washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Allstate acquires National General for $4 billion in cash

SILVER SPRING , Md .
( AP ) — Allstate is buying National General Holdings for $ 4 billion in @ @ @ @ @ of its insurance holdings .
National General shareholders will get $ 32 per share that @ @ @ @ @ dividends of about $ 2.50 per share , for a total of about $ 34.50 @ @ @ @ @ gross premiums of $ 5.6 billion in 2019 , generating operating income of $ 319 @ @ @ @ @ range of property-liability coverage including “ non-standard ” auto insurance .
Allstate , based in @ @ @ @ @ that National General ’ s business and technology will bolster its existing independent agent businesses @ @ @ @ @ Allstate ’ s personal lines premiums by $ 4 billion and market share by more @ @ @ @ @ 10 % .
The board of National General Holdings Corp. has already approved the deal @ @ @ @ @ close in early 2021 .
The New York insurer said that no fewer than 40 @ @ @ @ @ have also committed to approve the deal .

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Allstate is buying National General Holdings for $4 billion in cash, expanding the scope of its insurance holdings.
National General shareholders will get $32 per share that they hold, plus closing dividends of about $2.50 per share, for a total of about $34.50 each.
National General had gross premiums of $5.6 billion in 2019, generating operating income of $319 million in 2019 from a range of property-liability coverage including “non-standard” auto insurance.
Allstate, based in Northbrook, Ill., said that National General’s business and technology will bolster its existing independent agent businesses. The acquisition will increase Allstate’s personal lines premiums by $4 billion and market share by more than one percentage point to 10%.
The board of National General Holdings Corp. has already approved the deal, which is expected to close in early 2021. The New York insurer said that no fewer than 40% of its voting shares have also committed to approve the deal.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Walgreens dives into primary care with clinic expansion

Walgreens will squeeze primary care clinics into as many as 700 of its U.S. stores over the next few years in a major expansion of the care it offers customers .
The drugstore chain said Wednesday that it will partner with VillageMD to set up doctor-led clinics that also use nurses , social workers and therapists to provide regular treatment for patients .
The retailer will redesign stores that get the clinics , narrow their shelves and pull products like tobacco to make room .
Drugstores like Walgreens and rival CVS typically tuck small clinics in the back of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat minor ailments like sinus infections or poison ivy .
But Walgreens said last fall it was going to close nearly 40 % of those clinics .
The company has been looking for a way to provide more comprehensive care , said executive Alex Gourlay .
“ We are very confident that this is the right model for the future , ” said Gourlay , global co-chief operating officer for Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc .
He noted that the primary care clinics will make it easier for pharmacists to work with doctors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to help explain prescriptions to patients .
The clinics will recruit doctors who already have patients and will focus on caring for those with chronic diseases .
They will use social workers to make sure patients have stable food sources and living situations .
The clinics also will lean on things like telemedicine to help stay in touch with patients .
“ It ’ s really about a different model of primary care , ” said VillageMD CEO Tim Barry .
Insurers have become more interested in covering care that focuses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
The idea is to keep patients , especially those with chronic conditions , healthy and out of the hospital or emergency room .
But retailers like Walgreens will face a challenge in getting patients used to visiting their locations regularly for care , said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra , a Harvard Medical School professor who researches health care delivery .
“ I think there ’ s an inherent uphill battle in convincing patients they should go to a store for their primary care , ” he said .
Walgreens and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market and plan to expand there , as well as Phoenix .
Walgreens runs more than 9,200 stores in the United States and expects to bring these primary care clinics to 30 markets in the next five years .

Walgreens will squeeze primary care clinics into as many as 700 of its U.S. stores over the next few years in a major expansion of the care it offers customers.
The drugstore chain said Wednesday that it will partner with VillageMD to set up doctor-led clinics that also use nurses, social workers and therapists to provide regular treatment for patients.
The retailer will redesign stores that get the clinics, narrow their shelves and pull products like tobacco and other grocery items to make room.
Drugstores like Walgreens and rival CVS Health Corp. typically tuck small clinics in the back of their stores to dole out flu shots or treat minor ailments like sinus infections or poison ivy. But Walgreens said last fall it was going to close nearly 40% of those clinics.
The company has been looking for a way to provide more comprehensive care, said executive Alex Gourlay.
“We are very confident that this is the right model for the future,” said Gourlay, Walgreens global co-chief operating officer.
He noted that the primary care clinics will make it easier for pharmacists to work with doctors to make sure medicines don’t conflict or to help explain prescriptions to patients.
The clinics will recruit doctors who already have patients and will focus on caring for those with chronic diseases. They will use social workers to make sure patients have stable food sources and living situations. The clinics also will lean on things like telemedicine to help stay in touch with patients.
“It’s really about a different model of primary care,” said VillageMD CEO Tim Barry.
Insurers and other payers have become more interested in covering care or assistance delivered outside the doctor’s office. The idea is to keep patients, especially those with chronic conditions, healthy and out of expensive hospitals or emergency rooms.
Last year, CVS Health laid out plans to expand a new store format that provides dietitians and helps people monitor chronic diseases but does not include doctors.
Experts say these retailers are picking a ripe target for their care expansions since a lot of health care spending is focused on chronic diseases like diabetes. But they face competition because many doctors offices are expanding the help they offer.
And stores like Walgreens also may be challenged in getting patients used to visiting their locations regularly for care, said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, a Harvard Medical School professor who researches health care delivery.
“I think there’s an inherent uphill battle in convincing patients they should go to a store for their primary care,” he said, noting that this could be especially challenging with older patients who account for most adult primary care visits.
Walgreens and VillageMD tested their clinics in the Houston market and plan to expand there, as well as Phoenix.
Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. runs more than 9,200 stores in the United States. It expects to open 500 to 700 primary care clinics in 30 markets in the next five years.
Walgreens said in a release that it intends to build “hundreds more” after that. It will aim to put the clinics in areas that may have a shortage of primary care doctors or an older-than-usual population.
The company runs thousands of stores in other countries too, but officials said they were not planning to expand their primary care clinics internationally.
___
Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter: @thpmurphy


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Georgia Police: 1 dead in fiery crash

Georgia Police: 1 dead in fiery crash

NORCROSS , Ga. ( AP ) - A driver died Wednesday morning after a fiery crash on a Georgia interstate @ @ @ @ @ police spokeswoman Cpl .
Michele Pihera told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the crashed happened around 1:30 @ @ @ @ @ The crash involved a a truck and an SUV .
The truck caught fire after @ @ @ @ @ had to be freed from the vehicle , Pihera said .
One of the drivers @ @ @ @ @ the hospital but Pihera didn ’ t specify which driver .
An officer was injured @ @ @ @ @ He was hospitalized and later released .
Details regarding the crash and the other driver @ @ @ @ @ .
The crash was cleared just around 5:30 a.m .

NORCROSS, Ga. (AP) - A driver died Wednesday morning after a fiery crash on a Georgia interstate, authorities said.
Gwinnett police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the crashed happened around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday on Interstate-85.
The crash involved a a truck and an SUV. The truck caught fire after the crash and the driver had to be freed from the vehicle, Pihera said.
One of the drivers died on the way to the hospital but Pihera didn’t specify which driver.
An officer was injured during the rescue effort. He was hospitalized and later released.
Details regarding the crash and the other driver weren’t immediately released.
The crash was cleared just around 5:30 a.m.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--1 killed, at least 5 others wounded in Minneapolis shootings

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Another night of gun violence in Minneapolis has left one man dead and at least @ @ @ @ @ shootings across the city .
Homicide detectives worked late into the night Tuesday to find @ @ @ @ @ shots into a car outside River of Life Lutheran Church on the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ in the car , both in their 20s , were struck .
Police said one @ @ @ @ @ injured , but is expected to survive .
The shooting was one of at least @ @ @ @ @ , the Star Tribune reported .
No arrests had been made as of Wednesday morning @ @ @ @ @ people had been shot in Minneapolis , a roughly 60 % increase compared to the @ @ @ @ @ , according to police spokesman Garrett Parten .
“ Obviously , this gun violence is @ @ @ @ @ said at a late-night news conference outside City Hall , while urging those responsible to @ @ @ @ @ life and put down the guns .
”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Another night of gun violence in Minneapolis has left one man dead and at least five others wounded in four shootings across the city.
Homicide detectives worked late into the night Tuesday to find the person who fired multiple shots into a car outside River of Life Lutheran Church on the city’s north side.
Two men in the car, both in their 20s, were struck. Police said one died and the other was injured, but is expected to survive.
The shooting was one of at least four across the city Tuesday, the Star Tribune reported. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday morning.
Through Sunday, 222 people had been shot in Minneapolis, a roughly 60% increase compared to the same time period in 2019, according to police spokesman Garrett Parten.
“Obviously, this gun violence is extremely concerning,” Parten said at a late-night news conference outside City Hall, while urging those responsible to “embrace the sanctity of life and put down the guns.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Cambodian province famous for Angkor Wat bans dog meat trade

