washingtontimes--2020-10-28--Tony Bobulinski: Russia claim on Hunter Biden laptop backfired

The tactic by former Vice President Joseph R. Biden , Rep. Adam B. Schiff and other Democrats to blame the Hunter Biden laptop scandal on “ Russian disinformation ” backfired badly in the mind of former Biden family business partner Tony Bobulinski .
It was after the unfounded Russian conspiracy chatter started that , Mr. Bobulinski said , he decided to break from the Biden clan .
He became the cash-for-influence scandal ’ s first whistleblower to clear his name and expose Joseph R. Biden as , he says , a liar .
Mr. Bobulinski watched as Mr. Schiff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence , went on cable TV news to pronounce the leak of Hunter Biden messages as a Russian plot .
At the Oct. 22 presidential debate , Democratic nominee Biden followed suit .
Mr. Bobulinski , who was a business partner in SinoHawk Holdings with Hunter and his uncle , James Biden , became incensed .
His name is on the cache of laptop text messages and emails , which he has verified .
Mr. Biden and Mr. Schiff essentially were calling him , a Navy veteran from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His whistleblowing reached a zenith Tuesday night when he appeared on Fox News in an exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson .
“ I was hoping the Bidens would do the right thing or Schiff would retract his statement , but I could not allow another minute , another hour or a day for my family ’ s name to be associated or muddied up around Russian disinformation , ” Mr. Bobulinski said .
Mr. Bobulinski believes the laptop story is just as it looks : Hunter Biden brought his MacBook Pro to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April 2019 and abandoned it .
Months later , the shop owner turned over the computer to the FBI and copied a hard drive for President Trump ’ s personal attorney , Rudolph W. Giuliani .
Mr. Giuliani released the messages from the hard drive to show what he said were family members capitalizing on the Biden name to rake in cash from foreign political players .
Mr. Bobulinski began his campaign by issuing a statement contradicting Joseph Biden ’ s assertion that , as vice president , he never talked business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Bobulinski , in fact , met with Mr. Biden in a darkened Beverly Hilton Hotel bar in May 2017 to plot Hunter and James Biden ’ s next financial move .
Joseph Biden said in August 2019 : “ I have never discussed with my son or my brother or anyone else anything having to do with their businesses .
Period.
” Mr. Bobulinski issued a second statement on the eve of the Oct. 22 presidential debate in Nashville , Tennessee , which he attended .
Before those momentous steps , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rob Walker in one last bid to win a retraction .
“ And so I called Rob Walker , and I told him that if that statement isn ’ t retracted by Congressman Schiff by midnight on Sunday , then I was going on record and I was disclosing all the facts to the American government , to the American citizens and the world , ” Mr. Bobulinski told Mr. Carlson .
A tape recording reveals that Mr. Walker responded , “ Tony , you ’ re just going to bury all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retraction from Mr. Biden , Mr. Schiff nor any other Democrat pitching the Russian angle .
Mr. Schiff has played the “ Russia card ” before .
He and former President Barack Obama ’ s intelligence chiefs accused Mr. Trump , without evidence , of being a Russian agent .
Mr. Schiff also embraced British ex-spy Christopher Steele ’ s Kremlin-fed dossier financed by Democrats and stocked with false claims that Mr. Trump conspired with Moscow to interfere in the 2016 election .
He also joined other Democrats in asserting that a Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s finances was infiltrated by a pro-Russia Ukrainian politician .
Sens .
Chuck Grassley , Iowa Republican , and Ron Johnson , Wisconsin Republican , who commissioned the report , said that they never communicated with the Ukrainian official and that Democrats concocted the tale .
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has said there is no evidence that Russia had any role in the Hunter Biden laptop , and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has said Mr. Schiff is lying .
Mr. Schiff ’ s spokesman did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his credentials , Mr. Bobulinski told Mr. Carlson : “ I held a top-secret clearance from the [ National Security Agency ] and the [ Department of Energy ] .
I served this country for four years in one of the most elite environments in the world , Naval Nuclear Power Training Command .
And to have a congressman out there speaking about Russian disinformation or Joe Biden at a public debate referencing Russian disinformation , when he knows he sat face-to-face with me that I was traveling around the world with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that and associate that with my name is absolutely disgusting to me.
” He added : “ And that ’ s why I ’ m sitting here having this .
I assure you , this is the absolute last place I want to be right now and the last thing I want to be doing right now.
” The Senate Republican report documented money flowing to Hunter Biden and partner Devon Archer from oligarchs in Moscow and Ukraine and from Ye Jianming , chairman of CEFC , a huge Chinese energy company .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicious activity reports submitted by financial institutions to the Treasury Department and obtained by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Grassley .
In other words , the full breadth of Hunter Biden ’ s financial gains from foreign actors is not in the report .
There is an example of Hunter Biden sharing money with uncle James Biden .
Hunter received $ 4 million from CEFC that he wired to a shell company , Hudson West III LLC .
From there , he sent $ 1.3 million in installments to James and Sara Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to document what they did to obtain the money .
Mr. Bobulinski said he had no idea Hunter Biden was removing money from China until the Senate report appeared .

The tactic by former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Rep. Adam B. Schiff and other Democrats to blame the Hunter Biden laptop scandal on “Russian disinformation” backfired badly in the mind of former Biden family business partner Tony Bobulinski.
It was after the unfounded Russian conspiracy chatter started that, Mr. Bobulinski said, he decided to break from the Biden clan. He became the cash-for-influence scandal’s first whistleblower to clear his name and expose Joseph Biden as, he says, a liar.
Mr. Bobulinski watched as Mr. Schiff, California Democrat and chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, went on cable TV news to pronounce the leak of Hunter Biden messages as a Russian plot. At the Oct. 22 presidential debate, Democratic nominee Biden followed suit.
Mr. Bobulinski, who was a business partner in SinoHawk Holdings with Hunter and his uncle, James Biden, became incensed. His name is on the cache of laptop text messages and emails, which he has verified. Mr. Biden and Mr. Schiff essentially were calling him, a Navy veteran from a military family, a Russian agent.
His whistleblowing reached a zenith Tuesday night when he appeared on Fox News in an exclusive interview with Tucker Carlson.
“I was hoping the Bidens would do the right thing or Schiff would retract his statement, but I could not allow another minute, another hour or a day for my family’s name to be associated or muddied up around Russian disinformation,” Mr. Bobulinski said.
SEE ALSO: Tony Bobulinski, in Tucker Carlson interview, details Joe Biden meeting
Mr. Bobulinski believes the laptop story is just as it looks: Hunter Biden brought his MacBook Pro to a repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware, in April 2019 and abandoned it. Months later, the shop owner turned over the computer to the FBI and copied a hard drive for President Trump’s personal attorney, Rudolph W. Giuliani.
Mr. Giuliani released the messages from the hard drive to show what he said were family members capitalizing on the Biden name to rake in cash from foreign political players.
Mr. Bobulinski began his campaign by issuing a statement contradicting Joseph Biden’s assertion that, as vice president, he never talked business with son Hunter or his partners. Mr. Bobulinski, in fact, met with Mr. Biden in a darkened Beverly Hilton Hotel bar in May 2017 to plot Hunter and James Biden’s next financial move.
Joseph Biden said in August 2019: “I have never discussed with my son or my brother or anyone else anything having to do with their businesses. Period.”
Mr. Bobulinski issued a second statement on the eve of the Oct. 22 presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, which he attended.
Before those momentous steps, he talked by telephone with Biden family friend Rob Walker in one last bid to win a retraction.
“And so I called Rob Walker, and I told him that if that statement isn’t retracted by Congressman Schiff by midnight on Sunday, then I was going on record and I was disclosing all the facts to the American government, to the American citizens and the world,” Mr. Bobulinski told Mr. Carlson.
A tape recording reveals that Mr. Walker responded, “Tony, you’re just going to bury all of us, man.”
There was no retraction from Mr. Biden, Mr. Schiff nor any other Democrat pitching the Russian angle.
Mr. Schiff has played the “Russia card” before. He and former President Barack Obama’s intelligence chiefs accused Mr. Trump, without evidence, of being a Russian agent.
Mr. Schiff also embraced British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s Kremlin-fed dossier financed by Democrats and stocked with false claims that Mr. Trump conspired with Moscow to interfere in the 2016 election.
He also joined other Democrats in asserting that a Sept. 23 Senate Republican report on Hunter Biden’s finances was infiltrated by a pro-Russia Ukrainian politician.
Sens. Chuck E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, and Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, who commissioned the report, said that they never communicated with the Ukrainian official and that Democrats concocted the tale.
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has said there is no evidence that Russia had any role in the Hunter Biden laptop, and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has said Mr. Schiff is lying.
Mr. Schiff’s spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
Burnishing his credentials, Mr. Bobulinski told Mr. Carlson: “I held a top-secret clearance from the [National Security Agency] and the [Department of Energy]. I served this country for four years in one of the most elite environments in the world, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command. And to have a congressman out there speaking about Russian disinformation or Joe Biden at a public debate referencing Russian disinformation, when he knows he sat face-to-face with me that I was traveling around the world with his son and his brother, to say that and associate that with my name is absolutely disgusting to me.”
He added: “And that’s why I’m sitting here having this. I assure you, this is the absolute last place I want to be right now and the last thing I want to be doing right now.”
The Senate Republican report documented money flowing to Hunter Biden and partner Devon Archer from oligarchs in Moscow and Ukraine and from Ye Jianming, chairman of CEFC, a huge Chinese energy company. The bank wire transfers were contained in suspicious activity reports submitted by financial institutions to the Treasury Department and obtained by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Grassley.
In other words, the full breadth of Hunter Biden’s financial gains from foreign actors is not in the report.
There is an example of Hunter Biden sharing money with uncle James Biden. Hunter received $4 million from CEFC that he wired to a shell company, Hudson West III LLC. From there, he sent $1.3 million in installments to James and Sara Biden. Their bank closed their account when they refused to document what they did to obtain the money.
Mr. Bobulinski said he had no idea Hunter Biden was removing money from China until the Senate report appeared.
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-28--Nevada governor: 'We are not rounding the corner'

