washingtontimes--2020-12-09--US Attorney for Middle District of Georgia to resign Friday

MACON , Ga. ( AP ) - The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced Wednesday that he @ @ @ @ @ the post , according to a statement from the top prosecutor .
Charles E. “ @ @ @ @ @ , is set to leave office Friday , the statement said .
Peeler was appointed @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump in 2017 .
He was in charge of federal cases across 70 of @ @ @ @ @ .
Peeler said he would be returning to private practice with an Atlanta firm .
@ @ @ @ @ partner of an Albany law firm .
“ I am deeply grateful for the opportunity @ @ @ @ @ talented men and women in the United States Attorney ’ s Office and our brave @ @ @ @ @ and local law enforcement to protect our citizens , ” Peeler said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ said that Peeler helped cracked down on gang violence “ and made incredible progress ” @ @ @ @ @ trafficking in Georgia during his term .

MACON, Ga. (AP) - The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced Wednesday that he plans to step down from the post, according to a statement from the top prosecutor.
Charles E. “Charlie” Peeler, 47, is set to leave office Friday, the statement said. Peeler was appointed to the position by President Donald Trump in 2017.
He was in charge of federal cases across 70 of Georgia’s 159 counties.
Peeler said he would be returning to private practice with an Atlanta firm. He was previously the founding partner of an Albany law firm.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the talented men and women in the United States Attorney’s Office and our brave and dedicated federal, state and local law enforcement to protect our citizens,” Peeler said in a statement.
Gov. Brian Kemp said that Peeler helped cracked down on gang violence “and made incredible progress” in the fight against human trafficking in Georgia during his term.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--UN chief warns `vaccine nationalism' is moving at full speed

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that “ vaccine nationalism ” is moving “ at full speed , ” leaving poor people around the globe watching preparations for inoculations against the coronavirus in some rich nations and wondering if and when they will be vaccinated .
The U.N. chief reiterated his call for vaccines to be treated as “ a global public good , ” available to everyone , everywhere on the planet , especially in Africa .
And he appealed for $ 4.2 billion in the next two months for the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project to buy and deliver coronavirus vaccines for the world ’ s poorest people .
After a virtual U.N. meeting with the African Union , Guterres said at news conference that financing COVAX is the only way to guarantee vaccines will be available in Africa and other developing areas .
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a high-level U.N. General Assembly meeting last week on COVID-19 that “ the light at the end of the tunnel is growing steadily brighter ” to end the pandemic .
But , he added , vaccines “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods , not as private commodities that widen inequalities and become yet another reason some people are left behind.
” Tedros said WHO ’ s cash-strapped ACT-Accelerator program to quickly develop and distribute vaccines fairly , which includes the COVAX project , “ is in danger of becoming no more than a noble gesture ” without major new funding .
COVAX will require an additional $ 23.9 billion for 2021 , he said , stressing that the $ 28 billion total is less than one-half of 1 percent of the $ 11 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Group of 20 , the world ’ s richest countries..
The United Kingdom and Russia have already started vaccinating people against the coronavirus .
In the United States , the Pfizer vaccine could get a green light for emergency use in the coming days and the Moderna vaccine in the coming weeks .
Canada announced approval of the Pfizer vaccine Wednesday , Guterres said Africa ’ s 54 nations have registered more than 2.2 million cases of coronavirus infections and over 53,000 deaths from COVID-19 .
“ There is real hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health measures - will help to overcome the pandemic , ” he said .
But to end it , he added , vaccines must be available to all and “ most African countries lack the financing to adequately respond to the crisis , due in part to declining demand and prices of their commodity exports.
” The director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , John Nkengasong , said in late November that vaccinations against the coronavirus on the continent might not start until the second quarter of next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is neglected when drugs are available ” in the past , he told reporters .
Guterres said Wednesday when asked about Nkengasong ’ s assessment : “ It is my hope that we ’ ll be able to do it before the second quarter , but it is true that what we ’ re seeing today is an enormous effort by several countries in order to ensure vaccines for their own populations.
” “ It ’ s true we are seeing vaccination nationalism moving at full speed , ” the U.N. chief said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported , we will not be able to fight the pandemic , ” he said .
“ There are several vaccines in the pipeline for COVAX , and it is perfectly possible to deliver if the financing is guaranteed .
”

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that “vaccine nationalism” is moving “at full speed,” leaving poor people around the globe watching preparations for inoculations against the coronavirus in some rich nations and wondering if and when they will be vaccinated.
The U.N. chief reiterated his call for vaccines to be treated as “a global public good,” available to everyone, everywhere on the planet, especially in Africa. And he appealed for $4.2 billion in the next two months for the World Health Organization’s COVAX program, an ambitious project to buy and deliver coronavirus vaccines for the world’s poorest people.
After a virtual U.N. meeting with the African Union, Guterres said at news conference that financing COVAX is the only way to guarantee vaccines will be available in Africa and other developing areas.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a high-level U.N. General Assembly meeting last week on COVID-19 that “the light at the end of the tunnel is growing steadily brighter” to end the pandemic. But, he added, vaccines “must be shared equally as global public goods, not as private commodities that widen inequalities and become yet another reason some people are left behind.”
Tedros said WHO’s cash-strapped ACT-Accelerator program to quickly develop and distribute vaccines fairly, which includes the COVAX project, “is in danger of becoming no more than a noble gesture” without major new funding. COVAX will require an additional $23.9 billion for 2021, he said, stressing that the $28 billion total is less than one-half of 1 percent of the $11 trillion in stimulus packages announced so far by the Group of 20, the world’s richest countries..
The United Kingdom and Russia have already started vaccinating people against the coronavirus. In the United States, the Pfizer vaccine could get a green light for emergency use in the coming days and the Moderna vaccine in the coming weeks. Canada announced approval of the Pfizer vaccine Wednesday,
Guterres said Africa’s 54 nations have registered more than 2.2 million cases of coronavirus infections and over 53,000 deaths from COVID-19.
“There is real hope that vaccines - in combination with other public health measures - will help to overcome the pandemic,” he said.
But to end it, he added, vaccines must be available to all and “most African countries lack the financing to adequately respond to the crisis, due in part to declining demand and prices of their commodity exports.”
The director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, John Nkengasong, said in late November that vaccinations against the coronavirus on the continent might not start until the second quarter of next year. “I have seen how Africa is neglected when drugs are available” in the past, he told reporters.
Guterres said Wednesday when asked about Nkengasong’s assessment: “It is my hope that we’ll be able to do it before the second quarter, but it is true that what we’re seeing today is an enormous effort by several countries in order to ensure vaccines for their own populations.”
“It’s true we are seeing vaccination nationalism moving at full speed,” the U.N. chief said.
“If Africa is not properly supported, we will not be able to fight the pandemic,” he said. “There are several vaccines in the pipeline for COVAX, and it is perfectly possible to deliver if the financing is guaranteed.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Gavin Newsom companies got $3 million in coronavirus relief loans

