washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Mohsen Fakhrizadeh killing alters Biden Iran relations path

Iran has vowed to retaliate for the assassination last week of one of its top nuclear scientists , but intelligence sources are questioning the notion that the incident will dramatically undermine presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden ’ s plans for a major detente with Tehran next year .
It remains unclear who killed Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh near Tehran on Friday , just weeks after the revelation that a similarly mysterious attack killed top al Qaeda operative Abu Muhammad al-Masri in the city and less than a year after a U.S. strike eliminated top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fakhrizadeh strike has triggered hand-wringing among Democrats because of fears that the mission was secretly authorized by President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to derail Mr. Biden ’ s hope of bringing back the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal that Mr. Trump repudiated in 2018 .
But another camp argues that a shaken and vulnerable Iran may be more willing now to deal with a Biden administration and that recent events have left the Democratic former vice president with a cleaner path to a new accord .
“ What this has done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous , Iran-based actors off the stage , ” one former senior U.S. intelligence official told The Washington Times .
“ Their absence removes the potential of problems each of these individuals would have caused , and that may make the world a little easier for Joe Biden to deal with.
” Despite the killing , Iran appears set to meet with the other signatories of the Iran nuclear deal — China , Russia , France , Germany , Britain and the European Union — for a previously scheduled assessment of the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree .
John O. Brennan , head of the CIA under President Obama and a fierce critic of President Trump , tweeted Friday that the Fakhrizadeh strike “ was a criminal act & highly reckless.
” Mr. Brennan urged Tehran to avoid lashing out until Mr. Biden has a chance to patch up relations after Inauguration Day next month .
“ Iranian leaders would be wise to wait for the return of responsible American leadership on the global stage and to resist the urge to respond against perceived culprits , ” Mr. Brennan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicitly on the Fakhrizadeh killing , but he did retweet a posting about it from Israeli journalist Yossi Melman , an expert on the Israeli Mossad intelligence service , who called the killing a “ major psychological and professional blow for Iran.
” Iranian leaders have roundly accused Israel , long suspected of targeting top Iranian nuclear scientists as a way to undermine Tehran ’ s nuclear programs , of carrying out the strike .
The Associated Press reported that Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Ushpiz has instructed all Israeli diplomatic delegations around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of readiness and awareness of any irregular activity ” in light of possible revenge strikes .
U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies have declined to comment , although both have asserted that captured Iranian archives show that Mr. Fakhrizadeh was a founder of the Islamic republic ’ s military nuclear program in the early 2000s .
He is accused of having led a key aspect of the program known as “ AMAD , ” which Israeli and U.S. officials have described as a military operation that explored the feasibility of building a nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sworn it was interested only in civilian uses of nuclear power .
The International Atomic Energy Agency has said the AMAD program essentially ended in 2003 .
U.S. intelligence agencies in the George W. Bush administration concurred in a 2007 report .
However , media reports in recent days have suggested that Mr. Netanyahu continued to harbor an obsession with Mr. Fakhrizadeh — convinced that the Iranian scientist remained engaged in dangerous clandestine operations throughout the 2000s and even after the signing of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal .
The multinational deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for limits to its nuclear program , has been on life support since Mr. Trump ’ s 2018 withdrawal and the subsequent reimposition of harsh U.S. sanctions .
Mr. Netanyahu gave a presentation that year in which he unveiled what he described as material stolen by Israeli operatives from an Iranian nuclear archive .
“ A key part of the plan was to form new organizations to continue the work , ” Mr. Netanyahu said at the time , claiming that “ this is how Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh , head of Project AMAD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name , ” the Israeli prime minister said .
“ Fakhrizadeh.
” Such comments have only fed speculation that Israeli operatives carried out Friday ’ s assassination — speculation that Iranian officials continued to promote Monday .
At Mr. Fakhrizadeh ’ s funeral in Tehran , Ali Shamkhani , the secretary of Iran ’ s Supreme National Security Council , accused Israel of using “ electronic devices ” to remotely kill the scientist .
Mr. Shamkhani and Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Amir Hatami both vowed to continue the scientist ’ s work “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authorities initially said a truck exploded and then gunmen opened fire on the scientist , killing him and a bodyguard .
But Iranian state media reports on Monday claimed that a weapon recovered from the scene of the attack bore “ the logo and specifications of the Israeli military industry.
” The reports have also claimed that the weapons used were “ controlled by satellite.
” Questions continue to swirl over whether the truck that exploded during the attack detonated afterward to try to destroy a satellite-controlled weapon hidden inside , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground would have been required to set up the weapon .
Mr. Shamkhani blamed the Iranian exile group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq for “ having a role in this , ” without elaborating .
The MEK , as the exile group is known , has been suspected of assisting Israeli operations in Iran in the past .
Shahin Gobadi , an MEK spokesman , dismissed Mr. Shamkhani ’ s remarks in an interview with The Associated Press , calling them “ rage , rancor and lies ” sparked by the group ’ s earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Monday ’ s service for Mr. Fakhrizadeh took place at an outdoor portion of Iran ’ s Defense Ministry in Tehran , the AP reported , with Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami , Intelligence Minister Mamoud Alavi , and Ali Akbar Sahei , head of Iran ’ s civilian nuclear programs , among those in attendance .
Norman Roule , who focused on the Middle East during his 34-year career with the CIA , downplayed the veracity of allegations swirling in the Iranian and the Western media space over the Fakhrizadeh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speculate on who may have carried out the killing , said in an interview Monday that “ it will take some time for the Iranians to investigate how this attack took place and to develop a judgment as to who may have been behind it.
” Daniel Hoffman , another former CIA official who writes an occasional column for The Washington Times , said there is little question that the incident “ bears all the hallmarks of what the Israelis are suspected of having done in the past.
” Mr. Hoffman ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of attacks in or near Tehran that left at least five high-level Iranian nuclear scientists dead from 2007 to 2012 .
NBC News reported in 2012 that the bombings were carried out by operatives with the MEK , who were trained by Israel ’ s Mossad .
The New Yorker subsequently reported that U.S. Special Forces had engaged in similar training operations .
The MEK , which has an office in Washington , has vehemently denied such reports , which cited unidentified U.S. officials as their sources .
The group has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the support of some individuals in Mr. Trump ’ s inner circle .
Former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton and the president ’ s personal attorney , Rudolph W. Giuliani , are among a wide range of current and former officials , both Republican and Democrat , who have spoken at annual MEK rallies calling for regime change in Tehran .
Still , several prominent Democrats close to Mr. Biden expressed concern about the fallout from the attack and whether hard-liners within Iran ’ s political system will kill the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sullivan , Mr. Biden ’ s pick to be White House national security adviser , signaled before last week ’ s events that the new U.S. administration was ready to return to the 2015 deal or seek to expand and improve it .
“ If Iran is prepared to return to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal … then the United States is prepared to return to compliance with its obligations under the Iran nuclear deal , ” Mr. Sullivan told a virtual event hosted by the University of Minnesota .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ intensively ” on “ follow-on agreements to address a range of different issues related to Iran ’ s nuclear program … .
including other questions that were not within the remit of the original [ 2015 deal ] .
” Sen. Christopher Murphy , Connecticut Democrat and close ally of Mr. Biden , suggested that the incident could have been authorized to undermine the presumptive president-elect ’ s goal for a detente .
“ If the primary purpose of the killing of Mr. Fakhrizadeh was to make it harder to restart the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not make America , Israel or the world safer , ” tweeted Mr. Murphy , a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
Mr. Biden ’ s transition team declined to comment Monday .
A member of the team told The Times only , “ We plan to respect the principle that there ’ s one president at a time — and one foreign policy at a time .
”