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - Businesses may close and hospitals may need to adopt “ crisis standards ” that include care rationing if the coronavirus continues to spread at current rates in Nevada , state leaders said Wednesday .
“ I don ’ t care who says it : We are not rounding the corner , ” Gov .
Steve Sisolak said at a news conference flanked by members of his COVID-19 response team .
“ Anyone who says to the contrary is lying .
They ’ re trying to intentionally deceive people and have them let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let that happen.
” As the pandemic surges , Sisolak said more painstaking choices are likely unless Nevada commits to steps like mask-wearing and social distancing .
After business closures and decreased activity on the Las Vegas Strip cut deeply into the tax revenue base used to fund schools and health care services in Nevada - an effect he called “ devastating ” - Sisolak said he hoped to prevent rolling back policies that have allowed the majority of businesses and schools to reopen .
He called the decision between shutting down or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said if case counts continue to rise , Nevada will be forced to consider trade-offs .
Those trade-offs , he said , could prevent students from returning to classrooms and discourage the tourists and convention-goers who normally crowd Las Vegas and fuel industries that employ thousands .
Although the Nevada Hospital Association says patient counts are manageable , about three out of every four Nevada hospital beds are in use .
COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said the state could soon be on the brink of implementing crisis standards .
“ That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of patients who have a better chance of survival .
Crisis standards of care means gurneys in hallways ; it means zero visitors for loved ones ; it means nurses and professionals , struggling to find enough ( personal protective equipment ) to use , ” Cage said .
The urgent warning comes a day before the state COVID-19 response task force is expected to convene for an emergency meeting with Washoe County officials to discuss the growth in the outbreak in the Reno-Sparks area .
In Washoe County , active cases stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record highs on each of the last six days , increasing from 1,516 last Thursday to 2,017 on Tuesday , amounting to a 52 % increase over the past two weeks .
Health district Officer Kevin Dick called the spike “ a huge increase ” and said , left unchecked , it could force businesses to close again .
The county ’ s seven-day moving average of about 57 newly reported daily cases in mid-September has nearly tripled to about 158 as of Tuesday , he said .
Dick noted a resurgence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have resulted in re-tightening restrictions on businesses , pointing to Europe , where curfews have returned and bars and restaurants have again closed .
The community itself has to decide whether it is willing to take the precautions necessary to prevent further spread , he said .
“ If it is not important to us to have the schools open , to have our businesses , workplaces , economy open , then we can slack off and ignore the precautions that have been recommended .
And that will put us in a situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things down again , ” he said .
Dick said the spike wasn ’ t confined to any particular age group or demographic , but noted rates have remained high for residents ages 20-29 .
Although death rates are significantly lower for younger individuals , Dick said their choices affect the entire community during a surge .
“ They don ’ t then live in a bubble , ” he said .
“ And because of increases in that group , we are seeing increasing cases in the group of 30-59 - pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sonner reported from Reno .
Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Businesses may close and hospitals may need to adopt “crisis standards” that include care rationing if the coronavirus continues to spread at current rates in Nevada, state leaders said Wednesday.
“I don’t care who says it: We are not rounding the corner,” Gov. Steve Sisolak said at a news conference flanked by members of his COVID-19 response team. “Anyone who says to the contrary is lying. They’re trying to intentionally deceive people and have them let their guard down. We cannot let that happen.”
As the pandemic surges, Sisolak said more painstaking choices are likely unless Nevada commits to steps like mask-wearing and social distancing. After business closures and decreased activity on the Las Vegas Strip cut deeply into the tax revenue base used to fund schools and health care services in Nevada - an effect he called “devastating” - Sisolak said he hoped to prevent rolling back policies that have allowed the majority of businesses and schools to reopen.
He called the decision between shutting down or reopening completely a false choice, but said if case counts continue to rise, Nevada will be forced to consider trade-offs.
Those trade-offs, he said, could prevent students from returning to classrooms and discourage the tourists and convention-goers who normally crowd Las Vegas and fuel industries that employ thousands.
Although the Nevada Hospital Association says patient counts are manageable, about three out of every four Nevada hospital beds are in use. COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said the state could soon be on the brink of implementing crisis standards.
“That means hospitals rationing their resources and making evaluations of patients who have a better chance of survival. Crisis standards of care means gurneys in hallways; it means zero visitors for loved ones; it means nurses and professionals, struggling to find enough (personal protective equipment) to use,” Cage said.
The urgent warning comes a day before the state COVID-19 response task force is expected to convene for an emergency meeting with Washoe County officials to discuss the growth in the outbreak in the Reno-Sparks area.
In Washoe County, active cases stood at 1,329 on Oct. 13 but reached record highs on each of the last six days, increasing from 1,516 last Thursday to 2,017 on Tuesday, amounting to a 52% increase over the past two weeks.
Health district Officer Kevin Dick called the spike “a huge increase” and said, left unchecked, it could force businesses to close again. The county’s seven-day moving average of about 57 newly reported daily cases in mid-September has nearly tripled to about 158 as of Tuesday, he said.
Dick noted a resurgence of cases in other parts of the world have resulted in re-tightening restrictions on businesses, pointing to Europe, where curfews have returned and bars and restaurants have again closed.
The community itself has to decide whether it is willing to take the precautions necessary to prevent further spread, he said.
“If it is not important to us to have the schools open, to have our businesses, workplaces, economy open, then we can slack off and ignore the precautions that have been recommended. And that will put us in a situation where potentially we need to start closing things down again,” he said.
Dick said the spike wasn’t confined to any particular age group or demographic, but noted rates have remained high for residents ages 20-29. Although death rates are significantly lower for younger individuals, Dick said their choices affect the entire community during a surge.
“They don’t then live in a bubble,” he said. “And because of increases in that group, we are seeing increasing cases in the group of 30-59 - pretty significant increases that are occurring there.”
___
Sonner reported from Reno. Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--German unemployment drops unexpectedly in October

BERLIN ( AP ) - Unemployment in Germany fell unexpectedly in October , according to statistics released Thursday , suggesting that Europe ’ s largest economy was beginning to shake off the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic just as confirmed cases started to rise rapidly again .
The jobless rate fell to 6.2 % in October from 6.3 % in September , when adjusted for seasonal developments , according to figures from the Federal Labor Agency .
Economists had predicted the rate would remain unchanged .
Some 2.76 million people were out of work in Germany , 87,000 fewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive use of a short-term salary support program .
The number of unemployed was the lowest since April , but still 556,000 more than October2019 .
In unadjusted terms , the headline figure in Germany , the unemployment rate dropped to 6 % from 6.2 % the month before .
Rises in unemployment in Germany and elsewhere in Europe during the pandemic have been moderate by international standards because employers are making heavy use of salary support programs , often referred to as furlough programs , that allow them to keep employees on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Germany , the Labor Agency pays at least 60 % of the salary of employees who are on reduced or zero hours .
The Labor Agency said that in August , the last month for which reliable data is available , the number of people receiving such payments fell sharply to 2.58 million from 3.32 million in July .
The Ifo economic think-tank said this week that , according to its calculations , the number rose back above 3 million in September and October .
Germany ’ s governing coalition has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the furlough program for up to 24 months rather than the standard 12 .
Germany started easing coronavirus restrictions in late April , but had been gradually tightening them again .
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday announced a wide range of new regulations that will take effect on Monday , including the closure of bars and restaurants , limits on social contacts and bans on concerts and other public events .
Schools and retail stores , however , are to remain open .
The “ latest German labor market data confirms the continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new lockdown announcement is likely to bring the improvement to an abrupt halt , ” ING economist Carsten Brzeski said .
“ A double-dip now looks unavoidable , ” he said .
Germany ’ s disease control center said local health authorities reported 16,774 new positive tests for COVID-19 in the past day , a new high that pushed the country ’ s total since the start of the pandemic close to half a million .
The Robert Koch Institute also recorded 89 additional virus-related deaths , taking the toll to 10,272 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a “ dramatic situation ” as it goes into winter , which she said would be “ four long , difficult months .
But it will end.
” The long-time German leader said authorities had no choice but to drastically reduce social contacts as three-quarters of infections can ’ t be traced anymore .
“ If we wait until the ICUs are full , then it will be too late , ” she said .