SACRAMENTO , Calif. — Companies affiliated with California Gov .
Gavin Newsom received nearly $ 3 million in federal loans created to help small businesses survive the pandemic , more than eight times the amount originally reported , according to newly released information from the U.S. government .
Nine businesses tied to Newsom ’ s PlumpJack Group split the nearly $ 2.9 million in loans through the Small Business Administration ‘ s Paycheck Protection Program , according to new figures released last week .
The governor put his business holdings into a blind trust before he took office last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision to obtain the loans .
It was a surprisingly large loan , said Project On Government Oversight senior policy analyst Sean Moulton .
The nonpartisan independent watchdog is tracking $ 1.6 trillion in overall pandemic relief spending , with the Paycheck Protection Program the largest single program .
“ It seems to be a small business but it got a lot of money .
I ’ m not sure how the company justifies taking that much money when there were a lot of companies looking to get assistance , ” Moulton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re using it wisely because there ’ s an opportunity cost there - that money didn ’ t get used for another small business that may be out of business now.
” He said Newsom “ certainly runs the risk of encountering some public perception problems ” over the loans .
That is not something the governor needs now .
He already faces criticism for sending his children to private schools for classroom learning as most public schools remain shuttered and for dining in violation of his own rules with 10 lobbyists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Napa in early November .
PlumpJack spokesman Jeff Nead said the money was for 358 employees spread across all the affiliated businesses .
Like many businesses imperiled by the pandemic , the companies used the money “ to protect our workers and keep them employed.
” He said the group is operating within federal guidelines and the funds “ have been critical in keeping our staff employed and continuing our operations.
” One PlumpJack company , Villa Encinal Partners Limited Partnership , received the largest loan , $ 918,720 , yet lists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be forgiven , the partnership must have spent 60 % of the money on three months ’ worth of wages , which pencils out to annual salaries approaching $ 160,000 per employee .
Dividing 60 % of the total among 358 employees brings a much smaller $ 4,800 per employee .
A second company received $ 680,000 and another more than $ 500,000 .
The tally was first reported by ABC7 News in San Francisco .
It ’ s not clear if the company or its affiliates will seek to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much on salaries , or if they overstretched on their loan applications in the frantic early months of the program , Moulton said , in part because federal reporting requirements are so lax .
“ The larger loans , I ’ ve always struggled to figure out how they fit into the overall idea behind the Paycheck Protection Program , ” he said .
“ It was all supposed to be about small businesses , it was supposed to be about keeping people employed , keeping their paychecks coming , and yet we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars.
” Newsom has been criticized by many in the business community for his aggressive shutdown orders .
He in turn repeatedly has said he is a proud small businessman and entrepreneur and understands the hopes and dreams tied to business ownership and the anger over having the government restrict or forbid operations .
Newsom developed PlumpJack after he helped found it as a wine and spirits shop in San Francisco in 1992 .
“ Before taking office , the Governor transferred title and control of the businesses he founded to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond anything required by law , ” Jesse Melgar , Newsom ‘ s communications director , wrote without elaborating .
An Associated Press review of the SBA ‘ s initial loan data in July found the governors of at least eight states and both political parties were among political leaders who had ties to companies that received loans through the program .
PlumpJack Management Group LLC , Newsom ‘ s winery and hospitality company , then reported receiving a loan worth $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 , and reported retaining 14 jobs thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a portfolio of brands that include a resort hotel at the Squaw Valley ski resort , five restaurants and bars , four Napa Valley wineries , a sports retailer and more .
Private banks administered the loans to speed their distribution , which raises its own questions , he said .
“ An organization in part founded by the governor , they might be given special preferential treatment - not because the governor asked for it , but because of all the connections that exist , ” Moulton said .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to proposals in Congress to simply forgive the loans , no matter how they were used .
“ This is a useful case to focus on because of some of the high-profile people involved , but I think this is playing out a thousand-fold across the country , ” Moulton said .
“ There are a lot of companies that got money that if you look close enough at it may not make sense with the employment that they have .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Companies affiliated with California Gov. Gavin Newsom received nearly $3 million in federal loans created to help small businesses survive the pandemic, more than eight times the amount originally reported, according to newly released information from the U.S. government.
Nine businesses tied to Newsom’s PlumpJack Group split the nearly $2.9 million in loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, according to new figures released last week. The governor put his business holdings into a blind trust before he took office last year and so would not have participated in the decision to obtain the loans.
It was a surprisingly large loan, said Project On Government Oversight senior policy analyst Sean Moulton. The nonpartisan independent watchdog is tracking $1.6 trillion in overall pandemic relief spending, with the Paycheck Protection Program the largest single program.
“It seems to be a small business but it got a lot of money. I’m not sure how the company justifies taking that much money when there were a lot of companies looking to get assistance,” Moulton said. “You hope they’re using it wisely because there’s an opportunity cost there - that money didn’t get used for another small business that may be out of business now.”
He said Newsom “certainly runs the risk of encountering some public perception problems” over the loans.
That is not something the governor needs now. He already faces criticism for sending his children to private schools for classroom learning as most public schools remain shuttered and for dining in violation of his own rules with 10 lobbyists and others at the pricey French Laundry restaurant in Napa in early November.
PlumpJack spokesman Jeff Nead said the money was for 358 employees spread across all the affiliated businesses.
Like many businesses imperiled by the pandemic, the companies used the money “to protect our workers and keep them employed.” He said the group is operating within federal guidelines and the funds “have been critical in keeping our staff employed and continuing our operations.”
One PlumpJack company, Villa Encinal Partners Limited Partnership, received the largest loan, $918,720, yet lists just 14 employees. For the loan to be forgiven, the partnership must have spent 60% of the money on three months’ worth of wages, which pencils out to annual salaries approaching $160,000 per employee.
Dividing 60% of the total among 358 employees brings a much smaller $4,800 per employee.
A second company received $680,000 and another more than $500,000. The tally was first reported by ABC7 News in San Francisco.
It’s not clear if the company or its affiliates will seek to have the loan forgiven, if they spent that much on salaries, or if they overstretched on their loan applications in the frantic early months of the program, Moulton said, in part because federal reporting requirements are so lax.
“The larger loans, I’ve always struggled to figure out how they fit into the overall idea behind the Paycheck Protection Program,” he said. “It was all supposed to be about small businesses, it was supposed to be about keeping people employed, keeping their paychecks coming, and yet we were giving out these millions and millions of dollars.”
Newsom has been criticized by many in the business community for his aggressive shutdown orders. He in turn repeatedly has said he is a proud small businessman and entrepreneur and understands the hopes and dreams tied to business ownership and the anger over having the government restrict or forbid operations.
Newsom developed PlumpJack after he helped found it as a wine and spirits shop in San Francisco in 1992.
“Before taking office, the Governor transferred title and control of the businesses he founded to a blind trust, a step that goes beyond anything required by law,” Jesse Melgar, Newsom’s communications director, wrote without elaborating.
An Associated Press review of the SBA’s initial loan data in July found the governors of at least eight states and both political parties were among political leaders who had ties to companies that received loans through the program.
PlumpJack Management Group LLC, Newsom’s winery and hospitality company, then reported receiving a loan worth $150,000 to $350,000, and reported retaining 14 jobs thanks to the loan. The company is part of a portfolio of brands that include a resort hotel at the Squaw Valley ski resort, five restaurants and bars, four Napa Valley wineries, a sports retailer and more.
Private banks administered the loans to speed their distribution, which raises its own questions, he said.
“An organization in part founded by the governor, they might be given special preferential treatment - not because the governor asked for it, but because of all the connections that exist,” Moulton said.
That’s in part why he objects to proposals in Congress to simply forgive the loans, no matter how they were used.
“This is a useful case to focus on because of some of the high-profile people involved, but I think this is playing out a thousand-fold across the country,” Moulton said. “There are a lot of companies that got money that if you look close enough at it may not make sense with the employment that they have.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Calif. governor's companies got $3 million in relief loans

