washingtontimes--2020-11-01--W.Va. roller-skating rink offers homework help to students

FAIRMONT , W.Va. ( AP ) - When the pandemic put many people out of work , the staff at the Skate-A-Way transformed into a new hub where others could get help .
While the rink had to close during the initial coronavirus shutdown , its owners used the time to pack food boxes to give to families in need , an effort that quickly became popular .
“ At one point in the spring when we started this , we were feeding 100 families a week , ” said Ashley Ice , manager of the Skate-A-Way .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we continue to still take donations.
” The Skate-A-Way was able to reopen for skating in September , but the social aid the rink ’ s staff provided kept going .
That ’ s when Ice started the Jr. Roller Club , which has since morphed into an all-day club that resembles a camp that aims to provide students of all ages with activities and homework help .
“ We have tutors and teachers available on-site to help the kids complete any school work that they have to do , whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or home schooling , ” Ice said .
“ We offer breakfast and lunch and a snack that we provide for them .
We do crafts , we do skating , games , we watch movies , we have people come in and read books.
” The Jr. Roller Club runs from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday , and costs $ 35 a week per child , Ice said .
She also said that while the program is not officially affiliated with Marion County Schools , she has received positive feedback from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Jr. Roller Club .
“ We are not with the Marion County Board of Education in any way , but they do support us in what we ’ re doing for the community , students and the parents and families , ” Ice said .
“ It started out really slow , but over the last couple weeks it has picked up .
It ’ s just a great program , we had a lot of fun getting it going.
” In addition to receiving praise from local residents and school officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Skate-A-Way its Business of the Month for October .
“ One of the initiatives behind the Business of the Month campaign is to highlight hidden gems in Fairmont , ” said Alex Petry , coordinator of the Business of the Month program for the city .
“ I feel like Skate-A-Way is a perfect example of one of those hidden gems .
It has been there for over 70 years ; they literally have been successful with the same business model for pretty much their entire existence.
” Petry also said the skating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun and activity , no matter when you step inside .
“ You walk in there and it ’ s just like a portal to the past , ” Petry said .
“ You become just immersed in the vibrant colors and the disco lights and hardwood skating floor .
I just think it ’ s a really , really unique business.
” The Jr. Roller Club is a helpful initiative for all residents of Fairmont , seeing that many people have been affected and are in need because of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity for folks who are struggling with today ’ s climate and landscape , ” Petry said .
“ The fact they provide those resources I think is a really great and beneficial thing.
” Ice said the feedback she has received from parents has been some of the best the business has ever gotten .
While the Jr. Roller Club offers kids entertainment and fun , it is especially beneficial now that many other avenues for activity are unavailable to kids .
“ It gives them exercise , ” Ice said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ me come the next morning , ‘ My kids were so tired ; they went home , they had dinner , they didn ’ t have to stress over school work , they went to bed and slept great and were excited to go back the next day.
’ ” Ice said the Skate-A-Way has other initiatives in the works , including a coat drive and its annual Skate with Santa event , in addition to its food pantry .
She said she is just happy to have the rink back open after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had missed being there .
“ We haven ’ t been open for very long , but thankfully , we have been able to see a lot of those familiar faces , ” Ice said .
“ We missed our regular customers a lot .
A lot of kids depend on us , and we ’ re glad to be back open .
”

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) - When the pandemic put many people out of work, the staff at the Skate-A-Way transformed into a new hub where others could get help.
While the rink had to close during the initial coronavirus shutdown, its owners used the time to pack food boxes to give to families in need, an effort that quickly became popular.
“At one point in the spring when we started this, we were feeding 100 families a week,” said Ashley Ice, manager of the Skate-A-Way. “It was amazing, the donations were amazing and we continue to still take donations.”
The Skate-A-Way was able to reopen for skating in September, but the social aid the rink’s staff provided kept going. That’s when Ice started the Jr. Roller Club, which has since morphed into an all-day club that resembles a camp that aims to provide students of all ages with activities and homework help.
“We have tutors and teachers available on-site to help the kids complete any school work that they have to do, whether it’s distance learning, blended learning or home schooling,” Ice said. “We offer breakfast and lunch and a snack that we provide for them. We do crafts, we do skating, games, we watch movies, we have people come in and read books.”
The Jr. Roller Club runs from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and costs $35 a week per child, Ice said. She also said that while the program is not officially affiliated with Marion County Schools, she has received positive feedback from some parents, teachers and administrators about the Jr. Roller Club.
“We are not with the Marion County Board of Education in any way, but they do support us in what we’re doing for the community, students and the parents and families,” Ice said. “It started out really slow, but over the last couple weeks it has picked up. It’s just a great program, we had a lot of fun getting it going.”
In addition to receiving praise from local residents and school officials, the City of Fairmont declared the Skate-A-Way its Business of the Month for October.
“One of the initiatives behind the Business of the Month campaign is to highlight hidden gems in Fairmont,” said Alex Petry, coordinator of the Business of the Month program for the city. “I feel like Skate-A-Way is a perfect example of one of those hidden gems. It has been there for over 70 years; they literally have been successful with the same business model for pretty much their entire existence.”
Petry also said the skating rink houses a pleasant environment that encourages fun and activity, no matter when you step inside.
“You walk in there and it’s just like a portal to the past,” Petry said. “You become just immersed in the vibrant colors and the disco lights and hardwood skating floor. I just think it’s a really, really unique business.”
The Jr. Roller Club is a helpful initiative for all residents of Fairmont, seeing that many people have been affected and are in need because of the pandemic.
“I think that is a great opportunity for folks who are struggling with today’s climate and landscape,” Petry said. “The fact they provide those resources I think is a really great and beneficial thing.”
Ice said the feedback she has received from parents has been some of the best the business has ever gotten. While the Jr. Roller Club offers kids entertainment and fun, it is especially beneficial now that many other avenues for activity are unavailable to kids.
“It gives them exercise,” Ice said. “A lot of the parents thank me come the next morning, ‘My kids were so tired; they went home, they had dinner, they didn’t have to stress over school work, they went to bed and slept great and were excited to go back the next day.’”
Ice said the Skate-A-Way has other initiatives in the works, including a coat drive and its annual Skate with Santa event, in addition to its food pantry. She said she is just happy to have the rink back open after five months, because many regular customers had missed being there.
“We haven’t been open for very long, but thankfully, we have been able to see a lot of those familiar faces,” Ice said. “We missed our regular customers a lot. A lot of kids depend on us, and we’re glad to be back open.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Fetterman: Trump's barnstorming of state is unprecedented

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov .
John Fetterman said Sunday that he ’ s never seen anything like President Trump ’ s frenetic , last-minute barnstorming of the Keystone State , which ultimately could decide the 2020 election .
“ Donald Trump is doing things that have never been done in Pennsylvania politics in terms of the raw barnstorming across small county Pennsylvania , so it ’ s hard to predict with certainty how that ’ s going to activate not only his base of voters from 2016 , but also those that sat it out , too , ” Mr. Fetterman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ m not saying Donald Trump is going to win Pennsylvania , but what I am saying is he ’ s doing everything that he can to maximize his chances , ” Mr. Fetterman said .
Mr. Trump held four events in Pennsylvania on Saturday after having held multiple events there last Monday .
The president also is scheduled to campaign near Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden ’ s hometown of Scranton on Monday , the day before Election Day .
Mr. Biden is scheduled to hold two events in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , as well .
The president carried Pennsylvania in 2016 by about 44,000 votes , or less than 1 percentage point .

