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[
"Christopher Osburn",
"Zac Gelfand",
"Wongo Okon",
"Carolyn Droke",
"Derrick Rossignol"
] |
2021-08-20 02:20:31+00:00
|
2021-08-19 19:27:22
|
If you're willing to pay a little more, you can find a wide range of well-made whiskeys. Here are ten great options between $75 and $350.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fuproxx.com%2Flife%2Fexpensive-whiskeys-worth-the-price%2F%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Buproxx%252Ffeatures%2B%2528UPROXX%2529.json
|
en
|
Glenmorangie Nectar D’or India Stevens, bar supervisor at Cinder House in St. Louis ABV: 46% Average Price: $80 The Whiskey: Glenmorangie Nectar D’or is a 12-year-old whiskey finished in Sauternes dessert wine casks. It’s on the sweet side with floral notes, ginger, nutmeg, toasted almonds, and notes of lemon pie. It finishes with vanilla and honey. At around $80 a bottle, it’s not super expensive, but certainly a special occasion purchase. This is one of my all-time favorites, absolutely delicious, and ideal to sip with friends anytime. The Macallan Sherry Oak Cask 18 Kendie Williams, master mixologist at Four Seasons Resort Nevis in Charlestown, St. Kitts & Nevis ABV: 43% Average Price: $350 The Whiskey: The best, pricier whisky, in my opinion, is The Macallan Sherry Oak 18, which develops unique characteristics during its aging process. The oak cask that it’s aged in contributes to the nice quality, aroma, and taste of this spirit. It has a very full body of fruitiness with ginger and raisins, which pairs quite nicely with the Caribbean climate we enjoy here in Nevis.
High West Campfire Carlos Lopez, bar manager at Stiltsville Fish Bar in Miami ABV: 46% Average Price: $75 The Whiskey: What you consider expensive is relative to what you want to spend, but my favorite, higher-priced whiskey is High West’s Campfire. Tastes like you’re in Colorado every time you have a sip, but it will set you back around $70 a bottle. Stranahan’s Cask Strength Single Barrel Jess Thorson, bartender at TORO Kitchen & Lounge in Snowmass, Colorado ABV: 54% Average Price: $75 The Whiskey: Stranahan’s Single Barrel is well worth the price. I was able to secure a bottle thanks to a local friend and it is one of the smoothest spirits I have ever tried.
Weller Antique 107 Zach Wilks, bartender at Anthony’s Chophouse in Carmel, Indiana ABV: 53.5% Average Price: $105 The Whiskey: For my money, Weller Antique 107 is about as good as it gets. It’s full-bodied and packs a ton of flavor that stands up to the higher proof. It’s a little fruity and has a nice vanilla note that finishes with a little spice and cinnamon. Hakushu 12 Hayden Miller, head bartender at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Miami ABV: 43% Average Price: $160 The Whiskey: Hakushu 12 from Suntory is such an exemplary pour of Japanese whisky. The crisp, clean notes that come through are so distinct that you truly do not want to let this bottling pass you by.
Springbank 18 Jeremy Allen, bartender at MiniBar in Los Angeles ABV: 46% Average Price: $230 The Whiskey: Springbank 18 and Highland Park 18 are two scotches that are basically perfect, and either one is a pleasure worth paying for. But if I had to pick one, it would be Springbank with its subtle spice and sweet vanilla flavors. Peerless Straight Rye Whiskey Andy Printy, beverage director at Chao Baan in St. Louis ABV: 54.7% Average Price: $115 The Whiskey: Peerless Rye Whiskey totes a hefty sticker price for only being a two-year-old whiskey. But it’s some of the most unique juice out there. Lots of spice and citrus and an underlying vegetal tone meet you up front. As it finishes your palate is treated to maple, honeysuckle, and toasty barrel oak.
|
uproxx.com
|
We Asked 10 Bartenders For Expensive Whiskeys That Are Worth The Price
|
https://uproxx.com/life/expensive-whiskeys-worth-the-price/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+uproxx%2Ffeatures+%28UPROXX%29
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[
"Ryan Nagelhout",
"Contributing Writer"
] |
2021-08-20 02:20:37+00:00
|
2021-08-19 20:01:15
|
The company primarily known as a venue for adult entertainers to monetize their work is banning sexually explicit content, sparking outrage.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fuproxx.com%2Fviral%2Fonlyfans-banning-sexual-content-explained%2F%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Buproxx%252Ffeatures%2B%2528UPROXX%2529.json
|
en
|
OnlyFans is known primarily as a place where sex workers can earn money for their services and performances, but on Thursday the company abruptly announced that it would ban the very content the platform became popular providing.
The platform has been in the news over the last year as its user base has grown away from the thing that originally made it the Patreon of sex work, more or less. While that ubiquity has made the term “OnlyFans” synonymous with direct-to-subscriber adult content. But in recent years it’s shied away from that label. Actress Bella Thorne, for example, made a big splash on OnlyFans with content in 2020, sparking a flood of non sex-workers (mainly celebrities) using the platform to further monetize their content.
But many feared that movement could drive those already using it — in many cases as their primary form of income — off the platform. Sex workers were outraged and now, less than a year later, their worst fears seem to have been realized. OnlyFans currently bills itself as a “subscription social platform revolutionizing creator and fan relationships” and touts many of those non-adult creators on its social media, but missing from it was an announcement that it would be banning sexually explicit videos on the platform According to Bloomberg, the platform’s terms of service will change in the next month to limit the kind of sexual material those using the platform can publish.
Starting in October, the company will prohibit creators from posting material with sexually explicit conduct on its website, which many sex workers use to sell fans explicit content. They’ll still be allowed to put up nude photos and videos, provided they’re consistent with OnlyFans’ policy, the company said Thursday. The popularity of the social-media service exploded during the pandemic as sex workers, musicians and online influencers used it to charge fans for exclusive access to photos, videos and other material. OnlyFans has attracted more than 130 million users.
The changes, multiple reports have cited, come as a result of pressure from banks as OnlyFans tries to grow as a more diverse platform. An Axios report from earlier in the week notes the “porn problem” that OnlyFans has as a company trying to adhere to the startup company concept of exponential growth.
In short, OnlyFans has a porn problem, even though it never once mentions porn in its pitch-deck (something that multiple investors called “disingenuous.”). – Some VC funds are prohibited from investing in adult content, per limited partnership agreements. – Several investors are concerned about minors creating subscription accounts, although the company says it has controls in place to prevent that. – Some investors say they could get past the porn, but worry that the company’s reputation would prevent it from attracting brand partners (despite this week announcing a “safe for work” product that features its growing number of clothed creators).
In other words, for the company to grow it needs to leave behind the many users who have made that growth possible in the first place. Which, given the outrage that Thorne’s appearance and the like caused, only begat further outrage on Thursday.
Not only is this complete bullshit for the sex workers who make a living there, but… who are they fooling? How far removed can they be from their actual business to think they're going to make comparable profits being a worse Patreon? Do they not know about Tumblr? https://t.co/JU7nd3ywVE — Cliff 🦖 Jerrison (@pervocracy) August 19, 2021
It’s like if Patreon said no more podcasts — gianmarco (@GianmarcoSoresi) August 19, 2021
Without sex workers, OnlyFans is just Patreon. Why even bother — Amy (@inspiredzone) August 19, 2021
RIP OnlyFans. It was a good run, but maybe MySpace can come back and rebrand a bit to take OnlyFans market — Charlie (@MoistCr1TiKaL) August 19, 2021
Only fans is banning sex workers! They need to have respect for all their content creators! — JEDWARD (@planetjedward) August 19, 2021
I’m no business man but OnlyFans banning sexually explicit content seems unwise, like Grindr banning gay men — sarah schauer 🦂 (@sarahschauer) August 19, 2021
When tech platforms like OnlyFans see themselves as arbiters of acceptable cyber speech and activity, they stigmatize sex work, making workers less safe.https://t.co/InP2vIX7Rx — ACLU (@ACLU) August 19, 2021
Phrases like “ManyVids” and “Patreon” trended on Twitter in the wake of the announcement, as people commented on where sex workers could potentially turn to continue their work or mentioned other monetization platforms that have made similar decisions over the years. And while OnlyFans tried to hedge the news by noting the changes are minimal, it’s clear people continue to feel slighted by the path the company is taking, for better or worse.
|
uproxx.com
|
OnlyFans Is Banning Sexually Explicit Content And People Are Confused
|
https://uproxx.com/viral/onlyfans-banning-sexual-content-explained/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+uproxx%2Ffeatures+%28UPROXX%29
|
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[
"Tunicia Phillips",
"Tunicia Phillips Is An Investigative",
"Award-Winning Journalist Who Has Worked In Broadcast For Years. Her Beats Span Across Crime",
"Court Politics",
"Mining Energy",
"Social Justice. She Has Recently Returned To Print At The M G Working Under The Amadela Trust To Specialise In Climate Change",
"Environmental Reporting."
] |
2021-08-20 01:49:59+00:00
|
2021-08-19 19:00:00
|
Restoring ecosystems — wetlands, savannahs and grasslands — will mitigate the effects of global warming
|
https%3A%2F%2Fmg.co.za%2Fenvironment%2F2021-08-19-the-future-is-closer-than-expected%2F.json
|
en
|
For a long time the effect of climate change has existed in the future and global efforts have mirrored this with long-term commitments to a fairly distant 2050, when there would hopefully be net-zero carbon to drive global warming.
But advancements in scientific modelling and research into how greenhouse gases are driving climate change at a faster pace, mean that the future is much closer, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The “red alert for humanity” is the first of three reports the global scientific network will release between now and next March, with the final report unpacking scenarios that countries and their people can adopt to try to avoid the worst.
Most alarming in the first report’s findings is that changes to the climate are locked in and the likelihood of reaching 1.5°C of warming could be as soon as 2040, with negative implications for projections on drought.
That climate will change is certain, but “it’s up to us on whether we stay there or get worse”, said Christopher Trisos, a researcher at the Africa Climate Development Initiative.
“We need to hold temperature there for half of the century, but if we wait out this decade that opportunity will close.”
“The more we reduce [emissions] the more we stabilise the climate — if we emit a small amount more, nature can absorb that, but if we emit a lot more, the capacity of the natural ecosystem to absorb declines,” he added.
What climate change also means is that countries will need to renew their focus on adapting to a world that is 1.5°C warmer. South Africa has added this element of climate change diplomacy to its submission to the United Nations on the country’s plans to reduce emissions.
Trisos, whose focus is on climate risk, highlighted how restoring South Africa’s unique ecosystems would be beneficial for adaptation. The country is endowed with wetlands, grasslands and savannahs. These ecosystems slow down and absorb water and indigenous plants provide runoff into water sources.
This is evident in the Cape where fynbos provide water runoff into streams. But thicket, forest and fynbos biomes are at risk because of, among other things, poor land management, erosion and pollution.
The Eastern Cape is home to the succulent spekboom species, which scientists have found can sequester more than four tonnes of carbon dioxide a hectare annually. This makes it “more effective than the Amazon rainforest at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere”, according to the Spekboom Project, an ongoing campaign to boost carbon sequestration through restoring the plant in its habitat.
In the IPCC report, scientists also observed that nature’s natural ability to absorb carbon in the atmosphere is getting weaker. Global emissions have increased since the panel’s last landmark report eight years ago.
A commonly proposed solution by some agencies in the global north is to boost absorption of the high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through forestation.
But Trisos and other South African scientists have cautioned the government against forest expansion.
“South Africa must be careful and differentiate between ecosystem restoration and invasive species growth. We must push to restore ecosystems with the right trees and the right plants in the right places, like indigenous species that build local adaptability,” Trisos said.
Restoration efforts are only a part of the immediate actions needed for the country to avoid contributing to climate change.
“Africa cannot afford to depend on fossil fuels for its development any longer because it will experience the worst effects and lock economies into fossil fuels that become a risk in the future when the rest of the world has moved away from that,” said Trisos.
“There is also a huge obligation on developed countries to step up to their financial commitment of 100 billion US dollars a year to support developing and poor countries make this change.”
South Africa’s contribution to climate change is higher than the rest of Africa because it is accountable for half the continent’s emissions, mostly through the energy sector. Most of the electricity generated by the state-owned utility, Eskom, is coal-fired.
Tunicia Philips is an Adamela Trust climate and economic justice reporting fellow, funded by the Open Society Foundation for South Africa
|
mg.co.za
|
‘The future is closer than expected’
|
https://mg.co.za/environment/2021-08-19-the-future-is-closer-than-expected/
|
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[
"Ben Lang"
] |
2021-08-20 02:02:40+00:00
|
2021-08-19 16:59:47
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.roadtovr.com%2Fnex-view-synthesis-algorithm-vr-capture-volumetric-light-field-photogrammetry%2F.json
|
en
|
As far as live-action VR video is concerned, volumetric video is the gold standard for immersion. And for static scene capture, the same holds true for photogrammetry. But both methods have limitations that detract from realism, especially when it comes to ‘view-dependent’ effects like specular highlights and lensing through translucent objects. Research from Thailand’s Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology shows a stunning view synthesis algorithm that significantly boosts realism by handling such lighting effects accurately.
Researchers from the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology in Rayong Thailand published work earlier this year on a real-time view synthesis algorithm called NeX. It’s goal is to use just a handful of input images from a scene to synthesize new frames that realistically portray the scene from arbitrary points between the real images.
Researchers Suttisak Wizadwongsa, Pakkapon Phongthawee, Jiraphon Yenphraphai, and Supasorn Suwajanakorn write that the work builds on top of a technique called multiplane image (MPI). Compared to prior methods, they say their approach better models view-dependent effectis (like specular highlights) and creates sharper synthesized imagery.
On top of those improvements, the team has highly optimized the system, allowing it to run easily at 60Hz—a claimed 1000x improvement over the previous state of the art. And I have to say, the results are stunning.
Though not yet highly optimized for the use-case, the researchers have already tested the system using a VR headset with stereo-depth and full 6DOF movement.
The researchers conclude:
Our representation is effective in capturing and reproducing complex view-dependent effects and efficient to compute on standard graphics hardware, thus allowing real-time rendering. Extensive studies on public datasets and our more challenging dataset demonstrate state-of-art quality of our approach. We believe neural basis expansion can be applied to the general problem of light-field factorization and enable efficient rendering for other scene representations not limited to MPI. Our insight that some reflectance parameters and high-frequency texture can be optimized explicitly can also help recovering fine detail, a challenge faced by existing implicit neural representations.
You can find the full paper at the NeX project website, which includes demos you can try for yourself right in the browser. There’s also WebVR-based demos that work with PC VR headsets if you’re using Firefox, but unfortunately don’t work with Quest’s browser.
Notice the reflections in the wood and the complex highlights in the pitcher’s handle! View-dependent details like these are very difficult for existing volumetric and photogrammetric capture methods.
Volumetric video capture that I’ve seen in VR usually gets very confused about these sort of view-dependent effects, often having trouble determining the appropriate stereo depth for specular highlights.
Photogrammetry, or ‘scene scanning’ approaches, typically ‘bake’ the scene’s lighting into textures, which often makes translucent objects look like cardboard (since the lighting highlights don’t move correctly as you view the object at different angles).
The NeX view synthesis research could significantly improve the realism of volumetric capture and playback in VR going forward.
|
www.roadtovr.com
|
View Synthesis Algorithm Could Have Huge Implications for VR Capture
|
https://www.roadtovr.com/nex-view-synthesis-algorithm-vr-capture-volumetric-light-field-photogrammetry/
|
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[
"Russia Today"
] |
2021-08-20 01:56:01+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:56:00
|
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has slapped Facebook with an antitrust suit, arguing the firm has become a “monopoly” that buys up rival companies when it can’t compete “fairly” in order to retain market dominance.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rt.com%2Fusa%2F532553-facebook-buried-rivals-antitrust-lawsuit%2F.json
|
en
|
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has slapped Facebook with an antitrust suit, arguing the firm has become a “monopoly” that buys up rival companies when it can’t compete “fairly” in order to retain market dominance.
The FTC filed its complaint on Thursday, accusing Facebook of underhanded and monopolistic business practices while calling to break up the company to “restore competition” and “remedy the harm” caused by its “anticompetitive conduct.”
“Facebook lacked the business acumen and technical talent to survive the transition to mobile. After failing to compete with new innovators, Facebook illegally bought or buried them when their popularity became an existential threat,” said Holly Vedova, acting director for the FTC’s Bureau of Competition.
This conduct is no less anticompetitive than if Facebook had bribed emerging app competitors not to compete. The antitrust laws were enacted to prevent precisely this type of illegal activity by monopolists.
FTC alleges Facebook resorted to illegal buy-or-bury scheme to crush competition after string of failed attempts to innovate: https://t.co/hX2wDoGEwL — FTC (@FTC) August 19, 2021
Facebook has “suppressed innovation and product quality improvements,” Vedova continued, adding it also “degraded the social network experience” by “subjecting users to lower levels of privacy and data protections and more intrusive ads.”
Pointing to a business strategy outlined by Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2008, summed up as “it is better to buy than compete,” the FTC said the company stayed “true to that maxim” and “systematically tracked potential rivals and acquired companies that it viewed as serious competitive threats.”
The new lawsuit comes after a previous complaint was thrown out by a federal court in June, with judge James Boasberg arguing the financial regulator did not prove that Facebook indeed had “monopoly power.” He said that instead of putting forward compelling evidence, the FTC expected “the court to simply nod to the conventional wisdom that Facebook is a monopolist.” Nonetheless, Boasberg said the agency could try again, allowing it to refile its complaint with stronger arguments, giving it until Thursday to do so.
Also on rt.com Ten US states sue Google for colluding with Facebook to rig online advertisement market
The revised complaint is 80 pages long, adding more detail to the previous 53-page suit. The decision to file the case was approved in a 3-2 vote, with the FTC’s two Republican commissioners attempting to block the move.
Facebook – which also owns Instagram and WhatsApp, in addition to other smaller platforms – responded to the allegations in a statement, calling the case “meritless.” It also cited the dismissal of the government’s previous suit, saying it showed “There was no valid claim that Facebook was a monopolist – and that has not changed.”
“Our acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were reviewed and cleared many years ago, and our platform policies were lawful,” the company went on. “The FTC’s claims are an effort to rewrite antitrust laws and upend settled expectations of merger review, declaring to the business community that no sale is ever final.”
It is unfortunate that despite the court's dismissal of the complaint and conclusion that it lacked the basis for a claim, the FTC has chosen to continue this meritless lawsuit. — Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) August 19, 2021
Though the social media giant asked that FTC chair Lina Khan recuse herself from the case, saying she would not be an impartial arbiter due to her vocal criticism of Facebook in the past, the request was not granted. The agency said its Office of General Counsel “carefully” reviewed the company’s petition, but dismissed it after finding Facebook would have appropriate due process protections in court regardless of Khan’s involvement.
The FTC has urged the court to compel Facebook to divest from major assets, – “including, but not limited to, Instagram and/or WhatsApp” – saying that would “restore the competition that would exist” in lieu of the platform’s alleged monopolistic conduct.
The government also wants Facebook to give “prior notice and prior approval” for any future mergers and acquisitions, and to file “periodic compliance reports with the FTC” to ensure it doesn’t resume the unfair practices.
The company has until October 4 to respond to the amended complaint.
Also on rt.com Facebook value surges to $1 trillion after federal judge dismisses state antitrust suit
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
|
www.rt.com
|
Facebook ‘bought & buried’ rivals because it lacks ‘talent’ to compete fairly, FTC claims in revived antitrust suit
|
https://www.rt.com/usa/532553-facebook-buried-rivals-antitrust-lawsuit/
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[
"Russia Today"
] |
2021-08-20 01:55:55+00:00
|
2021-08-20 01:55:00
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A dozen Serbian media outlets labeled “state-affiliated” by Twitter protested the platform’s action as censorship, while the country’s president said the social media company may as well ban him just like ex-POTUS Donald Trump.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rt.com%2Fnews%2F532551-serbia-twitter-labeling-censorship%2F.json
|
en
|
A dozen Serbian media outlets labeled “state-affiliated” by Twitter protested the platform’s action as censorship, while the country’s president said the social media company may as well ban him just like ex-POTUS Donald Trump.
Twitter began appending the “state-affiliated” media label to outlets back in August 2020, in preparation for the US presidential election. This week the labeling was extended to Serbia, where the localization of “state-affiliated” turned into a rather more sinister-sounding “government collaborator.”
“Twitter is a propaganda war machine” - Serbia’s tabloid Informer pic.twitter.com/DvHnaXk3yo — Balkanist Magazine (@Balkanist) August 19, 2021
“Twitter is a propaganda machine of war,” thundered a headline in the tabloid Informer, above an interview with a pundit who claimed the US-based social networks were “doing the same thing NATO bombers did in 1999,” and illustrated with a photo of Hitler peeking out of Twitter’s blue bird logo.
Informer is generally considered favorable to President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
“Who else should they cooperate with, oligarchs, thieves and criminals?” Vucic – whom the AP described as an “autocratic leader” – said in response to the labeling. “It’s the most normal thing for the media to cooperate with the government.”
“We don’t even fund most of these outlets, as a state. But they fund Voice of America and the BBC, and they are not labeled state media. Which leads me to wonder who is doing the censorship here,” he added.
I can’t wait for them to ban my account, so I can be another Trump in the world.
This was a reference to Twitter’s infamous decision to “permanently suspend” Trump’s account in January, while he was still the sitting US president, on grounds that he ostensibly incited the riot at the Capitol.
Twitter’s initial wave of labeling targeted Russian and Chinese outlets, while declining to do the same for US, British, or German outlets funded entirely by their countries’ governments. The Serbian Radio-Television (RTS) pointed out the hypocrisy of this in their statement protesting the labeling, and noting they are not funded by the state budget but from license fees, just like the BBC.
Also on rt.com Secret documents expose London’s plans to infiltrate the Balkans… while undermining Russia
Calling the labeling a form of “impermissible pressure” on the media, RTS said it was “scandalous” that Twitter applied the label without notifying them, offering any “serious and argument-based explanation” for the move, or explaining what could or should be done to get rid of the label.
The move is “insulting to Twitter users, who are considered incapable of drawing their own conclusions about the content they read and follow,” the outlet added.
Moreover, declaring journalists “government collaborators” can turn them into targets and expose them to security risks, RTS argued, pointing out that the last time this happened – in April 1999 – NATO bombed their building in Belgrade and killed 16 of their employees.
Also on rt.com When ‘threatened’ media cheer arrests & bombing of journalists on ‘wrong’ side
RTS has also stopped posting on Twitter in protest. The most recent tweet from their main news account, @RTS_Vesti, is dated August 16.
Twitter defines state-affiliated media as those where the state “exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution.” The platform “will not recommend or amplify” accounts thus labeled.
Much of Serbia’s media space is controlled by Western corporations, such as Ringier Axel Springer Media AG and KKR Global – which owns the CNN affiliate N1 as well as the SBB cable distribution network.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
|
www.rt.com
|
‘Ban me like Trump!’ Serbian president dares Twitter, as media labeled ‘govt collaborators’ invoke Nazi censorship & NATO bombing
|
https://www.rt.com/news/532551-serbia-twitter-labeling-censorship/
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[] |
2021-08-20 02:11:19+00:00
|
2021-08-20 00:00:00
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It all started just after 9 a.m. Thursday when police say the man parked his car on the sidewalk just outside of the Library of Congress’ Jefferson Building.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.13abc.com%2F2021%2F08%2F20%2Fhours-long-standoff-library-congress-ends-after-nc-man-surrenders%2F.json
|
en
|
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - A North Carolina man is in custody after police say he drove to Washington, D.C. and put parts of nation’s capital on lockdown by telling police he had a bomb.
The Gray Television Washington News Bureau was there when the truck that police say belongs to Floyd Ray Roseberry was towed away, hours after the standoff began.
It all started just after 9 a.m. Thursday when they say Roseberry parked his car on the sidewalk just outside of the Library of Congress’ Jefferson Building.
“The driver of the truck told the responding officer on the scene that he had a bomb,” explained Chief Tom Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police.
Law enforcement then evacuated the Jefferson Building and Cannon House Office Building. People in a second library building, the Madison Building, were told to shelter in place.
Roseberry posted a video on Facebook where he was seen holding what looks like a large canister. In the video, Roseberry also talked about wanting President Biden and other Democrats to leave office. He claimed that he wasn’t working alone and that there were four other explosive devices placed around Washington, D.C. Police say they found no evidence to support that claim.
After about a five-hour standoff, Roseberry gave himself up to police.
“We tried to negotiate with Mr. Roseberry,” explained Manger. “We first started doing that with a whiteboard writing messages back and forth...He got out of the vehicle and surrendered, and the tactical units that were close by took him into custody.”
Most lawmakers were not on Capitol Hill as it is August recess, so most of the people affected by the lockdown and evacuations where Capitol Hill or Library of Congress staff.
This is the second major security event to happen near the Capitol since the Jan. 6 riots. In April, a man drove into a Capitol barricade, then stabbed two officers before being fatally shot. Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans lost his life in that attack.
Capitol Police say investigators are working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to determine charges.
Copyright 2021 Gray DC. All rights reserved.
|
www.13abc.com
|
Hours-long standoff at Library of Congress ends after N.C. man surrenders
|
https://www.13abc.com/2021/08/20/hours-long-standoff-library-congress-ends-after-nc-man-surrenders/
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[
"Kellie Meyer",
"Dana Greene",
"Jordan Verdadeiro",
"Rick Aaron"
] |
2021-08-20 01:49:46+00:00
|
2021-08-20 00:06:11
|
The deadline to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan is approaching, and officials with the Pentagon say only 7,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul this week. That's much lower than the goal of evacuating 5,000 to 8,000 Americans and eligible Afghans per day.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc4.com%2Fnews%2Fwashington-dc%2Fonly-7k-evacuated-from-afghanistan-this-week-much-lower-than-goal%2F.json
|
en
|
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The deadline to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan is approaching, and officials with the Pentagon say only 7,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul this week. That’s much lower than the goal of evacuating 5,000 to 8,000 Americans and eligible Afghans per day.
“We want to make sure we are taking care of those people who have helped us,” Rep. Rob Wittman said.
The Virginia Republican wants not only U.S. military and their families out safely, but the Afghan translators that helped over the last 20 years. He’s worried they won’t get out in time.
“There are so many SIV – Special Immigrant Visa – applications that the State Department is just overwhelmed,” Wittman explained.
Wittman says, in addition to Special Immigrant Visas, the humanitarian parole option could allow Afghan allies into the United States temporarily.
“We encourage everyone that is there in Afghanistan trying to get out to pursue both of those processes in unison,” he said.
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, enters a plane evacuating people, at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Capt. William Urban/U.S. Navy via AP )
In this photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, civilians prepare to board a plane during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla/U.S. Marine Corps via AP)
The Afghan flag remains on the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. The U.S. military has taken over Afghanistan’s airspace as it struggles to manage a chaotic evacuation after the Taliban rolled into the capital. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
The Pentagon says the Kabul airport is secure, but Nexstar’s Washington D.C. bureau asked Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby what they’re doing to make sure U.S. citizens and our allies can even get to the airport.
“There has been no hostile interactions between the Taliban and our forces,” Kirby said Thursday.
And Kirby adds they’ve made something clear to the Taliban.
“Any attack on our people and our operations at the airport will be met with a forceful response.”
For now, U.S. troops are still scheduled to be out of the country by Aug. 31. The Pentagon says any change to that deadline would require new conversations with the Taliban.
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www.abc4.com
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Only 7K evacuated from Afghanistan this week, much lower than goal
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https://www.abc4.com/news/washington-dc/only-7k-evacuated-from-afghanistan-this-week-much-lower-than-goal/
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|||||
[
"Nicea Degering",
"Chelsea Perkins",
"Dana Greene",
"Jordan Verdadeiro",
"Rick Aaron"
] |
2021-08-20 01:49:34+00:00
|
2021-08-19 18:45:00
|
Power Swabs take five minutes to whiten your teeth.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc4.com%2Fdailydish%2Fdaily-dish-sponsored%2Fcreate-a-whiter-and-brighter-smile-in-five-minutes-or-less%2F.json
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en
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The first thing people notice is your smile. It’s an easier fix than you think with Power Swabs. You don’t have to go to the gym and spend tons of money on health products and losing weight. It can be fast and something you’re going to notice immediately.
Power Swabs take five minutes to whiten your teeth. It has a patent technology that physically lifts and removes stains. It’s also rehydrating the enamel at the same time.
The hassle and pain of trays and strips are in the past. They also can be a big problem because most remove your enamel which causes a lot of pain that lingers for days.
Power swabs are clinically proven to cause zero to minimal sensitivity due to their hydrating properties. There’s no mess involved. Pop open the swab and in a circular motion, you apply it to your teeth, an easy two-step process.
Call (800) 663-2909 or visit the Power Swabs website and you can get 40% off, plus free shipping and a free stain-out quick-stick.
*Sponsored Content
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www.abc4.com
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Create a whiter and brighter smile in five minutes or less
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https://www.abc4.com/dailydish/daily-dish-sponsored/create-a-whiter-and-brighter-smile-in-five-minutes-or-less/
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|||||
[
"Dana Greene",
"Jordan Verdadeiro",
"Rick Aaron",
"Kade Garner"
] |
2021-08-20 01:49:53+00:00
|
2021-08-20 00:32:52
|
PROVO, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – This year’s edition of the Utah Open will feature a very famous professional athlete. Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current NFL broadcaster Tony Romo will play in the three-day event at Riverside Country Club in Provo this weekend. When Utah Section PGA Executive Director Devin Dehlin heard Romo was playing […]
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc4.com%2Fsports%2Fformer-nfl-quarterback-tony-romo-will-tee-it-up-at-utah-open%2F.json
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en
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PROVO, Utah (ABC4 Sports) – This year’s edition of the Utah Open will feature a very famous professional athlete.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current NFL broadcaster Tony Romo will play in the three-day event at Riverside Country Club in Provo this weekend.
When Utah Section PGA Executive Director Devin Dehlin heard Romo was playing in the event, he said a lot of people couldn’t believe it.
“It was kind of funny,” Dehlin said. “We posted the field over the weekend and I had several people texting me, Tony Romo? Then it was like thee Tony Romo?”
Yes, that Tony Romo. The guy who played 13 years at quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Now he’s a pro golfer, although he says his career started badly.
“I got my first golf clubs at eight years old,” said Romo. “Christmas morning you get it, you’re excited, go outside. I’m going to be real smart and go to the neighbors yard and hit back toward my house, instead of hitting towards theirs. My first shot hit the curb and bounced right through their window Christmas morning. That’s pretty much been my golf game the rest of my career.”
That’s not exactly true. Romo a solid player. He won a celebrity event in 2018 and just went 71-69 in the Texas State Open last month. And there is no question he loves the game.
“I think there’s something great about competing against yourself and other people,” Romo said. “I think there’s something great about the puzzle and the challenge of the game.
Romo’s full time job is an NFL broadcaster, and he’s known for seeing plays before they happen. He says it happens in his golf game as well.
“I can, I can see right when it’s going to go in the water,” Romo said with a laugh.
Romo also sees good things for former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, who made his NFL debut in the preseason with the New York Jets last weekend.
“Zach has rare ability,” Romo said. “I can see certain things, and he has a couple of special traits that God doesn’t give to many people. The ceiling in crazy high for this kid, like Patrick Mahomes level which is saying a lot.”
But right now, his focus is on doing well at the Utah Open this week.
“He can play,” Dehlin said. “He’s not here just to take a spot. I’m sure to make the cut is a good goal, but that probably challenges him, make the cut? he wants to win the event.
“I came here to win, that’s the goal,” Romo said. “So I just want to go out there and play well.”
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www.abc4.com
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Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo will tee it up at Utah Open
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https://www.abc4.com/sports/former-nfl-quarterback-tony-romo-will-tee-it-up-at-utah-open/
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|||||
[
"Chelsea Perkins",
"Dana Greene",
"Jordan Verdadeiro",
"Rick Aaron"
] |
2021-08-20 01:49:40+00:00
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2021-08-19 19:00:00
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Everything is served in unlimited quantities, so you will have a large selection of the freshest ingredients to choose from.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc4.com%2Fdailydish%2Fdaily-dish-sponsored%2Fhead-out-and-enjoy-dinner-at-mr-shabu-in-the-heart-of-slc-this-weekend%2F.json
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en
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Mr. Shabu is located on the south end of The Gateway and as the owner, Mr. Shabu brings with him 18 years of experience in the meat supply business. With his extensive knowledge of meats, Mr. Shabu provides hand-selected meats for the best shabu-shabu experience.
Shabu-shabu which means “swish swish” in Japanese was invented by chef Chuichi Miyake in Osaka, Japan in 1952. It became popular in China during the 1980s. Today, shabu-shabu dishes are enjoyed in many Asian cultures and menus around the world.
Mr. Shabu offers individual hot pot dishes with thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in a selection of specialty broths served with a delicious range of dipping sauces. Soup broth bases include kombu, tonkotsu, sukiyaki, miso, vegetarian and Chinese hot pot broth.
You’ll be tempted by a choice of meats and seafood and a wide variety of fresh vegetables. Everything is served in unlimited quantities, so you will have a large selection of the freshest ingredients to choose from.
The restaurant also provides a handy “how to shabu” card on the menu to help you get started.
Visit Mr. Shabu in SLC, Utah at 159 S. Rio Grande Street but you’ll want to stop by their website to check out hours and see if you need to make a reservation first.
*Sponsored Content
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www.abc4.com
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Head out and enjoy dinner at Mr. Shabu in the heart of SLC this weekend
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https://www.abc4.com/dailydish/daily-dish-sponsored/head-out-and-enjoy-dinner-at-mr-shabu-in-the-heart-of-slc-this-weekend/
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[] |
2021-08-20 01:45:17+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:00:00
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By HILARY FOX LONDON (AP) — Sandra Oh has been dancing with death and serial killer Villanelle on “Killing Eve” since 2018, so she could do with a laugh. That'
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https%3A%2F%2Fs24526.pcdn.co%2Fwire%2Fnation-world%2F1508145%2Fsandra-oh-takes-killing-eve-break-with-dramedy-the-chair.json
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🔊 Listen to this
By HILARY FOX
LONDON (AP) — Sandra Oh has been dancing with death and serial killer Villanelle on “Killing Eve” since 2018, so she could do with a laugh.
That’s one of the reasons the Canadian-American actor took on the role of Professor Ji-Yoon Kim, the newly appointed head of a prestigious but struggling college’s English department in Netflix’s comedy-drama series “The Chair.”
As rewarding as she finds “Killing Eve,” Oh said, its darker elements make it “hard for me to shoot the show…. I feel like I’ve wanted to live in a comedy space.”
The six-episode “The Chair,” out Friday on the streaming service, blends humor with the daunting challenges that Ji-Yoon faces at a school beset by financial woes and generational clashes.
Enrollment in the English department is down and most of the professors are older, white and stuck in their ways — which doesn’t go down well with the politically correct students of Pembroke University.
Ji-Yoon’s relationship with her headstrong, grade-school daughter Ju-Hee (Everly Carganilla) is rocky as well. The series from actor-turned-showrunner Amanda Peet attempts to show family relationships in a realistic and complex way.
“I moved into the mother part of my career, and usually it’s kind of been a death knell for actresses,” Oh said. “I realize it’s because the parts for the mother aren’t that great. But the ones that I am playing are very full, multidimensional and rich to play.”
While most of the show’s cast, which includes Jay Duplass, Holland Taylor, Nana Mensah and Bob Balaban, have been to college, Oh didn’t attend.
Indeed, the show’s focus on academia was not a pull for the Canadian-born daughter of South Korean immigrants. It was her character’s name that she noticed first.
“I can, very slowly over my career, note the change that has happened, to be actually able to put a Korean name and have all the characters say your name. It really appealed to me,” she said. “It says something because it normalizes things that you don’t realize that in everyday life (are) normal. So it needs to be normalized on screen.”
“The Chair” was filming in Pittsburgh in March when a series of shootings in the Atlanta-area left eight people dead, six of whom were women of Asian descent. Oh felt compelled to make her voice heard at an anti-violence rally on a Pittsburgh street corner.
“I just knew I didn’t want to be alone. I wanted to gather with other Asian people,” she said. She discussed it with the cast and crew, “who really responded so beautifully because these things are important to them as well. So even though it was a tricky time during Covid, because we still need to do our jobs and continue shooting, it was very important to all of us to be in (the) community and to hear each other.”
Oh said she hopes her screen portrayals make a difference when it comes to representing people of Asian ethnicity.
“I feel like what I can do in my work far outweighs anything that I could possibly say in a rally or a tweet or even in an essay, because that’s not the medium that I am at my best, that I feel I can communicate the most in.”
Oh has been in London filming the final season of “Killing Eve,” which in 2018 earned her a best drama series actress Emmy nomination — the first for an Asian actor in the category. She’s had two other nominations in the category since. She’s hoping to tie up the twisted relationship between her character, Eve Polastri, and serial killer Villanelle (Jodie Comer), while remaining “truthful” to the characters.
There’s another role of Oh’s that has touched audiences: her portrayal of Dr. Cristina Yang in the long-running hospital drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” Oh left the hit show in 2014. Early in the pandemic, people stuck at home tuned in to — or discovered — the show and gathered to discuss plotlines from recent and older seasons.
“I do think the show was a real comfort to a lot of people during the pandemic,” she said. “It’s amazing to be a part of a show that gives that type of comfort or familiarity to people. It’s a great, great privilege. I’m happy if people rediscovered it or discover for the first time.”
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s24526.pcdn.co
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Sandra Oh takes ‘Killing Eve’ break with dramedy ‘The Chair’
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https://s24526.pcdn.co/wire/nation-world/1508145/sandra-oh-takes-killing-eve-break-with-dramedy-the-chair
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[
"Kellie Meyer",
"Gerald Harris",
"Sebastian Posey",
"Lee Hedgepeth",
"Allison Polk"
] |
2021-08-20 01:56:37+00:00
|
2021-08-20 00:04:19
|
The deadline to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan is approaching, and officials with the Pentagon say only 7,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul this week. That's much lower than the goal of evacuating 5,000 to 8,000 Americans and eligible Afghans per day.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwhnt.com%2Fnews%2Fwashington-dc-bureau%2Fonly-7k-evacuated-from-afghanistan-this-week-much-lower-than-goal%2F.json
|
en
|
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The deadline to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan is approaching, and officials with the Pentagon say only 7,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul this week. That’s much lower than the goal of evacuating 5,000 to 8,000 Americans and eligible Afghans per day.
“We want to make sure we are taking care of those people who have helped us,” Rep. Rob Wittman said.
The Virginia Republican wants not only U.S. military and their families out safely, but the Afghan translators that helped over the last 20 years. He’s worried they won’t get out in time.
“There are so many SIV – Special Immigrant Visa – applications that the State Department is just overwhelmed,” Wittman explained.
Wittman says, in addition to Special Immigrant Visas, the humanitarian parole option could allow Afghan allies into the United States temporarily.
“We encourage everyone that is there in Afghanistan trying to get out to pursue both of those processes in unison,” he said.
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, enters a plane evacuating people, at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Capt. William Urban/U.S. Navy via AP )
In this photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, civilians prepare to board a plane during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla/U.S. Marine Corps via AP)
The Afghan flag remains on the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. The U.S. military has taken over Afghanistan’s airspace as it struggles to manage a chaotic evacuation after the Taliban rolled into the capital. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
The Pentagon says the Kabul airport is secure, but Nexstar’s Washington D.C. bureau asked Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby what they’re doing to make sure U.S. citizens and our allies can even get to the airport.
“There has been no hostile interactions between the Taliban and our forces,” Kirby said Thursday.
And Kirby adds they’ve made something clear to the Taliban.
“Any attack on our people and our operations at the airport will be met with a forceful response.”
For now, U.S. troops are still scheduled to be out of the country by Aug. 31. The Pentagon says any change to that deadline would require new conversations with the Taliban.
|
whnt.com
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Only 7K evacuated from Afghanistan this week, much lower than goal
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https://whnt.com/news/washington-dc-bureau/only-7k-evacuated-from-afghanistan-this-week-much-lower-than-goal/
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|||||
[
"Nexstar Media Wire",
"Jeremy Tanner",
"Lee Hedgepeth",
"Allison Polk",
"Jeremy Jackson"
] |
2021-08-20 01:56:31+00:00
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2021-08-20 00:07:34
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With the delta variant of COVID-19 overwhelming hospitals across the country, government health officials have recommended a booster shot of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine – but what about Americans who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine?
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwhnt.com%2Fnews%2Fjj-booster-shot-what-to-know-if-you-got-the-one-dose-vaccine%2F.json
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en
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FILE – In this April 8, 2021 file photo, the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is seen at a pop up vaccination site in the Staten Island borough of New York. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing the problem-plagued factory of contract manufacturer Emergent BioSolutions to resume production of COVID-19 vaccine bulk substance to resume, the company said Thursday, July 29. The Baltimore factory was shut down by the FDA in mid-April due to contamination problems that forced the company to trash the equivalent of tens of millions of doses of vaccine it was making under contract for Johnson & Johnson. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
(NEXSTAR) – With the delta variant of COVID-19 overwhelming hospitals across the country, government health officials have recommended a booster shot of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine – but what about Americans who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine?
The good news is that Health and Human Services officials say there will likely be a J&J booster update in the near future, but it’s not yet clear when that announcement will come.
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, starting Sept. 20, the Biden administration plans to offer COVID-19 booster shots for people who were given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least eight months earlier.
“Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout,” public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. “For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.”
When it comes to the single-shot vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, HHS officials said they are still awaiting data because “administration of the J&J vaccine did not begin in the U.S. until March 2021.”
“For those who got the J&J vaccine: We do expect that boosters will be needed in the future and we are expecting more data in the coming weeks that will help us make recommendations for people who got J&J,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy in a tweet.
CDC data show that more than 14,000,000 Americans have received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine.
Murthy assured Americans that the protection from all of the vaccines against the worst COVID-19 outcomes remains high, but the new data show that protection against mild and moderate cases is decreasing over time because of normal waning immunity and the impact of the delta variant.
“We are concerned that this pattern of decline will continue and eventually lead to less protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death,” Murthy said. “Boosters may help restore that protection.
HHS officials said their top priority remains staying ahead of the “constantly changing” virus as it continues to mutate, creating a fluid situation that may require modifications to the plan.
“We also want to emphasize the ongoing urgency of vaccinating the unvaccinated in the U.S. and around the world,” the statement concludes. “Nearly all the cases of severe disease, hospitalization, and death continue to occur among those not yet vaccinated at all.”
Can I mix vaccines?
The government is encouraging people to stick with the same vaccine provider but hasn’t mandated it.
The CDC recommends people with compromised immune systems who received either Pfizer or Moderna when they were originally vaccinated should seek an mRNA vaccine for their third dose and should stop at three doses.
For people who received the J&J vaccine, however, the science is again unclear. “There is not enough data at this time to determine whether immunocompromised people who received the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine also have an improved antibody response following an additional dose of the same vaccine,” the CDC guidance reads.
The federal stance hasn’t stopped local health officials from making their own decisions when it comes to the J&J vaccine.
San Francisco’s Public Health Director Grant Colfax said earlier this month that the city is allowing people who first received the J&J vaccine to be given a booster shot of Pfizer or Moderna as long as they consult with their doctor or health provider first.
A new study also found that mixing an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, like Pfizer, with a viral vector vaccine, which is what the J&J shot is, can elicit a strong immunological response.
As J&J recipients in the U.S. wait out the lag on test data, Dr. Murthy reassured all vaccinated Americans that their current protection is strong and that “we are not recommending that everyone go out and get a booster today.”
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whnt.com
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J&J booster shot? What to know if you got the one-dose vaccine
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https://whnt.com/news/jj-booster-shot-what-to-know-if-you-got-the-one-dose-vaccine/
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|||||
[
"Lee Hedgepeth",
"Allison Polk",
"Nexstar Media Wire",
"Jeremy Tanner",
"Jeremy Jackson"
] |
2021-08-20 01:56:25+00:00
|
2021-08-20 01:30:31
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In a rare municipal endorsement, President Joe Biden is backing Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin in his bid for re-election.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwhnt.com%2Fnews%2Fbiden-endorses-birmingham-mayor-randall-woodfin-for-re-election%2F.json
|
en
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — President Joe Biden has endorsed Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin in his bid for re-election to Birmingham’s highest office.
“Mayor Woodfin is one of the great young leaders of our country,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “From protecting the health and safety of the people of Birmingham to saving and creating jobs, to providing tuition-free higher education and fighting for voting rights, he sets the bar for making sure government works for the people. I am proud to support a mayor who continues a proud civil rights legacy and who will help us build back better and stronger than ever.”
Sitting presidents seldom make endorsements in city elections, although the move is not unprecedented. Former President Barack Obama, for example, endorsed several candidates for local positions while still in office in 2016.
Woodfin said he was honored to receive the president’s endorsement.
“President Biden is leading our country with the grace, courage and vision needed to heal the soul of our nation and help us build back better after COVID-19,” Woodfin said. “Among other legislative accomplishments, his Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, American Family Plan, American Rescue Plan, will all provide invaluable support to help Birmingham rebuild and realize my Vision of a fairer, more equitable and inclusive city where everyone can work, live and thrive. I am honored to have his support, and look forward to continuing to work with him to implement policies and legislation that continue the fight to make progress together.”
Andrea Eckelman, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Montevallo, reiterated that such a high-level endorsement in such a hyper-local race is rare.
“I’m actually super surprised, only because it’s a local race,” Eckelman told CBS 42. “It would be one thing if it were one of our Alabama congressmen, but the fact that it’s a national office like president – it’s fairly rare in a race in a mid-level sized city.”
The president’s support for Woodfin follows the mayor’s endorsement of Biden during the 2020 Democratic primary. That move was surprising to some, as Woodfin had received the backing of Bernie Sanders during his own race for mayor in 2017.
