washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Texas reports 2,057 new cases of COVID-19, 20 more deaths

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Texas reported 2,057 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday , and 20 @ @ @ @ @ Department of State Health Services said the total confirmed cases in the state is now @ @ @ @ @ been 13,492 deaths due to COVID-19 , the illness caused by the virus .
The @ @ @ @ @ Texas is likely higher because many people haven ’ t been tested and studies suggest @ @ @ @ @ not feel sick .
The health department said about 3,500 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ has been decreasing since peaking in July at 10,893 , and the number of newly @ @ @ @ @ decreasing since then .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms @ @ @ @ @ cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older @ @ @ @ @ health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and be @ @

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas reported 2,057 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, and 20 additional deaths.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said the total confirmed cases in the state is now at 640,370 and there have been 13,492 deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.
The true number of cases in Texas is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The health department said about 3,500 people were hospitalized with COVID-19. The number of hospitalizations has been decreasing since peaking in July at 10,893, and the number of newly reported cases has also been decreasing since then.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and be fatal.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Kansas college students strike to protest campus opening

LAWRENCE , Kan. ( AP ) - A group of University of Kansas students went on a strike from classes on Monday to protest the opening of the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The University of Kansas held classes on Labor Day due to a modified academic calendar amid the pandemic , the Lawrence Journal-World reported .
The student organization Jayhawker Liberation Front publicized the strike in tandem with a petition calling for the closure of campus due to the virus spread .
They also want free exit testing for all students , shelter for students in need and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials reported on Monday four new coronavirus-related deaths and 1,694 new cases of COVID-19 in the state since Friday .
That raises the death toll from the pandemic in Kansas to 485 deaths and 46,914 known cases .
The state reported 181 clusters .
Colleges account for 27 coronavirus outbreaks and 420 cases , but no deaths .
Five school clusters account for 39 cases and no deaths , according to the health department .
Gov .
Laura Kelly told reporters Monday that the state will be disclosing the locations of active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is better informed to mitigate the virus spread .

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - A group of University of Kansas students went on a strike from classes on Monday to protest the opening of the campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The University of Kansas held classes on Labor Day due to a modified academic calendar amid the pandemic, the Lawrence Journal-World reported.
The student organization Jayhawker Liberation Front publicized the strike in tandem with a petition calling for the closure of campus due to the virus spread. They also want free exit testing for all students, shelter for students in need and hazard pay for essential workers.
Kansas health officials reported on Monday four new coronavirus-related deaths and 1,694 new cases of COVID-19 in the state since Friday. That raises the death toll from the pandemic in Kansas to 485 deaths and 46,914 known cases.
The state reported 181 clusters. Colleges account for 27 coronavirus outbreaks and 420 cases, but no deaths. Five school clusters account for 39 cases and no deaths, according to the health department.
Gov. Laura Kelly told reporters Monday that the state will be disclosing the locations of active outbreaks beginning Wednesday so that the public is better informed to mitigate the virus spread.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Police arrest 2 in double stabbing at Point Pleasant Beach

POINT PLEASANT BEACH , N.J. ( AP ) - Police in Point Pleasant Beach arrested two people Monday in relation @ @ @ @ @ The police department says officers responded to a call for a fight on the beach @ @ @ @ @ stab wounds .
They were taken to a hospital .
The police department says it @ @ @ @ @ and there is no threat to the public .
Police are still investigating and say @ @ @ @ @ at a later date .

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. (AP) - Police in Point Pleasant Beach arrested two people Monday in relation to a double stabbing.
The police department says officers responded to a call for a fight on the beach and found two men with stab wounds. They were taken to a hospital.
The police department says it has two men in custody and there is no threat to the public. Police are still investigating and say more information will be provided at a later date.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Black woman to lead police force reeling from Breonna Taylor

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - For the first time , a Black woman will lead Kentucky ’ s Louisville Metro Police Department , which has been been heavily criticized since officers fatally shot Breonna Taylor in March .
Mayor Greg Fischer announced on Monday that Yvette Gentry will serve as interim chief of the department , according to The Courier-Journal .
Gentry is a former Louisville Metro Police deputy chief who retired from the force in 2014 .
She will be the first woman and the third African American to serve as chief of the Louisville Metro Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retire at the end of September after four months in the role .
Schroeder took over on June 1 when Fischer fired longtime Chief Steve Conrad after learning officers did not have body cameras turned on during the fatal police shooting of the owner of a popular West End eatery .
Gentry ’ s appointment comes at a low point in relations between police and Black residents in Louisville .
Protesters have marched for more than 100 consecutive days since Taylor , a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician , was shot and killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ search warrant at her apartment .
Protesters want serious changes to the city ’ s police and other systems they say have perpetuated systemic racism .
Taylor ’ s death is under investigation by the FBI and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron , who is expected to announce in coming weeks whether criminal charges will be brought against the officers .
Authorities have said the officers fired back after Taylor ’ s boyfriend started shooting at them .
In an emotional speech after Monday ’ s announcement , Gentry addressed residents of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heart of more than 100 days of protest over racial injustice since Taylor ’ s death .
“ I ’ m not here just to help you unboard your beautiful buildings downtown , ” she said .
“ I ’ m here to work with you to unboard the community that I served with all my heart in west Louisville , that was boarded for 20 or 30 years.
” She said the past four months have been tough on police officers as well as on protesters , adding that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so hopeless.
” “ I will just say : That is just a glimpse of how a lot of people have been feeling for a long time , and we can ’ t go back , ” Gentry said .
“ I think our city is at a point of reckoning that only truth can bring us out of .
Only truth can break us out ; only truth can take away darkness.
” Gentry told the newspaper in an interview that she doesn ’ t want to be the permanent police chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the position .
“ When you live in Louisville , and you raise your kids here , like I do , and your family ’ s here , I want that chief to be successful , ” said Gentry , a Louisville native .
“ So , even though I wasn ’ t interested in the full-time job , I realized that somebody has to stand in the gap.
” Fischer is expected to name a new leader by the end of 2020 .
In an interview , Gentry acknowledged that improving community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morale simultaneously won ’ t be an easy task , but said she ’ s in as “ good a position as anyone could be.
” “ Being a Black woman , and a veteran and a former police officer , when you ’ ve worn all the hats of people who are out here , wanting to be heard , and you ’ ve worked in a place where you ’ ve tried to be heard and didn ’ t necessarily feel like you were , I just feel like I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring in there , ” Gentry said .
“ People are just so far apart .
And maybe , I can be in the middle and I can bridge it .
”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - For the first time, a Black woman will lead Kentucky’s Louisville Metro Police Department, which has been been heavily criticized since officers fatally shot Breonna Taylor in March.
Mayor Greg Fischer announced on Monday that Yvette Gentry will serve as interim chief of the department, according to The Courier-Journal.
Gentry is a former Louisville Metro Police deputy chief who retired from the force in 2014. She will be the first woman and the third African American to serve as chief of the Louisville Metro Police. Interim Chief Robert Schroeder plans to retire at the end of September after four months in the role. Schroeder took over on June 1 when Fischer fired longtime Chief Steve Conrad after learning officers did not have body cameras turned on during the fatal police shooting of the owner of a popular West End eatery.
Gentry’s appointment comes at a low point in relations between police and Black residents in Louisville. Protesters have marched for more than 100 consecutive days since Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician, was shot and killed as officers attempted to serve a no-knock search warrant at her apartment. Protesters want serious changes to the city’s police and other systems they say have perpetuated systemic racism.
Taylor’s death is under investigation by the FBI and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is expected to announce in coming weeks whether criminal charges will be brought against the officers. Authorities have said the officers fired back after Taylor’s boyfriend started shooting at them.
In an emotional speech after Monday’s announcement, Gentry addressed residents of the West End neighborhood who have been at the heart of more than 100 days of protest over racial injustice since Taylor’s death.
“I’m not here just to help you unboard your beautiful buildings downtown,” she said. “I’m here to work with you to unboard the community that I served with all my heart in west Louisville, that was boarded for 20 or 30 years.”
She said the past four months have been tough on police officers as well as on protesters, adding that it’s tough “seeing things just feel so hopeless.”
“I will just say: That is just a glimpse of how a lot of people have been feeling for a long time, and we can’t go back,” Gentry said. “I think our city is at a point of reckoning that only truth can bring us out of. Only truth can break us out; only truth can take away darkness.”
Gentry told the newspaper in an interview that she doesn’t want to be the permanent police chief - and didn’t apply for the position.
“When you live in Louisville, and you raise your kids here, like I do, and your family’s here, I want that chief to be successful,” said Gentry, a Louisville native. “So, even though I wasn’t interested in the full-time job, I realized that somebody has to stand in the gap.”
Fischer is expected to name a new leader by the end of 2020.
In an interview, Gentry acknowledged that improving community relations, reducing crime and boosting officer morale simultaneously won’t be an easy task, but said she’s in as “good a position as anyone could be.”
“Being a Black woman, and a veteran and a former police officer, when you’ve worn all the hats of people who are out here, wanting to be heard, and you’ve worked in a place where you’ve tried to be heard and didn’t necessarily feel like you were, I just feel like I have that type of experience that I can bring in there,” Gentry said. “People are just so far apart. And maybe, I can be in the middle and I can bridge it.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Police say officer fatally shot man who was stabbing woman

