washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Amal Awad, Lisa Myers, Melissa Hyatt leading police in Maryland counties

Women have secured the top police positions — and a place in history — in three Maryland counties for the first time ever .
Anne Arundel County is set next month to welcome Amal Awad as the new police chief .
She will be the first woman to be a permanent leader and the first person of color to serve in the position .
In addition , the Howard County Police Department has brought on Chief Lisa Myers to lead its force , while Chief Melissa Hyatt is heading the police force in Baltimore County .
The three female chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of policing experience among them , share a sense of pride in their achievements and their communities they serve .
Chief Awad , who currently leads the Hyattsville Police Department in Prince George ’ s County , said in an email that she feels “ a deep sense of humility and honor ” to have an opportunity that serves as an inspiration to “ women , children and people from diverse backgrounds and humble beginnings.
” As the permanent chief of the Anne County Police Department , she will lead a force of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents in the jurisdiction that ’ s also home to the state capital .
( In 2013 , Deputy Chief Pamela Davis briefly served as interim chief while the department looked for someone to replace former Chief Larry Tolliver . )
With her 27 years of policing experience , Chief Awad is slated to take over the department on Dec. 17 , replacing Chief William Lowry .
Former Chief Timothy Altomare suddenly retired Aug. 1 , citing criticism of police following nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice this summer .
County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s appointment earlier this month , and the County Council is expected to approve it early next month .
“ I wear a uniform that my mother did not have an opportunity to wear in her lifetime should that have been her career choice , ” Chief Awad said .
“ My mother would be proud .
I am proud.
” In Howard County , Chief Lisa Myers has led more than 700 police officers since the beginning of last year — the department ’ s first woman and Black leader .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our community who may have thought this aspiration was unrealistic , ” Chief Myers said in an email .
“ I am grateful to all of the firsts ( female and African American ) officers across the country who helped to pave the way for me and other minority officers to ascend to the highest levels of our respective departments.
” A 30-year veteran of the department , Chief Myers was just over a year into her retirement when she decided to return and fill the position vacated by retired Chief Gary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has launched a pilot drone program , created a Professional Standards Bureau and restructured the department “ to ensure we are best utilizing our sworn personnel.
” The experience has been “ interesting ” and “ filled with growth , change , and sometimes anxiety , ” the chief said .
“ We have seen some horrific actions at the hands of police officers around the country that have embarrassed our profession and we have a lot of work to do to strengthen relations with those members of the community that have felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Myers said .
Nonetheless , she said she is “ encouraged ” by the officers ’ adaptation to working through a global pandemic and their ability to continue building community relationships .
Meanwhile , Chief Hyatt took charge of the more than 1,800 officers in the Baltimore County Police Department in June 2019 , replacing retired Chief Terrence Sheridan .
( The department boasts of being the nation ’ s 21st largest police force on its website . )
“ Being a [ 5-foot-2 ] female , I think I definitely prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a police chief , ” she said in a phone interview .
“ That means that if people work hard , that there are possibilities for people in any line of work.
” Chief Hyatt , who has worked in the department for more than 20 years , said some of her agency ’ s initiatives — such as reviews of internal processes , technology and recruitment — were expedited after the death of George Floyd , a Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day , prompting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the expedited pace was ] positive because it pushed progress , ” she said .
“ But when you ’ re trying to really create sustainable , institutional change , sometimes that fast pace is very difficult.
” Chief Hyatt added that despite the challenges , “ it gave me the ability to see the best of my new team .
We had a lot of people that really rose up and did an incredible job under difficult circumstances .
”

Women have secured the top police positions — and a place in history — in three Maryland counties for the first time ever.
Anne Arundel County is set next month to welcome Amal Awad as the new police chief. She will be the first woman to be a permanent leader and the first person of color to serve in the position.
In addition, the Howard County Police Department has brought on Chief Lisa Myers to lead its force, while Chief Melissa Hyatt is heading the police force in Baltimore County.
The three female chiefs, who have more than 77 years of policing experience among them, share a sense of pride in their achievements and their communities they serve.
Chief Awad, who currently leads the Hyattsville Police Department in Prince George’s County, said in an email that she feels “a deep sense of humility and honor” to have an opportunity that serves as an inspiration to “women, children and people from diverse backgrounds and humble beginnings.”
As the permanent chief of the Anne County Police Department, she will lead a force of nearly 800 officers who serve nearly 600,000 residents in the jurisdiction that’s also home to the state capital. (In 2013, Deputy Chief Pamela Davis briefly served as interim chief while the department looked for someone to replace former Chief Larry Tolliver.)
With her 27 years of policing experience, Chief Awad is slated to take over the department on Dec. 17, replacing Chief William Lowry. Former Chief Timothy Altomare suddenly retired Aug. 1, citing criticism of police following nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice this summer.
County Executive Steuart Pittman announced Chief Awad’s appointment earlier this month, and the County Council is expected to approve it early next month.
“I wear a uniform that my mother did not have an opportunity to wear in her lifetime should that have been her career choice,” Chief Awad said. “My mother would be proud. I am proud.”
In Howard County, Chief Lisa Myers has led more than 700 police officers since the beginning of last year — the department’s first woman and Black leader.
“My appointment represents an opportunity for many in our community who may have thought this aspiration was unrealistic,” Chief Myers said in an email. “I am grateful to all of the firsts (female and African American) officers across the country who helped to pave the way for me and other minority officers to ascend to the highest levels of our respective departments.”
A 30-year veteran of the department, Chief Myers was just over a year into her retirement when she decided to return and fill the position vacated by retired Chief Gary Gardner.
Since becoming chief, she has launched a pilot drone program, created a Professional Standards Bureau and restructured the department “to ensure we are best utilizing our sworn personnel.”
The experience has been “interesting” and “filled with growth, change, and sometimes anxiety,” the chief said.
“We have seen some horrific actions at the hands of police officers around the country that have embarrassed our profession and we have a lot of work to do to strengthen relations with those members of the community that have felt disconnected from their police departments,” Chief Myers said.
Nonetheless, she said she is “encouraged” by the officers’ adaptation to working through a global pandemic and their ability to continue building community relationships.
Meanwhile, Chief Hyatt took charge of the more than 1,800 officers in the Baltimore County Police Department in June 2019, replacing retired Chief Terrence Sheridan. (The department boasts of being the nation’s 21st largest police force on its website.)
“Being a [5-foot-2] female, I think I definitely prove that there is not a cookie-cutter description for a police chief,” she said in a phone interview. “That means that if people work hard, that there are possibilities for people in any line of work.”
Chief Hyatt, who has worked in the department for more than 20 years, said some of her agency’s initiatives — such as reviews of internal processes, technology and recruitment — were expedited after the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis on Memorial Day, prompting national protests.
“In some ways [the expedited pace was] positive because it pushed progress,” she said. “But when you’re trying to really create sustainable, institutional change, sometimes that fast pace is very difficult.”
Chief Hyatt added that despite the challenges, “it gave me the ability to see the best of my new team. We had a lot of people that really rose up and did an incredible job under difficult circumstances.”
• Emily Zantow can be reached at ezantow@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--AstraZeneca vaccine to be assessed amid dosing error questions

LONDON — The British government said Friday it has formally asked the country ’ s medicines regulator to assess whether a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University should be authorized for use .
The step comes amid questions about preliminary results from trials of the jab , after the company and the university acknowledged that the most encouraging part of their findings stemmed from a dosing error .
U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had asked the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to determine whether the vaccine “ meets rigorous safety standards.
” It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formal assessment stage in Britain , following a shot developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech .
A third vaccine from U.S. firm Moderna is not far behind .
The British government has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine , and plans to start distributing it in December if it gains approval .
The regulator said it could not give a time frame for possible approval of the vaccines MHRA Chief Executive June Raine said “ no vaccine would be authorized for supply in the U.K. unless the expected standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met.
” Oxford and AstraZeneca reported Monday that their vaccine appeared to be 62 % effective in people who received two doses , and 90 % effective when volunteers were given a half dose followed by a full dose .
They did not mention at the time , but later acknowledged , that a manufacturing issue had resulted in “ a half dose of the vaccine being administered as the first dose ” to some participants .
The drugmakers informed the U.K. regulator of the issue when it was discovered , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with two groups .
AstraZeneca has said it plans to conduct a new global clinical trial to assess the vaccine ’ s efficacy but does not expect that to delay regulatory approval in Britain or the European Union — though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may take longer .
Some scientists have expressed concerns about gaps in the data and the way the results were reported .
Only 2,741 people received the half dose , making it hard to know if the effectiveness seen in the group is real or a statistical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received two full doses .
Eleanor Riley , professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease at the University of Edinburgh , said Oxford and AstraZeneca needed to answer questions about their results “ clearly and completely.
” “ Trust is at a premium when it comes to vaccines and we must not do anything that might in any way undermine that trust , ” she said .
Full results are due to be published in medical journal The Lancet , though no date has been given .
Pfizer and BioNTech said earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Moderna said its product appears to be 94.5 % effective , according to preliminary data .
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines , the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab does not need to be stored at freezer temperatures , making it potentially easier to distribute , especially in developing countries .
It is also cheaper , because AstraZeneca has agreed not to profit from it during the pandemic .
The British government and its scientific advisers have expressed confidence that multiple vaccines will win approval , but say all decisions are up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment with lots of data that is not currently public domain on efficacy and on safety , ” said England ’ s Chief Medical Officer , Chris Whitty .
“ I think it ’ s always a mistake to make too many judgements early before we have the full information and particularly before the regulator , the independent regulator , has had their chance to look at the data and make an assessment .
”

