washingtontimes--2020-11-24--James Mattis calls for end to Trump's 'America first' approach

Four years of President Trump ’ s “ America first ” approach to foreign policy has damaged the country ’ s standing in the world and eroded key partnerships that enhance U.S. national security , former Defense Secretary James Mattis said in a blistering op-ed Monday .
In a piece for Foreign Affairs , Mr. Mattis — along with other former military officials and leading foreign policy analysts — argued that the president ’ s view of America ’ s 21st-century role in the world is fundamentally misinformed and dangerous .
They took specific aim at Mr. Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq , where they argue that American engagement is key to ensuring stability .
More broadly , Mr. Mattis and his colleagues said the U.S. must ensure its alliances with partners in Europe and Asia remain strong , particularly as foes such as China grow in military and economic might .
Mr. Trump ’ s approach , they said , has hurt those alliances .
“ The United States today is undermining the foundations of an international order manifestly advantageous to U.S. interests , reflecting a basic ignorance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alliances and international institutions provide vital strategic depth .
In practice , ‘ America first ’ has meant ‘ America alone , ’ ” reads a portion of the op-ed .
“ That has damaged the country ’ s ability to address problems before they reach U.S. territory and has thus compounded the danger emergent threats pose.
” In addition to Mr. Mattis , the authors of the op-ed are : Kori Schake , director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute ; Retired Adm. James Ellis , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Felter , a fellow at the Hoover Institution .
Mr. Mattis , also a fellow at the Hoover Institution , was Mr. Trump ’ s first defense secretary .
He resigned in protest in late 2018 over the president ’ s decision to pull most U.S. forces from Syria .
Throughout his four years in office , Mr. Trump ’ s “ America first ” mantra has influenced many aspects of foreign policy .
The president has publicly pressured NATO allies to ramp up defense spending , leading to rifts between Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany .
The White House also has pushed key Asian allies such as South Korea to pay more for U.S. military presence along its border with North Korea .
Mr. Trump also has pulled out of several major international deals , including the Paris climate accord , the Iran nuclear agreement , and others .
But nowhere has that philosophy been clearer than in the Middle East , where the president has vowed to bring U.S. troops home from nearly two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Mr. Trump fired former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed those withdrawals — and installed Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller in order to accomplish those goals before he leaves office in January .
The Pentagon has said the U.S. will cut its troop presence in both countries to 2,500 each by Jan. 15 , five days before the president is expected to leave office .
Mr. Mattis said Mr. Trump ’ s attitude toward those conflicts is misguided , though he also said presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden is guilty of the same characterizations .
“ To dismiss U.S. involvement today in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ endless ’ or ‘ forever ’ wars— as both President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden do — rather than as support to friendly governments struggling to exert control over their own territory misses the point , ” reads a portion of the op-ed .
“ It is in the United States ’ interests to build the capacity of such governments to deal with the threats that concern Americans ; that work isn ’ t quick or linear , but it is an investment in both greater security and stronger relationships and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to take care of threats on its own.
” Mr. Mattis and his colleagues said America ’ s military might is just one aspect of its power abroad .
Its relationships with allies , they said , is equally vital .
“ The best strategy for ensuring safety and prosperity is to buttress American military strength with enhanced civilian tools and a restored network of solid alliances — both necessary to achieving defense in depth , ” they wrote .
“ The pandemic should serve as a reminder of what grief ensues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to us.
” “ That says it all about Mattis .
Obama fired him .
I should have fired him sooner , ” the president said .
“ Did best work after he was gone .
World ’ s most overrated general !
” Mr. Mattis was not fired by the president .
He resigned amid sharp disagreements about America ’ s military presence in Syria .

Four years of President Trump’s “America first” approach to foreign policy has damaged the country’s standing in the world and eroded key partnerships that enhance U.S. national security, former Defense Secretary James Mattis said in a blistering op-ed Monday.
In a piece for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mattis — along with other former military officials and leading foreign policy analysts — argued that the president’s view of America’s 21st-century role in the world is fundamentally misinformed and dangerous. They took specific aim at Mr. Trump’s effort to pull all U.S. troops from countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, where they argue that American engagement is key to ensuring stability.
More broadly, Mr. Mattis and his colleagues said the U.S. must ensure its alliances with partners in Europe and Asia remain strong, particularly as foes such as China grow in military and economic might. Mr. Trump’s approach, they said, has hurt those alliances.
“The United States today is undermining the foundations of an international order manifestly advantageous to U.S. interests, reflecting a basic ignorance of the extent to which both robust alliances and international institutions provide vital strategic depth. In practice, ‘America first’ has meant ‘America alone,’” reads a portion of the op-ed. “That has damaged the country’s ability to address problems before they reach U.S. territory and has thus compounded the danger emergent threats pose.”
In addition to Mr. Mattis, the authors of the op-ed are: Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute; Retired Adm. James Ellis, former commander of U.S. Strategic Command; and Joe Felter, a fellow at the Hoover Institution.
Mr. Mattis, also a fellow at the Hoover Institution, was Mr. Trump’s first defense secretary. He resigned in protest in late 2018 over the president’s decision to pull most U.S. forces from Syria.
Throughout his four years in office, Mr. Trump’s “America first” mantra has influenced many aspects of foreign policy. The president has publicly pressured NATO allies to ramp up defense spending, leading to rifts between Washington and some powerful European countries such as Germany. The White House also has pushed key Asian allies such as South Korea to pay more for U.S. military presence along its border with North Korea.
Mr. Trump also has pulled out of several major international deals, including the Paris climate accord, the Iran nuclear agreement, and others.
But nowhere has that philosophy been clearer than in the Middle East, where the president has vowed to bring U.S. troops home from nearly two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr. Trump fired former Defense Secretary Mark Esper — who reportedly opposed those withdrawals — and installed Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller in order to accomplish those goals before he leaves office in January.
The Pentagon has said the U.S. will cut its troop presence in both countries to 2,500 each by Jan. 15, five days before the president is expected to leave office.
Mr. Mattis said Mr. Trump’s attitude toward those conflicts is misguided, though he also said presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden is guilty of the same characterizations.
“To dismiss U.S. involvement today in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere as ‘endless’ or ‘forever’ wars— as both President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden do — rather than as support to friendly governments struggling to exert control over their own territory misses the point,” reads a portion of the op-ed. “It is in the United States’ interests to build the capacity of such governments to deal with the threats that concern Americans; that work isn’t quick or linear, but it is an investment in both greater security and stronger relationships and preferable to the United States’ indefinitely having to take care of threats on its own.”
Mr. Mattis and his colleagues said America’s military might is just one aspect of its power abroad. Its relationships with allies, they said, is equally vital.
“The best strategy for ensuring safety and prosperity is to buttress American military strength with enhanced civilian tools and a restored network of solid alliances — both necessary to achieving defense in depth,” they wrote. “The pandemic should serve as a reminder of what grief ensues when we wait for problems to come to us.”
Mr. Trump fired back on Twitter Tuesday morning.
“That says it all about Mattis. Obama fired him. I should have fired him sooner,” the president said. “Did best work after he was gone. World’s most overrated general!”
Mr. Mattis was not fired by the president. He resigned amid sharp disagreements about America’s military presence in Syria.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Police say homeless man arrested in Brooklyn subway push

NEW YORK ( AP ) - A homeless man accused of pushing another man onto subway tracks in Brooklyn was arrested early Tuesday , police said .
Michael Medlock , 33 , was arrested on charges of attempted assault , reckless endangerment and menacing in Sunday ’ s attack on a 29-year-old man , one of a string of recent subway shoves .
Police said the victim was riding a No .
4 train when Medlock suddenly began yelling at him .
Both got off at the Atlantic Avenue station and Medlock shoved the other man onto the tracks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climbed back onto the platform on his own and did not require medical attention .
It wasn ’ t clear if Medlock had an attorney who could speak for him .
Asked about the attack , the third such incident in a week , Mayor Bill de Blasio promised more police officers in subway stations .
“ I ’ m real concerned and we got to make sure that New Yorkers have confidence that they can go and use the subway and know help will be there for them , ” de Blasio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to be increasing its presence in the subways .
That will be very visible .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - A man accused of pushing another man onto subway tracks in Brooklyn was arrested early Tuesday, police said.
Michael Medlock, 33, was arrested on charges of attempted assault, reckless endangerment and menacing in Sunday’s attack on a 29-year-old man, one of a string of recent subway shoves.
Police said the victim was riding a No. 4 train when Medlock suddenly began yelling at him. Both got off at the Atlantic Avenue station and Medlock shoved the other man onto the tracks and fled, police said. The victim climbed back onto the platform on his own and did not require medical attention.
It wasn’t clear if Medlock, who police say is homeless, had an attorney who could speak for him.
It was the third case in a week of men who appeared to troubled and homeless pushing people onto subway tracks. Mayor Bill de Blasio promised more police officers in subway stations when asked about the attacks.
“I’m real concerned and we got to make sure that New Yorkers have confidence that they can go and use the subway and know help will be there for them,” de Blasio said Monday. “So, NYPD is going to be increasing its presence in the subways. That will be very visible.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Man charged with murder in beating of woman at casino

