washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Columbus as supremacist? Some with Italian roots reject him

BOSTON ( AP ) - Generations of Italian Americans embraced Christopher Columbus with little thought to the dark side of his legacy .
But as the nation grapples with racial injustice , that ship may have sailed .
Now , some Italian Americans in Massachusetts are publicly casting the explorer as a symbol of white supremacy who touched off centuries of European oppression and the decimation of indigenous peoples .
It ’ s time , they say , to permanently ditch a statue of Columbus near Boston ’ s historic North End neighborhood which was recently vandalized and temporarily removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There has always been the feeling that Italian Americans all feel the same way about Columbus , ” said Heather Leavell , 46 , of Bedford , one of the founders of the group Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples ’ Day .
“ Our country prioritizes the comfort of Italian Americans and how we are going to feel about this instead of centering the voices of native American people , ” she said in an interview .
The group was formed about a year ago to help push for passage of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day .
Leavell said the group has drawn support from across the country , including from others of Italian descent .
“ Our parents have told us stories about the level of discrimination they faced and the fear that what was worked so hard for might be lost , but this is not unique to Italians , being discriminated against , ” said Leavell , whose mother is of Italian descent .
“ We unfortunately allied ourselves with a white supremacist in our attempts to be recognized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack on the statue came last week when it was discovered with its head removed .
The statue was placed in storage and Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh said the city is reassessing its significance .
Once heralded as the discoverer of America in 1492 , the legacy of Columbus has undergone greater scrutiny in recent decades .
Columbus ’ sailing expeditions are now seen by many as opening the door to the European conquest of Native American peoples and the establishment of the trans-Atlantic slave trade .
By then , older generations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditionally Italian-American neighborhood of the North End - had adopted Columbus as a cultural hero .
In 1979 , the statue was erected as part of Christopher Columbus park on the city ’ s waterfront next to the North End .
Eventually the statue drew the ire of critics , who viewed it as memorializing European genocide of indigenous peoples .
In more recent years , it became the frequent target of vandalism .
In 2006 , the statue ’ s head was knocked off .
For some , however - including Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alliance - the destruction leveled at the Columbus statue amounts to a hate crime against Italian Americans .
The former professor of business and criminology said it ’ s unfair to lay the slave trade and the diseases brought in from European explorers that ravaged native peoples all at the feet of Columbus or to portray that as genocide .
“ The people who are opposed to Christopher Columbus and his statue , they are sincere in what they are saying , ” said Mazzaglia , 80 .
” But you can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mazzaglia said if the city removes the statue , he hopes to find a place for it on private property , perhaps in the North End .
“ To destroy a symbol that is so important to Italian-American people is not OK , ” he said .
Corrie Popp , a 46-year-old high school English teacher and Waltham resident , said many younger Italian Americans are ready to dump Columbus .
“ Most Italian Americans are big-hearted people , ” said Popp , whose mother is of Italian descent .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian Americans anymore.
” There have been suggestions of other historic Italian American figures who could take the place of Columbus , including Italian immigrants and avowed anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti , who were executed in Boston amid fierce anti-immigrant sentiment after one of the most notorious criminal cases of the 20th century .
Popp said she understands how it may be difficult for older Italian Americans to abandon figures like Columbus , but said the hurt feelings of some Italian Americans can ’ t be placed about the need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a bigger question than just the North End , ” she said .

BOSTON (AP) - Generations of Italian Americans embraced Christopher Columbus with little thought to the dark side of his legacy. But as the nation grapples with racial injustice, that ship may have sailed.
Now, some Italian Americans in Massachusetts are publicly casting the explorer as a symbol of white supremacy who touched off centuries of European oppression and the decimation of indigenous peoples.
It’s time, they say, to permanently ditch a statue of Columbus near Boston’s historic North End neighborhood which was recently vandalized and temporarily removed from its pedestal by the city.
“There has always been the feeling that Italian Americans all feel the same way about Columbus,” said Heather Leavell, 46, of Bedford, one of the founders of the group Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
“Our country prioritizes the comfort of Italian Americans and how we are going to feel about this instead of centering the voices of native American people,” she said in an interview.
The group was formed about a year ago to help push for passage of a bill at the Massachusetts Statehouse that would rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. Leavell said the group has drawn support from across the country, including from others of Italian descent.
“Our parents have told us stories about the level of discrimination they faced and the fear that what was worked so hard for might be lost, but this is not unique to Italians, being discriminated against,” said Leavell, whose mother is of Italian descent. “We unfortunately allied ourselves with a white supremacist in our attempts to be recognized in this country.”
The most recent attack on the statue came last week when it was discovered with its head removed. The statue was placed in storage and Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh said the city is reassessing its significance.
Once heralded as the discoverer of America in 1492, the legacy of Columbus has undergone greater scrutiny in recent decades.
Columbus’ sailing expeditions are now seen by many as opening the door to the European conquest of Native American peoples and the establishment of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
By then, older generations of Italian Americans - including many in the traditionally Italian-American neighborhood of the North End - had adopted Columbus as a cultural hero. In 1979, the statue was erected as part of Christopher Columbus park on the city’s waterfront next to the North End.
Eventually the statue drew the ire of critics, who viewed it as memorializing European genocide of indigenous peoples. In more recent years, it became the frequent target of vandalism. In 2006, the statue’s head was knocked off.
For some, however - including Francis Mazzaglia of the group the Italian American Alliance - the destruction leveled at the Columbus statue amounts to a hate crime against Italian Americans.
The former professor of business and criminology said it’s unfair to lay the slave trade and the diseases brought in from European explorers that ravaged native peoples all at the feet of Columbus or to portray that as genocide.
“The people who are opposed to Christopher Columbus and his statue, they are sincere in what they are saying,” said Mazzaglia, 80. ”But you can be sincere and wrong at the same time.
Mazzaglia said if the city removes the statue, he hopes to find a place for it on private property, perhaps in the North End.
“To destroy a symbol that is so important to Italian-American people is not OK,” he said.
Not all Italian Americans agree.
Corrie Popp, a 46-year-old high school English teacher and Waltham resident, said many younger Italian Americans are ready to dump Columbus.
“Most Italian Americans are big-hearted people,” said Popp, whose mother is of Italian descent. “But Columbus can’t represent us as Italian Americans anymore.”
There have been suggestions of other historic Italian American figures who could take the place of Columbus, including Italian immigrants and avowed anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, who were executed in Boston amid fierce anti-immigrant sentiment after one of the most notorious criminal cases of the 20th century.
Popp said she understands how it may be difficult for older Italian Americans to abandon figures like Columbus, but said the hurt feelings of some Italian Americans can’t be placed about the need to acknowledge the legacy of indigenous peoples.
“It’s a bigger question than just the North End,” she said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Trump administration sues to delay release of Bolton book