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Companies affiliated with California Gov .
Gavin Newsom received nearly $ 3 million in federal loans created to help small businesses survive the pandemic , more than eight times the amount originally reported , according to newly released information from the U.S. government .
Nine businesses tied to Newsom ’ s PlumpJack Group split the nearly $ 2.9 million in loans through the Small Business Administration ’ s Paycheck Protection Program , according to new figures released last week .
The governor put his business holdings into a blind trust before he took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have participated in the decision to obtain the loans .
It was a surprisingly large loan , said Project On Government Oversight senior policy analyst Sean Moulton .
The nonpartisan independent watchdog is tracking $ 1.6 trillion in overall pandemic relief spending , with the Paycheck Protection Program the largest single program .
“ It seems to be a small business but it got a lot of money .
I ’ m not sure how the company justifies taking that much money when there were a lot of companies looking to get assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope they ’ re using it wisely because there ’ s an opportunity cost there - that money didn ’ t get used for another small business that may be out of business now.
” He said Newsom “ certainly runs the risk of encountering some public perception problems ” over the loans .
That is not something the governor needs now .
He already faces criticism for sending his children to private schools for classroom learning as most public schools remain shuttered and for dining in violation of his own rules with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French Laundry restaurant in Napa in early November .
PlumpJack spokesman Jeff Nead said the money was for 358 employees spread across all the affiliated businesses .
Like many businesses imperiled by the pandemic , the companies used the money “ to protect our workers and keep them employed.
” He said the group is operating within federal guidelines and the funds “ have been critical in keeping our staff employed and continuing our operations.
” One PlumpJack company , Villa Encinal Partners Limited Partnership , received the largest loan , $ 918,720 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the loan to be forgiven , the partnership must have spent 60 % of the money on three months ’ worth of wages , which pencils out to annual salaries approaching $ 160,000 per employee .
Dividing 60 % of the total among 358 employees brings a much smaller $ 4,800 per employee .
A second company received $ 680,000 and another more than $ 500,000 .
The tally was first reported by ABC7 News in San Francisco .
It ’ s not clear if the company or its affiliates will seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they spent that much on salaries , or if they overstretched on their loan applications in the frantic early months of the program , Moulton said , in part because federal reporting requirements are so lax .
“ The larger loans , I ’ ve always struggled to figure out how they fit into the overall idea behind the Paycheck Protection Program , ” he said .
“ It was all supposed to be about small businesses , it was supposed to be about keeping people employed , keeping their paychecks coming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions and millions of dollars.
” Newsom has been criticized by many in the business community for his aggressive shutdown orders .
He in turn repeatedly has said he is a proud small businessman and entrepreneur and understands the hopes and dreams tied to business ownership and the anger over having the government restrict or forbid operations .
Newsom developed PlumpJack after he helped found it as a wine and spirits shop in San Francisco in 1992 .
“ Before taking office , the Governor transferred title and control of the businesses he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step that goes beyond anything required by law , ” Jesse Melgar , Newsom ‘ s communications director , wrote without elaborating .
An Associated Press review of the SBA ‘ s initial loan data in July found the governors of at least eight states and both political parties were among political leaders who had ties to companies that received loans through the program .
PlumpJack Management Group LLC , Newsom ’ s winery and hospitality company , then reported receiving a loan worth $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 , and reported retaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company is part of a portfolio of brands that include a resort hotel at the Squaw Valley ski resort , five restaurants and bars , four Napa Valley wineries , a sports retailer and more .
Private banks administered the loans to speed their distribution , which raises its own questions , he said .
“ An organization in part founded by the governor , they might be given special preferential treatment - not because the governor asked for it , but because of all the connections that exist , ” Moulton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why he objects to proposals in Congress to simply forgive the loans , no matter how they were used .
“ This is a useful case to focus on because of some of the high-profile people involved , but I think this is playing out a thousand-fold across the country , ” Moulton said .
“ There are a lot of companies that got money that if you look close enough at it may not make sense with the employment that they have .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Companies affiliated with California Gov. Gavin Newsom received nearly $3 million in federal loans created to help small businesses survive the pandemic, more than eight times the amount originally reported, according to newly released information from the U.S. government.
Nine businesses tied to Newsom’s PlumpJack Group split the nearly $2.9 million in loans through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, according to new figures released last week. The governor put his business holdings into a blind trust before he took office last year and so would not have participated in the decision to obtain the loans.
It was a surprisingly large loan, said Project On Government Oversight senior policy analyst Sean Moulton. The nonpartisan independent watchdog is tracking $1.6 trillion in overall pandemic relief spending, with the Paycheck Protection Program the largest single program.
“It seems to be a small business but it got a lot of money. I’m not sure how the company justifies taking that much money when there were a lot of companies looking to get assistance,” Moulton said. “You hope they’re using it wisely because there’s an opportunity cost there - that money didn’t get used for another small business that may be out of business now.”
He said Newsom “certainly runs the risk of encountering some public perception problems” over the loans.
That is not something the governor needs now. He already faces criticism for sending his children to private schools for classroom learning as most public schools remain shuttered and for dining in violation of his own rules with 10 lobbyists and others at the pricey French Laundry restaurant in Napa in early November.
PlumpJack spokesman Jeff Nead said the money was for 358 employees spread across all the affiliated businesses.
Like many businesses imperiled by the pandemic, the companies used the money “to protect our workers and keep them employed.” He said the group is operating within federal guidelines and the funds “have been critical in keeping our staff employed and continuing our operations.”
One PlumpJack company, Villa Encinal Partners Limited Partnership, received the largest loan, $918,720, yet lists just 14 employees. For the loan to be forgiven, the partnership must have spent 60% of the money on three months’ worth of wages, which pencils out to annual salaries approaching $160,000 per employee.
Dividing 60% of the total among 358 employees brings a much smaller $4,800 per employee.
A second company received $680,000 and another more than $500,000. The tally was first reported by ABC7 News in San Francisco.
It’s not clear if the company or its affiliates will seek to have the loan forgiven, if they spent that much on salaries, or if they overstretched on their loan applications in the frantic early months of the program, Moulton said, in part because federal reporting requirements are so lax.
“The larger loans, I’ve always struggled to figure out how they fit into the overall idea behind the Paycheck Protection Program,” he said. “It was all supposed to be about small businesses, it was supposed to be about keeping people employed, keeping their paychecks coming, and yet we were giving out these millions and millions of dollars.”
Newsom has been criticized by many in the business community for his aggressive shutdown orders. He in turn repeatedly has said he is a proud small businessman and entrepreneur and understands the hopes and dreams tied to business ownership and the anger over having the government restrict or forbid operations.
Newsom developed PlumpJack after he helped found it as a wine and spirits shop in San Francisco in 1992.
“Before taking office, the Governor transferred title and control of the businesses he founded to a blind trust, a step that goes beyond anything required by law,” Jesse Melgar, Newsom’s communications director, wrote without elaborating.
An Associated Press review of the SBA’s initial loan data in July found the governors of at least eight states and both political parties were among political leaders who had ties to companies that received loans through the program.
PlumpJack Management Group LLC, Newsom’s winery and hospitality company, then reported receiving a loan worth $150,000 to $350,000, and reported retaining 14 jobs thanks to the loan. The company is part of a portfolio of brands that include a resort hotel at the Squaw Valley ski resort, five restaurants and bars, four Napa Valley wineries, a sports retailer and more.
Private banks administered the loans to speed their distribution, which raises its own questions, he said.
“An organization in part founded by the governor, they might be given special preferential treatment - not because the governor asked for it, but because of all the connections that exist,” Moulton said.
That’s in part why he objects to proposals in Congress to simply forgive the loans, no matter how they were used.
“This is a useful case to focus on because of some of the high-profile people involved, but I think this is playing out a thousand-fold across the country,” Moulton said. “There are a lot of companies that got money that if you look close enough at it may not make sense with the employment that they have.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Researchers say new species of beaked whale found off Mexico

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Researchers looking for an elusive species of beaked whale said Wednesday they think they have found another new , previously unknown species off Mexico ’ s western Pacific coast .
Dr. Jay Barlow , a retired adjunct professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography , said Wednesday the beaked whales both look and sound different from the approximately 23 other known species .
The team was sailing with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in mid-November , in hopes of identifying the source of an unidentified acoustic signal .
That signal had been associated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whale , a species that has only been seen when dead individuals wash up on shore .
Suddenly three of the new beaked whales actually swam up near the Sea Shepherd ship and were filmed and recorded .
Barlow said he is confident they were not Perrin ’ s beaked whales .
Barlow said that “ we saw something new .
Something that was not expected in this area , something that doesn ’ t match , either visually or acoustically , anything that is known to exist.
” Barlow said researchers took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the animals in hopes of getting an “ environmental DNA sample from their sloughed skin cells , ” that will be submitted for laboratory analysis as soon as feasible .
That might help determine whether it is a new species ; researchers hope to mount another trip next year to see if they can find both the new beaked whales and Perrin ’ s beaked whale .
Beaked whales are smaller than many other whales , have a sort of beaked , dolphin-like nose .
Their habits are little known because they dive @ @ @ @

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Researchers looking for an elusive species of beaked whale said Wednesday they think they have found another new, previously unknown species off Mexico’s western Pacific coast.
Dr. Jay Barlow, a retired adjunct professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said Wednesday the beaked whales both look and sound different from the approximately 23 other known species.
The team was sailing with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in mid-November, in hopes of identifying the source of an unidentified acoustic signal. That signal had been associated by other researchers with Perrin’s beaked whale, a species that has only been seen when dead individuals wash up on shore.
Suddenly three of the new beaked whales actually swam up near the Sea Shepherd ship and were filmed and recorded. Barlow said he is confident they were not Perrin’s beaked whales.
Barlow said that “we saw something new. Something that was not expected in this area, something that doesn’t match, either visually or acoustically, anything that is known to exist.”
Barlow said researchers took three water samples in the vicinity of the animals in hopes of getting an “environmental DNA sample from their sloughed skin cells,” that will be submitted for laboratory analysis as soon as feasible.
That might help determine whether it is a new species; researchers hope to mount another trip next year to see if they can find both the new beaked whales and Perrin’s beaked whale.
Beaked whales are smaller than many other whales, have a sort of beaked, dolphin-like nose. Their habits are little known because they dive to great depths.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Margaret Hunter, Duncan Hunter's wife, files for divorce

SAN DIEGO — The wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter has filed for divorce after both were convicted of corruption and prosecutors alleged the lawmaker had used campaign funds on extramarital affairs .
Margaret Hunter filed for divorce on Nov. 20 in San Diego Superior Court , according to online records .
Margaret Hunter stated in the filing that she was ending their marriage of 22 years because of “ irreconcilable differences , ” and requested joint legal custody of their 17- and 14-year-old daughters , according to the San Diego Union-Tribune .
Their oldest son is an adult .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty to a single corruption count of misspending more than $ 150,000 in campaign funds on a variety of purchases , including trips to Italy , hefty bar tabs , and airplane tickets for the family ’ s pet rabbit .
Prosecutors in court documents suggested the congressman also spent the money on weekend getaways and outings with at least five women , three lobbyists , a staff member and a congressional aid .
Duncan Hunter resigned from his seat in January 2019 .
Margaret Hunter had faced a maximum possible sentence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said her cooperation and agreement to testify against him was critical in obtaining the congressman ’ s conviction without going to trial .
She was sentenced in August to eight months of home confinement .
Margaret Hunter had served as campaign manager for her husband , who represented a district east of San Diego that includes parts of Riverside County .
He suggested at one point that she was to blame for any financial problems .
Prosecutors said the couple were both in on the scheme .
Duncan Hunter was sentenced to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was delayed until January because of the coronavirus pandemic .
In November , former Rep. Darrell Issa , who represented a coastal district in neighboring Orange County for 18 years , was elected to his vacant seat .