BERLIN (AP) - Unemployment in Germany fell unexpectedly in October, according to statistics released Thursday, suggesting that Europe’s largest economy was beginning to shake off the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic just as confirmed cases started to rise rapidly again.
The jobless rate fell to 6.2% in October from 6.3% in September, when adjusted for seasonal developments, according to figures from the Federal Labor Agency. Economists had predicted the rate would remain unchanged.
Some 2.76 million people were out of work in Germany, 87,000 fewer than the previous month, aided by extensive use of a short-term salary support program. The number of unemployed was the lowest since April, but still 556,000 more than October2019.
In unadjusted terms, the headline figure in Germany, the unemployment rate dropped to 6% from 6.2% the month before.
Rises in unemployment in Germany and elsewhere in Europe during the pandemic have been moderate by international standards because employers are making heavy use of salary support programs, often referred to as furlough programs, that allow them to keep employees on the payroll while they await better times.
In Germany, the Labor Agency pays at least 60% of the salary of employees who are on reduced or zero hours.
The Labor Agency said that in August, the last month for which reliable data is available, the number of people receiving such payments fell sharply to 2.58 million from 3.32 million in July.
The Ifo economic think-tank said this week that, according to its calculations, the number rose back above 3 million in September and October.
Germany’s governing coalition has agreed to allow employees to remain on the furlough program for up to 24 months rather than the standard 12.
Germany started easing coronavirus restrictions in late April, but had been gradually tightening them again. Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday announced a wide range of new regulations that will take effect on Monday, including the closure of bars and restaurants, limits on social contacts and bans on concerts and other public events.
Schools and retail stores, however, are to remain open.
The “latest German labor market data confirms the continued strengthening of the economy, but the new lockdown announcement is likely to bring the improvement to an abrupt halt,” ING economist Carsten Brzeski said.
“A double-dip now looks unavoidable,” he said.
Germany’s disease control center said local health authorities reported 16,774 new positive tests for COVID-19 in the past day, a new high that pushed the country’s total since the start of the pandemic close to half a million. The Robert Koch Institute also recorded 89 additional virus-related deaths, taking the toll to 10,272.
Merkel told lawmakers Thursday that Germany is in a “dramatic situation” as it goes into winter, which she said would be “four long, difficult months. But it will end.”
The long-time German leader said authorities had no choice but to drastically reduce social contacts as three-quarters of infections can’t be traced anymore.
“If we wait until the ICUs are full, then it will be too late,” she said.
_____
Frank Jordans contributed to this story.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Black leopard mauls man who paid to have pictures taken

DAVIE , Fla. ( AP ) - A man was mauled by a captive black leopard in a backyard zoo @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
The man paid $ 150 for a “ full contact experience ” @ @ @ @ @ which allowed him to play with with it and take pictures , WPLG reported .
@ @ @ @ @ Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the incident happened Aug. 31 in Davie , which @ @ @ @ @ The agency charged the owner with allowing full contact with an extremely dangerous animal and @ @ @ @ @ wildlife in an unsafe condition .
The owner runs a licensed animal sanctuary for rare @ @ @ @ @ home , WPLG reported .
The man was attacked as soon as he entered the @ @ @ @ @ The injuries were so severe that his scalp was “ hanging from his head and @ @ @ @ @ in half , ” the report said .
He required multiple surgeries , according to @ @ @

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - A man was mauled by a captive black leopard in a backyard zoo in South Florida, wildlife officials said.
The man paid $150 for a “full contact experience” with the black leopard, which allowed him to play with it and take pictures, WPLG reported.
A report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the incident happened Aug. 31 in Davie, which is near Fort Lauderdale.
The agency charged the owner with allowing full contact with an extremely dangerous animal and was cited for maintaining captive wildlife in an unsafe condition.
The owner runs a licensed animal sanctuary for rare and endangered animals at the home, WPLG reported.
The man was attacked as soon as he entered the leopard’s enclosure. The injuries were so severe that his scalp was “hanging from his head and his right ear was torn in half,” the report said.
He required multiple surgeries, according to the TV station.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Blueprint Medicines: 3Q Earnings Snapshot

CAMBRIDGE , Mass .
( AP ) _ Blueprint Medicines Corp. ( BPMC ) on Thursday reported third-quarter net income @ @ @ @ @ after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier .
The Cambridge , @ @ @ @ @ profit of $ 11.16 per share .
The results exceeded Wall Street expectations .
The @ @ @ @ @ surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $ 6.49 per share .
The @ @ @ @ @ of $ 745.1 million in the period , also exceeding Street forecasts .
Seven analysts @ @ @ @ @ 565.9 million .
Blueprint Medicines shares have risen 31 % since the beginning of the @ @ @ @ @ climbed 56 % in the last 12 months .
This story was generated by Automated @ @ @ @ @ ) using data from Zacks Investment Research .
Access a Zacks stock report on BPMC @ @ @ @

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) _ Blueprint Medicines Corp. (BPMC) on Thursday reported third-quarter net income of $634 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company said it had profit of $11.16 per share.
The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $6.49 per share.
The cancer drug developer posted revenue of $745.1 million in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $565.9 million.
Blueprint Medicines shares have risen 31% since the beginning of the year. The stock has climbed 56% in the last 12 months.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on BPMC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/BPMC


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--China leaders vow to create self-reliant 'technology power'

BEIJING ( AP ) - China ’ s leaders are vowing to make their country a self-reliant “ technology power ” as a feud with Washington cuts access to U.S. computer chips and other high-tech components , hampering Beijing ’ s industrial ambitions .
Leaders of the ruling Communist Party made the announcement Thursday after a meeting to draft a development blueprint for the state-dominated economy over the next five years .
President Xi Jinping ’ s government is trying to limit damage from the Trump administration ’ s curbs on technology sales to China in a fight over security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to create Chinese companies able to compete in telecoms , biotech and other fields , which communist leaders see as a path to prosperity and global influence .
“ Science and technology should be self-reliant as a strategic support for national development , ” said a party statement .
It promised to “ accelerate the building of a science and technology power ” but gave no details .
Five-Year Plans , issued since the 1950s , form the basis of regulation and industry initiatives in an economy where the ruling party still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of market-style reforms .
The full plan is due to be released in March .
Changes in regulations and plans for individual industries will be announced after that .
Thursday ’ s statement promised to promote “ green and low-carbon development ” and to raise Chinese living standards .
It called for unspecified steps to strengthen the 2.3 million-member People ’ s Liberation Army and to “ improve our strategic ability to defend national sovereignty.
” China faces a “ complicated international situation , ” it said , but it made no mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war with Washington .
Technology is a cornerstone of the ruling party ’ s marathon campaign to promote self-sustaining growth based on domestic consumer spending and to build a “ moderately prosperous society.
” China ’ s factories assemble most of the world ’ s smartphones , personal computers and consumer electronics but need U.S. , European and Japanese components .
Its communist leaders see that as a strategic weakness .
Thursday ’ s statement cited no specific technologies , but leaders are especially worried about China ’ s reliance on U.S. providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electric cars and other technologies central to their development plans .
Semiconductors are China ’ s biggest single import by value , ahead of crude oil .
Companies including telecom equipment giant Huawei Technologies Ltd. , China ’ s first global tech brand , are developing chips and other components .
But , like their Western and Asian counterparts , none can supply all its own needs .
President Donald Trump ’ s 2018 tariff hikes on Chinese goods over complaints Beijing steals or pressures companies to hand over technology have raised pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House added to that by tightening controls on Chinese purchases of chips and other components .
“ The trade war and growing tensions with foreign governments have heightened concern about reliance on foreign inputs , ” Julian Evans-Pritchard and Seana Yue of Capital Economics said in a report ahead of Thursday ’ s announcement .
“ The push for self-sufficiency is increasingly visible , ” they wrote .
Last year ’ s U.S. curbs cut off access to chips and most other technology for Huawei .
American officials say it might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company denies .
This year , Washington barred global manufacturers from using U.S. technology to produce chips for Huawei , including those designed by its own engineers .
Huawei ’ s revenue still rose 9.9 % over a year earlier in the quarter ending in September , but executives say its sales of smartphones and network equipment are likely to suffer .
In September , the Commerce Department further obstructed Beijing ’ s efforts to develop its own chipmakers by restricting U.S. technology sales to the biggest , Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 2025 , ” issued in 2015 , which calls for creating global competitors in 10 industries such as electric cars .
That triggered an international backlash , as governments complained Beijing might use subsidies and market barriers to promote them , violating its free-trade commitments .
“ For sectors that are already under U.S. blockades ( such as semiconductors ) , China is likely to double down and strengthen government support , ” said Vincent Zhu of Rhodium Group in a report ahead of the party congress .
However , a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could easily be used as a U.S. ‘ hit list , ’ further restricting exports of components critical to those industries , ” Zhu wrote .
That means Beijing ” will have to think hard before committing to an overt industrial policy , ” he said .
Chinese semiconductor imports in 2020 should exceed $ 300 billion for a third straight year , according to the deputy chairman of the China Semiconductor Industry Association , Wei Shaojun , cited in Chinese news reports .
The association says imports peaked at $ 312 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were $ 304 billion .
Limits on access to foreign technology could knock as much as 0.5 percentage points off China ’ s economic growth over the next decade , according to UBS economists Ning Zhang and Tao Wang .
Despite disruptions from trade tension and the pandemic , forecasters say the Communist Party is likely to hit its economic targets from the previous Five-Year Plan .
The International Monetary Fund forecasts economic output per person should rise 3 % this year over 2019 to $ 10,600 and by another 50 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year of the new Five-Year Plan .
In 2014 , the Cabinet announced a goal of making China a leader in semiconductors by 2030 .
Official plans call for China to produce 70 % of the semiconductors it uses by 2025 .
It now makes about 20 % .
Zhang and Wang of UBS say Beijing is likely to increase its target for total research and development spending from 2.5 % of economic output in 2020 , or $ 350 billion to $ 400 billion , to about 3 % by 2025 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

