washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Coronavirus more likely infected people through natural channels, says Mark Kortepeter

While speculation over the starting point of COVID-19 is rampant , it is more likely to have infected humans through natural channels than from a “ hot zone ” lab located in Wuhan , China , according to a former top figure in the United States ’ biodefense programs .
“ In my own opinion , it ’ s most likely that somehow humans were infected by this virus either directly with exposure to bats or through some intermediary host , some other animal , because that ’ s how these spillover events have occurred in the past , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases .
“ Now , if you talk about the lab , it ’ s possible they were working on a virus found in nature and somehow somebody got exposed in the lab and that ’ s how this thing started , ” Dr. Kortepeter said , referring to the Wuhan Institute of Virology , which many people have blamed for the introduction of the novel coronavirus that is blamed for more than 450,000 deaths worldwide .
Neither the speed of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any proof it broke free of a laboratory environment , and it ’ s nearly impossible to say whether slight mutations in a virus have occurred naturally or were human-made , Dr. Kortepeter said .
“ Just because it ’ s more efficient spreading through the population doesn ’ t mean it ’ s been weaponized , ” he said .
The U.S. intelligence community is currently investigating the origins of novel coronavirus dubbed COVID-19 , which causes a respiratory disease that so far has been blamed for the deaths of almost 120,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan , said Dr. Kortepeter , whose new book “ Inside the Hot Zone ” details his work on the frontlines of Army ’ s biodefense laboratories headquartered at Fort Detrick , Maryland .
For one , the Wuhan Institute previously published work on “ gain of function , ” a scientific process in which a virus is made more effective .
That suggests a degree of biological weapons research there , and could also produce what is known as a “ hotter ” strain of the coronavirus , Dr. Kortepeter said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more suspicious , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not proof , though , but if they had malintent , I ’ m not sure they would publish that work.
” The smoking gun — finding an identical genetic strain of coronavirus that was in the lab before the outbreak — likely will never be found , he said , but posing the questions isn ’ t unreasonable .
The Wuhan Institute has “ Biosafety Level 4 ” labs where scientists in hazmat suits tinker with the world ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly as deadly as Ebola or smallpox , it could also wind up in Level 4 simply because so little is known about it .
Yet while such sophisticated labs are rare , they offer no sure link to the coronavirus ’ still anonymous “ patient zero ” because , given the extraordinary level of caution associated with work in a Biosafety Level 4 unit , it is much more likely that if COVID-19 jumped into the population from a lab , it did so from a Level 2 or Level 3 facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one knows exactly who might have had access .
“ So there are two scenarios in the lab , ” he said .
“ Either someone got exposed to a natural origin virus or it was an exposure to a manipulated virus .
My own opinion is it ’ s more likely in the natural environment , not in the lab , but as a biodefense guy and an Army guy , I also know that there are some bad actors out there trying to do things out there for nefarious intent.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is director of a research group associated with the University of Nebraska that set up the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha that treated Ebola patients in 2014 .
The lab also treated the first 13 Americans diagnosed with COVID-19 who caught it aboard a cruise ship in Asia .
The national response to COVID-19 in the U.S. has been frustrated by an initial lack of coordination and periodic waves of misinformation , he said .
A recently retracted story in The Lancet , the influential British medical periodical , that claimed hydroxychloroquine was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in point .
“ That sort of thing really haunts us in the scientific community .
We don ’ t need to be adding fuel to the fire , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t know the answer , scientifically , if there are inserts to the virus genome that look suspicious , but everything has been politicized which just complicates it .
Something comes out and Twitter just pounces on it.
” China ’ s initial reluctance to either notify the world of COVID-19 ’ s properties or allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicions that China was responsible for the outbreak .
But some reluctance at first is perhaps understandable , Dr. Kortepeter said , likening China ’ s reaction to what America ’ s may have been if scientists descended on the U.S. when Lyme disease was first identified in Old Lyme , Connecticut , in 1975 .
Despite setbacks and a lack of reliable testing , Dr. Kortepeter said there is some promise on the pharmacological front .
While he entertained skepticism about hydroxychloroquine from the outset , he is now hopeful about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed some promise with Ebola , and an anti-inflammatory drug .
“ It ’ s not a magic bullet , it ’ s a glimmer of hope , ” he said .
Going forward , a “ more surgical , focused response , ” is a better way to cope with outbreaks than the sweeping shutdowns ordered around the world .
It is difficult to say today whether the U.S. is seeing a second wave of the virus or merely upticks in some states that were spared widespread infections in March and April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the problems is we ’ ve been getting mixed messages on the response from all levels of the government .
We ’ re learning as we go , but I would say we still don ’ t have unity of effort across the country , I think that ’ s one thing that ’ s hurt us all along .
I think we ’ re doing better in terms of scientific innovation.
” Humanity ’ s best hope in the short term is that COVID-19 remains a largely stable virus .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such maladies .
Some viruses get sloppy as they furiously reproduce which makes them more resistant to vaccines and treatment .
“ It depends on the virus , ” he said .
“ This appears to have a more stable genetic component and that ’ s a good thing .
It will give us a good chance of developing a vaccine that protects us for a longer period of time .
”

While speculation over the starting point of COVID-19 is rampant, it is more likely to have infected humans through natural channels than from a “hot zone” lab located in Wuhan, China, according to a former top figure in the United States’ biodefense programs.
“In my own opinion, it’s most likely that somehow humans were infected by this virus either directly with exposure to bats or through some intermediary host, some other animal, because that’s how these spillover events have occurred in the past,” said Mark Kortepeter, the former deputy director of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.
“Now, if you talk about the lab, it’s possible they were working on a virus found in nature and somehow somebody got exposed in the lab and that’s how this thing started,” Dr. Kortepeter said, referring to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which many people have blamed for the introduction of the novel coronavirus that is blamed for more than 450,000 deaths worldwide.
Neither the speed of COVID-19’s rampage nor its lethality offers any proof it broke free of a laboratory environment, and it’s nearly impossible to say whether slight mutations in a virus have occurred naturally or were human-made, Dr. Kortepeter said.
“Just because it’s more efficient spreading through the population doesn’t mean it’s been weaponized,” he said.
The U.S. intelligence community is currently investigating the origins of novel coronavirus dubbed COVID-19, which causes a respiratory disease that so far has been blamed for the deaths of almost 120,000 Americans.
Still, troubling signs abound in Wuhan, said Dr. Kortepeter, whose new book “Inside the Hot Zone” details his work on the frontlines of Army’s biodefense laboratories headquartered at Fort Detrick, Maryland.
For one, the Wuhan Institute previously published work on “gain of function,” a scientific process in which a virus is made more effective. That suggests a degree of biological weapons research there, and could also produce what is known as a “hotter” strain of the coronavirus, Dr. Kortepeter said.
“That makes things a little more suspicious,” he said. “It’s not proof, though, but if they had malintent, I’m not sure they would publish that work.”
The smoking gun — finding an identical genetic strain of coronavirus that was in the lab before the outbreak — likely will never be found, he said, but posing the questions isn’t unreasonable.
The Wuhan Institute has “Biosafety Level 4” labs where scientists in hazmat suits tinker with the world’s most lethal pathogens. While coronavirus is not nearly as deadly as Ebola or smallpox, it could also wind up in Level 4 simply because so little is known about it.
Yet while such sophisticated labs are rare, they offer no sure link to the coronavirus’ still anonymous “patient zero” because, given the extraordinary level of caution associated with work in a Biosafety Level 4 unit, it is much more likely that if COVID-19 jumped into the population from a lab, it did so from a Level 2 or Level 3 facility, Dr. Kortepeter said.
Finally, no one knows exactly who might have had access.
“So there are two scenarios in the lab,” he said. “Either someone got exposed to a natural origin virus or it was an exposure to a manipulated virus. My own opinion is it’s more likely in the natural environment, not in the lab, but as a biodefense guy and an Army guy, I also know that there are some bad actors out there trying to do things out there for nefarious intent.”
As a civilian, Dr. Kortepeter is director of a research group associated with the University of Nebraska that set up the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha that treated Ebola patients in 2014. The lab also treated the first 13 Americans diagnosed with COVID-19 who caught it aboard a cruise ship in Asia.
The national response to COVID-19 in the U.S. has been frustrated by an initial lack of coordination and periodic waves of misinformation, he said.
A recently retracted story in The Lancet, the influential British medical periodical, that claimed hydroxychloroquine was detrimental to coronavirus patients is a case in point.
“That sort of thing really haunts us in the scientific community. We don’t need to be adding fuel to the fire,” he said. “I don’t know the answer, scientifically, if there are inserts to the virus genome that look suspicious, but everything has been politicized which just complicates it. Something comes out and Twitter just pounces on it.”
China’s initial reluctance to either notify the world of COVID-19’s properties or allow outside virology teams to Wuhan only fueled suspicions that China was responsible for the outbreak.
But some reluctance at first is perhaps understandable, Dr. Kortepeter said, likening China’s reaction to what America’s may have been if scientists descended on the U.S. when Lyme disease was first identified in Old Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975.
Despite setbacks and a lack of reliable testing, Dr. Kortepeter said there is some promise on the pharmacological front. While he entertained skepticism about hydroxychloroquine from the outset, he is now hopeful about a cocktail of Remdesivir, a drug that showed some promise with Ebola, and an anti-inflammatory drug.
“It’s not a magic bullet, it’s a glimmer of hope,” he said.
Going forward, a “more surgical, focused response,” is a better way to cope with outbreaks than the sweeping shutdowns ordered around the world. It is difficult to say today whether the U.S. is seeing a second wave of the virus or merely upticks in some states that were spared widespread infections in March and April.
“In general, one of the problems is we’ve been getting mixed messages on the response from all levels of the government. We’re learning as we go, but I would say we still don’t have unity of effort across the country, I think that’s one thing that’s hurt us all along. I think we’re doing better in terms of scientific innovation.”
Humanity’s best hope in the short term is that COVID-19 remains a largely stable virus. It is far easier to develop lifetime vaccines for such maladies. Some viruses get sloppy as they furiously reproduce which makes them more resistant to vaccines and treatment.
“It depends on the virus,” he said. “This appears to have a more stable genetic component and that’s a good thing. It will give us a good chance of developing a vaccine that protects us for a longer period of time.”
• James Varney can be reached at jvarney@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Driver faces charges after fatal crash with motorcyclist