Murder charges have been filed against a man accused of fatally beating a woman outside the Tulalip Resort Casino .
Prosecutors have charged Nomeneta Tauave of Spanaway with domestic violence murder in the death of 35-year-old Hana Letoi of Tacoma , The Herald reported .
His bail remains at $ 1 million , according to a court order filed last week .
Charges say the couple got into a screaming fight in the casino Oct. 23 and once they got into a vehicle in the parking lot a security officer saw Tauave grab the woman and shake her before she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say she lost consciousness and died at a local hospital on Oct. 25 .
Snohomish County Medical Examiner Dr. J. Matthew Lacy determined the cause of death was a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain “ due to resuscitated cardiac dysrhythmia due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease in the setting of acute emotional stress following a physical altercation.
” According to the charges , Lacy found the cardiac arrest was a result of the emotional distress caused by Tauave ’ s actions .
Prior heart disease and the presence of methamphetamine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at high risk of “ sudden cardiac events , ” the charges say .
Police found Tauave in Lakewood the next day with a recently-shaved beard , and the vehicle - with its license plate removed - was discovered days later at a home in Yelm .
In an interview with Snohomish County detectives , Tauave said Letoi began to “ fuss ” in the casino , and the “ fuss ” continued when they got into the Yukon , according to the charges .
He told police she hit him , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he fended her off .
“ He did not want her to leave the vehicle so as she tried to get out the passenger side door , he grabbed her hand and arm to keep her in the vehicle , ” the charges say , in Tauave ’ s version of events .

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) -
Murder charges have been filed against a man accused of fatally beating a woman outside the Tulalip Resort Casino.
Prosecutors have charged Nomeneta Tauave of Spanaway with domestic violence murder in the death of 35-year-old Hana Letoi of Tacoma, The Herald reported.
His bail remains at $1 million, according to a court order filed last week. Charges say the couple got into a screaming fight in the casino Oct. 23 and once they got into a vehicle in the parking lot a security officer saw Tauave grab the woman and shake her before she fell out the door.
The charges say she lost consciousness and died at a local hospital on Oct. 25.
Snohomish County Medical Examiner Dr. J. Matthew Lacy determined the cause of death was a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain “due to resuscitated cardiac dysrhythmia due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease in the setting of acute emotional stress following a physical altercation.”
According to the charges, Lacy found the cardiac arrest was a result of the emotional distress caused by Tauave’s actions. Prior heart disease and the presence of methamphetamine in Letoi’s blood put her at high risk of “sudden cardiac events,” the charges say.
Police found Tauave in Lakewood the next day with a recently-shaved beard, and the vehicle - with its license plate removed - was discovered days later at a home in Yelm.
In an interview with Snohomish County detectives, Tauave said Letoi began to “fuss” in the casino, and the “fuss” continued when they got into the Yukon, according to the charges.
He told police she hit him, then acknowledged he may have scratched her neck as he fended her off.
“He did not want her to leave the vehicle so as she tried to get out the passenger side door, he grabbed her hand and arm to keep her in the vehicle,” the charges say, in Tauave’s version of events.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Prison guard pleads guilty to drug smuggling, sex misconduct

WILSONVILLE , Ore. ( AP ) - A former officer at the Coffee Creek Corrections Facility will spend time in prison after pleading guilty to drug and sex charges while on duty in 2019 , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Oregon .
Richard Alberts II , pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and custodial sexual misconduct , U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams said in a news release .
In December 2019 , unsealed court documents showed Alberts and his co-conspirator Joseph Jimenez , were accused of conspiring to distribute heroin and methamphetamine at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Alberts worked .
Alberts agreed to smuggle opioids , meth and heroin into the prison and provide them to an inmate with whom he was having “ an inappropriate and illegal sexual relationship.
” Alberts faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in February by Judge Michael Simon .
It ’ s expected he will serve about a year under a joint recommendation , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said .
He is expected to be sentenced to probation for the sexual misconduct charge .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corrections and is permanently decertified as a law enforcement officer in Oregon , the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office said .

WILSONVILLE, Ore. (AP) - A former officer at the Coffee Creek Corrections Facility will spend time in prison after pleading guilty to drug and sex charges while on duty in 2019, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon.
Richard Alberts II, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and custodial sexual misconduct, U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams said in a news release.
In December 2019, unsealed court documents showed Alberts and his co-conspirator Joseph Jimenez, were accused of conspiring to distribute heroin and methamphetamine at the women’s prison in Wilsonville where Alberts worked.
Alberts agreed to smuggle opioids, meth and heroin into the prison and provide them to an inmate with whom he was having “an inappropriate and illegal sexual relationship.”
Alberts faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in February by Judge Michael Simon. It’s expected he will serve about a year under a joint recommendation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
He is expected to be sentenced to probation for the sexual misconduct charge. He also has resigned from the Oregon Department of Corrections and is permanently decertified as a law enforcement officer in Oregon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Women expected to hold most leadership roles in Legislature

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - Women are expected to hold most of the top leadership positions in the @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , who hold a majority , nominated Sen. Becca Balint , of Windham County @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Senate president pro tempore on Sunday .
She would be the first woman @ @ @ @ @ elected by the full Senate .
Sen. Alison Clarkson , a Democrat from Windsor County @ @ @ @ @ majority leader , WPTZ-TV reported .
Voters elected Democrat Molly Gray to be lieutenant governor @ @ @ @ @ , so she will preside over the Senate .
In the House , Rep. Jill @ @ @ @ @ Burlington , is expected to become the next speaker of the House .
House Republicans @ @ @ @ @ by minority leader Pattie McCoy , of Poultney .
Senate Republicans picked Randy Brock , @ @ @ @ @ be minority leader .

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Women are expected to hold most of the top leadership positions in the Vermont Legislature next year.
Democrats, who hold a majority, nominated Sen. Becca Balint, of Windham County, to be the state’s Senate president pro tempore on Sunday. She would be the first woman and first openly gay person to hold the post if elected by the full Senate.
Sen. Alison Clarkson, a Democrat from Windsor County, was picked to be majority leader and Sen. Cheryl Hooker, of Rutland, as assistant majority leader and whip. In the House, Rep. Jill Krowinski, a Democrat from Burlington, is expected to become the next speaker of the House.
“It’s quite exciting,” Clarkson told WPTZ-TV. “We’re thrilled. We’re a strong team.”
Balint would succeed Sen. Tim Ashe, who retired to run for lieutenant governor. She told the Brattleboro Reformer that she was heartened to hear from many people by phone, text and email after her nomination.
“I know it’s a big deal, and I don’t want the story to be just about that,” she said. “But I know that for not just women and girls but anyone who feels like they, don’t feel like they have an entry into positions of power - people who feel like they’ve been on the outside looking in - this has been a boost to their spirits. I’m trying to get more comfortable in understanding that. The symbolism is important.”
Voters elected Democrat Molly Gray to be lieutenant governor in the Nov. 3 election, so she will preside over the Senate.
House Republicans will continue to be represented by Minority Leader Pattie McCoy, of Poultney. Senate Republicans picked Randy Brock, of Franklin County, to be minority leader.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Proposal would limit bank pullback of Arctic oil, gas funds

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - The federal government has released a proposed rule aimed at limiting the ability of large banks to pull financing from Arctic oil and natural gas projects .
The proposal issued last Friday follows announcements by five of the nation ’ s largest banks that they plan to prohibit or limit investments in the projects , including those in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge , The Anchorage Daily News reported .
Some experts and activists said the rule ’ s potential impact could be muted if banks can show that opting out of Arctic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than a political strategy .
Citigroup Inc. , Goldman Sachs Group Inc. , JPMorgan Chase & Co. , Wells Fargo & Co. and Morgan Stanley have announced intentions since late last year to pull back from Arctic oil and gas projects .
The updated policies followed pressure from conservation groups concerned about climate change .
BlackRock Inc. , the world ’ s largest asset manager , urged companies early this year to emphasize steps they are taking to combat global warming .
Brian Brooks , acting comptroller of the federal Office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent bureau within the Department of the Treasury , said the banking system ’ s capital and services must be accessible to everyone on equal terms .
Banks can decline to support individual projects or customers based on reviews of risk , Brooks said .
The proposed rule follows a letter in June from Alaska Republican Sens .
Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski and Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young to the head of the Federal Reserve , the comptroller of the currency and the chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Alaska Natives who rely on the oil and gas industry for their livelihoods , the letter said .
“ This trend of big banks blackballing Alaska investment is dangerous to Alaska ’ s economic future , ” Sullivan said in an interview Friday .
The comptroller ’ s office did not analyze whether discrimination against Alaska Natives or other groups happened because of the banks ’ policies .
But the policies affect Alaska Natives and other people who work with the North Slope oil industry , Brooks said .
During the analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the agency found that large banks have also stopped providing lending and financial services in other sectors including coal mining and firearms manufacturing , Brooks said .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The federal government has released a proposed rule aimed at limiting the ability of large banks to pull financing from Arctic oil and natural gas projects.
The proposal issued last Friday follows announcements by five of the nation’s largest banks that they plan to prohibit or limit investments in the projects, including those in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, The Anchorage Daily News reported.
Some experts and activists said the rule’s potential impact could be muted if banks can show that opting out of Arctic oil projects is a financial decision, rather than a political strategy.
Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo & Co. and Morgan Stanley have announced intentions since late last year to pull back from Arctic oil and gas projects.
The updated policies followed pressure from conservation groups concerned about climate change. BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, urged companies early this year to emphasize steps they are taking to combat global warming.
Brian Brooks, acting comptroller of the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, an independent bureau within the Department of the Treasury, said the banking system’s capital and services must be accessible to everyone on equal terms.
Banks can decline to support individual projects or customers based on reviews of risk, Brooks said.
The proposed rule follows a letter in June from Alaska Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski and Alaska Republican Rep. Don Young to the head of the Federal Reserve, the comptroller of the currency and the chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
The policies of the financial institutions may discriminate against Alaska Natives who rely on the oil and gas industry for their livelihoods, the letter said.
“This trend of big banks blackballing Alaska investment is dangerous to Alaska’s economic future,” Sullivan said in an interview Friday.
The comptroller’s office did not analyze whether discrimination against Alaska Natives or other groups happened because of the banks’ policies. But the policies affect Alaska Natives and other people who work with the North Slope oil industry, Brooks said.
During the analysis of bank policies concerning oil and gas, the agency found that large banks have also stopped providing lending and financial services in other sectors including coal mining and firearms manufacturing, Brooks said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Virginia woman sentenced to 14 years in elder abuse case

