washingtontimes--2020-05-07--Trump campaign reframes reelection bid to 'Who is best equipped to rebuild the economy?'

President Trump ’ s campaign is tangling with the most basic question for a reelection bid : Are you better off now than you were four years ago ?
With the coronavirus crisis killing more than 70,000 Americans and devastating the economy , Mr. Trump has shifted the reelection question to “ could it have been worse ?
” and “ who is best equipped to rebuild the economy ?
” “ It ’ s going to be very difficult to overcome whatever happens with the virus , ” said GOP consultant Keith Naughton .
“ He ’ s got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumed Democratic nominee Joseph R. ] Biden , but he doesn ’ t have agency over the virus.
” “ He is running against the virus , ” he said .
Mr. Trump has said he is somewhat comfortable if the November election is a referendum on his handling of the outbreak .
“ I am and I ’ m not .
It ’ s a very interesting thought , ” he told ABC News .
“ I built the greatest economy , and then it was turned off for good reason .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
I think people are going to remember that.
” He also went on to tout other aspects of his record like rebuilding the military , cutting regulations and taxes , and getting a record number of judicial nominees confirmed .
“ So I hope it ’ s not solely on what I ’ ve done here , because this is like rubber .
It ’ s very , very amorphous , ” he said .
“ But , you know what ?
… I think in a certain way , maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve done with COVID-19.
” Americans were evenly split on the all-important question of whether they feel they ’ re better off now compared to before Mr. Trump took office in 2017 , according to a YouGov/Economist poll released this week .
Thirty-nine percent said they ’ re better off now , 38 % said they were better off four years ago , and 23 % said they weren ’ t sure .
However , 50 % said the country was better off four years ago , compared to 30 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
The survey of 1,500 U.S. adults was taken from May 3-5 .
The Trump campaign kicked off the week by releasing a flowery , minute-long TV ad honing in on the president ’ s COVID-19 response efforts — an ad in which Mr. Biden barely made an appearance .
“ This election is 100 % about Donald Trump , and to a large extent Donald Trump ’ s reaction to COVID-19 , ” said Justin Haskins , editorial director at the Heartland Institute .
“ That ’ s all this election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Joe Biden.
” But the president ’ s campaign on Thursday also released a blistering , 60-second ad that focused on Mr. Biden , slamming him for opposing Mr. Trump ’ s ban on travel from China and painting the gaffe-prone former vice president as befuddled and erratic .
Mr. Naughton said Mr. Biden can expect to be on the receiving end of wave after wave of attacks considering Mr. Trump ’ s other , more “ amorphous ” adversary .
“ I think his strategy is — and it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for two years — it ’ s going to be a constant attack , ” he said of Mr. Trump .
He described the virus as “ a moving target that isn ’ t thinking or isn ’ t strategic — it ’ s just sort of this phenomenon that ’ s occurring and it ’ s going to occur in an unpredictable fashion.
” The Trump campaign allowed that the virus is a major factor , but stressed that the rest of Mr. Trump ’ s record also presents a clear contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience in the public sphere .
“ Every election is a choice , ” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh , touting Mr. Trump ’ s record on the economy , taxes , trade , and improving America ’ s standing in the world .
“ While the coronavirus will no doubt be on voters ’ minds , they will also need to know about the contrast in records and vision between President Trump and Joe Biden , ” Mr. Murtaugh said .
With an economy still limping after the 2008 Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team tried a similar “ choice not referendum ” message during his 2012 reelection bid en route to his win over Republican nominee Mitt Romney .
Still , Mr. Trump is also leaning into his administration ’ s response to the virus and his status as a crisis manager , referring to himself as a “ wartime president ” and adopting militaristic tones as he characterizes the American people as warriors .
“ His performance in the crisis is in the spotlight , ” said Mike Ginsberg , cofounder of the Suburban Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a challenge but in another sense , it ’ s an opportunity.
” After proclaiming “ I alone can fix it ” at the 2016 Republican National Convention , Mr. Trump also says he ’ s the best person to rebuild the economy because he oversaw historically good jobs and economic numbers before the crisis took hold .
“ We ’ re going to do it again , and that ’ s what we ’ re starting and I view these last couple of days as the beginning , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to build the greatest economy in the world again and it ’ s going to happen pretty fast.
” Mr. Trump and members of his administration have also become increasingly hawkish on calling out China , saying China intentionally misled the world on the pandemic ’ s scope .
Mr. Murtaugh said China presents a particular weakness for Mr. Biden , saying he has a history of “ coddling ” the regime and that it ’ s a key part of the contrast between them .
“ When voters learn about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear choice , ” he said .
The Biden campaign countered by saying Mr. Trump has too eagerly accepted Chinese Communist party “ propaganda.
” Democrats have pointed to Mr. Trump ’ s statements from earlier in the year praising Chinese President Xi Jinping on the country ’ s coronavirus response as evidence that the public shouldn ’ t be buying the tough talk .
They also say Mr. Trump ’ s slow response to the pandemic has cost American lives .
Mr. Biden recently said the president is “ just about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this.
” “ He doesn ’ t have a team , the temperament or , quite frankly , the moral authority to take it on , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ He doesn ’ t put a high enough value on American lives to make this fight and make the right calculations , the right choices .
To tell the truth .
His priorities are elsewhere and it shows.
” Polling has shown Mr. Biden ahead of Mr. Trump , though 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had also enjoyed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden led Mr. Trump by a 9-point , 50 % to 41 % margin , according to a national Monmouth poll released this week .
The survey showed Mr. Biden ’ s favorability holding essentially steady even as he ’ s fended off and denied sexual assault accusations from a former staffer .
“ It ’ s possible that recent headlines about a sexual assault claim may have had an impact on [ Biden ‘ s ] favorability rating , but most voters still see this election mainly as a referendum on Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Monmouth University Polling Institute .

President Trump’s campaign is tangling with the most basic question for a reelection bid: Are you better off now than you were four years ago?
With the coronavirus crisis killing more than 70,000 Americans and devastating the economy, Mr. Trump has shifted the reelection question to “could it have been worse?” and “who is best equipped to rebuild the economy?”
“It’s going to be very difficult to overcome whatever happens with the virus,” said GOP consultant Keith Naughton. “He’s got agency over how he runs over [presumed Democratic nominee Joseph R.] Biden, but he doesn’t have agency over the virus.”
“He is running against the virus,” he said.
Mr. Trump has said he is somewhat comfortable if the November election is a referendum on his handling of the outbreak.
“I am and I’m not. It’s a very interesting thought,” he told ABC News. “I built the greatest economy, and then it was turned off for good reason. We saved millions of lives by doing it. I think people are going to remember that.”
He also went on to tout other aspects of his record like rebuilding the military, cutting regulations and taxes, and getting a record number of judicial nominees confirmed.
“So I hope it’s not solely on what I’ve done here, because this is like rubber. It’s very, very amorphous,” he said. “But, you know what? … I think in a certain way, maybe our best work has been on what we’ve done with COVID-19.”
Americans were evenly split on the all-important question of whether they feel they’re better off now compared to before Mr. Trump took office in 2017, according to a YouGov/Economist poll released this week.
Thirty-nine percent said they’re better off now, 38% said they were better off four years ago, and 23% said they weren’t sure.
However, 50% said the country was better off four years ago, compared to 30% who said it’s better off now.
The survey of 1,500 U.S. adults was taken from May 3-5.
The Trump campaign kicked off the week by releasing a flowery, minute-long TV ad honing in on the president’s COVID-19 response efforts — an ad in which Mr. Biden barely made an appearance.
“This election is 100% about Donald Trump, and to a large extent Donald Trump’s reaction to COVID-19,” said Justin Haskins, editorial director at the Heartland Institute. “That’s all this election is about. It’s not about Joe Biden.”
But the president’s campaign on Thursday also released a blistering, 60-second ad that focused on Mr. Biden, slamming him for opposing Mr. Trump’s ban on travel from China and painting the gaffe-prone former vice president as befuddled and erratic.
Mr. Naughton said Mr. Biden can expect to be on the receiving end of wave after wave of attacks considering Mr. Trump’s other, more “amorphous” adversary.
“I think his strategy is — and it has been before this virus and it has been for two years — it’s going to be a constant attack,” he said of Mr. Trump.
He described the virus as “a moving target that isn’t thinking or isn’t strategic — it’s just sort of this phenomenon that’s occurring and it’s going to occur in an unpredictable fashion.”
The Trump campaign allowed that the virus is a major factor, but stressed that the rest of Mr. Trump’s record also presents a clear contrast to Mr. Biden’s decades of experience in the public sphere.
“Every election is a choice,” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh, touting Mr. Trump’s record on the economy, taxes, trade, and improving America’s standing in the world.
“While the coronavirus will no doubt be on voters’ minds, they will also need to know about the contrast in records and vision between President Trump and Joe Biden,” Mr. Murtaugh said.
With an economy still limping after the 2008 Wall Street crash, President Obama and his team tried a similar “choice not referendum” message during his 2012 reelection bid en route to his win over Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
Still, Mr. Trump is also leaning into his administration’s response to the virus and his status as a crisis manager, referring to himself as a “wartime president” and adopting militaristic tones as he characterizes the American people as warriors.
“His performance in the crisis is in the spotlight,” said Mike Ginsberg, cofounder of the Suburban Virginia Republican Coalition. “In one sense it’s a challenge but in another sense, it’s an opportunity.”
After proclaiming “I alone can fix it” at the 2016 Republican National Convention, Mr. Trump also says he’s the best person to rebuild the economy because he oversaw historically good jobs and economic numbers before the crisis took hold.
“We’re going to do it again, and that’s what we’re starting and I view these last couple of days as the beginning,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re going to build the greatest economy in the world again and it’s going to happen pretty fast.”
Mr. Trump and members of his administration have also become increasingly hawkish on calling out China, saying China intentionally misled the world on the pandemic’s scope.
Mr. Murtaugh said China presents a particular weakness for Mr. Biden, saying he has a history of “coddling” the regime and that it’s a key part of the contrast between them.
“When voters learn about all of that it will be a clear choice,” he said.
The Biden campaign countered by saying Mr. Trump has too eagerly accepted Chinese Communist party “propaganda.”
Democrats have pointed to Mr. Trump’s statements from earlier in the year praising Chinese President Xi Jinping on the country’s coronavirus response as evidence that the public shouldn’t be buying the tough talk.
They also say Mr. Trump’s slow response to the pandemic has cost American lives.
Mr. Biden recently said the president is “just about the worst possible person to handle a crisis like this.”
“He doesn’t have a team, the temperament or, quite frankly, the moral authority to take it on,” Mr. Biden said. “He doesn’t put a high enough value on American lives to make this fight and make the right calculations, the right choices. To tell the truth. His priorities are elsewhere and it shows.”
Polling has shown Mr. Biden ahead of Mr. Trump, though 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had also enjoyed a substantial edge at this point.
Mr. Biden led Mr. Trump by a 9-point, 50% to 41% margin, according to a national Monmouth poll released this week.
The survey showed Mr. Biden’s favorability holding essentially steady even as he’s fended off and denied sexual assault accusations from a former staffer.
“It’s possible that recent headlines about a sexual assault claim may have had an impact on [Biden’s] favorability rating, but most voters still see this election mainly as a referendum on Trump,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-07--Judge rejects abortion clinic's bid to block virus test rule