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman said Sunday that he’s never seen anything like President Trump’s frenetic, last-minute barnstorming of the Keystone State, which ultimately could decide the 2020 election.
“Donald Trump is doing things that have never been done in Pennsylvania politics in terms of the raw barnstorming across small county Pennsylvania, so it’s hard to predict with certainty how that’s going to activate not only his base of voters from 2016, but also those that sat it out, too,” Mr. Fetterman, a Democrat, said on CNN.
“I’m not saying Donald Trump is going to win Pennsylvania, but what I am saying is he’s doing everything that he can to maximize his chances,” Mr. Fetterman said.
Mr. Trump held four events in Pennsylvania on Saturday after having held multiple events there last Monday.
The president also is scheduled to campaign near Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden’s hometown of Scranton on Monday, the day before Election Day.
Mr. Biden is scheduled to hold two events in Philadelphia later Sunday and campaign in Pennsylvania on Monday, as well.
The president carried Pennsylvania in 2016 by about 44,000 votes, or less than 1 percentage point.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Work to start on I-95 median crossover in New Hampshire

HAMPTON FALLS , N.H. ( AP ) - The left lane of Interstate 95 in both directions will be closed @ @ @ @ @ a new median crossover , the New Hampshire Department of Transportation said .
There will @ @ @ @ @ in each direction at all times , the department said .
Lane closures are scheduled @ @ @ @ @ permitting , starting Monday , through Friday , from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m .
@ @ @ @ @ signs and traffic cones through the work area .

HAMPTON FALLS, N.H. (AP) - The left lane of Interstate 95 in both directions will be closed in Hampton Falls to construct a new median crossover, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation said.
There will be three travel lanes open in each direction at all times, the department said. Lane closures are scheduled for each day, weather permitting, starting Monday, through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Drivers will be guided via signs and traffic cones through the work area.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Maine looking for help finding trees that might contain pest

BANGOR , Maine ( AP ) - Maine forestry officials are asking for the public ’ s help in locating @ @ @ @ @ this year and might have contained an invasive forest pest .
The ash trees were @ @ @ @ @ stores in Maine in the spring and summer and might contain the emerald ash borer @ @ @ @ @ Agriculture , Conservation and Forestry said .
The borer kills ash trees .
The forestry @ @ @ @ @ for $ 29.98 and were labeled as “ Ash Green , Fraxinus pennsylvanica.
” Customers @ @ @ @ @ from stores in southern , central and eastern Maine , the department said .
People @ @ @ @ @ trees are asked to call the Maine State Horticulture Program at 207-287-7545 .

BANGOR, Maine (AP) - Maine forestry officials are asking for the public’s help in locating trees that were sold earlier this year and might have contained an invasive forest pest.
The ash trees were sold at Lowe’s stores in Maine in the spring and summer and might contain the emerald ash borer, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said. The borer kills ash trees.
The forestry department said the trees retailed for $29.98 and were labeled as “Ash Green, Fraxinus pennsylvanica.”
Customers bought 36 of the trees from stores in southern, central and eastern Maine, the department said.
People who might have bought the trees are asked to call the Maine State Horticulture Program at 207-287-7545.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Clerks: While historic, absentee ballots short of forecast

While town clerks across Connecticut have so far received roughly 450,000 more absentee ballots than they did in the 2016 presidential election , hundreds of thousands of residents are still expected to go to the polls on Tuesday , despite the pandemic .
The Connecticut Town Clerks Association had prepared for as many as 66 % of the state ’ s more than 2.3 million eligible voters casting their ballots by absentee in this year ’ s presidential election , now that COVID-19 is an allowable excuse this year .
But as of Thursday , roughly 25 % had done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we thought .
I think a lot of voters are opting to go to the polls .
Probably much to do with the messages , the mixed messages they ’ re getting out there about the election , ” said Anna Posniak , the association ’ s president and the Windsor town clerk .
“ So I think there ’ s a comfort level for many people to go to the polls , to have the ballot in their hand and to watch it go into the tabulator.
” Posniak said the clerks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking into account voter turnout for the Aug. 11 primary and unaffiliated and minor party voters , as well as recommendations from the Secretary of the State ’ s Office as to how many ballots they should be ordering in this unprecedented situation .
For the first time in a Connecticut general election , Democratic Secretary of the State Denise Merrill sent out applications for absentee ballots this year to all eligible voters .
She and other election officials urged voters to request one so they could have a backup plan in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polls in person , given the pandemic .
As of Friday , state records showed nearly 83 % of the 705,211 voters who requested an absentee ballot have filled them out and sent them back to the clerks .
Democrats have the highest return rate so far , at nearly 85 % , compared with nearly 82 % for Republicans and 80.5 % for unaffiliated voters , according to the nonpartisan U.S .
Elections Project .
Nationally , at least 35 million “ mail ballots ” in battleground states around the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of early Wednesday , according to data collected by The Associated Press .
While the return rate in some communities is lower than the state average , such as 72 % in Bridgeport , the most populous city and a key vote-getter for Democrats , leaders of both the state ’ s Democratic and Republican parties said they believe voters will likely instead go to the polls , where various social distancing and safety measures are being implemented .
“ It doesn ’ t concern me , ” said Nancy DiNardo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about locations with lower return rates .
“ We have always been considered a blue state .
So I think if you look at the number that have been processed but haven ’ t been returned , I would say a lot of those people will probably be coming out on Election Day and voting .
I think they just wanted to have ( the ballot ) .
” J.R. Romano , chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party , said he always thought more Republicans than Democrats would opt for voting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 584,232 absentee ballots processed as of Friday , 90,479 were from Republicans , while 284,814 were from Democrats and 200,557 from unaffiliated voters .
“ Based on the primary , we already know Democrats are tending to vote by mail with COVID and Republicans are voting in person , ” said Romano , noting that many in the GOP voiced concern about the new expanded absentee voting this year in Connecticut , a state that traditionally has strictly limited when someone could do so .
“ I think people are just feeling safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to making sure their vote counts , ” he said .
“ And that ’ s OK.
There ’ s nothing wrong with that.
” Posniak said city and town clerks have benefited somewhat from the relatively smaller than predicted number of absentee ballot requests , noting they are still extremely busy and have been inputting information into the state voter system , which has been stressed by the sheer volume of activity .
There has been a record-breaking number of new voter registrations this year , with more than 700,000 recorded since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 450,000 between the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections and 250,000 between the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections .
Merrill said young voters in particular have registered to vote in greater numbers than in previous cycles .
Meanwhile , those Connecticut voters who still plan to use their absentee ballot are being urged to forgo the U.S. mail and instead deposit them in the drop boxes set up in all 169 cities and towns by 8 p.m. Tuesday , but not bring them to the polling places .
“ The post office has indicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week for mail , so at this point using the drop boxes is the best way for voters to return their absentee ballots , ” said Gabe Rosenberg , spokesman for the Secretary of State ’ s Office .