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia ( AP ) - The Cambodian province that is home to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex , a major destination for foreign tourists , has outlawed the trade in dog meat , which animal rights activists have said is rife in the area .
The authorities in Siem Reap province issued an order Monday banning the buying , selling and butchering of dogs for food .
The trade remains legal in other parts of the country .
A recent report by two animal welfare groups estimated that 2 to 3 million dogs are killed annually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Siem Reap region is a major source of supply of the animals , which are sometimes stolen pets .
The groups - Four Paws , based in Austria , and Animal Rescue Cambodia - said they identified 21 restaurants in Siem Reap specializing in dog meat and 110 in Cambodia ’ s capital , Phnom Penh .
The order banning the trade , which was circulated online Wednesday by several officials , declares that trading in dog meat is punishable according to the law on animal health and production , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison and fines of 7 to 50 million riel ( $ 1,750 to 12,500 ) .
It linked the ban to Siem Reap ’ s popularity as a tourist destination and a sacred site .
The Angkor Wat temples draw more than 2 million visitors a year , though tourism has dried up this year because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The order also pays tribute to dogs for being loyal pets and protectors of homes , farms and field animals , and decries the dog trade as inhumane as well as dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambodians generally shun eating dog meat because they believe it can bring bad luck , but it has become a minor fashion among younger people .
Neighboring Vietnam is better known for the practice .
The animal welfare groups ’ report on dog meat in Cambodia in 2019 found that an estimated 2,900 dogs per month - or 34,800 per year - are served at restaurants in Siem Reap .
It said their investigation also identified one dedicated dog slaughterhouse in Siem Reap city and five high-volume holding or trading areas located outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dogs per month to other parts of Cambodia .

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - The Cambodian province that is home to the famous Angkor Wat temple complex, a major destination for foreign tourists, has outlawed the trade in dog meat, which animal rights activists have said is rife in the area.
The authorities in Siem Reap province issued an order Monday banning the buying, selling and butchering of dogs for food. The trade remains legal in other parts of the country.
A recent report by two animal welfare groups estimated that 2 million to 3 million dogs are killed annually in Cambodia for their meat, and that the Siem Reap region is a major source of supply of the animals, which are sometimes stolen pets.
The groups - Four Paws, based in Austria, and Animal Rescue Cambodia - said they identified 21 restaurants in Siem Reap specializing in dog meat and 110 in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.
The order banning the trade, which was circulated online Wednesday by several officials, declares that trading in dog meat is punishable according to the law on animal health and production, with violators facing up to five years in prison and fines of 7 million to 50 million riel ($1,750 to 12,500).
It linked the ban to Siem Reap’s popularity as a tourist destination and a sacred site. The Angkor Wat temples draw more than 2 million visitors a year, though tourism has dried up this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The order also pays tribute to dogs for being loyal pets and protectors of homes, farms and field animals, and decries the dog trade as inhumane as well as dangerous because it can spread diseases.
Older Cambodians generally shun eating dog meat because they believe it can bring bad luck, but it has become a minor fashion among younger people. Neighboring Vietnam is better known for the practice.
The animal welfare groups’ report on dog meat in Cambodia in 2019 found that an estimated 2,900 dogs per month - or 34,800 per year - are served at restaurants in Siem Reap.
It said their investigation also identified one dedicated dog slaughterhouse in Siem Reap city and five high-volume holding or trading areas located outside the city that ship at least 3,750 dogs per month to other parts of Cambodia.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Pickup truck carrying migrants crashes in North Macedonia

SKOPJE , North Macedonia ( AP ) - A pickup truck carrying 32 migrants has crashed in North Macedonia , near the southern borders with Bulgaria and Greece , leaving eight people injured , police said Wednesday .
Police said the pickup truck had been travelling at high speed when it crashed into a car and then into parked vehicles in the town of Strumica on Tuesday .
Authorities said the vehicle was carrying 15 Afghans , nine Pakistanis , six Bangladeshis , one Syrian and one Iraqi .
Eight people were transferred to the local hospital , two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were taken to a migrant center in the town of Gevgelija pending deportation to Greece , from where authorities believe the 32 had arrived clandestinely .
The driver , a 27-year-old Macedonian national , was arrested on suspicion of migrant trafficking .
The incident comes a day after authorities said 211 migrants had been found packed into a truck stopped during a routine traffic control in the south of the country .
The Greek border with North Macedonia was closed earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
But trafficking networks remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who make their way from Turkey into Greece and then head north toward more prosperous countries in the European Union ’ s center and north .

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) - A pickup truck carrying 32 migrants has crashed in North Macedonia, near the southern borders with Bulgaria and Greece, leaving eight people injured, police said Wednesday.
Police said the pickup truck had been travelling at high speed when it crashed into a car and then into parked vehicles in the town of Strumica on Tuesday.
Authorities said the vehicle was carrying 15 Afghans, nine Pakistanis, six Bangladeshis, one Syrian and one Iraqi.
Eight people were transferred to the local hospital, two of them with serious injuries. The rest were taken to a migrant center in the town of Gevgelija pending deportation to Greece, from where authorities believe the 32 had arrived clandestinely.
The driver, a 27-year-old Macedonian national, was arrested on suspicion of migrant trafficking.
The incident comes a day after authorities said 211 migrants had been found packed into a truck stopped during a routine traffic control in the south of the country.
The Greek border with North Macedonia was closed earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. But trafficking networks remain active in the area, ferrying migrants who make their way from Turkey into Greece and then head north toward more prosperous countries in the European Union’s center and north.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Street shooting leaves 7 wounded; Motive not yet known

PATERSON , N.J. ( AP ) - A street shooting in a northern New Jersey community has left seven people @ @ @ @ @ including four who were hospitalized in critical condition .
The gunfire in Paterson erupted shortly @ @ @ @ @ the area of Harrison Street and Carroll Street .
Four victims were found at the @ @ @ @ @ a hospital , while three others went there on their own a short time later @ @ @ @ @ of the victims and further details on their injuries were not released .
It wasn @ @ @ @ @ shooters may have been involved , authorities said .
Witnesses said the gunfire came from @ @ @ @ @ from the scene .
Several vehicles were also damaged in the shooting .
A motive @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
The Passaic County Prosecutor ’ s Office is leading the probe .

PATERSON, N.J. (AP) - A street shooting in a northern New Jersey city left four men dead and three others wounded, authorities said Wednesday.
The gunfire in Paterson, about 15 miles northwest of New York City, erupted shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday. Four victims found at the scene were taken to a hospital, where they all died a short time later, authorities said.
The Passaic County prosecutor’s office identified the victims as Al Malik Williams, 37; Otis Smith, 37; Unique Jones, 22, and 25-year-old Nygier Barrett. All were Paterson residents.
Three other victims went to the hospital on their own a short time later seeking treatment, according to multiple reports. A 24-year-old man was treated and released, and a 20-year-old man and 19-year-old man remained hospitalized in stable condition Wednesday, the prosecutor’s office said.
“I want to be clear that we will have zero tolerance for violence in our city,” Mayor Andre Sayegh said in an email Wednesday. “Both prevention of loss of life and public safety are paramount to my agenda and I will personally engage in the process to curb these types of heinous incidents, which steal our young residents and instill fear in the community at large. This must end today.”
It wasn’t clear how many shooters may have been involved, authorities said. Witnesses said the gunfire came from a vehicle that sped away from the scene.
A motive for the shooting was under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Writers warn in open letter against threat to free speech