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request by Arkansas ’ only surgical abortion clinic to block a rule requiring a negative coronavirus test before a woman undergoes the procedure .
U.S. District Judge Brian Miller rejected the motion to prevent the state from enforcing the requirement on three women nearing Arkansas ’ limit on when abortions can be performed .
Arkansas bans abortions 20 weeks into a woman ’ s pregnancy .
Little Rock Family Planning Services had been prohibited from performing abortions under a rule that banned elective procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been eased , but the state requires a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours of the procedure .
The clinic said a lack of widespread testing meant the rule was preventing women from getting an abortion .
The clinic said it had performed four abortions last week after the elective surgeries ban was lifted .
In the lawsuit , the clinic said it contacted more than 15 testing locations but has been unable to find one that will test asymptomatic people and that ’ s able to have results within 48 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnancies , and this politically-motivated restriction is already pushing care out of reach , ” Holly Dickson , legal director and interim executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas , which represented the clinic .
“ This ruling will extend that harm.
” The state argued the clinic was simply being required to follow the same rule as other health providers for elective procedures .
“ Today ’ s decision ensures that there are no exemptions for surgical abortions during this pandemic , ” Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standards to protect the health and safety of patients , healthcare professionals , and the public during the COVID-19 emergency.
” In his ruling , Miller called the requirement reasonable , “ given the health crisis facing the world , the country and the state.
” But the federal judge called the decision “ agonizingly difficult ” because of the questions it presented about individual liberties and the state ’ s power to protect the public ’ s health , and because of the difficult circumstances the women faced .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request by Arkansas’ only surgical abortion clinic to block a rule requiring a negative coronavirus test before a woman undergoes the procedure.
U.S. District Judge Brian Miller rejected the motion to prevent the state from enforcing the requirement on three women nearing Arkansas’ limit on when abortions can be performed. Arkansas bans abortions 20 weeks into a woman’s pregnancy.
Little Rock Family Planning Services had been prohibited from performing abortions under a rule that banned elective procedures during the coronavirus pandemic. That ban has been eased, but the state requires a negative coronavirus test within 48 hours of the procedure.
The clinic said a lack of widespread testing meant the rule was preventing women from getting an abortion. The clinic said it had performed four abortions last week after the elective surgeries ban was lifted.
In the lawsuit, the clinic said it contacted more than 15 testing locations but has been unable to find one that will test asymptomatic people and that’s able to have results within 48 hours.
“People cannot pause their pregnancies, and this politically-motivated restriction is already pushing care out of reach,” Holly Dickson, legal director and interim executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, which represented the clinic. “This ruling will extend that harm.”
The state argued the clinic was simply being required to follow the same rule as other health providers for elective procedures.
“Today’s decision ensures that there are no exemptions for surgical abortions during this pandemic,” Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said. “Arkansas’s reasonable directive sets standards to protect the health and safety of patients, healthcare professionals, and the public during the COVID-19 emergency.”
In his ruling, Miller called the requirement reasonable, “given the health crisis facing the world, the country and the state.” But the federal judge called the decision “agonizingly difficult” because of the questions it presented about individual liberties and the state’s power to protect the public’s health, and because of the difficult circumstances the women faced.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--City officials in Mississippi propose 'Ida B. Wells Street'

TUPELO , Miss .
( AP ) - City officials in Mississippi have proposed to fully name a street after suffragette and civil rights icon Ida B. Wells-Barnett .
Wells-Barnett was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize this week for her reporting on the lynching of African Americans during the Jim Crow era .
Now city council members in Tupelo are looking to change a street that uses the writer ’ s first name to encompass her full maiden name , the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported .
If approved , the street will be transformed from Ida Street to Ida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davis said she proposed to modify the street name because not many people know the street was named after Wells-Barnett .
“ I think it would be a motivating thing in the community to know that it ’ s named after an outstanding woman , ” Davis said .
Wells-Barnett was born in Holly Springs , Mississippi , about 60 miles ( 97 kilometers ) northwest of Tupelo .
She died in 1931 after pushing for women ’ s right to vote and starting organizations designed to help African Americans gain economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name change in Tupelo is now going through the city ’ s approval process .

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) - City officials in Mississippi have proposed to fully name a street after suffragette and civil rights icon Ida B. Wells-Barnett.
Wells-Barnett was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize this week for her reporting on the lynching of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. Now city council members in Tupelo are looking to change a street that uses the writer’s first name to encompass her full maiden name, the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.
If approved, the street will be transformed from Ida Street to Ida B. Wells Street. Councilwoman Nettie Davis said she proposed to modify the street name because not many people know the street was named after Wells-Barnett.
“I think it would be a motivating thing in the community to know that it’s named after an outstanding woman,” Davis said.
Wells-Barnett was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northwest of Tupelo. She died in 1931 after pushing for women’s right to vote and starting organizations designed to help African Americans gain economic and political power.
The street’s name change in Tupelo is now going through the city’s approval process.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Czech-Russian relations plunge amid differences over history

PRAGUE ( AP ) - It began with the dismantling of a statue of a Russian World War II hero and the renaming of a Prague square .
Now three of the Czech capital ’ s mayors are under police protection , fearing they are the targets of a Russian assassin carrying a deadly toxin , and Russian-Czech relations are in crisis .
“ There ’ s a Russian here whose goal is to liquidate me , ” Prague 6 district mayor Ondrej Kolar said recently in a television interview from a secret hideout .
In the week in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory over the Nazis in Europe , relations between Prague and Moscow are taking a turn for the worse amid what the Czechs see as Russia ’ s growing assertiveness over its interpretation of history .
At the center of the dispute is last month ’ s removal from Kolar ’ s district of a statue of Soviet Marshall Ivan Konev , whose armies completed Prague ’ s liberation on May 9 , 1945 .
The district said the statue would be moved to a museum and a new monument honoring the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The statue ’ s removal caused outrage in Russia , which has angrily lashed out at any attempts to diminish the nation ’ s decisive role in defeating the Nazis .
The Soviet Union had the most casualties in World War II , but its occupation or liberation of territory resulted in the ensuing decades of Moscow-backed Communist regimes in Eastern Europe , including Czechoslovakia .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov charged last week that the Prague authorities ’ action violated a 1993 friendship treaty that included a Czech pledge to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That undermined agreements that have been the bedrock of our relations for the past 30 years , ” Lavrov said .
After Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in April that made damaging war memorials a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison , Russia ’ s top criminal investigation body launched an investigation into the dismantling of the Konev statue .
The Czech Foreign Ministry called the move unacceptable .
The statue of Konev has long been a source of friction between Russian and the Czech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unveiled a new explanatory text on the monument .
It described Konev ’ s leading role in crushing the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in Hungary , his contribution to the construction of the Berlin Wall and the preparation of the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia that crushed liberal reforms known as the Prague Spring .
The country was subsequently taken over by a hard-line Communist regime fully loyal to Moscow that was only ousted by the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution .
With tensions spiraling , the investigative Respekt weekly reported last week that Czech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived in Prague with a diplomatic passport three weeks ago and was driven to the Russian embassy was sent to poison Kolar and Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib with ricin , a highly potent toxin .
The story was based on anonymous sources .
The Foreign Ministry only confirmed that a Russian diplomat arrived in Prague in March .
The Russian embassy sent a protest note to the Czech Foreign Ministry , calling the allegations baseless and designed to discredit Russia .
The ministry responded that it was inappropriate for a foreign state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press .
Kolar said he is now receiving police protection , along with Hrib and the mayor of Prague ’ s Reporyje district , Pavel Novotny .
Novotny had provoked Moscow ’ s ire for his plans to build a monument to the soldiers of Gen. Andrei Vlasov ’ s army .
Over 300 of them died when they helped the Czech uprising against Nazi rule and contributed to Prague ’ s liberation .
Their role is controversial for Russia , however , because they previously fought against the Red Army alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unable to face their own history , ” Novotny told The Associated Press .
In a separate move condemned by Russia , in February Prague renamed a square in front of the Russian Embassy after Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov , who was slain in Moscow in 2015 .
Lavrov ridiculed the claims of an assassin in Prague , saying that it made no sense that the Czech authorities would have identified a man carrying ricin and let him through .
In the Czech parliament , the security committee of the upper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian moves “ an unprecedented attack on the ( Czech ) state ’ s sovereignty ” and asked the government to react accordingly , including by presenting a plan to reduce the number of diplomats at the Russian embassy who are suspected of spying activities .
Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said the Czechs sent the Russian side a note , asking for consultations over their disputes , the first such request based on the 1993 Czech-Russian treaty .
“ There ’ s no surprise that our long-term relations with the Russian Federation don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing Russian actions against Ukraine among other issues .
The Czech and Russian foreign ministers have not met since 2005 .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week that Russia doesn ’ t want tension between the countries , and Russia ’ s diplomats are “ doing everything to not let that happen.
” “ We believe these relations should develop with mutual respect , and there have always been grounds for it .
It ’ s a big question why we are now seeing a whole chain of actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gen. Petr Pavel , the Czech former head of NATO ’ s Military Committee , told The Associated Press that the Czech Republic is no longer a Russian satellite and its government should respond resolutely , using its membership in international organizations like NATO and the EU to make sure its voice is heard .
“ In the long term , Russia only respects power , and they keep it as no secret that respect means to fear them .
We don ’ t want to frighten Russia but we want them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen only we if we have enough strength and power , ” he said .
Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed to this report .
Follow AP ’ s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https : //apnews.com/WorldWarII