While town clerks across Connecticut have so far received roughly 460,000 more absentee ballots than they did in the 2016 presidential election, hundreds of thousands of residents are still expected to go to the polls on Tuesday, despite the pandemic.
The Connecticut Town Clerks Association had prepared for as many as 66% of the state’s more than 2.3 million eligible voters casting their ballots by absentee in this year’s presidential election, now that COVID-19 is an allowable excuse this year. But as of Sunday nearly 26% had done so.
“It is less than we thought. I think a lot of voters are opting to go to the polls. Probably much to do with the messages, the mixed messages they’re getting out there about the election,” said Anna Posniak, the association’s president and the Windsor town clerk. “So I think there’s a comfort level for many people to go to the polls, to have the ballot in their hand and to watch it go into the tabulator.”
Posniak said the clerks arrived at the 66% figure after taking into account voter turnout for the Aug. 11 primary and unaffiliated and minor party voters, as well as recommendations from the Secretary of the State’s Office as to how many ballots they should be ordering in this unprecedented situation.
For the first time in a Connecticut general election, Democratic Secretary of the State Denise Merrill sent out applications for absentee ballots this year to all eligible voters. She and other election officials urged voters to request one so they could have a backup plan in case they couldn’t make it to the polls in person, given the pandemic.
As of Sunday, state records showed nearly 84% of the 706,374 voters who requested an absentee ballot have filled them out and sent them back to the clerks. Democrats have the highest return rate so far, at nearly 86%, compared with 83% for Republicans and 81.4% for unaffiliated voters, according to the nonpartisan U.S. Elections Project. Nationally, at least 35 million “mail ballots” in battleground states around the U.S. had not yet been returned or accepted as of early Wednesday, according to data collected by The Associated Press.
While the return rate in some communities is lower than the state average, such as 74% in Bridgeport, the most populous city and a key vote-getter for Democrats, leaders of both the state’s Democratic and Republican parties said they believe voters will likely instead go to the polls, where various social distancing and safety measures are being implemented.
“It doesn’t concern me,” said Nancy DiNardo, the state Democratic Party chairwoman, when asked about locations with lower return rates. “We have always been considered a blue state. So I think if you look at the number that have been processed but haven’t been returned, I would say a lot of those people will probably be coming out on Election Day and voting. I think they just wanted to have (the ballot).”
J.R. Romano, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, said he always thought more Republicans than Democrats would opt for voting in person at the polls. Of the 591,293 absentee ballots returned to the clerks as of Sunday, 91,772 were from Republicans, while 287,565 were from Democrats, 203,470 from unaffiliated voters and 8,486 from minor party members.
“Based on the primary, we already know Democrats are tending to vote by mail with COVID and Republicans are voting in person,” said Romano, noting that many in the GOP voiced concern about the new expanded absentee voting this year in Connecticut, a state that traditionally has strictly limited when someone could do so.
“I think people are just feeling safer going and voting in person in regards to making sure their vote counts,” he said. “And that’s OK. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Posniak said city and town clerks have benefited somewhat from the relatively smaller than predicted number of absentee ballot requests, noting they are still extremely busy and have been inputting information into the state voter system, which has been stressed by the sheer volume of activity. There has been a record-breaking number of new voter registrations this year, with more than 700,000 recorded since 2016. That’s compared to 450,000 between the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections and 250,000 between the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. Merrill said young voters in particular have registered to vote in greater numbers than in previous cycles.
Meanwhile, those Connecticut voters who still plan to use their absentee ballot are being urged to forgo the U.S. mail and instead deposit them in the drop boxes set up in all 169 cities and towns by 8 p.m. Tuesday, but not bring them to the polling places.
“The post office has indicated that voters should leave at least a week for mail, so at this point using the drop boxes is the best way for voters to return their absentee ballots,” said Gabe Rosenberg, spokesman for the Secretary of State’s Office.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Ivorians brace for unrest, await results in tense elections

ABIDJAN , Ivory Coast ( AP ) - Ivorians braced for more unrest Sunday as election officials tallied votes and opponents of President Alassane Ouattara stepped up their criticism of his quest for a third term .
Opposition leaders who boycotted the vote have claimed that at least a dozen people died in violence related to Saturday ’ s election , without giving details .
More than 20 others had been killed in the run-up to the vote , human rights groups said .
On Sunday , prominent dissident Guillaume Soro said from exile in France that he no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s head of state after the government went ahead with elections even after the two main competitors dropped out .
Soro , a former prime minister and president of Ivory Coast ’ s National Assembly , had been disqualified from running in Saturday ’ s election earlier this year .
“ Faced with the electoral parody in Ivory Coast , ( the GPS party ) calls on the Ivorian people to remove former president Alassane Ouattara from power , ” Soro tweeted from exile in France .
“ Ivory Coast will assume its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was no immediate reaction from Ouattara , who was re-elected five years ago with nearly 84 % of the vote and has broad international support .
Soro ’ s comments about his former mentor came as some Ivorians feared a possible return to the electoral violence that had engulfed the country nearly a decade ago .
The 2010 election standoff led to months of fighting that left more than 3,000 people dead after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara , the internationally recognized winner .
Ouattara is now seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opponents consider illegal .
However , the president insists his previous two terms no longer count because of a constitutional referendum approved in 2016 .
Tensions over his bid for another term have revived old wounds from the country ’ s previous political standoff , with critics complaining the Ouattara administration has failed to bring about national reconciliation during his years in power .
Critics say Ouattara has all but predetermined the outcome as 40 of the 44 candidates seeking to challenge him were disqualified , including Soro and Gbagbo .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affi N ’ Guessan and Henri Konan Bedie - boycotted Saturday ’ s vote and asked their supporters to stay home too .
N ’ Guessan told reporters late Saturday that at least a dozen people had died in violence linked to the election , which he described as an “ electoral coup d ’ etat.
” More than 20 others already had died in the run-up to the vote , according to human rights groups .
In the streets of Abidjan , there was uncertainty Sunday about what the coming days would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partial election results could set off more unrest .
Moussa Doumbia , 67 , said residents in the Abobo neighborhood of Abidjan wanted to avoid the bloody conflict of elections past .
“ We no longer want hate .
We want peace , so that what happened in 2010 never happens again , ” he said .
While the streets in pro-opposition neighborhoods were largely deserted Sunday , markets reopened in Ouattara strongholds like Abobo where women neatly lined up piles of fresh tilapia fish to sell to shoppers trudging through muddy footpaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s to come , ” said Aicha Toure , a vegetable seller , as she sliced cabbage at her stall .
“ We don ’ t know what ’ s going to happen.
” On Saturday , opposition activists put up barricades in many neighborhoods , and in some areas voting materials were seized from depots and burned .
Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert , president of the Independent Electoral Commission , told reporters there had been a few “ minor disturbances.
” “ There are barely 30 to 40 polling stations that were ransacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , he said .
Ouattara called on Ivorians to halt acts of violence aimed at disrupting the vote as he cast his ballot earlier in the day in Abidjan ’ s Cocody neighborhood .
“ Let them stop , ” he said .
“ Let them stop because Ivory Coast needs peaces ”