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Police in Las Vegas say an officer fatally shot a man who was attacking @ @ @ @ @ to a home for a domestic dispute on Sunday .
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police @ @ @ @ @ one shot through a mesh screen door after he spotted the man cutting the woman @ @ @ @ @ clear what he was using to cut the woman .
The man , who has @ @ @ @ @ on scene .
The woman was in stable condition with multiple lacerations .
Police say @ @ @ @ @ the home for a domestic dispute on Sunday after 9 p.m. Police did not receive @ @ @ @

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Police in Las Vegas say an officer fatally shot a man who was attacking a woman after being called to a home for a domestic dispute on Sunday.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says the officer fired one shot through a mesh screen door after he spotted the man cutting the woman. It’s not clear what he was using to cut the woman.
The man, who has not been identified, died on scene. The woman was in stable condition with multiple lacerations. Police say they were called out to the home for a domestic dispute on Sunday after 9 p.m. Police did not receive any further details.


washingtontimes--2020-09-07--Samsung wins $6.6 billion contract from Verizon to create 5G

Samsung Electronics Co. will develop 5G network infrastructure for Verizon Communications under a $ 6.65 billion deal announced Monday .
The contract runs through 2025 , according to a Samsung corporate filing .
Samsung and Verizon have worked together before .
In 2018 , for example , Samsung technology was behind a 5G home service that Verizon offered to some customers in California , Texas and Indiana .
“ Samsung has demonstrated their commitment to collaborating with us to drive innovation in 5G , ” New York-based Verizon said in a statement .
“ We are excited to expand our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term strategic agreement.
” Samsung said its expanded partnership with Verizon will allow the companies to “ push the boundaries of 5G innovation to enhance mobile experiences for Verizon ’ s customers.
” “ We ’ re excited to continue delivering on breakthrough network technologies that will expand what ’ s possible through 5G , ” the company said in a statement .
The South Korean technology giant beat out rivals like Finland ’ s Nokia , which has collaborated with Verizon in the past .
But one 5G rival - China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t in the running for the contract .
Huawei has been largely absent from the U.S. since 2012 , when a congressional panel warned phone carriers to avoid it .
The U.S. says it ’ s a security risk to give China too much access to 5G systems , which are expected to support self-driving cars , factory robots and other applications .
More recently , the Trump administration has been pressuring European companies not to work with Huawei .
In February , Attorney General William Barr said the U.S. government should consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European companies Nokia and Ericsson to thwart Huawei ’ s global ambitions .

Samsung Electronics Co. will develop 5G network infrastructure for Verizon Communications under a $6.65 billion deal announced Monday.
The contract runs through 2025, according to a Samsung corporate filing.
Samsung and Verizon have worked together before. In 2018, for example, Samsung technology was behind a 5G home service that Verizon offered to some customers in California, Texas and Indiana.
“Samsung has demonstrated their commitment to collaborating with us to drive innovation in 5G,” New York-based Verizon said in a statement. “We are excited to expand our relationship with them and benefit from a long-term strategic agreement.”
Samsung said its expanded partnership with Verizon will allow the companies to “push the boundaries of 5G innovation to enhance mobile experiences for Verizon’s customers.”
“We’re excited to continue delivering on breakthrough network technologies that will expand what’s possible through 5G,” the company said in a statement.
The South Korean technology giant beat out rivals like Finland’s Nokia, which has collaborated with Verizon in the past.
But one 5G rival - China’s Huawei Technologies Ltd. - wasn’t in the running for the contract. Huawei has been largely absent from the U.S. since 2012, when a congressional panel warned phone carriers to avoid it. The U.S. says it’s a security risk to give China too much access to 5G systems, which are expected to support self-driving cars, factory robots and other applications.
More recently, the Trump administration has been pressuring European companies not to work with Huawei. In February, Attorney General William Barr said the U.S. government should consider taking a “controlling stake” in the European companies Nokia and Ericsson to thwart Huawei’s global ambitions.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Kansas City police: 2 separate deaths deemed suspicious

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Police in Kansas City are investigating two unrelated deaths that detectives @ @ @ @ @ first death was reported around 4:45 p.m. Monday , when officers were called to a @ @ @ @ @ a medical call .
Arriving officers found a man dead inside the home .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ were called to an apartment complex for a welfare check on a resident there and @ @ @ @ @ one of the complex ’ s buildings .
Both deaths have been deemed suspicious because @ @ @ @ @ know how the two received the injuries they had suffered .
As of Tuesday morning @ @ @ @ @ details on the nature of the injuries and had not released the names of those @ @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Police in Kansas City are investigating two unrelated deaths on Labor Day as the city’s latest homicides.
The first death was reported around 4:45 p.m. Monday, when officers were called to a home for what began as a medical call. Arriving officers found a man dead inside the home and determined he had been stabbed, police said in a news release.
Nearly two hours later, police were called to an apartment complex for a welfare check on a resident there. They found a woman dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
The names of the victims have not been released. Police also did not release details about possible suspects.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Police: Man charged with brandishing gun at protesters

HUNTSVILLE , Ala. ( AP ) - A man seen brandishing a gun at Black Lives Matter protesters in Alabama was arrested and accused of being drunk , authorities said .
Scott Christopher Davis , 51 , was charged Sunday with public intoxication and possession of a firearm , news outlets reported .
Huntsville police were called to the protest near Courthouse Square Sunday evening on reports of a man harassing protesters .
Teddy Young with ‘ Black Lives Matter Huntsville Division ’ told WAFF-TV that a man approached a woman and her wife and called “ them all kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stating “ he would smoke her if she looked at him.
” Young said the man was “ very inebriated ” and bumped into him when Young tried to diffuse the situation .
Protesters yelled that the man was reaching for a weapon , Young said .
Young credited the police on how they handled the situation .
He said officers gave the protesters tips on how to “ pursue some ramifications on the gentleman.
” It ’ s unclear whether Davis had an attorney who could comment on his behalf .

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A man seen brandishing a gun at Black Lives Matter protesters in Alabama was arrested and accused of being drunk, authorities said.
Scott Christopher Davis, 51, was charged Sunday with public intoxication and possession of a firearm, news outlets reported.
Huntsville police were called to the protest near Courthouse Square Sunday evening on reports of a man harassing protesters.
Teddy Young with ‘Black Lives Matter Huntsville Division’ told WAFF-TV that a man approached a woman and her wife and called “them all kind of names” before threatening the woman, stating “he would smoke her if she looked at him.”
Young said the man was “very inebriated” and bumped into him when Young tried to diffuse the situation. Protesters yelled that the man was reaching for a weapon, Young said.
Young credited the police on how they handled the situation. He said officers gave the protesters tips on how to “pursue some ramifications on the gentleman.”
It’s unclear whether Davis had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Flurry of tests as COVID hits Greece's biggest migrant camp

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) - A major testing and contact-tracing operation at Greece ’ s largest migrant camp on the eastern island of Lesbos has so far detected 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the overcrowded facility ’ s 12,500 residents , authorities said Tuesday .
Health and migration ministry officials said medical teams have carried out 1,600 tests for the coronavirus at the Moria facility - initially designed to hold 2,800 people - and another 400 will follow over the next few days .
The camp has been quarantined until Sept. 15 , with a police cordon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late Monday the infections were all linked with one Somali man who left the camp after being granted asylum in Greece , went to Athens but failed to find work and housing there and returned to Moria .
Health officials weren ’ t immediately able Tuesday to confirm that the virus had been spread by the one man .
Rights groups and charities working with migrants have repeatedly criticized Greece for the living conditions in Moria , which consists of a main camp surrounded by a sprawling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Greek officials focused on preventing COVID-19 outbreaks at the cramped eastern Aegean Sea island camps , quarantining people who arrive on smugglers ’ boats from Turkey and testing for the virus before allowing them into the camps .
The strategy worked until last week , when the Somali man returned to live in a tent outside the main camp .
Mitarachi said in Monday ’ s interview with private Alpha TV that the incident strengthened the government ’ s resolve to eventually build closed island centers for asylum-seekers , where entry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It worries us , and that is why we need closed centers that will provide more space for each asylum-seeker , ” he said .
“ People who are granted asylum must leave the centers ” after being given formal refugee status , he said .
Minor COVID-19 outbreaks have also been recorded in some mainland camps , which , however , are much smaller than the island facilities and where it ’ s harder for the virus to spread unchecked .
Lockdown measures during the first phase of the pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Turkey - from which most asylum-seekers enter the European Union country - have substantially reduced migratory flows into Greece .
According to U.N. figures , about 12,000 people have entered Greece so far this year .
For the whole of 2019 , total arrivals were 75,000 .
Mitarachi said that this summer , for the first time , the number of migrants arriving in Greece was smaller than the number of those leaving the country - either through relocation programs to other EU countries or by being deported after being refused formal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a pandemic-induced recession , as it was starting to recover from a 10-year financial crisis , and unemployment is around 17 % .
“ The truth is that our country is not an attractive destination for migrants and refugees as far as the job market is concerned , ” Mitarachi said .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A major testing and contact-tracing operation at Greece’s largest migrant camp on the eastern island of Lesbos has so far detected 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the overcrowded facility’s 12,500 residents, authorities said Tuesday.
Health and migration ministry officials said medical teams have carried out 1,900 tests for the coronavirus on migrants at the Moria facility, which was initially designed to hold 2,800 people. Another 100 staff members have been tested, and none were found to have COVID-19.
Gkikas Magiorkinis, a member of a scientific committee advising the government, told a media briefing Tuesday that some optimism was allowed by the fact that most of the 35 migrants were relatively young and didn’t belong to high-risk groups.
“Although this doesn’t mean we should pay less attention and strive less to fight the epidemic” in Moria, he said. Out of the 35 cases, 18 were recorded Tuesday.
The camp has been quarantined until Sept. 15, with a police cordon to enforce the entry and exit ban.
Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late Monday the infections were all linked with one Somali man who left the camp after being granted asylum in Greece, went to Athens but failed to find work and housing there and returned to Moria. Health officials weren’t immediately able Tuesday to confirm that the virus had been spread by the one man.
Rights groups and charities working with migrants have repeatedly criticized Greece for the living conditions in Moria, which consists of a main camp surrounded by a sprawling tent city.
Since the pandemic broke out, Greek officials focused on preventing COVID-19 outbreaks at the cramped eastern Aegean Sea island camps, quarantining people who arrive on smugglers’ boats from Turkey and testing for the virus before allowing them into the camps. The strategy worked until last week, when the Somali man returned to live in a tent outside the main camp.
Mitarachi said in Monday’s interview with private Alpha TV that the incident strengthened the government’s resolve to eventually build closed island centers for asylum-seekers, where entry and exit would be strictly controlled.
“It worries us, and that is why we need closed centers that will provide more space for each asylum-seeker,” he said. “People who are granted asylum must leave the centers” after being given formal refugee status, he said.
Minor COVID-19 outbreaks have also been recorded in some mainland camps, which, however, are much smaller than the island facilities and where it’s harder for the virus to spread unchecked.
Lockdown measures during the first phase of the pandemic and tighter monitoring of land and sea borders with Turkey - from which most asylum-seekers enter the European Union country - have substantially reduced migratory flows into Greece.
According to U.N. figures, about 12,000 people have entered Greece so far this year. For the whole of 2019, total arrivals were 75,000.
Mitarachi said that this summer, for the first time, the number of migrants arriving in Greece was smaller than the number of those leaving the country - either through relocation programs to other EU countries or by being deported after being refused formal refugee status.
Greece’s economy is in a pandemic-induced recession, as it was starting to recover from a 10-year financial crisis, and unemployment is around 17%.
“The truth is that our country is not an attractive destination for migrants and refugees as far as the job market is concerned,” Mitarachi said.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Mississippi protesters rally against Confederate monument