PRAGUE (AP) - It began with the dismantling of a statue of a Russian World War II hero and the renaming of a Prague square. Now three of the Czech capital’s mayors are under police protection, fearing they are the targets of a Russian assassin carrying a deadly toxin, and Russian-Czech relations are in crisis.
“There’s a Russian here whose goal is to liquidate me,” Prague 6 district mayor Ondrej Kolar said recently in a television interview from a secret hideout.
In the week in which the Allies mark the 75th anniversary of victory over the Nazis in Europe, relations between Prague and Moscow are taking a turn for the worse amid what the Czechs see as Russia’s growing assertiveness over its interpretation of history.
At the center of the dispute is last month’s removal from Kolar’s district of a statue of Soviet Marshall Ivan Konev, whose armies completed Prague’s liberation on May 9, 1945. The district said the statue would be moved to a museum and a new monument honoring the city’s liberation would take its place.
The statue’s removal caused outrage in Russia, which has angrily lashed out at any attempts to diminish the nation’s decisive role in defeating the Nazis.
The Soviet Union had the most casualties in World War II, but its occupation or liberation of territory resulted in the ensuing decades of Moscow-backed Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, including Czechoslovakia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov charged last week that the Prague authorities’ action violated a 1993 friendship treaty that included a Czech pledge to protect memorials to Russian World War II heroes.
“That undermined agreements that have been the bedrock of our relations for the past 30 years,” Lavrov said.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law in April that made damaging war memorials a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison, Russia’s top criminal investigation body launched an investigation into the dismantling of the Konev statue. The Czech Foreign Ministry called the move unacceptable.
The statue has long been a source of friction between Russian and the Czech Republic. In 2018, Czech authorities unveiled a new explanatory text on the monument. It described Konev’s leading role in crushing the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising in Hungary, his contribution to the construction of the Berlin Wall and the preparation of the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia that crushed liberal reforms known as the Prague Spring.
The country was subsequently taken over by a hard-line Communist regime fully loyal to Moscow that was only ousted by the 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution.
With tensions spiraling, the investigative Respekt weekly reported last week that Czech intelligence services suspect that a Russian who arrived in Prague on a diplomatic passport three weeks ago was sent to poison Kolar and Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib with ricin, a highly potent toxin.
The story was based on anonymous sources. The Foreign Ministry only confirmed that a Russian diplomat arrived in Prague in March.
The Russian embassy sent a protest note to the Czech Foreign Ministry, calling the allegations baseless and designed to discredit Russia. The ministry responded that it was inappropriate for a foreign state to question basic rights such as freedom of the press.
Kolar said he is now receiving police protection, along with Hrib and the mayor of Prague’s Reporyje district, Pavel Novotny.
Novotny had provoked Moscow’s ire for his plans to build a monument to the soldiers of Gen. Andrei Vlasov’s army. Over 300 of them died when they helped the Czech uprising against Nazi rule and contributed to Prague’s liberation. Their role is controversial for Russia, however, because they previously fought against the Red Army alongside Nazi troops.
“The Russians still are unable to face their own history,” Novotny told The Associated Press.
In a separate move condemned by Russia, in February Prague renamed a square in front of the Russian Embassy after Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was slain in Moscow in 2015.
Lavrov ridiculed the claims of an assassin in Prague, saying that it made no sense that the Czech authorities would have identified a man carrying ricin and let him through.
In the Czech parliament, the security committee of the upper house, the Senate, called the Russian moves “an unprecedented attack on the (Czech) state’s sovereignty” and asked the government to react accordingly, including by presenting a plan to reduce the number of diplomats at the Russian embassy who are suspected of spying activities.
Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said the Czechs sent the Russian side a note, asking for consultations over their disputes, the first such request based on the 1993 Czech-Russian treaty.
“Please, give diplomacy a chance,” Petricek told lawmakers in Parliament’s lower house. The Czech and Russian foreign ministers have not met since 2005.
Maxim Samorukov, a fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center think tank said he believes the Czechs underestimated how sensitive Russia is to issues relating to history.
“The Czech government didn’t expect a local issue with the Konev monument to spiral out of control and become a major obstacle in cooperation with Russia. … Now, the Czech Republic is trying to tone down the issue, but without looking too subservient to Russia,” Samorukov said.
But Gen. Petr Pavel, the Czech former head of NATO’s Military Committee, told The Associated Press that the Czech Republic is no longer a Russian satellite and its government should respond resolutely, using its membership in international organizations like NATO and the EU to make sure its voice is heard.
“In the long term, Russia only respects power, and they keep it as no secret that respect means to fear them,” he said.
___
Daria Litvinova in Moscow contributed to this report.
___
Follow AP’s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https://apnews.com/WorldWarII


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Police: Sex trafficking found in abandoned South Fulton home

SOUTH FULTON , Ga. ( AP ) - Police in Georgia said they discovered a sex trafficking operation after chasing suspects who ran from a stolen U-Haul into an abandoned house .
South Fulton police officers found two adult women and one juvenile in the house on Thursday , their department said in a Facebook post .
Shortly after a preliminary investigation , police said they discovered the girl and one of the women had been forced into sex trafficking .
Authorities did not provide the age of the girl .
“ Two young women were saved from a life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meadows said .
Police arrested Eron McCray on multiple charges , including human trafficking and rape .
Two other men with him , Tanatrious Magee and Antonio Magee , were arrested on drug , firearm and theft charges .
“ The three men arrested in connection with the trafficking and drug activity , will serve as an example of what happens when you come into the City of South Fulton attempting to victimize our young people , ” the chief said .
It was not immediately clear if the men had lawyers to @ @ @ @ @

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. (AP) - Police in Georgia said they discovered a sex trafficking operation after chasing suspects who ran from a stolen U-Haul into an abandoned house.
South Fulton police officers found two adult women and one juvenile in the house on Thursday, their department said in a Facebook post.
Shortly after a preliminary investigation, police said they discovered the girl and one of the women had been forced into sex trafficking. Authorities did not provide the age of the girl.
“Two young women were saved from a life of misery,” Police Chief Keith Meadows said.
Police arrested Eron McCray on multiple charges, including human trafficking and rape. Two other men with him, Tanatrious Magee and Antonio Magee, were arrested on drug, firearm and theft charges.
“The three men arrested in connection with the trafficking and drug activity, will serve as an example of what happens when you come into the City of South Fulton attempting to victimize our young people,” the chief said.
It was not immediately clear if the men had lawyers to comment on their behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Man killed, teen critically hurt in metro station stabbing

CAPITOL HEIGHTS , Md .
( AP ) - A man was killed and a teenager was critically wounded in @ @ @ @ @ station in Maryland on Thursday , police said .
Metro Transit Police responded to the @ @ @ @ @ of Washington around 8 p.m. , where they found the victims suffering from severe lacerations @ @ @ @ @ , ” the agency said in a statement .
The adult victim was pronounced dead @ @ @ @ @ teenager was taken to a hospital in critical condition , according to the statement .
@ @ @ @ @ 23-year-old suspect into custody and recovered a knife from the scene .
No charges were @ @ @ @ @ immediately identify the victims or the suspect .

