washingtontimes--2020-11-14--ASEAN, China, other partners set world's biggest trade pact

China and 14 other countries have agreed to set up the world ’ s largest trading bloc , encompassing nearly a third of all economic activity , in a deal many in Asia are hoping will help hasten a recovery from the shocks of the pandemic .
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership , or RCEP , is to be signed virtually on Sunday on the sidelines of the annual summit of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations .
“ After eight years of negotiating with blood , sweat and tears , we have finally come to the moment where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Malaysia ‘ s trade minister , Mohamed Azmin Ali , said in a statement .
The deal sends a signal that RCEP countries have chosen “ to open our markets instead of resorting to protectionist measures during this difficult time , ” he said .
The accord will take already low tariffs on trade between member countries still lower , over time , and is less comprehensive than an 11-nation trans-Pacific trade deal that President Donald Trump pulled out of shortly after taking office .
It includes the 10 nations belonging to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , Japan , South Korea , Australia and New Zealand , but not the United States .
Officials said the accord leaves the door open for India , which dropped out due to fierce domestic opposition to its market-opening requirements , to rejoin the bloc .
It is not expected to go as far as the European Union in integrating member economies but does build on existing free trade arrangements .
The deal has powerful symbolic ramifications , showing that nearly four years after Trump launched his “ America First ” policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Asia remains committed to multi-nation efforts toward freer trade that are seen as a formula for future prosperity .
Ahead of Sunday ’ s RCEP “ special summit ” meeting , Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would firmly convey his government ’ s support for “ broadening a free and fair economic zone , including a possibility of India ’ s future return to the deal , and hope to gain support from the other countries.
” The accord is also a coup for China , by far the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.3 billion people , allowing Beijing to cast itself as a “ champion of globalization and multilateral cooperation ” and giving it greater influence over rules governing regional trade , Gareth Leather , senior Asian economist for Capital Economics , said in a report .
Now that Trump ’ s opponent Joe Biden has been declared president-elect , the region is watching to see how U.S. policy on trade and other issues will evolve .
Analysts are skeptical Biden will push hard to rejoin the trans-Pacific trade pact or to roll back many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China by the Trump administration given widespread frustration with Beijing ’ s trade and human rights records and accusations of spying and technology theft .
Critics of free trade agreements say they tend to encourage companies to move manufacturing jobs overseas .
So , having won over disaffected rust-belt voters in Michigan and western Pennsylvania in the Nov. 3 election , Biden is “ not going to squander that by going back into TPP , ” Michael Jonathan Green of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a web seminar .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing influence , Biden is likely to seek much more engagement with Southeast Asia to protect U.S. interests , he said .
The fast-growing and increasingly affluent Southeast Asian market of 650 million people has been hit hard by the pandemic and is urgently seeking fresh drivers for growth .
RCEP originally would have included about 3.6 billion people and encompassed about a third of world trade and global GDP .
Minus India , it still covers more than 2 billion people and close to a third of all trade and business activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USMCA , the retooled version of the North American Free Trade Agreement under Trump , covers slightly less economic activity but less than a tenth of the world ’ s population .
The EU and Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership , the revised version of the deal Trump rejected , also are smaller .
RCEP includes six of the 11 remaining CPTPP members .
India balked at exposing its farmers and factories to more foreign competition .
Among other concerns , Indian dairy farmers are worried about competition from New Zealand and Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imports from across the region .
But overall the biggest fear is over a flood of manufactured goods from China .
Trade and investment flows within Asia have vastly expanded over the past decade , a trend that has accelerated amid feuding between the U.S. and China , which have imposed billions of dollars ’ worth of punitive tariffs on each other ’ s exports .
The RCEP agreement is loose enough to stretch to fit the disparate needs of member countries as diverse as Myanmar , Singapore , Vietnam and Australia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not establish unified standards on labor and the environment or commit countries to open services and other vulnerable areas of their economies .
But it does set rules for trade that will facilitate investment and other business within the region , Jeffrey Wilson , research director at the Perth USAsia Center , said in a report for the Asia Society .
“ RCEP , therefore , is a much-needed platform for the Indo-Pacific ’ s post-COVID recovery , ” he wrote .

China and 14 other countries agreed Sunday to set up the world’s largest trading bloc, encompassing nearly a third of all economic activity, in a deal many in Asia are hoping will help hasten a recovery from the shocks of the pandemic.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, was signed virtually on Sunday on the sidelines of the annual summit of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“I am delighted to say that after eight years of hard work, as of today, we have officially brought RCEP negotiations to a conclusion for signing,” said host country Vietnam’s prime minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
“The conclusion of RCEP negotiation, the largest free trade agreement in the world, will send a strong message that affirms ASEAN’s leading role in supporting the multilateral trading system, creating a new trading structure in the region, enabling sustainable trade facilitation, revitalizing the supply chains disrupted by COVID-19 and assisting the post-pandemic recovery,” Phuc said.
The accord will take already low tariffs on trade between member countries still lower, over time, and is less comprehensive than an 11-nation trans-Pacific trade deal that President Donald Trump pulled out of shortly after taking office.
Apart from the 10 ASEAN members, it includes China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, but not the United States. Officials said the accord leaves the door open for India, which dropped out due to fierce domestic opposition to its market-opening requirements, to rejoin the bloc.
It will take time to fully assess exact details of the agreement encompassing tariff schedules and rules for all 15 countries involved - the tariffs schedule just for Japan is 1,334 pages long.
It is not expected to go as far as the European Union in integrating member economies but does build on existing free trade arrangements.
The deal has powerful symbolic ramifications, showing that nearly four years after Trump launched his “America First” policy of forging trade deals with individual countries, Asia remains committed to multi-nation efforts toward freer trade that are seen as a formula for future prosperity.
Ahead of Sunday’s RCEP “special summit” meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he would firmly convey his government’s support for “broadening a free and fair economic zone, including a possibility of India’s future return to the deal, and hope to gain support from the other countries.”
The accord is also a coup for China, by far the biggest market in the region with more than 1.3 billion people, allowing Beijing to cast itself as a “champion of globalization and multilateral cooperation” and giving it greater influence over rules governing regional trade, Gareth Leather, senior Asian economist for Capital Economics, said in a report.
China’s official Xinhua News Agency quoted Premier Li Keqiang hailing the agreement as a victory against protectionism, in remarks delivered via a video link.
“The signing of the RCEP is not only a landmark achievement of East Asian regional cooperation, but also a victory of multilateralism and free trade,” Li said.
The agreement is expected to help China, Japan and South Korea finally reach a trilateral free trade deal after years of struggling to bridge their differences.
Now that Trump’s opponent Joe Biden has been declared president-elect, the region is watching to see how U.S. policy on trade and other issues will evolve.
Analysts are skeptical Biden will push hard to rejoin the trans-Pacific trade pact or to roll back many of the U.S. trade sanctions imposed on China by the Trump administration given widespread frustration with Beijing’s trade and human rights records, and accusations of spying and technology theft.
Critics of free trade agreements say they tend to encourage companies to move manufacturing jobs overseas. So, having won over disaffected rust-belt voters in Michigan and western Pennsylvania in the Nov. 3 election, Biden is “not going to squander that by going back into TPP,” Michael Jonathan Green of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a web seminar.
But given concerns over China’s growing influence, Biden is likely to seek much more engagement with Southeast Asia to protect U.S. interests, he said.
The fast-growing and increasingly affluent Southeast Asian market of 650 million people has been hit hard by the pandemic and is urgently seeking fresh drivers for growth.
RCEP originally would have included about 3.6 billion people and encompassed about a third of world trade and global GDP. Minus India, it still covers more than 2 billion people and close to a third of all trade and business activity.
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the retooled version of the North American Free Trade Agreement under Trump, covers slightly less economic activity but less than a tenth of the world’s population. The EU and Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, the revised version of the deal Trump rejected, also are smaller. RCEP includes six of the 11 remaining CPTPP members.
India balked at exposing its farmers and factories to more foreign competition. Among other concerns, Indian dairy farmers are worried about competition from New Zealand and Australian milk and cheese producers. Automakers fear imports from across the region. But overall the biggest fear is over a flood of manufactured goods from China.
Trade and investment flows within Asia have vastly expanded over the past decade, a trend that has accelerated amid feuding between the U.S. and China, which have imposed billions of dollars’ worth of punitive tariffs on each other’s exports.
The RCEP agreement is loose enough to stretch to fit the disparate needs of member countries as diverse as Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam and Australia. Unlike the CPTPP and EU, it does not establish unified standards on labor and the environment or commit countries to open services and other vulnerable areas of their economies.
But it does set rules for trade that will facilitate investment and other business within the region, Jeffrey Wilson, research director at the Perth USAsia Center, said in a report for the Asia Society.
“RCEP, therefore, is a much-needed platform for the Indo-Pacific’s post-COVID recovery,” he wrote.
ASEAN members include Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam.
___
Associated Press writers Hau Dinh in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Judge: DHS head didn't have authority to suspend DACA

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A federal judge in New York ruled Saturday that Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf assumed his position unlawfully , a determination that invalidated Wolf ‘ s suspension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , which shields young people from deportation .
“ DHS failed to follow the order of succession as it was lawfully designated , ” U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis wrote .
“ Therefore , the actions taken by purported Acting Secretaries , who were not properly in their roles according to the lawful order of succession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf issued a memorandum in July effectively suspending DACA , pending review by DHS .
A month earlier , the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that President Donald Trump failed to follow rule-making procedures when he tried to end the program , but the justices kept a window open for him to try again .
About 650,000 people are part of DACA , which allows young immigrants who were brought to the country as children to legally work and shields them from deportation .
Karen Tumlin , an attorney who represented a plaintiff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolf ‘ s authority , called the ruling “ another win for DACA recipients and those who have been waiting years to apply for the program for the first time.
” In August , the Government Accountability Office , a bipartisan congressional watchdog , said Wolf and his acting deputy , Ken Cuccinelli , were improperly serving and ineligible to run the agency under the Vacancies Reform Act .
The two have been at the forefront of administration initiatives on immigration and law enforcement .
In Garaufis ’ ruling Saturday , the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an order of succession established when then-Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned in April 2019 .
Kevin McAleenan , who succeeded Nielsen until he resigned in October 2019 , also didn ’ t have statutory authority to hold the position , Garaufis wrote .
DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling .
The department has maintained that Wolf ’ s appointment was legal even without Senate confirmation , which is still pending in the final weeks of the Trump administration .
President-elect Joe Biden plans to reinstate DACA and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reverse some of Trump ’ s other immigration actions .