OXFORD , Miss .
( AP ) - Dozens of demonstrators gathered in a Mississippi county to call for the removal of a Confederate monument officials have previously refused to relocate .
A group of veterans , business leaders and community members gathered near the statue in downtown Oxford on Monday morning to demand the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors move the monument , news outlets reported .
The protesters say removing the statue , which sits in a prominent square near the county courthouse , could help bring the community together .
But Lafayette supervisors in July voted unanimously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monument would not create unity , news outlets reported .
Since then , Oxford officials have also raised questions about whether the monument is located on county or city-owned land and who has the authority to decide if it can be moved , The Journal reported .
City officials allege Lafayette supervisors have not answered letters requesting information on its claim to own the statue .
Demonstrator Jerry Townsend said Monday that the monument , which includes a statue of a soldier holding a rifle atop a stone obelisk , is a symbol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue , its meaning and purpose , is no different than the knee on the neck of George Floyd , ” the newspaper quoted Townsend as saying .
Communities around the world have faced similar demands to address racist legacies during demonstrations sparked in part by the May death of Floyd after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee against his neck for several minutes .
The downtown Oxford statue is not the only Confederate memorial in the city .
In mid-July , the University of Mississippi moved a separate one from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a secluded Civil War cemetery on the school ’ s grounds .

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Dozens of demonstrators gathered in a Mississippi county to call for the removal of a Confederate monument officials have previously refused to relocate.
A group of veterans, business leaders and community members gathered near the statue in downtown Oxford on Monday morning to demand the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors move the monument, news outlets reported.
The protesters say removing the statue, which sits in a prominent square near the county courthouse, could help bring the community together. But Lafayette supervisors in July voted unanimously against relocation, arguing that moving the monument would not create unity, news outlets reported.
Since then, Oxford officials have also raised questions about whether the monument is located on county or city-owned land and who has the authority to decide if it can be moved, The Journal reported.
City officials allege Lafayette supervisors have not answered letters requesting information on its claim to own the statue.
Demonstrator Jerry Townsend said Monday that the monument, which includes a statue of a soldier holding a rifle atop a stone obelisk, is a symbol of racial violence.
“The Confederate statue, its meaning and purpose, is no different than the knee on the neck of George Floyd,” the newspaper quoted Townsend as saying.
Communities around the world have faced similar demands to address racist legacies during demonstrations sparked in part by the May death of Floyd after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee against his neck for several minutes.
The downtown Oxford statue is not the only Confederate memorial in the city. In mid-July, the University of Mississippi moved a separate one from a central spot on its campus to a secluded Civil War cemetery on the school’s grounds.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Late summer storm bringing snow to the Black Hills

DEADWOOD , S.D .
( AP ) - A late summer storm has produced winter-like conditions in parts of South @ @ @ @ @ of 6 inches ( 15.2 centimeters ) to 12 inches ( 30.4 centimeters ) were @ @ @ @ @ the Black Hills .
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for parts @ @ @ @ @ noon Tuesday .
That includes Lead , Deadwood , Galena and Mount Rushmore .
The @ @ @ @ @ Black Hills in Wyoming with freezing drizzle expected Tuesday along the Interstate 80 corridor between @ @ @ @ @ snow should taper off Tuesday morning with the best chances for substantial accumulation above 4500 @ @ @ @ @ in the Black Hills .

DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) - A late summer storm has produced winter-like conditions in parts of South Dakota and Wyoming.
Accumulations of 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) to 12 inches (30.4 centimeters) were forecast for higher elevations in the Black Hills.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for parts of the Black Hills until noon Tuesday. That includes Lead, Deadwood, Galena and Mount Rushmore.
The warning also extends into the Black Hills in Wyoming with freezing drizzle expected Tuesday along the Interstate 80 corridor between Laramie and Cheyenne.
Heavy snow should taper off Tuesday morning with the best chances for substantial accumulation above 4500 feet (1.3 kilometers) in the Black Hills.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Trump campaign ad knocks Biden's 'shut it down' economy comment

President Trump ’ s campaign released a new ad on Tuesday saying that Joseph R. Biden is threatening to bring @ @ @ @ @ great American comeback ” to a screeching halt by shutting the economy down again .
@ @ @ @ @ greatest economy the world has ever seen ” is coming back to life after an @ @ @ @ @ 1.37 million jobs added last month .
“ But Joe Biden wants to change that @ @ @ @ @ , playing a clip of Mr. Biden saying in a recent interview he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ economy back down if scientists said it was necessary to slow the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ we ever let Biden kill countless American businesses , jobs and our economic future ?
@ @ @ @ @ The TV ad is set to air this week in North Carolina , Florida , @ @ @ @ @ and Michigan .
After significant pushback , Mr. Biden later said he might have misinterpreted @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t see a need to shut down the entire economy again .

The Trump campaign got back into the TV ad wars Tuesday after ceding the airwaves to Joseph R. Biden in recent weeks, hitting the Democratic challenger for threatening to bring the president’s “great American comeback” to a screeching halt by again shutting down the economy.
The ad blitz across battleground states was a marked shift in strategy after President Trump managed to cut into Mr. Biden’s lead in recent polling despite going comparatively dark on TV in the run-up to Labor Day.
“Our spending on advertising has been nimble and agile based on the early voting and absentee calendar,” said Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien.
The campaign’s new ad, set to air this week in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, plays off Mr. Biden’s recent statement that he’d be willing to shut the economy back down if scientists said it was necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“Why would we ever let Biden kill countless American businesses, jobs and our economic future?” the ad says.
The Trump campaign also released a new radio ad featuring former NFL player Herschel Walker and Georgia state Rep. Vernon Jones talking up Mr. Trump’s efforts on behalf of Black Americans.
The Biden campaign released a pair of ads on Tuesday, part of a $47 million buy.
“This is our chance to put the darkness of the past four years behind us,” one 60-second spot says, echoing a theme from Mr. Biden’s Democratic National Convention speech.
The other slams the president’s push to cut payroll taxes as detrimental to Social Security.
There’s no question that Mr. Biden is outpacing Mr. Trump on the airwaves, though the president’s team appears to be ramping up.
The Trump campaign has pre-booked over $65 million in television ads in September and about $80 million in October, according to the firm Advertising Analytics.
That marks a jump from the final weeks in August when the campaign invested about $5 million.
Mr. Biden, meanwhile, invested more than $30 million in ads over the closing weeks of August.
The Democratic presidential nominee has pre-booked about $70 million in television ads for September.
Mr. Stepien said some targets of Mr. Biden’s deluge are telling.
“These are all places that you don’t spend money — Colorado, New Hampshire, Nevada, Virginia, Minnesota — if you don’t think the race is tight,” he said.
Many Americans don’t start tuning into the presidential race until after Labor Day.
But Mitt Romney suffered from his lagging presence on the airwaves in 2012, allowing then-President Obama to define the Republican nominee as an out-of-touch plutocrat before the fall campaign got underway.
Mr. Trump appears to have fared better in his relative absence from the airwaves, using the bully pulpit to drive the news and keep his voice front and center on the national stage.
Mr. Biden has been able to dominate the airwaves thanks to a nearly $365 million haul the campaign and the Democratic National Committee raised in August, which is believed to be a single-month record for any presidential campaign.
Guy Cecil, who chairs the pro-Democratic super PAC Priorities USA, said the Biden campaign’s windfall has allowed his group to pivot away from TV.
“In large part because the Biden campaign has been so successful at raising money, it has allowed us to move resources into the vote-by-mail and early vote program,” Mr. Cecil said. “We don’t have to cover as much territory on television as we did in previous elections.”
Mr. Trump and the Republicans have not yet released their August fundraising totals, though the president is believed to have raised about $76 million during the four-day Republican National Convention, which ran from Aug. 24-27.
Mr. Trump said on Tuesday that he would start pouring some of his sizable personal wealth into the campaign if he felt the need to do so.
“We don’t, because we have much more money than we had last time going into the last two months,” he said while traveling to Florida, a critical battleground state.
The comments came after The New York Times published a story suggesting that the president’s campaign squandered what had been a sizable financial edge over Mr. Biden earlier this year with questionable spending.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com. • David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--22 arrested in Seattle protests against racial injustice

