pbs--2020-01-09--Pelosi says she knows 'exactly when' to send impeachment articles

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she will “ soon ” transmit the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump , but warned that Senate Republicans are rushing to acquittal without a fair trial .
Pelosi brushed back GOP claims that Democrats are afraid to send the impeachment case to the Senate .
And she said she has no concerns about the anxiety some House and Senate Democrats are showing over the standoff with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the terms of delayed trial .
It ’ s now more than three weeks since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse and obstruction .
” I ’ m not holding them indefinitely , ” Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol .
“ I ’ ll send them over when I ’ m ready .
That will probably be soon.
” Pelosi said she ’ s waiting for what she wanted from the start — “ to see the arena ” and “ terms of the engagement ” that McConnell will use — before sending her House managers to present the articles of impeachment in the Senate .
“ We are proud of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , ” Pelosi said .
“ We are concerned the senators will not be able to live up to the oath they take.
” The standoff over Trump ’ s impeachment trial deepened this week as McConnell said there will be “ no haggling ” with Democrats as Pelosi demands for more details and witnesses .
McConnell said on Thursday if Pelosi and House Democrats are “ too embarrassed ” to transmit the articles of impeachment , the Senate will simply move on next week to other business .
“ They do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into an unending groundhog day of impeachment without resolution , ” McConnell said as he opened the Senate .
WATCH : In Pelosi-McConnell standoff over Trump Senate trial , who has the upper hand ?
McConnell ’ s Senate majority has the leverage Republicans need to launch Trump ’ s trial toward swift acquittal of the charges , but Pelosi ’ s reluctance to transmit the articles of impeachment leaves the proceedings at a standstill .
What started as a seemingly minor delay over process and procedures is now a high-stakes showdown between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare impeachment trial , only the third in the nation ’ s history .
As Pelosi headed toward a morning meeting Thursday , Pelosi told reporters , “ I know exactly when ” she plans to send the impeachment articles over , but , “ I won ’ t be telling you right now.
” Asked if she had any concerns about losing support from Democrats for her strategy , she said : “ No.
” One top lawmaker , Rep. Adam Smith , D-Wash. , the chairman of the House Armed Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s time ” to send over the charges .
But shortly afterward , he tweeted that he misspoke : “ If the Speaker believes that holding on to the articles for a longer time will help force a fair trial in the Senate , then I wholeheartedly support that decision.
” McConnell , who met with Trump late Wednesday at the White House , suggested last month it would be “ fine with me ” if the House never sent the articles .
More recently , he has drawn on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the ultimate say on matters of impeachment .
He scoffed that Pelosi has ‘ ’ managed to do the impossible ” by uniting Democrats and Republicans who want the trial to begin .
“ There will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure , ” McConnell , R-Ky. , said Wednesday before meeting with Trump at the White House .
“ We will not cede our authority to try this impeachment .
The House Democrats ’ turn is over.
” Trump tweeted Thursday that “ Pelosi doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Impeachment , which were fraudulently produced by corrupt politicians like Shifty Schiff in the first place , because after all of these years of investigations and persecution , they show no crimes and are a joke and a scam !
” Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , led the House impeachment inquiry .
Three weeks have passed since the House impeached Trump on the charge that he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine ’ s new leader to investigate Democrats , using as leverage $ 400 million in military assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia at its border .
Trump insists he did nothing wrong , but his defiance of the House Democrats ’ investigation led to an additional charge of obstruction of Congress .
Senators from both sides are eager to serve as jurors for Trump ’ s day in court .
The trial will be conducted in the Senate , where Republicans have a thin majority .
The impeachment timeline is complicating the political calendar , with the weekslong trial now expected to bump into presidential primaries .
Several Democratic senators are running for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign trail , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, told reporters she was confident in Pelosi ’ s plan .
“ I have no doubt that she will get this right , ” Warren said .
” Some things are more important than politics , and the impeachment of a president is certainly one of those .
No one is above the law , not even the president.
” Another 2020 hopeful , Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , said : “ Those articles will come over here for a vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be resolved this week , lawmakers said , although Pelosi did not commit to a timetable .
The confrontation over a Senate trial had been building for weeks .
But McConnell gained ground when he announced Tuesday that he has support from the majority of senators to start a trial structured like the last one , against President Bill Clinton in 1999 .
Those proceedings also began without an agreement on witnesses .
It takes 51 votes for agreement on the trial proceedings , and with Republicans holding a 53-47 Senate majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can hold GOP senators together .
Democrats are trying to peel off support from a few Republicans to support their demands .
McConnell , who has resisted calling new witnesses , expects a speedy trial that will end with Trump acquitted of the charges .
He complained about Pelosi ’ s “ endless appetite for these cynical games ” and said it will be up to senators to decide if they want more testimony .
On the Senate floor Wednesday , Democratic leader Chuck Schumer promised he would force votes on witnesses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear from Trump former national security adviser John Bolton and others .
Some Senate Democrats have said the time has come for Pelosi to send the articles so the trial can begin .
But aides downplayed any riff between the leaders , saying senators are simply eager to have their say on Trump ’ s impeachment .
Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman , Mary Clare Jalonick and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she will “soon” transmit the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, but warned that Senate Republicans are rushing to acquittal without a fair trial.
Pelosi brushed back GOP claims that Democrats are afraid to send the impeachment case to the Senate. And she said she has no concerns about the anxiety some House and Senate Democrats are showing over the standoff with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell over the terms of delayed trial. It’s now more than three weeks since the House impeached Trump on charges of abuse and obstruction.
”I’m not holding them indefinitely,” Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol. “I’ll send them over when I’m ready. That will probably be soon.”
Pelosi said she’s waiting for what she wanted from the start — “to see the arena” and “terms of the engagement” that McConnell will use — before sending her House managers to present the articles of impeachment in the Senate.
“We are proud of our defense of the Constitution of the United States,” Pelosi said. “We are concerned the senators will not be able to live up to the oath they take.”
The standoff over Trump’s impeachment trial deepened this week as McConnell said there will be “no haggling” with Democrats as Pelosi demands for more details and witnesses.
McConnell said on Thursday if Pelosi and House Democrats are “too embarrassed” to transmit the articles of impeachment, the Senate will simply move on next week to other business.
“They do not get to trap our entire country into an unending groundhog day of impeachment without resolution,” McConnell said as he opened the Senate.
WATCH: In Pelosi-McConnell standoff over Trump Senate trial, who has the upper hand?
McConnell’s Senate majority has the leverage Republicans need to launch Trump’s trial toward swift acquittal of the charges, but Pelosi’s reluctance to transmit the articles of impeachment leaves the proceedings at a standstill.
What started as a seemingly minor delay over process and procedures is now a high-stakes showdown between two skilled leaders facing off over the rare impeachment trial, only the third in the nation’s history.
As Pelosi headed toward a morning meeting Thursday, Pelosi told reporters, “I know exactly when” she plans to send the impeachment articles over, but, “I won’t be telling you right now.”
Asked if she had any concerns about losing support from Democrats for her strategy, she said: “No.”
One top lawmaker, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN on Thursday “it’s time” to send over the charges. But shortly afterward, he tweeted that he misspoke: “If the Speaker believes that holding on to the articles for a longer time will help force a fair trial in the Senate, then I wholeheartedly support that decision.”
McConnell, who met with Trump late Wednesday at the White House, suggested last month it would be “fine with me” if the House never sent the articles. More recently, he has drawn on the Constitution’s intent for the Senate to have the ultimate say on matters of impeachment. He scoffed that Pelosi has ‘’managed to do the impossible” by uniting Democrats and Republicans who want the trial to begin.
“There will be no haggling with the House over Senate procedure,” McConnell, R-Ky., said Wednesday before meeting with Trump at the White House. “We will not cede our authority to try this impeachment. The House Democrats’ turn is over.”
Trump tweeted Thursday that “Pelosi doesn’t want to hand over The Articles of Impeachment, which were fraudulently produced by corrupt politicians like Shifty Schiff in the first place, because after all of these years of investigations and persecution, they show no crimes and are a joke and a scam!” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., led the House impeachment inquiry.
Three weeks have passed since the House impeached Trump on the charge that he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine’s new leader to investigate Democrats, using as leverage $400 million in military assistance for the U.S. ally as it counters Russia at its border. Trump insists he did nothing wrong, but his defiance of the House Democrats’ investigation led to an additional charge of obstruction of Congress.
Senators from both sides are eager to serve as jurors for Trump’s day in court. The trial will be conducted in the Senate, where Republicans have a thin majority.
The impeachment timeline is complicating the political calendar, with the weekslong trial now expected to bump into presidential primaries. Several Democratic senators are running for the party nomination.
Returning to Washington from the campaign trail, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters she was confident in Pelosi’s plan.
“I have no doubt that she will get this right,” Warren said. ”Some things are more important than politics, and the impeachment of a president is certainly one of those. No one is above the law, not even the president.”
Another 2020 hopeful, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said: “Those articles will come over here for a vote in due time.”
The showdown is expected to be resolved this week, lawmakers said, although Pelosi did not commit to a timetable.
The confrontation over a Senate trial had been building for weeks. But McConnell gained ground when he announced Tuesday that he has support from the majority of senators to start a trial structured like the last one, against President Bill Clinton in 1999. Those proceedings also began without an agreement on witnesses.
It takes 51 votes for agreement on the trial proceedings, and with Republicans holding a 53-47 Senate majority McConnell has a slight advantage if he can hold GOP senators together. Democrats are trying to peel off support from a few Republicans to support their demands.
McConnell, who has resisted calling new witnesses, expects a speedy trial that will end with Trump acquitted of the charges. He complained about Pelosi’s “endless appetite for these cynical games” and said it will be up to senators to decide if they want more testimony.
On the Senate floor Wednesday, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer promised he would force votes on witnesses, requiring senators to choose whether they want to hear from Trump former national security adviser John Bolton and others.
Some Senate Democrats have said the time has come for Pelosi to send the articles so the trial can begin. But aides downplayed any riff between the leaders, saying senators are simply eager to have their say on Trump’s impeachment.
Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman, Mary Clare Jalonick and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-09--WATCH: House approves resolution restricting Trump's actions against Iran

