npr--2020-11-23--Michigan Certifies Joe Biden's Election Victory

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted Monday to certify the state 's election results after weeks of attempts by President Trump , the outgoing Republican nominee , to overturn his opponent 's victory .
Three members voted in favor of certification , and one abstained .
Two Republican voters on the board , Aaron Van Langevelde and Norm Shinkle , were of particular interest to politics watchers across the nation .
Van Langevelde ultimately voted to certify the results , arguing that he saw `` no language in the law '' granting the board the power to audit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told The New York Times last week he had n't made up his mind on how he would vote .
During the board meeting , however , he complained about what he said was a lack of Republican representation among poll workers and it became apparent that he would not vote to certify .
The road to certification this election cycle has been an unusually complicated affair in the closely watched swing state .
Trump had banked on winning Michigan to secure the White House for a second term .
He narrowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton .
But President-elect Joe Biden was able to flip the Great Lakes State back for Democrats this year , with the former vice president and his running mate , Kamala Harris , campaigning heavily there .
As it became increasingly clear that his path to victory had narrowed in Michigan , Trump employed unprecedented tactics to try and delay the certification process or replace Biden 's electors with ones who would vote for him despite the election 's outcome .
Last week , the president invited several Republican Michigan state lawmakers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said was `` not an advocacy meeting '' for Trump 's campaign to overthrow the election .
After that meeting , two high-ranking state officials released a joint statement affirming they would `` follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan 's electors . ''
The two lawmakers , Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield , said further : `` Michigan 's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation . ''
The main basis of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results hinges on what he and his allies have baselessly alleged was widespread voter fraud .
Those lawsuits have been largely thrown out in court or withdrawn by the Trump campaign .
Republicans pushing for a certification delay had argued that votes particularly in Wayne County — the state 's largest county , where the majority-African American and heavily Democratic city of Detroit is located — should be audited .
Trump has historically held low favorability among Black voters .
The president had also spent months criticizing the process of absentee voting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , and urged his supporters to vote in person on Election Day .
Trump later complained about the number of absentee ballots that had gone in Biden 's favor .
Michigan lawmakers Shirkey and Chatfield maintained that any investigations of fraud should be thoroughly investigated but said as of Friday they `` have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan . ''
Biden is ahead in the state by more than 155,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count .
In a statement after Monday 's vote , the Trump campaign downplayed the importance of Michigan 's certification and vowed to continue to fight to overturn results .
`` Certification by state officials is simply a procedural step .
We are going to continue combatting election fraud around the country as we fight to count all the legal votes .
Americans must be assured that the final results are fair and legitimate , '' Trump senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis said in a statement , repeating the campaign 's erroneous claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign 's vow , the Trump administration announced Monday evening it will begin the transition process to Biden 's presidency .

Michigan Certifies Joe Biden's Election Victory
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 8:21 p.m. ET
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers voted Monday to certify the state's election results after weeks of attempts by President Trump, the outgoing Republican nominee, to overturn his opponent's victory. Three members voted in favor of certification, and one abstained.
Two Republican voters on the board, Aaron Van Langevelde and Norm Shinkle, were of particular interest to politics watchers across the nation. Van Langevelde ultimately voted to certify the results, arguing that he saw "no language in the law" granting the board the power to audit the election results.
Shinkle, who abstained, told The New York Times last week he hadn't made up his mind on how he would vote. During the board meeting, however, he complained about what he said was a lack of Republican representation among poll workers and it became apparent that he would not vote to certify.
The road to certification this election cycle has been an unusually complicated affair in the closely watched swing state. Trump had banked on winning Michigan to secure the White House for a second term. He narrowly captured the state in 2016 over Hillary Clinton.
But President-elect Joe Biden was able to flip the Great Lakes State back for Democrats this year, with the former vice president and his running mate, Kamala Harris, campaigning heavily there.
As it became increasingly clear that his path to victory had narrowed in Michigan, Trump employed unprecedented tactics to try and delay the certification process or replace Biden's electors with ones who would vote for him despite the election's outcome.
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Last week, the president invited several Republican Michigan state lawmakers to the White House for a discussion, which press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said was "not an advocacy meeting" for Trump's campaign to overthrow the election.
After that meeting, two high-ranking state officials released a joint statement affirming they would "follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan's electors."
The two lawmakers, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield, said further: "Michigan's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation."
The main basis of Trump's legal complaints to overturn the election results hinges on what he and his allies have baselessly alleged was widespread voter fraud. Those lawsuits have been largely thrown out in court or withdrawn by the Trump campaign.
Republicans pushing for a certification delay had argued that votes particularly in Wayne County — the state's largest county, where the majority-African American and heavily Democratic city of Detroit is located — should be audited.
Trump has historically held low favorability among Black voters. The president had also spent months criticizing the process of absentee voting, which a historic number of voters used this year as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and urged his supporters to vote in person on Election Day. Trump later complained about the number of absentee ballots that had gone in Biden's favor.
Michigan lawmakers Shirkey and Chatfield maintained that any investigations of fraud should be thoroughly investigated but said as of Friday they "have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan."
Biden is ahead in the state by more than 155,000 votes, according to The Associated Press count.
In a statement after Monday's vote, the Trump campaign downplayed the importance of Michigan's certification and vowed to continue to fight to overturn results.
"Certification by state officials is simply a procedural step. We are going to continue combatting election fraud around the country as we fight to count all the legal votes. Americans must be assured that the final results are fair and legitimate," Trump senior legal adviser Jenna Ellis said in a statement, repeating the campaign's erroneous claim of widespread voter fraud.
Despite the campaign's vow, the Trump administration announced Monday evening it will begin the transition process to Biden's presidency.


npr--2020-11-24--Coronavirus World Map: Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak

Coronavirus World Map : Tracking The Spread Of The Outbreak On Sept. 28 , the world marked a tragic milestone : 1 million deaths from COVID-19 .
That 's according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University .
And public health experts believe the actual toll – the recorded deaths plus the unrecorded deaths – is much higher .
While the number of cases has slowed in many countries that were hit hard early on by coronavirus , the number of new cases continues to increase .
Since early July , new daily cases averaged over 200,000 worldwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January .
At over 11 million cases , the United States leads the world 's COVID-19 crisis .
In late spring and early summer , new COVID-19 cases were largely driven by cases in the Americas .
While the U.S. has consistently had the most new daily cases of coronavirus in the region , Brazil 's new daily cases increased rapidly between May and August .
However , in September , several countries that had previously flattened their curve saw a resurgence in cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , daily case counts have risen swiftly since June , without signs of slowing down .
Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time .
The first chart compares each continent to each other , while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region .
To compare country outbreaks , the chart below graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each country 's totals to date .
This type of visualization highlights a state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In countries like Israel , which is seeing a second wave of case growth after an initial wave in April , the line forms a V-shape , as the initially bent curve spikes upwards again .
Click here to see the state-by-state breakdown of cases in the United States .
This story was originally published on @ @ @ @ @

Coronavirus world map: We've now passed the 600 million mark for infections
Editor's note: This page is no longer being updated. The last update was Sept. 5, 2022. For current data about COVID-19 cases and deaths around the world, Johns Hopkins University and Our World in Data are useful resources.
In late January 2020 only a few dozen COVID-19 infections had been identified outside of China. A year later, the world tallied its first 100 million cases. It took the globe just 7 more months to pass the 200 million mark— then another 5 months to hit 300 million, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Now the virus has spread to every corner of the globe and has been blamed for more than 6 million deaths.
The United States, India and Brazil in that order have had the most COVID cases and the three nations collectively account for almost half of all recorded infections so far in the pandemic.
Explore the chart below to find a country-by-country breakdown of new and total cases since January 2020.
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Explore how the number of coronavirus cases have shifted in different parts of the world over time. The first chart compares each continent to each other, while the next charts highlight the number of cases in select countries by region.
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This story was originally published on March 30, 2020.


npr--2020-11-24--Coronavirus Is Surging: How Severe Is Your State's Outbreak?