SEATTLE ( AP ) - As Seattle crossed the 100-day mark for protests against racial injustice and police violence , demonstrations continued Monday focused on the Seattle Police Department , its budget and the police union .
The Seattle Times reports about 200 people marched to the Sodo offices of the Seattle Police Officers Guild , where police descended on the crowd , scuffles broke out and 22 people were arrested on suspicion of assault , arson , obstructing and failure to disperse .
Meanwhile , King County Equity Now and Decriminalize Seattle organized a separate caravan of events Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The groups called on the City Council to override Mayor Jenny Durkan ’ s veto of the council ’ s revised 2020 budget that would have cut up to 100 police officers and made other reductions to the police department .
The groups have called for redirecting funds to Black-led organizations and community services .
Durkan has criticized the City Council for what she calls insufficient planning for the police cuts and objected to cutting the salaries of SPD ’ s command staff .
Protesters arrived at the SPOG office in Sodo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black and some carried shields , umbrellas and gas masks .
When the group arrived , dozens of officers rode out from behind the building on bikes and confronted the crowd .
Officers ordered people to back up , rode into the crowd and grabbed umbrellas from protesters .
A protester deployed a fire extinguisher ; police pushed their bikes into the crowd and used pepper spray and blast balls or flash-bang grenades .
After officers began pushing the crowd out of the area , some in the group threw fireworks at police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scuffles broke out .
From the front of the crowd of protesters , it was not immediately clear what prompted the police response .
Seattle police later said that as officers made arrests , members of the crowd threw rocks , bottles and explosives .
The department said it found Molotov cocktails at the SPOG building and posted a photo of three unbroken beer bottles containing fluid and bandannas .
A body camera video posted by the department showed an object thrown from the crowd land in the street between protesters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department said was a Molotov cocktail .

SEATTLE (AP) - As Seattle crossed the 100-day mark for protests against racial injustice and police violence, demonstrations continued Monday focused on the Seattle Police Department, its budget and the police union.
The Seattle Times reports about 200 people marched to the Sodo offices of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, where police descended on the crowd, scuffles broke out and 22 people were arrested on suspicion of assault, arson, obstructing and failure to disperse.
Meanwhile, King County Equity Now and Decriminalize Seattle organized a separate caravan of events Monday in all seven Seattle City Council districts. The groups called on the City Council to override Mayor Jenny Durkan’s veto of the council’s revised 2020 budget that would have cut up to 100 police officers and made other reductions to the police department.
The groups have called for redirecting funds to Black-led organizations and community services. Durkan has criticized the City Council for what she calls insufficient planning for the police cuts and objected to cutting the salaries of SPD’s command staff.
Protesters arrived at the SPOG office in Sodo shortly after 6 p.m. Most wore black and some carried shields, umbrellas and gas masks.
When the group arrived, dozens of officers rode out from behind the building on bikes and confronted the crowd.
Officers ordered people to back up, rode into the crowd and grabbed umbrellas from protesters. A protester deployed a fire extinguisher; police pushed their bikes into the crowd and used pepper spray and blast balls or flash-bang grenades.
After officers began pushing the crowd out of the area, some in the group threw fireworks at police. As officers tried to make arrests, scuffles broke out.
From the front of the crowd of protesters, it was not immediately clear what prompted the police response. Seattle police later said that as officers made arrests, members of the crowd threw rocks, bottles and explosives.
The department said it found Molotov cocktails at the SPOG building and posted a photo of three unbroken beer bottles containing fluid and bandannas. A body camera video posted by the department showed an object thrown from the crowd land in the street between protesters and police and start a fire, which the department said was a Molotov cocktail.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Workers to replace faulty arch on new interstate bridge

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. ( AP ) - Workers must replace a faulty arch on a new interstate bridge that is meant to be a gateway into Tuscaloosa , delaying the project by months .
A metal arch that was erected on the eastbound side of a new Interstate 20/59 bridge over McFarland Boulevard was twisted , The Tuscaloosa News reported .
The arch will be removed so a new structure can be installed along with a newly fabricated arch for the westbound side .
The work is being performed by Brasfield & Gorrie , the Birmingham-based contractor that was awarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said John D. McWilliams , a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Transportation .
“ Although the arch does not pose any danger to the traveling public , it does not meet the Alabama Department of Transportation ’ s specifications , ” said McWilliams .
“ The contractor and ALDOT worked together to find a solution , but it was ultimately determined that a replacement was required.
” While the project was supposed to be done by December , the problem combined with wet weather early in the year will push back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , McWilliams said .

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Workers must replace a faulty arch on a new interstate bridge that is meant to be a gateway into Tuscaloosa, delaying the project by months.
A metal arch that was erected on the eastbound side of a new Interstate 20/59 bridge over McFarland Boulevard was twisted, The Tuscaloosa News reported. The arch will be removed so a new structure can be installed along with a newly fabricated arch for the westbound side.
The work is being performed by Brasfield & Gorrie, the Birmingham-based contractor that was awarded the $83.4 million project in 2018, said John D. McWilliams, a spokesman for the Alabama Department of Transportation.
“Although the arch does not pose any danger to the traveling public, it does not meet the Alabama Department of Transportation’s specifications,” said McWilliams. “The contractor and ALDOT worked together to find a solution, but it was ultimately determined that a replacement was required.”
While the project was supposed to be done by December, the problem combined with wet weather early in the year will push back completion to summer 2021 at the earliest, McWilliams said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Police: Man arrested after taking child, high-speed chase

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Police in Virginia say they ’ ve arrested a man after he abducted @ @ @ @ @ them on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash .
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports @ @ @ @ @ over the driver on Sunday on I-64 .
Police in Norfolk said they had asked @ @ @ @ @ State Police in finding a suspect in an abduction case .
State police said they @ @ @ @ @ than 100 mph .
Police said the driver lost control and the vehicle crashed in @ @ @ @ @ driver , armed with a knife and carrying the child , fled into the woods @ @ @ @ @ police said troopers were able to persuade the man to put down the knife .
@ @ @ @ @ custody , and the child was returned to his mother .
The suspect ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Police have not revealed his relationship to the child .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Police in Virginia say they’ve arrested a man after he abducted a 4-year-old boy and led them on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that police tried to pull over the driver on Sunday on I-64.
Police in Norfolk said they had asked for the help of Virginia State Police in finding a suspect in an abduction case. State police said they encountered a Toyota traveling faster than 100 mph.
Police said the driver lost control and the vehicle crashed in New Kent County. The driver, armed with a knife and carrying the child, fled into the woods, police said.
State police said troopers were able to persuade the man to put down the knife. The man was taken into custody, and the child was returned to his mother.
The suspect’s name has not been released. Police have not revealed his relationship to the child.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Police: Man dies after canoe capsizes on Wellesey pond

WELLESLEY , Mass .
( AP ) - A man has died after his canoe capsized on a Wellesley pond @ @ @ @ @ victim and a woman were in the canoe on Longfellow Pond when it overturned at @ @ @ @ @ Wellesley police Lt. Marie Cleary said in a statement .
The man went under the @ @ @ @ @ it to shore .
Divers searched the pond and found the man underwater roughly 10 @ @ @ @ @ 5:20 p.m. , police said .
He was unconscious and unresponsive .
The man was @ @ @ @ @ Newton where he was pronounced dead , police said .
His name was not made @ @ @ @ @ under investigation , but police said it does not appear suspicious .

WELLESLEY, Mass. (AP) - A man has died after his canoe capsized on a Wellesley pond, police said.
The victim and a woman were in the canoe on Longfellow Pond when it overturned at about 4 p.m. Monday, Wellesley police Lt. Marie Cleary said in a statement.
The man went under the water while the woman made it to shore.
Divers searched the pond and found the man underwater roughly 10 yards from shore at around 5:20 p.m., police said. He was unconscious and unresponsive.
The man was taken to Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton where he was pronounced dead, police said.
His name was not made public.
The death remains under investigation, but police said it does not appear suspicious.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Eurozone economic slide during pandemic revised to 11.8%

FRANKFURT , Germany ( AP ) - The economy of the 19 countries that use the euro shrank by 11.8 @ @ @ @ @ , the biggest decline on record and slightly less than originally reported , according to @ @ @ @ @ released Tuesday by EU statistics agency Eurostat trimmed the fall in production from the 12.1 @ @ @ @ @ July 31 .
The second quarter , running from April through the end of June @ @ @ @ @ most severe of the lockdowns aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus across Europe @ @ @ @ @ gatherings , travel and businesses such as bars and restaurants came in April and have @ @ @ @ @ The plunge in economic output was the deepest since figures started being compiled in 1995 @ @ @ @ @ tax breaks and payroll support measures that will swell deficits but have helped cushion some @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Nonetheless the economy isn ’ t expected to reach pre-virus levels until @ @ @ @ @ say many economists .