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - The Trump administration has sued former national security adviser John Bolton to delay the publication of a book that the White House says contains classified information and that is expected to paint an unfavorable portrait of the president ’ s foreign policy decision-making .
The civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington ’ s federal court follows warnings from President Donald Trump that Bolton could face a “ criminal problem ” if he doesn ’ t halt plans to publish the book , which is scheduled for release next week .
The complaint is the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the hawkish Bolton , who was abruptly forced from the White House last September after repeated disagreements on national security matters .
It moves their rift into court , where a judge will be asked to decide whether Bolton short-circuited proper procedures to get his book on the market - something his lawyer and publisher have strongly denied .
His publisher , Simon & Schuster , called the lawsuit “ nothing more than the latest in a long running series of efforts by the administration to quash publication of a book it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Tuesday evening that Bolton had worked with White House officials to address their concerns , and that it “ fully supports his First Amendment right ” to tell his story .
Chuck Cooper , Bolton ’ s attorney , said Wednesday his team was “ reviewing the Government ’ s complaint and will respond in due course.
” Cooper has said Bolton worked for months with classification specialists to avoid releasing classified material .
He has accused the White House of using national security information as a pretext to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice Department administration contends that the former adviser did not complete a pre-publication review to ensure that the manuscript did not contain classified material .
It requests that a federal court order Bolton to “ instruct or request ” that his publisher further delay publication of the book to allow for a completion of the national security review process and to “ retrieve and dispose ” of existing copies in a manner acceptable to the government .
The Justice Department also is seeking to prevent Bolton from profiting off the book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prepublication review process and obtain the required prior written authorization before proceeding with publishing the book.
” In its lawsuit , the Justice Department argues that Bolton ’ s job meant he “ regularly came into possession of some of the most sensitive classified information that exists in the U.S. government.
” Officials said Bolton ’ s manuscript was more than 500 pages and was “ rife with classified information , which he proposed to release to the world.
” “ The United States is not seeking to censor any legitimate aspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merely seeks an order requiring Defendant to complete the prepublication review process and to take all steps necessary to ensure that only a manuscript that has been officially authorized through that process - and is thus free of classified information - is disseminated publicly , ” the lawsuit says .
Bolton ’ s book , “ The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , ” was supposed to be released in March .
Its release date was twice delayed and it is now set to be released next week by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an array of topics - chaos in the White House , sure , but also assessments of major players , the president ’ s inconsistent , scattershot decision-making process , and his dealings with allies and enemies alike , from China , Russia , Ukraine , North Korea , Iran , the United Kingdom , France , and Germany , ” according to the publisher .
“ I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my tenure that wasn ’ t driven by reelection calculations , ” Bolton writes in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the publisher .
The book has been highly anticipated for months , especially after news broke during Trump ’ s impeachment trial that the manuscript offered a vivid account of the president ’ s efforts to freeze military aid to Ukraine until the country assisted with investigations into Trump ’ s political rival Joe Biden .
Those allegations formed the crux of the impeachment case , which ended in February with the president ’ s acquittal in the Senate .
Cooper did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sent Bolton ’ s manuscript to White House classification specialist Ellen Knight in late December and that Knight and Bolton spent nearly four months going through the book multiple times , “ often line by line.
” According to the lawsuit , Knight completed her review in late April and determined that the manuscript draft did not contain classified information .
But early the next month , Michael Ellis , the National Security Council ’ s senior director for intelligence , began an additional review of the manuscript and found classified information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The review was still ongoing earlier this month when media reports revealed that Bolton intended to move forward with his book .
In a statement Tuesday , the American Civil Liberties Union said the lawsuit is “ doomed to fail.
” Ben Wizner , the director of the organization ’ s speech , privacy and technology project , said the Supreme Court had rejected a half-century ago the Nixon administration ’ s efforts to block the publication of the Pentagon Papers , and said it is well-established that prior restraints on publication are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s threats have nothing to do with safeguarding national security , and everything to do with avoiding scandal and embarrassment , ” Wizner said .
Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo , Zeke Miller and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration has sued former national security adviser John Bolton to delay the publication of a book that the White House says contains classified information and that is expected to paint an unfavorable portrait of the president’s foreign policy decision-making.
The civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in Washington’s federal court follows warnings from President Donald Trump that Bolton could face a “criminal problem” if he doesn’t halt plans to publish the book, which is scheduled for release next week.
The complaint is the latest salvo in a contentious relationship between Trump and the hawkish Bolton, who was abruptly forced from the White House last September after repeated disagreements on national security matters. It moves their rift into court, where a judge will be asked to decide whether Bolton short-circuited proper procedures to get his book on the market - something his lawyer and publisher have strongly denied.
His publisher, Simon & Schuster, called the lawsuit “nothing more than the latest in a long running series of efforts by the administration to quash publication of a book it deems unflattering to the president.” It said in a statement Tuesday evening that Bolton had worked with White House officials to address their concerns, and that it “fully supports his First Amendment right” to tell his story.
Chuck Cooper, Bolton’s attorney, said Wednesday his team was “reviewing the Government’s complaint and will respond in due course.”
Cooper has said Bolton worked for months with classification specialists to avoid releasing classified material. He has accused the White House of using national security information as a pretext to censor Bolton.
In its lawsuit, the Justice Department administration contends that the former adviser did not complete a pre-publication review to ensure that the manuscript did not contain classified material. It requests that a federal court order Bolton to “instruct or request” that his publisher further delay publication of the book to allow for a completion of the national security review process and to “retrieve and dispose” of existing copies in a manner acceptable to the government.
The Justice Department also is seeking to prevent Bolton from profiting off the book, particularly if he “refuses to complete the prepublication review process and obtain the required prior written authorization before proceeding with publishing the book.”
In its lawsuit, the Justice Department argues that Bolton’s job meant he “regularly came into possession of some of the most sensitive classified information that exists in the U.S. government.” Officials said Bolton’s manuscript was more than 500 pages and was “rife with classified information, which he proposed to release to the world.”
“The United States is not seeking to censor any legitimate aspect of Defendant’s manuscript; it merely seeks an order requiring Defendant to complete the prepublication review process and to take all steps necessary to ensure that only a manuscript that has been officially authorized through that process - and is thus free of classified information - is disseminated publicly,” the lawsuit says.
Bolton’s book, “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir,” was supposed to be released in March. Its release date was twice delayed and it is now set to be released next week by Simon & Schuster.
“Bolton covers an array of topics - chaos in the White House, sure, but also assessments of major players, the president’s inconsistent, scattershot decision-making process, and his dealings with allies and enemies alike, from China, Russia, Ukraine, North Korea, Iran, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany,” according to the publisher.
“I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my tenure that wasn’t driven by reelection calculations,” Bolton writes in the book, according to a news release from the publisher.
The book has been highly anticipated for months, especially after news broke during Trump’s impeachment trial that the manuscript offered a vivid account of the president’s efforts to freeze military aid to Ukraine until the country assisted with investigations into Trump’s political rival Joe Biden. Those allegations formed the crux of the impeachment case, which ended in February with the president’s acquittal in the Senate.
Cooper did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the lawsuit Tuesday. He has previously said that he sent Bolton’s manuscript to White House classification specialist Ellen Knight in late December and that Knight and Bolton spent nearly four months going through the book multiple times, “often line by line.”
According to the lawsuit, Knight completed her review in late April and determined that the manuscript draft did not contain classified information.
But early the next month, Michael Ellis, the National Security Council’s senior director for intelligence, began an additional review of the manuscript and found classified information in it, the lawsuit says. The review was still ongoing earlier this month when media reports revealed that Bolton intended to move forward with his book.
In a statement Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union said the lawsuit is “doomed to fail.” Ben Wizner, the director of the organization’s speech, privacy and technology project, said the Supreme Court had rejected a half-century ago the Nixon administration’s efforts to block the publication of the Pentagon Papers, and said it is well-established that prior restraints on publication are unconstitutional.
“As usual, the government’s threats have nothing to do with safeguarding national security, and everything to do with avoiding scandal and embarrassment,” Wizner said.
____
Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Zeke Miller and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Light plane crashes in Ukraine city where model made; 1 dead

KYIV , Ukraine ( AP ) - A light airplane crash-landed Wednesday in Ukraine ’ s southern city of Odesa @ @ @ @ @ injuring another one , local police said in a statement .
Photos of the crash @ @ @ @ @ police department showed a damaged plane lying on a road without its landing wheels .
@ @ @ @ @ the cause of the crash .
According to the statement , two men were on @ @ @ @ @ One died at the site of the crash and the other was hospitalized with injuries @ @ @ @ @ plane as a Y1 Delfin , a four-seat single-engine plane developed and produced in Odesa @ @ @ @

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - A small plane crash-landed Wednesday in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, killing one person and injuring another one, local police said in a statement.
Photos of the crash site released by the Odesa police department showed a damaged plane lying on a road without its landing wheels. Police say they are investigating the cause of the crash.
According to the statement, two men were on board of the plane. One died at the site of the crash and the other was hospitalized with injuries.
Ukrainian media identified the plane as a Y1 Delfin, a four-seat single-engine plane developed and produced in Odesa several years ago.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Top 3 counties responding to census are in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - The top three counties in the nation to respond to the U.S. Census questionnaire are in southeastern Wisconsin .
Ozaukee County leads the United States with 81.6 % of households reporting their census information , followed by Washington County at 81.4 % and Waukesha at 81.2 % , the Journal Sentinel reported .
The national response rate is 61.4 % , according to the data released this week .
Minnesota leads all states with a 70.9 % response followed by Wisconsin at 68.4 % .
The once-a-decade national headcount began in March and April with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for the first time , citizens could go online to respond to questions .
So far more than 90 million households nationwide have provided census information .
In Wisconsin , the WOW counties were followed by Calumet County ( 80.7 % ) and Outagamie County , 79.2 % , in the top five , according to statistics released Monday .
Ozaukee County administrator Jason Dzwinel attributes the high response rate to the coronavirus pandemic and the growth in people working from home .
Had there not been the COVID-19 outbreak “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in my laptop bag for work and get to it sometime , ” Dzwinel said .