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Reigniting a debate over who has the power to declare war , the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday approved a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran .
The war powers resolution is not binding on the president and would not require his signature .
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nonetheless insisted it “ has real teeth ” because “ it is a statement of the Congress of the United States.
” The measure will “ protect American lives and values ” by limiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The administration must de-escalate and must prevent further violence.
” The House passed the measure , 224-194 , with almost no Republican support .
A similar proposal by Sen. Tim Kaine , D-Va. , faces an uphill fight in the GOP-run Senate .
Kaine ’ s efforts received a boost Thursday as Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana , an ex-Marine , said he might support the war powers measure .
Two other Republican senators said Wednesday they would back Kaine ’ s plan .
“ We are members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is our duty not to take anyone ’ s word for things as we are dealing with matters of life and death , ” Young said , adding that he wished Trump administration officials had provided more intelligence information during a briefing Wednesday on a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general .
Pelosi , in announcing the House vote , called the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani “ provocative and disproportionate.
” Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise , the No .
2 House Republican , denounced the Democratic measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release designed to attack President Trump , ” while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California called it a ” meaningless vote ” on a measure that will never be sent to the president or “ limit his constitutional authority to defend the American people.
” The House vote came a day after the Trump administration briefed lawmakers on its actions in Iran .
Democrats and several Republicans called the briefings inadequate , adding that officials did not provide enough details about why the attack was justified .
Vice President Mike Pence said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region making plans to bring an attack against American personnel and American forces.
” He said it was not possible to share full details of the intelligence with lawmakers .
“ When it comes to intelligence we have to protect sources and methods , there ’ s only certain amount we can share with every member of Congress , ” Pence said on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America.
” “ But those of us who have seen all the evidence know that there was a compelling case of imminent threat against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he “ had calls from numerous senators and numerous congressmen and women saying it was the greatest presentation they ’ ve ever had.
” Referring to criticism by GOP Sens .
Mike Lee and Rand Paul , Trump said : “ They want information that honestly I think is very hard to get .
… It really had to do with sources and information that we had that really should remain at a very high level.
” Lee , a conservative from Utah , said the briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst briefing I ’ ve seen , at least on a military issue , ” in the nine years he ’ s served in the Senate .
Paul , of Kentucky , said administration officials justified killing Soleimani based on the 2002 authorization of force in Iraq .
“ That is absurd .
That ’ s an insult , ” he said .
Pelosi scheduled the House vote after Iran retaliated for the Soleimani killing by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops .
No casualties were reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military ” unless Congress declares war on that country or enacts legislation authorizing use of force to prevent an attack on the U.S. and its forces .
The resolution ’ s sponsor , freshman Rep. Elissa Slotkin , D-Mich. , said it is intended to “ make clear that if the president wants to take us to war , he must get authorization from Congress.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sent to fight in a protracted war , “ the president owes the American people a public conversation about why , and for what ends , ” said Slotkin , a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official who served in Iraq .
Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility to uphold in authorizing use of military force , Slotkin said , adding , “ We are owed concrete , specific details on strategy.
” Trump did not consult with congressional leaders ahead of the attack that killed the Iranian general and afterward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but kept it classified .
Congress has allowed its war powers role to erode since the passage of Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 to fight terrorism after the 9/11 attacks , and passage of another AUMF for the invasion of Iraq in 2002 .
Fallout from those votes deeply divided Congress and the nation , with many lawmakers , particularly Democrats , now saying they were mistakes .
Yet Congress has been paralyzed on the question of whether to repeal or change those authorities .
Trump , facing one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Wednesday that Iran appeared to be “ standing down ” and said the U.S. response would be to put in place new economic sanctions “ until Iran changes its behavior.
” The strikes by Iran had pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to all-out conflict and put the world ’ s attention on Trump as he weighed whether to respond with more military force .
Republicans have largely supported Trump ’ s actions , saying the president was well within his power to take out Iran ’ s architect of proxy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.S. considered Soleimani a terrorist .
Democrats were unconvinced that the threat posed by Soleimani was imminent or that other alternatives to the killing were pursued in good faith .
By not disclosing many details of the threat , Trump was asking the American public to trust the very intelligence reports he has often disparaged , Democrats said .
Young , in comments to reporters Thursday , said lawmakers “ need to ensure that Congress is involved in future decision-making so we end up exactly where the president wants to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major ground war in the Middle East.￼ “ He called Kaine ’ s resolution a “ mechanism to force us to debate this.
” Associated Press writers Alan Fram , Kevin Freking and Deb Riechmann contributed to this story .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Reigniting a debate over who has the power to declare war, the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday approved a resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
The war powers resolution is not binding on the president and would not require his signature. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nonetheless insisted it “has real teeth” because “it is a statement of the Congress of the United States.”
The measure will “protect American lives and values” by limiting Trump’s military actions, Pelosi said. “The administration must de-escalate and must prevent further violence.”
The House passed the measure, 224-194, with almost no Republican support. A similar proposal by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., faces an uphill fight in the GOP-run Senate. Kaine’s efforts received a boost Thursday as Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, an ex-Marine, said he might support the war powers measure. Two other Republican senators said Wednesday they would back Kaine’s plan.
“We are members of a separate and distinct branch of government. It is our duty not to take anyone’s word for things as we are dealing with matters of life and death,” Young said, adding that he wished Trump administration officials had provided more intelligence information during a briefing Wednesday on a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general.
Pelosi, in announcing the House vote, called the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani “provocative and disproportionate.”
Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, denounced the Democratic measure as little more than “a press release designed to attack President Trump,” while House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California called it a ”meaningless vote” on a measure that will never be sent to the president or “limit his constitutional authority to defend the American people.”
The House vote came a day after the Trump administration briefed lawmakers on its actions in Iran. Democrats and several Republicans called the briefings inadequate, adding that officials did not provide enough details about why the attack was justified.
Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that Soleimani “was traveling the region making plans to bring an attack against American personnel and American forces.” He said it was not possible to share full details of the intelligence with lawmakers.
“When it comes to intelligence we have to protect sources and methods, there’s only certain amount we can share with every member of Congress,” Pence said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “But those of us who have seen all the evidence know that there was a compelling case of imminent threat against American personnel.”
Trump said Thursday that he “had calls from numerous senators and numerous congressmen and women saying it was the greatest presentation they’ve ever had.”
Referring to criticism by GOP Sens. Mike Lee and Rand Paul, Trump said: “They want information that honestly I think is very hard to get. … It really had to do with sources and information that we had that really should remain at a very high level.”
Lee, a conservative from Utah, said the briefing by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other officials was “probably the worst briefing I’ve seen, at least on a military issue,” in the nine years he’s served in the Senate.
Paul, of Kentucky, said administration officials justified killing Soleimani based on the 2002 authorization of force in Iraq. “That is absurd. That’s an insult,” he said.
Pelosi scheduled the House vote after Iran retaliated for the Soleimani killing by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. No casualties were reported.
The five-page resolution says “Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military” unless Congress declares war on that country or enacts legislation authorizing use of force to prevent an attack on the U.S. and its forces.
The resolution’s sponsor, freshman Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said it is intended to “make clear that if the president wants to take us to war, he must get authorization from Congress.”
If loved ones are going to be sent to fight in a protracted war, “the president owes the American people a public conversation about why, and for what ends,” said Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official who served in Iraq.
Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility to uphold in authorizing use of military force, Slotkin said, adding, “We are owed concrete, specific details on strategy.”
Trump did not consult with congressional leaders ahead of the attack that killed the Iranian general and afterward sent Congress a notification explaining the rationale, but kept it classified.
Congress has allowed its war powers role to erode since the passage of Authorization for Use of Military Force in 2001 to fight terrorism after the 9/11 attacks, and passage of another AUMF for the invasion of Iraq in 2002.
Fallout from those votes deeply divided Congress and the nation, with many lawmakers, particularly Democrats, now saying they were mistakes. Yet Congress has been paralyzed on the question of whether to repeal or change those authorities.
Trump, facing one of the greatest tests of his presidency, said Wednesday that Iran appeared to be “standing down” and said the U.S. response would be to put in place new economic sanctions “until Iran changes its behavior.”
The strikes by Iran had pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to all-out conflict and put the world’s attention on Trump as he weighed whether to respond with more military force.
Republicans have largely supported Trump’s actions, saying the president was well within his power to take out Iran’s architect of proxy operations against Americans in the Middle East. The U.S. considered Soleimani a terrorist.
Democrats were unconvinced that the threat posed by Soleimani was imminent or that other alternatives to the killing were pursued in good faith. By not disclosing many details of the threat, Trump was asking the American public to trust the very intelligence reports he has often disparaged, Democrats said.
Young, in comments to reporters Thursday, said lawmakers “need to ensure that Congress is involved in future decision-making so we end up exactly where the president wants to end up, which is the avoidance of a major ground war in the Middle East.￼“
He called Kaine’s resolution a “mechanism to force us to debate this.”
Associated Press writers Alan Fram, Kevin Freking and Deb Riechmann contributed to this story.