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The economy of the 19 countries that use the euro shrank by 11.8% in the second quarter, the biggest decline on record and slightly less than originally reported, according to updated figures.
Official data released Tuesday by EU statistics agency Eurostat trimmed the fall in production from the 12.1% figure first reported on July 31.
The second quarter, running from April through the end of June, was marked by the most severe of the lockdowns aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus across Europe. The toughest restrictions on gatherings, travel and businesses such as bars and restaurants came in April and have since been gradually eased. The plunge in economic output was the deepest since figures started being compiled in 1995.
Governments have deployed large-scale tax breaks and payroll support measures that will swell deficits but have helped cushion some of the worst effects of the pandemic. Nonetheless the economy isn’t expected to reach pre-virus levels until 2022 at the earliest, say many economists.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Mark Meadows: Optimistic that Donald Trump will release new Supreme Court list in 'coming days'

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on Tuesday said President Trump plans to release another list of potential U.S. Supreme Court picks very shortly .
“ I ’ m optimistic that you ’ ll see those SCOTUS picks in [ the ] coming days , ” Mr. Meadows told reporters outside the White House .
The president had said in June he would release a new list by Sept. 1 .
“ I don ’ t know that there ’ s been a delay as much as there has been a whole lot of other priorities that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meadows said .
“ I ’ m excited about the list , and the president will be signing off on that in the coming days.
” Mr. Trump had released a similar list during the 2016 campaign .
The move was credited with helping Mr. Trump keep wary conservatives in his camp ahead of the 2016 general election .
Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden has committed to nominating a Black woman to the Supreme Court if he defeats Mr. Trump and a vacancy opens up , though it ’ s unclear whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of would-be picks before the election .

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on Tuesday said President Trump plans to release another list of potential U.S. Supreme Court picks very shortly.
“I’m optimistic that you’ll see those SCOTUS picks in [the] coming days,” Mr. Meadows told reporters outside the White House.
The president had said in June he would release a new list by Sept. 1.
“I don’t know that there’s been a delay as much as there has been a whole lot of other priorities that we’ve been working on,” Mr. Meadows said. “I’m excited about the list, and the president will be signing off on that in the coming days.”
Mr. Trump had released a similar list during the 2016 campaign.
The move was credited with helping Mr. Trump keep wary conservatives in his camp ahead of the 2016 general election.
Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden has committed to nominating a Black woman to the Supreme Court if he defeats Mr. Trump and a vacancy opens up, though it’s unclear whether Mr. Biden will release a specific list of would-be picks before the election.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Alabama county delays capital trials, citing pandemic

HUNTSVILLE , Ala. ( AP ) - A north Alabama county is delaying all capital murder trials because the courthouse doesn ’ t have enough room for would-be jurors to stay away from each other during the pandemic .
Attorneys typically call a larger-than-normal number of potential jurors for capital cases , and the presiding judge in Madison County , Ruth Ann Hall , told WHNT-TV the courthouse in Huntsville doesn ’ t have enough space to allow for proper social distancing in those instances .
So capital cases will be on hold until 2021 , delaying justice for both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicated to the judges that we simply could not try any capital murder cases this year , because you know , we have one courtroom we can get 30 people in for voir dire and jury selection .
For capital murder you need three to four times that , minimum , ” said Hall .
At least three capital murder cases were set to be tried this year , said District Attorney Rob Broussard .
The first case on the calendar involved Warren Hardy , who is charged in the death of Kathleen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 2016 .
Trials in other kinds of cases are scheduled to resume next month in Madison County .

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A north Alabama county is delaying all capital murder trials because the courthouse doesn’t have enough room for would-be jurors to stay away from each other during the pandemic.
Attorneys typically call a larger-than-normal number of potential jurors for capital cases, and the presiding judge in Madison County, Ruth Ann Hall, told WHNT-TV the courthouse in Huntsville doesn’t have enough space to allow for proper social distancing in those instances.
So capital cases will be on hold until 2021, delaying justice for both crime victims and defendants.
“I indicated to the judges that we simply could not try any capital murder cases this year, because you know, we have one courtroom we can get 30 people in for voir dire and jury selection. For capital murder you need three to four times that, minimum,” said Hall.
At least three capital murder cases were set to be tried this year, said District Attorney Rob Broussard. The first case on the calendar involved Warren Hardy, who is charged in the death of Kathleen Lundy, 72, of Huntsville in August 2016.
Trials in other kinds of cases are scheduled to resume next month in Madison County.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Search continues for teen in Virginia's Rappahannock River

FREDERICKSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - A teenager has gone missing in Virginia ’ s Rappahannock River in Stafford @ @ @ @ @ reports that the 15-year-old disappeared on Monday afternoon in the area of the Historic Port @ @ @ @ @ was called off after darkness set in Monday night and was scheduled to resume on @ @ @ @ @ s Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said that the teenager entered the river , briefly surfaced in @ @ @ @ @ under .
The incident is the third emergency on the river in eight days .
@ @ @ @ @ to be dangerous .
But significant rainfall has swollen the river with swift currents and @ @ @ @ @ Stafford divers had located a body in the Rappahannock at Muddy Creek near the King @ @ @ @ @ identity of that person is still unknown .
Last week , search teams recovered the @ @ @ @ @ .
He had gone missing while kayaking Aug. 30 near the Fredericksburg City Dock .
@ @ @ @ @ 80 people have drowned in the Rappahannock since 1985 .

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) - A teenager has gone missing in Virginia’s Rappahannock River in Stafford County.
The Free Lance-Star reports that the 15-year-old disappeared on Monday afternoon in the area of the Historic Port of Falmouth.
A search was called off after darkness set in Monday night and was scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
Stafford Sheriff’s Maj. Shawn Kimmitz said that the teenager entered the river, briefly surfaced in the water, then went under.
The incident is the third emergency on the river in eight days. The Rappahannock is always considered to be dangerous. But significant rainfall has swollen the river with swift currents and debris.
On Saturday, Stafford divers had located a body in the Rappahannock at Muddy Creek near the King George County line. The identity of that person is still unknown.
Last week, search teams recovered the body of 40-year-old Brandon Childs. He had gone missing while kayaking Aug. 30 near the Fredericksburg City Dock.
Officials say that more than 80 people have drowned in the Rappahannock since 1985.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--University of Florida vets treating big gator for leg injury

GAINESVILLE , Fla. ( AP ) - A 38-year-old alligator named Bob is on the mend thanks to a team @ @ @ @ @ of Florida .
Bob was taken last week from his home at the St. Augustine @ @ @ @ @ an evaluation in Gainesville .
His right rear leg had been hurting and the 660-pound @ @ @ @ @ a medical exam .
It took quite the effort to move Bob from St. Augustine @ @ @ @ @ the alligator farm strapped the gator to a long wooden board , tied his jaws @ @ @ @ @ with a towel .
Once Bob arrived at the University of Florida ’ s College @ @ @ @ @ was put on a gurney and took him for radiographs .
The veterinary school tweeted @ @ @ @ @ right rear leg is being assessed for a cause of lameness , and the preliminary @ @ @ @ @ .
The school ’ s zoo medical team will continue to monitor the gator ’ @ @ @

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A 38-year-old alligator named Bob is on the mend thanks to a team of veterinarians at the University of Florida.
Bob was taken last week from his home at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park for an evaluation in Gainesville. His right rear leg had been hurting and the 660-pound (299-kilogram) reptile needed a medical exam.
It took quite the effort to move Bob from St. Augustine to Gainesville. Staff at the alligator farm strapped the gator to a long wooden board, tied his jaws shut and covered his eyes with a towel.
Once Bob arrived at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine,he was put on a gurney and took him for radiographs.
The veterinary school tweeted that the gator’s right rear leg is being assessed for a cause of lameness, and the preliminary evaluation showed evidence of osteomyelitis. The school’s zoo medical team will continue to monitor the gator’s progress.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Sheriff: Inmate killed by man accused of racial stabbing

COLUMBUS , Ga. ( AP ) - A Georgia county inmate was found beaten to death in his cell , @ @ @ @ @ Tompkins said inmate Jayvon Hatchett , 19 , is suspected in the beating death , @ @ @ @ @ Additional details weren ’ t immediately released .
Hatchett was charged with aggravated assault and @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 25 , accused of stabbing an AutoZone employee because of his race .
Hatchett @ @ @ @ @ told Columbus police that he “ felt the need to find a white male to @ @ @ @ @ of police brutality , Police Sgt .
R.S .
Mills said .
Nelson , a @ @ @ @ @ on Aug. 26 and charged with probation violation and failure to register as a sex @ @ @ @ @ records .
It ’ s unclear whether Hatchett had an attorney who could comment on @ @ @

