone , the newspaper said .
The project is set to be unveiled in @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the shooting in which authorities said a man with a history of harassing @ @ @ @ @ into the Annapolis newsroom and opened fire .

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland is set to award $300,000 for the construction of a memorial honoring the victims of a deadly shooting at a newspaper office.
The state plans to award the funds next week for a memorial that will be located in an Annapolis park and pay tribute to slain Capital Gazette employees John McNamara, Gerald Fischman, Wendi Winters, Rob Hiaasen and Rebecca Smith, the newspaper reported.
The memorial, called “Guardians of Free Speech,” will include five pillars in front of the text of the First Amendment carved in stone, the newspaper said.
The project is set to be unveiled in June 2021 on the three-year anniversary of the shooting in which authorities said a man with a history of harassing people at the paper burst into the Annapolis newsroom and opened fire.
Jarrod Ramos pleaded guilty in the killings.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Commissioner: No 'spying' by so-called fusion center

PORTLAND , Maine ( AP ) - Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Saushuck told lawmakers that a secretive state police unit gathered information on Maine citizens involved in legal activities but insisted “ we ’ re not spying on people.
” Legislators on the Judiciary , and Criminal Justice and Public Safety committees spent more than two hours asking questions about the so-called fusion center created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to collect , analyze and share intelligence between the state and federal government .
Sauschuck repeatedly insisted that the center is not an investigative agency and that it gathers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two hours , the Portland Press Herald reported .
“ We ’ re not spying on people , ” Sauschuck said .
“ This is public information that is readily available.
” Still , he did confirm that the fusion center collected information in advance of protests and rallies , using social media , for example , to estimate the potential size of a gathering .
The activities of the Maine Intelligence Analysis Center came under scrutiny after a federal whistleblower lawsuit alleged that the unit gathered and stored intelligence on gun buyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a camp for Israeli and Arab teens .

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A secretive state police unit gathered information on Maine citizens involved in legal activities but insisted they “we’re not spying on people,” Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Saushuck told lawmakers.
Legislators on the Judiciary, and Criminal Justice and Public Safety committees spent more than two hours asking questions about the so-called fusion center created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to collect, analyze and share intelligence between the state and federal government.
Sauschuck repeatedly insisted that the center is not an investigative agency and that it gathers open-source information as lawmakers asked questions for two hours, the Portland Press Herald reported.
“We’re not spying on people,” Sauschuck said. “This is public information that is readily available.”
Still, he did confirm that the fusion center collected information in advance of protests and rallies, using social media, for example, to estimate the potential size of a gathering.
The activities of the Maine Intelligence Analysis Center came under scrutiny after a federal whistleblower lawsuit alleged that the unit gathered and stored intelligence on gun buyers, power line protesters, and employees of a camp for Israeli and Arab teens.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Hawaii pays $15.8M for potentially fraudulent jobless claims

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii said Thursday it paid $ 15.8 million in benefits for potentially fraudulent jobless claims under a U.S. government program providing funds to independent contractors and self-employed individuals unable to work because of the coronavirus pandemic .
State Department of Labor and Industrial relations spokesman William Knustman said the agency reversed the payments in cases where the money had not yet been withdrawn from accounts they had been deposited in .
It was turning over information on the potentially fraudulent claims to the state attorney general and the U.S. Department of Labor for prosecution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in potentially fraudulent payments for claims made under the program , called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA .
The department said 5,989 people reported that they were victims of identity theft after they received a letter regarding their eligibility for benefits under this program .
Knustman said he did not have figures for the number of fraudulent claims filed under the unemployment insurance program that covers employees .
He said fraud under this program was more minimal because eligibility requirements are more strict .
Washington state was among the first to be targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
In May , it said it paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in fake claims .
Much of it apparently went to a West African fraud ring using identities stolen in prior data breaches , such as the massive 2017 Equifax breach .
Hawaii has received 238,438 unemployment claims since March 1 .
Nearly 70,000 of those were found to be invalid .
It has processed and paid 93 % of the valid claims to date .
The state ’ s unemployment rate stood at 22.6 % in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Nevada ’ s .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii said Thursday it paid $15.8 million in benefits for potentially fraudulent jobless claims under a U.S. government program providing funds to independent contractors and self-employed individuals unable to work because of the coronavirus pandemic.
State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations spokesman William Knustman said the agency reversed the payments in cases where the money had not yet been withdrawn from accounts they had been deposited in. It was turning over information on the potentially fraudulent claims to the state attorney general and the U.S. Department of Labor for prosecution.
The agency blocked another $76.6 million in potentially fraudulent payments for claims made under the program, called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA.
The department said 5,989 people reported that they were victims of identity theft after they received a letter regarding their eligibility for benefits under this program.
Knustman said he did not have figures for the number of fraudulent claims filed under the unemployment insurance program that covers employees. He said fraud under this program was more minimal because eligibility requirements are more strict.
Washington state was among the first to be targeted by these types of fraudulent claims during the pandemic. In May, it said it paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in fake claims. Much of it apparently went to a West African fraud ring using identities stolen in prior data breaches, such as the massive 2017 Equifax breach.
Hawaii has received 238,438 unemployment claims since March 1. Nearly 70,000 of those were found to be invalid. It has processed and paid 93% of the valid claims to date.
The state’s unemployment rate stood at 22.6% in May, the second highest in the country after Nevada’s.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Brazil championship to kick off in August despite pandemic