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - A Virginia woman has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to abusing an 87-year-old woman suffering from dementia .
Jacguilin Gilbert , 56 , of Henrico County , pleaded guilty in May to malicious wounding and elder abuse .
In exchange for her plea , the prosecutor dropped two other charges .
The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports that a nurse reported the abuse last year after she visited Gilbert ’ s home , where she was the caregiver for the victim and another woman .
The nurse said the victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lump on her head and an abrasion on her arm , according to a police report .
The victim , who suffered from Alzheimer ’ s disease , testified at a preliminary hearing that Gilbert had been the one to hurt her .
Last week , Judge Lee Harris Jr. sentenced Gilbert to 30 years with 16 years suspended .
Assistant Commonwealth ’ s Attorney B.J .
McGee asked for a harsh sentence after it was discovered that in 1995 , Gilbert was sentenced to 20 years for voluntary manslaughter and cruelty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foster child who was 15 or 16 months old .
Gilbert ’ s defense attorney , Catherine Lawler , did not respond to a request for comment .
McGee said Gilbert had suffered from mental health issues and wasn ’ t medicated at the time of the offense .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia woman has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to abusing an 87-year-old woman suffering from dementia.
Jacguilin Gilbert, 56, of Henrico County, pleaded guilty in May to malicious wounding and elder abuse. In exchange for her plea, the prosecutor dropped two other charges.
The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports that a nurse reported the abuse last year after she visited Gilbert’s home, where she was the caregiver for the victim and another woman. The nurse said the victim had a swollen shut black eye, a lump on her head and an abrasion on her arm, according to a police report.
The victim, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, testified at a preliminary hearing that Gilbert had been the one to hurt her.
Last week, Judge Lee Harris Jr. sentenced Gilbert to 30 years with 16 years suspended.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney B.J. McGee asked for a harsh sentence after it was discovered that in 1995, Gilbert was sentenced to 20 years for voluntary manslaughter and cruelty in Georgia for the death of a foster child who was 15 or 16 months old.
Gilbert’s defense attorney, Catherine Lawler, did not respond to a request for comment. McGee said Gilbert had suffered from mental health issues and wasn’t medicated at the time of the offense.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--US home price gains accelerate as pandemic shakes up housing

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - U.S. home prices jumped in September as strong demand , low interest rates and the @ @ @ @ @ on record combined to push up housing costs .
The S & P ; CoreLogic @ @ @ @ @ , released Tuesday , showed that home prices rose 6.6 % in September from a @ @ @ @ @ than its 5.3 % increase in August .
That is the biggest increase since April @ @ @ @ @ disrupted the spring home buying season , pushing many sales into the late summer and @ @ @ @ @ to the highest level in 14 years in September , a sign that the increased @ @ @ @ @ work from home and the desire for more space is spurring greater demand .
Prices @ @ @ @ @ compared with a year earlier , the biggest gain nationwide .
Seattle reported the second @ @ @ @ @ % , followed by San Diego at 9.5 % .

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. home prices jumped in September as strong demand, low interest rates and the smallest number of available homes on record combined to push up housing costs.
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index, released Tuesday, showed that home prices rose 6.6% in September from a year earlier, much higher than its 5.3% increase in August. That is the biggest increase since April 2018.
The viral pandemic disrupted the spring home buying season, pushing many sales into the late summer and fall. Home sales jumped to the highest level in 14 years in September, a sign that the increased ability of some Americans to work from home and the desire for more space is spurring greater demand.
Prices skyrocketed 11.4% in Phoenix compared with a year earlier, the biggest gain nationwide. Seattle reported the second highest increase, at 10.1%, followed by San Diego at 9.5%.
The number of homes for sale sank in September to the lowest level since records began in 1982, according to the National Association of Realtors. And last week mortgage rates fell to a record low of 2.72%, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.
Home prices are rising broadly across the country. In September, 19 cities in the S&P 20-city index reported bigger price gains compared with a year ago than in August. The 20th city, Detroit, has reported delays at its recording office because of the pandemic and did not have enough data to calculate price changes.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Police: Man shot, killed in north Minneapolis

Authorities say a man was fatally shot in north Minneapolis ’ Folwell neighborhood early Tuesday .
The Star Tribune reports @ @ @ @ @ 1:25 a.m. Minneapolis Police spokesman John Elder said when officers arrived , they found a @ @ @ @ @ parked cars in the middle of the block .
They also found a man inside @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wound .
The victim was not breathing and did not have a pulse when @ @ @ @ @ vehicle and began CPR .
Elder said paramedics arrived and took over , but were @ @ @ @ @ , who was pronounced dead at the scene .
The man ’ s death pushed @ @ @ @ @ total for the year to 77 .

Authorities say a man was fatally shot in north Minneapolis’ Folwell neighborhood early Tuesday.
The Star Tribune reports they shooting occurred at about 1:25 a.m. Minneapolis Police spokesman John Elder said when officers arrived, they found a vehicle that had struck several parked cars in the middle of the block. They also found a man inside the vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was not breathing and did not have a pulse when officers pulled him from the vehicle and began CPR. Elder said paramedics arrived and took over, but were unsuccessful in reviving the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man’s death pushed the city’s homicide total for the year to 77.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Storms possible across South, Midwest on eve of Thanksgiving

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - Severe weather - including tornadoes - will be possible across large parts @ @ @ @ @ just before Thanksgiving , forecasters say .
Damaging winds will be the main threat on @ @ @ @ @ or two will also be possible across the region , the national Storm Prediction Center @ @ @ @ @ 21 million people will at a marginal risk of severe Wednesday in parts of Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee , Kentucky , Illinois and Indiana .
That includes several large metro areas including @ @ @ @ @ , Kentucky and Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Severe weather - including tornadoes - will be possible across large parts of the South and Midwest just before Thanksgiving, forecasters say.
Damaging winds will be the main threat on Wednesday, but a tornado or two will also be possible across the region, the national Storm Prediction Center is forecasting.
More than 21 million people will at a marginal risk of severe Wednesday in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana.
That includes several large metro areas including Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky and Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Texts: US census manager told counters to use fake answers