MILWAUKEE (AP) - The top three counties in the nation to respond to the U.S. Census questionnaire are in southeastern Wisconsin.
Ozaukee County leads the United States with 81.6% of households reporting their census information, followed by Washington County at 81.4% and Waukesha at 81.2%, the Journal Sentinel reported.
The national response rate is 61.4%, according to the data released this week. Minnesota leads all states with a 70.9% response followed by Wisconsin at 68.4%.
The once-a-decade national headcount began in March and April with census forms and postcards appearing in mailboxes and for the first time, citizens could go online to respond to questions.
So far more than 90 million households nationwide have provided census information.
In Wisconsin, the WOW counties were followed by Calumet County (80.7%) and Outagamie County, 79.2%, in the top five, according to statistics released Monday.
Ozaukee County administrator Jason Dzwinel attributes the high response rate to the coronavirus pandemic and the growth in people working from home.
Had there not been the COVID-19 outbreak “I would normally get the card and throw it in my laptop bag for work and get to it sometime,” Dzwinel said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Facebook to allow users to opt out of seeing political and social issue ads

Facebook this week announced that users in the U.S. will soon be able to opt out of seeing social issue , electoral or political ads as the company faces pressure to police “ misinformation ” on its platform .
The company on Tuesday said it was rolling out the option for some people before expanding it to everyone in the U.S. in the next few weeks .
Many have criticized Facebook for failing to police “ misinformation ” on its platform , and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said they do have rules against speech that will cause “ physical harm ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe the best way to hold politicians accountable is through voting , and I believe we should trust voters to make judgments for themselves , ” he said in a piece for USA Today .
“ That ’ s why I think we should maintain as open a platform as possible , accompanied by ambitious efforts to boost voter participation.
” Facebook has resisted following the lead of companies like Twitter , which has banned political ads from its platform .
The campaign of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police “ misinformation.
” Mr. Zuckerberg also outlined plans on Tuesday for the company to help up to 4 million people register to vote , saying he wants the company to “ strengthen democracy ” amid persistent criticism about its role in the political discourse .
To prevent “ voter suppression ” and boost engagement , the company is launching a new “ Voting Information Center ” where people can get details about registration , voting by mail , and early voting .
Mr. Zuckerberg said that in 2016 , they were “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform , ” but have taken steps on that front and have removed about 70 malicious accounts in 2019 and 2020 .

Facebook this week announced that users in the U.S. will soon be able to opt out of seeing social issue, electoral or political ads as the company faces pressure to police “misinformation” on its platform.
The company on Tuesday said it was rolling out the option for some people before expanding it to everyone in the U.S. in the next few weeks.
Many have criticized Facebook for failing to police “misinformation” on its platform, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said they do have rules against speech that will cause “physical harm” or suppress voting.
“Ultimately, I believe the best way to hold politicians accountable is through voting, and I believe we should trust voters to make judgments for themselves,” he said in a piece for USA Today. “That’s why I think we should maintain as open a platform as possible, accompanied by ambitious efforts to boost voter participation.”
Facebook has resisted following the lead of companies like Twitter, which has banned political ads from its platform.
The campaign of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden recently called on the company to more actively police “misinformation.”
Mr. Zuckerberg also outlined plans on Tuesday for the company to help up to 4 million people register to vote, saying he wants the company to “strengthen democracy” amid persistent criticism about its role in the political discourse.
To prevent “voter suppression” and boost engagement, the company is launching a new “Voting Information Center” where people can get details about registration, voting by mail, and early voting.
Mr. Zuckerberg said that in 2016, they were “slow to identify foreign interference on our platform,” but have taken steps on that front and have removed about 70 malicious accounts in 2019 and 2020.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Ted Cruz warns Google over attack on conservative media

Sen. Ted Cruz , chairman of a Senate subcommittee with oversight of constitutional rights , is sending a letter Wednesday warning Google that it may face repercussions if it follows through with punishing a conservative website over its content .
The Texas Republican accused the internet giant of hypocrisy in targeting The Federalist , the conservative site , for offensive comments posted on its stories , even as Google ’ s own platform , YouTube , has similarly offensive comments .
Mr. Cruz said Google has long insisted it is protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are pass-throughs and not responsible for the content users post online .
But Mr. Cruz wondered why Google wasn ’ t treating The Federalist the same way .
“ It is also deeply ironic that Google is financially punishing a website for speech that appears on its platform , ” the senator wrote in the letter .
Initially , reports had suggested Google had banned The Federalist from its advertising network — what ’ s known as demonetizing .
Google says it only put the site on notice that it could face penalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several fact-checking outfits Google says it trusts to police news .
In explaining its decision , Google said it found comments made on Federalist articles to be dangerous or offensive , and demanded the comment section be removed .
“ Our policies do not allow ads to run against dangerous or derogatory content , which includes comments on sites , and we offer guidance and best practices to publishers on how to comply , ” the company said on Twitter .
That drew the rebuke from Mr. Cruz , who as chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee requested Google turn over any communications it ’ s had with the fact-checkers about The Federalist .
He also asked Google to say whether it ’ s policed the comment section of left-wing organizations .
“ Will Google apply the same standards to all media organizations , or just those with which it has political disagreements ?
” the senator wondered .
In his parting shot , Mr. Cruz suggested Google may face punishment as an illegal monopoly under the Sherman Act .
That was landmark legislation passed to bust the big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz suggested that if Google is treating YouTube , its own media platform , differently than other outlets , that could be inconsistent with the law .

Sen. Ted Cruz, chairman of a Senate subcommittee with oversight of constitutional rights, is sending a letter Wednesday warning Google that it may face repercussions if it follows through with punishing a conservative website over its content.
The Texas Republican accused the internet giant of hypocrisy in targeting The Federalist, the conservative site, for offensive comments posted on its stories, even as Google’s own platform, YouTube, has similarly offensive comments.
Mr. Cruz said Google has long insisted it is protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which allows internet companies to claim they are pass-throughs and not responsible for the content users post online. But Mr. Cruz wondered why Google wasn’t treating The Federalist the same way.
“It is also deeply ironic that Google is financially punishing a website for speech that appears on its platform,” the senator wrote in the letter.
Initially, reports had suggested Google had banned The Federalist from its advertising network — what’s known as demonetizing. Google says it only put the site on notice that it could face penalties.
The media outlet was flagged by several fact-checking outfits Google says it trusts to police news.
In explaining its decision, Google said it found comments made on Federalist articles to be dangerous or offensive, and demanded the comment section be removed.
“Our policies do not allow ads to run against dangerous or derogatory content, which includes comments on sites, and we offer guidance and best practices to publishers on how to comply,” the company said on Twitter.
That drew the rebuke from Mr. Cruz, who as chairman of the Constitution subcommittee on the Senate Judiciary Committee requested Google turn over any communications it’s had with the fact-checkers about The Federalist. He also asked Google to say whether it’s policed the comment section of left-wing organizations.
“Will Google apply the same standards to all media organizations, or just those with which it has political disagreements?” the senator wondered.
In his parting shot, Mr. Cruz suggested Google may face punishment as an illegal monopoly under the Sherman Act. That was landmark legislation passed to bust the big monopolies in the late 1800s.
Mr. Cruz suggested that if Google is treating YouTube, its own media platform, differently than other outlets, that could be inconsistent with the law.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Gunman shoots, critically wounds 3 men standing outside home

MOUNT OLIVER , Pa. ( AP ) - Three men standing in front of a western Pennsylvania home were shot @ @ @ @ @ man clad in black clothing who then fled the scene , authorities said .
The @ @ @ @ @ reported around 6:35 p.m. Tuesday , according to Allegheny County police .
Emergency responders initially @ @ @ @ @ had been shot in the head .
They soon learned two other men had also @ @ @ @ @ the scene on the foot .
The latter two victims - a 23-year-old man shot @ @ @ @ @ and a 19-year-old shot in the neck - were soon found on nearby streets .
@ @ @ @ @ to a hospital and were listed in critical condition , but their names were not @ @ @ @ @ the shooting remains under investigation , authorities said .
The shooter approached the men and @ @ @ @ @ with a handgun before fleeing the scene in a pickup truck , according to witnesses @

MOUNT OLIVER, Pa. (AP) - Three men standing in front of a western Pennsylvania home were shot and critically injured by a man clad in black clothing who then fled the scene, authorities said.
The shooting in Mount Oliver was reported around 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, according to Allegheny County police.
Emergency responders initially found a 20-year-old man who had been shot in the head. They soon learned two other men had also been shot but had fled the scene on the foot.
The latter two victims - a 23-year-old man shot in the arm and side and a 19-year-old shot in the neck - were soon found on nearby streets. All three victims were taken to a hospital and were listed in critical condition, but their names were not released.
A motive for the shooting remains under investigation, authorities said. The shooter approached the men and quickly shot them multiple times with a handgun before fleeing the scene in a pickup truck, according to witnesses.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Long standoff follows shooting at Minneapolis apartment

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - One person was critically wounded by gunfire before a standoff that lasted nearly five hours @ @ @ @ @ realized the suspect had fled , according to officials .
SWAT officers and negotiators were @ @ @ @ @ apartment building shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday .
The wounded man was taken to the @ @ @ @ @ Elder tells the Star Tribune the man was not shot by police .
About 1:40 @ @ @ @ @ had left the scene , Elder said .
Authorities have not provided the circumstances of @ @ @ @ @ .
Identities of those involved have not been released .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - One person was critically wounded by gunfire before a standoff that lasted nearly five hours before police officers in Minneapolis realized the suspect had fled, according to officials.
SWAT officers and negotiators were called to the north Minneapolis apartment building shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday.
The wounded man was taken to the hospital. Police spokesman John Elder tells the Star Tribune the man was not shot by police.
About 1:40 p.m. police discovered the suspect had left the scene, Elder said.
Authorities have not provided the circumstances of the standoff or the shooting. Identities of those involved have not been released.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--German Cabinet OKs plan to borrow more to finance stimulus