SAO PAULO ( AP ) - Brazilian soccer clubs have decided to start the country ’ s main championship on Aug. 9 , despite the concern of health experts who predict the coronavirus pandemic could be peaking in the country at that time .
The top-flight competition was initially scheduled to begin in May but was postponed because of the outbreak of COVID-19 .
Brazil ’ s soccer confederation issued a statement Thursday saying the agreement on the dates and on health protocols came in a meeting with representatives of all 40 clubs of the two main divisions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities .
More than 55,000 have died from COVID-19 in Brazil and about 1.2 million people have been infected , second only to the United States .
Confirmed cases are still rising .
The Brazilian soccer confederation said 19 of the 20 clubs in the top flight were open to playing in other cities if their hometowns are considered not safe enough by health authorities .
Soccer made a partial return last week in the country after a three-month suspension , but only local league games in the state of Rio de Janeiro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only contemplating a return next month .
Players and sports executives who think it is too risky to start playing are still protesting and appealing to local sports courts .
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and powerful Rio club Flamengo have been lobbying for the return of soccer since May .

SAO PAULO (AP) - Brazilian soccer clubs have decided to start the country’s main championship on Aug. 9, despite the concern of health experts who predict the coronavirus pandemic could be peaking in the country at that time.
The top-flight competition was initially scheduled to begin in May but was postponed because of the outbreak of COVID-19.
Brazil’s soccer confederation issued a statement Thursday saying the agreement on the dates and on health protocols came in a meeting with representatives of all 40 clubs of the two main divisions. The restart will depend on clearances from health authorities.
More than 55,000 have died from COVID-19 in Brazil and about 1.2 million people have been infected, second only to the United States. Confirmed cases are still rising.
The Brazilian soccer confederation said 19 of the 20 clubs in the top flight were open to playing in other cities if their hometowns are considered not safe enough by health authorities.
Soccer made a partial return last week in the country after a three-month suspension, but only local league games in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Clubs in other state leagues are only contemplating a return next month.
Players and sports executives who think it is too risky to start playing are still protesting and appealing to local sports courts.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and powerful Rio club Flamengo have been lobbying for the return of soccer since May.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Oregon lawmakers plow through COVID, police bills