SAN DIEGO — The wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter has filed for divorce after both were convicted of corruption and prosecutors alleged the lawmaker had used campaign funds on extramarital affairs.
Margaret Hunter filed for divorce on Nov. 20 in San Diego Superior Court, according to online records.
Margaret Hunter stated in the filing that she was ending their marriage of 22 years because of “irreconcilable differences,” and requested joint legal custody of their 17- and 14-year-old daughters, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Their oldest son is an adult.
Last year, the couple each pleaded guilty to a single corruption count of misspending more than $150,000 in campaign funds on a variety of purchases, including trips to Italy, hefty bar tabs, and airplane tickets for the family’s pet rabbit. Prosecutors in court documents suggested the congressman also spent the money on weekend getaways and outings with at least five women, three lobbyists, a staff member and a congressional aid.
Duncan Hunter resigned from his seat in January 2019.
Margaret Hunter had faced a maximum possible sentence of five years in jail. But prosecutors said her cooperation and agreement to testify against him was critical in obtaining the congressman’s conviction without going to trial.
She was sentenced in August to eight months of home confinement.
Margaret Hunter had served as campaign manager for her husband, who represented a district east of San Diego that includes parts of Riverside County. He suggested at one point that she was to blame for any financial problems. Prosecutors said the couple were both in on the scheme.
Duncan Hunter was sentenced to an 11-month prison term, but the start was delayed until January because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In November, former Rep. Darrell Issa, who represented a coastal district in neighboring Orange County for 18 years, was elected to his vacant seat.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Wife of convicted California congressman seeks divorce

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - The wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter has filed for divorce after both were convicted of corruption and prosecutors alleged the lawmaker had used campaign funds on extramarital affairs .
Margaret Hunter filed for divorce on Nov. 20 in San Diego Superior Court , according to online records .
Margaret Hunter stated in the filing that she was ending their marriage of 22 years because of “ irreconcilable differences , ” and requested joint legal custody of their 17- and 14-year-old daughters , according to the San Diego Union-Tribune .
Their oldest son is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple each pleaded guilty to a single corruption count of misspending more than $ 150,000 in campaign funds on a variety of purchases , including trips to Italy , hefty bar tabs , and airplane tickets for the family ’ s pet rabbit .
Prosecutors in court documents suggested the congressman also spent the money on weekend getaways and outings with at least five women , three lobbyists , a staff member and a congressional aid .
Duncan Hunter resigned from his seat in January 2019 .
Margaret Hunter had faced a maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But prosecutors said her cooperation and agreement to testify against him was critical in obtaining the congressman ’ s conviction without going to trial .
She was sentenced in August to eight months of home confinement .
Margaret Hunter had served as campaign manager for her husband , who represented a district east of San Diego that includes parts of Riverside County .
He suggested at one point that she was to blame for any financial problems .
Prosecutors said the couple were both in on the scheme .
Duncan Hunter was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the start was delayed until January because of the coronavirus pandemic .
In November , former Rep. Darrell Issa , who represented a coastal district in neighboring Orange County for 18 years , was elected to his vacant seat .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - The wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter has filed for divorce after both were convicted of corruption and prosecutors alleged the lawmaker had used campaign funds on extramarital affairs.
Margaret Hunter filed for divorce on Nov. 20 in San Diego Superior Court, according to online records.
Margaret Hunter stated in the filing that she was ending their marriage of 22 years because of “irreconcilable differences,” and requested joint legal custody of their 17- and 14-year-old daughters, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Their oldest son is an adult.
Last year, the couple each pleaded guilty to a single corruption count of misspending more than $150,000 in campaign funds on a variety of purchases, including trips to Italy, hefty bar tabs, and airplane tickets for the family’s pet rabbit. Prosecutors in court documents suggested the congressman also spent the money on weekend getaways and outings with at least five women, three lobbyists, a staff member and a congressional aid.
Duncan Hunter resigned from his seat in January 2019.
Margaret Hunter had faced a maximum possible sentence of five years in jail. But prosecutors said her cooperation and agreement to testify against him was critical in obtaining the congressman’s conviction without going to trial.
She was sentenced in August to eight months of home confinement.
Margaret Hunter had served as campaign manager for her husband, who represented a district east of San Diego that includes parts of Riverside County. He suggested at one point that she was to blame for any financial problems. Prosecutors said the couple were both in on the scheme.
Duncan Hunter was sentenced to an 11-month prison term, but the start was delayed until January because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In November, former Rep. Darrell Issa, who represented a coastal district in neighboring Orange County for 18 years, was elected to his vacant seat.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Fresno policeman arrested on suspicion of having child porn

FRESNO , Calif. ( AP ) - A Fresno police officer was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography @ @ @ @ @ Logue , 44 , of Fresno was arrested at police headquarters and booked into jail @ @ @ @ @ according to statement from the Fresno County Sheriff ’ s Office .
It wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ had an attorney who could speak on his behalf .
He was arrested by members @ @ @ @ @ Crimes Against Children Task Force following a tip , the Sheriff ’ s Office said @ @ @ @ @ evidence at this time to show Logue ever physically abused a child , ” the @ @ @ @ @ a 17-year veteran of the Fresno Police Department and was assigned to the Homeless Task @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday by Police Chief Andrew Hall , a department statement said .
Hall is “ @ @ @ @ @ Logue ’ s alleged actions , the statement said .

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - A Fresno police officer was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possessing child pornography, authorities said.
Jeffrey Logue, 44, of Fresno was arrested at police headquarters and booked into jail on $20,000 bail, according to statement from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
He was arrested by members of the Central Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force following a tip, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“There is no evidence at this time to show Logue ever physically abused a child,” the statement said.
Logue is a 17-year veteran of the Fresno Police Department and was assigned to the Homeless Task Force but he was fired Wednesday by Police Chief Andrew Hall, a department statement said.
Hall is “shocked and outraged” by Logue’s alleged actions, the statement said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya vows protests until Alexander Lukashenko forced out of office

Belarus ’ s pro-democracy movement will not subside until the longtime authoritarian leader , Alexander Lukashenko , is driven from office , the woman who says she beat him in the country ’ s recent presidential vote vowed this week .
“ The Belarusian people will not stop until Lukashenko resigns , ” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya , the opposition presidential candidate who fled the country days after the hotly disputed Aug. 9 election , told a Washington think tank this week .
“ The protest mood is so strong that even the brutal beatings and the torture are not able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a virtual forum hosted by the Atlantic Council on Monday .
“ There is no way back , ” she said .
“ Lukashenko must go.
” Her comments come amid mounting speculation over the fate of Mr. Lukashenko ’ s hold on power , where clashes between protesters and security forces have carried on for months while the U.S. , the European Union and nearby Russia vie for influence .
Hundreds of protesters were arrested recently in Minsk , where Mr. Lukashenko made headlines recently by saying he would be open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held for more than 26 years , but only after the country approves a new constitution .
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya , who ran for president against Mr. Lukashenko after her husband , Sergei Tikhanovsky , a popular opposition blogger , was jailed , said she believes Mr. Lukashenko is biding time in the hope the protest movement will die out .
“ I don ’ t think that Lukashenko will step down voluntarily .
This is a hypocritical statement on behalf of the man who consolidated authoritarian power back in the 1990s after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday .
“ He practically gave himself unlimited powers .
So by talking about the new constitution , Lukashenko intends to buy himself time to justify his staying in power.
” “ Historically , it has been quite a typical strategy for authoritarian leaders who are reluctant to give up on power , ” she added .
“ There is no trust in Lukashenko ’ s promises about the constitution and new elections .
All his promises are fake and the Belarusian people know this.
” “ Belarusians are prepared to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said .
“ I ’ m sure that we will reach the main goal to conduct new presidential elections.
” While Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun recently said the Lukashenko government “ must release political prisoners , journalists , and all those unjustly detained , ” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said this week the U.S. should also “ demand new and fair elections ” be held in Belarus .
In her remarks Monday , the opposition leader endorsed a bill in the House of Representatives that would expand the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Lukashenko government and authorize aid to Belarus citizens fighting internet censorship or who have been forced to flee because of the political crackdown .
“ Belarusians have been living under state terror for months , ” she said .
“ The price they are paying for their peaceful fight is too high .
We are asking the West to act fast .
”

Belarus’s pro-democracy movement will not subside until the longtime authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, is driven from office, the woman who says she beat him in the country’s recent presidential vote vowed this week.
“The Belarusian people will not stop until Lukashenko resigns,” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the opposition presidential candidate who fled the country days after the hotly disputed Aug. 9 election, told a Washington think tank this week.
“The protest mood is so strong that even the brutal beatings and the torture are not able to destroy them,” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said at a virtual forum hosted by the Atlantic Council on Monday.
“There is no way back,” she said. “Lukashenko must go.”
Her comments come amid mounting speculation over the fate of Mr. Lukashenko’s hold on power, where clashes between protesters and security forces have carried on for months while the U.S., the European Union and nearby Russia vie for influence.
Hundreds of protesters were arrested recently in Minsk, where Mr. Lukashenko made headlines recently by saying he would be open to leaving the presidency he’s held for more than 26 years, but only after the country approves a new constitution.
Ms. Tsikhanouskaya, who ran for president against Mr. Lukashenko after her husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, a popular opposition blogger, was jailed, said she believes Mr. Lukashenko is biding time in the hope the protest movement will die out.
“I don’t think that Lukashenko will step down voluntarily. This is a hypocritical statement on behalf of the man who consolidated authoritarian power back in the 1990s after he conducted an unconstitutional referendum,” she said Monday. “He practically gave himself unlimited powers. So by talking about the new constitution, Lukashenko intends to buy himself time to justify his staying in power.”
“Historically, it has been quite a typical strategy for authoritarian leaders who are reluctant to give up on power,” she added. “There is no trust in Lukashenko’s promises about the constitution and new elections. All his promises are fake and the Belarusian people know this.”
“Belarusians are prepared to protest for as long as it is necessary,” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said. “I’m sure that we will reach the main goal to conduct new presidential elections.”
While Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun recently said the Lukashenko government “must release political prisoners, journalists, and all those unjustly detained,” Ms. Tsikhanouskaya said this week the U.S. should also “demand new and fair elections” be held in Belarus.
In her remarks Monday, the opposition leader endorsed a bill in the House of Representatives that would expand the president’s power to impost sanctions on the Lukashenko government and authorize aid to Belarus citizens fighting internet censorship or who have been forced to flee because of the political crackdown.
“Belarusians have been living under state terror for months,” she said. “The price they are paying for their peaceful fight is too high. We are asking the West to act fast.”
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Joe Biden may keep some Trump policies on trade