Coronavirus Is Surging : How Severe Is Your State 's Outbreak ?
More than 12 million people in the U.S. have had confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 250,000 have died of COVID-19 .
Tens of thousands of new cases are reported daily nationwide .
In the graphics below , explore the trends in your state .
View the data via a heat map ( immediately below ) , curve charts , a table of state-by-state trends over four weeks , or a map of total cases and deaths .
The map above shows the risk of infection in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capita .
The consortium of researchers and public health experts who developed these risk levels advises states in the red category to issue stay-home orders .
They advise orange states to consider stay-home orders , along with increased testing and contact tracing .
Yellow states need to keep up social distancing and mask usage , and all states should continue testing and contact tracing .
To compare state outbreaks , the chart above graphs trend lines for average new daily cases and deaths against each state 's totals to date .
This type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth or decline relative to the overall size of its outbreak .
When both new and total case and death counts grow quickly , the curves bend upward .
As new cases and deaths slow , the curves level or bend down .
In New York , the curve rose sharply before reaching over 170,000 total cases in April .
New cases fell from about 10,000 per day in mid-April to under 900 a day most of the summer , before starting to rise in the fall .
Explore the map above to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country for both new confirmed cases and reported deaths from COVID-19 .
New York was the original epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. As of mid October , California , Florida and Texas surpass New York for total cases to date , though New York still has the highest death total .
Click here to see a global map of confirmed cases and deaths .
To show trends , the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state , week over week for the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of red have growing outbreaks ; those in shades of green , are declining .
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources , including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; the World Health Organization ; national , state and local government health departments ; 1point3acres ; and local media reports .
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies .
This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and updates its feeds .
State-by-state recovery data are unavailable at this time .
There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department 's website .
Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships .
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases and or update their methodologies .
For example , in early June , Michigan health authorities started including probable cases in its totals .
This resulted in a brief spike in the state 's daily numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconcile the historical data .
On June 25 , New Jersey included 1,854 previously-unreported probable deaths in its totals , resulting in a spike in the state 's daily death numbers .
On Sept. 2 , Massachusetts changed its methodology for counting probable cases , which lowered its overall case and death numbers .
The JHU team maintains a list of such changes .
This story was originally published on March 16 , 2020 .
Elena Renken was a co-author on that version .
Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Tracking the coronavirus around the U.S.: See how your state is doing
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Note: This page was last updated on Feb. 1, 2023. It will no longer be updated. For current data on COVID cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Feb. 1, there have been more than 101 million confirmed coronavirus infections in the U.S. and more than 1 million people have died of COVID-19. In the graphics below, explore the trends in your state.
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The above charts show average new cases per 100,000 people for each state over the last 12 months.
Note: Actual cases may be substantially higher, since many who test positive with at-home tests don't report their cases.
For additional data about COVID-19 in the U.S, including cases and deaths, demographics, and hospitalizations, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
To show trends, the table below shows the change in average new cases per day in each state, week over week for the last 28 days. States marked in shades of red have growing outbreaks; those in shades of green, are declining.
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Methodology
The graphics on this page pull from data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University from several sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the World Health Organization; national, state and local government health departments; 1point3acres; and local media reports.
The JHU team automates its data uploads and regularly checks them for anomalies. This may result in occasional data discrepancies on this page as the JHU team resolves anomalies and updates its feeds. There may be discrepancies between what you see here and what you see on your local health department's website. Figures shown do not include cases on cruise ships.
Fluctuations in the numbers may happen as health authorities review old cases, process testing backlogs or update their methodologies. The JHU team maintains a list of such changes.
This story was originally published on March 16, 2020. Elena Renken was a co-author on that version. Sean McMinn and Audrey Carlsen contributed to this story. Carmel Wroth edited this story.


npr--2020-11-24--Trump To Pardon Turkey Again, Trying To Show Normalcy Amid The Abnormal

Trump To Pardon Turkey Again , Trying To Show Normalcy Amid The Abnormal A U.S. president will again partake in the very strange and myth-filled tradition of `` pardoning '' a turkey at the White House Tuesday .
The birds ' names are `` Corn '' and `` Cob . ''
The White House has a poll on Twitter asking which should be spared .
It all seems very normal .
That 's one effect presidents hope for out of this tradition — to show a sense of normalcy .
A president makes jokes about gobbling or trotting or uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , it all seems wildly off and out of place .
The sitting president has refused to concede , though he lost the election .
On Monday night , there was a small sign of acceptance as he said he directed the his administration to begin President-elect Joe Biden 's transition .
But he vowed to keep fighting to overturn the election , though he has mostly exhausted his legal options .
He also continues to level baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud , which his team has barely even attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held few events since Election Day , while the country continues to reel from the coronavirus pandemic crisis .
And yet , he will hold a soft-spotlight event Tuesday pardoning turkeys with the White House in the background and Americana all around him , as if to say , everything is fine .
But , it 's not fine .
Trump is undermining the very thing that has distinguished America for more than two centuries from corrupt countries — free , fair and transparent elections and the peaceful transfer of power .
Always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , this usually light event feels otherworldly this year .
It 's one that always is something of the bizarre , anyway .
The whole spectacle — including the turkeys coming to D.C. , staying in hotels ( yes , they get posh hotel rooms ) — is a production of the National Turkey Federation , the turkey lobby .
The federation has spent more than $ 1.5 million in the past decade on lobbying .
In 2008 and 2009 , it doubled its spending , presumably to keep the industry from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to keep this event at the White House and keep turkey on people 's plates on Thanksgiving .
How this even became an annual tradition is an odd piece of White House history .
The turkey federation has been giving turkeys to presidents since 1947 .
( Various other groups did so in a less-organized way dating back to the 19th Century . )
But those turkeys were always meant to be carved at the Thanksgiving dinner table .
The goofy tradition of pardoning a turkey was n't made official until 1989 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event .
That followed the first use of the word pardon related to a turkey by a president , used as a deflection technique by Ronald Reagan .
Reagan in 1987 was embroiled in controversy because of the Iran-Contra weapons-sale scandal .
Asked at that year 's turkey presentation if he 'd pardon two of the key players in the Iran-Contra scandal , Reagan joked about the bird in front of him : `` If they 'd given me a different answer on Charlie and his future , I would have pardoned him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tradition was born .
Presidents had started informally and sporadically sending Thanksgiving turkeys to petting zoos or farms dating back to John F. Kennedy in 1963 .
The turkey federation gave Kennedy a big bird with a sign hanging around its neck that read , `` Good eating , Mr .
President . ''
With cameras trained on him , Kennedy got cold feet and said , `` We 'll just let this one grow . ''
The turkeys have not always lived very long after their `` pardoning , '' because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eaten .
These are n't wild turkeys .
They used to be sent to Disneyland , then to the aptly named `` Frying Pan Park '' ( seriously , that 's real ) in Virginia , and for the last several years to `` Gobbler 's Rest '' at Virginia Tech University 's Department of Animal and Poultry Science .
This is not the first time presidents have held the turkey pardon in the midst of a crisis .
George W. Bush held the event just two months after the 9/11 attacks ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Great Recession .
Both presidents struck a somber tone and reflected on what the country was dealing with .
`` We 've been through some tough times , some testing moments during the last months , yet we 've never lost sight of the blessings around us , '' Bush said .
`` The freedoms we enjoy , the people we love , and the many gifts of our prosperous land .
On this holiday , we give thanks for our many blessings and for life itself . ''
In 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his side said , `` In more tranquil times , it 's easy to notice our many blessings .
It 's even easier to take them for granted .
But in times like these they resonate a bit more powerfully . ''
He noted that Abraham Lincoln created the Thanksgiving holiday during the Civil War as a way to try and bring the country together .
`` When times were darkest , '' Obama said , `` President Lincoln understood that our American blessings shined brighter than ever . ''
Trump has struggled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trappings of the event seem even more inconsequential than it does in normal years .
Key states where Biden won are certifying the presidential election results this week and next , and it became harder for Trump to deny reality .
Trump should perhaps look to his own words from 2018 , urging another candidate to accept the results of a `` fair and open election '' for him to be able to quit his legal challenges ... cold turkey .
`` This was a fair election .
Unfortunately , Carrots refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're still fighting with 'Carrots , ' '' Trump said , jokingly chiding `` Carrots , '' the turkey , for not accepting the outcome of a White House poll that voted for `` Peas '' to be pardoned .
`` And I will tell you we 've come to a conclusion , Carrots , I 'm sorry to tell you the result did not change .
It 's too bad for Carrots . ''