pbs--2020-01-09--Facebook again declines to limit political ad targeting

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) — Facebook has decided not to limit how political ads can be targeted to specific groups of people , as its main digital-ad rival Google did in November to fight misinformation .
Neither will it ban political ads outright , as Twitter did last October .
And it still won ’ t fact check them , as it ’ s faced pressure to do .
Instead , it is announcing much more limited “ transparency features ” that aim to give users slightly more control over how many political ads they see and to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use .
These steps appear unlikely to assuage critics — including some of the company ’ s rank and file employees — who say Facebook has too much power and not enough limits when it comes to its effects on elections and democracy itself .
Since last fall , Facebook has insisted that it won ’ t fact-check political ads , a move that critics say gives politicians license to lie in ads that can ’ t be easily monitored by outsiders .
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly argued that “ political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t want to interfere with it .
Google , the digital ads leader , is limiting political-ad targeting to broad categories such as sex , age and postal code .
WATCH : Are social media giants doing enough to prevent the spread of misinformation ?
Facebook said in a blog post Thursday that it considered limiting the targeting of political ads .
But the social network said it learned about their importance for “ reaching key audiences ” after conducting outreach with political campaigns from both U.S. parties , political groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was guided by the principle that “ people should be able to hear from those who wish to lead them , warts and all , and that what they say should be scrutinized and debated in public.
” Facebook does plan to let users choose to see “ fewer ” political and social-issue ads , although it won ’ t let people exclude them entirely .
It will also let people search the ad library for exact phrases and to limit their search results using filters such as ad-audience size , dates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into effect over the next three months in the U.S. and other countries where Facebook puts “ paid for by ” disclaimers on political ads .
The political-ad controls won ’ t roll out in the U.S. until early summer ; the company will “ eventually ” expand them to other regions .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook has decided not to limit how political ads can be targeted to specific groups of people, as its main digital-ad rival Google did in November to fight misinformation. Neither will it ban political ads outright, as Twitter did last October. And it still won’t fact check them, as it’s faced pressure to do.
Instead, it is announcing much more limited “transparency features” that aim to give users slightly more control over how many political ads they see and to make its online library of political ads easier to use.
These steps appear unlikely to assuage critics — including some of the company’s rank and file employees — who say Facebook has too much power and not enough limits when it comes to its effects on elections and democracy itself.
Since last fall, Facebook has insisted that it won’t fact-check political ads, a move that critics say gives politicians license to lie in ads that can’t be easily monitored by outsiders. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly argued that “political speech is important” and that Facebook doesn’t want to interfere with it.
Google, the digital ads leader, is limiting political-ad targeting to broad categories such as sex, age and postal code.
WATCH: Are social media giants doing enough to prevent the spread of misinformation?
Facebook said in a blog post Thursday that it considered limiting the targeting of political ads. But the social network said it learned about their importance for “reaching key audiences” after conducting outreach with political campaigns from both U.S. parties, political groups and nonprofits.
The company said it was guided by the principle that “people should be able to hear from those who wish to lead them, warts and all, and that what they say should be scrutinized and debated in public.”
Facebook does plan to let users choose to see “fewer” political and social-issue ads, although it won’t let people exclude them entirely. It will also let people search the ad library for exact phrases and to limit their search results using filters such as ad-audience size, dates and regions reached.
The transparency changes will go into effect over the next three months in the U.S. and other countries where Facebook puts “paid for by” disclaimers on political ads. The political-ad controls won’t roll out in the U.S. until early summer; the company will “eventually” expand them to other regions.


pbs--2020-01-09--Booker says impeachment trial timing could be 'big blow' to his campaign

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Sen. Cory Booker said a looming impeachment trial and other pressing issues in Washington could deal a “ big , big blow ” to his Democratic presidential campaign by keeping him away from Iowa in the final weeks before the Feb. 3 caucuses .
Booker is one of five senators running for the Democratic nomination who face the prospect of spending the lead-up to the first-in-the-nation caucuses in the Senate chamber as jurors in President Donald Trump ’ s trial instead of barnstorming Iowa .
The challenge for Booker is particularly acute , given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top tier of candidates and needs a strong showing in Iowa to keep his campaign going .
“ It ’ s going to be a challenging four weeks in the caucus for us , ” Booker said in an interview on The Associated Press ’ “ Ground Game ” podcast .
“ If we can ’ t raise more money in this final stretch , we won ’ t be able to do the things that other campaigns with more money can do to show presence.
” The New Jersey senator wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to raise to stay competitive in Iowa , including through television advertising , if he ’ s marooned in Washington during a Senate trial .
His campaign has been candid about previous fundraising struggles , announcing in September that he could be forced to end his campaign unless he raised $ 1.7 million in 10 days .
He cleared that bar and stayed in the race .
Yet Booker ’ s standing remains tenuous .
He failed to meet the polling requirements for the last Democratic debate and has not qualified for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor showing in Iowa , where his campaign has plunged significant resources , would make it difficult for him to continue in the race .
“ If our pathway to victory ever closes off , I ’ m not staying in , ” said Booker , who predicted he would “ upset expectations in Iowa.
” “ Whether that ’ s one , two , three , four , I don ’ t know .
But we will definitely upset expectations , ” he said .
Booker spoke to the AP on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration officials on the intelligence used to justify last week ’ s targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Like most Democratic senators , and a small group of Republicans , Booker said he was unconvinced by the administration ’ s argument that an imminent threat against Americans justified the killing .
The hastily scheduled briefing prompted Booker to cancel events in Iowa to return to Washington .
His schedule for the rest of the month is also in limbo as congressional leaders haggle over how and when to launch the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lasts two weeks , that is literally dozens of events we won ’ t be able to do , ” Booker said .
Other candidates facing the same predicament are Sens .
Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren , Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bennet .
Booker has repeatedly sidestepped opportunities to draw sharp contrasts with some of his rival candidates , saying he doesn ’ t want the party ’ s eventual nominee to be weakened by the time they face off against Trump in the general election .
Booker said he also has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has bonded with others during the course of the grueling campaign .
He singled out Joe Biden for an assist in his relationship with actress girlfriend Rosario Dawson .
Booker said Dawson called the former vice president one of his “ best wingmen ” after Biden sang his praises when they met at a recent primary debate .
“ A solid to him for being one of the most persuasive arguments that Rosario Dawson should double-down in her relationship with me , ” Booker said of Biden .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Cory Booker said a looming impeachment trial and other pressing issues in Washington could deal a “big, big blow” to his Democratic presidential campaign by keeping him away from Iowa in the final weeks before the Feb. 3 caucuses.
Booker is one of five senators running for the Democratic nomination who face the prospect of spending the lead-up to the first-in-the-nation caucuses in the Senate chamber as jurors in President Donald Trump’s trial instead of barnstorming Iowa. The challenge for Booker is particularly acute, given that he has struggled to break into the top tier of candidates and needs a strong showing in Iowa to keep his campaign going.
“It’s going to be a challenging four weeks in the caucus for us,” Booker said in an interview on The Associated Press’ “Ground Game” podcast. “If we can’t raise more money in this final stretch, we won’t be able to do the things that other campaigns with more money can do to show presence.”
The New Jersey senator wouldn’t say how much money his campaign needs to raise to stay competitive in Iowa, including through television advertising, if he’s marooned in Washington during a Senate trial. His campaign has been candid about previous fundraising struggles, announcing in September that he could be forced to end his campaign unless he raised $1.7 million in 10 days. He cleared that bar and stayed in the race.
Yet Booker’s standing remains tenuous. He failed to meet the polling requirements for the last Democratic debate and has not qualified for next week’s faceoff. A poor showing in Iowa, where his campaign has plunged significant resources, would make it difficult for him to continue in the race.
“If our pathway to victory ever closes off, I’m not staying in,” said Booker, who predicted he would “upset expectations in Iowa.”
“Whether that’s one, two, three, four, I don’t know. But we will definitely upset expectations,” he said.
Booker spoke to the AP on Wednesday just after attending an all-Senate briefing with administration officials on the intelligence used to justify last week’s targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Like most Democratic senators, and a small group of Republicans, Booker said he was unconvinced by the administration’s argument that an imminent threat against Americans justified the killing.
“If this trial lasts two weeks, that is literally dozens of events we won’t be able to do.”
The hastily scheduled briefing prompted Booker to cancel events in Iowa to return to Washington. His schedule for the rest of the month is also in limbo as congressional leaders haggle over how and when to launch the Trump impeachment trial.
“If this trial lasts two weeks, that is literally dozens of events we won’t be able to do,” Booker said.
Other candidates facing the same predicament are Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bennet.
Booker has repeatedly sidestepped opportunities to draw sharp contrasts with some of his rival candidates, saying he doesn’t want the party’s eventual nominee to be weakened by the time they face off against Trump in the general election. Booker said he also has genuine friendships with several of the candidates and has bonded with others during the course of the grueling campaign.
He singled out Joe Biden for an assist in his relationship with actress girlfriend Rosario Dawson. Booker said Dawson called the former vice president one of his “best wingmen” after Biden sang his praises when they met at a recent primary debate.
“A solid to him for being one of the most persuasive arguments that Rosario Dawson should double-down in her relationship with me,” Booker said of Biden.