Joseph R. Biden is sending strong signals that he won ’ t immediately try to tear down all of President Trump ’ s moves on trade , an area where Mr. Trump upended traditional party alliances and attitudes .
Mr. Biden and his team say the presumptive president-elect wants to focus first on investments at home before leaping into potential trade deals .
He plans to continue , at least in part , the Trump administration ’ s “ Buy American ” policies that drove Mr. Trump ’ s trade agenda .
Jake Sullivan , who Mr. Biden named as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ fundamental touchstone ” of international economic policy will be creating jobs and raising wages at home .
“ Where trade and other international economic policies can help contribute to that , we should double down on them , ” Mr. Sullivan said at an event hosted by The Wall Street Journal .
“ Where , in fact , the strategy or the priority is disconnected from that basic touchstone , then we should revise and reform it.
” Mr. Biden recently said he wouldn ’ t automatically roll back the 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half of Chinese exports or move to alter the terms of a “ Phase 1 ” trade agreement that requires China to buy an additional $ 200 billion worth of U.S. goods and services over 2020 and 2021 .
“ I want to make sure we ’ re going to fight like hell by investing in America first , ” he told The New York Times .
To boost domestic production , Mr. Biden plans to impose a 10 % tax on certain companies that move production overseas and provide a 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to the U.S .
He also wants to expand on Mr. Trump ’ s “ Buy American ” rules , saying it ’ s too easy for products to be classified as U.S.-made and for federal agencies to waive those rules when they procure goods .
There ’ s danger in that pursuit , said Bryan Riley , director of the free-trade initiative at the National Taxpayers Union .
“ I think we ’ re much better off on focusing on those things which we are best at and trading those with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Riley said .
“ When we enact ‘ buy American ’ policies , other countries respond by enacting ‘ don ’ t buy American ’ policies and restricting U.S. exports of goods and services.
” Mr. Biden gave credit to Mr. Trump for revising the North American Free Trade Agreement , a deal Mr. Biden supported as a senator , and blamed congressional Republicans for not going along with an effort by the Obama administration to update the deal .
The updated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ( USMCA ) took effect July 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for automakers to use a higher share of materials made in the continent .
But White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said he ’ s skeptical that the Biden administration will be able to pull off a true repeat or continuation of Mr. Trump ’ s “ America First ” approach to trade .
“ The Trump administration really was sui generis — it was a black swan event in terms of economic nationalism , standing up for the American blue-collar worker .
I don ’ t see that in this administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Network .
“ Not going to be America first .
I think we can probably agree with that.
” Chad Brown , a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics , said Mr. Biden should simply strive to make trade boring again amid the frequent tit-for-tat tariff battles with China and other countries over the last four years .
“ Trade just became far too exciting relative to its actual economic importance , ” Mr. Brown said .
“ It ’ s better taken care of when it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I guess , to be a lot more truthful.
” Shortly after the USMCA went into effect , Mr. Trump announced he was reimposing new levies on Canadian aluminum , prompting Canada to fire back with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods .
Mr. Biden has had to fend off characterizations from Mr. Trump and others that he would be too weak on Beijing in areas such as trade abuse and would pave the way for China to more easily ascend to be the world ’ s preeminent superpower .
Mr. Biden has emphasized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to take a multilateral approach among the U.S. and its allies , rather than the unilateral pursuits Mr. Trump has championed .
“ He is not going to poke our allies in the eye .
He is going to once again be a leader on the world stage , ” said Stef Feldman , the Biden campaign ’ s policy director .
“ And much of his foreign policy will follow under that framework and allow him to chart a path forward.
” Mr. Brown said elements of the Phase 1 trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it might be worthwhile to reset expectations .
“ I think there has to be a reorientation of the U.S.-China trade relationship overall , ” he said .
“ The purchase commitments actually kind of create the wrong incentives to try to encourage more reforms in China — more market-oriented behavior .
”

Joseph R. Biden is sending strong signals that he won’t immediately try to tear down all of President Trump’s moves on trade, an area where Mr. Trump upended traditional party alliances and attitudes.
Mr. Biden and his team say the presumptive president-elect wants to focus first on investments at home before leaping into potential trade deals. He plans to continue, at least in part, the Trump administration’s “Buy American” policies that drove Mr. Trump’s trade agenda.
Jake Sullivan, who Mr. Biden named as the incoming national security adviser, said a “fundamental touchstone” of international economic policy will be creating jobs and raising wages at home.
“Where trade and other international economic policies can help contribute to that, we should double down on them,” Mr. Sullivan said at an event hosted by The Wall Street Journal. “Where, in fact, the strategy or the priority is disconnected from that basic touchstone, then we should revise and reform it.”
Mr. Biden recently said he wouldn’t automatically roll back the 25% tariffs Mr. Trump placed on about half of Chinese exports or move to alter the terms of a “Phase 1” trade agreement that requires China to buy an additional $200 billion worth of U.S. goods and services over 2020 and 2021.
“I want to make sure we’re going to fight like hell by investing in America first,” he told The New York Times.
To boost domestic production, Mr. Biden plans to impose a 10% tax on certain companies that move production overseas and provide a 10% tax credit for companies that bring jobs back to the U.S.
He also wants to expand on Mr. Trump’s “Buy American” rules, saying it’s too easy for products to be classified as U.S.-made and for federal agencies to waive those rules when they procure goods.
There’s danger in that pursuit, said Bryan Riley, director of the free-trade initiative at the National Taxpayers Union.
“I think we’re much better off on focusing on those things which we are best at and trading those with other countries around the world,” Mr. Riley said. “When we enact ‘buy American’ policies, other countries respond by enacting ‘don’t buy American’ policies and restricting U.S. exports of goods and services.”
Mr. Biden gave credit to Mr. Trump for revising the North American Free Trade Agreement, a deal Mr. Biden supported as a senator, and blamed congressional Republicans for not going along with an effort by the Obama administration to update the deal.
The updated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) took effect July 1. Among other provisions, it calls for automakers to use a higher share of materials made in the continent.
But White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said he’s skeptical that the Biden administration will be able to pull off a true repeat or continuation of Mr. Trump’s “America First” approach to trade.
“The Trump administration really was sui generis — it was a black swan event in terms of economic nationalism, standing up for the American blue-collar worker. I don’t see that in this administration,” Mr. Navarro said on Fox Business Network. “Not going to be America first. I think we can probably agree with that.”
Chad Brown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said Mr. Biden should simply strive to make trade boring again amid the frequent tit-for-tat tariff battles with China and other countries over the last four years.
“Trade just became far too exciting relative to its actual economic importance,” Mr. Brown said. “It’s better taken care of when it’s not as exciting. And it needs, I guess, to be a lot more truthful.”
Shortly after the USMCA went into effect, Mr. Trump announced he was reimposing new levies on Canadian aluminum, prompting Canada to fire back with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
Mr. Biden has had to fend off characterizations from Mr. Trump and others that he would be too weak on Beijing in areas such as trade abuse and would pave the way for China to more easily ascend to be the world’s preeminent superpower.
Mr. Biden has emphasized that combating China’s rise is going to take a multilateral approach among the U.S. and its allies, rather than the unilateral pursuits Mr. Trump has championed.
“He is not going to poke our allies in the eye. He is going to once again be a leader on the world stage,” said Stef Feldman, the Biden campaign’s policy director. “And much of his foreign policy will follow under that framework and allow him to chart a path forward.”
Mr. Brown said elements of the Phase 1 trade deal with China are worth re-examining and that it might be worthwhile to reset expectations.
“I think there has to be a reorientation of the U.S.-China trade relationship overall,” he said. “The purchase commitments actually kind of create the wrong incentives to try to encourage more reforms in China — more market-oriented behavior.”
• Tom Howell Jr. contributed to this report.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Hawaii furloughs state workers amid pandemic budget crunch

HONOLULU ( AP ) - Hawaii Gov .
David Ige on Wednesday announced plans to furlough more than 10,000 state workers two days a month to balance the budget as tax revenue takes a hit during the coronavirus pandemic .
The furloughs will take effect Jan. 1 and cut worker pay by 9.2 % , Ige said .
The governor said he and members of his Cabinet would take the same percentage salary cut .
The economic effects of the pandemic have been particularly hard on Hawaii and its workers , Ige said .
The state has had the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as travelers stayed home to avoid getting infected .
Strict quarantine and testing requirements on those arriving in the islands also depressed demand for Hawaii vacations .
The jobless rate in tourism-dependent Hawaii stood at 14.3 % in October .
“ As the state ’ s largest employer , how can we not share in the pain when so many of our fellow citizens are experiencing economic hardship ?
” Ige said during a news conference .
“ Many of them have been furloughed for months , have lost their jobs or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will save the state $ 300 million over a 12-month period .
It ’ s a portion of the $ 1.4 billion in spending cuts that Ige said Hawaii will have to make each of the next four fiscal years .
Nurses , firefighters , prison guards and others whose jobs involve around-the-clock operations won ’ t be required to furlough .
The same goes for employees at airports and harbors whose pay is covered by federal funds .
About 4,600 employees are exempt and not counted in the total number of employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and University of Hawaii employees will be on a different furlough schedule because of the academic calendar and aren ’ t included in the 10,000 figure .
Ige said the state Department of Education and the university would explain their furlough plans later .
The governor said he will rescind the furloughs as soon as they are no longer needed .
The state ’ s biggest unions slammed the plan , calling it “ drastic and rash.
” In a joint statement , they said the furloughs and planned budget cuts announced just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come at a worse time.
” “ Cutting pay for at least tens of thousands of government workers impacts their ability to meet financial obligations and spend in support of local businesses , ” they said .
The statement was issued by the Hawaii Government Employees Association , the Hawaii State Teachers Association , the Union of Public Workers and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly .
Ige said he did everything he could to avoid furloughs , including suspending contributions to state retiree health benefit funds , which saved $ 390 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million from rainy-day fund reserves , which had a balance of about $ 400 million .
The state also has issued $ 750 million in short-term bonds to cover operating expenses , and Ige plans to cut program budgets by $ 600 million every year starting the next fiscal year .