SALEM , Ore. ( AP ) - The Capitol doors may be closed to the public during Oregon ’ s special legislative session , but there was no shortage of public comment - via phone and computer - about bills dealing with hot button issues Thursday .
The second day of legislative session moved at a crawling pace , as lawmakers spent six hours , sitting in their individual offices , listening to testimony from dozens of officials , lobbyists and residents , regarding proposed policies dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and police accountability .
Senate President Peter Courtney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who signed up to speak was “ quite remarkable.
” Around 50 people alone signed up to speak about House Bill 4212 - there were 15 bills in total on Thursday ’ s joint committee agenda - which covers a list of provisions for entities operating during the coronavirus outbreak .
The provisions included protecting business owners , who are following state COVID-19 safety guidelines , from liability , authorizing governing bodies to conduct public meetings virtually , the return of recreational sports during phase 2 reopening plans and authorizing the presiding judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and postpone trials .
The coronavirus bill wasn ’ t the only focus .
Policies surrounding police accountability were discussed at length .
Measures being considered include : a ban on choke holds ; creating a statewide police discipline database ; a requirement that police report misconduct or unethical acts of other officers ; prohibit the use of tear gas ; and a measure to have the Oregon attorney general lead investigations when police use of force results in death or serious injury .
There was no major push back on the bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officials , and many echoed the same message – the policies are a step in the right direction , but there is still much that needs to be done .
“ “ These bills are a start , ” Sen. James Manning , D-Eugene .
“ These are accountability bills , but I agree with some of the speakers that they do not go far enough.
” While none of these bills made it to chamber floors Thursday , the House of Representatives did pass four other bills in the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill 4202 and 4211 , making technical fixes to recent measures to raise tax money to pay for public schools ; House Bill 4206 which would allow the state to set up a meat inspection program ; and House Bill 4209 which would let a regional economic development board in Eastern Oregon put into action grant , loan and incentive programs to local businesses .
By 4:29 p.m. the public testimony was completed and Sen. Courtney told his colleagues that it was time for a brief recess .
“ Get some rest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , ” he said .
“ Because , while this accomplished a lot , that was just half of it.
” The group planned to return , this time to the Capitol , at 6 p.m. , to begin the “ working ” part of the session where lawmakers would discuss and vote on the bills , so they could go to each full chamber – a task that needed to be completed that night , Courtney said .

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - The Capitol doors may be closed to the public during Oregon’s special legislative session, but there was no shortage of public comment - via phone and computer - about bills dealing with hot button issues Thursday.
The second day of legislative session moved at a crawling pace, as lawmakers spent six hours, sitting in their individual offices, listening to testimony from dozens of officials, lobbyists and residents, regarding proposed policies dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and police accountability.
Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said the number of people who signed up to speak was “quite remarkable.”
Around 50 people alone signed up to speak about House Bill 4212 - there were 15 bills in total on Thursday’s joint committee agenda - which covers a list of provisions for entities operating during the coronavirus outbreak.
The provisions included protecting business owners, who are following state COVID-19 safety guidelines, from liability, authorizing governing bodies to conduct public meetings virtually, the return of recreational sports during phase 2 reopening plans and authorizing the presiding judge of a circuit court to extend custody and postpone trials.
The coronavirus bill wasn’t the only focus. Policies surrounding police accountability were discussed at length.
Measures being considered include: a ban on choke holds; creating a statewide police discipline database; a requirement that police report misconduct or unethical acts of other officers; prohibit the use of tear gas; and a measure to have the Oregon attorney general lead investigations when police use of force results in death or serious injury.
There was no major push back on the bills, during the public testimony that included law enforcement officials, and many echoed the same message – the policies are a step in the right direction, but there is still much that needs to be done.
““These bills are a start,” Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene. “These are accountability bills, but I agree with some of the speakers that they do not go far enough.”
While none of these bills made it to chamber floors Thursday, the House of Representatives did pass four other bills in the morning, the Statesman Journal reported; House Bill 4202 and 4211, making technical fixes to recent measures to raise tax money to pay for public schools; House Bill 4206 which would allow the state to set up a meat inspection program; and House Bill 4209 which would let a regional economic development board in Eastern Oregon put into action grant, loan and incentive programs to local businesses.
By 4:29 p.m. the public testimony was completed and Sen. Courtney told his colleagues that it was time for a brief recess.
“Get some rest and food by the (time we return),” he said. “Because, while this accomplished a lot, that was just half of it.”
The group planned to return, this time to the Capitol, at 6 p.m., to begin the “working” part of the session where lawmakers would discuss and vote on the bills, so they could go to each full chamber – a task that needed to be completed that night, Courtney said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--11 Texas immigration detainees test positive for COVID-19

DALLAS ( AP ) - Eleven detainees at a South Texas family detention center have tested positive for the novel @ @ @ @ @ Enforcement reported Thursday .
The outbreak was reported at the center near Karnes City , @ @ @ @ @ kilometers ) southeast of San Antonio .
Starting Monday , all of the center ’ @ @ @ @ @ COVID—19 , the illness the coronavirus causes , according to court monitor Andrea Ordin .
@ @ @ @ @ results Thursday , and all 11 detainees who tested positive showed no symptoms but were @ @ @ @ @ are being monitored for any symptoms .
It was unclear how many were tested , @ @ @ @ @ capacity of 830 residents .
The 11 found to be affected comprise parents and children @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman for the immigrant advocacy group RAICES .
Those isolated have only limited access to @ @ @ @ @ she said .