pbs--2020-01-09--Can Congress limit Trump's ability to authorize military action on Iran?

This is not a large resolution .
It 's only over four pages ' long , but it is powerful .
The House here is asserting its war powers and voting to limit , in its wording , the engagement of hostilities in or against Iran .
What this revolution would do is , the would say , the president can not engage with Iran unless two things happen : one , there is a declaration of war by Congress , or , two , there 's an imminent threat .
Both of those are in this .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judy .
It 's a concurrent resolution .
That 's a special resolution that the president does n't sign .
It only has teeth if the Senate also passes a concurrent resolution .
Judy , that 's not the current plan in the Senate right now .
Those who think that the president needs some limit on the engagement with Iran , like Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia , they 're going a different route right now .
And they 're going to propose just a normal resolution that the president would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That 's because it would get a fast track in the Senate .
That kind of resolution has an easier vote .
We expect that kind of vote as soon as next week in the Senate .
But the point is , both chambers are moving right now and discussing debating the president 's war powers .

Lisa Desjardins:
This is not a large resolution. It's only over four pages' long, but it is powerful.
The House here is asserting its war powers and voting to limit, in its wording, the engagement of hostilities in or against Iran. What this revolution would do is, the would say, the president cannot engage with Iran unless two things happen: one, there is a declaration of war by Congress, or, two, there's an imminent threat.
Both of those are in this. Now, one question about this, though, Judy. It's a concurrent resolution. That's a special resolution that the president doesn't sign. It only has teeth if the Senate also passes a concurrent resolution.
Judy, that's not the current plan in the Senate right now. Those who think that the president needs some limit on the engagement with Iran, like Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, they're going a different route right now.
And they're going to propose just a normal resolution that the president would have to sign that would limit his powers. That's because it would get a fast track in the Senate. That kind of resolution has an easier vote. We expect that kind of vote as soon as next week in the Senate.
But the point is, both chambers are moving right now and discussing debating the president's war powers.


pbs--2020-01-10--Shields and Brooks on Iran conflict, impeachment trial standoff

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics @ @ @ @ @ administration and Congress have handled conflict with Iran , indications House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is @ @ @ @ @ impeachment to the Senate for a trial of the president and what all the tumult @ @ @ @ @

Amna Nawaz:
Back on Capitol Hill this week, the House of Representatives voted to check the president's war powers against Iran, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi told her Democratic Caucus to prepare for the next chapter on impeachment in the days ahead.
Here to help make sense of it all, as well as some eye-popping polling numbers from the Democratic primary field, are Shields and Brooks. That's syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks.
Happy Friday. Welcome to you both.
Let's start overseas, shall we?
David, it was a week ago that the U.S. assassinated the Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq, three days since Iran retaliated.
President Trump says he wants peace. They just rolled out new sanctions against Iran today. Is this de-escalation?


pbs--2020-01-10--The House just voted to regulate PFAS. Here's what you need to know