HONOLULU (AP) - Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Wednesday announced plans to furlough more than 40,000 state workers to balance the budget as tax revenue takes a hit during the coronavirus pandemic.
The furloughs will take effect Jan. 1 and cut worker pay by 9.2%, Ige said. The governor said he and members of his Cabinet would take the same percentage salary cut.
The economic effects of the pandemic have been particularly hard on Hawaii, its workers and tax revenue, Ige said. The state has had the nation’s highest unemployment rate for months as travelers stayed home to avoid getting infected. Strict quarantine and testing requirements on those arriving in the islands also depressed demand for Hawaii vacations. The jobless rate in tourism-dependent Hawaii stood at 14.3% in October.
“As the state’s largest employer, how can we not share in the pain when so many of our fellow citizens are experiencing economic hardship?” Ige said during a news conference. “Many of them have been furloughed for months, have lost their jobs or have seen their businesses fail.”
The furloughs will save the state $300 million over a 12-month period. It’s a portion of the $1.4 billion in spending cuts that Ige said Hawaii will have to make each of the next four fiscal years.
The state’s executive branch spent $8 billion during the last fiscal year.
More than 10,000 state employees at executive agencies will be furloughed two days a month.
About 22,000 state Department of Education employees, including teachers, and more than 9,000 University of Hawaii workers will also be subject to furlough, but they will be on a different schedule because of the academic calendar. Ige said the department and university would explain their plans later.
Another 4,600 workers will be exempt from furloughs, including nurses, firefighters, prison guards and others whose jobs involve around-the-clock operations.
The governor said he will rescind the furloughs as soon as they are no longer needed.
The state’s biggest unions slammed the plan, calling it “drastic and rash.” In a joint statement, they vowed to “pursue all legal avenues to stop the unilateral implementation” of the furloughs.
“Cutting pay for at least tens of thousands of government workers impacts their ability to meet financial obligations and spend in support of local businesses,” they said.
The statement was issued by the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the Union of Public Workers and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.
Ige said he did everything he could to avoid furloughs, including suspending contributions to state retiree health benefit funds, which saved $390 million. He said he transferred $345 million from rainy-day fund reserves, which had a balance of about $400 million.
The state also has issued $750 million in short-term bonds to cover operating expenses, and Ige plans to cut program budgets by $600 million every year starting the next fiscal year.
Ige said without furloughs, he would have to lay off more than 4,000 workers across executive agencies, the state Department of Education and the University of Hawaii to save the same amount of money.
Ige said he couldn’t count on federal help, given the last time Congress appropriated coronavirus relief funds it specifically said the money could not be used to cover budget shortfalls.
But Corey Rosenlee, the president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said the governor has more options. He said the latest version of the stimulus bill being negotiated in Congress now includes $82 billion for education. He said the state could also raise taxes.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Fewer Black kids getting flu shots, worrying CDC officials

NEW YORK ( AP ) - More Americans have been getting flu shots this year , apparently heeding the advice of health officials fearful of a flu and coronavirus double pandemic , public health officials said Wednesday .
But the flu vaccination rate for Black children is down , fueling worries that Black Americans may be turning away from shots .
“ It ’ s certainly a point of concern , ” said Dr. Ram Koppaka of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which posted new flu vaccination data Wednesday .
“ We ’ ll monitor this over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far there ’ s been little flu going around , CDC officials say .
But a push for vaccinations is considered especially important this year .
The coronavirus is filling hospital beds in some parts of the country , and officials want to reduce any additional patient traffic that would further stress the health care system .
Flu vaccine manufacturers are producing a record 194 million to 198 million doses for the annual season , a big jump from the 175 million for last flu season .
A survey conducted in early November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been vaccinated , up from 44 % who had gotten flu shots by the same point in 2019 , the CDC said .
But the same survey suggested more than a third of adults do not intend to get a flu shot this season .
The CDC report came out the same day a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that only about half of U.S. adults said they would get a coronavirus vaccine .
It found that white people were twice as likely as Black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A different CDC survey found that 48 % of U.S. kids were vaccinated against flu at the end of November - the same as last year .
Vaccination rates in white and Hispanic children didn ’ t change much .
But they fell in Black children , to 33 % from about 44 % the previous November .
Koppaka , an associate director in the CDC ’ s Immunization Services Division , said it ’ s not clear why , but it underscores the need for health officials to work with communities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns .
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute ’ s Department of Science Education .
The AP is solely responsible for all content .

NEW YORK (AP) - More Americans have been getting flu shots this year, apparently heeding the advice of health officials fearful of a flu and coronavirus double pandemic, public health officials said Wednesday.
But the flu vaccination rate for Black children is down, fueling worries that Black Americans may be turning away from shots.
“It’s certainly a point of concern,” said Dr. Ram Koppaka of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which posted new flu vaccination data Wednesday. “We’ll monitor this over the coming weeks very closely.”
So far there’s been little flu going around, CDC officials say.
But a push for vaccinations is considered especially important this year. The coronavirus is filling hospital beds in some parts of the country, and officials want to reduce any additional patient traffic that would further stress the health care system.
Flu vaccine manufacturers are producing a record 194 million to 198 million doses for the annual season, a big jump from the 175 million for last flu season.
A survey conducted in early November found that 49% of U.S. adults had been vaccinated, up from 44% who had gotten flu shots by the same point in 2019, the CDC said. But the same survey suggested more than a third of adults do not intend to get a flu shot this season.
The CDC report came out the same day a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that only about half of U.S. adults said they would get a coronavirus vaccine. It found that white people were twice as likely as Black people to say they would get vaccinated.
A different CDC survey found that 48% of U.S. kids were vaccinated against flu at the end of November - the same as last year. Vaccination rates in white and Hispanic children didn’t change much. But they fell in Black children, to 33% from about 44% the previous November.
Koppaka, an associate director in the CDC’s Immunization Services Division, said it’s not clear why, but it underscores the need for health officials to work with communities of color and build more trust in vaccination campaigns.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Sidney Powell Arizona election lawsuit dismissed by federal judge

A federal judge in Arizona dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday launched by Sidney Powell , a pro-Trump attorney , alleging voter fraud and irregularities with the voting machines used in Arizona .
Ms. Powell had similar lawsuits in Georgia and Michigan , but both were dismissed Monday .
She has since taken the Georgia case to the 11th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
The lawsuits claim Dominion Voting Systems ’ machines connected to the internet , which violates election laws .
Dominion is not listed as a defendant , as the suits challenge state officials , but the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Judge Diane J. Humetewa , an Obama appointee , heard arguments in the Arizona case Tuesday .
It contested more than 412,000 votes in the battleground state , which certified its results last month .
Presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden defeated Presiden .
Trump in Arizona by 10 , 457 votes or .3 % .
Judge Diane J. Humetewa , an Obama appointee , heard arguments in the Arizona case Tuesday alleging fraud with the tabulations of votes .
In her dismissal Thursday , she said the “ allegations are sorely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms. Powell plans to take her allegations of widespread voter fraud all the way to the Supreme Court .
“ We are going to proceed immediately with an emergency appeal and we expect to get relief in the Supreme Court , ” Ms. Powell told Newsmax earlier this week when the judge dismissed the Georgia lawsuit .