DALLAS (AP) - Eleven detainees at a South Texas family detention center have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported Thursday.
The outbreak was reported at the center near Karnes City, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio.
Starting Monday, all of the center’s detainees were tested for COVID—19, the illness the coronavirus causes, according to court monitor Andrea Ordin. ICE officials reported the test results Thursday, and all 11 detainees who tested positive showed no symptoms but were placed under medical isolation and are being monitored for any symptoms.
It was unclear how many were tested, but the center has a capacity of 830 residents.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Asia Today: China reports further decline in new virus cases

BEIJING ( AP ) - China reported a further decline in newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Friday , with 13 cases .
Eleven were in Beijing , where mass testing has been carried out following an outbreak that appears to have been largely brought under control .
The other two cases were brought by Chinese travelers from overseas , according to the National Health Council .
No new deaths were reported and 389 people remained in treatment for COVID-19 , with another 107 in isolation .
Case numbers both nationally and in Beijing were down from Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 83,462 total cases .
This month ’ s outbreak in Beijing has seen 260 people infected , most of them with links to the city ’ s biggest wholesale market , leading authorities to lock down some communities and cancel classes .
Since then , 3 million test samples have been taken from 2.43 million people in the city .
New regulations on managing risks to prevent additional outbreaks issued by China ’ s Cabinet , the State Council , include a demand that unreasonable restrictions beyond regular prevention and control measures in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that measures that cause “ vile influence ” will be exposed in the media , the regulations state .
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region : - South Korea reported 39 new cases , mostly from the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area where officials have been struggling to stem transmissions amid increased public activity and eased attitudes on social distancing .
South Korea was considered an anti-virus success story after containing an outbreak during February and March surrounding the southeastern city of Daegu .
However , the country has been seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to ease social distancing guidelines and reopen schools starting in May .
The update from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday brought national totals to 12,602 cases , including 282 deaths .
Twelve of the new cases were linked to international arrivals .