NEW YORK (AP) - A federal judge in New York ruled Saturday that Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf assumed his position unlawfully, a determination that invalidated Wolf’s suspension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which shields young people from deportation.
“DHS failed to follow the order of succession as it was lawfully designated,” U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis wrote. “Therefore, the actions taken by purported Acting Secretaries, who were not properly in their roles according to the lawful order of succession, were taken without legal authority.”
Wolf issued a memorandum in July effectively suspending DACA, pending review by DHS. A month earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that President Donald Trump failed to follow rule-making procedures when he tried to end the program, but the justices kept a window open for him to try again.
About 650,000 people are part of DACA, which allows young immigrants who were brought to the country as children to legally work and shields them from deportation.
Karen Tumlin, an attorney who represented a plaintiff in one of the lawsuits that challenged Wolf’s authority, called the ruling “another win for DACA recipients and those who have been waiting years to apply for the program for the first time.”
In August, the Government Accountability Office, a bipartisan congressional watchdog, said Wolf and his acting deputy, Ken Cuccinelli, were improperly serving and ineligible to run the agency under the Vacancies Reform Act. The two have been at the forefront of administration initiatives on immigration and law enforcement.
In Garaufis’ ruling Saturday, the judge wrote that DHS didn’t follow an order of succession established when then-Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen resigned in April 2019. Kevin McAleenan, who succeeded Nielsen until he resigned in October 2019, also didn’t have statutory authority to hold the position, Garaufis wrote.
DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling. The department has maintained that Wolf’s appointment was legal even without Senate confirmation, which is still pending in the final weeks of the Trump administration.
President-elect Joe Biden plans to reinstate DACA and is expected to use executive orders to reverse some of Trump’s other immigration actions.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Report: Inslee will announce new COVID-19 restrictions

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) - Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee has scheduled a news conference for Sunday morning as COVID-19 case numbers soar throughout the Pacific Northwest where he will reportedly detail new restrictions .
Inslee ’ s office said he would discuss actions to combat the crisis but offered no details .
The Seattle Times reports that among Inslee ’ s announcements will be a ban on indoor service at restaurants and bars and significantly reduced capacity at grocery stores and retail shops .
The newspaper cited industry officials briefed by Inslee ’ s staff .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social gatherings .
And Inslee will reportedly limit grocery stores and retailers to 25 % occupancy .
The state was under a stay-at-home order from March 23 until the end of May .
All of Washington ’ s 39 counties are paused in either the second or third phase of a four-stage reopening plan that began in early May to start lifting restrictions on businesses and other activities .
For the second day in a row Saturday , Washington state health officials reported a record number of daily cases , with 2,233 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That brought the state ’ s totals to 127,731 cases and 2,519 deaths .
In Oregon , officials on Saturday reported a third straight day with more than 1,000 new COVID infections .
That brought Oregon ’ s total to 56,018 cases .
The Oregon Health Authority also reported six more deaths , pushing the state ’ s death toll to 759 .
Idaho also has been setting records for new cases and hospitalizations , adding 1,331 new cases Friday .
On Friday , the governors of California , Oregon and Washington issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the coronavirus as infections spike across the U.S .
The advisories stopped short of stricter rules imposed by other governors and instead said people should avoid non-essential out-of-state travel and quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country .

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has scheduled a news conference for Sunday morning as COVID-19 case numbers soar throughout the Pacific Northwest where he will reportedly detail new restrictions.
Inslee’s office said he would discuss actions to combat the crisis but offered no details. The Seattle Times reports that among Inslee’s announcements will be a ban on indoor service at restaurants and bars and significantly reduced capacity at grocery stores and retail shops.
The newspaper cited industry officials briefed by Inslee’s staff. The Democratic governor will also prohibit all indoor social gatherings. And Inslee will reportedly limit grocery stores and retailers to 25% occupancy.
The state was under a stay-at-home order from March 23 until the end of May.
All of Washington’s 39 counties are paused in either the second or third phase of a four-stage reopening plan that began in early May to start lifting restrictions on businesses and other activities.
For the second day in a row Saturday, Washington state health officials reported a record number of daily cases, with 2,233 new cases as of 11:59 p.m. Friday. That brought the state’s totals to 127,731 cases and 2,519 deaths.
In Oregon, officials on Saturday reported a third straight day with more than 1,000 new COVID infections. That brought Oregon’s total to 56,018 cases. The Oregon Health Authority also reported six more deaths, pushing the state’s death toll to 759.
Idaho also has been setting records for new cases and hospitalizations, adding 1,331 new cases Friday.
On Friday, the governors of California, Oregon and Washington issued travel advisories urging people entering or returning to their states to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the coronavirus as infections spike across the U.S.
The advisories stopped short of stricter rules imposed by other governors and instead said people should avoid non-essential out-of-state travel and quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--San Diego restaurants, gyms sue for right to operate indoors

SAN DIEGO ( AP ) - Four San Diego County restaurants and gyms that were forced to halt indoor operations beginning Saturday have filed a lawsuit seeking an emergency injunction to halt the shutdown .
The lawsuit filed on behalf of all restaurants and gyms came as 11 California counties , including San Diego , were forced to impose stricter limits on businesses after coronavirus cases rose above thresholds established by the state .
Under the purple level of the state ’ s COVID-19 reopening system , restaurants , bars that serve food , gyms , churches and movie theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The plaintiffs assert that the state and county orders interfere with their rights and violate the California Constitution , the San Diego Union-Tribune reported .
They are asking a judge to allow affected businesses to operate indoors under proper sanitation and social distancing protocols , a move they say will “ redress the harms suffered by them without undermining the government ’ s legitimate interest in public health.
” Businesses have pushed back on the idea that restaurants and gyms are to blame for virus transmission , and health officials have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where family and friends are not wearing masks or socially distancing are to blame for the latest surge .
In Northern California , restaurant owners worry the tighter restrictions could end their business as cold , rainy weather deters people from dining outdoors .
“ What I ’ m mostly afraid of is that a lot of the restaurants that closed this time are not going to come back , ” Patrick Mulvaney , owner of Mulvaney ’ s B & L ; in Sacramento , told KOVR-TV .
Still , officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will issue citations and possibly close businesses that violate the new restrictions .
California surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases this week and recorded 9,875 cases on Friday .
A hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for Tuesday before a San Diego Superior Court judge .

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Four San Diego County restaurants and gyms that were forced to halt indoor operations beginning Saturday have filed a lawsuit seeking an emergency injunction to halt the shutdown.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of all restaurants and gyms came as 11 California counties, including San Diego, were forced to impose stricter limits on businesses after coronavirus cases rose above thresholds established by the state. Under the purple level of the state’s COVID-19 reopening system, restaurants, bars that serve food, gyms, churches and movie theaters will be limited to only outdoor operations.
The plaintiffs assert that the state and county orders interfere with their rights and violate the California Constitution, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. They are asking a judge to allow affected businesses to operate indoors under proper sanitation and social distancing protocols, a move they say will “redress the harms suffered by them without undermining the government’s legitimate interest in public health.”
Businesses have pushed back on the idea that restaurants and gyms are to blame for virus transmission, and health officials have said that small, casual gatherings at home where family and friends are not wearing masks or socially distancing are to blame for the latest surge.
In Northern California, restaurant owners worry the tighter restrictions could end their business as cold, rainy weather deters people from dining outdoors.
“What I’m mostly afraid of is that a lot of the restaurants that closed this time are not going to come back,” Patrick Mulvaney, owner of Mulvaney’s B&L in Sacramento, told KOVR-TV.
Still, officials in San Diego and Sacramento counties warned they will issue citations and possibly close businesses that violate the new restrictions. California surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases this week and recorded 9,875 cases on Friday.
A hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for Tuesday before a San Diego Superior Court judge.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Police: 1 dead in standoff at tire shop in North Carolina

CONCORD , N.C. ( AP ) - One person is dead and another is in custody following a four-hour standoff @ @ @ @ @ in Concord , police said .
Authorities said a number of employees got out of @ @ @ @ @ gunshots around 11:30 a.m. , but the suspect barricaded inside with one staff member , @ @ @ @ @ finally entered the business , they found the body of the employee , who had @ @ @ @ @ have not released the names of the suspect and victim .
They also have not @ @ @ @ @ been determined .
The SWAT Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department assisted Concord Police .