A federal judge in Arizona dismissed a lawsuit Wednesday launched by Sidney Powell, a pro-Trump attorney, alleging voter fraud and irregularities with the voting machines used in Arizona.
Ms. Powell had similar lawsuits in Georgia and Michigan, but both were dismissed Monday. She has since taken the Georgia case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The lawsuits claim Dominion Voting Systems’ machines connected to the internet, which violates election laws. Dominion is not listed as a defendant, as the suits challenge state officials, but the company has denied any wrongdoing in the 2020 election.
Judge Diane J. Humetewa, an Obama appointee, on Tuesday heard arguments in the Arizona case alleging fraud with the tabulations of votes.
It contested more than 412,000 votes in the battleground state, which certified its results last month. Presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden defeated President Trump in Arizona by 10, 457 votes or .3%.
In Judge Humetewa’s dismissal Thursday, she said the “allegations are sorely wanting of relevant or reliable evidence.”
Ms. Powell plans to take her allegations of widespread voter fraud all the way to the Supreme Court.
“We are going to proceed immediately with an emergency appeal and we expect to get relief in the Supreme Court,” Ms. Powell told Newsmax earlier this week when the judge dismissed the Georgia lawsuit.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Mike Duggan announces run for 3rd term as Detroit mayor

DETROIT ( AP ) - Democrat Mike Duggan will seek a third consecutive 4-year term as Detroit ’ s mayor , he announced Wednesday .
Duggan announced his reelection campaign during a livestreamed message to city residents and supporters that included endorsements from Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , Detroit NAACP branch President the Rev .
Wendell Anthony and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans .
“ Big city mayors last one term , maybe two because of the strain of the job these days , ” Duggan said .
“ Politics is so rough , so brutal it beats them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this job a joy , and I still want to come to work every single day.
” The nonpartisan primary will be held in August .
The top two vote-getters then will face off in the November 2021 general election .
Duggan easily defeated then-state Sen. Coleman Young II in the 2017 general election .
Young is the son of Detroit ’ s first Black mayor , Coleman A .
Young .
Duggan first was elected mayor in 2013 , months after a state-appointed manager filed for Detroit ’ s historic bankruptcy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ city finances and other operations in his first year in office , but he and the City Council eventually regained control after Detroit ’ s December 2014 bankruptcy exit .
The bankruptcy allowed Detroit to restructure or shed billions of dollars in debt .
Under Duggan ’ s leadership , the city has had balanced budgets and strengthened police , fire and other city services .
He has attacked blight in Detroit and pushed a demolition program that has seen tens of thousands of vacant houses demolished .
He ’ s also worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions to bring jobs to the city , including about 4,100 that went to Detroit residents at Fiat Chrysler ’ s new auto plant on the city ’ s east side .
Detroit has been aggressive in providing COVID-19 virus testing for city employees and residents , in addition to telling residents about the importance of wearing protective masks .
“ Mayor Duggan stepped up and he stepped up early in this pandemic , ” said Whitmer , who has been criticized by some for shutting down businesses to slow the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortunate to have the constant partnership of Mayor Duggan throughout the entirety of this pandemic .
”

DETROIT (AP) - Democrat Mike Duggan will seek a third consecutive 4-year term as Detroit’s mayor, he announced Wednesday.
Duggan announced his reelection campaign during a livestreamed message to city residents and supporters that included endorsements from Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit NAACP branch President the Rev. Wendell Anthony and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.
“Big city mayors last one term, maybe two because of the strain of the job these days,” Duggan said. “Politics is so rough, so brutal it beats them down. But you’ve made this job a joy, and I still want to come to work every single day.”
The nonpartisan primary will be held in August. The top two vote-getters then will face off in the November 2021 general election.
Duggan easily defeated then-state Sen. Coleman Young II in the 2017 general election. Young is the son of Detroit’s first Black mayor, Coleman A. Young.
Duggan first was elected mayor in 2013, months after a state-appointed manager filed for Detroit’s historic bankruptcy. Initially, Duggan had limited power over city finances and other operations in his first year in office, but he and the City Council eventually regained control after Detroit’s December 2014 bankruptcy exit.
The bankruptcy allowed Detroit to restructure or shed billions of dollars in debt.
Under Duggan’s leadership, the city has had balanced budgets and strengthened police, fire and other city services. He has attacked blight in Detroit and pushed a demolition program that has seen tens of thousands of vacant houses demolished.
He’s also worked with the City Council, businesses and unions to bring jobs to the city, including about 4,100 that went to Detroit residents at Fiat Chrysler’s new auto plant on the city’s east side.
Detroit has been aggressive in providing COVID-19 virus testing for city employees and residents, in addition to telling residents about the importance of wearing protective masks.
“Mayor Duggan stepped up and he stepped up early in this pandemic,” said Whitmer, who has been criticized by some for shutting down businesses to slow the spread of the virus. “I count myself fortunate to have the constant partnership of Mayor Duggan throughout the entirety of this pandemic.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Judge tosses suit seeking to decertify Biden win in Arizona

PHOENIX ( AP ) - A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit that sought to decertify Democrat President-elect Joe Biden ‘ s win over Republican President Donald Trump in Arizona , marking another failed attempt to reverse Biden ’ s victory in the state .
Judge Diane Humetewa said Wednesday that the lawsuit ’ s allegations “ are sorely wanting of relevant or reliable evidence ” and that the relief it sought was extraordinary .
“ If granted , millions of Arizonans who exercised their individual right to vote in the 2020 General Election would be utterly disenfranchised , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposed Trump electors who filed the lawsuit lacked legal standing to bring the case , waited too long to file their challenge on issues that occurred months and even years ago , and failed to provide proof to back up their fraud claims .
The decision came a day after the Arizona Supreme Court rejected a separate bid by state GOP Chairwoman Kelli Ward to undo Biden ’ s victory .
The challenge dismissed by Humetewa alleged the state ’ s election systems have security flaws that let election workers and foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ switched votes from Trump to Biden .
Attorneys for the state ’ s election officials have said the lawsuit uses conspiracy theories to make wild allegations against Dominion Voting Systems , one of Maricopa County ’ s vendors for voting equipment , without providing proof to back up its claims of widespread Arizona election fraud .
Humetewa said the lawsuit doesn ’ t contain a plausible allegation that Dominion voting machines were hacked in Arizona during the Nov. 3 election , noting the proposed Trump electors “ have not moved the needle for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” No evidence of voter fraud or election fraud has emerged during this election season in Arizona .
It ’ s unknown whether the decision will be appealed .
Julia Haller , an attorney who argued in court on behalf of the proposed Trump electors , didn ’ t return a phone call and email seeking comment on the decision .
The lawsuit dismissed on Wednesday was filed by former Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell on behalf of proposed Trump electors in Arizona .
Similar election challenges filed by Powell were dismissed earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a Wisconsin judge is expected to decide a Powell lawsuit as soon as Wednesday .
In all , seven lawsuits challenging the results of the presidential vote in Arizona have been dismissed , including Ward ’ s lawsuit seeking to overturn Biden ’ s victory .
In Ward ’ s challenge , the state Supreme Court said Ward failed to prove misconduct or illegal votes and concluded the margin between the two candidates wasn ’ t small enough to trigger a recount , even with the small number of votes Trump could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing .
The state ’ s highest court cited case law that concludes the validity of an election isn ’ t voided by honest mistakes .
The state ’ s election results were certified on Nov. 30 , showing Biden won Arizona by more than 10,000 votes .
The Electoral College is scheduled to meet on Monday .

PHOENIX (AP) - Conservative lawyer Sidney Powell is appealing the dismissal of her lawsuit seeking to decertify election results that gave Democrat President-elect Joe Biden a victory in Arizona over Republican President Donald Trump.
Powell said in a court filing Thursday that she was taking her case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which later scheduled the first brief in the appeal to be due two months after inauguration date.
But Alexander Kolodin, a Phoenix attorney who along with Powell filed the challenge, has since said the plan is to instead take the case directly to U.S. Supreme Court on an expedited basis.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of Trump’s proposed electors in Arizona was dismissed Wednesday by a lower court for failing to provide any evidence to back up its election fraud claims and lacking legal standing to bring the case.
It alleged the state’s election systems have security flaws that let election workers and foreign countries manipulate results and that those systems switched votes from Trump to Biden.
Opposing attorneys said the lawsuit used conspiracy theories to make wild allegations against Dominion Voting Systems, one of Maricopa County’s vendors for voting equipment, without providing proof to back up its claims of widespread Arizona election fraud.
In dismissing the case, Judge Diane Humetewa had concluded the lawsuit doesn’t contain a plausible allegation that Dominion voting machines were hacked in Arizona.
No evidence of voter fraud or election fraud has emerged during this election season in Arizona.
Similar election challenges filed by Powell were dismissed earlier this week in Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin.
In all, seven lawsuits challenging the results of the presidential vote in Arizona have been dismissed.
Earlier this week, a woman filed yet another challenge that is nearly identical to Powell’s now-dismissed case. A hearing in the case, which was filed in Pinal County, is scheduled for Friday.
Arizona certified its elections results on Nov. 30, showing that Biden had won the state by more than 10,000 votes. The Electoral College is scheduled to vote Monday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Over 9,000 COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals

DALLAS ( AP ) - A Texas state official who has been critical of measures Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has implemented to help slow down the coronavirus pandemic said Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was among leaders from the right wing of the Texas Republican Party who staged a protest outside of Abbott ’ s home in October .
Miller , 65 , was among an estimated 200 people gathered outside the governor ’ s mansion to blast Abbott ’ s executive orders , including a continued statewide mask mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Miller said he ’ d be quarantining at his ranch .
“ Not feeling my best , but I ’ ve survived rodeo injuries , broken bones , hip , double knee and shoulder surgery , west nile virus and cancer , and I ’ m going to beat this too , ” he said in the statement .
For a second day this week , hospitalizations of people with the coronavirus in Texas topped 9,000 , state health officials said Wednesday .
The Texas Department of State Health Services said 9,053 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9,028 hospitalizations the day before .
Last week marked the first time Texas surpassed a daily count of 9,000 hospitalizations since a deadly summer outbreak .
Texas officials reported 10,930 new coronavirus cases Wednesday after reporting 15,103 a day earlier .
Texas has reported more than 1.2 million cases since the pandemic began .
The true number of infections in Texas is likely higher because many haven ’ t been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say the death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the second highest in the country .
There were 575.3 new cases per 100,000 people in Texas over the past two weeks , which ranks 40th in the country for new cases per capita , according to Johns Hopkins .
One in every 300 people in Texas tested positive in the past week .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and @ @ @