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) - A Georgia county inmate was found beaten to death in his cell, authorities said.
Muscogee County Jail inmate Eddie Nelson Jr., 39, was pronounced dead Saturday morning, news outlets reported.
Sheriff Donna Tompkins said inmate Jayvon Hatchett, 19, is suspected in the beating death, which is being investigated. Additional details weren’t immediately released.
Hatchett was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon on Aug. 25, accused of stabbing an AutoZone employee because of his race. Hatchett, who is Black, told Columbus police that he “felt the need to find a white male to kill” after watching videos of police brutality, Police Sgt. R.S. Mills said.
Nelson, a white man, was booked on Aug. 26 and charged with probation violation and failure to register as a sex offender, according to jail records.
It’s unclear whether Hatchett had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Assange told to stop interrupting witnesses at UK hearing

LONDON ( AP ) - A British judge told WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Tuesday that his extradition hearing will proceed without him if he continues to speak from the dock and interrupt witnesses .
Vanessa Baraitser briefly adjourned the hearing at London ’ s Central Criminal Court after Assange interrupted defense witness Clive Stafford Smith , who was giving evidence .
Assange ’ s outburst couldn ’ t be heard by journalists following proceedings by video link .
Assange is fighting an attempt by American prosecutors to extradite him to the U.S. to stand trial on spying charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 18 espionage and computer misuse charges over WikiLeaks ’ publication of secret U.S. military documents a decade ago .
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison .
Assange ’ s lawyers say the prosecution is a politically motivated abuse of power that will stifle media freedom and put journalists at risk around the world .
Addressing Assange , the judge said : “ You will hear things , no doubt many things , you disagree with during these proceedings.
” “ If you interrupt proceedings it is open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she added .
On Monday , when the hearing opened , Baraitser rejected requests by Assange ’ s lawyers to delay his extradition hearing until next year so they can have more time to respond to U.S. allegations that he conspired with hackers to obtain classified information .
The case has already been delayed for months because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Stafford Smith , who founded the nonprofit rights organization Reprieve , told the court Tuesday that WikiLeaks helped expose alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assange conspired with U.S. army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan .
In a new indictment announced in June , the U.S. Justice Department expanded its case , accusing Assange of recruiting hackers at conferences in Europe and Asia , recruiting a teenager to hack into the computer of a former WikiLeaks associate and conspiring with members of hacking groups known as LulzSec and Anonymous .
U.S. prosecutors say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procure and release classified information .
Assange ’ s lawyers argue that he is a journalist entitled to First Amendment protection and say the leaked documents exposed U.S. military wrongdoing .
The case is due to run until early October .
The judge is expected to take weeks or even months to consider her verdict , with the losing side likely to appeal .

LONDON (AP) - A British judge told WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Tuesday that his extradition hearing will proceed without him if he continues to speak from the dock and interrupt witnesses.
Vanessa Baraitser briefly adjourned the hearing at London’s Central Criminal Court after Assange interrupted defense witness Clive Stafford Smith, who was giving evidence. Assange’s outburst couldn’t be heard by journalists following proceedings by video link.
Assange is fighting an attempt by American prosecutors to extradite him to the U.S. to stand trial on spying charges. U.S. prosecutors have indicted the 49-year-old Australian on 18 espionage and computer misuse charges over WikiLeaks’ publication of secret U.S. military documents a decade ago. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison.
Assange’s lawyers say the prosecution is a politically motivated abuse of power that will stifle media freedom and put journalists at risk around the world.
Addressing Assange, the judge said: “You will hear things, no doubt many things, you disagree with during these proceedings.”
“If you interrupt proceedings it is open to me to proceed in your absence,” she added.
On Monday, when the hearing opened, Baraitser rejected requests by Assange’s lawyers to delay his extradition hearing until next year so they can have more time to respond to U.S. allegations that he conspired with hackers to obtain classified information.
The case has already been delayed for months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Stafford Smith, who founded the nonprofit rights organization Reprieve, told the court Tuesday that WikiLeaks helped expose alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
American authorities allege that Assange conspired with U.S. army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release hundreds of thousands of secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In a new indictment announced in June, the U.S. Justice Department expanded its case, accusing Assange of recruiting hackers at conferences in Europe and Asia, recruiting a teenager to hack into the computer of a former WikiLeaks associate and conspiring with members of hacking groups known as LulzSec and Anonymous. U.S. prosecutors say the evidence underscores Assange’s efforts to procure and release classified information.
Assange’s lawyers argue that he is a journalist entitled to First Amendment protection and say the leaked documents exposed U.S. military wrongdoing.
The case is due to run until early October. The judge is expected to take weeks or even months to consider her verdict, with the losing side likely to appeal.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--North Carolina trooper cited for taking $5K in gear from gym

GASTONIA , N.C. ( AP ) - A North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper is accused of stealing $ 5,000 worth of exercise equipment from a gym before it reopened to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic , according to authorities .
The Gastonia-based officer , Jerome John Letcavage , 44 , was charged with larceny on Saturday afternoon and released with a written promise to appear in court , news outlets reported , citing the Gaston County Sheriff ’ s Office inmate database .
The trooper was accused of taking weights and resistance bands from a local YMCA on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopened , WCNC-TV reported .
Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper lifted restrictions Friday that had kept such exercise centers closed for months during the pandemic .
A spokesperson for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told the news outlet that Letcavage remained employed with the agency , but that personnel issues involving suspensions or terminations were handled through the Raleigh office .
Authorities did not say why Letcavage was at the gym .
It was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment for him .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper is accused of stealing $5,000 worth of exercise equipment from a gym before it reopened to the public amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to authorities.
The Gastonia-based officer, Jerome John Letcavage, 44, was charged with larceny on Saturday afternoon and released with a written promise to appear in court, news outlets reported, citing the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office inmate database.
The trooper was accused of taking weights and resistance bands from a local YMCA on Wednesday, three days before it officially reopened, WCNC-TV reported. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper lifted restrictions Friday that had kept such exercise centers closed for months during the pandemic.
A spokesperson for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told the news outlet that Letcavage remained employed with the agency, but that personnel issues involving suspensions or terminations were handled through the Raleigh office.
Authorities did not say why Letcavage was at the gym. It was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment for him.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Pfizer CEO:Albert Bourla: 'Best guess' is we'll know efficacy of vaccine by end of October

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Tuesday said the company hopes to know whether it will be able to have a @ @ @ @ @ by the end of October .
“ When the study will read out depends on @ @ @ @ @ now our model , our best guess predicts that we will have an answer by @ @ @ @ @ ” Mr. Bourla said on NBC ’ s “ Today ” program .
He pegged @ @ @ @ @ on that time frame at about 60 % .
Dr. Bourla said the company ’ @ @ @ @ @ is proceeding “ very well.
” “ We have already recruited 25,000 patients , ” @ @ @ @ @ working with Germany-based BioNTerch to develop a vaccine in partnership with the Trump administration .
@ @ @ @ @ major pharmaceutical companies to sign a recent pledge not to rush out a vaccine without @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump said Monday that vaccines could be on the market as soon as @ @ @

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Tuesday said the company hopes to know whether it will be able to have a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine by the end of October.
“When the study will read out depends on multiple variables, but right now our model, our best guess predicts that we will have an answer by the end of October,” Mr. Bourla said on NBC’s “Today” program.
He pegged the chances of things proceeding on that time frame at about 60%.
Dr. Bourla said the company’s Phase 3 vaccine trial is proceeding “very well.”
“We have already recruited 25,000 patients,” he said.
Pfizer is working with Germany-based BioNTech to develop a vaccine in partnership with the Trump administration.
Pfizer is one of nine major pharmaceutical companies to sign a recent pledge not to rush out a vaccine without proper testing and safety precautions.
President Trump said Monday that vaccines could be on the market as soon as next month.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Police: Mom leaves baby on street, then reports kid missing

CLEVELAND ( AP ) - The mother of a 4-month old child left the baby in a car seat on @ @ @ @ @ later tried to report the child missing to police , authorities said .
Police initially @ @ @ @ @ around 5 p.m. Sunday , when a caller said the baby apparently had been thrown @ @ @ @ @ the scene .
The child was not harmed .
The child ’ s mother was @ @ @ @ @ report the child was missing , authorities said .
She told police that she put @ @ @ @ @ the road and drove off .
The woman ’ s name and the charges she @ @ @ @ @ been disclosed .
The matter remains under investigation , authorities said .