PALMYRA , Neb .
( AP ) - A Norfolk , Nebraska man was arrested on suspicion of motor vehicle @ @ @ @ @ with a motorcycle in southeast Nebraska .
The Otoe County Sheriff ’ s office said @ @ @ @ @ happened on Saturday morning on Nebraska Highway 2 near Palmyra .
Motorcyclist Kevin Davidson , @ @ @ @ @ into the side of an oncoming pickup truck that turned in front of him .
@ @ @ @ @ , 52-year-old Edwin Belina Jr. , of Norfolk , was arrested after the crash .
@ @ @ @ @ been released on bail by Sunday .
In a separate crash , a motorcyclist died @ @ @ @ @ southbound vehicle crossed the center line of U.S. Highway 81 near David City around 10:15 @ @ @ @ @ a northbound motorcycle .
The names of the drivers in that crash weren ’ t @ @ @

PALMYRA, Neb. (AP) - A Norfolk, Nebraska man was arrested on suspicion of motor vehicle homicide after a fatal crash with a motorcycle in southeast Nebraska.
The Otoe County Sheriff’s office said Sunday that the fatal crash happened on Saturday morning on Nebraska Highway 2 near Palmyra. Motorcyclist Kevin Davidson, 41, died after crashing into the side of an oncoming pickup truck that turned in front of him.
The driver of the pickup, 52-year-old Edwin Belina Jr., of Norfolk, was arrested after the crash. Jail records showed he had been released on bail by Sunday.
In a separate crash, a motorcyclist died in Butler County after a southbound vehicle crossed the center line of U.S. Highway 81 near David City around 10:15 p.m. Saturday and collided with a northbound motorcycle. The names of the drivers in that crash weren’t immediately released.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Because of the virus, dads mark Father's Day from a distance

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Wake Sharp got to see his family on Father ’ s Day — see them , not hug them , not kiss them , not even shake hands .
Because of the terrible toll taken by the coronavirus on older people in nursing homes and other institutions , the 93-year-old Navy veteran and his loved ones had to stay on opposite sides of a plexiglass barrier and talk by phone at the assisted-living home outside San Francisco where he is a resident .
“ It ’ s better than nothing !
” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at nursing homes across the country marked Father ’ s Day at a forced distance from their families Sunday .
Some families relied on video calls ; others used social media to send their wishes .
The virus has made in-person visits with elderly and high-risk family members difficult and sometimes impossible in recent months , though parts of the country have begun loosening up .
Maryland and Illinois were among states that allowed outdoor visits at nursing homes with masks and six feet of distance .
Frank Wolff , his wife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a patio outside his Chicago assisted-living home on Father ’ s Day .
The staff took everyone ’ s temperature and followed all other regulations .
“ It was good to see him and get a feeling for how he ’ s really doing , ” said Wolff , who hadn ’ t seen his father , Howard Wolff , since Illinois shut down in mid-March .
Sharp got to see his family through a plexiglass cubicle built by a staff member for Rockville Terrace , the home in Fairfield , California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sharp family gathered in a courtyard .
The eldest among them , arriving with the help of his walker , took a seat inside the three-sided box with phone in hand , talking with family members on the outside on one of their phones .
“ We hug each other through the glass , ” said Sharp , who hasn ’ t had a real hug from them in a long while .
This wasn ’ t the first time they visited that way .
“ I don ’ t know who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I – or Dad , ” said son Dan Sharp , who lives in Novato , California .
He paused , then added , “ Probably Dad.
” Rockville Terrace also had a car parade with families with signs for Father ’ s Day and a barbecue so the dads could have steaks and burgers .
The coronavirus has killed an estimated 120,000 people nationwide .
As of mid-June , more than 45,500 residents and staff had died from outbreaks at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities , according to a running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was about 40 % of the total deaths from the scourge at the time .
Nursing homes have been among the last places to loosen restrictions .
Families and nursing home officials worry about the effects the isolation is having on residents ’ mental health .
While video calls have helped , Rockville Terrace ’ s plexiglass cubicle - which creator Jason Reyes jokingly calls the “ Sneezeguard 3000 ” - is another possible solution .
It was introduced in April .
“ It ’ s not back to normal … but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing partner of Carlson Management , a company with seven facilities in California .
He said he was driven to build the 128-square-foot enclosures after so many residents and family members were distraught when they couldn ’ t see one another .
“ The whole situation just tugged on the heartstrings , ” Reyes said , noting that demand for cubicle visits - each resident ’ s session with family lasting an hour on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends - has been strong at the three facilities where they have them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , children posted photos and messages about the dads they couldn ’ t see .
“ Happy Father ’ s Day Pa !
I hate that I can ’ t be there today , ” Kelly Cooper , who lives in Bedfordshire , England , wrote on Instagram , alongside photos of her and her dad , David Cooper , who ’ s 73 and considered high risk .
He lives on his own in London .
Cooper said her own disabling health problems also have limited her travel .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down and it ’ s safe to visit , then I ’ ll be there .
xxxx Love you to the moon and back Pa xxxx , ” she wrote .
Wolff in Chicago said his own father was happy to see him but took his mask off and was particularly frustrated that he couldn ’ t hug his grandson .
He is also hard of hearing and so has become a fan of talking on a big screen that has been set up so residents can make video calls .
“ Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told his son .
“ It ’ s easier.
” So his son said they will continue to do both types of visits .
“ Yeah , so we can ’ t hug .
But he ’ s safe , ” Frank Wolff said .
“ All in all , it ’ s the only thing that makes sense.
” Martha Irvine , an AP national writer and visual journalist , can be reached at [ email protected ] or at http : //twitter.com/irvineap .

CHICAGO (AP) - Wake Sharp got to see his family on Father’s Day — see them, not hug them, not kiss them, not even shake hands.
Because of the terrible toll taken by the coronavirus on older people in nursing homes and other institutions, the 93-year-old Navy veteran and his loved ones had to stay on opposite sides of a plexiglass barrier and talk by phone at the assisted-living home outside San Francisco where he is a resident.
“It’s better than nothing!” he said. “I really enjoy it.”
Dads at nursing homes across the country marked Father’s Day at a forced distance from their families Sunday. Some families relied on video calls; others used social media to send their wishes.
The virus has made in-person visits with elderly and high-risk family members difficult and sometimes impossible in recent months, though parts of the country have begun loosening up. Maryland and Illinois were among states that allowed outdoor visits at nursing homes with masks and six feet of distance.
Frank Wolff, his wife and their son visited his 91-year-old father on a patio outside his Chicago assisted-living home on Father’s Day. The staff took everyone’s temperature and followed all other regulations.
“It was good to see him and get a feeling for how he’s really doing,” said Wolff, who hadn’t seen his father, Howard Wolff, since Illinois shut down in mid-March.
Sharp got to see his family through a plexiglass cubicle built by a staff member for Rockville Terrace, the home in Fairfield, California, where Sharp lives.
Four generations of the Sharp family gathered in a courtyard. The eldest among them, arriving with the help of his walker, took a seat inside the three-sided box with phone in hand, talking with family members on the outside on one of their phones.
“We hug each other through the glass,” said Sharp, who hasn’t had a real hug from them in a long while.
This wasn’t the first time they visited that way.
“I don’t know who enjoys it more. My family and I – or Dad,” said son Dan Sharp, who lives in Novato, California. He paused, then added, “Probably Dad.”
Rockville Terrace also had a car parade with families with signs for Father’s Day and a barbecue so the dads could have steaks and burgers.
The coronavirus has killed an estimated 120,000 people nationwide. As of mid-June, more than 45,500 residents and staff had died from outbreaks at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, according to a running count by The Associated Press. That was about 40% of the total deaths from the scourge at the time.
Nursing homes have been among the last places to loosen restrictions. Families and nursing home officials worry about the effects the isolation is having on residents’ mental health.
While video calls have helped, Rockville Terrace’s plexiglass cubicle - which creator Jason Reyes jokingly calls the “Sneezeguard 3000” - is another possible solution. It was introduced in April.
“It’s not back to normal … but it helps,” said Reyes, a managing partner of Calson Management, a company with seven facilities in California. He said he was driven to build the 128-square-foot enclosures after so many residents and family members were distraught when they couldn’t see one another.
“The whole situation just tugged on the heartstrings,” Reyes said, noting that demand for cubicle visits - each resident’s session with family lasting an hour on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends - has been strong at the three facilities where they have them.
Throughout Father’s Day on social media, children posted photos and messages about the dads they couldn’t see.
“Happy Father’s Day Pa! I hate that I can’t be there today,” Kelly Cooper, who lives in Bedfordshire, England, wrote on Instagram, alongside photos of her and her dad, David Cooper, who’s 73 and considered high risk. He lives on his own in London.
Cooper said her own disabling health problems also have limited her travel.
“As soon as this virus calms the hell down and it’s safe to visit, then I’ll be there. xxxx Love you to the moon and back Pa xxxx,” she wrote.
Wolff in Chicago said his own father was happy to see him but took his mask off and was particularly frustrated that he couldn’t hug his grandson. He is also hard of hearing and so has become a fan of talking on a big screen that has been set up so residents can make video calls.
“Just do the FaceTime,” Howard Wolff told his son. “It’s easier.”
So his son said they will continue to do both types of visits. “Yeah, so we can’t hug. But he’s safe,” Frank Wolff said. “All in all, it’s the only thing that makes sense.”
___
This story has been corrected to show that Jason Reyes is a managing partner at Calson Management, not Carlson Management.
___
Martha Irvine, an AP national writer and visual journalist, can be reached at mirvine@ap.org or at http://twitter.com/irvineap.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushed for Chuck Schumer primary challenge