DALLAS (AP) - A Texas state official who has been critical of measures Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has implemented to help slow down the coronavirus pandemic said Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller was among leaders from the right wing of the Texas Republican Party who staged a protest outside of Abbott’s home in October. Miller, 65, was among an estimated 200 people gathered outside the governor’s mansion to blast Abbott’s executive orders, including a continued statewide mask mandate and lockdowns.
In a statement Wednesday, Miller said he’d be quarantining at his ranch.
“Not feeling my best, but I’ve survived rodeo injuries, broken bones, hip, double knee and shoulder surgery, west nile virus and cancer, and I’m going to beat this too,” he said in the statement.
For a second day this week, hospitalizations of people with the coronavirus in Texas topped 9,000, state health officials said Wednesday.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said 9,053 were hospitalized Wednesday. The state reported 9,028 hospitalizations the day before.
Last week marked the first time Texas surpassed a daily count of 9,000 hospitalizations since a deadly summer outbreak.
Texas officials reported 10,930 new coronavirus cases Wednesday after reporting 15,103 a day earlier. Texas has reported more than 1.2 million cases since the pandemic began.
The true number of infections in Texas is likely higher because many haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say the death toll in Texas is at more than 23,000, the second highest in the country.
There were 575.3 new cases per 100,000 people in Texas over the past two weeks, which ranks 40th in the country for new cases per capita, according to Johns Hopkins. One in every 300 people in Texas tested positive in the past week.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Trump prevails as Senate refuses to block UAE arms deals

Just a day after the House rebuffed him on a major defense bill , President Trump scored a major foreign policy victory as the Senate on Wednesday narrowly rejected efforts to throw out a proposed $ 23 billion arms sale to the United Arab Emirates that is a key component of Mr. Trump ‘ s Middle East strategy .
A push by Sens .
Robert Menendez , New Jersey Democrat , Chris Murphy , Connecticut Democrat , and Rand Paul , Kentucky Republican , to effectively block the sale of sophisticated drones and the state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jet to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49-47 vote .
The massive sale involves 50 cutting-edge F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets valued at over $ 10 billion , 20 Reaper drones worth nearly $ 3 billion , and thousands of munitions .
It is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to bolster relations with Gulf countries who are willing to normalize relations with Israel , and to create a broad front to contain Iranian aggression .
But Israel and its allies on Capitol Hill expressed alarm about the UAE arms deal , fearing it could cut into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region .
Opponents also noted the UAE ‘ s role in the civil war in Yemen , which has produced a massive humanitarian crisis .
But Mr. Trump pushed hard for the sale , vowing to veto the resolutions if they passed Congress .
Opponents of Wednesday ’ s resolutions also pointed to the jobs and influence a $ 23 billion arms package would bring .
The sale “ is not any kind of gift from the United States to the UAE , this is the UAE making a purchase totaling $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by American companies and almost always by American workers , ” said Sen. Roy Blunt , Missouri Republican .
In the end , Mr. Paul was the only Republican to buck the president on the arms deal .
Arizona Democratic Sens .
Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly voted to allow the drone sales and Ms. Sinema also voted against the resolution to block the F-35 deal .
Mr. Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , said he did not categorically oppose an upgraded military relationship with the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” rushed through the interagency review of a sale of this magnitude ” without consulting lawmakers .
“ Do we really think we can sell this just to the UAE and not have those other countries come knocking on our door and start a very sophisticated arms race in the tinderbox of the world ?
” Mr. Menendez added .
Following the vote , Sen. Tim Kaine , a Virginia Democrat who voted in favor of the resolutions , called on the White House to talk with Congress about protections for the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the security of American technology.
” “ I am confident we can work out an acceptable set of protections , but I am unwilling to greenlight this arms sale until we do.
” Amnesty International also slammed the final vote count and said the sale could “ act in a domino effect which ends in human tragedy as this country provides capabilities which risk being used to injure and kill thousands of Yemenis and Libyans in their homes , their schools , and their hospitals.
” In a policy statement , the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line with U.S. foreign policy because it will allow “ the UAE to deter increasing Iranian aggressive behavior and threats.
” Despite earlier reservations , the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had moderated its opposition to the sale .
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer , said this week that Israel believes “ that the UAE is an ally in confronting Iran , and we do not believe that this arms package will violate the U.S. commitment to maintain Israel ’ s qualitative military edge.
” In an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now “ very comfortable ” with the proposed sale and is more concerned by the U.S. ’ potential return to the Iran nuclear deal under the incoming Biden administration than with the UAE acquiring F-35s .
The UAE government in a statement has also defended the sale , arguing that Abu Dhabi has “ purchased & operated some of the most advanced U.S. defense systems .
… [ U.S. Air Force F-35 ] squadrons are based in the UAE .
The UAE has never compromised or shared this technology with an adversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Ilhan Omar , Minnesota Democrat , has introduced similar resolutions in the House , but a vote has not been scheduled .
The Democratic-led House has previously approved resolutions blocking arms sales during Mr. Trump ‘ s tenure , most notably to Saudi Arabia in 2019 , but has consistently failed to gain enough backing to override a veto .

Just a day after the House rebuffed him on a major defense bill, President Trump scored a major foreign policy victory as the Senate on Wednesday narrowly rejected efforts to throw out a proposed $23 billion arms sale to the United Arab Emirates that is a key component of Mr. Trump’s Middle East strategy.
A push by Sens. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, Chris Murphy, Connecticut Democrat, and Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, to effectively block the sale of sophisticated drones and the state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jet to the Gulf Arab nation was rejected on a 49-47 vote.
The massive sale involves 50 cutting-edge F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets valued at over $10 billion, 20 Reaper drones worth nearly $3 billion, and thousands of munitions.
It is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to bolster relations with Gulf countries who are willing to normalize relations with Israel, and to create a broad front to contain Iranian aggression.
But Israel and its allies on Capitol Hill expressed alarm about the UAE arms deal, fearing it could cut into Israel’s unquestioned military superiority in the region.
Opponents also noted the UAE’s role in the civil war in Yemen, which has produced a massive humanitarian crisis.
But Mr. Trump pushed hard for the sale, vowing to veto the resolutions if they passed Congress.
Opponents of Wednesday’s resolutions also pointed to the jobs and influence a $23 billion arms package would bring.
The sale “is not any kind of gift from the United States to the UAE, this is the UAE making a purchase totaling $23.5 billion for equipment that is made by American companies and almost always by American workers,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican.
In the end, Mr. Paul was the only Republican to buck the president on the arms deal. Arizona Democratic Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly voted to allow the drone sales and Ms. Sinema also voted against the resolution to block the F-35 deal.
Mr. Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he did not categorically oppose an upgraded military relationship with the UAE, but accused the administration of having”rushed through the interagency review of a sale of this magnitude” without consulting lawmakers.
“Do we really think we can sell this just to the UAE and not have those other countries come knocking on our door and start a very sophisticated arms race in the tinderbox of the world?” Mr. Menendez added.
Following the vote, Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat who voted in favor of the resolutions, called on the White House to talk with Congress about protections for the U.S. and Israel “including provisions to ensure the security of American technology.”
“I am confident we can work out an acceptable set of protections, but I am unwilling to greenlight this arms sale until we do.”
Amnesty International also slammed the final vote count and said the sale could “act in a domino effect which ends in human tragedy as this country provides capabilities which risk being used to injure and kill thousands of Yemenis and Libyans in their homes, their schools, and their hospitals.”
In a policy statement, the White House argued that the deal is in line with U.S. foreign policy because it will allow “the UAE to deter increasing Iranian aggressive behavior and threats.”
Despite earlier reservations, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had moderated its opposition to the sale.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, said this week that Israel believes “that the UAE is an ally in confronting Iran, and we do not believe that this arms package will violate the U.S. commitment to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge.”
In an interview with MSNBC, the ambassador said that Israel is now “very comfortable” with the proposed sale and is more concerned by the U.S.’ potential return to the Iran nuclear deal under the incoming Biden administration than with the UAE acquiring F-35s.
The UAE government in a statement has also defended the sale, arguing that Abu Dhabi has “purchased & operated some of the most advanced U.S. defense systems. … [U.S. Air Force F-35] squadrons are based in the UAE. The UAE has never compromised or shared this technology with an adversary or without US knowledge and approval.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minnesota Democrat, has introduced similar resolutions in the House, but a vote has not been scheduled.
The Democratic-led House has previously approved resolutions blocking arms sales during Mr. Trump’s tenure, most notably to Saudi Arabia in 2019, but has consistently failed to gain enough backing to override a veto.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.