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. (AP) - A man was killed and a teenager was critically wounded in a stabbing at a metro station in Maryland on Thursday, police said.
Metro Transit Police responded to the Capitol Heights Metro Station outside of Washington around 8 p.m., where they found the victims suffering from severe lacerations “consistent with stab wounds,” the agency said in a statement.
The adult victim was pronounced dead at the scene and the teenager was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to the statement.
Police said officers took a 23-year-old suspect into custody and recovered a knife from the scene.
No charges were announced and authorities did not immediately identify the victims or the suspect.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--UN: Market where virus may have started shouldn't be closed

LONDON ( AP ) - The World Health Organization said Friday that although a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan selling live animals likely played a significant role in the emergence of the new coronavirus , it does not recommend that such markets be shut down globally .
In a press briefing , WHO food safety and animal diseases expert Peter Ben Embarek said live animal markets are critical to providing food and livelihoods for millions of people globally and that authorities should focus on improving them rather than outlawing them - even though they can sometimes spark epidemics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these environments is rather difficult and therefore it ’ s not surprising that sometimes we also have these events happening within markets , ” Ben Embarek said .
He said reducing the risk of disease transmission from animals to humans in these often overcrowded markets could be addressed in many cases by improving hygiene and food safety standards , including separating live animals from humans .
He added that it is still unclear whether the market in Wuhan linked to the first several dozens of coronavirus cases in China was the actual source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in spreading the disease further .
Ben Embarek said investigations are continuing in China to pinpoint the animal source from which COVID-19 jumped into humans but that studies have since found other species are susceptible to the disease , including cats , tigers , ferrets and dogs .
Identifying other vulnerable species will allow certain interventions to be put in place to prevent future outbreaks .
“ We don ’ t want to create a new reservoir in animals that could continue to create infections in humans , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to identify the original animal source for the new coronavirus , explaining that extensive studies need to occur first , involving health officials carefully interviewing many of those infected in the early stages of the outbreak , to narrow down what their interactions with animals were before they fell sick .
Scientists would then need to take samples from animals to find a close match to the coronavirus circulating in humans .
To date , China has not invited WHO or other external experts to be part of that investigation .
Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertise to conduct such studies and WHO has not noted any problems in China ’ s willingness to collaborate with others .

LONDON (AP) - The World Health Organization said Friday that although a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan selling live animals likely played a significant role in the emergence of the new coronavirus, it does not recommend that such markets be shut down globally.
In a press briefing, WHO food safety and animal diseases expert Peter Ben Embarek said live animal markets are critical to providing food and livelihoods for millions of people globally and that authorities should focus on improving them rather than outlawing them - even though they can sometimes spark epidemics in humans.
“Food safety in these environments is rather difficult and therefore it’s not surprising that sometimes we also have these events happening within markets,” Ben Embarek said.
He said reducing the risk of disease transmission from animals to humans in these often overcrowded markets could be addressed in many cases by improving hygiene and food safety standards, including separating live animals from humans. He added that it is still unclear whether the market in Wuhan linked to the first several dozens of coronavirus cases in China was the actual source of the virus or merely played a role in spreading the disease further.
Ben Embarek said investigations are continuing in China to pinpoint the animal source from which COVID-19 jumped into humans but that studies have since found other species are susceptible to the disease, including cats, tigers, ferrets and dogs. Identifying other vulnerable species will allow certain interventions to be put in place to prevent future outbreaks. “We don’t want to create a new reservoir in animals that could continue to create infections in humans,” he said.
Ben Embarek said it might take considerable time to identify the original animal source for the new coronavirus, explaining that extensive studies need to occur first, involving health officials carefully interviewing many of those infected in the early stages of the outbreak, to narrow down what their interactions with animals were before they fell sick. Scientists would then need to take samples from animals to find a close match to the coronavirus circulating in humans.
To date, China has not invited WHO or other external experts to be part of that investigation. Ben Embarek said China likely has the necessary expertise to conduct such studies and WHO has not noted any problems in China’s willingness to collaborate with others.
___
Follow AP pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Street shooting leaves Philadelphia teen critically injured

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - A teenage girl playing with a jump rope on a Philadelphia street was shot and @ @ @ @ @ fire , authorities said .
It ’ s not clear what sparked the shooting , @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Thursday .
The shooter apparently fled the scene on foot and remained at large @ @ @ @ @ victim was shot twice in the back and was taken to a hospital , where @ @ @ @ @ but stable condition .
Her name has not been released .
No other injuries were @ @ @ @ @ which remains under investigation .
It ’ s not clear if the teen was the @ @ @ @ @ .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A teenage girl playing with a jump rope on a Philadelphia street was shot and critically injured when someone opened fire, authorities said.
It’s not clear what sparked the shooting, which occurred shortly before 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The shooter apparently fled the scene on foot and remained at large Friday.
The 14-year old victim was shot twice in the back and was taken to a hospital, where she was listed in critical but stable condition. Her name has not been released.
No other injuries were reported in the shooting, which remains under investigation. It’s not clear if the teen was the shooter’s intended target.
‘


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Tennessee AG opposes push to delay executions due to virus

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Tennessee ’ s attorney general is opposing motions to delay executions scheduled in August and October due to the coronavirus pandemic .
In state Supreme Court filings this week , Attorney General Herbert Slatery wrote that attorneys for Byron Black and Harold Nichols are speculating about future public health conditions in their delay requests .
Slatery wrote that the court can take whatever actions necessary if public health circumstances worsen .
Attorneys for the inmates have argued that the pandemic is impeding their ability to do critical work for clemency requests and court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Aug. 4 and Black ’ s is slated for Oct. 8 .
The state Supreme Court previously delayed inmate Oscar Smith ’ s execution from June to February 2021 due to the coronavirus .
Texas has already delayed six executions due to the outbreak .
Slatery wrote that those were all scheduled from March to early June .
Additionally , the state Supreme Court ’ s order currently anticipates most Tennessee in-court proceedings to resume by June and jury trials to restart in July , Slatery added .
“ If citizens will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and return to their places of employment in August , there is no reason Nichols ’ s execution should not also proceed as scheduled , ” Slatery wrote .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee’s attorney general is opposing motions to delay executions scheduled in August and October due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In state Supreme Court filings this week, Attorney General Herbert Slatery wrote that attorneys for Byron Black and Harold Nichols are speculating about future public health conditions in their delay requests.
Slatery wrote that the court can take whatever actions necessary if public health circumstances worsen.
Attorneys for the inmates have argued that the pandemic is impeding their ability to do critical work for clemency requests and court proceedings.
Nichols’ execution is scheduled for Aug. 4 and Black’s is slated for Oct. 8.
The state Supreme Court previously delayed inmate Oscar Smith’s execution from June to February 2021 due to the coronavirus. Texas has already delayed six executions due to the outbreak.
Slatery wrote that those were all scheduled from March to early June. Additionally, the state Supreme Court’s order currently anticipates most Tennessee in-court proceedings to resume by June and jury trials to restart in July, Slatery added.
“If citizens will be called upon to serve as jurors and return to their places of employment in August, there is no reason Nichols’s execution should not also proceed as scheduled,” Slatery wrote.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Deputies: SC nail salon shut down after violating order

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Deputies in South Carolina said a nail salon was shut down after it @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s closure of close-contact businesses during the coronavirus pandemic .
Richland County deputies @ @ @ @ @ A.M Nail Bar in Columbia on Wednesday after they got a report that the salon @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s department said in a statement .
Arriving deputies said they found about @ @ @ @ @ salon through the back door while the front door remained closed .
Nail salons and @ @ @ @ @ closed to avoid spreading the virus under an executive order issued by Gov .
Henry @ @

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Deputies in South Carolina said a nail salon was shut down after it was caught operating despite the state’s closure of close-contact businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Richland County deputies also ticketed the owner of A.M Nail Bar in Columbia on Wednesday after they got a report that the salon was doing business, the sheriff’s department said in a statement.
Arriving deputies said they found about 25 people who entered the salon through the back door while the front door remained closed.
Nail salons and other close-contact businesses have been closed to avoid spreading the virus under an executive order issued by Gov. Henry McMaster.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--'We just did our bit:' WWII vets recall war 75 years later

LONDON ( AP ) - Seventy-five years after World War II ended in Europe , The Associated Press spoke to veterans who endured mortal danger , oppression and fear .
As they mark Victory in Europe Day on Friday , they also are dealing with loneliness brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
Here is some of their testimony .
SURVIVING NORMANDY AND COVID-19 Tony Vaccaro is one of the few people alive who can claim to have survived the Battle of Normandy and COVID-19 .
He was dealt a bad hand early , as his mother died during childbirth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father .
By age 5 , he was an orphan in Italy , enduring beatings from an uncle .
By World War II he was an American G.I .
Now , at age 97 , he is recovering from COVID-19 .
He attributes his longevity to “ blind luck , red wine ” and determination .
“ To me , the greatest thing that you can do is challenge the world , ” he said .
“ And most of these challenges I win .
That ’ s what keeps me going.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lifetime of photography that began as a combat infantryman when he stowed a camera and captured close to 8,000 photographs .
One of his famous images , “ Kiss of Liberation , ” showed a U.S. sergeant kissing a French girl at the end of Nazi occupation .
Vaccaro documented the reconstruction of Europe and returned to the U.S. where he worked for magazines such as Look and Life and has fond memories of photographing celebrities including Sophia Loren , John .
F. Kennedy , Georgia O ’ Keefe and Pablo Picasso @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City borough ravaged by the coronavirus , and next to his family .
He might have caught the virus in April from his son or in their neighborhood , his daughter-in-law Maria said .
He was in the hospital two days and spent another week recovering .
“ That was it , ” she said .
“ He ’ s walking around like nothing happened.
” REMEMBERING THE JOY OF HOMECOMING VE-Day was the end of four days of celebration for Ken Hay .
It began when the former prisoner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in almost a year from a Lancaster bomber he flew back in .
“ I went back to get a glimpse of England and was at first disappointed to see only water , but quickly realized that I was looking backwards … And then , rather like a medal ribbon , there was the edge of the water , a grayish-blue , the white breakers , a white cliff edge and then green grass — there ’ s no color like English green , ’ ’ he said .
The past 11 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4th Dorset Battalion of the 43rd Wessex Division , he was separated from his brother , Bill , and captured by Germans during the invasion of Normandy .
He was forced to work in a coal mine until the Nazi war machine began to unravel , and he was liberated in Germany by American troops .
After returning home to London , Hay learned Bill was stationed nearby .
“ Home , ’ ’ Hay wired his brother .
“ Can you get leave ?
’ ’ On VE Day , Hay and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s broadcast , then attended a special service at church .
“ We were walking back home … when I heard footsteps , ’ ’ Hay said .
“ I turned around and there was my brother running down the road to get home , and he ’ d spotted us .
We just threw our arms around each other .
The last time I ’ d seen him was out in the field in Normandy.″ Both went into town in their uniforms .
There were crowds everywhere , and some girls called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we to demur ?
” he said .
MISSING THE BIG PARTY - TWICE Mervyn Kersh likes to joke that he was probably the last British soldier to learn the Nazis had surrendered .
Pvt .
Kersh , who was with forces that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp , was ordered to return to England for deployment to Japan so he was on a blacked-out train crossing Europe when the celebrations began .
By the time he got to London , the party was over .
The cancellation of festivities marking the 75th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s nothing going on , which is a great shame because this is the last chance those who took part in the war will have , ’ ’ he said .
“ If you wait for another five years — 80 years — I don ’ t think many of us will be here .
Not many of us are here now.
” It is also a time to remember - not just the war but its aftermath .
Kersh is proud that Europe has remained largely peaceful since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nazis .
“ I may have been a small cog , ″ Kersh , 95 , said .
“ But I made sure that I never let the greater machine down !
‘ ’ ‘ SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE ’ Forgive British veteran Bob Sullivan for being unfussed about VE-Day .
After all , on May 8 , 1945 , he was lying in Cossham Hospital , having been wounded in the closing days of the fight to defeat the Nazis .
As he couldn ’ t move because of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t even able to attend a celebratory supper .
But more than that .
Sullivan points out that the war wasn ’ t really over .
“ The war in the Far East was still going on , ’ ’ he said .
“ I had visions of fighting it out with the Japanese.
’ ’ Sullivan is 97 now , and while proud of his service , he points out that it wasn ’ t just the soldiers who won the war .
Everyone was involved in the defeat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our bit , ’ ’ he said .
“ Everyone was in the same boat .
Something had to be done.
’ ’ Now a pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea , a home for Army veterans , Sullivan has taken a philosophical view to lockdown and the downsizing of the anniversary celebrations .
His movements are restricted , so something simple - like a walk in the sunshine - is more meaningful than a parade these days .
“ We have a beautiful park here , ’ ’ he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite attractive.″ Richard Drew contributed from New York and Raf Casert from Brussels .
Follow AP ’ s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https : //apnews.com/WorldWarII