LONDON ( AP ) - Dozens of artists , writers and academics have signed an open letter decrying the weakening of public debate and warning that the free exchange of information and ideas is in jeopardy amid a rise in what they call “ illiberalism.
” J.K. Rowling , Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood are among dozens of writers , artists and academics to argue against ideological conformity in an open letter in Harper ’ s Magazine .
The letter comes amid a debate over so-called cancel culture - where prominent people face attack for sharing controversial opinions .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the world and have a powerful ally in Donald Trump , who represents a real threat to democracy , ’ ’ the letter said .
“ But resistance must not be allowed to harden into its own brand of dogma or coercion-which right-wing demagogues are already exploiting .
The democratic inclusion we want can be achieved only if we speak out against the intolerant climate that has set in on all sides.
’ ’ Rowling , for example , has attracted criticism over her views on transgender issues , which have angered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets , Rowling said she supported transgender rights but did not believe in “ erasing ” the concept of biological sex .
The comments prompted Daniel Radcliffe and other cast members of the Potter films to publicly disagree with her .
Rowling was unmoved , but was attacked for weeks online .
The letter criticized the state of public debate and the “ swift and severe retribution ” dealt out to any perceived wrongs .
It decried an “ intolerance of opposing views , a vogue for public shaming and ostracism , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a blinding moral certainty.
’ ’ “ The way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure , argument , and persuasion , not by trying to silence or wish them away , ” the letter said .
“ We refuse any false choice between justice and freedom , which can not exist without each other .

LONDON (AP) - Dozens of artists, writers and academics have signed an open letter decrying the weakening of public debate and warning that the free exchange of information and ideas is in jeopardy amid a rise in what they call “illiberalism.”
J.K. Rowling, Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood are among dozens of writers, artists and academics to argue against ideological conformity in an open letter in Harper’s Magazine. The letter comes amid a debate over so-called cancel culture - where prominent people face attack for sharing controversial opinions.
“The forces of illiberalism are gaining strength throughout the world and have a powerful ally in Donald Trump, who represents a real threat to democracy,’’ the letter said. “But resistance must not be allowed to harden into its own brand of dogma or coercion-which right-wing demagogues are already exploiting. The democratic inclusion we want can be achieved only if we speak out against the intolerant climate that has set in on all sides.’’
Rowling, for example, has attracted criticism over her views on transgender issues, which have angered many activists. In a series of tweets, Rowling said she supported transgender rights but did not believe in “erasing” the concept of biological sex.
The comments prompted Daniel Radcliffe and other cast members of the Potter films to publicly disagree with her. Rowling was unmoved, but was attacked for weeks online.
The letter criticized the state of public debate and the “swift and severe retribution” dealt out to any perceived wrongs. It decried an “intolerance of opposing views, a vogue for public shaming and ostracism, and the tendency to dissolve complex policy issues in a blinding moral certainty.’’
“The way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure, argument, and persuasion, not by trying to silence or wish them away,” the letter said. “We refuse any false choice between justice and freedom, which cannot exist without each other.
Other signatories included Noam Chomsky, Gloria Steinem and Malcolm Gladwell.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Christopher Columbus statue coming down in namesake city

COLUMBUS , Wis. ( AP ) - A statue of Christopher Columbus that had stood for more than 30 years @ @ @ @ @ is coming down .
The Columbus City Council voted Tuesday to put the statue in @ @ @ @ @ it is found .
The fiberglass statue stands at the intersection of Highways 16-60 and @ @ @ @ @ city of 5,000 about 30 miles ( 48.2 kilometers ) northeast of Madison .
Christopher @ @ @ @ @ figure because although he opened the way for European exploration and colonization of the Americas @ @ @ @ @ enslaved and killed Native Americans .
Frank Roelke told council members the city shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ treated Native Americans so poorly , the State Journal reported .
Keeping the statue up @ @ @ @ @ was a good person , when history shows otherwise , he said .
But , @ @ @ @ @ should remain where it is .
He said agreeing to take it down or move @ @ @ @ @ history .
The council voted 4-1 to remove the statue .

COLUMBUS, Wis. (AP) - A statue of Christopher Columbus that had stood for more than 30 years in his namesake Wisconsin city is coming down.
The Columbus City Council voted Tuesday to put the statue in storage until another use for it is found.
The fiberglass statue stands at the intersection of Highways 16-60 and 151 in Columbus, a city of 5,000 about 30 miles (48.2 kilometers) northeast of Madison.
Christopher Columbus has become a controversial figure because although he opened the way for European exploration and colonization of the Americas, there is evidence he enslaved and killed Native Americans.
Frank Roelke told council members the city shouldn’t be memorializing someone who treated Native Americans so poorly, the State Journal reported. Keeping the statue up would be pretending that Columbus was a good person, when history shows otherwise, he said.
But, Jack Sanderson said the statue should remain where it is. He said agreeing to take it down or move it would be to erase history.
The council voted 4-1 to remove the statue.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Boy seriously injured when explosive device blows up in hand

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) - A boy holding an explosive device he had lit was seriously injured when it exploded @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia street , authorities said .
The 12-year-old was with a friend when the accident @ @ @ @ @ .
The boy had been trying to hold on to the device as long as @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
City police who happened to be on patrol in the area heard @ @ @ @ @ the injured boy , who was running toward his home .
They then took him @ @ @ @ @ hospital , where he underwent surgery .
The boy suffered severe injuries to his left @ @ @ @ @ but they were not considered life-threatening .
The child ’ s name has not been @ @ @ @ @ ’ t clear if his friend had suffered any injuries .
Authorities were trying to @ @ @ @ @ and how the children obtained it .

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A boy holding an explosive device he had lit was seriously injured when it exploded in his hand on a Philadelphia street, authorities said.
The 12-year-old was with a friend when the accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The boy had been trying to hold on to the device as long as possible before letting go, authorities said.
City police who happened to be on patrol in the area heard the blast and soon found the injured boy, who was running toward his home. They then took him and his mother to a hospital, where he underwent surgery.
The boy suffered severe injuries to his left hand, authorities said, but they were not considered life-threatening. The child’s name has not been released, and it wasn’t clear if his friend had suffered any injuries.
Authorities were trying to determine what the device was and how the children obtained it.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--University of Maryland to hold some fall classes in-person

COLLEGE PARK , Md .
( AP ) - The University of Maryland has announced it will hold some in-person classes during the fall semester amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Nearly 20 % of undergraduate classes will be held partially in-person when the school ’ s fall semester kicks off on August 31 , school officials announced in an email to students Tuesday .
Priority for in-person classes will be given to some courses , including labs and senior capstone projects , according to the email obtained by The Baltimore Sun .
Courses with more than 50 students will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also expected to be moved online if there is a possible spike in coronavirus cases , Mary Ann Rankin , the university ’ s senior vice president and provost , said in the email .
Some are hesitant about the move .
“ UMD is such a huge school and I think that COVID is going to spread rapidly once the semester starts , ” Gabrielle Christopher , a student at the university , told the Sun .
The school is also planning to reduce the number of students sharing dorm rooms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize social gatherings .
Students who have already signed up to live in a residence hall are able to cancel their housing agreement by July 17 .

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - The University of Maryland has announced it will hold some in-person classes during the fall semester amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Nearly 20% of undergraduate classes will be held partially in-person when the school’s fall semester kicks off on August 31, school officials announced in an email to students Tuesday. Priority for in-person classes will be given to some courses, including labs and senior capstone projects, according to the email obtained by The Baltimore Sun.
Courses with more than 50 students will be held online, and all courses are also expected to be moved online if there is a possible spike in coronavirus cases, Mary Ann Rankin, the university’s senior vice president and provost, said in the email.
Some are hesitant about the move. “UMD is such a huge school and I think that COVID is going to spread rapidly once the semester starts,” Gabrielle Christopher, a student at the university, told the Sun.
The school is also planning to reduce the number of students sharing dorm rooms, and convert floor lounges into bedrooms to minimize social gatherings. Students who have already signed up to live in a residence hall are able to cancel their housing agreement by July 17.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--11th case of dengue fever confirmed in Florida Keys

KEY LARGO , Fla. ( AP ) - An 11th case of the mosquito-borned dengue fever has been confirmed in the Florida Keys , health officials said .
So far , all 11 cases have been in Key Largo , including 8 cases the last week of June , the Florida Department of Health officials said Tuesday .
Officials are “ currently conducting epidemiological studies to determine the origin and extent of these infections , ” Florida Keys spokeswoman Alison Kerr told the Miami Herald .
The latest patient has been treated and is expected to make a complete recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe all of the cases were locally acquired , the Herald reported .
One case of dengue fever has been confirmed Miami-Dade County , according to health department spokeswoman Olga Connor .
The disease is transmitted through the bite of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito , an invasive species that also spreads diseases like yellow fever , Zika and chikungunya .
Symptoms typically appear within 14 days of being bitten and include severe muscle aches and pains , fever and sometimes a rash , according to the health department .
The Florida Keys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are targeting the adult mosquitoes and larvae , said Chad Huff .
District workers are also doing door-to-door house inspections at homes and businesses in Key Largo to check for adult mosquitoes and larvae .
Officials are asking residents to help stop the spread of the disease by eliminating potential Aedes aegypti breeding grounds .
This includes cleaning gutters and dumping standing water in empty pots , buckets trash cans and pet bowls .
Boat owners should also check tarps for standing water .

KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) - An 11th case of the mosquito-borned dengue fever has been confirmed in the Florida Keys, health officials said.
So far, all 11 cases have been in Key Largo, including 8 cases the last week of June, the Florida Department of Health officials said Tuesday.
Officials are “currently conducting epidemiological studies to determine the origin and extent of these infections,” Florida Keys spokeswoman Alison Kerr told the Miami Herald.
The latest patient has been treated and is expected to make a complete recovery, Kerr said.
Health department officials believe all of the cases were locally acquired, the Herald reported.
One case of dengue fever has been confirmed Miami-Dade County, according to health department spokeswoman Olga Connor.
The disease is transmitted through the bite of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito, an invasive species that also spreads diseases like yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya.
Symptoms typically appear within 14 days of being bitten and include severe muscle aches and pains, fever and sometimes a rash, according to the health department.
The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District said helicopters and trucks are targeting the adult mosquitoes and larvae, said Chad Huff.
District workers are also doing door-to-door house inspections at homes and businesses in Key Largo to check for adult mosquitoes and larvae.
Officials are asking residents to help stop the spread of the disease by eliminating potential Aedes aegypti breeding grounds. This includes cleaning gutters and dumping standing water in empty pots, buckets trash cans and pet bowls. Boat owners should also check tarps for standing water.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Bali island begins to reopen after 3-month virus lockdown

DENPASAR , Indonesia ( AP ) - Indonesia ’ s resort island of Bali reopened after a three-month virus lockdown Thursday , allowing local people and stranded foreign tourists to resume public activities before foreign arrivals resume in September .
Normally bustling beaches and streets on the idyllic Southeast Asian island emptied in early April except for special patrols to ensure health protocols to contain the coronavirus were observed .
Authorities restricted public activities , closed the airport and shuttered all shops , bars , sit-down restaurants , public swimming pools and many other places on the island that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
The local government began lifting the limits Thursday , but tourists will face stringent rules in hotels , restaurants and on beaches , Bali Gov .
I Wayan Koster said .
Koster told a news conference ahead of the reopening the island will gradually reopen shuttered places to locals and the foreigners stranded there during the outbreak .
The island will open to Indonesians from other parts of the country on July 31 and new foreign arrivals on Sept. 11 .
The government established guidelines for reopening tourist spots and may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
“ The pandemic has hit tourism sector so badly while there is no certainty when it will end , ” Koster said .
“ We have to revive economic activity to prevent Bali from new social problems due to increasing economic pressures.
” Tourism is the main source of income for the island that is mainly Hindu in the mostly Muslim archipelago nation .
The famed white-sand beaches and popular shopping areas on the “ island of the gods ” were deserted almost two decades ago when visitors were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloud of the suicide bombings that killed 202 mostly foreign tourists in 2002 lingered for years , but the island has worked to overcome that image .
More than 5 million foreigners arrived in Bali each year prior to the pandemic , which caused the numbers to dive .
The total number of stranded tourists in Bali is not known , but more than 169,000 travelers came to Bali in March before the island closed its doors , according to government data .
The data showed that some 2,500 travelers had extended their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Indonesia ’ s government granted all tourists automatic extensions in late March .
The Bali administration data showed the occupancy rate at Bali ’ s starred hotels plunged to 2.07 % in May from 62.5 % in December , before the outbreak hit .
It down from 51.56 % in May last year .
Bali has recorded more than 1,900 cases of COVID-19 , including 25 deaths .
Indonesia has confirmed more than 68,000 cases and 3,359 fatalities , the most in Southeast Asia .
Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini contributed to @ @ @ @ @

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) - Indonesia’s resort island of Bali partially reopened after a three-month virus lockdown Thursday, allowing local people and stranded foreign tourists to resume public activities before overseas arrivals resume in September.
Normally bustling beaches and streets on the idyllic Southeast Asian island emptied in early April except for special patrols to ensure health protocols were observed. Authorities restricted public activities, closed the airport and shuttered all shops, bars, sit-down restaurants, public swimming pools and many other places on the island that’s home to more than 4 million people.
The local government began lifting the limits Thursday, but tourists will face stringent rules in hotels, restaurants and on beaches, Bali Gov. I Wayan Koster said.
Koster told a news conference that the island will gradually reopen shuttered places to locals and stranded foreigners. Bali will open to Indonesians from other parts of the country on July 31 and new foreign arrivals on Sept. 11.
The government established guidelines for reopening tourist spots and may close certain areas again if infections spike, he said.
“The pandemic has hit tourism sector so badly while there is no certainty when it will end,” Koster said. “We have to revive economic activity to prevent Bali from new social problems due to increasing economic pressures.”
Tourism is the main source of income for the island that is mainly Hindu in the mostly Muslim archipelago nation.
The famed white-sand beaches and popular shopping areas on the “island of the gods” were deserted almost two decades ago when visitors were scared off by terrorism. The dark cloud of the suicide bombings that killed 202 mostly foreign tourists in 2002 lingered for years, but the island has worked to overcome that image.
More than 5 million foreigners arrived in Bali each year prior to the pandemic, which caused the numbers to dive.
Bali’s immigration office data showed the local government has granted automatic visa extensions to more than 7,000 stranded tourists in Bali. Nearly 16,000 others hold temporary residence permits and about 1,300 live as permanent residents.
The data show the occupancy rate at Bali’s starred hotels plunged to 2.07% in May from 62.5% in December.
Businessman Gede Wirata, who runs hotels, restaurants, clubs and a cruise ship with about 4,000 employees, said he managed to save his staff from layoffs despite having suffered a loss of 500 billion rupiah ($35 million) because of travel restrictions.
“This outbreak has hammered the local economy,” he said. “We have to move on but be safe by observing health protocols to protect Bali from the second wave of coronavirus spread.”
Bali has recorded more than 1,900 cases of COVID-19, including 25 deaths. Indonesia has confirmed more than 68,000 cases and 3,359 fatalities, the most in Southeast Asia.
______
Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Honolulu City Council urges delaying pre-travel test plan

HONOLULU ( AP ) - The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday urged Hawaii ’ s governor to consider delaying a plan to allow travelers to use a negative COVID-19 test to bypass quarantine until the number of new cases on the U.S. mainland and in Hawaii drop significantly .
The nine-member council unanimously approved a resolution making the request .
The document cites a surge in new cases both locally and in California , Texas , Florida and Arizona since Gov .
David Ige announced the travel plan on June 24 .
The testing program would allow travelers arriving from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they self-quarantine for 14 days if they test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before arriving .
It ’ s scheduled to take effect on Aug. 1 , though the state has yet to release details on how it would be carried out .
If the governor doesn ’ t delay the start date , the council urged a number of additional measures to safeguard Hawaii from the coronavirus .
They include requiring travelers to take a second test after arriving , boosting testing capacity and developing a mobile phone application to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come into contact with .
The governor ’ s office didn ’ t immediately reply to an email message seeking comment .