LONDON — The British government said Friday it has formally asked the country’s medicines regulator to assess whether a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University should be authorized for use.
The step comes amid questions about preliminary results from trials of the jab, after the company and the university acknowledged that the most encouraging part of their findings stemmed from a dosing error.
U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had asked the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to determine whether the vaccine “meets rigorous safety standards.”
It’s the second vaccine candidate to reach the formal assessment stage in Britain, following a shot developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. A third vaccine from U.S. firm Moderna is not far behind.
The British government has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and plans to start distributing it in December if it gains approval.
The regulator said it could not give a time frame for possible approval of the vaccines
MHRA Chief Executive June Raine said “no vaccine would be authorized for supply in the U.K. unless the expected standards of safety, quality and efficacy are met.”
Oxford and AstraZeneca reported Monday that their vaccine appeared to be 62% effective in people who received two doses, and 90% effective when volunteers were given a half dose followed by a full dose. They did not mention at the time, but later acknowledged, that a manufacturing issue had resulted in “a half dose of the vaccine being administered as the first dose” to some participants.
The drugmakers informed the U.K. regulator of the issue when it was discovered, and it was agreed to complete the late-stage trial with two groups.
AstraZeneca has said it plans to conduct a new global clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s efficacy but does not expect that to delay regulatory approval in Britain or the European Union — though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may take longer.
Some scientists have expressed concerns about gaps in the data and the way the results were reported. Only 2,741 people received the half dose, making it hard to know if the effectiveness seen in the group is real or a statistical quirk. A total of 8,895 people received two full doses.
Eleanor Riley, professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease at the University of Edinburgh, said Oxford and AstraZeneca needed to answer questions about their results “clearly and completely.”
“Trust is at a premium when it comes to vaccines and we must not do anything that might in any way undermine that trust,” she said.
Full results are due to be published in medical journal The Lancet, though no date has been given.
Pfizer and BioNTech said earlier this month that their vaccine is 95% effective, and Moderna said its product appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data.
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab does not need to be stored at freezer temperatures, making it potentially easier to distribute, especially in developing countries. It is also cheaper, because AstraZeneca has agreed not to profit from it during the pandemic.
The British government and its scientific advisers have expressed confidence that multiple vaccines will win approval, but say all decisions are up to the regulator.
“They will make an assessment with lots of data that is not currently public domain on efficacy and on safety,” said England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty.
“I think it’s always a mistake to make too many judgements early before we have the full information and particularly before the regulator, the independent regulator, has had their chance to look at the data and make an assessment.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Mexican president presents 'ethical guide' book of precepts

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Few world leaders talk about morals and ethics as much as Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador , and on Thursday he presented an “ Ethical Guide for the Transformation of Mexico.
” López Obrador took office two years ago pledging government austerity and an end to corruption .
Much like the president himself , the text presented Thursday is socially conservative , and is definitely not a traditional leftist tract .
It calls the family “ the basic building block of society.
” The 20-point pamphlet is a compendium of vaguely social-democratic pontifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and responsibility .
It marks quite a divergence for Mexico ’ s once rigidly anti-clerical government , which was long loathe to even talk about morality .
But López Obrador often uses vaguely religious language and calls himself a Christian “ in the broadest sense of the term.
” He has long said he wants a “ moral constitution ” and a “ loving republic ” for Mexico .
The government aims to print and distribute 10 million copies for free .
“ Inequality in any area is the product of injustice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ Like power , work gains its full meaning when it is done for others.
” “ It is not a crime to accumulate and increase material wealth , ” reads another section .
“ Whoever earns a reasonable profit , using their creativity and taking risks to create jobs , that person will be recognized by society as a responsible businessperson with social sense .
”

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Few world leaders talk about morals and ethics as much as Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and on Thursday he presented an “Ethical Guide for the Transformation of Mexico.”
López Obrador took office two years ago pledging government austerity and an end to corruption.
Much like the president himself, the text presented Thursday is socially conservative, and is definitely not a traditional leftist tract. It calls the family “the basic building block of society.”
The 20-point pamphlet is a compendium of vaguely social-democratic pontifications on work, fairness, forgiveness, justice and responsibility.
It marks quite a divergence for Mexico’s once rigidly anti-clerical government, which was long loathe to even talk about morality. But López Obrador often uses vaguely religious language and calls himself a Christian “in the broadest sense of the term.” He has long said he wants a “moral constitution” and a “loving republic” for Mexico.
The government aims to print and distribute 10 million copies for free.
“Inequality in any area is the product of injustice and creates suffering,” the pamphlet says. “Like power, work gains its full meaning when it is done for others.”
“It is not a crime to accumulate and increase material wealth,” reads another section. “Whoever earns a reasonable profit, using their creativity and taking risks to create jobs, that person will be recognized by society as a responsible businessperson with social sense.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Rome airport poised to try 'COVID tested" flights from US

ROME ( AP ) - Italian authorities will soon approve an experiment with “ COVID tested ” flights from three U.S. airports with the aim of eliminating the required 14-day quarantine for passengers arriving in Italy , Rome ’ s main airport said Thursday .
ADR , which operates Leonardo da Vinci Airport , said that similar “ COVID tested ” corridors were also expected to be approved for flights between the airport and the German cities of Munich and Frankfurt .
An ADR statement said that pending approval from Italy ’ s transport , health and foreign ministries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York , Newark or Atlanta airports wouldn ’ t have to quarantine if they test negative for the coronavirus within 48 hours of departure and also upon arrival in Rome .
The experiment involves Alitalia and Delta Air Lines .
Under pandemic rules in effect in Italy through at least Dec. 3 , the only passengers who can enter the country from the United States are citizens of European Union nations , relatives of EU citizens , holders of Italian residency permits or those coming for reasons of study or a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Coming from the United States to Italy for tourism isn ’ t allowed .
Nothing in the ADR statement indicated that is about to change , even as Italy reels under plummeted tourist revenues during the pandemic .
ADR expressed hopes that the limited , experimental program will prove workable and be expanded by next summer .
Delta Air Lines said in a statement that along with Rome ’ s airport and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta , it has joined in a “ first-of-a-kind trans-Atlantic COVID-19 testing program that will enable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delta executive Steve Sear as saying that “ carefully designed COVID-19 testing protocols are the best path for resuming international travel safely and without quarantine until vaccinations are widely in place.
” The airline ’ s statement said Delta ’ s “ dedicated trial ” involving testing customers and crew would begin Dec. 19 .
In contrast with the ADR statement , Delta said testing would be threefold : Passengers would be tested up to 72 hours before departure ; a rapid test would conducted at the airport in Atlanta ; and another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Travelers also would undergo one more test at Rome ’ s airport before departing for the United States .

ROME (AP) - Italian authorities will soon approve an experiment with “COVID tested” flights from three U.S. airports with the aim of eliminating the required 14-day quarantine for passengers arriving in Italy, Rome’s main airport said Thursday.
ADR, which operates Leonardo da Vinci Airport, said that similar “COVID tested” corridors were also expected to be approved for flights between the airport and the German cities of Munich and Frankfurt.
An ADR statement said that pending approval from Italy’s transport, health and foreign ministries, starting sometime in December passengers coming from New York, Newark or Atlanta airports wouldn’t have to quarantine if they test negative for the coronavirus within 48 hours of departure and also upon arrival in Rome. The experiment involves Alitalia and Delta Air Lines.
Under pandemic rules in effect in Italy through at least Dec. 3, the only passengers who can enter the country from the United States are citizens of European Union nations, relatives of EU citizens, holders of Italian residency permits or those coming for reasons of study or a few other, essential purposes like health care.
Coming from the United States to Italy for tourism isn’t allowed. Nothing in the ADR statement indicated that is about to change, even as Italy reels under plummeted tourist revenues during the pandemic.
ADR expressed hopes that the limited, experimental program will prove workable and be expanded by next summer.
Delta Air Lines said in a statement that along with Rome’s airport and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, it has joined in a “first-of-a-kind trans-Atlantic COVID-19 testing program that will enable quarantine-free entrance into Italy.”
It quoted Delta executive Steve Sear as saying that “carefully designed COVID-19 testing protocols are the best path for resuming international travel safely and without quarantine until vaccinations are widely in place.”
The airline’s statement said Delta’s “dedicated trial” involving testing customers and crew would begin Dec. 19.
In contrast with the ADR statement, Delta said testing would be threefold: Passengers would be tested up to 72 hours before departure; a rapid test would conducted at the airport in Atlanta; and another rapid test administered upon arrival in Rome. Travelers also would undergo one more test at Rome’s airport before departing for the United States.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--UK asks regulator to assess AZ-Oxford vaccine amid questions