NEW DELHI (AP) - India neared half a million confirmed coronavirus cases Friday with its biggest 24-hour spike of 17,296 new infections, prompting a delay in resumption of regular train services of more than a month.
The new cases took India’s total to 490,401. The Health Ministry also reported 407 more deaths in the previous 24 hours, taking its total fatalities to 15,301.
The ministry said the recovery rate was continuing to improve at 57.43%. Also, deaths per 100,000 stood at 1.86 against the world average of 6.24 per 100,000, it said.
The actual numbers of infections and deaths from COVID-19, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be far higher due to a number of reasons including limited testing.
Indian Railways was due to resume regular train service on June 30 but said Thursday that it wouldn’t fully resume until Aug. 12. Trains were halted when the government declared a nationwide lockdown in late March. Special trains linking main cities have been running since mid-May as part of an easing of the lockdown.
Domestic flights have resumed on selected routes, but a government decision on restarting international flights is expected next month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to strictly observe social distancing and wear face masks, saying such precautions are the only option available until a vaccine is developed.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- Authorities in Thailand are expected next week to extend a coronavirus state of emergency that critics say has been used to silence political dissent. The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration said it will consider the issue Monday and the Cabinet will decide on its recommendation on Tuesday. The National Security Council declared Thursday it will recommend that the emergency decree be extended at least until July 31. The decree allows the government to implement curfews, censor the media and disperse gatherings. The government has used it to arrest many people for breaking a now-lifted curfew, and recently employed it to arrest political activists for the vaguely defined offense of “instigating unrest.” The COVID-19 center will also recommend whether to allow the gradual return of foreign visitors and the reopening of virtually all businesses and schools not already operating. Thailand announced four new COVID-19 cases on Friday, all brought from outside the country, bringing its total to 3,162, including 58 deaths.
- Australia reported 37 new cases, including 30 in Victoria state, where health authorities are scrambling to contain an outbreak. Authorities said they tested 20,000 people after going door-to-door in Melbourne suburbs Thursday in their attempts to stamp out the virus. In Sydney, a 12-year-old student tested positive, forcing the closure of his school for cleaning. New Zealand, meanwhile, reported one new virus case from a returning traveler. New Zealand has 14 active cases, all of them returning travelers who remain quarantined.
- South Korea reported 39 new cases, mostly from the Seoul metropolitan area where officials have been struggling to stem transmissions. South Korea was considered an anti-virus success story after containing an outbreak during February and March surrounding the southeastern city of Daegu. However, the country has been seeing an uptick in new infections since authorities moved to ease social distancing guidelines and reopen schools starting in May. The update from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday brought national totals to 12,602 cases, including 282 deaths. Twelve of the new cases were linked to international arrivals.
- China reported a further decline in new cases Friday, with 13. Eleven were in Beijing, where mass testing has been done following an outbreak that appears to have been largely brought under control. The other two cases were brought by Chinese travelers from overseas, according to the National Health Council. This month’s outbreak in Beijing has seen 260 people infected, leading authorities to lock down some communities and cancel classes. Since then, 3 million test samples have been taken from 2.43 million people.
- Japan’s capital confirmed 54 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday, a level which is raising concerns about the possible need for additional cautionary steps. Japan lifted a seven-week state of emergency in late May, and social and business activity has since largely resumed. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike said the daily increase in cases is rather high, but the city’s hospitals and medical systems have not been overwhelmed. Most of Friday’s new cases were people in their 20s and 30s, Koike said. She said many recent cases are linked to workplaces and nightclubs. Tokyo has reported 5,997 cases and 325 deaths, about one-third the national total.
- Japan’s minister of science and technology, who is tasked with promoting the country’s digital transformation, acknowledged Friday that he also headed a group promoting the use of traditional “hanko” seals, which many say have forced employees to continue working in offices during the pandemic because of the need to stamp official documents with them. Naokazu Takemoto said he resigned last month as chairman of the parliamentary group promoting hanko culture to prevent the “misunderstanding” that he was dragging his feet on digitalization to protect the hanko industry. Most adults in Japan have personalized hanko seals with their family name carved in Chinese characters for use on official documents. The government is promoting long-overdue digitalization at work and at schools, but the coronavirus pandemic has revealed that the country, despite its many high-tech companies, still relies heavily on hanko and faxes.
- East Java has surpassed Jakarta as the Indonesian region with the most confirmed coronavirus cases. On Friday, the National Task Force for COVID-19 Mitigation reported 10,901 cases and 796 deaths in East Java. Jakarta reported 10,796 cases and 616 deaths. President Jokowi Widodo visited East Java on Thursday and urged the local government to do more to control the outbreak. The government announced 1,240 new cases throughout Indonesia on Friday, bringing the total to 51,427 with 2,683 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Lawsuit by scholar's family against counselors dismissed

URBANA , Ill. ( AP ) - A central Illinois judge has dismissed for a second time a lawsuit filed by the estate of a slain visiting Chinese scholar against two social workers at a University of Illinois counseling center .
Champaign County Circuit Judge Jason Bohm wrote Wednesday what happened to Yingying Zhang was unconscionable .
However , counselors Thomas Miebach and Jennifer Maupin didn ’ t cause or contribute to her death .
Zhang ’ s family has argued Miebach and Maupin should have done more when Brendt Christensen told them months before her disappearance of his fascination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items to move and dispose of a body “ To be sure , Christensen made disturbingly ugly comments to Miebach and Maupin , ” Bohm wrote .
However , “ the law can not impose upon mental health professionals a duty to break their patient ’ s confidence simply because what the patient reveals is revolting.
” After a similar federal lawsuit was dismissed in December , it was refiled in January in state court and the university again moved to have it dismissed .
Christensen was found guilty of abducting Zhang from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then raping , choking and stabbing her before beating her to death with a bat and decapitating her .
He is serving a life sentence .

URBANA, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois judge has dismissed for a second time a lawsuit filed by the estate of a slain visiting Chinese scholar against two social workers at a University of Illinois counseling center.
Champaign County Circuit Judge Jason Bohm wrote Wednesday what happened to Yingying Zhang was unconscionable. However, counselors Thomas Miebach and Jennifer Maupin didn’t cause or contribute to her death.
Zhang’s family has argued Miebach and Maupin should have done more when Brendt Christensen told them months before her disappearance of his fascination with serial killers and he had purchased items to move and dispose of a body
“To be sure, Christensen made disturbingly ugly comments to Miebach and Maupin,” Bohm wrote. However, “the law cannot impose upon mental health professionals a duty to break their patient’s confidence simply because what the patient reveals is revolting.”
After a similar federal lawsuit was dismissed in December, it was refiled in January in state court and the university again moved to have it dismissed.
Christensen was found guilty of abducting Zhang from a bus stop in June 2017, then raping, choking and stabbing her before beating her to death with a bat and decapitating her. He is serving a life sentence.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Women's World Cup heads to a welcome Down Under in 2023