The texts from an Alabama census supervisor had an urgent tone .
“ THIS JUST IN … , ” one of them began .
It then laid out how census takers should fake data to mark households as having only one resident even if they had no idea how many people actually lived there .
The goal of the texts from October , obtained by The Associated Press , was to check off as many households as possible on the list of homes census takers were supposed to visit because residents never had filled out census questionnaires .
The supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - without interviewing households - as the Trump administration waged a legal battle to end the once-a-decade head count early .
The texts are the latest evidence suggesting census accuracy was sacrificed for speed as census takers and supervisors rushed to complete a head count last month .
Critics contend the schedule was shortened by two weeks so the Trump administration could enforce a presidential order excluding people in the country illegally from the numbers used for apportionment of congressional districts .
The texted instructions said that if two failed attempts were made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with two unsuccessful tries to interview landlords or neighbors about the homes ’ residents , then the census takers should mark that a single person lived there .
“ You are to clear the case indicating occupied by 1 , ” said the text from the census supervisor in the small city of Dothan , Alabama .
The texts were shared with the AP by a census taker from Florida who traveled to Alabama among groups of enumerators dispatched to areas lagging behind in the count .
The existence of the texts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more widespread than previously known .
The census taker who provided the texts asked for anonymity because of privacy concerns and said she refused to follow the texted guidance because she felt doing so would falsify data .
She declined to name the supervisor , who was identified only by her first name in screenshots of the texts seen by the AP .
The U.S. Census Bureau has denied any attempts to systemically falsify information during the 2020 census , which is vital to determining the allocation of congressional seats and federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar instructions sent to census takers in other U.S. regions .
Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook said the agency is investigating the Alabama case and has not identified any data irregularities .
When there appear to be problems with data collection , the bureau can take steps such as revisiting households to improve accuracy , he said .
“ We take falsification allegations very seriously , ” Cook said .
More than two dozen census takers and supervisors have contacted the AP since the beginning of the month , telling similar stories about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases as the Trump administration sought to end the census before the Oct. 31 deadline set in response to the pandemic .
The most recent cases also include a census supervisor in Baltimore who said that thousands of addresses were manually marked completed without evidence that residents had been interviewed .
The Alabama supervisor in her text included a photo of her hand-written instructions listing the 15 steps she said would allow the census takers to mark in their bureau-issued iPhones that only one person lived in a home without interviewing anyone about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of people living there .
The supervisor also recommended performing the steps two to three hours after trying to interview members of a household to avoid arousing suspicions from higher-ups who could track where census takers had been through their IPhones .
The instructions for the census takers in Alabama were sent a week before the Supreme Court made a ruling that allowed the Trump administration to end field operations for the 2020 census on Oct. 15 instead of Oct 31 .
The Census Bureau has said it compiled information for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. during field operations .
At the height of the door-knocking phase of the census in mid-August , there were more than 285,000 temporary census takers on the bureau ’ s payroll .
In Baltimore , census supervisor Amanda Colianni said she believes 5,300 cases in neighborhoods she managed were closed prematurely and removed from the door-knocking effort after only one attempt by census takers to interview members of households in mid-to-late September .
The Census Bureau was working toward what officials believed at the time would be an Oct. 5 early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she does not know why the cases were removed or how they were resolved , though she says it ’ s possible that government administrative records were used to fill in the information gaps when detailed records from the IRS , the Social Security Administration or other agencies existed for the households .
An outside census advisory group warned this month that filling in large numbers of households with administrative data late in the census process suggests no high quality data existed for the addresses .
If that had been the case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been used earlier to save census takers time .
“ I know the management level in Baltimore was trying to push , push , push to get everything done , ” Colianni said .
“ There was no possible way we could have any semblance of a reasonable completion rate by Oct. 5.
” Colianni filed statements with the Commerce Department ’ s Office of Inspector General , the U.S. Office of Special Counsel and a coalition of local governments and advocacy groups that have sued the Trump administration over its attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coalition ’ s case led to the Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to end the head count .
The coalition ’ s lawsuit in San Jose , California said the deadline for finishing the count was changed from the end of October to the end of September to ensure that number-crunching for the census would take place while President Donald Trump was still in office , no matter the outcome of the presidential race .
That could guarantee the enforcement of an order Trump issued in July seeking to exclude people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to determine congressional seat distribution .
Trump ’ s order has been found unlawful by three courts - in New York , California and Maryland .
The Justice Department is appealing .
Whether the Census Bureau can meet a Dec. 31 deadline for turning in the apportionment numbers to Trump is now in jeopardy after the agency said Thursday that it found anomalies in the data during the numbers-crunching phase .
The coalition contesting the early end to the count is seeking to extend the numbers-crunching phase of the census from the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April , especially since the Census Bureau is relying on large numbers of administrative records to fill in gaps from data collection .
Lawyers for the coalition have said they have documented other cases of census takers being instructed to cut corners and fudge numbers in order to close cases .
“ Shortening data-processing operations will prevent the Bureau from finding and fixing these errors , as the Bureau itself has acknowledged , ” their lawsuit said .

The texts from an Alabama census supervisor had an urgent tone. “THIS JUST IN …,” one of them began. It then laid out how census takers should fake data to mark households as having only one resident even if they had no idea how many people actually lived there.
The goal of the texts from October, obtained by The Associated Press, was to check off as many households as possible on the list of homes census takers were supposed to visit because residents never had filled out census questionnaires. The supervisor wanted the census takers to finalize cases — without interviewing households — as the Trump administration waged a legal battle to end the once-a-decade head count early.
The texts are the latest evidence suggesting census accuracy was sacrificed for speed as census takers and supervisors rushed to complete a head count last month. Critics contend the schedule was shortened by two weeks so the Trump administration could enforce a presidential order excluding people in the country illegally from the numbers used for apportionment of congressional districts.
The texted instructions said that if two failed attempts were made to interview members of the households, along with two unsuccessful tries to interview landlords or neighbors about the homes’ residents, then the census takers should mark that a single person lived there.
“You are to clear the case indicating occupied by 1,” said the text from the census supervisor in the small city of Dothan, Alabama.
The texts were shared with the AP by a census taker from Florida who traveled to Alabama among groups of enumerators dispatched to areas lagging behind in the count. The existence of the texts suggests that falsification of census data may be more widespread than previously known.
The census taker who provided the texts asked for anonymity because of privacy concerns and said she refused to follow the texted guidance because she felt doing so would falsify data. She declined to name the supervisor, who was identified only by her first name in screenshots of the texts seen by the AP.
The U.S. Census Bureau has denied any attempts to systemically falsify information during the 2020 census, which is vital to determining the allocation of congressional seats and federal spending. But the AP has chronicled similar instructions sent to census takers in other U.S. regions.
Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook said the agency is investigating the Alabama case and has not identified any data irregularities. When there appear to be problems with data collection, the bureau can take steps such as revisiting households to improve accuracy, he said.
“We take falsification allegations very seriously,” Cook said.
More than two dozen census takers and supervisors have contacted the AP since the beginning of the month, telling similar stories about corners cut in the rush to close cases as the Trump administration sought to end the census before the Oct. 31 deadline set in response to the pandemic.
The most recent cases also include a census supervisor in Baltimore who said that thousands of addresses were manually marked completed without evidence that residents had been interviewed.
The Alabama supervisor in her text included a photo of her hand-written instructions listing the 15 steps she said would allow the census takers to mark in their bureau-issued iPhones that only one person lived in a home without interviewing anyone about the household’s demographic makeup or the number of people living there.
The supervisor also recommended performing the steps two to three hours after trying to interview members of a household to avoid arousing suspicions from higher-ups who could track where census takers had been through their IPhones.
The instructions for the census takers in Alabama were sent a week before the Supreme Court made a ruling that allowed the Trump administration to end field operations for the 2020 census on Oct. 15 instead of Oct 31.
The Census Bureau has said it compiled information for about 99.9% of U.S. households in the U.S. during field operations. At the height of the door-knocking phase of the census in mid-August, there were more than 285,000 temporary census takers on the bureau’s payroll.
In Baltimore, census supervisor Amanda Colianni said she believes 5,300 cases in neighborhoods she managed were closed prematurely and removed from the door-knocking effort after only one attempt by census takers to interview members of households in mid-to-late September. The Census Bureau was working toward what officials believed at the time would be an Oct. 5 early finish for the count.
Colianni said she does not know why the cases were removed or how they were resolved, though she says it’s possible that government administrative records were used to fill in the information gaps when detailed records from the IRS, the Social Security Administration or other agencies existed for the households.
An outside census advisory group warned this month that filling in large numbers of households with administrative data late in the census process suggests no high quality data existed for the addresses. If that had been the case, the group said, it would have been used earlier to save census takers time.
“I know the management level in Baltimore was trying to push, push, push to get everything done,” Colianni said. “There was no possible way we could have any semblance of a reasonable completion rate by Oct. 5.”
Colianni filed statements with the Commerce Department’s Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel and a coalition of local governments and advocacy groups that have sued the Trump administration over its attempts to shorten the 2020 census schedule. The coalition’s case led to the Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to end the head count.
The coalition’s lawsuit in San Jose, California said the deadline for finishing the count was changed from the end of October to the end of September to ensure that number-crunching for the census would take place while President Donald Trump was still in office, no matter the outcome of the presidential race.
That could guarantee the enforcement of an order Trump issued in July seeking to exclude people in the country illegally from numbers used to determine congressional seat distribution. Trump’s order has been found unlawful by three courts — in New York, California and Maryland. The Justice Department is appealing.
Whether the Census Bureau can meet a Dec. 31 deadline for turning in the apportionment numbers to Trump is now in jeopardy after the agency said Thursday that it found anomalies in the data during the numbers-crunching phase.
The coalition contesting the early end to the count is seeking to extend the numbers-crunching phase of the census from the end of December to the end of next April, especially since the Census Bureau is relying on large numbers of administrative records to fill in gaps from data collection.
Lawyers for the coalition have said they have documented other cases of census takers being instructed to cut corners and fudge numbers in order to close cases.
“Shortening data-processing operations will prevent the Bureau from finding and fixing these errors, as the Bureau itself has acknowledged,” their lawsuit said.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--Virus outbreak delays production at world's top glove maker

KUALA LUMPUR , Malaysia ( AP ) - Malaysia ’ s Top Glove Corp. , the world ’ s largest maker of rubber gloves , said Tuesday it expects a two to four week delay in deliveries after more than 2,000 workers at its factories were infected by the coronavirus , raising the possibility of supply disruptions during the pandemic .
Top Glove said it has temporarily stopped production at 16 factories in Klang , a town outside Kuala Lumpur , since Nov. 17 to screen workers , with its remaining 12 facilities in the area operating at much reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28 Top Glove factories in Klang to shut down in stages to allow workers to undergo screening and mandatory quarantine after 2,453 factory workers tested positive for COVID-19 .
The health ministry reported 1,511 more cases in the area on Tuesday , but didn ’ t say how many were factory workers .
The cluster contributed to a record daily high of 2,188 cases nationwide , bringing Malaysia ‘ s total cases to 58,847 .
The cluster in the Klang area is currently the most active in the country with 4,036 cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion rubber gloves a year , about one quarter of the world ’ s supply , and exports to 195 countries .
It has seen profits soar amid rising demand for its products due to the pandemic .
“ We expect delays in some deliveries by about two to four weeks , as well as a longer lead time for orders , and estimate a possible 3 % impact on projected annual sales for financial year 2021 , ” Top Glove said in a statement .
“ To minimize the impact on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unaffected factories and rescheduling deliveries where possible , ” it said , without elaborating .
It said it is working closely with the authorities and implementing stringent health measures , including daily disinfection of the workers ’ dormitories and its factories .
Top Glove reportedly has about 13,000 workers at its 28 factories in Klang .
It employs a total of 21,000 workers in its 41 factories in Malaysia and six others in Thailand , Vietnam and China .