LONDON ( AP ) - The British government said Friday it has formally asked the country ’ s medicines regulator to assess whether a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University should be authorized for use .
The step comes amid questions about preliminary results from trials of the jab , after the company and the university acknowledged that the most encouraging part of their findings stemmed from a dosing error .
U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had asked the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to determine whether the vaccine “ meets rigorous safety standards.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach the formal assessment stage in Britain , following a shot developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech .
A third vaccine from U.S. firm Moderna is not far behind .
The British government has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine , and plans to start distributing it in December if it gains approval .
The regulator said it could not give a time frame for possible approval of the vaccines MHRA Chief Executive June Raine said “ no vaccine would be authorized for supply in the U.K. unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and efficacy are met.
” Oxford and AstraZeneca reported Monday that their vaccine appeared to be 62 % effective in people who received two doses , and 90 % effective when volunteers were given a half dose followed by a full dose .
They did not mention at the time , but later acknowledged , that a manufacturing issue had resulted in “ a half dose of the vaccine being administered as the first dose ” to some participants .
The drugmakers informed the U.K. regulator of the issue when it was discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late-stage trial with two groups .
AstraZeneca has said it plans to conduct a new global clinical trial to assess the vaccine ’ s efficacy but does not expect that to delay regulatory approval in Britain or the European Union — though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may take longer .
Some scientists have expressed concerns about gaps in the data and the way the results were reported .
Only 2,741 people received the half dose , making it hard to know if the effectiveness seen in the group is real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 8,895 people received two full doses .
Eleanor Riley , professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease at the University of Edinburgh , said Oxford and AstraZeneca needed to answer questions about their results “ clearly and completely.
” “ Trust is at a premium when it comes to vaccines and we must not do anything that might in any way undermine that trust , ” she said .
Full results are due to be published in medical journal The Lancet , though no date has been given .
Pfizer and BioNTech said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95 % effective , and Moderna said its product appears to be 94.5 % effective , according to preliminary data .
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines , the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab does not need to be stored at freezer temperatures , making it potentially easier to distribute , especially in developing countries .
It is also cheaper , because AstraZeneca has agreed not to profit from it during the pandemic .
The British government and its scientific advisers have expressed confidence that multiple vaccines will win approval , but say all decisions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will make an assessment with lots of data that is not currently public domain on efficacy and on safety , ” said England ’ s Chief Medical Officer , Chris Whitty .
“ I think it ’ s always a mistake to make too many judgements early before we have the full information and particularly before the regulator , the independent regulator , has had their chance to look at the data and make an assessment .
”

LONDON (AP) - The British government said Friday it has formally asked the country’s medicines regulator to assess whether a coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University should be authorized for use.
The step comes amid questions about preliminary results from trials of the jab, after the company and the university acknowledged that the most encouraging part of their findings stemmed from a dosing error.
U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had asked the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to determine whether the vaccine “meets rigorous safety standards.”
It’s the second vaccine candidate to reach the formal assessment stage in Britain, following a shot developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. A third vaccine from U.S. firm Moderna is not far behind.
The British government has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and plans to start distributing it in December if it gains approval.
The regulator said it could not give a time frame for possible approval of the vaccines
MHRA Chief Executive June Raine said “no vaccine would be authorized for supply in the U.K. unless the expected standards of safety, quality and efficacy are met.”
Oxford and AstraZeneca reported Monday that their vaccine appeared to be 62% effective in people who received two doses, and 90% effective when volunteers were given a half dose followed by a full dose. They did not mention at the time, but later acknowledged, that a manufacturing issue had resulted in “a half dose of the vaccine being administered as the first dose” to some participants.
The drugmakers informed the U.K. regulator of the issue when it was discovered, and it was agreed to complete the late-stage trial with two groups.
AstraZeneca has said it plans to conduct a new global clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s efficacy but does not expect that to delay regulatory approval in Britain or the European Union — though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may take longer.
Some scientists have expressed concerns about gaps in the data and the way the results were reported. Only 2,741 people received the half dose, making it hard to know if the effectiveness seen in the group is real or a statistical quirk. A total of 8,895 people received two full doses.
Eleanor Riley, professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease at the University of Edinburgh, said Oxford and AstraZeneca needed to answer questions about their results “clearly and completely.”
“Trust is at a premium when it comes to vaccines and we must not do anything that might in any way undermine that trust,” she said.
Full results are due to be published in medical journal The Lancet, though no date has been given.
Pfizer and BioNTech said earlier this month that their vaccine is 95% effective, and Moderna said its product appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data.
Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab does not need to be stored at freezer temperatures, making it potentially easier to distribute, especially in developing countries. It is also cheaper, because AstraZeneca has agreed not to profit from it during the pandemic.
The British government and its scientific advisers have expressed confidence that multiple vaccines will win approval, but say all decisions are up to the regulator.
“They will make an assessment with lots of data that is not currently public domain on efficacy and on safety,” said England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty.
“I think it’s always a mistake to make too many judgements early before we have the full information and particularly before the regulator, the independent regulator, has had their chance to look at the data and make an assessment.”
___
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--UK to launch new watchdog next year to police tech giants

LONDON ( AP ) - Britain plans to create a new watchdog to police big tech companies including Google and Facebook to counter their market dominance and prevent them from exploiting consumers and small businesses .
The U.K. government said Friday that it ’ s setting up a “ Digital Markets Unit ” next year to enforce a new code of conduct governing the behavior of tech giants that dominate the online advertising market .
The Digital Markets Unit , scheduled to launch in April , will oversee a new regulatory regime for tech companies that ’ s aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreshadowed in findings by former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman , who was commissioned by the U.K. Treasury to carry out a review of the digital economy .
It ’ s part of a wider push by governments in the U.S. and Europe to constrain the power of big tech companies amid concern about their outsize influence .
The European Union this week unveiled proposals to wrest control of data from tech companies and is set to release details next month of a sweeping overhaul of digital regulations aimed at preventing online gatekeepers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , authorities are pursuing an antitrust case against Google and lawmakers have proposed breaking up big tech companies .
U.K. Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said online platforms bring benefits to society , “ but there is growing consensus in the U.K. and abroad that the concentration of power among a small number of tech companies is curtailing growth of the sector , reducing innovation and having negative impacts on the people and businesses that rely on them.
” The government still needs to consult on how the digital markets unit will operate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new code , tech companies would have to be more transparent about how they use consumers ’ data .
They would have to let users choose whether to receive personalised advertising , and wouldn ’ t be allowed to make it harder for customers to use rival platforms .
The Digital Markets Unit could be given the power to suspend , block or reverse any decisions made by big tech companies , and order them to take certain actions to comply with the code .
If companies don ’ t comply , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum penalty hasn ’ t yet been spelled out .
Google said online tools competition in the ad tech industry has been increasing and noted it gives users tools to manage and control their data .
“ We support an approach that benefits people , businesses and society and we look forward to working constructively with the Digital Markets Unit so that everyone can make the most of the internet , ” said Ronan Harris , the company ’ s vice president for U.K. and Ireland .