Iran has vowed to retaliate for the assassination last week of one of its top nuclear scientists, but intelligence sources are questioning the notion that the incident will dramatically undermine presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s plans for a major detente with Tehran next year.
It remains unclear who killed Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh near Tehran on Friday, just weeks after the revelation that a similarly mysterious attack killed top al Qaeda operative Abu Muhammad al-Masri in the city and less than a year after a U.S. strike eliminated top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani while on a visit to Baghdad.
The Fakhrizadeh strike has triggered hand-wringing among Democrats because of fears that the mission was secretly authorized by President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to derail Mr. Biden’s hope of bringing back the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal that Mr. Trump repudiated in 2018.
But another camp argues that a shaken and vulnerable Iran may be more willing now to deal with a Biden administration and that recent events have left the Democratic former vice president with a cleaner path to a new accord.
“What this has done is take the three of the most dangerous, Iran-based actors off the stage,” one former senior U.S. intelligence official told The Washington Times. “Their absence removes the potential of problems each of these individuals would have caused, and that may make the world a little easier for Joe Biden to deal with.”
Despite the killing, Iran appears set to meet with the other signatories of the Iran nuclear deal — China, Russia, France, Germany, Britain and the European Union — for a previously scheduled assessment of the deal Dec. 16 in Vienna.
Not all agree. John O. Brennan, head of the CIA under President Obama and a fierce critic of President Trump, tweeted Friday that the Fakhrizadeh strike “was a criminal act & highly reckless.” Mr. Brennan urged Tehran to avoid lashing out until Mr. Biden has a chance to patch up relations after Inauguration Day next month.
“Iranian leaders would be wise to wait for the return of responsible American leadership on the global stage and to resist the urge to respond against perceived culprits,” Mr. Brennan tweeted.
Mr. Trump has not commented explicitly on the Fakhrizadeh killing, but he did retweet a posting about it from Israeli journalist Yossi Melman, an expert on the Israeli Mossad intelligence service, who called the killing a “major psychological and professional blow for Iran.”
Iranian leaders have roundly accused Israel, long suspected of targeting top Iranian nuclear scientists as a way to undermine Tehran’s nuclear programs, of carrying out the strike. The Associated Press reported that Israeli Foreign Ministry Director-General Alon Ushpiz has instructed all Israeli diplomatic delegations around the globe to maintain “the highest level of readiness and awareness of any irregular activity” in light of possible revenge strikes.
Neutralizing ‘AMAD’
U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies have declined to comment, although both have asserted that captured Iranian archives show that Mr. Fakhrizadeh was a founder of the Islamic republic’s military nuclear program in the early 2000s.
He is accused of having led a key aspect of the program known as “AMAD,” which Israeli and U.S. officials have described as a military operation that explored the feasibility of building a nuclear weapon — even though Tehran has long sworn it was interested only in civilian uses of nuclear power.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has said the AMAD program essentially ended in 2003. U.S. intelligence agencies in the George W. Bush administration concurred in a 2007 report.
However, media reports in recent days have suggested that Mr. Netanyahu continued to harbor an obsession with Mr. Fakhrizadeh — convinced that the Iranian scientist remained engaged in dangerous clandestine operations throughout the 2000s and even after the signing of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
The multinational deal, which eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits to its nuclear program, has been on life support since Mr. Trump’s 2018 withdrawal and the subsequent reimposition of harsh U.S. sanctions. Mr. Netanyahu gave a presentation that year in which he unveiled what he described as material stolen by Israeli operatives from an Iranian nuclear archive.
“A key part of the plan was to form new organizations to continue the work,” Mr. Netanyahu said at the time, claiming that “this is how Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, head of Project AMAD, put it.”
“Remember that name,” the Israeli prime minister said. “Fakhrizadeh.”
Such comments have only fed speculation that Israeli operatives carried out Friday’s assassination — speculation that Iranian officials continued to promote Monday.
At Mr. Fakhrizadeh’s funeral in Tehran, Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, accused Israel of using “electronic devices” to remotely kill the scientist. Mr. Shamkhani and Iranian Defense Minister Gen. Amir Hatami both vowed to continue the scientist’s work “with more speed and more power.”
Authorities initially said a truck exploded and then gunmen opened fire on the scientist, killing him and a bodyguard. But Iranian state media reports on Monday claimed that a weapon recovered from the scene of the attack bore “the logo and specifications of the Israeli military industry.” The reports have also claimed that the weapons used were “controlled by satellite.”
Questions continue to swirl over whether the truck that exploded during the attack detonated afterward to try to destroy a satellite-controlled weapon hidden inside, as well as the extent to which an operative on the ground would have been required to set up the weapon.
Mr. Shamkhani blamed the Iranian exile group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq for “having a role in this,” without elaborating. The MEK, as the exile group is known, has been suspected of assisting Israeli operations in Iran in the past. Shahin Gobadi, an MEK spokesman, dismissed Mr. Shamkhani’s remarks in an interview with The Associated Press, calling them “rage, rancor and lies” sparked by the group’s earlier exposes over Iran’s nuclear program.
Monday’s service for Mr. Fakhrizadeh took place at an outdoor portion of Iran’s Defense Ministry in Tehran, the AP reported, with Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami, Intelligence Minister Mamoud Alavi, and Ali Akbar Sahei, head of Iran’s civilian nuclear programs, among those in attendance.
Sorting through speculation
Norman Roule, who focused on the Middle East during his 34-year career with the CIA, downplayed the veracity of allegations swirling in the Iranian and the Western media space over the Fakhrizadeh killing.
Mr. Roule, who declined to speculate on who may have carried out the killing, said in an interview Monday that “it will take some time for the Iranians to investigate how this attack took place and to develop a judgment as to who may have been behind it.”
Daniel Hoffman, another former CIA official who writes an occasional column for The Washington Times, said there is little question that the incident “bears all the hallmarks of what the Israelis are suspected of having done in the past.”
Mr. Hoffman’s comment was a reference to a wave of attacks in or near Tehran that left at least five high-level Iranian nuclear scientists dead from 2007 to 2012.
NBC News reported in 2012 that the bombings were carried out by operatives with the MEK, who were trained by Israel’s Mossad. The New Yorker subsequently reported that U.S. Special Forces had engaged in similar training operations.
The MEK, which has an office in Washington, has vehemently denied such reports, which cited unidentified U.S. officials as their sources. The group has been known in more recent years to have had the support of some individuals in Mr. Trump’s inner circle. Former National Security Adviser John R. Bolton and the president’s personal attorney, Rudolph W. Giuliani, are among a wide range of current and former officials, both Republican and Democrat, who have spoken at annual MEK rallies calling for regime change in Tehran.
Still, several prominent Democrats close to Mr. Biden expressed concern about the fallout from the attack and whether hard-liners within Iran’s political system will kill the possibility of reviving the nuclear deal.
Jake Sullivan, Mr. Biden’s pick to be White House national security adviser, signaled before last week’s events that the new U.S. administration was ready to return to the 2015 deal or seek to expand and improve it.
“If Iran is prepared to return to compliance with the Iran nuclear deal … then the United States is prepared to return to compliance with its obligations under the Iran nuclear deal,” Mr. Sullivan told a virtual event hosted by the University of Minnesota.
He said the Biden team was ready to work “intensively” on “follow-on agreements to address a range of different issues related to Iran’s nuclear program …. including other questions that were not within the remit of the original [2015 deal].”
Sen. Christopher Murphy, Connecticut Democrat and close ally of Mr. Biden, suggested that the incident could have been authorized to undermine the presumptive president-elect’s goal for a detente.
“If the primary purpose of the killing of Mr. Fakhrizadeh was to make it harder to restart the Iran nuclear agreement, then this assassination does not make America, Israel or the world safer,” tweeted Mr. Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Mr. Biden’s transition team declined to comment Monday. A member of the team told The Times only, “We plan to respect the principle that there’s one president at a time — and one foreign policy at a time.”
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Australia hosts first group of overseas students since virus

DARWIN , Australia ( AP ) - Australia has welcomed its first group of international students to arrive since the coronavirus pandemic began , with more due to follow .
A charter flight carrying 63 students from mainland China , Hong Kong , Japan , Vietnam and Indonesia landed Monday in the northern city of Darwin .
The students will all attend Charles Darwin University , with some new to the campus and others previously enrolled .
They are part of a pilot program aimed at boosting the local economy and providing a template for international students to arrive in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes amid growing tensions between Australia and China after a Chinese official this week posted a fake image on Twitter of an Australian soldier appearing to slit a child ’ s throat .
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the image “ repugnant ” and demanded an apology from the Chinese government , but China has not backed down .
The post took aim at alleged abuses by Australian soldiers during the conflict in Afghanistan .
The arriving students were required to undertake a pre-departure health screening and have been placed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can begin attending classes .
Simon Maddocks , the vice chancellor of Charles Darwin University , told reporters they have been working with officials for seven months to make the trip happen .
“ All being well , we hope we can continue to run these flights through the early part of next year as we see the Australian higher education system and the vocational training system return to engaging international students , ” he said .
“ They are very important for universities , they are very important for our local economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Minister Nicole Manison said the students are the first international students allowed back into the country since March 20 and more are expected to follow .
She said each student contributes an average of more than 40,000 Australian dollars ( $ 30,000 ) per year to the economy .