WELLINGTON , New Zealand ( AP ) - The Women ’ s World Cup is heading to Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after a concentrated effort by the joint bidders to secure the global soccer event in the southern hemisphere for the first time .
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern , the mother of a 2-year-old daughter who should be old enough to watch some of the action live in three years , worked the phones overnight in a bid to lobby any members of the FIFA Council who hadn ’ t made up their mind .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-hosted by members of different confederations .
Australia joined the Asian confederation after qualifying for the 2006 men ’ s World Cup , leaving New Zealand as the largest member of the Oceania confederation .
Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged the full financial support of their respective governments , a fact not lost on the Asian Football Confederation president .
“ I am sure that they will prove to be the perfect hosts , ” AFC leader Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said .
“ They are two extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the ‘ commercially favorable proposition ’ they offered , Australia and New Zealand have the overwhelming financial and public commitment of the governments.
” The 22-13 vote of the FIFA ’ s Council to award the tournament New Zealand and Australia was announced just before 4 a.m. Friday in New Zealand - 2 a.m. on Australia ’ s east coast .
Players and officials watched live from both sides of the Tasman Sea that separates the neighboring countries , which are more globally renowned for their rugby teams .
New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played at four World Cups , posted a photo on Twitter of her tears of joy .
The tournament is already being billed as the largest sporting event New Zealand has hosted .
The potential audience of more than 1 billion , according to FIFA , would outstrip the 2011 Rugby World Cup or the 2015 Cricket World Cup it co-hosted with Australia .
New Zealand previously has hosted the under-17 women ’ s World Cup and the under-20 men ’ s tournament and had hoped , after the success of those events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women ’ s World Cup .
But the enlargement of the tournament from 24 to 32 teams encouraged the Kiwis to form a joint bid with Australia .
FIFA ranked the Australia-New Zealand bid highest on technical merit , ahead of rivals from Japan and Colombia .
When Japan pulled out earlier this week , the trans-Tasman bid became the favorite .
New Zealand will host the opening match and opening ceremony at Auckland ’ s Eden Park , will accommodate four of the tournaments eight groups and will host quarterfinal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sydney , Australia ’ s largest city .
“ It will be a historic tournament of firsts that will create a profound and enduring legacy for women ’ s football in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond , ” Ardern said .
“ We are looking forward to delivering the best ever FIFA Women ’ s World Cup in both nations , one that will elevate the women ’ s game and inspire women and girls around the world.
” Riley said she relished the chance to play her fifth World Cup in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Football Ferns in a home FIFA Women ’ s World Cup in New Zealand will be truly special and inspire a new generation , ” she said .
Lydia Williams , goalkeeper for Australia ’ s women ’ s team , said the nerves were intense as the players spent the early morning hours awaiting the decision .
“ I ’ ve never sweated so much in non-training situations , ever , ” Williams said .
“ It ’ s about time there were some really good news .
Especially in Australia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s happening .
” Not everyone on Australia ’ s side of the Tasman Sea was pleased with how the vote transpired .
Football Federation Australia chief executive James Johnson described the English Football Association ’ s decision to vote against the New Zealand and Australia bid as “ quite disrespectful.
” English FA chairman Greg Clarke ’ s vote was part of a block decision by Europe in favor of the South American bid .
UEFA said in a statement its vote for Colombia was an attempt to try to increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South America .
“ It was a process that was , I think , run very well by FIFA … we scored very highly on a report that was an objective report , ” Johnson told Fox Sports Australia .
“ We know now what the voting was like , and I must say we are disappointed with the way that the FA voted.
” Hours later and on reflection , Johnson was in a better mood .
“ We always tried to maintain a high level of integrity , so there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson said .
“ It is a great moment for the country , a great moment for Australian football .
We can ’ t wait to host it .
”