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) - Ivory Coast residents braced for more unrest Sunday as election officials began releasing the first results from the country’s presidential election and opponents of President Alassane Ouattara stepped up their criticism of his quest for a third term.
Opposition leaders who boycotted the election have claimed that at least 30 people have died in election-related violence, without giving further details. They urged the international community to take note that Ouattara’s mandate was finished.
Prominent dissident Guillaume Soro said from exile in France that he no longer considered Ouattara to be Ivory Coast’s head of state. Soro, a former prime minister and president of Ivory Coast’s National Assembly, was disqualified earlier this year from running in Saturday’s election.
“Faced with the electoral parody in Ivory Coast, (the GPS party) calls on the Ivorian people to remove former president Alassane Ouattara from power,” Soro tweeted from exile in France. “Ivory Coast will assume its destiny and the impostor will fall.”
There was no immediate reaction from Ouattara, who was reelected five years ago with nearly 84% of the vote and has broad international support.
Soro’s comments about his former mentor came as some Ivorians feared a possible return to the electoral violence that had engulfed the country nearly a decade ago. The 2010 election standoff led to months of fighting that left more than 3,000 people dead after then-President Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara, the internationally recognized winner.
Ouattara is now seeking a third term in office, which his opponents consider illegal. However, the president insists his previous two terms no longer count because of a constitutional referendum approved in 2016. Tensions over his bid for another term have revived old wounds from the country’s previous political standoff, with critics complaining the Ouattara administration has failed to bring about national reconciliation during his years in power.
Critics say Ouattara has all but predetermined the outcome as 40 of the 44 candidates seeking to challenge him were disqualified, including Soro and Gbagbo. Two of his three remaining opponents - Pascal Affi N’Guessan and Henri Konan Bedie - boycotted Saturday’s vote and asked their supporters to stay home too.
N’Guessan told reporters Sunday that only about 10% of the electorate had cast ballots, but did not provide his source for the information. The Independent Electoral Commission has not yet released nationwide voter turnout figures.
In the streets of Abidjan, there was uncertainty Sunday about what the coming days would bring and whether the release of even partial election results could set off more unrest.
Moussa Doumbia, 67, said residents in the Abobo neighborhood of Abidjan wanted to avoid the bloody conflict of elections past.
“We no longer want hate. We want peace, so that what happened in 2010 never happens again,” he said.
While the streets in pro-opposition neighborhoods were largely deserted Sunday, markets reopened in Ouattara strongholds like Abobo where women neatly lined up piles of fresh tilapia fish to sell to shoppers trudging through muddy footpaths.
“We are afraid of what’s to come,” said Aicha Toure, a vegetable seller, as she sliced cabbage at her stall. “We don’t know what’s going to happen.”
On Saturday, opposition activists put up barricades in many neighborhoods, and in some areas voting materials were seized from depots and burned.
Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert, president of the Independent Electoral Commission, told reporters there had been a few “minor disturbances.”
“There are barely 30 to 40 polling stations that were ransacked,” out of more than 22,000 nationwide, he said.
Ouattara called on Ivorians to halt acts of violence aimed at disrupting the vote as he cast his ballot earlier in the day in Abidjan’s Cocody neighborhood.
“Let them stop,” he said. “Let them stop because Ivory Coast needs peace.”
___
Associated Press writer Toussaint N’Gotta contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Town built on guns ponders future after Remington plant sale

ILION , N.Y. ( AP ) - Workers at the sprawling Remington factory in this upstate New York village took pride in a local gunmaking tradition stretching back to the days of flintlock rifles .
Now they ’ re looking ahead with uncertainty .
Jacquie Sweeney and her husband were among almost 600 workers fired by the company this week , a few months after Remington Outdoor Co. sought bankruptcy protection for the second time in two years .
Successful bidders for the idled plant in bankruptcy proceedings have said they plan to restart at least some production , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes for a successful reload of the plant that dominates the local economy .
But these hopes are tempered by questions about how many workers will come back , and when .
“ My husband , he ’ s looking for work , just like everybody else .
And I plan on going back to college unless I find a job before I start that up , ” said Sweeney , recording secretary for the local unit of the United Mine Workers of America .
“ That ’ s all we can really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around and wait for forever.
” It ’ s common for people here to say that Ilion is Remington and Remington is Ilion .
Company founder Eliphalet Remington started making flintlock rifles on his father ’ s forge near here in 1816 , and the Ilion factory site dates to 1828 .
Though the company moved its headquarters to Madison , North Carolina , the old factory dominates - literally and figuratively - a village that has long depended on workers making rifles and shotguns to power the economy .
Union signs reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” are in the windows of local businesses that sell everything from pizza slices to steel-toed boots .
At Beer Belly Bob ’ s beverage center across the street from the plant , Bob McDowell recalled the sales bump on Thursdays and Fridays after shifts ended at 3 p.m. “ I used to call it the beer train , ” McDowell said with a smile .
“ It was busy , and it is gone.
” Remington ’ s recent history has been a roller coaster ride with a lot of drops .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which employed around 1,200 people eight years ago , was down recently to about 600 union workers plus an estimated 100 or so salaried workers .
The company began moving two production lines to a new plant in Huntsville , Alabama , in 2014 .
Remington dealt not only with the volatile gun market , but also legal action , after the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre .
The gunman who killed 20 children and six educators at the Connecticut school used a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle , which once was made here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of September as the company went through bankruptcy proceedings .
Locals wondered whether it would ever restart .
The company was divvied up by multiple buyers .
The bankruptcy court approved Sturm , Ruger & Co. ’ s $ 30 million bid for Marlin Firearms , which were made here , and Anoka , Minnesota-based Vista Outdoor ’ s $ 81.4 million bid for Remington ’ s ammunition and accessories businesses .
Roundhill Group ’ s $ 13 million bid included the Ilion firearms plant and a handgun barrel factory in Lenoir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italia , a paintball industry veteran , said he was approached by Remington CEO Ken D ’ Arcy about the opportunity , according to documents filed in the bankruptcy case .
“ I believe I was approached by Mr. D ’ Arcy due to my manufacturing business in the paintball gun market and apparently Mr. D ’ Arcy believed that there may be some synergy , ” Italia said in court papers .
Roundhill pledged in court documents to bring back at least 200 workers .
They could eventually add hundreds more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners did not respond to calls and emails asking about their plans .
But Italia told WUTR-TV last week they plan to bring back as many workers as possible within “ a couple of months.
” Local officials believe a number of pieces need to be in place before production starts , from a collective bargaining agreement with the union to a new federal firearms license .
One likely product would be Remington ’ s Model 870 shotguns , said Jamie Rudwall , a district representative for the union .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workforce to produce shotguns for a hot market .
The FBI reports that it has processed more background checks to purchase or possess a firearm in the first nine months of 2020 than any previous year .
“ We certainly have that capability of putting every single person back to work at 870s making literally between 1,200 and 1,800 every day .
And every one of them will be sold , ” said Rudwall , who once worked at the plant .
The UMW said it has held “ productive discussions ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excoriated the outgoing owners for terminating 585 workers this week along with their health care and other contractual benefits .
The union said the company is refusing to pay severance and accrued vacation benefits , sparking pickets in Ilion this week .
Local officials say the new owners have also expressed concerns about the efficiency of the old four-story factory , preferring a modern one-floor plant .
Vincent Bono , chairman of the Herkimer County Legislature , met with them Thursday and said he believes something can be worked out to keep keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alive .
“ We ’ re optimistic that Remington ’ s going to have a home here , ” Bono said .
“ To what degree , we really don ’ t know .
”