Trump Pardons Corn The Turkey, Trying To Show Normalcy Amid The Abnormal
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Updated at 2:40 p.m. ET
A U.S. president again took part in the very strange and myth-filled tradition of pardoning a turkey at the White House on Tuesday.
This year's bird, Corn, was chosen over compatriot Cob after the White House ran a poll on Twitter asking which one should be spared between the two.
It all seemed normal. That's one effect presidents hope for out of this tradition — to show a sense of normalcy. Trump, as presidents usually do, made a few fowl puns. He briefly acknowledged the coronavirus pandemic, thanking medical workers and scientists, and praising the progress of fast-tracked vaccines.
Still, this year, it all seemed wildly off and out of place.
The sitting president has refused to concede, though he lost the election. On Monday night, there was a sign of acceptance as he said he directed his administration to begin President-elect Joe Biden's transition. But he vowed to keep fighting to overturn the election, though he has mostly exhausted his legal options.
He also continues to level baseless allegations of widespread voter fraud, which his team has barely even attempted to prove in court.
Trump has held few events since Election Day, while the country continues to reel from the coronavirus pandemic. And yet he held a soft-spotlight event Tuesday pardoning turkeys with the White House in the background and Americana all around him, as if to say, everything is fine.
But it's not fine. Trump is undermining the very thing that has distinguished America for more than two centuries from corrupt countries — free, fair and transparent elections and the peaceful transfer of power.
Always an odd event with an odd history
So, this usually light event felt otherworldly this year. It's one that always is something of the bizarre anyway. The whole spectacle — including the turkeys coming to Washington, D.C., staying in hotels (yes, they get posh hotel rooms) — is a production of the National Turkey Federation, the turkey lobby.
The federation has spent more than $1.5 million in the past decade on lobbying. In 2008 and 2009, it doubled its spending, presumably to keep the industry from being left behind during the financial crisis, to keep this event at the White House and keep turkey on people's plates on Thanksgiving.
How this even became an annual tradition is an odd piece of White House history. The turkey federation has been giving turkeys to presidents since 1947. (Various other groups did so in a less-organized way dating back to the 19th century.)
But those turkeys were always meant to be carved at the Thanksgiving dinner table. The goofy tradition of pardoning a turkey wasn't made official until 1989 when George H.W. Bush formalized the event.
That followed the first use of the word pardon related to a turkey by a president, used as a deflection technique by Ronald Reagan. Reagan in 1987 was embroiled in controversy because of the Iran-Contra weapons-sale scandal.
Asked at that year's turkey presentation if he'd pardon two of the key players in the Iran-Contra scandal, Reagan joked about the bird in front of him: "If they'd given me a different answer on Charlie and his future, I would have pardoned him," he said.
And so a tradition was born.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Harvey Georges/AP Harvey Georges/AP
Presidents had started informally and sporadically sending Thanksgiving turkeys to petting zoos or farms dating back to John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The turkey federation gave Kennedy a big bird with a sign hanging around its neck that read, "Good eating, Mr. President."
With cameras trained on him, Kennedy got cold feet and said, "We'll just let this one grow."
The turkeys have not always lived very long after their pardoning, because they're farm-raised and bred to be eaten. These aren't wild turkeys.
They used to be sent to Disneyland, then to the aptly named Frying Pan Farm Park (seriously, that's real) in Virginia, and for the last several years to Gobblers Rest at Virginia Tech's Department of Animal and Poultry Science.
This was not the first time presidents have held the turkey pardon in the midst of a crisis. George W. Bush held the event just two months after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks; Barack Obama did so in the midst of the Great Recession. Both presidents struck a somber tone and reflected on what the country was dealing with.
"We've been through some tough times, some testing moments during the last months, yet we've never lost sight of the blessings around us," Bush said. "The freedoms we enjoy, the people we love, and the many gifts of our prosperous land. On this holiday, we give thanks for our many blessings and for life itself."
In 2009, Obama, with his daughters at his side, said, "In more tranquil times, it's easy to notice our many blessings. It's even easier to take them for granted. But in times like these they resonate a bit more powerfully."
He noted that Abraham Lincoln created the Thanksgiving holiday during the Civil War as a way to try and bring the country together.
"When times were darkest," Obama said, "President Lincoln understood that our American blessings shined brighter than ever."
Trump has struggled to console during tough times, and the trappings of the event seem even more inconsequential than it does in normal years. Key states where Biden won are certifying the presidential election results this week and next, and it became harder for Trump to deny reality.
Trump should perhaps look to his own words from 2018, urging another candidate to accept the results of a "fair and open election" for him to be able to quit his legal challenges ... cold turkey.
"This was a fair election. Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount, and we're still fighting with Carrots," Trump said, jokingly chiding Carrots, the turkey, for not accepting the outcome of a White House poll that voted for Peas to be pardoned.
"And I will tell you we've come to a conclusion, Carrots, I'm sorry to tell you the result did not change. It's too bad for Carrots."


npr--2020-11-24--U.S., Russian Navies Involved In Brief Confrontation At Sea

U.S. , Russian Navies Involved In Brief Confrontation At Sea Russia says it caught a U.S. Navy ship illegally operating in Russian waters in the Sea of Japan and `` chased off '' the offending ship on Tuesday .
The area in question has been claimed by Russia as part of its territorial waters since 1984 , but the U.S. does not recognize that claim .
The Admiral Vinogradov , a Russian destroyer , verbally warned the USS John S. McCain that it would be rammed if it did n't leave the area after it violated the boundary by more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Defense Ministry .
The McCain , an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer , immediately returned to neutral waters after the warning , according to the Kremlin .
However , the U.S. is telling a different story .
It says that the McCain `` asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan . ''
The 106-nautical mile closing line at the mouth of the bay is `` inconsistent with the rules of international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights , freedoms , and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging Russia 's excessive maritime claims , '' the Navy said in a statement .
Although not uncommon during the Cold War , the U.S. and Russian naval forces have had close encounters on the sea and air even in recent years .
Russian ships and planes regularly challenge U.S. naval vessels .
Last year , the Admiral Vinogradov came within 50 to 100 feet of the USS Chancellorsville as the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chancellorsville had to take evasive action to avoid the Russian warship , the Navy says .
Russia 's military said at the time that the two vessels were `` heading in parallel directions '' when the U.S. ship `` impeded '' its vessel .
In 2017 , the McCain was involved in a collision with a tanker that killed 10 sailors .

