Russia's Putin remains secretive about his future role

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin remained tight-lipped about his future role Wednesday as he fast-tracks a set of constitutional changes widely seen as an attempt to maintain his dominance over the nation's political scene after his current term ends in 2024.

UN experts: Jeff Bezos phone hack shows link to Saudi prince

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The phone of Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos was hacked after receiving a file sent from an account used by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, United Nations experts said Wednesday.

Greek islanders strongly protest overcrowded refugee camps

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Thousands of Greek residents and business owners joined a strike and protested Wednesday on the Greek islands hardest hit by migration, demanding that the government ease severe overcrowding at refugee camps.

Images of starving lions in Sudan zoo spark global concern

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — At an impoverished, forlorn zoo in Sudan’s capital, the park's few remaining lions are starving in rusted cages — their ribs protruding, eyes glassy and skin flaccid, desperate for food and water.

Afghan officials: US airstrike killed 10 civilians in Herat

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A drone attack carried out by U.S. forces earlier this month in western Afghanistan that apparently targeted a splinter Taliban group also killed at least 10 civilians, including three women and three children, an Afghan rights official and a council member said Wednesday.

Taiwan urges China to release all information on new virus

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen urged China on Wednesday to release all information about the outbreak of a new virus and work with Taiwan on curbing its spread.

Top judge elected as Greece's first female president

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s lawmakers elected their country’s first female president Wednesday, with an overwhelming majority voting in favor of high court judge Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Legals January 22, 2020

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION and REGISTRATION DEADLINES -ADAMS COUNTY, WA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Election will be held on February 11, 2020 in Adams County, State of Washington, to submit to the qualified electors thereof, for their approval and adoption or rejection, special propositions. Replacement ballots may be obtained by contacting the Adams County Elections Office at 509-659-3249 or in person from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday at 210 W Broadway Ave, Suite 200. Additional information about voter registration, candidates, ballot issues, ballot drop box locations, and voter service centers can be found at www.co.adams.wa.us/departments/elections_new2019. Registration Deadlines: The last day for mail in and online voter registrations and transfers for the February 11, 2020 Special Election is Monday February 3, 2020. The last day of in-person registration and transfers for the February 11, 2020 Special Election is Tuesday February 11, 2020. In-person registration is available daily at the Adams County Elections Office, 210 W Broadway Ave, Suite 200, Ritzville, WA 99169. The Adams County Services Building, 425 E Main Ave, Othello, WA 99344 will accept in person registrations at the voter service center on Election Day, February 11, 2020 from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm. Canvassing Board Meetings: The Adams County Canvassing Board will hold public meetings for the February 11, 2020 Special Election on the following days: Friday, January 31, 2020 at 10:00 am for logic and accuracy test, Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 8:00 pm, Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm and Friday, February 21, 2020 at 11:00 am. These meetings will take place at the Adams County Elections Office at 210 W Broadway Ave, Suite 200, Ritzville WA, 99169. The February 11, 2020 ballot will include: Proposition 1 Submitted by Washtucna School District No. 109-43 Resolution No. 2019-03 Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy $150,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $150,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 Proposition 1 Submitted by Benge School District No. 122 Resolution No. 133 Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy $50,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $50,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 Proposition 1 Submitted by Othello School District No. 147-163-55 Resolution No. 19-008 Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy $2,350,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $2,435,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 $2,560,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2023 Proposition No. 1 Submitted by Lind School District No. 158 Resolution No. 19/20-1 Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy $525,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $525,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 Proposition No. 2 Submitted by Lind School District No. 158 Resolution No. 19/20-2 Capital Levy for Educational Technology Improvements $50,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $50,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 Proposition No. 1 Submitted by Ritzville School District No. 160-67 Resolution No. 2019-016 Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy $877,500 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $877,500 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 Proposition No. 2 Submitted by Ritzville School District No. 160-67 Resolution No. 2019-017 Capital Levy for Educational Technology Improvements $50,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $50,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 Proposition 1 Submitted by Odessa School District No. 105-157-166J Resolution No. 1-2019-20 Replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy $600,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 Proposition 2 Submitted by Odessa School District No. 105-157-166J Resolution No. 2-2019-20 Replacement Capital Levy for School Improvements $100,000 for facility improvements to be collected in 2021 Proposition 1 Submitted by North Franklin School District No. J51-162 Resolution No. 499 Replacement of Expiring Educational Programs and Operation Levy $1,950,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $2,010,000 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 Proposition 1 Submitted by Endicott School District No. 308 Resolution No. 20-03 Educational Programs and Operation Replacement Levy $231,137 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2021 $241,591 for educational programs and operation to be collected in 2022 All Voter Service Centers for this election meet Accessibility Standards as set forth in the Revised Code of Washington, 29A.16 RCW and the Washington Administrative Code Title 434-257. Adams County Election Office Voters may drop off ballots; get replacement ballots; use an Accessible Voting Unit, or receive other assistance as needed beginning on Wednesday January 22, 2020 at the Adams County Elections Office located at 210 W Broadway Ave, Suite 200, Ritzville WA, 99169. For questions please call 509-659-3249 email [email protected] or go to our website at www.co.adams.wa.us. Adams County Services Building Voters may drop off ballots, get replacement ballots, or receive other assistance as needed only on February 11, 2020 at 425 E Main, Othello WA, 99344. Hours will be only be 8:30 am to 8:00 pm on February 11, 2020. For questions please call 509-659-3249 or 509-660-0584. You can also email [email protected] or go to our website at www.co.adams.wa.us/departments/elections_new2019. Ballot Drop Box Locations Town of Lind, 116 1/2 W. 2nd St., Lind, WA Adams County Public Services Building, 425 E. Main St. Othello, WA City of Ritzville, 216 E. Main St. Ritzville, WA Town of Washtucna, 165 S. Main St., Washtucna, WA IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 13th Day of January, 2020. Heidi K. Hunt, County Auditor and Ex-officio Supervisor of Elections Adams County, Washington #01004/359509 Pub: January 22, 2020