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia’s Top Glove Corp., the world’s largest maker of rubber gloves, said Tuesday it expects a two-to-four-week delay in deliveries after more than 2,000 workers at its factories were infected by the coronavirus, raising the possibility of supply disruptions during the pandemic.
Top Glove said it has temporarily stopped production at 16 factories in Klang, a town outside Kuala Lumpur, since Nov. 17 to screen workers, with its remaining 12 facilities in the area operating at much reduced capacities.
The government on Monday ordered 28 Top Glove factories in Klang to shut down in stages to allow workers to undergo screening and mandatory quarantine after 2,453 factory workers tested positive for COVID-19.
The health ministry reported 1,511 more cases in the area on Tuesday, but didn’t say how many were factory workers. The cluster contributed to a record daily high of 2,188 cases nationwide, bringing Malaysia’s total cases to 58,847. The cluster in the Klang area is currently the most active in the country with 4,036 cases.
Top Glove says it produces about 90 billion rubber gloves a year, about one quarter of the world’s supply, and exports to 195 countries. It has seen profits soar amid rising demand for its products due to the pandemic.
“We expect delays in some deliveries by about two to four weeks, as well as a longer lead time for orders, and estimate a possible 3% impact on projected annual sales for financial year 2021,” Top Glove said in a statement.
“To minimize the impact on our customers, we are allocating sales orders to unaffected factories and rescheduling deliveries where possible,” it said, without elaborating.
It said it is working closely with the authorities and implementing stringent health measures, including daily disinfection of the workers’ dormitories and its factories. Top Glove reportedly has about 13,000 workers at its 28 factories in Klang.
It employs a total of 21,000 workers in its 41 factories in Malaysia and six others in Thailand, Vietnam and China.


washingtontimes--2020-11-24--EU seals 6th vaccine deal, secures 160 million Moderna shots

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - The European Union ’ s executive said Tuesday it will sign a contract for up to 160 million doses of the experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna .
Ursula von der Leyen , the president of the EU Commission , said the deal will be approved on Wednesday as the EU tries to build “ one of the most comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine portfolio in the world.
” The deal with Moderna is the sixth secured by the EU Commission with pharmaceutical companies , allowing its 27 member countries to buy more than one billion doses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are working on yet another one , ” von der Leyen said Tuesday .
Earlier this month , Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5 % effective , according to preliminary data from the company ’ s study .
The commission said that once a vaccine is ready , all EU countries will receive it at the same time on a pro rata basis .
Meanwhile , a group of airlines and airport operators said they will join in December an initiative to adopt the use of a digital health pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 status .
The hard-hit aviation industry has been pushing for the implementation of such apps in addition to rapid tests for air passengers to reduce the need for post-arrival quarantines and to give airlines a boost .
The European Commission has also been encouraging its 27 members to use a common set of COVID-19 tests to facilitate cross-border travel during the pandemic .
Backed by The Commons Project Foundation and the World Economic Forum , “ CommonPass ” uses a standardized digital certificate that needs to be downloaded on a phone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Swiss International Airlines , United Airlines , and Virgin Atlantic will begin the roll-out of CommonPass in December on select flights departing from New York , Boston , London , and Hong Kong , ” the groups said in a statement .

BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union’s executive said Tuesday it will sign a contract for up to 160 million doses of the experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the EU Commission, said the deal will be approved on Wednesday as the EU tries to build “one of the most comprehensive COVID-19 vaccine portfolio in the world.”
The deal with Moderna is the sixth secured by the EU Commission with pharmaceutical companies, allowing its 27 member countries to buy more than one billion doses once the shots are ready.
“We are working on yet another one,” von der Leyen said Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s study.
The commission said that once a vaccine is ready, all EU countries will receive it at the same time on a pro rata basis.
Meanwhile, a group of airlines and airport operators said they will join in December an initiative to adopt the use of a digital health pass for passengers that can demonstrate travelers’ COVID-19 status.
The hard-hit aviation industry has been pushing for the implementation of such apps in addition to rapid tests for air passengers to reduce the need for post-arrival quarantines and to give airlines a boost. The European Commission has also been encouraging its 27 members to use a common set of COVID-19 tests to facilitate cross-border travel during the pandemic.
Backed by The Commons Project Foundation and the World Economic Forum, “CommonPass” uses a standardized digital certificate that needs to be downloaded on a phone.
“CommonTrust Network airlines JetBlue, Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic will begin the roll-out of CommonPass in December on select flights departing from New York, Boston, London, and Hong Kong,” the groups said in a statement.
___
Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Catholic bishops split over abortion, gay marriage in Biden presidency

Catholic bishops appear divided over forming a working group to address the imminent administration of presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden , who would be the nation ’ s second Catholic chief executive .
On one side is Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler , Texas , who took to Twitter last week to say Mr. Biden should repent for his support of abortion and same-sex marriage .
“ As a bishop I beg Mr Biden to repent of his dissent from Catholic teaching on abortion & marriage , ” Bishop Strickland tweeted .
“ He aspires to the highest office in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth.
” Other bishops are taking a wait-and-see approach with the incoming administration .
Washington Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory told a Vatican journalist on Tuesday that he would not deny Mr. Biden communion , as some have called for , over the former vice president ’ s stances on abortion .
“ I certainly hope to be able to be in dialogue with him , ” Archbishop Gregory told The National Catholic Reporter .
“ Being in conversation , being in dialogue , means more than just speaking about the happy things.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Catholic Bishops acknowledged Mr. Biden ’ s presumed election , saying “ he joins the late President John F. Kennedy as the second United States president to profess the Catholic faith.
” Los Angeles Archbishop José Horacio Gómez , the conference ’ s president , spoke about “ certain opportunities , but also certain challenges ” of a Biden administration last week , when he announced the the formation of a “ working group ” in his virtual address at the conclusion of the bishops ’ annual general assembly .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his faith commitments will move him to support some good policies , ” said Archbishop Gómez , noting immigration reform , resettlement of refugees , climate change , and the death penalty .
“ But he has also given us reason to believe that he will support policies that attack some fundamental values we hold dear as Catholics.
” Chief among those were abortion , a Health and Human Services mandate requiring employers to provide contraception to employees , the Equality Act and the “ unequal treatment of Catholic schools , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not released details on an agenda or membership of the working group , other than naming Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron , conference vice president , as its chairman .
Conference spokeswoman Chieko T. Noguchi told The Washington Times on Wednesday that the group has yet to meet .
Some liberal Catholics , such as the advocacy group Catholics for Choice , have criticized the bishops ’ working group , asking where such an organized response was to the 2016 election of Donald Trump , who had made disparaging remarks during his campaign on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USCCB rushed to congratulate Donald Trump after his presidential victory , ” Catholics for Choice tweeted Monday .
“ But they created a task force for the Biden presidency .
What an appalling failure to exercise ethical judgement.
” Archbishop Gómez suggested in his address that a Biden task force “ follows the precedent of four years ago ” as the bishops faced a shift in priorities under the prospective Trump administration .
But a high-ranking U.S. Catholic official said on background : “ This is the first time there has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
” One notable difference , say church observers , is that Mr. Biden is Catholic .
Even Archbishop Gómez last week suggested that “ additional problems ” could emerge for the laity , including “ confusion ” about the church doctrine on issues such as abortion .
The election of the nation ’ s second Catholic president also comes at a time of great partisan divide within the church .
Mr. Biden ’ s assent culminated months of hectoring among Catholic leaders on social media .
At its root , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Catholic faith between doctrinal followers and liberal progressives who have called for the church to reform on issues ranging from the ordination of female priests to increasing tolerance for same-sex Catholics .
Exit polls of more than 110,000 voters by The Associated Press show that Catholics were mostly split in voting for Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden , with 50 % supporting the president and 49 % the presumptive president-elect .
Roughly 1 out of 5 voters in the U.S. was Catholic .