BEIJING (AP) - China’s leaders are vowing to make their country a self-reliant “technology power” as a feud with Washington cuts access to U.S. computer chips and other high-tech components, hampering Beijing’s industrial ambitions.
Leaders of the ruling Communist Party made the announcement Thursday after a meeting to draft a development blueprint for the state-dominated economy over the next five years.
President Xi Jinping’s government is trying to limit damage from the Trump administration’s curbs on technology sales to China in a fight over security and spying. Those threaten to disrupt plans to create Chinese companies able to compete in telecoms, biotech and other fields, which communist leaders see as a path to prosperity and global influence.
“Science and technology should be self-reliant as a strategic support for national development,” said a party statement. It promised to “accelerate the building of a science and technology power” but gave no details.
Five-Year Plans, issued since the 1950s, form the basis of regulation and industry initiatives in an economy where the ruling party still plays a leading role after four decades of market-style reforms. The full plan is due to be released in March. Changes in regulations and plans for individual industries will be announced after that.
Thursday’s statement promised to promote “green and low-carbon development” and to raise Chinese living standards. It called for unspecified steps to strengthen the 2.3 million-member People’s Liberation Army and to “ improve our strategic ability to defend national sovereignty.”
China faces a “complicated international situation,” it said, but it made no mention of the coronavirus pandemic or its tariff war with Washington.
Technology is a cornerstone of the ruling party’s marathon campaign to promote self-sustaining growth based on domestic consumer spending and to build a “moderately prosperous society.”
China’s factories assemble most of the world’s smartphones, personal computers and consumer electronics but need U.S., European and Japanese components. Its communist leaders see that as a strategic weakness.
Thursday’s statement cited no specific technologies, but leaders are especially worried about China’s reliance on U.S. providers of processor chips used in smartphones, electric cars and other technologies central to their development plans.
Semiconductors are China’s biggest single import by value, ahead of crude oil.
Companies including telecom equipment giant Huawei Technologies Ltd., China’s first global tech brand, are developing chips and other components. But, like their Western and Asian counterparts, none can supply all its own needs.
President Donald Trump’s 2018 tariff hikes on Chinese goods over complaints Beijing steals or pressures companies to hand over technology have raised pressure for greater self-reliance.
Last year, the White House added to that by tightening controls on Chinese purchases of chips and other components.
“The trade war and growing tensions with foreign governments have heightened concern about reliance on foreign inputs,” Julian Evans-Pritchard and Seana Yue of Capital Economics said in a report ahead of Thursday’s announcement.
“The push for self-sufficiency is increasingly visible,” they wrote.
Last year’s U.S. curbs cut off access to chips and most other technology for Huawei. American officials say it might facilitate Chinese spying, an accusation the company denies. This year, Washington barred global manufacturers from using U.S. technology to produce chips for Huawei, including those designed by its own engineers. Huawei’s revenue still rose 9.9% over a year earlier in the quarter ending in September, but executives say its sales of smartphones and network equipment are likely to suffer.
In September, the Commerce Department further obstructed Beijing’s efforts to develop its own chipmakers by restricting U.S. technology sales to the biggest, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.
Earlier industrial plans include “Made in China 2025,” issued in 2015, which calls for creating global competitors in 10 industries such as electric cars. That triggered an international backlash, as governments complained Beijing might use subsidies and market barriers to promote them, violating its free-trade commitments.
“For sectors that are already under U.S. blockades (such as semiconductors), China is likely to double down and strengthen government support,” said Vincent Zhu of Rhodium Group in a report ahead of the party congress.
However, a “wish list” of favored businesses “could easily be used as a U.S. ‘hit list,’ further restricting exports of components critical to those industries,” Zhu wrote. That means Beijing ”will have to think hard before committing to an overt industrial policy,” he said.
Chinese semiconductor imports in 2020 should exceed $300 billion for a third straight year, according to the deputy chairman of the China Semiconductor Industry Association, Wei Shaojun, cited in Chinese news reports. The association says imports peaked at $312 billion in 2018. Last year’s were $304 billion.
Limits on access to foreign technology could knock as much as 0.5 percentage points off China’s economic growth over the next decade, according to UBS economists Ning Zhang and Tao Wang.
Despite disruptions from trade tension and the pandemic, forecasters say the Communist Party is likely to hit its economic targets from the previous Five-Year Plan.
The International Monetary Fund forecasts economic output per person should rise 3% this year over 2019 to $10,600 and by another 50% to $16,250 in 2025, the final year of the new Five-Year Plan.
In 2014, the Cabinet announced a goal of making China a leader in semiconductors by 2030. Official plans call for China to produce 70% of the semiconductors it uses by 2025. It now makes about 20%.
Zhang and Wang of UBS say Beijing is likely to increase its target for total research and development spending from 2.5% of economic output in 2020, or $350 billion to $400 billion, to about 3% by 2025, or as much as $650 billion.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Tiffany agrees to revised terms on LVMH takeover deal

NEW YORK ( AP ) - The largest deal in luxury is back on after New York ’ s famed jeweler Tiffany agreed to a slightly reduced offering price from from LVMH in Paris .
LVMH will now pay $ 131.50 for each Tiffany share putting the total price tag at $ 15.8 billion , down from the $ 16.2 billion that was first offered earlier this year .
The owner of Louis Vuitton , Christian Dior , Fendi along with a basket of wine and champagne brands , appeared to walk away from the acquisition last month after it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a delay because of the threat of proposed U.S. tariffs .
But the reasons for its cold feet seemed to shift , and there was pressure from investors on both sides to make a deal happen .
Rumors that the two luxury companies had rekindled talks began to surface in recent days .
“ We are as convinced as ever of the formidable potential of the Tiffany brand and believe that LVMH is the right home for Tiffany , ” LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault said in a prepared statement Thursday .
Tiffany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent years attempted to regain the luster of the “ Breakfast at Tiffany ‘ s ” era as its customer base aged .
It ’ s shifted its focus to younger shoppers and made a significant push online .
The deep pockets of LVMH could go a long way in helping that transformation along .
LVMH , led by billionaire Arnault , a consumate dealmaker , believes Tiffany will strengthen its position in high-end jewelry and in the U.S. market .
LVMH is also making a bet on China ’ s economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The buyout has been approved by the boards of both companies , and it ’ s expected to close early next year .

NEW YORK (AP) - The largest deal in luxury is back on after New York’s famed jeweler Tiffany agreed to a slightly reduced offering price from LVMH in Paris.
LVMH will now pay $131.50 for each Tiffany share putting the total price tag at $15.8 billion, down from the $16.2 billion that was first offered earlier this year.
The owner of Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi along with a basket of wine and champagne brands, appeared to walk away from the acquisition last month after it said the French government had pushed for a delay because of the threat of proposed U.S. tariffs. But the reasons for its cold feet seemed to shift, and there was pressure from investors on both sides to make a deal happen.
Rumors that the two luxury companies had rekindled talks began to surface in recent days.
“We are as convinced as ever of the formidable potential of the Tiffany brand and believe that LVMH is the right home for Tiffany,” LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault said in a prepared statement Thursday.
Tiffany, with its famed blue boxes, has in recent years attempted to regain the luster of the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” era as its customer base ages. It’s shifted its focus to younger shoppers and made a significant push online. The deep pockets of LVMH could go a long way in helping that transformation along.
LVMH, led by billionaire Arnault, a consumate dealmaker, believes Tiffany will strengthen its position in high-end jewelry and in the U.S. market. LVMH is also making a bet on China’s economy, where Tiffany has been expanding.
The buyout has been approved by the boards of both companies, and it’s expected to close early next year.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Saudi man arrested after stabbing guard at French Consulate