DARWIN, Australia (AP) - Australia has welcomed its first group of international students to arrive since the coronavirus pandemic began, with more due to follow.
A charter flight carrying 63 students from mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia landed Monday in the northern city of Darwin.
The students will all attend Charles Darwin University, with some new to the campus and others previously enrolled. They are part of a pilot program aimed at boosting the local economy and providing a template for international students to arrive in other parts of Australia.
The arrival comes amid growing tensions between Australia and China after a Chinese official this week posted a fake image on Twitter of an Australian soldier appearing to slit a child’s throat.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the image “repugnant” and demanded an apology from the Chinese government, but China has not backed down. The post took aim at alleged abuses by Australian soldiers during the conflict in Afghanistan.
The arriving students were required to undertake a pre-departure health screening and have been placed in a quarantine facility for two weeks before they can begin attending classes.
Simon Maddocks, the vice chancellor of Charles Darwin University, told reporters they have been working with officials for seven months to make the trip happen.
“All being well, we hope we can continue to run these flights through the early part of next year as we see the Australian higher education system and the vocational training system return to engaging international students,” he said. “They are very important for universities, they are very important for our local economy here in Darwin.”
Northern Territory Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said the students are the first international students allowed back into the country since March 20 and more are expected to follow.
She said each student contributes an average of more than 40,000 Australian dollars ($30,000) per year to the economy.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--2 more children die after Thanksgiving night house fire

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Authorities said two more children have died following a house fire @ @ @ @ @ Advocate reports that a total of three children died from the blaze .
One child @ @ @ @ @ the fire was extinguished and two died in the hospital .
An adult was also @ @ @ @ @ Department spokesman Justin Hill on Monday announced the deaths of the two children who were @ @ @ @ @ .
One was 12 and the other nine months .
The fire was reported just @ @ @ @ @ night .
Hill told The Advocate that the cause of the fire is undetermined and @ @ @ @ @ My thoughts and prayers are with their families , their loved ones , and with @ @ @ @ @ ” East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said in a statement .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ to keep these three children and their families within your prayers .
”

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Authorities said two more children have died following a house fire on Thanksgiving night.
The Advocate reports that a total of three children died from the blaze. One child was pronounced dead soon after the fire was extinguished and two died in the hospital. An adult was also hospitalized.
Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman Justin Hill on Monday announced the deaths of the two children who were initially hospitalized in critical condition. One was 12 and the other nine months.
The fire was reported just before 11:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. Hill told The Advocate that the cause of the fire is undetermined and is under investigation.
“My thoughts and prayers are with their families, their loved ones, and with all who knew them,” East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said in a statement. “I ask all of our residents to keep these three children and their families within your prayers.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Man gets prison time for false bomb threats made to schools

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - A hacker who made dozens of phony bombing and shooting threats to schools in the United States and the United Kingdom and made a false hijacking report about a California-bound jetliner was sentenced Monday to federal prison .
Timothy Dalton Vaughn , 22 , of Winston-Salem , North Carolina , was sentenced by a federal judge in California to nearly eight years in prison for conspiracy , hacking and possession of hundreds of child pornography photos and videos .
He pleaded guilty to federal charges last fall after his arrest in February 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apophis Squad , ” which prosecutors described as a worldwide hacker collective that sent threatening phone calls and email reports of violent school attacks .
Vaughn and others sent emails to at least 86 school districts that threatened attacks , including “ the imminent detonation of a bomb made with ammonium nitrate and fuel oil , rocket-propelled grenade heads placed under school buses , and the placement of land mines on sports fields , ” according to a statement from the U.S. attorney ’ s office for the Central District of California .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ four men armed with guns and explosives had hijacked a London-to-San Francisco airliner , prosecutors said .
Authorities also said that in 2018 , Vaughn disabled the website of a Long Beach company with a denial-of-service attack after the firm refused to pay him to prevent such attacks .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A hacker who made dozens of phony bombing and shooting threats to schools in the United States and the United Kingdom and made a false hijacking report about a California-bound jetliner was sentenced Monday to federal prison.
Timothy Dalton Vaughn, 22, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was sentenced by a federal judge in California to nearly eight years in prison for conspiracy, hacking and possession of hundreds of child pornography photos and videos.
He pleaded guilty to federal charges last fall after his arrest in February 2019.
Vaughn was a member of the “Apophis Squad,” which prosecutors described as a worldwide hacker collective that sent threatening phone calls and email reports of violent school attacks.
Vaughn and others sent emails to at least 86 school districts that threatened attacks, including “the imminent detonation of a bomb made with ammonium nitrate and fuel oil, rocket-propelled grenade heads placed under school buses, and the placement of land mines on sports fields,” according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California.
Vaughn and others also once reported that four men armed with guns and explosives had hijacked a London-to-San Francisco airliner, prosecutors said.
Authorities also said that in 2018, Vaughn disabled the website of a Long Beach company with a denial-of-service attack after the firm refused to pay him to prevent such attacks.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Officials seek motive after 3 arrested in 2-state rampage

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Authorities say three people arrested after a vehicle crash and trooper-involved shooting in Arizona are believed to also be responsible for several Thanksgiving shootings in suburban Las Vegas , including one that killed a man at a convenience store .
No motive was immediately given by Henderson police , who on Monday identified the suspects arrested near the Colorado River town of Parker , Arizona , as Shawn McDonnell , 30 ; Christopher McDonnell , 28 ; and Kayleigh Lewis , 25 .
La Paz County Sheriff Bill Risen did not immediately respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonnell , who officials said was hospitalized with wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening .
He is accused of pointing a gun at Arizona state Department of Public Safety troopers approaching the wrecked vehicle .
In Las Vegas , Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal the three were from Tyler , Texas , and that investigators were trying to determine what sparked the rampage .
“ I believe they were primarily random shootings , but more information will come out in the near future about why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the prosecutor told the newspaper .
“ We plan on filing the appropriate charges at the appropriate time.
” Police and court records did not identify defense attorneys who could immediately comment on behalf of the suspects .
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said Christopher McDonnell and Lewis also were hospitalized for treatment of injuries received in the crash near the small town of Bouse .
The coroner in Las Vegas on Monday identified the 22-year-old man fatally wounded at the convenience store as Kevin Mendiola Jr. of North Las @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who were wounded .
They said witnesses described two men with guns and a woman leaving in a dark-colored vehicle with a Texas license plate .
Police corrected initial reports that five people had been shot , including four wounded .
Vehicle and suspect descriptions in the incidents in both states matched , officials said .
The Review-Journal , citing a police report , said several people escaped injury during four other shootings reported before about 1 a.m. Thursday on freeways and roads in the Henderson area .
At the convenience store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man with possible tattoos on his face firing a handgun .
His facial markings were described as “ stitching to resemble a skeleton.
” The report said he was accompanied by a woman with a dark discoloration under her left eye .
In Arizona , the state Department of Public Safety reported several shootings and a vehicle chase before the crash near Bouse .

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Authorities say three people arrested after a vehicle crash and trooper-involved shooting in Arizona are believed to also be responsible for several Thanksgiving shootings in suburban Las Vegas, including one that killed a man at a convenience store.
No motive was immediately given by Henderson police, who on Monday identified the suspects arrested near the Colorado River town of Parker, Arizona, as Shawn McDonnell, 30; Christopher McDonnell, 28; and Kayleigh Lewis, 25.
La Paz County Sheriff Bill Risen did not immediately respond to messages about the trio, including Shawn McDonnell, who officials said was hospitalized with wounds that were not believed to be life-threatening. He is accused of pointing a gun at Arizona state Department of Public Safety troopers approaching the wrecked vehicle.
In Las Vegas, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal the three were from Tyler, Texas, and that investigators were trying to determine what sparked the rampage.
“I believe they were primarily random shootings, but more information will come out in the near future about why they chose to shoot at particular people,” the prosecutor told the newspaper. “We plan on filing the appropriate charges at the appropriate time.”
Police and court records did not identify defense attorneys who could immediately comment on behalf of the suspects.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said Christopher McDonnell and Lewis also were hospitalized for treatment of injuries received in the crash near the small town of Bouse.
The coroner in Las Vegas on Monday identified the 22-year-old man fatally wounded at the convenience store as Kevin Mendiola Jr. of North Las Vegas.
Police did not identify three people who were wounded. They said witnesses described two men with guns and a woman leaving in a dark-colored vehicle with a Texas license plate. Police corrected initial reports that five people had been shot, including four wounded.
Vehicle and suspect descriptions in the incidents in both states matched, officials said.
The Review-Journal, citing a police report, said several people escaped injury during four other shootings reported before about 1 a.m. Thursday on freeways and roads in the Henderson area.
At the convenience store, witnesses and video evidence showed a man with possible tattoos on his face firing a handgun. His facial markings were described as “stitching to resemble a skeleton.” The report said he was accompanied by a woman with a dark discoloration under her left eye.
In Arizona, the state Department of Public Safety reported several shootings and a vehicle chase before the crash near Bouse.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Lawsuits defy Arizona initiative taxing wealthy for schools

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Two lawsuits were filed Monday challenging a proposition that Arizona voters approved to impose an additional 3.5 % tax on individuals earning above $ 250,000 to pay school teacher salaries and training .
The Goldwater Institute filed one action on behalf of a coalition of taxpayers , legislators , and small business groups , calling Proposition 208 unconstitutional .
A Scottsdale business owner and a retired local judge filed the second suit in Maricopa County Superior Court .
The lawsuits were filed the same day state officials certified the Nov. 3 election results .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power to tax and spend state funds rests with the Legislature .
“ I don ’ t think that either suit will go very far in the courts , ” said David Lujan , one of the proposition ’ s authors .
“ It ’ s constitutional , it will go ahead and it will raise a lot of money for Arizona schools.
” Ann Siner , CEO and Founder of My Sister ’ s Closet , argued that the tax hike jeopardizes Arizona ’ s economy , which is already suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Retired Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Buttrick said the initiative fundamentally upends the way that Arizona residents are taxed by bypassing the Legislature .