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - The Women’s World Cup is heading to Australia and New Zealand in 2023 after a concentrated effort by the joint bidders to secure the global soccer event in the southern hemisphere for the first time.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the mother of a 2-year-old daughter who should be old enough to watch some of the action live in three years, worked the phones overnight in a bid to lobby any members of the FIFA Council who hadn’t made up their mind.
It will be the first-of-a-kind World Cup, co-hosted by members of different confederations. Australia joined the Asian confederation after qualifying for the 2006 men’s World Cup, leaving New Zealand as the largest member of the Oceania confederation.
Ardern and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged the full financial support of their respective governments, a fact not lost on the Asian Football Confederation president.
“I am sure that they will prove to be the perfect hosts,” AFC leader Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said. “They are two extremely well-connected, safe and modern countries and as well as the ‘commercially favorable proposition’ they offered, Australia and New Zealand have the overwhelming financial and public commitment of the governments.”
The 22-13 vote of the FIFA’s Council to award the tournament New Zealand and Australia was announced just before 4 a.m. Friday in New Zealand - 2 a.m. on Australia’s east coast. Players and officials watched live from both sides of the Tasman Sea that separates the neighboring countries, which are more globally renowned for their rugby teams.
New Zealand captain Ali Riley, who has played at four World Cups, posted a photo on Twitter of her tears of joy.
The tournament is already being billed as the largest sporting event New Zealand has hosted. The potential audience of more than 1 billion, according to FIFA, would outstrip the 2011 Rugby World Cup or the 2015 Cricket World Cup it co-hosted with Australia.
New Zealand previously has hosted the under-17 women’s World Cup and the under-20 men’s tournament and had hoped, after the success of those events, to make a solo bid for the women’s World Cup. But the enlargement of the tournament from 24 to 32 teams encouraged the Kiwis to form a joint bid with Australia.
FIFA ranked the Australia-New Zealand bid highest on technical merit, ahead of rivals from Japan and Colombia. When Japan pulled out earlier this week, the trans-Tasman bid became the favorite.
New Zealand will host the opening match and opening ceremony at Auckland’s Eden Park, will accommodate four of the tournaments eight groups and will host quarterfinal and semifinal matches. The final will be in Sydney, Australia’s largest city.
“It will be a historic tournament of firsts that will create a profound and enduring legacy for women’s football in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,” Ardern said. “We are looking forward to delivering the best ever FIFA Women’s World Cup in both nations, one that will elevate the women’s game and inspire women and girls around the world.”
Riley said she relished the chance to play her fifth World Cup in her homeland.
“To lead the Football Ferns in a home FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand will be truly special and inspire a new generation,” she said.
Lydia Williams, goalkeeper for Australia’s women’s team, said the nerves were intense as the players spent the early morning hours awaiting the decision.
“I’ve never sweated so much in non-training situations, ever,” Williams said. “It’s about time there were some really good news. Especially in Australia, with football, and everything that’s happening. ”
Not everyone on Australia’s side of the Tasman Sea was pleased with how the vote transpired.
Football Federation Australia chief executive James Johnson described the English Football Association’s decision to vote against the New Zealand and Australia bid as “quite disrespectful.”
English FA chairman Greg Clarke’s vote was part of a block decision by Europe in favor of the South American bid. UEFA said in a statement its vote for Colombia was an attempt to try to increase the growth of the women’s game in South America.
“It was a process that was, I think, run very well by FIFA … we scored very highly on a report that was an objective report,” Johnson told Fox Sports Australia. “We know now what the voting was like, and I must say we are disappointed with the way that the FA voted.”
Australia captain Sam Kerr, who plays for Chelsea in the English league and is one of the global stars of women’s football, stayed up late in Perth to watch the bid announcement.
“When I first started in the Matildas we could barely get a home friendly match, and now we’re going to be hosting the biggest tournament in women’s football,” Kerr said Friday. “A lot of people have said Australia is not a (soccer) nation. We’re going to show them that’s wrong.”
___
Dennis Passa reported from Brisbane, Australia.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Donald Trump: Rioters, anarchists 'want to destabilize our country'

Those tearing down statues across the country are anarchists that are aiming to create unrest instead of spreading an actual message , President Trump said on Thursday .
Mr. Trump told Fox News ’ s Sean Hannity the vandalism , destruction , arson , and violence that is taking place across the country are happening in Democrat-run cities like Chicago and Seattle .
The rioting and protesting has continued on and off in major cities since Memorial Day weekend when George Floyd , a Black man , was killed by a White police officer in Minneapolis .
“ They want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president said .
“ Joe Biden would have that be the whole country , ” Mr. Trump added .
“ That man can ’ t speak.
” Black Lives Matter protesters have been toppling confederate statues across the country and have recently moved towards tearing down other monuments , even those honoring abolitionists .
In Seattle , protesters took over a police precinct and roughly six blocks in one downtown neighborhood , not allowing police and city officials to access the territory .
Another group tried to set up a similar occupy zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to get Jesus , ” the president said , referencing a comment by Shaun King , a Black Lives Matter activist , who called for statues of White Jesus to be taken down earlier this week .