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) - One person is dead and another is in custody following a four-hour standoff Saturday at a tire shop in Concord, police said.
Authorities said a number of employees got out of the shop when they heard gunshots around 11:30 a.m., but the suspect barricaded inside with one staff member, WSOC-TV reported. When officers finally entered the business, they found the body of the employee, who had been fatally shot.
Police have not released the names of the suspect and victim. They also have not said if a motive has been determined.
The SWAT Unit of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department assisted Concord Police.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Ramos causes missed spot kick drama on record-setting night

GENEVA ( AP ) - A World Cup winner , European champion with Spain and Real Madrid , and expert penalty taker , Sergio Ramos had scored from his last 25 spot kicks .
On the night of his European men ’ s record-setting 177th international appearance on Saturday , he was given two chances from the spot to celebrate with a goal .
Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer twice guessed right , and dived to his right , to save in the 57th and 80th minutes .
Though the first was well struck , the second was a flat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept Spain trailing by one goal .
Ramos was spared further embarrassment by substitute Gerard Moreno firing an 89th-minute leveller in a 1-1 draw in the Nations League .
Still , Spain coach Luis Enrique was not going to lose faith in his captain who is among world soccer ’ s most battle-hardened defenders .
“ Ramos hadn ’ t missed in 25 tries , ” Enrique said .
“ If there had been a third penalty , he would have taken it as well .
And a fourth , and a fifth.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon ’ s European men ’ s mark of 176 international games , took some attention from a high-class goal that gave Switzerland a 26th-minute lead .
Remo Freuler ’ s technique was perfect to guide an angled , half-volley shot that rose and floated beyond Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón ’ s reach .
Spain ’ s lapse in Switzerland let Germany take the lead in Group 4 of the Nations League top tier ahead of their decisive meeting on Tuesday in Seville .
Germany won 3-1 against a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive tests for COVID-19 on Friday .
Though Ukraine took a surprise early lead , Leroy Sane soon leveled for the 2014 World Cup winner .
Timo Werner then scored twice on his return to the Leipzig stadium where he made his name before an offseason move to Chelsea .
France became the first team to advance to the Nations League Final Four next year , beating defending champion Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon .
The second-half goal was scored by midfielder N ’ Golo Kanté pouncing on a loose ball fumbled by Portugal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight that France are still a great team , ” coach Didier Deschamps said .
Even without the injured Kylian Mbappe , France ensured it will top Group 3 ahead of completing its program against Sweden on Tuesday .
The four top-tier group winners qualify for a knockout mini-tournament scheduled next October , and to be hosted by the Group 1 winner .
That will be Italy , Poland or the Netherlands .
Sweden improved its chances of avoiding relegation to the second tier by beating Croatia 2-1 on Saturday .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Nations League game because of COVID-19 infections .
Norway was due in Romania to play on Sunday , but could not travel after players were ordered into quarantine by its home health authorities .
Norway risks a 3-0 loss by forfeit for not fulfilling the match scheduled in Bucharest .
There are no clearly available dates in the international calendar to make up the game .
UEFA said it sent the case to its disciplinary committee for a decision .
Norway is currently level with Austria at the top of their group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to meet in Vienna on Tuesday in the final round .
In League C , Montenegro is one point clear in Group 1 from Luxembourg , which lost at last-placed Cyprus 2-1 .
Montenegro drew against Azerbaijan 0-0 playing the second half with 10 men .
The game went ahead in neutral Croatia because UEFA ruled Azerbaijan can not host home games during conflict with neighboring Armenia .
In fourth-tier League D , Malta beat Andorra 3-1 and trails three points behind Group 1 leader Faroe Islands which it hosts next .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotion by drawing at Latvia 1-1 .
In three-team Group 2 , leader Gibraltar drew at San Marino 0-0 and next hosts second-placed Liechtenstein .
Iceland coach Erik Hamrén will leave the job days after losing in the European Championship playoffs .
Leading 1-0 after 87 minutes in Hungary on Thursday , Iceland conceded two late goals to fall short of a third straight major tournament .
Hamrén said at a news conference on Saturday he will step down after Nations League games against Denmark on Sunday and England on Wednesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation to the Euros in 2012 and 2016 , said : “ The World Cup qualifiers start in March and it is better in my mind that someone else takes over .
”

GENEVA (AP) - A World Cup winner, European champion with Spain and Real Madrid, and expert penalty taker, Sergio Ramos had scored from his last 25 spot kicks.
On the night of his European men’s record-setting 177th international appearance on Saturday, he was given two chances from the spot to celebrate with a goal.
Ramos missed them both.
Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer twice guessed right, and dived to his right, to save in the 57th and 80th minutes. Though the first was well struck, the second was a flat, slow flop of an attempted chip and kept Spain trailing by one goal.
Ramos was spared further embarrassment by substitute Gerard Moreno firing an 89th-minute leveller in a 1-1 draw in the Nations League.
Still, Spain coach Luis Enrique was not going to lose faith in his captain who is among world soccer’s most battle-hardened defenders.
“Ramos hadn’t missed in 25 tries,” Enrique said. “If there had been a third penalty, he would have taken it as well. And a fourth, and a fifth.”
The Ramos drama, as he passed Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon’s European men’s mark of 176 international games, took some attention from a high-class goal that gave Switzerland a 26th-minute lead.
Remo Freuler’s technique was perfect to guide an angled, half-volley shot that rose and floated beyond Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón’s reach.
Spain’s lapse in Switzerland let Germany take the lead in Group 4 of the Nations League top tier ahead of their decisive meeting on Tuesday in Seville.
Germany won 3-1 against a Ukraine team that lost four players to positive tests for COVID-19 on Friday.
Though Ukraine took a surprise early lead, Leroy Sane soon leveled for the 2014 World Cup winner. Timo Werner then scored twice on his return to the Leipzig stadium where he made his name before an offseason move to Chelsea.
France became the first team to advance to the Nations League Final Four next year, beating defending champion Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon.
The second-half goal was scored by midfielder N’Golo Kanté pouncing on a loose ball fumbled by Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
“They proved tonight that France are still a great team,” coach Didier Deschamps said.
Even without the injured Kylian Mbappe, France ensured it will top Group 3 ahead of completing its program against Sweden on Tuesday.
The four top-tier group winners qualify for a knockout mini-tournament scheduled next October, and to be hosted by the Group 1 winner. That will be Italy, Poland or the Netherlands.
Sweden improved its chances of avoiding relegation to the second tier by beating Croatia 2-1 on Saturday.
GAME CANCELED
For the first time on Saturday, UEFA canceled a Nations League game because of COVID-19 infections.
Norway was due in Romania to play on Sunday, but could not travel after players were ordered into quarantine by its home health authorities.
Norway risks a 3-0 loss by forfeit for not fulfilling the match scheduled in Bucharest. There are no clearly available dates in the international calendar to make up the game.
UEFA said it sent the case to its disciplinary committee for a decision.
Norway is currently level with Austria at the top of their group in second-tier League B. They are due to meet in Vienna on Tuesday in the final round.
LOWER TIER GAMES
In League C, Montenegro is one point clear in Group 1 from Luxembourg, which lost at last-placed Cyprus 2-1.
Montenegro drew against Azerbaijan 0-0 playing the second half with 10 men. The game went ahead in neutral Croatia because UEFA ruled Azerbaijan cannot host home games during conflict with neighboring Armenia.
In fourth-tier League D, Malta beat Andorra 3-1 and trails three points behind Group 1 leader Faroe Islands which it hosts next. The Faroes missed the chance to seal promotion by drawing at Latvia 1-1.
In three-team Group 2, leader Gibraltar drew at San Marino 0-0 and next hosts second-placed Liechtenstein.
ICELAND CHANGE
Iceland coach Erik Hamrén will leave the job days after losing in the European Championship playoffs.
Leading 1-0 after 87 minutes in Hungary on Thursday, Iceland conceded two late goals to fall short of a third straight major tournament.
Hamrén said at a news conference on Saturday he will step down after Nations League games against Denmark on Sunday and England on Wednesday.
The Swedish coach, who guided his home nation to the Euros in 2012 and 2016, said: “The World Cup qualifiers start in March and it is better in my mind that someone else takes over.”
___
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washingtontimes--2020-11-14--2 people fatally shot in separate St. Louis shootings

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - Two people were fatally shot in two St. Louis neighborhoods late Friday and three others were injured in separate shootings elsewhere in the city .
The two homicides happened in the heart of a high-crime area recently targeted by St. Louis and St. Louis County police for a joint intervention , the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
It was not immediately clear if the law enforcement manpower saturation effort had begun to deploy .
Officers responding to shooting reports at about 9:39 p.m. found Kevin Lee Harrison , 44 , of Jennings , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
About a half hour later , St. Louis County police found a car in Jennings with three victims who had been fired upon .
An investigation found that someone had shot at the car in a neighborhood of St. Louis .
The driver escaped into Jennings , where they called police .
One person was pronounced dead at the scene .
The other two people who were in the car were not injured .
At least six other people were victims of shootings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Three of them were injured .