BERLIN ( AP ) - Germany ’ s Cabinet on Wednesday approved plans to borrow another 62.5 billion euros ( $ 70.6 billion ) to help finance a stimulus package , bringing the new debt the country is running up to combat the coronavirus crisis to 218.5 billion euros ( $ 246 billion ) .
The 130 billion-euro stimulus package thrashed out two weeks ago includes a six-month cut in the main value-added tax from 19 % to 16 % to encourage consumers to buy .
It also features a 300-euro per child bonus for families , help for debt-laden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hybrid vehicles .
The crisis has derailed the German government ’ s dedication to keeping its budget balanced , long a point of pride .
After six years in the black , it already is borrowing 156 billion euros to finance existing rescue packages and to cover an expected shortfall in tax revenue .
The plan to borrow more needs parliamentary approval .
Germany has Europe ’ s biggest economy .
It went into a recession in the first quarter that is expected to deepen in the current quarter , but saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic than several other European countries .
Restrictions on public life started easing in late April .

BERLIN (AP) - Germany’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved plans to borrow another 62.5 billion euros ($70.6 billion) to help finance a stimulus package, bringing the new debt the country is running up to combat the coronavirus crisis to 218.5 billion euros ($246 billion).
The 130 billion-euro stimulus package thrashed out two weeks ago includes a six-month cut in the main value-added tax from 19% to 16% to encourage consumers to buy.
It also features a 300-euro per child bonus for families, help for debt-laden municipalities and increased financial incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The crisis has derailed the German government’s dedication to keeping its budget balanced, long a point of pride. After six years in the black, it already is borrowing 156 billion euros to finance existing rescue packages and to cover an expected shortfall in tax revenue.
The plan to borrow more needs parliamentary approval.
Germany has Europe’s biggest economy. It went into a recession in the first quarter that is expected to deepen in the current quarter, but saw a less severe death toll in the coronavirus pandemic than several other European countries. Restrictions on public life started easing in late April.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Fatal clash in the Himalayas ups ante for China and India

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - India and China sought Wednesday to de-escalate tensions after flexing their muscles in a fatal clash along a disputed border high in the Himalayas that left 20 Indian soldiers dead .
The skirmish Monday in the desolate alpine area of Ladakh , in Kashmir , followed changes by India to the political status of Kashmir amid a geopolitical tug-of-war with the United States in the region .
Chinese officials said Wednesday that both sides had agreed to peacefully resolve their Himalayan border tension through dialogue .
India should “ not take unilateral actions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Foreign Ministry in Beijing .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a speech Wednesday that “ India wants peace but is capable of giving a befitting reply.
” He has called a meeting of India ’ s major political parties on Friday to discuss the China situation .
At least 20 Indian soldiers , including a colonel , died of severe injuries suffered in sub-zero temperatures , Indian officials said , after the two sides threw rocks and traded blows in the culmination of a months-long standoff in the Galwan Valley near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two countries .
No shots were fired because neither side ’ s patrolling soldiers carry firearms , in accordance with the terms of the unresolved border dispute , Indian officials said , speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to disclose information .
Still , it was the worst violence since 1962 , when a war over completing claims on the remote Himalayan area ended with an uneasy truce .
Thousands of soldiers backed by armored trucks and artillery have been facing off near the border .
Scuffles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say China upped the ante when its troops breached the line of control .
China accused Indian forces of carrying out “ provocative attacks ” on its troops .
It did not say if any of its soldiers died .
As the countries around the region grapple with the coronavirus pandemic , China has been asserting its territorial claims and influence across the region , notably toward Hong Kong and Taiwan and in the South China Sea .
In South Asia , the sides have been engaged in a “ very complex dance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since early May , said Jeff M. Smith , a research fellow in Heritage ’ s Asian Studies Center .
That has fanned anti-Chinese sentiments already running high due to Beijing ’ s opposition to India ’ s decision in August to revoke the statehood and semi-autonomy of Kashmir , parts of which are claimed by both Pakistan and China , and split it into two territories governed by New Delhi .
Tussles for power between China and India , the first and second-most populous nations , date back centuries though the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and security ties and avoid outright bloodshed .
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have met more than a dozen times for talks , most recently in October in India , to smooth relations and build up trade .
But India ’ s unilateral decision in August to split Kashmir rankled Beijing .
“ I think what is interesting is how quickly Sino-Indian relations have deteriorated , ” said Joe Fewsmith , a China politics expert at Boston University .
“ A few years ago , Xi Jinping expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperative relations .
( That ’ s ) not likely now.
” The pandemic ’ s origins in the central Chinese city of Wuhan are another factor : with more than 354,000 coronavirus cases and 11,903 deaths India is now the fourth worst affected country in the world .
But the bigger cause for antagonism lies in the Himalayas : a region China has always considered a strategically vital corridor between its restive Muslim Xinjiang region and Tibet .
At the United Nations General Assembly , China has supported Pakistan ’ s opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kashmir into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh .
The U.S. backed India ’ s assertion of its sovereign right to make such changes within its borders .
While troops brawled in eastern Ladakh region in May , President Donald Trump offered to mediate .
The Trump administration has withdrawn U.S. support from Pakistan in favor of India , which it sees as a bulwark against China ’ s growing influence .
After two high-profile meetings between Modi and Trump - including rallies in Houston , Texas , and Gujarat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India agreed to purchase $ 15 billion in American arms .
The U.S. and India have balked at China ’ s multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative , a string of infrastructure and finance development projects stretched from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean .
In response to the pandemic , a movement has emerged to build up India as an alternative to China for Western markets and to boycott Chinese goods .
Chris Biggers , a former government satellite imagery analyst , said Monday ’ s clash fits a pattern of Chinese “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , similar low-scale hostilities along the tri-border area of Doklam broke out as China pushed into disputed territory , bringing in troops , building roads , expanding airbases , and flying drones and jets .
Yet , the forces amassed at Galwan dwarf what was seen at Doklam .
“ I ’ ve never seen anything , outside of a military exercise , of this kind of mobilization of force , particularly between India and China , ” Biggers said .
A further escalation shouldn ’ t be ruled out , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor of FORCE , a monthly magazine focused on national security .
“ They ( China ) are fully prepared for it .
Their belligerence is quite open not only on the border but in the South China Sea , too .
On the other hand , India ’ s response has been very subdued and defensive in nature .
There is no immediate threat of an all-out war with China but India should be concerned about an exit strategy and I fear they have none , ” he said .
Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .

NEW DELHI (AP) - India and China sought Wednesday to deescalate tensions after flexing their muscles in a clash along a disputed border high in the Himalayas that left 20 Indian soldiers dead.
The skirmish Monday in the desolate alpine area of Ladakh, in Kashmir, followed changes by India to the political status of Kashmir amid a geopolitical tug-of-war with the United States in the region.
Chinese officials said Wednesday that both sides had agreed to peacefully resolve their Himalayan border tension through dialogue. India should “not take unilateral actions that might complication the situation,” said the Foreign Ministry in Beijing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a speech Wednesday that “India wants peace but is capable of giving a befitting reply.” He has called a meeting of India’s major political parties on Friday to discuss the China situation.
Twenty Indian soldiers, including a colonel, died of severe injuries suffered in sub-zero temperatures, Indian officials said, after the two sides threw rocks and traded blows in the culmination of a months-long standoff in the Galwan Valley near the Line of Actual Control that separates the two countries.
No shots were fired because neither side’s patrolling soldiers carry firearms, in accordance with the terms of the unresolved border dispute, Indian officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to disclose information.
Still, it was the worst violence since 1962, when a war over completing claims on the remote Himalayan area ended with an uneasy truce.
Thousands of soldiers backed by armored trucks and artillery have been facing off near the border. Scuffles are not uncommon, but Indian authorities say China upped the ante when its troops breached the line of control.
China accused Indian forces of carrying out “provocative attacks” on its troops. It did not say if any of its soldiers died.
As the countries around the region grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, China has been asserting its territorial claims and influence across the region, notably toward Hong Kong and Taiwan and in the South China Sea.
In South Asia, the sides have been engaged in a “very complex dance” along the line of actual control since early May, said Jeff M. Smith, a research fellow in Heritage’s Asian Studies Center.
That has fanned anti-Chinese sentiments already running high due to Beijing’s opposition to India’s decision in August to revoke the statehood and semi-autonomy of Kashmir, parts of which are claimed by both Pakistan and China, and split it into two territories governed by New Delhi.
Tussles for power between China and India, the first and second-most populous nations, date back centuries, though the two have sought to keep political, economic and security ties and avoid outright bloodshed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have met more than a dozen times for talks, most recently in October in India, to smooth relations and build up trade. But India’s unilateral decision in August to split Kashmir rankled Beijing.
“I think what is interesting is how quickly Sino-Indian relations have deteriorated,” said Joe Fewsmith, a China politics expert at Boston University. “A few years ago, Xi Jinping expressed hope that China and India could build cooperative relations. (That’s) not likely now.”
The pandemic’s origins in the central Chinese city of Wuhan are another factor: With more than 354,000 coronavirus cases and 11,903 deaths India is now the fourth worst affected country in the world.
But the bigger cause for antagonism lies in the Himalayas: a region China has always considered a strategically vital corridor between its restive Muslim Xinjiang region and Tibet.
At the U.N. General Assembly, China has supported Pakistan’s opposition to India’s decision to split Kashmir into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The U.S. backed India’s assertion of its sovereign right to make such changes within its borders. While troops brawled in eastern Ladakh region in May, President Donald Trump offered to mediate.
The Trump administration has withdrawn U.S. support from Pakistan in favor of India, which it sees as a bulwark against China’s growing influence. After two high-profile meetings between Modi and Trump - including rallies in Houston, Texas, and Gujarat, Modi’s home state - India agreed to purchase $15 billion in American arms.
The U.S. and India have balked at China’s multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, a string of infrastructure and finance development projects from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
In response to the pandemic, a movement has emerged to build up India as an alternative to China for Western markets and to boycott Chinese goods.
Chris Biggers, a former government satellite imagery analyst, said Monday’s clash fits a pattern of Chinese “intimidation” along the border. In 2017, similar low-scale hostilities along the tri-border area of Doklam broke out as China pushed into disputed territory, bringing in troops, building roads, expanding airbases, and flying drones and jets.
Yet, the forces amassed at Galwan dwarf what was seen at Doklam.
“I’ve never seen anything, outside of a military exercise, of this kind of mobilization of force, particularly between India and China,” Biggers said.
A further escalation shouldn’t be ruled out, said Pravin Sawhney, a military expert and editor of FORCE, a monthly magazine focused on national security.
“They (China) are fully prepared for it. Their belligerence is quite open not only on the border but in the South China Sea, too. On the other hand, India’s response has been very subdued and defensive in nature. There is no immediate threat of an all-out war with China but India should be concerned about an exit strategy and I fear they have none,” he said.
—
Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi and reporters in Beijing contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Ex-Audi manager sought by US in diesel case held in Croatia

ZAGREB , Croatia ( AP ) - A former Audi engineering manager sought by the United States in a diesel emissions cheating scandal has been arrested in Croatia , the country ’ s Interior Ministry said Wednesday .
Axel Eiser was arrested on an international warrant issued by the U.S. when he crossed into Croatia from Slovenia on June 9 , the ministry said in a written statement .
He has been held at a detention center in the northern Adriatic Sea town of Pula , and steps were taken to inform the German Embassy since Eiser is a German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other details were immediately known .
Germany ’ s Constitution forbids extradition of its citizens other than to another European Union member nation or to an international court .
A federal grand jury in Detroit , Michigan charged Eiser and three others last year in a 12-count indictment alleging conspiracy , wire fraud and violations of the Clean Air Act .
The indictment alleged the men took part in a nearly decade-long conspiracy to deceive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by cheating on emissions tests for 3-liter diesel engines .
Audi is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Volkswagen pleaded guilty in 2016 to criminal charges in the scandal and has faced more than $ 30 billion in penalties and lawsuit settlement costs .
Eiser was the head of Audi ’ s diesel engine development department in Ingolstadt , Germany , from 2009 until around May 2013 .

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) - A former Audi engineering manager sought by the United States in a diesel emissions cheating scandal has been arrested in Croatia, the country’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday.
Axel Eiser was arrested on an international warrant issued by the U.S. when he crossed into Croatia from Slovenia on June 9, the ministry said in a written statement.
He has been held at a detention center in the northern Adriatic Sea town of Pula, and steps were taken to inform the German Embassy since Eiser is a German citizen, the statement added.
No other details were immediately known. Germany’s Constitution forbids extradition of its citizens other than to another European Union member nation or to an international court.
A federal grand jury in Detroit, Michigan charged Eiser and three others last year in a 12-count indictment alleging conspiracy, wire fraud and violations of the Clean Air Act.
The indictment alleged the men took part in a nearly decade-long conspiracy to deceive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by cheating on emissions tests for 3-liter diesel engines.
Audi is a luxury brand owned by German automaker Volkswagen. Volkswagen pleaded guilty in 2016 to criminal charges in the scandal and has faced more than $30 billion in penalties and lawsuit settlement costs.
Eiser was the head of Audi’s diesel engine development department in Ingolstadt, Germany, from 2009 until around May 2013.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--West Virginia mayor accused of taking flood relief money

RICHWOOD , W.Va. ( AP ) - A mayor in West Virginia is accused of taking federal flood relief funds intended for her city and paying herself extra money for working with a flood recovery team .
Richwood Mayor Chris Drennen was indicted on federal felony charges Monday following a probe into her time as a recorder for the city during a flood in 2016 , news outlets reported .
Drennan came under scrutiny as state investigators looked into the misuse of more than $ 3 million in flood relief to the city , WCHS-TV reported .
The indictment alleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery team even before the group existed and after it was disbanded .
“ Drennen and the Incident Command Team ’ s excessive payments to themselves and their family members inhibited the City of Richwood from recovering from the flood to the benefit of herself and others , ” the indictment said .
Drennen was initially arrested last year for an embezzlement charge , but not indicted in that case .
She now faces two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses and one count of fraudulent scheme .
If convicted , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
It was not immediately clear if she had a lawyer who could comment on her behalf .
Nicholas County prosecutor Jonathan Sweeney described the charges against the mayor as just the “ beginning , ” and said charges against others are possible as well .

RICHWOOD, W.Va. (AP) - A mayor in West Virginia is accused of taking federal flood relief funds intended for her city and paying herself extra money for working with a flood recovery team.
Richwood Mayor Chris Drennen was indicted on federal felony charges Monday following a probe into her time as a recorder for the city during a flood in 2016, news outlets reported.
Drennan came under scrutiny as state investigators looked into the misuse of more than $3 million in flood relief to the city, WCHS-TV reported.
The indictment alleges that Drennen was paid for working with recovery team even before the group existed and after it was disbanded.
“Drennen and the Incident Command Team’s excessive payments to themselves and their family members inhibited the City of Richwood from recovering from the flood to the benefit of herself and others,” the indictment said.
Drennen was initially arrested last year for an embezzlement charge, but not indicted in that case.
She now faces two counts of obtaining money by false pretenses and one count of fraudulent scheme. If convicted, she could face up to 30 years in prison. It was not immediately clear if she had a lawyer who could comment on her behalf.
Nicholas County prosecutor Jonathan Sweeney described the charges against the mayor as just the “beginning,” and said charges against others are possible as well.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Center for Immigration Studies finds native-born workers outpace immigrants in returning to work

As the coronavirus-stricken economy picks up , native-born workers are outstripping immigrants in returning to the workplace , according to a new study being released Wednesday that suggests the country ’ s appetite for foreign labor is low .
The Center for Immigration Studies crunched Labor Department data and found that native-born Americans across the education spectrum made gains , with those on the lowest educational rungs returning to work the fastest from April to May .
Among immigrants , those who had less education also saw job gains — but those who attended college didn ’ t see any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the researcher who led the study , said he also found the newest immigrants struggling the most to return to work , with an actual rise in unemployment from April to May .
“ It suggests there isn ’ t some massive demand for immigrant labor , ” he said .
“ Obviously employers will always say there are , but you ’ d like to find evidence for that in government data , and right now we aren ’ t seeing it.
” The overall native-born unemployment rate ticked down from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May .
Among immigrants it dropped by less , from 16.4 % to 15.8 % .
The study comes as President Trump ponders next steps on immigration and foreign workers .
Earlier in the coronavirus crisis he announced a 60-day pause on some new permanent legal immigrants , saying he didn ’ t want Americans to have to compete with them as the economy got humming again .
The Migration Policy Institute said the U.S. is the only country to explicitly link an immigration policy to coronavirus economics , rather than just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his April announcement Mr. Trump left temporary guest-worker programs intact , though he ordered top aides to review the situation and make recommendations .
Those recommendations were completed weeks ago , but the president has yet to announce any decisions .
The Center for Immigration Studies said Mr. Trump could cut up to 1.2 million foreign workers from future work rolls , saving those spots for Americans .
Business groups , though , say they ’ ve tried to hire residents but can ’ t find takers , even with decent starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supercharged ” unemployment benefits Congress approved during coronavirus , which dole out an additional $ 600 a week — or the equivalent of a $ 15-an-hour wage — on top of states ’ own unemployment programs .
In some states , those who lost jobs can make the equivalent of a $ 60,000 annual salary on unemployment .
Business owners say they ’ ve tried to entice laid-off workers back into jobs but have been rebuffed by Americans who say they make more on unemployment .
When those workers can be enticed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enticed at all — is a major question .
Mr. Camarota said the coronavirus economy has accelerated a long-term drop in labor force participation .
Only 65 % of working-age native-born residents were in the labor force in May , down from 71 % in 2007 and 74 % in 2000 .