Those tearing down statues across the country are anarchists that are aiming to create unrest instead of spreading an actual message, President Trump said on Thursday.
Mr. Trump told Fox News’s Sean Hannity the vandalism, destruction, arson, and violence that is taking place across the country are happening in Democrat-run cities like Chicago and Seattle.
The rioting and protesting has continued on and off in major cities since Memorial Day weekend when George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a White police officer in Minneapolis.
“They want to destabilize our country,” the president said.
“Joe Biden would have that be the whole country,” Mr. Trump added. “That man can’t speak.”
Black Lives Matter protesters have been toppling confederate statues across the country and have recently moved towards tearing down other monuments, even those honoring abolitionists.
In Seattle, protesters took over a police precinct and roughly six blocks in one downtown neighborhood, not allowing police and city officials to access the territory. Another group tried to set up a similar occupy zone in Washington, D.C.
“They would like to get Jesus,” the president said, referencing a comment by Shaun King, a Black Lives Matter activist, who called for statues of White Jesus to be taken down earlier this week.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--3 dead after being swept from rocks at Malibu-area beach

MALIBU , Calif. ( AP ) - Three people died Thursday after they were swept off the rocks into the @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
The three were pulled from the water off of Deer Creek @ @ @ @ @ to revive them failed , according to the Ventura County Fire Department .
The names @ @ @ @ @ t immediately released .
Deer Creek Beach is several miles northwest of Malibu

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) - Three people died Thursday after they were swept off the rocks into the ocean at a Malibu-area shore, authorities said.
Two men and a woman were with five other family members fishing along the Pacific Coast Highway when a wave washed them away shortly after 4:30 p.m., authorities said.
“Unfortunately, it can be a dangerous place because it is very rocky and the beach and sand slopes straight down,” Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Buschow told the Los Angeles Times. “Things can look very calm one moment, but every once in a while you can have a large wave that can crash down upon you.”
The three were pulled from the water off of Deer Creek Beach but efforts to revive them failed and they were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
The names of the victims weren’t immediately released.
The area is near Pt. Mugu State Park and a few miles northwest of Malibu.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Joe Biden says 120 million dead from coronavirus; Donald Trump questions mental capacity

President Trump appeared stunned Thursday when he heard that former Vice President Joe Biden said 120 million people had died from COVID-19 .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee reportedly made his comment during a campaign event in Pennsylvania .
About 126,000 Americans have passed away from the coronavirus pandemic as of Thursday .
In an interview with Fox News ’ s Sean Hannity , the president said Mr. Biden made a “ serious error , ” noting that 120 million would be a third of the country ’ s population .
The president added Mr. Biden has also said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on other occasions has made mistakes like saying he was in one state when he was actually in a different one — a point Mr. Trump mocked during his recent campaign rally in Tulsa .
“ That ’ s not like an error , gee — it ’ s a slip-up .
That ’ s a serious error , ” the president said .
“ There is something going on , ” he added .
“ We are talking about the presidency of the United States and it ’ s just not @ @ @

President Trump appeared stunned Thursday when he heard that former Vice President Joseph R. Biden said 120 million people had died from COVID-19.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee reportedly made his comment during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. About 126,000 Americans have passed away from the coronavirus pandemic as of Thursday.
In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, the president said Mr. Biden made a “serious error,” noting that 120 million would be a third of the country’s population.
The president added Mr. Biden has also said he was running for the U.S. Senate, and on other occasions has made mistakes like saying he was in one state when he was actually in a different one — a point Mr. Trump mocked during his recent campaign rally in Tulsa.
“That’s not like an error, gee — it’s a slip-up. That’s a serious error,” the president said.
“There is something going on,” he added. “We are talking about the presidency of the United States and it’s just not acceptable.”
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.