Catholic bishops appear divided over forming a working group to address the imminent administration of presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden, who would be the nation’s second Catholic chief executive.
On one side is Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, who took to Twitter last week to say Mr. Biden should repent for his support of abortion and same-sex marriage.
“As a bishop I beg Mr Biden to repent of his dissent from Catholic teaching on abortion & marriage,” Bishop Strickland tweeted. “He aspires to the highest office in our land & must be guided by the truth.”
Other bishops are taking a wait-and-see approach with the incoming administration.
Washington Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory told a Vatican journalist on Tuesday that he would not deny Mr. Biden communion, as some have called for, over the former vice president’s stances on abortion.
“I certainly hope to be able to be in dialogue with him,” Archbishop Gregory told The National Catholic Reporter. “Being in conversation, being in dialogue, means more than just speaking about the happy things.”
This month, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops acknowledged Mr. Biden’s presumed election, saying “he joins the late President John F. Kennedy as the second United States president to profess the Catholic faith.”
Los Angeles Archbishop José Horacio Gómez, the conference’s president, spoke about “certain opportunities, but also certain challenges” of a Biden administration last week, when he announced the the formation of a “working group” in his virtual address at the conclusion of the bishops’ annual general assembly.
“The President-elect has given us reason to believe that his faith commitments will move him to support some good policies,” said Archbishop Gómez, noting immigration reform, resettlement of refugees, climate change, and the death penalty. “But he has also given us reason to believe that he will support policies that attack some fundamental values we hold dear as Catholics.”
Chief among those were abortion, a Health and Human Services mandate requiring employers to provide contraception to employees, the Equality Act and the “unequal treatment of Catholic schools,” the archbishop said.
The bishops have not released details on an agenda or membership of the working group, other than naming Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron, conference vice president, as its chairman. Conference spokeswoman Chieko T. Noguchi told The Washington Times on Wednesday that the group has yet to meet.
Some liberal Catholics, such as the advocacy group Catholics for Choice, have criticized the bishops’ working group, asking where such an organized response was to the 2016 election of Donald Trump, who had made disparaging remarks during his campaign on immigrants.
“In 2016, @USCCB rushed to congratulate Donald Trump after his presidential victory,” Catholics for Choice tweeted Monday. “But they created a task force for the Biden presidency. What an appalling failure to exercise ethical judgement.”
Archbishop Gómez suggested in his address that a Biden task force “follows the precedent of four years ago” as the bishops faced a shift in priorities under the prospective Trump administration. But a high-ranking U.S. Catholic official said on background: “This is the first time there has been a working group [for a presidential administration].”
One notable difference, say church observers, is that Mr. Biden is Catholic.
Even Archbishop Gómez last week suggested that “additional problems” could emerge for the laity, including “confusion” about the church doctrine on issues such as abortion.
The election of the nation’s second Catholic president also comes at a time of great partisan divide within the church. Mr. Biden’s assent culminated months of hectoring among Catholic leaders on social media.
At its root, the debate over Mr. Biden reflects a split in the Catholic faith between doctrinal followers and liberal progressives who have called for the church to reform on issues ranging from the ordination of female priests to increasing tolerance for same-sex Catholics.
Exit polls of more than 110,000 voters by The Associated Press show that Catholics were mostly split in voting for Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden, with 50% supporting the president and 49% the presumptive president-elect. Roughly 1 out of 5 voters in the U.S. was Catholic.
• Christopher Vondracek can be reached at cvondracek@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Nevada U.S. Rep. Susie Lee has COVID after seeing dying mom

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) - Nevada U.S. Rep. Susie Lee announced Wednesday she has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Ohio to visit her dying mother .
Lee said in a statement that she tested negative for the disease caused by the coronavirus on Sunday and then traveled to see her mother in Canton , Ohio on Monday .
She said she took precautions including wearing a mask and social distancing .
Lee ‘ s mother was in hospice care , and Joan Kelley died Tuesday night after months of deteriorating health .
Lee said she was tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has no symptoms and plans to participate in remote memorial services for her mother and do her congressional work remotely while isolating .
Lee is a Democrat and won reelection to a second term representing Nevada ’ s 3rd Congressional District on Nov. 3 .
“ This has been an extremely difficult couple of days for my family , ” Lee said in her statement .
“ I ’ m going to share more in the coming days about my mom and the pivotal role she played in shaping my life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada U.S. Rep. Susie Lee announced Wednesday she has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Ohio to visit her dying mother.
Lee said in a statement that she tested negative for the disease caused by the coronavirus on Sunday and then traveled to see her mother in Canton, Ohio on Monday. She said she took precautions including wearing a mask and social distancing.
Lee’s mother was in hospice care, and Joan Kelley died Tuesday night after months of deteriorating health.
Lee said she was tested again Wednesday and received a positive result. She has no symptoms and plans to participate in remote memorial services for her mother and do her congressional work remotely while isolating.
Lee is a Democrat and won reelection to a second term representing Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District on Nov. 3.
“This has been an extremely difficult couple of days for my family,” Lee said in her statement. “I’m going to share more in the coming days about my mom and the pivotal role she played in shaping my life and the lives of my siblings.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Pentagon pick delay sparks talk of progressive unease

Presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden served up few surprises in introducing his national security and foreign policy picks this week , nominating longtime advisers and well-known establishment figures to run the State Department , the National Security Council and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence .
The big surprise was who was not there .
Michele Flournoy has long been the odds-on choice to lead the Department of Defense in a Biden administration , but she was notably absent in Wilmington , Delaware , this week when the former vice president rolled out his first picks .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flournoy ’ s absence has led to some speculation over whether she has a lock on the job after all .
On paper , she would seem an obvious choice : She served as undersecretary of defense in the Obama Administration — generally considered the No .
3 position in the Pentagon — and earlier served as a top policy aide in other Defense Department postings .
A centrist Democrat who has worked with Republicans , Ms. Flournoy also co-founded the Center for a New American Security — a Washington think tank — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm , where she worked with Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken .
But other positions on her resume have caused concerns for some on the Democratic left .
The advocacy group “ Win Without War ” hailed Mr. Biden ’ s other picks as “ a clear rejection of Trump ’ s foreign policy ” that “ show a commitment to expertise , diplomacy and global engagement.
” But , the left-leaning organization noted there are questions to be answered regarding Ms. Flournoy .
“ Any financial ties by nominees to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be addressed , ” the group said in a statement .
In addition to the work with WestExec Advisors , Ms. Flournoy also serves on the board of Booz Allen Hamilton , a Virginia-based consulting firm with a number of major government contracts .
Rep. Ro Khanna , a rising California Democrat who served as co-chair of the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders , Vermont independent , is among those in Congress who are raising questions about Ms. Flournoy ’ s links to the defense industry and past foreign policy positions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry shouldn ’ t then be nominated to regulate that industry , ” he said Wednesday in a Twitter message .
“ We need to set the standard of not perpetuating the revolving door.
” Touching on a still-divisive issue for Democrats , Mr. Khanna said Ms. Flournoy ’ s record including backing the U.S. wars in Iraq and Libya , criticizing President Obama ’ s noninterventionist position on Syria and helping to craft the surge in Afghanistan .
“ I want to support the president ’ s picks .
But will Flournoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan and a ban on arms sales to the Saudis to end the Yemen War ?
” he tweeted .
Just Foreign Policy , a progressive group , is preparing a petition to Mr. Biden calling on Ms. Flournoy to address her past support of policies widely seen as more aggressive militant than the president-elect , the news website Al-Monitor.com reported Wednesday .
There is no sign Ms. Flournoy is out of the running , but two former Obama White House officials told Politico this week that the presumptive president-elect never developed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with Ms. Flournoy that he enjoyed with his other Cabinet picks to date .
“ Michele is still at the top of the list but they still want to keep looking — and that ’ s a change , ” a former national security official told Politico .
Liberal Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Barbara Lee of California , both members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus , sent Mr. Biden a letter specifically asking that his pick for the Pentagon have no prior employment history with a defense contractor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense budgets in our nation ’ s history have come at a time during which senior defense personnel are intimately connected — through past and future employment — to the corporations profiting the most from those very same budgets , ” they wrote .