A class of industrial chemicals linked to a range of health effects , including reproductive and developmental issues , has become a hot-button issue on Capitol Hill , on the presidential campaign trail and in state legislatures across the country .
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill Friday that would set a deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a national drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , commonly known as PFAS .
According to the Food and Drug Administration , these chemicals are used in a range of products , including stain- and water-resistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and food packaging .
That ’ s because PFAS are resistant to elements like fire , water and oil .
But that resistance is also what allows PFAS to stick around in the body , or bioaccumulate , and persist in nature .
Several of these chemicals have been found in drinking water across the country .
The EPA said in February 2019 that it would propose a national drinking water standard for two of the oldest and most well-studied chemicals in the PFAS family — perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA ) and perfluorooctane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , the agency sent proposed regulations for those two chemicals to the Office of Management and Budget for review , a move that it said was the next step toward establishing a federal standard under the Safe Drinking Water Act .
It ’ s unclear how long that process will take .
Trump has threatened to veto the House ’ s PFAS legislation , which likely faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate .
The administration issued a statement arguing that the bill would “ set problematic and unreasonable rulemaking timelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs on governmental agencies .
While the legislative debate plays out in Washington , 2020 presidential candidates are taking hold of the issue , promising to crack down on the chemicals if elected .
And in the absence of federal regulations , states have implemented their own efforts to clean up polluted water and prevent further PFAS contamination .
Nearly 5,000 different substances make up the PFAS family .
Human studies have linked PFOA exposure to decreased vaccination response , thyroid disorders and kidney and testicular cancer .
Exposure to certain PFAS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown to lower a person ’ s chance of getting pregnant , increase cholesterol , negatively impact the immune system and affect children ’ s growth , learning and behavior .
A 2018 report from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group found that more than 100 million Americans may have PFAS in their drinking water .
But ingestion isn ’ t the only way that people can be introduced to the chemicals .
Taking a hot shower using PFAS-contaminated water , for example , would cause a person to risk both breathing in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A 2007 study estimated that 98 percent of Americans had some type of PFAS in their blood , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Smaller concentrations of PFAS were found in samples taken in 2004 compared to those taken in 1999 , likely the result of decreased or discontinued use of these chemicals like PFOA and PFOS by various industries .
Christopher Weis , a toxicologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences , estimates that the average person ’ s blood has a PFAS concentration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number that is not “ presently associated ” with any health effects .
There are generally two types of PFAS , long-chain and short-chain .
Long-chain PFAS take longer to leave the body , but both categories persist in the environment .
PFOA and PFOS are long-chain , and they feature eight carbon atoms that are bonded both to each other and to large fluorine atoms .
Those carbon-fluorine bonds are so strong that it ’ s all but impossible for them to be broken down by natural processes .
“ Bacteria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that end up in water , [ and ] most of those are carbon-based molecules , ” Weis said .
“ The problem with these PFAS is the carbons can ’ t be used as fuel by bacteria.
” Consequently , those PFOA and PFOS molecules will virtually never biodegrade .
PFOA and PFOS have a half life of between three to five years in humans .
That ’ s how long it takes the body to eliminate 50 percent of those chemicals once they ’ ve built up in the blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufactured in the United States , but consumers may still be exposed to them through imported products .
Many American companies have instead begun to use short-chain PFAS like GenX , which appear to be eliminated from the body more quickly .
Studies conducted on rodents , however , suggest that those PFAS impact the thyroid hormone and the liver similarly to their long-chain counterparts .
What would the House bill do ?
The House PFAS legislation , called the PFAS Action Act , would require the EPA to establish a national drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most common PFAS , and consider designating all PFAS as hazardous substances under Superfund law .
The legislation would also prohibit the manufacture or sale of any chemical in the PFAS family that the agency has found to pose “ an unreasonable risk of injury ” to human health or the environment .
“ Every American deserves access to clean drinking water , ” Rep. Dan Kildee , D-Mich. , a co-sponsor of the House bill , told reporters during a phone call Thursday .
“ The PFAS Action Act will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water , in their lakes , rivers and streams , and in the air by requiring PFAS to be listed under the Safe Drinking Water Act , the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act.
” House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee released a statement slamming the act for pushing a “ purely partisan , anti-science regulatory framework ” that they argue could ultimately undermine the EPA ’ s ability to address PFAS .
In a dissent to the legislation , Rep. John Shimkus , R-Ill. , argued that applying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemical would be an “ enormously expensive and time-consuming ” task , and that it would be unreasonable to require the EPA to make regulatory determinations on PFAS on an expedited timeline .
Doing so , he wrote , would force the agency to “ give less attention to the science , costs , and practicality of these regulations.
” Despite the debate over the House PFAS legislation , Congress set aside money in the latest bipartisan spending bill for PFAS cleanup across the country .
A defense spending bill approved earlier in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to study and clean up PFOS and PFOA on military installations .
But those bills did not feature provisions that were introduced earlier on in the legislative process , including one that would have required the EPA to establish water pollution control standards for PFAS and another that would have instructed the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to carry out more studies regarding how PFAS impacts human health .
Democratic presidential candidates have also begun to speak out about the need for regulating PFAS .
2020 hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would take as president to protect drinking water , including the implementation of “ a strong and nationwide safe drinking water standard ” that includes PFAS .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has also addressed PFAS and the need to ensure access to clean drinking water in his campaign platform .
At a campaign event in New Hampshire last month , presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , announced that he would enact national drinking water standards for PFAS and other hazardous chemicals .
PFAS are already a topic of concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the United States Air Force discovered PFOA and PFOS in monitoring wells at the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth .
In the town of Merrimack , the 2016 discovery of PFAS contamination in the public water system prompted the state to investigate other local water sources for the chemicals .
“ We have [ a ] massive site investigation ongoing where we ’ re looking into everything you can imagine : groundwater , surface water , soil contamination , stormwater runoff , wastewater contamination , you name it , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services .
In 2018 , New Hampshire lawmakers passed legislation directing the state ’ s environmental department to set drinking water standards for four PFAS chemicals , including PFOA and PFOS .
But a lawsuit brought by the chemical company 3M , which manufactures PFAS , and local stakeholders has put those rules in limbo .
Several other states have adopted or are in the process of establishing maximum contaminant levels ( MCLs ) for multiple chemicals in the PFAS family , many of which are lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per trillion for PFOA and PFOS specifically .
Next door to New Hampshire , Vermont has established an interim drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion for five PFAS .
The state requires water systems to test for those chemicals and find alternative sources if concentrations above that standard are detected .
Vermont has also instructed its Agency for Natural Resources to adopt formal drinking water standards for those five chemicals by the beginning of February .
What would it take to eliminate the threat from PFAS ?
Most of the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been studied at length and have the most evidence linking them to negative health effects .
But because the PFAS is a large class of chemicals , experts note that it ’ s not feasible to regulate each chemical individually .
“ We just finished a study on PFOA , which took years to do and millions of dollars to implement .
We simply can not do that with 4,700 chemicals , ” Weis said .
“ We must find a way to wisely address these chemicals , toxicologically and otherwise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services , hopes the EPA will “ move as quickly as possible ” to set an enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS , which he characterized as a “ nationwide problem.
” In addition to establishing federal regulations on these chemicals , he wants to see Washington “ eliminate PFAS at the source ” by prohibiting products that contain them from being imported into the United States .
“ Really , the federal government needs to take action on an industrial and consumer level to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And that ’ s when we ’ ll be able to start seeing a reduction , hopefully , in their impact .
”

A class of industrial chemicals linked to a range of health effects, including reproductive and developmental issues, has become a hot-button issue on Capitol Hill, on the presidential campaign trail and in state legislatures across the country.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill Friday that would set a deadline for the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a national drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, these chemicals are used in a range of products, including stain- and water-resistant fabrics, fire-fighting foams, non-stick cookware and food packaging. That’s because PFAS are resistant to elements like fire, water and oil.
But that resistance is also what allows PFAS to stick around in the body, or bioaccumulate, and persist in nature. Several of these chemicals have been found in drinking water across the country.
The EPA said in February 2019 that it would propose a national drinking water standard for two of the oldest and most well-studied chemicals in the PFAS family — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).
In December, the agency sent proposed regulations for those two chemicals to the Office of Management and Budget for review, a move that it said was the next step toward establishing a federal standard under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It’s unclear how long that process will take.
Trump has threatened to veto the House’s PFAS legislation, which likely faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate. The administration issued a statement arguing that the bill would “set problematic and unreasonable rulemaking timelines” for the EPA and impose burdensome costs on governmental agencies.
While the legislative debate plays out in Washington, 2020 presidential candidates are taking hold of the issue, promising to crack down on the chemicals if elected. And in the absence of federal regulations, states have implemented their own efforts to clean up polluted water and prevent further PFAS contamination.
What are PFAS?
Nearly 5,000 different substances make up the PFAS family. Human studies have linked PFOA exposure to decreased vaccination response, thyroid disorders and kidney and testicular cancer. Exposure to certain PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, has been shown to lower a person’s chance of getting pregnant, increase cholesterol, negatively impact the immune system and affect children’s growth, learning and behavior.
A 2018 report from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group found that more than 100 million Americans may have PFAS in their drinking water.
But ingestion isn’t the only way that people can be introduced to the chemicals. Taking a hot shower using PFAS-contaminated water, for example, would cause a person to risk both breathing in the compounds and absorbing them through the skin.
A 2007 study estimated that 98 percent of Americans had some type of PFAS in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smaller concentrations of PFAS were found in samples taken in 2004 compared to those taken in 1999, likely the result of decreased or discontinued use of these chemicals like PFOA and PFOS by various industries.
Christopher Weis, a toxicologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, estimates that the average person’s blood has a PFAS concentration of four or five parts per trillion, a number that is not “presently associated” with any health effects.
There are generally two types of PFAS, long-chain and short-chain. Long-chain PFAS take longer to leave the body, but both categories persist in the environment.
PFOA and PFOS are long-chain, and they feature eight carbon atoms that are bonded both to each other and to large fluorine atoms. Those carbon-fluorine bonds are so strong that it’s all but impossible for them to be broken down by natural processes.
“Bacteria feed on all kinds of detritus and things that end up in water, [and] most of those are carbon-based molecules,” Weis said. “The problem with these PFAS is the carbons can’t be used as fuel by bacteria.”
Consequently, those PFOA and PFOS molecules will virtually never biodegrade.
PFOA and PFOS have a half life of between three to five years in humans. That’s how long it takes the body to eliminate 50 percent of those chemicals once they’ve built up in the blood.
Those two chemicals are no longer manufactured in the United States, but consumers may still be exposed to them through imported products.
Many American companies have instead begun to use short-chain PFAS like GenX, which appear to be eliminated from the body more quickly. Studies conducted on rodents, however, suggest that those PFAS impact the thyroid hormone and the liver similarly to their long-chain counterparts.
What would the House bill do?
The House PFAS legislation, called the PFAS Action Act, would require the EPA to establish a national drinking water standard for a minimum of two of the most common PFAS, and consider designating all PFAS as hazardous substances under Superfund law.
The legislation would also prohibit the manufacture or sale of any chemical in the PFAS family that the agency has found to pose “an unreasonable risk of injury” to human health or the environment.
“Every American deserves access to clean drinking water,” Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., a co-sponsor of the House bill, told reporters during a phone call Thursday. “The PFAS Action Act will protect families from PFAS in their drinking water, in their lakes, rivers and streams, and in the air by requiring PFAS to be listed under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act.”
House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee released a statement slamming the act for pushing a “purely partisan, anti-science regulatory framework” that they argue could ultimately undermine the EPA’s ability to address PFAS.
In a dissent to the legislation, Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., argued that applying a testing requirement to each individual PFAS chemical would be an “enormously expensive and time-consuming” task, and that it would be unreasonable to require the EPA to make regulatory determinations on PFAS on an expedited timeline. Doing so, he wrote, would force the agency to “give less attention to the science, costs, and practicality of these regulations.”
Other efforts to address contamination
Despite the debate over the House PFAS legislation, Congress set aside money in the latest bipartisan spending bill for PFAS cleanup across the country. A defense spending bill approved earlier in the year also included $13 million to study and clean up PFOS and PFOA on military installations.
But those bills did not feature provisions that were introduced earlier on in the legislative process, including one that would have required the EPA to establish water pollution control standards for PFAS and another that would have instructed the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to carry out more studies regarding how PFAS impacts human health.
Democratic presidential candidates have also begun to speak out about the need for regulating PFAS.
2020 hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has laid out the steps she would take as president to protect drinking water, including the implementation of “a strong and nationwide safe drinking water standard” that includes PFAS.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has also addressed PFAS and the need to ensure access to clean drinking water in his campaign platform.
At a campaign event in New Hampshire last month, presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced that he would enact national drinking water standards for PFAS and other hazardous chemicals.
PFAS are already a topic of concern for many New Hampshirites.
In 2014, the United States Air Force discovered PFOA and PFOS in monitoring wells at the former Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth.
In the town of Merrimack, the 2016 discovery of PFAS contamination in the public water system prompted the state to investigate other local water sources for the chemicals.
“We have [a] massive site investigation ongoing where we’re looking into everything you can imagine: groundwater, surface water, soil contamination, stormwater runoff, wastewater contamination, you name it,” said Jim Martin, a spokesman for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
In 2018, New Hampshire lawmakers passed legislation directing the state’s environmental department to set drinking water standards for four PFAS chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS.
But a lawsuit brought by the chemical company 3M, which manufactures PFAS, and local stakeholders has put those rules in limbo.
Several other states have adopted or are in the process of establishing maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for multiple chemicals in the PFAS family, many of which are lower than the federal guideline of 70 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS specifically.
Next door to New Hampshire, Vermont has established an interim drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion for five PFAS. The state requires water systems to test for those chemicals and find alternative sources if concentrations above that standard are detected.
Vermont has also instructed its Agency for Natural Resources to adopt formal drinking water standards for those five chemicals by the beginning of February.
What would it take to eliminate the threat from PFAS?
Most of the current efforts focus on regulating specific PFAS that have been studied at length and have the most evidence linking them to negative health effects.
But because the PFAS is a large class of chemicals, experts note that it’s not feasible to regulate each chemical individually.
“We just finished a study on PFOA, which took years to do and millions of dollars to implement. We simply cannot do that with 4,700 chemicals,” Weis said. “We must find a way to wisely address these chemicals, toxicologically and otherwise, as a class.”
Martin, the spokesman for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, hopes the EPA will “move as quickly as possible” to set an enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS, which he characterized as a “nationwide problem.”
In addition to establishing federal regulations on these chemicals, he wants to see Washington “eliminate PFAS at the source” by prohibiting products that contain them from being imported into the United States.
“Really, the federal government needs to take action on an industrial and consumer level to eliminate these chemicals,” Martin said. “And that’s when we’ll be able to start seeing a reduction, hopefully, in their impact.”