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - A Saudi man stabbed and slightly wounded a guard at the French Consulate in the city of Jiddah on Thursday , authorities said , as France urged its citizens in the kingdom to be “ on maximum alert.
” The Saudi Press Agency offered no immediate motive for the attack in the Red Sea port city .
However , it comes amid heightened tensions after an assailant decapitated a French middle school teacher who showed caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad for a class on free speech .
Those caricatures were published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men who gunned down the newspaper ’ s editorial meeting in 2015 .
The Saudi Press Agency report , citing police spokesman Maj. Mohammed al-Ghamdi , said the special force for diplomatic security was able to arrest the Saudi man after he stabbed the guard “ using a sharp tool.
” The attacker is said to be in his 40s .
The guard was taken to a hospital for treatment , the agency said .
The report did not elaborate .
A statement published by the French Embassy in Riyadh mirrored the details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying that the diplomatic mission condemned the “ unjustified ” attack .
“ We appeal to our compatriots in Saudi Arabia to be on maximum alert , ” the statement said .
In France on Thursday , authorities said an attacker armed with a knife killed three people at a church in the city of Nice .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear if that attack or the one in Jiddah involved the current controversy , which has seen protests across the Muslim world .
Muslims also have called for boycotts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to the holiest sites in Islam , there has been criticism of France but much-more muted than in other countries .
The Saudi Foreign Ministry has said the kingdom “ rejects any attempt to link Islam and terrorism , and denounces the offensive cartoons of the prophet.
” Saudi clerics have too condemned the caricatures , but have also cited the prophet ’ s “ mercy , justice , tolerance.
” Another prominent sheikh called on Muslims not to overreact .
From 2003 to 2007 , al-Qaida-linked militants carried out attacks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monarchy , including deadly bombings of residential compounds housing foreigners .
The Islamic State group similarly has carried out attacks in the kingdom .
Diplomatic posts have been targeted in the past .
A 2004 armed assault on the U.S. Consulate in Jiddah blamed on al-Qaida killed five employees .
In 2016 , a suicide bomber blew himself up near that same U.S. Consulate , wounding two guards .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A Saudi man stabbed and slightly wounded a guard at the French Consulate in the city of Jiddah on Thursday, authorities said, as France urged its citizens in the kingdom to be “on maximum alert.”
The Saudi Press Agency offered no immediate motive for the attack in the Red Sea port city. However, it comes amid heightened tensions after an assailant decapitated a French middle school teacher who showed caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad for a class on free speech. Those caricatures were published by Charlie Hebdo and cited by the men who gunned down the newspaper’s editorial meeting in 2015.
The Saudi Press Agency report, citing police spokesman Maj. Mohammed al-Ghamdi, said the special force for diplomatic security was able to arrest the Saudi man after he stabbed the guard “using a sharp tool.” The attacker is said to be in his 40s. The guard was taken to a hospital for treatment, the agency said.
The report did not elaborate. A statement published by the French Embassy in Riyadh mirrored the details of the news agency’s account, saying that the diplomatic mission condemned the “unjustified” attack.
“We appeal to our compatriots in Saudi Arabia to be on maximum alert,” the statement said.
In France on Thursday, authorities said an attacker armed with a knife killed three people at a church in the city of Nice. It wasn’t immediately clear if that attack or the one in Jiddah involved the current controversy, which has seen protests across the Muslim world. Muslims also have called for boycotts of French products.
In Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, there has been criticism of France but much-more muted than in other countries. The Saudi Foreign Ministry has said the kingdom “rejects any attempt to link Islam and terrorism, and denounces the offensive cartoons of the prophet.” Saudi clerics have too condemned the caricatures, but have also cited the prophet’s “mercy, justice, tolerance.” Another prominent sheikh called on Muslims not to overreact.
From 2003 to 2007, al-Qaida-linked militants carried out attacks in Saudi Arabia aimed at destabilizing the Western-allied monarchy, including deadly bombings of residential compounds housing foreigners. The Islamic State group similarly has carried out attacks in the kingdom.
Diplomatic posts have been targeted in the past. A 2004 armed assault on the U.S. Consulate in Jiddah blamed on al-Qaida killed five employees. In 2016, a suicide bomber blew himself up near that same U.S. Consulate, wounding two guards.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--UK's Lloyds bank returns to profit on housing market rebound

LONDON ( AP ) - British ’ s Lloyds Banking Group returned to profit in the third quarter of the year as it benefited from a rebound in the housing market after the coronavirus lockdown of the spring was eased .
However , the bank warned Thursday that the outlook remains “ highly uncertain ” following the resurgence of the coronavirus this fall and a lack of clarity over Britain ’ s post-Brexit trade discussions with the European Union .
During the third quarter , the company said that activity levels picked up after contracting in the first six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic , particularly mortgage applications and consumer spending .
The British housing market saw activity levels bounce back strongly during the summer after the government announced a temporary tax reprieve on house purchases .
During the three months to the end of September , Lloyds reported a net profit of 688 million pounds ( $ 895 million ) against last year ’ s equivalent loss of 238 million pounds .
Lloyds was able to outperform market expectations because its one-off charges were lower than anticipated .
It took a 301 million-pound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than predicted .
The bank now forecasts that impairments for the whole of 2020 will be in the lower end of the 4.5-5.5 billion-pound range it had predicted earlier this year .
“ Although our performance has clearly been impacted by the pandemic and the associated challenging economic environment , I am pleased that we are now seeing an encouraging business recovery and , with impairments significantly lower , a return to profitability in the third quarter , ” said Chief Executive Antonio Horta-Osorio .

LONDON (AP) - British’s Lloyds Banking Group returned to profit in the third quarter of the year as it benefited from a rebound in the housing market after the coronavirus lockdown of the spring was eased.
However, the bank warned Thursday that the outlook remains “highly uncertain” following the resurgence of the coronavirus this fall and a lack of clarity over Britain’s post-Brexit trade discussions with the European Union.
During the third quarter, the company said that activity levels picked up after contracting in the first six months during the height of the early stage of the pandemic, particularly mortgage applications and consumer spending.
The British housing market saw activity levels bounce back strongly during the summer after the government announced a temporary tax reprieve on house purchases.
During the three months to the end of September, Lloyds reported a net profit of 688 million pounds ($895 million) against last year’s equivalent loss of 238 million pounds.
Lloyds was able to outperform market expectations because its one-off charges were lower than anticipated. It took a 301 million-pound hit, more than 400 million pounds less than predicted. The bank now forecasts that impairments for the whole of 2020 will be in the lower end of the 4.5-5.5 billion-pound range it had predicted earlier this year.
“Although our performance has clearly been impacted by the pandemic and the associated challenging economic environment, I am pleased that we are now seeing an encouraging business recovery and, with impairments significantly lower, a return to profitability in the third quarter,” said Chief Executive Antonio Horta-Osorio.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--3 dead in knife attack in French church; terrorism suspected

PARIS ( AP ) — An attacker armed with a knife killed three people at a church Thursday in the Mediterranean city of Nice , French authorities said .
It was the third attack in two months in France amid a growing furor over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad that were re-published by the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo .
Other confrontations and attacks were reported Thursday in the southern city of Avignon and in the Saudi city of Jiddah , but it was not immediately clear if they were linked to the attack in Nice .
Thursday ’ s assailant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized after the killings at the Notre Dame Basilica , less than a kilometer ( half-mile ) from the site in 2016 where another attacker plowed a truck into a Bastille Day crowd , killing dozens of people .
France ’ s anti-terrorism prosecutor ’ s office opened an investigation into the Nice killings , which marked the third attack since the September opening of the trial of 14 people linked to the January 2015 killings at Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket .
The gunmen in the 2015 attacks claimed allegiance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thursday ’ s attacker was believed to be acting alone and police are not searching for other assailants , said two police officials , who were not authorized to be publicly named .
“ He cried ‘ Allah Akbar !
’ over and over , even after he was injured , ” said Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi , who told BFM television that two women and a man had died , two inside the church and a third who fled to a nearby bar but was mortally wounded .
“ The meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French media showed the Nice neighborhood locked down and surrounded by police and emergency vehicles .
Sounds of explosions could be heard as sappers exploded suspicious objects .
The lower house of parliament suspended a debate on France ’ s new virus restrictions and held a moment of silence Thursday for the victims .
Prime Minister Jean Castex rushed from the hall to a crisis center overseeing the aftermath of the Nice attack .
French President Emmanuel Macron was headed to Nice later in the day .
In the southern city of Avignon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man was shot to death by police after he refused to drop his weapon and a flash-ball shot failed to stop him , one police official said .
And a Saudi state-run news agency said a man stabbed a guard at the French consulate in Jiddah , wounding the guard before he was arrested .
The French Council of the Muslim Faith condemned the Nice attack and called on French Muslims to refrain from festivities this week marking the birth of Muhammad “ as a sign of mourning and in solidarity with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State extremists issued a video on Wednesday renewing calls for attacks against France .
Turkey ’ s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack in Nice .
We stand in solidarity with the people of France against terror and violence , ” the statement said .
Relations between Turkey and France hit a new low after Turkey ’ s president on Saturday accused Macron of Islamophobia over the caricatures and questioned his mental health , prompting Paris to recall its ambassador to Turkey for consultations .
The attack came less than two weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher who showed the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad for a class on free speech .
Those caricatures were published by Charlie Hebdo and cited by the men who gunned down the newspaper ’ s editorial meeting in 2015 .
In September , a man who had sought asylum in France attacked bystanders outside Charlie Hebdo ’ s former offices with a butcher knife .
Angela Charlton and Thomas Adamson contributed from Paris ; Zeynep Bilginsoy contributed from Istanbul .

PARIS (AP) — An attacker armed with a knife killed three people at a church Thursday in the Mediterranean city of Nice, French authorities said. It was the third attack in two months in France amid a growing furor over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad that were re-published by the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
Other confrontations and attacks were reported Thursday in the southern city of Avignon and in the Saudi city of Jiddah, but it was not immediately clear if they were linked to the attack in Nice.
Thursday’s assailant in Nice was wounded by police and hospitalized after the killings at the Notre Dame Basilica, less than a kilometer (half-mile) from the site in 2016 where another attacker plowed a truck into a Bastille Day crowd, killing dozens of people.
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into the Nice killings, which marked the third attack since the September opening of the trial of 14 people linked to the January 2015 killings at Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket. The gunmen in the 2015 attacks claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group and al Qaeda.
Thursday’s attacker was believed to be acting alone and police are not searching for other assailants, said two police officials, who were not authorized to be publicly named.
“He cried ‘Allah Akbar!’ over and over, even after he was injured,” said Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi, who told BFM television that two women and a man had died, two inside the church and a third who fled to a nearby bar but was mortally wounded. “The meaning of his gesture left no doubt.”
French media showed the Nice neighborhood locked down and surrounded by police and emergency vehicles. Sounds of explosions could be heard as sappers exploded suspicious objects.
The lower house of parliament suspended a debate on France’s new virus restrictions and held a moment of silence Thursday for the victims. Prime Minister Jean Castex rushed from the hall to a crisis center overseeing the aftermath of the Nice attack. French President Emmanuel Macron was headed to Nice later in the day.
In the southern city of Avignon later in the morning, an armed man was shot to death by police after he refused to drop his weapon and a flash-ball shot failed to stop him, one police official said. And a Saudi state-run news agency said a man stabbed a guard at the French consulate in Jiddah, wounding the guard before he was arrested.
The French Council of the Muslim Faith condemned the Nice attack and called on French Muslims to refrain from festivities this week marking the birth of Muhammad “as a sign of mourning and in solidarity with the victims and their loved ones.”
Islamic State extremists issued a video on Wednesday renewing calls for attacks against France.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack in Nice.
We stand in solidarity with the people of France against terror and violence,” the statement said.
Relations between Turkey and France hit a new low after Turkey’s president on Saturday accused Macron of Islamophobia over the caricatures and questioned his mental health, prompting Paris to recall its ambassador to Turkey for consultations.
The attack came less than two weeks after another assailant decapitated a French middle school teacher who showed the caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad for a class on free speech. Those caricatures were published by Charlie Hebdo and cited by the men who gunned down the newspaper’s editorial meeting in 2015.
In September, a man who had sought asylum in France attacked bystanders outside Charlie Hebdo’s former offices with a butcher knife.
___
Angela Charlton and Thomas Adamson contributed from Paris; Zeynep Bilginsoy contributed from Istanbul.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Health contractors vetted stars' politics for US virus ad