CLEVELAND (AP) - The mother of a 4-month old child left the baby in a car seat on a Cleveland street, then later tried to report the child missing to police, authorities said.
Police initially were notified about the child around 5 p.m. Sunday, when a caller said the baby apparently had been thrown from a vehicle that left the scene. The child was not harmed.
The child’s mother was arrested when she tried to report the child was missing, authorities said. She told police that she put the car seat down on the road and drove off.
The woman’s name and the charges she’s facing have not been disclosed. The matter remains under investigation, authorities said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Greece: Migrants flee burning camp during lockdown

ATHENS , Greece ( AP ) — A major overnight fire swept through Greece ’ s largest refugee camp , that had been placed under COVID-19 lockdown , leaving more than 12,000 migrants in emergency need of shelter on the island of Lesbos .
In dramatic night-time scenes , the migrants at the overcrowded Moria refugee camp , which was originally meant to house around 2,000 people , fled fires that broke out at multiple points and gutted much of the camp and surrounding hillside olive groves .
Protests also broke out involving migrants , riot police , and firefighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It has been a very difficult night , ” government spokesman Stelios Petsas said , adding that a state of emergency was being declared on the island .
He said all possible causes , including that of arson , were being examined .
Petsas said those who had been living in Moria would not be allowed to leave the island to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus .
The camp had been placed on lockdown after a Somali man was found to have been infected with the virus .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camp , and 35 people who had tested positive had been quarantined in a separate facility that was not affected by the fire , officials said .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis convened an emergency ministerial meeting Wednesday morning to examine the situation in Moria and decide on measures to be taken .
The commander of Greece ’ s intelligence service , the civil protection head and the chief of defense general staff participated in the meeting .
Speaking after the meeting , Petsas said the interior and migration ministers , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were to head to Lesbos to review the situation on the ground on Wednesday .
European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas , who is responsible for migration matters , tweeted that he had been in touch with Mitsotakis and “ assured him that the European Commission is ready to assist Greece immediately at all levels at this difficult time.
” Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said she had “ already agreed to finance the immediate transfer and accommodation on the mainland of the remaining 400 unaccompanied children and teenagers ” who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The safety and shelter of all people in Moria is the priority , ” Johansson tweeted .
Some 12,500 people were living at the Moria camp and the surrounding area , where additional restrictions have been imposed over the past week after a Somali man who had returned to the camp after being granted refugee status tested positive for the coronavirus .
The fires broke out overnight , police and fire officials on the island told The Associated Press , adding the cause of the blazes , as well as the full extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They did not confirm local reports that the fires had been set deliberately in protest at the lockdown measures but said firefighters had “ met resistance ” from some camp residents .
Regional fire chief Konstantinos Theofilopoulos told state-run ERT television that the fire broke out at more than three places in quick succession , and that firefighters were hampered by protesting residents from battling the flames .
By Wednesday morning the main blaze was out , but the fire chief said some containers still had small slow-burning fires inside .
Before dawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a highway near the camp to restrict the movements of migrants .
Lesbos was Europe ’ s busiest crossing point in 2015-16 for illegal migration during a massive westward movement of refugees , many fleeing war in Syria and Iraq and traveling through Turkey .
After that wave of migration , Greece set up camps on Lesbos and four other islands , helped with European Union funding , and more recently also set up a network of camps on the mainland .
Firefighters on Lesbos were also battling two other forest fires on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ___ Follow Gatopoulos at http : //www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A major overnight fire swept through Greece’s largest refugee camp, that had been placed under COVID-19 lockdown, leaving more than 12,000 migrants in emergency need of shelter on the island of Lesbos.
In dramatic night-time scenes, the migrants at the overcrowded Moria refugee camp, which was originally meant to house around 2,000 people, fled fires that broke out at multiple points and gutted much of the camp and surrounding hillside olive groves. Protests also broke out involving migrants, riot police, and firefighters. There were no reports of injuries.
“It has been a very difficult night,” government spokesman Stelios Petsas said, adding that a state of emergency was being declared on the island. He said all possible causes, including that of arson, were being examined.
Petsas said those who had been living in Moria would not be allowed to leave the island to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus. The camp had been placed on lockdown after a Somali man was found to have been infected with the virus.
A major testing drive was ordered in the camp, and 35 people who had tested positive had been quarantined in a separate facility that was not affected by the fire, officials said.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis convened an emergency ministerial meeting Wednesday morning to examine the situation in Moria and decide on measures to be taken. The commander of Greece’s intelligence service, the civil protection head and the chief of defense general staff participated in the meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Petsas said the interior and migration ministers, as well as the head of the public health organization, were to head to Lesbos to review the situation on the ground on Wednesday.
European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas, who is responsible for migration matters, tweeted that he had been in touch with Mitsotakis and “assured him that the European Commission is ready to assist Greece immediately at all levels at this difficult time.”
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said she had “already agreed to finance the immediate transfer and accommodation on the mainland of the remaining 400 unaccompanied children and teenagers” who had been living in the camp.
“The safety and shelter of all people in Moria is the priority,” Johansson tweeted.
Some 12,500 people were living at the Moria camp and the surrounding area, where additional restrictions have been imposed over the past week after a Somali man who had returned to the camp after being granted refugee status tested positive for the coronavirus.
The fires broke out overnight, police and fire officials on the island told The Associated Press, adding the cause of the blazes, as well as the full extent of the damage, remained unclear. They did not confirm local reports that the fires had been set deliberately in protest at the lockdown measures but said firefighters had “met resistance” from some camp residents.
Regional fire chief Konstantinos Theofilopoulos told state-run ERT television that the fire broke out at more than three places in quick succession, and that firefighters were hampered by protesting residents from battling the flames.
By Wednesday morning the main blaze was out, but the fire chief said some containers still had small slow-burning fires inside.
Before dawn, riot police set up cordons along a highway near the camp to restrict the movements of migrants.
Lesbos was Europe’s busiest crossing point in 2015-16 for illegal migration during a massive westward movement of refugees, many fleeing war in Syria and Iraq and traveling through Turkey. After that wave of migration, Greece set up camps on Lesbos and four other islands, helped with European Union funding, and more recently also set up a network of camps on the mainland.
Firefighters on Lesbos were also battling two other forest fires on the west of the island Wednesday. ___ Follow Gatopoulos at http://www.twitter.com/dgatopoulos Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Trump to announce Iraq, Afghanistan U.S. troops drawdown

President Trump will announce a further drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq on Wednesday , and a withdrawal of more @ @ @ @ @ coming days , a senior administration official said Tuesday night .
The official made the @ @ @ @ @ Force One as the president returned to Washington from a campaign event in North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ in Winston-Salem that he ’ s been keeping his promise to end wars overseas .
@ @ @ @ @ of new wars , and we ’ re bringing our troops back home , ” @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re bringing them back home from all of these faraway places.
” Reuters @ @ @ @ @ U.S. was expected to reduce troops in Iraq by a third , from 5,200 to @ @ @ @ @ this summer that the U.S. is working on a deal that would reduce troop levels @ @ @ @ @ between 4,000 and 5,000 before Election Day .

President Trump will announce a further drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq on Wednesday, and a withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan in the coming days, a senior administration official said Tuesday night.
The official made the comment to reporters on Air Force One as the president returned to Washington from a campaign event in North Carolina.
The president told supporters in Winston-Salem that he’s been keeping his promise to end wars overseas.
“We kept America out of new wars, and we’re bringing our troops back home,” the president said. “We’re bringing them back home from all of these faraway places.”
Reuters reported last month that the U.S. was expected to reduce troops in Iraq by a third, from 5,200 to 3,500.
Mr. Trump said this summer that the U.S. is working on a deal that would reduce troop levels in Afghanistan from 8,500 to between 4,000 and 5,000 before Election Day.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Former Trump official Matt Mowers has won the Republican House primary in New Hampshire's 1st Congre

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - Former Trump official Matt Mowers has won the Republican House primary in New @ @ @ @ @ District .

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Former Trump official Matt Mowers has won the Republican House primary in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Lawsuit challenges Alaska witness requirement for ballots

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - A lawsuit filed Tuesday asks a judge to block election officials from enforcing during the COVID-19 pandemic a requirement that Alaska absentee voters have someone witness them signing their ballots .
The plaintiffs are the Arctic Village Council , a tribal government ; the League of Women Voters of Alaska ; and two individuals that the lawsuit says have health concerns .
The lawsuit seeks to have the witness requirement declared “ unconstitutionally burdensome ” on the plaintiffs ’ right to vote amid the pandemic .
Maria Bahr , a state Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to evaluate the complaint .
The lawsuit names as defendants Lt. Gov .
Kevin Meyer , who oversees elections ; Gail Fenumiai , director of the Division of Elections ; and the division .
Groups representing the plaintiffs - including the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska ; Native American Rights Fund ; and Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law - last week asked Meyer and Fenumiai to not enforce the witness requirement this fall .
Meyer , in response , said making exceptions to the law , “ even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foundation upon which Alaskans have built their faith in the election process.
” He also encouraged voters to “ think creatively ” about how to fulfill the witness requirement “ in a safe manner .
”

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A lawsuit filed Tuesday asks a judge to block election officials from enforcing during the COVID-19 pandemic a requirement that Alaska absentee voters have someone witness them signing their ballots.
The plaintiffs are the Arctic Village Council, a tribal government; the League of Women Voters of Alaska; and two individuals that the lawsuit says have health concerns.
The lawsuit seeks to have the witness requirement declared “unconstitutionally burdensome” on the plaintiffs’ right to vote amid the pandemic.
Maria Bahr, a state Department of Law spokesperson, said the department needs time to evaluate the complaint. The lawsuit names as defendants Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, who oversees elections; Gail Fenumiai, director of the Division of Elections; and the division.
Groups representing the plaintiffs - including the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska; Native American Rights Fund; and Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law - last week asked Meyer and Fenumiai to not enforce the witness requirement this fall.
Meyer, in response, said making exceptions to the law, “even on a piecemeal basis, would erode the foundation upon which Alaskans have built their faith in the election process.”
He also encouraged voters to “think creatively” about how to fulfill the witness requirement “in a safe manner.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--North-South Korean couples try to bridge 75-year division