LONDON (AP) - Seventy-five years after World War II ended in Europe, The Associated Press spoke to veterans who endured mortal danger, oppression and fear. As they mark Victory in Europe Day on Friday, they also are dealing with loneliness brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. Here is some of their testimony.
___
SURVIVING NORMANDY AND COVID-19 Tony Vaccaro is one of the few people alive who can claim to have survived the Battle of Normandy and COVID-19.
He was dealt a bad hand early, as his mother died during childbirth a few years before tuberculosis claimed his father. By age 5, he was an orphan in Italy, enduring beatings from an uncle. By World War II he was an American G.I.
Now, at age 97, he is recovering from COVID-19. He attributes his longevity to “blind luck, red wine” and determination.
“To me, the greatest thing that you can do is challenge the world,” he said. “And most of these challenges I win. That’s what keeps me going.”
Vaccaro’s grit carried him into a lifetime of photography that began as a combat infantryman when he stowed a camera and captured close to 8,000 photographs.
One of his famous images, “Kiss of Liberation,” showed a U.S. sergeant kissing a French girl at the end of Nazi occupation.
Vaccaro documented the reconstruction of Europe and returned to the U.S. where he worked for magazines such as Look and Life and has fond memories of photographing celebrities including Sophia Loren, John. F. Kennedy, Georgia O’Keefe and Pablo Picasso.
Vaccaro lives in Queens, the New York City borough ravaged by the coronavirus, and next to his family.
He might have caught the virus in April from his son or in their neighborhood, his daughter-in-law Maria said. He was in the hospital two days and spent another week recovering.
“That was it,” she said. “He’s walking around like nothing happened.”
____
REMEMBERING THE JOY OF HOMECOMING VE-Day was the end of four days of celebration for Ken Hay.
It began when the former prisoner of war got his first sight of home in almost a year from a Lancaster bomber he flew back in.
“I went back to get a glimpse of England and was at first disappointed to see only water, but quickly realized that I was looking backwards … And then, rather like a medal ribbon, there was the edge of the water, a grayish-blue, the white breakers, a white cliff edge and then green grass — there’s no color like English green,’’ he said.
The past 11 months had been grim. Serving in the 4th Dorset Battalion of the 43rd Wessex Division, he was separated from his brother, Bill, and captured by Germans during the invasion of Normandy. He was forced to work in a coal mine until the Nazi war machine began to unravel, and he was liberated in Germany by American troops.
After returning home to London, Hay learned Bill was stationed nearby.
“Home,’’ Hay wired his brother. “Can you get leave?’’
On VE Day, Hay and his family listened to Winston Churchill’s broadcast, then attended a special service at church.
“We were walking back home … when I heard footsteps,’’ Hay said. “I turned around and there was my brother running down the road to get home, and he’d spotted us. We just threw our arms around each other. The last time I’d seen him was out in the field in Normandy.″
Both went into town in their uniforms. There were crowds everywhere, and some girls called for a kiss.
“Who were we to demur?” he said.
___
MISSING THE BIG PARTY - TWICE Mervyn Kersh likes to joke that he was probably the last British soldier to learn the Nazis had surrendered.
Pvt. Kersh, who was with forces that liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, was ordered to return to England for deployment to Japan so he was on a blacked-out train crossing Europe when the celebrations began. By the time he got to London, the party was over.
The cancellation of festivities marking the 75th anniversary of VE-Day offered fresh disappointment.
“There’s nothing going on, which is a great shame because this is the last chance those who took part in the war will have,’’ he said. “If you wait for another five years — 80 years — I don’t think many of us will be here. Not many of us are here now.”
It is also a time to remember - not just the war but its aftermath. Kersh is proud that Europe has remained largely peaceful since then, and for his role in defeating the Nazis.
“I may have been a small cog,″ Kersh, 95, said. “But I made sure that I never let the greater machine down! ‘’
____
‘SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE’ Forgive British veteran Bob Sullivan for being unfussed about VE-Day.
After all, on May 8, 1945, he was lying in Cossham Hospital, having been wounded in the closing days of the fight to defeat the Nazis. As he couldn’t move because of a plaster cast on his leg, he wasn’t even able to attend a celebratory supper.
But more than that. Sullivan points out that the war wasn’t really over.
“The war in the Far East was still going on,’’ he said. “I had visions of fighting it out with the Japanese.’’
Sullivan is 97 now, and while proud of his service, he points out that it wasn’t just the soldiers who won the war. Everyone was involved in the defeat of Adolf Hitler.
“We just did our bit,’’ he said. “Everyone was in the same boat. Something had to be done.’’
Now a pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a home for Army veterans, Sullivan has taken a philosophical view to lockdown and the downsizing of the anniversary celebrations. His movements are restricted, so something simple - like a walk in the sunshine - is more meaningful than a parade these days.
“We have a beautiful park here,’’ he said. “It is, to my mind, quite attractive.″
___
Richard Drew contributed from New York and Raf Casert from Brussels.
___
Follow AP’s coverage marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe at https://apnews.com/WorldWarII


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Louisiana lawyer suspended after trying to recuse judges

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Louisiana ’ s Supreme Court ordered a lawyer suspended for misconduct @ @ @ @ @ recuse multiple judges from a case .
Last Friday ’ s ruling found that Otha @ @ @ @ @ “ frivolous ” motions to recuse two district court judges and all the judges in @ @ @ @ @ circuit appeals court from a community property partition case was “ serious and improper , @ @ @ @ @ His suspension will last for over a year .
This is the second time the @ @ @ @ @ by the high court .
In 2014 , he was suspended for nearly three years @ @ @ @ @ including for collecting excessive fees , the Advocate reported .
The court said during that @ @ @ @ @ a mistrial by removing white jurors from a case .
In the latest ruling , @ @ @ @ @ had also neglected a legal matter and did not communicate with a client in one @ @ @ @ @ Advocate ’ s request for comment on this story .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana’s Supreme Court ordered a lawyer suspended for misconduct after he filed motions to recuse multiple judges from a case.
Last Friday’s ruling found that Otha Curtis Nelson Sr.’s “frivolous” motions to recuse two district court judges and all the judges in the state’s first circuit appeals court from a community property partition case was “serious and improper,” the Advocate reported. His suspension will last for over a year.
This is the second time the Baton Rouge lawyer was disciplined by the high court. In 2014, he was suspended for nearly three years on multiple misconduct violations, including for collecting excessive fees, the Advocate reported.
The court said during that suspension that Nelson also caused a mistrial by removing white jurors from a case.
In the latest ruling, the justices added that Nelson had also neglected a legal matter and did not communicate with a client in one case. Nelson declined the Advocate’s request for comment on this story.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Georgia recalls its ambassador in Ukraine over ex-president

TBILISI , Georgia ( AP ) - Georgia ’ s Foreign Ministry on Friday recalled its ambassador in Kyiv after the former Georgian president was appointed to lead an advisory body in Ukraine .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday put Mikheil Saakashvili in charge of the executive committee of the National Reform Council .
The move angered Georgia , where Saakashvili was president from 2004-2013 .
In a statement Friday , Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani pointed out that Saakashvili has been convicted by a Georgian court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest .
“ That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recall Georgia ’ s ambassador in Ukraine , Temuraz Sharashenidze , for consultations in Tbilisi .
I want to emphasize that despite this regrettable decision , we are not considering termination of diplomatic relations between our countries or overlooking our strategic partnership , ” Zalkaliani said .
A Georgian court in 2018 convicted Saakashvili on abuse of power charges that he and his allies described as politically motivated .
Saakashvili was initially hailed for streamlining the government and fighting corruption , but his popularity was eroded by a crackdown on protests and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the loss of two separatist provinces .
Saakashvili ’ s appointment marks a remarkable political comeback for the former Georgian leader .
He started a new political career in Ukraine in 2015 when then-President Petro Poroshenko appointed him governor of the Odessa region .
The two fell out a year later , and the president stripped Saakashvili , who led anti-government protests , of Ukrainian citizenship .
Zelenskiy , the comedian who unseated Poroshenko in last year ’ s election , quickly restored Ukrainian citizenship for Saakashvili .