PHOENIX (AP) - Two lawsuits were filed Monday challenging a proposition that Arizona voters approved to impose an additional 3.5% tax on individuals earning above $250,000 to pay school teacher salaries and training.
The Goldwater Institute filed one action on behalf of a coalition of taxpayers, legislators, and small business groups, calling Proposition 208 unconstitutional.
A Scottsdale business owner and a retired local judge filed the second suit in Maricopa County Superior Court.
The lawsuits were filed the same day state officials certified the Nov. 3 election results. They argue that under the Arizona Constitution, the power to tax and spend state funds rests with the Legislature.
“I don’t think that either suit will go very far in the courts,” said David Lujan, one of the proposition’s authors. “It’s constitutional, it will go ahead and it will raise a lot of money for Arizona schools.”
Ann Siner, CEO and Founder of My Sister’s Closet, argued that the tax hike jeopardizes Arizona’s economy, which is already suffering from the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
Retired Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Buttrick said the initiative fundamentally upends the way that Arizona residents are taxed by bypassing the Legislature.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Trump science adviser Scott Atlas leaving White House job

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Dr. Scott Atlas , a science adviser to President Donald Trump who was skeptical of measures to control the coronavirus outbreak , is leaving his White House post .
A White House official confirmed that the Stanford University neuroradiologist , who had no formal experience in public health or infectious diseases , resigned at the end of his temporary government assignment .
Atlas confirmed the news in a Monday evening tweet .
Atlas joined the White House this summer , where he clashed with top government scientists , including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 267,000 Americans .
Atlas has broken with government experts and the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community to criticize efforts to encourage face covering to slow the spread of the virus .
Just weeks ago on Twitter he responded to Michigan ’ s latest virus restrictions by encouraging people to “ rise up ” against the state ’ s policies .
His views also prompted Stanford to issue a statement distancing itself from the faculty member , saying Atlas “ has expressed views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s approach in response to the pandemic.
” “ We support using masks , social distancing , and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing , ” the university said Nov. 16 .
“ We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of local and state health authorities.
” Atlas defended his role in his resignation letter , saying , “ I can not think of a time where safeguarding science and the scientific debate is more urgent.
” Atlas was hired as a “ special government employee , ” which limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a calendar year - a deadline he reached this week .

WASHINGTON (AP) - Dr. Scott Atlas, a science adviser to President Donald Trump who was skeptical of measures to control the coronavirus outbreak, is leaving his White House post.
A White House official confirmed that the Stanford University neuroradiologist, who had no formal experience in public health or infectious diseases, resigned at the end of his temporary government assignment. Atlas confirmed the news in a Monday evening tweet.
Atlas joined the White House this summer, where he clashed with top government scientists, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, as he resisted stronger efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 267,000 Americans.
Atlas has broken with government experts and the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community to criticize efforts to encourage face covering to slow the spread of the virus. Just weeks ago on Twitter he responded to Michigan’s latest virus restrictions by encouraging people to “rise up” against the state’s policies.
His views also prompted Stanford to issue a statement distancing itself from the faculty member, saying Atlas “has expressed views that are inconsistent with the university’s approach in response to the pandemic.”
“We support using masks, social distancing, and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing,” the university said Nov. 16. “We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of local and state health authorities.”
Atlas defended his role in his resignation letter, saying, “I cannot think of a time where safeguarding science and the scientific debate is more urgent.”
Atlas was hired as a “special government employee,” which limited his service to government to 130 days in a calendar year - a deadline he reached this week.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--New charges, defendants announced in LA corruption case

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Federal authorities announced new charges and additional defendants Monday in a wide-ranging corruption case against a Los Angeles city councilman and his alleged associates .
The new defendants include a former deputy mayor , the billionaire chairman of a Chinese real estate company and a Bel Air developer , according to a superseding federal indictment unsealed Monday in the Central District of California .
The case is the first time federal prosecutors have levied charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations ( RICO ) Act in a public corruption investigation that ensnared a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councilman , Jose Huizar , was arrested in June on allegations he masterminded a $ 1.5 million pay-to-play scheme tied to the approval of large building projects .
Prosecutors say the scheme sought to illegally profit from development of the city ’ s burgeoning downtown district .
The new indictment adds more charges in the case .
Huizar left office earlier this year and previously pleaded not guilty .
He is expected to be arraigned on the superseding indictment on Dec. 7 .
His attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Los Angeles , called the scope of the alleged corruption “ staggering ” and said in a news release that Huizar and his associates “ repeatedly violated the public trust by soliciting and accepting numerous cash bribes and other financial benefits , turning Huizar ’ s City Council seat into a money-making criminal enterprise.
” The case has already resulted in guilty pleas from former City Councilman Mitchell Englander , a former Huizar aide , a City Hall lobbyist and two real estate consultants .
The “ Operation Casino Loyale ” investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Las Vegas noticed Huizar cashing out a large amount of casino chips from a billionaire Chinese developer , identified in Monday ’ s court documents as Wei Huang , 55 , a resident of Shenzhen , China .
Huizar ’ s former aide acknowledged in his plea agreement that the scheme dates to 2013 .
Authorities have stressed that the investigation is not over .
Huang also has a home in San Marino , California , and is chairman and president of U.S.-based Shen Zhen New World I , LLC .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud and Travel Act violations .
His company is also named as a defendant in the case .
Authorities say Huang sought to build a 77-story tower in Huizar ’ s district that would become the largest skyscraper west of the Mississippi River .
The developer , who already had a hotel in the district , is accused of providing benefits worth $ 800,000 to Huizar and others that included a dozen trips to Las Vegas casinos and funds to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit against the councilman .
Huang and his counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant for his arrest .
His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment .
Monday ’ s superseding indictment also charges Raymond Chan , a deputy mayor who oversaw economic development for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2016 and 2017 .
Also known as She Wah Kwong , he was additionally a former general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety .
The allegations against Chan include agreeing to accept more than $ 100,000 for official acts to benefit a project by another Chinese developer .
Chan retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him a “ true public servant ” whose “ leadership has contributed to unprecedented growth across Los Angeles , ” according to a city announcement .
Chan has been directed to surrender to federal authorities and is expected to be arraigned on the superseding indictment Tuesday .
His attorney , Harland Braun , said his client will plead not guilty and intends to fight the charges .
“ He just did his job , ” Braun said Monday .
“ He was shocked , I was shocked .
He said ‘ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to testify , I want my trial .
’ ”