U.S., Russian Navies Involved In Brief Confrontation At Sea
Enlarge this image toggle caption Eloisa Lopez/AFP via Getty Images Eloisa Lopez/AFP via Getty Images
Russia says it caught a U.S. Navy ship illegally operating in Russian waters in the Sea of Japan and "chased off" the offending ship on Tuesday.
The area in question has been claimed by Russia as part of its territorial waters since 1984, but the U.S. does not recognize that claim.
The Admiral Vinogradov, a Russian destroyer, verbally warned the USS John S. McCain that it would be rammed if it didn't leave the area after it violated the boundary by more than a mile, according to Russia's Defense Ministry. The McCain, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, immediately returned to neutral waters after the warning, according to the Kremlin.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jo Jung-ho/AP Jo Jung-ho/AP
However, the U.S. is telling a different story. It says that the McCain "asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the vicinity of Peter the Great Bay in the Sea of Japan."
The 106-nautical mile closing line at the mouth of the bay is "inconsistent with the rules of international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention," according to the Navy.
"This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging Russia's excessive maritime claims," the Navy said in a statement.
Although not uncommon during the Cold War, the U.S. and Russian naval forces have had close encounters on the sea and air even in recent years. Russian ships and planes regularly challenge U.S. naval vessels.
Last year, the Admiral Vinogradov came within 50 to 100 feet of the USS Chancellorsville as the American ship was busy recovering a helicopter. The Chancellorsville had to take evasive action to avoid the Russian warship, the Navy says.
Russia's military said at the time that the two vessels were "heading in parallel directions" when the U.S. ship "impeded" its vessel.
In 2017, the McCain was involved in a collision with a tanker that killed 10 sailors.


npr--2020-11-24--Trump Push To Invalidate Votes In Heavily Black Cities Alarms Civil Rights Groups

When Joe Biden thanked Black voters in his first remarks as president-elect , he credited them with lifting his campaign from its lowest point during the Democratic primaries .
`` You 've always had my back , and I 'll have yours , '' he promised .
While Biden won Black voters overwhelmingly across the country , they were key to his victories in Michigan , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania and Georgia — places where President Trump and his allies have been targeting ballots in cities with large Black populations in an attempt to overturn the president 's defeat and retain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies have presented no real evidence of widespread voter fraud or other impropriety in any of these cities , and they have faced multiple defeats in court .
But the persistence of the president and Republicans loyal has alarmed Black leaders , civil rights activists and historians who see an unprecedented attempt to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters , many of them Black .
The president 's campaign has denied racial motivations in their lawsuits , saying that their recount strategy is not targeting Black voters .
Jenna Ellis , the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement to NPR that `` every American deserves to know that our elections are conducted in a legal manner , no matter who they are or where they live . ''
`` That 's our only goal : to ensure safe , secure , and fair elections , '' Ellis added .
`` That 's what our Constitution requires . ''
But Bob Bauer , a senior legal adviser to the Biden campaign , said that the Trump campaign 's `` targeting of the African American community is not subtle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's quite remarkable how brazen it is . ''
`` This is straight out , discriminatory behavior , '' Bauer told reporters on Friday .
A group of Michigan voters has also filed a lawsuit against President Trump and his campaign , arguing that `` defendants are openly seeking to disenfranchise Black voters , '' including those in Detroit .
The plaintiffs , who are represented by lawyers from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund , allege that the Trump campaign has attempted mass voter suppression by pressuring election officials into not certifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that Trump 's apparent attempt to pressure Michigan election officials and state lawmakers was a violation of the provision against voter intimidation included in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 .
`` Defendants ' tactics repeat the worst abuses in our nation 's history , as Black Americans were denied a voice in American democracy for most of the first two centuries of the Republic . ''
the lawsuit said .
Trump and his allies have made similar efforts in Pennsylvania , with false claims about widespread voter fraud in Philadelphia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral process in Atlanta , as the political universe is focused on Georgia ahead of two runoff elections that will determine control of the U.S. Senate .
In Wisconsin , the Trump campaign has called for a recount of ballots in the diverse , large counties of Milwaukee and Dane , which put Biden over the top there , but the Trump campaign did not ask for recounts in the rest of the state 's whiter counties .
To many civil rights advocates , this as another grim chapter in what they see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans to gain more power by suppressing the votes of people of color .
`` It is difficult for me to think of another president in modern time who has literally driven a national scheme to disenfranchise black voters and other voters of color en masse , in the way that we see with these post-election lawsuits , '' said Kristin Clarke , the president and executive director of the Lawyers ' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law .
She said there was `` racial motivation '' in Trump 's focus on cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's attempts hit a significant roadblock on Monday as Michigan 's state canvassing board certified Biden 's victory with one of the board 's two Republican members abstaining .
Derrick Johnson , the president of the NAACP called that action `` appalling . ''
He pointed out that the Trump campaign was aided by supporters and allies across the country in his failed efforts to reverse Biden 's victory .
`` It 's only because of the environment that was created by this president to defy the rule of law , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really push people toward a sense of tribalism that 's not in our economic interest , that 's not in the interest of democracy , for his own selfish and self-reflecting outcome , '' Johnson said in an interview .
`` And it 's unfortunate that there have been so many people willing to put their character , their integrity at stake for such activity . ''
Andra Gillespie , a political science professor at Emory University said that voter suppression is typically thought of as rules or practices that , when put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making people of color less likely to vote than their white counterparts .
The effort that Trump is undertaking , she said , is a new type of attempted voter suppression , in which the president is attempting to invalidate ballots that have already been counted .
`` I think he has targeted heavily African American cities because they happen to be heavily Democratic cities , and if he 's going to invalidate enough votes to turn the election in his favor , this would actually be the best place to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to overturn the election result comes at the end of an election season in which the nation elected its first Black vice president , California Sen. Kamala Harris .
It also comes at the end of the year where many voters , particularly voters of color , faced unprecedented obstacles to cast ballot due to the coronavirus pandemic .
With the election challenges serving as a sort of punctuation mark on all of that , Clarke said , `` I think this will stand out in the history books as one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history . ''

Trump Push To Invalidate Votes In Heavily Black Cities Alarms Civil Rights Groups
Enlarge this image toggle caption Rebecca Blackwell/AP Rebecca Blackwell/AP
When Joe Biden thanked Black voters in his first remarks as president-elect, he credited them with lifting his campaign from its lowest point during the Democratic primaries.
"You've always had my back, and I'll have yours," he promised.
While Biden won Black voters overwhelmingly across the country, they were key to his victories in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia — places where President Trump and his allies have been targeting ballots in cities with large Black populations in an attempt to overturn the president's defeat and retain power.
Trump's campaign and his allies have presented no real evidence of widespread voter fraud or other impropriety in any of these cities, and they have faced multiple defeats in court. But the persistence of the president and loyal Republicans has alarmed Black leaders, civil rights activists and historians who see an unprecedented attempt to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters, many of them Black.
The president's campaign has denied racial motivations in its lawsuits, saying that its recount strategy is not targeting Black voters.
Jenna Ellis, the Trump campaign's senior legal adviser, said in a statement to NPR that "every American deserves to know that our elections are conducted in a legal manner, no matter who they are or where they live."
"That's our only goal: to ensure safe, secure, and fair elections," Ellis added. "That's what our Constitution requires."
But Bob Bauer, a senior legal adviser to the Biden campaign, said the Trump campaign's "targeting of the African American community is not subtle. It is extraordinary" and that "it's quite remarkable how brazen it is."
"This is straight out, discriminatory behavior," Bauer told reporters on Friday.
A group of Michigan voters has also filed a lawsuit against Trump and his campaign, arguing that "defendants are openly seeking to disenfranchise Black voters," including those in Detroit.
The plaintiffs, who are represented by lawyers from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, allege that the Trump campaign has attempted mass voter suppression by pressuring election officials into not certifying the election results in their state, and that Trump's apparent attempt to pressure Michigan election officials and state lawmakers was a violation of the provision against voter intimidation included in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
"Defendants' tactics repeat the worst abuses in our nation's history, as Black Americans were denied a voice in American democracy for most of the first two centuries of the Republic." the lawsuit said.
Trump and his allies have made similar efforts in Pennsylvania, with false claims about widespread voter fraud in Philadelphia. There have been charges leveled against the electoral process in Atlanta as the political universe is focused on Georgia ahead of two runoff elections that will determine control of the U.S. Senate. In Wisconsin, the Trump campaign has called for a recount of ballots in the diverse, large counties of Milwaukee and Dane, which put Biden over the top there, but the Trump campaign did not ask for recounts in the rest of the state's whiter counties.
To many civil rights advocates, this is another grim chapter in what they see as an expansive, decades-long effort by Republicans to gain more power by suppressing the votes of people of color.
"It is difficult for me to think of another president in modern time who has literally driven a national scheme to disenfranchise Black voters and other voters of color en masse, in the way that we see with these post-election lawsuits," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She said there was "racial motivation" in Trump's focus on cities like Detroit, Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Trump's attempts hit a significant roadblock on Monday as Michigan's state canvassing board certified Biden's victory with one of the board's two Republican members abstaining.
Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, called that action "appalling." He pointed out that the Trump campaign was aided by supporters and allies across the country in his failed efforts to reverse Biden's victory.
"It's only because of the environment that was created by this president to defy the rule of law, to destroy customs and practices, and to really push people toward a sense of tribalism that's not in our economic interest, that's not in the interest of democracy, for his own selfish and self-reflecting outcome," Johnson said in an interview. "And it's unfortunate that there have been so many people willing to put their character, their integrity at stake for such activity."
Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Emory University, said voter suppression is typically thought of as rules or practices that, when put in place, have the impact of making people of color less likely to vote than their white counterparts.
The effort that Trump is undertaking, she said, is a new type of attempted voter suppression in which the president is attempting to invalidate ballots that have already been counted.
"I think he has targeted heavily African American cities because they happen to be heavily Democratic cities, and if he's going to invalidate enough votes to turn the election in his favor, this would actually be the best place to do it," Gillespie said.
Trump's attempt to overturn the election result comes at the end of an election season in which the nation elected its first Black vice president, California Sen. Kamala Harris. It also comes at the end of the year where many voters, particularly voters of color, faced unprecedented obstacles to cast ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.
With the election challenges serving as a sort of punctuation mark on all of that, Clarke said, "I think this will stand out in the history books as one of the darkest moments in our nation's history."