The sacking of Rep. Joe Crowley two years ago and the prospect of giving Rep. Eliot Engel the boot Tuesday in the New York Democratic primary has far-left activists dreaming big about the future .
So big , in fact , that liberals are kicking around the idea that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could launch a 2022 primary challenge against a titan of the Democratic Party establishment : Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer .
“ Just going to say something out loud that should be obvious : The fastest way to speed up the process of changing the corrupt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party is for @ AOC to defeat @ ChuckSchumer in a Democratic primary in 2022 , ” David Sirota , a senior adviser to Sen. Bernard Sanders ’ presidential campaign , recently said in a post on Twitter .
Grassroots activists are looking for a successor to take up the mantle of far-left politics that Mr. Sanders , 78 , carried in his two bids for the Democratic presidential nomination .
Ms. Ocascio-Cortez would be a natural fit , so the mere thought of the liberal sensation considering a heavyweight clash with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future of the first-term congresswoman while adding another layer of intrigue to the New York ’ s primary .
The specter of an Ocasio-Cortez challenge may explain why Mr. Schumer , 69 , seemed reluctant to pick sides in the intraparty battle in the 16th Congressional District between Mr. Engel , a 16-term incumbent , and Jamaal Bowman , a 44-year-old middle school principal .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez put her stamp on the race this month when she backed Mr .
Bowman , cementing his status as the liberal standard-bearer .
Mr .
Bowman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts .
Mr. Schumer last week threw his support behind Mr. Engel , putting him on the same side of the fight as 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
“ I think Schumer certainly is watching these races very carefully , and I think it does say a lot about where the Democratic Party is headed , ” said Jeanne Zaino , a political science professor at Iona College .
“ One thing I think we can say is the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bench , and the bench is young and diverse and increasingly liberal , and the establishment folks — Schumer and Cuomo — have felt some of the quakes from that part of the party.
” Ms. Zaino said Mr. Schumer recognizes that the energy on the left is more than “ just a fluke with Ocasio-Cortez.
” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has refused to rule out the idea of taking on one of the party ’ s most powerful establishment figures .
Mr. Schumer , meanwhile , said he plans to stay focused on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my career you do your job well , everything else works out OK , ” Mr. Schumer said during a recent interview on CNN .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez would face a major battle because Mr. Schumer is a different political animal than Mr. Crowley and Mr. Engel .
He has maintained strong ties to communities across his home state , and New Yorkers gravitate toward his larger-than-life character .
“ The first problem is Chuck Schumer is the hardest-working guy in show business , ” said Evan Stavisky , a Democratic consultant with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first candidate in office to visit the state ’ s 62 counties annually , and he has done that for 20 years.
” “ He is an Energizer Bunny , ” he said .
Also , the political left in New York has struggled to translate its local victories statewide .
Mrs. Clinton steamrollered Mr. Sanders there in the 2016 presidential primary , and Mr. Cuomo won a third term in 2018 after easily beating back a challenge from Cynthia Nixon , a former “ Sex and the City ” star and left-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue state that has only gotten bluer , and there are some natural conversations that are happening about what is the balance between progressive ideals and the reality of governing , and voters have generally on a statewide level supported candidates like Andrew Cuomo and Hillary Clinton , ” Mr. Stavisky said .
Mr. Schumer ’ s image has taken a hit among Republicans and independents since he became minority leader in the Senate , but he remains popular among Democrats , said Steven Greenberg , a pollster for Siena College .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is not as well-known or well-liked as Mr. Schumer among Republicans and independents , but she has strong support among Democrats .
“ Where we will be two years from now ?
Not even my magic eight ball knows the answer to that one , ” Mr. Greenberg said of the potential primary matchup .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez shocked the party establishment after she defeated Mr. Crowley by a whopping 15 points in the 14th Congressional District , which is home to increasingly diverse communities in the Bronx and Queens .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is no wallflower within the halls of Congress .
She has pushed Democratic leaders , inspired grassroots activists and drawn fire from Republicans with her calls for Medicare for All , the Green New Deal , and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez co-founded the “ Squad ” with three other unapologetically liberal congresswomen who rose up out of the 2018 elections from minority communities and have demanded systematic change .
Serving as a surrogate to Mr. Sanders , the 30-year-old flashed her budding star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential primary race by attracting massive crowds to campaign events .
Before anything happens , Ms. Ocasio-Cortez must defend her seat Tuesday against three challengers , including Michelle Caruso-Cabrera , a former business journalist and CNBC host .
In her closing campaign ad , Ms. Ocascio-Cortez is telling voters that the fallout from COVID-19 , mass unemployment and racism in law enforcement have exposed a broken system of governance .
“ What if these broken systems weren ’ t built to last in the first place ?
What if a better world is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign ad .
“ People are coming together in an unprecedented movement to build this better future and a better world .
“ It is time to bring the movement to the voting booth , ” she says .

The sacking of Rep. Joe Crowley two years ago and the prospect of giving Rep. Eliot L. Engel the boot Tuesday in the New York Democratic primary has far-left activists dreaming big about the future.
So big, in fact, that liberals are kicking around the idea that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could launch a 2022 primary challenge against a titan of the Democratic Party establishment: Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer.
“Just going to say something out loud that should be obvious: The fastest way to speed up the process of changing the corrupt, do-nothing, status-quo-protecting culture of the national Democratic Party is for @AOC to defeat @ChuckSchumer in a Democratic primary in 2022,” David Sirota, a senior adviser to Sen. Bernard Sanders’ presidential campaign, recently said in a post on Twitter.
Grassroots activists are looking for a successor to take up the mantle of far-left politics that Mr. Sanders, 78, carried in his two bids for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Ms. Ocascio-Cortez would be a natural fit, so the mere thought of the liberal sensation considering a heavyweight clash with Mr. Schumer is generating buzz about the future of the first-term congresswoman while adding another layer of intrigue to the New York’s primary.
The specter of an Ocasio-Cortez challenge may explain why Mr. Schumer, 69, seemed reluctant to pick sides in the intraparty battle in the 16th Congressional District between Mr. Engel, a 16-term incumbent, and Jamaal Bowman, a 44-year-old middle school principal.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez put her stamp on the race this month when she backed Mr. Bowman, cementing his status as the liberal standard-bearer.
Mr. Bowman later secured endorsements from Mr. Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
Mr. Schumer last week threw his support behind Mr. Engel, putting him on the same side of the fight as 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“I think Schumer certainly is watching these races very carefully, and I think it does say a lot about where the Democratic Party is headed,” said Jeanne Zaino, a political science professor at Iona College. “One thing I think we can say is the Democrats in New York have a pretty strong bench, and the bench is young and diverse and increasingly liberal, and the establishment folks — Schumer and Cuomo — have felt some of the quakes from that part of the party.”
Ms. Zaino said Mr. Schumer recognizes that the energy on the left is more than “just a fluke with Ocasio-Cortez.”
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez has refused to rule out the idea of taking on one of the party’s most powerful establishment figures.
Mr. Schumer, meanwhile, said he plans to stay focused on his job.
“I have found throughout my career you do your job well, everything else works out OK,” Mr. Schumer said during a recent interview on CNN.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez would face a major battle because Mr. Schumer is a different political animal than Mr. Crowley and Mr. Engel. He has maintained strong ties to communities across his home state, and New Yorkers gravitate toward his larger-than-life character.
“The first problem is Chuck Schumer is the hardest-working guy in show business,” said Evan Stavisky, a Democratic consultant with the Parkside Group. “He is the first candidate in office to visit the state’s 62 counties annually, and he has done that for 20 years.”
“He is an Energizer Bunny,” he said.
Also, the political left in New York has struggled to translate its local victories statewide.
Mrs. Clinton steamrollered Mr. Sanders there in the 2016 presidential primary, and Mr. Cuomo won a third term in 2018 after easily beating back a challenge from Cynthia Nixon, a former “Sex and the City” star and left-wing cause celebre.
“It is a blue state that has only gotten bluer, and there are some natural conversations that are happening about what is the balance between progressive ideals and the reality of governing, and voters have generally on a statewide level supported candidates like Andrew Cuomo and Hillary Clinton,” Mr. Stavisky said.
Mr. Schumer’s image has taken a hit among Republicans and independents since he became minority leader in the Senate, but he remains popular among Democrats, said Steven Greenberg, a pollster for Siena College.
Mr. Greenberg’s surveys have found that Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is not as well-known or well-liked as Mr. Schumer among Republicans and independents, but she has strong support among Democrats.
“Where we will be two years from now? Not even my magic eight ball knows the answer to that one,” Mr. Greenberg said of the potential primary matchup.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez shocked the party establishment after she defeated Mr. Crowley by a whopping 15 points in the 14th Congressional District, which is home to increasingly diverse communities in the Bronx and Queens.
To the delight of some and disgust of others, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is no wallflower within the halls of Congress.
She has pushed Democratic leaders, inspired grassroots activists and drawn fire from Republicans with her calls for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez co-founded the “Squad” with three other unapologetically liberal congresswomen who rose up out of the 2018 elections from minority communities and have demanded systematic change.
Serving as a surrogate to Mr. Sanders, the 30-year-old flashed her budding star power on the national stage in the presidential primary race by attracting massive crowds to campaign events.
Before anything happens, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez must defend her seat Tuesday against three challengers, including Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a former business journalist and CNBC host.
In her closing campaign ad, Ms. Ocascio-Cortez is telling voters that the fallout from COVID-19, mass unemployment and racism in law enforcement have exposed a broken system of governance.
“What if these broken systems weren’t built to last in the first place? What if a better world is possible?” she says in a campaign ad. “People are coming together in an unprecedented movement to build this better future and a better world.
“It is time to bring the movement to the voting booth,” she says.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--19th inmate dies in California prison related to virus