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) - Georgia’s Foreign Ministry on Friday recalled its ambassador in Kyiv after the former Georgian president was appointed to lead an advisory body in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday put Mikheil Saakashvili in charge of the executive committee of the National Reform Council.
The move angered Georgia, where Saakashvili was president from 2004-2013. In a statement Friday, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani pointed out that Saakashvili has been convicted by a Georgian court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
“That is why we have made the decision to recall Georgia’s ambassador in Ukraine, Temuraz Sharashenidze, for consultations in Tbilisi. I want to emphasize that despite this regrettable decision, we are not considering termination of diplomatic relations between our countries or overlooking our strategic partnership,” Zalkaliani said.
A Georgian court in 2018 convicted Saakashvili on abuse of power charges that he and his allies described as politically motivated. Saakashvili was initially hailed for streamlining the government and fighting corruption, but his popularity was eroded by a crackdown on protests and the 2008 war with Russia that led to the loss of two separatist provinces.
Zelenskiy on Friday said Georgia’s decision to recall the ambassador was “a mistake” and vowed not to reciprocate.
“We have great relations with Georgia, with the Georgian nation. No matter what, we will not recall our ambassador back to Ukraine for any consultations,” Zelenskiy said.
Saakashvili’s appointment marks a remarkable political comeback for the former Georgian leader.
He started a new political career in Ukraine in 2015 when then-President Petro Poroshenko appointed him governor of the Odessa region. The two fell out a year later, and the president stripped Saakashvili, who led anti-government protests, of Ukrainian citizenship.
Zelenskiy, the comedian who unseated Poroshenko in last year’s election, quickly restored Ukrainian citizenship for Saakashvili.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--5 things to know today - that aren't about the virus

Your daily look at nonvirus stories in the news : 1 .
‘ THE FIRST STEP TO JUSTICE ’ Georgia authorities arrest a white father and son and charge them with murder in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery , a black man they had pursued in a truck after spotting him running in their neighborhood .
2 .
DOJ ABRUPTLY DROPS FLYNN CASE The prosecution against Trump ’ s first national security adviser has become a rallying cry for the president and his supporters in attacking the FBI ’ s Russia investigation .
3 .
TARA READE GETS A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump ’ s 2016 campaign , will represent the former Senate staffer who alleged Joe Biden sexually assaulted her 27 years ago .
4 .
COLD SPRING FAREWELL IN THE OFFING A polar vortex could bring rare May snowfall and record-low temperatures to some areas in the northeastern U.S. over the Mother ’ s Day weekend .
5 .
TB12 IN PRIME TIME Networks got their wish from NFL schedule makers when they put Tom Brady ’ s new team , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , in the maximum five slots in @ @ @

Your daily look at nonvirus stories in the news:
1. ‘THE FIRST STEP TO JUSTICE’ More than two months after a black man was shot to death while jogging, Georgia investigators conceded that the facts show enough evidence to jail a white father and son on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault.
2. DOJ ABRUPTLY DROPS FLYNN CASE The prosecution against Trump’s first national security adviser has become a rallying cry for the president and his supporters in attacking the FBI’s Russia investigation.
3. TARA READE GETS A LAWYER Douglas Wigdor, a political donor to Trump’s 2016 campaign, will represent the former Senate staffer who alleged Joe Biden sexually assaulted her 27 years ago.
4. COLD SPRING FAREWELL IN THE OFFING A polar vortex could bring rare May snowfall and record-low temperatures to some areas in the northeastern U.S. over the Mother’s Day weekend.
5. JUDGE WON’T TOSS COLLEGE BRIBERY CHARGES A federal judge has refused to dismiss charges against actress Lori Loughlin, her fashion designer husband and other prominent parents accused of cheating the college admissions process.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--US, China trade envoys promise 'favorable conditions'

BEIJING ( AP ) - U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators promised to create “ favorable conditions ” for carrying out a truce in their governments ’ tariff war during a phone call Friday , an official Chinese news agency reported .
The call followed a threat by President Donald Trump to pull out of the agreement if Beijing fails to buy more American goods and services in exchange for Washington suspending planned tariff hikes .
The plunge in economic activity and trade due to the coronavirus pandemic has depressed Chinese demand for foreign goods and diverted official priorities away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese envoy , Vice Premier Liu He , U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin promised to “ create a favorable atmosphere and conditions ” for implementing the “ phase one ” agreement signed in January , Xinhua said .
It said they “ agreed to maintain communication and coordination ” but gave no additional details .
The two governments have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each other ’ s imports since 2018 in a fight over Beijing ’ s trade surplus and technology ambitions .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some tariff hikes and postpone others in exchange for what Trump said was a Chinese commitment to buy American farm goods and other exports worth $ 200 billion .
Beijing has resumed purchases of American soybeans but has yet to confirm the size of any commitment .
On Sunday , Trump told Fox News , “ If they don ’ t buy , we ’ ll terminate the deal .
Very simple.
” The two governments have yet to announce a timeline for more negotiations .

BEIJING (AP) - U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators promised to create “favorable conditions” for carrying out a truce in their governments’ tariff war during a phone call Friday, an official Chinese news agency reported.
The call followed a threat by President Donald Trump to pull out of the agreement if Beijing fails to buy more American goods and services in exchange for Washington suspending planned tariff hikes.
The plunge in economic activity and trade due to the coronavirus pandemic has depressed Chinese demand for foreign goods and diverted official priorities away from ending the tariff fight.
The chief Chinese envoy, Vice Premier Liu He, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin promised to “create a favorable atmosphere and conditions” for implementing the “phase one” agreement signed in January, Xinhua said.
It said they “agreed to maintain communication and coordination” but gave no additional details.
The two governments have raised tariffs on billions of dollars of each other’s imports since 2018 in a fight over Beijing’s trade surplus and technology ambitions. Under the January agreement,
Washington agreed to reduce some tariff hikes and postpone others in exchange for what Trump said was a Chinese commitment to buy American farm goods and other exports worth $200 billion. Beijing has resumed purchases of American soybeans but has yet to confirm the size of any commitment.
On Sunday, Trump told Fox News, “If they don’t buy, we’ll terminate the deal. Very simple.”
The two governments have yet to announce a timeline for more negotiations.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Lawmakers ejected in scuffles at Hong Kong's legislature

HONG KONG ( AP ) - Scuffles broke out at Hong Kong ’ s legislature Friday , with security guards ejecting several pro-democracy lawmakers including one who was carried out by medics on a stretcher after he was injured .
Tempers flared after a pro-Beijing lawmaker inserted herself as chair of a committee meeting to try to end a months-long impasse that has resulted in a backlog of legislation , including a controversial bill that would criminalize abuse of the Chinese national anthem in the semi-autonomous city .
Pro-Beijing lawmakers have accused pro-democracy lawmaker Dennis Kwok , the deputy chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its work by blocking the selection of a new chair for more than six months .
China publicly rebuked Kwok last month for holding up matters that affect public interest , sparking protests that it was meddling in Hong Kong ’ s internal affairs .
On Friday , pro-Beijing lawmaker Starry Lee , saying she has the authority as the previous committee chair to preside over the meeting , occupied the seat more than an hour before its scheduled start .
Security staff and other pro-Beijing lawmakers surrounded the bench to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at bay .
The two sides shouted at each other , with each camp holding up placards condemning either Lee or Kwok .
Scuffles broke out when Lee called the meeting to order , with pro-democracy lawmakers rushing the bench as security guards shoved back .
The guards carried out several pro-democracy lawmakers , including Eddie Chu and Ray Chan , who were ordered to leave due to disorderly conduct .
“ I have not seized power , I am the incumbent chairperson of the House Committee , ” said Lee , urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmaker Claudia Mo called Lee a “ vicious Beijing little worm , ” and others chanted “ Starry Lee , step down.
” Pro-Beijing lawmakers countered with shouts that Kwok was abusing his power .
Most of the pro-democracy lawmakers eventually walked out of the meeting of the committee , which normally scrutinizes bills and determines when they can be put to a final vote .
The session was later briefly suspended after pro-democracy politician Kwok Wing-kin , who was watching from the public viewing balcony , was dragged away by security guards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down into the meeting room .
In rebuking Kwok last month , China ’ s liaison office in Hong Kong called for him to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office .
The legislature ’ s legal adviser , Connie Fung , who said last year that Lee does not have the authority to preside and a new chair must be elected , reversed her position Friday .
She said Lee could preside because of the abnormal condition of a chair not being elected for six months .
It wasn ’ t clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impasse , with pro-democracy lawmakers saying they would continue to fight .
Beijing ’ s criticism of Kwok sparked debate over whether it has the power to intervene in Hong Kong ’ s internal affairs under the Basic Law , Hong Kong ’ s constitution .
The former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 under a “ one-country , two-systems ” framework in which Hong Kong was given freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland and promised a high degree of autonomy in its affairs for 50 years .
Differences between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after months of sometimes violent protests sparked by an attempt to pass legislation - later withdrawn - that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to China to face trials .
Previously , the legislature had passed a motion allowing a bill that extended maternity leave to bypass the House Committee , and was criticized by pro-democracy lawmakers as setting a bad precedent for bills to pass without the scrutiny of the committee .