LONDON (AP) - Britain plans to create a new watchdog to police big tech companies including Google and Facebook to counter their market dominance and prevent them from exploiting consumers and small businesses.
The U.K. government said Friday that it’s setting up a “Digital Markets Unit” next year to enforce a new code of conduct governing the behavior of tech giants that dominate the online advertising market.
The Digital Markets Unit, scheduled to launch in April, will oversee a new regulatory regime for tech companies that’s aimed at spurring more competition.
The measures were foreshadowed in findings by former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman, who was commissioned by the U.K. Treasury to carry out a review of the digital economy.
It’s part of a wider push by governments in the U.S. and Europe to constrain the power of big tech companies amid concern about their outsize influence. The European Union this week unveiled proposals to wrest control of data from tech companies and is set to release details next month of a sweeping overhaul of digital regulations aimed at preventing online gatekeepers from stifling competition. In the U.S., authorities are pursuing an antitrust case against Google and lawmakers have proposed breaking up big tech companies.
U.K. Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said online platforms bring benefits to society, “but there is growing consensus in the U.K. and abroad that the concentration of power among a small number of tech companies is curtailing growth of the sector, reducing innovation and having negative impacts on the people and businesses that rely on them.”
The government still needs to consult on how the digital markets unit will operate and approve legislation for it.
Under the new code, tech companies would have to be more transparent about how they use consumers’ data. They would have to let users choose whether to receive personalised advertising, and wouldn’t be allowed to make it harder for customers to use rival platforms.
The Digital Markets Unit could be given the power to suspend, block or reverse any decisions made by big tech companies, and order them to take certain actions to comply with the code. If companies don’t comply, the watchdog could fine them, though the maximum penalty hasn’t yet been spelled out.
Google said competition in the ad tech industry has been increasing and noted it gives users tools to manage and control their data.
“We support an approach that benefits people, businesses and society and we look forward to working constructively with the Digital Markets Unit so that everyone can make the most of the internet,” said Ronan Harris, the company’s vice president for U.K. and Ireland.
Facebook declined to comment.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Coronavirus spread by youth stymies officials struggling to protect older people

Only 8 % of the COVID-19 deaths tallied by federal disease-trackers have occurred in people younger than 55 , revealing a pandemic that ’ s fallen remarkably hard on older Americans while younger people fuel the transmission but usually survive .
Risk from COVID-19 increases with age , with Americans older than 85 about 630 times more likely to die or 13 times more likely to land in the hospital from the disease than a young adult , according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis that uses people 18-29 as the comparison group .
At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 0.5 % of deaths from COVID-19 , that group accounts for nearly a quarter of national cases reported to the CDC , the biggest share of any age group .
It ’ s a remarkable mismatch that underscores the challenge for public officials seeking to protect one segment of America while tsk-tsk-ing younger folks who feel insulated from the pandemic ’ s worst effects and want to live freely .
Hospitalizations have broken down along similar lines , with clear age disparities as beds fill up across the country , stretching capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsening crisis .
CDC data examining hospitalizations-per-100,000 finds 667 people in the 65-or-older group and 150 in the 18-49 cohort in the week ending Nov. 14 .
It ’ s a 56 % increase amid the older set and a 51 % increase for the younger set since Aug. 8 , or around the time that colleges resumed their semesters .
Governors , administrators and public health experts warned that transmission among young people would inevitably spill over to grandma , grandpa and other high-risk portions of their communities .
“ Most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that from the very beginning .
That even though younger individuals are less likely to be hospitalized , they are not less likely to spread it and set off chains of transmission that land on vulnerable populations , ” said Amesh Adalja , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security .
Deaths are rising as the transmission flares across the country , especially in the Midwest , even as doctors get new therapeutics and a better handle on how to treat the disease .
Over 1,600 people died per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week — double the roughly 800 people who were dying each day a month ago .
The CDC and state officials warned students and other family members to take special precautions before they head home for the holidays , saying casual gatherings are fueling the spread of late and ensnaring vulnerable members of households .
However , some data suggest nursing homes , restaurants and bars , prisons and meatpacking plants remain the key drivers of the surge that U.S. is seeing on the cusp of colder months , when respiratory diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given the concentration of the older people who have underlying conditions .
Up to 40 % of U.S. deaths have been tied to these settings , as cases within the community manage to slip in through staff or others .
The CDC says children aged 5-17 have the least to worry about in terms of poor outcomes from COVID-19 .
They ’ re nine times less likely to be hospitalized or 16 times less likely to die from the disease than the 18-to-29 young-adult comparison group .
Those in their 30s are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger adults to succumb to COVID-19 , while those in their 40s and age 50-64 are 10 and 30 times more likely to die , respectively .
Chances of death rise sharply after that .
Those aged 65-74 are 90 times more likely to die , a risk that grows exponentially to 220 times higher for 75- to 84-year-olds and 630 times higher for those over 85 .
A provisional CDC count of 231,000 coronavirus deaths found over 212,000 of them were in people over 55 .
Only 501 deaths were in people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people say schools must be open and prioritized over other public spaces .
Those aged 25-44 accounted for roughly 6,300 deaths and about 12,000 deaths were in those 45-54 years old .
New York Health Department spokeswoman Jill Montag said “ age is very strongly correlated with death from COVID-19.
” “ Comorbidities , which often track along with age , are also a major factor .
When cases decrease among the elderly , deaths tend to decline , and unfortunately cases among the elderly are on the rise again , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the most cases of COVID-19 from March to June in New York .
Persons aged 18-22 contributed the largest share of overall positive tests ( 16.2 % ) by September and October , though the health department noted there is a “ testing bias ” in which students or teachers might have boosted the numbers at the start of the school year .
William Schaffner , an infectious-diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University , noted scientists are learning more about “ long haulers , ” people of varying ages who recover but suffer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other words , there is still peril for younger groups .
Still , experts say it ’ s been a long-running challenge to change behavior among those who are less likely to land in the hospital or succumb to COVID-19 .
There is a culture of rugged individualism in America that makes it difficult to mandate government controls , while protocols got mixed into politics in a bitter presidential-election year .
Notably , the message from Washington often emphasized individual medical problems over the interconnected , public-health nature of the pandemic .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the impact in their relative age groups is so much less that they ’ re very likely , if they get mild symptoms , to recover , ” Dr. Schaffner said .
“ There ’ s no doubt that this age differential really rules people ’ s desire to go out and say , ‘ I ’ ll risk it , and what ’ s the big deal ?
’ They undervalue the fact they are transmitters , that they can give this virus to others.
” “ There ’ s almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ to older people dying.
” Officials in Pennsylvania said they ’ ve been able to bring down case counts among 19- to 24-year-olds since September , when the health secretary pleaded with them to take precautions , but the caseload remains elevated across age groups .
“ For that reason , we are working to message to everyone about the dangers of this virus , and to emphasize to everyone the need to protect themselves from COVID-19 , ” said state Health Department spokesman Nate Wardle .

Only 8% of the COVID-19 deaths tallied by federal disease-trackers have occurred in people younger than 55, revealing a pandemic that’s fallen remarkably hard on older Americans while younger people fuel the transmission but usually survive.
Risk from COVID-19 increases with age, with Americans older than 85 about 630 times more likely to die or 13 times more likely to land in the hospital from the disease than a young adult, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis that uses people 18-29 as the comparison group.
At the same time as people aged 18-to-29 make up only 0.5% of deaths from COVID-19, that group accounts for nearly a quarter of national cases reported to the CDC, the biggest share of any age group.
It’s a remarkable mismatch that underscores the challenge for public officials seeking to protect one segment of America while tsk-tsk-ing younger folks who feel insulated from the pandemic’s worst effects and want to live freely.
Hospitalizations have broken down along similar lines, with clear age disparities as beds fill up across the country, stretching capacity and wearing out nursing staff amid the worsening crisis.
CDC data examining hospitalizations-per-100,000 finds 667 people in the 65-or-older group and 150 in the 18-49 cohort in the week ending Nov. 14.
It’s a 56% increase amid the older set and a 51% increase for the younger set since Aug. 8, or around the time that colleges resumed their semesters.
Governors, administrators and public health experts warned that transmission among young people would inevitably spill over to grandma, grandpa and other high-risk portions of their communities.
“Most of us in the field have been saying that from the very beginning. That even though younger individuals are less likely to be hospitalized, they are not less likely to spread it and set off chains of transmission that land on vulnerable populations,” said Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Deaths are rising as the transmission flares across the country, especially in the Midwest, even as doctors get new therapeutics and a better handle on how to treat the disease. Over 1,600 people died per day, on average, over the last week — double the roughly 800 people who were dying each day a month ago.
The CDC and state officials warned students and other family members to take special precautions before they head home for the holidays, saying casual gatherings are fueling the spread of late and ensnaring vulnerable members of households.
However, some data suggest nursing homes, restaurants and bars, prisons and meatpacking plants remain the key drivers of the surge that U.S. is seeing on the cusp of colder months, when respiratory diseases thrive.
Nursing homes are particularly susceptible, given the concentration of the older people who have underlying conditions. Up to 40% of U.S. deaths have been tied to these settings, as cases within the community manage to slip in through staff or others.
The CDC says children aged 5-17 have the least to worry about in terms of poor outcomes from COVID-19. They’re nine times less likely to be hospitalized or 16 times less likely to die from the disease than the 18-to-29 young-adult comparison group.
Those in their 30s are only four times more likely than those younger adults to succumb to COVID-19, while those in their 40s and age 50-64 are 10 and 30 times more likely to die, respectively.
Chances of death rise sharply after that. Those aged 65-74 are 90 times more likely to die, a risk that grows exponentially to 220 times higher for 75- to 84-year-olds and 630 times higher for those over 85.
A provisional CDC count of 231,000 coronavirus deaths found over 212,000 of them were in people over 55. Only 501 deaths were in people ages 0 to 24, underscoring why some people say schools must be open and prioritized over other public spaces.
Those aged 25-44 accounted for roughly 6,300 deaths and about 12,000 deaths were in those 45-54 years old.
New York Health Department spokeswoman Jill Montag said “age is very strongly correlated with death from COVID-19.”
“Comorbidities, which often track along with age, are also a major factor. When cases decrease among the elderly, deaths tend to decline, and unfortunately cases among the elderly are on the rise again,” she said.
People aged 51-60 accounted for the most cases of COVID-19 from March to June in New York. Persons aged 18-22 contributed the largest share of overall positive tests (16.2%) by September and October, though the health department noted there is a “testing bias” in which students or teachers might have boosted the numbers at the start of the school year.
William Schaffner, an infectious-diseases specialist at Vanderbilt University, noted scientists are learning more about “long haulers,” people of varying ages who recover but suffer long-term, chronic health limitations.
In other words, there is still peril for younger groups.
Still, experts say it’s been a long-running challenge to change behavior among those who are less likely to land in the hospital or succumb to COVID-19. There is a culture of rugged individualism in America that makes it difficult to mandate government controls, while protocols got mixed into politics in a bitter presidential-election year.
Notably, the message from Washington often emphasized individual medical problems over the interconnected, public-health nature of the pandemic.
As a result, younger people “know that the impact in their relative age groups is so much less that they’re very likely, if they get mild symptoms, to recover,” Dr. Schaffner said. “There’s no doubt that this age differential really rules people’s desire to go out and say, ‘I’ll risk it, and what’s the big deal?’ They undervalue the fact they are transmitters, that they can give this virus to others.”
“There’s almost been an indifference,” he said, “to older people dying.”
Officials in Pennsylvania said they’ve been able to bring down case counts among 19- to 24-year-olds since September, when the health secretary pleaded with them to take precautions, but the caseload remains elevated across age groups.
“For that reason, we are working to message to everyone about the dangers of this virus, and to emphasize to everyone the need to protect themselves from COVID-19,” said state Health Department spokesman Nate Wardle.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Kansas fire claims life of 62-year-old man, authorities say