As the coronavirus-stricken economy picks up, native-born workers are outstripping immigrants in returning to the workplace, according to a new study being released Wednesday that suggests the country’s appetite for foreign labor is low.
The Center for Immigration Studies crunched Labor Department data and found that native-born Americans across the education spectrum made gains, with those on the lowest educational rungs returning to work the fastest from April to May.
Among immigrants, those who had less education also saw job gains — but those who attended college didn’t see any improvements last month.
Steven A. Camarota, the researcher who led the study, said he also found the newest immigrants struggling the most to return to work, with an actual rise in unemployment from April to May.
“It suggests there isn’t some massive demand for immigrant labor,” he said. “Obviously employers will always say there are, but you’d like to find evidence for that in government data, and right now we aren’t seeing it.”
The overall native-born unemployment rate ticked down from 14% in April to 12.4% in May. Among immigrants it dropped by less, from 16.4% to 15.8%.
The study comes as President Trump ponders next steps on immigration and foreign workers.
Earlier in the coronavirus crisis he announced a 60-day pause on some new permanent legal immigrants, saying he didn’t want Americans to have to compete with them as the economy got humming again.
The Migration Policy Institute said the U.S. is the only country to explicitly link an immigration policy to coronavirus economics, rather than just to health concerns.
At the time of his April announcement Mr. Trump left temporary guest-worker programs intact, though he ordered top aides to review the situation and make recommendations. Those recommendations were completed weeks ago, but the president has yet to announce any decisions.
The Center for Immigration Studies said Mr. Trump could cut up to 1.2 million foreign workers from future work rolls, saving those spots for Americans.
Business groups, though, say they’ve tried to hire residents but can’t find takers, even with decent starting wages.
One complication is the “supercharged” unemployment benefits Congress approved during coronavirus, which dole out an additional $600 a week — or the equivalent of a $15-an-hour wage — on top of states’ own unemployment programs.
In some states, those who lost jobs can make the equivalent of a $60,000 annual salary on unemployment. Business owners say they’ve tried to entice laid-off workers back into jobs but have been rebuffed by Americans who say they make more on unemployment.
When those workers can be enticed to return — or even if they can be enticed at all — is a major question.
Mr. Camarota said the coronavirus economy has accelerated a long-term drop in labor force participation. Only 65% of working-age native-born residents were in the labor force in May, down from 71% in 2007 and 74% in 2000.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Edmunds: Shoppers should think twice about long-term loans

Car buyers have collectively blown past the stop sign of the old 48-month “ golden rule ” for car loans .
In fact , 72- and 84-month loans are now more common than ever , propelled by rising vehicle prices and the reemergence of 0 % loans .
But long-term loans aren ’ t without pitfalls .
The average car payment for new vehicles hit an all-time high of $ 584 in April , according to Edmunds sales data .
This reflects a trend of shoppers preferring costlier trucks and SUVs , as evidenced by an average amount financed of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the monthly payments more palatable , people are taking out longer auto loans , which also hit a record average of about 73 months .
“ Car shoppers are showing that they ’ re comfortable committing to longer loans to get the vehicles that they want right now , especially with the ongoing availability of 0 % deals , ” said Jessica Caldwell , Edmunds ’ executive director of insights .
Long-term auto loans allow people to spend more on a car while keeping the payments low .
But many buyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road that can prove costly .
Here are a few reasons why a long-term loan can be a problem .
In May of 2020 , about 47 % of vehicle loans were financed for under 3 % .
The low finance rates in recent months are some of the most generous we ’ ve seen in years .
“ But these incentives aren ’ t going to last forever , ” says Caldwell .
“ It ’ s going to get tougher for car shoppers to find good deals as inventory declines over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go up as the market begins to recover .
A few months ago , the interest rate average was closer to 6 % .
While many shoppers opt to make their monthly payments smaller with a long-term loan , they pay a steeper price in finance charges , especially when rates are higher .
For example , a current 84-month loan on a $ 37,000 vehicle at 2 % would have finance charges of about $ 1,912 .
If interest rates go back up to their pre-pandemic levels , that same loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Plus , not everyone will qualify for the low promotional rates .
Those with bad credit will most likely end up with a higher interest rate .
Americans are not driving their cars “ until the wheels fall off.
” The data shows they tend to get tired of their cars not long after the loans are paid off , which defeats one of the main advantages of buying over leasing .
The average length of ownership for a new car is about 79 months , according to IHS Markit .
Imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you get the itch to buy a new car around that common 79-month mark .
You ’ d be stuck with five more months of paying for a car you can ’ t wait to get rid of .
Contrast this situation with a buyer who chose a five-year loan .
At the average ownership mark of 79 months , this buyer has already enjoyed nearly two years without car payments and has the freedom to sell the car whenever the buyer wants .
A tougher yet more common situation is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vehicle sooner than expected .
Perhaps you ’ ve lost your job and can ’ t keep up with the payments , or you ’ re having a baby and your current car is too small .
When you try to sell your vehicle , you may owe thousands more on the loan than the car is worth .
As with any long-term loan , you spend the early parts of the loan paying off the interest , which means it will take you longer to build equity .
What often ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining balance of the loan into their next car purchase .
But that creates a longer loan commitment and higher monthly payments for the next car .
Resale value is another reason to steer clear of extra-long car loans .
If you plan on selling your vehicle when it is paid off , a 5-year-old car is more desirable and more valuable in the used car marketplace than one that ’ s 7 years old .
On average , a 5-year-old car will have lost about 48 % of its value when new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by about 59 % .
Put another way , the new vehicle in our example will be worth roughly $ 19,240 after five years .
It drops to $ 15,170 at the seven-year mark .
EDMUNDS SAYS : Low financing rates are a boon to car shoppers .
But they can cause people to buy a more expensive vehicle than they need and stretch out the loan term to make the payments manageable .
Educate yourself on the other implications of longer loan terms to avoid making the same mistakes .
This story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the automotive website Edmunds .
Ronald Montoya is a senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds .
Twitter : @ ronald_montoya8 .
-Edmunds : 0 % loans are a smart way to get out of a bad loan : https : //bit.ly/3eRN6iA

Car buyers have collectively blown past the stop sign of the old 48-month “golden rule” for car loans. In fact, 72- and 84-month loans are now more common than ever, propelled by rising vehicle prices and the reemergence of 0% loans. But long-term loans aren’t without pitfalls.
The average car payment for new vehicles hit an all-time high of $584 in April, according to Edmunds sales data. This reflects a trend of shoppers preferring costlier trucks and SUVs, as evidenced by an average amount financed of $37,618. But in an effort to make the monthly payments more palatable, people are taking out longer auto loans, which also hit a record average of about 73 months.
“Car shoppers are showing that they’re comfortable committing to longer loans to get the vehicles that they want right now, especially with the ongoing availability of 0% deals,” said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ executive director of insights.
Long-term auto loans allow people to spend more on a car while keeping the payments low. But many buyers tend to overlook potential issues down the road that can prove costly. Here are a few reasons why a long-term loan can be a problem.
LOW FINANCE RATES WON’T LAST
In May of 2020, about 47% of vehicle loans were financed for under 3%. The low finance rates in recent months are some of the most generous we’ve seen in years. “But these incentives aren’t going to last forever,” says Caldwell. “It’s going to get tougher for car shoppers to find good deals as inventory declines over the new few months.”
Interest rates will go up as the market begins to recover. A few months ago, the interest rate average was closer to 6%. While many shoppers opt to make their monthly payments smaller with a long-term loan, they pay a steeper price in finance charges, especially when rates are higher.
For example, a current 84-month loan on a $37,000 vehicle at 2% would have finance charges of about $1,912. If interest rates go back up to their pre-pandemic levels, that same loan would incur finance charges of $8,404. Plus, not everyone will qualify for the low promotional rates. Those with bad credit will most likely end up with a higher interest rate.
CAR FATIGUE
Americans are not driving their cars “until the wheels fall off.” The data shows they tend to get tired of their cars not long after the loans are paid off, which defeats one of the main advantages of buying over leasing.
The average length of ownership for a new car is about 79 months, according to IHS Markit. Imagine you have an 84-month auto loan, and you get the itch to buy a new car around that common 79-month mark. You’d be stuck with five more months of paying for a car you can’t wait to get rid of.
Contrast this situation with a buyer who chose a five-year loan. At the average ownership mark of 79 months, this buyer has already enjoyed nearly two years without car payments and has the freedom to sell the car whenever the buyer wants.
NEGATIVE EQUITY
A tougher yet more common situation is that you might need to get rid of the vehicle sooner than expected. Perhaps you’ve lost your job and can’t keep up with the payments, or you’re having a baby and your current car is too small. When you try to sell your vehicle, you may owe thousands more on the loan than the car is worth.
As with any long-term loan, you spend the early parts of the loan paying off the interest, which means it will take you longer to build equity. What often ends up happening is that people roll the remaining balance of the loan into their next car purchase. But that creates a longer loan commitment and higher monthly payments for the next car.
DIMINISHED RESALE VALUE
Resale value is another reason to steer clear of extra-long car loans. If you plan on selling your vehicle when it is paid off, a 5-year-old car is more desirable and more valuable in the used car marketplace than one that’s 7 years old. On average, a 5-year-old car will have lost about 48% of its value when new. A 7-year-old car will have depreciated by about 59%. Put another way, the new vehicle in our example will be worth roughly $19,240 after five years. It drops to $15,170 at the seven-year mark.
EDMUNDS SAYS: Low financing rates are a boon to car shoppers. But they can cause people to buy a more expensive vehicle than they need and stretch out the loan term to make the payments manageable. Educate yourself on the other implications of longer loan terms to avoid making the same mistakes.
___
This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Ronald Montoya is a senior consumer advice editor at Edmunds. Twitter: @ronald_montoya8.
Related links:
-Edmunds: 0% loans are a smart way to get out of a bad loan: https://bit.ly/3eRN6iA
-Edmunds: Many car buyers make wrong turn on financing: https://bit.ly/3eOP3vT