HONOLULU (AP) - The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday urged Hawaii’s governor to consider delaying a plan to allow travelers to use a negative COVID-19 test to bypass quarantine until the number of new cases on the U.S. mainland and in Hawaii drop significantly.
The nine-member council unanimously approved a resolution making the request. The document cites a surge in new cases both locally and in California, Texas, Florida and Arizona since Gov. David Ige announced the travel plan on June 24.
The testing program would allow travelers arriving from out of state to skip a requirement that they self-quarantine for 14 days if they test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours before arriving. It’s scheduled to take effect on Aug. 1, though the state has yet to release details on how it would be carried out.
If the governor doesn’t delay the start date, the council urged a number of additional measures to safeguard Hawaii from the coronavirus. They include requiring travelers to take a second test after arriving, boosting testing capacity and developing a mobile phone application to help identify people an infected traveler may come into contact with.
The governor’s office didn’t immediately reply to an email message seeking comment.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Mark Herring, Virginia attorney general: State erased rape kit backlog

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced Wednesday that the commonwealth had eliminated a backlog of nearly 3,000 untested rape kits .
“ And it ’ s never coming back , ” Mr .
Herring said of the backlog , receiving applause during a press conference in Richmond .
Investigators use rape kits to collect DNA and other physical evidence from victims .
Mr .
Herring , a Democrat , said that he was shocked to learn of the backlog when he took office more than six years ago and that many of the evidence kits had “ been sitting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commonwealth just collecting dust ” for decades .
Since 2015 , 2,665 kits were tested , resulting in 851 DNA profiles entered into the national database and 354 DNA matches sent to law enforcement agencies for further investigation , Mr .
Herring said .
He noted that a Spotsylvania man was charged in November with sexually assaulting a minor after being identified through the initiative to test untested rape kits .
Mr .
Herring said the man was charged after the DNA profile from a 2012 rape kit was uploaded to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source .
The attorney general said he anticipates other charges will result from rape kit tests .
“ Each of these kits represented a survivor ’ s trauma , and each of them could have held key evidence in bringing a perpetrator to justice , but they had been pushed to the side and never dealt with , ” he said .
“ And for many survivors , the fact that their kit was never tested denied them a sense of security and justice that is critical for healing from such a traumatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr .
Herring said he helped pass a law in 2016 mandating the immediate testing of kits and the Department of Forensic Sciences developed a database so that law enforcement , hospitals and survivors can check the status of the evidence kit at any time .
Virginia — the seventh state to eliminate its backlog of untested rape kits — received grants totaling to $ 3.4 million to eliminate the backlog , develop the database and fund personnel to support survivors and coordinate testing , as well as training among law enforcement to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Williamsburg woman who was raped in 1989 , said at the press conference that the testing of her rape kit returned her freedom .
The assault went unsolved for 6 years until a DNA test made a cold hit on a repeat offender who was serving time for other crimes .
“ For the first time after the cold hit was found because of my kit being tested , I took a walk in my neighborhood , ” Ms. Smith said , adding that she was in constant fear and suicidal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ freely without feeling that maybe he was watching me.
” She said she started her advocacy work for improving investigative services for sexual assault crimes because after her trial , she was taken into a storage room filled ceiling to floor with untested rape kits .
“ I knew that each one of those women were feeling some of the same feelings I felt before my assailant was identified , ” Ms. Smith said of each of the kits .
• This article is based in part on wire service reports .

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced Wednesday that the commonwealth had eliminated a backlog of nearly 3,000 untested rape kits.
“And it’s never coming back,” Mr. Herring said of the backlog, receiving applause during a press conference in Richmond.
Investigators use rape kits to collect DNA and other physical evidence from victims.
Mr. Herring, a Democrat, said that he was shocked to learn of the backlog when he took office more than six years ago and that many of the evidence kits had “been sitting on the shelves in police storage facilities around the commonwealth just collecting dust” for decades.
Since 2015, 2,665 kits were tested, resulting in 851 DNA profiles entered into the national database and 354 DNA matches sent to law enforcement agencies for further investigation, Mr. Herring said.
He noted that a Spotsylvania man was charged in November with sexually assaulting a minor after being identified through the initiative to test untested rape kits. Mr. Herring said the man was charged after the DNA profile from a 2012 rape kit was uploaded to the national database and identified him as the source.
The attorney general said he anticipates other charges will result from rape kit tests.
“Each of these kits represented a survivor’s trauma ,and each of them could have held key evidence in bringing a perpetrator to justice, but they had been pushed to the side and never dealt with,” he said. “And for many survivors, the fact that their kit was never tested denied them a sense of security and justice that is critical for healing from such a traumatic experience.”
To prevent another backlog, Mr. Herring said he helped pass a law in 2016 mandating the immediate testing of kits and the Department of Forensic Sciences developed a database so that law enforcement, hospitals and survivors can check the status of the evidence kit at any time.
Virginia — the seventh state to eliminate its backlog of untested rape kits — received grants totaling to $3.4 million to eliminate the backlog, develop the database and fund personnel to support survivors and coordinate testing, as well as training among law enforcement to promote trauma-informed practicies.
Debbie Smith, a Williamsburg woman who was raped in 1989, said at the press conference that the testing of her rape kit returned her freedom. The assault went unsolved for 6 years until a DNA test made a cold hit on a repeat offender who was serving time for other crimes.
“For the first time after the cold hit was found because of my kit being tested, I took a walk in my neighborhood,” Ms. Smith said, adding that she was in constant fear and suicidal. “I was able to walk around freely without feeling that maybe he was watching me.”
She said she started her advocacy work for improving investigative services for sexual assault crimes because after her trial, she was taken into a storage room filled ceiling to floor with untested rape kits.
“I knew that each one of those women were feeling some of the same feelings I felt before my assailant was identified,” Ms. Smith said of each of the kits.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Sophie Kaplan can be reached at skaplan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Nevada lawmakers begin emergency special session with cuts

CARSON CITY , Nev. ( AP ) - Nevada lawmakers masked up Wednesday morning , kicking off an emergency special session called to balance the state ’ s budget amid plummeting revenue projections and a growing stack of pandemic-related expenses .
As a sea of teachers wearing red T-shirts flanked the building to protest anticipated cuts to education , lawmakers walked through mostly empty halls into statehouse chambers that have been transformed to prevent the spread of the pandemic .
After pumping hand sanitizer onto their palms and finding their places between transparent plexiglass barriers , they grilled state agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the revised budget under consideration .
Visitor volume is down and unemployment is up in Nevada ’ s leisure and hospitality industries .
Unless there ’ s a surprise turnaround , the state will have to overcome a projected $ 1.15 billion revenue shortfall either through budget cuts , tax increases or federal relief .
Gov .
Steve Sisolak ’ s proposal would cut $ 233 million from the Department of Health and Human Services .
Richard Whitley , the department ’ s director , explained how the department could cut 14 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s general fund by moving around reserves and maximizing the use of federal relief dollars without violating rules that forbid them from using them to backfill revenue loss .
“ We ’ re delivering direct services , on one hand , in a crisis .
And we ’ re having to reduce our spending on the other hand , ” he said .
State senators probed Whitley over his plan , alternating between wonky questions about Medicaid reimbursement rates and constituent-informed questions that gave a human face to policy proposals that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard-to-fathom million and billion dollar figures .
Their questions addressed pregnant women who use Medicaid to receive dental care and residents who struggle with gambling addiction .
“ I think all of these services are essential to people who have the need for them , ” Whitley told senators as he outlined the cuts .
State Sen. Pat Spearman , D-North Las Vegas , sounded the alarm over a $ 700,000 cut to an adult occupational therapy program .
In 2019 , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among older adults in the nation .
“ I understand there ’ s not a lot of money , but since there ’ s not , we have to figure out how to stretch it , ” she said .
Spearman said she already worried the coronavirus pandemic and its isolating effects could make residents in need of mental health care more vulnerable .
Now , as health officials target where to make cuts , Spearman worries their strategies to reach vulnerable populations is far from adequate , she said .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that none of the state health officials presenting the budget proposal were Black or Latino .
She ’ s offered to connect Whitley and his staff to Black faith leaders who understand the healthcare needs of underserved communities in Las Vegas but wants to see a more detailed outreach plan from the health department that will allow them to provide care to the state ’ s most vulnerable residents .
“ COVID-19 has taught us a different way to live , but guess what ?
It ’ s taught us different ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Kieckhefer , R-Reno , said it was risky for state health officials to bank that yet-to-be-approved federal relief funding was on its way .
Even after talking to U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto , he said , “ I think it ’ s dangerous to bank on anything happening in the United States Congress.
” Considering more than $ 1 billion in cuts in an empty Legislature was eerie , Kieckhefer said , his glasses fogging as he exhaled from underneath his face mask .
With public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate until late in the day , he said he worries that he and his colleagues weren ’ t hearing enough about how their decisions would impact residents .
“ When we create these budgets , we go through a long process of listening to people , trying to understand how what we do means for them .
And unraveling it very quickly , without their knowledge , is incredibly dangerous , ” he said .
In the Assembly , lawmakers deliberated over proposals to cut about $ 160 million from K-12 education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education from the state budget .
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues .

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - Nevada lawmakers masked up Wednesday morning, kicking off an emergency special session called to balance the state’s budget amid plummeting revenue projections and a growing stack of pandemic-related expenses.
As a sea of teachers wearing red T-shirts flanked the building to protest anticipated cuts to education, lawmakers walked through mostly empty halls into statehouse chambers that have been transformed to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
After pumping hand sanitizer onto their palms and finding their places between transparent plexiglass barriers, they grilled state agency heads and finance officials who put together the revised budget under consideration.
Visitor volume is down and unemployment is up in Nevada’s leisure and hospitality industries. Unless there’s a surprise turnaround, the state will have to overcome a projected $1.15 billion revenue shortfall either through budget cuts, tax increases or federal relief.
Gov. Steve Sisolak’s proposal would cut $233 million from the Department of Health and Human Services. Richard Whitley, the department’s director, explained how the department could cut 14% of the dollars it receives from Nevada’s general fund by moving around reserves and maximizing the use of federal relief dollars without violating rules that forbid them from using them to backfill revenue loss.
“We’re delivering direct services, on one hand, in a crisis. And we’re having to reduce our spending on the other hand,” he said.
State senators probed Whitley over his plan, alternating between wonky questions about Medicaid reimbursement rates and constituent-informed questions that gave a human face to policy proposals that have, until now, been described in hard-to-fathom million and billion dollar figures.
Their questions addressed pregnant women who use Medicaid to receive dental care and residents who struggle with gambling addiction.
“I think all of these services are essential to people who have the need for them,” Whitley told senators as he outlined the cuts.
State Sen. Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas, sounded the alarm over a $700,000 cut to an adult occupational therapy program. In 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that Nevada had the second highest the suicide rate among older adults in the nation.
“I understand there’s not a lot of money, but since there’s not, we have to figure out how to stretch it,” she said.
Spearman said she already worried the coronavirus pandemic and its isolating effects could make residents in need of mental health care more vulnerable. Now, as health officials target where to make cuts, Spearman worries their strategies to reach vulnerable populations is far from adequate, she said. It’s a problem, she said, that none of the state health officials presenting the budget proposal were Black or Latino.
She’s offered to connect Whitley and his staff to Black faith leaders who understand the healthcare needs of underserved communities in Las Vegas but wants to see a more detailed outreach plan from the health department that will allow them to provide care to the state’s most vulnerable residents.
“COVID-19 has taught us a different way to live, but guess what? It’s taught us different ways to die,” she said.
Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, said it was risky for state health officials to bank that yet-to-be-approved federal relief funding was on its way.
Even after talking to U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, he said, “I think it’s dangerous to bank on anything happening in the United States Congress.”
Considering more than $1 billion in cuts in an empty Legislature was eerie, Kieckhefer said, his glasses fogging as he exhaled from underneath his face mask. With public comment not scheduled to start in the Senate until late in the day, he said he worries that he and his colleagues weren’t hearing enough about how their decisions would impact residents.
“When we create these budgets, we go through a long process of listening to people, trying to understand how what we do means for them. And unraveling it very quickly, without their knowledge, is incredibly dangerous,” he said.
In the Assembly, lawmakers deliberated over proposals to cut about $160 million from K-12 education, and $190 million from higher education from the state budget.
___
Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Man pleads not guilty to rape, murder of teen he met online

BAKERSFIELD , Calif. ( AP ) - A Southern California man has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he raped and killed a 13-year-old girl he met online , then set her body on fire .
Armando Cruz , 24 , of Inglewood , entered pleas Tuesday to a dozen charges including murder , kidnapping and rape in the July 2 death of Patricia Alatorre of Bakersfield .
He could face the death penalty if convicted .
Cruz met the teenager on social media and he sent her an explicit photo while she sent him more than 20 nude images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasions , Bakersfield police alleged in court documents .
On the first occasion , Cruz drove from Los Angeles north to to Bakersfield , about 90 miles away , where he forced her to perform oral sex , police said .
The second time they met , the girl didn ’ t want to go with him but he drove the girl away from their meeting place , forced her to perform oral sex and then raped the screaming girl and strangled her , performing more more sex acts on her body before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her on fire , police alleged .
Cruz was arrested on Sunday after authorities located his pickup truck , which matched one the girl was seen entering before she vanished , authorities said .

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - A Southern California man has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he raped and killed a 13-year-old girl he met online, then set her body on fire.
Armando Cruz, 24, of Inglewood, entered pleas Tuesday to a dozen charges including murder, kidnapping and rape in the July 2 death of Patricia Alatorre of Bakersfield.
He could face the death penalty if convicted.
Cruz met the teenager on social media and he sent her an explicit photo while she sent him more than 20 nude images of herself and met him on two occasions, Bakersfield police alleged in court documents.
On the first occasion, Cruz drove from Los Angeles north to to Bakersfield, about 90 miles away, where he forced her to perform oral sex, police said.
The second time they met, the girl didn’t want to go with him but he drove the girl away from their meeting place, forced her to perform oral sex and then raped the screaming girl and strangled her, performing more more sex acts on her body before dousing it in lighter fluid and setting her on fire, police alleged.
Cruz was arrested on Sunday after authorities located his pickup truck, which matched one the girl was seen entering before she vanished, authorities said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Melania Trump statue torched on July 4 in Slovenia

A statue of first lady Melania Trump near her Slovenian hometown was set ablaze on July 4 as Americans celebrated Independence Day and President Trump condemned attacks on historical statues here .
The life-sized wooden sculpture near Sevnica was torched and later ordered removed by the artist who commissioned the statue .
“ I want to know why they did it , ” Brad Downey , a Berlin-based American artist , told Reuters news agency .
Mr. Downey , 39 , told Reuters that he had hoped the statue would highlight Mrs. Trump ’ s status as an immigrant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d like to interview the culprits for a film he ’ s working on .
He told the British wire service that he learned of the desecration from Slovenian police on the 5th and accordingly filed a complaint .
“ The investigation in this case has not been completed yet so we can not reveal details due to the interest of further procedures , ” police spokeswoman Alenka Drenik told Reuters .
The statue was carved by local folk artist Ales Zupevc , using a chainsaw , out of a single tree trunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also had a wooden statue carved by a Slovenian artist and put on display in the city of Moravce .
But it too was burned in January , according to Reuters .

A statue of first lady Melania Trump near her Slovenian hometown was set ablaze on July 4 as Americans celebrated Independence Day and President Trump condemned attacks on historical statues here.
The life-sized wooden sculpture near Sevnica was torched and later ordered removed by the artist who commissioned the statue.
Statue of Melania Trump torched in her native Slovenia https://t.co/8cm3YoRZb8 pic.twitter.com/MDhGsR4sZ6 — New York Post (@nypost) July 8, 2020
“I want to know why they did it,” Brad Downey, a Berlin-based American artist, told Reuters news agency.
Mr. Downey, 39, told Reuters that he had hoped the statue would highlight Mrs. Trump’s status as an immigrant to the U.S., adding that he’d like to interview the culprits for a film he’s working on.
He told the British wire service that he learned of the desecration from Slovenian police on the 5th and accordingly filed a complaint.
“The investigation in this case has not been completed yet so we cannot reveal details due to the interest of further procedures,” police spokeswoman Alenka Drenik told Reuters.
The statue was carved by local folk artist Ales Zupevc, using a chainsaw, out of a single tree trunk, the news agency reported.
Mr. Trump also had a wooden statue carved by a Slovenian artist and put on display in the city of Moravce. But it too was burned in January, according to Reuters.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--John Kennedy: Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, 'Squad' members, are 'Marxists'