npr--2020-11-24--England Cuts Quarantine Time For Travelers With Negative COVID-19 Test

Updated at 5:03 a.m .
ET International travelers heading to England could cut their mandatory quarantine time by more than half under new rules announced by the British government Tuesday .
Starting Dec. 15 , certain travelers could cut their 14-day mandatory quarantine down to five days if they take a COVID-19 test and the results are negative .
The new strategy announced by the the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is meant to `` bolster international travel '' and business as English airports and local economies struggle to continue operating during the pandemic , his office said .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel more freely , see loved ones and drive international business .
By giving people the choice to test on day 5 , we are also supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic , '' Shapps said in a statement Tuesday .
Meanwhile , the CEO of Australia 's flagship carrier , Qantas , struck a very different tone Monday on pandemic-era travel restrictions .
CEO Alan Joyce said in an interview that the airline would require international travelers to get a COVID-19 vaccine once they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morning Herald .
Qantas is the first airline to indicate future vaccination may be required for passengers .
`` Whether you need that domestically , we will have to see what happens with COVID-19 in the market , '' he said referring to Australia .
`` But certainly , for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country , we think that 's a necessity . ''
England 's decision to loosen mandates on traveler quarantine disrupts a system that 's been in place since the early days of the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from bringing the virus into the country .
The move is the result of Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's Global Travel Taskforce , created earlier this year to find ways to use testing to cut down on the self-isolation period for travelers .
England is currently under strict lockdown measures until Dec. 2 , following a surge in coronavirus cases .
Foreign travel is largely banned , except for certain circumstances , such as work and school .
The new system applies to passengers arriving into England from countries , such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` travel corridor list . ''
Those arriving from countries on the list are already exempt from most quarantine requirements .
Travelers would have to pay for the test themselves from private providers , which the Financial Times said costs more than £100 .
Those who do n't submit to a test will have to continue the two-week quarantine mandated by the government .
The nation 's Foreign , Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises against all but essential travel to many countries and territories .

England Cuts Quarantine Time For Travelers With Negative COVID-19 Test
Enlarge this image toggle caption Warren Little/Getty Images Warren Little/Getty Images
Updated at 5:03 a.m. ET
International travelers heading to England could cut their mandatory quarantine time by more than half under new rules announced by the British government Tuesday.
Starting Dec. 15, certain travelers could cut their 14-day mandatory quarantine down to five days if they take a COVID-19 test and the results are negative.
The new strategy announced by the the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is meant to "bolster international travel" and business as English airports and local economies struggle to continue operating during the pandemic, his office said.
"Our new testing strategy will allow us to travel more freely, see loved ones and drive international business. By giving people the choice to test on day 5, we are also supporting the travel industry as it continues to rebuild out of the pandemic," Shapps said in a statement Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Australia's flagship carrier, Qantas, struck a very different tone Monday on pandemic-era travel restrictions.
CEO Alan Joyce said in an interview that the airline would require international travelers to get a COVID-19 vaccine once they are widely available, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Qantas is the first airline to indicate future vaccination may be required for passengers.
"Whether you need that domestically, we will have to see what happens with COVID-19 in the market," he said referring to Australia. "But certainly, for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country, we think that's a necessity."
England's decision to loosen mandates on traveler quarantine disrupts a system that's been in place since the early days of the pandemic, implemented in an effort to prevent visitors from bringing the virus into the country.
The move is the result of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Global Travel Taskforce, created earlier this year to find ways to use testing to cut down on the self-isolation period for travelers.
England is currently under strict lockdown measures until Dec. 2, following a surge in coronavirus cases. Foreign travel is largely banned, except for certain circumstances, such as work and school.
The new system applies to passengers arriving into England from countries, such as the U.S., which are not on the "travel corridor list." Those arriving from countries on the list are already exempt from most quarantine requirements.
Travelers would have to pay for the test themselves from private providers, which the Financial Times said costs more than £100. Those who don't submit to a test will have to continue the two-week quarantine mandated by the government.
The nation's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises against all but essential travel to many countries and territories.


npr--2020-11-24--David Dinkins, New York City's First Black Mayor, Dies At 93

David Dinkins , New York City 's First Black Mayor , Dies At 93 Updated at 2:20 a.m .
ET David Dinkins , New York City 's only African-American mayor , died Monday night at 93 .
Dinkins led New York in the early 1990s as its mayor , a position he called `` the greatest job there is . ''
Dinkins broke barriers with his 1989 election , managing to defeat three-term incumbent Ed Koch during the Democratic primary that year and later to best Republican Rudy Giuliani in the general election .
Giuliani would go on to defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Early Tuesday , Giuliani expressed his condolences on Twitter , saying of Dinkins , `` He gave a great deal of his life in service to our great City .
That service is respected and honored by all . ''
Dinkins ' tenure came at a contentious time for a city that was plagued by economic woes , crime and racial tension .
Many criticized his handling of those tensions in some of the city 's neighborhoods and particularly with a slow response to the 1991 Crown Heights , Brooklyn , riots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 following the release of his book , A Mayor 's Life : Governing New York 's Gorgeous Mosaic , Dinkins expressed deep love for the city .
`` I think it 's the greatest town in the world , '' he said , adding that he thought the passage of time would put a new light on his legacy .
`` I 'm confident that when people look back ... 20 , 30 years , they might say , 'Oh , gee , you know ?
Those guys did a pretty good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dinkins was a graduate of Howard University and Brooklyn Law School .
After his political career , he was a professor at Columbia University .
His death comes just a little more than a month after his wife , Joyce Burrows , died at the age of 89 .