Whether Biden’s endorsement of Woodfin will change the mayoral race in a major way is still up in the air, however.
“Endorsements are interesting because they don’t often change minds,” Eckelman said. “They do seek to reinforce – like if a voter has made a decision or if they are wavering a little bit – they absolutely can push that person into the ‘pro’ camp.”
Endorsements can also help voters decide between candidates that are relatively similar ideologically, like in the current mayoral race, she said.
Two of the candidates in the race for the city’s top seat were delegates for Biden at the 2020 Democratic National Convention: Mayor Woodfin and Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales. Only one, though, has now received the president’s endorsement.
Eckelman also said that because mayoral races in Alabama are non-partisan, meaning that candidates are not labeled as Democrats or Republicans, an endorsement like Biden’s can provide “a very strong partisan signal” in a race where allegiances may not otherwise be entirely clear.
Woodfin is one of eight candidates in the mayoral race. Also running are Commissioner Lashunda Scales, former Birmingham Mayor William Bell, Chris Woods, Cerissa Brown, Darryl Williams, Philemon Hill, and Napoleon Gonzalez.
Birmingham’s municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 24. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election between the top two candidates will be held Oct. 5.
|
whnt.com
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Biden endorses Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin for re-election
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https://whnt.com/news/biden-endorses-birmingham-mayor-randall-woodfin-for-re-election/
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|||||
[
"Allison Polk",
"Lee Hedgepeth",
"Nexstar Media Wire",
"Jeremy Tanner",
"Jeremy Jackson"
] |
2021-08-20 01:56:44+00:00
|
2021-08-20 01:09:44
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When purchasing life insurance, there are many factors that will determine the cost of your monthly premium.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwhnt.com%2Fnews%2Fyour-vaccination-status-could-determine-your-life-insurance-premium%2F.json
|
en
|
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — When purchasing life insurance, there are many factors that will determine the cost of your monthly premium.
Health history has always been a major factor, but now insurance companies are looking to
see if the individual had COVID. If so, it may wind up jacking up the cost of the policy.
“It definitely has affected the premium because it just depends on what situation is happening and how difficult COVID was on that individual body,” Quality Financial Group Executive Vice President, Elgenette Williams said. “But we are able to get them insurance but it is graded at a higher rate.”
Williams says customer’s information will go through an underwriter, who evaluates the risks involved in insuring people.
She says your vaccination status could be something underwriters consider in their process.
“That’s really an underwriting decision and once they see the information, if they ask that question whether or not they had the vaccination then it depends on the underwriting,” Williams said. “But in my experience, we have not yet turn down a customer because of COVID.”
Williams also says that having life insurance can have its benefits, even when you are still living.
“A lot of times people look at life insurance as death insurance, but we have a lot of living benefits that they can factor in,” Williams said.
|
whnt.com
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Your vaccination status could determine your life insurance premium
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https://whnt.com/news/your-vaccination-status-could-determine-your-life-insurance-premium/
|
|||||
[
"Kelly Gooch"
] |
2021-08-20 02:20:55+00:00
|
2021-08-20 01:01:16
|
Several Baylor Scott & White Health facilities are postponing elective procedures amid the latest COVID-19 wave, with the specific facilities affected varying daily.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.beckershospitalreview.com%2Fpatient-flow%2Fbaylor-scott-white-facilities-postpone-elective-procedures.html.json
|
en
|
Several Baylor Scott & White Health facilities are postponing elective procedures amid the latest COVID-19 wave, with the specific facilities affected varying daily.
The 51-hospital, Dallas-based system confirmed the decision Aug. 19, citing the pressure coronavirus is putting on its hospitals, emergency departments and workforce.
"The overwhelming majority of the patients we are treating for COVID-19 are unvaccinated, and the rising number of cases is discouraging," the system said in a statement shared with Becker's.
"To continue ensuring that our hospitals are ready for those who need care most during this time, several Baylor Scott & White Medical Centers are postponing elective procedures. Patients are being contacted directly. This is a change that may vary day-to-day to preserve hospital capacity and to protect the health and well-being of our patients and colleagues," the system said.
Baylor Scott & White said it will continue urgent and emergent procedures. The system said each case will be closely reviewed, and the patient's physician will determine the acuity of the procedure. Most cases involving cancer patients or those needing heart procedures will continue.
"While we will always make emergency care available, if the current surge continues, and our intensive care unit occupancy rate continues to increase, our hospitals may not be able to meet the critical healthcare needs of our community," said Baylor Scott & White.
Amid the surge, the system is encouraging vaccination in the community and requiring its workforce to be vaccinated, unless granted an exemption. The deadline for the workforce requirement is Oct. 1.
|
www.beckershospitalreview.com
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Baylor Scott & White facilities postpone elective procedures
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https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-flow/baylor-scott-white-facilities-postpone-elective-procedures.html
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[
"Kellie Meyer",
"Dave Barr",
"Nico Rossi",
"Cody Butler"
] |
2021-08-20 02:11:56+00:00
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2021-08-20 00:05:20
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The deadline to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan is approaching, and officials with the Pentagon say only 7,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul this week. That's much lower than the goal of evacuating 5,000 to 8,000 Americans and eligible Afghans per day.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pahomepage.com%2Fwashington%2Fwashington-dc%2Fonly-7k-evacuated-from-afghanistan-this-week-much-lower-than-goal%2F.json
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en
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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The deadline to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan is approaching, and officials with the Pentagon say only 7,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul this week. That’s much lower than the goal of evacuating 5,000 to 8,000 Americans and eligible Afghans per day.
“We want to make sure we are taking care of those people who have helped us,” Rep. Rob Wittman said.
The Virginia Republican wants not only U.S. military and their families out safely, but the Afghan translators that helped over the last 20 years. He’s worried they won’t get out in time.
“There are so many SIV – Special Immigrant Visa – applications that the State Department is just overwhelmed,” Wittman explained.
Wittman says, in addition to Special Immigrant Visas, the humanitarian parole option could allow Afghan allies into the United States temporarily.
“We encourage everyone that is there in Afghanistan trying to get out to pursue both of those processes in unison,” he said.
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, enters a plane evacuating people, at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Capt. William Urban/U.S. Navy via AP )
In this photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, civilians prepare to board a plane during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021. (Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla/U.S. Marine Corps via AP)
The Afghan flag remains on the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. The U.S. military has taken over Afghanistan’s airspace as it struggles to manage a chaotic evacuation after the Taliban rolled into the capital. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
The Pentagon says the Kabul airport is secure, but Nexstar’s Washington D.C. bureau asked Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby what they’re doing to make sure U.S. citizens and our allies can even get to the airport.
“There has been no hostile interactions between the Taliban and our forces,” Kirby said Thursday.
And Kirby adds they’ve made something clear to the Taliban.
“Any attack on our people and our operations at the airport will be met with a forceful response.”
For now, U.S. troops are still scheduled to be out of the country by Aug. 31. The Pentagon says any change to that deadline would require new conversations with the Taliban.
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www.pahomepage.com
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Only 7K evacuated from Afghanistan this week, much lower than goal
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https://www.pahomepage.com/washington/washington-dc/only-7k-evacuated-from-afghanistan-this-week-much-lower-than-goal/
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[
"Nico Rossi",
"Cody Butler"
] |
2021-08-20 02:11:38+00:00
|
2021-08-20 00:53:16
|
COAL TOWNSHIP, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY — Geisinger is is planning on strengthening its ties to the Shamokin area as the health care company is set to begin a $10 million project to expand and update the Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital emergency department, later this month.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pahomepage.com%2Fnews%2Flocal-news%2Fgeisinger-announces-10-million-project-to-update-emergency-department-in-shamokin%2F.json
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en
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COAL TOWNSHIP, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Geisinger will begin a $10 million project later this month that will expand and update the Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital emergency department.
According to a press release, the renovations will almost double the space and exam areas of the current emergency department to nearly 11,000 square feet.
This will be done by repurposing the existing space.
Also as part of the project, the emergency department will increase from nine to 19 private exam rooms. The new department will also include a five-bed rapid evaluation unit to quickly treat patients with less severe injuries and illnesses, reports say.
According to the release, work will be done in phases, and the emergency department will remain open and patient care will continue through the project.
The planned completion date for the project is expected to be early 2023.
|
www.pahomepage.com
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Geisinger Emergency Department Update
|
https://www.pahomepage.com/news/local-news/geisinger-announces-10-million-project-to-update-emergency-department-in-shamokin/
|
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[] |
2021-08-20 01:50:11+00:00
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2021-08-19 00:00:00
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The model joked that she's grateful for Bloom's fiancé, Katy Perry, because "she helps me deal with him."
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wmagazine.com%2Fculture%2Fmiranda-kerr-orlando-bloom.json
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en
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Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom have never shied from discussing each other in interviews since their divorce in 2013. The pair, who share a 10-year-old son, remains close, and frequently heap praise on each other in interviews. In fact, they’re on good enough terms that occasionally, the model and skincare guru can’t help but poke fun at the actor, most recently on an episode of the podcast Moments With Candace Parker.
“He’s, like, to me right now, a brother,” Kerr said. “And most of the time, an annoying brother.” Luckily, there’s a third member of what she’s long described as their “modern family”: Bloom’s fiancé Katy Perry. “I’m so grateful that she’s there because it takes the pressure off me,” Kerr continued.
“When Orlando started dating Katy, I remember he invited me over one time and she was there, and we just immediately got along,” Kerr recalled. “I saw how she was with [Kerr and Bloom’s son]. She was very playful with Flynn. She was not trying to be his mum.” And they’ve all been close ever since. “We go on holidays together,” Kerr continued. “We celebrate all the important milestones together.”
And while Kerr and Bloom see each other frequently to coparent their son, at this point, Kerr is even closer with Perry—in part because the pop star “helps [her] deal with” Bloom. “I love her,” Kerr said. And at this point, five years into their joint relationship, Kerr has made up her mind: “I mean, it’d be safe to say that I love her more than Flynn’s dad.”
It’s hardly the first time Kerr has gotten candid about one of her romantic partners. In 2019, for example, she shared her first impression of her current husband, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel: “I thought, Oh, this guy is cute,” she recalled. “But wow, his skin is flaky!”
|
www.wmagazine.com
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Miranda Kerr Considers Ex Orlando Bloom Her "Annoying Brother"
|
https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/miranda-kerr-orlando-bloom
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[] |
2021-08-20 01:50:23+00:00
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2021-08-19 00:00:00
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Leave your Renaissance Faire associations in the past. Contemporary versions of the cinched-waist style are the defining party look of the moment.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wmagazine.com%2Ffashion%2Fcorset-tops-trend.json
|
en
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Corset tops—long associated with Renaissance Faires, period films and prim Victorian fashions—are suddenly on the way to becoming the stand-out staple of this season’s wardrobe. Who would’ve thought that what was once considered an outdated, constrictive garment would be reclaimed as an article of self-expression for all genders? Our top picks for this fall implement classical details that have been remixed with contemporary touches: Vivienne Westwood added a functional zipper to hers, while LaQuan Smith’s dominatrix-esque take comes in a glossy red faux leather. For a combination of comfort and vintage flare, Molly Goddard presents a ruffled, shirred version. There’s even a particularly cheeky one for the dog lover: A cropped off-white version by Ashley Williams features a cotton-candy-colored poodle portrait, front and center. Paired any of these with loose, low-rise jeans or straight-leg leather trousers for a party-ready look with just the right amount of edge. Here, our top ten favorites of the moment.
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www.wmagazine.com
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10 Corset Tops to Wear This Season
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https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/corset-tops-trend
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[] |
2021-08-20 01:49:59+00:00
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2021-08-19 00:00:00
|
On muggy summer mornings, this antioxidant-rich potion is all you need for a full-day glow—and it's flawless under makeup.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wmagazine.com%2Fbeauty%2Fgrown-alchemist-detox-serum-review.json
|
en
|
The weather in New York City this summer has been nothing short of muggy. The air feels thick and heavy, like there’s a storm cloud hovering at street level. It’s the kind of weather that, if you’re out in the countryside, could feel indulgent and pleasantly lazy-making. I remember when I was a teenager, an older woman once told me this sort of humidity was “good for the complexion,” and I’ve always sort of believed that. But when you’re surrounded by traffic and grime, it just feels icky.
Which is why I’ve been reaching for light, refreshing skincare products that are packed with protective antioxidants. One standout has been the Detox Serum from Grown Alchemist, which I’ve been applying liberally after my morning shower in lieu of moisturizer. It’s a clear, oil-free gel made with tripeptides and complex antioxidants that help keep skin clear and protected from pollution. (A bonus: patting drops of it onto my face brings me back to the satisfying sensation of being a kid, rubbing aloe vera gel on a sunburn for the first time.)
On days when the air feels like soup, it’s been a godsend—it keeps me looking smooth and hydrated, never greasy. Occasionally I’ll combine it with a few pumps of the Fig. 1 Niacinamide Nourishing Treatment, for a bit of extra oomph, but it also works great on its own as a daytime lotion. The best thing about it is that it’s an excellent base under makeup or sunscreen—there’s absolutely zero pilling, patchiness or sticky residue to contend with. Just a subtle, clear glow that feels like it’s working as a shield against the fog.
|
www.wmagazine.com
|
Grown Alchemist’s Detox Serum Is a Perfect Dose of Light Hydration
|
https://www.wmagazine.com/beauty/grown-alchemist-detox-serum-review
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[] |
2021-08-20 01:50:05+00:00
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2021-08-19 00:00:00
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Protect us, Queen!
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wmagazine.com%2Fculture%2Feternals-trailer-angelina-jolie-superhero-suit.json
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en
|
The new trailer for Oscar winner Chloé Zhao’s upcoming Marvel film Eternals gives us two very big new bits of information: 1) what the hell this film is actually about 2) Angelina Jolie, in all her superhero glory. Despite this particular superhero team coming from deep within Marvel’s back catalog, the answer to the first question isn’t that hard to figure out, and even if it is, well, the last point makes us want to see the film regardless.
In what seems like a nod to Zhao’s previous neo-Western films The Rider and Nomadland, the trailer opens with Salma Hayek on horseback. The viewer is quickly reminded they’re in the MCU with the mention of the word “Thanos.” Hayek explains to Richard Madden’s character that Thanos’s actions have triggered the appearance of an “emergence” that the Eternals now have just seven days to stop. So there’s your basic plot: one week to save the world. Standard superhero fare.
As for who the Eternals are, that question’s quickly answered, too. They’ve been on earth for 7000 years to protect humankind from beasts known as “Deviants.” Kit Harrington’s character, who is a mere mortal, helpfully asks why the Eternals weren’t involved in fighting Thanos—or taking part in any war, for that matter. It’s a legitimate question: why didn’t superpowered Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek stop Genghis Khan? We know they could! It turns out the team is on strict orders not to interact with human drama. They’re just there to kill some weird beasts. Everything else is on an “I pretend I do no see it” basis. Of course, it definitely seems like that’s all about to change.
Oh, there’s one other bit to know before we get to discussing blonde Angelina. While the group may all be on earth, most of them don’t actually hang out together on a regular basis. They’re all in their corners of the globe, doing their thing. Some haven’t seen each other for centuries. Tense family reunion vibes straight out of August: Osage County ensue.
via Marvel
Anyway, time to talk about Angie’s character Thena. She’s a blonde badass with the power to form any weapon she wishes out of cosmic energy. She also has a deep relationship with the secretive most powerful Eternal, a big ol’ CGI fellow named Gilgamesh.
Thena seems brave and principled. She says she deeply loves humanity (which is more than what most of humanity can say), and only wants to protect them. Another CGI fellow tells her she can’t, but we have a feeling she’s going to try her best.
|
www.wmagazine.com
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Angelina Jolie Is in Full Superhero Glory
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https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/eternals-trailer-angelina-jolie-superhero-suit
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[] |
2021-08-20 01:50:29+00:00
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2021-08-19 00:00:00
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Carrie’s favorite skirt and shoes have been in her tiny closet all these years.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wmagazine.com%2Ffashion%2Fsarah-jessica-parker-carrie-bradshaw-tutus-and-just-like-that.json
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en
|
Good design never goes out of style. And for Sarah Jessica Parker’s alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw, there are some pieces in her closet that she’s held onto for the past two decades. It’s a surprise that she didn’t gradually consign her wardrobe over the years, because Carrie was so sharply focused on trends of the era — and her NYC-sized closet famously couldn’t fit her extensive Manolo Blahnik shoe collection. But SJP has given us a behind-the-scenes costume peek into Carrie’s new look — Gucci bags and all — and it features a couple throwbacks.
Parker shared a short video of herself wearing one of Carrie’s signature poofy tutu skirts. It’s a long sheer white skirt with a gathered hem, and it looks like something she would have worn in 2003. The years may have been long, and the show may be called And Just Like That..., but it’s clear that Carrie’s fixation with frilly skirts has never waned. Parker contrasted the skirt with a look from Carrie’s Sex And The City heyday, in which she’s wearing a similar white tutu skirt with ballroom-style ruffles, paired with a black jacket and simple red top.
Of course, no discussion about Carrie’s outfit would be complete without mentioning her shoes. As a character, Carrie was known for hoarding shoes and indebting herself to creditors to afford the latest strappy Jimmy Choo heel. But in the video, Parker is wearing a pair of white heeled booties that Carrie donned twice in SATC. The implication here being that Carrie must have treasured those booties so much that she kept them in pristine condition, and while the pointed toe and conical-shaped heel looks almost vintage at this point, leave it to Carrie to wear something that others may not. If anything, we’re glad to see that Carrie’s taste hasn’t changed.
|
www.wmagazine.com
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Sarah Jessica Parker Promises Tutus are Returning for
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https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/sarah-jessica-parker-carrie-bradshaw-tutus-and-just-like-that
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[] |
2021-08-20 01:50:17+00:00
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2021-08-19 00:00:00
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The pair appear to have had the time of their lives on vacation in Ibiza.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wmagazine.com%2Ffashion%2Fbella-hadid-dua-lipa-vacation.json
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en
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Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa have both spent the bulk of August posting up a storm of photos showcasing their individual expert vacation style. Lipa had been doing so from her native Albania, but it turns out she ended up joining Hadid in Ibiza for a trip that’s all but guaranteed to make you want to board a plane immediately. On Thursday, the pair shared a trove of photos of them together, documenting the full extent to which they had a ball (and looked fashionable while doing so). Naturally, each carousel was chockfull of throwbacks to ‘90s and early aughts fashion, starting with another of Hadid’s array of colorful butterfly hair clips.
Hadid started out with yet another look at the sunset-print PRISCAvera swimsuit and mesh skirt she repeatedly posted last week. She then offered a glimpse at a rare departure from swimwear, worn to the pair’s impromptu dance party with Lipa’s little sister Rina: a pink tank top and baggy athletics pants, accessorized with white Yeezy runners and well over a dozen beaded bracelets. Lipa also packed plenty of jewelry, but took a much different approach, casually sporting a $22,000 serpent-shaped Bulgari diamond ring. Her boyfriend, Hadid’s brother Anwar, surprisingly didn’t wear any accessories—he’s a jewelry designer in addition to a model—but did stick with his newfound habit of painting his nails.
Courtesy of @dualipa
Courtesy of @dualipa
Courtesy of @bellahadid
Courtesy of @bellahadid
In full vacation mode, the pair read books by the pool, looking straight out of a scene from The White Lotus. And Hadid in particular went all in on pepperoni pizza, posting two photos of pies to her grid in three days. Alas, their vacation is now over. And while it doesn’t seem like you’ll be seeing Lipa in a another itsy-bitsy crochet bikini anytime soon, stay tuned for more of the pair: They just touched down in London, and have already delivered another throwback to Y2K.
|
www.wmagazine.com
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Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa Will Make You Miss Summer Already
|
https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/bella-hadid-dua-lipa-vacation
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[] |
2021-08-20 02:09:18+00:00
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2021-08-18 11:17:49
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NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen about the future of Afghanistan. The Taliban say Afghans who worked with Americans aren't in danger and women may work outside the home.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whqr.org%2F2021-08-18%2Fhow-will-the-taliban-govern-afghanistan-the-group-says-it-has-changed.json
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en
|
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
How will the Taliban govern Afghanistan? The armed group that occupied Kabul is promising amnesty for enemies and to let people leave. The tone seems different from the mass executions and repression when the Taliban ruled most of the country in the 1990s. In a few minutes, we report on the daily reality on the ground, but we begin with the Taliban's commitments. We called Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman in Qatar, who promised that people in Kabul should be safe.
SUHAIL SHAHEEN: No, there is no - any kind of reprisal nor revenge on those people who are working with the foreign troops. And so we have announced the general amnesty. They can lead their normal life and they also contribute to the reconstruction of the country, to people's economic prosperity, to their own prosperity, and they can use their talents and capacities in the service of the country and people.
INSKEEP: We are hearing reports from Kabul of people being searched for, of Taliban fighters going door to door searching for individuals. Are you saying that such activity is not authorized by your leadership?
SHAHEEN: Yeah, not authorized - not authorized at all. Our security forces are coming to Kabul in order to maintain order, to - and to prevent any such incidents taking place in the city. We have announced also telephone numbers by the complaint commission. If there is any such incidents and complaints, they can call the complaint commission and - to address their grievances.
INSKEEP: There are news reports describing people who would be unable to complain because they have been killed. This is outside of Kabul, I should say. There was a CNN report in recent days of Taliban fighters executing 22 Afghan commandos as they attempted to surrender, and there was video of this. TOLOnews had a report of 43 people killed in Ghazni. Al-Jazeera reported on dozens of civilians killed in Spin Boldak some days ago. Do you deny these reports?
SHAHEEN: Some of these videos you mention, they are fake videos. For example, for Spin Boldak - so they had spliced the two different location and different incidents. So they are, you know, spreading such fake videos against us.
INSKEEP: I would not say it's impossible that a video is faked, but these stories arrive to us amid some well-documented history of the Taliban. When the Taliban took over in 1996, there was a former president who was dragged out of a diplomatic compound and left hanging from a light pole. There were public executions of civilians at a soccer field - a football field in Kandahar. I stood on that football field afterward and talked with people who had seen those executions. I do not doubt that they happened. Is your group any different today than it was?
SHAHEEN: Today, we have announced general amnesty. We - you may have seen our statements. So it is our commitment. And the people are - those who are behind those incidents, they are detained and brought to courts to be punished.
INSKEEP: Are you saying then that your group is different than the 1990s? And if so, what has changed?
SHAHEEN: No, the 1990s, at that time - even at that time, there was a - the media was against us. There was biased reporting against us. So we're not...
INSKEEP: No, no, no, no, I stood on the football field, and I talked with people who had seen the executions. I do not doubt they happened, sir. Are you saying that your group has changed from what it was then?
SHAHEEN: Oh, yes. Yeah, yeah. About the execution, I don't say it was - if someone has killed a person. So the relatives of that person has right to kill him as a retaliation, according to the law. So that is another story.
INSKEEP: This is very useful because now we're turning to the question of how a country - how Afghanistan should be governed. In the 1990s, when the Taliban were last in power, it was said that people's hands were cut off when they were accused of stealing and that the hands were held up for display. Is that something the Taliban intends to do again?
SHAHEEN: So I'm not a religious scholar, but I can say the Islamic rules - that is interpreted by the judges. It is referred to the judges. So everyone has the right of defense. So then they can issue their ruling as per the law - the Islamic law. So I have no comment on that.
INSKEEP: This leads to another question then. In the country where the Taliban have just taken power, numerous women are in elected positions in the government, serving in various roles in the government. Will they be allowed to remain there?
SHAHEEN: Yes, the women - they have a right to education and to work. Right now, the doctors, they have started serving. The teachers have started teaching. In other fields, the women are working - the journalist women, they have started working by observing hijab.
INSKEEP: By observing hijab - you're saying that unlike the last time the Taliban were in power, women can move about without male escorts, but they must cover themselves completely.
SHAHEEN: Of course. When a woman goes off to job - to the site of her job, she can go and then returns to her home.
INSKEEP: We spoke earlier with an analyst, Asfandyar Mir, who had recently been in Afghanistan and who said that al-Qaida remains present - some members of al-Qaida remain present in Afghanistan. A Taliban spokesman has said in the last day no one will be harmed from Afghan soil. It will not be used as a place to attack other countries. How do you intend to keep that promise?
SHAHEEN: Now, what he says, they are present, I don't believe that. It is our commitment that we will not allow anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan against any other country, including the United States. We want to pave the way for reconstruction of Afghanistan.
INSKEEP: Do you promise to allow free elections and free media?
SHAHEEN: Of course the media is free, but they should also observe certain laws that they should not be against the Islamic rules and also the national interest. So these are the main thing. Otherwise, they can criticize the government, the officials, the people and also to show the best way.
INSKEEP: They may criticize the government?
SHAHEEN: They may - may, may, yes.
INSKEEP: When you said earlier that they cannot write against the national interest - depending on how you define that, that's not really press freedom at all. That's a way to imprison journalists.
SHAHEEN: Yeah, no, no. The press - national interest will be well-known. So that means that in future, it will be very clear, these are the national interests; other are not. So everyone will know. It will not be ambiguous.
INSKEEP: Suhail Shaheen, thank you very much for the time.
SHAHEEN: Thank you. Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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www.whqr.org
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How Will The Taliban Govern Afghanistan? The Group Says It Has Changed
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https://www.whqr.org/2021-08-18/how-will-the-taliban-govern-afghanistan-the-group-says-it-has-changed
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|||||
[
"A Martínez",
"A Martínez Is One Of The Hosts Of Morning Edition",
"Up First. He Came To Npr In",
"Is Based Out Of Npr West."
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:05+00:00
|
2021-08-18 09:09:00
|
NPR's A Martínez to Afghan journalist Zubair Babakarkhail about life in the capital Kabul following the Taliban takeover. Many Afghan journalists have been targeted and killed in past Taliban attacks.
|
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whqr.org%2F2021-08-18%2Fafghan-journalists-worry-about-the-return-of-the-taliban.json
|
en
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A MARTINEZ, HOST:
As we've just heard, people in Kabul are concerned about the Taliban's return to power, and this includes Afghan journalists, many of whom have been targeted and killed in Taliban attacks over the years. We spoke with journalist Zubair Babakarkhail earlier, who called us from the Afghan capital.
What have the last four days since the Taliban took control of Kabul, what have they been like for you and your family?
ZUBAIR BABAKARKHAIL: Yeah. Life has changed so much. There was so much panicking. To be honest, I was emotional a few times, sometimes watching the Taliban fighters using American-provided Humvees and vehicles to the Afghan government that they were using. So I was so sad. And I spent these days panicking. And the last four days, for me, it seems like a very long time.
MARTINEZ: You've been a journalist in Afghanistan for 17 years, including for Stars and Stripes. It's a Department of Defense publication. Are you worried that you might be labeled as being in league with the United States, where that might put you in danger and your family?
BABAKARKHAIL: Yes. Yes. Definitely. Definitely. I'm really worried because I have worked with U.S., DOD-funded publication for so long, about 10 years. And definitely, I'm worried. That's why I'm doing my work while I'm hiding at home. Yesterday, there was a press conference of Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman. My - like, other journalists showed up at the press conference. But I tried to avoid it because I don't want to be everywhere and roam everywhere
MARTINEZ: What do Afghans need from the United States and its allies right now?
BABAKARKHAIL: I mean, they are hopeless right now. Everyone is watching the news. And everyone is saying, it's done. There is no one to help the Afghans anymore because, like, the strong support that they had from the United States of America and the international community - all the countries have spent a lot of money in Afghanistan. They have supported Afghans a lot. We have started from zero. And now it's - Afghanistan has changed a lot when it comes to development and rebuilding, and when it comes to education, health and road infrastructure. A lot of things have been constructed. But when we saw that our army and the police ran away like that, I don't think none of the countries, including the U.S., will try to get involved in Afghanistan. So that's why I'm saying Afghans are hopeless. They just want, I think, these days, those who want to flee the country, they are trying their best to flee the country. And that's what they want, mostly.
MARTINEZ: If you wind up staying in Afghanistan, Zubair, how do you see yourself fitting into a brand-new, Taliban-led Afghanistan?
BABAKARKHAIL: I see myself facing some problems because once they have a government and for - specific people are responsible for specific areas, I believe they will go house to house, door to door and asking people who they are. I believe even if the government - Taliban government say there is free speech in Afghanistan and media can work, but the local, like, fighters will be - when you are interacting with them on a daily basis, they will call you with different names that - because of my background. I believe that. So I see myself not being happy anymore here. I will have problems.
MARTINEZ: Zubair, thank you very much. And please stay safe.
BABAKARKHAIL: You're most welcome.
MARTINEZ: Zubair Babakarkhail is a journalist based in Kabul.
(SOUNDBITE OF PORTICO QUARTET'S "ART IN THE AGE OF AUTOMATION") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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www.whqr.org
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Afghan Journalists Are Worried About The Return Of The Taliban
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https://www.whqr.org/2021-08-18/afghan-journalists-worry-about-the-return-of-the-taliban
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[
"Fresh Air",
"Dave Davies Is A Guest Host For Npr'S Fresh Air With Terry Gross."
] |
2021-08-20 02:11:09+00:00
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Author Eyal Press calls them "jobs of last resort" — slaughtering animals, working in prisons, engaging in remote drone combat. Society needs them but doesn't want to talk about them.
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Who is doing your dirty work? Many of us have no idea, and writer Eyal Press wants to change that.
"Dirty work is work that society in a sense depends on and tacitly condones but doesn't want to hear too much about and certainly doesn't want to see," he explains.
For his new book, Dirty Work, Press interviewed people working punishingly difficult jobs — slaughterhouse employees, correctional officers, oil rig workers, military drone operators. He writes that these workers often do jobs that many of us believe we benefit from — in the form of lower prices, safer streets or cheaper energy — but don't really want to think about.
"Dirty work" tends to fall to people with fewer opportunities, Press writes. And when we hear about ill effects associated with these jobs — such as COVID-19 outbreaks in poultry slaughterhouses or inhumane treatment of incarcerated people — we often condemn the workers rather than the exploitative system that employs them.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on essential workers, such as people employed in the health care, transit, sanitation and food industries. But Press says that this awareness doesn't extend to people doing "dirty" jobs. There's "an even more hidden class of workers who do these morally troubling things that are pretty central to our society," he says. "This is a moment where we're all thinking about how workers who are hidden and who pay the price — both physically and emotionally and in other ways — how we depend on them."
Interview Highlights
On Harriet, a mental health aide working in a Florida prison making $12 an hour
Harriet got a job as a mental health aide at the Dade Correctional Institution in Florida, just south of Miami, shortly after the Great Recession. She had never worked in corrections before, really didn't know what to expect. As she started working the job, she began hearing stories about patients entrusted to her care ... being mistreated.
Some of them complained that they weren't getting food. Their meals were being skipped. She witnessed verbal abuse that concerned her. And gradually she learned that this abuse was both systemic and severe. ...
What do you do if you're a mental health aide at a prison like that, when on the one hand, your job is to care for the patients, on the other hand, you're beholden to the security at the facility? ...
At the very beginning, Harriet did want to help people, but she also just needed a job, and she was frank with me about the fact that if she could have gotten another job she would have. And that's kind of a theme in the book — that these are sort of jobs of last resort. They're not aspirational positions. ...
[Harriet] stopped eating. She lost her appetite. She started losing her hair. She became depressed. She didn't tell anyone what she was going through. ... But she just really fell into a psychic malaise and later, much later, would be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder from the kind of psychic and emotional toll that this took on her.
On people taking correctional jobs because they don't have better options
In my interviews and in the literature on corrections officers, what you find in many places is that they feel, "Boy, I wish I could have been a cop or a firefighter. I'm doing this job because I get benefits. And that's the only reason," or "I'm doing this job because I don't want to do a job that is temporary and I can't support my family."
But certainly the studies suggest this is, again, not a career that people aspire to have. It's a job they end up doing after a kind of period of occupational drift or because they have few other better choices. And I should say that the geography of prisons and jails in this country sort of helps reinforce that. Many of the prisons and jails in the United States have been built in more low-income rural areas where the good jobs that used to exist — the mills and factories — shut down. So what replaced them? Jails and prisons.
On the psychic and physical toll of working in a prison
If you look at the occupational health literature on prison guards, you have alarming rates of hypertension, of divorce, depression, substance abuse, suicide. ...
[I] talked to a woman who ended up setting up a mental health hotline and then a kind of outreach center. ... She kept getting calls from the partners of corrections officers in this area of Colorado that is just full of prisons and jails saying, "I'm concerned about my partner."
And she got so many of these calls — and her own background was in treating trauma victims — that she thought, this is a traumatic job. This is a really high-risk, potentially traumatizing job. So I think what's really difficult is to measure and quantify the kinds of psychic and emotional wounds that doing a job like this has. But that doesn't mean those wounds are not there, and it doesn't mean they're not debilitating.
On drone operators engaged in remote combat
Chris Aaron, who's one of the former drone operators I write about at length, he was someone who, after Sept. 11, felt a streak of idealism kind of derived from his grandfather who had served in World War II. He said, "I want to go serve my country." He ends up very early on helping out and working on the drone program.
In the beginning, he doesn't feel very conflicted about what he's doing. What he remembered and what he described was the sort of exhilaration and a sense of, "We got a high target, high-five!" There's just the sense that we're getting the bad guys.
And then ... Chris starts to have a physical breakdown. He's a very fit guy. ... He starts to develop skin welts and feel sick and just feel weak. He can't get out of bed. ... He becomes depressed, lifeless. And he was this incredibly strikingly vigorous person. And it's at this point, as he's sort of going through all of this, that he's realizing he's starting to question what he's doing.
On the unique stresses of remote combat
What we're learning is that intelligence analysts and officers who are involved and sitting in what are called "remote combat operations" are actually seeing graphic violence, homes destroyed, villages bombed, bodies burned, more than even special forces on the ground.
I think in the beginning there was this sort of assumption that folks in those situations, because they're sitting at a desk and they're distant, that this is like playing a video game — what's the big deal? It would foster what one person called a "PlayStation mentality" to killing, which is its own concern and indeed was the concern among critics of drones.
But what the military is finding ... is that a lot of folks are experiencing grief and sadness and what are called negative disruptive emotions really intensely.
On the anonymity of remote combat
One former Marine in particular, it struck me when he said, when you're on the ground, there's a esprit de corps — you're fighting for your fellow soldiers and you feel that camaraderie.
People who serve in combat missions on the ground, there's a valor to that. That's the traditional heroic narrative we tell about war — people risking and sacrificing, facing the enemy. What happens when you kill but you are not facing those risks and danger?
Here, the operators are getting in their cars afterwards and driving home, often alone, to a society that has kind of forgotten that we are fighting these wars. ... It speaks to how disengaged as a society we've become from the wars that are fought in our name. ...
People who serve in combat missions on the ground, there's a valor to that. That's the traditional heroic narrative we tell about war — people risking and sacrificing, facing the enemy. What happens when you kill but you are not facing those risks and danger?
I don't think it's an accident that when the military tried to introduce a kind of valor medal for drone operators, some within the military mocked it as a kind of Nintendo medal, which suggests, hey, why should we give a medal to people who haven't put their lives on the line? And yet, as a society, we have come to do a lot of this drone warfare because we don't want the sacrifice.
Thea Chaloner and Sam Briger produced and edited this interview for broadcast. Molly Seavy-Nesper and Beth Novey adapted it for the web.
Copyright 2021 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.
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This Book Introduces You To The People Doing Your 'Dirty Work'
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[
"Ron Elving Is Senior Editor",
"Correspondent On The Washington Desk For Npr News",
"Where He Is Frequently Heard As A News Analyst",
"Writes Regularly For Npr.Org."
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2021-08-20 02:12:16+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:00:31
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The last four U.S. presidents have found themselves mired in Afghanistan. The last two saw the war as an unwanted inheritance and an albatross, and they were determined to end the American role.
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In Afghanistan the world is witnessing disastrous consequences associated with a rare area of agreement between President Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump.
Both presidents saw the 20-year war in the remote and rugged country as an unwelcome inheritance and an albatross. For Trump it was the prime example of the "forever wars" he promised to end, a salient promise of his "America First" campaign. Frustrated in his initial efforts to truncate the U.S. mission, Trump finally bypassed the Afghan government to negotiate directly with the Taliban. The deal with them that he signed on Feb. 29, 2020 promised to pull all U.S. troops out by May 1, 2021.
Biden did not reverse this course when he took office, although he did push back the pull-out to September. He wanted more time to remove U.S. forces and, if necessary, evacuate U.S. civilians as well as Afghan interpreters and others who helped the U.S. war effort. He was advised he would have a period of weeks or months to do this after September.
It turned out, the Taliban had a schedule of their own.
It also turned out that the Afghan army the U.S. built, trained and equipped had been largely abandoned by its own government. Reportedly left without food and other supplies, much of the army simply ceded the battlefield to the Taliban, first in the hinterlands, then in the towns, then in the cities. There seemed to be little loyalty to the elected Afghan government, whose leader Ashraf Ghani fled the country before the Taliban entered the capital and took over his palace.
So when we thought we had months to get out, we had weeks. When we thought we had weeks, we had days. When we thought we still had a few days, we had hours.
The Taliban did not fight their way into Kabul; they drove in. There were commuters in American cities who found it harder driving in to work the next day.
It seems no one foresaw all this happening this fast.
But someone has to deal with the general failure. Someone has to cope with the hundreds of Americans and international workers still in Afghanistan who want to go their home countries — and untold thousands of Afghans who want to leave theirs.
Javed Tanveer / AFP via Getty Images Taliban fighters stand guard at an entrance gate outside the Interior Ministry in Kabul on Tuesday.
Biden's "America First" moment?
Biden stood up on Monday and said "the buck stops here." But he made clear he thought that buck had been passed to him by plenty of other people. He acknowledged that the U.S. footprint was now confined to the Hamid Karzai International Airport. He seemed stunned by the scenes of chaos there, the tarmac awash with would-be refugees, some so desperate they clung to an aircraft as it took off.
Yet Biden remained adamant about getting out of Afghanistan, even given the catastrophe on view on screens the world over.
Four presidents over two decades have found themselves mired in Afghanistan, wondering when they might get out. Biden grasped the nettle like no other. And he may well face the political consequences each of his predecessors managed to sidestep.
President George W. Bush first sent troops to overthrow the Taliban then in power after they had harbored al-Qaida prior to the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Thereafter, his attention turned to invading Iraq and a larger struggle there. But he kept enough troops in Afghanistan to keep the lid on and move toward building an indigenous army and democracy (while denying it was "nation building").
Elected in 2008, Barack Obama surged the U.S. fighting force to more than 90,000 in his first term, then drew it down aggressively after winning his second. Biden, his vice president, was opposed to the build-up and favored the drawdown.
Neither Bush nor Obama wanted "Who lost Afghanistan?" questions to haunt their own reelection prospects. And indeed, they did not.
Trump's turn to the Taliban
Trump, by contrast, seemed more anxious about voters asking why the U.S. had not left Afghanistan.
In his 2020 book The Room Where It Happened, John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser in 2018 and 2019, depicts Trump as determined to deal with the Taliban. He recalls Trump trying to bring Taliban leaders to Camp David for negotiations in September 2019, eventually dropping that plan, and then reviving its outline in what became the Feb. 29, 2020 agreement.
"This deal is entirely Trump's," Bolton wrote of that agreement. "Time will tell who is right, and the full effects of the deal may not become apparent until after Trump leaves office. But there should be no mistaking this reality: Trump will be responsible for the consequences, politically and militarily."
Bolton, long known as a hardliner in previous Republican administrations, has since expressed his scorn for Biden's policy and Trump's, in the wake of events in Kabul.
H.R. McMaster, a retired Army general who preceded Bolton as national security adviser, has also linked the Trump and Biden approaches to Afghanistan. He told a Wilson Center interviewer on Aug. 12 that a "sound strategy" he helped devise for Afghanistan in 2017 had been "abandoned" in "capitulation negotiations conducted under Ambassador [Zalmay] Khalilzad" — Trump's special envoy to Afghanistan who was retained in that role by the Biden administration.
So intense was Trump's intention to withdraw that he persisted even after the 2020 election. According to a report published by Axios in May, Trump signed a memo in November that would have withdrawn all U.S. troops by mid-January (just five days before his term was to end). His top national security team, civilian and military, persuaded him not to issue the order but to leave the withdrawal date at May 1.
Trump has since said none of the current mayhem in Kabul would be happening if he were still president. Researchers will need to ascertain how many exit visas for Afghans had already been arranged before Trump left office, or what sort of procedures he might have had in place for Americans and Afghans wishing to leave. But lacking such evidence, and given Trump's timetable and concessions made to the Taliban, it is easier to imagine the current situation happening that much sooner.
Trump in fact had complained at his June 26 rally in Ohio that the Biden administration was dragging its feet and ought to get out faster.
Fumbling at the goal line?
There is a case to be made that Biden is less responsible for this fiasco than any of the previous three presidents. But he is the one who fumbled at the goal line, as it were, at the crucial moment of the game from the perspective of media and politics.
While an Economist/YouGov poll this June found only 1 American in 5 opposed to the U.S. withdrawing from Afghanistan, a Morning Consult survey that followed the fall of Kabul found a plurality of 45% opposed to withdrawal if it meant a Taliban takeover.
It can also be said that by the time Biden was carrying the ball, it was more like being left holding the bag.
"I am now the fourth American president to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan — two Republicans, two Democrats. I will not pass this responsibility on to a fifth," he said. "It is time for American troops to come home."
Biden made that statement on April 14, with Trump's May 1 deadline looming. He repeated the vow about passing the responsibility in his speech on Monday.
There was in that "time to come home" phrase a faint, distant echo of "come home, America" — the campaign theme of presidential nominee George McGovern, who ran against the Vietnam War in 1972 and lost 49 states.
It was not a good year for Democrats on the ballot, but one who won was a 29-year-old Senate candidate in Delaware who did not make a major issue of the war. The young Joe Biden had not been a campus activist in his years at the University of Delaware or at Syracuse Law School. "I didn't march," he would recall later. "I ran for office."
Just two years later, still in his first Senate term, Biden watched with the nation as the long war in Vietnam ended in debacle. Helicopters plucked the last U.S. military and civilians from a rooftop in Saigon as the city fell, ending a civil war in which the U.S. had backed the South Vietnamese government against the communist regime of North Vietnam and its guerilla allies, the Viet Cong.
Neal Ulevich / AP Vietnamese people scale the wall of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, trying to get to the helicopter pickup zone, just before the end of the Vietnam War on April 29, 1975.
American support for Saigon had been waning for years, with the U.S. ending the draft after 1972 and leaving the fighting to the Vietnamese. When left on its own, the South Vietnamese army was routed in a matter of months. Many thousands of Vietnamese who had helped the U.S. were left behind, with some escaping in desperately overloaded ships. Many of these "boat people" were picked up by U.S. Navy vessels; others made it to port in surrounding countries. Eventually, many came to the U.S. where they and their descendants now number well over a million.
Biden bookends: Vietnam and son Beau
When Saigon fell, none of the U.S. presidents who had made commitments to Vietnam was on hand to bear the consequences. Dwight Eisenhower, who sided with the French colonialists against the Vietnamese in the 1950s, was long dead. So was John F. Kennedy, who inherited the war but felt he had to extend it and expand the U.S. commitment, and Lyndon B. Johnson, who had escalated the war far beyond his predecessors. Richard Nixon, still alive, had resigned on the brink of impeachment over the Watergate scandal.
President Gerald Ford had been in office less than nine months when Saigon fell in April of 1975. He had been preoccupied with domestic matters and been assured the Saigon government could hold on a while longer. He was misinformed. But relatively few blamed him, even in the wake of a disastrous end to the long struggle and a humiliating exit for the U.S. His approval in the Gallup Poll did not seem to suffer, and a military rescue of U.S. seamen captured off Cambodia's coast two weeks later helped boost him to more than 50% approval at the end of May.
The other factor that may have influenced Biden on Afghanistan is more personal. Some who heard Biden speak on Monday were surprised he did not mention his son, Beau Biden, who was deployed to the Iraq War in 2008.
"I don't want him going," his father said at the time, "But I tell you what, I don't want my grandson or my granddaughters going back in 15 years, and so how we leave makes a big difference."
Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015, and his father has speculated at times about the effects of toxic chemicals his son encountered while in the war theater.
As vice president, Biden was reported to have told a colleague that he did not want his son going to Afghanistan if the mission was to make sure it was safe for girls to go to school. (The Taliban is notorious for denying women the most basic rights.)
The president has often made mention of the impact his son's life and death have had on him. And while such things as personal loss — or the Vietnam era experience — cannot be measured precisely, neither can they be counted out.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Withdrawing From Afghanistan May Be The One Thing Biden And Trump Agree On
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[
"Jason Beaubien Is Npr'S Global Health",
"Development Correspondent On The Science Desk.",
"A Martínez",
"A Martínez Is One Of The Hosts Of Morning Edition",
"Up First. He Came To Npr In",
"Is Based Out Of Npr West."
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:12+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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Prime Minister Ariel Henry took office after the assassination of the country's president, and almost immediately faced the challenge of responding to a devastating earthquake.
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A MARTINEZ, HOST:
The earthquake which has devastated southwest Haiti came just weeks after another shock to the Caribbean nation, and that was the assassination of its president last month. The new prime minister, Ariel Henry, was already facing the challenge of establishing his government's legitimacy. Now he has to prove that the government can respond effectively to the quake. NPR's Jason Beaubien has been reporting from Haiti all week. He joins us now from the town of Coteaux. Jason, you're in a region hard hit by the quake.
JASON BEAUBIEN, BYLINE: Yeah.
MARTINEZ: Let's start by asking just how the new prime minister has been responding to all this.
BEAUBIEN: You know, Prime Minister Henry definitely has stepped up, and he's playing the role of the head of state. If you remember, right after the assassination, the interim prime minister, Claude Joseph, was saying that he was in charge even though he officially had been fired and was in the process of being replaced by Henry. And there was this period where it was really a mess. So right now, it is really good that that dispute has been resolved.
Ariel Henry is the prime minister. He's corralling the various government agencies to get moving. He - you know, he's demanding that the international aid groups coordinate their efforts through the Haitian government. He's getting out there in the field. He's talking to the injured who are waiting outside hospitals. Obviously, he's going to be judged later on how successful the government's response is - was to this crisis. But at least for now, when the country definitely needs a leader, Henry is doing that job. And it's really good that that leadership fight was resolved before this natural disaster hit.
MARTINEZ: Yeah, it's definitely going to be a test for him. What relief efforts have you been able to see?
BEAUBIEN: You know, it is still slow. Aid agencies also will tell you that it's not going nearly as fast as they'd like. You're not seeing much aid being distributed yet. Monday night, tens of thousands of Haitians were sleeping outside or they were crammed in with neighbors, you know, as this wicked storm pounded the area. Tropical storm force winds were ripping apart makeshift shelters that people had made. And certainly, you know, some real tarps, some plastic sheeting, would have been much better than what a lot of people had. But again, this quake, you know, it did only hit on Saturday. And access into the area, you know, has been complicated for these aid groups.
MARTINEZ: Four days, though, since the quake. That's a long time to be out in the rain and the sun. You were out last night talking to people. What are they saying about the relief effort?
BEAUBIEN: Yeah, certainly there's a lot of frustration. People are telling us repeatedly that they haven't seen any government officials or aid groups coming around, even to find out what they need. Last night, we stopped by this house where 10 people were sleeping in these two small rooms.
KETTLY ROSIER: (Non-English language spoken).
BEAUBIEN: That's Kettly Rosier (ph). She was pointing out where each person fits on the concrete floor. You know, her house is still standing, but it's got cracks in the walls and in the floor, and she's terrified to go inside. And she'd like to get some help repairing her home - you know, some tarps maybe where she could set up a place to sleep out in her yard. Other people who are injured are still waiting for medical attention. Schools, churches - they need to be rebuilt. And, you know, with so many businesses damaged, the expectation is that there's going to be a need in the coming weeks for food aid just to, you know, help families survive who've lost their jobs.
MARTINEZ: That's NPR's Jason Beaubien in Coteaux, Haiti. Jason, thanks.
BEAUBIEN: You're welcome. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Haiti's New Prime Minister Faces Challenges Brought On By Natural Disaster
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"Development Correspondent On The Science Desk."
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2021-08-18 20:30:00
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Les Cayes, a small city on Haiti's southwest coast, was one of the hardest-hit communities in last week's earthquake. Residents are still hoping more aid will arrive soon.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
In Haiti, aid groups are ramping up efforts to get supplies to people whose homes were damaged or destroyed in Saturday's earthquake. Meanwhile, the number of dead and wounded continues to rise. NPR's Jason Beaubien is in one of the hardest-hit cities, Les Cayes. He's checking on the medical and aid situation there.
Hi, Jason.
JASON BEAUBIEN, BYLINE: Hey, Ailsa.
CHANG: Hi. Looks like we have a little bit of a delay. So what are you seeing in terms of the needs right now in this part of Haiti?
BEAUBIEN: You know, treating the wounded continues to be one of the top priorities. We spent much of the day at the general hospital here in Les Cayes. The wards are packed, and the injured just keep coming. I was talking with Dr. Titus Antoine, who runs the emergency room, and he says he keeps expecting the inflow of patients to slow down, but it doesn't.
TITUS ANTOINE: We're still getting a lot of people. Like you seeing now, I'm sweating and all that. But yet we have a lot of people, a lot of - many people since the earthquake.
BEAUBIEN: Some people are emerging from areas that have been cut off by landslides or roads that were destroyed for the last five days, so some routes are now opening up. Other people had wounds that weren't life-threatening and there - simply weren't able to get care earlier. But now, the emergency room at the general hospital is so crowded that nurses are bandaging patients outside on wooden benches. And then over at the surgical ward, the hallways are just packed with patients on gurneys.
CHANG: Wow. In terms of medical supplies, it sounds like there's such a great need right now, but are they actually getting these supplies, these hospitals?
BEAUBIEN: You know, medical supplies were some of the first things shipped in. And the doctors that we talked to said that bandages and sutures are sort of in low supply, but just as they start to run out, another aid group shows up with more, so they're managing to get by. One thing they don't have are medicines to send patients home with - no antibiotics after surgery, no pain meds, not even aspirin. Patients or their families have to find all those things and pay for them themselves. And one nurse in the surgical department, you know, she says she worries that some patients, that they come in and they do surgery on them and then they go home, and they may end up dying from infections.
CHANG: Terrible. But is there a sense at least that the aid operation is picking up now that Tropical Storm Grace is subsiding?
BEAUBIEN: Yes, definitely. I mean, yesterday, this area was getting pounded with the winds and rain from Tropical Storm Grace. You know, almost all aid operations were suspended yesterday. But today, helicopters were going in and out of the airport. They were bringing in aid workers, bringing in supplies. We ran into Nathan Bates with Medic Corps out of Arkansas. They brought in a helicopter and a small plane to help.
NATHAN BATES: We have two focuses. One is get critical patients out or potential critical patients like, you know, anyone who's high risk, if they have no access. Our next goal is we're collecting intel to know exactly how many people are on location, what their ages are, the demographics, so we can do supply drops.
BEAUBIEN: You know, in addition, the UN's World Food Programme, they're bringing helicopters in. And we saw them flying in and out most of the day today, bringing in both aid workers and supplies. And later, we saw the first distribution of stuff that we'd seen since we've arrived here. UNICEF and the Haitian Red Cross were distributing tarps, blankets. They had these five-gallon buckets with basic sanitary supplies - you know, toilet paper, toothpaste, things like that, things that so many people lost in the midst of that quake.
CHANG: That is NPR's Jason Beaubien in the city of Les Cayes, Haiti.
Thank you so much, Jason.
BEAUBIEN: You're welcome. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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The Haitian City Of Les Cayes Is Struggling To Recover After Earthquake
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https://www.whqr.org/2021-08-18/the-haitian-city-of-les-cayes-is-struggling-to-recover-after-earthquake
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[
"Vanessa Romo Is A Reporter For Npr'S News Desk. She Covers Breaking News On A Wide Range Of Topics",
"Weighing In Daily On Everything Immigration",
"The Treatment Of Migrant Children",
"To A War-Crimes Trial Where A Witness Claimed He Was The Actual Killer",
"To An Alleged Sex Cult. She Has Also Covered The Occasional Cat-Clinging-To-The-Hood-Of-A-Car Story."
] |
2021-08-20 02:11:46+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:44:48
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Tensions are rising among Haitians as recovery teams are still slow in reaching the needy impacted by the Aug. 14 earthquake that hit the southwestern area of the island.
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Updated August 19, 2021 at 6:32 AM ET
As the death toll continues to rise in Haiti five days after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the country, tensions among the most desperate are rising.
The devastating earthquake struck the southwestern part of the island on Saturday. By Wednesday, the death toll surpassed 2,000, according to Haiti's Civil Protection Agency. More than 12, 200 people were injured, according to official counts.
More than 330 people remain missing and search and rescue operations continue, the agency said.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Wednesday appealed for unity in Haiti.
"We have to put our heads together to rebuild Haiti," he said. "The country is physically and mentally destroyed.
Tensions are rising as aid is slow going
Matias Delacroix / AP A crane removes a truck from a pile of rocks after landslides triggered by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit four days prior in River Glass, Haiti, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021.
Search and rescue operations resumed Tuesday after Tropical Storm Grace left the island.
Due to landslides, heavily damaged infrastructure, and security risks posed by groups of gangs along the route used by humanitarian organizations, relief is slow getting to Haitian citizens.
USAID said a reliance on air and sea transportation is limiting the frequency and volume of aid deliveries. Relief convoys started arriving in Jérémie and Les Cayes on Tuesday, according to the UN.
People are fed up over the slow pace, according to reports from The Associated Press.
At the airport in Les Cayes, one of the hardest-hit areas, groups of people gathered outside the fence as an aid flight landed and crews unloaded the plane. An officer from the Haitian national police working to guard the shipments fired two warning shots to disperse a group of young men, the AP reported.
Elsewhere, angry crowds gathered at a collapsed building, demanding tarps and other temporary shelters, the AP said.
More than 1 million people are affected
The earthquake's devastation is centered in the country's southwestern area, particularly in the city of Les Cayes.
UNICEF estimates roughly 1.2 million people, including 540,000 children, have been impacted by both the earthquake and the storm that followed days later.
The humanitarian organization estimates that it will need at least $15 million to respond to the most urgent needs of at least 385,000 people. That's including 167,000 children under the age of five for a period lasting at least eight weeks.
Thousands of homes and buildings were destroyed
Fernando Llano / AP Residents whose homes were damaged during the earthquake campout at a soccer field in Les Cayes, Haiti, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021.
The quake, which occurred along the same fault line as the one in 2010 that killed over 200,000, has destroyed more than 83,000 homes.
USAID is coordinating relief efforts in Haiti to distribute blankets, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and shelter repair items to support at least 50,000 people, the agency said.
Hospitals struggle to operate in the days after
Matias Delacroix / AP People injured in Saturday's 7.2-magnitude earthquake and their relatives, crowd in an emergency room at the Saint Antoine hospital in Jeremie, Haiti, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021.
Injured Haitians--including young children--are still struggling to get proper medical help days after the quake.
USAID says functioning health care facilities in damaged towns and cities have insufficient medical staff, supplies, and fuel. Others have significant earthquake damage and problems accessing electricity and water.
On Wednesday, USAID reported at least 24 damaged or destroyed health facilities in Haiti, further limiting access to health care for Haitians after the quake.
Five facilities were damaged or destroyed in Grand'Anse and Nippes, according to USAID.
In badly hit Les Cayes, hospitals and other health care facilities were operational, but were using power provided by generators and had little else for fuel supplies.
This week, UNICEF said it delivered medical kits to three hospitals in Les Cayes – including gloves, painkillers, antibiotics and syringes – to treat 30,000 earthquake victims. Local nurses and doctors are still reporting there are no medicines, like antibiotics, paid medication or even aspirin, to send patients home with.
In Jérémie, all five of the commune's health care facilities lacked proper fuel, medical supplies, and personnel. In the days following the quake, people from rural areas continued to arrive seeking medical aid.
Most hospitals in the heavily damaged towns were attempting to transfer patients with severe trauma injuries to Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince.
Teams are still finding and treating injured people
Matias Delacroix / AP A truck drives past by collapsed building in Jeremie, Haiti, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, four days after the city was struck by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Some officials have suggested the search phase should end and crews should be allowed to come in to clear rubble. But Haiti's leader, Henry, wants the search to continue for a bit longer, the AP reported.
"Some of our citizens are still under the debris. We have teams of foreigners and Haitians working on it," he said.
Local crews are still finding injured people coming from rural areas of Haiti.
The Civil Protection Agency reported that 15 people were found in the commune of Torbeck that were injured and needed help.
The World Health Organization hinted at the long-term impact of Saturday's earthquake, declaring an emergency for Haiti and neighboring Dominican Republic for the rest of the year.
The Haitian leader, Henry, in a post on Twitter Wednesday, promised Haitians that his administration will work to not "repeat history on the mismanagement and coordination of aid." He was referencing to the chaos that followed Haiti's 2010 earthquake, in which the government was accused of not properly dispersing money raised by donors to the people.
He said he will "personally ensure this help reaches the real victims."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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What We Know About The Situation In Haiti, Days After The Massive Earthquake
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[
"Emily Feng Is Npr'S Beijing Correspondent."
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2021-08-20 02:07:40+00:00
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2021-08-13 12:22:38
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A woman's account of her alleged rape by her manager at the Chinese tech company has gone viral, spurring conversations across the country about sexual abuse in the workplace.
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Updated August 18, 2021 at 11:47 AM ET
BEIJING – The client dinner in July began like any other: with copious amounts of alcohol and no other women present.
"Look how good I am to you," the female employee later recalled her male manager telling their clients when she arrived at the meal. "I brought you a beautiful girl," she remembered him saying.
She says the last thing she remembered that night was crying while her manager lay on top of her.
The woman's account is part of an 11-page essay uploaded Aug. 7 onto the internal message board of the powerful Chinese tech company Alibaba, where both she and her manager worked. The document was published internally and included the name of her manager and other executives.
Jinan city police said in a statement that they believe the woman was "sexually abused" by her Alibaba manager and a company client at a company dinner.
But the police said that despite their believe that she had been groped, there was no evidence the manager had raped the woman, as she had accused him of doing in a viral online essay published last week.
Jinan city police said in a statement that they believe the woman was "sexually abused" by her Alibaba manager and a company client at a company dinner.
But the police said that despite their belief that she had been groped, there was no evidence the manager had raped the woman, as she had accused him of doing in a viral online essay published last week. Nor did they find evidence to support her claim that she had been forced to go on the work trip and then forced to drink at the company dinner.
Police do say security footage shows the manager entered the woman's hotel room multiple times and molested her. The next morning, the police say the manager entered the room with a box of condoms, which remained unopened. When he left, he took a pair of her underwear.
The woman's story and her allegations of sexual assault within one of China's most powerful private companies have incited a firestorm of public anger that has injected new life into the country's #MeToo movement, which has fizzled in recent years.
More than 6,000 Alibaba employees joined an online group over the weekend calling for justice for the victim, and her story has been one of the most-discussed topics on the Chinese social media account Weibo this week.
The essay painfully highlights a pervasive culture of excessive drinking and skewed gender expectations that still permeate China's corporate culture – and that critics say enable sexual assault.
"This kind of drinking culture is extremely common and encourages all sorts of behavior that crosses boundaries and disrespects women," says Lü Pin, a Chinese feminist, activist and writer.
Alibaba, which has more than 250,000 full-time employees, said it has fired the woman's manager; two other senior employees have resigned after being accused of failing to address the woman's allegations.
"We will do everything we can to take care of her," Daniel Zhang, Alibaba's chief executive, wrote in a company-wide memo on Monday, two days after the woman shared her account.
China's latest #MeToo case comes days after the country's arguably most famous pop star, Canadian-Chinese singer Kris Wu, was detained by Beijing police for allegedly sexually assaulting underage women.
Wu, 30, had been accused by an 18-year-old student of pressuring her and other women into having sex with him.
While Chinese women have gained much greater independence and recognition in society over the last four decades, gender discrimination remains, particularly in the workplace. Job recruitment websites routinely post advertisements with standard phrases such as "men only" and "male candidates preferred." Interview questions probing a female applicant's relationship status and plans to have children are not considered a faux pas but rather expected.
Those brave enough to publicize experiences of sexual harassment or discrimination must be prepared to face brutal trolling campaigns on the internet. They also must contend with employers who face fewer legal risks by ignoring complaints of sexual wrongdoing than they do for firing the accuser.
Meanwhile, survivors who speak out become vulnerable to defamation suits. For example, in 2018, Zhou Xiaoxuan, a former reporter for state broadcaster CCTV, became the poster child for China's then-burgeoning #MeToo movement when she wrote an essay accusing a male anchor, Zhu Jun, of sexually harassing her when she was an intern at the network. Zhu, who has denied these allegations, quickly sued Zhou for defamation, plunging her into nearly three years of legal battles. The case is ongoing.
"China's civil code says employers have a duty to prevent, investigate and respond to sexual misconduct in the workplace, but it does not say what, if any, [legal] liability employers face for failing to meet their duty," says Darius Longarino, senior fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center.
Regarding their investigation of the case, the police in Jinan, the city in eastern China where the alleged sexual assault incident took place, said in a statement that confirming certain details would be "difficult" because they occurred in the "secret space" of a closed hotel room.
The woman says her ordeal began when her manager pressured her into taking a business trip from the city of Hangzhou, where Alibaba's headquarters are located, to Jinan. She says at dinner she felt obligated to accept the alcohol forced on her in the presence of clients and colleagues.
"I could not refuse, I would not refuse," she wrote. Quickly, she became unconscious.
The next day, she says she woke up naked in her hotel room. She says the room was in disarray, and her underwear was missing. On the nightstand was a used condom, she says.
She alleges that hotel security footage reviewed by the police the next day showed her former Alibaba manager dragging her into her hotel, requesting a copy of her room card and letting himself into her room.
Back at work, the woman says her manager pretended nothing had happened. The woman approached two other managers to report the incident, but they refused to fire the alleged perpetrator. She alleges that one manager told her: "Our work is very important. Why should such a small incident derail something so important?" Both have since resigned.
She says the experience plunged her into such emotional turmoil that she began to self-harm. "I thought about those disgusting people doing those disgusting things to me, and I really felt like I could not live anymore," she wrote.
The woman says she attempted to share her story in work chat groups, but her messages were quickly deleted. Frustrated, she brought a loudspeaker to the Alibaba canteen, hoping to broadcast her allegations to other employees – only to be quickly surrounded by dozens of office security guards. Furious, she began writing an essay describing her experience that has now gone viral.
"I have been calm for too long," the woman wrote. "I trusted all of you, but what have you done for me?"
Alibaba says it is now crafting an anti-sexual assault policy and designing a safe channel for employees to report such cases — systems the company did not previously have in place.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Rape Accusations At Alibaba Bring China's #MeToo Movement Back Into The Spotlight
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2021-08-20 02:08:23+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. Saad Omer, director of the Yale Institute for Global Health, about the Biden administration's expected announcement on COVID-19 booster shots.
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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
President Biden could announce as early as today that anybody who received the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccines should get a third shot eight months after the second dose. Just a month ago, federal health officials were saying that most fully vaccinated people would not yet need a third vaccination. But then last week, they recommended booster shots for people with weak immune systems, and now perhaps the recommendations will change again. We'll discuss this with Dr. Saad Omer, the director of the Yale Institute for Global Health. Welcome to the program, sir.
SAAD OMER: My pleasure.
INSKEEP: I assume a change like this would have to be driven by evidence, so what are health authorities learning that they didn't know before?
OMER: Well, we have news reports that one of the drivers is the data coming out of Israel. So what these data seem to show is that early vaccine recipients now have lower effectiveness of the vaccine. There's also reports that the administration is looking at some U.S. data, including some CDC unpublished data. But there are a couple of caveats there because, you know, the Israeli data, while useful, is not peer reviewed, and there are a few quirks in that data because the vaccine was not delivered uniformly to different age groups or different demographic groups. For example, those who received the vaccine earlier on, for whom a lot of months have passed, were more sick and were high risk anyways. On the other hand, the unvaccinated are younger and not so, you know, high risk and so on, so forth.
So there needs to be some statistical adjustment, et cetera, that needs to happen. But the crude data seems to show that the recipients that received early are - have lower effectiveness. And a lot of us are also looking forward to seeing the CDC data that the administration seemed to be looking at while making up its mind.
INSKEEP: I think a lot of people - we've all heard anecdotal evidence of people who've decided just to be safe, they're going to use whatever means they can to get their own booster shot, to get an extra dose of vaccine. Is there an argument for just saying, let's just be safe and give people a third shot?
OMER: Well, so there is a process for these recommendations, and I would recommend people wait for that process to unfold. I hope, one way or another, that process happens on the sooner side. And just to elaborate on that, in this country, we have a - you know, in addition to FDA authorization, often, we have what's called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which is a CDC group. It's an external advisory group to the CDC director that evaluates all the evidence in the open. So they're subject to open meeting requirements. So not only the data are reviewed openly, but the rationale is also discussed. And why that is important is that then, you know, everyone, including the experts, can evaluate the data and understand the rationale, why this is happening. And friends from the U.S. government tell me that there is a lot of support for going through that process, and I hope that that process is followed for the reasons I described.
INSKEEP: Now, I mentioned that we're talking here - we appear to be talking here - the announcement - any announcement hasn't been made yet. We appear to be talking about Pfizer and Moderna. Why would there not be a recommendation for an extra shot for people who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
OMER: So one reason is that the data that has come out so far from Israel, where the focus was on the Pfizer vaccine, and even from a lot of the U.S. data because most of the vaccines that were delivered in this country were mRNA vaccines, meaning the Pfizer and the Moderna shots...
INSKEEP: Yeah.
OMER: ...Those data are more available. But I do hope that some recommendation will come out for the J&J shot. As a scientist, I think there are a lot of questions the public has, et cetera. But I hope there is a focus on that as well.
INSKEEP: Dr. Omer, thanks very much for your insights. Really appreciate it.
OMER: My pleasure.
INSKEEP: Saad Omer is director of the Yale Institute for Global Health. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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COVID-19 Booster Shots Could Be Out For The Public By Fall
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2021-08-20 02:13:12+00:00
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2021-08-18 15:35:05
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Gov. Greg Abbott — who announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus despite being fully vaccinated — has been fighting with local governments over masks for months.
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A school district in northeast Texas has found a creative way to get around Gov. Greg Abbott's ban on mask mandates.
The Paris Independent School District will now require students to wear masks as part of its dress code.
The Paris ISD board of trustees said in a statement that it "believes the dress code can be used to mitigate communicable health issues" and amended it accordingly to protect the district's students and employees.
"The Texas Governor does not have the authority to usurp the Board of Trustees' exclusive power and duty to govern and oversee the management of the public schools of the district," it continued.
"Nothing in the Governor's Executive Order 38 states he has suspended Chapter 11 of the Texas Education Code, and therefore the Board has elected to amend its dress code consistent with its statutory authority."
It will revisit the change monthly
The board made its decision after an emergency meeting Tuesday, when parents, district employees and local doctors discussed the subject for more than an hour, according to The Paris News. The change to the dress code is not permanent and will be revisited at each monthly board meeting.
Abbott — who announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for the coronavirus despite being fully vaccinated — has been fighting with local governments over masks for months.
In July, he extended an executive order that prohibits government entities (including school districts) from requiring face coverings. Local leaders in cities including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin have defied the order and left their mask mandates in place.
"Now you have officials at the local level saying at least if you're not going to help us, get out of the way — but that doesn't seem to be where we're headed," Scott Braddock, the editor of statewide political newsletter the Quorum Report, told NPR.
The Texas Supreme Court handed Abbott his first legal victory over the weekend when it struck down temporary restraining orders that enabled two counties to institute mask requirements.
This story originally appeared in the Morning Edition live blog.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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A Texas School Made Masks Part Of Its Dress Code To Get Around Gov. Abbott's Ban
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2021-08-20 02:11:03+00:00
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2021-08-18 14:45:12
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Ghani said on Sunday that he had left the country to avoid further bloodshed.
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Updated August 18, 2021 at 12:12 PM ET
Ousted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is now in the United Arab Emirates, the country confirmed in a brief statement on Wednesday.
"The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds," it wrote.
Ghani left Afghanistan over the weekend as Taliban forces advanced on the capital of Kabul, prompting much speculation about his whereabouts. In his first public comments on Sunday, he said he had left the country to avoid further bloodshed.
Journalist George Packer profiled Ghani for The New Yorker in 2016 and spoke to NPR about his governing style over the weekend. Listen to that here.
This story originally appeared in the Morning Edition live blog.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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The United Arab Emirates Is Sheltering Afghanistan's Ousted President, Ashraf Ghani
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2021-08-20 02:09:25+00:00
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2021-08-18 17:50:00
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A legal tug of war is playing out in Texas, while Florida districts that enforce mask mandates could risk a state investigation and lost funding. Here's where the school masking battles stand.
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Updated August 18, 2021 at 5:14 PM ET
Across the country, as students and teachers head back into school buildings in the midst of a COVID-19 surge, school superintendents in Florida, Texas and Arizona are standing firm against state leaders who say masks shouldn't be mandated in classrooms.
On Wednesday, the Biden administration reinforced its support for those school leaders.
"I'm directing the secretary of education, an educator himself, to take additional steps to protect our children," President Biden said at a White House press conference Wednesday. "This includes using all of his oversight authorities and legal action, if appropriate, against governors who are trying to block and intimidate local school officials and educators."
Also on Wednesday, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a blog post that the Education Department will be looking into whether state policies, including bans on mask mandates, "may infringe on the rights of every student to access public education equally."
Cardona sent letters last week to state leaders in Texas and Florida, making it clear that districts can use federal COVID-19 relief funds if their states sanction them for mandating masks.
In Florida, school is in session — and already chaotic
In late July, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order aimed at preventing schools from adopting mask mandates. On Tuesday, Florida's State Board of Education authorized the education commissioner to investigate districts that require universal mask-wearing and potentially to withhold state funding.
Meanwhile, many Florida students are already back at home quarantining after starting the school year in person. Hillsborough County, the nation's eighth largest school district, is convening an emergency school board meeting on Wednesday to discuss mitigation measures — including a possible mask requirement — after more than 5,000 students were put in isolation or quarantine.
In Alachua County, school started last week with mask mandates in place; masks are also required in Broward County when students return on Wednesday. Miami-Dade County, the fourth largest school district in the country, will finalize its masking policy on Wednesday, just days before students return to classrooms next week.
In a Friday letter to Florida's governor and education commissioner, Cardona wrote, "The Department stands with these dedicated educators who are working to safely reopen schools and maintain safe in-person instruction."
Carlee Simon, superintendent of Alachua County Public Schools, told NPR's All Things Considered last week that people have contacted her from all over the world about fundraising to make up for any cuts from the state.
"I believe that there's a lot of people who are watching, and they're concerned," she said, "and they don't want people to let go of their principles because they're worried about money."
In his letter, Cardona offered another solution. He pointed out that American Rescue Plan funds provide money for staffing: "This includes paying the full salaries of educators (including superintendents) and school board members, regardless of whether the State moves to withhold some of their salary as Florida is threatening."
During a Tuesday emergency meeting, Florida's State Board of Education voted to authorize the education commissioner to investigate Broward and Alachua schools, directing him to "take all legal steps" to enforce rules and laws in Florida, including the state's prohibition on mask mandates.
That enforcement "may include withholding funds from the district — although I would add a footnote that I do not want to withhold funds in a way that would harm any child in any district," Board Chair Tom Grady said during the meeting. "It may involve withholding salaries, it may involve removing officers, it may involve reviewing district conduct, it may involve public records requests to see how monies are being spent within the district," among other things.
In Texas, the standoff plays out in court
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned mask mandates in an executive order this spring, but as in Florida, a handful of school districts in the state — including Dallas, Austin and San Antonio — have announced masking requirements anyway.
In a Friday letter to Abbott and the state education commissioner, Cardona reiterated that school districts can use American Rescue Plan funds to implement mask policies, conduct contact tracing and pay for any other measures in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for reopening schools.
Now, school districts are caught in the middle of a legal tug of war: On Sunday, the Texas Supreme Court issued a temporary order to stop Dallas County and Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, from mandating face coverings. While some school districts walked back their masking plans, on Monday, classes began in Dallas with a mask mandate still in place. That's because the court order focused on Dallas County, and not the schools there, Dallas Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said in a virtual press conference Sunday night.
"Until there's an official order that applies to Dallas Independent School District, we will continue to have the mask mandate," he said. "We have to protect the health and safety of our students."
Hinojosa added that students who refuse to wear a mask will be moved to a separate classroom for instruction.
Adding to confusion is the fact that the state Supreme Court ruling wasn't the final word: It allowed a district court hearing on Monday to go on — and that judge ruled that schools in Bexar County and the city of San Antonio can require masks for the time being.
One school district there, North East Independent School District, posted on its website, "It is unfortunate that schools and our community are being caught in the middle of this legal and political fight. It is unfair to our parents, students and staff." It had reversed masking plans after the state Supreme Court ruling.
A number of lawsuits now challenge the state's ban on mask mandates.
One Arizona district can keep its mandate — for now
The budget that the Arizona Legislature passed this summer includes a prohibition on mask mandates in schools, but, for the time being, that prohibition is not holding some school districts back from enforcing their requirements for face coverings.
On Monday, a judge in Arizona declined to step in to stop Phoenix Union High School District, which serves almost 30,000 students, from keeping its mask mandate. A handful of other districts, including Tempe Union High School District, announced their own mask requirements after the ruling.
As NPR member station KJZZ reported, the legal battle began when a high school biology teacher sued Phoenix Union, along with the superintendent and the governing board, arguing that the schools "lack the legal authority to mandate that students and staff wear masks." But the school district argued that the lawsuit was premature because the budget won't take effect until the end of September. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge agreed but didn't throw the lawsuit out completely; the biology teacher can still amend his complaint.
Similar battles over mask requirements could play out in Iowa over the coming weeks. Most schools haven't started there yet, but a state law passed in the spring bans them from requiring masks. Some parents and doctors are already pleading with districts to follow the lead of defiant superintendents in Florida and Texas.
Most school-age children are not yet vaccinated against the coronavirus. Students under 12 aren't currently eligible for the vaccine, and according to the CDC, vaccination rates for older kids are still far behind rates for adults.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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In Florida, Texas And Arizona, Defiant School Leaders Are Sticking With Mask Mandates
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https://www.whqr.org/2021-08-18/in-florida-texas-and-arizona-defiant-school-leaders-are-sticking-with-mask-mandates
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[
"Michaeleen Doucleff",
"Phd",
"Is A Correspondent For Npr'S Science Desk. For Nearly A Decade",
"She Has Been Reporting For The Radio",
"The Web For Npr'S Global Health Outlet",
"Goats",
"Soda. Doucleff Focuses On Disease Outbreaks",
"Cross-Cultural Parenting",
"Women",
"Children'S Health."
] |
2021-08-20 02:11:58+00:00
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2021-08-18 19:45:00
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Public health figures believe a focus on boosters for the already vaccinated will hasten the emergence of new variants among the billions of unvaccinated people — including a vaccine-resistant strain.
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In September, the U.S. will start offering a third COVID-19 shot to all adults vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna, even though these vaccines still offer high protection against hospitalization and death from the delta variant.
Officials at the World Health Organization said Wednesday that it strongly opposes booster shots for all adults in rich countries because the boosters will not help slow down the pandemic. By diverting doses away from unvaccinated people, booster shots will help drive the emergence of more dangerous mutants, the WHO doctors said.
"I'm afraid that this [booster recommendation] will only lead to more variants. ... And perhaps we're heading into an even more dire situation," WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said.
The problem with a call for boosters, she said, is that the virus is primarily circulating in unvaccinated people — not in the fully vaccinated.
U.S. believes you don't have to sacrifice boosters to help the rest of the world
In defending the U.S. booster decision, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general, said on Wednesday: "I do not accept the idea that we have to choose between America and the world. We clearly see our responsibility to both, and we believe we have to work on both fronts as we have been."
Federal officials said they have sent more than 100 million doses overseas and plan to donate 500 million doses.
But much of the world lags far behind wealthy countries in vaccine supply
The WHO estimates 11 billion doses are needed to bring the pandemic under control. Billions of people have not received even one dose of the vaccine, said Dr. Bruce Aylward, senior adviser to the WHO director-general. In most low-income countries, less than 5% of the population is immunized. The unvaccinated include many health care workers and people at high risk of death and severe disease. In many middle-income countries, including most of Latin America, only about a third of the population has received shots.
To stop the evolution of new variants, the world needs to focus on immunizing these populations before handing out extra protection to low-risk individuals in rich countries, Aylward said. "The problem is not enough people have been vaccinated. So our first priority is relatively simple: Get as many of the unvaccinated with two doses before you move beyond that."
Punit Paranjpe / AFP via Getty Images People wait Tuesday for a COVID-19 vaccine dose at a temporary vaccination center inside a school in Mumbai, India.
Rachel Silverman, a health researcher at the Center for Global Development, agrees. "I recognize it's a complicated policy decision for the Biden administration [on whether to offer boosters], and their primary responsibility is to American citizens," she said.
"On the other hand, if you're looking at how to get the world — and Americans — out of this crisis, just doubling down on vaccinating Americans with more and more boosters isn't going to work while there's widespread global circulation of the virus. Inevitably more variants will pop up, and one of them will inevitably be vaccine resistant.
"So recommending boosters is a bit of a myopic policy," Silverman added.
You don't have to turn down a booster, but there are ethical issues for world leaders to consider
But the solution isn't for individuals in wealthy countries to turn down boosters, she said. "There's not necessarily any direct benefit to someone like you or me refusing a vaccine," she said. "That doesn't mean it's actually going to go into someone else's arm. So I don't think it makes ethical sense as an individual to refuse a vaccine or a booster for that purpose. But certainly at a social level and a society-wide level, the ethics of making that prioritization decision are pretty tenuous."
Any booster policy is questionable from an ethical standpoint, asserts WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Offering booster shots will only exacerbate the massive vaccine inequity already present worldwide, Tedros said. "The divide between the haves and have-nots will only grow larger if manufacturers and leaders prioritize booster shots over supply to low- and middle-income countries," he said.
Any available vaccine should first go to people around the world who are at high risk of hospitalization and deaths, said Dr. Michael Ryan of the WHO. "If we think about this in terms of an analogy, we're planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets, while we're leaving other people to drown without a single life jacket."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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[
"David Gura"
] |
2021-08-20 02:13:49+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:51:00
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The chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission compared cryptocurrencies to the "Wild West." Made to operate outside government control, the regulator is asking Congress to help rein them in.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Cryptocurrencies are like the Wild West. That is according to Gary Gensler, the new head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. So-called crypto has become immensely popular, and Gensler wants to rein it in. NPR's David Gura joins us now to talk about all this.
Hey, David.
DAVID GURA, BYLINE: Hey, Ailsa.
CHANG: All right, so if crypto is like the Wild West, I guess that makes Gensler - what? - the sheriff?
GURA: Yeah, I like the analogy. He'll have some regulatory deputies. But Gary Gensler is going to play a huge role here. He looks at this issue through the prism of investor protection. That is a core part of the SEC's mandate. And in a major speech recently, Gensler took aim at the crypto market's lack of transparency.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
GARY GENSLER: Investors really aren't getting the information to judge the risk and understand the risk. And I fear that if we don't address the issues, I worry a lot of people will be hurt.
GURA: Now, everyone's listening to Gensler not just because he's in this powerful position, but also because of his bio. Gensler was the chief commodities regulator during the Obama administration. And maybe most interestingly, between then and now, he was a professor at MIT, Ailsa, where his focus was on crypto.
CHANG: Ah, OK. So he's deeply interested in this. Can we just take a step back for a second? Remind us, what is crypto anyway? And why is everybody paying so much attention to it right now?
GURA: Yeah, part of this process is going to be about coming up with universal definitions for these terms. Let's take bitcoin, which is the most popular cryptocurrency. It's a tradable asset. You can use it to buy and sell goods. And what makes it novel is it's not controlled by or linked to any government. You know, cryptocurrencies have been around for a little over a decade now, and the market has grown really rapidly since then. It's estimated value is now about $1.5 trillion.
Crypto is traded on exchanges. The largest one in the U.S. is Coinbase. And volume on that exchange, the value of what's bought and sold, went up tenfold in the last year. So there's been this frenzy, a lot of new investors, particularly younger ones, attracted to the thrill of big returns - the value of bitcoin alone has risen 300% in the past year - and also, Ailsa, this belief that crypto could be the future of how we pay for things.
CHANG: Wow, the future of how we pay for things - so what is the argument for regulating cryptocurrencies?
GURA: It's become so popular not just with amateur investors, but with big names as well. Pretty much all the big banks are trading cryptocurrencies for their clients. It's risky. There's been a lot of volatility. And there are concerns about transparency and access, how it's being used. Bad actors like how difficult transactions are to track. You'll remember how in that hack of Colonial Pipeline a few months ago, there was a demand for ransom paid in bitcoin. That happened with another hack of a meat processor. There's also an argument that you need to have clear rules. And right now, companies and investors are operating under this cloud of uncertainty about who's in charge and what's allowed.
CHANG: OK, so what are regulators exactly looking at when it comes to crypto?
GENSLER: Well, Gary Gensler of the SEC is focusing a lot of attention on exchanges. In that speech, he said unequivocally, right now, I believe investors using these platforms are not adequately protected. He wants more transparency in the market. And Gensler also wants more authority from lawmakers to write rules. And once that happens, it's going to take a while. I covered financial reform after the financial crisis, and that rule-writing period dragged on for years.
CHANG: Well, what's the process for how all of this is going to happen?
GURA: Well, we've seen regulators take more action against investors and companies using laws that are already on the books. In terms of the bigger question, creating rules, Congress has been holding hearings on crypto. That's given us a sense of how there's a need for more education. There's a steep learning curve for many of these lawmakers. And there's one more thing to watch. I think this is interesting, and it's kind of existential. Crypto was born of this kind of iconoclastic desire for there to be an asset untethered from governments and from central banks. And a big question is, what happens to the asset itself when that changes?
CHANG: That is NPR's David Gura.
Thank you, David.
GURA: Thanks, Ailsa.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Cryptocurrencies May Be Reined In Soon - Here's What Regulators Want To Change
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[
"Tom Bowman Is A Npr National Desk Reporter Covering The Pentagon."
] |
2021-08-20 02:14:19+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:30:00
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave an update on the efforts of U.S. forces to evacuate thousands from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Top Pentagon officials spoke today for the first time since the Taliban captured Kabul. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Mark Milley say more U.S. troops are arriving to secure the Kabul airport for additional evacuation flights, but they left many questions unanswered. We're joined now by NPR Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman.
Hi, Tom.
TOM BOWMAN, BYLINE: Hey, Ailsa.
CHANG: All right. So give us more details about what Austin and Milley said today.
BOWMAN: Well, Secretary Austin said he's laser-focused on the Kabul airport, on security. And he's doing - he said, we're getting out Americans and tens of thousands of Afghans. We're doing all we can. Now, the problem is the Taliban have checkpoints and are preventing Afghans from getting to the airport. And General Milley also had this to say about what's happening.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
MARK MILLEY: The Taliban are in and around Kabul right now, but they are not interfering with our operations. Through the State Department, the Taliban are facilitating the safe passage to the airport for American citizens. That is U.S. passport holders.
BOWMAN: OK, American citizens - now, Americans and some Afghans are getting out, about 5,000 so far, but the Taliban are interfering with Afghans. One of our colleagues trying to get out saw them beating women on the way to the airport, and he fled just this week.
CHANG: Wow. I mean, this operation, it's supposed to wrap on August 31, right? Are they even confident that evacuations are going to be done by then? Because that's less than two weeks away.
BOWMAN: No, you're right. It's supposed to end on August 31. President Biden, of course, could extend the deadline, but they dodged questions when asked about that. All they would say is that they'll work as hard as they can to get as many people out as possible. Now, the president on ABC acknowledged that there is some more difficulty getting Afghans out. And the problem is that the Americans run the airport, Ailsa. The Taliban own the streets...
CHANG: Exactly.
BOWMAN: ...And, again, are beating Afghans trying to escape.
CHANG: I also saw today that General Milley pushed back on reports of an intelligence failure leading up to the Taliban takeover. What exactly did he say there?
BOWMAN: Well, he said in his prepared opening statement - he said, listen; I'm familiar with the intelligence. And he said, in a war, nothing is ever certain. He said, I can tell you there were not reports that I'm aware of that predicted a security force, an Afghan security force of 300,000 would evaporate in just 11 days. And he said the intelligence indicated multiple scenarios. But the rapid-collapse scenario range from - get this - weeks, months and even years following the departure of American troops. And he also said that Central Command, which runs the operation at the airport, submitted a number of plans to meet those possible scenarios, including what we are executing now.
So they were pretty defensive about what's going on at the airport and about allegations of intelligence failures. And again, this is going to take a lot of time. And the big question is - and we don't have an answer to this yet - how many of those tens of thousands of Afghans can they get out? And nobody's giving us a straight answer in that right yet. It's still very, very problematic.
CHANG: That is NPR's Tom Bowman.
Thank you, Tom.
BOWMAN: You're welcome, Ailsa.
(SOUNDBITE OF MELODIUM'S "LACRYMAE") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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[
"Jason Fuller"
] |
2021-08-20 02:14:07+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:15:00
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NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with David Rohde, online news director for The New Yorker, on his treatment while captured by the Taliban and efforts to get the family members of Tahir Luddin to safety.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
You have probably never heard the name Tahir Luddin, but you may have heard a story about him. He was the Afghan journalist captured by the Taliban back in 2008, alongside David Rohde, The New York Times reporter. Tahir Luddin helped Rohde escape. Now he lives in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., and David Rohde is trying to help him with another escape. His wife and youngest children are stuck in Afghanistan. David Rohde wrote about the experience for The New Yorker, where he now works, and he joins me now.
Hey, David.
DAVID ROHDE: Hi. Thank you so much for having me on today.
KELLY: I want to start where your friendship with Tahir does. You were in Afghanistan reporting for The Times. You both are captured. Without wishing to make you relive what I imagine is one of the darkest moments of your life, can you tell us what happened?
ROHDE: Well, I was actually working on a book, and I was invited to interview a Taliban commander. Tahir had interviewed this commander before. He'd interviewed a couple of European journalists. Instead, when we showed up for our interview outside of Kabul, we were abducted. There's a third person with us, Asad Mangal, a driver. And that was the beginning of seven months in Taliban captivity.
KELLY: Seven months. I mean, I'm just trying to imagine how close a bond would form between men held for seven months in the same room. Is that right?
ROHDE: Yeah, the three of us were held together. And then, the simple reality was that Tahir was the only person who spoke English. That forced him to talk to me, you know, and we spent hours together, at first just sort of regretting, you know, what we'd done, that we'd, you know, agreed to go and meet this Taliban commander. It seemed like a calculated risk. He hadn't kidnapped these other journalists. But we just felt horrible, most of all, about our families. One of the strange things about a kidnapping is that when you're the victim, you're sort of aware of what's happening. It became pretty clear early on that they wanted to keep us alive and try to get a large ransom. And your family sort of suffers through this sort of slow-motion crime.
KELLY: Yeah. Eventually, he helps you escape. How?
ROHDE: So we were moved around to different houses. We were first moved from Afghanistan into the tribal areas of Pakistan. That's a safe haven that the Taliban have enjoyed for 20 years. And we were finally moved to a house that was quite close to a Pakistani base. And, you know, we decided to try to escape. At night, our guards were asleep. We climbed up on a roof. There was a car tow rope I'd found, and we tied it to the roof and got down onto the street outside. And Tahir would be taken outside to shop now and then, so he was able to guide me to a nearby Pakistani military base. And, luckily, there was some lieutenant on duty who let us inside. Several weeks later, Asad was able to get away and return, so all of us survived.
KELLY: So let me bring us up to this spring because you come home, of course. Tahir eventually manages to move to the U.S. He brings some of his kids over, too, becomes a U.S. citizen, starts working. He's an Uber driver. He's working for Amazon. He's sending money home. The next turn in the story, this spring, President Biden announces U.S. troops are coming out, full withdrawal from Afghanistan. You ping Tahir and hear what?
ROHDE: Well, I couldn't reach him at first, so I didn't know. I kept calling him in Virginia. And it was March. It was before Biden's announcement. And Tahir was already in Afghanistan. He was trying to bring the remainder of his family out. And then, he sat there from March through June, waiting to get interviews, waiting for the American embassy, for U.S. immigration officials to process these requests. You know, his right as an American citizen is to bring his family to this country. And this enormous backlog emerged after Biden made the announcement. And it was the beginning of this, I think, incredibly poorly planned American withdrawal and very chaotic situation that continues today.
KELLY: And meanwhile, here in the U.S., you're making calls. You know how to navigate the American bureaucracy. You've done it as a reporter. What are you hearing back?
ROHDE: Well, I've never done this, and I want to be honest that I really feel that it's just core. You know, I do believe deeply in journalism and that we are neutral observers and stuff, so it was very odd and - for me to be, you know, contacting State Department officials...
KELLY: Being an advocate, yeah.
ROHDE: Yes. And saying, I want to bring up this specific case. You know, Tahir Ludin, can you please issue these visas? They've got to be issued before August 31 before U.S. troops pull out.
KELLY: All right, so that brings us to this past weekend. Tahir is here with some of his kids. Others of his kids and his wife are still in Afghanistan. Afghanistan collapses. The Taliban's back in charge. What are you hearing now from Tahir?
ROHDE: I'm, you know, frantically calling him and making sure they're OK. You know, there's an early report that the cities remain calm, but then his wife and children report that, you know, the Taliban are on patrol in the street outside, right outside their house. And the big fear is that, you know, the neighbors know - hey, that's the family of Tahir Ludin. That's the family of the journalist who freed the American. And that was a humiliation for the Taliban. And I'm frantically calling everyone I can to try to get them out.
KELLY: And what about - you know, President Biden has given this explanation, saying, look, this wasn't poor planning. This was the Afghan government saying, please don't create a sense of panic. How does that sit with you?
ROHDE: That is false. When President Biden stands up in April and announces a full American withdrawal four months from then, there should've been an immediate effort. President Ford in the weeks before the fall of Saigon evacuated 130,000 South Vietnamese allies to Guam. And there were multiple people arguing to the administration, launch a Guam operation. Fly tens of thousands of Afghans to a U.S. military base in Guam, in the Middle East, anywhere. You don't have to bring them to the U.S. Get them out now, and you can then keep them on the base for months and vet them if you want for security reasons. Nothing like that was done. Nothing.
KELLY: This is obviously awful for Tahir and his family, and I can hear how close to the bone it is for you that you're still living this story that started all those years ago back in Afghanistan.
ROHDE: So I just, you know, wrote this piece yesterday and got a huge amount of, you know, response from people reading it and strangers offering help. And overnight, Tahir got an email from the U.S. embassy, and it said, go to this gate at the Kabul airport today - that's this day, Tuesday - and, you know, you will show this pass, and you and your and - sorry - your family will be allowed on a U.S. military flight. Very early this morning, his wife and his children went to that gate. They had to go through a Taliban checkpoint. They make it to this gate. They wait for hours. Someone inside calls them, and they are told to go wait near - nearby. I mean, meanwhile, around the airport, you know, there's gunfire. The Taliban are firing rifles in the air. They're beating people. Tear gas is being fired. It's just chaos. And after ten hours of waiting, they went home.
KELLY: David Rohde of The New Yorker. His piece is titled Trying - And Failing - To Save The Family Of The Afghan Who Saved Me.
David Rohde, thank you.
ROHDE: Thank you.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Journalist Who Escaped The Taliban Is Trying To Evacuate Family Of Man Who Helped Him
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[
"Jeff Lunden Is A Freelance Arts Reporter",
"Producer Whose Stories Have Been Heard On Npr'S Morning Edition",
"All Things Considered",
"Weekend Edition",
"As Well As On Other Public Radio Programs."
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:43+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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The Showstoppers! exhibition in New York's Theater District showcases the work of an industry hit hard by the pandemic. Visitors can see more than 100 costumes — and watch artists hard at work.
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The costume industry in New York was hit hard by the pandemic — over 500 people who work as patternmakers, stitchers, beaders, milliners and painters were idled, as theater and film production shut down. A new exhibition called Showstoppers!: Spectacular Costumes from Stage and Screen has opened on 42nd Street, in the heart of the theater district, to show off their work.
When you see a Broadway show, the costumes need to be visible from the front row of the orchestra to the back row of the balcony. "People don't get to see them this close up," says Brian Blythe, one of the founders of the Costume Industry Coalition, a group of 55 costume shops and businesses that service Broadway and film. They've sponsored the exhibition. He adds, "They've never realized that every single bead and every single bauble that's on one of these costumes is hand placed."
There are over 100 of these couture costumes on display, from Hamilton, to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, to Frozen. Blythe points to one of Elsa's dresses from the Disney show. "When you look at the Frozen Ice Dress, the crystals involved and the mirrors and all of the beading that is on there, the weight of that dress is so heavy because it is so full of all of this ornamentation," he says.
But the exhibition, which is installed in a former sporting goods store which went belly up during the pandemic, features more than costumes — as you walk through it, you can see people at work, making the real hats and clothes actors will wear onstage. On the afternoon I attended, I saw two people working on understudy costumes for the new musical, Six.
Rebecca J. Michelson / Grapevine Public Relations Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: Gabriella Slade's costumes from Six, a musical about Henry VIII's wives, feature 18,000 studs.
Meg Wheedon is a draper. "I'm in the process right now of correcting some patterns for the understudies," she explains. "I've had a couple fittings. They've come in now to the city. And so now I'm taking their patterns and correcting them so that then we can cut it out of all the real fabrics."
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images Gillian Conahan works at the Showstoppers! exhibition on Aug. 4, 2021, in New York City.
Elsewhere in the exhibition, I saw a glovemaker, embroiderers and a milliner, all plying their crafts. "I'm doing some wire bending for showgirl headdresses," says Caleb Howell, at his station. In addition to making hats, he works as a Broadway dresser. "The pandemic was rough," he says. "It really was rough."
And the industry, which is 70% female and over a third immigrant, has been hurting, says Brian Blythe. "We're over $3.5 million in collective debt and that debt continues to grow every month." So, the proceeds from the show will help to pay it off.
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images Gorgeous in Green: A selection of Susan Hilferty's Tony Award-winning costumes from Wicked
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images Good Enough to Eat: Light as air whimsy from American Ballet Theatre's Whipped Cream, costumes designed by Mark Ryden
Broadway fan Sarah Montana loved seeing the exhibition and supporting the costume shops. "It's so cool to be able to see these things up close and personal and to see just how much goes into them, the thought process behind them," Montana says. And she adds, laughing, "It was great to actually do the interactive downstairs and play with sequins!"
Showstoppers is running through Sept. 26, 2021.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Many Stages Are Still Dark, But You Can Now See These Iconic Costumes Up Close
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[
"Ailsa Chang Is An Award-Winning Journalist Who Hosts All Things Considered Along With Ari Shapiro",
"Audie Cornish",
"Mary Louise Kelly. She Landed In Public Radio After Practicing Law For A Few Years.",
"Brandon Shillingford"
] |
2021-08-20 02:14:01+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:51:00
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This year, the NBA welcomed several elite prospects who skipped college to play for a new minor league team. NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim about the team, Ignite.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Most athletes picked in this year's NBA draft played basketball in college or maybe for an overseas pro team, but not the guy who went second overall.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ADAM SILVER: The Houston Rockets select Jalen Green, from Merced, Calif...
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Yes, Lord.
SILVER: ...And the NBA...
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: Yes, Lord.
SILVER: ...G League.
CHANG: Ignite is a new team in the NBA's minor league, the G League, but unlike other G League teams, it's set up specifically to attract elite talent straight out of high school with six-figure contracts. And along with Jalen Green, Ignite also produced two more players picked in this year's draft. Joining us now is NBA G League president, himself a former NBA All-Star, Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Welcome.
SHAREEF ABDUR-RAHIM: Ailsa, thank you. Thank you for having me.
CHANG: Thank you for being with us. All right. So, you know, the G League, it's been around for a while, but this was the very first season for the Ignite team. Can you just tell us how, like, the Ignite team got started in the first place?
ABDUR-RAHIM: Ignite is really birthed out of a place of young people looking for opportunities in between their prep experience. In between high school and professional, you had young men taking gap years. You had some that were, you know, domestic - from here in the United States, they would go abroad and play professionally for a year before entering the NBA. Our focus is helping them prepare for the NBA.
CHANG: So how does a day in the life of a G League Ignite player stack up compared to, say, the day in the life of an NBA player?
ABDUR-RAHIM: I'd say, one, it's, you know, it's concentrated. The focus is the development on court. And, you know, you'll start with, you know, practice, team meetings, breakfast and skill development. The day centers around that. However, included in that is a lot of our off-court programming, so college courses. We provide all of our players, all of our young people, tuition and scholarship to Arizona State University, so there's classes. We have a robust program of what I would call off-court development, everything from financial literacy to learning about being an entrepreneur.
CHANG: That's so cool. And how did you learn that kind of stuff when you were coming up, all that off-court knowledge?
ABDUR-RAHIM: A lot of it I learned in my professional career.
CHANG: Yeah.
ABDUR-RAHIM: And I think what we have the opportunity to do is precursor, you know?
CHANG: Exactly.
ABDUR-RAHIM: For example, they'll always - you know, the one thing I always say to our players, they don't realize their first paycheck - they get their first paycheck, and they're like, wow, what happened to all my money?
CHANG: (Laughter) Taxes.
ABDUR-RAHIM: And - but they don't realize - right? And they don't realize that, you know, every state that they perform in, every state they compete in, they pay taxes in those state (ph).
CHANG: Well, let me ask you - you know, when it comes to attracting people to a team like Ignite, I mean, a real salary is obviously a big draw. But as of this summer, college athletes can be paid for things like brand endorsements. Do you think that that will discourage players from joining a team like Ignite?
ABDUR-RAHIM: I don't think so. Because I think the young man that, you know, turns professional or, you know, doesn't go to college and comes to Ignite, again, like, that's a unique or a specific young man that said, look, I want to hone my skills in a professional environment against professionals, against competition.
CHANG: Right. What about you? Like, when you look back on your career - you played one year at UC Berkeley, I understand, before a successful career in the NBA. Do you kind of wish you had the option of something like Ignite when you were coming up?
ABDUR-RAHIM: It would have been really intriguing for me. You know, I think what's really different about this era of young people is they're so much more informed, they're so much more empowered, you know, they have so much more access. Like, I didn't have, you know, access to professional sports. And, I mean, it just seemed like another world to me at that time. And like you said, a year later, six months later, you know, I was in a position to do those things. And all of this has kind of come together so fast. But it definitely - you know, what we offer with Ignite would have definitely been intriguing to me at that time.
CHANG: Shareef Abdur-Rahim, president of the NBA's minor league, the G League.
Thank you very much for joining us today.
ABDUR-RAHIM: Thank you for having me.
(SOUNDBITE OF TYCHO'S "SOURCE") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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How Several NBA Rookies Started Making 6 Figures Before Even Being Drafted
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2021-08-20 02:13:06+00:00
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2021-08-18 13:35:38
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Names, Social Security numbers and birth dates were compromised; phone numbers, account numbers, passwords and financial information were not. T-Mobile is offering free identity protection services.
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NEW YORK — The names, Social Security numbers and information from driver's licenses or other identification of just over 40 million former and prospective customers that applied for T-Mobile credit were exposed in a recent data breach, the company said Wednesday.
The same data for about 7.8 million current T-Mobile postpaid customers appears to be compromised. No phone numbers, account numbers, PINs, passwords, or financial information from the nearly 50 million records and accounts were compromised, it said.
T-Mobile also confirmed that approximately 850,000 active T-Mobile prepaid customer names, phone numbers and account PINs were exposed. The company said that it proactively reset all of the PINs on those accounts. No Metro by T-Mobile, former Sprint prepaid, or Boost customers had their names or PINs exposed.
There was also some additional information from inactive prepaid accounts accessed through prepaid billing files. T-Mobile said that no customer financial information, credit card information, debit or other payment information or Social Security numbers were in the inactive file.
The announcement comes two days after T-Mobile said that it was investigating a leak of its data after someone took to an online forum offering to sell the personal information of cellphone users.
The company said Monday that it had confirmed there was unauthorized access to "some T-Mobile data" and that it had closed the entry point used to gain access.
The company said that it will immediately offer two years of free identity protection services and is recommending that all of its postpaid customers change their PIN. Its investigation is ongoing.
T-Mobile, which is based in Bellevue, Washington, became one of the country's largest cellphone service carriers, along with AT&T and Verizon, after buying rival Sprint.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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A T-Mobile Breach Exposed Nearly 50 Million People's Personal Data
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"Mary Louise Kelly Is A Co-Host Of All Things Considered",
"Npr'S Award-Winning Afternoon Newsmagazine.",
"Ayen Bior"
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2021-08-20 02:10:57+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:15:00
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The Taliban have made a lot of promises this week about women's rights, security and amnesty. But early indications on the ground may not match those promises.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
When the Taliban held their first press conference in Kabul, they made a lot of promises - promises about women and their right to work, promises of amnesty for enemies and promises that people would be allowed to leave Afghanistan safely if they want to. That was yesterday. And today in Afghanistan, we're tracking early indications that the reality on the ground may not match those promises. We have reached journalist Bilal Sarwary in Kabul. Hi there.
BILAL SARWARY: Hi. Good to talk to you.
KELLY: And to you. Start with Kabul, since that's where you are. What does it look like? What does it feel like? What's the latest today?
SARWARY: Well, Kabul is a city where life is picking up slowly but surely. Today I was able to go to the Afghanistan International Bank, which would usually be packed with, you know, dozens of people, even during the corona pandemic, people waiting for cash, the ATM machines. Today there was no money. ATM machines have been empty. And there was a couple from Kabul. There was a 57-year-old woman who was sarcastically saying, now the Taliban have to make sure that the bank systems operate as well. Afghans usually, you know, keep their money in their pillows. But over the last 20 years, you know, banking system has grown. I was also able to speak to a taxi driver who said that it takes him now less time or even no time to get people from one side of the city to the other.
KELLY: Are you seeing women out and about?
SARWARY: I do - in smaller numbers, not in bigger numbers. Today I was able to go to the Slice Bakery, a coffee shop in the central part of Kabul City that was known and is known for hosting young people. I noticed, like, several members of the Taliban's political office behind them, several Afghan women, young girls were sitting, and they were all having coffee. So I hope that is the situation outside of coffee shops like that. I hope that's like the new Afghanistan.
When you talk about the thousands of its foot soldiers on the streets of Kabul with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns and hand grenades, these are fighters from all across the country who have been in rural areas fighting some of the most bloodiest attacks of the last 20 years. Suddenly, they have found themselves in an urban center like Kabul. Most of them haven't seen it. Today I was talking to one Taliban fighter from northeastern Afghanistan. He said he had lost five to six members of his family. So there are realities like that as well.
KELLY: Yeah. What have you been able to confirm of the situation at the airport? We are hearing flights are now leaving. People are getting out. But we're also hearing reports of violence at Taliban checkpoints on the road to the airport.
SARWARY: It is chaotic. I was able to speak few hours ago to one family that was trying to leave for the U.S. And they said that outside, there were Taliban commanders and fighters. There's a crowd of people. Apparently, some people have come in and opened printing shops, you know, mobile printing shops so that people can print their documents and show them at the gate. There's more order to it than the previous days, but still, gunfire in the air to disperse people, crowds of people trying to jump on the blast walls - very, very high onto the other side - or also, you know, being fired at by the 01 units formerly known as the counterterrorism pursuit teams. Some of them have been asked by the Americans to come here and provide security. Eventually, they will also be flown to the U.S. So at least there was one dead man in the early hours of this morning, and his relatives couldn't be found. A lot of people simply don't feel safe to make it to the airport.
KELLY: Let me shift you to Jalalabad - big city. It's about 90 miles east of Kabul. And I was watching video of a crowd today out protesting, trying to lower the Taliban flag and raise the Afghan flag. What happened?
SARWARY: People went and took down the Taliban flag and replaced it with a national flag. There's a massive meaning in this flag, which is made of three colors. So the red means that a lot of blood has been shed. The black means that the country has seen a lot of sorrow, and the green means that the country has got its independence. At least that's how we were brought up as kids. And over the years, we have seen Afghans taking pride, for example, in the cricket team, in the soccer team and athletes all around the world over the last 20 years. But at the same time, the Taliban flag, the white flag that represents the Islamic Emirate, also has its own supporters.
KELLY: Yeah. I mean, you're describing why it was quite such a big deal to raise one flag and lower another. So what happened in Jalalabad as all this unfolded? We're seeing reports that people were shot.
SARWARY: Taliban soldiers shot dead at least three young people. We were being told at least 13, 14 people were wounded. Two reporters from Pajhwok news agency were beaten up. They recorded a video crying, saying, what is our fault, you know? In the eastern city of Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province, three young boys were shot by the Taliban. They were being treated at the hospital. So the Taliban also have to learn how to police. You know, this is no more the fighting. Perhaps that's the challenge for them as well. But this also shows you that the Taliban will face - will continue to face such issues. And that is perhaps also another area that I would like to use the let's-see factor because every hour, every other day, every other moment, things change so fast.
KELLY: That's the journalist Bilal Sarwary speaking to us from Kabul. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you for your reporting.
SARWARY: Good to talk to you. Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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The Taliban Have Promised Amnesty And Rights For Women. But Is That Reality So Far?
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2021-08-20 02:07:59+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:15:00
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The Taliban say they'll guarantee the rights of Afghanistan's women, but their actions are already throwing that into doubt. One gynecologist fled the country 10 days ago because of death threats.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
In recent days, Taliban leaders have promised to moderate the harsh restrictions on women that the group imposed the last time they ruled Afghanistan. A spokesman has said, this time around, women will be involved in government. They will be permitted to work in sectors like health care. But women on the ground say the reality is more complicated. NPR's Nurith Aizenman brings us the story of one Afghan doctor who says the Taliban has already forced her to flee.
NURITH AIZENMAN, BYLINE: The doctor has asked NPR to protect her identity by only using her last name, Akbari (ph), which is a very common one in her city of Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan. Dr. Akbari says her troubles began there about eight months ago when a girl arrived at the private clinic Akbari runs. This girl was just 13 years old, but she'd already been married to an older man as his second wife.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) She told me her husband wanted to get her pregnant.
AIZENMAN: Akbari says the medical guidance in this situation was clear.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) She's a child. It's risky for any child to get pregnant. And this girl was also physically very weak.
AIZENMAN: What's more, the girl did not want to get pregnant.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) She begged me for help.
AIZENMAN: So Akbari gave the girl a contraceptive injection that would last for three months. Soon after, she got a furious phone call from the girl's husband.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) He said, why did you do such a thing? Now I cannot have babies.
AIZENMAN: The man kept calling to rage at her almost every day, and Akbari soon learned that he was no ordinary citizen. He was a leader of a Taliban contingent that was active in the rural area outside the city.
DR AKBARI: (Foreign language spoken).
AIZENMAN: As the local Taliban started to make military gains, Akbari noticed a shift in the tone of the man's phone calls
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) The stronger the Taliban got, the stronger the threats got. He would say, you're an infidel. You're against Islam. You're killing generations. We know what to do with you.
AIZENMAN: Soon, other Taliban were also sending messages. Ruchi Kumar, a journalist from India who was staying with Akbari for some of this time, saw some of the texts.
RUCHI KUMAR: They would send her these really horrible photos of, you know, dead bodies, telling her that this is how she's going to end up.
AIZENMAN: Other times, the Taliban members would try to extort Akbari.
KUMAR: They wanted her to pay money or buy them motorbikes or guns in exchange for her life.
AIZENMAN: But Akbari was determined to stick it out.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) I wanted to serve my people in my own country.
AIZENMAN: Then, on August 8, Akbari was at her clinic when she got a call from the Taliban commander that was the most terrifying yet.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) His voice was actually really soft. He said, we're entering the city. Soon, we'll come and get you.
AIZENMAN: Akbari says she headed straight to the airport, didn't even stop at home for a change of clothes. She was shocked to see the plane almost entirely filled with other women also traveling alone, a rare sight in Afghanistan.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) That's when I knew, for sure, that the Taliban had taken the city.
AIZENMAN: Now she's in a neighboring country but wracked with uncertainty. She has just $400 on her, and she's mourning the loss of everything she's left behind - her family and the medical practice she spent more than a decade building.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) I haven't been able to sleep since the day I arrived. I can only sleep two hours in a day. Overnight, everything I had vanished.
AIZENMAN: But, she says, returning is not an option.
DR AKBARI: (Through interpreter) If I see a woman in trouble, I will want to help her, and the Taliban will say it's un-Islamic.
AIZENMAN: And so, she says, I can't practice medicine under people who run a country like that.
Nurith Aizenman, NPR News.
(SOUNDBITE OF DIRK MAASSEN'S "SINAAI") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Afghan Gynecologist Said She Fled Country Because The Taliban Sent Her Death Threats
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2021-08-20 02:10:51+00:00
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Haitians are struggling to recover from the earthquake and tropical storm. Officials say more than 1,900 people have died after the weekend quake, and the death toll is expected to rise.
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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Been overshadowed by tragic news elsewhere, but rescuers are pulling body after body from collapsed structures in southwestern Haiti. The Caribbean nation was hit by an earthquake over the weekend.
A MARTINEZ, HOST:
Images taken in the hardest-hit areas show homes and businesses reduced to nothing more than rubble. The streets are filled with debris and people, many of them too afraid to return to their homes. Jean Fanfan Vital is a 38-year-old business owner in Selon who tragically lost his young baby in the disaster.
JEAN FANFAN VITAL: (Through interpreter) My child is dead. My father was carrying him, and as they passed by the building, some debris fell down and landed on them. The child was so young, only 4 months. And maybe that's the only reason why he's dead. He was so young.
INSKEEP: His father survived and was treated at a local hospital. Haiti's civil protection agency says more than 1,900 people have been killed and nearly 10,000 injured. That is the figure as of Tuesday, and both numbers may well climb.
MARTINEZ: Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed office last month after the assassination of President Moise, vowed that his government would not repeat the same mistakes that were made after the catastrophic 2010 earthquake that killed an estimated 200,000 people. But the government's initial response has frustrated some Haitians. Vital, who makes money selling auto parts, says he has no other option but to rebuild.
FANFAN VITAL: (Through interpreter) I wish the state would come here and bring heavy equipment to help remove the floor of the building that was damaged. All around this area you can find a lot of houses that have been damaged. It's not only my house. We need the state to come here.
INSKEEP: Think about the difficulty facing rescuers. You've got blocked roads. You've got COVID. You've got Tropical Storm Grace. And humanitarian organizations are just trying to assess the damage at this point. One bit of hopeful news is that the rain is expected to stop for the next couple of days. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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The Haitian Government's Initial Earthquake Response Frustrates Many In Haiti
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2021-08-20 02:14:38+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:38:00
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NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Dr. Sachita Shah, an emergency room physician in Seattle, Wash., about the latest surge in coronavirus cases.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
In Seattle, the reality of the current COVID-19 surge is pretty grim. With the delta variant everywhere, hospitals again are reaching their limits. Nonemergency surgeries are being put on hold. Well, we have been checking in on Washington periodically as the first state to confirm a case of the coronavirus back in January 2020. And we've been checking in with Dr. Sachita Shah. She's an emergency physician at Harborview Medical Center there in Seattle.
Dr. Shah, welcome back to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Good to talk to you again.
SACHITA SHAH: Thank you.
KELLY: I'm remembering when you and I last spoke, it was September 2020. I mean, I guess I'll start by asking, did you expect by any stretch that we would still be in the thick of this nearly a year later?
SHAH: No. I was thinking back to when we last spoke yesterday, and I was so hopeful that we would get a vaccine and that it would be accepted and that we would be really out of this mess and just doing what we normally do - take care of trauma patients all summer because everyone was out having fun. And we are definitely not in that situation...
KELLY: Yeah.
SHAH: ...Unfortunately.
KELLY: And just describe the emergency room these days. How full are you? Do you have supplies you need? Do you have enough beds?
SHAH: We don't have enough beds. We have a severe nursing shortage that is not just us. This is countrywide. I think watching people suffocate with COVID all year and then having half of the American public reject the vaccine has been really hard on health care worker resiliency. And so we are full. It's not full of COVID, though. We are full because we are a regional trauma center and burn center and a tertiary care center, so we're full of all kinds of patients. And so to be full while looking at this, you know, these numbers doubling every week of COVID patients just is a little bit daunting.
KELLY: Yeah.
SHAH: I've had wait times in the emergency department of 30 hours, which has been unheard of in my career.
KELLY: What are those conversations like - when people come in, they've got COVID, they are sick enough to be admitted, and they're telling you they're not vaccinated? I'm just - I'm trying to square that with what you're telling me about the understandable burnout for poor people working at your hospital. And I'm guessing those conversations must be really hard.
SHAH: Yeah, I have to say it's getting a lot harder to not ask, well, why? Like, why would you not have accepted this? This could have been prevented. And so it's - I have asked a few patients, well, why wouldn't you have gotten that? And I've heard varying things - well, I thought I already had COVID. That was a common one. And, oh, I thought it wouldn't be this bad. And I don't know if it's that folks are not understanding how truly horrific - when people get really bad COVID, it is like suffocating. I think young folks thought that they were fine, but the delta variant is the whole 'nother ballgame.
KELLY: Yeah.
SHAH: And everyone is at risk. And the people that are vaccinated, they may get sick. They may not have symptoms. But the people that are unvaccinated, everyone might get this, and the hospital's already full.
KELLY: Anything else you've learned, having been at this for so long?
SHAH: I think we've learned a lot about the symptoms that people present with, but that doesn't really make it any less scary, and it doesn't mean that we have better treatments. We have more treatments that we could possibly use, but our heart-lung bypass, for example, has been full for a year and a half, and it's been really hard on our ICU team to turn down referrals every week - 10 referrals, 20 referrals - for these lifesaving machines because we've run out. The system is at capacity. And we can surge. We will do it. We will try to make something out of nothing. But I really feel like if people haven't been vaccinated, they really need to get vaccinated. I have had some nurses who had family members who were not vaccinated, and they just - they've gone to them and said, I can't watch you die like this. Like, if for nothing else, please do this for me because I will lose my marbles if I have to watch a family member suffocate. It's been too much.
KELLY: That is Dr. Sachita Shah, emergency physician at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Good to speak with you again. Thank you.
SHAH: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Seattle Doctor Says Unvaccinated People Are Testing Healthcare Workers' Resiliency
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[
"Allison Aubrey Is A Correspondent For Npr News",
"Where Her Stories Can Be Heard On Morning Edition",
"All Things Considered. She'S Also A Contributor To The Pbs Newshour",
"Is One Of The Hosts Of Npr'S Life Kit."
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2021-08-20 02:14:44+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:30:00
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The Biden administration is expected to outline a booster strategy. Pending a review by the FDA and a panel of CDC advisors, the third dose could be offered as soon as Sept. 20.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Another round of vaccinations is around the corner. Top Biden administration officials have announced a plan to offer booster shots to fully vaccinated adults beginning next month. Though, this is pending a review by the FDA and a panel of CDC advisers. NPR's Allison Aubrey joins us with details.
Hey there.
ALLISON AUBREY, BYLINE: Good to be here, Mary Louise.
KELLY: So it seems like just recently we were hearing officials say, we're not sure everybody's going to need a booster shot. What has changed?
AUBREY: Well, CDC Director Walensky pointed to several new lines of evidence today, showing that protection against infection begins to decrease over time among vaccinated people. For instance, new data from New York show that in May, the vaccines were about 92% effective against new COVID infections. But by late July, that had declined to about 80%. And she pointed to a study from the Mayo Clinic that found effectiveness against delta infections has decreased pretty significantly. Here's Dr. Walensky.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ROCHELLE WALENSKY: The data we will publish today and next week demonstrate the vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection is waning.
AUBREY: And given this, she says the plan is to start offering boosters as soon as September 20. She says the goal is to stay ahead of the virus and maximize vaccine production.
KELLY: So the boosters are coming.
AUBREY: That's right.
KELLY: Who's going to get them first?
AUBREY: Well, officials say people will be eligible eight months after they received their second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. And since health care workers, people living in long-term care facilities and older adults were among the first to get vaccinated, these groups will be first up for the boosters, too.
KELLY: Sure.
AUBREY: Right now the booster plan applies to people who got the Moderna and Pfizer shots. It's anticipated that people who got the J&J shot will need a booster, too, but that is pending a review of more data. And separately, the Biden administration has a plan to require nursing homes to mandate vaccines for their staff or risk losing Medicare, Medicaid funding.
KELLY: And how about the where we will go to get booster shots? How's that going to work?
AUBREY: Yeah, there will be lots of options, Mary Louise. Some people will go back to the pharmacy where they got their initial doses. Some doctors offices and clinics plan to offer the shots. Here's the administration's COVID response coordinator, Jeff Zients.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JEFF ZIENTS: We have enough vaccine supply for every American, and you'll be able to get a booster at roughly 80,000 places across the country.
AUBREY: He says boosters will be free, and no ID or insurance card will be required.
KELLY: And just settle the debate here. Is this now agreed among doctors, among public health experts - Americans, all Americans are going to need a booster shot.
AUBREY: You know, I think there's a wide consensus that a waning of protection was predictable and is not a big surprise. And as Dr. Tony Fauci said today, it's better to act now because it would be hard to play catch-up with boosters later on. But there is criticism. I mean, given so many people in countries around the globe remain unvaccinated, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy addressed this concern today.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
VIVEK MURTHY: I do not accept the idea that we have to choose between America and the world. We clearly see our responsibility to both, and we believe we have to work on both fronts, as we have been.
AUBREY: Administration officials say the U.S. shipped more than 100 million doses of COVID vaccines to other countries in the months of June and July, and they say the U.S. will continue to support efforts to boost manufacturing and distribution around the globe.
KELLY: That is NPR's Allison Aubrey.
Thank you, Allison.
AUBREY: Thank you, Mary Louise. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Some Americans Could Be Getting Booster Shots In September
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2021-08-20 02:11:15+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Al-Jazeera reporter Charlotte Bellis about the latest on the ground in Afghanistan following the fall of the country to the Taliban.
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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Spokesmen for the Taliban have promised an amnesty for their former enemies after capturing Afghanistan's capital. They also promised not to block Afghans who are trying to leave in a U.S.-led evacuation. The test of those pledges comes day by day on the streets. So earlier today, we called Charlotte Bellis of Al-Jazeera, who's in Kabul.
Welcome to the program.
CHARLOTTE BELLIS: Hi, Steve.
INSKEEP: What is the situation around the airport as people try to reach it today?
BELLIS: Well, the Taliban are controlling the perimeter of the airport. They've put a lot of men with guns and other heavy weaponry around where you traditionally enter to go to the departures area. They are shooting into the air. They are pushing people back. After the airport was overrun on Monday, thousands of people ran onto the tarmac, and no evacuation flights could take place. Since then, they've put a heap of their fighters around to push the crowds back. Then behind them, there's kind of a no man's land on their commercial side of the airport. And then on the far side of the airport, there's a big military base where thousands of Americans are currently stationed, along with other foreigners, and they are desperately trying to get their people out on C-17s, C-130s. And so you've got this kind of couple of hundred meters between Taliban fighters and U.S. forces.
INSKEEP: I want to understand what the Taliban forces are doing. What you describe would be consistent, perhaps, with crowd control, maybe rough crowd control, but attempting to be helpful. At the same time, though, we have heard reports about individual Afghans who want to leave and feel they have been blocked by the Taliban; they've been turned away. What's your best understanding about whether the Taliban are letting people leave?
BELLIS: They say that they really want people to have the freedom to leave if they have all the right paperwork. I've seen both sides of it. They've been helping some people get through. They were helping Americans, actually, into the airport and pushing others back so Americans could make their evacuation flights. They were helping even government leaders make evacuation flights. But then in other instances, when people were showing up to embassies with paperwork, trying to get on various flights, they're pushing them back. So I think there's an element of chaos and kind of anarchy at the moment as the Taliban want to look like they're in control, that they have everything - that security has improved under them and that they're facilitating this but, at the same time, trying to deal with crowds and just feeling, I think, pretty overwhelmed with the thousands of people who are making a run for the airport.
INSKEEP: What are you hearing from people who want to stay in Kabul?
BELLIS: it's mixed. Some people are really anxious, especially those who have been in Kabul for a long time, who've worked with - even, like, my colleagues who work with international media, interpreters. They're very anxious. There's a lot of distrust there because they lived through it in the '90s, and they don't want to take the chance that this could be the Taliban of the '90s. So, yeah, there's a lot of distrust at the moment. But still, when the Taliban came to town, there were people out there and throngs taking selfies, chasing them down the road like they were football stars. So, you know, there's this kind of element of mystique and a mix of kind of hesitation from some, and also, there's a strange energy with others as being kind of curious about this group.
INSKEEP: Charlotte Bellis of Al-Jazeera is in Kabul. Thanks very much for your reporting. Really appreciate it.
BELLIS: Thanks for having me.
INSKEEP: Be safe. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Those Trying To Get Out Of Afghanistan Must Pass Through Taliban Checkpoints
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[
"A Martínez",
"A Martínez Is One Of The Hosts Of Morning Edition",
"Up First. He Came To Npr In",
"Is Based Out Of Npr West.",
"Ziad Buchh"
] |
2021-08-20 02:10:01+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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NPR's A Martínez speaks to hip-hop artist and producer IDK about his latest album, USEE4YOURSELF, and his recently launched music business program for BIPOC creatives.
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The hip-hop artist known as IDK describes his life as something of a paradox. Born Jason Mills, the rapper-producer grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland, where home and school reflected two different realities: His parents were middle-class, college-educated, but his learning environment lacked support and many of the students were underserved. "I grew up knowing both sides," Mills says in an interview with NPR's A Martínez.
His stage name, short for Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge, embodies the two sides of his upbringing, and is a contradiction in and of itself. "It's basically part of the key principles of what makes me who I am," he says. "Ignorance and knowledge contrast, two things that don't go together, something you want and something you need, and putting all of that together in one person ... that's basically what it stems from."
Mills came up with the moniker as an incarcerated teenager, serving time in prison on robbery and weapons charges. During that time, he did a lot of introspecting and planning. And afterwards, he delved deep into music. Now, at 28, he has released two successful albums, produced for other musicians and made moves into fashion and business. The artist's recently released sophomore album, USEE4YOURSELF, deals heavily with his early life and family history, particularly his difficult relationship with his mother, who passed away in 2016. The album also touches on his struggles with vulnerability as a Black man.
My album isn’t for everyone to like, it’s for the people that need it and relate to it. I needed to make this album to become a better person. #USEE4YOURSELF OUT NOW pic.twitter.com/uajr8aJwvs — ? (@IDK) July 9, 2021
On July 9, Mills tweeted that he "needed to make this album to become a better person." And now that he's accomplished his goal, he's set out to help other young creatives do the same. Mills has launched a program called No Label Academy, designed to teach students the ins and outs of the music industry and give them the tools to launch their own careers. The course, although unaffiliated with Harvard University, will take place on the renowned campus in Cambridge, Mass. for 10 days in August. According to its website, the tuition-free, all expenses paid program is open to "all BIPOC individuals interested in music business."
Mills says, "What you get out of it is the ability to visualize the things you want and manifest them by using logic. ... You don't just say you want it and then you hope that you get it. You say you want it, you figure out what logistically you need to actually make it happen and then you execute. That's the basis of what this class is in general. This is how it even came about — idea, logistics, execution. And here we are today... "
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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On New Album, Rapper IDK Reconciles A Disparate Self: 'And Here We Are Today'
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2021-08-20 02:13:30+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:15:00
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Colorado's governor has rescinded language to "kill and destroy" Native Americans from a state law, once used to justify a 19th century massacre. Tribes say it's an important step toward healing.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Native American leaders say Colorado's government has taken a big step towards healing with them. Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order rescinding language that was used to justify one of the worst massacres in U.S. history. Colorado Public Radio's Paolo Zialcita reports.
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: (Singing in non-English language).
PAOLO ZIALCITA, BYLINE: Polis signed the order at a ceremony outside the state capitol. It officially repeals proclamations made by territorial Governor John Evans in 1864 requiring Native Americans to gather in camps and calling for citizens to kill anyone who didn't comply. That order incited what became known as the Sand Creek Massacre, in which at least 230 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed by government troops. Most were women, children and elders.
RICK WILLIAMS: I'm sad about the people that lost their lives because of this, but I'm also glad that it's over with. And we're going to start healing.
ZIALCITA: Rick Williams, who is Lakota and Cheyenne, has been advocating for the formal repeal of the old proclamations for years. He says the state's actions were long overdue.
WILLIAMS: The healing process starts by the government being more responsible.
ZIALCITA: It's been a momentous year for indigenous Americans in Colorado, which passed laws banning offensive Native American mascots and giving indigenous people in-state tuition. But tribal leaders say the state still needs to make good on its promise to rename geographic landmarks named after figures like Evans, who used their power to oppress native people. Reggie Wassana, governor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in Oklahoma, says change is considerably easier these days thanks to a wider awareness of issues they face.
REGGIE WASSANA: They've become more knowledgeable. And with that, they want to correct some of the wrongs that happened, although you can't change time or history, you can only try to make amends for it.
ZIALCITA: Colorado formally apologized for the Sand Creek Massacre in 2014, on its 150th anniversary. A memorial to its victims is under consideration at the state capitol.
For NPR News, I'm Paolo Zialcita in Denver.
(SOUNDBITE OF KIASMOS' "LOOPED") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Colorado Governor Rescinds A Piece Of Anti-Native American Language From State Law
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2021-08-20 02:12:04+00:00
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2021-08-18 17:06:00
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In the two decades the United States spent in Afghanistan, it spent more than $85 billion to train and supply Afghan security forces.
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In the two decades the United States spent in Afghanistan, it spent more than $85 billion to train and supply Afghan security forces.
And when the forces collapsed, surrendering to the Taliban as it captured Kabul over the weekend, it showed those efforts were a massive failure.
Here & Now‘s Scott Tong talks to Craig Whitlock, Washington Post investigative reporter who writes that U.S. military officials have long doubted whether the Afghan security forces would ever be able to operate on their own.
Here & Now and The Washington Post have created a new partnership to deepen our global news coverage.n Post.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Why The Afghan Security Forces Collapsed So Quickly
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[
"Vanessa Romo Is A Reporter For Npr'S News Desk. She Covers Breaking News On A Wide Range Of Topics",
"Weighing In Daily On Everything Immigration",
"The Treatment Of Migrant Children",
"To A War-Crimes Trial Where A Witness Claimed He Was The Actual Killer",
"To An Alleged Sex Cult. She Has Also Covered The Occasional Cat-Clinging-To-The-Hood-Of-A-Car Story."
] |
2021-08-20 02:13:18+00:00
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2021-08-18 10:01:00
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Zainab filled out all the forms for a special immigrant visa but now can only watch as the Americans leave Afghanistan. Some 8,000 miles away in the U.S., all her husband can do is hope.
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Khan had faith in the U.S. troops who arrived in Afghanistan to rebuild his country when he was just 14. He had faith when he began working alongside them, paving roads, digging canals and erecting schools. He still had faith when he left for a college degree in the U.S. some years ago.
But that once-unshakable belief in the reach of the American government has been rocked over the last few days as his wife, Zainab, who is trapped in an apartment in Kabul, desperately awaits word from the U.S. Embassy that her application for a special immigrant visa has been approved and she, too, will be able to escape the Taliban's grip.
"It's like leaving somebody in the middle of the sea — in the middle of nowhere — and you don't know when somebody will return to pick you up, " Khan, now 34 and living in Texas, told NPR.
For his wife, an educated woman with a master's degree who hasn't left the house for months out of fear of reprisal against those with connections to people who helped American forces during the war, he said, "It's like she is sinking. Almost drowning in the water."
Noting accounts of the Taliban going door to door to identify individuals who have worked with the U.S., Khan said, "Every second that [the email from the State Department] doesn't come she is risking" her life.
NPR is not using their full names or their photos out of concern for the woman's safety.
Three factors conspired to slow her visa process
The stunning collapse of Afghanistan's government during the U.S. military withdrawal has left the Biden administration scrambling to evacuate tens of thousands of Afghans — allies of the U.S. — whose lives are in danger after years of being stuck in a paperwork limbo waiting to get out.
But the special immigrant visas for Afghans have been painfully slow in coming and plagued with problems nearly from the start in 2015, with the State Department citing staffing shortages and security threats. Since then, the department reports that as of March 31, about 15,600 applicants and another 2,000 in recent weeks have been approved out of 26,500 available slots. However, advocates estimate another 50,000 vulnerable Afghans remain in the country.
Shekib Rahmani / AP U.S soldiers stand guard Monday along a perimeter at the Kabul airport. After the Taliban's takeover, Afghans rushed the tarmac and clung to U.S. military planes trying to fly out.
Garry Reid, director for defense intelligence, who is leading the Defense Department's work on the evacuation, addressed the issue at a news briefing Monday, saying that officials had begun mobilizing to evacuate as many as 20,000 to 22,000 additional special visa applicants. They are expected to arrive at military bases, including Fort McCoy in Wisconsin and Fort Bliss in Texas, over the next few weeks.
Still, over the last 16 months the already onerous and slow process has been moving at a glacial pace. First, the pandemic put a halt to all application processing. Then the violence and chaos across Afghanistan forced another stall.
During the first quarter of 2021, the State Department reports 789 applicants and their families were issued the visas after waiting an average of 703 days to complete the 14-step process.
Applicants are waiting an average of nearly two years
For Zainab, the wait has been even longer — as of Tuesday, it has been 749 days since she first submitted her application.
She was approved for an interview at the U.S. Embassy on May 10 — the 11th step on the checklist. But it wasn't until Saturday, when the Taliban's complete takeover was imminent and the majority of embassy personnel had been evacuated, that she received an email from officials.
"What does the email say? It says do not contact the embassy," Khan recounted.
The email, which NPR reviewed, does say that, explaining that officials cannot offer any information about available repatriation flights to the United States.
It advises people who have already been approved for an immigrant visa "to take advantage of commercial flights now as airports could experience unexpected closures with little to no warning."
But Khan said he's not sure that recommendation applies to Zainab because she has not had an official interview. "I simply do not know," he said, adding he filled out an attached online form in case she'll be allowed to skip the interview all together.
When asked if his wife might head to the Kabul airport in hopes of making it onto any aircraft going anywhere that's not Afghanistan, he said emphatically, "No. No. No. No way!"
/ AP Taliban fighters stand guard Tuesday at a checkpoint near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
On Tuesday, the White House and Defense Department officials said the airport had been secured and that evacuations were underway.
"The Taliban have informed us that they are prepared to provide the safe passage of civilians to the airport, and we intend to hold them to that commitment," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. As of midday Tuesday, he said, the administration expected the deal could last through the end of the month.
However, even as he spoke there were scenes of brutal violence and chaos at Taliban checkpoints and "access remained near-impossible," The Wall Street Journal reported.
President Biden has said he wants the evacuation completed by Aug. 31, but it is unclear if the tenuous agreement between the U.S. and Taliban leaders will hold that long.
Human rights organizations are calling for urgent action
In the U.S. and around the globe, human rights and immigrant advocacy groups are calling on the Biden administration to take urgent action to help Afghan nationals trying to flee their country.
"I urge that you appoint a special presidential envoy for Afghan humanitarian and refugee issues," Eric Schwartz, president of Refugees International, said in a letter to Biden.
Schwartz also asked for a streamlining of the process to sponsor repatriated families, saying it "has been unclear and awfully bureaucratic." The existing Afghan diaspora in the U.S. could serve as a critical partner to the administration in such an effort, he added.
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a national refugee resettlement agency that advocates for special immigrant visa recipients, was critical of Biden's speech Monday, during which the president said many Afghans had chosen to delay their departure from the country.
"The undeniable truth is that we [the U.S.] had both the means and the time to evacuate those in danger, and yet, we neglected to act in any meaningful way," Vignarajah said in a statement.
The organization is collecting volunteer information for Americans eager to help new arrivals in the coming weeks.
"At LIRS, we stand at the ready to welcome every Afghan ally that can reach our shores," she said. "In the past few days, we have received an enormous outpouring of support from supporters, donors, veterans, and folks on both sides of the aisle. The American people are standing up and opening their hearts and their communities to those who have given so much to us. The administration must do the same."
Rahmat Gul / AP Taliban fighters stand guard Monday in front of the Kabul airport. Afghans rushed the tarmac and pushed onto planes in desperate attempts to flee as the Taliban advanced.
Her husband counts the minutes until she arrives
In the meantime, Khan said he is trying to hold onto hope. "I'm counting the minutes that my wife will awake alive, and she can talk to me or send me a message."
"I do have faith. I do have faith," he repeated over and over again.
He said he believes the American military vehicles now being driven by Taliban forces as they carry U.S. weapons will not stop outside his wife's apartment. He believes she will be spared that knock on the door.
"I believe this so much," he said softly. "You know, the U.S. troops, and the Department of State and the embassy, they are going to help me bring my wife here."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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The Taliban Seized Her City. Now America's Red Tape Stops Her From Fleeing
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https://www.whqr.org/national/2021-08-18/a-woman-in-kabul-hides-from-the-taliban-her-husband-in-the-u-s-fears-for-her-safety
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[
"Tim Mak Is Npr'S Washington Investigative Correspondent",
"Focused On Political Enterprise Journalism."
] |
2021-08-20 02:14:50+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:01:00
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In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, a group of volunteer sleuths came forward to assist law enforcement in an unprecedented effort to identify possible suspects.
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As rioters made their way through the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, many of them livestreamed their actions and posted photos and videos on social media. That steady stream of content created an enormous record of evidence that law enforcement needed to sift through to build cases against the accused.
Now, more than 575 federal criminal complaints have been filed, and a striking pattern has emerged: Time and time again, the FBI is relying on crowdsourced tips from an ad hoc community of amateur investigators sifting through that pile of content for clues.
These informal communities go by a number of names: Some go by the moniker Sedition Hunters. Others call themselves Deep State Dogs. Together, they amount to hundreds of people who since Jan. 6 have dedicated themselves to helping law enforcement track down suspects.
Their cumulative work represents what is likely the largest spontaneous, open source information collection and analysis effort ever conducted by volunteers to assist law enforcement. Sedition Hunters are mentioned by name in at least 13 cases, other complaints reference specific social media handles of volunteers, and still more refer to evidence voluntarily submitted by tipsters — many of whom do not seem to know the accused — citing information on public platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Parler.
Investigators are facing a mammoth task
Part of their rise was perhaps by necessity: Federal investigators were facing a gargantuan mountain of public — or open source — evidence.
"I believe 9/11 was not as complex as this," said Greg Hunter, a defense attorney who has worked on the cases of a number of individuals charged in the insurrection. "The evidence is significantly more complicated for [the government] than they thought it was going to be. That's clear. ... They say that this is the most complex thing they've ever done."
This may have opened up an opportunity for Americans, many with no formal training in intelligence or law enforcement, to lend a hand.
"The FBI, of course, was overwhelmed with this mammoth task of identifying these individuals, the Sedition Hunters community, everyone started individually reviewing all of the footage," said Forrest Rogers, an American who is a member of the group Deep State Dogs.
The FBI's National Threat Operations Center saw a 750% rise in calls and electronic tips following Jan. 6, the bureau told NPR.
"The FBI encourages the public to continue to send tips to the FBI. As we have seen with dozens of cases so far, the tips matter. Tipsters should rest assured that the FBI is working diligently behind the scenes to follow all investigative leads to verify tips from the public and bring these criminals to justice," said Samantha Shero, a spokesperson for the FBI.
"What can I do to help prevent this?"
The volunteers who came forward to help the FBI had different motivations, but many felt a need to contribute to the effort to bring those involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection to justice.
"I saw an attempted coup happen, and I never want to see that again. So for me, it was: What can I do to help prevent this?" said a Sedition Hunter named Kay, a 34-year-old stay-at-home mother in Washington state.
Kay, who requested her last name be kept private, has spent hundreds of hours looking at videos from that day in her free time. "I don't live anywhere near D.C. I have no political power. I'm just an ordinary person, really. But this was something I felt I could do," she said.
Kay began annotating videos, creating a spreadsheet where things spotted in videos could be listed: a person wearing a pink hat, for example. By using these cues, volunteers could compare different video angles to identify people committing alleged crimes.
Tommy Carstensen, a Danish citizen, said he's watched thousands of videos since January. One tactic he used was to analyze the music playing in the background in various videos of the riot.
"Someone later created a playlist, and then if you heard Elton John, you would know, OK, this is at 2 p.m. ... and then you could say, OK, this individual was at that location at this time," Carstensen said.
Some of these groups have had some measurable success in aiding law enforcement. The group Deep State Dogs was able to identify the person who allegedly used a Taser on Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone on the Capitol steps, even when law enforcement was apparently unaware of the person's identity.
Rogers slowly watched every single frame of the incident and focused on watching the hand of the individual holding the Taser.
"We located the suspect in different places throughout that event where he was carrying the Taser in his hand," Rogers said. "Also, we found him with a frontal, and then we put it together as a compilation, submitted it to the FBI to make it easier for them to indeed identify."
Law enforcement later publicly identified that individual as Daniel Rodriguez, who has since been charged with a number of serious offenses. As part of the filings in the case, federal prosecutors cited two Deep State Dogs videos that were in their possession.
The use of this open source intelligence — publicly obtainable information — is a new twist on a longtime law enforcement tool.
"If we came back to the Wild West times of wanted posters, that's a form of open source intelligence, where they just have the sketch of the bank robber," Rogers said. "It's just because of the internet and everyone's — unexplainable, in my opinion — need to broadcast all of their private information to the world that open source intelligence is becoming much more lucrative when it comes to identifying people."
The use of facial recognition technology
Some of these volunteer sleuths, such as Carstensen, have also turned to facial recognition software to aid their efforts. It's a controversial tool that he acknowledges has broader shortcomings.
"I don't really like facial recognition when it's put in the hands of [a] government, say, China monitoring the Uyghurs," he said. "But in this case, it's all public video, from a public location."
But American law enforcement is also independently employing this technology to make the case against Jan. 6 suspects. Documents in at least a dozen cases cite the use of facial recognition software.
For example, suspect Stephen Chase Randolph, who has been charged with among other things assaulting a U.S. Capitol Police officer, was identified when the FBI used open source facial recognition to match a photo from the insurrection to the Instagram account of an acquaintance of Randolph's.
Mitch Silber, former director of intelligence analysis for the New York City Police Department, said this technology is typically only used sparingly by law enforcement.
"Law enforcement in general, when they're sort of at wits' end, and they haven't been able to make progress in identifying a suspect for a particular crime, it's sort of the move of last resort," Silber said.
But civil liberties advocates said that even if the use of this technology in these cases could be seen as a force for justice, the fundamental tool is dangerous.
"We know that many politicians and many police departments with this power would be, frankly, more likely to go after Black Lives Matter protesters than to go after insurrectionists," said Adam Schwartz of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital civil liberties advocacy organization. "We support efforts to bring those insurrectionists to justice, ... [but] face recognition technology in the hands of the government is so dangerous that we think the government should not be using it at all."
Schwartz said that it was notable law enforcement was so openly using facial recognition technology to support criminal cases, and that doing so now may be strategic.
"It is common for the law enforcement community to try to work the public in favor of a surveillance technology by not talking much about the technology until the right sympathetic case comes along, and then they talk about it a lot," Schwartz said.
But livestreaming as well as public posts, including video and photos, are realities of mass political events in our time. So the use of crowdsourcing and facial recognition associated with the Jan. 6 charges is not just unprecedented — but likely points to a trend that these tools will be used more frequently in the future.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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The FBI Keeps Using Clues From Volunteer Sleuths To Find The Jan. 6 Capitol Rioters
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[
"Joe Hernandez"
] |
2021-08-20 02:12:59+00:00
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2021-08-18 13:35:36
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Tangtang Zhao, 34, allegedly sold 125 authentic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination cards to 11 buyers in March and April.
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A Chicago pharmacist has been charged with stealing official COVID-19 vaccination cards and selling them on eBay for roughly $10 each, federal prosecutors say.
Tangtang Zhao, 34, allegedly sold 125 authentic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccination cards to 11 buyers in March and April.
Zhao was indicted on 12 counts of theft of government property.
"We take seriously, and will vigorously investigate, any criminal offense that contributes to the distrust around vaccines and vaccination status," Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said in a statement.
"The Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the American people from these offenses during this national emergency," he added.
A black market for blank vaccine cards has cropped up online in recent months, but federal officials say it is illegal to use one if you are unvaccinated. People who receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which is free, are issued a vaccine card.
According to court documents, Zhao worked as a licensed pharmacist for a pharmacy identified only as Company 1, which has locations across the country. Company 1 administered COVID-19 vaccines and issued vaccine cards to the recipients.
"Knowingly selling COVID vaccination cards to unvaccinated individuals puts millions of Americans at risk of serious injury or death," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie Jr. from the Chicago field office.
Each count of theft of government property carries a potential maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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A Pharmacist Is Charged With Selling COVID-19 Vaccine Cards For $10 On eBay
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[
"As Npr'S Miami Correspondent",
"Greg Allen Reports On The Diverse Issues",
"Developments Tied To The Southeast. He Covers Everything Breaking News To Economic",
"Political Stories To Arts",
"Environmental Stories. He Moved Into This Role In",
"After Four Years As Npr'S Midwest Correspondent."
] |
2021-08-20 02:14:32+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:38:00
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Officials in Miami-Dade County in Florida have indicated they will defy an order from their governor and require students to wear face masks when they return to classes next week.
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en
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
In Florida, local school districts are facing off with Governor Ron DeSantis over a public health issue that has become political - whether students should be required to wear face masks. DeSantis signed an order banning school districts from imposing mask mandates, but some are defying the governor and imposing them anyway. From Miami, NPR's Greg Allen reports.
GREG ALLEN, BYLINE: Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Broward County today with a message for those who don't like his approach to the resurgence of COVID-19 in Florida.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
RON DESANTIS: This is no place for those phony narratives, for political posturing or for partisanship.
ALLEN: DeSantis has been promoting the use of monoclonal antibodies to treat people for COVID. But in Broward County today, he was asked about a vote taken last night by the State Board of Education. The board voted to begin the process of punishing school districts that adopt face mask mandates, including Broward County. Measures being considered include withholding state funds or removing officials from their positions. DeSantis said he supports the board's decision
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
DESANTIS: Forcing young kids to wear masks all day - these kindergartners - having the government to force that, that's not defying me, that's defying the state of Florida's laws.
ALLEN: While DeSantis was talking, school boards in two more Florida counties were meeting to discuss adopting face mask mandates for students and staff. In the Tampa area, Hillsborough County adopted a 30-day mask mandate after several hundred students were infected and more than 10,000 were forced to quarantine. Board Chairperson Lynn Gray.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
LYNN GRAY: Because what we're doing right now on this dais, we're making a tough decision. And we're counting on those masks to make the difference.
ALLEN: In Miami-Dade County, where classes resume next week, district officials also approved a mandate today. Before the meeting, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho appeared before the State Board of Education and told them he wasn't concerned about the consequences.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ALBERTO CARVALHO: I'm going to do that which is right, rightful and righteous. But right before getting here and just a few minutes ago, I spoke with a teacher who happens to be the daughter of another teacher, begging me to do the right thing for her mom who's about to be intubated at Jackson South.
ALLEN: School districts that have chosen to defy Florida's Republican governor are receiving encouragement from President Biden. His education secretary has sent a letter to districts promising to provide federal funds to make up any money that's withheld by the state.
Greg Allen, NPR News, Miami.
(SOUNDBITE OF RYAN HELSING AND MATTHEW SALTZ' "CASCADE") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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School Officials In Miami-Dade County, Fla., Will Likely Defy Order And Require Masks
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[
"Eleanor Beardsley Began Reporting France For Npr In As A Freelance Journalist",
"Following All Aspects Of French Society",
"Politics",
"Economics",
"Culture",
"Gastronomy. Since Then",
"She Has Steadily Worked Her Way To Becoming An Integral Part Of The Npr Europe Reporting Team."
] |
2021-08-20 02:12:10+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:15:00
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Wildfires have turned deadly in southern France, killing at least three people, according to firefighters. Thousands of people have fled the fires near the tourist beaches of St. Tropez.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Wildfires have turned deadly in southern France. Firefighters say they've killed at least three people. Thousands of residents and tourists have fled the blaze near the beaches of the French Riviera. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: (Speaking French).
ELEANOR BEARDSLEY, BYLINE: French news coverage showed firefighters battling the flames through a third night using high-pressure hoses. Water-bombing planes and helicopters are also being deployed against the flames engulfing the Mediterranean back country, known for its pine forest, vineyards and olive groves.
PETER JONES: The vegetation is so dry, so it burns off like a torch.
BEARDSLEY: That's firefighter Peter Jones, who's been battling fires in the region for 25 years. He says this is one of the worst seasons ever, compounded by drought and high winds. The mythic mistral wind is blowing and it makes the fire jump twice as far as usual, sometimes 800 yards at a time. Jones says the fire's speed and quickly changing direction make things treacherous.
JONES: It spreads so fast that it was nearly in the suburbs of the grove (ph) of St. Tropez in its first night. And so it's a very difficult thing to change tactical positions as the wind changes from one direction to another.
(SOUNDBITE OF WATER SPRAYING)
BEARDSLEY: Stunned vacationers watched firefighting planes scoop water from the sea amidst sailboats and yachts off the coast of St. Tropez to refill their tanks. More than 10,000 residents and vacationers have been evacuated. Some are being housed in gymnasiums, others sleeping on the beach.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED CAMPER #1: (Speaking French).
UNIDENTIFIED CAMPER #2: (Speaking French).
BEARDSLEY: Our tent, our trailer, everything is gone, these campers told a French news channel. We had to get out so fast. We're still in our pajamas.
Seasonal wildfires are usual in the Mediterranean basin, but scientists say global warming is increasing their frequency and intensity. Firefighter Peter Jones says European countries are trying to help each other and share means. Fighting fires takes solidarity, he says. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Eygalieres, France.
(SOUNDBITE OF OSKAR SCHUSTER'S "FJARLAEGUR") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Wildfires Are Moving Quickly In Southern France, Killing At Least 3 People So Far
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[
"Camila Flamiano Domonoske Covers Cars",
"Energy",
"The Future Of Mobility For Npr'S Business Desk."
] |
2021-08-20 02:11:21+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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There's no shortage of gasoline, but a few stations have still run dry because it's hard to find qualified truck drivers who can move the fuel around. The high demand is pushing driver pay up.
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Dave Samuelson is totally thrilled with his new job driving a fuel truck to deliver gasoline to stations around Chattanooga, Tenn.
He gets to go home to his farm every night, unlike long-haul trucking where you can drive for days. That means he can feed his goats. He can't complain about the pay — especially since he got a nearly 40% pay increase this year.
And he certainly loves how easy it is to find work right now. If you have the right kind of commercial driver's license, he says, "Good lord ... you can write your own ticket."
This is what it looks like to be at the heart of one of America's big pandemic labor crunches.
The companies that transport fuel to gas stations are scrambling to find qualified drivers to deliver every shipment. And this year, because they can't find enough drivers in places like Colorado, Iowa, and the Pacific Northwest, a scattering of gas stations have briefly run dry.
The outages weren't prolonged or widespread, but a hiccup in such an essential supply chain can be worrying — not to mention odd, given that there's no shortage of gasoline in the country.
"We have plenty of gasoline, and refiners could produce a lot more if they needed to, but it just can't get there," says Brian Milne, who tracks refined fuels for the data analysis company DTN. He first noticed the phenomenon in the spring, before the Colonial Pipeline shutdown brought fresh scrutiny to the security of the national fuel supply chain.
Fuel hauling is specialized and dangerous work
At the beginning of the pandemic, demand for gasoline dropped sharply. So it's no surprise that a lot of fuel haulers were either laid off or just retired.
This year, as demand for gasoline rose again, companies have struggled to replace those drivers as quickly as they need to.
A big part of the problem is that driving those big silver tanker trucks is specialized work requiring extra training and qualifications. The liquid sloshing around inside the tank makes a truck more challenging to drive. And hauling gasoline, in particular, is dangerous — drivers are essentially toting a bomb down the freeway because in the event of a crash, the tanks can explode.
A big bump in pay for fuel haulers
Drivers like Samuelson have reaped the benefit of this high demand. When Samuelson went to school for his commercial driver's license last fall, he had 10 job offers before he even graduated. And he was immediately hired to haul fuel, which is highly unusual. Most companies usually hire drivers with several years of experience hauling other cargo before training them to drive tanker trucks.
Companies are boosting pay to attract drivers. Samuelson reports that his guaranteed weekly pay has increased nearly 40% since this January, to an equivalent of $78,000 a year, and rival companies in the area have also offered raises.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), a trade group representing truck drivers, says that some fuel haulers are looking to make six figures this year, thanks to the recent increase in wages.
Patrick de Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, says this will likely affect gas prices but not by much.
"We're talking about something that would be negligible, less than a 2-cent-a-gallon impact," he estimates. There are many other factors, like the high price of crude oil, keeping gas prices high right now: The boost in driver pay is just a drop in the gasoline tanker.
A history of poor working conditions and stagnant pay
For decades, companies across the trucking industry have complained of a lack of available drivers. In response, drivers' groups like OOIDA have long said the problem is stagnant pay and poor working conditions, not a labor shortage.
Still, little changed over the years. Turnover was high, recruiting was hard, and pay failed to keep up with inflation.
Now, at least in the fuel hauling sector, the situation has shifted. Some companies are actually putting real money on the line to solve the problem.
But for some truckers, even a boost in pay just isn't worth it.
"I wouldn't even consider it," says Brad Zeilinger, who has been trucking for more than 30 years. He's hauled fuel before, but never again, he says. In addition to the danger, the licensing is a hassle and the hours can be rough.
"They couldn't afford me, let's put it that way," he says.
Frozen food is more his style now, and he's got an eye on retiring in a few years. And the question now — not just for fuel hauling, but for the entire trucking industry — is whether higher pay will be enough to attract a new generation of drivers.
"The young people don't want to do this job anymore," he says. "My generation is on the way out the door."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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[
"Elissa Nadworny Reports On All Things College For Npr",
"Following Big Stories Like Unprecedented Enrollment Declines",
"College Affordability",
"The Student Debt Crisis",
"Workforce Training. During The Academic Year",
"She Traveled To Dozens Of Campuses To Document What It Was Like To Reopen During The Coronavirus Pandemic. Her Work Has Won Several Awards Including A Gracie Award For A Story About Student Parents In College",
"A James Beard Award For A Story About The Chinese-American Population In The Mississippi Delta",
"A Edward R. Murrow Award For Excellence In Innovation."
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:17+00:00
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2021-08-18 16:18:54
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College students are heading back to campus this month — and with the delta variant spreading, many aren't sure what to expect from this school year.
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Rental trucks in the parking lots; joyful hugs as students find old friends; a crowd in the campus store as families stock up on Husker gear: It's move-in week at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The center of the action here is the Devaney Center. It's usually home to track and field, but this week it's where students and their families are shuffling in to get their room keys, maps of campus, move-in directions, a mandatory COVID-19 test — and this year — a booth where they can get a vaccine shot.
Phoebe Feis, a junior, skips that table because she's already vaccinated. It's a major reason, she says, for why she's back on campus this year. As a sophomore last year, she spent the academic year at home in northwest Iowa, taking classes online and making sure to protect her grandmother, who is a cancer survivor in her 80s.
Elissa Nadworny / NPR Ariana Huey, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, takes a saliva-based COVID-19 test upon arrival on campus.
"Everyone I know has been vaccinated," says Feis, who in her third year of college has only one full, in-person semester under her belt due to the pandemic. "With [the vaccines] and other safety protocols, I feel really safe coming back."
This sprawling university of about 20,000 undergraduates, nestled in the Great Plains, was hoping — like many colleges — for a normal fall semester. But as millions of college students descend on campuses throughout the U.S., the delta variant is raging, raising questions about how to pull this off without outbreaks.
Public health experts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and officials at about 700 colleges and universities, say the best way to do that is to have their campuses fully vaccinated. But only about a quarter of colleges have instituted a vaccine mandate, according to the College Crisis Initiative, though many more may enact one once the Food and Drug Administration issues a full approval of a vaccine, which is expected as early as September. Nearly 50% of colleges are encouraging or incentivizing students to get vaccinated, through outreach to students, campus vaccine clinics and prizes, including, in places like Purdue University, free tuition.
Mask mandates have also made their way back to some campuses. In some cases, those campus mask requirements have been met with political pushback and legal challenges.
In the midst of all this turmoil and uncertainty, campus leaders are being forced to re-imagine an in-person start, at places like California State University, Stanislaus, and the University of Texas, San Antonio.
But here in Lincoln, it's full steam ahead for the fall semester. The university has so far steered clear of requiring the vaccine, instead making it voluntary for students to report their vaccination status. The university did offer a number of prizes to students who uploaded their vaccine card, including the possibility of winning a smart watch or a monthly massage. Students who don't upload their CDC card will be required to take weekly COVID-19 tests.
Elissa Nadworny / NPR Phoebe Fies, a junior, and her mom Dixee Bartholomew-Feis, turn in her COVID-19 test during move-in week at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
"A high level of vaccination," explains Amy Goodburn, who works in the university's administration and co-chairs the school's COVID-19 taskforce, "is really critical to having an in-person experience."
The university hasn't released data on how many students are vaccinated, and Goodburn says it won't start talks about a requirement until the FDA gives the vaccine full approval. The campus is encouraging masks for unvaccinated people, but it isn't mandatory. Goodburn says they're following the county's guidance on that. Still, she feels confident in the school's protocol, pointing to the fact the campus was open last year, with dorms at full capacity. Like many universities, UNL did not see the virus spread in the classroom.
This fall, she says, "I feel a lot more optimism and excitement, whereas last fall it was pretty much dread in the pit of my stomach every day, like, 'Oh, what's going to happen here?' " There are different circumstances compared with a year ago: classes are back at full capacity and masks are not required for most classes. Students — and professors — won't know who is, and who is not, vaccinated.
Excitement tinged with worry about outbreaks
It's been frustrating for some public health experts to see campuses that are not requiring the vaccine. "Vaccination is the #1 defense against campus outbreaks," says David Paltiel, a professor who studies public health at Yale University. "Any college that doesn't enforce a vaccination mandate is being derelict in its duty to the safety of its students, staff, and community."
And Paltiel points out that the delta variant is even more contagious than the strain campuses dealt with last year. "I think we need to be preparing to expect a greater frequency and magnitude of outbreaks than we did last year," he says.
And then, Paltiel adds, even with vaccine mandates, breakthrough cases will happen. At Duke University in North Carolina, where students and faculty must show proof of vaccination in order to begin classes on campus next week, the school found 100 positive cases, mostly among the vaccinated. That number came from testing about 8,000 individuals.
"Breakthrough cases are going to take place," says Paltiel, "I don't think that our campus leaders have really internalized that fact."
Elissa Nadworny / NPR Kitana Bernth, a first-year student, moves into her dorm with help from her mom. Kitana is vaccinated, but she hasn't asked her roommate if she is yet. "If she chooses to get one, I don't really care. It's honestly her decision."
A report from the University of Texas at Austin, which modeled different scenarios this fall, estimates that about 200 students — of the school's 50,000 — will arrive on campus infected with COVID-19. The report anticipated that 57% of students would be vaccinated when the fall semester begins, and predicts that without frequent testing or if students do not wear masks indoors, an average of 11,200 students could become infected with COVID-19 this fall.
Paltiel's new research also suggests that not testing unvaccinated students would be detrimental to campuses' handling of the virus, especially given that other precautions, such as reducing the density of students in classrooms, wearing masks, and banning large gatherings, have been lifted. "Without either testing or distancing policies, a return to pre-COVID campus life and activities could result in the infection of virtually all unvaccinated members of the population before the end of the semester," the report states.
Some of that anxiety is swirling here in Lincoln.
"It's a little scary, because of Delta," says Maria Huey, who is here to move her daughter Ariana, a sophomore, into campus for the first time. Ariana attended college from home in San Antonio last year, and though mom and daughter are both vaccinated and wearing masks, there's still some hesitancy at being on a big campus with so many other people.
"Walking around here, there's not many people with masks and that's pretty scary for me," Huey says. "Back home, everybody wears masks ... So, yeah, we've had to be even more careful."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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College Move-In Was Supposed To Mark A Return To Normal. Then Came The Delta Variant
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[
"Ailsa Chang Is An Award-Winning Journalist Who Hosts All Things Considered Along With Ari Shapiro",
"Audie Cornish",
"Mary Louise Kelly. She Landed In Public Radio After Practicing Law For A Few Years.",
"Alejandra Marquez Janse"
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:06+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:15:00
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NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Haiti's Ambassador to the U.S. Bocchit Edmond about the situation in his country after Saturday's earthquake and as relief efforts have been hindered by severe weather.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
Haiti remains at the intersection of a deadly natural disaster, a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and a government in crisis. Search and rescue efforts continue after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck southwestern Haiti on Saturday. That search went on pause as Tropical Storm Grace bore down on the region this week. About 1,900 lives have been lost, with at least 9,000 injured. Hospitals are overwhelmed. And all of this comes just weeks after the assassination of Haiti's president. For more on what lies ahead for this country, we're joined now by Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., Bocchit Edmond. Ambassador, welcome to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
BOCCHIT EDMOND: Good afternoon. Glad to be with you.
CHANG: So I just want to start by first asking you how the past few days have been for you seeing all that's happening in your country right now.
EDMOND: Yeah, it seems that we can't catch a break. So, you know, as you pointed out, recently, the assassination of the president. We're not even done yet. And we are facing this catastrophe - an earthquake in Haiti, this time hitting the southern part of Haiti and where those with very remote areas difficult to access. You know, it makes it very, very difficult. And added to that, we have that tropical depression depositing a lot of water on the same area. And that makes it difficult the work of the search and rescue workers.
CHANG: Right. What can you tell us at this point about how the search and rescue efforts are going, given the storm?
EDMOND: I think that's resumed. That's resumed. They are trying to - they are doing their best. And I believe the agents on the civil protections of Haiti, they are working hand-in-hand with the Fairfax - with the team from Fairfax, Va. And they are helping a lot. So far, they have not been lucky yet to get some survivor, but I believe they are working very hard to continue the search.
CHANG: Well, all of this, of course, has come just as your new prime minister, Ariel Henry, is trying to organize an election to elect a new president. Let me ask you, given that there has been so much instability in your country the last couple of months, how equipped do you think Haiti's government is to respond to this earthquake? Because our NPR colleague, Jason Beaubien, who is in Haiti right now, he's been hearing frustrations from people who say that so little aid has reached the quake zone.
EDMOND: That's the issue. I mean, this is very important to understand - for your audience to understand. Earthquake is not something you can, you know, expect, let's call it. You know that we - Haiti sits on a fault. But at the same time, we need to remember that the countries that already some lack of resources. Whenever one of those big event happen, we need to organize them ourselves. And so to make sure that - it might take a little time. I understand the frustration of my fellow citizens. I believe that they should have already been taken care of. But the fact of the matter is, most of them, most of those areas are very remote areas we had accessed access yesterday. We are very happy that the United States, I believe, brought eight helicopters down there from the Department of Defense and Southern Command in Miami. I think it's a good gesture. And that will certainly help us to reach those people and to assure of the distribution of this assistance.
CHANG: But if I may, I mean, you have said that you hope not to see a repeat of the mistakes that happened after the massive 2010 earthquake in Haiti, when a lot of aid just never reached the people who needed the aid. So what is being done differently this time around to avoid that, to make sure that aid does get to people in time?
EDMOND: Yeah. That's why the Ministry of Planning from the government asking all the NGOs that wish to participate in the rescue effort to register and to make sure that we coordinate better.
CHANG: To register - people need to register to receive aid? How do they do that when their homes are gone?
EDMOND: No. No. No. Because they already - those...
CHANG: They have been registered. OK.
EDMOND: Because we need to make sure that who are coming and who or when - you know, because the issue in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, everybody came out at the same time. We are flooded with NGOs. At the end of the day, we couldn't organize anything. So now what we wish to see, we wish to have a well-coordinated effort. And at the same time, we understand the urgency of the matter. We understand that those victims that need to get - they need to be taken care of by receiving what we are bringing to them. But at the same time, it has to be done as an organized manner.
And that's why we are trying to coordinate with all NGOs - local, international - to make sure that we direct them where they should go. Because when everybody wants to go to one place, that's why you will hear voices saying that we have been victim. We haven't received anything because most of the time we tend to focus on one place or the big city and forget the rural areas. But that's what we want to avoid. That's why the Ministry of Planning wants to be in touch and to make sure that we check the organization and what are they offering and where the needs are so we can direct them exactly to those victims.
CHANG: OK. You have mentioned the U.S. has sent some aid, some search and rescue teams to Haiti. What other kind of help would you like to see from the U.S. at this point?
EDMOND: I believe there is a very important thing that we need now is the medical facility. I think yesterday the Defense Department had found out that two hospitals, makeshift hospital are being put together later before the end of this week so they can help and treatment and the care giving to those victims. So it's very important because now we need much more, you know, medical attention, medical equipment. And all those things would certainly help us to save more lives because there are some very serious injuries. We need to take care of them. And therefore, it's very important to request medical equipments, medical - all medical things that can help to strengthen the capacity of those local hospital and nurses and doctors.
CHANG: That is Bocchit Edmond, Haiti's ambassador to the U.S. Thank you very much for joining us today.
EDMOND: It's a pleasure to be with you. Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Haiti's Ambassador On The Devastation And Aid Efforts After Earthquake
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[
"Steve Inskeep Is A Host Of Npr'S Morning Edition",
"As Well As Npr'S Morning News Podcast Up First.",
"A Martínez",
"A Martínez Is One Of The Hosts Of Morning Edition",
"Up First. He Came To Npr In",
"Is Based Out Of Npr West."
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:49+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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The Taliban try to convince the world they've changed. For thousands trying to get out of Afghanistan, the focus is on the airport. Opening statements will begin in the criminal trial of R. Kelly.
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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Much of the world is waiting to see how the Taliban may rule Afghanistan this time.
A MARTINEZ, HOST:
The armed group is giving its first answers to those questions days after taking Kabul. In the 1990s, they were known for barbaric executions, the repression of women and sheltering al-Qaida. And on Tuesday, a Taliban spokesperson gave a press conference. He promised no reprisals for their enemies and no global terror attacks. Female journalists asked some of those questions.
INSKEEP: Afterward, a Taliban spokesman came on the line with us to continue the conversation. Suhail Shaheen insisted Afghans who worked with Americans will be allowed to leave the country.
SUHAIL SHAHEEN: No any kind of reprisal, no revenge on those people who are working with the foreign troops.
INSKEEP: In a moment, we'll hear how that promise compares with the situation in the streets so far. We begin with NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam. Jackie, good morning.
JACKIE NORTHAM, BYLINE: Good morning, Steve.
INSKEEP: You know, the last time the Taliban captured Kabul in the 1990s, they seized a former president and hung him from a lamp post. What impression are they trying to create this time?
NORTHAM: Well, the Taliban is on a bit of a charm offensive right now. You know, it's trying to show to the world that they're more inclusive, gentler than when they ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s. You know, back then, the Taliban was ruthless and terrorized Afghans. And there's a lot of skepticism that they've actually changed.
INSKEEP: Well, in that interview, I asked Suhail Shaheen about that. And then specifically, I asked if the Taliban would allow women to remain in government positions. There are women in the Afghan government now. And of course, this is something that did not happen at all in previous Taliban times. Here's how he responded.
SHAHEEN: Yes, the women, they have a right to education and to work. Right now the doctors, they have started to serving. The teachers have started teaching. In other fields, the women are working. On - the journalist women, they have started working by observing hijab.
INSKEEP: By observing hijab - he does say they'll be forced back under cover. How's that compare to the '90s?
NORTHAM: Well, you know, this is a reversal of how women were treated back then. You know, they were not allowed to go to school or work, and they always had to be covered from head to toe whenever they left their homes. Steve, women's rights in Afghanistan have come a long way since then, and it'll be very tough for women if they have to revert to life as it was back in the '90s.
INSKEEP: They do say, though, it's changing. But when I spoke with Shaheen, he suggested that they will be different without really directly saying that the Taliban are different. I want to play some of this. At one point, we discussed public executions and other practices from the '90s. Let's listen.
In the 1990s, when the Taliban were last in power, it was said that people's hands were cut off when they were accused of stealing and that the hands were held up for display. Is that something the Taliban intends to do again?
SHAHEEN: So I'm not a religious scholar, but I can say that Islamic rules that is interpreted by the judges, it is referred to the judges. So everyone has the right of defense. So then they can issue their ruling as part of the law, the Islamic law. So I have no comment on that.
INSKEEP: Jackie, I just want to note - he says cutting off hands, that will be up to an Islamic judge. He doesn't say, we won't do that anymore. What would show if they are any different?
NORTHAM: Well, first and foremost, what the new government will look like - will it be inclusive? - how it'll interpret Islamic law, and, you know, Steve, how they're going to treat Afghans.
INSKEEP: NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam, thanks so much.
NORTHAM: Thank you.
INSKEEP: Now, the initial statements from the Taliban amount to a kind of marker. They put down that marker of what they say they will do.
MARTINEZ: Yeah. And the proof, though, comes day by day in what they actually do. Now, right now, Taliban gunmen are patrolling the streets of Kabul while the U.S. military conducts flights from the airport. About 1,100 American citizens, permanent residents and their families were flown out yesterday.
INSKEEP: Charlotte Bellis of Al-Jazeera is in Kabul. Welcome to the program.
CHARLOTTE BELLIS: Hi, Steve.
INSKEEP: What is the situation around the airport as people try to reach it today?
BELLIS: Well, the Taliban are controlling the perimeter of the airport. They've put a lot of men with guns and other heavy weaponry around where you traditionally enter to go to the departures area. They are shooting into the air. They are pushing people back. After the airport was overrun on Monday - thousands of people ran onto the tarmac, and no evacuation flights could take place. Since then, they've put a heap of the fighters around to push the crowds back. And then behind them, there's kind of a no man's land on the commercial side of the airport. And then on the far side of the airport, there's a big military base where thousands of Americans are currently stationed along with other foreigners. And they are desperately trying to get their people out on C-17s, C-130s. And so you've got this kind of couple of hundred meters between Taliban fighters and U.S. forces.
INSKEEP: I want to understand what the Taliban forces are doing. What you describe would be consistent, perhaps, with crowd control, maybe rough crowd control, but attempting to be helpful. At the same time, though, we have heard reports about individual Afghans who want to leave and feel they have been blocked by the Taliban. They've been turned away. What's your best understanding about whether the Taliban are letting people leave?
BELLIS: They say that they really want people to have the freedom to leave if they have all the right paperwork. I - I've seen both sides of it. They've been helping some people get through. They were helping Americans actually into the airport and pushing others back so Americans could make their evacuation flights. They were helping even government leaders make evacuation flights. But then in other instances, when people were showing up to embassies with paperwork, trying to get on various flights, they're pushing them back. So I think there's an element of chaos and kind of anarchy at the moment as the Taliban want to look like they're in control, that they have everything - that security is improved under them and that they're facilitating this, but at the same time trying to deal with crowds and just feeling, I think, pretty overwhelmed with the thousands of people who are making a run for the airport.
INSKEEP: What are you hearing from people who want to stay in Kabul?
BELLIS: It's mixed. Some people are really anxious, especially those who've been in Kabul for a long time, who've worked with - even like my colleagues who work with international media, interpreters. They're very anxious. There's a lot of distrust there because they've - they lived through it in the '90s. And they don't want to take the chance that this could be the Taliban of the '90s.
So yeah, there's a lot of distrust at the moment. But still, when the Taliban came to town, there were people out in the throngs taking selfies, chasing them down the road like they were football stars. So you know, there's this kind of element of mystique and a mix of kind of hesitation from some. And also, there's a strange energy with others of being kind of curious about this group.
INSKEEP: Charlotte Bellis of Al-Jazeera is in Kabul. Thanks very much for your reporting. Really appreciate it.
BELLIS: Thanks for having me.
INSKEEP: Be safe.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
INSKEEP: Some other news now - opening statements begin today in the latest criminal trial of the R&B superstar R. Kelly.
MARTINEZ: Now, before we get into the details, we should note that this story includes allegations of sexual assault and physical abuse. He stands accused of sex trafficking and racketeering. And, of course, the case is being closely watched, in part because of a recent documentary series detailing the allegations against him.
INSKEEP: NPR's Anastasia Tsioulcas is with us and is covering the trial. Good morning.
ANASTASIA TSIOULCAS, BYLINE: Good morning, Steve.
INSKEEP: I guess we should begin by noting this is one of his trials.
TSIOULCAS: That's right. He's actually facing accusations from two separate sets of federal prosecutors, one in New York, which we're about to start, and one in Illinois. He was arrested back in July 2019, and he's been in custody ever since. And there was a lot of back-and-forthing, who should go first. Finally, it was decided New York would go first. But even after this trial ends, he'll face another set of federal charges. And he's pleaded not guilty to all the accusations and charges.
INSKEEP: OK. Noting the not-guilty plea, let's talk about the accusations, first in this New York City trial.
TSIOULCAS: Right. The New York prosecutors are alleging that Kelly ran a criminal enterprise along the lines of the mob. In this case, the prosecutors say the mission of this enterprise was to, quote, "prey upon young women and teenagers." And that enterprise, they say, allegedly included sexually exploiting children, kidnapping and forced labor. And I should note, there are six alleged victims in the New York charges. Prosecutors also say that he bribed a public official to make a fake ID for his former protege, the singer Aaliyah. They were married in 1994 the day after the ID was made. He was 27, and she was just 15 years old.
INSKEEP: OK. And then there's the case in Chicago. How different is that?
TSIOULCAS: In the Illinois case, he's facing allegations of child pornography and obstruction. And some listeners may remember he was acquitted of child pornography charges in Chicago back in 2008. The Illinois prosecutors have accused him of actually obstructing justice in that trial, of intimidating and paying off witnesses, including the 14-year-old alleged victim.
INSKEEP: OK. So we've got these two different trials on somewhat related charges. I want to circle back to that phrase you used earlier. You said criminal enterprise. What would make these various acts a criminal enterprise, according to the prosecutors?
TSIOULCAS: Well, they're saying that he headed a whole circle of people, including an entourage of managers and handlers and publicists and gofers, who aided him in this mission in various ways. The New York prosecutors are also trying to have other evidence admitted that they say shows that this was a long-established crime circle and not just an alleged individual predator. And that evidence includes abuse of 20 teenage girls and women over a very long span, 1991 to 2018, as well as alleged sexual abuse of a 17-year-old boy.
INSKEEP: Very briefly, how do they keep the jury from being tainted by all the news coverage of this trial?
TSIOULCAS: So the judge has ordered the jurors anonymous and partially sequestered for the duration. And the judge, Ann Donnelly, has told the jurors repeatedly it's because of the intense media interest around this trial.
INSKEEP: What do you know about the people who are on the jury?
TSIOULCAS: So I was at the court for the first two days of jury selection last week. Many of the potential jurors seemed to have only a passing familiarity with R. Kelly at most. A few said that they knew his song "I Believe I Can Fly." One potential juror confused the singer with the cartoonist R. Crumb. And in the end, the selected and sworn-in jury includes seven men and five women.
INSKEEP: Anastasia, thanks so much.
TSIOULCAS: Thanks for having me.
INSKEEP: NPR's Anastasia Tsioulcas. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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News Brief: Taliban's Charm Offensive, Airport Evacuations, R. Kelly Trial
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NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to international security expert Asfandyar Mir who believes global jihadist could feel emboldened after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan.
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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
When the U.S. attacked Afghanistan 20 years ago, the main target was al-Qaida. The U.S. was responding to the 9/11 attacks. The ruling Taliban refused to turn over Osama bin Laden, who was thought to be hiding there, so the U.S. helped to overturn the Taliban government. So what does it mean for extremists that the Taliban have returned to power?
ASFANDYAR MIR: What has happened in the last few days is monumental. At least it is perceived that way. Global jihadists are electrified by the Taliban's return.
INSKEEP: Asfandyar Mir is an expert in counterterrorism at Stanford University.
MIR: Twenty years later, this is a big triumph for the Taliban as well as for al-Qaida. From the Taliban's perspective, they mounted this really effective insurgency. They have expelled a foreign occupier, and they have restored the government, which was forcibly taken away from them. And from al-Qaida's perspective, it has defeated its main nemesis, its main foe, which is the United States, by supporting the insurgency of the Taliban.
INSKEEP: Didn't the peace deal between the United States and the Taliban, not including the old Afghan government, include a commitment that the Taliban would separate themselves from al-Qaida somehow?
MIR: So there was some language which experts refer to as counterterrorism guarantees of the U.S.-Taliban deal, as per which the Taliban were not supposed to expel al-Qaida. They are supposed to restrain al-Qaida in certain ways, prevent the use of Afghan territory from being used against other countries. And they were supposed to take certain steps to show some distance from al-Qaida. By all accounts, the account of the U.S. government, as well as other governments - U.S. allies in Europe, for instance - as well as the United Nations, al-Qaida and Taliban have continued their cooperation. Relationship between them very much endures.
INSKEEP: In order to come on the line and talk with you, I had to turn away from a Taliban press conference that was ongoing in Kabul. And the Taliban spokesman had just said, we are not going to allow our territory to be used against anybody; you will not be harmed in any way from our soil. Are those credible statements then?
MIR: Look; there are lots of jihadist groups currently in Afghanistan, some of whom want to fight the U.S., like al-Qaida, like ISIS. And then there are other groups which are more regionally oriented, which have more proximate state adversaries in mind. So there are some anti-China jihadists. There's some Central Asian jihadists. And then there's some anti-Pakistan jihadists as well.
So when the Taliban make this commitment, they are making a pretty big commitment. They're not just making a commitment to the U.S. And in recent months, as recently as July, many of these groups have undertaken violence from bases in Afghanistan, outside Afghanistan. So the Taliban's test starts right away. If they actually mean what they're saying, I think they can start by restraining the Pakistani insurgent group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan have cooperated for a very long time. And so if they restrain the TTP, perhaps they want all their commitment, but that appears to be highly unlikely.
INSKEEP: Oh, that's very interesting because you are saying that Pakistan might be the first target of terrorism out of this new Taliban state or newly reestablished Taliban state, even though Pakistan has some kind of relationship with the Taliban and occasionally was - or often was accused of supporting it.
MIR: Absolutely. So Pakistan appears to be the first major target of these jihadists who are based out of Afghanistan. Look; Pakistan has had a longstanding, deep relationship with the Taliban pre-9/11 and are one of three or four governments which have recognized the government of the Taliban. And post-9/11, Pakistan's played a very important part in both reviving and sustaining the insurgency of the Taliban, in helping the insurgency evade U.S. targeting pressures, international pressures. So that relationship is strong. But paradoxically, they have nurtured - Afghan Taliban have nurtured Pakistan's worst enemy over the last 15 years or so. So this is a very strange triangle. And in some ways, Pakistan has some very tough days ahead.
INSKEEP: Pakistan was accused of playing a double game, working with both sides in the Afghanistan war. I think you're telling me the Taliban have played a double game, accepting Pakistani support when they could get it, but also showing their independence, to say the least, from Pakistan.
MIR: It's true that Pakistan has played both sides. And perhaps the Taliban have learned from Pakistan on this front. And they have this strategy at hand, which allows them to exert some pressure on Pakistan as well.
INSKEEP: Let's hear a little bit of what President Biden had to say about the U.S. withdrawal. On Monday, he said that the U.S. should have had a smaller mission for a long time.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I've argued for many years that our mission should be narrowly focused on counterterrorism, not counterinsurgency or nation building. That's why I opposed the surge when it was proposed in 2009 when I was vice president. And that's why as president, I'm adamant we focus on the threats we face today in 2021, not yesterday's threats.
INSKEEP: Let's talk that through a little bit. It seems the U.S. plan was to continue counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan, but without U.S. troops. There was going to be a big U.S. Embassy. There'd be a CIA presence. There'd be a friendly government to work with. Is counterterrorism still possible at all in Afghanistan now that a friendly government has fallen and the embassy has closed?
MIR: Look; counterterrorism today without a partner government, however corrupt, however weak is going to be very, very difficult. The administration is talking about over the horizon counterterrorism - use of drones and other forms of airpower, surveillance aircraft, got to have (ph) special forces from offshore going into Afghanistan, detecting the threat and then trying to neutralize it. This will be enormously challenging. And the first major challenge the administration faces is that it doesn't have bases, military bases proximate to landlocked Afghanistan. So the mission ahead is extremely challenging. I don't agree with President Biden's claim that this can be done from offshore easily. It can be done, sure. But I think the requirements, the kind of resources, the material needs of an effective over the horizon counterterrorism posture are fairly high, and the U.S. government is not well-positioned to mount such a campaign, for now at least.
INSKEEP: Asfandyar Mir at Stanford University. Thank you so much.
MIR: Thanks for having me.
(SOUNDBITE OF PHELIAN'S "BLACK ORCHID") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Jihadi Movement Is Galvanized By Taliban's Takeover In Afghanistan, Expert Says
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"Bill Chappell Is A Writer",
"Editor On The News Desk In The Heart Of Npr'S Newsroom In Washington"
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The arachnids, also known as harvestmen, can use their legs like a curling marsupial tail — or as a sensor, or for courtship. They can also simply detach one, in case of emergency.
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To get an idea of why scientists would want to study daddy longlegs, try playing a game of "One of these things is not like the others" the next time you see one.
"If you watch a daddy longlegs move, it will effectively walk on just three pairs of its legs," said Guilherme Gainett, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The remaining pair of legs, he adds, wave around in the air, probing the arachnid's surroundings.
And when they find something interesting, they can grab it.
"One of the unique things about daddy longlegs is the ability to coil the tips of their legs, achieved by the subdivision into dozens of small articulating pieces called tarsomeres," Vanessa L. González, a computational genomics scientist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, told NPR.
You can think of tarsomeres as similar to the segment between the knuckles on your fingers, González said.
A single leg can have dozens of tarsomeres, making it incredibly versatile. To discover how the arachnid developed this ability, González, Gainett and their fellow researchers sequenced the daddy longlegs' genome — and eventually, they succeeded in creating a daddy shortlegs, by manipulating its genes.
It's another step in understanding arachnids' genome and how their body plans evolved, González said, including their unique grasping legs. She and Gainett are co-lead authors of the study, which was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
An evolution based on recycling genes
The researchers found that the daddy longlegs, also known as harvestmen, evolved their special legs not through a genetic secret ingredient but by reusing parts of the same genetic recipe found in other arthropods, such as genes that affect tarsomeres — subsegments of the leg.
"Other arthropods have tarsomeres," said researcher Prashant Sharma, a professor at University of Wisconsin–Madison, "but only harvestmen use them in such a broad range of behaviors — sensing, climbing, fighting, courtship."
The scientists reached their findings by interfering with, or "knocking down" the arachnid's Hox genes. They're a type of homeobox genes — which determine animals' body plans. To picture how that works, González suggests thinking of a dimmer switch on a light. Rather than trying to turn a gene off entirely, the researchers wanted to turn it down to a very low setting.
When the researchers turned down the expression of two specific genes, the daddy longlegs developed much shorter legs than usual. Instead, the legs became pedipalps — appendages that are used in feeding.
In the future, similar studies could look at the genes responsible for other interesting features, such as spiders' fangs, González said.
/ Caitlin M. Baker The leg of the daddy longleg has dozens of tarsomeres — small joints that allow the arachnid to curl and coil their legs around objects like twigs. Because it has dozens of tarsomeres, the daddy longlegs can curl its leg very tightly.
Tarsomeres help daddy longlegs catch on
"Tarsomeres are small joints on the distal part (tips) of the legs, that allow the daddy longlegs to curl and coil their legs around objects, like twigs or even the legs of other daddy longlegs," González said.
"If you had more segments on your fingers you would be able to curl your finger much tighter," she added. "Then if your finger had both lots more segments and was also much longer, you could hold tight to pretty much anything. These tarsomeres help the legs achieve the capability of prehensility, like that of a curling marsupial tail."
The legs also have another special characteristic, a survival tactic that scientists refer to as autotomy. The arachnid's legs can "detach themselves from the body, a trick used to distract predators while the daddy longlegs runs away with the remaining legs," González said.
What you should do if you meet a daddy longlegs
People in the U.S. are likely very familiar with daddy longlegs. When asked what they should they do when they encounter one, González says they're harmless.
"Phalangium opilio is one of the most widespread harvestman species in the world and can be easily seen in cities. One of the biggest misconceptions is that they are venomous, but are too 'weak' to inflict a bite," she said, adding that the arachnids neither have have venom nor do they bite.
"If you were to encounter one in the forest or your home, look at them in awe, and let them go on their merry way," she said. "If you feel you must remove it from inside your home, pick it up gently and put it outside."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Researchers Studying Daddy Longlegs' Genes Created A 'Daddy Shortlegs'
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"Mary Louise Kelly Is A Co-Host Of All Things Considered",
"Npr'S Award-Winning Afternoon Newsmagazine.",
"Gabe O'Connor"
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2021-08-20 02:13:36+00:00
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NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Congressman Jason Crow, an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, on being part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers urging President Biden to evacuate Afghan allies.
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AILSA CHANG, HOST:
For the first time, President Biden has allowed for some wiggle room on the August 31 deadline he set to get all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan. In an exclusive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulous, Biden said that deadline could be pushed back if the evacuation effort was ongoing.
(SOUNDBITE OF ABC NEWS BROADCAST)
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: We're going to try to get it done before August 31.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOUS: But if we don't, the troops will stay.
BIDEN: If we don't, we'll determine at the time who's left.
STEPHANOPOULOUS: And...
BIDEN: And if there's American citizens left, we're going to stay till we get them all out.
CHANG: We'll note he said American citizens there. Left unsaid is whether the deadline would be pushed in order to evacuate all of the Afghans who helped U.S. troops or diplomats over these last 20 years; Afghans who could be vulnerable to Taliban retribution, even though the Taliban claims they are offering a blanket amnesty. Those are the people that Democratic Congressman Jason Crow of Colorado has been urging the president to help flee the country together with a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Crow, who served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army, spoke to cohost Mary Louise this evening before Biden's interview was released. In it, he said he wants the U.S. to stay until American citizens and Afghan partners are out.
JASON CROW: I don't think it'll take months. I certainly think it's going to take weeks. I mean, the bottom line is we have thousands of American citizens that have to make their way to the airport. And I think we're going to have to help them do that because the security situation is not such that they can make their way on their own. I think we have at least 20,000 Afghans. We know, as of last week, 21,000 Afghans that are in the SIV pipeline - that's the Special Immigrant Visa program. And the planning figure that we use is for every one of those principal applicants, there's about 3 1/2 family members. So if you multiply that number by 3.5, plus the original applicant number, that's over 80,000 Afghan SIVs. And then you add on top of that those who are eligible for the P-1 and P-2 visa program and, you know, students and other vulnerable people.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
Yeah. I'm also wondering about the Afghan military, who may be in great danger for having fought the Taliban, for having been the official enemy. I'm thinking of the 600 troops who are now helping secure the Kabul airport - I mean, right now. Pentagon officials are telling us at NPR that once that mission ends, they can apply for visas, which potentially opens the door to - what? - another huge stream of potential refugees.
CROW: Well, once we're out, I mean, those folks aren't going to survive, let alone be able to apply for these visas. So the math doesn't work. You know, if the Department of Defense is saying that they can move 6- to 7,000 people out a day once the operation is at full steam but we only have less than two weeks, that math does not add up. That doesn't even get us the SIV folks, let alone the commandos, the members of the NDS, security services and all the others who stood by us for 20 years.
I may not be here having this conversation with you right now had it not been for the service of those Afghans. And we owe to them the same level of loyalty and protection and service that they provided to us over the last 20 years. It's a moral issue. It's a national security issue, and we have to make sure we're doing what's necessary to get it done.
KELLY: Is it an issue that seems to be getting traction with the White House? What are you hearing back?
CROW: Well, I'm pushing very hard. You know, I've been very clear that I agree with the president's decision to withdraw. I think it was the right one. And actually, the events of the last couple of weeks show that this was not a military fight that we could win. But I have also been very clear that I think that this needs to be done better, that it's not going well and that we need to make a commitment to do it right and use the full power and force of the U.S. military and the resources that are at our disposal to get it done the right way.
KELLY: Well, and I will note the president today has largely reiterated his defense of the withdrawal and said he doesn't see a way that this could've been done without some chaos, that the chaos was - some chaos was inevitable.
Let me turn you here in the moments that we have left - and this is a question since you sit on the intelligence committee and since there's growing controversy over the intelligence. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said today he never saw an intelligence report predicting Afghanistan could collapse within days, that the range of scenarios he was seeing ranged from weeks to months to years after a U.S. pullout. How about you? Was there intelligence predicting such a rapid collapse?
CROW: Well, I can't go into specific intelligence as a member of the committee, but I do have very substantial concerns over a couple of things. No. 1, intelligence blind spots - and there's a difference between an intelligence failure and an intelligence blind spot, what we didn't know. And there are a number of things that we knew we didn't know, which I'm concerned about. After 20 years, hundreds of billions of dollars poured into the Afghan military, how did we not know certain elementary things, like the will of the Afghan soldier to fight, whether or not they were getting paid, whether or not they would dissolve within a matter of days. And then secondarily, some of the assessments about leadership and whether or not that would collapse as fast as it did - I do have some very real concerns about potential intelligence problems and failings, but there's also another...
KELLY: So intelligence blind spots - it sounds like you're willing to go there - if not quite an intelligence failure.
CROW: That's right. I think that's where we should go - but also operational concerns and policy concerns. No one thing led to this.
KELLY: Democratic Congressman Jason Crow of Colorado, thank you for your time.
CROW: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Congressman Crow On Pushing President Biden To Evacuate Afghan Allies
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[
"Whqr",
"Scott Nunn Is An Award-Winning Independent Journalist",
"Regular Contributor To Whqr News",
"Greater Wilmington Business Journal",
"Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. A Wilmington Native",
"He Graduated Hoggard High School",
"Uncw. For Most Of His Career",
"Scott Worked For Starnews Media",
"Where He Wore Many Hats",
"Including Copy Desk Chief"
] |
2021-08-20 02:12:23+00:00
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2021-08-18 18:57:15
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Not only has the Covid-19 pandemic not gone away, its reach is stretching perhaps farther than ever, with the more-contagious-and-severe delta variant straining medical resources and affecting even those who are not infected.
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Emergency departments are well equipped to handle trauma and other conditions that require immediate care, but few were built or staffed to accommodate a fast-spreading, deadly virus.
Consider this: When an EMS squad arrives at New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) or Novant Brunswick Medical Center (NBMC) with a patient with a broken arm or a foot that needs sutures, the handoff happens pretty quickly. But when an EMS unit arrives with a Covid-19 patient, all bets are off, as those people require special care and protocols just to get them into the hospital.
A major strain on the system
No one is more aware of the strain that puts on the healthcare system than officials at the area’s largest medical provider, Novant Health, which operates several hospitals in the area. And as a regional referral facility, NHRMC has been hit particularly hard. From the number of available beds to the staff necessary to provide the needed care, NHRMC is facing challenges as severe as those in — what we thought at the time were — the worst days of the pandemic.
During a news conference Wednesday, Dr. West Paul, senior vice president and chief clinical officer for Novant Health's Coastal market, said that the medical center’s main campus on 17th Street is adjusting its allocation of space to accommodate COVID patients more quickly. NHRMC also is trying to make the best use of its other campuses, including the orthopedic hospital on Wrightsville Avenue and Novant Brunswick Medical Center.
“We still see the majority of patients coming from New Hanover County,” Paul said Wednesday. “That being said, the counties in the surrounding areas have high case numbers.”
In the early days of the pandemic, a primary concern was that hospitals did not have the necessary intensive-care capacity to deal with the onslaught of a severe disease. Even with over 1,000 inpatient beds available in the region, the vast majority of care areas at Novant Health’s Coastal Group — including NHRMC, NBMC and Pender Memorial Hospital — are not designed to accommodate critical-care patients. But that is not as much of an issue as the overall lack of space, Paul said.
“This is far over the peak that we saw in December or January. So this is almost a new animal. It took probably a month and a half, two months to have a gradual rise and get those numbers up. It's taken one month (this time). Two weeks ago, we were at 47 patients, and now we're over a hundred," he said.
Paul continued: “I would like to reiterate that intensive care medicine is not a place. It's a function of what we do, so we can function in intensive care mode with our physicians and our nursing staff really anywhere. This is more of a space issue at this point.”
A ripple effect
The surge in Covid-19 patients that need hospitalization trickles down into the entire healthcare system. At Monday night’s meeting of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, emergency medical services officials painted a bleak picture of the impact Covid-19 is having on all patients who need EMS care.
In a briefing for the commissioners, Emergency Services Director Ed Conrow and EMS Deputy Chief Lyle Johnston said that with emergency departments backed up with Covid-19 and other patients, their squad trucks are spending more time than ever at EDs, waiting for hospital caregivers to provide a place for patients they are transporting as well as completing the necessary triage process.
“It’s not just Covid patients,” Paul said. “It was all of our ambulances that were coming in from other facilities. A lot of that has to do with our staffing. We like every other hospital in the state right now having issues with staffing. We do not see these numbers typically in our hospital or in our emergency department.”
Paul said that the area’s Novant hospitals are working with surgeons to scale back procedures that are not “time-urgent.”
“Our surgeons have been incredibly good at looking at their (patients) to say, no, this one can wait for two, three weeks,” Paul said.
Emergency rooms are stressed — but don't avoid them if you need them
Paul also urged the public to use the emergency room only for urgent medical needs. At the same time, however, he said those who have serious conditions should not be reluctant to visit the ED.
“I want to reiterate, if you have an emergency, if you're acutely ill, come to our facility. We've got the resources to take care of you,” Paul said. “This is just our due diligence of looking at how we manage our resources to make sure we can handle our Covid surge as well as every other acutely ill and urgent patient that comes in.”
Paul said that the pandemic has caused some people with serious conditions to put off needed care, leading to non-Covid-related trips to the ED.
“Our emergency department is quite busy, and it's not only Covid,” Paul said. “It's a lot of people that have put off attending to their chronic conditions and now they've become acutely ill.
When the ambulance comes in, there has to be a handoff and a triage that happens at the hospital, he said.
“If we don't have the nurses, if they're attending to someone else at the time, EMS members actually stay with that patient until we can have a handoff appropriately to our triage nurses to get them in. We are having those types of volumes within the ED," he said.
The Brunswick emergency services officials who briefed the commissioners said the complexity of dealing with a highly contagious disease as well as the sheer volumes of patients needing emergency care and transportation to a hospital has resulted in EMS vehicles tied up at hospitals, sometimes for hours. When an EMS squad is stuck at a hospital, that means they are not out in the field to respond to accidents, other trauma cases, and emergencies such as cardiac arrest, in which every second counts.
The problem is magnified in Brunswick, which, at 847 square miles, is one of the largest counties in the state land-wise. (Brunswick EMS officials said that 40% of the patients they care for are transported to Novant Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia and 40% to NHRMC’s main campus. The rest are spread out among hospitals across the region — including McLeod Health Seacoast in Little, River, S.C. — and the state).
What can the public do to help?
As for how the community can help, Paul quickly points to the basics:
“We still need to continue the vaccinations. We know our vaccines ... may not be quite as effective against catching the virus, but they are absolutely effective against hospitalizations and spread,” Paul said, adding the important roles of masks, hand washing, and social distancing.
Hindsight's always 20/20, Paul said, but “I think we all knew in the medical and scientific community that if we could not get our vaccination rates up quickly, there was going to be the development of a variant that may have more resistance to the vaccine and may spread faster. That's just the natural history of viral illnesses.”
Editor's note: WHQR is working on a special edition of The Newsroom dedicated to questions, concerns, myths, and misinformation about Covid-19. Send us your thoughts at staffnews@whqr.org.
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As the variant-driven Covid-19 pandemic ravages the Cape Fear region, the healthcare system is being hit hard
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[
"Anastasia Tsioulcas Is A Reporter On Npr'S Arts Desk. She Is Intensely Interested In The Arts At The Intersection Of Culture",
"Politics",
"Economics",
"Identity",
"Primarily Reports On Music. Recently",
"She Has Extensively Covered Gender Issues",
"Metoo In The Music Industry",
"Including Backstage Tumult",
"Alleged Secret Deals In The Wake Of Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Megastar Singer Plácido Domingo",
"Gender Inequity Issues At The Grammy Awards"
] |
2021-08-20 02:14:25+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:51:00
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Opening statements have begun in the federal trial of R. Kelly, who faces charges of sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, kidnapping, forced labor and sexual trafficking across state lines.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
The federal trial for disgraced singer-songwriter R. Kelly got underway in a Brooklyn courtroom today. I'll take a moment to say this case is going to include mentions of sexual and physical abuse. Kelly is being tried on charges including sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, kidnapping and racketeering. He has pleaded not guilty. A lot of these allegations have been highly publicized for years now. That did not stop some fans from showing up today to support him. NPR reporter Anastasia Tsioulcas was among the reporters there in the courtroom today.
Anastasia, hi there.
ANASTASIA TSIOULCAS, BYLINE: Hi.
KELLY: Hi.
TSIOULCAS: Nice to see you, Mary Louise. Nice to see you.
KELLY: Hi. Nice to speak with you. It sounds like you're right there in the courtroom or somewhere...
TSIOULCAS: I am right here in the courtroom and about to be kicked out.
(LAUGHTER)
KELLY: OK. Well, hopefully, they'll give us three minutes, but if you need to pick up and walk, holler. I do want to recap these very serious charges. Just walk us through exactly what R. Kelly was facing when he came to the courtroom there in Brooklyn.
TSIOULCAS: Sure. This is actually the first of two federal trials which R. Kelly is facing, one in New York and one in Illinois. Here in Brooklyn, he's being accused of running a criminal enterprise not unlike the mob. And the purpose of this enterprise, according to prosecutors, was to lure girls and young women into sexual relationships. And there are six alleged victims in the New York charges, including the singer Aaliyah, who was Kelly's protege. He married her in 1994 when he was 27 and she was just 15.
KELLY: Wow. We heard a little bit of a taste of the scene there in the courtroom. What was it like today?
TSIOULCAS: Well, of course, there is intense media interest in this trial, which means journalists were lining up before dawn to make sure they got a seat. We're all in overflow rooms, watching video and audio feeds from the actual courtroom. And as you mentioned earlier, there are dedicated superfans here. Interestingly, they declined to talk to me directly and to other journalists here, but they're definitely here.
KELLY: And what about the actual legal proceedings in the courtroom? Who spoke? What did they say?
TSIOULCAS: The day began with opening arguments from both federal prosecutors and from the defense. Essentially, the government laid out its case against Kelly, saying that he's, quote, "a man who used his fame, popularity and the individuals at his disposal to target and groom girls, boys and young women for his sexual gratification." The defense is disputing that, of course. Defense attorney Nicole Blank Becker characterized the victims and witnesses as, quote, "liars." She also said, quote, "they're going to tell you Mr. Kelly is this monster. You're also going to hear that some of these relationships were beautiful."
KELLY: And have we heard yet directly from any of the accusers?
TSIOULCAS: Yes, we've started to hear testimony from Jerhonda Pace, who originally met Kelly in 2008. She was a superfan who skipped school regularly to attend a trial of his in Chicago from which he was acquitted. He was being tried on charges of making child pornography. And at that time, Jerhonda Pace was 14 years old.
KELLY: That is Anastasia Tsioulcas reporting from Brooklyn, from the courtroom where R. Kelly is standing trial.
Anastasia, thank you.
TSIOULCAS: Thanks for having me, Mary Louise. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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[
"Josie Fischels"
] |
2021-08-20 02:07:34+00:00
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2021-08-12 21:44:36
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Palm Beach County has reported 51 student and faculty COVID-19 infections but the total number asked to quarantine includes their contacts.
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Palm Beach County, Fla., has asked 440 students to quarantine just two days into the school year, after 51 students and faculty had confirmed cases on COVID-19.
The School District of Palm Beach County, the 10th largest school district in the country, teaches an estimated 197,000 students, according to the district's website. While students and staff are required to wear masks in the district, Interim School District Superintendent Michael Burke said in an interview with MSNBC that 5,700 Palm Beach students have opted out, per an order from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that allows parents to give permission to their children to do so.
Burke blamed the opt-out rule as the reason for the spike in cases, calling on DeSantis to make changes to protect students from infection.
"The governor has got to take responsibility for establishing the ground rules we're operating under," Burke said. "This ability for families to opt out is leading to more cases, which will ultimately send more kids home and deprive them of that traditional classroom experience."
DeSantis had previously announced that the state Board of Education could withhold pay from school leaders who implemented mask mandates for students after several superintendents and school board members neglected to follow an executive order from DeSantis banning school districts from requiring students to wear face coverings.
"I think if we really are committed to keeping kids in school, we should reassess the situation," Burke said.
Josie Fischels is an intern on NPR's News Desk.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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2 Days Into The School Year, A Florida District Asked 440 Students To Quarantine
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2021-08-20 02:09:55+00:00
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2021-08-18 16:40:00
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Economists sent 83,000 job applications to 108 companies. Applicants with Black names were called back 10% fewer times across the board.
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Two decades ago, a Black woman named Kalisha White applied for a team leader position at Target and worried that her application had been ignored because of her race.
So she sent it back in with a different name and slightly fewer qualifications. That application got her an interview. Eventually, she won a class-action lawsuit against the massive retailer.
Two decades later, a new study shows that not much has changed.
Economists from the University of California Berkeley and the University of Chicago sent 83,000 job applications to 108 Fortune 500 employers with job openings — half with traditionally white-sounding names, the other half with distinctively Black-sounding names.
Applicants with Black names were called back 10% fewer times across the board — and even less when it came to specific companies — despite having comparable applications to their white counterparts.
Berkeley economist Patrick Kline, one of the study’s authors, says the applications looked realistic. Researchers crafted resumes and automated the process of filling out employment history and personality tests.
“To our knowledge, we actually have the highest response rate that’s ever been garnered from one of these studies,” he says.
Some of the common white names used were Emily or Greg, he says, and distinctively Black names used include Jamal or Lakisha. The study’s authors used these names as a way of trying to understand discrimination in the employment application process.
The study’s authors have not yet followed up with the companies. Kline says he assumes these companies would have a difficult time answering why they favored one applicant over another.
The companies were chosen based on their national employment footprint, Kline says.
Ultimately, some human somewhere makes the final call on hiring, he explains, but many major companies’ hiring decisions are spread across the U.S. and utilize screening algorithms and third party technology.
Discrimination was more prevalent at decentralized companies where the hiring process is spread out, he says, as opposed to a company in one location with specialized human resource employees.
“What we think is going on here is that some places have different hiring practices than others. In some places, it’s not very internally regulated by HR practices,” he explains. “So whoever’s maybe working a shift at that restaurant that day can sift through the applications and just decide who they want to call in for an interview next week. At other places, there’s more hoops that you have to jump through before you can decide to call someone back.”
A trained HR specialist may be more likely to recognize bias or specifically look for diverse applicants, he says.
The study’s researchers shared their findings with the Department of Labor. Testing for discrimination is arduous, he says, so the department was interested in looking over the study’s scientific measurements of discrimination.
Legal battles over discrimination are often based on a single complaint backed by the fact that a company employs a small number of people from a certain group, he says. But since a number of reasons could explain the disparity, it’s tough to prove that discrimination exists in these cases.
By keeping the external factors constant, the study was able to show that discrimination is more concentrated than previous research found, he says. For example, the top 20% of most discriminatory firms in the study were responsible for 50% of the callbacks lost to discrimination — which surprised researchers.
“It suggests that this isn’t really a needle in the haystack problem,” he says. “And it seems possible that perhaps by imitating the best practices of the companies that are doing a good job in terms of bias, that the 20% of companies that seem to be doing a very bad job can get their act together and provide a more equitable and inclusive workplace.”
Discrimination against Black names was most prevalent in the auto services and dealership industry, the study found. Kline says discrimination was concentrated in customer-facing industries such as restaurants and retail and clothing sectors.
Industries without customer-facing roles, like jobs in freight and transportation industries, showed low discrimination levels against Black names, he says.
Not much has changed since Kalisha White’s own experiment with Target. But Kline says this study suggests HR policies — such as mandating that someone higher up than a local manager sign off on callback decisions — can help turn bad actors to the good side.
Karyn Miller-Medzon produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Todd Mundt. Serena McMahon adapted it for the web.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Name Discrimination Study Finds Lakisha And Jamal Still Less Likely To Get Hired Than Emily And Greg
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[
"As Npr'S Miami Correspondent",
"Greg Allen Reports On The Diverse Issues",
"Developments Tied To The Southeast. He Covers Everything Breaking News To Economic",
"Political Stories To Arts",
"Environmental Stories. He Moved Into This Role In",
"After Four Years As Npr'S Midwest Correspondent."
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:48+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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Florida's Board of Education is taking action against school districts that defy the governor's order banning face mask mandates for students. Miami-Dade County will vote on masks on Wednesday.
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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
School boards across Florida are deciding whether to defy the state, which told them not to mandate face masks. In Miami-Dade County, classes resume next week, and the school board holds a vote today on a mask mandate. An emergency school board meeting in Hillsborough County will discuss masks after several hundred students tested positive for COVID and nearly 9,000 were quarantined. NPR's Greg Allen reports a board appointed by the governor is penalizing school districts that require face masks.
GREG ALLEN, BYLINE: It comes down to parental rights, says Florida's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. He signed an executive order that says it's up to parents, not school districts, to decide whether their children wear face masks at school. For school boards and superintendents worried about the rapid spread of the delta variant, it's an issue of public health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends making masks mandatory for everyone in the schools, but that question is no longer up for debate. That's according to Chairman Tom Grady at the Florida Board of Education meeting.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
TOM GRADY: The issue isn't whether or not masks are good or bad or whether or not mandatory masks are good or bad. Those issues have been decided by the Department of Health, by the governor and by this board previously.
ALLEN: Governor DeSantis wasn't at yesterday's state board of education meeting held over Zoom, but he didn't need to be. His appointees, led by Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, made it clear they were there to make sure his executive order and regulations issued by Florida's Health and Education Departments were followed. Most school districts in Florida complied with the governor's order, recommending but not requiring face masks. But as Corcoran told the board, not all.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
RICHARD CORCORAN: Unfortunately, to your point that you said earlier, we have districts who are picking and choosing what laws they want to follow.
ALLEN: The two school districts that have so far chosen to defy the governor are Alachua and Broward Counties. The board voted to begin the process of taking punitive action against the two districts, measures that may include withholding the salaries of school district officials or removing them from their positions. Carlee Simon is the superintendent of Alachua County. She told the board that she believes her district's policies comply with state rules because parents can opt out by submitting a doctor's note or by applying for a state-directed voucher for their child to attend a private school.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
CARLEE SIMON: Our goal is to keep our schools open. The masks are a safety device that we are using to reduce the spread of COVID and the need for quarantine.
ALLEN: President Biden has encouraged school districts in Florida to follow the CDC guidance. Biden's education secretary sent a letter to districts last week promising to provide federal funds to make up for any money withheld by the state. The president called Broward County School Superintendent Vickie Cartwright last week to express support for her district's decision to defy the governor. The board chairman asked her about that call.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
VICKIE CARTWRIGHT: He was asking about how the community was responding to the decision that the board had made and did we had a lot of people speaking out against face coverings?
ALLEN: Cartwright says there's been an overwhelming amount of support for the mandate in Broward County. In Florida's largest school district, Miami-Dade County, School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said he recently spoke with the parent of a 13-year-old student who had died of COVID.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ALBERTO CARVALHO: I don't know what the threshold of acceptable pain in this community is. I don't know what the acceptable threshold or statistical probability of a single child dying is in this community.
ALLEN: Carvalho and other Miami-Dade school officials have signaled that despite the threat of penalties, they'll vote to adopt a mask mandate at today's meeting.
Greg Allen, NPR News, Miami. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Florida Schools Wrestle With Whether To Require Students To Wear Masks
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[
"Boballyn Is A Business Reporter At Npr Based In San Francisco. He Covers Technology",
"How Silicon Valley'S Largest Companies Are Transforming How We Live",
"Reshaping Society."
] |
2021-08-20 02:10:32+00:00
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2021-08-18 10:01:00
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Sens. Amy Klobuchar D-Minn., and John Thune, R-SD., said they are alarmed by TikTok's recent changes to its privacy policies that automatically collect biometric data of its users.
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TikTok has quietly expanded how much information it will collect from its more than 100 million users in the U.S. to include "faceprints and voiceprints."
In response, a bipartisan duo of senators are asking TikTok to open up about what exactly that means.
In a newly released letter to Shou Zi Chew, TikTok's CEO, Sens. Amy Klobuchar D-Minn., and John Thune, R-SD., wrote they were "alarmed" by TikTok's recent changes to its privacy policies that allow for the automatic collection of user biometric data, including physical and behavioral characteristics.
Klobuchar and Thune, who sent the letter on Aug. 9, are giving TikTok until next week to respond to number of questions. Among them, what constitutes a "faceprint" and a "voiceprint" and whether the data is being shared with third parties.
In addition, the lawmakers are asking the makers of the popular video app if any data is gathered for users under the age of 18.
The U.S. does not have a federal law regulating the tracking of biometric data by technology companies, but a handful of states, including Illinois, California, Washington and Texas, have passed privacy laws aimed at safeguarding the collection of biometric information.
TikTok, the most-downloaded app in the U.S., is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese tech giant.
A TikTok spokesperson did not return a request from NPR for comment.
TikTok's data-collection practices have come under scrutiny in the past.
Earlier this year, TikTok paid $92 million to settle dozens of lawsuits that accused the app of harvesting personal data from users, including information using facial recognition technology, without user consent. That data, the lawsuits claimed, was tracked and sold to advertisers in violation of state and federal law.
In 2019, TikTok was fined nearly $6 million by the Federal Trade Commission for running afoul of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires apps to receive parental permission before collecting a minor's data.
The Trump administration sought to put TikTok out of business in the U.S., an effort that was blocked by federal courts. That push to ban the app was abandoned by the Biden administration in June.
But Biden ordered the Commerce Department to conduct a national security review of apps that have links to foreign adversaries, like China, including TikTok. That process is underway.
China's government invests in TikTok owner
There are calls from lawmakers for Biden to take a tougher stance against TikTok, including from Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who on Tuesday urged Biden to ban the app in the U.S. after China took an ownership stake in a subsidiary of ByteDance, TikTok's Beijing-based parent company.
The Chinese government's 1 percent stake in Beijing ByteDance Technology, and one out of three seats on its board, led to Rubio releasing a statement calling on Biden to immediately block Americans' access to TikTok.
"Beijing's aggressiveness makes clear that the regime sees TikTok as an extension of the party-state, and the U.S. needs to treat it that way," Rubio said in a statement. "We must also establish a framework of standards that must be met before a high-risk, foreign-based app is allowed to operate on American telecommunications networks and devices."
The investment by the Chinese government will not give authorities there any shares of main ByteDance, or TikTok, which is not available in China. But it does give Chinese officials an investment in Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
TikTok has long maintained there is a firewall between its headquarters in Culver City, Calif. and its corporate owner ByteDance. Company officials say American user data is not stored in China. Beijing-based ByteDance employees do not have access to U.S. user data, company officials insist.
"To date, there has never been a request from the Chinese government for TikTok user data," Roland Cloutier, TikTok's global chief security officer, said in a sworn statement. "And we would not provide any data if we did receive such a request."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Senators Demand TikTok Reveal How It Plans To Collect Voice And Face Data
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https://www.whqr.org/2021-08-18/senators-demand-tiktok-reveal-how-it-plans-to-collect-voice-and-face-data
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||||
[
"Anastasia Tsioulcas Is A Reporter On Npr'S Arts Desk. She Is Intensely Interested In The Arts At The Intersection Of Culture",
"Politics",
"Economics",
"Identity",
"Primarily Reports On Music. Recently",
"She Has Extensively Covered Gender Issues",
"Metoo In The Music Industry",
"Including Backstage Tumult",
"Alleged Secret Deals In The Wake Of Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Megastar Singer Plácido Domingo",
"Gender Inequity Issues At The Grammy Awards"
] |
2021-08-20 02:12:47+00:00
|
2021-08-18 09:09:32
|
The charges that R. Kelly faces in New York include racketeering "to prey upon young women and teenagers" and sexually trafficking these girls and women between states.
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Updated August 18, 2021 at 4:56 PM ET
Editor's note: This report includes allegations of sexual and physical abuse.
Testimony has started as Day 1 of R. Kelly's federal trial winds down.
Kelly is being accused of a wide array of crimes: sexual exploitation of a child, bribery, kidnapping, forced labor and sexual trafficking across state lines. Kelly has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In her opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Melendez called Kelly a "predator," telling the jury that he was "a man who used his fame, popularity and the individuals at his disposal to target and groom girls, boys and young women for his sexual gratification."
Kelly's defense lawyer, Nicole Blank Becker, is attempting to position the accusers as liars who were in consensual long-term relationships with Kelly. "They're going to tell you Mr. Kelly is this monster. You're also going to hear that some of these relationships were beautiful," said Becker.
Among the accusers, Jerhonda Johnson Pace was the first to testify. In 2017 Pace told Buzzfeed News that she met Kelly as a teenager, skipping school to attend Kelly's 2008 trial in which he was cleared of child pornography charges. She largely repeated the story in court, testifying that she had sexual relationship with Kelly, even after she revealed to him that she was underage. Pace was also heavily featured in the 2019 documentary Surviving R. Kelly, where she detailed what her life was like living with R. Kelly.
Kelly was once hailed as the "king of R&B," a hitmaker for himself and for collaborators who ranged from Celine Dion to Justin Bieber. He's been held in custody since July 2019, awaiting the start of his New York trial. (A second federal trial in Illinois on separate charges of child pornography and obstruction will follow.) The lengthy delays in New York were due to the pandemic, superseding charges issued by both sets of prosecutors and rounds of shuffling on his defense team.
The jurors, who will remain anonymous and partially sequestered throughout the proceedings, include seven men and five women. The trial is expected to last about a month. Continued coronavirus precautions at the Brooklyn courthouse where the trial is taking place mean that the press and the public are being restricted to overflow courtrooms outfitted with video and audio feeds.
The federal prosecutors in New York are structuring their case similar to that of an organized crime case. The charges include racketeering — that is, that Kelly allegedly ran a criminal enterprise whose explicit purpose was "to prey upon young women and teenagers," and that he was allegedly aided by managers, gofers, and others in his entourage — as well as sexually trafficking the girls and women across state lines.
The New York charges include six alleged victims — including the singer Aaliyah, Kelly's former protégée, whom he married in 1994, when she was 15 and he was 27. The government is also hoping to have the jurors hear and see what they say is evidence of other, uncharged criminal offenses committed by Kelly between 1991 and 2018. Those other allegations include 20 Jane Does and one teenaged John Doe.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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R. Kelly's Trial Has Begun. The Singer Faces Decades Of Sex Abuse Charges
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[
"Michele Kelemen Has Been With Npr For Two Decades",
"Starting As Npr'S Moscow Bureau Chief",
"Now Covering The State Department",
"Washington'S Diplomatic Corps. Her Reports Can Be Heard On All Npr News Programs",
"Including Morning Edition",
"All Things Considered."
] |
2021-08-20 02:13:24+00:00
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2021-08-18 20:30:00
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The way the Biden administration left Afghanistan and the situation in Kabul has angered many U.S. allies. Now they're scrambling to evacuate their citizens and the Afghans who supported them.
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MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
In together, out together. That was the slogan for the United States and its partners in Afghanistan. But the way the Biden administration left and the current situation in Kabul have angered many U.S. allies. Now everyone is scrambling to evacuate their citizens and the Afghans who supported them. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.
MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: Constanze Stelzenmuller was a journalist at the start of the war in Afghanistan, covering her home country Germany's involvement. She says Europeans came to America's help at the time.
CONSTANZE STELZENMULLER: The first time I was in Afghanistan was in January 2002. The Germans were already there.
KELEMEN: So the end of the war for them was hugely symbolic, and that's why many were taken aback by the scenes out of Kabul this week.
STELZENMULLER: This administration came into office saying we are going to be the exact opposite of Trump. No more disruption, no more chaos, no more, you know, brutal indifference to the needs of human beings and of allies.
KELEMEN: But the Biden administration hasn't lived up to those promises.
STELZENMULLER: And for an administration that has been sort of so determined, so well-prepared and so process-oriented, to have departed from Afghanistan in such a shambolic way, creating such damage, that throws up huge questions about whether this team is as good as it says it is.
KELEMEN: Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has been on lots of phone calls with partners and allies, as has his deputy, Wendy Sherman.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
WENDY SHERMAN: We all share a focus right now on making sure that our countrymen and -women, that Afghans at risk in all categories are able to leave the country.
KELEMEN: She says this is not the time for an after-action report. President Biden has defended his decision, saying the U.S. won't fight a war that Afghans weren't willing to fight. That's a message for domestic audiences, says Reza Afshar, who runs a diplomatic advisory group called the Independent Diplomat.
REZA AFSHAR: And I don't think it's fair at all on the Afghans who have, as I say, have lost a lot of lives fighting the Taliban. And that needs to be recognized.
KELEMEN: Afshar, a former British official, says the credibility of the U.S. and its partners have taken a hit in Afghanistan, though this trend isn't really new. The West has struggled to deal with other crises, from Syria to Yemen and now Myanmar and Belarus.
AFSHAR: The big winners in a situation like this are the likes of Russia and China, but also the current and would-be despots who have no regard for international law.
KELEMEN: Former French ambassador to Washington, Gerard Araud, takes the long view. He recalls former French President Charles de Gaulle telling the Americans during the Vietnam War that a mature power fights only for what's essential.
GERARD ARAUD: Your credibility doesn't mean that you fight for everything, that everything - you know, every position has to be defended. But actually, you have to make a distinction between essential interest and peripheral interest. And frankly, Afghanistan is quite peripheral for the Americans.
KELEMEN: But while many Europeans do agree with the Biden administration's decision to leave, the way it was done leaves a bad taste, says Stelzenmuller, now with the Brookings Institution.
STELZENMULLER: Not the decision itself, but the impact of how this decision was made, how allies were left out of it and had to scramble to provide for themselves is hugely damaging for the - this administration's determination to work with allies to contain larger - you know, greater challenges in the world, beginning with China, but not ending there.
KELEMEN: There's huge work ahead in Afghanistan, too, she says, to coordinate humanitarian aid and help refugees.
Michele Kelemen, NPR News, the State Department.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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2021-08-20 02:10:14+00:00
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2021-08-18 18:03:00
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Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman in Qatar, tells NPR's Steve Inskeep about the group's plans for the country, which he says include allowing people to leave and no reprisals against enemies.
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The Taliban, which have taken over Kabul, the Afghan capital, say they have changed. They are promising amnesty for their enemies and to let people leave the country — a departure from the mass executions and repression when the armed group ruled most of Afghanistan in the 1990s.
Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman in Qatar, talks with NPR's Steve Inskeep about what he says is the group's commitments of safety to people in Kabul.
Steve Inskeep: What is your group's attitude toward the U.S. evacuation of U.S. citizens and those who supported them right now?
Suhail Shaheen: You mean why we are supporting?
No, I mean, does your group intend to allow American citizens and Afghans who wish to leave to leave peacefully?
Yes, on the basis of the Doha agreement, the Americans should leave peacefully and they withdraw from Afghanistan peacefully. So during their withdrawal from Afghanistan, we will not attack them. That was written in the Doha agreement. But as you see, the Americans violated that agreement. It was until the 1st of May that they should have withdrawn all their forces and then President Biden said that we will withdraw until Sept.11. But still, we restrained our forces not to attack American troops because they are withdrawing from our country. And so we expect them that they withdraw until Sept. 11. And if they continue to station, furthermore, in the country, that could be considered, of course, occupation, continuation of the occupation.
What kinds of contacts do your leaders have with the United States military or U.S. diplomats at this point?
You know, you may have seen reports that [U.S. special envoy] Dr. [Zalmay] Khalilzad, along with a delegation and other U.S. delegation, they come to Doha time and again. They have speak about peace and reconciliation and try to help in the peace process in one way or the other. So we have contacts, yes.
I am asking about the last couple of days. Has the United States military been regularly communicating with the Taliban in Kabul in the last couple of days as the United States has been evacuating its citizens and supportive Afghans?
Yes, of course, there is a kind of understanding between the two sides — so that confrontation do not occur. Of course there is coordination.
Was the Taliban offered or promised anything not to interfere with the evacuation?
Yes, yes, when the American are evacuating from Afghanistan, we will not attack them.
No, that's what the Taliban has committed to. But is the Taliban receiving anything in return?
No, no, we are not receiving anything in return, but that we want our country to be free and the occupation to come to an end. That is why we want them to evacuate from Afghanistan peacefully.
So I understand, Mr. Shaheen, as you know, there are many people who seem desperate to get out of Kabul. And the reason they are desperate to get out of Kabul is that they believe that the Taliban will be going door to door and punishing or even killing people who are believed to have supported the United States. Should people be afraid of those kinds of reprisals from the Taliban?
No, there is not any kind of reprisal nor any revenge under those people who are working with the foreign troops. And so we have announced a general amnesty, they can lead their normal life and they also contribute to the reconstruction of the country, to people's economic prosperity, to their own prosperity. And they can use their talents, capacities, in the service of the country and people.
Does that amnesty and that promise of security apply only to Kabul or to the entire country?
That applies to the entire country, it is not limited to the Kabul city. Of course, it applies to all the country, to the 34 provinces of Afghanistan.
We are hearing reports from Kabul of people being searched for, of Taliban fighters going door to door searching for individuals. Are you saying that such activity is not authorized by your leadership?
Yeah, not authorized, not authorized at all. Because if such a person are seen, they will be detained because it is against the announced statement, official statement of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. And more, our security forces are coming to Kabul in order to maintain order, and to prevent any such incidents taking place in the city. And we have announced also telephone numbers by their complaint commission. If there is any such incidents and complaints, they can call the complaint commission and to address their grievances.
There are news reports describing people who would be unable to complain because they have been killed. This is outside of Kabul, I should say. There was a CNN report in recent days of Taliban fighters executing 22 Afghan commandos as they attempted to surrender. And there was video of this. Tolo News had a report of 43 people killed in Ghazni. Al Jazeera reported on dozens of civilians killed in Spin Boldak some days ago. Do you deny these reports?
Some of these videos you mentioned, they are fake videos. For example, in Spin Boldak we called on journalists to come to Spin Boldak and investigate for themselves whether any incident of killing or taking people from their houses and killing them has happened. They came, the journalists came, they investigated and they didn't find. When they returned to Kandahar, they were detained by the National Security Department of the former Kabul administration. And also about those commandos, it was a fake because there was two videos and they were spliced to each other and made as one, because one part was that the commandos who were sent by the Kabul administration against our forces in Farah province. There were of course fighting between the two sides and they launched a massive offensive against us. And the other was of people surrendering, so they had to splice the two different locations in different incidents. So they are, you know, spreading such fake videos against us.
I would not say it's impossible that a video is faked, but these stories arrive to us amid some well-documented history of the Taliban when they were last in charge of Afghanistan. When the Taliban took over in 1996, there was a former president who was dragged out of a diplomatic compound and left hanging from a light pole. There were public executions of civilians at a soccer field, a football field in Kandahar. I stood on that football field afterward and talked with people who had seen those executions. I do not doubt that they happened. Is your group any different today than it was?
Today, we have announced a general amnesty. You may have seen our statements not once, two or three times, we announce that they not in one language, Pashto and Persian, many other languages, in English and Arabic and also other languages. We announced this. So it is our commitment. And also we announce that we will provide protection for the smooth functioning of the embassies and diplomats. So this is what we want and this is our policy. But of course, if there is any incident by unscrupulous armed men, which is not affiliated to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and then that is fully investigated by our commission, like the military commission, like the complaints commission. So and the people, those who are behind those incidents, that they are detained and brought to courts to be punished.
Are you saying then that your group is different than the 1990s? And if so, what has changed?
In the 1990s at that time, the media was against us, there was biased reporting against us.
I stood on the football field and I talked with people who had seen the executions. I do not doubt they happened, sir. Are you saying that your group has changed from what it was then?
Oh, yeah. About the execution, I don't say it was if someone has killed a person, the heirs and relatives of that person has the right to kill him as a retaliation according to the law. So that is another story. But if someone comes to a house and gatecrash into the house and steal equipment or utensil of the house and kill the family — so that is not tolerated and the culprits are detained and punished in the quarter.
So, this is very useful because now we're turning to the question of how a country, how Afghanistan should be governed. In the 1990s, when the Taliban were last in power, it was said that people's hands were cut off when they were accused of stealing and that the hands were held up for display. Is that something the Taliban intends to do again?
So I'm not religious scholars, but I can say the Islamic rules that is interpreted by the judges. It is referred to the judges. Of course, there will be three courts: the primary court, the high court and a court of [inaudible]. So everyone has the right of self defense. So then they can issue their ruling as per the law, the Islamic law.
And the law would allow that?
Yes, it is up to the judges. I have no comment on that.
This leads to another question, then, in the country where the Taliban have just taken power, numerous women are in elected positions in the government serving in various roles in the government. Will they be allowed to remain there?
Yes, the women, they have a right to education and to work so they can hold different positions and jobs right now. The doctors who have started serving. The teachers have started teaching. And also in other fields, the women are working. The journalist women, they have started working, by observing hijab. So, yes, women can do their job — only they should observe hijab.
By observing hijab, you're saying that unlike the last time the Taliban were in power, women can move about without male escorts, but they must cover themselves completely?
Of course, when a woman goes to the site for her job, she can go and then return to her home. Yes, that's clear.
Will women have any ability to dress as they want? What if a woman wasn't doesn't want to wear hijab or your idea of what is proper hijab?
The main thing is hijab. So every hijab, if it is hijab, it is a proper hijab. So if it is not a hijab, so you can't call it a hijab, but of course, it is one not only limited to one type, maybe different types.
We spoke earlier with an analyst, Asfandyar Mir, who had recently been in Afghanistan and who said that al-Qaida remains present, some members of al-Qaida remain present at present in Afghanistan. A Taliban spokesman has said in the last day no one will be harmed from Afghan soil. It will not be used as a place to attack other countries. How do you intend to keep that promise?
You know, what he says they are present, I don't believe that. If it said that they are present, and they can show it to the Islamic they are present there, so that we will take action. But it is our commitment that we will not allow anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan against any other country, including the United States. And we consider this as a part of our national interest because we are going to have a country with peace that we want to pave the way for reconstruction of Afghanistan. That could not be achieved without a commitment not to allow anyone to use the soil of our country against other countries.
It's my understanding that Pakistani officials in recent days have been speaking with Taliban leaders and have warned your group no Taliban government is going to be recognized by the world if it takes Kabul by force. And also that there cannot be an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. There must be something more inclusive of different points of view. What do you say to that?
There are many reports which are not based on realities. We want an Afghan inclusive government, it is our statement. Not today, it is from the beginning that is our stance, our policy, and so that we announced a general amnesty. It is our policy from the past year. You see, we have been saying that we are protecting the national projects. That is our policy. And we helped TAPI [Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India] pipeline project because it will go — at that time, 650 kilometers in areas under our control. Now they will go all in our control areas because we have control all over Afghanistan. And at that time, we were helping that. So we have our own policy. So of course we have good relations with other countries, many countries, but that is political relations. And because we need those countries in future to have trade with them and they have on the basis of mutual respect and interest, but that they impose up on us anything and to have dictate to us that is not true.
You said that you do favor an inclusive government. Let's talk about some things that that means. There are ethnic and religious minorities in Pakistan, such as the Hazaras, who were not at all accepted during the last Taliban regime and were even persecuted. Do you promise religious freedom as part of that inclusive government?
Yeah, we have commitment —
Oh, I should correct myself. I think I said Pakistan. Of course I meant Afghanistan. There are religious minorities in Afghanistan, such as Hazaras, who were persecuted during the past regime. Do you promise them religious freedom this time?
Yeah, we promised just freedom to them and as a basis of our Islamic rules, because they are also Muslims, but maybe some differences in the jurisprudence, of religious jurisprudence. But they are Muslims and we have no discrimination against other ethnicities, all ethnicities living in Afghanistan, they are brothers to each other. So they are like all ethnicities, like different flowers in a garden. So we want a national unity of the country. At that time, there were commanders, our military commander was among the Shia people, very famous commanders we had in that war, and [Ustad] Akbari, the leader of Shia, he had joined our forces. He was with us. Now we have a policy that we do not have any kind of discrimination against the Shia people. They are Afghans. They can live in this country peacefully and they can contribute to the reconstruction, prosperity and development of the country.
Do you promise to allow free elections and free media?
Now the media is free, but they should also observe certain laws that they should not be against the Islamic rules and also the national interest. So this is the main thing. Otherwise, they can criticize the government officials, the people, and also to show the best way forward, how the government can go forward, which is best for the people in order to take to the society forward economically and how to advance, be prosperous and how Afghanistan be developed, so they can play the role.
I want to make sure if I didn't follow — you said "can" or "can't"? Did you say they can criticize the government or can't?
Yes, can.
They may criticize the government?
They may, yes.
In the last months of the old government, when the Taliban were attacking across the country, numerous journalists were assassinated. Will that continue?
No, those assassinated, they were not assassinated by us. There was a dictatorship sitting in Kabul. So this question should be asked from them because we know there were many journalists criticizing the government and they were killed.
Can I mention — when you said earlier that they cannot write against the national interest — depending on how you define that, that's not really press freedom at all. That's a way to imprison journalists.
No, the national interest will be well known, so that means that in future it will be very clear these are the national interests. Others are not. So everyone will know. It will not be ambiguous. There will not be ambiguity — it should be clear.
And I also had asked about elections. Will your group allow free elections with multiparty participation?
So now we have consultation and to have an Afghan inclusive government in a few days. So right now, no topic of election is discussed right now. It is not the time for that.
But do you mean to say that in the short term you intend to include other parties in the government?
We are talking to other politicians about plans and of course, we are talking with others how it can be possible that they can work and be part of the government.
Mr. Shaheen, I have one final question. The world was stunned in many cases that your group captured control of the country so quickly. It was, of course, a 20-year war, but the end came very quickly. How do you feel that you succeeded in that way?
Well, I think it was — it showed the support of the people. It showed our movement for liberation of the country was a popular uprising. And it showed that those who were working for the Kabul administration, they were bigger and stronger and sustaining themselves only because of the bombardment and cruise missiles and air strikes, drone attacks of the pilots. Otherwise, when they started withdrawing from the country, the people rejected them and they had no support of the security forces.
I do have a question from a colleague who wants to follow up, regarding groups such as ISIS and al-Qaida. If groups such as ISIS or al-Qaida are identified again on Afghan soil, will your government move to eradicate them?
Of course, when we say that we do not allow anyone to use the soil of Afghanistan, that means we will not allow them, that if they are intending to use this soil for their activities outside the country, so that we will not allow them to, we will not tolerate that.
Suhail Shaheen, thank you very much for the time.
Thank you. Thank you.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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Read What The Taliban Told NPR About Their Plans For Afghanistan
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"Petra Mayer",
"She Her",
"Is An Editor",
"The Resident Nerd",
"At Npr Books",
"Focusing On Fiction",
"Particularly Genre Fiction. She Brings To The Job Passion",
"Speed-Reading Skills",
"A Truly Impressive Collection Of Doctor Who Doodads. You Can Also Hear Her On The Air",
"On The Occasional Episode Of Pop Culture Happy Hour."
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2021-08-20 02:11:39+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:00:30
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Earlier in the summer, we asked you to vote for your favorite science fiction and fantasy reads of the past decade — so here are 50 fabulous reads, curated by our expert judges and you, the readers.
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The question at the heart of science fiction and fantasy is "what if?" What if gods were real, but you could kill them? What if humans finally made it out among the stars — only to discover we're the shabby newcomers in a grand galactic alliance? What if an asteroid destroyed the East Coast in 1952 and jump-started the space race years early?
This year's summer reader poll was also shaped by a series of "what ifs" — most importantly, what if, instead of looking at the entire history of the field the way we did in our 2011 poll, we focused only on what has happened in the decade since? These past 10 years have brought seismic change to science fiction and fantasy (sometimes literally, in the case of N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth series), and we wanted to celebrate the world-shaking rush of new voices, new perspectives, new styles and new stories. And though we limited ourselves to 50 books this time around, the result is a list that's truly stellar — as poll judge Tochi Onyebuchi put it, "Alive."
As always, a pretty extensive decision-making process went into the list, involving our fabulous panel of expert judges — but we know you eager readers want to get right to the books. So if you're inclined, follow these links to find out how we built the list (and what, sadly, didn't make it this year). Otherwise, scroll on for the list!
We've broken it up into categories to help you find the reading experience you're looking for, and you can click on these links to go directly to each category:
Worlds To Get Lost In · Words To Get Lost In · Will Take You On A Journey · Will Mess With Your Head · Will Mess With Your Heart · Will Make You Feel Good
1 of 12 — Ancillary Justice, by Ann Leckie / Orbit Books 2 of 12 — A Master of Djinn, by P. Djélì Clarke / Tordotcom 3 of 12 — A Little Hatred, by Joe Abercrombie / Orbit 4 of 12 — Jade City, by Fonda Lee / Orbit 5 of 12 — Leviathan Wakes, by James S.A. Corey / Orbit 6 of 12 — The City of Brass, S.A. Chakraborty / Harper Voyager 7 of 12 — A Memory Called Empire, by Arkady Martine / Tor Books 8 of 12 — The Just City, by Jo Walton / Tor Books 9 of 12 — A Darker Shade of Magic, by V.E. Schwab / Tor Books 10 of 12 — City of Stairs, by Robert Jackson Bennett / Crown Books 11 of 12 — Rosewater, by Tade Thompson / Orbit 12 of 12 — Black Sun, by Rebecca Roanhorse / Gallery/Saga Press
1 of 10 — Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke / Bloomsbury 2 of 10 — Circe, by Madeline Miller / Little, Brown and Company 3 of 10 — Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia / Del Rey 4 of 10 — The Paper Menagerie, by Ken Liu / Gallery/Saga Press 5 of 10 — Spinning Silver, by Naomi Novik / Del Rey 6 of 10 — Exhalation: Stories, by Ted Chiang / Vintage 7 of 10 — A Stranger in Olondria, by Sofia Samatar / Small Beer Press 8 of 10 — Her Body and Other Parties, by Carmen Maria Machado / Graywolf Press 9 of 10 — The Buried Giant, by Kazuo Ishiguro / Vintage International 10 of 10 — Radiance, by Catherynne M. Valente / Tor Books
1 of 7 — The Changeling, by Victor LaValle / One World 2 of 7 — Wayfarers (series), by Becky Chambers / Harper Voyager 3 of 7 — Binti (series), by Nnedi Okorafor / Tordotcom 4 of 7 — Lady Astronaut (series), by Mary Robinette Kowal / Tor Books 5 of 7 — Children of Time (duology), by Adrian Tchaikovsky / Tor Books 6 of 7 — Wayward Children (series), by Seanan McGuire / Tordotcom 7 of 7 — The Space Between Worlds, by Micaiah Johnson / Del Rey
1 of 6 — Black Leopard, Red Wolf, by Marlon James / Riverhead Books 2 of 6 — Southern Reach (series), Jeff VanderMeer / FSG Originals 3 of 6 — The Echo Wife, by Sarah Gailey / Tor Books 4 of 6 — The Locked Tomb (series), by Tamsyn Muir / Tordotcom 5 of 6 — Remembrance of Earth's Past (series), Liu Cixin / Tor Books 6 of 6 — Machineries of Empire (series), by Yoon Ha Lee / Solaris
1 of 10 — The Broken Earth (series), by N.K. Jemisin / Orbit Books 2 of 10 — Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel / Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group 3 of 10 — This Is How You Lose the Time War, Max Gladstone & Amal El-Mohtar / Gallery / Saga Press 4 of 10 — The Poppy War Trilogy, by R.F. Kuang / Harper Voyager 5 of 10 — The Masquerade (series), by Seth Dickinson / Tor Books 6 of 10 — An Unkindness of Ghosts, by Rivers Solomon / Akashic Books 7 of 10 — The Bird King, by G. Willow Wilson / Grove Press 8 of 10 — American War, by Omar El Akkad / Vintage Books 9 of 10 — Riot Baby, by Tochi Onyebuchi / Tordotcom 10 of 10 — On Fragile Waves, by E. Lily Yu / Erewhon Books
1 of 5 — The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison / Tor Fantasy 2 of 5 — All Systems Red, by Martha Wells / Tordotcom 3 of 5 — The Collapsing Empire, by John Scalzi / Tor Books 4 of 5 — The Martian, by Andy Weir. / Broadway Books 5 of 5 — Sorcerer to the Crown/The True Queen, by Zen Cho / Ace
How We Built This
Wow, you're some dedicated readers! Thanks for coming all the way down here to find out more. As I said above, we decided to limit ourselves to 50 books this year instead of our usual 100, which made winnowing down the list a particular challenge. As you may know, this poll isn't a straight-up popularity contest, though, if it were, the Broken Earth books would have crushed all comers — y'all have good taste! Instead, we take your votes (over 16,000 this year) and pare them down to about 250 semifinalists, and then during a truly epic conference call, our panel of expert judges goes through those titles, cuts some, adds some and hammers out a final curated list.
What Didn't Make It — And Why
As always, there were works readers loved and voted for that didn't make our final list of 50 — it's not a favorites list if you can't argue about it, right? Sometimes, we left things out because we felt like the authors were well known enough not to need our help (farewell, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman, we hope you'll forgive us!), but mostly it happened because the books either came out before our cutoff date or already appeared on the original 2011 list. (Sorry, Brandon Sanderson! The first Mistborn book was actually on this year's list, until I looked more closely and realized it was a repeat from 2011.)
Some books didn't make it this year because we're almost positive they'll come around next year — next year being the 10th anniversary of our original 2012 YA poll, when (spoiler alert!) we're planning a similar redo. So we say "not farewell, but fare forward, voyagers" to the likes of Raybearer, Children of Blood and Bone and the Grishaverse books; if they don't show up on next year's list I'll, I don't know, I'll eat my kefta.
And this year, because we had only 50 titles to play with, we did not apply the famous Nora Roberts rule, which allows particularly beloved and prolific authors onto the list twice. So as much as it pains me, there's only one Seanan McGuire entry here, and Max Gladstone appears alongside poll judge Amal El-Mohtar for This Is How You Lose the Time War but not on his own for the excellent Craft Sequence. Which — as we said above — you should ABSOLUTELY read.
One Final Note
Usually, readers will vote at least some works by members of our judging panel onto the list, and usually, we let the judges themselves decide whether or not to include them. But this year, I put my editorial foot down — all four judges made it to the semifinals, and had we not included them, the final product would have been the less for it. So you'll find all four on the list. And we hope you enjoy going through it as much as we enjoyed putting it together!
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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We Asked, You Answered: Your 50 Favorite Sci-Fi And Fantasy Books Of The Past Decade
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[
"Fresh Air",
"Maureen Corrigan",
"Book Critic For Npr'S Fresh Air",
"Is The Nicky",
"Jamie Grant Distinguished Professor Of The Practice In Literary Criticism At Georgetown University. She Is An Associate Editor Of",
"Contributor To Mystery",
"Suspense Writers",
"Scribner",
"The Winner Of The Edgar Award For Criticism",
"Presented The Mystery Writers Of America. In"
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:37+00:00
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2021-08-18 16:38:46
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Many of this year's mystery and suspense novels explore literary appropriation — characters in positions of privilege laying their sticky mitts on stories that don't belong to them.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whqr.org%2F2021-08-18%2Flaura-lippmans-dream-girl-is-the-latest-thriller-to-center-on-stolen-stories.json
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https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ea11322/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1600x840+0+780/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.npr.org%2Fassets%2Fimg%2F2021%2F08%2F17%2Fdreamgirl_custom-9ffbc7821529e35893f989d548a7c2f4fcdb8601.jpg
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Something strange is afoot in mystery and suspense fiction. The plot of almost every thriller I've read in the past six months has had something to do with one character stealing the story of another character and passing it off as their own. The rundown includes: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, A Lonely Man by Chris Power, The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris, Palace of the Drowned by Christine Mangan, and A Slow Fire Burning, the forthcoming novel by Paula Hawkins of Girl on the Train fame.
Worry over manuscripts falling into the wrong hands is nothing new in mystery fiction; after all, Edgar Allan Poe, the acknowledged Father of the form, relied on that plot for his 1844 short story, "The Purloined Letter." But this years' crop of mystery and suspense novels puts a socially-conscious spin on the missing manuscript tale: they're about the anxiety of appropriation, about one character in a position of privilege — in terms of gender, financial security, or race —laying their sticky mitts on the writing or life story of another character who's not so advantaged.
The plot of Laura Lippman's latest standalone suspense novel, Dream Girl, arises not only out of this anxiety about who gets to tell whose stories, but also out of the #MeToo movement. And, it also owes a lot to Stephen King's 1987 horror classic, Misery, altogether making Dream Girl the ideal cutting-edge, socially-conscious entertainment for late summer.
Dream Girl is set in the penthouse of a lofty eyesore of a luxury high-rise in Baltimore, Lippman's hometown and the site of most of her novels. We savvy readers sense that something is "off" from the opening description of famous novelist Gerry Andersen's lavish digs. Lippman's narrator tells us:
Gerry Andersen's new apartment is a topsy-turvy affair — living area on the second floor, bedrooms below. The brochure — it is the kind of apartment that had its own brochure when it went on the market in 2018 — boasted of 360-degree views, but that was pure hype. ... Nothing means anything anymore, Gerry has decided. No one uses words correctly and if you call them on it, they claim that words are fungible, that it's oppressive and prissy not to let words mean whatever the speaker wishes them to mean.
Isn't this delicious? A cranky novelist ensconced in a swanky setting, railing at the idiocies of the contemporary world. As Lippman imagines him, Gerry owes something to Philip Roth (as well as to Roth's fictional alter ego, Nathan Zuckerman). There's the brilliance, the wit, the complicated sexual history with women, and the fraught relationship with his own mother.
But, at the end of the first chapter, Gerry — the Literary Lion in Winter — is taken down, literally: He stumbles over the rowing machine in his bedroom, skids to the edge of the "floating staircase" that connects the floors of the duplex, "wind-mills" down the steps, and lands at the bottom "a crooked broken thing." There he lies alone throughout the night until his young assistant, Victoria, arrives in the morning.
For months, Gerry will be imprisoned in that penthouse, his only constant visitors Victoria and a night nurse named Aileen. During that time, Gerry will be tormented by dead-of-night phone calls from a woman who claims to be the person whose story Gerry stole for his breakthrough novel, also called Dream Girl. Whenever the phone rings, Aileen claims she doesn't hear it. In his medicated state Gerry can barely think straight. Is he being gaslighted? Think Stephen King's Misery starring Zuckerman "Bound."
With each standalone novel she writes, Lippman veers off in a different direction: Sunburn was a sexy noir winking at James M. Cain; Lady in the Lake, a historical crime story, winked even more broadly at Raymond Chandler; and now Lippman has poked a toe into horror. The source of the jitters here is that very hi-rise Gerry is marooned in. Lippman's series detective, Tess Monaghan, makes a cameo when Gerry tries to hire her. Tess turns up at Gerry's place and, ultimately, turns down the job. As she explains, the reason is the penthouse itself:
"I couldn't spend a lot of time in this apartment. [Tess says]. [M]aybe it's like the Spielberg movie where it turns out a grave has been desecrated. Only the thing that's buried beneath your beautiful apartment is jobs. ..."
"There were silos here. Grain silos. There were jobs all over this peninsula. . . .[T]his place gives me the creeps, big time. I could never do surveillance here."
Packed with social criticism, satire, ghosts and narrative turns of the screw, Lippman's Dream Girl is indeed a dream of a novel. And all the literary pilferings Lippman herself has committed here are acknowledged, front and center.
Copyright 2021 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.
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Laura Lippman's 'Dream Girl' Is The Latest Thriller To Center On Stolen Stories
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[
"Alana Wise",
"Alana Wise Is A Politics Reporter On The Washington Desk At Npr."
] |
2021-08-20 02:12:53+00:00
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2021-08-18 21:32:15
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The president told ABC News it was "a simple choice" to withdraw U.S. forces, and he faulted the Afghan government and its military for not more forcibly defending the capital.
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Updated August 18, 2021 at 8:24 PM ET
President Biden largely reiterated his defense of the Afghanistan withdrawal in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday, saying that some chaos was inevitable.
He added that U.S. troops will stay in Afghanistan until all American civilians are out.
The interview came days after the Afghan capital fell to the Taliban and thrust the region into the same violent uncertainty that the United States had sought to stabilize.
"The idea that somehow, there's a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens," Biden told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos.
"Do you believe the Taliban have changed?" Stephanopoulos asked in a portion of the interview that aired Thursday morning.
"No," Biden said. He added, "I think they're going through sort of an existential crisis about, do they want to be recognized by the international community as being a legitimate government? I'm not sure they do."
Biden also noted the Taliban's pressing needs to sustain Afghanistan's economy.
When the president was asked what the U.S. owes Afghans — particularly Afghan women — Biden said the United States should get as many people out of the country as it can. But he also said the military isn't the proper tool to establish women's rights.
"The idea that we're able to deal with the rights of women around the world by military force is not rational," Biden said. He later added, "There are a lot of places where women are being subjugated." The way to change that, he said, is through international pressure and diplomacy.
Making a "simple choice" to leave Afghanistan
The president said it was "a simple choice" to withdraw U.S. forces, and he faulted the Afghan government and its military for not more forcibly defending the capital.
"Look, it was a simple choice," Biden said. "When you had the government of Afghanistan, the leader of that government, get in a plane and taking off and going to another country, when you saw the significant collapse of the Afghan troops we had trained, up to 300,000 of them, just leaving their equipment and taking off — that was, you know, I'm not, that's what happened."
"That's simply what happened. And so the question was, in the beginning, the threshold question was, do we commit to leave within the time frame we set, do we extend it to Sept. 1, or do we put significantly more troops in?"
In the interview, Biden also stressed he's committed to keeping a troop presence in Afghanistan until every American who wants to get out is safely evacuated.
As far as the nation's Afghan allies, Biden made less of a firm commitment.
"We're going to do everything in our power to get all Americans out and our allies out," Biden said. "The commitment holds to get everyone out that, in fact, we can get out and everyone who should come out. And that's the objective. That's what we're doing now. That's the path we're on. And I think we'll get there."
There are mounting concerns that Afghans who aided the United States and their families are under violent threat from the Taliban if they remain in the country.
Biden had made an early promise to withdraw U.S. troops from the country by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the attacks that prompted the initial U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.
By last week, when it became apparent the speed with which the Taliban were advancing their takeover, Biden authorized sending several thousand troops back to Afghanistan on a temporary mission to help evacuate most of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and Afghan civilians who had supported the United States.
"I had a simple choice. If I said, 'We're gonna stay,' then we'd better be prepared to put a whole lot, hell of a lot more troops in," Biden told ABC News.
Biden defends the decision to withdraw U.S. forces
The remarks are Biden's second since the Taliban seized Kabul — Afghanistan's capital — on Sunday. The president had been vacationing at Camp David when conditions in Afghanistan took a stunning turn, and Taliban forces overran the national government and military.
On Monday, Biden made a brief return to the White House and delivered remarks that were widely criticized for seeming to lack empathy and passing off the responsibility for the chaos left in the wake of the hasty U.S. exit.
The president defended his decision to withdraw U.S. forces, faulting the Afghan military — which the United States had trained and armed — for lacking the will to defend itself and the national sovereignty against a Taliban takeover.
"I am deeply saddened by the facts we now face, but I do not regret my decision," Biden said at the time.
"American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves," he said, noting the $1 trillion and nearly 20 years the U.S. has spent there since the 9/11 attacks.
Both Biden and his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, had vowed a full exit of American troops and an end to the deeply unpopular "forever war" that has come to define U.S. foreign policy in the 21st century, but Biden faced the brunt of criticism for how quickly the situation on the ground deteriorated.
"It's not that we left Afghanistan. It's the grossly incompetent way we left!" Trump said in a Monday statement.
Many on the right compared the scene to the fall of Saigon, a national embarrassment that saw South Vietnam's capital besieged by U.S. opposition following the speedy evacuation of American forces from the area in 1975.
As the Taliban cement their position as the leading authority in Afghanistan, U.S. citizens, special immigrant visa applicants and other vulnerable populations have sought to evacuate the country.
Earlier this week, graphic footage from the airport in Kabul showed people clinging to the wings of a plane in an attempt to flee. Several of their deaths were broadcast to a stunned global audience as people plunged to the ground from the ascending aircraft.
Milley pushes back on reports that intelligence warned of a rapid collapse
Biden and his advisers admitted their surprise at the rapid collapse of the Afghan government. Intelligence had previously suggested the government could fall six months after U.S. troops had withdrawn.
Instead, it took just 11 days.
Despite those reports, the White House rejected criticism that officials had previous insight to suggest that the capital city would fall to the Taliban so quickly.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday at the Pentagon, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pushed back on reports that U.S. intelligence warned of a rapid collapse with the exit of U.S. troops.
Appearing alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Milley, in a prepared opening statement, said: "I am very familiar with the intelligence, and in war nothing is ever certain, but I can tell you that there are not reports that I am aware of that predicted a security force of 300,000 would evaporate in 11 days ... with the capture of 34 provinces and the capital city of Kabul."
Milley went on to say that intelligence clearly indicated multiple scenarios, but that the rapid collapse scenario ranged from "weeks, months and even years following our departure."
He said U.S. Central Command submitted a number of plans to meet those possible scenarios, including "what we are executing now."
There are 4,500 U.S. troops on the ground to date in Afghanistan focused on the evacuation operation, Milley said, and the security situation at the Kabul airport is stable.
He also said that, through the State Department, the Taliban are guaranteeing safe passage to the airport for American citizens. In addition, Milley said there were other capabilities on the ground, including U.S. special operations forces.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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A Defensive Biden Argues There Was No Exit From Afghanistan 'Without Chaos Ensuing'
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2021-08-20 02:09:00+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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NPR's A Martínez talks to Skyler Badenoch, CEO of the humanitarian organization Hope for Haiti, about coordinating aid in the country following Saturday's massive earthquake.
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A MARTINEZ, HOST:
Now that you've heard from some of the people most affected on the island, the question remains how to help. Skyler Badenoch is CEO of the humanitarian organization Hope for Haiti, and he's heading out there today to coordinate his team in the aid effort. Skyler, what are the most immediate needs on the ground right now?
SKYLER BADENOCH: Hi, A. Thanks for having me on this morning. So some of the most immediate needs on the ground, first and foremost, are medication, medical supplies and medical equipment, tarps and tents, and then basic human needs, food and water.
MARTINEZ: OK. So, you know, Haiti's government is unstable following last month's assassination of President Moise. How is that, Skyler, affecting your coordination with officials there?
BADENOCH: Well, to tell you the truth, we've learned a lot of lessons from the 2010 Haiti earthquake. And our position is always to help work to empower and support the Haitian government, specifically MSPP, which is the Haitian Ministry of Health. And while there are some reports that say, you know, there's a - they're struggling, we still believe there's a lot of value in helping the government, supporting the government and Haiti's Civil Protection Agencies. And so that's what we're going to do.
And, you know, just we know that this is a very difficult situation. Earthquakes are. And it's never going to be as fast or as quick as we want it to be. But the importance is to collaborate, to listen to each other, to learn from what we all did in the past in 2010. You know, Hope for Haiti was a responder in 2010 during the earthquake. I was there as well. And so we can use those lessons learned to do it better this time.
MARTINEZ: Are you worried, though, about things like maybe supplies or basic communication falling through the cracks?
BADENOCH: You know, it always does during an emergency. You have to - I think you have to be realistic. And so supplies will fall through the cracks. So will basic communications. But again, we have a lot of great organizations. We have - we do have contact with Haitian government officials, and we have to support them. That's the - that's one of our key roles as organizations working in Haiti.
MARTINEZ: Hope for Haiti is based in Florida. A lot of your staff, though, lives on the island. How are they holding up?
BADENOCH: Yeah, you know, that's right. So we have 60 full-time staff in Haiti. And, you know, to be honest, two nights ago was a nightmare. It was pouring down rain after an earthquake. And we were on the phone with our team members. We were, you know, talking to our friends. And to hear their voices and their kids in the background was just gutting.
MARTINEZ: What were they going through? I mean, it was just - it just sounds - just by you describing it right there sounds awful. But can you dive in and tell us what they were going through?
BADENOCH: Yeah. Well, a lot of our team members, their homes are damaged or they're afraid to go into their homes. A few of our team members' homes were destroyed completely. You know, some of them are under tarps or in areas that are just completely unsheltered. And so, again, our first and foremost - our minds went directly to our team there. They've been with our organization - many of our team members have been with our organization for more than a decade. Some of them even helped us respond to the 2010 earthquake. So, you know, the fact that they're going through this now is just another incredible challenge in a string of many challenges over the last, you know, decade.
MARTINEZ: You mentioned the things that they need right now, the immediate needs. Long-term, though, Skyler, what do the people need the most there? After most international organizations, say, leave Haiti, what do the people need then the most?
BADENOCH: Yeah, well, I think there's a couple things. No. 1, they need a stronger Haitian government. And that's really important. As far as an organization that's been working in poverty alleviation and supporting systems of health care and infrastructure and education and access to clean water and economic development, I think they need all those things all at the same time. And so as an organization, you know, we're going to be committed long-term, just as we have been for the last 30 years, to helping improve those systems, working with government partners, working with other nonprofit partners or NGOs in the area. And, you know, it's just so important to - for us to collaborate and be working in the same geographic location for many years, it's really provided us with an insight on some of the best ways to help alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life for Haitian people.
MARTINEZ: Skyler, last thing really quick - you mentioned 2010. How can your organization and others make sure that the financial aid will actually go to those who need it the most?
BADENOCH: Yeah, I think there's a couple of things. You know, the first thing I would say is don't do drop-offs. You know, drop-offs seem like a good idea, but if you could imagine how long it takes to get a bottle of water or a can of beans all the way to Haiti, all the way to the impact area, better thing is to research organizations that are doing work on the ground and provide them with cash. And if those organizations are doing cash transfers, that's a great way to help people. That's what Hope for Haiti is going to be doing. Part of our work is to provide cash transfers to immediately to 424 teachers in our network of, you know, thousands of people. That cash can be used to buy things locally in Haiti, stimulate the economy. That's way better than donating things.
MARTINEZ: Skyler Badenoch is CEO of the humanitarian organization Hope for Haiti. Skyler, thank you very much.
BADENOCH: Thanks so much, A.
(SOUNDBITE OF THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA'S "ALL THINGS") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Haitians Are In Desperate Need Of Aid Following The Devastating Earthquake
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https://www.whqr.org/2021-08-18/haitians-are-in-desperate-need-of-aid-following-the-devastating-earthquake
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[
"Will Stone",
"Allison Aubrey Is A Correspondent For Npr News",
"Where Her Stories Can Be Heard On Morning Edition",
"All Things Considered. She'S Also A Contributor To The Pbs Newshour",
"Is One Of The Hosts Of Npr'S Life Kit.",
"Joe Palca Is A Science Correspondent For Npr. Since Joining Npr In",
"Palca Has Covered A Range Of Science Topics",
"Everything Biomedical Research To Astronomy. He Is Currently Focused On The Eponymous Series",
"Joe'S Big Idea.",
"Stories In The Series Explore The Minds"
] |
2021-08-20 02:07:53+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:01:00
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A COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 12 is not yet available, but research is well underway and the first shot for some kids in this age group is expected in the fall, doctors say.
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With the U.S. in the grips of a frightening surge of coronavirus cases, many parents are understandably eager to know when the COVID-19 vaccine will finally be available for children under 12.
This age group accounts for about 50 million Americans and currently none of them qualify for a shot. But scientists are racing to figure out how one of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available for adults could be given to this age group.
Pfizer and Moderna are both running large pediatric trials to study the effectiveness and safety of using their COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for children under 12.
Here's what we can expect:
What do we know from the vaccine studies of children under 12?
Researchers have already shared some early findings about how a COVID-19 vaccine may be used in younger children.
In the clinical trial for the Pfizer vaccine, the data collected shows that one-third of the adult dose is the optimal range for children younger than 12 and older than 5, says Dr. Flor Muñoz at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, who is running the Pfizer study.
" 'Optimal' meaning the dose that will give you a similar immune response that will be protective, as we have seen with adolescents, with the minimum amount of side effects," she says.
Muñoz and her team have enrolled children as young as 6 months and up through age 11. Her team is now in the next phase of the study, where they randomly assign children either to receive a vaccine or a placebo. Comparing a vaccinated group with a placebo group allows researchers to be confident that any benefit or risk during the study is truly related to the vaccine.
The Pfizer study won't test to see whether the vaccine actually prevents children from getting sick. Instead, it will look at their blood to see if they are making the kinds of antibodies that have been shown to prevent disease. Studies of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in adults have already shown that such antibodies indicate that someone is well-protected from becoming severely ill with COVID-19. Children will remain part of the study for two years so researchers can determine how long protection lasts, whether any rare, long-term health issues arise, and whether a booster is needed.
Moderna is conducting a similar pediatric study of its COVID-19 vaccine. Children enrolling in the Moderna trial now have a 3 to 1 chance of getting the vaccine, because only 25% of the participants are in the placebo arm of the trial.
"We are testing different doses in the different age groups because younger children may not need the same dose as adults," says Dr. Jacqueline Miller, senior vice president at Moderna.
When could shots be available?
This depends on how quickly the studies collect the necessary data and what regulators at the Food and Drug Administration ultimately decide when they review the results.
At the moment, it looks like the Pfizer vaccine will be the first shot available to children under 12. The vaccine-maker expects to have enough data by the end of September to support an emergency use authorization for its vaccine in children who are ages 5 to 11.
"We're hoping to have authorization — depending on both results and, of course, a few decisions — not too long after the school year starts," Dr. Phil Dormitzer, chief scientific officer for viral vaccines at Pfizer, told NPR recently.
The data for children under 5 will be submitted shortly thereafter, a Pfizer spokesperson told NPR.
Right now the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. — Moderna's — can be given to individuals who are 18 and older. Moderna says it expects to have enough data by the end of the year to seek authorization for a shot that can be given to children who are between the ages of 6 and 11.
Moderna recently expanded the size of its trial and is now enrolling 12,000 children in an effort to increase the likelihood of detecting any rare, but serious adverse events. The Pfizer study currently plans to enroll up to 4,500 children, a company spokesperson told NPR.
"The safety profile so far is really comparable to the adults and, so far, no safety concerns," says Miller, referring to the Moderna vaccine. Data for children under 6 could be submitted to the FDA by "early next year," she says, "but that could be done more rapidly, depending on the rate of enrollment."
Do we need to give children COVID-19 shots?
Even with the emergence of new variants, the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 remains quite low for younger children compared to the adult population. But with so many infections each day in the U.S., a huge number of children are now being exposed to the virus and testing positive.
More than 120,000 COVID-19 cases were reported among children between Aug. 5 and 12 — about 18% of the total weekly case count, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
"They do have a milder illness and lower likelihood of becoming infected," says Muñoz of Texas Children's Hospital. "But they can be infected. They can have severe illness and they can transmit the virus."
And with such high numbers of infections nationally and no protection from a vaccine if they do get infected, more children are at risk of becoming one of the unlucky few who do get seriously ill or face long-term symptoms post-infection — a syndrome widely known as "long COVID."
Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatric vaccine specialist at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, says a vaccine for younger children can't come soon enough, given the growth in cases.
Only adding to the sense of urgency, hospitals in some parts of the country are admitting record numbers of children with COVID-19.
"We have more pediatric patients right now hospitalized with COVID than at any point prior in this pandemic," says Dr. LouAnn Woodward, who oversees the University of Mississippi Medical Center. "We are seeing a younger group of patients that are getting very sick with this."
In a letter sent earlier this month, the head of the AAP urged the FDA to work "aggressively toward authorizing safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for children under age 12 as soon as possible."
"Simply stated, the delta variant has created a new and pressing risk to children and adolescents across this country, as it has also done for unvaccinated adults," wrote AAP president Dr. Lee Savio Beers.
Many parents do not want to risk their children's health, especially as the school year begins — a fact that's also reflected in the outpouring of interest from parents who are trying to enroll their kids in the clinical trials.
"I get multiple emails a day asking, and unfortunately we just have limited spots," says Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. Erin Nicholson, who is running a study of the Moderna vaccine in children under 12.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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A Shot Against COVID For Kids Under 12 - Your Questions Answered
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[
"Whqr",
"Ben Schachtman Is A Journalist",
"Editor With A Focus On Local Government Accountability. He Began Reporting For Port City Daily In The Wilmington Area In",
"Took Over As Managing Editor There In He S A Graduate Of Rutgers College",
"Later Received His Ma Nyu",
"His Phd Suny-Stony Brook",
"Both In English Literature."
] |
2021-08-20 02:12:35+00:00
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2021-08-18 19:51:05
|
The City of Wilmington has passed a non-discrimination ordinance following the end of a state moratorium on laws protecting LGBTQ and other at-risk residents. As WHQR’s Ben Schachtman reports, state and local groups say the law doesn’t go far enough -- but the city says it’s a good start.
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Wilmington joins about a dozen other cities and counties that have also passed similar ordinances following the sunset of HB143 — a so-called 'compromise bill' that replaced HB2, the notorious 'bathroom bill' legislation that many advocates regarded as anti-transgender. HB143 blocked local governments from adding their own protections for LGBTQ residents.
As the bill's expiration date approached, many looked to progressive elected officials to enact local legislation. Recently, Charlotte joined Apex, Durham, Greensboro, and others — and many expected Wilmington to be next.
But compared to those other local ordinances, Wilmington’s law is much more restrained, and doesn’t cover discrimination against residents on the basis of things like marital or veteran status, or culture-specific hair and dress — and, the law does not protect against discrimination in private employment.
Why didn’t the city go further? That has a lot to do with city attorney John Joye’s legal philosophy:
“My recommendation is we do not have the clear authority to do so. And I would recommend that we not do so until we have greater information from the courts in whether or not they will support this authority and whether or not the legislature may take action to support this authority," Joye told city council on Tuesday.
Joye noted that North Carolina grants limited power to smaller units of government — a policy known as Dillon’s Rule that often prevents towns, cities, and counties from passing laws on issues already covered at the state level. Joye told council he wants a non-discrimination ordinance that won’t run afoul of Dillon’s Rule, and won’t get struck down by the courts.
However, Joye acknowledges, that’s the not attitude everywhere else: “Let me say that of the ordinances we've seen, all of the 12 do regulate private employment.”
In some cases, attorneys have interpreted the law differently — and, in some cases, elected officials have been to take on lawsuits, either to make a point or with the hope of taking the case to higher courts, winning, and setting new legal precedents — a strategy long embraced by both political parties on a host of issues.
For Joye, an ordinance that’s safely on the books trumps a bolder law that could be overturned — but that’s left LGBTQ advocates and others frustrated.
Advocates want the city to do more
Here’s Caroline Morin Gage, executive director of the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast, formerly the Frank Harr foundation:
“Basically, we have three primary concerns with the proposed ordinance. One is the narrowness of categories of protected people. We believe that there are broader categories that could have and should have been included in line with the 12 other municipalities in North Carolina that have passed this type of ordinance. We also believe that the absence of health care and employment protections included by those other jurisdictions in many cases are critical. And the lack of meaningful penalties and the absence of an enforcement plan concern us greatly," Morin-Gage said.
Morin-Gage wasn’t alone — the city’s own Community Advisory Relations Committee (CRAC), which also advises New Hanover County. and Equality NC have voiced similar concerns. You can find CRAC's letter to the City of Wilmington below.
The city addressed some of these issues — including noting that health care settings would be covered, and saying that it was not uncommon for cities to leave the details of enforcing local ordinances up to city managers.
Despite reassurances from Joye, Councilman Kevin Spears had concerns that the ordinance might feel rushed to the public -- and Spears shared his own experience with discrimination over natural hair, something not covered by the city’s new law.
“Hey John, as a council member with dreadlocks, I think I think the hair was, should have been a no brainer. You know, it because that's the reality. I was sharing the story earlier, when I was a teenager, fresh out of high school. I hadn't had dreads at the time, but I had braids," Spears said. "And I worked for a local company here. And the manager came to me and was like, Hey, man, what's up with your hair?”
Spears asked to table the ordinance to work through some of the issues. He also noted that not everyone on council had the same experience with the kind of discrimination the new law is intended to prevent.
"I'm not trying to be difficult, but I think some of us, and I say this, respectfully, are out of touch when it comes to discrimination. There's a level of privilege sitting on this dais," Spears said.
Ultimately, the ordinance was passed 6-1, with Spears as the sole dissenting voice. The ordinance will require a second reading, but council's position on it seems unlikely to change — and least in the immediate short term.
While advocates clearly wanted the city to do more, Mayor Bill Saffo echoed Joye in saying that the law could — and should — be reconsidered, and possibly expanded, in the future.
“It's not one and done and this is over with, I think it's very important that we hear from the community and we hear from everybody and hear what the concerns are — [and] also investigate some of the situations that have been brought forward in respect to some discriminatory practices that have been brought forward," Saffo said.
Below: CRAC's letter to the City of Wilmington concerning its proposed non-discrimination ordinance.
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Wilmington passes non-discrimination ordinance, advocates ask the city to go further
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https://www.whqr.org/local/2021-08-18/wilmington-passes-non-discrimination-ordinance-but-advocates-ask-the-city-to-go-further
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[
"Vanessa Romo Is A Reporter For Npr'S News Desk. She Covers Breaking News On A Wide Range Of Topics",
"Weighing In Daily On Everything Immigration",
"The Treatment Of Migrant Children",
"To A War-Crimes Trial Where A Witness Claimed He Was The Actual Killer",
"To An Alleged Sex Cult. She Has Also Covered The Occasional Cat-Clinging-To-The-Hood-Of-A-Car Story."
] |
2021-08-20 02:13:55+00:00
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2021-08-19 02:29:35
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Agency officials issued a final ruling on Wednesday saying chlorpyrifos can no longer be used on the food that makes its way onto American dinner plates. The move overturns a Trump-era decision.
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A pesticide that's been linked to neurological damage in children, including reduced IQ, loss of working memory, and attention deficit disorders, has been banned by the Biden administration following a years-long legal battle.
Environmental Protection Agency officials issued a final ruling on Wednesday saying chlorpyrifos can no longer be used on the food that makes its way onto American dinner plates. The move is intended to better protect the children and farmworkers, according to the agency.
In a statement Administrator Michael Regan called it "an overdue step to protect public health from the potentially dangerous consequences of this pesticide."
"After the delays and denials of the prior administration, EPA will follow the science and put health and safety first," Regan said.
Health and labor organizations have been waging a campaign to revoke the use of chlorpyrifos for years. The EPA was considering a ban but under the Trump administration, the agency concluded there wasn't enough evidence showing the harmful effects of the chemicals on humans and kept it on the market.
That decision sparked a slew of legal challenges and in April, a federal appellate court ruled the onus was actually on the EPA to produce indisputable proof that the pesticide is safe for children. If the agency failed to comply by Aug. 20, the judge said, then the food growers would be barred from using it.
Farmers have been spraying chlorpyrifos on crops, including strawberries, apples, citrus, broccoli and corn since 1965. Up until 2000, it was also a common household item that was used to keep American homes free from ants, roaches and mosquitos.
"It took far too long, but children will no longer be eating food tainted with a pesticide that causes intellectual learning disabilities," said Patti Goldman, an attorney for Earthjustice, which represents health and labor organizations behind the lawsuit. "Chlorpyrifos will finally be out of our fruits and vegetables."
The Natural Resources Defense Council similarly cheered the EPA's move, but cautions that the pesticide can still be used on other things, including cattle ear tags. The group wants a ban on other organophosphate pesticides, which are in the same chemical family as chlorpyrifos.
The new rule will take effect in six months.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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EPA Will Ban A Farming Pesticide Linked To Health Problems In Children
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[
"Shannon Bond Is A Business Correspondent At Npr",
"Covering Technology",
"How Silicon Valley'S Biggest Companies Are Transforming How We Live",
"Work"
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:42+00:00
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2021-08-18 21:05:22
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The social network is pushing back against claims its platform is dominated by inflammatory, highly partisan right-wing accounts.
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What do people see most on Facebook? Recipes, cute cat GIFs or highly charged political partisanship?
That question has been hard to answer, because the social network keeps a tight lid on so much of its data.
Now, Facebook is for the first time making public some information on what content gets the most views every quarter as the company pushes back against claims its platform is dominated by inflammatory, highly partisan and even misleading posts.
Facebook's new report on widely viewed content ranked the top 20 public posts, pages, links and domains that are seen by the most U.S. Facebook users in their news feeds on the social network.
Among the top 5 most viewed links on Facebook from April to June were a Green Bay Packers player alumni site, a website selling CBD products and another selling Christian T-shirts under the label "Reppn for Christ." They each were viewed by more than 51 million Facebook users.
The top 5 most-viewed domains people shared links to were all well-known: YouTube topped the list with 181.3 million views, followed by Amazon, UNICEF, GoFundMe and Twitter.
UNICEF, which Facebook has been boosting as part of its efforts to amplify authoritative COVID-19 information, also topped the list of Facebook pages by views with 153.2 million, followed by a recipe page called Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons and publishers Sassy Media, The Dodo and the British LADBible.
The five most-viewed posts were dominated by photos and videos, led by a word search meme originally posted last year that more than 80 million Facebook users saw during the quarter. Another popular post challenged people over 30 to post pictures showing "I'm old but I look young," while a third asked: "Please settle this debate does sugar go in spaghetti."
However, the new metrics fell short of the real-time data on the reach of posts that researchers, journalists and critics of the company said is essential to track the spread of misinformation and political partisanship on the world's biggest social network.
The other public data the company makes available is how much engagement public posts, pages and accounts get — in the form of likes, shares, comments and other reactions.
While that data doesn't show how widely a post reaches, it does indicate which posts are spurring people to interact with them. And as journalists and researchers have dug into the data, they have found most of the content that gets the most engagement comes from right-wing sources such as Ben Shapiro, Sean Hannity and Dan Bongino — a narrative Facebook has pushed back against.
"There's a few gaps in the data that's been used to date, and the narrative that has emerged is quite simply wrong," Guy Rosen, Facebook's vice president of integrity, said on a call with reporters Wednesday. "We are creating a report that provides a broad view."
According to Facebook's new report, even the most viewed content accounts for a tiny proportion of what people see in their news feeds — less than a 10th of a percent of all the content viewed — because those feeds are so personalized. Fifty-seven percent of posts people see come from their friends or family, and 87% don't contain links.
As Facebook sees it, looking at what content gets the most views is a more accurate representation of what people encounter when they log into the social network and scroll through posts from friends, family and other accounts they follow.
"The content that does get the most engagement isn't necessarily the content that people most see," said Anna Stepanov, Facebook director of product management.
She added that Facebook is not trying to compare the value of a view against the value of engagement on posts, but instead "represent the actual experiences people have. So it is what people are seeing as they engage with and use news feed and the app."
The new report, which Facebook said it will update every quarter, has limitations. It only tracks public posts — those that are viewable by anyone on Facebook — not what users posted privately to their friends or in private groups. While it includes content that Facebook recommends in people's news feeds, such as posts it thinks users may be interested in, it does not include ads.
For now, Facebook is only releasing data on content seen by U.S. Facebook users, although Stepanov said the company plans to expand to other languages and other types of content.
The social network is coming under increasing pressure to be more transparent about what people see on its platform. Last week critics blasted its decision to block a team of New York University researchers studying political ads and COVID-19 misinformation from accessing the platform, for what Facebook said were violations of its privacy policy.
Editor's note: Facebook is among NPR's financial supporters.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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[
"Camille Petersen"
] |
2021-08-20 02:11:52+00:00
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2021-08-18 09:09:00
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In New York City's COVID-19 epicenters, small businesses are seeing signs of recovery with more people vaccinated. But there are still challenges such as overdue rent and the delta variant.
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A MARTINEZ, HOST:
When New York City was the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, three neighborhoods in Queens - Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona - were hit particularly hard. Now, one sign of recovery in these neighborhoods is a brighter outlook for their small businesses. But the thing is, the delta variant is now casting a shadow over that. Camille Petersen has this report from Jackson Heights, Queens.
CAMILLE PETERSEN, BYLINE: At his Tibetan restaurant, Lhasa, Sang Jien Ben sets up for a birthday party. He and his family hang rainbow balloons.
SANG JIEN BEN: (Speaking Tibetan).
PETERSEN: This festive scene is a contrast to the past year. One of Ben's employees, Tenzin Miglay, translates for us over the phone.
BEN: (Speaking Tibetan).
TENZIN MIGLAY: In the winter, it was pretty scary.
PETERSEN: Ben's restaurant was closed for months at the start of the pandemic, and when it reopened, business was very slow. Ben had to use personal savings to stay open. Then in March 2021, a fire destroyed the restaurant. He raised money through a GoFundMe to open a new Jackson Heights location about a month ago.
BEN: (Speaking Tibetan).
MIGLAY: It's been extremely hectic. There's, like, so many orders coming in at all times.
PETERSEN: Ben is optimistic that customers will keep coming now that more residents are vaccinated and going out, even with the new vaccine mandate in New York City for indoor dining. A few blocks away, masked shoppers buy fruits, juices and tamales from street vendors. More than 75% of Jackson Heights residents are fully vaccinated - among the highest rates in the city. Leslie Ramos is the executive director of a business improvement district in Jackson Heights. She says many business owners here know someone who got sick or died from COVID-19.
LESLIE RAMOS: Just in this little triangle here, we lost three people.
PETERSEN: Ramos gives me a neighborhood tour. She starts with a row of salons.
RAMOS: This is, like, my little beauty area.
PETERSEN: Alejandro Labrador opened his salon in June.
ALEJANDRO LABRADOR: (Speaking Spanish).
PETERSEN: He says he's surprised by how busy he is, but he worries about another surge in COVID cases. Down the block, Glen Mirchandani says he was anxious for months that his jewelry store would close for good.
GLEN MIRCHANDANI: There was no end in sight with so many people dying. I thought, is this going to go on forever?
PETERSEN: Mirchandani gets most of his business from foot traffic, and he says it's gone up in the past few months. But he's watched traffic slow down with the rise of the delta variant.
MIRCHANDANI: This one is really getting scary again.
PETERSEN: He tells customers to get vaccinated.
MIRCHANDANI: Go get your shot. That's only best way we can kill this thing out, you know? Otherwise it's going to be - what do you call - like a circus.
PETERSEN: Leslie Ramos from the business improvement district says many business owners here are also worried about the end of New York's commercial eviction moratorium. And some have not paid rent for over a year.
RAMOS: Unless the lease gets renegotiated, unless they have a windfall, we don't know how they are going to keep up. At least one of our businesses, we know that they are $36,000 behind on their rent.
PETERSEN: Ramos says the neighborhood's immigrant business owners struggle to apply for aid and grants because of language and technology barriers. She's hosted workshops to help them.
RAMOS: But when people are working 13, even 16 hours a day, that is not something that is possible.
PETERSEN: Ramos says small business owners here create jobs for their families and their neighbors. Their recovery is the neighborhood's recovery.
For NPR News, I'm Camille Petersen in Jackson Heights, N.Y.
(SOUNDBITE OF GHOSTFACE KILLAH AND BADBADNOTGOOD'S "SOUR SOUL") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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[
"Steve Inskeep Is A Host Of Npr'S Morning Edition",
"As Well As Npr'S Morning News Podcast Up First.",
"Jackie Northam Is Npr'S International Affairs Correspondent. She Is A Veteran Journalist Who Has Spent Three Decades Reporting On Conflict",
"Politics",
"Life Across The Globe - The Mountains Of Afghanistan",
"The Desert Sands Of Saudi Arabia",
"To The Gritty Prison Camp At Guantanamo Bay",
"The Pristine Beauty Of The Arctic."
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:36+00:00
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2021-08-18 11:19:12
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The Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan. What does it mean for the Afghan people? In the 90s, when last they ruled, it was a brutal, utterly ruthless regime that terrorized its people.
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whqr.org%2F2021-08-18%2Fevaluating-the-examples-of-the-ways-the-taliban-say-theyve-changed.json
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en
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STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
So that's what a Taliban spokesman says they will do. And we'll be reporting in the weeks and months ahead on what they do. And we start right now with NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam. Jackie, good morning.
JACKIE NORTHAM, BYLINE: Good morning, Steve.
INSKEEP: How do you evaluate the statements there?
NORTHAM: Well, you know, there are a lot of big promises being made here. I think the Taliban is trying to convince the world that they're a far different group than when they ruled Afghanistan back in the '90s. You know, it was a brutal, utterly ruthless regime that terrorized its people. So is it any wonder that there's skepticism now that we're going to - you know, we're hearing this is going to be a gentler and more inclusive militant group? You know, the Taliban knows that the eyes of the world are watching them. And they say they don't want to be a pariah state again. So that could motivate them to stick with these promises. But, Steve, it's a really tough sell.