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--5 Things to Know for Today

5 Things to Know for Today

Your daily look at late-breaking news , upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today : 1 @ @ @ @ @ VIRUS CASES Describing a new coronavirus outbreak as “ extremely grave , ” the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ % of commercial flights and raises the alert level .
2 .
TENSIONS RISING ON @ @ @ @ @ redeploy troops to now-shuttered inter-Korean cooperation sites , reinstall guard posts and resume military exercises @ @ @ @ @ .
SENATE GOP PROPOSES POLICING CHANGES The legislation would establish an enhanced use-of-force database , @ @ @ @ @ training and commissions to study law enforcement and race , AP learns .
4 .
@ @ @ @ @ CRISIS Beijing says it has agreed with New Delhi to peacefully resolve their Himalayan border @ @ @ @ @ confrontations in decades .
5 .
TOP AMERICAN SPRINTER SUSPENDED Christian Coleman , the reigning @ @ @ @ @ dash , was temporarily banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing drug tests .

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
1. BEIJING SEES SPIKE IN VIRUS CASES Describing a new coronavirus outbreak as “extremely grave,” the Chinese capital cancels more than 60% of commercial flights and raises the alert level.
2. TENSIONS RISING ON KOREAN PENINSULA North Korea will redeploy troops to now-shuttered inter-Korean cooperation sites, reinstall guard posts and resume military exercises at front-line areas.
3. SENATE GOP PROPOSES POLICING CHANGES The legislation would establish an enhanced use-of-force database, restrictions on chokeholds and new training and commissions to study law enforcement and race, AP learns.
4. CHINA, INDIA DEFUSE BORDER CRISIS Beijing says it has agreed with New Delhi to peacefully resolve their Himalayan border tensions following the most violent confrontations in decades.
5. TOP AMERICAN SPRINTER SUSPENDED Christian Coleman, the reigning world champion in the 100-meter dash, was temporarily banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing drug tests.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--AP Analysis: North Korea gambling with latest standoff

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - Only two years ago the leaders of North and South Korea shared drinks , laughs and vows for peace during three highly orchestrated summits that lowered fears of war that had risen as Pyongyang pursued an arsenal of nuclear missiles .
That ’ s all gone , for now , and it ended this week with a bang .
The North on Tuesday blew up an empty office building that had allowed the two Koreas to talk in person in the North Korean border town of Kaesong .
Pyongyang also said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at reducing conventional threats along the border .
The largely symbolic , made-for-TV explosion has shattered already fading hopes in South Korea that the basic foundation of cooperation with its rival could be salvaged .
It ’ s also stoked public fear that the Korean Peninsula will once again take its place as a global hotspot .
While North Korea ’ s actions may appear abrupt and reckless , the leadership in Pyongyang may be executing a carefully measured plan aimed at winning outside concessions while showing its people a strong face in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a pattern that has repeated over the decades .
When Washington doesn ’ t give the North what it wants , Pyongyang dials up pressure on the South .
The North may be betting that Seoul can be drawn back into dialogue , despite the demolished building and hurt feelings , because of liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in ’ s passion for engagement .
For now , the North seems focused on elevating tensions in phases .
It has declared its intention to send troops to now-shuttered North-South cooperation sites in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and to reinstall guard posts and resume military exercises in front-line areas .
That would nullify a bilateral military agreement reached in 2018 that established border buffers and no-fly zones and would increase the risk of clashes .
The public face of the North ’ s recent bashing of the South is Kim Yo Jong , the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un , who has been confirmed as his top official on inter-Korean affairs .
Once all smiles during meetings with South Korean officials on a rare visit to Seoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea an “ enemy ” and has given vent to outbursts over Seoul ’ s failure to stop activists from floating anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border .
Although North Korea is sensitive to those leaflets ’ criticism , it ’ s unlikely the country is rupturing relations with Seoul merely over something that has gone on for years .
Instead , the goal appears to be regaining the world ’ s attention - and especially Washington ’ s - in a bid for much-needed aid and boosting a populace worried about economic hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes during long-stalled nuclear negotiations with President Donald Trump ’ s administration that have faltered over disagreements on exchanging sanctions relief for disarmament steps .
It also comes as the coronavirus pandemic likely further batters the already broken North Korean economy .
The North could be deliberately censuring the South to build internal unity and shift public attention away from diplomatic failures and economic shortcomings .
Entering the last year of an ambitious five-year national development plan , Kim Jong Un in December declared a “ frontal breakthrough ” against sanctions while urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle for economic self-reliance .
But experts say the COVID-19 crisis likely thwarted some of Kim ’ s major economic goals by forcing the country into a self-imposed lockdown that shut the border with major donor China and potentially hampered his ability to mobilize people for labor .
The economic setbacks have left Kim with nothing to show for his high-stakes summitry with Trump .
The diplomacy began to implode last year in Vietnam , after their second meeting , when the Americans rejected North Korea ’ s demands for major sanctions relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its nuclear capabilities .
It ’ s impossible for a North Korean leader to admit to his people that he may have got things wrong .
It ’ s far easier to transfer the blame to a scapegoat like South Korea , which assumed the mediator role in negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang .
In her latest statement against the South on Wednesday , Kim Yo Jong accused Moon of betraying the summit agreements he reached with her brother by accepting the “ coercion of his master , ” a reference to Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Seoul ’ s inability to help extract concessions from the U.S. on its behalf and urged its rival to defy sanctions to restart inter-Korean economic cooperation .
Next , the North will likely continue to raise tensions , possibly resuming artillery exercises and other drills in border areas and deliberately having vessels cross the disputed western sea border between the Koreas .
Those disputed waters have seen past bloody skirmishes , including a 2010 attack on a South Korean naval ship that killed 46 sailors .
The North does not recognize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.N. at the close of the 1950-53 Korean War .
Some think the North could be pressuring the South now in a bid to increase its bargaining power before an eventual return to negotiations with the U.S. after the November presidential election .
They say the North likely doesn ’ t want to make any major concessions now when there is a chance U.S. leadership could change .
It ’ s a gamble , though , and North Korea may never get as favorable a political situation as it has now to strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken an engagement approach with North Korea unlike any other U.S. president , is not guaranteed victory in November .
And while Moon favors engagement , after decades of bloodshed and animosity , many South Koreans are deeply wary of their northern neighbor .
Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung has covered the Koreas since 2014 .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Only two years ago, the leaders of North and South Korea shared drinks, laughs and vows for peace during three highly orchestrated summits that lowered fears of war that had risen as Pyongyang pursued an arsenal of nuclear missiles.
That’s all gone, for now, and it ended with a bang.
The North on Tuesday blew up an empty office building that had allowed the two Koreas to talk in person in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. Pyongyang also said it was scrapping a key military agreement aimed at reducing conventional threats along the border.
The largely symbolic, made-for-TV explosion has shattered already fading hopes in South Korea that the basic foundation of cooperation with its rival could be salvaged. It’s also stoked public fear that the Korean Peninsula will once again take its place as a global hot spot.
While North Korea’s actions may appear abrupt and reckless, the leadership in Pyongyang may be executing a carefully measured plan aimed at winning outside concessions while showing its people a strong face in dealing with its rival.
It’s a pattern that has repeated over the decades. When Washington doesn’t give the North what it wants, Pyongyang dials up pressure on the South.
North Korea may be betting that Seoul can be drawn back into dialogue, despite the demolished building and hurt feelings, because of liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s passion for engagement.
For now, the North seems focused on elevating tensions in phases.
It has declared its intention to send troops to now-shuttered North-South cooperation sites in Kaesong and at the Diamond Mountain resort, and to reinstall guard posts and resume military exercises in front-line areas. That would nullify a bilateral military agreement reached in 2018 that established border buffers and no-fly zones and would increase the risk of clashes.
The public face of the North’s recent bashing of the South is Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, who has been confirmed as his top official on inter-Korean affairs.
Once all smiles during meetings with South Korean officials on a rare visit to Seoul, Kim Yo Jong now calls South Korea an “enemy” and has vented over Seoul’s failure to stop activists from floating anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border.
Although North Korea is sensitive to those leaflets’ criticism, it’s unlikely the country is rupturing relations with Seoul merely over something that has gone on for years.
Instead, the goal appears to be regaining the world’s attention - and especially Washington’s - in a bid for much-needed aid and boosting a populace worried about economic hardship.
The North’s calculated belligerence comes during long-stalled nuclear negotiations with President Donald Trump’s administration that have faltered over disagreements on exchanging sanctions relief for disarmament steps. It also comes as the coronavirus pandemic likely further batters the already broken North Korean economy.
The North could be deliberately censuring the South to build internal unity and shift public attention away from diplomatic failures and economic shortcomings.
Entering the last year of an ambitious five-year national development plan, Kim Jong Un in December declared a “frontal breakthrough” against sanctions while urging his nation to stay resilient in a struggle for economic self-reliance.
But experts say the COVID-19 crisis likely thwarted some of Kim’s major economic goals by forcing the country into a self-imposed lockdown that shut the border with major donor China and potentially hampered his ability to mobilize people for labor.
The economic setbacks have left Kim with nothing to show for his high-stakes summitry with Trump. The diplomacy began to implode last year in Vietnam, after their second meeting, when the Americans rejected North Korea’s demands for major sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.
It’s impossible for a North Korean leader to admit to his people that he may have gotten things wrong. It’s far easier to transfer the blame to a scapegoat like South Korea, which assumed the mediator role in negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.
In her latest statement against the South on Wednesday, Kim Yo Jong accused Moon of betraying the summit agreements he reached with her brother by accepting the “coercion of his master,” a reference to Washington.
North Korea for months expressed frustration over Seoul’s inability to help extract concessions from the U.S. on its behalf and urged its rival to defy sanctions to restart inter-Korean economic cooperation.
Next, the North will likely continue to raise tensions, possibly resuming artillery exercises and other drills in border areas and deliberately having vessels cross the disputed western sea border between the Koreas.
Those disputed waters have seen past bloody skirmishes, including a 2010 attack on a South Korean naval ship that killed 46 sailors. The North does not recognize the western maritime border drawn unilaterally by the U.N. at the close of the 1950-53 Korean War.
Some think the North could be pressuring the South now in a bid to increase its bargaining power before an eventual return to negotiations with the U.S. after the November presidential election. They say North Korea likely doesn’t want to make any major concessions now when there is a chance U.S. leadership could change.
It’s a gamble, though, and North Korea may never get as favorable a political situation as it has now to strike a deal.
Trump, who has taken an engagement approach with North Korea unlike any other U.S. president, is not guaranteed victory in November. And while Moon favors engagement after decades of bloodshed and animosity, many South Koreans are deeply wary of their northern neighbor.
___
Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung has covered the Koreas since 2014.