WETMORE , Kan. ( AP ) - A man has been killed in a fire in northeast Kansas , authorities @ @ @ @ @ that a neighbor reported the fire around 5:30 a.m. Friday in the Nemaha County town @ @ @ @ @ Fire Marshal ’ s Office said the victim was a 62-year-old man who lived alone @ @ @ @ @ office said the cause of the fire is not yet determined but was most likely @ @

WETMORE, Kan. (AP) - A man has been killed in a fire in northeast Kansas, authorities say.
WIBW reports that that a neighbor reported the fire around 5:30 a.m. Friday in the Nemaha County town of Wetmore. The State Fire Marshal’s Office said the victim was a 62-year-old man who lived alone in the home.
The office said the cause of the fire is not yet determined but was most likely accidental.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Trump: 'Hard thing to concede' amid alleged election fraud

President Trump on Thursday said it would be “ very hard ” to concede if the Electoral College elects Joseph R. Biden the next president , insisting that the election results are “ a massive fraud.
” “ It ’ s going to be a very hard thing to concede , ” Mr. Trump said when reporters at the White House asked what he would do after an Electoral College vote for Mr. Biden .
“ If they do they made a mistake.
” “ No one wants to see the kind of fraud this election has come to represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know one thing , Joe Biden didn ’ t get 80 million votes.
” Unofficial election results show Mr. Biden with more than 80 million votes nationwide to Mr. Trump ‘ s nearly 74 million votes .
Mr. Biden is currently projected to win the Electoral College vote 306-232 .
A candidate needs 270 to win .
The Trump campaign launched lawsuit challenges of the ballot count in several battleground states , but all of the cases were either withdrawn or dismissed .
Several other courtroom battles are still playing out , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversal of the projected win for Mr. Biden .
Mr. Trump balked when asked if he would refuse to leave the White House .
“ Certainly I will [ leave ] , and you know that , ” he said , though still insisting that “ this was a massive fraud.
” Mr. Trump fielded the reporter ’ s questions while participating in a Thanksgiving teleconference with representatives of each of the armed forces , including Space Force .
While bracing for what increasingly looks like an inevitable victory for Mr. Biden when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. Trump also is fighting to keep a Republican majority in the Senate .
He is headed to Georgia , likely on Saturday , to help GOP Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in runoff elections that will determine which party controls the upper chamber .
The president said Georgia voters are “ very disappointed we were robbed ” in the general election and recount that showed Mr. Biden won the state .
“ You have a fraudulent system , ” Mr. Trump said of Georgia .

President Trump on Thursday said it would be “very hard” to concede if the Electoral College elects Joseph R. Biden as the next president, insisting that the election results are “a massive fraud.”
“It’s going to be a very hard thing to concede,” Mr. Trump said when reporters at the White House asked what he would do after an Electoral College vote for Mr. Biden. “If they do, they made a mistake.”
“No one wants to see the kind of fraud this election has come to represent,” he said. “I know one thing, Joe Biden didn’t get 80 million votes.”
Unofficial election results show Mr. Biden with more than 80 million votes nationwide to Mr. Trump’s nearly 74 million votes.
Mr. Biden is currently projected to win the Electoral College vote 306-232. A candidate needs 270 to win.
The Trump campaign launched lawsuit challenges of the ballot count in several battleground states, but all of the cases were either withdrawn or dismissed.
Several other courtroom battles are still playing out, though the window is rapidly closing for a reversal of the projected win for Mr. Biden.
Mr. Trump balked when asked if he would refuse to leave the White House.
“Certainly I will [leave], and you know that,” he said, though still insisting that “this was a massive fraud.”
Mr. Trump fielded the reporter’s questions while participating in a Thanksgiving teleconference with representatives of each of the armed forces, including Space Force.
While bracing for what increasingly looks like an inevitable victory for Mr. Biden when the Electoral College votes on Dec. 14, Mr. Trump also is fighting to keep a Republican majority in the Senate.
He is headed to Georgia, likely on Saturday, to help GOP Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in runoff elections that will determine which party controls the upper chamber.
The president said Georgia voters are “very disappointed we were robbed” in the general election and recount that showed Mr. Biden won the state.
“You have a fraudulent system,” Mr. Trump said of Georgia.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Minnesota tribes file to halt pipeline build amid pandemic

ST. PAUL , Minn ( AP ) - Two Native American tribes in northern Minnesota are asking state regulators to stop the imminent construction of Enbridge Energy ’ s Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement because it increases the risk of coronavirus infections spreading .
The Red Lake and White Earth Bands of Chippewa filed a motion with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission late Wednesday , arguing the $ 2.6 billion project would put locals at risk to coronavirus infections as workers move into the area .
The bands , along with other pipeline opponents , are also suing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and an appeal by the state Commerce Department is pending .
They want the PUC to halt the project while that legal challenge plays out .
The pipeline project took a step forward on Monday after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the final federal permit needed .
The Public Utilities Commission has already approved the project several times , but still needs to give construction a final green light .
Enbridge says the pipeline replacement will provide a safer way to transport the oil to Midwest refineries while creating 4,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in local spending and tax revenues .