ILION, N.Y. (AP) - Workers at the sprawling Remington factory in this upstate New York village took pride in a local gunmaking tradition stretching back to the days of flintlock rifles. Now they’re looking ahead with uncertainty.
Jacquie Sweeney and her husband were among almost 600 workers fired by the company this week, a few months after Remington Outdoor Co. sought bankruptcy protection for the second time in two years.
Successful bidders for the idled plant in bankruptcy proceedings have said they plan to restart at least some production, though details remain scarce.
There are high hopes for a successful reload of the plant that dominates the local economy. But these hopes are tempered by questions about how many workers will come back, and when.
“My husband, he’s looking for work, just like everybody else. And I plan on going back to college unless I find a job before I start that up,” said Sweeney, recording secretary for the local unit of the United Mine Workers of America. “That’s all we can really do. We can’t sit around and wait for forever.”
It’s common for people here to say that Ilion is Remington and Remington is Ilion. Company founder Eliphalet Remington started making flintlock rifles on his father’s forge near here in 1816, and the Ilion factory site dates to 1828. Though the company moved its headquarters to Madison, North Carolina, the old factory dominates - literally and figuratively - a village that has long depended on workers making rifles and shotguns to power the economy.
Union signs reading “United We Stand with Remington Workers” are in the windows of local businesses that sell everything from pizza slices to steel-toed boots. At Beer Belly Bob’s beverage center across the street from the plant, Bob McDowell recalled the sales bump on Thursdays and Fridays after shifts ended at 3 p.m.
“I used to call it the beer train,” McDowell said with a smile. “It was busy, and it is gone.”
Remington’s recent history has been a roller coaster ride with a lot of drops. Layoffs have been common. The plant, which employed around 1,200 people eight years ago, was down recently to about 600 union workers plus an estimated 100 or so salaried workers. The company began moving two production lines to a new plant in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2014.
Remington dealt not only with the volatile gun market, but also legal action, after the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre. The gunman who killed 20 children and six educators at the Connecticut school used a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle, which once was made here.
Most workers were furloughed at the end of September as the company went through bankruptcy proceedings. Locals wondered whether it would ever restart.
The company was divvied up by multiple buyers. The bankruptcy court approved Sturm, Ruger & Co.’s $30 million bid for Marlin Firearms, which were made here, and Anoka, Minnesota-based Vista Outdoor’s $81.4 million bid for Remington’s ammunition and accessories businesses.
Roundhill Group’s $13 million bid included the Ilion firearms plant and a handgun barrel factory in Lenoir City, Tennessee.
Roundhill partner Richmond Italia, a paintball industry veteran, said he was approached by Remington CEO Ken D’Arcy about the opportunity, according to documents filed in the bankruptcy case.
“I believe I was approached by Mr. D’Arcy due to my manufacturing business in the paintball gun market and apparently Mr. D’Arcy believed that there may be some synergy,” Italia said in court papers.
Roundhill pledged in court documents to bring back at least 200 workers. They could eventually add hundreds more, but details are not clear.
Roundhill partners did not respond to calls and emails asking about their plans. But Italia told WUTR-TV last week they plan to bring back as many workers as possible within “a couple of months.”
Local officials believe a number of pieces need to be in place before production starts, from a collective bargaining agreement with the union to a new federal firearms license.
One likely product would be Remington’s Model 870 shotguns, said Jamie Rudwall, a district representative for the union. He said the new owners can rely on a trained workforce to produce shotguns for a hot market.
The FBI reports that it has processed more background checks to purchase or possess a firearm in the first nine months of 2020 than any previous year.
“We certainly have that capability of putting every single person back to work at 870s making literally between 1,200 and 1,800 every day. And every one of them will be sold,” said Rudwall, who once worked at the plant.
The UMW said it has held “productive discussions” with Roundhill. Meanwhile, it also has excoriated the outgoing owners for terminating 585 workers this week along with their health care and other contractual benefits. The union said the company is refusing to pay severance and accrued vacation benefits, sparking pickets in Ilion this week.
Local officials say the new owners have also expressed concerns about the efficiency of the old four-story factory, preferring a modern one-floor plant. Vincent Bono, chairman of the Herkimer County Legislature, met with them Thursday and said he believes something can be worked out to keep keep the long local tradition of gun production alive.
“We’re optimistic that Remington’s going to have a home here,” Bono said. “To what degree, we really don’t know.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--EU faces knotty trade fights with US _ no matter who wins

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - After winemakers , cookie bakers , and olive growers wound up as collateral damage , Europe is closely watching the U.S. presidential election , waiting to see whether the next four years will mean more tariff wars under Republican President Donald Trump or a shift toward less confrontational negotiation under Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
It ’ s no secret that European officials are more in tune with Biden ’ s stated intent to improve transatlantic relations .
But no matter who wins , fundamental disputes that erupted - or in some cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be quick or easy to resolve .
In particular , Europe ’ s push for digital taxes on American tech behemoths like Google and Amazon could mean friction no matter who is in the White House .
Likewise with the dispute over government support for Europe ’ s aircraft maker Airbus and America ’ s Boeing , which dates to well before Trump .
And don ’ t forget Europe ’ s longstanding ban on U.S. chicken treated with chlorine .
Chad P. Bown , senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendlier times , “ there are bilateral irritants , there always have been and there always will be .
It ’ s the nature of trade , they ’ re going to be there - and they have to be resolved.
” And that is fraught with with consequences for the 16 million workers on both sides whose jobs are supported by transatlantic trade , the biggest such relationship in the global economy .
Tit-for-tat tariffs over the past four years have affected companies and people making and selling a whole host of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sweet biscuits , who have been sideswiped by tariffs imposed by the U.S. after the World Trade Organization ruled European governments had broken the rules with subsidies for Airbus .
The German confectionery association , known by its German acronym BDSI , says that affected producers have lost 30 % of their export volume in the first half of this year .
“ The small and mid-size , mostly family run enterprises have overnight and through no fault of their own lost a substantial market , which they built up and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andreas Nickenig , chair of the fine baked goods sector of the organization .
Tariffs have also hit French , German , Spanish and UK wine as well as raspberry and lingonberry jam from France and Germany , for instance .
Matters could escalate if the EU imposes tariffs on U.S. products in retaliation for tax breaks given in the past to Boeing .
Trump has used strong language about Europe ’ s trade surplus with the U.S. , saying that the EU is “ worse than China ” and “ has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barriers that are incredible.
” Some observers have expressed the hope that Biden could send a message by dropping the tariffs that Trump slapped on European steel and aluminum , enraging the Europeans and other allies by calling their metals a threat to U.S. national security .
The so-called Article 232 proceeding both hurts European producers and raises the cost of steel for American companies .
Europe retaliated by raising tariffs on U.S.-made motorcycles , bourbon , peanut butter and jeans .
Claudia Schmucker , a trade expert at the German Council on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a major sign of willingness to work with the EU ” if Biden were to announce shortly after taking office that he intends to suspend the steel and aluminum tariffs , much as Trump repudiated the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal with Asian countries excluding China as one of his first official acts .
There are hopes Biden would take a more rules-based approach based on the World Trade Organization , an international forum for resolving trade disputes .
But analysts caution those with such high hopes might be disappointed : Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and U.S. economic recovery , and if he has a feeling that this would be detrimental he might not do it , ” Schmucker said .
Biden ’ s foreign policy adviser , Anthony Blinken , has said Biden would end the “ artificial trade war ” with Europe , calling it a “ self-inflicted wound ” that has cost American jobs - but also would not hesitate to use tariffs if foreign competitors cheated on trade provisions .
One thing that ’ s not likely : a sweeping free trade agreement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as different product safety rules .
The Obama Administration started talks held in 2013-2016 but the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership , or TTIP , was greeted with street protests in European cities , and Trump dropped it for his own approach .
The digital tax , passed in 2019 but suspended for now by France , presents complex challenges whoever is president - and indicates that the U.S. isn ’ t the only partner capable of unilateral moves .
The tax movement is led by French President Emmanuel Macron , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the US and other countries can agree on a common approach in negotiations conducted through the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development .
Peter Chase , senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Brussels , said the digital issues show that “ there are any number of places where Europeans are moving in a direction that would certainly irritate things , even under a new administration.
” Given the vast investment each side has in the other , the trade ties can be compared to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the U.S. “ are a couple with a lot that ’ s invested in a good relationship , ” said Chase .
“ They ’ re destined , in that sense , to remain together .
Yes , it can be saved , but the question is , can it be as good as it was ?
”