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Federal authorities announced new charges and additional defendants Monday in a wide-ranging corruption case against a Los Angeles city councilman and his alleged associates.
The new defendants include a former deputy mayor, the billionaire chairman of a Chinese real estate company and a Bel Air developer, according to a superseding federal indictment unsealed Monday in the Central District of California. The case is the first time federal prosecutors have levied charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in a public corruption investigation that ensnared a Los Angeles elected official.
The city councilman, Jose Huizar, was arrested in June on allegations he masterminded a $1.5 million pay-to-play scheme tied to the approval of large building projects. Prosecutors say the scheme sought to illegally profit from development of the city’s burgeoning downtown district.
The new indictment adds more charges in the case. Huizar left office earlier this year and previously pleaded not guilty. He is expected to be arraigned on the superseding indictment on Dec. 7. His attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nick Hanna, U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, called the scope of the alleged corruption “staggering” and said in a news release that Huizar and his associates “repeatedly violated the public trust by soliciting and accepting numerous cash bribes and other financial benefits, turning Huizar’s City Council seat into a money-making criminal enterprise.”
The case has already resulted in guilty pleas from former City Councilman Mitchell Englander, a former Huizar aide, a City Hall lobbyist and two real estate consultants.
The “Operation Casino Loyale” investigation dates back to 2015, when authorities in Las Vegas noticed Huizar cashing out a large amount of casino chips from a billionaire Chinese developer, identified in Monday’s court documents as Wei Huang, 55, a resident of Shenzhen, China. Huizar’s former aide acknowledged in his plea agreement that the scheme dates to 2013. Authorities have stressed that the investigation is not over.
Huang also has a home in San Marino, California, and is chairman and president of U.S.-based Shen Zhen New World I, LLC. He faces charges of bribery, honest services fraud and Travel Act violations. His company is also named as a defendant in the case.
Authorities say Huang sought to build a 77-story tower in Huizar’s district that would become the largest skyscraper west of the Mississippi River. The developer, who already had a hotel in the district, is accused of providing benefits worth $800,000 to Huizar and others that included a dozen trips to Las Vegas casinos and funds to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit against the councilman.
Huang and his counsel have been notified there is a federal warrant for his arrest. His attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
Monday’s superseding indictment also charges Raymond Chan, a deputy mayor who oversaw economic development for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2016 and 2017. Also known as She Wah Kwong, he was additionally a former general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.
The allegations against Chan include agreeing to accept more than $100,000 for official acts to benefit a project by another Chinese developer.
Chan retired in 2017 amid praise from Garcetti calling him a “true public servant” whose “leadership has contributed to unprecedented growth across Los Angeles,” according to a city announcement.
Chan has been directed to surrender to federal authorities and is expected to be arraigned on the superseding indictment Tuesday.
His attorney, Harland Braun, said his client will plead not guilty and intends to fight the charges.
“He just did his job,” Braun said Monday. “He was shocked, I was shocked. He said ‘I’m not guilty of anything here. I want to testify, I want my trial.’ ”


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Joe Biden picks Neera Tanden to lead budget office

Neera Tanden , whom presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden announced Monday as his pick to lead the White House budget office , ran headlong into immediate opposition from Senate Republicans .
Ms. Tanden , the president of the liberal advocacy group Center for American Progress and a close ally of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , is viewed by Republicans as a liberal bomb-thrower .
Sen. John Cornyn , Texas Republican , called the pick “ radioactive ” and said she was “ maybe [ Mr. Biden ‘ s ] worst nominee so far.
” “ I think , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments about many members of the Senate , mainly on our side of the aisle , that it creates certainly a problematic path , ” Mr. Cornyn said .
Some on the left were also skeptical of Ms. Tanden in what is quickly shaping up as a difficult Senate confirmation process ahead .
“ Neera Tanden for OMB is a Biden FU to progressives .
Tanden has been a warrior for corporate Dems against progressives , from Bernie Sanders to Jill Stein , ” tweeted Howie Hawkins , the Green Party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in a series of nominees Mr. Biden announced on Monday for his economic team .
As expected , he tapped former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to be his next Treasury secretary .
If confirmed , Ms. Yellen would be the first woman to head the Treasury Department and the first person to have served as Treasury Secretary , chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers , and chair of the Federal Reserve .
“ We know that a job is more than just a paycheck — it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yellen said in a video released by the Biden campaign that paraphrases an oft-used line from Mr. Biden on the campaign trail .
Rep. French Hill , who described Ms. Yellen as “ forthright and focused , ” said he hopes she can talk Mr. Biden out of some of his planned tax hikes upon entering office .
“ Large tax burden increases on hardworking taxpayers , businesses , and entrepreneurs will slow the recovery , as will a growing tangle of new Washington mandates and regulations , ” the Arkansas Republican said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs , as his nominee to chair the council of economic advisers .
He named Jared Bernstein , who was Mr. Biden ’ s chief economist as vice president , and Heather Boushey , co-founder of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth , as his picks to be other members of the CEA .
He named Wally Adeyemo , the president of the Obama Foundation and a former top economic adviser in the Obama administration , as his pick for deputy treasury secretary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee who has extensive liberal bona fides , vouched for Mr. Biden ’ s entire team and singled out Ms. Yellen and Ms. Tanden for praise .
“ The American people decisively voted for change .
Mitch McConnell shouldn ’ t block us from having a functioning government that gets to work for the people we serve , ” Mr. Brown said .
Mr. Biden is also expected to name Brian Deese , an economic adviser in the Obama administration and current executive at the investment firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Economic Council , according to multiple reports .
Unlike the jobs of Treasury Secretary and OMB director , that position does not require Senate confirmation .

Neera Tanden, whom presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden announced Monday as his pick to lead the White House budget office, ran headlong into immediate opposition from Senate Republicans.
Ms. Tanden, the president of the liberal advocacy group Center for American Progress and a close ally of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is viewed by Republicans as a liberal bomb-thrower.
Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, called the pick “radioactive” and said she was “maybe [Mr. Biden’s] worst nominee so far.”
“I think, in light of her combative and insulting comments about many members of the Senate, mainly on our side of the aisle, that it creates certainly a problematic path,” Mr. Cornyn said.
It spelled a difficult Senate confirmation process ahead for Ms. Tanden.
Some on the left were also skeptical of Ms. Tanden in what is quickly shaping up as a difficult Senate confirmation process ahead.
“Neera Tanden for OMB is a Biden FU to progressives. Tanden has been a warrior for corporate Dems against progressives, from Bernie Sanders to Jill Stein,” tweeted Howie Hawkins, the Green Party’s 2020 presidential nominee.
Ms. Tanden was one in a series of nominees Mr. Biden announced on Monday for his economic team.
As expected, he tapped former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to be his next Treasury secretary.
If confirmed, Ms. Yellen would be the first woman to head the Treasury Department and the first person to have served as Treasury Secretary, chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and chair of the Federal Reserve.
“We know that a job is more than just a paycheck — it’s about dignity and respect,” Ms. Yellen said in a video released by the Biden campaign that paraphrases an oft-used line from Mr. Biden on the campaign trail.
Rep. French Hill, who described Ms. Yellen as “forthright and focused,” said he hopes she can talk Mr. Biden out of some of his planned tax hikes upon entering office.
“Large tax burden increases on hardworking taxpayers, businesses, and entrepreneurs will slow the recovery, as will a growing tangle of new Washington mandates and regulations,” the Arkansas Republican said.
Mr. Biden tapped Cecilia Rouse, dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, as his nominee to chair the council of economic advisers.
He named Jared Bernstein, who was Mr. Biden’s chief economist as vice president, and Heather Boushey, co-founder of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, as his picks to be other members of the CEA.
He named Wally Adeyemo, the president of the Obama Foundation and a former top economic adviser in the Obama administration, as his pick for deputy treasury secretary.
Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee who has extensive liberal bona fides, vouched for Mr. Biden’s entire team and singled out Ms. Yellen and Ms. Tanden for praise.
“The American people decisively voted for change. Mitch McConnell shouldn’t block us from having a functioning government that gets to work for the people we serve,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Biden is also expected to name Brian Deese, an economic adviser in the Obama administration and current executive at the investment firm BlackRock, as head of the National Economic Council, according to multiple reports.
Unlike the jobs of Treasury Secretary and OMB director, that position does not require Senate confirmation.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--COVID hospitalizations shut down bars in Texas county