pbs--2020-01-10--Texas will become first state to reject refugees under Trump executive order

HOUSTON — Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott said the state will reject the resettlement of new refugees , becoming the first state known to do so under a recent Trump administration order .
In a letter released Friday , Abbott wrote that Texas “ has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system.
” He added that Texas has done “ more than its share.
” Texas has long been a leader in settling refugees , taking in more than any other state during the 2018 governmental fiscal year , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Refugees .
The state has large refugee populations in several of its major cities .
But the Republican governor has tried to stop refugees before , declaring in 2015 that Texas would not welcome people from Syria following the deadly Paris attacks that November .
At the time , the administration of former President Barack Obama continued to send refugees to Texas and other states led by Republican governors who were opposed to it .
President Donald Trump announced in November that resettlement agencies must get written consent from state and local officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help resettle refugees beyond June 2020 .
Trump has already slashed the number of refugees allowed into the country for the 2020 fiscal year , which ends in September , to a historic low of 18,000 .
About 30,000 refugees were resettled in the U.S. during the previous fiscal year .
In his letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Abbott argued that the state and its non-profit organizations should instead focus on “ those who are already here , including refugees , migrants , and the homeless — indeed , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said they will consent to allowing in more refugees , according to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service , which works with local agencies throughout the U.S. to resettle refugees .
Krish O ’ Mara Vignarajah , LIRS ’ CEO , called Abbott ’ s decision “ a devastating blow to a longstanding legacy of refugee resettlement in the state.
” Local officials in Houston , Dallas , and other cities will not be able to take in refugees over the governor ’ s objection , she said .
“ There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in desperation to reunite with their family who will no longer be able to do so in the state of Texas , ” she said .
Texas Democratic Party spokesman Abhi Rahman also criticized Abbott , saying refugees “ are not political pawns and bargaining chips to advance anti-immigrant policies .
”

HOUSTON — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the state will reject the resettlement of new refugees, becoming the first state known to do so under a recent Trump administration order.
In a letter released Friday, Abbott wrote that Texas “has been left by Congress to deal with disproportionate migration issues resulting from a broken federal immigration system.” He added that Texas has done “more than its share.”
Texas has long been a leader in settling refugees, taking in more than any other state during the 2018 governmental fiscal year, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The state has large refugee populations in several of its major cities.
But the Republican governor has tried to stop refugees before, declaring in 2015 that Texas would not welcome people from Syria following the deadly Paris attacks that November. At the time, the administration of former President Barack Obama continued to send refugees to Texas and other states led by Republican governors who were opposed to it.
President Donald Trump announced in November that resettlement agencies must get written consent from state and local officials in any jurisdiction where they want to help resettle refugees beyond June 2020. Trump has already slashed the number of refugees allowed into the country for the 2020 fiscal year, which ends in September, to a historic low of 18,000. About 30,000 refugees were resettled in the U.S. during the previous fiscal year.
In his letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Abbott argued that the state and its non-profit organizations should instead focus on “those who are already here, including refugees, migrants, and the homeless — indeed, all Texans.”
Governors in 42 other states have said they will consent to allowing in more refugees, according to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which works with local agencies throughout the U.S. to resettle refugees.
Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, LIRS’ CEO, called Abbott’s decision “a devastating blow to a longstanding legacy of refugee resettlement in the state.” Local officials in Houston, Dallas, and other cities will not be able to take in refugees over the governor’s objection, she said.
“There are some refugee families who have waited years in desperation to reunite with their family who will no longer be able to do so in the state of Texas,” she said.
Texas Democratic Party spokesman Abhi Rahman also criticized Abbott, saying refugees “are not political pawns and bargaining chips to advance anti-immigrant policies.”


pbs--2020-01-10--Virginia lawmakers vote to ban guns at state Capitol

RICHMOND , Va. — Virginia lawmakers voted Friday to ban firearms at the state Capitol , the first in what ’ s expected to be many contentious gun votes in coming weeks .
Newly empowered Democrats who made up a majority of a special rules committee voted to ban guns at the Capitol and a legislative office building despite bitter protests from Republicans , saying the move was needed to protect public safety .
“ Our focus here is to keep everybody safe , ” said House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn .
“ These are policies and rules that should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Public officials have expressed concerns about planned Jan. 20 rallies that are set to draw huge crowds of pro-gun and gun-control advocates .
Gun advocates from around Virginia and even out of state have pledged to turn out in force to highlight their resistance to proposed gun-control measures .
Democrats initially indicated that the new ban had been recommended by law enforcement .
“ I just have to say that this is something that ’ s been recommended by our Capitol Police .
And I think there are times when we sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officers are telling us , ” House Majority Leader Charniele Herring said .
But Capitol Police Col. Anthony Pike said after the vote that he made no recommendations on whether guns should be banned , only on how to implement the ban Democrats wanted .
The new policy will require that everyone entering the Capitol , except for lawmakers , must go through a metal detector .
GOP lawmakers accused Democrats of rushing through an unnecessary policy and then trying to lay it at the feet of Capitol Police .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP Del .
Kirk Cox .
“ There ’ s just no way around that.
” The new policy takes affect at the end of Friday .
READ MORE : The 4 gun reform ideas getting attention now Republicans said visitors to the Capitol and lawmakers should be able to choose to protect themselves as they see fit .
Some GOP lawmakers routinely carry guns while at the legislature .
One of them , Republican Sen. Amanda Chase , would not say whether she would comply with the new rules .
Virginia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during legislative sessions except for egregious crimes and Pike said Capitol Police will not arrest any lawmakers who violate the gun ban .
Previously , anyone with a valid concealed handgun permit was allowed to bring a gun into the Capitol .
Weapons were banned in certain parts of the building , which was designed by former President Thomas Jefferson , including the Senate gallery and the governor ’ s office on the third floor .
In 2006 , a Republican delegate ’ s handgun accidentally discharged in his office and was stopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door .
And in 2017 , a Republican state senator left his gun behind in a conference room .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam has banned guns from other state buildings , continuing a policy started by his predecessor , former Gov .
Terry McAuliffe , in 2015 .
The debate on whether to ban guns in the Capitol is part of a larger fight over guns that ’ s set to dominate this year ’ s legislative session .
With a full majority at the state house for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new gun restrictions , including universal background checks , a ban on assault weapons and a red flag law that would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from anyone deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others .
Gun owners are demanding that local government officials establish sanctuaries for gun rights .
More than 100 counties , cities and towns have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries and vowed to oppose any new “ unconstitutional restrictions ” on guns .

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers voted Friday to ban firearms at the state Capitol, the first in what’s expected to be many contentious gun votes in coming weeks.
Newly empowered Democrats who made up a majority of a special rules committee voted to ban guns at the Capitol and a legislative office building despite bitter protests from Republicans, saying the move was needed to protect public safety.
“Our focus here is to keep everybody safe,” said House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn. “These are policies and rules that should have passed a long, long time ago.”
Public officials have expressed concerns about planned Jan. 20 rallies that are set to draw huge crowds of pro-gun and gun-control advocates. Gun advocates from around Virginia and even out of state have pledged to turn out in force to highlight their resistance to proposed gun-control measures.
Democrats initially indicated that the new ban had been recommended by law enforcement.
“I just have to say that this is something that’s been recommended by our Capitol Police. And I think there are times when we sort of have to trust what our law enforcement officers are telling us,” House Majority Leader Charniele Herring said.
But Capitol Police Col. Anthony Pike said after the vote that he made no recommendations on whether guns should be banned, only on how to implement the ban Democrats wanted. The new policy will require that everyone entering the Capitol, except for lawmakers, must go through a metal detector.
GOP lawmakers accused Democrats of rushing through an unnecessary policy and then trying to lay it at the feet of Capitol Police.
“That was a deliberate misrepresentation,” said GOP Del. Kirk Cox. “There’s just no way around that.”
The new policy takes affect at the end of Friday.
READ MORE: The 4 gun reform ideas getting attention now
Republicans said visitors to the Capitol and lawmakers should be able to choose to protect themselves as they see fit. Some GOP lawmakers routinely carry guns while at the legislature. One of them, Republican Sen. Amanda Chase, would not say whether she would comply with the new rules.
Virginia’s Constitution blocks lawmakers from being arrested during legislative sessions except for egregious crimes and Pike said Capitol Police will not arrest any lawmakers who violate the gun ban.
Previously, anyone with a valid concealed handgun permit was allowed to bring a gun into the Capitol. Weapons were banned in certain parts of the building, which was designed by former President Thomas Jefferson, including the Senate gallery and the governor’s office on the third floor.
In 2006, a Republican delegate’s handgun accidentally discharged in his office and was stopped by a bulletproof vest hanging on the door. And in 2017, a Republican state senator left his gun behind in a conference room.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has banned guns from other state buildings, continuing a policy started by his predecessor, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, in 2015.
The debate on whether to ban guns in the Capitol is part of a larger fight over guns that’s set to dominate this year’s legislative session.
With a full majority at the state house for the first time in a generation, Democrats have promised significant new gun restrictions, including universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and a red flag law that would allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from anyone deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others.
Gun owners are demanding that local government officials establish sanctuaries for gun rights. More than 100 counties, cities and towns have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries and vowed to oppose any new “unconstitutional restrictions” on guns.


pbs--2020-01-10--Marianne Williamson ends 2020 White House bid

DES MOINES , Iowa — Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson , the spiritual guru and bestselling author , ended her @ @ @ @ @ before voting begins , saying she did not want to make it tougher for a @ @ @ @ @ also said she did not believe she would be able to gain enough support in @ @ @ @ @ a difference in the race to challenge President Donald Trump .
In a post on @ @ @ @ @ “ we will not be able to garner enough votes in the election to elevate @ @ @ @ @ it is now.
” Williamson has barely registered in the polls and struggled in fundraising @ @ @ @ @ president last January .
She laid off her entire staff from her campaign at the @ @ @ @ @ but continued to appear at campaign events in Iowa and New Hampshire in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ candidates remaining in the primary .

DES MOINES, Iowa — Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, the spiritual guru and bestselling author, ended her campaign on Friday, weeks before voting begins, saying she did not want to make it tougher for a progressive to win.
She also said she did not believe she would be able to gain enough support in the upcoming contests to make a difference in the race to challenge President Donald Trump.
In a post on her website, Williamson said “we will not be able to garner enough votes in the election to elevate our conversation any more than it is now.” Williamson has barely registered in the polls and struggled in fundraising since launching her bid for president last January.
She laid off her entire staff from her campaign at the end of last year, but continued to appear at campaign events in Iowa and New Hampshire in recent weeks. Her decision leaves 13 candidates remaining in the primary.


pbs--2020-01-10--Pompeo blames Iran for downing Ukrainian plane

WASHINGTON — The U.S. promised “ appropriate action ” Friday in response to its assessment that an Iranian missile was responsible for downing a Ukrainian jetliner that crashed outside Tehran , as the Iranian government denied playing a role in the killing of all 176 people on board .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo became the highest-level U.S. official to directly pin the blame on Iran , after Canadian , Australian and British leaders announced similar intelligence conclusions Thursday .
“ We do believe it is likely that that plane was shot down by an Iranian missile , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue into the incident and that once it was complete he was “ confident that we and the world will take appropriate action as a response.
” Leaders said the plane appeared to have been unintentionally hit by a surface-to-air missile .
Earlier Friday , Iran denied Western allegations that one of its own missiles downed the jetliner that crashed early Wednesday outside Tehran , hours after Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases in Iraq to avenge the killing of its top general in an American airstrike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us , and what we can say with certainty , is that no missile hit the plane , ” Ali Abedzadeh , head of Iran ’ s national aviation department , told a press conference .
“ If they are really sure , they should come and show their findings to the world ” in accordance with international standards , he added .
Hassan Rezaeifar , the head of the Iranian investigation team , said recovering data from the black box flight recorders could take more than a month and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said Iran may request help from international experts if it is not able to extract the flight recordings .
The ballistic missile attack on the bases in Iraq caused no casualties , raising hopes that the standoff over the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani would end relatively peacefully , though Iran has sent mixed signals over whether its retaliation is complete .
If the U.S. or Canada were to present incontrovertible evidence that the plane was shot down by Iran , even if unintentionally , it could have a dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Iranian public had rallied around the leadership after the killing of Soleimani last Friday , with hundreds of thousands joining the general ’ s funeral processions in several cities , in an unprecedented display of grief and unity .
WATCH : U.S. , other governments say it ’ s likely Iran shot down Ukrainian passenger jet But sentiments in Iran are still raw over the government ’ s crackdown on large-scale protests late last year sparked by an economic crisis exacerbated by U.S. sanctions .
Several hundred protesters were reported to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fissures could quickly break open again if Iranian authorities are seen to be responsible for the deaths of 176 people , mainly Iranians or dual Iranian-Canadian citizens .
Iran still points to the accidental downing of an Iranian passenger jet by U.S. forces in 1988 — which killed all 290 people aboard — as proof of American hostility .
U.S. , Canadian and British officials said Thursday it is “ highly likely ” that Iran shot down the Boeing 737 , which crashed near Tehran early Wednesday .
U.S. officials said the jetliner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat .
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , whose country lost at least 63 citizens in the downing , said “ we have intelligence from multiple sources including our allies and our own intelligence.
” “ The evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile , ” he said .
The U.S. officials did not say what intelligence they had that pointed to an Iranian missile , believed to be fired by Russian Tor system , known to NATO as the SA-15 .
But they acknowledged the existence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , as well as the likelihood of communication interceptions and other similar intelligence .
Western countries may hesitate to share information on such a strike because it comes from highly classified sources .
Videos verified by The Associated Press appear to show the final seconds of the the ill-fated airliner , which had just taken off from Iran early Wednesday .
In one video , a fast-moving light can be seen through the trees as someone films from the ground .
The light appears to be the burning plane , which plummets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illuminates the landscape .
Someone off-camera says in Farsi : “ The plane has caught fire .
… In the name of God , the compassionate , the merciful .
God , please help us .
Call the fire department !
” Ukraine ’ s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said “ the missile theory is not ruled out , but it has not been confirmed yet.
” In a Facebook post , he reiterated his call “ on all international partners ” — the U.S. , Britain and Canada in particular — to share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also announced plans to discuss the investigation with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later on Friday .
Ukraine ’ s Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted that he and the president met with U.S. Embassy officials Friday and obtained “ important data ” about the crash .
The minister didn ’ t specify what kind of data it was , but said it would be “ processed by our specialists.
” In an interview with Fox News ’ Laura Ingraham that aired late Thursday , Pompeo said commercial airliners need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into and out of Tehran .
“ If the international community needs to shut down that airport , so be it , ” he said .
“ We need to get to the bottom of this very , very quickly.
” Germany ’ s Lufthansa airline said it and subsidiaries are canceling flights to and from Tehran for the next 10 days as a precautionary measure , citing the “ unclear security situation for the airspace around Tehran airport.
” Other airlines have been making changes to avoid Iranian airspace .
Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel to Iran , and against all air travel to , from or within the country .
Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi as saying Iran “ has invited both Ukraine and the Boeing company to participate in the investigations.
” He later said a 10-member Canadian delegation was heading to Iran to assist victims ’ families .
Iran had initially said it would not allow Boeing to take part in the probe , going against prevailing international norms on crash investigations .
It later invited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the investigation .
The National Transportation Safety Board said late Thursday that it would “ evaluate its level of participation , ” but its role could be limited by U.S. sanctions on Iran .
U.S. officials have also expressed concern about sending employees to Iran because of the heightened tensions .
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Friday that his department would grant licenses to allow global investigators to travel to Iran and participate in the investigation .
Under rules set by a United Nations aviation organization , the NTSB is entitled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boeing 737-800 jet that was designed and built in the U.S .
The French air accident investigation agency , known by the French acronym BEA , is also taking part in the probe .
The plane ’ s engine was designed by CFM International , a joint company between French group Safran and U.S. group GE Aviation .
A preliminary Iranian investigative report released Thursday said that the airliner pilots never made a radio call for help and that the burning plane was trying to turn back for the airport when it went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sudden emergency struck the Boeing 737 , operated by Ukrainian International Airlines , just minutes after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport early Wednesday .
Those findings are not inconsistent with the effect of a surface-to-air missile .
Such missiles are designed to explode near aircraft , shredding them with shrapnel .
There is no need to score a direct hit , and a stricken plane may look like it is turning back when in fact it is disintegrating .
Abedzadeh , the senior aviation official , said authorities have recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are “ damaged ” but readable .
They may shed further light on what caused the crash .

WASHINGTON — The U.S. promised “appropriate action” Friday in response to its assessment that an Iranian missile was responsible for downing a Ukrainian jetliner that crashed outside Tehran, as the Iranian government denied playing a role in the killing of all 176 people on board.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo became the highest-level U.S. official to directly pin the blame on Iran, after Canadian, Australian and British leaders announced similar intelligence conclusions Thursday. “We do believe it is likely that that plane was shot down by an Iranian missile,” he said.
Pompeo said an investigation would continue into the incident and that once it was complete he was “confident that we and the world will take appropriate action as a response.” Leaders said the plane appeared to have been unintentionally hit by a surface-to-air missile.
Earlier Friday, Iran denied Western allegations that one of its own missiles downed the jetliner that crashed early Wednesday outside Tehran, hours after Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases in Iraq to avenge the killing of its top general in an American airstrike last week.
“What is obvious for us, and what we can say with certainty, is that no missile hit the plane,” Ali Abedzadeh, head of Iran’s national aviation department, told a press conference.
“If they are really sure, they should come and show their findings to the world” in accordance with international standards, he added.
Hassan Rezaeifar, the head of the Iranian investigation team, said recovering data from the black box flight recorders could take more than a month and that the entire investigation could stretch into next year. He also said Iran may request help from international experts if it is not able to extract the flight recordings.
The ballistic missile attack on the bases in Iraq caused no casualties, raising hopes that the standoff over the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani would end relatively peacefully, though Iran has sent mixed signals over whether its retaliation is complete.
If the U.S. or Canada were to present incontrovertible evidence that the plane was shot down by Iran, even if unintentionally, it could have a dramatic impact on public opinion in Iran.
The Iranian public had rallied around the leadership after the killing of Soleimani last Friday, with hundreds of thousands joining the general’s funeral processions in several cities, in an unprecedented display of grief and unity.
WATCH: U.S., other governments say it’s likely Iran shot down Ukrainian passenger jet
But sentiments in Iran are still raw over the government’s crackdown on large-scale protests late last year sparked by an economic crisis exacerbated by U.S. sanctions. Several hundred protesters were reported to have been killed in the clampdown.
Those fissures could quickly break open again if Iranian authorities are seen to be responsible for the deaths of 176 people, mainly Iranians or dual Iranian-Canadian citizens. Iran still points to the accidental downing of an Iranian passenger jet by U.S. forces in 1988 — which killed all 290 people aboard — as proof of American hostility.
U.S., Canadian and British officials said Thursday it is “highly likely” that Iran shot down the Boeing 737, which crashed near Tehran early Wednesday. U.S. officials said the jetliner might have been mistakenly identified as a threat.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose country lost at least 63 citizens in the downing, said “we have intelligence from multiple sources including our allies and our own intelligence.”
WATCH: Canada’s Trudeau holds news conference about plane crash in Iran
“The evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile,” he said.
The U.S. officials did not say what intelligence they had that pointed to an Iranian missile, believed to be fired by Russian Tor system, known to NATO as the SA-15. But they acknowledged the existence of satellites and other sensors in the region, as well as the likelihood of communication interceptions and other similar intelligence.
Western countries may hesitate to share information on such a strike because it comes from highly classified sources.
Videos verified by The Associated Press appear to show the final seconds of the the ill-fated airliner, which had just taken off from Iran early Wednesday.
In one video, a fast-moving light can be seen through the trees as someone films from the ground. The light appears to be the burning plane, which plummets to the earth as a huge fireball illuminates the landscape.
Someone off-camera says in Farsi: “The plane has caught fire. … In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful. God, please help us. Call the fire department!”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said “the missile theory is not ruled out, but it has not been confirmed yet.”
In a Facebook post, he reiterated his call “on all international partners” — the U.S., Britain and Canada in particular — to share data and evidence relevant to the crash. He also announced plans to discuss the investigation with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later on Friday.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted that he and the president met with U.S. Embassy officials Friday and obtained “important data” about the crash. The minister didn’t specify what kind of data it was, but said it would be “processed by our specialists.”
In an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that aired late Thursday, Pompeo said commercial airliners need to know if it is safe to fly into and out of Tehran.
“If the international community needs to shut down that airport, so be it,” he said. “We need to get to the bottom of this very, very quickly.”
Germany’s Lufthansa airline said it and subsidiaries are canceling flights to and from Tehran for the next 10 days as a precautionary measure, citing the “unclear security situation for the airspace around Tehran airport.” Other airlines have been making changes to avoid Iranian airspace.
Britain’s Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Iran, and against all air travel to, from or within the country.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi as saying Iran “has invited both Ukraine and the Boeing company to participate in the investigations.” He later said a 10-member Canadian delegation was heading to Iran to assist victims’ families.
Iran had initially said it would not allow Boeing to take part in the probe, going against prevailing international norms on crash investigations. It later invited the U.S. accident-investigating agency to take part in the investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board said late Thursday that it would “evaluate its level of participation,” but its role could be limited by U.S. sanctions on Iran. U.S. officials have also expressed concern about sending employees to Iran because of the heightened tensions.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Friday that his department would grant licenses to allow global investigators to travel to Iran and participate in the investigation.
Under rules set by a United Nations aviation organization, the NTSB is entitled to participate because the crash involved a Boeing 737-800 jet that was designed and built in the U.S.
The French air accident investigation agency, known by the French acronym BEA, is also taking part in the probe. The plane’s engine was designed by CFM International, a joint company between French group Safran and U.S. group GE Aviation.
A preliminary Iranian investigative report released Thursday said that the airliner pilots never made a radio call for help and that the burning plane was trying to turn back for the airport when it went down.
The Iranian report suggested that a sudden emergency struck the Boeing 737, operated by Ukrainian International Airlines, just minutes after taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport early Wednesday.
Those findings are not inconsistent with the effect of a surface-to-air missile. Such missiles are designed to explode near aircraft, shredding them with shrapnel. There is no need to score a direct hit, and a stricken plane may look like it is turning back when in fact it is disintegrating.
Abedzadeh, the senior aviation official, said authorities have recovered two black box flight recorders, saying they are “damaged” but readable. They may shed further light on what caused the crash.