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Two people were fatally shot in two St. Louis neighborhoods late Friday and three others were injured in separate shootings elsewhere in the city.
The two homicides happened in the heart of a high-crime area recently targeted by St. Louis and St. Louis County police for a joint intervention, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. It was not immediately clear if the law enforcement manpower saturation effort had begun to deploy.
Officers responding to shooting reports at about 9:39 p.m. found Kevin Lee Harrison, 44, of Jennings, on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
About a half hour later, St. Louis County police found a car in Jennings with three victims who had been fired upon. An investigation found that someone had shot at the car in a neighborhood of St. Louis. The driver escaped into Jennings, where they called police.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene. The other two people who were in the car were not injured.
At least six other people were victims of shootings in two other city neighborhoods on Friday night, police said. Three of them were injured.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Police: Body found inside clothing donation bin in Maryland

RIVERDALE PARK , Md .
( AP ) - Law enforcement authorities on Friday said a body was found inside @ @ @ @ @ a District of Columbia suburb in Maryland .
Police in Riverdale Park said they received @ @ @ @ @ about a foul odor coming from the outdoor donation bin near an intersection , news @ @ @ @ @ found the body inside the white bin .
Police said the death investigation will be @ @ @ @ @ of the Prince George ’ s County Police Department .
Riverdale Park Police did not @ @ @ @ @ the case .

RIVERDALE PARK, Md. (AP) - Law enforcement authorities on Friday said a body was found inside a clothing donation bin in a District of Columbia suburb in Maryland.
Police in Riverdale Park said they received a report around 12:30 p.m. about a foul odor coming from the outdoor donation bin near an intersection, news outlets reported. Responding officers found the body inside the white bin.
Police said the death investigation will be handled by the homicide unit of the Prince George’s County Police Department. Riverdale Park Police did not provide any additional details in the case.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Authorities 'following every lead' into Black teen's death

NEW IBERIA , La .
( AP ) - A Louisiana sheriff said Saturday that his office is “ working hard to ensure no stone is left unturned ” in determining what led to the death of a Black 15-year-old whose disappearance sparked speculation about racial crime .
“ I want to assure the public that I , and my team , are doing everything we can , and following every lead , to gather evidence into what happened in the untimely death of Quawan ” Bobby ” Charles , ” Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero said in a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a tragedy and that is especially true when it is a young person .
Although we believe it is important not to compromise any part of our investigation , we are prepared to release some details so that the public can be assured we are not resting in our effort to find the truth , ” he said .
The Iberia Parish Coroner ’ s Office announced Friday that drowning appears to be the most likely cause of death of Charles .
“ At this time there is no evidence of ante @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Charles , said the preliminary autopsy report .
Any cuts on his face were made as part of the autopsy and other damage was probably caused by aquatic animals , since his body was found in water , the report said .
Evidence of drowning included muddy water in his airways , “ hyper inflated lungs ” and water in his sinuses , according to the report signed by the coroner , Dr. Carl Ditch .
The final report is pending final autopsy results , toxicology and a police investigation , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is investigating the death as a possible homicide .
No arrests have been made .
“ We want to remind the public that this is an active , ongoing homicide investigation .
We urge anyone who has any additional information which might aid our investigation to come forward and contact the Iberia Parish Sheriff ’ s Office at 337-369-3711 , ” Romero said .
The teen ’ s family filed a missing persons report Oct. 30 in the St. Mary Parish town of Baldwin .
His body was found the evening of Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) away in woods near the Iberia Parish town of Loreauville .
Romero said investigators have spoken with at least one witness who reportedly saw Charles before his death in the area where he was later found .
“ We have obtained and reviewed video evidence showing Quawan ‘ Bobby ’ Charles near that area , ” he said .
“ Video evidence indicates no other individuals present with Quawan ‘ Bobby ’ Charles or anyone else present for some time before , or after , he is seen on the recording.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for “ Justice for Quawan Charles.
” A fundraising page set up to raise $ 15,000 for an independent autopsy and other expenses shows a photo of his face next to one of 14-year-old Emmett Till , who was lynched in 1955 .
It had brought in more than $ 244,000 from 12,800 donors as of Saturday .
Ron Haley , one of three civil rights attorneys representing Charles ‘ family , said they are awaiting the results of an independent autopsy .
“ We certainly hope that the Sheriff Office and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more energy in solving the mystery of Quawan ’ s death than they did in trying to find him when he was reported missing , ” Haley said via email in response to Romero ’ s statement .
“ Though it may appear that the relationship between the Charles family and the local agencies has been adversarial , at the end of the day the family just wants truthful answers so that they know how and why Quawan died regardless of who provides them those answers .
”

NEW IBERIA, La. (AP) - A Louisiana sheriff said Saturday that his office is “working hard to ensure no stone is left unturned” in determining what led to the death of a Black 15-year-old whose disappearance sparked speculation about racial crime.
“I want to assure the public that I, and my team, are doing everything we can, and following every lead, to gather evidence into what happened in the untimely death of Quawan ”Bobby” Charles,” Iberia Parish Sheriff Tommy Romero said in a news release.
“Any loss of life is a tragedy and that is especially true when it is a young person. Although we believe it is important not to compromise any part of our investigation, we are prepared to release some details so that the public can be assured we are not resting in our effort to find the truth,” he said.
The Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office announced Friday that drowning appears to be the most likely cause of death of Charles.
“At this time there is no evidence of ante mortem trauma” - pre-death injury - to Charles, said the preliminary autopsy report. Any cuts on his face were made as part of the autopsy and other damage was probably caused by aquatic animals, since his body was found in water, the report said.
Evidence of drowning included muddy water in his airways, “hyper inflated lungs” and water in his sinuses, according to the report signed by the coroner, Dr. Carl Ditch.
The final report is pending final autopsy results, toxicology and a police investigation, it said.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the death as a possible homicide. No arrests have been made.
“We want to remind the public that this is an active, ongoing homicide investigation. We urge anyone who has any additional information which might aid our investigation to come forward and contact the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-369-3711,” Romero said.
The teen’s family filed a missing persons report Oct. 30 in the St. Mary Parish town of Baldwin. His body was found the evening of Nov. 3 about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away in woods near the Iberia Parish town of Loreauville.
Romero said investigators have spoken with at least one witness who reportedly saw Charles before his death in the area where he was later found.
“We have obtained and reviewed video evidence showing Quawan ‘Bobby’ Charles near that area,” he said. “Video evidence indicates no other individuals present with Quawan ‘Bobby’ Charles or anyone else present for some time before, or after, he is seen on the recording.”
Demonstrators and the state NAACP president have called for “Justice for Quawan Charles.” A fundraising page set up to raise $15,000 for an independent autopsy and other expenses shows a photo of his face next to one of 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was lynched in 1955. It had brought in more than $244,000 from 12,800 donors as of Saturday.
Ron Haley, one of three civil rights attorneys representing Charles’ family, said they are awaiting the results of an independent autopsy.
“We certainly hope that the Sheriff Office and all of the local agencies are putting more energy in solving the mystery of Quawan’s death than they did in trying to find him when he was reported missing,” Haley said via email in response to Romero’s statement. “Though it may appear that the relationship between the Charles family and the local agencies has been adversarial, at the end of the day the family just wants truthful answers so that they know how and why Quawan died regardless of who provides them those answers.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Arkansas new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations decline

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - The number of newly reported coronavirus cases and the number of @ @ @ @ @ declined slightly on Saturday , a day after setting record highs , according to the @ @ @ @ @ There were 1,848 newly confirmed or probable cases , 11 additional deaths and 812 people @ @ @ @ @ than reported Friday , the department said .
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows the @ @ @ @ @ cases in the state has risen from 962.7 new cases per day to 1,584 while @ @ @ @ @ has fallen from 16.8 per day 13.1 .
There are a total of 132,166 cases @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began in March .
The actual number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher @ @ @ @ @ been tested and people can carry the virus but not feel sick .
The health @ @ @ @ @ and said 113,440 people had recovered from the illness .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The number of newly reported coronavirus cases and the number of hospitalizations of those with COVID-19 declined slightly on Saturday, a day after setting record highs, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
There were 1,848 newly confirmed or probable cases, 11 additional deaths and 812 people hospitalized, 14 fewer hospitalizations than reported Friday, the department said.
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows the seven-day rolling average of new cases in the state has risen from 962.7 new cases per day to 1,584 while the daily average of deaths has fallen from 16.8 per day 13.1.
There are a total of 132,166 cases and 2,159 deaths since the pandemic began in March. The actual number of cases in Arkansas is likely higher because many people have not been tested and people can carry the virus but not feel sick.
The health department reported 16,553 active cases and said 113,440 people had recovered from the illness.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Police: 2 officers shot armed man after apparent assault