ST. PAUL, Minn (AP) - Two Native American tribes in northern Minnesota are asking state regulators to stop the imminent construction of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement, saying it would increase the risk of coronavirus infections spreading.
The Red Lake and White Earth Bands of Chippewa filed a motion late Wednesday asking the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to stay its approval of the $2.6 billion project. They argue construction would put locals at increased risk of coronavirus infections as workers move into the area.
The bands and other pipeline opponents have sued and protested to try to block the project, and an appeal by the state Commerce Department is pending. They want the PUC to halt the project while that legal challenge plays out.
The pipeline project took a step forward on Monday when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the final federal permit needed. The Public Utilities Commission has already approved the project several times, but still needs to give construction a final green light.
Enbridge says the pipeline replacement will provide a safer way to transport the oil to Midwest refineries while creating 4,200 construction jobs and generating millions of dollars in local spending and tax revenues.
Opponents say the project threatens spills in pristine waters where Native Americans harvest wild rice and that the Canadian tar sands oil it would carry would aggravate climate change.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Holiday retail sales expected to top 2019 despite surging pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic will hurt Black Friday sales , retail analysts say , but the unofficial holiday kickoff will remain one of the busiest shopping days of the year .
Traffic grew at brick-and-mortar shops last year , the first time in several years , indicating that consumers were eager to leave their homes rather than make online purchases .
Those numbers likely will roll back significantly because of spiking COVID-19 numbers and increased government restrictions keeping shoppers away .
Last year , retailers averaged about 500,000 walk-in customers per week , according to a study by Zenreach , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores are averaging about 200,000 walk-ins per week , a 35 % decline .
That percentage is expected to dip to 21.5 % by the end of the year as the pandemic worsens .
Still , there is some good news for retailers .
The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales in November and December to rise between 3.6 % and 5.2 % from last year .
That would generate between $ 755.3 billion and $ 766.7 billion for retailers .
Consumers have more money to spend on gifts and celebrating the holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment expenses .
“ Given the pandemic , there is uncertainty about consumers ’ willingness to spend , ” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz .
“ But with the economy improving , most have the ability to spend.
” Last year , holiday sales rose 4 % to $ 729.1 billion from 2018 .
The NRF is projecting most of that increase will come from online sales , which is expected to jump between 20 % and 30 % this year .
Online sales could reach as much as $ 218.4 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
The group warns any further shutdowns of stores as virus cases surge could derail sales .
And it emphasized that any new government stimulus package would help the holidays .
When the pandemic was declared in mid-March , essential retailers such as Target and Walmart were able to stay open while nonessential stores , like department stores , were forced to close .
That further increased the dominance of big box stores , while mall-based clothing stores faced further peril .
The temporary closures accelerated bankruptcy filings of a slew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus .
Many mall-based stores and other small and mid-sized businesses are still struggling heading into the heart of the holiday season .
When nonessential retailers are forced to shut down , their e-commerce business can ’ t expand enough to keep them whole , said Nick Mangiapane , chief marketing officer at Verisk Financial ’ s Commerce Signals unit , which captures credit and debit spending from 40 million U.S. households .
In the first wave of COVID-induced shutdowns , the gap in year-over-year sales trends was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with essential store sales posting a 6.4 % gain while the rest suffered a 51.3 % drop .
During the second spike during the summer , the gap was smaller with few shutdowns , but it was still substantial .
In the current third wave , the sales performance gap so far is sizable , but any shutdowns will dramatically hurt sales for nonessential businesses , according to Mr. Mangiapane .
Still , the NRF cited that the aggregate retail sales have seen a V-shaped recovery , growing both month-over-month and year-over-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by NRF , sales rose 10.6 % in October compared with October 2019 , likely fueled in part by early holiday shopping .
For the first 10 months of this year , retail sales rose 6.4 % compared with the first 10 months of 2019 .
⦁ This article is based in part on wire service reports .

The coronavirus pandemic will hurt Black Friday sales, retail analysts say, but the unofficial holiday kickoff will remain one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Traffic grew at brick-and-mortar shops last year, the first time in several years, indicating that consumers were eager to leave their homes rather than make online purchases.
Those numbers likely will roll back significantly because of spiking COVID-19 numbers and increased government restrictions keeping shoppers away.
Last year, retailers averaged about 500,000 walk-in customers per week, according to a study by Zenreach, an online marketing company.
This year, stores are averaging about 200,000 walk-ins per week, a 35% decline. That percentage is expected to dip to 21.5% by the end of the year as the pandemic worsens.
Still, there is some good news for retailers.
The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales in November and December to rise between 3.6% and 5.2% from last year. That would generate between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion for retailers.
Consumers have more money to spend on gifts and celebrating the holidays since the pandemic has sidelined travel and entertainment expenses.
“Given the pandemic, there is uncertainty about consumers’ willingness to spend,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “But with the economy improving, most have the ability to spend.”
Last year, holiday sales rose 4% to $729.1 billion from 2018.
The NRF is projecting most of that increase will come from online sales, which is expected to jump between 20% and 30% this year. Online sales could reach as much as $218.4 billion, compared to $168.7 billion in 2019.
The group warns any further shutdowns of stores as virus cases surge could derail sales. And it emphasized that any new government stimulus package would help the holidays.
When the pandemic was declared in mid-March, essential retailers such as Target and Walmart were able to stay open while nonessential stores, like department stores, were forced to close. That further increased the dominance of big box stores, while mall-based clothing stores faced further peril.
The temporary closures accelerated bankruptcy filings of a slew of already-struggling chains such as J.C. Penney, Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus.
Many mall-based stores and other small and mid-sized businesses are still struggling heading into the heart of the holiday season.
When nonessential retailers are forced to shut down, their e-commerce business can’t expand enough to keep them whole, said Nick Mangiapane, chief marketing officer at Verisk Financial’s Commerce Signals unit, which captures credit and debit spending from 40 million U.S. households.
In the first wave of COVID-induced shutdowns, the gap in year-over-year sales trends was 57 percentage points between essential and nonessential, with essential store sales posting a 6.4% gain while the rest suffered a 51.3% drop. During the second spike during the summer, the gap was smaller with few shutdowns, but it was still substantial.
In the current third wave, the sales performance gap so far is sizable, but any shutdowns will dramatically hurt sales for nonessential businesses, according to Mr. Mangiapane.
Still, the NRF cited that the aggregate retail sales have seen a V-shaped recovery, growing both month-over-month and year-over-year each month since June. As calculated by NRF, sales rose 10.6% in October compared with October 2019, likely fueled in part by early holiday shopping. For the first 10 months of this year, retail sales rose 6.4% compared with the first 10 months of 2019.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-26--Trump plans Georgia rally ahead of Senate runoff elections

WASHINGTON — President Donald on Thursday renewed baseless claims that “ massive fraud ” and crooked officials in battleground states led to his election defeat , and said he ’ ll go to Georgia to rally supporters ahead of two Senate runoff elections .
“ This has a long way to go , ” Trump said on Thanksgiving evening , despite the fact that President-elect Joe Biden won the election .
“ This election was a fraud .
It was a rigged election.
” Trump spoke to reporters at the White House after speaking with U.S. military leaders overseas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time since Election Day and angrily denounced officials in Georgia and Pennsylvania , two key swing states that helped give Biden the win , as “ enemies of the state ” and claimed they were culprits in vote fraud .
State officials and international observers have repeatedly said no evidence of mass fraud exists and Trump ’ s campaign has repeatedly failed in court .
Trump said he would hold a rally with thousands of supporters in Georgia to support a pair of Republican candidates – Sen. David Perdue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Jan. 5 will determine which party controls the Senate .
Trump initially said the rally would be Saturday .
The White House later clarified he meant Dec. 5 .

WASHINGTON — President Donald on Thursday renewed baseless claims that “massive fraud” and crooked officials in battleground states led to his election defeat, and said he’ll go to Georgia to rally supporters ahead of two Senate runoff elections.
“This has a long way to go,” Trump said on Thanksgiving evening, despite the fact that President-elect Joe Biden won the election. “This election was a fraud. It was a rigged election.”
Trump spoke to reporters at the White House after speaking with U.S. military leaders overseas.
After his conversation, Trump took questions for the first time since Election Day and angrily denounced officials in Georgia and Pennsylvania, two key swing states that helped give Biden the win, as “enemies of the state” and claimed they were culprits in vote fraud.
State officials and international observers have repeatedly said no evidence of mass fraud exists and Trump’s campaign has repeatedly failed in court.
Trump said he would hold a rally with thousands of supporters in Georgia to support a pair of Republican candidates – Sen. David Perdue and Sen. Kelly Loeffler – whose runoff elections on Jan. 5 will determine which party controls the Senate.
Trump initially said the rally would be Saturday. The White House later clarified he meant Dec. 5.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Magnitude 4.7 quake hits eastern Turkey, no damage reported

ANKARA , Turkey ( AP ) - An earthquake with a 4.7 magnitude shook Malatya province in eastern Turkey on Friday , sending people pouring out into the streets in fear .
There was however , no immediate report of any damage or casualties .
The quake , which was centered in the town of Puturge , struck at 11:27 a.m. ( 0827 GMT ) , Turkey ’ s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said .
It was felt in several neighboring provinces .
Malatya ’ s Gov .
Aydin Barus told the state-run Anadolu Agency that his office had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning possible damage or injuries .
Several people rushed out of their homes or workplaces in fear that buildings might topple , the agency reported .
Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent .
The country was hit by two strong tremors this year - one that hit the western port city of Izmir last month , killing 114 people and one that struck Elazig province , which neighbors Malatya , killing 41 people .
At least 17,000 people died in a powerful earthquake in northwest Turkey in @ @

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - An earthquake with a 4.7 magnitude shook Malatya province in eastern Turkey on Friday, sending people pouring out into the streets in fear. There was however, no immediate report of any damage or casualties.
The quake, which was centered in the town of Puturge, struck at 11:27 a.m. (0827 GMT), Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate said. It was felt in several neighboring provinces.
Malatya’s Gov. Aydin Barus told the state-run Anadolu Agency that his office had not received any “negative reports” concerning possible damage or injuries.
Several people rushed out of their homes or workplaces in fear that buildings might topple, the agency reported.
Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.
The country was hit by two strong tremors this year - one that hit the western port city of Izmir last month, killing 114 people and one that struck Elazig province, which neighbors Malatya, killing 41 people.
At least 17,000 people died in a powerful earthquake in northwest Turkey in 1999.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Japan spacecraft carrying asteroid soil samples nears home