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) — On their second date last year , feeling a little drunk at a seaside restaurant , Kim Seo-yun let slip a revelation to her South Korean love interest : She had fled North Korea a decade ago , something that sometimes made her feel ashamed in a country where North Korean defectors can face discrimination .
Her companion , Lee Jeong-sup , jokingly asked if she was a spy but then told her there was nothing wrong with coming from North Korea .
Lee proposed in March and in June they got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s family , still in North Korea , obviously couldn ’ t attend .
“ In South Korea , my husband is my everything .
I have no one else here .
He told me that he would play the role of not only my husband but also my parents , ” Kim , 33 , said .
“ I feel much more stable now.
” More than 70 % of the 33,000 North Koreans who have fled to South Korea are women , a reflection in part of North Korea ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While there are no official numbers on how many North Korean defectors have married South Korean men , a 2019 government-funded survey of 3,000 North Koreans living in the South suggested that 43 % of married women were living with South Korean husbands , up from 19 % in 2011 .
Arriving from a nominally socialist , extremely repressive society , these women often struggle to adjust to fast-paced , capitalistic lives in South Korea .
They also face widespread discrimination , bias and loneliness .
Some said they looked to marry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would help them navigate their sometimes bewildering new lives .
“ I feel like my marriage is letting me acclimate to this society more deeply without too much hard work , ” Hwang Yoo-jung , 37 , said about her 2018 union with a South Korean man .
The number of matchmaking companies specializing in pairing North Korean women with South Korean men has seen an explosion , with 20 to 30 such agencies now operating , up from two in the mid-2000s .
“ I get a big sense of achievement from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here alone and know ( the suffering ) of other refugees , ” said Kim Hae-rin , who runs a match-making agency in Seoul .
“ I also think I ’ m creating small inter-Korean unifications.
” Many women who flee North Korea turn to matchmaking agencies , often run by fellow defectors , to find South Korean husbands .
The companies typically charge South Korean men 3 million won ( $ 2,520 ) for several blind dates in a year ; most women aren ’ t charged .
No such matchmaking services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often marry other North Koreans or live alone .
Kim Seo-yun runs another one of those companies , called Unikorea , though she met her husband , Lee , at a dinner arranged by a friend .
“ When I talked with her , I felt we could develop a special relationship , ” said Lee , 32 , who works for a food company .
“ Whether she came from North Korea doesn ’ t matter much .
I told her I ’ d be fine as long as she didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secret baby or a criminal record.
” There are , however , rough patches for some of the couples , who share a language and ethnicity but can often seem like exotic foreigners to one another .
They are , after all , attempting to bridge a 75-year-old division of the Korean Peninsula .
Lee said he tries to use less of the English loan words favored in the South during conversations with his wife , who sometimes baffles him by using North Korean slang that he doesn ’ t totally understand .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , really happy ” when her husband Seo Min-seok , 39 , takes her to a gathering of his friends and their wives , where she faces many questions about North Korea .
Seo said he doesn ’ t usually ask Hwang about her past in North Korea .
Husbands sometime tease their wives with North Korea-themed jokes .
Defector So Yu-jin said her South Korean husband told her , “ You ’ re just like Kim Jong-un , ” the North Korean leader , when she made a decision on family affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still likes hanging around with her North Korean defector friends , who he says are more forthright about their feelings than South Koreans .
Ahn Kyung-su , a researcher with a private institute studying health issues in the North , said some of the North Korean defectors he ’ s interviewed told him that their South Korean husbands looked down on them and abused them .
For many of the women who fled to South Korea , there is also the lingering heartache of being separated from families left behind in the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents and younger sister in North Korea and hopes to reunite with them one day .
She said her mother sometimes calls her from a mountain where she pays a broker for the use of an illegal Chinese cellphone .
When her mother called her in March , Kim told of her upcoming marriage , saying that she would marry “ a tall guy who cares for me a lot.
” In early June , Kim ’ s mother called Lee for a one-minute conversation .
Lee said he didn ’ t really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of her strong North Korean accent .
After hearing a recording , Kim told Lee that her mother asked him to take care of her daughter .
“ Now , my husband is filling my heart .
My mother-in-law treats me well .
So does my sister-in-law .
It ’ s like having strong supporters in my life , and I ’ m happy now , ” Kim said .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — On their second date last year, feeling a little drunk at a seaside restaurant, Kim Seo-yun let slip a revelation to her South Korean love interest: She had fled North Korea a decade ago, something that sometimes made her feel ashamed in a country where North Korean defectors can face discrimination.
Her companion, Lee Jeong-sup, jokingly asked if she was a spy but then told her there was nothing wrong with coming from North Korea.
Lee proposed in March and in June they got married at a Seoul hotel. Kim’s family, still in North Korea, obviously couldn’t attend.
“In South Korea, my husband is my everything. I have no one else here. He told me that he would play the role of not only my husband but also my parents,” Kim, 33, said. “I feel much more stable now.”
It’s an increasingly common scenario.
More than 70% of the 33,000 North Koreans who have fled to South Korea are women, a reflection in part of North Korea’s tendency to more closely monitor men.
While there are no official numbers on how many North Korean defectors have married South Korean men, a 2019 government-funded survey of 3,000 North Koreans living in the South suggested that 43% of married women were living with South Korean husbands, up from 19% in 2011.
Arriving from a nominally socialist, extremely repressive society, these women often struggle to adjust to fast-paced, capitalistic lives in South Korea. They also face widespread discrimination, bias and loneliness.
Some said they looked to marry South Korean men because they thought they would help them navigate their sometimes bewildering new lives.
“I feel like my marriage is letting me acclimate to this society more deeply without too much hard work,” Hwang Yoo-jung, 37, said about her 2018 union with a South Korean man.
The number of matchmaking companies specializing in pairing North Korean women with South Korean men has seen an explosion, with 20 to 30 such agencies now operating, up from two in the mid-2000s.
“I get a big sense of achievement from paring these couples because I also came here alone and know (the suffering) of other refugees,” said Kim Hae-rin, who runs a match-making agency in Seoul. “I also think I’m creating small inter-Korean unifications.”
Many women who flee North Korea turn to matchmaking agencies, often run by fellow defectors, to find South Korean husbands. The companies typically charge South Korean men 3 million won ($2,520) for several blind dates in a year; most women aren’t charged. No such matchmaking services exclusively cater to male defectors, who often marry other North Koreans or live alone.
Kim Seo-yun runs another one of those companies, called Unikorea, though she met her husband, Lee, at a dinner arranged by a friend.
“When I talked with her, I felt we could develop a special relationship,” said Lee, 32, who works for a food company. “Whether she came from North Korea doesn’t matter much. I told her I’d be fine as long as she didn’t have a previous marriage, a secret baby or a criminal record.”
There are, however, rough patches for some of the couples, who share a language and ethnicity but can often seem like exotic foreigners to one another. They are, after all, attempting to bridge a 75-year-old division of the Korean Peninsula.
Lee said he tries to use less of the English loan words favored in the South during conversations with his wife, who sometimes baffles him by using North Korean slang that he doesn’t totally understand.
Hwang said that she feels “really, really happy” when her husband Seo Min-seok, 39, takes her to a gathering of his friends and their wives, where she faces many questions about North Korea.
Seo said he doesn’t usually ask Hwang about her past in North Korea.
Husbands sometime tease their wives with North Korea-themed jokes.
Defector So Yu-jin said her South Korean husband told her, “You’re just like Kim Jong-un,” the North Korean leader, when she made a decision on family affairs without consulting him. She said he still likes hanging around with her North Korean defector friends, who he says are more forthright about their feelings than South Koreans.
Not all couples thrive.
Ahn Kyung-su, a researcher with a private institute studying health issues in the North, said some of the North Korean defectors he’s interviewed told him that their South Korean husbands looked down on them and abused them.
For many of the women who fled to South Korea, there is also the lingering heartache of being separated from families left behind in the North.
Kim Seo-yun said she misses her parents and younger sister in North Korea and hopes to reunite with them one day.
She said her mother sometimes calls her from a mountain where she pays a broker for the use of an illegal Chinese cellphone. When her mother called her in March, Kim told of her upcoming marriage, saying that she would marry “a tall guy who cares for me a lot.”
In early June, Kim’s mother called Lee for a one-minute conversation. Lee said he didn’t really understand what his future mother-in-law was saying because of her strong North Korean accent. After hearing a recording, Kim told Lee that her mother asked him to take care of her daughter.
“Now, my husband is filling my heart. My mother-in-law treats me well. So does my sister-in-law. It’s like having strong supporters in my life, and I’m happy now,” Kim said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-08--Sen. Reed, GOP challenger Waters to face off in November

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed sailed right past Tuesday ’ s Democratic primary unopposed @ @ @ @ @ Waters in a quest for a fifth term in the November general election .
The @ @ @ @ @ to the Senate in 1996 , is a lawyer and military veteran who previously served @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a senior member of the powerful Appropriations Committee , which controls the funding @ @ @ @ @ Waters , an investment consultant , mounted unsuccessful campaigns for the state Senate and U.S. @ @ @ @ @ was also unopposed in the primary .
In June , the Rhode Island GOP took @ @ @ @ @ its endorsement of Waters after reports emerged that he allegedly had been involved in a @ @ @ @ @ Rhode Island ’ s other U.S. senator , Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse , won a third @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be up for reelection again until 2024 .

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Jack Reed sailed right past Tuesday’s Democratic primary unopposed and will face Republican Allen Waters in a quest for a fifth term in the November general election.
The 70-year-old Reed, first elected to the Senate in 1996, is a lawyer and military veteran who previously served in the House. He’s a senior member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which controls the funding of the federal government.
Waters, an investment consultant, mounted unsuccessful campaigns for the state Senate and U.S. Senate in Massachusetts. He was also unopposed in the primary.
In June, the Rhode Island GOP took the unusual step of rescinding its endorsement of Waters after reports emerged that he allegedly had been involved in a domestic disturbance in 2019.
Rhode Island’s other U.S. senator, Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, won a third term in 2018 and won’t be up for reelection again until 2024.