David Dinkins, New York City's 1st Black Mayor, Dies At 93
Enlarge this image toggle caption Frankie Ziths/AP Frankie Ziths/AP
Updated at 2:20 a.m. ET
David Dinkins, New York City's only African American mayor, died Monday night at 93.
Dinkins led New York in the early 1990s as its mayor, a position he called "the greatest job there is."
Dinkins' office operations manager, Lynda Hamilton, confirmed his death to NPR early Tuesday.
Dinkins broke barriers with his 1989 election, managing to defeat three-term incumbent Ed Koch during the Democratic primary that year and later to best Republican Rudy Giuliani in the general election. Giuliani would go on to defeat Dinkins for the position four years later.
Early Tuesday, Giuliani expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying of Dinkins, "He gave a great deal of his life in service to our great City. That service is respected and honored by all."
Dinkins' tenure came at a contentious time for a city that was plagued by economic woes, crime and racial tension. Many criticized his handling of those tensions in some of the city's neighborhoods and, particularly, with a slow response to the 1991 Crown Heights, Brooklyn, riots.
In an interview with NPR in 2013 following the release of his book, A Mayor's Life: Governing New York's Gorgeous Mosaic, Dinkins expressed deep love for the city.
"I think it's the greatest town in the world," he said, adding that he thought the passage of time would put a new light on his legacy.
"I'm confident that when people look back ... 20, 30 years, they might say, 'Oh, gee, you know? Those guys did a pretty good job,'" he said.
Dinkins was a graduate of Howard University and Brooklyn Law School. After his political career, he was a professor at Columbia University.
His death comes just a little more than a month after his wife, Joyce Burrows Dinkins, died at the age of 89.
NPR's Hansi Lo Wang contributed to this report.


npr--2020-11-24--Ken Jennings: Who Is First 'Jeopardy!' Guest Host?

Ken Jennings : Who Is First 'Jeopardy ! '
Guest Host ?
Former Jeopardy !
champion , author and know-it-all kind of guy , Ken Jennings , will be the first guest host of the long-running trivia game show , officials said Monday .
The announcement , two weeks after much-loved host Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer on Nov. 8 , explained that `` a series of interim guest hosts from the Jeopardy !
family '' will take over the show , which Trebek hosted from 1984 until earlier this year .
`` We will resume production on 11/30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account said , noting that additional guest hosts will be announced at a later time .
Jennings responded to the Tweet with one of his own .
`` There will only ever be one Alex Trebek , but I 'm honored to be helping Jeopardy !
out with this in January , '' he wrote .
Jennings made show history after winning 74 straight games in 2004 and into 2005 .
The record-breaking streak earned him $ 3,370,700 .
( `` Brad Rutter is the highest money winner of all time across any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! '
winnings of $ 4,688,436 , '' according to ABC News . )
Years later , Jennings took on Watson , an IBM super computer the size of 10 refrigerators .
In the televised version of man versus machine , machine won .
`` Alex believed in the importance of Jeopardy !
and always said that he wanted the show to go on after him .
We will honor his legacy by continuing to produce the show he loved , '' Executive Producer Mike Richards said .
Trebek 's more than three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earned him a spot in the `` Guinness Book of World Records '' for most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter .
A permanent replacement host for Trebek has yet to be named .

Ken Jennings: Who Is 1st 'Jeopardy!' Guest Host?
Enlarge this image toggle caption Jeopardy! via AP Jeopardy! via AP
Former Jeopardy! champion, author and know-it-all kind of guy, Ken Jennings, will be the first guest host of the long-running trivia game show, officials said Monday.
The announcement, two weeks after much-loved host Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer on Nov. 8, explained that "a series of interim guest hosts from the Jeopardy! family" will take over the show, which Trebek hosted from 1984 until earlier this year.
"We will resume production on 11/30," the show's official Twitter account said, noting that additional guest hosts will be announced at a later time.
Jennings responded to the tweet with one of his own.
"There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored to be helping Jeopardy! out with this in January," he wrote.
Jennings made show history after winning 74 straight games in 2004 and into 2005. The record-breaking streak earned him $3,370,700. (Brad Rutter is the highest money winner of all time across any television game show, with total Jeopardy! winnings of $4,688,436, according to ABC News.)
Years later, Jennings took on Watson, an IBM supercomputer the size of 10 refrigerators. In the televised version of man versus machine, machine won.
"Alex believed in the importance of Jeopardy! and always said that he wanted the show to go on after him. We will honor his legacy by continuing to produce the show he loved," executive producer Mike Richards said.
Trebek's more than three decades at the helm of the program earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter.
A permanent replacement host for Trebek has yet to be named.


npr--2020-11-25--Yes, The Macy's Parade Is Still Happening This Year — But It'll Be A Bit Different

Yes , The Macy 's Parade Is Still Happening This Year — But It 'll Be A Bit Different For just shy of a century , the Macy 's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has been synonymous with the holiday .
( Thanksgiving Day football games , a close second , started a decade later in 1934 . )
But this year will be unlike any other .
With coronavirus cases spiking across the country , the department store will hold a modified version of the parade .
Every year , thousands of spectators flock to the parade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floats , acrobats , performers and more as they make their way down the 2.5-mile stretch of Midtown .
But this year , Macy 's had to work with city and state officials to have a parade at all , according to the parade website .
Instead , the event will take place in the one-block stretch in front of Macy 's flagship store on 34th Street from 9 a.m .
ET to noon , with no crowds in attendance to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 .
It will be televised nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. local time .
Giant balloons will still fly , but without their 80 to 100 handlers .
Much of the parade was pre-taped over three days for the televised event .
About 8,000 participants usually help out with the parade — but this year , that number has been reduced by about 88 % .
And all participants will wear a mask .
Making his Macy 's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut this year will a 48-foot-tall version of The Boss Baby , the central character from the 2017 DreamWorks Animation film by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be some old favorites : Snoopy , Pikachu , Ronald McDonald , the Pillsbury Doughboy , SpongeBob and more .
According to Macy 's , over 50 million people watch the parade from home .
And although this year will be different , the Macy 's time-honored tradition will give people something cheerful to look forward to .
`` Traditions like this are comforting and they 're uplifting , '' Susan Tercero , the parade 's executive producer , told the Associated Press .
`` New York has always been a tough city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its blows and then it continues on .
And I think it 's extremely important for us to be that display this holiday season .
Regardless of what 's happened , New York needs to be that beacon of light in the darkness and this parade , I think , is symbolic of that . ''

Yes, The Macy's Parade Is Still Happening This Year — But It'll Be A Bit Different
Enlarge this image toggle caption Mary Altaffer/AP Mary Altaffer/AP
For just shy of a century, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has been synonymous with the holiday. (Thanksgiving Day football games, a close second, started a decade later in 1934.)
But this year will be unlike any other. With coronavirus cases spiking across the country, the department store will hold a modified version of the parade.
Every year, thousands of spectators flock to the parade to see the towering balloons, decorative floats, acrobats, performers and more as they make their way down the 2.5-mile stretch of Midtown. But this year, Macy's had to work with city and state officials to have a parade at all, according to the parade website.
Instead, the event will take place in the one-block stretch in front of Macy's flagship store on 34th Street from 9 a.m. ET to noon, with no crowds in attendance to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It will be televised nationally on NBC on Thursday, at 9 a.m. local time.
Giant balloons will still fly, but without their 80 to 100 handlers. Much of the parade was pre-taped over three days for the televised event. About 8,000 participants usually help out with the parade — but this year, that number has been reduced by about 88%. And all participants will wear a mask.
Making his Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade debut this year will a 48-foot-tall version of The Boss Baby, the central character from the 2017 DreamWorks Animation film by the same name. Joining him will be some old favorites: Snoopy, Pikachu, Ronald McDonald, the Pillsbury Doughboy, SpongeBob and more.
According to Macy's, over 50 million people watch the parade from home. And although this year will be different, the Macy's time-honored tradition will give people something cheerful to look forward to.
"Traditions like this are comforting and they're uplifting," Susan Tercero, the parade's executive producer, told the Associated Press. "New York has always been a tough city. It bounces back. It takes its blows and then it continues on. And I think it's extremely important for us to be that display this holiday season. Regardless of what's happened, New York needs to be that beacon of light in the darkness and this parade, I think, is symbolic of that."


npr--2020-11-25--Photos: Remembering Maradona, Latin America's Patron Saint Of The Pitch