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - After winemakers, cookie bakers, and olive growers wound up as collateral damage, Europe is closely watching the U.S. presidential election, waiting to see whether the next four years will mean more tariff wars under Republican President Donald Trump or a shift toward less confrontational negotiation under Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
It’s no secret that European officials are more in tune with Biden’s stated intent to improve transatlantic relations. But no matter who wins, fundamental disputes that erupted - or in some cases, merely worsened - under Trump may not be quick or easy to resolve.
In particular, Europe’s push for digital taxes on American tech behemoths like Google and Amazon could mean friction no matter who is in the White House. Likewise with the dispute over government support for Europe’s aircraft maker Airbus and America’s Boeing, which dates to well before Trump. And don’t forget Europe’s longstanding ban on U.S. chicken treated with chlorine.
Chad P. Bown, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, says that even in friendlier times, “there are bilateral irritants, there always have been and there always will be. It’s the nature of trade, they’re going to be there - and they have to be resolved.”
And that is fraught with with consequences for the 16 million workers on both sides whose jobs are supported by transatlantic trade, the biggest such relationship in the global economy. Tit-for-tat tariffs over the past four years have affected companies and people making and selling a whole host of goods.
Among them are German makers of sweet biscuits, who have been sideswiped by tariffs imposed by the U.S. after the World Trade Organization ruled European governments had broken the rules with subsidies for Airbus. The German confectionery association, known by its German acronym BDSI, says that affected producers have lost 30% of their export volume in the first half of this year.
“The small and mid-size, mostly family run enterprises have overnight and through no fault of their own lost a substantial market, which they built up and with great effort over decades,” said Andreas Nickenig, chair of the fine baked goods sector of the organization.
Tariffs have also hit French, German, Spanish and UK wine as well as raspberry and lingonberry jam from France and Germany, for instance. Matters could escalate if the EU imposes tariffs on U.S. products in retaliation for tax breaks given in the past to Boeing.
Trump has used strong language about Europe’s trade surplus with the U.S., saying that the EU is “worse than China” and “has been treating us very badly” with “barriers that are incredible.”
Some observers have expressed the hope that Biden could send a message by dropping the tariffs that Trump slapped on European steel and aluminum, enraging the Europeans and other allies by calling their metals a threat to U.S. national security. The so-called Article 232 proceeding both hurts European producers and raises the cost of steel for American companies. Europe retaliated by raising tariffs on U.S.-made motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter and jeans.
Claudia Schmucker, a trade expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations, said that “it would be a major sign of willingness to work with the EU” if Biden were to announce shortly after taking office that he intends to suspend the steel and aluminum tariffs, much as Trump repudiated the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal with Asian countries excluding China as one of his first official acts. There are hopes Biden would take a more rules-based approach based on the World Trade Organization, an international forum for resolving trade disputes.
But analysts caution those with such high hopes might be disappointed: Biden “will focus on U.S. national interests and U.S. economic recovery, and if he has a feeling that this would be detrimental he might not do it,” Schmucker said.
Biden’s foreign policy adviser, Anthony Blinken, has said Biden would end the “artificial trade war” with Europe, calling it a “self-inflicted wound” that has cost American jobs - but also would not hesitate to use tariffs if foreign competitors cheated on trade provisions.
One thing that’s not likely: a sweeping free trade agreement that would remove tariffs and lower other barriers such as different product safety rules. The Obama Administration started talks held in 2013-2016 but the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP, was greeted with street protests in European cities, and Trump dropped it for his own approach.
The digital tax, passed in 2019 but suspended for now by France, presents complex challenges whoever is president - and indicates that the U.S. isn’t the only partner capable of unilateral moves. The tax movement is led by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has indicated the tax would be dropped if the US and other countries can agree on a common approach in negotiations conducted through the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Peter Chase, senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Brussels, said the digital issues show that “there are any number of places where Europeans are moving in a direction that would certainly irritate things, even under a new administration.”
Given the vast investment each side has in the other, the trade ties can be compared to a decades-old marriage with kids. The EU and the U.S. “are a couple with a lot that’s invested in a good relationship,” said Chase. “They’re destined, in that sense, to remain together. Yes, it can be saved, but the question is, can it be as good as it was?”
___
Associated Press Writer Thomas Adamson contributed from Paris.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Joe Biden leads Trump in WI, PA, AZ, FL: Poll

Joseph R. Biden has a solid lead over President Trump in Wisconsin and holds an edge in Pennsylvania , Arizona , and Florida - three other states that could decide the presidency - according to polling released on Sunday .
Mr. Biden had an 11-point , 52 % to 41 % lead over Mr. Trump in Wisconsin , a 6-point , 49 % to 43 % lead in both Pennsylvania and Arizona , and a 3-point , 47 % to 44 % lead in Florida , according to the New York Times/Siena College polling .
“ Wisconsin appears out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Democratic side of the ledger , ” said Don Levy , Director of the Siena College Research Institute .
“ Arizona and Pennsylvania each give Biden a solid but not solidified six-point lead .
And Florida is , well , Florida .
Leaning to Biden by three points , the Sunshine state is once again headed to a photo finish.
” It might be hazardous for Democrats to bank on carrying either Arizona or Florida .
A Democratic presidential candidate hasn ’ t won Arizona since 1996 , and some Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnout in Florida in early voting thus far .
Mr. Biden has a slim edge in the latest Real Clear Politics average of public polling on Arizona and Florida .
He has a 4-point lead in the latest RCP average for Pennsylvania and a 6-point lead in Wisconsin .
“ Despite everything in the last month , all the money and campaigning , virtually nothing has changed in the race between Trump and Biden in Pennsylvania , ” Mr. Levy said .
The Wisconsin survey of 1,253 likely voters was taken from Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points .
The Pennsylvania survey of 1,862 likely voters was taken from Oct. 26-31 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points .
The Arizona survey of 1,252 likely voters was taken from Oct. 26-30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points .
The Florida survey of 1,451 likely voters was taken from Oct. 27-31 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points .

Joseph R. Biden has a solid lead over President Trump in Wisconsin and holds an edge in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Florida - three other states that could decide the presidency - according to polling released on Sunday.
Mr. Biden had an 11-point, 52% to 41% lead over Mr. Trump in Wisconsin, a 6-point, 49% to 43% lead in both Pennsylvania and Arizona, and a 3-point, 47% to 44% lead in Florida, according to the New York Times/Siena College polling.
“Wisconsin appears out of reach for Trump and likely to return to the Democratic side of the ledger,” said Don Levy, Director of the Siena College Research Institute. “Arizona and Pennsylvania each give Biden a solid but not solidified six-point lead. And Florida is, well, Florida. Leaning to Biden by three points, the Sunshine state is once again headed to a photo finish.”
It might be hazardous for Democrats to bank on carrying either Arizona or Florida. A Democratic presidential candidate hasn’t won Arizona since 1996, and some Democrats have raised concerns about Black and Hispanic turnout in Florida in early voting thus far.
Mr. Biden has a slim edge in the latest Real Clear Politics average of public polling on Arizona and Florida.
He has a 4-point lead in the latest RCP average for Pennsylvania and a 6-point lead in Wisconsin.
“Despite everything in the last month, all the money and campaigning, virtually nothing has changed in the race between Trump and Biden in Pennsylvania,” Mr. Levy said.
The Wisconsin survey of 1,253 likely voters was taken from Oct. 26-30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
The Pennsylvania survey of 1,862 likely voters was taken from Oct. 26-31 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.
The Arizona survey of 1,252 likely voters was taken from Oct. 26-30 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The Florida survey of 1,451 likely voters was taken from Oct. 27-31 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Huge funeral for Montenegro bishop despite rising infections

PODGORICA , Montenegro ( AP ) - Huge crowds on Sunday attended the funeral for the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro in violation of coronavirus-fighting restrictions .
Thousands gathered outside the main temple in the capital , Podgorica , for the liturgy and the burial of Bishop Amfilohije inside the church crypt .
Authorities said the bishop died Friday after contracting the virus weeks ago .
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church , Patriarch Irinej , led the prayers inside the packed church joined by dozens of officials and the clergy .
Many of those inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks or keep social distance from each other .
Montenegro recently has seen a surge in virus cases and authorities have been struggling to contain the spread .
Bishop Amfilohije was an important figure for pro-Serb Montenegrins who have opposed the country ’ s 2006 independence from a union with Serbia .
The bishop and the church led months of protests earlier this year against a new religion law , claiming the Montenegrin government wants to take away the church property , which it has denied .
The protests helped a pro-Serb movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s long-ruling pro-Western party , which steered Montenegro into NATO in 2017 , defying Russia .
In an illustration of the bishop ’ s popularity , thousands have paid their respects since Saturday , passing by an open casket with his body .
Many kissed the bishop ’ s remains , prompting an appeal from doctors to close the coffin .
The Serbian Orthodox Church remains the main church in Montenegro , which has one-third of its population of 620,000 who declare themselves as Serbs .