HONG KONG (AP) - Scuffles broke out at Hong Kong’s legislature Friday, with security guards ejecting several pro-democracy lawmakers including one carried out on a stretcher by medics after he was injured.
Tempers flared when a pro-Beijing lawmaker inserted herself as chair of a committee meeting to try to end a months-long impasse that has resulted in a backlog of legislation, including a controversial bill that would criminalize abuse of the Chinese national anthem in the semi-autonomous city.
Pro-Beijing lawmakers have accused pro-democracy lawmaker Dennis Kwok, the deputy chair of the House Committee, of stalling its work by blocking the selection of a new chair for more than six months. China publicly rebuked Kwok last month for holding up matters that affect public interest, sparking protests that it was meddling in Hong Kong’s internal affairs.
On Friday, pro-Beijing lawmaker Starry Lee, saying she has the authority as the previous chair to preside over the meeting, occupied the seat more than an hour before the meeting’s scheduled start. Security staff and other pro-Beijing lawmakers surrounded the bench to try to keep a large group of pro-democracy lawmakers at bay.
The two sides shouted at each other, with each camp holding up placards condemning either Lee or Kwok. Scuffles broke out when Lee called the meeting to order, with pro-democracy lawmakers rushing the bench as security guards shoved back. The guards carried out several pro-democracy lawmakers, including Eddie Chu and Ray Chan, who were ordered to leave due to disorderly conduct.
“I have not seized power, I am the incumbent chairperson of the House Committee,” said Lee, urging lawmakers to take their seats.
Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo called Lee a “vicious Beijing little worm,” and others chanted “Starry Lee, step down.” Pro-Beijing lawmakers countered that Kwok was abusing his power.
Most of the pro-democracy lawmakers eventually walked out of the meeting of the committee, which normally scrutinizes bills and determines when they can be put to a final vote. The session was later briefly suspended after pro-democracy politician Kwok Wing-kin, who was watching from the public viewing balcony, was dragged away by security guards after he threw a stack of papers down into the chamber.
In rebuking Kwok last month, China’s liaison office in Hong Kong called for him to be prosecuted for misconduct in public office. The legislature’s legal adviser, Connie Fung, who said last year that Lee does not have the authority to preside and a new chair must be elected, reversed her position Friday. She said Lee could preside because of the abnormal condition of a chair not being elected for six months.
It wasn’t clear whether Lee’s move ended the impasse, with pro-democracy lawmakers saying they would continue to fight. Dozens of anti-government protesters gathered in a nearby shopping mall in the evening, shouting pro-democracy slogans.
Beijing’s criticism of Kwok sparked debate over whether it has the power to intervene in Hong Kong’s internal affairs under the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s constitution.
The former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 under a “one-country, two-systems” framework in which Hong Kong was given freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland and promised a high degree of autonomy in its affairs for 50 years.
Differences between the pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps were sharpened after months of sometimes violent protests sparked by an attempt to pass legislation - later withdrawn - that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to China to face trials.
Previously, the legislature had passed a motion allowing a bill that extended maternity leave to bypass the House Committee, and was criticized by pro-democracy lawmakers as setting a bad precedent for bills to pass without the scrutiny of the committee.


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Phibro: Fiscal 3Q Earnings Snapshot

Phibro: Fiscal 3Q Earnings Snapshot

On a per-share basis , the Teaneck , New Jersey-based company said it had profit of 33 cents .
Earnings @ @ @ @ @ , were 38 cents per share .
The maker of animal health products and nutritional @ @ @ @ @ 210.7 million in the period .
Phibro shares have fallen 8.5 % since the beginning @ @ @ @ @ stock has decreased 22 % in the last 12 months .
This story was generated @ @ @ @ @ : //automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research .
Access a Zacks stock report @ @ @ @ @ //www.zacks.com/ap/PAHC

TEANECK, N.J. (AP) _ Phibro Animal Health Corp. (PAHC) on Thursday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $13.5 million.
On a per-share basis, the Teaneck, New Jersey-based company said it had profit of 33 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 38 cents per share.
The maker of animal health products and nutritional supplements posted revenue of $210.7 million in the period.
Phibro shares have fallen 8.5% since the beginning of the year. The stock has decreased 22% in the last 12 months.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PAHC at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PAHC


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--The Latest: Nadal says Djokovic may need vaccine if required

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : Rafael Nadal says Novak Djokovic will need to be vaccinated to keep playing if tennis bodies make coronavirus shots obligatory once they become available .
Nadal tells Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia this week that Djokovic and all players will have to follow the rules when tennis eventually returns to action .
Nadal says no one can be forced to take the vaccine and everyone should be free to make their choices but all players will have to comply if tennis officials require “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect ” everyone on the tour .
Djokovic recently said he was against taking a vaccine for the coronavirus even if it became mandatory to travel .
He later said he was open to changing his mind .
Nadal says “ Djokovic will have to be vaccinated if he wants to keep playing tennis at the top level.
” He says that “ if the ATP or the International Tennis Federation obligates us to take the vaccine to play tennis then we will have to do it.
” Inter Milan players can resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center after everyone from the first team tested negative for the coronavirus .
Inter had to delay the resumption of training earlier in the week because not everyone on the team had been tested for COVID-19 .
The club says all tests have now come back negative and that “ optional individual training sessions will begin this afternoon.
” AC Milan has also reopened its training center for its players .
Most of the other Italian league clubs had already resumed training on an individual basis this week before full team training restarts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyle Walker has complained about being “ harassed ” and says his family has been “ torn apart ” after admitting to breaking social-distancing rules again during the coronavirus pandemic .
British newspaper The Sun reports that Walker breached regulations three times in a 24-hour period this week by visiting family members and going on a cycle ride with a friend .
The England international apologized last month for hosting a party at his home during the lockdown .
Walker posted a long statement on Twitter saying he feels he is being followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Walker writes “ this is no longer solely affecting me but affecting the health of my family and my young children too .
”