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Public relations firms hired by the Department of Health and Human Services vetted political views of hundreds of celebrities for a planned $ 250 million ad blitz aimed at portraying President Donald Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak in a positive light , according to documents released Thursday by a House committee .
A political appointee at the department suggested creating a government-funded campaign to rival the World War II icon Rosie the Riveter , according to the documents , and taglines like “ Helping the President will Help the Country.
” None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they may not have known they were being vetted - and the campaign has been put on hold .
Director Judd Apatow believes Trump “ does not have the intellectual capacity to run as president , ” according to a list of more than 200 celebrities compiled by one of the firms .
Singer Christina Aguilera “ is an Obama-supporting Democrat and a gay-rights supporting liberal , ” the list says , and actor Jack Black is “ known to be a classic Hollywood liberal.
” A public service announcement by comedian George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to previous concerns regarding his comments regarding the president , ” according to the documents .
The names were among the spreadsheets , memos , notes and other documents from September and October released by the House Oversight and Reform Committee .
The firms ’ vetting came as political appointees planned to spend more than $ 250 million on a confidence-building campaign surrounding the virus , which has killed more than 227,000 people in the United States and is a core issue in the presidential race between Trump and Democrat Joe Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ad blitz planned by HHS was mired from the start by involvement from department spokesman Michael Caputo , a fierce loyalist and friend of Trump with little experience in the field .
In September , a spokesman for Caputo said he was taking a medical leave from HHS as he battled cancer .
Trump , a Republican , has repeatedly minimized the dangers of the coronavirus , even as the nation is in its third wave of infections , with tens of thousands of cases reported each day .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlas Research , one of the firms hired by HHS , Caputo suggested a series of soundbites and taglines for the campaign , including “ Helping the President will Help the Country.
” The notes say that Caputo wanted the campaign to be “ remarkable ” and to rival Rosie the Riveter , the character who symbolized women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II against Germany .
“ For us , the ‘ enemy ’ is the virus , ” Caputo said , according to the memo .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal employees leading the work , who removed Caputo from an email chain and thanked one of the contractors for dealing with a “ challenging ” environment .
The Democrat-led Oversight panel said Caputo was overstepping his bounds , interfering in work that is supposed to be done by contract officers at the department and politicizing what is supposed to be nonpartisan .
“ Of course , it is completely inappropriate to frame a taxpayer-funded ad campaign around ‘ helping ’ President Trump in the weeks and days before the election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-N.Y. , and Reps. James Clyburn of South Carolina and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois , both subcommittee chairmen , in a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar .
“ This theme also ignores the reality that more than 220,000 Americans have died from coronavirus - a fact that should not be whitewashed in a legitimate public health message.
” Azar put the entire project on hold earlier this month , telling the Oversight subcommittee led by Clyburn that it was being investigated internally .
“ I have ordered a strategic review of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be led by our top public health and communications experts to determine whether the campaign serves important public health purposes , ” Azar told the subcommittee , which is investigating the federal government ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak .
Because public health policy around the coronavirus pandemic has become so politically polarized , it ’ s unclear how well a confidence-building campaign from the government would play .
HHS officials acknowledge a major challenge to any campaign would involve finding trusted intermediaries to make the pitch to average Americans .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors first , not necessarily celebrities .
And Trump has alienated much of the medical establishment with his dismissive comments about basic public health measures , such as wearing masks .
The 34-page “ PSA Celebrity Tracker ” compiled by Atlas Research and released by the committee does not say whether the celebrities were aware they were even being considered or if they had agreed to participate .
The report says that no celebrities are now affiliated with the project but a handful did initially agree to participate .
Singer Marc Antony , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled out after seeking an amendment to his contract to “ ensure that his content would not be used for advertisements to re-elect President Trump.
” Actor Dennis Quaid also initially agreed and then pulled out , according to a document from Atlas Research .
In an Instagram video post last month titled “ No good deed goes unpoliticized , ” Quaid said he was frustrated that a taped interview he did with Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious-disease expert , for the campaign was portrayed in the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nothing could be further from the truth , ” Quaid said , noting that the interview was still available on his podcast .
Antony and Quaid were among just a few celebrities who were approved for the campaign , according to the documents .
Others included TV health commentator Dr. Oz and singer Billy Ray Cyrus .
“ Spokespeople for public service campaigns should be chosen on their ability to reach the target audience , not their political affiliation , ” the letter from the Democrats reads .
“ Yet , documents produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration vetted spokespeople based on their political positions and whether they support President Trump.
” Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Public relations firms hired by the Department of Health and Human Services vetted political views of hundreds of celebrities for a planned $250 million ad blitz aimed at portraying President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus outbreak in a positive light, according to documents released Thursday by a House committee.
A political appointee at the department suggested creating a government-funded campaign to rival the World War II icon Rosie the Riveter, according to the documents, and taglines like “Helping the President will Help the Country.”
None of the celebrities agreed to participate - they may not have known they were being vetted - and the campaign has been put on hold.
Director Judd Apatow believes Trump “does not have the intellectual capacity to run as president,” according to a list of more than 200 celebrities compiled by one of the firms. Singer Christina Aguilera “is an Obama-supporting Democrat and a gay-rights supporting liberal,” the list says, and actor Jack Black is “known to be a classic Hollywood liberal.” A public service announcement by comedian George Lopez was “not moving forward due to previous concerns regarding his comments regarding the president,” according to the documents.
The names were among the spreadsheets, memos, notes and other documents from September and October released by the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
The firms’ vetting came as political appointees planned to spend more than $250 million on a confidence-building campaign surrounding the virus, which has killed more than 227,000 people in the United States and is a core issue in the presidential race between Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.
While government public health campaigns are routine, the ad blitz planned by HHS was mired from the start by involvement from department spokesman Michael Caputo, a fierce loyalist and friend of Trump with little experience in the field. In September, a spokesman for Caputo said he was taking a medical leave from HHS as he battled cancer.
Trump, a Republican, has repeatedly minimized the dangers of the coronavirus, even as the nation is in its third wave of infections, with tens of thousands of cases reported each day.
According to one memo compiled by a subcontractor to Atlas Research, one of the firms hired by HHS, Caputo suggested a series of soundbites and taglines for the campaign, including “Helping the President will Help the Country.” The notes say that Caputo wanted the campaign to be “remarkable” and to rival Rosie the Riveter, the character who symbolized women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II against Germany.
“For us, the ‘enemy’ is the virus,” Caputo said, according to the memo.
The documents also show pushback from some of the federal employees leading the work, who removed Caputo from an email chain and thanked one of the contractors for dealing with a “challenging” environment.
The Democrat-led Oversight panel said Caputo was overstepping his bounds, interfering in work that is supposed to be done by contract officers at the department and politicizing what is supposed to be nonpartisan.
“Of course, it is completely inappropriate to frame a taxpayer-funded ad campaign around ‘helping’ President Trump in the weeks and days before the election,” said House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., and Reps. James Clyburn of South Carolina and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, both subcommittee chairmen, in a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “This theme also ignores the reality that more than 220,000 Americans have died from coronavirus - a fact that should not be whitewashed in a legitimate public health message.”
Azar put the entire project on hold earlier this month, telling the Oversight subcommittee led by Clyburn that it was being investigated internally.
“I have ordered a strategic review of this public health education campaign that will be led by our top public health and communications experts to determine whether the campaign serves important public health purposes,” Azar told the subcommittee, which is investigating the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Because public health policy around the coronavirus pandemic has become so politically polarized, it’s unclear how well a confidence-building campaign from the government would play.
HHS officials acknowledge a major challenge to any campaign would involve finding trusted intermediaries to make the pitch to average Americans. On health care matters, people usually trust doctors first, not necessarily celebrities. And Trump has alienated much of the medical establishment with his dismissive comments about basic public health measures, such as wearing masks.
The 34-page “PSA Celebrity Tracker” compiled by Atlas Research and released by the committee does not say whether the celebrities were aware they were even being considered or if they had agreed to participate. The report says that no celebrities are now affiliated with the project but a handful did initially agree to participate.
Singer Marc Antony, who has been critical of Trump, pulled out after seeking an amendment to his contract to “ensure that his content would not be used for advertisements to re-elect President Trump.”
Actor Dennis Quaid also initially agreed and then pulled out, according to a document from Atlas Research. In an Instagram video post last month titled “No good deed goes unpoliticized,” Quaid said he was frustrated that a taped interview he did with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious-disease expert, for the campaign was portrayed in the media as an endorsement of Trump.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Quaid said, noting that the interview was still available on his podcast.
Antony and Quaid were among just a few celebrities who were approved for the campaign, according to the documents. Others included TV health commentator Dr. Oz and singer Billy Ray Cyrus.
“Spokespeople for public service campaigns should be chosen on their ability to reach the target audience, not their political affiliation,” the letter from the Democrats reads. “Yet, documents produced by the contractors indicate that the Trump Administration vetted spokespeople based on their political positions and whether they support President Trump.”
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Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Merkel warns Germans of a 'difficult winter' as virus surges