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) - Huge crowds on Sunday attended the funeral for the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro in violation of coronavirus-fighting restrictions.
Thousands gathered outside the main temple in the capital, Podgorica, for the liturgy and the burial of Bishop Amfilohije inside the church crypt. Authorities said the bishop died Friday after contracting the virus weeks ago.
The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, led the prayers inside the packed church joined by dozens of officials and the clergy. Many of those inside the church did not wear protective face masks or keep social distance from each other.
Montenegro recently has seen a surge in virus cases and authorities have been struggling to contain the spread.
Bishop Amfilohije was an important figure for pro-Serb Montenegrins who have opposed the country’s 2006 independence from a union with Serbia. The bishop and the church led months of protests earlier this year against a new religion law, claiming the Montenegrin government wants to take away the church property, which it has denied.
The protests helped a pro-Serb movement win an August election over the country’s long-ruling pro-Western party, which steered Montenegro into NATO in 2017, defying Russia.
In an illustration of the bishop’s popularity, thousands have paid their respects since Saturday, passing by an open casket with his body. Many kissed the bishop’s remains, prompting an appeal from doctors to close the coffin.
The Serbian Orthodox Church remains the main church in Montenegro, which has one-third of its population of 620,000 who declare themselves as Serbs.


washingtontimes--2020-11-01--Drone wars: U.S. military maneuvers to defeat enemy unmanned aircraft

The U.S. military radically changed warfare over the past two decades with its pioneering use of armed drones on the battlefield .
That revolution in conflict , however , has sparked an urgent new mission for the Pentagon : to defend against the other guy ’ s drones .
As “ unmanned aerial vehicles ” become exponentially faster , cheaper , more deadly and more widespread around the globe , U.S. military planners are racing to develop a viable defense for suddenly vulnerable troops , tanks and ships .
Analysts and military researchers say nations , along with nonstate hostile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartels , now grasp the immense strategic value that small drones provide and the inability of most enemies to counter them effectively .
Counterdrone platforms will become especially crucial in the coming decades as China and other rivals invest heavily in terrifying swarm technology that allows dozens or even hundreds of aircraft to harass , disrupt and in some cases destroy traditional military formations .
Through sheer numbers and ability to adjust strategy on the fly , autonomous drone swarms will be modern warfare game-changers that combine unmanned attacking vehicles with artificial intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy sensors or overwhelm ground forces and disable large combat vehicles by peppering them with small bombs or grenades .
The swarms also will fundamentally change how militaries conduct reconnaissance or search-and-rescue missions by spreading out and providing a much more comprehensive picture of the terrain .
Drones have been credited with altering the balance of power in frozen conflicts such as the standoffs between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists or between Azerbaijan and Armenia , a clash that military strategists are studying intensely .
Defeating swarms is a central piece of a high-priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planners with an Army-led joint counter small unmanned aerial systems office early next month will release the first militarywide blueprint to fight back .
The counter-unmanned aerial systems ( C-UAS ) strategy is expected to offer a smorgasbord of solutions , including traditional anti-aircraft tactics and electronic attacks that can disrupt the links between drones and their operators .
They will also give a nod to even more cutting-edge ideas such as the use of artificial intelligence to help predict how a single attack drone or swarm is likely to behave and develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. military and its allies can ’ t solve the challenge with one stand-alone strategy and that the Pentagon and its private-industry partners must prepare for a long , grueling transition period as drones remake the face of modern warfare .
“ I think we have been in , and will be in , an arms race for some time .
As C-UAS improves , drone operators — at least the bad actors — will find ways to defeat current technologies , ” said Michael Blades , vice president of aerospace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan .
“ At this point , speed kills .
A lot of the C-UAS solutions out there are limited on detection range , so a fast drone , by the time it gets detected , may already be too close to mitigate , ” he said .
Indeed , the speed of modern drones has proved difficult to counter with most traditional anti-aircraft methods .
The ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has offered a window into the effectiveness of small armed drones .
Each side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formations from attacks using relatively inexpensive drones .
Small drones also became favorite tools of the Islamic State group during fighting in Syria and Iraq , where they often confounded fighters who tried to hit the aircraft with guns , rocket-propelled grenade launchers and other familiar weapons .
In some cases , militaries have resorted to using major systems such as Patriot surface-to-air missiles .
In July 2018 , the Israeli military launched a Patriot missile to take out a Syrian drone that had crossed into its airspace .
Although the Patriot successfully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that such tactics simply won ’ t work against swarms of small drones .
In addition to the frustrating logistical difficulty of trying to hit relatively tiny drones with huge missiles , employing Patriots also means a military could spend millions of dollars to take out aircraft that can be assembled for , at most , a few thousand dollars .
Analysts say many militaries have failed to invest in the numerous layers of defensive capability that could allow for counterstrikes against new tools such as small drones , which over time will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanks , troop formations and other land forces .
“ Because we have not been facing enemies that can field those layers of capability , we have not invested in a lot of those layers , ” said Jack Watling , research fellow in land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies in London .
“ We ’ ve said , ‘ Well , against the threats we currently face we can prioritize our investment in the bit that gives us maximum utility today.
’ ” The result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our defense systems are very mini-max : It ’ s Patriot or nothing.
” Most modern militaries are well-schooled at targeting larger drones .
Iran ’ s armed forces , which often rely on old , substandard equipment because of a struggling economy and decadelong international arms embargo , last year shot down a U.S. RQ-4A Global Hawk drone , which is 44 feet long with a wingspan of 116 feet .
It was a key step in a series of events that nearly brought the U.S. and Iran to war , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even vaunted American drones are vulnerable to inferior enemies .
The U.S. surely will continue relying on the Global Hawk , Predator and other large drones , but military leaders and specialists say the smaller , less-expensive drones pose the biggest problems for strategists .
Such aircraft can be used for reconnaissance , resupply or other missions while flying undetected or avoiding attempts to shoot them down .
Perhaps the most ominous threat is the drone swarm .
Remote operators already can theoretically control an entire squadron of small drones , making it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target all of them with large traditional weapons .
In the future , no enemy operator will be needed as multiple drones link together and act like a swarm of insects that can make decisions in real time .
That capability has become a top priority for Beijing .
“ China also appears to be betting that swarms of low-tech drones , linked with high-tech artificial intelligence , will become the weapon of choice in future conflicts and capable of countering any military force , including that of the United States , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study published by the National Defense University .
“ China ’ s level of effort in developing UAS suggests the importance and relevance it perceives the technology holds for potential future conflict.
” “ Russia ’ s operational employment of drones in Ukraine , Iran ’ s proliferation of drone technologies , China ’ s emphasis on developing full-spectrum drone capabilities , and the evolution of drone use by nonstate actors show that Army planners must anticipate extensive UAS employment in future conflicts , ” they wrote .
Indeed , Iran used drones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on key Saudi oil facilities .
Those drones , while highly effective , were of the more traditional variety .
The use of AI in conjunction with small drones will result in even scarier , more dangerous scenarios .
Among other capabilities , AI could allow drone swarms to fly in a way that avoids radar and to organize themselves to fit through small chokepoints , meaning they will be able to defeat at least some traditional military strategies .
For military leaders , the development of AI-operated drone swarms serves as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can shift and how war planners need flexible solutions that can adapt .
“ The threat is evolving , ” said Maj. Gen. Sean A. Gainey , head of the Army-led joint counter-drone initiative .
In comments to the Army News Service , Gen. Gainey made clear that the proliferation of drones , combined with a shortfall in networked capabilities to counter them , represents a mounting problem that must be addressed .
Given the challenges of shooting at small drones with more conventional weapons , nearly 90 % of the military ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electronic warfare systems , officials said .
In most cases , such systems aim to disrupt the communication links between the operator and the device itself , rendering it ineffective .
The looming Pentagon counterdrone strategy likely will focus heavily on such an approach .
Gen. Gainey said Defense Department training efforts must better incorporate counterdrone strategies to train the next generation of service members to deal with the threat .
“ We can start to institutionalize this capability and integrate it with our air and missile defense systems , ” Gen. Gainey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the schoolhouse will help the force understand how to get after this problem .
”