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - An inmate from Avenal State Prison in California has died from what appear @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
California ’ s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said late Saturday the inmate @ @ @ @ @ the exact cause of death has yet to be determined .
No additional information was @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s custody have died from illnesses related to the virus , the department @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s the first death at Avenal State Prison in Kings County , where @ @ @ @ @ , the statement said .
The prison is 180 miles ( 290 kilometers ) northwest @ @ @ @ @ most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms .
But for some , @ @ @ @ @ with existing health problems , it can cause pneumonia and death .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - An inmate from Avenal State Prison in California has died from what appear to be complications from the coronavirus.
California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said late Saturday the inmate died at a hospital and the exact cause of death has yet to be determined. No additional information was provided.
Nineteen inmates in California’s custody have died from illnesses related to the virus, the department said in a statement.
It’s the first death at Avenal State Prison in Kings County, where 131 inmates have the virus, the statement said. The prison is 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--New Mexico reports 136 new coronavirus cases, 3 more deaths

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - Health officials in New Mexico reported 136 more coronavirus cases around the @ @ @ @ @ known deaths .
The increases raised New Mexico ’ s total number of cases to @ @ @ @ @ to 469 .
Department of Health officials said 41 of the new cases involve state @ @ @ @ @ Otero County Prison Facility in southern New Mexico .
They said 30 other confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ in northwestern New Mexico .
Two women in their 50s who were McKinley County residents @ @ @ @ @ three new deaths with the third being a San Juan County man in his 70s @ @ @ @ @ with underlying medical conditions .
Health officials said 4,684 people who had COVID-19 in New @ @ @ @ @ most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and @ @ @ @ @ two to three weeks .
But for some - especially older adults and people with @ @ @ @ @ can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Health officials in New Mexico reported 136 more coronavirus cases around the state Sunday and three more known deaths.
The increases raised New Mexico’s total number of cases to 10,565 and the death toll to 469.
Department of Health officials said 41 of the new cases involve state or federal inmates at the Otero County Prison Facility in southern New Mexico.
They said 30 other confirmed cases were reported in McKinley County in northwestern New Mexico.
Two women in their 50s who were McKinley County residents accounted for two of the three new deaths with the third being a San Juan County man in his 70s. All had been hospitalized with underlying medical conditions.
Health officials said 4,684 people who had COVID-19 in New Mexico have recovered.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--AP Interview: Egypt says UN must stop Ethiopia on dam fill

CAIRO ( AP ) - Egypt wants the United Nations Security Council to “ undertake its responsibilities ” and prevent Ethiopia from starting to fill its massive , newly built hydroelectric dam on the Nile River next month amid a breakdown in negotiations , Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry told The Associated Press on Sunday , accusing Ethiopian officials of stoking antagonism between the countries .
Ethiopia announced Friday that it would begin filling the dam ’ s reservoir in July even after the latest round of talks with Egypt and Sudan failed last week to reach a deal governing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operated .
Egypt formally asked the Security Council to intervene in a letter the same day .
“ The responsibility of the Security Council is to address a pertinent threat to international peace and security , and certainly the unilateral actions by Ethiopia in this regard would constitute such a threat , ” Shukry said in an interview with the AP .
Filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would potentially bring the years-long dispute between Egypt , Sudan and Ethiopia over the $ 4.6 million mega-project to a critical juncture .
Ethiopia said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dam is a crucial lifeline to bring millions out of poverty .
With the start of the rainy season in July bringing more water to the Blue Nile , the Nile ’ s main tributary , Ethiopia wants to start filling the reservoir .
Egypt , which relies on the Nile for more than 90 % of its water supplies , fears a devastating impact if the dam is operated without taking its needs into account .
Sudan , which also largely depends on the Nile for water , has been caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States earlier this year tried to broker a deal , but Ethiopia did not attend the signing meeting in February and accused the Trump administration of siding with Egypt .
Last week , the U.S. National Security Council tweeted that “ 257 million people in east Africa are relying on Ethiopia to show strong leadership , which means striking a fair deal.
” Shukry warned that filling the reservoir without an accord would violate the 2015 declaration of principles governing their talks - and rule out a return to negotiations .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Security Council , ” he said .
In a three-page letter to the council , Egypt asked it to call Ethiopia back into talks for a “ fair and balanced solution ” and to urge it refrain from unilateral acts , warning that filling the dam without a deal “ constitutes a clear and present danger to Egypt ” with repercussions that “ threaten international peace and security.
” Hanging over the dispute has been the fear it could escalate into military conflict , especially as Egypt - facing what it calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ends in its attempt to strike a deal .
Commentators in Egypt ’ s pro-government media have often called for action to stop Ethiopia .
One commentator , Moustafa al-Saeed said in a Facebook post that starting to fill the reservoir would be a “ declaration of war ” and urged the government to block Ethiopian traffic through the Suez Canal .
Shukry underlined that the Egyptian government has not threatened military action , has sought a political solution , and has worked to convince the Egyptian public that Ethiopia has a right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development goals .
“ Egypt has never , never over the past six years even made an indirect reference to such possibilities , ” he said of military action .
But , he said , if the Security Council can not bring Ethiopia back into negotiations and filling begins , “ we will find ourselves in a situation that we will have to deal with , ” he said .
“ When that time is upon us , we will be very vocal and clear in what action we will take.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council members , along with African nations , to help reach a deal that “ takes into account the interests of all three countries.
” Sticking points in the talks have been how much water Ethiopia will release downstream from the dam if a multi-year drought occurs and how Ethiopia , Egypt and Sudan will resolve any future disputes .
This month , ministers from the three countries held seven days of negotiations by video conference , but talks ended Wednesday with no deal .
No date was set for a return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andargachew told the AP on Friday that filling the dam would begin with the rainy season in July and dismissed the need for an agreement .
He accused Egypt of trying to “ dictate and control even future developments on our river.
” Egypt ’ s Shukry on Sunday countered that Ethiopia was backing out of previously agreed-upon points .
“ We have on many occasions been flexible and been accommodating .
But I can ’ t say that there is a similar political will on the side of Ethiopia , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments “ disappointing , ” pointing to “ the escalation of antagonism that has been intentionally created.
” Starting to fill the reservoir now , he said , would demonstrate “ a desire to control the flow of the water and have effective sole determination ” of the water that reaches Egypt and Sudan .
After the end of talks on Wednesday , Sudan ’ s irrigation minister said his country and Egypt rejected Ethiopia ’ s attempts to introduce articles on water sharing in the dam deal .
Egypt has received the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s waters under decades-old agreements dating back to the British colonial era .
Eighty-five percent of the Nile ’ s waters originate in Ethiopia from the Blue Nile .
Shukry said Egypt maintains that an agreement can be achieved , but that it “ has to be negotiated in good faith.
” He said any future deal on shares of the Nile ’ s water should take into account that Ethiopia has other water sources besides the Nile .

CAIRO (AP) - Egypt wants the United Nations Security Council to “undertake its responsibilities” and prevent Ethiopia from starting to fill its massive, newly built hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile next month without an agreement, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry told The Associated Press on Sunday, accusing Ethiopian officials of stoking antagonism between the countries.
Ethiopia announced Friday that it would begin filling the dam’s reservoir in July even after the latest round of talks with Egypt and Sudan failed last week to reach an accord governing how the dam will be filled and operated.
Egypt formally asked the Security Council to intervene in a letter the same day.
“The responsibility of the Security Council is to address a pertinent threat to international peace and security, and certainly the unilateral actions by Ethiopia in this regard would constitute such a threat,” Shukry said in an interview with the AP.
Filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would potentially bring the years-long dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the $4.6 billion mega-project to a critical juncture. Ethiopia said the electricity that will be generated by the dam is a crucial lifeline to bring millions out of poverty. With the start of the rainy season in July bringing more water to the Blue Nile, the Nile’s main tributary, Ethiopia wants to start filling the reservoir.
Egypt, which relies on the Nile for more than 90% of its water supplies, fears a devastating impact if the dam is operated without taking its needs into account. Sudan, which also largely depends on the Nile for water, has been caught between the competing interests.
The United States earlier this year tried to broker a deal, but Ethiopia did not attend the signing meeting in February and accused the Trump administration of siding with Egypt. Last week, the U.S. National Security Council tweeted that “257 million people in east Africa are relying on Ethiopia to show strong leadership, which means striking a fair deal.”
Shukry warned that filling the reservoir without an accord would violate the 2015 declaration of principles governing their talks - and rule out a return to negotiations.
“We are not seeking any coercive action by the Security Council,” he said. In a three-page letter to the council, Egypt asked it to call Ethiopia back into talks for a “fair and balanced solution” and to urge it refrain from unilateral acts, warning that filling the dam without a deal “constitutes a clear and present danger to Egypt” with repercussions that “threaten international peace and security.”
Hanging over the dispute has been the fear it could escalate into military conflict, especially as Egypt - facing what it calls an existential threat - repeatedly hits dead ends in its attempt to strike a deal. Commentators in Egypt’s pro-government media have often called for action to stop Ethiopia. One commentator, Moustafa al-Saeed said in a Facebook post that starting to fill the reservoir would be a “declaration of war” and urged the government to block Ethiopian traffic through the Suez Canal.
Shukry underlined that the Egyptian government has not threatened military action, has sought a political solution, and has worked to convince the Egyptian public that Ethiopia has a right to build the dam to meet its development goals.
“Egypt has never, never over the past six years even made an indirect reference to such possibilities,” he said of military action.
But, he said, if the Security Council cannot bring Ethiopia back into negotiations and filling begins, “we will find ourselves in a situation that we will have to deal with,” he said. “When that time is upon us, we will be very vocal and clear in what action we will take.”
He called on the U.S and other Security Council members, along with African nations, to help reach a deal that “takes into account the interests of all three countries.”
Sticking points in the talks have been how much water Ethiopia will release downstream from the dam if a multi-year drought occurs and how Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan will resolve any future disputes.
William Davison, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the Security Council taking up the issue likely won’t change Ethiopia’s stance. “The U.S., EU, Gulf powers and African Union should try and convince all parties to make the necessary final compromise to get an agreement over the line,” he said.
This month, ministers from the three countries held seven days of negotiations by video conference, but talks ended Wednesday with no deal. No date was set for a return to the table.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew told the AP on Friday that filling the dam would begin with the rainy season in July and dismissed the need for an agreement. He accused Egypt of trying to “dictate and control even future developments on our river.”
Egypt’s Shukry on Sunday countered that Ethiopia was backing out of previously agreed-upon points.
“We have on many occasions been flexible and been accommodating. But I can’t say that there is a similar political will on the side of Ethiopia,” he said.
He called Andargachew’s comments “disappointing,” pointing to “the escalation of antagonism that has been intentionally created.” Starting to fill the reservoir now, he said, would demonstrate “a desire to control the flow of the water and have effective sole determination” of the water that reaches Egypt and Sudan.
After the end of talks on Wednesday, Sudan’s irrigation minister said his country and Egypt rejected Ethiopia’s attempts to introduce articles on water sharing in the dam deal. Egypt has received the lion’s share of the Nile’s waters under decades-old agreements dating back to the British colonial era. Eighty-five percent of the Nile’s waters originate in Ethiopia from the Blue Nile.
Shukry said Egypt maintains that an agreement can be achieved, but that it “has to be negotiated in good faith.” He said any future deal on shares of the Nile’s water should take into account that Ethiopia has other water sources besides the Nile.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Trump blasts Biden over loyalty to blacks, mental fitness at Tulsa rally

President Trump stormed back onto the campaign trail with a full-throated attack on Joseph R. Biden , challenging the presumed Democratic nominee ’ s fidelity to black voters and mental fitness for office .
“ America should not take lectures on racial justice from Joe Biden , Sleepy Joe , a man who praised … segregationists , shipped millions of black Americans ’ jobs overseas and everyone else ’ s jobs too , ” the president said .
“ Biden is now smearing as racists tens of millions of people like yourselves .
Racial justice begins with Joe Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally Saturday in Tulsa — the presidents first since the coronavirus crisis put political campaigns on hiatus — also opened new lines of attack for the Biden camp , including saying that Mr. Trump had called to slow coronavirus testing , which Democrats said underscored the president ’ s self-serving and chaotic leadership .
The rally itself came to embody the 2020 debate , with both sides trading accusations of politicizing the coronavirus crisis .
Trump allies accused Democrats and the news media of applying a double standard for coronavirus social distancing when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter protests across the country .
Democrats said Mr. Trump set a bad example by hosting a political rally at this time and also pounced on his claim , which the White House said was tongue-in-cheek , that he had slowed coronavirus testing because it was showing too many cases .
“ Donald Trump ’ s debacle of a rally last night will long be remembered , lest we not forget , the president ’ s campaign required that folks who were attending his rally sign a waiver so that if I were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign would not be held liable , ” Symone Sanders , a senior adviser to the Biden campaign , told “ Fox News Sunday.
” Ms. Sanders also pushed back against Mr. Trump ’ s description of Mr. Biden as holed up in the basement of his home in Delaware and carefully managed by staff who write his speeches and tell him what to say .
Mr. Biden , who has been assailed by the Trump campaign for a pattern of gaffes and rambling non-sequiturs , hasn ’ t held a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done TV interviews .
Mr. Trump said the former vice president isn ’ t running his campaign .
“ People are running his campaign .
I see quotes all the time that he said this , he said that about me , and they ’ re long , beautiful , flowing sentences .
I said , Joe didn ’ t make that statement and Joe doesn ’ t even know the statement was made , ” said Mr. Trump .
Ms. Sanders called it an “ unfounded , salacious lie from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden isn ’ t up to the challenge.
” “ He ’ s absolutely up to it , ” she told Fox News host Chris Wallace .
“ Vice President Biden would tell you if he were sitting right here that he can ’ t wait to see Donald Trump on the debate stage and he can ’ t wait to campaign.
” An uptick in new cases of COVID-19 across the South and Southwest sparked fears of a second wave of the deadly disease in the mostly GOP-run states that were among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in states such as Oklahoma and Florida blamed the higher count of new cases on increased testing , noting that the new cases were younger people who are usually asymptomatic and rarely die from the virus .
Mr. Trump told a less-than-capacity crowd at BOK Arena in Tulsa that testing was “ a double-edged sword.
” “ We ’ ve tested now 25 million people .
It ’ s probably 20 million people more than anybody else , ” he said .
“ Here ’ s the bad part , when you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to find more people , you ’ re going to find more cases .
So , I said to my people ‘ slow the testing down , please.
’ They test and they test.
” Ms. Sanders and other Democrats pounced Sunday , calling that the “ most damning thing ” from the rally .
“ That ’ s what will be remembered long after last night ’ s debacle of a rally , ” she said .
“ The admission of the president that he slowed testing for his political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the American people.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the chorus of Democrats slamming Mr. Trump for those words .
“ Testing , tracing , treatment and social distancing are the only tools we have to stop the spread of the coronavirus , but President Trump orders his Administration to slow down the testing that saves lives , ” the California Democrat said in a statement Sunday .
“ The American people are owed answers about why President Trump wants less testing when experts say much more is needed.
” White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CNN “ State of the Union ” host Jake Tapper , saying the president ’ s remarks at the rally were made in a “ light moment.
” “ Come on now Jake , you know that was tongue-in-cheek .
I know that was tongue-in-cheek , ” Mr. Navarro said of the often off-the-cuff president .
“ Come on , it was a light moment.
” Mr. Navarro said that the president takes the pandemic and the death toll “ absolutely seriously.
” Mr. Trump ’ s critics also relished the less-than-expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it signaled fading enthusiasm among his base .
There were many empty seats in the upper portion of the 19,000-seat arena , and open space on the floor as well .
The campaign canceled plans for Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to address expected overflow crowds outdoors that never materialized .
The president and Trump campaign officials blamed anti-Trump protesters for preventing supporters from getting to the site .
The president and his campaign manager , Brad Parscale , had bragged earlier in the week about more than 1 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ auxiliary stage was being built outside the arena so the president and Mr. Pence could address the massive crowd .
Opponents of the president said the campaign had been duped by teenagers across the U.S. who registered for tickets to undermine the president .
Steve Schmidt , a collaborator in the “ Lincoln Project ” of Republican operatives opposing the president , suggested the group was responsible for undermining the rally attendance .
“ I ’ m dead serious when I say this .
The teens of America have struck a savage blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schmidt .
“ All across America teens ordered tickets to this event .
The fools on the campaign bragged about a million tickets .
lol .
@ ProjectLincoln.
” The campaign reportedly began among younger fans of Korean pop music and spread to the TikTok application , earning a big thumbs-up from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , New York Democrat .
“ Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she wrote at the Trump campaign on Twitter .
At the rally , the president addressed the civil unrest that has roiled the U.S. since the death on May 25 of George Floyd , a black man , as a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck .
Demonstrators have been tearing down statues of historical statues around the country — not only Confederate individuals , but others such as Ulysses S. Grant , Abraham Lincoln , George Washington and Thomas Jefferson .
“ The unhinged left-wing mob is trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monuments , our beautiful monuments , tear down our statues and punish , cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control , ” said Mr. Trump .
He declared , “ We ’ re not conforming .
That ’ s why we ’ re here , actually.
” The president said the “ cruel campaign of censorship and exclusion violates everything we hold dear as Americans.
” “ They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
“ They want to defund and dissolve our police departments .
Think of that.
” He said Mr. Biden “ will always bow to the angry mob.
” “ Joe Biden will always let you down , that ’ s been his history , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ Biden is a puppet for China … allowing them to rip off America for many years.
” The president proposed a year in prison for anyone who burns the American flag .
“ Do you want to bow before the left-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up tall as Americans ?
” Mr. Trump said .
“ We will never kneel to our national anthem , to our great American flag — we will stand proud and stand tall .
”

President Trump stormed back onto the campaign trail with a full-throated attack on Joseph R. Biden, challenging the presumed Democratic nominee’s fidelity to black voters and mental fitness for office.
“America should not take lectures on racial justice from Joe Biden, Sleepy Joe, a man who praised … segregationists, shipped millions of black Americans’ jobs overseas and everyone else’s jobs too,” the president said. “Biden is now smearing as racists tens of millions of people like yourselves. Racial justice begins with Joe Biden’s retirement from public life.”
The rally Saturday in Tulsa — the presidents first since the coronavirus crisis put political campaigns on hiatus — also opened new lines of attack for the Biden camp, including saying that Mr. Trump had called to slow coronavirus testing, which Democrats said underscored the president’s self-serving and chaotic leadership.
The rally itself came to embody the 2020 debate, with both sides trading accusations of politicizing the coronavirus crisis.
Trump allies accused Democrats and the news media of applying a double standard for coronavirus social distancing when condemning the rally and glorifying Black Lives Matter protests across the country.
Democrats said Mr. Trump set a bad example by hosting a political rally at this time and also pounced on his claim, which the White House said was tongue-in-cheek, that he had slowed coronavirus testing because it was showing too many cases.
SEE ALSO: Donald Trump reopens campaign at Tulsa rally, declares silent majority ‘stronger than ever’
“Donald Trump’s debacle of a rally last night will long be remembered, lest we not forget, the president’s campaign required that folks who were attending his rally sign a waiver so that if I were to get sick the coronavirus, that the campaign would not be held liable,” Symone Sanders, a senior adviser to the Biden campaign, told “Fox News Sunday.”
Ms. Sanders also pushed back against Mr. Trump’s description of Mr. Biden as holed up in the basement of his home in Delaware and carefully managed by staff who write his speeches and tell him what to say.
Mr. Biden, who has been assailed by the Trump campaign for a pattern of gaffes and rambling non-sequiturs, hasn’t held a press conference in 80 days, though he has done TV interviews.
Mr. Trump said the former vice president isn’t running his campaign.
“People are running his campaign. I see quotes all the time that he said this, he said that about me, and they’re long, beautiful, flowing sentences. I said, Joe didn’t make that statement and Joe doesn’t even know the statement was made,” said Mr. Trump.
Ms. Sanders called it an “unfounded, salacious lie from the president and his campaign that Vice President Biden isn’t up to the challenge.”
“He’s absolutely up to it,” she told Fox News host Chris Wallace. “Vice President Biden would tell you if he were sitting right here that he can’t wait to see Donald Trump on the debate stage and he can’t wait to campaign.”
An uptick in new cases of COVID-19 across the South and Southwest sparked fears of a second wave of the deadly disease in the mostly GOP-run states that were among the first to reopen.
Republican governors in states such as Oklahoma and Florida blamed the higher count of new cases on increased testing, noting that the new cases were younger people who are usually asymptomatic and rarely die from the virus.
Mr. Trump told a less-than-capacity crowd at BOK Arena in Tulsa that testing was “a double-edged sword.”
“We’ve tested now 25 million people. It’s probably 20 million people more than anybody else,” he said. “Here’s the bad part, when you do testing to that extent, you’re going to find more people, you’re going to find more cases. So, I said to my people, ‘Slow the testing down, please.’ They test and they test.”
Ms. Sanders and other Democrats pounced Sunday, calling that the “most damning thing” from the rally.
“That’s what will be remembered long after last night’s debacle of a rally,” she said. “The admission of the president that he slowed testing for his political benefit, and it’s not for the American people.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined the chorus of Democrats slamming Mr. Trump for those words.
“Testing, tracing, treatment and social distancing are the only tools we have to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but President Trump orders his Administration to slow down the testing that saves lives,” the California Democrat said in a statement Sunday. “The American people are owed answers about why President Trump wants less testing when experts say much more is needed.”
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro downplayed the fuss to CNN “State of the Union” host Jake Tapper, saying the president’s remarks at the rally were made in a “light moment.”
“Come on now Jake, you know that was tongue-in-cheek. I know that was tongue-in-cheek,” Mr. Navarro said of the often off-the-cuff president. “Come on, it was a light moment.”
Mr. Navarro said that the president takes the pandemic and the death toll “absolutely seriously.”
Mr. Trump’s critics also relished the less-than-expected turnout for the rally. They said it signaled fading enthusiasm among his base.
There were many empty seats in the upper portion of the 19,000-seat arena, and open space on the floor as well. The campaign canceled plans for Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to address expected overflow crowds outdoors that never materialized.
The president and Trump campaign officials blamed anti-Trump protesters for preventing supporters from getting to the site.
The president and his campaign manager, Brad Parscale, had bragged earlier in the week about more than 1 million people requesting tickets. Mr. Parscale said an auxiliary stage was being built outside the arena so the president and Mr. Pence could address the massive crowd.
Opponents of the president said the campaign had been duped by teenagers across the U.S. who registered for tickets to undermine the president. Steve Schmidt, a collaborator in the “Lincoln Project” of Republican operatives opposing the president, suggested the group was responsible for undermining the rally attendance.
“I’m dead serious when I say this. The teens of America have struck a savage blow against @realDonaldTrump,” tweeted Mr. Schmidt. “All across America teens ordered tickets to this event. The fools on the campaign bragged about a million tickets. lol. @ProjectLincoln.”
The campaign reportedly began among younger fans of Korean pop music and spread to the TikTok application, earning a big thumbs-up from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat.
“Actually you just got ROCKED by teens on TikTok who flooded the Trump campaign w/ fake ticket reservations & tricked you into believing a million people wanted your white supremacist open mic enough to pack an arena during COVID,” she wrote at the Trump campaign on Twitter.
At the rally, the president addressed the civil unrest that has roiled the U.S. since the death on May 25 of George Floyd, a black man, as a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck.
Demonstrators have been tearing down statues of historical statues around the country — not only Confederate individuals, but others such as Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
“The unhinged left-wing mob is trying to vandalize our history, desecrating our monuments, our beautiful monuments, tear down our statues and punish, cancel and persecute anyone who does not conform to their demands for absolute and total control,” said Mr. Trump.
He declared, “We’re not conforming. That’s why we’re here, actually.”
The president said the “cruel campaign of censorship and exclusion violates everything we hold dear as Americans.”
“They want to demolish our heritage so they can impose their new oppressive regime in its place,” Mr. Trump said of the protesters. “They want to defund and dissolve our police departments. Think of that.”
He said Mr. Biden “will always bow to the angry mob.”
“Joe Biden will always let you down, that’s been his history,” Mr. Trump said. “Biden is a puppet for China … allowing them to rip off America for many years.”
The president proposed a year in prison for anyone who burns the American flag.
“Do you want to bow before the left-wing mob or do you want to stand up tall as Americans?” Mr. Trump said. “We will never kneel to our national anthem, to our great American flag — we will stand proud and stand tall.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Chuck Grassley asks Pentagon official if he leaked Michael Flynn information to press