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Phoenix police officers shot and wounded an armed man during an encounter that began when @ @ @ @ @ apparently being assaulted , the Police Department said .
Police said the 35-year-old man who @ @ @ @ @ injured .
His identity wasn ’ t released .
A police statement said two officers @ @ @ @ @ woman after seeing an apparent assault and that the man ignored commands and walked away @ @ @ @ @ The man pulled out a gun and pointed it at himself before changing direction and @ @ @ @ @ ’ s last known location , a nearby business and traffic on 19th Avenue , @ @ @ @ @ At this time , both officers fired their service weapons , striking the male , @ @ @ @ @

PHOENIX (AP) - Phoenix police officers shot and wounded an armed man during an encounter that began when the officers saw a woman apparently being assaulted, the Police Department said.
Police said the 35-year-old man who was shot Friday was seriously injured. His identity wasn’t released.
A police statement said two officers approached the man and a woman after seeing an apparent assault and that the man ignored commands and walked away before beginning to run.
The man pulled out a gun and pointed it at himself before changing direction and circling back towards the woman’s last known location, a nearby business and traffic on 19th Avenue, the statement said.
“At this time, both officers fired their service weapons, striking the male,” the statement said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Illinois virus numbers: 166 deaths, 11K new or likely cases

SPRINGFIELD , Ill. ( AP ) - Illinois reported 11,028 new or probable coronavirus cases Saturday and 166 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ prevented earlier reporting of 66 of the deaths , the Department of Public Health said @ @ @ @ @ had 5,415 patients with COVID-19 on Friday night , including 9 % on ventilators .
@ @ @ @ @ probable statewide cases was below Friday ’ s record-setting 15,415 .
Local health officials issued @ @ @ @ @ Chicago .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot also urged Chicago residents to stay home to fight a @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has made similar pleas , saying he could step up restrictions @ @ @ @ @ change .
The Cook County medical examiner is bringing back refrigerated trailers to handle the @ @ @ @ @

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois reported 11,028 new or probable coronavirus cases Saturday and 166 deaths.
A delay in data had prevented earlier reporting of 66 of the deaths, the Department of Public Health said.
Illinois hospitals said they had 5,415 patients with COVID-19 on Friday night, including 9% on ventilators.
The number of new or probable statewide cases was below Friday’s record-setting 15,415.
Local health officials issued a stay-at-home advisory for suburban Chicago. Mayor Lori Lightfoot also urged Chicago residents to stay home to fight a surge in COVID-19 cases. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has made similar pleas, saying he could step up restrictions if things don’t change.
The Cook County medical examiner is bringing back refrigerated trailers to handle the increase in dead bodies.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Conn. senators isolate after governor's aide tests positive

HARTFORD , Conn. ( AP ) - Connecticut ’ s two U.S. senators were self-isolating Saturday after a member of Democratic Gov .
Ned Lamont ’ s staff tested positive for COVID-19 .
Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy each tweeted Saturday that they had not had close contact with the staffer but were taking the step out of an abundance of caution .
Lamont ’ s chief spokesperson , Max Reiss , identified himself as the senior staff member who had tested positive in a release posted to Twitter on Friday .
Reiss wrote he wasn ’ t sure how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Murphy tweeted Saturday that he had “ attended an event yesterday with the Governor but was not in close contact with the staff member who tested positive .
Out of an abundance of caution , though , I am isolating until I get tested and consult with the Office of Attending Physician Monday morning.
” Blumenthal tweeted Saturday afternoon that he had “ just returned from being tested myself and am currently self-isolating.
” In a news release Friday , Lamont ‘ s office said contact tracing had begun and all members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 feet ( 2 meters ) of Reiss for 15 minutes or more will self-quarantine for 14 days .
In addition to Lamont , chief of staff Paul Mounds and chief operating officer Josh Geballe will self-quarantine .

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut’s two U.S. senators were self-isolating Saturday after a member of Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont’s staff tested positive for COVID-19.
Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy each tweeted Saturday that they had not had close contact with the staffer but were taking the step out of an abundance of caution.
Lamont’s chief spokesperson, Max Reiss, identified himself as the senior staff member who had tested positive in a release posted to Twitter on Friday. Reiss wrote he wasn’t sure how or where he had contracted the virus.
Murphy tweeted Saturday that he had “attended an event yesterday with the Governor but was not in close contact with the staff member who tested positive. Out of an abundance of caution, though, I am isolating until I get tested and consult with the Office of Attending Physician Monday morning.”
Blumenthal tweeted Saturday afternoon that he had “just returned from being tested myself and am currently self-isolating.”
In a news release Friday, Lamont’s office said contact tracing had begun and all members of the administration who have been within 6 feet (2 meters) of Reiss for 15 minutes or more will self-quarantine for 14 days. In addition to Lamont, chief of staff Paul Mounds and chief operating officer Josh Geballe will self-quarantine.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Cleveland police probe 6 homicides in 24-hour period

CLEVELAND , Ohio ( AP ) - Police in Cleveland are investigating a half-dozen homicides in a 24-hour span , including a man shot by a housing authority officer and an 83-year-old woman apparently struck by gunfire coming from outside her home .
Shortly before 5 p.m. Friday , police said , Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority officers were investigating a vehicle connected to a shooting the day before .
They ordered a suspect out of the vehicle but say the suspect pointed a gun at an officer , who fired .
The male fled but collapsed and later died at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 83-year-old woman was found dead in her home Saturday morning .
She was identified as Katie Brown by the Cuyahoga County Coroner ’ s Office .
Police say it ’ s possible she was shot during the night by an unknown persons or persons outside the home , because multiple bullet “ defects ” were observed in the building .
At about 9 a.m. Friday , officers reported an unidentified man lying in a driveway with a gunshot wound , and he later died at a hospital .
Witness reported seeing a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victim and shooting him before driving off .
At about 11 a.m. Friday , a 31-year-old man was found shot in a food market parking lot and was pronounced dead at a hospital .
Investigators also said Saturday an 18-year-old man found shot had apparently been shot inside a vehicle that fled after the victim was pushed out .
At about 12:45 a.m. Saturday , a man was found shot in the chest after police said some other men forced their way into an apartment and a fight ensued .

CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) - Police in Cleveland are investigating a half-dozen homicides in a 24-hour span, including a man shot by a housing authority officer and an 83-year-old woman apparently struck by gunfire coming from outside her home.
Shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, police said, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority officers were investigating a vehicle connected to a shooting the day before. They ordered a suspect out of the vehicle but say the suspect pointed a gun at an officer, who fired. The male fled but collapsed and later died at Metro Hospital.
Cleveland police said the 83-year-old woman was found dead in her home Saturday morning. She was identified as Katie Brown by the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office. Police say it’s possible she was shot during the night by an unknown persons or persons outside the home, because multiple bullet “defects” were observed in the building.
At about 9 a.m. Friday, officers reported an unidentified man lying in a driveway with a gunshot wound, and he later died at a hospital. Witness reported seeing a man getting out of a vehicle, approaching the victim and shooting him before driving off.
At about 11 a.m. Friday, a 31-year-old man was found shot in a food market parking lot and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigators also said Saturday an 18-year-old man found shot had apparently been shot inside a vehicle that fled after the victim was pushed out. At about 12:45 a.m. Saturday, a man was found shot in the chest after police said some other men forced their way into an apartment and a fight ensued.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Marjorie Taylor Greene falsely claims D.C. gyms closed, blames 'Democrat tyrannical control'

Marjorie Taylor Greene , an incoming member of the House of Representatives , made false claims Saturday about coronavirus restrictions in place within Washington , D.C. , prompting pushback from current congressmen .
Ms. Greene , Georgia Republican , said on social media that businesses such as fitness centers within the nation ’ s capital are closed , resulting in her being called out and corrected by current members of Congress .
“ I work out everyday in a CrossFit gym that is open .
With people , ” Ms. Greene posted on Twitter .
“ Gyms are small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandated shut downs , ” Ms. Greene said in the tweet .
“ In DC , NOTHING is open bc of Democrat tyrannical control.
” The tweet included a 45-second video showing Ms. Greene exercising in a hotel room shortly before she was set to speak at a protest being held by fellow supporters of President Trump in downtown D.C .
Businesses in D.C. are open , however , albeit with safety measures in place because of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic .
Coronavirus infections are also currently surging locally and nationally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justin Amash said in response to the incoming congresswoman ’ s claim .
“ Businesses are open in DC , ” said Mr. Amash , a former Republican currently the sole Libertarian in Congress .
“ There is literally a gym around the corner from the hotel she is staying at.
” Rep. Ruben Gallego , Arizona Democrat , said in another Twitter post among several correcting the incoming congresswoman .
Indeed , gyms are abundant in D.C. , and The Washington Times had no problem locating one that was open for business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Times both of its locations were open .
D.C. entered the second phase of its the District ’ s plan for reopening from closing triggered by the coronavirus pandemic on June 22 , which allows gyms to open with limited access and other measures .
Ms. Greene acknowledged those restrictions in a subsequent tweet later Saturday while criticizing an article concerning her original post .
“ These gyms are FORCED by DC ’ s Democrat mayor to RESTRICT access , ” said Ms. Greene , who also described herself in the post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and competitor ” familiar with the industry .
Ms. Greene gained notoriety while campaigning for having embraced and promoted baseless conspiracy theories , including those associated with the QAnon movement the September 11 terrorist attacks .
She spoke Saturday in D.C. alongside fellow Trump supporters who allege the recent election was rigged against the president , who had been projected by virtually all major polls to lose and then did .
D.C. is experiencing a surge in cases of COVID-19 , the contagious respiratory disease the coronavirus causes , evidenced by Wednesday nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily new confirmed cases .
In the interim , Mr. Greene complained Friday on Twitter about Congress requiring members wear face masks at most times , calling it “ oppressive.
” Masks wearing is proven to mitigate the pandemic .
The video Ms. Greene shared on Twitter of her exercising next to a hotel bed had been viewed more than 2.5 million times as of early Saturday evening .