The U.S. military radically changed warfare over the past two decades with its pioneering use of armed drones on the battlefield.
That revolution in conflict, however, has sparked an urgent new mission for the Pentagon: to defend against the other guy’s drones.
As “unmanned aerial vehicles” become exponentially faster, cheaper, more deadly and more widespread around the globe, U.S. military planners are racing to develop a viable defense for suddenly vulnerable troops, tanks and ships.
Analysts and military researchers say nations, along with nonstate hostile actors such as terrorist groups and drug cartels, now grasp the immense strategic value that small drones provide and the inability of most enemies to counter them effectively.
Counterdrone platforms will become especially crucial in the coming decades as China and other rivals invest heavily in terrifying swarm technology that allows dozens or even hundreds of aircraft to harass, disrupt and in some cases destroy traditional military formations.
Through sheer numbers and ability to adjust strategy on the fly, autonomous drone swarms will be modern warfare game-changers that combine unmanned attacking vehicles with artificial intelligence. The drone clusters could effectively overload enemy sensors or overwhelm ground forces and disable large combat vehicles by peppering them with small bombs or grenades. The swarms also will fundamentally change how militaries conduct reconnaissance or search-and-rescue missions by spreading out and providing a much more comprehensive picture of the terrain.
Drones have been credited with altering the balance of power in frozen conflicts such as the standoffs between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists or between Azerbaijan and Armenia, a clash that military strategists are studying intensely.
Defeating swarms is a central piece of a high-priority initiative deep inside the Pentagon, where planners with an Army-led joint counter small unmanned aerial systems office early next month will release the first militarywide blueprint to fight back. The counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) strategy is expected to offer a smorgasbord of solutions, including traditional anti-aircraft tactics and electronic attacks that can disrupt the links between drones and their operators. They will also give a nod to even more cutting-edge ideas such as the use of artificial intelligence to help predict how a single attack drone or swarm is likely to behave and develop a counterattack plan.
But analysts say the U.S. military and its allies can’t solve the challenge with one stand-alone strategy and that the Pentagon and its private-industry partners must prepare for a long, grueling transition period as drones remake the face of modern warfare.
“I think we have been in, and will be in, an arms race for some time. As C-UAS improves, drone operators — at least the bad actors — will find ways to defeat current technologies,” said Michael Blades, vice president of aerospace, defense and security at the leading research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.
“At this point, speed kills. A lot of the C-UAS solutions out there are limited on detection range, so a fast drone, by the time it gets detected, may already be too close to mitigate,” he said.
Hitting the target
Indeed, the speed of modern drones has proved difficult to counter with most traditional anti-aircraft methods. The ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has offered a window into the effectiveness of small armed drones. Each side has sustained huge losses to armored vehicle formations from attacks using relatively inexpensive drones.
Small drones also became favorite tools of the Islamic State group during fighting in Syria and Iraq, where they often confounded fighters who tried to hit the aircraft with guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and other familiar weapons.
In some cases, militaries have resorted to using major systems such as Patriot surface-to-air missiles. In July 2018, the Israeli military launched a Patriot missile to take out a Syrian drone that had crossed into its airspace.
Although the Patriot successfully took out the drone, specialists warn that such tactics simply won’t work against swarms of small drones. In addition to the frustrating logistical difficulty of trying to hit relatively tiny drones with huge missiles, employing Patriots also means a military could spend millions of dollars to take out aircraft that can be assembled for, at most, a few thousand dollars.
Analysts say many militaries have failed to invest in the numerous layers of defensive capability that could allow for counterstrikes against new tools such as small drones, which over time will become even more critical in attacks against tanks, troop formations and other land forces.
“Because we have not been facing enemies that can field those layers of capability, we have not invested in a lot of those layers,” said Jack Watling, research fellow in land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies in London. “We’ve said, ‘Well, against the threats we currently face we can prioritize our investment in the bit that gives us maximum utility today.’”
The result, he said, is that “our defense systems are very mini-max: It’s Patriot or nothing.”
Most modern militaries are well-schooled at targeting larger drones. Iran’s armed forces, which often rely on old, substandard equipment because of a struggling economy and decadelong international arms embargo, last year shot down a U.S. RQ-4A Global Hawk drone, which is 44 feet long with a wingspan of 116 feet.
It was a key step in a series of events that nearly brought the U.S. and Iran to war, but it also served as a reminder that even vaunted American drones are vulnerable to inferior enemies.
The U.S. surely will continue relying on the Global Hawk, Predator and other large drones, but military leaders and specialists say the smaller, less-expensive drones pose the biggest problems for strategists. Such aircraft can be used for reconnaissance, resupply or other missions while flying undetected or avoiding attempts to shoot them down.
AI and drones
Perhaps the most ominous threat is the drone swarm. Remote operators already can theoretically control an entire squadron of small drones, making it difficult, incredibly expensive and inefficient to target all of them with large traditional weapons.
In the future, no enemy operator will be needed as multiple drones link together and act like a swarm of insects that can make decisions in real time. That capability has become a top priority for Beijing.
“China also appears to be betting that swarms of low-tech drones, linked with high-tech artificial intelligence, will become the weapon of choice in future conflicts and capable of countering any military force, including that of the United States,” military researchers wrote in a recent counterdrone study published by the National Defense University. “China’s level of effort in developing UAS suggests the importance and relevance it perceives the technology holds for potential future conflict.”
“Russia’s operational employment of drones in Ukraine, Iran’s proliferation of drone technologies, China’s emphasis on developing full-spectrum drone capabilities, and the evolution of drone use by nonstate actors show that Army planners must anticipate extensive UAS employment in future conflicts,” they wrote.
Indeed, Iran used drones last year as part of its strike on key Saudi oil facilities. Those drones, while highly effective, were of the more traditional variety.
The use of AI in conjunction with small drones will result in even scarier, more dangerous scenarios. Among other capabilities, AI could allow drone swarms to fly in a way that avoids radar and to organize themselves to fit through small chokepoints, meaning they will be able to defeat at least some traditional military strategies.
For military leaders, the development of AI-operated drone swarms serves as a stark example of how rapidly the landscape can shift and how war planners need flexible solutions that can adapt.
“The threat is evolving,” said Maj. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, head of the Army-led joint counter-drone initiative. In comments to the Army News Service, Gen. Gainey made clear that the proliferation of drones, combined with a shortfall in networked capabilities to counter them, represents a mounting problem that must be addressed.
Given the challenges of shooting at small drones with more conventional weapons, nearly 90% of the military’s counter-drone options right now center on electronic warfare systems, officials said. In most cases, such systems aim to disrupt the communication links between the operator and the device itself, rendering it ineffective.
The looming Pentagon counterdrone strategy likely will focus heavily on such an approach.
Gen. Gainey said Defense Department training efforts must better incorporate counterdrone strategies to train the next generation of service members to deal with the threat.
“We can start to institutionalize this capability and integrate it with our air and missile defense systems,” Gen. Gainey said. “Having a synergy at the schoolhouse will help the force understand how to get after this problem.”
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.