HOUSTON ( AP ) - A Central Texas county has closed its bars after area hospitalizations for COVID-19 exceeded a state mandated limit .
Meanwhile in Houston , officials say they are having problems with some bars that have been allowed to reopen as restaurants but are not enforcing rules related to social distancing and mask wearing .
McLennan County Judge Scott Felton on Sunday closed bars and reduced capacity to 50 % at stores , restaurants and other businesses .
The action comes after the area ’ s hospitalization rate for patients with COVID-19 went above 15 % for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reduction in capacity is due to a rule announced in October by Gov .
Greg Abbott , who allowed bars to reopen and other businesses to expand capacity as long as COVID-19 hospitalizations stay below 15 % .
On Monday , COVID-19 patients accounted for 18.4 percent of the hospitalizations in the state trauma service area comprised of McLennan and four other surrounding counties .
Felton told the Waco Tribune-Herald he doesn ’ t expect the hospitalization rate to improve in the short term .
“ If you think about it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Thanksgiving holiday , ” he told the newspaper .
“ We ’ re expecting there will be an increased amount of positive cases because of the holiday and the fact people are getting together .
Texas on Monday recorded 10,714 new coronavirus cases and 22 new deaths , health officials announced .
In the state , 8,900 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 , the highest since August .
The rising number of patients is pushing Texas hospitals to the the limits as health officials brace for a disastrous worsening of the surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long weekend .
One in every 401 people in Texas tested positive in the past week , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven ’ t been tested and some who get the disease don ’ t show symptoms .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover .
In Houston , Mayor Sylvester Turner said he planned to start visiting bars that have reopened as restaurants to ensure they are following rules related to occupancy limits , social distancing and mask wearing and are not becoming “ community spreader ” events .
This comes after videos were shared on social media of a concert last week at Houston ’ s Spire night club where people were shoulder-to-shoulder and most were not wearing masks .
Harris County , where Houston is located , has not allowed bars to reopen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beverage Commission has let bars apply to operate as restaurants as long as they offer food and ensure that less than 51 % of their total revenue comes from alcohol sales .
“ We are trying to strike a very delicate balance in protecting the public ’ s and community ’ s health and at the same time wanting to keep businesses open .
We ’ re asking people and businesses to work with us , ” Turner said .
Officials in other Texas cities have also expressed concerns about bars reclassified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing and occupancy limits .
Officials across the country have closed bars during the pandemic as some studies have shown that bars , restaurants and other crowded indoor spaces can help spread the virus .
In an email , the TABC said it is investigating the Houston night club after last week ’ s incident .
The night club previously had its liquor license suspended in July and October for non-compliance with the state ’ s COVID-19 guidelines .
The night club did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars seeking reclassification as restaurants in Texas and about 2,800 have been approved .
“ TABC takes the safety of Texas businesses and their customers extremely seriously , ” the agency said Monday in an email .
“ The vast majority of businesses are doing what they can to protect their customers and staff and have repeatedly shown that they place safety first.
” Associated Press writer Paul J. Weber in Austin contributed to this report.-

HOUSTON (AP) - A Central Texas county has closed its bars after area hospitalizations for COVID-19 exceeded a state mandated limit.
Meanwhile in Houston, officials say they are having problems with some bars that have been allowed to reopen as restaurants but are not enforcing rules related to social distancing and mask wearing.
McLennan County Judge Scott Felton on Sunday closed bars and reduced capacity to 50% at stores, restaurants and other businesses. The action comes after the area’s hospitalization rate for patients with COVID-19 went above 15% for seven consecutive days.
The shut down and reduction in capacity is due to a rule announced in October by Gov. Greg Abbott, who allowed bars to reopen and other businesses to expand capacity as long as COVID-19 hospitalizations stay below 15%.
On Monday, COVID-19 patients accounted for 18.4 percent of the hospitalizations in the state trauma service area comprised of McLennan and four other surrounding counties.
Felton told the Waco Tribune-Herald he doesn’t expect the hospitalization rate to improve in the short term.
“If you think about it, we were in an upward trend before the Thanksgiving holiday,” he told the newspaper. “We’re expecting there will be an increased amount of positive cases because of the holiday and the fact people are getting together.
Texas on Monday recorded 10,714 new coronavirus cases and 22 new deaths, health officials announced. In the state, 8,900 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, the highest since August.
The rising number of patients is pushing Texas hospitals to the the limits as health officials brace for a disastrous worsening of the surge nationwide because of holiday gatherings over the long weekend.
One in every 401 people in Texas tested positive in the past week, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The actual number of cases is believed to be far higher because many people haven’t been tested and some who get the disease don’t show symptoms.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.
In Houston, Mayor Sylvester Turner said he planned to start visiting bars that have reopened as restaurants to ensure they are following rules related to occupancy limits, social distancing and mask wearing and are not becoming “community spreader” events.
This comes after videos were shared on social media of a concert last week at Houston’s Spire night club where people were shoulder-to-shoulder and most were not wearing masks.
Harris County, where Houston is located, has not allowed bars to reopen. Since the summer, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has let bars apply to operate as restaurants as long as they offer food and ensure that less than 51% of their total revenue comes from alcohol sales.
“We are trying to strike a very delicate balance in protecting the public’s and community’s health and at the same time wanting to keep businesses open. We’re asking people and businesses to work with us,” Turner said.
Officials in other Texas cities have also expressed concerns about bars reclassified as restaurants not following state guidelines on social distancing and occupancy limits. Officials across the country have closed bars during the pandemic as some studies have shown that bars, restaurants and other crowded indoor spaces can help spread the virus.
In an email, the TABC said it is investigating the Houston night club after last week’s incident. The night club previously had its liquor license suspended in July and October for non-compliance with the state’s COVID-19 guidelines.
The night club did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.
The TABC has received about 3,000 requests from bars seeking reclassification as restaurants in Texas and about 2,800 have been approved.
“TABC takes the safety of Texas businesses and their customers extremely seriously,” the agency said Monday in an email. “The vast majority of businesses are doing what they can to protect their customers and staff and have repeatedly shown that they place safety first.”
___
Associated Press writer Paul J. Weber in Austin contributed to this report.-
Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Kelly to take Senate oath of office on Wednesday

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Democrat Mark Kelly is scheduled to take is seat in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ victory .
Kelly is taking office more than a month ahead of others who won @ @ @ @ @ was a special election to finish the last two years of the term of John @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
The GOP ’ s Senate majority will fall to 52 members when Kelly @ @ @ @ @ who was appointed to McCain ’ s seat but lost to Kelly in the election @ @ @ @ @ Senate will come down to two runoff elections in Georgia .
If Democrats win both @ @ @ @ @ split 50-50 , and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris would cast tie-breaking votes .

PHOENIX (AP) - Democrat Mark Kelly is scheduled to take is seat in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday after state officials formalized his victory.
Kelly is taking office more than a month ahead of others who won November Senate races because it was a special election to finish the last two years of the term of John McCain, who died in 2018.
The GOP’s Senate majority will fall to 52 members when Kelly replaces Republican Martha McSally, who was appointed to McCain’s seat but lost to Kelly in the election.
Control of the next Senate will come down to two runoff elections in Georgia. If Democrats win both, the Senate would be split 50-50, and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris would cast tie-breaking votes.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Wisconsin certifies Joe Biden win

Wisconsin certifies Joe Biden win

Wisconsin on Monday certified presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden the winner of the state ’ s presidential contest following a @ @ @ @ @ Chairwoman Ann Jacobs , a Democrat , said Mr. Biden won by about 20,700 votes @ @ @ @ @ President Trump had won in 2016 .
Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers also certified the @ @ @ @ @ carried out my duty to certify the November 3rd election , and as required by @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for President-elect @ @ @ @ @ Kamala Harris , ” Mr. Evers said .
“ I want to thank our clerks @ @ @ @ @ poll workers across our state for working tirelessly to ensure we had a safe , @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Trump , who said there was widespread voter fraud in the state , @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin by Tuesday .
Arizona , Michigan , Georgia and Pennsylvania all have joined @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden .

Wisconsin on Monday certified presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden the winner of the state’s presidential contest following a partial recount.
Elections Commission Chairwoman Ann Jacobs, a Democrat, said Mr. Biden won by about 20,700 votes, flipping the state that President Trump had won in 2016.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers also certified the results.
“Today I carried out my duty to certify the November 3rd election, and as required by state and federal law, I’ve signed the Certificate of Ascertainment for the slate of electors for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,” Mr. Evers said. “I want to thank our clerks, election administrators, and poll workers across our state for working tirelessly to ensure we had a safe, fair, and efficient election.”
Mr. Trump, who said there was widespread voter fraud in the state, plans to file a lawsuit in Wisconsin by Tuesday.
Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania all have joined Wisconsin in certifying wins for Mr. Biden.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Miami-Dade's new mayor tests positive for coronavirus

MIAMI ( AP ) - The new mayor of Florida ’ s most populous county tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ .
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the test result on Twitter .
She said @ @ @ @ @ Cava , was exposed to COVID-19 by a patient last Wednesday .
He has also @ @ @ @ @ and I are quarantining at home , ” Levine Cava wrote .
“ We both @ @ @ @ @ have only mild symptoms.
” Spokeswoman Rachel Johnson told the Miami Herald that Levine Cava @ @ @ @ @ with county employees since Wednesday and plans to participate in Tuesday ’ s county commission @ @ @ @ @ Cava , 65 , assumed office Nov. 17 after being elected earlier in the month @ @ @ @ @ served as a county commissioner since 2014 .
Levine Cava ‘ s predecessor , Congressman-elect @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus last week .
The Republican is set to assume his new office Jan. @ @