washingtontimes--2020-06-17--Philippine beer tycoon allied with late dictator dies

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) - Philippine tycoon Eduardo “ Danding ” Cojuangco Jr. , a key ally of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and a low-key businessman who led a food and beverage empire that produced San Miguel beer , has died .
He was 85 .
San Miguel Corp. said Cojuangco , who served as its chairman and chief executive officer for decades , died Tuesday night , without providing other details .
Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said Cojuangco died of pneumonia and heart failure in a hospital in Manila .
Cojuangco had a net worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forbes ’ list of the world ’ s billionaires , with interests in cement-manufacturing , orchards , a stud farm and Australian wineries , aside from San Miguel .
San Miguel , one of Southeast Asia ’ s largest conglomerates , with a workforce of more than 28,000 people , has ventured into fuel and oil , power and infrastructure .
Aside from business , Cojuangco delved into politics and sports , and owned three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association , Panelo said .
“ His impact on many other areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add to his rich and enduring legacy , ” San Miguel said in a statement .
President Rodrigo Duterte ’ s spokesman , Harry Roque , expressed deep sadness over Cojuangco ’ s death and cited San Miguel ’ s contribution to the economy and help in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in the country .
But Cojuangco had also been mired in controversy .
He fled from the Philippines when Marcos was overthrown by an army-backed “ people power ” revolt in 1986 .
During his years in exile , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States and Australia , where he bred thoroughbred racehorses .
Cojuangco had been linked to the 1983 assassination of a key anti-Marcos politician , former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. , but the allegation has never been proven and Aquino ’ s family later said he was not involved .
The brazen killing of Aquino while in military custody at Manila ’ s international airport sparked massive street protests that culminated in a failed coup and the 1986 uprising that toppled Marcos , his family and cronies , including Cojuangco .
Aquino ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cojuangco ’ s estranged cousin , was hailed as a democracy icon amid the anti-Marcos protests and succeeded Marcos .
Cojuangco had also been accused of involvement in the misuse of large amounts of coconut levy funds during the Marcos years that were intended to develop the country ’ s coconut industry .
He has denied any wrongdoing and has never been convicted amid allegations of illegally amassing wealth during the Marcos era .
In the 1960s , Cojuangco served as governor of the northern Philippine province of Tarlac , the base of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in sugarcane plantations .
After returning to the Philippines following Marcos ’ s downfall , he ran for president in 1992 under the Nationalist People ’ s Coalition but lost , although the political party he founded has remained an influential political bloc .
Cojuangco backed the successful presidential bid of Joseph Estrada in 1998 , the year he regained the chairmanship of San Miguel .
Estrada was forcibly removed amid massive protests halfway into his six-year term and was convicted of plunder years later .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., a key ally of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and a low-key businessman who led a food and beverage empire that produced San Miguel beer, has died. He was 85.
San Miguel Corp. said Cojuangco, who served as its chairman and chief executive officer for decades, died Tuesday night, without providing other details. Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said Cojuangco died of pneumonia and heart failure in a hospital in Manila.
Cojuangco had a net worth of $1.1 billion, according to Forbes’ list of the world’s billionaires, with interests in cement-manufacturing, orchards, a stud farm and Australian wineries, aside from San Miguel. San Miguel, one of Southeast Asia’s largest conglomerates, with a workforce of more than 28,000 people, has ventured into fuel and oil, power and infrastructure.
Aside from business, Cojuangco delved into politics and sports, and owned three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association, Panelo said.
“His impact on many other areas of Philippine life - sports, philanthropy - add to his rich and enduring legacy,” San Miguel said in a statement.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman, Harry Roque, expressed deep sadness over Cojuangco’s death and cited San Miguel’s contribution to the economy and help in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
But Cojuangco had also been mired in controversy.
He fled from the Philippines when Marcos was overthrown by an army-backed “people power” revolt in 1986. During his years in exile, he was known to have traveled to the United States and Australia, where he bred thoroughbred racehorses.
Cojuangco had been linked to the 1983 assassination of a key anti-Marcos politician, former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., but the allegation has never been proven and Aquino’s family later said he was not involved. The brazen killing of Aquino while in military custody at Manila’s international airport sparked massive street protests that culminated in a failed coup and the 1986 uprising that toppled Marcos, his family and cronies, including Cojuangco.
Aquino’s wife, Corazon Aquino, who was Cojuangco’s estranged cousin, was hailed as a democracy icon amid the anti-Marcos protests and succeeded Marcos.
Cojuangco had also been accused of involvement in the misuse of large amounts of coconut levy funds during the Marcos years that were intended to develop the country’s coconut industry. He has denied any wrongdoing and has never been convicted amid allegations of illegally amassing wealth during the Marcos era.
In the 1960s, Cojuangco served as governor of the northern Philippine province of Tarlac, the base of the Cojuangco clan, which has interests in sugarcane plantations. After returning to the Philippines following Marcos’s downfall, he ran for president in 1992 under the Nationalist People’s Coalition but lost, although the political party he founded has remained an influential political bloc.
Cojuangco backed the successful presidential bid of Joseph Estrada in 1998, the year he regained the chairmanship of San Miguel. Estrada was forcibly removed amid massive protests halfway into his six-year term and was convicted of plunder years later.