INSKEEP: And he did say there will be no reprisals for Afghans who worked with Americans. And there are thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of people who would fit in that category. What are Afghans saying about their safety right now?
NORTHAM: Well, you pointed out examples of reports from various parts of Afghanistan about revenge killings by the Taliban going after Afghans they see as opposing them and just other acts of violence. It could be that the directives from the senior leadership of the Taliban aren't trickling down. You know, we understand that Taliban is helping with crowd control at the airport in Kabul. And it's having to use force to push back, you know, thousands of people, push back the crowds. But we're also hearing reports of people trying to flee the country who are getting stopped and beaten and robbed at Taliban checkpoints near the airport.
INSKEEP: Jackie, I think you're correct when you say that the Taliban are trying to sound different. But it was notable to me in that interview that he didn't actually commit to do anything specifically different. I asked, are you going to be cutting off people's hands and putting them up for display? He said, well, it's up to the judge. Is that really that much different?
NORTHAM: Right. And, well, if you look at women, he said that they could go to school and work. But at this press conference yesterday, they were saying that's true. But it has to remain within the framework of Islamic law. And it's a little unclear what that is, you know? There's concern, you know, it's going to go back to the way things were for women in the '90s. And they've come a long way. And you can imagine how tough this is going to be for women who are 18 and 20 years old who have never lived under the Taliban. They could be facing a real different reality now.
INSKEEP: What is the next thing for us to watch for as we try to determine how the Taliban will govern?
NORTHAM: Well, first and foremost is what the new government will look like, you know. Will it be inclusive, as the Taliban say it will be? How will they interpret Islamic law? That's going to give us a sense of how they're going to treat Afghans, and also whether there's going to be widespread reprisals and cracking down.
INSKEEP: NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam. Thanks for your reporting.
NORTHAM: Thanks so much.
INSKEEP: And we will stay on this story.
(SOUNDBITE OF KUPLA AND PHILANTHROPE'S "NAUTICAL") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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Evaluating The Examples Of The Ways The Taliban Say They've Changed
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[
"Scott Neuman Is A Reporter",
"Editor",
"Working Mainly On Breaking News For Npr'S Digital",
"Radio Platforms."
] |
2021-08-20 02:13:42+00:00
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2021-08-18 14:51:58
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People will be eligible for a booster shot eight months after their second dose of their vaccines from Pfizer or Moderna, according to U.S. health officials.
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Updated August 18, 2021 at 7:36 PM ET
COVID-19 booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are set to become available for all U.S. adults beginning next month, the country's top health officials announced Wednesday.
"We know that even highly effective vaccines become less effective over time," Dr. Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general, said at a White House briefing. "It is now our clinical judgment that the time to lay out a plan for COVID boosters is now."
He added, "This includes our most vulnerable populations, like our health care providers, nursing home residents and other seniors. We will also begin delivering booster shots directly to residents of long-term care facilities."
People who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be eligible before Johnson & Johnson recipients
People 18 years and older who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines will be eligible for a booster dose eight months after their second dose, officials said.
The booster plan would go into effect starting the week of Sept. 20.
People who got the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine would also likely need an additional shot to prolong its effectiveness against coronavirus infection and to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, health officials said. However, they are still conducting research and not yet releasing plans for booster shots for people who received that type of vaccine.
The data shows vaccines become less effective over time
The announcement comes as health officials across the country are battling a new wave of COVID-19 cases linked to the highly transmissible delta variant. The latest infections have once again pushed intensive care unit occupancy rates to the breaking point in multiple states, especially those with low rates of vaccination.
The surgeon general said that health officials were concerned about "waning immunity and the strength of the delta variant" — a "pattern of decline" that could "continue in the coming months."
In a statement released shortly before Wednesday's briefing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cautioned that "the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout."
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cited three new studies in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that show reduction in protection from infection over time, including in nursing homes and against the delta variant. Effectiveness against severe disease, hospitalization and death remains relatively high, she said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Biden, said the plan for a booster is happening now because "if you wait for something bad to happen, you're considerably behind in your response." When it comes to the virus, he said, it's better to stay ahead of it than chase after it.
The White House says it's trying to make it easy for people to get the shots
Jeffrey Zients, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said the aim was to make the administration of booster shots as easy as possible — and that they would be given at the same locations where people received their first and second vaccine doses.
He said 90% of Americans lived within 5 miles of one of the more than 80,000 vaccination sites across the country.
He also defended the plan to give Americans an additional dose while much of the rest of the world remained unvaccinated. The U.S. goal is to administer 100 million booster shots in the coming months. Over the same time period, 200 million doses would be donated to other countries, Zients said.
Biden addressed this issue himself, when he delivered remarks later Wednesday.
"We can take care of America and help the world at the same time," he said.
Biden also outlined plans to require nursing homes to vaccinate staff or risk losing Medicare and Medicaid funding.
"With this announcement," he said, "I'm using the power of the federal government, as a payer of health care costs, to ensure we reduce those risks to our most vulnerable seniors."
The Department of Health and Human Services is drafting the regulation to go into effect next month.
Since the start of the pandemic some 20 months ago, more than 623,000 people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, according to figures tallied by Johns Hopkins University.
At Wednesday's briefing, the CDC's Walensky said the U.S. was averaging about 500 COVID-19 deaths per day.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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COVID-19 Booster Shots Will Roll Out In September In The U.S.
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[
"Whqr",
"Kelly Kenoyer Is An Oregonian Transplant New To The East Coast. She Attended University Of Oregon S School Of Journalism As An Undergraduate",
"Later Received A Master S In Journalism University Of Missouri- Columbia. Contact Her On Twitter",
"Kelly_Kenoyer Or Email",
"Kkenoyer Whqr.Org."
] |
2021-08-20 02:12:29+00:00
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2021-08-18 19:27:01
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Wilmington City Council has passed a new Land Use Development Code after months of feedback from citizens. The codes will determine how the city grows and changes for decades to come.
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The new Land Use Development Code sets up numerous “commercial nodes” throughout the city. Those newly defined areas are an attempt to create walkable neighborhoods by adding denser housing near major commercial and job centers, like the hospital. And commercial zones with a lot of empty parking spots will be allowed to do infill development to make better use of the space.
And in the historic downtown, the new LDC allows for more missing middle housing types to get built, and with greater efficiency.
The LDC also incentivizes affordable housing in specific zones, like commercial mixed use. When a developer builds workforce housing on such a lot, they are able to build unlimited density- which should bring a lot more housing for lower-income people onto the market, according to city planners.
City Planning Director Glenn Harbeck set the tone for Tuesday’s discussion of the LDC, pointing out the positive attributes within- like protections for trees , and a streamlined approval process.
“Is the ordinance you are considering tonight, is it perfect? No. Can it be improved? Yes endlessly. But does it move the needle in the right direction in terms of our city and its future? I would offer a clear yes to that question," Harbeck said.
The code did receive a few late revisions between the last meeting about it in July and the vote on Tuesday. First, it ended off-street parking requirements for accessory dwelling units , which will make those small, backyard cottages much easier to build anywhere in the city. City planners hope that making it easier to build those homes on existing lots will make them more common, and will provide more varied housing throughout city neighborhoods.
And second, a staff-recommended end to minimum parking requirements has changed significantly. Now, certain businesses near residential properties will be required to perform a parking study.
That change came after criticism from Councilmember Kevin O-Grady, who was worried about business patrons parking in residential neighborhoods in areas like Market Street. But in large commercial zones that aren't close to residential areas, parking minimums have been removed, paving the way for infill development.
The new LDC passed unanimously through council after an hour of discussion. It comes into effect on December 1, and staff are keeping an eye out for glitches in the meantime that require correction.
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Wilmington has set new development standards for the next several decades
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2021-08-20 02:10:20+00:00
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2021-08-18 16:20:00
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The tennis great has bowed out of the U.S. Open this year because of knee surgery.
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Tennis fans received shattering news over the weekend when Roger Federer pulled out of the U.S Open for a fourth knee surgery.
The 40-year-old Swiss tennis player has twenty Grand Slam Titles — tied with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Federer hoped to make history at the tournament.
“The Master: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer,” a new biography from New York Times tennis writer Christopher Clarey, tells the story of Federer’s longevity on the court.
Federer’s first injury happened in 2016 when he tore his meniscus giving his daughters a bath, Clarey says.
“He came back so strong after that, took six months off at the end of 2016 and came back and had some of his best results ever in 2017 and 2018,” Clarey says. “[He] went back to number one at age 36 and it was just kind of a fairytale run for him there.”
After a remarkable career full of accomplishments, Federer now finds himself in a poignant situation after more than two decades of hard work, Clarey says. Maintaining physical health long enough to play deep into his 30s is a blessing for Federer, the writer says.
“Inevitably, the game is very grueling,” Clarey says. “Your body is going to break down at some point”
Federer is known as a real threat to win multiple tournaments in a year and challenge opponents at the Grand Slam tournaments. However, Clarey believes this marks the end for Federer on the court.
“To be honest with you, I wrote [the book] now probably because I felt like the main body of work for him was already finished,” the author says. “And I feel like the book has an elegiac tone to it in places and a valedictory tone to it as well.”
Interview Highlights
On why we should care about Roger Federer
“Roger is a naturally gifted player — one of the most naturally gifted ever — but he’s also a self-made man. I’ve covered him since he was in his teens and have seen his evolution. But I don’t think I really grasped how challenging it was and what an accomplishment it was on so many levels. And he’s somebody who started with a bad temper. He learned to manage his temper and his expectations and really became a Zen master on the court, working with psychologists and on himself and his coaches. He managed to really channel all that nervous energy and frustration into a very composed tennis player and style.”
On Federer’s temper tantrums, such as throwing his racket and screaming, when he was a young tennis player
“He had a very difficult time losing. I mean he was quite young at the time but there stories from his Swiss coaches when he was young about him sitting under the chair — umpire’s chair — after a junior match where he lost and crying. Everybody else went to have lunch and their picnic. And Roger stayed there on the court in tears, basically unable to control his disappointment.
“I think we have to really recognize the achievement there in terms of being able to master that. He’s been able to master himself as well as the game. And it also applies to out of court things rather … his business career as well. He started from a very low point, unpromising point as a Swiss player from a small country, even though it’s a wealthy country. And he built himself into the most successful financially tennis player ever. He’s earned over $1 billion on court and off during his career.”
On a part of the book where American tennis player Andre Agassi talks about Federer taking the game to a different level
“That story comes from Darren Cahill, who was Andre’s coach for a long time. Darren was blown away by that moment just because he’d never seen Andre — a great long lasting champion — have that kind of reaction to a match. And I think it’s basically like realizing that the technology has moved beyond you or the world that you’re living in suddenly you’re no longer fit entirely. That was Andre’s epiphany that day, I think.
“I think the problem with Roger is that when Andre played other players in the past — Pete Sampras or Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, previous great players — he always felt there was a safe place to go. But against Roger, because of Roger’s ability to take the ball early and create angles and power from anywhere on the court, there was really no safe haven anymore for Andre. And I think that’s what he was feeling. And he also had a really hard time reading Roger’s game. I think it’s just that feeling of being rushed and confused. And during Roger’s heyday, a lot of players felt that way.”
On the French calling Federer’s gameplay “relachement” — looseness and ease
“That French word, which is about relaxing and looseness, really does sum it up. But the question is why? And if you talk to people who are part of his career early on, part of it is his childhood coach, Peter Carter … He basically built Roger’s game. And one of the things he did was he sort of had him keep his eyes on the ball and the contact point quite a bit longer than the usual tennis player. Peter Carter did this himself. And it gives Roger this kind of polish on his shots. And it also gives the impression that he has a bit more time and everybody else. And he’s also just a naturally beautiful mover with his legs and the way his footwork works around the court. But I think that extra bit of time that he seems to have is the key, what they call ‘court vision’ in tennis. Your ability to sort of see the whole canvas, if you will.”
Lynn Menegon produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Chris Bentley. Camila Beiner adapted it for the web.
Book Excerpt: ‘The Master’
By Christopher Clarey
Chapter One
TIGRE, Argentina
Midnight approached, and so did Roger Federer.
We journalists do a lot of waiting, and this wait was in a chauffeured car in a Buenos Aires suburb with Eric Carmen’s plaintive ballad “All by Myself” playing on the radio. That sounded right on key for me as I sat alone in the backseat with my notes and pre-interview thoughts, but not for Federer, who so seldom seems to be all by himself and certainly was not on this occasion.
It was mid-December 2012, the tail end of a resurgent year in which he had returned to No. 1 by winning Wimbledon, his first Grand Slam title in more than two years. Now, he had left his wife, Mirka, and three-year-old twin daughters at home in Switzerland and come for the first time to this part of South America to play a series of exhibitions that had sold out in minutes.
He was here for the money: $2 million per appearance, which guaranteed him more for six matches than the $8.5 million he had earned in official prize money in all of 2012. But Federer was also here for the memories: the chance to commune with new audiences in new places despite all the demands on his mind and body in the previous eleven months.
Other champions with their fortunes already secured would have been content to pass on the journey and the jet lag. But Federer and his agent, Tony Godsick, were thinking big picture: considering untapped Federer markets as well as untapped Federer emotions. The tour, which had taken him to Brazil and now Argentina, had surpassed their expectations, symbolized by the crowd of twenty thousand that had filled the makeshift stadium in Tigre this evening. That was a record for a tennis match in Argentina, proud land of tennis icons like Guillermo Vilas, Gabriela Sabatini, and Juan Martin del Potro, who had been Federer’s opponent and to some degree Federer’s foil.
“It was great but a little strange for Juan Martin,” said Franco Davin, then del Potro’s coach. “He’s at home in Argentina, and they cheer more for Federer.”
So it has gone in many a tennis nation. Federer gets to play at home just about everywhere, and even near midnight several hundred Federer fans were still waiting outside the stadium: adults standing on boxes to get a better view, children perched on their parents’ shoulders, digital camera lights flashing as their owners kept fingers on but-tons in order to capture the moment.
It was quiet and expectant, and then it was bedlam as Federer emerged from a side door and made his way to the backseat, moving lightly on his feet even after the three-setter against del Potro.
“Bye-bye. Bye-bye. Bye-bye!” he said rhythmically in a conversational tone to the fans before opening the car door.
“How are things?” he said to me in the same tone after closing it behind him.
I have followed Federer on six continents; interviewed him more than twenty times over twenty years for the New York Times and the International Herald Tribune. Our meetings have taken place every-
where from a private plane to a backcourt at Wimbledon to Times Square to Alpine restaurants in Switzerland to a suite at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris with a ridiculously good view of the Place de la Concorde while his future wife, Mirka Vavrinec, tried on designer clothes.
One habit that separates Federer from most other elite athletes I have encountered is that he will ask about you first and not in a perfunctory manner: inquiring about your own journey to this particular place, your own perceptions of the tournament, the country, the people.
“The reason Roger is so interesting is because he’s so interested,” Paul Annacone, his former coach, once told me.
My family of five had embarked on a globe trot of our own in 2012: a school year on the road beginning with three months in Peru, Chile, and Argentina.
Federer wanted to hear the highlights (Torres del Paine and Chiloé Island in Chile, Arequipa in Peru). But he was most interested in the schooling and how our three children reacted and benefited. It was yet another hint that he planned to remain on the road with his own family indefinitely, that he wanted to keep his children part of his everyday life and show them quite a bit of the world along the way.
“We are sort of returning guests at most of the cities and tournaments, and we’ve also created a lot of friends around the world,” he said. “It’s that home-away-from-home feeling. I’m able to reproduce that quite easily now, especially now with the kids. I want to keep reproducing that for them so they always feel comfortable everywhere we go.”
Federer’s curiosity— be it polite or from the heart— sets the tone for a conversation rather than a structured interview. It is disarming, although that does not seem to be his intent. What it creates, most of all, is an air of normalcy amid the extraordinary, and that is something Federer projects very intentionally. Federer can handle being on a pedestal (he has had lots of practice), but he often emphasizes that he is happier seeing eye-to-eye. His mother, Lynette, might well have passed this on. When someone hears her surname or a shopkeeper sees it on her credit card and asks if she is related to that Federer, she answers in the affirmative but then quickly shifts the focus by inquiring if they have children of their own.
As the Argentines shouted and pressed toward the car, he did not shrink from the window. He drew closer to it.
I asked Federer if he knew the English word “jaded.”
“A little bit,” he said, sounding hesitant.
“In French, it basically means ‘blasé,’” I said. “You’ve been through it all before, things no longer give you the same rush. It’s kind of how you imagine Björn Borg in the car leaving the US Open, never to return.”
Borg was twenty- five then.
Federer considered that for a moment.
“It happens very quickly,” he said. “You’re just, ‘I’m done. I don’t want to do it anymore. I’m tired of it all.’ And really, that’s what I try to avoid by having the proper schedule and the proper fun and the
proper change, because, like you mentioned, if you do the same thing, it doesn’t matter what you do, too many times, all the time, too often you get bored of it. It doesn’t matter how extraordinary your life might be, so that’s where I think these kinds of trips, or a good buildup practice session or a great vacation or some amazing tournaments in a row, toughing it out, whatever it might be, it’s in the mix that I find the resources for more, the energy for more. Really, it’s pretty simple in a way.”
Watching Federer stay fresh and eager deep into his thirties, against logic and against tennis precedent, it was intriguing to realize that his ability to remain in the moment was in fact about forethought. If he was relaxed and accommodating despite all the forces pulling at him, it was because he knew himself and his microcosm well enough to avoid the pitfalls that would likely snuff out his pilot light.
But then such intentionality is very much in harmony with his career as a whole.
He has often made the game look astonishingly easy through the decades: hitting aces, gliding to forehands, and, in his most gravity-defying act, remaining high above the waterline in a world right-fully flooded with icon cynicism. But his path from temperamental, bleached-blond teenager with dubious style sense to one of the most elegant and self-possessed great athletes has been a long-running act of will, not destiny.
Federer is widely perceived as a natural, and yet he is a meticulous planner who has learned to embrace routine and self-discipline, plotting out his schedule well in advance and in considerable detail.
At a press conference, Federer will answer queries at length and with a certain restraint. It is rare that he will stray off topic or volunteer information, but he respects the question and the questioner: quite a contrast with some of his predecessors (see Jimmy Connors) and his peers (see Lleyton Hewitt and, sadly in her later years, Venus Williams). In more intimate settings, Federer’s natural exuberance and geniality often get him waving his arms and launching into rambling paragraphs. Thoughts expressed in English— his first language but not always his best language— can take him in unexpected directions that require him to double back and make a few detours to get to his intended destination.
He is less polished off-camera, even goofy at times, although he saves his pranks and surprises for friends and colleagues, not for journalists along for the ride.
It is just one planet, and he has covered a great deal of it: pursuing trophies, paydays, novelty, fulfillment, and, increasingly through the seasons, communion.
Argentina was an unexpectedly meaningful stop on the journey, and as we approached his hotel in downtown Buenos Aires, Federer, winner of a record seventeen Grand Slam singles titles at that stage, was emphasizing how much he still wanted to improve.
“I’m going to take a vacation after this, rest and just get away from it all, because the last few years have been extremely intense,” he said. “I feel if I keep on pushing at this pace I might lose interest like you mentioned, just get jaded.”
Federer laughed.
“‘Jaded.’ That’s the new word I have in my vocabulary, and that’s the last thing I want happening,” he said. “Hopefully next year is going to be a platform for many more years. That’s the opportunity I want to give myself.”
Excerpted from THE MASTER: The Long Run and Beautiful Game of Roger Federer. ©2021 Christopher Clarey and reprinted by permission from Twelve Books/Hachette Book Group.
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
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On this episode of Democracy Sausage, guest host Virginia Marshall takes over the tongs, fires up the barbie, and speaks to community pastor and advocate On this episode of Democracy Sausage, guest host Virginia Marshall fires up the barbie, and speaks to community pastor and advocate Ray Minniecon.
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On this episode of Democracy Sausage, guest host Virginia Marshall takes over the tongs, fires up the barbie, and speaks to community pastor and advocate Ray Minniecon.
How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptions of truth-telling inform global reconciliation efforts? And why haven’t Australian governments and society fully acknowledged the history and the damage of the frontier wars in the country? On this Democracy Sausage, guest host Dr Virginia Marshall speaks with Pastor Ray Minniecon, who reflects on life under Queensland’s Aboriginal Protection Act, recognising the sacrifices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women, and what it means to belong to Country. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3iYhOeN
Ray Minniecon is a community pastor at St John’s Anglican Church, Glebe and Director of Bunji Consultancies, which supports Aboriginal leadership and business initiatives.
Virginia Marshall is the Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow with The Australian National University’s School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) and the Fenner School of Environment and Society. She is a Wiradjuri Nyemba woman from New South Wales.
Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback for this podcast series! Send in your questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes to podcast@policyforum.net. You can also Tweet us @APPSPolicyForum or join us on the Facebook group.
This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University.
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Democracy Sausage: Belonging to Country
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2021-08-20 01:51:58+00:00
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On the third episode in our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, Shahra Razavi from the International Labour Organization joins us to discuss the Shahra Razavi from the International Labour Organization joins us to discuss the importance of universal social protection and access to decent work.
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On the third episode in our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, Shahra Razavi from the International Labour Organization joins us to discuss the importance of universal social protection and how policymakers can do more to ensure people have access to decent work.
What does decent work for all look like – and how far are governments around the world from achieving that? Is economic growth the path to achieving this or is it time to decouple growth and decent work? And what global efforts are underway to uphold the right to social security and social protection? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod – the third instalment in our mini-series on work – Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter are joined by Shahra Razavi, Director of the Social Protection Department at the International Labour Organization. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3j3EcU6
Shahra Razavi is Director of the Social Protection Department at the International Labour Organization. Previously, she was Research Coordinator at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. Shahra specialises in the gender dimensions of social development, with a particular focus on livelihoods and social policies.
Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of Gender Equity and Diversity at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy.
Arnagretta Hunter is a cardiologist, physician, and a Senior Clinical Lecturer for ANU Medical School.
Policy Forum Pod is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Subscribe on Android or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback for this podcast series! Send in your questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes to podcast@policyforum.net. You can also Tweet us @APPSPolicyForum or join us on the Facebook group.
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Podcast: Ensuring decent work and social protection for all
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https://www.policyforum.net/podcast-ensuring-decent-work-and-social-protection-for-all/
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[
"Kathleen Ronayne",
"Michael R. Blood",
"Associated Press",
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:49+00:00
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former fiancee of Larry Elder said Thursday that the...
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former fiancee of Larry Elder said Thursday that the conservative radio talk show host now running for governor in California showed her a gun during a heated argument in 2015.
Elder, widely seen as the leader in the Republican field running to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in next month's recall election, issued a statement saying “I have never brandished a gun at anyone." Elder, who is seeking to become California's first Black governor, noted that he grew up in South Los Angeles, an area with high violent crime.
“I know exactly how destructive this type of behavior is,” he said.
Alexandra Datig's accusation, first reported by Politico, comes with less than four weeks until the Sept. 14 election and at a time when mail-in ballots already have arrived at voters' homes. Elder said he intended to “stay focused on the issues” that inspired the recall drive by Republicans upset with Newsom's progressive policies and handling of the pandemic.
Datig, 51 and a longtime Los Angeles resident, said she worked on Elder's show and they lived together during their 18-month romantic relationship from 2013 to 2015,. A letter and other records provided by Datig to The Associated Press – including an April 6, 2015, email in which she wrote about the collapse of their engagement — sketched a portrait of an emotionally abusive relationship in which Elder routinely was using medicinal marijuana to excess.
Datig claims Elder was high during the 2015 argument and went to a cabinet where he kept his gun “and made sure it was in my view.”
“He did not point it at me, but he wanted to make sure that I knew that he was checking" to see it was loaded, she told the AP.
Threatening another person with a firearm could be a criminal offense but Datig said she never reported it to police.
Elder did not specifically address that claim about cannabis use in questions submitted to his campaign by AP. His statement in response to Datig’s claims of abuse referred broadly to “salacious allegations.”
“People do not get into public life precisely because of this type of politics of personal destruction. I am not going to dignify this with a response — it’s beneath me,” Elder wrote. A short time later he tweeted: “They’re coming at me with every dirty trick because they know what’s coming on September 14."
Datig supports one of Elder’s Republican rivals, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. Earlier this week Faulconer began targeting Elder for criticism and specifically questioning his attitudes about women, noting among other things that Elder had written that employers should be able to ask women if and when they plan to get pregnant.
“Larry Elder doesn’t have the judgment or character to lead our state,” Faulconer said in response to Datig’s allegations.
Another Republican in the race, state Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, said in a statement that he found Datig's claims disturbing.
“I believe that any woman who comes forward deserves to be heard, and Ms. Datig’s deeply troubling account should be treated with the utmost seriousness. Mr. Elder should be given every opportunity to respond,” he said.
Elder entered the race in July and Datig said she waited until now to come forward because she initially didn't think he would be competitive.
“I didn’t take it seriously but when Larry started to trend and become the frontrunner, I became extremely concerned,” she said.
The documents provided by Datig described months of emotional distress from the unraveling romantic and business relationship. “I feel trapped and afraid,” she wrote in the mail.
Datig also provided the AP with a copy of a confidentiality agreement she signed in 2014 barring her from speaking about the “personal and business affairs” of Elder and his business, Laurence A. Elder & Associates, Inc. She said she was breaking it to go public with her accusations.
A March 31, 2015, letter from her attorney to Elder asked for $6,000 in monthly support for Datig for one year, to cover expenses including rent, car and health care costs. She also asked for $195,000 for public relations, marketing and other services she said she provided for his show.
The two ultimately signed an agreement on April 13, 2015, for Elder to pay Datig $20,000 and cover the cost of her $5,000 legal retainer and $185 to dry clean her wedding dress. Elder agreed he and his assistant would sign a nondisclosure agreement regarding anything to do with Datig, that he would write her a letter of recommendation for her work product, and that they two would “halt mutual insults."
Datig refers to herself as a sex trafficking survivor and has publicly disclosed working for so-called former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, who was convicted in the mid-1990s of running a high-priced call-girl ring, a conviction that was later overturned. Fleiss was later sentenced to federal prison for cheating on her taxes and laundering call-girl profits. In a 2013 interview with KCAL-TV, Datig described becoming an informant on Fleiss.
__
Ronayne reported from Sacramento.
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[
"The Associated Press",
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A look at what’s happening around the majors on Friday:
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A look at what’s happening around the majors on Friday:
___
WHAT WILL SHOHEI DO NEXT?
The Shohei Ohtani road show heads to Cleveland after the two-way superstar thrilled opposing crowds in Detroit.
Ohtani’s Los Angeles Angels — whose playoff chances are slim at one game over .500 — will play two games at the Indians' home ballpark before both teams head to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Little League Classic on Sunday night.
After that, LA travels to Baltimore for a three-game series against the major league-worst Orioles that’s expected to include Ohtani’s next mound start — perhaps a rare opportunity for Baltimore fans to feel some buzz.
Against Detroit, Ohtani had his longest mound start of the season, winning his fourth consecutive start with an eight-inning performance on Wednesday night. He also hit a towering, 430-foot homer — his major league-leading 40th of the season — that Tigers fans waiting for Miguel Cabrera to hit No. 500 couldn't help but admire.
Ohtani followed it up with a 2-for-3 day as the Angels rallied from an eight-run deficit to beat the Tigers on Thursday.
OPTIMISM IN HOUSTON
Astros manager Dusty Baker has reasons to feel good about his AL West-leading club even after an uninspired seven-game trip.
Houston went 3-4 on the road against the Angels and Royals and begins a weeklong homestand on Friday by hosting division rival Seattle. The Astros lead Oakland by 2 1/2 games, which hasn't escaped Baker's notice.
“I’ve been scoreboard watching every day,” Baker said. “Scoreboard watching is something I do between innings when I’m not thinking about what to do. We’re just looking forward to the finish line. We have a ways to go, and we haven’t played our best ball yet.”
One thing that's making Baker sanguine about the future is having Aledmys Díaz in the lineup. Díaz went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, including the go-ahead single in the 10th inning of a 6-3 win at Kansas City on Thursday.
“You can tell what (Díaz) means to this club (by looking at) the six weeks he was out,” Baker said.
SUB-BASEMENT
The major league-worst Baltimore Orioles haven't even come within two runs of a win in the past week.
The Orioles dropped their 15th straight game on Thursday, falling 7-2 to the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays. And most of them haven't been close.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Orioles are the first team since 1900 to lose 15 straight games by multiple runs. The closest Baltimore got was a 6-4 loss to Detroit on Aug. 12.
The Orioles have been outscored 138-42 during the skid, allowing an average of 9.2 runs per game.
After dropping four at Tampa Bay by scores of 9-2, 10-0, 8-4 and 7-2, Baltimore hosts another first-place team for a three-game series this weekend: NL-East winning Atlanta.
The Arizona Diamondbacks had the worst record in the majors for much of the season, but Baltimore now owns that distinction. Arizona is coming off a three-game sweep of Philadelphia and has won six of seven overall.
OCTOBER PREVIEW
Brandon Lowe knows this weekend may not be the last time the Rays face the Chicago White Sox in 2021.
The AL Central leaders visit the AL East leaders for a three-game series starting Friday.
“This is going to be kind of what we’re looking at postseason-wise, I feel like,” Lowe said. “You know the White Sox are going to make it, we feel like we’re going to make it. I think the games are going to be a little bit tougher, it’s going to be a little bit lower-scoring ballgames but it’s going to be a hard-fought battle for the whole series.”
Tampa Bay has won 11 of 14, and perhaps a playoff preview could lure a few more fans to Tropicana Field. In their four-game sweep of Baltimore, the Rays drew a total of 22,754 paying customers — an average of 5,689 per game.
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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LEADING OFF: Ohtani road show to Cleveland; Astros optimism
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[
"Ken Ritter",
"Associated Press",
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:13+00:00
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2021-08-20 00:39:11
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a court ruling with potentially broad implications for U.S....
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — In a court ruling with potentially broad implications for U.S. immigration cases, a federal judge in Nevada found that a criminal law that dates to 1929 and makes it a felony for a person who has been deported to return to the United States is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du in Reno, in an order issued Wednesday, found the law widely known as Section 1326 is based on “racist, nativist roots” and discriminates against Mexican and Latinx people in violation of the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment.
“Anybody who works in federal courts knows the statute,” Franny Forsman, retired longtime chief of the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Nevada, said Thursday. “There really are a large number of cases that have been brought over the years under that section. They’re mostly public defender cases.”
Section 1326 of the Immigration and Nationality Act makes it a crime for a person to enter the U.S. if they have been denied admission, deported or removed. It was enacted in 1952 using language from the Undesirable Aliens Act passed by Congress in 1929. Penalties were stiffened five times between 1988 and 1996 to increase its deterrent value.
Forsman said she expected the government will appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
But Julian Castro, secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Biden Administration, tweeted that he doubted the Justice Department would want to defend a law with “an incredibly racist history.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou and an aide did not immediately respond to messages about the ruling.
Forsman called Du’s order groundbreaking for its thoroughness. Du, a Vietnamese immigrant, was nominated to the federal bench by President Barack Obama and sworn in in 2012.
“I think it will have implications because it’s going to be difficult to get around her reasoning,” Forsman said of the court order. “It’s a little hard to get around a statute that was called the ‘Wetback Act’ by the people enacting it.” The derogatory term often refers to Mexican migrants who have entered the country illegally, but it's also used to disparage all Hispanics.
Du said she considered written and oral arguments and expert testimony about the legislative history of the law from professors Benjamin Gonzalez O’Brien of San Diego State University and Kelly Lytle Hernández of the University of California, Los Angeles.
“Importantly, the government does not dispute that Section 1326 bears more heavily on Mexican and Latinx individuals,” the judge said in her 43-page order dismissing the June 2020 criminal indictment of Gustavo Carrillo-Lopez.
Carrillo-Lopez was arrested in Nevada in 2019 after having been deported in 1999 and again in 2012, according to prosecutors. His federal public defender, Lauren Gorman in Reno, did not immediately respond Thursday to an email.
The judge said she saw no publicly available data about the national origin of people prosecuted under Section 1326, but cited U.S. Border Patrol statistics showing that more than 97% of people apprehended at the border in 2000 were of Mexican decent, 86% in 2005, and 87% in 2010.
“The government argues that the stated impact is ‘a product of geography, not discrimination,’ and that the statistics are rather a feature of Mexico’s proximity to the United States, the history of Mexican employment patterns and the socio-political and economic factors that drive migration,” Du wrote. “The court is not persuaded.”
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US judge in Nevada: Felony deportation law unconstitutional
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[
"Beth Harris",
"Ap Sports Writer",
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:26+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:23:42
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts says he’s feeling “really, really good” and is...
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mookie Betts says he’s feeling “really, really good” and is eager to return soon to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup from a stint on the injured list with right hip inflammation.
The All-Star outfielder has been on the IL since Aug. 8. He was diagnosed with a bone spur in his hip and recently received a second cortisone injection.
“It's the first time I've felt normal in a long time,” Betts said Thursday after a workout on the field before the Dodgers hosted the New York Mets. “There's no pain at all. Hopefully, I can stay on this path.”
Betts said his hip had been bothering him since the start of spring training in February. He described the pain as being so intense that it “locked me up pretty good.”
“I hope it just can get through the season and let it heal and not have to worry about it anymore,” he said.
Manager Dave Roberts said Betts could potentially return as early as next week. The Dodgers visit NL West rival San Diego for a three-game series starting Tuesday and return home next Friday to host Colorado. Roberts said Betts would decide whether or not he needs a rehab assignment first.
“Maybe just a couple at-bats and we'll go from there,” Betts said. “I would like to at least get hot, then cool off, then get hot and get back running around just to make sure. I don’t want to go out there and have to come out of the game.”
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Betts feeling 'really good,' eyes return soon to Dodgers
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2021-08-20 02:08:55+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:16:36
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The former school resource officer accused of hiding...
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The former school resource officer accused of hiding during a South Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead will have to convince a jury that he wasn't criminally negligent, a judge ruled Thursday.
Broward Circuit Judge Martin Fein declined to dismiss the child negligence charges against former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson, the Sun Sentinel reported.
Peterson, 58, had worked as a school resource officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Nikolas Cruz, who was 19 at the time of the February 2018 shooting, has been charged with 17 counts of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors have said that Peterson failed to come to the rescue as Cruz was making his way through the school’s hallways. The law that Peterson is accused of breaking specifically applies to caregivers, but defense attorneys argued during a hearing Wednesday that a law enforcement officer doesn’t fit the legal definition of a caregiver.
Prosecutors are arguing that school resources officers are inherently different from other law enforcement officers and should be considered caregivers.
Fein ruled that a jury can decide whether a school resource officer should be considered a caregiver and noted that a jury instruction will be included to that effect.
Cruz faces the death penalty if convicted in the Valentine’s Day 2018 massacre in which 17 people were slain and 17 others were wounded. Cruz’s lawyers have said he would plead guilty in exchange for a life prison sentence, but prosecutors are insisting that his fate be decided by a jury trial.
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Judge: School officer who hid during shooting facing charges
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[
"Written By"
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2021-08-20 02:09:32+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:19:37
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UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — DeWanna Bonner scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed 11...
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UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — DeWanna Bonner scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Connecticut Sun beat the Minnesota Lynx 82-71 on Thursday night.
Bonner made 10 of 11 free throws — and Connecticut went 23 for 25 from the line — to help reach 30 points for the first time this season. It was her fifth double-double.
Jonquel Jones added 20 points and seven rebounds for Connecticut (17-6) despite being in foul trouble. The Sun turned it over 17 times but outrebounded the Lynx 31-23.
Sylvia Fowles led Minnesota (13-9) with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Layshia Clarendon added 15 points and Napheesa Collier scored 11.
Connecticut continues its five-game homestand on Tuesday against Las Vegas in a battle for sole possession of first place. Minnesota lost back-to-back games against Connecticut following an eight-game winning streak.
___
More AP women’s basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Bonner's 31 points, 11 rebounds lead Sun past Lynx 82-71
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[
"Mark Thiessen",
"Associated Press",
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:01+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:29:19
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation...
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myplainview.com%2Fnews%2Farticle%2FProsecutors-vet-US-Senate-candidate-s-fishing-16399413.php.json
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Law enforcement officials have completed their investigation into whether a U.S. Senate candidate and former State of Alaska official illegally obtained a fishing license for a sportfishing event two years ago and turned it over to a special prosecutorial branch of the Department of Law, an official said Thursday.
Kelly Tshibaka, a former commissioner in the state Department of Administration and a Republican candidate for Senate, received the license during an event on the Kenai River in 2019.
Records show she received the permit in August 2019, eight months after she moved to Alaska to take the commissioner’s job, the Anchorage Daily News has reported. To obtain a resident fishing license, state law says the person must have lived in the state for 12 consecutive months before applying for a license.
Tshibaka signed the license application, acknowledging she had read the rules for residency. She also indicated on the license that she was a resident for 15 years, 8 months.
A person could be fined up to $300 for knowingly violating the law on fishing licenses, a misdemeanor.
“After a thorough investigation by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers into the media reports regarding Mrs. Tshibaka the investigation has been completed and will now be reviewed by the Alaska Department of Law’s Office of Special Prosecutions,” Department of Public Safety spokesperson Austin McDaniel said in an email to The Associated Press.
When asked if it were unusual to involve the special office, he said in a follow-up email that law enforcement regularly works with prosecutors when building cases.
“Due to the circumstances involved with this investigation, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers requested an independent review of the case by the legal experts at the Alaska Department of Law,” McDaniel said.
Tim Murtaugh, a senior adviser to Tshibaka’s campaign, said she attended the 2019 Kenai River Classic in her capacity as commissioner.
He said her confirmation hearings were public and it was well-known she had just returned to the state.
“The event organizers asked if she had a current fishing license, and when she said she didn’t, they issued her one,” Murtaugh said in an email to the AP.
“The form was filled in for a license that expired after one day, going from August 22nd to the 23rd, which is only available to non-residents. This shows clear intent to purchase a non-resident license, not a resident license,” he said.
Tshibaka announced her resignation from the state on March 29, the same day she said she would challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Murkowski, who was critical of former President Donald Trump, was censured by the Alaska Republican Party, which later endorsed Tshibaka in the race. Trump also has endorsed Tshibaka.
Murkowski has not announced whether she will seek reelection next year. However, last month Kevin Sweeney, a consultant to Murkowski’s campaign, said she had raised about $1.15 million in the second quarter of this year and had $2.3 million on hand.
That, Sweeney said, “strongly positions” Murkowski for a reelection bid.
Murkowski on Monday declined to discuss reelection plans.
__
Associated Press journalist Becky Bohrer in Juneau contributed to this report.
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Prosecutors vet US Senate candidate's fishing license case
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[
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:18+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:24:44
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BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Two teenagers were facing murder charges for a street-racing...
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BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Two teenagers were facing murder charges for a street-racing crash that killed three people and critically injured a fourth in a Los Angeles suburb, authorities said Thursday.
Hamlet Aghajanyan, 19, of Burbank and a 17-year-old boy were taken into custody Thursday, police said.
Aghajanyan has been charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office with three counts of murder and one count of reckless driving, Burbank police said in a statement. He remained jailed on a $6 million bond.
The other youth, whose name wasn't released, was at a juvenile detention facility and prosecutors will determine whether to charge him with murder and reckless driving, police said.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the two had legal representation.
Authorities contend that Aghajanyan was driving a Kia and racing the other boy's Mercedes-Benz on Aug. 3 in Burbank when the Kia broad-sided a Volkswagen that was trying to make a turn.
The impact tore the Volkswagen in half and flung three people from the car. Killed at the scene were Jaiden Johnson, 20, of Burbank; Natalee Moghaddam, 19, of Calabasas and Cerain Baker, 21, the son of actor and comedian Tony Baker.
A fourth person in the car was hospitalized with critical injuries.
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2 teens facing murder charges for deadly street-racing crash
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[
"Yuri Kageyama",
"Associated Press",
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:07:34+00:00
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2021-08-20 00:52:10
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TOKYO (AP) — Japanese actor Sonny Chiba, who wowed the world with his martial arts...
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myplainview.com%2Fentertainment%2Farticle%2FJapanese-martial-artist-film-star-Sonny-Chiba-16399345.php.json
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TOKYO (AP) — Japanese actor Sonny Chiba, who wowed the world with his martial arts skills in more than 100 films, including “Kill Bill,” has died. He was 82.
Chiba, known in Japan as Shinichi Chiba, died late Thursday in a hospital near Tokyo where he had been treated for COVID-19 since Aug. 8, Tokyo-based Astraia, his management office, said in a statement Friday. It said he had not been vaccinated.
Chiba rose to stardom in Japan in the 1960s, portraying samurai, fighters and police detectives, the anguished so-called “anti-heroes” trying to survive in a violent world. He did many of the stunt scenes himself.
His overseas career took off after his 1970s Japanese film “The Street Fighter” proved popular in the U.S.
American director Quentin Tarantino listed the work as among his “grindhouse,” or low-budget kitsch cinema, favorites.
Tarantino cast Chiba in the role of Hattori Hanzo, a master swordsmith in “Kill Bill.”
Chiba appeared in the 1991 Hollywood film “Aces,” directed by John Glen, as well as in Hong Kong movies.
Chiba’s career also got a boost from the global boom in kung fu films, set off by Chinese legend Bruce Lee, although critics say Chiba tended to exhibit a dirtier, thug-like fighting style than Lee.
“A true action legend. Your films are eternal and your energy an inspiration. #SonnyChiba #RIP,” American actor Lewis Tan said on Twitter.
New York-based writer and director Ted Geoghegan called him “the great Sonny Chiba.”
“Watch one of his films today,” Geoghegan tweeted, followed by images of a fist and a broken heart.
Other fans mournfully filled Twitter threads with clips of his movies and photos.
Born in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, Chiba studied at Nippon Sport Science University trained in various martials arts, earning a fourth-degree black belt in karate.
Chiba set up Japan Action Club in 1980, to develop a younger generation of actors, including protege Hiroyuki Sanada, who is among Hollywood’s most coveted Japanese actors, landing roles in “The Last Samurai” and “Rush Hour 3.”
Chiba is survived by his three children, Juri Manase, Mackenyu Arata and Gordon Maeda, all actors. A wake was canceled as a pandemic measure, and funeral arrangements were still undecided, his office said.
___
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
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Japanese martial artist film star Sonny Chiba dies at 82
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[
"Doug Feinberg",
"Ap Basketball Writer",
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:09:07+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:08:45
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NEW YORK (AP) — The Seattle Storm are heading to the White House to celebrate their...
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myplainview.com%2Fnews%2Farticle%2FSeattle-Storm-to-visit-White-House-celebrate-16399372.php.json
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NEW YORK (AP) — The Seattle Storm are heading to the White House to celebrate their 2020 WNBA championship.
The team was formally invited by President Joe Biden to visit Monday afternoon. The Storm play at the Washington Mystics on Sunday.
“I think for a very long time, up until 2016, going to the White House was an honor. It wasn't necessarily political. It was to meet the president of the United States. The person who holds that office acknowledging your team's success,” said Seattle guard Sue Bird, who will be making her third trip to meet a president. “It was an incredible honor. Even when you watch a movie like ‘Forrest Gump,’ I'm dating myself a little bit, you understand in that movie what an incredible honor it was. It wasn't political. I think that all shifted in 2016.”
With former president Donald Trump out of office, Bird said she was happy to be going back. Many WNBA players including Bird have been outspoken in their embrace of social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter, which Trump characterized as violent, radical ideology. Trump was also critical of Bird's fiancee, U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe.
“Now that it's back in a place where it's considered an honor and you're recognized by the highest office in the country is exciting, it's fun,” Bird said. “It's not just about meeting the president or hopefully the vice president is there. It's about the whole experience of being in the White House. Having a day that's about your team and celebrating what you've accomplished.”
In addition to her two previous White House visits, Bird has been invited three other times after winning championships — once with UConn and twice with the Storm — but couldn't attend.
The Storm, who have won four titles, will be joined by the team's ownership group and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. The team last visited the White House in 2011.
No NBA or WNBA team has visited the White House since the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 — Barack Obama's last year in office.
___
More AP women's basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Seattle Storm to visit White House, celebrate 2020 title
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https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Seattle-Storm-to-visit-White-House-celebrate-16399372.php
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[
"Written By"
] |
2021-08-20 02:08:36+00:00
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2021-08-20 01:37:53
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Tucson police say charges are pending against the impaired driver of a vehicle that hit a...
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https%3A%2F%2Fwww.myplainview.com%2Fnews%2Farticle%2FCharges-pending-in-Tucson-pedestrian-fatal-in-16399421.php.json
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Tucson police say charges are pending against the impaired driver of a vehicle that hit a pedestrian in a convenience store parking lot who later died from his injuries.
Police identified the victim of Tuesday night's collision at a Circle K on East Grant Road as 29-year-old David Lamberto.
An initial investigation determined that Lamberto had been sitting, squatting and acting erratically in the parking lot before he was struck at about 8:30 p.m., police said in a statement Thursday.
The blue 2007 Ford 500 hit him when it turned into the parking lot and proceeded to drag him as it pulled into a parking lot.
Lamberto was taken to Banner University Medical Center where he later died.
Police at the scene determined the driver was impaired at the time, police said.
Investigators say the driver's impairment and the pedestrian's erratic behavior are major contributing factors in the collision.
The driver's name has not been released.
“The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending at this time,” police said Thursday.
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Charges pending in Tucson pedestrian fatal in parking lot
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https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Charges-pending-in-Tucson-pedestrian-fatal-in-16399421.php
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