Not surprisingly , Sen. John Kennedy , Louisiana Republican , didn ’ t mince words when asked about defund-the-police legislation proposed by Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib , describing the two left-wing Democrats as “ Marxists.
” “ I think it ’ s great that we live in a country where the two congresswomen have the right to say what they want , but we also have the right to disagree with them , ” Mr. Kennedy said Wednesday on Fox ’ s “ The Story.
” “ I believe in free enterprise .
They ’ re Marxists.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of “ the Squad , ” Rep. Ilhan Omar , Minnesota Democrat , who called Tuesday for “ dismantling the whole system of oppression wherever we find it.
” “ She ’ s a Marxist , ” said Mr. Kennedy .
“ That ’ s her right to be , but she ’ s clearly a Marxist .
The Cuban national anthem should be playing in the background.
” The BREATHE Act , a bill unveiled Tuesday by the congresswomen but not yet introduced , would defund agencies including the Drug Enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offer reparations for victims of “ mass criminalization.
” Mr. Kennedy was pessimistic about the bill ’ s chances .
“ I don ’ t think their bill will go very far , but as I said , it ’ s a serious effort to compete in the woke Olympics , ” he said .
Ms. Pressley of Massachusetts and Ms. Tlaib of Michigan announced the BREATHE Act on a Zoom call , as reported by the New York Post .
The bill is supported by the Movement for Black Lives ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ visionary bill divests our taxpayer dollars from brutal and discriminatory policing and invests in a new vision of public safety , ” according to the website .
The fourth member of “ the Squad , ” the group of high-profile , progressive first-term congresswomen , is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , New York Democrat .

Not surprisingly, Sen. John Kennedy, Louisiana Republican, didn’t mince words when asked about defund-the-police legislation proposed by Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib, describing the two left-wing Democrats as “Marxists.”
“I think it’s great that we live in a country where the two congresswomen have the right to say what they want, but we also have the right to disagree with them,” Mr. Kennedy said Wednesday on Fox’s “The Story.” “I believe in free enterprise. They’re Marxists.”
He had the same view about another member of “the Squad,” Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minnesota Democrat, who called Tuesday for “dismantling the whole system of oppression wherever we find it.”
“She’s a Marxist,” said Mr. Kennedy. “That’s her right to be, but she’s clearly a Marxist. The Cuban national anthem should be playing in the background.”
The BREATHE Act, a bill unveiled Tuesday by the congresswomen but not yet introduced, would defund agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and offer reparations for victims of “mass criminalization.”
Mr. Kennedy was pessimistic about the bill’s chances. “I don’t think their bill will go very far, but as I said, it’s a serious effort to compete in the woke Olympics,” he said.
Every civilization has to have a set of rules and someone to enforce them.
We’re now seeing in America what happens when we don’t enforce our laws—crime soars and Marxists rejoice. pic.twitter.com/4zUDuoEO6w — John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) July 9, 2020
Ms. Pressley of Massachusetts and Ms. Tlaib of Michigan announced the BREATHE Act on a Zoom call, as reported by the New York Post.
The bill is supported by the Movement for Black Lives’s Electoral Justice Project, which said the “visionary bill divests our taxpayer dollars from brutal and discriminatory policing and invests in a new vision of public safety,” according to the website.
The fourth member of “the Squad,” the group of high-profile, progressive first-term congresswomen, is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Tornado hits 3 farms, crosses I-94 in western Minnesota

DALTON , Minn. ( AP ) - A powerful tornado damaged farms and injured at least two people in western @ @ @ @ @ National Weather Service said .
The tornado struck at 5:30 p.m. near Dalton .
Three @ @ @ @ @ one of those farmhouses was flattened , said meteorologist Vince Godon with the National Weather @ @ @ @ @ North Dakota .
Two people were taken to a hospital , according to Otter Tail @ @ @ @ @ Their conditions were unknown .
The tornado crossed Interstate 94 but no vehicles were affected @ @ @ @ @ service .
A National Weather Service staffer is at the scene checking the tornado aftermath @ @ @ @ @ the tornado is believed to be at least in the EF-3 category , with winds @ @ @ @

DALTON, Minn. (AP) - A powerful tornado damaged farms and injured at least two people in western Minnesota on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
The tornado struck at 5:30 p.m. near Dalton. Three farmsteads were hit, and one of those farmhouses was flattened, said meteorologist Vince Godon with the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Two people were taken to a hospital, according to Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons. Their conditions were unknown.
The tornado crossed Interstate 94 but no vehicles were affected, according to the weather service.
A National Weather Service staffer is at the scene checking the tornado aftermath, Godon said, but the tornado is believed to be at least in the EF-3 category, with winds of 136-165 mph.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Singapore governing party set to extend power in elections

SINGAPORE ( AP ) - Singaporeans vote Friday in Southeast Asia ’ s first election since the coronavirus pandemic began , with the health crisis and a grim economy expected to bolster Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong ’ s party and extend its unbroken rule .
While victory seems secure for Lee ’ s People Action Party , the entry of his estranged younger brother into the political fray has given the opposition some hope of expanding its toehold in parliament .
His brother , Lee Hsien Yang , joined an opposition party last month but decided not to contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t need another Lee.
” Their father , Lee Kuan Yew , was Singapore ’ s first prime minister and during 31 years in office turned the resource-poor nation into an affluent city-state .
Lee Hsien Loong is the country ’ s third prime minister and has led the government since 2004 .
Lee Hsien Yang accused the PAP of turning into an elitist party and called for a more transparent and accountable government , Still , a strong showing by the opposition will be a tall task with the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s hard slog for the opposition in any time , more so in a crisis , ” said Bridget Welsh , honorary research associate at Malaysia ’ s University of Nottingham .
Lee Hsien Yang has “ helped set the tone for the opposition , calling into question some aspects of PAP governance , especially his brother ’ s leadership … but the flight to safety argument on the economy favors the PAP , ” she said .
Singapore ’ s elections follow polls in Mongolia last month and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties in both countries scored resounding victories .
Singapore ’ s elections come just weeks after the country emerged from a two-month lockdown aimed at controlling one of Asia ’ s worst virus outbreaks .
The tiny nation of 5.8 million people has reported more than 45,000 cases , most of them foreign workers living in crowded dormitories that were overlooked in the early phase of its crisis management .
While infections have mostly declined , new daily cases still top 100 .
But the government says the elections can be held safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocated for the 2.65 million eligible voters to cast their ballots .
Physical rallies were banned during the nine-day campaign that ended Wednesday , in which both sides took their battle to social media .
Candidates sparred over how to keep jobs and propel the economy forward in televised debates and delivered strong online video speeches .
Some wore shirts with QR codes so residents could scan them and get instant access to their social media pages .
The two Lees , who have been embroiled in a public spat since 2017 over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have hit the campaign trail in hawker markets and public housing estates , but with masks and without the usual handshakes with voters .
With the economy forecast to shrink this year by between 4 % and 7 % , the PAP has touted its strong track record in propelling the nation into one of the world ’ s richest .
Prime Minister Lee said the polls aren ’ t about his family feud but the nation ’ s future , and appealed to voters for a strong mandate to navigate Singapore through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has unveiled several economic assistance packages totaling nearly 100 billion Singapore dollars ( $ 71.7 billion ) .
The stakes are higher this time for Lee , who has said he plans to retire in two years at age 70 .
His deputy and finance minister , Heng Swee Keat , is his designated successor and some see the election as a vote of confidence in the new leadership .
“ Ultimately , it is how voters view the PAP government ’ s handling of COVID-19 in all aspects that could play a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will secure a strong mandate , ” said Eugene Tan , law professor at Singapore Management University .
“ If the PAP is able to secure about 65 % of the popular vote and not lose additional seats , then I think they can claim to have a very good general election.
” The popular vote for the PAP has never slipped below 60 % .
In 2015 , the PAP won 69.9 % of the total vote and 93 % of parliamentary seats , riding on the nation ’ s 50th anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kuan Yew .
While fragmented , the 10 small opposition parties appear united against the PAP .
All 93 parliamentary seats are being contested , mostly on a one-on-one basis against the PAP .
The opposition has pitched itself as a check-and-balance , urging voters to deny the PAP its two-thirds super majority in parliament that allows it to amend the constitution .
While praised for its economic management , the PAP has also been criticized for muzzling the media and dissenting voices , and for its government-knows-best stance .
In recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the opposition .
“ The maze we live in today is the result of having a single party in charge with no checks and balances , no transparency or accountability .
Only ‘ ownself check ownself.
’ This is dangerous for the future of Singapore , ” Lee Hsien Yang said in a final election message on Facebook .
He urged Singaporeans to vote fearlessly to send a “ wake up call ” to PAP .
“ End the PAP ’ s supermajority … no more blank check , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s law provides for defeated top opposition candidates to be offered non-constituency parliamentary seats to ensure there are 12 opposition lawmakers , up from six previously .
But opposition parties slam such an arrangement as a ploy to deny them elected seats .