BERLIN ( AP ) - Chancellor Angela Merkel told Germans to expect a “ difficult winter ” as the number of newly reported coronavirus cases in the country hit a new high Thursday , neighboring France prepared to resume life under a new lockdown and some experts urged the Spanish government to take more aggressive action to curtail the latest wave of infections .
Speaking to Parliament a day after she and the governors of Germany ’ s 16 states agreed upon new , far-reaching restrictions to curb the spread of the virus , Merkel said the country faces “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cold season.
” Germany ’ s disease control agency said local health authorities reported 16,774 new positive tests for COVID-19 in the past day , pushing the country ’ s total since the start of the outbreak close to the half million-mark .
The Robert Koch Institute also recorded 89 additional deaths , taking the country ’ s total in the pandemic to 10,272 , a number that is one-fourth the death toll in Britain .
“ The winter will be difficult , four long , difficult months .
But it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We have already seen over the past eight months how we can learn and help each other.
” Under the restrictions going into effect Monday , restaurants , bars , sports and cultural venues will be shut for four weeks , along with beauty parlors and brothels .
Groups of at most 10 people , from a maximum two households , will be allowed to meet in public and all non-essential journeys will be discouraged .
Schools , kindergartens , stores and places of worship will remain open , prompting some to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” compared to the more severe shutdown Germany saw in March and April .
Merkel said authorities had no choice but to drastically reduce social contacts as three-quarters of infections in Germany now are no longer traceable .
“ If we wait until the ICUs are full , then it will be too late , ” she said .
The long-time German leader said democratic debate about the virus restrictions was important , butshe blasted some critics who have claimed the German government was exaggerating the threat of the virus .
“ Lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just the debate but also the battle against the virus , ” she said .
“ It ’ s not just democratic debate that depends on our relationship to facts and information , human lives depend on it.
” Opposition leader Alexander Gauland of the far-right Alternative for Germany party responded to Merkel ’ s speech by accusing the government of “ wartime propaganda ” and likened the pandemic to motorized traffic , arguing that society accepts a certain number of car deaths too .
Germany ’ s finance and economy ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for businesses affected by the new measures Thursday .
Wealthy Germany has been able to mobilize massive financial aid for people and companies , dampening the economic blow of the pandemic .
Still , there has been anger over the new measures , particularly from restaurant owners who had set up heated outdoor seating areas and made other preparations to operate in line with public health regulations , only to be told they aren ’ t allowed to serve customers for a month .
While France announced a second , full nationwide lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take such drastic measures for the second time in a year , wary of the pain that caused to the economy .
The British government has resisted calls for a national lockdown , despite significantly higher 14-day infection rates than Germany .
Britain ’ s communities secretary , Robert Jenrick , said Thursday that the virus is “ very concentrated in some places , ” insisting that it was right to target restrictions on those areas with the worst outbreaks .
In Spain , authorities have been imposing incremental restrictions on free movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have refrained from a strict stay-at-home order like the one that curbed the first wave of infections but scarred the economy .
But with officials predicting that current levels of infection will put hospitals under a serious shortage of intensive care beds next month , some experts are already calling for a full lockdown .
Some Spanish regions , namely Catalonia and La Rioja , have already ordered bars and restaurants to close , while most of the rest have imposed curfews limiting nightlife .
Extra subsidies have not accompanied the restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week by hospitality business owners who banged pots , waved cocktail shakers and chanted “ We want to work.
” Pablo Casado , who leads Spain ’ s conservative opposition , praised the leaders of France and Germany on Wednesday for showing leadership “ addressing the nation in a brief and concise way to lead the response to the pandemic.
” Spain has officially recorded more than 1.1 million COVID-19 cases , although authorities say the true figure , including missed cases , could be at least three times higher .
The death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case numbers climb across Europe , many countries have begun drafting volunteers without medical backgrounds to help support the health care systems .
Soldiers have been trained to administer coronavirus tests in Poland , Germany is using its military to carry out contact tracing , and the mayor of Prague is taking shifts at a hospital in the Czech capital .
Angela Charlton in Paris , Raf Casert in Brussels and Ciarán Giles in Madrid contributed to this report .

BRUSSELS (AP) - The World Health Organization’s Europe director expressed deep concern on Thursday after the region again recorded the highest-ever weekly incidence of cases, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of a “difficult winter” as residents in France braced for life under a new month-long lockdown and Spain’s parliament voted to extend a state of emergency.
During a meeting with European health ministers, WHO’s European regional director Dr. Hans Kluge said “hospitalizations have risen to levels unseen since the spring” and deaths have sharply risen by more than 30%. He noted that Europe has now reported more than 10 million coronavirus cases and “is at the epicenter of this pandemic once again.”
“At the risk of sounding alarmist, I must express our very real concern,” Kluge said.
After a virtual EU summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the virus surge “is very serious. Numbers of cases are rising. Numbers of hospitalizations are rising. Numbers of death are rising, not as fast fortunately… but the spread will overwhelm our health care systems if we do not act urgently.”
She said that Brussels will make 220 million euros ($257 million) available to help EU countries organize the cross-border transfer of infected patients. During the meeting, the leaders grappled with how best to coordinate their virus testing, tracing and vaccine plans, even as their countries differ over whether to impose full or partial lockdowns.
Speaking to Germany’s parliament earlier Thursday, Merkel said her country faces “a dramatic situation at the beginning of the cold season.”
Germany’s disease control agency said local authorities reported 16,774 new positive tests for COVID-19 in the past day, pushing the country’s total close to the half million-mark. The death toll stood at 10,272.
“The winter will be difficult, four long, difficult months. But it will end,” Merkel told lawmakers.
Under new restrictions going into effect Monday, German restaurants, bars, sports and cultural venues will be shut for four weeks. Gatherings are limited to 10 people from a maximum of two households and all non-essential journeys will be discouraged. Schools, kindergartens, stores and places of worship will remain open - albeit with safety precautions.
Merkel said authorities had no choice but to drastically reduce social contacts as three-quarters of infections in Germany now are no longer traceable.
“If we wait until the ICUs are full, then it will be too late,” she said.
Opposition leader Alexander Gauland of the far-right Alternative for Germany party accused Merkel’s government of “wartime propaganda” and likened the pandemic to traffic, arguing that society accepts a certain number of car deaths each year but doesn’t ban driving.
Berlin announced a new 10 billion-euro ($11.7 billion) fund for businesses affected by the additional measures.
Europe’s biggest economy has been able to mobilize massive financial aid to dampen the impact of the pandemic. Still, the measures have sparked anger, particularly from restaurant owners who had set up heated outdoor seating areas and made other preparations to follow health regulations only to be told they aren’t allowed to serve customers for a month.
While France announced a second, full nationwide lockdown Wednesday, many countries have hesitated to take such drastic measures for the second time in a year, wary of the economic pain they cause.
Some French doctors expressed relief and business owners despaired as the country prepared to shut down again for a month. The new lockdown is gentler than what France saw in the spring, but still a shock to restaurants and other non-essential businesses ordered to close their doors.
The British government has resisted calls for a national lockdown, despite having significantly higher 14-day infection rates than Germany and a virus death toll four times larger.
Britain’s Communities Secretary, Robert Jenrick, said that the virus is “very concentrated in some places,” and that it’s best to target restrictions to those areas with the worst outbreaks.
In Spain, authorities have been imposing incremental restrictions on free movement, nightlife and social gatherings, but they have refrained from a strict stay-at-home order like the one that curbed the first wave of infections but scarred the economy.
But with officials predicting that current levels of infection will produce a serious shortage of intensive care beds in November, some experts are already calling for a full lockdown.
Spanish regions like Catalonia and La Rioja have already closed bars and restaurants, while most of the rest have imposed curfews limiting nightlife. But extra subsidies have not accompanied the restrictions, prompting loud protests in Barcelona this week by business owners who banged pots, waved cocktail shakers and chanted “We want to work!”
Spain’s parliament, meanwhile, voted by a majority to keep the country’s newly declared state of emergency in place until May to try to rein in the resurging pandemic, despite objections by some opposition parties. A vote to lift the measure could be held in March should things improve.
Spain has officially recorded more than 1.1 million COVID-19 cases, although authorities say the true figure could be at least three times higher. Its virus death toll is at least 35,000.
Russia, meanwhile, said that it has no plans to impose a nationwide lockdown.
“Despite a difficult epidemiological situation, right now we’re much better prepared for working during an epidemic,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said. Russia has recorded more than 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases, the highest number in Europe and the fourth largest tally worldwide.
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Jordans reported from Berlin. AP reporters across Europe contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--China blasts US charges against agents seeking man's return