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
___
The century-old Reno Rodeo has canceled the 10-day event in June because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Reno Rodeo President Craig Downie said in a letter to the rodeo’s board of directors that canceling the event scheduled for June 18-27 was necessary to ensure the safety of participants, fans, vendors, sponsors and volunteers.
General Manager George Combs said it was a difficult decision, made in consultation with health experts as well as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Billed as the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West,” the event attended by 140,000 people annually celebrated its centennial in 2019.
___
The University of Minnesota athletic department is projecting a $4 million deficit for the fiscal year ending on June 30. That’s out of a $123 million budget that ranks as the eighth-largest in the Big Ten conference.
Minnesota AD Mark Coyle presented the financial picture at a Board of Regents meeting conducted by video conference on Friday. In February, before the virus outbreak caused the cancellation of the NCAA basketball tournaments and a sharp decrease in revenue, the Gophers were forecasting a $1 million surplus thanks in part to a surge in football ticket sales and fundraising related to a strong 2019 season for the team.
For the next budget cycle covering the 2020-21 school year, the athletic department is bracing for a $75 million loss of expected revenue in the worst-case scenario of no fall sports and thus no televised football games. Games played without fans admitted projects to a $30 million drop in revenue. The best-case scenario of campus reopening in the fall and sports played as scheduled would bring an estimated $10 million hit. Those figures don’t account for reduced expenses in travel and other areas due to the pandemic.
- Dave Campbell reporting from Minneapolis
___
Real Madrid says striker Luka Jovic has a broken bone in his right foot and will not be able to return to practice with the rest of the team next week.
The club did not disclose the recovery time but Jovic is likely to be sidelined for at least a few weeks.
Madrid players are expected to return to individual training on Monday after nearly two months of confinement because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spanish media say Jovic was hurt while exercising at home.
Teams are being allowed to resume practicing as the Spanish government begins to ease some of the lockdown restrictions that have been in place since mid-March.
___
NASCAR has canceled races at Richmond Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway and Sonoma Raceway in California, as it revises its schedule to restart the season.
NASCAR plans to race at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina on May 17 and May 20. Since those races weren’t originally scheduled, NASCAR forfeited events at its Richmond and Chicago tracks. Richmond was originally scheduled for April 19 and Chicagoland was scheduled for June 21
Speedway Motorsports traded its road course race in Sonoma scheduled for June 14 for a Cup race at Charlotte on May 27.
NASCAR is attempting to race at tracks within driving distance of its North Carolina-based teams as it resumes competition following the sports shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has only announced races through May.
The canceling of the Chicago race is an ominous sign for workers at the track in Joliet, Illinois. The track staff was hit this week with a second round of layoffs by NASCAR since the pandemic.
___
The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have put their plans to play outside of North America on ice for the rest of the year.
The league and union announced the postponement of its 2020 international games, adding they look forward to taking teams overseas again next year. The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers were previously scheduled to open this season in Prague as part of the NHL’s Global Series.
The Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning had been slated to play two games in Stockholm.
___
The 19 Swiss-based employees of United World Wrestling have had their salaries cut 50 percent, and external staff have received a reduction in work and monthly service fees.
The international governing body for the sport says the reductions would be in force indefinitely.
“From the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games to the cancellation of domestic and international tournaments, the sports world has felt the pain of this virus/outbreak,” UWW says. “Even as we assess the rest of the 2020 calendar, there is uncertainty around the return to competition.”
The UWW says its development team has launched a webinar series to address concerns of national federations, athletes and stakeholders.
___
Turkish soccer team Trabzonspor says its players have started to train as a team following the federation’s decision to resume league games on June 12.
The Turkish club is based in the Black Sea coastal city of Trabzon. The team’s players had previously been training in groups of three in line with social distancing guidelines.
Turkey’s health ministry has said it was not involved in the decision to restart games and added that the federation would be responsible for any consequences.
Istanbul club Fenerbahce said Thursday that it “understands” the federation’s decision but raised questions about the fate of the season if a team needs to be quarantined and the legal implications if a player were to sustain lasting damage after becoming infected.
___
Spanish soccer teams have resumed individual training after nearly two months of confinement because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Barcelona, Sevilla, Villarreal and other clubs have returned to action after the Spanish government loosened some of the lockdown restrictions that had been in place since mid-March.
Atlético Madrid is set to resume its activities on Saturday and Real Madrid’s players will be back on the field on Monday.
Barcelona’s players were practicing at different parts of the team’s training camp to avoid contact with each other. Coach Quique Setién was wearing gloves and a mask as he watched from afar as players ran their drills. Players had their regular training uniforms but no masks or gloves while on the field.
Lionel Messi was seen juggling the ball by himself at one point.
All players, coaches and club employees were tested for COVID-19 before being allowed to practice. The league has not yet released results but some local media reports said three yet-to-be-named players tested positive. The information has not been independently confirmed.
___
Soccer teams will be allowed to use two extra substitutes per match to protect players during a backlog of games caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The International Football Association Board says competition organizers can now approve teams making five changes with a sixth in extra time.
IFAB says the temporary rule is available to “competitions which have either started or are intended to start, but are scheduled to be completed by Dec. 31.”
Leagues which typically end in May face a congested program into July and August to complete their season.
A further IFAB decision is needed to extend the rule into next season’s competitions and national team games in 2021.
___
Rafael Nadal says Novak Djokovic will need to be vaccinated to keep playing if tennis bodies make coronavirus shots obligatory once they become available.
Nadal tells Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia this week that Djokovic and all players will have to follow the rules when tennis eventually returns to action.
Nadal says no one can be forced to take the vaccine and everyone should be free to make their choices but all players will have to comply if tennis officials require “vaccination to travel” and to “protect” everyone on the tour.
Djokovic recently said he was against taking a vaccine for the coronavirus even if it became mandatory to travel. He later said he was open to changing his mind.
Nadal says “Djokovic will have to be vaccinated if he wants to keep playing tennis at the top level.”
He says that “if the ATP or the International Tennis Federation obligates us to take the vaccine to play tennis then we will have to do it.”
___
Inter Milan players can resume training at the club’s Suning Center after everyone from the first team tested negative for the coronavirus.
Inter had to delay the resumption of training earlier in the week because not everyone on the team had been tested for COVID-19.
The club says all tests have now come back negative and that “optional individual training sessions will begin this afternoon.”
AC Milan has also reopened its training center for its players.
Most of the other Italian league clubs had already resumed training on an individual basis this week before full team training restarts on May 18.
___
Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has complained about being “harassed” and says his family has been “torn apart” after admitting to breaking social-distancing rules again during the coronavirus pandemic.
British newspaper The Sun reports that Walker breached regulations three times in a 24-hour period this week by visiting family members and going on a cycle ride with a friend.
The England international apologized last month for hosting a party at his home during the lockdown.
Walker posted a long statement on Twitter saying he feels he is being followed constantly while also raising mental health concerns.
Walker writes “this is no longer solely affecting me but affecting the health of my family and my young children too.”
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-05-08--Troubled Zimbabwe hopes for some relief in tobacco sales

HARARE , Zimbabwe ( AP ) - Adjust Saidi , a foreman at a farm outside Zimbabwe ’ s capital , Harare , paced through rows of tobacco plants .
Desperate to complete the harvest and sell the crop , he pushed workers picking leaves to “ hurry it up.
” Some carried up to 30 kilograms ( 66 pounds ) of leaves , bound by wire , on their shoulders .
Some wore face masks .
With most economic activity stalled by a coronavirus lockdown , troubled Zimbabwe last month officially opened the tobacco selling season after a month-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second biggest foreign currency earner after gold , and it brought in about $ 750 million last year .
Allowing tobacco selling gives the government an opportunity to ease acute foreign currency shortages in a country whose economy had been collapsing well before the virus .
The government ’ s decision came as a relief to thousands of farmers who were already hard hit by a severe drought .
In a normal season , Saidi would be heading to the auction floors by mid-May but will only be able to finish harvesting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers have not reported for duty “ fearing coronavirus , ” he said .
Other farmers said the new virus restrictions are making things difficult .
Biggie Muronda said it took five hours to travel about 130 kilometers ( 80 miles ) to the auction floors because of police harassment on the roads “ despite producing the letter ( authorizing movement ) .
” Zimbabwe ’ s government later eased restrictions on movement and farmers were given special dispensation to move their crops without hindrance .
“ We are not afraid of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dangarembizi .
“ The risk is that farmers could be cheated out of their money due to the new guidelines which say we must give our crop to a representative who will come here to sell on our behalf.
” The new rules stipulating that crops will be sold in the absence of farmers are aimed at preventing thousands of farmers and their families , as well as vendors seeking to cash in on the farmers ’ payouts , from camping at auction floors as usual .
Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri said tobacco-buying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside Harare to avoid farmers packing the auction floors in the capital as part of the new measures .
Rodney Ambrose , the president of Zimbabwe Tobacco Association , a representative group for farmers , said the companies were yet to set up such centers in most parts of the country .
“ So most farmers are likely to flock into Harare , ” he told The Associated Press .
Zimbabwe has been experiencing a rebound in tobacco growing after the planting of the crop plummeted about two decades ago following often violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former president Robert Mugabe ’ s controversial land reforms .
Last year , farmers produced 259 million kilograms , “ a second consecutive record output , ” said Pat Devenish , chairman of industry regulator the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board .
The government says the rebound is justification that black farmers are up to the task .
The crop is down to about 230 million kilograms this year due to “ grim ” weather conditions , according to TIMB .
One of the world ’ s top tobacco exporters alongside Brazil , Zimbabwe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Europe and the Middle East .
Shiri , the agriculture minister , said the coronavirus could affect exports .
“ It ’ s likely to affect tobacco sales , yes , in that most countries have now directed their resources towards dealing with the coronavirus epidemic , ” Shiri told reporters recently .
“ It ’ s too early to say how much it ’ s going to affect us.
” As the minister spoke , an auctioneer rapidly announcing prices and an official using a loudspeaker to encourage social distancing competed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buyers allowed onto the auction floor .

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - Adjust Saidi, a foreman at a farm outside Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, paced through rows of tobacco plants. Desperate to complete the harvest and sell the crop, he pushed workers picking leaves to “hurry it up.” Some carried up to 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of leaves, bound by wire, on their shoulders. Some wore face masks.
With most economic activity stalled by a coronavirus lockdown, troubled Zimbabwe last month officially opened the tobacco selling season after a month-long delay.
Tobacco is Zimbabwe’s second biggest foreign currency earner after gold, and it brought in about $750 million last year. Allowing tobacco selling gives the government an opportunity to ease acute foreign currency shortages in a country whose economy had been collapsing well before the virus.
The government’s decision came as a relief to thousands of farmers who were already hard hit by a severe drought.
In a normal season, Saidi would be heading to the auction floors by mid-May but will only be able to finish harvesting at the end of the month because some workers have not reported for duty “fearing coronavirus,” he said.
Other farmers said the new virus restrictions are making things difficult.
Biggie Muronda said it took five hours to travel about 130 kilometers (80 miles) to the auction floors because of police harassment on the roads “despite producing the letter (authorizing movement).”
Zimbabwe’s government later eased restrictions on movement and farmers were given special dispensation to move their crops without hindrance.
“We are not afraid of coronavirus,” said another farmer, Walter Dangarembizi. “The risk is that farmers could be cheated out of their money due to the new guidelines which say we must give our crop to a representative who will come here to sell on our behalf.”
The new rules stipulating that crops will be sold in the absence of farmers are aimed at preventing thousands of farmers and their families, as well as vendors seeking to cash in on the farmers’ payouts, from camping at auction floors as usual.
Agriculture Minister Perrance Shiri said tobacco-buying companies should set up centers in districts outside Harare to avoid farmers packing the auction floors in the capital as part of the new measures.
Rodney Ambrose, the president of Zimbabwe Tobacco Association, a representative group for farmers, said the companies were yet to set up such centers in most parts of the country.
“So most farmers are likely to flock into Harare,” he told The Associated Press.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing a rebound in tobacco growing after the planting of the crop plummeted about two decades ago following often violent seizures of land owned by whites under former president Robert Mugabe’s controversial land reforms.
Last year, farmers produced 259 million kilograms, “a second consecutive record output,” said Pat Devenish, chairman of industry regulator the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board. The government says the rebound is justification that black farmers are up to the task.
The crop is down to about 230 million kilograms this year due to “grim” weather conditions, according to TIMB.
One of the world’s top tobacco exporters alongside Brazil, Zimbabwe sends most of its crop to China, Europe and the Middle East.
Shiri, the agriculture minister, said the coronavirus could affect exports.
“It’s likely to affect tobacco sales, yes, in that most countries have now directed their resources towards dealing with the coronavirus epidemic,” Shiri told reporters recently. “It’s too early to say how much it’s going to affect us.”
As the minister spoke, an auctioneer rapidly announcing prices and an official using a loudspeaker to encourage social distancing competed for the attention of a few mask-wearing buyers allowed onto the auction floor.