SINGAPORE (AP) - Singaporeans vote Friday in Southeast Asia’s first election since the coronavirus pandemic began, with the health crisis and a grim economy expected to bolster Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s party and extend its unbroken rule.
While victory seems secure for Lee’s People Action Party, the entry of his estranged younger brother into the political fray has given the opposition some hope of expanding its toehold in parliament.
His brother, Lee Hsien Yang, joined an opposition party last month but decided not to contest the election, saying the country “doesn’t need another Lee.” Their father, Lee Kuan Yew, was Singapore’s first prime minister and during 31 years in office turned the resource-poor nation into an affluent city-state. Lee Hsien Loong is the country’s third prime minister and has led the government since 2004.
Lee Hsien Yang accused the PAP of turning into an elitist party and called for a more transparent and accountable government, Still, a strong showing by the opposition will be a tall task with the country facing its worst recession this year.
“It’s hard slog for the opposition in any time, more so in a crisis,” said Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate at Malaysia’s University of Nottingham.
Lee Hsien Yang has “helped set the tone for the opposition, calling into question some aspects of PAP governance, especially his brother’s leadership … but the flight to safety argument on the economy favors the PAP,” she said.
Singapore’s elections follow polls in Mongolia last month and in South Korea in April, when governing parties in both countries scored resounding victories.
Singapore’s elections come just weeks after the country emerged from a two-month lockdown aimed at controlling one of Asia’s worst virus outbreaks. The tiny nation of 5.8 million people has reported more than 45,000 cases, most of them foreign workers living in crowded dormitories that were overlooked in the early phase of its crisis management.
While infections have mostly declined, new daily cases still top 100. But the government says the elections can be held safely with more polling stations and staggered times allocated for the 2.65 million eligible voters to cast their ballots.
Physical rallies were banned during the nine-day campaign that ended Wednesday, in which both sides took their battle to social media. Candidates sparred over how to keep jobs and propel the economy forward in televised debates and delivered strong online video speeches. Some wore shirts with QR codes so residents could scan them and get instant access to their social media pages.
The two Lees, who have been embroiled in a public spat since 2017 over the fate of their family home, have hit the campaign trail in hawker markets and public housing estates, but with masks and without the usual handshakes with voters.
With the economy forecast to shrink this year by between 4% and 7%, the PAP has touted its strong track record in propelling the nation into one of the world’s richest. Prime Minister Lee said the polls aren’t about his family feud but the nation’s future, and appealed to voters for a strong mandate to navigate Singapore through the crisis and beyond. His government has unveiled several economic assistance packages totaling nearly 100 billion Singapore dollars ($71.7 billion).
The stakes are higher this time for Lee, who has said he plans to retire in two years at age 70. His deputy and finance minister, Heng Swee Keat, is his designated successor and some see the election as a vote of confidence in the new leadership.
“Ultimately, it is how voters view the PAP government’s handling of COVID-19 in all aspects that could play a big role in whether the ruling party will secure a strong mandate,” said Eugene Tan, law professor at Singapore Management University. “If the PAP is able to secure about 65% of the popular vote and not lose additional seats, then I think they can claim to have a very good general election.”
The popular vote for the PAP has never slipped below 60%. In 2015, the PAP won 69.9% of the total vote and 93% of parliamentary seats, riding on the nation’s 50th anniversary and the death that year of Lee Kuan Yew.
While fragmented, the 10 small opposition parties appear united against the PAP. All 93 parliamentary seats are being contested, mostly on a one-on-one basis against the PAP. The opposition has pitched itself as a check-and-balance, urging voters to deny the PAP its two-thirds super majority in parliament that allows it to amend the constitution.
While praised for its economic management, the PAP has also been criticized for muzzling the media and dissenting voices, and for its government-knows-best stance. In recent weeks it used a new anti-fake news law against the opposition.
“The maze we live in today is the result of having a single party in charge with no checks and balances, no transparency or accountability. Only ‘ownself check ownself.’ This is dangerous for the future of Singapore,” Lee Hsien Yang said in a final election message on Facebook. He urged Singaporeans to vote fearlessly to send a “wake up call” to PAP.
“End the PAP’s supermajority … no more blank check,” he said.
No matter the outcome, Singapore’s law provides for defeated top opposition candidates to be offered non-constituency parliamentary seats to ensure there are 12 opposition lawmakers, up from six previously. But opposition parties slam such an arrangement as a ploy to deny them elected seats.
___
Ng reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


washingtontimes--2020-07-08--Records: Man accused of killing Tulsa officer threatened him

TULSA , Okla. ( AP ) - A man suspected of killing a Tulsa police officer had threatened to kill the officer during the man ’ s run-in with local police years prior , according to police records .
David Anthony Ware , 32 , is being held in the Tulsa County jail on multiple charges in connection to the fatal shooting of Tulsa Police Sgt .
Craig Johnson , 45 , in June and the shooting of Officer Aurash Zarkeshan , 26 .
In 2006 , Ware encountered Johnson when he was first arrested as an adult at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records .
Police were called to an apartment complex where they reportedly found an intoxicated Ware urinating outside .
The backup officer who accompanied Johnson wrote in his report that Ware kicked at and threatened to harm Johnson , the Tulsa World reported .
“ The subject also continued to threaten violent acts upon Officer Johnson saying that he was going to kill Officer Johnson , ” the officer added to his report , which the newspaper obtained through sources .
Prosecutors and Tulsa police declined to comment on whether Ware might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in 2006 .
Tulsa County prosecutors have charged Ware in 10 other cases in the 14 years before his arrest , according to public court documents .
Seven were allegations of felony offenses , and three were misdemeanors .
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said many charges have been dismissed .
“ Oftentimes , cases that come to the District Attorney ’ s Office present themselves with facts and circumstances that would justify the filing of a criminal charge .
As those cases move through the criminal process , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine : Can they actually put that case on in front of a judge or jury and have a reasonable expectation of conviction ?
” Kunzweiler told the newspaper .
Matthew Nicholas Hall , 29 , has also been arrested in connection with the shootings .
Prosecutors allege he was the driver of a getaway car Ware used to leave the scene .
Hall is charged with being an accessory to murder and a separate count of being an accessory to a felony .

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A man suspected of killing a Tulsa police officer had threatened to kill the officer during the man’s run-in with local police years prior, according to police records.
David Anthony Ware, 32, is being held in the Tulsa County jail on multiple charges in connection to the fatal shooting of Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnson, 45, in June and the shooting of Officer Aurash Zarkeshan, 26.
In 2006, Ware encountered Johnson when he was first arrested as an adult at the age of 18, according to police records. Police were called to an apartment complex where they reportedly found an intoxicated Ware urinating outside.
The backup officer who accompanied Johnson wrote in his report that Ware kicked at and threatened to harm Johnson, the Tulsa World reported.
“The subject also continued to threaten violent acts upon Officer Johnson saying that he was going to kill Officer Johnson,” the officer added to his report, which the newspaper obtained through sources.
Prosecutors and Tulsa police declined to comment on whether Ware might have recognized Johnson as the officer who arrested him in 2006.
Tulsa County prosecutors have charged Ware in 10 other cases in the 14 years before his arrest, according to public court documents. Seven were allegations of felony offenses, and three were misdemeanors.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said many charges have been dismissed.
“Oftentimes, cases that come to the District Attorney’s Office present themselves with facts and circumstances that would justify the filing of a criminal charge. As those cases move through the criminal process, there are many instances in which prosecutors have to determine: Can they actually put that case on in front of a judge or jury and have a reasonable expectation of conviction?” Kunzweiler told the newspaper.
Matthew Nicholas Hall, 29, has also been arrested in connection with the shootings. Prosecutors allege he was the driver of a getaway car Ware used to leave the scene. Hall is charged with being an accessory to murder and a separate count of being an accessory to a felony.