BEIJING ( AP ) - China on Thursday accused the U.S. of seeking to smear Beijing ’ s efforts to pursue fugitives , a day after the Justice Department charged eight people with seeking to coerce a New Jersey man who was wanted by Beijing into returning to China to face charges .
Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China was engaged in a “ just cause to fight transnational crime and pursue fugitives and stolen goods internationally.
” “ The U.S. , out of ulterior motives , ignored the basic facts and discredited China ’ s efforts , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. should “ bear international responsibilities and avoid being a haven for criminals , ” Wang said , adding that China ’ s agents abroad followed local laws and protected the “ legitimate rights and interests of suspects.
” China has for years sought to induce white collar criminals who have fled abroad - particularly to the United States - to return under a program called “ Fox Hunt.
” Because China has no extradition treaty with the U.S. , the decision to return home must technically be voluntary , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often rely on threats , intimidation and bullying , often targeting dissidents and political opponents .
Five of the eight charged , including an American private investigator , were arrested Wednesday .
The other three are believed to be in China .
All eight were charged with conspiring to act as illegal agents for China in a case filed in federal court in Brooklyn .
“ Without coordination with our government , China ’ s repatriation squads enter the sovereign territory of the United States , surveil and locate the alleged fugitives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them back into China , where they would face certain imprisonment or worse following illegitimate trials , ” Assistant Attorney General John Demers , the Justice Department ’ s top national security official , said at a news conference announcing the charges .
In the case announced Wednesday , prosecutors said the defendants over a period of several years harassed the family of a man who had been a city government official in China before arriving in the U.S. 10 years ago .
The Justice Department said the defendants broke the law by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were acting as agents of the Chinese government .
Several are also charged with conspiracy to commit international and interstate stalking .

BEIJING (AP) - China on Thursday accused the U.S. of seeking to smear Beijing’s efforts to pursue fugitives, a day after the Justice Department charged eight people with seeking to coerce a New Jersey man who was wanted by Beijing into returning to China to face charges.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China was engaged in a “just cause to fight transnational crime and pursue fugitives and stolen goods internationally.”
“The U.S., out of ulterior motives, ignored the basic facts and discredited China’s efforts,” Wang told reporters at a daily briefing. The U.S. should “bear international responsibilities and avoid being a haven for criminals,” Wang said, adding that China’s agents abroad followed local laws and protected the “legitimate rights and interests of suspects.”
China has for years sought to induce white collar criminals who have fled abroad - particularly to the United States - to return under a program called “Fox Hunt.” Because China has no extradition treaty with the U.S., the decision to return home must technically be voluntary, although U.S. officials say in practice such operations often rely on threats, intimidation and bullying, often targeting dissidents and political opponents.
Five of the eight charged, including an American private investigator, were arrested Wednesday. The other three are believed to be in China. All eight were charged with conspiring to act as illegal agents for China in a case filed in federal court in Brooklyn.
“Without coordination with our government, China’s repatriation squads enter the sovereign territory of the United States, surveil and locate the alleged fugitives and deploy intimidation and other tactics to force them back into China, where they would face certain imprisonment or worse following illegitimate trials,” Assistant Attorney General John Demers, the Justice Department’s top national security official, said at a news conference announcing the charges.
In the case announced Wednesday, prosecutors said the defendants over a period of several years harassed the family of a man who had been a city government official in China before arriving in the U.S. 10 years ago.
The Justice Department said the defendants broke the law by failing to notify the U.S. that they were acting as agents of the Chinese government. Several are also charged with conspiracy to commit international and interstate stalking.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--Volkswagen returns to profit as global auto markets recover

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - German automaker Volkswagen said Thursday it returned to profit in the third quarter thanks to cost discipline and a rebound in global sales markets led by China after the lifting of the severe restrictions on activity in the early phase of the pandemic .
After-tax profit was 2.75 billion euros ( $ 3.23 billion ) , down 31 % from 3.99 billion euros for the same July-September quarter a year ago , pre-COVID-19 , but far better than the 1.53 billion euro loss in the second quarter .
Car sales in September increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time this year , by 3.3 % .
A key driver of the rebound was China , Volkswagen Group ’ s single largest market , where sales rose 3 % over the entire July-September quarter .
Overall , sales were down only 1.1 percent in the third quarter from the pre-virus period , to 2.61 million vehicles across the group ’ s brands , which in addition to Volkswagen include SEAT , Audi , Skoda , and Porsche .
Chief financial officer Frank Witter said on a conference call with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fruit ” and cited the company ’ s strong cash flow , which gives it the resources to tackle the challenges bringing change to the auto industry , such as electric cars needed to meet new emissions requirements and digital services .
The company says that it expects full-year operating earnings to be “ severely lower ” than in 2019 but still in positive territory .

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - German automaker Volkswagen said Thursday it returned to profit in the third quarter thanks to cost discipline and a rebound in global sales markets led by China after the lifting of the severe restrictions on activity in the early phase of the pandemic.
After-tax profit was 2.75 billion euros ($3.23 billion), down 31% from 3.99 billion euros for the same July-September quarter a year ago, pre-COVID-19, but far better than the 1.53 billion euro loss in the second quarter.
Car sales in September increased over the same month a year earlier for the first time this year, by 3.3%. A key driver of the rebound was China, Volkswagen Group’s single largest market, where sales rose 3% over the entire July-September quarter. Overall, sales were down only 1.1 percent in the third quarter from the pre-virus period, to 2.61 million vehicles across the group’s brands, which in addition to Volkswagen include SEAT, Audi, Skoda, and Porsche.
Chief financial officer Frank Witter said on a conference call with journalists that “cost discipline is bearing fruit” and cited the company’s strong cash flow, which gives it the resources to tackle the challenges bringing change to the auto industry, such as electric cars needed to meet new emissions requirements and digital services. The company says that it expects full-year operating earnings to be “severely lower” than in 2019 but still in positive territory.


washingtontimes--2020-10-29--France braces for monthlong lockdown as virus deaths mount

PARIS ( AP ) - French doctors expressed relief but business owners were in despair as France prepared Thursday to shut down again for a month to try to put the brakes on a fast-moving fall coronavirus outbreak .
Shoppers at a Paris farmers ’ market said Thursday they were ready to restrict their freedoms given the rising number of virus-related deaths and COVID-19 patients filling French hospitals .
The new lockdown is gentler than what France saw in the spring , but still a shock to restaurants and other non-essential businesses that have been ordered to close their doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest economies .
French schools will stay open this time , to reduce learning gaps and allow parents to keep working .
Farmer ’ markets , parks and factories can also continue operating , officials said .
French lawmakers are voting Thursday on the new restrictions announced by President Emmanuel Macron , which are set to come into effect at midnight .
The lower house of parliament is dominated by Macron ’ s centrist party , so approval is virtually guaranteed .
The prime minister will lay out details of the virus-fighting plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the infectious and tropical disease department at Paris ’ Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital , said Thursday on BFM television that the new restrictions are “ an admission of failure ” of the government ’ s prevention efforts .
He urged tougher restrictions .
The head of France ’ s main business lobby MEDEF , Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux , said on Europe-1 radio Thursday that “ shutting businesses that are not responsible for contamination is a mistake ” that could drive many into bankruptcy .
He claimed it was a gift to internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from confinement.
” COVID patients now fill 60 % of French intensive care units , and France is reporting tens of thousands of new cases daily .
Authorities reported 244 virus-related deaths in a single day Wednesday , for a total of 35,785 since the pandemic began , the third-highest toll in Europe after Britain and Italy .
Follow all of AP ’ s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

PARIS (AP) - French doctors expressed relief but business owners were in despair as France prepared Thursday to shut down again for a month to try to put the brakes on a fast-moving fall coronavirus outbreak.
Shoppers at a Paris farmers’ market said Thursday they were ready to restrict their freedoms given the rising number of virus-related deaths and COVID-19 patients filling French hospitals.
The new lockdown is gentler than what France saw in the spring, but still a shock to restaurants and other non-essential businesses that have been ordered to close their doors in one of the world’s biggest economies.
French schools will stay open this time, to reduce learning gaps and allow parents to keep working. Farmer’ markets, parks and factories can also continue operating, officials said.
French lawmakers are voting Thursday on the new restrictions announced by President Emmanuel Macron, which are set to come into effect at midnight. The lower house of parliament is dominated by Macron’s centrist party, so approval is virtually guaranteed. The prime minister will lay out details of the virus-fighting plan Thursday evening.
Dr. Eric Caumes, head of the infectious and tropical disease department at Paris’ Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, said Thursday on BFM television that the new restrictions are “an admission of failure” of the government’s prevention efforts. He urged tougher restrictions.
The head of France’s main business lobby MEDEF, Geoffroy Roux de Bézieux, said on Europe-1 radio Thursday that “shutting businesses that are not responsible for contamination is a mistake” that could drive many into bankruptcy. He claimed it was a gift to internet retailer Amazon, “the big winner from confinement.”
COVID patients now fill 60% of French intensive care units, and France is reporting tens of thousands of new cases daily. Authorities reported 244 virus-related deaths in a single day Wednesday, for a total of 35,785 since the pandemic began, the third-highest toll in Europe after Britain and Italy.
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Follow all of AP’s coronavirus pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak