washingtontimes--2020-10-06--California evangelical school tied to spike in virus cases

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - A Northern California county will face greater restrictions as it grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases , many of them tied to an evangelical college where more than 120 students and staff have tested positive in the last two weeks , health officials said Tuesday .
Shasta County health officials say that an outbreak of cases among students and staff at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry contributed to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases that bumped the county on Tuesday into a new level of regulations on restaurants , bars , theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortunate enough to have a relatively low number of cases throughout the course of the pandemic , ” said Kerri Schuette , spokeswoman for Shasta County Health and Human Services .
“ But we ’ ve had a very large increase in cases over the past two to three weeks , with 123 being associated with the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.
” A school spokesman declined to comment Tuesday but forwarded a statement from earlier this month saying that the school was aware its students and staff accounted for “ a portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and the school was taking “ swift action ” to minimize further spread .
In its statement the school said it shifted to online instruction last week and canceled in-person church services for Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 that have been held outdoors on a sports field .
It also asked anyone who came in contact with someone who contracted COVID-19 to quarantine at home .
“ This has led to a large number of people staying home as a precaution , ” the statement said , adding that staff and students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , socially distance on campus and do daily temperature checks at the door since classes started in early September .
On its website , the school describes itself as “ a ministry training center ” that is not an accredited university “ where our students embrace their royal identity , learn the values of the kingdom , and walk in the authority and power of the King.
” The school does not provide housing for students , saying on its website that it welcomes hundreds of international and U.S. students each year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students ‘ infiltrate ’ the neighborhoods of Redding.
” Shasta County recorded more than 500 new coronavirus cases in the past two weeks , pushing its total number of cases since March to 1,158 .
Another cluster was traced to an assisted living facility , called the Windsor Care Facility , where 60 residents and 20 staff have tested positive for the virus since the start of the outbreak , with most of those cases occurring in the past three weeks , Schuette said .
State health officials announced Tuesday that Shasta County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tier ” of a color-coded framework for business and school reopenings .
It means that restaurants , churches and other businesses can open with limits on the numbers of people allowed inside .
Other nonessential businesses like bars must close .
Schuette said the county has been working closely with Bethel and Windsor officials to help them control the spread of the coronavirus .
“ Hopefully the message is being received that when people are sick they need to stay home until they are no longer contagious .
If that happens , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
The school is affiliated with Bethel Church , a Redding-based megachurch known for laying on of hands .
A pastor associated with Bethel Church , Sean Feucht , has been criticized for holding large rallies in California and across the country in defiance of local health orders that have drawn thousands of participants , most of whom don ’ t wear face masks or social distance .
Thousands turned out for a rally he organized at the city ’ s famed Sundial Bridge in July .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A Northern California county will face greater restrictions as it grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases, many of them tied to an evangelical college where more than 120 students and staff have tested positive in the last two weeks, health officials said Tuesday.
Shasta County health officials say that an outbreak of cases among students and staff at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry contributed to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases that bumped the county on Tuesday into a new level of regulations on restaurants, bars, theaters and businesses.
“We have been fortunate enough to have a relatively low number of cases throughout the course of the pandemic,” said Kerri Schuette, spokeswoman for Shasta County Health and Human Services. “But we’ve had a very large increase in cases over the past two to three weeks, with 123 being associated with the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry.”
A school spokesman declined to comment Tuesday but forwarded a statement from earlier this month saying that the school was aware its students and staff accounted for “a portion” of Shasta County’s new cases and the school was taking “swift action” to minimize further spread.
In its statement the school said it shifted to online instruction last week and canceled in-person church services for Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 that have been held outdoors on a sports field. It also asked anyone who came in contact with someone who contracted COVID-19 to quarantine at home.
“This has led to a large number of people staying home as a precaution,” the statement said, adding that staff and students have been required to wear face coverings, socially distance on campus and do daily temperature checks at the door since classes started in early September.
On its website, the school describes itself as “a ministry training center” that is not an accredited university “where our students embrace their royal identity, learn the values of the kingdom, and walk in the authority and power of the King.”
The school does not provide housing for students, saying on its website that it welcomes hundreds of international and U.S. students each year and “it is our hope that our students ‘infiltrate’ the neighborhoods of Redding.”
Shasta County recorded more than 500 new coronavirus cases in the past two weeks, pushing its total number of cases since March to 1,158.
Another cluster was traced to an assisted living facility, called the Windsor Care Facility, where 60 residents and 20 staff have tested positive for the virus since the start of the outbreak, with most of those cases occurring in the past three weeks, Schuette said.
State health officials announced Tuesday that Shasta County was getting bumped to the “red tier” of a color-coded framework for business and school reopenings. It means that restaurants, churches and other businesses can open with limits on the numbers of people allowed inside. Other nonessential businesses like bars must close.
Schuette said the county has been working closely with Bethel and Windsor officials to help them control the spread of the coronavirus.
“Hopefully the message is being received that when people are sick they need to stay home until they are no longer contagious. If that happens, our numbers will start to drop,” she said.
The school is affiliated with Bethel Church, a Redding-based megachurch known for laying on of hands. A pastor associated with Bethel Church, Sean Feucht, has been criticized for holding large rallies in California and across the country in defiance of local health orders that have drawn thousands of participants, most of whom don’t wear face masks or social distance. Thousands turned out for a rally he organized at the city’s famed Sundial Bridge in July.


washingtontimes--2020-10-06--Crews working to recover 3 dead in Houston building collapse

HOUSTON ( AP ) - Dozens of workers worked with structural engineers Tuesday to stabilize the collapsed portion of a Houston office building so it can be lifted and the bodies of three workers recovered .
The Houston Fire Department said in a statement that its rescue teams were at the scene of the Monday stairwell collapse in the high-rise office building under construction in western Houston that also injured another worker .
The department says the stabilization work will resume Wednesday as its crews wait for engineers to confirm the building was stable enough before entering to recover the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse still hasn ’ t been determined , and there was no estimate for when the bodies could be recovered , the department said .
There was no concern for the overall structural integrity of the building .
The 15-story office building , situated near Interstate 10 on the city ’ s westside , is set to be the new headquarters of Houston-based Marathon Oil .
Employees were set to move into the building in the second half of 2021 .
It is situated across the street from a series of multi-story apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular shopping district that has retail stores and restaurants .
The dead workers ’ identities still have not been released .

HOUSTON (AP) - Dozens of workers worked with structural engineers Tuesday to stabilize the collapsed portion of a Houston office building so it can be lifted and the bodies of three workers recovered.
The Houston Fire Department said in a statement that its rescue teams were at the scene of the Monday stairwell collapse in the high-rise office building under construction in western Houston that also injured another worker.
The department says the stabilization work will resume Wednesday as its crews wait for engineers to confirm the building was stable enough before entering to recover the bodies.
The cause of the stairwell collapse still hasn’t been determined, and there was no estimate for when the bodies could be recovered, the department said. There was no concern for the overall structural integrity of the building.
The 15-story office building, situated near Interstate 10 on the city’s westside, is set to be the new headquarters of Houston-based Marathon Oil. Employees were set to move into the building in the second half of 2021. It is situated across the street from a series of multi-story apartment complexes and is also north of a popular shopping district that has retail stores and restaurants.
The dead workers’ identities still have not been released.


washingtontimes--2020-10-06--Watchdog redacts more records related to parole board probe

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Virginia ’ s government watchdog agency has found new problems with victim and prosecutor notification in cases handled by the state parole board , according to documents obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press .
But the agency is withholding many of the specifics of its findings , citing exemptions to the state ’ s open records law .
Republican legislative leaders provided AP with a brief summary report of the findings of an investigation by the Office of the State Inspector General into complaints about multiple offenders ’ parole cases .
AP and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a slew of parole decisions across the state in which prosecutors and victims ’ families raised concerns about what they said was a lack of timely or sufficient notification of the release of violent offenders .
The IG ’ s office “ substantiated ” five allegations that the parole board didn ’ t properly notify prosecutors and seven allegations that it didn ’ t “ endeavor diligently ” as required by state law to contact victims , according to the summary report .
It was not immediately clear which individuals ’ cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
AP filed a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in August for individual case reports and on Tuesday was provided with documents that were almost entirely redacted .
“ The Virginia Parole Board maintains its FOIA exclusions and has not waived its FOIA protections , ” Inspector General Michael Westfall wrote in an email sent by an agency spokeswoman that also cited other exclusions under the open records law .
The GOP lawmakers , who said they had not received the individual reports but were entitled to them , demanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Westfall to provide complete and unredacted copies of these reports undermines his credibility and damages the independence of his office , ” Sen. Tommy Norment said in a statement .
The disclosures come after a similar incident over the summer in which the agency initially released a mostly redacted investigative report about the handling of a parole grant to a man convicted decades ago of killing a Richmond police officer .
The findings were eventually publicly disclosed by Republican lawmakers .
In that case , the IG ’ s office found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated state law and its own policies and procedures .
House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert said unless redacted copies of all reports were provided to legislative leaders , the IG ’ s office was not in compliance with state law .
“ We will be making this clear to the IG , perhaps in court if necessary , ” he said in a statement .
Among the documents the IG ’ s office provided AP was a list of recommendations based on the findings of the investigation .
The first one said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Code of Ethics that focuses on impartiality , integrity and transparency when making all parole-related decisions.
” All of the IG ’ s documents provided to AP had been addressed to Brian Moran , Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s secretary of public safety and homeland security .
Moran ’ s spokeswoman , Jacquelyn Katuin , wrote in an email that state law prohibits anyone but the Inspector General from releasing the reports .
Katuin provided a copy of a letter dated Tuesday she said Moran had sent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that the review “ has highlighted a number issues , including inconsistencies in the Code of Virginia and the VPB ’ s internal policies and procedures.
” Moran said he had directed the parole board to develop legislation for the 2021 General Assembly session that will “ create consistency.
” Republican-sponsored legislation dealing with the Parole Board has been effectively killed in the ongoing special session .
Katuin also provided the Parole Board ’ s response to the IG ’ s office .
Parole Board chair Tonya Chapman wrote an eight-page letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office in April she has added unspecified “ additional practices ” that “ should prevent any individual from being released prior to compliance with all required notifications.
” She also wrote that the board could use more funding to hire additional staff , including a victim services assistant and an office manager .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia’s government watchdog agency has found new problems with victim and prosecutor notification in cases handled by the state parole board, according to documents obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press. But the agency is withholding many of the specifics of its findings, citing exemptions to the state’s open records law.
Republican legislative leaders provided AP with a brief summary report of the findings of an investigation by the Office of the State Inspector General into complaints about multiple offenders’ parole cases. AP and other news outlets reported earlier this year on a slew of parole decisions across the state in which prosecutors and victims’ families raised concerns about what they said was a lack of timely or sufficient notification of the release of violent offenders.
The IG’s office “substantiated” five allegations that the parole board didn’t properly notify prosecutors and seven allegations that it didn’t “endeavor diligently” as required by state law to contact victims, according to the summary report.
It was not immediately clear which individuals’ cases were covered in the most recent investigation. AP filed a request under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in August for individual case reports and on Tuesday was provided with documents that were almost entirely redacted.
“The Virginia Parole Board maintains its FOIA exclusions and has not waived its FOIA protections,” Inspector General Michael Westfall wrote in an email sent by an agency spokeswoman that also cited other exclusions under the open records law.
The GOP lawmakers, who said they had not received the individual reports but were entitled to them, demanded their release.
“The failure of General Westfall to provide complete and unredacted copies of these reports undermines his credibility and damages the independence of his office,” Sen. Tommy Norment said in a statement.
The disclosures come after a similar incident over the summer in which the agency initially released a mostly redacted investigative report about the handling of a parole grant to a man convicted decades ago of killing a Richmond police officer. The findings were eventually publicly disclosed by Republican lawmakers. In that case, the IG’s office found the Virginia Parole Board and its former chairwoman violated state law and its own policies and procedures.
House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert said unless unredacted copies of all reports were provided to legislative leaders, the IG’s office was not in compliance with state law.
“We will be making this clear to the IG, perhaps in court if necessary,” he said in a statement.
Among the documents the IG’s office provided AP was a list of recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.
The first one said the parole board “should develop and attest to a Code of Ethics that focuses on impartiality, integrity and transparency when making all parole-related decisions.”
All of the IG’s documents provided to AP had been addressed to Brian Moran, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam’s secretary of public safety and homeland security.
Moran’s spokeswoman, Jacquelyn Katuin, wrote in an email that state law prohibits anyone but the inspector general from releasing the reports.
Katuin provided a copy of a letter dated Tuesday she said Moran had sent to the inspector general. In it, Moran wrote that the review “has highlighted a number issues, including inconsistencies in the Code of Virginia and the VPB’s internal policies and procedures.”
Moran said he had directed the parole board to develop legislation for the 2021 General Assembly session that will “create consistency.”
Republican-sponsored legislation dealing with the Parole Board has been effectively killed in the ongoing special session.
Katuin also provided the Parole Board’s response to the IG’s findings.
Parole Board chair Tonya Chapman wrote an eight-page letter also dated Tuesday that said since taking office in April she has added unspecified “additional practices” that “should prevent any individual from being released prior to compliance with all required notifications.”
She also wrote that the board could use more funding to hire additional staff, including a victim services assistant and an office manager.
___
This story was first published on Oct. 6, 2020. It was updated on Oct. 7, 2020, to correct that a Republican lawmaker seeking unredacted copies of several reports, not redacted copies.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Elusive eastern black rail threatened by rising sea levels

The U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service declared the Eastern black rail a threatened species on Wednesday , but stopped short of the stronger protections some environmentalists were seeking for the elusive bird , now imperiled by habitat destruction , sea level rise , and the increasing frequency and intensity of storms with climate change .
Nicknamed the “ feathered mouse , ” the eastern black rail is about six inches long , with white-flecked dark feathers , a brown nape and brilliant red eyes .
Populations have declined by more than 75 % over the last 10 to 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release announcing Endangered Species Act protection .
“ They are one of the front-line species dealing with the impact of sea level rise , ” said Bryan Watts , a professor of conservation biology at the College of William and Mary .
“ That ’ s really the cause of their catastrophic decline.
” On the Atlantic Coast , the birds inhabit the high marsh area between tidal marsh that is flooded every day and uplands , said Watts , who has been studying the eastern black rail for about 30 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as far north as Cape Cod but now are not found above North Carolina , he said .
“ They haven ’ t been seen in Virginia since 2017 , ” Watts said .
“ They ’ re winking out in the northern parts of their range quickly.
” The Center for Biological Diversity first proposed protections for the eastern black rail 10 years ago and sued the government last year over its inaction .
Stephanie Kurose , an endangered species policy specialist , said they believe the bird should have been given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher level of protection .
“ By the Fish and Wildlife Service ’ s own projections , the Great Plains population is likely to be gone in 15 to 25 years , ” Kurose said .
“ The sole remaining coastal populations have a high probability of being completely extinct by 2068.
” Kurose also took issue with the decision not to designate critical habitat for the bird .
The wildlife service said that doing so would make it easier for bird lovers to find eastern black rails and potentially trample their habitat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sighting information is not available on the eBird app .
Historically , the eastern black rail is known to exist in 35 states east of the Rocky Mountains as well as Puerto Rico , Canada , Brazil , and several countries in the Caribbean and Central America , according to the FWS .
While their geographic range is still relatively widespread , they are few in number .
The agency says there are an estimated 355 to 815 breeding pairs along the Atlantic Coast .
Another 1,300 individuals are estimated to live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas coast .
And there are small populations in Colorado and Kansas .
Population estimates are hard to derive because the birds are “ the ultimate in secretive ” among notoriously secretive marsh birds .
Their elusiveness is part of what makes them a prize sighting for birders .
But the center ’ s Kurose said serious birders have a code of ethics and are unlikely to pose a danger .
“ The threat is not sufficient to justify not protecting its habitat , ” she said .

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared the Eastern black rail a threatened species on Wednesday, but stopped short of the stronger protections some environmentalists were seeking for the elusive bird, now imperiled by habitat destruction, sea level rise, and the increasing frequency and intensity of storms with climate change.
Nicknamed the “ feathered mouse,” the eastern black rail is about six inches long, with white-flecked dark feathers, a brown nape and brilliant red eyes. Populations have declined by more than 75% over the last 10 to 20 years, according to a wildlife service news release announcing Endangered Species Act protection.
“They are one of the front-line species dealing with the impact of sea level rise,” said Bryan Watts, a professor of conservation biology at the College of William and Mary. “That’s really the cause of their catastrophic decline.”
On the Atlantic Coast, the birds inhabit the high marsh area between tidal marsh that is flooded every day and uplands, said Watts, who has been studying the eastern black rail for about 30 years. The birds used to be found as far north as Cape Cod but now are not found above North Carolina, he said.
“They haven’t been seen in Virginia since 2017,” Watts said. “They’re winking out in the northern parts of their range quickly.”
The Center for Biological Diversity first proposed protections for the eastern black rail 10 years ago and sued the government last year over its inaction. Stephanie Kurose, an endangered species policy specialist, said they believe the bird should have been given “endangered” status to provide a higher level of protection.
“By the Fish and Wildlife Service’s own projections, the Great Plains population is likely to be gone in 15 to 25 years,” Kurose said. “The sole remaining coastal populations have a high probability of being completely extinct by 2068.”
Kurose also took issue with the decision not to designate critical habitat for the bird. The wildlife service said that doing so would make it easier for bird lovers to find eastern black rails and potentially trample their habitat. For the same reason, detailed sighting information is not available on the eBird app.
Historically, the eastern black rail is known to exist in 35 states east of the Rocky Mountains as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, Brazil, and several countries in the Caribbean and Central America, according to the FWS. While their geographic range is still relatively widespread, they are few in number.
The agency says there are an estimated 355 to 815 breeding pairs along the Atlantic Coast. Another 1,300 individuals are estimated to live in protected areas along the mid- to upper Texas coast. And there are small populations in Colorado and Kansas.
Population estimates are hard to derive because the birds are “the ultimate in secretive” among notoriously secretive marsh birds. Their elusiveness is part of what makes them a prize sighting for birders.
But the center’s Kurose said serious birders have a code of ethics and are unlikely to pose a danger.
“The threat is not sufficient to justify not protecting its habitat,” she said.
___
Follow Travis Loller on Twitter: @travisloller


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Man wanted in Georgia arrested in Arkansas detective's death

PINE BLUFF , Ark .
( AP ) - A 19-year-old man who was wanted on a murder charge in Georgia has been arrested on suspicion of capital murder in connection with the shooting death of an Arkansas police officer , authorities said .
Keshone Quantarious Smith , of Arkansas , was being held in the Jefferson County jail following Monday ’ s fatal shooting of Pine Bluff Detective Kevin Collins at an Arkansas hotel , Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter said .
A hearing was set for Wednesday to determine whether there was probable cause to hold Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hunter told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette .
Authorities have released few details about what led to Monday ’ s shooting at the Econo Lodge in Pine Buff , about 40 miles ( 65 kilometers ) southeast of Little Rock , that left a second Pine Bluff officer injured .
Police said Monday that two people were being questioned by investigators afterward but their names weren ’ t released .
Hunter said Tuesday that no one else has been arrested in the case .
Police in Georgia have said that Smith was wanted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June fatal shooting and robbery in the Atlanta suburb of Conyers .
Also Tuesday , Arkansas Gov .
Asa Hutchinson ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in Collins ’ honor .
“ Officer Collins spent his 5-year career at the Pine Bluff Police Department protecting and serving his community , ” Hutchinson said .
” He selflessly put his life on the line each day in the violent crimes unit and paid the ultimate price for the safety of others .
We are forever grateful for his service and the dedication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) - A 19-year-old man who was wanted on a murder charge in Georgia has been arrested on suspicion of capital murder in connection with the shooting death of an Arkansas police officer, authorities said.
Keshone Quantarious Smith, of Arkansas, was being held in the Jefferson County jail following Monday’s fatal shooting of Pine Bluff Detective Kevin Collins at an Arkansas hotel, Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Kyle Hunter said.
A hearing was set for Wednesday to determine whether there was probable cause to hold Smith on the charge in Collins’ death, Hunter told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Authorities have released few details about what led to Monday’s shooting at the Econo Lodge in Pine Buff, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of Little Rock, that left a second Pine Bluff officer injured. Police said Monday that two people were being questioned by investigators afterward but their names weren’t released.
Hunter said Tuesday that no one else has been arrested in the case.
Police in Georgia have said that Smith was wanted on a murder charge in connection with a June fatal shooting and robbery in the Atlanta suburb of Conyers.
Also Tuesday, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in Collins’ honor.
“Officer Collins spent his 5-year career at the Pine Bluff Police Department protecting and serving his community,” Hutchinson said. ”He selflessly put his life on the line each day in the violent crimes unit and paid the ultimate price for the safety of others. We are forever grateful for his service and the dedication of our entire law enforcement community.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Police: Car driven by family member hits, kills 2-year-old

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A 2-year-old girl was struck and killed Tuesday night by a @ @ @ @ @ family member , West Palm Beach police said .
The crash happened around 8 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ , news outlets reported .
Witnesses told investigators the family member accidentally hit the child @ @ @ @ @ child was rushed to a hospital in the same vehicle that hit her , but @ @ @ @ @ , police said The names of the child or the family member were not released @ @ @ @ @ at the scene late into the night .
There was no word on whether charges @ @ @ @

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A 2-year-old girl was struck and killed Tuesday night by a vehicle being driven by a family member, West Palm Beach police said.
The crash happened around 8 p.m. in a church parking lot, news outlets reported.
Witnesses told investigators the family member accidentally hit the child, police said.
The child was rushed to a hospital in the same vehicle that hit her, but she died from her injuries, police said
The names of the child or the family member were not released. Traffic homicide investigators remained at the scene late into the night. There was no word on whether charges will be filed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Prominent Vietnam dissident arrested on anti-state charges

HANOI , Vietnam ( AP ) - Vietnamese authorities arrested a prominent dissident and blogger on Wednesday , hours after Vietnam and the United States finished an annual human rights dialogue .
State media said Pham Doan Trang was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City and accused of “ producing , possessing and spreading documents and materials to oppose the state of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
” The state-owned Thanh Nien newspaper said the charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison .
Trang , 42 , who used to be a journalist for several state media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on topics including gender equality , human rights and democracy .
She was among several activists who were invited in 2016 to meet with then-U.S. President Barack Obama when he visited Vietnam .
She was absent at the meeting and later said on Facebook that Vietnamese security personnel prevented her from attending .
Human Rights Watch condemned Trang ’ s arrest .
“ Every day she spends behind bars is a grave injustice that violates Vietnam ’ s international human rights commitments and brings dishonor to the government , ” the group ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement .
Vietnam ’ s Communist government does not tolerate dissent .
A number of democracy activists are arrested and jailed each year .
The U.S. and Vietnam held their annual human rights dialogue in a virtual session on Tuesday .
The U.S. said the three-hour talks addressed the importance of progress in the rule of law and freedom of expression .

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - Vietnamese authorities arrested a prominent dissident and blogger on Wednesday, hours after Vietnam and the United States finished an annual human rights dialogue.
State media said Pham Doan Trang was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City and accused of “producing, possessing and spreading documents and materials to oppose the state of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
The state-owned Thanh Nien newspaper said the charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Trang, 42, who used to be a journalist for several state media outlets, is known for her outspokenness on topics including gender equality, human rights and democracy.
She was among several activists who were invited in 2016 to meet with then-U.S. President Barack Obama when he visited Vietnam. She was absent at the meeting and later said on Facebook that Vietnamese security personnel prevented her from attending.
Human Rights Watch condemned Trang’s arrest. “Every day she spends behind bars is a grave injustice that violates Vietnam’s international human rights commitments and brings dishonor to the government,” the group’s deputy Asia director, Phil Robertson, said in a statement.
Vietnam’s Communist government does not tolerate dissent. A number of democracy activists are arrested and jailed each year.
The U.S. and Vietnam held their annual human rights dialogue in a virtual session on Tuesday. The U.S. said the three-hour talks addressed the importance of progress in the rule of law and freedom of expression.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--George Floyd mural in Minneapolis defaced again

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - A large mural dedicated to George Floyd in Minneapolis has been defaced again .
Surveillance @ @ @ @ @ a man wearing a face mask over a ski mask walk up to the mural @ @ @ @ @ it about 4 a.m. Sunday , a store employee , T.J. Abumayyaleh , told the @ @ @ @ @ a Black man in handcuffs , died May 25 after a white officer pressed his @ @ @ @ @ neck as Floyd said he couldn ’ t breathe .
The mural is located near @ @ @ @ @ restrained .
Widely seen bystander video set off protests , sometimes violent , around the @ @ @ @ @ the second time that the mural has been damaged .
A former medical student at @ @ @ @ @ to the Minnesota Reformer , an online news site , that he was the person @ @ @ @ @ black spray paint in August .
The 26-year-old man claimed he was drunk at the @ @ @ @ @ city has made plans for a permanent memorial to Floyd at the site .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A large mural dedicated to George Floyd in Minneapolis has been defaced again.
Surveillance video from Cup Foods shows a man wearing a face mask over a ski mask walk up to the mural and spray red paint on it about 4 a.m. Sunday, a store employee, T.J. Abumayyaleh, told the Star Tribune.
Floyd, a Black man in handcuffs, died May 25 after a white officer pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. The mural is located near the site where Floyd was restrained. Widely seen bystander video set off protests, sometimes violent, around the world.
It’s the second time that the mural has been damaged. A former medical student at the University of Minnesota admitted to the Minnesota Reformer, an online news site, that he was the person who defaced the mural with black spray paint in August. The 26-year-old man claimed he was drunk at the time and apologized.
The city has made plans for a permanent memorial to Floyd at the site.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Man pleads guilty to robbing bank of about $700

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - A man pleaded guilty in federal court in New Hampshire to robbing a @ @ @ @ @ .
Seamus Murphy , 38 , entered the People ’ s United Bank in Derry @ @ @ @ @ a note to a teller indicating he had a gun and demanding money , according @ @ @ @ @ .
The teller gave him the money from a drawer .
Police saw Murphy running @ @ @ @ @ , where they found him and recovered the cash .
He was on federal supervised @ @ @ @ @ the robbery .
Murphy , formerly of Milford , is scheduled to be sentenced on @ @ @ @ @

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A man pleaded guilty in federal court in New Hampshire to robbing a bank of about $700.
Seamus Murphy, 38, entered the People’s United Bank in Derry on Jan. 8 and gave a note to a teller indicating he had a gun and demanding money, according to court documents and statements. The teller gave him the money from a drawer.
Police saw Murphy running to a nearby fast-food business, where they found him and recovered the cash. He was on federal supervised release at the time of the robbery.
Murphy, formerly of Milford, is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 14, 2021.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Families await freed hostages' return in Mali's capital

BAMAKO , Mali ( AP ) - Relatives and supporters on Wednesday awaited the return of a prominent Malian politician and a French aid worker released by Islamic extremists , as concerns deepened about the potential fallout from the freeing of nearly 200 extremists in an apparent exchange .
Family members of Soumaila Cisse and Sophie Petronin indicated Tuesday that they had been notified of their release , though there was no official confirmation from the Malian or French governments .
The word came just days after the freed extremists were flown to the northern town of Tessalit .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters it was an “ extremely sensitive ” issue requiring “ the greatest discretion.
” Laith Alkhouri , an intelligence specialist who researches extremism in West Africa , said the reported prisoner exchange could prove costly in Mali , where jihadists already launch frequent attacks on soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers .
“ The likelihood is that these very jihadists will ultimately engage in militant activities , ” Alkhouri said .
“ It will look good for the hostages to be released , but in the end the release of dozens and dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negatively impact the security structure.
” The reason for the timing of the hostages ’ release was not immediately clear , though there may have been health concerns for 70-year-old Cisse and 75-year-old Petronin .
Petronin ’ s nephew told France ’ s BFM-TV that she was free nearly four years after she was kidnapped while working for a charity in the northern town of Gao .
“ French authorities have not confirmed it officially but us , the family , we can be happy that she ’ s free after 1,381 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Tuesday .
Relatives flew into Mali ’ s capital , Bamako , from France in anticipation of a reunion , as crowds gathered outside the airport expecting a flight from the remote northern region of Kidal where the pair were reportedly freed .
There was no immediate confirmation on whether a ransom was paid .
Extremist groups in the Sahel have long funded their organizations through kidnappings for ransom .
A total of nine Western hostages seized from Mali , Niger and Burkina Faso are believed to remain in the hands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The al-Qaida-linked JNIM group , believed to have held Petronin and Cisse , is led by Iyad Ag Ghali , a Tuareg rebel leader once considered a key mediator in the negotiations to free European hostages held for ransom .
JNIM was officially formed in 2017 when four extremist groups joined forces : al-Qaida ’ s North Africa branch , Al Mourabitoun , Ansar Dine and the Macina Liberation Front .
JNIM-linked militants are believed to be holding at least seven of the remaining foreign hostages : Italians Pierluigi Maccalli and Nicola Ciacco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nun Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti , South African national Christo Bothma , Swiss national Beatrice Stockly and Romanian citizen Julian Ghergut .
The other two , American Jeffery Woodke and German Jorg Lange , are believed to be held by extremists linked to the rival Islamic State group .
Petronin was seized in December 2016 .
She appeared 18 months later in a video released on Telegram by JNIM alongside the Colombian nun .
In March , extremists ambushed Cisse ’ s vehicle while he and his entourage were campaigning in northern Mali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-elected to his parliament seat while in captivity .
The only proof that he was still alive was a handwritten letter delivered in August .
Negotiations for his release had appeared to stall after a military coup overthrew democratically elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita , who beat Cisse in the 2013 and 2018 elections .
While a transitional civilian government has been chosen , new elections are being organized with a 2022 deadline , providing a possible new political avenue for Cisse .
Sylvie Corbet in Paris , Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Senegal , contributed .

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) - Relatives and supporters on Wednesday anxiously awaited the return of a prominent Malian politician and a French aid worker released by Islamic extremists, after families were notified of their release.
Family members of Soumaila Cisse and Sophie Petronin still were awaiting details of a reunion in the capital, Bamako, nearly 24 hours after first hearing word of their freedom. The reason for the delay was not immediately known, though French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal told reporters it was an “extremely sensitive” situation.
Petronin’s nephew told France’s BFM-TV he had received no new information since Tuesday evening but remained upbeat: “We’re not worried, we’re calm. The latest news was that the embassy was preparing her arrival, but we don’t know the timing.”
Cisse was seized earlier this year, and Petronin in 2016.
News of their release came just days after the Malian government freed nearly 200 jailed jihadists and flew them to the northern town of Tessalit, fueling speculation of a prisoner exchange.
Even as relatives and supporters cheered news of their release, concerns began mounting about the long-term impact of such a deal.
Laith Alkhouri, an intelligence specialist who researches extremism in West Africa, said the reported prisoner exchange could prove costly in Mali, where jihadists already launch frequent attacks on soldiers and U.N. peacekeepers.
“The likelihood is that these very jihadists will ultimately engage in militant activities,” Alkhouri said. “It will look good for the hostages to be released, but in the end the release of dozens and dozens of jihadists back into the battleground will negatively impact the security structure.”
There was no immediate confirmation on whether a ransom was paid. Extremist groups in the Sahel have long funded their organizations through kidnappings. A total of nine Western hostages seized from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are believed to remain in the hands of various jihadist groups.
The al-Qaida-linked JNIM group, believed to have held Petronin and Cisse, is led by Iyad Ag Ghali, a Tuareg rebel leader once considered a key mediator in the negotiations to free European hostages held for ransom.
JNIM was officially formed in 2017 when four extremist groups joined forces: al-Qaida’s North Africa branch, Al Mourabitoun, Ansar Dine and the Macina Liberation Front.
JNIM-linked militants are believed to be holding at least seven of the remaining foreign hostages: Italians Pierluigi Maccalli and Nicola Ciacco, Australian doctor Ken Elliott, Colombian nun Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoti, South African national Christo Bothma, Swiss national Beatrice Stockly and Romanian citizen Julian Ghergut.
The other two, American Jeffery Woodke and German Jorg Lange, are believed to be held by extremists linked to the rival Islamic State group.
Petronin was seized in December 2016. She appeared 18 months later in a video released on Telegram by JNIM alongside the Colombian nun.
In March, extremists ambushed Cisse’s vehicle while he and his entourage were campaigning in northern Mali. The three-time presidential candidate was later re-elected to his parliament seat while in captivity.
The only proof that he was still alive was a handwritten letter delivered in August. Negotiations for his release had appeared to stall after a military coup overthrew democratically elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who beat Cisse in the 2013 and 2018 elections.
While a transitional civilian government has been chosen, new elections are being organized with a 2022 deadline, providing a possible new political avenue for Cisse.
“We are here today to wait for our president (Cisse), the hope of the new Mali, Soumaila Cisse,” said Ousmane Doumbia in Bamako. “All us here, we want Soumaila Cisse to come. We are sure he is alive.”
___
Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal, contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Suspect accused of throwing flaming cup of gasoline on man

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - A South Carolina man accused of throwing a flaming cup of gasoline into another man ’ s face has been charged with attempted murder , according to authorities .
Cornelius Neal Diamond , 55 , was being held in jail without bond Tuesday on the charge , the Richland County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
He was accused of lighting a cup of fuel on fire and throwing it at a 26-year-old man last month .
The sheriff ’ s office said the victim , who was not named , told deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ hold on to ” that was later stolen , The State reported .
Diamond demanded the man return the missing gun , then threatened him when he did not receive the weapon back , according to a statement from the agency that was obtained by news outlets .
Diamond later saw the man walking and again confronted him .
He threw the flaming cup of gasoline on the victim and walked away , officials said .
The man suffered second- and third-degree burns .
Diamond had a bond hearing set for Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment for him .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina man accused of throwing a flaming cup of gasoline into another man’s face has been charged with attempted murder, according to authorities.
Cornelius Neal Diamond, 55, was being held in jail without bond Tuesday on the charge, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office said.
He was accused of lighting a cup of fuel on fire and throwing it at a 26-year-old man last month. The sheriff’s office said the victim, who was not named, told deputies Diamond had given him a gun to “hold on to” that was later stolen, The State reported.
Diamond demanded the man return the missing gun, then threatened him when he did not receive the weapon back, according to a statement from the agency that was obtained by news outlets.
Diamond later saw the man walking and again confronted him. He threw the flaming cup of gasoline on the victim and walked away, officials said.
The man suffered second- and third-degree burns.
Diamond had a bond hearing set for Wednesday, according to Richland County court records. It was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment for him.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Senate Democrats target Judge Amy Coney Barrett over abortion issue

Senate Democrats are pushing the Justice Department for missing material ahead of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s confirmation hearing next week , claiming she omitted an article representing her stance against abortion .
In a letter to Attorney General William P. Barr on Tuesday , Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee said Judge Barrett omitted a 2006 open-letter that she had signed onto that criticized women ’ s reproductive freedoms and Roe v Wade , saying the landmark case that legalized abortion nationally should be overturned .
They say the letter , among other past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nominee ’ s questionnaire she filled out prior to her hearing for the Senate Judiciary Committee to review .
“ The failure to disclose the 2006 letter leads to additional questions about other potentially missing materials .
The omission also raises concerns that the process of collecting materials [ … ] like the nomination process itself , has been rushed , for no legitimate reason , ” the Democrats wrote in their letter .
The lawmakers also are alarmed that while serving as a federal appeals court judge for three years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion .
“ She would uphold the restrictions that states have imposed — in fact , more than 450 such restrictions over the past decade — on access to abortion and reproductive rights services .
There are about seventeen cases that are one step away from consideration in the Supreme Court , ranging from the 15-week abortion ban from Mississippi to waiting periods in Indiana , ” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal , Connecticut Democrat .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday the media and Senate Democrats have continued to target President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal religious beliefs as a Catholic , noting one publication criticized Judge Barrett for choosing faith-centered housing as a law student at the University of Notre Dame .
The Kentucky Republican also blasted a Democratic senator for saying the nominee , who currently sits on the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , is unfit to be a justice on the high court because she signed onto a pro-life statement as a private citizen .
“ These euphemisms fool no one .
United States senators are suggesting that Judge Barrett is too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian , to be a good judge , ” Mr. McConnell said .
“ These disgraceful attacks only reinforce why it is crucial to confirm judges like Judge Barrett who understand and respect our Constitution , including its protections for all Americans ’ religious liberty .
”

Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett came under fire Wednesday from Senate Democrats who labeled her a threat to abortion, immigration and workers’ rights.
Sound familiar?
They made similar complaints about both of President Trump’s prior Supreme Court picks, Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh, whom they accused of being anti-worker and anti-women.
The Senate’s Republican majority has lined up enough votes to confirm Judge Barrett, which is expected to happen by the end of the month. But Democrats are working feverishly to delay the process and discredit the nominee.
Stepping back from anti-women rhetoric, Democrats zeroed in on Judge Barrett’s Catholic faith as a flaw and pushed that message in the press.
The Washington Post published an article this week critical of Judge Barrett for not disclosing her membership in the religious group People of Praise. Critics described the group as advocating for traditional gender roles for men and women in households.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, wrote the Justice Department a letter accusing Judge Barrett of not disclosing a 2006 anti-abortion article that the senator claimed had an unspecified connection to the nominee.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Illinois Democrat, pointed to a 2006 newspaper ad by the St. Joseph County Right to Life organization, which Judge Barrett allegedly supported, saying it asked people “to pray to end abortion.”
Judge Barrett will have the opportunity to defend her judicial record — and her religious beliefs — during four days of confirmation hearings scheduled to begin Monday.
She spoke to several Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday by phone ahead of next week’s grilling.
“During these calls, the judge emphasized the importance of judicial independence and spoke about her judicial philosophy and family,” said White House spokesman Judd Deere.
Sen. Chris Coons, Delaware Democrat and a committee member who spoke with the nominee, said she would tilt the high court further to the right.
“I’m increasingly convinced that she’s even more conservative than Justice [Antonin] Scalia for whom she clerked on the Supreme Court and she has demonstrated a willingness to reverse long-settled precedent,” he said.
Sen. Todd Young, Indiana Republican, said Democrats were trying everything they can think of to distract from the superb legal qualifications of Judge Barrett, who also hails from Indiana.
“Judge Barrett has a strong record of applying the law as written and not legislating from the bench. As she herself has said, ‘A judge is obligated to apply the law as it is and not as she wishes it would be. She is obliged to follow the law even when her personal preferences cut the other way or when she will experience great public criticism for doing so,’” Mr. Young told The Washington Times.
Polls show the public is warming to the president’s nominee, bolstering the GOP’s push to confirm her ahead of the Nov. 3 elections.
A Morning Consult/Politico poll conducted Oct. 2 through Oct. 4 found that 46% of respondents said the Senate should confirm Judge Barrett as soon as possible. That’s up 9% since Mr. Trump officially nominated her for the high court’s vacancy last month following Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death.
Republicans have pushed back against the attacks on Judge Barrett’s religion, saying the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of faith.
“The Constitution is clear: SCOTUS nominees should never be required to pass a religious test. So why do the media & my friends on the Left continue to attack Judge Barrett’s religious faith?” tweeted Sen. Joni Ernst, a member of the Judiciary Committee.
“Judge Barrett should be evaluated on her qualifications & character, not her faith,” the Iowa Republican added. “I am committed to evaluating Judge Barrett on the basis of her qualifications & character, not her religious faith.”
Senate Democrats also have raised issues with how the judge would rule on cases involving abortion restrictions, workers’ rights and immigration.
They pointed out that in her three years on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, she twice upheld restrictions on abortion.
“She would uphold the restrictions that states have imposed — in fact, more than 450 such restrictions over the past decade — on access to abortion and reproductive rights services. There are about 17 cases that are one step away from consideration in the Supreme Court, ranging from the 15-week abortion ban from Mississippi to waiting periods in Indiana,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Democrat and a member of the Judiciary Committee.
Mrs. Feinstein said Judge Barrett’s record as an appeals court judge threatens immigration policy, noting she voted to uphold the Trump administration’s public charge rule that set tougher standards to receive a green card.
“These policies strike at the heart of our country’s immigrant heritage and would reject the welcome we’ve extended to the ‘huddled masses yearning to be free’ for centuries,” Mrs. Feinstein said.
Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sherrod Brown of Ohio took issue with Judge Barrett’s participation in a 7th Circuit ruling in which the full court ruled against a 58-year-old man who sued a company for age discrimination when he was denied a job opportunity because he had more years of experience than required. The employer, instead, hired a 29 year old.
Mr. Brown said Judge Barrett would be a “special interest judge” that “will always side with corporations over workers.”
“These cases don’t make big headlines, but they affect millions of workers’ lives,” he said.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--With 239 deaths, Iran hits its highest daily COVID-19 toll

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) - Iranian state TV said the country has hit its highest number of daily deaths from the coronavirus , with 239 new fatalities reported on Wednesday .
The report quoted the spokesperson of the country ’ s health ministry , Sima Sadat Lari , as saying that the 239 died since Tuesday .
Iran has in the past had 235 daily deaths .
The latest death toll brought the total number of fatalities to 27,658 .
The ministry spokesperson said healthcare professionals recorded 4,019 new confirmed cases since Tuesday , brining the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lari said 4,274 patients are in critical conditions and that 397,109 have recovered so far .
The Islamic Republic has been struggling with both the region ’ s largest outbreak and the highest number of fatalities in the Middle East .
Authorities have blamed the high death toll on rampant disregard of health measures by people , especially those traveling between cities and large gatherings at ceremonies , though they have closed many public places such as cafes and gyms .
Health officials said some 50 % of the fatalities have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a population of 10 million .
Iran also suffered the region ’ s first major outbreak , with top politicians , health officials and religious leaders in its Shiite theocracy stricken with the virus .
It has since struggled to contain the spread of the virus across this nation of 80 million people , initially beating it back only to see a spike in cases again , beginning in June .
The first coronavirus cases and deaths were reported in Iran on the same day in February - the Mideast ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it only saw its highest single-day spike in reported cases in June .
The highest daily death toll was reported in July .
In February , authorities for days denied the virus had reached the country , allowing the virus time to spread as the nation marked the 41st anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution with mass demonstrations and then held a parliamentary election in which authorities desperately sought to boost turnout .

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian state TV said the country has hit its highest number of daily deaths from the coronavirus, with 239 new fatalities reported on Wednesday.
The report quoted the spokesperson of the country’s health ministry, Sima Sadat Lari, as saying that the 239 died since Tuesday. Iran has in the past had 235 daily deaths.
The latest death toll brought the total number of fatalities to 27,658. The ministry spokesperson said healthcare professionals recorded 4,019 new confirmed cases since Tuesday, brining the total number of confirmed cases in Iran to 483,844.
Lari said 4,274 patients are in critical conditions and that 397,109 have recovered so far. The Islamic Republic has been struggling with both the region’s largest outbreak and the highest number of fatalities in the Middle East.
Authorities have blamed the high death toll on rampant disregard of health measures by people, especially those traveling between cities and large gatherings at ceremonies, though they have closed many public places such as cafes and gyms.
Health officials said some 50% of the fatalities have been recorded in the capital, Tehran, with a population of 10 million.
Iran also suffered the region’s first major outbreak, with top politicians, health officials and religious leaders in its Shiite theocracy stricken with the virus. It has since struggled to contain the spread of the virus across this nation of 80 million people, initially beating it back only to see a spike in cases again, beginning in June.
The first coronavirus cases and deaths were reported in Iran on the same day in February - the Mideast’s first outbreak of the virus - yet it only saw its highest single-day spike in reported cases in June. The highest daily death toll was reported in July.
In February, authorities for days denied the virus had reached the country, allowing the virus time to spread as the nation marked the 41st anniversary of its 1979 Islamic Revolution with mass demonstrations and then held a parliamentary election in which authorities desperately sought to boost turnout.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Mississippi man gets 5 years, must pay $1.65M for bank fraud

GULFPORT , Miss .
( AP ) - A Mississippi man convicted of bank fraud for inflating the cost of trucks he was buying to get extra money from lenders has been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay more than $ 1 million in restitution .
Louis Joseph Normand , Jr. , 60 , of Diamondhead , was sentenced by a federal judge on Tuesday to nearly five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release , according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi .
Normand was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in restitution .
He pleaded guilty to a criminal information charge of bank fraud in July .
Prosecutors said a local bank and private lenders had agreed to lend Normand 80 % of the purchase price for “ well over ” 100 trucks he was buying for resale .
He was accused of then creating false invoices inflating the sales price to increase the amount of the loan and decrease his down payment , prosecutors said .
He was lent nearly $ 5 million - about 130 % of the actual purchase price @

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi man convicted of bank fraud for inflating the cost of trucks he was buying to get extra money from lenders has been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution.
Louis Joseph Normand, Jr., 60, of Diamondhead, was sentenced by a federal judge on Tuesday to nearly five years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Normand was also ordered to pay $1.6 million in restitution. He pleaded guilty to a criminal information charge of bank fraud in July.
Prosecutors said a local bank and private lenders had agreed to lend Normand 80% of the purchase price for “well over” 100 trucks he was buying for resale.
He was accused of then creating false invoices inflating the sales price to increase the amount of the loan and decrease his down payment, prosecutors said. He was lent nearly $5 million - about 130% of the actual purchase price.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Stolen Mao calligraphy worth millions found cut in half

HONG KONG ( AP ) - A calligraphy scroll by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong estimated to be worth millions of dollars was cut in half after it was stolen last month in a high-profile burglary in Hong Kong , police said .
The scroll was found damaged when police arrested a 49-year-old man in late September on suspicion of handling stolen property .
The South China Morning Post , quoting an unidentified police source , reported that the scroll was cut in two by a buyer who had purchased it for 500 Hong Kong dollars ( $ 65 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterfeit .
“ According to our investigation , someone thought that the calligraphy was too long , ” Tony Ho , senior superintendent of the police Organized Crime and Triad Bureau , said at a news conference Tuesday .
“ It was difficult to show it , to display it , and that ’ s why it was cut in half.
” Police said the scroll was part of a multimillion-dollar theft by three burglars from collector Fu Chunxiao ’ s apartment in September .
Fu , who is well known for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in mainland China at the time of the burglary and has not been in Hong Kong since January because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The burglars took 24,000 Chinese postage stamps , 10 coins and seven calligraphy scrolls from Fu ’ s apartment , where he stored his collections .
Fu estimated that the Mao calligraphy was worth about $ 300 million and that the theft totaled about $ 645 million .
No independent appraisals of the collections were available .
Police have arrested three men in relation to the burglary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least two people connected to the burglary are still at large , Ho said .
Although some of the stolen items have been found , the 24,000 stamps and six other calligraphy scrolls have not been recovered , police said .

HONG KONG (AP) - A calligraphy scroll by former Chinese leader Mao Zedong estimated to be worth millions of dollars was cut in half after it was stolen last month in a high-profile burglary in Hong Kong, police said.
The scroll was found damaged when police arrested a 49-year-old man in late September on suspicion of handling stolen property. The South China Morning Post, quoting an unidentified police source, reported that the scroll was cut in two by a buyer who had purchased it for 500 Hong Kong dollars ($65) and had believed the scroll to be counterfeit.
“According to our investigation, someone thought that the calligraphy was too long,” Tony Ho, senior superintendent of the police Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, said at a news conference Tuesday. “It was difficult to show it, to display it, and that’s why it was cut in half.”
Police said the scroll was part of a multimillion-dollar theft by three burglars from collector Fu Chunxiao’s apartment in September. Fu, who is well known for his collection of stamps and revolutionary art, was in mainland China at the time of the burglary and has not been in Hong Kong since January because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The burglars took 24,000 Chinese postage stamps, 10 coins and seven calligraphy scrolls from Fu’s apartment, where he stored his collections. Fu estimated that the Mao calligraphy was worth about $300 million and that the theft totaled about $645 million. No independent appraisals of the collections were available.
Police have arrested three men in relation to the burglary and on suspicion of providing assistance to criminals. At least two people connected to the burglary are still at large, Ho said.
Although some of the stolen items have been found, the 24,000 stamps and six other calligraphy scrolls have not been recovered, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--2 guilty of supporting deadly Westgate mall attack in Kenya

NAIROBI , Kenya ( AP ) — A Kenyan court on Wednesday found two men guilty for supporting the 2013 attack on Nairobi ’ s upscale Westgate Mall that left 67 people dead .
The attack by four gunmen with the Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab was the first large-scale assault in Kenya ’ s capital .
Al-Shabab had vowed retribution on Kenya for sending troops in 2011 to fight the group in Somalia .
The magistrate said although there is no specific evidence that the two men gave material support to the attackers , constant communication with the gunmen “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The pattern of their communication betrays the fact that they may have been just friends with the attackers , ” Andayi said while reading the judgment that took three hours .
According to a police reconstruction , the gunmen split into two groups .
One went through the mall ’ s main entrance and another went through the vehicle entrance , tossing grenades and spraying bullets .
Kenya ’ s police and army were widely criticized for their response to the attack .
It took at least two hours before the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving security guards and volunteers to fend for those inside .
Lack of coordination between the military and the police led to friendly fire in which one police officer was killed .
The attackers died of smoke inhalation after the army allegedly blew up a part of the mall where they were hiding .
For survivors of the attack like security guard David Odhiambo , the two men convicted Wednesday should be hanged .
He was shot in the head , injuries that cost him his job .
“ They should be killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital where he went for tests this week .
He said hardly a month goes by without him visiting the hospital .

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A Kenyan court on Wednesday found two men guilty for supporting the 2013 attack on Nairobi’s upscale Westgate Mall that left 67 people dead.
Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi acquitted a third suspect.
The attack by four gunmen with the Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab was the first large-scale assault in Kenya’s capital. Al-Shabab had vowed retribution on Kenya for sending troops in 2011 to fight the group in Somalia.
The magistrate said although there is no specific evidence that the two men gave material support to the attackers, constant communication with the gunmen “was giving support to their endeavors.”
“The pattern of their communication betrays the fact that they may have been just friends with the attackers,” Andayi said while reading the judgment that took three hours.
According to a police reconstruction, the gunmen split into two groups. One went through the mall’s main entrance and another went through the vehicle entrance, tossing grenades and spraying bullets.
Kenya’s police and army were widely criticized for their response to the attack. It took at least two hours before the police tactical team went into the mall, leaving security guards and volunteers to fend for those inside.
Lack of coordination between the military and the police led to friendly fire in which one police officer was killed. The attackers died of smoke inhalation after the army allegedly blew up a part of the mall where they were hiding.
For survivors of the attack like security guard David Odhiambo, the two men convicted Wednesday should be hanged. He was shot in the head, injuries that cost him his job.
“They should be killed,” he said from a Nairobi hospital where he went for tests this week. He said hardly a month goes by without him visiting the hospital.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Danes summon Iran's envoy over reports of illegal divorces

COPENHAGEN , Denmark ( AP ) - Denmark on Wednesday summoned the Iranian ambassador over reports the diplomatic mission had allegedly pressured Iranian women living in the Scandinavian country to accept divorce terms drawn up by local imams .
The summons follows recent reports in Danish media about Muslim women being forced to accept divorce deals made by imams in Denmark .
A contract made by one imam said that a woman , among other things , had to accept that if she remarried , she would lose the custody of her children .
“ I take the rumors extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had contacted women living here to pressure them to have their Danish divorce papers religiously validated , ” said Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod .
“ That is also why we react as quickly and as clearly as we do , ” he added in the statement .
Kofod added that the Scandinavian country will “ in no way accept if an embassy is involved in cases that are contrary to Danish law - and contrary to our basic democratic values in Denmark.
” “ The kind of religious control that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not belong in Denmark , ” he said .

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Denmark on Wednesday summoned the Iranian ambassador over reports the diplomatic mission had allegedly pressured Iranian women living in the Scandinavian country to accept divorce terms drawn up by local imams.
The summons follows recent reports in Danish media about Muslim women being forced to accept divorce deals made by imams in Denmark. A contract made by one imam said that a woman, among other things, had to accept that if she remarried, she would lose the custody of her children.
“I take the rumors extremely seriously that the Iranian Embassy, unsolicited, had contacted women living here to pressure them to have their Danish divorce papers religiously validated,” said Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod.
“That is also why we react as quickly and as clearly as we do,” he added in the statement.
Kofod added that the Scandinavian country will “in no way accept if an embassy is involved in cases that are contrary to Danish law - and contrary to our basic democratic values in Denmark.”
“The kind of religious control that we have heard about in the media does not belong in Denmark,” he said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Russian envoy hits back at calls for Navalny investigation

THE HAGUE , Netherlands ( AP ) - Russia ’ s representative to the global chemical weapons watchdog has hit back at calls for a transparent investigation of the nerve agent poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny , saying Moscow “ doesn ’ t owe anything to anybody.
” The comments by Ambassador Alexander Shulgin to a meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons , or OPCW , were published Wednesday on the website of Russia ’ s embassy in The Hague , a day after Germany said that tests conducted at labs designated by the watchdog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack with a Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent .
Anti-corruption investigator Navalny was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on Aug. 20 during a domestic flight in Russia .
German officials said last month that labs found traces of a Novichok agent in the Russian politician ’ s system .
Navalny , who is recovering in Germany , said in comments published last week that only Russian President Vladimir Putin could have been behind the attack against him .
The Kremlin called that claim “ absolutely groundless and unacceptable.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany , the U.K. , the United States and France delivered a statement at the organization ’ s Executive Council meeting Tuesday strongly condemning the attack on Navalny .
The statement called on Russia “ to investigate and to disclose in a swift and transparent manner the circumstances of this chemical weapons attack ” and share the findings with the OPCW before its next full meeting of member states , scheduled to start on Nov. 30 .
Shulgin , however , said that “ Russia does not owe anything to anybody : neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categorically and groundlessly accuse Russia of poisoning Alexei Navalny .
We do not need to explain ourselves to them and we are not going to.
” Moscow has asked the OPCW to consider sending technical experts to Russia to “ cooperate with Russian experts on the matter , ” Shulgin said .
The organization has said it is willing to help , but needs clarification of Moscow ’ s request before sending experts .
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday night also bristled at the OPCW ’ s findings , calling them part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry said in a statement that Russia will lay out its version of events at this week ’ s meeting of the OPCW ’ s Executive Council and “ present the chronology of backstage manipulation by the main actors in this play.
” Associated Press writer Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed to this report .

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Russia’s representative to the global chemical weapons watchdog has hit back at calls for a transparent investigation of the nerve agent poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, saying Moscow “doesn’t owe anything to anybody.”
The comments by Ambassador Alexander Shulgin to a meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, or OPCW, were published Wednesday on the website of Russia’s embassy in The Hague, a day after Germany said that tests conducted at labs designated by the watchdog confirmed that Navalny was the victim of an attack with a Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent.
Anti-corruption investigator Navalny was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on Aug. 20 during a domestic flight in Russia. German officials said last month that labs found traces of a Novichok agent in the Russian politician’s system.
Navalny, who is recovering in Germany, said in comments published last week that only Russian President Vladimir Putin could have been behind the attack against him. The Kremlin called that claim “absolutely groundless and unacceptable.”
A group of 44 OPCW member states including Germany, the U.K., the United States and France delivered a statement at the organization’s Executive Council meeting Tuesday strongly condemning the attack on Navalny.
The statement called on Russia “to investigate and to disclose in a swift and transparent manner the circumstances of this chemical weapons attack” and share the findings with the OPCW before its next full meeting of member states, scheduled to start on Nov. 30.
Shulgin, however, said that “Russia does not owe anything to anybody: neither to Germany nor to other countries that categorically and groundlessly accuse Russia of poisoning Alexei Navalny. We do not need to explain ourselves to them and we are not going to.”
Moscow has asked the OPCW to consider sending technical experts to Russia to “ cooperate with Russian experts on the matter,” Shulgin said. The organization has said it is willing to help, but needs clarification of Moscow’s request before sending experts.
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday night also bristled at the OPCW’s findings, calling them part of a “conspiracy scenario.”
The ministry said in a statement that Russia will lay out its version of events at this week’s meeting of the OPCW’s Executive Council and “present the chronology of backstage manipulation by the main actors in this play.”
___
Associated Press writer Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--2 killed in collision between motorcycle, pickup truck

JANESVILLE , Wis. ( AP ) - Two people have died in a collision between a motorcycle and pick-up truck @ @ @ @ @ to sheriff ’ s officials .
Authorities said the crash happened about 6 p.m. Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ back of the pickup as it was attempted to make a turn off Highway 104 @ @ @ @ @ 67-year-old Janesville man and a 57-year-old Beloit woman were killed .
Both died at the @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s office .
Authorities said they weren ’ t wearing helmets .

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) - Two people have died in a collision between a motorcycle and pick-up truck in Rock County, according to sheriff’s officials.
Authorities said the crash happened about 6 p.m. Tuesday when the motorcycle struck the back of the pickup as it was attempted to make a turn off Highway 104 in Magnolia Township.
A 67-year-old Janesville man and a 57-year-old Beloit woman were killed. Both died at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities said they weren’t wearing helmets.
The pickup driver wasn’t hurt.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Iranian state TV says the country has hit a record number of daily deaths from the coronavirus, with

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) - Iranian state TV says the country has hit a record number of daily @ @ @ @ @ with 239 new fatalities .

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian state TV says the country has hit a record number of daily deaths from the coronavirus, with 239 new fatalities.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Armenia, Azerbaijan continue fighting as EU calls for calm

YEREVAN , Armenia ( AP ) - The fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh continued Wednesday morning , with Armenian officials saying the territory ’ s capital came under attack again and the European Union calling for cessation of hostilities .
Clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in the region since Sept. 27 has killed hundreds in the worst escalation of hostilities since 1994 when a truce ended a war that raged for several years .
Nagorno-Karabakh lies inside Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry spokesman Artsrun Ovannisian said Wednesday that Stepanakert , the capital of Nagorno-Karabkh , was being targeted once again by Azerbaijan along with other settlements .
Nagorno-Karabakh officials said that non-military facilities in Stepanakert have been hit with missiles and drones .
Russian state RIA Novosti news agency reported Wednesday that some of the overnight shelling has hit people ’ s houses , causing significant damage .
Stepanakert has been under intense attacks in recent days .
Local residents have been gathering in shelters to escape the violence .
Azerbaijan has rejected claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hikmet Hajiyev , aide to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev , said in an interview earlier this week that Azerbaijani forces only targeted military objects in and around Stepanakert , acknowledging , however , that “ some collateral damage ” was possible .
The fighting in the region - involving heavy artillery , warplanes and drones - has continued despite numerous international calls for a cease-fire .
Both sides have accused each other of expanding the hostilities beyond Nagorno-Karabakh and of targeting civilians .
The EU expressed concern Wednesday about the flare-up of violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports of attacks on populated areas which is taking a deadly toll on civilians .
We strongly urge the sides to fully observe their international obligations to protect civilian populations , ” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told members of the European Parliament .
Borrell told the lawmakers that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has no observers on the ground and so the EU can ’ t rely on much of the information being spread about the way the conflict is developing .
“ What we observe is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at mobilizing domestic audiences in both countries and could be used to pull regional actors into the conflict , ” he said .
“ Media reports need therefore to be examined with great precaution.
” Borrell said that he had discussed the conflict with the foreign ministers of both countries , and with those of Russia and Turkey , the main regional players closest to the conflict .
Turkey has publicly backed Azerbaijan in the conflict and said it was ready to provide military assistance , should Azerbaijan request it .
Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has a military base there .
It also co-chairs the Minsk Group under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , set up to mediate the conflict .
Moscow has repeatedly called for a cease-fire and peace talks .
“ It is important that regional actors refrain from any activity or rhetoric that could inflame things even further , ” Borrell said .
Associated Press writers Daria Litvinova in Moscow , and Lorne Cook in Brussels , contributed to this report .

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - The fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh continued Wednesday morning, with Armenian officials saying the territory’s capital came under attack again and the European Union calling for cessation of hostilities.
Clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces in the region since Sept. 27 has killed hundreds in the worst escalation of hostilities since 1994 when a truce ended a war that raged for several years. Nagorno-Karabakh lies inside Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia for more than a quarter-century.
Armenian Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Ovannisian said Wednesday that Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabkh, was being targeted once again by Azerbaijan along with other settlements. Nagorno-Karabakh officials said that non-military facilities in Stepanakert have been hit with missiles and drones.
Russian state RIA Novosti news agency reported Wednesday that some of the overnight shelling has hit people’s houses, causing significant damage.
Stepanakert has been under intense attacks in recent days. Local residents have been gathering in shelters to escape the violence.
Azerbaijan has rejected claims of targeting civilian infrastructure in Stepanakert. Hikmet Hajiyev, aide to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, said in an interview earlier this week that Azerbaijani forces only targeted military objects in and around Stepanakert, acknowledging, however, that “some collateral damage” was possible.
The fighting in the region - involving heavy artillery, warplanes and drones - has continued despite numerous international calls for a cease-fire. Both sides have accused each other of expanding the hostilities beyond Nagorno-Karabakh and of targeting civilians.
The EU expressed concern Wednesday about the flare-up of violence.
“We have seen extremely worrying reports of attacks on populated areas which is taking a deadly toll on civilians. We strongly urge the sides to fully observe their international obligations to protect civilian populations,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told members of the European Parliament.
Borrell told the lawmakers that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has no observers on the ground and so the EU can’t rely on much of the information being spread about the way the conflict is developing.
“What we observe is an increasing amount of disinformation which is aimed at mobilizing domestic audiences in both countries and could be used to pull regional actors into the conflict,” he said. “Media reports need therefore to be examined with great precaution.”
Borrell said that he had discussed the conflict with the foreign ministers of both countries, and with those of Russia and Turkey, the main regional players closest to the conflict. Turkey has publicly backed Azerbaijan in the conflict and said it was ready to provide military assistance, should Azerbaijan request it.
Russia is Armenia’s main ally and sponsor and has a military base there. It also co-chairs the Minsk Group under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, set up to mediate the conflict. Moscow has repeatedly called for a cease-fire and peace talks.
“It is important that regional actors refrain from any activity or rhetoric that could inflame things even further,” Borrell said.
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Associated Press writers Daria Litvinova in Moscow, and Lorne Cook in Brussels, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--UN 'outraged' by attack on food aid convoy in South Sudan

JOHANNESBURG ( AP ) - The U.N. World Food Program says it is “ outraged ” by an attack on a convoy carrying food aid in South Sudan that left one crew member missing and three with gunshot wounds .
A statement says the attack occurred Monday as the WFP convoy of boats was carrying food aid to Melut and Malakal in the north to assist hundreds of thousands of people displaced by recent flooding .
The missing crew member is presumed dead , the WFP statement says .
It does not give details about the attackers .
Country director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold those responsible for “ this unspeakable violence.
” South Sudan remains one of the world ’ s most dangerous places for humanitarian workers and one of the most precarious nations .
Two years after the end of a civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people , roughly half the population is hungry .
The U.N. has warned that South Sudan is one of a handful of countries facing potential famine .
The U.N. and other aid organizations have repeatedly called on South Sudanese authorities to make it safer and easier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence continues , and a peace deal signed two years ago faces delays in implementation .

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The U.N. World Food Program says it is “outraged” by an attack on a convoy carrying food aid in South Sudan that left one crew member missing and three with gunshot wounds.
A statement says the attack occurred Monday as the WFP convoy of boats was carrying food aid to Melut and Malakal in the north to assist hundreds of thousands of people displaced by recent flooding.
The missing crew member is presumed dead, the WFP statement says. It does not give details about the attackers. Country director Matthew Hollingworth called on South Sudanese authorities to hold those responsible for “this unspeakable violence.”
South Sudan remains one of the world’s most dangerous places for humanitarian workers and one of the most precarious nations. Two years after the end of a civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, roughly half the population is hungry.
The U.N. has warned that South Sudan is one of a handful of countries facing potential famine.
The U.N. and other aid organizations have repeatedly called on South Sudanese authorities to make it safer and easier to move around the country. Deadly intercommunal violence continues, and a peace deal signed two years ago faces delays in implementation.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Prince William and Kate welcome Ukraine president at palace

LONDON ( AP ) - London ’ s Buckingham Palace held its first royal event in more than six months @ @ @ @ @ and his wife Kate welcomed Ukraine ’ s president and his wife .
The Duke @ @ @ @ @ Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife Olena in a brief meeting at the palace ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Queen Elizabeth II .
The two couples did not wear masks but they did not @ @ @ @ @ social distancing while conversing from two ornate couches .
Buckingham Palace , the queen ’ @ @ @ @ @ the monarchy ’ s administrative hub , has not been used for a royal event @ @ @ @ @ lockdown was announced .
Its State Rooms are usually open to the public during the @ @ @ @ @ remained closed along with other royal attractions .
Zelenskiy and his wife are on a @ @ @ @ @ to meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab later .

LONDON (AP) - London’s Buckingham Palace held its first royal event in more than six months on Wednesday as Prince William and his wife Kate welcomed Ukraine’s president and his wife.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge greeted Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife Olena in a brief meeting at the palace’s Throne Room on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. The two couples did not wear masks but they did not shake hands, and observed social distancing while conversing from two ornate couches.
Buckingham Palace, the queen’s central London residence and the monarchy’s administrative hub, has not been used for a royal event since March when the coronavirus lockdown was announced. Its State Rooms are usually open to the public during the summer, but they have remained closed along with other royal attractions.
Zelenskiy and his wife are on a two-day visit and are expected to meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab later.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Vandals strike lighthouse on North Carolina's Outer Banks

OCRACOKE , N.C. ( AP ) - Park rangers with the Cape Hatteras National Seashore say they are investigating vandalism @ @ @ @ @ in North Carolina .
The Virginian Pilot reports that rangers discovered damage to the Ocracoke @ @ @ @ @ wooden ventilation slat was missing from the door .
A wire screen on the door @ @ @ @ @ Rangers said they discovered more damage the next day .
It included several damaged windows @ @ @ @ @ quarters , the lighthouse and in outbuildings .
The lighthouse on North Carolina ’ s @ @ @ @ @ 1823 .
And it is on the National Register of Historic Places .
The structure @ @ @ @ @ thousands annually .
Ocracoke is an island that is reachable only by plane or boat @ @ @ @ @ popular tourist destination .

OCRACOKE, N.C. (AP) - Park rangers with the Cape Hatteras National Seashore say they are investigating vandalism to the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina.
The Virginian Pilot reports that rangers discovered damage to the Ocracoke Lighthouse on Sunday.
A wooden ventilation slat was missing from the door. A wire screen on the door had also been detached. Rangers said they discovered more damage the next day. It included several damaged windows in the keeper’s quarters, the lighthouse and in outbuildings.
The lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks was completed in 1823. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is visited by thousands each year.
A popular tourist destination, Ocracoke is an island that is reachable only by planes and boats.


washingtontimes--2020-10-07--Support system made available to teachers during pandemic

AUGUSTA , Maine ( AP ) - A support service for front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic is being expanded @ @ @ @ @ staff experiencing emotional distress in Maine .
The state ’ s FrontLine WarmLine is staffed @ @ @ @ @ psychiatrists , psychologists , clinical counselors , social workers and nurse practitioners .
The staff @ @ @ @ @ retired teachers and educators .
“ When you can take care of yourself and be @ @ @ @ @ this chaos and really scary time than they can better serve the students , ” @ @ @ @ @ the Maine Department of Education .
The service originally launched in April to help front-line @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The volunteers can help with anxiety and grief , and can connect people @ @ @ @ @ and school staff are encouraged to call the Maine FrontLine WarmLine at ( 207 ) @ @ @ @ @ .

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A support service for front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic is being expanded to help teachers and school staff experiencing emotional distress in Maine.
The state’s FrontLine WarmLine is staffed by volunteer professionals including licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical counselors, social workers and nurse practitioners. The staff has been expanded to include retired teachers and educators.
“When you can take care of yourself and be strong in the midst of this chaos and really scary time than they can better serve the students,” Kelli Deveaux, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Education.
The service originally launched in April to help front-line health workers struggling with the pandemic. The volunteers can help with anxiety and grief, and can connect people with additional support.
Educators and school staff are encouraged to call the Maine FrontLine WarmLine at (207) 221-8196 or by texting 898-211.