LA City Council says Dodgers should be awarded Series titles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — With Los Angeles fans reeling from news that two of the Dodgers' recent World Series opponents were linked to a cheating scandal that tipped off batters to what pitch was about to be thrown, the City Council voted Tuesday to ask Major League Baseball to strip the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox of their World Series titles.

Putin names new Cabinet as key members of Russian govt stay

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin formed his new Cabinet Tuesday, replacing many of its members but keeping his foreign, defense and finance ministers in place.

Mormon school to allow same-sex partners in ballroom event

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Brigham Young University will allow same-sex couples to compete in a national ballroom dance competition hosted by the school, a move that goes against the institution's code against gay relationships, officials said.

New government in crisis-hit Lebanon, but protests continue

BEIRUT (AP) — A new Cabinet was announced in crisis-hit Lebanon late Tuesday, breaking a months-long impasse amid mass protests against the country's ruling elite and a crippling financial crisis, but demonstrations and violence continued.

Court takes another look at Native American adoption law

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal appellate judges closely questioned attorneys for the government and Native American tribes Wednesday over whether a law meant to preserve Native American families and culture unconstitutionally intrudes into state adoption issues.

Basin Briefs for Jan. 22, 2020

Mattawa to get loan to help rebuild wastewater treatment facility

MOSES LAKE — Anyone who loves to sing is invited to make music with the Moses Lake Community Chorus, according to organizer Jeanne Klockers.

Mattawa City Council discusses surplused, unsold vehicles

MATTAWA – Previously surplused vehicles that were never sold was one of the topics of discussion during the Mattawa City Council’s recent meeting.

Mattawa to get loan to help rebuild wastewater treatment facility

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council voted to accept a $500,000, zero percent interest loan from the state Department of Ecology to help repair the wastewater treatment facility that was destroyed by fire on Jan. 9.

At 90, Alaska Native woman is 1st counted in US Census

TOKSOOK BAY, Alaska (AP) — Lizzie Chimiugak has lived for 90 years in the windswept western wilds of Alaska, born to a nomadic family who lived in mud homes and followed where the good hunting and fishing led.

UN welcomes commitments toward Libya peace, urges cease-fire

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday welcomed the commitment by world powers and other key countries to support a plan to restore peace in Libya and urged the warring parties to quickly conclude a cease-fire agreement.

Mexico questions police over disappeared butterfly activist

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Prosecutors in western Mexico have called in 53 local police for questioning in the Jan. 14 disappearance of a long-time promoter and protector of the wintering grounds of the monarch butterfly.

Israeli army kills 3 Palestinians after attack at Gaza fence

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military said its soldiers killed three Palestinians who crossed the Gaza border fence and threw an explosive device at troops on Tuesday.