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley is pressing a Pentagon official to disclose more about his source relationship with The Washington Post ’ s David Ignatius , whose January 2017 column triggered the FBI to target retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn .
Mr. Grassley , Iowa Republican , made the request Friday in a letter to James H. Baker , director of the Defense Department ’ s Office of Net Assessment ( ONA ) .
The letter contained a list of broad inquiries , including a question about one of Mr. Baker ’ s contract researchers , FBI informant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Washington Times report , noted that Mr. Halper claimed in one study that he had consulted with various foreign policy experts .
But those experts told The Times they never contributed to his work .
In the Flynn matter , the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch gained copies of emails between Mr. Baker and Mr. Ignatius in 2016-17 via the Freedom of Information Act .
They confirmed that the two maintained a close source-reporter relationship .
Mr. Flynn ’ s attorney , Sidney Powell , alleged in a court filing that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about phone calls between her client and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the presidential transition .
The subsequent Ignatius column proved crucial to igniting the Trump-Russia investigation .
The column said Mr. Flynn and Mr. Kislyak spoke about economic sanctions .
Trump aides denied it .
That provided a reason for then-FBI Agent Peter Strzok to interview Mr. Flynn , President Trump ’ s national security adviser , since an intercepted call transcript said he had in fact discussed sanctions .
Mr. Grassley is asking Mr. Baker to remove all redactions in 143 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this staff .
The senator cited “ the overlap in time between the majority of the emails and the leak of the call ” and “ your apparent close relationship with Mr. Ignatius.
” Mr. Grassley also is asking Mr. Baker questions about whether he might have been the source for the Ignatius column : • “ Did you provide any information relating to any Flynn-Kislyak call to the media ?
If so , what information ?
” • “ Did you provide any information relating to any Flynn-Kislyak call to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shared by that individual to the media ?
If so , what information ?
• “ In your communications with Mr. Ignatius , did you ever provide Mr. Ignatius any information related to Lt. Gen. Flynn ?
If so , what information ?
” Since Ms. Powell ’ s court filing , there has been no independent evidence that Mr. Baker was the leaker .
The Times asked Mr. Baker to respond at the time .
He declined through a spokesman , citing unspecified pending administrative matters .
Mr. Grassley also zeroed-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status with ONA .
A long -time national security figure in Washington and a professor at England ’ s Cambridge University , Mr. Halper also served undercover as a confidential FBI informant .
The FBI ’ s “ Crossfire Hurricane ” Trump-Russia agents tapped him to spy on two campaign volunteers — Carter Page and George Papadopoulos .
Mr. Halper wore a wire in conversations with both , but neither ever admitted to or said they knew of any campaign role in an election conspiracy The Washington Times reported in October 2018 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract to write a Russia-China study in 2015-16 .
His study boasted a list of 43 “ advisors and consultants , ” such as former CIA Director Michael V. Hayden .
The Times asked Mr. Hayden about the Halper study .
“ No memory of project or person , ” he said .
The newspaper reached out to 12 listed contributors .
Ten said they played no role in Mr. Halper ’ s work .
In August 2019 , the Defense Department inspector general issued a report saying Mr. Halper failed to document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for four ONA studies worth more than $ 1 million .
For example , for the Russia-China study cited by The Times , Mr. Halper submitted a “ statement of work ” promising to plumb the minds of top foreign policy experts and visit major defense institutions .
“ None of the 851 footnotes in the deliverables attributed source material to an interview conducted by Professor Halper , ” the inspector general said .
“ ONA personnel could not provide us any evidence that Professor Halper visited any of these locations , established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of the specific people listed in the statement of work.
” For another China study , the IG said : “ According to the statement of work , Professor Halper proposed travel to London , England and Tokyo , Japan .
The contract was fixed price based on the acceptance of the deliverables and did not require Professor Halper to submit travel receipts .
ONA personnel could not provide documentation that Professor Halper traveled for this contract.
” In light of the findings , Mr. Grassley wrote to Mr. Baker : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assert that Halper fulfilled the obligations set forth in his contracts .
when citations in his work appear to give contribution to individuals who had no involvement in the work.
” “ Can you state with certainty that Halper interviewed the individuals that he claimed to interview for his research papers ?
” the senator asked .
“ If not , how can you claim that Halper ’ s work was of high quality ?
’ Mr. Grassley told Mr. Baker that his office has stonewalled efforts to obtain all Halper records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has refused to comply with my requests , or that ONA simply does not maintain full records of Halper ’ s work , ” the Republican senator said .
Mr. Grassley also released a February letter from Mr. Baker responding to the senator ’ s earlier inquiry .
“ We reviewed all of Dr. Halper ’ s completed work for maturity of analysis , comprehensiveness of research , and clarity in writing , ” said Mr. Baker , who was appointed during the Obama administration .
Mr. Baker said that once Mr. Grassley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ONA asked an unnamed security office to vet the researcher .
“ That security agency found no derogatory information on Professor Halper , ” Mr. Baker said .
“ The ONA team is a very small and capable organization busy doing what it is chartered to do , ” Mr. Baker said .
“ It remains widely respected by its customers , including the senior-most policy makers and military leaders in the country .
”

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley is pressing a Pentagon official to disclose more about his source relationship with The Washington Post’s David Ignatius, whose January 2017 column triggered the FBI to target retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.
Mr. Grassley, Iowa Republican, made the request Friday in a letter to James H. Baker, director of the Defense Department’s Office of Net Assessment (ONA).
The letter contained a list of broad inquiries, including a question about one of Mr. Baker’s contract researchers, FBI informant Stefan Halper. Mr. Grassley, citing a Washington Times report, noted that Mr. Halper claimed in one study that he had consulted with various foreign policy experts. But those experts told The Times they never contributed to his work.
In the Flynn matter, the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch gained copies of emails between Mr. Baker and Mr. Ignatius in 2016-17 via the Freedom of Information Act. They confirmed that the two maintained a close source-reporter relationship.
Mr. Flynn’s attorney, Sidney Powell, alleged in a court filing that it was Mr. Baker who told Mr. Ignatius about phone calls between her client and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the presidential transition. The subsequent Ignatius column proved crucial to igniting the Trump-Russia investigation.
The column said Mr. Flynn and Mr. Kislyak spoke about economic sanctions. Trump aides denied it. That provided a reason for then-FBI Agent Peter Strzok to interview Mr. Flynn, President Trump’s national security adviser, since an intercepted call transcript said he had in fact discussed sanctions.
DOCUMENT: Read Sen. Grassley's letter to the Pentagon
Mr. Grassley is asking Mr. Baker to remove all redactions in 143 pages of emails and turn them over to this staff. The senator cited “the overlap in time between the majority of the emails and the leak of the call” and “your apparent close relationship with Mr. Ignatius.”
Mr. Grassley also is asking Mr. Baker questions about whether he might have been the source for the Ignatius column:
• “Did you provide any information relating to any Flynn-Kislyak call to the media? If so, what information?”
• “Did you provide any information relating to any Flynn-Kislyak call to an individual with the knowledge that it would be shared by that individual to the media? If so, what information?
• “In your communications with Mr. Ignatius, did you ever provide Mr. Ignatius any information related to Lt. Gen. Flynn? If so, what information?”
Since Ms. Powell’s court filing, there has been no independent evidence that Mr. Baker was the leaker. The Times asked Mr. Baker to respond at the time. He declined through a spokesman, citing unspecified pending administrative matters.
Mr. Grassley also zeroed-in on Mr. Halper’s lucrative contractor status with ONA.
A long -time national security figure in Washington and a professor at England’s Cambridge University, Mr. Halper also served undercover as a confidential FBI informant.
The FBI’s “Crossfire Hurricane” Trump-Russia agents tapped him to spy on two campaign volunteers — Carter Page and George Papadopoulos. Mr. Halper wore a wire in conversations with both, but neither ever admitted to or said they knew of any campaign role in an election conspiracy
The Washington Times reported in October 2018 that Mr. Halper received a $244,000 ONA contract to write a Russia-China study in 2015-16. His study boasted a list of 43 “advisors and consultants,” such as former CIA Director Michael V. Hayden.
The Times asked Mr. Hayden about the Halper study. “No memory of project or person,” he said.
The newspaper reached out to 12 listed contributors. Ten said they played no role in Mr. Halper’s work.
In August 2019, the Defense Department inspector general issued a report saying Mr. Halper failed to document the research he said he had conducted for four ONA studies worth more than $1 million.
For example, for the Russia-China study cited by The Times, Mr. Halper submitted a “statement of work” promising to plumb the minds of top foreign policy experts and visit major defense institutions.
“None of the 851 footnotes in the deliverables attributed source material to an interview conducted by Professor Halper,” the inspector general said. “ONA personnel could not provide us any evidence that Professor Halper visited any of these locations, established an advisory group, or met with any of the specific people listed in the statement of work.”
For another China study, the IG said: “According to the statement of work, Professor Halper proposed travel to London, England and Tokyo, Japan. The contract was fixed price based on the acceptance of the deliverables and did not require Professor Halper to submit travel receipts. ONA personnel could not provide documentation that Professor Halper traveled for this contract.”
In light of the findings, Mr. Grassley wrote to Mr. Baker: “It is also perplexing that ONA continues to assert that Halper fulfilled the obligations set forth in his contracts . when citations in his work appear to give contribution to individuals who had no involvement in the work.”
“Can you state with certainty that Halper interviewed the individuals that he claimed to interview for his research papers?” the senator asked. “If not, how can you claim that Halper’s work was of high quality?’
Mr. Grassley told Mr. Baker that his office has stonewalled efforts to obtain all Halper records.
“It appears that either ONA has refused to comply with my requests, or that ONA simply does not maintain full records of Halper’s work,” the Republican senator said.
Mr. Grassley also released a February letter from Mr. Baker responding to the senator’s earlier inquiry.
“We reviewed all of Dr. Halper’s completed work for maturity of analysis, comprehensiveness of research, and clarity in writing,” said Mr. Baker, who was appointed during the Obama administration.
Mr. Baker said that once Mr. Grassley inquired about Mr. Halper last January, ONA asked an unnamed security office to vet the researcher. “That security agency found no derogatory information on Professor Halper,” Mr. Baker said.
“The ONA team is a very small and capable organization busy doing what it is chartered to do,” Mr. Baker said. “It remains widely respected by its customers, including the senior-most policy makers and military leaders in the country.”
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-21--Mexico catches alleged gang boss relatives; gang burns cars

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Mexican security officials said Sunday they have arrested the mother and sister of an alleged crime gang boss along with 24 other people , prompting a wave of violence in the central state of Guanajuato .
The army said an operation involving both state and federal officials captured the two family members of José Antonio Yépez Ortiz , known as “ El Marro , ” alleged leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel , on Saturday .
Enraged members of the gang blocked highways and set cars and trucks ablaze along roads in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disturbances in a video distributed to local news media .
“ They humiliated and did what they want with the family and I am going to be a stone in their shoe , ” he said .
The gang began by robbing trains and expanded into stealing gasoline from government pipelines , and has branched out into extortion rackets , often clashing with a growing drug gang , the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as far afield as Cancun on the Caribbean coast .
Analysts say the confrontation is a key reason for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once one of Mexico ’ s safer states and home to numerous foreign-owned manufacturing plants .
Meanwhile , authorities in the northwestern state of Sonora said a series of clashes in the municipality of Caborca left at least 12 men dead .
Officials said they were found with their hands bound and they had been shot .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican security officials said Sunday they have arrested the mother and sister of an alleged crime gang boss along with 24 other people, prompting a wave of violence in the central state of Guanajuato.
The army said an operation involving both state and federal officials captured the two family members of José Antonio Yépez Ortiz, known as “El Marro,” alleged leader of the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, on Saturday.
Enraged members of the gang blocked highways and set cars and trucks ablaze along roads in the state and Yépez Ortiíz threatened further disturbances in a video distributed to local news media.
“They humiliated and did what they want with the family and I am going to be a stone in their shoe,” he said.
The gang began by robbing trains and expanded into stealing gasoline from government pipelines, and has branched out into extortion rackets, often clashing with a growing drug gang, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel as far afield as Cancun on the Caribbean coast.
Analysts say the confrontation is a key reason for a soaring number of homicides in Guanajuato, once one of Mexico’s safer states and home to numerous foreign-owned manufacturing plants.
Meanwhile, authorities in the northwestern state of Sonora said a series of clashes in the municipality of Caborca left at least 12 men dead. Officials said they were found with their hands bound and they had been shot.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Russian court hands prison terms to youth group members

ST. PETERSBURG , Russia ( AP ) - A Russian military court convicted two members of a left-wing youth group of terrorism Monday in a case that human rights groups called fabricated and based on coerced testimony .
A three-judge panel in the court in St. Petersburg found Victor Filinkov , 25 , and Yuly Boyarshinov , 28 , guilty of membership in a terrorist organization .
Filinkov was handed a seven-year prison term , while Boyarshinov , who was also found guilty of possession of explosives , was sentenced to five and a half years behind bars .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Network ) group , seven members of which were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms earlier this year in Penza , a city 500 kilometres ( 310 miles ) southeast of Moscow .
The group was accused of preparing to carry out attacks during Russia ’ s March 2018 presidential election and when Russia hosted the World Cup soccer tournament later that year , but the investigators failed to document those early claims during the trial .
Some of the defendants initially pleaded guilty to the charges , but later withdrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while in the custody of the FSB , Russia ’ s security service , into incriminating themselves .
The case against the group was largely based on these confessions .
The case has elicited a lot of outrage and prompted several protests over the past few years .
Earlier this year , human rights advocates wrote a letter to President Vladimir Putin , demanding an investigation of possible torture of the group ’ s members .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response that Putin did initiate a probe into the allegations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The verdict on Monday once again sparked protests , with up to 80 people gathering near the courthouse and chanting “ Shame !
” and “ Freedom for political prisoners !
” .
Filip Shchelkanov , one of the supporters of the group , told The Associated Press he was sure they were tortured .
“ They are not guilty of terrorism , ” said Shchelkanov , 32 .
About 30 people have been detained , according to media reports .
Footage showed police officers in riot gear dragging protesters to police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lawyer , said the defense would appeal the verdict .
“ The materials of this case were fabricated not only at the stage of the preliminary investigation , but the court itself falsified the materials , ” Kulakova said .

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - A Russian court convicted two members of a left-wing youth group of terrorism Monday in a case that human rights groups called fabricated and based on coerced testimony.
A three-judge panel in the military court in St. Petersburg - in Russia, military courts handle all terrorism-related charges - found Victor Filinkov, 25, and Yuly Boyarshinov, 28, guilty of membership in a terrorist organization. Filinkov was handed a seven-year prison term, while Boyarshinov, who was also found guilty of possession of explosives, was sentenced to five and a half years behind bars.
Both were said to belong to the Set (Network) group, seven members of which were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms earlier this year in Penza, a city 500 kilometres (310 miles) southeast of Moscow.
The group was accused of preparing to carry out attacks during Russia’s March 2018 presidential election and when Russia hosted the World Cup soccer tournament later that year, but the investigators failed to document those early claims during the trial.
Some of the defendants initially pleaded guilty to the charges, but later withdrew their confessions and said they were tortured while in the custody of the FSB, Russia’s security service, into incriminating themselves. The case against the group was largely based on these confessions.
The case has elicited a lot of outrage and prompted several protests over the past few years. Earlier this year, human rights advocates wrote a letter to President Vladimir Putin, demanding an investigation of possible torture of the group’s members. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response that Putin did initiate a probe into the allegations. It remains unclear what the findings were.
The verdict on Monday once again sparked protests, with up to 80 people gathering near the courthouse and chanting “Shame!” and “Freedom for political prisoners!”. Filip Shchelkanov, one of the supporters of the group, told The Associated Press he was sure they were tortured. “They are not guilty of terrorism,” said Shchelkanov, 32.
About 30 people have been detained, according to media reports. Footage showed police officers in riot gear dragging protesters to police vans.
Yevgenia Kulakova, Filinkov’s lawyer, said the defense would appeal the verdict.
“The materials of this case were fabricated not only at the stage of the preliminary investigation, but the court itself falsified the materials,” Kulakova said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-22--Arkansas coronavirus cases rise by 419, death toll up by one

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - The Arkansas Department of Health has reported an increase of more @ @ @ @ @ and one additional death due to COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ at least 15,561 cases and 225 deaths , an increase of 419 from the 15,142 @ @ @ @ @ reported on Saturday .
The actual number of people who have contracted the virus is @ @ @ @ @ have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel @ @ @ @ @ 10,456 people have recovered from the virus and that 4,880 cases remain active .
For @ @ @ @ @ causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , @ @ @ @ @ with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - About a quarter of Arkansas’ hospital and intensive care beds are available as the state’s coronavirus cases and deaths keep rising, Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Monday.
Hutchinson said about 71% of the state’s 8,917 hospital beds are currently filled, while more than 77% of 970 adult ICU beds are filled. The number of people hospitalized because of the virus in the state decreased overnight by seven to 237.
“I feel very comfortable that where we are right now is able to handle expected needs, at least in the short term,” Dr. Nathaniel Smith, the state’s health secretary, said. Smith said the state has the ability to expand its capacity for beds, and said he was encouraged that more than 65% of the state’s ventilators remain available.
The department said at least 16,083 people in Arkansas have tested positive for the virus, an increase of 522 over Sunday. The number of active cases, which excludes people who have died or recovered, increased to 5,063.
The true number of cases is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The state’s deaths from the illness caused by the virus rose by two to 227, while the number of people hospitalized decreased by seven to 237.
Arkansas has seen a major upswing in cases since last month, when the state began allowing businesses that closed because of the virus to reopen. Active cases in the state have increased more than 200% since Memorial Day, while hospitalizations have more than doubled in that same period.
The number of beds filled hasn’t changed much from a week ago, when 30% of the state’s hospital beds and 21% of adult ICU beds were available, according to the Department of Health.
Hutchinson said the available hospital space is tighter in northwest Arkansas, which has driven the increase in cases in recent weeks. Benton and Washington counties in the state’s northwest region were again among the three counties with the most new cases Monday.
The second highest number of new cases came from Hot Spring County, where 60 inmates at the Ouachita River Unit have tested positive for the virus. The Department of Corrections said all inmates at the facility were tested Saturday and testing of staff began Sunday.
Hutchinson also criticized China’s decision to suspend imports from a Tyson facility in Springdale where hundreds of workers have tested positive for the virus. The Republican governor called the move “very troubling” since there’s been no evidence of the virus being transmitted from food, and questioned why the facility was singled out.
“I don’t know whether China is playing politics or just making bad judgments, but that’s not good or helpful at all in our relationship,” Hutchinson said.
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Check out more of the AP’s coronavirus coverage at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
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Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/ademillo