Presumed President-elect Joseph R. Biden served up few surprises in introducing his national security and foreign policy picks this week, nominating longtime advisers and well-known establishment figures to run the State Department, the National Security Council and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The big surprise was who was not there.
Michele Flournoy has long been the odds-on choice to lead the Department of Defense in a Biden administration, but she was notably absent in Wilmington, Delaware, this week when the former vice president rolled out his first picks.
It may be a paperwork glitch but Ms. Flournoy’s absence has led to some speculation over whether she has a lock on the job after all. On paper, she would seem an obvious choice: She served as undersecretary of defense in the Obama Administration — generally considered the No. 3 position in the Pentagon — and earlier served as a top policy aide in other Defense Department postings.
A centrist Democrat who has worked with Republicans, Ms. Flournoy also co-founded the Center for a New American Security — a Washington think tank — and WestExec Advisors, a strategic consulting firm, where she worked with
Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken. But other positions on her resume have caused concerns for some on the Democratic left.
The advocacy group “Win Without War” hailed Mr. Biden’s other picks as “a clear rejection of Trump’s foreign policy” that “show a commitment to expertise, diplomacy and global engagement.”
But, the left-leaning organization noted there are questions to be answered regarding Ms. Flournoy.
“Any financial ties by nominees to the defense industry raise ethics concerns which must be addressed,” the group said in a statement.
In addition to the work with WestExec Advisors, Ms. Flournoy also serves on the board of Booz Allen Hamilton, a Virginia-based consulting firm with a number of major government contracts.
Rep. Ro Khanna, a rising California Democrat who served as co-chair of the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont independent, is among those in Congress who are raising questions about Ms. Flournoy’s links to the defense industry and past foreign policy positions.
“The people that work in an industry shouldn’t then be nominated to regulate that industry,” he said Wednesday in a Twitter message. “We need to set the standard of not perpetuating the revolving door.”
Touching on a still-divisive issue for Democrats, Mr. Khanna said Ms. Flournoy’s record including backing the U.S. wars in Iraq and Libya, criticizing President Obama’s noninterventionist position on Syria and helping to craft the surge in Afghanistan.
“I want to support the president’s picks. But will Flournoy now commit to a full withdrawal from Afghanistan and a ban on arms sales to the Saudis to end the Yemen War?” he tweeted.
Just Foreign Policy, a progressive group, is preparing a petition to Mr. Biden calling on Ms. Flournoy to address her past support of policies widely seen as more aggressive militant than the president-elect, the news website Al-Monitor.com reported Wednesday.
There is no sign Ms. Flournoy is out of the running, but two former Obama White House officials told Politico this week that the presumptive president-elect never developed the kind of “strong, personal relationship” with Ms. Flournoy that he enjoyed with his other Cabinet picks to date.
“Michele is still at the top of the list but they still want to keep looking — and that’s a change,” a former national security official told Politico.
Liberal Democratic Reps. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Barbara Lee of California, both members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, sent Mr. Biden a letter specifically asking that his pick for the Pentagon have no prior employment history with a defense contractor.
“It is unsurprising that the largest defense budgets in our nation’s history have come at a time during which senior defense personnel are intimately connected — through past and future employment — to the corporations profiting the most from those very same budgets,” they wrote.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Cambodia opens mass trial of opposition activists

PHNOM PENH , Cambodia ( AP ) - A Cambodian court on Thursday began hearing the cases of nearly 130 opponents and government critics charged with treason for taking part in nonviolent political activities over the past three years , in what one of them described as a sham trial .
Most of those being tried by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court are former members or supporters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party .
As the sole opposition party in Parliament , it had been expected to offer a strong challenge to Prime Minister Hun Sen ’ s ruling Cambodian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election .
But in late 2017 , Hun Sen launched a sweeping crackdown on his opponents .
Virtually all critical media were pressured to close or tone down their coverage , and the Cambodia National Rescue Party was forced by the high court to disband and its lawmakers were removed from Parliament .
Many people believe the court acted to ensure that Hun Sen ’ s party won by sweeping all the seats .
Virtually all the defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit treason and incitement to commit a felony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 12 years in prison , according to defense lawyers and human rights activists .
Not all are expected to be in court as some are believed to be living abroad .
Sam Sokong , one of the defense lawyers , said earlier this week that he feared his clients could not get a fair judgment because there are so many supposed to stand trial at the same time .
“ It is the first time since I began representing opposition group members that such a huge number as nearly 130 are standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am very doubtful about this arrangement and whether fairness will be received by my clients according to the international standard.
” One of the best known defendants living in Cambodia is Theary Seng , a Cambodian-American lawyer who has long been one of the most outspoken critics of Hun Sen and his government .
“ I feel at peace , because I ’ ve done nothing wrong .
This is not a courtroom .
This is a political theater , it ’ s a political circus , ” she told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial as a sham scripted by Hun Sen ‘ s regime .
“ It ’ s only a way to block the view of the international community of the real serious issues of human rights violations , of political repression.
” Am Sam Ath , who works with the Cambodian human rights group Licadho , said that according to copies of court summonses , many defendants are accused of being involved with organizing a failed trip by former opposition leader Sam Rainsy that would have brought him back from exile last November .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambodia National Rescue Party , has been in exile since 2016 to avoid serving prison sentences for defamation and other offenses .
He says the cases against him were politically motivated , and gis attempted return last year was blocked by the government .
Hun Sen has been in power for 35 years and has often been accused of heading an authoritarian regime .
Several Western nations have imposed sanctions on his government , mainly after concluding that the 2018 election was neither free nor fair .
The harshest measure came from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some preferential trading privileges .
Last week , the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia on its Facebook page urged the government to fully respect the freedoms of its people as cited in the country ’ s constitution .
“ The United States is closely following a growing number of court cases targeting civil society activists , journalists , and supporters of Cambodia ’ s primary political opposition party , the Cambodia National Rescue Party , ” said the statement .
“ Freedoms of association and expression , and tolerance of dissenting views , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - A Cambodian court on Thursday began hearing the cases of nearly 130 government critics and opponents charged with treason for taking part in nonviolent political activities over the past three years, in what one of them called a sham trial.
Only 33 defendants attended Thursday’s session at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, with some believed to be overseas. Most are former members or supporters of the disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party.
As the sole opposition party in Parliament, it had been expected to present a strong challenge to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party in the 2018 general election. But in late 2017, Hun Sen launched a sweeping crackdown on his opponents and the CNRP was forced by the high court to disband and its lawmakers removed from Parliament. Many people believe the court acted to ensure that Hun Sen’s party won by sweeping all the seats.
Virtually all of the defendants have been charged with conspiracy to commit treason and incitement to commit a felony, which together carry a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison, according to defense lawyers and human rights activists.
It was not immediately clear why only 33 defendants attended Thursday’s court session. An unknown number are believed to be living abroad, including senior politicians and Cambodian laborers in neighboring countries, said Ny Sokha of the local rights group ADHOC. Cambodian law allows trials in absentia.
Judge Ros Piseth agreed to split the defendants into two groups to make the proceedings easier, with the first group having its initial hearing on Jan. 14 and the other on March 4.
The judge said he was adjourning the trial for now so that defendants who did not yet have lawyers and declined court-appointed ones could find representation.
Sam Sokong, one of the defense lawyers, said earlier this week that he feared his clients could not get a fair judgment because there are so many being tried at the same time.
“I am very doubtful about this arrangement and whether fairness will be received by my clients according to the international standard,” he said.
One of the best-known defendants living in Cambodia is Theary Seng, a Cambodian-American lawyer who has long been one of the most outspoken critics of Hun Sen and his government.
“I feel at peace, because I’ve done nothing wrong. This is not a courtroom. This is a political theater, it’s a political circus,” she told reporters outside the courtroom.
She described the trial as a sham scripted by Hun Sen’s regime. “It’s only a way to block the view of the international community of the real serious issues of human rights violations, of political repression,” she said.
Am Sam Ath, who works with the Cambodian human rights group Licadho, said that according to court summonses, between 126 and 129 people have been ordered to appear. He said many defendants are accused of being involved with organizing a failed trip home by former opposition leader Sam Rainsy from exile last November.
Sam Rainsy, the co-founder of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, has been in exile since 2016 to avoid serving prison sentences on defamation and other charges. He says the cases against him are politically motivated, and his attempted return last year was blocked by the government.
Hun Sen has been in power for 35 years and has often been accused of heading an authoritarian regime. Several Western nations have imposed sanctions on his government, mainly after concluding that the 2018 election was neither free nor fair. The harshest measure came from the European Union, which this year withdrew some preferential trading privileges.
On Wednesday, the U.N. human rights expert on Cambodia expressed serious concerns about the trial.
“The mass trials of CNRP activists appear to be politically motivated, lacking clear legal grounds and constitute a serious violation of the due process rights, firmly established by international human rights law,” said Rhona Smith.
“This is not an isolated episode,” she said in a statement. “Civic and democratic space in Cambodia has continued to shrink and there remains little evidence of political rapprochement and reconciliation.”


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Reno police arrest man on attempted murder charge

RENO , Nev. ( AP ) - Police in Reno say they have arrested a man they believe shot his @ @ @ @ @ multiple times .
Reno police said they tracked down 33-year-old Aldahir Garcia on Wednesday and @ @ @ @ @ murder charge .
The shooting happened Oct. 10 in a neighborhood on Reno ’ s @ @ @ @ @ found the wounded man but his assailant had fled the scene .
The victim was @ @ @ @ @ treatment , and police did not provide an update on his condition .
Investigators determined @ @ @ @ @ argument with his sister ’ s brother when he pulled out a gun and shot @ @ @ @ @ t known if he had an attorney who could comment on the charges .