TOKYO ( AP ) - A Japanese spacecraft is nearing Earth after a yearlong journey home from a distant asteroid with soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system , a space agency official said Friday .
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft left the asteroid Ryugu , about 300 million kilometers ( 180 million miles ) from Earth , a year ago and is expected to reach Earth and drop a capsule containing the precious samples in southern Australia on Dec. 6 .
Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency believe the samples , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s surface , contain valuable data unaffected by space radiation and other environmental factors .
Makoto Yoshikawa , a Hayabusa2 project mission manager , said scientists are especially interested in analyzing organic materials in the Ryugu soil samples .
“ Organic materials are origins of life on Earth , but we still don ( asterisk ) t know where they came from , ” Yoshikawa said .
“ We are hoping to find clues to the origin of life on Earth by analyzing details of the organic materials brought back by Hayabusa2.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to drop the capsule containing the samples onto a remote , sparsely populated area in Australia from 220,000 kilometers ( 136,700 miles ) away in space , a big challenge requiring precision control .
The capsule , protected by a heat shield , will turn into a fireball during re-entry in the atmosphere at 200 kilometers ( 125 miles ) above ground .
At about 10 kilometers ( 6 miles ) above ground , a parachute will open to prepare for landing , and beacon signals will be transmitted to indicate its location @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishes at several locations in the target area to catch the signals , while also preparing marine radar , drones and helicopters to assist in the search and retrieval mission .
Without those measures , a search for the pan-shaped capsule with a diameter of 40 centimeters ( 15 inches ) “ would be an extremely difficult , ” Yoshikawa told reporters .
For Hayabusa2 , it ’ s not the end of the mission it started in 2014 .
After dropping the capsule , it will return to space and head to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a journey slated to take 10 years .
Hayabusa2 touched down on Ryugu twice , despite its extremely rocky surface , and successfully collected data and samples during the 1½ years after it arrived there in June 2018 .
In the first touchdown in February 2019 , it collected surface dust samples .
In July , it collected underground samples from the asteroid for the first time in space history after landing in a crater that it had earlier created by blasting the asteroid ’ s surface .
Scientists said there are traces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asteroid soil samples .
JAXA hopes to find clues to how the materials are distributed in the solar system and are related to life on Earth .
Asteroids , which orbit the sun but are much smaller than planets , are among the oldest objects in the solar system and therefore may help explain how Earth evolved .
It took the spacecraft 3½ years to arrive at Ryugu , but the journey home was much shorter because of the current locations of Ryugu and Earth .
Ryugu in Japanese means “ Dragon Palace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ castle in a Japanese folk tale .

TOKYO (AP) - A Japanese spacecraft is nearing Earth after a yearlong journey home from a distant asteroid with soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system, a space agency official said Friday.
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft left the asteroid Ryugu, about 300 million kilometers (180 million miles) from Earth, a year ago and is expected to reach Earth and drop a capsule containing the precious samples in southern Australia on Dec. 6.
Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency believe the samples, especially those taken from under the asteroid’s surface, contain valuable data unaffected by space radiation and other environmental factors.
Makoto Yoshikawa, a Hayabusa2 project mission manager, said scientists are especially interested in analyzing organic materials in the Ryugu soil samples.
“Organic materials are origins of life on Earth, but we still don(asterisk)t know where they came from,” Yoshikawa said. “We are hoping to find clues to the origin of life on Earth by analyzing details of the organic materials brought back by Hayabusa2.”
JAXA, the space agency, plans to drop the capsule containing the samples onto a remote, sparsely populated area in Australia from 220,000 kilometers (136,700 miles) away in space, a big challenge requiring precision control. The capsule, protected by a heat shield, will turn into a fireball during re-entry in the atmosphere at 200 kilometers (125 miles) above ground. At about 10 kilometers (6 miles) above ground, a parachute will open to prepare for landing, and beacon signals will be transmitted to indicate its location.
JAXA staff have set up satellite dishes at several locations in the target area to catch the signals, while also preparing marine radar, drones and helicopters to assist in the search and retrieval mission.
Without those measures, a search for the pan-shaped capsule with a diameter of 40 centimeters (15 inches) “would be an extremely difficult,” Yoshikawa told reporters.
For Hayabusa2, it’s not the end of the mission it started in 2014. After dropping the capsule, it will return to space and head to another distant small asteroid called 1998KY26 on a journey slated to take 10 years.
Hayabusa2 touched down on Ryugu twice, despite its extremely rocky surface, and successfully collected data and samples during the 1½ years after it arrived there in June 2018.
In the first touchdown in February 2019, it collected surface dust samples. In July, it collected underground samples from the asteroid for the first time in space history after landing in a crater that it had earlier created by blasting the asteroid’s surface.
Scientists said there are traces of carbon and organic matter in the asteroid soil samples. JAXA hopes to find clues to how the materials are distributed in the solar system and are related to life on Earth.
Asteroids, which orbit the sun but are much smaller than planets, are among the oldest objects in the solar system and therefore may help explain how Earth evolved.
It took the spacecraft 3½ years to arrive at Ryugu, but the journey home was much shorter because of the current locations of Ryugu and Earth.
Ryugu in Japanese means “Dragon Palace,” the name of a sea-bottom castle in a Japanese folk tale.
___
Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at hpps://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--AP Week in Pictures, Europe and Africa

AP Week in Pictures, Europe and Africa

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Europe @ @ @ @ @ gallery was curated by AP photographer Pavel Golovkin in Moscow .

NOV. 20 - 26, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Europe and Africa regions.
The gallery was curated by AP photographer Pavel Golovkin in Moscow.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Rabbi attacked at knifepoint by woman assailant in Vienna

BERLIN ( AP ) - A rabbi was attacked at knifepoint in Vienna by a woman who ripped the Jewish skullcap from his head and yelled an anti-Semitic threat before fleeing , police in the Austrian capital said Friday .
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon when the woman , described as about 50 years old and wearing a grey coat , suddenly approached the rabbi and pulled the knife from her handbag .
She kicked the rabbi in the leg , knocked his hat from his head , then tore off his kippah and yelled an anti-Semitic insult before fleeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main Jewish organization told Austrian broadcaster ORF the woman had screamed “ slaughter all Jews.
” Police searched the area but were unable to find the woman .
Austria ’ s top security official , Interior Minister Karl Nehammer , condemned the crime as an “ attack on Jewish life in Vienna ” and the case has been taken over by the agency that investigates acts of extremism and terrorism .
“ In addition to the increased protection of synagogues that has already been ordered , all measures are being taken to quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Nehammer said .
“ There is no tolerance for anti-Semitism , no matter whether it ’ s politically or religiously motivated.
” Police said the rabbi told first responders he had suffered no physical injuries .

BERLIN (AP) - A rabbi was attacked at knifepoint in Vienna by a woman who ripped the Jewish skullcap from his head and yelled an anti-Semitic threat before fleeing, police in the Austrian capital said Friday.
The incident occurred Thursday afternoon when the woman, described as about 50 years old and wearing a grey coat, suddenly approached the rabbi and pulled the knife from her handbag.
She kicked the rabbi in the leg, knocked his hat from his head, then tore off his kippah and yelled an anti-Semitic insult before fleeing, police said. Vienna’s main Jewish organization told Austrian broadcaster ORF the woman had screamed “slaughter all Jews.”
Police searched the area but were unable to find the woman.
Austria’s top security official, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer, condemned the crime as an “attack on Jewish life in Vienna” and the case has been taken over by the agency that investigates acts of extremism and terrorism.
“In addition to the increased protection of synagogues that has already been ordered, all measures are being taken to quickly clear up this apparently anti-Semitic attack,” Nehammer said. “There is no tolerance for anti-Semitism, no matter whether it’s politically or religiously motivated.”
Police said the rabbi told first responders he had suffered no physical injuries.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Ethiopians flee Tigray capital in fear of imminent assault