MIAMI (AP) - The new mayor of Florida’s most populous county tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday, officials said.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the test result on Twitter. She said her husband, Dr. Robert Cava, was exposed to COVID-19 by a patient last Wednesday. He has also tested positive.
“Rob and I are quarantining at home,” Levine Cava wrote. “We both remain in good spirits and have only mild symptoms.”
Spokeswoman Rachel Johnson told the Miami Herald that Levine Cava has not been in contact with county employees since Wednesday and plans to participate in Tuesday’s county commission meeting by phone.
Levine Cava, 65, assumed office Nov. 17 after being elected earlier in the month. The Democrat had previously served as a county commissioner since 2014.
Levine Cava’s predecessor, Congressman-elect Carlos Gimenez, tested positive for coronavirus last week. The Republican is set to assume his new office Jan. 3.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Smoke inhalation complications cause of death for Tony Hsieh

NEW LONDON , Conn. ( AP ) - Tony Hsieh , the retired CEO of online shoe retailer Zappos , @ @ @ @ @ inhalation sustained during a house fire earlier this month in Connecticut , the state medical @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
The death on Friday of Hsieh , 46 , was ruled an accident @ @ @ @ @ following the Nov. 18 fire in New London , Connecticut .
The cause of the @ @ @ @ @ .
The New London police department said emergency workers arrived at the scene to find @ @ @ @ @ the back of the house , and that Hsieh was in a storage area and @ @ @ @ @ .
Hsieh had led the Las Vegas-based Zappos for 20 years before retiring .
The @ @ @ @ @ the online retailer even after it was sold in 2009 to Amazon for $ 1.2 @ @

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) - Tony Hsieh, the retired CEO of online shoe retailer Zappos, died from complications of smoke inhalation sustained during a house fire earlier this month in Connecticut, the state medical examiner’s office said Monday.
The death on Friday of Hsieh, 46, was ruled an accident. He had been hospitalized following the Nov. 18 fire in New London, Connecticut.
The cause of the blaze was still under investigation. The New London police department said emergency workers arrived at the scene to find dark smoke coming out from the back of the house, and that Hsieh was in a storage area and couldn’t get out.
Hsieh had led the Las Vegas-based Zappos for 20 years before retiring. The Harvard University graduate remained at the online retailer even after it was sold in 2009 to Amazon for $1.2 billion.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--California providing $500M in virus aid for small businesses

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California will provide temporary tax relief and $ 500 million in aid to small businesses struggling because of coronavirus outbreak restrictions , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Monday .
The tax measures include a three-month automatic extension of the income tax payment deadline for those paying less than $ 1 million in sales tax and expansion of a program allowing businesses with up to $ 5 million in sales to reach agreements on interest-free tax payments .
Interest-free payment options also will be expanded for larger businesses , Newsom said .
The additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be available to small businesses and nonprofits in the form of grants up to $ 25,000 .
“ California ’ s small businesses embody the best of the California Dream and we can ’ t let this pandemic take that away , ” Newsom said in a statement .
“ By providing potentially billions in immediate relief and support , our small businesses can weather the next month.
” The tax relief and grants are designed to provide aid until the Legislature can meet in the new year and work with the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is not the end , ” Newsom said at a news conference .
“ This is just the beginning of a bridge.
” Many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat after months of restrictions and lower sales because of the COVID-19 pandemic , which in recent weeks has surged to record levels , prompting a nearly statewide nighttime curfew on nonessential work , movement and gatherings .
In addition Los Angeles County , the nation ’ s most populous , instituted a new local stay-home order that took effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents to stay home “ as much as possible ” and prohibits them from gathering with people outside of their households for most public or private occasions .
California ’ s 4.1 small businesses employ 7.2 million workers - nearly half of all private-sector employees - and they are “ drivers of economic growth ” that create two-thirds of new jobs in the state , Newsom ’ s office said in a statement .
But the statement cited an August survey by Small Business Majority , a national small business organization , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk of shutting down .
Some businesses have stayed afloat with federal aid but Congress has yet to reach consensus on a new COVID-19 economic relief package .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California will provide temporary tax relief and $500 million in aid to small businesses struggling because of coronavirus outbreak restrictions, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday.
The tax measures include a three-month automatic extension of the income tax payment deadline for those paying less than $1 million in sales tax and expansion of a program allowing businesses with up to $5 million in sales to reach agreements on interest-free tax payments.
Interest-free payment options also will be expanded for larger businesses, Newsom said.
The additional $500 million in relief funds will be available to small businesses and nonprofits in the form of grants up to $25,000.
“California’s small businesses embody the best of the California Dream and we can’t let this pandemic take that away,” Newsom said in a statement. “By providing potentially billions in immediate relief and support, our small businesses can weather the next month.”
The tax relief and grants are designed to provide aid until the Legislature can meet in the new year and work with the governor to provide more relief, Newsom said.
“This is not the end,” Newsom said at a news conference. “This is just the beginning of a bridge.”
Many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat after months of restrictions and lower sales because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which in recent weeks has surged to record levels, prompting a nearly statewide nighttime curfew on nonessential work, movement and gatherings.
In addition Los Angeles County, the nation’s most populous, instituted a new local stay-home order that took effect Monday. It calls for 10 million residents to stay home “as much as possible” and prohibits them from gathering with people outside of their households for most public or private occasions.
California’s 4.1 small businesses employ 7.2 million workers - nearly half of all private-sector employees - and they are “drivers of economic growth” that create two-thirds of new jobs in the state, Newsom’s office said in a statement.
But the statement cited an August survey by Small Business Majority, a national small business organization, that found 44% of small businesses are at risk of shutting down.
Some businesses have stayed afloat with federal aid but Congress has yet to reach consensus on a new COVID-19 economic relief package.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Police: Officers shoot person with knife in Eugene

EUGENE , Ore. ( AP ) - Officers shot someone after they were suspected of violated a restraining order in @ @ @ @ @ .
A call was made to 911 at about 10:25 a.m. Monday about a restraining @ @ @ @ @ which a person fled with a knife , Eugene Police Department spokeswoman Melinda McLaughlin said @ @ @ @ @ Two officers saw the suspect running down an alley and during a confrontation , the @ @ @ @ @ said .
Officers provided aid to the suspect who was taken to a hospital with @ @ @ @ @ .
McLaughlin said while an investigation is ongoing , body camera video , in-car video @ @ @ @ @ a nearby building suggests the suspect had been advancing on the officers , with the @ @ @ @ @ .
Lane County ’ s Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team is leading an investigation into @ @ @ @ @ of the person shot and the officers involved has not been released to the public @

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Officers shot someone after they were suspected of violated a restraining order in Eugene, according to police.
A call was made to 911 at about 10:25 a.m. Monday about a restraining order violation and incident after which a person fled with a knife, Eugene Police Department spokeswoman Melinda McLaughlin said in a news release.
Two officers saw the suspect running down an alley and during a confrontation, the suspect was shot, police said. Officers provided aid to the suspect who was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said.
McLaughlin said while an investigation is ongoing, body camera video, in-car video, and third-party video from a nearby building suggests the suspect had been advancing on the officers, with the knife, before the shooting.
Lane County’s Interagency Deadly Force Investigation Team is leading an investigation into the incident. The name of the person shot and the officers involved has not been released to the public.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--Donald Trump thanks witnesses at Arizona election hearing

President Trump called in during a hearing Monday before Republican lawmakers in Arizona , thanking witnesses for coming forward and @ @ @ @ @ concerns about election irregularities and alleged fraud .
Mr. Trump and his lawyers have charged @ @ @ @ @ the November election caused widespread voter fraud , pointing to ballots being tabulated allegedly without @ @ @ @ @ president said it is the “ greatest scam ” against the country .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Trump said .
“ I just wanted to say thank you.
” The president @ @ @ @ @ quick jab at Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey , who certified the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ hearing was underway .
Mr. Ducey is a Republican .
“ What is that all @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t go fast enough , ” the president said .