Marjorie Taylor Greene, an incoming member of the House of Representatives, made false claims Saturday about coronavirus restrictions in place within Washington, D.C., prompting pushback from current congressmen.
Ms. Greene, Georgia Republican, said on social media that businesses such as fitness centers within the nation’s capital are closed, resulting in her being called out and corrected by current members of Congress.
“I work out everyday in a CrossFit gym that is open. With people,” Ms. Greene posted on Twitter.
“Gyms are small businesses that have been devastated by the government mandated shut downs,” Ms. Greene said in the tweet. “In DC, NOTHING is open bc of Democrat tyrannical control.”
The tweet included a 45-second video showing Ms. Greene exercising in a hotel room shortly before she was set to speak at a protest being held by fellow supporters of President Trump in downtown D.C.
Businesses in D.C. are open, however, albeit with safety measures in place because of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus infections are also currently surging locally and nationally.
“This is false,” Rep. Justin Amash said in response to the incoming congresswoman’s claim. “Businesses are open in DC,” said Mr. Amash, a former Republican currently the sole Libertarian in Congress.
“There is literally a gym around the corner from the hotel she is staying at.” Rep. Ruben Gallego, Arizona Democrat, said in another Twitter post among several correcting the incoming congresswoman.
Indeed, gyms are abundant in D.C., and The Washington Times had no problem locating one that was open for business later Saturday. CrossFit DC also told The Times both of its locations were open.
D.C. entered the second phase of its the District’s plan for reopening from closing triggered by the coronavirus pandemic on June 22, which allows gyms to open with limited access and other measures.
Ms. Greene acknowledged those restrictions in a subsequent tweet later Saturday while criticizing an article concerning her original post.
“These gyms are FORCED by DC’s Democrat mayor to RESTRICT access,” said Ms. Greene, who also described herself in the post as “a former CrossFit gym owner and competitor” familiar with the industry.
Ms. Greene gained notoriety while campaigning for having embraced and promoted baseless conspiracy theories, including those associated with the QAnon movement the September 11 terrorist attacks.
She spoke Saturday in D.C. alongside fellow Trump supporters who allege the recent election was rigged against the president, who had been projected by virtually all major polls to lose and then did.
D.C. is experiencing a surge in cases of COVID-19, the contagious respiratory disease the coronavirus causes, evidenced by Wednesday nearly breaking the region’s record for daily new confirmed cases.
In the interim, Mr. Greene complained Friday on Twitter about Congress requiring members wear face masks at most times, calling it “oppressive.” Masks wearing is proven to mitigate the pandemic.
The video Ms. Greene shared on Twitter of her exercising next to a hotel bed had been viewed more than 2.5 million times as of early Saturday evening.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Pearl Harbor commemoration ceremony to be closed to public

HONOLULU ( AP ) - The annual Remembrance Day ceremony to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor will be closed @ @ @ @ @ and streamed online as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The ceremony will begin @ @ @ @ @ 7 at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial ’ s Contemplation Circle in Hawaii .
A @ @ @ @ @ be in attendance on site , Hawaii News Now reported .
A moment of silence @ @ @ @ @ a.m. , the time when the Japanese attack on the American naval base began in @ @ @ @ @ s obligation to honor its veterans has been a sacrosanct pillar of our society , @ @ @ @ @ join us virtually for this important ceremony , ” said Scott Burch , acting superintendent @ @ @ @ @ .

HONOLULU (AP) - The annual Remembrance Day ceremony to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor will be closed to the public this year and streamed online as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ceremony will begin at 7:50 a.m. on Dec. 7 at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s Contemplation Circle in Hawaii.
A small number of veterans will be in attendance on site, Hawaii News Now reported.
A moment of silence will be observed at 7:55 a.m., the time when the Japanese attack on the American naval base began in 1941.
“America’s obligation to honor its veterans has been a sacrosanct pillar of our society, and we encourage everyone to join us virtually for this important ceremony,” said Scott Burch, acting superintendent of Pearl Harbor National Memorial.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Value of West Texas oil lands plunging amid virus pandemic

HOUSTON ( AP ) - The value of oil fields in West Texas have plummeted due to the coronavirus pandemic , which has caused the demand for crude to go down .
Eli Huffman , a land broker and attorney at Houston-based Lone Star Production Co. , said he has seen land prices fall below $ 1,000 an acre for property that used to be worth more than $ 10,000 an acre .
“ When ( oil ) prices are too low , no one is buying land , ” Huffman said .
“ Everybody is risk-adverse at the moment.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ acreage has fallen by more than 70 % in two years - from $ 17,000 per acre in 2018 to $ 5,000 per acre in 2020 , according to Norwegian energy research firm Rystad .
Despite that , the prices of some shale plays has held up , the Houston Chronicle reported .
The Permian-Delaware basin is still valued at $ 30,000 per acre and the Midland basin is valued at $ 17,000 an acre , Rystad added .
But prices for devalued oil and gas lands will not be able to bounce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lockdowns keep pressure on demand for petroleum .
“ We do not foresee demand for ( oil ) assets rising in the coming quarters , ” Alisa Lukash , a senior analyst at Rystad , said in Thursday ’ s report .

HOUSTON (AP) - The value of oil fields in West Texas have plummeted due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused the demand for crude to go down.
Eli Huffman, a land broker and attorney at Houston-based Lone Star Production Co., said he has seen land prices fall below $1,000 an acre for property that used to be worth more than $10,000 an acre.
“When (oil) prices are too low, no one is buying land,” Huffman said. “Everybody is risk-adverse at the moment.”
The average price of U.S. shale acreage has fallen by more than 70% in two years - from $17,000 per acre in 2018 to $5,000 per acre in 2020, according to Norwegian energy research firm Rystad.
Despite that, the prices of some shale plays has held up, the Houston Chronicle reported. The Permian-Delaware basin is still valued at $30,000 per acre and the Midland basin is valued at $17,000 an acre, Rystad added.
But prices for devalued oil and gas lands will not be able to bounce back as quickly if the pandemic worsens and lockdowns keep pressure on demand for petroleum.
“We do not foresee demand for (oil) assets rising in the coming quarters,” Alisa Lukash, a senior analyst at Rystad, said in Thursday’s report.


washingtontimes--2020-11-14--Judge undercuts Trump's latest DACA gambit, rules DHS secretary is illegally in job

A federal judge ruled Saturday that Chad Wolf is illegally serving as acting secretary at Homeland Security , and that accordingly the Trump administration ’ s latest attempt to reel in the Obama-era DACA deportation amnesty can ’ t stand .
Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis ’ s ruling is the latest blow to President Trump , who for more than three years has been trying to unwind the deportation amnesty for illegal immigrant “ Dreamers , ” his predecessor began in 2012 .
After the Supreme Court in June ruled that Mr. Trump cut too many corners in trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released a new policy trying to limit DACA , blocking any new applications and limiting renewals to just a year — half the time of the old policy .
But Judge Garaufis , an Obama district court appointee in the Eastern District of New York , said since Mr. Wolf isn ’ t legally the secretary , he can ’ t issue those changes .
“ The court holds that Mr. Wolf was not lawfully serving as acting secretary .
of Homeland Security under the Homeland Security Act … when he issued the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judge wrote .
Mr. Wolf ’ s status has been the subject of a long-running legal saga .
Judge Garaufis is the latest to weigh in , siding with the Government Accountability Office and some other courts in finding he ’ s not properly serving .
Yet another court , however , has ruled that Mr. Wolf is secretary .
The question stems from President Trump ’ s difficulty in staffing the department .
When he ousted then-Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in the spring of 2019 , he wanted his border chief , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting secretary .
But Judge Garaufis said that violated the chain of succession .
And it was Mr. McAleenan who then wrote a new chain of succession that allowed Mr. Wolf to ascend to the top job last November , when Mr. McAleenan stepped down .
Homeland Security contends that Ms. Nielsen clearly designated Mr. McAleenan , and that it was a legal move under the Homeland Security Act , so he was properly serving — and could then write the new rules of succession making Mr. Wolf ’ s appointment also legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said should be serving — Peter Gaynor , head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency — issued a directive confirming Mr. Wolf holds the secretary ’ s powers .
Judge Garaufis called that a “ sham.
” DACA , officially known in Washington-speak as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals , grants tentative legal status , work permits and some taxpayer benefits to illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as juveniles , have made efforts to get an education and have kept a relatively clean rap sheet .
As of March , nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Saturday ’ s court ruling could soon be made irrelvent as presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden has said he will reverse Mr. Trump ’ s attempts to rescind the program as soon as he takes office .