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Police in Reno say they have arrested a man they believe shot his live-in girlfriend’s brother multiple times.
Reno police said they tracked down 33-year-old Aldahir Garcia on Wednesday and arrested him on an attempted murder charge.
The shooting happened Oct. 10 in a neighborhood on Reno’s north side. Arriving officials found the wounded man but his assailant had fled the scene. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment, and police did not provide an update on his condition.
Investigators determined Garcia had been in an argument with his sister’s brother when he pulled out a gun and shot him. It wasn’t known if he had an attorney who could comment on the charges.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Mexico ex 'self-defense' vigilante leader dies of COVID-19

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Jose Manuel Mireles , one of the leaders of a civilian militia formed in 2013 to fight a drug cartel in western Mexico , died Wednesday , a government health agency confirmed .
Mireles was a physician who worked for the federal Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers .
The agency confirmed his death , but did not give a cause .
Those operating Mireles ’ personal Twitter account said he died of the effects of COVID-19 .
Leaders like Mireles and Hipolito Mora organized people in the western state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartel .
The cartel had controlled almost every aspect of life in parts of Michoacan , extorting money systematically from residents .
After largely expelling the cartel , some of the vigilante-style groups eventually fought among themselves , and some came under the influence of other gangs .
The government at first channeled weapons to the self-defense militias , and then tried to disarm and demobilize them .
Mireles was arrested on weapons charges and spent nearly three years behind bars awaiting trial before being freed on bond in May 2017 .
He @ @ @ @ @

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Jose Manuel Mireles, one of the leaders of a civilian militia formed in 2013 to fight a drug cartel in western Mexico, died Wednesday, a government health agency confirmed.
Mireles was a physician who worked for the federal Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers.
The agency confirmed his death, but did not give a cause. Those operating Mireles’ personal Twitter account said he died of the effects of COVID-19.
Leaders like Mireles and Hipolito Mora organized people in the western state of Michoacan to fight the Knights Templar drug cartel. The cartel had controlled almost every aspect of life in parts of Michoacan, extorting money systematically from residents.
After largely expelling the cartel, some of the vigilante-style groups eventually fought among themselves, and some came under the influence of other gangs.
The government at first channeled weapons to the self-defense militias, and then tried to disarm and demobilize them.
Mireles was arrested on weapons charges and spent nearly three years behind bars awaiting trial before being freed on bond in May 2017. He was acquitted in 2018.


washingtontimes--2020-11-25--Asia Today: SKorea cases jump over 500 amid reimposed rules

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea has recorded more than 500 new coronavirus cases for the first time in about eight months .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Thursday the 583 additional cases in the past 24 hours took the national tally to 32,318 including 515 deaths .
South Korea has been experiencing a spike in new infections since it relaxed stringent social distancing rules last month .
To deal with the latest resurgence , the country on Tuesday reimposed tough distancing guidelines in Seoul and some other areas .
Government records show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases were found in the Seoul metropolitan area , where half of the country ’ s 51 million people reside .
Most other parts of the country also registered new cases .
South Korea ’ s caseload peaked in February and March with the world ’ s largest number of cases after mainland China , most of them tied to a religious sect .
Last summer , the country suffered a second major outbreak , mostly in the greater Seoul area .
Officials say the latest bout is more worrisome because many clusters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academics , offices , hospitals and family gatherings .
In other developments in Asia and the Pacific : - China on Thursday reported nine new coronavirus cases in the vast Inner Mongolia region , where authorities have closed schools , suspended flights , shuttered public venues and banned banquets and other gatherings .
The cluster has been centered on Manzhouli , a city of more than 200,000 along the border with Russia .
Authorities ordered nucleic acid testing of all residents to detect new cases after the country ’ s latest local outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport to and from the city has been largely cut off and movement around the city restricted .
Local infections have also been reported lately in the financial hub of Shanghai and the northern port of Tianjin , although the National Health Administration on Thursday listed no new cases in those cities .
It said another 12 cases had been reported among people arriving from overseas .
China has largely ended transmission within the country through tough containment measures , case tracing and the near-universal wearing of masks .
At present , 306 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 while another 321 are under observation for having tested positive for the virus without showing any symptoms .
China has reported a total of 86,490 cases and 4,634 COVID-19 deaths .

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea has recorded more than 500 new coronavirus cases for the first time in about eight months.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Thursday the 583 additional cases in the past 24 hours took the national tally to 32,318 including 515 deaths.
South Korea has been experiencing a spike in new infections since it relaxed stringent social distancing rules last month. To deal with the latest resurgence, the country on Tuesday reimposed tough distancing guidelines in Seoul and some other areas.
Government records show that 402 of the 583 newly reported cases were found in the Seoul metropolitan area, where half of the country’s 51 million people reside. Most other parts of the country also registered new cases.
South Korea’s caseload peaked in February and March with the world’s largest number of cases after mainland China, most of them tied to a religious sect. Last summer, the country suffered a second major outbreak, mostly in the greater Seoul area.
Officials say the latest bout is more worrisome because many clusters are linked to schools, private tutoring academics, offices, hospitals and family gatherings.
In other developments in Asia and the Pacific:
- China on Thursday reported nine new coronavirus cases in the vast Inner Mongolia region, where authorities have closed schools, suspended flights, shuttered public venues and banned banquets and other gatherings. The cluster has been centered on Manzhouli, a city of more than 200,000 along the border with Russia. Authorities ordered testing of all residents after the outbreak emerged late last week. Ground transport to and from the city has been largely cut off and movement around the city restricted. Local infections have also been reported in the financial hub of Shanghai and the northern port of Tianjin, although the National Health Administration on Thursday listed no new cases in those cities. It said 12 other cases had been reported among people arriving from overseas. China has largely ended transmission within the country through tough containment measures, case tracing and the near-universal wearing of masks. At present, 306 people are listed as being ill with COVID-19 while another 321 are under observation for having tested positive for the virus without showing any symptoms. China has reported a total of 86,490 cases and 4,634 deaths.
- Six members of the Pakistan cricket squad in New Zealand have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been moved from managed isolation into quarantine. Two of the cases are deemed historical and four are new but all six players will move to the quarantine arm of their isolation facility. The Pakistan team’s exemption to train while in managed isolation will be withheld until an investigation has been completed. All players were tested four times before their departure from Lahore to New Zealand and were negative on each occasion. Separately, the West Indies squad was also found to have breached protocols while in managed isolation earlier this month. Close circuit television footage showed players mixing in hotel corridors and sharing food, beaching the requirements of their internal bubbles. New Zealand Cricket said that some members of the Pakistani team had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation.
- India has extended its restrictions on international flights until the end of the year as coronavirus cases surge in some states and its capital, New Delhi. India’s aviation authority on Thursday said the restrictions will not apply to international cargo flights and those approved under “air bubble” pacts with some countries. Scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23. India’s new overall infections have declined steadily after peaking in mid-September. On Thursday, it reported 44,489 new infections, bringing its total confirmed cases to 9.26 million, second behind the United States. Deaths rose by 524 to 135,223. The situation in the capital, however, remains worrying. It recorded 5,246 new cases on Thursday. In an effort to slow the virus, the home ministry has allowed states to impose local restrictions such as night curfews but has asked them to consult before imposing lockdowns at state, district, or city levels.
- Sri Lankan police say 1,123 officers have tested positive for COVID-19 and 2,800 others have been quarantined amid a surge in cases in the capital and its suburbs. Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said Thursday that the 2,800 have been quarantined at their quarters and in quarantine centers. Health authorities have linked the police infections to a cluster of cases centered at the country’s main fish market near Colombo. Sri Lanka has seen an upsurge in the disease since last month, when two clusters emerged - one at a garment factory and the other at the fish market. The confirmed cases from the two clusters grew to 17,934 on Thursday. Sri Lanka’s total confirmed cases reached 21,468 on Thursday, including 96 fatalities.
- Hong Kong on Thursday reported its third straight day of over 80 new coronavirus infections, a day after its leader declared a goal of “zero infections” in an annual policy address. Authorities reported 81 coronavirus infections, 13 of which were not traceable. Daily cases in the past week have surged to a three-month high, resulting in the cancellation of a planned air travel bubble between Hong Kong and Singapore. Many of the cases in the recent surge have been linked to outbreaks in dance studios across the city, with Hong Kong ordering those who have visited the venues to undergo mandatory testing. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said in her annual policy address on Wednesday that the city is aiming for “zero infections,” and that it might implement another round of mass testing of its residents. The increase in locally transmitted cases has prompted concern that a new wave has begun in the city. Authorities have tightened social distancing measures, ordering bars and nightclubs to close, in an attempt to stem the transmission.
- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Thursday that the next three weeks will be critical in stopping a further upsurge in infections in the country that experts warn is putting medical systems on the verge of collapse. Suga urged people to wear face masks, wash their hands frequently and avoid risks. His government has been criticized for being too slow to suspend campaigns to stimulate the economy by encouraging domestic tourism, shopping and eating out. Experts on a government taskforce said the number of elderly patients is rising, with infections increasingly being brought into homes from offices and elsewhere. They urged the government to take action urgently to avoid an explosion in infections as in the U.S. and Europe. Suga said the government has dispatched 1,200 public health experts to assist infection tracing and other efforts around the country, while securing more beds for seriously ill patients. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike on Wednesday requested that places that serve alcohol close early starting Saturday until Dec. 17 and urged residents to avoid non-essential outings. Sapporo, Osaka and Nagoya issued similar requests. Japan survived an initial wave of infections in the spring without compulsory lockdowns. The number of cases has since gradually climbed as the government tries to balance disease prevention and the economy. Japan has reported 137,261 cases, including 2,201 deaths.
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