I first came to know Diego Armando Maradona in September 1993 , when I was watching the qualifying match between Argentina and my country of Colombia for the 1994 FIFA World Cup .
Even though I was just a young kid at the time , I knew that Maradona , Argentina 's star player , was something special .
His vision , the way he dribbled past his opponents — he was respected and adored not just in his country , but across Latin America and the world .
Maradona , who rose from the slums of Buenos Aires to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1986 World Cup , died Wednesday at the age of 60 , according to media reports .
He reportedly suffered a heart attack at his home in a suburb of Buenos Aires .
As I found out about the news of his death , I asked a few Latinos at NPR to share their memories of Maradona .
For us , in our region , we take soccer as seriously as religion — and as such , we all got to experience Maradona from our countries in our own way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR staff members .
These have been edited for length and clarity .
Since I was born in the U.S. , my first intimate exposure to the passion around fútbol was through my friend , colleague and former Alt.Latino co-host Jasmine Garsd .
In fact , the very first episode of Alt.Latino 10 years ago was a collection of songs about soccer from Latin America and around the world .
But the one that made her eyes both sparkle with excitement and reflect more than a bit of nostalgia was `` Santa Maradona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mano Negra .
The recording includes the sonic excitement that she said she could hear every weekend living near a soccer stadium in Buenos Aires .
Playing this on repeat to remember Maradona is just a good as watching his playing on YouTube on repeat .
- Felix Contreras , co-creator and host of Alt.Latino I love walking past the Diego Maradona mural outside of Napoli Pasta Bar in Washington , D.C .
I always get good vibes from it and love seeing a Latino displayed on a mural in the nation 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his final years he took a job coaching second-division soccer in Sinaloa , Mexico , and nearly led them to promotion .
Shows he really cared about the sport and was a Latino ambassador to the game .
- Gustavo Contreras , assistant producer , All Things Considered 'When Argentina won ... we all partied so hard' As a morenita Mexican-Colombian kid growing up in surfer-centric Southern California , seeing Maradona beat West Germany in Mexico City was huge .
I 've never met my South American family and I 've always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of my very Mexican extended family , but when Argentina won , none of that mattered and we all partied so hard .
That Hand of God goal against the British was the stuff every colonized country dreams of .
- Nadia Grenier , traffic coordinator

Photos: Remembering Maradona, Latin America's Patron Saint Of The Pitch
Enlarge this image toggle caption John Vink / MAPS John Vink / MAPS
I first came to know Diego Armando Maradona in September 1993, when I was watching the qualifying match between Argentina and my country of Colombia for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Even though I was just a young kid at the time, I knew that Maradona, Argentina's star player, was something special. His vision, the way he dribbled past his opponents — he was respected and adored not just in his country, but across Latin America and the world.
Maradona, who rose from the slums of Buenos Aires to lead Argentina's national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup, died Wednesday at the age of 60, according to media reports. He reportedly suffered a heart attack at his home in a suburb of Buenos Aires.
As I found out about the news of his death, I asked a few Latinos at NPR to share their memories of Maradona. For us, in our region, we take soccer as seriously as religion — and as such, we all got to experience Maradona from our countries in our own way.
Here is a selection of tributes from NPR staff members. These have been edited for length and clarity.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Lissette lemus Lissette lemus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Allsport UK / Getty Images Allsport UK / Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Allsport UK /Allsport / Getty Images Allsport UK /Allsport / Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Allsport UK / Getty Images Allsport UK / Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
'Santa Maradona'
Since I was born in the U.S., my first intimate exposure to the passion around fútbol was through my friend, colleague and former Alt.Latino co-host Jasmine Garsd. In fact, the very first episode of Alt.Latino 10 years ago was a collection of songs about soccer from Latin America and around the world.
But the one that made her eyes both sparkle with excitement and reflect more than a bit of nostalgia was "Santa Maradona" by the rock en Español pioneers Mano Negra. The recording includes the sonic excitement that she said she could hear every weekend living near a soccer stadium in Buenos Aires. Playing this on repeat to remember Maradona is just a good as watching his playing on YouTube on repeat. - Felix Contreras, co-creator and host of Alt.Latino
Mano Negra - Santa Maradona YouTube
Enlarge this image toggle caption Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images
'A Latino ambassador to the game'
I love walking past the Diego Maradona mural outside of Napoli Pasta Bar in Washington, D.C. I always get good vibes from it and love seeing a Latino displayed on a mural in the nation's capital. I love that in one of his final years he took a job coaching second-division soccer in Sinaloa, Mexico, and nearly led them to promotion. Shows he really cared about the sport and was a Latino ambassador to the game. - Gustavo Contreras, assistant producer, All Things Considered
Enlarge this image toggle caption AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alessandra Tarantino/AP Alessandra Tarantino/AP
'When Argentina won ... we all partied so hard'
As a morenita Mexican-Colombian kid growing up in surfer-centric Southern California, seeing Maradona beat West Germany in Mexico City was huge. I've never met my South American family and I've always been aware that I was different from the rest of my very Mexican extended family, but when Argentina won, none of that mattered and we all partied so hard. That Hand of God goal against the British was the stuff every colonized country dreams of. - Nadia Grenier, traffic coordinator
Enlarge this image toggle caption Getty Images Getty Images
Enlarge this image toggle caption Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images


npr--2020-11-25--NFL Postpones Steelers-Ravens Thanksgiving Game Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

NFL fans who plan to watch football after Thanksgiving dinner will have to make new plans this year .
That 's because the NFL has postponed Thursday night 's Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers game to Sunday , the league announced Wednesday .
Two other NFL games will take place earlier in the day on Thursday .
This comes as at least seven Ravens players this week have tested positive for the coronavirus or have been in close contact with someone who was infected , per team news releases .
Players who test positive must quarantine for 10 days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's reserve/COVID-19 list this week , which means they either contracted the coronavirus or came into close contact with someone who had it , according to the Ravens ' roster .
Because of new coronavirus guidelines that will go into effect in Pennsylvania on Friday night , fans will no longer be able to attend the rescheduled game , according to Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten .
Around 5,500 fans were expected to attend on Thursday before the game 's cancelation .
`` This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts , '' the NFL stated .
Football fans will still have games to watch on Thanksgiving .
The Houston Texans and Detroit Lions will play at 12:30 p.m .
ET , and the Washington Football Team and Dallas Cowboys play at 4:30 p.m .
ET .
`` We appreciate the NFL for its diligence in working closely with us to ensure the well-being of players , coaches and staff , '' the Ravens said in a statement .
`` Protecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in addition to our communities at large , is of utmost importance . ''
In September , the Steelers ' game against the Tennessee Titans was postponed to their Week 7 bye because of a coronavirus outbreak among Titans players and staff .
Several Steelers players took to Twitter to express their dismay and disdain about the postponement , the second of the season due to COVID-19 .
`` First the NFL takes away our bye week because another team ca n't get their Covid situation together , now they take away our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Smh , '' tweeted star wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following the announcement .

NFL Postpones Steelers-Ravens Thanksgiving Game Due To Coronavirus Outbreak
Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Sargent/Getty Images Joe Sargent/Getty Images
NFL fans who plan to watch football after Thanksgiving dinner will have to make new plans this year.
That's because the NFL has postponed Thursday night's Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers game to Sunday, the league announced Wednesday. Two other NFL games will take place earlier in the day on Thursday.
This comes as at least seven Ravens players this week have tested positive for the coronavirus or have been in close contact with someone who was infected, per team news releases. Players who test positive must quarantine for 10 days.
Two other players are on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list this week, which means they either contracted the coronavirus or came into close contact with someone who had it, according to the Ravens' roster.
Because of new coronavirus guidelines that will go into effect in Pennsylvania on Friday night, fans will no longer be able to attend the rescheduled game, according to Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten. Around 5,500 fans were expected to attend on Thursday before the game's cancelation.
"This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts," the NFL stated.
Football fans will still have games to watch on Thanksgiving. The Houston Texans and Detroit Lions will play at 12:30 p.m. ET, and the Washington Football Team and Dallas Cowboys play at 4:30 p.m. ET.
"We appreciate the NFL for its diligence in working closely with us to ensure the well-being of players, coaches and staff," the Ravens said in a statement. "Protecting the health and safety of each team, in addition to our communities at large, is of utmost importance."
In September, the Steelers' game against the Tennessee Titans was postponed to their Week 7 bye because of a coronavirus outbreak among Titans players and staff.
Several Steelers players took to Twitter to express their dismay and disdain about the postponement, the second of the season due to COVID-19.
"First the NFL takes away our bye week because another team can't get their Covid situation together, now they take away our Thanksgiving primetime game for the same reason. Smh," tweeted star wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster following the announcement.


npr--2020-11-25--For Many U.S. Military Families, Coronavirus Means Thanksgiving-In-Place

For Many U.S. Military Families , Coronavirus Means Thanksgiving-In-Place The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving this year , which millions of travelers have ignored .
Many members of the U.S. armed forces did n't have a choice .
Restrictions and regulations implemented by the Defense Dept .
to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have put a stop to holiday travel in many military installations .
Marine Corps Capt .
Cristian Alphonso is an Osprey pilot stationed in Southern California .
And although Camp Pendleton had lifted many travel restrictions in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further than 400 miles from base because of his upcoming deployment .
`` The jobs that we do are virtually incompatible with social distancing , it 's just the nature of the job , '' Alphonso explained .
`` I totally understand command 's wanting to restrict personnel movement , since once [ COVID-19 ] cases are present in a unit , the close quarters nature of the jobs make spreading it virtually unavoidable . ''
Alphonso went into quarantine in September and is now at sea with a Marine Expeditionary Force .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Back home in Charleston , N.C. , his mother Karen hoped to see him before he shipped out .
But she understands he has a job to do .
`` I have n't been able to see him since this started and I just worry about him , '' Karen Alphonso said .
`` That 's been hard .
I miss his smile in person ; he has the best smile .
I miss being able to talk about nothing , just talking about life stuff .
There is something about him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's home .
Just to have him here . ''
When the coronavirus first began to take hold of the U.S. last spring , the Pentagon did what many civilian authorities would not .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper put a stop-movement order in place on Mar .
13 .
Department personnel and their families were ordered to cease all non-mission essential travel for 60 days .
`` Secretary Esper 's priorities remained protecting our service members , [ Defense Dept . ]
civilian employees , and families ; safeguarding our national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' spokesperson Lisa Lawrence tells NPR .
On May 22 , Esper pivoted to a conditions-based approach .
Each of 231 major military installations is now periodically assessed to determine what restrictions should be lifted or imposed , on a case-by-case basis .
Numbers suggest it has worked .
The U.S. as a whole for weeks has been reporting far more new cases each day than the entire 3 million plus-strong defense force has since March .
The Defense Dept .
reports a total of 110,982 coronavirus cases and 124 deaths since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — that 's for all active-duty troops , reserves , military families and civilian contractors .
At the beginning of November , only 34 % of major bases had travel restrictions in place .
But with coronavirus cases erupting across the country , many military installations are tightening back up .
Thirty-one installations have reimposed regulations over the last three weeks , totaling about half of all major installations .
Alana and Mark Benischek are both pilots in the U.S. Air Force , based in Washington state .
A dual-career military couple , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be flexible .
They are accustomed to spending holidays overseas , far from the warmth and embrace of family and friends .
This year they planned to travel to New Hampshire with their two daughters for Thanksgiving .
And had they made the trip , they would have joined Alana 's parents , her two sisters and their husbands and seven nieces and nephews — all under one roof .
Instead , they made the decision to stay home .
`` Honestly , the biggest part of it was just getting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it definitely always included a huge meal on Thanksgiving Day , '' Alana said .
`` It 's just really special when all of the cousins get together .
That 's my favorite part , seeing the kids interact and seeing my sisters and giving hugs . ''
The Benischeks ' base does n't have sweeping travel restrictions in place for the moment .
However , their chain of command is encouraging everyone to follow health and safety guidelines from state and federal agencies .
So instead of cooking a feast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeout in Washington state .
They will see family another time , when it is safe to do so .
`` When you are part of a team like the U.S. military ... you are concerned about something bigger than yourself , '' Alana said .
`` In order for us to be able to accomplish the mission , everybody needs to stay safe and stay healthy .
You 've got to take care of yourself in order to take care of others .
So , that 's what we 're doing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay healthy and keep executing the mission . ''

For Many U.S. Military Families, Coronavirus Means Thanksgiving-In-Place
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving this year, which millions of travelers have ignored.
Many members of the U.S. armed forces didn't have a choice.
Restrictions and regulations implemented by the Defense Dept. to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have put a stop to holiday travel in many military installations.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy Alphonso family Courtesy Alphonso family
Marine Corps Capt. Cristian Alphonso is an Osprey pilot stationed in Southern California. And although Camp Pendleton had lifted many travel restrictions in July, he was not allowed to travel further than 400 miles from base because of his upcoming deployment.
"The jobs that we do are virtually incompatible with social distancing, it's just the nature of the job," Alphonso explained. "I totally understand command's wanting to restrict personnel movement, since once [COVID-19] cases are present in a unit, the close quarters nature of the jobs make spreading it virtually unavoidable."
Alphonso went into quarantine in September and is now at sea with a Marine Expeditionary Force. He last saw his parents last Christmas. Back home in Greensboro, N.C., his mother Karen hoped to see him before he shipped out. But she understands he has a job to do.
"I haven't been able to see him since this started and I just worry about him," Karen Alphonso said. "That's been hard. I miss his smile in person; he has the best smile. I miss being able to talk about nothing, just talking about life stuff. There is something about him coming home that is just special, it's home. Just to have him here."
A quick response
When the coronavirus first began to take hold of the U.S. last spring, the Pentagon did what many civilian authorities would not. Defense Secretary Mark Esper put a stop-movement order in place on Mar. 13. Department personnel and their families were ordered to cease all non-mission essential travel for 60 days.
"Secretary Esper's priorities remained protecting our service members, [Defense Dept.] civilian employees, and families; safeguarding our national security capabilities; and supporting the whole-of-nation response," spokesperson Lisa Lawrence tells NPR.
On May 22, Esper pivoted to a conditions-based approach. Each of 231 major military installations is now periodically assessed to determine what restrictions should be lifted or imposed, on a case-by-case basis.
Numbers suggest it has worked. The U.S. as a whole for weeks has been reporting far more new cases each day than the entire 3 million plus-strong defense force has since March. The Defense Dept. reports a total of 110,982 coronavirus cases and 124 deaths since the start of the pandemic last spring — that's for all active-duty troops, reserves, military families and civilian contractors.
At the beginning of November, only 34% of major bases had travel restrictions in place. But with coronavirus cases erupting across the country, many military installations are tightening back up. Thirty-one installations have reimposed regulations over the last three weeks, totaling about half of all major installations.
Choosing to stay home
Alana and Mark Benischek are both pilots in the U.S. Air Force, based in Washington state. A dual-career military couple, the nature of their jobs requires them to be flexible. They are accustomed to spending holidays overseas, far from the warmth and embrace of family and friends.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy Benischek family Courtesy Benischek family
This year they planned to travel to New Hampshire with their two daughters for Thanksgiving. And had they made the trip, they would have joined Alana's parents, her two sisters and their husbands and seven nieces and nephews — all under one roof. Instead, they made the decision to stay home.
"Honestly, the biggest part of it was just getting to see as many family members as possible. And it definitely always included a huge meal on Thanksgiving Day," Alana said. "It's just really special when all of the cousins get together. That's my favorite part, seeing the kids interact and seeing my sisters and giving hugs."
The Benischeks' base doesn't have sweeping travel restrictions in place for the moment. However, their chain of command is encouraging everyone to follow health and safety guidelines from state and federal agencies.
So instead of cooking a feast in New Hampshire, they are ordering takeout in Washington state. They will see family another time, when it is safe to do so.
"When you are part of a team like the U.S. military...you are concerned about something bigger than yourself," Alana said. "In order for us to be able to accomplish the mission, everybody needs to stay safe and stay healthy. You've got to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. So, that's what we're doing. We're going to stay home to stay healthy and keep executing the mission."
Dustin Jones is an intern with NPR's News Desk.