NAIROBI , Kenya ( AP ) — People continued to flee the capital of Ethiopia ‘ s embattled Tigray region in fear of an imminent assault after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the army had been ordered to move in for the “ final phase ” of an offensive to arrest the defiant regional leaders .
Fighting reportedly remained well outside Mekele , a densely populated city of a half-million people who had been warned by the Ethiopian government of “ no mercy ” if they didn ’ t separate themselves from the Tigray leaders in time .
Abiy on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disarm as the army , with tanks , was given the order to move in .
His government has vowed to protect civilians .
Food and other supplies are running out in the Tigray region of 6 million people .
The United Nations continues to urge immediate access for humanitarians that is neutral and impartial .
Ethiopia ‘ s government has said a “ humanitarian access route ” would open under the management of the country ’ s Ministry of Peace , with no details .
Multiple crises are growing .
Refugees from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire as fighting sweeps by their camps of nearly 100,000 in the region ’ s north .
Refugees have also told The Associated Press that Ethiopian forces near the border with Sudan are impeding people from leaving Ethiopia , while refugee crossings have largely slowed to a trickle .
Ethiopia ‘ s government has not commented on that .
More than 40,000 refugees have crossed into a remote part of Sudan where local communities and humanitarian workers struggle to provide food , shelter and care .
Nearly half of the refugees are children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one concern .
“ We can not keep social distancing here in the camp , ” said Mohammed Rafik Nasri , from the U.N. refugee agency .
“ It is really challenging among the several issues in need that are growing because the number is growing .
Today we are receiving a convoy of 1,000 arriving in the camp .
And shelter is one of the biggest challenges that we have at the moment.
” Scared , sometimes without word of loved ones left behind , the refugees continue to share horrific accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop .
“ It makes me so sad .
The country has no peace .
You see one tribe killing another .
It is so hard , ” said one , Atsbaha Gtsadik .
With communications and transport links severed , it remains difficult to verify claims about the fighting that erupted Nov. 4 between Ethiopian forces and the heavily armed forces of the Tigray People ’ s Liberation Front , which once dominated Ethiopia ‘ s government but has been sidelined under Abiy ’ s rule .
The two governments now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , perhaps thousands , of people have been killed .
The fighting threatens to destabilize Ethiopia , which has been described as the linchpin of the strategic Horn of Africa , and could even destabilize its neighbors .
Abiy , last year ’ s Nobel Peace Prize winner , has rejected international “ interference.
” His government has said three high-level African Union envoys for the conflict can meet with him , but not with the Tigray leaders .

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — People continued to flee the capital of Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region in fear of an imminent assault after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the army had been ordered to move in for the “final phase” of an offensive to arrest the defiant regional leaders.
Fighting reportedly remained well outside Mekele, a densely populated city of a half-million people who had been warned by the Ethiopian government of “no mercy” if they didn’t separate themselves from the Tigray leaders in time. Abiy on Thursday told residents to stay indoors and disarm as the army, with tanks, was given the order to move in. His government has vowed to protect civilians.
Food and other supplies are running out in the Tigray region of 6 million people. The United Nations continues to urge immediate access for humanitarians that is neutral and impartial. Ethiopia’s government has said a “humanitarian access route” would open under the management of the country’s Ministry of Peace, with no details.
Multiple crises are growing. Refugees from Eritrea have been in the line of fire as fighting sweeps by their camps of nearly 100,000 in the region’s north.
Refugees have also told The Associated Press that Ethiopian forces near the border with Sudan are impeding people from leaving Ethiopia, while refugee crossings have largely slowed to a trickle. Ethiopia’s government has not commented on that.
More than 40,000 refugees have crossed into a remote part of Sudan where local communities and humanitarian workers struggle to provide food, shelter and care. Nearly half of the refugees are children. The spread of COVID-19 is just one concern.
“We cannot keep social distancing here in the camp,” said Mohammed Rafik Nasri, from the U.N. refugee agency. “It is really challenging among the several issues in need that are growing because the number is growing. Today we are receiving a convoy of 1,000 arriving in the camp. And shelter is one of the biggest challenges that we have at the moment.”
Scared, sometimes without word of loved ones left behind, the refugees continue to share horrific accounts of the fighting and plead for it to stop.
“It makes me so sad. The country has no peace. You see one tribe killing another. It is so hard,” said one, Atsbaha Gtsadik.
With communications and transport links severed, it remains difficult to verify claims about the fighting that erupted Nov. 4 between Ethiopian forces and the heavily armed forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which once dominated Ethiopia’s government but has been sidelined under Abiy’s rule. The two governments now regard each other as illegal.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people have been killed. The fighting threatens to destabilize Ethiopia, which has been described as the linchpin of the strategic Horn of Africa, and could even destabilize its neighbors.
Abiy, last year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, has rejected international “interference.” His government has said three high-level African Union envoys for the conflict can meet with him, but not with the Tigray leaders.
___
Fay Abuelgasim in Umm Rakouba, Sudan, contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-27--Unfazed Indian farmers continue protest against new laws

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - Thousands of angry Indian farmers protesting against new agricultural laws were allowed to enter the national capital late Friday after they clashed with police who had blocked them at the outskirts of the city .
The farmers , who fear the new laws will reduce their earnings and give more power to corporations , will be escorted to a protest site in New Delhi , police in a statement .
It was not immediately clear where the protests would be held .
For the last two months , farmer unions unwilling to accept the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have camped on highways in Punjab and Haryana states .
They say the laws could cause the government to stop buying grain at guaranteed prices and result in their being exploited by corporations that would buy their crops at cheap prices .
The government has said the laws are aimed at reforming agriculture by giving farmers the freedom to market their produce and boosting production through private investment .
The farmers began their march to the capital on Thursday to mount pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s government to abolish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large numbers of security personnel in riot gear on the boundary between New Delhi and Haryana state .
They resumed their march early Friday , unfazed by overnight rain and chilly winter temperatures .
Heading toward New Delhi on tractors and cars , the farmers were again blocked by police at the capital ’ s fringes .
This led to clashes between the farmers and police , who used tear gas , water cannons and baton charges to push them back .
In response , farmers used tractors to clear walls of concrete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up by police on roads leading to the capital .
Some protesters also threw stones at the police and waved the flags of farmer unions .
There were no immediate reports of injuries .
“ We are fighting for our rights .
We won ’ t rest until we reach the capital and force the government to abolish these black laws , ” said Majhinder Singh Dhaliwal , a leader .
Earlier , in a bid to stop the protesters from riding commuter trains into the capital , the Delhi Metro suspended some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as vehicles were checked along state boundaries , leading to huge jams on some highways .
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urged the federal government to initiate talks with leaders of the farmers .
Many of the protesting farmers are from Punjab , one of the largest agricultural states in India .
“ The voice of farmers can not be muzzled indefinitely , ” Singh wrote on Twitter .
Negotiations between the leaders of farmer unions and the government to defuse the standoff have been unsuccessful .
Farmers say they will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws .
Opposition parties and some Modi allies have called the laws anti-farmer and pro-corporation .
Farmers have long been seen as the heart and soul of India , where agriculture supports more than half of the country ’ s 1.3 billion people .
But farmers have also seen their economic clout diminish over the last three decades .
Once accounting for a third of India ’ s gross domestic product , they now produce only 15 % of the country ’ s $ 2.9 trillion economy .
Farmers often complain of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better crop prices , more loan waivers and irrigation systems to guarantee water during dry spells .

NEW DELHI (AP) - Thousands of angry Indian farmers protesting new agricultural laws were allowed to enter the capital late Friday after they clashed with police who had blocked them at the outskirts of New Delhi.
The farmers, who fear new legislation will reduce their earnings and give more power to corporations, will be escorted to a protest site in New Delhi, police said in a statement. It was not immediately clear where the protests would be held.
For the last two months, farmer unions have rejected the laws, which were passed in September, and have camped on highways in Punjab and Haryana states. They say the measure could cause the government to stop buying grain at guaranteed prices and result in their being exploited by corporations that would buy their crops at cheap prices.
The government says the laws are needed to reform agriculture by giving farmers the freedom to market their produce and boosting production through private investment.
The farmers began their march to the capital on Thursday to pressure Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to abolish the laws, but were stopped by large numbers of security personnel in riot gear on the boundary between New Delhi and Haryana state.
They resumed their march early Friday, unfazed by overnight rain and chilly winter temperatures.
Heading toward New Delhi on tractors and cars, the farmers were again blocked by police at the capital’s fringes. This led to clashes with police, who used tear gas, water cannons and baton charges to push them back.
In response, farmers used tractors to clear walls of concrete, shipping containers and parked trucks set up by police on roads leading to the capital.
Some protesters also threw stones at officers and waved the flags of farmer unions. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
“We are fighting for our rights. We won’t rest until we reach the capital and force the government to abolish these black laws,” said Majhinder Singh Dhaliwal, a farmer leader.
Earlier, in a bid to stop the protesters from riding commuter trains into the capital, the Delhi Metro suspended some services. Traffic slowed to a crawl as vehicles were checked along state boundaries, leading to huge jams on some highways.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urged the federal government to initiate talks with protest leaders. Many of the farmers are from Punjab, one of the largest agricultural states in India.
“The voice of farmers cannot be muzzled indefinitely,” Singh wrote on Twitter.
Negotiations between the leaders of farmer unions and the government to defuse the standoff have been unsuccessful. Farmers say they will continue to protest until the government rolls back the laws.
Opposition parties and some Modi allies have called the laws anti-farmer and pro-corporation.
Farmers have long been seen as the heart and soul of India, where agriculture supports more than half of the country’s 1.3 billion people. But farmers have also seen their economic clout diminish over the last three decades. Once accounting for a third of India’s gross domestic product, they now produce only 15% of the country’s $2.9 trillion economy.
Farmers often complain of being ignored and hold frequent protests to demand better crop prices, more loan waivers and irrigation systems to guarantee water during dry spells.