A federal judge ruled Saturday that Chad Wolf is illegally serving as acting secretary at Homeland Security, and that accordingly the Trump administration’s latest attempt to reel in the Obama-era DACA deportation amnesty can’t stand.
Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis’s ruling is the latest blow to President Trump, who for more than three years has been trying to unwind the deportation amnesty for illegal immigrant “Dreamers,” his predecessor began in 2012.
After the Supreme Court in June ruled that Mr. Trump cut too many corners in trying to nix the program altogether, Mr. Wolf released a new policy trying to limit DACA, blocking any new applications and limiting renewals to just a year — half the time of the old policy.
But Judge Garaufis, a Clinton district court appointee in the Eastern District of New York, said since Mr. Wolf isn’t legally the secretary, he can’t issue those changes.
“The court holds that Mr. Wolf was not lawfully serving as acting secretary. of Homeland Security under the Homeland Security Act … when he issued the July 28, 2020 memorandum,” the judge wrote.
Mr. Wolf’s status has been the subject of a long-running legal saga. Judge Garaufis is the latest to weigh in, siding with the Government Accountability Office and some other courts in finding he’s not properly serving. Yet another court, however, has ruled that Mr. Wolf is secretary.
The question stems from President Trump’s difficulty in staffing the department. When he ousted then-Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in the spring of 2019, he wanted his border chief, Kevin McAleenan, to take over as acting secretary.
But Judge Garaufis said that violated the chain of succession. And it was Mr. McAleenan who then wrote a new chain of succession that allowed Mr. Wolf to ascend to the top job last November, when Mr. McAleenan stepped down.
Homeland Security contends that Ms. Nielsen clearly designated Mr. McAleenan, and that it was a legal move under the Homeland Security Act, so he was properly serving — and could then write the new rules of succession making Mr. Wolf’s appointment also legitimate.
Besides, the person Judge Garaufis said should be serving — Peter Gaynor, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency — issued a directive confirming Mr. Wolf holds the secretary’s powers. Judge Garaufis called that a “sham.”
DACA, officially known in Washington-speak as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, grants tentative legal status, work permits and some taxpayer benefits to illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as juveniles, have made efforts to get an education and have kept a relatively clean rap sheet.
As of March, nearly 650,000 people were protected by the program.
Saturday’s court ruling could soon be made irrelvent as presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden has said he will reverse Mr. Trump’s attempts to rescind the program as soon as he takes office.
—
Corrected from earlier: Judge Garaufis was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton. We regret the error.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-15--Mir wins first MotoGP title at Valencia Grand Prix

CHESTE , Spain ( AP ) - Joan Mir won the MotoGP title for the first time with a seventh-place finish at the Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday .
Pole-sitter Franco Morbidelli won the race for this third victory of the season , but it was not enough to keep Mir from securing the title with one race to go .
The season-finale will take place in Portugal next week .
The 23-year-old Spanish rider with Suzuki started from 12th place on the grid and needed nothing more than a top-three finish to clinch the title .
He also could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the other contenders .
He won his first MotoGP race last weekend at the same Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia and earned seven podium finishes in 13 races .
Mir entered Sunday ’ s race with a 37-point advantage over both Suzuki teammate Álex Rins and Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha .
Morbidelli , Maverick Viñales and Andrea Dovizioso also had a mathematical chance to win the title .
This year ’ s title race was wide open after six-time champion Marc Márquez was sidelined because of an injury .
There have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five first-time winners .
The MotoGP season was shortened and had its calendar severely altered because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Mir moved up a place at the start on Sunday and gradually moved to the front .
Quartararo , a three-time winner this year who started 11th on the grid , went wide early and dropped to the back of the pack , then crashed out of the race with less than 20 laps to go .
Johann Zarco , who started fourth on the grid , crashed early in the race @

CHESTE, Spain (AP) - A week after winning his first MotoGP race, Joan Mir is now celebrating his first title.
Mir, who earned seven podium finishes in 13 races, clinched the MotoGP title on Sunday with a seventh-place finish at the Valencia Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old Spaniard won last weekend at the same Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia.
“It’s amazing, I’ll never forget this day … I achieved my dream,” said Mir, who won the Moto3 title in 2017. “I probably need a couple of hours to understand the situation.”
Pole-sitter Franco Morbidelli won the race for his third victory of the season, but it was not enough to keep Mir from securing the title ahead of the season-finale in Portugal next week.
“I can’t believe this has happened,” Mir said. “I’m so tired that I don’t have the strength to celebrate. I don’t have any words for this moment.”
The Suzuki rider, only in his second MotoGP season, started from 12th place on the grid and gradually made his way to the front as most of his title contenders struggled. He needed a top-three finish, or to cross the line ahead of his rivals, to clinch the title.
Mir entered Sunday’s race with a 37-point advantage over both Suzuki teammate Álex Rins and Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha. Morbidelli, Maverick Viñales and Andrea Dovizioso also had a mathematical chance to win the title.
Quartararo, a three-time winner this year who started 11th on the grid, went wide early and dropped to the back of the pack. He then crashed out of the race with fewer than 20 laps to go. Rins finished fourth, Dovizioso eighth and Viñales 10th.
Morbidelli moved to second in the championship standings, with Rins third.
Mir became the fourth Spaniard to win the top title, after Àlex Crivillé, Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Márquez.
Mir’s success also gave Suzuki its first MotoGP riders’ title in 20 years.
This year’s title race was wide open after six-time champion Márquez was sidelined because of an injury. There have been nine different winners this season, with five first-time winners.
The MotoGP season was shortened and had its calendar severely altered because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Johann Zarco, who started fourth on the grid, crashed early in the race, while Takaaki Nakagami fell near the end while seeking his first podium finish.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-11-15--'Battlin’ Betties' give back to veterans in Delaware

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - The Battlin ’ Betties , with their 1940s and ’ 50s-era attire , bright red lipstick and throwback hairstyles , look like they just climbed off the nose of a vintage World War II airplane or out of a footlocker of an Army soldier .
When they visit veterans and first responders or appear at community events , they like to take the people back to a different time , one when many of the veterans were still young , just starting their military careers or heading off to war .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are around just adds to the ambiance for the pinup girl throwback encounters .
Lia Mendoza is the original Battlin ’ Bettie of the Delaware platoon , one of 25 such platoons across the United States .
She formed the group , which operates out of Dover , back in February , and she and the 16 other “ Betties ” - most of whom are military spouses , active duty or a combination of both - have taken several events by storm , even though it has admittedly been difficult to interact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs. Mendoza ’ s husband , an airman at Dover Air Force Base , was deployed earlier this year , and that ’ s when the idea of a Battlin ’ Betties Delaware platoon came to life .
“ I just came ( to Dover ) from the United Kingdom , ” Mrs. Mendoza said .
“ My husband is active duty and is currently deployed , and I had been looking for something to join .
I had wanted to get involved in my community and everything once I got back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Battlin ’ Betties in a different state .
I was looking to see where they had them and , unfortunately , they didn ’ t have ( a platoon ) here in Delaware .
“ So I got a hold of the CEO , and I was like , ‘ Hey , can I get one started in Delaware ?
’ They told me , ‘ Sure , let ’ s do this.
’ I pretty much got started and filled out all my paperwork and got accepted as a leader .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was anybody else interested - like-minded girls who might be interested in joining - and lo and behold , there were.
” The Delaware Battlin ’ Betties appeared at their first event Feb. 22 , when they visited the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford .
They met with a group of 20 local veterans and their families .
Many remembered the 1950s-era style , glad to see the Betties bringing back the look and happy to have friendly faces to talk to .
Jessica Salter , another member of the Betties , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both for the veterans and for the group , which was still in its infancy .
“ They enjoyed it , ” Mrs. Salter said of the veterans .
“ It doesn ’ t necessarily take them back to that time , but it reminds them of the fun that they had … the parties and dancing and getting dressed up and taking a girl out and doing some swing dancing , enjoying time with your friends - not necessarily talking war stories , but maybe gloat a little bit about all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They enjoy seeing us and love hearing us and sharing those stories and the good times that they had with us .
They even enjoy the look of it , even the family members with the spouses and their children really enjoyed seeing us dressed up that way , and it took them back , as well .
They were like , ‘ Oh , I remember when I used to wear my hair like this , ’ or the red lipstick .
I actually got some beauty tips from one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Battlin ’ Betties didn ’ t let the onslaught of COVID-19 slow them down in March , as they pulled out sewing machines and spent more than 144 hours making 512 face masks , which were donated to military members , veterans and first responders .
They also volunteered and did some outside work , helping clean up the kitchen and set up the banquet hall to meet COVID-19 protocols at the American Legion Post 2 in Dover on June 14 .
They appeared at Vet Fest in Middletown on Sept. 26 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue ribbons on veterans , handed out baseballs decorated by local children , manned the “ Honor the Fallen ” board and presented medals to the runners of the 10K and 5K races .
Finishing out the year , the Delaware Battlin ’ Betties are volunteering with Wreaths Across America to lay wreaths at Barratt ’ s Chapel cemetery in Frederica to remember and honor veterans .
The goal is to reach 2,000 wreaths donated by Nov. 29 .
On Dec. 19 at noon , the Delaware Battlin ’ Betties will participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where there are 1,000 veteran graves .
The women hope to place 1,000 more wreaths at other area cemeteries .
The Battlin ’ Betties is much more than a bunch of pretty faces .
The organization supports programs that include community outreach , PTSD and suicide awareness , retreat travel sponsorship and “ Mended Hearts , ” a support program for caregivers .
Mrs. Mendoza said the mission of Battlin ’ Betties is to honor and serve the nation ’ s military , veterans , first responders and their families by supporting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspire the nation , foster patriotism and raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention .
They are also out in the community throwing birthday parties for veterans and first responders , taking them homemade treats and gifts , hosting fundraisers and special events , scrubbing headstones and laying wreaths .
Mrs. Mendoza said she can ’ t wait until her Delaware platoon can get back to events such as the one at the Delaware Veterans Home in February .
“ It was awesome , ” she said .
“ They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the time period clothes and were interested in talking and interested that we cared to listen to their stories and so forth .
It was awesome .
I wish we could go back .
We had time period-era music going on in the background and stuff while we talked to them , and it was really fun .
“ Now that the state ’ s starting to open up a little bit ( from COVID-19 restrictions ) , we were able to do Vet Fest , and we just keep trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salter can ’ t wait for her next appearance as a Battlin ’ Bettie .
“ I love the time period clothing .
I can ’ t deny that , ” she said .
“ I really love and enjoy advocating for our military families .
I ’ m a veteran myself .
I ’ m also a military spouse , and I do a lot as far as advocating for our military children with special needs , so it just seems natural to also encompass our veterans in that , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak out on issues that are involving them.
” It was eight years ago when three military spouses from different branches of service made the decision to go global and inspire 1 million acts of kindness by establishing the inaugural Giving Tuesday Military Edition .
Giving Tuesday - which takes place the Tuesday following Thanksgiving - was established in 2012 with one goal in mind : to make generosity go viral .
The global day of giving , set for Dec. 1 this year , is designed to inspire charitable giving to organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also stimulate collaboration and volunteerism .
Mrs. Mendoza will be facilitating kindness efforts in Dover and the surrounding areas to encourage and assist those looking to join the movement with ideas of how to give back and get involved .
She will be making hats as part of the Battlin ’ Betties ’ donation to Giving Tuesday .
The challenge to military service members , families ( including Gold Star ) and veterans is to complete 1 million acts of kindness and share a photo , video or post of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GivingTuesdayMilitary .
“ These acts of kindness can be small but give members of the military community an opportunity to connect with each other and the communities we live in , ” Mrs. Mendoza said .
“ The opportunities are limitless and could be as simple as buying a cup of coffee for a stranger , leaving a kind note on a car windshield or simply sharing a hug with someone who needs it.
” In addition , “ our platoon is taking donations of new and used coats , new socks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a veterans ’ organization that helps homeless vets in the state of Delaware , ” she said .