President Trump called in during a hearing Monday before Republican lawmakers in Arizona, thanking witnesses for coming forward and testifying about their observations and concerns about election irregularities and alleged fraud.
Mr. Trump and his lawyers have charged that massive mail-in balloting in the November election caused widespread voter fraud, pointing to ballots being tabulated allegedly without proper signature verification. The president said it is the “greatest scam” against the country.
“The world is watching,” Mr. Trump said. “I just wanted to say thank you.”
The president, though, took a quick jab at Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who certified the state’s results on Monday as the hearing was underway. Mr. Ducey is a Republican.
“What is that all about with Ducey? He couldn’t go fast enough,” the president said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--30 named storms: Record hurricane season comes to a close

A record-setting Atlantic hurricane season that saw the highest number of named storms officially came to a close Monday .
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season set multiple records while producing a record 30 named storms .
There were so many that the list of 21 conventional names was exhausted and the Greek alphabet was used for only the second time .
The season also saw the second-highest number of hurricanes on record after 13 of the storms reached hurricane status .
There were six major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said an average season has 12 named storms , six hurricanes and three become major hurricanes .
“ We had more named storms in the Atlantic basin than any other year on record , breaking the old record of 28 set in 2005 , ” said Phil Klotzbach , a research scientist with the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University .
This season also set a record for the number of storms that made landfall in the continental U.S. with 12 such storms .
Klotzbach said of those 12 named storms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tying the record of six hurricane landfalls also set in 1886 and 1985 .
“ The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season ramped up quickly and broke records across the board , ” said Neil Jacobs , acting NOAA administrator , in a news release .
Five of the 12 storms that hit the United States this year made landfall in Louisiana .
“ Louisiana was especially hard hit this year , with five named storms hitting the state .
The prior record for named storms hitting Louisiana in a single hurricane season is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Today marks the end of the 2020 hurricane season .
It ’ s been a hard one , but if we ’ ve learned anything from the five storms that came ashore this year it ’ s that the people of Louisiana are resilient and by working together , there ’ s no challenge too great for us to overcome , ” Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards wrote on Twitter .
Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr. told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate that closing the book on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south Louisiana community .
“ It was an incredibly stressful time for the entire community , ” he said of all the times his town had to go on a storm footing .
“ Each time , you have to prepare like the worst is going to happen.
” Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 although storms can form before and after those dates .
NOAA said this was the fifth consecutive year with an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season , with 18 above-normal seasons out of the past 26 .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -
A record-setting Atlantic hurricane season that saw the highest number of named storms officially came to a close Monday.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season set multiple records while producing a record 30 named storms. There were so many that the list of 21 conventional names was exhausted and the Greek alphabet was used for only the second time.
The season also saw the second-highest number of hurricanes on record after 13 of the storms reached hurricane status. There were six major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph (178 kph) or greater. NOAA said an average season has 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three become major hurricanes.
“We had more named storms in the Atlantic basin than any other year on record, breaking the old record of 28 set in 2005,” said Phil Klotzbach, a research scientist with the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University.
This season also set a record for the number of storms that made landfall in the continental U.S. with 12 such storms. Klotzbach said of those 12 named storms, six made landfall at hurricane strength, tying the record of six hurricane landfalls also set in 1886 and 1985.
“The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season ramped up quickly and broke records across the board,” said Neil Jacobs, acting NOAA administrator, in a news release.
Five of the 12 storms that hit the United States this year made landfall in Louisiana.
“Louisiana was especially hard hit this year, with five named storms hitting the state. The prior record for named storms hitting Louisiana in a single hurricane season is 4 set in 2002,” Klotzbach said.
“Today marks the end of the 2020 hurricane season. It’s been a hard one, but if we’ve learned anything from the five storms that came ashore this year it’s that the people of Louisiana are resilient and by working together, there’s no challenge too great for us to overcome,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards wrote on Twitter.
Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr. told The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate that closing the book on the 2020 season brings welcome relief to his south Louisiana community.
“It was an incredibly stressful time for the entire community,” he said of all the times his town had to go on a storm footing. “Each time, you have to prepare like the worst is going to happen.”
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 although storms can form before and after those dates.
NOAA said this was the fifth consecutive year with an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with 18 above-normal seasons out of the past 26.


washingtontimes--2020-11-30--New Zealand joins Australia in denouncing China's tweet

WELLINGTON , New Zealand ( AP ) - New Zealand has joined Australia in denouncing a graphic tweet posted by a Chinese official that shows a fake image of a grinning Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife to a child ’ s throat .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that New Zealand has voiced its concerns directly with Chinese authorities .
“ This is an image that wasn ’ t factual .
It wasn ’ t correct .
And so in keeping with our principled position where images like that are used , we will raise those concerns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ardern told reporters .
China has not backed down from the tweet and said there will be no apology .
Ardern ’ s criticism was more muted than Australia ‘ s .
She faced an awkward choice of how far to get involved in a conflict between New Zealand ’ s closest ally , Australia , and its biggest trading partner , China .
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday called the image “ repugnant ” and demanded an apology from the Chinese government .
The post took aim at alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan .
The incident is further souring already tense relations between Australia and China .
The image , which appeared to show the soldier slitting the child ’ s throat , was posted by Zhao Lijian , a spokesman for China ’ s foreign ministry .
He wrote a caption with his tweet : “ Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers .
We strongly condemn such acts , & call for holding them accountable.
” He was referring to a disturbing report by Australia ’ s military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners , farmers and civilians during the Afghanistan conflict .
The report recommended that 19 soldiers be referred to federal police for criminal investigation .
Asked about the issue at a daily briefing , foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying cast blame on the Australian side .
“ What Australia should do is to reflect deeply , bring the perpetrators to justice , make a formal apology to the Afghan people , and solemnly promise to the international community that they will never commit such terrible crimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Zhao ’ s tweet was “ utterly outrageous ” and a terrible slur against Australia ’ s military .
It “ is truly repugnant .
It is deeply offensive to every Australian , every Australian who has served in that uniform , ” he told reporters in Canberra .
“ The Chinese government should be totally ashamed of this post .
It diminishes them in the world ’ s eyes.
” Morrison said his government contacted Twitter asking it to take the post down .
The post had a warning tag on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewed .
Zhao ’ s account comes with a Twitter label stating that it ’ s a Chinese government account .
Despite China blocking Twitter and other U.S. social media platforms within the county , Chinese diplomats and state media have established a strong presence on them .
Zhao was criticized by the U.S. in March after tweeting a conspiracy theory that U.S. soldiers may have brought the coronavirus to China .
He is considered a leading representative of China ’ s high-pitched new strain of assertive foreign relations .
Morrison acknowledged there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But this is not how you deal with them , ” he said .
“ Australia has patiently sought to address the tensions that exist in our relationship in a mature way , in a responsible way , by seeking engagement at both leader and ministerial level.
” The rift between the two nations has grown since the Australian government called for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic .
China has since imposed tariffs and other restrictions on a number of Australian exports .

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - New Zealand has joined Australia in denouncing a graphic tweet posted by a Chinese official that shows a fake image of a grinning Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife to a child’s throat.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that New Zealand has voiced its concerns directly with Chinese authorities.
“This is an image that wasn’t factual. It wasn’t correct. And so in keeping with our principled position where images like that are used, we will raise those concerns and we’ll do it directly,” Ardern told reporters.
China has not backed down from the tweet and said there will be no apology.
Ardern’s criticism was more muted than Australia’s. She faced an awkward choice of how far to get involved in a conflict between New Zealand’s closest ally, Australia, and its biggest trading partner, China.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday called the image “repugnant” and demanded an apology from the Chinese government. The post took aim at alleged abuses by Australian soldiers during the conflict in Afghanistan.
The incident is further souring already tense relations between Australia and China.
The image, which appeared to show the soldier slitting the child’s throat, was posted by Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry. He wrote a caption with his tweet: “Shocked by murder of Afghan civilians & prisoners by Australian soldiers. We strongly condemn such acts, & call for holding them accountable.”
He was referring to a disturbing report by Australia’s military earlier this month which found evidence that elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians during the Afghanistan conflict. The report recommended that 19 soldiers be referred to federal police for criminal investigation.
Asked about the issue at a daily briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying cast blame on the Australian side.
“What Australia should do is to reflect deeply, bring the perpetrators to justice, make a formal apology to the Afghan people, and solemnly promise to the international community that they will never commit such terrible crimes again,” Hua said.
Morrison said Zhao’s tweet was “utterly outrageous” and a terrible slur against Australia’s military.
It “is truly repugnant. It is deeply offensive to every Australian, every Australian who has served in that uniform,” he told reporters in Canberra. “The Chinese government should be totally ashamed of this post. It diminishes them in the world’s eyes.”
Morrison said his government contacted Twitter asking it to take the post down. The post had a warning tag on it on Tuesday but could still be viewed. Zhao’s account comes with a Twitter label stating that it’s a Chinese government account.
Despite China blocking Twitter and other U.S. social media platforms within the county, Chinese diplomats and state media have established a strong presence on them.
Zhao was criticized by the U.S. in March after tweeting a conspiracy theory that U.S. soldiers may have brought the coronavirus to China. He is considered a leading representative of China’s high-pitched new strain of assertive foreign relations.
Morrison acknowledged there were tensions between China and Australia.
“But this is not how you deal with them,” he said. “Australia has patiently sought to address the tensions that exist in our relationship in a mature way, in a responsible way, by seeking engagement at both leader and ministerial level.”
The rift between the two nations has grown since the Australian government called for an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. China has since imposed tariffs and other restrictions on a number of Australian exports.