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The Battlin’ Betties, with their 1940s and ’50s-era attire, bright red lipstick and throwback hairstyles, look like they just climbed off the nose of a vintage World War II airplane or out of a footlocker of an Army soldier.
That’s the idea.
When they visit veterans and first responders or appear at community events, they like to take the people back to a different time, one when many of the veterans were still young, just starting their military careers or heading off to war. The accompanying swing-style music that plays when they are around just adds to the ambiance for the pinup girl throwback encounters.
Lia Mendoza is the original Battlin’ Bettie of the Delaware platoon, one of 25 such platoons across the United States.
She formed the group, which operates out of Dover, back in February, and she and the 16 other “Betties” - most of whom are military spouses, active duty or a combination of both - have taken several events by storm, even though it has admittedly been difficult to interact with people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mrs. Mendoza’s husband, an airman at Dover Air Force Base, was deployed earlier this year, and that’s when the idea of a Battlin’ Betties Delaware platoon came to life.
“I just came (to Dover) from the United Kingdom,” Mrs. Mendoza said. “My husband is active duty and is currently deployed, and I had been looking for something to join. I had wanted to get involved in my community and everything once I got back to the States, and I had seen Battlin’ Betties in a different state. I was looking to see where they had them and, unfortunately, they didn’t have (a platoon) here in Delaware.
“So I got a hold of the CEO, and I was like, ‘Hey, can I get one started in Delaware?’ They told me, ‘Sure, let’s do this.’ I pretty much got started and filled out all my paperwork and got accepted as a leader. Then, I hit Facebook to see if there was anybody else interested - like-minded girls who might be interested in joining - and lo and behold, there were.”
The Delaware Battlin’ Betties appeared at their first event Feb. 22, when they visited the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. They met with a group of 20 local veterans and their families.
Many remembered the 1950s-era style, glad to see the Betties bringing back the look and happy to have friendly faces to talk to.
Jessica Salter, another member of the Betties, said it was a very memorable event, both for the veterans and for the group, which was still in its infancy.
“They enjoyed it,” Mrs. Salter said of the veterans. “It doesn’t necessarily take them back to that time, but it reminds them of the fun that they had … the parties and dancing and getting dressed up and taking a girl out and doing some swing dancing, enjoying time with your friends - not necessarily talking war stories, but maybe gloat a little bit about all the things that you did.
“They enjoy seeing us and love hearing us and sharing those stories and the good times that they had with us. They even enjoy the look of it, even the family members with the spouses and their children really enjoyed seeing us dressed up that way, and it took them back, as well. They were like, ‘Oh, I remember when I used to wear my hair like this,’ or the red lipstick. I actually got some beauty tips from one of the spouses that I had met.”
The Battlin’ Betties didn’t let the onslaught of COVID-19 slow them down in March, as they pulled out sewing machines and spent more than 144 hours making 512 face masks, which were donated to military members, veterans and first responders.
They also volunteered and did some outside work, helping clean up the kitchen and set up the banquet hall to meet COVID-19 protocols at the American Legion Post 2 in Dover on June 14.
They appeared at Vet Fest in Middletown on Sept. 26, where they pinned red, white and blue ribbons on veterans, handed out baseballs decorated by local children, manned the “Honor the Fallen” board and presented medals to the runners of the 10K and 5K races.
Finishing out the year, the Delaware Battlin’ Betties are volunteering with Wreaths Across America to lay wreaths at Barratt’s Chapel cemetery in Frederica to remember and honor veterans.
The goal is to reach 2,000 wreaths donated by Nov. 29. On Dec. 19 at noon, the Delaware Battlin’ Betties will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery, where there are 1,000 veteran graves. The women hope to place 1,000 more wreaths at other area cemeteries.
The Battlin’ Betties is much more than a bunch of pretty faces. The organization supports programs that include community outreach, PTSD and suicide awareness, retreat travel sponsorship and “Mended Hearts,” a support program for caregivers.
Mrs. Mendoza said the mission of Battlin’ Betties is to honor and serve the nation’s military, veterans, first responders and their families by supporting and creating unique programs and events that will inspire the nation, foster patriotism and raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention.
They are also out in the community throwing birthday parties for veterans and first responders, taking them homemade treats and gifts, hosting fundraisers and special events, scrubbing headstones and laying wreaths.
Mrs. Mendoza said she can’t wait until her Delaware platoon can get back to events such as the one at the Delaware Veterans Home in February.
“It was awesome,” she said. “They were actually really excited to see us dressed in the time period clothes and were interested in talking and interested that we cared to listen to their stories and so forth. It was awesome. I wish we could go back. We had time period-era music going on in the background and stuff while we talked to them, and it was really fun.
“Now that the state’s starting to open up a little bit (from COVID-19 restrictions), we were able to do Vet Fest, and we just keep trying to find ways to be involved.”
Mrs. Salter can’t wait for her next appearance as a Battlin’ Bettie.
“I love the time period clothing. I can’t deny that,” she said. “I really love and enjoy advocating for our military families. I’m a veteran myself. I’m also a military spouse, and I do a lot as far as advocating for our military children with special needs, so it just seems natural to also encompass our veterans in that, as well, into things that I do to speak out on issues that are involving them.”
DEL. BATTLIN BETTIES TO PARTICIPATE IN GIVING TUESDAY
It was eight years ago when three military spouses from different branches of service made the decision to go global and inspire 1 million acts of kindness by establishing the inaugural Giving Tuesday Military Edition.
Giving Tuesday - which takes place the Tuesday following Thanksgiving - was established in 2012 with one goal in mind: to make generosity go viral. The global day of giving, set for Dec. 1 this year, is designed to inspire charitable giving to organizations that are change makers in their communities, but also stimulate collaboration and volunteerism.
Mrs. Mendoza will be facilitating kindness efforts in Dover and the surrounding areas to encourage and assist those looking to join the movement with ideas of how to give back and get involved. She will be making hats as part of the Battlin’ Betties’ donation to Giving Tuesday.
The challenge to military service members, families (including Gold Star) and veterans is to complete 1 million acts of kindness and share a photo, video or post of their act through social media channels with #GivingTuesdayMilitary.
“These acts of kindness can be small but give members of the military community an opportunity to connect with each other and the communities we live in,” Mrs. Mendoza said. “The opportunities are limitless and could be as simple as buying a cup of coffee for a stranger, leaving a kind note on a car windshield or simply sharing a hug with someone who needs it.”
In addition, “our platoon is taking donations of new and used coats, new socks and new and used blankets to be donated to a veterans’ organization that helps homeless vets in the state of Delaware,” she said.